ObjectiveTo observe the morphological and functional changes of retinal degeneration in mice with CLN7 neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis, and the therapeutic effects of glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and/or ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) based on neural stem cells (NSC) on mouse photoreceptor cells. MethodsA total of 100 CLN7 mice aged 14 days were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group, with 80 and 20 mice respectively. Twenty C57BL/6J mice aged 14 days were assigned as wild-type group (WT group). Mice in control group and WT group did not receive any interventions. At 2, 4, and 6 months of age, immunohistochemical staining was conducted to examine alterations in the distribution and quantity of cones, rod-bipolar cells, and cone-bipolar cells within the retinal of mice while electroretinography (ERG) examination was utilized to record scotopic a and b-waves and photopic b-wave amplitudes. At 14 days of age, the mice in the experimental group were intravitreally injected with 2 μl of CNTF-NSC, GDNF-NSC, and a 1:1 cell mixture of CNTF-NSC and GDNF-NSC (GDNF/CNTF-NSC). Those mice were then subdivided into the CNTF-NSC group, the GDNF-NSC group, and the GDNF/CNTF-NSC group accordingly. The contralateral eyes of the mice were injected with 2 μl of control NSC without neurotrophic factor (NTF) as their own control group. At 2 and 4 months of age, the rows of photoreceptor cells in mice was observed by immunohistochemical staining while ERG was performed to record amplitudes. At 4 months of age, the differentiation of grafted NSC and the expression of NTF were observed. Statistical comparisons between the groups were performed using a two-way ANOVA. ResultsCompared with WT group, the density of cones in the peripheral region of the control group at 2, 4 and 6 months of age (F=285.10), rod-bipolar cell density in central and peripheral retina (F=823.20, 346.20), cone-bipolar cell density (F=356.30, 210.60) and the scotopic amplitude of a and b waves (F=1 911.00, 387.10) in central and peripheral retina were significantly decreased, with statistical significance (P＜0.05). At the age of 4 and 6 months, the density of retinal cone cells (F=127.30) and b-wave photopic amplitude (F=51.13) in the control group were significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05). Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that the NSC transplanted in the experimental group preferentially differentiated into astrocytes, and stably expressed CNTF and GDNF at high levels. Comparison of retinal photoreceptor nucleus lines in different treatment subgroups of the experimental group at different ages: CNTF-NSC group, at 2 months of age: the whole, central and peripheral regions were significantly different (F=31.73, 75.06, 75.06; P＜0.05); 4 months of age: The difference between the whole area and the peripheral region was statistically significant (F=12.27, 12.27; P＜0.05). GDNF/CNTF-NSC group, 2 and 4 months of age: the whole (F=27.26, 27.26) and the peripheral area (F=16.01, 13.55) were significantly different (P＜0.05). In GDNF-NSC group, there was no statistical significance at all in the whole, central and peripheral areas at different months of age (F=0.00, 0.01, 0.02; P＞0.05). ConclusionsCLN7 neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis mice exhibit progressively increasing degenerative alterations in photoreceptor cells and bipolar cells with age growing, aligning with both morphological and functional observations. Intravitreal administration of stem cell-based CNTF as well as GDNF/CNTF show therapeutic potential in rescuing photoreceptor cells. Nevertheless, the combined application of GDNF/CNTF-NSC do not demonstrate the anticipated synergistic protective effect. GDNF has no therapeutic effect on the retinal morphology and function in CLN7 neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis mice.
Objective To systematically review the survival outcome and safety of haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) for β-thalassemia. Methods The PubMed, EMbase, CNKI, WanFang Data and CBM databases were electronically searched to collect studies on haplo-HSCT for β-thalassemia from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2021. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed by using RevMan 5.4.1 software and Stata 16.0 software. Results A total of 6 case-series studies involving 286 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis indicated that overall survival (OS) and thalassemia-free survival (TFS) for β-thalassemia patients undergoing haplo-HSCT were 92.5% (95%CI 86.1% to 96.1%) and 88.5% (95%CI 74.6% to 95.3%), the incidence of Ⅲ-Ⅳ degree acute graft versus host disease (Ⅲ-Ⅳ aGvHD) and chronic graft versus host disease (cGvHD) were 11.5% (95%CI 6.5% to 20.0%) and 23.1% (95%CI 12.3% to 39.8%), and the transplantation related mortality was 6.5% (95%CI 3.8% to 10.7%). Conclusion Relevant clinical studies published in the past 5 years provide the latest information and progress of haplo-HSCT for β-thalassemia. At present, great efficacy has been shown in NF-14-TM therapeutic regimen, but the long-term efficacy remains unclear. Due to the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high-quality evidence from long-term comparative studies is still needed.
ObjectiveTo determine the expression level of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) in the passage of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs), analyze the effect of Shh overexpression on the proliferation activity of HFSCs, and explore the survival of HFSCs after Shh overexpression and its effect on hair follicle regeneration. MethodsHair follicles from the normal area (H1 group) and alopecia area (H2 group) of the scalp donated by 20 female alopecia patients aged 40-50 years old were taken, and the middle part of the hair follicle was cut under the microscope to culture, and the primary HFSCs were obtained and passaged; the positive markers (CD29, CD71) and negative marker (CD34) on the surface of the fourth generation HFSCs were identified by flow cytometry. The two groups of HFSCs were transfected with Shh-overexpressed lentivirus. Flow cytometry and cell counting kit 8 assay were used to detect the cell cycle changes and cell proliferation of HFSCs before and after transfection, respectively. Then the HFSCs transfected with Shh lentivirus were transplanted subcutaneously into the back of nude mice as the experimental group, and the same amount of saline was injected as the control group. At 5 weeks after cell transplantation, the expression of Shh protein in the back skin tissue of nude mice was detected by Western blot. HE staining and immunofluorescence staining were used to compare the number of hair follicles and the survival of HFSCs between groups. ResultsThe isolated and cultured cells were fusiform and firmly attached to the wall; flow cytometry showed that CD29 and CD71 were highly expressed on the surface of the cells, while CD34 was lowly expressed, suggesting that the cultured cells were HFSCs. The results of real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot showed that the expression levels of Shh protein and gene in the 4th, 7th, and 10th passages of cells in H1 and H2 groups decreased gradually with the prolongation of culture time in vitro. After overexpression of Shh, the proliferation activity of HFSCs in the two groups was significantly higher than that in the blank group (not transfected with lentivirus) and the negative control group (transfected with negative control lentivirus), and the proliferation activity of HFSCs in H1 group was significantly higher than that in H2 group before and after transfection, showing significant differences (P<0.05). At 5 weeks after cell transplantation, Shh protein was stably expressed in the dorsal skin of each experimental group; the number of hair follicles and the expression levels of HFSCs markers (CD71, cytokeratin 15) in each experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the number of hair follicles and the expression levels of HFSCs markers in H1 group were significantly higher than those in H2 group, and the differences were significant (P<0.05). ConclusionLentivirus-mediated Shh can be successfully transfected into HFSCs, the proliferation activity of HFSCs significantly increase after overexpression of Shh, which can secrete and express Shh continuously and stably, and promote hair follicle regeneration by combining the advantages of stem cells and Shh.
Objective To observe the survival of human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) after injection into the vitreous of rabbits,and the animal safety under those procedures.Methods Twentyseven pigmented rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups (intravitreal injection 1 week group，2 weeks group and 4 weeks group)， each with 9 rabbits.For each animal the right eye was the experimental eye receiving hUCMSCs injection,while the left eye was the control eye receiving culture medium. The rabbit eyes were examined by slitlamp microscope, indirect ophthalmoscopy, fundus photography, fundus fluorescence angiography（FFA）and Tonopen tonometer before and after injection. hUCMSCs were labeled by CMDil in vitro, and their survival status was measured by confocal fluorescence microscopy, light microscope and transmission electron microscope at 4 weeks after injection. Results Four weeks after injection, a large number of the hUCMSCs were still alive in the vitreous cavity. The overall condition of those rabbits was good. The anterior segment and retina of experimental eyes were normal, without hyperfluorescence, hypofluorescence and leakage in the retina at 1,2 and 4 weeks after injection. There was no significant difference on IOP before and after injection at different time points (P＞0.05), and no obvious changes at cornea, anterior chamber angle,lens,retinal structure by.light microscope and transmission electron microscope examination.Conclusion hUC-MSCs can survive in the rabbit vitreous for four weeks；intravitreal injection of hUCMSCs was safe and feasible.
Objective To assess systematically the safety and ef fects of stem cell transplantation in stroke patients.Methods CENTRAL (April 2007), MEDLINE (1966 to April 2007), EMBASE (1980 to April 2007), and other databases were searched for RCT of the use of stem cell transplantation for patients with stroke. We critically appraised the quality of included studies according to Juny 2001. We assessed the effects of stem cell therapy on mortal ity, functional outcomes, cognitive functions, image changes, quality of life, and adverse effects by doing meta-analysis with The Cochrane Collaboration’ s Review Manager. Dichotomous outcomes were reported as relative risk and continuous outcome measures as weighted mean differences, with 95% confidence intervals.Results Three RCTs and one historical controlled trial were included involving a total of 69 participants. Only one trial reported the effect on mortality, but because of the small number of death it was not possible to detect any significant differences between stem cell transplantation and routine treatment (RR 0.11, 95%CI 0.01 to 2.31, P = 0.16). Three studies indicated a statistically significant improvement of some functional outcomes in patients treated by stem cell transplantation. Improvements of cognitive function were reported in another trial. One trial showed that the stem cell transplantation significantly improved qual ity of life compared with the control group. Conclusion The current evidence is insufficient to determine whether or not stem cell transplantation is a safe and effective therapy for stroke patients. High-quality, large-scale randomized trials are needed to assess the role of stem cell transplantation for stroke.
Objective To observe the retinal apoptosis of laser-induced retinal injury in mice after bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplantation. Methods Green fluorescent protein (GFP) labeled MSCs from C57BL/6 mice were cultured in vitro. A total of 135 C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups including normal control group (15 mice), injured control group (60 mice) and MSCs treatment group (60 mice). Laser retinal injuries were induced by laser photocoagulation. One day after photocoagulation, 02 ml cell suspension, which contained 1times;106 GFP-MSCs, were injected into the mice in treatment group via tail vein, and the mice in injured control group were given equal volume of phosphate buffer solution. Animal were execute on three, seven, 14 and 21 days following laser damage. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed to assess the changes of injured retinas. The diameters of laser spots and areas with total loss of cells in outer nuclear layer (ONL) were analyzed by image processing software. The apoptosis of retinal cells was examined by terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. The migration of GFP-MSCs into the retina was observed by fluorescence microscope. Results HE staining showed that the retinal structures were integrated in normal control group. Retinal damages were observed both in injured control group and MSCs treatment group, but milder in the latter. Though the average diameter of area with total loss of cells in ONL of MSCs treatment group was less than the injured control group (t=5.769, P＜0.05), the diameters of laser spots show no difference (t=0.964,P＞0.05) on day three. Both the average diameter of laser spots (t=5.180, 5.417, 2.381) and area with total loss of cells in ONL (t=3.530, 3.224, 3.162) were less in the MSCs treatment group on day seven, 14 and 21 (P＜0.05). TUNEL staining shows that the apoptosis were decreased after MSCs transplantation on day three, seven, 14 and 21 (t=11.142, 7.479, 6.678, 3.953,P＜0.05). No apoptosis was observed in normal control group. Very few GFP-MSCs were observed in the retina at all time-points. They were only seen in the subretinal and choroidal neovascularization occasionally on day seven and 14. Conclusion MSCs transplantation can effectively limit the range of retinal laser damage and inhibit cell apoptosis.
ObjectiveTo observe the protective effect of human umbilical cord blood stem cells (hUCBSC) transplantation on retinal ganglion cells (RGC) after optic nerve injury. Method48 adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into group A and B, therefore 24 rats in each group. Calibrated optic nerve crush injury model was induced in the left eyes, the right eyes served as a control. Medicine was injected at seventh day after optic nerve injury. PBS was injected into the eyes of Group A rats by peribulbar injection. The hUCBSCs were injected into the eyes of Group B rats by peribulbar injection. Seven days before sacrifice, 5% fluorogold was injected into superior colliculi bilaterally. At 7, 14, 21, 28 days after labeled, retinal flat mounts were observed under fluorescence microscope and optical microscope to investigate the morphological and RGC changes in density during retinal degeneration. ResultsThe RGC number showed a tendency to decline gradually along with increases of the time in two groups, but the trend of decrease of Group B was evidently slower than that of Group A. The RGC number of the injury eye were less than the control eye in Group A and B (t=3.24, 3.15; P < 0.05). At 7, 14, 21, 28 days after labeled, the RGC number (t=4.78, 4.70, 3.98, 3.27; P < 0.05) and labeled RGC rate (t=4.39, 4.21, 4.36, 5.07; P < 0.05) in group B were more than those in group A. After optic nerve injury, there was karyopycnosis on ganglion cell layer of retina, thinning on each layer of retina, derangement of cell and decrease in RGC. There was different degree of the above change in different time after optic nerve injury. There were the swelling, the hemorrhage, derangement of spongiocyte and the denaturation like vacuole in the spot of optic nerve injury. Moreover, they were aggravating with increases of the time after optic nerve injury. There was no pathological changes in normal eyes. ConclusionThe hUCBSC can increase the survival rate of the RGC and can rescue and(or) restore the injujed RGC after transplanted into body of optic nerve crush rat model by peribulbar injection.
ObjectiveTo observe aqueous cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA load in patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT), and to explore influencing factors for transient elevation of CMV-DNA load during the treatment. MethodsA retrospective study. From January 2016 to July 2020, 28 eyes of 19 patients with CMVR after Allo-HSCT diagnosed in the Department of Ophthalmology of Peking University People's Hospital were included in the study. Among them, there were 8 males with 12 eyes, 11 females with 16 eyes; the mean age was 28 years; 10 patients were unilateral and 9 patients were bilateral. During the course of treatment and follow-up, the blood CMV-DNA remained negative. All patients were treated with intravitreal injection of 60 mg/ml ganciclovir 0.05 ml (containing ganciclovir 3 mg), twice a week for two weeks in induction phase and weekly injection in maintenance phase. Aqueous humor sample was collected during injection of ganciclovir (IVG) and CMV-DNA load was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Intravitreal treatment was terminated if aqueous CMV-DNA load turned negative after the fourth or later intravitreal injection. The patients were followed up every 2 weeks for at least 6 months. Serum CMV-DNA was negative in all patients during treatment and follow-up. All the eyes were divided into continuous decline group and non-continuous decline group depending on whether there was transient elevation of aqueous CMV-DNA load, and data between two groups were compared. Pearson linear regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between aqueous CMV-DNA load and injection times or treatment duration. ResultsAt the end of treatment, the median number of IVG in the affected eye was 7 (4, 9). The results of correlation analysis showed that the aqueous humor CMV-DNA load of the affected eye was related to the number of treatments [R2=0.385, P＜0.000 1, B=－0.237 log10 copies/(ml · time)], and the duration of treatment [R2=0.394, P <0.000 1, B=－0.301 log10 copies/(ml · week)] were negatively correlated. Among the 28 eyes, 13 eyes (46.4%, 13/28) in the continuous decline group and 15 eyes (53.6%, 15/28) in the non-sustained decline group. Baseline visual acuity (t=－1.223), intraocular pressure (t=1.538), aqueous humor CMV-DNA load (t=－0.109), retinitis lesion area (Z=－0.308) in the continuous decline group and the non-continuous decline group), the number of quadrants involved (Z=－0.024) and whether the macula was involved (Z=－1.826), combined with anterior segment inflammation (Z =－0.499), combined with high intraocular pressure (Z=－1.342), terminal visual acuity (t =－0.845), intraocular pressure (t=－0.068), total IVG times (Z=0.907), age (Z=－0.832), gender composition (Z=－1.074), etc. The difference was not statistically significant (P＞0.05). ConclusionThe CMV-DNA load in aqueous humor decreases by about 50% every week during the treatment of CMVR eyes after Allo-HSCT; the transient increase in the CMV-DNA load in the aqueous humor during treatment does not affect the treatment process and clinical prognosis.
Objective To observe the effects of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on the expression of neurotrophic factor protein gene in the retinal detachment (RD) rabbits. Methods 60 healthy rabbits were randomly divided into control group (group A), retinal detachment with PBS group (group B), retinal detachment with BMSCs group (group C), 20 rabbits in each group. RD model were established for rabbits in group B and C. 10 μl PBS was injected into the subretinal space of rabbits in group B, while 10 μl CM-Dil labeled BMSC PBS was injected into subretinal space of rabbits in group C. The rabbits in the group A received no treatment. At 1, 2 and 4 weeks after modeling, the mRNA expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) were measured by real-time quantitative PCR. Results At 1, 2 and 4 weeks after modeling, the mRNA expression of bFGF, BDNF, CNTF on retinal tissue were increased significantly in group C as compared with group A and B (P < 0.01). At 1 week after modeling, the mRNA expression of bFGF and CNTF on retinal tissue were increased significantly in group B as compared with group A, the mRNA expression of BDNF on retinal tissue in group B was similar with group C. At 2 and 4 weeks after modeling, the mRNA expression of bFGF, BDNF, CNTF were decreased in group B as compared with group A. Conclusion Subretinal transplantation of BMSC can increase the mRNA expression of bFGF, BDNF and CNTF on retinal tissue in RD rabbits.