Objective To determine the efficacy of D980-nm laser in dissolving fat and renewing skin, and to explore the clinical application of D980-nm laser in reconstruction of photodamaged skin. Methods Eighteen 12-14 month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 400-450 g, were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=6). The rat skin at the left side was exposed to D980-nm laser irradiation at a density of 20 J/cm2, a power of 8 W, a pulse width of 20 ms, and a pulse frequency of 40 Hz for 1 time (group A), 2 times of 5-minute interval (group B), and 3 times of 5-minute interval (group C) as a treatment course, for 4 treatment courses with an interval of 1 week; the other side of the skin was not treated as the control groups (groups A1, B1, and C1, respectively). After 8 weeks, the skin was harvested for HE staining and immunohistochemical staining to observe the structure changes of skin, to measure the dermal thickness, to count the number of fibroblasts, and detect the expressions of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Results Compared with groups A1, B1, and C1, the skin structure was significantly improved in groups A, B, and C. After D980-nm laser irradiation, the number of fat cells decreased; local angiogenesis was observed; the total number of fibroblasts and fibers increased; the collagen fiber had large diameter, and arranged closely and regularly; the dermal thickness and the number of the fibroblasts increased; and the expressions of TGF-β1 and bFGF were significantly enhanced, showing significant differences (P<0.05). With increased D980-nm laser irradiation times, the above indexes increased, showing significant differences between group C and groups A, B (P<0.05). Conclusion D980-nm laser treatment has lipolytic and tender effect on the skin, and the frequency of the treatment is an important factor in skin renewal.
Objective To establish a safe, effective, and economic feeder-free culture system which is suitable for the culture of human parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells (hPESCs) in vitro. Methods hPESCs were cultured with mTeSRTMl medium (control group) and human foreskin fibroblasts-conditional medium (hFFs-CM) (experimental group). The growth status of hPESCs in both feeder-free culture systems were observed with inverted microscope. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) analysis and karyotype analysis were used to study the biological characteristics of hPESCs. The expression of hPESCs pluripotent marker Oct-4 was analyzed by RT-PCR. Differentiation experiment in vivo and in vitro was applied to observe the differentiation potential of hPESCs into three germ layers. Results hPESCs had regular morphology with difficulty in differentiation in both culture systems. No obvious difference was observed in morphology and expansion speed of hPESCs between 2 groups. After subcultured for 15 passages in vitro, hPESCs in 2 groups could maintain normal female diploid karyotype 46, XX and pluripotency. The expression of Oct-4 mRNA was positive in 2 groups. hPESCs in 2 groups could form embryonic body in differentiation experiment in vitro and could develop into teratomas containing three germ layers in nude mice. Conclusion Feeder-free culture system of hFFs-CM can sustain the growth of hPESCs and keep hPESCs undifferentiated state for long. A feeder-free culture system of hPESCs is successfully established, which can support the growth of hPESCs, reduce the contamination from animals, decrease the cost of culture, and satisfy the clinical large-scale application.
Objective Through analyzing BKCa channel expression in atrial fibroblasts in patients with sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation (AF), to explore the mechanism of myocardial fibrosis and provide new therapeutic strategies for the treatment and reversal of AF structure reconstruction. Methods We selected 10 patients of rheumatic heart valvular disease who underwent valve replacement surgery. They were 5 patients with sinus rhythm (a sinus rhythm group, 2 males and 3 females with an average age of 49.1±8.3 years) and 5 with AF (an AF group, 3 males and 2 females with an average age of 50.3±5.8 years). About 100 mg tissue was obtained from the right auricula dextra, and the atrial fibroblasts were cultured by tissue block adherence method, and the expression of BKCa channel genes and proteins in cultured fibroblasts was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting methods. Results (1) The general data of 10 patients between the AF group and the sinus rhythm group were compared. There was no significant difference between the two groups in age (t=1.21, P=0.67) and sex (t=2.56, P=0.75). There was statistical difference in the left atrial diameter and the right atrium diameter between the two groups (t=19.45, P=0.01; t=23.52, P=0.06); (2) the mRNA expression of BKCa subunit was detected by qRT-PCR method, and there was no significant difference in the mRNA expression of BKCa α and BKCa β1 between the two groups (t=3.14, P=0.79; t=2.88, P=0.69); (3) the expression of BKCa protein was detected by western blotting method, and there was no significant difference in the protein expression of BKCa α and BKCa β1 between the two groups (t=0.55, P=0.31; t=0.73, P=0.46). Conclusion BKCa pathway may not be involved in the pathogenesis and maintenance of AF, but it may play an important role in the process of myocardial fibrosis.
Objective To summarize and review the heterogeneity of bone marrow derived stem cells (BMDSCs) and its formation mechanism and significance, and to analyze the possible roles and mechanisms in intestinal epithel ial reconstruction. Methods The related l iterature about BMDSCs heterogeneity and its role in intestinal epithel ial repair was reviewed and analyzed. Results The heterogeneity of BMDSCs provided better explanations for its multi-potency. The probable mechanisms of BMDSCs to repair intestinal epithel ium included direct implantation into intestinal epithel ium, fusion between BMDSCs and intestinal stem cells, and promotion of injury microcirculation reconstruction. Conclusion BMDSCs have a bright future in gastrointestinal injury caused by inflammatory bowl disease and regeneration.
ObjectiveTo explore effect and mechanism of the carcinoma associated fibroblasts (CAFs) of breast cancer on growth and metastasis of breast cancer induced in nude mice by inoculation of CAFs and breast cancer cells. MethodsBreast cancer cell line of MDA-MB-231 (abbreviated as MDA), CAFs, and normal breast tissue fibroblasts (NFs) of the same breast cancer patient were collected, and mixed with normal saline (NS) or SDF-1 ligand blockers of four nitrogen heterocyclic fourteen alka (AMD3100, abbreviated as AMD) for inoculation of nude mice in vivo. According to the different combination, 36 nude mice were randomly divided into 6 groups:MDA+NS group, NFs+NS group, MDA+NFs+NS group, MDA+NFs+AMD group, MDA+CAFs+AMD group, and MDA+CAFs+NS group. Forty six days after the inoculation and feeding, volume of tumor, metastasis of lymph node, lung or liver were observed. In addition, level of plasma SDF-1 was tested by using ELISA method, and expressions of SDF-1 mRNA and protein in tumor specimens were detected by using real-time PCR and Western blot method respectively. ResultsExcept for NFs+ NS group, implanted tumor could be seen in nude mice of other 5 groups. In MDA+CAFs+NS group, the volume of tumor[(9.092±2.662) cm3], level of plasma SDF-1[(75.25±16.23) ng/L], and expression levels of SDF-1 mRNA (the median level was 14.714) and protein (the median level was 0.673). of tumor tissue were significantly greater or higher than those of the other 5 groups (P < 0.050). In addition, lymph node metastasis were found in 4 mice in MDA+CAFs+NS group, and 2 in MDA+NS group. The tumor metastasis of lung and liver was not found in all nude mice. ConclusionsCAFs can promote growth and lymph node metastasis of breast cancer, whose mechanism is related with SDF-1 secreted by CAFs and SDF-1/CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), signal pathway.
Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B) in osteoarthritis (OA) cartilage damage repair. Methods Twenty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into control group and model group, with 10 rabbits in each group. Rabbits in the model group were injured by the right knee joint immobilization method to make the artilage injury model, while the control group did not deal with any injury. After 4 weeks, the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in synovial fluid were detected by ELISA method; the mRNA and protein expressions of S100B, fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), and FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) in cartilage tissue were examined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot assay. Human synovial fibroblasts (SF) were isolated and cultured in vitro. The effects of S100B overexpression and knockdown on the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α (ELISA method) and the expressions of FGF-2 and FGFR1 gene (qRT-PCR) and protein (Western blot) were observed. Moreover, the effects of FGFR1 knockdown in above S100 overexpression system on the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α (ELISA method) and the expressions of FGF-2 and FGFR1 gene (qRT-PCR) and protein (Western blot) were observed. Results ELISA detection showed that the expressions of IL-1β and TNF-α in the synovial fluid of the model group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05); qRT-PCR and Western blot detection showed that the mRNA and protein expressions of S100B, FGF-2, and FGFR1 in cartilage tissue were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). Overexpression and knockdown S100 could respectively significantly increase and decrease lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induced IL-1β and TNF-α levels elevation and the mRNA and protein expressions of FGF-2 and FGFR1 (P<0.05); whereas FGFR1 knockdown could significantly decrease LPS induced IL-1β and TNF-α levels elevation and the mRNA and protein expressions of FGF-2 and FGFR1 (P<0.05). Conclusion S100B protein can regulate the inflammatory response of SF and may affect the repair of cartilage damage in OA, and the mechanism may be related to the activation of FGF-2/FGFR1 signaling pathway.
Objective To investigate the effects of heat injured keratinocytes (KC) supernatant on the expressions of collagen type I, collagen type III, and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) of dermal fibroblasts (Fb). Methods KC and Fb were isolated and cultured. Then the models of heat injured KC and Fb were reproduced in vitro, respectively. The heat injured and normal culture supernatant were collected respectively at 12 hours, and formulated as a 50% concentration of cell-conditioned medium. According to the culture medium, Fb at passage 3-5 was divided into 3 groups. Normal Fb was cultured with the conditioned medium containing 50% heat injured KC culture supernatant (group A), the conditioned medium containing 50% normal KC culture supernatant (group B), and DMEM (group C), respectively. The cells in 3 groups were collected at 24 hours. In addition， the cells in group A were collected at 0, 1, 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours， respectively. Normal Fb was cultured with the conditioned medium containing 50% heat injured Fb culture supernatant. Then, the cells were collected at 0, 1, 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours, respectively. The mRNA levels of the collagen type I, collagen type III, and MMP-1 of Fb were measured by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR techniques. Results At 24 hours after cultured with supernatant of heat injured KC，mRNA relative expression levels of collagen type I, collagen type III, and MMP-1 in group A were significantly higher than those in groups B and C (P lt; 0.05). The mRNA relative expression levels of collagen type I, collagen type III, and MMP-1 in group A gradually increased with time going, showing significant differences between 0 hour and 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours (P lt; 0.05); significant differences were found between different time points after 2 hours (P lt; 0.05). After Fb was treated with supernatant of heat injured Fb, the mRNA relative expression levels of MMP-1 gradually decreased with time going, showing significant differences between 0 hour and 1, 2, 6, 12, 24, and 24 hours (P lt; 0.05); after 2 hours of culture, significant differences were found among different time points (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Heat injured KC supernatant may regulate the mRNA expressions of collagen type I, collagen type III, and MMP-1 of Fb.
ObjectiveTo introduce the research status of the immunoregulation function of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in tumor microenvironment.MethodThe literatures in recent years on the studies of role of CAFs in the regulation of immune response in the tumor microenvironment were collected and summarized.ResultsThe CAFs played a critical role as the components of the tumor microenvironment. The CAFs could product various growth factors and cytokines that were contributed to the immunoregulation including the polarization of the immune cells and the regulation of the function of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment and eventually resulted in the carcinogenesis, tumor progression, invasion, metastasis and therapy resistance.ConclusionCAFs play a significant role in the immunoregulation in tumor microenvironment, but as a potential target for breast cancer, more studies are still needed to discover the specific markers, heterogeneity, and key signaling pathways.
Objective To investigate the effects of NGF on the prol iferation, mitotic cycle, collagen synthesis and migration of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), and to explore the function of NGF on the wound heal ing. Methods The 3rd generation of HDFs were incubated with various concentrations of NGF (0, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 ng/mL), the cell prol iferation was measured with MTT assay. After treated with NGF at 0, 100 ng/mL, the cell cycle of HDFs was determined by flow cytometry (FCM). Hydroxyprol ine and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR) were used to measure collagen synthesis at protein level and mRNA level respectively. The in vitro cell scratch wound model was set up to observe the effect of NGF (0, 50, 100 and 200 ng/mL) on the migration of HDFs after 24 hours of culture. Results Absorbance value of HDFs for different concentrations of NGF (0, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 ng/ mL) showed that NGF did not influence the prol iferation of HDFs (P gt; 0.05). When HDFs were treated with NGF at 0 and 100 ng/mL, the result of FCM analysis showed that percentage of HDFs in G0/G1, S, G2/M phases were not changed (P gt; 0.05). Compared with control group, the expression of Col I and Col III were not significantly different, measured by both hydroxyprol ine and FQ-PCR (P gt; 0.05). The rates of HDFs’ migration at various concentrations of NGF (0, 50, 100, 200 ng/ mL) were 52.12% ± 6.50%, 80.67% ± 8.51%, 66.33% ± 3.58%, and 61.19% ± 0.97%, respectively, indicating that NGF could significantly enhanced the migration of HDFs at 50 and 100 ng/mL (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion NGF does not influence prol iferation, mitotic cycle and collagen synthesis of HDFs, but significantly enhanced migration in an in vitro model of wounded fibroblasts.
Objective To investigate whether human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) have the characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and the differentiation capacity into ligament fibroblastsin vitro. Methods The hAMSCs were separated through trypsin and collagenase digestion from placenta, the phenotypic characteristics of hAMSCs were detected by flow cytometry, the cytokeratin-19 (CK-19) and vimentin expression of hAMSCs were tested through immunofluorescence staining. The hAMSCs at the 3rd passage were cultured with L-DMEM/F12 medium containing transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as the experimental group and with single L-DMEM/F12 medium as the control group. The morphology of hAMSCs was observed by inverted phase contrast microscope; the cellular activities and ability of proliferation were examined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method; the ligament fibroblasts related protein expressions including collagen type I, collagen type III, Fibronectin, and Tenascin-C were detected by immunofluorescence staining; specific mRNA expressions of ligament fibroblasts and angiogenesis including collagen type I, collagen type III, Fibronectin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and VEGF were measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Results The hAMSCs presented monolayer and adherent growth under inverted phase contrast microscope; the flow cytometry results demonstrated that hAMSCs expressed the MSCs phenotypes; the immunofluorescence staining results indicated the hAMSCs had high expression of the vimentin and low expression of CK-19; the hAMSCs possessed the differentiation ability into the osteoblasts, chondroblasts, and lipoblasts. The CCK-8 results displayed that cells reached the peak of growth curve at 7 days in each group, and the proliferation ability in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group at 7 days (P<0.05). The immunofluorescence staining results showed that the expressions of collagen type I, collagen type III, Fibronectin, and Tenascin-C in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group at 5, 10, and15 days after culture (P<0.05). The real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR results revealed that the mRNA relative expressions had an increasing tendency at varying degrees with time in the experimental group (P<0.05). The relative mRNA expressions of collagen type I, collagen type III, Fibronectin, α-SMA, and VEGF in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group at the other time points (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found in the relative mRNA expressions of collagen type I, collagen type III, and VEGF between 2 groups at 5 days (P>0.05). Conclusion The hAMSCs possesses the characteristics of MSCs and good proliferation ability which could be chosen as seed cell source in tissue engineering. The expressions of ligament fibroblasts and angiogenesis related genes could be up-regulated, after inductionin vitro, and the synthesis of ligament fibroblasts related proteins could be strengthened. In addition, the application of TGF-β1 and VEGF could be used as growth factors sources in constructing tissue engineered ligament.