A Review on the Biological Characteristics and Secretory Functions of Adipose-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells （ADSCs） can be largely and easily obtained from a wide range of sources. Moreover, they have self-renewal ability, multi-differentiation potential, and an important role in immune regulation. They can secrete a variety of cytokines to regulate the in vivo micro-environment. Therefore, ADSCs are the ideal seed ceils for stem ceils application. This paper reviews the location, isolation, surface markers, proliferation, differentiation and other biological characteristics of ADSCs, as well as their secretory function and relative researches. ADSCs are expected to become excellent seed cells for cell therapy and tissue engineering through in-depth studies.

Anti-diabetic effects of Caulerpa lentillifera:stimulation of insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells and enhancement of glucose uptake in adipocytes

Objective:To evaluate anti-diabetic effect of Caulrpa kntillifera(C.lentillifera).Methods:The inhibitory effect of C.lentillifera extract on dipeptidyl peptidase-IV and a-glucosidase enzyme was measured in a cell free system.Then,interleukin-1βand interferon-γinduced cell death and insulin secretion were measured in rat insulinoma(RIN)cells by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and ELISA kit,respectively.Glucose uptake and glucose transporter expression were measured by fluorometry and western blotting,using 3T3-Ll adipocytes.Results:C.lentillifera extract significantly decreased dipeptidyl peptidase-IV and a-glucosidase enzyme activities,and effectively inhibited cell death and iNOS expression in interleukin-1βand interfcron-γinduced RIK cells.Furthermore,C.lntillifera extract significantly enhanced insulin secretion in RTN cells and glucose transporter expression and glucose uptake in 3T3-L1adipocytes.Conclusions:Thus,our results suggest that C.lentillifera could be used as a potential antidiabetic agenl.

Effects of glycine on phagocytosis and secretion by Kupffer cells in vitro

AIM:To investigate the effects and mechanisms of action of glycine on phagocytosis and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α secretion by Kupffer cells in vitro. METHODS:Kupffer cells were isolated from normal rats by collagenase digestion and Percoll density gradient differential centrifugation.After culture for 24 h,Kupffer cells were incubated in fresh Dulbecco's Modification of Eagle's Medium containing glycine (G1:1 mmol/L,G2:10 mmol/L,G3:100 mmol/L and G4:300 mmol/L)for 3 h,then used to measure phagocytosis by a bead test,TNF-α secretion after lipopolysaccharide stimulation by radioactive immunoassay,and microfilament and microtubule expression by staining with phalloidin-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)or a monoclonal anti-α tubulin-FITC antibody, respectively,and evaluated under a ultraviolet fluorescence microscope. RESULTS:Glycine decreased the phagocytosis of Kupffer cells at both 30 min and 60 min(P<0.01,P< 0.05).The numbers of beads phagocytosed by Kupffer cells in 30 min were 16.9±4.0(control),9.6±4.1(G1), 12.1±5.7(G2),8.1±3.2(G3)and 7.5±2.0(G4),and were 22.5±7.9(control),20.1±5.8(G1),19.3±4.8 (G2),13.5±4.7(G3)and 9.2±3.1(G4)after 60 min. TNF-α secretion by Kupffer cells in G1(0.19±0.03),G2 (0.16±0.04),G3(0.14±0.03)and G4(0.13±0.05) was significantly less than that in controls(0.26±0.03, P<0.01),and the decrease in secretion was dose-dependent(P<0.05).Microfilaments of Kupffer cells in G2, G3 and G4 groups were arranged in a disorderly manner. The fluorescence densities of microtubules in G1(53.4± 10.5),G2(54.1±14.6),G3(64.9±12.1)and G4(52.1 ±14.2)were all lower than those in the controls(102.2 ±23.7,P<0.01),but the decrease in microtubule fluorescence density was not dose-dependant. CONCLUSION:Glycine can decrease the phagocytosis and secretion by Kupffer cells in vitro,which may be related to the changes in the expression of microfilaments and microtubules induced by Kupffer cells.

Biochemical properties of norepinephrine as a kind of neurotransmitter secreted by bone marrow-derived neural stem cells induced and differentiated in vitro

BACKGROUND： It has been proved by many experimental studies from the aspects of morphology and immunocytochemistry in recent years that bone marrow stromal cells （BMSCs） can in vitro induce and differentiate into the cells possessing the properties of nerve cells. But the functions of BMSCs-derived neural stem cells（NSCs） and the differentiated neuron-like cells are still unclear. OBJECTIVE： To observe whether bone marrow-derived NSCs can secrete norepinephrine （NE） under the condition of in vitro culture, induce and differentiation, and analyze the biochemical properties of BMSCs-derived NSCs. DESIGN： A non-randomized and controlled experimental observation SETTING ： Institute of Neuromedicine of Chinese PLA, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University MATERIALS： This experiment was carried out in the Institute of Neuromedicine of Chinese PLA, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University. The bone marrow used in the experiment was collected from 1.5- month-old healthy New Zealand white rabbits. METHODS： This experiment was carried out in the Institute of Neuromedicine of Chinese PLA, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University. The bone marrow used in the experiment was collected from 1.5 month-old healthy New Zealand white rabbits. BMSCs of rabbits were isolated and performed in vitro culture, induce and differentiation with culture medium of NSCs and differentiation-inducing factor, then identified with immunocytochemical method. Experimental grouping： ①Negative control group： L-02 hepatic cell and RPMI1640 culture medium were used. ② Background culture group： Only culture medium of NSCs as culture solution was added into BMSCs to perform culture, and 0.1 volume fraction of imported fetal bovine serum was supplemented 72 hours later. ③Differentiation inducing factor group： After culture for 72 hours, retinoic acid and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factors were added in the culture medium of BMSCs and NSCs as corresponding inducing factors. The level of NE in each group was detected on the day of culture and 5, 7, 14 and 20 days after culture with high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC）. The procedure was conducted 3 times in each group.Standard working curve was made according to the corresponding relationship of NE concentration and peak area. The concentration of NE every 1×10^7 cells was calculated according to standard curve and cell counting. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES ： The level of NE of cultured cells was detected with HPLC; immunocytochemistrical identification of Nestin and neuron specific nuclear protein was performed. RESULTS： ① On the 14^th day after cell culture, BMSCs turned into magnus and round cells which presented Nestin-positive antigen, then changed into neuron-like cells with long processus and presented neuron specific nuclear protein -positive antigen at the 20^th day following culture. ② The ratio of NE concentration and peak area has good linear relationship, and regression equation was Y=1.168 36＋0.000 272 8X,r=-0.998 4. Coefficient variation （CV） was 〈 5% and the recovery rate was 92.39%（ Y referred to concentration and X was peak area）.③NE was well detached within 10 minutes under the condition of this experiment. ④ NE was detected in NSCs and their culture mediums, which were cultured for 7, 14 and 20 days respectively, but no NE in BMSCs, NSCs-free culture medium and L-02 hepatic cell which were as negative control under the HPLC examination. Analysis of variance showed that the level of NE gradually increased following the elongation of culture time （P 〈 0.01 ）. No significant difference in the level of NE existed at the same time between differentiation inducing factor group and basic culture group（P 〉 0.05）. CONCLUSION ： BMSCs of rabbits can proliferate in vitro and express Nestin antigen; They can differentiate into neuron-like cells, express specific neucleoprotein of mature neurons, synthesize and secrete NE as a kind of neurotransmitter.

Neurotransmitters regulateβcells insulin secretion:A neglected factor

βcells are the main cells responsible for the hypoglycemic function of pancreatic islets,and the insulin secreted by these cells is the only hormone that lowers blood glucose levels in the human body.βcells are regulated by various factors,among which neurotransmitters make an important contribution.This paper discusses the effects of neurotransmitters secreted by various sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves onβcells and summarizes the mechanisms by which various neurotransmitters regulate insulin secretion.Many neurotransmitters do not have a single source and are not only released from nerve terminals but also synthesized byβcells themselves,allowing them to synergistically regulate insulin secretion.Almost all of these neurotransmitters depend on the presence of glucose to function,and their actions are mostly related to the Ca^(2+)and cAMP concentrations.Although neurotransmitters have been extensively studied,many of their mechanisms remain unclear and require further exploration by researchers.

Vascular endothelial growth factor B inhibits insulin secretion in MIN6 cells and reduces Ca2+ and cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels through PI3K/AKT pathway

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes(T2 D) is characterized by insufficient insulin secretion caused by defective pancreatic β-cell function or insulin resistance,resulting in an increase in blood glucose.However,the mechanism involved in this lack of insulin secretion is unclear.The level of vascular endothelial growth factor B(VEGF-B) is significantly increased in T2 D patients.The inactivation of VEGF-B could restore insulin sensitivity in db/db mice by reducing fatty acid accumulation.It is speculated that VEGF-B is related to pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and is an important factor affecting β-cell secretion of insulin.As an in vitro model of normal pancreatic β-cells,the MIN6 cell line can be used to analyze the mechanism of insulin secretion and related biological effects.AIM To study the role of VEGF-B in the insulin secretion signaling pathway in MIN6 cells and explore the effect of VEGF-B on blood glucose regulation.METHODS The MIN6 mouse pancreatic islet β-cell line was used as the model system.By administering exogenous VEGF-B protein or knocking down VEGF-B expression in MIN6 cells,we examined the effects of VEGF-B on insulin secretion,Ca2+ and cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) levels,and the insulin secretion signaling pathway.RESULTS Exogenous VEGF-B inhibited the secretion of insulin and simultaneously reduced the levels of Ca2+ and cAMP in MIN6 cells.Exogenous VEGF-B also reduced the expression of phospholipase C gamma 1(PLCγ1),phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3 K),serine/threonine kinase(AKT),and other proteins in the insulin secretion pathway.Upon knockdown of VEGF-B,MIN6 cells exhibited increased insulin secretion and Ca2+ and cAMP levels and upregulated expression of PLCγ1,PI3 K,AKT,and other proteins.CONCLUSION VEGF-B can regulate insulin secretion by modulating the levels of Ca2+ and cAMP.VEGF-B involvement in insulin secretion is related to the expression of PLCγ1,PI3 K,AKT,and other signaling proteins.These results provide theoretical support and an experimental basis for the study of VEGF-B in the pathogenesis of T2 D.

Separate basolateral and apical phosphatidylcholine secretion routes in intestinally differentiated tumor cells

AIM:To investigate whether the secretion of phospha-tidylcholine(PC)in intestinal mucus occurs by apical secretion or via basolateral excretion and to determine its subsequent passage across the tight junctions to the apical mucus.METHODS:We addressed this question using the po-larized intestinally differentiated tumor cell line CaCo-2 grown on filters to confluence in Transwell culture chambers.The released PC and sphingomyelin(Sph)from apical and basolateral media were analyzed by mass spectrometry.RESULTS:The secreted PC species were identical in both compartments indicating the same intracellular origin of PC.However,PC secretion into the basolateral compart-ment was more effective,and the PC:Sph ratio in the ba-solateral compartment was signif icantly higher than that in the apical compartment(8.18 ± 1.84 vs 4.31 ± 1.22,P = 0.01).Both pathways were temperature sensitive and were unaltered in the presence of cyclosporine.CONCLUSION:The data demonstrate the PC secre-tion capacity of CaCo-2 cells and indicate two sepa-rated apical and basolateral release mechanisms.

Real-Time analysis of exosome secretion of single cells with single molecule imaging

The exosome-mediated response can promote or restrain the diseases by regulating the intracellular pathways,making the exosome become an effective marker for diagnosis and therapeutic control at the single-cell level.However,real-time analysis is hard to be achieved with traditional approaches because the exosomes usually need to be enriched by ultracentrifugation for a measurable signal-to-noise ratio.Recently developed label-free single-molecule imaging approaches may become an real-time quantitative tool for the analysis of single exosomes and related secretion behaviors of single living cells owing to their extreme sensitivity.

Involvement of glycated albumin in adipose-derived-stem cellmediated interleukin 17 secreting T helper cell activation

BACKGROUND Advanced glycation end products(AGE)are a marker of various diseases including diabetes,in which they participate to vascular damages such as retinopathy,nephropathy and coronaropathy.Besides those vascular complications,AGE are involved in altered metabolism in many tissues,including adipose tissue(AT)where they contribute to reduced glucose uptake and attenuation of insulin sensitivity.AGE are known to contribute to type 1 diabetes(T1D)through promotion of interleukin(IL)-17 secreting T helper(Th17)cells.AIM To investigate whether lean adipose-derived stem cells(ASC)could be able to induce IL-17A secretion,with the help of AGE.METHODS As we have recently demonstrated that ASC are involved in Th17 cell promotion when they are harvested from obese AT,we used the same co-culture model to measure the impact of glycated human serum albumin(G-HSA)on human lean ASC interacting with blood mononuclear cells.IL-17A and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion were measured by ELISA.Receptor of AGE(RAGE)together with intercellular adhesion molecule 1(ICAM-1),human leukocyte Antigen(HLA)-DR,cluster of differentiation(CD)41,and CD62P surface expressions were measured by cytofluorometry.Anti-RAGE specific monoclonal antibody was added to co-cultures in order to evaluate the role of RAGE in IL-17A production.RESULTS Results showed that whereas 1%G-HSA only weakly potentiated the production of IL-17A by T cells interacting with ASC harvested from obese subjects,it markedly increased IL-17A,but also interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha production in the presence of ASC harvested from lean individuals.This was associated with increased expression of RAGE and HLA-DR molecule by cocultured cells.Moreover,RAGE blockade experiments demonstrated RAGE specific involvement in lean ASC-mediated Th-17 cell activation.Finally,platelet aggregation and ICAM-1,which are known to be induced by AGE,were not involved in these processes.CONCLUSION Thus,our results demonstrated that G-HSA potentiated lean ASC-mediated IL-17A production in AT,suggesting a new mechanism by which AGE could contribute to T1D pathophysiology.

Influence of IFNα-2b and BCG on the release of TNF and IL-1 by Kupffer cells in rats with hepatoma

INTRODUCTIONKupffer cells are residential macrophages in the liver ,which play a critical role in the maintenance of normal liver function and in immunal surveilance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other cancers[1].The biological immune modulants have cancers[2].In our previous studies ,the combined use of biological immune modulants showed better dffects .

Changes in expression and secretion patterns of fibroblast growth factor 8 and Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway molecules during murine neural stem/progenitor cell differentiation in vitro

In the present study, we investigated the dynamic expression of fibroblast growth factor 8 and Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway related factors in the process of in vitro hippocampal neural stem/progenitor cell differentiation from embryonic Sprague-Dawley rats or embryonic Kunming species mice, using fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and western blot analyses. Results demonstrated that the dynamic expression of fibroblast growth factor 8 was similar to fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 expression but not to other fibroblast growth factor receptors. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay demonstrated that fibroblast growth factor 8 and Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway protein factors were secreted by neural cells into the intercellular niche. Our experimental findings indicate that fibroblast growth factor 8 and Sonic Hedgehog expression may be related to the differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells.

Cell-free derivatives from mesenchymal stem cells are effective in wound therapy

AIM:To compare the efficacy of cell-free derivatives from Bone marrow derived human mesenchymal stem cells(hMSCs) in wound therapy.METHODS:hMSCs have been shown to play an important role in wound therapy.The present study sought to compare efficacy of hMSCs and cell-free derivatives of hMSCs,which may be clinically more relevant as they are easier to prepare,formulate and transport.hMSCs were isolated from human bone marrow and cultured.Multi lineage differentiation of hMSCs was performed to confirm their identity.The ability of hMSCs to migrate was evaluated using in vitro and in vivo migration assays.Cell lysates and conditioned medium concentrate was prepared from hMSCs(see Methods for details).Wounds were induced in mice and wound areas were measure before and after cell and cell-free derivative treatment.RNA and proteins were extracted from the skin and cytokine levels were measured.RESULTS:Co-culture of hMSCs with keratinocytes resulted in increased expression of CXCL-12(SDF1) and ENA78(CXCL-5) in the conditioned media indicating that the hMSCs can respond to signals from keratinocytes.Accelerated wound closure was observed when hMSCs were injected near the site of excisional wounds in athymic as well as NOD/SCID mice.Interestingly,cell-free lysates prepared from hMSCs were also effective in inducing accelerated wound closure and increased expression of SDF1 and CXCL-5 at the wound bed.Additionally,concentrated media from hMSCs as well as an emulsion containing lysates prepared from hMSCs was also found to be more effective in rapid re-epithelialization than fibroblasts or vehicle-alone control.Use of cell-free derivatives may help replace expensive wound care approaches including use of growth factors,epidermal/dermal substitutes,synthetic membranes,cytokines,and matrix components,and most importantly avoid transmission of pathogens from human and animal products.CONCLUSION:These results encourage development of derivatives of hMSCs for wound care and re-epithelialization applications.

Caribbean maitotoxin elevates [Ca^(2+)]i and activates non-selective cation channels in HIT-T15 cells

AIM:To investigate the cytotoxic mechanism of caribbean maitotoxin(MTX-C) in mammalian cells.METHODS:We used whole-cell patch-clamp techniques and fluorescence calcium imaging to determine the cellular toxic mechanisms of MTX-C in insulin secreting HIT-T15 cells,which is a system where the effects of MTX have been observed.HIT-T15 cells stably express L-type calcium current,making it a suitable model for this study.Using the fluorescence calcium indicator Indo-1 AM,we found that there is a profound increase in HIT-T15 intracellular free calcium 3 min after application of 200 nmol/L MTX-C.RESULTS:About 3 min after perfusion of MTX-C,a gradual increase in free calcium concentration was observed.This elevation was sustained throughout the entire recording period.Application of MTX-C did not elicit the L-type calcium current,but large cationiccurrents appeared after applying MTX-C to the extracellular solution.The current-voltage relationship of the cation current is approximately linear within the voltage range from-60 to 50 mV,but flattened at voltages at-80 and-100 mV.These results indicate that MTX-C induces a non-voltage activated,inward current under normal physiological conditions,which by itself or through a secondary mechanism results in a large amount of cationic influx.The biophysical mechanism of MTX-C is different to its isoform,pacific maitotoxin(MTX-P),when the extracellular calcium is removed.CONCLUSION:We conclude that MTX-C causes the opening of non-selective,non-voltage-activated ion channels,which elevates level of intracellular calcium concentration and leads to cellular toxicities.

Molecular mechanism about lymphogenous metastasis of hepatocarcinoma cells in mice

AIM: To investigate the correlation between lymphogenous metastasis and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity and the expression of Fas ligand of tumor cells in lymph nodes. METHODS: Fifty-six inbred 615-mice were equally divided into 2 groups and inoculated with Hca-F and Hca-P cells. Their lymph node metastatic rates were examined. Growth fraction of lymphocytes in host lymph nodes was detected by flow cytometry. The Hca-F and Hca-P cells were cultured with extract of lymph node, liver or spleen. The quantity of MMPs in these supernatants was examined by zymographic analysis. The expression of Fas ligand, PCNA, Bcl-2 protein of Hca-F and Hca-P cells in the mice were examined by immunohistochemistry. The apoptosis signals of macro-phages in lymph nodes were observed with in situ DNA fragmentation. RESULTS: On the 28th day post-inoculation, the lymph node metastatic rate of HcaF was 80%(16/20), whereas that of Hca-P was 25%(5/20). The growth fraction of lymphocytes was as follows: in the Hca-F cells, the proliferating peak of lymphocytes appeared on the 14th day post inoculation and then decreased rapidly, while in HcaP cells, the peak appeared on the 7th day post inoculation and then kept at a high level. With the extract of lymph node, the quantity of the MMP-9 activity increased (P【0.01) and active MMP-9 and MMP-2 were produced by both Hca-F and Hca-P tumor cells, which did not produce MMPs without the extract of lymph node or with the extracts of the liver and spleen. The expression of Fas Ligand of Hca-F cells was stronger than that of Hca-P cells (P 【0.01). The expressions of PCNA and Bcl-2 protein of Hca-F cells in the tumors of inoculated area were the same as that of Hca-P cells. In situ DNA fragmentation showed that the positive signals of macrophages were around Hca-F cells. CONCLUSION: Secretion of MMPs which was associated with metastatic ability of Hca-F and Hca-P tumor cells depends on the environment of lymph nodes. The increased expression of Fas ligand protein of Hca-F tumor cells with high lymphogenous metastatic potential in lymph nodes may help tumor cells escape from being killed by host lymphocytes.

Disruption of colonic barrier function and induction of mediator release by strains of Campylobacter jejuni that invade epithelial cells

AIM: To study the mechanisms by which Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) causes inflammation and diarrhea. In particular, direct interactions with intestinal epithelial cells and effects on barrier function are poorly under- stood. METHODS: To model the initial pathogenic effects of C. jejuni on intestinal epithelium, polarized human colonic HCA-7 monolayers were grown on permeabilized filters and infected apically with clinical isolates of C. jejuni. Integrity of the monolayer was monitored by changes in monolayer resistance, release of lactate dehydrogenase, mannitol fluxes and electron microscopy. Invasion of HCA-7 cells was assessed by a modified gentamicin protection assay, translocation by counting colony forming units in the basal chamber, stimulation of mediator release by immunoassays and secretory responses in monolayers stimulated by bradykinin in an Ussing chamber. RESULTS: All strains translocated across monolayers but only a minority invaded HCA-7 cells. Strains that invaded HCA-7 cells destroyed monolayer resistance over 6 h, accompanied by increased release of lactate dehydrogenase, a four-fold increase in permeability to [3H] mannitol, and ultrastructural disruption of tight junctions, with rounding and lifting of cells off the filter membrane. Synthesis of interleukin (IL)-8 and prostaglandin E2 was increased with strains that invaded the monolayer but not with those that did not. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate two distinct effects of C. jejuni on colonic epithelial cells and provide an informative model for further investigation of initial host cell responses to C. jejuni.

Types of voltage-dependent calcium channels involved in high potassium depolarization-induced amylase secretion in the exocrine pancreatic tumour cell line AR4-2J

In the perifused fura-2 loaded exocrine pancreatic acinar cell line AR4-2J pulses of high potassium induced repetitive increases in intracellular calcium. Attached cells when stimulated with high potassium secreted large amount of amylase. High potassium-induced secretion was dependent both on the concentration of potassium and duration of stimulation. High potassium induced increases in intracellular calcium were inhibited by voltage-dependent calcium channel antagonists with an order of potency as follows: nifedipine > ω-agatoxin IVA > ω-conotoxin GVIA. In contrast, the L-type calcium channel antagonist nifedipine almost completely inhibited potassium-induced amylase secretion, whereas the N-type channel antagonist ω-conotoxin GVIA was without effect. The P-type channel antagonist ω-agatoxin IVA had a small inhibitory effect, but this inhibition was not significant at the level of amylase secretion. In conclusion, the AR4-2J cell line possesses different voltage-dependent calcium channels (L, P,N) with the L-type predominantly involved in depolarization induced amylase secretion.

The effects of hormone-mediated PI3K/AKT signaling on spermatogenesis in Sertoli cells

The phosphoinositide-3-kinase/Akt(PI3K/AKT)signaling pathway is crucial for Sertoli cell development and completing spermatogenesis.Its main role is to promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis.Many factors activate the PI3K/AKT pathway,like hormones,such as follicle stimulating hormone(FSH),androgen,estrogen,insulin to name a few.Many of these factors have receptors inside or on the surface of Sertoli cells(SCs).This review summarizes how these hormones directly regulate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in SCs,which in turn affects SC proliferation and differentiation.Further,hormone-mediated PI3K/AKT signaling also stimulates SC secretion,which is essential for germ cell development,suggesting an indirect role of PI3K/AKT signaling during spermatogenesis.These functions include promoting spermatogonia proliferation and differentiation,meiosis of spermatocytes,sperm maturation,and their release.This review also provides potential hints for clinically treating male infertility issues like cryptorchidism and Sertoli cell-only syndrome.

Advances and challenges in the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into pancreatic β cells

Pluripotent stem cells(PSCs) are able to differentiate into several cell types, including pancreatic β cells. Differentiation of pancreatic β cells depends on certain transcription factors, which function in a coordinated way during pancreas development. The existing protocols for in vitro differentiation produce pancreatic β cells, which are not highly responsive to glucose stimulation except after their transplantation into immune-compromised mice and allowing several weeks for further differentiation to ensure the maturation of these cells in vivo. Thus, although the substantial improvement that has been made for the differentiation of induced PSCs and embryonic stem cells toward pancreatic β cells, several challenges still hindering their full generation. Here, we summarize recent advances in the differentiation of PSCs into pancreatic β cells and discuss the challenges facing their differentiation as well as the different applications of these potential PSC-derived β cells.

The impact on secreted VEGF of Hep-2 human laryngeal cancer cell induced by Rg3

Objective：The aim of this study was to investigate the af ecting of Rg3 to secreted VEGF of human laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cells and its mechanism of inhibition to tumor angiogenesis. Methods：Cultured human laryngeal cancer cellline Hep-2 and human vascular endothelial cells in vitro, cells got into the period of exponential phase of growth, was diviced into 3 groups：group I （control group）, group II （DDP group）, group III （Rg3 group）. Added to the Hep-2 cells Rg3 and DDP, made Rg3 final concentration was 300μg/mL, and DDP was 3μg/mL. 48 h later, specimens from sample to be done immunocytochemistry, and the protein of VEGF in Hep-2 cells to be detected. Col ecting Hep-2 cells supernatant, some was used to measure the protein level of VEGF in Hep-2 cells supernatant by ELISA. Some was used to culture HVEC. 24 h later, cellgrowth inhibition rate of human vascular endothelial was determined by MTT. Results：The protein level of VEGF was evi-dently higher in group I compared to group II and group III, it was not only in Hep-2 cells, but also in supernatant of Hep-2 cells. There was no significantly dif erent between group II and group III. MTT results showed that, the human vascular endothelial cellgrowth inhibition rate of group I was significantly lower than that of group II and group III （P〈0.05）. At the same time the HVEC growth inhibition rate of group II was significantly lower than that of group III （P〈0.05）. Conclusion：The inhibition to tumor angiogenesis of Rg3 is stronger than traditional chemotherapy drug cisplatin. It worke by reducing the biological ef ects of secreted VEGF, But the ef ecting worke by reducing the activity of secreted VEGF itself or af ecting endothelial function of VEGF receptor or some other ways to be further studied.