Efficacy of serum-free cultured human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in mice

BACKGROUND We investigated the efficacy of intra-articular injection of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(hUC-MSCs)for the treatment of osteoarthritis(OA)progression in the knee joint.Although many experimental studies of hUC-MSCs have been published,these studies have mainly used fetal bovine serumcontaining cultures of hUC-MSCs;serum-free cultures generally avoid the shortcomings of serum-containing cultures and are not subject to ethical limitations,have a wide range of prospects for clinical application,and provide a basis or animal experimentation for clinical experiments.AIM To study the therapeutic effects of serum-free hUC-MSCs(N-hUCMSCs)in a mouse model of knee OA.METHODS Fifty-five male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into six groups:The blank control group,model control group,serum-containing hUC-MSCs(S-hUCMSC)group,N-hUCMSC group and hyaluronic acid(HA)group.After 9 weeks of modeling,the serum levels of interleukin(IL)-1β and IL-1 were determined.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the cartilage tissue,and the Mankin score was determined.Immunohistochemistry and western blotting were used to determine the expression of collagen type II,matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-1 and MMP-13.RESULTS The Mankin score and serum IL-1 and IL-1β and cartilage tissue MMP-1 and MMP-13 expression were significantly greater in the experimental group than in the blank control group(P<0.05).Collagen II expression in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the blank control group(P<0.05).The Mankin score and serum IL-1 and IL-1β and cartilage tissue MMP-1 and MMP-13 levels the experimental group were lower than those in the model control group(P<0.05).Collagen II expression in the experimental group was significantly greater than that in the model control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION N-hUCMSC treatment significantly alleviate the pathological damage caused by OA.The treatment effects of the ShUCMSC group and HA group were similar.

Transplantation of primary cultured embryonic mesencephalic neural precursor cells for treating Parkinsonian rats

BACKGROUND： Choosing proper donor cells is one of keys in experimental and clinical studies on cell replacement therapy （CRT） for treating Parkinson disease （PD）. Embryonic mesencephalic precursor cells （MPCs） can stably differentiate into dopaminergic neuron after in vitro proliferated culture. As compared with embryonic stem cell and neural stem cell strains, cell composition of embryonic MPCs after primary culture is also the most close to that of embryonic mesencephalic ventral cell suspension without proliferated culture. Successful experience accumulated in the latter suggests that primary cultured embryonic MPCs might be the most potential donor cells in clinical application with CRT for treating PD so far. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the feasibility of primary cultured embryonic precursor cells cultured primarily as donor cells in CRT for treating PD in rats. DESIGN ： A randomized and controlled trial taking SD rats as experimental animals.SETTING： Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University.MATERIALS： This experiment was carried out at the Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institute for Biological Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences from July 2003 to June 2004. Totally 26 female SD rats, with body mass of 200 to 220 g, were provided by Shanghai Experimental Animal Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences. METHODS ： Stereotaxic injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into the medial forebrain bundle were perfored to develop PD model rat. Among 26 SD rats, 20 rats achieved a more than 5 turns/min in apomorphine induced rotation test, reaching the standard of PD model rats. Immunohistochemical detection was performed on 1 out of 20 model rats after execution, and the other 19 rats were randomly divided into control group （n=5）, sham transplantation group （n=5）and cell grafted group （n=9）. Primary cultured E12 MPC cell suspension （1.2×10^11 L^-1）were used as donor cells. 4μL primary cultured E12 MPC cell suspension prepared freshly was injected into the lesioned corpus striatum of rats in cell grafted group, and 4μL D-Hank＇s solution was injected in sham transplantation group in the same way. There was no injection in control group. Apomorphine-induced rotation rate of PD rats were recorded respectively in cell grafted group and sham transplantation group pre-operation （initial value） and at postoperative 2, 4, 6 and 16 weeks. Apomorphine-induced rotation rate of PD rats was recorded in control group at postoperative 2 months （initial value） and following 2,4,6 and 16 weeks. To determine TH antigen with immunohistological ABC method （DAB developing） at 6 months post-transplantation to investigate the differentiation and survival of donor cells in the host body.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Apomorphine-induced rotation behavior before and after transplantation and the survival and differentiation of implanted cells in the host body at 6 months post-transplantation. RESULTS： Among 19 model rats, one rat died after transplantation respectively in the cell grafted group and sham transplantation group; finally 17 model rats entered the stage of result analysis. Relative apomorphine-induced rotation rate was significantly decreased in the cell grafted group as compared with that before transplantation , with significant difference （P 〈 0.01 .P 〈 0.05）;the mean value of relative apomorphine-induced rotation rate was significantly decreased at postoperative 16 weeks in cell grafted group as compared with that of corresponding relative rotation rate in control group , also with significant difference （P 〈 0.05）.Immunohistological results showed that donor cells could differentiate into large and multi-polar dopaminergic neurons in the host body. CONCLUSION ： Primary cultured embryonic MPCs can be used as the donor cells in CRT for treating PD.

A study of gentamicin injury mechanisms using cultured mouse cochlear spiral ganglion cells

Objective To study gentamicin injury mechanisms using postnatal mouse cochlear spiral gangcells （SGC）. Methods SGCs were isolated using a combinatorial approach of enzymatic digestion and mechanical separation from P2 - 6 Kunming mouse cochleae. After 4 days, cultured SGCs were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde at room temperature for immunocytochemical examination using the methods of S-P and the monoclonal antibody against mouse neurofilament protein （Neurofilament-68/200Kda, NF-L＋ H）. SGCs were randomly divided into a blank control group and three gentamicin treatment groups （medium gentamicin concentration at 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L and 150 mg/L respectively）, SGCs were collected and examined under a transmission electron microscope after being cultured for 48 h. Results SGC primary culture was successful. SGC cytoplasm and neurites were dyed brownish yellow by the monoelonal mouse neurofilament protein antibody. SGCs showed classical bipolar neuron appearance. Under the transmission electron microscope,.gentamicin treated SGCs showed morphological features different compared to those in the blank control group, which might indicate apoptosis. Conclusion Our results indicate that gentamicin has direct toxic effects on cochlear SGCs in mice and the injury mechanism is closely related with apoptosis. Damage to mitochor, dria may play an important role in the process.

Manganese enhances the expression of the manganese superoxide dismutase in cultured primary chick embryonic myocardial cells

In the present study, the effect of manganese（Mn） on antioxidant status and the expression of the manganese superoxide dismutase（MnSOD） gene in cultured primary myocardial cells collected from the chick embryos was investigated. The hypothesis that Mn supplementation would enhance the expression of MnSOD in cultured primary myocardial cells of chick embryos was tested. Eggs collected from Mn-depleted Arbor Acres laying breeder hens were incubated for 10 days and then myocardial cells were isolated and cultivated for 8 days. The embryonic myocardial cells on day 6 were treated with Mn in the cell culture medium at different time points when the proportion of cells showing spontaneous contraction was over 95% after the 3-day primary culture. A completely randomized design involving a 3 Mn levels（0, 0.5 and 1.0 mmol L^（-1））×3 incubation time points（12, 24 and 48 h） factorial arrangement of treatments（n=6） was used in the current experiment. The results showed that MnSOD activity and m RNA expression level were induced by Mn and increased with incubation time, which supported the hypothesis that Mn would enhance the expression of the MnSOD gene, and thus might protect myocardial cells from oxidative stress during the chick embryonic development.

THE LOCALIZATION OF ADRENOMEDULLIN IN RAT KIDNEY TISSUE AND ITS INHIBITORY EFFECT ON THE GROWTH OF CULTURED RAT MESANGIAL CELLS

OBJECTIVE: To observe the localization of adrenomedullin (AM) in rat kidney tissue and its inhibitory effect on the growth of cultured rat mesangial cells (MsC). METHODS: A monoclonal antibody against AM developed by our laboratory was used to detect the localization of AM protein in rat kidney tissue by avidin-biotin complex immunohistochemistry. The expressions of AM and its receptor CRLR mRNA on cultured glomerular epithelial cells (GEC) and MsC were investigated by Northern blot assay, and the possible effect of AM secreted by GEC on MsC proliferation was observed using [3H]thymidine incorporation as an index. RESULTS: A specific monoclonal antibody against AM was succesfully developed. AM was immunohistochemically localized mainly in glomeruli (GEC and endothelial cells), some cortical proximal tubules, medullary collecting duct cells, interstitial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. Northern blot assay showed that AM mRNA was expressed only on cultured GEC, but not on MsC, however, AM receptor CRLR mRNA was only expressed on MsC. GEC conditioned medium containing AM can inhibit MsC growth and AM receptor blocker CGRP8-37 may partially decreased this inhibitory effect. CONCLUSION: AM produced by GEC inhibits the proliferation of MsC, which suggests that AM as an important regulator is involved in glomerular normal physiological functions and pathologic processes.

Hexabromocyclododecane-induced Genotoxicity in Cultured Human Breast Cells through DNA Damage

To investigate the genotoxicity and reveal the potential toxicological mechanisms of Hexabromocyclododecane （HBCD）, human breast cells HBL-100 were exposed to a sequence of HBCD concentrations （0, 5, 10, and 50 mg/L） for 24 h. With a series of zymology and molecular biology methods, we found that HBCD induced dose-dependent oxidative stress on HBL-100 DNA. As revealed in q RT-PCR, activated prognostic factor ATM down-regulated tumor suppressor gene BRCA1 and prompted DNA repair genes h OGG1 and h MTH1 expression in lower concentrations of HBCD （〈 10 mg/L）. However, DNA repair were inhibited as well as cell proliferation rate by higher concentrations of HBCD （50 mg/L）. The results inferred that the genotoxicity of HBCD was dose-dependent and related to DNA repair pathway.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase Activity in Cultured Cells from Different Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) Varieties

The activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in cultured cells of various tobacco was determined. It was found that significant differences existed in cells of different varieties cultured under normal conditions and as well after treated with exogenous ethanol. The ADH activity had positive relation with the ability of the cells to catabolize exogenous ethanol, indicating that the main function of the ADH in tobacco cells was in the direction of converting ethanol to acetaldehyde.

Experimental study of bioartificial liver with cultured human liver cells

AIM To establish an extracorporeal bioartificial liver support system (EBLSS) using cultured human liver cells and to study its support effect for fulminant hepatic failure (FHF).METHODS The liver support experiment of EBLSS consisting of aggregates cultured human liver cells, hollow fiber bioreactor, and circulation unit was carried out in dizhepatic dogs.RESULTS The viability of isolated hepatocytes and nonparenchymal liver cells reached 96%. These cells were successfully cultured as multicellular spheroids with synthetic technique. The typical morphological appearance was retained up to the end of the artificial liver experiment. Compared with the control dogs treated with EBLSS without liver cells, the survival time of artificial liver support dogs was significantly prolonged. The changes of blood pressure, heart rate and ECG were slow. Both serum ammonia and lactate levels were significantly lowered at the 3rd h and 5th h. In addition, a good viability of human liver cells was noted after 5 h experiment.CONCLUSION EBLSS playing a metabolic role of cultured human hepatocytes, is capable of compensating the function of the liver, and could provide effective artificial liver support and therapy for patients with FHF.

Cloning of the non-structural gene 3 of hepatitis C virus and its inducible expression in cultured cells

AIM To study the inducible expression of hepatitis C virus ns3 gene (HCV ns3) in eukaryotic cells.METHODS The ns3 gene was obtained from plasmid pBns3 by polymerase chain reaction and inserted into the cloning vector pGEM-T. Then, the ns3 was subcloned into the vector pMSG to generate dexamethasone (DM)-inducible expression plasmid pMSG-ns3. CHO cells were transfected by pMSG-ns3 using calcium phosphate precipitation method and cultivated for 12 h-24 h. The transfected cells were induced with DM and the transient expression of NS3 protein was analyzed by ELISA and Western-blot methods.RESULTS After treated with 3×10-8mol/ L DM, the expression of NS3 was observed in the transfected CHO cells. A slightly higher level of NS3 was shown along with the time of DM treatment.CONCLUSION The inducible expressing vector pMSG-ns3 might be helpful for further studies of the characteristics of the ns3 gene in vivo.

Isolation of Cultured Endothelial Progenitor Cells in vitro from PBMCs and CD133^+ Enriched Cells

Two isolation methods for sorting of endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs):from peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)and CD133+ enriched cells were compared,by defining the cell morphology,phenotype,reproductive activities and function in vitro,to provide a reference for clinical application of EPCs.PBMCs from healthy subjects were used either directly for cell culture or for CD133+ sorting.The two groups of cells were cultured in complete medium 199(M199)for 7 to 14 days and the phenotypes of EPCs were an...

Expression of Transforming Growth Factor-β in Cultured Normal Human Lens Epithelia Cells

Summary: In order to investigate whether cultured normal human lens epithelial cells (LEC) express transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical methods were used for detection of TGF-β mRNA and protein in cultured normal human LEC. The results showed that a single RT-PCR amplified product about 310bp was obtained, and the sequence was homologous to the known sequence. TGF-β immunostain was positive in the plasma of LEC. It was suggested that normal human LEC could produce TGF-β, and LEC could be affected by TGF-β through autocrine action.

Inhibitory Effect of Tissue Transglutaminase (tTG) Antisense Oligodeoxynucleotides on tTG Expression in Cultured Bovine Trabecular Meshwork Cells

To study the effect of tTG fully phosphorothioated antisense oligodeoxynucleotides （tTG-ASDON） on tTG expression in cultured bovine trabecular meshwork cells （BTMCs） in vitro and explore a new treatment alternative for primary open angle glaucoma （POAG）, the ASDON1 and ASDON2 complementary to the protein codogram region of tTG were designed, synthesized and phosphorothioated according to the secondary structure of tTG. The ASDON1 and ASDON2 were embedded in Lipofectamine and transfected into BTMCs. The untreated group served as negative controls. The expression of tTG in the mRNA and protein level were measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemical technique-Supervision method respectively. Our results showed that both the mRNA and the protein of tTG with tTG-ASDON1 and tTCr-ASDON2 were significantly decreased as compared with that of the controls （P〈0.05）. On the other hand, no significant difference was found between the ASDON1 group and the ASDON2 group. It is concluded that the expression of tTG mRNA and protein in cultured BTMC are down-regulated by tTG- ASDON. As a result, tTG-ASDON may be used for the treatment of POAG through the inhibitory effect on the expression of tTG.

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF ENDOGENOUS OUABAIN SECRETION FROM CULTURED BOVINE ADRENOCORTICAL CELLS

Objective To compare the characteristics or endogenous ouabaln(EO) secretion with the other adrenocortical hormones and determine the effects of angiotensin I (Ang I ), and ad reno corticotrophin (ACTH ) on the secretion or EO. Methods EO was measured by radioimmunoassay from primary cultured bovine adrenocotical cells (BAC). Results oouabain was determined in the media or cultured BAC. Both EO and aldosterone secretion were decreased from the 6uter to inner layer or the cultured adrenal cortex, and the responses to Ang I and ACTH were hlgher than that in the mld layer (P <o. o5) and inner layer (P <o. o1 ). Cortisol secretion was activated by Ang I or ACTH was slgnificantly higher in the mid layer and in the inner layer than that in the outer layer. The tlme-course experlment showed that the gradually rising amounts or aldosterone and cortisol could be determined during the continuous incubation to 48h wlth or without Ang I or ACTH. However, EO did not increase continuously arter 24h or incubation in the basal secreting sltuation and arter 12h of lncubatiou in the stimulating situation by Ang,or ACTH. There were obvlous drops in aldosterone and cortisol secretlou from 3rd day during a 21 day-perlod cell culture, but the peak secretion of ouabain was in 7th day. Conclusion it suggests that the secretory mechanism might be different between EO and aldosterone or cortisol. Also, Ang I and ACTR might be involved in the regulation of Eo secretion.

Effects of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor and Insulin-like Growth Factor on Cultured Cartilage Cells from Skate Raja porasa

Effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and insulin like growth factor II (IGF II) on cartilage cells from proboscis of skate, Raja porasa Günther, were investigated in this study. The cartilage cells were cultured in 20% FBS supplemented MEM medium at 24℃. Twelve hours after culture initiation, the cartilage cells were treated with bFGF and IGF II at different concentration combinations. It was found that 20 ng/ml of bFGF or 80 ng/ml of IGF II was enough to have obvious stimulating effect on the growth and division of skate cartilage cells. Test of bFGF and IGF II together, revealed that 20 ng/ml of bFGF and 80 ng/ml of IGF II together had the best stimulating effect on the growth and division of skate cartilage cells. The cartilage cells cultured could form a monolayer at day 7.

The Biological Study of the Cultured Human Lens Epithelial Cells in Vitro

The human lens epithelial cells (HLE) cultured in vitro was established in normal and cataractous lenses. The biological feature, histological characteristics and the ultrastructure of the cultured HLE cells were investigated. The results reveal that the proliferative capacity of the culutured HLE cells is reversely proportional to the donour age; the cultured HLE cells has the limited proliferative capacity in vitro. The relieve of the contact inhibition is the effective trigger of the HLE cell prolife...

INFLUENCE OF SP AND CON A ON HISTAMINE RELEASE FROM CULTURED MAST CELLS OF RAT SKIN

The mast cells from enzymatically dispersed rat skin were incubated in DMEM mediumcontaining 10% fetal bovine serum. 1 day after culture, the various concentrations of substance P (SP),SP+Ca2+ or concanavalin A (Con A) were added into the media to stimulate mast cells for different periods of time. The media were rapidly seperated from the cultured tells using the micropore filter. The contents of histamine in the media were determined by spectrofluorimetry and the release rates of histaminewere caculated. The results showed that SP and Con A could stimulate in vitro mast cells tO release histamine in a time--and dose-dependent pattern, and that the effect of SP was significantly influenced by theconcentration of Ca2+.

Effects of glutamate and nimodipine on survival rate of embryonic rat neuronal stem cells cultured in vitro

BACKGROUND： At least three types of calcium ion channel （T, N, and L） have been recognized in nerve ceils, but only the L type of channel is sensitive to drugs. Theoretically, nimodipine can lead to L-type channel inactivation and prevent calcium ion inflow, thereby exhibiting protective effects on nerve cells. OBJECTIVE： To observe the protective effects of nimodipine on glutamate-induced injury to embryonic rat neural stem cells, and to make a comparison with MK-801, a nonselective glutamate receptor antagonist. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： The present in vitro experiment pertaining to neural stem cells was performed at the Department of Neurology, First Hospital, Jilin University between January 2005 and December 2006. MATERIALS： Glutamate was sourced from the Shanghai Biological Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Nimodipine was provided by Bayer Company, Germany. Brain tissue was taken from Wistar rats on day 15 of gestation for isolation and culture of neural stem cells. METHODS： Passage 2 neural stem cell spheres were taken for preparation of single cell suspension. The prepared single cell suspension was divided into 4 groups： （1） Normal control, normally cultured. （2） Glutamate, cultured with 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1 000 μmol/L glutamate. （3） Nimodipine, received a 30- minute nimodipine [1×（10^-8-10^-2） g/L] culture followed by a glutamate （200 μmol/L） treatment step. （4） MK-801, given as 30- minute MK-801 （100 μmol/L） culture, followed by a glutamate （200 μmol/L） treatment step. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Determination of glutamate-induced cell death by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） assay; calculation of neural stem cell survival rate following addition of nimodipine. RESULTS： The survival rate of neural stem cells was approximately 25.26% following 24 hour 50 μmol/L glutamate culture and gradually decreased as the glutamate dose increased （P 〈 0.05 0.01）. Only 9.27% of neural stem cells survived when the glutamate dose was 1000 μmol/L. The survival rate of neural stern cells was significantly higher, in a dose-dependent manner, in the nimodipine [1×（10^-7-10^-2） g/L] group than in the glutamate group. In addition, the MK-801 group exhibited a higher survival rate after 24 hour treatment than the glutamate group （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Glutamate （50-1 000 μmol/L） induces injury to neural stem cells dose-dependently. Nimodipine exhibits protective effects on injury to neural stem cells and presents the effects in a dose-dependent manner at 1 ×（10^-7-10^-2） g/L. Nimodipine displays neuroprotective effects equivalent to MK-801.

The Effect of Zinc on the Apoptosis of Cultured Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

To clarify the effects of zinc on the proliferation and apoptosis of cultured human retinal pigment epithelia (RPE) and the expression of caspase 3 in RPE cells. The effect of Zinc on theproliferation of RPE were examined with MTT method. TUNEL method was used to detect the apoptosis of RPE cells. Caspase 3 was detected by immunohistochemistry. A concentration of zinc higher than 0.001 μM could inhibit the proliferation of RPE. And the relationship between concentration of zinc higher than 10 μM and growth prohibition rate of RPE cells was dose dependent. All concentrations of zinc including 0.001 μM enhanced the expression of caspase 3 of RPE. But only the concentration of zinc higher than 0.01 μM could induce apoptosis of RPE. It is concluded that zinc could enhance the expression of caspase 3 of RPE cells and induce apoptosis of RPE cells. Caution should be taken when using zinc supplements for the treatment of ARMD patients without deficiency of zinc.

Cytoprotective effects of quercetin and its sugar-containing natural congeners in cultured HEK293 cells injured by anoxia/hypoglycemia and the structure-effect relationship thereto

Objective To comparatively study anti-free radical and cytoprotective effects of quercetin(Q)and its monoglucoside isoquercetin(I),diglucoside rutin(R),which differs only in glycosyl-substitution at C-3 position of the molecules,using anoxia/hypoglycemia-induced cell injury model and thereby to explore the structure-effect relationship thereto.Methods The cell injury model was established by HEK293 cells cultured in vitro with Na2S2O3 plus sugar-free Earle's fluid as incubation medium;Cell survival rate(CSR),total antioxidant capacity(TAC),SOD and LDH levels were determined;The effect intensity of the 3 flavonoids were compared by means of IC50,the concentration required to achieve 50% inhibition of the changes in the above indices in injured cells.Results Q,I and R all concentration-dependently elevated CSR,TAC and SOD,and reduced LDH level;the all of IC50s for the above indices were ranked in order of IC50,Q<IC50,I<IC50,R,namely,the effect intensity should be Q>I>R.Conclusions The 3 structurally similar flavoloids all have significant and concentration-dependent anti-free radical and cyto-protective effects with the intensity being in order of aglycone>monoglucoside>diglucoside;the substitution of-OH by sugar group at C-3 position of flavoloids and increase in the sugar-substituent number are associated with the effect intensity reduced;namely,the intensity of these effects of flavonoids is negatively related the substutution by sugar group at C-3 position.