Targeted migration of mesenchymal stem cells modified with CXCR4 to acute failing liver improves liver regeneration

AIM: To improve the colonization rate of transplanted mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the liver and effect of MSC transplantation for acute liver failure (ALF).

Mechanisms of cholecystokinin-induced calcium mobilization in gastric antral interstitial cells of Cajal

AIM:To investigate the effect of sulfated cholecystokinin-8(CCK-8S) on calcium mobilization in cultured murine gastric antral interstitial cells of Cajal(ICC) and its possible mechanisms.METHODS:ICC were isolated from the gastric antrum of mice and cultured.Immunofluorescence staining with a monoclonal antibody for c-Kit was used to identify ICC.The responsiveness of ICC to CCK-8S was measured using Fluo-3/AM based digital microfluorimetric measurement of intracellular Ca2+ concentration([Ca2+]i).A confocal laser scanning microscope was used to monitor [Ca2+]i changes.The selective CCK1 receptor antagonist lorglumide,the intracellular Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin,the type Ⅲ inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate(InsP3) receptor blocker xestospongin C and the L-type voltage-operated Ca2+ channel inhibitor nifedipine were used to examine the mecha-nisms of [Ca2+]i elevation caused by CCK-8S.Immunoprecipitation and Western blotting were used to determine the regulatory effect of PKC on phosphorylation of type Ⅲ InsP3 receptor(InsP3R3) in ICC.Protein kinase C(PKC) activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA) and inhibitor chelerythrine were used to assess the role of PKC in the CCK-8S-evoked [Ca2+]i increment of ICC.RESULTS:ICC were successfully isolated from the gastric antrum of mice and cultured.Cultured ICC were identified by immunofluorescence staining.When given 80 nmol/L or more than 80 nmol/L CCK-8S,the [Ca2+]i in ICC increased and 100 nmol/L CCK-8S significantly increased the mean [Ca2+]i by 59.30% ± 4.85%(P < 0.01).Pretreatment of ICC with 5 μmol/L lorglumide inhibited 100 nmol/L CCK-8S-induced [Ca2+]i increment from 59.30% ± 4.85% to 14.97% ± 9.05%(P < 0.01),suggesting a CCK1R-mediated event.Emptying of intracellular calcium stores by thapsigargin(5 μmol/L) prevented CCK-8S(100 nmol/L) from inducing a [Ca2+]i increase.Moreover,pretreatment with xestospongin C(1 μmol/L) could also abolish the CCK-8S-induced effect,indicating that Ca2+ release from InsP3R-operated stores appeared to be a major mechanism responsible for CCK-8S-induced calcium mobilization in ICC.On the other hand,by removing extracellular calcium or blocking the L-type voltage-operated calcium channel with nifedipine,a smaller but significant rise in the [Ca2+]i could be still elicited by CCK-8S.These data suggest that the [Ca2+]i release is not stimulated or activated by the influx of extracellular Ca2+ in ICC,but the influx of extracellular Ca2+ can facilitate the [Ca2+]i increase evoked by CCK-8S.CCK-8S increased the phosphorylation of InsP3R3,which could be prevented by chelerythrine.Pretreatment with lorglumide(5 μmol/L) could significantly reduce the CCK-8S intensified phosphorylation of InsP3R3.In the positive control group,treatment of cells with PMA also resulted in an enhanced phosphorylation of InsP3R3.Pretreatment with various concentrations of PMA(10 nmol/L-10 μmol/L) apparently inhibited the effect of CCK-8S and the effect of100 nmol/L PMA was most obvious.Likewise,the effect of CCK-8S was augmented by the pretreatment with chelerythrine(10 nmol/L-10 μmol/L) and 100 nmol/L chelerythrine exhibited the maximum effect.CONCLUSION:CCK-8S increases [Ca2+]i in ICC via the CCK1 receptor.This effect depends on the release of InsP3R-operated Ca2+ stores,which is negatively regulated by PKC-mediated phosphorylation of InsP3R3.

High mobility group-box 3 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis of resected gastric adenocarcinoma

AIM:To elucidate high mobility group-box 3(HMGB3) protein expression in gastric adenocarcinoma,its potential prognostic relevance,and possible mechanism of action.METHODS:Ninety-two patients with gastric adenocarcinomas surgically removed entered the study.HMGB3 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry through a tissue microarray procedure.The clinicopathologic characteristics of all patients were recorded,and regular follow-up was made for all patients.The inter-relationship of HMGB3 expression with histological and clinical factors was analyzed using nonparametric tests.Survival analysis was carried out by Kaplan-Meier(log-rank) and multivariate Cox(Forward LR) analyses between the group with overexpression of HMGB3 and the group with low or no HMGB3 ex-pression to determine the prognosis value of HMGB3 expression on overall survival.Further,HMGB3 expression was knocked down by small hairpin RNAs(shRNAs) in the human gastric cancer cell line BGC823 to observe its influence on cell biological characteristics.The MTT method was utilized to detect gastric cancer cell proliferation changes,and cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry.RESULTS:Among 92 patients with gastric adenocarcinomas surgically removed in this study,high HMGB3 protein expression was detected in the gastric adenocarcinoma tissues vs peritumoral tissues(P < 0.001).Further correlation analysis with patients' clinical and histology variables revealed that HMGB3 overexpression was obviously associated with extensive wall penetration(P = 0.005),a positive nodal status(P = 0.004),and advanced tumor-node-metastasis(TNM) stage(P = 0.001).But there was no correlation between HMGB3 overexpression and the age and gender of the patient,tumor localization or histologic grade.Statistical Kaplan-Meier survival analysis disclosed significant differences in overall survival between the HMGB3 overexpression group and the HMGB3 no or low expression group(P = 0.006).The expected overall survival time was 31.00 ± 3.773 mo(95%CI = 23.605-38.395) for patients with HMGB3 overexpression and 49.074 ± 3.648 mo(95%CI = 41.925-57.311) for patients with HMGB3 no and low-level expression.Additionally,older age(P = 0.040),extensive wall penetration(P = 0.008),positive lymph node metastasis(P = 0.005),and advanced TNM tumor stage(P = 0.007) showed negative correlation with overall survival.Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that HMGB3 overexpression was an independent variable with respect to age,gender,histologic grade,extent of wall penetration,lymph nodal metastasis,and TNM stage for patients with resectable gastric adenocarcinomas with poor prognosis(hazard ratio = 2.791,95%CI = 1.233-6.319,P = 0.019).In the gene function study,after HMGB3 was knocked down in the gastric cell line BGC823 by shRNA,the cell proliferation rate was reduced at 24 h,48 h and 72 h.Compared to BGC823 shRNA-negative control(NC) cells,the cell proliferation rate in cells that had HMGB3 shRNA transfected was significantly decreased(P < 0.01).Finally,cell cycle analysis by FACS showed that BGC823 cells that had HMGB3 knocked down were blocked in G1/G0 phase.The percentage of cells in G1/G0 phase in BGC823 cells with shRNA-NC and with shRNA-HMGB3 was 46.84% ± 1.7%,and 73.03% ± 3.51% respectively(P = 0.001),whereas G2/M cells percentage decreased from 26.51% ± 0.83% to 17.8% ± 2.26%.CONCLUSION:HMGB3 is likely to be a useful prognostic marker involved in gastric cancer disease onset and progression by regulating the cell cycle.

Dl-3-butylphthalide-enhanced hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and endogenous stem cell mobilization for the treatment of cerebral infarcts

Exogenous stem cell transplantation and endogenous stem cell mobilization are both effective for the treatment of acute cerebral infarction. The compound dl-3-butylphthalide is known to improve microcirculation and help brain cells at the infarct loci. This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of dl-3-butylphthalide intervention based on the transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells and mobilization of endogenous stem cells in a rat model of cerebral infarction, following middle cerebral artery occlusion. Results showed that neurological function was greatly improved and infarct volume was reduced in rats with cerebral infarction. Data also showed that dl-3-butylphthalide can promote hematopoietic stem cells to transform into vascular endothelial cells and neuronal-like cells, and also enhance the therapeutic effect on cerebral infarction by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and endogenous stem cell mobilization.

PERIPHERAL BLOOD CD34^+ CELL MOBILIZATION IN 42 PATIENTS WITH SEVERE AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and safety of peripheral CD34+ cell mobilization in patients with severe autoimmune disease. Methods Forty-two patients underwent a total of 46 mobilizations by the regimen of cyclophosphamide 2-3 g/m2 +recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) 5 μg·kg-1·d-1. The positive selection of CD34+ cell was performed through the CliniMACS. Results In 8.1±2.3 days after administration of cyclophosphamide, the peripheral white blood cell and mononuclear cell (MNC) decreased to the lowest level. In 3.7±1.6 days after injection of rhG-CSF, the peripheral absolute MNC and CD34+ cell counts were 0.95×109/L and 0.035×109/L, respectively. After 2.4±0.6 times of leukapheresis, there gained 4.46×108/kg of MNC and 5.26×106/kg of CD34+, respectively. After mobilization, the underlying diseases were ameliorated more or less. In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) decreased from a median of 17 to 3 (P<0.01). In rheumatic arthritis patients, an American College of Rheumatology criteria for 20%(ACR20) response was achieved in all five patients. Totally, 17.4% of patients whose absolute neutrophil count <0.5×109/L suffered infection, and 31.0% of patients had bone pain after the injection of rhG-CSF. Two patients suffered severe complications, one with acute renal failure and recovered by hemodialysis, the other died of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Failed mobilization occurred in three patients. Conclusions Sufficient CD34+ cells can be mobilized by low dose of cyclophosphamide and rhG-CSF. CD34+ cell mobilization for treatment of severe autoimmune disease not only is appropriate in both effectiveness and safety but ameliorates disease also.

ZTE and Innofidei Achieve Industry's First Field IOT on Multiple TD-LTE USB Dongles in a Mobile Network Cell

ZTE Corporation, a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and networking solutions, announced on May 11,2010 that ZTE Corporation and Innofidei have jointly delivered a significant breakthrough for the Time Division Long Term Evolution （TD-LTE） industry with the industry＇s first successful Inter-Operability Test（IOT） of multiple TD-LTE USB dongles in a single mobile network cell. The successful test was first performed in Hong Kong,

QAP21 reduces stemness and mobility of metastatic breast cancer cells involving D1DR activation

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women mainly due to metastasis,which is closely related to cancer stemness.Evidence has shown that cancer stem-like cells(CSCs),which are responsible for cancer stemness,can be decreased by activating dopamine D1 receptor(D1 DR).In the present study,we aimed to explore the pharmacological effects as well as the underlying mechanisms of QAP21,a newly synthesized compound that can be orally administered,in metastatic breast cancer cells.Our results showed that QAP21 dose-dependently inhibited the ability of colony formation in 4 T1 and MDA-MB-231 cells.Cell mobility,including cell migration and invasion,was also remarkably inhibited.Besides,QAP21 significantly inhibited mammosphere formation and decreased CSC proportion,indicating reduced cancer stemness.We further verified that the nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB)/Akt/epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)pathway was markedly impacted by QAP21 treatment.Moreover,QAP21 up-regulated the expressions of D1 DR and its second messengers,including cAMP and cGMP,which can be increased when D1 DR is activated.SCH 23390,a specific D1 DR antagonist,partially or completely reversed the above-mentioned effects of QAP21,indicating that D1 DR activation might be involved in the underlying mechanism of QAP21.In summary,QAP21 effectively reduced breast cancer stemness and cell mobility,indicating its potential use for metastatic breast cancer therapy.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor improves cardiac function in rabbits following myocardial infarction

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic potency of recombinant human Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) in a rabbit myocardial infarction model. Methods: A myocardial infarction was created by the ligation of the major ventricular branch of the left coronary artery in rabbits. After myocardial infarction, the animals were randomly assigned to GM-CSF treatment group, untreated groups and sham-operated group. The rabbits of the treated group were injected into GM-CSF by subcutaneous administration, 10 μg/kg/day, once a day for 5 days. The untreated and sham-operated group received a equal saline in the same manner as treated group. Six weeks later echocardiography and haemodynamic assessment were undertaken to assesse cardiac function. The size of the infarct region of the heart were also studied. Results: The untreated group exhibited significant higher left ventricle end-diastolic pressure, higher central venous pressure, and with significant lower mean blood pressure, lower peak first derivative of left ventricle pressure (dP/dt) than the sham group. Also, Rabbits in untreated group display significant systolic dysfunction shown by the decreased ejection fraction, diastolic dysfunction shown by increasing in the ratio of E wave to A wave (E/A), and display left ventricle enlargement. However, GS-CSF singnificantly prevented heart dysfunction, left ventricle enlargement, and reduced infarct size in treatment group. Conclusion: Administration GM-CSF after cardiac infarction can improve heart function. These findings indicate the technique may be a novel and simple therapeutic method for ischemic myocardium.

Negative association of donor age with CD34＋ cell dose in mixture allografts of G-CSF-primed bone marrow and G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood harvests

Background The effects of donor characteristics on CD34＋ cell dose remain controversial. Recently, we developed a novel haploidentical transplant protocol, in which mixture allografts of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor （G-CSF）- primed bone marrow （G-BM） and G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood （G-PB） were used. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of donor characteristics on CD34＋ cell dose in mixture allografts of G-BM and G-PB. Methods A total of 162 healthy adult donors, who underwent bone marrow harvest and peripheral blood collection between January 2009 and November 2010 in Peking University People＇s Hospital, were prospectively investigated. G-CSF was administered subcutaneously at a dose of 5 pg/kg once a day for 5-6 consecutive days. Bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells were harvested on the fourth day and fifth day, respectively. A final total CD34＋ cell dose less than 2× 106 cells/kg recipient body weight was considered a poor mobilization. Results Of the 162 donors, 31 （19.1%） did not attain this threshold. The obtained median CD34＋ cell doses in bone marrow, peripheral blood, and mixture allografts were 0.83×106/kg, 2.40×106/kg, and 3.47×106/kg, respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed that donor age had a significant negative effect on CD34＋ cell dose in either G-BM, or G-PB, or mixture allografts of G-BM and G-PB. And a 1-year increase in age was associated with a 5.6% decrease in the odds of achieving mobilization cutoff. No significant correlation was found for donor gender, body mass index （BMI）, and weight. Conclusion Donor age is the only factor among the four parameters, including age, gender, weight, and BMI, that influence CD34＋ cell dose in mixture allografts of G-BM and G-PB, and younger donors should be chosen to obtain sufficient CD34＋ cells for transplantation.

The Mobilization of Autologous Bone Marrow Stem Cells in the Treatment of Heart Failure with Chinese Medicine

Heart failure （HF） is a severe heart disease. The use of autologous bone marrow stem cells （BMCs） mobilization in the treatment of HF has been a hot topic to research both in Western medicine and Chinese medicine （CM）. There are many clinical trials and experiments on study of BMCs mobilization for HF therapy, including integrative medicine. The effect of BMCs mobilization is favorable for cardiac repair, while some advantages of CM support the advanced study of its application in BMCs mobilization to treat HF. In addition, with mechanisms of autologous BMCs mobilization for the treatment of HF that will be revealed in the future, especially stem cells niches, integrative medicine would play an important role in this clinical thought of therapy model gradually. Simultaneously, CM should adapt the new approaches of stem cells progresses on HF treatment as holding characteristics of itself.

The more, the less： age and chemotherapy load are predictive of poor stem cell mobilization in patients with hematologic malignancies

Background Intensive treatment such as autologous peripheral blood stem cell （PBSC） transplantation is an important therapeutic strategy in many hematologic malignancies.A number of factors have been reported to impact PBSC mobilization,but the predictive factors varied from one study to another.This retrospective study assessed our current mobilization and collection protocols,and explored the factors predictive of PBSC mobilization in patients with hematologic malignancies.Methods Data of 64 consecutive patients with hematologic malignancies （multiple myeloma,n=22; acute leukemia,n=27; lymphoma,n=15） who underwent PBSC mobilization for over 1 year were analyzed.Four patients with response to treatment of near complete remission or better were administered granulocyte colony-stimulating factor （G-CSF） to mobilize PBSCs.Sixty patients received G-CSF followed by chemotherapy mobilizing regimens.Poor mobilization （PM） was defined as when ≤2.0×106 CD34＋ cells/kg body weight were collected within three leukapheresis procedures.Results The incidence of PM at the first mobilization attempt was 19% （12/64）.The PM group was older than the non-PM group （median age,51 vs.40 years; P=0.013）.In univariate analysis,there were no significant differences in gender,diagnosis,and body weight between the PM and non-PM groups.A combination of chemotherapy and G-CSF was more effective than G-CSF alone as a mobilizing regimen （P=0.019）.Grade Ⅲ or Ⅳ hematopoietic toxicity of chemotherapy had no significant effect on the mobilization efficacy.Supportive care and the incidence of febrile neutropenia were not significantly different between the two groups.In multivariate analysis,age （odds ratio （OR）,9.536;P=-0.002） and number of previous chemotherapy courses （OR 3.132; P=0.024） were two independent negative predictive factors for CD34＋ cell yield.PM patients could be managed well by remobilization.Conclusion Older age and a heavy load of previous chemotherapy are the negative risk factors for PBSC mobilization.

Zebrafish Cdh5 negatively regulates mobilization of aorta-gonad-mesonephros-derived hematopoietic stem cells

Establishment of a hematopoietic stem cell（HSC）pool depends on the appropriate formation,maturation and mobilization of HSCs in vertebrates.In mice,the aorta-gonad-mesonephros（AGM）is a prominent site for the formation of definitive HSCs from endothelial cells,although the placenta and yolk sac also give rise to HSCs（Mikkola and Orkin,2006;Chen et al.,2009）.After formation,AGM-derived HSCs migrate to the fetal liver（FL）,and ultimately to the bone marrow （BM）, two definitive hematopoietic organs （Cumano and Godin, 2007）.

Combined treatment with erythropoietin and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor enhances neovascularization and improves cardiac function after myocardial infarction

Background Erythropoietin （EPO） and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor （G-CSF） are both potential novel therapeutics for use after myocardial infarction （MI）.However,their underlying mechanisms remain unclear and the efficacy of monotherapy with EPO or G-CSF is also controversial.Therefore,we investigated the effects of combined treatment with EPO and G-CSF on neovascularization and cardiac function in post-infarction rats and explored the potential mechanisms.Methods Four groups of rats were used：control （saline injection after MI,i.h.）,EPO （a single dose of 5 000 IU/kg after MI,i.h.）,G-CSF （a dose of 50 μg· kg-1· d-1 for 5 days after MI,i.h.）,and both EPO and G-CSF （EPO＋G-CSF,using the same regiment as above）.Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography before and 1 day,7 days,14 days and 21 days after MI.CD34＋/Flk-1＋ cells in the peripheral blood were evaluated by flow cytometry before and 3 days,5 days and 7 days after MI.The infarct area and angiogenesis in the peri-infarct area were analyzed.The mRNA and protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） and stromal-derived factor-1α （SDF-1α） in the peri-infarct area were detected by real-time quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting.Results Compared with the control and monotherapy groups,the EPO＋G-CSF group had significantly increased CD34＋/ Flk-1＋ endothelial progenitor calls （EPCs）in the peripheral blood （P ＜0.05）,up-regulated VEGF and SDF-1α levels in the peri-infarct region （P ＜0.05）,enhanced capillary density （P ＜0.05）,reduced infarct size （P ＜0.05） and improved cardiac structure and function （P ＜0.05）.G-CSF alone did not dramatically increase EPCs in the peripheral blood,enhance capillary density in the peri-infarct area or reduce infarct size compared with the control group.Conclusions Combined treatment with EPO and G-CSF increased EPCs mobilization,up-regulated VEGF and SDF-1α levels in the post-infarction microenvironment,subsequently enhanced neovascularization in the peri-infarct region and reduced infarct size.All factors contributed to its beneficial effects on cardiac function in post-infarction rats.