Mesenchymal stem cells from the human umbilical cord ameliorate fulminant hepatic failure and increase survival in mice

BACKGROUND：Cell therapy has been promising for various diseases.We investigated whether transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells（h UCMSCs）has any therapeutic effects on D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide（Gal N/LPS）-induced fulminant hepatic failure in mice.METHODS：h UCMSCs isolated from human umbilical cord were cultured and transplanted via the tail vein into severe combined immune deficiency mice with Gal N/LPS-induced fulminant hepatic failure.After transplantation,the localization and differentiation of h UCMSCs in the injured livers were investigated by immunohistochemical and genetic analy- ses. The recovery of the injured livers was evaluated histologi- cally. The survival rate of experimental animals was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. RESULTS： hUCMSCs expressed high levels of CD29, CD73, CD13, CD105 and CD90, but did not express CD31, CD79b, CD133, CD34, and CD45. Cultured hUCMSCs displayed adip- ogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that transplantation of hUCMSCs reduced hepatic necrosis and promoted liver regeneration. Transplantation of hUCMSCs prolonged the survival rate of mice with fulminant hepatic failure. Polymerase chain reaction for human alu sequences showed the presence of human cells in mouse livers. Positive staining for human albumin, human alpha-fetoprotein and human cytokeratin 18 suggested the for- mation of hUCMSCs-derived hepatocyte-like cells in vivo.CONCLUSIONS： hUCMSC was a potential candidate for stem cell based therapies. After transplantation, hUCMSCs partially repaired hepatic damage induced by GalN/LPS in mice. hUC- MSCs engrafted into the injured liver and differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells.

Hepatitis E virus-related acute liver failure associated with pure red cell aplasia

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Host and viral factors contributing to CD8+ T cell failure in hepatitis C virus infection

Virus-specific CD8+ T cells are thought to be the major anti-viral effector cells in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Indeed, viral clearance is associated with vigorous CD8+ T cell responses targeting multiple epitopes. In the chronic phase of infection, HCV-specific CD8+ T cell responses are usually weak, narrowly focused and display often functional defects regarding cytotoxicity, cytokine production, and proliferative capacity. In the last few years, different mechanisms which might contribute to the failure of HCV-specific CD8+ T cells in chronic infection have been identified, including insufficient CD4+ help, deficient CD8+ T cell differentiation, viral escape mutations, suppression by viral factors, inhibitory cytokines, inhibitory ligands, and regulatory T cells. In addition, host genetic factors such as the host’s human leukocyte antigen (HLA) background may play an important role in the efficiency of the HCV- specific CD8+ T cell response and thus outcome of infection. The growing understanding of the mechanisms contributing to T cell failure and persistence of HCV infection will contribute to the development of successful immunotherapeutical and -prophylactical strategies.

Challenges and pitfalls of youth-onset type 2 diabetes

The incidence and prevalence of youth-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)are increasing.The rise in frequency and severity of childhood obesity,inclination to sedentary lifestyle,and epigenetic risks related to prenatal hyperglycemia exposure are important drivers of the youth-onset T2DM epidemic and might as well be responsible for the early onset of diabetes complications.Indeed,youth-onset T2DM has a more extreme metabolic phenotype than adult-onset T2DM,with greater insulin resistance and more rapid deterioration of beta cell function.Therefore,intermediate complications such as microalbuminuria develop in late childhood or early adulthood,while end-stage complications develop in mid-life.Due to the lack of efficacy and safety data,several drugs available for the treatment of adults with T2DM have not been approved in youth,reducing the pharmacological treatment options.In this mini review,we will try to address the present challenges and pitfalls related to youth-onset T2DM and summarize the available interventions to mitigate the risk of microvascular and macrovascular complications.

Detection of p53 gene mutations in skeletal muscle cell of patients with chronic heart failure

Progressive deterioration of physical work capacity in congestive heart failure (CHF) is often attributed to ongoing skeletal muscle atrophy and abnormalities in muscle metabolism. The purpose of the present study was to investigate if mutations in the p53 gene thought to be a promotor of apoptosis are involved in intrinsic apoptotic abnormalities in skeletal muscle of patients (pts) with CHF. Percutaneous needle biopsy from the m. vastus lateralis were obtained from 19 pts with CHF (LV EF 25%±10%). Single strand confirmation polymorphism analysis of polymerase chain reation products (PCR SSCP analysis) was used for detection of mutations in exon 5 8 of the p53 gene in skeletal Heart Center, University Leipzig, Germany (Yu JT, Adams V, Fiehn E, Schuler G and Hambrecht R) Institut of Pathology, University Freiburg, Germany (Ye J and Riede U)muscle cells. Four of 19 muscle specimens (21%) showed mobility shifts. To characterize the nuleotide sequence alterations specimens were examined further by direct sequence analysis of PCR product. Two of four specimens showing a band shift in the SSCP analysis exhibited a mutated p53 sequence. Sequence analysis revealed that these alteratons were point mutation exon 8 (14482, G→A) and deletion in exon 5 (13143 13157). A high frequency of p53 mutations was detected in skeletal muscle cells of patients with chronic heart failure. These findings suggest a role for apoptosis in the progression of intrinsic skeletal muscle abnormalities and consequently of exercise intolerance in chronic heart failure.

Relationship between the level of fasting plasma glucose and beta cell functions in Chinese with or without diabetes

Background Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by a progressive loss of beta cell functions. However, the evaluation of beta cell functions is either expensive or inconvenient for clinical practice. We aimed to elucidate the association between the changes of insulin responsiveness and the fasting plasma glucose （FPG） during the development of diabetes. Methods A total of 1192 Chinese individuals with normal blood glucose or hyperglycemia were enrolled for the analysis. The early insulinogenic index （△I30/△G30）, the area under the curve of insulin （AUC-Ⅰ）, and homeostasis model assessment were applied to evaluate the early phase secretion, total insulin secretion, and insulin resistance respectively. Polynomial regression analysis was performed to estimate the fluctuation of beta cell functions. Results The △I30/△G30 decreased much more rapidly than the AUC-Ⅰ accompanying with the elevation of FPG. At the FPG of 110 mg/dl （a pre-diabetic stage）, the AI30/AG30 lost 50% of its maximum while the AUC-Ⅰ was still at a compensated normal level. The AUC-Ⅰ exhibited abnormal and decreased gradually at the FPG of from 130 mg/dl to higher （overt diabetes）, while the △I30/△G30 almost remained at 25% of its maximum value. When hyperglycemia continuously existed at 〉 180 mg/dl, both the AI30/AG30 and AUC-Ⅰ were totally lost. Conclusion The increased fasting plasma glucose reflects progressive decompensation of beta cell functions, and could be used to guide the strategy of clinical treatments.