Enhanced hepatic differentiation in the subpopulation of human amniotic stem cells under 3D multicellular microenvironment

BACKGROUND To solve the problem of liver transplantation donor insufficiency,an alternative cell transplantation therapy was investigated.We focused on amniotic epithelial cells(AECs)as a cell source because,unlike induced pluripotent stem cells,they are cost-effective and non-tumorigenic.The utilization of AECs in regenerative medicine,however,is in its infancy.A general profile for AECs has not been comprehensively analyzed.Moreover,no hepatic differentiation protocol for AECs has yet been established.To this end,we independently compiled human AEC libraries,purified amniotic stem cells(ASCs),and co-cultured them with mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)and human umbilical vein endothelial cell(HUVECs)in a 3D system which induces functional hepatic organoids.AIM To characterize AECs and generate functional hepatic organoids from ASCs and other somatic stem cells METHODS AECs,MSCs,and HUVECs were isolated from the placentae and umbilical cords of cesarean section patients.Amnion and primary AEC stemness characteristics and heterogeneity were analyzed by immunocytochemistry,Alkaline phosphatase(AP)staining,and flow cytometry.An adherent AEC subpopulation was selected and evaluated for ASC purification quality by a colony formation assay.AEC transcriptomes were compared with those for other hepatocytes cell sources by bioinformatics.The 2D and 3D culture were compared by relative gene expression using several differentiation protocols.ASCs,MSCs,and HUVECs were combined in a 3D co-culture system to generate hepatic organoids whose structure was compared with a 3D AEC sphere and whose function was elucidated by immunofluorescence imaging,periodic acid Schiff,and an indocyanine green(ICG)test.RESULTS AECs have certain stemness markers such as EPCAM,SSEA4,and E-cadherin.One AEC subpopulation was also either positive for AP staining or expressed the TRA-1-60 and TRA-1-81 stemness markers.Moreover,it could form colonies and its frequency was enhanced ten-fold in the adherent subpopulation after selective primary passage.Bioinformatics analysis of ribose nucleic acid sequencing revealed that the total AEC gene expression was distant from those of pluripotent stem cells and hepatocytes but some gene expression overlapped among these cells.TJP1,associated with epidermal growth factor receptor,and MET,associated with hepatocyte growth factor receptor,were upregulated and may be important for hepatic differentiation.In conventional flat culture,the cells turned unviable and did not readily differentiate into hepatocytes.In 3D culture,however,hepatic gene expression of the AEC sphere was elevated even under a two-step differentiation protocol.Furthermore,the organoids derived from the MSC and HUVEC co-culture showed 3D structure with polarity,hepatic-like glycogen storage,and ICG absorption/elimination.CONCLUSION Human amniotic epithelial cells are heterogeneous and certain subpopulations have high stemness.Under a 3D co-culture system,functional hepatic organoids were generated in a multicellular microenvironment.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-loaded amniotic membrane for the repair of radial nerve injury

In this study, we loaded human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells onto human amniotic membrane with epithelial cells to prepare nerve conduits, i.e., a relatively closed nerve regeneration chamber. After neurolysis, the injured radial nerve was enwrapped with the prepared nerve conduit, which was fixed to the epineurium by sutures, with the cell on the inner surface of the conduit. Simultaneously, a 1.0 mL aliquot of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell suspension was injected into the distal and proximal ends of the injured radial nerve with 1.0 cm intervals. A total of 1.75 x 107 cells were seeded on the amniotic membrane. In the control group, patients received only neurolysis. At 12 weeks after cell transplantation, more than 80% of patients exhibited obvious improvements in muscular strength, and touch and pain sensations. In contrast, these improvements were observed only in 55-65% of control patients. At 8 and 12 weeks, muscular electrophysiological function in the region dominated by the injured radial nerve was significantly better in the transplantation group than the control group. After cell transplantation, no immunological rejections were observed. These findings suggest that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-loaded amniotic membrane can be used for the repair of radial nerve injury.

The Osteogenic Capacity of Human Amniotic Membrane Mesenchymal Stem Cell (hAMSC) and Potential for Application in Maxillofacial Bone Reconstruction <i>in Vitro</i>Study

Amniotic membrane of human placenta is a source of abundant mesenchymal stem cell (hAMSC) which makes it a potential source of allogeneic multipotent cell for bone healing. However, much has to be explored about its isolation procedure and the osteogenic differentiation potential. The aims of this study are to establish the procurement procedure of human amniotic membrane, the isolation and culture of hAMSC, the MSC phenotypic characterization, and the in vitro osteogenic differentiation of hAMSC. Results of the study are as follows. The quality of human amniotic membrane would be best if procured from Caesarean operation under highly aseptic condition to avoid fungal and bacterial contamination on the culture. Isolation procedure using modified Soncini protocol yielded large amount of MSC with high proliferative capacity in culture medium. Characterization of hAMSC showed that the majority of the target cells exhibited specific MSC markers (CD105 and CD90) with a small number of these cells expressing CD45, the marker of hematopoeitic cells. The in vitro osteogenic differentiation of hAMSC followed by Alizarin Red staining showed that osteoblastic differentiation was detected in a significantly high number of cells. This study concludes that hAMSCs isolated from human amniotic membrane have the capacity for in vitro osteogenesis which makes them be one of the potential allogeneic stem cells for application in maxillofacial bone reconstruction.

Healing Mechanism and Osteogenic Capacity of Bovine Bone Mineral—Human Amniotic Mesenchymal Stem Celland Autogenous Bone Graft in Critical Size Mandibular Defect

Experiments on maxillofacial bone tissue engineering showed the promising result;however, its healing mechanisms and effectiveness had not been fully understood. The aim of this study is to compare the bone healing mechanism and osteogenic capacity between bovine bone mineral loaded with hAMSC and autogenous bone graft in the reconstruction of critical size mandibular bone defect. Critical size defects were made at the mandible of 45 New Zealand white rabbits reconstructed with BBM-hAMSC, BBM alone, and ABG, respectively. At the end of first, second, and twelfth weeks, five rabbits from each experimental week were sacrificed for histology and immunohistochemistry staining. Expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), bone mor-phogenic proteins-2 (BMP2), Runx2 and the amount of angiogenesis were analyzed in the first and second week groups, while expressions of Runx2, osteocalcin, collagen type-I fibres, trabecular area and bone incorporation were analyzed in the twelfth week groups. The result showed that expressions of VEGF, BMP2 and Runx2 as well as the amount of angiogenesis were higher in ABG compared with BBM-hAMSC group in the first and second weeks of healing. The result of twelfth week of healing showed that expressions of Runx2 and osteocalcin as well as the thickness of collagen type-I fibres were significantly higher in BBM-hAMSC compared to ABG group, while there was no statistically difference in trabecular area and bone incorporation between BBM-hAMSC and ABG group. This study concluded that early healing activities were higher in auto-genous bone graft than in BBM-hAMSC, while osteogenic activities in the late stage of healing were higher in BBM-hAMSC compared to autogenous bone graft. It was also concluded that the osteo-genic capacity of BBM-hAMSC was comparable to autogenous bone graft in the reconstruction of critical size defect in the mandible.

Amniotic fluid stem cell-based models to study the effects of gene mutations and toxicants on male germ cell formation

Male infertility is a major public health issue predominantly caused by defects in germ cell development. In the past, studies on the genetic regulation of spermatogenesis as well as on negative environmental impacts have been hampered by the fact that human germ cell development is intractable to direct analysis in vivo. Compared with model organisms including mice, there are fundamental differences in the molecular processes of human germ cell development. Therefore, an in vitro model mimicking human sperm formation would be an extremely valuable research tool. In the recent past, both human embryonic stem （ES） cells and induced pluripotent stem （iPS） cells have been reported to harbour the potential to differentiate into primordial germ cells and gametes. We here discuss the possibility to use human amniotic fluid stem （AFS） ceils as a biological model. Since their discovery in 2003, AFS cells have been characterized to differentiate into cells of all three germ layers, to be genomically stable, to have a high proliferative potential and to be non-tumourigenic. In addition, AFS cells are not subject of ethical concerns. In contrast to iPS cells, AFSs cells do not need ectopic induction of pluripotency, which is often associated with only imperfectly cleared epigenetic memory of the source cells. Since AFS cells can be derived from amniocentesis with disease-causing mutations and can be transfected with high efficiency, they could be used in probing gene functions for spermatogenesis and in screening for male reproductive toxicity.

Human amniotic membrane transplantation: Different modalities of its use in ophthalmology

The amniotic membrane(AM) is the inner layer of the fetal membranes and consist of 3 different layers: the epithelium, basement membrane and stroma which further consists of three contiguous but distinct layers: the inner compact layer, middle fibroblast layer and the outermost spongy layer. The AM has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, anti-angiogenic as well as anti-microbial properties. Also because of its transparent structure, lack of immunogenicity and the ability to provide an excellent substrate for growth, migration and adhesion of epithelial corneal and conjunctival cells, it is being used increasingly for ocular surface reconstruction in a variety of ocular pathologies including corneal disorders associated with limbal stem cell deficiency, surgeries for conjunctival reconstruction, as a carrier for ex vivo expansion of limbal epithelial cells, glaucoma surgeries and sceral melts and perforations. However indiscriminate use of human AM needs to be discouraged as complications though infrequent can occur. These include risk of transmission of bacterial, viral or fungal infections to the recipient if the donors are not adequately screened for communicable diseases, if the membrane is not processed under sterile condi-tions or if storage is improper. Optimal outcomes can be achieved only with meticulous case selection. This review explores the ever expanding ophthalmological indications for the use of human AM.

Transplantation of tissue-engineered human corneal epithelium in limbal stem cell deficiency rabbit models

AIM: To evaluate the biological functions of tissue-engineered human corneal epithelium (TE-HCEP) by corneal transplantation in limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) rabbit models. METHODS: TE-HCEPs were reconstructed with DiI-labeled untransfected HCEP cells and denuded amniotic membrane (dAM) in air-liquid interface culture, and their morphology and structure were characterized by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining of paraffin-sections, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. LSCD models were established by mechanical and alcohol treatment of the left eyes of New Zealand white rabbits, and their eyes were transplanted with TE-HCEPs with dAM surface outside by lamellar keratoplasty (LKP). Corneal transparency, neovascularization, thickness, and epithelial integrality of both traumatic and post transplantation eyes were checked once a week by slit-lamp corneal microscopy, a corneal pachymeter, and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. At day 120 post surgery, the rabbits in each group were sacrificed and their corneas were examined by DiI label observation, HE staining, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. RESULTS: After cultured for 5 days on dAM, HCEP cells, maintaining keratin 3 expression, reconstructed a 6-7 layer TE-HCEP with normal morphology and structure. The traumatic rabbit corneas, entirely opaque, conjunctivalized and with invaded blood vessels, were used as LSCD models for TE-HCEP transplantation. After transplantation, obvious edema was not found in TE-HCEP-transplanted corneas which became more and more transparent, the invaded blood vessels reduced gradually throughout the monitoring period. The corneas decreased to normal thickness on day 25, while those of dAM eyes were over 575 mu m in thickness during the monitoring period. A 45 layer of epithelium consisting of TE-HCEP originated cells attached tightly to the anterior surface of stroma was reconstructed 120 days after TE-HCEP transplantation, which was similar to the normal control eye in morphology and structure. In contrast, intense corneal edema, turbid, invaded blood vessels were found in dAM eyes, and no multilayer epithelium was found but only a few scattered conjunctiva-like cells appeared. CONCLUSION: The TE-HCEP, with similar morphology and structure to those of innate HCEP, could reconstruct a multilayer corneal epithelium with normal functions in restoring corneal transparency and thickness of LSCD rabbits after transplantation. It may be a promising HCEP equivalent for clinical therapy of corneal epithelial disorders.

Human Amniotic Allograft in Use on Talar Dome Lesions: A Prospective Report of 37 Patients

One of the most challenging joint conditions facing ankle surgeons today is the treatment of Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) of the talar dome. The use of human amniotic allograft (HAA) in various surgical procedures, has been proven to facilitate bone growth and both soft tissue and cartilage healing. The authors of this paper propose the addition of HAA to the surgical repair of talar dome lesions to improve postoperative results, specifically pain reduction. For the study, 37 patients were identified having an OCD lesion of the talus measuring no larger than 2 cm2. All patients were treated surgically with an arthroscopic micro-fracture repair along with the addition of HHA. Modified ACFAS ankle scores were taken pre-operatively and at 3 months, 12 months, and at 24 months postoperatively. Visual analog scores were also taken preoperative and 24 months postoperatively. The size of the talar lesions documented with pre-operative MRI’s was compared with intra-operative measurements for each patient. Additional surgical repairs, comorbidities and any complications were also recorded and evaluated. All patients were treated with micro-fracture with HAA. Postoperative ACFAS scores for 3 months, 12 months and 24 months were significantly improved (p < 0.0001) compared with average preoperative scores. Additionally, VAS scores were also significantly improved when comparing the average pre-operative (4.9) and post-operative (1.1) pain scores (p < 0.0001). The size of the lesions documented by pre-operative MRI correlated to intra-operative measurements. There were no identified complications. The addition of HAA to arthroscopic micro-fracture repair of talar dome lesions measuring less than 2 cm2?has shown to significantly improve both post-operative VAS scores, when compared to preoperative scores. This improvement in ACFAS and VAS scores speaks to the potential use of HAA in the treatment of OCD.

The Use of Human Amniotic Allograft on Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Talar Dome: A Comparison with and without Allografts in Arthroscopically Treated Ankles

Arthroscopy of the ankle with micro-fracture technique is one way to initially treat symptomatic talar dome lesions. Human amniotic allograft has been used in similar bone, soft tissue and cartilage defects to aid in healing of tissue using graft cells that have not differentiated into a particular cell line. Patients were taken from the primary surgeon’s practice to include those who had undergone arthroscopy with micro-fracture technique for treatment of a talar dome lesion less than 2 cm2. 101 patient surgeries were completed arthroscopically without additional major procedures. 54 surgeries were completed with human amniotic allograft;47 were completed without (control group). Modified ACFAS ankle scores were taken pre-operatively, 3, 12 and 24 months post-operatively. Visual analog pain scores were taken pre-operatively and 24 months post-operatively. Results comparing pre-operative modified ACFAS scores between the control and graft groups were not significantly different (p = 0.14). There was a significant improvement in both groups’ scores following ankle arthroscopy with micro-fracture as expected. However, the amniotic tissue group did significantly better when comparing the post-operative scores between the control and graft group. Pain scores comparing control and amniotic patient groups were significant (p < 0.001) with amniotic allograft patients achieving a greater improvement in pain reduction than the control both early and at 24 months. There were no complications, wound dehiscence or infections recorded. Combining ankle arthroscopy/micro-fracture technique with human amniotic allograft on talar dome lesions, less than 2 cm2, significantly improves the patients’ pain and ACFAS scores.

Biomimetic cell-adhesive ligand-functionalized peptide composite hydrogels maintain stemness of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells

In vivo,stem cells reside in a three-dimensional(3D)extracellular microenvironment in which complicated biophysical and biochemical factors regulate their behaviors.Biomimicking of the stem cellmatrix interactions is an ideal approach for controlling the stem cell fate.This study investigates the effects of the incorporation of cell-adhesive ligands in 3D self-assembling peptide hydrogels to modulate stem cell survival,proliferation,maintenance of stemness,and osteogenic differentiation.The results show that the composite hydrogels were non-cytotoxic and effective for maintaining human amniotic mesenchymal stem cell(hAMSC)survival,proliferation and phenotypic characterization.The expression levels of pluripotent markers were also upregulated in the composite hydrogels.Under inductive media conditions,mineral deposition and mRNA expression levels of osteogenic genes of hAMSCs were enhanced.The increasing expression of integrin aand b-subunits for hAMSCs indicates that the ligandintegrin interactions may modulate the cell fate for hAMSCs in composite hydrogels.

过表达神经调节蛋白1的人羊膜间充质干细胞促进小鼠皮肤创面愈合

背景:神经调节蛋白1具有促进细胞增殖、分化以及血管生长等特性。人羊膜间充质干细胞是组织工程领域重要的种子细胞,已被证实参与组织修复及再生过程。目的:构建过表达神经调节蛋白1的人羊膜间充质干细胞,探究其增殖、迁移能力以及对创面愈合的影响。方法:(1)体外分离培养人羊膜间充质干细胞并对其进行鉴定;(2)构建神经调节蛋白1过表达慢病毒,将人羊膜间充质干细胞分为空载组、神经调节蛋白1组、对照组,分别转染空载慢病毒、过表达神经调节蛋白1慢病毒,对照组不进行转染;(3)EdU实验检测各组细胞增殖能力,Transwell实验检测各组细胞迁移能力;(4)构建C57BL/6小鼠创面损伤模型,随机分成对照组、空载组和神经调节蛋白1组,每组8只,分别在创面局部多点均匀注射1 mL转染空载慢病毒或转染过表达神经调节蛋白1慢病毒的人羊膜间充质干细胞,对照组注射等量的生理盐水;(5)造模后1,7,14 d观察创面愈合情况,苏木精-伊红染色观察创面愈合组织学变化,免疫组化观察创面CD31的表达。结果与结论:(1)成功构建过表达神经调节蛋白1的人羊膜间充质干细胞,细胞内神经调节蛋白1的mRNA、蛋白表达较空载组明显上调(P<0.05);(2)过表达神经调节蛋白1促进了人羊膜间充质干细胞的迁移(P<0.01)和增殖(P<0.05);(3)过表达神经调节蛋白1的人羊膜间充质干细胞促进了小鼠创面愈合(P<0.05)和创面的血管生成(P<0.05)。结果表明,过表达神经调节蛋白1提高了人羊膜间充质干细胞的增殖和迁移能力,以及增强了促进创面愈合和创面血管生成的能力。

人羊膜间充质干细胞对大鼠子宫瘢痕的修复作用

目的探究人羊膜间充质干细胞(hAMSCs)对大鼠子宫瘢痕的修复作用。方法分离培养hAMSCs,选雌性SPF级SD大鼠行子宫壁全层切开术,术中注射hAMSCs,于术后第30天对子宫切开部位进行组织学检查。用ImageJ图像分析软件进行分析比较各组子宫肌层厚度、纤维化面积百分比。免疫组化法分别检测子宫肌层α平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)、肿瘤增殖抗原Ki-67(Ki-67)阳性面积百分比。结果与磷酸缓冲盐溶液(PBS)组相比,hAMSCs组子宫肌层明显增厚、纤维化面积减少,α-SMA、Ki-67阳性表达明显增加(P<0.05),而TGF-β1阳性表达明显减少(P<0.05)。。结论人羊膜间充质干细胞(hAMSCs)可能通过减少瘢痕纤维化的形成、促进子宫瘢痕处平滑肌细胞的增殖等作用机制促进子宫切口组织修复。

人羊膜间充质干细胞对松木屑烟雾溶液染毒大鼠肺泡Ⅱ型上皮细胞增殖、凋亡及炎症因子影响的研究

背景烟雾吸入性肺损伤在烧伤患者中较为常见,吸入的有毒气体、颗粒等易引起急性肺损伤(acute lung injury,ALI),目前无特异性治疗方法。目的研究人羊膜间充质干细胞(human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells,hAMSCs)对松木屑烟雾溶液染毒大鼠肺泡Ⅱ型上皮细胞(alveolar typeⅡepithelial cells,AT-Ⅱ)增殖、凋亡及炎症因子的影响。方法采用酶消化法分离培养hAMSCs和AT-Ⅱ,采用流式细胞术和免疫荧光分别鉴定hAMSCs和AT-Ⅱ;松木屑烟雾溶液染毒AT-Ⅱ复制烟雾诱导的细胞损伤。实验细胞分为对照组(无血清DMEM/F12)、致伤组(0.75‰松木屑烟雾溶液染毒)和治疗组(0.75‰松木屑烟雾溶液染毒,hAMSCs与AT-Ⅱ共培养)。采用CCK-8检测细胞的增殖活性;Annexin V-FITC/PI染色检测细胞凋亡;Elisa检测炎症因子肿瘤坏死因子α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)、白细胞介素(interleukin,IL)-6和IL-10的表达。结果与对照组比较,致伤组AT-Ⅱ的活性降低(P<0.01),经hAMSCs治疗后,与致伤组比较,AT-Ⅱ细胞活性增加(P<0.01);致伤组细胞的凋亡率在12 h和24 h均增加(P<0.01),hAMSCs治疗后细胞凋亡率降低(P<0.01);细胞致伤后炎症因子TNF-α、IL-6和IL-10的含量增加(P<0.05),经hAMSCs共培养12 h和24 h后,促炎因子TNF-α和IL-6的表达均下调(P<0.05),IL-10含量增加(P<0.05)。结论hAMSCs可以促进松木屑烟雾溶液诱导的AT-Ⅱ增殖和抑制细胞凋亡,可能与调节炎症因子的表达有关,为探究hAMSCs治疗烟雾引起的急性肺损伤提供理论依据。

不同体积分数氧气预处理人羊膜间充质干细胞的生物学特性

背景:近年来,干细胞在组织损伤修复中发挥着重要作用,其中间充质干细胞移植应用最为广泛,间充质干细胞可以通过旁分泌细胞因子促进损伤组织的修复,低氧预处理可以改善间充质干细胞的生物学特性,因而,低氧预处理的人羊膜间充质干细胞可能在组织损伤修复中起到更好的治疗作用。目的:探讨不同体积分数氧气预处理对人羊膜间充质干细胞增殖、抗凋亡能力、旁分泌作用的影响。方法:利用酶消化法获得原代人羊膜间充质干细胞,将第3代人羊膜间充质干细胞通过不同体积分数氧气进行预处理48 h,随机分为1%,3%,5%,10%低氧预处理组和常氧对照组体积分数21%氧气,倒置显微镜下观察人羊膜间充质干细胞的形态,CCK-8检测人羊膜间充质干细胞的增殖能力,Annexin V-FITC/PI试剂盒检测人羊膜间充质干细胞的凋亡情况,实时定量PCR法检测人羊膜间充质干细胞凋亡基因和缺氧诱导因子的表达,酶联免疫吸附法检测人羊膜间充质干细胞分泌的细胞因子水平。结果与结论:显微镜下观察不同体积分数氧气预处理组人羊膜间充质干细胞的形态无明显差异,低氧预处理能提高人羊膜间充质干细胞的增殖、抗凋亡和旁分泌细胞因子的能力,且体积分数1%氧气预处理效果优于体积分数3%,5%,10%,21%氧气预处理。

低氧预处理人羊膜间充质干细胞来源外泌体在改善血管衰老中的作用研究

目的明确低氧预处理人羊膜间充质干细胞来源的外泌体(human amniotic mesenchymal stem cell⁃derived exosomes,hAMSC⁃exos)是否在改善血管衰老中发挥作用。方法D⁃半乳糖(D⁃galactose,D⁃gal)诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞(human umbilical vein endothelial cells,HUVEC)亚急性衰老,收集低氧预处理hAMSC⁃exos作用于D⁃gal诱导衰老的HUVEC,通过衰老相关β⁃半乳糖苷酶(senescence⁃associatedβ⁃galactosidase,SA⁃β⁃Gal)活性染色,P53、P16和γH2AX蛋白表达水平测定HUVEC的衰老水平变化,通过划痕实验、transwell小室迁移实验和成管实验来检测HUVEC的成血管功能变化。结果D⁃gal诱导能够成功构建HUVEC亚急性衰老模型;SA⁃β⁃Gal检测及P53、P16和γH2AX蛋白表达检测显示低氧预处理hAMSC⁃exos可更好地逆转D⁃gal诱导HUVEC导致的SA⁃β⁃Gal、P53、P16和γH2AX上调;划痕实验、transwell小室迁移实验和成管实验结果显示,低氧预处理hAMSC⁃exos可改善D⁃gal诱导的HUVEC的成血管功能下调。结论本研究初步明确了低氧预处理hAMSC⁃exos能改善HUVEC的衰老表型。

人羊膜间充质干细胞在女性生殖系统的应用前景

人羊膜间质干细胞具有来源广泛、对供体无创伤、低免疫原性、无明显致瘤性、多种分化潜能的特点,其通过趋化作用到达目标组织,同时能分泌多种细胞因子,具有抗炎、抗纤维化、促进组织修复和再生的功能。女性卵巢功能减退会导致排卵异常、生殖激素分泌不足等,而子宫内膜基底层受损导致自身修复不良,从而造成生殖系统病变。目前临床上的常规治疗方法并不能满足患者的生育需求,多项研究表明,人羊膜间充质干细胞在女性生殖领域具有较好的应用前景。本文总结人羊膜间充质干细胞的生理特性,探讨其在女性生殖的应用前景。

下调NF-κB信号通路促进人羊膜间充质干细胞上皮化

目的探讨NF-κB信号通路在诱导人羊膜间充质干细胞(human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells,hAMSCs)上皮化的过程中发挥的作用。方法分离和培养hAMSCs,将hAMSCs分为对照组和诱导组(n=3),采用RT-qPCR检测上皮化标志物(CK-7、CK-19、E-cadherin)、间质标志物(Vimentin)、NF-κB信号通路关键因子(IκBα、p65)和NF-κB信号通路靶基因cyclin D1的mRNA表达水平;采用免疫荧光检测CK-7、E-cadherin、Vimentin、IκBα、p65和p-p65的蛋白表达水平;为确认NF-κB信号通路在hAMSCs上皮化中的作用,将hAMSCs分为诱导组、抑制剂组、Ad-GFP组(空白腺病毒)、Ad-IκBα组(腺病毒过表达IκBα)、LV-GFP组(空白慢病毒)、LV-RELA-RNAi组(慢病毒沉默p65)(n=3)。RT-qPCR检测CK-7、CK-19、E-cadherin、Vimentin、IκBα和p65的mRNA表达水平,免疫荧光检测CK-7、E-cadherin、Vimentin和IκBα、p65、p-p65的蛋白表达水平。结果与对照组比较,诱导组中CK-7、CK-19、E-cadherin的mRNA表达升高(P<0.01),CK-7、E-cadherin蛋白表达升高(P<0.05),Vimentin的mRNA表达降低(P<0.01),蛋白表达降低(P<0.05),IκBα、p65、cyclin D1的mRNA表达降低(P<0.001),IκBα、p65、p-p65蛋白表达降低(P<0.05);抑制剂组、Ad-IκBα组、LV-RELA-RNAi组中CK-7、CK19、E-cadherin的mRNA表达较诱导组明显升高(P<0.01),CK-7、E-cadherin蛋白表达较诱导组升高(P<0.05),Vimentin的mRNA表达明显下降(P<0.01),蛋白表达降低(P<0.05)。结论NF-κB信号通路参与hAMSCs上皮化的调控,下调NF-κB信号通路能有效促进hAMSCs上皮化。

人羊膜间充质干细胞的研究进展

人羊膜间充质干细胞(hAMSC)具有来源丰富、分离简单的优点。hAMSC在组织修复中具有支持造血、再生、免疫调节、抗纤维化等作用。本文对羊膜间充质干细胞在各个系统疾病治疗的研究进行了综述,旨在为羊膜间充质干细胞的应用提供参考。

TGF-β1联合IGF-1诱导hAMSC向韧带成纤维细胞分化的效应研究

目的 探讨TGF-β1联合IGF-1诱导人羊膜间充质干细胞(human amniotic mesenchymal stem cell,hAMSC)向韧带成纤维细胞分化的效应和相关分子表达水平。方法 分离培养第3代hAMSC,过表达TGF-β1(Ad-TGF-β1)和IGF-1(Ad-IGF-1)腺病毒转染细胞后,将细胞分为空白对照组、IGF-1组、TGF-β1组和TGF-β1+IGF-1组,使用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction,RT-qPCR)检测韧带成纤维细胞相关基因表达情况,使用细胞免疫荧光观察TGF-β1联合IGF-1对hAMSC向韧带成纤维细胞分化的特异性标志因子包括Ⅰ型胶原(COL-Ⅰ),Ⅲ型胶原(COL-Ⅲ),腱调蛋白(tenofovir,TNMD)及纤维连接蛋白(fibronectin,FN)在基因和蛋白表达水平改变。结果 培养至第3代,hAMSC贴壁生长,呈长梭状、漩涡形态;TGF-β1和IGF-1过表达腺病毒转染第3代hAMSC 24h后;PCR结果显示,使用TGF-β1+Ad-IGF-1诱导第3代hAMSC后第7天时,韧带成纤维细胞相关基因包括COL-Ⅰ、COL-Ⅲ、FN、TNMD的mRNA表达水平显著高于其他各组(P<0.05);细胞免疫荧光染色结果显示Ad-TGF-β1转染细胞联合IGF-1诱导第3代hAMSC后,第7天与第3天比较,Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原蛋白表达水平显著高于其他各组。结论 体外通过使用腺病毒,高表达TGF-β1与IGF-1,可显著增强诱导hAMSC向韧带成纤维细胞分化,并且韧带成纤维细胞相关基因和蛋白水平表达明显增强。