Objective To investigate the effect of homograft of marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) seeded onto poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)/gelatin on repair of articular cartilage defects. Methods The MSCs derived from36 Qingzilan rabbits, aging 4 to 6 months and weighed 2.5-3.5 kg were cultured in vitroand seeded onto PLLA/gelatin. The MSCs/ PLLA/gelatin composite was cultured and transplanted into full thickness defects on intercondylar fossa. Thirty-six healthy Qingzilan rabbits were made models of cartilage defects in the intercondylar fossa. These rabbits were divided into 3 groups according to the repair materials with 12 in each group: group A, MSCs and PLLA/gelatin complex(MSCs/ PLLA/gelatin); group B, only PLLA/gelatin; and group C, nothing. At 4,8 and 12 weeks after operation, the gross, histological and immunohistochemical observations were made, and grading scales were evaluated. Results At 12 weeks after transplantation, defect was repaired and the structures of the cartilage surface and normal cartilage was in integrity. The defects in group A were repaired by the hylinelike tissue and defects in groups B and C were repaired by the fibrous tissues. Immunohistochemical staining showed that cells in the zones of repaired tissues were larger in size, arranged columnedly, riched in collagen Ⅱ matrix and integrated satisfactorily with native adjacent cartilages and subchondral bones in group A at 12 weeks postoperatively. In gross score, group A(2.75±0.89) was significantly better than group B (4.88±1.25) and group C (7.38±1.18) 12 weeks afteroperation, showing significant differences (P＜0.05); in histological score, group A (3.88±1.36) was better than group B (8.38±1.06) and group C (13.13±1.96), and group B was better than group C, showing significant differences (P＜0.05). Conclusion Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells seeded onto PLLA/gelatin is a promising way for the treatment of cartilage defects.
Objective To explore the relationship of the limited resource of the autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in articularcavity to the treatment results of full-thickness articular cartilage defect, and to investigate whether the extrogenous sodium hyaluronate(SH) promotes the migration of MSCs cultured in vitro tothe articular defect in vivo. Methods Sixty-six Japan rabbits were made the model of the full-thickness articular cartilage defect (5 mm width and 4 mm depth).The autologous MSCs were extracted from the rabbit femur, cultured in vitro, labeledby Brdu, and injected into the injured articular cavity with or without SH. Theexperiment was divided into 4 groups; group A (MSCs and SH, n=15); group B (MSCs, n=15); group C (SH, n=18); and group D (non-treatment, n=18). The morphologic observation was made by HE staining, Mallory staining and immunohistochemical staining after 5 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks of operation. Results There were significant differences in the thickness of repairing tissue between group A and group B(Plt;0.01); but there were no significant differences between group A and group C, and between group B and group D(P＞0.05). Thehistological observation showed that the main repairing tissue was fibrocartilage in group A and fiber tissue in group B. Conclusion MSCs cultured in vitro and injected into the articular cavity can not improve the treatment results of the articular cartilage defect. Extrogenous SH has effect on repairing cartilage defect. The extrogenous SH has no effect on the chemotaxis of the MSCs, and on the collection of MSCs into the joint defect.
Objective To investigate the possibility of ectomesenchymal stem cell of human embryo facial process in differentiating into osteoblasts.Methods Ectomesenchymal stem cells of human embryo facial process were isolated and cultured in mineralized promoting solution containing 10 mmol/L β-glycerophosphate, 100 μg/ml ascorbic acid and 10 nmol/L dexamethasone supplemented with 15% FBS. The morphological change was observed by phase contrast microscopy. The characteristics of cells was identified by immunohistochemistry assay. Alkaline phosphatase activity was tested and the form of mineralized nodules was tested with Von Kossa staining. The expression of osteocalcin was identified by RT-PCR.Results There were significant changes in the shape of the cells after 3 days cultured in mineralized promoting solution. The cells became larger and the shape changed from fibroblast-like to multilateral. The result for anticollogen typeⅠstaining was positive. The alkaline phosphatase activity increased. Mineralized nodules were formed aftercultured 25 days by Von Kossa staining. RT-PCR assay showed induced cells expressed osteocalcin.Conclusion Ectomesenchymal stem cells of humanembryo facial process can be induced to differentiate into osteoblasts by mineralized promoting solution.
Objective To explore the in vitrodifferentiation of the rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs ) into the skeletal muscle cells induced by the myoblast differentiation factor (MyoD) and 5-azacytidine. Methods The MSCs were taken from the rat bone marrow and the suspension of MSCs was made and cultured in the homeothermia incubator which contained 5% CO2at 37℃. The cells were observed under the inverted phase contrast microscope daily. The cells spreading all the bottom of the culture bottle were defined as onepassage. The differentiation of the 3rd passage of MSCs was induced by the combination of 5-azacytidine, MyoD, transforming growth factor β1, and the insulin like growth factor 1. Nine days after the induction, the induced MSCs were collected, which were analyzed with the MTT chromatometry, theflow cytometry, and the immunohistochemistry. Results The primarily cultured MSCs grew as a colony on the walls of the culture bottle; after the culture for 5-7 days, the cells were shaped like the fibroblasts, the big flat polygonal cells, the medium sized polygonal cells, and the small triangle cells; after the culture for 12 days, the cells were found to be fused, spreadingall over the bottle bottom, but MSCs were unchanged too much in shape. After the induction by 5-azacytidine, some of the cells died, and the cells grew slowly. However, after the culture for 7 days, the cells grew remarkably, the cell volume increased gradually in a form of ellipse, fusiform or irregularity. After theculture for 14 days, the proliferated fusiform cells began to increase in a great amount. After the culture for 18-22 days, the myotubes increased in number and volume, with the nucleus increased in number, and the newly formed myotubes and the fusiform myoblst grew parallelly and separately. The immunohistochemistry for MSCs revealed that CD44 was positive in reaction, with the cytoplasm ina form of brown granules. And the nucleus had an obvious border，and CD34 was negative. The induced MSCs were found to be positive for desmin and specific myoglobulin of the skeletal muscle. The flow cytometry showed that most of the MSCs and the induced MSCs were in the stages of G0/G1，accounting for 79.4％ and 62.9％，respectively; however, the cells in the stages of G2/S accounted for 20.6％ and 36.1％. The growth curve was drawn based on MTT，which showed that MSCs weregreater in the growth speed than the induced MSCs. The two kinds of cells did not reach the platform stage，having a tendency to continuously proliferate.ConclusionIn vitro,the rat MSCs can be differentiated into the skeletal muscle cells with an induction by MyoD and 5-azacytidine, with a positive reaction for the desmin and the myoglobulin of the skeletal muscle. After the induction, the proliferation stage of MSCs can be increased, with a higher degree of the differentiation into the skeletal muscle.
Objective To investigate the effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) transp1antation combined with transmyocardial drilling revascularization (TMDR) and degradable stent on myocardium revascu1arization after acute myocardial infarction(AMI), and to provide the experimental evidence for surgical treatment of myocardial infarction. Methods After established models of AMI, the 24 pigs were divided into four groups with random number table, 6 pigs each group. Control group: only established models of AMI; MSCs group: AMI immediately followed by MSCs implantation; TMDR combined with stent group: AMI followed by TMDR and absorbable basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) stent implantation; MSCs combined with TMDR and stent group: AMI followed by TMDR and absorbable bFGF stent implantation, and then MSCs implantation. Three months after operation, the infarcted areas and vessel density in infarcted zone were detected by histopathology method. Results Three months after operation, the histopathological examination showed that infarcted areas in MSCs group, TMDR combined with stent group, and MSCs combined with TMDR and stent group were decreased as compared with control group （27.9%±3.1% vs. 48.9%±2.7%，P=0.000；20.3%±1.7% vs. 48.9%±2.7%，P=0.000；12.5%±1.9% vs. 48.9%±2.7%，P=0.000）; and vessel density was further increased （8.4±1.2/HP vs.4.5±14/HP，P=CM(1583mm] 0.001；11.5±2.6/HP vs.4.5±1.4/HP，P=0.001;15.6±1.4/HP vs.4.5±1.4/HP，P=0.000）. Conclusion [CM)]MSCs transplantation combined with TMDR and absorbable bFGF stents implantation could significantly reduce the infarction areas, increase the vessel density. This method may enhance the efficacy of MSCs transplantation in acute cardiac infarction model, which provide a new ideas for the surgical treatment of myocardial infarction.
Abstract: Objective To investigate the feasibility of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) as the seed cells for construction of small diameter blood vessels and its induced mechanisms. Methods The bone marrow cells were obtained from hind femur and tibia of male Sprague-Dawley（SD） rats with a body weight of 100 g. The cells were purified by whole bone marrow primary culture before repeated passage in vitro amplification. Cell morphology was observed, and expressions of CD34, CD90, and CD105 cell factors were examined by flow cytometry to identify whether they were the BMSCs. Then, the BMSCs obtained were divided into the experiment group and the control group. The cells in the experiment group were induced to differentiate into the vascular smooth musclelike cells by the Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s mediumlow glucose(DMEM-LG) plus alltrans retinoic acid and dbcAMP, while the cells in the control group were cultured by the normal DMEM-LG. We observed the morphological characteristics of the BMSCs and detected the expressions of smooth muscle-α actin (SM-α-actin), calponin, and vascular smooth muscle myosin heavy chain(SMMHC) by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry with the fifth generations cells after induction. Results The cells obtained through primary culture appeared spindleshaped and showed characteristic swirling growth. The surface marker CD34 was negative, while CD90 and CD105 were positive. After induction, the cells in the experiment group grew slowly and were slightly ovalshaped. The expression of SM-α-actin, calponin, and SMMHC was significant in the experiment group. In the control group, cell morphology and cell growth were similar to the those of BMSCs in the experiment group, but the expression of SM-α-actin, calponin, and SMMHC was negative. Conclusion The BMSCs can be induced to differentiate into the phenotype of vascular smooth musclelike cells by alltrans retinoic acid，the induced cells which can act as seed cells for tissue engineering construction of small diameter blood vessels.
Abstract: Objective To investigate the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression level of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) in endothelial cells derived from adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) after fluid shear stress loading which is within the physiological range. Methods After culturing in vitro, bone marrow MSCs of SD rats were seeded on slides.When it come to 80% confluence,26 slides were exposed to 5dyn/cm2 fluid shear stress for 3h in a flow chamber, and then induced to endothelial cells. Among them,13 slides constituted group Ⅰ, and the rest 13 slides set up group Ⅱ, which would be cultured for 3-4d further and passaged in 1∶3. At the same time, control group was set up, which including the cells never exposed to fluid shear stress before the endothelial differentiation. Fluid shear stress were exerting to cells in a specially made flow chamber. The expression level of t-PA mRNA of all groups were measured by real-time fluorescent quantitation reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RTPCR). Results After endothelial differentiation for 7 days, the SD rats bone marrow MSCs acquired typical endothelial cell appearance. The t-PA mRNA expression level of group Ⅰ and group Ⅱ have an obviously enhance compared with control group(P＜0.05). The t-PA mRNA expression level of group Ⅱ step down a little (P＞0.05), but it is still significantly higher than that of control group (P＜0.05). Conclusion Fluid shear stress could provide a protective action on the endothelial cells induced from MSCs in vitro, and the effect maintains with the cells passages. This formulates a theoretical foundation to the therapeutics of atherosclerosis and selection of seed cells in vascular tissue engineering.
Objective To investigate the biocompatibility of p(3HB-co-3HH) and marrow mesenchymal stell cells (MSCs).Methods MSCs were inoculated to p(3HB-co-3HH), and then cultured for 2-4 weeks in vitro and embedded for 2 weeks in vivo. The growth, proliferation, morphology and phenotype properties of MSCs were observed by use of phase contrast microscope, electron microscope, HE staining and staining of type Ⅰ collagen. Results p(3HB-co-3HH) hadgood compatibility. The inoculated MSCs could be well-distributed, attached well and obtain the phenotype of MSCs in p(3HB-co-3HH). After osteogenic inducer were added, MSCs differentiated to osteoblasts and secreted matrix. Type Ⅰ collagen was stained positively by immunohistochemical techenique. Conclusion The above results demonstrate that there is satisfactory biocompatibility betweenp(3HB-co-3HH) and MSCs.
Objective To investigate the curative effects of homograft of the mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) compbined with the medical collagen membrane of the guided tissue regeneration(MCMG) on the full thickness defects of the articular cartilage. Methods MSCs derived from New Zealand rabbits aged 3-4 months weighing 2.1-3.4 kg were cultured in vitro with a density of 5.5×108/ml and seeded onto MCMG. The MSC/MCMG complex was cultured for 48 h and transplanted into the fullthickness defects on the inboardcondyle and trochlea. Twenty-seven healthy New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups of 9rabbits in each. The cartilage defects in the inboard condyle and trochlea werefilled with the auto bone marrow MSCs and MCMG complex (MSCs/ MCMG) in Group A (Management A), with only MCMG in Group B (Management B)and with nothing in Group C (Management C). Three rabbits were killed at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after operation in each group, and the reparative tissue samples evaluated grossly,histologically and immunohistochemically were graded according tothe gross and histological scale. Results Four weeks after transplantation, the cartilage and subchondralbone were regenerated in Group A;for 12 weeks, the regenerated cartilage gradually thicked; 12 week after transplantation, the defect was repaired and the structures of the carticular surface and subchondral bone was in integrity.The defects in Group A were repaired by the hylinelike tissue and the defects in Groups B and C were repaired by the fibrous tissues. Glycosaminoglycan and type Ⅱcollagen in Groups A,B and C were reduced gradually.The statistical analysis on the gross at 12 weeks and the histologicalgradings at 4 weeks,8 weeks and 12 weeks showed that the inboardcondylar repairhad no significant difference compared with the rochlearepair(Pgt;0.05).Management A was significantly better than Managements B and C (Plt;0.05), and Management B was better than Management C(Plt;0.05). Conclusion Transplantation of the MSCs combined with MCMG on the full thickness defects of the articular cartilage is a promising approach to the the treatment of cartilage defects. MCMG can satisfy the demands of the scaffold for the tissue-engineered cartilage.
Objective To investigate the dose-dependent relationship of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) transplantation in improving ischemic myocardial dysfunction? in a rat ischemic heart model. Methods Myocardial infarction was induced in 32 inbred F344 rats by acute ligation of the left anterior descending(LAD) coronary artery. One week after ligation, the ratswere randomized? into four equal groups, with eight rats in each group. Equal volume Iscove’s modified Dulbecco’s medium was injected in the control group, 1×103(group 1), 1×105(group 2), and 1×107(group 3) 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeled bone marrow MSCs were injected into the infarcted myocardium. Cardiac function was evaluated by ultrasound before the ligation of the LAD, before the transplantation and the 4th week after transplantation. The expressions of BrdU,Connexin43,Myosin heavy chain β(MHC), and smooth muscle actin α(α-SMA) were detected by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry at the 4th week after transplantation. The amount of functional vessels stained by α-SMA was counted simultaneously. Results At the 4th week? after transplantation, the ejection fraction(EF) in goup 2 was more significantly improved than that in group1(0.54±0.20 vs. 0.34±0.16, P＝0.004) and EF in group 3 was more significantly improved than that in group 2(0.71±0.24 vs. 0.54±0.20,P＝0.018), whereas no significant difference between group 1 and control group was detected (0.34±0.16 vs. 0.36±0.15,Pgt;0.05). The BrdU labeled MSCs could be found in host myocardium. The number of cells in group 2 by double staining both for BrdU and for MHC observed in ischemic myocardium were significantly more than that in group 1? (323.20±91.62 n/HP vs. 51.75±27.58 n/HP,P＝0.049) and the same was true between group 3 and group 2(409.75±106.65 n/HP vs. 323.20±91.62 n/HP,Plt;0.001), whereas the result of control group was negative.The majority of transplanted cells were found positive staining both for MHC and for Connexin43 in all groups. There were lots of positive staining of α-SMA whose form were partly irregular in ischemic myocardium indicating that there was neovascularization in group1 and control group. More neovascularization in group2 was found than that in group 1 (28.38±12.79 n/HP vs. 22.75±9.07 n/HP, P＝0015) and more neovascularization in group 3 was found? than that in group 2 (35.63±13.27 n/HP vs. 28.38±12.79 n/HP, P＝0.002) . Conclusion Transplanted into infarcted myocardium, bone marrow MSCs may have significant and dose-dependent potential for cardiomyogenesis with functional recovery from myocardial ischemia.