ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and cyclooxygen-ase-2 (COX-2) protein and microvessel density (MVD), and to explore their function and mechanism in the multistep process of gastric cancer. MethodsThe expressions of KGF and COX-2 protein in 64 samples of gastric cancer and 30 cases of normal gastric mucosa tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. The MVD was detected by staining the endothelial cells in microvessles using anti-CD34 antibody. ResultsThe positive rate of KGF and COX-2 protein expression in gastric cancer were 65.6% (42/64) and 79.7% (51/64), respectively, which was significantly higher than that in normal gastric mucosa tissues 〔(23.3%, 7/30), P=0.046; (13.3%, 4/30), P=0.008〕. The MVD of gastric cancer was 31.8±8.0, which was significantly higher than that of normal gastric mucosa tissues (14.3±6.1), P=0.000. The MVD in gastric cancer with coexpressive KGF and COX-2 protein was 35.9±5.7, which was significant higher than that with non-coexpressive KGF and COX-2 protein (25.7±7.0), P=0.000. Both the expression of KGF and COX-2 protein were related to the invasion of serosa, lymph node metastasis and TNM staging (Plt;0.05, Plt;0.01). The MVD of gastric cancer tissues was related to lymph node metastasis and TNM staging (Plt;0.05), but unrelated to patient’s age, gender, and differentiation of tumor (Pgt;0.05). The co-expression of KGF and COX-2 protein was frequently found in patients with deeper invasion of serosa, lymph node metastasis, and higher TNM staging (Plt;0.05), but which was not associated withpatient’sage, gender, and differentiation of tumor (Pgt;0.05). The expression of KGF protein was positively correlated to the expression of COX-2 protein (r=0.610, P=0.000). There was positive correlation between MVD and the expression of KGF (r=0.675, P=0.000) and COX-2 protein (r=0.657, P=0.000) in gastric cancer, respectively. ConclusionKGF and COX-2 highly expressed by gastric cancer, which may be involved in the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer by synergisticly promoting the angiogenesis.
Objective To observe the effects of keratinocytes on proliferation and collagen secretion of fibroblasts. Methods The conditioned medium,collected from cultured keratinocytes, was added to the cultured fibroblasts as the tested groups(12.5％, 25% and 50％ groups) and DMEM as control group. The MTT, hydroxyproline coloricmetric method and flow cytometer were employed to measure the fibroblast proliferation, the collagen secretion andthe change of the cell cycle.Results In fibroblast proliferation, the absorbency(A) value of tested groups was significantly different from that of the control group (P＜0.01). A value increased as increasing concentration, there was statistically significant difference betweetheconcentrations of 25%,50% and the concentration of 12.5%(P＜0.01), but no statistically significant difference between the concentrations of 25% and 50%(P＞0.01). In collagen secretion, there was no statistically significant difference between the tested groups and the control group(P＞0.01), and between the tested groups(P＞0.01). In cell cycle, 50% of conditioned medium could make the fibroblast pass the limit of G1/S and S/G2 period, the cell rates of S,G2-M period increased. Conclusion The conditioned medium from keratinocytes can increase fibroblasts proliferation, have little effect on general collagen secretion.
OBJECTIVE: To fabricate artificial human skin with the tissue engineering methods. METHODS: The artificial epidermis and dermis were fabricated based on the successful achievements of culturing human keratinocytes(Kc) and fibroblasts (Fb) as well as fabrication of collagen lattice. It included: 1. Culture of epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts: Kc isolated from adult foreskin by digestion of trypsin-dispase. Followed by comparison from aspects of proliferation, differentiation of the Kc, overgrowth of Fb and cost-benefits. 2. Fabrication of extracellular matrix sponge: collagen was extracted from skin by limited pepsin digestion, purified with primary and step salt fraction, and identified by SDS-PAGE. The matrix lattice was fabricated by freeze-dryer and cross-linked with glutaraldehyde, in which the collagen appeared white, fibrous, connected and formed pores with average dimension of 180 to 260 microns. 3. Fabrication artificial human skin: The artificial skin was fabricated by plating subcultured Kc and Fb separately into the lattice with certain cell density, cultured for one week or so under culture medium, then changed to air-liquid interface, and cultured for intervals. RESULTS: The artificial skin was composed of dermis and epidermis under light microscope. Epidermis of the skin consisted of Kc at various proliferation and differentiation stages, which proliferated and differentiated into basal cell layer, prickle cell layer, granular layer, and cornified layer. Conifilament not only increased in number, but also gathered into bundles. Keratohyalin granules at different development stages increased and became typical. The kinetic process of biochemistry of the skin was coincide with the changes on morphology. CONCLUSION: Tissue engineered skin equivalent has potential prospects in application of repairing skin defect with advantages of safe, effective and practical alternatives.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the skin regeneration using cultured human keratinocytes with collagen sponge transplanted into thickness wound of nude mice. METHODS: Human foreskin from foreskin ectomy procedures was detached with 0.5% Dispase II. Epidermis sheets were separated from dermis and digested with 0.05% Trypsin into single cell suspension. Keratinocytes were cultured and seeded into collagen sponge during logarithmic growth phase. After 3 days, the keratinocytes-collagen sponge were grafted on full thickness wound of nude mice, compared with simple collagen sponge without keratinocytes. The histological, immunohistochemical examination and electron microscopy were detected. RESULTS: After the epidermal substitute was grafted onto wound, the human keratinocytes were able to further proliferate and differentiate and develop into new epithelia. Compared with the control group, the wound healed earlier and contracted less, epithelia matured earlier, and the collagen fiber was less beneath epithelia. CONCLUSION: Keratinocytes can grow on collagen sponge and migrate onto wound to develop into stratified epithelia and inhibit wound contract. The keratinocyte graft can be used to repair skin defect.
OBJECTIVE To search an ideal carrier of transferred keratinocytes for transplantation. METHODS The transferred keratinocytes were seeded on the surfaces of the artificial dermis and the silicone membrane and cultured in vitro for 2 weeks. The growth of the keratinocytes was observed by microscope and scanning electron microscope. RESULTS The keratinocytes implanted on the artificial dermis began to rupture and died after 2 to 3 days. While the keratinocytes adhered well on the surface of silicone membrane with pseudopodia formation after 1 week under scanning electron microscope, and the cells kept normal morphological and proliferative properties 2 weeks later. CONCLUSION The silicone membrane can be applied as an useful carrier for the keratinocytes transplantation.
Objective To investigate the outcome and histological changes of transplantation of acellular xeno-dermis combined with suspended keratinocytes.Methods Forty-two nude mice with full-thickness skin defect on the back were randomly divided into 2 groups, then acellular xeno-dermisand and suspended keratinocytes were adopted to cover the skin defect in the experimental group, pure suspended keratinocytes in the control group. The area of wound healing was calculated2, 3 and 5 weeks after transplantation, and the rates of wound contraction werealso calculated,and biopsy for histological examination was performed 3, 6and 12 weeks after transplantation. Results Compared with the experimental group,the control group showed delayed wound healing (P＜0.05), intensive wound contraction (P＜0.05), poor durability, elasticity, and cosmetic appearances as well asdisordered collagen fibers. In contrast, it was observed that the proliferationof collagen fibers was regularly organized, with no obvious acute immuno-rejection responses in the experimental group. Conclusion The composite transplantation of acellular xenodermis and suspended keratinocytes could promote the woundhealing with a satisfactory outcome.
Objective To review the latest research progress on keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), to thoroughlyunderstand its basic characteristics and appl ication methods and to lay a sol id foundation for the research and development of new KGF medicines and improving the qual ity of skin substitutes. Methods Domestical and international l iteratures on KGFin recent years were extensively reviewed and analyzed. Results KGF was secreted by mesenchymal cells and its receptors were distributed in epithel ium to promote the prol iferation, migration and differentiation of epithel ial cell specifically, which closely related to the organ development, wound heal ing, tumorigenesis and immune reconstruction. Conclusion KGF can be used to improve wound heal ing and the performance of skin substitutes. However, the structure of KGF needs to be changed to el iminate its side effects and purify its promoting effect on epithel ial cell growth.
Objective To find new ways for wound healing and tissue expansion by reviewing of progress in recent years in functional molecules which are used for signaling channels of mechanical stress perception and mechanotransduction of keratinocyte. Methods The domestic and international articles were reviewed to summarize the functional molecules and signaling channels of mechanical stress perception and mechanotransduction of keratinocytes. Results The mechanism of mechanical stress perception includes mechano-sensitive channels, growth factor receptor-mediated mechanical stress perception, and mechanical stress perception by protein deformation. The mechanism of mechanotransduction includes cell adhesion-mediated signaling, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling, the cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix, and so on. Conclusion Keratinocytes can response to the mechanical stress and transfer the effective information to undergo shaping, migration, proliferation, differentiation, and other biological behavior in order to adjust itself to adapt to the new environment.
Objective To find a feasible method that can fast isolate seed cells, keratinocyte stem cell and fibroblasts, for composite tissue engineered skin. Methods The foreskin could be attained from posthectomy, the subcutaneous tissue was removed completely, and the full-thick skin was cut into pieces, 2 mm×2 mm in size, then the pieces were submerged into a centrifuge tube containing collagenase Ⅰ in a oscillator. After 3-hour digestion at 37℃, the dermis was dissolved completely with all the fibroblasts in the digestion solution and the epidermis could be separated easily.With more than 10minute digestion in trypsin at 37℃, the epidermal cells could be harvested. Then flowcytometry and FITCimmunofluorescence for cytokeratin 19 of epidermal cells and FITC-immunofluorescence for vimentin of fibroblast were conducted to identify keratinocyte stem cells in the epidermal cells and fibroblasts in the digestion solution. Moreover, epidermal cells and fibroblasts were cultured in vitro for 7 days to investigate their biological behavior. Results Using collagenase Ⅰ combined with trypsin, epidermal cells andfibroblasts could be isolated at one time within 3 hours. Up to 17% cells demonstrated cytokeratin 19 positive in the epidermal cells, with fibroblast vimentin positive. The amount of fibroblast could be enlarged to more than 100 times within 6 days, but the putative keratinocyte stem cells were difficult for subculture. Conclusion Seed cells for composite tissue engineered skin could be harvested fast at one time, that made it possible to reconstruct composite tissue-engineered skin in vitro.
Objective Dermal papillae cells are widely applied to reconstruction of tissue engineered hair foll icle and skin. To investigate the difference of the biological characteristics of dermal papillae cells cultured with keratinocyte medium (KM)and normal medium (NM), and to determin whether it is feasible for the reconstruction of tissue engineered hair foll icle using dermal papillae cells cultured in KM. Methods Scalp samples were obtained in rhytidectomy procedure. Dermal papillaes were isolated by two steps digestive treatment, then cultured with KM and NM in two groups. The time of dermal papillae adherence and cell outgrowth was recorded and the rate of dermal papillae adherence was determined after 5 days. As well as, the difference of cell morphology was observed through inverted phase contrast microscope. The maximum generations were determined in two groups and the cell sheets were observed by HE staining. In third-generation cells, the number of aggregates in every dish and the prol iferation by MTT were compared between two groups. Meanwhile, the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and ALP were detected by immunofluorescence and specific staining in two groups. Results Dermal papillaes of KM group had a higher rate of adherence and fast outgrowth. The rates of adherence were 54.17% and 36.78% in KM group and in NM group, respectively. In KM group, cells adhered after 24 hours and outgrew after 64 hours. While, cells adhered after 48 hours and outgrew after 80 hours in NM group. The cells were bigger in NM group than in KM group. In third-generation cells, 3.06 ± 1.12 and 9.25 ± 1.73 aggregates formed in NM group and KM group, respectively, the difference was significant (P lt; 0.05). In addition, cells could form cell sheets which were muti-layers in KM group. Mostly 7 and 15 generations could been subcultured in NMgroup and KM group, respectively. The result of MTT indicated that cells prol iferated more actively in KM group; absorbance value of KM group was significantly higher than that of NM group after 7 days (P lt; 0.05). The positive of α-SMA were detected in the third-generation cells of both groups. Ocassionally a l ittle few cells expressed ALP with (987 ± 146) m2 positive area in the sixth-generation cells of NM group. However, the cells still expressed ALP with (8 757 ± 558) μm2 positive area in the fourteenthgeneration cells of KM group and the difference was significant (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Cells proliferate actively and aggregate obviously and could been subcultured more generations in KM. Therefore, culturing dermal papillae cells with KM is feasible for the reconstruction of tissue engineered hair foll icle.