Current progress in use of adipose derived stem cells in peripheral nerve regeneration

Unlike central nervous system neurons; those in the peripheral nervous system have the potential for full regeneration after injury. Following injury, recovery is controlled by schwann cells which replicate and modulate the subsequent immune response. The level of nerve recovery is strongly linked to the severity of the initial injury despite the significant advancements in imaging and surgical techniques. Multiple experimental model shave been used with varying successes to augment the natural regenerative processes which occur following nerve injury. Stem cell therapy in peripheral nerve injury may be an important future intervention to improve the best attainable clinical results. In particular adipose derived stem cells(ADSCs) are multipotent mesenchymal stem cells similar to bone marrow derived stem cells, which are thought to have neurotrophic properties and the ability to differentiate into multiple lineages. They are ubiquitous within adipose tissue; they can form many structures resembling the mature adult peripheral nervous system. Following early in vitro work; multiple small and large animal in vivo models have been used in conjunction with conduits, autografts and allografts to successfully bridge the peripheral nerve gap. Some of the ADSC related neuroprotective and regenerative properties have been elucidated however much work remains before a model can be used successfully in human peripheral nerve injury(PNI). This review aims to provide a detailed overview of progress made in the use of ADSC in PNI, with discussion on the role of a tissue engineered approach for PNI repair.     

Current focus of stem cell application in retinal repair

The relevance of retinal diseases, both in society’s economy and in the quality of people’s life who suffer with them, has made stem cell therapy an interesting topic forresearch. Embryonic stem cells(ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells(i PSCs) and adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells(ADMSCs) are the focus in current endeavors as a source of different retinal cells, such as photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelial cells. The aim is to apply them for cell replacement as an option for treating retinal diseases which so far are untreatable in their advanced stage. ESCs, despite the great potential for differentiation, have the dangerous risk of teratoma formation as well as ethical issues, which must be resolved before starting a clinical trial. i PSCs, like ESCs, are able to differentiate in to several types of retinal cells. However, the process to get them for personalized cell therapy has a high cost in terms of time and money. Researchers are working to resolve this since i PSCs seem to be a realistic option for treating retinal diseases. ADMSCs have the advantage that the procedures to obtain them are easier. Despite advancements in stem cell application, there are still several challenges that need to be overcome before transferring the research results to clinical application. This paper reviews recent research achievements of the applications of these three types of stem cells as well as clinical trials currently based on them.     

Pancreas and Kidney Transplantation Using Embryonic Donor Organs

One novel solution to the shortage of human organs available for transplantation envisions ‘growing’ new organs in situ. This can be accomplished by transplantation of developing organ anlagen/primordia. We and others have shown that renal anlagen (metanephroi) transplanted into animal hosts undergo differentiation and growth, become vascularized by blood vessels of host origin and exhibit excretory function. Metanephroi can be stored for up to 3 days in vitro prior to transplantation with no impairment in growth or function post-implantation. Metanephroi can be transplanted across both concordant (rat to mouse) and highly disparate (pig to rodent) xenogeneic barriers. Similarly, pancreatic anlagen can be transplanted across concordant and highly disparate barriers, and undergo growth, differentiation and secrete insulin in a physiological manner following intra-peritoneal placement. Implantation of the embryonic pancreas, is followed by selective differentiation of islet components. Here we review studies exploring the potential therapeutic applicability for organogenesis of the kidney or endocrine pancreas.     

Low ATP level is sufficient to maintain the uncommitted state of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells

Background

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MMSCs) are minimally differentiated precursors with great potential to transdifferentiate. These cells are quite resistant to oxygen limitation, suggesting that a hypoxic milieu can be physiological for MMSCs.

Methods

Human MMSCs isolated from adipose tissue were grown at various oxygen concentrations. Alteration in cell immunophenotype was determined by flow cytometry after staining with specific antibodies. Concentrations of glucose and lactate were determined using the Biocon colorimetric test. Cellular respiration was assessed using oxygen electrode. The modes of cell death were analyzed by flow cytometry after staining with Annexin V and propidium iodide.

Results

We found that permanent oxygen deprivation attenuated cellular ATP levels in these cells, diminishing mitochondrial ATP production but stimulating glycolytic ATP production. At the same time, permanent hypoxia did not affect MMSCs' viability, stimulated their proliferation and reduced their capacity to differentiate. Further, permanent hypoxia decreased spontaneous cell death by MMSCs.

Conclusions

Under hypoxic conditions glycolysis provides sufficient energy to maintain MMSCs in an uncommitted state.

General significance

These findings are of interest not only for scientific reasons, but also in practical terms. Oxygen concentration makes an essential contribution to MMSC physiology and should be taken into account in the setting of protocols for cellular therapy.     

3种间充质干细胞成软骨分化潜能比较

目的:比较骨髓间充质干细胞、脂肪间充质干细胞、滑膜间充质干细胞3种间充质干细胞的成软骨分化潜能,为软骨组织工程中种子细胞的选择提供实验依据。方法:采用贴壁法分别分离提取兔骨髓间充质干细胞、脂肪间充质干细胞、滑膜间充质干细胞3种间充质干细胞,并进行传代培养,绘制3种间充质干细胞的生长曲线并比较其倍增时间。将3种间充质干细胞成软骨诱导14 d后,行甲苯胺蓝染色及II型胶原免疫组化染色以观测3种细胞成软骨分化能力。结果:脂肪间充质干细胞的倍增时间短于骨髓间充质干细胞,滑膜间充质干细胞的倍增时间最短;3种细胞成软骨诱导14 d后均产生糖胺聚糖和II型胶原,且组与组之间II型胶原表达水平的差异有统计学意义,骨髓间充质干细胞组高于脂肪间充质干细胞组(P0.01),滑膜间充质干细胞组高于骨髓间充质干细胞组(P0.01)。结论:在一定的培养条件下,3种间充质干细胞均有一定的成软骨细胞分化潜能,滑膜间充质干细胞最快的增殖速度及最强的成软骨分化潜能。     

角膜内皮细胞再生研究新进展

人角膜内皮细胞的主要功能是维持角膜透明性,角膜内皮单层发育成熟形成细胞接触后,内皮细胞会停止分裂增殖,但并没有退出细胞周期。角膜内皮细胞的增殖有多种因素的参与和影响,接触抑制和G1期抑制使细胞增殖暂时停止;细胞因子TGF-β2抑制人角膜内皮细胞进入细胞周期S期,而EGF、FGF、NGF则能够促进细胞的增殖;ROCK抑制剂Y-27632能够促进角膜内皮细胞的粘连,有助于内皮细胞的损伤修复。体外培养角膜内皮前体细胞、诱导多潜能干细胞向角膜内皮细胞分化,为今后治疗角膜内皮失代偿提供了新方向。     

骨髓间充质干细胞与聚3-羟基丁酸酯-co-4-羟基丁酸酯生物材料共培养细胞补片的初步研究

目的:研究聚3-羟基丁酸酯-co-4-羟基丁酸酯[P(3HB-co-4HB)]这种新型高分子材料与骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSCs)共培养,观察材料对干细胞的存活及增殖的影响,形成细胞补片的效果;从而找到一种适合BMSCs生长、增殖的高分子生物材料,作为治疗心肌梗死,软骨损伤等多种组织损伤疾病的修复方法之一。方法:取清洁级雄性健康BSL-C57小鼠作为实验对象,通过分离培养获得小鼠BMSCs,并进行流式细胞仪鉴定表面标志物。BMSCs培养至5代后,将BMSCs与P(3HB-co-4HB)制成的生物材料薄膜共培养,24h后固定进行电镜扫描,并用DAPI荧光染料染色处理,在荧光显微镜下观察并进行细胞计数,并描绘生长曲线。结果:BMSCs流式细胞术鉴定:CD34、CD45阴性,CD90弱阳性,CD73阳性。扫描电镜下,P(3HB-co-4HB)材料与BMSCs共培养形成的细胞补片,其表面细胞数量多,细胞状态正常。荧光显微镜下,对其细胞补片表面的细胞进行计数,并绘制生长曲线,显示表面细胞有逐渐增多的趋势。结论:P(3HB-co-4HB)材料与BMSCs共培养制成的细胞补片表面有细胞存活及增殖,由于P(3HB-co-4HB)材料本身具有良好的生物组织相容性及可降解等性质,所以该新型高分子材料可以作为干细胞治疗多种疾病的支架材料之一。     

猪脂肪间充质干细胞的分离培养及其成脂分化

脂肪间充质干细胞(Adipose mesenchymal stemcell,AMSCs)是一类来源于脂肪组织并具有多向分化潜能的干细胞。近年来的研究证明,脂肪组织具有取材方便和干细胞含量高的优势,有望在研究与应用领域成为骨髓干细胞的替代物。猪是一种比啮齿类更接近人类的模式动物,具有较强的脂肪沉积能力。本研究探讨了猪脂肪间充质干细胞的体外分离纯化、培养扩增和向脂肪细胞诱导分化的条件。采用Ⅰ型胶原酶消化分离脂肪微管基质成分,传代培养扩增,流式细胞仪检测细胞表面标记。取第3-7代AMSCs,采用不同方法诱导AMSCs向脂肪细胞分化,光学显微镜下可观察到诱导后的细胞内有高折光性的小脂滴出现,油红O染色成阳性,不同诱导方法诱导率不同。被诱导细胞用RT-PCR可检测到脂肪细胞分化标志基因LPL和PPARγ的表达。结果表明可以从脂肪组织中分离培养出AMSCs,经传代后可提高其纯度。CD44、CD105表达呈阳性,CD14、CD34、S-100、HLA-DR呈阴性,在合适的诱导条件下,可向脂肪细胞分化。     

WJSC 6th Anniversary Special Issues（2）:Mesenchymal stem cells Mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of spinal cord injuries:A review

With technological advances in basic research,the intricate mechanism of secondary delayed spinal cord injury(SCI)continues to unravel at a rapid pace.However,despite our deeper understanding of the molecular changes occurring after initial insult to the spinal cord,the cure for paralysis remains elusive.Current treatment of SCI is limited to early administration of high dose steroids to mitigate the harmful effect of cord edema that occurs after SCI and to reduce the cascade of secondary delayed SCI.R ecent evident-based clinical studies have cast doubt on the clinical benefit of steroids in SCI and intense focus on stem cell-based therapy has yielded some encouraging results.An array of mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)from various sources with novel and promising strategies are being developed to improve function after SCI.In this review,we briefly discuss the pathophysiology of spinal cord injuries and characteristics and the potential sources of MSCs that can be used in the treatment of SCI.We will discuss the progress of MSCs application in research,focusing on the neuroprotective properties of MSCs.Finally,we will discuss the results from preclinical and clinical trials involving stem cell-based therapy in SCI.