胎肝干细胞的分离、培养与鉴定

目的体外扩增培养大鼠胎肝干细胞,研究其形态、生物学特性及表面标志物,探讨胎肝干细胞的性质。方法分离培养胎龄12-16d的胎肝细胞,SABC法检测原代、传代后及细胞克隆中的肝干细胞特异表面标志物OV-6、CK-19及nestin的表达。结果原代、传代培养的胎肝细胞部分表达OV-6、CK-19及nestin;培养3d开始出现小细胞团,1个月即形成肉眼可见的细胞集落,5-7d传代一次;细胞克隆几乎全部为干细胞标志阳性细胞。结论胎肝干细胞可通过克隆筛选法进行体外扩增,胎肝内存在nestin阳性干细胞,可能是一种更为原始的干细胞,在胚胎发育中起重要作用。     

模拟微重力条件下对WB-F344肝干细胞表征分子表达的影响

研究大鼠WB-F344肝干细胞在旋转式细胞培养系统（RCCS）中培养进行细胞大规模扩增并保持干细胞的特性的可能性,为干细胞治疗疾病及肝组织工程提供理想的细胞来源。以WB-F344肝干细胞在RCCS中培养,以平面单层培养为对照,在培养后不同时间分别进行形态观察、流式细胞仪测细胞周期、逆转录-聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）检测肝干细胞特异性基因甲胎蛋白（AFP）和白蛋白（ALB）的表达, 免疫荧光染色检测 AFP、ALB蛋白的表达。结果表明,RCCS培养的WB-F344细胞粘附在Cytodex-3微载体上状态生长良好,细胞增殖较平面培养有明显增加;RT-PCR和免疫荧光染色检测结果一致：模拟微重力培养组AFP的mRNA表达强度及AFP阳性细胞均显著高于平面培养组,而ALB mRNA表达强度和ALB阳性细胞均低于对照组。说明模拟微重力 培养条件下,能较好的维持肝干细胞特性,进一步证明我们建立的这种培养体系是成功的,是一种理想的肝干细胞培养模式。     

胎肝滤液诱导大鼠胎盘间充质干细胞向肝细胞的分化

目的探讨PDMSCs向肝细胞增殖和分化的体外培养条件及方法。方法孕20 d的大鼠无菌条件下取胎盘,经胶原酶消化、密度离心、贴壁筛选法分离培养胎盘源间充质干细胞,并对其表面抗原进行鉴定。在体外培养体系中加入胎肝滤液,模拟体内肝脏微环境,诱导PDMSCs向肝细胞定向分化,以免疫细胞化学检测干细胞标志物;PAS检测糖原表达。结果在体外培养条件下,PDMSCs贴壁生长为成纤维样细胞,CD44表面标志物检测阳性;PDMSCs经胎肝滤液诱导14d时细胞呈现圆形、卵圆形的特征性改变,AFP、CK19表达阳性。结论胎肝滤液能够诱导PDMSCs定向分化为肝细胞样细胞。     

原代肝细胞培养与动物实验对比研究维生素A缺乏对贫血的影响

目的：通过原代大鼠肝细胞培养和动物实验模型的对比来研究维生素A对贫血的影响。方法：将SD大鼠按体重随机分为4组，每组13只，分别为Fe+维生素A（Ⅰ组）、Fe+维生素A（Ⅱ组）、Fe+维生素A（Ⅲ组）、Fe+维生素A（Ⅳ组）。实验动物喂养10周后处死并分离肝脏；原代大鼠肝细胞按Seglent二步消化法分离后，分为严重缺乏组（A）、边缘缺乏组（B）、正常组（C）、治疗组（D），依次给予0、0.5、1.0、50 μmol/L 的视黄酸（全反式）培养96 h。用Western-Blot法测量转铁蛋白受体（TFR）、用ELISA方法测量铁蛋白（Fn）蛋白的表达，逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR法）检测肝TFR mRNA、Fn mRNA的表达。结果：当维生素A缺乏时，大鼠肝TFR mRNA表达上调，使TFR蛋白增加，而Fn mRNA表达下调，Fn蛋白表达下降，差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论：维生素A补给可显著减轻铁缺乏造成的利用障碍干扰。     

牛肝干细胞的分离培养与鉴定

该实验旨在分离牛肝干细胞,培养观察其生长特性,为比较医学研究及开发牛肝脏体外研究工具提供实验基础。实验采用改良的离体两步胶原酶灌流法,结合密度梯度离心分离牛肝干细胞,观察细胞形态及生长特性,并利用免疫荧光染色和PCR对牛肝干细胞相关标志物进行鉴定。实验分离的细胞接种48 h开始贴壁分裂,随后呈集落样生长,表现出干细胞的特性,低密度下培养504 h后细胞呈肝细胞样分化。正常接种密度的细胞可传至P3代,HE染色可见细胞均为单核,核浆比大,呈幼稚低分化状态;免疫荧光染色和PCR结果均显示,该细胞表达甲胎蛋白AFP、上皮细胞黏附蛋白(EpCAM)、造血干/祖细胞表面标志CD34、干细胞因子受体蛋白(c-kit)、细胞角蛋白CK18、CK19。结果表明,该研究分离了一种具有明显干细胞特征,并表达成熟肝细胞和胆管上皮细胞表面标志物的牛肝干细胞。     

肌成纤维细胞促进小鼠胚胎肝干细胞的增殖和分化

移植细胞的增殖和分化需要微环境支持。作为最重要的微环境成分,肌成纤维细胞在肿瘤的生长过程中发挥着重要作用。该实验Hepa1-6肿瘤细胞上清液在体外激活成纤维细胞分化为肌成纤维细胞,探讨肌成纤维细胞上清对小鼠胚胎肝干细胞（embryonic hepatic stem cells,EHSCs）HP14.5增殖和分化的影响。实验将EHSCs HP14.5分为三组：DMEM培养液处理组（DMEM组）、成纤维细胞上清液处理组（CMFb组）及肌成纤维细胞上清液处理组（CMAFb组）。MTT法绘制三组HP14.5细胞生长曲线图,免疫荧光法及Real-time PCR法检分别测白蛋白（albumin,ALB）、甲胎蛋白（alpha fetoprotein,AFP）、细胞角蛋白18（cytokeratin 18,CK18）的蛋白及mRNA表达情况,PAS染色法检测糖原合成状况。MTT法检测显示,CMAFb组胚胎肝干细胞增殖明显速度较其他两组快。免疫荧光染色及Real-time PCR结果显示,HP14.5培养5 d后,CMAFb组ALB和CK18的蛋白及mRNA表达水平以及糖原合成水平显著高于CMFb组及DMEM组,而AFP蛋白和mRNA表达水平明显降低。该实验表明,Hepa1-6激活的成纤维细胞能促进胚胎干肝细胞的增殖以及分化为有功能的成熟肝细胞。     

ES细胞体外定向分化为成熟肝细胞的实验研究

探讨了肝细胞在胚胎干细胞（ES cell）体外诱导分化系统中成熟分化的条件、机制及其鉴定方法.利用TGF, bFGF、HGF等细胞生长因子进行BALB/c小鼠ES细胞向肝细胞方向的定向诱导.利用反转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）、免疫细胞化学（ICC）和放射免疫法（RIA）动态检测肝细胞特异性基因和蛋白AFP,ALB,G6P,TAT,CK8, CK18等在培养体系中的表达,并测定肝细胞的尿素合成功能,最后测定肝细胞分化率.结果,肝细胞特异基因AFP, ALB,G6P和TAT最早分别于第3、9、11、13天表达,肝细胞特异蛋白AFP,CK8,CK18和ALB最早分别于第7、9、9和11天开始表达.第12天开始检测到尿素出现,浓度为8.3 μmol/L,并随培养时间延长而浓度逐渐增加.最后,测得生长因子诱导组肝细胞的分化率为32％,对照组肝细胞分化率为8%.说明肝细胞可以在ES细胞体外诱导分化系统中出现并成熟分化,bFGF、HGF、OSM等可以明显提高细胞分化率和成熟度,有望成为解决肝功能替代疗法中细胞来源问题的新希望.     

维生素A通过铁调节蛋白2基因表达来影响铁代谢

目的：通过大鼠原代肝细胞培养（体外试验）来研究维生素A通过铁调节蛋白2（IRP-2）来影响铁代谢。方法：将SD大鼠原代分离肝细胞（seglent法），随机分组严重缺乏A、边缘缺乏B、常规组C、预防治疗组D、RO阻抑组E，分别给予0、0.5、1.0、50 μmol/L全反式视黄酸和50 μmol/L全反式视黄酸+10 μmol/L RO（RARα阻断剂）培养4 d。用RT-PCR法测量肝脏的IRP-2 mRNA的情况。结果：大鼠维生素A缺乏时，原代肝细胞表达IPR-2 mRNA水平增强（P<0.05），补充维生素A后， IPR-2 mRNA表达下降，但加入RO后，维生素A这种作用明显减弱了。结论：维生素A作为转录调节剂，可通过结合视黄酸细胞核受体（RARα），改变IRP-2转录水平，改变铁调节稳态，调节机体贫血状态。     

PI3K活性与BHA诱导小鼠胎肝细胞表达神经组织细胞特异基因有关

目的：了解丁羟回醚（BHA）对小鼠胎肝（FL）细胞神经组织特异基因表达的影响及其信号途径。方法：小鼠胎肝细胞,以DMEM／F12＋10％胎牛血清培养液培养;第4d后,去悬浮细胞,留黏附细胞,加入或者不加入磷酸肌醇3羟基激酶（PI3K）抑制剂LY294002（20μmol／L）处理24h,再加入BHA至终浓度0．2mmol／L,然后继续培养5d。用Western blot和半定量RT—PCR方法分析BHA处理前后神经组织细胞特异基因表达。结果：胎肝细胞本身表达神经组织特异基因水平较低或者不表达。BHA则促进了胎肝细胞内神经组织特异基因表达：NF-L mRNA增加5．8倍、NF—H mRNA增加8．0倍、TH mRNA增加30倍、BF-1 mRNA增加2．68倍;NF-L蛋白增加11．29倍、NF—H蛋白增加5,5倍、BF-1蛋白增加2．53倍、TH蛋白增加4．76倍。而LY294002能明显抑制BHA诱导的神经组织细胞特异蛋白NF—L、NF-H、BF-1和TH的表达。结论：PI3K活性与BHA诱导小鼠胎肝细胞表达神经组织细胞特异结构和功能基因有关。     

兔肝细胞体外分离及培养方法的实验研究

目的：研究体外兔肝细胞分离及培养方法,比较不同培养基条件下兔肝细胞培养过程。方法：采用非灌注胶原酶消化法分离兔肝细胞,分别采用RPIM1640培养液（含10％新生牛血清）,DMEM培养液（含10％新生牛血清）,DMEM培养液（含10％胎牛血清）培养,计数法观察原代细胞增殖变化,MTF法观察传代细胞增殖情况。培养细膨采用PAS染色法鉴定,电镜观察细胞超微结构。结果：分离的肝细胞细胞活率大于85％;DMEM培养液（含10％胎牛血清）培养肝细胞生长状态较另两种培养液中的肝细胞强,DMEM培养液（含10％新生牛血清）中的细胞增殖能力较RPIM1640培养液（含10％新生牛血清）高,具有统计学意义。PAS染色和透射电镜观察培养细胞胞质中有大量糖原颗粒。结论：本实验采用的分离方法可获得较纯的肝细胞,而且操作简便实用。DMEM培养液较RPIM1640培养液更加适宜原代培养肝细胞生长,胎牛血清对培养肝细胞的生长促进作用明显高于新生牛血清。     

食管癌根治性放疗前后外周血CK19 mRNA变化的临床意义

目的：研究检测食管癌根治性放疗前后外周血中循环肿瘤细胞（circulating tumor cells,CTC）标记细胞角蛋白19（Cytokeratin19,CK19）mRNA的变化及其临床意义。方法：收集72例食管癌患者根治性放疗前后外周血,应用巢式RT-PCR检测CK19 mRNA的表达,分析其与放疗疗效及两年无进展生存（progerssion-free survival,PFS）的关系。结果：放疗前后CK19 mRNA阳性者分别占44.4%（32/72）与30.6%（22/72）,差别无统计学意义（P=0.085）。放疗前32例表达阳性者,放疗后其中12例转阴（37.5%）,20例持续阳性（62.5%）;40例阴性者,2例转为阳性（5.0%）,38例持续阴性（81.2%）。并且,放疗前后CK19 mRNA变化与放疗疗效相关,放疗后CK19 mRNA阳性提示2年无进展生存期较差。结论：食管癌根治性前后外周血CK19 mRNA变化对于判断放疗疗效及预后具有重要意义。     

复方861对大鼠肝脏卵圆细胞分化的影响

目的探讨复方861对大鼠肝脏卵圆细胞分化的影响,了解其在肝纤维化治疗过程中促进肝细胞再生的可能机制。方法不同浓度(1.95,3.90,7.81,15.62,31.25,62.50,125,250,500,1000μg/mL)的复方861在无血清培养条件下作用于WB-F344细胞24 h,MTT法分析法检测细胞生长情况。500μg/mL复方861在无血清条件下作用WB-F344细胞72 h后,通过RT-PCR观察CK-19、AFP、ALB、αmRNA表达的变化。以同期未作处理的WB-F344作为空白对照组。结果 WB-F344细胞经过不同复方861作用后,除1000μg/mL外,各组细胞生长均未受到抑制,500μg/mL时细胞生存活性最佳。无血清条件下作用72 h后,半定量RT-PCR发现861组AFP mRNA的表达显著增加,CK-19 mRNA的表达显著减少,同时发现861组有ALB mRNA的表达。结论复方861可能诱导WB-F344细胞主要向肝细胞方向分化。     

胎肝中肝干细胞的免疫组织化学研究

目的采用免疫组织化学方法显示不同时期人胚胎肝脏的干细胞,分析肝干细胞的形态与分布特点及发育过程中干细胞在肝脏中的迁徙,探讨肝脏的发生发育及肝内干细胞的来源。方法不同发育时期胎儿肝脏,取材、固定、制成石蜡切片,ABC法检测肝干细胞特异性的表面标记物CD34、CK19、C-11和OV6。结果胎肝内汇管区周边界板处有卵圆样细胞表达CD34、C-11、CK19和OV6,阳性细胞紧密排列成管,呈鞘样包绕着早期汇管区,部分包绕着初级汇管区,随着次级汇管区的成熟,卵圆样干细胞逐渐局限于赫令氏管周围;此外,胚胎发育的不同阶段均可见CD34、OV6阳性的单核样细胞分散在肝索、肝血窦之内,多见于汇管区的问充质组织之内,肝血管内鲜见。结论胚胎发育早期汇管区周边界板处含有丰富的干细胞,可能是肝脏发育的起点,这些干细胞逐渐分化为胆管上皮样细胞,然后分化为肝细胞和胆管上皮细胞;造血干细胞是肝内的另一干细胞来源,造血干细胞在肝内受到诱导作用分化为小部分的肝实质细胞。     

Promoter-defined isolation and identification of hepatic progenitor cells from the human fetal liver

Hepatoblasts, which are considered one type of hepatic progenitor cell, reside in the fetal liver. To selectively identify these cells, we transfected primary cultured human fetal liver cells (FLCs) with a pGL3 vector bearing the gene for the enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) under the control of the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) promoter expressed in hepatoblasts. The FLCs were then sorted by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) on the basis of AFP promoter-driven EGFP expression. The EGFP-positive cells expressed AFP, albumin, and cytokeratin 19, and could be expanded in vitro. Thus, the AFP promoter-EGFP reporter system is highly useful for identification and isolation of hepatic progenitor cells.     

Characterization of cells in the developing human liver

Human hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) have been shown to co-express the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) markers, CD117 and CD34. These cells differentiate not only into hepatocytes and cholangiocytes but also into pancreatic ductal and acinar cells under certain conditions. The fetal liver (FL) is rich in precursor/stem cells; however, little is known about (i) the markers expressed by liver cells during fetal development and (ii) whether an equivalent to the adult liver stem-like progenitors exists in the FL. Here, (i) FL tissue obtained from human 5-18-week-old fetuses were evaluated by means of flow cytometry, immunocyto-, and histochemistry for the emergence of cells expressing and co-expressing known hematopoietic, hepatic, and pancreatic cell markers, and (ii) isolated putative HPCs were phenotypically and molecularly characterized. We report that (i) red blood and endothelial cell precursors were most abundant in early gestation. Cells expressing HSC and pancreatic markers were found in the first trimester, while cells expressing hepatic markers appeared in the second trimester. Very few committed cells were present in FLs obtained early in the first trimester. In addition, cells expressing pancreatic markers co-expressed the HSC marker CD117. (ii) Isolated CD117+/CD34+/CD90- cells in vitro expressed both the genes and proteins for the hepatic markers such as albumin, alpha feto protein (AFP), alpha1-antitrypsin, and cytokeratin 19 (CK19). Our study suggests that hepatoblast and ductal plate/bile duct development mainly occurs during the second trimester. FLs in gestation weeks 5-9 had the highest numbers of precursor cells and the least committed cells. Cells that differentiate into Alb+ or CK19+ can be isolated from early FLs and may be appropriate progenitors for establishing novel systems to investigate basic mechanisms for cell therapy.     

Hepatic progenitor cells in human fetal liver express the oval cell marker Thy-1

Hepatic progenitor cells play a major role in regenerating diseased liver. In rodents, progenitors forming hepatocytes or cholangiocytes are identified by the stem cell marker Thy-1. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether progenitor cells expressing Thy-1 could be identified in human fetal liver. Midtrimester human fetal liver was immunostained for Thy-1, cytokeratins 18 and 19, vimentin, CD34, CD45, and fibrinogen. Thy-1+ and Thy-1+CD34+ populations were purified using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Immunofluorescence and mRNA expression were used to examine the bipotential nature of purified stem cells. We found that Thy-1+ cells were concentrated in portal tracts but were also scattered in parenchyma. In FACS-prepared cells, 0.18-3.08% (median 0.65%, n = 14) of cells were Thy-1+. Immunophenotyping revealed that some Thy-1+ cells coexpressed cytokeratins 18 and 19, others, fibrinogen and cytokeratin 19. RT-PCR demonstrated that Thy-1+ cells expressed mRNA for Thy-1, cytokeratin 18, and cytokeratin 19, and Thy-1+CD34+ cells expressed mRNA for alpha-fetoprotein, transferrin, and hepatocyte nuclear factor-4alpha. Thy-1+ cells were identified in fetal liver. These cells expressed several lineage markers, including coexpression of biliary and hepatocellular proteins and mRNA. These data suggest that Thy-1 is a marker of liver stem cells in human fetal liver.     

Activation, isolation, identification and culture of hepatic stem cells from porcine liver tissues

Objectives: Utility of hepatic stem cells could provide a novel solution to the severe shortage of human donor livers, for treatment of liver‐related diseases, due to their ability to proliferate and differentiate into functional hepatocytes. Porcine liver tissues also offer an alternative source from human donor livers. However, morphology, phenotype, successful isolation and culture of porcine hepatic stem cells still require much investigation. Materials and methods: In the present study, we performed partial hepatectomy to activate hepatic oval cells and developed a procedure utilizing enzymatic digestion and density gradient centrifugation to isolate and purify oval cells derived from porcine livers. We identified ovoid cells by their morphological characteristics and phenotypic properties, thereby providing definitive evidence for the presence of hepatic stem cells in porcine livers. Moreover, we established a culture system, using various growth factors, to provide nourishment for these cells. Results and conclusions: By transmission electron microscopy, oval‐shaped cells with ovoid nuclei, a high nucleus/cytoplasm ratio and few organelles were demonstrated. Flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry showed that freshly isolated oval cells expressed albumin, cytokeratin 19, alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and OV6 at high levels. Immunofluorescence revealed that porcine hepatic oval cells after culture expressed stem‐cell factor, c‐kit, Thy‐1, CK19, OV6, and AFP. Taken together, this study provides a novel insight into morphological and phenotypic characteristics of porcine hepatic stem cells. Our ability for isolation and culturing porcine hepatic stem cells offers an abundant source of cells for transplantation and tissue engineering to help alleviate liver disease.     

Hepatic lineages isolated from developing rat liver show different ways of maturation

Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that different hepatic cell types exist during liver development: (i). cells co-expressing the stem-cell marker Thy1 and the hepatic lineage marker CK-18 and (ii). cells only expressing CK-18 (hepatoblasts). In this study we separated the different hepatic cells and analyzed gene-expression and phenotype. Fetal rat livers were digested by collagenase solution. OX43- and OX44-positive hematopoietic cells were depleted and Thy1-positive cells were enriched using Magnetic cell sorting. The different cell compartments were analyzed by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry for Thy1, CK-18, AFP, and albumin. Hepatoblasts expressed albumin at all times and AFP in the early stages. Thy1-enriched cells expressed CK-18 at all times, albumin in the early, and AFP in the late stages. Thy1-positive cells from fetal livers express liver specific genes. The data suggest that Thy1-positive hepatic cells develop towards hepatic stem cells, and hepatoblasts develop towards mature hepatocytes of the adult liver.