骨髓间充质干细胞向肝细胞分化的相关细胞因子及信号通路的研究进展

骨髓干细胞包括造血干细胞（HSCs）和间充质干细胞（MSCs）,骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）是一类具有自我更新、增殖和多向分化能力的细胞,具有不对称分裂和无限增殖的特点。在肝细胞生长因子（HGF）的作用下,BMSCs可以分化为肝细胞,参与诱导这一分化过程的相关信号通路包括NF-kB信号通路、Notch信号通路、MAPK信号通路、Wnt信号通路和STAT3信号通路。文章主要就BMSCs分化为肝细胞的相关信号通路进行了综述。     

脱细胞神经移植物对骨髓间充质干细胞的诱导分化

目的探讨脱细胞神经移植物诱导大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞分化为施旺细胞样细胞的可行性。方法将分离纯化的SD大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞进行体外培养扩增,行表型鉴定后,取第5代细胞,诱导组采用脱细胞神经移植物匀浆进行诱导,非诱导组加入等量无血清培养基,倒置相差显微镜观察诱导后细胞形态变化,免疫细胞化学染色检测诱导后细胞S-100,神经胶质纤维酸性蛋白(glial fibrillary acidic protein GFAP)的表达情况。结果BMSCs表型鉴定为CD44+、CD54+、CD34-,免疫细胞化学染色GFAP、S-100的阳性表达率分别为为(42±4)%和(64±5)%。结果 脱细胞神经移植物可诱导骨髓间充质干细胞分化为施旺细胞样细胞。     

川芎嗪体外诱导小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞分化为神经元样细胞的研究

为了探讨川芎嗪体外诱导小鼠骨髓间质干细胞（BMSCs）分化为神经元样细胞的作用,以小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞为研究对象,实验分为空白对照组、β-巯基乙醇（BME）阳性对照组和川芎嗪诱导组。采用荧光免疫化学和Western blot方法,分别检测神经干细胞巢蛋白（nestin）和经元特异性烯醇化酶（NSE）的表达;RT-PCR检测诱导不同时间对神经细胞相关基因Nestin、NSE、β-微管蛋白III（β-Tubulin III）和核受体相关因子-1（Nurr1）mRNA表达的影响。结果显示川芎嗪诱导间充质干细胞24 h后,细胞形态发生显著改变,细胞突起形成且数目不等,形成神经元样细胞。细胞死亡率低于β-巯基乙醇诱导组。免疫荧光化学法和western blot结果显示：川芎嗪诱导后的细胞nes-tin和NSE蛋白表达呈阳性,且表达丰度显著高于β-巯基乙醇诱导组。川芎嗪作用不同时间的BMSCs表达神经细胞相关基因Nestin、β-Tubulin III、NSE和Nurrl。结果表明川芎嗪能定向诱导小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞分化为神经元样细胞,是较理想的诱导剂。     

DDR2基因缺失对小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞生物学特性的影响

目的:骨髓间充质干细胞(Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells,BMSCs)是骨再生工程中重要的种子细胞,它对骨组织缺损的修复有着良好的效果。但是BMSCs向成骨细胞分化并修复骨组织缺损是是由细胞外因子共同作用产生的结果。DDR2(Discoidin Domain Receptor 2)作为I型胶原的特异性受体在成骨细胞的分化中发挥重要的调节作用。而对于其在BMSCs向成骨细胞的分化过程中的所起到的作用还鲜有研究,对其作用机理尚不明确。因此我们希望通过分离、培养并鉴定比较DDR2基因缺失小鼠与野生型小鼠来源的骨髓间充质干细胞了解其生物学特性,为后续的实验奠定理论基础。方法:采用改良型的全骨髓贴壁细胞分离方法分离培养两种小鼠来源的骨髓间充质干细胞,采用流式细胞技术鉴定其表面标记物的表达,并利用诱导培养液诱导骨髓间充质干细胞向成骨细胞和成脂肪细胞分化。结果:分离培养的两种骨髓间充质干细胞形态一致,增殖能力和自我更新能力强,流式细胞术检测其表面标记物CD29,Sca-1均表达阳性,CD105,CD45表达为阴性,分离得到的两种细胞均有向成骨细胞和成脂肪细胞分化的能力,但可以明显观察到DDR2基因缺失小鼠的骨髓间充质干细胞的成骨分化能力减弱。结论:本实验通过对于DDR2基因缺失小鼠BMSCs分离、培养和鉴定,初步探索DDR2基因缺失在在成骨过程中的作用结果,为进一步研究提高BMSCs的成骨分化能力奠定理论基础。经实验证明,DDR2基因缺失小鼠来源的骨髓间充质干细胞虽然仍具备干细胞的生物学特性,但其向成骨细胞的分化能力明显减弱,说明DDR2基因缺失对其骨髓间充质干细胞的成骨分化等有着重要的影响。     

骨髓干细胞移植治疗肝硬化的基础与临床研究现状

肝硬化是一种临床常见的肝病良性终末期表现。目前临床上尚缺乏有效的治疗措施。肝脏移植是最理想的治疗方法,但受供体肝脏来源限制,且费用昂贵。近年来开展的自体骨髓干细胞(BMSCs)移植治疗,为肝硬化的治疗带来了新的希望。BMSCs主要包括造型血干细胞和间充质干细胞,其具有可塑性,体外通过生长因子,体内利用特定微环境均可诱导BMSCs分化为肝前体细胞和成熟肝细胞,并明显改善肝功能。从动物实验到临床研究亦表明,BMSCs具有来源丰富、费用低廉、损伤小、自体移植不栓塞、无排斥反应等优点,为治疗肝病带来了新思路,有望成为生物人工肝的细胞来源。本文就BMSCs移植治疗肝硬化的研究现状,尤其是移植途径以及在肝脏内定居、迁移和分化机制的示踪观察方法和存在的问题作一综述,以期为从事肝病研究的同仁提供参考依据。通过对BMSCs移植从基础研究及临床应用的最新进展的描述,展示BMSCs在肝硬化治疗方面良好的治疗前景。     

牛骨髓间充质干细胞的分离培养和初步鉴定

本试验采用全骨髓法和密度梯度离心法来分离纯化和体外培养牛骨髓间充质干细胞,并研究了不同培养基和血清对BMSCs的生长的影响以及对牛骨髓间充质干细胞的初步鉴定。结果表明,全骨髓法和密度梯度离心法均可获得纯化度较高的牛骨髓间充质干细胞,并且能够分化为脂肪样细胞,为利用MSCs作为种子细胞治疗多种疾病提供试验基础,同时可以利用骨髓间充质干细胞作为核供体进行核移植的研究和动物遗传资源的保存。     

新生猪骨髓间充质干细胞衍生细胞的分离、培养及生物学特性分析

利用骨髓间充质干细胞(Bone mesenchymal stem cells,BMSCs)治疗疾病已经逐渐成为现实,但是作为被移植的种子细胞,BMSCs体外传代能力非常有限,种子细胞来源极为贫乏。本研究通过差速贴壁筛选的方法分离出一种猪BMSCs的衍生细胞株,命名为猪骨髓间充质干细胞衍生细胞(Bone mesenchymal stem-derived cells,BMSDCs)。分别对BMSDCs与BMSCs细胞进行细胞生物学特性分析,探讨其体外诱导分化特性,并应用流式细胞术测定细胞表面标记物。结果表明,BMSC和BMSDCs细胞倍增时间分别为31.3 h和30.3 h,平均传代时间分别为3-5 d和2-3 d;两种细胞均阳性表达CD34、CD90,阴性表达CD44、CD45;经体外诱导后均可分化为成脂细胞和成肌细胞。在传代能力上,前者可传代15至20次,后者可长期传代(200次以上)且维持正常染色体特征。研究认为在适宜的实验条件下,体外培养的猪骨髓间充质干细胞的衍生细胞——BMSDCs能够稳定生存增殖并维持BMSCs多向分化潜能,可作为组织工程的理想种子细胞。     

不同诱导剂定向诱导BMSCs分化为胰岛样结构的比较

为了探讨骨髓间充质干细胞(bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,BMSCs)定向诱导分化成胰岛样结构的变化规律,本研究以胰腺组织裂解液为诱导剂,同时采用尼克酰胺诱导剂作为对照,以双硫腙染色筛选诱导所获得的细胞团,采用Mallory染色鉴别胰岛细胞,RT-PCR检测Insulin基因的表达。实验结果表明:诱导形成的胰岛样结构具有结缔组织样被膜包裹,Mallory染色可见胰岛样结构内有α、β样细胞,RT-PCR可检测到胰岛样结构内Insulin基因表达的阳性细胞。以上结果说明:胰腺组织裂解液能更好地模拟体内胰腺组织结构的微环境,诱导BMSCs分化为多种细胞,最终形成比较复杂的胰岛样结构。本研究结果为BMSCs定向诱导分化成胰腺细胞,提供了新的思路和方法。     

心肌微环境对诱导大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞分化为心肌样细胞的影响

目的:探讨体外心肌微环境对骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSCs)分化为心肌样细胞的诱导作用。方法:分离大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSCs)和心肌细胞并在体外培养纯化。以2×10~4/mL的细胞密度种植心肌细胞,培养72h后收集上清,在BMSCs的培养基内加入心肌细胞培养上清诱导BMSCs分化为心肌样细胞,实验共分6组:10%、20%、30%、40%及50%心肌细胞培养上清组及含10%胎牛血清的对照组,均诱导BMSCs7d,每天在倒置显微镜下观察细胞的形态变化;应用免疫细胞化学技术检测不同浓度心肌细胞培养上清组诱导7d后BMSCs中a-平滑肌肌动蛋白(a-sMA)、β-肌动蛋白(β-actin)、心肌特异性肌钙蛋白T(Troponin-T)、CD31以及FactorⅧ的表达。结果:心肌细胞培养上清组诱导BMSCs7d后,细胞的形态没有改变。10%、20%、30%、40%及50%心肌细胞培养上清组a-sMA、。-actin以及Troponin-T的表达均呈阳性,以30%心肌细胞培养上清组的蛋白表达量最高(P<0.01),而CD31和FactorⅧ的表达呈阴性。结论:心肌细胞的培养上清能够诱导BMSCs分化为心肌样细胞,且30%心肌细胞培养上清是诱导BMSCs向心肌样细胞分化的最适浓度。     

骨髓间充质干细胞分化为心肌细胞过程中Notch表达的研究

目的研究骨髓间充质干细胞分化为心肌细胞过程中Notch表达的研究。方法用密度梯度离心法分离培养犬骨髓间充质干细胞,按照酶法及差速贴壁法分离培养心肌细胞。观察干细胞增殖及传代情况。单独培养的干细胞为对照组,实验组将骨髓间充质干细胞与心肌细胞共培养,用RT-PCR、免疫细胞化学、MTT等方法检测干细胞分化为心肌细胞的情况,及干细胞在增殖与分化为心肌细胞过程中Notch信号系统的表达情况。结果骨髓间充质干细胞呈梭形、旋涡样生长,增殖及传代能力强,并可诱导分化为心肌样细胞,免疫荧光示心肌细胞标志物的表达。RT-PCR及免疫细胞化学显示实验组有Notch信号通路受体及配体的表达,而对照组表达微弱。结论骨髓间充质干细胞在增殖及分化过程中存在Notch信号通路,在干细胞分化为心肌细胞过程中Notch信号系统的表达上调。     

Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells are resistant to HBV infection during differentiation into hepatocytes in vivo and in vitro

Hepatocyte-like cells induced from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) recover liver function in animal models with liver failure. Our initial findings revealed that human BMSCs improved liver function in hepatitis B patients with end stage liver disease. However, the susceptibility of BMSCs to HBV infection during induction toward hepatocytes remains unknown. We have assessed whether BMSCs-derived hepatocyte-like cells can function like liver cells and be infected by HBV. A new and efficient way to direct the differentiation of BMSCs into functional hepatocytes was developed. BMSCs obtained from hepatitis B patients were induced to differentiate into hepatocytes through exposure to HGF, FGF-4, and EGF. After 6 days of exposure, BMSCs-derived hepatocyte-like cells that expressed a subset of hepatic genes and showed hepatic functions were obtained. HBV was used to infect the differentiated cells, and subsequently these cells were assayed for the presence of HBeAg, HBsAg, and HBV DNA. BMSCs proved resistant to HBV infection, both in vitro and during differentiation into hepatocytes in vitro. This demonstrates that BMSCs are resistant to HBV infection. BMSCs are viable for transplantation and should facilitate further research exploring the in vivo HBV-resistance of the hepatocytes derived from BMSCs after transplantation, a characteristic that could form the basis for hepatocyte transplantation.     

Expression of hepatocyte-like phenotypes in bone marrow stromal cells after HGF induction

Bone marrow comprises heterogeneous cell populations, of which certain progenitors have demonstrated the ability to differentiate into multiple mesenchymal cell lineages. This study demonstrates the bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) with intrinsic plasticity to differentiate into hepatocyte-like phenotypes under in vitro induction of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). BMSCs isolated from rat femurs and tibias were cultured and passaged 3-4 times in the presence of HGF. Cells were harvested on days 0, 10, and 20 and subjected to examination of any hepatocyte characteristics by flow cytometry, RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunocytochemistry. Expression of albumin and alpha-fetoprotein at both mRNA and protein levels was detectable on day 10. By contrast, c-Met mRNA was significantly decreased in BMSC in the course of HGF induction. Here BMSC was shown to differentiate into hepatocyte-like phenotypes given the HGF induction, as an alternative source for adult stem cell transplantation in liver repair.     

Induction of Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Differentiation into Neural-Like Cells Using Cerebrospinal Fluid

To optimize a technique that induces bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to differentiation into neural-like cells, using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the patient. In vitro, CSF (Group A) and the cell growth factors EGF and bFGF (Group B) were used to induce BMSCs to differentiate into neural-like cells. Post-induction, presence of neural-like cells was confirmed through the use of light and immunofluorescence microscopy. BMSCs can be induced to differentiate into neural-like cells. The presence of neural-like cells was confirmed via morphological characteristics, phenotype, and biological properties. Induction using CSF can shorten the production time of neural-like cells and the quantity is significantly higher than that obtained by induction with growth factor (P < 0.01). The two induction methods can induce BMSCs to differentiate into neural-like cells. Using CSF induction, 30 ml bone marrow can produce a sufficient number of neural-like cells that totally meet the requirements for clinical treatment.     

A fat option for the pig: Hepatocytic differentiated mesenchymal stem cells for translational research

Study background: Extended liver resection is the only curative treatment option of liver cancer. Yet, the residual liver may not accomplish the high metabolic and regenerative capacity needed, which frequently leads to acute liver failure. Because of their anti-inflammatory and -apoptotic as well as pro-proliferative features, mesenchymal stem cells differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells might provide functional and regenerative compensation. Clinical translation of basic research requires pre-clinical approval in large animals. Therefore, we characterized porcine mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from adipose tissue and bone marrow and their hepatocyte differentiation potential for future assessment of functional liver support after surgical intervention in the pig model.     

Ameliorative Effect of Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells on Injured Liver of Mice Infected with Schistosoma mansoni

The technique of stem cells or hepatocytes transplantation has recently improved in order to bridge the time before whole-organ liver transplantation. In the present study, unfractionated bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) were harvested from the tibial and femoral marrow compartments of male mice, which were cultured in Dulbecco''s modified Eagle''s medium (DMEM) with and without hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and then transplanted into Schistosoma mansoni-infected female mice on their 8th week post-infection. Mice were sacrificed monthly until the third month of bone marrow transplantation, serum was collected, and albumin concentration, ALT, AST, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were assayed. On the other hand, immunohistopathological and immunohistochemical changes of granuloma size and number, collagen content, and cells expressing OV-6 were detected for identification of liver fibrosis. BMSCs were shown to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells. Serum ALT, AST, and ALP were markedly reduced in the group of mice treated with BMSCs than in the untreated control group. Also, granuloma showed a marked decrease in size and number as compared to the BMSCs untreated group. Collagen content showed marked decrease after the third month of treatment with BMSCs. On the other hand, the expression of OV-6 increased detecting the presence of newly formed hepatocytes after BMSCs treatment. BMSCs with or without HGF infusion significantly enhanced hepatic regeneration in S. mansoni-induced fibrotic liver model and have pathologic and immunohistopathologic therapeutic effects. Also, this new therapeutic trend could generate new hepatocytes to improve the overall liver functions.     

Differentiation of human adipose stromal cells into hepatic lineage in vitro and in vivo

Embryonic stem cells (ES cells), bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and hepatic stem cells in liver have been known as a useful source that can induce to differentiate into hepatocytes. In this study, we examined whether human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (hADSC) can differentiate into hepatic lineage in vitro. hADSC, that were induced to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells by the treatment of HGF and OSM, had morphology similar to hepatocytes. Addition of DMSO enhanced differentiation into hepatocytes. RT-PCR and immunocytochemical analysis showed that hADSC express albumin and alpha-fetoprotein during differentiation. Differentiated hADSC showed LDL uptake and production of urea. Additionally, transplanted hADSC to CCl4-injured SCID mouse model were able to be differentiated into hepatocytes and they expressed albumin in vivo. Mesenchymal stem cells isolated from human adipose tissue are immunocompatible and are easily isolated. Therefore, hADSC may become an alternative source to hepatocyte regeneration or liver cell transplantation.     

In vitro differentiation of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells into hepatocyte-like cells

In addition to long-term self-renewal capability, human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess versatile differentiation potential ranging from mesenchyme-related multipotency to neuroectodermal and endodermal competency. Of particular concern is hepatogenic potential that can be used for liver-directed stem cell therapy and transplantation. In this study, we have investigated whether human umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived MSCs are also able to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells. MSCs isolated from UCB were cultured under the pro-hepatogenic condition similar to that for bone marrow (BM)-derived MSCs. Expression of a variety of hepatic lineage markers was analyzed by flow cytometry, RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. The functionality of differentiated cells was assessed by their ability to incorporate DiI-acetylated low-density lipoprotein (DiI-Ac-LDL). As the cells were morphologically transformed into hepatocyte-like cells, they expressed Thy-1, c-Kit, and Flt-3 at the cell surface, as well as albumin, alpha-fetoprotein, and cytokeratin-18 and 19 in the interior. Moreover, about a half of the cells were found to acquire the capability to transport DiI-Ac-LDL. Based on these observations, and taking into account immense advantages of UCB over other stem cell sources, we conclude that UCB-derived MSCs retain hepatogenic potential suitable for cell therapy and transplantation against intractable liver diseases.     

Human Embryonic and Rat Adult Stem Cells with Primitive Endoderm-Like Phenotype Can Be Fated to Definitive Endoderm,and Finally Hepatocyte-Like Cells

Stem cell-derived hepatocytes may be an alternative cell source to treat liver diseases or to be used for pharmacological purposes. We developed a protocol that mimics mammalian liver development, to differentiate cells with pluripotent characteristics to hepatocyte-like cells. The protocol supports the stepwise differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (ESC) to cells with characteristics of primitive streak (PS)/mesendoderm (ME)/definitive endoderm (DE), hepatoblasts, and finally cells with phenotypic and functional characteristics of hepatocytes. Remarkably, the same protocol can also differentiate rat multipotent adult progenitor cells (rMAPCs) to hepatocyte-like cells, even though rMAPC are isolated clonally from cultured rat bone marrow (BM) and have characteristics of primitive endoderm cells. A fraction of rMAPCs can be fated to cells expressing genes consistent with a PS/ME/DE phenotype, preceding the acquisition of phenotypic and functional characteristics of hepatocytes. Although the hepatocyte-like progeny derived from both cell types is mixed, between 10–20% of cells are developmentally consistent with late fetal hepatocytes that have attained synthetic, storage and detoxifying functions near those of adult hepatocytes. This differentiation protocol will be useful for generating hepatocyte-like cells from rodent and human stem cells, and to gain insight into the early stages of liver development.