The bovine vitreous-derived lipid factor (bVLF) is a powerful inhibitor of retinal pigmented epithelial (hRPE) cell proliferation

Human retinal pigmented epithelial cell (hRPE) proliferation plays a significant role in various proliferative diseases associated to the retina that leads to loss of vision, such as proliferative vitreoretinopathy. In the current study, the role of the bovine vitreous lipid factor (bVLF) in hRPE cell proliferation has been investigated. bVLF is a bioactive lipid isolated from the bovine vitreous body with strong Ca(2+)-mobilizing activity in fibroblast. In the first approach, the effects of bVLF on Ca(2+)-mobilizing activity were investigated in hRPE. The results showed that bVLF induced, in a dose-dependent manner, a Ca(2+) mobilization from PA-sensitive intracellular stores [non-Ins(1,4,5)P(3)-sensitive stores], in which extracellular Ca(2+) participated. The increase in intracellular Ca(2+) was associated with a dose-dependent inhibiting effect on cell proliferation. At a dose of 10 microg/mL, bVLF caused a 26% or a 44% inhibition in hRPE cell proliferation during the 3- or the 6-day culture periods, respectively. These effects appear to be specific in hRPE cells, since EFGR-T17 fibroblast cells treated with equivalent amounts of bVLF did not show any inhibiting effects. This inhibitory action was not associated to apoptotic/necrotic processes. Furthermore, bVLF inhibited EGF-, bFGF-, IGF-I-, PDGF-, HGF- and VEGF-induced proliferation of the hRPE cells. Moreover, this inhibitory response was also observed in FBS-induced hRPE cell proliferation. bVLF, at a concentration of 10 microg/mL, induced 16% inhibition of proliferation during a culture period of 3 days. This inhibitory action was greater during the 6-day culture period, exceeding 40%. With regard to this action, the results showed that bVLF has a potent inhibitory effect on ERK1/2 activation, and plays a key role in the control of hRPE cell proliferation. These observations contribute to the knowledge of inhibitory factors responsible for keeping antiproliferative environment that preserve the RPE-associated activities in normal states. It advances the interesting possibility that this factor or a factor with characteristics common to bVLF might be involved in the pathogenesis of abnormal proliferative eye processes.     

Noggin and bFGF cooperate to maintain the pluripotency of human embryonic stem cells in the absence of feeder layers

Human embryonic stem (hES) cells are typically maintained on mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) feeders or with MEF-conditioned medium. However, these xenosupport systems greatly limit the therapeutic applications of hES cells because of the risk of cross-transfer of animal pathogens. Here we showed that the bone morphogenetic protein antagonist noggin is critical in preventing differentiation of hES cells in culture. Furthermore, we found that the combination of noggin and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was sufficient to maintain the prolonged growth of hES cells while retaining all hES cell features. Since both noggin and bFGF are expressed in MEF, our findings suggest that they may be important factors secreted by MEF for maintaining undifferentiated pluripotent hES cells. Our data provide new insight into the mechanism how hES cell self-renewal is regulated. The newly developed feeder-free culture system will provide a more reliable alternative for future therapeutic applications of hES cells.     

MMP - 9、VEGF、bFGF 在非何杰金淋巴瘤的表达及临床意义

目的：探讨MMP-9、VEGF、bFGF在非何杰金淋巴瘤（NHL）中的表达及意义。方法：免疫组化法。结果MMP-9、VEGF、bFGF在NHL中表达率分别为43．66％、33．80％、25．35％,均高于正常淋巴结组织中的表达,差异均有显著性（Pm=0．0023,Pv=0．001,Pb=0．0049）。组5年生存率明显低于MMP-9（-）组（P=0．008）。VEGF在T细胞型中表达率高于B细胞型（P=0．019）,VEGF阳性组治疗缓解率低（P=0．045）。巨块型NHL中bFGF表达率较高（P=0．028）,bFGF（＋）组5年生存率明显低于bFGF（-）组（P=0．041）。MMP-9、VEGF、bFGF之间无协同表达。结论：MMP-9、VEGF、bFGF在NHL中的表达高于正常淋巴组织,可能与淋巴组织恶变有关。MMP-9、bFGF均与生存期呈负相关,是NHL预后差的指标,联合检测更有助于判断预后。VEGF阳性组治疗效果差,提示VEGF阳性NHL患者加用VEGF靶向治疗可能会提高疗效。     

Intracellular expression and purification of the Canstatin-N protein in Pichia pastoris

Canstatin-N DNA fragment amplified from human genome was inserted into the MCS of pGAP9K*, an intracellular expression vector of Pichia pastoris, to generate pGAP9K*-can-N which was then transformed into P. pastoris GS115 by electroporation. A transformant was chosen as an engineering strain from the plate containing G418 (700 μg/ml). D-sorbitol was selected as the only carbon source. The fermentation was carried out in a 50 L bioreactor at a 20 L working volume. After 48 h fermentation with continuous feeding of 25% (w/v) D-sorbitol and 0.8% PTM4, the cell grew to A(600)=178 and intracellularly expressed Canstatin-N reached 780 mg/L. Snail enzyme was combined with water to crack P. pastoris and to release intracellular proteins. The purified recombinant Canstatin-N inhibited CAM angiogenesis and induced significant apoptosis of the human umbilical vein endothelial cell (EVC340).     

Neurogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells: Relevance of different signaling molecules,transcription factors,and key marker genes

Since numerous diseases affect the central nervous system and it has limited self-repair capability, a great interest in using stem cells as an alternative cell source is generated. Previous reports have shown the differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells in neuron-like cells and it has also been proved that the expression pattern of patterning, proneural, and neural factors, such as Pax6, Mash1, Ngn2, NeuroD1, Tbr2 and Tbr1, regulates and defines adult neurogenesis. Regarding this, we hypothesize that a functional parallelism between adult neurogenesis and neuronal differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells exists. In this study we differentiate human adipose-derived stem cells into neuron-like cells and analyze the expression pattern of different patterning, proneural, neural and neurotransmitter genes, before and after neuronal differentiation. The neuron-like cells expressed neuronal markers, patterning and proneural factors characteristics of intermediate stages of neuronal differentiation. Thus we demonstrated that it is possible to differentiate adipose-derived stem cells in vitro into immature neuron-like cells and that this process is regulated in a similar way to adult neurogenesis. This may contribute to elucidate molecular mechanisms involved in neuronal differentiation of adult human non-neural cells, in aid of the development of potential therapeutic tools for diseases of the nervous system.     

碱性成纤维细胞生长因子对培养的瘢痕成纤维细胞FN合成的调控作用

目的探讨碱性成纤维细胞生长因子（bFGF）对成纤维细胞纤维连结蛋白（FN）合成的调控作用。方法采用细胞培养、ELISA法、RT-PCR方法观察bFGF在不同剂量下对瘢痕来源的成纤维细胞FN合成的影响。结果FN的表达在低bFGF浓度组与对照组无明显差异,随着浓度的升高表现为增高趋势,以50、100、500ng／ml最显著,与对照组之间有显著性差异（P〈0．05）。FN mRNA表达在50-100ng／ml组明显升高,与对照组间有显著性差异（P〈0．05）。mRNA表达趋势与上清中蛋白的表达具有一致性。结论高浓度bFGF刺激FN合成可能是bFGF促进创面愈合的重要原因。     

Opposing actions of Notch1 and VEGF in post-natal cardiac valve endothelial cells

The endothelium of the cardiac valves is unique compared the rest of the vasculature in its ability to undergo an endothelial-to-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) in vitro in response to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). EMT is a critical event during embryonic valve development, and both VEGF-A and Notch1 have been shown to function in this process. Here we investigate the effects of VEGF-A and Notch1 on EMT in clonal endothelial cell (EC) populations isolated from adult aortic valve leaflets. VEGF-A inhibited TGF-β-induced EMT. Endothelial growth, however, was not affected by VEGF-A or TGF-β. A positive role for Notch1 was revealed in three experiments: (1) TGF-β induced Notch1 mRNA in valve ECs, (2) a γ-secretase inhibitor of Notch1 signaling blocked EMT, and (3) overexpression of a ligand-independent form of Notch1 induced EMT. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that VEGF-A and Notch1 play opposing roles in regulating EMT in post-natal valve endothelium.