骨髓间充质干细胞移植对木瓜蛋白酶和钴60照射所致肺气肿大鼠肺泡壁细胞凋亡的影响

目的：观察大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞（MSCs）移植对木瓜蛋白酶和钴60照射所致的肺气肿大鼠肺泡壁细胞的凋亡以及Bcl-2、Bax蛋白表达的影响,初步探讨骨髓MSCs移植改善木瓜蛋白酶和钴60照射所致肺气肿的机制。方法：雌性Lewis大鼠随机分为正常对照组、肺气肿组和肺气肿＋MSCs移植组。观察移植28 d后肺组织形态学变化;采用DNA缺口末端标记法（TUNEL）检测肺泡壁细胞的凋亡;免疫组化法检测Bcl-2蛋白、Bax蛋白在肺泡壁细胞中的表达。结果：肺气肿组、肺气肿＋MSCs移植组均出现肺气肿改变,但肺气肿＋MSCs移植组较轻 肺气肿＋MSCs移植组肺组织平均内衬间隔、平均肺泡面积明显低于肺气肿组（P〈0.01）,而肺泡细胞数明显高于肺气肿组（P〈0.01） TUNEL结果显示肺泡壁细胞凋亡指数在肺气肿组、肺气肿＋MSCs移植组大鼠明显高于正常对照组,肺气肿＋MSCs移植组肺泡壁细胞凋亡指数明显低于肺气肿组（P〈0.01） 免疫组化结果显示肺气肿＋MSCs移植组Bcl-2染色阳性细胞百分比高于肺气肿组（P〈0.01）,肺气肿＋MSCs移植组Bax染色阳性细胞百分比明显低于肺气肿组（P〈0.01）,肺气肿＋MSCs移植组Bcl-2/Bax比值高于肺气肿组。结论：骨髓MSCs移植之所以改善木瓜蛋白酶和钴60照射所致肺气肿,可能与骨髓MSCs移植抑制肺气肿大鼠肺泡壁细胞的凋亡,以及上调肺组织Bcl-2蛋白的表达和下调Bax蛋白的表达有关。     

硫化氢对急性心肌缺血大鼠心肌线粒体损伤的影响

目的：探讨硫化氢（H2S）对急性心肌缺血大鼠线粒体功能的影响,并探讨其改善急性心肌缺血损伤的作用机制。方法：通过结扎大鼠左冠状动脉前降支建立急性心肌缺血模型。雄性SD大鼠48只随机分为6组（n=8）：假手术组,缺血组,缺血＋硫氢化钠（NaHS）低、中、高剂量组和缺血＋炔丙基甘氨酸（PPG）组。透射电镜观察心肌组织线粒体超微结构;检测血浆中H2S含量、心肌组织CSE活性;测定心肌线粒体活力、膜肿胀度及线粒体总ATP酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-PX）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）的活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量。结果：与假手术组比较,缺血组大鼠血浆H2S含量和心肌组织中CSE活性降低;心肌线粒体膜肿胀,线粒体活力下降;线粒体中MDA含量明显升高,ATP酶、SOD、GSH-Px活性明显降低（P〈0.01）。与缺血组比较,缺血＋NaHS低、中、高剂量组大鼠血浆H2S含量和心组织中CSE活性均升高;缺血＋NaHS中、高剂量组大鼠心肌线粒体MDA含量明显减少,膜肿胀度减轻;缺血＋NaHS低、中、高剂量组线粒体活力有所恢复,ATP酶、SOD、GSH-Px的活性明显升高（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）。PPG可部分减弱H2S的心肌保护作用（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）。结论：H2S可增强线粒体ATP酶、SOD、GSH-Px的活性,降低线粒体脂质过氧化水平,从而起到对大鼠急性心肌缺血的保护作用。     

骨髓间充质干细胞移植对大鼠低氧性肺动脉高压的影响

目的：探讨骨髓间充质干细胞（MSCs）移植对大鼠低氧性肺动脉高压（HPH）的影响。方法：体外分离、培养、鉴定SD大鼠骨髓MSCs、绿色荧光蛋白腺病毒标记MSCs细胞。将健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为4组：正常对照组（NC组）8只、低氧性肺动脉高压组（HPH组）8只,低氧性肺动脉高压同时骨髓间充质干细胞移植组（MSCs组）24只,低氧性肺动脉高压同时携带血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）的MSCs移植组（VEGF＋MSCs组）24只。采用常压间歇低氧法建立大鼠肺动脉高压模型,干细胞转染并行干细胞移植。观察大鼠平均肺动脉压力（mPAP）,计算右心室肥厚指数（RVHI）,显微镜下观察各组大鼠肺小动脉形态结构改变,并在荧光显微镜下观察干细胞移植7d,14d,28d时腺病毒转染荧光标记的MSCs在肺小动脉分布及表现。结果：NC组28d时mPAP（mmHg）为15．5±1．5,而HPH组、MSCs组及MSCs＋VEGF组分另q为26．1±1．9、21．6±2．7及20．1±2．9,均明显高于NC组（P〈0．01）,但MSCs组及MSCs＋VEGF组较HPH组明显下降（P〈0．01）,MSCs组与MSCs＋VEGF组无明显差别。NC组28d时RVHI为0．28±0．02,而HPH组、MSCs组及MSCs＋VEGF组RVHI分别为0．43±0．07、0．34±0．03及0．35±0．01,均明显高于NC组（P〈0．01）,但MSCs组及MSCs＋VEGF组较HPH组明显下降（P〈0．05）,MSCs组与MSCs＋VEGF组无明显差别。HPH组28d时,肺小动脉管壁明显增厚,管腔明显狭窄、闭塞,内皮细胞不完整,而MSCs组血管壁较HPH组变薄,管腔通畅,内皮细胞完整性改善,MSC8组及MSCs＋VEGF组的表现改变不明显。结论：骨髓间充质干细胞移植可改善肺小动脉血管重塑,从而部分逆转HPH的进程;而将VEGF与MSCs联合移植并未提高单纯MSCs移植的作用。     

大鼠Y染色体探针的制备与鉴定

目的:研究制备地高辛标记的大鼠性别决定基因Y区(Y染色体,SRY)探针,用于检测雄性大鼠来源的细胞在雌性受鼠体内的SRY基因表达情况.方法:按已知的雄性大鼠Y染色体上性别决定基因(SRY)的序列,请上海博亚公司合成oligoDNA,采用PCR技术连接并扩增,地高辛标记的方法制备基因探针.以雌性大鼠为对照,原位杂交法检测大鼠肾组织切片Y染色体阳性细胞情况.结果:用原位杂交法证实在雄性大鼠肾脏内有SRY表达,而雌性大鼠肾脏无Y染色体阳性细胞,证实这种探针具有较高的敏感性和特异性.结论:大鼠性别决定基因SRY探针的制备成功,为进一步研究异体雄性大鼠细胞移植后的分布和表达提供了实验基础.     

阿尔茨海默氏病大鼠海马内植入神经干细胞后效果观察

目的：观察神经干细胞植入阿尔茨海默氏病（AD）大鼠海马内的存活和增殖情况,以及对学习记忆能力的影响一方法：从新生大鼠海马齿状回分离、培养神经干细胞,经Hoechst33258标记后植入AD模型大鼠海马,2周和4周后,行Y迷宫实验检测大鼠的学习记忆能力,然后取脑进行荧光观察和PCNA免疫组织化学染色。结果：与AD组相比,2周移植组和4周移植组大鼠的学习能力和记忆能力有明显提高一移植的神经干细胞能在海马存活,与周围组织建立良好的整合,还可沿海马CAl区迁移,而且在海马CAl区内可见许多PCNA阳性细胞：结论：新生大鼠海马齿状回神经干细胞移植到AD大鼠海马内能够存活、增殖,并能改善AD大鼠的学习能力和记忆能力。     

β-catenin和WISP-1在糖尿病大鼠心肌中的表达

目的观察Wnt信号通路中β-catenin及其下游靶基因WISP～1在糖尿病大鼠心肌组织中的表达,分析Wnt/β-catenin信号通路在糖尿病大鼠心肌损伤中的作用。方法雄性SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组（Control Group）和糖尿病模型组（DMGroup）,腹腔注射STZ55mg／kg诱导糖尿病大鼠模型,喂养至8周。测定大鼠的空腹血糖、心体比和心肌羟脯氨酸含量;电镜观察心肌超微结构变化,免疫组化法观察心肌组织β-catenin和WISP-1的表达。结果与对照组相比,糖尿病组大鼠空腹血糖水平明显增加,心体比增加,心肌羟脯氨酸含量增高。心肌超微结构显示肌纤维断裂,线粒体呈空泡样改变。心肌β-catenin和WISP-1蛋白表达增加。结论糖尿病大鼠心肌组织β-catenin和其下游靶基因WISP-1表达增加,提示Wnt／β-catenin信号通路的激活参与糖尿病所致的心肌损伤。     

人脐血间充质干细胞诱导分化为神经细胞的研究

目的探讨体外诱导人脐血间充质干细胞(MSCs)向神经细胞分化的条件,为治疗中枢神经系统损伤提供实用的干细胞来源。方法体外分离、纯化、扩增脐血MSCs,流式细胞仪检测细胞表面标志。采用脑源性神经营养因子BDNF 10ng/ml 维甲酸RA0.5μM 碱性成纤维生长因子bFGF 20ng/ml协同诱导脐血MSCs定向分化。免疫荧光染色检测诱导后细胞的星形胶质细胞特异标志GFAP及神经元特异标志MAP2的表达情况。建立大鼠脊髓横断损伤模型,将BrdU标记的诱导后的细胞移植入损伤的脊髓中,采用BBB运动功能评分标准在术后24h及1、2、3、4、5周各时间点对大鼠进行运动功能评分。用组织学和免疫组化方法检测移植到大鼠脊髓中的BrdU阳性细胞的存活、迁移、分化情况。结果脐血MSCs体外培养三代后,细胞表面CD11b、CD34、CD45和CD44表达阴性。诱导分化7d后,大部分细胞的形态类似神经元,免疫荧光染色检测MAP2阳性细胞占大多数,明显多于GFAP阳性细胞。5周后,细胞移植组大鼠的后肢运动功能恢复情况较对照组好。免疫组织化学结果显示植入的细胞可长时间在宿主脊髓中存活,并向损伤处两端迁移。结论人脐血MSCs于体外在特定的条件下可以诱导分化为神经元样细胞。移植脐血MSCs诱导后的神经细胞可在损伤的脊髓中存活、迁移,并能促进脊髓损伤后行为和功能恢复。     

骨髓间质干细胞向心肌细胞分化的可塑性及应用研究进展

减少心肌缺血后损伤,促进心肌细胞和血管再生是治疗心肌缺血损伤、心力衰竭的重要思路,而干细胞移植为该思路带来了新的曙光。骨髓间质干细胞（-mesenchymal stem cells,MSCs）,也称为骨髓基质细胞,能分化为骨、软骨和脂肪细胞表型。研究表明,MSCs还能分化为内皮细胞、神经细胞、平滑肌细胞、骨骼肌细胞和心肌细胞表型。MSCs具有多向分化的潜能,且自体移植可以避免免疫排斥反应,同时也易于在体外大量扩增。研究显示,MSCs移植能抑制损伤心肌的重塑和改善心肌功能。因此,骨髓间质干细胞移植给人们展示了一个诱入的前景。本文综述了近年来有关MSCs特性的新认识,尤其是MSCs向心肌细胞方向分化的可塑性、影响因素和信号转导机制,以及MSCs治疗心肌梗死的动物实验和临床研究进展。     

骨髓间质干细胞移植治疗大鼠脑出血模型的实验研究

目的：研究大鼠骨髓间质干细胞（Mscs）移植治疗脑出血的可行性。方法：分离MSCs后,连续传代培养、扩增,Brdu标记的MSCs通过颈动脉、侧脑室2种途径移植入脑出血大鼠模型体内,采用爬行计分法评估神经功能的恢复程度,并观察脑部Brdu阳性细胞的分布。结果：通过侧脑室、颈动脉移植后大鼠神经功能改善,明显优于对照组（P〈0．05）;经颈动脉注射组较经侧脑室注射组爬杆实验评分低（P〈0．05）。移植的MSCs主要迁移到出血灶、大脑皮层、海马区等处。结论：MSCs移植对脑出血具有保护作用,而经颈动脉给药疗效优于经侧脑室给药。     

培养于生物降解支架膜内的胚胎干细胞可修复小鼠的梗塞心肌

我们以往的研究表明,直接在心肌梗塞（myocardial infarction,MI）动物的心脏缺血区注射胚胎干细胞（embryonic stemceils,ESCs）可以提高其心肌功能,干细胞组织工程学可以使组织再生、修复。本研究旨在观察将ESCs接种到生物降解膜内并移植到梗塞部位的效果。通过结扎小鼠左冠状动脉制作MI模型,将培养3d的带有小鼠ESCs的聚羟基乙酸膜（polyglycolicacid,PGA）移植到心肌缺血及边缘区表面。实验小鼠分成4组：假手术组、MI组、MI＋PGA组、MI＋ESC组,移植操作8周后检测血流动力学和心肌功能。MI组的血压和左心室功能显著降低。与MI组和MI＋PGA组相比,MI＋ESC组的血压和心室功能显著改善,存活率也显著增高,在梗塞区检测到GFP阳性组织,表明ESCs存活,并可能有心肌再生。以上结果表明,移植生物降解膜内的ESCs可修复小鼠梗塞区心肌细胞并提高心脏功能。将ESCs和生物降解材料联合运用可能为修复受损心脏提供一个新的治疗方法。     

Comparison of various kinds of bone marrow stem cells for the repair of infarcted myocardium: single clonally purified non-hematopoietic mesenchymal stem cells serve as a superior source

A variety of adult stem cells have been used to transplant into the infarcted (MI) heart, however, comparative studies are lacking to show more suitable source of cells for transplantation. We have identified a single non-hematopoietic mesenchymal stem cell subpopulation (snMSCs) isolated from human bone marrow and clonally purified, that over 99% of them expressed MSC marker proteins and cardiomyocyte marker proteins when induction in vitro. We also compared the effects of the snMSCs with unpurified MSC (uMSCs), mononuclear cells (BMMNCs), or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) on myocardial repair after induction of MI in rats. Ninety days later, we observed a better cardiac function assessed by ejection fraction, fraction of shortening and lung wet/dry weight ratios, less remodeling of left ventricle (LV), lower collagen density in the LV, and more vessels in the ischemic wall in the snMSCs transplantation group than in other cell-transplanted groups. Furthermore, the transplanted cells expressing cardiomyocyte specific proteins or vascular endothelial cell marker proteins were more in the snMSCs group than in other ones. We conclude that transplantation with single clonally purified MSCs seems to be more beneficial to the cardiac repair than with other stem cells after MI.     

Effects of hepatocyte growth factor overexpressed bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells on prevention from left ventricular remodelling and functional improvement in infarcted rat hearts

Bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSCs ) transplantation has been reported to be a promising therapy for myocardial infarction (MI). However, low survival rate of BM‐MSCs in infarcted heart is one of the major limitations for the perspective clinical application. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on left ventricular function improvement of HGF gene‐modified BM‐MSCs (HGF‐MSCs) after its delivery into the infarcted rat hearts. BM‐MSCs were isolated with fibroblast‐like morphology and expressed CD44+CD29+CD90+/CD34‐CD45‐CD31‐CD11a. After 5‐azacytidine induction in vitro, 20%–30% of the cells were positively stained for desmin, cardiac‐specific cardiac troponin I and connexin‐43. Histological staining revealed that 2 weeks after MI is an optimal time point with decreased neutrophil infiltration and increased vascular number. Minimal infarct size and best haemodynamic analysis were also observed after cell injection at 2 weeks compared with that of 1 h, 1 week or 4 weeks. Echocardiogram confirmed that transplantation with HGF‐MSCs significantly improved left ventricular function compared with other groups in rat MI models. MSCs and HGF‐MSCslabelled with DAPI were detected 4 weeks after MI in the infarcted area. Decreased infarcted scar area and increased angiogenesis formation could be found in HGF‐MSCs group than in other groups as demonstrated by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and factor VIII staining. These results indicate that HGF‐MSCs transplantation could enhance the contractile function and attenuate left ventricular remodelling efficiently in rats with MI. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Overexpression of phosphoinositide-3-kinase class II alpha enhances mesenchymal stem cell survival in infarcted myocardium

The efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy for myocardial regeneration is limited by the poor survival of stem cells after transplantation into the infarcted heart. To improve the cell survival of MSCs in the infarcted heart, MSCs were genetically engineered to overexpress phosphoinositide-3-kinase class II alpha (PI3K-C2α). PI3K-C2α overexpression increased PI3K expression and the cell viability of MSCs. Furthermore, levels of survival-related phosphorylation were elevated in PI3K-C2α-MSCs. But, the level of apoptotic proteins downregulated and the number of PI-positive cells decreased in PI3K-C2α-MSCs compared to hypoxic MSCs. Nine rats per group had 1 × 10⁶ cells (20 μl PBS) transplanted after myocardial infarction. One week after transplantation, infarct size and area of fibrosis were reduced in the PI3K-C2α-MSC-transplanted group. The number of TUNEL positive cells declined, while the mean microvessel count per field was higher in the PI3K-C2α-MSC group than the MSC-injected group. Heart function was improved in the PI3K-C2α-MSCs group as assessed using a Millar catheter at 3 weeks after transplantation. These findings suggest that overexpression of PI3K-C2α in MSCs can assist cell survival and enhance myocardial regeneration.     

Intracoronary artery transplantation of cardiomyoblast-like cells from human adipose tissue-derived multi-lineage progenitor cells improve left ventricular dysfunction and survival in a swine model of chronic myocardial infarction

Transplantation of human cardiomyoblast-like cells (hCLCs) from human adipose tissue-derived multi-lineage progenitor cells improved left ventricular function and survival of rats with myocardial infarction. Here we examined the effect of intracoronary artery transplantation of human CLCs in a swine model of chronic heart failure. Twenty-four pigs underwent balloon-occlusion of the first diagonal branch followed by reperfusion, with a second balloon-occlusion of the left ascending coronary artery 1week later followed by reperfusion. Four weeks after the second occlusion/reperfusion, 17 of the 18 surviving animals with severe chronic MI (ejection fraction <35% by echocardiography) were immunosuppressed then randomly assigned to receive either intracoronary artery transplantation of hCLCs hADMPCs or placebo lactic Ringer's solution with heparin. Intracoronary artery transplantation was followed by the distribution of DiI-stained hCLCs into the scarred myocardial milieu. Echocardiography at post-transplant days 4 and 8weeks showed rescue and maintenance of cardiac function in the hCLCs transplanted group, but not in the control animals, indicating myocardial functional recovery by hCLCs intracoronary transplantation. At 8week post-transplantation, 7 of 8 hCLCs transplanted animals were still alive compared with only 1 of the 5 control (p=0.0147). Histological studies at week 12 post-transplantation demonstrated engraftment of the pre DiI-stained hCLCs into the scarred myocardium and their expression of human specific alpha-cardiac actin. Human alpha cardiac actin-positive cells also expressed cardiac nuclear factors; nkx2.5 and GATA-4. Our results suggest that intracoronary artery transplantation of hCLCs is a potentially effective therapeutic strategy for future cardiac tissue regeneration.     

Intravenous administration of mesenchymal stem cells improves cardiac function in rats with acute myocardial infarction through angiogenesis and myogenesis

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are pluripotent cells that differentiate into a variety of cells, including cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells. However, little information is available regarding the therapeutic potency of systemically delivered MSCs for myocardial infarction. Accordingly, we investigated whether intravenously transplanted MSCs induce angiogenesis and myogenesis and improve cardiac function in rats with acute myocardial infarction. MSCs were isolated from bone marrow aspirates of isogenic adult rats and expanded ex vivo. At 3 h after coronary ligation, 5 x 10(6) MSCs (MSC group, n=12) or vehicle (control group, n=12) was intravenously administered to Lewis rats. Transplanted MSCs were preferentially attracted to the infarcted, but not the noninfarcted, myocardium. The engrafted MSCs were positive for cardiac markers: desmin, cardiac troponin T, and connexin43. On the other hand, some of the transplanted MSCs were positive for von Willebrand factor and formed vascular structures. Capillary density was markedly increased after MSC transplantation. Cardiac infarct size was significantly smaller in the MSC than in the control group (24 +/- 2 vs. 33 +/- 2%, P <0.05). MSC transplantation decreased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and increased left ventricular maximum dP/dt (both P <0.05 vs. control). These results suggest that intravenous administration of MSCs improves cardiac function after acute myocardial infarction through enhancement of angiogenesis and myogenesis in the ischemic myocardium.     

骨髓间充质干细胞移植对异丙肾上腺素致心力衰竭大鼠心功能及炎性细胞因子表达的影响

目的：观察骨髓间充质干细胞（MSCs）移植对异丙基肾上腺素（ISO）致心力衰竭大鼠心脏功能和炎性细胞因子（TNF—α、IL-1β和IL-6）表达的影响。方法：采用全骨髓培养方法分离培养大鼠的MSCs;雄性Wistar大鼠45只,随机分为：正常对照组（n=15）、模型组（n=30）。正常对照组给予生理盐水皮下注射、模型组采用170mg／kg的剂量皮下注射ISO,连续4天给药;各组动物末次皮下注射4周后,行超声心动图检查,将模型组LVEF〈70％的大鼠（n=20）随机分为细胞移植组（n=10）和培养液组（n=10）,后大鼠开胸,细胞移植组将150μL（3×10^6MSCs）用微注射器分4点注射到左心室前壁,培养液组和正常对照组给与心肌内注射等量细胞培养液。移植后4周用超声心动图检测大鼠的心功能,并取心脏组织行免疫组化染色。结果：移植后4周,与正常对照组比较,细胞移植组和培养液组LVDs明显增加,EF和FS明显下降（P〈0．01）;而和培养液组相比,细胞移植组LVDs明显下降、EF和FS明显升高（P〈0．05）;免疫组化染色结果显示,与培养液组比较,细胞移植组TNF—α、IL-1β和IL-6阳性表达细胞明显降低（P〈0．05,P〈0．01,P〈0．01）。结论：MSCs移植可以改善心衰大鼠的心脏功能,同时下调心衰大鼠心脏炎性细胞因子TNF—α、IL-1β和IL-6的表达。     

A Transgenic Tri-Modality Reporter Mouse

Transgenic mouse with a stably integrated reporter gene(s) can be a valuable resource for obtaining uniformly labeled stem cells, tissues, and organs for various applications. We have generated a transgenic mouse model that ubiquitously expresses a tri-fusion reporter gene (fluc2-tdTomato-ttk) driven by a constitutive chicken β-actin promoter. This “Tri-Modality Reporter Mouse” system allows one to isolate most cells from this donor mouse and image them for bioluminescent (fluc2), fluorescent (tdTomato), and positron emission tomography (PET) (ttk) modalities. Transgenic colonies with different levels of tri-fusion reporter gene expression showed a linear correlation between all three-reporter proteins (R²=0.89 for TdTomato vs Fluc, R²=0.94 for Fluc vs TTK, R²=0.89 for TdTomato vs TTK) in vitro from tissue lysates and in vivo by optical and PET imaging. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from this transgenics showed high level of reporter gene expression, which linearly correlated with the cell numbers (R²=0.99 for bioluminescence imaging (BLI)). Both BLI (R²=0.93) and micro-PET (R²=0.94) imaging of the subcutaneous implants of Tri-Modality Reporter Mouse derived MSCs in nude mice showed linear correlation with the cell numbers and across different imaging modalities (R²=0.97). Serial imaging of MSCs transplanted to mice with acute myocardial infarction (MI) by intramyocardial injection exhibited significantly higher signals in MI heart at days 2, 3, 4, and 7 (p<0.01). MSCs transplanted to the ischemic hindlimb of nude mice showed significantly higher BLI and PET signals in the first 2 weeks that dropped by 4^th week due to poor cell survival. However, laser Doppler perfusion imaging revealed that blood circulation in the ischemic limb was significantly improved in the MSCs transplantation group compared with the control group. In summary, this mouse can be used as a source of donor cells and organs in various research areas such as stem cell research, tissue engineering research, and organ transplantation.     

Behavior of transplanted bone marrow-derived GFP mesenchymal cells in osteochondral defect as a simulation of autologous transplantation.

To elucidate the behavior of autologously transplanted mesenchymal cells in osteochondral defects, we followed transplanted cells using green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic rats, in which all cells express GFP signals in their cytoplasm and nuclei as transplantation donors. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells, which contain mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), were obtained from transgenic rats. Then, dense mesenchymal cell masses created by hanging-drop culture were transplanted and fixed with fibrin glue into osteochondral defects of wild-type rats. At 24 weeks after surgery, the defects were repaired with hyaline-like cartilage and subchondral bone. GFP positive cells, indicating transplanted mesenchymal-derived cells, were observed in the regenerated tissues for 24 weeks although GFP positive cells decreased in number with time. Because GFP causes no immunological rejection and requires no chemicals for visualization, transplantation between transgenic and wild-type rats can be regarded as a simulation of autologous transplantation, and the survivability of transplanted cells are able to be followed easily and reliably. Thus, the behavior of transplanted mesenchymal cells was able to be elucidated in vivo by this strategy, and the results could be essential in future tissue engineering for the regeneration of osteochondral defects with original hyaline cartilage and subchondral bone.     

Preconditioning via Angiotensin Type 2 Receptor Activation Improves Therapeutic Efficacy of Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells for Cardiac Repair

Background

The therapeutic efficiency of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) autologous transplantation for myocardial infarction (MI) remains low. Here we developed a novel strategy to improve cardiac repair by preconditioning BMMNCs via angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) stimulation.

Methods and Results

Acute MI in rats led to a significant increase of AT2R expression in BMMNCs. Preconditioning of BMMNCs via AT2R stimulation directly with an AT2R agonist CGP42112A or indirectly with angiotensin II plus AT1R antagonist valsartan led to ERK activation and increased eNOS expression as well as subsequent nitric oxide generation, ultimately improved cardiomyocyte protection in vitro as measured by co-culture approach. Intramyocardial transplantation of BMMNCs preconditioned via AT2R stimulation improved survival of transplanted cells in ischemic region of heart tissue and reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis and inflammation at 3 days after MI. At 4 weeks after transplantation, compared to DMEM and non-preconditioned BMMNCs group, AT2R stimulated BMMNCs group showed enhanced vessel density in peri-infarct region and attenuated infarct size, leading to global heart function improvement.

Conclusions

Preconditioning of BMMNCs via AT2R stimulation exerts protective effect against MI. Stimulation of AT2R in BMMNCs may provide a new strategy to improving therapeutic efficiency of stem cells for post MI cardiac repair.