Cellular Mechanical Stress Gradient Regulates Cell Proliferation and Differentiation Patterns

This article has no abstract.     

Mechanical Response of Single Plant Cells to Cell Poking： A Numerical Simulation Model

Cell poking is an experimental technique that is widely used to study the mechanical properties of plant cells. A full understanding of the mechanical responses of plant cells to poking force Is helpful for experimental work. The aim of this study was to numerically investigate the stress distribution of the cell wall, cell turgor, and deformation of plant cells in response to applied poking force. Furthermore, the locations damaged during poking were analyzed. The model simulates cell poking, with the cell treated as a spherical, homogeneous, isotropic elastic membrane, filled with incompressible, highly viscous liquid. Equilibrium equations for the contact region and the non-contact regions were determined by using membrane theory. The boundary conditions and continuity conditions for the solution of the problem were found. The forcedeformation curve, turgor pressure and tension of the cell wall under cell poking conditions were obtained. The tension of the cell wall circumference was larger than that of the meridian. In general, maximal stress occurred at the equator around. When cell deformation increased to a certain level, the tension at the poker tip exceeded that of the equator. Breakage of the cell wall may start from the equator or the poker tip, depending on the deformation. A nonlinear model is suitable for estimating turgor, stress, and stiffness, and numerical simulation is a powerful method for determining plant cell mechanical properties.     

Regulation of Neural Progenitor Cell Proliferation by D609: Potential Role for ERK

Tricyclodecan-9-yl-xanthogenate (D609) has been shown to possess both neuroprotective and anti-proliferative properties. We investigated the role of D609 in reducing the proliferation of neural progenitor cells in vitro. D609 decreased the expression of cyclin D1 after 1 day but not 2 or 4 days in culture, indicating the possible degradation/inactivation of drug in the medium. Consistent with this notion, spectral analysis showed the maximum absorbance of D609 (100 μM) at 300 nm, which decreased by ~30 % following incubation at 37 °C for 24 h. Further experiments revealed that incubation of neural progenitor cells with D609 decreased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) but not Akt. In addition, increasing the concentration of B27 (1–4 %), but not FGF2, diminished the effect of D609 on cell proliferation. These results together suggest that D609 may curtail the proliferation of neural progenitor cells by decreasing the ERK-mediated expression of cyclin D1 and may have a therapeutic potential in containing the proliferation of tumor stem cells.     

DNA-DAPI Interaction-Based Method for Cell Proliferation Rate Evaluation in 3D Structures

Effective cell number monitoring throughout the three-dimensional (3D) scaffold is a key factor in tissue engineering. There are many methods developed to evaluate cell number in 2D environments; however, they often encounter limitations in 3D. Therefore, there is a demand for reliable methods to measure cell proliferation in 3D surroundings. Here, we report a novel technique for the DNA content-based evaluation of cell proliferation using DNA-binding dye DAPI. We demonstrated the method’s compatibility with four different cell cultures: cancer lines MCF-7 and MH-22a, embryonic fibroblast cell line Swiss 3T3, and primary mesenchymal stem cell culture isolated from rat’s incisors. The DAPI based method was able to successfully evaluate cell proliferation in 2D, 2.5D, and 3D environments. Even though the proposed method does not discriminate between viable and dead cells, it might give a convenient snapshot of the cell number at a given time point. This should help to more reliably evaluate various processes proceeding in 2.5D and 3D cultures.     

Osteoblasts and Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Control Hematopoietic Stem Cell Migration and Proliferation in 3D In Vitro Model

Background

Migration, proliferation, and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are dependent upon a complex three-dimensional (3D) bone marrow microenvironment. Although osteoblasts control the HSC pool, the subendosteal niche is complex and its cellular composition and the role of each cell population in HSC fate have not been established. In vivo models are complex and involve subtle species-specific differences, while bidimensional cultures do not reflect the 3D tissue organization. The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro the role of human bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSC) and active osteoblasts in control of migration, lodgment, and proliferation of HSCs.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A complex mixed multicellular spheroid in vitro model was developed with human BMSC, undifferentiated or induced for one week into osteoblasts. A clear limit between the two stromal cells was established, and deposition of extracellular matrix proteins fibronectin, collagens I and IV, laminin, and osteopontin was similar to the observed in vivo. Noninduced BMSC cultured as spheroid expressed higher levels of mRNA for the chemokine CXCL12, and the growth factors Wnt5a and Kit ligand. Cord blood and bone marrow CD34⁺ cells moved in and out the spheroids, and some lodged at the interface of the two stromal cells. Myeloid colony-forming cells were maintained after seven days of coculture with mixed spheroids, and the frequency of cycling CD34⁺ cells was decreased.

Conclusions/Significance

Undifferentiated and one-week osteo-induced BMSC self-assembled in a 3D spheroid and formed a microenvironment that is informative for hematopoietic progenitor cells, allowing their lodgment and controlling their proliferation.     

A Model Implicating the Langerhans Cell in Keratinocyte Proliferation Control

A tentative model is presented which is based on existing data and our own cell kinetic and morphological observations in mice. The model suggests that the epidermal Langerhans cell plays a role in proliferation control of keratinocytes and may also act as an epidermal stem cell.     

Haematological Cell Proliferation and Differentiation Responses to Perturbations of Polyamine Biosynthesis

Abstract. Combined administration of methylglyoxal-bis-guanylhydrazone (MGBG) (25 mg/kg) with difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), or MGBG alone at a higher dose (50 mg/kg), to mice resulted in a decreased white cell count (WBC) in the peripheral blood while DFMO or MGBG alone at a lower dose (25 mg/kg) had no effect. As expected, DFMO alone increased the number of colony forming units spleen (CFU-s), colony forming units diffusion chamber granulocyte (CFU-dg) and colony forming units culture (CFU-c) in the bone marrow. MGBG treatment led to an increase in CFU-dg alone. Combined treatment seemingly had no effect on marrow stem cells. Total tibial and differential counts were not affected by any of the treatments. Cell proliferation in diffusion chamber cultures, as judged by CFU-dg colony formation, was impaired by MGBG alone or in combination with DFMO, at dose levels which had no effect or increased the precursor cell number in the bone marrow. This effect was partially reversed with either putrescine or spermidine. Determination of intra-cellular polyamine concentrations, demonstrated decreased putrescine and spermidine levels after DFMO administration. As expected, MGBG treatment resulted in decreased spermidine and spermine levels, concomitant with an increase in putrescine. In mice which received both agents, rather than only MGBG, after 3 days higher intracellular polyamine concentrations were observed. After 11 days, however, there was no significant difference between the two groups.     

Directed Stem Cell Differentiation: The Role of Physical Forces

Abstract

A number of factors contribute to the control of stem cell fate. In particular, the evidence for how physical forces control the stem cell differentiation program is now accruing. In this review, the authors discuss the types of physical forces: mechanical forces, cell shape, extracellular matrix geometry/properties, and cell-cell contacts and morphogenic factors, which evidence suggests play a role in influencing stem cell fate.     

Periostin Promotes Neural Stem Cell Proliferation and Differentiation following Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury

Neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation and differentiation are required to replace neurons damaged or lost after hypoxic-ischemic events and recover brain function. Periostin (POSTN), a novel matricellular protein, plays pivotal roles in the survival, migration, and regeneration of various cell types, but its function in NSCs of neonatal rodent brain is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of POSTN in NSCs following hypoxia-ischemia (HI). We found that POSTN mRNA levels significantly increased in differentiating NSCs. The proliferation and differentiation of NSCs in the hippocampus is compromised in POSTN knockout mice. Moreover, NSC proliferation and differentiation into neurons and astrocytes significantly increased in cultured NSCs treated with recombinant POSTN. Consistently, injection of POSTN into neonatal hypoxic-ischemic rat brains stimulated NSC proliferation and differentiation in the subventricular and subgranular zones after 7 and 14 days of brain injury. Lastly, POSTN treatment significantly improved the spatial learning deficits of rats subjected to HI. These results suggest that POSTN significantly enhances NSC proliferation and differentiation after HI, and provides new insights into therapeutic strategies for the treatment of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.     

二甲双胍(Metformin)在少突胶质前体细胞分化中的作用和机制*

目的：研究二甲双胍(metformin)在少突胶质前体细胞(oligodendrocyte precursor cell, OPC)分化过程中的作用,并对其分子机制进行初步探讨。方法：使用免疫吸附法直接分离纯化OPC后诱导培养,通过免疫荧光染色对细胞进行鉴定。在不同浓度二甲双胍处理OPC后,使用CCK8检测细胞活性;通过免疫荧光染色、流式细胞分析、实时荧光定量PCR和蛋白质印迹检测二甲双胍对OPC分化中细胞数量、mRNA和蛋白质水平的影响。结果：使用免疫吸附法可分离出高纯度OPC;CCK8检测结果显示在100 μmol/L浓度以内,二甲双胍对细胞无毒性;免疫荧光染色结果显示,二甲双胍处理OPC后,PDGFRα ⁺ OLIG2⁺阳性细胞数明显增加,且MBP⁺细胞数显著增加;流式细胞分析结果显示,PDGFRα⁺细胞数显著增加;实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,OPC分化相关基因Mag、Mbp等的mRNA水平显著增加;蛋白质印迹结果显示,分化相关蛋白OLIG2和MBP表达增加。机制上,少突胶质细胞系Oli-neu、OPC分别经二甲双胍处理5 min后,RAS、p-MEK、p-ERK蛋白量显著增加。结论：二甲双胍通过RAS-MEK-ERK信号通路促进少突胶质前体细胞的分化。     

Mir-206 Regulates Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Differentiation

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a progressive devastating disease characterized by excessive proliferation of the Pulmonary Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells (PASMCs). Studies suggest that PAH and cancers share an apoptosis-resistant state featuring excessive cell proliferation. MicroRNA-206 (miR-206) is known to regulate proliferation and is implicated in various types of cancers. However, the role of miR-206 in PAH has not been studied. In this study, it is hypothesized that miR-206 could play a role in the proliferation of PASMCs. In the present study, the expression patterns of miR-206 were investigated in normal and hypertensive mouse PASMCs. The effects of miR-206 in modulating cell proliferation, apoptosis and smooth muscle cell markers in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (hPASMCs) were investigated in vitro. miR-206 expression in mouse PASMCs was correlated with an increase in right ventricular systolic pressure. Reduction of miR-206 levels in hPASMCs causes increased proliferation and reduced apoptosis and these effects were reversed by the overexpression of miR-206. miR-206 over expression also increased the levels of smooth muscle cell differentiation markers α-smooth muscle actin and calponin implicating its importance in the differentiation of SMCs. miR-206 overexpression down regulated Notch-3 expression, which is key a factor in PAH development. These results suggest that miR-206 is a potential regulator of proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of PASMCs, and that it could be used as a novel treatment strategy in PAH.     

应用微重力旋转生物反应器培养小鼠脂肪干细胞的初步实验研究

目的:观察微重力旋转培养系统(Rotary Cell Culture System,RCCS),对小鼠脂肪干细胞增殖的影响,以寻求一种更有效的促进干细胞扩增的方法.方法:从小鼠的脂肪组织中提取分离、培养脂肪干细胞(ADSCs),并对脂肪干细胞进行流式鉴定后,利用活细胞观察法、Dil免疫荧光标记法、扫描电镜法观察微重力旋转三维培养系统对脂肪干细胞增殖的影响;通过与平面二维培养作对比,血小板计数法记录细胞的增殖情况,并绘制生长曲线.结果:两组的细胞倍增时间具有统计学意义(P＜0.05),模拟微重力旋转三维培养系统较传统平面二维培养系统,脂肪干细胞增殖更明显,生长速度更快.结论:模拟微重力旋转三维培养系统更有利于脂肪干细胞的增殖生长,为后期利用脂肪干细胞修复受损涎腺提供一种更快捷有效的扩增方法.