A Piglet Model of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Birth asphyxia, which causes hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), accounts for 0.66 million deaths worldwide each year, about a quarter of the world’s 2.9 million neonatal deaths. Animal models of HIE have contributed to the understanding of the pathophysiology in HIE, and have highlighted the dynamic process that occur in brain injury due to perinatal asphyxia. Thus, animal studies have suggested a time-window for post-insult treatment strategies. Hypothermia has been tested as a treatment for HIE in pdiglet models and subsequently proven effective in clinical trials. Variations of the model have been applied in the study of adjunctive neuroprotective methods and piglet studies of xenon and melatonin have led to clinical phase I and II trials^1,2. The piglet HIE model is further used for neonatal resuscitation- and hemodynamic studies as well as in investigations of cerebral hypoxia on a cellular level. However, it is a technically challenging model and variations in the protocol may result in either too mild or too severe brain injury. In this article, we demonstrate the technical procedures necessary for establishing a stable piglet model of neonatal HIE. First, the newborn piglet (< 24 hr old, median weight 1500 g) is anesthetized, intubated, and monitored in a setup comparable to that found in a neonatal intensive care unit. Global hypoxia-ischemia is induced by lowering the inspiratory oxygen fraction to achieve global hypoxia, ischemia through hypotension and a flat trace amplitude integrated EEG (aEEG) indicative of cerebral hypoxia. Survival is promoted by adjusting oxygenation according to the aEEG response and blood pressure. Brain injury is quantified by histopathology and magnetic resonance imaging after 72 hr.     

Rapamycin Augments Immunomodulatory Properties of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

The immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) have been considered as an appropriate candidate for treatment of autoimmune diseases. Previous studies have revealed that treatment with BM-MSCs may modulate immune responses and alleviate the symptoms in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice, an animal model of multiple sclerosis. Therefore, the present study was designed to examine immunomodulatory effects of BM-MSCs in the treatment of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) 35-55-induced EAE in C57BL/6 mice. MSCs were obtained from the bone marrow of C57BL mice, cultured with DMEM/F12, and characterized with flow cytometry for the presence of cell surface markers for BM-MSCs. Following three passages, BM-MSCs were injected intraperitoneally into EAE mice alone or in combination with rapamycin. Immunological and histopathological effects of BM-MSCs and addition of rapamycin to BM-MSCs were evaluated. The results demonstrated that adding rapamycin to BM-MSCs transplantation in EAE mice significantly reduced inflammation infiltration and demyelination, enhanced the immunomodulatory functions, and inhibited progress of neurological impairments compared to BM-MSC transplantation and control groups. The immunological effects of rapamycin and BM-MSC treatments were associated with the inhibition of the Ag-specific lymphocyte proliferation, CD8+ cytolytic activity, and the Th1-type cytokine (gamma-interferon (IFN-γ)) and the increase of Th-2 cytokine (interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10) production. Addition of rapamycin to BM-MSCs was able to ameliorate neurological deficits and provide neuroprotective effects in EAE. This suggests the potential of rapamycin and BM-MSC combined therapy to play neuroprotective roles in the treatment of neuroinflammatory disorders.     

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Augment the Anti-Bacterial Activity of Neutrophil Granulocytes

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) participate in the regulation of inflammation and innate immunity, for example by responding to pathogen-derived signals and by regulating the function of innate immune cells. MSCs from the bone-marrow and peripheral tissues share common basic cell-biological functions. However, it is unknown whether these MSCs exhibit different responses to microbial challenge and whether this response subsequently modulates the regulation of inflammatory cells by MSCs.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We isolated MSCs from human bone-marrow (bmMSCs) and human salivary gland (pgMSCs). Expression levels of TLR4 and LPS-responsive molecules were determined by flow cytometry and quantitative PCR. Cytokine release was determined by ELISA. The effect of supernatants from unstimulated and LPS-stimulated MSCs on recruitment, cytokine secretion, bacterial clearance and oxidative burst of polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes (PMN) was tested in vitro. Despite minor quantitative differences, bmMSCs and pgMSCs showed a similar cell biological response to bacterial endotoxin. Both types of MSCs augmented anti-microbial functions of PMNs LPS stimulation, particularly of bmMSCs, further augmented MSC-mediated activation of PMN.

Conclusions/Significance

This study suggests that MSCs may contribute to the resolution of infection and inflammation by promoting the anti-microbial activity of PMNs. This property is exerted by MSCs derived from both the bone-marrow and peripheral glandular tissue.     

建立一种改良的新生兔缺氧缺血性脑损伤模型

目的建立一种改良的新生兔缺氧缺血性脑损伤(HIBD)动物模型。方法选择孕期30 d的孕兔,随机分为正常对照组、缺氧5 min组、缺氧10 min组和缺氧15 min组。给予孕兔吸入7%二氧化碳的氮气使其窒息后剖宫产出新生兔,观察新生兔出生时的一般情况,4 d后作头颅磁共振影像(MRI)检查,5 d后处死动物采用HE染色和光镜观察新生兔脑组织结构改变,并作病理评分。结果缺氧10 min组新生兔活体观察、头颅MRI、病理改变符合窒息后HIBD动物的变化特点,MRI检查新生兔脑组织可见大片状、弥漫性分布的不均匀信号,呈稍短T2信号,白质、灰质界限模糊;正常对照组、缺氧5 min组和缺氧10 min组病理评分分别为(4±0,5.44±1.13,13.3±2.39),缺氧5 min组与正常对照组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),缺氧10 min组主要见变性、坏死和小胶质细胞增生改变,与正常对照组差异有统计学意义(P<0.001),缺氧15 min组新生兔生后6 h内全部死亡,不作MRI检查及病理评分。结论向孕兔输7%二氧化碳的氮气10 min使其窒息后剖宫迅速取出新生兔是简单、快速、可靠制备HIBD模型的方法。     

Intraventricular Injection of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Improves Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Damage in Neonatal Rats

Objective

To investigate the effect of intraventricular injection of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) in neonatal rats.

Methods

Thirty-six neonatal rats (postnatal day 7) were assigned to control, HIBD, or HIBD+DPSC groups (n = 12 each group). For induction of HIBD, rats underwent left carotid artery ligation and were exposed to 8% to 10% oxygen for 2 h. Hoechst 33324-labeled human DPSCs were injected into the left lateral ventricle 3 days after HIBD. Behavioral assays were performed to assess hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), and on postnatal day 45, DPSC survival was assessed and expression of neural and glial markers was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

Results

The HIBD group showed significant deficiencies compared to control on T-maze, radial water maze, and postural reflex tests, and the HIBD+DPSC group showed significant improvement on all behavioral tests. On postnatal day 45, Hoechst 33324-labeled DPSC nuclei were visible in the injected region and left cortex. Subsets of DPSCs showed immunostaining for neuronal (neuron-specific enolase [NSE], Nestin) and glial markers (glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP], O4). Significantly decreased staining/expression for NSE, GFAP, and O4 was found in the HBID group compared to control, and this was significantly increased in the HBID+DPSC group.

Conclusion

Intraventricular injection of human DPSCs improves HIBD in neonatal rats.     

Neuroprotective Effect of Chitosan Oligosaccharide on Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Damage in Neonatal Rats

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality and permanent neurological disability worldwide and the effective treatment strategies are not yet available. It has been demonstrated that Chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) exerts protective effect in vitro ischemic brain injury. However, no information is available on possible effects of COS on neonatal HIBD. To investigate the hypothesis of the potential neuroprotective effect of COS on the brain injury due to HIBD, 7-day-old Sprague–Dawley rats were treated with left carotid artery ligation followed by exposure to 8% oxygen (balanced with nitrogen) for 2.5 h at 37?°C. After COS treatment, the cerebral damage was measured by behavior tasks, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC), Hematoxyline-Eosin(HE), Nissl and Fluoro-Jade B(FJB)staining. In addition, the oxidative stress were assayed with ipsilateral hemisphere homogenates. Immunofluorescence staining were used to examine the activation of the astrocyte and microglia. Expression of inflammatory-related proteins were analyzed by western-blot analysis. In this study we found that administration of COS ameliorated early neurological reflex behavior, significantly reduce brain infarct volume and attenuated neuronal cell injury and degeneration. Furthermore, COS markedly decreased the level of MDA, lactic acid and increased SOD, GSH-Px and T-AOC. COS attenuated hypoxic-ischemic induced up-regulation of expressions of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), meanwhile it dramatically increased the interleukin-10 (IL-10). These results suggest that COS exerts neuroprotection on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal rats, it implies COS might be a potential therapeutic for the treatment of HIBD.     

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。     

Hypothermia Modulates Cytokine Responses After Neonatal Rat Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury and Reduces Brain Damage

While hypothermia (HT) is the standard-of-care for neonates with hypoxic ischemic injury (HII), the mechanisms underlying its neuroprotective effect are poorly understood. We examined ischemic core/penumbra and cytokine/chemokine evolution in a 10-day-old rat pup model of HII. Pups were treated for 24 hr after HII with HT (32℃; n = 18) or normothermia (NT, 35℃; n = 15). Outcomes included magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), neurobehavioral testing, and brain cytokine/chemokine profiling (0, 24, 48, and 72 hr post-HII). Lesion volumes (24 hr) were reduced in HT pups (total 74%, p < .05; penumbra 68%, p < .05; core 85%, p = .19). Lesion volumes rebounded at 72 hr (48 hr post-HT) with no significant differences between NT and HT pups. HT reduced interleukin-1β (IL-1β) at all time points (p < .05); monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) trended toward being decreased in HT pups (p = .09). The stem cell signaling molecule, stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) was not altered by HT. Our data demonstrate that HT reduces total and penumbral lesion volumes (at 24 and 48 hr), potentially by decreasing IL-1β without affecting SDF-1. Disassociation between the increasing trend in HII volumes from 48 to 72 hr post-HII when IL-1β levels remained low suggests that after rewarming, mechanisms unrelated to IL-1β expression are likely to contribute to this delayed increase in injury. Additional studies should be considered to determine what these mechanisms might be and also to explore whether extending the duration or degree of HT might ameliorate this delayed increase in injury.     

不同亚低温治疗时间对缺氧缺血性脑病新生患儿疗效的影响

目的:比较不同亚低温治疗时间对缺氧缺血性脑病患儿疗效及预后的影响,探讨亚低温治疗的最优时间,并且观察此治疗对新生儿有无不良影响。方法:选取我院收治的80例缺氧缺血性脑病(HIE)新生儿作为研究对象,将患儿随机分亚低温治疗48 h组、72 h组、96 h组和常规治疗组,每组20例患儿。所有患儿均给予常规治疗,亚低温组患儿在上述治疗基础上,在出生后6 h内加用选择性头部亚低温治疗。四组患儿生后28 d时进行神经测定(NBNA)评分,出生18月时进行Bayley评分。患儿接受治疗7天后统计血小板减少、电解质紊乱以及血糖紊乱的发生例数。结果:72 h组和96 h组患儿生后NBNA评分、Bayley评分比48 h组和常规治疗组高(P0.05),有统计学差异;72 h组和96 h组的NBNA评分、Bayley评分均没有统计学差异(P0.05),48 h组和常规组的评分也没有统计学差异(P0.05)。亚低温治疗96 h组患儿中,发生血小板减少、电解质紊乱及血糖紊乱等不良反应的比例较48 h组和72 h组明显增多(P0.05),有统计学差异;对比48 h组和72 h组不良反应的患儿比例,没有显著统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:亚低温治疗72 h对HIE患儿的治疗效果优于48 h,产生的副作用小于治疗96 h,建议临床亚低温治疗时间采用72 h以取得最佳治疗效果,产生最小不良反应。     

人滑膜间充质干细胞与人脐带间充质干细胞的生物学性状比较

该文旨在比较人滑膜间充质干细胞(human synovial mesenchymal stem cells,hSMSCs)与人脐带间充质干细胞(human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells,hUC-MSCs)的生物学性状.流式细胞仪鉴定hSMSCs和hUC-MSCs.比较两种间...     

间充质干细胞与肿瘤转移

间充质干细胞是一类能够自我更新、具有多向分化潜能的成体干细胞。近年来,有证据认为间充质干细胞是肿瘤组织中基质细胞的祖先,因此间充质干细胞微环境与肿瘤转移的关系逐渐成为研究热点,但间充质干细胞对肿瘤转移是促进还是抑制,目前的研究并不一致。我们简要综述了间充质干细胞参与肿瘤转移的研究进展。     

骨髓间充质干细胞的研究进展

骨髓间充质干细胞是存在于骨髓中的具有高度自我更新能力和多向分化潜能的干细胞群体 ,具有支持造血、多向分化潜能以及在细胞和基因工程中具有潜在应用前景等特点 ,将在医学上具有重要的临床应用价值。     

间充质干细胞过滤分离器制备人羊膜间充质干细胞的研究

自然存在的间充质干细胞数量少,限制了其研究应用。依靠自主发明的间充质干细胞过滤分离器,分离制备了人羊膜间充质干细胞,并对制备的干细胞进行了三维培养扩增。结果表明,制备的干细胞形态长势良好,并能诱导分化为类胰岛样组织。与常规方法相比,干细胞收获率提高了8倍以上,且细胞活性状态良好。间充质干细胞过滤分离器可以批量制备高质量的各种间充质干细胞,有利于高效率地建设各种间充质干细胞库,以促进间充质干细胞的研究应用。     

The Neuroprotective Effect of Conditioned Medium from Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells is Impaired by N-acetyl Cysteine Supplementation

Oxidative stress is a common feature in neurodegenerative diseases associated with neuroinflammation, and therefore, has been proposed as a key target for novel therapies for these diseases. Recently, adipose-derived stem cell (ASC)-based cell therapy has emerged as a novel strategy for neuroprotection. In this study, we evaluate the therapeutic role of ASC-conditioned medium (ASC-CM) against H₂O₂-induced neurotoxicity in a new in vitro model of ec23/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-differentiated human SH-SY5Y neuron-like cells (SH-SY5Yd). In the presence of ASC-CM, stressed SH-SY5Yd cells recover normal axonal morphology (with an almost complete absence of H₂O₂-induced axonal beading), electrophysiological features, and cell viability. This beneficial effect of ASC-CM was associated with its antioxidant capacity and the presence of growth factors, namely, BDNF, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, and transforming growth factor β1. Moreover, the neuroprotective effect of ASC-CM was very similar to that obtained from treatment with BDNF, an essential factor for SH-SY5Yd cell survival. Importantly, we also found that the addition of the antioxidant agent N-acetyl cysteine to ASC-CM abolished its restorative effect; this was associated with a strong reduction in reactive oxygen species (ROS), in contrast to the moderate decrease in ROS produced by ASC-CM alone. These results suggest that neuronal restorative effect of ASC-CM is associated with not only the release of essential neurotrophic factors, but also the maintenance of an appropriate redox state to preserve neuronal function.