Distribution and Development of Peripheral Glial Cells in the Human Fetal Cochlea

The adult human cochlea contains various types of peripheral glial cells that envelop or myelinate the three different domains of the spiral ganglion neurons: the central processes in the cochlear nerve, the cell bodies in the spiral ganglia, and the peripheral processes in the osseous spiral lamina. Little is known about the distribution, lineage separation and maturation of these peripheral glial cells in the human fetal cochlea. In the current study, we observed peripheral glial cells expressing SOX10, SOX9 and S100B as early as 9 weeks of gestation (W9) in all three neuronal domains. We propose that these cells are the common precursor to both mature Schwann cells and satellite glial cells. Additionally, the peripheral glial cells located along the peripheral processes expressed NGFR, indicating a phenotype distinct from the peripheral glial cells located along the central processes. From W12, the spiral ganglion was gradually populated by satellite glial cells in a spatiotemporal gradient. In the cochlear nerve, radial sorting was accomplished by W22 and myelination started prior to myelination of the peripheral processes. The developmental dynamics of the peripheral glial cells in the human fetal cochlea is in support of a neural crest origin. Our study provides the first overview of the distribution and maturation of peripheral glial cells in the human fetal cochlea from W9 to W22.     

Lymphocyte Emperipolesis in Human Glial Cells

Astrocytes have been observed to contain intact, viable lymphocytes within their cytoplasm (emperipolesis) in multiple sclerosis plaques and some brain tumors. This study characterizes the adhesive, emperipoletic and phagocytic properties of glial cells in culture. Human fetal and adult astrocytes engaged in adhesion and emperipolesis of lymphocytes. Emperipolesis, and not adhesion, was temperature- and cation-dependent. The CD8 and MHC Class I antigens played a role in emperipolesis. Lymphocytes most often remained viable within the cytoplasm of astrocytes but occasionally underwent lysis or caused disruption of the astrocyte intermediate filaments. The phenomenon of emperipolesis is distinct from phagocytosis, since microglia showed prominent phagocytic properties but did not engage in emperipolesis. Conversely, astrocytes were efficient emperipolites and rarely demonstrated phagocytic properties.     

Lymphocyte Emperipolesis in Human Glial Cells

Astrocytes have been observed to contain intact, viable lymphocytes within their cytoplasm (emperipolesis) in multiple sclerosis plaques and some brain tumors. This study characterizes the adhesive, emperipoletic and phagocytic properties of glial cells in culture. Human fetal and adult astrocytes engaged in adhesion and emperipolesis of lymphocytes. Emperipolesis, and not adhesion, was temperature- and cation-dependent. The CD8 and MHC Class I antigens played a role in emperipolesis. Lymphocytes most often remained viable within the cytoplasm of astrocytes but occasionally underwent lysis or caused disruption of the astrocyte intermediate filaments. The phenomenon of emperipolesis is distinct from phagocytosis, since microglia showed prominent phagocytic properties but did not engage in emperipolesis. Conversely, astrocytes were efficient emperipolites and rarely demonstrated phagocytic properties.     

Parallel Induction of Nitric Oxide and Tetrahydrobiopterin Synthesis by Cytokines in Rat Glial Cells

Abstract: Activation of monocyte-derived macrophages with cytokines leads to the induction of nitric oxide synthase. Much less is known about the effects of cytokines on microglia, resident brain macrophages, or on astrocytes. In this study, we compared the induction by lipopolysaccharide, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α of nitric oxide production and synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin, the required cofactor for nitric oxide synthase, in microglia and peritoneal macrophages. Activation of microglia induced parallel increases in nitric oxide and intracellular tetrahydrobiopterin levels, although induction of the latter appears to be somewhat more sensitive to diverse stimulators. As with macrophages, inducible nitric oxide production in microglia was blocked by inhibitors of tetrahydrobiopterin biosynthesis. Interleukin-2, an important component of the neuroimmunomodulatory system, was only a weak activator of microglia by itself but potently synergized with interferon-γ to stimulate production of both nitric oxide and tetrahydrobiopterin. Astrocytes were also activated by lipopolysaccharide and combinations of cytokines but showed a somewhat different pattern of responses than microglia. Biopterin synthesis was increased to higher levels in astrocytes than in microglia, but maximal induction of nitric oxide production required higher concentrations of cytokines than microglia and the response was much lower. These results suggest that tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis in glial cells is a potential target for therapeutic intervention in acute CNS infections whose pathology may be mediated by overproduction of nitric oxide.     

人胎脑源性神经前体细胞致瘤性评价

目的:研究体外培养的人胎脑源性神经前体细胞的致瘤性。方法:将人胎脑源神经前体细胞体外培养至第1、25、40、60代,且每代细胞分别制备成神经球及单个细胞混悬液两种制剂,并取293T细胞作为阳性对照,共9组,每组5只,分别皮下接种于4~8周龄的BALB/C裸鼠,接种后饲养6个月,定期观察裸鼠精神状态、饮食、排便、以及接种局部有无出现结节或肿块,接种6个月后处死裸鼠,对接种局部及内脏进行组织病理切片及HE染色。结果:将人胎脑源性神经前体细胞接种于裸鼠皮下6个月未见肿瘤形成,且未见其他异常组织形成;而阳性对照组293T细胞接种于裸鼠皮下1个月后可见明显肿瘤形成。结论:人胎脑源神经前体细胞对裸鼠不具有体内致瘤性。     

Neuregulins in Glial Cells

The role of growth factors in controlling the development of glial cells in both the peripheral and central nervous systems has been investigated for a number of years. The recent discovery of a new family of growth factors termed the neuregulins (NRGs) has led to an explosion of information concerning the putative role of these growth factors in the development of Schwann cells (SC), oligodendrocytes (OLG), and astrocytes. Many of these previous studies have focused on the effects of exogenous NRGs on glial cell development and differentiation. We now review the evidence that these glial cells themselves produce NRGs and discuss the major implications of these findings with respect to glial cell development and diseases which affect glial cell function. We also discuss the potential role of endogenous NRGs following neural injury.     

Volume-Activated Chloride Currents in Fetal Human Nasopharyngeal Epithelial Cells

Volume-activated chloride channels have been studied by us extensively in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. However, the chloride channels in the counterpart of the carcinoma cells have not been investigated. In this study, volume-activated chloride currents (I_cl,vol) were characterized in normal fetal human nasopharyngeal epithelial cells using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Under isotonic conditions, nasopharyngeal epithelial cells displayed only a weak background current. Exposure to 47% hypotonic solution activated a volume-sensitive current. The reversal potential of the current was close to the calculated equilibrium potential for Cl⁻. The peak values of the hypotonicity-activated current at +80 mV ranged from 0.82 to 2.71 nA in 23 cells. Further analysis indicated that the density of the hypotonicity-activated current in most cells (18/23) was smaller than 60 pA/pF. Only five cells presented a current larger than 60 pA/pF. The hypotonicity-activated current was independent of the exogenous ATP. Chloride channel inhibitors ATP, tamoxifen and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid (NPPB), inhibited the current dramatically. The anion permeability of the hypotonicity-activated chloride channels was I⁻ > Br⁻ > Cl⁻ > gluconate. Unexpectedly, in isotonic conditions, ATP (10 mM) activated an inward-rectified current, which had not been observed in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. These results suggest that, under hypotonic challenges, fetal human nasopharyngeal epithelial cells can produce I_cl,vol, which might be involved in cell volume regulation.     

Tubulin and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Gene Expression in Developing Fetal Human Brain at Midgestation

Developmental alterations in the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and -tubulin were examined at the level of mRNA and protein in human fetal brain between weeks 13–23 of gestation. Except for a transient increase at week 15, GFAP expression in the cytoskeletal (CSK) fraction was low until week 17, when it increased steadily to week 23, corresponding to the phase of glial proliferation. The developmental profile of -tubulin in the CSK fraction displayed a biphasic pattern, with an initial rise between weeks 13–16 coinciding with the early phase of neuroblast multiplication, and a second rise between weeks 17–23 corresponding to the phase of glial proliferation. No significant difference in the spatial distribution of -tubulin was found in different region of brain but GFAP expression varied with a higher level in cerebellum than that in cerebrum at late midgestation.     

Persistent Infection of Human Fetal Endothelial Cells with Rubella Virus

Cardiovascular abnormalities are the leading cause of neonatal death among patients with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Although persistence of rubella virus (RV) in fetal endothelium has been repeatedly suggested as a possible cause of cardiovascular birth defects, evidence of the permissiveness of fetal endothelial cells to RV is lacking. In this study we evaluated the ability of RV to infect and persist in primary fetal endothelial cells derived from human umbilical vein (HUVEC). We found that wild type (wt) low passage clinical RV productively infected HUVEC cultures without producing cytopathology or ultrastructural changes. RV did not inhibit host cell protein synthesis, cell proliferation, or interfere with the cell cycle. Persistently infected cultures were easily established at low and high multiplicities of infection (MOI) with both laboratory and wt clinical RV strains. However, synchronous infections of entire HUVEC monolayers were only observed with clinical RV strains. The release of infectious virions into media remained at consistently high levels for several subcultures of infected HUVEC. The results indicate that macrovascular fetal endothelial cells are highly permissive to RV and allow slow persistent RV replication. The findings provide more evidence for the suggestion that vascular pathologies in CRS are triggered by persistent rubella virus infection of the endothelium.     

人GDNF基因在昆虫细胞中的高效表达

应用昆虫杆状病毒表达系统在昆虫细胞Ｔｎ－５Ｂ１－４中高效表达了人胶质细胞源性神经营养因子（ＧＤＮＦ）,ＰＡＧＥ分析表达量占细胞可溶性蛋白质的３０％左右,表达产物经亲和层析纯化后纯度达８０％以上,活性研究表明,昆虫细胞表达的ＧＤＮＦ蛋白能显著促进多巴胺能神经元的存活,此研究为进一步研究ＧＤＮＦ结构与功能打下了良好的基础。     

Fibroblasts Isolated from Human Middle Turbinate Mucosa Cause Neural Progenitor Cells to Differentiate into Glial Lineage Cells

Transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) is a potential therapy for repair of spinal cord injury (SCI). Autologous transplantation of OECs has been reported in clinical trials. However, it is still controversial whether purified OECs or olfactory mucosa containing OECs, fibroblasts and other cells should be used for transplantation. OECs and fibroblasts were isolated from olfactory mucosa of the middle turbinate from seven patients. The percentage of OECs with p75^NTR+ and GFAP⁺ ranged from 9.2% to 73.2%. Fibroblasts were purified and co-cultured with normal human neural progenitors (NHNPs). Based on immunocytochemical labeling, NHNPs were induced into glial lineage cells when they were co-cultured with the mucosal fibroblasts. These results demonstrate that OECs can be isolated from the mucosa of the middle turbinate bone as well as from the dorsal nasal septum and superior turbinates, which are the typical sites for harvesting OECs. Transplantation of olfactory mucosa containing fibroblasts into the central nervous system (CNS) needs to be further investigated before translation to clinical application.     

促红细胞生成素基因修饰的胎肝基质细胞促进脐血CD34 +细胞向红系分化

通过重组慢病毒系统感染人胎肝基质细胞(fetal liver stromal cells,FLSCs),建立了能够稳定高效表达促红细胞生成素(erythropoietin,EPO)的细胞株EPO/FLSCs.从胎儿肝脏克隆EPO基因,构建重组慢病毒EPO的表达载体,感染FLSCs,根据荧光表达强弱进行流式分选,获得能够继续稳定传代的高表达EPO基因的FLSCs,RT-PCR和ELISA结果证实,细胞株中的EPO基因稳定表达.RT-PCR结果显示,FLSCs的EPO在mRNA水平的表达分别是未转染FLSCs和转染空载体FLSCs的5.63倍和5.71倍.ELISA法检测了转染重组慢病毒EPO表达载体的FLSCs EPO蛋白表达水平,结果显示EPO蛋白的表达水平也明显升高.收集EPO/FLSCs的条件培养基,体外诱导脐血CD34+细胞向造血细胞分化,结果显示向红系定向分化的细胞比例明显居多,有可能为临床细胞治疗提供稳定、高质量的细胞来源.     

人胎气管内胰岛淀粉样多肽免疫反应细胞的个体发生(英文)

为了进一步探讨胰岛淀粉样多肽（ＩＡＰＰ）的分布、定位以及它与其他生物活性物质的关系;用ＩＡＰＰ组织化学ＰＡＰ邻片双标法,观察了１８例１４～３８周人胎气管内ＩＡＰＰ免疫反应（ＩＲ）细胞的个体发生及与５羟色胺（５－ＨＴ）的关系。结果显示,胎１４周,气管粘膜表面的假复层柱状上皮中已有ＩＡＰＰ－ＩＲ细胞（Ｆｉｇ．１＆２）;１５周开始,粘膜固有层气管腺导管上皮中也出现分散的ＩＡＰＰ－ＩＲ细胞（Ｆｉｇ．３）;随胎龄增长,１７～２１周,气管上皮内ＩＡＰＰ－ＩＲ细胞逐渐增多;免疫染色加深（Ｆｉｇ．４＆５）,有些细胞发出细突直达腔面（Ｆｉｇ．６＆７）,粘膜下层的气管腺腺泡中也有ＩＡＰＰ－ＩＲ（Ｆｉｇ．８）; ２２～３８周,气管内 ＩＡＰＰ－ＩＲ 细胞又呈逐渐减少趋势,ＩＡＰＰ－ＩＲ仅出现在基底锥形细胞中（Ｆｉｇ．９＆１０）,且免疫染色较深。邻片未显５－ＨＴ－ＩＲ。本研究表明,人胎儿期气管上皮细胞内有ＩＡＰＰ的表达;且ＩＡＰＰ－ＩＲ细胞随胎期的发育而发生变化。     

Generation of Neural Stem Cells from Discarded Human Fetal Cortical Tissue

Neural stem cells (NSCs) reside along the ventricular zone neuroepithelium during the development of the cortical plate. These early progenitors ultimately give rise to intermediate progenitors and later, the various neuronal and glial cell subtypes that form the cerebral cortex. The capacity to generate and expand human NSCs (so called neurospheres) from discarded normal fetal tissue provides a means with which to directly study the functional aspects of normal human NSC development ^1-5. This approach can also be directed toward the generation of NSCs from known neurological disorders, thereby affording the opportunity to identify disease processes that alter progenitor proliferation, migration and differentiation ^6-9. We have focused on identifying pathological mechanisms in human Down syndrome NSCs that might contribute to the accelerated Alzheimer''s disease phenotype ^10,11. Neither in vivo nor in vitro mouse models can replicate the identical repertoire of genes located on human chromosome 21. Here we use a simple and reliable method to isolate Down syndrome NSCs from aborted human fetal cortices and grow them in culture. The methodology provides specific aspects of harvesting the tissue, dissection with limited anatomical landmarks, cell sorting, plating and passaging of human NSCs. We also provide some basic protocols for inducing differentiation of human NSCs into more selective cell subtypes.Download video file.^{(45M, mov)}     

胎儿肺脏来源间充质干细胞的鉴定与损伤修复的实验研究

目的 :为研究胎儿肺脏来源间充质干细胞的生物学性状 ,表型和多向分化能力。方法 :取胎龄为 4～ 5个月水囊引产胎儿 ,将肺脏细胞在SF(含 2 %FBS)培养基中培养。测定生长曲线、利用流式细胞仪对培养细胞进行表型测定 ,细胞周期分析 ,体外诱导分化实验。NOD SCID鼠放射损伤后 ,尾静脉输入经PKH2 6染色的间充质干细胞 ,两个月后检测外源细胞在肺脏的定植情况。结果 :从胎儿肺脏可培养出间充质干细胞 ,并可诱导成骨、软骨和脂肪细胞分化 ;移植两个月后可以检测到外源细胞在肺脏的定植。结论 :从胎儿肺脏可分离培养出间充质干细胞 ,在体外有效扩增且保持其低分化状态 ;间充质干细胞可以在肺脏长时间定植。     

Ischemic Tolerance Induced by Glial Cells

Neurochemical Research - Ischemic tolerance is a phenomenon in which resistance to subsequent invasive ischemia is acquired by a preceding noninvasive ischemic application, and is observed in many...     

Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors in Glial Cells

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) and exerts its actions via a number of ionotropic glutamate receptors/channels and metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors. In addition to being expressed in neurons, glutamate receptors are expressed in different types of glial cells including astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia. Astrocytes are now recognized as dynamic signaling elements actively integrating neuronal inputs. Synaptic activity can evoke calcium signals in astrocytes, resulting in the release of gliotransmitters, such as glutamate, ATP, and d-serine, which in turn modulate neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission. In addition, astrocytes, and microglia may play an important role in pathology such as brain trauma and neurodegeneration, limiting or amplifying the pathologic process leading to neuronal death. The present review will focus on recent advances on the role of mGlu receptors expressed in glial cells under physiologic and pathologic conditions. Special issue article in honor of Dr. Anna Maria Giuffrida-Stella.     

Human Haemato-Endothelial Precursors: Cord Blood CD34+ Cells Produce Haemogenic Endothelium

Embryologic and genetic evidence suggest a common origin of haematopoietic and endothelial lineages. In the murine embryo, recent studies indicate the presence of haemogenic endothelium and of a common haemato-endothelial precursor, the haemangioblast. Conversely, so far, little evidence supports the presence of haemogenic endothelium and haemangioblasts in later stages of development. Our studies indicate that human cord blood haematopoietic progenitors (CD34+45+144−), triggered by murine hepatocyte conditioned medium, differentiate into adherent proliferating endothelial precursors (CD144+CD105+CD146+CD31+CD45−) capable of functioning as haemogenic endothelium. These cells, proven to give rise to functional vasculature in vivo, if further instructed by haematopoietic growth factors, first switch to transitional CD144+45+ cells and then to haematopoietic cells. These results highlight the plasticity of haemato-endhothelial precursors in human post-natal life. Furthermore, these studies may provide highly enriched populations of human post-fetal haemogenic endothelium, paving the way for innovative projects at a basic and possibly clinical level.