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。     

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。     

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*

摘要目的：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-琢、 IL-1茁和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170 mg/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150 滋L（3× 106MSCs）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-琢、IL-1茁和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-琢、IL-1茁和 IL-6的表达。     

体外缺血缺氧条件下大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞凋亡发生的机制研究

目的：研究体外大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞（Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, BMSCs）在缺血缺氧条件下发生凋亡的作用机制。方法：采取大鼠骨髓,以密度梯度离心分离出单个核细胞（MNCs）,于体外培养并由牛垂体提取物（PEX）诱导扩增传代培养出骨髓间充质干细胞（MSCs）。经形态学和流式细胞仪检测MSCs表面标志物鉴定后,骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）在缺血缺氧条件下培养,通过Annexin V／PI双染细胞凋亡检测比较不同组别细胞的凋亡率和蛋白印迹法（western blot）来观察细胞中蛋白的变化。结果：①经形态学观察和流式细胞仪检测MSCs表面标志物鉴定,提示骨髓间充质干细胞培养成功。②对照组（无缺血缺氧）与缺血缺氧组比较,缺血缺氧组的凋亡率显著性增加,而通过磷酸化Akt的表达量显著性增加提示PI3K（Phosphoinositide-3kinase）／Akt（ProteinkinaseB,PKB）信号通路被激活（P〈0．05）;同时缺血缺氧组与缺血缺氧＋PI3K／Akt抑制剂（LY294002）组比较,缺血缺氧＋PI3K／Akt抑制剂（LY294002）组的凋亡率显著降低,而通过磷酸化Akt的表达量显著减少提示PI3K/Akt信号通路被抑制（P〈0．05）。结论：PI3K／Akt信号通路对体外缺血缺氧条件下培养的骨髓间充质干细胞凋亡发生有关键性作用。     

骨髓间质干细胞移植对大鼠脑缺血再灌注凋亡蛋白Caspase-3的影响

目的研究静脉移植骨髓间充质干细胞（MSCs）对脑缺血再灌注模型大鼠神经功能及凋亡相关蛋白caspase-3的影响。方法体外培养及扩增MSCs后,用绿色荧光染料羟基荧光素二醋酸盐琥珀酰亚胺脂（CFSE）标记,通过静脉途径移植给大脑中动脉缺血2 h再灌注的SD大鼠,按不同时间点取材,荧光显微镜观察BMSCs在脑内的分布,免疫组织化学染色及RT-PCR检测大鼠脑内caspase-3蛋白表达情况。结果移植组在移植后第6天神经功能明显好于对照组（P〈0.05）。移植组移植后3、12、24、48、72 h caspase 3免疫组化阳性目标面密度分别为（1.34±0.31）%、（3.98±0.67）%、（5.58±0.92）%、（4.65±0.69）%、（3.51±0.63）%,对照组分别为（2.09±0.19）%、（5.23±0.30）%、（6.89±0.57）%、（5.93±0.56）%、（4.39±0.57）%,移植组和对照组比较均（P〈0.05）。6h及7 d移植组caspase 3阳性目标面密度分别为（2.81±0.35）%、（1.64±0.29）%,与对照组（3.92±0.44）%,（2.29±0.21）%比较差异显著（P〈0.01）。移植组相应时间点caspase-3的表达明显低于对照组（P〈0.05,P〈0.01）;移植组大鼠缺血侧皮层的caspase-3 mRNA相对量明显低于对照组（P〈0.01）。结论经静脉注射骨髓间充质干细胞可明显改善神经功能。其可能通过下调caspase-3表达方式对脑缺血再灌注损伤起保护作用。     

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。     

骨髓间充质干细胞源神经细胞移植治疗帕金森病大鼠模型

目的探讨骨髓间充质干细胞（mesenchymal stemcells,MSCs）源神经细胞脑内移植对帕金森病（Parkinson s disease,PD）大鼠的治疗作用。方法贴壁培养法分离、培养大鼠骨髓MSCs,脑匀浆上清诱导第3代MSCs向神经细胞分化,采用免疫细胞化学法鉴定诱导分化后细胞的性质,激光共聚焦显微镜检测诱导前后细胞Ca2＋浓度变化,6只PD大鼠行纹状体内MSCs源神经细胞移植作为细胞移植组,6只PD大鼠作为对照组。细胞移植术后4周检测PD大鼠的行为变化,观察移植细胞在脑内的分布情况。结果倒置显微镜下可见MSCs呈纺锤形和多角形,有1～2个核仁,MSCs经脑匀浆上清诱导后其胞体折光性增强,发出数个细长突起,互相交织成网,有的似轴突。诱导后细胞表达神经元特异性标志物神经元特异性烯醇化酶（NSE）和神经丝蛋白（NF）,胞质Ca2＋荧光强度显著增强,可推测诱导后的细胞为MSCs源神经细胞,将BrdU标记的MSCs源神经细胞移植到PD大鼠纹状体治疗4周后,可见细胞散在分布于注射侧脑组织,有少量细胞可迁移到对侧脑组织,PD大鼠的旋转行为得到显著改善。结论MSCs源神经细胞移植治疗帕金森病大鼠可使其旋转行为得到改善。     

丙二醛对体外培养下小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞凋亡的诱导作用

为了探索丙二醛对小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(MSCs)凋亡的诱导作用及其机制,在不同浓度的丙二醛培养体系中孵育MSCs 24 h,用TUNEL法、流式细胞术检测MSC凋亡率,并用实时定量RT-PCR、Western印迹检测Bcl-2、Bax及Caspase-3基因的表达水平。结果发现,MDA能浓度依赖性地增加TUNEL阳性细胞百分率、亚G1峰细胞百分率,同时下调Bcl-2 mRNA及蛋白的表达,上调Bax mRNA和Caspase-3 mRNA及蛋白的表达.这些结果表明:在体外培养条件下,丙二醛可诱导小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞的凋亡,其作用机制与Bcl-2、Bax和Caspase-3基因表达水平的变化有关。     

不同数目骨髓间充质干细胞移植对大鼠肺损伤的抑制作用

目的研究不同数目的骨髓间充质干细胞（mesenchymal stem cells,MSCs）静脉移植对野百合碱（monocrotaline,MCT）诱导大鼠肺损伤的抑制作用。方法全骨髓贴壁法培养Wistar大鼠MSCs,取第3～5代细胞进行移植。健康雄性Wistar大鼠20只由颈外静脉移植MSCs,按移植细胞个数分为5×105组、1×106组、5×106组和对照（生理盐水）组（n=5）,测定移植前、移植后5 min,30 min及24 h的RVSP。另40只随机分组（n=10）：①MCT/MSCs 5×105组;②MCT/MSCs 1×106组;③MCT组;④对照组,腹腔注射60 mg/kgM CT（对照组注射等量生理盐水）,同时分别移植MSCs 5×105个、1×106个或等量PBS液体。4周后检测大鼠右心室收缩压（right ventricularsystolic pressure,RVSP）、RV/（LV＋S）重量比值;肺组织苏木素-伊红染色、地衣红染色和平滑肌Actin免疫组织化学染色。统计数据采用SPSS 11.0软件,对各组数据进行单因素方差分析检验。结果少于1×106个MSCs颈外静脉移植是安全的。MSCs颈外静脉移植4周后,MCT/MSCs 1×106组RVSP（35.6±8.4）mmHg与MCT组（47.2±10.5）mmHg相比明显下降（P〈0.05）,心室比0.3572±0.0923明显低于MCT组0.4454±0.0935（P〈0.05）,而MCT/MSCs 5×105组RVSP为（42.5±11.3）mmHg,心室比0.4003±0.0725,与MCT组相比无明显下降（两者P〉0.05）;病理染色可见肺组织肺小动脉中,MCT/MSCs 1×106组中膜厚度分布为（19.2±3.8）%,较MCT组（26.4±4.9）%明显变薄（P〈0.05）;而MCT/MSCs 5×105组（23.3±3.6）%较MCT组相比无显著差异（P〉0.05）。结论 MSCs颈外静脉移植对MCT诱导的肺损伤具有抑制作用,1×106个细胞较5×105个细胞移植抑制作用显著。     

骨髓间充质干细胞移植对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤Livin和Caspase-3表达的影响

目的探讨骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）移植对大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤海马区凋亡相关基因Livin和Caspase-3表达及神经元细胞凋亡的影响。方法实验动物分为假手术组、模型组和BMSCs组,进行神经功能评分,应用TTC法检测脑梗死体积,追踪PKH26标记的移植BMSCs,应用免疫组化方法和Western blot检测Livin、Caspase-3蛋白表达,应用TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡。结果 PKH26标记的BMSCs在海马区有表达。与模型组比较,BMSCs组神经功能评分显著降低（P〈0.05）,脑梗死体积显著减少（P〈0.05）。BMSCs组与模型组相比Livin蛋白表达显著增高（P〈0.05）,Caspase-3蛋白表达明显下降（P〈0.05）,神经元细胞凋亡指数显著降低（P〈0.05）。结论 BMSCs对脑缺血再灌注损伤具有保护作用,其作用机制可能与上调Livin表达,下调Caspase-3表达,抑制细胞凋亡有关。     

Production of hematopoietic cells from ES cells

Murine embryonic stem (ES) cells are cell lines established from blastocyst which can contribute to all adult tissues, including the germ-cell lineage, after reincorporation into the normal embryo. ES cell pluripotentiality is preserved in culture in the presence of LIF. LIF withdrawal induces ES cell differentiation to nervous, myocardial, endothelial and hematopoietic tissues. The model of murine ES cell hematopoietic differentiation is of major interest because ES cells are non transformed cell lines and the consequences of genomic manipulations of these cells are directly measurable on a hierarchy of synchronized in vitro ES cell-derived hematopoietic cell populations. These include the putative hemangioblast (which represents the emergence of both hematopoietic and endothelial tissues during development), myeloid progenitors and mature stages of myeloid lineages. Human ES cell lines have been recently derived from human blastocyst in the USA. Their manipulation in vitro should be authorized in France in a near future with the possibility of developing a model of human hematopoietic differentiation. This allows to envisage in the future the use of ES cells as a source of human hematopoietic cells.     

Homing of annexin-labeled stem cells to apoptotic cells

Ischemic diseases are characterized by the presence of pro-apoptotic stimuli, which initiate a cascade of processes that lead to cell injury and death. Several molecules and events represent detectable indicators of the different stages of apoptosis. Among these indicators is phosphatidylserine (PS) translocation from the inner to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, which can be detected by annexinV (ANXA5) conjugation. This is a widely used in vivo and in vitro assay marking the early stages of apoptosis. We report here on an original method that employs PS-ANXA5 conjugation to target stem cells to apoptotic cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from GFP-positive transgenic rats were biotinylated on membrane surfaces with sulfosuccinimidyl-6-(biotinamido) hexanoate (sulfo-NHS-LC-biot) and then bound to avidin. The avidin-biotinylated MSCs were labeled with biotin conjugated ANXA5. Bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAE-1 cells) were exposed to UVC to induce caspasedependent apoptosis. Finally, we tested the ability of ANXA5-labeled MSCs to bind BAE-1 apoptotic cells: suspended ANXA5-labeled MSCs were seeded for 1 hour on a monolayer of UV-treated or control BAE-1 cells. After washing, the number of MSCs bound to BAE-1 cells was evaluated by confocal microscopy. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant increase in the number of MSCs tagged to apoptotic BAE-1 cells. Therefore, stem cell ANXA5 tagging via biotin-avidin bridges could be a straightforward method of improving homing to apoptotic tissues. A. Gerasimou, R. Ramella and A. Brero contributed equally to this paper.     

Transdifferentiation of mouse BM cells into hepatocyte-like cells

BACKGROUND: During the past few years multiple studies have revealed that adult stem cells, including BM origin stem cells, can be transdifferentiated into various cell types, including hepatocyte-like cells, under proper treatments or in a suitable microenvironment. However, little is known about the mechanism of the transdifferentiation, and the treatments employed seem to be very complicated and require simplification. It is important to determine the suitable conditions in which BM cells would be efficiently differentiated into hepatocytes. METHODS: Mouse BM cells were isolated from femurs and tibias and cultured in IMDM supplemented with 10% FBS. Hepatic differentiation was induced in a differentiation medium containing 20 ng/mL HGF, 10 ng/mL FGF-4, 10 ng/mL Oncostatin M (OSM) and different concentrations of liver-injured mouse sera. The differentiated hepatic cells were characterized by the expression of liver-associated mRNA and proteins and morphologic and functional features. RESULTS: BM cell-derived polygonal cell colonies appeared after several days of culture, and these hepatocyte-like cells expressed AFP, HNF-3beta, CK19, CK18, ALB, TAT and G-6-Pase at mRNA and protein levels, and the cells also had some hepatic cellular functions, such as glycogen storage and urea production. Interestingly, suitable concentrations of sera from liver-injured mice added to this system showed strong stimulation on the in vitro transdifferentiation of mouse BM cells into hepatocytes. DISCUSSION: In the present study we have established an effective hepatic differentiation system by a combination of HGF, FGF-4, OSM and liver-injured mouse sera in vitro. Accordingly, it will be a useful resource not only for understanding the mechanisms of transdifferentiation but also for efficient amplification of hepatocyte progenitor cells of BM origin.     

Progenitor cells of the testosterone-producing Leydig cells revealed

The cells responsible for production of the male sex hormone testosterone, the Leydig cells of the testis, are post-mitotic cells with neuroendocrine characteristics. Their origin during ontogeny and regeneration processes is still a matter of debate. Here, we show that cells of testicular blood vessels, namely vascular smooth muscle cells and pericytes, are the progenitors of Leydig cells. Resembling stem cells of the nervous system, the Leydig cell progenitors are characterized by the expression of nestin. Using an in vivo model to induce and monitor the synchronized generation of a completely new Leydig cell population in adult rats, we demonstrate specific proliferation of vascular progenitors and their subsequent transdifferentiation into steroidogenic Leydig cells which, in addition, rapidly acquire neuronal and glial properties. These findings, shown to be representative also for ontogenetic Leydig cell formation and for the human testis, provide further evidence that cellular components of blood vessels can act as progenitor cells for organogenesis and repair.     

Phosphatidylserine-dependent adhesion of T cells to endothelial cells

Phosphatidylserine (PS) was exposed at the surface of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and cultured cell lines by agonists that increase cytosolic Ca(2+), and factors governing the adhesion of T cells to the treated cells were investigated. Thrombin, ionophore A23187 and the Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor 2, 5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzohydroquinone each induced a PS-dependent adhesion of Jurkat T cells. A23187, which was the most effective agonist in releasing PS-bearing microvesicles, was the least effective in inducing the PS-dependent adhesion of Jurkat cells. Treatment of ECV304 and EA.hy926 cells with EGTA, followed by a return to normal medium, resulted in an influx of Ca(2+) and an increase in adhering Jurkat cells. Oxidised low-density lipoprotein induced a procoagulant response in cultured ECV304 cells and increased the number of adhering Jurkat cells, but adhesion was not inhibited by pretreating ECV304 cells with annexin V. PS was not significantly exposed on untreated Jurkat cells, as determined by flow cytometry with annexin V-FITC. However, after adhesion to thrombin-treated ECV304 cells for 10 min followed by detachment in 1 mM EDTA, there was a marked exposure of PS on the Jurkat cells. Binding of annexin V-FITC to the detached cells was inhibited by pretreating them with unlabelled annexin V. Contact with thrombin-treated ECV304 cells thus induced the exposure of PS on Jurkat cells and, as Jurkat cells were unable to adhere to thrombin-treated ECV304 cells in the presence of EGTA, the adhesion of the two cell types may involve a Ca(2+) bridge between PS on both cell surfaces. The number of T cells from normal, human peripheral blood that adhered to ECV304 cells was not increased by treating the latter with thrombin. However, findings made with several T cell lines were generally, but not completely, consistent with the possibility that adhesion to surface PS on endothelial cells may be a feature of T cells that express both CD4(+) and CD8(+) antigens. Possible implications for PS-dependent adhesion of T cells to endothelial cells in metastasis, and early in atherogenesis, are discussed.     

胚胎干细胞向造血细胞分化研究

胚胎干（embryonic stem,ES）细胞是来源于囊胚的内细胞团（inner cell mass,ICM）,具有发育的全能性或多能性,能嵌合到早期胚胎,在体内可以参与各种组织发育甚至包括生殖细胞;在体外分化培养条件下,可以顺序分化出各种组织细胞,与体内完整胚胎发育过程相符合,而且可以通过调节ES细胞某些基因的表达而调节其分化。因此,ES细胞是研究哺乳动物早期胚胎发育、细胞分化及其关键基因鉴定的理想模型。另外,胚胎生殖脊（embryonic germ,EG）细胞系也具有同样的生物学特性,它是由早期胚胎的原始生殖脊（primordial germ,PG）细胞建株而来。最近研究显示：ES细胞在体外不但可以分化为所有造血细胞系,而且还可以分化为具有长期增殖能力的造血干细胞。作者就胚胎干细胞向造血细胞和造血干细胞分化及其诱导因子和调控基因的表达作一综述。     

Separation of mitogen-induced suppressor cells of human antibody-producing cells

Human antibody-forming cells were demonstrated by a plaque in agar technique following in vitro stimulation with either pokeweed mitogen or Cowan I strain of protein A-positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. We evaluated the effects on this antibody formation caused by the addition of cells which had been stimulated with PH A or Con A. Both Con A and PHA cells harvested after 3 days showed strong inhibition of pokeweed-induced plaque formation. The majority of the suppression could be accounted for by a blast fraction separated on 1g sedimentation gradients from the Con A or PHA cultures. Small cells from such cultures showed inhibition of PFC when added at high ratios (1:2), but this suppressive activity diluted out much more rapidly than that of the blast cells. No helper activity was noted with either small cells or blasts. Our studies indicate a T-cell blast as the suppressive fraction in Con A- or PHA-stimulated human lymphoid cells. While this T-cell suppression applies to T-dependent responses such as antibody stimulation with pokeweed mitogen, it does not have a substantial effect on Cowan I-induced plaque-forming responses. The finding that Cowan I-induced plaques could not be inhibited by Con A or PHA blasts indicates the T independence of this response.     

Stabilization of apoptotic cells: generation of zombie cells

Apoptosis is characterized by degradation of cell components but plasma membrane remains intact. Apoptotic microtubule network (AMN) is organized during apoptosis forming a cortical structure beneath plasma membrane that maintains plasma membrane integrity. Apoptotic cells are also characterized by high reactive oxygen species (ROS) production that can be potentially harmful for the cell. The aim of this study was to develop a method that allows stabilizing apoptotic cells for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. By using a cocktail composed of taxol (a microtubule stabilizer), Zn²⁺ (a caspase inhibitor) and coenzyme Q₁₀ (a lipid antioxidant), we were able to stabilize H460 apoptotic cells in cell cultures for at least 72 h, preventing secondary necrosis. Stabilized apoptotic cells maintain many apoptotic cell characteristics such as the presence of apoptotic microtubules, plasma membrane integrity, low intracellular calcium levels and mitochondrial polarization. Apoptotic cell stabilization may open new avenues in apoptosis detection and therapy.Apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death, is central to homoeostasis and normal development and physiology in multicellular organisms, including humans.¹ The dysregulation of apoptosis can lead to the destruction of normal tissues in a variety of disorders, including autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases (increased apoptosis) or cancer (reduced apoptosis). In addition, effective therapy of tumors requires the iatrogenic induction of apoptosis by radiation, chemotherapy or both. In particular, many antineoplasic drugs such as campothecin, a topoisomerase I inhibitor, kill tumor cells by inducing apoptosis.Apoptosis is thought to be physiologically advantageous because apoptotic cells are removed by phagocytosis before they lose their permeability barrier, thus preventing induction of an inflammatory response to the dying cells and potential harmful secondary effects. However, when massive cell death overwhelms macrophage clearance, as for example in early postchemotherapy or viral infection,² apoptotic cells may progress to secondary necrosis characterized by cell membrane degradation with spillage of intracellular contents to the extracellular milieu.³ Similarly, cells undergoing apoptosis in vitro cannot usually be cleared by phagocytes and undergo a late process of secondary necrosis.⁴In the execution phase of apoptosis, effector caspases cleave vital cellular proteins, leading to the morphological changes that characterize apoptosis. These changes include destruction of the nucleus and other organelles, DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation, cell shrinkage, cell detachment and membrane blebbing.⁵ In apoptosis, all the degradative processes are isolated from the extracellular space by the plasma membrane that remains impermeable. However, the mechanisms involved in plasma membrane and associated protein protection from the action of caspases are not completely understood. In contrast, necrosis is accompanied by disruption of plasma membrane integrity with the subsequent release of all intracellular compounds to the intercellular space, thus inducing inflammation and more toxic effects to adjacent cells.^{6, 7}To allow the dramatic morphological changes that accompany the execution phase, an apoptotic cell undergoes a series of profound cytoskeletal breakdowns/rearrangements. Previous evidence suggests that the actomyosin cytoskeleton plays an essential role in apoptotic cell remodeling during the early events of the execution phase, whereas all other cytoskeleton elements (microtubules and intermediate filaments) are dismantled.⁸ However, during the course of the execution phase and after actininomyosin ring contraction, the actomyosin filaments are also depolymerized by a caspase-dependent mechanism. In this situation, the apoptotic cell forms a network of apoptotic microtubules that becomes the main cytoskeleton element of the apoptotic cell. The presence of microtubules in apoptotic cells has previously been reported.^{9, 10} Moreover, more recent results indicate that microtubules during apoptosis assist in the dispersal of nuclear and cellular fragments,^{11, 12} and may help to preserve the integrity of plasma membrane of the dying cell.¹³Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are also important mediators of apoptosis. ROS have been shown to play a major role in apoptosis signaling.^{14, 15, 16} Electron leak in the presence of oxygen during the process of oxidative phosphorylation make mitochondria the major endogenous source of ROS in the cell. Although mitochondria have been identified as a key player, the mechanism connecting ROS and apoptosis remains unclear.¹⁷ It has been debated whether increased ROS during apoptosis is a cause or a consequence of impaired mitochondrial function, and whether ROS are a death signal to the mitochondria or are produced as effector molecules by the mitochondria in response to apoptosis signal.^{18, 19} Hyperproduction of ROS in execution stages of apoptosis is thought to be caused by the disruption of the mitochondrial respiratory chain after release of cytochrome c into the cytosol.²⁰The main objective of this work was to develop a method for the stabilization of apoptotic cells for proper apoptosis detection or safer potential therapeutic applications. Our results show that apoptotic cells can be stabilized by a cocktail of a microtubule stabilizer (taxol), a caspase inhibitor such (Zn²⁺) and an antioxidant (coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ)).