Biotechnological challenges of bioartificial kidney engineering

With the world-wide increase of patients with renal failure, the development of functional renal replacement therapies have gained significant interest and novel technologies are rapidly evolving. Currently used renal replacement therapies insufficiently remove accumulating waste products, resulting in the uremic syndrome. A more preferred treatment option is kidney transplantation, but the shortage of donor organs and the increasing number of patients waiting for a transplant warrant the development of novel technologies. The bioartificial kidney (BAK) is such promising biotechnological approach to replace essential renal functions together with the active secretion of waste products. The development of the BAK requires a multidisciplinary approach and evolves at the intersection of regenerative medicine and renal replacement therapy. Here we provide a concise review embracing a compact historical overview of bioartificial kidney development and highlighting the current state-of-the-art, including implementation of living-membranes and the relevance of extracellular matrices. We focus further on the choice of relevant renal epithelial cell lines versus the use of stem cells and co-cultures that need to be implemented in a suitable device. Moreover, the future of the BAK in regenerative nephrology is discussed.     

High-resolution finite element models with tissue strength asymmetry accurately predict failure of trabecular bone

The ability to predict trabecular failure using microstructure-based computational models would greatly facilitate study of trabecular structure–function relations, multiaxial strength, and tissue remodeling. We hypothesized that high-resolution finite element models of trabecular bone that include cortical-like strength asymmetry at the tissue level, could predict apparent level failure of trabecular bone for multiple loading modes. A bilinear constitutive model with asymmetric tissue yield strains in tension and compression was applied to simulate failure in high-resolution finite element models of seven bovine tibial specimens. Tissue modulus was reduced by 95% when tissue principal strains exceeded the tissue yield strains. Linear models were first calibrated for effective tissue modulus against specimen-specific experimental measures of apparent modulus, producing effective tissue moduli of (mean±S.D.) 18.7±3.4 GPa. Next, a parameter study was performed on a single specimen to estimate the tissue level tensile and compressive yield strains. These values, 0.60% strain in tension and 1.01% strain in compression, were then used in non-linear analyses of all seven specimens to predict failure for apparent tensile, compressive, and shear loading. When compared to apparent yield properties previously measured for the same type of bone, the model predictions of both the stresses and strains at failure were not statistically different for any loading case (p>0.15). Use of symmetric tissue strengths could not match the experimental data. These findings establish that, once effective tissue modulus is calibrated and uniform but asymmetric tissue failure strains are used, the resulting models can capture the apparent strength behavior to an outstanding level of accuracy. As such, these computational models have reached a level of fidelity that qualifies them as surrogates for destructive mechanical testing of real specimens.     

Proteomic profiling of the hypothalamus in two mouse models of narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a disabling neurological disorder of sleepiness linked to the loss of neurons producing orexin neuropeptides in the hypothalamus. Two well‐characterized phenotypic mouse models of narcolepsy, loss‐of‐function (orexin‐knockout), and progressive loss of orexin (orexin/ataxin‐3) exist. The open question is whether the proteomics signatures of the hypothalamus would be different between the two models. To address this gap, we utilized a label‐free proteomics approach and conducted a hypothalamic proteome analysis by comparing each disease model to that of wild type. Following data processing and statistical analysis, 14 484 peptides mapping to 2282 nonredundant proteins were identified, of which 39 proteins showed significant differences in protein expression across groups. Altered proteins in both models showed commonalties in pathways for mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal degeneration, as well as altered proteins related to inflammatory demyelination, insulin resistance, metabolic responses, and the dopaminergic and monoaminergic systems. Model‐specific alterations in insulin degraded enzyme (IDE) and synaptosomal‐associated protein‐25 were unique to orexin‐KO and orexin/ataxin‐3, respectively. For both models, proteomics not only identified clinically suspected consequences of orexin loss on energy homeostasis and neurotransmitter systems, but also identified commonalities in inflammation and degeneration despite the entirely different genetic basis of the two mouse models.     

孕期应激对子代大鼠骨髓淋巴干细胞发育的影响

孕期应激对子代产生的影响是多方面的,这种影响是复杂的。研究表明,出生前的应激经历可导致出生后子代长期的免疫功能改变。这些改变追其根源与骨髓淋巴干细胞的改变有关。本文综述了大鼠孕期经历应激的子代骨髓淋巴干细胞所受的影响及免疫系统的相关改变,并根据现有的研究提出假说,为进一步研究孕期应激导致子代免疫系统改变的机理研究提供新的思路。     

Tight junction biogenesis during early development

The tight junction (TJ) is an essential component of the differentiated epithelial cell required for polarised transport and intercellular integrity and signalling. Whilst much can be learnt about how the TJ is constructed and maintained and how it functions using a wide range of cellular systems, the mechanisms of TJ biogenesis within developmental models must be studied to gain insight into this process as an integral part of epithelial differentiation. Here, we review TJ biogenesis in the early mammalian embryo, mainly considering the mouse but also including the human and other species, and, briefly, within the amphibian embryo. We relate TJ biogenesis to inherent mechanisms of cell differentiation and biosynthesis occurring during cleavage of the egg and the formation of the first epithelium. We also evaluate a wide range of exogenous cues, including cell-cell interactions, protein kinase C signalling, gap junctional communication, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase and cellular energy status, that may contribute to TJ biogenesis in the embryo and how these may shape the pattern of early morphogenesis.     

紫檀芪对小鼠缺血性脑损伤后脑水肿期神经细胞凋亡的影响

摘要 目的：探索紫檀芪（PTE）对小鼠缺血性脑损伤后脑水肿期神经细胞凋亡的影响。方法：将实验小鼠分为3组即假手术组（sham组）、脑缺血再灌注损伤组（IR组）和紫檀芪治疗组（PTE+IR组）,其中PTE于造模前连续5天每天腹腔给药（5 mg/kg）1次;然后于造模后3 d进行脑组织TTC染色并计算脑梗死体积比;于造模后2 h、12 h和1、2、4、6、8、10、12及14 d进行小鼠神经行为学评分;使用TUNEL试剂盒于造模后3、7和14 d检测缺血半暗带和海马的凋亡神经细胞。结果：PTE可减轻脑梗死体积、改善神经行为学评分以及抑制缺血半暗带和海马的神经细胞凋亡。结论：PTE在小鼠缺血性脑损伤后脑水肿期具有明确的神经保护作用,其机制与抑制细胞凋亡有关。     

Wnt通路中蓬松蛋白DNA甲基化对骨质疏松患者骨髓间充质干细胞成骨分化影响

摘要 目的：探讨蓬松蛋白（DVL）DNA甲基化对骨质疏松（OP）患者骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）成骨分化及Wnt通路的影响。方法：分离、培养OP患者的BMSCs,成骨诱导培养BMSCs 0、7、14、21天,观察BMSCs细胞形态变化,检测碱性磷酸酶（ALP）染色及活性,检测茜素红染色及钙结节形成,荧光定量聚合酶链式反应（RT-PCR）及免疫印迹检测远端缺失同源盒5（Dlx5）、核心结合蛋白因子2（Runx2）、成骨细胞特异性转录因子（OSX）、Ⅰ型胶原蛋白（Colla Ⅰ）表达。检测DVL1、Wnt、糖原合成酶激酶3（GSK3）、β连环蛋白（β-catenin）表达及DVL DNA甲基化水平。在成骨诱导培养基中加入甲基转移酶抑制剂5-Aza,将BMSCs分为对照组（Control组）、甲基转移酶抑制剂组（5-Aza组）、甲基转移酶抑制剂+si-NC组（5-Aza+si-NC组）、甲基转移酶抑制剂+si-Wnt组（5-Aza+si-Wnt组）,依次进行ALP活性测定,茜素红染色及钙结节形成测定。RT-PCR检测Dlx5、Runx2、OSX、Colla 1水平,免疫印迹检测Dlx5、Runx2、OSX、Colla Ⅰ、DVL1、Wnt、GSK3、β-catenin的蛋白表达量,并检测DVL DNA甲基化水平。结果：成骨诱导后BMSCs具有强的ALP活性和矿化结节生成能力,且随着培养时间的增长,BMSCs细胞ALP活性和矿化结节生成能力增强,Dlx5、Runx2、OSX、Colla Ⅰ mRNA水平和Wnt、GSK3、β-catenin、DVL1表达升高,DVL DNA甲基化水平降低（P＜0.05）。5-Aza组较Control组ALP染色加深,活性增强,钙结节形成增多（P＜0.05）,Dlx5、Runx2、OSX、Colla Ⅰ mRNA及蛋白表达、Wnt、GSK3、β-catenin、DVL1表达升高,DVL DNA甲基化水平降低（P＜0.05）。5-Aza+si-Wnt组较5-Aza+si-NC组ALP染色变浅,活性降低,钙结节形成减少（P＜0.05）,Dlx5、Runx2、OSX、Colla Ⅰ mRNA及蛋白表达、Wnt、GSK3、β-catenin、DVL1表达降低,DVL DNA甲基化水平升高（P＜0.05）。结论：DVL DNA甲基化可以通过抑制Wnt/β-catenin信号通路抑制OP患者BMSCs成骨分化。     

The isolation and characterization of putative mesenchymal stem cells from the spiny mouse

The bone marrow represents the most common source from which to isolate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs are capable of differentiating into tissues of the three primary lineages and have the potential to enhance repair in damaged organs through the principals of regenerative medicine. Given the ease with which MSCs may be isolated from different species the aim of this study was to isolate and characterize putative bone marrow derived MSCs from the spiny mouse, Acomys cahirinus. MSCs were isolated from the spiny mouse in a traditional manner, and based on plastic adherence, morphology, colony forming unit-fibroblast assays and functional assessment (adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation potential) a population of putative mesenchymal stem cells from the compact bone of the spiny mouse have been isolated and characterized. Such methodological approaches overcome the lack of species-specific antibodies for the spiny mouse and could be employed for other species where the cost of generating species-specific antibodies is not warranted.     

Biological characteristics of foam cell formation in smooth muscle cells derived from bone marrow stem cells

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) can differentiate into diverse cell types, including adipogenic, osteogenic, chondrogenic and myogenic lineages. There are lots of BMSC accumulated in atherosclerosis vessels and differentiate into VSMC. However, it is unclear whether VSMC originated from BMSC (BMSC-SMC) could remodel the vessel in new tunica intima or promote the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In this study, BMSC were differentiated into VSMC in response to the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and shown to express a number of VSMC markers, such as α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain1 (SM-MHC1). BMSC-SMC became foam cells after treatment with 80 mg/L ox-LDL for 72 hours. Ox-LDL could upregulate scavenger receptor class A (SR-A) but downregulate the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) and caveolin-1 protein expression, suggesting that modulating relative protein activity contributes to smooth muscle foam cell formation in BMSC-SMC. Furthermore, we found that BMSC-SMC have some biological characteristics that are similar to VSMC, such as the ability of proliferation and secretion of extracellular matrix, but, at the same time, retain some biological characteristics of BMSC, such as a high level of migration. These results suggest that BMSC-SMC could be induced to foam cells and be involved in the development of atherosclerosis.     

Altered differentiation and clustering of Sertoli cells in transgenic mice showing a Sertoli cell specific knockout of the connexin 43 gene

Histological analysis revealed that Sertoli cell specific knockout of the predominant testicular gap junction protein connexin 43 results in a spermatogenic arrest at the level of spermatogonia or Sertoli cell-only syndrome, intratubular cell clusters and still proliferating adult Sertoli cells, implying an important role for connexin 43 in the Sertoli and germ cell development. This study aimed to determine the (1) Sertoli cell maturation state, (2) time of occurrence and (3) composition, differentiation and fate of clustered cells in knockout mice. Using immunohistochemistry connexin 43 deficient Sertoli cells showed an accurate start of the mature markers androgen receptor and GATA-1 during puberty and a vimentin expression from neonatal to adult. Expression of anti-Muellerian hormone, as a marker of Sertoli cell immaturity, was finally down-regulated during puberty, but its disappearance was delayed. This observed extended anti-Müllerian hormone synthesis during puberty was confirmed by western blot and Real-Time PCR and suggests a partial alteration in the Sertoli cell differentiation program. Additionally, Sertoli cells of adult knockouts showed a permanent and uniform expression of GATA-1 at protein and mRNA level, maybe caused by the lack of maturing germ cells and missing negative feedback signals. At ultrastructural level, basally located adult Sertoli cells obtained their mature appearance, demonstrated by the tripartite nucleolus as a typical feature of differentiated Sertoli cells. Intratubular clustered cells were mainly formed by abnormal Sertoli cells and single attached apoptotic germ cells, verified by immunohistochemistry, TUNEL staining and transmission electron microscopy. Clusters first appeared during puberty and became more numerous in adulthood with increasing cell numbers per cluster suggesting an age-related process. In conclusion, adult connexin 43 deficient Sertoli cells seem to proliferate while maintaining expression of mature markers and their adult morphology, indicating a unique and abnormal intermediate phenotype with characteristics common to both undifferentiated and differentiated Sertoli cells.