Human amniotic fluid-derived c-kit(+) and c-kit (-) stem cells: growth characteristics and some differentiation potential capacities comparison

Amniotic fluid (AF) contains heterogeneous and multipotential cell types. A pure mesenchymal stem cells group can be sorted from AF using flow cytometry. In order to evaluate a possible therapeutic application of these cells, the human AF-derived c-kit⁺ stem cells (c-kit⁺ AFS) were compared with the c-kit⁻ (unselected) stem cells (c-kit⁻ AFS). Our findings revealed that the optimal period to obtain c-kit⁺ AFS cells was between 16 and 22 weeks of gestation. Following cell sorting, c-kit⁺ AFS cells shared similar morphological and proliferative characteristics as the c-kit⁻ AFS cells. Both c-kit⁺ and c-kit⁻ AFS cells had the characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells through surface marker identification by flow cytometric and immunocytochemical analysis. Both c-kit⁺ and c-kit⁻ AFS cells could differentiate along adipogenic and osteogenic lineages. However, the myocardial differentiation capacity was enhanced in c-kit⁺ AFS cells by detecting GATA-4, cTnT, α-actin, Cx43 mRNA and protein expression after myocardial induction; whereas induced c-kit⁻ AFS cells were only detected with GATA-4 mRNA and protein expression. The c-kit⁺ AFS cells could have potential clinical application for myogenesis in cardiac regenerative therapy.     

高氧液预处理对兔心肌缺血再灌注损伤的影响

目的:研究高氧液预处理对兔心肌缺血再灌注损伤的影响。方法:雄性新西兰白兔32只,随机分为4组(n=8),结扎-开放冠状动脉左前降支(LAD)建立心肌缺血再灌注模型。假手术组(Sham组)只穿线环绕LAD不结扎;吸氧组(OX组)结扎前30 min经鼻吸纯氧2L/min;在结扎LAD前30 min分别静脉注射HO 10 ml/kg(HO1组)、20 ml/kg(HO2组)。于结扎LAD前即刻(T0,基础值)、开放LAD前即刻(T1)、再灌注60 min(T2)及再灌注120 min(T3)时记录HR和MAP,于T3时抽取动脉血样3 ml,测定血清肌酸激酶(CK)、肌钙蛋白I(cTNI)的活性和IL-6和TNF-α的浓度,并测定心肌梗死范围。结果:I/S组与T0时比较,T 1-3时各组HR、MAP进行性下降(P<0.05);三组间HR、MAP比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。与Sham组比较,I/S组血清CK、cTNI、IL-6和TNF-α含量明显升高(P 0.01);与OX组比较,HO2组上述酶及炎症因子浓度显著下降(P<0.01),心肌梗死范围减小(P<0.05)。结论:高氧液预处理可减轻兔心肌缺血再灌注损伤,机制可能与其抑制炎性反应有关。     

细胞因子在心肌缺血再灌注损伤中的作用机制

心肌缺血再灌注损伤(Myocardial Ischemic/Reperfusion Injury,MI/RI)已成为临床心肌梗塞病人血管再通后重要的死亡因素之一,对于这一过程中因细胞因子诱导炎症反应的的作用机制仍是目前研究的热点。本文综述了与MI/RI相关的细胞因子的作用及其机制,并就其相互作用进行探讨。     

Small GTPase protein Rac-1 is activated with maturation and regulates cell morphology and function in chondrocytes

During maturation, chondrocytes undergo changes in morphology, matrix production, and gene expression; however, it remains unclear whether these are interrelated. In this study, we examined whether Rho GTPases were involved in these regulatory interplays. Levels of active Rho GTPases were assayed in immature and mature primary chondrocytes. We found that activation of Rac-1 and Cdc42 increased with maturation, whereas RhoA levels remained unchanged. GFP-tagged Rho GTPases tracked cellular localization. Rac-1 was enriched at the cell membrane where it co-localized with cortical actin, while RhoA and Cdc42 were cytoplasmic. To test the roles of Rac-1 in chondrocyte maturation, we force-expressed constitutively active or dominant negative forms of Rac-1 and assessed phenotypic consequences in primary chondrocytes. Activated Rac-1 expression induced chondrocyte enlargement and increased matrix metalloproteinase expression, which are characteristic of mature chondrocytes. Conversely, Rac-1 inactivation diminished adhesion, decreased alkaline phosphatase activity, and stimulated functions typical of immature chondrocytes. Exposure to a pro-maturation factor, Wnt3A, induced a flattened and enlarged morphology accompanied by peripheral Rac-1 re-arrangement. Wnt3A stimulated Tiam1 expression and Rac-1 activation, while DN-Rac-1 inhibited Wnt3A-induced cell spreading. Our data provide strong evidence that Rac-1 coordinates changes in chondrocyte phenotype and function and stimulates the maturation process essential for skeletal development.     

Cytomorphometry of skeletal muscle: The influence of age and testosterone on the rat M. levator ani

Summary The levator ani muscle of the rat was examined by correlated light and electron microscopic morphometry. Corrections were made for shrinkage, compression, and differences in stretching. Age, castration, and subsequent testosterone treatment do not affect the fiber number, the filament lattice, and the size of the filaments and myonuclei. The fibers in intact growing males increase in width and length. The number of myonuclei rises, although relatively slower than the amount of contractile material.Castration, performed at six weeks, partially suppresses fiber growth. The increase of mean fiber width is more strongly inhibited than that of fiber length. Myonuclear multiplication is almost completely arrested in castrates, and the amount of contractile material per myonucleus is lower than in intact males of equal age.Testosterone, administered at about two months following orchidectomy, highly accelerates the transversal fiber growth, but fiber length is not significantly influenced. Between the fourth and seventh day of treatment a marked increase in myonuclear number occurs.Analysis of the frequency distribution of the individual fiber widths, which is logarithmic-normal in intact males, revealed that the hormonal influence on the net result of protein anabolism and catabolism markedly differs in the various fibers of a single muscle.With the technical assistance of Tineke J. Hoogenboezem.     

Cadmium-induced abnormality in strains of Euglena gracilis: morphological alteration and its prevention by zinc and cyanocobalamin

Euglena gracilis is susceptible to cadmium (Cd) at high concentrations. There are no comparative data on cytotoxicity or abnormality of CdCl₂ to E. gracilis Z and its achlorophyllous mutant SMZ. The present study examined the cytotoxicity of CdCl₂ under continual exposure at levels ranging from sub-ppm to ppm, and assessed the effects of zinc (Zn) or cyanocobalamin (VB₁₂) supplementation on the suppression of Cd-induced abnormal cell proliferation and hypertrophy. With Zn levels restricted to 1 ppm [as Zn⁺⁺], cell growth of both E. gracilis strains was reduced in proportion to Cd concentration. More abnormal cells (hypertrophied, V-shape and starfish-shape) were observed in both strains at sub-ppm levels of Cd. ZnSO₄ supplementation from 2 to 63 ppm significantly suppressed the incidence of Cd-induced abnormality. However, a significant increase in abnormal cells was observed following Zn supplementation at levels of 125 and 250 ppm, which produced remarkable differences in cell morphology. The incidence of abnormal cells varied with supplemented VB₁₂ levels ranging from 4 to 250 ppb in both E. gracilis strains.     

Zur Kenntnis der terminalen Strombahn im Myocard von Ratte und Katze

Zusammenfassung Das Verzweigungsmuster der terminalen Strombahn des Myocards wird an Zupfpräparaten von 67 Ratten- bzw. Katzenherzen untersucht. Die Gefäße wurden mit Farbsuspensionen gefüllt. Die Schwierigkeiten der vollständigen Darstellung des Kapillarbettes werden diskutiert. Durch aufeinanderfolgende Injektion mit mehreren Farben gelingt es, den arteriellen und venösen Kapillarschenkel unterschiedlich darzustellen. Zur genauen Analyse werden von einzelnen Muskelblättchen ausgedehnte Gefäßkarten hergestellt. Folgende Befunde wurden erhoben: Als feinste Zuleitungsgefäße münden die Präkapillaren in das Kapillarnetz. Ihre Wand enthält nur vereinzelte Muskelzellen. Die Präkapillaren verlaufen parallel oder senkrecht zu den Muskelfasern und teilen sich in gleichwertige Äste (dichotom) oder geben jeweils als Stammgefäß seitliche Äste ab. Die Arteriolen bzw. Präkapillaren anastomosieren nicht miteinander.Die gewöhnlich weiten Venolen bestehen im wesentlichen nur aus einem Endothelrohr. Sie verlaufen zunächst senkrecht zur Muskulatur und münden in abführende, meist längsgerichtete Venen ein. Anastomosen unter den Venolen sind selten.Zwischen Präkapillaren und Venolen sind Kapillarbahnen ausgespannt. Die Kapillaren verlaufen parallel zueinander im Abstand einer Muskelzellbreite und stehen über Queranastomosen miteinander in Verbindung.Die Kapillarwege von Präkapillaren zu Venolen variieren zwischen 100 m und 800 m. Messungen an zwei Herzen ergaben eine mittlere Strecke von 310 m (Ratte) bzw. 400 m (Katze).Die mittlere unverzweigte Kapillarstrecke beträgt im etwas kontrahierten Rattenherzen 65 m, im mäßig erschlafften Katzenherzen 110 m. Da sich höchstens 1/3 der Kapillaräste untereinander zu Maschen verbinden, entsteht ein sehr lockeres Netzwerk.Da benachbarte Kapillaren zu gleichen oder verschiedenen Präkapillaren und Venolen gehören können, sind mehrere Gefäanordnungen im Myocard unterscheidbar:Selten sind reine Gleichstromanordnungen (vgl. Krogh, 1918/19) oder Gegenstromanordnungen (vgl. Diemer, 1965) zu beobachten, bei denen die Kapillaren am gleichen Ort anfangen bzw. enden und benachbarte Kapillaren in gleicher oder entgegengesetzter Richtung durchströmt werden.Überwiegend finden sich asymmetrische Kapillaranordnungen (vgl. Grunewald und Lübbers, 1966), bei denen Kapillaranfänge bzw. -enden gegeneinander versetzt sind und benachbarte Kapillarabschnitte in gleicher oder entgegengesetzter Richtung durchströmt werden. Die morphologischen Befunde zeigen, daß physiologischen Untersuchungen ein gemischtes Versorgungsmodell für den Herzmuskel (Grunewald und Lübbers, 1966) zugrunde gelegt werden kann.

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The microcirculatory bed in the myocardium of the rat and the cat

Summary The branching modus of the microcirculatory bed is studied in isolated musclelayers from 67 hearts of rats or cats. The vessels are filled with different dye-suspensions. The methods to demonstrate the capillary bed by perfusion are discussed. It is shown that several dyes injected consecutively can mark the arterial and venous part of the capillary with different colours. For exact analysis maps are prepared of extensive parts of the microcirculatory bed.The precapillaries, the smallest vessels of the distributing system, are provided with only sporadic muscle cells. They run parallel to the muscle fibers or they cross them. They either divide into equal branches in a dichotomous manner or extend as trunk-vessels, from which the capillaries originate as branches. The arterioles and precapillaries don't anastomose with each other. The venous drainage begins with venoles which usually consist of only a wide endothelial tube. They cross the muscle fibers and open into veins which usually extend in the direction of the muscle layers. Anastomoses among the venoles are rare.Between precapillaries and venoles the capillary ways extend. The capillaries run parallel to each other in a distance of one muscle cell. They are connected by short transversal anastomoses. The length of the capillary way between precapillaries and venoles varies between 100 m and 800 m. According to measurements in two hearts there follows an average way of 310 m (rat) or 400 m (cat). The average length of the unbranched capillary segments was 65 m (rat) or 110 m (cat). As at most one third of the capillary branches are combined to mashes there is only a loose capillary-network.Adjacent capillaries may belong to the same or to different precapillaries and venoles, so that there can be differentiated between several different patterns of the microcirculatory bed:There are seldom found pure arrangements in such a way, that adjacent capillaries begin or end at the same place and that the blood flows in equal or contrary directions (cf. Krogh, 1918/19; Diemer, 1965).Mostly asymmetric arrangements are found with capillaries beginning or ending at staggered places and with equal or contrary flow directions in the capillary segments. The morphological results show that the base for physiological studies of the nutrition of the myocardium ought to be a mixed model of the capillary bed.

Die Arbeit entstand unter der Leitung von Herrn Prof. Dr. E. Lindner, Regensburg.     

2型糖尿病大鼠心肌IR、IRS-1的表达与罗格列酮及APP5肽类似物P165的干预效应

目的研究2型糖尿病大鼠心肌胰岛素信号转导通路蛋白胰岛素受体（IR）、胰岛素受体底物-1（IRS-1）的表达与正常SD大鼠的区别,并探讨进行罗格列酮及APP5肽类似物P165干预后对上述蛋白表达的影响。方法60只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组（C组）、正常对照＋罗格列酮组（C＋RSG组）、2型糖尿病组（T2DM组）、2型糖尿病＋罗格列酮组（T2DM＋RSG组）、糖尿病给予P165小剂量组（T2DM＋P165小剂量组）、糖尿病给予P165大剂量组（T2DM＋P165大剂量组）,其中糖尿病动物采用高脂饮食后给予小剂量STZ腹腔注射的方法造模。后将各组SD大鼠处死,采用免疫组织化学染色和Western blot的方法检测心肌组织IR、IRS-1的表达。结果（1）2型糖尿病组（T2DM组）心肌组织IR、IRS-1的表达水平显著低于对照组（C组）;（2）2型糖尿病＋罗格列酮组（T2DM＋RSG组）心肌组织IR、IRS-1的表达水平显著高于T2DM组;（3）免疫组化染色发现2型糖尿病＋P165小/大剂量组（T2DM＋P165小/大剂量组）心肌组织IR、IRS-1免疫反应阳性颗粒沉着的累积光密度值显著高于T2DM组;Western blot结果显示T2DM＋P165小/大剂量组心肌组织IRS-1的表达水平显著高于T2DM组;而IR的表达水平与T2DM组相比无差别。结论（1）2型糖尿病大鼠心肌存在胰岛素抵抗或信号转导障碍;（2）罗格列酮干预后可以改善2型糖尿病心肌的胰岛素信号转导异常;（3）P165对2型糖尿病大鼠心肌胰岛素信号转导具有调节作用,其作用靶点可能为胰岛素受体底物。     

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor fluvastatin prevents angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy via Rho kinase and inhibition of cyclin D1

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, so called statins, decrease cardiac events. Previous studies have shown that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors inhibit cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro and in vivo by blocking Rho isoprenylation. We have shown that the G1 cell cycle regulatory proteins cyclin D1 and Cdk4 play important roles in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. However, the relation between Rho and cyclin D1 in cardiomyocyte is unknown. To investigate whether HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors prevent cardiac hypertrophy through attenuation of Rho and cyclin D1, we studied the effect of fluvastatin on angiotensin II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro and in vivo. Angiotensin II increased the cell surface area and [(3)H]leucine uptake of cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and these changes were suppressed by fluvastatin treatment. Angiotensin II also induced activation of Rho kinase and increased cyclin D1, both of which were also significantly suppressed by fluvastatin. Specific Rho kinase inhibitor, Y-27632 inhibited angiotensin II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and increased cyclin D1. Overexpression of cyclin D1 by adenoviral gene transfer induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, as evidenced by increased cell size and increased protein synthesis; this hypertrophy was not diminished by concomitant treatment with fluvastatin. Infusion of angiotensin II to Wistar rats for 2 weeks induced hypertrophic changes in cardiomyocytes, and this hypertrophy was prevented by oral fluvastatin treatment. These results show that an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, fluvastatin, prevents angiotensin II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in part through inhibition of cyclin D1, which is linked to Rho kinase. This novel mechanism discovered for fluvastatin could be revealed how HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are preventing cardiac hypertrophy.     

The significance of regulatory light chain phosphorylation in cardiac physiology

It has been over 35 years since the first identification of phosphorylation of myosin light chains in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Yet only in the past few years has the role of these phosphorylations in cardiac dynamics been more fully understood. Advances in this understanding have come about with further evidence on the control mechanisms regulating the level of phosphorylation by kinases and phosphatases. Moreover, studies clarifiying the role of light chain phosphorylation in short and long term control of cardiac contractility and as a factor in cardiac remodeling have improved our knowledge. Especially important in these advances has been the use of gain and loss of function approaches, which have not only testedthe role of kinases and phosphatases, but also the effects of loss of RLC phosphorylation sites. Major conclusions from these studies indicate that (i) two negatively-charged post-translational modifications occupy the ventricular RLC N-terminus, with mouse RLC being doubly phosphorylated (Ser 14/15), and human RLC being singly phosphorylated (Ser 15) and singly deamidated(Asn14/16 to Asp); (ii)a distinct cardiac myosin light kinase (cMLCK) and a unique myosin phosphatase targeting peptide (MYPT2) control phosphoryl group transfer;and (iii) ablation of RLC phosphorylationdecreases ventricular power, lengthens the duration of ventricular ejection, and may also modify other sarcomeric proteins (e.g., troponin I) as substrates for kinases and/or phosphatases. A long term effect of low levels of RLC phosphorylation in mouse models also involves remodeling of the heart with hypertrophy, depressed contractility, and sarcomeric disarray. Data demonstrating altered levels of RLC phosphorylation in comparisons of samples from normal and stressed human hearts indicate the significance of these findings in translational medicine.