A pathological microenvironmental culture system consisting of cholestatic sera in duces embryonic stem cells to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells in vitro

AIM: To investigate whether a pathological micro-environmental culture system consisting of cholestatic sera induces embryonic stem cells (ESC) to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells in vitro, and select hepatic stem cells from differentiating embryonic stem cells. METHODS: Mouse ESC, E14 cell line, were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing 10⁶ U/L recombinant mouse leukemia inhibitory factor (rmLIF) and 10% FCS. After embryonic bodies formed by the hanging drop culture method, they were exposed to fibroblast growth factor-4 (FGF-4) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) for one week, and then placed to a pathological micro-environmental culture system consisting of 5% cholestatic sera and cultured for 2 weeks. Morphological examination, immunocytochemical staining of albumin and CK8/18 were carried out, and mRNA level of albumin and transthyretin were detected by RT-PCR. Glycogen storage and urea synthesis of the cells were tested with PAS staining and colorimetric assay, respectively. RESULTS: The proliferation of cells was inhibited at the early stage when cultured in a pathological micro-environmental culture system consisting of 5% cholestatic sera, but 2 weeks later, a large number of epithelial-like cell colonies were observed, which exhibited hepatocellular phenotype, expressing albumin and CK8/18, transcribing mRNA of albumin and transthyretin and synthesizing glycogen and urea. CONCLUSION: A pathological micro- environmental culture system consisting of 5% cholestatic sera could not only induce embryonic stem cells to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells, but select hepatic stem cells from differentiating embryonic stem cells initially induced by FGF-4 and HGF in vitro as well.     

Effects of cytomegalovirus on the adhesion of bone marrow stromal cells

AIM:To investigate the effect of cytomegalovirus (CMV) on the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in bone marrow stromal cells and on the adhesion of bone marrow stromal cells to hematopoietic cells.METHODS:Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in bone marrow stromal cells, MTT method was used to perform the adhesion assay of bone marrow stromal cells to normal hematopoietic cells. RESULTS:Bone marrow stromal cells could be infected by the CMV used in this experiment; CMV below the dose of 100TCID₅₀ could not destroy bone marrow stromal cells apparently; The expression of ICAM-1 increased at the early stage(18 h) of CMV infection, the expression of ICAM-1 decreased at the late stage (120 h) of CMV infection. Inactived CMV could also increase the expression of ICAM-1 as alive CMV; The adhesion rate of bone marrow stromal cells to hematopoietic cells increased at the early stage of CMV infection. CMV had no significant effects on the expression of VCAM-1 in bone marrow stromal cells. CONCLUSION:The adhesion capacity of bone marrow stromal cells to hematopoietic cells increased at the early stage of CMV infection, while the adhesion capacity of bone marrow stromal cells to hematopoietic cells decreased at the late stage of CMV infection.     

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells are induced to differentiate into cardiomyocytes by hepatocyte growth factor in vitro

AIM: To explore a new method of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) inducing bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to differentiate into cardiomyocytes. METHODS: Bone marrow MSC was cultured with DMEM media (10% fetal calf serum) 4-6 passages, and induced by HGF (10 μg/L) for 30 d. Automatical beating of the differentiated cells was observed daily with transverse microscopy, or under condition of 0.1% isoproterenol or cal-cium-deprived incubation. Specific cardiac myosin in the cells was indentified by immunochemistry. RESULTS: At 14-20 d of differentiation, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells formed clones, in 10%-50% of which spontaneous beating cell-mass had come to continuously exist. Isoproterenol increased the beating rate and calcium-deprived media inhibited the beating. The cells were identified to be cardiomyocytes by expression of cardiac myosin heavy chain. CONCLUSION: HGF may induce bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into cardiomyocytes with high efficiency, but the differentiating pathway of stem cells remains to be further studied.     

Experimental treatment of the model mice of Duchenne muscular dystrophy by bone marrow transplantation

AIM: To detect dystrophin expression in skeletal muscles of mdx mice after bone marrow transplantation (BMT), and to evaluate the effect of BMT on Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). METHODS: Bone marrow cells were cultured for three days, and then transplanted into mdx mice irradiated lethally through tail veins. After 4 and 6 months, dystrophin expression on myocytes membranes in mdx mice was detected by fluorescent immunohistochemical staining. The centrally nucleated fibers (CNF) were calculated by HE staining, and the physiologic parameters measured and the motor function detected by traction test, rotating rods test and rotating wheels test were also observed. RESULTS: Until 4 and 6 months after BMT, dystrophin was expressed partly on myocytes membranes in mdx mice, and the ratio of CNF decreased, physiologic functions improved, the motor ability reinforced in treated group. CONCLUSION: After BMT, marrow stem cells settled in injured skeletal muscles and bone marrow, then differentiated into myocytes with dystrophin expression and caused the improvement of pathology, physiology and motor function in treated group finally. These results give a powerful proof for the treatment of DMD with BMT.     

EP2A promotes human CD34+ cell homing in vitro but not proliferation

AIM: To investigate the role of prostaglandin E₂ receptor 2 agonist (EP₂A) in proliferation and homing of human CD34⁺ cells. METHODS: Bone marrow fluid and peripheral blood containing stem cells were collected from healthy donors mobilized by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in our department. Human CD34⁺ cells were isolated by the method of magnetic-activated cell sorting microbeads. Bone marrow mononuclear cells were isolated by Ficoll-Paque centrifugation, and the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSC) were cultured with L-DMEM. Human CD34⁺ cells and BMMSC were divided into 4 groups, and treated with PGE₂ (as positive control), DMSO (as negative control), EP₂A and EP₂A+prostaglandin E₂ receptor 2 antagonist (EP₂AA), respectively. After exposed to the reagents, human CD34⁺ cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay, the number of colonies was evaluated by colony-formation assay, the cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry, and the protein expression of survivin, β-catenin and CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) was detrmined by Western blot. Moreover, the concentration of stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) in the BMMSC was detected by ELISA. RESULTS: The cell viability and the colony number of human CD34⁺ cells in EP₂A group were not higher than those in negative control group. Furthermore, the proportion of human CD34⁺ cells treated with EP₂A in G₂/M phase was not elevated compared with negative control group. The protein expression of survivin and β-catenin did not up-regulated in human CD34⁺ cells exposed to EP₂A, but the protein expression of CXCR4 in human CD34⁺ cells and the concentration of SDF-1α in BMMSC were elevated. CONCLUSION: EP₂A promotes human CD34⁺ cell homing in vitro but not proliferation.     

Effect of bone marrow stem cell transplantation on mdx mice at different ages

AIM: To study the effect of bone marrow stem cell transplantation on mdx mice at different ages. METHODS: The bone marrow stem cells of C57BL/6 mice (4-to-weeks age) were cultured in vitro for 3 days, then injected intravenously into the 6-week and 8-week aged mdx, which were preconditioned with 7 Gy γ ray. 12 weeks after being transplanted, the mdx mice were studied for the dystrophin protein expression on the skeletal muscle membrane. RESULTS: Three months after transplanted with bone marrow stem cells, about 16% and 7% muscles cells in 6-week and 8-week mdx mice expressed dystrophin protein， respectively. CONCLUSION: 12 weeks after transplantation with bone marrow stem cells of homologous series mice, different amounts of dystrophin protein expressed on the membrane of skeletal muscle cells were observed in different aged mdx mice. Bone marrow stem cell transplantation show more benefic effect for younger mdx mice.     

High expression of PDX-1 in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells mediated by superfect

AIM: To construct a eukaryotic expression vector containing pancreatic duodenal homebox-1 (PDX-1) and to elevate the expression efficiency of exogenous gene in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). METHODS: Recombinant vector containing PDX-1 was constructed. Flow cytometry was used to identify the cell cycle of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) cultured in vitro. Recombinant vector containing PDX-1 was transfected into bone marrow MSCs using superfect in medium. After being selected by G418, RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to investigate the expression of PDX-1 in MSCs. RESULTS: Restricted enzyme analysis and sequencing showed that PDX-1 gene segment was consistent with that in GenBank. Flow cytometry showed that there were about 85.9% cells at the cell cycle of G0/G1. The whole cells transfected emitted green fluorescence under flow cytometry. The efficiency of transfection was above 40%. RT-PCR and Western blotting demonstrated that there was expression of PDX-1 in transfected bone marrow MSCs. CONCLUSION: Recombinant vector containing PDX-1 was constructed successfully. Superfect mediated expression of exogenous gene in bone marrow MSCs in a high efficiency, and bone marrow MSCs containing exogenous gene are an ideal cells for gene therapy.     

In vivo use of alginate scaffold with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in acute hepatic failure rats

AIM: To evaluate the use of alginate scaffold with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in a rat acute hepatic failure model. METHODS: BMSCs were labeled with chloro- methylbenzamido dialkylcarbocyanine (CM-DiI), cultured in alginate scaffold and transplanted into the liver of acute hepatic failure rats with 70% liver resection. Four weeks later, the scaffold-cell complexes were taken out, and their abilities to secret albumin (ALB) and store glycogen were examined. The survival rate and liver functions of the rats were also examined. RESULTS: CM-DiI was an effective cell tracer. The BMSCs in alginate scaffold secreted ALB and stored glycogen in acute hepatic failure rats. The survival rate and liver functions of the rats treated with scaffold-cell complexes were better than those of the rats treated with alginate alone. CONCLUSION: Alginate scaffold with BMSCs can be used as artificial hepatic tissues in acute hepatic failure rats.     

Rapid proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells enhanced by xanthosine

AIM: To explore the effect of xanthosine (Xs) on proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). METHODS: Xs was directly added to the culture system and the effects of Xs on proliferation and differentiation of BMSCs were observed. RESULTS: In the presence of Xs, the growth rate of the 10th passage cells was almost similar to that of the 4th passage cells and no downtrend was observed. However, in control group (without Xs), the growth rate of the 10th passage cells was obviously declined. The BMSCs promoted by Xs still kept up a vigorous capability of differentiation into hepatocytes. CONCLUSION: As an inhibitor of asymmetric cell kinetics, Xs can promote the conversion of BMSCs from asymmetric cell kinetics to symmetric cell kinetics, and keeps synchronously the ability of differentiation from BMSCs into hepatocytes as well. It is helpful for enhancing the proliferation efficiency of BMSCs in vitro, and will have extensive application of clinical practice.     

ROS promotes adhesion of neutrophils to bone marrow stromal cells and its mechanism

AIM:To investigate the effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the adhesion of neutrophils to bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and its mechanism. METHODS:Murine bone marrow neutrophils were isolated from mouse tibia and femur by density gradient centrifugation. HL60 cells were induced into human mature neutrophils (dHL60 cells) by DMSO treatment. Murine bone marrow neutrophils and dHL60 cells were labeled with CFDA-SE. The adhesion of the CFDA-SE-labeled cells to BMSC monolayer was tested by microplate reader after H₂O₂ treatment. The level of glutaredoxin 1 (Grx1) in dHL60 cells infected by lentivirus carrying Grx1 expression vector was examined by fluorescence microscopy and Western blot. The genotype of Grx1^-/- mice was identified by PCR. RESULTS:Diff-Quick staining result displayed that the purity of murine bone marrow neutrophil was higher than 90%. The adhesion of H₂O₂-pretreated neutrophils to BMSCs was higher than that of the control cells (P<0.01). The expression of Grx1 in Grx1 stably transfected dHL60 cells was significantly higher than that in the control cells. After H₂O₂ treatment, the results of in vitro adhesion assay showed that the adhesion of dHL60 cells with Grx1 over-expression to BMSCs was lower than that of the control cells (P<0.01). The results of PCR showed no Grx1 was detected at the whole gene level in Grx1^-/- mice. Compared with the neutrophils from wild-type mice, the neutrophils from Grx1^-/- mice displayed increased adhesion to BMSCs after H₂O₂ treatment. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) antibody pretreatment induced the adhesion rate back to non-H₂O₂-treated condition. CONCLUSION:ROS promotes the adhesion of neutrophils to BMSCs in bone marrow, which might be regulated by VCAM-1 adhesion signaling-related S-glutathionylation.     

miRNA-122 promotes mouse embryonic stem cell-derived hepatic precursor cells to differentiate into hepatocytes

AIM：To investigate whether miRNA-122 (miR-122) promotes the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived hepatic precursor cells (HPCs) into hepatocytes. METHODS：Mouse ESCs were initially induced to differentiate into HPCs by stimulating with fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF-4), sodium butyrate and dexamethasone (Dex) sequentially. Then a recombinant adenovirus expressing vector pAV.Ex1d-CMV>miR-122/IRES/eGFP was constructed by Gateway technology and transfected into the mouse ESC-derived HPCs 9 d after induction, so as to gain the cells with stable high expression of miR-122. The morphological changes of transfected cells were observed under inverted phase-contrast microscope. The liver-specific gene expression levels were detected by real-time RT-PCR. The liver-specific protein expression levels were also detected by immunofluorescence method. The liver functions were assessed by indocyanine green (ICG) uptake experiment, glycogen staining and urea synthesis function test. RESULTS：The mouse ESCs were successfully induced into HPCs by stimulating with FGF-4, sodium butyrate and Dex sequentially. At 6 d after transfection of miR-122, the morphology of the cells was closer to the mature hepatocytes. The mRNA levels of liver-specific genes such as albumin (ALB), transthyretion, α1-antitrypsin, glucose-6-phosphatase, cytokeration 8, cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase and cytochrome P450 3A4 were up-regulated. The expression levels of liver-specific proteins such as ALB and cytokeratin 18 were increased, while alpha-fetoprotein was decreased. The results of ICG uptake experiment, glycogen staining and urea synthesis function test indicated that the hepatocyte functions were strengthened as compared with control group. CONCLUSION：The combination of FGF-4, sodium butyrate and Dex successfully induces the mouse ESCs into HPCs. Over-expression of miR-122 effectively promotes the differentiation and maturation of mouse HPCs.     

Expression of SCL gene in bone marrow stromal cells from normal individuals and patients with aplastic anemia

AIM: To investigate the expression of SCL (stem cell leukemia) gene in bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and bone marrow hematopoietic cells from patients with aplastic anemia （AA） and normal individuals. METHODS: Bone marrow stromal cells from AA (9 cases) and normal individuals (33 cases) were amplified by long-term in vitro culture. The adherent and nonadherent cells were collected respectively. RT-PCR-ELISA assay was then performed to detect the expression of SCL gene and the housekeeping gene β2 microglobulin (β2M). The expression ratio of SCL gene were analyzed and its expression level was normalized by β2M gene acting as an internal calibration for the purpose of semi-quantitative analysis. RESULTS: The expression ratio of SCL gene was lower in BMSCs from AA (22.2%) than that in normal controls (69.7%, P<0.05) and in the nonadherent cells from AA than that in their corresponding BMSCs (P<0.05). Semi-quantitative analysis by PCR-ELISA showed that SCL gene expression level in nonadherent cells from normal control was significantly higher than that in their corresponding BMSCs (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The state of low expression of SCL gene in BMSCs from AA suggests that it may be involved in the abnormal regulation of hematopoiesis in AA.     

Remaining residual bone marrow cells through bone marrow transplantation from female to male in mice

AIM:To investigate the remaining residual bone marrow cells after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from female to male in mice by detecting the male Y chromosome from the blood cells. METHODS:Bone marrow cells from either male or female C57BL/6 mice were injected via tail vein to the corresponding male or female mice at 1×107 per animal 6 h after irradiation exposure to different doses of ［137Cs］. The survival rate of BMT was calculated after 14 d. The numbers of leukocytes in peripheral blood were measured and Y chromosome levels were also assayed in the male recipent mice. RESULTS:With radiation doses of 1 000 rad and 950 rad, the hematopoietic function of the female recipient mice quickly restored, but the male recipient mice had only 48% survival rate. With the radiation dose of 900 rad, the male recipient mice all survived and their hematopoietic function quickly restored. The peripheral leukocyte counts returned to normal 13 d after BMT. The Y chromosome genes in the peripheral blood cells were detected in 5 weeks after BMT in the male recipient mice, suggesting that the bone marrow cells in the male mice were completely destroyed by radiation, and the bone marrow cells from female mice completely replaced those in the male mice. CONCLUSION: After irradiation at a dose of 900 rad, the male mice can be used as BMT recipients without endogenous bone marrow cells. This study warrants male recipient mouse model in BMT for further investigation on the function of bone marrow cell-specific genes after global gene manipulations of the animals.     

Bone marrow hematopoietic microenvironment in patients with systemic lupus erythmatosus

AIM: To investigate bone marrow hematopoietic microenvironment in patients with systemic lupus erythmatosus (SLE), and to explore the pathogenesis of SLE.METHODS: Bone marrow stroma cells were collected from SLE patients.Colony forming units of stromal cells, and expression of fibronectin, laminin and type IV collagen, adhesive molecules, and some cytokines were detected by cell culture, immunohistochemistry, flow-cytometry, ELISA, and RT-PCR assay, respectively.RESULTS: The number of the colony forming units of stromal cells and their morphology in SLE group were the same as the control group (P>0.05).We did not find any difference of the expression of fibronectin, laminin and type IV collagen in them.Expression of ICAM and VCAM were (56.4±14.8)% and (55.6±12.2)%, respectively, obviously higher than those in control group (P<0.01).IL-6 in bone marrow stromal cell culture suspension of SLE was higher than that in control group (P<0.01).SCF and SDF-1 were not different between two groups (P<0.05).MIP-1 and IFN-γ in SLE patients were obviously higher than those in control group (P<0.01).TGF-β was on the opposite (P<0.01).The later three cytokines were correlated to SLEDAI score (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Bone marrow microenvironment of SLE patients was deficient in the expression of cell surface adhesion molecules and cytokine secretion, which contributed to the pathogenesis of SLE.     

Effects of lentivirus-mediated caspase-3 silencing on proliferation and apoptosis of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

AIM：To investigate the effects of caspase-3 gene silencing on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). METHODS：A lentiviral vector expressing caspase-3 shRNA was constructed and transfected into rat bone marrow MSCs．The expression of caspase-3 at mRNA and protein levels was detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Cell proliferation and cell cycle were evaluated by MTS assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The expression of bcl-2 and bax mRNA was detected by real-time PCR. The apoptosis of the cells was evaluated by Hoechst 33258 staining. RESULTS：Recombinant lentivirus was successfully transfected into MSCs. The proliferation of the MSCs transfected with caspase-3 shRNA was significantly promoted (P<0.05) and the proportion of the cells in S phase was increased to (52.66±0.30) %. Compared with control groups, caspase-3 silencing up-regulated the mRNA level of bcl-2 and down-regulated the mRNA level of bax, and the ratio of bcl-2 to bax increased (P<0.05). The apoptotic rate in MSCs-shRNA group was (15.01±1.73) %, which was significantly lower than those in MSCs and MSCs-vector group ［(23.67±1.16) % and (25.67±3.05) %, respectively; P<0.05］. CONCLUSION: Caspase-3 silencing regulates cell cycle, promotes the proliferation and attenuates the apoptosis of rat bone marrow MSCs.     

Adhesion of bone marrow stromal cell in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

AIM and METHOD: The adhesion behavior of bone marrow stromal cells(BMSC) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL) to bone marrow mononuclear cells(BMMC) and Raji cells were investigated by MTT method. The expression of adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The adhesion ability of BMSC in acute period of ALL to BMMC was lower than that of control group. The adhesion ability of BMSC in long term remission period of ALL to Raji cells higher than that of control group. The expression of ICAM-1 on the surface of BMSC in acute period of ALL is much lower than that of control group. CONCLUSIONS: The adhesion of BMSC to BMMC or tumor cells in children with ALL was abnormal. The abnormal adhesion behavior might be partially due to the changed expression of adhesion molecules on BMSC.     

Differentiation of embryonic-like stem cells derived from human bone marrow into multinucleated fibers in vitro

AIM: To compare the capacity of in vitro differentiation into multinucleated fibers between embryonic-like stem cells (ELSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from human bone marrow. METHODS: To isolate ELSCs, human bone marrow mononuclear cells were cultured in gelatin-coated flask with serum-free Knockout-DMEM medium designed for the expansion of human embryonic stem cells. MSCs were isolated from the same bone marrow by the traditional method. The morphological characters of both ELSCs and MSCs were observed under inverted phase-contrast microscope, and the expression of their multipotent antigen markers was identified by immunofluorescent staining. ELSCs and MSCs were cultured in myogenic differentiation medium. The protein levels of muscle-specific antigen markers myosin heavy chain (MHC), myogenin and MyoD were detected by the method of immunostaining. The mRNA expression of MHC, myogenin and MyoD was detected by RT-PCR. The capacity of in vitro differentiation into multinucleated fibers was compared between ELSCs and MSCs by calculating the proportion of MHC-positive multinucleated fibers. RESULTS: ELSCs, which weakly expressed the multipotential markers Oct-4, Nanog-3 and Sox-2, were isolated from bone marrow by the method of serum-free medium. ELSCs appeared smaller, slenderer and more homogeneous, and were morphologically different from MSCs derived from the same marrow. No multipotential marker in MSCs was expressed. ELSCs and MSCs were induced into long multinucleated fibers expressing MHC and myogenin at mRNA and protein levels by culturing in the myogenic differentiation medium. However, on the 10th day after induction, the proportion of the MHC-positive fibers in ELSCs was (25.7?4.1)%, and the proportion in MSCs was (15.8?7.6)%.The capacity for differentiation into muscle in ELSCs was significantly higher than that in MSCs (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Bone marrow ELSCs are induced into multinucleated fibers and have the stronger myogenic differentiation capacity than MSCs derived from the same marrow. ELSCs are a more ideal candidate for muscular disease therapy.     

Mesenchymal stem cell-induced CD8α+ Jagged2high CD11bhigh regulatory dendritic cells prevent and treat mouse aGVHD

AIM: To investigate the role of mesenchymal stem cell-induced regulatory dendritic cells (MSC-DCregs) in mouse acute graft-versus-host disease(aGVHD) model. METHODS: Bone marrow cells from BALB/c (H-2^d) mice were isolated and were induced to differentiate into DCs. The DCs were selected by flow cytometry, and after 10 d co-culture with MSCs, they were induced to be MSC-DCregs. Male 8-week-old C57BL/6 (H-2^b) mice were used as donor mice. The female 8-week-old BALB/c (H-2^d) mice, who had received 100 cm source-skin distance, 30 cm×30 cm radiation field, 700 cGy total body irradiation (TBI) pretreatment were used as recipient mice. The recipients were divided into 5 groups: control group, TBI group (injected with medium only), bone marrow transplantation group (injected with 1×10⁷ bone marrow cells), aGVHD group (injected with 1×10⁷ bone marrow cells and 1×10⁷ spleen cells), and MSC-DCregs group (injected with 1×10⁷ bone marrow cells, 1×10⁷ spleen cells and 1×10⁶ MSC-DCregs). The white blood cell count, recipients' chimerism, clinical evaluation of aGVHD, survival analysis and pathological changes were determined. RESULTS: Hematopoieic recovery was seen at 10 d after transplantation. The recipients' chimerism was parallel to the donors' at 30 d. The median survival time of the mice in aGVHD group and MSC-DCregs group was 27 d and 33 d, and the survival rates at 30 d were 20% and 100% (P<0.01), respectively. The clinical scores of the mice in MSC-DCregs group were lower than those in aGVHD group (P<0.01). Moreover, the pathological changes in the skin and liver of the mice in MSC-DCregs group were less serious than those in aGVHD group. CONCLUSION: The MSC-DCregs induce an aGVHD tolerance in vivo, and further research of its mechanism is still in great necessary.     

Effect of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on papain and ［60Co］ irradiation-induced rat pulmonary emphysema

AIM: To investigate the effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) transplantation on papain and ［⁶⁰Co］ irradiation-induced rat pulmonary emphysema and the underlying mechanisms.METHODS: Female rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, emphysema group, emphysema+MSCs transplantation group. Rats were exposed to ［⁶⁰Co］ irradiation and instilled with papain intratracheally. Bone marrow MSCs from male rats were infused through tail veins. Morphologic analysis of the lung tissue was performed. The engraftment of male bone marrow MSCs in female recipient lung was determined by PCR of Sry gene and Y chromosome fluorescence in situ hybridization (Y-FISH). Sry gene was amplified by PCR using the genomic DNA from the lungs as template. Surfactant protein C (SP-C) immunofluorescent staining and Y-FISH were performed on the same lung section to determine whether the engrafted bone marrow MSCs differentiated into type II pneumocytes. RESULTS: Destruction of alveolar walls was observed in rat lungs from emphysema group and emphysema+MSCs transplantation group. MSCs transplantation significantly ameliorated the emphysematous changes. Significant differences in the mean linear interval (MLI), the mean alveoli number (MAN) and mean alveoli area (MAA) between emphysema group and emphysema+MSCs transplantation group were observed. DNA fragment of Sry gene was amplified in the genomic DNA from the rat lungs in emphysema+MSCs transplantation group. Y chromosome positive cells were observed in the lungs tissue from emphysema+MSCs transplantation group. Some of the Y chromosome positive cells also expressed SP-C, the marker of type II pneumocytes. CONCLUSION: Bone marrow MSCs transplantation improves papain and irradiation-induced pulmonary emphysema. The underlying mechanisms may include the engraftment of bone marrow MSCs in the lungs and differentiation of MSCs into type II pneumocytes.