Biological characteristics of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from GFP transgenic mice transfected with human β-nerve growth factor gene

AIM:To investigate the changes of biological characteristics of GFP transgenic mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which were transfected with human β-nerve growth factor (β-NGF) gene in a recombinant eukaryotic expression vector. METHODS:MSCs obtained from GFP transgenic mice were isolated, cultured and purified by the whole bone marrow adherence methods. Human β-NGF gene was transfected into the MSCs by a recombinant eukaryotic expression vector. The β-NGF expression in the MSCs was detected by the method of immunocytochemistry. Hippocampal neurons from neonatal mice were cultured with culture supernatant of the MSCs transfected with pcDNA3-β-NGF and the biological characteristics of the MSCs were investigated 3 d after culture under inverted phase-contrast microscope. RESULTS:The β-NGF positive rate of MSCs in pcDNA3-β-NGF transfection group ［(37.12±2.14)%］ was significantly higher than that in MSCs control group ［(2.36±0.62)%］ and blank control group ［(1.43±0.76)%］.The neurite length of neonatal mouse hippocampal neurons cultured with culture supernatant from pcDNA3-β-NGF-transfected MSCs ［(31±3)μm］ was significantly longer than that in negative control group ［(23±4)μm］, suggesting that MSCs transfected with β-NGF gene maintained better biological characteristics. CONCLUSION: The constructed recombinant eukaryotic expression vector of human β-NGF gene can be transfected into MSCs efficiently and NGF can be effectively expressed in MSCs. MSCs transfected with β-NGF gene are capable of stable expression and secretion of β-NGF, and maintenance of better biological characteristics.     

Effects of different doses of L-dopa on rotational behavior and amounts of cells expressing D2 receptors in hemiparkinsonian rats

AIM：To observe the effects of different doses of L-dopa on the rotational behavior and amounts of cells expressing D₂ receptors in striatum in hemiparkinsonian rats.METHODS：A hemiparkinsonian model was established in rats by pretreatment with 6-hydroxydopamine.The D₂ receptor expression were detected by immunohistochemical staining.The numbers of rotations induced by apomorphine was counted within 30 min before and after L-dopa (10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1,50 mg·kg^-1·d-^-1 or 100 mg·kg^-1·d^-1,ip) was introduced to Parkinson’s disease (PD) model rats for 15 days.RESULTS：In successful PD model rats,the increased percentage of D₂ receptor in lesioned side compared with intact side was associated linearly with the numbers of rotations within 30 min (r=0.927,P<0.01).After high dose of L-dopa intervention to PD model,the numbers of rotations decreased significantly (P<0.05),the amounts of cells expressing D₂ receptor at the lesioned side striatum decreased significantly (P<0.01).CONCLUSION：After high dose of L-dopa intervention,rotation behavior of PD rats improves,and D₂ receptor is down-regulated significantly.     

Effect of transplantation of hMSCs modified by BDNF and GDNF gene on injured brain in rat MCAO model

AIM：To study the therapeutic effect of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) modified by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) gene transfer with liposome on middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model rats. METHODS：The nonviral expression vector was constructed and transfected into the hMSCs by liposomal method. The rat brain injury model was established by the method of MCAO. The gene-modified hMSCs, control hMSCs or PBS was transplanted into the rats 24 h after MCAO by femoral venous injection. The neurological function score, the change of the body weight and the behavior test were used to evaluate the damage of the brain in the rats. The degree of the damage and the migration of the cells 15 d after transplantation were analyzed by observing the histological changes of the brain tissues. RESULTS：The expression levels of BDNF and GDNF in gene-modified hMSCs were much higher than those in control hMSCs. The transplantation of BDNF and GDNF gene-modified hMSCs promoted the functional recovery and reduced the infarct size in the rats after MCAO. A few exogenesis cells only survived in the infarct area of the brain in the MCAO rats, and the cells showed no differentiation. CONCLUSION：Transplantation of BDNF and GDNF gene-modified hMSCs by nonviral expression vector is effective in treating cerebral ischemia. The effect may result from the action of the cytokines secreted by these cells, reducing the injuries induced by the brain ischemia and accelerating the nerve repair following the injury.     

Effects of angiotensin II-induced hypertension chemotherapy on the activity of interleukin-1β converting enzyme in transplanted intracerebral rat gliomas

AIM: To investigate the activity of interleukin-1β converting enzyme in transplanted intracerebral rat gliomas under angiotensin II-induced hypertension chemotherapy. METHODS: The brain tumor model was produced in Wistar rats by stereotaxic inoculation of C6 glioma cells (1×10¹² /L). Tumor-bearing rats were treated with carmustine, teniposide and lisplatin (chemotherapy) during angiotensin II-induced hypertension. Then, the survival time of tumor-bearing rats, tumor blood flow, the concentration of drug, volume of gliomas and the activity of interleukin-1β converting enzyme in glioma were examined.RESULTS: The survival time of tumor-bearing rats was significantly longer in chemotherapy with angiotensin II-induced hypertension group than that of chemotherapy alone. In addition, regional tumor blood flow, the concentration of chemotherapeutic drug and the activity of interleukin -1β converting enzyme in transplanted rat gliomas were increased, while the volume of gliomas was decreased in hypertention chemotherapy group compared with chemotherapy alone. CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy with angiotensin II-induced hypertension has a enhancing effect on chemotherapy for improving the drug delivery to tumor tissue by a increased tumor blood flow and enhancing activity of interleukin -1β converting enzyme.     

Effect of transplantation of hRAMP1 gene-modified bone marrow MSCs on postangioplasty neointima formation in rabbits

AIM: To explore the effect of transplantation of human receptor activity-modifying protein 1 ( hRAMP1 ) gene-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on neointima formation after carotid balloon angioplasty in carotid atherosclerosis rabbits. METHODS: MSCs were collected through density gradient centrifugation and adherent culture. MSCs were transfected with adenovirus vector carrying hRAMP1 gene to generate hRAMP1 gene-modified MSCs (hRAMP1-MSCs). All animals with carotid atherosclerosis and balloon angioplasty were randomly divided into hRAMP-MSCs group, MSCs group and control group. After the model was established, MSCs transfected with pAd2-EGFP-hRAMP1 or pAd2-EGFP and PBS were injected to the ear vein,respectively. The injured carotid arteries were harvested to detect the homing of MSCs,reendothelialization and neointima thickness 7 d, 14 d and 28 d after cell transplantation. The plasma samples were collected for detecting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by ELISA. The expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in injured carotid arteries was measured by Western blotting. RESULTS: The expression of CD31 and EGFP was observed in the neointima at different time points in hRAMP1-MSCs group and MSCs group. Compared to control group, the reendothelialization of carotid significantly increased in both hRAMP1-MSCs group and MSCs group at different time points (P<0.05), and that in hRAMP1-MSCs group showed better than that in MSCs group (P<0.05). The area of neointima and the rate of restenosis were lower in hRAMP1-MSCs group and MSCs group than those in control group, and those in hRAMP1-MSCs group were significantly lower than those in MSCs group. The plasma level of VEGF and the expression of eNOS in the injured carotid arteries were significantly higher in both hRAMP1-MSCs group and MSCs group than those in control group at different time points (P<0.05), and those in hRAMP1-MSCs group were better than those in MSCs group (P<0.05). In the injured carotid arteries, the expression level of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in hRAMP1-MSCs group was the lowest,with the middle level in MSCs group and the highest level in control group. CONCLUSION: The hRAMP1 gene-modified MSCs are better in promoting reendothelialization and attenuating neointima than natural MSCs. The recombinant hRAMP1 adenovirus vectors dont affect the differentiation potential of MSCs into endothelial cells.These findings indicate that the modified stem cells have the potency of more effective reendothelialization to decrease restenosis after angioplasty.     

Effect of livin-modified BM-MSCs transplantation on cardiac function following acute myocardial infarction in a rat model

AIM: To study the effect of livin gene-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BM-MSCs) transplantation on the cardiac function following acute myocardial infarction in a rat model and the expression of livin, caspase-3, caspase-7 and caspase-9 in the livin gene-modified BM-MSCs. METHODS: The MSCs were obtained by the whole bone marrow culture method, and the apoptosis of the MSCs after infection with adenovirus vector carrying enhanced green fluorescent protein(EGFP) gene and livin recombinant vector(rAd-livin) were detected by flow cytometry. The expression of livin, caspase-3, caspase-7 and caspase-9 was detected by Western blot. After permanent left anterior descending artery occlusion, the rats were randomized to receive intramyocardial injection of DMEM without cells(vehicle group), or containing MSCs(MSCs group), MSCs(EGFP)(rAd-control/MSCs group) or MSCs(livin)(rAd-livin/MSCs group). Left ventricular systolic pressure(LVSP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure(LVEDP), the maximum increased rate of left ventricular pressure(-dp/dt_max) and the maximum decline rate of left ventricular pressure(+dp/dt_max) were recorded for evaluating the cardiac functions. RESULTS: The apoptosis of rAd-livin/MSCs was significantly decreased as compared with MSCs and rAd-control/MSCs(P<0.05). Meanwhile, the expression of caspase-3, caspase-7 and caspase-9 was significantly downregulated as compared with the other 2 groups(P<0.05). The cardiac function in rAd-livin/MSCs group was significantly improved as compared with DMEM group, and those in the other 2 groups got the similar results, but the function in rAd-livin/MSCs group was better improved. Meanwhile, the number of surviving cells in rAd-livin/MSCs group was significantly improved as compared with the other 2 groups. CONCLUSION: The apoptosis of MSCs is decreased after rAd-livin transfection, and the expression of caspase-3, caspase-7 and caspase-9 is also significantly downregulated while the expression of livin is significantly upregulated. Transplantation of livin-modified BM-MSCs by lentiviral vector results in better prognosis for treating myocardial infarction by enhancing cell survival.     

Role of VEGF in establishment of Walker-256 transplanted liver cancer model in SD rats

AIM：To evaluate the safety and feasibility of using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the establishment of Walker-256 transplanted liver cancer model. METHODS：SD rats (n=45) were divided into 3 groups:via the caudal vein, the rats in normal saline (NS) group were injected with 0.9% sodium chloride (0.1 mL/d), the rats in 20 mg/L VEGF group were injected with 20 mg/L VEGF (0.1 mL/d), and the rats in 40 mg/L VEGF group were injected with 40 mg/L VEGF (0.1 mL/d). All the injection began 1 week before transplantation of liver cancer, and stopped on the day the cancer model was established. Prepared tumor tissue was transplanted into the subcapsular space of the liver. Three days, 1 week and 2 weeks after the transplantation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed for analyzing the tumor growth and the characteristics. The overall survival of the rats was also recorded. RESULTS：Successful establishment of Walker-256 transplanted liver cancer model was achieved. Among 45 rats, 1 rat died 1 d after implanting the tumor both in NS group and 20 mg/L VEGF group, while 3 rats died in 40 mg/L VEGF group 1 week after building the model, mainly because of the progression of tumors. Three days after modeling,the numbers of the rats in which the tumor was positively detected by MRI in 3 groups were 0, 7 and 10, respectively; 1 week after modeling, those were 3, 13 and 13, respectively; 2 weeks after modeling,those were 12, 13 and 10, respectively. Between NS group and 20 mg/L VEGF group, the statistical significance existed in the number of the rats in which the tumor was positively detected by MRI after 3 d of implanting, so did the NS group and 40 mg/L VEGF group. No statistical significance in the overall survival time between NS group and 20 mg/L VEGF group (P＞0.05) was observed, but the significance existed between 40 mg/L VEGF group and NS group (P<0.01). CfONCLUSION:The application of VEGF at dose of 20 mg/L and 0.1 mL/d shortens the time to establish the transplanted liver cancer model without influence on the overall survival, which is a safe, feasible and efficient way, and is more suitable for anti-VEGF drug investigation.     

Transplantation of exogenous mesenchymal stem cells treats post-infarction ventricular remodeling in rats

AIM: This study was performed to investigate the feasibility and efficiency of exogenous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation on post-infarction ventricular remodeling and heart function in rats and compare the effects between adult rat MSCs and neonate rat MSCs transplantation. METHODS: 1-2 hours after left coronary artery ligation, MSCs cultured in ex vivo, marked with BrdU, were injected directly into the border of infarcts in exogenous rats. 6 weeks after transplantation, rat heart function, ventricular remodeling and pathological results were measured. RESULTS: MSCs transplantation decreased LV end-diastolic diameter and end-systolic diameter, limited LV chamber dilatation and reduced collagen content significantly. The numbers of blood vessels and cardiomyocytes were increased. BrdU-labelled MSCs with oval nucleus were widely distributed. There were no significant difference between adult rat MSCs and neonate rat MSCs transplanted groups. CONCLUSION: MSCs can survive and home in exogenous host infarct hearts without addition of any immunosuppressant. MSCs transplantation has benificial effects on remodeling processes and contributes to improvement of cardiac function, which may be related with the reduction of the amount of the collagen, promotion of myogenesis and angiogenesis.     

Therapeutic action of transplantation of marrow mesenchymal stem cells into infarction area after cerebral middle artery occlusion in rats

AIM: To explore the differentiation and the functional behavior of marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) transplanted into the cerebral infarction area after cerebral middle artery ischemia in rats. METHODS: MSC were isolated from human rib marrow and cultured in L DMEM medium in vitro. The model of rat cerebral infarction by cerebra middle artery occlusion was established, and the identified MSC were transplanted intracerebrally 10 days later. Immunohistochemistry technique was used to identify the cell survivor and its differentiation to the neurogenesis in the transplantation site, and at 2 weeks and 6 weeks after transplantation, the functional tests were comparatively studied. RESULTS: The results showed that the survivor of transplanted MSC was differentiated to neural phenotype cells, and the functional behavior of the injury rats was recovered significantly after MSC transplantation (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that transplantation of MSC may be a powerful autoplastic therapy for the stroke.     

Effect of lentiviral vector of microRNA-9-1 on differentiation of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into neurons

AIM: To investigate the role of microRNA-9 in inducing bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell(MSCs) differentiation into neurons.METHODS: The lentiviral vector of microRNA-9-1(microRNA-9-1-LV) was constructed and transfected into mouse MSCs. The cells were divided into non-transfected group, transfected group(transfected with microRNA-9-1-LV) and negative control group(transfected with FU-RNAi-NC-LV). MSCs were treated with β-mercaptoethanol(β-ME) as an inducer for triggering the cells to differentiate into neurons. The fluorescence expressed by transfected MSCs were observed under inverted fluorescence microscope. The mRNA expression of microtublin-associated protein 2(MAP-2) was detected by RT-PCR. The expression of neuron-specific markers,neuron-specific enolase(NSE), MAP-2 and glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP), were measured by immunocytochemical method. The viability of MSCs was determined by MTT method. RESULTS: The results of PCR confirmed successful construction of mouse microRNA-9-1-LV. The virus titer was 1×10¹² TU/L(TU, transduction unit). The best transfection efficiency(up to 91.3%±4.2%) and survival rate appeared when multiply of infection(MOI)was 20 and on 4th day. β-ME induced MSCs to differentiate into neurons and the best efficiency of the induction was observed in transfected group. The expression levels of NSE and MAP-2 in transfected cells were higher than those in the cells of other group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: MicroRNA-9-1-LV has high transfection efficiency in mouse MSCs. Higher differentiation rate from mouse MSCs to neurons is induced by β-ME after the cells are transfected with microRNA-9-1-LV.     

草莓CIPK基因家族的鉴定与表达分析

从拟南芥数据库中获得CIPK基因家族注册号,运用生物信息学分析的方法,在蔷薇科森林草莓（Fragaria vesca）数据库中得到CIPK基因家族成员19个,可分为6个亚族。该基因家族分布在草莓7条染色体中的6条上。其编码蛋白的氨基酸数157 ~ 1 196,理论等电点3.91 ~ 9.34,分子量18 667.68 ~ 133 714.31 D。基因结构分析表明,有11条基因只有1个外显子,其余基因外显子数2 ~ 15。亚细胞定位结果表明,该基因家族成员主要在细胞质、细胞核和叶绿体上表达。蛋白质二级结构预测表明,该基因家族成员主要以α–螺旋、β–转角和不规则卷曲为主。对上游2 kb区域启动子顺式作用元件分析表明,该基因家族成员对逆境胁迫应答MYB响应明显,除FvCIPK02、FvCIPK15、FvCIPK17外,其他基因均对脱落酸应答元件ABRE响应明显。qRT-PCR数据分析表明,FvCIPK16、FvCIPK10和FvCIPK09分别在PEG、ABA和NaCl处理下,草莓试管苗中的相对表达量最高,分别是对照的18.4倍、29倍、13倍,说明FvCIPK16强响应干旱胁迫,FvCIPK10强响应ABA诱导,FvCIPK09强响应高盐胁迫;另外发现各处理的FvCIPK03相对表达量均下调,推测FvCIPK03在植物逆境胁迫中起负调节作用。     

Therapeutic effect of neuregulin-1β on pressure overload-induced myocardial hypertrophy in rats

AIM：To investigate the therapeutic effect and the mechanism of neuregulin-1β (NRG-1β) on the rat model of myocardial hypertrophy induced by pressure overload．METHODS：Eight weeks after coarctation of abdominal aorta, the Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: myocardial hypertrophy (model) group, sham operation (sham) group, NRG-1β treatment group (intravenous injection of NRG-1β at dose of 10 μg/kg daily for 7 d) and NRG-1β+Herceptin (HERCE) treatment group ［intravenous injection of NRG-1β (10 μg/kg) plus HERCE (10 μg/kg) daily for 7 d］. The characteristics of heart functions were evaluated by the methods of hemodynamics and echocardiography. Masson staining was employed to observe the pathological changes of myocardial tissues. The concentration of angiotensin II (Ang II) in myocardial tissues was measured by radioimmunoassay. The level of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in myocardial tissues was detected by ELISA. The mRNA expression of B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (bcl-2) and bcl-2-associated X protein (bax) in the myocardium was determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS：The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS) were higher, while the left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) were smaller in NRG-1β group than those in model group. The left ventricular end-systolic pressure (LVESP) and maximal rate of increase/decrease in left ventricular pressure (±dp/dtmax) were higher, and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was significantly lower in NRG-1β group than those in model group. Compared with model group, treatment with NRG-1β decreased collagen volume fraction (CVF), reduced the Ang II and TNF-α, increased bcl-2 mRNA expression, and decreased bax mRNA expression in myocardial tissues. No difference of the above parameters between model group and NRG-1β+HERCE treatment group was observed. CONCLUSION：NRG-1 reduces the expression of Ang II and TNF-α in myocardial tissues in pressure-overload rats, thus reducing Ang II and TNF-α mediated myocardial interstitial remodeling. Increase in the mRNA expression of bcl-2 and decrease in the mRNA expression of bax by NRG-1 inhibit myocardial cell apoptosis, which is responsible for its role of improving cardiac function of myocardial hypertrophy induced by pressure overload.     

Immunosuppressive and protective effects of human α1-antitrypsin on pancreatic β-cell transplantation

AIM：To study the immunosuppressive and protective effects of human α1-antitrypsin (hAAT) on pancreatic β-cell transplantation. METHODS： An NIT-1 cell line (NIT-hAAT) was constructed, which can stably express the protein of hAAT. The BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally injected with NIT-1 and NIT-hAAT cell lines twice to induce cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL). The apoptotic situation, the cytokine expression, and the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors were examined after mixed culture of CTL with NIT-1or NIT-hAAT cell line pretreated with mitomycin. Both cell lines were transferred into the left renal capsule of the diabetic mice to dynamically observe the changes of blood sugar and body weight, the serum levels of insulin and C-peptide, and the pathological changes of the transplanted sites. RESULTS： The results of extended CTL killing assay showed that the cytotoxic effect on NIT-hAAT cell acceptor mice was significantly reduced compared with NIT-1 cell acceptor mice. hAAT effectively reduced apoptosis, inhibited the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-6, and adjusted the balance of Th1/Th2 cytokine expression. After NIT-hAAT was transplanted into the diabetic mice, blood glucose decreased obviously and maintained for 28 d. The serum levels of insulin and C-peptide increased obviously. The infiltration of the inflammatory cells in the transplanted sites significantly reduced. CONCLUSION：hAAT has the abilities of reducing cytotoxic effect of CTL on the β-cells, inhibiting inflammatory factor expression, and stopping short-term immunological rejection of the acceptor. hAAT has obvious immunosuppressive and protective effects on pancreatic β-cell transplantation for treatment of diabetes.     

Survival and neuronal differentiation of transplanted stem cells derived from embryonic hippocampus in adult rats with stroke lesions

AIM: To study whether exogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) derived from embryonic hippocampus differentiates into the neurons after transplanted into the infarct periphery of the brain in a stroke model and to further investigate the behavioral improvement in the rats.METHODS: The NSCs were prepared after isolated from the embryonic hippocampus of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-transgenic rats and cultured. The NSCs were identified using nestin and doublecortin(DCX) as markers. The cortical infarction in rats was induced using photochemical method, named photothrombotic cortical injury (PCI). Twenty adult rats were randomly divided into NSC transplantation group (NSC group) and control group. The cultured NSCs were transplanted into the infarct periphery of the rats in NSC group, and nothing in control group at first day was applied after PCI. The locomotor behavior of animals was checked using the rotarod test at 1st, 7th, 14th and 21st d after PCI. The survival and differentiation of transplanted NSCs were evaluated by immunocytochemical method at 12th week after PCI.RESULTS: The cells derived from the embryonic hippocampus significantly expressed the markers of NSCs. The grafted cells survived at least 12 weeks in the infarct periphery of adult rats and differentiated into mature glial cells and neurons. The density of NeuN+/GFP+ and volume of grafts at 12th week were less than those at 3rd week after transplantation (P<0.05). The time standing on the rod was longer in NSC group than that in control group at 7th, 14th and 21st d after PCI (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: The NSCs derived from embryonic hippocampus survive in the infarct periphery of adult rats up to 12 weeks and differentiate into mature neurons, which might be associated with the improvement of locomotor behavior of stroke animals. The neuronal replacement of neurons differentiated from NSCs may be the underlying mechanism.     

Transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells improves motor function in a DMD mouse model

AIM: To observe amelioration of motor function in a Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) mouse model (dko mice) after transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). METHODS: Passage fifth MSCs cultured in vitro were transplanted into dko mice by tail vein, motor functions of experimental mice and matched control mice, including traction, rotating rods, rotated wheel, upside down, turning over and walking (all were recorded by Sony digital camera) were tested 15 weeks after transplantation. The fluorescent expression of dystrophin and utrophin in gastrocnemius muscle tissue of dko mice was detected by SABC-Cy3, and average optical density of positive fibers was calculated. RESULTS: MSCs grew in colony over passage third, and there was low immunologic reaction by vein transplantation. There was dystrophin and utrophin fluorescent expression in sarcolemma of dko mice 15 weeks after transplantation, but no any fluorescent expression in controls. There was significant difference in fluorescent average optical density of positive fibers between two groups (P＜0.05). Amelioration of motor functions in dko mice was found 15 weeks after MSCs transplantation compared with the control mice (P＜0.05). CONCLUSION: Transplantation of MSCs ameliorates the positive and passive motor functions of dko mice.     

Preliminary investigation on combining autologous marrow stromal cells transplantation with granulocyte colony stimulating factor for improvement of rabbit cardiac performance after actue myocardiac infarction

AIM: To test the hypothesis that autologous marrow stromal cells (MSCs) transplantation combined with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) can enhance cardiac function of ischemic hearts in vivo.METHODS: In order to achieve a safe and persistent effect,we explored the potential of autologous MSCs transplantation.Acute myocardial infarction induced by occlusion of left anterior descending artery,autologous MSCs labeled with BrdU bromodeoxyuridine in vitro were administered intramyocardially into the infarct area of the same donor rabbits and G-CSF was administrated by subcutaneous injection.Four weeks later,the transplanted labeled MSCs were detected by laser scanning confocal microscopy and the cardiac functions were examined by echocardiogram and multichannel physiologic recorder.Myocardial infarct size was measured from mid-transverse sections stained with Massons trichrome.RESULTS: After 4 weeks,transplanted MSCs were demonstrated myogenic differentiation with the expression of α-sarcomeric actin and connexin 43 located in intercalated disk.MSCs combined with G-CSF transplantation improved the left ventricular contractility and reduced myocardial infarct size markedly compared to that without G-CSF tratment.CONCLUSION: Our finding indicates that autologous MSCs combined with G-CSF transplantation may represent a promising therapeutic strategy on ischemic heart disease.     

Changes of canonical Wnt signaling pathway in brains of rats with autism induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid

AIM：To investigate the roles of the canonical Wnt pathway in autism. METHODS：Using an autistic model induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA), we detected the expression of the signaling molecules of the canonical Wnt pathway in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus formation (HF) of autistic rats. The expression levels of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β), phosphorylated GSK-3β, β-catenin and phosphorylated β-catenin were observed by Western blotting. The mRNA expression of GSK-3β, β-catenin, c-Myc and cyclin D1 was assessed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS：The results of Western blotting showed that inactivated GSK-3β (Ser9) phosphorylation was significantly increased, and inhibitory β-catenin (Ser33/37/Thr41) phosphorylation was obviously decreased compared with control group. The results of RT-PCR showed that the mRNA levels of β-catenin, c-Myc and cyclin D1 increased, and GSK-3β was significantly enhanced in VPA-exposed rats compared with the controls. CONCLUSION：Increased activity of canonical Wnt pathway in the PFC and HF of autistic rats may contribute to the susceptibility to autism.     

Wireless telemetry and analysis of electrical activity of infralimbic cortex in morphine-addicted rats

AIM：To telemeter and analyze the real-time changes of electrical activity of infralimbic cortex (IL) before and after preparation of the conditioned place preference (CPP) model in morphine-addicted rats. METHODS：The male SD rats were selected and randomly divided into morphine withdrawal group and normal saline control group (12 rats per group). An operation of brain stereotaxic electrode embedding was made. The CPP model of morphine-addicted rats was prepared by morphine injection and CPP training. The rats in control group received normal saline. The changes of CPP and electrical activity of IL in the rats were detected before and after modeling by CPP video system and electroencephalogram (EEG) wireless telemetry system. RESULTS：Compared with before modeling and control group, the time of withdrawal group staying in white box was prolonged significantly on withdrawal 1~3 d. Compared with control group, when the rats in withdrawal group stayed in white box on withdrawal 3 d, the electrical activity of IL showed that δ wave decreased obviously, and β wave (β 2) increased obviously, but no significant change of α wave and θ wave was observed. However, when the rats in withdrawal group shuttled from black box to white box, δ wave increased significantly, and α wave (α 1, α 2) and β wave (β 1, β 2) decreased significantly, but θ wave had no evident change. When the rats stayed in black box or shuttled from white box to black box, no significant difference of the electrical activity of IL between the 2 groups was detected. CONCLUSION：The change mechanism of electrical activity of IL may be different, when morphine-addicted rats shuttle to seek drug and stay in drug-related environment. There is possibly duality in neuronal function of IL.     

Therapeutic efficacy of Ang-1 gene-modified MSCs in cerebral infarction

AIM: To observe the therapeutic efficacy of Ang-1 gene-modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in cerebral infarction. METHODS: The constructed lentiviral vector carrying the Ang-1 gene was used to infect the rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs) to establish the Ang-1 gene-modified rMSCs (Ang-rMSCs). Adult male F344 rats were subjected to transient (2 h) middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with modified Zea Longa method. Phosphate buffered saline (PBS, 1 mL 0.1 mol/L, for control group), or Ang-rMSCs suspension (1 mL, for Ang-rMSCs group), or rMSCs suspension (1 mL, for pNL-rMSCs group), were infused into tail vein of rat respectively at 24 h after MCAO (n=8 in each group). Functional recovery measurements using the modified neurological severity scores (mNSS) were performed at 24 h post-MCAO and 1 week, 1 month and 3 months post-transplantation, respectively. The quantitative evaluation of blood-brain barrier permeability was performed at 1 week post-transplantation. The distribution, differentiation and malignant sign of grafted rMSCs were observed with immunofluorescence staining and histological method. RESULTS: Significant neurological function improvement was observed in groups treated with Ang-rMSCs or pNL-rMSCs at 1 week, 1 month post-transplantation compared with that in control group, as evidenced by mNSS (P<0.01). Better neurological function improvement was also found in Ang-rMSCs group than that in pNL-rMSCs group (P<0.01). The results of quantitative evaluation of blood-brain barrier permeability showed that the permeability in Ang-rMSCs group was the lowest compared to those in other two groups (P<0.01), and in the pNL-rMSCs group was the lower than that in control group (P<0.01). The grafted rMSCs survived in Ang-rMSCs and pNL-rMSCs groups, most were localized around the ischemic focus, and a few of them expressed NSE, NF and GFAP. The grafted rMSCs expressed BDNF abundantly in Ang-rMSCs group. These grafted rMSCs survived up to 3 months at least. No malignant sign was observed in these grafted cells. CONCLUSION: Ang-1 gene-modified MSCs transplantation has better therapeutic efficacy in cerebral infarction than that of MSC transplantation. The transplantation of cells with gene engineering is an effective therapeutic method for stroke patients.     

Effects of mesenchymal stem cells,fusion protein of tumor necrosis factor receptor Ⅱ-IgG Fc and mesalazine on disease activity index and tissue damage index of TNBS-induced colitis in rats

AIM: To study the effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), the fusion protein of tumor necrosis factor receptorⅡ-IgG Fc (TNFRⅡ-IgG) and mesalazine on the disease activity index (DAI) and tissue damage index (TDI) in the rat model of colitis induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). METHODS: MSCs were cultured in low-glucose DMEM containing 10% FBS. Eighty-one Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the study and the model of colitis induced by TNBS/ethanol was established. The rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal control group (A), colitis group (B), MSCs treatment 1 (3×106 MSCs) group (C), MSCs treatment 2 (5×106 MSCs) group (D), TNFRⅡ-IgG treatment group (E) and mesalazine treatment group (F). The scores of DAI were used to record the manifestations of the rats, colon macroscopic damage index (CMDI) was used to describe the macroscopic features of the colon, and the scores of TDI were estimated by determining the pathological changes of the colon under microscope. RESULTS: Pure MSCs were gained by 3 times of passages. Compared with group A, the scores of DAI, CMDI and TDI in group B were always significantly increased. On day 6, these scores in every group except group A were not different obviously. On day 9, the scores in group C,group D and group F were lower than those in group B, and no statistic difference between group C and group D was observed. On day 14, the scores in group C, group D, group E and group F were lower than those in group B, and the scores in the groups were group F > group E > group C > group D. CONCLUSION: MSCs, TNFRⅡ-IgG and mesalazine used for 14 d significantly improve the scores of DAI, CMDI and TDI in the rats with colitis induced by TNBS. The method using MSCs is better than those using TNFRⅡ-IgG and mesalazine.