Derivation, characterization and differentiation of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) amniotic fluid derived stem cells

Amniotic fluid cells (AFCs) are obtained from amnion for pre-natal analysis and can be cultured in vitro. Heterogeneous amniotic fluid (AF) contains various cell types, and it is believed that some of these cells possess the stem cell properties. The aim of this study was to characterize these cells by phenotypical and genotypical means in buffalo. The differentiation potential of amniotic fluid stem (AFS) cells was carried out by converting these cells into neurons. The AFCs were cultured without feeder cells in DMEM containing 16% foetal bovine serum, 1% penicillin/streptomycin and 1%l-glutamine in 5% CO(2) at 38.5 ± 0.5 °C in a CO(2) incubator. After 6 days of culture, different types of cells viz., star shaped (62.7%), spherical without nucleus (1.9%), spherical with nucleus (26.4%), pentagonal (0.4%) and free floating/rounded cells (8.3%) were observed. Most of the cells started anchorage-dependent growth after day 7 of the culture. Expression of Oct-4, Sox-2, Nanog, alkaline phosphatase, 18s rRNA, stem cell factor, cyclin A, Nestin and FGF-5 was observed from the AFS cells in different passages with PCR amplicon of 314, 277, 317, 180, 162, 216, 421, 307 and 210 bp, respectively. During the differentiation step, at day 6, neuron-like cells could be clearly identified and confirmed with Nestin-specific RT-PCR. The cells were found to have a normal karyotype at different passages. These results may contribute towards establishing non-embryonic pluripotent stem cells for various therapeutic and reproductive biotechnological applications in the species.     

绵羊羊水、胎儿肾脏组织中表达Oct-4细胞的分离培养及其分子学特性研究简

试验旨在建立从绵羊羊水、胎儿肾脏组织中分离培养表达Oct-4细胞的新方法,同时,通过实时荧光定量PCR（Real-time PCR）初步探索二者在分子生物学特性方面的联系及差异。采用0.01%胰酶培养液,从同一只受孕中期绵羊的羊水和胎儿肾脏组织中各分离1株细胞。Real-time PCR分析结果表明,从绵羊羊水、胎儿肾脏组织中分离的细胞均表达胚胎干细胞相关标志基因Oct-4、胚胎生殖细胞标志基因SSEA-1、主要组织相容性抗原MHC-Ⅱ、细胞凋亡基因Bax及抑制细胞凋亡基因Bcl-2,不表达MHC-Ⅰ、Nanog及TERT,因此,将羊水中表达Oct-4的细胞暂命名为羊水来源多潜能干细胞(amniotic fluid stem cells,AFSC),胎儿肾脏组织中表达Oct-4的细胞暂命名为肾脏组织干细胞(renal tissue stem cells,RTSC)。相对定量分析结果显示,二者的Oct-4、Bax及Bcl-2基因的相对表达量存在明显差异。绵羊羊水中表达Oct-4的细胞（AFSC）和胎儿肾脏组织中表达Oct-4的细胞（RTSC）体外悬浮培养7 d均能形成类胚体。试验成功建立了从绵羊羊水、胎儿肾脏组织中分离培养表达Oct-4细胞的新方法,实时荧光定量PCR分析初步显示绵羊羊水中表达Oct-4的细胞和胎儿肾脏组织中表达Oct-4的细胞具有相同的起源,并在体内处于一种动态的变化之中。     

绵羊羊水干细胞外源基因高效转染及快速筛选方法的建立

试验旨在建立绵羊羊水来源多潜能干细胞(amniotic fluid-derived stem cells,AFSC)外源基因高效转染及快速筛选方法,同时保持其多潜能特性。采用脂质体法,以pCMV-DsRed为报告质粒,转染绵羊AFSC,36 h后,流式细胞仪分析外源基因的瞬时转染效率为69.17%。以浓度为6 mg/mL的G418筛选5 h获得纯化转基因绵羊AFSC单克隆。转基因绵羊AFSC RT-PCR检测表达Oct-4、SSEA-1,体外悬浮培养可形成类胚体。结果表明,转基因标记绵羊AFSC保持了发育全能性的潜能,构建的转基因绵羊AFSC可以示踪性研究其在体内的分化路径和最终宿主。     

Effects of Prolonged in vitro Culture and Cryopreservation on Viability,DNA Fragmentation,Chromosome Stability and Ultrastructure of Bovine Cells from Amniotic Fluid and Umbilical Cord

The objective of this work was to study cellular types that did not participated in the gastrulation process, amniotic fluid cells (AFCs) and umbilical cord cells (UCCs), in conditions of long‐term culture and cryopreserved with different solutions. The AFCs and UCCs were used in a comparative study with ear fibroblast cells (EFCs) that were cultured in vitro until 20 cellular passages and cryopreserved in 10% dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO), 5% dimethyl formamide (DMF) and 7% glycerol (Gly) solutions. The cellular viability, ultrastructure, DNA fragmentation and chromosome stability were evaluated to determine the cellular type most resistant. In all cell types, it was possible to evaluate the AFCs until 15 passages and UCCs until 20 passages with different periods of cellular growth to reach the confluence phase. Solutions containing 10% DMSO ensured viability of 90.33 ± 5.58%, 90.56 ± 4.40% and 81.90 ± 3.31%, respectively for EFCs, AFCs and UCCs, being significantly more efficient and with less variation than other cryoprotectant solutions. The AFCs were more sensitive to cryopreservation and presented low viability rate at the passage 20 (17.2 ± 8.87%). There was no change in karyotype and nuclear fragmentation was low in all cellular passages studied. With the scanning electron analysis was possible the characterization of AFCs and UCCs in suspension. The three cellular types of cells presented different shapes and characteristics on the surface. The results demonstrate that bovine AFCs and UCCs can be isolated, cultured in vitro and cryopreserved in 10% DMSO, not causing damage to DNA and chromosomes. The UCCs were more resistant than AFCs in all aspects.     

Fibroblast growth factor-10 maintains the survival and promotes the growth of cultured goat preantral follicles

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of fibroblast growth factor-10 (FGF-10) on the survival, activation (transition from primordial to primary follicles), and growth of goat preantral follicles cultured in vitro. Pieces of ovarian cortex were cultured for 1 and 7 d in the absence or presence of FGF-10 (0, 1, 10, 50, 100, and 200 ng/mL). Noncultured and cultured tissues were processed and analyzed by histology, transmission electron microscopy, and viability testing. Results showed that after 7 d, a greater percentage (79.9%) of morphologically normal follicles (containing an oocyte with regular shape and uniform cytoplasm, and organized layers of granulosa cells without a pyknotic nucleus) was observed when cultured with 50 ng/mL of FGF-10 when compared with other concentrations of FGF-10 (0 ng/mL, 67.3%; 1 ng/mL, 68.2%; 10 ng/mL, 63.3%; 100 ng/mL, 64.4%; 200 ng/mL, 52.7%). Ultrastructural analyses and viability testing using fluorescent markers confirmed the follicular integrity of FGF-10 (50 ng/mL)-treated fragments after 7 d of culture. After 7 d, all FGF-10 concentrations reduced the percentage of primordial follicles and increased the percentage of developing follicles. In the presence of 50 ng/mL of FGF-10, follicles increased in diameter after 7 d of culture when compared with other concentrations tested. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that FGF-10 maintains the morphological integrity of goat preantral follicles and stimulates the growth of activated follicles in culture. The culture conditions identified here contribute to the understanding of the factors involved in goat early follicular development.     

蒙古羊羊水源干细胞分离培养及其成骨分化研究

试验旨在建立羊水源干细胞系并对其诱导形成成骨细胞的潜能进行研究。在胎牛血清浓度为15%的条件下对羊水源干细胞进行建系,并检测其类胚体形成能力;检测不同代数细胞的干细胞标志基因Oct-4、SH2、SSEA-1、Nanog、HLA-ABC、CD117的表达情况;利用地塞米松、β-甘油磷酸钠、抗坏血酸等因子进行诱导。结果表明,羊水源干细胞在体外可以持续增殖,悬浮培养形成的类胚体表达三胚层相关标记基因,经诱导可形成成骨细胞。试验成功分离了蒙古羊的羊水源干细胞并建系,且其具有向成骨细胞分化的潜能。     

Effects of Confluent, Roscovitine Treatment and Serum Starvation on the Cell-cycle Synchronization of Bovine Foetal Fibroblasts

The present study was designed to examine the effects of cell-cycle synchronization protocols, such as confluent, roscovitine treatment and serum starvation, in bovine foetal fibroblasts on synchronization accuracy at G0/G1, viability, apoptosis, necrosis and ploidy for use as a nuclei donor. The cells in 5-10 passages were randomly allocated into three treated groups. Cells were cultured either in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) + 10% foetal bovine serum (FBS) until 90% confluent (group 1, confluent), in DMEM + 10% FBS + 30 microM roscovitine for 12 h (group 2, roscovitine), or in DMEM + 0.5% FBS for 5 days (group 3, serum starvation). Most of the cells (>80%) in all groups were arrested at the G0/G1 stage. Although the rates did not differ, cells in group 1 showed an increased cell population arrested at the G0/G1 phase. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher rates of apoptosis occurred in group 3 than in group 1 and 2 (10% vs 6% and 6%, respectively). No differences in chromosomal abnormality were observed among groups. However, by increasing the number of cell culture passages up to 15, significantly (p < 0.05) higher chromosomal abnormality was observed than in 5 and 10 passages (39% vs 28% and 23%, respectively) in group 1. The results clearly indicated that bovine foetal fibroblasts could be effectively synchronized at G0/G1 stages by all the three different treatments, confluent, roscovitine and serum starvation. However, cells in confluent showed reduced apoptosis and necrosis when they underwent 5-10 passages, exhibiting increased percentage of cells with stable chromosome diversity. Hence, cells in confluent merit further studies before they could be used as nuclear donors.     

造血和神经相关标志物在人胎盘的表达

为探讨人胎盘组织在造血中的作用以及研究造血和神经标志物在胎盘中的表达和在胚胎发育中的相关性，用免疫组织化学法对人胎盘组织和体外培养的胎盘组织中的贴壁细胞进行染色，观察其造血因子和神经标志物的表达。结果发现人7月龄胎盘组织血管内血细胞表达多种造血细胞因子，如SCF、VEGF、BMP-4和FGF-1和KDR，血管内皮细胞上也有表达；胎盘组织同时表达造血干细胞标记CD34、CD133和神经细胞标记物Nestin和MAP2等。而足月龄胎盘CD34、CD133、KDR和造血相关因子SCF、VEGF、BMP-4、FGF-1等弱表达，不表达Nestin和MAP2。两组胎盘切片都不表达GFAP和MBP。胎盘贴壁细胞（hPDACs）碱性磷酸酶、波形蛋白、CD133、Nestin和MAP2染色呈阳性，CD34、GFAP和MBP阴性表达。人胎盘组织和胎盘贴壁细胞表达多种造血相关因子和神经细胞标志物，提示胎盘具有造血功能，造血形成和神经发生之间可能存在基因表达叠加现象。     

The Amniotic Membrane: Development and Potential Applications – A Review

Foetal membranes are essential tissues for embryonic development, playing important roles related to protection, breathing, nutrition and excretion. The amnion is the innermost extraembryonic membrane, which surrounds the foetus, forming an amniotic sac that contains the amniotic fluid (AF). In recent years, the amniotic membrane has emerged as a potential tool for clinical applications and has been primarily used in medicine in order to stimulate the healing of skin and corneal diseases. It has also been used in vaginal reconstructive surgery, repair of abdominal hernia, prevention of surgical adhesions and pericardium closure. More recently, it has been used in regenerative medicine because the amniotic‐derived stem cells as well as AF‐derived cells exhibit cellular plasticity, angiogenic, cytoprotective, immunosuppressive properties, antitumoural potential and the ability to generate induced pluripotent stem cells. These features make them a promising source of stem cells for cell therapy and tissue engineering. In this review, we discussed the development of the amnion, AF and amniotic cavity in different species, as well as the applicability of stem cells from the amnion and AF in cellular therapy.     

Effect of growth factors on the migration of equine oral and limb fibroblasts using an in vitro scratch assay

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of platelet derived growth factor BB (PDGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1), insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) on the proliferation and migration of equine oral mucosa and leg skin fibroblast cell lines, using an in vitro scratch assay. Fibroblasts from the two sites were firstly grown to confluence and then an area of cells removed (cell void area). Cell migration alone (with the addition of the mitosis inhibitor mitomycin-C to the culture media) and proliferation and migration combined (without mitomycin-C) into the cell void area were observed at 0, 5, 10, 24 and 36h. The presence of mitomycin-C in the culture media significantly slowed the closure of the cell void area, as mitosis was inhibited. For the oral cells only, TGFβ1 significantly slowed both migration (with mitomycin-C) and proliferation and migration combined (without mitomycin-C). For the limb cells only, both PDGF and FGF-2 significantly increased fibroblast proliferation and migration combined (without mitomycin-C). For both cell types, EGF significantly reduced migration (with mitomycin-C). IGF-1 had no effect on any of the parameters measured. It was concluded that TGFβ1, PDGF and FGF-2 have differential effects on the proliferation and migration of equine oral and limb fibroblasts. These differences in fibroblast responses to growth factors may in part form the basis of the different clinical outcomes for oral and limb wounds.     

山羊PGCs用于分离与克隆类ES细胞

选择健康成年本地白山羊，自然发情，配种后44d取胎儿，以传统的原始生殖细胞（PGCs)分离与克隆的方法和PGCs与其胎儿生殖嵴周围组织细胞共同培养的方法获得类胚胎干细胞（类ES细胞），并对山羊类ES细胞在不同饲养层上进行培养。结果表明，采用传统方法与共培养的方法并添加细胞因子均能分离获得类ES细胞。分离获得的类ES细胞在同源（山羊）胎儿细胞饲养层上生长效果较好，可传4代或5代，而在小鼠原代成纤维细胞饲养层上类ES细胞仅传3代。另外，共培养不添加细胞因子组仅获1个ES细胞集落，传代后丢失。     

水牛PGC和前精原细胞的体外培养

分别对取自50~95日龄水牛胎儿的原生殖细胞和前精原细胞进行体外培养,观察其生物学行为,并检测其碱性磷酸酶(AP)活性和Oct-4蛋白特性,探讨利用这些生殖细胞建立干细胞系的可行性和检测方法。结果表明水牛原生殖细胞及前精原细胞分别在体外培养时,均能形成细胞克隆;克隆与周围细胞分界明显,但克隆中细胞相互间界限不清;部分克隆有分隔现象,形如多个克隆共同组成一个大克隆;细胞克隆均至少能培养4代以上;原生殖细胞和前精原细胞及其来源的细胞克隆均呈AP阴性和Oct-4蛋白阴性,其中部分克隆表现为AP假阳性。研究结果显示水牛原生殖细胞和前精原细胞均可用于建立干细胞系;体外培养时,AP活性和Oct-4蛋白不适宜用来检测这些细胞及其来源的细胞克隆。     

Anaplasma marginale in tick cell culture

Anaplasma marginale was propagated in a tick cell line derived from Dermacentor variabilis embryos. The rickettsial organism was identified and monitored in culture by transmission electron microscopy and the indirect immunofluorescence technique, using specific monoclonal antibodies. Inoculation of the embryonic tick cell line with midguts of infected adult ticks (culture 1), nymphal ticks (culture 2) and adult ticks that were infected as nymphs and dissected as adults (culture 3) resulted in 3 continuous cultures of A marginale. Culture 1 had been maintained through 22 passages over a 11-month period; cultures 2 and 3 had been maintained for 18 passages over a 9-month period. Growth of A marginale in the cell line began in the area of the nuclear membrane at approximately 4 days after inoculation or transfer. Thereafter, the organisms were observed in inclusions scattered throughout the cytoplasm of the host cells. Maximal growth of the organism occurred at 7 to 14 days, after which numbers of inclusions rapidly decreased to minimal or undetectable levels. The organism began new cycles of growth with each 1:5 to 1:10 split and transfer of the host cells. Electron microscopy of recently infected cells revealed a morphology of the organism that closely resembled that observed in marginal bodies of infected erythrocytes. After several passages, A marginale organisms had a varied morphology and resembled the organism described in midgut cells of naturally infected ticks.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

人胰岛素原基因转染绵羊成纤维细胞及细胞株的建立

从动物耳皮肤组织采样 ,采用将组织块剪碎后直接贴附于培养瓶底部的方法进行原代培养 ,该方法使原代细胞出现率及可传代率均达到 10 0 %。根据上皮样细胞和成纤维样细胞贴壁紧实程度的不同 ,用 0 .0 5 %的胰蛋白酶-EDTA对其进行消化 ,可将两种不同类型的细胞进行分离和纯化。通过脂质体介导 ,以BLG -hINS(含乳球蛋白调控基因的人胰岛素原基因 )基因作为目的基因、GFP(绿色荧光蛋白 )基因作为标记基因共转染绵羊成纤维细胞 ,经G - 4 18筛选后 ,得到转染细胞。对转染的细胞分别用单细胞显微操作法和有限稀释法进行细胞克隆 ,两种方法均可得到克隆细胞。选形态正常、生长均匀的 5个细胞克隆进行PCR检测 ,结果 5个克隆均转有GFP基因 ,其中两个转有BLG -hINS基因。高代培养细胞、转染细胞和克隆细胞经核型分析后 ,染色体数目均为 2 7对 ,表明绵羊耳的成纤维细胞建立细胞株后 ,可以作为外源基因转染的有效供体细胞。     

Use of trichostatin A alters the expression of HDAC3 and KAT2 and improves in vitro development of bovine embryos cloned using less methylated mesenchymal stem cells

The aim of this work was to investigate the methylation and hydroxymethylation status of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from amniotic fluid (MSC‐AF), adipose tissue (MSC‐AT) and fibroblasts (FIB‐control) and to verify the effect of trichostatin A (TSA) on gene expression and development of cloned bovine embryos produced using these cells. Characterization of MSC from two animals (BOV1 and BOV2) was performed by flow cytometry, immunophenotyping and analysis of cellular differentiation genes expression. The cells were used in the nuclear transfer in the absence or presence of 50 nM TSA for 20 hr in embryo culture. Expression of HDAC1, HDAC3 and KAT2A genes was measured in embryos by qRT‐PCR. Methylation results showed difference between animals, with MSC from BOV2 demonstrating lower methylation rate than BOV1. Meanwhile, MSC‐AF were less hydroxymethylated for both animals. MSC‐AF from BOV2 produced 44.92 ± 8.88% of blastocysts when embryos were exposed to TSA and similar to embryo rate of MSC‐AT also treated with TSA (37.96 ± 15.80%). However, when methylation was lower in FIB compared to MSC, as found in BOV1, the use of TSA was not sufficient to increase embryo production. MSC‐AF embryos expressed less HDAC3 when treated with TSA, and expression of KAT2A was higher in embryos produced with all MSC and treated with TSA than embryos produced with FIB. The use of MSC less methylated and more hydroxymethylated in combination with embryo incubation with TSA can induce lower expression of HDAC3 and higher expression of KAT2A in the embryos and consequently improve bovine embryo production.     

Neurogenic Differentiation of EGFP Gene Transfected Amniotic Fluid‐Derived Stem Cells from Pigs at Intermediate and Late Gestational Ages

The aims of this study were (i) to determine whether amniotic fluid‐derived stem cells (amniotic fluid‐derived stem; AFS cells) could be isolated from pigs at intermediate and late gestational ages, and (ii) to determine if these AFS cells could be differentiated in vitro into neural lineages following transfection with a reporter gene, enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP). Amniotic fluid‐derived stem cells were isolated from embryonic day 60 and day 110 porcine amniotic fluid respectively, and transfected with EGFP gene using lipofection. The transfected AFS cells were induced to differentiate into cells of neuronal lineages. Markers associated with undifferentiated AFS cells and their neural derivatives were tested by polymerase chain reaction. The results demonstrated that porcine AFS cells could be isolated at intermediate and late gestational ages and that transfected AFS expressed EGFP and could be induced to differentiate in vitro. Undifferentiated AFS cells expressed POU5F1, THY1 and SOX2, while following differentiation cells expressed markers for astrocytes (GFAP), oligodendrocytes (GALC) and neurons (NF, ENOS and MAP2).     

山羊雄性胎儿生殖细胞建立干细胞系初探

体外培养山羊50~68日龄雄性胎儿生殖细胞,并检测它们的碱性磷酸酶(AP)活性和Oct-4蛋白,探讨性别分化后的生殖细胞用于建立干细胞系的可行性及检测指标。当山羊胎儿睾丸细胞体外培养时,生殖细胞及其来源的细胞克隆均呈AP阴性和Oct-4蛋白阴性,其中有部分细胞克隆表现为AP假阳性。山羊胎儿生殖细胞克隆呈隆突状生长,多为圆形,与周围细胞界限分明,但克隆内细胞间界限不清。细胞克隆至少可以培养3代以上。研究结果显示,山羊雄性胎儿生殖细胞可以用于建立生殖系来源的干细胞系;AP和Oct-4蛋白不适宜用来检测体外培养的山羊胎儿生殖细胞及其来源的细胞系。     

Gene expression and immunolocalization of fibroblast growth factor 2 in the ovary and its effect on the in vitro culture of caprine preantral ovarian follicles

This study quantified Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) mRNA and localized FGF-2 protein in different categories of follicles isolated from goat ovaries. In addition, we verified the effects of this factor on the in vitro culture of preantral follicles isolated from goats. For mRNA quantification, we performed real-time PCR using primordial, primary and secondary follicles, as well as cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and mural granulosa and theca cells of small and large antral follicles. For FGF-2 protein localization, the ovaries were subjected to conventional immunohistochemical procedures. Preantral follicles were isolated and cultured in vitro for 12 days in either control (basic) or supplemented with FGF-2 medium. The expression of FGF-2 mRNA was detected in all categories of follicles and there was no difference in preantral follicles and COCs or granulosa/theca cells from small and large antral follicles. However, in large antral follicles, COCs showed expression levels significantly lower than in granulosa/theca cells (p < 0.05). We observed moderate expression of FGF-2 protein in preantral follicles but not in granulosa cells of primordial follicles and theca cells of secondary follicles. In both small and large antral follicles, strong, moderate and weak staining was observed in oocytes, granulosa and theca cells, respectively. The addition of FGF-2 caused a significant increase in the daily follicular growth rate compared to the control group. We conclude that FGF-2 mRNA is expressed throughout follicular development and that its protein can be found in different patterns in preantral and antral follicles. Furthermore, FGF-2 increases the follicular growth rate in vitro.