In vitro neuronal and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells from human umbilical cord blood

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the capabilities for self-renewal and differentiation into cells with the phenotypes of bone, cartilage, neurons and fat cells. These features of MSCs have attracted the attention of investigators for using MSCs for cell-based therapies to treat several human diseases. Because bone marrow-derived cells, which are a main source of MSCs, are not always acceptable due to a significant drop in their cell number and proliferative/differentiation capacity with age, human umbilical cord blood (UCB) cells are good substitutes for BMCs due to the immaturity of newborn cells. Although the isolation of hematopoietic stem cells from UCB has been well established, the isolation and characterization of MSCs from UCB still need to be established and evaluated. In this study, we isolated and characterized MSCs. UCB-derived mononuclear cells, which gave rise to adherent cells, exhibited either an osteoclast or a mesenchymal-like phenotype. The attached cells with mesenchymal phenotypes displayed fibroblast-like morphologies, and they expressed mesenchym-related antigens (SH2 and vimentin) and periodic acid Schiff activity. Also, UCB-derived MSCs were able to transdifferentiate into bone and 2 types of neuronal cells, in vitro. Therefore, it is suggested that the MSCs from UCB might be a good alternative to bone marrow cells for transplantation or cell therapy.     

Murine xenograft model demonstrates significant radio-sensitising effect of liposomal doxorubicin in a combination therapy for Feline Injection Site Sarcoma

Therapy of cats suffering from feline injection site sarcomas (FISS) is still a challenging problem, as the recurrence rate after surgery is up to 70%. Four FISS-derived primary tumour cell lines and corresponding xenograft tumour mouse models were established to evaluate the efficacy of a concomitant chemo-/radiation therapy with doxorubicin. In vitro, strongly depending upon the timing of administration, pre-treatment with 0.25 µmol doxorubicin resulted in a significant enhancement of radiation-induced (3.5 Gy) tumour cell death. This result was confirmed in vivo, where only the combined chemo-/radiation therapy resulted in a significant reduction in tumour growth compared to the respective mono-therapies with either doxorubicin or radiation. These results support the use of the concomitant chemo-/radiation therapy for adjuvant treatment of FISS, particularly in advanced or recurrent disease where surgery alone is no longer feasible.     

Research on the Antioxident Function of Sulforaphane on the Leydig Cells of Cadmium Exposured Mice

The study was aimed to explore the antioxident function of sulforaphane (SFN) on the leydig cells of cadmium (Cd) exposured mice.Cd and SFN were added to the cell culture medium of TM3 cell, half inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of Cd and SFN safe dose range were determined.The tested model was set up,and the relative survival rate of TM3 cells, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and cell antioxidant levels were determined to study the antioxident function of SFN to cadmium exposured mice.The results showed that:①With the increase of Cd concentration,the relative survival rate of TM3 cells was decreased,and the IC₅₀ of Cd was 51.4 μmol/L;Within a certain concentration range,SFN could increased the cells survive rate,but there was toxicity when the SFN concentration was more than the scope,and the greater the concentration,the greater the toxicity. At experimental condition,SFN safety concentration were 2.5,5 and 10 μmol/L.②Compared with the control group,the GSH content,the T-SOD and GSH-Px activities in Cd group were significantly or extremely significantly decreased (P < 0.05;P < 0.01),and the LDH activity,the MDA content were increased.Additionally,the LDH activity and MDA content of SFN groups were decreased,while others three indexes were increased. Compared with Cd group,the GSH content,the T-SOD and GSH-Px activities of Cd+SFN groups were significantly or extremely significantly increased (P < 0.05;P < 0.01),however,the LDH activity,MDA content were decreased. The result indicated that SFN had the antagonism effect on toxicity of Cd in TM3 cell.     

Granulosa cell tumour: An interesting case in a pregnant mare

This report describes the successful management of a pregnant 14‐year‐old seven‐eighths Thoroughbred mare with an ovarian granulosa cell tumour. The mare initially presented with unilateral ovarian enlargement whilst being managed for artificial insemination, demonstrating normal ovarian function with ovulation from the contralateral ovary leading to conception. The mare subsequently re‐presented with stallion‐like behaviour at 3.5 months gestation and ovarian suppression was evident. The mare maintained her pregnancy and delivered a live colt foal at term. Ovariectomy was performed 3 months post foaling and the mare regained cyclic activity 9 months post surgery. The mare then conceived and became pregnant once more. The diagnostic and therapeutic challenges during pregnancy are discussed.     

Cellular localization of Visudyne® as a function of time after local injection in an in vivo model of squamous cell carcinoma: an investigation into tumor cell death

Objective To evaluate the effects of time on cellular localization of Visudyne^® after local injection. Animals Twenty athymic nude mice. Procedures A squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell line (A‐431) was injected into right and left dorsolumbar subcutaneous tissue of each mouse, representing treatment (T) and control (C) tumors. In experiment 1 (Exp 1; n = 10) and 2 (Exp 2; n = 10), the T tumors received a local injection of Visudyne^® (0.1 mg/cm³), and C tumors received an equal dose of 5% dextrose in water (D5W). Mice were randomly subdivided into two groups (A and B; n = 5 per group). Mice in Exp 1A and B were sacrificed 1 and 30 min after local injection, respectively. Experiment 1A and B tumors were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy to determine drug localization. Experiment 2A and B tumors were exposed to LED illumination 1 and 30 min after injection, respectively, and evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine ultrastructural tumor cell damage. Results Fluorescence was detected within the cytoplasm of T tumors in both Exp 1A and B. Significance was detected in fluorescence intensity between T1 min vs. T30 min (P = 0.03) and between T1 min and C1 min tumors (P = 0.01), respectively. Tumors in Exp 2A and B demonstrated evidence of apoptotic cell death. Conclusions Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated higher Visudyne^® concentration within SCC cytoplasm of 1 min compared with 30‐min tumors. Transmission electron microscopy results revealed that tumors treated by photodynamic therapy (PDT) within 30 min of local injection undergo cellular apoptosis.     

细胞色素C在生物医学方面的研究进展

综合论述了细胞色素C的研究简史和结构性质,探讨了细胞色素C与细胞线粒体呼吸链、生物进化细胞凋亡的关系,并对细胞色素C的应用前景作了展望。     

寄生虫细胞因子免疫的研究进展（一）

寄生虫在入侵机体时必须具备逃避机体免疫,破坏宿主免疫屏障才能感染,这种入侵过程必然和宿主机体的免疫系统发生联系,不但使宿主的先天免疫细胞功能缺失,而且获得性免疫也受到抑制。寄生虫感染均不同程度地伴随免疫损伤,宿主在感染寄生虫后产生的免疫应答中,细胞因子作为免疫过程中的介质起到关键作用,主要是调节机体细胞免疫抗虫,保护机体不被感染,其中巨噬细胞是主要功能的承担者。本文将阐述细胞因子在寄生虫感染过程中所发挥的免疫作用,为解决寄生虫感染的防控问题奠定基础,同时为寄生虫的研究提供新的思路。     

Muscle reorganisation through local injection of stem cells in the diaphragm of mdx mice

Background

The diaphragm is the major respiratory muscle affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and is responsible for causing 80% of deaths. The use of mechanical forces that act on the body or intermittent pressure on the airways improves the quality of life of patients but does not prevent the progression of respiratory failure. Thus, diseases that require tissue repair, such as DMD, represent a group of pathologies that have great potential for cell therapy. The application of stem cells directly into the diaphragm instead of systemic application can reduce cell migration to other affected areas and increase the chances of muscle reorganisation. The mdx mouse is a suitable animal model for this research because its diaphragmatic phenotype is similar to human DMD. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the potential cell implantation in the diaphragm muscle after the xenotransplantation of stem cells.

Methods

A total of 9 mice, including 3 control BALB/Cmice, 3 5-month-old mdx mice without stem cell injections and 3 mdx mice injected with stem cells, were used. The animals injected with stem cells underwent laparoscopy so that stem cells from GFP-labelled rabbit olfactory epithelium could be locally injected into the diaphragm muscle. After 8 days, all animals were euthanised, and the diaphragm muscle was dissected and subjected to histological and immunohistochemical analyses.

Results

Both the fresh diaphragm tissue and immunohistochemical analyses showed immunopositive GFP labelling of some of the cells and immunonegativity of myoblast bundles. In the histological analysis, we observed a reduction in the inflammatory infiltrate as well as the presence of a few peripheral nuclei and myoblast bundles.

Conclusion

We were able to implant stem cells into the diaphragm via local injection, which promoted moderate muscle reorganisation. The presence of myoblast bundles cannot be attributed to stem cell incorporation because there was no immunopositive labelling in this structure. It is believed that the formation of the bundles may have been stimulated by cellular signalling mechanisms that have not yet been elucidated.     

猪细小病毒CG-05株在ST细胞上的增殖规律研究

通过将猪细小病毒CG-05株同步接种于ST细胞,测定不同时间收获的病毒液的TCID50和HA,研究了CG-05株病毒在ST细胞上的增殖规律。病毒接种后镜检观察接毒细胞,在接种病毒后24 h,即可在细胞较少的区域看到非常轻微的病变。测定病毒TCID50,检测到接毒后培养17h病毒已经明显增殖;当培养到40h左右,其TCID50即接近高峰,达到10-7.2/0.1mL以上,并进入平台期;继续培养,TCID50最高可达到10-8.5/0.1mL,且直到122 h也不见明显降低。病毒HA价也出现同样的平台期,但比TCID50的平台期出现得晚,到50 h才进入平台期。结果表明,用ST细胞培养CG-05株病毒,接种病毒培养56～96 h后,如病变达到80%以上,且细胞脱落已形成20%以上空斑,此时收获病毒可获得高效价的病毒液。该研究可为制备高效价的PPV病毒抗原提供数据资料。