Objective To study improvement of neural function by stereotaxic transplantation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) into lateral cerebral ventricle after intracerebral hemorrhage in rats and its mechanism. Methods ADSC were cultured and proliferated in vitro, which had been marked with Brdu for 48 h before transplantation. The rat caudate nucleus hemorrhage (ICH) models were divided into 2 groups. ADSC were stereotaxically transplanted into the right lateral ventricles in ADSC group, and equal volume of saline was transplanted into control group. The score of neurological behavior were evaluated at modeling and 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 days after transplantation respectively.Double-staining immunofluorescence technique was used to detect Brdu-positive cells and the differentiation of neurons and astrocytes. In accordance with the instructions of TUNEL kit, cell apoptosis, and the expression of VEGF and angiogenesis were assayed. Results In vitro ADSC expressed undergo osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. Compared with the control group, ADSC group had better motor function at 3, 7, and 14 days (P＜0. 05). Double-staining immunofluorescence showed mostly grafted Brdu-reactive ADSC had migrated to the hematoma zone, and some survivedand expressed Neun of Gfap. TUNEL analysis revealed that, 3 days after transplantation, the number of apoptotic cells in ADSC group was significantly less than in the control group (P＜0. 05). Three days after transplantation, VEGF expression levels in ADSC group were significantly higher than in the control group (P＜0. 05). Conclusion ADSC stereotaxially transplanted into the lateral ventricle can survive and differentiate into neuron-like cells. ADSC transplantation may reduce apoptosis and secret VEGF to promote the angiogenesis, and improve neural functional in intracerebral hemorrhage rats.

Objective To study the effect of tranilast on cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in human renal tubular epithelial cells, and investigate the mechanism of its antifibrotic effect. Methods Cultured HK-2 cells were divided into four groups: (1)In the control group, cells were treated without any medicine; (2) The cell were treated with CsA (4. 2μmol/L) for 72 h; (3) The cells were treated with a combination of CsA (4. 2 μmol/L) and tranilast (100μmol/L); (4) The cells were treated with tranilast (100 μmol/L) alone for 72 h.Morphological changes of the cells were assessed by phase-contrast microscopy. The immunofluorescence and Western blotting were adopted to detect the expression of E-cadherin, α-SMA and OPN mRNA and proteins respectively. Results Tranilast could markedly ameliorate the morphological changes of HK-2 cells stimulated by CsA. The irmmunofluorescence staining revealed the expression of E-cadherin was markedly decreased in HK-2 cells stimulated with CsA for 72 as compared with the control group, while the expression of α-SMA and OPN was significantly higher in CsA group than the control group. The expression of E-cadherin in the CsA + Tranilast group was higher than the CsA group, while the expression of α-SMA and OPN in the CsA + Tranilast group was lower than the CsA group. Western blotting showed that protein expression level of E-cadherin in CsA group was dramatically lower than that in the control group (P＜0. 05), while that of α-SMA and OPN in CsA group was significantly higher than in the control group (P＜0.05). The protein expression level of E-cadherin in HK-2 cells in the CsA + Tranilast group was markedly higher than in the CsA group (P＜0.05), and that of α-SMA and OPN in CsA + Tranilast group was significantly lower than in the CsA group (P＜0. 05). Conclusion Tranilast can block the CsA-induced epithelialto-mesenchymal transition in HK-2 cells probably by suppressing the expression of OPN.

Objective To investigate changes in the number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) from peripheral blood and pathological feature in the development of transplant arteriosclerosis in mouse abdominal aortic allografts, and discuss their correlations. Methods A segment of abdominal aorta was transplanted orthotopically from C57BL/6 to Balb/c mice. The grafts were harvested at 3rd day, 2nd week, 4th week and 6th week after the operation and studied by light and electronic microscopy. Regional changes in the lumen and intima were measured with computer imaging analysis system. EPC from peripheral blood were quantified by flow cytometry. Results Endothelium injury and inflammatory cells infiltration were seen in the aortic allografts at 3rd day after transplantation.Neointimal lesions and acute rejection were observed as early as 2nd week after surgery. The lumen of allografts was significantly narrowed due to neointima hyperplasia and had progressed at 4th and 6th week postoperatively. The number of circulation EPC was increased from 1 st day after operation and reached the peak at 3rd day. Thereafter the number of EPC was decreased rapidly and significantly less at 14th and 28th day postoperation than that pre-operation. Conclusion Abdominal aortic transplantation from C57BL/6 to Balb/c mice presents typical pathological feature of transplant arteriosclerosis. The number of EPC from peripheral blood is related to the process of injured endothelial repair and neointima formation of aortic grafts. EPC count may be considered a novel biological marker and therapeutic intervention for transplant arteriosclerosis.

Objective To investigate the clinical presentation, endoscopy and pathological features of subclinical cellular rejection (SCR) of small bowel allotransplantation. Methods Three times of SCR in a patient after isolated small bowel transplantation were studied by endoscopy and microscopy, and the clinical data and literature were reviewed. Results SCR was an unusual type of acute rejection after small bowel transplantation. SCR showed low-grade morphological changes of acute rejection, and may be relived after low-dose steroid or bolus steroid was given. Conclusion The causes of SCR are not clear now. SCR may be the early stage of clinical acute rejections, and may be correlated with unexpected high grade acute rejection, and chronic loss function of graft. The biopsy through ileoscopy is a "golden standard" of diagnosis of SCR in small bowel transplantation.However, the vessel lesions of graft, ileus, and inflammation should be excluded before diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) plus ribavirin to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence, and analyze possible factors associated with sustained viral responses (SVR). Methods The enrolled 39 patients, who had recurrence of hepatitis C after liver transplantation and received antiretroviral therapy, were analyzed. Treatment was discontinued in 21 patients due to side effects, and the remaining 18 patients [13 males, 5 female,median age of 54 (27-67) years, treatment duration of 25-105 weeks)] were subjected to whole standard treatment. During the treatment, HCV RNA was measured at 4, 12, 24, and 24 weeks after HCV negative change as well as drug withdrawal. SVR was defined as HCV RNA negativity within 24 weeks after the drug withdrawal. The following variables were analyzed: ages, gender,pretreatment viral load, genotype, early viral response (EVR), levels of alanine aminotransferase before treatment and their association with SVR. Results The mean treatment duration was 57weeks with an SVR achieved in 4/18 (22. 2 %). Statistical analysis revealed that the genotype of non1B (P=0.023), RNA ＜106 copy/ml (P= 0. 044) before treatment and EVR (P=0.019) were the variables associated with SVR. Conclusion Genotype of nor-1B, low level RNA before treatment and EVR were the effective predictors of interferon antiviral therapy for recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation.

Objective To study the related factors associated with the reversal of posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) following liver transplantation. Methods The clinical data of 62patients with PTDM in 232 patients receiving liver transplantation (26. 7 %) were retrospectively analyzed and the patients were divided into two groups: patients with transient PTDM (34 cases) and those with persistent PTDM (28 cases). Pre-operative and post-operative variables, including sex,age, body mass index, family history of diabetes, hepatitis B virus infection, pretransplantation fasting plasma glucose, the immunosuppressant regime, FK506 concentration and duration of steroid usage, were analyzed retrospectively. Results The variables, including sex, age, body mass index,family history of diabetes, hepatitis B virus infection, pretransplantation fasting plasma glucose,FK506 concentration at month 1, 3 and 6 after operation, rate of cyclosporine usage and duration of steroid usage had no significant difference between the two groups (P＞0. 05). Compared with the persistent PTDM patients, the transient PTDM patients were characterized by younger age at the time of transplantation (54 ± 8 vs. 42 ± 6 years, P＜0. 05), longer time before the development of PTDM (18 ± 23 vs. 35 ± 42 days, P＜0. 05), and higher rate of mycophenolate mofetil or sirolimus usage (0vs. 8. 9 %, P＜0. 05). Based on a multivariate analysis, age at the time of transplantation was determined as the single independent predictive factor associated with reversal of PTDM following liver transplantation (odds ratio: 1. 312, 95 % confidence interval: 1. 005 - 1. 743). Conclusion Age at the time of transplantation, duration before the development of PTDM and rate of mycophenolate mofetil or sirolimus usage are associated with reversal of PTDM following liver transplantation. Among these factors, age at the time of transplantation is only the single independent predictive factor.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus exposure in stable liver transplant recipients converted from FK506 twice a day to Advagraf (tacrolimus extended-release capsules) once daily. Methods This was an open-label, random, control and multi-center study.Eligible patients were 19 to 70 years of age, 6 months post-transplant with stable renal and hepatic function and receiving stable doses of tacrolimus twice a day for 2 weeks prior to enrollment. There were 86 patients in the experimental group and the control group, separately. The average age of experimental group and control group was 46 ± 10 and 49 ± 9, respectively. Patients in experimental group received Advagraf, once daily, and the dose was adjusted according to the drug concentration,and the drug concentration was between 2 to 10 μg/L. The control group given tacrolimus, twice daily, and the drug concentration was between 2 to 10 μg/L. Results The incidence of acute rejection reaction was 1.20 % and 1.18 % respectively in experimental group and control group, and the 95 %confidence interval was -3.25% ～3.31 % and -3.26% ～ 3.34 %, individually. There was 1 case of acute rejection reaction in experimental group and control group, respectively. The patient and organ survival rate was 100%. Sixteen adverse events occurred in 15 patients (17.65 %) of the experimental group, and 10 adverse events occurred in 10 patients (11.63 %) of control group. Severe adverse events relating to the test drug in experimental group occurred in 4 patients (4. 71 %). and 2 patients (2. 33) in control group.Conclision Clinical trials indicated that Advagraf has efficacy and safety profiles similar to those of tacrolimus. The drug is safe and may improve patient compliance.

Objective To report the results of a single-center, retrospective study on the effect of calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) withdraw for controlling infections and conversion to sirolimus (SRL)for ameliorating renal dysfunction. Methods A total of 947 liver transplant cases from 2002 to 2010were divided into two eras (Jan. 2002 to Dec. 2007 and Jan. 2008 to Dec. 2010). There were 234cases of infections after liver transplantation (LT) in the first era and 101 cases in the second era. And of 329 cases of CNI-related renal dysfunction after LT in two eras, 40 cases (converting group) had converted CNI to SRL, while 289 cases (reducing group) adopted protocol of CNI reducing and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) raising. Results CNI-based IS took up 95.8 %, 95. 3 %, 97. 5 % of the IS protocols with recipient survival time longer than 1, 3, and 5 years. The primary cause for CNI withdraw was infection (88. 2 %, 15/17) in the second era, and renal dysfunction for conversion to SRL in the two eras (83. 3 %, 40/48). In the second era, 14. 9% (15/101) of the cases of infections after LT experienced CNI withdraw. Of the 15 patients, 11 had effectively controlled the infection (77. 3 %) while rejection rate was 6. 7 % (1/15). The cumulative survival rate of the second era was significantly higher than the first era (P＜0. 05). The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of converting group at 6th week and 6th month was statistically elevated as compared with that before conversion,respectively (1.28 ± 0. 31, 1.36 ± 0. 32 mL/s vs. 0. 82 ± 0. 24 mL/s, P＜0. 05). Six months after CNI adjustments, survival rate of converting group and reducing group was 85. 0% and 83. 7 %,respectively (P＞0. 05). Conclusion Reducing or even short-term withdraw of CNI may allow the better control of infections after LT, and the conversion from CNI to SRL can ameliorate the CNIrelated nephrotoxicity. These individually tailored IS protocols will benefit the long term survival for LT.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of conversion therapy to mizoribine (MZR) for renal transplant patients who suffered MMF or Aza adverse reaction. Methods In 56 patients with adverse reactions at different time points after renal transplantation, there were 23 cases of pulmonary infection, 14 cases of bone marrow depression, 6 cases of hepatic functional lesion and 13 cases of diarrhea. The immunosuppressive protocols of these patients were changed to CNI + MZR + Pre when the adverse reaction occurred. During the follow-up period (11 to 53 months), the effect and adverse events of conversion treatment were observed. Results After conversion treatment, 1 of 23 patients with pulmonary infection was re-infected after 26 months and finally died of heart and lung function failure. In 14 patients with bone marrow depression, blood test returned to normal in 13cases. Six patients with hepatic functional lesion were administered hepatoprotection treatment and their liver function was restored without recurrence of impaired liver function. All 13 patients with diarrhea were relieved without recurrence. The serum creatinine was 123 ± 21.3 μmol/L and 119±18. 2 μmol/L before and after the conversion therapy respectively (P＞0. 05). During the follow-up period, all patients' graft function was good. The incidence of rejection was 1.7 % (1 case). Nine patients (16. 1 %) had a higher level of uric acid after conversion. One patient had finger and toe joint pain. The symptoms were relieved after symptomatic treatment. Conclusion There were high security and good effect of conversion therapy to MZR due to MMF or Aza adverse reaction. Besides, MZR conversion therapy for renal transplantation patients provided a new option for individual immunosuppression.

Objective To investigate the expression of CXCR6 in allograft rejection and effect of CXCL16/CXCR6 interaction on allograft survival Methods Intra-abdominal heterotopic heart transplantation was performed using wild type (WT) Balb/c mice (H-2d) (allogeneic) as donors or WT C57BL/6 mice (B6, H-2b) (syngeneic) as donors, and using WT B6 mice as recipients. The intragraft expression of CXCR6 and expression of CXCR6 in CD8+ T cells of the spleens from syngeneic and allogeneic recipients were examined. The allogeneic recipients were further divided into the experimental group (n = 5) and control group (n = 6) randomly. The experiment group and control group were injected with anti-CXCL16 mAb or control mAb respectively until rejection occurred. The cardiac allograft survival in experimental group and control group was evaluated. Results Rejected allografts showed higher expression of CXCR6 than syngeneic cardiac grafts. More importantly,expression of CXCR6 in CD8+ T cells was also up-regulated by allograft rejection. However, injection of anti-CXCL16 mAb could not inhibit cytotoxic activity of CD8+ T cells. Moreover, experimental group could not prolong the cardiac graft survival time as compared with control group. Conclusion Expression of CXCR6 in CD8+ T cells is up-regulated in allograft rejection.