BACKGROUNDDermal papilla cells (DPC) are a group of mesenchyme-derived cells at the base of the hair follicle, where they regulate and control hair follicle growth through the expression and secretion of cytokines. Nevertheless, the role of DPC derived chemokines and other cytokines in the hair follicle biology remain speculative. In this study, we investigated the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and stem cell factor (SCF) in different passages of cultured DPC and their effects on the biological behaviour of DPC.

METHODSThe expression of bFGF, ET-1 and SCF in different passages of cultured DPC and their possible effects on the biological behavior of DPC are investigated using in situ hybridization and immunochemistry. In addition, we performed transplantation of hair follicle cells into nude mice. The cultured DPC, dermal sheath cells and fibroblast of human scalp, respectively, were mixed with cells of the hair follicle epithelium in different ratios, and then were cultured in hair follicle organotypic cultures or implanted into the subcutis of nude mice.

RESULTSThe expression of ET-1 and SCF in early passages of cultured DPC became stronger, but turned weaker and even negative in late passages (> 6 passages). Hair follicle-like structures were formed after DPC combined with the cells of hair follicle epithelium cells in hair follicle organotypic cultures. When hair follicle organotypic cultures were implanted into the subcutis of nude mice, the relative intact hair follicles were formed. After the transplantation of hair follicle cells into the nude mice, the hair follicle-like structure was formed in the group that contained DPC mixed with hair follicle epithelium cells. However, no hair follicles were formed in the other two groups. It was found that the higher the expression of ET-1 and SCF in DPC, the stronger the ability of DPC to induce hair follicle regeneration.

CONCLUSIONSThe cultured DPC can induce hair follicle regeneration and sustain hair growth in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, the expression of ET-1 and SCF is correlated with the ability of DPC inducing hair follicle regeneration.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelin-1 ; analysis ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; analysis ; Hair Follicle ; physiology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Regeneration ; Skin ; chemistry ; cytology ; Stem Cell Factor ; analysis

AIM:To analyze the imageological changes of acute and chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) by 2 types of optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS:A retrospective analysis was performed, inclu-ding data of 60 eyes from 56 patients with CSC diagnosed by conventional eye examination, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), which were divided into acute group (28 eyes of 28 patients) and chronic group (32 eyes of 28 patients) according to imageological examinations and duration (6 months). Optical coher-ence tomography angiography (OCTA) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography ( SD-OCT) were performed to study the vessel density of the chorioretinal leyers and the integrity of the outer retinal structure. RESULTS:In the pa-tients with chronic CSC, OCTA in 4 eyes ( 12.50% ) revealed the presence of a distinct choroidal neovascularization (CNV), while no evidence of CNV in ICGA was observed. However, no sign of CNV in acute CSC group both on OCTA and ICGA was found. The occurrence of 'dark areas' in chronic CSC was much higher than that in acute CSC ( P <0.01). In addition, the integrity of the outer retinal structure (defined as tissue between external limiting membrane and retinal pigment epithelium) in acute group was significantly better than that in chronic group ( P <0.01). CONCLU-SION:Our study demonstrates the existing secondary CNV that is not demonstrated by ICGA in the chronic CSC patients, and the different characteristics of retinochoroid structures between acute and chronic CSC in OCTA and SD-OCT are ob- served. Chronic CSC has more severe structural changes.

Animals ; Gene Expression ; Genes, p53 ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Microcystins ; toxicity ; Mutation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mRNA expression profiles of megakaryocytes (MKs) from human cord blood CD34+ cells ex vivo expanded using Solexa technique.

METHODSCD34+ Cells were isolated using density gradient centrifugation and magnetic activated cell sorting. Cultures were stimulated with recombinant human thrombopoietin (100 ng/ml). After 12 days, the MKs fraction was separated from the non-MKs fraction using an anti-CD41 monoclonal antibody by immunomagnetic sorting. The mRNA expression of MKs and non-MKs was detected by Solexa sequencing.

RESULTSWe obtained 3 773 147 and 3 533 805 Tags from MKs and non-MKs, respectively. The amounts of unambiguous tags were 3 291 132 and 2 967 947 and those of distinct tags were 197 769 and 245 318. The expression of 1161 genes was up-regulated and that of 902 genes down-regulated. The expression of 2717 tags was up-regulated and that of 1519 tags down-regulated.

CONCLUSIONSMKs and non-MKs have remarkably different mRNA expression profiles. The differential gene-encoded products may be involved in cellular development, adhesion, apoptosis metabolism, intra- and intercellular signal transduction, and immune response. Further studies on this topic may clarify the expression mechanism, signal transduction, and regulation mechanisms.

Antigens, CD34 ; Cells, Cultured ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Humans ; Megakaryocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Transcriptome

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of the traditional Chinese herbal drug Ciwujia in inducing the differentiation of marrow stromal cells (MSCs) into neuron-like cells.

METHODSRat MSCs isolated from the whole bone marrow were amplified by adherent culture in vitro and induced to differentiate into neuron-like cells using serum-free DMEM/F12 containing Ciwujia. The protein and mRNA expressions of nestin, beta-Tubulin III and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the differentiated cells were detected by indirect immunofluorescence method, Western blotting and RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe third-passage MSCs showed positive expression rates for CD44 and CD54 beyond 90% with decreased CD14 expression rate to 2.37%. Induction by Ciwujia of the MSCs resulted in cell body shrinkage and protrusion of the cell processes resembling those of neurons. The differentiated cells were positive for nestin and beta-Tubulin III expression and negative for GFAP as shown by immunofluorescence assay, Western blotting and RT-PCR.

CONCLUSIONCiwujia can induce the differentiation of rat MSCs into neuron-like cells in vitro.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Eleutherococcus ; Female ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Intermediate Filament Proteins ; metabolism ; Male ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Nestin ; Neurons ; cytology ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Tubulin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore distribution of the Liver and Lung Channels in the brain so as to provide imaging basis for construction of channel theory in the brain.

METHODSSixty healthy student volunteers were randomly divided into a Liver Channel group (I) and a Lung Channel group (II), and the each group was further divided into five subgroups with 6 volunteers in each subgroup, based on five-shu-point principles which, were Dadun (LR 1, I 1), Xingjian (LR 2, I 2), Taichong (LR 3, I 3), Zhongfeng (LR 4, I 4), Ququan (LR 8, I 5), Shaoshang (LU 11, II 1), Yuji (LU 10, II 2), Taiyuan (LU 9, II 3), Jingqu (LU 8, II 4), and Chize (LU 5, II 5), respectively. In order to observe the brain activating patterns during acupuncture at the different acupoints, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique was adopted. All image data were then analyzed with SPM 2 software. The statistical parameter gram was composed of the pixel P < 0.01, and anatomic location was made according to Talairach coordinate, attaining experimentally activated areas, and the commonly activated area of five-shu-point of each channel was considered as the brain distribution of the Liver and Lung Channels.

RESULTSThe common areas activated by the five-shu-points of the Liver Channel were homolateral Brodmann area (BA) 34, BA 47, red nucleus, contralateral BA 19, BA 30, BA 39, the superior parietal lobule, cerebellum decline, and bilateral BA 3 and culmen. The common areas activated by the five-shu-points of the Lung Channels included homolateral BA 2, BA 18, BA 35, and contralateral BA 9 and substania nigra.

CONCLUSIONThere are relatively specific corresponding brain areas for the Liver and Lung Channels, indicating that there is possible relatively specific connection between channels and the brain.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Brain ; anatomy & histology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Meridians