The aim of this study was to establish the method of isolating and culturing endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from human umbilical cord blood. Mononuclear cells (MNCs) from human umbilical cord blood were cultured by using culture system supplemented with endothelial cell-conditioned medium. The obtained two types of cells were purified by picking up colonies, identified by uptake of acetylated low-density lipoprotein (Ac-LDL) and binding to lectin [Ulex European Agglatinin (UEA-1)], and were analyzed for the expression of markers by flow cytometry. The results showed that there were significant differences between two types of cells in proliferation, so they were referred as circulating angiogenic cells (CACs) and high proliferative potential endothelial progenitor cells (HPP-EPCs), respectively. They were in accordance with the standards of EPCs, could uptake DiI-Ac-LDL and bind to UEA-1, and expressed the markers of endothelial cells, such as CD31, CD144 and vWF detected by immunocytochemistry. The transcription of CD31, KDR, CD144 and ENOS in both of them could be detected by RT-PCR, but FACS analysis showed significant differences of surface marker expression between them. In conclusion, two types of EPCs are successfully obtained by culturing MNCs isolated from human umbilical cord blood using endothelial cell-conditioned medium.
Cell Separation ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; metabolism ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; physiology ; Stem Cells ; cytology

The aim of study was to explore the potential of human erythroid membrane associated protein (ERMAP) gene in erythroid cell differentiation and development, mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from umbilical cord blood and induced to erythroid cell differentiation by SCF, IL-3 and EPO. The cell morphology was observed by using optical microscopy, the positive rate of cells was counted by biphenylamine staining and the ratios of CD36+/CD235a-, CD36+/CD235a+, CD36-/CD235a+ cells were detected by flow cytometry, the change of human ermap gene expression level was analyzed by using fluorescent quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR). The results showed that the ermap gene expression level increased while MNCs were induced to erythroid lineage after treatment with SCF, IL-3 and EPO. It is concluded that the human ermap gene plays an important role in differentiation and development of erythroid cells.
Blood Group Antigens ; genetics ; metabolism ; Butyrophilins ; Cell Differentiation ; genetics ; Cells, Cultured ; Erythroid Cells ; cytology ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

Adult ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukins ; blood ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; blood ; Young Adult

In this study, the inhibitory effect of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSC) on interleukin-17 (IL-17) production in peripheral blood T cells from patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) were investigated, in order to explore the therapeutic potential of hUCMSC in the SpA. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) were isolated from patients with SpA (n = 12) and healthy subjects (n = 6). PBMNC were cultured in vitro with hUCMSC or alone. The expression of IL-17 in CD4(+) T cells or γ/δ T cells were determined in each subject group by flow cytometry. IL-17 concentrations in PBMNC culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. The results indicated that the proportion of IL-17-producing CD4(+) T cells and IL-17-producing γ/δ T cells of SpA patients were 4.5 folds and 5 folds of healthy controls [CD3(+)CD4(+)IL-17(+) cells (3.42 ± 0.82)% vs (0.75 ± 0.25)%, P < 0.01; CD3(+)γδTCR(+)IL-17(+) cells (0.30 ± 0.10)% vs (0.06 ± 0.02)%, P < 0.01]. After co-culture of PBMNC in patients with hUCMSC, the increased proportions of CD3(+)CD4(+)IL-17(+) cells and CD3(+)γδTCR(+)IL-17(+) cells in SpA patients were inhibited significantly by hUCMSC [CD3(+)CD4(+)IL-17(+) cells (3.42 ± 0.82)% vs (1.81 ± 0.59)% (P < 0.01); CD3(+)γδTCR(+)IL-17(+) cells (0.30 ± 0.10)% vs (0.16 ± 0.06)% (P < 0.01]. In response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA, 1 µg/ml), PBMNC from SpA patients secreted more IL-17 than that from healthy control [(573.95 ± 171.68) pg/ml vs (115.53 ± 40.41) pg/ml (P < 0.01)]. In the presence of hUCMSC, PBMNC of SpA patients produced less amount of IL-17 [(573.95 ± 171.68) pg/ml vs (443.20 ± 147.94) pg/ml, (P < 0.01)]. It is concluded that the IL-17 production in peripheral blood T cells from SpA patients can be inhibited by hUCMSC, which have therapeutic potential for SpA.
Humans ; Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; Lymphocyte Count ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Spondylarthritis ; blood ; metabolism ; therapy ; T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

The cell-surface expression and functional status of the CD95/Fas antigen on primitive hematopoietic progenitors isolated from human cord blood (CB) were studied. The CD34+ cells freshly isolated from CB displayed low CD95 expression. The combinations of cytokines such as SCF + FL could up-regulate the expression of CD95 in vitro culture and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interon-gamma (IFN-gamma) further increased the CD95 expression induced by positive cytokines. The functional status of CD95-mediated apoptosis were analyzed by incubation of CD34+ CB cells in the presence of anti-CD95 monoclonal antibodies (McAbs). The effects of anti-CD95 McAbs were measured by viable cell counting, flow cytometry, LTIC and CFU-C assays. A decrease of viable cells, CFU-C and LTIC numbers were observed in the presence of anti-CD95 McAbs and TNF-alpha or IFN-gamma. However, growth factor deprivation or the early-acting cytokine such as SCF and FL cross-linking to CD95 caused low apoptosis of CD34+ cells. The correlation of increased intracytoplasmic levels of bcl-2 and the presence of CD95 on fresh CB CD34+ cells suggested that bcl-2 might be involved in protecting against CD95-mediated apoptosis of CB CD34+ cells.
Antigens, CD34 ; Apoptosis ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Hematopoiesis ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; fas Receptor ; metabolism

The cell-surface expression and functional status of the CD95/Fas antigen on primitive hematopoietic progenitors isolated from human cord blood (CB) were studied. The CD34+ cells freshly isolated from CB displayed low CD95 expression. The combinations of cytokines such as SCF + FL could up-regulate the expression of CD95 in vitro culture and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interon-gamma (IFN-gamma) further increased the CD95 expression induced by positive cytokines. The functional status of CD95-mediated apoptosis were analyzed by incubation of CD34+ CB cells in the presence of anti-CD95 monoclonal antibodies (McAbs). The effects of anti-CD95 McAbs were measured by viable cell counting, flow cytometry, LTIC and CFU-C assays. A decrease of viable cells, CFU-C and LTIC numbers were observed in the presence of anti-CD95 McAbs and TNF-alpha or IFN-gamma. However, growth factor deprivation or the early-acting cytokine such as SCF and FL cross-linking to CD95 caused low apoptosis of CD34+ cells. The correlation of increased intracytoplasmic levels of bcl-2 and the presence of CD95 on fresh CB CD34+ cells suggested that bcl-2 might be involved in protecting against CD95-mediated apoptosis of CB CD34+ cells.
Antigens, CD34 ; Antigens, CD95/*metabolism ; Apoptosis ; Fetal Blood/*cytology ; Hematopoiesis ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells/*metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/*metabolism

This study was aimed to examine the expression and promoter CpG island methylation of homeobox B4 (HOXB4) gene in CD34(+) cells from cord blood and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) from health adult, and to investigate the expression level of HOXB4 in these two cells and its relationship with the promoter methylation. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to examine the expression of HOXB4 in CD34(+) cells and PBMNCs, and bisulfite sequencing technique was used to detect the methylation status of the promoter CpG sites of HOXB4 gene in CD34(+) cells and PBMNCs. The results indicated that highly expressed HOXB4 and unmethylation of HOXB4 promoter CpG island occurred in CD34(+) cells. However, loss of HOXB4 expression and the methylated CpG island of HOXB4 were observed in PBMNCs, and the methylated C residue was positioned at -129 bp in the upstream of ATG. It is concluded that the methylation status of HOXB4 gene promoter may be one negative regulatory mechanism for HOXB4 gene expression. The unmethylation of CpG island in the promoter region of HOXB4 gene may be correlated with the high expression of HOXB4 gene in CD34(+) cells, while the promoter methylation of HOXB4 gene may be associated with HOXB4 gene silencing in PBMNCs. The preliminary identification of HOXB4 promoter methylation site would provide a basis for further study and a novel approach to expand hematopoietic progenitor cells.
Adult ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; CpG Islands ; DNA Methylation ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Transcription Factors ; genetics

This investigation was designed to confirm IL-8 production from human bronchial epithelial cells with toluene diisocyanate (TDI) exposure and to examine the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokine and dexamethasone. We cultured Beas-2B, a bronchial epithelial cell line with TDI-HSA conjugate and compared with those without conjugate. IL-8 in the supernatant was measured by ELISA. To evaluate the effect of proinflammatory cytokines, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected from TDI- and non-TDI asthma patients, and were added to the epithelial cell culture. Dexamethasone or antibodies to TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were pre-incubated with PBMC supernatant. There was a significant production of IL-8 from bronchial epithelial cells with addition of TDI-HSA conjugate in a dose-dependent manner, which was significantly augmented with addition of PBMC supernatant. Higher production of IL-8 was noted with addition of PBMC supernatant from TDI-asthma patients than in those from non-TDI asthma patients. IL-1beta and IL-1beta/TFNalpha antibodies were able to suppress the IL-8 productions. Pre-treatment of dexamethasone induced dose-dependent inhibition of the IL-8 production. These results suggest that the IL-8 production from bronchial epithelial cells contribute to neutrophil recruitment occurring in TDIinduced airway inflammation. IL-1beta released from PBMC of TDI-induced asthma patients may be one of the pro-inflammatory cytokines to enhance IL-8 production.
Asthma/immunology ; Bronchi/*cytology/metabolism ; Cell Line ; Dexamethasone/pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells/cytology/*drug effects/*metabolism ; Glucocorticoids/pharmacology ; Human ; Interleukin-8/*metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/cytology/metabolism ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate/*toxicity

OBJECTIVETo explore the regulatory effects of hTERT and TEP1 on telomerase activity in hematopoiesis.

METHODSThe hTERT and TEP1 mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR and the telomerase activi-ty by TRAP.

RESULTSIn mononuclear cells (MNC) and CD(34)(-) cells, no detectable telomerase activity and hTERT mRNA expression were found. CD(34)(+) cells showed hTERT expression and a low level telomerase activity. TEP1 mRNA was detected in MNC, CD(34)(-) and CD(34)(+) cells with no significant difference in the expression level. In the CD(34)(+) cells cultured in vitro with growth factors for 7 days, the telomerase activity and the expression of hTERT mRNA were upregulated, but were downregulated in the long time culture. No significant changes in TEP1 expression was observed.

CONCLUSIONIn the course of hematopoiesis, hTERT mRNA expression was in accordance with telomerase activity, hTERT gene plays a crucial role in the expression of telomerase activity, while TEP1 gene plays, if any, a much smaller role.

Antigens, CD34 ; immunology ; Carrier Proteins ; genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; immunology ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Telomerase ; genetics

This study was aimed to explore the immunoregulatory function and capability supporting the angiogenesis of exosomes secreted by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSC) from healthy persons. Supernatant of BMMSC (P4-P6) was collected for exosome purification. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Western blot were used to identify the quality of isolated exosomes. The amount of exosomes was quantified through bicinchoninic acid (BCA) protein assay. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) were isolated from healthy donor and added with isolating exosomes. After co-cultured for 72 h, IFN-γ from the co-culture system was detected by ELISA. The expression of miRNA-associated with immunity were detected by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (Real-time RT-PCR). The interactions between exosomes and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were observed with confocal microscopy. Subconfluent HUVEC were harvested and treated with the indicated concentration of exosomes. Nude mice were injected subcutaneously with exosomes or PBS as control to verify the ability of angiogenesis. The results showed that diameter range of exosomes was range from 40 to 160 nm. The isolated exosomes expressed the CD9. There was approximately linear relation between the secretion of exosomes and cell density. The exosomes suppressed the production of IFN-γ from PBMNC, and contained miRNA associated with immune regulation such as miR301, miR22 and miR-let-7a. Exosomes induced vascular tube formation in vitro and vascularization of Matrigel plugs in vivo. It is concluded that the BMMSC-derived exosomes can regulate immunity and support vascularization.
Adult ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Exosomes ; immunology ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice, Nude ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Physiologic