OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in multiple myeloma (MM) bone marrow (BM) microenrivonment and their effect on myeloma cells survival and bortezomib induced apoptosis.

METHODSBMSCs were derived from BM of untreated myeloma patients (MM-BMSCs) and healthy donors (HD-BMSCs), respectively. The phenotype, proliferation time and cytokine secretion of MM-BMSCs were detected and compared with HD-BMSCs. Then BMSCs were co-cultured with myeloma cell line NCI-H929 and bortezomib in vitro. The NCI-H929 cells proliferation and bortezomib induced cell apoptosis were investigated.

RESULTSMM-BMSCs and HD-BMSCs were isolated successfully. The phenotype of MM-BMSCs was similar to that of HD-BMSCs. Expressions of CD73, CD105, CD44 and CD29 were positive, but those of CD31, CD34, CD45 and HLA-DR (< 1%) negative. The proliferation time of MM-BMSCs was longer than that of HD-BMSCs (82 h vs 62 h, P < 0.05). Moreover, over-expressions of IL-6 and VEGF in MM-BMSCs culture supernatant were detected as compared with that in HD-BMSCs [(188.8 ± 9.4) pg/ml vs (115.0 ± 15.1) pg/ml and (1497.2 ± 39.7) pg/ml vs (1329.0 ± 21.1) pg/ml, respectively]. MM- BMSCs supported survival of the myeloma cells NCI-H929 and protected them from bortezomib induced cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONSMM-BMSCs is benefit for myeloma cells proliferation and against cell apoptosis induced by bortezomib. Over-expression of IL-6 and VEGF maybe play a critical role in these effects.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Bortezomib ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; metabolism ; Multiple Myeloma ; metabolism

Adipocytes ; cytology ; Cell Line ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; drug effects ; Humans ; Melatonin ; pharmacology ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide(W7) on the differentiation from human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) to endothelial cells.

METHODShADSCs were cultured with serum-free differential medium containing 40 ng/ml vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and 10ng/ml basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Cells were divided into control group (differential medium without W7), high-dose group (containing 30 μmol/L W7), medium-dose group (containing 20 μmol/L W7), and low-dose group ( containing 10 μmol/L W7). The hADSCs were cultured for 8 days, and then the changes in the phenotypes of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and vessel-selective cadherin (VE-Cadherin) were detected by flow cytometry (FCM). The intracellular Ca(2+) labeled with Fluo-3 was detected by laser confocal microscopy. After hADSCs planting on Matrigel, their angiogenic potentials were observed under the inverted phase contrast microscope, and the expression of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) and phosphorylated extracellular regulated kinase (p-ERK) were evaluated by Western blot.

RESULTSAfter the hADSCs were cultured for 8 days, compared with the control group, the expressions of vWF and VE-Cadherin significantly increased along with the decrease of W7 level and the intracellular Ca(2+) also significantly increased (Pü0.01). Lumina-like vascular structure was formed in W7 treatment groups, but not in the blank control group. Compared with the blank control group, the expression of ERK showed no significant in W7 treatment groups (high-, medium-, and low-dose groups)(P>0.05); however, along with the decrease of W7 levels, the expression of p-ERK significantly increased(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONW7 in proper levels can effectively induce the differentiation from hADSCs to endothelium by increasing the intracellular Ca(2+) level and thus activating the ERK/MAPK pathway.

Adipose Tissue ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Sulfonamides ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo establish an immortalized marrow mesenchymal stem cell line to facilitate advances in cartilage engineering research.

METHODSHuman telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) cDNA was transferred into primary human marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) by retroviral vector pLEGFP-C1-hTERT. Subsequently G418 resistant cell clone was screened and expanded for further studies. hMSC biomarkers and hTERT expression were confirmed by examination. Transfected hMSC was induced to differentiate into chondrocyte using TGF-P1 and dexamethasone.

RESULTSUp-regulated hTERT expression was detected in transfected hMSC. hMSC-hTERT cells could be induced to differentiate into chondrocyte. Higher telomerase activity in transfected cells was maintained for 50 population doublings so far. Collagen II could be detected in induced transfected hMSC by immunocytochemical and hybridization in situ.

CONCLUSIONSEctopic expression of hTERT can effectively immortalize hMSC in vitro. Immortalized hMSC can be induced to differentiate into chondrocyte under certain condition. It may be an ideal target of further studies in cartilage engineering.

Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Transformed ; Chondrocytes ; cytology ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Telomerase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection

This study was purposed to investigate the effects of interferon (IFN)-γ on expression of adhesion molecules in mesenchymal stromal cells derived from human umbilical cord tissue (UC-MSC). The UC-MSC were isolated from human umbilical cord by tissue culture. The expressions of specific markers on UC-MSC were detected by flow cytometry in the physiological condition. The adipogenic and osteogenic induction of UC-MSC was detected by alizarin and Oil red O staining. UC-MSC were exposed to IFN-γ (100, 1 000, 10 000 U/ml) for 24 h, the expressions of CD54, CD58, CD44, CD49d, CD62p, CD62L, CD102 and CD106 on cell surface were detected using flow cytometry. The results showed that in physiological condition, UC-MSC extremely low expressed CD102, CD106, CD62P, CD62L, while the expression of CD54 was relatively high (41.58 ± 0.83)%. When stimulated by IFN-γ, the expression of CD102, CD106, CD62P, CD62L increased slightly, but still low (< 5%), while CD54 and CD58 upregulated concentration-dependently up to (59.66 ± 1.36)% and (43.96 ± 0.62)% respectively. The expression of CD49d upregulated to (51.33 ± 0.74)% when UC-MSC exposed to IFN-γ 100 U/ml. CD44 increased to (73.22 ± 1.93)% when UC-MSC exposed to IFN-γ 1 000 U/ml. It is concluded that IFN-γ can elevate significantly the expression of CD54, CD49d, CD44 and CD58, but has no significant effect on CD102, CD106, CD62P and CD62L expression on the surface of UC-MSC.
Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; pharmacology ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the differential proteomics in human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) induced by chemical hypoxia-mimetic agent cobalt chloride (CoCl(2)) by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and mass-spectrometry.

METHODS2-DE was performed to separate proteins from treated and untreated human umbilical cord MSC with CoCl(2). 2-DE images were analyzed by ImageMaster 2D Platinum software 6.0. The differential expressed proteins was identified by MALDI-TOF-MS. The differential proteins were classified based on their functions.

RESULTS2-DE reference patterns of CoCl(2) treated human umbilical cord MSC were established. A total of twenty-six differential proteins were identified, of them eleven proteins were up-regulated and fifteen down-regulated. Their biological functions involved in carbohydrate metabolism, protein metabolism and modification, lipid metabolism, coenzyme and prosthetic group metabolism, cell cycle, immunity and defense, cell structure and motility, signal transduction, protein targeting and localization, neuronal activities, muscle contraction, etc. Peroxiredoxin1 (Prdx) was down-regulated, whereas alpha-enolase (ENO1) and vesicle amine transport protein 1 homolog (VAT1) up-regulated.

CONCLUSIONThe effects of hypoxia on human umbilical cord MSC were participated by multiple proteins and involved in multiple functional pathways.

Cobalt ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Proteome ; analysis ; Proteomics ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) on ectomesenchymal stem cells differentiating to smooth muscle cells.

METHODS60 pmol/L TGF-beta was added to the ectomesenchymal stem cells of embryonic facial processes. Immunohistochemistry assay and image analysis were used to value the expression extent of a smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and quantitative RT-PCR was used to value the quantity of alpha-SMA.

RESULTS2 days later, about 95% cells in TGF-beta group and 65% cells in control group without differentiation inhibitor expressed alpha-SMA. Expression of alpha-SMA in TGF-beta group was stronger than that of control group after one and two days. Quantitative RT-PCR showed the quantity of alpha-SMA mRNA in treated group cells was more than that of in control group.

CONCLUSIONQuantity of alpha-SMA in TGF-beta group is more than that of spontaneous differentiation group. TGF-beta has positive effect on ectomesenchymal stem cells differentiating to smooth muscle cells.

Actins ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; drug effects ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; pharmacology

This study was aimed to investigate the growth-promoting activity of thrombin on mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and its mechanisms. Human bone marrow MSC were cultured in serum-free medium supplemented with graded concentrations of thrombin, and the proliferation status of MSC was detected by MTT test. The expression levels of protease-activated receptors (PAR) and c-MYC gene were detected by PCR. Activated Akt signaling pathway was revealed by Western blot, and specific inhibitors of the signaling pathways were used to confirm the effects. The results showed that thrombin stimulated MSC proliferation in a dose-dependent manner; the minimal concentration of thrombin for stimulating MSC growth was 0.5 U/ml, and the promoting effect reached its maximum when thrombin at a dose of 8 U/ml was employed. PCR results showed that MSC expressed the two types of PAR1 and PAR2. After PAR1 was blocked with a specific inhibitor SCH79797, the growth-promoting effect of thrombin was inhibited, while this phenomenon was not observed when MSC were exposed to FSLLRY-NH2, a specific inhibitor for PAR2. Further experiments showed that after exposure to thrombin, the AKT signaling pathway in MSC was promptly activated, and c-MYC expression was greatly up-regulated. Meanwhile, when LY294002, a specific AKT inhibitor, was added into the culture medium, the up-regulation of c-MYC expression was reduced, accompanied by the low rate of MSC growth. It is concluded that thrombin can stimulate MSC proliferation by eliciting PAR1-mediated AKT activation and subsequent up-regulation of c-MYC expression.
Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Receptors, Thrombin ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Thrombin ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the proliferation state of transplanted cells in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) rats, and the endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) preconditioned by salvianolic acid B in different ratios with the bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).

METHODSThe cultivation and purification of EPCs were performed by density-gradient centrifugation and plastic adherence method. Two types of cells were identified by immunocytochemical method (CD34, CD133, and CD44). The rat model of AMI was prepared by ligation of left anterior descending artery. The EPCs were pre-treated with the optimal concentration of salvianolic acid B (8 microg/ mL). They were mixed with BMSCs in different proportions (EPCs/BMSCs in the ratio of 1:1, 2:1, 4:1, and 8:1, respectively). BMSCs and EPCs were injected into the myocardial infarction area. The infarcted area was determined by the N-BT staining and hematoxylin-eosin staining. The expression of Ki-67 was detected by immunohistochemical assay.

RESULTSCompared with the model group (19.60% +/- 3.23%), the myocardial infarction area of each implanted group obviously decreased (P < 0.05). Of them, the decrease was most obvious in the 4:1 group (11.37% +/- 2.18%) and the 8:1 group (9.23% +/- 2.35%, P < 0.05). Compared with the model group (cell/high magnification, 5.17 +/- 2.31), the Ki-67 positive cell number of each implanted groups significantly increased (P < 0.05). Of them, the Ki-67 positive cell number was obviously higher in the 8:1 group (15.00 +/- 3.16, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEPCs pretreated by salvianolic acid B combined with BMSCs could reduce the myocardial infarcted area, improve the proliferation of BMSCs in the peripheral infarction and local ischemia. Besides, along with the increase of the implant proportion of EPCs, the infarct area was gradually reduced, and the proliferative expression was gradually enhanced.

Animals ; Benzofurans ; pharmacology ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Myocardial Infarction ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transplantation Conditioning

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is one of major growth factors in the bone marrow microenvironments with which the proliferation, differentiation and migration of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were closely contacted. However, its roles in the regulation of proliferation, differentiation and migration of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells remain unclear. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of HGF on biological characteristics of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Expression of c-Met, the receptor for HGF was detected by immunohistochemistry assay, cell proliferation was determined by MTT, activity of ALP was quantitatively assayed, cell migration and anoikis-induced MSC apoptosis were analyzed. The results showed that HGF not influenced the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Treatment of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells with recombinant human hepatocyte growth factor resulted in inhibition of anoikis-induced apoptosis. HGF significantly stimulated the migration of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Both PI-3 kinase and MAPK kinase were proved to be involved in HGF-induced migration. It is concluded that HGF/c-Met signal regulates the apoptosis and migration of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.
Anoikis ; drug effects ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met ; biosynthesis