OBJECTIVETo study effects of P311 on the migration of epidermal stem cells (ESCs) in mice with superficial partial-thickness burn and injured cell model in vitro and to explore the mechanism.

METHODS(1) Eighteen male C(57) BL/6 mice were used. Fifteen of them were inflicted with superficial partial-thickness burn on the back. In three injured mice wound tissue and skin of wound edge were obtained at post burn hour (PBH) 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 respectively. The rest three mice were used as normal control, and samples were harvested with the same method as above. The expressions of P311 in harvested samples were assessed with biotin-streptavidin-peroxidase (SP) staining. (2) Six newly born C(57) BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally injected with 50 µg/g BrdU (two times a day) for three days for ESCs-labelling. Seven weeks later, the mice were inflicted with superficial partial-thickness burn on the back. Serial slices of burn wound tissue were prepared at PBH 72 and immunohistochemically stained with SP for observation of the co-localization of BrdU-positive ESCs and P311-positive cells. (3) The empty vector pAdEasy-enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) and the adenovirus P311-expressing vector named pAdEasy-EGFP-P311 were constructed and packed. Human ESCs were isolated by the method of rapid adhesion to collagen IV. After being divided into P311 high-expressing group (n = 3) and EGFP control group (n = 3), the ESCs in two groups were respectively infected by pAdEasy-EGFP-P311 and pAdEasy-EGFP. Scratching assay was performed on ESCs in both groups after they were treated by mitomycin C for 2 hours. The remaining area within the fixed range was measured at post scratching hour (PSH) 0, 24, 48, and 72, and the wound-area healing rate was calculated. Data were processed with independent samples t test.

RESULTS(1) Expression amount of P311 was different in different parts of wound at different time points after burn. Expression amount of P311 in the newly formed epidermis and hair follicle of wound increased along with prolongation of time. Expression amount of P311 in the epidermis and hair follicle of wound edge peaked at PBH 12 and then decreased to normal levels at PBH 72. (2) Co-localization of BrdU-positive ESCs and P311-positive cells was observed in the new epidermal layer of wound tissue of mice, where ESCs were labeled by BrdU. (3) At PSH 48 and 72, wound-area healing rate was obviously higher in P311 high-expressing group [(69 ± 31)%, (89 ± 26)%] than in EGFP control group [(35 ± 12)%, (46 ± 31)%, with t values respectively -2.336, -2.611, P values all below 0.05].

CONCLUSIONSP311 may promote the migration of ESCs both in rats with superficial partial-thickness burns and in injured cell model in vitro, and it may play an important role in wound healing.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Burns ; metabolism ; Cell Movement ; Cells, Cultured ; Disease Models, Animal ; Epidermis ; cytology ; injuries ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on adhesion, proliferation, and migration of human epidermal stem cells (ESC) in vitro.

METHODSESC were isolated and cultured by the modified method of rapid attachment to type IV collagen. (1) Morphology of cells was observed under inverted phase-contrast microscope. Expression levels of integrin β(1) and cytokeratin 19 (CK19) of cells were determined by Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. (2) After being treated with scratching, ESC adhered to the wall was respectively treated with nitric oxide (NO) donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) in the concentration of 1, 10, 100, 500 µmol/L. ESC without treatment of SNAP was used as control. The migration rate of ESC was detected at post scratching hour (PSH) 12 and 24. The chemotaxis of ESC (treated with SNAP in above-mentioned concentration) was tested by Transwell assay, and the transferred cell number was counted. (3) ESC was respectively treated with SNAP in the concentration of 10, 100, 500 µmol/L for 1 h. ESC without treatment of SNAP was used as control. The adhesion of ESC was detected with adhesion test, and the inhibition rate of adhesion was calculated. The proliferation of ESC (denoted as absorbance value) was determined by microplate reader at post-treatment hour (PTH) 0, 12, 24, 48. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and Dunnett t test.

RESULTS(1) Small clone formed on post culture days (PCD) 5 to 9. On PCD 10 to 14, cell proliferation sped up. CK19 and integrin β(1) were detected to be expressed in the isolated cells. The cells were identified as ESC. (2) Compared with that of ESC without treatment of SNAP [(35.7 ± 0.3)%, (45.7 ± 5.0)%], migration of ESC treated with SNAP in the concentration from 1 to 100 µmol/L was promoted at PSH 12 and 24. Migration rates of ESC treated with 100 µmol/L SNAP were the highest [respectively (48.8 ± 2.7)%, (82.1 ± 15.8)%, with t value respectively 8.34, 5.10, P values both below 0.01]. The number of ESC transferred to membrane after being treated with 100 µmol/L SNAP was significantly larger than that of ESC without treatment of SNAP (t = 9.24, P = 0.00). (3) Absorbance values of ESC treated with 100, 500 µmol/L SNAP were obviously higher than that of ESC without treatment of SNAP (with t value respectively 4.30, 4.67, P values both equal to 0.00). Proliferation of ESC treated with 100, 500 µmol/L SNAP was obviously stronger than that of cells without treatment of SNAP at PTH 24, 48 (with t values from 2.84 to 8.17, P values all below 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSExogenous NO in suitable concentration can promote the migration of human ESC. Exogenous NO can inhibit the adhesion and promote the proliferation of human ESC in vitro.

Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Nitric Oxide ; pharmacology ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects

Objective: To explore the effects of porcine acellular dermal matrix (ADM) combined with human epidermal stem cells (ESCs) on wound healing of full-thickness skin defect in nude mice. Methods: The morphology of porcine ADM was analyzed by photograph of digital camera, the cell residues in porcine ADM were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, the surface structure of porcine ADM was observed by scanning electron microscope, the secondary structure of porcine ADM was analyzed by infrared spectrometer, the porcine ADM particle size was analyzed by dynamic light scattering particle size analyzer, and the porcine ADM potential was analyzed by nano-particle size potentiometer. The morphology of porcine ADM was observed by inverted fluorescence microscope when it was placed in culture medium for 30 min, 1 d, and 5 d (n=2). The porcine ADM was divided into 5 min group, 10 min group, 20 min group, 30 min group, 60 min group, and 120 min group according to the random number table (the same grouping method below) in static state at normal temperature for the corresponding time to calculate the water absorption by weighing method (n=3). Swiss white mouse embryonic fibroblasts (Fbs) were divided into blank control group (culture medium only), and 50.0 g/L ADM extract group, 37.5 g/L ADM extract group, 25.0 g/L ADM extract group, 12.5 g/L ADM extract group, and 6.5 g/L ADM extract group which were added with the corresponding final concentrations of ADM extract respectively. At post culture hour (PCH) 24, 48, and 72, the cell survival rate was detected by cell counting kit 8 and the cytotoxicity was graded (n=5). The erythrocytes of a 6-week-old male Sprague-Dawley male rat were divided into normal saline group, ultra-pure water group, and 5 mg/mL ADM extract group, 10 mg/mL ADM extract group, and 15 mg/mL ADM extract group which were treated with the corresponding final concentrations of porcine ADM extract respectively. After reaction for 3 h, the absorbance value of hemoglobin was detected by microplate reader to represent the blood compatibility of porcine ADM (n=3). ESCs were isolated and cultured from the discarded prepuce of a 6-year-old healthy boy who was treated in the Department of Urology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University (the Third Military Medical University) in July 2020, and then identified by flow cytometry. The porcine ADM particles of composite ESC (hereinafter referred to as ESC/ADM) were constructed by mixed culture. After 3 days of culture, the composite effect of ESC/ADM was observed by HE staining and laser scanning confocal microscope. Thirty-six 7-8-week-old male non-thymic nude mice were divided into phosphate buffer solution (PBS) alone group, ADM alone group, ESC alone group, and ESC/ADM group, with 9 mice in each group, and the wound model of full-thickness skin defect was established. Immediately after injury, the wounds were treated with the corresponding reagents at one time. On post injury day (PID) 1, 7, 11, and 15, the wound healing was observed and the wound healing rate was counted (n=3). On PID 7, the epithelialization of wounds was observed by HE staining and the length of un-epithelialized wound was measured (with this and the following sample numbers of 4). On PID 11, the dermal area and collagen deposition of wounds were observed by Masson staining and the dermal area of wound section was calculated, the number of cells expressing CD49f, a specific marker of ESC, was calculated with immunofluorescence staining, the mRNA expression of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in ESC after wound transplantation was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, one-way analysis of variance, analysis of variance for repeated measurement, and least significant difference t test. Results: The porcine ADM was white particles and composed of reticular structure, with no cells inside, disordered structure, and rough surface. The absorption peak of porcine ADM appeared at the wave numbers of 1 659, 1 549, and 1 239 cm^-1, respectively. The main particle size distribution of porcine ADM in solution was 500 to 700 nm, with negative charge on the surface. The morphology of porcine ADM in static state at 30 min and on 1 and 5 d was relatively stable. The water absorption of porcine ADM remained relatively high level in static state from 30 min to 120 min. The cytotoxicity of mouse embryonic Fbs in 6.5 g/L ADM extract group, 12.5 g/L ADM extract group, and 25.0 g/L ADM extract group was grade 1 at PCH 24, and the cytotoxicity of the other groups was 0 grade at each time point. After reaction for 3 h, the absorbance value of hemoglobin of erythrocytes in ultra-pure water group was significantly higher than the values in normal saline group and 15 mg/mL ADM extract group (with t values of 8.14 and 7.96, respectively, P<0.01). After 3 days of culture, the cells of the fourth passage showed pebble-like morphology, with low expression of CD71 and high expression of CD49f, which were identified as ESCs. There was ESC attachment and growth on porcine ADM particles. On PID 1, the wound sizes of nude mice were almost the same in PBS alone group, ADM alone group, ESC alone group, and ESC/ADM group. On PID 7, 11, and 15, the wound contraction of nude mice in each group was observed, especially in ADM alone group, ESC alone group, and ESC/ADM group. On PID 7, the wound healing rates of nude mice in ESC alone group and ESC/ADM group were significantly higher than the rate in PBS alone group (with t values of 2.83 and 4.72 respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01). On PID 11, the wound healing rate of nude mice in ESC/ADM group was significantly higher than that in PBS alone group (t=4.86, P<0.01). On PID 15, the wound healing rates of nude mice in ADM alone group, ESC alone group, and ESC/ADM group were significantly higher than the rate in PBS alone group (with t values of 2.71, 2.90, and 3.23 respectively, P<0.05). On PID 7, the length of un-epithelialized wound of nude mice in ADM alone group, ESC alone group, and ESC/ADM group was (816±85), (635±66), and (163±32) μm, respectively, which were significantly shorter than (1 199±43) μm in PBS alone group (with t values of 5.69, 10.19, and 27.54 respectively, P<0.01). On PID 11, the dermal areas of wound section of nude mice in ADM alone group, ESC alone group, and ESC/ADM group were significantly larger than the area in PBS alone group (with t values of 27.14, 5.29, and 15.90 respectively, P<0.01); the collagen production of nude mice in ADM alone group and ESC/ADM group was more obvious than that in PBS alone group, and the collagen production of nude mice in ESC alone group and PBS alone group was similar. On PID 11, in the wounds of nude mice in ESC alone group and ESC/ADM group, the cells with positive expression of CD49f were respectively 135±7 and 185±15, and the mRNA expressions of GAPDH were positive; while there were no expressions of CD49f nor mRNA of GAPDH in the wounds of nude mice in PBS alone group and ADM alone group. Conclusions: ESC/ADM particles can promote the wound healing of full-thickness skin defects in nude mice, which may be related to the improved survival rate of ESCs after transplantation and the promotion of dermal structure rearrangement and angiogenesis by ADM.
Acellular Dermis ; Animals ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stem Cells ; Swine ; Wound Healing