This study aims to elucidate the role and mechanism of clematichinenoside AR(CAR) in protecting bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs) from hypoxia-induced apoptosis. BMSCs were isolated by the bone fragment method and identified by flow cytometry. Cells were cultured under normal conditions(37℃, 5% CO_2) and hypoxic conditions(37℃, 90% N_2, 5% CO_2) and treated with CAR. The BMSCs were classified into eight groups: control(normal conditions), CAR(normal conditions + CAR), hypoxia 24 h, hypoxia 24 h + CAR, hypoxia 48 h, hypoxia 48 h + CAR, hypoxia 72 h, and hypoxia 72 h + CAR. The cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay and terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling(TUNEL) were employed to measure cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. The number of mitochondria and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by MitoTracker®Red CM-H2XRo staining and JC-1 staining, respectively. The level of reactive oxygen species(ROS) was measured with the DCFH-DA fluorescence probe. The protein levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 associated X protein(BAX), caspase-3, and optic atrophy 1(OPA1) were determined by Western blot. The results demonstrated that CAR significantly increased cell proliferation. Compared with the control group, the hypoxia groups showed increased apoptosis rates, reduced mitochondria, elevated ROS levels, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, upregulated expression of BAX and caspase-3, and downregulated expression of OPA1. In comparison to the corresponding hypoxia groups, CAR intervention significantly decreased the apoptosis rate, increased mitochondria, reduced ROS levels, elevated mitochondrial membrane potential, downregulated the expression of BAX and caspase-3, and upregulated the expression of OPA1. Therefore, it can be concluded that CAR may exert an anti-apoptotic effect on BMSCs under hypoxic conditions by regulating OPA1 to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Animals ; Rats ; Cell Hypoxia/drug effects* ; Homeostasis/drug effects* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects* ; Saponins/pharmacology* ; Caspase 3/genetics* ; Male ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/genetics* ; Bone Marrow Cells/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Protective Agents/pharmacology* ; Cells, Cultured

This study aims to investigate the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of Yougui Yin in treating glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis. A rat model of glucocorticoid-associated osteonecrosis of the femoral head(GA-ONFH) was established by intramuscular injection of dexamethasone at 20 mg·kg~(-1) every other day for 8 weeks. Rats were randomly allocated into control, model, and low-and high-dose(1.5 and 3.0 g·kg~(-1), respectively) Yougui Yin groups. After modeling, rats in Yougui Yin groups were administrated with Yougui Yin via gavage, which was followed by femoral specimen collection. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe femoral head repair, and immunofluorescence was employed to assess adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs) within the femoral head. Cell experiments were carried out with dexamethasone(1 μmol·L~(-1))-treated BMSCs to evaluate the effects of Yougui Yin-medicated serum on adipogenic differentiation. Animal experiments demonstrated that compared with the model group, Yougui Yin at both high and low doses significantly improved bone mineral density(BMD), bone volume/total volume(BV/TV) ratio, and trabecular thickness(Tb.Th) in the femoral head. Additionally, Yougui Yin alleviated necrosis-like changes and adipocyte infiltration and significantly reduced the expression level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ(PPARγ) in the femoral head, thereby suppressing the adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs in GA-ONFH rats. The cell experiments revealed that Yougui Yin-medicated serum markedly inhibited dexamethasone-induced adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs and down-regulated the level of PPARγ. The overexpression of PPARγ attenuated the inhibitory effect of Yougui Yin-medicated serum on the adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs, indicating the critical role of PPARγ in Yougui Yin-mediated suppression of adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs. In conclusion, Yougui Yin exerts therapeutic effects on glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis by down-regulating PPARγ expression and inhibiting adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs.
Animals ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism* ; PPAR gamma/genetics* ; Rats ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Glucocorticoids/adverse effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Adipogenesis/drug effects* ; Osteonecrosis/genetics* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Bone Marrow Cells/metabolism* ; Femur Head Necrosis/chemically induced* ; Humans

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of sodium valproate (VPA) in inhibiting Erastin-induced ferroptosis in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: BMSCs were isolated from bone marrow of 8-week-old Spragur Dawley rats and identified [cell surface antigens CD90, CD44, and CD45 were analyzed by flow cytometry, and osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation abilities were assessed by alizarin red S (ARS) and oil red O staining, respectively]. Cells of passage 3 were used for the Erastin-induced ferroptosis model, with different concentrations of VPA for intervention. The optimal drug concentration was determined using the cell counting kit 8 assay. The experiment was divided into 4 groups: group A, cells were cultured in osteogenic induction medium for 24 hours; group B, cells were cultured in osteogenic induction medium containing optimal concentration Erastin for 24 hours; group C, cells were cultured in osteogenic induction medium containing optimal concentration Erastin and VPA for 24 hours; group D, cells were cultured in osteogenic induction medium containing optimal concentration Erastin and VPA, and 8 μmol/L EX527 for 24 hours. The mitochondrial state of the cells was evaluated, including the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Osteogenic capacity was assessed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and ARS staining. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expressions of osteogenic-related proteins [Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and osteopontin (OPN)], ferroptosis-related proteins [glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)], and pathway-related proteins [adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)]. RESULTS: The cultured cells were identified as BMSCs. VPA inhibited Erastin-induced ferroptosis and the decline of osteogenic ability in BMSCs, acting through the activation of the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway. VPA significantly reduced the levels of ROS and MDA in Erastin-treated BMSCs and significantly increased GSH levels. Additionally, the expression levels of ferroptosis-related proteins (GPX4, FTH1, and SLC7A11) significantly decreased. VPA also upregulated the expressions of osteogenic-related proteins (RUNX2 and OPN), enhanced mineralization and osteogenic differentiation, and increased the expressions of pathway-related proteins (AMPK and SIRT1). These effects could be reversed by the SIRT1 inhibitor EX527. CONCLUSION VPA inhibits ferroptosis in BMSCs through the AMPK/SIRT1 axis and promotes osteogenesis.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Animals ; Valproic Acid/pharmacology* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sirtuin 1/metabolism* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Cells, Cultured ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Piperazines/pharmacology* ; Bone Marrow Cells/cytology* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antioxidant and osteogenic induction capabilities of calcium phosphate nanoflowers (hereinafter referred to as nanoflowers) in vitro at different concentrations. METHODS: Nanoflowers were prepared using gelatin, tripolyphosphate, and calcium chloride. Their morphology, microstructure, elemental composition and distribution, diameter, and molecular constitution were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Femurs and tibias were harvested from twelve 4-week-old Sprague Dawley rats, and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were isolated and cultured using the whole bone marrow adherent method, followed by passaging. The third passage cells were identified as stem cells by flow cytometry and then co-cultured with nanoflowers at concentrations of 0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6, 2.0, 2.4, 2.8, 3.2, and 3.6 mg/mL. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay was performed to screen for the optimal concentration that demonstrated the best cell viability, which was subsequently used as the experimental concentration for further studies. After co-culturing BMSCs with the screened concentration of nanoflowers, the biocompatibility of the nanoflowers was verified through live/dead cell staining, scratch assay, and cytoskeleton staining. The antioxidant capacity was assessed by using reactive oxygen species (ROS) fluorescence staining. The in vitro osteoinductive ability was evaluated via alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, alizarin red staining, and immunofluorescence staining of osteocalcin (OCN) and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2). All the above indicators were compared with the control group of normally cultured BMSCs without the addition of nanoflowers. RESULTS: Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the prepared nanoflowers exhibited a flower-like structure; transmission electron microscopy scans discovered that the nanoflowers possessed a multi-layered structure, and high-magnification images displayed continuous atomic arrangements, with the nanoflower diameter measuring (2.00±0.25) μm; energy-dispersive spectroscopy indicated that the nanoflowers contained elements such as C, N, O, P, and Ca, which were uniformly distributed across the flower region; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyzed the absorption peaks of each component, demonstrating the successful preparation of the nanoflowers. Through CCK-8 screening, the concentrations of 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6 mg/mL were selected for subsequent experiments. The live/dead cell staining showed that nanoflowers at different concentrations exhibited good cell compatibility, with the 1.2 mg/mL concentration being the best (P<0.05). The scratch assay results indicated that the cell migration ability in the 1.2 mg/mL group was superior to the other groups (P<0.05). The cytoskeleton staining revealed that the cell morphology was well-extended in all concentration groups, with no significant difference compared to the control group. The ROS fluorescence staining demonstrated that the ROS fluorescence in all concentration groups decreased compared to the control group after lipopolysaccharide induction (P<0.05), with the 1.2 mg/mL group showing the weakest fluorescence. The ALP staining showed blue-purple nodular deposits around the cells in all groups, with the 1.2 mg/mL group being significantly more prominent. The alizarin red staining displayed orange-red mineralized nodules around the cells in all groups, with the 1.2 mg/mL group having more and denser nodules. The immunofluorescence staining revealed that the expressions of RUNX2 and OCN proteins in all concentration groups increased compared to the control group, with the 1.2 mg/mL group showing the strongest protein expression (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The study successfully prepares nanoflowers, among which the 1.2 mg/mL nanoflowers exhibits excellent cell compatibility, antioxidant properties, and osteogenic induction capability, demonstrating their potential as an artificial bone substitute material.
Animals ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/drug effects* ; Calcium Phosphates/pharmacology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Antioxidants/chemistry* ; Cells, Cultured ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Nanostructures/chemistry* ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Bone Marrow Cells/cytology* ; Coculture Techniques ; Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry* ; Male ; Biocompatible Materials/chemistry* ; Cell Survival ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation

Objective To investigate the effect of gentiopicroside on osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), and to determine whether its mechanism involves the stromal cell-derived factor 1(SDF-1)/C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) pathway. Methods BMSCs were divided into six groups: normal culture control group, osteogenic induction model group, low-dose gentiopicroside (L-gentiopicroside, 10 μmol/L) group, medium-dose gentiopicroside (M-gentiopicroside, 20 μmol/L) group, high-dose gentiopicroside (H-gentiopicroside, 40 μmol/L) group, and H-gentiopicroside+SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway inhibitor (AMD3100) group (H-gentiopicroside+AMD3100, 40 μmol/L gentiopicroside+10 μg/mL AMD3100). Cell viability, apoptosis, ALP activity, mineralized nodule formation, and protein levels of the SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway were assessed using the CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, ALP staining, Alizarin Red S staining, and Western blotting, respectively. Results No mineralized nodules were observed in either the control and model group, although the color of the model group deepened. Compared with the control group, the model group showed significantly increased A value, ALP activity, expression levels of Runt related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteopontin (OPN), SDF-1, CXCR4 proteins, along with a lower apoptosis rate. Compared with the model group, the L-gentiopicroside, M-gentiopicroside and H-gentiopicroside groups showed dose-dependently (L Humans ; Receptors, CXCR4/genetics* ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Chemokine CXCL12/genetics* ; Iridoid Glucosides/pharmacology* ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Cells, Cultured ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Bone Marrow Cells/metabolism*

BACKGROUNDDendritic cells are professional antigen-presenting cells found in an immature state in epithelia and interstitial space, where they capture antigens such as pathogens or damaged tissue. Matrix metallopeptidase 13 (MMP-13), a member of the collagenase subfamily, is involved in many different cellular processes and is expressed in murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs). The function of MMP-13 in DCs is not well understood. Here, we investigated the effect of MMP-13 on DC maturation, apoptosis, and phagocytosis.

METHODSBone marrow-derived dendritic cells were obtained from C57BL/6 mice. One short-interfering RNA specific for MMP-13 was used to transfect DCs. MMP-13-silenced DCs and control DCs were prepared, and apoptosis was measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. MMP-13-silenced DCs and control DCs were analyzed for surface expression of CD80 and CD86 and phagocytosis capability using flow cytometry.

RESULTSCompared to the control DCs, MMP-13-silenced DCs increased expression of anti-apoptosis-related genes, BAG1 (control group vs. MMP-13-silenced group: 4.08 ± 0.60 vs. 6.11 ± 0.87, P = 0.008), BCL-2 (control group vs. MMP-13-silenced group: 7.54 ± 0.76 vs. 9.54 ± 1.29, P = 0.036), and TP73 (control group vs. MMP-13-silenced group: 4.33 ± 0.29 vs. 5.60 ± 0.32, P = 0.001) and decreased apoptosis-related genes, CASP1 (control group vs. MMP-13-silenced group: 3.79 ± 0.67 vs. 2.54 ± 0.39, P = 0.019), LTBR (control group vs. MMP-13-silenced group: 9.23 ± 1.25 vs. 6.24 ± 1.15, P = 0.012), and CASP4 (control group vs. MMP-13-silenced group: 2.07 ± 0.56 vs. 0.35 ± 0.35, P = 0.002). Protein levels confirmed the same expression pattern. MMP-13-silenced groups decreased expression of CD86 on DCs; however, there was no statistical difference in CD80 surface expression. Furthermore, MMP-13-silenced groups exhibited weaker phagocytosis capability.

CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that MMP-13 inhibition dampens DC maturation, apoptosis, and phagocytosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; physiology ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Female ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 ; metabolism ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; RNA, Small Interfering

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Compound Zhebei Granule (, CZBG) combined with chemotherapy on surface markers of leukemia stem cell (LSC) in the bone marrow of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

METHODSSeventy-eight patients with AML received bone marrow aspiration and the percentages of CD34(+) CD123(+) and CD33(+) CD123(+) cells were tested using flow cytometry method. A total of 24 refractory or relapsed AML patients were enrolled and treated with one cycle of standard chemotherapy combined with CZBG. Bone marrow samples were obtained before and after treatment, and the percentages of CD34(+) CD123(+) and CD33(+) CD123(+) cells were examined by flflow cytometry.

RESULTSCompared with refractory or relapsed AML patients, patients achieved remission had a significant lower percentage of CD34(+) CD123(+) cells(P<0.01) and CD33(+) CD123(+) cells (P<0.01), indicating that controlling the LSC percentage may be important for patients with AML to achieve sustainable remission. Compared with those before treatment, the expression levels of CD34(+) CD123(+) were significantly decreased after CZBG combined with chemotherapy treatment (P<0.01). The percentages of CD34(+) CD123(+) cells and CD33(+) CD123(+) in patients achieving complete remission after CZBG combined with chemotherapy treatment were both significantly lower than those in patients with nonremission (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONCZBG combining chemotherapy could reduce the percentages of CD34(+) CD123(+) and CD33(+) CD123(+) LSC, which might improve the clinical efficacy of refractory or relapsed AML.

Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Bone Marrow Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Remission Induction

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) on hematopoietic system in rats.

METHODSThirty male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10): control group, high dose group (10 mg/kg · d), low dose group (5 mg/kg · d), The rats in experimental group were intravenous injected with GQDs for 28 days and those in control group were injected with normal saline at the same volume. Routine blood and the function of liver and kidney were detected by instrument analysis. The cycle and apoptosis of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMCs) were detected by FCM. The other three only healthy male SD rat bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMCs) were cultured by joining GQDs for 24 h, 48 h,72 h in vitro, the proliferation was assayed by CCK-8, the content of granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) from cultural supernatants were detected by ELISA.

RESULTSThe amount of red blood cell and concentration of hemoglobin from experimental group were increased significantly compared with those of control groups (P < 0.05), the concentration of triglyceride and high density lipoprotein were decreased. DNA synthesis period was prolonged (P < 0.01), there was no significant difference in apoptosis. BMCs were promoted proliferation clearly after using GQDs for 72 h (P < 0.05). The content of GM-CSF was increased (P < 0.01) .

CONCLUSIONGQDs may promote hematopoietic function in rats.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; drug effects ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; metabolism ; Graphite ; pharmacology ; Hematopoiesis ; drug effects ; Male ; Quantum Dots ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of panaxadiol saponins component (PDS-C) isolated from total saponins of panax ginseng on proliferation, differentiation and corresponding gene expression profile of megakaryocytes.

METHODSBone marrow culture of colony forming assay of megakaryocytic progenitor cells (CFU-MK) was observed for the promoting proliferation mediated by PDS-C, and differentiation of megakaryocytic blasts caused by PDS-C was analyzed with flow cytometry in CHRF-288 and Meg-01 cells, as well as proliferation, differentiation-related genes expression profile and protein expression levels were detected by human gene expression microarray and western blot.

RESULTSIn response to PDS-C 10, 20 and 50 mg/L, CFU-MK from 10 human bone marrow samples was increased by 28.9%±2.7%, 41.0%±3.2% and 40.5%±2.6% over untreated control, respectively (P <0.01, each). Flow cytometry analysis showed that PDS-C treated CHRF-288 cells and Meg-01 cells significantly increased in CD42b, CD41, TSP and CD36 positive ratio, respectively. PDS-C induced 29 genes up-regulated more than two-fold commonly in both cells detected by human expression microarray representing 4000 known genes. The protein expression levels of ZNF91, c-Fos, BTF3a, GATA-1, RGS2, NDRG2 and RUNX1 were increased with western blot in correspond to microarray results.

CONCLUSIONPDS-C as an effective component for hematopoiesis, play the role to enhance proliferation and differentiation of megakaryocytes, also up-regulated expression of proliferation, differentiation-related genes and proteins in vitro.

Blotting, Western ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Colony-Forming Units Assay ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Megakaryocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Patents as Topic ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects ; genetics

To isolate bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and establish the model of chronic kidney disease (CKD) of Wuzhishan (WZS) mini-pig, and to study the repairment effect of BM-MSCs on CKD-induced renal fibrosis in vitro.
 Methods: Density gradient method was used to isolate and culture BM-MSCs. The cells were verified by morphology, phenotype, differentiation and so on. The left partial ureteral obstruction (LPUUO) was used to establish the CKD model, which was evaluated by B-ultrasound, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), HE and Masson staining. The cells were divided into 3 groups, the tissue plus BM-MSCs group, the tissue group, and the BM-MSCs group, respectively. Seven days later, the supernatants were collected to observe the changes of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) cumulative release. HE and Masson staining was used to observe the changes of renal tissue.
 Results: The isolated BM-MSCs possessed the features as follow: fibroblast-like adherent growth; positive in CD29 and CD90 expression while negative in CD45 expression; osteogenic induction and alizarin red staining were positive; alcian blue staining were positive after chondrogenic induction. Twelve weeks after the operation of LPUUO, B-ultrasound showed the thin renal cortical with pelvis effusion; SPETCT showed the left kidney delayed filling and renal impairment. The accumulation of HGF in the tissue plus BM-MSCs group was significantly higher than that in the tissue alone group at the 1st, 5th, 6th, 7th day, respectively (P<0.05). HE staining showed the different degree of renal lesions between the tissue plus BM-MSCs+CKD group and the tissue alone group, which was aggravated with the time going. Masson staining showed that the cumulative optical density of blue-stained collagen fibers in tissue plus BM-MSCs group was significantly lower than that in the tissue group at the 5th to 7th day (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: BM-MSCs from WZS mini-pig can inhibit or delay the progress of CKD-induced renal fibrosis through autocrine HGF in vitro.
Animals ; Autocrine Communication ; physiology ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibrosis ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; drug effects ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; complications ; physiopathology ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Ureteral Obstruction ; complications