BackgroundCorneal stromal cells (CSCs) are components of the corneal endothelial microenvironment that can be induced to form a functional tissue-engineered corneal endothelium. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) have been reported as an important component of regenerative medicine and cell therapy for corneal stromal damage. We have demonstrated that the treatment with ADSCs leads to phenotypic changes in CSCs in vitro. However, the underlying mechanisms of such ADSC-induced changes in CSCs remain unclear.

MethodsADSCs and CSCs were isolated from New Zealand white rabbits and cultured in vitro. An Exosome Isolation Kit, Western blotting, and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) were used to isolate and confirm the exosomes from ADSC culture medium. Meanwhile, the optimal exosome concentration and treatment time were selected. Cell Counting Kit-8 and annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide assays were used to assess the effect of ADSC- derived exosomes on the proliferation and apoptosis of CSCs. To evaluate the effects of ADSC- derived exosomes on CSC invasion activity, Western blotting was used to detect the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and collagens.

Results:ADSCs and CSCs were successfully isolated from New Zealand rabbits. The optimal concentration and treatment time of exosomes for the following study were 100 μg/ml and 96 h, respectively. NTA revealed that the ADSC-derived exosomes appeared as nanoparticles (40-200 nm), and Western blotting confirmed positive expression of CD9, CD81, flotillin-1, and HSP70 versus ADSC cytoplasmic proteins (all P < 0.01). ADSC-derived exosomes (50 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml) significantly promoted proliferation and inhibited apoptosis (mainly early apoptosis) of CSCs versus non-exosome-treated CSCs (all P < 0.05). Interestingly, MMPs were downregulated and extracellular matrix (ECM)-related proteins including collagens and fibronectin were upregulated in the exosome-treated CSCs versus non-exosome-treated CSCs (MMP1: t = 80.103, P < 0.01; MMP2: t = 114.778, P < 0.01; MMP3: t = 56.208, P < 0.01; and MMP9: t = 60.617, P < 0.01; collagen I: t = -82.742, P < 0.01; collagen II: t = -72.818, P < 0.01; collagen III: t = -104.452, P < 0.01; collagen IV: t = -133.426, P < 0.01, and collagen V: t = -294.019, P < 0.01; and fibronectin: t = -92.491, P < 0.01, respectively).

Conclusion:The findings indicate that ADSCs might play an important role in CSC viability regulation and ECM remodeling, partially through the secretion of exosomes.

Adipose Tissue ; cytology ; Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; physiology ; Cell Survival ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Exosomes ; metabolism ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinases ; metabolism ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Rabbits

PURPOSE: Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) is a critical factor for vascular stabilization and endothelial survival via inhibition of endothelial permeability and leukocyte- endothelium interactions. Hence, we hypothesized that treatment with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) carrying the Ang1 gene (UCMSCs-Ang1) might be a potential approach for acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: UCMSCs with or without transfection with the human Ang1 gene were delivered intravenously into rats one hour after intra-abdominal instillation of LPS to induce ALI. After the rats were sacrificed at 6 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 8 days, and 15 days post-injection of LPS, the serum, the lung tissues, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were harvested for analysis, respectively. RESULTS: Administration of fluorescence microscope confirmed the increased presence of UCMSCs in the injured lungs. The evaluation of UCMSCs and UCMSCs-Ang1 actions revealed that Ang1 overexpression further decreased the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, TGF-β1, and IL-6 and increased the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in the injured lungs. This synergy caused a substantial decrease in lung airspace inflammation and vascular leakage, characterized by significant reductions in wet/dry ratio, differential neutrophil counts, myeloperoxidase activity, and BALF. The rats treated by UCMSCs-Ang1 showed improved survival and lower ALI scores. CONCLUSION: UCMSCs-Ang1 could improve both systemic inflammation and alveolar permeability in ALI. UC-derived MSCs-based Ang1 gene therapy may be developed as a potential novel strategy for the treatment of ALI.
Acute Lung Injury/chemically induced/*therapy ; Angiopoietin-1/*genetics ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Cytokines/metabolism ; Endotoxins ; Genetic Therapy ; Interleukin-10/metabolism ; Interleukin-6/metabolism ; Leukocyte Count ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Lung/metabolism ; Male ; *Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells/metabolism ; Neutrophils/metabolism ; Rats ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism ; Umbilical Cord/*cytology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) on the adherence between mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPC).

METHODSMSC and EPC were isolated, cultured and expanded from the 6-8 weeks aged C57BL/6 murine bone marrow by in vitro. Immuno-fluorescence was used to detect the expression of ICAM-1 in MSC group, EPC group and co-cultured MSC and EPC group. The mRNA and protein levels of ICAM-1 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot respectively, then, the ICAM-1 adherence between MSC and EPC was observed by adding different concentration of neutralizing antibody.

RESULTSThe expression of ICAM-1 on surface of MSC and EPC could be detected by cell immunofluorescence method. According to results of the semiquantitative fluorescene detection, the fluorescence strength of MSC+EPC co-cultured group (89.02 ± 24.52) was higher than that of MSC group (31.25 ± 2.95) and EPC group (34.32 ± 5.02), and there was statistical difference between them (P < 0.01), but there was no obvious difference between MSC group and EPC group (P > 0.05). RT-PCR detection showed that the expression levels of ICAM-1 in MSC+EPC co-cultured group were higher than that in MSC group and that in EPC group (P < 0.01), and expression level of ICAM in EPC group was higher than that in MSC group (P < 0.01). Western blot detection showed that the expression level of ICAM-1 protein in MSC+EPC co-cultured group (0.33 ± 0.4) was higher than that in MSC group (0.11 ± 0.01) (P < 0.05) and than that in EPC group (0.19+0.02) (P < 0.05), However, the expression level of ICAM-1 protein in EPC group was higher than that in MSC group (P < 0.05). The test of different concentrations against neutralizing antibody showed that with the increasing of concentration of ICAM-1 neutralizing antibody, the adhesion capability of MSC and EPC was gradually decreasing.

CONCLUSIONThe ICAM-1 can mediate the adherence process between MSC and EPC.

Animals ; Bone Marrow ; Cell Adhesion ; Coculture Techniques ; Endothelial Progenitor Cells ; cytology ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of LIF combined with bFGF on the proliferation, stemness and senescence of hUC-MSC.

METHODSExperiments were divided into 4 groups: control group, in which the cells were treated with complete medium (α-MEM containing 10% FBS); group LIF, in which the cells were treated with complete medium containing 10 ng/ml LIF; group bFGF, in which the cells were treated with complete medium containing 10 ng/ml bFGF; combination group, in which the cells were treated with complete medium containing 10 ng/ml LIF and 10 ng/ml bFGF. The growth curves of hUC-MSC at passage 4 in different groups were assayed by cell counting kit 8. Cellular morphologic changes were observed under inverted phase contrast microscope; hUC-MSC senescence in different groups was detected by β-galactosidase staining. The expression of PCNA, P16, P21, P53, OCT4 and NANOG genes was detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe cell growth curves of each group were similar to the S-shape; the cell proliferation rate from high to low as follows: that in the combination group > group bFGF > group LIF > control group. Senescence and declining of proliferation were observed at hUC-MSC very early in control group; the cells in group LIF maintained good cellular morphology at early stage, but cell proliferation was slow and late senescence was observed; a few cells in group bFGF presented signs of senescence, but with quick proliferation; the cells in combination group grew quickly and maintained cellular morphology of hUC-MSC for long time. The LIF and bFGF up-regulated the expression of PCNA, OCT4 and NANOG, while they down-regulated the expression of P16, P21, P53, and their combinative effects were more significant.

CONCLUSIONLIF combined with bFGF not only can promote the proliferation and maintenance of stemness of hUC-MSC, but also can delay the senescence of hUC-MSC.

Cell Cycle ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; metabolism ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; pharmacology ; Genes, Homeobox ; Humans ; Leukemia Inhibitory Factor ; pharmacology ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Octamer Transcription Factor-3 ; metabolism ; Organic Chemicals ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSC) on VP16-induced apoptosis of Nalm-6 cells.

METHODShUC-MSC were isolated and identified using morphological observation and flow cytometry, then Nalm-6 cells were treated with hUC-MSC with or without VP16. Apoptosis and cell cycle were assayed by FACS. The mRNA levels of apoptosis-related genes BCL-2, BAX and caspase-3 were detected by quantitative RT-PCR, and the protein levels of BCL-2, BAX and caspase-3 were examined by Western blot.

RESULTSFACS showed that hUC-MSC inhibited the proliferation and decreased apoptosis of Nalm-6 cells resulted from VP16. The quantitative RT-PCR showed that hUC-MSC increased the mRNA expression level of BCL-2 and decreased the expression level of BAX and caspase-3 (P < 0.05). Western blot showed that the protein expression level of BCL-2 increased, and expression level of BAX and caspase-3 decreased in Nalm-6 cells after co-culture with hUC-MSC (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONhUC-MSC may protect Nalm-6 cells from apoptosis induced by VP16 through regulation of BCL-2, BAX and caspase-3.

Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Etoposide ; adverse effects ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

Objective To compare the effecacy of human mesenchymal stromal cell (hMSC) with human mononuclear cell (hMNC) in treating rat cerebral infarct.Methods The SD rat models of cerebral infarct were established by distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (dMCAO). Rats were divided into four groups: sham,ischemia vehicle,MSC,and MNC transplantation groups. For the transplantation group,1×10hMSCs or hMNCs were intravascularly transplanted into the tail vein 1 hour after the ischemia onset. The ischemia vehicle group received dMCAO surgery and intravascular saline injection 1,3,5,and 7 days after the ischemia onset,and then behavioral tests were performed. At 48 h after the ischemia onset,the abundance of Iba- 1,the symbol of activated microglia,was evaluated in the peri-ischemia striatum area; meanwhile,the neurotrophic factors such as glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in ipsilateral peri-ischemia striatum area were also measured. Results The relative infarct volume in ischemia vehicle group,hMSC group,and hMNC transplantation group were (37.85±4.40)%,(33.41±3.82)%,and (30.23±3.63)%,respectively. The infarct volumes of MSC group (t=2.100,P=0.034) and MNC group (t=2.109,P=0.0009) were significantly smaller than that of ischemia vehicle group,and that of MNC group was significantly smaller than that of MSC group (t=1.743,P=0.043). One day after transplantation,the score of ischemia vehicle group in limb placing test was (4.32±0.71)%,which was significantly lower than that in sham group (9.73±0.36)% (t=2.178,P=8.61×10). The scores of MSC and MNC group,which were (5.09±0.62)% (t=2.1009,P=0.024) and (5.90±0.68)% (t=2.1008,P=0.0001),respectively,were significantly higher than that of ischemia vehicle group; also,the score of MNC group was significantly higher than that of MSC group(t=2.1009,P=0.0165). The contralateral forelimb scores of MSC and MNC groups in beam walking test were (5.56±0.86)% (t=2.120,P=0.020) and (5.13±0.95)% (t=2.131,P=0.003),were both significantly lower than that of ischemia vehicle group [(6.47±0.61)%]. Three days after the transplantation,the limb placing test score of MNC group [(6.91±1.10)%] was significantly higher than that of ischemia vehicle group (5.80±0.82)% (t=2.110,P=0.027). The score of MSC group [(6.30±0.77)%] showed no statistic difference with that of ischemia vehicle group(t=2.101,P=0.199).The contralateral forelimb scores of MNC group in beam walking test [(4.34±0.58)%] was significantly lower than that of ischemia vehicle group [(5.31±0.65)%] (t=2.100,P=0.006) and MSC group [(4.92±0.53)%] (t=2.100,P=0.041); there was no statistic difference between MSC group and ischemia vehicle group (t=2.109,P=0.139). The relative abundance of Iba- 1 in sham,ischemia vehicle,MSC,and MNC groups was 1.00+0.00,1.72±0.21,1.23±0.08,and 1.48±0.06,respectively. The Iba-1 relative abundance of ischemia vehicle group was significantly higher than that of sham group (t=2.262,P=2.9×10). The Iba-1 relative abundances of both MSC (t=2.178,P=3.91×10)and MNC (t=2.200,P=0.007)groups were significantly lower than that of ischemia vehicle group. It was also significantly lower in MNC group than in MSC group also (t=2.120,P=7.09×10). Three days after transplantation,the BDNF and GDNF levels of MSC group,which were (531.127±73.176)pg/mg (t=2.109,P=0.003)and(127.780±16.733)pg/mg(t=2.100,P=2.76×10),respectively,were significantly higher than those of ischemia vehicle group,which were (401.988±89.006)pg/mg and (86.278±14.832) pg/mg,respectively. The BDNF and GDNF levels of MNC group,which were (627.429±65.646)pg/mg (t=2.144,P=0.017) and (153.117±20.443)pg/mg (t=2.109,P=0.010),respectively,were all significantly higher than that of MSC group. At day 7,the BDNF and GDNF levels of MSC group,which were (504.776±83.282)pg/mg (t=2.101,P=0.005) and (81.641±11.019)pg/mg (t=2.100,P=0.002),respectively,were significantly higher than those of ischemia vehicle group,which were (389.257±70.440)pg/mg and (64.322±9.855) pg/mg,respectively. The BDNF and GDNF levels of MNC group,which were (589.068±63.323)pg/mg (t=2.100,P=0.027) and (102.161±19.932)pg/mg (t=2.144,P=0.017),respectively,were all significantly higher than that of MSC group. Conclusions Both hMSC and hMNC are beneficial to the ischemia-damaged brain when they are intravascularly transplanted within 1 h after the onset of ischemia. The anti-inflammation ability and secretion of neurotrophic factors are the underlying mechanisms of the therapeutic effects. MNC is more effective than MSC in reducing infarct area and improving behaviors,which might be explained by the fact that MNC induces more GDNF and BDNF in brain than MSC.
Animals ; Bone Marrow ; Brain Ischemia ; therapy ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fetus ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; therapy ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility of inducing human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUMSCs) to differentiate into Leydig cells in the interstitial tissue of the rat testis.

METHODSHUMSCs were obtained by tissue blocks culture attachment and their purity and multi-lineage differentiation ability were verified by flow cytometry and chondrogenic/adipogenic/osteogenic differentiation. Then the HUMSCs were marked by CM-Dil and transplanted into the interstitial tissue of the rat testis. At 4 and 8 weeks after transplantation, the survival and differentiation status of the HUMSCs were observed by immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry. The suspension of the rat Leydig cells was obtained at 8 weeks for determining the expression of the Leydig cell marker 3β-HSD in the HUMSCs, the cells labeled with CM-Dil were sorted and cultured, and the medium collected after 3 days of culture for measurement of the testosterone level.

RESULTSThe expression of the Leydig cell marker CYPllal was not observed in the HUMSCs at 4 weeks but found at 8 weeks after transplantation and the differentiation rate of 3β-HSD was about 14.5% at 8 weeks. CM-Dil labeled cells survived after sorting and testosterone was detected in the medium.

CONCLUSIONSHUMSCs are likely to differentiate into Leydig cells in the interstitium of the rat testis.

Animals ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Carbocyanines ; Cell Differentiation ; Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme ; metabolism ; Feasibility Studies ; Humans ; Leydig Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Rats ; Testis ; cytology ; Time Factors ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the biological characteristics and genetic features of human placenta mesenchymal stem cells (hPA-MSCs) cultured in vitro in order to assess its safety for clinical use.

METHODSThe shapes of the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 13th, 17th and 20th generation hPA-MSCs cultured in vitro using serum-free culture medium were observed. Their cell cycle, cell surface markers, and karyotype were analyzed, and relevant genes and cytokines were measured.

RESULTSThe shape of hPA-MSCs has remained as fusiform or short fusiform, and there was no significant change. About 93% of hPA-MSCs cells were in G0/G1 phase and remained stable. No obvious chromosomal translocation, loss or inversion was noted by karyotyping analysis. Cytokines expression level remained stable. Related gene expression level as a whole was on the decline, but the gene expression level of the first five generations showed very slight variations, with genetic characteristics remaining stable.

CONCLUSIONThe hPA-MSCs cultured in vitro with serum-free medium has retained stable in the first five generations.

Cells, Cultured ; Cytokines ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; physiology ; Placenta ; cytology ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of total flavonoids of Herba Epimedium (FHE) on BMP-2/RunX2/OSX signaling pathway in promoting osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).

METHODSPassage 3 BMSCs were randomly divided into the control group, the experimental group, and the inhibitor group. BMSCs in the control group were cultured in 0.2% dimethyl sulfoxide + Osteogenuxic Supplement (OS) fluid + DMEM/F12 culture media. BMSCs in the experimental group were intervened by 20 microg/mL FHE. BMSCs in the inhibitor group were intervened by 20 microg/mL FHE and 1 microg/mL NOGGIN recombinant protein. At day 9 alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured. Calcium nodules were stained by alizarin red staining and the density was observed. The transcription expression of osteogenic differentiation-related proteins (type I collagen, osteocalcin, and osteopontin) and related factors of BMP-2/RunX2/OSX signaling pathway was assayed by RT-PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, ALP activities were enhanced and the density of calcium nodules significantly increased; type I collagen, osteocalcin, and osteopontin expression levels were increased in the experimental group. The expression of osteogenesis-related transcription factor was also increased in the experimental group. Noggin recombinant protein inhibited FHE promoting BMSCs osteogenesis in the inhibitor group. Compared with the experimental group, ALP activity decreased (P < 0.05), the density of calcium nodules was lowered, expression levels of type I collagen, osteocalcin, osteopontin significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the inhibitor group.

CONCLUSION20 microg/mL FHE promoted osteogenic differentiation process of BMSCs by BMP-2/RunX2/OSX signaling pathway.

Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Osteocalcin ; metabolism ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; Osteopontin ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Sp7 Transcription Factor ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism

Mesothelial cells (MCs) cover the surface of visceral organs and the parietal walls of cavities, and they synthesize lubricating fluids to create a slippery surface that facilitates movement between organs without friction. Recent studies have indicated that MCs play active roles in liver development, fibrosis, and regeneration. During liver development, the mesoderm produces MCs that form a single epithelial layer of the mesothelium. MCs exhibit an intermediate phenotype between epithelial cells and mesenchymal cells. Lineage tracing studies have indicated that during liver development, MCs act as mesenchymal progenitor cells that produce hepatic stellate cells, fibroblasts around blood vessels, and smooth muscle cells. Upon liver injury, MCs migrate inward from the liver surface and produce hepatic stellate cells or myofibroblast depending on the etiology, suggesting that MCs are the source of myofibroblasts in capsular fibrosis. Similar to the activation of hepatic stellate cells, transforming growth factor β induces the conversion of MCs into myofibroblasts. Further elucidation of the biological and molecular changes involved in MC activation and fibrogenesis will contribute to the development of novel approaches for the prevention and therapy of liver fibrosis.
Epithelial Cells/*physiology ; Epithelium/metabolism ; Hepatic Stellate Cells/*physiology ; Humans ; Liver/*cytology/injuries/*physiology ; Liver Cirrhosis/etiology/prevention & control ; Liver Regeneration/*physiology ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells/physiology ; Myofibroblasts/physiology