Objective To explore the possibility of immortalized human precartilaginous stem cells (IPSCs) differentiating into nucleus pulposus-liked cells induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)and examine its biological characters.Methods The IPSCs were seeded on the thermosensitive chitosan/glycerophosphate (C/GP) scaffolds and induced into nucleus pulposus-like cells in culture medium with the adding of TGF-β1 under hypoxia condiction.The growth and differrentiation of IPSCs on C/GP scaffolds were observed.Seven days later,Alcian blue staining was used to detect the formation of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) of extracellular matrix by the differentiating cell.RT-PCR was carried out to identify the expression of characteristic genes of nucleus pulposus-liked cells,including collagen Ⅱ and Aggrecan.Western blot were used to examine the expression of β-catenin.Results IPSCs grew well on the thermosensitive C/GP scaffolds.After 7 days,Alcian blue staining exhibited more formation of GAG in experimental group as compared with control group.RT-PCR manifested that the gene expression of collagen Ⅱ and Aggrecan were upregulated.Likewise,Western blot manifested that the expression of β-catenin was upregulated.Respectively,all of the content in the induction group obviously increased compared with that of the control group.Conclusion IPSCs can be differentiated into nucleus pulposus-like cells under the induction of TGF-β1,the differentiating cells have a favourable secretory function,which can secrete extracellular matrix effectively.Differentiation of IPSCs to nucleus pulposus-liked cells may be through upregulating the expression of β-catenin in cells.

Objective To establish the strain of immortalized human precartilaginous stem cells (PSCs) which can be a stable cell resource for study of the molecular mechanism of gene targeting on differ-entiation of PSCs. Methods Plasmid pCMVSV40T/PUR containing simian virus 40 large T antigen gene (SV40Tag) was transfected into human PSCs using lipofeetin transfection method. Colonies were isolated by puromycin selection and expanded by many passages. Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and Southern blot were used to identify the transfected cells and to detect the expression and integration of SV40Tag in expanded cell lines. Results The positive colonies were isolated and subcultured, named as immortalized precartilaginous stem cells (IPSCs), which were confirmed as positive to fibrnblast growth factor receptor-3 (FGFR-3). The existence of SV40Tag cDNA was detected by Southern blot and the expression of SV40Tag mRNA and protein by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Conclusion IPSCs strain with SV40Tag can be constructed successfully.

Objective To study the biological effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) on the pro-liferation of immunomagnetically separated human precartilaginous stem cells (PSCs) in vitro. Methods The cells from an aborted fetus's metaphysis were digested using collagenase. The PSCs were isolated by magnetic cell sorting (MACS), then subcultured and amplified. Flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and RT-PCR analysis were performed to identify the purified PSCs. The PSCs were stimulated by PEMFs at 50 Hz frequency and 1 mT intensity. Cell proliferation was measured at different time points using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium ( MTT), and the cell growth curve was plotted. Flow cytometry was applied to measure the cell cycle and apoptosis. Results The PSCs were successfully cultured. There was fibroblast growth factor receptor-3 (FGFR-3) on their sur-face. Cell proliferation was promoted after 4 and 6 days of PEMF stimulation. The percentage of cells at the S phase was higher than in a control group. Early, late and total rates of apoptosis in the experimental group decreased signifi-cantly. Conclusion PEMFs can enhance the proliferation and inhibit the apoptosis of human PSCs, and it is possi-ble to cultivate the high density human PSCs in vitro.

Immortalized human precartilaginous stem cells (IPSCs) were established to provide stable cell resource for the study of the molecular mechanism of gene targeting on the differentiation of PSCs. Plasmid pCMVSV40T/PUR containing simian virus 40 large T antigen gene (SV40Tag) was transfected into human PSCs by using lipofectin transfection. Colonies were isolated by puromycin selection and expanded by multiple passages. Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and Southern blotting were used to identify the transfected cells and to detect the expression and integration of SV40Tag in expanded cell lines. The positive colonies were isolated and subcultured, designated immortalized precartilaginous stem cells (IPSCs), which were confirmed as fibroblast growth factor receptor-3 (FGFR-3) positive cells by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. SV40Tag cDNA was found in cultured IPSCs of passage 8 by Southern blotting, and the expressions of SV40Tag mRNA and protein were confirmed by RT-PCR. These findings suggested that IPSCs strain with SV40Tag was constructed successfully.
Cartilage/*cytology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Transformation, Viral ; Cells, Cultured ; Fetus ; Simian virus 40/*genetics ; Stem Cells/*cytology ; Transfection

Immortalized human precartilaginous stem cells (IPSCs) were established to provide stable cell resource for the study of the molecular mechanism of gene targeting on the differentiation of PSCs.Plasmid pCMVSV40T/PUR containing simian virus 40 large T antigen gene (SV40Tag) was transfected into human PSCs by using lipofectin transfection.Colonies were isolated by puromycin selection and expanded by multiple passages,lmmunohistochemistry,RT-PCR and Southern blotting were used to identify the transfected cells and to detect the expression and integration of SV40Tag in expanded cell lines.The positive colonies were isolated and subcultured,designated immortalized precartilaginous stem cells (IPSCs),which were confirmed as fibroblast growth factor receptor-3 (FGFR-3) positive cells by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR.SV40Tag cDNA was found in cultured IPSCs of passage 8 by Southern blotting,and the expressions of SV40Tag mRNA and protein were confirmed by RT-PCR.These findings suggested that IPSCs strain with SV40Tag was constructed successfully.

To investigate the preventive effect of epimedium-defivod phytoestrogen (PE) on osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy (OVX) in rats, 11-month-old female Wistar rats were randomly di- vided into Sham, OVX and PE groups. One week after OVX, daily oral administration of PE (0.4 g·kg-1·day·-1) started in PE group, and rats in Sham and OVX groups were given vehicle accordingly. The administrations lasted for 12 weeks. The biological markers including serum osteocalcin (OC) and urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) for bone turnover were evaluated at the end of the 12th week. On the 13th week, all the rats were sacrificed. The right proximal tibiae were removed, subjected to micro CT for determination of trabeonlar bone structure and then bone histomorphometry was per- formed to assess bone remodeling. The OVX rats were in a high bone turnover status as evidenced by increased bone formation markers and bone resorption markers. Treatment with PE could suppress the high bone turnover rate in OVX rats. Micro CT data revealed that PE treatment could ameliorate the deterioration of the micro-architecture of proximal tibiae induced by OVX, as demonstrated by greater bone volume, increased trabecular thickness and less trahecular separation in PE group in comparison with OVX group. The static and dynamic parameters of bone histomorphometry indi- cated that there were significant increases in bone formation variables and significant decreases in bone resorption variables between PE and OVX groups. The findings suggest that PE has a beneficial effect on trabecular bone in OVX rat model and this effect is possibly associated with stimulation of bone formation as well as inhibition of bone resorption.

In order to evaluate the efficacy of low intensity ultrasound and tissue engineering technique to repair segmental bone defects, the rabbit models of 1.5-cm long rabbit radial segmental osteoperiosteum defects were established and randomly divided into 2 groups. All defects were implanted with the composite of calcium phosphate cement and bone mesenchymal stem cells, and additionally those in experimental group were subjected to low intensity ultrasound exposure, while those in control group to sham exposure. The animals were killed on the postoperative week 4, 8 and 12 respectively, and specimens were harvested. By using radiography and the methods of biomechanics, histomorphology and bone density detection, new bone formation and material degradation were observed. The results showed that with the prolongation of time after operation, serum alkaline phosphatase (AKP) levels in both groups were gradually increased, especially in experimental group, reached the peak at 6th week (experimental group: 1.26 mmol/L; control group: 0.58 mmol/L), suggesting the new bone formation in both two group, but the amount of new bone formation was greater and bone repairing capacity stronger in experimental group than in control group. On the 4th week in experimental group, chondrocytes differentiated into woven bone, and on the 12th week, remodeling of new lamellar bone and absorption of the composite material were observed. The mechanical strength of composite material and new born density in experimental group were significantly higher than in control group, indicating that low intensity ultrasound could not only effectively increase the formation of new bone, but also accelerate the calcification of new bone. It was concluded that low intensity ultrasound could evidently accelerate the healing of bone defects repaired by bone tissue engineering.

In order to evaluate the efficacy of low intensity ultrasound and tissue engineering technique to repair segmental bone defects, the rabbit models of 1.5-cm long rabbit radial segmental osteoperiosteum defects were established and randomly divided into 2 groups. All defects were implanted with the composite of calcium phosphate cement and bone mesenchymal stem cells, and additionally those in experimental group were subjected to low intensity ultrasound exposure, while those in control group to sham exposure. The animals were killed on the postoperative week 4, 8 and 12 respectively, and specimens were harvested. By using radiography and the methods of biomechanics, histomorphology and bone density detection, new bone formation and material degradation were observed. The results showed that with the prolongation of time after operation, serum alkaline phosphatase (AKP) levels in both groups were gradually increased, especially in experimental group,reached the peak at 6th week (experimental group: 1.26 mmol/L; control group: 0.58 mmol/L), suggesting the new bone formation in both two group, but the amount of new bone formation was greater and bone repairing capacity stronger in experimental group than in control group. On the 4th week in experimental group, chondrocytes differentiated into woven bone, and on the 12th week, remodeling of new lamellar bone and absorption of the composite material were observed. The mechanical strength of composite material and new born density in experimental group were significantly higher than in control group, indicating that low intensity ultrasound could not only effectively increase the formation of new bone, but also accelerate the calcification of new bone. It was concluded that low intensity ultrasound could evidently accelerate the healing of bone defects repaired by bone tissue engineering.

Tissue-engineering bone with porous ,betatricalcium phosphate (3-TCP) ceramic and autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) was constructed and the effect of this composite on healing of segmental bone defects was investigated. 10-15 ml bone marrow aspirates were harvested from the iliac crest of sheep, and enriched for MSC by density gradient centrifugation over a Percoll cushion (1. 073 g/ml). After cultured and proliferated, tissue-engineering bones were constructed with these,cellS seeded onto porous f-TCP, and then the constructs were implanted in 8 sheep left metatarsus defect (25 mm in length) as experimental group. Porous ,-TCP only were implanted to bridge same size and position defects in 8 sheep as control group, and 25 mm segmental bone defects of left metatarsus were left empty in 4 sheep as blank group. Sheep were sacrificed on the 6th, 12th, and 24th week postoperatively and the implants samples were examined by radiograph, histology, and biomechanical test. The 4 sheep in blank group were sacrificed on the 24th week postoperatively. The results showed that new bone tissues were observed either radiographic or histologically at the defects of experimental group as early as 6th week postoperatively, but not in control group, and osteoid tissue, woven bone and lamellar bone occurred earlier than in control group in which the bone defects were repaired in "creep substitution" way, because of the new bone formed in direct manner without progression through a cartilaginous intermediate. At the 24th week, radiographs and biomechanical test revealed an almost complete repair of the defect of experimental group, only partly in control group. The bone defects in blank group were non-healing at the 24th week. It was concluded that engineering bones constructed with porous -TCP and autologous MSC were capable of repairing segmental bone defects in sheep metatarsus beyond "creep substitution" way and making it healed earlier. Porous ,-TCP being constituted with autologous MSC may be a good option in healing critical segmental bone defects in clinical practice and provide insight for future clinical repair of segmental defect.
Bone Marrow Cells/cytology ; Calcium Phosphates/*pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Fractures, Bone/*therapy ; Implants, Experimental ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/*cytology ; Metatarsus/*injuries ; Porosity ; Sheep ; Tissue Engineering

Tissue-engineering bone with porous β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) ceramic and autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) was constructed and the effect of this composite on healing of segmental bone defects was investigated. 10-15 ml bone marrow aspirates were harvested from the iliac crestof sheep, and enriched for MSC by density gradient centrifugation over a Percoll cushion (1. 073 g/ml). After cultured and proliferated, tissue-engineering bones were constructed with these cells seeded onto porous β-TCP, and then the constructs were implanted in 8 sheep left metatarsus defect (25 mm in length) as experimental group. Porous β-TCP only were implanted to bridge same size and position defects in 8 sheep as control group, and 25 mm segmental bone defects of left metatarsus were left empty in 4 sheep as blank group. Sheep were sacrificed on the 6th, 12th, and 24th week postoperatively and the implants samples were examined by radiograph, histology, and biomechanical test. The 4 sheep in blank group were sacrificed on the 24th week postoperatively. The results showed that new bone tissues were observed either radiographic or histologically at the defects of experimental group as early as 6th week postoperatively, but not in control group, and osteoid tissue, woven bone and lamellar bone occurred earlier than in control group in which the bone defects were repaired in "creep substitution" way, because of the new bone formed in direct manner without progression through a cartilaginous intermediate. At the 24th week, radiographs and biomechanical test revealed an almost complete repair of the defect of experimental group, only partly in control group. The bone defects in blank group were non-healing at the 24th week. It was concluded that engineering bones constructed with porous β-TCP and autologous MSC were capable of repairing segmental bone defects in sheep metatarsus beyond "creep substitution" way and making it healed earlier. Porous β-TCP being constituted with autologous MSC may be a good option in healing critical segmental bonedefects in clinical practice and provide insight for future clinical repair of segmental defect.