OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and risksof the treatment of facial acne scar with dermabrasion combined with Recell® technology.

METHODS30 patents with II or III degree facial acne scars were treated with dermabrasion and Recell® (skin active cell transplantation) technique in our department from October 2010 to October 2011. The affected area in the face was dermabraded with micro motor system. Then a small piece of razor-thickness skin graft was obtained and processed with Recell® kit. Several milliliterof autologous uncultured epidermal cell suspension was applied to the facial wound and covered with appropriate dressings.

RESULTSTheeffectiveness and risks of this treatment was evaluated with regard to wound healing time, postoperative complication rate, erythema period, etc. Wound healing time was shortened to 5-7 days. The erythema period was also observed shortened with this technique. Within the follow up period, no hyperpigmentation was reported in this case serial.

CONCLUSIONDermabrasion combined with Recell® (skin active cell transplantation) technology can provide a safety and effective treatment approach for patients with facial acne scars.

Acne Vulgaris ; complications ; Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Cicatrix ; etiology ; surgery ; Combined Modality Therapy ; methods ; Dermabrasion ; methods ; Epithelial Cells ; transplantation ; Face ; Humans ; Skin ; cytology ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing

BACKGROUNDRe-epithelialization has remained a major obstacle in both tracheal and lung transplantations. This study examines the realization of re-epithelialization by epithelial inoculation in a rat heterotopic tracheal transplantation model.

METHODSThe original epithelia of tracheas from donor Wistar rats were removed and the tracheas were then inoculated with 10(6)/ml in vitro cultured epithelial cells of the Spraque-Dawley (SD) rat phenotype. These allo-tracheas were then heterotopically transplanted into SD rats. After 28 days, the allo-trachea tissues were recovered and assessed for epithelial morphology and cellular differentiation using immunohistochemical analysis. An additional experimental group was used to compare the outcomes of re-epithelialization in immunosuppressed animals.

RESULTSHistological examination showed that allografts with epithelial inoculation maintained patent tracheal lumens, which were obliterated in controls. Recipient immunosuppression facilitated the formation of an integrated ciliated epithelial layer, further demonstrated by the presence of a dense cilia population, a well-developed plasma membrane, and readily recognizable intercellular junctions. Epithelial cellular differentiation markers such as cytokeratin 14 and 18, and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) were all positive in allografts under immunosuppression.

CONCLUSIONConcurrent recipient-derived epithelial inoculation with immunosuppression can result in complete re-epithelialization with the recipient phenotype and suppress the luminal obliteration process in heterotopic transplantations.

Allografts ; cytology ; Animals ; Bronchiolitis Obliterans ; surgery ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Female ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats, Wistar ; Trachea ; cytology ; transplantation ; Transplantation, Heterotopic

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of constructing a capsular poly L-lactic acid (PLLA) ureteral stent seeded with autologous urothelial cells using tissue engineering methods.

METHODSThe capsular ureteral stent was constructed by subcutaneously embedding PLLA ureteral stent in the back of beagles for 3 weeks to induce the formation of connective tissue on the surfaces. After decellularization of the stent, the expanded autologous urothelial cells were seeded on the stent. The surface structure and cell adhesion of the stent were observed using HE staining, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and immunocytochemical staining. MTT assay was used to evaluate urothelial cell proliferation on the capsular PLLA ureteral stent and on circumferential small intestinal submucosa graft.

RESULTSHE staining and VIII factor immunohistochemistry revealed numerous capillaries in the connective tissue encapsulating the stent without obvious local inflammatory response. The results of SEM and immunocytochemical staining showed that the capsule contained rich collagenic fibers forming three-dimensional structures, and the seeded autologous urothelial cells could adhere and well aligned on the surface. MTT assay showed normal growth of the cells on the stent as compared with the cells grown on circumferential small intestinal submucosa graft.

CONCLUSIONThe capsular PLLA ureteral stent allows adhesion and proliferation of autologous urothelial cells and shows a potential in applications of constructing tissue-engineered ureter.

Animals ; Bacterial Adhesion ; Cell Proliferation ; Dogs ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; transplantation ; Female ; Lactic Acid ; Polyesters ; Polymers ; Stents ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Ureter ; surgery ; Urothelium ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo observe the homing and differentiation of marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) transplanted intravenously in smoke inhalation injured rabbits.

METHODSThirty-two New Zealand big ear rabbits were divided into normal control group (NC), inhalation injury group (II), normal control + MSC treatment group (NM), and MSC treatment group (MT) according to the random number table, with 8 rabbits in each group. Rabbits in NC group were injected with 10 mL phosphate buffered saline (PBS) via ear marginal vein. Rabbits in NM group were injected with 10 mL PBS containing the third generation MSC labeled by BrdU (1 × 10(7) per 10 mL PBS) via ear marginal vein. Severe smoke inhalation injury model was reproduced in the other two groups, among them rabbits in II group were treated as rabbits in NC group, rabbits in MT group treated as rabbits in NM group. On the 7th and 28th day post treatment (PTD), lung tissue and trachea tissue were harvested from four groups for observation on injury with HE staining. Homing of MSC in injured tissue was observed with immunohistochemistry staining. The differentiation of MSC into functional cells was observed with immunohistochemical double staining of combining nuclear marker BrdU with lung (trachea) membrane-specific marker aquaporin-5 (AQP-5), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), CD34, and cytokeratin respectively.

RESULTS(1) MSC homing in lung and trachea tissue was observed in MT group on PTD 7, which was not observed in NM group. (2) AQP-5, AKP, and CD34 positive MSC were observed in lung tissue in MT group on PTD 28, while cytokeratin positive MSC was not observed in trachea tissue. No positively marked MSC was observed in NM group. (3) Injury in lung and trachea was less severe in MT group than in II group; and the proliferation of fibroblasts was less in MT group.

CONCLUSIONSIntravenous injection of MSC to rabbits with smoke inhalation injury can migrate to lung and trachea tissue at obviously inflammatory site, and differentiate into alveolar epithelial cells typeI and II, and pulmonary vascular endothelial cells, which may participate in the process of tissue repair in smoke inhalation injury.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Lung ; cytology ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Pulmonary Alveoli ; cytology ; Rabbits ; Smoke Inhalation Injury ; pathology ; Trachea ; cytology

BACKGROUNDHuman amniotic epithelial cells (HAECs), which have characteristics of both embryonic and pluripotent stem cells, are therefore a candidate in cell therapy without creating legal or ethical problems. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of intracerebroventricular transplantation of HAECs on doubly transgenic mice of Alzheimer's disease (AD) coexpressing presenilin-1 (PS1) and mutant Sweden amyloid precursor protein (APPswe) genes.

METHODSThe offspring mice genotypes were detected using PCR identification of APPswe and PS1 gene. The doubly transgenic (TG) mice (n = 20) and wild-type (WT) mice (n = 20) were randomly divided into two groups respectively: the transplantation group treated with HAECs and the control group with phosphate buffered saline. Six radial arm water maze test was used to assess the spatial memory in the TG and WT mice. Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles were analyzed using congo red and acid-silver methenamine staining respectively. Immunofluorescence cytochemistry was used to track the survival of HAECs. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of octamer-binding protein 4 (Oct-4) and Nanog in the HAECs. High performance liquid chromatography was used to measure acetylcholine in hippocampus. The density of cholinergic neurons in basal forebrain and nerve fibers in hippocampus was measured using acetylcholinesterase staining.

RESULTSAmyloid deposition occurred in hippocampus and frontal cortex in the double TG mice aged 8 months, but not in WT mice. The results also showed that transplanted HAECs can survive for at least 8 weeks and migrate to the third ventricle without immune rejection. The graft HAECs can also express the specific marker Oct-4 and Nanog of stem cell. Compared with the control group, transplantation of HAECs can not only significantly improve the spatial memory of the TG mice, but also increase acetylcholine concentration and the number of hippocampal cholinergic neurites.

CONCLUSIONSThese results demonstrate that intracerebroventricular transplantation of HAECs can improve the spatial memory of the double TG mice. The higher content of acetylcholine in hippocampus released by more survived cholinergic neurites is one of the causes of this improvement.

Acetylcholine ; metabolism ; Alzheimer Disease ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Amnion ; cytology ; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; transplantation ; Genotype ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Memory Disorders ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Nanog Homeobox Protein ; Octamer Transcription Factor-3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Presenilin-1 ; genetics ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDTransforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is known to be a key fibrogenic cytokine in a number of chronic fibrotic diseases, including chronic allograft nephropathy. We examined the effects of inhibition of TGF-β1 expression by RNA interference on renal allograft fibrosis, and explored the mechanisms responsible for these effects.

METHODSA Sprague-Dawley-to-Wistar rat model of accelerated kidney transplant fibrosis was used. Sixty recipient adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: group J (sham-operated group), group T (plasmid-transfected group), group H (control plasmid group), and group Y (transplant only group). Rats in group T were transfected with 200 µg of TGF-β1 short hairpin RNA (shRNA). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to examine the expression of TGF-β1, Smad3/7, E-cadherin, and type I collagen. The distribution of type I collagen was measured by immunohistochemistry. The pathologic changes and extent of fibrosis were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining. E-cadherin and α-smooth muscle actin immunohistochemical staining were used to label tubular epithelial cells and fibroblasts, respectively.

RESULTSPlasmid transfection significantly inhibited the expression of TGF-β1, as well as that of its target gene, type I collagen (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). In addition, the degree of fibrosis was mild, and its development was delayed in plasmid-transfected rats. In contrast, TGF-β1-shRNA transfection maintained the expression of E-cadherin in tubular epithelial cells while it inhibited the transformation from epithelial cells to fibroblasts. Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were lower in the plasmid group than in the control groups (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSThis study suggests that transfection of a TGF-β1-shRNA plasmid could inhibit the fibrosis of renal allografts. The mechanism may be associated with the downregulation of Smad3 and upregulation of Smad7, resulting in suppressed epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation and extracellular matrix synthesis.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Transdifferentiation ; genetics ; physiology ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Fibrosis ; prevention & control ; Kidney ; metabolism ; pathology ; Kidney Transplantation ; methods ; Myofibroblasts ; cytology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats, Wistar ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVEThe effect of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) on tumor neovascularization were studied.

METHODShMSCs were isolated from human bone marrow by density gradient fractionation and adherence to plastic flasks. hMSCs-EGFP were obtained by pLEGFP-N1 retroviral vector. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell surface antigen and the differentiation potential of hMSCs-EGFP was investigated under conditioned media. The effect of hMSCs on tumor neovascularization were observed by establishing solid tumor models in BALB/C nude mice. In addition, effect of the conditioned medium used for tumor cells and endothelial cells (EC) cultivation was collected, to detect its effect on the growth and migration rates of hMSC. hMSCs were induced to differentiate into EC in vitro and the migratory effect on HUVEC was also evaluated.

RESULTShMSCs-EGFP, like hMSC, exhibited a fibroblast-like morphological feature, and both had the similar cell surface antigens. They could be induced into osteocytes or adipocytes under the conditioned media. The results not only suggested that hMSCs contributed to tumor neovascularization, but also indicated that most of vessels were host-derived angiogenesis mediated by hMSCs. The mean vascular density (MVD) in suspension group (13.67 ± 1.53) was strikely higher than that in MCF-7 group (5.33 ± 1.42), which showed statistical significance (P < 0.05). Only very few vessels were attributed to hMSCs transdifferentiation into ECs. Tumor cells and ECs can promote hMSCs proliferation and migration through paracrine action. Furthermore, hMSCs were positive for CD31 after 2 weeks induction and HUVEC migration can be facilitated by hMSCs.

CONCLUSIONMSCs have the effect of promoting tumor neovascularization.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Microvessels ; pathology ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains a poor prognosis in spite of the recent development of new therapeutic strategies. Cell-based therapy with stem cells has been considered as a promising way for the treatment of vital organ damage. Putative endogenous stem cells have been shown to be located within the adult lung in the basal layer of the upper airways, within or near pulmonary neuroendocrine cell rests, at the bronchoalveolar junction, as well as within the alveolar epithelium. These stem cells are hypothesized to be the source of lung regeneration and repair. But this mechanism seems to be insufficient after lung injury. There is increasing excitement over the last few years with the suggestion that exogenous stem cells may offer new treatment options for ARDS. Exogenous stem cells have the ability to differentiate and function as both airway and lung parenchymal epithelial cells in both in vitro and increasingly in vivo experiments. However, there is great controversy concerning the repair effect of adult stem cells in lung injury. This review evaluates the advances in endogenous respiratory stem cells, and assesses the evidence for the use of stem cells in the repair of lung injury.
Adult Stem Cells ; physiology ; transplantation ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Bronchi ; cytology ; Cell Fusion ; Epithelial Cells ; physiology ; Humans ; Pulmonary Alveoli ; cytology ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; therapy

BACKGROUNDHuman amniotic epithelial cells (HAECs) are able to secrete biologically active neurotrophins such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3, both of which exhibit trophic activities on dopamine neurons. Previous study showed that when human amniotic epithelial cells were transplanted into the striatum of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced Parkinson disease rats, the cells could survive and exert functional effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the survival and the differentiation of human amniotic epithelial cells after being transplanted into the lateral ventricle of Parkinson's disease (PD) rats, and to investigate the effects of grafts on healing PD in models.

METHODSThe Parkinson's model was made with stereotactic microinjection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the striatum of a rat. The PD models were divided into two groups: the HAECs group and the normal saline (NS) group. Some untreated rats were taken as the control. The rotational asymmetry induced by apomorphine of the HAECs group and the NS group were measured post cell transplantation. The expression of nestin and vimentin in grafts were determined by immunohistology. Ten weeks after transplantation the density of tyrosine hydroxylase positive cells in the substantia nigra of the HAECs group, NS group and the untreated group was determined. The differentiation of grafts was determined by TH immunohistology. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine monoamine neurotransmitter levels in the striatum.

RESULTSThe rotational asymmetry induced by apomorphine of the HAECs group was ameliorated significantly compared to the NS group two weeks after transplantation (P < 0.01). The grafts expressed nestin and vimentin five weeks after transplantation. TH immunohistochemistry indicated that the TH positive cells in the substantia nigra of the HAECs group increased significantly compared to the NS group (P < 0.01). Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive cells in the substantia nigra of the HAEC group and the NS group were decreased compared to the untreated group (P < 0.01). Dopamine and DOPAC levels in the striatum of the HAECs group increased significantly compared to the NS group (P < 0.05). Homovanillic acid (HVA) levels in the striatum of the HAECs group increased significantly compared to the NS group (P < 0.01). In addition dopamine, DOPAC, and HVA levels in the striatum and dopamine levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of the HAECs group and the NS group were decreased compared to the untreated group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHuman amniotic epithelial cells could be used to ameliorate the rotational asymmetry induced by apomorphine of the PD models. This could have been due to the increased content of dopamine and its metabolic products, DOPAC and HVA, in the striatum in the PD models.

Amnion ; cytology ; Animals ; Apomorphine ; pharmacology ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; transplantation ; Female ; Homovanillic Acid ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Oxidopamine ; toxicity ; Parkinsonian Disorders ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

AIMTo characterize the odontogenic capability of apical bud and phenotypical change of apical bud cells (ABCs) in different microenvironment.

METHODOLOGYIncisor apical bud tissues from neonatal SD rat were dissected and transplanted into the renal capsules to determine their odontogenic capability. Meanwhile ABCs were cultured and purified by repeated differential trypsinization. Then ABCs were cultured with conditioned medium from developing apical complex cells (DAC-CM). Immunocytochemistry, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were performed to compare the biological change ofABC treated with or without DAC-CM.

RESULTSFirst we confirmed the ability of apical bud to form crown-like structure ectopically. Equally important, by using the developing apical complex (DAC) conditioned medium, we found the microenvironment created by root could abrogate the "crown" features of ABCs and promote their proliferation and differentiation.

CONCLUSIONABCs possess odontogenic capability to form crown-like tissues and this property can be affected by root-produced microenvironment.

Ameloblasts ; cytology ; Amelogenin ; analysis ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Transplantation ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Dental Enamel Proteins ; analysis ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Incisor ; cytology ; embryology ; Keratin-14 ; analysis ; Kidney ; surgery ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Odontogenesis ; physiology ; Phenotype ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tooth Apex ; cytology ; Tooth Crown ; cytology ; Tooth Germ ; cytology