We investigated the potential of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons in vitro as an autologous stem cell source for Parkinson's disease treatment. The hDPSCs were expanded in knockout-embryonic stem cell (KO-ES) medium containing leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) on gelatin-coated plates for 3-4 days. Then, the medium was replaced with KO-ES medium without LIF to allow the formation of the neurosphere for 4 days. The neurosphere was transferred into ITS medium, containing ITS (human insulin-transferrin-sodium) and fibronectin, to select for Nestin-positive cells for 6-8 days. The cells were then cultured in N-2 medium containing basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), FGF-8b, sonic hedgehog-N, and ascorbic acid on poly-l-ornithine/fibronectin-coated plates to expand the Nestin-positive cells for up to 2 weeks. Finally, the cells were transferred into N-2/ascorbic acid medium to allow for their differentiation into dopaminergic neurons for 10-15 days. The differentiation stages were confirmed by morphological, immunocytochemical, flow cytometric, real-time PCR, and ELISA analyses. The expressions of mesenchymal stem cell markers were observed at the early stages. The expressions of early neuronal markers were maintained throughout the differentiation stages. The mature neural markers showed increased expression from stage 3 onwards. The percentage of cells positive for tyrosine hydroxylase was 14.49%, and the amount was 0.526 ± 0.033 ng/mL at the last stage. hDPSCs can differentiate into dopaminergic neural cells under experimental cell differentiation conditions, showing potential as an autologous cell source for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Animals ; Brain/pathology ; *Cell Differentiation/drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media/chemistry/pharmacology ; Dental Pulp/*cytology ; Dopaminergic Neurons/*cytology/*metabolism/pathology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein/genetics/metabolism ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Myelin Basic Protein/genetics/metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stage-Specific Embryonic Antigens/genetics/metabolism ; Stem Cells/*cytology/*metabolism/pathology ; Tubulin/genetics/metabolism ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase/analysis/genetics/metabolism

We investigated the potential of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons in vitro as an autologous stem cell source for Parkinson's disease treatment. The hDPSCs were expanded in knockout-embryonic stem cell (KO-ES) medium containing leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) on gelatin-coated plates for 3-4 days. Then, the medium was replaced with KO-ES medium without LIF to allow the formation of the neurosphere for 4 days. The neurosphere was transferred into ITS medium, containing ITS (human insulin-transferrin-sodium) and fibronectin, to select for Nestin-positive cells for 6-8 days. The cells were then cultured in N-2 medium containing basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), FGF-8b, sonic hedgehog-N, and ascorbic acid on poly-l-ornithine/fibronectin-coated plates to expand the Nestin-positive cells for up to 2 weeks. Finally, the cells were transferred into N-2/ascorbic acid medium to allow for their differentiation into dopaminergic neurons for 10-15 days. The differentiation stages were confirmed by morphological, immunocytochemical, flow cytometric, real-time PCR, and ELISA analyses. The expressions of mesenchymal stem cell markers were observed at the early stages. The expressions of early neuronal markers were maintained throughout the differentiation stages. The mature neural markers showed increased expression from stage 3 onwards. The percentage of cells positive for tyrosine hydroxylase was 14.49%, and the amount was 0.526 ± 0.033 ng/mL at the last stage. hDPSCs can differentiate into dopaminergic neural cells under experimental cell differentiation conditions, showing potential as an autologous cell source for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Animals ; Brain/pathology ; *Cell Differentiation/drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media/chemistry/pharmacology ; Dental Pulp/*cytology ; Dopaminergic Neurons/*cytology/*metabolism/pathology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein/genetics/metabolism ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Myelin Basic Protein/genetics/metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stage-Specific Embryonic Antigens/genetics/metabolism ; Stem Cells/*cytology/*metabolism/pathology ; Tubulin/genetics/metabolism ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase/analysis/genetics/metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnostic role of STAT6 immunohistochemistry in solitary fibrous tumors (SFT)/meningeal hemangiopericytomas (HPC).

METHODEvaluated the expression of STAT6, vimentin, CD34, EMA, PR, S-100, CD56, GFAP and Ki-67 in a cohort of 37 SFT/meningeal HPC, 30 meningiomas and 30 schwannomas by immunohistochemistry staining.

RESULTSAll SFT/meningeal HPC demonstrated nuclear positivity for STAT6, and the proportion of positive tumor cells ranged from 60% to 95%, with no significant difference cases.Vimentin was strongly positive in all cases. CD34, EMA and PR positivity was found in 32 cases, 1 case and 4 cases, respectively.S-100 protein, CD56 and GFAP were negative; Ki-67 labeling index was 1%-8%. However, the meningiomas and schwannomas were negative for STAT6.

CONCLUSIONSSTAT6 is a relatively specific biomarker for SFT/meningeal HPC, and may be used in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of SFT/meningeal HPC, especially for the atypical cases, and allows the precise pathologic diagnosis of SFT/meningeal HPC.

Antigens, CD ; analysis ; Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte ; analysis ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; analysis ; Hemangiopericytoma ; chemistry ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Ki-67 Antigen ; analysis ; Meningeal Neoplasms ; chemistry ; diagnosis ; Meningioma ; chemistry ; diagnosis ; Neurilemmoma ; chemistry ; diagnosis ; S100 Proteins ; analysis ; STAT6 Transcription Factor ; analysis ; Solitary Fibrous Tumors ; chemistry ; diagnosis ; Vimentin ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of endogenous leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in neonatal rats with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL).

METHODSA PVL model of 3-day-old Wistar rats was prepared by left carotid artery ligation followed by 6% oxygen for 4 hours. The rats were sacrificed at 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days of hypoxia ischemia (HI), and the brain tissues were sampled. Real-Time PCR and Western blot methods were applied to analyze the expression of LIF mRNA and protein. Double staining immunofluorescence was used to detect the co-expression of LIF and GFAP.

RESULTSAt 1, 3 and 7 days of HI, LIF protein level in the PVL group was higher than in the control group (P<0.01). In the PVL group, the LIF protein level on the third day after HI reached a peak and was higher than the other time points (P<0.01). The change of LIF mRNA expression showed the same tendency with LIF protein. The double staining immunofluorescence showed a co-expression of LIF and GFAP.

CONCLUSIONSLIF mRNA and LIF protein expression in astrocytes show a trend of initial increase followed by steady decline in neonatal rats with PVL, suggesting that endogenous LIF may participate in the repair of PVL.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; analysis ; Leukemia Inhibitory Factor ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; Leukomalacia, Periventricular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo determine the changes of serum Tau protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and malonaldehyde (MDA) in rats after blast-related traumatic brain injury (BTBI) and to provide relative information for further studies on BTBI mechanism and seek specific biomarkers for BTBI.

METHODSNinety male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into three groups: control group, moderate blast injury group, and severe blast injury group (n=30 for each). Rats in the moderate and severe blast injury groups were respectively exposed to corresponding levels of BTBI. After explosion, serum levels of Tau, GFAP, TNF-α, and MDA in each group were determined by Elisa assay at different time points after injury (8 h, 24 h, 3 d, and 6 d). The extent of brain damage was detected by Nissl staining and TUNEL assay.

RESULTSSerum levels of Tau and GFAP rapidly increased and reached the peak at 24 h after either moderate or severe blast injury. All the values were significantly higher than control group at all time points (P<0.05). Serum TNF-α level of both injury groups peaked at 8 h after BTBI and stayed significantly higher than control group at all time points (P<0.05). Serum MDA of two injury groups began to significantly increase at 3 d and the level stayed significantly higher than control group until 6 d (P<0.05). Moreover, unlike the other biomarkers, serum MDA of severe blast injury group was significantly higher than moderate blast injury group at 6 d (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe changes of serum Tau, GFAP, and TNF-α showed a good sensitivity at the acute phase after BTBI (within 24 h). However, their specificity and correlation with the extent of injury were limited in this experiment. Moreover, although the change of serum MDA showed a poor sensitivity and specificity to the diagnosis of BTBI during the first few days, it can reflect the injury degree at 6 d after injury. Therefore, further studies are needed to improve the methods of detecting more serum markers and investigate the significance of multiple markers in diagnosing BTBI.

Animals ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Blast Injuries ; blood ; Brain Injuries ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; blood ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis ; tau Proteins ; blood

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficiency of a modified culture method for rat cerebral cortical astrocytes in vitro.

METHODSThe astrocytes derived from the cerebral cortex of 3-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were first purified as described previously, then the cells were replanted at a low density. The culture flask was changed after 1 hour and substratum was replaced after 24 hours. Cells were syncretized to a monolayer, followed by cell passage. After three passages the cells were cultured in DMEM medium containing 10% fetal serum for a long period. The derivation of the cells was identified by immunofluorescent staining with anti-GFAP polyclonal antibodies.

RESULTSA variety of morphologically distinct astrocytes with many long processes and small cell bodies were obtained. Finally an astrocytic network occurred through cellular process connections. The immunofluorescent staining demonstrated the percentage of GFAP-positive cells was above 98%.

CONCLUSIONSThe modified culture method for astrocytes from rat cerebral tissue is reliable, with a high purity. The cultured astrocytes have a similar morphological development to those in vivo.

Animals ; Astrocytes ; physiology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cerebral Cortex ; cytology ; Female ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; analysis ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the pathologic characteristics and prognosis in different subtypes of adult medulloblastoma (MB).

METHODSThe clinical information, imaging findings and pathologic characteristics of 151 cases of adult medulloblastomas were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed by chi-square test. The survival data were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTSAmongst the 151 MB cases studied, there were 73 cases of classic MB, 36 cases of desmoplastic/nodular MB, 39 cases of anaplastic MB and 3 cases of large cell MB. The primary tumors were more frequently located in cerebral hemisphere in desmoplastic/nodular MB than in other subtypes (P=0.000).On the other hand, large cell/anaplastic MB were associated with more frequently local recurrence and distant metastasis (P=0.003). The post-operative overall survival time ranged from 6 to 150 months, with median survival being (103.3±5.7) months (95%CI, 92.52 to 115.09). The median survival of classic MB, desmoplastic/nodular MB and large cell/anaplastic MB was (110.7±7.8) months, (125.5±7.6) months and (57.6±7.6) months, respectively. The differences were statistically significant (P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONSThe three variants of MB show different biologic behavior. Large cell/anaplastic MB represents an independent poor prognostic indicator in adults.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cerebellar Neoplasms ; classification ; metabolism ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Male ; Medulloblastoma ; classification ; metabolism ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; metabolism ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis ; Synaptophysin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDFunctional electrical stimulation (FES) is known to promote the recovery of motor function in rats with ischemia and to upregulate the expression of growth factors which support brain neurogenesis. In this study, we investigated whether postischemic FES could improve functional outcomes and modulate neurogenesis in the subventricular zone (SVZ) after focal cerebral ischemia.

METHODSAdult male Sprague-Dawley rats with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) were randomly assigned to the control group, the placebo stimulation group, and the FES group. The rats in each group were further assigned to one of four therapeutic periods (1, 3, 7, or 14 days). FES was delivered 48 hours after the MCAO procedure and divided into two 10-minute sessions on each day of treatment with a 10-minute rest between them. Two intraperitoneal injections of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) were given 4 hours apart every day beginning 48 hours after the MCAO. Neurogenesis was evaluated by immunofuorescence staining. Wnt-3 which is strongly implicated in the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) was investigated by Western blotting analysis. The data were subjected to one- way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by a Tukey/Kramer or Dunnett post hoc test.

RESULTSFES significantly increased the number of BrdU-positive cells and BrdU/glial fibrillary acidic protein double- positive neural progenitor cells in the SVZ on days 7 and 14 of the treatment (P < 0.05). The number of BrdU/doublecortin (DCX) double-positive migrating neuroblast cells in the ipsilateral SVZ on day 14 of the FES treatment group ((522.77 ± 33.32) cells/mm(2)) was significantly increased compared with the control group ((262.58 ± 35.11) cells/mm(2), P < 0.05) and the placebo group ((266.17 ± 47.98) cells/mm(2), P < 0.05). However, only a few BrdU/neuron-specific nuclear protein-positive cells were observed by day 14 of the treatment. At day 7, Wnt-3 was upregulated in the ipsilateral SVZs of the rats receiving FES ((0.44 ± 0.05)%) compared with those of the control group rats ((0.31 ± 0.02)%, P < 0.05) or the placebo group rats ((0.31 ± 0.04)%, P < 0.05). At day 14, the corresponding values were (0.56 ± 0.05)% in the FES group compared with those of the control group rats ((0.50 ± 0.06)%, P < 0.05) or the placebo group rats ((0.48 ± 0.06)%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFES augments the proliferation, differentiation, and migration of NSCs and thus promotes neurogenesis, which may be related to the improvement of neurological outcomes.

Animals ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Cerebral Ventricles ; physiopathology ; Electric Stimulation Therapy ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; analysis ; Male ; Neural Stem Cells ; physiology ; Neurogenesis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stroke ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Wnt3A Protein ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo delineate the phenotype and genotype characteristics in 12 Chinese children with Alexander disease (AD), which is helpful for the molecular diagnosis and genetic counseling in China.

METHODSClinical diagnosis of AD was based on MRI criteria proposed by van der Knaarp in 2001. Included AD patients were followed up for 0.50 - 3.67 years. Mutations in GFAP were detected by DNA sequencing.

RESULTSThe 12 cases of AD were clinically diagnosed. Age of first visit was 4.87 years (0.75 - 12.00 years), with 3 types of chief complaints: developmental delay in 3, recurrent seizures in 7, unable to walk after falling in 2. Average head circumference was 52.34 cm (44 - 58 cm), which larger than age-matched average by 6.45% (1.80% - 13.95%). On the first visit, scaling according to Gross motor functional classification system (GMFCS) was performed, with GMFCSI in 8, II in 3, V in 1. Mild to severe cognitive dysfunction were found in 8, and seizures in 11 cases. The 12 patients were followed up for 0.50 - 3.67 years, their motor and cognitive function remained stable. Episodic aggravations provoked by fever or falling were observed in 5 cases (41.67%). Heterozygous missense mutations of GFAP were detected in 12 patients. All mutations were de novo; 3 out of 10 mutations identified were novel. R79 and R239 were hot mutations, which was consistent with previous reports. Mutations were located in exon 1 in 8 cases.

CONCLUSIONSThe phenotype in these patients is characterized by slower progression compared with reports from other population and high incidence of seizures. And episodic aggravations provoked by fever or falling were more common. The genotype characteristics are consistent with previous reports. The results of this research expanded the number of patients with Alexander disease found to have GFAP coding mutations in China.

Alexander Disease ; diagnosis ; genetics ; pathology ; Brain ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; genetics ; Heredodegenerative Disorders, Nervous System ; diagnosis ; genetics ; pathology ; Humans ; Infant ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Mutation, Missense ; genetics ; Seizures ; epidemiology ; Severity of Illness Index

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of miR-124-1 on neuronal differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

METHODSMSCs cells were assigned into three groups: control (uninfected and untransfected), miR-124-1+ (infected with miR-124-1), and miR-124-1- (transfected with Anti-rno-miR-124* Inhibitor). MSCs were induced by β-mercaptoethanol (β-ME) to differentiate into neurons. The fluorescence expressed by infected MSCs was observed under an inverted fluorescence microscope. MTT method was used to measure cell survival rate after transfection or infection. Immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blot methods were used to detect the expression of β3 tubulin, MAP-2 and GFAP 6 days after β-ME induction.

RESULTSThe expression of miR-124-1 in the miR-124-1+ group was significantly higher 2 days after infection of lentivirus vector compared with the control group (P<0.01). In the miR-124-1- group, the cell survival rate and the miR-124-1 expression level decreased significantly 24 hrs after transfection of anti-rno-miR-124* inhibitor (P<0.01). After 6 days of β-ME induction, the protein and mRNA expression levels of β3 tubulin and MAP-2 in the miR-124-1+ group were much higher than the other two groups (P<0.01); while the expression levels of β3 tubulin and MAP-2 in the miR-124-1-group were lower than the control group (P<0.01). The expression of GFAP in the three groups was weak (<1%).

CONCLUSIONSmiR-124 might promote neuronal differentiation of rat MSCs.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Female ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; analysis ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; MicroRNAs ; physiology ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; analysis ; Neurons ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tubulin ; analysis