Current status and future prospects of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for liver fibrosis

Liver fibrosis is the end-stage of many chronic liver diseases and is a significant health threat. The only effective therapy is liver transplantation, which still has many problems, including the lack of donor sources, immunological rejection, and high surgery costs, among others. However, the use of cell therapy is becoming more prevalent, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) seem to be a promising cell type for the treatment of liver fibrosis. MSCs have multiple differentiation abilities, allowing them to migrate directly into injured tissue and differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells. Additionally, MSCs can release various growth factors and cytokines to increase hepatocyte regeneration, regress liver fibrosis, and regulate inflammation and immune responses. In this review, we summarize the current uses of MSC therapies for liver fibrosis and suggest potential future applications.     

Osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells promoted by overexpression of connective tissue growth factor

Objective: Large segmental bone defect repair remains a clinical and scientific challenge with increasing interest focusing on combining gene transfection with tissue engineering techniques. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Methods: A CTGF-expressing plasmid (pCTGF) was constructed and transfected into MSCs. Then expressions of bone morphogenesis-related genes, proliferation rate, alkaline phosphatase activity, and mineralization were examined to evaluate the osteogenic potential of the CTGF gene-modified MSCs. Results: Overexpression of CTGF was confirmed in pCTGF-MSCs. pCTGF transfection significantly enhanced the proliferation rates of pCTGF-MSCs (P<0.05). CTGF induced a 7.5-fold increase in cell migration over control (P<0.05). pCTGF transfection enhanced the expression of bone matrix proteins, such as bone sialo-protein, osteocalcin, and collagen type I in MSCs. The levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities of pCTGF-MSCs at the 1st and 2nd weeks were 4.0- and 3.0-fold higher than those of MSCs cultured in OS-medium, significantly higher than those of mock-MSCs and normal control MSCs (P<0.05). Overexpression of CTGF in MSCs enhanced the capability to form mineralized nodules. Conclusion: Overexpression of CTGF could improve the osteogenic differentiation ability of MSCs, and the CTGF gene-modified MSCs are potential as novel cell resources of bone tissue engineering.     

EGFP基因转染骨髓间充质干细胞的实验研究

目的:探讨外源性EGFP基因转染修饰兔骨髓间充质干细胞(m esenchymal stem cells,MSCs)的可行性。方法:用增强型荧光绿色蛋白(enhanced green fluorescent protein,EGFP)作为报告基因,以脂质体法转染骨髓间充质干细胞,观察转染结果、表达情况及对靶细胞活力的影响。结果:经荧光显微镜下观察证实:成功地对骨髓间充质干细胞实现了基因转染。结论:兔骨髓间充质干细胞能够在体外适宜的条件下进行长期培养;骨髓间充质干细胞可直接作为基因靶细胞,建立稳定表达EGFP的骨髓间充质干细胞系具有可行性,为进一步做标记的MSCs细胞的移植研究奠定基础。     

Electromagnetic field exposure as a plausible approach to enhance the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in clinically relevant scenarios

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cell(MSC)-based therapy has been regarded as one of the most revolutionary breakthroughs in the history of modern medicine owing to its myriad of immunoregulatory and regenerative properties.With the rapid progress in the fields of osteo-and musculoskeletal therapies,the demand for MSC-based treatment modalities is becoming increasingly prominent.In this endeavor,researchers around the world have devised new and innovative techniques to support the proliferation of MSCs while minimizing the loss of hallmark features of stem cells.One such example is electromagnetic field(EMF)exposure,which is an alternative approach with promising potential.In this review,we present a critical discourse on the efficiency,practicability,and limitations of some of the relevant methods,with insurmountable evidence backing the implementation of EMF as a feasible strategy for the clinically relevant expansion of MSCs.     

Ex vivo expansions and transplantations of mouse bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells

To examine the effects of co-culture with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on expansion of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells and the capacities of rapid neutrophil engraftment and hematopoietic reconstitution of the expanded cells, we expanded mononuclear cells (MNCs) and CD34⁺/c-kit⁺ cells from mouse bone marrow and transplanted the expanded cells into the irradiated mice. MNCs were isolated from mouse bone marrow and CD34⁺/c-kit⁺ cells were selected from MNCs by using MoFlo Cell Sorter. MNCs and CD34⁺/c-kit⁺ cells were co-cultured with mouse bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) under a two-step expansion. The expanded cells were then transplanted into sublethally irradiated BDF1 mice. Results showed that the co-culture with MSCs resulted in expansions of median total nucleated cells, CD34⁺ cells, GM-CFC and HPP-CFC respectively by 10.8-, 4.8-, 65.9- and 38.8-fold for the mononuclear cell culture, and respectively by 76.1-, 2.9-, 71.7- and 51.8-fold for the CD34⁺/c-kit⁺ cell culture. The expanded cells could rapidly engraft in the sublethally irradiated mice and reconstitute their hematopoiesis. Co-cultures with MSCs in conjunction with two-step expansion increased expansions of total nucleated cells, GM-CFC and HPP-CFC, which led us to conclude MSCs may create favorable environment for expansions of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. The availability of increased numbers of expanded cells by the co-culture with MSCs may result in more rapid engraftment of neutrophils following infusion to transplant recipients. Project supported by NIH-Blood, Heart & Lung (National Institute of Health, USA, IR 01 4L70593-01) and Zhejiang Provincial Science Foundation (No. 011103397), China     

Allograftic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells transplanted into heart infarcted model of rabbit to renovate infarcted heart

Objective: To investigate the directed transplantation of allograftic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in myocardial infarcted (MI) model rabbits. Materials and Methods: Rabbits were divided into 3 groups, heart infarcted model with MSCs transplanted treatment (MSCs group, n=12), heart infarcted model with PBS injection (control group, n=20), sham operation with PBS injection (sham group, n=l 7). MSCs labelled by BrdUrd were injected into the MI area of the MSCs group. The same volume of PBS was injected into the MI area of the control group and sham group. The mortality, LVIDd, LVIDs and LVEF Of the two groups were compared 4 weeks later. Tropomyosin inhibitory component (Tn I) and BrdUrd immunohistochemistry identified the engrafted cells 4 weeks after transplantation. Result: The mortality of the MSCs group was 16.7% (2/12), and remarkably lower than the control group's mortality [35% (7/20) (P＜0.05)].Among the animals that survived for 4 weeks, the LVIDd and LVIDs of the MSCs group after operation were 1.17±0.21 cm and 0.74±0.13 cm, and remarkably lower than those of the model group, which were 1.64±0.14 cm and 1.19±0.12 cm (P＜0.05); the LVEF of the MSCs group after operation was 63±6%, and remarkably higher than that of the model group,which was 53±6% (P＜0.05). Among the 10 cases of animals that survived for 4 weeks in the MSCs group, in 8 cases (80%),the transplanted cells survived in the non MI, MI region and its periphery, and even farther away; part of them differentiated into cardiomyocytes; in 7 cases (70%), the transplanted cells participated in the formation of blood vessel tissue in the MI region. Conclusion: Transplanted allograftic MSCs can survive and differentiate into cardiomyocytes, form the blood vessels in the MI region. MSCs transplantation could improve the heart function after MI.     

Protective paracrine effect of mesenchymal stem cells on cardiomyocytes

Objective  The aim of this study was to test the protective effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on cardiomyocytes in vitro and to investigate the anti-apoptotic signaling pathway. Methods  MSCs from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were separated and cultured. MSC medium was collected from MSCs cultured in serum-free Dulbecco’s modified eagle medium (DMEM) under hypoxia. Cultured cardiomyocytes from neonatal SD rats were exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) and treated with MSC medium. The apoptotic cardiomyocytes were stained with Annexin-V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), Hoechst 33342 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). The mitochondrial transmembrane potential of cardiomyocytes was assessed using a fluorescence microscope. The expression of Bcl-2, Bax, cytochrome C, apoptosis-induced factor (AIF), and caspase-3 was tested by Western blot analysis. Results  Our data demonstrated that MSC medium reduced H/R-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis, increased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and reduced the release of cytochrome C and AIF from mitochondria into the cytosol. Conclusion  MSCs protected the cardiomyocytes from H/R-induced apoptosis through a mitochondrial pathway in a paracrine manner. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30670868) and the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province, China (No. R206007)     

Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells transplanted into damaged rabbit heart to improve heart function

INTRODUCTION Congestive heart failure is the end stage of manycardiovascular diseases. Myocardial infarction (MI)is a life-threatening event that may cause suddencardiac death and heart failure. Despite considerableadvances in diagnosis and treatment of heart disease,cardiac dysfunction after MI is still the majorworldwide cardiovascular disorder. Damaged myo-cardium after acute MI is gradually replaced by fi-brotic noncontractile cells to form scar tissue. Thedeveloping ventricul…     

帕金森病大鼠模型的骨髓间充质干细胞移植疗效的磁共振波谱探讨

目的利用1.5T质子磁共振波谱（^1H-MRS）监测活体帕金森病大鼠模型骨髓间充质干细胞（mesenchymal stem cells,MSCs）移植治疗前后纹状体区的神经代谢变化,以探讨1．5T磁共振波谱分析在评价MSCs移植术疗效中的应用价值。方法30只正常大鼠,以6-羟基多巴胺（6-OHDA）单侧（右侧）损毁制备偏侧帕金森病模型。在活体状态下,分别于造模后3周、MSEs移植后4周及8周应用Philips1．5T临床型磁共振仪扫描,对双侧纹状体区进行^1H—MRS采集,分析该区N-乙酰天门冬氨酸／肌酸（NAA／Cr）、胆碱／肌酸（Cho／Cr）比值变化,同时对大鼠进行行为学检测。利用黑质酪氨酸羟化酶免疫组织化学染色对黑质致密部（SNc）神经元进行定量分析。结果MSCs移植后8周组（C组）大鼠损毁侧（右侧）NAA／Cr比值与未处理组（A组）和MSCs移植后4周组（B组）相比明显升高（P〈0．05）;B,C组损毁侧Cho／Cr比值较A组明显降低（P〈0．05）,且分别明显低于其对侧（P均〈0．05）。B,C组旋转圈数分别较A组低（P均〈0．05）正组旋转圈数较B组显著降低（p〈0．05）。三组损毁侧SNCTH阳性细胞生存率无显著差异（P均〉0．05）。结论1．5T磁共振波谱可以作为一种活体无创性检测方法,对帕金森病大鼠模型纹状体区MSCs细胞移植疗效进行动态监测而作出有价值的评价。     

Heat shock protein 90 protects rat mesenchymal stem cells against hypoxia and serum deprivation-induced apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 pathways

Mesenchymal stem cell(MSC)transplantation has shown a therapeutic potential to repair the ischemic and infracted myocardium,but the effects are limited by the apoptosis and loss of donor cells in host cardiac microenvironment.The aim of this study is to explore the cytoprotection of heat shock protein 90(Hsp90)against hypoxia and serum deprivation-induced apoptosis and the possible mechanisms in rat MSCs.Cell viability was determined by3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT)assay.Apoptosis was assessed by Hoechst 33258nuclear staining and flow cytometric analysis with annexin V/PI staining.The gene expression of Toll-like receptor-4(TLR-4)and V-erb-b2 erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2(ErbB2)was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR).The protein levels of cleaved caspase-3,Bcl-2,Bcl-xL,Bax,total-ERK,phospho-ERK,totaI-Akt,phospho-Akt,and Hsp90 were detected by Western blot.The production of nitric oxide was measured by spectrophotometric assay.Hsp90 improves MSC viability and protects MSCs against apoptosis induced by serum deprivation and hypoxia.The protective role of Hsp90 not only elevates Bcl-2/Bax and Bcl-xL/Bax expression and attenuates cleaved caspase-3 expression via down-regulating membrane TLR-4 and ErbB2 receptors and then activating their downstream PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 pathways,but also enhances the paracrine effect of MSCs.These findings demonstrated a novel and effective treatment strategy against MSC apoptosis in cell transplantation.     

Growth factors induce the improved cardiac remodeling in autologous mesenchymal stem cell-implanted failing rat hearts

Therapeutically delivered mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) improve ventricular remodeling. However,the mechanism underlying MSC cardiac remodeling has not been clearly determined. Congestive heart failure (CHF) was induced in rats by cauterization of the left ventricular free wall. MSCs were cultured from autologous bone marrow and injected into the border zone and the remote myocardium 5 d after injury. Ten weeks later,when compared with sham operation,CHF significantly increased nucleus mitotic index,capilla...     

Immunomodulative effects of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human embryonic stem cells in vivo and in vitro

Objective  

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have recently been reported as an unlimited source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The present study not only provides an identical and clinically compliant MSC source derived from hESCs (hESC-MSCs), but also describes the immunomodulative effects of hESC-MSCs in vitro and in vivo for a carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver inflammation model.     

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound therapy: a potential strategy to stimulate tendon-bone junction healing

Incorporation of a tendon graft within the bone tunnel represents a challenging clinical problem. Successful anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction requires solid healing of the tendon graft in the bone tunnel. Enhancement of graft healing to bone is important to facilitate early aggressive rehabilitation and a rapid return to pre-injury activity levels. No convenient, effective or inexpensive procedures exist to enhance tendon-bone (T-B) healing after surgery. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) improves local blood perfusion and angiogenesis, stimulates cartilage maturation, enhances differentiation and proliferation of osteoblasts, and motivates osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and therefore, appears to be a potential non-invasive tool for T-B healing in early stage of rehabilitation of ACL reconstruction. It is conceivable that LIPUS could be used to stimulate T-B tunnel healing in the home, with the aim of accelerating rehabilitation and an earlier return to normal activities in the near future. The purpose of this review is to demonstrate how LIPUS stimulates T-B healing at the cellular and molecular levels, describe studies in animal models, and provide a future direction for research.     

Tongxinluo promotes mesenchymal stem cell tube formation in vitro

Objective  

To study whether Tongxinluo (TXL) can induce angiogenesis in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and to investigate the underlying mechanism.     

Effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 on the properties of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro

Objective  

To explore the effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on migration, proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).     

Experimental Studies on Modified Suction Caissons in Fine Sand Subject to Uplift Loading

A modified suction caisson(MSC), which was reported by the authors of this paper previously, comprises an external short-skirted structure that is added to a regular suction caisson(RSC). It has been proved that MSCs can improve the lateral bearing capacity and limit the deflection of the caisson compared with RSCs. A series of model tests were conducted to investigate responses of MSCs subject to uplift loading in saturated sand. The effects of external skirt dimensions on the uplift bearing capacity of MSCs were considered. In addition, the influences of the sealed top lid of the skirted structure on the uplift bearing capacity and the resulting passive suction of MSCs were also studied. It was found that the uplift bearing capacities of MSCs are 1.4-1.7 times that of RSCs. Moreover, test results in serviceable conditions show that the sealed external skirted structure of perspex-made suction caissons significantly contributed to the uplift bearing capacity as a result of passive suction.     

CHOP及GRP78在复发性多形性胶质母细胞瘤患者表达显著增加

目的:研究CHOP及GRP78与复发性GBM的相关性。方法:采用Western blot检测CHOP及GRP78在初发及复发GBM组织中的表达;Real-time PCR检测GRP78在初发以及复发GBM组织中的表达。结果:CHOP及GRP78在初发GBM中表达上调,而在经过原发性肿瘤切除后接受放疗和替莫唑胺化疗的复发性GBM中增加尤为显著。结论:CHOP及GRP78在GBM发病机制中起重要作用,该分子有望成为GMB潜在的诊断及预后评估标志物。     

大鼠神经胶质瘤和嗜铬细胞瘤中P2X受体表达特征的研究

目的：采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应（polymerase chain reaction,PCR）技术,研究P2X受体在大鼠神经胶质瘤和嗜铬细胞瘤及原代培养皮层神经元和星形胶质细胞上的表达差异。方法：取新生1-2 d SD大鼠大脑皮层,分离纯化神经元和星形胶质细胞,并采用实时荧光定量PCR技术,比较P2X受体在大鼠胶质瘤C6细胞、大鼠肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤PC-12细胞、星形胶质细胞和皮层神经元上的表达差异。结果：C6细胞P2X2、P2X3和P2X5表达水平显著高于星形胶质细胞,P2X4、P2X6和P2X7表达水平显著低于星形胶质细胞,PC-12细胞P2X1、P2X2、P2X3和P2X6表达水平显著高于皮层神经元,P2X5和P2X7表达水平则显著低于皮层神经元。此外,还发现P2X2、P2X5和P2X6在C6和PC-12细胞上的表达水平存在显著差异。结论：大鼠胶质瘤和嗜铬细胞瘤细胞表达多种P2X受体,且与原代培养细胞存在表达差异,提示核苷酸介导的信号传递系统可能作为潜在的肿瘤治疗靶点。     

Optimal time for mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in rats with myocardial infarction

Background:Bone marrow mesenehymal stem cell(MSC)transplantation is a promising strategy in the treatment of myocardial infarction(MI).However,the time for transplanting cells remains controversial.The aim of this study was to find an optimal time point for cell transplantation.Methods:MSCs were isolated and cultured from Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats.MI model was set up in SD rats by permanent ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery.MSCs were directly injected into the infarct berder zone at 1 h,1 week and 2 weeks after MI,respectively.Sham-operated and MI centrel groups received equal volume of phosphate buffered saline(PBS).At 4 weeks after MI,cardiac function Was assessed by echocardiography;vessel density Was analyzed on hematoxylin-eosin stained slides by light microscopy;the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes Was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidy1 transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling(TUNEL) assay;the expressions of proteins were analyzed by Western blot.Results:MSC transplantation improved cardiac function.reduced the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and increased vessel density.These benefits were more obvious in l-week group than in 1-h and 2-week groups.There are more obvious increases in the ratio of bc1-2/bax and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and more obvious decreases in the expression of cleaved-caspase-3 in 1-week group than those in other two groups.Conclusion:MSC transplantation was beneficial for the recovery of cardiac function.MSC transplantation at l week post-MI exerted the best effects on increases of cardiac function,anti-apoptosis and angiogenesis.