Objective Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can promote wound heal ing. To observe the effect of PRP injection on the early heal ing of rat’s Achilles tendon rupture so as to provide the experimental basis for cl inical practice. Methods Forty-six Sprague Dawley rats were included in this experiment, female or male and weighing 190-240 g. PRP and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) were prepared from the heart arterial blood of 10 rats; other 36 rats were made the models of Achilles tendon rupture, and were randomly divided into 3 groups (control group, PPP group, and PRP group), 12 rats for each group. In PPP and PRP groups, PPP and PRP of 100 μL were injected around the tendons once a week, respectively; in the control group, nothing was injected. The tendon tissue sample was harvested at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after operation for morphology, histology, and immunohistochemistry observations. The content of collagen type I fibers also was measured. Specimens of each group were obtained for biomechanical test at 4 weeks. Results All the animals survived till the end of the experiment. Tendon edema gradually decreased and sliding improved with time. The tendon adhesion increased steadily from 1 week to 3 weeks postoperatively, and it was relieved at 4 weeks in 3 groups. There was no significant ifference in the grading of tendon adhesion among 3 groups at 1 week and at 4 weeks (P gt; 0.05), respectively. The inflammatory cell infiltration, angiogenesis, and collagen fibers were more in PRP group than in PPP group and control group at 1 week; with time, inflammatory cell infiltration and angiogenesis gradually decreased. Positive staining of collagen type I fibers was observed at 1-4 weeks postoperatively in 3 groups. The positive density of collagen type I fibers in group PRP was significantly higher than that in control group and PPP group at 1, 2, and 3 weeks (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found among 3 groups at 4 weeks (P gt; 0.05). The biomechanical tests showed that there was no significant difference in the maximal gl iding excursion among 3 groups at 4 weeks postoperatively (P gt; 0.05); the elasticity modulus and the ultimate tensile strength of PRP group were significantly higher than those of control group and PPP group at 4 weeks (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion PRP injection can improve the healing of Achilles tendon in early repair of rat’s Achilles tendon rupture.
ObjectiveTo analyze the phasic changes of bone mass, bone turnover markers, and estrogen levels at different time points after glucocorticoid (GC) intervention in rat and their correlation. MethodsThirty-four female 3-month-old Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following 3 groups:baseline group (n=6), dexamethasone (DXM) group (n=14), and control group (n=14). Rats were injected with DXM at the dose of 0.75 mg/kg, twice a week for 12 weeks in DXM group, with salt solution lavage in control group, and no treatment was given in baseline group. The body mass, adrenal weight, and uterus weight were measured. Bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and bone area (BA) of lumbar vertebral and femurs were detected by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Meanwhile, the serum levels of N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP), C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX), and estrogen levels were determined by ELISA before experiment in baseline group and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after experiment in control and DXM groups. At last, the correlation was analyzed among body weight, BMD, PINP, β-CTX, estrogen levels, and GC intervention duration of DXM group. ResultsThe body mass, adrenal weight, and uterus weight in DXM group were significantly lower than those in baseline group and control group at all the time points (P<0.05). The levels of PINP and β-CTX elevated slowly in DXM group, significant difference was found at 12 weeks (P<0.05), but no significant difference at the 4 and 8 weeks (P>0.05) when compared with those in baseline group and control group. The estrogen level in DXM group was significantly lower than that in baseline group and control group at all the time points (P<0.05). BMD, BMC, and BA of lumbar vertebral and femurs in DXM group were significantly lower than those in control group at all the time points after GC intervention (P<0.05). Loss of bone mass of L2 and femoral trochanteric region in DXM group was the lowest of all ranges of interest (ROIs). BMC and BA of lumbar vertebrae and BA of femoral shaft in DXM group at 4 weeks were significantly lower than those in baseline group (P<0.05). But there was no significant difference in BMD, BMC, and BA of other lumbar vertebrae and femurs' ROIs between DXM group and baseline group at all the time points (P>0.05). After GC intervention, BMD of lumbar vertebrae and femurs had negative correlation with PINP and β-CTX (P<0.05) and positive correlation with estrogen level (P<0.05). ConclusionThe bone mass decreases rapidly at the early stage after GC intervention and then maintains a low level with time, the levels of bone turnover markers show a progressive increase, and the estrogen levels show a decrease trend. In addition, body weight, the levels of bone turnover markers and estrogen are associated with the change of bone mass.
ObjectiveTo explore the interaction between immune cell infiltration and extracellular matrix (ECM) in diffuse gastric cancer (DGC), and to identify novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. MethodsTranscriptomic data of DGC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were analyzed to screen potential regulator factor of immune-related and ECM receptor-related signaling pathways. Differential expression of the identified regulator was assessed between the DGC tissues and the adjacent gastric tissues. Bioinformatics analysis was utilized to evaluate the relation between the regulator factor and immune cell infiltration and ECM, as well as prognosis. The clinical validation was performed using 90 paraffin-embedded DGC tissues and adjacent gastric tissues from the patients treated at The Lanzhou University Second Hospital (hereafter “our hospital”) from January 2017 to December 2019. The immunohistochemical staining was employed to examine the expression of regulator factor, followed by analysis of its association with immune cell infiltration, clinicopathologic features, and prognosis. Additionally, 10 paired DGC tissues and adjacent gastric tissues from the patients treated in our hospital in 2024 were collected for validation using real-time quantitative PCR to assess mRNA expression. The significance level was set at α=0.05. ResultsThe collagen type I alpha 1 chain (COL1A1), a potential regulator factor linked to immune and ECM receptor signaling pathways, was identified from the TCGA database. The COL1A1 was significantly overexpressed in the DGC tissues compared to the adjacent gastric tissues (P<0.001), and its high expression correlated with poorer prognosis [HR(95%CI)=2.98(1.21, 7.30), P=0.017]. The COL1A1 gene expression negatively correlated with CD8+ T cell enrichment score (CIBERSORT: r=−0.17, P<0.001; xCELL: r=−0.32, P<0.001) but positively correlated with M2 tumor-associated macrophage enrichment score (CIBERSORT: r=0.32, P<0.001; xCELL: r=0.24, P<0.001). The clinical validation confirmed that the COL1A1 protein and mRNA were both overexpressed in the DGC tissues (P<0.001). The patients with high COL1A1 protein expression had worse overall survival (P<0.001), and high expression (vs. low) was an independent risk factor for postoperative overall survival [HR(95%CI)=6.607(3.374, 12.940), P<0.001]. The COL1A1 protein expression positively correlated with CD163 (an M2 macrophage marker; r=0.76, P<0.001) and negatively with CD8+ (T cell marker, r=−0.84, P<0.001). ConclusionThis study demonstrates that COL1A1 is a potential therapeutic target for immune suppression and ECM interaction in DGC and a critical prognostic factor for long-term survival in patients with DGC.
Objective To investigate the influence of collagen on the biomechanics strength of tissue engineering tendon. Methods All of 75 nude mice were madethe defect models of calcaneous tendons, and were divided into 5 groups randomly. Five different materials including human hair, carbon fibre (CF), polyglycolic acid (PGA), human hair and PGA, and CF and PGA with exogenous collagen were cocultured with exogenous tenocytes to construct the tissue engineering tendons.These tendons were implanted to repair defect of calcaneous tendons of right hind limb in nude mice as experimental groups, while the materials without collagenwere implanted to repair the contralateral calcaneous tendons as control groups. In the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th and 12th weeks after implantation, the biomechanicalcharacteristics of the tissue engineering tendon was measured, meanwhile, the changes of the biomechanics strength were observed and compared. Results From the 2nd week to the 4th week after implantation, the experimental groups were ber than the control groups in biomechanics, there was statistically significantdifference (Plt;0.05). From the 6th to 12th weeks, there was no statisticallysignificant difference between the experiment and control groups (Pgt;0.05). Positivecorrelation existed between time and intensity, there was statistically significant difference (Plt;0.05). The strength of materials was good in human hair,followed by CF, and PGA was poor. Conclusion Exogenous collagen can enhance the mechanics strength of tissue engineering tendon, and is of a certain effect on affected limb rehabilitation in early repair stages.
Objective To investigate the preventive effect of carbachol on the formation of postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion. Methods Forty-four Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (SO group, n=12), operation group (n=16) and carbachol treated group (carbachol group, n=16, carbachol 50 μg/kg). Animal model of abdominal adhesion was established by rubbing the procussus vermiformis of cecum with dry sterile gauze, and by clamping and scuffing abdominal wall. Half of rats were separately killed on day 7 and day 14 after surgery, respectively. The degree of adhesion was evaluated according to Phillips 5-scale grade and the feature of this model. The histopathological changes of adhesive tissues were observed and the content of collagen type Ⅰ in the tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results The scores of intra-abdominal adhesion were significantly lower in the carbachol group than those in operation group both on 7 d and 14 d (P＜0.01). Mild inflammatory changes and less fibrous proliferation were observed in carbachol group microscopically. The contents of collagen type Ⅰ detected by immunohistochemistry were significantly lower in the carbachol group than those in operation group both on 7 d and 14 d (P＜0.01). There was no significant difference of the score of abdominal adhesion and content of collagen type Ⅰ in the same group between 7 d and 14 d (Pgt;0.05). Conclusion Carbachol may take a significant role in the prevention of postoperative abdominal adhesion in rat.
Objective To investigate the effect of vanadate on prol iferation and collagen type I production of rat medial collateral l igament (MCL)fibroblasts. Methods A total of 12 adult male SD rats were included, weighing 350-375 g. MCL was cut into small pieces (1 mm × 1 mm × 1 mm) in aseptic conditions, and then placed and cultured in culture chambers. Fibroblasts were passaged with 0.25% trypsin. The vanadate (0, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 ng/mL) was added in the 3rd passage MCL fibroblasts, respectively, and the samples were divided into 4 groups (0, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 ng/mL groups). MTT was used to measure the cell prol iferation. The production of collagen type I was measured by RT-PCR and ELISA. Twelve samples in each group were measured. Results In fibroblast prol iferation, the absorbency values of the 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 ng/mL groups were significantly different from that of the 0 ng/mL group (P lt; 0.05). The absorbency values of the 0, 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 ng/mL groups were 0.213 ± 0.016, 0.327 ± 0.023, 0.449 ± 0.137, and 0.561 ± 0.028, respectively. In collagen secretion, vanadate in 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 ng/mL groups could significantly induce the production of collagen type I (P lt; 0.05) ina dose-dependent manner. The expressions of collagen type I of 0-5 ng/mL groups were 0.47 ± 0.02, 0.51 ± 0.03, 0.60 ± 0.01, and 0.72 ± 0.02, respectively. There was significant difference between the 1.0, 2.5, 5.0 ng/mL groups and 0 ng mL group (P lt; 0.05). RT-PCR displayed a dramatic increase of band density. The ratio of band density in the 0-5 ng mLgroups was 1.37 ± 0.76, 1.97 ± 0.53, 2.41 ± 0.94, and 2.73 ± 0.82, respectively. The gene expression of collagen type I in the 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 ng/mL groups was higher than that in the 0 ng/mL group, and there was significant difference (P lt;0.05). There were statistical significant differences among 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 ng/mL groups in each index mentioned above.Conclusion Vanadate can effectively induce the prol iferation of fibroblasts and the production of collagen type I in vitro, which may provide a new approach to the treatment of MCL injury.
ObjectiveTo explore the biocompatibility of the poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA)/collagen type I scaffold with rat vaginal epithelial cells, and the feasibility of using PLGA/collagen type I as scaffold to reconstruct vagina by the tissue engineering. MethodsPLGA/collagen type I scaffold was prepared with PLGA covered polylysine and collagen type I. The vaginal epithelial cells of Sprague Dawley rat of 10-12 weeks old were cultured by enzyme digestion method. The vaginal epithelial cells of passage 2 were cultured in the leaching liquor of scaffold for 48 hours to detect its cytotoxicity by MTT. The vaginal epithelial cells were inoculated on the PLGA/collagen type I scaffold (experimental group) and PLGA scaffold (control group) to calculate the cell adhesion rate. Epithelial cells-scaffold complexes were implanted subcutaneously on the rat back. At 2, 4, and 8 weeks after implantation, the epithelial cells-scaffold complexes were harvested to observe the cell growth by HE staining and immunohistochemical analysis. The epithelial cells-scaffold complexes were transplanted to reconstruct vagina in 6 rats with vaginal defect. After 3 and 6 months, the vaginal length was measured and the appearance was observed. The neovagina tissues were harvested for histological evaluation after 6 months. ResultsThe epithelial cells grew and proliferated well in the leaching liquor of PLGA/collagen type I scaffold, and the cytotoxicity was at grade 1. The cell adhesion rate on the PLGA/collagen type I scaffold was 71.8%±9.2%, which significantly higher than that on the PLGA scaffold (63.4%±5.7%) (t=2.195, P=0.005). The epithelial cells could grow and adhere to the PLGA/collagen type I scaffolds. At 2 weeks after implanted subcutaneously, the epithelial cells grew and proliferated in the pores of scaffolds, and the fibroblasts were observed. At 4 weeks, 1-3 layers epithelium formed on the surface of scaffold. At 8 weeks, the epithelial cells increased and arranged regularly, which formed the membrane-like layer on the scaffold. The keratin expression of the epithelium was positive. At 3 months after transplantation in situ, the vaginal mucosa showed pink and lustrous epithelialization, and the majority of scaffold degraded. After 6 months, the neovagina length was 1.2 cm, without obvious stenosis; the vaginal mucosa had similar appearance and epithelial layer to normal vagina, but it had less duplicature; there were nail-like processes in the basal layer, but the number was less than that of normal vagina. The immunohistochemistry staining for keratin was positive. ConclusionThe PLGA/collagen type I scaffolds have good cytocompatibility with the epithelial cells, and can be used as the biodegradable polymer scaffold of the vaginal tissue engineering.
ObjectiveTo investigate the growth characteristics of pancreatic cancer cells in the twodimensional culture system (monolayer) and threedimensional culture system (type Ⅰ collagen and extracellular matrix gel). MethodsThree pancreatic cancer cell lines (SW1990, PCT, and ASPC1) were cultured in monolayer, type Ⅰ collagen, and extracellular matrix gel, respectively. The growth patterns were observed, growth curves were detected by CCK8 test, and the cell cycle distributions were analyzed by propidium iodide staining. Results In the twodimensional culture system, cells grew in monolayer. In the type Ⅰ collagen and the ECM gel threedimensional culture system, cells formed multicellular spheroids (MCS), of which the growth rates were slower than those of the cells in monolayer. The proportions of S phase of SW1990, PCT, and ASPC1 cells in twodimensional culture system were significantly more than those in the type Ⅰ collagen on 4 d and 8 d 〔(29.6±3.0)% vs. (18.2±5.1)%, (33.6±2.1)% vs. (14.5±3.2)%, (33.1±1.8)% vs. (24.7±2.6)%; Plt;0.05〕, while the difference of proportion of three cell lines in G2/M phase was not different between twodimensional culture system and type Ⅰ collagen (Pgt;0.05). The proportions of G0/G1 phase of SW1990 and PCT cells cultured in the type Ⅰ collagen on 4 d and 8 d and ASPC1 cells cultured in the type Ⅰ collagen on 4 d were significant more than those cultured in twodimensional culture system (Plt;0.05). The proportions of S phase of ASPC1 cells and SW1990 cells cultured in the type Ⅰ collagen on 4 d were significant more than those cultured in the type Ⅰ collagen on 8 d (Plt;0.05). ConclusionsThe characteristics of pancreatic cancer cells in twodimensional and threedimensional culture systems are different. MCS culture system can better mimic the in vivo growth environment of cells in tumors.
ObjectiveTo investigate the changes of fibrinogen and classical markers of collagen metabolism [carboxy-terminal propeptide of type Ⅰ procollagen (PICP) and carboxy-terminal cross-linked peptide of type Ⅰ collagen (ICTP)] in peripheral blood and pericardial drainage after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and/or heart valve replacement (VR), and to evaluate their relationship with postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after cardiac surgery. MethodsPatients who underwent CABG and/or VR in the Heart Center of Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital from March to June 2021 were included. Peripheral blood and pericardial drainage fluid samples were collected before surgery and at 0 h, 6 h, 24 h and 48 h after surgery to detect PICP, ICTP and fibrinogen levels, and preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative confounding factors were also collected. PICP, ICTP and fibrinogen levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ResultsA total of 26 patients with 125 blood samples and 78 drainage samples were collected. There were 18 males and 8 females with an average age of 64.04±7.27 years. The incidence rate of POAF was 34.6%. Among the factors, the fibrinogen level in pericardial drainage showed two peaks within 48 h after operation (0 hand 24 h after operation) in the POAF group, while it showed a continuous downward trend in the sinus rhythm (SR) group, and the change trend of fibrinogen in pericardial drainage was significantly different over time between the two groups (P=0.022). Fibrinogen in blood, PICP and ICTP in blood and drainage showed an overall decreasing trend, and their trends over time were not significantly different between the two groups of patients (P>0.05). Univariate analysis showed that fibrinogen at 24 h and 48 h after pericardial drainage, fibrinogen in preoperative blood, PICP immediately after surgery and right atrial long axis diameter were significantly higher or longer in the POAF group than those in the SR group. Multiple regression showed that fibrinogen≥11.47 ng/mL in pericardial drainage 24 h after surgery (OR=14.911, 95%CI 1.371-162.122, P=0.026), right atrial long axis diameter≥46 mm (OR=10.801, 95%CI 1.011-115.391, P=0.049) were independent predictors of POAF. ConclusionThis study finds the regularity of changes in fibrinogen and collagen metabolic markers after CABG and/or VR surgery, and to find that fibrinogen in pericardial drainage 24 h after surgery is a potential novel and predictive factor for POAF. The results provide a new idea for exploring the mechanism of POAF, and provide a research basis for the accurate prediction and prevention of clinical POAF.
Objective To investigate the effect of collagen type I concentration on the physical and chemical properties of the collagen hydrogel, and to analyze the effect of different concentrations of collagen type I hydrogel on the phenotype and gene expression of the chondrocytes in vitro. Methods Three kinds of collagen hydrogels with concentrations of 12, 8, and 6 mg/ mL (C12, C8, and C6) were prepared, respectively. The micro-structure, compressive modulus, and swelling ratio of the hydrogels were measured and analyzed. The chondrocytes at 2nd passage were cocultured with three kinds of collagen hydrogels in vitro, respectively. After 1-day culture, the samples were stained with fluorescein diacetate (FDA) / propidium iodide (PI) and the cell activity was observed under confocal laser microscope. After 14-day culture, HE staining and toluidine blue staining were carried out to observe the histological morphology, and mRNA expressions of chondrocytes related genes (collagen type II, Aggrecan, collagen type I, collagen type X, Sox9) were determined by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. Results With the increase of collagen type I concentration from 6 to 12 mg/mL, the physical and chemical properties of the collagen hydrogels changed significantly: the fiber network became dense; the swelling ratios of C6, C8, and C12 were 0.260 ± 0.055, 0.358 ± 0.072, and 0.539 ± 0.033 at 192 hours, respectively, showing significant differences among 3 groups (P lt; 0.05); and the compression modulus were (4.86 ± 0.96), (7.09 ± 2.33), and (11.08 ± 3.18) kPa, respectively, showing significant differences among 3 groups (P lt; 0.05). After stained with FDA/PI, most cells were stained green, and few were stained red. The histological observation results showed that the chondrocytes in C12 hydrogels aggregated obviously with b heterochromia, chondrocytes in C8 hydrogels aggregated partly with obvious heterochromia, and chondrcytes in C6 hydrogels uniformly distributed with weak heterochromia. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR results showed that the mRNA expressions of collagen type II and Aggrecan were at the same level in C12, C8, and C6; the expressions of collagen type I, Sox9, and collagen type X were up-regulated with the increase of collagen type I hydrogels concentration, and the expressions were the highest at 12 mg/mL and were the lowest at 6 mg/mL, showing significant differences among 3 groups (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Increasing the concentration of collagen hydrogels leads to better mechanical properties and higher shrink-resistance, but it may induce the up-regulation of cartilage fibrosis and hypertrophy related gene expression.