Objective To investigate the feasibility oftissue engineered intervertebral disc for regeneration of discs. Methods A three-dimensional porous poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold was fabricated by temperature induced phase separation method. Human fetal disc cells were isolated and cultured in vitro. The disc cells labeledwith a PKH-26 fluorescent dye were seeded into a threedimensional porous scaffold. The proliferation of disc cells with PKH-26 fluorescent labels was assessed by using MTT uptake, laser fluorescence microscopy and SEM. Results Human fetal disc cells displayed a polygonal shape in primary monolayer culture. A regular arrangement and microtubules orientationstructure scaffold with 50-300 μm in diameter was fabricated by thermal-induced phase separation technique. MTT uptake and fluorescent microscopy examination indicated that the seeded disc cells were viable and showed proliferation activity within a porous scaffold. Conclusion The above findings support potential applications of tissue engineered disc in treatment of disc degenerative diseases.
Objective To describe cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells transdifferentiation and investigate the effects of human vitreous fluid on the morphologic and cytoskeleton changes of RPE cells in vitro. Methods Cytoskeleton characteristics in the 2nd, 5th, 8th passage of RPE cells in normal culture, which included cytokeratin 18 (CK18) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were analyzed by Western blot. RPE cells were cultured in human vitreous-conditioned medium (VCM) at the concentration of 1∶4 for 6 days, morphologic changes were examined by light and electron microscopy, and cytoskeleton characteristics were analyzed by imunocytochemistry and Western blot. Results During culture in vitro, RPE cells lost epithelial characteristics and aquired fibroblast-like phenotype. The expression of CK18 was the highest at the 5th passage, and it decreased in the following passage, but α-SMA increased gradually. The morphologic transdifferentiation from epithelial to fibroblast-like cells of RPE was accelerated by VCM. Ultrastructural changes such as decreased microvilli and gradually increased rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex were found during the cultivation. CK18 produced by RPE cells decreased in VMC (P＜0.05), and α-SMA increased (P＜0.01). Conclusion Morphologic changes in epithelialmesenchymal transdifferenetiation of RPE cells are stimulated by VCM and accomplied by the shift of cytoskeleton proteins, The results imply that cells migration may be decreased and contraction may be enhanced in VCM. It may suggest that vitreous accelerates the pathogenesis of PVR and RPE cells play an important role. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2002, 18: 289-292)
Objective To culture astrocytes of human optic nerve and establish the cell lines for further study of healing process after optic nerve trauma. Methods Astrocytes of infantile optic nerve were cultured by tissue inoculation or tissue digestion with 0.25 % trypsin and 0.06% EDTA. The second and fourth passage cells were stained with HE and anti-GFAP, S-100 protein, vimentin, and CD34 antibodies. Results The trypsinized astrocytes of infantile optic nerver eached confluence in 7 days. The cultured cells were in polygonal shape with processes and the cytoplasm was abundant. These cells were positive in GFAP, S-100 protein and vimentin staining, and negative in CD34 staining. Conclusions Astrocytes of human optic nerve can be successfully cultured by trypsinization rather than tissue inoculation. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2001,17:144-146)
Objective To review the latest progress of seeding cells for articular cartilage tissue engineering. Methods The recent original l iteratures on seeding cells for articular cartilage tissue engineering were extensively reviewed. Results The chondrocytes derived from BMSCs’ differentiation would be a main source of seeding cells articular cartilage for tissue engineering. Three-dimensional scaffolds and cultivation surroundings played important roles in the field of articular cartilage tissue engineering. Conclusion The util ization of cytokine and transgenic technology as well as improvements of three-dimensional scaffolds and cultivation surroundings will promote the development of articular cartilage tissue engineering.
Objective To observe the differentiation effect of rabbit amnion-derived stem cells (ADSC) induced into neural cells.Methods ADSC of New Zealand female rabbits were isolated and cultured. Its mRNA level of Fibronectin, Nestin and Vimentin were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The selfreplication ability of ADSC was confirmed by monoclonal formation experiments. These ADSC were further induced into neural cells in vitro. Five days after induced differentiation, the expression of -tubulin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were detected by immunofluorescent staining. Results ADSC were separated from amnion tissue gradually after 24 hours. There were polygonal cells gathered around the amnion tissue at 72 hours, and were distributed compactly around the amnion at 120 hours. The morphology of cleavage daughter cells was basically the same as parent cells. ADSC has the ability of self-replication. The Nestin, Vimentin, Fibronectin mRNA expressions in ADSC were 15.79, 1.91, 7.65 times those in spleen cells. The differences were statistically significant(Z=-5.243, -3.972, -2.524; P＜0.05). The beta;-tubulin expression was found in cytoplasm of most cells. The GFAP expression was found in cytoplasm in some cells. Conclusions ADSC has self-replication ability. It can be induced into neurons and neuroglial cells under the right conditions.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of silks on attachment, shape and function of chondrocytes cultured in vitro. METHODS: The silks from silk worm cocoons were digested by trypsin and coated with polylactic acid to from three dimensional scaffolds for rabbit rib chondrocyte culture. The growth and shape of chondrocytes were observed with phase contrast microscopy, scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: The chondrocytes were adhered to silks slowly after chondrocytes were seeded into silk scaffolds and cells fixed on silks well 1 or 2 days later. Cells began to proliferate after 3 days and multiplicative growth was observed on the 6th day. Microholes of silk scaffolds were filled with chondrocytes 2 weeks later. Scanning electron microscopy showed that there was a lot of extracellular matrix surrounding cells. CONCLUSION: Silks are ideal for attachment, growth and function maintenance of chondrocytes, and silks can be used as scaffolds for chondrocytes in three dimensional culture.
Objective To probe a selective cultural method for bovine retinal endothelial cells (BREC) and pericytes (BRP) in vitro.Methods With the isolation of active retinal blood vessels, BREC were cultured in a fibronectin coated substrate and Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% human serum and 100μg/ml heparin, while homogeneous cultures of retinal pericytes were obtained when isolated microvessels were seeded to uncoated dishes and grown in DMEM supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum. BREC were identified by acetylated-low density lipoprotein (Dil-Ac-LDL) incorporation and immunohistochemical method of Von Willebrand factor, while BRP were identified by the immunohist ochemical method of α-isoform of smooth-muscle actin. Results The purity of selectively cultured BREC and BRP was more than 98%, being reproducible. BREC got together around the microvessel fragments with the small-cyprinoid-like configuration at first，and could phagocytize Dil-Ac-LDL with the expression of fluorescence in cytoplasm. The expressions of Von Wllebrand factor and α-isoform of smooth-muscle actin were positive and negative in BREC respectively, while were negative and positive in BRP respectively.Conclusion BREC and BRP with high purity can be obtained by using selective culture and coated-dishes respectively which are simple and repeatable methods. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2004，20：23-26)
Objective To investigate the effect of the injectable osteoinductive material with fibrin sealant(FS) as a carrier compounded with bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) on the proliferation and differentiation of marrow stromal cells (MSCs) towards osteoblasts and to provide the experimental foundation for the clinical application. Methods MSCs were extracted and cultured from bone marrow of the 3-day-old rabbit, and the third generation culturedMSCs were studied. The experiment included the experimental group(FS,including 1 μg/ml rhBMP-2), FS control group（FS）and blank control group (no material).The proliferation rate, the adhesive rate, the expression of the collagen Ⅰ and alkaline phosphatase, cell growth condition in the material and the ultrastructure of MSCs were investigated by electron microscopy, histochemistry and cell culture. Results The proliferation rate and the adhesive rate of MSCs in experimental group was significantly higher than those in blank control group ,but lower than those in FS control group （P＜0.05）. The expression level of thecollagen Ⅰ and alkaline phosphatase in the experimental group was significantlyhigher than those in all control groups（Marrow stromal cells Fibrin sealant Bone morphogenetic protein Cell culture Rabbits0.05）. Scanning electron microscope showed that the surface of material was rough and had many pores and that celland material mixed. Transmission electron microscope showed that MSCs of the experimental group were mostly of the phenotype of osteoblasts with relatively lowproliferation activity and high differentiation degree toward osteoblasts and with plenty of extracellular matrix and collagen fibers. MSCs of FS control group had low differentiation degree toward osteoblasts with few extracellular matrix and collagen fibers and high proliferation activity. MSCs of blank control group had low differentiation degree toward osteoblasts with few extracellularmatrix and collagen fibers, and low proliferation activity. Conclusion The injectable osteoinductive material with fibrin sealant as a carrier compounded with BMP could significantly accelerate the differentiation of MSCs towards osteoblasts. But it could not significantly accelerate the proliferation activity of MSCs.
Objective To investigate the feasibility of differentiation of invitro induced rat bone marrowderived mesenchymal stem cells（rMSCs） into retinal pigment epithelial （RPE） cells.Methods The rMSCs from BrwonNorway (BN) rats were isolated and cultured by adherent screening method. RPE cells lysate made by repeated freezethawing was put into the rMSCs culture system to identify whether the induced cells could express characteristic label cytokeratin（CK）and S-100 simultaneously or not.Results The growth rate of rMSCs induced by RPE cells lysate was slower and protuberant burr surrounded the fusiform cells. The results of immunoblotting and double immunofluorescence showed that partial induced cells expressed CK and S-100 simultaneously. The result of flow cytometry indicated that 14.1% induced cells expressed CK and S-100 simultaneously.Conclusion Induced by RPE cells lysate, rMSCs can differentiate into RPE cells.
Objective To establ ish an efficient and stable culture method of human umbil ical vein endothel ial cells (HUVECs) in vitro so as to provide good source of seed cells for tissue engineered vascular grafts and for precl inical research. Methods The umbil ical cords were harvested from full-term normal delivered neonates, which were perfused with0.1% collagenase II by self-made needle and were digested at 37 and 5% CO2 humidified incubator. The HUVECs were cultured in endothel ial culture medium (ECM) containing 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% endothel ial cell growth factor (ECGS). HE staining of the umbil ical cords before and after digestion was used to observe the detachment of HUVECs, flow cytometry to detect the purity of primary HUVECs, and inverted phase contrast microscope to observe the morphology of the cultured HUVECs. The growth of the 3rd passage cells was measured by MTT assay; immunocytochemical technique and matrigelbased capillary-l ike tube formation assay were carried out to identify the function of HUVECs. Results After digestion of 0.1% collagenase II, marked HUVECs detachment was observed with complete digestion. The purity of the HUVECs was 99.56% by digestion of 0.1% collagenase II at 37 and 5% CO2 humidified incubator for 15 minutes. Primary HUVECs showed a cobblestone or pitching stone-l ike appearance in vitro, forming a confluent monolayer cells after 2-3 days of culture. MTT assay demonstrated that HUVECs showed the fastest growth speed at 3 to 4 days, and showed growth of cell fusion at about 5 days. Immunocytochemistry showed that HUVECs highly expressed endothel ial marker factor VIII. Matrigel based capillary-l ike tube formation assay showed that it could form endothel ial-l ike tube structures after 24 hours of culture. Conclusion Using improved method and ECM could obtain high quantity and high qual ity primary HUVECs, which might be a kind of promising seed cells for tissue engineering and precl inical research.