Induction of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells differentiation into neural-like cells using cerebrospinal fluid

The influence of biomimetic conditions on neurogenic and neuroprotective properties of dedifferentiated fat cells

In the era of a constantly growing number of reports on the therapeutic properties of dedifferentiated, ontogenetically rejuvenated cells and their use in the treatment of neurological diseases, the optimization of their derivation and long-term culture methods seem to be crucial. One of the solutions is seen in the use of dedifferentiated fat cells (DFATs) that are characterized by a greater homogeneity. Moreover, these cells seem to possess a higher expression of transcriptional factors necessary to maintain pluripotency (stemness-related transcriptional factors) as well as a greater ability to differentiate in vitro into 3 embryonic germ layers, and a high proliferative potential in comparison to adipose stem/stromal cells. However, the neurogenic and neuroprotective potential of DFATs is still insufficiently understood; hence, our research goal was to contribute to our current knowledge of the subject. To recreate the brain's physiological (biomimetic) conditions, the cells were cultured at 5% oxygen concentration. The neural differentiation capacity of DFATs was assessed in the presence of the N21 supplement containing the factors that are typically found in the natural environment of the neural cell niche or in the presence of cerebrospinal fluid and under various spatial conditions (microprinting). The neuroprotective properties of DFATs were assessed using the coculture method with the ischemically damaged nerve tissue.

Deciphering the impact of cerebrospinal fluid on stem cell fate as a new mechanism to enhance clinical therapy development

Neural stem cells (NSCs) hold a very significant promise as candidates for cell therapy due to their robust neuroprotective and regenerative properties. Preclinical studies using NSCs have shown enough encouraging results to perform deeper investigations into more potential clinical applications. Nevertheless, our knowledge regarding neurogenesis and its underlying mechanisms remains incomplete. To understand them better, it seems necessary to characterize all components of neural stem cell niche and discover their role in physiology and pathology. Using NSCs in vivo brings challenges including limited cell survival and still inadequate integration within host tissue. Identifying overlooked factors that might influence these outcomes becomes pivotal. In this review, we take a deeper examination of the influence of a fundamental element that is present in the brain, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which still remains relatively unexplored. Its role in neurogenesis could be instrumental to help find novel therapeutic solutions for neurological disorders, eventually advancing our knowledge on central nervous system (CNS) regeneration and repair.

Evaluation of the Optimal Manufacturing Protocols and Therapeutic Properties of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Derived from Wharton's Jelly

Wharton's jelly (WJ) from the umbilical cord (UC) is a good source of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs), which can be isolated and used in therapy. Current knowledge shows that even small changes in the cell environment may result in obtaining a subpopulation of cells with different therapeutic properties. For this reason, the conditions of UC transportation, cell isolation, and cultivation and the banking of cells destined for clinical use should be unified and optimized. In this project, we tried various protocols for cell vs. bioptat isolation, banking, and transport in order to determine the most optimal. The most efficient isolation method of WJ-MSCs was chopping the whole umbilical matrix with a scalpel after vessel and lining membrane removal. The optimal solution for short term cell transportation was a multi-electrolyte fluid without glucose. Considering the use of WJ-MSCs in cell therapies, it was important to investigate the soluble secretome of both WJ bioptats and WJ-MSCs. WJ-MSCs secreted higher levels of cytokines and chemokines than WJ bioptats. WJ-MSCs secreted HGF, CCL2, ICAM-1, BDNF, and VEGF. Since these cells might be used in treating neurodegenerative disorders, we investigated the impact of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on WJ-MSCs' features. In the presence of CSF, the cells expressed consecutive neural markers both at the protein and gene level: nestin, β-III-tubulin, S-100-β, GFAP, and doublecortin. Based on the obtained results, a protocol for manufacturing an advanced-therapy medicinal product was composed.

Effect of Multiple Sclerosis Cerebrospinal Fluid and Oligodendroglia Cell Line Environment on Human Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells Secretome

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disorder of autoimmune aetiology. Experimental therapies with the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a response to the unmet need for new treatment options. The unique immunomodulatory features of stem cells obtained from Wharton’s jelly (WJ-MSCs) make them an interesting research and therapeutic model. Most WJ-MSCs transplants for multiple sclerosis use intrathecal administration. We studied the effect of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from MS patients on the secretory activity of WJ-MSCs and broaden this observation with WJ-MSCs interactions with human oligodendroglia cell line (OLs). Analysis of the WJ-MSCs secretory activity with use of Bio-Plex Pro™ Human Cytokine confirmed significant and diverse immunomodulatory potential. Our data reveal rich WJ-MSCs secretome with markedly increased levels of IL-6, IL-8, IP-10 and MCP-1 synthesis and a favourable profile of growth factors. The addition of MS CSF to the WJ-MSCs culture caused depletion of most proteins measured, only IL-12, RANTES and GM-CSF levels were increased. Most cytokines and chemokines decreased their concentrations in WJ-MSCs co-cultured with OLs, only eotaxin and RANTES levels were slightly increased. These results emphasize the spectrum of the immunomodulatory properties of WJ-MSCs and show how those effects can be modulated depending on the transplantation milieu.

Stem Cell Therapies for Human Infertility: Advantages and Challenges

Physical and mental health and hormonal imbalance are associated with the problems related to infertility and reproductive disorders. The rate of infertility has increased globally over the years, due to various reasons. Given the psychosocial implications of infertility and its effects on the life of the affected people, there has been an increased focus on its treatment over the last several years. Assisted reproductive technology can only solve about 50% of the cases. Moreover, it contains significant risks and does not solve the fundamental problem of infertility. As pluripotent stem cells have the potential to differentiate into almost any type of cell, they have been widely regarded as a promising option in the development of stem cell-based fertility treatments, which could even correct genetic diseases in offspring. These advancements in reproductive biotechnology present both challenges and possibilities for solving infertility problems caused by various unexplainable factors. This review briefly presents the different types of infertility disorders and the potential applications of stem cells in the treatment of these reproductive diseases.

The Clinical Trials of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Therapy

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a heterogeneous population of adult stem cells, which are multipotent and possess the ability to differentiate/transdifferentiate into mesodermal and nonmesodermal cell lineages. MSCs display broad immunomodulatory properties since they are capable of secreting growth factors and chemotactic cytokines. Safety, accessibility, and isolation from patients without ethical concern make MSCs valuable sources for cell therapy approaches in autoimmune, inflammatory, and degenerative diseases. Many studies have been conducted on the application of MSCs as a new therapy, but it seems that a low percentage of them is related to clinical trials, especially completed clinical trials. Considering the importance of clinical trials to develop this type of therapy as a new treatment, the current paper is aimed at describing characteristics of MSCs and reviewing relevant clinical studies registered on the NIH database during 2016-2020 to discuss recent advances on MSC-based therapeutic approaches being used in different diseases.

Ultra-structural morphology analysis of human cranial bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells during neural differentiation

Neural differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells has been widely studied. However, a comparative characterization of ultrastructural changes during neural differentiation has not been performed. In this study, we conducted scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis to show the morphological changes in mesenchymal stromal cells upon induction of neural differentiation. In addition, transmission electron microscopy results demonstrated ultrastructural differences between human cranial bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells and iliac crest bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells. We propose that enriched microvesicles in cranial bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells may be responsible for the increased efficiency of neural differentiation.

Induced Neural Cells from Human Dental Pulp Ameliorate Functional Recovery in a Murine Model of Cerebral Infarction

Human mesenchymal stem cells are a promising cell source for the treatment of stroke. Their primary mechanism of action occurs via neuroprotective effects by trophic factors, anti-inflammatory effects, and immunomodulation. However, the regeneration of damaged neuronal networks by cell transplantation remains challenging. We hypothesized that cells induced to neural lineages would fit the niche, replace the lesion, and be more effective in improving symptoms compared with stem cells themselves. We investigated the characteristics of induced neural cells from human dental pulp tissue and compared the transplantation effects between these induced neural cells and uninduced dental pulp stem cells. Induced neural cells or dental pulp stem cells were intracerebrally transplanted 5 days after cerebral infarction induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in immunodeficient mice. Effects on functional recovery were also assessed through behavior testing. We used immunohistochemistry and neuron tracing to analyze the differentiation, axonal extension, and connectivity of transplanted cells to the host's neural circuit. Transplantation of induced neural cells from human dental pulp ameliorated functional recovery after cerebral infarction compared with dental pulp stem cells. The induced neural cells comprised both neurons and glia and expressed functional voltage, and they were more related to neurogenesis in terms of transcriptomics. Induced neural cells had a higher viability than did dental pulp stem cells in hypoxic culture. We showed that induced neural cells from dental pulp tissue offer a novel therapeutic approach for recovery after cerebral infarction.

Why do anti-inflammatory signals of bone marrow-derived stromal cells improve neurodegenerative conditions where anti-inflammatory drugs fail?

Neurodegenerative disorders share the final degenerative pathway, the inflammation-induced apoptosis and/or necrosis, irrespective of their etiology, be it of acute and chronic traumatic, vascular and idiopathic origin. Although disease-modifying strategies are an unmet need in these disorders, lately, (pre)clinical studies suggested favorable effects after an intervention with bone marrow-derived stromal cells (bm-SC). Recent interventions with intrathecal transplantation of these cells in preclinical rodent models improved the functional outcome and reduced the inflammation, but not anti-inflammatory drugs. The benefit of bm-SCs was demonstrated in rats with an acute (traumatic spinal cord injury, tSCI) and in mice with a chronic [amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-like FUS 1-358 or SOD1-G93-A mutation] neurodegenerative process. Bm-SCs, were found to modify underlying disease processes, to reduce final clinical SCI-related outcome, and to slow down ALS-like clinical progression. After double-blind interventions with bm-SC transplantations, Vehicle (placebo), and (non)steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Methylprednisolone, Riluzole, Celecoxib), clinical, histological and histochemical findings, serum/spinal cytokines, markers for spinal microglial activation inclusive, evidenced the cell-to-cell action of bm-SCs in both otherwise healthy and immune-deficient tSCI-rats, as well as wild-type and FUS/SOD1-transgenic ALS-like mice. The multi-pathway hypothesis of the cell-to-cell action of bmSCs, presumably using extracellular vesicles (EVs) as carriers of messages in the form of RNAs, DNA, proteins, and lipids rather than influencing a single inflammatory pathway, could be justified by the reported differences of cytokines and other chemokines in the serum and spinal tissue. The mode of action of bm-SCs is hypothesized to be associated with its dedicated adjustment of the pro-apoptotic glycogen synthase kinase-3β level towards an anti-apoptotic level whereas their multi-pathway hypothesis seems to be confirmed by the decreased levels of the pro-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) as well as the level of the marker of activated microglia, ionized calcium binding adapter (Iba)-1 level.

Cerebrospinal Fluid and Photobiomodulation Effects on Neural Gene Expression in Dental Pulp Stem Cells

Introduction: Dental pulp cells, a unique source of ectomesenchymal pluripotent stem cells, are originated from the skull neural crest. They are considered as one ideal source of cells for the regenerative medicine applications. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a transparent fluid found in the brain and spinal cord, is enriched with electrolytes, proteins, and growth factors such as EGF, bFGF, BDNF, GDNF, and neuropeptides and can be utilized as a trigger in order to induce the neural differentiation. On the other hand, photobiomodulation (PBM), with the ability to prevent cell apoptosis, can induce cell proliferation by means of increasing the ATP synthesis in mitochondria and facilitating the secretion of the growth factors. In this research, we first aimed to isolate and culture the dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and subsequently to investigate their potential for neural differentiation. Methods: Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) were isolated from the pulp tissues using an outgrowth method and subsequently cultured. In order to access the cells' differentiation potential, cells were firstly classified into four groups which were treated with CSF, gallium aluminum arsenide diode laser irradiation (808 nm; 30 mW power output) and a combination of both, while the fourth group was considered as the control. MTT assay was then used to examine the viability of cells following the treatments. After 4, 7, and 14 days the cell morphology in the treated groups was evaluated while RT-PCR was used in order to evaluate the Nestin and β-tubulinIII neural gene marker expressions. Results: It was shown that PBM has the ability to elevate the proliferation of DPSCs. Also, the differentiated morphology was obvious in the CSF treated group, especially on day 14 with the formation of three-dimensional (3D) structures. The results of gene expression analysis showed that on the fourth day of post-treatment, Nestin and β-tubulinIII gene expressions were reduced in all groups while a rising trend in their expression was observed subsequently on days 7 and 14. Conclusion: In accordance with previous studies, including functional and protein base researches, it has been demonstrated that CSF has a direct role in neural induction. Although past works have been significant, none of them shows a 3D structure. In this article, we investigated the dual effect of PBM and CSF. Initial results confirmed the upregulation of neural-related transcription factors. The 3D organization of the formed tissue could imply the initiation of organogenesis which has not been reported before. In sum, the dual effect of CSF and PBM has been shown to have the potential for contributing to the initiation of neurogenesis and organogenesis.

Cerebrospinal fluid from Alzheimer's disease patients as an optimal formulation for therapeutic application of mesenchymal stem cells in Alzheimer's disease

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as one of the promising treatment options for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although many studies have investigated on the efficacy of MSCs in AD, how MSCs actually change following exposure to the AD environment has not been studied extensively. In this study, we investigated on the potential of AD patient-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples to be used as a formulation of MSCs and its application in AD therapeutics. When Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) were stored in the CSF of AD patients, the stemness of WJ-MSCs was preserved. Furthermore, several genes were upregulated following storage in AD CSF. This signified the therapeutic potential of CSF formulation for AD therapy. Overall, these findings suggest that CSF from AD patients can be an optimal source for MSC formulation.

Potential Use of Amniotic Membrane - Derived Scaffold for Cerebrospinal Fluid Applications

Scaffolds derived from decellularized tissues provide a natural microenvironment for cell culture. Embryonic cerebrospinal fluid (e-CSF) contains factors which play vital roles in the development of the nervous system. This research was aimed to survey the effect of Wistar rat e-CSF on neural differentiation of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) cultured on the human amniotic membrane (AM). BM-MSCs were collected from femurs and tibias, and were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium. The placenta was harvested from healthy women during cesarean section and AM was acellularized using EDTA and physical scrubbing. e- CSF was harvested from rat fetuses at E17. Adequate numbers of BM-MSCs were cultured on acellularized membrane, and were treated with E17 CSF for 7 days. MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2.5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay confirmed the survival and proliferation of BM-MSCs cultured on AM derived scaffold. Hematoxylin/eosin staining and scanning electron microscopy showed the morphological and the structural changes of BM-MSCs throughout the culture and treatment with e-CSF. The results of immunocytochemistry showed that microtubule associated protein 2 and beta-III tubulin were expressed in BM-MSCs cultured on acellular amnion scaffold and treated with e-CSF. Our results showed for the first time that the combination of acellular AM as a natural scaffold and e-CSF as a source of neurological factors could effectively improve the BM-MSCs cultivation and differentiation.

Cerebrospinal fluid-stem cell interactions may pave the path for cell-based therapy in neurological diseases

Recent studies have suggested that the regulation of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) or transplanting of exogenous nerve cells are the newest and most promising methods for the treatment of dementia and other neurological diseases. The special location and limited number of endogenous NSCs, however, restrict their clinical application. The success in directional differentiation of exogenous stem cells from other tissue sources into neural cells has provided a novel source for NSCs. Study on the relative mechanisms is still at the preliminary stage. Currently the induction methods include: 1) cell growth factor induction; 2) chemical induction; 3) combined growth factor-chemical induction; or 4) other induction methods such as traumatic brain tissue homogenate, gene transfection, traditional Chinese medicine, and coculture induction. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), as a natural medium under physiological conditions, contains a variety of progrowth peptide factors that can promote the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) into neural cells through the corresponding receptors on the cell surface. This suggests that CSF can not only nourish the nerve cells, but also become an effective and suitable inducer to increase the yield of NSCs. However, some other studies believed that CSF contained certain inhibitory components against the differentiation of primary stem cells into mature neural cells. Based on the above background, here we review the relative literature on the influence of the CSF on stem cells in order to provide a more comprehensive reference for the wide clinical application of NSCs in the future.

The role of miR-122-5p in negatively regulating T-box brain 1 expression on the differentiation of mouse bone mesenchymal stem cells

To achieve neuronal differentiation of mouse bone mesenchymal stem cells (bMSCs) into neuron-like cells and explore the role of miR-122-5p that may regulate T-box brain 1 (Tbr1) expression during the induction. BMSCs were cultured and induced with butylated hydroxyanisole, retinoic acid (RA), basic fibroblast growth factor, and nerve growth factor in vitro. The cells were stained for neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and β-III-tubulin by immunocytochemistry/immunofluorescence. MiR-122-5p that may regulate Tbr1 expression was predicted by bioinformatics and identified using a Dual-Luciferase assay. The expressions of miR-122-5p and Tbr1 were determined by real-time PCR and western blot before and after the induction. After infection of miR-122-5p, the expressions of Tbr1, NSE, and tauons were measured. BMSCs showed a short spindle shape with a uniform distribution. After 14 days, the induced cells showed neuronal traits with a pyramidal appearance. TargetScan and miRanda showed that miR-122-5p was well complementary with the target site of the Tbr1 3'-untranslated region. Identified by the Dual-Luciferase assay, we found that miR-122-5p could inhibit Tbr1 expression by binding to its 3'-untranslated region. Furthermore, the expressions of Tbr1 mRNA and protein were decreased by real-time PCR and western blot. Overexpression of miR-122-5p downregulated the expressions of Tbr1, NSE, and tauons. MiR-122-5p may negatively regulate Tbr1 expression to affect the differentiation of bMSCs into neuron-like cells.

In Vitro Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Neuron-Like Cells by Cerebrospinal Fluid Improves Motor Function of Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Rats

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) represent a promising tool for stem cell-based therapies. However, the majority of BMSC transplants only allow for limited recovery of the lost functions. We previously found that human cerebrospinal fluid (hCSF) is more potent than growth factors in differentiating human BMSCs into neuron-like cells in vitro. In this study, we studied the effect of transplantation of rat BMSC-derived neuron-like cells (BMSC-Ns) induced by hCSF into rat brain with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The survival and differentiation of the transplanted cells were determined using immunofluorescence staining of bromodeoxyuridine. The recovery of neurological function were observed by the modified neurological severity score (modified NSS) at 4, 15, and 32 days after cell transplantation, HE staining for determination of the infarct volume at day 32 after cell transplantation. Transplantation of BMSC-Ns or BMSCs significantly improved indexes of neurological function and reduced infarct size in rats previously subjected to MCAO compared with those in the control group. Remarkably, 32 days after transplantation, rats treated with BMSC-Ns presented a smaller infarct size, higher number of neuron-specific, enolase-positive, and BrdU-positive cells, and improved neurological function compared with BMSC group. Our results demonstrate that transplantation of hCSF-treated BMSC-Ns significantly improves neurological function and reduces infarct size in rats subjected to MCAO. This study may pave a new avenue for the treatment of MCAO.

Gelatin Directly Enhances Neurogenic Differentiation Potential in Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Without Stimulation of Neural Progenitor Cell Proliferation

Gelatin has been reported to induce generation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with enhanced potential of differentiation into neuronal lineage cells. However, the presence of various cell types besides MSCs in bone marrow has raised doubts about the effects of gelatin. In the following report, we determined whether gelatin can directly enhance neurogenic differentiation potential in MSCs without proliferation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs). MSCs comprised a high proportion of bone marrow-derived primary cells (BMPCs) and gelatin induced significant increases in MSC proliferation during primary culture, and the proportion of MSCs was maintained at more than 99% throughout the subculture. However, NPCs comprised a low percentage of BMPCs and a decrease in proliferation was detected despite gelatin treatment during the primary culture, and the proportion of subcultured NPCs gradually decreased. In a similar manner, MSCs exposed to gelatin during primary culture showed more enhanced neurogenic differentiation ability than those not exposed to gelatin. Together, these results demonstrate that gelatin directly enhances neurogenic differentiation in bone marrow-derived MSCs without stimulating NPC proliferation.

GDNF and NT-3 induce progenitor bone mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into neurons in fetal gut culture medium

With the increasing use of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in cell therapies, factors regulating BMSC differentiation have become the interest of current research. In this study, we investigated the effects of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) on the course of BMSC differentiation. BMSCs were isolated from rat bone marrow and transfected with GDNF and NT-3 genes. Compared to mock-transfected BMSCs, GDNF and NT-3 induced BMSC differentiation to reveal neuron-like characteristics, i.e., the positive expression of neuronal marker MAP-2 and astrocyte marker GFAP, as detected by immunofluorescence assays. Semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot analyses showed that the increase of expression of GDNF and NT-3 in BMSCs also simultaneously elevated the mRNA expression of NSE, nestin, and MAP-2. Furthermore, the cell patch-clamp test demonstrated that the overexpression of GDNF and NT-3 in BMSCs enhanced voltage-activated potassium currents, implying that BMSCs possess great potential as a cell-based therapeutic candidate to treat neurological diseases.

Differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into neural stem cells using cerebrospinal fluid

Optimization of a methodology for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiation into neural stem cells (NSCs) using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). MSCs were extracted from umbilical cord blood from healthy, full-term, newborn infants and from the bone marrow of patients. CSF was taken from healthy adult volunteers and patients. Four groups investigated were: A (n = 8) cord blood MSC induced with healthy volunteer CSF (control group); B (n = 7): patient MSCs induced with health volunteer CSF; Group C (n = 12): patient MSCs induced with their own CSF; group D (n = 6): cord blood MSCs induced with patient CSF. Following induction, cell differentiation state was examined using microscopy, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry. There were significantly more clinically applicable MSCs in Groups B and C than groups A and D (P < 0.05) and Group B had significantly more clinically applicable MSCs than group C (P < 0.05). The presence of NSCs was as with the MSCs. Group B had significantly more clinically applicable NSCs than all of the other groups. In addition, group B cells grew significantly faster than the other groups (P < 0.05). Upon CSF induction, MSCs differentiated into NSCs suitable for clinical treatment. The source of the MSCs and/or CSF influenced the number of NSCs produced and the NSC growth rate. Thus, the source of MSCs and CSF should be considered before initiating a stem cell clinical treatment.

Pluripotency maintenance of amniotic fluid-derived stem cells cultured on biomaterials

Human amniotic fluid-derived stem cells can maintain their pluripotency when cultured on soft hydrogels.

Promoting the recovery of injured liver with poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) scaffolds loaded with umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Cell-based therapies are major focus of current research for treatment of liver diseases. In this study, mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly (WJ-MSCs). Results confirmed that WJ-MSCs isolated in this study could express the typical MSC-specific markers and be induced to differentiate into adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes. They could also be induced to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells. Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBVHHx) is a new member of polyhydroxyalkanoate family and biodegradable polyester produced by bacteria. PHBVHHx scaffolds showed much higher cell attachment and viability than the other polymers tested. PHBVHHx scaffolds loaded with WJ-MSCs were transplanted into liver-injured mice. Liver morphology improved after 30 days of transplantation and looked similar to normal liver. Concentrations of serum alanine aminotransferase and total bilirubin were significantly lower, and albumin was significantly higher on days 14 and 30 in the WJ-MSCs+scaffold group than in the carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) group. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that liver had similar structure of normal liver lobules and similar size and shape of normal hepatic cells, and Masson staining demonstrated that liver had less blue staining for collagen after 30 days of transplantation. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that the expression of the bile duct epithelial cell gene CK-19 in mouse liver is significantly lower on days 14 and 30 in the WJ-MSCs+scaffold group than in the CCl4 group. Real-time RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry, and periodic acid-Schiff staining showed that WJ-MSCs in scaffolds differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells on days 14 and 30 in the WJ-MSCs+scaffold group. Real-time RT-PCR also demonstrated that WJ-MSCs in scaffolds expressed endothelial cell genes Flk-1, vWF, and VE-cadherin on days 14 and 30 in the WJ-MSCs+scaffold group, indicating that WJ-MSCs also differentiated into endothelial-like cells. These results demonstrated that PHBVHHx scaffolds loaded with WJ-MSCs significantly promoted the recovery of injured liver and could be further studied for liver tissue engineering.

The isolation and cultivation of bone marrow stem cells and evaluation of differences for neural-like cells differentiation under the induction with neurotrophic factors

The bone marrow represents the most common source from which to isolate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). They can be obtained directly from patients and successfully induced to form various differentiated cell types. In addition, cell-based transplantation therapies have been proven to be promising strategies for curing disease of the nerve system. Therefore, it was particularly important to establish an easy and feasible method for the isolation, purification, and differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize putative bone marrow derived MSCs from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Furthermore, differentiation effects were compared between the GDNF-induction group and the BDNF-induction group. Of these, BMSCs were isolated from the SD rats in a traditional manner, and identified based on plastic adherence, morphology, and surface phenotype assays. After induction with GDNF and BDNF, viability of BMSCs was detected by MTT assay and neuronal differentiation of BMSCs was confirmed by using immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Besides, the number of BMSCs that obviously exhibited neuronal morphology was counted and the results were compared between the GDNF-induction group and BDNF-induction groups. Our results indicate that direct adherence was a simple and convenient method for isolation and cultivation of BMSCs. Furthermore, BMSCs can be induced in vitro to differentiate into neuronal cells by using GDNF, which could achieve a more persistent and stable inducing effect than when using BDNF.

Cell based therapy in Parkinsonism

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a synucleinopathy-induced chronic progressive neurodegenerative disorder, worldwide affecting about 5 million humans. As of yet, actual therapies are symptomatic, and neuroprotective strategies are an unmet need. Due to their capability to transdifferentiate, to immune modulate and to increase neuroplasticity by producing neurotrophic factors, adult stem cells (ASC) might fill this gap. Preclinical research in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and/or 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) lesioned animals established persistent improvements of motor behavior after ASC-treatment. Histological/histochemical measurements in these animals evidenced an intracerebral applied ASC-induced increase of Tyrosine Hydroxylase-positive (TH+) cells with increased striatal dopamine levels, suggesting cell rescue. Likewise, clinical experience with subventricular applied ASCs in PD patients, although limited, is encouraging, evidencing neurorescue especially during the early phase of the disease. In multiple system atrophy (MSA) or progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) patients, though, only marginal reduced progression of natural progression could be established after subventricular or intravasal ASC implantations.

Potencial de transdiferenciação neural das células-tronco mesenquimais da medula óssea de equino

Os primeiros estudos demonstrando o potencial de trandiferenciação neural das células-tronco mesenquimais (CTMs) provenientes da medula óssea (MO) foram conduzidos em camundogos e humanos no início da década de 2000. Após esse período, o número de pesquisas e publicações com o mesmo propósito tem aumentado, mas com raros ou escassos estudos na espécie equina. Nesse sentindo, o objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar o potencial in vitro da transdiferenciação neural das CTMs provenientes da MO de equinos utilizando-se dois protocolos: P1 (forksolin e ácido retinóico) e P2 (2-βmecarptoetanol). Após a confirmação das linhagens mesenquimais, pela positividade para o marcador CD90 (X=97,94%), negatividade para o marcador CD34 e resposta positiva a diferenciação osteogênica, as CTMs foram submetidas a transdiferenciação neural (P1 e P2) para avaliação morfológica e expressão dos marcadores neurais GFAP e β3 tubulina por citometria de fluxo. Os resultados revelaram mudanças morfológicas em graus variados entre os protocolos testados. No protocolo 1, vinte quatro horas após a incubação com o meio de diferenciação neural, grande proporção de células (>80%) apresentaram morfologia semelhante a células neurais, caracterizadas por retração do corpo celular e grande número de projeções protoplasmáticas (filopodia). Por outro lado, de forma comparativa, já nos primeiros 30 minutos após a exposição ao antioxidante β-mercaptoetanol (P2) as CTMs apresentaram rápida mudança morfológica caracterizada principalmente por retração do corpo celular e menor número de projeções protoplasmáticas. Também ficou evidenciado com o uso deste protocolo, menor aderência das células após tempo de exposição ao meio de diferenciação, quando comparado ao P1. Com relação a análise imunofenotípica foi observado uma maior (P<0,001) expressão dos marcadores GFAP e β3 tubulina ao término do P2 quando comparado ao P1. A habilidade das CTMs em gerar tipos celulares relacionados a linhagem neural é complexa e multifatorial, dependendo não só dos agentes indutores, mas também do ambiente no qual estas células são cultivadas. Desta forma um maior número de estudos é necessário para o melhor entendimento do processo de transdiferenciação neural a partir de CTMs de equinos.

Components in melanoma cytoplasm might induce murine BMSCs transformation and expression of Melan-A

This study explored the possibility that the components in melanoma cytoplasm induce murine BMSCs transformation and expression of Melan-A by morphologically observing the changes of BMSCs and immunocytochemically detecting Melan-A in the cells after culturing BMSCs in medium containing melanoma cytoplasm components (MCC). MCC of B16 melanoma cells was prepared and BMSCs were cultured and induced by adding the MCC into culture medium. The cells were morphologically observed and Melan-A was immunohistochemically detected to confirm BMSCs transformation. MCC-induced BMSCs underwent morphological changes. A number of melanin granules appeared in the cytoplasm of the cells and some were released into surrounding areas. Several cells that might come from one cell formed a cluster, and their granules, together with those secreted by other induced BMSCs, formed a so-called "sphere-formed structure". The induced BMSCs expressed Melan-A. We are led to conclude that there might be some factors in the cytoplasm of melanoma cells that might induce BMSCs transformation toward melanogenic cell, or even melanoma.