Effects of ruminal lipopolysaccharide exposure on primary bovine ruminal epithelial cells

The objective of this study was to investigate the immunopotential of ruminal lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on cultured primary bovine rumen epithelial cells (REC). Primary bovine REC were isolated from 6 yearling steers and grown in culture for 3 experiments. Experiment 1 aimed to determine the immunopotential of ruminal LPS, experiment 2 aimed to assess tolerance to chronic LPS exposure, and experiment 3 aimed to evaluate antagonistic interactions between ruminal and Escherichia coli LPS. In experiments 1 and 2, REC were exposed to nonpyrogenic water, 20 μg/mL E. coli LPS (EC20), 10 μg/mL ruminal LPS, 20 μg/mL ruminal LPS, and 40 μg/mL ruminal LPS, either continuously or intermittently. For the continuous exposure, REC underwent a 6 h exposure, whereas for the intermittent exposure, the procedure was: (1) a 12 h continuous exposure to treatments followed by LPS removal for 24 h and then another 12 h of exposure (RPT), and (2) a 12 h continuous exposure to treatments followed by LPS removal and a recovery period of 36 h (RCV). In experiment 3, REC were exposed to nonpyrogenic water, 1 μg/mL E. coli LPS, 1 μg/mL ruminal LPS to 1 μg/mL E. coli LPS, 10 μg/mL ruminal LPS to 1 μg/mL E. coli LPS, and 50 μg/mL ruminal LPS to 1 μg/mL E. coli LPS. Each experiment was done as a complete randomized block design with 6 REC donors. The REC-donor was used as blocking factor. Each treatment had 2 technical replicates, and treatment responses for all data were analyzed with the MIXED procedure of SAS. For all experiments, total RNA was extracted from REC and real-time quantitative PCR was performed to determine the relative expression of genes for toll-like receptors (TLR2 and TLR4), proinflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL1B, and IL6), chemokines (CXCL2 and CXCL8), growth factor-like cytokines (CSF2 and TGFB1), and a lipid mediator (PTGS2). In experiment 1, the targeted genes were upregulated by EC20, whereas all ruminal LPS treatments resulted in a lower transcript abundance. Regarding RPT, and RCV condition, in experiment 2, the expression of targeted genes was not affected or was at a lower abundance to EC20 when compared with ruminal LPS treatments. Lastly, in experiment 3, all targeted genes resulted in lower or similar transcript abundance on all ruminal LPS ratios. Overall, our results indicate that ruminal LPS have a limited capacity to activate the TLR4/NF-kB pathway and to induce the expression of inflammatory genes.

Three-Dimensional Modeling with Osteoblast-like Cells under External Magnetic Field Conditions Using Magnetic Nano-Ferrite Particles for the Development of Cell-Derived Artificial Bone

The progress in artificial bone research is crucial for addressing fractures and bone defects in the aging population. However, challenges persist in terms of biocompatibility and structural complexity. Nanotechnology provides a promising avenue by which to overcome these challenges, with nano-ferrite particles (NFPs) exhibiting superparamagnetic properties. The ability to control cell positioning using a magnetic field opens up new possibilities for customizing artificial bones with specific shapes. This study explores the biological effects of NFPs on osteoblast-like cell lines (MC3T3-E1), including key analyses, such as cell viability, cellular uptake of NFPs, calcification processes, cell migration under external magnetic field conditions, and three-dimensional modeling. The results indicate that the impact of NFPs on cell proliferation is negligible. Fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy validated the cellular uptake of NFPs, demonstrating the potential for precise cell positioning through an external magnetic field. Under calcification-inducing conditions, the cells exhibited sustained calcification ability even in the presence of NFPs. The cell movement analysis observed the controlled movement of NFP-absorbing cells under an external magnetic field. Applying a magnetic field along the z-axis induced the three-dimensional shaping of cells incorporating NFPs, resulting in well-arranged z-axis directional patterns. In this study, NFPs demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and controllability under an external magnetic field, laying the foundation for innovative treatment strategies for customizing artificial bones.

[Clinical value of mesh prophylaxis for parastomal hernia based on evidence-based medicine]

The incidence of parastomal hernia is substantially high, significantly affecting the quality of life of patients with stoma. How to effectively solve the problem of parastomal hernia is a long-term focus of hernia and abdominal wall surgery and colorectal surgery. The European Hernia Society guidelines on prevention and treatment of parastomal hernia published in 2018 has recommended the use of a prophylactic mesh to prevent parastomal hernia for the first time. In the following 5 years, more randomized controlled trials of multi-center, large-sample, double-blind, long-term follow-up have been published, and no significant effect of mesh prophylaxis has been observed on the incidence of parastomal hernia. However, whether mesh could decrease surgical intervention by limiting the symptoms of parastomal hernias would become a potential value of prophylaxis, which requires further research to elucidate.

[A long-term follow-up study of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation on all-cause mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-obstructive sleep apnea overlap syndrome]

Objective: To investigate the effect of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation(NIPPV) on all-cause mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-obstructive sleep apnea overlap syndrome(OVS) through long-term follow-up. Methods: A total of 187 OVS patients were divided into the NIPPV group(n=92) and the non-NIPPV group(n=95). Of these, 85 males and 7 females were in the NIPPV group with an average age of (66.5±8.5) years(range 47-80 years); 89 males and 6 females were in the non-NIPPV group with an average age of (67.4±7.8) years(range 44-79 years). Follow-up was performed from enrolment with an average duration of 39(20, 51) months. The all-cause mortality was compared between the two groups. Result: There were no significant differences in their baseline clinical characteristics(all P>0.05), indicating that the data from the two groups were comparable. The Kaplan-Meier curve showed no difference in all-cause mortality between the two groups(log rank P=0.229). However, deaths from cardio-cerebrovascular diseases were higher in the non-NIPPV than in the NIPPV group(15.8% vs. 6.5%,P=0.045). Age, BMI, neck circumference, PaCO_2, FEV₁, FEV₁%, moderate to severe OSA(AHI>15 events/h), mMRC, CAT, number of acute exacerbations of COPD and number of hospitalizations were associated with all-cause death in OVS patients; among which, age(HR 1.067, 95%CI 1.017-1.119, P=0.008), FEV₁(HR 0.378, 95%CI 0.176-0.811, P=0.013), and number of COPD exacerbations(HR 1.298, 95%CI 1.102-1.530, P=0.002) were independent risk factors for all-cause mortality in OVS patients. Conclusions: The combination of NIPPV and conventional treatment may reduce cardio-cerebrovascular disease-related mortality in OVS patients. The deceased OVS patients had severe airflow limitation and mild to moderate OSA. Old age, low FEV₁ and COPD exacerbations were independent risk factors for all-cause mortality in OVS patients.

Pathophysiological Investigation of Skeletal Deformities of Musculocontractural Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Musculocontractural Ehlers–Danlos syndrome caused by mutations in the carbohydrate sulfotransferase 14 gene (mcEDS-CHST14) is a heritable connective tissue disorder characterized by multiple congenital malformations and progressive connective tissue fragility-related manifestations in the cutaneous, skeletal, cardiovascular, visceral, and ocular systems. Progressive skeletal deformities are among the most frequent and serious complications affecting the quality of life and activities of daily living in patients. After establishing induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from cultured skin fibroblasts of three patients with mcEDS-CHST14, we generated a patient iPSC-based human osteogenesis model and performed an in vitro assessment of the phenotype and pathophysiology of skeletal deformities. Patient-derived iPSCs presented with remarkable downregulation of osteogenic-specific gene expression, less alizarin red staining, and reduced calcium deposition compared with wild-type iPSCs at each stage of osteogenic differentiation, including osteoprogenitor cells, osteoblasts, and osteocytes. These findings indicated that osteogenesis was impaired in mcEDS-CHST14 iPSCs. Moreover, the decrease in decorin (DCN) expression and increase in collagen (COL12A1) expression in patient-derived iPSCs elucidated the contribution of CHST14 dysfunction to skeletal deformities in mcEDS-CHST14. In conclusion, this disease-in-a-dish model provides new insight into the pathophysiology of EDS and may have the potential for personalized gene or drug therapy.

Generation of an induced pluripotent stem cell lines HMSCASTi001-A from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a 35-year-old healthy male

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from a 35-year-old healthy male were reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The iPSCs maintained a normal karyotype, expressed various pluripotency stem cell markers, and showed potential of differentiating into three germ layers. This iPSCs could be differentiated into multiple cell subtypes for drug discovery and investigation of mechanisms.

Lipocalin-2 inhibits pancreatic cancer stemness via the AKT/c-Jun pathway

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are involved in cancer recurrence and metastasis owing to their self-renewal properties and drug-resistance capacity. Lipocalin-2 (Lcn2) of the lipocalin superfamily is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer. Nevertheless, reports on the involvement of Lcn2 in the regulation of pancreatic CSC properties are scant. This study is purposed to investigate whether Lcn2 plays a crucial role in CSC renewal and stemness maintenance in pancreatic carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry results of tumor tissue chips together with Gene Expression Omnibus sequencing files confirmed that Lcn2 is highly expressed in pancreatic carcinoma compared with that in normal tissues. The exogenous expression of Lcn2 attenuated CSC-associated SOX2, CD44, and EpCAM expression and suppressed sarcosphere formation and tumorigenesis in the pancreatic carcinoma cell line PANC-1, which showed low expression of Lcn2. However, Lcn2 knockout in BxPC-3 cell line, which presented high Lcn2 expression, promoted CSC stemness, further enhancing sarcosphere formation and tumorigenesis. Moreover, Lcn2 was found to regulate stemness in pancreatic cancer depending on the activation of AKT and c-Jun. Lcn2 suppresses stemness properties in pancreatic carcinoma by activating the AKT-c-Jun pathway, and thus, it may be a novel candidate to suppress the stemness of pancreatic cancer. This study provides a new insight into disease progression.

[Application of membrane anatomy theory in totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair]

Trocar placement and camera-dissection in the midline is the most commonly applied method for total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair (TEP), for which the theory of membrane anatomy has guiding significance. We hereby applies the theories and concepts, such as "fascia lining", "multi-layer", "inter-fascial planes", "combined inter-fascial plane" and "plane transition", to elucidate the key steps of TEP, for instance, space creation, hernia sac dissection, mesh flattening. Camera-dissection is performed along the posterior sheath of the rectus abdominis. Firstly, the camera enters retro-rectus space locating between the rectus abdominis and the transversalis fascia (TF). There are inferior epigastric vessels and their branches in the retro-rectus space, thus over-dissection should be avoided. Secondly, the camera goes downward through the TF into the pre-peritoneal space. The pre-peritoneal space is divided into the parietal plane and visceral plane by pre-peritoneal fascia (PPF). Both bladder and spermatic cord components locate on the visceral plane. Dissection of the median area should be implemented on the parietal plane, namely "surgical space", to protect the bladder. The parietal plane is the "holy plane" of TEP. Dissection of the indirect hernia area should be implemented on the visceral plane, namely "anatomical space", to protect the spermatic cord components. The reduction of direct hernia could be understood as the easy separation of TF and PPF. The reduction of indirect hernia is relatively difficult separation of peritoneum and spermatic cord components. During the transition of parietal and visceral planes, PPF (especially the pre-peritoneal loop) should be dissected for complete parietalization, in order to flatten the mesh.

Lipocalin2 promotes cell proliferation and migration in ovarian cancer through activation of the ERK/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway

Lipocalin2 (Lcn2) has been shown to be a vital regulator of tumorigenesis in a variety of different cancers. However, its expression patterns and possible roles in ovarian cancer remain obscure. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of Lcn2 in ovarian cancer cells and to determine any potential association between Lcn2 and ovarian tumor development and cancer progression. Our results indicated that Lcn2 was upregulated in tumor tissue from ovarian cancer patients as well as in three ovarian cancer cell lines compared to normal tissues and cells. Overexpression of Lcn2 promoted both cell proliferation and migration in ovarian cancer cells. Conversely, knockdown of Lcn2 in cell lines suppressed both migration and proliferation. Moreover, upregulation of Lcn2 contributed to tumor growth in nude mice in vivo. Mechanistically, Lcn2 was found to lead to tumor progression in ovarian cancer cells through activation of the ERK/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. In summary, Lcn2 promotes cell proliferation and migration in ovarian cancer through activation of the ERK/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway, suggesting that Lcn2 might be a novel therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.

Inhibiting effect of MicroRNA-3619-5p/PSMD10 axis on liver cancer cell growth in vivo and in vitro

AIMS

Liver cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide owing to its delayed diagnosis and absence of efficient treatment at advanced TNM stages. Increasing evidence demonstrated that microRNAs are implicated in tumorgenesis and cancer development by regulating cancer-related proteins. This study aimed to explore the effect of miR-3619-5p on cell growth in liver cancer.

MAIN METHODS

The effect of miR-3619-5p on cell proliferation was measured by quantitative real-time PCR, MTT assay, flow cytometry, and Immunofluorescence assay. The interaction between miR-3619-5p and PSMD10 was validated using dual-luciferase. The expression of PSMD10 and Ki67 was further determined by immunohistochemistry.

KEY FINDINGS

MiR-3619-5p over-expression remarkably inhibited cell proliferation and induced G1 phase arrest, accompanied with reduced expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen. The expression of miR-3619-5p was negatively correlated to that of PSMD10, and PSMD10 was validated to be a downstream target of miR-3619-5p. Moreover, miR-3619-5p induced suppressed proliferation and G1 phase arrest were abrogated by elevated the expression of PSMD10 in liver cancer cells. PSMD10 over-expression also induced phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and retinoblastoma protein (Rb1). Besides, elevated cyclin A, cyclin D1 and cyclin E expression supported that PSMD10 promoted the progress of cell cycle. In addition, miR-3619-5p inhibited tumor growth in vivo by targeting PSMD10, accompanied with blocked cell cycle.

SIGNIFICANCE

In conclusion, our findings revealed that miR-3619-5p inhibits cancer cell proliferation by targeting PSMD10, and miR-3619-5p as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of liver cancer.

Essential role of PTPN11 mutation in enhanced haematopoietic differentiation potential of induced pluripotent stem cells of juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia

We established mutated and non-mutated induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) clones from a patient with PTPN11 (c.226G>A)-mutated juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia (JMML). Both types of iPSCs fulfilled the quality criteria. Mutated iPSC colonies generated significantly more CD34⁺ and CD34⁺ CD45⁺ cells compared to non-mutated iPSC colonies in a culture coated with irradiated AGM-S3 cells to which four growth factors were added sequentially or simultaneously. The haematopoietic differentiation potential of non-mutated JMML iPSC colonies was similar to or lower than that of iPSC colonies from a healthy individual. The PTPN11 mutation coexisted with the OSBP2 c.389C>T mutation. Zinc-finger nuclease-mediated homologous recombination revealed that correction of PTPN11 mutation in iPSCs with PTPN11 and OSBP2 mutations resulted in reduced CD34⁺ cell generation to a level similar to that obtained with JMML iPSC colonies with the wild-type of both genes, and interestingly, to that obtained with normal iPSC colonies. Transduction of the PTPN11 mutation into JMML iPSCs with the wild-type of both genes increased CD34⁺ cell production to a level comparable to that obtained with JMML iPSC colonies harbouring the two genetic mutations. Thus, PTPN11 mutation may be the most essential abnormality to confer an aberrant haematopoietic differentiation potential in this disorder.

Cell biological profiling of reprogrammed cancer stem cell-like colon cancer cells maintained in culture

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are specific targets for therapeutic applications, but the rarity of CSCs within tumors makes the isolation of CSCs difficult. To overcome these problems, we generated CSCs in vitro using established reprogramming techniques. We transduced four previously established reprogramming factors, Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4, and L-myc, into the colon cancer cell lines LoVo and OUMS-23, and investigated the biological characteristics of these lines. Tra-1-60+ cells were obtained from reprogrammed induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell-like colonies and showed CSC properties, including colony formation, maintenance of colonies by repeated passages, and feeder cell dependency, as well as increased expressions of CSC markers such as CD133 and ALDH1. The CSC-like cells showed increased chemoresistance to 5-fluorouracil and elevated tumorigenicity upon transplantation into kidneys of immune-deficient mice. These tumors shifted to a poorly differentiated stage with many atypical cells, cytoplasmic mucin, and focal papillary components, with demonstrated dedifferentiation. The principal component analysis from DNA microarrays showed that though both cell lines moved to iPS cells after reprogramming, they were not completely identical to iPS cells. Significantly elevated gene expression of Decorin and CD90 was observed in CSC-like cells. Together, these results show that reprogramming of cancer cells produced not pluripotent stem cells but CSC-like cells, and these findings will provide biological information about genuine CSCs and help establish new CSC-targeted therapies.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells as a Model for Therapy Personalization of Pediatric Patients: Disease Modeling and Drug Adverse Effects Prevention

Understanding the biological and molecular processes underlying human pathologies is fundamental in order to develop innovative approaches to treat or prevent them. Among the technologies that could provide innovative disease models, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is one of the most promising. Indeed, one application of this technology is patient-specific disease modeling. iPSCs obtained by reprogramming patients' cells collected from accessible tissues, have the unique capability to differentiate, under an adequate stimulus, into any human cell type. In particular, iPSCs technology can be applied to study drug adverse effects, that is a key part of the drug discovery process. Indeed, drug induced adverse effects are among the most common causes that lead to abandon the development of new candidate therapeutic molecules, increasing the cost of drug discovery. An innovative strategy that could be used in drug design to solve drug attrition rate, and to establish innovative pharmacological models, could be the application of iPSCs technology in the early stage of the drug discovery process to model druginduced adverse events. In this review, recently developed disease models based on iPSCs will be discussed, with a particular focus on available models of drugs' adverse effect, in particular hepatic/pancreatic toxicity.

Laparoscopic abdominoperineal excision with trans-abdominal individualized levator transection: interim analysis of a randomized controlled trial

AIM

Extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPR) is challenging 'conventional' abdominoperineal excision (APR), yet the safety and efficacy of ELAPR is still under debate. We therefore developed a laparoscopic APR with trans-abdominal individualized levator transection (LAPR-TILT) approach and compared the outcome with a conventional laparoscopic APR (CLAPR).

METHOD

All eligible patients were entered a single-centre randomized controlled trial to compare CLAPR and LAPR-TILT. We assessed the first 185 patients, including operative findings, complications, histopathology and urogenital function.

RESULTS

Ninety-three patients in the CLAPR group and 92 patients in the APR-TILT group were included for analysis. The APR-TILT procedure took less time [137 (101-175) min vs 146 (102-187) min; P = 0.03], mainly owing to faster perineal dissection. APR-TILT resulted in a reduced rate of bowel perforation (1.1% vs 8.6%; P = 0.04), circumferential resection margin positivity (1.1% vs 10.8%; P = 0.01) and postoperative wound complications (5.4% vs 16.2%; P = 0.02) compared with the CLAPR procedure. At a median follow-up of 19 months after surgery, three patients (3.2%) in the CLAPR group had tumour recurrence while no tumour recurrence occurred in the LAPR-TILT group. Patients who underwent LAPR-TILT reported fewer urinary or sexual problems (LAPR-TILT vs CLAPR, 10.9% vs 24.7% and 17.4% vs 38.7%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Compared with CLAPR, LAPR-TILT achieved better pathological results for factors that are surrogate parameters for local recurrence. LAPR-TILT could also reduce the risk of urogenital dysfunction.

Adverse event due to a likely interaction between sodium aescinate and ginkgo biloba extract: a case report

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Drug-induced nephrotoxicity is potentially lethal. When sodium aescinate is given to surgical inpatients to treat postoperative inflammation and oedema, adverse drug reactions and drug-drug interactions must be closely monitored.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We report a case of a 58-year-old man with phalangeal fractures who suffered from acute kidney injury that was most likely induced by the drug interaction between sodium aescinate and ginkgo biloba extract due to the protein-binding and metabolic characteristics of these drugs.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Close monitoring and the prompt discontinuation of drugs that have high protein-binding capacity and hepatic metabolism are necessary to avoid drug-drug interactions in patients who are treated with sodium aescinate.

Reprogramming of retinoblastoma cancer cells into cancer stem cells

Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular malignancy in pediatric patients. It develops rapidly in the retina and can be fatal if not treated promptly. It has been proposed that a small population of cancer cells, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs), initiate tumorigenesis from immature tissue stem cells or progenitor cells. Reprogramming technology, which can convert mature cells into pluripotent stem cells (iPS), provides the possibility of transducing malignant cancer cells back to CSCs, a type of early stage of cancer. We herein took advantage of reprogramming technology to induce CSCs from retinoblastoma cancer cells. In the present study, the 4 Yamanaka transcription factors, Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-myc, were transduced into retinoblastoma cells (Rbc51). iPS-like colonies were observed 15 days after transduction and showed significantly enhanced CSC properties. The gene and protein expression levels of pluripotent stem cell markers (Tra-1-60, Oct4, Nanog) and cancer stem cell markers (CD133, CD44) were up-regulated in transduced Rbc51 cells compared to control cells. Moreover, iPS-like CSCs could be sorted using the Magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) method. A sphere formation assay demonstrated spheroid formation in transduced Rbc51 cells cultured in serum free media, and these spheroids could be differentiated into Pax6-, Nestin-positive neural progenitors and rhodopsin- and recoverin-positive mature retinal cells. The cell viability after 5-Fu exposure was higher in transduced Rbc51 cells. In conclusion, CSCs were generated from retinoblastoma cancer cells using reprogramming technology. Our novel method can generate CSCs, the study of which can lead to better understanding of cancer-specific initiation, cancer epigenetics, and the overlapping mechanisms of cancer development and pluripotent stem cell behavior.

Earlobe-like peritoneal appendage near the angle of His: a useful landmark for demarcating the lateral margin of the gastric cardia

The gastric cardia-the small area around the cardiac orifice including the abdominal esophagus-is an important target area for abdominal and thoracic surgeries, especially for laparoscopic procedures. In this study of 28 cadavers, a peritoneal earlobe-like appendage near the angle of His was identified as a useful indicator of the lateral margin of the abdominal esophagus, which is otherwise obscure because the peritoneum continues to the diaphragm without definite demarcation of this margin. This structure, which appears equivalent to the epiploic appendages, was commonly found to be present (in 22/28, 78.6 % of the 28 cadavers) and was 4-21 mm × 6-40 mm × 1-4 mm in size, triangular, round, or leaf-like in shape, contained fat, and was on an imaginary line along which the lesser omentum adheres to the lesser curvature and continues to the diaphragm (18/22, 81.8 %). This indicator is associated with the lesser omentum and is part of the gastrophrenic ligament, and could serve as a useful indicator of the margin of the gastric cardia, thus aiding surgeons performing laparoscopic surgery in this region.

Patients' Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Model Drug Induced Adverse Events: A Role in Predicting Thiopurine Induced Pancreatitis?

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) can be produced from adult cells by transfecting them with a definite set of pluripotency-associated genes. Under adequate growth conditions and stimulation iPSC can differentiate to almost every somatic lineage in the body. Patients' derived iPSC are an innovative model to study mechanisms of adverse drug reactions in individual patients and in cell types that cannot be easily obtained from human subjects. Proof-of concept studies with known toxicants have been performed for liver, cardiovascular and central nervous system cells: neurons obtained from iPSC have been used to elucidate the mechanism of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy by evaluating the effects of neurotoxic drugs such as vincristine. However, no study has been performed yet on pancreatic tissue and drug induced pancreatitis. Thiopurines (azathioprine and mercaptopurine) are immunosuppressive antimetabolite drugs, commonly used to treat Crohn's disease. About 5% of Crohn's disease patients treated with thiopurines develop pancreatitis, a severe idiosyncratic adverse event; these patients have to stop thiopurine administration and may require medical treatment, with significant personal and social costs. Molecular mechanism of thiopurine induced pancreatitis (TIP) is currently unknown and no fully validated biomarker is available to assist clinicians in preventing this adverse event. Hence, in this review we have reflected upon the probable research applications of exocrine pancreatic cells generated from patient specific iPS cells. Such pancreatic cells can provide excellent insights into the molecular mechanism of TIP. In particular three hypotheses on the mechanism of TIP could be explored: drug biotransformation, innate immunity and adaptative immunity.

Oxidation mechanism of molecular oxygen over cyclohexene catalyzed by a cobalt l-glutamic acid complex

We introduce a new strategy towards the cyclohexene oxidation reaction, which is driven by molecular oxygen with a cobalt(ii)/amine acid complex as the catalyst without any solvents.

New model for cardiomyocyte sheet transplantation using a virus-cell fusion technique

AIM: To facilitate close contacts between transplanted cardiomyocytes and host skeletal muscle using cell fusion mediated by hemagglutinating virus of Japan envelope (HVJ-E) and tissue maceration.

METHODS: Cardiomyocytes (1.5 × 10⁶) from fetal rats were first cultured. After proliferation, some cells were used for fusion with adult muscle fibers using HVJ-E. Other cells were used to create cardiomyocyte sheets (area: about 3.5 cm² including 2.1 × 10⁶ cells), which were then treated with Nile blue, separated, and transplanted between the latissimus dorsi and intercostal muscles of adult rats with four combinations of HVJ-E and/or NaOH maceration: G1: HVJ-E(+), NaOH(+), Cardiomyocytes(+); G2: HVJ-E(-), NaOH(+), Cardiomyocytes(+); G3: HVJ-E(+), NaOH(-), Cardiomyocytes(+); G4: HVJ-E(-), NaOH(-), Cardiomyocytes(-). At 1 and 2 wk after transplantation, the four groups were compared by detection of beating domains, motion images using moving target analysis software, action potentials, gene expression of MLC-2v and Mesp1 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and immunostaining for cardiac troponin and skeletal myosin.

RESULTS: In vitro cardiomyocytes were fused with skeletal muscle fibers using HVJ-E. Cardiomyocyte sheets remained in the primary transplanted sites for 2 wk. Although beating domains were detected in G1, G2, and G3 rats, G1 rats prevailed in the number, size, motion image amplitudes, and action potential compared with G2 and G3 rats. Close contacts were only found in G1 rats. At 1 wk after transplantation, the cardiomyocyte sheets showed adhesion at various points to the myoblast layer in the latissimus dorsi muscle. At 2 wk after transplantation, close contacts were seen over a broad area. Part of the skeletal muscle sarcoplasma seemed to project into the myocardiocyte plasma and some nuclei appeared to share both sarcoplasmas.

CONCLUSION: The present results show that close contacts were acquired and facilitated the beating function, thereby providing a new cellular transplantation method using HVJ-E and NaOH maceration.

Experimental splenosis in the liver and lung spread through the vasculature

To demonstrate that intra-organ splenosis can engraft and develop after being distributed through the vasculature, tiny fragments of splenic tissues were injected into the inferior vena cava or the portal vein to induce intrapulmonary and intrahepatic splenosis in rats. After 1 month, splenic autograft structures in the lung and liver were assessed for structure by histology, for immunologic compartments by immunohistochemistry, for phagocytic function by carbon uptake and for vascular formation by Microfil (a silicon rubber compound) injection. Intrapulmonary and intrahepatic splenoses were indeed able to spread through the vasculature. The intrapulmonary splenic autografts were trapped and spread out in the interstitium, without forming a capsule. White pulp was markedly developed, showing lymphocyte aggregations that consisted in B cells surrounding the dilated vessel. Splenic sinuses were not definitively observed. Although macrophages were detected by immunohistochemistry, they showed no indication of having phagocytized carbon particles from the vessels, implying a closed circulation. In contrast, intrahepatic splenic autografts formed well-developed capsules, trabeculae and red pulp with splenic sinuses. Macrophages detected by immunohistochemistry were observed capturing carbon particles, which clearly revealed an open system circulation, as seen in normal rat spleen. The development of white pulp was poor and lymphocytes consisting in B cells aggregated in the peripheral margins. These results demonstrate that intra-organ splenosis can spread through the vasculature and that the morphologic and immunologic structures formed in these regenerated autografts are influenced by the organ vasculature and extracellular matrix wherein the tissue fragments settled.

Tea polyphenols alleviate motor impairments, dopaminergic neuronal injury, and cerebral α-synuclein aggregation in MPTP-intoxicated parkinsonian monkeys

Tea polyphenols (TPs) are bioactive flavanol-related catechins that have been shown to protect dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons against neurotoxin-induced injury in mouse Parkinson's disease (PD) models. However, the neuroprotective efficacy of TP has not been investigated in nonhuman PD primates, which can more accurately model the neuropathology and motor impairments of human PD patients. Here, we show that oral administration of TP alleviates motor impairments and DAergic neuronal injury in the substantia nigra in N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-intoxicated PD monkeys, indicating an association between protection against motor deficits and preservation of DAergic neurons. We also show a significant inhibition of MPTP-induced accumulation of neurotoxic α-synuclein (α-syn) oligomers in the striatum and other brain regions, which may contribute to the neuroprotection and improved motor function conferred by TP. The association between reduced α-syn oligomerization and neuroprotection was confirmed in cultured DAergic cells. The most abundant and bioactive TP in the mixture used in vivo, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, reduced intracellular levels of α-syn oligomers in neurons treated with α-syn oligomers, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridiniumion, or both, accompanied by increased cell viability. The present study provides the first evidence that TP can alleviate motor impairments, DAergic neuronal injury, and α-syn aggregation in nonhuman primates.

Circulating zonulin levels in newly diagnosed Chinese type 2 diabetes patients

AIMS

Studies suggest that type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with increased gut permeability. Human zonulin is the only physiological mediator discovered to date that is known to regulate gut permeability reversibly by disassembling intestinal tight junctions. However, the relationship between zonulin and type 2 diabetes remains to be defined, and no Chinese population-based data were reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum zonulin levels and type 2 diabetes in a Chinese Han population.

METHODS

143 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients, 124 patients with impaired glucose tolerance and 121 subjects with normal glucose tolerance were enrolled in this study. Serum zonulin was measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

Patients with type 2 diabetes had higher serum zonulin levels than impaired or normal glucose tolerant subjects. Serum zonulin correlated with body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-C, fasting plasma glucose, 2h plasma glucose, HbA1c, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 6, HOMA-IR and QUICK index using correlation analysis (p < 0.05 for all). Multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed that zonulin levels were independently associated with insulin resistance (β = 0.024, p = 0.005). In logistic regression analysis, zonulin levels were an independent predictor of type 2 diabetes (OR = 1.080, p = 0.037).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum zonulin levels are significantly elevated in newly diagnosed Chinese Type 2 diabetes patients, and are associated with dyslipidemia, inflammation and insulin resistance, indicating a potential role of zonulin in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes in Chinese.

FGF7 and cell density are required for final differentiation of pancreatic amylase-positive cells from human ES cells

The major molecular signals of pancreatic exocrine development are largely unknown. We examine the role of fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) in the final induction of pancreatic amylase-containing exocrine cells from induced-pancreatic progenitor cells derived from human embryonic stem (hES) cells. Our protocol consisted in three steps: Step I, differentiation of definitive endoderm (DE) by activin A treatment of hES cell colonies; Step II, differentiation of pancreatic progenitor cells by re-plating of the cells of Step I onto 24-well plates at high density and stimulation with all-trans retinoic acid; Step III, differentiation of pancreatic exocrine cells with a combination of FGF7, glucagon-like peptide 1 and nicotinamide. The expression levels of pancreatic endodermal markers such as Foxa2, Sox17 and gut tube endoderm marker HNF1β were up-regulated in both Step I and II. Moreover, in Step III, the induced cells expressed pancreatic markers such as amylase, carboxypeptidase A and chymotrypsinogen B, which were similar to those in normal human pancreas. From day 8 in Step III, cells immunohistochemically positive for amylase and for carboxypeptidase A, a pancreatic exocrine cell product, were induced by FGF7. Pancreatic progenitor Pdx1-positive cells were localized in proximity to the amylase-positive cells. In the absence of FGF7, few amylase-positive cells were identified. Thus, our three-step culture protocol for human ES cells effectively induces the differentiation of amylase- and carboxypeptidase-A-containing pancreatic exocrine cells.

Somatometric measurements, and clinical chemistry and hematology parameters in Tibetan macaque (Macaca thibetana)

BACKGROUND

Limited physiological data for Tibetan macaques are available at present. This study will provide more rationale for evaluating this species.

METHODS

Thirty-seven Tibetan macaques (15 males and 22 females) were used in this study. Somatometric measurements, clinical chemistry and hematology parameters, insulin, and C-peptide were analyzed.

RESULTS

Females had higher values of waist and waist hip ratio (WHR) than males in somatometric measurements. There were no significant differences between the two genders in hematology. Significant differences between males and females were only found for aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in biochemistry testing. In addition, females had higher fasting insulin and C-peptide than males. There was a strongly positive correlation between age and some somatometric parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

These physiological data will provide veterinarians and researchers with baseline values to evaluate experimental results using Tibetan macaques.

Research on the molecular mechanism of Seretide treatment to asthma disease

INTRODUCTION

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in children. It is attributable to complicated coactions between various genetic factors and environmental allergens.

AIM

We attempt to unfold the mechanism of asthmatic disorder and research the molecular mechanism of Seretide on asthmatic disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using the GSE31773 microarray datasets downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database, we first screened the differentially expressed genes between healthy control and asthmatic samples cells based on classical t-test and false discovery rate < 0.05 as significant threshold. The underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis. In addition, the crosstalk network of pathways was also constructed.

RESULTS

A total of 2011 differentially expressed genes were obtained by comparing asthmatic sample treated with Seretide and healthy controls. A total of 403 differentially expressed genes were collected between asthma samples untreated by Seretide and healthy sample controls. The enriched pathway of differentially expressed genes included signal transduction disorder (such as TGF-beta signaling pathway) and metabolism disorder (such as Phenylalanine metabolism). There were 27 pathway crosstalk pairs among 13 pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings will help to clarify the molecular mechanism of Seretide and offer advices for asthma pathogenesis, Seretide therapy and follow-up treatment.

Unique kinetics of Oct3/4 microlocalization following dissociation of human embryonic stem cell colonies

To investigate the effects of the Rho-dependent protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632 on the kinetics of E-cadherin, F-actin, and Oct3/4 distributions in dissociated human embryonic stem (hES) cells and to analyze their interactions morphologically, Y-27632-treated [R(i) (+)] and untreated [R(i) (-)] cells were immunohistochemically stained for E-cadherin and Oct3/4 within 24h of dissociation and also for F-actin. Furthermore, the gene expression of E-cadherin, Oct3/4, and RhoA was confirmed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. E-cadherin expression intensified linearly along the membranes of R(i) (+) cells or intercellular junctions in cell clusters. F-actin accumulated along the periphery of cells and expanded in a web-like manner along junctions in cell clusters, and Oct3/4 was restricted to the nucleus within few hours of dissociation. However, R(i) (-) cells exhibited deformation and blebbing and appeared to die over time. E-cadherin exhibited a punctate pattern along the periphery, after which it accumulated on one or both sides of the cytoplasm. Actin filaments were concentrated at the bleb bases. Oct3/4 was detected in the cytoplasm, not in the nucleus the recovery of integrated E-cadherin distribution. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR revealed RhoA upregulation and E-cadherin downregulation at 12h after dissociation. Oct3/4 gene expression was unaffected by ROCK inhibition. These results revealed that the cooperative nature of hES cells is maintained by the E-cadherin-actin cytoskeleton system along with the restricted distribution of Oct3/4 in the nucleus. RhoA activation followed by dissociation disorders this system and accelerates cell death, which is partially suppressed by ROCK inhibition.

Isolation and sequence analysis of sox genes from lizard Eremias multiocellata

The Sox (SRY-related high-mobility-group box) family of genes shares a conserved HMG box and is involved in a diverse range of developmental processes and sex determination in vertebrates. Twenty Sox genes are present in the genomes of humans and mice, but far less is known about the Sox gene family in reptiles. Using two pairs of highly degenerate primers designed from a multiple alignment of Sox amino acid sequences in several species, different positive clones were obtained from male and female Eremias multiocellata, a viviparous lizard which is subject to TSD (temperature-dependent sex determination). These clones were sequenced and identified. They are members of the SoxB (Sox2, Sox14), SoxC (Sox11, Sox12) and SoxE (Sox9a, Sox9b, Sox10) groups. No sex-specific differences were observed. Based on the amino acid sequence similarities, the phylogenetic analysis was carried out and these genes clustered with their orthologues. In addition, we found the gene duplication in E. multiocellata, it may be a mechanism to produce new functional genes.

Freeze-thawing single human embryonic stem cells induce e-cadherin and actin filament network disruption via g13 signaling

Poor adhesion of single human embryonic stem (hES) cells after freeze-thawing causes death. To investigate mechanisms responsible for this, Rho-dependent protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632-treated and untreated single hES cells were analyzed for E-cadherin and F-actin distribution by immunostaining and phalloidin staining respectively and for G13 signaling pathway components by DNA microarray and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Y-27632-treated cells clustered rapidly and maintained E-cadherin and F-actin distribution without losing Oct-3/4. Immediately after thawing, E-cadherin in untreated hES cells dotted along the membrane and then displayed eccentric cytoplasmic localization. Bleb formation and early Oct-3/4 loss occurred after F-actin network condensation in the cytoplasm. Microarray analyses and quantitative PCR indicated upregulation of two actin reorganization-associated components of the G13 signaling pathway, Arhgdib and Cdc42, in untreated cells. Considering these findings and that cell death was partly interrupted by Y-27632, E-cadherin and actin cytoskeleton network disruption through the G13 signaling pathway may cause hES cell death after freeze-thawing.

Combination of small molecules enhances differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into intermediate mesoderm through BMP7-positive cells

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are potentially powerful tools for regenerative medicine and establishment of disease models. The recent progress in ESC technologies is noteworthy, but ESC differentiation into renal lineages is relatively less established. The present study aims to differentiate mouse ESCs (mESCs) into a renal progenitor pool, the intermediate mesoderm (IM), without addition of exogenous cytokines and embryoid formation. First, we treated mESCs with a combination of small molecules (Janus-associated tyrosine kinase inhibitor 1, LY294002, and CCG1423) and differentiated them into BMP7-positive cells, BMP7 being the presumed inducing factor for IM. When these cells were cultured with adding retinoic acid, expression of odd-skipped related 1 (Osr1), which is essential to IM differentiation, was enhanced. To simplify the differentiation protocol, the abovementioned four small molecules (including retinoic acid) were combined and added to the culture. Under this condition, more than one-half of the cells were positive for Osr1, and at the same time, Pax2 (another IM marker) was detected by real-time PCR. Expressions of ectodermal marker and endodermal marker were not enhanced, while mesodermal marker changed. Moreover, expression of genes indispensable to kidney development, i.e., Lim1 and WT1, was detected by RT-PCR. These results indicate the establishment of a specific, effective method for differentiation of the ESC monolayer into IM using a combination of small molecules, resulting in an attractive cell source that could be experimentally differentiated to understand nephrogenic mechanisms and cell-to-cell interactions in embryogenesis.

Hepatocyte differentiation from human ES cells using the simple embryoid body formation method and the staged-additional cocktail

To induce hepatocytes from human embryonic stem (hES) cells easily and effectively, a simple suspension culture method that separates ES colonies with a scraper and transfers them into newly developed, nonadherent MPC (2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) plates, and the staged-additional cocktail method, including growth factors, cytokines, and Lanford serum-free medium, were developed and evaluated mainly by morphological analysis. The formed embryoid bodies (EBs) showed compact cellular agglomeration until day 4 and later formed coeloms in their interior. RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) analysis showed that they are gene markers of the three germ layers. Mesenchymal cells with rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) and extracellular matrix (ECM), and without junctions, were recognized in the interior of the EBs by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in addition to epithelial cells. When they were stimulated by the staged-additional cocktail, they expressed albumin-positive immunoreactivity, indocyanine green (ICG) uptake, and typical ultrastructures of the hepatocytes, including bile canaliculi. These results indicate that these combined methods promote EB formation and hepatocyte differentiation from hES cells.

An objective measurement of locomotion behavior for hemiparkinsonian cynomolgus monkeys

Both clinical rating scales and objective locomotion measurement are critical evaluation for primate models of Parkinson's disease. Video image analysis system which has been widely used for objective measurement of locomotion behavior for systemic models has rarely been applied to hemiparkinsonian primate model. In this study, a video image analysis system provided by Vigie Primates software was used to assess the locomotion behavior of MPTP hemi-lesioned parkinsonian cynomolgus monkeys by intracarotid infusion. Regardless the presence of only hemilateral abnormal movement, this video image analysis system was sensitive enough to demonstrate a significant difference between normal and MPTP hemi-lesioned animal on several aspects of motor behavior depicted by this software, including quantity of movement, duration spent in activity and count of burst activity. Specifically, a newly introduced ratio of duration/count for every type of movements was a sensitive parameter to objectively measure the changes of locomotion behavior in MPTP hemi-lesioned parkinsonian primates. As a result, the ratio of duration/count for the middle activity was decreased and the ratio of duration/count for the freezing activity was increased in MPTP hemi-lesioned animals, which correlated well with clinical rating scores. Our results support that video image analysis system would be a sensitive objective measurement of locomotion behavior for hemi-lesioned parkinsonian monkeys.

Cryopreservation of mouse embryoid bodies

Cryopreservation of embryonic stem (ES) cells is essential to establish them as a resource for regenerative therapy. We evaluated survival adhesion rate, cell structure, gene expression, and multipotency of frozen and thawed embryoid bodies (EBs) derived from mouse ES cells. EBs were cryopreserved using the BICELL and the Program Freezer. After one week the EBs were thawed and cultured. EBs prepared in the Program Freezer had the highest survival adhesion (Program Freezer; 55-69%, BICELL; 30-38%). Though many cells in the thawed EBs were damaged, some were not, especially those prepared in the Program Freezer. RT-PCR analysis showed that genes characteristic of the three embryonic germ layers were expressed in thawed EBs cultured for one week. EBs transplanted into mice formed teratomas consisting of cells derived from the three germ layers. In conclusion, EBs frozen in the Program Freezer had higher survival adhesion rates compared to the BICELL and formed differentiated cells characteristic of the three embryonic germ layers.

Vascular endothelial growth factors C and D represent novel prognostic markers in colorectal carcinoma using quantitative image analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) and vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D) are potent lymphangiogenic and angiogenetic mediators in many kinds of tumors. However, the exact impacts of VEGF-C and VEGF-D on the prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) remain elusive. The aims of this study were to demonstrate the expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D and to correlate their expression levels with clinicopathological factors and long-term survival in patients with CRC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 1996 and January 1998, 69 patients with pathologically confirmed CRC who received routine follow-up at the Ruijin Hospital were included in this study. VEGF-C and VEGF-D protein expression and microvessel density of 69 surgical specimens were assessed by immunohistochemistry, with 20 samples of normal colorectal tissues as controls. All patients were followed up for 108 months or until death. The Immunohistochemical stains were quantified and analyzed by means of a Zeiss Axioplan 2 imaging analysis system.

RESULTS

The protein expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D in tumor tissues was much higher than that in normal colorectal tissues (p < 0.01). The VEGF-C expression significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.011) and clinical stages of CRC (p < 0.01). The VEGF-D expression correlated with patient ages (p = 0.013), depth of tumor invasion (p = 0.013), and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.028). The expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D was significantly correlated with the microvessel density. Both overall survival and disease-free survival at 108 months were significantly lower in the CRC patients with a high VEGF-C and/or a high VEGF-D expression, and the patients with a high expression of both VEGF-C and VEGF-D had the shortest overall survival and disease-free survival when compared with other patients.

CONCLUSION

The VEGF-C or VEGF-D expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis and long-term prognosis and could be applied as prognostic markers in CRC.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 differentiation of primate embryonic stem cells into insulin-producing cells

The present study was performed to determine whether glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) stimulates differentiation of nestin-selected embryonic stem cells into insulin-producing cells. Our experimental strategy began with the production of a highly enriched population of nestin-positive cells from embryoid bodies. These cells differentiated into insulin-producing cells after addition of GLP-1. Islet-like cell clusters (ICCs) formed in inducing culture. These nestin-positive cell-derived ICCs expressed numerous beta-cell lineage genes, including insulin; Glut-2; pancreatic duodenal homebox-1 protein (PDX-1); islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP); neurogenin 3 (ngn3); and alpha, gamma, and delta cell gene markers. Cells of ICCs showed increased insulin protein expression, glucose-dependent insulin release, and coexpression of insulin and C-peptide. In addition, ICCs were characterized by coexpression of nestin/insulin and nestin/PDX-1. The levels of pancreas-related gene and protein expression and insulin secretion in the GLP-1 group were stronger than those in the normal controls. GLP-1 has been shown to be involved in stimulating the signaling pathways downstream of the transcription factor PDX-1, by increasing its protein and messenger RNA levels. In vivo, ICCs displayed the ability to reverse hyperglycemia in diabetic severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. We concluded that GLP-1 induced differentiation of nestin-positive progenitor embryonic stem cells into insulin-producing cells, which was achieved by upregulation of PDX-1 expression. This method may have future applications in stem cell therapy of diabetes.

Induction of Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons from Primate Embryonic Stem Cells by Coculture with Sertoli Cells

The aim of this study was to produce dopaminergic neurons from primate embryonic stem (ES) cells following coculture with mouse Sertoli cells. After 3 weeks of induction, immunostaining revealed that 90% +/- 9% of the colonies contained tyrosine hydroxylase-positive (TH(+)) neurons, and 60% +/- 7% of the tubulin beta III-positive (Tuj III(+)) neurons were TH(+). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses showed that Sertoli-induced neurons expressed midbrain dopaminergic neuron markers, including TH, dopamine transporter, aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), receptors such as TrkB and TrkC, and transcription factors NurrI and Lmx1b. Neurons that had been differentiated on Sertoli cells were positive for Pax2, En1, and AADC, midbrain-related markers, and negative for dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, a marker of noradrenergic neurons. These Sertoli cell-induced dopaminergic cells can release dopamine when depolarized by high K(+). Sertoli cell-conditioned medium contained glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and supported neuronal differentiation. After pretreatment with anti-GDNF antibody, the percentage of Tuj III(+) colonies was reduced to 14%. Thus, GDNF contributed significantly to inducing primate ES cells into dopaminergic neurons. When transplanted into a 6-hydroxydopamine-treated Parkinson's disease model, primate-derived dopaminergic neurons integrated into the mouse striatum. Two weeks after transplantation, surviving TH(+) cells were present. These TH(+) cells survived for 2 months. Therefore, the induction method of coculture ES cells with Sertoli cells provides an unlimited source of primate cells for the study of pathogenesis and transplantation in Parkinson's disease.

Phenotype-specific cells with proliferative potential are produced by polyethylene glycol-induced fusion of mouse embryonic stem cells with fetal cardiomyocytes

Because cardiomyocytes lose the ability to divide upon differentiation, myocardial failure is assumed to be generally irreversible. For terminal cardiac insufficiency, the potential for regenerative treatment by stem cells, especially embryonic stem (ES) cells, offers hope for the future. Recent studies showed that stem cells fuse spontaneously with cells remaining in damaged tissues, and restore tissue function. To imitate spontaneous fusion in vivo, we used polyethylene glycol (PEG) in vitro to fuse mouse ES cells and fetal cardiomyocytes and analyzed the cytochemical properties of the fused cells. Confocal laser scanning microscopy coupled with lipophilic dye labeling of the living cell membranes showed that there were fused cells of ES cells and cardiomyocytes after PEG treatment. By flow cytometry, the fusion efficiency between ES cells and cardiomyocytes was estimated to be about 45% of the total resulting cells. When green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing ES cells were fused with cardiomyocytes, the fused cells had immunoreactivity for GFP in their cytoplasm and cardiac troponin I in their myofibrils. Some of these cells also expressed proliferating cell nuclear antigen up to 11 days after fusion, the last time point examined. This study shows that PEG-induced fusions of mouse ES cells and cardiomyocytes have the cardiomyocyte phenotype and proliferation potential.

Natriuretic peptides in ectopic myocardial tissues originating from mouse embryonic stem cells

In a previous report we described the survival and contractile function of mouse embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes in the host retroperitoneum. To further understand the nature of embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, the study assessed the synthesis of natriuretic peptides in ectopic myocardial tissues of embryonic stem cell origin. Cardiomyocytes formed in embryoid body outgrowths were transplanted into the retroperitoneum of adult nude mice, and the myocardial tissues that developed were characterized by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry concerning atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (ANP, BNP). In the outgrowths of embryoid bodies in vitro, gene expression of ANP and BNP was detected by RT-PCR and granules positive for the peptides were identified in a few cardiomyocytes by light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry. Seven days after transplantation the transplants exhibited multidifferentiated teratoma tissues. Developing chamber myocardial tissues positive for cardiac troponin I, cadherin, and connexin 43 were evident in the transplants, which contained ANP-positive cardiomyocytes. Transplants with beating bundles were observed 30 days after transplantation, in which gene expression of both natriuretic peptides was detected. Myocardial tissues with abundant ANP-immunoreactivity, as well as with BNP-immunoreactivity to a lesser extent, were evident in the transplants. Also, myocardial tissues without immunoreactivity for natriuretic peptides were observed. Immunoelectron microscopy showed discernible secretory granules containing ANP and/or BNP in the cardiomyocytes. These results showed that part of the cardiomyocytes in embryonic stem cell-derived ectopic myocardial tissues are capable of producing natriuretic peptides, which suggests that they may be used as an endocrine source for cardiac hormones.

Spatial distribution and initial changes of SSEA-1 and other cell adhesion-related molecules on mouse embryonic stem cells before and during differentiation

We examined the distribution of cell adhesion-related molecules (CAMs) among mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells and the spatial distribution on cell surfaces before and during differentiation. The cell-cell heterogeneity of SSEA-1, PECAM-1, and ICAM-1 among the undifferentiated cells in the ES cell colonies was evident by immunohistochemistry and immuno-SEM, supporting the flow cytometry findings. In contrast, most undifferentiated ES cells strongly expressed CD9. SSEA-1 was located preferentially on the edge of low protuberances and microvilli and formed clusters or linear arrays of 3-20 particles. PECAM-1 and ICAM-1 were randomly localized on the free cell surfaces, whereas CD9 was preferentially localized on the microvilli or protuberances, especially in the cell periphery. Both the SSEA-1(+) fraction and the SSEA-1(-) fraction of magnetic cell sorting (MACS) formed undifferentiated colonies after plating. Flow cytometry showed that these populations reverted separately again to a culture with a mixed phenotype. Differentiation induced by retinoic acid downregulated the expression of all CAMs. Immuno-SEM showed decreases of SSEA-1 in the differentiated ES cells, although some clustering still remained. Our findings help to elucidate the significance of these molecules in ES cell maintenance and differentiation and suggest that cell surface antigens may be useful for defining the phenotype of undifferentiated and differentiated ES cells.