Objective The human amniotic epithel ial cells (hAECs) are a recently identified new type of stem cells.It has previously been shown that hAECs express hepatocyte-related gene and possess intracellular features and functional properties of hepatocytes. The hAECs may be a candidate seed cell for l iver regeneration. To research the survival and migrationin vivo of hAECs via adeno-associated virus-mediated the green fluorescent protein gene (AAV-GFP) transfection, and toexplore the expression of hepatocyte-l ike function. Methods Thirty nude mice (aging 6-8 weeks, half males and females, and weighing 20-22 g) were randomly divided into 3 groups (groups A, B, and C, n=10). The mice of groups A and C were made the 2/3 partial hepatectomy model, and the mice of group B underwent open abdominal operation without hepatectomy. The hAECs transfected by AAV-GFP were transplanted into the inferior end of the spleen in groups A and B with a cell density of 5 × 106/mL and a volume of 0.2 mL; the same volume of normal sal ine was injected in group C. At 4 hours, the nude mice were sacrificed and the samples of l iver, spleen, heart, lung, brain, and kidney were harvested and the general observation, histological observation, and immunofluorescence detection were performed for the hAECs survival, migration, and the functional properties of hepatocytes. Results No tumor tissue was found in l iver and spleen of 3 groups, and HE staining showed no tumor cells. There were a lot of roundl ike and deeply-stained cells with less cytoplasm and large nucleus in the spleen and the l iver of group A; no abnormal cells were found in l iver and spleen of groups B and C and in kidney, heart, bung, and brain of groups A, B, and C. The GFP+ cells were detected in the spleen and l iver of group A with expressing human albumin, but no GFP+ cells was found in l iver and spleen of groups B and C and in heart, kidney, lung, and brain of groups A, B, and C. Conclusion AAV-GFP infected hAECs transplanted into SCID nude mice with hepatectomy can keep the hepatocyte-l ike function. It will be beneficial to further identify their biological characteristics.
【Abstract】Objective To explore the dynamic expression of TNF-α and VEGF in the development of esophageal varices in rats with portal hypertension. Methods Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group. In the experimental group, a two-stage ligation of portal vein plus ligation of the left adrenal vein was performed.After establishment of the model, the expression of TNF-α、VEGF and PCNA in the lower esophagus was detected with immunohistochemical SP technique on 7 d、14 d、21 d and comparision of these data with control group was performed respectively. In the control group, a sham-operation was performed, was also divided.Results The portal venous pressure in the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control, so did the vessel number and the total vascular area of the submucosal veins in the lower esophagus. Compared with the control subgroups, the expression of TNF-α and VEGF on the 21 d subgroup was ber, while PCNA was ber on the 14 d and 21 d. Conclusion In the development of esophageal varices of portal hypertension, VEGF possibly plays a role in the varices developemt, and TNF-α may be responsible for the damage of esophageal mucosa.