Objective To investigate the effects of extracellular signal regulated kinase ( ERK)signaling pathway on cell cycle of airway smooth muscle cells( ASMCs) in asthmatic rats. Methods Thirty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a control group and an asthma group( 15 rats in each group) . Asthma model was established by ovalbumim sensitization and challenge. ASMC were isolated and cultured in vitro. The ASMCs from the asthmatic rats were treated with ERK activator epidermal growth factor ( EGF)and inhibitor PD98059, respectively. The expressions of cyclin D1 and CDK2 in ASMCs were detected by immunocytochemical staining. The expressions of ERK1 /2 and p-ERK1 /2 protein were observed by western blotting for measurement of ERK activation rate. Results Compared with the control group[ 54. 17 ±6. 11,61. 04 ±4. 09, ( 49. 91 ±3. 26) % , respectively] , the expressions of cyclin D1 protein and CDK2 protein,and the rate of ERK activation of ASMCs from the asthmatic rats significantly increased[ 76. 15 ±4. 88,92. 30 ±7. 95, ( 82. 37 ±5. 78) % , respectively] ( P lt; 0. 05) . Furthermore, compared with those before treatment, the expression of cyclin D1 and CDK2, and the rate of ERK activation of ASMCs significantly decreased after treatment with PD98059 [ 58. 78 ±4. 60, 69. 15 ±5. 83, ( 54. 01 ±4. 12) % , respectively]( P lt; 0. 05) , and significantly increased after treatment with EGF[ 119. 28 ±8. 14, 134. 77 ±9. 26, ( 91. 57 ±5. 32) %, respectively] ( P lt;0. 05) . Conclusion ERK1/ 2 participates in proliferation regulation of ASMCs in asthma by enhancing the expressions of cyclin D1 and CDK2, which promotes quiescent cells into S phase.
Objective To evaluate the effect of smooth muscle cell transplantation on myocardial interstitial reconstruction shortly after myocardial infarction. Methods A total of 48 female Wister rats were randomly divided into two groups with the random number table, the control group (n=24) and the smooth muscle cell transplantation group (n=24). The left coronary artery was ligated to set up the myocardial infarction animal model. An amount of 05 ml phosphate buffered saline(PBS) containing 1×106 smooth muscle cells or 0.5 ml PBS without cells was injected into the injured myocardium immediately. By immunoblot and reverse transcriptionolymerase china reaction (RT-PCR), we observed the amount of protein and mRNA of matrix metalloproteinase2(MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease-3 (TIMP-3) in the myocardium of the rats. Results The transplanted smooth muscle cells survived well. Compared with the control group, myocardial TIMP3 mRNA (1.06±0.22 vs. 0.81±0.19, t=－2.358, P=0.033) and protein content (3.33±0.53 vs. 1.63±0.47, t=－6.802, Plt;0.001) were significantly increased in the transplantation group. Myocardial MMP-2, MMP-9 mRNA (0.49±0.12 vs. 1.16±0.18, t=8.453, Plt;0.001; 0.45±0.12 vs. 0.80±0.11, t=5.884, Plt;0.001) and protein content (3.98±1.08 vs. 6.05±0.91, t=4.139, P=0.001; 0.39±0.14 vs. 0.57±0.17, t=2.409, P=0.031) [CM(1585mm]were significantly reduced in the transplantation group compared with the control group. Conclusion transplanted smooth muscle cells can survive well in the infarction myocardium and can increase the amount of myocardial TIMP-3 mRNA and protein content and reduce myocardial MMP-2, MMP-9 mRNA and protein content, which is an effective way to prevent harmful cardiac remodeling.
Abstract: Objective To generate a eukaryotic expression plasmid-pcDNA3.1/human tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1(hTIMP-1)enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), carrying hTIMP-1 and labeled with EGFP, and to examine the expression of hTIMP-1 in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) transferred with hTIMP. Methods The recombinant plasmids of pcDNA3.1/hTIMP-1-EGFP were obtained bypolymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, splicing, and insertion of complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) fragments of hTIMP-1 and EGFP. The target gene was transferred to the primarily cultured SMCs (pcDNA3.1/hTIMP-1-EGFP transferred group) by using cationic liposome mediated gene transfection technique. EGFP expression was detected by fluorescence microscopy, and the transfection rate was determined by flow cytometry. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR), Western blotting, and other techniques were used to detect the expression of hTIMP-1 gene. The biological activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) were studied by zymographic analysis of gelatinases. Blank plasmidpcDNA3.1 transferred SMCs (blank plasmid pcDNA3.1 transferred group) and untransferred SMCs (untransferred group) were used as control. Results In cDNA3.1/hTIMP-1-EGFP transferred group,the growth ability of SMCs was profoundly inhibited, bright green fluorescence was observed by fluorescence microscopy 24 hours after transfection in SMCs,the rate of transfection analyzed with flow cytometry was 15%,RT-PCR results showed that the genome of hTIMP-1 transferred SMCs contained a 646 bp specific fragment of hTIMP-1 gene, Western blotting results proved hTIMP-1 protein expression in SMCs transferred by hTIMP-1, zymographic analysis of elatinases showed decreased activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9, compared to those in blank plasmidpcDNA3.1 transferred group and untransferred group, significant differences were observed (Plt;0.05). Conclusion The generation of a eukaryotic expression plasmid carrying TIMP-1 gene and its expression in SMCs provide a sound basis for hTIMP-1 gene therapy.
Objective To observe whether umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) can differentiate into the smooth muscle cells (SMCs) induced by bladder SMCs (BSMCs) conditioned medium so as to seek an alternative seed cells for the repair and reconstruction of the urology system. Methods UCMSCs and BSMCs were harvested from umbilical cord of full-term births and bladder tissues which were obtained from patients who underwent a radical cystectomy. BSMCs conditioned medium was prepared by mixing supernatant of BSMCs at passages 1-5 with complete medium at ratio of 1 ∶ 1. UCMSCs at passage 3 were cultured with BSMCs conditioned medium (induced group, group A) and complete medium (control group, group B), respectively; simple BSMCs served as positive control group (group C). The morphological changes of co-cultured UCMSCs were observed by inverted phase microscope, the expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Calponin, and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC) of UCMSCs were tested by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot at 7 and 14 days. Results The morphology of UCMSCs in group A started to change from a polygonal and short spindle shape to a large and spindle shape after co-culture, which was similar to BSMCs morphology; but the morphology of UCMSCs did not change obviously in group B. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the expressions of α-SMA, Calponin, and SM-MHC were positive in group C. At 7 days, the expression of α-SMA could be observed in groups A and B; at 14 days, the positive expression of α-SMA increased gradually in group A, but it did not increase in group B. At 7 days, a positive expression of Calponin could be observed in group A, and positive expression increased obviously at 14 days; the expression of Calponin could not be observed at 7 and 14 days in group B. However, the expression of SM-MHC could not be observed in groups A and B. The results of Western blot showed the expressions of α-SMA, Calponin, and SM-MHC protein were consistent with the results of immunofluorescence staining. Conclusion UCMSCs have the potential of differentiation into SMCs and may be a potential seed cells for bladder tissue engineering.
Objective To compare the myogenic differentiation abil ity in vitro of rabbit adipose-derived stem cells (ADCSs) from different sites so as to provide ideal seed cells for repair and reconstruction of urinary tract. Methods Adipose tissues were obtained from the nape of the neck, post peritoneum, and vicinity of epididymis of a 4-month-old male New Zealand rabbit and ADSCs were harvested through collagenase digestion. ADSCs were purified by differential attachment method. The protein marker CD44 of rabbit ADSCs was used to identify the stem cells by immunocytochemistry, then the5th generation of ADSCs were induced to differentiate into adipogenic, osteogenic, and myogenic cells. Multi- differentiation was confirmed by Oil red O staining, von Kossa staining, and RT-PCR. Myogenic differentiation abil ities of ADSCs from 3 different sites were compared between the control group (L-DMEM medium containing 10%FBS) and the experimental group (myogenic medium) by RT-PCR method. Results ADSCs could be easily isolated from adipose tissues of the nape of the neck, post peritoneum, and vicinity of epididymis. ADSCs displayed a typical cobblestone morphology. Brown particles could be seen in ADSCs by CD44 immunocytochemistry staining. Oil red O staining showed red fat drops in ADSCs after 14 days of adipogenic culture. Black matrix could be seen in ADSCs by von Kossa staining after 28 days of osteogenic culture. RT-PCR detection showed moderate α-actin expression in the control group and b α-actin expression in the experimental group after 42 days of myogenic culture. The growth rate of α-actin from the adipose tissue of post peritoneum (28.622% ± 4.879%) was significantly lower (P lt; 0.05) than those from the adipose tissues of the nape of the neck (35.471% ± 3.434%) and vicinity of epididymis (38.446% ± 4.852%). Conclusion The ADSCs from different sites show different myogenic differentiation abil ities in vitro. ADSCs from the adipose tissues of the nape of the neck and vicinity of epididymis can be used as ideal seed cells for tissue engineering of lower urinary tract.
To study the feasibil ity of human adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) in monolayer culture induced into smooth muscle cells in vitro as seeding cells in vascular tissue engineering. Methods The mononuclear cells in human adipose were separated by collagenase treatment and seeded on culture dishes with the density of 5 × 105/cm2. Cellswere cultured in M-199 plus 10% FBS. When reaching confluence, the cells were subcultured by 0.1% trypsin and 0.02%EDTA treatment, PDGF-BB (50 ng/mL) and TGF-β1 (5 ng/mL) were added at the passage 1 to enhance the smooth muscle cells’ phenotype. Cells were cultured under the inducing medium for 14 days. The morphology of induced cells was observed under the microscope. Cellular immunofluorescence and RT-PCR were used to determine the expression of smooth muscle cell markers of the post-induced cells. Flow cytometry (FACs) was used to examine the positive rate of induced team. Results Cocultured in M-199 media including TGF-β1 and PDGF-BB, the prol iferating capabil ity of the induced cells was significantly downregulated compared with the uninduced cells(P lt; 0.01). The induced cells exhibited “Hill and Valley” morphology, while the uninduced cells were similar to ADSCs of P0 which had the fibroblast-l ike morphology. The results of immunofluorescence indicated that the induced cells expressed smooth muscle (SM) cell- specific markers including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), SM-myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC) and Calponin. The results of RT-PCR revealed that the induced cells also expressed α-SMA, SM-MHC, Calponin and SM-22α.The positive rates of α-SMA, SM-MHC and Calponin in FACs were 3.26% ± 1.31%, 3.55% ± 1.6% and 4.02% ± 1.81%, respectively, before the cells were induced. However, 14 days after the cell induction, the positive rates were 48.13% ± 8.31%, 45.33% ± 10.68% and 39.13% ± 9.42%, respectively. The positive rates in induced cells were remarkably higher than those in uninduced cells(P lt; 0.01). Conclusion The human ADSCs can be induced to express vascular smooth muscle markers, and they are a new potential source of vascular tissue engineering.
Objective To provide an ideal seed cell for tissue engineered urinary bladder and urethra by serially culturing canine smooth muscle cells from urinary bladder in vitro and compare biological characteristics of different passagesof cells. Methods Bladder smooth muscle cells of 12-month-old male dogs weighing 10-12 kg were isolated from adult dogs’ urinary bladders by collagenase and trypsin digestion and serially cultured in DMEM medium supplemented with 10% serum of newborn bovines. Morphology and prol iferation of the cells were observed and the serially-cultured cells were identified with the transmission electron microscope and immunohistochemistry. Results The cells appeared spindle in parallel rows when they grew to the degree of subconfluence, and showed the “peak-valley” structure under the inverted phase contrast microscope. The cells could be prol iferated serially to the 12th passage in vitro. The growth curve showed the cells before the 7th passage had the similar prol iferation characteristics and the growth cycle was about 40 hours. The TEM showed myofilament and the dense body in cytoplasm of smooth muscle cells. Smooth muscle actin was positive by immunohistochemical staining. After the 7th passage, the cells’ growth became slow, and myofilament and the dense body in cytoplasm vanished. Conclusion The canine smooth muscle cells from urinary bladder can be serially cultured in vitro and highly purified and largely prol iferated by the appropriate method. The cells before the 7th passage can be used as optimal seed cells for tissue engineered urinary bladder and urethra.
Objective To investigate the effect of surface propertyof different polyether-ester block copolymers［poly(ethylene glycol-terephthalate)/poly(butylene terephthalate), PEGT/PBT］ on the growth of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells(ECs). Methods Three kinds of copolymers were synthesized, which were 1000-T20 (group A), 1000PEGT70/PBT30 (group B) and 600PEGT70/PBT30 (group C). The water-uptake and contact angle of three polyether-ester membranes were determined. The canine aorta smooth muscle cells and external jugular vein endothelial cells were primarily harvested, subcultured, and then identified. The proliferation of SMCs and ECs on the different polyether-ester membranes were investigated. Results The water-uptake of three copolymers arranged as the sequence of group C＜group A＜group B, and contact angle as the sequence of group C＞group A＞group B, indicating group B being more hydrophilic. However, smooth musclecells andendothelial cells grew poorly on the membrane of group B after low density seeding, but proliferated well on the membranes of group A and group C. Conclusion In contrast with more hydrophilic 1000PEGT70/PBT30, moderately hydrophilic 1000-T20 and 600PEGT70/PBT30 has better compatibility with vascular cells. The above results indicate that the vascular cells can grow well on moderately hydrophilic PEGT/PBT and that PEGT/PBT can be used in vascular tissue engineering.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristic and phenotype of ectomesenchymal stem cells of human fetal facial processes and the procedure of spontaneous differentiation to smooth muscle cells. METHODS: The primary ectomesenchymal cells of E 50 human fetal facial processes were isolated by 2.5 g/L trypsin and cultured with DMEM/F 12 with 10(-6) U/L leukemia inhibitor factor(LIF). The morphology and growth rate were observed by inverted microscop. After being withdrawn LIF, the characteristic of cells were identified by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: The cultured cells displayed monolayer growth and were fibroblast-like with 2-4 processes. The cells were stainely positived for anti-human natural killer cell marker-1, Vimentin, S-100, neuron specific enolase, myoglobin and VIII factor, but negatively for glial fibrillary acidic protein, neural fiblament, alpha-SMA and cytokeratin in immunohistochemistry. Two days after being withdrawn the LIF, cells expressed alpha-SMA in protein and mRNA levels. The cells were rich in muscular filament-like structure and dense bodies under transmission electron microscope. CONCLUSION: Cultured cells are undifferentiated ectomesenchymal stem cells. The cells have the potential for differentiating spontaneously to smooth muscle cell.
ObjectiveTo explore the inhibition action of valproic acid to inflammatory cells and smooth muscle cells then to find out that valproic acid (VPA) can repress rat thoracic aortic aneurysm or not. MethodsThe model of rat thoracic aortic aneurysm was built through the method of soaking the adventitia of artery using porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE). The rats were divided into three groups:a normal saline blank control group (a C group), an adventitia soaked PPE group (a P group), and adventitia soaked PPE plus intraperitoneal injection by injecting intraperitioneal VPA 200 mg/kg for seven days (a PV group).The animals of the three groups were all using vascular ultrasound to detect blood vessel diameter. Animals were killed after operation to observe the general morphology of vascular aneuysm and do the immunohistochemial, morphological, protein analysis of interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), smooth muscle 22 alpha (SM22α), matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP-2), MMP-9 and Western blot by drawing animals on the 14th day. ResultsThe vessels diameter in the PV group was narrower than that in the P group (P value<0.05). HE staining, immunohistochemistry and Western blot displayed that the cells in the P group were in disorder arrangement and interstitial disorder while the cells in the PV group maintained better albumin layer. The protein expressions of IL-1, IL-6, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in the PV group decreased except that SM22α increased. ConclusionVPA can inhibit phenothpic transforming of aneurysm inflammatory cells and smooth muscle cells, reduce the levels of cell proliferation, decrease the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases, and depress tumor growth of rat thoracic aorta.