Objective To establ ish a two-dimensional biological printing technique of hBMSCs so as to control the cell transfer process and keep cell viabil ity after printing. Methods Bone marrow (5 mL) was obtained from healthy volunteer. The hBMSCs were regularly subcultured to harvest cells at passage 2, which were adjusted to the single cell suspensionat a density of 1 × 106/mL. The experiment was divided into 3 groups: printing group 1 in which cells underwent propidium iodide (PI) fluorescent label ing, then were transferred by rapid prototype biological printer (interval in x-axis 300 μm, interval in y-axis 1 500 μm), and laser scanning confocal microscope was appl ied to observe cell fluorescence; printing group 2 in which cells received no PI label ing and were cultured for 2 hours after transfer, Live/Dead viabil ity Kit was adopted to detect cell viabil ity and laser scanning confocal microscope was appl ied to observe cell fluorescence; half of the cells in printing group receiving no Live/Dead viabil ity Kit detection were cultured for 7 days, then inverted microscope was used to observe cell morphology, routine culture was conducted after the adherence of cells, the growth condition of cells was observed dynamically; control group in which steps were the same as the printing group 2 except that cell suspension received no printing. Results Laser scanning confocal microscope observation on the cells in printing group 1 revealed the “cell ink droplets” were distributed regularly and evenly in the two-dimensional layer and each contained 15-35 cells, meeting the requirement of designing two-dimensional cell printing. The cells in printing group 2 went through cell viabil ity test, laser scanning confocal microscope observation showed the fluorescence of cells 30 minutes after cell incubation. There was no significant difference between the control group and the printing groups in terms of cell viabil ity. The printed cells presented normal adherence, good morphology and good growth state 7 days after routine culture. Conclusion Biological printing technique can real ize the oriented, quantificational and regulardistribution of hBMSCs in the two-dimensional plane and lays the foundation for the construction of three-dimensional cellprinting or even organ printing system.
Objective To study the effect of hypoxia on the prol iferation of hBMSCs and human placental decidua basal is-MSCs (hPDB-MSCs), and to provide the theoretical basis for discovering the new seed cells source for tissue engineering. Methods Density gradient centrifugation method was adopted to isolate and culture hBMSCs and hPDB-MSCs,flow cytometry (FCM) was appl ied to detect cell surface marker. After establ ishing the experimental model of CoC12 chemical hypoxia, MTT method was appl ied to evaluate the prol iferation of hBMSCs and hPDB-MSCs at different time points (6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 hours) with various CoC12 concentration (0, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200 μmol/L). Results FCM analysis revealed that hPDB-MSCs and hBMSCs expressed CD9, CD29, CD44, CD105, CD106 and human leucocyte antigen ABC (HLA-ABC), but both were absent for CD34, CD40L and HLA-DR. Compared with hBMSCs, hPDB-MSCs expressed stage-specific embryonic antigen 1 (SSEA-1), SSEA-3, SSEA-4, TRA-1-60 and TRA-1-81 better. The prol iferations of hPDB-MSCs and hBMSCs were inhibited within the first 12 hours under hypoxia condition, but promoted after 12 hours of hypoxia. Compared with the control group, the hBMSCs were remarkably prol iferated 24 hours after hypoxia with CoC12 concentration of 150 µmol/L (P lt; 0.05), while hPDB-MSCs were significantly prol iferated 12 hours after hypoxia with CoC12 concentration of 75 µmol/L (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Compared with hBMSCs, hPDB-MSCs express more specific surface antigens of embryonic stem cells and are more sensitive to the prol iferation effects of chemical hypoxia, indicating it may be a new seed cells source for tissue engineering.
Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of leptin (LEP) on the osteoblastic differentiation of hBMSCs in vitro. Methods Whole bone marrow culture method was appl ied to culture hMBSCs and hBMSCs at passage 3 were divided into groups A, B, C, D, E and F, and when cell attachment was evident, 400, 200, 100 and 50 ng/mL LEP, 100 ng/mLBMP and common nutrient medium were added into each group, respectively. ALP staining and mineral ized nodules staining were conducted at 7 and 21 days after culture, respectively. And inverted phase contrast microscope observation was performed. ALP activity and osteocalcin (OCN) level of hBMSCs in each group was detected at 7, 14 and 21 days after culture to select the best induced concentration of LEP on osteoblastic differentiation. For groups of B, E and F at 7 days after culture, RT-PCR was adopted to detect the expression of such osteogenesis-related genes as core-binding factor α 1 (Cbfα1), ALP, Col I and OCN mRNA. Results At 7 days after induced culture, the ALP staining result showed that the endochylema in groups A, B, C, D and E were stained blue and the endochylema in the group F was sl ightly positive. At 21 days after induced culture, the mineralized nodules staining showed that cells in groups A, B, C, D and E were stained positively and cells in group F were negative. At 7, 14 and 21 days after culture, ALP and OCN activities in group B were less than that of group E (P lt; 0.05), but significant higher than that of groups A, C, D and F (P lt; 0.05), the optimal concentration of LEP was 200 ng/mL. At 7 days after culture, group F witnessed no expression of Cbfα1, ALP, Col I and OCN mRNA, while groups B and E witnessed expressions of all those indexes, but the expressions in group B were less than those of group E. Conclusion LEP can stimulate osteoblastic differentiation of hBMSCs in vitro, and the possible mechanism is its role of promoting the expression of osteoblastic related genes.
Objective To compare the effect of two different methods of cell seeding on spatial distribution and gene expression of hBMSCs in biocoral scaffold in vitro cultures. Methods The composite of hBMSCs and biocoral scaffold was prepared by traditional seeding (group A) and fibrin glue seeding (group B). The seeding efficiency was measured after 30 minutes of incubation in group B and after 3 hours in group A. At 2, 7, 14 and 21 days after culture, the samples were harvestedand the serial longitudinal sections were cut for each embedded composite. The sections were stained with DAPI and were measured using fluorescence microscope with apotome under serial optical sections. The cell number in every 10 × objective field was automatically measured by AxioVision image analysis software and levels (from seeding surface to bottom L1-L5) or columns (from centre to margin) for comparing cell distribution were set up. The specific osteogenic genes [osteonectin (ON), core binding factor α1 (Cbfα1), osteocalcin (OC)] expression was measured by RT-PCR. Results The seeding efficiency was significantly higher in group B (88.32% ± 4.2%) than in group A (66.51% ± 12.33%, P lt; 0.01). At 2 days after culture, the cell number from L1 to L4 decreased gradully in two groups (P lt; 0.05); in the cell number of different columns, there was no significant difference in group A (Pgt; 0.05) whereas significant difference in group B (P lt; 0.05); there was no significant difference in gene expression between two groups (P gt; 0.05). At 7 days after culture, the cell number was less than that at 2 days in group A and there was significant difference among levels (P lt; 0.05). The cell number and osteogenic gene expression increased sharply and there appeared uniform cell distribution in group B (P gt; 0.05). The gene expression of ON and Cbfα1 in group B was higher than that in group A (Plt; 0.05). At 14 days after culture, the cell number in levels or columns in group A decreased sharply and was less than that at 7 days (P lt; 0.05); whereas the cell number was similar to that at 7 days in group B (P gt; 0.05). The OC gene expression reached the highest level in group B at 14 days. The gene expression was higher in group B than in group A (P lt; 0.05). At 21 days after culture, there was significant difference in the cell number among levels and in the gene expression between group A and group B (P lt; 0.05); there was no significant difference in the cell number among columns in two groups (Pgt; 0.05). In addition, the cell number of most levels and columns in group B was more than that in group A at 7, 14 and 21 days after culture (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion More uniform cell distribution with rapid prol iferation and osteogenic differentiation is available in different levels or columns of scaffold by fibrin glue seeding than by traditional seeding.
Objective To investigate the effects of the recombinant plasmid pIRES-hBMP-2-hVEGF165 on differentiation and maturation of hBMSCs in vitro. Methods The co-expressing vector of hBMP-2 and hVEGF165 was constructed. The BMSCs were isolated and cultured from health adult human denoted marrow. By the l ipofection method, the reconstructed plasmids pIRES-hBMP-2-hVEGF165, pIRES-hBMP-2, pIRES-hVEGF165 and pIRES neo empty vector, weretransfected to hBMSCs (groups A, B, C and D). The untransfected cells were harvested as control group (group E). After4 weeks of culture, RT-PCR was employed to assay the hBMP-2, hVEGF165 and osteocalcin mRNA expression in hBMSCs. The expressions of hBMP-2 and hVEGF165 of BMSCs were assayed by Western blot. The level of ALP activities of BMSCs was determined. Col I was also determined by immunohistochemical staining. Results Compared to group E, the hBMSCs in group A secreted high level of hBMP-2, hVEGF165, Col I and osteocalcin; osteocalcin and Col I expressed at high level in group B, and hVEGF165 expressed at high level in group C. Otherwise, the expression of hVEGF165 in group B and the expressions of hBMP-2 and Col I in group C resemble to that of groups D and E, no expression or few expression was observed. The activities of ALP in groups A, B, C, D and E were 0.91 ± 0.03, 0.90 ± 0.02, 0.64 ± 0.03, 0.67 ± 0.01 and 0.66 ± 0.02, respectively. The activity of ALP of groups A and B were significantly increased compared with that of group E (P lt; 0.05); there was no significant difference among groups C, D and E (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion The recombinant plasmid pIRES-hBMP-2-hVEGF165 can be successfully transfected into BMSCs with cation l iposome-mediated transfection method, the exogenous hBMP-2 and hVEGF165 genes can be expressed constitutively in the transfected BMSCs, and it can enhance the differentiation abil ities of BMSCs.
Objective To introduce growth and differentiation factor 5 (GDF-5) gene into hBMSCs using recombinant adenovirus vector and to investigate the effect of GDF-5 gene expression on hBMSCs osteogenic differentiation. Methods Recombinant adenovirus GDF-5 (Ad-GDF-5) containing green fluorescent protein (GFP) and Ad-GFP were amplifiedand tittered. hBMSCs at passage 3 were infected with two viruses at different titers. At 2 days after intervention, GFP expression was observed using fluorescence microscope, and GDF-5 expression in hBMSCs was detected by RT-PCR. Adherent hBMSCs at passage 3 were randomly divided into 4 groups: experimental group (GDF-5 gene transfection), osteogenic induction group, Ad- GFP infection group, and control group. Cell differentiation was detected by inverted phase contrast microscope observation, fluorescence microscope observation, reverse transcription fluorescence quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence staining, and von Kossa staining at different time points after intervention. Results The titer of Ad-GDF-5 and Ad-GFP was 1.0 × 109 pfu/mL and 1.2 × 109 pfu/mL, respectively. hBMSCs was efficiently infected by Ad-GDF-5 and Ad-GFP, and expressed target gene and GFP gene. At 1-7 days after intervention, morphology and growth pattern of the hBMSCs in the experimental group and the osteogenic induction group were transformed into osteoblast-l ike cells, whereas the cells in the other two groups were still maintained their original morphology and growth pattern. Reverse transcription fluorescence quantitative PCR detection: at 4 days after intervention, GDF-5 expression in the experimental group was obviously higher than that of other groups (P lt; 0.05); ALP, Col I, and OC gene expression in the experimental and the osteogenic induction group were superior to those of theAd-GFP infection and the control group (P lt; 0.05); Col I gene expression in the osteogenic induction group was greater than that of the experimental group (P lt; 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining: at 4 days after intervention, the cells in the osteogenic induction group and the experimental group expressed and secreted Col I, and no expression of Col I was evident in the other two groups. At 10 days after intervention, the cells in the osteogenic induction and the experimental group were positive for von Kossa staining, and the results of the other two groups were negative. Conclusion GDF-5 gene can be transferred into hBMSCs via adenovirus vector and be expressed stably. It can facil itate the osteogenic differentiation of the hBMSCs and lay a foundation for the further study of this kind of gene transferred hBMSCs effect on bone tissue repair.
Objective To make a comparative study on the effects of whole bone marrow culture method and density gradient centrifugation method in isolating hBMSCs. Methods hBMSCs were obtained from healthy adult volunteers and isolated by whole bone marrow culture method and density gradient centrifugation method. Primary cell morphology was observed using inverted phase contrast microscope and the cells in the 2nd passage were stained with HE after being cultured for 7 days. And then, the generation time of the primary, 2nd and 3rd passage hBMSCs was comparedbetween two methods and the surface markers were detected by flow cytometer. In addition, the ALP expression inosteoinductive hBMSCs were evaluated by ALP activity kit at 3, 6 and 9 days and ALP staining was used for osteoinductivehBMSCs with Kaplow method at 9 days. Results Primary cells isolated with whole bone marrow culture method showedaggregation growth while cells isolated with density gradient centrifugation method showed diffusion growth. HE stainingshowed no significant difference in the morphology of the 2nd passage cells between these two methods. The generationtime of primary cells isolated by whole bone marrow culture method (15.36 ± 1.67) days was significantly shorter than that of cells isolated by density gradient centrifugation method [(18.57 ± 1.05) days] (P lt; 0.01), while the generation time of the 2nd and 3rd passage cells showed no statistically significant differences between these methods (P gt; 0.05). The concent of positive surface markers (CD29, CD44, CD71, CD105, CD166) and negative surface marker CD34 in the 2nd cells showed no significant difference between these two isolation methods (P gt; 0.05); however, negative markers CD14 and CD45 showed significant difference (P lt; 0.01). The ALP expression in osteoinductive cells showed no statistical significant (P gt; 0.05) at 3, 6 and 9 days; and the ALP staining positive cell ratio of whole bone marrow culture method was basically in accordance with that of density gradient centrifugation method at 9 days. Conclusion hBMSCs could be isolated by whole bone marrow culture method, and the cell isolation effects of whole bone marrow culture method are equivalent with density gradient centrifugation method.
Objective To compare the molecular phenotype of human intervertebral disc cells and articular chondrocytes and to analyze whether hBMSCs can differentiate into both chondrocytes and nucleus pulposus cells after combined induction of TGF-β3 and BMP-7 in vitro. Methods The cells with the characteristics of hBMSCs were isolated from marrow aspirates of the volunteer donors’ il iac crest. Human bone marrow was removed and fractionated, and adherent cell cultures were establ ished. The 4th passage cells were then translated into an aggregate culture system in a serum-free medium. The pellet cultures of hBMSCs were divided into four groups: 10 ng/mL TGF-β3 group (group A), 200 ng/mL BMP-7 group (group B), combination group of TGF-β3 and BMP-7 (group C) and blank group as the control (group D). Histological observation, RT-PCR and RQ-PCR were appl ied to measure the expressions of collagen type I, II, X, aggrecan and SOX9 on the 4th and 21st day after cell induction, respectively. Results As was shown by histological observation, the induced cells expressed the feature of chondrocytes in morphology and ECM in groups A and C on the 21st day after the culture. And the collagen type II was positive after staining in groups A and C. The cell morphology of the induced cells in groups B and C had no obviouly changed. PCR detection showed that the expressions of SOX9, aggrecan, collagen type I, II in groups A and C at 21st day were more increased than those at 4th day (P lt; 0.05). The only expressions of collagen type I in groups B and D at 21st day were more increased than those at 4th day (P lt; 0.05). The expressions of collagen type X only was positive in group A. Conclusion Combination of TGF-β3 and BMP-7 can make the differentiated cells from hBMSCs much closer to intervertebral disc cells, so it perhaps could provide seed cells for intervertebral disc tissue engineering.
Objective To analyze the changes of gene expression profiles during the process that human bonemarrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) are induced to differentiate into cardiomyogenic cells with 5-azacytidine (5-aza). Methods hBMSCs were isolated from marrow of obsolete ribs and induced with 5-aza. Then immunocytochemicalstaining was used to detect the expressions of α-actin, cardiac troponin T (cTnT), and connexin 43, and the percentage ofcTnT positive cells was tested with flow cytometry. In the process of differentiation, variation of gene expression was screenedwith Genechi ps Operating System of human gene expression profiles. And the differentially expressed genes were functionallyanalyzed and hierarchical clustered. Results When BMSCs were induced in vitro with 5-aza, part of the cells turnedinto myogenic cells morphologically. Before induction, immunocytochemical staining for α-actin and cTnT showed sl ightpositive and for connexin 43 showed negative. While after 3 weeks of induction, immunocytochemical staining for α-actin,cTnT, and connexin 43 showed all positive. With flow cytometry, the percentage of cTnT positive cells was 7.43% ± 0.02%before induction, but it was 49.64% ± 0.05% after induction. During differentiation, 1 814 differentially expressed geneswere reported by gene chi ps. Of them, 647 genes were divided into 5 groups with hierarchical clustering. They had variousbiological functions, involving signal transduction, cell metabol ism, prol iferation, differentiation, development, andtopogenesis. Conclusion hBMSCs can differentiate into cardiomyogenic cells with the induction of 5-aza in vitro. Multi plegenes related with signal transduction, transcri ption, and growth factors are involved during this process.
Objective To clarify the trends of expression levels of several up-regulated micro RNA (miRNA) in tissues of atrophic bone nonunion and mRNAs and proteins of their related target genes in osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs), and to explore their biological functions. Methods The hBMSCs were isolated from bone marrow of il iac bone by gradient centrifugation, and cultured. Osteogenic culture medium was used for osteogenic differentiation of the 4th generation of hBMSCs. The changes of corresponding miRNAs, mRNA and protein expression levels of related target genes were observed at 0 hour, 12 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 4 days, 7 days, and 14 days, by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot. Results In the process of hBMSCs osteogenic differentiation, the mRNA and protein expression levels of osteoblastic target genes [alkal ine phosphatase l iver/bone/kidney (ALPL), bone morphogeneticprotein 2 (BMP-2), and platelet-derived factor alpha polypeptide (PDGF-A)] at most time points increased significantly whencompared with the values at 0 hour except that of BMP-2 decreased at 12 hours and 1 day, with maximum changes at 1 to 7 days. The miRNA expression levels, mRNA and protein expression levels changed significantly at different time points, while the trends of hsa-miRNA-149 and hsa-miRNA-654-5p changes were negatively correlated with the trends of ALPL and BMP-2 mRNA and protein expression changes respectively (P lt; 0.05). There was no obviously negative correlation between the trends of hsa-miRNA-221 change and PDGF-A change (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion In the osteogenic differentiation process of hBMSCs, hsa-miRNA-149 and hsa-miRNA-654-5p are closely related with the mRNA and protein regulation of ALPL and BMP-2, respectively.