鼠拟胚体来源细胞向肝细胞及心肌细胞分化的初步观察

目的观察微重力生物反应器内拟胚体（EBs）的形成及其EBs来源细胞的肝细胞与心肌细胞分化。方法将未分化鼠胚胎干细胞（Es细胞）以1×10^6／mL移人微重力反应器内旋转培养，6d后取出反应器内形成的EBs接种于培养板培养，使用含DMSO、地塞米松等IMDM培养液继续培养10d。动态观察EBs形成和EBs来源细胞分化细胞形态特征，采用Western blot、免疫荧光染色方法检测EBs来源细胞肝细胞及心肌细胞标志物的表达。结果生物反应器旋转培养6d形成均一的拟胚体，接种后移行细胞中出现肝细胞特征样细胞和自发性搏动细胞，Western blot检测到EBs来源细胞肝细胞标志物Alb表达，免疫荧光染色分别检测出肝细胞标志物Alb、AFP和心肌细胞标志物GATA4的表达。结论微重力生物反应器可加快EBs的形成。EBs来源细胞可有效地向肝细胞及心肌细胞分化，两种细胞之间可能存在相互作用。     

维生素C促进小鼠胚胎干细胞分化为心肌细胞的实验研究

目的:利用经典的悬滴培养法形成拟胚体(EBs),诱导小鼠胚胎干细胞(m ESCs)在体外分化为心肌细胞,观察维生素C作为诱导剂对m ESCs体外诱导分化为心肌细胞的影响,进而寻找一种高效、安全的诱导方法。方法:复苏m ESCs,传代培养后,利用悬滴法使m ESCs形成拟胚体,用含0.1mg/m L维生素C的分化培养基对其进行诱导分化,以不添加任何诱导剂作为对照组,观察出现搏动拟胚体的时间,搏动拟胚体的数量,计算分化比率,统计搏动频率,并进行免疫荧光染色测定心肌肌钙蛋白T(c Tn T)的表达。结果:小鼠胚胎干细胞可自发分化为心肌细胞,但效率较低,0.1mg/m L的维生素C能明显提高m ESCs分化为心肌细胞的效率,约83.3%的EBs出现搏动,显著高于未添加任何诱导剂组,搏动频率为(81.2±7.8)次/分钟。两组搏动心肌细胞c Tn T免疫染色阳性。结论:维生素C能够显著提高m ESCs向心肌细胞分化效率,应用维生素C体外诱导m ESCs向心肌细胞分化是一种较为理想的体外诱导方式。     

小鼠胚胎干细胞体外定向心肌细胞分化的研究

目的：小鼠胚胎干细胞（embryonic stem cell,ES细胞）体外定向心肌细胞分化模型的建立。方法：通过悬滴培养技术定向诱导ES细胞分化为拟胚体,进而分化为心肌细胞,并用RT－PCR对四种肌肉肌动蛋白在EBs中的表达进行了鉴定。结果：在拟胚体和进一步分化的ES细胞中观察到自发节律性收缩的心肌细胞,α－平滑肌肌动蛋白（血管和胃肠道平滑肌）以及纹状肌肉肌动蛋白（心肌和骨骼肌）在这些心肌细胞样的细胞中均能表达。结论：小鼠胚胎干细胞体外定向心肌细胞分化模型的建立,可用于研究相关基因在心肌发育过程中的直接或间接作用,有助于胚胎干细胞衍生的心肌细胞用于临床治疗作用的研究。     

ES细胞的三维培养与肝细胞分化的初步研究

目的 探索用生物材料三维培养胚胎干细胞(embryonic stem cell,ES细胞)并向肝细胞分化的可行性.方法 胰酶消化悬滴法形成5 d的鼠拟胚胎,将1×106/mL鼠ES细胞与细胞外基质MatrigelTM1:1混合接种于聚乳酸(poly-L-lactic acid,PLLA)和聚乙醇酸(polyglycolic acid,PGA)共聚合三维支架内,用DMSO、地塞米松、HGF、FGF4、胰岛素等诱导ES细胞向肝细胞分化,动态观察ES细胞的培育和生长情况,并用RT-PCR、免疫荧光染色检测其肝细胞标志物白蛋白(ALB)和甲胎蛋白(AFP)的表达.结果 立体显微镜见ES细胞及分化细胞在聚合支架材料上呈三维立体状态生长,并保持细胞活力,随培养时间延长不断增殖.RT-PCR检出分化细胞表达ALB mRNA和AFP mRNA,同样免疫荧光染色也证实表达ALB和AFP.结论 ES细胞可在生物材料聚合三维可降解支架及MatrigelTM上生长,并在诱导剂的作用下向肝细胞分化.     

悬浮培养诱导人胚胎干细胞分化为心肌细胞的研究

目的:利用不加任何诱导剂的悬浮培养法,体外诱导人胚胎干细胞分化为心肌细胞并检测其分化效率。方法:人胚胎干细胞克隆用200U/mL胶原酶Ⅳ,370C处理10min后,挑起克隆碎片转移到低黏附性培养皿中悬浮培养以形成EB(拟胚体),4d后将EB转移到基质胶处理过的6孔板中贴壁培养(1-3EBs/cm2),显微镜下观察记录出现跳动心肌细胞的时间和跳动频率,并计算跳动克隆百分比,24孔板一组,共记录4组96孔;免疫荧光染色检测心肌细胞特异标志物cTnT;膜片钳实验检测心肌细胞自发性动作电位;跳动心肌细胞经过24h缺氧刺激后,用凋亡试剂盒检测心肌细胞凋亡比例。结果:在悬浮培养14d左右开始出现大量的自发跳动心肌细胞,分化出现自发跳动心肌细胞的平均时间(13.9±0.9)d,百分比为20.8%,平均跳动频率为(63.8±5.6)次/min;跳动心肌细胞cTnT染色阳性;跳动心肌细胞检测到自发性动作电位;跳动心肌细胞缺氧24h的凋亡比例为(8.1±0.4)%。结论:不加诱导剂的悬浮培养可以诱导人胚胎干细胞分化为心肌细胞,分化效率达到20.8%,分化时间14d左右。为进一步的干细胞移植治疗动物心肌梗死模型提供种子细胞。     

Iws1参与小鼠胚胎干细胞中胚层分化发育

目的揭示Iws1在小鼠胚胎干细胞分化发育中的作用。方法利用CRISPR-Cas9基因编辑建立稳定敲除Iws1的小鼠胚胎干细胞细胞系后,利用悬滴法诱导培养拟胚体(embryoid body,EB),在体外探究该基因是否会影响中胚层的发育。同时分离分别出生1天、7天、21天、56天的小鼠心肌细胞进行该基因的定量检测。并使用GeneMANIA数据库确定该基因的潜在靶标。此外,使用WebGestalt进行基因功能(gene ontology,GO)与信号通路(Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes,KEGG)富集分析。结果在小鼠胚胎干细胞诱导分化体系中,Iws1敲除抑制EB中胚层的发育。该基因在出生后21天的小鼠心肌细胞表现出高表达。Iws1具有19种潜在靶向基因。GO和KEGG分析表明,这些潜在靶基因与氧化还原反应,C型瘦蛋白受体信号通路和其他生理过程有关。结论Iws1参与小鼠胚胎干细胞中胚层分化,可能潜在调控中胚层源性终末分化器官的发育。     

全反式维甲酸联合Ⅳ型胶原促进胚胎干细胞向平滑肌细胞分化

目的探讨全反式维甲酸(atRA)联合Ⅳ型胶原(collagenⅣ)能否更好的促进小鼠胚胎干细胞(m ESC)向平滑肌细胞分化。方法体外培养m ESC,通过碱性磷酸酶染色、SSEA1染色和在体成瘤实验检测m ESC全能性。制作胚胎小体(EB)并悬浮3天后分别分为:无诱导(对照组)、atRA诱导组、Ⅳ型胶原诱导组、atRA联合Ⅳ型胶原诱导组,使其贴壁分化。通过平滑肌细胞抗体(SM-αactin)的Western blot检测及SM-αactin与平滑肌肌球蛋白重链(SM-MHC)免疫荧光双染结果观察比较不同组别的细胞分化为平滑肌细胞的情况并进行比较。结果经m ESC全能性鉴定,提示小鼠胚胎干细胞的培养成功。发现在第7天及第14天atRA联合Ⅳ型胶原诱导组细胞SM-αactin蛋白表达量均明显高于其他3组,同时观察第14天的SM-αactin与SM-MHC双荧光染色,发现atRA联合Ⅳ型胶原诱导组的SM-αactin与SM-MHC表达量也是最高,表明细胞的分化成熟度是最好的,atRA诱导组和Ⅳ型胶原诱导组次之,对照组最差。结论全反式维甲酸联合Ⅳ型胶原能够更好的促进胚胎干细胞向平滑肌细胞分化。     

高浓度青-链霉素诱导小鼠胚胎干细胞向心肌细胞分化

目的研究青-链霉素(双抗)对小鼠胚胎干细胞(mouse embryonic stem cells,mESCs)向心肌细胞分化的影响。方法采用常规悬滴法培养mESC形成拟胚体(embryonic body,EB),在分化培养基中加入不同浓度的双抗(1.0%、5.0%和10.0%)培养贴壁的EB,选择不同的时间点分化的细胞通过流式细胞术(FCM)、细胞免疫荧光、westem blotting等分析心肌特异性蛋白表达水平的差异。结果小鼠多能干细胞表面标志物SSEA-1表达呈阳性(绿色),H.E染色显示核质比1。正常自分化细胞免疫荧光显示cTnT、‘MLC2阳性(绿色),肌节清晰可见。高浓度双抗组,cTnT+阳性细胞率高于对照组和低浓度(1.0%)双抗组,western blotting显示其心肌特异性蛋白cTnT、cTnI、MLC2、connexin43等表达增加(p0.05)。结论高浓度双抗促进mESCs向心肌细胞分化,且有浓度依赖性。     

aFGF、HGF体外诱导小鼠ESC向肝细胞定向分化及标志物研究

目的观察酸性成纤维细胞生长因子(acid fibroblast growth factor,a FGF)、肝细胞生长因子(hepatocyte growth factor,HGF)对小鼠胚胎干细胞(embryonic stem cell,ESC)体外定向诱导分化作用及诱导后肝细胞标志物的表达水平。方法体外培养小鼠ESC使其发育成拟胚体,然后加入a FGF、HGF诱导ESC定向分化成肝细胞。收集培养上清液,RIA法测定甲胎蛋白(alpha fetoprotein,AFP)、白蛋白(albumin,ALB)浓度。PCR和免疫印迹法检测ALB、细胞角蛋白8(CK8)以及细胞角蛋白18(CK18)在细胞内mRNA和蛋白表达水平。结果 ESC培养5 d后发育成为拟胚体,加入不同浓度a FGF继续培养,5 d后AFP浓度降低,ALB浓度升高,与对照组相比有显著性差异。细胞内ALB、CK8及CK18表达水平明显升高。一次诱导后加入HGF,继续诱导5 d,上清液中AFP浓度降低,ALB浓度升高,具有浓度依赖性。ALB、CK8及CK18在细胞内表达升高。结论体外培养小鼠ESC,加入a FGF、HGF后可诱导其向肝细胞定向分化。肝细胞标志物AFP水平明显降低,ALB、CK8以及CK18表达水平明显升高。     

胚胎干细胞用于肝组织工程研究的初步评价

目的在生物材料上进行胚胎干细胞（embryonic stem cell,ESc）的三维培养和肝细胞定向诱导分化,评价其用于构建肝组织工程的可行性。方法胰酶消化生物反应器悬浮旋转培养5天的拟胚体（embryoid bodies,EBs）,将细胞悬液与细胞外基质Matrigel 1∶1混合接种于聚乳酸（poly-L-lactic acid,PLLA）和聚乙醇酸（polyglycolic acid,PGA）共聚合三维支架内,用系列诱导剂定向诱导肝细胞分化。镜下动态观察ES细胞的培育和生长情况,并用HE染色、糖原染色、免疫荧光染色检测组织结构形态、肝细胞功能及其肝细胞标志物白蛋白（ALB）的表达。结果显微镜和扫描电镜见ESc可在聚合支架材料上三维立体状态生长,随培养时间不断增殖,交织成网状。HE染色提示形成了致密的类肝组织样结构。糖原染色和免疫荧光染色结果提示形成的类肝组织表达Alb,并有大量糖原存在。结论可在PLLA/PGA三维支架材料及Matrigel上培养ESc和定向肝细胞诱导分化,长时间培养后可形成类肝样组织。     

Three layer functional model and energy exchange concept of aging process

Relying on a certain degree of abstraction, we can propose that no particular distinction exists between animate or living matter and inanimate matter. While focusing attention on some specifics, the dividing line between the two can be drawn. The most apparent distinction is in the level of structural and functional organization with the dissimilar streams of ‘energy flow’ between the observed entity and the surrounding environment. In essence, living matter is created from inanimate matter which is organized to contain internal intense energy processes and maintain lower intensity energy exchange processes with the environment. Taking internal and external energy processes into account, we contend in this paper that living matter can be referred to as matter of dissipative structure, with this structure assumed to be a common quality of all living creatures and living matter in general. Interruption of internal energy conversion processes and terminating the controlled energy exchange with the environment leads to degeneration of dissipative structure and reduction of the same to inanimate matter, (gas, liquid and/or solid inanimate substances), and ultimately what can be called ‘death.’ This concept of what we call dissipative nature can be extended from living organisms to social groups of animals, to mankind. An analogy based on the organization of matter provides a basis for a functional model of living entities. The models relies on the parallels among the three central structures of any cell (nucleus, cytoplasm and outer membrane) and the human body (central organs, body fluids along with the connective tissues, and external skin integument). This three-part structural organization may be observed almost universally in nature. It can be observed from the atomic structure to the planetary and intergalactic organizations. This similarity is corroborated by the membrane theory applied to living organisms. According to the energy nature of living matter and the proposed functional model, the decreased integrity of a human body's external envelope membrane is a first cause of the structural degradation and aging of the entire organism. The aging process than progresses externally to internally, as in single cell organisms, suggesting that much of the efforts towards the restoration and maintenance of the mechanisms responsible for structural development should be focused accordingly, on the membrane, i.e., the skin. Numerous reports indicate that all parts of the human body, like: bones, blood with blood vessels, muscles, skin, and so on, have some ability for restoration. Therefore, actual revival of not only aging tissue of the human body's membrane, but the entire human body enclosed within, with all internal organs, might be expected. We assess several aging theories within the context of our model and provide suggestions on how to activate the body's own anti-aging mechanisms and increase longevity. This paper presents some analogies and some distinctions that exist between the living dissipative structure matter and inanimate matter, discusses the aging process and proposes certain aging reversal solutions.     

Unusual responses of nocturnal pineal melatonin synthesis and secretion to swimming: Attempts to define mechanisms

Abstract: The effect of swimming at night on rat pineal melatonin synthesis was compared with that of light exposure at night. Rats were forced to swim at 0030 hr (lights out at 2000 hr) and sacrificed by decapitation 15 and 30 min later, immediately after swimming. Other groups of animals were exposed to white light (650μW/cm²) for 15 and 30 min at same time. Swimming caused a rapid and highly significant drop in the melatonin content in the pineal gland; however, the activity of N-acetyltransferase (NAT), the supposed rate limiting enzyme in the melatonin production, was not changed. Despite the drop in pineal melatonin levels, serum concentrations of the indole remained elevated in the rats that swam. In contrast, melatonin levels in the pineal and serum of light exposed rats fell precipitously, accompanied by a significant suppression of NAT activity. Since we anticipated that the strenuous exercise associated with swimming may induce release of artrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) from the heart, which in turn could cause the release of pineal melatonin, in a second study we injected physiological saline intravenously to stretch the cardiac muscle and release ANP. Three milliliters of normal saline was injected during the day into the jugular vein of anesthetized rats that were pretreated with isoproterenol to stimulate pineal melatonin production. Animals were killed 15 min after the saline injection, and pineal NAT activity and pineal melatonin levels were measured. The saline injections caused no alteration in the elevated levels of either NAT or melatonin. These data suggest that the disparity in pineal NAT activity (which was high) and pineal melatonin (which was low), in animals swum at night, may not be caused by ANP which is released during strenuous exercise such as swimming.     

The immunoneuroendocrine role of melatonin

Abstract: A tight, physiological link between the pineal gland and the immune system is emerging from a series of experimental studies. This link might reflect the evolutionary connection between self-recognition and reproduction. Pinealectomy or other experimental methods which inhibit melatonin synthesis and secretion induce a state of immunodepression which is counteracted by melatonin. In general, melatonin seems to have an immunoenhancing effect that is particularly apparent in immunodepressive states. The negative effect of acute stress or immunosuppressive pharmacological treatments on various immune parameters are counteracted by melatonin. It seems important to note that one of the main targets of melatonin is the thymus, i.e., the central organ of the immune system. The clinical use of melatonin as an immunotherapeutic agent seems promising in primary and secondary immunodeficiencies as well as in cancer immunotherapy. The immunoenhancing action of melatonin seems to be mediated by T-helper cell-derived opioid peptides as well as by lymphokines and, perhaps, by pituitary hormones. Melatonin-induced-immuno-opioids (MHO) and lymphokines imply the presence of specific binding sites or melatonin receptors on cells of the immune system. On the other hand, lymphokines such as -γ-interferon and interleukin-2 as well as thymic hormones can modulate the synthesis of melatonin in the pineal gland. The pineal gland might thus be viewed as the crux of a sophisticated immunoneuroendocrine network which functions as an unconscious, diffuse sensory organ.     

Melatonin and photoperiodic time measurement: Seasonal breeding in the sheep

Abstract: Well-established circadian physiology supports the view that photoperiodic time measurement utilizes the coincidence between the presence of light and a photosensitive phase of a 'biological clock' to alter reproductive status—the so-called external coincidence model of seasonal breeding. In this review, we examine the mechanism whereby photoperiod interacts with presumed suprachiasmatic nuclei activity to allow endogenous melatonin to normally synchronize reproductive activity to the optimal time of year. The Romney Marsh sheep is particularly explored as an experimental model. It is suggested that the on/off activity of seasonal reproduction may be a robust mechanism able to be predictably manipulated by the judicious use of the light/dark cycle and exogenous melatonin, but firmly based on circadian principles.     

Response of rat pineal melatonin to calcium, magnesium, and lithium is circadian stage dependent

Abstract: Herein we documented the response of pineal melatonin production to electrolytes known to be effective on pineal function in view of a possible circadian stage dependence. We studied the release of melatonin by perifused rat pineal glands at 2 different circadian stages corresponding to the middle of the light and dark periods, i.e., respectively, 7 and 19 HALO (Hours After Light Onset, L:D = 12:12). The initial efflux rates were, as expected, much higher in the perifusates of glands removed from rats sacrificed during the dark phase than of those removed during the light phase. After 3 hr of perifusion, melatonin release reached similar levels which were found constant up to the 8th hr of perifusion, whatever the circadian stage. Perifusion of the glands with physiological concentrations for the rat of calcium (5.2 mmol/1) and magnesium (1.34 mmol/1) resulted in a stimulatory effect on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed in the middle of the dark period (19 HALO), whereas no effects were observed on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed during the light (7 HALO). Lithium (0.28 and 0.55 mmol/1) was ineffective on melatonin release in pineal glands removed 7 and 19 HALO. Our results show differences in the initial efflux rates of melatonin and in the response of perifused pineal glands to calcium and magnesium according to the circadian stage.     

Conservative management of perforated duodenal diverticulum： A case report and review of the literature

Duodenal diverticula are a relatively common condition. They are asymptomatic, unless they become complicated, with perforation being the rarest but most severe complication. Surgical treatment is the most frequently performed approach. We report the case of a patient with a perforated duodenal diverticulum, which was diagnosed early and treated conservatively with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage of secondary retroperitoneal abscesses. We suggest this method could be an acceptable option for the management of similar cases, provided that the patient is in good general condition and without septic signs.     

Changes in connexin43, the gap junction protein of astrocytes, during development of the rat pineal gland

Abstract: The abundance of gap junctions between rat pineal astrocytes formed by connexin43 (Cx43) was studied during development. Levels and distribution of Cx43 were measured by immunoblotting and indirect immunofluorescence, respectively. The amount of Cx43 in cells located within the gland was low until about the 7th postnatal day and increased to adult values between the 14th and 21st days postpartum. Although astrocytes, recognized by their vimentin immunoreactivity, were scarce before birth, they were abundant by the 7th postnatal day suggesting that the low levels of Cx43 found at this age corresponded to a low expression of this protein. Localization of the immunoreactivity to Cx43 and vimentin showed a close correlation, indicating that mature or immature pineal astrocytes form gap junctions made of Cx43. Since Cx43 levels attained their adult values at about the time the innervation and the functional state of the gland reached maturity (2–3 weeks after birth), it is proposed that astrocyte gap junctions are involved in the function of the adult rat pineal gland.