Association of ex-vivo expanded human mesenchymal stem cells and rhBMP-7 is highly effective in treating critical femoral defect in rats

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), easily culture-expanded from bone marrow, can significantly enhance bone defect healing. Several proteins, such as the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and in particular BMP-7, are involved in bone formation in vitro and in vivo. In this preclinical study, we evaluated if the association of human MSC (hMSC) with BMP-7 had synergic action on bone healing. Rat femoral defects (n=12) were treated with: autoclaved bone and mononucleated cells (MNC) as control group G1; bone and hMSC, group G2; bone with BMP-7, group G3; bone and hMSC plus BMP-7, group G4. Defect regeneration was evaluated with plain radiographs after 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks and with histological analysis. We observed organized trabeculae bridging between the osteotomic ends of the host bone in rats treated with the association of hMSC and rhBMP-7. These trabeculae, formed by a core of devitalized tissue surrounded by osteoblasts, osteocytes and osteoclasts, were continuous with a cortical-like structure of bony tissue. Such new bone formation of the group treated with the association of hMSC and rhBMP-7 (G4) was clearly superior compared to rats treated with rhBMP-7 (G2) or hMSC (G3) alone, as shown by radiographic analysis and histological study. The present study suggests that the association of hMSC and BMP-7 is more effective than hMSC or BMP-7 alone in the healing of femoral defects in rats. Further studies with larger samples are required to confirm these results and to evaluate the best dosage.     

Correlation between 5-HT7 receptor affinity and protection against sound-induced seizures in DBA/2J mice

Audiogenic seizures can be induced in DBA/2J mice following intense auditory stimulation. A number of neurotransmitters, including 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), are believed to be involved in mediating this effect since it has been shown previously that depletion of 5-HT or blockade of 5-HT receptors protects DBA/2J mice from these audiogenic seizures. The present study was undertaken to determine whether antagonism of the newly identified 5-HT₇ receptor may protect DBA/2J mice from audiogenic seizures by attempting to correlate in vivo potency of compounds with their affinity at the 5-HT₇ receptor. All compounds used in the correlation were shown to be antagonists at the 5-HT₇ receptor and a statistically significant correlation was observed between 5-HT₇ affinity and doses for half-maximal response (ED₅₀) for protection of DBA/2J mice from sound-induced seizures (r = 0.80; P < 0.05). No significant correlation was observed between in vivo activity and affinity at either 5-HT_1A, 5-HT_2A or 5-HT_2C receptors. It is also unlikely that interactions between the 5-ht₅ receptor will protect DBA/2J mice from audiogenic seizures since metergoline and mesulergine which are both active in this in vivo model have no affinity for the 5-ht₅ receptor. There are similarities between the pharmacology of the 5-HT₇ receptor and that of the 5-HT_1A receptor, however the correlation between the in vivo potency in DBA/2J mice and 5-HT_1A affinity was not significant. Furthermore, the 5-HT_1A receptor antagonist WAY 100135 did not protect DBA/2J mice from audiogenic seizures at doses that antagonise 5-HT_1A receptor-mediated effects in mice. These data suggest that antagonism of 5-HT₇ receptors may protect against audiogenic seizures in DBA/2J mice although a definitive conclusion must await studies with selective 5-HT₇ antagonists. Received: 20 March 1997 / Accepted: 10 August 1997     

P1 blood group antigen expression and epidemic hemolytic uremic syndrome

P1 blood group positivity has been postulated as a host factor which may provide protection against the development of post-enteropathic hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). In this study, blood group status in 20 Inuit survivors ofEscherichia coli 0157: H7-associated HUS was compared with age-and sex-matched controls from the same community who had experienced uncomplicated diarrheal illness due to the same pathogen. Of 20 HUS survivors, 6 were P1 antigen positive compared with 8 of the 20 controls (P=0.7). We conclude that P1 antigen positivity was not protective against HUS in this population. Further studies of this condition to clarify the role of host factors in verotoxin-induced endothelial damage are indicated.     

人酪氨酸羟化酶基因真核表达载体的构建及在哺乳动物细胞中的表达

用限制性内切酶EcoRI从pKS(-)HTH_1切下全长为1.9 kb的人酪氨酸羟化酶基因,在T_4DNA连接酶的作用下连接在真核表达载体pCDNA_3的EcoR Ⅰ位点,构建成重组质粒pcD-NA_3HTH_1,该质粒转染COS-7细胞,免疫荧光组织化学染色证实酪氨酸羟化酶在其中的表达。     

姜黄素对糖尿病大鼠肾脏病变的作用及对肾脏Smad7表达的影响

目的　探讨姜黄素对糖尿病大鼠肾脏病变的作用及对肾脏Smad7蛋白表达的影响。方法　诱导大鼠糖尿病后 ,随机分为对照组及治疗组 ,比较各组的血生化、尿微量白蛋白排泄量、肾脏病理改变及Smad7的免疫组化。结果　糖尿病大鼠内生肌酐清除率 (Ccr)、尿微量白蛋白 (mAlb)排泄量较正常鼠增多 ,系膜基质增生 ,Smad7表达明显下降 ;姜黄素治疗能明显降低Ccr (P <0 0 5 ) ,减少Alb排泄量 (P <0 0 5 ) ,抑制系膜基质增生 ,上调Smad7的表达 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　姜黄素对糖尿病肾病具有明显疗效 ,其机制至少部分是通过上调Smad7的表达 ,拮抗转化生长因子 β的作用 ,从而抑制肾脏纤维化。     

刺梨酸的分离与结构研究

从刺梨中分离出一种新的五环三萜酸,命名为刺梨酸。通过光谱分析和衍生物的制备,确定其化学结构为2β,3α,7β,19α-四羟基乌苏-12-烯-28-羧酸。     

超声介导上调Smad7表达对腹膜炎大鼠腹膜炎症和功能的影响

目的 通过基因转染的方法上调Smad7在大鼠腹膜组织的表达，旨在探讨Smad7的高表达对大鼠腹膜炎模型的炎症反应和腹膜功能的影响。方法 Ⅱ级雄性SD大鼠18只随机分入正常组、对照组和模型组，后两组分别给予空载体和Smad7质粒转染，72 h后腹腔内注射大肠杆菌(E.Coli, ATCC 25922) 10⁹ CFU/kg体重诱导腹膜炎，在48 h后做腹膜功能试验并杀检大鼠。检测腹水及血白细胞计数、腹水细菌菌落计数。间接免疫荧光检测Smad7和CD45在腹膜组织的表达。Western印迹检测腹膜组织Smad7蛋白的表达。应用SPSS 11.0统计软件对腹膜功能与腹水白细胞数和细菌菌落数进行Pearson多元线性相关分析。 结果 与空载体组比较，Smad7转基因组大鼠腹膜组织Smad7的表达、腹水白细胞计数和腹膜组织浸润的白细胞数均显著增加，但腹水细菌菌落计数显著降低、腹膜功能显著恶化。相关分析显示腹膜功能的恶化与腹水白细胞计数相关而与腹水细菌菌落计数无相关。结论 Smad7在大鼠腹膜组织的高表达增强了腹膜局部的炎症反应，而过强的炎症反应导致腹膜功能进一步受损。     

Monoclonal Antibody Specific for TIRC7 Induces Donor-specific Anergy and Prevents Rejection of Cardiac Allografts in Mice

T cell immune response c-DNA (TIRC7) is up-regulated during the early stages of T-cell activation in response to alloantigens. In this study, we analyzed the effects of newly developed monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against TIRC7 in acute cardiac allograft rejection. Fully vascularized heterotopic allogeneic heart transplantation was performed in mice across a full-mismatch barrier (C57Bl/10 into CBA). Recipients received seven injections (day 0-7) of a novel anti-TIRC7 mAb or remained untreated. Graft survival, histology and ex vivo lymphocyte functions were tested. Targeting of TIRC7 with an anti-TIRC7 mAb diminishes lymphocyte infiltration into grafts resulting in delay of morphological graft damage and prolongation of allograft survival. The lymphocytes from anti-TIRC7 mAb-treated animals exhibit hypo-responsiveness without evidence of lymphocyte depletion against the donor allo-antigens. Proliferation and expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were down-regulated while interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10 expression were spared. Moreover, anti-TIRC7 mAb enhanced up-regulation of CTLA-4 expression but suppressed up-regulation of CD25 on stimulated lymphocytes in vitro and in vivo. Ligation of TIRC7 has important effects on the regulation of co-stimulatory signaling pathways associated with suppressing of T-cell activation. Targeting of TIRC7 may therefore provide a novel therapeutic approach for modulating T cell immune responses during organ transplantation.     

Cytokeratin 7 and 20 as immunohistochemical markers in identification of primary tumors in craniospinal metastases: Do they have a significant role?

Cytokeratin (CK)7 and CK20, the low molecular weight cytokeratins, have been found to have a benefit in the differential diagnosis of some epithelial neoplasms. In the present study, the actual role of these markers in the search of primary tumors in 32 patients with craniospinal metastasis of an unknown primary site at presentation, is evaluated. A series of 36 patients with a known primary tumor were presented for comparison. In the first group, two CK7 and CK20 expression profiles were observed; 87% of metastatic tumors were CK7+/CK20‐ and 13% CK7‐/CK20‐. The lung was the major source (82%) of CK7+/CK20‐ metastatic tumors, whereas it represented only 38% of primary tumor in the second group of a known primary site (P = 0.006). Given the fact that metastatic tumors to the craniospinal axis of an unknown primary site are frequently CK7+/CK20‐, and they have commonly metastasized from the lung, it is doubtful that immunohistochemistry is really helpful. However, CT scan and MRI of the chest still play an important role. Many patients in the present study had to undertake these imaging studies, regardless of the CK7/CK20 result. The immunostains may be useful in cases with other expression profiles, but such examples constituted only a minority in the present study.     

Dopamine autoreceptors of subtype D3 regulate mainly dopamine release in the basal ganglia of rat brain

By means of intracerebral microdialysis it is shown that a selective agonist of the dopamine D₃ receptors, 7-hydroxy-N,N-di-n-propyl-2-aminotetralin, causes a dose-dependent decrease of dopamine release but not its synthesis, which confirms the preeminent involvement of D₃ dopamine autoreceptors in presynaptic regulation of the release of this transmitter in the basal ganglia of rat brain. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, No. 4, pp. 430–434, April, 1996