体外诱导小鼠骨髓干细胞转化为肝细胞的实验研究

目的模拟体内肝脏发生发育的环境和条件，建立以细胞因子为主的体外诱导培养体系，探讨骨髓干细胞体外转化肝细胞的可行性。方法获取小鼠骨髓干细胞，建立以细胞因子为细胞诱导的培养体系。在细胞培养过程中，观察细胞形态和数量，逆转录-聚合酶链反应（RT—PCR）检测肝细胞特异性基因的表达。Western blot和流式细胞仪检测ALB和CK18在蛋白水平的表达情况。糖元染色法行细胞糖原染色、尿素合成试验检测细胞的合成和代谢功能。结果在诱导培养12d，可以观察到多极性的肝细胞样细胞。且细胞逐渐增多、集落不断增大。诱导细胞在培养7d开始表达AFP mRNA并维持到第21天。此后表达逐渐减弱；培养7天开始表达ALB mRNA和CK18 mRNA。随着培养时间的延长表达不断增强；培养14d开始表达TTR mRNA，随着培养时间的延长表达不断增强。通过Western blot检测，诱导21d的细胞表达ALB和CK18蛋白，流式细胞术分析ALB阳性细胞的比例为60．45％，CK18阳性细胞的比例为67％。诱导培养21d，细胞胞浆内可见红染的糖原颗粒；诱导培养6d，细胞开始合成尿素，尿素合成功能随诱导时间的延长而增强，于第15天达到高峰。结论我们建立的以细胞因子FGF、HGF、OSM、EGF为主的细胞诱导培养体系能促使骨髓干细胞定向转化为肝细胞。     

Understanding normal and abnormal development of the Wolffian/epididymal duct by using transgenic mice

The development of the Wolffian/epididymal duct is crucial for proper function and, therefore, male fertility. The development of the epididymis is complex; the initial stages form as a transient embryonic kidney; then the mesonephros is formed, which in turn undergoes extensive morphogenesis under the influence of androgens and growth factors. Thus, understanding of its full development requires a wide and multidisciplinary view. This review focuses on mouse models that display abnormalities of the Wolffian duct and mesonephric development, the importance of these mouse models toward understanding male reproductive tract development, and how these models contribute to our understanding of clinical abnormalities in humans such as congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT).     

Localization of protein gene product 9.5 immunoreactivity in derivatives of the human Wolffian duct and in prostate cancer

BACKGROUND: Protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) has been considered to be a neuronal marker, but it is also present in extraneuronal tissues, e.g., the human mammary gland and rat epididymis. Its presence and distribution in the developing and adult male human genital tract have been unknown. METHODS: Immunohistochemical reactions were performed on human embryonic and postnatal specimens of the male genital tract, using commercial monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. RESULTS: PGP 9.5 immunoreactivity was found in the Wolffian duct of human embryos (55-85 mm crown-rump length). Strong reactivity was observed in mesonephric tubular cells and at the apical rim of Wolffian duct cells. Owing to their PGP 9.5 immunoreactivity, these cells could also be identified on the surface of the embryonic verumontanum, extending from the orifices of the Wolffian duct to a small stretch of the urogenital sinus. There they contrasted sharply against non-Wolffian cells. In the adult human genital tract, PGP 9.5 immunoreactive material was present in the supranuclear portion of some epithelial cells of the epididymal efferent ductules, in isolated cells of the ejaculatory ducts, and in prostate cancer specimens. In the ejaculatory ducts, the PGP 9.5-immunoreactive cells were free of immunoreactivity for semenogelin, the major secretory product of the ejaculatory-vesicular-ampullary complex, and they also lacked chromogranin A-immunoreactivity. In prostate cancer specimens, PGP 9.5 immunoreactivity was never observed in secretory cells (immunoreactive for prostate-specific antigen), but was restricted to neuroendocrine cells, where it occurred either alone or coexpressed with chromogranin A-immunoreactivity. CONCLUSIONS: PGP 9.5-immunoreactivity is prenatally distributed in the Wolffian duct and its derivations; postnatally, it is restricted to a few cells derived from the initial and terminal segment of the Wolffian duct, and to neuroendocrine cells in prostate cancer specimens.     

表皮生长因子及其受体对雄性生殖系统的影响

表皮生长因子 (EGF)是首先从小鼠颌下腺分离出来的含 5 3个氨基酸残基的单链多肽 ,通过与其受体(EGFR)相结合发挥多种生物学效应。近年来发现 ,在人类和其他动物的雄性生殖系统有EGF与EGFR表达 ,对雄性生殖器官的发育、维持及变异起着重要的作用 ,同时 ,对雄性激素的分泌和精子发生也有很大的影响。EGFR在睾丸的支持细胞和间质细胞上均有表达 ,可影响睾酮的分泌 ;能维持正常前列腺组织的生长发育 ,刺激前列腺增生组织和前列腺癌组织的生长和分化 ;EGF参与精子发生 ,其作用点主要在减数分裂过程 ;可影响性分化 ,在雄激素诱导下使胚胎向雄性方向发育。     

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 modulates podocyte mitogenesis

To study the role of insulin-like growth factors (IGF) in podocyte maturation, we isolated and characterized fetal visceral glomerular epithelial cells from human kidneys obtained at 8–18 weeks gestation. Cells were identified as podocyte lineage by their cobblestone morphology and immunoreactivity with synaptopodin, Wilms tumor-1 suppressor gene product (WT-1), complement receptor CR1, and cytoskeletal proteins smooth muscle actin and vimentin. Stimulation of the podocyte cell monolayers with IGF-II resulted in a slight increase in mitogenesis, an effect that was concentration and time dependent and abrogated by co-incubation with exogenous IGF binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2). Western blot analysis of conditioned media revealed that cultured podocytes expressed endogenous IGFBP-2 exclusively. IGF-II stimulation enhanced IGFBP-2 production in a dose- and time-dependent fashion and was associated with an increase in IGFBP-2 mRNA production. These data demonstrate that IGF-II-stimulated IGFBP-2 production appears to inhibit the mitogenic effect of IGF-II, and may have an autocrine effect on the maturation, differentiation, and survival of fetal podocytes.     

附睾分泌蛋白2β1在青春期雄性大鼠睾丸和附睾中的表达

目的:探讨附睾分泌蛋白2(HE2/EP2)的一种异构体———HE2β1在青春期雄性大鼠睾丸和附睾中的表达及其意义。方法:应用免疫组化SP法检测15只青春期SD大鼠睾丸和附睾组织中HE2β1的定位及其表达情况。结果:HE2β1在青春期大鼠睾丸和附睾组织中均有表达。在附睾中,HE2β1主要表达于附睾管上皮主细胞胞质内,而在亮细胞、晕细胞及基细胞内未见阳性表达;其表达水平在附睾头部远段较弱,在体部近、中段及尾部较强,而在附睾始段未见阳性表达。在睾丸生精小管中,部分精原细胞核及支持细胞核均可见明显的棕褐色的阳性颗粒,其他生精细胞以及间质细胞均为阴性。结论:HE2β1在青春期雄性大鼠的睾丸和附睾上皮中均有表达,其定位及表达水平具有区域特异性和细胞特异性,提示其在大鼠精子发生、成熟及附睾上皮天然抗感染机制中发挥重要的作用。     

Notch1在邻苯二甲酸二丁酯致大鼠尿道下裂发生中的表达

目的:利用邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)胚胎期暴露诱导子代SD大鼠发生尿道下裂,检测Notch1在尿道下裂胎鼠与正常胎鼠生殖结节(GT)中的差异表达,探讨其在DBP致大鼠尿道下裂发生中的作用。方法:SD孕鼠20只,随机分为两组,实验组和对照组各10只。妊娠(GD)14～18 d,实验组和对照组分别给予DBP 800 mg/(kg.d)和大豆油2 ml/(kg.d)灌胃,孕第19天剖宫产后记录雄性胎鼠出生体重(BW)、肛门和生殖器之间的距离(AGD)及尿道下裂发生率。取DBP组中发生尿道下裂的雄性胎鼠和对照组中的雄性胎鼠,分为尿道下裂组与对照组,提取生殖结节,用Western印迹法和免疫组化法分析Notch1的表达。结果:实验组子代雄性胎鼠体重为(4.40±0.30)g,对照组为(6.11±0.40)g,实验组较对照组明显下降(P<0.05);实验组AGD为(2.17±0.18)mm,对照组为(3.28±0.16)mm,实验组较对照组明显缩短(P<0.05),尿道下裂发生率为42.9%。Notch1在尿道下裂组的相对表达量为0.671±0.021,正常对照组为1.327±0.031,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);Notch1主要定位于生殖结节上皮细胞,尿道下裂组染色强度明显弱于对照组。结论:染毒期间DBP对雄性子鼠有明显毒性作用,改变了生殖结节中Notch1的表达,可能影响细胞的增殖和凋亡及上皮-间质转化(EMT),导致尿道下裂的发生。     

小鼠骨髓干细胞体外定向诱导为肝细胞样细胞的实验研究

目的来源于骨髓干细胞的有功能的干细胞,可能成为生物人工肝和肝细胞移植的细胞来源。我们建立恰当的体外诱导培养体系,促使骨髓干细胞转化为肝细胞。方法获取骨髓干细胞,建立以FGF、HGF、OSM、EGF为主的细胞诱导培养体系。在细胞分化过程中,观察细胞形态和数量的变化,RT-PCR检测基因表达的变化,免疫荧光染色技术在蛋白水平检测ALB和CK18表达情况。PAS染色检测其糖代谢功能。结果在诱导过程中,多极性的肝细胞样细胞在12 d内可以观察到,且其随着细胞分化过程逐渐增多、集落增大。诱导细胞在7 d内表达AFPmRNA并维持到第21天,但后期表达减弱;在7天内表达ALBmRNA和CK18mRNA,随着分化时间的延长,其表达不断增强;在14 d内表达TTRmRNA,随着分化时间的延长,其表达不断增强。免疫荧光染色进行定位:在诱导组,诱导21 d的细胞表达ALB和CK18,其中ALB表达于胞浆和胞膜,而CK18表达于胞浆。糖原染色发现诱导组中,细胞胞浆内出现大小不等的红染的糖原颗粒。结论我们建立的以细胞因子FGF、HGF、OSM、EGF为主的细胞诱导培养体系是有效的,通过诱导骨髓干细胞,我们获得了有部分肝细胞形态结构和功能的肝细胞样细胞。     

ATRA induces podocyte differentiation and alters nephrin and podocin expression in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND: Podocytes are terminally differentiated and highly specialized epithelial cells. The factors governing podocyte differentiation are poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), a vitamin A derivative, induces podocyte differentiation in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: We tested the effects of ATRA on podocytes. Primary rat, primary mouse, and immortalized mouse podocytes were exposed to ATRA (1, 5, 10, 20, 40, 50, 80, 160, and 200 micromol/L) or control (ethanol) for 72 hours. Cell morphology was examined by electron microscopy, the expression of podocyte specific proteins was measured by immunoflourescence and Western blot analysis, cell number and apoptosis were measured by 3-[4,5] dimethylthiazol-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and Hoechst staining, respectively. To determine if ATRA alters podocyte differentiation in vivo, experimental injury was induced in C57BL6 mice using the antiglomerular antibody. Animals were given either daily intraperitoneal ATRA (16 mg/kg) or vehicle (corn oil). For end points, we measured proteinuria, podocyte-specific protein immunostaining, and proliferation [proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)] at days 5 and 14 (N= 5/group/time point). RESULTS: ATRA induced podocyte process formation in vitro, and significantly increased the expression of nephrin and podocin. This coincided with a reduction in proliferation. ATRA also significantly prevented the decrease in staining for synaptopodin, nephrin, and podocin in experimental animals (P < 0.05 vs. control). This was accompanied by reduced proteinuria and decreased podocyte proliferation (P < 0.05 vs. control). CONCLUSION: ATRA induces podocyte differentiation in vitro and in vivo and alters the expression of certain podocyte-specific proteins. Further studies are ongoing to delineate the mechanism of this effect.     

Role of membrane-bound heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) in renal epithelial cell branching

Role of membrane-bound heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) in renal epithelial cell branching.BACKGROUND: The developing metanephros is characterized by growth and differentiation of the ureteric bud and the surrounding mesenchymal tissue. These processes can be influenced by several growth factors, including epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha). We examined whether another member of the EGF family of growth factors, heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF), might act as a morphogen in renal epithelial tubulogenesis.METHODS: Expression of HB-EGF mRNA and immunoreactive protein were examined in fetal, neonatal and adult rat kidneys. For in vitro studies of tubulogenesis, a rat renal epithelial cell line (NRK52E) stably transfected with proHB-EGF (NRKproHB-EGF) was treated with TPA for 30 minutes, washed with 2 mol/L NaCl to remove soluble HB-EGF trapped by cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan and replated onto plastic dishes in the absence of fetal calf serum. In further experiments, NRKproHB-EGF were suspended in a type I collagen gel in serum-free media.RESULTS: Northern blot analysis indicated that HB-EGF was strongly expressed in embryonic rat kidney (embryonic days 18-20) and was still increased in the neonatal kidney (day 10), compared to the low basal levels in adult kidney. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed that immunoreactive HB-EGF expression in the fetal rat kidney was localized predominantly to the ureteric bud. When NRKproHB-EGF were plated onto plastic substrata, they became progressively flattened and enlarged and exhibited filopoidia. By 10 hours after plating, NRKproHB-EGF began to migrate and subsequently developed cell-cell contact and fully established tubular-like structures. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that the initial recovery of cellular proHB-EGF was localized predominantly to areas of cell-cell attachment. No tubule-like structures were observed in similarly treated NRK52E cells transfected with the vector alone. In collagen gels, NRKproHB-EGF developed short tubule-like structures in the absence of TPA treatment, but with simultaneous TPA treatment, longer and more arborized structures developed. MMP-1 mRNA and immunoreactive protein increased in the TPA-treated cells, suggesting that protein kinase C-mediated collagenase activity was important for the observed tubulogenesis. However, inhibition of EGF receptor tyrosine kinase with AG 1478 significantly blunted the TPA-induced tubulogenesis by NRKproHB-EGF grown in collagen gels.CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that membrane-bound HB-EGF can mediate both epithelial cell branching and cell motility. Localization of proHB-EGF to the site of cell-cell contact and development of tubule-like structures in collagen gels suggests that proHB-EGF may be an important morphogen for renal epithelial cells.     

Localization of androgen and estrogen receptors in adult male mouse reproductive tract

There is considerable variation, both within and between species, in reports of nuclear steroid receptor localizations in the male reproductive tract. In this study, androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptors ERalpha and ERbeta were visualized by immunohistochemistry in adult male mice reproductive tracts, including testes, efferent ductules; initial segment, caput, corpus, and cauda epididymides; and vas deferens. Antibody specificity was demonstrated by Western blot and antibody competition. In testis, AR was expressed in Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, and most peritubular cells, but not in germ cells; Sertoli cells showed more intense staining in stages VI-VII; ERalpha was present in Leydig and some peritubular cells; ERbeta was in Leydig, some peritubular, all Sertoli and germ cells except in spermatids and meiotic spermatocytes. In efferent ductules, AR was strongly expressed in ciliated and nonciliated epithelial cells and in stromal cells; ERalpha was strongly expressed in ciliated and nonciliated epithelial cells; stromal cells were negative; and ERbeta was strongly expressed in ciliated and nonciliated epithelial cells and also in stromal cells. In epididymis, AR was strongly expressed in all epithelial cells (not in intraepithelial lymphocytes); ERalpha was strongly expressed in apical, narrow, and some basal cells of the initial segment, and in caput, principal cells of the caput, clear cells of the distal caput through cauda; stromal cells were negative in the initial segment, but more stromal cells were stained from caput to cauda; ERbeta was strongly expressed in most of epithelial cells of the epididymis, but stromal cells were inconsistently stained. In vas deferens, AR was weakly expressed or absent in principal cells but moderately stained in basal cells, smooth muscle cells of stroma were stained intensely, ERalpha was absent in epithelial cells but present in a subepithelial smooth muscle layer, and ERbeta was strongly expressed in all epithelial cells and most stromal cells. This study demonstrates that the reproductive tracts of male mice differ considerably from those of rats in expression of ARs and ERs and that caution is needed when extrapolating nuclear steroid receptor data across mammalian species.     

Suppression of androgen action and the induction of gross abnormalities of the reproductive tract in male rats treated neonatally with diethylstilbestrol

This study evaluated whether androgen action is altered in rats treated neonatally with diethylstilbestrol (DES) at a dose that induced reproductive tract abnormalities. Rats were treated on alternate days 2-12 with 10 microg DES and studied on Day 18. DES-induced abnormalities included a 70% reduction in testis weight, distension and overgrowth of the rete, distension and reduction in epithelial height of the efferent ducts, underdevelopment of the epididymal duct epithelium, reduction in epithelial height in the vas deferens, and convolution of the extra-epididymal vas. In DES-treated rats, androgen receptor (AR) immunoexpression was virtually absent from all affected tissues and the testis, whereas AR expression in controls was intense in epithelial and stromal cells. The DES-induced change in AR immunoexpression was confirmed by Western analysis for the testis. In rats treated neonatally with 1 microg DES, reproductive abnormalities were absent or minor, except for a 38% reduction in testis weight; loss of AR immunoexpression also did not occur in these rats. Treatment-induced changes in AR expression were paralleled by changes in Leydig cell volume per testis (91% reduction in the 10-microg DES group; no change in the 1-microg DES group). To test whether suppression of androgen production or action alone could induce comparable reproductive abnormalities to 10 microg DES, rats were treated neonatally with either a potent gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRHa) or with flutamide (50 mg/kg/day). These treatments reduced testis weight (68% for GnRHa, 40% for flutamide), and generally retarded development of the reproductive tract but failed to induce the abnormalities induced by 10 microg DES. GnRHa and flutamide caused no detectable change in AR immunoexpression in target tissues, with the exception of minor changes in the testes of flutamide-treated males. GnRHa treatment caused a reduction (83%) in Leydig cell volume comparable to that caused by 10 microg DES. Immunoexpression of estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) in the efferent ducts and of ER beta in all tissues studied were unaffected by any of the above treatments. Neonatal coadministration of testosterone esters (TE; 200 microg) with 10 microg DES prevented most of the morphological abnormalities induced by 10 microg DES treatment alone, though testis weight was still subnormal (46% reduction in DES + TE vs 72% in DES alone and 49% with TE alone) and some lumenal distension was still evident in the efferent ducts. Coadministration of TE with DES prevented DES-induced loss of AR immunoexpression (confirmed for testis by Western blot analysis). It is concluded that 1) reproductive tract abnormalities induced in the neonatal male rat by a high (10 microg) dose of DES are associated with reduced AR expression and Leydig cell volume; 2) these changes are largely absent with a lower dose of DES (1 microg); 3) treatments that interfere with androgen production (GnRHa) or action (flutamide) alone failed to induce reproductive tract abnormalities or alter AR expression as did 10 microg DES; 4) a grossly altered androgen:estrogen balance (low androgen + high estrogen) may underlie the reproductive tract abnormalities, other than reduced testis weight, induced by high doses of DES.     

Upregulation of heparin‐binding epidermal growth factor‐like growth factor and osteopontin in experimental hydronephrosis

SUMMARY This study examined the expression of heparin‐binding epidermal growth factor‐like growth factor (HB‐EGF) and osteopontin in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in the rat, a model of obstructive uropathy. HB‐EGF mRNA was upregulated 5.5‐fold at 4 h post‐obstruction (P < 0.05) and 4.5‐fold after 12 h (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining for HB‐EGF demonstrated an increase in protein in the distended tubules. To determine what effects increased HB‐EGF might have in the obstructed kidney, we attempted to determine whether HB‐EGF upregulates osteopontin and α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) in the tubular line NRK‐52E. Both of these molecules are increased in UUO. Osteopontin mRNA was upregulated in NRK‐52E cells after 24, 48 and 72 h HB‐EGF stimulation. In contrast, HB‐EGF caused a downregulation of α‐SMA protein by Western blot in NRK‐52E cells. When a blocking mAb against secreted HB‐EGF was administered, however, there was no effect on osteopontin mRNA levels or immunohistochemical staining for α‐smooth muscle actin. These data suggest that the action of HB‐EGF in UUO may be to increase osteopontin and reduce α‐smooth muscle actin expression by tubular epithelial cells by an autocrine or intracrine mechanism. By reducing α‐SMA expression, HB‐EGF may also act to maintain epithelial cell morphology in this model.     

波形蛋白、细胞角蛋白5,18,19在人胚胎前列腺发育不同阶段的表达及意义

目的 探讨波形蛋白（Vimentin），细胞角蛋白（Cytokeratin）5、18、19（CK5、18、19）在人胚胎前列腺发育不同阶段组织及细胞中的定位表达变化及其在前列腺胚胎发育中的意义。方法 应用免疫组织化学方法研究Vimentin、CK5、CK18、CK19在不同胎龄前列腺组织中的表达变化。结果 胚胎前列腺上皮细胞中波形蛋白随胎龄增大其表达呈由弱到强，又由强减弱的变化趋势；CK5和CK18的表达起初分布无规律，但是随胎龄增大，CK5和CK18逐渐分别定位表达于基底细胞层和管腔上皮细胞层；CK19则在基底细胞层和管腔上皮细胞层中均有表达，且强度较一致，基本不随胎龄增大而变化。结论 胚胎前列腺上皮细胞Vimentin的表达，可能有助于上皮细胞的游走迁移，以形成早期原始腺体。CK5、CK18以及CK19阳性细胞在原始腺体中的动态分布与胚胎前列腺上皮细胞的分化状态有关。     

Expression of complement regulatory proteins in the developing human kidney

Complement homologous restriction factor CD59 and complement receptor CD35 are typically involved in the regulation of the host defense system. Recent observations in the human fetal kidney suggest a further role for complement cell surface regulators CD35 and CD59 in kidney development and maturation. We investigated this possible role by localizing CD35 and CD59 protein and mRNA in the developing and adult kidney. Adult tissue and fetal tissue ontogeny were analyzed using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. CD35 protein and mRNA were localized to the podocyte of the glomerulus in the human fetal and adult kidney. Expression was initiated after vascularization of the early developing glomerulus. CD59 protein and mRNA were observed as early as 8 weeks’ gestation and were localized primarily to the ureteric duct epithelium in the fetal kidney and predominantly to the collecting duct in the adult. Interestingly, CD59 expression was translocated from the basolateral surface in the fetal kidney to the apical surface in the adult kidney. The specific spatial and temporal expression of CD35 and CD59 suggests a possible role for these complement regulatory proteins in renal cell differentiation. Received: 29 October 1999 / Revised: 21 March 2000 / Accepted: 22 March 2000