Survival and differentiation of transplanted neural stem cells in mice brain with MPTP-induced Parkinson disease

AIM: To determine survival and differentiation of cultured neural stem cells (NSCs) into viable and functional neurons upon transplantation into mice brain of MPTP-induced Parkinson disease (PD). METHODS: Mouse model of PD was established with two subcutaneous (sc) injections of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP, 40 mg/kg) twice, 16h apart. NSCs isolated from rat embryo midbrain were cultured in clonal density. After labeled with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), the NSCs were transplanted into the uni-or bi-lateral striatum of PD mouse. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunofluorescence was used to evaluate the toxicity of MPTP on the neural cells in the substantia nigra. Immunohistology and laser confocal microscope were used to detect the survival and differentiation of transplanted NSCs. RESULTS: The cultured NSCs generated neurospheres and differentiated into neuron and astrocyte. It indicated that the cultured NSCs were multipotent and self-renewal in vitro. TH-positive neural cells were     

Reduction of RhoC is involved in the decreased migration of neural stem/precursor cells

OBJECTIVE Alzheimer′s disease(AD) is mainly characterized by a progressive loss of neurons and the deposition of beta-amyloid peptides(Aβ).It was demonstrated that transplanted and endogenous neural stem cells or neural precursor cells can survive,migrate,and differentiate into neurons.Previously we found that Aβ42 could disturb the migratory ability of neural stem/precursor cells.We therefore hypothesized that Aβ42 may affect some important proteins through Rho pathway and result in the decreased migration of neural stem/precursor cells.METHODS AND RESULTS We applied siRNA technology to knock down the expression of RhoC in neural stem/precursor cells and found that the expression of RhoC was down-regulated;Trans well assay was used to measure the migratory ability of the neural stem/precursor cells and the result showed that the migratory ability was disturbed when the expression of RhoC was down-regulated;WRW4 was used for inhibiting the effects of the Aβ42 through the FPRL1.CONCLUSION The reduction of RhoC was involved in the decreased migration of neural stem cells.     

Neuroprotective mechanism of modafinil on Parkinson disease induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine

AIM: To observe the neuroprotective mechanism of modafinil on Parkinson disease (PD) models induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl- 1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). METHODS: The model of PD was induced by intraperitoneally injecting MPTP into C57BL/6J mice for 4 d. Modafinil ( ip, 50 or 100 mg.kg^-1.d^-1 ) was administered at 30min following MPTP for 4 d and for another 10 d continuously. The contents of dopamine (DA), noradrenaline(NA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamine (Glu) in the striatum, and the contents of GABA, Glu, malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) in the substantia nigra (SN) of model mice were determined. RESULTS: Modafinil (50 and 100 mg/kg) prevented against the decrease of the contents of DA,5-HT, and NA in the striatum and GSH, GABA in the SN induced by MPTP, but reduced the increase of MDA in the SN and GABA in the striatum induced by MPTP. Modafinil preferentially inhibited striatal GABA release, but it did not change the increase of nigrostriatal Glu release induced by MPTP. CONCLUSION: The anti-oxidation and the modulation of nigrostriatal GABA and striatal NA and 5-HT release contributed to the neuroprotective effects of modafinil on PD induced by MPTP.     

Differentiation of embryoid-body cells derived from embryonic stem cells into hepatocytes in alginate microbeads in vitro

Aim： Embryonic stem （ES） cells are being widely investigated as a promising source of hepatocytes with their proliferative, renewable, and pluripotent capacities. However, controlled and scalable ES cell differentiation culture into functional hepatocytes is challenging. In this study, we examined the differentiat- ing potential of embryoid-body cells derived from ES cells into hepatocytes in alginate microbeads containing exogenous growth factors in vitro. Methods： Embryoid bodies were formed from ES cells by suspension methods. Embryoid bodies cultured for 5 d were treated with trypsin-EDTA. The disaggregated cells were encapsulated in alginate microbeads and stimulated with exogenous growth factors to induce hepatic differentiation. In the course of cell differentiation, cell morphology and viability were observed, and the expression patterns of some genes of the hepatocyte were confirmed by RT-PCR. An immunofluorescence analysis revealed the expression of albumin （ALB） and cytokeratin-18 （CK18）. Hepatocyte functional assays were confirmed by the secretion of ALB and urea. Results： We showed that embryoid-body cells could maintain cell viability in alginate microbeads in vitro. We also found that directed differentiated cells expressed several hepatocyte genes including ct-fetoprotein （AFP）, ALB, Cyp7a 1, CK18, transthyretin （TTR） and tyrosine aminotransferase （TAT） and produced ALB and urea in alginate microbeads. The directed differentiated cells expressed ALB and CK18 proteins on d 14. However, embryoid-body cells could not form hepatocytes without exogenous growth factors in alginate microbeads. Conclusion： The differentiation of embryoid-body cells into hepatocytes con- taining exogenous growth factors in alginate microbeads gives rise to functional hepatocytes and may develop scalable stem cell differentiation strategies for bioartificial livers and hepatocyte transplantation.     

短暂脑缺血诱导成年大鼠纹状体内CRMP-4的表达

AIM: To study the expression of collapsing response mediated protein-4 (CRMP-4) and nestin in the ischemic adult rat brain following transient brain ischemia. METHODS: Brain ischemia was induced by transient left middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 60 min in adult rats. The expression of CRMP-4, nestin and bromodeoxyuridine(BrdU) was analyzed by immunohistochemical method. The co-localization of CRMP-4 and nestin or BrdU was analyzed by double staining combined with confocal laser scanning microscopy. RESULTS: CRMP-4, a marker of immature neuron, could be expressed in the ipsilateral striatum and cerebral cortex at 1st and 2nd week after the ischemia-reperfusion; nestin, a marker of neural stem cell, occurred in above regions from several hours to 2 weeks. CRMP-4 costained with nestin and with BrdU incorporation. CONCLUSION: Neural stem cells may present in the striatum and cerebral cortex of adult rat and can be triggered to differentiate into newborn neuron there by ischemic brain trauma.     

Selective enrichment of hepatocytes from mouse embryonic stem cells with a culture system containing cholestatic serum

Aim： There is increasing evidence indicating that embryonic stem （ES） cells are capable of differentiating into hepatocyte-like cells in vitro. However, it is neces- sary to improve the differentiation efficiency so as to promote the clinical application. Here, we report an efficient culture system to support hepatocyte differentiation from ES cells by utilizing cholestatic serum. Methods： One week after the induction of El4 mouse ES cells into hepatocytes with sodium butyrate, cholestatic serum was added into the culture system at various concentrations and hepatocyte-like cells were induced to proliferate. The morphological and phenotypic markers of hepatocytes were characterized using light microscopy, immunocytochemistry, and RT-PCR, respectively. The function of glycogen stor- age of the differentiated cells was detected by Periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） reaction, and the ratio of hepatic differentiation was determined by counting the albumin and PAS-positive cells. Results： In the presence of conditional selective medium containing cholestatic serum, numerous epithelial cells resembling hepatocytes were observed. The RT-PCR analysis showed that undifferentiated ES cells did not express any hepatic-specific markers; however, in the presence of sodium butyrate and conditional selective medium containing cholestatic serum, hepatic differentiation markers were detected. Immunofluorescence staining showed that those ES-derived hepatocytes were αfetoprotein, albumin, and cytokeratin 18 positive, with the ability of storing glycogen. Further determination of the hepatic differentiation ratio showed that the application of cholestatic serum efficiently enriched ES-derived hepatocyte-like cells by inducing lineage differentiation and enhancing lineage proliferation. Conclusion： The conditional selective medium containing cholestatic serum is optimal to selectively enrich hepatocyte-like cells from mixed differentiated ES cells, which may provide a novel method to improve the hepatic differentiation ratio of ES cells.     

白藜芦醇抗帕金森病黑质细胞凋亡的实验性研究

目的　研究帕金森病(PD)动物模型黑质细胞的凋亡情况及白藜芦醇对神经的保护作用。方法　成年健康SD大鼠1 0 0只,分为5组,每组2 0只。PD模型组应用脑立体定位仪注入6 羟基多巴胺和0 . 2 %抗坏血酸生理盐水混合液至中脑黑质,诱发PD模型;白藜芦醇实验组应用脑立体定位仪注入6 羟基多巴胺和白藜芦醇混合液;正常对照组应用脑立体定位仪注入0 . 2 %抗坏血酸生理盐水混合液,术后观察SD大鼠旋转行为,及应用TH免疫组化和Tunel法观察白藜芦醇对黑质神经元的保护作用。结果　TH染色可见白藜芦醇实验组黑质部位损毁较轻、有较多的残存TH阳性细胞。6 羟基多巴胺模型组TH染色黑质大部毁损,几乎无残存的TH阳性细胞。旋转试验结果,白藜芦醇实验组大鼠旋转次数平均2 0 6圈/ 30分;6 羟基多巴胺模型组模型鼠旋转次数平均31 4圈/ 30分;两者存在统计学差异(P <0 . 0 5 )。术后第2天检测黑质细胞凋亡情况,白藜芦醇实验组黑质细胞凋亡较少,细胞棕黑色,可见凋亡小体;6 羟基多巴胺模型组黑质细胞凋亡数量较多。结论　白藜芦醇具有神经保护作用。     

白藜芦醇抗帕金森病黑质细胞凋亡的实验性研究

目的　研究帕金森病(PD)动物模型黑质细胞的凋亡情况及白藜芦醇对神经的保护作用。方法　成年健康SD大鼠100只,分为5组,每组20只。PD模型组应用脑立体定位仪注入6-羟基多巴胺和0.2 %抗坏血酸生理盐水混合液至中脑黑质,诱发PD模型;白藜芦醇实验组应用脑立体定位仪注入6-羟基多巴胺和白藜芦醇混合液;正常对照组应用脑立体定位仪注入0.2 %抗坏血酸生理盐水混合液,术后观察SD大鼠旋转行为,及应用TH免疫组化和Tunel法观察白藜芦醇对黑质神经元的保护作用。结果　TH染色可见白藜芦醇实验组黑质部位损毁较轻、有较多的残存TH阳性细胞。6-羟基多巴胺模型组TH染色黑质大部毁损,几乎无残存的TH阳性细胞。旋转试验结果,白藜芦醇实验组大鼠旋转次数平均206圈/ 30分;6-羟基多巴胺模型组模型鼠旋转次数平均314圈/ 30分;两者存在统计学差异(P<0.05 )。术后第2天检测黑质细胞凋亡情况,白藜芦醇实验组黑质细胞凋亡较少,细胞棕黑色,可见凋亡小体;6-羟基多巴胺模型组黑质细胞凋亡数量较多。结论　白藜芦醇具有神经保护作用。     

银杏叶提取物对1—甲基—4—苯基—1，2，3，6—四氢吡啶所致帕金森症的保护作用及机制

目的:观察银杏叶提取物(EGb)对1-甲基-4-苯基-1,2,3,6-四氢吡啶(MPTP)及其离子1-甲基-4-苯基吡啶(MPP~ )诱导的帕金森症(PD)模型的保护作用。方法:用脑立体定位仪向黑质(AP-5.4mm,-2.2mm,H8.3mm)内注射MPTP诱导大鼠旋转。在注射MPTP 24h后将大鼠处死,硫代巴比妥法测定黑质中丙二醛(MDA),羟胺法(即改进的黄嘌呤氧化酶法)测定黑质中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD),荧光分光光度法(激发波长310nm,发射波长390nm)测定纹状体中多巴胺(DA)的含量。MPP~ 诱导PC12细胞凋亡,HE染色,光镜下观察凋亡细胞;吖啶橙/溴乙锭(AO/EB)染色,荧光显微镜记数凋亡细胞,观察不同浓度EGb(25,50,100mg/L)在6h,12h,24h对细胞凋亡率的影响。结果:EGb 100mg/kg组可减少模型鼠的旋转次数及旋转持续时间(n=10,P<0.05);与MPTP组比较,EGb 50mg/kg和100mg/kg组MDA相对降低,SOD及DA相对增高(n=10,P<0.05和P<0.01)。MPP~ 10μmol/L可诱导PC12细胞凋亡,EGb 50和100mg/L组在6h,12h,24h可降低细胞凋亡率(P<0.05和P<0.01,n=3)。结论:EGb对MPTP诱导的PD动物模型及其离子MPP~ 诱导的PD细胞模型均有保护作用,其保护机制与清除自由基及抑制神经元凋亡有关。     

类叶升麻苷对MPTP所致帕金森病小鼠模型的神经保护作用

目的研究类叶升麻苷在MPTP诱导的C57小鼠的帕金森病(PD)模型中的神经保护作用及机制。方法通过自主活动实验和滚筒实验研究动物的行为表现,通过高效液相电化学检测方法观察脑纹状体多巴胺的变化,通过脑黑质酪氨酸羟化酶(tyroxinehydroxylase,TH)免疫组化染色观察多巴胺能神经元的损伤程度。并对黑质纹状体进行α-突触核蛋白(α-synuclein)的免疫印迹分析以探讨药物作用机制。结果①经MPTP诱导的C57小鼠,其自主活动次数、滚筒运动潜伏期均低于对照组(P<0·01);纹状体多巴胺含量明显降低(P<0·01);多巴胺能神经元数量明显减少;黑质纹状体α-synuclein蛋白水平下降。②经类叶升麻苷(10、30mg·kg-1)预处理后能明显改善MPTP诱导的C57小鼠的行为学表现,增加脑内多巴胺递质的含量,增加多巴胺能神经元的数量,增加黑质纹状体α-synuclein蛋白水平。结论类叶升麻苷具有神经保护作用,能对抗MPTP诱导的C57小鼠PD模型中的神经损伤。其机制可能与上调α-synuclein蛋白水平有关。     

Possible mechanisms of the protection of ginsenoside Re against MPTP-induced apoptosis in substantia nigra neurons of Parkinson's disease mouse model

We have investigated the role of ginsenoside Re (Re) in preventing 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced apoptosis of the substantia nigra neurons in the mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD). C57BL mice have been administrated i.s.c. with MPTP to establish the PD model. Pretreatment groups were given different doses of Re (6.5, 13, 26 mg kg^-1) i.g. for 13 days. Transmission electron microscope (TEM), tyrosine hydroxythase (TH) immunostaining and TDT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining have been used to observe the damage of substantia nigral neurons. To measure the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Bcl-2, Bax protein and expression of Bcl-2, Bax gene, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization have been explored respectively. Western blot analysis has been performed with anti-caspase-3. Pretreatment with Re (13, 26 mg kg^-1) markedly increases TH-positive neurons and decreases the TUNEL-positive ratio compared with the MPTP model group. Furthermore, Re could enhance the expression of Bcl-2 protein and Bcl-2 mRNA, but reduce the expression of Bax, Bax mRNA, and iNOS, and weaken the cleavage of caspase-3. In summary, ginsenoside Re showed protection from MPTP-induced apoptosis in the PD model mouse nigral neurons and this effect may be attributable to upregulating the expression of Bcl-2 protein, downregulating the expression of Bax, and iNOS protein, and inhibiting the activation of caspase-3.     

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor perindopril on interneurons in MPTP-treated mice.

We examined the effects of perindopril on the dopaminergic system in mice after 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) treatment. The mice received four intraperitoneal injections of MPTP at 1-h intervals. Administration of perindopril showed dose-dependent neuroprotective effects against striatal dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) depletion 3 days after MPTP treatment. Our immunohistochemical study showed that MPTP can severe damage in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive neurons after MPTP treatment. The administration of perindopril significantly attenuated MPTP-induced substantia nigra and striatal damage. The present study also showed that the immunoreactivity of parvalbumin (PV)- or neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-positive cells in the substantia nigra was decreased 7 days after MPTP treatment, whereas no significant changes were observed in these cells of the striatum throughout the experiments. The administration of perindopril significantly attenuated MPTP-induced decrease of the PV- or nNOS-immunoreactivity in the nigral cells. In double-labeled immunostaining with anti-PV and anti-nNOS antibody, PV-immunoreactive cell bodies and fibers were not double-labeled for nNOS-immunoreactive cell bodies and fibers in both the striatum and substantia nigra after MPTP treatment. Furthermore, PV- or nNOS-immunoreactive cell bodies and fibers in both the striatum and substantia nigra were not double-labeled for TH-immunoreactive cell bodies and fibers. These results demonstrate that the ACE inhibitor perindopril has a dose-dependent protective effect against MPTP-induced striatal dopamine, DOPAC and HVA depletion in mice. The present study also demonstrates that perindopril is effective against MPTP-induced degeneration of the nigral neurons and interneurons. Furthermore, our immunohistochemical study suggests that PV-immunoreactive cells and nNOS-immunoreactive cells are different interneurons in both the striatum and substantia nigra. Thus, our results provide further evidence that the ACE inhibitor perindopril may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for Parkinson's disease (PD).     

Biochemical and immunohistological changes in the brain of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated mouse.

We investigated neurochemically and neuropathologically the utility of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated mice as a model of Parkinson's disease. The changes in dopamine D1 and D2 receptors and dopamine uptake sites were determined by quantitative autoradiography using [3H]SCH23390, [3H]raclopride and [3H]mazindol, respectively. Dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid (DOPAC) contents in the striatum were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The distribution of nigral neurons and reactive astrocytes was determined by immunohistochemical staining with antibody against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The mice received four intraperitoneal injections of MPTP (10 mg/kg) at 1-h intervals and then the brains were analyzed at 3 and 7 days after the treatments. No significant change in dopamine D1 receptors was observed in the striatum and substantia nigra after acute treatment with MPTP. Dopamine D2 receptors were reduced significantly in the substantia nigra only 7 days after the MPTP treatment, whereas striatum showed no significant change in the binding throughout the experiments. In contrast, dopamine uptake sites were reduced markedly in the striatum and substantia nigra 3 and 7 days after the MPTP treatment. Dopamine and DOPAC content were also reduced in the striatum 3 and 7 days after the MPTP treatment. An immunohistochemical study indicated a loss of the number of TH-positive neurons in the substantia nigra 7 days after the MPTP treatment. In contrast, numerous GFAP-positive astrocytes were evident in the striatum 7 days after the MPTP treatment. These results provide valuable information for the pathogenesis of acute stage of Parkinson's disease.     

人参皂苷Rg1抗黑质神经元凋亡的可能机制

目的研究人参皂苷Rg1抗1-甲基-4-苯基-1,2,3,6-四氢吡啶(1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine,MPTP)诱导的小鼠黑质神经元凋亡的作用及其机制。方法MPTP制备的帕金森病(Parkinson′s disease,PD)小鼠模型,经人参皂苷Rg1预处理后,用尼氏(Nissl)染色和TH组化染色观察黑质神经元的损害情况,借助TUNEL染色了解黑质神经元的凋亡情况,并用免疫组织化学方法检测黑质神经元caspase-3的活化以及iNOS和nNOS的表达情况。结果人参皂苷Rg1预处理能减少PD鼠模型黑质致密带Nissl阳性神经元和TH阳性神经元的脱失现象,降低黑质神经元TUNEL染色的阳性率。结论人参皂苷Rg1预处理对MPTP诱导的小鼠黑质神经元凋亡有明显的保护作用。     

Cell death induced by MPTP, a substrate for monoamine oxidase B

MPTP is known to cause PD symptoms in primates and in rodents. In order to exert its neurotoxicity MPTP must be converted by monoamine oxidase B into MPP(+) which is the true toxic agent. MPP(+) is taken up by the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra in which it induces cell death. The present work reviews and discusses papers in which specific methods were used to determine whether cell death induced by MPTP/MPP(+) should be considered as apoptosis or necrosis. These two cell death modes may be distinguished using morphological and biochemical criteria. The effect of MPTP/MPP(+) was studied in vitro and in vivo. The results show that no univocal answer is possible. The most widespread interpretation is that MPTP/MPP(+) causes apoptosis when its neurotoxic effect is only sligh and necrosis when it is stronger. Similar considerations may be made also concerning the type of cell death occurring in the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of PD patients.