Canine cranial reconstruction using autologous bone marrow stromal cells

Limited-sized transplants of culture-expanded autologous or allogeneic bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) form cortico-cancellous bone in rodent models. Initiation of clinical studies using autologous BMSC transplantation requires effective bone formation among sizable transplants in a large animal model as well as noninvasive techniques for evaluating transplant success. Here, we obtained bone marrow from the femurs of six dogs and expanded BMSCs in tissue culture. Autologous BMSC-hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate (HA/TCP) transplants were introduced into critical-sized calvarial defects and contralateral control skull defects received HA/TCP vehicle alone. At intervals ranging from 2 to 20 months, transplants were biopsied or harvested for histological and mechanical analysis. Noninvasive studies, including quantitative computed tomography scans and ultrasound, were simultaneously obtained. In all animals, BMSC-containing transplants formed significantly more bone than their control counterparts. BMSC-associated bone possessed mechanical properties similar to the adjacent normal bone, confirmed by both ultrasound and ex vivo analysis. Evaluation by quantitative computed tomography confirmed that the extent of bone formation demonstrated by histology could be discerned through noninvasive means. These results show that autologous cultured BMSC transplantation is a feasible therapy in clinical-sized bone defects and that such transplants can be assessed noninvasively, suggesting that this technique has potential for use in patients with certain bone defects.     

Adult bone marrow stem cells in cartilage therapy

Cartilage defect rarely heals spontaneously since cartilage tissue is poorly vascularized and the lesion usually does not penetrate to subchondral bone, and hence it does not have access to progenitor cells of bone marrow. Severe cartilage damage may lead to osteoarthritis (OA). Current surgical and non-surgical therapeutic interventions in OA are limited to symptom relief and/or repair of focal lesion, and later a total knee replacement is still necessary. Cell therapy with chondrocyte implantation requires healthy cartilage for donor of the cells. Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the ability to differentiate into chondrogenic lineage. They can readily be isolated from bone marrow as well as many other adult tissues and have an extensive proliferation capacity. Therefore, MSCs may offer a great potential to be developed as an alternative for cell-based articular cartilage therapy.     

Bone marrow stromal cells as targets for gene therapy

The bone marrow (BM) is composed of the non-adherent hematopoietic and adherent stromal cell compartment. This adherent BM stromal cell fraction contains pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and differentiated mesenchymal BM stromal cells. The MSCs self-renew by proliferation while maintaining their stem-cell phenotype and give rise to the differentiated stromal cells which belong to the osteogenic, chondrogenic, adipogenic, myogenic and fibroblastic lineages. A more primitive adherent stem cell was recently identified, the multipotent adult progenitor cell (MAPC) or mesodermal progenitor cell, which co-purifies with MSCs. These MAPCs differentiate into MSCs, endothelial, epithelial and even hematopoietic cells. BM stroma cells, including the primitive pluripotent MSCs and MAPCs, are attractive targets for cell and gene therapy. The BM stromal cell population and its multipotent stem cells can be engineered to secrete a series of different proteins in vitro and in vivo that could potentially treat a variety of serum protein deficiencies and other genetic or acquired diseases, including bone, cartilage and BM stromal disorders or even cancer.     

组织工程化软骨细胞和骨髓间充质干细胞用于修复同种异体关节软骨缺损

背景：关节软骨几乎没有自身修复的能力,目前临床大多采用自体或异体软骨移植修复、软骨膜或骨膜移植修复、软骨细胞移植修复。由于自体软骨来源有限,异体软骨又存在慢性免疫排斥反应,最终可能导致预后不佳;软骨膜或骨膜移植修复的软骨易于退化,导致修复效果不佳。 目的：总结组织工程化软骨细胞、骨髓间充质干细胞及两者共培养对同种异体软骨缺损修复作用的研究现状。 方法：应用计算机检索PubMed 数据库及中国期刊网全文数据库1994-01/2012-01有关组织工程化软骨细胞和骨髓间充质干细胞用于修复同种异体关节软骨缺损方面的文章,英文检索词为“cartilage defect,allograft,chondrocyte,mesenchymal stem cells,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells”,中文检索词为“软骨缺损,同种异体移植,软骨细胞,骨髓间充质干细胞”。排除重复性及非中英文语种研究,共保留35篇文献进行综述。 结果与结论：随着体外细胞培养方法的不断改进,现已能够把软骨细胞从坚韧的软骨中分离出来,并获得大量高纯度的软骨细胞并繁殖出新生软骨细胞。软骨细胞培养增殖能力低,传代培养容易引起老化和去分化;而成体骨髓中骨髓间充质干细胞含量少,随传代次数的增多成软骨潜能明显降低。骨髓间充质干细胞和软骨细胞共培养,两种细胞相互促进增殖和分化,作为种子细胞可减少软骨细胞增殖传代次数并节省软骨细胞数量,与组织工程支架材料复合能有效修复关节软骨缺损。     

Development of cell therapy using autologous bone marrow cells for liver cirrhosis

The plasticity of bone marrow has been confirmed by the autopsy of a female recipient of bone marrow cell transplantation from a male donor. To establish new clinical cell therapies using autologous bone marrow cells for patients with liver failure, we developed a new in vivo model named the green fluorescent protein (GFP)/carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) model. Using the GFP/CCl₄ model, we found that transplanted Liv8-negative cells efficiently repopulated into cirrhotic liver tissue and differentiated into albumin-producing hepatocytes under persistent liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride. Moreover, bone marrow cell transplantation into mice with liver cirrhosis improved liver function and liver fibrosis with the strong expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially MMP-9 activity, resulting in an improved survival rate. Results from the GFP/CCl₄ model showed that cell therapy using autologous bone marrow cells has the potential to become an effective treatment for patients with liver failure. A summary of findings from the GFP/CCl₄ model is described.     

Response of human bone marrow stromal cells to a novel ultra-fine-grained and dispersion-strengthened titanium-based material

A novel titanium-based material, containing no toxic or expensive alloying elements, was compared to the established biomaterials: commercially pure titanium (c.p. Ti) and Ti6Al4V. This material (Ti/1.3HMDS) featured similar hardness, yield strength and better wear resistance than Ti6Al4V, as well as better electrochemical properties at physiological pH 7.4 than c.p. Ti grade 1 of our study. These excellent properties were obtained by utilizing an alternative mechanism to produce a microstructure of very fine titanium silicides and carbides (<100 nm) embedded in an ultra-fine-grained Ti matrix (365 nm). The grain refinement was achieved by high-energy ball milling of Ti powder with 1.3 wt.% of hexamethyldisilane (HMDS). The powder was consolidated by spark plasma sintering at moderate temperatures of 700 °C. The microstructure was investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and correlated to the mechanical properties. Fluorescence microscopy revealed good adhesion of human mesenchymal stem cells on Ti/1.3HMDS comparable to that on c.p. Ti or Ti6Al4V. Biochemical analysis of lactate dehydrogenase and specific alkaline phosphatase activities of osteogenically induced hMSC exhibited equal proliferation and differentiation rates in all three cases. Thus the new material Ti/1.3HMDS represents a promising alternative to the comparatively weak c.p. Ti and toxic elements containing Ti6Al4V.     

骨髓基质干细胞治疗骨不连的新进展

背景：骨髓基质干细胞体外培养增殖力强、易于向成骨细胞及软骨细胞方向分化且成骨性能稳定等特点,成为骨组织工程中合适的种子细胞。 目的：总结分析采用骨髓基质干细胞作为种子细胞,分析其直接移植于骨不连部位或复合支架或转基因治疗骨不连所具有的优劣势。 方法：检索1992/2011西文生物医学期刊文献数据及CNKI 数据库有关骨不连研究,骨髓基质干细胞分离、培养,在骨不连方面的应用,骨组织工程细胞支架方面的文献,英文检索词为“bone marrow stromal stem cells,nonunions, repairing,tissue engineering”,中文检索词为“骨髓基质干细胞,骨修复,骨不连,组织工程”。排除重复性研究,保留23篇进一步归纳总结。 结果与结论：利用骨髓基质干细胞作为种子细胞,直接植入骨不连部位,或与适当的支架材料结合,或用骨髓基质干细胞作为靶细胞,导入外源目的基因诱导成骨的基因治疗来修复骨缺损的方法,给骨缺损的治疗带来光明的前景。但同时也存在骨髓基质干细胞增殖、分化合适条件难以准确确定,经皮移植自体骨髓基质干细胞植入体内后容易流失,不能在植入部位形成有效的细胞浓度,支架材料尚不能完全符合临床要求,以及如何将骨组织工程与基因治疗的方法结合起来等问题,需要进一步的研究。     

透骨消痛颗粒含药血清诱导骨髓基质干细胞向软骨细胞分化

背景：骨髓基质干细胞根据环境而有不同的分化路径,在特定的环境中有分化为透明软骨细胞的趋势,可能为治疗骨性关节炎提供新思路。 目的：观察透骨消痛颗粒含药血清对骨髓基质干细胞向软骨分化的影响。 方法：取SD大鼠四肢建立体外培养的骨髓基质干细胞,取第3代骨髓基质干细胞进行干预,分为生理盐水血清组、透骨消痛颗粒水提物血清组、透骨消痛颗粒醇提物血清组、诱导软骨剂组、透骨消痛颗粒水提物血清+诱导软骨剂组、透骨消痛颗粒醇提物血清+诱导软骨剂组。Real time PCR及Western Blot检测Sox9、collagen Ⅱ、collagen Ⅹ mRNA及蛋白表达。 结果与结论：含药血清干预14 d后,Sox9、 collagen Ⅱ、collagen Ⅹ mRNA及蛋白表达水平,透骨消痛颗粒水提物血清组、透骨消痛颗粒醇提物血清组、诱导软骨组、透骨消痛颗粒水提物血清+诱导软骨剂组、透骨消痛颗粒醇提物血清+诱导软骨剂组明显高于生理盐水血清组(P < 0.05,P< 0.01),诱导软骨组、透骨消痛颗粒水提物血清+诱导软骨剂组、透骨消痛颗粒醇提物血清+诱导软骨剂组明显高于透骨消痛颗粒水提物血清组、透骨消痛颗粒醇提物血清组(P < 0.01),其中Sox9表达透骨消痛颗粒水提物血清+诱导软骨剂组高于诱导软骨。说明透骨消痛颗粒含药血清通过上调Sox9的表达,加速骨髓基质干细胞细胞向软骨细胞分化。     

Intramyocardial injection of autologous bone marrow cells as an adjunctive therapy to incomplete myocardial revascularization--safety issues

OBJECTIVES: To determine the safety of intramyocardial injection of autologous bone marrow cells in patients undergoing surgical myocardial revascularization (CABG) for severe coronary artery disease. INTRODUCTION: There is little data available regarding the safety profile of autologous bone marrow cells injected during surgical myocardial revascularization. Potential risks include arrythmias, fibrosis in the injected sites and growth of non-cardiac tissues. METHODS: Ten patients (eight men) were enrolled; they were 59+/-5 years old with limiting angina and were non-optimal candidates for complete CABG. Bone marrow cells (1.3+/-0.3x10(8)) were obtained prior to surgery, and the lymphomonocytic fraction (CD34+ =1.8+/-0.3%) was separated by density gradient centrifugation. During surgery, bone marrow cells were injected in non-grafted areas of ischemic myocardium. During the first year after surgery, the patients underwent laboratory tests, cardiac imaging, and 24-hour ECG monitoring. RESULTS: Injected segments: inferior (n=7), anterior (n=2), septal (n=1), apical (n=1), and lateral (n=1) walls. Except for a transient elevation of C-reactive protein at one month post-surgery (P=0.01), laboratory tests results were within normal ranges; neither complex arrhythmias nor structural abnormalities were detected during follow-up. There was a reduction in functional class of angina from 3.6+/-0.8 (baseline) to 1.2+/-0.4 (one year) (P<0.0001). Also, patients had a significant decrease in the ischemic score assessed by magnetic resonance, not only globally from 0.65+/-0.14 (baseline) to 0.17+/-0.05 (one year) (P=0.002), but also in the injected areas from 1.11+/-0.20 (baseline) to 0.34+/-0.13 (one year) (P=0.0009). CONCLUSIONS: Intramyocardial injection of bone marrow cells combined with CABG appears to be safe. Theoretical concerns with arrhythmias and/or structural abnormalities after cell therapy were not confirmed in this safety trial.     

A comparison of human umbilical cord matrix stem cells and temporomandibular joint condylar chondrocytes for tissue engineering temporomandibular joint condylar cartilage

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) presents many problems in modern musculoskeletal medicine. Patients who suffer from TMJ disorders often experience a major loss in quality of life due to the debilitating effects that TMJ disorders can have on everyday activities. Cartilage tissue engineering can lead to replacement tissues that could be used to treat TMJ disorders. In this study, a spinner flask was used for a period of 6 days to seed polyglycolic acid (PGA) scaffolds with either TMJ condylar chondrocytes or mesenchymal-like stem cells derived from human umbilical cord matrix (HUCM). Samples were then statically cultured for 4 weeks either in growth medium containing chondrogenic factors or in control medium. Immunohistochemical staining of HUCM constructs after 4 weeks revealed a strong presence of collagen I and minute amounts of collagen II, whereas TMJ constructs revealed little collagen I and no collagen II. The HUCM constructs were shown to contain more GAGs than the TMJ constructs quantitatively at week 0 and histologically at week 4. Moreover, the cellularity of HUCM constructs was 55% higher at week 0 and nearly twice as high after 4 weeks, despite being seeded at the same density. The increased level of biosynthesis and higher cellularity of HUCM constructs clearly demonstrates that the HUCM stem cells outperformed the TMJ condylar cartilage cells under the prescribed conditions. HUCM stem cells may therefore be an attractive alternative to condylar cartilage cells for TMJ tissue engineering applications. Further, given the availability and ease of obtaining HUCM stem cells, these findings may have far-reaching implications, leading to novel developments in both craniofacial and orthopaedic tissue replacement therapies.     

Chest wall reconstruction in a canine model using polydioxanone mesh,demineralized bone matrix and bone marrow stromal cells

Extensive chest wall defect reconstruction remains a challenging problem for surgeons. In the past several years, little progress has been made in this area. In this study, a biodegradable polydioxanone (PDO) mesh and demineralized bone matrix (DBM) seeded with osteogenically induced bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were used to reconstruct a 6 cm × 5.5 cm chest wall defect. Four experimental groups were evaluated (n = 6 per group): polydioxanone (PDO) mesh/DBMs/BMSCs group, polydioxanone (PDO) mesh/DBMs group, polydioxanone (PDO) mesh group, and a blank group (no materials) in a canine model. All the animals survived except those in the blank group. In all groups receiving biomaterial implants, the polydioxanone (PDO) mesh completely degraded at 24 weeks and was replaced by fibrous tissue with thickness close to that of the normal intercostal tissue (P > 0.05). In the polydioxanone (PDO) mesh/DBMs/BMSCs group, new bone formation and bone-union were observed by radiographic and histological examination. More importantly, the reconstructed rib could maintain its original radian and achieve satisfactory biomechanics close to normal ribs in terms of bending stress (P > 0.05). However, in the other two groups, fibrous tissue was observed in the defect and junctions, and the reconstructed ribs were easily distorted under an outer force. Based on these results, a surgical approach utilizing biodegradable polydioxanone (PDO) mesh in combination with DBMs and BMSCs could repair the chest wall defect not only in function but also in structure.     

同种异体与自体血清对骨髓基质干细胞的增殖效应

背景：传统的细胞培养方法大多采用胎牛血清作为营养支持,其存在传播疾病的风险和免疫排斥反应。寻找胎牛血清替代物并建立规范、安全、高效的成人骨髓基质干细胞体外培养体系刚刚起步,有待进一步研究。 目的：探讨AB血清、自体血清替代胎牛血清体外培养人骨髓基质干细胞的效果。 方法：从成人骨髓穿刺液中分离人骨髓基质干细胞,分别用含体积分数10%AB血清、自体血清和胎牛血清的基础培养基培养人骨髓基质干细胞,取第3代细胞进行相关指标检测。 结果与结论：相差显微镜下见AB血清组细胞最先达到汇合;流式细胞仪检测细胞表面抗原,各组均符合骨髓干细胞表型,纯化程度良好;Alamar Blue法显示AB血清组平均荧光强度最高,促增殖效率最高;Annexin V-FITC法显示各组细胞凋亡率均在5%以下,生长状态良好;碱性磷酸酶染色、钙结节和油红O染色结果显示,各组细胞均保持了成骨、成脂分化能力。AB血清对人骨髓基质干细胞的增殖作用较胎牛血清、自体血清明显增强。AB血清有望替代胎牛血清建立符合骨组织工程临床应用要求的体外成人骨髓基质干细胞培养体系。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：干细胞;骨髓干细胞;造血干细胞;脂肪干细胞;肿瘤干细胞;胚胎干细胞;脐带脐血干细胞;干细胞诱导;干细胞分化;组织工程     

Repair of porcine articular osteochondral defects in non-weightbearing areas with autologous bone marrow stromal cells

In vivo niche is known to play important roles in terminal differentiation of implanted bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). This study explored the feasibility of repairing articular osteochondral defects using autologous BMSCs and biodegradable polymers. BMSCs from 18 hybrid pigs' marrows were either treated with dexamethasone (40 ng/mL) alone or chondrogenically induced with dexamethasone and transforming growth factor-beta1 (10 ng/mL). The cells were seeded respectively onto polylactic acid (PLA)- coated polyglycolic acid (PGA) scaffolds. Four osteochondral defects in each animal were created at non-weightbearing areas of knee joints (2/each side) and were respectively repaired by a chondrogenically induced BMSC-PGA/PLA construct in experimental group (Exp), by a dexamethasone-treated BMSC-PGA/PLA construct in control 1 group (Ctrl 1), by a PGA/PLA construct alone in control 2 group (Ctrl 2), or left unrepaired in control 3 group (Ctrl 3). To trace the implanted cells, green fluorescent protein (GFP)- labeled BMSCs were implanted in 2 animals. Gross view and histology showed that Exp and Ctrl 1 (with cell implantation) achieved better reparative results than Ctrl 2 and Ctrl 3 (without cell implantation) in terms of the reparative level and the restoration of the histological structure. In addition, 6-month results were better than 3-month results in all 4 groups. In Exp, 11 of 16 defects were completely repaired by hyaline cartilage and cancellous bone. In Ctrl 1, 11 of 16 defects were repaired by fibrocartilage and cancellous bone, although the repair with hyaline cartilage and cancellous bone was observed in 5 of 16 defects. In contrast, no obvious repair or only fibrotic tissue was observed in Ctrl 2 and Ctrl 3. The compressive moduli of repaired cartilage in Exp reached 80.27% of the normal amount at 6 months, with a high level of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content (no statistical difference from normal). In Ctrl 1, the compressive moduli and GAG content were 62.69% and 78.03% of normal levels, respectively. More importantly, GFP-labeled cells were detected in the engineered cartilage and the repaired subchondral bone. These results strongly indicate that the implanted BMSCs can differentiate into either chondrocytes or osteoblasts and repair articular osteochondral defects by forming engineered cartilage and engineered bone.     

骨髓基质干细胞治疗实验性自身免疫性神经炎的研究

目的:探讨骨髓基质干细胞(BMSC)移植治疗实验性自身免疫性神经炎(experimentalautoimmuneneuritis,EAN)的疗效以及相应的作用机制。方法:用P0180-199多肽与弗氏完全佐剂的混合液免疫Lewis大鼠,建立EAN动物模型。治疗组在免疫后第10天,尾静脉回输荧光染料PKH26标记的BMSC(2×106个细胞/只),通过临床评估、免疫组化及ELISA等方法,研究了BMSC对EAN的治疗作用。结果:回输的BMSC能向脱髓鞘神经组织周围迁移,减轻脱髓鞘的病理改变和炎性细胞浸润。与对照组比较,治疗组CD4 和CD8 T细胞的浸润显著减少(P<0.05),血清中IFN-γ和TNF-α的水平明显降低(P<0.05),培养上清中IL-4的水平显著增加(P<0.05)。结论:BMSC静脉移植治疗EAN有一定的疗效。BMSC通过调节细胞因子的表达逆转Th1/Th2型细胞之间的失衡而发挥治疗作用,并能够抑制T细胞活化增殖。     

Long-term stable canine mandibular augmentation using autologous bone marrow stromal cells and hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate

Transplants of culture-expanded bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) combined with hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate (HA/TCP) scaffolds successfully form cortico-cancellous bone to reconstruct the dog craniofacial skeleton. Yet, these transplants' long-term stability in large animal models has not been evaluated. This study's purpose was the evaluation of long-term BMSC transplant stability when used to augment the mandible. Here, autologous BMSC-HA/TCP transplants were introduced onto the unilateral dog mandible as onlay grafts, while contralateral control mandibles received HA/TCP onlays alone. Quantitative CT (qCT) scans were obtained both early and late after transplantation. Transplants were harvested up to 19 months later for histologic and mechanical analyses. In all dogs, BMSC transplants formed significantly greater amounts of bone over their control counterparts. The new bone formed an extensive union with the underlying mandible. BMSC transplants retained the majority of their initial volume, while control (HA/TCP only) transplants were nearly completely resorbed. By qCT, the extent of newly formed bone could be determined non-invasively. In summary, HA/TCP particles alone undergo a high degree of resorption, while autologous cultured BMSC-HA/TCP transplants provide long-term bony augmentation of the mandible.     

骨组织工程的种子细胞--骨髓基质细胞的研究进展

骨髓基质细胞作为骨组织工程的种子细胞具有广阔前景.许多实验证实骨髓基质细胞具有间充质干细胞特性,表现为较强的增殖能力和向多种间充质细胞分化的潜能.目前已建立了体外培养骨髓基质干细胞的方法,而且正在摸索进一步纯化的方法和诱导分化的条件.已有利用其成骨特性体内移植实验,表明在适当的条件下,接种在组织工程材料上的骨髓基质细胞可以形成新骨.