Differentiation of adult mouse olfactory precursor cells into hair cells in vitro

Many forms of deafness result from degeneration of the sensory cells for hearing, the hair cells in the cochlea. Stem cells offer a potential cell-based therapy for the treatment of deafness. Here, we investigate whether adult olfactory precursor cells can differentiate into hair cells in culture. Precursor cells were isolated from mouse olfactory neuroepithelium, were sphere-forming, showed proliferative capacity, and contained cells expressing neuronal and non-neuronal proteins. To induce differentiation, precursor cells were cocultured with cochlear cells and/or cochlear supernatant. Differentiated precursor cells were immunopositive for specific hair cell markers, including myosin VIIa, FM1-43, calretinin, phalloidin, and espin, and resembled hair cells anatomically and immunocytochemically in culture. The results demonstrate for the first time that adult olfactory precursor cells can differentiate into hair cell-like cells, thus providing a potential autotransplantation therapy for hearing loss.     

The influence of bone and marrow on cartilage hypertrophy and degradation during 30-day serum-free culture of the embryonic chick tibia.

In this study, an organ culture system is defined which demonstrates complete loss of cartilage matrix from embryonic chick tibiae. Efficient loss of the cartilage matrix occurs within 30 days of serum-free culture only when the intact tibiae containing bone, marrow, and cartilage tissue are cultured. During organ culture nonhypertrophic chondrocytes become hypertrophic and stain positively for type X collagen and alkaline phosphatase. The cartilage loses Safranin O staining, and finally all cartilage matrix disappears leaving the bony collar and marrow cells. If the tibial cartilage is separated from the bony collar and cultured alone in serum-free medium, the nonhypertrophic chondrocytes also hypertrophy; the matrix loses Safranin O staining; however, some components of the matrix including type X collagen still remain after 30 days. In the presence of serum, the chondrocytes will hypertrophy but cartilage degradation is not evident. The results of this study support the conclusions that 1) hypertrophy is inherently programmed in the chondrocyte and 2) while Safranin O staining of cartilage cultured alone is diminished in serum-free organ culture, the degradation of cartilage is complete only when bone and marrow are also present.     

耳蜗提取液诱导海马神经干细胞分化的实验研究

为探讨新生鼠耳蜗提取液对于诱导海马神经干细胞分化为内耳毛细胞的影响,采用无血清和单克隆培养方法,将新生鼠耳蜗部位的提取液加入离体的海马神经干细胞的培养液中。应用nestin、BrdU、NF200、GFAP、MyosinⅦA和P27KIP1免疫荧光染色,观察神经干细胞的形态及分化而来的神经元、神经胶质细胞、内耳毛细胞和内耳支持细胞的形态,并检测由海马神经干细胞分化而来的细胞数量。结果表明海马神经干细胞在无血清培养下,可形成nestin阳性细胞球。但在诱导液中加入耳蜗提取液后,免疫荧光染色可见NF200、GFAP、MyosinⅦA和P27KIP阳性细胞。结果提示在耳蜗微环境的作用下海马神经干细胞除了向神经元和神经胶质细胞方向分化外,还可向内耳毛细胞和支持细胞方向分化。     

A microfabricated,optically accessible device to study the effects of mechanical cues on collagen fiber organization

As the primary structural protein of our bodies, fibrillar collagen and its organizational patterns determine the biomechanics and shape of tissues. While the molecular assembly of individual fibrils is well understood, the mechanisms determining the arrangement of fibers and thus the shape and form of tissues remain largely unknown. We have developed a cell culture model that successfully recapitulates early tissue development and the de novo deposition of collagen fibers to investigate the role of mechanical cues on collagen fiber alignment. The devices used a thin, collagen-coated deformable PDMS membrane inside a tissue culture well built on microscope-grade coverslips. Deformations and strains in the PDMS membrane were quantified by tracking fluorescent bead displacement and through the use of a COMSOL model. Cyclical strains were applied to serum-cultured rabbit corneal cells at 0.5 Hz for 24–48 h and showed a preferred alignment after 36 h of cyclical loading. Cells cultured with ascorbic acid under methylcellulose serum-free conditions deposited a collagenous matrix that was visible under live second harmonic generation microscopy at week 4. Our microfabricated tissue culture system allows for the controllable application of a wide range of stress profiles to cells, and for the observation and quantification of cells and de novo collagen formation in vitro. Future studies will involve the fabrication of models to study the formation and organization of collagen in ocular diseases.     

Growth of microvessels in serum-free matrix culture of rat aorta. A quantitative assay of angiogenesis in vitro.

We report here that rings of rat aorta embedded in gels of fibrin or collagen and cultured in MCDB 131, an optimized growth medium for microvascular endothelial cells, generate branching microvessels in the absence of serum or other soluble protein supplements. The angiogenic response is self-limited and can be quantitated by counting the newly formed microvessels daily in the living cultures. The microvascular growth curves are characteristic for each gel. Growth of microvessels in collagen gel peaks at the end of the 1st week and is followed by a rapid regression in the 2nd week. Fibrin gels, as compared with collagen, stimulate angiogenesis by 170%, support growth during the 2nd week, and protect the newly formed microvessels from early regression. Angiogenesis is inhibited by adding hydrocortisone to the culture medium. Conversely, a 230% stimulation of angiogenesis is obtained when aortic rings are cultured in collagen gels floating in serum-free medium conditioned by sarcoma 180 cells. Our results demonstrate that: (a) angiogenesis can be obtained reproducibly in serum-free culture; (b) serum-free culture is a sensitive method for testing the inhibitory or stimulatory effects of soluble or matrix factors on angiogenesis; (c) the aortic ring model can be used as a quantitative assay for the study of angiogenesis under chemically defined culture conditions.     

In vitro spermatogenesis by three-dimensional culture of rat testicular cells in collagen gel matrix

In an effort to improve in vitro spermatogenesis by potentiating the interactions between developing germ cells, somatic cells, and the extracellular matrix (ECM), the efficiency of the germ cell-somatic cell coculture in a three-dimensional (3D) collagen gel matrix was examined. Cells isolated from rat seminiferous tubules 18 days after birth were cultured for 22 days in a monolayer without ECM, collagen gel (CG), or collagen+Matrigel (CGM). After culture, the viabilities of the cultured cells in the monolayer, CG, and CGM culture were 42.8%, 70.7% and 76.1%, respectively. Occludin-positive cells in a cyst-like structure were found in the ECM gel matrix together with 3beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-positive cells, suggesting the presence of functional Sertoli cells and Leydig cells, respectively. Flow cytometric analysis of DNA content revealed a significant increase in the haploid cell population in the CG and CGM compared to the monolayer culture. Transition protein 2 (TP2) and protamine 2-positive cells were found together with a significant increase in TP2 mRNA levels in cells cultured in CG and CGM over those in monolayer culture, suggesting the occurrence of the post-meiotic differentiation of spermatogenetic cells. Taken together, a 3D in vitro culture system for testicular cells using a collagen gel matrix could enhance viability, meiosis, and post-meiotic differentiation of germ cells to presumptive differentiating spermatids.     

角质细胞无血清培养基促进大鼠毛囊干细胞的增殖

背景：以往研究培养毛囊干细胞多使用DMEM/F12+体积分数10%胎牛血清培养基,而进年来开发出的角质细胞无血清培养基也可应用于毛囊干细胞的培养。 目的：观察3种不同培养基对大鼠毛囊干细胞增殖情况及干细胞纯度的影响。 方法：取大鼠触须部皮肤组织,体式显微镜下分离出毛囊组织,中性蛋白酶Ⅱ与胰蛋白酶和乙二胺四乙酸混合液“两步酶法”消化。所得细胞悬液按细胞数平均分为3份,分别使用角质细胞无血清培养基、DMEM/F12+体积分数10%胎牛血清及角质细胞无血清培养基+体积分数10%胎牛血清共3种培养基培养,Ⅳ型胶原差速贴壁法筛选毛囊干细胞,进行传代培养。 结果与结论：培养毛囊干细胞传至第3代,锥虫蓝染色计数法检测结果显示,此3组间细胞活率差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05)。CCK8比色法检测细胞生长曲线显示,培养前2 d,此3组细胞生长均较缓慢;培养4 d,细胞生长进入对数生长期,3种培养基培养的细胞增殖活性：角质细胞无血清培养基+10%胎牛血清组>DMEM/F12+10%胎牛血清>角质细胞无血清培养基(P < 0.05)。流式细胞仪检测显示,角质细胞无血清培养基组CD34的表达高于角质细胞无血清培养基+10%胎牛血清组(P < 0.05)。DMEM/F12+10%胎牛血清组中CD34、β1-整合素(CD29)及CK15标记物的表达低于其他2组(P < 0.05)。结果表明,角质细胞无血清培养基较DMEM/F12+体积分数10%胎牛血清能培养出纯度更高的毛囊干细胞,并且在此培养基培养的基础上加入血清,能够促进毛囊干细胞的增殖。     

L-NAME和Leupeptin对庆大霉素所致耳蜗毛细胞损伤协同保护作用的观察

目的观察一氧化氮合酶抑制剂[L-NG-硝基精氨酸甲酯(L-NG-n itroargin ine m ethylester,L-NAME)]和钙蛋白酶抑制剂[leupeptin]对庆大霉素(gentam ic in,GM)所致耳蜗毛细胞损伤的协同防护作用。方法将20只出生后3~5天的W istar大鼠(40耳)平均分成5组,1组为正常对照,其余4组在施加GM的同时单独或联合应用不同的保护因素(L-NAME和leupeptin)。通过耳蜗器官离体培养,对基底膜铺片行TR ITC-Phalloid in荧光染色,观察各组耳蜗毛细胞的生长情况并比较存活率。结果GM组毛细胞存活极少,L-NAME和leupeptin单独应用时毛细胞存活率明显高于GM组(P<0.01),二者联合应用时耳蜗毛细胞存活率显著高于L-NAME和leupeptin单独用药组(P<0.01)。结论L-NAME和leupeptin对庆大霉素耳毒性所致毛细胞损伤具有较好的协同防护作用。     

Immunohistochemical demonstration of different latent membrane protein-1 epitopes of Epstein-Barr virus in lymphoproliferative diseases.

AIM--To compare the immunoreactivity of monoclonal antibodies S12 and CS1-4, which recognise different epitopes of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1), in EBV associated benign and malignant lymphoproliferative disorders and control tissues processed using different methods. RESULTS--Both monoclonal antibodies gave comparable results on frozen tissue sections and formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded samples from cases with Hodgkin's disease and infectious mononucleosis. In all cases S12 stained more cells than CS1-4. For EBV associated B and T non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, frozen tissue sections yielded better LMP-1 staining results than formalin fixed material. Again, in all these cases S12 stained more cells and gave stronger results than CS1-4. For EBV negative tissues, both monoclonal antibodies showed cross-reactivity with melanocytic-like cells in the basal cell layer of the skin, synaptophysin-like staining in layers three and four of the cortex of the brain, and myelin-like staining in peripheral nerves and peripheral ganglion cells. Staining with S12 was always much stronger. Moreover, in contrast to CS1-4, S12 stained pancreatic islands in formalin fixed material but not in frozen tissue sections and sporadically stained solitary epithelial cells in the large bowel especially in formalin fixed tissue sections. CS1-4 also cross-reacted with myoepithelial cells around hair follicles and other adnexa of the skin. CONCLUSION--The results indicate that for optimal detection of LMP-1, S12 yields better results than CS1-4 and that tissue processing is very important especially when B and T non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are examined.     

Combined effects of TGFbeta1 and BMP2 in serum-free chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells induced hyaline-like cartilage formation

This study investigated the effects of TGFbeta1, BMP2 or a combination of both on the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in a serum-free micromass culture system in vitro. Putative MSCs harvested from the iliac crest of 4-5 month old New Zealand White Rabbits were expanded and cultured in three-dimensional high density micromass aggregate cultures containing TGFbeta1, BMP2 or a combination of both, in the absence of serum. After 14-20 days of culture, chondrogenic differentiation of the MSCs was assayed by toluidine blue staining, immunohistochemistry and semi-quantitative RT-RCR of type I collagen (CI) and type II collagen (CII). Quantitative measurements of cell proliferation and sulfated glycosaminoglycan (s-GAG) were also carried out to assess the growth rate and matrix deposition of the cultured aggregates. Both immunohistochemical staining and semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that the combination of BMP2 and TGFbeta1 resulted in a marked enhancement of collagen II synthesis, with minimal collagen I expression, which would suggest hyaline-like cartilage formation. Additionally, BMP2 and TGFbeta1 had a synergistic effect on matrix proteoglycan deposition, as assessed by metachromatic toluidine blue staining. This is consistent with the quantitative measurement of glycosaminoglycans, whereby a significant increase in GAG/DNA was noted in the co-treatment group. Hence, it can be concluded that the combination of BMP2 and TGFbeta1 has a synergistic effect on the differentiation of MSC into hyaline-like cartilage tissue.     

Chondrogenic Differentiation of Adult Dermal Fibroblasts

Cell sources for generation of articular cartilage ex vivo are limited. To explore options other than stem cells, dermal fibroblasts were tested for their developmental potential when cultured on the cartilage matrix proteoglycan, aggrecan. A previous study suggested such an effort would be successful (M. M. French et al., Journal of Cell Biology 145:1103-1115, 1999). The adult dermal fibroblast cell line, RAB-9, was used in these assays. While initial attempts to differentiate the cells were unsuccessful, after pretreatment with insulin growth factor one (IGF-I), the cells were able to differentiate in culture on aggrecan. After 24 h in culture on aggrecan, the majority of the cells formed dense aggregates reminiscent of condensing mesenchymal cells in development. At 1 week, these aggregates stained positively with both Safranin O and antibodies against collagen type II. This staining was maintained through the conclusion of the experiment at week 4. RT-PCR for collagen II supports the hypothesis that dermal fibroblasts can be triggered to differentiate by culture on cartilage matrix proteoglycans. A three-fold increase in collagen type II mRNA expression is seen when cells are cultured on aggrecan in comparison to controls. These results provide an initial step towards a cell source that may prove equally successful for the generation of cartilage in the laboratory.     

Differentiation of tracheal basal cells to ciliated cells and tissue reconstruction on the synthesized basement membrane substratum in vitro

Although lung epithelial cells directly attach to the basement membrane underneath in vivo, harvested epithelial cells are typically cultured on type I collagen gel (Col I-gel) in vitro. Recently we developed new culture substratum, designated as "synthesized Basement Membrane" (sBM), that has bared lamina densa on fibrillar collagen. To validate the usefulness of sBM substratum in airway tissue reconstitution in vitro, we cultured rat tracheal epithelial cells on sBM substratum and Col I-gel. When starting the air-liquid interface culture, most of the epithelial cells were squamous and positive for the basal cell marker cytokeratin 14 (CK14). After 14 days on sBM substratum, CK14-positive cells differentiated not only to Clara and mucous cells, but also to ciliated cells. Those differentiated cells formed pseudostratified-like epithelium and the remaining CK14-positive cells were polarized to the basal side. However, on Col I-gel, the CK14-positive cells were still squamous and not polarized, and ciliated cells did not appear. In conclusion, we established a new culture model on sBM substratum in which basal cells could differentiate to ciliated cells. The application of sBM substratum is useful in the study of the airway epithelial cell differentiation in vitro.     

体外硬脑膜缺损修复的条件及其影响因素研究

目的：研究体外硬脑膜缺损修复的条件及其影响因素。 方法:取兔硬脑膜在其中央造成直径2 mm孔洞，模仿硬脑膜缺损，分别放入事先用胶原、纤维连接蛋白、多聚赖氨酸铺底的24孔板中培养，倒置显微镜下每天观察硬脑膜细胞逸出、增殖的情况；免疫细胞化学方法鉴定硬脑膜细胞；扫描电镜观察硬脑膜愈合情况；观察不同生长因子对硬脑膜愈合过程的影响。 结果:只有预先铺过胶原的培养板中有细胞从硬膜缺损的边缘逸出，增殖；硬脑膜细胞对波形蛋白抗体呈强阳性反应，第Ⅷ因子抗体则为阴性反应；碱性成纤维细胞生长因子（bFGF）组硬脑膜细胞逸出的时间明显早于其它组，在培养第3-4 d，即见有梭形细胞从硬脑膜缺损边缘逸出，第7-8 d硬脑膜缺损即已基本闭合。 结论:胶原是体外培养硬脑膜缺损修复的重要细胞外基质；成纤维细胞的逸出、增殖是硬脑膜愈合的重要机制；bFGF可以促进硬脑膜缺损的愈合。     

Chondrogenic potential of in vitro multiplied rabbit perichondrium cells cultured in alginate beads in defined medium

Perichondrium has a chondrogenic capacity and is therefore a candidate tissue for engineering of cartilage in vitro. Donor age and culture conditions probably influence chondrogenesis. The aim of this study was to compare the chondrogenic capacity of ear and nasal perichondrium from young and adult rabbits, using serum containing and serum-free culture conditions. This study demonstrates that more than 1 million cells can be generated out of 1 cm(2) of perichondrium tissue in 3-5 weeks of culture, irrespective of age. Culturing of these cells in alginate in medium with 2, 10, or 20% fetal calf serum did result in the production of small amounts of glycosaminoglycan, but no collagen type II was demonstrated. When serum was replaced however by insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) (10 ng/mL) plus transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-beta2) (10 ng/mL) an increased glycosaminoglycan production and induction of collagen type II was found, especially in cells isolated from perichondrium of the ear. Cells derived from perichondrium of young rabbits showed larger chondrogenic potential than cells from perichondrium of adult rabbits. Moreover, stimulation of both glycosaminoglycan synthesis and collagen type II production was about five times higher in cells isolated from the ear perichondrium of young rabbits than of adult rabbits. We conclude that young auricular perichondrium seems a useful source of cells for tissue engineering of cartilage when cultured in serum-free medium in combination with IG-F1 and TGF-beta2.     

Coloration of cytologic thick sections containing biomaterials with silver methenamine. Usefulness for scanning electron microscopy

Prostheses implanted in hard tissues cannot be processed for electron microscopic examination or microanalysis in the same way as those in other tissues. For these reasons, we have developed a method allowing light and electron microscopic studies as well as microanalysis of the interface between bone and biomaterials after the sections glycoproteins have been stained with silver methenamine. Silver can be evidenced by SEM in back scattered mode. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tranverse sections of a human femur containing an HA-coated prostheses were obtained with a diamond saw and ground to a thickness of 50-100 microns. The sections were stained in a microwave oven using a 1% silver methenamine solution. They have been examined by back-scatter SEM operated at 25 KV. EDS has been performed on cellular inclusions and extracellular bone matrix. RESULTS: Type I and III collagen fibers, and reticulin fibers were stained. The mineralized matrix was heavily colored. At the cell level, the nuclear and cytoplasm membranes, the chromatin and ribosomes were shown. The characteristic peaks of the Ag spectrum are distinct from those of the elements used in orthopaedic biomaterials and did not impair their identification.     

Microstructural Characteristics of Extracellular Matrix Produced by Stromal Fibroblasts

The overall objective of this investigation was to characterize the extracellular matrix deposited by the stromal fibroblasts as a function of time in culture and matrix microstructure. Stromal fibroblasts were seeded onto collagen matrices and cultured for up to 5 weeks. The collagen matrices contained collagen fibrils with an average diameter of 215 ± 20 nm. When cultured on a collagen film, an average fibril diameter of 62 ± 39 nm was observed for single layer films with only slight variations with time in culture, and after 1 week of culture between two film layers 67 ± 47 nm fibrils were observed after 1 week. When the film surface was molded into 1 and 2 μm microgrooves, the initial average fibril diameter of the extracellular matrix was 73 ± 21 and 73 ± 31 nm respectively. When cultured on a collagen sponge, an average fibril diameter of 107 ± 20 nm was initially observed and decreased to 47.5 ± 17 nm after 1 week in culture. For cells cultured on a collagen sponge, Western blotting showed an increase in myofibroblast phenotype expression with time in culture. Shifts in phenotype were less distinct for cells cultured on collagen films. The microstructure, rather than geometry, of the matrix substrate appeared to influence the newly synthesized extracellular matrix and cell phenotype.     

The nature and function of mononuclear cells on the resorbed surfaces of bone in the reversal phase during remodeling.

In a reversal phase of bone remodeling many mononuclear cells appear on the resorbed surfaces of bone with characteristic reversal lines as revealed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). However, these mononuclear cells have been variously hypothesized or reported. The present study examined the TEM features on the resorbed surfaces of three calcified connective tissues, and aimed to clarify the nature and function of the mononuclear cells in a reversal phase. Dentine slices cultured with isolated osteoclasts, human deciduous teeth, and rat mandibles were used in this study. Specimens were fixed, decalcified, and then embedded in Epon 812, and sectioned into 0.1-microm-thick ultrathin sections. The ultrathin sections were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate, and then examined by TEM. Many sharply pointed collagen fibrils with striation were observed exposed on the resorbed surfaces of cultured dentine slices, but there were neither cells nor reversal lines. The same features were observed on the root dentine surfaces of human deciduous teeth. Under many mononuclear cells in a reversal phase of remodeling, reversal lines were seen on the resorbed surfaces of rat mandibles, but there were no striated collagen fibrils exposed on the bone surfaces. The alternation of the TEM features on the resorbed surfaces before and after the participation of mononuclear cells in a reversal phase of remodeling suggests the nature and function of these cells: they participate in both degrading the demineralized and disrupted matrix left on the resorbed surfaces and forming reversal lines there.