Improvement of cardiac diastolic function and prognosis after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in AL cardiac amyloidosis

AL amyloidosis is a disease in which immunoglobulin L chain is deposited in multiple organs, and the prognosis of cardiac amyloidosis is extremely poor. Although several treatments based on that for multiple myeloma, have been performed, there is no clear evidence that cardiac function is improved. We report a case of AL cardiac amyloidosis with moderate cardiac dysfunction for which we performed autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT) in combination with high-dose melphalan therapy. This treatment resulted in significant improvement in cardiac function and good prognosis for about 3.5 years after the diagnosis. Therefore, auto-PBSCT is a possible option as up-front therapy for AL cardiac amyloidosis.     

骨髓间充质干细胞移植对心力衰竭大鼠心功能的影响

目的探讨骨髓间充质干细胞（MSCs）对心衰大鼠心功能的影响及其机制。方法腹腔注射阿霉素（2mg／kg,每周1次,连续6周）至近交系F344大鼠体内,建立心衰大鼠模型。存活大鼠（32只）随机分为2组：心衰组（16只）和细胞移植组（16只）。分离纯化大鼠MSCs进行体外培养,予4,6-联脒-2-苯基吲哚（DAPI）进行标记;经股静脉注射MSCs或DMEM至心衰大鼠体内。细胞移植后4周,应用多导生理记录仪测量大鼠心功能;通过免疫组织荧光及化学染色,观察移植细胞存活情况,并计算血管数量;通过天狼猩红染色计算心肌胶原容积分数（CVF）和血管周围胶原面积（PVCA）。结果移植后4周,细胞移植组大鼠心肌组织见到DAPI标记的移植细胞存活,并表达心肌特异性抗原心肌肌球蛋白重链（β—MHC）。与心衰组相比,细胞移植组最大左室收缩末压（LVSP）、左室内压最大（最小）变化速率（LV＋dp／dtmax）均明显升高（P〈0．05）,而左室舒张末压（LVDP）明显下降（P〈0．05）;细胞移植组左室血管数量明显高于心衰组[（11．83±1．40）个比（7．78±1．39）个,P〈O．05],细胞移植组左心室内膜CVF及PVCA明显低于心衰组（4．53±1．98比7．79±1．99,10．91±2．31比14．17±2．49,P〈0．05）。结论MSCs移植可改善心衰大鼠心功能,其机制可能与MSCs归巢至心脏,分化为心肌样细胞,并且促进血管新生、抑制心肌纤维化有关。     

Cardiac and autonomic nerve function after reduced-intensity stem cell transplantation for hematologic malignancy in patients with pre-transplant cardiac dysfunction

Recent reports have shown that cardiomyopathy caused by hemochromatosis in severe aplastic anemia is reversible after reduced-intensity allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (RIST). We comprehensively evaluated cardiac and autonomic nerve function to determine whether cardiac dysfunction due to causes other than hemochromatosis is attenuated after RIST. In five patients with cardiac dysfunction before transplant, we analyzed the changes in cardiac and autonomic nerve function after transplant, using electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography, radionuclide angiography (RNA), serum markers, and heart rate variability (HRV), before and up to 100 days after transplant. There was no significant improvement in cardiac function in any patient and no significant alteration in ECG, echocardiogram, RNA, or serum markers. However, on time-domain analysis of HRV, the SD of normal-to-normal RR intervals (SDNN) and the coefficient of variation of the RR interval (CVRR) decreased significantly 30 and 60 days after transplant (P = 0.04 and 0.01, respectively). Similarly, on frequency-domain analysis of HRV, low and high frequency power (LF and HF) significantly and temporarily decreased (P = 0.003 and 0.03, respectively). Notably, in one patient who had acute heart failure after transplantation, the values of SDNN, CVRR, r-MSSD, LF, and HF at 30 and 60 days after transplantation were the lowest of all the patients. In conclusion, this study suggests that (a) RIST is well-tolerated in patients with cardiac dysfunction, but we cannot expect improvement in cardiac dysfunction due to causes other than hemochromatosis; and (b) monitoring HRV may be useful in predicting cardiac events after RIST.     

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Saudi Arabia between 1984 and 2016: Experience from four leading tertiary care hematopoietic stem cell transplantation centers

Saudi Arabia is the largest of the Arabian Gulf countries with a total population of 33.41 million as of 2017. This report summarizes the experience from four leading tertiary care hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) centers in Saudi Arabia representing more than 90% of all HSCTs performed in the country. Between 1984 and 2016, a total of 6,184 HSCTs were performed. Of these, 3,586 HSCTs were performed in adults and 2,598 HSCTs were performed in pediatric patients. Malignancy was the main indication for transplantation (47%). While most transplants were performed from an identical sibling donor, HSCTs from cord blood, unrelated and, more recently, haploidentical donors have also been performed. Relative shortage of HSCT bed capacity is perceived to be a limiting factor in Saudi Arabia. Lately, more HSCT centers are emerging with rapid growth, which may significantly improve the access to HSCT in the country in the near future.     

骨髓间充质干细胞移植在心脏再生医学中的研究进展

随着干细胞组织工程医学的进展,干细胞移植治疗心脏疾病尤其是缺血性心脏病的研究已经积累了大量的基础研究数据,但就移植细胞选择、移植时机、移植细胞数量、移植后细胞的分化、再生能力及旁分泌作用等尚有较多争议,而对其相关分子机制及与基因组织工程、临床药物相互影响等的研究更是处于起步阶段.大量的资料表明骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSCs)在心脏再生医学中有独特优势,本文将重点讨论BMSCs移植在心脏再生医学中的研究进展,并就其与基因工程、组织工程和临床药物联合应用加以探讨.     

Mesenchymal stem cell injection induces cardiac nerve sprouting and increased tenascin expression in a Swine model of myocardial infarction

Stem Cell Induces Cardiac Nerve Sprouting. INTRODUCTION: Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation is a promising technique to improve cardiac function. Whether MSC can increase cardiac nerve density and contribute to the improved cardiac function is unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: Anterior wall myocardial infarction was created in 16 swine. One month later, 6 swine were given MSC and fresh bone marrow (BM) into infarcted myocardium (MSC group). Four swine were given fresh BM only (BM group), and 6 swine were given culture media (MI-only group). The swine were sacrificed 95.8 +/- 3.5 days after MI. Six normal swine were used as control. Immunocytochemical staining was performed using antibodies against growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and three subtypes of tenascin (R, C, and X). Five fields per slide were counted for nerve density. The results show the following. (1). There were more GAP43-positive nerves in the MSC group than in the BM, MI-only, or Control group (P < 0.0001). TH staining showed higher nerve densities in the MSC group than in the MI-only (P < 0.01) or Control group (P < 0.0001) in the atria. (2). There were more sympathetic (TH-positive) nerves in myocardium distant from infarct than in the peri-infarct area (P < 0.05). (3). Optical intensity and color analyses showed significantly higher tenascin R and tenascin C expression in the MSC and BM groups than in the MI-only or Control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: MSC injected with BM into swine infarct results in overexpression of cardiac tenascin, increased the magnitude of cardiac nerve sprouting in both atria and ventricles, and increased the magnitude of atrial sympathetic hyperinnervation 2 months after injection.     

MxA expression in patients with viral infection after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Many patients suffer febrile diseases soon after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Some of the symptoms of viral infections and acute GVHD are often difficult to distinguish. However, an accurate diagnosis is important since the treatments for these conditions are different. It is known that MxA protein is specifically induced in patients with several viral infections. We investigated the cytoplasmic expression of MxA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with fever after allogeneic SCT using a newly generated monoclonal antibody (KM1135) and flow cytometry. The level of MxA expression was significantly higher in patients diagnosed with viral infections (n=6, cytomegalovirus in three, Epstein-Barr virus in one, human herpesvirus-6 in one, adenovirus in one) than control individuals (n=9) (P<0.05, Mann-Whitney test). The level of MxA in patients with aGVHD (n=7) was identical to that in controls. The level of MxA correlated well with the amount of the cytomegalovirus antigen-positive cells in the presence of acute GVHD in two patients. The measurement of MxA is simple and useful in distinguishing viral disease from acute GVHD after allogeneic SCT.     

Reconstitution of thymic function after stem cell transplantation in humans

The reconstitution of T-cell populations is a critical component of immune recovery after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Recent studies have used new techniques to focus on the interplay of thymopoiesis and peripheral expansion that defines T-cell repopulation. Peripheral expansion, driven by host cytokines and antigenic stimulation, dominates early recovery. However, this expansion is often transient and is characterized by limited repertoire diversity. Renewed thymopoiesis has been found to play a critical role in the recovery of repertoire diversity and stable repopulation. The insights gained into the regulation of these processes may provide new therapies to enhance recovery.     

Neuregulin-1 therapy improved cardiac function and reduced ANPmRNA expression in post myocardial infarction rats with cardiac dysfunction

Objective To observe the influence of neuregulin-1 on the cardiac function of post-myocardial infarction rats. Methods Left ventricular MI was created in Sprague-Dawley rats by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary. Six months after the operation, rats were evaluated with echocardiology methods. 36 rats that had an infarct area and a EF around 60% were randomized into 3 groups: MI group(n=12) were injected a blank vehicle fluid intravenously for 5 days, after which they continued to be raised on standard food and water for 30 days. MI+NRG group(n=12), received NRG-1 10μg·kg-1 intravenously for 5 days, after which they continued to be raised on standard food and water for 30 days. MI+Capt group (n=12) received captopril orally (dissolved in their drinking water 2g/L) for 30 days , after which tap water substituted the solution for 5 days. Final echocardiographic and hemodynamic measurements were made at the end of 1 month of therapy. Total RNA was extracted from frozen left ventricular tissues, and was reverse transcribed into first-strand PCR was performed with primers for BNP、ANP. Results Rats treated with neuregulin had a smaller LVDs (P=0.014), a better LVEF (P=0.004 ),and a tendency towards less lung perfusion than untreated rats. Neuregulin decreased the expression of ANP mRNA in the ventricle (P=0.025).Conclusion Neuregulin markedly improved the cardiac function of rats that survived myocardial infarction, and decreased the expression of ANP mRNA in the ventricle.     

Growth and endocrine function in patients with Hurler syndrome after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Short stature is characteristic of Hurler syndrome, or mucopolysaccharidosis type IH (MPS IH). Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is used to treat children with MPS IH. While HSCT corrects some of the metabolic features of MPS IH, its effects on growth are not well delineated. We investigated growth in patients with MPS IH after HSCT and described accompanying endocrine abnormalities. A cohort of 48 patients with MPS IH who had received HSCT between 1983 and 2005 were included. The prevalence of short stature (height <-2 s.d. score, SDS) before HSCT was 9%, and increased to 71% at last follow-up (6.9+/-5.1 years after HSCT). Short stature was positively associated with increased age at HSCT (P=0.002) and TBI (P=0.009). In total, 23% had growth hormone deficiency and/or low insulin-like growth factor-1, one female patient had premature adrenarche, one precocious puberty and 27% had clinical or subclinical hypothyroidism. Growth failure is highly prevalent in children with MPS IH after HSCT. Children who had no TBI exposure and were younger at the time of HSCT had a better height outcome.     

High-dose melphalan and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for light-chain amyloidosis with cardiac involvement

High-dose melphalan (HDM) plus stem cell transplantation is an effective treatment for light-chain amyloidosis (AL), but is associated with high treatment-related mortality in patients with cardiac involvement. We studied 187 patients with cardiac involvement with AL who underwent HDM between 1996 and 2008. The median age was 57 years and the median time from diagnosis to HDM was 3.6 months. Half of the patients received reduced-dose melphalan (100-160 mg/m(2)). The median overall survival (OS) was 66 months, 54 months from diagnosis and HDM, respectively, and 91 patients (49%) were alive at the last follow-up 52 months (median) from HDM. Thirty patients (16%) died within 100 days of transplantation; only low serum albumin predicted early deaths. Overall, hematologic response (HR) and cardiac responses were seen in 66% and 41% of patients, respectively. The median OS for patients with and without HR was not reached and 22 months, respectively (P < .01); and for those with any decrease and no decrease in N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide was not reached and 26 months, respectively (P < .01). In multivariate analysis of baseline factors, only reduced-dose melphalan predicted shorter OS. HDM is feasible in patients with cardiac amyloidosis, and achievement of HR and organ response is associated with improved survival.     

The effect of marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on pulmonary fibrosis in rats

Objective To study the possible mechanisms of marrow mesenchymal stem cells(MSC) in therapy of bleomycin(BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. Methods Fifty-four female Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group,a BLM group and a MSC group. The control group receivel intratracheal normal     

Reduced-intensity allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplantation induces durable responses in patients with chronic B-lymphoproliferative disorders

Thirty-six patients with chronic B-lymphoproliferative disorders (B-LPD) underwent reduced-intensity allogeneic transplantation (RIT) from HLA-identical related donors. Diagnoses included follicular (n=17), mantle cell (n=9) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (n=2), and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (n=8). Median age at transplant was 51 years (range, 30-66) and time from diagnosis was 3.4 years (range, 0.3-9.5). At transplant, 28% were in CR, 36% were in PR and 36% were chemorefractory. Conditioning therapy included fludarabine and either cyclophosphamide (n=27) or melphalan (n=9). Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporin (CsA)/methotrexate (n=21), CsA/mycophenolate mofetil (n=13) or CsA alone (n=2). Eight patients died owing to acute GVHD (n=3), infection in association with chronic GVHD (n=4) and intra-abdominal bleeding (n=1). Treatment-related mortality was 8% at day 100, and 17 and 20% at one and two years, respectively. The cumulative incidence of grade II-IV acute GVHD was 58%, whereas limited and extensive chronic GVHD occurred in 25 and 56%, respectively. No patient has relapsed or progressed. At a median follow-up of 48 months, overall survival probability is 80% (95% CI, 67-93%). We confirm that RIT in chronic B-LPD can result in high and durable CR rates but with significant incidences of acute and chronic GVHD.     

骨髓源性心肌干细胞移植治疗心肌梗死的实验研究

目的研究骨髓源性心肌干细胞（MCSC）移植对心肌梗死的治疗作用。方法通过单细胞克隆培养技术从雄性SD大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞（MMSC）中筛选MCSC。结扎雌性SD大鼠的左冠状动脉前降支,建立心肌梗死模型,1周后于梗死区边缘移植MMSC和MCSC。移植后4周,用超声心动图检测心功能变化。取心肌组织作冷冻切片,用HE和Masson染色法显示瘢痕区的组织结构变化,通过免疫组织化学染色标记血管内皮生长因子受体-1阳性（VEGFR-1^＋）微血管,用图像分析系统测量瘢痕面积和微血管密度。利用原位荧光杂交标记含有Y染色体的MCSC,并检测心肌特异性肌钙蛋白T（cTnT）的表达。结果筛选的MCSC表达c—kit,心肌早期转录因子Nkx2．5呈低表达。细胞移植后4周,MCSC移植组的左室短轴缩短分数（62．9％±2．2％）和左室射血分数（32．8％±1．1％）高于MMSC移植组（分别为55．7％±1．6％和28．2％±1．6％）和对照组（分别为42．4％±2．1％和23．6％±1．2％）;MCSC组心肌梗死面积比率（8．7％±0．7％）低于MMSC组（12．0％±1．1％）和对照组（16．8％±0．9％）。含有Y染色体的MCSC表达cTnT,与受体心肌相续。MCSC移植组的梗死区周围微血管密度[（101．8±6．2）条／mm^2]大于对照组[（68．4±4．9）条／mm^2],与MMSC组[（97．2±3．2）条／mm^2]比较,差异无统计学意义。结论移植入心肌梗死模型的MCSC能够分化为功能性心肌,明显改善心功能,并诱导血管新生。MCSC的移植治疗效果优于MMSC。     

内皮祖细胞移植对兔心肌梗死后心功能的影响

目的:探讨移植内皮祖细胞(EPCs)对兔心肌梗死后心功能的影响。方法:通过密度梯度离心法体外分离兔单个核细胞,接种于人纤连蛋白包被的培养板上,并给予含血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)20μg/L的EBM-2完全培养液培养2周。取健康大耳白兔,结扎左冠状动脉前降支,并将制作心肌梗死模型成功的大耳白兔随机分为两组,即对照组和实验组,每组20只。2周后实验组心外膜下直接注射EPCs(1.6×1010/L)悬液,对照组注射无菌PBS液。此外,两组均给予心肌梗死后常规药物治疗。术后4周,分别行超声心动图检查和血浆脑钠肽(BNP)浓度测定及计数移植区毛细血管。结果:实验组左室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)与术前及对照组相比均无统计学差异,而实验组左室射血分数(LVEF)与术前及对照组相比有统计学差异(P0.05)。实验组血浆BNP水平较术前降低,差异有统计学意义(P0.01),且与对照组相比,血浆BNP水平明显降低(P0.05)。移植细胞4周后,实验组梗死边缘区毛细血管密度与对照组有显著性差异(P0.05)。结论:心外膜下直接注射移植EPCs能够改善兔心肌梗死后的心功能,延缓慢性心力衰竭的发生和发展。     

Effect of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in treating liver fibrosis and possible mechanism

正Objective To investigate the effect of adipose tissuederived mesenchymal stem cell(ADSC)transplantation in the treatment of liver fibrosis rats and possible mechanism.Methods Subcutaneous adipose tissue in the inguinal region of rats was collected to isolate ADSCs.The rats with liver fibrosis induced by intraperitoneally injec-     

骨髓间充质干细胞移植治疗心肌纤维化的研究进展

心肌纤维化作为心脏组织异常重构的主要病理改变,是各种心血管疾病发展的终末阶段,最终将导致心功能的不可逆性改变。目前的治疗方法对此毫无办法,而骨髓间充质干细胞(MSCs)移植作为一种新型的治疗方法,能在调节胶原成分、减缓纤维化进程及再生心肌细胞等多方面改善心脏组织重构,从而为逆转心脏功能提供了可能,可能是治疗心肌纤维化的一种重要途径。     

Rapid regression of bone marrow fibrosis after dose-reduced allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with primary myelofibrosis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of a busulfan/fludarabine-based reduced intensity conditioning followed by allogeneic stem cell transplantation on regression of bone marrow fibrosis in patients with myelofibrosis. METHODS: Twenty-four patients (male, n = 16; female, n = 8) with a median age of 52 years (range, 32-63 years) were included. Six patients were transplanted from human leukocyte antigen-identical siblings and 18 patients from matched unrelated donors. Diagnosis was primary myelofibrosis in 18 patients and secondary myelofibrosis in 6 patients; in 4 of them, primary myelofibrosis evolved from polycythemia vera, and in 2 of them from essential thrombocythemia. Using the European Consensus on grading bone marrow fibrosis, all patients had advanced marrow fibrosis MF-2 (n = 13) or MF-3 (n = 11) before allografting According to the Lille Risk Factor Scoring System, patients were classified as low risk (n = 5), intermediate risk (n = 16), or high risk (n = 3). RESULTS: After stem cell transplantation, a complete (MF-0) or nearly complete (MF-1) regression of bone marrow fibrosis was seen in 59% at day +100, in 90% at day +180, and in 100% at day +360. No correlation between occurrence of acute graft-vs-host disease and fibrosis regression on day +180 was observed. CONCLUSION: This study shows that allogeneic stem cell transplantation after reduced-intensity conditioning resulted in rapid regression of bone-marrow fibrosis.     

Irradiation induces homing of donor endothelial progenitor cells in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Functional abnormalities of the endothelial system may be caused by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The aim of this study is to explore the possibility that endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) can be used in endothelial repair post-HSCT. EPCs were isolated from mouse bone marrow by density centrifugation and differential adherence. Numbers of endothelial cells (ECs) (CD31⁺CD133⁻CD45⁻), EPCs (CD31⁺CD133⁺–CD45^low/−) and carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE)-positive cells in peripheral blood, spleen and bone marrow were determined at various time points by flow cytometry. The distribution of labeled EPCs was observed by fluorescence microscopy; morphological alterations of tissues were assessed by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In the irradiated group, the numbers of circulating ECs and EPCs were elevated after pre-conditioning, reaching peaks at days 3 and 5; the counts remained high for about 5 days. In addition, CFSE-labeled cells were visualized in tissue and bone marrow. In conclusion, these results suggest the following: (a) the EPCs derived from mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells express phenotypes characteristic of normal EPCs, (b) irradiation during preconditioning damaged the endothelium, which initiated mobilization of EPCs, and (c) injury to the endothelium also caused extrinsic EPCs home to the damaged tissue.