脐血来源内皮祖细胞的生物学特性与安全性评价

目的:探讨脐血来源的内皮祖细胞(endothelial progenitor cells,EPCs)的生物学特性,评价其长期体外培养后的安全性.方法:分离脐血单个核细胞(mononuclear cells,MNCs),采用MCDB1 31.培养基联合VEGF等生长因子进行培养.观察培养细胞的形态,测定其生长动力学,采用流式细胞仪及免疫细胞化学方法检测其表型,应用细胞荧光化学法分析EPCs对乙酰化低密度脂蛋白(acetylated low-density lipoprotein,ac-LDL)的摄取功能,Matrigel上培养并检测其形成血管能力,染色体核型分析其遗传稳定性,裸鼠实验、软琼脂实验观察致瘤性.结果:脐血来源的内皮祖细胞体外进行长期传代培养,群体倍增水平可达42代,有内皮细胞表面抗原的表达,具有内吞ac-LDL的功能和结合UEA-1的特性及体外形成血管的能力,分离培养的EPCs不同代次的内皮细胞均具有正常核型,并未见致瘤性.结论:脐血来源的内皮祖细胞具有较高的增值潜能,在体外传代可以大量扩增,长期传代时核型稳定,无致瘤性,是作为细胞治疗和基因治疗的理想种子细胞.

Biological characteristics and safety evaluation of endothelialprogenitor cells from the umbilical cord blood

Objective To investigate the biological characteristics of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from the umbilical cord blood (UCB), and to evaluate their oncogenicity after long-term culture in vitro. Methods The mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from the UCB and cultured in MCDB131 medium supplemented with 20% FBS, VEGF and other growth factors. Morphology of the EPCs was observed, and the growth curve of the EPCs was investigated. Surface antigens of the EPCs were analyzed by the flow-cytometer. The capability of intaking the acetylated low-density lipoprotein (acLDL) of the EPCs was detected using fluoresencent chemical method. The vasoformative capability and genetic stability of EPCs were cultured in matrigel, and examined by karyotype analysis. The oncogenicity of EPCs was verified by the tumorigenesis test in athymic mouse and soft agar. Results EPCs were successfully derived from the UCB, and could be passaged to at least 42nd generation and had strong abilities of proliferation, acLDL intake and vasoformation, but there was not oncogenicity. They expressed endothelial cell-surface antigens and maintained normal karyotype. Conclusion The EPCs with proliferative potential can be isolated from the UCB. They can be passaged in long-term cultures without oncogenicity, and can maintain normal karyotype. The EPCs can be served as a new type of cells in cell and gene therapy.