Influence of serum percentage on the behavior of Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells in culture.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells able to differentiate into several lineages with valuable applications in regenerative medicine. MSCs differentiation is highly dependent on physicochemical properties of the culture substrate, cell density and on culture medium composition. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we assessed the influence of fetal bovine serum (FBS) level on Wharton's jelly (WJ)-MSCs behavior seeded on polyelectrolyte multilayer films (PEMF) made of four bilayers of poly-allylamine hydrochloride (PAH) as polycation and poly-styrene sulfonate (PSS) as polyanion. METHODS: MSCs isolated from WJ by explants method were amplified until the third passage. Their phenotypic characterization was performed by flow cytometry analyses. MSCs were seeded on PEMF, in Endothelial growth medium-2 (EGM-2) supplemented by either 5% or 2% FBS. Cell's behavior was monitored for 20 days by optical microscopy and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Until 2 weeks on glass slides, no difference was observed whatever the FBS percentage. Then with 5% FBS, MSCs formed three-dimensional spheroids on PSS/PAH after 20 days of culture with a nuclear aggregate. Whereas, with 2% FBS, these spheroids did not appear and cells grown in 2D conserved the fibroblast-like morphology. CONCLUSIONS: The decrease of FBS percentage from 5% to 2% avoids 3D cell spheroids formation on PAH/PSS. Such results could guide bioengineering towards building 2D structures like cell layers or 3D structures by increasing the osteogenic or chondrogenic differentiation potential of MSCs.

Reversing charges or how to improve Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells culture on polyelectrolyte multilayer films.

BACKGROUND: Polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEMs) films made of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) as polycation and poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) as polyanion, with a PAH ending layer, can be used as a coating in order to improve the anti-thrombogenicity and patency of vascular grafts in vascular engineering field. They induce strong adhesion of mature endothelial cells on glass, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene and cryopreserved arteries. Despite their outstanding effect on mature and progenitor endothelial cells, PEMs ending with PAH showed a poor outcome on Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) culture. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to examine the influence of the ending charge of PEMs on WJ-MSCs behavior. METHODS: WJ-MSCs amplified until the 3rd passage were seeded and cultured on (PAH-PSS)3-PAH and on (PAH-PSS)4 coated glass for 10 days. Stem cell phenotype was checked by flow cytometry and cell morphology was followed by bright field microscopy. RESULTS: Flow cytometry analysis showed that WJ-MSCs were positive for MSC's markers CD73, CD90 and CD105 and negative for hematopoietic markers CD34 and CD45. Light microscopy showed development of nodule-like structures after 10 days of culture on (PAH-PSS)3-PAH, which resulted in a disturbance of cell monolayer. Whereas WJ-MSCs cultured on (PAH-PSS)4 ending with PSS showed a normal cell growth like on collagen and reached confluence after 10 days. CONCLUSION: The culture surface seems to have a determining role in WJ-MSC's "spatial" behavior, which could be considered in the field of tissue engineering.

Polyelectrolyte multilayer film and human mesenchymal stem cells: an attractive alternative in vascular engineering applications.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have tremendous potential as a cell source for regenerative medicine due to their capacity for differentiation into endothelial-like cells when seeded on nonmodified cover glasses. This absence of removable surface, preventing recovery of cell sheet, constitutes a critical obstacle to predict an application in tissue engineering. It remains unknown whether MSCs differentiation could be realized when the cells are cultivated on a scaffold that could be used in vascular engineering. In this study, we propose to differentiate human MSCs into endothelial-like cells on surfaces coated with polyelectrolyte multilayer film (PMF) and fibronectin (control surfaces). We quantified Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (PECAM) and von Willebrand Factor (vWF) expressions (endothelial cell specific markers) and nitric oxide (NO) production, which is representative of the cell functionality. After only two weeks of differentiation, we showed, on PMF, that MSCs expressed PECAM and vWF, exhibiting a differentiation into endothelial-like cells, which functionality was explored by a significant production of nitrites. These results highlight the importance of PMF to get human MSCs differentiation and suggest that this film of nanometer thickness opens a new route for vascular bioengineering by pre-seeding hMSCs directly into a vascular graft functionalized by a removable coating.

Polyelectrolyte multilayer films promote human cord blood stem cells differentiation into mature endothelial cells exhibiting a stable phenotype.

BACKGROUND: recent studies in bio-engineering have showed the influence of Polyelectrolyte Multilayer (PEM) films on endothelial cells (ECs), especially poly(sodium-4-styrene-sulfonate) (PSS) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH). They were tested either with human mature ECs or rabbit immature endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), but never on human EPCs. In view to obtain an EC covered surface, human cord blood (HCB) EPCs were cultivated on PSS/PAH films. MATERIAL AND METHODS: PEMs were obtained by 7 alternate depositions of cationic PAH and anionic PSS layers. HCB mononuclear cells were isolated by centrifugation through density gradient. 7 days after seeding on PEM, unattached cells were removed and adherent EPCs were cultivated in endothelial specific medium until P6. Appearance of CD31 and vWF was evaluated by confocal microscopy. RESULTS: EPCs not only successfully adhered on PEM, but also spread and proliferated. Moreover, cells differentiated into a typical endothelial cobblestone monolayer within 2 weeks. Immunostaining of CD31 and vWF confirmed the formation of an EC-like confluent monolayer. Furthermore, these cells showed after 6 passages a good phenotypic stability while reseeded on the PEM film. CONCLUSION: these results show an easy way to obtain mature ECs from human stem cells, which may open new applications for a scaffold cellularization in tissue bio-engineering.

Induction of superficial bladder tumors in the female Fischer 344 rats with AY-27 tumor cells for the study of diffusion and localization of hemoglobin derived components (hematoporphyrin derivative) in view of photochemotherapy.

Photochemotherapy (PCT) consists in administration of a photosensitizer and subsequent irradiation of the tumor with visible light. Routinely, the photosensitizer is given intravenously (i.v.), but the major drawback of this procedure is the resulting skin photosensitivity. The goal of our study is to examine whether intravesical (i.b.) instillation of the photosensitizer for PDT of bladder cancer might be feasible in order to target the tumors and to avoid the photosensitization phenomenon. After first studying the biodistribution of hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD) in vivo in the rat bladder, two and four hours after intravesical administration, by fluorescence microscopy, we compared two different methods for the induction of superficial bladder tumors in rats with AY-27 tumor cell line in order to perform the same study on bladder tumors. The best results for the penetration depth of HpD in the normal bladder wall were obtained two hours after the bladder instillation where the photosensitizer was detected only in the bladder surface (urothelium and small part of the chorion). That's why we must choose the most appropriate bladder tumor model in order to obtain superficial bladder tumors that mimic the clinical behavior of superficial bladder cancer in man. Both techniques used in this study gave a high tumor take rate in a short time (> 90%). But we really obtained superficial bladder tumors directly attached to the bladder surface with one of the two methods of tumor induction consisting in the abrasion of the bladder surface prior to the administration of the tumoral cells in the bladder cavity.

Rheological behaviour of red blood cells suspended in hemoglobin solutions. In vitro study comparing dextran-benzene-tetra-carboxylate hemoglobin, stroma free hemoglobin and plasma expanders.

Circulating volume expansion for intentional hemodilution and/or resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock can be performed with hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOC) which, in addition to oxygen transport, have vasoactive effects through poorly documented mechanisms. Among these, the effects of HBOC on red blood cell (RBC) rheology are relatively unknown. The aim of the present in vitro study was to measure the rheological effects of human hemoglobin bound to benzene-tetracarboxylate substituted dextran (Dex-BTC-Hb) as an example of chemically modified hemoglobin. The viscosity was assessed with a capillary and a rotational viscometer for shear rates of 0.5-128 s-1. Erythrocyte aggregation was determined by analysis of the red light backscattered in a RBC suspension and with a rheoscope. The deformability was determined by the pressure-flow relationship of the RBC suspensions passed through polycarbonate filters. At hematocrit of 0.35 l/l and at low shear rates, the viscosity of RBC was higher in the presence of Dex-BTC-Hb as compared to free Hb, Dex-BTC, Dextran 40 (Plasmacair), modified fluid gelatin (MFG-Plasmion) or hydroxyethyl starch (HEA-Elohes). The effect on erythrocyte aggregation of Dex-BTC-Hb was greater than that of standard solutions, but close to that of MFG or HEA. There was no apparent change in RBC deformability. Dex-BTC-Hb, unlike free Hb, has a hyperaggregating effect on RBC, similar to that of some clinically used volume expanders. This hyperaggregating effect could influence the in vivo rheological behavior of substituted Hb by increasing shear stress.

In vitro study of the protective effect of trehalose and dextran during freezing of human red blood cells in liquid nitrogen.

Two nonpermeant cryoprotectants, the disaccharide trehalose and the polymeric carbohydrate (dextran, 40 kDa), were assessed as substitutes for glycerol in the cryopreservation of human red blood cells (RBC). The agents were evaluated by measuring the percentage of RBC recovery (total of free hemoglobin after freezing) and by evaluating the erythrocyte state after freezing. Ninety percent of the red cells were recovered after freezing in 30% (w/v) dextran in liquid nitrogen, which is very close to the recovery obtained in 35. 5% (w/v) glycerol (92%). The activities of pyruvate kinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase of RBCs frozen and thawed with dextran were not modified, and the 2,3-diphosphoglycerate was reduced by 26%, but remained within normal values. ATP was reduced by 56%. The erythrocyte membrane integrity, evaluated by its osmotic fragility, was not altered, and the RBCs protected by dextran retained their normal discoid shape without the formation of microvesicles. The 24-h hemolysis of the washed red cells after storage at 4 degrees C was 7%. These results suggest that dextran protects red blood cells during freezing in liquid nitrogen, but that some effort is still needed to limit the drop of ATP concentration. One of the main advantages of dextran is that it does not penetrate the RBCs and requires less washing than glycerol.

Determination of the maximal tumor/normal skin ratio after HpD or m-THPC administration in hairless mouse (SKh-1) by fluorescence spectroscopy--a non-invasive method.

Two major steps in our study on the treatment of skin tumors by photochemotherapy (PCT) were the development of a skin tumor model in hairless mice by chemical carcinogenesis and by the use fluorescence spectroscopy, a semi-quantitative and non-invasive method, to determine the time after i.p. injection of photosensitizer when the tumor/normal skin ratio is the highest. Carcinogenesis provided mice bearing many benign papillomas and these were used to determine the tumor/normal skin ratios of two photosensitizers by fluorescence spectroscopy. Hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD) (5 mg/kg body weight) and m-tetra(hydroxyphenyl)-chlorin (m-THPC) (0.3 mg/kg body weight) were injected, and fluorescence measured at 4, 8, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after injection. The tumor/normal skin ratio was 6.2 for HpD and 5.1 for m-THPC. The times required to reach these ratios were 48 h for HpD and 72 h for m-THPC. Published reports indicate that m-THPC gives a much higher tumor/normal skin ratio than HpD. These results must be confirmed by organic extraction. Photodynamic therapy with the same doses of HpD and m-THPC used in this pharmacokinetic study must also be carried out to compare the toxicities of the two photosensitizers and to determine which is best for this type of tumor.

[Evaluation of hemoglobin dextran 10-benzene-tetracarboxylate, oxygen transporters, using a model of guinea pig intestine]. / Evaluation de l'hémoglobine-dextrane 10-benzène-tétracarboxylate, transporteur d'oxygène, par un modèle d'intestin isolé de cobaye.

With the aim of assessing of dextran-benzene-tetracarboxylate hemoglobin as an oxygen carrier, we studied histological changes in the intestinal loop. The intestinal tissue being very sensitive to hypoxia, in the anesthetized guinea pig, an innervated loop was vascularly perfused with open-flow during one hour at zero hematocrit. To estimate the capacity of hemoglobin solution to oxygenate this tissue, we observed the mechanical and histological changes in the organ and the arterio-venous difference in PO2, oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin and we compared them with human albumin, Tyrode and non-modified hemoglobin. The PO2 arterio-venous differences were 51.9 +/- 7.1 torr (m +/- SEM) for Tyrode, 40.2 +/- 6.4 torr for albumin solution, 113.7 +/- 6.5 torr for non-modified hemoglobin and 123.1 +/- 7.9 torr for dex-BTC-Hb. Compared to albumin and Tyrode solutions, hemoglobin solutions transferred more oxygen to tissues. The desaturation of dex-BTC-Hb was significantly superior (p < 0.05) to the one non-modified hemoglobin. The structure of jejunal villi when perfused with a hemoglobin solution, remained almost normal and the loop was still active. Nevertheless, non-modified hemoglobin leaked from the vessels to the lumen and caused oedema and a rupture of overlapping epithelium at the tip of the villi. With dex-BTC-Hb, such histological modifications were less significant. With albumin and Tyrode, all villi were totally necrosed and the loop was completely inert. We have demonstrated that dextran-benzene-tetracarboxylate hemoglobin had the ability to maintain the tissue alive thank to its good capacity to release oxygen and its satisfactory vascular persistence.

Assessment of dextran 10-benzene-tetracarboxylate-hemoglobin, an oxygen carrier, using guinea pig isolated bowel model.

With the aim of assessing of dextran-benzene-tetracarboxylate hemoglobin as an oxygen carrier, we studied histological changes in the intestinal loop in anesthetized guinea pig. The intestinal tissue being very sensitive to hypoxia, an innervated loop was vascularly perfused with open-flow during one hour at zero hematocrit. To estimate the capacity of hemoglobin solution to oxygenate this tissue, we observed the mechanical and histological changes in the organ and the arterio-venous difference in PO2, oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin and we compared them with human albumin, Tyrode and non-modified hemoglobin. The PO2 arteriovenous differences were 51.9 +/- 7.1 torr (m +/- SEM) for Tyrode, 40.2 +/- 6.4 torr for albumin solution, 113.7 +/- 6.5 torr for non-modified hemoglobin and 132.7 +/- 6.8 torr for dex-BTC-Hb. Compared to albumin and Tyrode solutions, hemoglobin solutions transferred more oxygen to tissues. The desaturation of dex-BTC-Hb was significantly superior (p < 0.05) to the one non-modified hemoglobin. With Hb solutions, this desaturation increased with time and it depended on the perfusion flow. The structure of jejunal villi when perfused with a hemoglobin solution, remained almost normal and the loop was still active. Nevertheless, non-modified hemoglobin leaked from the vessels to the lumen and caused edema and a rupture of overlapping epithelium at the tip of the villi. With dex-BTC-Hb, such histological modifications were less significant. With albumin and Tyrode, all villi were totally necrosed and the loop was completely inert. We have demonstrated that dextran-benzene-tetracarboxylate hemoglobin had the ability to maintain the tissue alive thanks to its good capacity to release oxygen and its satisfactory vascular persistence. Dex-BTC-Hb solution can answer to needs of tissue.

[Pulsed Doppler ultrasonography to measure the vasoactive effects of hemoglobin-dextran 10-benzene-tetracarboxylate, a potential erythrocyte substitute]. / Mesure par ultrasonographie Doppler pulsé, des effets vasoactifs de l'hémoglobine-dextrane 10-benzène-tétracarboxylate, substitut èrythrocytaire potentiel.

The effects of Dextran-Benzene-Tetracarboxylate-Hemoglobin (Dex-BTC-Hb), a chemically-modified hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier, on the vascular tone were compared to those of standard solutions, i.e. the animal's own blood and a 50 milligrams albumin solution, by measuring the carotid blood flow velocity, the mean arterial pressure, the heart rate and respiratory frequency, in anesthetized Hartley guinea pigs after a hemorragic shock. Stroma-free hemoglobin induced 40% hypertension and a 110% rise in blood flow velocity immediately after injection. The velocity was still increased 38%, 3 hours after injection. The calculations of the vascular resistances showed an increase in carotid vascular tone. Dex-BTC-Hb brought about 35% hypertension for two hours with no significant modifications of the vascular tone. These effects are similar to those of the albumin solution. These results indicate that, unlike stroma-free hemoglobin, Dex-BTC-Hb does not significantly affect the vascular tone, probably because of its slight interaction with the factors that regulate vascular tone.

In vitro effect of dextran-benzene-tetra-carboxylate hemoglobin on human blood rheological properties.

While conducting pharmacological investigations into oxygen carriers, it is important to study the in vitro and in vivo rheological behavior of blood cells in the presence of such preparations. With regard to the original nature of human hemoglobin bound to benzene tetracarboxylate substituted dextran (Dex-BTC-Hb), it seemed necessary to study its rheological effect in a simulated in vitro hemorrhagic shock compensated by a blood substitute. The viscosity of substitutes was determined as well as several rheological parameters after 0, 3 and 6 hours incubation periods of red blood cells with substitutes: viscosity of blood-substitute mixtures at different levels of plasma substitution erythrocyte aggregation of blood-substitute mixtures by determining the velocity of rouleau formation and the cohesion of rouleau network. This work yielded several observations: The viscosity of Dex-BTC-Hb was slightly higher than those of solutions of native Hb, Dex-BTC T10, Dextran 40 (Plasmacair, modified fluid gelatin (Plasmion and hydroxyethyl starch 200 (Elohes). The substitution of a blood volume with Dex-BTC-Hb, corresponding to a compensated 45% hemorrhagic shock, slightly increased the viscosity of hemodiluted blood as compared to other substitutes. In the presence of Dex-BTC-Hb, the aggregation of erythrocytes appears to be increased as compared to standard solutions. Yet, the effect was close to that of Plasmion or Elohes.

Methemoglobin formation after administration of hemoglobin conjugated to carboxylate dextran in guinea pigs. Attempts to prevent the oxidation of hemoglobin.

In 1990, McGown demonstrated in vitro a limitation of extracellular methemoglobin (metHb) formation by releasing and recycling of ascorbic acid by red blood cells. In order to investigate the autoxidation of free or modified hemoglobin in plasma and the possibility of reproducing McGown's phenomenon in vivo, we performed a 50% blood mass exchange in guinea-pigs with a 70 +/- 5 g/l dex-BTC-Hb solution (metHb < 5%). Methemoglobin was determined according to Evelyn-Malloy's method. We observed a clear but limited oxidation of plasmatic hemoglobin (MetHb approximately 30-40% at t = 12 hrs up to t = 24 hrs). A similar blood mass exchange was performed with the same hemoglobin solution which was previously totally oxidized into metHb. 40% of this methemoglobin was found to be reduced after 12 hrs. These results demonstrated a marked reducing activity by residual blood as shown by others. The addition of potentially protective compounds such as ascorbic acid (non enzymatic intraerythrocytar reduction pathway), methylene blue or riboflavin (enzymatic intraerythrocytar pathway), allowed a significant drop in the methemoglobin level. On the contrary, we didn't observe any reducing effect with reduced glutathione.

Problems of haemoglobin freeze-drying: evidence that water removal is the key to iron oxidation.

Formation of methaemoglobin during freeze-drying of oxyhaemoglobin raises the question of the cause and mechanism of the oxidation. Haemoglobin with or without lyoprotector (250 mM glucose or amino acid salt) has been subjected to freeze drying changes in either or both of two constraints--vacuum and rise in temperature. A rise in temperature from -40 to +10 degrees C had no substantial denaturing effect on haemoglobin whether protected or not. Maintenance of a vacuum over frozen haemoglobin for 18 h often produced subtotal desiccation. Unprotected haemoglobin was partially oxidized (39% MetHb) whereas protected haemoglobin was not (less than 4% MetHb). Haemoglobin was also dried by rapid dehydration of thin films in a stream of air at room temperature (20 degrees C). The methaemoglobin content was then 43% whereas the amino acid salt or glucose limited it at 4 and 7%, respectively. Haemoglobin is oxidized, therefore, only because of the removal of water. Protectors, not specific in structure and action, probably work by holding or reinforcing the critical number of hydration layers around haemoglobin.