The perivascular phenotype and behaviors of dedifferentiated cells derived from human mature adipocytes.

Derived from mature adipocytes, dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells represent a special group of multipotent cells. However, their phenotype and cellular nature remain unclear. Our study found that human DFAT cells adopted perivascular characteristics and behaviors. Flow cytometry and immunofluorescent staining revealed that human DFAT cells positively expressed markers highly related to perivascular cell lineages, such as CD140b, NG2 and desmin, but were negative for common endothelial markers, including CD31, CD34, and CD309. Furthermore, DFAT cells displayed vascular network formation ability in Matrigel, and they noticeably promoted and stabilized the vessel structures formed by human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. These results provide novel evidence on the pericyte nature of human DFAT cells, further supporting the recent model for the perivascular origin of adult stem cells, in which tissue-specific progenitor cells in mesenchymal tissues associate with blood vessels, exhibiting perivascular characteristics and functions.

Effects of moderate static magnetic fields on the voltage-gated sodium and calcium channel currents in trigeminal ganglion neurons.

AIM: To study the effects of static magnetic fields (SMF) on the electrophysiological properties of voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels on trigeminal ganglion (TRG) neurons. METHODS: Acutely dissociated TRG neurons of neonatal SD rats were exposed to 125-mT and 12.5-mT SMF in exposure devices and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were carried out to observe the changes of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSC) and calcium channels (VGCC) currents, while laser scanning confocal microscopy was used to detect intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration in TRG neurons, respectively. RESULTS: (1) No obvious change of current-voltage (I-V) relationship and the peak current densities of VGSC and VGCC currents were found when TRG neurons were exposed to 125-mT and 12.5-mT SMF. However, the activation threshold, inactivation threshold and velocity of the channel currents above were significantly altered by 125-mT and 12.5-mT SMF. (2) The fluctuation of intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration within TRG neurons were slowed by 125-mT and 12.5-mT SMF. When SMF was removed, the Ca(2+) concentration level showed partial recovery in the TRG neurons previously exposed by 125-mT SMF, while there was a full recovery found in 12.5-mT-SMF-exposed neurons. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate-intensity SMF could affect the electrophysiological characteristics of VGCS and VGCC by altering their activation and inactivation threshold and velocity. The fluctuations of intracellular free Ca(2+) caused by SMF exposure were not permanent in TRG neurons.

The phenotype and tissue-specific nature of multipotent cells derived from human mature adipocytes.

Dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells derived from mature adipocytes have been considered to be a homogeneous group of multipotent cells, which present to be an alternative source of adult stem cells for regenerative medicine. However, many aspects of the cellular nature about DFAT cells remained unclarified. This study aimed to elucidate the basic characteristics of DFAT cells underlying their functions and differentiation potentials. By modified ceiling culture technique, DFAT cells were converted from human mature adipocytes from the human buccal fat pads. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that those derived cells were a homogeneous population of CD13(+) CD29(+) CD105(+) CD44(+) CD31(-) CD34(-) CD309(-) α-SMA(-) cells. DFAT cells in this study demonstrated tissue-specific differentiation properties with strong adipogenic but much weaker osteogenic capacity. Neither did they express endothelial markers under angiogenic induction.

Effects of chlorogenic acid on voltage-gated potassium channels of trigeminal ganglion neurons in an inflammatory environment.

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) composed of coffee acid and quinic acid is an effective ingredient of many foods and medicines and widely exhibits biological effects. Recently, it is reported to have analgesic effect. However, little is known about the analgesic mechanism of CGA. In this study, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed on two main subtypes (IK,A and IK,V channels) of voltage-gated potassium (KV) channels in small-diameter(<30µm) trigemianl ganglion neurons to analyze the effects of CGA in an inflammatory environment created by Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). On one hand, the activation and inactivation V1/2 values of IK,A and IK,V channels showed an elevation towards a depolarizing shift caused by PGE2. On the other hand, the activation and inactivation V1/2 values of the two channels had a reduction towards a hyperpolarizing shift caused by CGA under PGE2 pretreatment. Our results demonstrated that CGA may exhibited an analgesic effect by promoting KV channels activation and inactivation under inflammatory condition, which provided a novel molecular and ionic mechanism underlying anti-inflammatory pain of CGA.

Corrosion behaviours of the dental magnetic keeper complexes made by different alloys and methods.

The keeper and cast dowel-coping, as a primary component for a magnetic attachment, is easily subjected to corrosion in a wet environment, such as the oral cavity, which contains electrolyte-rich saliva, complex microflora and chewing behaviour and so on. The objective of this in vitro study was to examine the corrosion resistance of a dowel and coping-keeper complex fabricated by finish keeper and three alloys (cobalt-chromium, CoCr; silver-palladium-gold, PdAu; gold-platinum, AuPt) using a laser-welding process and a casting technique. The surface morphology characteristics and microstructures of the samples were examined by means of metallographic microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) with SEM provided elements analysis information for the test samples after 10% oxalic acid solution etching test. Tafel polarization curve recordings demonstrated parameter values indicating corrosion of the samples when subjected to electrochemical testing. This study has suggested that massive oxides are attached to the surface of the CoCr-keeper complex but not to the AuPt-keeper complex. Only the keeper area of cast CoCr-keeper complex displayed obvious intergranular corrosion and changes in the Fe and Co elements. Both cast and laser-welded AuPt-keeper complexes had the highest free corrosion potential, followed by the PdAu-keeper complex. We concluded that although the corrosion resistance of the CoCr-keeper complex was worst, the keeper surface passive film was actually preserved to its maximum extent. The laser-welded CoCr- and PdAu-keeper complexes possessed superior corrosion resistance as compared with their cast specimens, but no significant difference was found between the cast and laser-welded AuPt-keeper complexes. The Fe-poor and Cr-rich band, appearing on the edge of the keeper when casting, has been proven to be a corrosion-prone area.

Chlorogenic acid alters the voltage-gated potassium channel currents of trigeminal ganglion neurons.

Chlorogenic acid (5-caffeoylquinic acid, CGA) is a phenolic compound that is found ubiquitously in plants, fruits and vegetables and is formed via the esterification of caffeic acid and quinic acid. In addition to its notable biological functions against cardiovascular diseases, type-2 diabetes and inflammatory conditions, CGA was recently hypothesized to be an alternative for the treatment of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and neuropathic pain disorders. However, its mechanism of action is unclear. Voltage-gated potassium channel (Kv) is a crucial factor in the electro-physiological processes of sensory neurons. Kv has also been identified as a potential therapeutic target for inflammation and neuropathic pain disorders. In this study, we analysed the effects of CGA on the two main subtypes of Kv in trigeminal ganglion neurons, namely, the IK,A and IK,V channels. Trigeminal ganglion (TRG) neurons were acutely disassociated from the rat TRG, and two different doses of CGA (0.2 and 1 mmol⋅L(-1)) were applied to the cells. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed to observe alterations in the activation and inactivation properties of the IK,A and IK,V channels. The results demonstrated that 0.2 mmol⋅L(-1) CGA decreased the peak current density of IK,A. Both 0.2 mmol⋅L(-1) and 1 mmol⋅L(-1) CGA also caused a significant reduction in the activation and inactivation thresholds of IK,A and IK,V. CGA exhibited a strong effect on the activation and inactivation velocities of IK,A and IK,V. These findings provide novel evidence explaining the biological effects of CGA, especially regarding its neurological effects.