Role of autologous mesenchymal stem cells associated with platelet-rich plasma on healing of cutaneous wounds in diabetic mice.

BACKGROUND: Chronic cutaneous lesions affect 15% of human patients with diabetes, and the associated risk of limb amputations is 15-46 times greater than that of people with normal glycaemia. It is estimated that half of these limb amputations could be avoided by opportune treatment with somatic stem cells or platelet-rich plasma (PRP). METHODS: We evaluated the effects of autologous transplant of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with or without combination with autologous PRP in the re-epithelialization of cutaneous lesions induced in diabetic mice. RESULTS: Animals treated with MSCs alone showed a similar level of re-epithelialization of cutaneous lesions to those treated with MSC plus PRP, and no significant difference was found between the two treatments. CONCLUSION: Both treatments gave better results than daily cleaning of the cutaneous lesions with saline or covering of the lesions with semipermeable adherent bandage.

Co-transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells maintains islet organisation and morphology in mice.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Recent studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) secrete several factors that improve survival and function of transplanted islets. Implantation of islets beneath the kidney capsule results in morphological changes, due to interactions of the graft with the host, thus impairing islet function. We co-transplanted MSCs with islets to determine their effects on the remodelling process and studied graft function in a mouse model of minimal islet mass. METHODS: Islets were syngeneically transplanted, either alone or with kidney-derived MSCs, underneath the kidney capsule of streptozotocin-induced diabetic C57Bl/6 mice. Blood glucose levels were monitored and intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests carried out. Hormone contents of grafts and pancreas were assessed by radioimmunoassay. Graft morphology and vascularisation were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: MSCs improved the capacity of islet grafts to reverse hyperglycaemia, with 92% of mice co-transplanted with MSCs reverting to normoglycaemia, compared with 42% of those transplanted with islets alone. Average blood glucose concentrations were lower throughout the 1 month monitoring period in MSC co-transplanted mice. MSCs did not alter graft hormone content. Islets co-transplanted with MSCs maintained a morphology that more closely resembled that of islets in the endogenous pancreas, both in terms of size, and of endocrine and endothelial cell distribution. Vascular engraftment was superior in MSC co-transplanted mice, as shown by increased endothelial cell numbers within the endocrine tissue. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Co-transplantation of islets with MSCs had a profound impact on the remodelling process, maintaining islet organisation and improving islet revascularisation. MSCs also improved the capacity of islets to reverse hyperglycaemia.

Association between the 1858T allele of the protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 22 and type 1 diabetes in a Brazilian population.

The 1858T allele of the protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor 22 (PTPN22) gene has been associated to diabetes in different populations. We investigated a possible relationship between this polymorphism and type 1 diabetes in a cohort of Brazilian patients. A significantly higher frequency of the 1858T allele was observed in diabetic patients (n = 211) than in control individuals (n = 241). Additionally, the heterozygote genotype was also increased in the diabetic group. No association was observed between the PTPN22 T allele and gender, or between T carriers and age of onset of T1D. This work describes for the first time a strong association of the 1858T allele with type 1 diabetes in a Brazilian population, reinforcing the role of this variant as an important susceptibility factor for this disease.

From leading role to the backstage: mesenchymal stem cells as packaging cell lines for in situ production of viral vectors.

Gene therapy is based on the genetic manipulation of target cells. The genetic information required to genetically engineer these cells can be delivered through non-viral or viral vectors that present different biologic properties. The production of viral vectors for gene therapy depends on the nature of the cells transfected with plasmids containing the genetic information for recombinant viral assemblage. These so-called packaging cell lines (PCL) can be injected into the target organ, for the in situ transduction of target cells. There have been recent reports about the capacity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to target tumor cells. Different research groups, including our own, have isolated these MSCs, but they have not yet been studied as potential PCL to produce viral vectors. We propose here that a MSC packaging cell line could be employed for in situ gene therapy of solid tumors. The tropism of MSCs for tumor cells may render this PCL more efficient in that microenvironment, producing viral vectors for longer periods of time, shifting MSCs from target cell to the backstage level of viral gene therapy.

Functional characterization of cell hybrids generated by induced fusion of primary porcine mesenchymal stem cells with an immortal murine cell line.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) integrate into various organs and contribute to the regeneration of diverse tissues. However, the mechanistic basis of the plasticity of MSC is not fully understood. The change of cell fate has been suggested to occur through cell fusion. We have generated hybrid cell lines by polyethylene-glycol-mediated cell fusion of primary porcine MSC with the immortal murine fibroblast cell line F7, a derivative of the GM05267 cell line. The hybrid cell lines display fibroblastic morphology and proliferate like immortal cells. They contain tetraploid to hexaploid porcine chromosomes accompanied by hypo-diploid murine chromosomes. Interestingly, many hybrid cell lines also express high levels of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase, which is considered to be a marker of undifferentiated embryonic stem cells. All tested hybrid cell lines retain osteogenic differentiation, a few of them also retain adipogenic potential, but none retain chondrogenic differentiation. Conditioned media from hybrid cells enhance the proliferation of both early-passage and late-passage porcine MSC, indicating that the hybrid cells secrete diffusible growth stimulatory factors. Murine F7 cells thus have the unique property of generating immortal cell hybrids containing unusually high numbers of chromosomes derived from normal cells. These hybrid cells can be employed in various studies to improve our understanding of regenerative biology. This is the first report, to our knowledge, describing the generation of experimentally induced cell hybrids by using normal primary MSC.

Polyethylene glycol-mediated fusion between primary mouse mesenchymal stem cells and mouse fibroblasts generates hybrid cells with increased proliferation and altered differentiation.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into different cell lineages with the appropriate stimulation in vitro. Transplantation of MSCs in human and other animal models was found to repair tissues through the fusion of transplanted MSCs with indigenous cells. We have generated mouseâmouse hybrid cell lines in vitro by polyethylene glycol-mediated fusion of primary mouse MSCs with mouse fibroblasts to investigate the characteristics of hybrid cells, including their potentials for proliferation and differentiation. Similar to the parental MSCs, hybrid cells are positive for the cell-surface markers CD29, CD44, CD49e, and Sca-1, and negative for Gr-1, CD11b, CD13, CD18, CD31, CD43, CD45, CD49d, CD90.2, CD445R/B220, and CD117 markers. The hybrid cells also produce a high level of tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase compared to the parental cells. Conditioned medium of hybrid cells contain biologically active factors that are capable of stimulating proliferation of other cells. Although the parental MSCs can differentiate into adipogenic and osteogenic lineages, hybrid cells held disparate differentiation capacity. Hybrid cell lines in general have increased proliferative capacity than the primary MSCs. Our study demonstrates that proliferative hybrid cell lines can be generated in vitro by induced fusion of both immortal and primary somatic cells with primary MSCs.

Induction of fetal haemoglobin expression in erythroid cells--a model based on iron availability signalling.

The K562 cell line has erythroid origin and is used for the study of fetal haemoglobin (HbF) production after treatment with several drugs, such as hydroxyurea, cisplatin and cytosine arabinoside (Ara C). It represents an important tool for the study of cancer differentiation therapy and treatment of thalassaemia and sickle cell disease. Although subject to intense research, the mechanisms involved in the induction of HbF are not fully established, and the regulation of several genes and signalling pathways has been proposed. Using the methodology of differential display, we investigated the changes in gene expression in K562 cells treated with doxorubicin and aclarubicin, which induce HbF expression and cell cycle arrest. Several genes were shown to present differential expression patterns, many of them related to the iron signalling pathway. Particular attention was given to Ndrg1, expressed as early as 24 h after treatment, which can be regulated by iron and is involved with blocking of the cell cycle. A review of the literature shows that, similar to doxorubicin and aclarubicin, most of the drugs used to induce HbF present some kind of effect on the iron signalling pathway, activating in the cells the machinery necessary for the incorporation of extracellular iron. Considering these results, as well as the fact that in erythroid cells the synthesis of haemoglobin is of vital importance, we propose that the production of fetal haemoglobin in erythroid cells is highly dependent on the iron signalling pathway.

All the adult stem cells, where do they all come from? An external source for organ-specific stem cell pools.

Stem cells can self-renew and maintain the ability to differentiate into mature lineages. Whereas the "stemness" of embryonic stem cells is not discussed, the primitiveness of a stem cell type within adult organisms is not well determined. Data presently available are either inconclusive or controversial regarding two main topics: maintenance or senescente of the adult stem cell pool; and pluripotentiality of the cells. While programmed senescence or apoptosis following uncorrected mutations represent no problem for mature cells, the maintenance of the stem cell pool itself must be assured. Two different mechanisms can be envisaged for that. In the first mechanism, which is generally accepted, stem cells originate during ontogeny along with the organ which they are responsible for, and remain there during all the lifespan of the organism. Several observations derived from recent reports allow the suggestion of a second mechanism. These observations include: organ-specific stem cells are senescent; adult stem cells circulate in the organism; stem cell niches are essential for the existence and function of stem cells; adult stem cells can present lineage markers; embryo-like, pluripotent stem cells are present in adult organisms, as shown by the development of teratomas, tumors composed of derivatives of the three germ layers; and the fact that the gonads may be a reservoir of embryo-like, pluripotent stem cells in adult organisms. The second mechanism for the maintenance of adult stem cells compartments implies a source external to the organ they belong, consisting of pluripotent, embryo-like cells of unrestricted life span, presenting efficient mechanisms for avoiding or correcting mutations and capable to circulate in the organism. According to this model, primitive stem cells exist in a specific organ in adult organisms. They undergo asymmetrical divisions, which originate one "true" stem cell and another one which enters the pool of adult stem cells, circulating through the entire organism. Upon signals liberated by organ-specific niches, this cell becomes activated to express lineage-specific genes, homes to that particular organ and repopulates its stem cell compartment, differentiating thus in what is seen as the organ-specific stem cell. The gonads are the natural candidates for homing the primitive stem cells in adult organisms. The model proposed in this work for the maintenance of organ-specific stem cell pools from an external source, represented by primitive, embryo-like germinal stem cells present in testes and ovaries, may contribute to the more complete understanding of this complex issue.

Nonviral in vivo gene transfer in the mucopolysaccharidosis I murine model.

Mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I) is a lysosomal disorder characterized by a deficiency of the enzyme alpha-L: -iduronidase (IDUA), which is responsible for the degradation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). This deficiency leads to the accumulation of dermatan and heparan sulphate in lysosomes. Presently available treatments include bone marrow transplantation and enzyme replacement therapies, both of which are limited in their effects. In this work, knockout (KO) MPS I mice were treated with a nonviral vector containing the human IDUA cDNA. KO mice were transfected by hydrodynamic injection of pRIDUA in the caudal vein (i.v., n = 3) or by intraperitoneal injection of pRIDUA/Superfect complexes (i.p., n = 3). GAG concentration and IDUA activity were analysed in the kidneys, spleen, lungs, brain and liver. The expression of IDUA in the organs of i.v.- and i.p.-treated mice was also analysed by real-time reverse-transcription (RT) PCR and compared by relative quantification. The concentration of GAGs in the organs differed between KO and wild-type mice. In the spleen and liver, GAG levels were lower in i.v.- and i.p.-treated KO mice than in control nontreated animals. Real-time RT-PCR showed that the transgene is expressed in all the analysed organs of i.p.- and i.v.-treated KO mice. Enzyme activity was similarly observed in all the organs analysed. Our data suggest that this kind of transfection may be a useful tool for studies of nonviral protocols for gene therapy of MPS.

T-cell receptor BV gene segment polymorphisms in healthy elderly individuals from the south of Brazil.

The ageing of the immune system (immunosenescence) is believed to be involved in both morbidity and mortality in elderly humans due to a higher incidence of infections, autoimmune diseases, cancers and other pathological situations. As any specific immune response involves recognition of antigens by T cells, the ability to develop a given immune response is also dependent on the T-cell repertoire available at a given time point. Different T-cell receptor beta variable segment (BV) (TCRBV) gene segment alleles have been associated with diseases in various human populations. In the present work we analysed the allelic frequencies of four biallelic polymorphisms in TCRBV gene segments (TCRBV3S1, TCRBV13S5, TCRBV13S6 and TCRBV18) in healthy elderly human subjects (80 years old or more) from the south of Brazil, where life expectancies reach similar levels to those observed in developed countries. Except for allele 2 of the TCRBV13S6 polymorphism, which was more frequent in elderly than in young individuals (P = 0.0105), there were no differences in allele or genotype frequencies between young and elderly individuals. The data suggest that there is no direct correlation between the TCRBV3S1, TCRBV13S5 and TCRBV18 polymorphisms analysed and healthy senescence in this particular group of elderly individuals. The higher frequency of TCRBV13S6 allele 2 in healthy elderly individuals should be confirmed in other samples to establish the significance of this finding.

TCRBV3S1 and TCRBV18 gene segment polymorphisms in Brazilian Caucasoid and Black populations.

The T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire plays an important role in shaping specific immune responses. Genetic polymorphisms at the TCR locus, in both constant and variable regions, seem to represent an important mechanism for generating inter-individual and inter-population differences. Considering the scarcity of immune parameters characterized for normal human populations, we decided to determine the frequency of two TCRBV polymorphisms (located in the TCRBV3S1 and TCRBV18 gene segments) in two ethnically distinct groups of the general Brazilian population. Both polymorphisms are related to the expression of these segments at the T-cell surface and can consequently modulate the T-cell repertoire, potentially modifying the capacity of a given individual to develop an immune response. These DNA polymorphisms were analysed in material obtained from adult, normal South-American Caucasoid and Black individuals. A total of 139 individuals were analysed for the TCRBV3S1 and 141 for the TCRBV18 gene segment polymorphisms. The data indicated statistically significant differences in allelic frequencies for the two ethnic groups analysed, suggesting that any correlation between TCR usage or T-cell repertoire and development of a given disease should take in account the ethnic origin of the population studied.

Hematologic and immunophenotypic characterization of human umbilical cord blood.

In this work, cord blood cells from 30 healthy term newborns were analyzed for complete blood counts with an automated cytometer and, in part of the sample, for surface molecules in cord blood monocytes, lymphocytes and CD34+ cells by two-color flow cytometry. Hematological parameters were as follows: WBC = 12.85 (5.24-15.10) x10(9)/l; platelets = 304.33 (156.00-469.00) x 10(9)/l; Hb = 14.45 (11.90-17.82) g/dl; RBC = 3.99 (3.14-5.12) x 10(12)/l; MCV 107.25 (99.60-115.00) fl; reticulocytes = 157.80 (101.00-124.00) x 10(9)/l or 3.99 (2.45-6.01)%; erythroblasts = 0.88 (0.15-2.58) x 10(9)/l or 6.63 (2.86-16.80) per 100 WBC [corrected]. The mononuclear population, as evaluated by flow cytometry, was composed of 22.9 +/- 7.2% monocytes and 77.05 +/- 7.24% lymphocytes, among which 46.59 +/- 15.62% were T lymphocytes (43.94 +/- 16.94% CD3+/CD4+ and 13.45 +/- 7.46% CD3+/CD8+). CD34+ cells were on average 0.54 +/- 0.24% of the mononuclear fraction. CD11c, CD49e and HLA-DR were found mainly on monocytes, and CD31 and CD62L occurred in similar levels on monocytes and lymphocytes. CD117+ cells were less than 5% of these populations. Among CD34+ cells, CD31 and HLA-DR were the molecules with higher frequencies (79.7 +/- 19.9 and 65.7 +/- 23.0%, respectively), followed by CD62L (41.8 +/- 31.9%) and CD117 (20.1 +/- 15.8%). The presence of CD11c and CD49e on CD34+ cells was low (below 10%). The results stress the phenotypic heterogeneity of cord blood CD34+ cells, and the different behavior of the cells when manipulated in vitro in different degrees of isolation.

An efficient gene transfer system for hematopoietic cell line using transient and stable vectors.

The hematopoietic system represents an interesting model for gene transfer protocols. Here, we have evaluated the efficiency of a gene transfer system using the polycationic compound SuperFect (Qiagen) and the K562 hematopoietic cell line. Transient and stable vectors carrying the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter gene were employed. The stable vector was constructed based on Epstein-Barr virus sequences such as EBV oriP (origin of replication) and EBNA (EBV nuclear antigen)-1, both for DNA replication. The transfection efficiency of the viable cells was estimated by flow cytometry at approximately 98% for transient and stable vectors. Transiently transfected cells presented optimal EGFP expression until day 2 when fluorescence started to decrease. In contrast, stable transfectants continuously expressed the marker gene product for 10 weeks in the presence of G418. Our results represent an efficient gene transfer method for K562 hematopoietic cells and may be used as an alternative approach for further gene transfer studies involving hematopoietic cells.

Sickle cell disease: a chronic inflammatory condition.

Homozygous sickle cell disease (SCD) has a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations which varies from an almost asymptomatic condition to severe illness, despite the fact that all subjects with this disease have the same base change in their DNA. The source of this variation is partly environmental, but a large part of this variability can derive from the presence of genetic modulators which are not fully understood. It was postulated that some degree of immunodeficiency should be associated with this condition, but no deficiency, directly related to a given component of the immune system, was observed that could explain the high levels of recurrent infections presented by sickle cell disease patients. Reviewing data from the literature we suggest that the influence of the immune system in the variation of clinical manifestations presented by SCD patients is not related with any immunodeficiency but is rather the result of a chronic inflammatory condition.

Multidrug resistance gene expression during the murine ontogeny.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) was described initially for tumor cells which become resistant not only to the specific drug to which they are submitted, but also to a large range of unrelated drugs. The expression of mdr genes, responsible for the phenotype, and their product P glycoprotein (Pgp), is currently under intensive study due to their ample distribution in different organisms and their possible physiological roles which include protection against xenobiotics. In mice, three mdr isoforms expressed in some normal tissues are known. In this work, we analyzed by RT-PCR the expression of mdr1, mdr2 and mdr3 in several organs of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice during ontogeny. A considerable variation in mdr expression among individuals of the same strain, as well as among different organs in individuals of the same age group and among different age groups, was detected. We also observed a strong tendency for the expression of a greater number of active isoforms in old mice. The large expression range of the mdr isoforms point to an important role as a natural defense system.

Consensus and variable region PCR analysis of Helicobacter pylori 3' region of cagA gene in isolates from individuals with or without peptic ulcer.

The clinical outcome of Helicobacter pylori infection may be associated with the cagA bacterial genotype. To investigate the cagA status of H. pylori-infected patients and the relationship between cagA and peptic ulcer disease, gastric biopsy specimens from 103 Caucasian patients in Brazil were analyzed by PCR. Since allelic variation in cagA exists and distinct H. pylori subgenotypes may circulate in different regions, PCR using primers for a variable 3' region of the cagA gene according to a Japanese methodology and for a consensus cagA 3' region used in Western methods was used for cagA detection. cagA was present in 53 (71%) of 75 H. pylori-positive cases when analyzed by the consensus region method and was associated with duodenal ulcer disease (P = 0.02), but not with gastric ulcer (P = 0.26), when compared to patients with duodenitis or gastritis. The variable region PCR method was able to detect 43 (57%) cagA-positive cases within the same group of H. pylori-positive patients and showed three subtypes of cagA (A, B/D, and C) that were not associated with clinical outcome. However, in 8 (18%) of the cases, more than one subtype was present, and an association between patients with multiple subtypes and disease outcome was observed when compared to patients with isolated subtypes (P = 0.048). cagA was a marker of H. pylori strains for duodenal ulcer disease in our population, and in spite of the differences in the 3' region of the cagA gene, the Japanese methodology was able to detect the cagA status in most cases. The presence of multiple subgenotypes of cagA was associated with gastric ulcer.

Classical swine fever virus in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of acutely infected swine.

The distribution of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) in plasma, monocytes, T and B lymphocytes in peripheral blood was monitored during experimentally induced acute classical swine fever infection in piglets. Six piglets were infected with 10(3.8) TCID50 of virus and blood samples taken up to 18 days post-inoculation (p.i.). Infectious virus was detected in monocytes, T and B lymphocytes to similar titres in five of the six infected piglets. Infectious virus was detected earlier in plasma than in any of the mononuclear cell subpopulations. No significant difference was observed in the period of time in which virus could be isolated from the three cell subpopulations. While a progressive lymphopenia developed, a marked B cell depletion was observed. However, B cells were apparently replaced by non-IgM-bearing mononuclear cells, as the proportion 'total lymphocyte/total leucocytes' remained unaltered throughout the experiment. Virus titres in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells showed a tendency to increase as the disease progressed to its outcome.

The hematopoietic stroma.

All blood cells are derived from a small common pool of totipotent cells, called hematopoietic stem cells. The process is strictly regulated by the hematopoietic microenvironment, which includes stromal cells, extracellular matrix molecules and soluble regulatory factors. Several experimental in vitro assays have been developed for the study of hematopoietic differentiation, and have provided valuable information on the stroma, which includes, among other cell types, macrophages, fibroblasts, adipocytes, and endothelial cells. The composition, ontogeny, and function in physiological as well as pathological conditions of stroma are discussed.

The hematopoietic stroma

All blood cells are derived from a small common pool of totipotent cells, called hematopoietic stem cells. The process is strictly regulated by the hematopoietic microenvironment, which includes stromal cells, extracellular matrix molecules and soluble regulatory factors. Several experimental in vitro assays have been developed for the study of hematopoietic differentiation, and have provided valuable information on the stroma, which includes, among other cell types, macrophages, fibroblasts, adipocytes, and endothelial cells. The composition, ontogeny, and function in physiological as well as pathological conditions of stroma are discussed

Characteristics of the strong antibody response to mycobacterial Hsp70: a primary, T cell-dependent IgG response with no evidence of natural priming or gamma delta T cell involvement.

Despite its high degree of evolutionary conservation, hsp70 is a surprisingly robust Ag, to such a degree that it is under consideration as a potential substrate in vaccine development. The cellular basis of the strong humoral response, however, is unknown, although it is often hypothesized to derive from restimulation of memory T cells that have been primed by hsp of intestinal flora. In this study, we tested this hypothesis and performed additional studies on the immune response to hsp70 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Superficially, the primary Ab response to this protein resembles a T cell-dependent secondary one, constituted almost exclusively by IgG. However, there is no evidence of natural priming, as revealed both by in vitro stimulation experiments and by immunity in germfree mice. Although hsp70 stimulates gammadelta and alphabeta T cells from unprimed mice to proliferate in vitro, gammadelta cells are not required for the strong humoral response, which is indistinguishable in normal and gammadelta T cell-deficient mice. Thus, the unusual immunogenicity of this protein in eliciting a humoral response appears to be due to a strong alphabeta T cell response with no evidence of natural priming or a gammadelta T cell involvement.