Living donor bone banking: processing and discarding--from procurement to therapeutic use.

Skeletal muscle and osteoarticular tissue banks are responsible to procure, process, store and distribute tissues, from living and cadaveric donors. The procedures involve the application of protocols covering all aspects of the banking, ensuring the best tissue quality and maximum safety for the recipient. An analysis on the causes of bone tissue discarded by Biotar Tissue Bank between January 2005 and December 2012 was carried. Bone tissue was obtained from both hip and knee replacement (femoral heads and tibial plateau respectively) in living donors treated at different medical-surgical institutions in Argentina. These tissues were processed at the Bank to produce both frozen and lyophilized cancellous bone. Out of 3413 donated bones received by the Bank, 77.55 % resulted in final product, while the remaining 22.44 % was discarded in compliance with the quality standards of both the Bank and the regulatory authority. Comparing the last and the first year of the studied period, the number of discarded tissue increased 3.6 times, while the number of collected bones was approximately 10 times higher. Related to total disposed tissue, reactive serology was the most frequent cause (62.14 %), followed by inappropriate collection/storage of blood sample (30.81 %). A progressive reduction in the percentages of total discard was observed, and this was proportional to inappropriate collection/storage of blood sample. No significant differences were found in the discard rates due to positive serology throughout all the years studied. The success of a tissue bank requires full commitment of all the personnel especially the team members responsible for donor selection and the processing of allografts. It is important to critically screen donors in the early stages of donor recruitment. All of the procedures carried out by the tissue bank are parts of the quality control system which must be strictly carried out. Biotar Tissue Bank is continuously committed to ensure safety to the recipients.

Cultivo de condrocitos sobre una matriz acelular derivada de membrana amniocoriónica / Culture of chondrocytes on an acellular matrix derived from amniochorionic membrane

Introducción: El tejido cartilaginoso articular presenta escasa capacidad regenerativa. Existe alta incidencia de lesiones condrales en la rodilla, especialmente de grado II/III (Outerbridge). El uso combinado de células autólogas cultivadas con membranas biológicas es una posibilidad terapéutica. El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar las características del desarrollo in vitro de condrocitos humanos sobre una membrana amniocoriónica acelular (MAC) desecada. Materiales y métodos: Entre diciembre de 2010 y diciembre de 2011 se procesaron 16 muestras de cartílago de donante vivo, de las cuales se analizaron siete. Los condrocitos fueron cultivados y amplificados sobre plástico, a partir de lo cual se realizaron los siguientes análisis: interacción entre células y MAC, capacidad de la MAC como matriz para las células y comportamiento de las células cultivadas sobre la MAC. Resultados: Los condrocitos in vitro mostraron cambios fenotípicos en presencia de MAC. Las células fueron capaces de adherirse y permanecer en la región esponjosa de la membrana. La microscopia electrónica de las MAC cultivadas mostró la presencia de células, organelas celulares bien conservadas, retículo endoplásmico y uniones de tipo desmosoma. Conclusiones: Este trabajo muestra la factibilidad de cultivar condrocitos sobre MAC. Las células fueron capaces de adherirse, permanecer y diferenciarse sobre la membrana durante el tiempo del estudio (AU)

Cultivo de condrocitos sobre una matriz acelular derivada de membrana amniocoriónica / Culture of chondrocytes on an acellular matrix derived from amniochorionic membrane

Introducción: El tejido cartilaginoso articular presenta escasa capacidad regenerativa. Existe alta incidencia de lesiones condrales en la rodilla, especialmente de grado II/III (Outerbridge). El uso combinado de células autólogas cultivadas con membranas biológicas es una posibilidad terapéutica. El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar las características del desarrollo in vitro de condrocitos humanos sobre una membrana amniocoriónica acelular (MAC) desecada. Materiales y métodos: Entre diciembre de 2010 y diciembre de 2011 se procesaron 16 muestras de cartílago de donante vivo, de las cuales se analizaron siete. Los condrocitos fueron cultivados y amplificados sobre plástico, a partir de lo cual se realizaron los siguientes análisis: interacción entre células y MAC, capacidad de la MAC como matriz para las células y comportamiento de las células cultivadas sobre la MAC. Resultados: Los condrocitos in vitro mostraron cambios fenotípicos en presencia de MAC. Las células fueron capaces de adherirse y permanecer en la región esponjosa de la membrana. La microscopia electrónica de las MAC cultivadas mostró la presencia de células, organelas celulares bien conservadas, retículo endoplásmico y uniones de tipo desmosoma. Conclusiones: Este trabajo muestra la factibilidad de cultivar condrocitos sobre MAC. Las células fueron capaces de adherirse, permanecer y diferenciarse sobre la membrana durante el tiempo del estudio

Hepatocellular carcinoma cells and their fibrotic microenvironment modulate bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cell migration in vitro and in vivo.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer and the third cause of cancer-related death. Fibrogenesis is an active process characterized by the production of several proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. It involves the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) which accumulate at the site of injury and are the main source of the extracellular matrix deposits. There are no curative treatments for advanced HCC, thus, new therapies are urgently needed. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have the ability to migrate to sites of injury or to remodeling tissues after in vivo administration; however, in several cancer models they demonstrated limited efficacy to eradicate experimental tumors partially due to poor engraftment. Thus, the aim of this work was to analyze the capacity of human MSCs (hMSCs) to migrate and anchor to HCC tumors. We observed that HCC and HSCs, but not nontumoral stroma, produce factors that induce hMSC migration in vitro. Conditioned media (CM) generated from established HCC cell lines were found to induce higher levels of hMSC migration than CM derived from fresh patient tumor samples. In addition, after exposure to CM from HCC cells or HSCs, hMSCs demonstrated adhesion and invasion capability to endothelial cells, type IV collagen and fibrinogen. Consistently, these cells were found to increase metalloproteinase-2 activity. In vivo studies with subcutaneous and orthotopic HCC models indicated that intravenously infused hMSCs migrated to lungs, spleen and liver. Seven days post-hMSC infusion cells were located also in the tumor in both models, but the signal intensity was significantly higher in orthotopic than in subcutaneous model. Interestingly, when orthotopic HCC tumors where established in noncirrhotic or cirrhotic livers, the amount of hMSCs localized in the liver was higher in comparison with healthy animals. A very low signal was found in lungs and spleens, indicating that liver tumors are able to recruit them at high efficiency. Taken together our results indicate that HCC and HSC cells produce factors that efficiently induce hMSC migration toward tumor microenvironment in vitro and in vivo and make MSCs candidates for cell-based therapeutic strategies to hepatocellular carcinoma associated with fibrosis.

[Isolation of fetal liver oval cells in physiologic conditions form their natural niche]. / Aislamiento de células ovales de hígado fetal en condiciones fisiológicas a partir de su nicho natural.

The liver is characterized by a remarkable ability to proliferate and self-renew. In the situation of mild or moderate liver damage, hepatocytes carry out regeneration. Nevertheless, when liver damage is far too much extensive and the number of residual mature hepatocytes is not enough to accomplish regeneration, or likewise when mature hepatocyte proliferation is inhibited, hepatic regeneration depends on the activation of liver stem cells that give rise to oval cells. The population of liver stem cells is scant in normal liver. It is considered that in fetal liver this population is just over 1% of the cells. For this reason, it is necessary to isolate and enrich them for their study. With this goal several models of hepatic damage that permit the isolation of oval cells af ter the induction of massive hepatic injure have been developed. Here we present a simple methodology that allows the isolation of oval cells from rat fetal liver without prior induction of liver damage. The use of oval cell 2 (OC2) and oval cell 3 (OC3) antigens as molecular markers allowed the highly precise characterization of this cell population. Furthermore, the in vitro culture in presence of HGF yielded a substantial enrichment of the oval cell population.

Functional blockade of α5ß1 integrin induces scattering and genomic landscape remodeling of hepatic progenitor cells.

BACKGROUND: Cell scattering is a physiological process executed by stem and progenitor cells during embryonic liver development and postnatal organ regeneration. Here, we investigated the genomic events occurring during this process induced by functional blockade of α5ß1 integrin in liver progenitor cells. RESULTS: Cells treated with a specific antibody against α5ß1 integrin exhibited cell spreading and scattering, over-expression of liver stem/progenitor cell markers and activation of the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPKs signaling cascades, in a similar manner to the process triggered by HGF/SF1 stimulation. Gene expression profiling revealed marked transcriptional changes of genes involved in cell adhesion and migration, as well as genes encoding chromatin remodeling factors. These responses were accompanied by conspicuous spatial reorganization of centromeres, while integrin genes conserved their spatial positioning in the interphase nucleus. CONCLUSION: Collectively, our results demonstrate that α5ß1 integrin functional blockade induces cell migration of hepatic progenitor cells, and that this involves a dramatic remodeling of the nuclear landscape.

[Structural and functional polarity of porcine hepatocyte cultured spheroids]. / Análisis de la polaridad estructural y funcional de estructuras tridimensionales (esferoides) de células hepáticas porcinas cultivadas in vitro.

Hepatocytes are epithelial cells that show a complex polarity in vivo. However, hepatocytes isolated and cultured in vitro normally lose both their differentiated properties and polarity. Culturing hepatocyte spheroids seems to be the accurate approach to maintain tissue level of organization. The structural and functionalpolarities of pig liver spheroids were analyzed in this work. Swine liver cells were isolated and cultured as spheroids. Their metabolic activity was proved through the metabolism of diazepam, ammonium and synthesis of albumin. Several structural features show the presence of polarity in the cells inside the spheroids. Reticular and collagen fibers, as well as Ck19(+) cells forming duct-like structures were found. _eta and _-catenins and pancadherins were positive in different regions of the spheroids, mainly in the outer cell layers, which have cuboidal epithelia features. The scanning electron microscopy showed a tightly compacted architecture, with smooth surface. The transmission electron microscopy analysis showed bile canaliculi with microvilli, tight junctions, zonula adherens and desmosome-like junctions. Well-maintained cellular organelles, as mitochondria, nucleus, nucleolus, peroxisomes, endoplasmic reticulum, were seen in the spheroids. A complex inner bile canaliculi network was shown by using a fluorescent bile acid analogue incorporated and excreted by the spheroids. Furthermore, excretion of a normal pattern of bile acids was demonstrated. The morphology and functionality of the spheroids may provide an appropriate model for applications where the maintenance of liver-specific functions is crucial, as a bioartificial liver device.

Análisis de la polaridad estructural y funcional de estructuras tridimensionales (esferoides) de células hepáticas porcinas cultivadas in vitro / Structural and functional polarity of porcine hepatocyte cultured spheroids

Los hepatocitos son células epiteliales polarizadas que, al ser aisladas y cultivadas, pierden la polaridad y las propiedades de célula diferenciada. El cultivo de células hepáticas como esferoides permite obtener estructuras con organización de tipo tisular. En este trabajo se analizó estructural y funcionalmente la polaridad de esferoides porcinos. Para ello, las células hepáticas porcinas fueron aisladas y cultivadas en agitación constante. La actividad metabólica de los esferoides fue probada mediante el metabolismo de diazepam y de amonio, así como con síntesis de albúmina. Sus características estructurales mostraron la polaridad de las células. Fueron observados paquetes de fibras de colágeno distribuidas irregularmente y fibras reticulares en formahomogénea en todo el volumen del esferoide. Se hallaron células Ck19+ formando estructuras tipo ducto biliar, así como también _ y _-cateninas y pan-cadherinas en diferentes zonas, especialmente en las laminas externas, con características de epitelio cuboidal. Por microscopía electrónica de barrido se observaron estructuras muy compactas con superficie lisa, y por microscopía electrónica de transmisión, canalículos biliares con microvellosidades, uniones tight, zonula adherens y desmosomas. Las organelas celulares como mitocondrias, núcleos, nucleolos, peroxisomas, retículo endoplásmico estaban bien conservadas. Una compleja red de canalículos biliares fue observada mediante la incorporación y excreción de un análogo de sal biliar fluorescente. El análisis de los ácidos biliares excretados mostró un patrón normal. La morfología y funcionalidad de los esferoides puede aportar un modelo apropiado para aplicaciones en las que es primordial mantener las funciones específicas del hígado, como un dispositivo de hígado bioartificial.

Hepatocytes are epithelial cells that show a complex polarity in vivo. However, hepatocytes isolated and cultured in vitro normally lose both their differentiated properties and polarity. Culturing hepatocyte spheroids seems to be the accurate approach to maintain tissue level of organization. The structural and functional polaritiesof pig liver spheroids were analyzed in this work. Swine liver cells were isolated and cultured as spheroids. Their metabolic activity was proved through the metabolism of diazepam, ammonium and synthesis of albumin. Several structural features show the presence of polarity in the cells inside the spheroids. Reticular and collagen fibers, as well as Ck19(+) cells forming duct-like structures were found. _eta and _-catenins and pancadherins were positive in different regions of the spheroids, mainly in the outer cell layers, which have cuboidal epithelia features. The scanning electron microscopy showed a tightly compacted architecture, with smooth surface. The transmission electron microscopy analysis showed bile canaliculi with microvilli, tight junctions, zonula adherens and desmosome-like junctions. Wellmaintained cellular organelles, as mitochondria, nucleus,nucleolus, peroxisomes, endoplasmic reticulum, were seen in the spheroids. A complex inner bile canaliculinetwork was shown by using a fluorescent bile acid analogue incorporated and excreted by the spheroids. Furthermore, excretion of a normal pattern of bile acids was demonstrated. The morphology and functionality of the spheroids may provide an appropriate model for applications where the maintenance of liver-specific functions is crucial, as a bioartificial liver device.

Análisis de la polaridad estructural y funcional de estructuras tridimensionales (esferoides) de células hepáticas porcinas cultivadas in vitro / Structural and functional polarity of porcine hepatocyte cultured spheroids

Los hepatocitos son células epiteliales polarizadas que, al ser aisladas y cultivadas, pierden la polaridad y las propiedades de célula diferenciada. El cultivo de células hepáticas como esferoides permite obtener estructuras con organización de tipo tisular. En este trabajo se analizó estructural y funcionalmente la polaridad de esferoides porcinos. Para ello, las células hepáticas porcinas fueron aisladas y cultivadas en agitación constante. La actividad metabólica de los esferoides fue probada mediante el metabolismo de diazepam y de amonio, así como con síntesis de albúmina. Sus características estructurales mostraron la polaridad de las células. Fueron observados paquetes de fibras de colágeno distribuidas irregularmente y fibras reticulares en formahomogénea en todo el volumen del esferoide. Se hallaron células Ck19+ formando estructuras tipo ducto biliar, así como también _ y _-cateninas y pan-cadherinas en diferentes zonas, especialmente en las laminas externas, con características de epitelio cuboidal. Por microscopía electrónica de barrido se observaron estructuras muy compactas con superficie lisa, y por microscopía electrónica de transmisión, canalículos biliares con microvellosidades, uniones tight, zonula adherens y desmosomas. Las organelas celulares como mitocondrias, núcleos, nucleolos, peroxisomas, retículo endoplásmico estaban bien conservadas. Una compleja red de canalículos biliares fue observada mediante la incorporación y excreción de un análogo de sal biliar fluorescente. El análisis de los ácidos biliares excretados mostró un patrón normal. La morfología y funcionalidad de los esferoides puede aportar un modelo apropiado para aplicaciones en las que es primordial mantener las funciones específicas del hígado, como un dispositivo de hígado bioartificial. (AU)

Hepatocytes are epithelial cells that show a complex polarity in vivo. However, hepatocytes isolated and cultured in vitro normally lose both their differentiated properties and polarity. Culturing hepatocyte spheroids seems to be the accurate approach to maintain tissue level of organization. The structural and functional polaritiesof pig liver spheroids were analyzed in this work. Swine liver cells were isolated and cultured as spheroids. Their metabolic activity was proved through the metabolism of diazepam, ammonium and synthesis of albumin. Several structural features show the presence of polarity in the cells inside the spheroids. Reticular and collagen fibers, as well as Ck19(+) cells forming duct-like structures were found. _eta and _-catenins and pancadherins were positive in different regions of the spheroids, mainly in the outer cell layers, which have cuboidal epithelia features. The scanning electron microscopy showed a tightly compacted architecture, with smooth surface. The transmission electron microscopy analysis showed bile canaliculi with microvilli, tight junctions, zonula adherens and desmosome-like junctions. Wellmaintained cellular organelles, as mitochondria, nucleus,nucleolus, peroxisomes, endoplasmic reticulum, were seen in the spheroids. A complex inner bile canaliculinetwork was shown by using a fluorescent bile acid analogue incorporated and excreted by the spheroids. Furthermore, excretion of a normal pattern of bile acids was demonstrated. The morphology and functionality of the spheroids may provide an appropriate model for applications where the maintenance of liver-specific functions is crucial, as a bioartificial liver device.(AU)

Análisis de la polaridad estructural y funcional de estructuras tridimensionales (esferoides) de células hepáticas porcinas cultivadas in vitro / Structural and functional polarity of porcine hepatocyte cultured spheroids

Los hepatocitos son células epiteliales polarizadas que, al ser aisladas y cultivadas, pierden la polaridad y las propiedades de célula diferenciada. El cultivo de células hepáticas como esferoides permite obtener estructuras con organización de tipo tisular. En este trabajo se analizó estructural y funcionalmente la polaridad de esferoides porcinos. Para ello, las células hepáticas porcinas fueron aisladas y cultivadas en agitación constante. La actividad metabólica de los esferoides fue probada mediante el metabolismo de diazepam y de amonio, así como con síntesis de albúmina. Sus características estructurales mostraron la polaridad de las células. Fueron observados paquetes de fibras de colágeno distribuidas irregularmente y fibras reticulares en formahomogénea en todo el volumen del esferoide. Se hallaron células Ck19+ formando estructuras tipo ducto biliar, así como también _ y _-cateninas y pan-cadherinas en diferentes zonas, especialmente en las laminas externas, con características de epitelio cuboidal. Por microscopía electrónica de barrido se observaron estructuras muy compactas con superficie lisa, y por microscopía electrónica de transmisión, canalículos biliares con microvellosidades, uniones tight, zonula adherens y desmosomas. Las organelas celulares como mitocondrias, núcleos, nucleolos, peroxisomas, retículo endoplásmico estaban bien conservadas. Una compleja red de canalículos biliares fue observada mediante la incorporación y excreción de un análogo de sal biliar fluorescente. El análisis de los ácidos biliares excretados mostró un patrón normal. La morfología y funcionalidad de los esferoides puede aportar un modelo apropiado para aplicaciones en las que es primordial mantener las funciones específicas del hígado, como un dispositivo de hígado bioartificial. (AU)

Hepatocytes are epithelial cells that show a complex polarity in vivo. However, hepatocytes isolated and cultured in vitro normally lose both their differentiated properties and polarity. Culturing hepatocyte spheroids seems to be the accurate approach to maintain tissue level of organization. The structural and functional polaritiesof pig liver spheroids were analyzed in this work. Swine liver cells were isolated and cultured as spheroids. Their metabolic activity was proved through the metabolism of diazepam, ammonium and synthesis of albumin. Several structural features show the presence of polarity in the cells inside the spheroids. Reticular and collagen fibers, as well as Ck19(+) cells forming duct-like structures were found. _eta and _-catenins and pancadherins were positive in different regions of the spheroids, mainly in the outer cell layers, which have cuboidal epithelia features. The scanning electron microscopy showed a tightly compacted architecture, with smooth surface. The transmission electron microscopy analysis showed bile canaliculi with microvilli, tight junctions, zonula adherens and desmosome-like junctions. Wellmaintained cellular organelles, as mitochondria, nucleus,nucleolus, peroxisomes, endoplasmic reticulum, were seen in the spheroids. A complex inner bile canaliculinetwork was shown by using a fluorescent bile acid analogue incorporated and excreted by the spheroids. Furthermore, excretion of a normal pattern of bile acids was demonstrated. The morphology and functionality of the spheroids may provide an appropriate model for applications where the maintenance of liver-specific functions is crucial, as a bioartificial liver device.(AU)

[Stem cells and cardiac regeneration]. / Celulas troncales (stem cells) y regeneracion cardiaca.

Stem cells are defined by virtue of their functional attributes: absence of tissue specific differentitated markers, capable of proliferation, able to self-maintain the population, able to produce a large number of differentiated, functional progeny, able to regenerate the tissue after injury. Cell therapy is an alternative for the treatment of several diseases, like cardiac diseases (cell cardiomyoplasty). A variety of stem cells could be used for cardiac repair: from cardiac and extracardiac sources. Each cell type has its own profile of advantages, limitations, and practicability issues in specific clinical settings. Differentiation of bone marrow stem cells to cardiomyocyte-like cells have been observed under different culture conditions. The presence of resident cardiac stem cell population capable of differentiation into cardiomyocyte or vascular lineage suggests that these cells could be used for cardiac tissue repair, and represent a great promise for clinical application. Stem cells mobilization by cytokines may also offer a strategy for cardiac regeneration. The use of stem cells (embryonic and adult) may hold the key to replacing cells lost in many devastating diseases. This potential benefit is a major focus for stem cell research.

Culture of bovine hepatocytes: a non-perfusion technique for cell isolation.

In this work we have studied the isolation and culture of mature bovine hepatocytes on plastic dishes without exogenous matrix. The liver has been disaggregated in a collagenase solution instead of undergoing a perfusion step. After a few days in culture, the plates showed several clusters of different cell types. Although the average yield was 1.60+/-0.57x10(8) viable liver cells per gram of tissue, these cultures were formed by non-parenchymal cells and only very few or none by parenchymal cells. In these cultures, actin structures used as a marker for Stellate (Ito) cells have been visualized by immunocytochemical techniques. In order to increase the proportion of parenchymal cells a centrifugation on Percoll, which separates cell sub-populations, has been introduced. Though the yield was lower than in the previous method, these pre-purified cultures were only composed of hepatocytes. It has been shown that these cells exhibited albumin synthesis, which is a specific hepatocytes function. In addition, these cultures were capable of producing metabolites of 7-ethoxycoumarin at a higher rate than non purified cell cultures. Therefore this simplified procedure for the isolation and culture of functional and viable hepatocytes may be applied for in vitro studies in bovine.

Células troncales (stem cells) y regeneración cardíaca / Stem cells and cardiac regeneration

Las células troncales carecen de marcadores de diferenciación, tienen gran capacidad proliferativa, pueden automantener la población, producen progenies de células progenitoras y participan en la regeneración de tejidos. Los tejidos de un individuo tienen capacidad de regeneración, que a veces está ligada a la presencia de células troncales. La medicina regenerativa plantea la terapia celular como una alternativa para el tratamiento de diversas enfermedades, incluyendo las cardíacas (cardiomioplastia celular). Las células a usar pueden provenir de distintas fuentes, entre ellas las células troncales de origen cardíaco o extracardíaco. La médula ósea es una de las fuentes más importantes de células troncales extracardíacas, que podrían contribuir a obtener células cardíacas por diversos mecanismos (transdiferenciación, fusión o transferencia a través de estructuras nanotubulares). En los últimos años, diversas publicaciones refieren la existencia de células troncales nativas cardíacas, caracterizadas por la presencia de distintos marcadores. Se plantea también la alternativa del uso de factores de crecimiento para producir la movilización de células troncales. El individuo adulto posee células con alta potencialidad, surgidas en estadios embrionarios antes o después de la determinación en las capas germinales, y mantenidas hasta la adultez que, bajo condiciones apropiadas de manipulación, permita su utlización en la medicina regenerativa

Stem cells are defined by virtue of their functional attributes: absence of tissue specific differentitated markers, capable of proliferation, able to self-maintain the population, able to produce a large number of differentiated, functional progeny, able to regenerate the tissue after injury. Cell therapy is an alternative for the treatment of several diseases, like cardiac diseases (cell cardiomyoplasty). A variety of stem cells could be used for cardiac repair: from cardiac and extracardiac sources. Each cell type has its own profile of advantages, limitations, and practicability issues in specific clinical settings. Differentiation of bone marrow stem cells to cardiomyocyte-like cells have been observed under different culture conditions. The presence of resident cardiac stem cell population capable of differentiation into cardiomyocyte or vascular lineage suggests that these cells could be used for cardiac tissue repair, and represent a great promise for clinical application. Stem cells mobilization by cytokines may also offer a strategy for cardiac regeneration. The use of stem cells (embryonic and adult) may hold the key to replacing cells lost in many devastating diseases. This potential benefit is a major focus for stem cell research

Células troncales (stem cells) y regeneración cardíaca / Stem cells and cardiac regeneration

Las células troncales carecen de marcadores de diferenciación, tienen gran capacidad proliferativa, pueden automantener la población, producen progenies de células progenitoras y participan en la regeneración de tejidos. Los tejidos de un individuo tienen capacidad de regeneración, que a veces está ligada a la presencia de células troncales. La medicina regenerativa plantea la terapia celular como una alternativa para el tratamiento de diversas enfermedades, incluyendo las cardíacas (cardiomioplastia celular). Las células a usar pueden provenir de distintas fuentes, entre ellas las células troncales de origen cardíaco o extracardíaco. La médula ósea es una de las fuentes más importantes de células troncales extracardíacas, que podrían contribuir a obtener células cardíacas por diversos mecanismos (transdiferenciación, fusión o transferencia a través de estructuras nanotubulares). En los últimos años, diversas publicaciones refieren la existencia de células troncales nativas cardíacas, caracterizadas por la presencia de distintos marcadores. Se plantea también la alternativa del uso de factores de crecimiento para producir la movilización de células troncales. El individuo adulto posee células con alta potencialidad, surgidas en estadios embrionarios antes o después de la determinación en las capas germinales, y mantenidas hasta la adultez que, bajo condiciones apropiadas de manipulación, permita su utlización en la medicina regenerativa (AU)

Stem cells are defined by virtue of their functional attributes: absence of tissue specific differentitated markers, capable of proliferation, able to self-maintain the population, able to produce a large number of differentiated, functional progeny, able to regenerate the tissue after injury. Cell therapy is an alternative for the treatment of several diseases, like cardiac diseases (cell cardiomyoplasty). A variety of stem cells could be used for cardiac repair: from cardiac and extracardiac sources. Each cell type has its own profile of advantages, limitations, and practicability issues in specific clinical settings. Differentiation of bone marrow stem cells to cardiomyocyte-like cells have been observed under different culture conditions. The presence of resident cardiac stem cell population capable of differentiation into cardiomyocyte or vascular lineage suggests that these cells could be used for cardiac tissue repair, and represent a great promise for clinical application. Stem cells mobilization by cytokines may also offer a strategy for cardiac regeneration. The use of stem cells (embryonic and adult) may hold the key to replacing cells lost in many devastating diseases. This potential benefit is a major focus for stem cell research (AU)

Células troncales (stem cells) y regeneración cardíaca / Stem cells and cardiac regeneration

Las células troncales carecen de marcadores de diferenciación, tienen gran capacidad proliferativa, pueden automantener la población, producen progenies de células progenitoras y participan en la regeneración de tejidos. Los tejidos de un individuo tienen capacidad de regeneración, que a veces está ligada a la presencia de células troncales. La medicina regenerativa plantea la terapia celular como una alternativa para el tratamiento de diversas enfermedades, incluyendo las cardíacas (cardiomioplastia celular). Las células a usar pueden provenir de distintas fuentes, entre ellas las células troncales de origen cardíaco o extracardíaco. La médula ósea es una de las fuentes más importantes de células troncales extracardíacas, que podrían contribuir a obtener células cardíacas por diversos mecanismos (transdiferenciación, fusión o transferencia a través de estructuras nanotubulares). En los últimos años, diversas publicaciones refieren la existencia de células troncales nativas cardíacas, caracterizadas por la presencia de distintos marcadores. Se plantea también la alternativa del uso de factores de crecimiento para producir la movilización de células troncales. El individuo adulto posee células con alta potencialidad, surgidas en estadios embrionarios antes o después de la determinación en las capas germinales, y mantenidas hasta la adultez que, bajo condiciones apropiadas de manipulación, permita su utlización en la medicina regenerativa (AU)

Stem cells are defined by virtue of their functional attributes: absence of tissue specific differentitated markers, capable of proliferation, able to self-maintain the population, able to produce a large number of differentiated, functional progeny, able to regenerate the tissue after injury. Cell therapy is an alternative for the treatment of several diseases, like cardiac diseases (cell cardiomyoplasty). A variety of stem cells could be used for cardiac repair: from cardiac and extracardiac sources. Each cell type has its own profile of advantages, limitations, and practicability issues in specific clinical settings. Differentiation of bone marrow stem cells to cardiomyocyte-like cells have been observed under different culture conditions. The presence of resident cardiac stem cell population capable of differentiation into cardiomyocyte or vascular lineage suggests that these cells could be used for cardiac tissue repair, and represent a great promise for clinical application. Stem cells mobilization by cytokines may also offer a strategy for cardiac regeneration. The use of stem cells (embryonic and adult) may hold the key to replacing cells lost in many devastating diseases. This potential benefit is a major focus for stem cell research (AU)

Transplante de hepatocitos en ratas con cirrosis biliar secundaria / Transplanted hepatocites in biliary cirrhotic rats

Antecedentes: Nuevas líneas de investigación para suplir la falta de donantes hepáticos se encuentran en desarrollo. El transplante de hepatocitos se presenta como una alternativa terapéutica de futuro para el tratamiento de diversas afecciones crónicas del hígado en fase terminal. Objetivo: Evaluar viabilidad y cambios bioquímicos de hepatocitos transplantados en ratas cirróticas. Lugar de aplicación: Unidad de Medicina Experimental. Diseño: Experiemntal prospectivo controlado. Material: Ratas Wistar, sexo indistinto, 250 gramos (n=15). Hepatocitos: aislamiento con técnicas de colagenasa. Transplante: retroperitoneal. Histología: convencional, inmunohistoquímica. Método: Grupo donante (n=5), aislamiento de hepatocitos (viabilidad X = 65 por ciento, cantidad = 1x10). Grupo receptor (n=5)...

Transplante de hepatocitos en ratas con cirrosis biliar secundaria / Transplanted hepatocites in biliary cirrhotic rats

Antecedentes: Nuevas líneas de investigación para suplir la falta de donantes hepáticos se encuentran en desarrollo. El transplante de hepatocitos se presenta como una alternativa terapéutica de futuro para el tratamiento de diversas afecciones crónicas del hígado en fase terminal. Objetivo: Evaluar viabilidad y cambios bioquímicos de hepatocitos transplantados en ratas cirróticas. Lugar de aplicación: Unidad de Medicina Experimental. Diseño: Experiemntal prospectivo controlado. Material: Ratas Wistar, sexo indistinto, 250 gramos (n=15). Hepatocitos: aislamiento con técnicas de colagenasa. Transplante: retroperitoneal. Histología: convencional, inmunohistoquímica. Método: Grupo donante (n=5), aislamiento de hepatocitos (viabilidad X = 65 por ciento, cantidad = 1x10). Grupo receptor (n=5)...(AU)

Mitochondrial nitric oxide synthase drives redox signals for proliferation and quiescence in rat liver development.

Mitochondrial nitric oxide synthase (mtNOS) is a fine regulator of oxygen uptake and reactive oxygen species that eventually modulates the activity of regulatory proteins and cell cycle progression. From this perspective, we examined liver mtNOS modulation and mitochondrial redox changes in developing rats from embryonic days 17-19 and postnatal day 2 (proliferating hepatocyte phenotype) through postnatal days 15-90 (quiescent phenotype). mtNOS expression and activity were almost undetectable in fetal liver, and progressively increased after birth by tenfold up to adult stage. NO-dependent mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) production and Mn-superoxide dismutase followed the developmental modulation of mtNOS and contributed to parallel variations of cytosolic H(2)O(2) concentration ([H(2)O(2)](ss)) and cell fluorescence. mtNOS-dependent [H(2)O(2)](ss) was a good predictor of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/p38 activity ratio, cyclin D1, and tissue proliferation. At low 10(-11)-10(-12) M [H(2)O(2)](ss), proliferating phenotypes had high cyclin D1 and phospho-ERK1/2 and low phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, while at 10(-9) M [H(2)O(2)](ss), quiescent phenotypes had the opposite pattern. Accordingly, leading postnatal day 2-isolated hepatocytes to embryo or adult redox conditions with H(2)O(2) or NO-H(2)O(2) scavengers, or with ERK inhibitor U0126, p38 inhibitor SB202190 or p38 activator anisomycin resulted in correlative changes of ERK/p38 activity ratio, cyclin D1 expression, and [(3)H] thymidine incorporation in the cells. Accordingly, p38 inhibitor SB202190 or N-acetyl-cysteine prevented H(2)O(2) inhibitory effects on proliferation. In conclusion, the results suggest that a synchronized increase of mtNOS and derived H(2)O(2) operate on hepatocyte signaling pathways to support the liver developmental transition from proliferation to quiescence.

Culture and characterization of human hepatocytes obtained after graft reduction for liver transplantation: a reliable source of cells for a bioartificial liver.

This article describes results obtained when human liver cells obtained from reduced grafts are cultured in a chemically defined medium. Remnants of livers after reduction for pediatric transplantation were processed by a multiple cannulation system through the existing vasculature, which allowed the homogeneous perfusion of collagenase. The graft weight ranged between 55 and 1000 g (median value: 145.6 g). The yield ranged between 0.13 x 10(6) and 38 x 10(6) cells/g of tissue (median value 14.73 x 10(6) cells/g), and the viability was 61.17 +/- 27.43%. The total number of cells ranged between 57.6 x 10(6) and 12 150 x 10(6) cells (median value: 740 x 10(6) cells). Cells were cultured for 30 days. Albumin synthesis was observed during the first 2 weeks, with a peak value at day 6 (27.85 +/- 1.77 micro g/mL). Urea production was detected during the first week (peak value at day 6: 17.12 +/- 2.11 mg/dL). Light microscopy showed the presence of cells in a monolayer. Biliary pigments were observed at day 20. By immunohistochemistry, positive cells for albumin, for hepatocyte marker, cytokeratin 19, CD 34, CD 68, and for alpha actin for smooth muscle, were observed. Our results showed that hepatocytes obtained from reduced liver grafts are easily cultured and are able to maintain viability and functionality in vitro. This alternative source of human cells maintained under controlled culture conditions may play an important role in the development of a bioartificial liver.

Ammonium detoxification performed by porcine hepatocyte spheroids in a bioartificial liver for pediatric use: preliminary report.

Bioartificial liver devices are alternative therapies for patients suffering from acute hepatic failure or metabolic defects. Here, we show a bioartificial device, developed with a cartridge used for pediatric hemofiltration and spheroids of porcine hepatocytes housed in the extracapillary space of the cartridge. The cartridge was attached to a robotic arm that supplied a continuous, oscillatory movement. It was connected through the capillary circulation to a neonatal membrane oxygenator contain-ing human blood supplemented with ammonium and diazepam. A decrease in ammonium concentration was observed, reaching an almost 70% decrease upon 9 h of operation. In addition, urea was detected and diazepam metabolism proved from the fourth hour of operation. It is worth mentioning that the system described was assembled with commercially available components for current clinical use. The setup may be done in a short period, thus eliminating long-term culture times and the need for cell anchoring to matrices.