Isolation of human mesenchymal stem cells from amnion, chorion, placental decidua and umbilical cord: comparison of four enzymatic protocols.

OBJECTIVE: To compare four enzymatic protocols for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolation from amniotic (A-MSC) and chorionic (C-MSC) membranes, umbilical cord (UC-MSC) and placental decidua (D-MSC) in order to define a robust, practical and low-cost protocol for each tissue. RESULTS: A-MSCs and UC-MSCs could be isolated from all samples using trypsin/collagenase-based protocols; C-MSCs could be isolated from all samples with collagenase- and trypsin/collagenase-based protocols; D-MSCs were isolated from all samples exclusively with a collagenase-based protocol. CONCLUSIONS: The trypsin-only protocol was least efficient; the collagenase-only protocol was best for C-MSCs and D-MSCs; the combination of trypsin and collagenase was best for UC-MSCs and none of tested protocols was adequate for A-MSCs isolation.

von Willebrand factor antigen levels in plasma of patients with malignant breast disease

von Willebrand factor (vWF) is a protein that mediates platelet adherence to the subendothelium during primary hemostasis. High plasma vWF concentrations have been reported in patients with various types of cancer, such as head and neck, laryngeal and prostatic cancer, probably representing an acute phase reactant. In the present study we determined the plasma levels of vWF antigen (vWF:Ag) by quantitative immunoelectrophoresis in 128 female patients with breast cancer as well as in 47 women with benign breast disease and in 27 healthy female controls. The levels of vWF:Ag were 170.7 + or - 78 U/dl in patients with cancer, 148.4 + or - 59 U/dl in patients with benign disease and 130.6 + or - 45 U/dl in controls (P<0.005). We also detected a significant increase in the levels of vWF:Ag (P<0.0001) in patients with advanced stages of the disease (stage IV = 263.3 + or - 113 U/dl, stage IIIB = 194.0 + or - 44 U/dl) as compared to those with earlier stages of the disease (stage I = 155.3 + or - 65 U/dl, stage IIA = 146.9 + or - 75 U/dl). In conclusion, vWF levels were increased in plasma of patients with malignant breast disease, and these levels correlated with tumor progression

von Willebrand factor antigen levels in plasma of patients with malignant breast disease.

von Willebrand factor (vWF) is a protein that mediates platelet adherence to the subendothelium during primary hemostasis. High plasma vWF concentrations have been reported in patients with various types of cancer, such as head and neck, laryngeal and prostatic cancer, probably representing an acute phase reactant. In the present study we determined the plasma levels of vWF antigen (vWF:Ag) by quantitative immunoelectrophoresis in 128 female patients with breast cancer as well as in 47 women with benign breast disease and in 27 healthy female controls. The levels of vWF:Ag were 170.7 +/- 78 U/dl in patients with cancer, 148.4 +/- 59 U/dl in patients with benign disease and 130.6 +/- 45 U/dl in controls (P<0.005). We also detected a significant increase in the levels of vWF:Ag (P<0.0001) in patients with advanced stages of the disease (stage IV = 263.3 +/- 113 U/dl, stage IIIB = 194.0 +/- 44 U/dl) as compared to those with earlier stages of the disease (stage I = 155.3 +/- 65 U/dl, stage IIA = 146.9 +/- 75 U/dl). In conclusion, vWF levels were increased in plasma of patients with malignant breast disease, and these levels correlated with tumor progression.