Ultrastructure of the endothelium of the drainage system of the eye.

The endothelium of the ocular drainage system (Schlemm's canal, collector tubules, and aqueous veins) in primary juvenile glaucoma undergoes degenerative dystrophic changes with compensatory hypertrophy and proliferation at the initial stages of the glaucomatous process and atrophy and desquamation at advanced and terminal stages. Progressive decrease in the pinocytous function of endotheliocytes, reduction of the protein-synthesizing and mitochondrial compartments of the cytoplasm, and formation of autophagosomes reflect the process of endotheliocyte degeneration in general.

Distribution of mesenchymal stem cells in the area of tissue inflammation after transplantation of the cell material via different routes.

In experiments on male Wistar-Kyoto rats we studied the distribution of mesenchymal stem cells in intact body and in the presence of a focus of acute tissue inflammation. In healthy animals mesenchymal stem cells were transplanted intravenously. In the second case we used various routes of transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells: intravenous, into tissue adjacent to the inflammation focus, and into intact lobe of the damaged organ (prostate gland). Three weeks after transplantation, mesenchymal stem cells labeled with a fluorescent dye were detected in the bone marrow and intestine of intact animals. In case of inflammation focus, mesenchymal stem cells after transplantation migrated into the bone marrow, intestine, and prostate gland. After injection into the adjacent zone, these cells formed a compact agglomerate at the site of injection. After transplantation into the intact lobe of the prostate gland the cells migrated towards the inflammation focus. Thus, transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells into the venous blood is less traumatic and led to more uniform distribution of cells in the damaged tissue.

[Mesenchymal stem cells-based therapy of brain ischemic stroke in rat].

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-based therapy is a promising modern attempt to improve the recovery after stroke. Experiments were carried out on inbred Wistar-Kyoto rats. MSCs were isolated, expanded in cultute and labeled with vital fluorescent dye PKH-26. Animals were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), followed by injection of 5 x 10(6) rat MSCs into the tail vein 3 days after MCAO. Control group animals received PBS injection (negative control). Therapy results were estimated by the following parameters: behavioral and neurological testing, the brain injure area, the state of damaged region "border" zone and the vessels quantity in the "borden" area. It was shown that control group animals (PBS injection) did not restore their initial behavioral and neurological state, while the experimental group animals (MSCs injection) showed the same parameters as intact rats at 2-3 weeks after MCAO. The size of the damaged region in the control group was approximately 1.5 as large as in the experimental group. The damage in the experimental group was limited to neocortex; caudate nucleus, capsula externa and piriform cortex remained uninjured. Small vessels quantity in the "border" regions was twine higher compared to control group and was approximately equal to an intact brain vessel number. Moreover, it was shown for the first time that after MSCs transplantation the vessels quantity in the neocortex and caudate putamen of contralateral hemisphere was twice as much as in control. We demonstrated that the MSCs transplantation definitely exerted a positive influence upon the brain tissue reparation after stroke.

[Mesenchymal stem cells transplantation influences upon dynamics of morphological changes in rat brain after stroke].

Study of dynamic morphological changes if the brain after ischemic stroke is an important phase of pre-clinical trial of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy for this widespread disease. Experoments were carried out in inbred Wistar-Kyoto rats. MSCs were isolated, expanded in culture and labeled with vital fluorescent dye PKH26. Animals were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by injection of 5 x 10(6) rat MSCs into the tail vein on the day of MCAO. Control group of animals received PBS injection (negative control). Animals were sacrificed in 1, 2, 3 and 5 days and in 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks after operation. MSCs were revealed in the brain on the third day transplantation. They distributed around brain vessels in both the ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres. This pattern of distribution remained unchanged during 6 weeks of observation. It was demonstrated that inflammation process and scar formation in the experimental group progressed 25-30 % faster than in the control group. MSC transplantation stimulated endogenous stem cell proliferation on the subependimal zone of lateral ventricles (subventrecular zone). What is more, MSC injection showed neuroprotective effect: almost all penumbra neurons in animals treated with cell therapy retained their normal structure, whereas in animals of control group penumbra neurons died or had signs of serious damage.