Manipulation of a quasi-natural cell block for high-efficiency transplantation of adherent somatic cells

Recent advances have raised hope that transplantation of adherent somatic cells could provide dramatic new therapies for various diseases. However, current methods for transplanting adherent somatic cells are not efficient enough for therapeutic applications. Here, we report the development of a novel method to generate quasi-natural cell blocks for high-efficiency transplantation of adherent somatic cells. The blocks were created by providing a unique environment in which cultured cells generated their own extracellular matrix. Initially, stromal cells isolated from mice were expanded in vitro in liquid cell culture medium followed by transferring the cells into a hydrogel shell. After incubation for 1 day with mechanical agitation, the encapsulated cell mass was perforated with a thin needle and then incubated for an additional 6 days to form a quasi-natural cell block. Allograft transplantation of the cell block into C57BL/6 mice resulted in perfect adaptation of the allograft and complete integration into the tissue of the recipient. This method could be widely applied for repairing damaged cells or tissues, stem cell transplantation, ex vivo gene therapy, or plastic surgery.

Imunofenotipagem e remodelamento da matriz extracelular na sarcoidose pulmonar e extrapulmonar / Immunophenotyping and extracellular matrix remodeling in pulmonary and extrapulmonary sarcoidosis

OBJETIVO: Investigar o significado de marcadores de imunidade celular e de componentes elásticos/colágeno da matriz extracelular em estruturas granulomatosas em biópsias de pacientes com sarcoidose pulmonar ou extrapulmonar. MÉTODOS: Determinações qualitativas e quantitativas de células inflamatórias, de fibras de colágeno e de fibras elásticas em estruturas granulomatosas em biópsias cirúrgicas de 40 pacientes com sarcoidose pulmonar e extrapulmonar foram realizadas por histomorfometria, imuno-histoquímica, e técnicas de coloração com picrosirius e resorcina-fucsina de Weigert. RESULTADOS: A densidade de linfócitos, macrófagos e neutrófilos nas biópsias extrapulmonares foi significativamente maior do que nas biópsias pulmonares. Os granulomas pulmonares apresentaram uma quantidade significativamente maior de fibras de colágeno e menor densidade de fibras elásticas que os granulomas extrapulmonares. A quantidade de macrófagos nos granulomas pulmonares correlacionou-se com CVF (p < 0,05), ao passo que as quantidades de linfócitos CD3+, CD4+ e CD8+ correlacionaram-se com a relação VEF1/CVF e com CV. Houve correlações negativas entre CPT e contagem de células CD1a+ (p < 0,05) e entre DLCO e densidade de fibras colágenas/elásticas (r = -0,90; p = 0,04). CONCLUSÕES: A imunofenotipagem e o remodelamento apresentaram características diferentes nas biópsias dos pacientes com sarcoidose pulmonar e extrapulmonar. Essas diferenças correlacionaram-se com os dados clínicos e espirométricos dos pacientes, sugerindo que há duas vias envolvidas no mecanismo de depuração de antígenos, que foi mais eficaz nos pulmões e linfonodos.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the significance of cellular immune markers, as well as that of collagen and elastic components of the extracellular matrix, within granulomatous structures in biopsies of patients with pulmonary or extrapulmonary sarcoidosis. METHODS: We carried out qualitative and quantitative evaluations of inflammatory cells, collagen fibers, and elastic fibers in granulomatous structures in surgical biopsies of 40 patients with pulmonary and extrapulmonary sarcoidosis using histomorphometry, immunohistochemistry, picrosirius red staining, and Weigert's resorcin-fuchsin staining. RESULTS: The extrapulmonary tissue biopsies presented significantly higher densities of lymphocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils than did the lung tissue biopsies. Pulmonary granulomas showed a significantly higher number of collagen fibers and a lower density of elastic fibers than did extrapulmonary granulomas. The amount of macrophages in the lung samples correlated with FVC (p < 0.05), whereas the amount of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ lymphocytes correlated with the FEV1/FVC ratio and VC. There were inverse correlations between TLC and the CD1a+ cell count (p < 0.05), as well as between DLCO and collagen/elastic fiber density (r = -0.90; p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Immunophenotyping and remodeling both showed differences between pulmonary and extrapulmonary sarcoidosis in terms of the characteristics of the biopsy samples. These differences correlated with the clinical and spirometric data obtained for the patients, suggesting that two different pathways are involved in the mechanism of antigen clearance, which was more effective in the lungs and lymph nodes.

Alterações renais gênero-dependentes em ratos com insuficiência renal crônica / Gender-dependet renal alterations in rats with chronic renal failure

A insuficiência renal crônica (IRC) é caracterizada por alterações glomerulares secundárias aos mecanismos adaptativos ocasionados por perda de néfrons funcionantes. Alterações na hemodinâmica glomerular, proliferação celular, influxo de células inflamatórias, desequilíbrio na síntese de proteínas da matriz extracelular glomerular (MECG) e perda da seletividade de carga e/ou tamanho da membrana basal glomerular têm sido apontados como mecanismos envolvidos na expansão mesangial e conseqüente glomeruloesclerose. A participação dos hormônios sexuais na função renal e na evolução da insuficiência renal crônica tem sido sugerida. Os glicosaminoglicanos, especialmente o heparan sulfato (HS), têm sido associados à seletividade glomerular de macromoléculas. O remodelamento podocitário precoce e a proteinuria (PTN) se relacionam com a progressão da IRC. Neste contexto, o acúmulo de MECG, proliferação de miofibroblastos e PTN têm sido apontados como mediadores precoces que precedem as lesões glomerulares e túbulo-intersticiais. Neste estudo, avaliamos as alterações renais precoces (30 dias de IRC) gênero-dependentes em ratos (M) e ratas (F) Wistar submetidos à redução de 5/6 da massa renal (IRC) e à castração (c). Os animais foram divididos em 10 grupos: Controles (C) (CM, CF, CMc, CFc) e sham (CM sham, CF sham); e aqueles submetidos à nefrectomia 5/6: IRCM, IRCF, IRCMc, IRCFc. Os animais foram castrados com 5 semanas e submetidos à nefrectomia 5/6 com 7 semanas de idade. Resultados significativos mostraram que os machos com IRC apresentaram maior PTN, acompanhada de maior comprometimento mesangial, imunomarcação positiva para α-actina e maior concentração de heparan sulfato (HS) comparados com as fêmeas IRC (p<0,05). Estas alterações foram reduzidas nos machos castrados. A análise da morfologia podocitária mostrou raras regiões onde ocorreram alterações podocitárias nos grupos IRC. O conjunto de dados sugere que o hormônio masculino pode participar na manutenção...

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is characterized by adaptive mechanisms secondary to the loss of functioning nephrons. Glomerular hemodynamics alterations, cellular proliferation, inflammatory cells influx, imbalance between synthesis and degradation of the glomerular extracellular matrix (GECM) and loss of charge and/or size selectivity of the glomerular basal membrane are pointed as mechanisms leading to mesangial expansion and glomerulosclerosis. Additionally, participation of gender related hormones on renal function and progression of CRF have been suggested. We evaluated the effect of castration in renal alterations in males (M) and females (F) Wistar rats, after 30 days of 5/6 reduction of renal mass (CRF). The animals were castrated (c) at 5 weeks old and 7 weeks old 5/6 and sham nephrectomy were done. Groups: Control (C) CM, CM sham, CMc, CF, CF sham, CFc, CRFM, CRFMc, CRFF, CRFFc. CRFM group showed higher proteinuria followed by increased mesangial expansion and α-actin immunostaining. Concomitant higher concentration of heparan sulfate (HS) was also observed when compared to CRFF (p<0.05). These alterations were reduced in CRFMc group. Podocyte morphology analysis through electronic microscopy showed few disorders of foot processes in CRF groups Overall, CRFF group showed fewer alterations compared to males, and a reduction of HS was observed in association with PTN. Castration did not change this profile in female rats. Data suggest that male hormones may participate in the maintenance of the mesangial equilibrium and that PTN collaborated with the mesangial expansion process. Additionally, the higher concentration of HS in CRFM suggest that the remodeling process of the GECM, included a synthesis of de novo HS, that presented a functioning defect, compromising the glomerular filtration barrier and, ultimately corroborated with the loss of its selectivity and consequently with a higher PTN. This set of results leads us to conclude that PTN appears...

A microcirculação da bolsa da bochecha do hamster sob a influência do diabetes mellitus experimental induzido por estreptozotocina: aspectos morfofuncionais / Microcirculation of hamster cheek pouch under the influence of experimental Diabetes Mellitus induced by streptozotocin: morpho-functional aspects

O Diabetes Mellitus é uma doença metabólica crônica com múltiplos fatores etiológicos (genético, viral e imunológico) que condiciona deficiência absoluta ou relativa de insulina, causando persistência de níveis elevados de glicose no sangue. Atualmente, o Diabetes Mellitus é considerado um importante problema de saúde devido a sua prevalência e alta morbimortalidade. Sua importância clínica resulta essencialmente de suas graves complicações, especialmente as microvasculares. A hiperglicemia crônica ou intermitente tem sido identificada como o fator indutor de lesão endotelial, sendo este, o agente desencadeante das complicações microvasculares. As células endoteliais, por serem influenciadas pela força hemodinâmica local, respondem com a transdução de sinais (mecanotrans dução), as quais podem ser responsáveis pelo início de processos patológicos na parede dos vasos. Desta forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a microcirculação da bolsa da bochecha do hamster sob a influência do Diabetes Mellitus tipo 1 experimental induzido por estreptozotocina, avaliando seus aspectos morfofuncionais aos 6 e 15 dias de evolução da doença. As características morfológicas de arteríolas e vênulas foram estimadas por medidas do diâmetro do lúmen e da espessura da parede; pela densidade de volume e de área destes vasos na bolsa da bochecha; pela análise imunohistoquímica da expressão de actina, talina, alfa-actina de músculo liso, vimentina, laminina e colágeno IV através da microscopia de luz com a utilização de um sistema semiquantitativo baseado em uma escala de intensidade de imunomarcação; e por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. Também foi avaliado o relaxamento dependente do endotélio, medido pela variação do diâmetro do lúmen antes e após a aplicação de acetilcolina e a permeabilidade de vênulas pós-capilares à histamina, determinada pelo número de pontos de extravasamento plasmático. Nossos resultados mostraram que arteríolas e vênulas...

Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease with multiple etiologic factors (genetic, viral and immunological) that results in absolute or relative insulin deficiency, causing persistent elevated blood glucose levels. Nowadays, Diabetes Mellitus is considered as an important health concern due to its increasing prevalence and high morbimortality. Its clinical importance comes from the complications, especially harm inductor factor, being this the first outcome of microvascular complications. Endothelial cells, under local hemodynamic strength, produce signal transduction (mechanotransduction), which can be responsible for the beginning of patholgical events in vessels wall. In this regard, the objective of this study was to analyze hamster cheek pouch microcirculation under the influence of type 1 diabetes mellitus induced by streptozotocin, evaluationg its morpho-functional aspects at 6 and 15 days of diseases evolution. Morphological characteristics of arterioles and venules were estimated by the measurement of lumen diameter and wall thickness; the volume density and area of these vessels from cheek pouch; immunohistochemistry of the expression of actin, talin, smooth muscle alpha-actin, vimentin, laminin and type IV collagen through light microscopy with the utilization of a semi-quantitative score system based on the intensity of the immunostaining; and transmission electron microscopy. It was also evaluated the endothelium dependent relaxation, measured by the variation of lumen diameter before and after acetylcholine administration and post-capillary venules permeability to histamine, determined by number of points of plasma extravasation. Our results reveal that arterioles and venules do not show differences between the groups concerning wall thickness, luminal diameter, density per area and volume density. Vascular permeability, after 2 minutes of histamine administration, was reduced significantly in diabetic groups...

Experimental poisoning by Senecio brasiliensis in calves: quantitative and semi-quantitative study on changes in the hepatic extracellular matrix and sinusoidal cells

Extracellular matrix plays an important role in chronic hepatic lesions and has been studied in experimental intoxication models. However in cattle, studies on chronic disease have focused on the hepatocellular damage and extracellular matrix (ECM) changes are usually overlooked. There are no specific studies on the hepatic ECM in either normal or chronically damaged bovine liver. Thus an experimental model of hepatic toxicity model using Senecio brasiliensis poisoned calves was designed. Senecio brasiliensis contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which cause either acute or chronic progressive dose dependent liver damage. Five calves were orally fed with 0.38g of dry leaves of S. brasiliensis/kg/day for 24 days. Liver needle biopsy specimens were obtained every 15 days for 60 days. Clinical signs of digestive complications appeared at 3rd week. One calf died on 45th day and four were evaluated up to 60th day. Biopsy samples were processed for routine light microscopy, immuno-histochemistry and transmission electron microscopy. From 30th day on progressive liver damage characterized by hepatocellular ballooning, necrosis, apoptosis and megalocytosis, centrilobular, pericellular and portal fibrosis were seen by light microscopy. Quantitative and semi-quantitative measurements of hepatic ECM components were performed before and after the onset of lesions. Morphometric analysis of total collagen and elastic fiber system was conducted. Total collagen and I and III collagen types progressively increased in throughout the liver of affected calves. Changes in location, amount and disposition of the elastic fiber system were also observed. Then numbers of Kupffer cells were significantly increased at 30th day and total numbers of sinusoidal cells were significantly increased at 45th and 60th days. Liver damage was progressive and irreversible even after the exposure to the plant was discontinued. Severe fibrotic lesions occurred mainly in portal...

A matriz extracelular (MEC) desempenha um papel importante em lesões hepáticas crônicas e tem sido estudada em modelos de intoxicação experimental. Em bovinos, no entanto, não há estudos específicos sobre a MEC hepática normal ou com lesões crônicas. Por isso, foi desenvolvido um modelo de intoxicação experimental hepático usando Senecio brasilliensis, uma planta que contém alcalóides pirrolizidínicos e causa lesão hepática dependente da dose. Cinco bezerros receberam por via oral, 0.38g/kg de folhas secas por 24 dias. Biópsias hepáticas foram obtidas a cada 15 dias durante 60 dias. Sinais clínicos de complicações digestivas surgiram da terceira semana do experimento. Um bezerro morreu aos 45 dias e os outros quatro foram avaliados até os 60 dias. As biópsias hepáticas foram processadas para microscopia óptica, imuno-histoquímica e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. No trigésimo dia, as lesões hepáticas eram progessivas caracterizadas por vacuolização hepatocelular, necrose, apoptose, megalocitose, e fibrose centrolobular, pericelular e portal. Foram realizadas avaliações quantitativas e semi-quantitativas de componentes da MEC hepática antes e após o aparecimento das lesões. Foi realizada morfometria do colágeno total e do sistema de fibras elásticas. Colágeno total e colágenos tipos I e III aumentaram progressivamente em todos os locais do fígado. Mudanças na localização, quantidade e disposição do sistema de fibras elásticas foram também observadas. Houve um aumento significativo de células de Kupffer aos 30 dias e de células sinusoidais totais aos 45 e 60 dias. As lesões hepáticas neste experimento foram progressivas mesmo após a remoção da planta. Lesões de fibrose severa foram localizadas principalmente nos espaços porta, seguido por fibrose veno-oclusiva e pericelular. Os colágenos tipo I e tipo III foram observados no fígado normal e no fígado dos bezerros afetados, com predomínio do tipo I. Nos bezerros afetados o aumento...

Expresión de metaloproteinas y sus inhibidores de tejido en un modelo murino de fibrosis pulmonar / Metalloprotein expression and its tissue inhibitors in a murine model with pulmonary fibrosis

Antecedentes: La paracoccidioidomicosis es una micosis profunda que se caracteriza por inflamación granulomatosa crónica que progresa a fibrosis pulmonar como resultado de falta de balance entre la síntesis y degradación de la matriz extracelular, pero los mecanismos implicados no se entienden claramente. Objetivo: Determinar en un modelo murino de fibrosis pulmonar inducido por P. brasiliensis, la expresión de colagenasa intersticial (MMP-1), gelatinasa A (MMP-2) y TIMP-1. Métodos: Tejido pulmonar obtenido por biopsia de 15 ratones BALB/c infectados con P. brasiliensis y ocho inoculados con solución salina se estudiaron a las semanas 1, 4, 8, 12 y 16 post-infección. Resultados: A las 4 semanas del inúculo el 85,7% de los ratones tenían marcación para MMP-1 y MMP-2, y en el 71.4% para TIMP-1, todos de intensidad moderada en células epiteliales de los alveolos, mácrofagos alveolares y células de músculo liso alrederor de bronquíolos y vasos sanguíneos. A las 16 semanas en la gran mayoría de biopsias se observó una tinción moderada para estas metaloproteinasas, aunque de mayor intensidad en la tercera parte de las muestras; la localización de estuvo en células epiteliales y mácrofagos alveolares. Conclusión: A mayor depósito de colágeno hay mayor disbalance de las metaloproteinas y sus inhibidores de tejidos, teniendo como patrón la producción y depósito secundario a una respuesta inflamatoria. Los macrófagos alveolares y las células interticiales alveolares son las principales fuentes celulares de producción de MMP-1, MMP-2 y TIMP-1.

Background: Metalloprotein expression and its tissue inhibitors in a murine model with pulmonary fibrosis.Paracoccidioidomycosis is a deep mycosis, characterized by a chronic graulomatose inflammation. It progresses into a pulmonary fibrosis as a result of lack of balance between the synthesis and the degrading of the extracellular matrix. However, its mechanisms are not, yet, clearly understood. Objective: To determine through a P. brasiliensis induced murine model with pulmonary fibrosis, the expression of interstitial colagenase. (MMP-1), gelatinase A (MMP-2) and TIMP-1. Methods: 15 infected with P. brasiliensis and 8 control BALBB/c mice were lung biopsed 1, 4, 8, 12 y 16 postinfection. Results: 4 weeks follow inoculation 85,7% infected mice expressed MMP-1 and MMP-2, and 71.4% to TIMP-1, all with moderate intensity in alveolar macrophages, and in peribronquial and blood vessels smooth muscle cells. 16 weeks postinfection near all infected biopsies showed moderate staining to metalloproteines, but with more high intensity in 30% samples, specially in epithelial and machrophagic cells. Conclusion: To more colagen depot, thera are more metalloproteins and their tisular inhibitors, with an inflammatory pattern in production and depot. Alveolar macrophages and interstitial cells are the principal MMP-1, MMP-2 and TIMP-1 production sources.

Cartilage proteoglycan aggrecan as a predictor of joint damage in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Aggrecan was measured in the sera of 31 children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and in the synovial fluid of 10 of them. Patients were evaluated at baseline and 3 months later. Radiographs were repeated also after 1 year. As comparison, 15 apparently healthy children with no disease and 10 children with arthritis due to other collagen vascular diseases were studied. Baseline serum aggrecan was significantly higher in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to controls and other patients. On re-evaluation, a significant drop in serum aggrecan from baseline values coincided with a significant drop in clinical and laboratory indices of active inflammation. Serum aggrecan can help to assess the extent of cartilage destruction and is useful as a prognostic tool to predict joint damage in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis