Distribution and characteristics of telocytes as nurse cells in the architectural organization of engineered heart tissues.

Interstitial Cajal-like cells are a distinct type of interstitial cell with a wide distribution in mammalian organs and tissues, and have been given the name "telocytes". Recent studies have demonstrated the potential roles of telocytes in heart development, renewal, and repair. However, further research on the functions of telocytes is limited by the complicated in vivo environment.

The spatiotemporal development of intercalated disk in three-dimensional engineered heart tissues based on collagen/matrigel matrix.

Intercalated disk (ID), which electromechanically couples cardiomyocytes into a functional syncitium, is closely related to normal morphology and function of engineered heart tissues (EHTs), but the development mode of ID in the three-dimensional (3D) EHTs is still unclear. In this study, we focused on the spatiotemporal development of the ID in the EHTs constructed by mixing neonatal rat cardiomyocytes with collagen/Matrigel, and investigated the effect of 3D microenvironment provided by collagen/Matrigel matrix on the formation of ID. By histological and immmunofluorescent staining, the spatiotemporal distribution of ID-related junctions was detected.

[Cordyceps sinensis enhances lymphocyte proliferation and CD markers expression in simulated microgravity environment].

This study was aimed to explore the effect of cordyceps sinensis enhancing lymphocyte proliferation and surface CD marker expression in simulated microgravity environment. The splenic lymphocytes were separated from mice and cultured in the rotary cell culture system simulated microgravity environment. The cells were treated with different concentration of cordyceps sinensis solution (0, 6.

[Effect of lentinan against immunosuppression of lymphocytes cultured in simulated microgravity environment].

This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of lentinan on the immune function of splenic lymphocytes in rotary cell culture system (RCCS) microgravity environment. The splenic lymphocytes from mice were separated and cultured in the normal gravity and the microgravity environments. The cells were treated with lentinan solution (0, 10, 20 and 40 µg/ml).

Posterolateral spinal fusion with nano-hydroxyapatite-collagen/PLA composite and autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in a rabbit model.

Spinal fusion is routinely performed to treat low back pain caused by degeneration of intervertebral discs. An autologous bone graft derived from the iliac crest is the standard procedure used for spinal fusion. However, several shortcomings, including pseudarthrosis, pain and the need for blood transfusion are known to be associated with the procedure.

RCCS enhances EOE cell proliferation and their differentiation into ameloblasts.

In this article we report on the culturing of dental enamel organ epithelia (EOE) using a rotary cell culture system (RCCS) bioreactor associated with a cytodex-3 microcarrier. This culture system enhanced the proliferation and differentiation of the EOE into ameloblasts. Primary dental EOE trypsinized from 4-day old post-natal rat pups were cultured in the RCCS associated with Cytodex-3.

The reconstruction of lung alveolus-like structure in collagen-matrigel/microcapsules scaffolds in vitro.

This study attempted to use collagen-Matrigel as extracellular matrix (ECM) to supply cells with three-dimensional (3D) culture condition and employ alginate-poly-l-lysine-alginate (APA) microcapsules to control the formation of alveolus-like structure in vitro. We tested mice foetal pulmonary cells (FPCs) by immunohistochemistry after 2D culture. The alveolus-like structure was reconstructed by seeding FPCs in collagen-Matrigel mixed with APA microcapsules 1.

Reconstruction of endometrium in vitro via rabbit uterine endometrial cells expanded by sex steroid.

Objective: To culture rabbit endometrial cells by using sex steroids to provide adequate seeding cells for endometrium reconstruction and uterine tissue engineering.

Design: Prospective experimental study.

Setting: Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Academy of Military Medical Sciences.

Reconstruction of engineered uterine tissues containing smooth muscle layer in collagen/matrigel scaffold in vitro.

Objective: This study attempted to reconstruct engineered uterine tissues (EUTs) containing smooth muscle layer, akin to the normal uterine wall.

Methods: EUTs were reconstructed by seeding epithelial cells on top of the constructed stromal layer over smooth muscle layer. A self-made mold was used to keep the EUTs from contraction.

Functional improvement of infarcted heart by co-injection of embryonic stem cells with temperature-responsive chitosan hydrogel.

Transplantation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can improve cardiac function in treatment of myocardial infarction. The low rate of cell retention and survival within the ischemic tissues makes the application of cell transplantation techniques difficult. In this study, we used a temperature-responsive chitosan hydrogel (as scaffold) combined with ESCs to maintain viable cells in the infarcted tissue.

Comparison of two types of alginate microcapsules on stability and biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo.

Transplantation of encapsulated living cells is a promising approach for the treatment of a wide variety of diseases, especially diabetes. Range-scale application of the technique, however, is hampered by insufficient stability of the capsules. It is difficult to find the optimal membrane to meet all the properties required for cell transplantation.

[Cloning of gdnf in the mouse testis and its expression in sertoli cells].

Objective: To clone the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) from the mouse testis, construct the eukaryotic expression vector and transfect this vector into Sertoli cells in order to use the gdnf-transfected Sertoli cells as the feeder layer to cultivate spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs).

Methods: Total RNA was extracted from the testes of normal mature mice and gdnf was cloned and amplified using RT-PCR, inserted into the eukaryotic expression vector and transfected into sertoli cells (TM4 cell line). Immunofluorescence with anti-GDNF antibodies was performed at 40 h following the transfection.

17beta-estradiol stimulates proliferation of spermatogonia in experimental cryptorchid mice.

Aim: To investigate whether estrogen stimulates the proliferation of spermatogonia or induces spermatogenesis in cryptorchid mice.

Methods: Mice were surgically rendered cryptorchid, then treated with different doses of 17beta-estradiol (E2) s.c.

Enrichment of cardiomyocytes derived from mouse embryonic stem cells.

Background: Embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived cardiomyocytes transplantation and tissue engineering together represent a promising approach for the treatment of myocardial infarction, despite the limited supply of cardiac myocytes. This study examines whether functional cardiomyocytes can be efficiently enriched from mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells.

Methods: mES cells were induced by ascorbic acid to differentiate into cardiomyocytes.

Creation of engineered cardiac tissue in vitro from mouse embryonic stem cells.

Background: Embryonic stem (ES) cells can terminally differentiate into all types of somatic cells and are considered a promising source of seed cells for tissue engineering. However, despite recent progress in in vitro differentiation and in vivo transplantation methodologies of ES cells, to date, no one has succeeded in using ES cells in tissue engineering for generation of somatic tissues in vitro for potential transplantation therapy.

Methods And Results: ES-D3 cells were cultured in a slow-turning lateral vessel for mass production of embryoid bodies.

[Scalable production of embryoid bodies with the rotay cell culture system.].

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells capable of extensive proliferation while maintaining their potential to differentiate into any cell type in the body. ES cells can therefore be considered a renewable source of therapeutically useful cells. While ES-derived cells have tremendous potential in many experimental and therapeutic applications, the scope of their utility is dependent on the availability of relevant cell quantities.

[Experimental study of tissue-engineered heart tissue using type I collagen as scaffold].

Objective: To construct tissue-engineered heart tissue (EHT) using liquid collagen as scaffold.

Methods: Neonatal rat cardiac myocytes were isolated, cultured, and mixed with liquid collagen type I and matrix factors and then cast in circular molds to construct circular cardiac myocytes/collagen strand. After a 7-day culture in circular molds, the strands were removed, and subjected to 10% static stretch for another 7 days.

[Experimental study of the isolation, culture and in chondrogenic differentiation of human bone mesenchymal stem cell].

Objective: To study the isolation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and in vitro differentiation into chondrocytes as potential seed cell for condyle cartilage tissue engineering.

Methods: Human MSCs were isolated by percoll solution from normal human bone marrow sample and cultured in flasks. Specific cell surface markers were identified by flow-cytometry.