Thymopentin enhances the generation of T-cell lineage derived from human embryonic stem cells in vitro.

Thymopentin is a group of biologically active peptide secreted mainly by the epithelial cells of thymic cortex and medulla. Whether it promotes T cells production from human embryonic stem cells(hESCs) in vitro remains an elusive issue. In the present study, we develop a novel strategy that enhances T-cell lineage differentiation of hESCs in collagen matrix culture by sequential cytokine cocktails treatment combined with thymopentin stimulation.

Dynamic expression of microRNAs during the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into insulin-producing cells.

Human embryonic stem (hES) cells with the capacity of self-renewal and multilineage differentiation are promising sources for generation of pancreatic islet cells for cell replacement therapy in diabetes. Here we induced hES cells into insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in a stepwise process which recapitulated islet organogenesis by directing cells through the stages resembling definitive endoderm, gut-tube endoderm, pancreatic precursor and cells that expressed pancreatic endocrine hormones. The dynamic expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) during the differentiation was analyzed and was compared with that in the development of human pancreatic islets.

[Comparison of GnRH antagonist fixed protocol and GnRH agonists long protocol in infertile patients with normal ovarian reserve function in their first in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer cycle].

Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist (GnRH-ant) fixed protocol with GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) long protocol in infertile patients with normal ovarian reserve function in their first in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycle, and to explore the feasibility and advantage of GnRH antagonist protocol performed in normal responders.

Methods: From January 2011 to June 2011, 771 infertile women with normal ovarian reserve function underwent their first IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles in Peking University Third Hospital, which were divided into 245 cycles in GnRH-ant fixed protocol group (GnRH-ant group) and 526 cycles in GnRH-a long protocol group (GnRH-a group). The data of general demographic, treatment and clinical outcome were compared between two groups.

Ghrelin promotes differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into cardiomyocytes.

Aim: Ghrelin is involved in regulating the differentiation of mesoderm-derived precursor cells. The aim of this study was to investigate whether ghrelin modulated the differentiation of human embryonic stem (hES) cells into cardiomyocytes and, if so, whether the effect was mediated by growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1α (GHS-R1α).

Methods: Cardiomyocyte differentiation from hES cells was performed according to an embryoid body (EB)-based protocol.

Three step derivation of cartilage like tissue from human embryonic stem cells by 2D-3D sequential culture in vitro and further implantation in vivo on alginate/PLGA scaffolds.

In this study a three step culture system, 2D-3D sequential culture in vitro and further implantation in vivo was developed to induce human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into cartilage like tissues. Five-day-old embryoid bodies were plated for chondrogenic induction for 27 days (step1), then the cells were suspended in alginate and seeded onto polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) scaffolds for 3D cultivation for 7 days (step 2) and the cells/alginate/PLGA complexes were further transplanted into nude mice for 8 weeks (step 3). At same time, some of complexes were cultured in vitro up to 8 weeks.

The reversal of hyperglycaemia in diabetic mice using PLGA scaffolds seeded with islet-like cells derived from human embryonic stem cells.

Islet-like cells derived from embryonic stem (ES) cells may be a promising therapeutic option for future diabetes treatment. Here, we demonstrated a five-stage protocol with adding exendin-4 instead of nicotinamide finally could generate islet-like cells from human embryonic stem (ES) cells. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed a high percentage of c-peptide positive cells in the derivation.

Normal birth from cryopreserved embryos after intracytoplasmic sperm injection of frozen semen into vitrified human oocytes.

Objective: To describe the birth achieved from frozen embryos after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) of donor sperm into vitrified oocytes.

Patient: A 25-year-old woman whose husband was azoospermic undergoing IVF therapy.

Methods: Oocytes collected after ovarian stimulation were vitrified, thawed, and fertilized by frozen donor sperm.

[Follicular stimulating hormone receptor gene C566T mutation in premature ovarian failure].

Objective: To investigate the incidence of follicular stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene C566T mutation in Chinese women with premature ovarian failure (POF) and to explore the etiologies of POF.

Methods: This case-control study was carried out between 73 Chinese women with idiopathic POF (POF group) and 35 controls (control group), including 25 normal females with a regular menstrual history and 10 normal post-menopause women. DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of patients and controls.

[Establishment and characteristics of clonal human embryonic stem cell lines].

Objective: To establish clonal human embryonic stem cell lines and investigate their biological characteristics.

Methods: Cells were derived from one inner cell mass of human blastocyst, multiplied for 20 passages, and then dissociated into single cell suspension by digestion with 0.5% trypsin.

Serum-free medium cultivation to improve efficacy in establishment of human embryonic stem cell lines.

Background: Serum-containing and serum-free media were used to derive human embryonic stem (HES) cells from donated oocytes and embryos.

Methods And Results: Inner cell masses (ICM) were isolated by immunosurgery. The HES cells were found to be easily obtained and expanded in a serum-free medium.

Neural precursors derived from human embryonic stem cells.

Human embryonic stem (hES) cells provide a promising supply of specific cell types for transplantation therapy. We presented here the method to induce differentiation of purified neural precursors from hES cells. hES cells (Line PKU-1 and Line PKU-2) were cultured in suspension in bacteriological Petri dishes, which differentiated into cystic embryoid bodies (EBs).

[Immunohistochemical expression of integrin alphav, beta5 and beta3 in ovarian epithelial carcinoma: correlation with drug resistance of chemotherapy].

Objective: To investigate the possible correlation between the expression of integrin alphav, beta5 and beta3 in tumor tissues and the response to chemotherapy and survival of patients with ovarian epithelial carcinoma.

Methods: Seventy-seven patients with ovarian epithelial carcinoma from January 1996 to December 2002 were entered into the study. All subjects were matched up with the inclusion criteria and followed up till December 2003.

[Human embryonic stem cells forming embryoid bodies comprising multiple types of cells].

Objective: To investigate the pluripotency of human embryonic stem cells in vitro.

Methods: Human embryonic stem cells were cultured in suspension without feeder layers and bFGF in medium. mRNAs of different types of cells were analyzed by RT-PCR.

[Influence of cryoprotectant and cooling rate in vitrification method on the spindles of rabbit oocytes].

Objective: To investigate the influence of cryoprotectants and cooling rates in vitrification method on the spindles of rabbit M II oocytes.

Methods: Rabbit oocytes were verified by using cryoloop with ethylene glycol (EG) singly or EG combined with dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) as cryoprotectants, and cooled by taking oocytes directly into liquid nitrogen or by vitrification machine. After frozen rabbit oocytes thawed, the microtubulin and chromosome of the spindles were fixation and stained by immunofluorescent method.

Expression of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in human endometrium.

Background: As a cAMP-regulated Cl- channel, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) plays a critical role in the active secretion of electrolytes and fluid in epithelial cells. Women with CFTR gene mutations are less fertile, generally assumed to be due to cervical factors. However, there is little known about CFTR protein expression in human endometrium and its possible roles in reproduction.

[Expression of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in human endometrium].

Objective: To study expression of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in human endometrium.

Methods: The expression of CFTR mRNA and protein from 50 samples of normal cyclic human endometrium was examined by in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting respectively.

Results: CFTR mRNA and protein expressions were only detected in the endometrial glandular cells with cyclic changes.

[Establishment of a single cell-cloned mouse embryonic stem cell line].

Objective: To establish embryonic stem cells culture system and methods.

Methods: Inner cell masses were isolated from blastocysts of 3.5 day-old 129SvJ mice by immunosurgery, seeded onto gamma-irradiated mouse fibroblasts feeder layer.

[Progress on Y chromosome microdeletions and male infertility].

About 10%-15% of azoospermic and 5%-10% of severely oligozoospermic men with idiopathic infertility have Yq microdeletions which could be transmitted to their male offspring by means of ICSI. We review present studies about Yq microdeletions including incidence, region, correlations between genotype and phenotype, the mechanism of Yq deletions and try to further understand the cause of male infertility as well as provide a new way for diagnosis and therapy.