Adherent Fraction Research Articles

Production of large numbers of plasmacytoid dendritic cells with functional activities from CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells: Use of interleukin-3

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC), a subset of dendritic cells characterized by a rapid and massive type-I interferon secretion through the Toll-like receptor pathway in response to viral infection, play important roles in the pathogenesis of several diseases, such as chronic viral infections (e.g., hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus), autoimmunity (e.g., psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus), and cancer. As pDC represent a rare cell type in the peripheral blood, the goal of this study was to develop a new method to efficiently generate large numbers of cells from a limited number of CD34(+) cord blood progenitors to provide a tool to resolve important questions about how pDC mediate tolerance, autoimmunity, and cancer. Human CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitor cells isolated from cord blood were cultured with a combination of Flt3-ligand (Flt3L), thrombopoietin (TPO), and one of the following cytokine: interleukin (IL)-3, interferon-β(IFN-β), or prostaglandin E2(PGE(2)). Cells obtained in the different culture conditions were analyzed for their phenotype and functional characteristics. The addition of IL-3 cooperates with Flt3L and TPO in the induction of pDC from CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitor cells. Indeed, Flt3L/TPO alone or supplemented with prostaglandin E2 or interferon-β produced smaller amounts of pDC from hematopoietic progenitor cells. In addition, pDC generated in Flt3L/TPO/IL-3 cultures exhibited morphological, immunohistochemical, and functional features of peripheral blood pDC. We showed that IL-3, in association with Flt3L and TPO, provides an advantageous tool for large-scale generation of pDC. This culture condition generated, starting from 2 × 10(5) CD34(+) cells, up to 2.6 × 10(6) pDC presenting features of blood pDC.

Abstract 17476: Transplantation of an Antigenically-Defined Subpopulation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Results in Superior Cardiac Repair After a Reperfused Myocardial Infarction

Although bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been used quite extensively for cardiac repair, the outcomes have been highly variable. We investigated whether antigenically-defined subpopulations of MSCs would promote superior repair after myocardial infarction (MI). Unfractionated MSCs were obtained from the adherent fraction of bone marrow cells from C57BL/6 mice using expansion culture, and subpopulations were obtained using two-step FACS isolation. Our in vitro studies identified a Sca-1+/CD45-/c-kit-/Thy1+/CD105- MSC population (CD105- MSCs) that exhibited greater mRNA expression of angiogenic molecules (VEGF, HGF), SDF-1, and reduced expression of deleterious molecules, including TNF-a (Figure). The CD105- MSCs also exhibited greater propensity toward cardiac differentiation. The efficacy of these cells for cardiac repair in vivo was tested in a mouse model of reperfused MI. Wild-type (C57BL/6) mice underwent a 30-min coronary occlusion followed by reperfusion, and 48 h later received intramyocardial injection of vehicle (Vehicle, n=8), unfractionated MSCs (MSCs, n=8), or CD105- MSCs (CD105- MSCs, n=6). Echocardiography was performed 4 d prior to coronary occlusion/reperfusion (BSL1) and at 48 h (BSL2) and 35 d after cell injection. Mice were sacrificed at 35 d. LV ejection fraction (EF) was significantly and similarly reduced in all groups at 48 h after MI (Figure). At 35 d after MI, mice injected with CD105- MSCs exhibited greater EF (Figure) and smaller LV end-diastolic volume compared with vehicle-treated and unfractionated MSC-treated mice. We conclude that compared with unfractionated MSCs, intramyocardial transplantation of CD105- MSCs after a reperfused MI results in improved cardiac repair. The use of this MSC subpopulation may potentially improve the outcomes of cell therapy in humans.

Osteogenic- and Adipogenic- Differentiated Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Fail to Support Expansion of Adult Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Abstract 4810Ex vivo expansion and manipulation of primitive hematopoietic cells has become a major goal in the experimental hematology, because of its potential relevance in the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at treating a diverse group of hematologic disorders. Osteoblasts, mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (MSC/MPC), adipocytes, reticular cells, endothelial cells and other stromal cells, have been implicated in regulation of HSC maintenance in endosteal and perivascular niches. These niches facilitate the signaling networks that control the balance between self-renewal and differentiation.In the present study, we evaluated and compared the effects of three different stromal feeder layers on expansion of HSPC derived from BM and cord blood (CB): BM mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), osteoblast-differentiated BM mesenchymal stem cells (Ost-MSC) and adipocyte-differentiated BM mesenchymal stem cells (Ad-MSC). BM-MSC cultures were established from plastic adherent BM cell fractions and analyzed for immunophenotype, frequency of colony forming units (CFU-F), frequency of osteo- (CFU-Ost) and adipo- (CFU-Ad) lineage progenitors. Cultures with similar clonogenity (CFU-F: 26,4 ± 4,5%) and progenitors frequency (CFU-Ost: 14,7 ± 4,5%; CFU-Ad: 13,3 ± 4,5%) were selected for co-culture experiments. All MSC were positive for stromal cell-associated markers (CD105, CD90, CD166, CD73) and negative for hematopoietic lineage cells markers (CD34, CD19, CD14, CD45). CD34+ cells were separared from BM and CB samples by magnetic cell sorting (MACS) and analyzed for CD34, CD38 and CD45 expression.Feeder layers (MSC, Ost-MSC, Ad-MSC) were prepared in 24-well plates prior to co-culture experiments: MSCs (4×104 cells/well) were cultured for 24 h and either used for following experiments or stimulated to differentiate into either osteoblasts or adipoctes according to standard protocols. CD34+ cells (3500-10000 cells per well) were co-cultured in Stem Span media with or without a feeder layers and in the presence of cytokines (10 ng/mL Flt3-L, 10 ng/mL SCF, 10ng/mL IL-7) for 7 days. Expanded cells were analyzed for CD34, CD38 and CD45 expression.Results are shown on figures 1 and 2. As expected, CB-derived HSPC expanded much more effectively than BM-derived HSPC. The similar levels of expansion were observed for both, the total number of HSPC, and more primitive CD34+CD38- fraction in the presence of all three feeder layers. Ost-MSC supported CB-derived HSPC slightly better than MSC and Ad-MSC which is in a good agreement with data from literature (Mishima et.al., European Journal of Haematology, 2010), but difference was not statistically significant. In contrast, whereas BM-MSC feeder facilitated CD34+CD38- fraction in BM-derived HSPC, Adipocyte-differentiated MSC and osteoblast-differentiated MSC failed to support BM-derived CD34+CD38- expansion (11,4 ±.4 folds for MSC vs 0,9 ±.0,14 for Ad-MSC, n=5, p<0,01 and 0,92 ±.0,1 for Ost-MSC, n=5, p<0,01). [Display omitted] [Display omitted] Conclusion:BM- and CB-derived CD34+CD38- cells differ in their dependence of bone marrow stroma. Coctail of growth factors facilitate CB HSPC expansion irrespective of lineage differentiation of supporting MSC feeder layer. In contrast, primitive BM CD34+CD38- HSPC were able to expand only on not differentiated MSC. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Expression of PTH in Bone Marrow Stem Cells in Adult SD Rats

Abstract 4817 Introduction:Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a major regulator of calcium and phosphate metabolism and is secreted by the cells of the parathyroid gland. Recent research showed that PTH treatment may regulate the hematopoietic stem cell niche, leading to beneficial effects on the HSC pool, and increasing stem cell number and the number of stem cells mobilized into the bloodstream. Many studies demonstrated that the serum PTH was decreased but maintained at the lower level suggesting persisting PTH secretion after total parathyroidectomy without autotransplantation. Some research showed that the thymus is another source of PTH. Can the bone marrow cells express PTH mRNA and release PTH and be a third source of PTH production? The aim of this study was to explore whether PTH could be expressed in bone marrow stem cells(BMSCs). Method:BMSCs were separated from adult male SD rat bone marrow and were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. The total RNA was extracted using Trizol one-step method. RT-PCR was performed to examine the expression of PTH and GAPDH in BMSCs. The optical densities (ODs) value of RT-PCR product was measured using the Gel Imageware System. The signal intensity of PTH bands was normalized by corresponding GAPDH bands. The ODs in each sample were expressed as a ratio PTH over GAPDH densitometric intensities. The resultant PCR product of PTH was sequenced in both directions. Immunocytochemistry staining was utilized to examine the expression of PTH in the BMSCs from adherent cell fraction of the 2nd passage. Results:The expressions of PTH mRNA in BMSCs were detected in all 11 rats by RT-PCR. The PCR product was 193bp for PTH (Fig 1). The ratio of PTH over GAPDH ODs value ranged from 0.4407 to 3.1506, and the average ODs value (m ± SD) was 1.2617 ± 0.8953. The sequence of the PTH PCR products matched 100% with the PTH sequence in Genebank (Gene ID: 24694 Pth; gb K01268.1 RATPTH3, Rat parathyroid hormone gene, exons II and III). Some of the BMSCs were PTH positive by immunocytochemistry. The PTH positive cells were middle in size and spindle. PTH staining was localized in the cytoplasma and cell membrane of BMSCs cultured (Fig 2). Conclusion:The PTH mRNA and protein were detected in BMSCs. The results suggest that the BMSCs may be a third cell source responsible for the synthesis and secretion of PTH. It would be interesting to know what type of cells in BMSCs is secreating the PTH and to explore the role of PTH in bone marrow stem cell niche. [Display omitted] [Display omitted] Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Phylogenetic diversity of bacterial communities in bovine rumen as affected by diets and microenvironments

Phylogenetic analysis was conducted to examine ruminal bacteria in two ruminal fractions (adherent fraction vs. liquid fraction) collected from cattle fed with two different diets: forage alone vs. forage plus concentrate. One hundred forty-four 16S rRNA gene (rrs) sequences were obtained from clone libraries constructed from the four samples. These rrs sequences were assigned to 116 different operational taxonomic units (OTUs) defined at 0.03 phylogenetic distance. Most of these OTUs could not be assigned to any known genus. The phylum Firmicutes was represented by approximately 70% of all the sequences. By comparing to the OTUs already documented in the rumen, 52 new OTUs were identified. UniFrac, SONS, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analyses revealed difference in diversity between the two fractions and between the two diets. This study showed that rrs sequences recovered from small clone libraries can still help identify novel species-level OTUs.

Lentivirus-mediated Wnt11 Gene Transfer Enhances Cardiomyogenic Differentiation of Skeletal Muscle-derived Stem Cells

Wnt signaling plays a crucial role in regulating cell proliferation, differentiation and inducing cardiomyogenesis. Skeletal muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs) have been shown to be multipotent; however, their potential to aid in the healing of the heart after myocardial infarction appears to be due to the paracrine effects they impart on the host environment. The goal of this study was to investigate whether Wnt11 could promote the differentiation of MDSCs into cardiomyocytes and enhance the repair of infarcted myocardium. MDSCs transduced with a lentivirus encoding for Wnt11 increased mRNA and protein expression of the early cardiac markers NK2 transcription factor related 5 (NKx2.5) and Connexin43 (Cx43) and also led to an increased expression of late-stage cardiac markers including: α, β-myosin heavy chain (MHC) and brain natriuretic protein (BNP) at the mRNA level, and MHC and Troponin I (TnI) at the protein level. We also observed that Wnt11 expression significantly enhanced c-jun N-terminal kinase activity in transduced MDSCs, and that some of the cells beat spontaneously but are not fully differentiated cardiomyocytes. Finally, lentivirus-Wnt11-transduced MDSCs showed greater survival and cardiac differentiation after being transplanted into acutely infarct-injured myocardium. These findings could one day lead to strategies that could be utilized in cardiomyoplasty treatments of myocardial infarction.

Tandem application of cationic colloidal silica and Triton X‐114 for plasma membrane protein isolation and purification: Towards developing an MDCK protein database

Plasma membrane (PM) proteins are attractive therapeutic targets because of their accessibility to drugs. Although genes encoding PM proteins represent 20-30% of eukaryotic genomes, a detailed characterisation of their encoded proteins is underrepresented, due, to their low copy number and the inherent difficulties in their isolation and purification as a consequence of their high hydrophobicity. We describe here a strategy that combines two orthogonal methods to isolate and purify PM proteins from Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. In this two-step method, we first used cationic colloidal silica (CCS) to isolate adherent (Ad) and non-adherent (nAd) PM fractions, and then subjected each fraction to Triton X-114 (TX-114) phase partitioning to further enrich for hydrophobic proteins. While CCS alone identified 255/757 (34%) membrane proteins, CCS/TX-114 in combination yielded 453/745 (61%). Strikingly, of those proteins unique to CCS/TX-114, 277/393 (70%) had membrane annotation. Further characterisation of the CCS/TX-114 data set using Uniprot and transmembrane hidden Markov model revealed that 306/745 (41%) contained one or more transmembrane domains (TMDs), including proteins with 25 and 17 TMDs. Of the remaining proteins in the data set, 69/439 (16%) are known to contain lipid modifications. Of all membrane proteins identified, 93 had PM origin, including proteins that mediate cell adhesion, modulate transmembrane ion transport, and cell-cell communication. These studies reveal that the application of CCS to first isolate Ad and nAd PM fractions, followed by their detergent-phase TX-114 partitioning, to be a powerful method to isolate low-abundance PM proteins, and a useful adjunct for in-depth cell surface proteome analyses.

Dynamic transition of microbial communities in response to acidification in fixed-bed anaerobic baffled reactors (FABR) of two different flow directions

Two five-compartment fixed-bed anaerobic baffled reactors (FABRs) were operated under deteriorative and stable conditions. The FABRs were identical except for flow direction: one was horizontal (H-reactor) and the other was vertical (V-reactor). The microbial community dynamics in 1, 3 and 5 compartments were analyzed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), 16S rRNA gene clone library screening and quantitative PCR. After start-up, the Methanomicrobiales were typically dominant in adhering sludge of 5th compartments of two reactors. Because methanogenesis mainly occurred in the latter compartment, Methanomicrobiales were likely to play important roles in FABRs. FABRs recovered from performance deterioration very quickly. Meanwhile, methanogens and dominant methanogens greatly increased in every compartment of two reactors. Our results indicated that 16S rRNA levels of methanogens in the adhering sludge were higher than those in the deposited sludge and the adhering fraction of V-reactor held up more acid-resistant bacteria and methanogens than that of H-reactor.

Heterogeneous Interactions of Leukemic and Control Bone Marrow Stroma Cells with an AML Cell Line and AML Leukemic Blasts.

AbstractAbstract 1047Tumor-stroma interaction plays a pivotal role for malignant cell survival, proliferation, immune escape, and drug resistance. We had previously shown that bone marrow (BM) stroma from leukemia patients had different gene expression patterns and support of normal CD34+ cells compared to controls (Ctr). Aim of this study was to evaluate growth, survival, and colony-forming potential issues of M-07e AML cells and AML blasts as indicator cells (IC) upon contact with non-leukemic and leukemic stroma. Plastic-adherent BM cells from leukemic or Ctr non-leukemic donors were cultured for several weeks. Polyclonal as well as isolated single fibroblast colony (F-CFU) cultures were set up. Short-term and long-term co-cultures of BM stroma used M-07e AML cells and AML blasts as IC. After long-term co-culture colony forming units (CFU) were determined in the adherent and non-adherent fraction of the IC. Proliferation of IC was determined by cell counting and 3H-TdR incorporation assays. The human HS-5 stroma cell line was used in selected experiments. The F-CFU frequency was determined from 39 Ctr samples, 6 MDS samples, 59 leukemic samples, and 12 lymphoma samples with BM infiltration. Succession of F-CFU numbers in respective samples was AML / MDS < Ctr < MM / FL II << 2°AML. Polyclonal stroma cells from AML BM supported M-07e IC survival slightly but not significantly better than Ctr stroma. No noteworthy support for primary AML blasts was observed with either stroma. Stroma from both AML and Ctr donors stimulated colony formation of M-07e IC without marked differences in the frequency of compact and diffuse colonies. In 3H-TdR assays M-07e IC were stimulated by IL-3 and certain but not all stroma samples tested. Notably, IL-3-induced proliferation of M-07e IC was decreased in the presence of stroma and almost completely suppressed by HS-5 cells. When single F-CFU were isolated, expanded, and tested for their capacity to support M-07e IC stimulating as well as non-stimulating F-CFU were found. Support competence of stroma cells decreased with passage number. Primary BM polyclonal stroma cells and single F-CFU from leukemic and non-leukemic donors showed a broad heterogeneity with respect to support of cell growth or colony-forming potential in favour of the AML M-07e IC line. Thus, the interaction of stroma and normal or leukemic hematopoietic cells seems to be a complex system awaiting further investigations. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Human Umbilical Cord Blood Derived IPS Cells as a Source of Hematopoietic Progenitors Cells

AbstractAbstract 4790The ability to generate hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from an unlimited source of cells, such as from patient derived induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, would enable the generation of an unlimited supply of HLA matched transplantable HSCs for therapeutic purposes. Umbilical cord blood is an ideal source of fetal/neonatal cellular material for iPS reprogramming due to the proliferative capacity of the cells as well as the reduced exposure of these cells to environmental factors compare to commonly used skin fibroblasts. In addition, it has been proposed that the cellular starting material imparts an epigenetic memory to the iPS cell line that influences lineage predisposition upon its differentiation. This project seeks to evaluate human umbilical cord blood as a starting cell source for generating iPS cells, with the ultimate goal to generate transplantable HSCs. We have isolated, cultured, and characterized an adherent cell fraction from the hemato-endothelial lineage. These cells were found to have an endothelial progenitor phenotype with CD45neg, CD133neg, VE-Cadherinhi, VEGFR2med, CD31hi, CD34hi cell surface markers as determined by FACS and formed tubules in the matrigel tubular assay. The iPS cell lines were generated using a 5-factor cocktail of inducible lentiviral vectors with an efficiency of 0.02%. The iPS cell lines were then evaluated for blood cell lineage differentiation capacity using our state-of-the-art ES/iPS-to-blood differentiation protocol. From the 5 iPS lines we tested, we saw 30 +/− 20% hematopoietic (CD45+) cells in our differentiation cultures. Moreover, the percentage of hematopoietic progenitors (CD45+ CD34+) of the hematopoietic cell fraction was 19.8+/− 0.6%, and also showed the presence of the more primitive CD45+ CD34+ CD38- progenitor fraction. Clonogenic progenitor cell counts determined by methylcellulose colony assay showed 44 +/− 3 colony forming units per 10,000 plated CD45+ cells. This is in the range of colonies obtained from umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell isolates (mean= 35+/− 2). The efficiency of hematopoietic generation for the lines ranged from 8 to 60% CD45+ suggesting that there are significant differences between the lines in terms of the completeness of reprogramming towards the pluripotent state. Further investigation into the epigenetic status of these lines is being performed. These data demonstrate the utility of human umbilical cord blood derived iPS cells for generating and expanding hematopoietic progenitors. This project advances iPS technologies towards treating life threatening hematological malignancies and diseases. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Heterogeneity of Limbal Basal Epithelial Progenitor Cells

Although corneal epithelial stem cells (SCs) are located at the limbus between the cornea and the conjunctiva, not all limbal basal epithelial cells are SCs. Using 2 dispase digestions to remove different amounts of limbal basal epithelial cells for cross-sections, flat mounts, and cytospin preparations, double immunostaining to pancytokeratins (PCK) and vimentin (Vim) identified 3 p63+ epithelial progenitors such as PCK-/Vim+, PCK/Vim, and PCK-/Vim+ and 1 p63+ mesenchymal cell, PCK-/Vim+. PCK-/Vim- progenitors had the smallest cell size were 10-20 times more enriched on collagen I-coated dishes in the 5-minute rapid adherent fraction that contained the highest percentage of p63+ cells but the lowest percentage of cytokeratin12+ cells, and gave rise to high Ki67 labeling and vivid clonal growth. In contrast, PCK+/Vim+ and PCK+/Vim- progenitors were found more in the slow-adherent fraction and yielded poor clonal growth. PCK/Vim progenitors and clusters of PCK-/Vim+ mesenchymal cells, which were neither melanocytes nor Langerhans cells, were located in the limbal basal region. Therefore, differential expression of PCK and Vim helps identify small PCK-/Vim- cells as the most likely candidate for SCs among a hierarchy of heterogeneous limbal basal progenitors, and their close association with PCK-/Vim+ presumed "niche" cells.

Morphological and Molecular Analysis of Angiogenesis after Intramyocardial Transplantation of Autologous Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells

We studied the peculiarities of angiogenesis in the postinfarction period after transmyocardial laser revascularization and intramyocardial implantation of mononuclear bone marrow cells into the pericicatrical zone of the left ventricular myocardium in dogs. Morphological manifestation of angiogenesis in the myocardium after application of laser and cell technologies are angiomatosis, formation of large thin-wall vessels and sinusoids. The angiogenic effect of implanted mononuclear bone marrow cells is determined by high content (43-47%) of CD31+ cells in both adherent and nonadherent fractions. More pronounced angiogenic potential of nonadherent cells is determined by intensive expression of cytokine VEGF-B and D mRNA essential for arterial vessels growth. Immunohistochemical studies showed that about 90% cells of the nonadherent fraction are endothelial precursors expressing endothelial cell markers isolectin B4 and VEGF-R2. It was found that the use of adherent mononuclear bone marrow cells during the postinfarction period induces ossification of the epicardium and subepicardial myocardium layer, formation of cartilage plates, and focal calcification. Implantation of nonadherent mononuclear bone marrow cells into transmyocardial laser channels did not induce ectopic ossification of the myocardium.

In vitro differentiation of human amniotic fluid‐derived cells: Augmentation towards a neuronal dopaminergic phenotype

Amniotic fluid is known to yield a number of cell types which are multipotent, ethically derived, genetically stable, easily grown, expanded and possess favourable immunogenicity, which has resulted in an increasing interest for use in various neuronal disorders such as Parkinson's disease. The neuronal potential of cells derived from the adherent fraction of amniotic fluid, routinely taken by amniocentesis, are least explored. The aim of the present study was to investigate the capacity of these cells for neuronal and dopaminergic differentiation using in vitro differentiation protocols with canonical inductive factors not previously tested. To do this, samples derived from multiple donors were grown under four conditions: standard serum-containing media, NB (neurobasal) media designed specifically for propagation and maintenance of neuronal cells, NB media with addition of retinoic acid and BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) for NI (neuronal induction), and NB media with addition of FGF8 (fibroblast growth factor-8) and Shh (sonic hedgehog) after NI. Our results showed the presence of multiple neuronal markers after growth in serum-containing medium [TUJ1, MAP2, NF-M, TH (tyrosine hydroxylase)], which was significantly up-regulated after serum withdrawal in NB medium alone with induction of NeuN (neuronal nuclei) and NSE (neuron-specific enolase). NI and DA.I (dopaminergic induction) was accompanied by further increases in expression and a distinct transition to a sustained neuronal morphology. Western blot analysis confirmed increasing TH expression and NURR1, expressed in base serum-containing media, found to be down-regulated after induction. In conclusion, these cells possess a highly favourable base neuronal and dopaminergic prepotential, which may easily be accentuated by standard induction protocols.

Phenotypic characterization of mammosphere-forming cells from the human MA-11 breast carcinoma cell line

The phenotypic diversity of breast carcinoma may be explained by the existence of a sub-population of breast cancer cells, endowed with stem cell-like properties and gene expression profiles, able to differentiate along different pathways. A stem cell-like population of CD44 +CD24 −/low breast cancer cells was originally identified using cells from metastatic pleural effusions of breast carcinoma patients. We have previously reported that upon in vitro culture as mammospheres under stem cell-like conditions, human MA-11 breast carcinoma cells acquired increased tumorigenicity and lost CD24 expression compared with the parental cell line. We now report that upon passage of MA-11 mammospheres into serum-supplemented cultures, CD24 expression was restored; the rapid increase in CD24 expression was consistent with up-regulation of the antigen, and not with in vitro selection of CD24 + cells. In tumors derived from subcutaneous injection of MA-11 mammospheres in athymic nude mice, 76.1 ± 9.7% of cells expressed CD24, vs. 0.5 ± 1% in MA-11 cells dissociated from mammospheres before injection. The tumorigenicity of sorted CD44 +CD24 − and CD44 +CD24 high MA-11 cells was equal. Single cell-sorted CD24 − and CD24 high MA-11 gave rise in vitro to cell populations with heterogeneous CD24 expression. Also, subcutaneous tumors derived from sorted CD24 − sub-populations and single-cell clones had levels of CD24 expression similar to the unsorted cells. To investigate whether the high expression of CD24 contributed to the tumorigenic potential of MA-11 cells, we silenced CD24 by shRNA. CD24 silencing (95%) resulted in no difference in tumorigenicity upon s.c. injection in athymic nude mice compared with mock-transduced MA-11 cells. Since CD24 silencing was maintained in vivo, our data suggest that the level of expression of CD24 is associated with but does not contribute to tumorigenicity. We then compared the molecular profile of the mammospheres with the adherent cell fraction. Gene expression profiling revealed that the increased tumorigenicity of MA-11 mammospheres was associated with changes in 10 signal transduction pathways, including MAP kinase, Notch and Wnt, and increased expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase, a cancer-initiating cell-associated marker. Our data demonstrate that (i) the level of CD24 expression is neither a stable feature of mammosphere-forming cells nor confers tumorigenic potential to MA-11 cells; (ii) cancer-initiating cell-enriched MA-11 mammospheres have activated specific signal transduction pathways, potential targets for anti-breast cancer therapy.

Lidocaine Inhibits Proliferation and Promotes Cluster Formation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Cultured in High Glucose Plus Serum Deprivation DMEM.

Abstract 4582 ObjectivesBone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have multilineage differentiation potential and highly proliferative potential in vitro. Cell therapy with BMSCs has great promise in regenerating the damaged tissues, restoring their function and treating ischemic related failures, but the chief limitation may be the poor viability of BMSCs transplanted into the pre-existing ischemic environment, where massive death of transplanted cells has been detected. The serum deprivation (SD) is a component of ischemia. Lidocaine can be used for relief of pain and has been one of the most widely used local anesthetics. Intravenously, it has been used successfully for emergency treatment of ventricular arrhythmias. It reportedly also showed anti- proliferative, anti-inflammatory and protective effects when administered before or after the ischemic insult. Which effects has it on BMSCs during the BMSCs transplanted in the patient with lidocaine treatment? The experimental objective is to investigate the effects of lidocaine on the proliferation of BMSCs cultured in high glucose plus serum deprivation DMEM. MethodsBMSCs were separated from adult male SD rat bone marrow. The BMSCs were cultured in the high glucose (4.5g/L) DMEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). All experiments were performed using BMSCs from the 3rd passage adherent cell fraction. The BMSCs were divided into 10 groups according to the concentrations of lidocaine and FBS: 0μg/ml, 2μg/ml, 20μg/ml, 200μg/ml, 2000μg/ml lidocaine, containing 10% FBS; 0μg/ml, 2μg/ml, 20μg/ml, 200μg/ml, 2000μg/ml lidocaine, containing 0% FBS. Cell proliferation of the BMSCs was assessed by MTT assay at the time points of 24h, 48h and 72h respectively. ResultsAs the MTT colorimetric assay revealed, lidocaine with 2μg/ml, 20μg/ml, 200μg/ml, 2000μg/ml all inhibited the proliferation of the BMSCs at under the condition of 10% FBS and under the condition of 0% FBS. The cells cultured in 0μg/ml lidocaine, 10% FBS displayed a significant proliferation compared to those cultured in 0μg/ml lidocaine,0% FBS (serum deprivation) (P<0.01, n=5) from 24h to 72h. The number of vital cells cultured in 2μg/ml, 20μg/ml, 200μg/ml lidocaine,10% FBS was more significantly compared to that cultured in 2μg/ml, 20μg/ml, 200μg/ml lidocaine, 0% FBS (P<0.01, n=5) at 24 h, 48h, 72 h respectively. But in 2000μg/ml lidocaine, the number of vital cells was similar and nearly zero both the BMSCs cultured in 10% FBS and serum deprivation groups. The number of vital BMSCs of all groups showed having a proliferative potential from 24h to 72h.BMSCs cultured under serum deprivation with 0μg/ml, 2μg/ml, 20μg/ml, 200μg/ml lidocaine gave rise to cell cluster formation, but all groups of BMSCs cultured in the presence of serum did not form the cell clusters. The phenomenon that the number and the size of the cell clusters were more could be observed in the BMSCs cultured under serum deprivation with 20μg/ml, 200μg/ml lidocaine. ConclusionsThe proliferation capacity of the BMSCs cultured in the high glucose DMEM without serum was significantly decreased compared to those cultured in 10% FBS. Lidocaine inhibited the proliferation capacity both of the BMSCs cultured in the high glucose DMEM without serum and with 10% FBS. The results suggest that lidocaine does not exert protective effects on BMSCs in serum deprivation under the high glucose DMEM. Cytotoxicity to lidocaine was maximum at 2000μg/ml. BMSCs cultured under serum deprivation can induce and lidocaine can promote the formation of cell clusters. It is a fascinating point to investigate the relationship between the protective effects and toxicity of lidocaine on BMSCs in high and low glucose microenvironment. It is interested to explore the function and cell characteristics of the cell clusters in a further step of the research work.This research was supported by the grant from Jiangxi Provincial Department of Education, P. R. China (No. GJJ09103). Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Adhesion and Enrichment of Metals on Human Hands from Contaminated Soil at an Arctic Urban Brownfield

Human exposure to contaminated soils drives clean up criteria at many urban brownfields. Current risk assessment guidelines assume that humans ingest some fraction of soil smaller than 4 mm but have no estimates of what fraction of soil is ingested by humans. Here, we evaluated soil adherence to human hands for 13 agricultural soils from Saskatchewan, Canada and 17 different soils from a brownfield located in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada. In addition, we estimated average particle size adhering to human hands for residents of a northern urban setting. Further, we estimated how metal concentrations differed between the adhered and bulk (< 4 mm) fraction of soil. The average particle size for adhered agricultural soils was 34 microm, adhered brownfield soils was 105 microm, and particles adhered to human residentswas 36 microm. Metals were significantly enriched in these adhered fractions with an average enrichment [(adhered-bulk)/bulk] in metal concentration of 184% (113% median) for 24 different elements. Enrichment was greater for key toxicological elements of concern such as chromium (140%), copper (140%), nickel (130%), lead (110%), and zinc (130%) and was highest for silver (810%), mercury (630%), selenium (500%), and arsenic (420%). Enrichment were positively correlated with carbonate complexation constants (but not bulk solubility products) and suggests that the dominant mechanism controlling metal enrichment in these samples is a precipitation of carbonate surfaces that subsequently adsorb metals. Our results suggest that metals of toxicological concern are selectively enriched in the fraction of soil that humans incidentally ingest. Investigators should likely process soil samples through a 45 microm sieve before estimating the risk associated with contaminated soils to humans. The chemical mechanisms resulting in metal enrichment likely differ between sites but at our site were linked to surface complexation with carbonates.

ERYTHROPOIETIN ENHANCES OXYGENATION IN CRITICALLY PERFUSED TISSUE THROUGH MODULATION OF NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of human recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) on the microcirculation and oxygenation of critically ischemic tissue and to elucidate the role of endothelial NO synthase in EPO-mediated tissue protection. Island flaps were dissected from the back skin of anesthetized male Syrian golden hamsters including a critically ischemic, hypoxic area that was perfused via a collateralized vasculature. Before ischemia, animals received an injection of epoetin beta at a dose of 5,000 U/kg body weight with (n = 7) or without (n = 7) blocking NO synthase by 30 mg/kg body weight L-NAME (Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride). Saline-treated animals served as control (n = 7). Ischemic tissue damage was characterized by severe hypoperfusion and inflammation, hypoxia, and accumulation of apoptotic cell nuclei after 5 h of collateralization. Erythropoietin pretreatment increased arteriolar and venular blood flow by 33% and 37%, respectively (P < 0.05), and attenuated leukocytic inflammation by approximately 75% (P < 0.05). Furthermore, partial tissue oxygen tension in the ischemic tissue increased from 8.2 to 15.8 mmHg (P < 0.05), which was paralleled by a 21% increased density of patent capillaries (P < 0.05) and a 50% reduced apoptotic cell count (P < 0.05). The improved microcirculation and oxygenation were associated with a 2.2-fold (P < 0.05) increase of endothelial NO synthase protein expression. Of interest, L-NAME completely abolished all the beneficial effects of EPO pretreatment. Our study demonstrates that, in critically ischemic and hypoxic collateralized tissue, EPO pretreatment improves tissue perfusion and oxygenation in vivo. This effect may be attributed to NO-dependent vasodilative effects and anti-inflammatory actions on the altered vascular endothelium.

Angiomatosis and Ectopic Ossification in the Dog Myocardium after Intramyocardial Implantation of Autologous Bone Marrow Mononuclears in Experimental Coronary Disease

Disseminated ossification of the myocardium and severe angiomatosis were detected in sites of implantation of unseparated bone marrow mononuclear fraction cells in dogs with experimental chronic coronary disease. Minor immunocytochemical differences in cells of the mononuclear fraction adhering and not adhering to plastic were found. Significant differences in the expression of mRNA of chondro-osteogenesis genes (aggrecan, lumican, and osteopontin) in adherent and nonadherent cells were detected. The expression of aggrecan gene mRNA was 3-fold lower, of lumican gene 6-fold, and of osteopontin gene 11-fold lower in nonadherent cells compared to adherent fraction.

Identification of subpopulations in mesenchymal stem cell-like cultures from human umbilical cord

BackgroundA variety of cell types can be identified in the adherent fraction of bone marrow mononuclear cells including more primitive and embryonic-like stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), lineage-committed progenitors as well as mature cells such as osteoblasts and fibroblasts. Different methods are described for the isolation of single bone marrow stem cell subpopulations – beginning from ordinary size sieving, long term cultivation under specific conditions to FACS-based approaches. Besides bone marrow-derived subpopulations, also other tissues including human umbilical cord (UC) have been recently suggested to provide a potential source for MSC. Although of clinical importance, these UC-derived MSC populations remain to be characterized. It was thus the aim of the present study to identify possible subpopulations in cultures of MSC-like cells obtained from UC. We used counterflow centrifugal elutriation (CCE) as a novel strategy to successfully address this question.ResultsUC-derived primary cells were separated by CCE and revealed differentially-sized populations in the fractions. Thus, a subpopulation with an average diameter of about 11 μm and a small flat cell body was compared to a large sized subpopulation of about 19 μm average diameter. Flow cytometric analysis revealed the expression of certain MSC stem cell markers including CD44, CD73, CD90 and CD105, respectively, although these markers were expressed at higher levels in the small-sized population. Moreover, this small-sized subpopulation exhibited a higher proliferative capacity as compared to the total UC-derived primary cultures and the large-sized cells and demonstrated a reduced amount of aging cells.ConclusionUsing the CCE technique, we were the first to demonstrate a subpopulation of small-sized UC-derived primary cells carrying MSC-like characteristics according to the presence of various mesenchymal stem cell markers. This is also supported by the high proliferative capacity of these MSC-like cells as compared to whole primary culture or other UC-derived subpopulations. The accumulation of a self-renewing MSC-like subpopulation by CCE with low expression levels of the aging marker senescence-associated β-galactosidase provides a valuable tool in the regenerative medicine and an alternative to bone-marrow-derived MSC.

Comparative characterization of cultures of primary human macrophages or dendritic cells relevant to biomaterial studies

Macrophages are central mediators of biomaterial-associated wound healing. Dendritic cells (DCs) link innate and adaptive immunity and are important in the context of the host response to combination products. Starting with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), DCs were derived from monocytes upon culture with granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-4; macrophages were derived from monocytes upon culture without cytokines. Macrophage or DC cultures were characterized at relevant timepoints in both adherent and nonadherent fractions on control Primaria surfaces to characterize and define these inflammatory/immune cells as a prequel to their use in in vitro test biomaterial-host response studies. At day 10 (typical time for harvesting macrophages for subsequent treatment with test biomaterials), macrophages were CD11c+, macrophage mannose receptor (MMR)+, CD14+, and CD64+. At day 6 (typical time for harvesting of DCs after 24-h treatment with test biomaterials), DCs were CD1c+, CD11c+, CD123+, MMR+, CD14+, and CD64-. Furthermore, CD3+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD19+ and CD24+ B lymphocytes were present in both cultures at all timepoints, although to different extents. Immature DCs (approximately 15 microm), were rounded but presented extensive dendritic processes upon maturation with lipopolysaccharide. Alternatively, adherent macrophages (approximately 15-20 microm) displayed internalized lipids and exhibited few membrane processes. The characterization and comparison of existing techniques to establish reliable, reproducible primary cultures of DCs or macrophages provides an important basis for examining and interpreting complex macrophage/DC-lymphocyte-orchestrated host responses in future studies with equivalent cell populations on test biomaterials.