Geun-Ho Maeng

Neurogenic and cardiomyogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from minipig bone marrow.

The present study investigated the potential of minipig bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) to differentiate in vitro into neuron- and cardiomyocyte-like cells. Isolated BM-MSCs exhibited a fibroblast-like morphology, expressed CD29, CD44 and CD90, and differentiated into osteocytes, adipocytes and chondrocytes. Upon induction in two different neuronal specific media, most of BM-MSCs acquired the distinctive morphological features and positively stained for nestin, neurofilament-M (NF-M), neuronal nuclei (NeuN), β-tubulin, galactocerebroside (Gal-C) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Expression of nestin, GFAP and NF-M was further demonstrated by RT-PCR and RT-qPCR. Following cardiomyogenic induction, MSCs exhibited a stick-like morphology with extended cytoplasmic processes, and formed cluster-like structures. The expression of cardiac specific markers α-smooth muscle actin, cardiac troponin T, desmin and α-cardiac actin was positive for immunofluorescence staining, and further confirmed by RT-PCR and RT-qPCR. In conclusion, our results showed the in vitro differentiation ability of porcine BM-MSCs into neuron-like and cardiomyocyte-like cells.

Peripheral nerve regeneration using autologous porcine skin-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Porcine skin‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (pSMSCs) were evaluated on their biological MSC characterizations and differentiation into mesenchymal lineages, along with in vitro and in vivo neural inductions. Isolated pSMSCs showed plate‐adherent growth, expression of various MSC‐marker proteins and transcriptional factors, and differentiation potential into mesenchymal lineages. Neuron‐like cell morphology and various neural markers were highly detected at 6 h and 24 h after in vitro neural induction of pSMSCs, but their neuron‐like characteristics disappeared as induction time extended to 48 and 72 h. To evaluate the in vivo peripheral nerve regeneration potential of pSMSCs, a total of 5 × 106 autologous pSMSCs labelled with tracking dye, supplemented with fibrin glue scaffold and collagen tubulization, were transplanted into the peripheral nerve defected miniature pigs. At 2 and 4 weeks after cell transplantation, well‐preserved transplanted cells and remarkable in vivo nerve regeneration, including histologically complete nerve bundles, were observed in the regenerated nerve tissues. Moreover, S‐100 protein and p75 nerve growth factor receptor were more highly detected in regenerated nerve fibres compared to non‐cell grafted control fibres. These results suggest that autologous pSMSCs transplanted with fibrin glue scaffold can induce prominent nerve regeneration in porcine peripheral nerve defect sites. Copyright

Comparative Analysis of Telomere Length, Telomerase and Reverse Transcriptase Activity in Human Dental Stem Cells:

Stem cells from dental tissues have been isolated and established for tooth regenerative applications. However, basic characterization on their biological properties still needs to be investigated before employing them for effective clinical trials. In this study, we compared the telomere length, relative telomerase activity (RTA), and relative reverse transcriptase activity (RRA) as well as the surface antigen profile and mesenchymal differentiation ability in human dental papilla stem cells (DPaSCs), dental pulp stem cells (DPuSCs), and dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs) with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from bone marrow. Dental stem cells (DSCs) were strongly positive for cell surface markers, such as CD44 and CD90. However, slightly lower expression of CD105 was observed in DPaSCs and DPuSCs compared to DFSCs and MSCs. Following specific induction, DPaSCs, DFSCs, and MSCs were successfully differentiated into adipocytes and osteocytes. However, DPuSCS, in particular, were able to differentiate into adipocytes but failed to induce into osteogenic differentiation. Further, all DSCs, MSCs, and MRC-5 fibroblasts as control were investigated for telomere length by nonradioactive chemiluminescent assay, RTA by relative-quantitative telomerase repeat amplification protocol (RQ-TRAP), and RRA by PCR-based assay. Mean telomere lengths in DPaSCs, DPuSCs, DFSCs, and MSCs was ~11 kb, and the values did not differ significantly (p < 0.05) among the cells analyzed. RTA levels in DPaSCs were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in MSCs, DPuSCs, DFSCs, and MRC-5 fibroblasts and among DSCs, DFSCs showed a significantly (p < 0.05) lower RTA. Moreover, RRA levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in DPaSCs, DPuSCs, and MSCs than in DFSCs. Based on these observations, we conclude that among DSCs, DPaSCs possessed ideal characteristics on telomere length, telomerase activity and reverse transcriptase (RTase) activity, and may serve as suitable alternative candidates for regenerative medicine.

Tissue-engineered bone formation using periosteal-derived cells and polydioxanone/pluronic F127 scaffold with pre-seeded adipose tissue-derived CD146 positive endothelial-like cells.

The aim of this study was to generate tissue-engineered bone formation using periosteal-derived cells seeded into a polydioxanone/pluronic F127 (PDO/Pluronic F127) scaffold with adipose tissue-derived CD146 positive endothelial-like cells. Considering the hematopoietic and mesenchymal phenotypes of adipose tissue-derived cells cultured in EBM-2 medium, CD146 positive adipose tissue-derived cells was sorted to purify more endothelial cells in characterization. These sorted cells were referred to as adipose tissue-derived CD146 positive endothelial-like cells. Periosteum is a good source of osteogenic cells for tissue-engineered bone formation. Periosteal-derived cells were found to have good osteogenic capacity in a PDO/Pluronic F127 scaffold, which could provide a suitable environment for the osteoblastic differentiation of these cells. Through the investigation of capillary-like tube formation on matrigel and the cellular proliferation of adipose tissue-derived CD146 positive endothelial-like cells cultured in different media conditions, we examined these cells could be cultured in EBM-2 with osteogenic induction factors. We also observed that the osteogenic activity of periosteal-derived cells could be good in EBM-2 with osteogenic induction factors, in the early period of culture. The experimental results obtained in the miniature pig model suggest that tissue-engineered bone formation using periosteal-derived cells and PDO/Pluronic F127 scaffold with pre-seeded adipose tissue-derived CD146 positive endothelial-like cells can be used to restore the bony defects of the maxillofacial region when used in clinics.

Influence of epidermal growth factor supplementation during in vitro maturation on nuclear status and gene expression of canine oocytes.

This study evaluated the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) supplementation during in vitro maturation on the meiotic status and the expression of EGF receptor (EGFr), luteinizing hormone receptor (LHr) and gap junction protein α 5 (GJA5) in canine cumulus-oocyte-complexes (COCs). COCs of ≥110 μm diameter, exhibiting dark pigmentation and completely surrounded by three or more layers of cumulus cells collected from anestrus stage ovaries in natural cycle were matured in TCM-199 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 0.57 mM cysteine, 10 μg/ml LH and FSH, and different concentrations of EGF (0, 10 and 30 ng/ml). Oocytes cultured for 72 h were fixed to assess the nuclear maturation. Expression of EGFr, LHr and GAJ5 was assessed by immunocytochemistry and real-time PCR. Proportion of metaphase II status of oocytes cultured in in vitro maturation (IVM) medium supplemented with 10 ng/ml EGF for 72 h was significantly (P<0.05) higher than 0 and 30 ng/ml EGF supplemented IVM medium (9.8% vs. 6.5% and 5.2%). In both cumulus cells and oocytes, EGFr protein was undetectable, LHr protein level of expression was low and a strong expression of GJA5 protein was observed. The relative abundance (RA) of EGFr transcript revealed low levels and the LHr expression decreased steadily with addition of EGF. However it did not vary among different concentrations of EGF supplementation. The RA of GJA5 transcript exhibited lower level at 10 ng/ml EGF supplementation. In conclusion, the supplementation of 10 ng/ml EGF in IVM media exerted a positive influence on the progression of maturation to MII phase and the expression level of GJA5 at 72 h, but did not demonstrate any stimulatory role on the expression of EGFr and LHr during the maturation of the canine IVM oocytes.

Donor-matched functional and molecular characterization of canine mesenchymal stem cells derived from different origins.

Canine mesenchymal stem cells (cMSCs) have generated a great interest as a promising source for cell-based therapies. To understand the basic biological properties of cMSCs derived from bone marrow (cBM-MSCs), adipose tissue (cA-MSCs), and dermal skin (cDS-MSCs) from a single donor, the present study compared their alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity, expression of CD markers and stem cell transcription factors, differentiation ability into osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic lineages, in vivo ectopic bone formation, chromosomal stability, cell cycle status, telomere length, and telomerase activity. Expressions of AP activity and transcription factors (Oct3/4, Nanog, and Sox2) were either absent or extremely weak in all cMSCs. CD marker profile (CD45-, CD90+, and CD105+) and differentiation capacity were exhibited by all cMSCs, although cA-MSCs had enhanced cytochemical staining associated with expression of lineage-specific markers. In vivo bone formation of cMSCs was performed with demineralized bone matrix (DBM) by transplanting into the subcutaneous spaces of 9-week-old BALB/c-nu mice, followed by radiographic and histological analysis after 1 and 2 months. cA-MSCs and cDS-MSCs, in contrast to the in vitro observations, also displayed higher in vivo osteogenic abilities than cBM-MSCs. Ploidy analysis showed that cells were diploid and contained no noticeable chromosomal abnormalities. Furthermore, a relatively low percentage of cells was found at the G1 phase in all cMSCs, especially in DS-MSCs. Regardless of the different tissue sources, cMSCs from a single donor showed no differences in telomere lengths (~18–19 kbp) but exhibited varied telomerase activity. The above results suggest that tissue-specific cMSCs derived from a single donor possess slight differences in stem cell properties.

Generation of osteogenic construct using periosteal‐derived osteoblasts and polydioxanone/pluronic F127 scaffold with periosteal‐derived CD146 positive endothelial‐like cells

The purpose of this study was to generate tissue-engineered bone using human periosteal-derived osteoblasts (PO) and polydioxanone/pluronic F127 (PDO/pluronic F127) scaffold with preseeded human periosteal-derived CD146 positive endothelial-like cells (PE). PE were purified from the periosteal cell population by cell sorting. One of the important factors to consider in generating tissue-engineered bone using osteoprecursor and endothelial cells and a specific scaffold is whether the function of osteoprecursor and endothelial cells can be maintained in originally different culture medium conditions. After human PE were preseeded into PDO/pluronic F127 scaffold and cultured in endothelial cell basal medium-2 for 7 days, human PO were seeded into the PDO/pluronic F127 scaffold with PE, and then, this cell-scaffold construct was cultured in endothelial cell basal medium-2 with osteogenic induction factors, including ascorbic acid, dexamethasone, and β-glycerophosphate, for a further 7 days. Then, this 2-week cultured construct was grafted into the mandibular defect of miniature pig. Twelve weeks after implantation, the animal was sacrificed. Clinical examination revealed that newly formed bone was seen more clearly in the defect with human PO and PDO/pluronic F127 scaffold with preseeded human PE. The experimental results suggest that tissue-engineered bone formation using human PO and PDO/pluronic F127 scaffold with preseeded human PE can be used to restore skeletal integrity to various bony defects when used in clinics.

343 EFFECTS OF EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR SUPPLEMENTATION ON IN VITRO MATURATION AND GENE EXPRESSION OF CANINE OOCYTES

Despite many efforts to improve canine in vitro maturation (IVM), the efficiency is still low compared to that of other mammalian species (Marie et al. 2004). Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has stimulatory effects on the resumption of oocyte maturation and cumulus expansion in vitro and on prei-mplantation embryonic development in mammals by either an autocrine or a paracrine pathway, or a combination of both systems (Paria et al. 2001 PNAS 98, 1047-1052). The present study investigated the effects of EGF supplementation on in vitro maturation and gene expression of canine oocytes. Oocytes were recovered by slicing ovaries recovered from 40 bitches after ovariohysterectomy at random stages of the estrous cycle. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured in TCM-199 containing 10% FBS, 1 ¼g/mL FSH and LH, and EGF (0, 10, or 30 ng/mL) for 48 or 72 h at 39°C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air. In Experiment I (n = 2520 oocytes), the nuclear maturation status was assessed by fluorescence microscopy after bisbenzimide (Hoechst 33342) staining (10 µg/mL) at 0, 48, and 72 h of incubation. In Experiment II (n = 90 oocytes), expression of transcripts such as EGF receptor (EGFR), luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), and gap junction protein (GJA5) were determined in 10 intact COCs each at 0, 48, and 72 h, respectively, by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). At 0 h 10-20% of the oocytes had undergone resumption of meiosis (GVBD<MII). After 48 h of IVM, rate of meiotic resumption for 0, 10, and 30 ng/mL EGF were 28, 35, and 30%, respectively. At 72 h of IVM, oocytes in the 10 ng/mL EGF group had resumed meiosis at a higher frequency (55%; P < 0.05) than in the 30 ng/mL EGF or the control group (39 and 42%, respectively). At 72 h of IVM, the frequency of maturation to the MII stage was significantly higher in the 10 ng/mL EGF group (9.6%) than in the 30 ng/mL EGF or the control group (4.2 and 3.3%, respectively). The expression of EGFR was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in 0 h oocytes than in the 48- or 72-h oocytes. Further EGFR expression levels were decreased in the presence of EGF in a dose dependent manner. Transcripts for LHR were detected at all maturation intervals and its expression patterns were not altered by supplementation with 10 ng/mL EGF. Expression of GJA5 was observed only after 48 h of IVM, and levels of expression were similar in oocytes supplemented with both 10 and 30 ng/mL EGF. In summary, our results indicate that supplementation of canine IVM medium with 10 ng/mL EGF had a positive influence on the progression of maturation to MII at 72 h. The effect may not be related to the alteration of mRNA expression of genes analyzed in the present study, due to the complex patterns regulating meiotic arrest in canine oocytes. This work was supported by Grant no. 204119-03-1-LG000 from ARPC, Republic of Korea.