Objective To analyze the contents of collagen type Ⅰ, type Ⅲ and the ratio of collagen type Ⅰ to collagen type Ⅲ in posterior rectus sheath of different person. Methods One hundred and four tissues specimen of posterior rectus sheath were obtained during patients’ abdominal operation. The contents of collagen type Ⅰand type Ⅲ were detected by using immunohistochemistry methods. The differences of collagen contents between male and female, physical work group and non-physical work group, smoking group and non-smoking group were observed. The relationships between the contents of collagen and age, body mass index (BMI), and height were analyzed, respectively. Results ① The content of collagen typeⅠand the ratio of collagen type Ⅰ／Ⅲ were both lower in male than those in female （Plt;0.01）； there were no obvious differences in the content of collagen type Ⅲ and the total amount of collagen （Pgt;0.05）. ② There were no differences between physical work group and non-physical work group with the amount and the ratio of collagens （Pgt;0.05）. ③ When compared with non-smoking group, less collagen typeⅠ(Plt;0.01) and lower ratio of collagen Ⅰ／Ⅲ （Plt;0.05） were found in smoking group； but there was no difference with content of collagen Ⅲ（Pgt;0.05）, as well as the total amount of collagen （Pgt;0.05）. ④ The total amount of collagen, the content of collagen type Ⅰand the ratio of collagen Ⅰ／Ⅲ all decreased as age increases （r=0.341, 0.392, 0.212， P＜0.001, Plt;0.05）； no obvious change was observed in the content of collagen Ⅲ （r=0.089， Pgt;0.05）. ⑤ The content and ratio of collagen had no obvious relationships with BMI and height （Pgt;0.05）. Conclusion Smoking, gender and age are all influential factors of the content and ratio of collagens in the tissue.
Objective To compare the effect of guiding boneregeneration between l-ethyl-3(3-diaminopropyol)-carbodiimide(EDAC)crosslinked acellular bovine pericardium (ABP) and medical collagen membrane (CM). Methods Defects of 7 mm×7 mm×5 mm were created in both mandibles of 24 rabbits, which weighted 2.6～3.5 kg. One side defect was covered with EDAC-crosslinked ABP(EDAC-crosslinked ABP group), the other side defect with medical CM as control(CM group). The ability of bone defect repair and change ofboth membrane materials were evaluated by gross observation, histological study and computer graphic analysis in the 4th, 8th, 16th and 24th weeks after operation. Results The surface of bone defects was even, consistent with adjacent normal bonein EDACcrosslinked ABP group, while that of bone defects was of no evenness in CM group in the 16th and the 24th weeks. The histological observation showed that bone trabecula formed in the EDAC-crosslinked ABP group and fibrous connective tissue was seen in CM group in the 16th and the 24th weeks. There were no significant differences in new bone percentage of bone defects between 2 groups inthe 4th and the 8th weeks(P＞0.05). In the 16th week new bone percentage of bone defects was 81.99%±3.92% in EDAC-crosslinked ABP group and 76.35%±4.29% in CM group, showing significant difference (Plt;0.05). The average percentage of absorption in EDAC-crosslinked ABP group was 16.57%, 27.94%, 65.61% and85.72% in the 4th, 8th, 16th and 24th weeks respectively, while that in CM group was more than 50% in the 4th week and completely degraded at the end of 8 weeks. Conclusion EDAC-crosslinked ABP has a better effect on guiding bone regeneration than CM in the repair of bone defects.
OBJECTIVE: To build the trestle of tissue engineering for skin with the collagen. METHODS: The collagen was obtained from the baby cattle hide pretreated by Na2S and elastinase and Protease M, then the collagen was dissolved in 0.5 mol/L acetic acid solution. The collagen was treated with Protease N to minimize its immunogenicity. The resulting collagen could be used to build the trestle of tissue engineering for skin because of good biocompatibility. The collagen molecular weight and structure were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The bioactivity of trestle was tested in the experiment of the mice wound healing and the cell implantation. RESULTS: The SDS-PAGE result of the collagen treated by Protease M showed the typical spectrum of type I collagen. The built trestle was a collagen sponge matrix in which micropore size was 50-200 microns. It could accelerate wound healing and the implanted fibroblasts could proliferate well. CONCLUSION: The collagen treated by Protease N can get good biocompatibilily and is suitable for building the trestles of tissue engineering for skin with good bioactivity.
In order to explore the effects of clenbuterol on intramuscular collagen metabolism in denervated skeletal muscles, a randomized, double-masked and placebo-controlled group were studied. Seventy-one patients with complete function loss in muscularcutaneous nerve resulted from brachial plexus injury were administered clenbuterol or placebo 60 micrograms Bid for more than 3 months. Biopsies of the biceps brachia muscle were performed at the beginning and end of this study. The biopsied muscles were processed with anti-collagen I and IV immunohistochemical stains and image analysis as well. The result showed that the collagen proliferation of both type I and IV was much reducible in the clenbuterol-treated group than that of the placebo-treated group (P lt; 0.05). It was concluded that clenbuterol could inhibit partially the proliferation of intramuscular collagens in denervated skeletal muscle.
【Abstract】 Objective Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production increases in human tendon fibroblasts after the tendon injuries and repetitive mechanical loading in vitro. To analyze the relations between PGE2 and tendinopathy by observing the changes of collagen content and proportion after the Achilles tendon of rabbits is repeatedly exposed to PGE2. Methods Twenty-four Japanese rabbits (aged 3-4 months, weighing 2.0-2.5 kg, and male or female) were equally randomized into 2 groups according to injection dose of PGE2: low dose group (50 ng) and high dose group (500 ng). Corresponding PGE2 (0.2 mL) was injected into the middle segment of the Achilles tendon of hindlimb, the same dose saline into the same site of the other side as controls once a week for 4 weeks or 8 weeks. The Achilles tendons were harvested at 4 and 8 weeks after injection. HE staining was used to observe the cell structure and matrix, and picric acid-sirius red staining to observe the distribution and types of collagen fibers, and transmission electron microscopy was used to measure the density of the unit area and diameter of collagen fibers. Results HE staining showed that collagen structural damage was observed in low dose and high dose groups. Picric acid-sirius red staining showed that the content of type I collagen significantly decreased while the content of type III collagen significantly increased in experimental side of 2 groups at 4 and 8 weeks after injection when compared with control sides (P lt; 0.05). The content of type I collagen was significantly lower and the content of type III collagen and ratio of type III to type I were significantly higher in high dose group than in low dose group (P lt; 0.05). Transmission electron microscopy showed that the collagen fibers density of unit area was significantly lower and the diameter was significantly smaller in high dose and low dose groups than in the controls (P lt; 0.05), and in high dose group than in low dose group (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Repeat exposure of the Achilles tendon of rabbit to PGE2 can cause the decrease of type I collagen, the increase of type III collagen, the reverse ratio of type I to type III, reduced unit density of collagen fibers, and thinner collagen fibers diameter, which is related with tendinopathy.
Objective Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) secretes many growth factors, including transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), platelet derived growth factor, vascular endothl ial growth factor, insul in-l ike growth factor 1, and so on, which can promote cell prol iferation, chemotaxis, and collagen synthesis in wound heal ing. To investigate the effects of PRPon the tendon heal ing, and to explore the mechanism of action so as to provide the experimental basis for the tissue engineered tendons. Methods Forty healthy New Zealand white rabbits, weighing 2.5-3.0 kg and male or female, were randomly divided into the experimental group (n=20) and the control group (n=20). PRP was prepared from arterial blood of rabbit’s ears through twice centrifugation method of Landesberg. The platelet concentrations of whole blood and PRP were determined. The right achilles tendons of the rabbits were transected to make rupture models. In experimental group, the tendon was sutured after PRP (0.5 mL) was immediately appl ied at repair site. In control group, the tendon was sutured directly after transection. At 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks after operation, the tendons of 5 rabbits in each group were harvested for morphological, histological, and immunohistochemical observations; the fibroblast counting, the content of collagen fibers, and the expression of TGF-β1 were detected. Results The concentration of platelet of PRP was 4.03 times of whole blood. All the animals survived till the end of the experiment, and the incision healed well. No death, infection, and other compl ications occurred. With time, the tendons almost healed in 2 groups, and the fibrous tissue at anastomosis site was more remarkable in control group than in experimental group. The histological observation showed significant differences in fibroblast counting at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after operation between 2 groups (P lt; 0.05), while no significant difference at 6 weeks (P gt; 0.05). The contents of collagen fibers in the parenchyma at repair site in experimental group were significantly higher than those in control group at each time point (P lt; 0.05). Immunohistochemistry staining showed the expression of TGF-β1 in experimental group was upregulated at 1 week and 2 weeks and reached the peak at the 2nd week, and subsequently downregulated at 4 and 6 weeks in comparison with the control group, showing signficant differences between 2 groups at each time point (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion PRP can facil itate rabbit’ s tendons heal ing and significantly improve the heal ing qual ity, which may be associated with its advancing the peak time of the TGF-β1 expression in tendon.
To observe the collagen-hydroxylaptite composite in the repair of bone defect, ten minipigs were chosen to make a mandibular dafect measuring 2 cm in diameter and the composite was implanted, while the use of autogenous bone graft and the blank wese served as control. On the 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 weeks after the operation, the animals were sacrificed and the samples were examined under light microscope. The result showed that: no infection or necrosis occurred. The composite coalesced with host bone and the outcome was similar to that of the autogenous bone graft. No foreign body giant cells or vacuum left from osteonecrosis was observed. It was suggested that the composite had the advantage of abundant supply, easy to handle and no harm. The biocompatibility was good and might be hopeful as a bone substitute.
Objective To isolate，culture and expand bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） in vitro，induce MSCs to differentiate directionally towards chondrocytes，and provide experimental basis for clinical application of MSCs and construction of tissue engineering tracheal cartilage. Methods Cultured MSCs were isolated from bone marrow of Sprague-Dawley rats，purified using adherence separation，and identified by flow cytometry analysis. Transforming growth factor β1 （TGF-β1）and insulin-like growth factor 1 （IGF-1） were used as main induction factors to induce MSCs to differentiate directionally towards chondrocytes. The expression of collagen typeⅡwas evaluated by immunocytochemical staining 21 days after induction. Light microscope and electron microscope were used to observe tiny and ultrastructural changes of the cells before and after induction. Results The expression of collagen typeⅡwas positive by immunocytochemical staining 21 days after induction. MSCs were fusiform before induction under light microscope and electron microscope. After induction，the cells became larger，polygon，star-shaped or triangular. Transmission electron microscope showed that the cells had abundant organelles，larger nuclei and more nucleoli after induction. Conclusion Abundant organelles，larger nuclei and more nucleoli are the ultrastructure changes of chondrocytes differentiated from MSCs，indicating that the cells are active in differentiation and metabolism.
Objective To make an experimental research of the tissue engineered rat submandibular glands (SMG) cells growing on a collagensponge scaffold under an optimal culture condition. Methods The Wistar rat (8 days old) SMG cells of the second generation were seeded onthesurface of the collagen sponge scaffold (5 mm×5 mm×2 mm) and were cultured under a physiologically optimal condition for 3 weeks. At 1, 2 and 3 weeks, the cultured cells were observed on their shapes and structures by the histological examination and the scanning electron microscopy. The cultured cells underwentthe immunohistochemistry research (the cytokratin 813,CK8.13;αsmooth muscular actin,αSMA) staining performed at 3 weeks of the culture, and the amylaseactivity analysis (the Amano method) performed at 1 day, 1, 2 and 3 weeks of the culture for an evaluation on the secretion function of the cells; the ultrastructures of the cells were also observed by the transmission electron microscopy for an identification of their origins. Results The observatio n under the scanning electron microscope showed that at 1 week after the cellseeding, the seeded cells were attached to the collagen sponge scaffold surface, with no cell process formed; at 2 weeks the cells increased, with formation of the cell process that was anchored on the collagen sponge scaffold surface; and at 3 weeks, the scaffold surfaceattached cells increased, with formation of thefiliform fibers in the surface layer of the cells. The immunohistochemistry staining showed that the cultured epithelial cells of SMG were bly positive for the specific antibody of CK8.13, and the myoepithelial cells were positive forthe specific antibody of αSMA. The transmission electron microscopy showed that in the surface layer of the cultured epithelial cells of SMG the microvilli,plasm crease, and zymogen granules were observed, with a big and ovalshaped nucleus in the cell, and mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm of the cell. The amount of amylase secreted by the cells cultured with thecollagen sponge scaffolds increased at a different degree with an extension of the culturing time. Conclusion The collagen sponge has a satisfactory cell compatibility, and the SMG cells cultured with this kind of collagen sponge can keep their abilities of proliferation and differentiation and theirfunction of secretion. Therefore, this kind of cultured SMG cells can be used as the tissueengineered cells seeded in the scaffold.
Objective To investigate the biological response and chemotaxis of endothel ial cells on template materials with different protein concentrations on the same surface, to provide the evidence for deep understanding of chemical induced cell motil ity. Methods Microcontact printing technique was employed to fabricate template materials with four different concentrations of collagen (50, 100, 200, 300 μg/mL) on the same substrate. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to characterize the qual ity of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) stamp. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was util ized to characterize the absorption of different concentrations of FITC conjugated collagen (50, 100, 200, 300 μg/mL) on the substrates surfaces. Software was used to analyze the fluorescence intensity of adsorbed protein on the substrates. Albumin was then used to block the substrates for cell culture of human umbil ical vein endothel ial cells (hUVEC). Substrates with no collagen adsorption were used as control samples. The influence of different concentrations of collagen on the prol iferation of hUVEC was investigated via MTT assay at 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours of culture. The cytoskeletal structures of cells were characterized by CLSM. The cell’ s migration speed and absolute displacement were measured by path measurement of single cell after 24 hours of culture. Results Fabricated PDMS stamps with complete pattern were flat. Template substrates were fully covered with evenly distributed collagen protein. The fluorescence intensities were 38.51 ± 1.63, 55.21 ± 3.88, 73.17 ± 3.59, and 80.95 ± 1.12 in adsorbed FTIC conjugated collagen with 50, 100, 200 and 300 μg/mL, respectively. Endothel ial cells spread better on various substrates coated with collagen than those of control samples. The prol iferation of endothel ial cells on collagen coated substrateswas significantly higher than that of control group (P lt; 0.05). With collagen concentration increasing from 50 µg/mL to 300µg/mL, the prol iferation abil ities and absolute displacements of endothel ial cells significantly increased (P lt; 0.05). Except for the group with 300 μg/mL, the migration speed of endothel ial cells on collagen coated substrates was significantly lower (P lt; 0.05) than that of control group. However, the migration speed of endothel ial cells on collagen coated substrates significantly increased (P lt; 0.05) along with collagen concentration increasing from 50 µg/mL to 300 µg/mL. Conclusion It is feasible to acquire domains with different protein concentrations on the same substrate using microcontact printing technique for investigating cell’s chemotaxis.