Objective To provide an ideal seed cell for tissue engineered urinary bladder and urethra by serially culturing canine smooth muscle cells from urinary bladder in vitro and compare biological characteristics of different passagesof cells. Methods Bladder smooth muscle cells of 12-month-old male dogs weighing 10-12 kg were isolated from adult dogs’ urinary bladders by collagenase and trypsin digestion and serially cultured in DMEM medium supplemented with 10% serum of newborn bovines. Morphology and prol iferation of the cells were observed and the serially-cultured cells were identified with the transmission electron microscope and immunohistochemistry. Results The cells appeared spindle in parallel rows when they grew to the degree of subconfluence, and showed the “peak-valley” structure under the inverted phase contrast microscope. The cells could be prol iferated serially to the 12th passage in vitro. The growth curve showed the cells before the 7th passage had the similar prol iferation characteristics and the growth cycle was about 40 hours. The TEM showed myofilament and the dense body in cytoplasm of smooth muscle cells. Smooth muscle actin was positive by immunohistochemical staining. After the 7th passage, the cells’ growth became slow, and myofilament and the dense body in cytoplasm vanished. Conclusion The canine smooth muscle cells from urinary bladder can be serially cultured in vitro and highly purified and largely prol iferated by the appropriate method. The cells before the 7th passage can be used as optimal seed cells for tissue engineered urinary bladder and urethra.
Objective
To explore heterotopic chondrogenesis of canine myoblasts induced by cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein 2 (CDMP-2) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) which were seeded on poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) scaffolds after implantation in a subcutaneous pocket of nude mice.
Methods
Myoblasts from rectus femoris of 1-year-old Beagle were seeded on PLGA scaffolds and cultured in medium containing CDMP-2 and TGF-β1 for 2 weeks in vitro. Then induced myoblasts-PLGA scaffold, uninduced myoblasts-PLGA scaffold, CDMP-2 and TGF-β1-PLGA scaffold, and simple PLGA scaffold were implanted into 4 zygomorphic back subcutaneous pockets of 24 nude mice in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. At 8 and 12 weeks, the samples were harvested for general observation, HE staining and toluidine blue staining, immunohistochemical staining for collagen type I and collagen type II; the mRNA expressions of collagen type I, collagen type II, Aggrecan, and Sox9 were determined by RT-PCR, the glycosaminoglycans (GAG) content by Alician blue staining, and the compressive elastic modulus by biomechanics.
Results
In group A, cartilaginoid tissue was milky white with smooth surface and slight elasticity at 8 weeks, and had similar appearance and elasticity to normal cartilage tissue at 12 weeks. In group B, few residual tissue remained at 8 weeks, and was completely degraded at 12 weeks. In groups C and D, the implants disappeared at 8 weeks. HE staining showed that mature cartilage lacuna formed of group A at 8 and 12 weeks; no cartilage lacuna formed in group B at 8 weeks. Toluidine blue staining confirmed that new cartilage cells were oval and arranged in line, with lacuna and blue-staining positive cytoplasm and extracellular matrix in group A at 8 and 12 weeks; no blue metachromatic extracellular matrix was seen in group B at 8 weeks. Collagen type I and collagen type II expressed positively in group A, did not expressed in group B by immunohistochemical staining. At 8 weeks, the mRNA expressions of collagen type I, collagen type II, Aggrecan, and Sox9 were detected by RT-PCR in group A at 8 and 12 weeks, but negative results were shown in group B. The compressive elastic modulus and GAG content of group A were (90.79 ± 1.78) MPa and (10.20 ± 1.07) μg/mL respectively at 12 weeks, showing significant differences when compared with normal meniscus (P lt; 0.05).
Conclusion
Induced myoblasts-PLGA scaffolds can stably express chondrogenic phenotype in a heterotopic model of cartilage transplantation and represent a suitable tool for tissue engineering of menisci.
Objective To investigate the result of the transplantation of frozen canine phalangeal joint allografts perforated and incorporated with autogenic bone marrow. Methods A proximal interphalangeal joint defect of 1.5 cm was prepared at bilateral sides of twenty-four adult healthy out-bred dogs. Three different types of allografts were applied to repair the defects: fresh autogenic phalangeal joints (group A,n=16), frozen phalangeal joint allografts perforated and incorporated with fresh autogenic bone marrow(group B, n=16), and frozen phalangeal joint allografts(group C, n=16). Radiographic and histological study wereused to evaluate the survival of transplanted joints. The observation was done 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after operation respectively. Results Based on the radiographic and histological changes of the transplanted joints, the osteoarthropathy of transplanted canine phalangeal joints could be divided into 3 degrees: mild degeneration, moderate degeneration and severe degeneration. Mild degeneration was observed in group A from 3 to 12 months. Mild degeneration was also found in group B from 1 to 6 months, and the endochondral ossification was obvious within the drilled bony holes.However, some joints in group B underwent moderate degeneration 12 months after operation. Group C joints in the first month had moderate degeneration, which progressed to severe egeneration 3 months after operation. Conclusion Transplantation of frozen canine phalangeal joint allografts perforated and incorporated with autogenic bone marrow can effectively delay the degeneration of transplanted osteoarticular allografts at the early and middle stage.
Objective To explore an effective method to culture and purify canine bladder transitional epithelial cells.Methods Bladder tissue was obtained from healthy puppy under sterile conditions. Bladder mucosa was removed from the remaining tissue with fine scissor and minced into small pieces, and then were dissociated into single cell suspensions with 0.125% trypsin. The bladder epithelial cells were cultured in defined keratinocyte serum free medium. The cells were passaged and purified by 0.05% trypsin and 0.02% EDTA. Morphological characterization were studied under inverted phase contrast microscope and transmission electron microscope. Expression of cell specific marker protein was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results Canine bladder transitional epithelial cells could be efficiently cultivated and expanded in serum-free medium without fibroblast contamination. The cells could be passaged 4-6 times without a distinguished decrease in cell proliferation. The cells were characterized by well-developed micro filament and desmosome junction under transmission electron microscope. Immunohistochemical staining with broadly reacting anticytokeratin antibodies (AE1/AE3) confirmed the epithelial phenotype of the cells.Different generations of cells showed diploid cells. Conclusion A large number of bladder transitional epithelial cells can be obtained from small bladder tissue with our digestion method. The cultured bladder epithelial cells can be proliferated to sufficient quantities for further reconstructive purposes.
Objective
To establish a simple and efficient method to isolate and culture the umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells in canine.
Methods
Twelve umbilical cords [(13.0 ± 1.5) cm in length] were taken from 12 newborn pups of Beagles. And then the vascular endothelial cells were isolated from these umbilical cords digested by 1% collagenase type I for 5, 7, and 10 minutes respectively (4 umbilical cords in each group). After cultured, the vascular endothelial cells were identified by morphology, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry. And the growth curvature of umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells was detected by MTT assay.
Results
Few vascular endothelial cells were collected at 5 and 10 minutes after digestion; many vascular endothelial cells were seen at 7 minutes, and became cobblestone with culture time, with a large nucleus; after passage, cell morphology had no obvious change. Fluorescence microscope results showed that positive von Willebrand factor (vWF) and CD31 cells were observed in most of cells. The flow cytometry test displayed that the positive cell rates of vWF and CD31 were 99.0% ± 0.7% and 98.0% ± 1.2%, respectively. The above results indicated that cultured cells were vascular endothelial cells. MTT assay showed that vascular endothelial cells proliferation increased significantly with culture time.
Conclusion
Enzyme digestion is a convenient method to isolate vascular endothelial cells from canine umbilical vein, and a large number of cells and high purity of cells can be obtained by the method.
Objective
To investigate the effect of canine decellularized tendon slices (DTSs) on tendon-bone healing in repairing rotator cuff injury of rabbit.
Methods
Canine DTSs were prepared by repetitive freeze/thaw 5 times combined with nuclease processing for 12 hours from the adult Beagles Achilles tendons. Histological observation and cytocompatibility evaluation for the canine DTSs were performed in vitro. Twenty-four mature male New Zealand white rabbits, weighing 2.5-3.0 kg, were randomly selected. U-shaped defect of more than 50% of normal tendon in width and 8 mm in length was made in infraspinatus tendons of unilateral limb as the experimental group; the canine DTSs were used to repair defect, and the insertion of infraspinatus tendon on greater tuberosity of humerus was reconstructed in the experimental group. No treatment was done on the contralateral limb as the control group. At 4, 8, and 12 weeks after operation, the specimens were harvested for histological observation and biomechanical test.
Results
Histological examination showed that collagen fibers of canine DTSs were well preserved, without residual cells. The cytocompatibility examination showed that fibroblasts attached well to canine DTSs. Biomechanical test showed that the maximum load and stiffness increased significantly with time, and the maximum load and stiffness at 12 weeks were significantly higher than those at 4 and 8 weeks (P lt; 0.05). The maximum load and stiffness of the experimental group at 4 and 8 weeks were significantly lower than those of the control group (P lt; 0.05). The stiffness of the experimental group at 12 weeks was significantly lower than that of the control group (t=
—
5.679, P=0.000), but no significant difference was found in the maximum load at 12 weeks between 2 groups (t=0.969, P=0.361). Histological observation showed that the control group displayed a 4-layer structure of the tendon-bone insertion. In the experimental group at 4 weeks, the tendon-bone interface was filled with granulation tissue, and a small amount of Sharpey’s fibers-like connected the tendon to bone; granulation tissue disappeared, and fibroblasts, Sharpey’s fiber, new cartilage, and chondrocytes significantly increased with time; tendon-bone interface became mature, but the tide line was not observed between the unmineralized fibrocartilage and mineralized fibrocartilage.
Conclusion
Canine DTSs prepared by repetitive freeze/thaw 5 times combined with nuclease processing for 12 hours, can enhance the healing of host tendon-bone and improve the biomechanical characteristics of the rabbit infraspinatus tendon.
ObjectiveTo compare the difference of rotator cuff healing between different types of injury and between different repair methods, and to explore the animal model to accurately simulate the restorative process after repair of rotator cuff injury.
MethodTwelve adult male beagle dogs (weighing, 10-15 kg) were divided into 3 groups (n=4) according to different processing methods:acute rotator cuff injury+Mason-Allen suture repair (group A), huge rotator cuff injury+Mason-Allen suture repair (group B), and huge rotator cuff injury+Mason-Allen combined with autogenous semitendinosus expansion suture repair (group C). The external fixation was used for immobilization after repair. After operation, the general situation of the animals was observed, and the infraspinatus tendon was harvested for gross observation at 6 weeks after operation. The biomechanical test of limit load and histological observation of tendon fibers were carried out.
ResultsAll the animals survived to the end of the experiment. All incisions healed well and no infection occurred. Gross observation showed more scar tissues at the end of infraspinatus muscle tendon than normal tendon in group A; no obvious tendon tissue was observed at the end of infraspinatus muscle tendon in group B; the infraspinatus muscle tendon was covered with some white scar tissue, but the tendon and the general direction could be observed in group C. The limit load of groups A, B, and C were (223.75±24.28) , (159.25±34.87) , and (233.25±14.24) N respectively, group B was significantly lower than groups A and C (P<0.05) , and no significant differnce was found between group A and group C (P>0.05) . Histological observation showed normal arrangement of tendon fibers in group A; tendon fibers arranged disorderly in group B and tendon cells were significantly less than those of group A; tendon fibers arranged in neat in group C and tendon cells were more than those of group B.
ConclusionsCanine autologous semitendinosus expansion repair of massive rotator cuff injury immobilization model can better simulate the clinical rotator cuff injury healing process, so it can be used as an ideal animal model for related research.
Objective
To observe the histological structure and cytocompatibility of novel acellular bone matrix (ACBM) and to investigate the feasibility as a scaffold for bone tissue engineering.
Methods
Cancellous bone columns were harvested from the density region of 18-24 months old male canine femoral head, then were dealt with high-pressure water washing, degreasing, and decellularization with Trixon X-100 and sodium deoxycholate to prepare the ACBM scaffold. The scaffolds were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM); HE staining, Hoechst 33258 staining, and sirius red staining were used for histological analysis. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) from canine were isolated and cultured with density gradient centrifugation; the 3rd passage BMSCs were seeded onto the scaffold. MTT test was done to assess the cytotoxicity of the scaffolds. The proliferation and differentiation of the cells on the scaffold were observed by inverted microscope, SEM, and live/dead cell staining method.
Results
HE staining and Hoechst 33258 staining showed that there was no cell fragments in the scaffolds; sirius red staining showed that the ACBM scaffold was stained crimson or red and yellow alternating. SEM observation revealed a three dimensional interconnected porous structure, which was the microstructure of normal cancellous bone. Cytotoxicity testing with MTT revealed no significant difference in absorbance (A) values between different extracts (25%, 50%, and 100%) and H-DMEM culture media (P gt; 0.05), indicating no cytotoxic effect of the scaffold on BMSCs. Inverted microscope, SEM, and histological analysis showed that three dimensional interconnected porous structure of the scaffold supported the proliferation and attachment of BMSCs, which secreted abundant extracellular matrices. Live/dead cell staining results of cell-scaffold composites revealed that the cells displaying green fluorescence were observed.
Conclusion
Novel ACBM scaffold can be used as an alternative cell-carrier for bone tissue engineering because of thoroughly decellularization, good mircostructure, non-toxicity, and good cytocompatibility.
Objective To observe whether additional penehycl idine hydrochloride (PHC) in mechanical ventilation produces therapeutic effect on oleic acid (OA) induced acute lung injury (ALI) in canine. Methods Seventeen male canines (weighing 12-17 kg) were divided into control group (n=5), OA group (n=6) and PHC group (n=6). ALI model was developed by central venous injection of OA in canines of OA and PHC groups. ALI model was kept steady in air, all groups received mechanical ventilation 90 minutes later. Three groups received normal sal ine 0.25 mg/kg without injection of OA(control group), normal sal ine 0.25 mg/kg after injection of OA (OA group) and PHC 0.25 mg/kg after injection of OA (PHCgroup) respectively at 0 h (90 minutes after onset time of ALI/ARDS). The heart rate (HR), mean arteial pressure (MAP), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP), central venous pressure (CVP), pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP), artery blood gas analysis, cardiac output (CO), extravascular lung water index (EVLWI), FiO2 and VT were observed respectively at basel ine, onset time of ALI/ARDS and 0 h, then again at 1 hour intervals for 6 hours. Besides the above, airway peak pressure (Ppeak), airway plat pressure (Pplat), mean airway pressure (Pmean) and positve end-expriatory pressure (Peep) were also observed each hour during 1-6 hours. Oxygenation index (OI), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), alveolar-arterial differences for O2 (AaDO2) and dynamic lung compl iance (DLC) were calculated and pulmonary tissue was collected for histopathologic investigation and dry wet weight ratio (WDR) test. Results The functional parameters of PHC group were improved when compared those of OA group, but there was no siginficant difference; WDR of independent region of three groups were 80.42% ± 3.48%, 82.67% ± 4.01% and 82.26% ± 1.43% respectively; WDR of dependent region of three groups were 80.51% ± 3.60%, 83.71% ± 1.98% and 82.57% ± 1.08% respectively. WDR of PHC group were obviously improved when compared with those of OA group, but there was no significant difference. Independent and dependent regions of PHC group were significantly improved when compared those of OA group in histopathologic scores, alveolar edema, inflammatory infiltration and over-distension (P lt; 0.01). Conclusion Additional PHC in mechanical ventilation produces obvious therapeutic effect on OA induced acute lung injury in canine.
Objective Using chemically extracted acellular methods to treat extracranial section of the canine whole facial nerve, to evaluated its effects on nerve structure and the removal extent of Schwann cells and myel in. Methods Twenty whole facial nerves were exposed from 10 canines [weighing (18 ± 3) kg]. The extracranial trunk of canine facial nerve and its branches (temporal branch, zygomatic branch, buccal branch, marginal mandibular branch, and cervical branch) were dissected under l ight microscope. Twenty facial nerves were divided into the experimental group (n=12) and control group (n=8) randomly. In experimental group, the nerve was extracted with the 3%TritonX-100 and 4% sodium deoxycholate. In control group, the nerve was not extracted. HE staining and immunofluorescence histological stainings for Hoechst33258, P75, Zero, and Laminin were performed. Results After histological staining, it was found that myel in and Schwann cells were removed from the facial nerve while the basal lamina tube remained intact. The whole canine facial nerves (one nerve trunk and multiple nerve branches) had the similar result. Conclusion The canine whole facial nerve has natural structure (one nerve trunk and multiple nerve branches) by extracted with chemically extracted acellular methods, so it is an available graft for repairing the defect of the whole facial nerve.
