Molecular and phenotypic characterization of CD133 and SSEA4 enriched very small embryonic-like stem cells in human cord blood

Very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) are immature primitive cells residing in adult and fetal tissues. This study describes enrichment strategy and molecular and phenotypic characterization of human cord blood VSELs. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that a majority of VSELs (LIN(-)/CD45(-)/CD34(+)) were present in the red blood cell (RBC) pellet after Ficoll-Hypaque centrifugation in contrast to the hematopoietic stem cells (LIN(-)/CD45(+)/CD34(+)) in the interphase layer. Thus, after lyses of RBCs, VSELs were enriched using CD133 and SSEA4 antibodies. These enriched cells were small in size (4-6 μm), spherical, exhibited telomerase activity and expressed pluripotent stem cell (OCT4A, OCT4, SSEA4, NANOG, SOX2, REX1), primordial germ cell (STELLA, FRAGILIS) as well as primitive hematopoietic (CD133, CD34) markers at protein and transcript levels. Heterogeneity was noted among VSELs based on subtle differences in expression of various markers studied. DNA analysis and cell cycle studies revealed that a majority of enriched VSELs were diploid, non-apoptotic and in G0/G1 phase, reflecting their quiescent state. VSELs also survived 5-fluorouracil treatment in vitro and treated cells entered into cell cycle. This study provides further support for the existence of pluripotent, diploid and relatively quiescent VSELs in cord blood and suggests further exploration of the subpopulations among them.

Ontogeny and cellular localization of SRY transcripts in the human testes and its detection in spermatozoa

The sex-determining region on the Y (SRY) gene is unequivocally designated as the testis-determining factor in mammals; however, its roles beyond sex determination, if any, have been hitherto unknown. To determine whether SRY has any roles beyond sex determination, herein the expression of SRY mRNA was investigated in the midtrimester human fetal, infantile and adult testes as well as in ejaculated spermatozoa. High levels of SRY transcripts were in situ localized to the Sertoli cells of the developing testis at 9 weeks of gestation, and the expression persisted at comparable levels throughout the midtrimester (until 22 weeks) and also in the testis of an infant at 3 months of age. The germ cells and other somatic cells in the testes of fetuses and the infant were negative for SRY expression. The mRNA for SRY was detected in the spermatogenic cells, particularly the spermatogonia and the round spermatids; the expression was negligible in the meiotic stages. A single transcript of approximately 1.2 kb was detected in the adult testes and isolated spermatogonial cells. In the adult testis, in situ hybridization (ISH) studies revealed a switch in the cellular localization of SRY transcripts. SRY transcripts were also demonstrable by RT-PCR of RNA from ejaculated human spermatozoa. ISH revealed the presence of SRY transcripts in the midpiece of 50% of ejaculated sperm. These results suggest that SRY may have extensive roles in male reproductive physiology, such as maturation of fetal testis, spermatogenesis, sperm maturation and early embryonic development.

Accelerated germ cell apoptosis in sex chromosome aneuploid fetal human gonads

The purpose of the study was to examine the occurrence of programmed cell death (apoptosis) in normal and chromosomally aneuploid testis and ovaries during the second trimester of human development. Such information may be useful in understanding normal and abnormal germ cell development and disorders associated with infertility in adult life. Apoptosis was studied by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) analysis in human fetal ovaries (n = 16) and testis (n = 14) between 9 and 23 weeks of development, in ovaries of four Turner's syndrome fetuses (45X) and in the gonad of an XO/XY fetus. In normal fetal testis, a small proportion of germ cells, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells undergo apoptosis. In normal fetal ovaries, some developing oocytes and granulosa cells were detected as TUNEL positive. Semiquantitative analysis of fetal ovaries revealed that approximately 3-7% of oocytes were apoptotic. In abnormal fetal testis (XO/XY genotype). TUNEL analysis revealed that only germ cells not enclosed in seminiferous tubules undergo apoptosis. TUNEL analysis of the Turner's syndrome (45X) ovaries studied at 15 and 20 weeks of development revealed massive apoptosis of the oocytes. Nearly 50-70% of the oocytes were TUNEL positive in these ovaries. These results suggest that germ cell apoptosis is a common event occurring during development of human gonads. Chromosomal defects by some means accelerates apoptosis that probably leads to gonadal dysgenesis later in life.

Expression of insulin-like growth factor-I and placental growth hormone mRNA in placentae: a comparison between normal and intrauterine growth retardation pregnancies

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is generally defined as the pathological restriction of fetal growth resulting in a fetus with birth weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age. Almost 75% of IUGR cases develop during third trimester. Studies on animals (rodents and sheep) as well as humans suggest that insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), under the influence of placental growth hormone (PGH) plays crucial roles in fetal growth regulation during this period. Limited data are available with regard to IGF-I and PGH in placentae of normal and IUGR births. Therefore, in the present study, IGF-I and PGH mRNA expression has been studied in term placentae of normal (n = 10) and IUGR (n = 15) births by in-situ hybridization procedure. Their expression was also studied in first (n = 5) and second (n = 5) trimester placentae obtained from elective termination of normal pregnancies. Both IGF-I and PGH expression were found to be higher in the first and second trimester placentae compared to term placentae in normal pregnancies. However, IUGR term placentae showed increased expression of both IGF-I and PGH mRNA in comparison with normal placentae. Various mechanisms leading to the increased transcription of IGF-I and PGH mRNA in IUGR placenta are discussed. This increased transcription perhaps occurs in response to the reduction in the fetal growth.

Stromal cell interaction and relevance to predecidual events and menstruation

Endometrial stromal cells play a vital role during decidualization and implantation. The aim of this study was to analyse the cyclic ultrastructural variations of stromal fibroblasts, granulocytes and blood-derived cells which invade the stroma during various stages of the menstrual cycle. Diverse opinions exist in the literature regarding the origin, fate and function of the endometrial granulocytes. Our study is in agreement with available immunological data and shows that (i) fibroblasts and granulocytes are distinct cell types in the stroma, (ii) they exhibit distinct changes across the menstrual cycle and (iii) fibroblasts are not the common progenitor for granulocytes and predecidual cells in the secretory phase endometrium, as suggested by previous investigators. The infiltration of eosinophils, platelets, macrophages, neutrophils, etc., during the menstrual phase makes the stroma a potential source of growth factors and cytokines which may regulate the process of regression and regeneration of the endometrium. Furthermore, we propose that endometrial granulocytes could be the source of decidual prolactin because the ultrastructural morphology of their secretory granules closely resembles that of the prolactin-secreting cells in the pituitary.

Estrogen promotes angiogenic activity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro and in a murine model

BACKGROUND

Angiogenesis is a critical event in wound healing, tumor growth, and the inflammatory vasculitides. Since women have a higher incidence of many vasculitic diseases, we examined the effects of female sex steroids, particularly estradiol, on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) behavior in vitro and on angiogenesis in vivo.

METHODS AND RESULTS

HUVECs were grown in estrogen-free medium before each assay. Exogenous 17 beta-estradiol (1 to 5 nmol/L) increased cell attachment to laminin, types I and IV collagen, and fibronectin, as well as to tissue culture plastic. After a confluent monolayer of cells was "wounded" by scraping, estradiol-treated (10(-8) mol/L) cells migrated into the wound three times faster than untreated cells. Cell proliferation on plastic and on laminin increased threefold to fivefold, respectively, in the presence of estradiol. Estradiol also enhanced the ability of HUVECs to organize into tubular networks when plated on a reconstituted basement membrane, Matrigel. Estradiol effects on both the "wounding" assay and tube formation were blocked by the specific estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780. Ovariectomy markedly decreased in vivo vascularization of Matrigel plugs coinjected with basic fibroblast growth factor in mice. With estrogen replacement, angiogenesis was increased to the levels observed in nonovariectomized mice.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies demonstrate that, in vitro and in vivo, estradiol enhances endothelial cell activities important in neovascularization and suggest a promoting influence of estrogens on angiogenesis.

Cyclic alterations in rhesus monkey endometrium by scanning electron microscopy

The present study was undertaken to correlate the surface topography of endometrium with altered concentrations of circulating steroids during different phases of the artificially-induced menstrual cycle. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that oestradiol during the oestrogenic phase induces an increase in the number of ciliated cells and the size of microvilli; by contrast, progesterone, in addition to inducing secretory activity in non-ciliated cells, had a negative effect on oestradiol-dependent morphological characteristics of ciliated cells, causing a reduction in cell number and deciliation, and inducing drooping of cilia during the progestogenic phase of the artificially-induced menstrual cycle. In addition, surface and glandular epithelial cells both actively participate in restoration of the endometrial surface during the menstrual phase, an event which parallels endometrial shedding.

Growth hormone receptor gene expression in the mouse uterus: modulation by gonadal steroids

OBJECTIVES

We hypothesized that the mouse uterus expresses a growth hormone receptor (GHR) and that mouse endometrial GHR mRNA may undergo in vivo regulation by estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P).

METHODS

Two weeks after bilateral ovariectomy, 35-day-old Balb/c mice were randomly assigned to receive either vehicle injections; E2 priming (300 ng/day) on days 1-6 and E2 (50 ng/day) on day 11; P (1 mg/day) on day 8-11; or E2 priming with P (days 8-11) and E2 on day 11, with or without RU 486 on day 8-11. At sacrifice 24 hours after the last injection, the uteri were processed for RNA extraction and in situ hybridization for GHR mRNA. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction amplification of uterine mRNA was performed to establish whether treatment with gonadal steroids differentially affected GHR gene expression. The GHR primers flanked a 326-bp region from the intracellular domain sharing no homology to the prolactin receptor or to the GH-binding protein. A 48-bp digoxigenin-labeled oligoprobe was used for in situ hybridization.

RESULTS

Densitometry analysis of polymerase chain reaction products from total uterine mRNA revealed similar GHR mRNA expression in vehicle- and estrogen-treated animals. The addition of progesterone reduced GHR mRNA expression. In situ hybridization localized the GHR mRNA to the endometrium, glands, stroma, and myometrium. Stromal staining was reduced in the progesterone-treated mice.

CONCLUSIONS

The identification of GHR message suggests that the mouse uterus is a site of action of GH. The lack of modulation of epithelial GHR by sex steroids does not support a role of GHR in this compartment.

Expression of Clara cell 10-kD gene in the human endometrium and its relationship to ovarian menstrual cycle

Clara cell 10-kD (cc10-kD) protein has been suggested to be the human counterpart of rabbit uteroglobin (UG). Like UG, this protein is also a potent inhibitor of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and a substrate of transglutaminase. Although it has been established that UG gene expression in the rabbit endometrium is stimulated by progesterone, the expression of cc10-kD gene in the human endometrium is not clearly understood. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the cc10-kD gene is expressed in the human endometrium and whether its level of expression changes in relation to the ovarian menstrual cycle. Using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunofluorescence, we demonstrate that the cc10-kD gene is expressed in different stages of the menstrual cycle and that the highest level of expression is reached during the luteal phase. These results suggest that like rabbit UG, cc10-kD gene expression in the human endometrium may be stimulated by progesterone. Since cc10-kD is a potent inhibitor of PLA2 activity, this protein may play an important physiological role in regulating eicosanoid levels in the human uterus.

Enhanced wound healing in animal models by interferon and an interferon inducer

Healing of wounds is a significant biological process that involves the interactions of different cell types, growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular matrix molecules. Mice and rats were treated in vivo with interferon (IFN) alpha/beta or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C), a ds-RNA, a potent inducer of IFN. We observed faster and enhanced closure of wounds as compared to untreated controls on day 7 (wound area measured on Macintosh II CX using NIH image 1.30u program), increased migration of dermal fibroblasts in the wound bed, complete re-epithelialization evidenced by routine histology and scanning electron microscopic procedures, and increased collagen synthesis, which correlates to greater tensile strength. In addition, classical immunofluorescence procedures using frozen sections showed that dermal fibroblasts synthesized much more laminin following Poly I:C treatment, whereas no effect was observed on fibronectin synthesis. These results suggest that Poly I:C and IFN treatment result in a faster restoration of tissue integrity in both full skin punch biopsy and skin incision models.

Primary amines enhance the antiviral activity of interferon against a membrane virus: role of intracellular pH

Inhibition of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) replication in LB cells by interferon (IFN) resembles the action of IFN on some retroviruses, in that the incorporation of glycoprotein into virions is defective. Primary amines added between 1 and 2 h post-infection significantly enhanced (five- to 1000-fold) the antiviral activity of IFN against VSV, but no enhancement of the antiviral activity of IFN against encephalomyocarditis virus, a virus with no membrane component, by primary amines was seen. SDS-PAGE and immunofluorescence analysis of viral proteins, and Nycodenz gradient fractionation, suggested that both IFN and primary amines inhibited the transport of VSV glycoprotein (G) to the plasma membrane; instead, G accumulated in the trans-Golgi network (TGN). Using sensitive intracellular pH (pHi) indicators, we found that IFN treatment significantly raised the pHi. A further increase in pHi was seen with a combination of IFN and primary amines; the increase in pHi correlated with an enhancement of the antiviral activity of IFN by primary amines. Amiloride inhibited the IFN-induced increase in pHi and a concomitant increase in the concentration of Na+ ions; this observation suggested that IFN induced cytoplasmic alkalinization by activating an Na+/H+ antiporter system. These results indicated that the IFN-induced increase in pHi may be responsible for the accumulation of G in the TGN, thereby producing G-deficient virus particles with reduced infectivity.

Regulation of laminin expression by interferon

Regulation of laminin (LMN) expression by interferon (IFN) treatment has been studied in murine LB and 3T3 cells, human lung epithelial (A549) and foreskin fibroblast (FS4) cells, and bovine aortic endothelial cells. Using various morphological and biochemical techniques, our data show an increased expression of LMN following IFN treatment, with a corresponding increase in the mRNA levels. These observations may have considerable significance in various phases of wound healing, since exogenous LMN has been shown to increase the migration of epithelial cells and may lead to rapid healing of burn, traumatic, or infectious injuries.

Chloroquine enhances replication of Semliki Forest virus and encephalomyocarditis virus in mice

Chloroquine (CHL) has been suggested to play an important role in the development of Burkitt's lymphoma by enhancing Epstein-Barr virus expression. Herpes zoster virus incidence is markedly increased following malaria infection in children being treated with CHL. Recently, CHL has also been shown to dramatically increase the transactivation of Tat protein purified from human immunodeficiency virus. These previous studies indirectly suggest that CHL may be involved in the enhancement of virus replication. This study demonstrates for the first time that CHL indeed enhances Semliki Forest virus and encephalomyocarditis virus replication in mice. These results raise the possible connection between the increased spread of AIDS in endemic malaria areas and the wide use of CHL in those areas for the chemotherapy of malaria.

Differential effects of interferon gamma and alpha on in vitro model of angiogenesis

The formation of blood vessels in vivo (angiogenesis) is an important process and is usually initiated in response to injury, tumor growth, or normal tissue development. We have studied the effect of human interferon (IFN) alpha (alpha) and gamma (gamma) on the capillary-like network formation in an in vitro model of angiogenesis using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). When HUVEC cells are plated on Matrigel (reconstituted basement membrane matrix enriched in laminin), a network of capillary like structures (endotubes) rapidly forms. IFN-alpha enhanced the tube formation in a dose-dependent manner, whereas IFN-gamma significantly inhibited the tube formation. In addition, both the enhancement and inhibition of angiogenesis by IFN-alpha and gamma was found to be greater if the cells were pretreated with IFN for 12 hr before plating on the Matrigel. These results suggest that IFN may play an important role in several vascular processes including early stages of wound healing, recanalization of thrombi, tumor growth, metastasis, normal growth, and development.

Effects of interferon in malaria infection

Earlier, we reported that prophylactic treatment with human interferon gamma (rHuIFN-gamma) protected monkeys against Plasmodium cynomolgi B malaria infection. We have tested the efficacy of rHuIFN-gamma on relapsing stage of experimental P. cynomolgi B malaria infection in rhesus monkeys. No effect of rHuIFN-gamma was seen against experimental relapsing stage compared with controls; however, it appears that chloroquine (CHL) may have interfered with the antimalarial effect of IFN, since treatment with CHL inhibits the antiviral activity of mouse alpha/beta IFN and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) against Semliki forest virus (SFV) in mice. These results may have clinical implications especially with the use of IFN against virus infection, cancer and in parasitic infections in malaria endemic areas where CHL is one of the most widely used antimalarial drugs. Our result also shows that CHL treatment enhances the virus replication in mice and suggest a possible connection between AIDS and malaria infection, since the spread of AIDS has been rapid in parts of tropical Africa that have a high incidence of malaria, and chloroquine has been frequently used in the chemotherapy of malaria.

Interferon enhances fibronectin expression in various cell types

Fibronectin (FN), a normal plasma and extracellular matrix glycoprotein, plays a significant role in various phases of wound healing. At wound site FN is synthesized locally by various cell types involved in the healing process (viz. epithelial, endothelial, fibroblast and macrophage cells) or deposited from the plasma. The present study was undertaken to investigate the in vitro effect of IFN on FN synthesis as well as release in the culture medium by various cell types. Indirect immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy studies, using specific antibodies, revealed that IFN treatment resulted in significantly more staining for FN as compared to untreated control cells. Metabolic labeling with 35S-methionine, immunoprecipitation and SDS-page studies showed an increase in FN synthesis and release by IFN treated cells. In addition, to determine whether this increased synthesis was reflected at mRNA levels, poly (A)+ RNA was isolated from human lung epithelial cells (A549) and probed with FN specific cDNA. We found that IFN treatment increased the level of FN mRNA.

Surface ultra-architecture of supraependymal elements in the vicinity of the area postrema of rhesus monkeys

The caudal part of the fourth ventricle in adult rhesus monkeys, of both sexes, revealed the area postrema (AP) to be composed of bilateral spindle-shaped elevations located ventromedial to the gracile tubercles. Supraependymal (SE) elements, comprised of SE cells and/or fibre processes could be seen near the medial margin of a narrow oligociliated strip separating the nonciliated AP from the profusely ciliated vagal triangle (VT). In general, these consisted of multilobed ganglion-like cell clusters interconnected by fasciculated fibre processes with varicosities along their lengths. Thinner processes radiating from the cell clusters and varicosities traversed towards the VT for short distances and often appeared to penetrate the underlying ependyma. The thicker fibre processes which exhibited a fasciculated configuration extended between raised nodule-like areas in the ventricular floor. The majority of such areas exhibited an uneven surface due to the presence of numerous membranous folds over them. Near the periphery of nodular areas as well as along the fasciculated fibre processes interconnecting them, a few bouton-like protrusions were discernible. The SE elements observed in the caudal portion of the fourth ventricular floor are suggestive of comprising some integrative pathways between the ventricular cerebrospinal fluid and subependymal functional centres in the vicinity of the AP, a circumventricular organ having diverse functions.