Objective To investigate the effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on the barrier function of retinal peigment epithelium (RPE) and to detect the pathological mechanism of retinal detachment (RD) induced by over expression of HGF in RPE. Methods Sub-retina injection of E1/E3deleted adenoviral vectors encoding HGF (Ad CMV.HGF) and green fluorescent protein (Ad CMV.GFP) in adult pigmented rabbits [5times;104 plaque-forming units (pfu)/eye] to set up the model of retinal detachment. The ocular fundus and pathological changes were observed 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after injection. The expression level of HGF in retina and vitreous body was detected by immunohistochemistry and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results In the control eyes injected with AdCMV.GFP, expression of GFP only detected in RPE monolayer. The eyes injected with AdCMV.HGF had b HGF immune positive action in RPE cells at the injection site. The expression level of HGF in vitreous body reached the peak 7 days after injection and decreased to the basic level 28 days after injection. Chronic RD and chronic choroidal inflammation were found in the eyes injected with AdCMV.HGF within the time frame of HGF expression. Proliferative RPE cells were found in subretinal space in the region of RD, and multilayered cellular membranes developed in some eyes. Conclusion Over expression of HGF in RPE may induce chronic serous RD with subretinal proliferation of RPE, which suggests that HGF should be further studied as a target for therapeutic intervention in RD. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2007, 23: 193-197)
Objective To construct lentiviral vector carrying the human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) gene, and then to get hHGF gene/modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) by infecting the BMSCs. Methods The hHGF gene was obtained with PCR from pcDNA-hHGF plasmid. The recombination lentiviral vector plasmid hHGF was constructed with Age I digestion and gene recombinant, then was identified with PCR and sequencing. Mediated by Lipofectamine2000, the three plasmids system of lentiviral vector including pGC-E1-hHGF, pHelper 1.0, and pHelper 2.0 was co-transfected to 293T cells to produce hHGF gene. The supernatant was collected and concentrated by ultracentrifugation and the titer of lentivirus was measured by real-time quantitative PCR. The BMSCs were infected by the constructed lentivirus and the multipl icities of infection (MOI) was identified with fluorescent microscope, the efficiency of infection with flow cytometry (FCM) analysis, the hHGF level with ELISA analysis, and the expression of hHGF gene with RT-PCR. Results Lentiviral vector carrying hHGF gene was constructed successfully. The titer of lentivirus was 1 × 108 TU/mL. The infection efficiency of BMSCs by hHGF lentiviral was high and reached 98% by FCM, and the best MOI was 10. A great mount of green fluorescence was observed with the fluorescent microscope at 28 days after infection. Peak concentration of hHGF secreted by BMSCs/hHGF reached 40.5 ng/mL at 5 days. The concentration could maintain a high level until 28 days after infection. RT-PCR showed that BMSCs/hHGF could express hHGF gene. Conclusion By lentiviral vector, hHGF gene was integrated into BMSCs genome, and it can express stably.
Objective To study the effect of recombinant lentiviral vector mediated human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) gene-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on the immunological rejection after allograft l iver transplantation in rats, and to reveal the mechanism of immune tolerance. Methods Eight male Sprague Dawley (SD)rats of clean grade (aged 3 to 4 weeks, weighing 75-85 g) were selected for the isolation and culture of BMSCs; 64 adult male SD rats of clean grade (weighing 200-250 g) were used as donors; and 64 adult male Wistar rats of clean grade (weighing 230-280 g) were used as receptors. After establ ishing a stable model of rat allogeneic l iver transplantation, 1 mL sal ine, 2 ×106/mL of BMSCs 1 mL, 2 × 106/mL of BMSCs/green fluorescent protein 1 mL, and 2 × 106/mL of BMSCs/hHGF 1 mL were injected via the portal vein in groups A, B, C, and D respectively. Then the survival time of the rats was observed. The hepatic function was determined and the histological observation of the l iver was performed. The hHGF mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR, the level of cytokine including hHGF, interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-10, and interferon γ (IFN-γ) by ELISA assay, the level of apoptosis by TUNEL method, and the expression level of prol iferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) by immunohistochemical method. Results The survival time of group D was significantly higher than that of groups A, B, and C (P lt; 0.01); the survival time of groups B and C was significantly higher than that of group A (P lt; 0.01), but there was no significant difference between group B and group C (P gt; 0.05). RT-PCR demonstrated the transcription of hHGF mRNA in the grafts of group D; the serum cytokine hHGF reached to (6.2 ± 1.0) ng/mL. Compared with groups B and C, group D exhibited significant inhibitory effect, significantly improved l iver function, and showed mild acute rejection. In addition, the levels of cytokine IL-2 and IFN-γ decreased; the levels of cytokine IL-4 and IL-10 increased; the level of apoptosis reduced; and the expression level of PCNA increased. Except for the expression of IL-4 (P gt; 0.05), there were significant differences in the other indexes between group D and groups B, C (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion BMSCs/hHGF implanting to rat l iver allograft via portal vein can induce immune tolerance. Compared with injection of BMSCs alone, BMSCs/hHGF treatment can alleviate acute rejection and prolong the survival time significantly. The immunosuppressive effect of BMSCs/hHGF is correlated with Th2 shifts up of Th1/Th2 shift, reduced apoptosis, promoted l iver regeneration.
Objective To determine the concentration of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in vitreous of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and investigate the result and influence of HGF in neovascularization in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Methods The high sensitive sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the level of HGF in vitreous of normal group for 10 eyes, simple DR group for 7 eyes, PDR without iridal neovascularization group for 24 eyes, PDR with neovascularization of iris group in 9 eyes, other retinopathy group associated with neovascularization for 8 eyes. Results The mean value of HGF level in vitreous of the former groups was: (3.3 ±1.9) μg／L in normal group; (4.8±2.5) μg／L in simple DR group; (13.0 ±5.2) μg／L in PDR without iridal neovascularization group; (18.6±7.2) μg／L in PDR with neovascularization of iris group；(12.1±8.9) μg／L in other retinopathy associated with neovascularization group. Stastistics showed that HGF level in PDR group and other retinal diseases associated with neovascularization were significantly higher than that in normal group (P＜0.01), PDR with neovascularization of iris group showed a higher mean vitreous HGF concentration than those in PDR without iridal neovascularization and simple DR group (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). Conclusion Our results indicate that vitreous HGF may play an important role in retinal neovascularization in PDR and other retinal diseases. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2002, 18: 131-133)
Objective To study hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor (c-met) expressions in human colorectal cancer and non-neoplasm colorectal mucosa, and the relationship with tumor angiogenesis. Methods Tissue microarrays (TMAs) were made up of 80 cases of colorectal cancer and 80 cases of nonneoplasm colorectal mucosa. The expressions of HGF and c-met were detected by immunohistochemistry (SP). CD105 was used as a marker to account microvessel density (MVD) in tumor tissue. Results HGF was over expressed in 48 cases and c-met was over expressed in 63 cases of colorectal cancer tissue, and the correlation between HGF and c-met positive expression was significant (r=0.231, Plt;0.05). The high expression rate of HGF and cmet in colorectal cancer were significantly higher than that in non-neoplasm colorectal mucosa (χ2=35.387, Plt;0.05; χ2=59.854, Plt;0.05) of colorectal cancer. The overexpression of HGF was correlated with lymph node metastasis (χ2=4.743, Plt;0.05) and TNM staging (χ2=5.576, Plt;0.05). The overexpression of c-met was correlated with differentiation (χ2=15.767, Plt;0.05) and lymph node metastasis (χ2=5.765, Plt;0.05) of colorectal cancer. MVD was different between overexpression and lowexpression colorectal cancer tissues of HGF and cmet (t=2.150, Plt;0.05; t=2.052, Plt;0.05). There was statistical correlation between HGF and cmet overexpression (r=0.259, Plt;0.05). The overexpressions of HGF and cmet were correlated with lymph metastasis in moderate differentiation cancer (χ2=13.154, Plt;0.05; χ2=5.371, Plt;0.05). Conclusions The overexpressions of HGF and c-met in colorectal cancer may be related with tumor angiogenesis. Detecting the expressions of HGF and c-met is valuable to estimate the biological character of colorectal cancer.
Objective To evaluate the transfection efficiency and expression level of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) by transfecting a recombinant adenovirus carrying HGF gene (Ad-HGF) into bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and to explore the effect of the expression supernatant on BMSCs in vitro so as to lay a foundation for the manufacture of gene medicine which expresses efficient cell factors. Methods Rat BMSCs were isolated using Percoll density gradient method and cultured according to the adherent property of BMSCs. The expression of c-Met was detected by immunohistochemical examination. BMSCs were infected with a recombinant adenovirus carrying green fluorescent protein gene (Ad-GFP) at multipl icity of infection (MOI, 0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 pfu/cell). To select an optimal MOI, the transfection efficiency and the degree of cell damage were assayed by flow cytometry and MTT, respectively, at 48 hours after transfecting. The expression of HGF in BMSCs transfected with optimal MOI Ad-HGF was measured with ELISA assay. MTT method was used to evaluate the prol iferation effect of HGF expression supernatant on BMSCs. Results Immunohistochemical staining showed that BMSCs expressed c-Met receptor for HGF. At 48 hours after transfecting with different MOI Ad-GFP (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 pfu/cell), the transfection efficiencies were 0.34% ± 0.04%, 40.72% ± 0.81%, 61.72% ± 1.04%, 85.33% ± 0.83%, and 17.91% ± 0.63%, respectively; and the highest transfection efficiency was observed at 100 pfu/cell MOI. The cell damage was obviously observed when MOI was 200 pfu/cell. The expression of HGF in BMSCs reached the highest level after being transfected with 100 pfu/cell MOI Ad-HGF for 48 hours. The expression product could stimulate the prol iferation of BMSCs. The prol iferation of BMSCs gradually rose with the increase of HGF protein, and reached the highest level at 10% (320 pg). Conclusion BMSCs can be transfected efficiently with Ad-HGF and express HGF protein, which stimulates the prol iferation of BMSCs. It suggests that BMSCs is an ideal repair cells with gene vector.
Objective To investigate the possible association between serum level of hepatocyte growth factor( HGF) and obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome( OSAHS) with hypertension.Methods 58 cases of OSAHS without hypertension, 61 cases of OSAHS with hypertension, and 50 normal controls were enrolled. Serum level of HGF was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay( ELISA) , and the relationships between the serum HGF level and blood pressure( BP) , apnea hypopnea index( AHI) , lowest SaO2 ( LSaO2 ) were analyzed by linear correlation analysis. Results The serum HGF level ( pg/mL) was 761. 46 ±60. 18, 970. 87 ±60. 94, and 487. 34 ±45. 52 in the OSAHS patients without hypertention, OSAHS patients with hypertention, and normal subjects, respectively. Which was significantly higher in the OSAHSpatients than the normal subjects, and highest in the OSAHS patients with hypertension( P lt; 0. 05) . The serum HGF level was positively related to AHI( r = 0. 452, P lt;0. 05) and negatively related to LSaO2 ( r =- 0. 328, P lt;0. 05) in the OSAHS patients without hypertention, positively related to AHI, SBP, DBP( r =0. 670, P lt;0. 01; r =0. 535, P lt;0. 05; r =0. 424, P lt;0. 05) and negatively related to LSaO2 ( r = - 0. 572,P lt;0. 01) in the OSAHS patients with hypertension. Conclusions SerumHGF level increases significantly in patients with OSAHS especialy in OSAHS patients with hypertension, and positively correlates with the severity of OSAHS and hypertension.
Objective To investigate the effect of combined therapy of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) carrying hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene on the angiogenesis of myocardial infarction (MI) in rats and the mechanisms of the synergistic effect. Methods BMSCs were aspirated from the femur and tibia of 3-week-old Sprague Dawley (SD) male rats. The third generation of BMSCs were harvested and transfectedwith Ad-HGF. The MI models were establ ished in 44 SD male rats (weighing 200-250 g) by l igating the left coronary artery. At 4 weeks after l igation, the shorting fraction (FS) of the left ventricle being below 30% was used as a criteria of model success. The BMSCs (5 × 107/ mL) transfected with Ad-HGF were transplanted into the infarct zone of 12 SD rats, and the expression of HGF protein was detected by Western blot method at 2, 7, and 14 days after transplantation. At 4 weeks, the other 32 SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=8). The 0.1 mL normal sal ine was injected into the infarct zone in control group; 0.1 mL normal sal ine was injected combined with intraperitoneal injection G-CSF [100 μg/ (kg•d)] for 5 days in G-CSF group; 0.1 mL BMSCs (5 × 107/ mL) transfected with Ad-HGF was injected into the infarct zone in HGF group; 0.1 mL BMSCs (5 × 107/ mL) transfected with Ad-HGF was injected combined with intraperitoneal injection G-CSF [100 μg/ (kg•d)] for 5 days in combined therapy group. At 2 weeks after transplantation, heart function was detected by cardiac ultrasound and hemodynamic analysis, and then myocardial tissue was harvested to analyse the angiogenesis of the infarct zone, and the expression of VEGF protein by immunofluorescence staining. Results The expression of HGF protein in vivo was detected at 2 days and 7 days of BMSCs transfected with Ad-HGF transplantation. There was no significant difference in left ventricular systol ic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end-diastol ic pressure (LVEDP), dP/dtmax, and FS between G-CSF group and control group (P gt; 0.05). When compared with the control group, LVEDP decreased significantly; LVSP, FS, and dP/dtmax increased significantly (P lt; 0.05) in HGF group and combined therapy group. When compared with HGF group, FS and dP/dtmax increased significantly in combined therapy group (P lt; 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed that the vascular endothel ial cells were observed in myocardial infarction border zone. The vascular density and the expression of VEGF protein were significantly higher in combined therapygroup than in other 3 groups (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The combined therapy of G-CSF and BMSCs carrying HGF gene has a synergistic effect and can enhance infarct zone angiogenesis through inducing the expression of VEGF protein.
Objective To evaluate the effect of hepatocyte growth factor(HGF) on intestinal permeability and bacterial translocation after small bowel transplantation in rats. Methods Twenty Wistar rats were as recptors and twenty SD rats as donors. After heterotopic intestinal grafting, cyclosporine A was administered at 6mg/kg·day intramuscularly for inhibiting rejection. The SD rats were divided into 2 groups(n=10). HGF was administered at 150 μg/kg·day (HGF group) and normal saline was administered at 150 μg/kg·day (controlgroup). Intestinal permeability and bacterial translocation to the mesenteric lymph nodes and portal vein were assessed at the 8th postoperative day. Results The lactulose and lactulose/ mannitol of control group (0.0931%±0.008 5% and 0.132± 0.021) were higher than those of normal reference value (0.015 0%±0.002 0% and 0.020±0.005)（Plt;0.05）. The lactulose and lactulose/ mannitol of HGF group (0.039 6%±0.009 0% and 0.056±0.013) were also higher than those of normal reference value（Plt;0.05）.The bacterial culture positive proportion of lymphaden in HGF group and control group were 10% and 60%, showing statistically significant difference（Plt;0.05）. The bacterial culture positive proportion of portal vein in HGF group and control group were 10% and 20% respectively（P＞0.05）. Conclusion HGF can decrease intestinal permeability and bacterial translocation from the lumen of the graft to the mesenteric lymph nodes,thus improve gut barrier function, may be of help to reduce the incidence of septic complications after intestinal grafting.
Objective To investigate the effect of combined delivery of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and insulinlike growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on the development of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) differentiation by expression of GATA-4，and to supply some evidence for clinical BMSCs transplantation therapy. Methods BMSCs were isolated from the femurs and tibias of the randomly assigned rabbits and cocultured with myocytes in a ratio of 1∶1. Myocytes were obtained from neonatal rabbits ventricles. 150 ng/ml HGF and 200 ng/ml IGF-1 were added into 4 culture bottles of 8 bottles and the other 4 bottles were not. After BMSCs were cocultured with myocytes for 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, and till 6 weeks， differentiated BMSCs were targeted and microdissected with a laser capture microdissection system, and then ribonucleic acid (RNA) was extracted and isolated. The differentiation of BMSCs in coculture was confirmed by immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). And expression of GATA-4 in BMSCs was detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR. Results Before coculturing, the BMSCs were negative for α-actinin and exhibited a nucleus with many nucleoli. After coculture with myocytes, some BMSCs became αactininpositive and showed a cardiomyocytelike ultrastructure, including sarcomeres, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria. BMSCs cocultured with myocytes expressed cardiac transcription factor GATA-4. IGF-1 and HGF delivery can significantly increased expression of GATA-4 for the differentiated BMSCs as compared with cells of no delivery of HGF and IGF-1. The expression level of GATA-4 in captured BMSCs began to increase at the 1st day, reach the peak at the 2nd week and kept high expression level after the 2nd week. Conclusion BMSCs can transdifferentiate into cells with a cardiac phenotype when cocultured with myocytes. Differentiated myocytes express cardiac transcription factors GATA-4. Administration of HGF and IGF-1 promoted the development of BMSCs transdifferentiate into cardiac phenotype, which is associated with the increase in expression level of GATA-4.