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Background and Objectives: The increasing incidence of patients requiring hemodialysis has become a medical and economic problem globally; it is necessary to maintain renal glomerulus functionality to prevent the progression of chronic kidney disease. As a therapeutic tool for preventing the progression of chronic kidney disease, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising source of both growth factors and cells for regeneration. However, the escape of MSCs from injection sites, as well as the insufficient production of growth factors, is issues that remain unresolved. In the present study, a complex of cells and a nonwoven filter was localized in an injured kidney to provide growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Methods and Results: Nonwoven biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) filters were used to capture rat bone marrow stem cells (r-BMSCs). The capture rates of r-BMSCs on five PLA filter disks were over 85%. The production of HGF by r-BMSCs on PLA filters was markedly enhanced through interactions between the cells and the nonwoven filter. Conversely, the production of VEGF by r-BMSC on PLA filters was unchanged. Complexes of nonwoven filters and cells were implanted onto the surfaces of kidneys of 5/6-nephrectomized rats, which are characterized by progressive glomerulosclerosis. Within the r-BMSC/PLA complexes, deleterious changes in serum creatinine levels were not attenuated. However, PLA filters with r-BMSCs, which enhanced HGF production over 4 weeks of culture, significantly (P = 0.03) decreased urinary protein levels at 4 weeks after implantation compared to untreated nephrectomized rats. Further histopathological studies revealed that glomerulosclerotic lesions were significantly (P = 0.008) reduced by treatment with the r-BMSC/PLA complex. Conclusion: Devices made of PLA nonwoven filters and stem cells are potentially useful for the prevention and treatment of chronic kidney disease.

Scaffolds, growth factors, and cells are three essential components in regenerative medicine. Nonwoven filters, which capture cells, provide a scaffold that localizes and concentrates cells near injured tissues. Further, the cells captured on the filters are expected to serve as a local supply of growth factors. In this study, we investigated the growth factors produced by cells captured on nonwoven filters. Nonwoven filters made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA), or chitin (1.2–22 μm fiber diameter) were cut out as 13 mm disks and placed into cell-capturing devices. Human mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissues (h-ASCs) and peripheral blood cells (h-PBCs) were captured on the filter and cultured to evaluate growth factor production. The cell-capture rates strongly depended on the fiber diameter and the number of filter disks. Nonwoven filter disks were composed of PET or PLA fibers with fiber diameters of 1.2–1.8 μm captured over 70 % of leukocytes or 90 % of h-ASCs added. The production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor β1, and platelet-derived growth factor AB were significantly enhanced by the h-PBCs captured on PET or PLA filters. h-ASCs on PLA filters showed significantly enhanced production of VEGF. These enhancements varied with the combination of the nonwoven filter and cells. Because of the enhanced growth factor production, the proliferation of human fibroblasts increased in conditioned medium from h-PBCs on PET filters. This device consisting of nonwoven filters and cells should be investigated further for possible use in the regeneration of impaired tissues.

Hematological studies have revealed the importance of the visceral yolk sac (VYS) in the primitive erythropoiesis of mouse embryos at an early stage before day 12. We examined the possibility of the occurrence of extra-embryonic erythropoiesis at a stage later than embryonic day 12 by light and electron microscopic analyses. Surprisingly, a novel structure in the form of erythrocyte-like globules was observed in the VYS endodermal cells. They were consistently present in the VYS endodermal cells from embryonic day 12 until day 18 (birth is day 19), by immunocytochemical and enzyme histochemical analyses. They were immuno-positive for mouse erythrocyte antibody and also positive for the benzidine reaction showing the presence of hemoglobin. The erythrocyte-like globules were shown to be the erythrocytes present in the cytoplasm. These results indicated that erythropoiesis in the VYS endodermal cells continues from the early embryonic stage, as primitive erythropoiesis, until the late stage.

The infectivity of rotavirus (RV) is dependent on an activation process triggered by the proteolytic cleavage of its spike protein VP4. This activation cleavage is performed by exogenous trypsin in the lumen of the intestinesin vivo. Here, we report the generation and characterization of a recombinant RV expressing cDNA-derived VP4 with a modified cleavage site (arginine at position 247) recognized by endogenous furin as well as exogenous trypsin. Unexpectedly, the mutant virus (KU//rVP4-R247Furin) was incapable of plaque formation without an exogenous protease, although the mutant VP4s on virions were efficiently cleaved by endogenous furin. Furthermore, KU//rVP4-R247Furin showed impaired infectivity in MA104 and CV-1 cells even in the presence of trypsin compared with the parental virus carrying authentic VP4 (KU//rVP4). Although the total titre of KU//rVP4-R247Furin was comparable to that of KU//rVP4, the extracellular titre of KU//rVP4-R247Furin was markedly lower than its cell-associated titre in comparison with that of KU//rVP4. In contrast, the two viruses showed similar growth in a furin-defective LoVo cell line. These results suggest that intracellular cleavage of VP4 by furin may be disadvantageous for RV infectivity, possibly due to an inefficient virus release process.

During the early human embryonic period nutrients and blood cells are temporarily provided by the extraembryonic yolk sac (YS). The YS before week six is involved not only in primitive but also in definitive erythropoiesis. While the destiny of primitive erythroid cells that fill the blood vessels of the YS is well known, the final destination of erythrocytes present in the endodermal vesicular system is unknown. In the present study we have investigated, step by step, the destiny of the erythrocytes present in the endodermal vesicles during the embryonic period. Twelve human YSs and their corresponding yolk stalks were analyzed between weeks 4 and 7 of embryonic age by light and scanning electron microscopy. It is shown that erythrocytes (according to their size and morphological features) located within the endodermal vesicles of the YS wall are pulled out through endodermal pits into the YS cavity, from where they reach the lumen of the primitive gut of the embryo through the vitelline duct, a temporary pathway communicating both compartments. During the study period no erythrocytes were seen within the embryo's vascular network where only primitive erythroblasts were identified. Our results indicate that the vitelline duct plays an important transient role as a pathway for the transport of nutrients and blood cells between the YS and the embryo before week five of embryonic development that ends just at the time when YS-embryo circulation becomes established.

This paper documents the budding and division process of human erythrocytes in vitro using time-lapse light microscopy of hanging-drop preparations. The erythrocytes were prepared from normal adult human peripheral blood. Red blood cells showed cytoplasmic budding, segmentation, and direct division with delayed addition of erythropoietin in serum-free Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium/nutrient mixture F-12 Ham. These observations are thought to be useful for developing model of definitive erythropoiesis and simple expansion of human erythrocytes.

The medaka, Oryzias latipes is a useful animal model for the study of primary vasculature in vertebrate embryos. Using benzidine stain for erythroid cells, we found presumptive erythropoietic foci in the yolk sac vitellolysis zone at stage 39. These foci were present in the yolk syncytial layer, in the extravascular and vitellolysis zone from 9 days post fertilization (dpf) to 11 dpf, and then declined between 12 to 13 dpf with yolk mass depletion. A table of previous reports on various species of fish showing yolk sac erythropoiesis is also presented.

The medaka, Oryzias latipes is a useful animal model for the study of vertebrate developmental genetics. Using May-Grunwald-Giemsa stain, we found non-nucleated erythrocytes in the peripheral blood of medaka. Eleven of 50 fish occasionally showed non-nucleated erythrocytes in their peripheral blood. We expect that this observation will be useful in future studies involving screening for hematologic mutants.

The wall of 12 yolk sacs (YSs) from 17- to 50-day-old human embryos was examined by light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy to identify the ontogeny of embryonic erythropoiesis. Initial formation of blood island with the generation of erythroid and endothelial cells was seen in the mesenchymal layer in embryos aged 17 days. A network of blood vessels containing abundant erythroblasts was identified in the YS walls of embryos aged ∼24 days. At this age, erythroblasts were also identified within the embryo body. Primitive erythroblasts were the only cells present within the embryo and its YS until the end of week 5. These cells first appeared in the mesenchymal vascular plexus of the YS wall, and were then observed in the liver and other tissues of the embryo. At embryonic week 5, two compartments were identified in the YS wall; a mesodermal one in which blood vessels were formed, and an endodermal compartment in which erythrocytes were present within the endodermal vesicles. Erythrocytes were small non-nucleated cells similar to adult erythrocytes. Transmission electron microscopic observation focused on the endodermal vesicles confirmed the presence of definitive erythrocytes only at such extra vascular location. At this age, there were no definitive erythrocytes detected within the embryo. Erythrocytes started to be identified in embryonic blood vessels from week 7 onward. These findings provide information not previously described about YS erythropoiesis during early human development. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

It is now well accepted that the trafficking of AMPA receptors to the postsynaptic plasma membrane plays an essential role in long-term potentiation at the hippocampal Schaffer collateral synapses on CA1 pyramidal cells, but the motor mechanism of trafficking is unknown. We suspected that this trafficking of AMPA receptors during long-term potentiation may be carried out along microtubules by their motors. To ascertain this hypothesis, we light- and electron-microscopically studied the distribution of microtubules in dendrites of CA1 neurons of non-stimulated and stimulated rat hippocampal slices by using very strong tetanic stimulation for inducing long-term potentiation. As a result, we observed the following changes: 1. In immunofluorescence for microtubules and IP3 receptor using ultrathin-cryosections, linear signals of microtubules in main dendritic shafts were changed into fragmented. 2. Many spotty signals of microtubules emerged at the peripheral area of dendrites. Electron-microscopically, there was redistribution of microtubules in dendritic spines and dendritic shafts, and the thickening of post-synaptic density. 3. Many microtubules concentrated to thickened postsynaptic density in spines and new ones emerged, going to spines from dendritic shafts. These results strongly suggest that new tracks of microtubules from cell bodies to the stimulated postsynaptic membranes were produced after tetanic stimulation during long-term potentiation. This newly produced microtubules between stimulated postsynaptic membranes and the cell body must be the most promising candidate of the track for the trafficking of AMPA receptors to the stimulated postsynaptic plasma membrane.

It is well known that avian yolk sac is involved in both primitive and definitive erythropoiesis during embryonic development. Definitive erythropoiesis is first detected at about 4-5 days incubation and its maximum activity is reached between day 10 and 15 of incubation, ending between days 18 and 20 of incubation. We confirmed the definitive erythropoietic foci in the chicken yolk sac throughout the 5th to 19th day of incubation by histochemical light and electron microscopy. The definitive erythropoietic foci were observed in the yolk sac endodermal layer from day 5 until day 19, just before hatching. Ultrastructurally, definitive erythropoietic foci were observed extravascularly in the yolk sac endodermal cell layer in direct contact with the vitellolysis zone. These findings provide a basis for clarifying definitive erythropoiesis in vertebrates.

Light and electron microscopic examination of first-trimester and term human placental tissues were performed to identify erythrocytes containing hemoglobin in the villous trophoblast cell layer. Erythrocytes were not identified in chorionic villous epithelium at week 7 of gestation. These cells first appeared in the villous cytotrophoblast at week 8, and continued to be present in the villous cytotrophoblast until week 9, as shown by benzidine staining. At week 12 gestation, a cluster of erythrocytes was present in a villous syncytial sprout. At 40 and 41 weeks gestation, erythrocytes were located in the villous cytotrophoblast cell layer. Electron microscopic observations focused on the cytoplasm of villous cytotrophoblast at week 8, the syncytial sprout at week 12 and the cytotrophoblast cell layer at term, confirmed the presence of erythrocytes at an extravascular location, as observed by light microscopy.

The mouse visceral yolk sac (VYS) is widely known to play an important role as erythropoietic tissue during embryonic periods. Mouse VYS from embryonic days 9 to 12 was examined by light microscopy, electron microscopy and histochemical analysis with benzidine to detect the presence of hemoglobin with special reference to the development of VYS, the disappearance of the blood islands in VYS, and the appearance of a novel structure in the form of erythrocyte-like globules in VYS endodermal cells. The villous appearance of VYS became complicated by the development of VYS endodermal cells. The blood islands positive for the benzidine reaction were light microscopically detected on embryonic days 9, 10, and 11. They disappeared on embryonic day 12, however. Erythrocyte-like globules positive for the benzidine reaction were not observed in VYS endodermal cells on embryonic days 9, 10, and 11, but then appeared on embryonic day 12, by light and electron microscopy. Erythrocyte-like globules in VYS endodermal cells, which appear after the disappearance of blood islands in VYS, may participate in erythropoiesis during embryonic development.

Congenital macrothrombocytopenia (CMTP) is a heterogeneous group of rare platelet disorders characterized by a congenital reduction of platelet counts and abnormally large platelets, for which CMTP-causing mutations are only found in approximately half the cases. We herein performed whole-exome sequencing and targeted Sanger sequencing to identify mutations that cause CMTP, in which a dominant mode of transmission had been suspected but for which no known responsible mutations have been documented. In 13 Japanese CMTP-affected pedigrees, we identified six (46%) affected by ACTN1 variants cosegregating with CMTP. In the entire cohort, ACNT1 variants accounted for 5.5% of the dominant forms of CMTP cases and represented the fourth most common cause in Japanese individuals. Individuals with ACTN1 variants presented with moderate macrothrombocytopenia with anisocytosis but were either asymptomatic or had only a modest bleeding tendency. ACTN1 encodes α-actinin-1, a member of the actin-crosslinking protein superfamily that participates in the organization of the cytoskeleton. In vitro transfection experiments in Chinese hamster ovary cells demonstrated that altered α-actinin-1 disrupted the normal actin-based cytoskeletal structure. Moreover, transduction of mouse fetal liver-derived megakaryocytes with disease-associated ACTN1 variants caused a disorganized actin-based cytoskeleton in megakaryocytes, resulting in the production of abnormally large proplatelet tips, which were reduced in number. Our findings provide an insight into the pathogenesis of CMTP.