Differentiation-Dependent Secretion of Proangiogenic Factors by Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising cell population for cell-based bone repair due to their proliferative potential, ability to differentiate into bone-forming osteoblasts, and their secretion of potent trophic factors that stimulate angiogenesis and neovascularization. To promote bone healing, autogenous or allogeneic MSCs are transplanted into bone defects after differentiation to varying degrees down the osteogenic lineage. However, the contribution of the stage of osteogenic differentiation upon angiogenic factor secretion is unclear. We hypothesized that the proangiogenic potential of MSCs was dependent upon their stage of osteogenic differentiation. After 7 days of culture, we observed the greatest osteogenic differentiation of MSCs when cells were cultured with dexamethasone (OM+). Conversely, VEGF protein secretion and upregulation of angiogenic genes were greatest in MSCs cultured in growth media (GM). Using conditioned media from MSCs in each culture condition, GM-conditioned media maximized proliferation and enhanced chemotactic migration and tubule formation of endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs). The addition of a neutralizing VEGF165/121 antibody to conditioned media attenuated ECFC proliferation and chemotactic migration. ECFCs seeded on microcarrier beads and co-cultured with MSCs previously cultured in GM in a fibrin gel exhibited superior sprouting compared to MSCs previously cultured in OM+. These results confirm that MSCs induced farther down the osteogenic lineage possess reduced proangiogenic potential, thereby providing important findings for consideration when using MSCs for bone repair

Expression of a glycoprotein of the carcinoembryonic antigen family in normal and neoplastic sebaceous glands - Limited role of carcinoembryonic antigen as a sweat gland marker

Background: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a well-known marker for sweat gland differentiation in adnexal neoplasms

Umfrage zu Nukleinsäureamplifikationstests bei Infektionserkrankungen: Stand und Bedarf für eine schnelle und patientennahe Diagnostik

This survey discusses current and emerging isothermal and rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based nucleic acid amplification methods for near-patient diagnostics.To assess the clinical need of rapid diagnostics for infectious diseases based on nucleic acid tests (NATs) we performed and analysed a questionnaire among laboratories participating in corresponding INSTAND ring trials for external quality assurance. The questions concerning new amplification technologies like isothermal nucleic acid amplification, potentially suited to significantly decrease turnaround times, were complemented by questions to evaluate the present status of NATs. Besides end-users, companies were also addressed by sending out a manufacturer specific questionnaire. Analysis of the answers from 48 laboratories in 14 European countries revealed that a much shorter turnaround time is requested for selected pathogens compared to about 2 h or longer when applying temperature cycling amplification, i.e. PCR. In this context, most frequently mentioned were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), norovirus, influenza A and B viruses, cytomegalovirus (CMV) as well as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). At present, 8% of the laboratories having participated in this survey apply isothermal amplification of nucleic acids to identify infectious pathogens.Die vorliegende Studie gibt eine Übersicht über derzeit verwendete und in der Entwicklung befindliche Methoden der isothermalen und der schnellen auf einer Polymerase-Kettenreaktion (PCR) beruhenden Nukleinsäureamplifikation für die patientennahe Diagnostik.Um den klinischen Bedarf einer schnellen Diagnostik auf der Grundlage von Verfahren für Nukleinsäureamplifikationstests (NATs) abzuschätzen, wurde eine Umfrage bei Laboratorien, die an INSTAND-Ringversuchen zur externen Qualitätssicherung teilnehmen, durchgeführt. Die Umfrage zu neuen DNA-Amplifikationstechniken, wie die isothermale Nukleinsäureamplifikation, wurde durch Fragen zum aktuellen Stand von NATs ergänzt. Neben den Endanwendern wurden Herstellern spezifische Fragebögen zugesandt.Die Analyse der Antworten von 48 Laboratorien aus 14 europäischen Ländern zeigt, dass für bestimmte Pathogene eine deutlich geringere Durchlaufzeit erforderlich ist als die für eine auf Temperaturzyklen beruhende Nukleinsäureamplifikation (d.h. PCR) benötigten 2 h oder noch längeren Zeiten. In diesem Zusammenhang wurden am häufigsten Methicillin-resistente Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Norovirus, Influenza-A- und -B-Viren, Cytomegalievirus (CMV) sowie Hepatitis-B-Virus (HBV) und Hepatitis-C-Virus (HCV) genannt. Derzeit setzen etwa 8% der Laboratorien, die sich an der Abfrage beteiligten, isothermale DNA-Amplifikationstechniken zum Nachweis von Infektionserregern ein