U.S. patent application number 16/034234 was filed with the patent office on 2018-11-01 for method of stem cell therapy.
The applicant listed for this patent is GWO XI STEM CELL APPLIED TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Tzyy-Wen CHIOU, Horng-Jyh Harn, Shinn-Zong Lin, Yi-Chun Lin, Karthyayani Rajamani.
Application Number | 20180311185 16/034234 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55748157 |
Filed Date | 2018-11-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180311185 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHIOU; Tzyy-Wen ; et
al. |
November 1, 2018 |
METHOD OF STEM CELL THERAPY
Abstract
A method for the anti-senescence of and/or rejuvenating a stem
cell is provided. The method comprising treating the stem cell with
trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC). A kit is also provided. The kit
comprising (1) a first part, comprising a stem cell; (2) a second
part, comprising TC; and (3) a culture medium of the stem cell,
placed in at least one of the first part, the second part, and a
third part. In addition, a method for stem cell therapy is
provided. The method comprising administering to a subject in need
an effective amount of a stem cell, wherein the stem cell has been
treated with TC before being administered.
Inventors: |
CHIOU; Tzyy-Wen; (Zhubei
City, TW) ; Harn; Horng-Jyh; (Zhubei City, TW)
; Lin; Shinn-Zong; (Zhubei City, TW) ; Rajamani;
Karthyayani; (Tamilnadu, IN) ; Lin; Yi-Chun;
(Zhubei City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GWO XI STEM CELL APPLIED TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. |
Zhubei City |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
55748157 |
Appl. No.: |
16/034234 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14643977 |
Mar 10, 2015 |
|
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16034234 |
|
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62066122 |
Oct 20, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 31/11 20130101;
A61K 35/28 20130101; A61K 35/545 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61K 31/11 20060101
A61K031/11; A61K 35/545 20060101 A61K035/545; A61K 35/28 20060101
A61K035/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 11, 2014 |
TW |
103143240 |
Claims
1.-11. (canceled)
12. A method of stem cell therapy, comprising administering to a
subject in need an effective amount of a stem cell, wherein the
stem cell has been pre-treated with trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC)
before being administered.
13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the stem cell is at
least one of an embryonic stem cell, an adult stem cell, and an
induced pluripotent stem cell.
14. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the stem cell is an
adult stem cell.
15. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the stem cell is at
least one of an adipose-derived stem cell, a bone marrow
mesenchymal stem cell, and a Wharton's jelly stem cell.
16. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the treatment is
conducted in a culture medium of the stem cell at a TC
concentration ranging from about 0.1 to about 50 .mu.g per mL of
the culture medium.
17. The method as claimed in claim 12, which is for at least one of
treating autoimmune diseases, treating digestive diseases, treating
hepatic diseases, treating renal diseases, treating cardiovascular
diseases, treating neurological diseases, treating hematological
diseases, treating bone degeneration, treating periodontitis,
treating tendonitis, treating spinal injury, treating head trauma,
plastic surgery, treating alopecia, skin whitening, and wrinkle
eliminating.
18. The method as claimed in claim 12, which is for treating
hepatic diseases.
Description
[0001] This application is a Division of U.S. application Ser. No.
14/643,977, filed Mar. 10, 2015, which claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/066,122 filed on Oct. 20, 2014,
in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and to Taiwan
Patent Application No. 103143240 filed on Dec. 11, 2014, in the
Taiwan Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are
incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to the use of
trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC), especially to the use of TC in stem
cells, for such as the anti-senescence of stem cells and/or
rejuvenating stem cells, and in stem cell therapy.
Descriptions of the Related Art
[0003] Stem cells, depending on their abilities to self-renew and
to differentiate, can be classified into totipotent stem cells,
pluripotent stem cells, multipotent stem cells and unipotent stem
cells. Depending on the appearance order during the developmental
process and distributional profile of stem cells, stem cells can be
classified into embryonic stem cells (ES cells) and adult stem
cells. The research results have shown that cell differentiation is
reversible. By introducing specific genes into fully differentiated
mature somatic cells, the mature somatic cells are induced to
reprogram and form pluripotent cells with characteristics and
functions similar to those of an embryonic stem cell, i.e., to form
induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). These iPS cells can
differentiate into tissues of the human body, and thus, can be used
in the research and therapy of diseases.
[0004] Currently, in the field of medical research, stem cell
therapy brings hope to patients suffering from diseases which lack
effective treatment, such as diabetes mellitus, autoimmune
rejection, stroke, myocardial infarction, renal failure, leukemia,
muscular dystrophy, severe anemia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's
disease, and cancers. The pluripotency of stem cells may solve the
long-term difficulties encountered in the treatment of these
diseases.
[0005] The success in transplanting stem cells into a human body to
conduct stem cell therapy depends on the quality of stem cells. The
reduction of the quality of stem cells including, for example, the
cellular senescence induced by the impact of various stress
signals, leads to a cell cycle arrest and a decrease in the
proliferation rate in the stem cells, and thus, causes a lack of
stem cells or progenitor cells which are essential for tissue
repair, tissue regeneration and normal turnover. The above drawback
is one of the major reasons for the poor efficiency of stem cell
therapy. Therefore, if an approach that is effective in the
anti-senescence of a stem cell is available, it would be able to
enhance the success rate of stem cell therapy.
[0006] The present invention is a result of the research and
development for the above needs. Inventors of the present invention
found that trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC) is effective in the
anti-senescence of stem cells, and is even able to rejuvenate stem
cells. Thus, TC can be used in stem cell therapy to enhance the
therapeutic effect thus provided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An objective of the present invention is to provide a method
for the anti-senescence of and/or rejuvenating a stem cell,
comprising treating the stem cell with trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC).
Preferably, the treatment is conducted in a culture medium of the
stem cell at a TC concentration ranging from about 0.1 to about 50
.mu.g per mL of the culture medium.
[0008] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
composition for the anti-senescence of and/or rejuvenating a stem
cell, wherein the composition comprises TC.
[0009] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide
a use of TC in the manufacture of a preparation, wherein the
preparation is for the anti-senescence of and/or rejuvenating a
stem cell. Preferably, the preparation is a health food or a
medicament.
[0010] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide
a kit, comprising (1) a first part, comprising a stem cell; (2) a
second part, comprising TC; and (3) a culture medium of the stem
cell, placed in at least one of the first part, the second part,
and a third part. Preferably, the kit is used in stem cell therapy,
wherein the stem cell is treated with TC in the culture medium of
the stem cell before being administered.
[0011] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide
a method of stem cell therapy, comprising administering to a
subject in need an effective amount of a stem cell, wherein the
stem cell has been pre-treated with TC before being administered to
the subject.
[0012] The detailed technology and preferred embodiments
implemented for the present invention are described in the
following paragraphs accompanying the appended drawings for people
skilled in this field to well appreciate the features of the
claimed invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The patent application contains at least one drawing
executed in color. Copies of this patent document with color
drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment
of the necessary fee.
[0014] FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams of the flow cytometry analysis
showing the expression profile of the surface antigens of
adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) without any treatment (untreated
group), ADSCs treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 (H.sub.2O.sub.2 group)
and ADSCs treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 and 6 .mu.M of TC
(H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group);
[0015] FIGS. 2A to 2C are pictures showing the osteogenic
differentiation assay results of ADSCs without any treatment
(untreated group), ADSCs treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2
(H.sub.2O.sub.2 group) and ADSCs treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 and 6
.mu.M of TC (H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group);
[0016] FIGS. 2D to 2F are pictures showing the adipogenic
differentiation assay results of ADSCs without any treatment
(untreated group), ADSCs treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2
(H.sub.2O.sub.2 group) and ADSCs treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 and 6
.mu.M of TC (H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group);
[0017] FIG. 2G is a statistical bar diagram showing the relative
cell number after osteogenic differentiation of the group that
ADSCs were not subjected to any treatment (untreated group), the
group that ADSCs were subjected to the treatment of H2O2
(H.sub.2O.sub.2 group), and the group that ADSCs were subject to
the treatment of H.sub.2O.sub.2 and 6 .mu.M of TC
(H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group), wherein the vertical axis represents
the absorbance at a wavelength of 450 nm (*** represents p
value<0.01, reflecting a statistically significant
difference);
[0018] FIG. 2H is a statistical bar diagram showing the relative
cell number after adipogenic differentiation of the group that
ADSCs were not subjected to any treatment (untreated group), the
group that ADSCs were subjected to the treatment of H.sub.2O.sub.2
(H.sub.2O.sub.2 group), and the group that ADSCs were subjected to
the treatment of H.sub.2O.sub.2 and 6 .mu.M of TC
(H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group), wherein the vertical axis represents
the absorbance at a wavelength of 510 nm (*** represents p
value<0.01, reflecting a statistically significant
difference);
[0019] FIGS. 3A to 3C are Ki67 staining pictures showing the
proliferation rates of ADSCs without any treatment (untreated
group), ADSCs treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 (H.sub.2O.sub.2 group)
and ADSCs treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 and 6 .mu.M of TC
(H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group);
[0020] FIG. 4A is a statistical bar diagram showing the activity of
senescence associated-.beta.-galactosidase (SA-.beta.-gal) in ADSCs
without any treatment (untreated group), ADSCs treated with 2 .mu.M
of TC (TC2 group), ADSCs treated with 4 .mu.M of TC (TC4 group) and
ADSCs treated with 6 .mu.M of TC (TC6 group), wherein the vertical
axis represents the activity percentage of SA-.beta.-gal (***
represents p value<0.01, reflecting a statistically significant
difference);
[0021] FIG. 4B is a statistical bar diagram showing the activity of
SA-.beta.-gal in ADSCs without any treatment (untreated group),
ADSCs treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 (H.sub.2O.sub.2 group), ADSCs
treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 and 2 .mu.M of TC (H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC2
group), ADSCs treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 and 4 .mu.M of TC
(H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC4 group) and ADSCs treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2
and 6 .mu.M of TC (H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group), wherein the vertical
axis represents the activity percentage of SA-.beta.-gal (***
represents p value<0.01, reflecting a statistically significant
difference);
[0022] FIGS. 4C to 4E are pictures showing the activity of
SA-.beta.-gal in ADSCs without any treatment (untreated group),
ADSCs treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 (H.sub.2O.sub.2 group) and ADSCs
treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 and 6 .mu.M of TC (H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6
group);
[0023] FIG. 5A is a statistical bar diagram of the results of
quantitative RT-PCR, showing the expression levels of SIRT1 (silent
mating type information regulation 2 homolog) gene in ADSCs without
any treatment (untreated group), ADSCs treated with 2 .mu.M of TC
(TC2 group), ADSCs treated with 4 .mu.M of TC (TC4 group) and ADSCs
treated with 6 .mu.M of TC (TC6 group), wherein the vertical axis
represents the folds of the expression level of SIRT1 gene (***
represents p value<0.01, reflecting a statistically significant
difference);
[0024] FIG. 5B is a statistical bar diagram of the results of
quantitative RT-PCR, showing the expression levels of SIRT1 gene in
ADSCs which have been treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 to induce
senescence, and then treated with 0 .mu.M of TC (H.sub.2O.sub.2
group), 2 .mu.M of TC (H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC2 group), 4 .mu.M of TC
(H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC4 group) or 6 .mu.M of TC (H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6
group), wherein the vertical axis represents the folds of the
expression level of SIRT1 gene (*** represents p value<0.01,
reflecting a statistically significant difference);
[0025] FIG. 5C is a statistical bar diagram of the results of
quantitative RT-PCR, showing the expression levels of SIRT1 gene in
ADSCs without any treatment (untreated group), ADSCs treated with
H.sub.2O.sub.2 (H.sub.2O.sub.2 group), ADSCs treated with
H.sub.2O.sub.2 and then treated with TC for 6 hours (TC6H group),
ADSCs treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 and then treated with TC for 12
hours (TC12H group), ADSCs treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 and then
treated with TC for 24 hours (TC24H group) and ADSCs treated with
H.sub.2O.sub.2 and then treated with TC for 48 hours (TC48H group),
wherein the vertical axis represents the folds of the expression
level of SIRT1 gene (ns represents p value=0.417, reflecting no
statistically significant difference);
[0026] FIGS. 6A and 6B are a picture and a statistical bar diagram
of semiquantitative RT-PCR, showing the expression levels of
senescence-associated genes, cell cycle regulation-associated
genes, and pluripotency-associated genes in ADSCs without any
treatment (untreated group), ADSCs treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2
(H.sub.2O.sub.2 group) and ADSCs treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 and 6
.mu.M of TC (H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group) respectively, wherein the
vertical axis of the statistical bar diagram represents the folds
of the gene expression levels;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a statistical bar diagram showing the activity of
telomerase in ADSCs without any treatment (untreated group), ADSCs
treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 (H.sub.2O.sub.2 group), ADSCs treated
with H.sub.2O.sub.2 and 6 .mu.M of TC (H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group)
and HEK293 cells, wherein the vertical axis represents the activity
of telomerase (*** represents p value<0.01, reflecting a
statistically significant difference);
[0028] FIGS. 8A to 8C are pictures showing the activity of
SA-.beta.-gal in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMMSCs)
without any treatment (untreated group), hBMMSCs treated with
H.sub.2O.sub.2 (H.sub.2O.sub.2 group) and hBMMSCs treated with
H.sub.2O.sub.2 and 6 .mu.M of TC (H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group);
[0029] FIG. 8D is a statistical bar diagram showing the activity of
SA-.beta.-gal in hBMMSCs without any treatment (untreated group),
hBMMSCs treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 (H.sub.2O.sub.2 group) and
hBMMSCs treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 and 6 .mu.M of TC
(H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group), wherein the vertical axis represents
the percentage of the activity of SA-.beta.-gal (*** represents p
value<0.05, reflecting a statistically significant
difference);
[0030] FIGS. 9A to 9C are pictures showing the activity of
SA-.beta.-gal in Wharton's jelly stem cells (WJSCs) without any
treatment (untreated group), WJSCs treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2
(H.sub.2O.sub.2 group) and WJSCs treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 and 6
.mu.M of TC (H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group);
[0031] FIG. 9D is a statistical bar diagram showing the activity of
SA-.beta.-gal in WJSCs without any treatment (untreated group),
WJSCs treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 (H.sub.2O.sub.2 group) and WJSCs
treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 and 6 .mu.M of TC (H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6
group), wherein the vertical axis represents the activity
percentage of SA-.beta.-gal (*** represents p value<0.05,
reflecting a statistically significant difference);
[0032] FIG. 10A is a statistical bar diagram of the results of
quantitative RT-PCR, showing the expression levels of SIRT1 gene in
hBMMSCs without any treatment (untreated group), hBMMSCs treated
with H.sub.2O.sub.2 (H.sub.2O.sub.2 group) and hBMMSCs treated with
H.sub.2O.sub.2 and 6 .mu.M of TC (H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group),
wherein the vertical axis represents the expression folds of SIRT1
gene (*** represents p value<0.05, reflecting a statistically
significant difference);
[0033] FIG. 10B is a statistical bar diagram of the results of
quantitative RT-PCR, showing the expression levels of SIRT1 gene in
WJSCs without any treatment (untreated group), WJSCs treated with
H.sub.2O.sub.2 (H.sub.2O.sub.2 group) and WJSCs treated with
H.sub.2O.sub.2 and 6 .mu.M of TC (H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group),
wherein the vertical axis represents the expression folds of SIRT1
gene (*** represents p value<0.05, reflecting a statistically
significant difference);
[0034] FIG. 11A is a picture of the Masson's trichrome staining,
showing the liver fibrosis degree of a liver fibrosis rat (i.e., a
TAA rat);
[0035] FIG. 11B is a picture of the Hematoxylin and Eosin staining
(H&E staining), showing the liver inflammation degree of a
liver fibrosis rat (i.e., a TAA rat);
[0036] FIGS. 12A to 12E are pictures of the immunohistostaining
performed using .alpha.-fetoprotein (AFP), showing the liver
sections of the rat without any treatment (untreated group), the
rat injected with normal saline (pseudo-injection group), the rat
injected with "untreated group" ADSCs (stem cell group), the rat
injected with "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" ADSCs (H.sub.2O.sub.2 group),
and the rat injected with "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" ADSCs (TC
group) at Day 7 post the different treatments;
[0037] FIGS. 12F to 12J are pictures of the immunohistostaining
performed using AFP, showing the liver sections of the rat without
any treatment (untreated group), the rat injected with normal
saline (pseudo-injection group), the rat injected with "untreated
group" ADSCs (stem cell group), the rat injected with
"H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" ADSCs (H.sub.2O.sub.2 group), and the rat
injected with "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" ADSCs (TC group) at Day 14
post the different treatments;
[0038] FIGS. 13A and 13B are pictures of the Masson's trichrome
staining, showing the liver fibrosis degree in the rat without any
treatment (untreated group), the rat injected with normal saline
(pseudo-injection group), the rat injected with "untreated group"
ADSCs (stem cell group), the rat injected with "H.sub.2O.sub.2
group" ADSCs (H.sub.2O.sub.2 group), and the rat injected with
"H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" ADSCs (TC group) at Day 7 post the
different treatments (FIG. 13A) or Day 14 post the different
treatments (FIG. 13B);
[0039] FIGS. 13C and 13D are pictures of the H&E staining
showing the liver inflammation degree in the rat without any
treatment (untreated group), the rat injected with normal saline
(pseudo-injection group), the rat injected with "untreated group"
ADSCs (stem cell group), the rat injected with "H.sub.2O.sub.2
group" ADSCs (H.sub.2O.sub.2 group), and the rat injected with
"H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" ADSCs (TC group) at Day 7 post the
different treatments (FIG. 13C) or Day 14 post the different
treatments (FIG. 13D);
[0040] FIGS. 14A and 14B are statistical bar diagrams showing the
fibrosis score and activity score of rats at Day 0, Day 7 and Day
14 post the different treatments, wherein represents the rats
without any treatment (untreated group), represents the rats
injected with normal saline (pseudo-injection group), represents
the rats injected with "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" ADSCs (H.sub.2O.sub.2
group), represents the rats injected with "untreated group" ADSCs
(stem cell group), and represents the rats injected with
"H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" ADSCs (TC group); and
[0041] FIGS. 15A to 15E are statistical bar diagrams showing the
expression level of GPT, the expression level of GOT, the
expression level of albumin, prothrombin time, and the expression
level of total bilirubin respectively in the livers of the rats at
Day 0, Day 7 and Day 14 post the different treatments, wherein
represents the rats without any treatment (untreated group),
represents the rats injected with normal saline (pseudo-injection
group), represents the rats injected with "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group"
ADSCs (H.sub.2O.sub.2 group), represents the rats injected with
"untreated group" ADSCs (stem cell group), and represents the rats
injected with "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" ADSCs (TC group) (***
represents p value<0.01, reflecting a statistically significant
difference; ** represents p value<0.05, reflecting a
statistically significant difference).
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0042] The following will describe some embodiments of the present
invention in detail. However, without departing from the spirit of
the present invention, the present invention may be embodied in
various embodiments and should not be limited to the embodiments
described in the specification. In addition, unless otherwise
indicated herein, the expressions "a," "the," or the like recited
in the specification of the present invention (especially in the
claims) are intended to include the singular and plural forms.
Furthermore, the term "effective amount" or "amount effective for
treatment" used in this specification refers to the amount of the
compound that can at least partially alleviate the condition that
is being treated in a suspected subject when administered to the
subject in need. The term "subject" used in this specification
refers to a mammalian, including human and non-human animals.
[0043] Stem cells have been used widely by the present medicine,
such applications include such as treating autoimmune diseases
(e.g., diabetes mellitus and autoimmune rejection), treating
digestive diseases (e.g., anus/digestive fistula diseases),
treating hepatic diseases (e.g., hepatocirrhosis and hepatic
fibrosis), treating renal diseases (e.g., renal failure), treating
cardiovascular diseases (e.g., stroke and myocardial infarction),
treating neurological diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease and
Parkinson's disease), treating hematological diseases (e.g.,
leukemia), treating bone degeneration (e.g., degenerative
arthritis, degeneration of knee cartilage), treating periodontitis,
treating tendonitis, treating spinal injury, treating head trauma,
plastic surgery (e.g., hemifacial atrophy and sunken scar),
treating alopecia, whitening skin, and/or eliminating wrinkles.
Relevant descriptions can be seen in, for example, "Stem cells:
innovations in clinical applications. Stem Cells int. Volume 2014,
Article ID 516278, 9 pages," which is entirely incorporated
hereinto by reference.
[0044] However, after stem cells undergo several generations of
subculture and/or have been transplanted into a subject's body, the
cellular senescence caused by various stress signals will have an
impact on the therapeutic effect of the stem cells. Relevant
descriptions can be seen in, for example, "Replicative
senescence-associated gene expression changes in mesenchymal
stromal cells are similar under different culture conditions.
Haematologica. 95(6):867-74 (2010)," which is entirely incorporated
hereinto by reference. Research results have proven that stem cell
senescence will be accompanied by the following actions: a decrease
in the proliferation rate of stem cells, an increase in the
activity of SA-.beta.-gal in stem cells, a decrease in the
expression level of SIRT1 gene in stem cells, and a decrease in the
activity of telomerase in stem cells. It has also been proven that
if the aforementioned actions can be reversed and/or recovered,
stem cell senescence can be antagonized effectively, and this is
favorable for the application of stem cells in treating diseases.
Relevant descriptions can be seen in, for example, "Four faces of
cellular senescence. J Cell Biol. 192(4):547-556 (2011);" "A
biomarker that identifies senescent human cells in culture and in
aging skin in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 92(20):9363-9367
(1995);" "SIRT1 overexpression antagonizes cellular senescence with
activated ERK/S6k1 signaling in human diploid fibroblasts. PLoS
One. 5; 3(3):e1710 (2008);" "Aging, tumor suppression and cancer:
high wire-act! Mech Ageing Dev. 126(1):51-8 (2005);" and "Telomeres
shorten during ageing of human fibroblasts. Nature.
345(6274):458-460 (1990)," which are entirely incorporated hereinto
by reference.
[0045] Inventors of the present invention found that the treatment
of stem cells with TC, wherein the stem cells show decreased
proliferation rate, increased activity of SA-.beta.-gal, decreased
expression of SIRT1 gene and decreased activity of telomerase,
would effectively reverse and/or recover the aforementioned actions
in the stem cells. It has been further discovered that TC even can
reduce the activity of SA-.beta.-gal in general stem cells (i.e.,
non-senescent stem cells) and increase the expression level of
SIRT1 gene in general stem cells.
[0046] Therefore, the present invention relates to the discovery of
the anti-senescence of stem cells and rejuvenating stem cells and
the uses thereof, including providing a composition, a preparation,
and a method for the anti-senescence of stem cells and/or
rejuvenating stem cells, wherein the preparation is manufactured
with the use of TC, the composition comprises TC, and the method
comprises treating stem cells with TC.
[0047] The composition, preparation, and method of the present
invention can be used in any suitable stem cells and the examples
of the stem cells include, for example, embryonic stem cells, adult
stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells. The adult stem
cells include such as hematopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal stem
cells (e.g., ADSCs, BMMSCs, and WJSCs). Depending on the origin of
the adult stem cells, the adult stem cells can be classified into
such as umbilical cord blood stem cells, peripheral blood stem
cells, neural stem cells, epithelial stem cells, muscle stem cells,
adipose-derived stem cells, pancreas stem cells, limbal stem cells,
hepatic stem cells, and intestinal stem cells.
[0048] According to the method of the present invention, if stem
cells are pre-treated with TC before being used in a stem cell
therapy, at least one of the following effects can be provided:
improving the proliferation rate of the stem cells, reducing the
activity of SA-.beta.-gal in the stem cells, increasing the
expression level of SIRT1 genes in the stem cells, and increasing
the activity of telomere in the stem cells. Hence, the TC treatment
is effective in the anti-senescence of stem cells and/or
rejuvenating stem cells, and thus, enhances the effect of the said
stem cell therapy. TC can be administered as a composition or a
preparation.
[0049] In the method for the anti-senescence of stem cells and/or
rejuvenating stem cells according to the present invention, stem
cells can be treated with TC under any suitable conditions, as long
as the conditions have no adverse effect on the stem cell survival.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the TC treatment is
conducted in a culture medium of the stem cells to be treated. The
TC treatment could be conducted by adding TC and/or a TC-containing
composition and/or a TC-containing preparation into a culture
medium containing the stem cells to be treated. Alternatively, the
treatment could be conducted by thawing rested and frozen stem
cells and adding the stem cells into a TC-containing stem cell
culture medium.
[0050] Any suitable stem cell culture medium can be used in the
present invention, as long as the culture medium corresponds to the
stem cells to be treated. The stem cell culture medium usually
comprises components providing nutrients and conditions (e.g. pH)
required for the growth and differentiation of the stem cells. In
general, a stem cell culture medium comprises a base culture
medium, an animal serum (e.g., fetal bovine serum), growth factors
(e.g., human recombinant epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth
factor), nutrients (e.g., bovine pituitary extract), non-essential
amino acids (NEAA) (e.g., L-glutamine, N-acetyl-L-cysteine), redox
agents (e.g., L-ascorbic acid), antibiotics (e.g., penicillin,
streptomycin), etc. Examples of the base medium suitable for the
method of the present invention include, but are not limited to,
K-SFM (Keratinocyte-Serum Free Medium), DMEM (Dulbecco's Modified
Eagle's Medium), IMDM (Iscove's Modified Dulbecco's Medium), MEM
(Minimum Essential Medium), .alpha.-MEM (.alpha.-Minimum Essential
Medium), BME (Basal Media Eagle), MEM/F12 medium, Ham's F10 medium,
Ham's F12 medium, and RPMI (Rosewell Park Memorial Institute). For
instance, when the method of the present invention is used for the
anti-senescence of ADSCs and/or rejuvenating ADSCs, K-SFM may be
used as the base medium to conduct the TC treatment.
[0051] Preferably, the TC treatment is conducted in a stem cell
culture medium at a TC concentration ranging from about 0.1 to
about 50 .mu.g per mL of the culture medium. It is more preferable
that a TC concentration ranging from about 2 to about 20 .mu.g per
mL of the stem cell culture medium is used in the TC treatment to
provide an effect of the anti-senescence of stem cells; and a TC
concentration ranging from about 4 to about 20 .mu.g per mL of the
stem cell culture medium is used to provide an effect of
rejuvenating stem cells.
[0052] The present invention also provides a composition for the
anti-senescence of and/or rejuvenating a stem cell, and a use of TC
in the manufacture of a preparation for the anti-senescence of a
stem cell and/or rejuvenating a stem cell. The composition and
preparation are those described hereinbefore and used in the method
of the present invention. The composition and preparation can be
provided for an in vitro treatment of stem cells to enhance the
efficacy of the stem cells, and can be provided for being
administered by a subject, such as human, to provide an effect of
rejuvenating stem cells or the anti-senescence of stem cells in the
subject.
[0053] When the composition/preparation for the anti-senescence of
stem cells and/or rejuvenating stem cells according to the present
invention is provided for an in vitro use, the
composition/preparation can comprise a carrier, as long as the
carrier has no adverse effect on the stem cells to be treated and
will not affect the effect of the TC treatment. Examples of the
carrier include, but are not limited thereto, dimethyl sulfoxide
(DMSO), ethanol, and 0.5% methylcellulose-containing phosphate
buffered saline (PBS).
[0054] When the composition or preparation for the anti-senescence
of stem cells and/or rejuvenating stem cells according to the
present invention is for being administered by a subject, such as
human, the composition or preparation can be in any suitable form
without particular limitations. For example, the composition or
preparation can be manufactured as an edible product for swallowing
or drinking, but is not limited thereby. Examples of the edible
products include food additives, drink additives, dietary
supplements, food constituents, drink constituents, health foods,
nutraceutical products, medical foods, and nutriments. The
composition or preparation can also be provided as medicaments.
Preferably, the composition or preparation are provided as health
foods or medicaments.
[0055] When the composition and/or preparation according to the
present invention are provided as a medicament, the medicament can
be in any suitable dosage form depending on the desired
administration way. For example, the medicament can be administered
by oral or parenteral (e.g., subcutaneous, intravenous, or nasal)
to a subject in need, but is not limited thereby. Depending on the
form and purpose, a suitable carrier can be chosen and used to
provide the medicament.
[0056] As for the dosage form suitable for oral administration, the
medicament provided by the present invention can comprise a
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier that will not adversely affect
the desired activity of TC. Examples of the carrier include such as
solvents (e.g., water, saline, dextrose, glycerol, ethanol or its
analogs, or a combination thereof), oily solvents, diluents,
stabilizers, absorption retarders, disintegrants, emulsifiers,
antioxidants, adhesives, lubricants, moisture absorbents, and solid
carriers (e.g., starch and bentonite). The medicament can be
provided in any suitable form for oral administration in any
suitable manner, such as a tablet (includes a dragee), a pill, a
capsule, a granule, a powder, a fluid extract, a solution, syrup, a
suspension, an emulsion, a tincture, etc.
[0057] As for the dosage form of injection or drip suitable for
subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, or intraperitoneal
administration, the medicament provided by the present invention
can comprise one or more component(s) such as an isotonic solution,
a saline buffer solution (e.g., a phosphate buffer solution or a
citrate buffer solution), a solubilizer, an emulsifier, 5% sugar
solution, and other carriers to provide the medicament as an
intravenous injection, an emulsion intravenous injection, a powder
injection, a suspension injection, or a powder-suspension
injection. Alternatively, the medicament can be prepared as a
pre-injection solid. The pre-injection solid can be provided in a
dosage form which is soluble in other solutions or suspensions, or
in an emulsifiable dosage form. A desired injection is provided by
emulsifying the pre-injection solid or dissolving it in a solution
or suspension prior to being administered by the subject in need.
In addition, examples of the dosage form for external use which are
suitable for nasal or transdermal administration include an
emulsion, a cream, gel (e.g., an aquagel), paste (e.g., a
dispersing paste and an ointment), a spray, or a solution (e.g., a
washing liquid and a suspension).
[0058] Optionally, the medicament provided by the present invention
may further comprise a suitable amount of additives, such as a
flavoring agent, a toner, or a coloring agent for enhancing the
taste and visual perception of the medicament, and/or an additional
carrier, a binding agent, a buffering agent, a tackifying agent, a
lubricant, a disintegrant, a stabilizer, an emulsifier, a
dispersant, a suspending agent, a preservative, a conservative, an
antibacterial agent, or an antifungal agent for improving the
stability and storability of the medicament. In addition, the
medicament may optionally further comprise one or more other active
components or be used in combination with a medicament comprising
the one or more other active components, to further enhance the
effects of the medicament or to increase the application
flexibility and adaptability of the preparation thus provided, as
long as the other active components will not affect the desired
effect of TC.
[0059] Depending on the requirements of the subject, the medicament
provided by the present invention can be applied with various
administration frequencies, such as once a day, several times a day
or once every few days, etc. For example, when the medicament is
applied orally for the anti-senescence of stem cells and/or
rejuvenating stem cells, the dosage of the medicament is about 10
mg (as TC)/kg-body weight to about 500 mg (as TC)/kg-body weight
per day, preferably about 60 mg (as TC)/kg-body weight to about 240
mg (as TC)/kg-body weight per day, and more preferably about 100 mg
(as TC)/kg-body weight to about 160 mg (as TC)/kg-body weight per
day, wherein the unit "mg/kg-body weight" means the dosage required
per kg-body weight of the treated subject. However, for patients
with severe stem cell senescence, the dosage can be increased to
several times or several tens of times, depending on the practical
requirements.
[0060] When the composition and/or preparation according to the
present invention are provided as a health food, the health food
may be in the form as dairy products, meat, breadstuff, vegetables,
feeding stuffs, fruit juices, teas, sport drinks, and nutriceutical
drinks, but is not limited thereby. Depending on the type of the
health foods, different steps could be adopted for adding TC, as
long as the operation will not affect the effect of the TC
treatment. For example, TC could be added at the material stage of
the health food manufacturing process (i.e., TC is a part of the
health food), or TC could be added at the product stage after the
health food manufacturing process has been completed (i.e., TC is
an additive of the health food). Wherein, in the addition step, TC
could be added by itself or be mixed with other components (e.g.,
proteins, sugars, fats, trace elements, or vitamins, but is not
limited thereby) to manufacture the preparation as a tablet, a
capsule, a granule, a powder, a suspension, or a emulsion prior to
being added and mixed.
[0061] Optionally, the health food provided by the present
invention may further comprise a suitable amount of an excipient
(e.g., lactose, white sugar, starch, or mannitol), a disintegrant
(e.g., calcium carbonate or calcium carboxymethyl cellulose), a
binding agent (e.g., .alpha.-starch, Arabian gum, carboxymethyl
cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, or hydroxypropyl cellulose), a
tackifying agent (e.g., natural rubber), a lubricant (e.g., talcum
powder, magnesium stearate, or polyethylene glycol 6000), and/or
other additives (e.g., a flavoring agent, a toner, or a coloring
agent for enhancing the taste and visual perception of the health
food, and/or a carrier, a buffering agent, a stabilizer, an
emulsifier, a dispersant, a suspending agent, a preservative, a
conservative, an antibacterial agent, or antifungal agent for
improving the stability and storability of the health food). In
addition, the health food may optionally further comprise one or
more other active components or be used in combination with a
health food comprising the one or more other active components, to
further enhance the effects of the health food or increase the
application flexibility and adaptability of the preparation thus
provided, as long as the other active components will not affect
the desired effect of TC.
[0062] Depending on the age, body weight and healthy conditions of
the subject, the health food provided by the present invention can
be taken in various frequencies, such as once a day, several times
a day or once every few days, etc. The amount of TC in the health
food provided by the present invention can be adjusted, preferably
to the amount should be taken daily, in light of the specific
population. For example, if the recommended daily dosage for a
subject is about 500 mg and each serving of the health food
contains 250 mg of TC, the subject can take about two servings of
the health food per day. The recommended daily dosage, use
standards and use conditions for a specific population (e.g.,
pregnant woman and patients) and/or the recommendations for a use
in combination with another food or medicament can be indicated on
the exterior package of the health food provided by the present
invention, and thus, is favorable for the user to take the health
food by him- or herself safely and securely without the
instructions of a doctor, pharmacist, or related executive.
[0063] According to the present invention, that pre-treatment of a
stem cell with TC before using it in a stem cell therapy is
effective in the anti-senescence of the stem cell and even can
rejuvenate the stem cell, and can enhance the therapeutic effect of
the stem cell. Therefore, the present invention also relates to the
discovery and application of using TC in a stem cell therapy, and
includes providing a kit and a method for stem cell therapy.
[0064] The kit for stem cell therapy according to the present
invention comprises (1) a first part, comprising a stem cell; (2) a
second part, comprising TC; and (3) a culture medium of the stem
cell, placed in at least one of the first part, the second part,
and a third part. When the kit is used in a stem cell therapy, the
stem cell is treated with TC in the culture medium, and then the
treated stem cell is used in the stem cell therapy. The selection
of the stem cell and the culture medium, as well as the condition
and method for using TC are all in line with the above
descriptions. Preferably, TC is used at a concentration ranging
from about 0.1 to about 50 .mu.g per mL of the culture medium.
[0065] In the kit according to the present invention, the
components are normally packaged and stored separately, and can be
transported or sold separately or in a set. The kit may further
contain an instruction manual, and thus, is favorable for the user
to mix the components with each other at the customer's facility,
to conduct the culture, treatment and administration of the stem
cells according to the preset procedures and processes.
[0066] In one embodiment of the present invention wherein the
components of the kit are separately packaged and stored and are
separately transported or sold, the stem cells are kept in a
preservation solution for freeze-storage in an environment at
-80.degree. C., TC is kept in a solvent (e.g., DMSO, ethanol and
0.5% methylcellulose-containing PBS) in a dark environment below
4.degree. C., and the culture medium of the stem cells is kept in
an environment at -20.degree. C. In another embodiment of the
present invention wherein the components of the kit are transported
and sold in a set, the stem cells, TC and culture medium of the
stem cells are separately kept in a container with an interior
temperature of -80.degree. C. (e.g., a liquid nitrogen tank), a
container with an interior temperature of less than 4.degree. C.,
and a container with an interior temperature of -20.degree. C.
(e.g., an ice box). There is no particular limitation for the shape
and size of the containers, as long as the interior of each
container is isolated from the environmental temperature such that
the components could be transported and sold in a set without
affecting the preservation temperature of each other. Any suitable
freezing medium could be used in the preservation of stem cells, as
long as the components of the freezing medium could maintain the
survival rate of stem cells effectively and do not affect the
chromosome composition, proliferation and the differentiation
capacity of the stem cells. Usually, the components of the freezing
medium are adjusted depending on the corresponding stem cells. In
general, the freezing medium includes DMSO, nutrients (e.g.,
glucose), pH regulators, etc., and does not include serum or animal
proteins.
[0067] The method of stem cell therapy according to the present
invention comprises administering to a subject in need an effective
amount of a stem cell, wherein the stem cell has been pre-treated
with TC before being administered to the subject. For example, in
one embodiment of the method of stem cell therapy according to the
present invention, stem cells are treated with TC before being used
in the stem cell therapy of liver fibrosis. Such TC treatment is
effective in the anti-senescence of the stem cells and thus can
enhance the effect of the stem cells on treating liver fibrosis.
The treatment of stem cells, selection of materials, dosage of TC
for administration, and the application in relative therapy are all
in line with the above descriptions.
[0068] The present invention will be further illustrated in detail
with specific examples as follows. However, the following examples
are provided only for illustrating the present invention, and the
scope of the present invention is not limited thereby.
EXAMPLES
A. Cellular Experiments
[Example 1] Preparation of Stem Cells
[0069] (1) Adipose Stem Cells (ADSCs)
[0070] ADSCs were sub-cultured for 5 to 7 passages in K-SFM
(Keratinocyte-Serum Free Medium, purchased from Invitrogen-Gibco)
at 37.degree. C. under 5% CO.sub.2. The K-SFM contained human
recombinant epidermal growth factor (purchased from Gibco), bovine
pituitary extract (purchased from Invitrogen-Gibco), 10% of fetal
bovine serum (FBS; purchased from Hyclone), 1% of
penicillin/streptomycin (P/S; purchased from Biowest), 0.2 mM of
L-ascorbic acid (purchased from Sigma), and 2 mM of
N-acetyl-L-cysteine (purchased from Sigma).
[0071] Four portions of equal volume of the above culture medium
containing the sub-cultured ADSCs were separately handled by adding
thereinto H.sub.2O.sub.2 (purchased from Sigma-Aldrich) at a final
concentration of 100 .mu.M and reacting for 2 hours to induce
senescence of the ADSCs, replacing the culture medium with a fresh
culture medium, adding thereinto TC (trans-cinnamaldehyde,
purchased from Sigma-Aldrich) at a final concentration of 0, 2, 4
or 6 .mu.M and reacting for 6 hours, so as to obtain
"H.sub.2O.sub.2 group (i.e., treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 for 2
hours, but not treated with TC)," "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC2 group (i.e.,
treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 for 2 hours and then treated with 2
.mu.M of TC for 6 hours)," "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC4 group (i.e., treated
with H.sub.2O.sub.2 for 2 hours and then treated with 4 .mu.M of TC
for 6 hours)," and "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group (i.e., treated with
H.sub.2O.sub.2 for 2 hours and then treated with 6 .mu.M of TC for
6 hours)" ADSCs.
[0072] Five portions of equal volume of the above culture medium
containing the sub-cultured ADSCs were separately handled by adding
thereinto with H.sub.2O.sub.2 at a final concentration of 100 .mu.M
and reacting for 2 hours to induce senescence of the ADSCs. Then,
the culture medium in each of the five portions was replaced with a
fresh culture medium. The first portion was handed by adding
thereinto TC at a final concentration of 6 .mu.M and reacting for 6
hours to obtain "TC6H group" ADSCs. The second to fifth portions
were handled by adding thereinto TC at a final concentration of 6
.mu.M, reacting for 6 hours, and then transferring and incubating
the ADSCs in DMEM for 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours respectively to
obtain "TC12H group," "TC24H group," "TC48H group" and "TC72H
group" ADSCs.
[0073] Four portions of equal volume of the above culture medium
containing the sub-cultured ADSCs were handled by adding thereinto
TC at final concentrations of 0, 2, 4 and 6 .mu.M respectively, and
reacting for 6 hours to obtain "untreated group (i.e., without any
treatment)," "TC2 group (i.e., treated only with 2 .mu.M of TC),"
"TC4 group (i.e., treated only with 4 .mu.M of TC)" and "TC6 group
(i.e., treated only with 6 .mu.M of TC)" ADSCs.
[0074] (2) Wharton's Jelly Stem Cells (WJSCs)
[0075] WJSCs were sub-cultured for 5 to 7 passages in IMDM
(Iscove's Modified Dulbecco's Medium, purchased from Invitrogen) at
37.degree. C. under 5% CO.sub.2, wherein the IMDM contained 10% of
FBS (purchased from Hyclone), 10 .mu.g/mL of basic fibroblast
growth factor (bFGF; purchased from R&D system), 2 mM of
L-glutamine (purchased from Invitrogen-Gibco), and 100 Units/mL of
penicillin/streptomycin (purchased from Invitrogen).
[0076] Three portions of equal volume of the above culture medium
containing the sub-cultured WJSCs were provided. The first and
second portions were handled by adding thereinto H.sub.2O.sub.2 at
a final concentration of 100 .mu.M, reacting for 2 hours to induce
senescence of the WJSCs, replacing the culture medium with a fresh
culture medium, adding thereinto TC at final concentrations of 0
and 6 .mu.M, respectively, and reacting for 6 hours to obtain
"H.sub.2O.sub.2 group (i.e., treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 for 2
hours, but not treated with TC)" and "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group
(i.e., treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 for 2 hours and then treated
with 6 .mu.M of TC for 6 hours) WJSCs. The third portion without
any treatment was referred to as "untreated group" WJSCs.
[0077] (3) Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hBMMSCs)
[0078] hBMMSCs were sub-cultured for 5 to 7 passages in IMDM
(purchased from Invitrogen-Gibco) at 37.degree. C. under 5%
CO.sub.2, wherein the IMDM contained 10% of FBS (purchased from
Hyclone), 10 .mu.g/mL of bFGF (purchased from R&D system), 2 mM
of L-glutamine (purchased from Invitrogen-Gibco), and 100 Units/mL
of penicillin/streptomycin (purchased from Invitrogen-Gibco).
[0079] Three portions of equal volume of the above culture medium
containing the sub-cultured hBMMSCs were provided. The first and
second portions were handled by adding thereinto H.sub.2O.sub.2 at
a final concentration of 100 .mu.M, reacting for 2 hours to induce
senescence of the hBMMSCs, replacing the culture medium with a
fresh culture medium, adding thereinto TC at final concentrations
of 0 and 6 .mu.M respectively, and reacting for 6 hours to obtain
"H.sub.2O.sub.2 group (i.e., treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 for 2
hours, but not treated with TC)" and "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group
(i.e., treated with H.sub.2O.sub.2 for 2 hours and then treated
with 6 .mu.M of TC for 6 hours) hBMMSCs. The third portion without
any treatment was referred to as "untreated group" hBMMSCs.
[Example 2] Effects of H.sub.2O.sub.2 and TC on the Expression of
the Surface Antigens of Stem Cells
[0080] Samples of the "untreated group," "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group,"
and "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" ADSCs obtained from Example 1 (1)
were labelled with the following antibodies: an antibody against
human cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14), an antibody against
human cluster of differentiation 29 (CD29), an antibody against
human cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44), an antibody against
human cluster of differentiation 45 (CD45), and an antibody against
human leukocyte antigen-ABC (HLA-ABC) (purchased from Dako Ltd.);
an antibody against human cluster of differentiation 34 (CD34), an
antibody against human cluster of differentiation 49b (CD49b), an
antibody against human cluster of differentiation 73 (CD73), an
antibody against human cluster of differentiation 90 (CD90), and an
antibody against human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) (purchased
from Becton Dickinson Ltd.). Then, the expressions of the surface
antigens of the cells in each group were analyzed by a flow
cytometer (Beckman Coulter Ltd., FC500). The results are shown in
FIGS. 1A and 1B.
[0081] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, as compared to the "untreated
group" ADSCs, the expression phenotypes of the surface antigens of
the "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" and "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" ADSCs
were not significantly changed. These three groups of ADSCs all
expressed the mesenchymal stem cell markers (e.g., CD29, CD44,
CD73, CD90 and HLA-ABC), but did not express the hematopoietic stem
cell markers (e.g., CD34, CD45 and HLA-DR). The aforementioned
results indicate that neither the H.sub.2O.sub.2 treatment nor the
TC treatment will affect the expressions of the surface antigens of
stem cells.
[Example 3] Effect of TC on the Differentiation Capacity of Stem
Cells
[0082] Experiment (1) Osteogenic Differentiation Assay
[0083] Samples of the "untreated group," "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group,"
and "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" ADSCs obtained from Example 1 (1)
were cultured in DMEM to induce osteogenic differentiation, wherein
the DMEM contained 10% of FBS, 20 nM of dexamethasone, 100 Units/mL
of penicillin, 100 .mu.g/mL of streptomycin, 2.5 .mu.g/mL of
amphotericin, 10 mM of b-glycerophosphate, and 0.05 mM of
L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate. After being cultured for 7 days, the
samples were stained with an alkaline phosphatase detection kit
(purchased from EMD Millipore, CSCR004) and then photographed by a
microscope. The results are shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, wherein the
cells after the osteogenic differentiation were in purple color
under the microscope. After being photographed, the absorbance at a
wavelength of 450 nm (i.e., OD.sub.450) of each sample was measured
to figure out the effect of H.sub.2O.sub.2 and/or TC on the
osteogenic differentiation capacity of ADSCs. The results are shown
in FIG. 2G.
[0084] As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C and 2G, as compared to "untreated
group," the cell number after the osteogenic differentiation of
ADSCs in "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" was significantly reduced, and the
cell number in "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" was similar to that in
"untreated group." The aforementioned results indicate that the
H.sub.2O.sub.2 treatment would reduce the osteogenic
differentiation capacity of stem cells, while such disadvantageous
effect of H.sub.2O.sub.2 could be offset by the TC treatment, and
thus, TC treatment can make the osteogenic differentiation capacity
of stem cells recover to a normal level.
[0085] Experiment (2) Adipogenic Differentiation Assay
[0086] Samples of the "untreated group," "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group,"
and "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" ADSCs obtained from Example 1 (1)
were cultured in DMEM to induce adipogenic differentiation, wherein
the DMEM contained 10% of FBS, 10 .mu.g/mL of insulin, 1 .mu.M of
dexamethasone, 0.5 mM of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), and
100 .mu.M of indomethacin. After being cultured for 7 days, the
samples were stained by Oil Red 0 staining and then photographed by
a microscope. The results are shown in FIGS. 2D to 2F. When stem
cells undergo adipogenic differentiation, oil droplets will produce
in the cells, and the oil droplets appear orange-red color under
the microscope. The steps of Oil Red 0 staining can be seen in
"Coptis chinensis alkaloids exert anti-adipogenic activity on
3T3-L1 adipocytes by downregulating C/EBP-.alpha. and PPAR-.gamma..
Fitoterapia. 98:199-208 (2014)," which is entirely incorporated
hereinto by reference.
[0087] After being photographed, the oil droplets were extracted
from the cells in each sample with isopropanol containing 4%
Nonidet P-40. The absorbance of the oil droplets at a wavelength of
510 nm (i.e., OD.sub.510) of each sample were measured, wherein the
absorbance corresponds to the number of cells in orange-red color
(i.e., cells present after adipogenic differentiation). The results
are shown in FIG. 2H.
[0088] As shown in FIGS. 2D to 2F and 2H, as compared to "untreated
group," the cell number after the adipogenic differentiation of
ADSCs in "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" was significantly reduced, and the
cell number in "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" was similar to that in
"untreated group." The aforementioned results indicate that the
H.sub.2O.sub.2 treatment would reduce the adipogenic
differentiation capacity of stem cells, while the disadvantageous
effect of H.sub.2O.sub.2 could be offset by the TC treatment, and
thus, TC treatment can make the adipogenic differentiation capacity
of stem cells recover to a normal level. f
[Example 4] Effects of TC on Rejuvenating Stem Cells and on the
Anti-Senescence of Stem Cells
[0089] Experiment (1) Analysis of Proliferation Rate
[0090] Samples of the "untreated group," "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group,"
and "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" ADSCs obtained from Example 1 (1)
were washed with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) twice, fixed with
3.7% formaldehyde, and blocked with 10% FBS (diluted in PBS). Then,
the cells of each sample were washed with PBS once, and reacted
with a Ki67 antibody (purchased from Novus biological) at 4.degree.
C. overnight. Thereafter, the cells were washed with PBS once, and
reacted with a secondary antibody (goat anti rabbit IgG, purchased
from Merk Millpore) at room temperature for 2 hours. The cells were
then stained with DAPI (purchased from Invitrogen) in the dark, and
then observed by a fluorescent microscope. The results are shown in
FIGS. 3A to 3C. Because the Ki67 antibody can label the
nucleoproteins in cells at G1, S, G2 and M phases, but not cells at
G0 phase, more cells labeled by the Ki67 antibody (hereinafter
referred as to Ki67-positive cells) indicates more proliferating
cells (i.e., a higher proliferation rate).
[0091] As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, as compared to "untreated
group," the number of the Ki67-positive cells in "H.sub.2O.sub.2
group" were significantly reduced, and the number of the
Ki67-positive cells in "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" was increased to
be similar to that in "untreated group" (the arrows in the Figures
indicate the proliferating cells). The aforementioned results
indicate that the H.sub.2O.sub.2 treatment would lead to senescence
of stem cells, while the disadvantageous effect of H.sub.2O.sub.2
could be offset by the TC treatment, and thus, TC treatment can
make the proliferation rate of the senescent stem cells recover to
a normal level (i.e., TC is effective in the anti-senescence of
stem cells).
[0092] Experiment (2) Senescence Associated-.beta.-Galactosidase
(SA-.beta.-Gal) Activity Assay
[0093] It has been known that senescent cells in acidic environment
(e.g., pH 6.0) show the activity of SA-.beta.-gal. Therefore, the
senescence level of cells can be reflected by measuring the
expression level of SA-.beta.-gal in the cells.
[0094] The ADSCs in each sample of the group obtained from Example
1 (1) were washed with PBS twice, fixed with 3% formaldehyde and
washed with PBS once. Then, the ADSCs were stained with a fresh
staining solution at 37.degree. C. under no CO.sub.2 for 12 hours,
wherein the staining solution comprised 1 mg/mL of
5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-.beta.-D-galactosidase (X-gal), 40 mM of
citric acid/sodium phosphate (pH 6.0), 5 mM of potassium
ferrocyanide, 5 mM of potassium ferricyanide, 150 mM of sodium
chloride, and 2 mM of magnesium chloride.
[0095] The staining solution was removed. The ADSCs in each sample
were washed with PBS. The cells were observed and photographed
under a microscope with 10-fold magnification, and the percentage
of SA-.beta.-gal activity-positive cells was calculated. The
results are shown in FIGS. 4A to 4E.
[0096] As shown in FIG. 4A, as compared to "untreated group," the
number of the SA-.beta.-gal activity-positive cells in "TC2 group,"
"TC4 group" and "TC6 group" were significantly reduced along with
the increment in the concentration of TC. The results suggest that
TC is effective in rejuvenating stem cells.
[0097] As shown in FIGS. 4B to 4E, as compared to "untreated
group," the number of the SA-.beta.-gal activity-positive cells in
"H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" was significantly increased. These results
indicate that H.sub.2O.sub.2 would lead to the senescence of stem
cells. In addition, as compared to "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group," the
number of the SA-.beta.-gal activity-positive cells in
"H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC2 group," "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC4 group" and
"H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" were significantly reduced. These
results indicate that TC could offset the disadvantageous effect
caused by H.sub.2O.sub.2 on the senescence of stem cells.
[0098] Experiment (3) Analysis of Gene Expression
[0099] (3-1) Preparation of cDNA
[0100] The total cellular RNA of the ADSCs, BMMSCs and WJSCs in
each sample of the group obtained from Example 1 (1) were extracted
with an RNeasy Mini kit (purchased from Qiagen), and then reverse
transcribed into cDNA by a reverse transcription kit (RT Pre Mix,
purchased from iNtRON Biotechnology).
[0101] (3-2) Quantitative RT-PCR
[0102] Each of the cDNA of ADSCs of different groups from
Experiment (3-1) was handled as follows. 1 .mu.l of the cDNA of
ADSCs was mixed with 0.6 .mu.l of forward primer (5 pmole/.mu.l)
and 0.6 .mu.l of reverse primer (5 pmole/.mu.l) of SIRT1 gene as
shown in Table 1 (i.e., SEQ No. 1 and SEQ No. 2), 3.4 .mu.l of
deionized water, and 10 .mu.l of SYBR Green PCR Master Mix
(purchased from Thermo Scientific). The mixture was then placed in
a real-time quantitative PCR machine (ABI prism 7700 sequence
detection system) to perform a reaction for quantifying the gene
expression levels. The reaction conditions were set as follows: i)
50.degree. C. for 2 minutes, one cycle; ii) 95.degree. C. for 10
minutes, one cycle; iii) 95.degree. C. for 15 seconds, 60.degree.
C. for 30 seconds, and 72.degree. C. for 30 seconds, repeated for
40 cycles; iv) 72.degree. C. for 10 minutes, one cycle; and v)
cooling to 4.degree. C. to stop the reaction. The results are shown
in FIGS. 5A to 5C.
[0103] As shown in FIG. 5A, as compared to "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group,"
the expression levels of SIRT1 gene of "TC2 group," "TC4 group" and
"TC6 group" were significantly increased along with the increment
in the concentration of TC. These results again suggest that TC is
effective in rejuvenating stem cells.
[0104] As shown in FIG. 5B, as compared to "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group,"
the expression levels of the SIRT1 gene of "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC2
group," "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC4 group" and "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group"
were significantly increased along with the increment in the
concentration of TC. These results again suggest that TC is
effective in the anti-senescence of stem cells.
[0105] As shown in FIG. 5C, as compared to "TC6H group," the
expression levels of the SIRT1 gene of "TC12H group," "TC24H
group," "TC48H group" and "TC72H group" did not show significant
difference. These results indicate that the effect of TC on
increasing the expression level of SIRT1 gene can be maintained for
at least 72 hours.
[0106] (3-3) Semiquantitative RT-PCR
[0107] Each of the cDNA of the ADSCs of "untreated group,"
"H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" and "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" from
Experiment (3-1) was handled as follows. 2.5 .mu.l the cDNA of the
ADSCs was mixed with 2.5 .mu.l of forward primer (10 .mu.M) and 2.5
.mu.l of reverse primer (10 .mu.M) of SIRT1 gene, p53 gene, p21
gene, OCT4 gene, NANOG gene, TWIST1 gene or .beta.-Actin gene as
shown in Table 1, 7.5 .mu.l of deionized water, and 12.5 .mu.l of
EconoTaq.RTM. PLUS GREEN 2X Master Mix (Lucigen, Middleton, Wis.,
USA). The mixture was then placed in a revers transcription
polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) machine. The RT-PCR reaction
conditions were set as follows: i) 94.degree. C. for 30 seconds,
55.degree. C. for 30 seconds, and 94.degree. C. for 60 seconds,
repeated for 30 cycles; ii) 72.degree. C. for 10 minutes; and iii)
cooling to 4.degree. C. to stop the reaction. The RT-PCR product
was analyzed by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis at a voltage of 100
volts for 30 minutes. Then, the gel was stained with ethidium
bromide (EtBr) for 10 minutes, and photographed by a gel image
documentation system (DOC PRINT DP-001FDC, VilberLourmat France).
The results are shown in FIG. 6A. The expression levels of the
genes were quantified by a software, Image J. The results are shown
in Table 6B.
[0108] As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, as compared to "untreated
group," the expression level of the SIRT1 gene of "H.sub.2O.sub.2
group" was significantly decreased; and as compared to
"H.sub.2O.sub.2 group," the expression level of the SIRT1 gene of
"H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" was significantly increased. As compared
to "untreated group," the expression levels of the p21 gene and p53
gene of "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" were significantly increased; and as
compared to "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group," the expression levels of the
p21 gene and p53 gene of "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" were
significantly decreased. As compared to "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group," the
expression levels of the OCT4 (octamer-binding transcription factor
4) gene and NANOG gene of "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" did not show
significant difference.
[0109] It has been known that the expression level of SIRT1 gene is
associated with senescence, the expression levels of p21 gene and
p53 gene are associated with the regulation of cell cycle, and the
expression levels of OCT4 gene and NANOG gene are associated with
the pluripotency of stem cells. Accordingly, the above results
indicate that TC is effective in the anti-senescence of stem cells
and in regulating cell cycle, and does not affect the pluripotency
of stem cells.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 SEQ Gene ID name Nucleotide sequence of the
primers NO. SIRT1 Forward: 5'-GGTGTTAAATACCAAACTGC-3' 1 Reverse:
5'-AGGAGTGATGTTCAAAATG-3' 2 p53 Forward:
5'-TAACAGTTCCTGCATGGGCGGC-3' 3 Reverse:
5'-AGGACAGGCACAAACACGCACC-3' 4 p21 Forward:
5'-CACTCCAAACGCCGGCTGATCTTC-3' 5 Reverse:
5'-TGTAGAGCGGGCCTTTGAGGCCCTC-3' 6 OCT4 Forward:
5'-CTTGCTGCAGAAGTGGGTGGAGGAA-3' 7 Reverse:
5'-CTGCAGTGTGGGTTTCGGGCA-3' 8 NANOG Forward:
5'-TGCTATTCTTCGGCCAGTTG-3' 9 Reverse: 5'-TGCCTCACACGGAGACTGTC-3' 10
TWIST1 Forward: 5'-GGGAGTCCGCAGTCTACGA-3' 11 Reverse:
5'-AGACCGAGAAGGGCGTAGCTG-3' 12 .beta.- Forward:
5'-CGCCAACCGCGAGAAGATA-3' 13 Actin Reverse: 5'-CGTCCCGGAGTCCATC-3'
14
[0110] (3-4) Microarray Analysis
[0111] Each of the total cellular RNA of ADSCs of "H.sub.2O.sub.2
group" and "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" from Experiment (3-1) was
handled as follows. The total cellular RNA of ADSCs was reverse
transcribed for about 20 or 30 amplification cycles by using a RT
Pre Mix kit (purchased from iNtRON Biotechnology) and the primers
of each gene as shown in Table 2, as well as the primers of SIRT1
gene or p53 gene as shown in Table 1. The products thus obtained
are single strand cDNA of these genes.
[0112] The cDNA was hybridized with a gene chip (Affymetrix
GeneChip Human Genome U133 plus 2.0 Array, Affymetrix). Then, the
gene chip was scanned and analyzed with a microarray scanner system
(Gene Chip.RTM. Scanner 3000). Table 3 shows the folds of the
expression levels of the genes of "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" as
compared to that of "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" (i.e., the gene
expression level of the "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" was set as one
fold).
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 SEQ Gene ID name Nucleotide sequence of the
primers NO. NYFA Forward: 5'-ATCCCAGCAGCCAGTTTGGCAG-3' 15 Reverse:
5'-GAAAAATCGTCCTTCACCACG-3' 16 CCND1 Forward:
5'-CTGGCCATGAACTACCTGGA-3' 17 Reverse: 5'-GTCACACTTGATCACTCTGG-3'
18 EIF5 Forward: 5'-TGCCCACTAGGAGAAAGGTG-3' 19 Reverse:
5'-CGGACTCACCTCTGGAATGT-3' 20 E2F6 Forward:
5'-ACTGGGTGTTCGGAAGAGGCGA-3' 21 Reverse: 5'-GGGGTGCGGCCCCAAAGTT-3'
22 POLR3H Forward: 5'-CATTTTCGCTGCGTGGTGTTTCATCC-3' 23 Reverse:
5'-AACTTGGCTGGCTGCTGCAGTG-3' 24 hTERT Forward:
5'-GGAGCAAGTTGCAAAGCATTG-3' 25 Reverse: 5'-TCCCACGACGTAGTCCATGTT-3'
26 PCNA Forward: 5'-GCCGAGATCTCAGCCATATT-3' 27 Reverse:
5'-ATGTACTTAGAGGTACAAAT-3' 28 GADD45B Forward:
5'-TGACAACGACATCAACATC-3' 29 Reverse: 5'-GTGACCAGAGACAATGCAG-3' 30
PIM1 Forward: 5'-GGCGCCGGGCAAAGAGAAGGAG-3' 31 Reverse:
5'-ACCCGAAGTCGATGAGTTTGATTT-3' 32 p16 Forward:
5'-CAACGCACCGAATAGTTACG-3' 33 Reverse: 5'-CAGCTCCTCAGCCAGGTC-3'
34
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Gene Significance of the increment Folds
name in the of gene expression level (p < 0.05) NYFA
Up-regulated transcription of various 7.2 genes (e.g., albumin)
CCND1 Up-regulated proliferation of the cells 5.8 EIF5 Up-regulated
translation 3.4 SIRT1 Up-regulated activity of telomerase 2.4 E2F6
The increment of proliferation of cells 2.2 POLR3H Up-regulated
transcriptional activity 2.2 hTERT Up-regulated activity of
telomerase 2 PCNA The increment of proliferation of the 2 cells
GADD45B Apoptosis -4.6 PIM1 The increment of cytokine and the -4.4
activation of pro-apoptotic genes p53 Increased apoptosis -1 p16
Increased senescence of the cells -1.8
[0113] As shown in Table 3, as compared to the "H.sub.2O.sub.2
group" ADSCs, the "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" ADSCs were
significantly increased in the expression levels of the
proliferation-associated genes (e.g., NYFA, CCND1, EIF5, SIRT1,
E2F6, POLR3H, hTERT and PCNA) but significantly decreased in the
expression levels of apoptosis-associated genes (e.g., GADD45B,
PIM1, p53 and p16). The aforementioned results indicate that TC is
effective in improving cell proliferation rate by increasing the
expression levels of the transcription-associated genes,
translation-associated genes, and SIRT1 gene in the cells.
[0114] Experiment (4) Telomerase Activity Assay
[0115] It has been know that the activity of telomerase plays a key
role in controlling cell senescence. The activity of telomerase in
each of the "untreated group," "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" and "TC6
group" ADSCs from Example 1 (1) was analyzed by Telomeric Repeat
Amplification Protocol (TRAP) as follows. The 3'-end primer of
telomere (i.e., Telo TAGGG) was extended by PCR under the catalysis
of telomerase to amplify the TTAGGG repeat sequence. Then, signals
of the product were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
(ELISA). The results are shown in FIG. 7, wherein the activity of
telomerase in HEK293 cells (without any treatment) was served as a
positive control group.
[0116] As shown in FIG. 7, as compared to "untreated group," the
activity of the telomerase of "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" was
significantly decreased; and as compared to "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group,"
the activity of telomerase of "TC6 group" was significantly
increased. The aforementioned results indicate that the
H.sub.2O.sub.2 treatment would lead to the senescence of stem
cells, and the activity of the telomerase in the senescent stem
cells could be increased by TC treatment. These results again
suggest that TC is effective in the anti-senescence of stem
cells.
[0117] Experiment (5) Tests of BMMSCs and WJSCs
[0118] (5-1) SA-.beta.-gal Activity Assay
[0119] The steps shown in Experiment (2) of Example 4 were
repeated, but the ADSCs were substituted with the BMMSCs or WJSCs
from Example 1. The results are shown in FIGS. 8A to 8D and 9A to
9D.
[0120] As shown in FIGS. 8A to 8D, as compared to the "untreated
group" hBMMSCs, the number of the SA-.beta.-gal activity-positive
hBMMSCs in the "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" was significantly increased.
As compared to the "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" hBMMSCs, the number of
the SA-.beta.-gal activity-positive hBMMSCs in the
"H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" were significantly reduced. The
aforementioned results were in line with those of ADSCs.
[0121] As shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D, as compared to the "untreated
group" WJSCs, the number of the SA-.beta.-gal activity-positive
WJSCs in the "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" was significantly increased. As
compared to the "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" WJSCs, the number of the
SA-.beta.-gal activity-positive WJSCs in the "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6
group" were significantly reduced. Again, the aforementioned
results were in line with those of ADSCs.
[0122] (5-2) Analysis of the Expression Level of SIRT1 Gene
[0123] The steps as shown in Experiment (3-2) were repeated, but
the cDNA was substituted with the cDNA of the BMMSCs or WJSCs from
Experiment (3-1) to conduct quantitative RT-PCR. The results are
shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B.
[0124] As shown in FIG. 10A, as compared to the "untreated group"
hBMMSCs, the expression level of SIRT1 gene in the "H.sub.2O.sub.2
group" hBMMSCs was significantly reduced. This result suggests that
H.sub.2O.sub.2 would lead to the senescence of stem cells. As
compared to the "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" hBMMSCs, the expression
level of SIRT1 gene in the "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" hBMMSCs was
significantly increased. This result suggests that TC is effective
in the anti-senescence of stem cells. The aforementioned results
were in line with those of ADSCs.
[0125] As shown in FIG. 10B, as compared to the "untreated group"
WJSCs, the expression level of SIRT1 gene in the "H.sub.2O.sub.2
group" WJSCs was significantly reduced. This result suggests that
H.sub.2O.sub.2 would lead to the senescence of stem cells. As
compared to the "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" WJSCs, the expression level
of SIRT1 gene in the "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" WJSCs was
significantly increased. This result suggests that TC is effective
in the anti-senescence of stem cells. Again, the aforementioned
results were in line with those of ADSCs.
B. Animal Experiments
[Example 5] Establishment of a Liver Fibrosis Rat Model
[0126] 200 mg/kg of thioacetamide (TAA) was intraperitoneally
injected to 8-week-old male Wister rats (n=35) once every three
days for 60 days (i.e., 20 injections in total) to obtain a liver
fibrosis rat model (hereinafter referred to as the "TAA group"
rat). Additionally, rats that injected with equal volume of normal
saline but not TAA were served as a "control group" (n=12). At 4
days after the last injection, four rats in the "control group" and
three rats in the "TAA group" were anesthetized with ether and
analyzed by the following experiments.
[0127] Experiment (1) Evaluation of Histopathological Score
[0128] The liver tissue of the "control group" and "TAA group" rats
were processed, biopsied, sliced and stained to evaluate the
histopathological score. The results are shown in FIGS. 11A and
11B. The staining methods include Hematoxylin and Eosin staining
(H&E staining) and Masson's trichrome staining. The steps of
the staining can be seen in "Adipose-derived stem cells can
abrogate chemical-induced liver fibrosis and facilitate recovery of
liver function. Cell Transplant. 21(12):2753-2764 (2012)," which is
entirely incorporated hereinto by reference. The results of H&E
staining and Masson's trichrome staining were analyzed by a Metavir
scoring system to obtain activity score and fibrosis score as shown
in Table 4. A higher activity score indicates severer liver
inflammation, and a higher fibrosis score indicates a more severe
liver fibrosis.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Fibrosis score Definition Activity score
Definition F0 No fibrosis 0 No inflammation F1 Portal fibrosis
without 1 Mild inflammation septa F2 Portal fibrosis with 2
Moderate few septa inflammation F3 Numerous septa 3 Severe
inflammation F4 Cirrhosis
[0129] As shown in FIG. 11A (showing the results of the Masson's
trichrome staining), collagen accumulated in the liver tissue of
the "TAA group" rats and connected two blood vessels, which is a
phenomenon of liver fibrosis. The results of FIG. 11A were further
analyzed by the Metavir scoring system. As compared to the fibrosis
score of the "control group" rats (i.e., 0), the fibrosis score of
the "TAA group" rats is 4. The aforementioned results indicate that
long-term TAA injection would lead to severe liver fibrosis (even
liver cirrhosis) of a rat.
[0130] As shown in FIG. 11B (showing the results of the H&E
staining), the liver tissue of the "TAA group" rats was
significantly infiltrated by macrophages. The results of FIG. 11B
were further analyzed by the Metavir scoring system. As compared to
the activity score of the "control group" rats (i.e., 0), the
activity score of the "TAA group" rats is 3. The aforementioned
results indicate that long-term TAA injection would lead to severe
inflammation in the liver of a rat.
[0131] Experiment (2) Analysis of Biochemical Functional
Indexes
[0132] The cardiac blood of the "control group" and "TAA group"
rats was collected and measured by a biochemical analyzer (Roche,
Integra 800) to analyze the biochemical functional indexes, and
thereby, evaluating the extent of hepatic damage. The biochemical
functional indexes include the expression level of glutamate
oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), the expression level of glutamate
pyruvate transaminase (GPT), the expression level of albumin, the
expression level of total bilirubin, and prothrombin time. The
results are shown in Table 5.
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 "Control group" rats "TAA group" rats (n =
6) (n = 3) GOT (Units/L) 91 .+-. 32 546 .+-. 48** GPT (Units/L) 42
.+-. 12 138 .+-. 47** Albumin (g/dL) 3.9 .+-. 0.3 2.8 .+-. 0.4**
Prothrombin time (sec) 10.78 .+-. 0.26 16.4 .+-. 3.0** Total
bilirubin (mg/dL) 0.025 .+-. 0.05 0.049 .+-. 0.009** Activity score
0 3.03 .+-. 0.05*** Fibrosis score 0 4 .+-. 0.2***
[0133] As shown in Table 5, as compared to the "control group"
rats, the expression levels of GOT, GPT and total bilirubin in the
blood and the prothrombin time of the "TAA group" rats were
significantly increased, and the expression level of albumin in the
blood of the "TAA group" rats was significantly reduced. The
results confirm that long-term TAA injection would lead to severe
damage in the liver of a rat.
[Example 6] the Effects of TC on Enhancing the Therapeutic Effect
of Stem Cells
[0134] The remaining 32 "TAA group" rats from Example 5 were
divided into "pseudo-injection group," "stem cell group,"
"H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" and "TC group," each group had 8 rats and
treated with different conditions, wherein the day for performing
the treatment was referred to as "Day 0" post treatment. The liver
of the "pseudo-injection group" rats were injected with 300 .mu.l
of normal saline. The livers of "stem cell group" rats (i.e.,
positive control group) were injected with 300 .mu.l of the
"untreated group" ADSCs (contains 1.times.10.sup.6 cells) obtained
from Example 1. The livers of the "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" rats
(i.e., negative control group) were injected with 300 .mu.l of the
"H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" ADSCs (contains 1.times.10.sup.6 cells)
obtained from Example 1. The livers of the "TC group" rats were
injected with 300 .mu.l of the "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" ADSCs
(contains 1.times.10.sup.6 cells) obtained from Example 1.
[0135] Four rats from each group were sacrificed with ether at "Day
7" post the different treatments. Then, the other four rats from
each group were sacrificed at "Day 14" post the treatments. The
cardiac blood samples and liver tissue samples of each group were
collected, and analyzed as follows.
[0136] Experiment (1) .alpha.-Fetoprotein (AFP)
Immunohistostaining
[0137] The liver tissue sections of the "control group,"
"pseudo-injection group," "stem cell group," "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group"
and "TC group" were analyzed by AFP immunohistostaining using an
.alpha.-fetoprotein (AFP) antibody (purchased from Calbiochem,
ST1673). The results of "Day 7" post the stem cells injection are
shown in FIGS. 12A to 12E, and the results of "Day 14" post the
stem cell injection are shown in FIGS. 12F to 12J. Since the AFP
antibody is specific to human AFP, the AFP signal-positive cells
(i.e., the brown cells indicated by arrows shown in the Figures)
represent cells originated from the injected ADSCs which can
differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells.
[0138] As shown in FIGS. 12A to 12J, the liver tissues of the "stem
cell group," "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" and "TC group" at "Day 7" and
"Day 14" post the stem cell injection showed numerous AFP
signal-positive cells (i.e., the cells indicated by the arrows
shown in the Figures). These results indicate that all of the stem
cells in each group can survive and differentiate after being
injected into the liver of the rats. The therapeutic effects of the
stem cells in each group on the liver fibrosis rats were observed
in the following experiments.
[0139] Experiment (2) Evaluation of Histopathological Score
[0140] The histopathological score of the cardiac blood samples of
the "control group," "pseudo-injection group," "stem cell group,"
"H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" and "TC group" were evaluated by the steps
as shown in Example 5 (1). The results are shown in FIGS. 13A to
13D, 14A and 14B, wherein the results of the Masson's trichrome
staining are shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, and the results of the
H&E staining are shown in FIGS. 13C and 13D. In addition, the
results of FIGS. 14A and 14B are digitized and shown in Table
6.
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Fibrosis score Activity score Control group
0 0 Pseudo-injection group 4 3 H.sub.2O.sub.2 group 3 to 4 2 to 3
Stem cell group 2 to 3 1 to 2 TC group 1 to 2 1 to 2
[0141] As shown in FIGS. 13A to 13D, 14A and 14B and Table 6,
long-term TAA injection may lead to severe inflammation in the rat
liver, wherein the liver tissue was infiltrated by macrophages and
thus cause severe liver fibrosis (even liver cirrhosis). The
treatment of "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" ADSCs is effective in
reducing the inflammation of fibrosis rat liver and alleviating the
degree of fibrosis.
[0142] Experiment (3) Analysis of Biochemical Functional
Indexes
[0143] The biochemical functional indexes of cardiac blood samples
of the "control group," "pseudo-injection group," "stem cell
group," "H.sub.2O.sub.2 group" and "TC group" were analyzed by the
steps as shown in Example 5 (2). The results are shown in FIGS. 15A
to 15E.
[0144] As shown in FIG. 15A, at "Day 14" post the treatment, as
compared to the expression level of GPT of the "H.sub.2O.sub.2
group" (i.e., 93.+-.13 Units/L), the expression level of GPT of the
"stem cell group" (i.e., 72.+-.14 Units/L) was significantly
reduced. As compared to the "stem cell group," the expression level
of GPT of the "TC group" (i.e., 66.+-.14 Units/L) was also
significantly reduced. These results indicate that the treatment of
the "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" ADSCs is effective in reducing the
expression level of GPT in the blood of rats with liver
fibrosis.
[0145] As shown in FIG. 15B, at "Day 14" post the treatment, as
compared to the expression level of GOT of the "pseudo-injection
group" (i.e., 208.+-.12 Units/L), the expression level of GOT of
the "stem cell group" (i.e., 162.+-.60 Units/L) was significantly
reduced. As compared to the "stem cell group," the expression level
of GOT of the "TC group" (i.e., 137.+-.18 Units/L) was also
significantly reduced. These results indicate that the treatment of
the "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" ADSCs is effective in reducing the
expression level of GOT in the blood of rats with liver
fibrosis.
[0146] As shown in FIG. 15C, at "Day 14" post the treatment, as
compared to the expression level of albumin of the "stem cell
group" (i.e., 3.52.+-.0.28 g/dL), the expression level of albumin
of the "pseudo-injection group" (i.e., 3.23.+-.0.01 g/dL) was
significantly reduced. As compared to the "pseudo-injection group,"
the expression level of albumin of the "TC group" (i.e.,
3.48.+-.0.03 g/dL) was significantly increased. These results
indicate that the treatment of the "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" ADSCs
is effective in increasing the expression level of albumin in the
blood of rats with liver fibrosis.
[0147] As shown in FIG. 15D, at "Day 14" post the treatment, as
compared to the prothrombin time of the "pseudo-injection group"
(i.e., 23.10.+-.2.5 sec), the prothrombin time of the "TC group"
(i.e., 10.88.+-.0.67 sec) was significantly reduced. These results
indicate that the treatment of the "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" ADSCs
is effective in reducing the prothrombin time in the blood of rats
with liver fibrosis.
[0148] As shown in FIG. 15E, at "Day 14" post the treatment, as
compared to the expression level of the total bilirubin of the
"stem cell group" (i.e., 0.05.+-.0.02 mg/dL), the expression level
of the total bilirubin of the "TC group" (i.e., 0.034.+-.0.03
mg/dL) was significantly reduced and closed to that of the "control
group" (i.e., 0.02.+-.0.02 mg/dL). These results indicate that the
treatment of the "H.sub.2O.sub.2+TC6 group" ADSCs is effective in
reducing the expression level of total bilirubin in the blood of
rats with liver fibrosis.
[0149] The above results indicate that the treatment of TC is
effective in the anti-senescence of stem cells, and thus, can
enhance the therapeutic effect of the stem cells.
[0150] The above examples are used to illustrate the principle and
efficacy of the present invention but not used to limit to the
present invention. People skilled in this field may proceed with a
variety of modifications and replacements based on the disclosures
and suggestions of the invention as described without departing
from the technical principle and spirit thereof. Therefore, the
scope of protection of the present invention is that as defined in
the claims as appended.
Sequence CWU 1
1
34120DNAArtificial SequenceSIRT1 primer- Forward Sequence
1ggtgttaaat accaaactgc 20219DNAArtificial SequenceSIRT1 primer-
Reverse Sequence 2aggagtgatg ttcaaaatg 19322DNAArtificial
Sequencep53 primer- Forward Sequence 3taacagttcc tgcatgggcg gc
22422DNAArtificial Sequencep5 primer- Reverse Sequence 4aggacaggca
caaacacgca cc 22524DNAArtificial Sequencep21 primer- Forward
Sequence 5cactccaaac gccggctgat cttc 24625DNAArtificial Sequencep21
primer- Reverse Sequence 6tgtagagcgg gcctttgagg ccctc
25725DNAArtificial SequenceOCT4 primer- Forward Sequence
7cttgctgcag aagtgggtgg aggaa 25821DNAArtificial SequenceOCT4
primer- Reverse Sequence 8ctgcagtgtg ggtttcgggc a
21920DNAArtificial SequenceNANOG primer- Forward Sequence
9tgctattctt cggccagttg 201020DNAArtificial SequenceNANOG primer-
Reverse Sequence 10tgcctcacac ggagactgtc 201119DNAArtificial
SequenceTWIST1 primer- Forward Sequence 11gggagtccgc agtctacga
191221DNAArtificial SequenceTWIST1 primer- Reverse Sequence
12agaccgagaa gggcgtagct g 211319DNAArtificial SequenceActin primer-
Forward Sequence 13cgccaaccgc gagaagata 191416DNAArtificial
SequenceActin primer- Reverse Sequence 14cgtcccggag tccatc
161522DNAArtificial SequenceNYFA primer- Forward Sequence
15atcccagcag ccagtttggc ag 221621DNAArtificial SequenceNYFA primer-
Reverse Sequence 16gaaaaatcgt ccttcaccac g 211720DNAArtificial
SequenceCCND1 primer- Forward Sequence 17ctggccatga actacctgga
201820DNAArtificial SequenceCCND1 primer- Reverse Sequence
18gtcacacttg atcactctgg 201920DNAArtificial SequenceEIF5 primer-
Forward Sequence 19tgcccactag gagaaaggtg 202020DNAArtificial
SequenceEIF5 primer- Reverse Sequence 20cggactcacc tctggaatgt
202122DNAArtificial SequenceE2F6 primer- Forward Sequence
21actgggtgtt cggaagaggc ga 222219DNAArtificial SequenceE2F6 primer-
Reverse Sequence 22ggggtgcggc cccaaagtt 192326DNAArtificial
SequencePLOR3H primer- Forward Sequence 23cattttcgct gcgtggtgtt
tcatcc 262422DNAArtificial SequencePLOR3H primer- Reverse Sequence
24aacttggctg gctgctgcag tg 222521DNAArtificial SequencehTERT
primer- Forward Sequence 25ggagcaagtt gcaaagcatt g
212621DNAArtificial SequencehTERT primer- Reverse Sequence
26tcccacgacg tagtccatgt t 212720DNAArtificial SequencePCNA primer-
Forward Sequence 27gccgagatct cagccatatt 202820DNAArtificial
SequencePCNA primer- Reverse Sequence 28atgtacttag aggtacaaat
202919DNAArtificial SequenceGADD45B primer- Forward Sequence
29tgacaacgac atcaacatc 193019DNAArtificial SequenceGADD45B primer-
Reverse Sequence 30gtgaccagag acaatgcag 193122DNAArtificial
SequencePIM1 primer- Forward Sequence 31ggcgccgggc aaagagaagg ag
223224DNAArtificial SequencePIM1 primer- Reverse Sequence
32acccgaagtc gatgagtttg attt 243320DNAArtificial Sequencep16
primer- Forward Sequence 33caacgcaccg aatagttacg
203418DNAArtificial Sequencep16 primer- Reverse Sequence
34cagctcctca gccaggtc 18
* * * * *