Vol 2, No 3 (2007)

Summing up the main events, discoveries and scientists within the «Cell Biology XX», the following topics are highlighted: 1) The beginning of cell biology and the epoch of vitalism - the impact of J. Loeb, R. Harrison, A. Carrel, T. Morgan and D.H. Wilson; 2) from cell ultrastructure to the concept of cell compartmentalization; 3) the beginning of systemic system biology and bioinformatics; 4) recombinant molecular cell biology; 5) developmental cell biology; 6) cell behavior in vitro and in situ; 7) organ and cell transplantation - the impact into basic cell biology; 8) post-genomic gigabyte cell biology: hurdles and limits for the next round of progress; 9) from molecular biology to modular biology; 10) the leading role of a new mega - international project in the XXI century.

Currently there are no available effective therapies for treating neurodegenerative diseases. In animal models, the loss of neurons, caused by mutations in known genes, can be alleviated by genetically modifying target cells to increase their regeneration and viability, or by replacing dead neurons with new healthy neural cells by neurotransplantation of stem or progenitor cells, differentiated in neural pathway. Here we summarized results for gene therapy using antisense oligonucleotides, siRNA, and viral vectors. Critically reviewed advantages and disadvantages of neurotransplantation of embryonic and different adult stem cells. To date we found no reports of using genetically modified stem cells from umbilical cord blood for cell therapy of neurodegenerative diseases. We state a hypothesis, that stem cells from umbilical cord blood, genetically modified by transfection with plasmid vector, simultaneously expressing neural cell adhesion molecule L1 and vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF), could have a significantly enhanced therapeutic effect in transgenic mice G93A, which serve as animal model for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS).

The comparative analysis of cytogenetic characteristics in populations of cells of different passages of mice embryonic germ cell line G1 received from sexual puff of 12,5 days of embryo of the mouse of line BALB/c was carried out. It was revealed, that despite of the expressed heterogeneity of cells on number of chromosomes, Robertsonian translocation, some line specific karyotype features were characteristic for all investigated cell populations. It was, in particular, the closest of the chromosome numbers to penta- and hexaploidies, and also the presence of translocation t(6;12). The possible connections between revealing karyotype traits and the mechanisms of maintenance of cell polypotency and proliferation in cultural condition were discussed.

Human fetal liver is unique as it contains stem hematopoietic cells and their committed derivatives of different maturation. The present study was aimed to assess the amount of immunocompetent human fetal hepatic cells of 9-10 week gestation by phenotypic properties and their reaction to mitogens as well as to evaluate influence of human fetal hepatic cells to proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes of adult donors in a mixed culture.

The suspension of human fetal hepatic cells was obtained by a mechanical method using vibration. Cells were cryoconserved under the protection of 5% DMSO at the speed of 1 °С per min. Fluorescent microscopy was used for immune marker analysis. The proliferation activity of fetal hepatic cells and adult peripheral blood lymphocytes was assessed according to ³H-thymidine inclusion. In the mixed culture human fetal hepatic cells were co-cultured with peripheral blood lymphocytes in the presence or absence of mitogens.

Immune marker analysis of the fetal hepatic cells suspension did not reveal the statistically relevant number of matured B- and T- lymphocytes. Unlike adult peripheral blood lymphocytes human hepatic cells demonstrated high levels of spontaneous proliferation when cultured in vitro. Mitogens, phytohemagglutinine (PHA) or concanavalin А (Con-А) suppressed the proliferation of human fetal hepatic cells. In the mixed culture the fetal hepatic cells suppressed both spontaneous and mitogen-stimulated proliferation of adult peripheral blood lymphocytes as well as peripheral lymphocyte proliferation in a twoforked mixed culture. Possible mechanisms of fetal hepatic cells activity have been discussed in the article.

The article deals with the results of clinical trial-1 of a treatment modality of pseudoarthrosis (priority on the 23^rd May, 2006, file number 2006117605) using biotransplant that is demineralized bone allotransplant colonized by autologous mesenchymal stromal cells with the density of 7-10x106 in 1cm². Pseudoarthrosis of femoral bones and tibia was treated in 9 patients, with transosseous osteosynthesis being used in every case. In uncomplicated postoperative period the apparatus was dismantled and support ability of the leg was restored in 3 to 5 months, that is comparable to the time of healing of fractures of the same location. According to the X-ray and CT data the transplant density increased progressively without preliminary resorbtion, consolidation occurred mainly via transplant that allows to suppose not only osteoinductive influence, but also osteoconductive role.

The purpose of this review is to perform a comprehensive comparative analysis of different hematopoietic progenitor’s mobilizers with short excursus to mobilizers’ market development. Special attention is paid to the new drugs with great clinical perspectives.