Mesenchymal stem cells derived-exosomes as a new therapeutic strategy for acute soft tissue injury

Comprehensive bioinformatic analysis reveals a fibroblast-related gene signature for the diagnosis of keloids

Aim

A keloid is a fibroproliferative cutaneous disorder secondary to skin injury, caused by an imbalance in fibroblast proliferation and apoptosis. However, the pathogenesis is not fully understood. In this study, candidate genes for keloid were identified and used to construct a diagnostic model.

Methods

Three datasets related to keloids were downloaded from NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus. Fibroblast-related genes were screened, and fibroblast scores for the samples were determined. Then, a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify modules and genes associated with keloids and the fibroblast score. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between keloid and control samples were identified and compared with fibroblast-related genes and genes in the modules. Overlapping genes were evaluated using functional enrichment analyses. Signature genes were further screened, and a diagnostic model was constructed. Finally, correlations between immune cell frequences and signature genes were analyzed.

Results

In total, 124 fibroblast-related genes were obtained, and the fibroblast score was an effective indicator of the sample type. WGCNA revealed five modules that were significantly correlated with both the disease state and fibroblast scores, including 1760 genes. Additionally, 589 DEGs were identified, including 16 that overlapped with fibroblast-related genes and genes identified in the WGCNA. These genes were related to cell proliferation and apoptosis and were involved in FoxO, Rap1, p53, Ras, MAPK, and PI3K-Akt pathways. Finally, a six fibroblast-related gene signature (CCNB1, EGFR, E2F8, BTG1, TP63, and IGF1) was identified and used for diagnostic model construction. The proportions of regulatory T cells and macrophages were significantly higher in keloid tissues than in controls.

Conclusion

The established model based on CCNB1, EGFR, E2F8, BTG1, TP63, and IGF1 showed good performance and may be useful for keloid diagnosis.

Curcumin-Loaded Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Efficiently Attenuate Proliferation and Inflammatory Response in Rheumatoid Arthritis Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes loaded with curcumin (Curc-Exos) as an effective therapeutic strategy for rheumatoid arthritis through modulation of proliferation and inflammatory response in HIG-82 synovial cells. For this purpose, Exos were isolated and characterized with BCA protein assay, DLS, FE-SEM, and TEM. The Curc was embedded by mixing it with Exos in a 1:4 ratio. It was found that the Curc stability has improved after loading on Exos compared to the free Curc. Besides, the in vitro studies using LPS-stimulated HIG-82 synovial cells indicated the efficiency of Curc-Exos in enhancing cytotoxicity and apoptosis compared to the free Curc treatment. It was also revealed that Curc-Exos significantly could reduce the expression levels of anti-apoptotic proteins IAP1 and IAP2 and inflammatory mediators including IL-6, TNF-α, MMP1, and PGE2. This preliminary study confirmed the suitability of Curc-Exos in counteracting the proliferation and inflammatory response of rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts in vitro.

RNA Sequencing Reveals the Wound Repair Mechanism of Cuyuxunxi Prescription in Surgical Patients with Anal Fistulas

BACKGROUND

Anal fistula is one of the most common colorectal and perirectal diseases in the world. Cuyuxunxi (CYXX) prescription is an efficient herbal fumigant used to promote the surgical wound healing of anal fistulas.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the underlying molecular mechanism of CYXX prescription on surgical wound healing of anal fistulas.

METHODS

Ten patients with anal fistula were randomized into a control group or treatment group. The wound surface of patients in the control group was rinsed by normal saline, while that in the treatment group was rinsed by CYXX prescription. The wound tissues of patients with anal fistulas seven days after the surgery were collected for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and RNA sequencing. The expressions of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were validated by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR).

RESULTS

HE staining showed that CYXX treatment reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells. A total of 472 DEGs, including 141 up-regulated genes and 331 down-regulated genes, were identified. These genes were significantly related to skin development, xenobiotic stimulus, and inflammation. In addition, the consistency rate of RT-qPCR and sequencing results was 83.33%, which showed a high relative reliability of the sequencing results.

CONCLUSION

CYXX prescription could improve epidermis repair and reduce inflammatory responses.