Improved bladder smooth muscle cell differentiation of the mesenchymal stem cells when grown on electrospun polyacrylonitrile/polyethylene oxide nanofibrous scaffold

Nanofibrous Scaffolds' Ability to Induce Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation for Soft Tissue Regenerative Applications

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have gained recognition as a highly versatile and promising cell source for repopulating bioengineered scaffolds due to their inherent capacity to differentiate into multiple cell types. However, MSC implantation techniques have often yielded inconsistent clinical results, underscoring the need for advanced approaches to enhance their therapeutic efficacy. Recent developments in three-dimensional (3D) bioengineered scaffolds have provided a significant breakthrough by closely mimicking the in vivo environment, addressing the limitations of traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures. Among these, nanofibrous scaffolds have proven particularly effective, offering an optimal 3D framework, growth-permissive substrates, and the delivery of trophic factors crucial for MSC survival and regeneration. Furthermore, the selection of appropriate biomaterials can amplify the paracrine effects of MSCs, promoting both proliferation and targeted differentiation. The synergistic combination of MSCs with nanofibrous scaffolds has demonstrated remarkable potential in achieving repair, regeneration, and tissue-specific differentiation with enhanced safety and efficacy, paving the way for routine clinical applications. In this review, we examine the most recent studies (2013-2023) that explore the combined use of MSCs and nanofibrous scaffolds for differentiation into cardiogenic, epithelial, myogenic, tendon, and vascular cell lineages. Using PubMed, we identified and analyzed 275 relevant articles based on the search terms "Nanofibers", "Electrospinning", "Mesenchymal stem cells", and "Differentiation". This review highlights the critical advancements in the use of nanofibrous scaffolds as a platform for MSC differentiation and tissue regeneration. By summarizing key findings from the last decade, it provides valuable insights for researchers and clinicians aiming to optimize scaffold design, MSC integration, and translational applications. These insights could significantly influence future research directions and the development of more effective regenerative therapies.

Investigating the Impact of Estrogen Levels on Voiding Characteristics, Bladder Structure, and Related Proteins in a Mouse Model of Menopause-Induced Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common in postmenopausal women. These symptoms are often linked to decreased estrogen levels following menopause. This study investigated the relationship between estrogen levels, alterations in bladder tissue structure, bladder function, and the incidence of urinary frequency. An age-appropriate bilateral ovariectomized mouse model (OVX) was developed to simulate conditions of estrogen deficiency. Mice were divided into three groups: a sham-operated control group, OVX, and an estradiol-treated group. The assessments included estrogen level measurement, urination frequency, cystometry, histological analysis, immunofluorescence staining, and real-time quantitative PCR. Additionally, we quantified the expression of the mechanosensitive channel proteins Piezo1 and TRPV4 in mouse bladder tissues. Lower estrogen levels were linked to increased voiding episodes and structural changes in mouse bladder tissues, notably a significant increase in Collagen III fiber deposition. There was a detectable negative relationship between estrogen levels and the expression of Piezo1 and TRPV4, mechanosensitive proteins in mouse bladder tissues, which may influence voiding frequency and nocturia. Estrogen treatment could improve bladder function, decrease urination frequency, and reduce collagen deposition in the bladder tissues. This study explored the connection between estrogen levels and urinary frequency, potentially setting the stage for novel methods to address frequent urination symptoms in postmenopausal women.

LncRNA FTH1P3: A New Biomarker for Cancer-Related Therapeutic Development

Cancer is a persistent and urgent health problem that affects the entire world. Not long ago, regulatory biomolecules referred to as long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) might have value for their innate abundance and stability. These single-stranded RNAs potentially interfere with several physiological and biochemical cellular processes involved in many human pathological situations, particularly cancer diseases. Ferritin heavy chain1 pseudogene 3 (FTH1P3), a lncRNA that is ubiquitously transcribed and belongs to the ferritin heavy chain (FHC) family, represents a novel class of lncRNAs primarily found in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Further research has shown that FTH1P3 is involved in other malignancies such as uveal melanoma, glioma, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, and cervical cancer. Accordingly, FTH1P3 significantly enhances cancer symptoms, including cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, chemoresistance, and inhibition of apoptosis through many specific mechanisms. Notably, the clinical data significantly demonstrated the association of FTH1P3 overexpression with poor prognosis and poor overall survival within the examined samples. Here, we summarize all the research published to date (13 articles) on FTH1P3, focusing on the biological function underlying the regulatory mechanism and its possible clinical relevance.

New Solutions for Old Problems: How Reproductive Tissue Engineering Has Been Revolutionizing Reproductive Medicine

Acquired disorders and congenital defects of the male and female reproductive systems can have profound impacts on patients, causing sexual and endocrine dysfunction and infertility, as well as psychosocial consequences that affect their self-esteem, identity, sexuality, and relationships. Reproductive tissue engineering (REPROTEN) is a promising approach to restore fertility and improve the quality of life of patients with reproductive disorders by developing, replacing, or regenerating cells, tissues, and organs from the reproductive and urinary systems. In this review, we explore the latest advancements in REPROTEN techniques and their applications for addressing degenerative conditions in male and female reproductive organs. We discuss current research and clinical outcomes and highlight the potential of 3D constructs utilizing biomaterials such as scaffolds, cells, and biologically active molecules. Our review offers a comprehensive guide for researchers and clinicians, providing insights into how to reestablish reproductive tissue structure and function using innovative surgical approaches and biomaterials. We highlight the benefits of REPROTEN for patients, including preservation of fertility and hormonal production, reconstruction of uterine and cervical structures, and restoration of sexual and urinary functions. Despite significant progress, REPROTEN still faces ethical and technical challenges that need to be addressed. Our review underscores the importance of continued research in this field to advance the development of effective and safe REPROTEN approaches for patients with reproductive disorders.

High Strength and High Toughness Electrospun Multifibrillar Yarns with Highly Aligned Hierarchy Intended as Anisotropic Extracellular Matrix

Electrospun nanofibers can be effectively used as a surrogate for extracellular matrices (ECMs). However, in the context of cellular mechanobiology, their mechanical performances can be enhanced by using nanofibrous materials with a high level of structural organization. Herein, this work develops multifibrillar yarns with superior mechanical performance based on biocompatible polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as surrogate ECM. Nearly perfect aligned nanofibers along with the axis of the multifibrillar yarn are prepared. These highly aligned yarns exhibit high strength, high toughness, good stress relaxation behavior, and are robust enough for technical or medical applications. Further, this work analyzes the influence of the highly aligned-hierarchical topological structure of the material on cell proliferation and cell orientation using cells derived from epithelial and connective tissues. Compared to nonoriented electrospun multifibrillar yarns and flat films, the well-ordered topology in the electrospun PAN multifibrillar yarns triggers an improved proliferation of fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Fibroblasts acquire an elongated morphology analogous to their behavior in the natural ECM. Hence, this heterogeneous multifibrillar material can be used to restore or reproduce the ECM for tissue engineering applications, notably in the skeletal muscle and tendon.

Electrospun Biodegradable α-Amino Acid-Substituted Poly(organophosphazene) Fiber Mats for Stem Cell Differentiation towards Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells, derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), are valuable for generating smooth muscle cells (SMCs) for vascular tissue engineering applications. In this study, we synthesized biodegradable α-amino acid-substituted poly(organophosphazene) polymers and electrospun nano-fibrous scaffolds (~200 nm diameter) to evaluate their suitability as a matrix for differentiation of iPSC-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iMSC) into mature contractile SMCs. Both the polymer synthesis approach and the electrospinning parameters were optimized. Three types of cells, namely iMSC, bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC), and primary human coronary artery SMC, attached and spread on the materials. Although L-ascorbic acid (AA) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) were able to differentiate iMSC along the smooth muscle lineage, we showed that the electrospun fibrous mats provided material cues for the enhanced differentiation of iMSCs. Differentiation of iMSC to SMC was characterized by increased transcriptional levels of early to late-stage smooth muscle marker proteins on electrospun fibrous mats. Our findings provide a feasible strategy for engineering functional vascular tissues.

Acrylonitrile and Pullulan Based Nanofiber Mats as Easily Accessible Scaffolds for 3D Skin Cell Models Containing Primary Cells

(1) Background: Three-dimensional (3D) collagen I-based skin models are commonly used in drug development and substance testing but have major drawbacks such as batch-to-batch variations and ethical concerns. Recently, synthetic nanofibrous scaffolds created by electrospinning have received increasing interest as potential alternatives due to their morphological similarities to native collagen fibrils in size and orientation. The overall objective of this proof-of-concept study was to demonstrate the suitability of two synthetic polymers in creating electrospun scaffolds for 3D skin cell models. (2) Methods: Electrospun nanofiber mats were produced with (i) poly(acrylonitrile-co-methyl acrylate) (P(AN-MA)) and (ii) a blend of pullulan (Pul), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) (Pul/PVA/PAA) and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectra. Primary skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes were seeded onto the nanofiber mats and analyzed for phenotypic characteristics (phalloidin staining), viability (Presto Blue HS assay), proliferation (Ki-67 staining), distribution (H/E staining), responsiveness to biological stimuli (qPCR), and formation of skin-like structures (H/E staining). (3) Results: P(AN-MA) mats were more loosely packed than the Pul/PVA/PAA mats, concomitant with larger fiber diameter (340 nm ± 120 nm vs. 250 nm ± 120 nm, p < 0.0001). After sterilization and exposure to cell culture media for 28 days, P(AN-MA) mats showed significant adsorption of fetal calf serum (FCS) from the media into the fibers (DRIFT spectra) and increased fiber diameter (590 nm ± 290 nm, p < 0.0001). Skin fibroblasts were viable over time on both nanofiber mats, but suitable cell infiltration only occurred in the P(AN-MA) nanofiber mats. On P(AN-MA) mats, fibroblasts showed their characteristic spindle-like shape, produced a dermis-like structure, and responded well to TGFβ stimulation, with a significant increase in the mRNA expression of PAI1, COL1A1, and αSMA (all p < 0.05). Primary keratinocytes seeded on top of the dermis equivalent proliferated and formed a stratified epidermis-like structure. (4) Conclusion: P(AN-MA) and Pul/PVA/PAA are both biocompatible materials suitable for nanofiber mat production. P(AN-MA) mats hold greater potential as future 3D skin models due to enhanced cell compatibility (i.e., adsorption of FCS proteins), cell infiltration (i.e., increased pore size due to swelling behavior), and cell phenotype preservation. Thus, our proof-of-concept study shows an easy and robust process of producing electrospun scaffolds for 3D skin cell models made of P(AN-MA) nanofibers without the need for bioactive molecule attachments.

Tissue Engineering and Its Potential to Reduce Prostate Cancer Treatment Sequelae-Narrative Review

Tissue engineering offers the possibility to overcome limitations of current management for postprostatectomy incontinence and ED. Developed in recent years biotechnological feasibility of mesenchymal stem cell isolation, in vitro cultivation and implantation became the basis for new cell-based therapies oriented to induce regeneration of adult tissue. The perspective to offer patients suffering from post-prostatectomy incontinence or erectile dysfunction minimal invasive one-time procedure utilizing autologous stem cell transplantation is desired management.

Fabrication and evaluation of hesperidin loaded polyacrylonitrile/polyethylene oxide nanofibers for wound dressing application

In this study, hesperidin (HPN) loaded polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/polyethylene oxide (PEO) electrospun nanofibers were prepared for use as wound dressing. Accordingly, HPN loaded hybrid nanofibers were generated via electrospinning. A full factorial design was then applied to evaluate the influence of formulation variables including PEO amount, HPN amount and total polymer amount on the nanofiber features. Fabricated membranes were evaluated in terms of morphology, diameter, entrapment efficiency (EE) %, drug loading (DL) %, release efficiency (RE) %, swelling % and mechanical properties. Analysis of the obtained data showed that the amount of PEO was the most effective factor impacting the swelling and release percentage; by raising the amount of PEO from 20% to 40%, the swelling % and release rate were considerably increased. The optimized nanofibers were found to be non-beaded, smooth and cylindrical with fiber diameter of 126.14 ± 23.96 nm, EE% of 38.58 ± 6.06, DL% of 5.36 ± 0.83, swelling % of 859.90 ± 33.49, RE % of 78.49 ± 0.21, UTS of 0.79 ± 0.13 MPa and Young's moduli of 20.91 ± 2.13 MPa. The physical state of HPN in optimized hybrid nanofibers was examined and the related XRD analysis revealed that HPN was either molecularly dispersed, or it existed in an amorphous state in the nanofibers. The in vivo studies also demonstrated that the wound healing rate in the case of HPN loaded nanofibers was higher when compared with other groups. Moreover, according to H&E and MT stain results, HPN loaded nanofibers did promote the regeneration of skin more effectively, as compared with HPN -free nanofibers. Overall, HPN loaded nanofibers mats prepared in this study have the potential to serve as wound dressings.

TGF-β1-modified MSC-derived exosomal miR-135b attenuates cartilage injury via promoting M2 synovial macrophage polarization by targeting MAPK6

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease with an unsatisfactory therapy outcome and characterized by the degradation of articular cartilage and synovial inflammation. Here, we isolated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) from rat's bone marrow and BMSC-derived exosome (BMSCs-Exo) from BMSCs successfully. MiR-135b was proved to be highly expressed in TGF-β1-stimulated BMSC-derived exosomes (BMSCs-Exo^TGF-β1). Then, our results demonstrated that BMSCs-Exo^TGF-β1 reduced OA-induced upregulation of pro-inflammatory factors in rat's serum and damage in cartilage tissues, which was then reversed by miR-135b decreasing. Subsequently, we found that the OA-resulted M1 polarization of synovial macrophages (SMs) was repressed by BMSCs-Exo^TGF-β1, this effect of BMSCs-Exo^TGF-β1 was limited by miR-135b decreasing. We also proved that M2 polarization of SMs can be induced by miR-135b mimics. Furthermore, we found that the promotory effect of miR-135b and BMSCs-Exo^TGF-β1 on M2 SMs polarization was reversed by increasing of MAPK6. Overall, our data showed that BMSCs-Exo^TGF-β1 attenuated cartilage damage in OA rats through carrying highly expressed miR-135b. Mechanistically, miR-135b promoted M2 polarization of SMs through targeting MAPK6, thus improving cartilage damage. Our study provided a novel regulatory mechanism of BMSCs-Exo in OA development and revealed a new potential treatment target of OA.

Efficient smooth muscle cell differentiation of iPS cells on curcumin-incorporated chitosan/collagen/polyvinyl-alcohol nanofibers

Bladder dysfunction is one of the most common diseases that occur for a number of reasons and the current treatment modalities do not improve much in its recovery process. Tissue engineering in the last two decades has given great hope for the treatment of these disorders. In this study, a composite nanofibrous scaffold was fabricated from chitosan, collagen, and polyvinyl-alcohol polymer blend while curcumin incorporated in scaffold fibers. The scaffold supportive functions from smooth muscle cell differentiation were studied when human-induced pluripotent stem cells were cultured on the scaffolds under differentiation medium. Biocompatibility of the fabricated scaffold increased significantly by incorporating curcumin in the scaffold fibers, where protein adsorption, cell attachment, and viability were increased in the nanofiber/curcumin group compared with the other groups. In addition, the expression level of smooth muscle cell-related genes, including alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), smooth muscle 22 alpha (SM-22a), Caldesmon1, and Calponin1in the stem cells upregulated while cultured in the presence of curcumin, but this increase was significantly improved while cells cultured on the nanofibers/curcumin. In addition, αSMA protein in the cells cultured on the nanofibers/curcumin expressed significantly higher than those cells cultured on the nanofibers without curcumin. It can be concluded that smooth muscle cell differentiation of the induced pluripotent stem cells promoted by curcumin and this promotion was synergistically improved while curcumin incorporated in the nanofibers.