VEGF, ANGPT1, ANGPT2, and MMP-9 expression in the autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and its impact on the time to engraftment

Step by step analysis on gene datasets of growth phases in hematopoietic stem cells

Background

Umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cells (UCB-HSCs) have important roles in the treatment of illnesses based on their self-renewal and potency characteristics. Knowing the gene profiles and signaling pathways involved in each step of the cell cycle could improve the therapeutic approaches of HSCs. The aim of this study was to predict the gene profiles and signaling pathways involved in the G0, G1, and differentiation stages of HSCs.

Methods

Interventional (n = 8) and non-interventional (n = 3) datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and were crossed and analyzed to determine the high- and low-express genes related to each of the G0, G1, and differentiation stages of HSCs. Then, the scores of STRING were annotated to the gene data. The gene networks were constructed using Cytoscape software, and enriched with the KEGG and GO databases.

Results

The high- and low-express genes were determined due to inter and intra intersections of the interventional and non-interventional data. The non-interventional data were applied to construct the gene networks (n = 6) with the nodes improved using the interventional data. Several important signaling pathways were suggested in each of the G0, G1, and differentiation stages.

Conclusion

The data revealed that the different signaling pathways are activated in each of the G0, G1, and differentiation stages so that their genes may be targeted to improve the HSC therapy.

An Overview of Cancer Biology, Pathophysiological Development and It's Treatment Modalities: Current Challenges of Cancer anti-Angiogenic Therapy

A number of conditions and factors can cause the transformation of normal cells in the body into malignant tissue by changing the normal functions of a wide range of regulatory, apoptotic, and signal transduction pathways. Despite the current deficiency in fully understanding the mechanism of cancer action accurately and clearly, numerous genes and proteins that are causally involved in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of cancer have been identified. But due to the lack of space and the abundance of details on this complex topic, we have emphasized here more recent advances in our understanding of the principles implied tumor cell transformation, development, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Inhibition of angiogenesis is a significant strategy for the treatment of various solid tumors, that essentially depend on cutting or at least limiting the supply of blood to micro-regions of tumors, leading to pan-hypoxia and pan-necrosis inside solid tumor tissues. Researchers have continued to enhance the efficiency of anti-angiogenic drugs over the past two decades, to identify their potential in the drug interaction, and to discover reasonable interpretations for possible resistance to treatment. In this review, we have discussed an overview of cancer history and recent methods use in cancer therapy, focusing on anti-angiogenic inhibitors targeting angiogenesis formation. Further, this review has explained the molecular mechanism of action of these anti-angiogenic inhibitors in various tumor types and their limitations use. In addition, we described the synergistic mechanisms of immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic therapy and summarizes current clinical trials of these combinations. Many phase III trials found that combining immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic therapy improved survival. Therefore, targeting the source supply of cancer cells to grow and spread with new anti-angiogenic agents in combination with different conventional therapy is a novel method to reduce cancer progression. The aim of this paper is to overview the varying concepts of cancer focusing on mechanisms involved in tumor angiogenesis and provide an overview of the recent trends in anti-angiogenic strategies for cancer therapy.

Combatting ageing in dermal papilla cells and promoting hair follicle regeneration using exosomes from human hair follicle dermal sheath cup cells

Dermal papilla cells (DPCs) undergo premature ageing in androgenetic alopecia and senescent alopecia. As critical components of hair follicle reconstruction, DPCs are also prone to senescence in vitro, resulting in a diminished hair follicle inductivity capacity. Dermal sheath cup cells (DSCCs), a specific subset of hair follicle mesenchymal stem cells, intimately linked to the function of DPCs. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the anti-ageing effect of exosomes derived from DSCCs (ExoDSCCs ) on DPCs. Exosomes were utilized to treat H2 O2 -induced DPCs or long-generation DPCs(P10). Our findings demonstrate that ExoDSCCs(P3) promote the proliferation, viability and migration of senescent DPCs while inhibiting cell apoptosis. The expression of senescence marker SA-β-Gal were significantly downregulated in senescent DPCs. When treated with ExoDSCCs(P3) , expression of inducibility related markers alkaline phosphatase and Versican were significantly upregulated. Additionally, ExoDSCCs(P3) activated the Wnt/β-catenin signalling in vitro. In patch assay, ExoDSCCs(P3) significantly promoted hair follicle reconstruction in senescent DPCs. In summary, our work highlights that ExoDSCCs(P3) may restore the biological functions and improve the hair follicle induction ability of senescent DPCs. Therefore, ExoDSCCs(P3) may represent a new strategy for intervening in the ageing process of DPCs, contributing to the prevention of senile alopecia.

Angiopoietin-1 promotes triple-negative breast cancer cell proliferation by upregulating carboxypeptidase A4

Angiopoietin-1 (ANG1) is a pro-angiogenic regulator that contributes to the progression of solid tumors by stimulating the proliferation, migration and tube formation of vascular endothelial cells, as well as the renewal and stability of blood vessels. However, the functions and mechanisms of ANG1 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) are unclear. The clinical sample database shows that a higher level of ANG1 in TNBC is associated with poor prognosis compared to non-TNBC. In addition, knockdown of ANG1 inhibits TNBC cell proliferation and induces cell cycle G1 phase arrest and apoptosis. Overexpression of ANG1 promotes tumor growth in nude mice. Mechanistically, ANG1 promotes TNBC by upregulating carboxypeptidase A4 (CPA4) expression. Overall, the ANG1-CPA4 axis can be a therapeutic target for TNBC.

Interleukin-1β in tendon injury enhances reparative gene and protein expression in mesenchymal stem cells

Tendon injury in the horse carries a high morbidity and monetary burden. Despite appropriate therapy, reinjury is estimated to occur in 50–65% of cases. Although intralesional mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has improved tissue architecture and reinjury rates, the mechanisms by which they promote repair are still being investigated. Additionally, reevaluating our application of MSCs in tendon injury is necessary given recent evidence that suggests MSCs exposed to inflammation (deemed MSC licensing) have an enhanced reparative effect. However, applying MSC therapy in this context is limited by the inadequate quantification of the temporal cytokine profile in tendon injury, which hinders our ability to administer MSCs into an environment that could potentiate their effect. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to define the temporal cytokine microenvironment in a surgically induced model of equine tendon injury using ultrafiltration probes and subsequently evaluate changes in MSC gene and protein expression following in vitro inflammatory licensing with cytokines of similar concentration as identified in vivo. In our in vivo surgically induced tendon injury model, IL-1β and IL-6 were the predominant pro-inflammatory cytokines present in tendon ultrafiltrate where a discrete peak in cytokine concentration occurred within 48 h following injury. Thereafter, MSCs were licensed in vitro with IL-1β and IL-6 at a concentration identified from the in vivo study; however, only IL-1β induced upregulation of multiple genes beneficial to tendon healing as identified by RNA-sequencing. Specifically, vascular development, ECM synthesis and remodeling, chemokine and growth factor function alteration, and immunomodulation and tissue reparative genes were significantly upregulated. A significant increase in the protein expression of IL-6, VEGF, and PGE2 was confirmed in IL-1β-licensed MSCs compared to naïve MSCs. This study improves our knowledge of the temporal tendon cytokine microenvironment following injury, which could be beneficial for the development and determining optimal timing of administration of regenerative therapies. Furthermore, these data support the need to further study the benefit of MSCs administered within the inflamed tendon microenvironment or exogenously licensed with IL-1β in vitro prior to treatment as licensed MSCs could enhance their therapeutic benefit in the healing tendon.

Alterations in microRNA Expression during Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization

Simple Summary

Lymphoproliferative disorders comprise a heterogeneous group of hematological malignancies characterized by abnormal lymphocyte proliferation. Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation plays a very important role in the treatment of lymphoproliferative diseases. The key element in this process is the effective mobilization of hematopoietic cells from the marrow niche to the peripheral blood. Mobilization of HSC is regulated by many factors, out of which miRNAs present in the hematopoietic niche via targeting cytokines, and signaling pathways may play an important regulatory role. This study investigated the expression of selected miRNAs in patients with multiple myeloma, Hodgkin’s lymphomas, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas undergoing mobilization procedures. The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of hsa-miR-15a-5p, hsa-miR-16-5p, hsa-miR-34a-5p, hsa-miR-126-3p, hsa-miR-146a-5p, hsa-miR-155-5p, and hsa-miR-223-3p during the mobilization procedure, and to assess their role in mobilization efficacy. The level of miRNAs was tested at two time points before the initiation of mobilization and on the day of the first apheresis. Our results suggest that the investigated miRNAs, especially hsa-miR-146a-5p, may influence the efficacy of HSC mobilization.

Abstract

microRNAs play an important role in the regulation of gene expression, cell fate, hematopoiesis, and may influence the efficacy of CD34+ cell mobilization. The present study examines the role of hsa-miR-15a-5p, hsa-miR-16-5p, hsa-miR-34a-5p, hsa-miR-126-3p, hsa-miR-146a-5p, hsa-miR-155-5p, and hsa-miR-223-3p in the course of hematopoietic stem cell mobilization. The numbers of CD34+ cells collected in patients with hematological malignancies (39 multiple myelomas, 11 lymphomas) were determined during mobilization for an autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The miRNA level was evaluated by RT-PCR. Compared to baseline, a significant decline in hsa-miR-15a-5p, hsa-miR-16-5p, hsa-miR-126-3p, hsa-miR-146a-5p, and hsa-miR-155-5p was observed on the day of the first apheresis (day A). An increase was observed only in the expression of hsa-miR-34a-5p. On day A, a negative correlation was found between hsa-miR-15a-5p and hsa-miR-146a-5p levels and the number of CD34+ cells in peripheral blood. A negative correlation was observed between hsa-miR-146a-5p and the number of collected CD34+ cells after the first apheresis. Good mobilizers, defined according to GITMO criteria, demonstrated a lower hsa-miR-146a-5p level on day A than poor mobilizers. Patients from the hsa-miR-146a-5p “low expressors” collected more CD34+ cells than “high expressors”. Our results suggest that the investigated miRNAs, especially hsa-miR-146a-5p, may influence the efficacy of HSC mobilization.

Transcriptome analysis of the bursa of Fabricius and thymus of laying ducks reveals immune gene expression changes underlying the impacts of stocking densities

The thymus and bursa of Fabricius are important immune organs in poultry as they play essential roles in sustaining the normal immune function to maintain health. The following trial investigated whether the stocking density affected gene expressions in immune organs.Jinding ducklings were raised in either low or high density (4 or 8 birds/m²) conditions from four to 14 weeks of age, and were then slaughtered and tissues removed. Samples were subjected to high-throughput sequencing to sequence RNA extraction. After filtering calculations with R software, a total of 508 (thymus) and 1,356 (bursa of Fabricius) differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, suggesting that stocking density has an effect on gene expression in duck immune organs.A total of 112 immune factor genes and 112 immune pattern receptor genes in ducks, of which four thymus genes and 18 bursa of Fabricius genes were differentially expressed in ducks, which indicated that the change of stocking density could affect the expression of immune genes in poultry.

Role of iron and iron-related proteins in mesenchymal stem cells: Cellular and clinical aspects

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are located in various tissues where these cells show niche-dependent multilineage differentiation and secrete immunomodulatory molecules to support numerous physiological processes. Due to their regenerative and reparative properties, MSCs are extremely valuable for cell-based therapy in tackling several pathological conditions including COVID-19. Iron is essential for MSC processes but iron-loading, which is common in several chronic conditions, hinders normal MSC functionality. This not only aggravates disease pathology but can also affect allogeneic and autologous MSC therapy. Thus, understanding MSCs from an iron perspective is of clinical significance. Accordingly, this review highlights the roles of iron and iron-related proteins in MSC physiology. It describes the contribution of iron and endogenous iron-related effectors like hepcidin, ferroportin, transferrin receptor, lactoferrin, lipocalin-2, bone morphogenetic proteins and hypoxia inducible factors in MSC biology. It summarises the excess-iron-induced alterations in MSC components, processes and discusses signalling pathways involving ROS, PI3K/AKT, MAPK, p53, AMPK/MFF/DRP1 and Wnt. Additionally, it evaluates the endogenous and exogenous saviours of MSCs against iron-toxicity. Lastly, it elaborates on the involvement of MSCs in the pathology of clinical conditions of iron-excess, namely, hereditary hemochromatosis, diabetes, β-thalassaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. This unique review integrates the distinct fields of iron regulation and MSC physiology. Through an iron-perspective, it describes both mechanistic and clinical aspects of MSCs and proposes an iron-linked MSC-contribution to physiology, pathology and therapeutics. It advances the understanding of MSC biology and may aid in identifying signalling pathways, molecular targets and compounds for formulating adjunctive iron-based therapies for excess-iron conditions, and thereby inform regenerative medicine.

Chromatin accessibility in canine stromal cells and its implications for canine somatic cell reprogramming

Naturally occurring disease in pet dogs is an untapped and unique resource for stem cell-based regenerative medicine translational research, given the many similarities and complexity such disease shares with their human counterparts. Canine-specific regulators of somatic cell reprogramming and pluripotency maintenance are poorly understood. While retroviral delivery of the four Yamanaka factors successfully reprogrammed canine embryonic fibroblasts, adult stromal cells remained resistant to reprogramming in spite of effective viral transduction and transgene expression. We hypothesized that adult stromal cells fail to reprogram due to an epigenetic barrier. Here, we performed assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq) on canine stromal and pluripotent stem cells, analyzing 51 samples in total, and establishing the global landscape of chromatin accessibility before and after reprogramming to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). We also studied adult stromal cells that do not yield iPSC colonies to identify potential reprogramming barriers. ATAC-seq analysis identified distinct cell type clustering patterns and chromatin remodeling during embryonic fibroblast reprogramming. Compared with embryonic fibroblasts, adult stromal cells had a chromatin accessibility landscape that reflects phenotypic differentiation and somatic cell-fate stability. We ultimately identified 76 candidate genes and several transcription factor binding motifs that may be impeding somatic cell reprogramming to iPSC, and could be targeted for inhibition or activation, in order to improve the process in canines. These results provide a vast resource for better understanding of pluripotency regulators in dogs and provide an unbiased rationale for novel canine-specific reprogramming approaches.

Blocking exosomal miRNA-153-3p derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells ameliorates hypoxia-induced myocardial and microvascular damage by targeting the ANGPT1-mediated VEGF/PI3k/Akt/eNOS pathway

It has been widely reported that exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a protective effect on myocardial infarction (MI). However, the specific molecules which play a damaging role in MSCs shuttled miRNAs are much less explored. MiRNA-153-3p (miR-153-3p) is a vital miRNA which has been proved to modulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, peritoneal fibrosis and aortic calcification. Here, we aim to study the effect and mechanism of miR-153-3p in MSC-derived exosomes on hypoxia-induced myocardial and microvascular damage. The exosomes of MSCs were isolated and identified, and the MSCs-exosomes with low expression of miR-153-3p (exo-miR-153-3p^-) were constructed to interfere with the endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes in the oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) model. The viability, apoptosis, angiogenesis of endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes were determined. Additionally, ANGPT1/VEGF/VEGFR2/PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway was detected by ELISA and/or western blot. The results illustrated that exo-miR-153-3p^- significantly reduced the apoptosis of endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes and promoted their viability. Meanwhile, exo-miR-153-3p^- can promote the angiogenesis of endothelial cells. Mechanistically, miR-153-3p regulates the VEGF/VEGFR2/PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathways by targeting ANGPT1. Intervention with VEGFR2 inhibitor (SU1498, 1 μM) remarkably reversed the protective effect of exo-miR-153-3p^- in vascular endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes treated by OGD. Collectively, MSCs-derived exosomes with low-expressed miR-153-3p notably promotes the activation of ANGPT1 and the VEGF/VEGFR2 /PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathways, thereby preventing the damages endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes against hypoxia.

Medicinal Plants in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine in the African Continent

IMPACT STATEMENT

Medicinal plants are used by various traditional healers to alleviate the signs and symptoms associated with numerous diseases such as osteoarthritis, asthma, cancer, heart disease, tuberculosis, swollen ankles, bone fracture, malaria, convulsion, piles, hypertension, typhoid fever, diabetes, and anemia. Our research is relevant to communities that rely solely on traditional medicine for their well-being.

Immunosignature Screening for Multiple Cancer Subtypes Based on Expression Rule

Liquid biopsy (i.e., fluid biopsy) involves a series of clinical examination approaches. Monitoring of cancer immunological status by the “immunosignature” of patients presents a novel method for tumor-associated liquid biopsy. The major work content and the core technological difficulties for the monitoring of cancer immunosignature are the recognition of cancer-related immune-activating antigens by high-throughput screening approaches. Currently, one key task of immunosignature-based liquid biopsy is the qualitative and quantitative identification of typical tumor-specific antigens. In this study, we reused two sets of peptide microarray data that detected the expression level of potential antigenic peptides derived from tumor tissues to avoid the detection differences induced by chip platforms. Several machine learning algorithms were applied on these two sets. First, the Monte Carlo Feature Selection (MCFS) method was used to analyze features in two sets. A feature list was obtained according to the MCFS results on each set. Second, incremental feature selection method incorporating one classification algorithm (support vector machine or random forest) followed to extract optimal features and construct optimal classifiers. On the other hand, the repeated incremental pruning to produce error reduction, a rule learning algorithm, was applied on key features yielded by the MCFS method to extract quantitative rules for accurate cancer immune monitoring and pathologic diagnosis. Finally, obtained key features and quantitative rules were extensively analyzed.

Advances in Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering: Innovation and Transformation of Medicine

Humans and animals lose tissues and organs due to congenital defects, trauma, and diseases. The human body has a low regenerative potential as opposed to the urodele amphibians commonly referred to as salamanders. Globally, millions of people would benefit immensely if tissues and organs can be replaced on demand. Traditionally, transplantation of intact tissues and organs has been the bedrock to replace damaged and diseased parts of the body. The sole reliance on transplantation has created a waiting list of people requiring donated tissues and organs, and generally, supply cannot meet the demand. The total cost to society in terms of caring for patients with failing organs and debilitating diseases is enormous. Scientists and clinicians, motivated by the need to develop safe and reliable sources of tissues and organs, have been improving therapies and technologies that can regenerate tissues and in some cases create new tissues altogether. Tissue engineering and/or regenerative medicine are fields of life science employing both engineering and biological principles to create new tissues and organs and to promote the regeneration of damaged or diseased tissues and organs. Major advances and innovations are being made in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine and have a huge impact on three-dimensional bioprinting (3D bioprinting) of tissues and organs. 3D bioprinting holds great promise for artificial tissue and organ bioprinting, thereby revolutionizing the field of regenerative medicine. This review discusses how recent advances in the field of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering can improve 3D bioprinting and vice versa. Several challenges must be overcome in the application of 3D bioprinting before this disruptive technology is widely used to create organotypic constructs for regenerative medicine.

miRNA-15a, miRNA-16, miRNA-126, miRNA-146a, and miRNA-223 expressions in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and their impact on engraftment

OBJECTIVE

MicroRNAs engaged in angiogenesis and hematopoiesis can influence hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) homing after transplantation by targeting bone marrow niche microenvironment. This study aimed to examine the kinetics of miRNA-15a, miRNA-16, miRNA-126, miRNA-146a, and miRNA-223 in autologous HSC transplantation settings.

METHODS

The study comprised of 51 patients with hematological malignancies (42 multiple myeloma, 9 lymphoma). Samples were taken at four time points: before conditioning, after chemotherapy but prior to autologous HSC transplantation (day 0), on day +7, and +14 days after HSCT. The miRNA levels were evaluated by the real-time PCR method.

RESULTS

A significant, steady decline of all tested microRNAs in the course of transplantation, as compared to the baseline, was found. The study revealed that higher levels of miRNA-15a, miRNA-16, miRNA-126, and miRNA-146a on day 0 correlated with longer time to engraftment. Additionally, a positive correlation between the levels of miRNA-15a, miRNA-146a, and miRNA-223 assessed on day +7 and the time to engraftment was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, all investigated microRNAs changed significantly in the course of transplantation. Our results suggest that the miRNAs may participate in hematopoietic recovery in the early post-transplant period and influence engraftment efficiency after HSCT.