17β-estradiol promotes bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell migration mediated by chemokine upregulation

Identification and validation of risk score model based on gene set activity as a diagnostic biomarker for endometriosis

Objective

The enigmatic nature of Endometriosis (EMS) pathogenesis necessitates investigating alterations in signaling pathway activity to enhance our comprehension of the disease's characteristics.

Methods

Three published gene expression profiles (GSE11691, GSE25628, and GSE7305 datasets) were downloaded, and the "combat" algorithm was employed for batch correction, gene expression difference analysis, and pathway enrichment difference analysis. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to identify core genes, and the relative enrichment degree of gene sets was evaluated. The Lasso regression model identified candidate gene sets with diagnostic value, and a risk scoring diagnostic model was constructed for further validation on the GSE86534 and GSE5108 datasets. CIBERSORT was used to assess the composition of immune cells in EMS, and the correlation between EMS diagnostic value gene sets and immune cells was evaluated.

Results

A total of 568 differentially expressed genes were identified between eutopic and ectopic endometrium, with 10 core genes in the PPI network associated with cell cycle regulation. Inflammation-related pathways, including cytokine-receptor signaling and chemokine signaling pathways, were significantly more active in ectopic endometrium compared to eutopic endometrium. Diagnostic gene sets for EMS, such as homologous recombination, base excision repair, DNA replication, P53 signaling pathway, adherens junction, and SNARE interactions in vesicular transport, were identified. The risk score's area under the curve (AUC) was 0.854, as indicated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the risk score's diagnostic value was validated by the validation cohort. Immune cell infiltration analysis revealed correlations between the risk score and Macrophages M2, Plasma cells, resting NK cells, activated NK cells, and regulatory T cells.

Conclusion

The risk scoring diagnostic model, based on pathway activity, demonstrates high diagnostic value and offers novel insights and strategies for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of Endometriosis.

CXC chemokines influence immune surveillance in immunological disorders: Polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis

Reproductive health is a worldwide challenge, but it is of particular significance to women during their reproductive age. Several female reproductive problems, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, affect about 10 % of women and have a negative impact on their health, fertility, and quality of life. Small, chemotactic, and secreted cytokines are CXC chemokines. Both PCOS and endometriosis demonstrate dysregulation of CXC chemokines, which are critical to the development and progression of both diseases. Recent research has shown that both in humans and animals, CXC chemokines tend to cause inflammation. It has also been found that CXC chemokines are necessary for promoting angiogenesis and inflammatory responses. CXC chemokine overexpression is frequently associated with poor survival and prognosis. CXC chemokine levels in PCOS and endometriosis patients impact their circumstances significantly. Hence, CXC chemokines have significant potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The molecular mechanisms through which CXC chemokines promote inflammation and the development of PCOS and endometriosis are currently unknown. This article will discuss the functions of CXC chemokines in the promotion, development, and therapy of PCOS and endometriosis, as well as future research directions. The current state and future prospects of CXC chemokine -based therapeutic strategies in the management of PCOS and endometriosis are also highlighted.

Autologous hematopoietic bone marrow and concentrated growth factor transplantation combined with core decompression in patients with avascular necrosis of the femoral head

The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of autologous hematopoietic bone marrow and concentrated growth factor (CGF) transplantation and core decompression in patients with avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH). We performed a single-center prospective study on 31 patients with non-traumatic early-stage (stage I to III) ANFH based on the 1994 classification of the Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO). The patients were subjected to bone marrow aspiration from the posterior iliac crest, separation, and concentration of growth factors from the bone marrow aspirate, core decompression of the femoral head, and injection of hematopoietic bone marrow and CGFs into the necrotic lesion. Patients were evaluated using the visual analogue scale, the WOMAC questionnaire, and X-ray and MRI examinations of the hip joints before, at 2, 4, and 6 months after the intervention. Patients had a mean age of 33 years (range 20-44 years), 19 (61%) of them being male and 12 (39%) females. The presentation of the disease was bilateral in 21 patients and unilateral in 10 patients. The main cause of ANFH was steroid treatment. The mean VAS and WOMAC scores were 48.37 (SD: 14.67) out of 100, and the mean VAS pain score was 50.83 out of 100 (SD: 20.46), respectively, before transplant. This value significantly improved to 22.31 (SD 12.12) of 100, and the mean VAS pain score was 21.31 of 100 (SD: 20.46) (P=0.04). MRI showed a significant improvement (P=0.012). Our results suggest that autologous hematopoietic bone marrow and CGFs transplantation with core decompression have a beneficial effect in early-stage ANFH.

Strategies for modelling endometrial diseases

Each month during a woman's reproductive years, the endometrium undergoes vast changes to prepare for a potential pregnancy. Diseases of the endometrium arise for numerous reasons, many of which remain unknown. These endometrial diseases, including endometriosis, adenomyosis, endometrial cancer and Asherman syndrome, affect many women, with an overall lack of efficient or permanent treatment solutions. The challenge lies in understanding the complexity of the endometrium and the extensive changes, orchestrated by ovarian hormones, that occur in multiple cell types over the period of the menstrual cycle. Appropriate model systems that closely mimic the architecture and function of the endometrium and its diseases are needed. The emergence of organoid technology using human cells is enabling a revolution in modelling the endometrium in vitro. The goal of this Review is to provide a focused reference for new models to study the diseases of the endometrium. We provide perspectives on the power of new and emerging models, from organoids to microfluidics, which have opened up a new frontier for studying endometrial diseases.

17β-Estradiol promotes angiogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by upregulating the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway

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The role and mechanism of 17β -estradiol in the regulation of BMSC promoting angiogenesis were analyzed by bioinformatics techniques for the first time.

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Combined with FN1, MCM2, XPO1, NTRK1 and other proteins, 17β-estradiol is able to activate PI3K-Akt, MAPK and other signaling pathways to regulate BMSCs to promote or remodel angiogenesis.

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17β-estradiol upregulates the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway to promote the BMSC angiogenesis process of differentiation.

Objective

Estrogen is an important hormone affecting angiogenesis in women and is important for female physical development. Menopausal women are prone to serious cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases when estrogen is significantly reduced. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) have potential roles in processes such as angiogenesis and remodeling. This study is to investigate the effect of 17β-estradiol on BMSC angiogenic differentiation and its underlying molecular mechanism, and to provide a basis for the treatment of microvascular diseases.

Methods

Enrichment analysis of apoptosis, migration or angiogenesis processes and molecular mechanisms of BMSC treated with 17β-estradiol was performed to screen core proteins and perform molecular docking validation. Human MSCs were cultured in vitro to examine the effect of 17β-estradiol on BMSC migration or angiogenic differentiation.

Results

17β-estradiol acted on 48 targets of BMSC and was involved in regulating 52 cell migration processes or 17 angiogenesis processes through 66 KEGG pathways such as PI3K-Akt, MAPK, etc. 17β-estradiol bound tightly to 10 core proteins including APP, NTRK1, EGFR, and HSP90AA1. 17β-estradiol promoted cell scratch area closure rate and CD31 expression in BMSCs, downregulated BMSC apoptosis rate, and promoted Akt and p-Akt protein expression in BMSC.

Conclusion

17β-estradiol binds to FN1, MCM2, XPO1, NTRK1 and other proteins to initiate PI3K-Akt, MAPK and other signaling pathways, so as to regulate BMSC to promote or remodel angiogenesis, verifying that 17β-estradiol up-regulates PI3K-Akt signaling pathway to promote BMSC angiogenic differentiation.

Intrauterine Injection of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosome Gel Significantly Improves the Pregnancy Rate in Thin Endometrium Rats

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (HUMSC)-exosome gel played a significant role in promoting thin endometrial receptivity and improving the pregnancy rate by inhibiting endometrial fibrosis and accelerating subendometrial microangiogenesis. High-quality HUMSC-exosome were obtained by pretreating HUMSC with transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁). Exosome gel mixture has good biocompatibility and physical rheological properties, stabilizing the structure of exosomes and prolonging the action of exosomes in the uterine cavity. HUMSC or HUMSC-derived exosomes were used to treat rat model of thin endometrium. In animal experiments, four groups, including the HUMSC, HUMSC-exosome, model (negative control), and sham operation groups, were designed. The therapeutic effects were evaluated by the thickness of the endometrium, the number of glands, the subendometrial vessel density, the markers of endometrial receptivity, and the pregnancy rate. In an in vivo study, three groups, involving HUMSC-coculture, HUMSC-exosome, and the control, were explored. The proliferation and migration of the human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) were further determined by cell scratch and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays. The protein expression of the TGF-β₁/smad2/3 signaling pathway was determined by Western blot. After treatment, the thickness of the endometrium, the number of glands, and the subendometrial microangiogenesis were obviously increased, and the level of inhibition of endometrial fibrosis, molecular markers of endometrial receptivity, and the pregnancy rate were also significantly improved. HUMSC-exosome and HUMSC significantly promoted the migration and proliferation of HESCs. And it was confirmed that HUMSC-exosome were superior to HUMSC in inhibiting HESCs fibrosis through TGF-β₁/smad2/3 signaling pathway at the protein expression level.

Combination use of core decompression for osteonecrosis of the femoral head: A systematic review and meta-analysis using Forest and Funnel Plots

Objective

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of CD combined with bone marrow stem cells in the treatment of femoral head necrosis by systematic review and meta-analysis. Methodology. PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, Google Scholar and MEDLINE, etc. databases were searched for clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing core decompression combined with autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells versus core decompression alone in the treatment of femoral head necrosis. The retrieval period is from the establishment of each database to May 20, 2021. After literature was extracted and literature quality was evaluated, meta-analysis was conducted by using RevMan5.3 software.

Results

A total of 420 osteonecrosis of the femoral head 452 patients' data were collected from all studies. Compared with the core decompression alone group, the CD combined with bone marrow stem cell showed marked reduction in the Visual analog scale (VAS), enhanced Harris hip score (HHS) at 12 months and 24 months, slowed down the progression of the disease, decreased the number of hips conversed to total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the future.

Conclusion

Core decompression therapy is a very effective and safe treatment process used for ONFH. Moreover, CD combined autologous bone marrow stem cell transplantation can improve the survival rate of the necrotic head, reduce hip pain and delay the disease progression, the rate of THA postoperatively.

Endometriosis stem cell sources and potential therapeutic targets: literature review and bioinformatics analysis

The stem cell origin theory of endometriosis (EMS) is a significant area of new research but the sources of this have yet to be adequately summarized. Existing treatments for EMS are commonly associated with a high recurrence rate; consequently, there is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic measures for the future treatment of this disease from the view of stem cells and gene therapy. Recently, we described the evidence for the potential sources of EMS stem cells and other key molecules participating in the establishment of lesions, and predict the miRNAs that target these key genes via bioinformatics analysis for further research. This review highlights the origin of EMS stem cells and potential therapy targets.

Endometrial stem/progenitor cells and their roles in immunity, clinical application, and endometriosis

Endometrial stem/progenitor cells have been proved to exist in periodically regenerated female endometrium and can be divided into three categories: endometrial epithelial stem/progenitor cells, CD140b+CD146+ or SUSD2+ endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (eMSCs), and side population cells (SPs). Endometrial stem/progenitor cells in the menstruation blood are defined as menstrual stem cells (MenSCs). Due to their abundant sources, excellent proliferation, and autotransplantation capabilities, MenSCs are ideal candidates for cell-based therapy in regenerative medicine, inflammation, and immune-related diseases. Endometrial stem/progenitor cells also participate in the occurrence and development of endometriosis by entering the pelvic cavity from retrograde menstruation and becoming overreactive under certain conditions to form new glands and stroma through clonal expansion. Additionally, the limited bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMDSCs) in blood circulation can be recruited and infiltrated into the lesion sites, leading to the establishment of deep invasive endometriosis. On the other hand, cell derived from endometriosis may also enter the blood circulation to form circulating endometrial cells (CECs) with stem cell-like properties, and to migrate and implant into distant tissues. In this manuscript, by reviewing the available literature, we outlined the characteristics of endometrial stem/progenitor cells and summarized their roles in immunoregulation, regenerative medicine, and endometriosis, through which to provide some novel therapeutic strategies for reproductive and cancerous diseases.

Uterine Stem Cells and Benign Gynecological Disorders: Role in Pathobiology and Therapeutic Implications

Stem cells in the endometrium and myometrium possess an immense regenerative potential which is necessary to maintain the menstrual cycle and support pregnancy. These cells, as well as bone marrow stem cells, have also been implicated in the development of common benign gynecological disorders including leiomyomas, endometriosis and adenomyosis. Current evidence suggests the conversion of uterine stem cells to tumor initiating stem cells in leiomyomas, endometriosis stem cells, and adenomyosis stem cells, acquiring genetic and epigenetic alterations for the progression of each benign condition. In this comprehensive review, we aim to summarize the progress that has been made to characterize the involvement of stem cells in the pathogenesis of benign gynecologic conditions which, despite their enormous burden, are not yet fully understood. We focus on the stem cell characteristics and aberrations that contribute to the development of benign gynecological disorders and the possible clinical implications of what is known so far. Lastly, we discuss the role of uterine stem cells in the setting of regenerative medicine, particularly in the treatment of Asherman syndrome.Graphical abstract.