Thermally labile components of aqueous humor potently induce osteogenic potential in adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Galaxolide and Irgacure 369 are novel environmental androgens

Endocrine disruptors are environmental chemicals that can interfere with the endocrine system. However, research on endocrine disruptors that interfere with androgen's actions is still limited. The purpose of this study is to use in silico computation, i.e., molecular docking to facilitate the identification of environmental androgens. Computational docking was used to study the binding interactions of environmental/industrial compounds with the three dimensional structure of human androgen receptor (AR). Then reporter assay and cell proliferation assay using AR-expressing LNCaP prostate cancer cells were used to determine their in vitro androgenic activity. Animal studies using immature male rats were also carried out to test their in vivo androgenic activity. Two novel environmental androgens were identified. As a photoinitiator, 2-benzyl-2-(dimethylamino)-4'-morpholinobutyrophenone (Irgacure 369, abbreviated as IC-369) is widely used in the packaging and electronics industries. Galaxolide (HHCB) is widely used in the production of perfume, fabric softeners and detergents. We found that both IC-369 and HHCB could activate AR transcriptional activity and promote cell proliferation in AR-sensitive LNCaP cells. Furthermore, IC-369 and HHCB could induce cell proliferation and histological changes of seminal vesicles in immature rats. RNA sequencing and qPCR analysis showed that androgen-related genes in seminal vesicle tissue were up-regulated by IC-369 and HHCB. In conclusion, IC-369 and HHCB are new environmental androgens that bind AR and induce AR transcriptional activity, thereby exerting toxicological effects on the development of male reproductive organs.

Adipose Stem Cells in Modern-Day Ophthalmology

Stem cells (SCs) have evolved as an interesting and viable factor in ophthalmologic patient care in the past decades. SCs have been classified as either embryonic, mesenchymal, tissue-specific, or induced pluripotent cells. Multiple novel management techniques and clinical trials have been established to date. While available publications are predominantly animal-model-based, significant material is derived from human studies and case-selected scenarios. This possibility of explanting cells from viable tissue to regenerate/repair damaged tissue points to an exciting future of therapeutic options in all fields of medicine, and ophthalmology is surely not left out. Adipose tissue obtained from lipo-aspirates has been shown to produce mesenchymal SCs that are potentially useful in different body parts, including the oculo-visual system. An overview of the anatomy, physiology, and extraction process for adipose-tissue-derived stem cells (ADSC) is important for better understanding the potential therapeutic benefits. This review examines published data on ADSCs in immune-modulatory, therapeutic, and regenerative treatments. We also look at the future of ADSC applications for ophthalmic patient care. The adverse effects of this relatively novel therapy are also discussed.

Stem cells from trabecular meshwork cells can secrete extracellular matrix

Isolation of trabecular meshwork stem cells in vitro provides the foundation of a novel treatment for glaucoma. Trabecular meshwork stem cells (TMSCs) of the fetal calve were extracted and cultured for this experiment. TMSCs were isolated through side population cell sorting. TMSCs were then identified using immunofluorescent staining. Extracellular matrix (ECM) expression in TM cells derived from TMSCs was evaluated with Western blot. Our results showed a positive expression of stem cell markers Notch1 and OCT-3/4 in TMSCs, but no TM cells markers TIMP3 or AQP1. In contrast, primary TM cells expressed these TM cell markers but no stem cell markers. Our result confirmed that there are expression of ECM components, such as fibronectin, laminin, collagen I and collagen IV in TM cells differentiated from TMSCs. CONCLUSION: TM cells derived from TMSCs can secrete ECM components which is important for sustain the physiological function.

Effect of tetrahedral DNA nanostructures on osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells via activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are considered to be ideal stem cell sources for bone regeneration owing to their ability to differentiate into osteo-like cells. Therefore, they have attracted increasing attention in recent years. Tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDNs), a new type of DNA-based biomaterials, have shown great potential for biomedical applications. In the present work, we aimed to investigate the role played by TDNs in osteogenic differentiation and proliferation of ADSCs and tried to explore if the canonical Wnt signal pathway could be the vital biological mechanism driving these cellular responses. Upon exposure to TDNs, ADSCs proliferation and osteogenic differentiation were significantly enhanced, accompanied by the up-regulation of genes correlated with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. In conclusion, our results indicate that TDNs are crucial regulators of the increase in osteogenic potential and ADSCs proliferation, and this noteworthy discovery could provide a promising novel approach toward ADSCs-based bone defect regeneration.