Preclinical validation of human recombinant glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke

Serum Proteomic Markers in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis in Relation to Silica Exposure

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem autoimmune disease characterised by fibrosis, vasculopathy, and immune dysfunction. Silica exposure has been associated with a more aggressive phenotype of the disease, including diffuse cutaneous involvement and interstitial lung disease. This study aims to identify proteomic differences between SSc patients exposed to silica and those not exposed to silica. Methods: An observational study of 32 SSc patients (11 silica-exposed and 21 non-exposed) was performed, with occupational history and quantitative proteomic analysis using SWATH-MS mass spectrometry. Differentially expressed proteins were analysed, and functional pathway enrichment was performed. Results: Eight proteins showed significant differences between groups, all with reduced levels in silica-exposed patients: adiponectin, immunoglobulins (IGLV3-19, IGLV2-18), complement C2, alpha-2-macroglobulin, vitronectin, cytoplasmic actin 2, and pigment epithelium-derived factor. Alterations in pathways related to fibrinolysis, complement activation, and inflammation were highlighted, suggesting that silica exposure may influence the pathogenesis of SSc and worsen its clinical course. Conclusions: This study supports the hypothesis that silica exposure is not only a triggering factor for SSc, but is also modulating its progression through inflammatory, procoagulant, and fibrotic pathways. The identification of proteomic biomarkers could contribute to the phenotypic classification of patients and the development of personalised therapies. Future studies should expand the cohort and further investigate the functional mechanisms of these proteins in SSc.

Nanoparticles for Thrombolytic Therapy in Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Preclinical Studies

Background: Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) remains the standard thrombolytic treatment for ischemic stroke. Different types of nanoparticles have emerged as promising tools to improve the benefits and decrease the drawbacks of this therapy. Among them, cell membrane-derived (CMD) nanomedicines have gained special interest due to their capability to increase the half-life of particles in blood, biocompatibility, and thrombus targeting. In order to update and evaluate the efficacy of these nanosystems, we performed a meta-analysis of the selected in vivo preclinical studies. Methods: Preclinical in vivo studies in ischemic stroke models have been identified through a search in the Pubmed database. We included studies of rtPA-nanoparticles, which assessed infarct volume and/or neurological improvement. Nanosystems were compared with free (non-encapsulated) rtPA treatment. Standardized mean differences were computed and pooled to estimate effect sizes for lesion volumes and neurological scores. Subgroup analyses by the risk of bias, type of nanoparticle, and time of administration were also performed. Results: A total of 18 publications were included in the meta-analysis. This was based on defined search inclusion criteria. Our analysis revealed that rtPA-nanoparticles improved both lesion volume and neurological scores compared with the free rtPA treatment. Moreover, CMD nanomedicines showed better evolution of infarct volume compared to the other nanoparticles. Funnel plots of lesion volume exhibited asymmetry and publication bias. Heterogeneity was generally high, and the funnel plot and Egger test showed some evidence of publication bias that did not achieve statistical significance in the trim-and-fill analysis. Conclusions: rtPA-encapsulating nanosystems were shown to decrease infarct volume and improve neurological scales compared to the standard treatment, and CMD nanomedicines had the greatest beneficial effect.