Bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells ameliorate angiogenesis and renal damage via promoting PI3k-Akt signaling pathway activation in vivo

Melatonin-encapsuled silk fibroin electrospun nanofibers promote vascularized bone regeneration through regulation of osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling

The repair of critical-sized bone defects poses a significant challenge due to the absence of periosteum, which plays a crucial role in coordinating the processes of osteogenesis and vascularization during bone healing. Herein, we hypothesized that melatonin-encapsuled silk Fibronin electrospun nanofibers (SF@MT) could provide intrinsic induction of both osteogenesis and angiogenesis, thereby promoting vascularized bone regeneration. The sustained release of melatonin from the SF@MT nanofibers resulted in favorable biocompatibility and superior osteogenic induction of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs). Interestingly, melatonin promoted the migration and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in a BMMSC-dependent manner, potentially through the upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) expression in SF@MT-cultured BMMSCs. SF@MT nanofibers enhanced the BMMSC-mediated angiogenesis by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. In vivo experiments indicated that the implantation of SF@MT nanofibers into rat critical-sized calvarial defects significantly enhances the production of bone matrix and the development of new blood vessels, leading to an accelerated process of vascularized bone regeneration. Consequently, the utilization of melatonin-encapsulated silk Fibronin electrospun nanofibers shows great promise as a potential solution for artificial periosteum, with the potential to regulate the coupling of osteogenesis and angiogenesis in critical-sized bone defect repair.

Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) alleviate excessive autophagy of ovarian granular cells through VEGFA/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in premature ovarian failure rat model

BACKGROUND

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is one of the leading causes of female infertility and is accompanied by abnormal endocrine, seriously affecting female quality of life. Previous studies have demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation is a promising therapeutic strategy for POF. However, the mechanism remains obscure. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) on ovarian function in the POF rat model and explore the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

The ovarian function was evaluated by ovarian morphology, histology, estrous cycle, hormone levels (AMH, E2, FSH, and LH), and fertility ability to investigate the effect of hUC-MSCs on the POF rats model. The cytokines levels were assayed in serum using protein array to explore the mechanisms of hUC-MSCs therapy for POF. The excessive autophagy levels were evaluated using a co-culture system of 3D MSCs spheroids with human ovarian granulosa cell line (KGN) or primary ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) to understand the paracrine effect of hUC-MSCs on GCs. The related proteins expression of autophagy and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was detected using Western Blotting and/or in various inhibitors supplement to further demonstrate that vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) secreted by hUC-MSCs can alleviate excessive autophagy of ovarian GCs via PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The ovarian culture model in vitro was applied to confirm the mechanism.

RESULTS

The ovarian function of POF and the excessive autophagy of ovarian GCs were restored after hUC-MSCs transplantation. The protein array result demonstrated that VEGF and PI3K/AKT might improve ovarian function. in vitro experiments demonstrated that VEGFA secreted by hUC-MSCs could decrease oxidative stress and inhibit excessive autophagy of ovarian GCs via PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. The ovarian culture model results confirmed this mechanism in vitro.

CONCLUSION

The hUC-MSCs can alleviate excessive autophagy of ovarian GCs via paracrine VEGFA and regulate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, thereby improving the ovarian function of POF.

Efficacy of stem cell-based therapies for colistin-induced nephrotoxicity

The increase in infections with multidrug resistant bacteria has forced to return to the use of colistin, antibiotic with known nephrotoxicity. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are being extensively investigated for their potential in regenerative medicine. This study aimed to investigate the possible protective mechanisms of the MSCs against kidney injury induced by colistin. Forty adult female albino rats were randomly classified into 4 equal groups; the control group, the MSC-treated group (a single dose of 1 ×10⁶ /ml MSCs through the tail vein), the colistin-treated group (36 mg/kg/day colistin was given for 7 days), and the both colistin and MSC group (36 mg/kg/day colistin and 1 ×10⁶ /ml MSCs). Main outcome measures were histopathological alterations, kidney malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and immunohistological autophagy evaluation. MSC repressed the progression of colistin-induced kidney injury as evidenced by the improvement of histopathological alterations and the substantial increase MDA, and decrease SOD and CAT in serum levels. Moreover, MSC resulted in a profound reduction in oxidative stress as manifested by decreased MDA and increased SOD in serum. Notably, MSC suppressed colistin-induced autophagy; it reduced renal levels of Beclin-1, P62 and LC3A/B. Furthermore, MSC decreased renal levels of eNOS. Lastly, MSC efficiently decreased expression of the TUNEL positive cell number. MSC confers protection against colistin-induced kidney injury by alleviating oxidative stress, nitric oxide synthase besides modulating reducing autophagy and apoptosis.

Yiqi-Huoxue granule promotes angiogenesis of ischemic myocardium through miR-126/PI3K/Akt axis in endothelial cells

BACKGROUND

Yiqi-Huoxue granule (YQHX), consisting of four kinds of traditional Chinese medicine, is an empirical prescription for the treatment of coronary heart disease. It is known to promote angiogenesis, but the mechanism is unknown.

PURPOSE

This article investigates the possible mechanism of YQHX inducing angiogenesis in the ischemic myocardium.

METHODS

EAhy.926 cells were treated with YQHX hypoxic cardiomyocyte-conditioned medium (YHMCM) and the levels of VEGF, CD34, and phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt were detected by western blotting. Also, the effects on endothelial tube formation and migration were observed. The level of miR-126 was detected by qRT-PCR.

RESULTS

YQHX promoted tube formation and migration of EAhy.926 cells and upregulated VEGF, CD34, and the phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT via regulating miR-126 levels. However, these effects were inhibited by a miR-126 inhibitor.

CONCLUSION

In summary, YQHX improves angiogenesis by regulating the miR-126/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, which indicates that YQHX could be a promising therapeutic strategy for ischemic myocardium.

When Origin Matters: Properties of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells From Different Sources for Clinical Translation in Kidney Disease

Advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) offer new prospects to improve the treatment of conditions with unmet medical needs. Kidney diseases are a current major health concern with an increasing global prevalence. Chronic renal failure appears after many years of impairment, which opens a temporary window to apply novel therapeutic approaches to delay or halt disease progression. The immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and pro-regenerative properties of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have sparked interest for their use in cell-based regenerative therapies. Currently, several early-phase clinical trials have been completed and many are ongoing to explore MSC safety and efficacy in a wide range of nephropathies. However, one of the current roadblocks to the clinical translation of MSC therapies relates to the lack of standardization and harmonization of MSC manufacturing protocols, which currently hinders inter-study comparability. Studies have shown that cell culture processing variables can have significant effects on MSC phenotype and functionality, and these are highly variable across laboratories. In addition, heterogeneity within MSC populations is another obstacle. Furthermore, MSCs may be isolated from several sources which adds another variable to the comparative assessment of outcomes. There is now a growing body of literature highlighting unique and distinctive properties of MSCs according to the tissue origin, and that characteristics such as donor, age, sex and underlying medical conditions may alter the therapeutic effect of MSCs. These variables must be taken into consideration when developing a cell therapy product. Having an optimal scale-up strategy for MSC manufacturing is critical for ensuring product quality while minimizing costs and time of production, as well as avoiding potential risks. Ideally, optimal scale-up strategies must be carefully considered and identified during the early stages of development, as making changes later in the bioprocess workflow will require re-optimization and validation, which may have a significant long-term impact on the cost of the therapy. This article provides a summary of important cell culture processing variables to consider in the scale-up of MSC manufacturing as well as giving a comprehensive review of tissue of origin-specific biological characteristics of MSCs and their use in current clinical trials in a range of renal pathologies.

Danshensu attenuates cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity through activation of Nrf2 pathway and inhibition of NF-κB

The clinical application of cisplatin was mainly limited by severe nephrotoxicity. Danshensu was the main pharmacological active diterpenoids which extracted from the roots of Salvia milthiorriza Bunge. This study is aimed to investigate the protective effects and potential mechanisms of Danshensu against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. After fasting for 12 h, all mice groups except the control group were administered a single intraperitoneal injection of 25 mg/kg cisplatin. 1 h later, cisplatin (25 mg/kg) + Danshensu (15 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, 60 mg/kg) groups were treated with corresponding doses of Danshensu once a day for 7 consecutive days. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assayed in this study. The expression of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β were examined by ELISA. The results showed that Danshensu could improve kidney damage, attenuate serum BUN, creatinine, cytokines and oxidative stress markers. Further studies showed that Danshensu can induce Nrf2/HO-1 activation and inhibition of NF-κB pathway. In conclusion, Danshensu exerts the protective effects on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, which may be related to the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 and inhibition of NF-ĸB pathway.

The renal microcirculation in chronic kidney disease: novel diagnostic methods and therapeutic perspectives

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 8–16% of the population worldwide and is characterized by fibrotic processes. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning renal fibrosis is critical to the development of new therapeutics. Microvascular injury is considered an important contributor to renal progressive diseases. Vascular endothelium plays a significant role in responding to physical and chemical signals by generating factors that help maintain normal vascular tone, inhibit leukocyte adhesion and platelet aggregation, and suppress smooth muscle cell proliferation. Loss of the rich capillary network results in endothelial dysfunction, hypoxia, and inflammatory and oxidative effects and further leads to the imbalance of pro- and antiangiogenic factors, endothelial cell apoptosis and endothelial-mesenchymal transition. New techniques, including both invasive and noninvasive techniques, offer multiple methods to observe and monitor renal microcirculation and guide targeted therapeutic strategies. A better understanding of the role of endothelium in CKD will help in the development of effective interventions for renal microcirculation improvement. This review focuses on the role of microvascular injury in CKD, the methods to detect microvessels and the novel treatments to ameliorate renal fibrosis.

Vascular remodeling by placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells restores ovarian function in ovariectomized rat model via the VEGF pathway

Angiogenesis plays an important role in damaged organ or tissue and cell regeneration and ovarian development and function. Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a prevalent pathology in women under 40. Conventional treatment for POI involves hormone therapy. However, due to its side effects, an alternative approach is desirable. Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from various sources restore ovarian function; however, they have many limitations as stem cell sources. Therefore, it is desirable to study the efficacy of placenta-derived MSCs (PD-MSCs), which possess many advantages over other MSCs, in a rat model of ovarian dysfunction. Here, we investigated the restorative effect of PD-MSCs on injured ovaries in ovariectomized (OVX) rats and the ability of intravenous transplantation (Tx) of PD-MSCs (5 × 105) to enhance ovarian vasculature and follicular development. ELISA analysis of serum revealed that compared to the non-transplantation (NTx) group, the Tx group showed significantly increased levels of anti-Müllerian hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, and estradiol (E2) (*P < 0.05). In addition, histological analysis showed more mature follicles and less atresia and restoration of expanded blood vessels in the ovaries of the OVX PD-MSC Tx group than those of the NTx group (*P < 0.05). Furthermore, folliculogenesis-related gene expression was also significantly increased in the PD-MSC Tx group (*P < 0.05). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor 2 expressions were increased in the ovaries of the OVX PD-MSC Tx group compared to the NTx group through PI3K/AKT/mTOR and GSK3β/β-catenin pathway activation. Interestingly, ex vivo cocultivation of damaged ovaries and PD-MSCs or treatment with recombinant VEGF (50 ng/ml) increased folliculogenic factors and VEGF signaling pathways. Notably, compared to recombinant VEGF, PD-MSCs significantly increased folliculogenesis and angiogenesis (*P < 0.05). These findings suggest that VEGF secreted by PD-MSCs promotes follicular development and ovarian function after OVX through vascular remodeling. Therefore, these results provide fundamental data for understanding the therapeutic effects and mechanism of stem cell therapy based on PD-MSCs and provide a theoretical foundation for their application for obstetrical and gynecological diseases, including infertility and menopause.

Melatonin preconditioning is an effective strategy for mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy for kidney disease

Based on multiple studies in animal models, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)‐based therapy appears to be an innovative intervention approach with tremendous potential for the management of kidney disease. However, the clinical therapeutic effects of MSCs in either acute kidney injury (AKI) or chronic kidney disease (CKD) are still under debate. Hurdles originate from the harsh microenvironment in vivo that decreases the cell survival rate, paracrine activity and migratory capacity of MSCs after transplantation, which are believed to be the main reasons for their limited effects in clinical applications. Melatonin is traditionally regarded as a circadian rhythm‐regulated neurohormone but in recent years has been found to exhibit antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. Because inflammation, oxidative stress, thermal injury, and hypoxia are abnormally activated in kidney disease, application of melatonin preconditioning to optimize the MSC response to the hostile in vivo microenvironment before transplantation is of great importance. In this review, we discuss current knowledge concerning the beneficial effects of melatonin preconditioning in MSC‐based therapy for kidney disease. By summarizing the available information and discussing the underlying mechanisms, we aim to improve the therapeutic effects of MSC‐based therapy for kidney disease and accelerate translation to clinical application.

Therapeutic effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived microvesicles on premature ovarian insufficiency in mice

BACKGROUND

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is one of the leading causes of female infertility, which is caused by an abnormal ovarian reserve. Currently, there is no effective treatment to restore the fertility of POI patients. Recent studies suggested that microvesicles (MVs) released from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exert therapeutic effects in various degenerative diseases. In this study, the effect of human umbilical cord MSC-derived MVs (HUCMSC-MVs) on the restoration of ovarian function in a chemotherapy-induced POI mouse model is investigated.

METHODS

MVs were obtained from the supernatant of cultured HUCMSCs. The localization of PKH26-labeled HUCMSC-MVs in ovarian tissues was observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Histomorphometric analysis was performed to count the number of ovarian follicles and vessels. The ovarian sections were stained with anti-CD34 to evaluate angiogenesis. The levels of estradiol (E2) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent serologic assay. The mRNA expression of angiogenesis-related cytokines and the protein expression of AKT in mouse ovaries were measured by quantitative RT-PCR and western blot analysis. The parametric variables were compared by Student's t test and analysis of variance. The non-parametric variables were compared by the Mann-Whitney U test. Categorical variables were compared by χ² test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

PKH26-labeled HUCMSC-MVs were detectable within the ovaries and migrated to the ovarian follicles 24 h after transplantation. The transplantation of HUCMSC-MVs could increase the body weight and number of ovarian follicles (primordial, developing, and preovulatory follicles), induce ovarian angiogenesis, and recover the disturbed estrous cycle of POI mice. The expression levels of total AKT, p-AKT, and angiogenic cytokines (including VEGF, IGF, and angiogenin) in the ovaries of POI mice were markedly upregulated after HUCMSC-MVs transplantation, suggesting that HUCMSC-MVs transplantation might recover ovarian function by inducing angiogenesis via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides valuable insight into the effects of HUCMSC-MVs on ovarian tissue angiogenesis and on the restoration of ovarian function in POI mice, which may be helpful to develop a treatment strategy for POI patients.

Comparative analysis of in vitro proliferative, migratory and pro-angiogenic potentials of bovine fetal mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow and adipose tissue

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are found in virtually all tissues, where they self-renew and differentiate into multiple cell types. Cumulative data indicate that MSCs secrete paracrine factors that may play key roles in the treatment of various acute and chronic pathological conditions in diverse animal species including cattle. The aim of the present study was to compare the potentials for proliferation, migration and pro-angiogenesis of bovine fetal BM-MSCs and AT-MSCs under in vitro conditions. Growth curves and population doubling time (PDT) were determined for BM-MSCs and AT-MSCs in order to compare in vitro cell proliferation potentials. The ability of BM-MSCs and AT-MSCs to migrate was evaluated by scratch plate and transwell migration assays. The pro-angiogenic potential of conditioned medium from BM-MSCs and AT-MSCs was compared using an endothelial cell (EC) tubule formation assay. BM-MSCs displayed higher proliferation curves and doubled their populations in fewer days compared to AT-MSCs. No significant differences were detected in the number of migrant cells between BM-MSCs and AT-MSCs; however, a higher migration value was detected for BM-MSCs compared to fibroblasts (FBs), and a higher number of migrant cells were attracted by DMEM supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS) compared to stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1). More tubules of ECs were formed after exposure to concentrated conditioned medium from AT-MSCs compared to BM-MSCs, FBs or DMEM controls. Despite common mesodermal origin, BM-MSCs display higher proliferative capacity and lower pro-angiogenic potential compared to AT-MSCs; however, both cell types possess similar migratory ability.

Potential and Therapeutic Efficacy of Cell-based Therapy Using Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Acute/chronic Kidney Disease

Kidney disease can be either acute kidney injury (AKI) or chronic kidney disease (CKD) and it can lead to the development of functional organ failure. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are derived from a diverse range of human tissues. They are multipotent and have immunomodulatory effects to assist in the recovery from tissue injury and the inhibition of inflammation. Numerous studies have investigated the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of MSC-based therapies for kidney disease. Although the exact mechanism of MSC-based therapy remains uncertain, their therapeutic value in the treatment of a diverse range of kidney diseases has been studied in clinical trials. The use of MSCs is a promising therapeutic strategy for both acute and chronic kidney disease. The mechanism underlying the effects of MSCs on survival rate after transplantation and functional repair of damaged tissue is still ambiguous. The paracrine effects of MSCs on renal recovery, optimization of the microenvironment for cell survival, and control of inflammatory responses are thought to be related to their interaction with the damaged kidney environment. This review discusses recent experimental and clinical findings related to kidney disease, with a focus on the role of MSCs in kidney disease recovery, differentiation, and microenvironment. The therapeutic efficacy and current applications of MSC-based kidney disease therapies are also discussed.

Are cell-based therapies for kidney disease safe? A systematic review of preclinical evidence

The number of individuals affected by acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is constantly rising. In light of the limited availability of treatment options and their relative inefficacy, cell based therapeutic modalities have been studied. However, not many efforts are put into safety evaluation of such applications. The aim of this study was to review the existing published literature on adverse events reported in studies with genetically modified cells for treatment of kidney disease. A systematic review was conducted by searching PubMed and EMBASE for relevant articles published until June 2018. The search results were screened and relevant articles selected using pre-defined criteria, by two researchers independently. After initial screening of 6894 abstracts, a total number of 97 preclinical studies was finally included for full assessment. Of these, 61 (63%) presented an inappropriate study design for the evaluation of safety parameters. Only 4 studies (4%) had the optimal study design, while 32 (33%) showed sub-optimal study design with either direct or indirect evidence of adverse events. The high heterogeneity of studies included regarding cell type and number, genetic modification, administration route, and kidney disease model applied, combined with the consistent lack of appropriate control groups, makes a reliable safety evaluation of kidney cell-based therapies impossible. Only a limited number of relevant studies included looked into essential safety-related outcomes, such as inflammatory (48%), tumorigenic and teratogenic potential (12%), cell biodistribution (82%), microbiological safety with respect to microorganism contamination and latent viruses' reactivation (1%), as well as overall well-being and animal survival (19%). In conclusion, for benign cell-based therapies, well-designed pre-clinical studies, including all control groups required and good manufacturing processes securing safety, need to be done early in development. Preferably, this should be performed side by side with efficacy evaluation and according to the official guidelines of leading health organizations.

Angiopoietin-1 Promotes the Integrity of Neovascularization in the Subcutaneous Matrigel of Type 1 Diabetic Rats

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Ang-1 on neovascularization of diabetic organs by subcutaneous Matrigel angiogenesis model, established in type 1 diabetic rats.

Methods

Ang-1 adenoviral vector was constructed. The rat model was established by STZ and divided into four group. The Matrigel was inserted subcutaneously into the abdominal cavity of rats at 8 weeks, the treatment group was injected with Ang-1 adenovirus vector via tail vein, and the rats were sacrificed at 10 weeks. Neovascularization of Matrigel was observed with transmission electron microscopy. The marker of vascular endothelial cell and pericyte were detected by immunofluorescence. Immunohistochemical detection of the neovascular endothelial junction protein was performed. RT-PCR was used to determine protein expression of neovascular in Matrigel.

Results

Vascular cavity-like structure could be seen in subcutaneous Matrigel of diabetic rats, and the cavity was filled with a lot of red blood cells. Transmission electron microscopy showed that neovascular endothelial structure of the Matrigel was incomplete, while the Ang-1 treatment group had more vascular cavity-like structures, intact vascular endothelial structure, and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in Matrigel. Additionally, the integrity of vascularization improved, and the marker of pericyte and the cell tight junctions protein was upregulated in Ang-1 treatment group.

Conclusion

Hyperglycemia could induce pathological angiogenesis in subcutaneous Matrigel of diabetic rats, and Ang-1 could upregulate the expression of intercellular junction protein in subcutaneous Matrigel of diabetic rats and promote the integrity of neovascularization in the subcutaneous Matrigel of diabetic rats.

Platelet‑rich fibrin exudate promotes the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells in vitro

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) exudate on the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) in vitro. In the present study PRF was obtained with permission, from the peripheral blood of healthy donors and PRF exudates were collected on the 7th day of incubation. hPDLCs were obtained from healthy premolars, cultured by a tissue explant method and identified with anti-vimentin and anti-cytokeratin antibodies. PRF exudates were added to hPDLCs in different concentrations to evaluate cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. The proliferation of hPDLCs was measured using a colorimetric assay. Osteogenic differentiation and mineralization were determined by Alizarin red staining, alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cell proliferation was enhanced by addition of the PRF exudate, which also promoted the formation of mineralized matrix nodules and upregulated ALP activity and osteoblast-associated levels of osteocalcin, runt-related transcription factor and osterix gene expression. As these stimulatory effects occurred in a dose-dependent manner, it was concluded that high concentrations of the PRF exudate served an essential role in the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of hPDLCs in vitro. The present study demonstrated that PRF exudate enhanced hPDLC proliferation, induced the osteoblastic differentiation of hPDLCs into mineralized tissue-formation cells in vitro, and may therefore provide potential benefits for periodontal tissue engineering; contributing to the primary processes of periodontal tissue regeneration. From the perspective of both economics and biology, PRF has greater clinical benefits than analogous growth factors.

Effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on vascular calcification in rats with adenine-induced kidney disease

Previous studies have investigated the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat damaged kidneys. However, the effect of adipose-derived MSCs (ASCs) on vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is still poorly understood. In the present study, we explored the potential of ASCs for the treatment of CKD and vascular calcification. CKD was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by feeding them a diet containing 0.75% adenine for 4 weeks. ASCs transplantation significantly reduced serum inorganic phosphorus (Pi) as compared to that in the control. The histopathology of the kidneys showed a greater dilation of tubular lumens and interstitial fibrosis in the control group. Calcium and Pi contents of the aorta in the ASCs transplantation group were lower than those in the control group. Von Kossa staining of the thoracic aorta media revealed that ASCs transplantation suppressed vascular calcification. Thus, this study revealed that autogenic ASCs transplantation inhibits kidney damage and suppresses the progression of vascular calcification in the CKD rat model, suggesting that autogenic ASCs transplantation is a novel approach for preventing the progression of CKD and vascular calcification.

Stem Cells in Cardiovascular Medicine: the Road to Regenerative Therapies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to provide a broad overview of current trends in stem cell research and its applications in cardiovascular medicine. Researches on different stem cell sources, their inherent characteristics, and the limitations they have in medical applications are discussed. Additionally, uses of stem cells for both modeling and treating cardiovascular disease are discussed, taking note of the obstacles these engineered interventions must overcome to be clinically viable.

RECENT FINDINGS

Tissue engineering aims to replace dysfunctional tissues with engineered constructs. Stem cell technologies have been a great enabling factor in working toward this goal. Many tissue-engineered products are in development that utilize stem cell technology. Although promising, some refinement must be made to these constructs with respect to safety and functionality. A deeper understanding of basic differentiation and tissue developmental mechanisms is required to allow these engineered tissues to be translated into the clinic.