Transplantation of human neonatal foreskin stromal cells in ex vivo organotypic cultures of embryonic chick femurs

Apigenin and Rutaecarpine reduce the burden of cellular senescence in bone marrow stromal stem cells

Introduction

Osteoporosis is a systemic age-related disease characterized by reduced bone mass and microstructure deterioration, leading to increased risk of bone fragility fractures. Osteoporosis is a worldwide major health care problem and there is a need for preventive approaches.

Methods and results

Apigenin and Rutaecarpine are plant-derived antioxidants identified through functional screen of a natural product library (143 compounds) as enhancers of osteoblastic differentiation of human bone marrow stromal stem cells (hBMSCs). Global gene expression profiling and Western blot analysis revealed activation of several intra-cellular signaling pathways including focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and TGFβ. Pharmacological inhibition of FAK using PF-573228 (5 μM) and TGFβ using SB505124 (1μM), diminished Apigenin- and Rutaecarpine-induced osteoblast differentiation. In vitro treatment with Apigenin and Rutaecarpine, of primary hBMSCs obtained from elderly female patients enhanced osteoblast differentiation compared with primary hBMSCs obtained from young female donors. Ex-vivo treatment with Apigenin and Rutaecarpine of organotypic embryonic chick-femur culture significantly increased bone volume and cortical thickness compared to control as estimated by μCT-scanning.

Discussion

Our data revealed that Apigenin and Rutaecarpine enhance osteoblastic differentiation, bone formation, and reduce the age-related effects of hBMSCs. Therefore, Apigenin and Rutaecarpine cellular treatment represent a potential strategy for maintaining hBMSCs health during aging and osteoporosis.

CAM Model: Intriguing Natural Bioreactor for Sustainable Research and Reliable/Versatile Testing

We are witnessing the revival of the CAM model, which has already used been in the past by several researchers studying angiogenesis and anti-cancer drugs and now offers a refined model to fill, in the translational meaning, the gap between in vitro and in vivo studies. It can be used for a wide range of purposes, from testing cytotoxicity, pharmacokinetics, tumorigenesis, and invasion to the action mechanisms of molecules and validation of new materials from tissue engineering research. The CAM model is easy to use, with a fast outcome, and makes experimental research more sustainable since it allows us to replace, reduce, and refine pre-clinical experimentation ("3Rs" rules). This review aims to highlight some unique potential that the CAM-assay presents; in particular, the authors intend to use the CAM model in the future to verify, in a microenvironment comparable to in vivo conditions, albeit simplified, the angiogenic ability of functionalized 3D constructs to be used in regenerative medicine strategies in the recovery of skeletal injuries of critical size (CSD) that do not repair spontaneously. For this purpose, organotypic cultures will be planned on several CAMs set up in temporal sequences, and a sort of organ model for assessing CSD will be utilized in the CAM bioreactor rather than in vivo.

Human foreskin fibroblasts: from waste bag to important biomedical applications

Circumcision is one of the most performed surgical procedures worldwide, and it is estimated that one in three men worldwide is circumcised, which makes the preputial skin removed after surgery an abundant material for possible applications. In particular, it is possible efficiently to isolate the cells of the foreskin, with fibroblasts being the most abundant cells of the dermis and the most used in biomedical research. This work aimed to review the knowledge and obtain a broad view of the main applications of human foreskin fibroblast cell culture. A literature search was conducted, including clinical trials, preclinical basic research studies, reviews and experimental studies. Several medical and laboratory applications of human foreskin fibroblast cell culture have been described, especially when it comes to the use of human foreskin fibroblasts as feeder cells for the cultivation of human embryonic stem cells, in addition to co-culture with other cell types. The culture of foreskin fibroblasts has also been used to: obtain induced pluripotent stem cells; the diagnosis of Clostridium difficile; to test the toxicity and effect of substances on normal cells, especially the toxicity of possible antineoplastic drugs; in viral culture, mainly of the human cytomegalovirus, study of the pathogenesis of other microorganisms; varied studies of cellular physiology and cellular interactions. Fibroblasts are important for cell models for varied application cultures, demonstrating how the preputial material can be reused, making possible new applications.

Level of evidence: Not applicable for this multicentre audit.