Enhancing therapeutic efficacy of human adipose-derived stem cells by modulating photoreceptor expression for advanced wound healing

Identification of ion channel-related genes as diagnostic markers and potential therapeutic targets for osteoarthritis through bioinformatics and machine learning-based approaches

BACKGROUND

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating joint disorder characterized by the progressive degeneration of articular cartilage. Although the role of ion channels in OA pathogenesis is increasingly recognized, diagnostic markers and targeted therapies remain limited.

METHODS

In this study, we analyzed the GSE48556 dataset to identify differentially expressed ion channel-related genes (DEGs) in OA and normal controls. We employed machine learning algorithms, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO), and support vector machine recursive feature elimination(SVM-RFE) to select potential diagnostic markers. Then the gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and gene set variation analysis (GSVA) were performed to explore the potential diagnostic markers' involvement in biological pathways. Finally, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify key genes associated with OA.

RESULTS

We identified a total of 47 DEGs, with the majority involved in transient receptor potential (TRP) pathways. Seven genes (CHRNA4, GABRE, HTR3B, KCNG2, KCNJ2, LRRC8C, and TRPM5) were identified as the best characteristic genes for distinguishing OA from healthy samples. We performed clustering analysis and identified two distinct subtypes of OA, C1, and C2, with differential gene expression and immune cell infiltration profiles. Then we identified three key genes (PPP1R3D, ZNF101, and LOC651309) associated with OA. We constructed a prediction model using these genes and validated it using the GSE46750 dataset, demonstrating reasonable accuracy and specificity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide novel insights into the role of ion channel-related genes in OA pathogenesis and offer potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for the treatment of OA.

Aesthetic Rehabilitation Medicine: Enhancing Wellbeing beyond Functional Recovery

Although rehabilitation medicine emphasizes a holistic health approach, there is still a large gap of knowledge about potential interventions aimed at improving overall wellbeing through cosmetic interventions. Therefore, this narrative review investigates the role of different rehabilitative techniques in enhancing aesthetics, quality of life, and psychosocial wellbeing for patients with disabilities. The study follows the SANRA framework quality criteria for a narrative review. Literature searches across PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus identified articles focusing on rehabilitation strategies within the aesthetic rehabilitation domain. The review identified evidence supporting injection procedures, such as Botulinum Toxin, Platelet-Rich Plasma, Hyaluronic Acid, Ozone, and Carboxytherapy, and assessing their applications in several disabling disorders. Additionally, physical therapies like Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy, Laser Therapy, Microcurrent Therapy, Tecar Therapy, and physical exercises were explored for their impact on cutaneous microcirculation, cellulite treatment, wound healing, and scar appearance improvement. Lastly, the manuscript underlines the role of manual therapy techniques in addressing both physical discomfort and aesthetic concerns, discussing their effectiveness in adipose tissue therapy, scar tissue mobilization, and regional fat thickness reduction. Taken together, this review emphasizes the role of a multidisciplinary approach, aiming to provide valuable insights into potential benefits for both functional and aesthetic outcomes.

Photobiomodulation and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound synergistically enhance dental mesenchymal stem cells viability, migration and differentiation: an invitro study

Novel methods and technologies that improve mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) proliferation and differentiation properties are required to increase their clinical efficacy. Photobiomodulation (PBM) and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) are two strategies that can be used to enhance the regenerative properties of dental MSCs. This study evaluated the cytocompatibility and osteo/odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp, periodontal ligament, and gingival MSCs after stimulation by either PBM or LIPUS and their combined effect. MTT assay, cell migration assay, osteo/odontogenic differentiation by AR staining and ALP activity, and expression of osteo/odontogenic markers (OPG, OC, RUNX2, DSPP, DMP1) by RT-qPCR were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA, followed by Tukey's post hoc test, with a p-value of less than 0.05 considered significant. The results showed that combined stimulation by PBM and LIPUS resulted in significantly the highest viability of MSCs, the fastest migration, the most dense AR staining, the most increased ALP activity, and the most elevated levels of osteogenic and odontogenic markers. The synergetic stimulation of PBM and LIPUS can be utilized in cell-based regenerative approaches to promote the properties of dental MSCs.

Promotion of diced cartilage survival and regeneration with grafting of small intestinal submucosa loaded with urine-derived stem cells

Cartilage absorption and calcification are prone to occur after the implantation of diced cartilage wrapped with autologous materials, as well as prolong the operation time, aggravate surgical trauma and postoperative pain during the acquisition process. Small intestinal submucosa (SIS) has suitable toughness and excellent degradability, which has been widely used in the clinic. Urine-derived stem cells (USCs), as a new type of stem cells, have multi-directional differentiation potential. In this study, we attempt to create the tissue engineering membrane material, termed USCs-SIS (U-SIS), and wrap the diced cartilage with it, assuming that they can promote the survival and regeneration of cartilage. In this study, after co-culture with the SIS and U-SIS, the proliferation, migration and chondrogenesis ability of the auricular-derived chondrocyte cells (ACs) were significantly improved. Further, the expression levels of chondrocyte phenotype-related genes were up-regulated, whilst that of dedifferentiated genes was down-regulated. The signal pathway proteins (Wnt3a and Wnt5a) were also participated in regulation of chondrogenesis. In vivo, compared with perichondrium, the diced cartilage wrapped with the SIS and U-SIS attained higher survival rate, less calcification and absorption in both short and long terms. Particularly, USCs promoted chondrogenesis and modulated local immune responses via paracrine pathways. In conclusion, SIS have the potential to be a new choice of membrane material for diced cartilage graft. U-SIS can enhance survival and regeneration of diced cartilage as a bioactive membrane material.

In vitro differentiation of human amniotic epithelial stem cells into keratinocytes regulated by OPN3

Human amniotic epithelial stem cells (hAESCs) are regarded as potential alternatives to keratinocytes (KCs) used for skin wound healing. Light is an alternative approach for inducing stem cell differentiation. Opsins (OPNs), a family of light-sensitive, G protein-coupled receptors, play a multitude of light-dependent and light-independent functions in extraocular tissues. However, it remains unclear whether the light sensitivity and function of OPNs are involved in light-induced differentiation of hAESCs to KCs. Herein, we determine the role of OPNs in differentiation of hAESCs into KCs through cell and molecular biology approaches in vitro. It is shown that mRNA expression of OPN3 in the amniotic membrane and hAESCs was higher than the other four primary OPNs by RT-qPCR analysis. Changes in OPN3 gene expression had a significant impact on cell proliferation, stemness and differentiation capability of hAESCs. Furthermore, we found a significant upregulation of OPN3, KRT5 and KRT14 with hAESCs treated at 3 × 33 J/cm2 irradiation from blue-light LED. Taken together, these results suggest that OPN3 acts as a positive regulator of differentiation of hAESCs into KCs. This study provides a novel insight into photosensitive OPNs associated with photobiomodulation(PBM)-induced differentiation in stem cells.

Effects of green light-emitting diode irradiation on hepatic differentiation of hepatocyte-like cells generated from human adipose-derived mesenchymal cells

Light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation has been used in the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into a variety of cell types. This study investigated the effect of green LED (GLED) irradiation on the differentiation of adipocyte-derived mesenchymal cells into hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) and the mechanism of its action. HLCs in the hepatocyte maturation phase were irradiated with GLED (520 nm, 21 W/m2, 5 min/day for 10 days). The cells were then assessed for expression of hepatocyte maturity genes and opsin 3 (OPN3), hepatocyte function, viability, apoptosis, and levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and calcium ions (Ca2+). GLED irradiation increased Alpha-1 antitrypsin and Ornithine transcarbamylase gene expression, promoted Cytochrome P450 3A4 activity and urea synthesis, and elevated intracellular ROS, ATP and Ca2+ levels. OPN3 expression was significantly more upregulated in GLED-irradiated HLCs than in the non-irradiated HLCs. No significant difference in cell viability or apoptosis was observed between GLED-irradiated and non-irradiated HLCs. GLED irradiation can promote hepatocyte maturation and functions through OPN3. GLED irradiation also stimulated mitochondrial function via Ca2+/ATP/ROS activation. GLED irradiation has potential to support cell-based transplantation in patients.

Long non-coding RNA MIR22HG suppresses the chondrogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells by interacting with CTCF to upregulate CRLF1

Improved chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by genetic regulation is a potential method for regenerating articular cartilage. LncRNA MIR22HG has been proven to accelerate osteogenic differentiation, but the regulation mechanism of chondrogenic differentiation is still unclear. Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) have been widely utilised for bone tissue engineering applications. The present study aimed to examine the effect of MIR22HG on the chondrogenic differentiation of hADSCs. The results confirmed that MIR22HG was downregulated in the process of chondrogenic differentiation. Subsequently, gain- and loss-of-function of MIR22HG experiments showed that the overexpression of MIR22HG suppressed the deposition of cartilage matrix proteoglycans and decreased the expression of cartilage-related markers (e.g. Sox9, ACAN and Col2A1), whereas the knockdown of MIR22HG had the opposite effect. MIR22HG could bind to CTCF (CCCTC-binding factor), and CTCF could bind to the CRLF1 (cytokine receptor-like factor 1) promoter and upregulate CRLF1 gene expression. Besides, inhibition of CRLF1 can reverse the effect of MIR22HG on cell chondrogenic differentiation of hADSCs. Taken together, our outcomes reveal that MIR22HG suppressed chondrogenic differentiation by interaction with CTCF to stabilise CRLF1.