Implantation and tracing of green fluorescent protein-expressing adipose-derived stem cells in peri-implant capsular fibrosis

Research progress in cell therapy for oral diseases: focus on cell sources and strategies to optimize cell function

In recent years, cell therapy has come to play an important therapeutic role in oral diseases. This paper reviews the active role of mesenchymal stem cells, immune cell sources, and other cells in oral disorders, and presents data supporting the role of cell therapy in oral disorders, including bone and tooth regeneration, oral mucosal disorders, oral soft tissue defects, salivary gland dysfunction, and orthodontic tooth movement. The paper will first review the progress of cell optimization strategies for oral diseases, including the use of hormones in combination with stem cells, gene-modified regulatory cells, epigenetic regulation of cells, drug regulation of cells, cell sheets/aggregates, cell-binding scaffold materials and hydrogels, nanotechnology, and 3D bioprinting of cells. In summary, we will focus on the therapeutic exploration of these different cell sources in oral diseases and the active application of the latest cell optimization strategies.

A highly sensitive and specific Homo1-based real-time qPCR method for quantification of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in rats

BACKGROUND

Owing to the characteristics of easier access in vitro, low immunogenicity, and high plasticity, human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) are considered as a promising cell-based drugs for clinical application. No internationally recognized technology exists to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and distribution of cell-based drugs in vivo.

METHODS

We determined the human-specific gene sequence, Homo1, from differential fragments Homo sapiens mitochondrion and Rattus norvegicus mitochondrion. The expression of Homo1 was utilized to determine the distribution of UC-MSCs in the normal and diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats.

RESULTS

We observed a significant correlation between the number of UC-MSCs and the expression level of Homo1. Following intravenous transplantation, the blood levels of UC-MSCs peaked at 30 min. A large amount of intravenously injected MSCs were trapped in the lungs, but the number of them decreased rapidly after 24 h. Additionally, the distribution of UC-MSCs in the kidneys of DN rats was significantly higher than that of normal rats.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we establish a highly sensitive and specific Homo1-based real-time quantitative PCR method to quantify the distribution of human UC-MSCs in rats. The method provides guidelines for the safety research of cells in preclinical stages.

Histological Comparison of Nanofat and Lipoconcentrate: Enhanced Effects of Lipoconcentrate on Adipogenesis and Angiogenesis

BACKGROUND

Nanofat and lipoconcentrate contain adipose-derived stem cells and growth factors, and have wide clinical applications in the regenerative field. This study aimed to investigate the microenvironmental changes associated with nanofat and lipoconcentrate.

METHODS

Conventional fat, nanofat, or lipoconcentrate (0.2 mL each, n = 5 per group) were injected subcutaneously into the dorsal flanks of athymic nude mice. The graft weights were measured at postoperative week 4; the grafts and their overlying skin were used for histological analyses.

RESULTS

Weights of the lipoconcentrate grafts were significantly greater than those of the conventional fat (p < 0.05) and nanofat (p < 0.01) grafts. There was no significant difference in inflammation, oil cysts, and fibrosis between the conventional fat and nanofat groups. Histological examination of the lipoconcentrate grafts showed less macrophage infiltration and the formation of fibrosis and oil cysts. Additionally, adipogenesis and angiogenesis were induced more in the lipoconcentrate grafts than in the nanofat grafts (p < 0.01). Lipoconcentrate and nanofat improved dermal thickness (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively, versus the baseline).

CONCLUSION

Lipoconcentrate grafts had greater volume and shape retention than conventional fat and nanofat grafts. They had better histological structure and acted as scaffolds for adipogenesis and angiogenesis. Both products showed regenerative effects on dermal thickness; however, only lipoconcentrate grafts had the required volume and regenerative effects, allowing it to serve as a novel adipose-free grafting method for facial rejuvenation and contouring.

NO LEVEL ASSIGNED

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