Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Antibody Ameliorates Cartilage Degradation in a Rat Model of Chronic Sports Arthritic Injury

Targeting VEGF using Bevacizumab attenuates sepsis-induced liver injury in a mouse model of cecal ligation and puncture

Sepsis, a life-threatening condition resulting from an uncontrolled host response to infection, often leads to severe liver damage and remains a significant cause of mortality in critically ill patients despite advances in antibiotic therapy and resuscitation. Bevacizumab, a neutralizing antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), is approved for treating certain cancers. However, its potential impact on sepsis-related liver injury is not well understood. This study aimed to explore the potential hepatoprotective effect of Bevacizumab on sepsis-induced liver injury. Twenty-four mice were divided into four groups: a sham group subjected to a midline incision only, a cecal ligation and puncture induction (CLP) group, a vehicle-treated group that received a vehicle one hour before CLP induction, and a Bevacizumab-treated group that received Bevacizumab one hour before CLP induction. Blood samples were collected, and angiopoietin-2 (ANGPT2), alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST) serum levels were measured. Liver tissue homogenates were analyzed for IL-6, TNFα, intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), macrophage inhibitory factor (MIF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), F2-isoprostane, and caspase-11 levels. A histological examination was performed to assess the extent of liver damage. Mice exposed to CLP had high levels of the biomarkers mentioned above with a high degree of liver injury compared to the sham group. In contrast, treatment with Bevacizumab notably reduced these markers and mitigated liver damage. In conclusion, Bevacizumab may be a protective agent against sepsis-induced liver injury.

Feasibility of Growth Factor Agent Therapy in Repairing Motor Injury

Growth factors (GF), with the activity of stimulating cell growth, play a significant role in biology, medicine, and exercise physiology. In the process of exercise, human tissues are impacted, making cells suffer damage. Growth factor can accelerate the repair of damaged cells and regulate the synthesis of protein, so biological preparations of growth factors can be added to traditional therapies. A combination of growth factor biologics and conventional therapies may improve the efficiency of injury repair, but growth factor biologics may not produce any results. The feasibility of growth factor biologics in the treatment of motor injury was discussed. The research have shown that: 1) GF biological agent therapy is a very promising treatment for motor injury, which is based on the power of autologous growth factor (GFs) to accelerate tissue healing, promote muscle regeneration, increase angiogenesis, reduce fibrosis, and make the muscle injury rapid recovery. 2) There are various methods for delivering the higher dose of GF to the injured tissue, but most of them depend on the platelet release of GF. At the site of injury, there are several ways to deliver higher doses of GF to the injured tissue. 3) At present, the inhibition of GF is mainly through signal transduction inhibitors and inhibition of transcription factor production. 4) Pattern of GF during wound repair: GF directly regulates many key steps of normal wound repair, including inflammatory cell chemotaxis, division and proliferation of fibroblasts, keratinocytes and vascular endothelial cells, formation of new blood vessels, and synthesis and degradation of intercellular substances. 5) When GF promotes chronic wound healing, in most cases, certain GF can be used targeted only when in vivo regulation still cannot meet the need for repair.

MiR-30b-5p Influences Chronic Exercise Arthritic Injury by Targeting Hoxa1

We identified the role of miR-30b-5p in chronic exercise arthritic injury. Rats with chronic exercise arthritic injury received treatment with miR-30b-5p antagomiR. H&E and Safranin O-fast green staining were performed. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were detected. The binding relationship between homeobox A1 (Hoxa1) and miR-30b-5p was revealed. After manipulating the expressions of miR-30b-5p and/or Hoxa1 in chondrocytes, the viability, apoptosis and migration of chondrocytes were assessed. The levels of molecules were determined by qRT-PCR or Western blot. MiR-30b-5p antagomiR ameliorated articular cartilage lesion and destruction, reduced Mankin's score and the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, miR-30b-5p, matrix metallopeptidase 13 (MMP-13), and cleaved caspase-3, and increased relative thickness and the levels of Hoxa1, Aggrecan and type II collagen (COLII) in model rats. MiR-30b-5p up-regulation decreased Hoxa1 level, viability, migration and induced apoptosis, whereas miR-30b-5p down-regulation produced the opposite effects. MiR-30b-5p up-regulation increased the levels of MMP-13 and cleaved caspase-3, but decreased those of Aggrecan and COLII in chondrocytes. However, the action of miR-30b-5p up-regulation on chondrocytes was reversed by Hoxa1 overexpression. In conclusion, miR-30b-5p is involved in cartilage degradation in rats with chronic exercise arthritic injury and regulates chondrocyte apoptosis and migration by targeting Hoxa1.