Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy Mitigates Interstitial Cystitis by Inhibiting Mast Cells

Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibits oxidative stress-induced ferroptosis to improve interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome by reducing NF-κB

BACKGROUND

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a bladder syndrome of unknown etiology. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a major role in ferroptosis and bladder dysfunction of IC/BPS, while the role of ferroptosis in IC/BPS progression is still unclear. This study aims to investigate the role and mechanism of ROS-induced ferroptosis in IC/BPS using cell and rat model.

METHODS

We collected IC/BPS patient bladder tissue samples and established a LPS-induced IC/BPS rat model (LRM). The level of oxidative stress and ferroptosis in IC/BPS patients and LRM rats was analyzed. Function and regulatory mechanism of ferroptosis in IC/BPS were explored by in vitro and in vivo experiments.

RESULTS

The patients with IC/BPS showed mast cells and inflammatory cells infiltration in bladder epithelial tissues. Expression of NRF2 was up-regulated, and GPX4 was decreased in IC/BPS patients compared with normal tissues. IC model cells underwent oxidative stress, which induced ferroptosis. These above results were validated in LRM rat models, and inhibition of ferroptosis ameliorated bladder dysfunction in LRM rats. Wnt/β-catenin signaling was deactivated in IC/BPS patients and animals, and activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling reduced cellular free radical production, thereby inhibited ferroptosis in IC model cells. Mechanistically, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibited oxidative stress-induced ferroptosis by down-regulating NF-κB, thus contributing to recover IC/BPS both in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrate for the first time that oxidative stress-induced ferroptosis plays an important role in the pathology of IC/BPS. Mechanistically, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling suppressed oxidative stress-induced ferroptosis by down-regulating NF-κB to improve bladder injury in IC/BPS.

HucMSC-Ex alleviates DSS-induced colitis in mice by decreasing mast cell activation via the IL-33/ST2 axis

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease that poses challenges in terms of treatment. The precise mechanism underlying the role of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome (HucMSC-Ex) in the inflammatory repair process of IBD remains elusive. Mucosal mast cells accumulate within the intestinal tract and exert regulatory functions in IBD, thus presenting a novel target for addressing this intestinal disease.

METHODS

A mouse model of Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-induced colitis was established and hucMSC-Ex were administered to investigate their impact on the regulation of intestinal mast cells. An in vitro co-culture model using the human clonal colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (Caco-2) and human mast cell line (LAD2) was also established for further exploration of the effect of hucMSC-Ex.

RESULTS

We observed the accumulation of mast cells in the intestines of patients with IBD as well as mice. In colitis mice, there was an upregulation of mast cell-related tryptase, interleukin-33 (IL-33), and suppression of tumorigenicity 2 receptor (ST2 or IL1RL1), and the function of the intestinal mucosal barrier related to intestinal tight junction protein was weakened. HucMSC-Ex treatment significantly reduced mast cell infiltration and intestinal damage. In the co-culture model, a substantial number of mast cells interact with the epithelial barrier, triggering activation of the IL-33/IL1RL1 (ST2) pathway and subsequent release of inflammatory factors and trypsin. This disruption leads to aberrant expression of tight junction proteins, which can be alleviated by supplementation with hucMSC-Ex.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that hucMSC-Ex may reduce the release of mast cell mediators via the IL-33/IL1RL1 (ST2) axis, thereby mitigating its detrimental effects on intestinal barrier function.

Intravesical Instillation of Hyaluronic Acid With Epidermal Growth Factor for Restoring Urothelial Denudation and Alleviating Oxidative Stress in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Interstitial Cystitis of Rats

PURPOSE

To investigate the efficacy of an intravesical instillation of hyaluronic acid (HA) combined with epidermal growth factor (EGF) for the treatment of interstitial cystitis (IC) using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced IC animal model.

METHODS

A total of 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to 4 groups: sham control, IC, HA, and treatment (HA/ EGF) groups. A polyethylene-50 tube was placed inside the bladder of each animal. IC was induced by twice-weekly instillations of LPS for 3 weeks, which resulted in chronic injury of the urothelium. Animals in the sham control group only received saline instillation. Treatment solutions of HA and HA/EGF were given on days 0, 7, and 14 after IC induction (400 μL of HA in a concentration of 0.4 mg/0.5 mL and 400 μL of NewEpi, a commercialized HA/EGF mixture containing 2 μg of EGF and 0.4 mg of sodium hyaluronate). Animals were sacrificed on day 21 for further examinations.

RESULTS

The HA/EGF group showed visible improvement in hematuria with a significant reduction of red blood cells in the urine compared to the HA group. Histological examination revealed that HA/EGF treatment reversed the abnormalities developed in IC, including infiltration of inflammatory cells, irregular re-epithelialization, and fibrotic tissue. Moreover, HA/ EGF significantly reduced the levels of proinflammation cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin [IL]-6, and IL-1β) and substantially lowered the elevated oxidative stress biomarker malondialdehyde, yet restored the levels of antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, with superior results than HA treatment. Cystometry studies indicated that HA/EGF significantly prolonged intercontraction interval and increased micturition volume.

CONCLUSION

HA/EGF has been demonstrated as a more effective treatment for enhancing the urothelium lining and reducing inflammatory changes to alleviate clinical symptoms associated with IC in rats, compared to HA alone.

Exploring plant polyphenols as anti-allergic functional products to manage the growing incidence of food allergy

The active substances derived from plants have received increasing attention owing to their wide range of pharmacological applications, including anti-tumor, anti-allergic, anti-viral, and anti-oxidative activities. The allergy epidemic is a growing global public health problem that threatens human health and safety. Polyphenols from plants have significant anti-allergic effects and are an important source of anti-allergic drug research and development. Here, we describe recent advances in the anti-allergic efficacy of plant polyphenols, including their comprehensive effects on cellular or animal models. The current issues and directions for future development in this field are discussed to provide a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of these active substances as anti-allergic products.

Roles of mesenchymal stem cells and exosomes in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is characterized by several symptoms of higher sensitivity of the lower urinary tract, such as bladder pain/discomfort, urgency, urinary frequency, pelvic pain and nocturia. Although the pathophysiology of IC/BPS is not fully understood, the hypothesis suggests that mast cell activation, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) layer defects, urothelium permeability disruption, inflammation, autoimmune disorder and infection are potential mechanisms. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been proven to protect against tissue injury in IC/BPS by migrating into bladders, differentiating into key bladder cells, inhibiting mast cell accumulation and cellular apoptosis, inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress, alleviating collagen fibre accumulation and enhancing tissue regeneration in bladder tissues. In addition, MSCs can protect against tissue injury in IC/BPS by secreting various soluble factors, including exosomes and other soluble factors, with antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, angiogenic and immunomodulatory properties in a cell-to-cell independent manner. In this review, we comprehensively summarized the current potential pathophysiological mechanisms and standard treatments of IC/BPS, and we discussed the potential mechanisms and therapeutic effects of MSCs and MSC-derived exosomes in alleviating tissue injury in IC/BPS models.