Immunoregulatory, proliferative and anti-oxidant effects of nanocurcuminoids on adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells

The effects of Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Lactobacillus rhamnosus on cytokines and their related molecules: An ex vivo study on patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the ex vivo impact of Lactobacillus delbrueckii (L. delbrueckii) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus) on inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines as well as their related molecules on the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.

Patients and methods

This study was conducted with 20 newly diagnosed SLE patients (18 females, 2 males; mean age: 33.3±12.4 years; range, 18 to 68 years) between September 2017 and September 2018. Extracted PBMCs from each patient were divided into 4 cell groups in our study. Three cell groups act as treatment groups receiving L. rhamnosus (107 CFU/mL), L. delbrueckii (105 CFU/mL) or a mixture of both, and one group act as our untreated control group in the absence of any probiotic agents. All cell groups were cultured in RPMI 1460 medium for 48 h. Then, total RNA was extracted, and cDNA was synthesized.

Results

The gene expression levels of forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and IL-2 were evaluated by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results revealed that expression levels of FOXP3, TGF-β, IL-10, and IL-2 increased and the level of IL-6 decreased in probiotics-receiving groups compared to the control group. Lactobacillus delbrueckii and L. rhamnosus enhanced the expression of regulatory T cell-related molecules such as FOXP3 and IL-2 and also increased the expression of IL-10. These probiotics also reduced the expression of IL-6 as proinflammatory cytokines in the PBMCs of SLE patients.

Conclusion

The results of the present study show that these probiotics could be effective in regulating the balance of cytokine gene expression ex vivo , and due to their beneficial effects, they can be an intriguing option in the production of new complement drugs for SLE.

Influence of type 2 diabetes and obesity on adipose mesenchymal stem/stromal cell immunoregulation

Type 2 diabetes (T2D), associated with obesity, represents a state of metabolic inflammation and oxidative stress leading to insulin resistance and progressive insulin deficiency. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are adult mesenchymal stem/stromal cells identified within the stromal vascular fraction of adipose tissue. These cells can regulate the immune system and possess anti-inflammatory properties. ASCs are a potential therapeutic modality for inflammatory diseases including T2D. Patient-derived (autologous) rather than allogeneic ASCs may be a relatively safer approach in clinical perspectives, to avoid occasional anti-donor immune responses. However, patient characteristics such as body mass index (BMI), inflammatory status, and disease duration and severity may limit the therapeutic utility of ASCs. The current review presents human ASC (hASC) immunoregulatory mechanisms with special emphasis on those related to T lymphocytes, hASC implications in T2D treatment, and the impact of T2D and obesity on hASC immunoregulatory potential. hASCs can modulate the proliferation, activation, and functions of diverse innate and adaptive immune cells via direct cell-to-cell contact and secretion of paracrine mediators and extracellular vesicles. Preclinical studies recommend the therapeutic potential of hASCs to improve inflammation and metabolic indices in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced T2D disease model. Discordant data have been reported to unravel intact or detrimentally affected immunomodulatory functions of ASCs, isolated from patients with obesity and/or T2D patients, in vitro and in vivo. Numerous preconditioning strategies have been introduced to potentiate hASC immunomodulation; they are also discussed here as possible options to potentiate the immunoregulatory functions of hASCs isolated from patients with obesity and T2D.

Modulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells-Mediated Adaptive Immune Effectors' Repertoire in the Recovery of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

The breakdown of self-tolerance of the immune response can lead to autoimmune conditions in which chronic inflammation induces tissue damage. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a debilitating multisystemic autoimmune disorder with a high prevalence in women of childbearing age; however, SLE incidence, prevalence, and severity are strongly influenced by ethnicity. Although the mystery of autoimmune diseases remains unsolved, disturbance in the proportion and function of B cell subsets has a major role in SLE's pathogenesis. Additionally, colocalizing hyperactive T helper cell subgroups within inflammatory niches are indispensable. Despite significant advances in standard treatments, nonspecific immunosuppression, the risk of serious infections, and resistance to conventional therapies in some cases have raised the urgent need for new treatment strategies. Without the need to suppress the immune system, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as ''smart" immune modulators, are able to control cellular and humoral auto-aggression responses by participating in precursor cell development. In lupus, due to autologous MSCs disorder, the ability of allogenic engrafted MSCs in tissue regeneration and resetting immune homeostasis with the provision of a new immunocyte repertoire has been considered simultaneously. In Brief The bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) lineage plays a critical role in maintaining the hematopoietic stem-cell microstructure and modulating immunocytes. The impairment of BM-MSCs and their niche partially contribute to the pathogenesis of SLE-like diseases. Allogenic MSC transplantation can reconstruct BM microstructure, possibly contributing to the recovery of immunocyte phenotype restoration of immune homeostasis. In terms of future prospects of MSCs, artificially gained by ex vivo isolation and culture adaptation, the wide variety of potential mediators and mechanisms might be linked to the promotion of the immunomodulatory function of MSCs.

Curcumin Nanofiber PCL/PLGA/Collagen Enhanced the Therapeutic Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem Cells against Liver Fibrosis in Animal Model and Prevented its Recurrence

The aim of this study is preconditioning of hBM-MSCs using curcumin modified nanomembrane to optimize therapy of hepatic fibrosis and preventing its recurrence. Methods: The nanomembrane was prepared by electrospinning technique and characterized using conventional method (cur^- nanoscaffold and cur⁺ nanoscaffold). Kinetic release of curcumin was also measured by spectrophotometry. MSCs were isolated from human bone marrow (hBM-MSCs) and cultured on the both nanoscaffolds. We evaluated the in-vivo effect of hBM-MSCs from both nanoscaffold cultures (cur^- nanoscaffold/hMSCs and cur⁺ nanoscaffold/MSCs) on liver fibrosis from its effective and preventive points and we assessed the mechanisms of these effects as in vitro studies as cell proliferation, its effect on hepatogenic differentiation, its effect on paracrine release of hBM-MSCs and in-vivo studying the effect on cell migration, survival, engraftment, fate of transplanted cells, modifying the fibrogenic and inflammatory microenvironments. Results: The results of animal model showed that single injection of preconditioning of hBM-MSCs using curcumin modified nanoscaffold ameliorate the fibrosis and prevent its recurrence until 24 weeks of therapy in contrast to improvement but not ameliorative effect of hBM-MSCs/ curcumin negative nanoscaffold which recurred progressively after 12 weeks of therapy. These effects of curcumin modified nanoscaffold were results from its highly efficacy on cell proliferation, in-vitro and in-vivo hepatogenic differentiation, increasing cell migration, engraftment and survival in the inflammatory microenvironment which was markedly improved by down regulation of inflammatory mediators and upregulation of anti-oxidant factors. Conclusion: hBM-MSCs cultured on the prepared curcumin nanomembrane in this study is promising in regenerative therapy for ameliorating the hepatic fibrosis and to prevent its recurrence.

Antioxidants Attenuate Heat Shock Induced Premature Senescence of Bovine Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have many roles that are important for the body's proper functioning. When the MSC pool is damaged, it is often correlated with impaired development or health of the organism. MSC are known for their anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and trophic characteristics that play an important role in the physiological homeostasis of many tissues. Heat shock impairs MSC capacity by inducing the generation of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial dysfunction, which, in turn, send the cells into a state of premature senescence. Here, we pre-exposed MSC to melatonin, resveratrol, or curcumin, which are natural antioxidative compounds, and tested the protective effects of these substances from oxidative stress and aging. Our data showed that pre-exposure of MSC to antioxidants decreased reactive oxygen species while mitochondrial damage remained high. Additionally, although the proliferation of the cells was slow, antioxidants protected the cells from premature senescence, and subsequent cytokine release was prevented. We conclude that while elevated temperatures directly cause mitochondrial damage, senescence is induced by elevated ROS levels. We suggest that heat shock alters cell and tissue homeostasis by several independent mechanisms; however, reducing tissue senescence will reduce damage and provide a pathway to overcome physiological challenges in animals.

Comparative assessment of proliferation and immunomodulatory potential of Hypericum perforatum plant and callus extracts on mesenchymal stem cells derived adipose tissue from multiple sclerosis patients

BACKGROUND

Mesenchymal stem cells-derived adipose tissue (AT-MSCs) are recognized for the treatment of inflammatory diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS). Hypericum perforatum (HP) is an anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical plant with bioactive compounds. Plant tissue culture is a technique to improve desired pharmacological potential. The aim of this study was to compare the anti-inflammatory and proliferative effects of callus with field-growing plant extracts of HP on AT-MSCs derived from MS patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

AT-MSCs were isolated and characterized. HP callus was prepared and exposure to light spectrum (blue, red, blue-red, and control). Total phenols, flavonoids, and hypericin of HP callus and plant extracts were measured. The effects of HP extracts concentrations on proliferation were evaluated by MTT assay. Co-culture of AT-MSCs: PBMCs were challenged by HP plant and callus extracts, and Tregs percentage was assessed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Identification of MSCs was performed. Data showed that blue light could stimulate total phenols, flavonoids, and hypericin. MTT test demonstrated that plant extract in concentrations (0.03, 1.2, 2.5 and 10 μg/ml) and HP callus extract in 10 μg/ml significantly increased. Both HP extracts lead to an increase in Tregs percentage in all concentrations. In particular, a comparison between HP plant and callus extracts revealed that Tregs enhanced 3-fold more than control groups in the concentration of 10 μg/ml callus.

CONCLUSIONS

High concentrations of HP extracts showed effectiveness on AT-MSCs proliferation and immunomodulatory properties with a certain consequence in callus extract. HP extracts may be considered as supplementary treatments for the patients who receiving MSCs transplantation.

Importance of Redox Equilibrium in the Pathogenesis of Psoriasis-Impact of Antioxidant-Rich Diet

Psoriasis is a common, chronic, hyperproliferative, inflammatory skin disease occurring in most ethnic groups in the world. The disease is hereditary but the process of its inheritance is complex and still not fully understood. At the same time, it has been observed that psoriatic lesions may be triggered by certain prooxidative external factors: using narcotics, smoking, drinking alcohol, physical and mental stress, as well as bacterial infections and injury. Since the main physiological marker of psoriasis relates to disorders in the organism's antioxidative system, it is necessary to develop a well-balanced combination of pharmaceuticals and dietary antioxidants to facilitate the effective treatment and/or prevention of the disease. The dietary sources of antioxidants must be adequate for chronic use regardless of the patient's age and be easily available, e.g., as ingredients of regular food or dietary supplements. Diet manipulation is a promising therapeutic approach in the context of modulating the incidence of chronic diseases. Another potentially viable method entails the use of nutrigenomics, which guarantees a multiaspectual approach to the problem, including, in particular, analyses of the genetic profiles of psoriasis patients with the view to more accurately targeting key problems. The present paper pertains to the significance of redox equilibrium in the context of psoriasis. Based on information published in worldwide literature over the last decade, the impact of dietary exogenous antioxidants on the course of this chronic disease was analysed.

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Antiproliferative Activities of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Bark Essential Oil

This study examines the chemical constituents, antioxidant potential, antibacterial mechanism, and antiproliferative activity of Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark essential oil. The compositions of the oil were analyzed by GC-MS, and the major constituents were found to be (E)-cinnamaldehyde (71.50%), linalool (7.00%), β-caryophyllene (6.40%), eucalyptol (5.40%), and eugenol (4.60%). C. zeylanicum essential oil contained remarkable levels of phenolic and bioactive compounds with outstanding ability to scavenge free radicals and inhibit β-carotene oxidation. The growth of pathogenic and spoilage bacteria, especially Gram-positive ones (i.e. Listeria innocua, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus), was highly inhibited by the oil, compared to the Gram-negative pairs (i.e. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhi). The cells of L. innocua and E. coli (as the most sensitive and resistant strains to the oil, respectively) treated with C. zeylanicum essential oil were observed by scanning electron microscopy to unravel structural changes. It was observed that the essential oil quickly exerted its antibacterial activity through disrupting cell envelope and facilitating the leakage of intracellular compounds. The essential oil had also a dose-dependent antiproliferative effect on adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs), and the cell proliferation could be induced by low concentrations of the oil. The present study indicated that C. zeylanicum essential oil with remarkable antioxidant and antimicrobial properties could be applied to develop novel natural preservatives for food and medicinal purposes.