Exosomes Isolated From Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Exert a Protective Effect on Osteoarthritis via lncRNA LYRM4-AS1-GRPR-miR-6515-5p

Cinnamaldehyde-Treated Bone Marrow Mesenchymal-Stem-Cell-Derived Exosomes via Aqueous Two-Phase System Attenuate IL-1β-Induced Inflammation and Catabolism via Modulation of Proinflammatory Signaling Pathways

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disorder that is distinguished by inflammation and chronic cartilage damage. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in the catabolic processes that underlie the pathogenesis of OA. In this study, we investigate the therapeutic efficacy of exosomes derived from untreated bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSC-Exo) and those treated with cinnamaldehyde (BMMSC-CA-Exo) for preventing the in vitro catabolic effects of IL-1β on chondrocytes. We stimulated chondrocytes with IL-1β to mimic the inflammatory microenvironment of OA. We then treated these chondrocytes with BMMSC-Exo and BMMSC-CA-Exo isolated via an aqueous two-phase system and evaluated their effects on the key cellular processes using molecular techniques. Our findings revealed that treatment with BMMSC-Exo reduces the catabolic effects of IL-1β on chondrocytes and alleviates inflammation. However, further studies directly comparing treatments with BMMSC-Exo and BMMSC-CA-Exo are needed to determine if CA preconditioning can provide additional anti-inflammatory benefits to the exosomes beyond those of CA preconditioning or treatment with regular BMMSC-Exo. Through a comprehensive molecular analysis, we elucidated the regulatory mechanisms underlying this protective effect. We found a significant downregulation of proinflammatory signaling pathways in exosome-infected chondrocytes, suggesting the potential modulation of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling cascades. Furthermore, our study identified the molecular cargo of BMMSC-Exo and BMMSC-CA-Exo, determining the key molecules, such as anti-inflammatory cytokines and cartilage-associated factors, that may contribute to their acquisition of chondroprotective properties. In summary, BMMSC-Exo and BMMSC-CA-Exo exhibit the potential as therapeutic agents for OA by antagonizing the in vitro catabolic effects of IL-1β on chondrocytes. The regulation of the proinflammatory signaling pathways and bioactive molecules delivered by the exosomes suggests a multifaceted mechanism of action. These findings highlight the need for further investigation into exosome-based therapies for OA and joint-related diseases.

A call for standardization for secretome and extracellular vesicles in osteoarthritis: results show disease-modifying potential, but protocols are too heterogeneous-a systematic review

The currently available osteoarthritis (OA) treatments offer symptoms' relief without disease-modifying effects. Increasing evidence supports the role of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to drive beneficial effects provided by their secretome and extracellular vesicles (EVs), which includes trophic and biologically active factors. Aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro literature to understand the potential of human secretome and EVs for OA treatment and identify trends, gaps, and potential translational challenges. A systematic review was performed on PubMed, Embase, and Web-of-Science, identifying 58 studies. The effects of secretome and EVs were analysed on osteoarthritic cells regarding anabolic, anti-apoptotic/anti-inflammatory and catabolic/pro-inflammatory/degenerative activity, chondroinduction, and immunomodulation. The results showed that MSC-derived EVs elicit an increase in proliferation and migration, reduction of cell death and inflammation, downregulation of catabolic pathways, regulation of immunomodulation, and promotion of anabolic processes in arthritic cells. However, a high heterogeneity in several technical or more applicative aspects emerged. In conclusion, the use of human secretome and EVs as strategy to address OA processes has overall positive effects and disease-modifying potential. However, it is crucial to reduce protocol variability and strive toward a higher standardization, which will be essential for the translation of this promising OA treatment from the in vitro research setting to the clinical practice.

Unlocking the potential of exosomes: a breakthrough in the theranosis of degenerative orthopaedic diseases

Degenerative orthopaedic diseases pose a notable worldwide public health issue attributable to the global aging population. Conventional medical approaches, encompassing physical therapy, pharmaceutical interventions, and surgical methods, face obstacles in halting or reversing the degenerative process. In recent times, exosome-based therapy has gained widespread acceptance and popularity as an effective treatment for degenerative orthopaedic diseases. This therapeutic approach holds the potential for "cell-free" tissue regeneration. Exosomes, membranous vesicles resulting from the fusion of intracellular multivesicles with the cell membrane, are released into the extracellular matrix. Addressing challenges such as the rapid elimination of natural exosomes in vivo and the limitation of drug concentration can be effectively achieved through various strategies, including engineering modification, gene overexpression modification, and biomaterial binding. This review provides a concise overview of the source, classification, and preparation methods of exosomes, followed by an in-depth analysis of their functions and potential applications. Furthermore, the review explores various strategies for utilizing exosomes in the treatment of degenerative orthopaedic diseases, encompassing engineering modification, gene overexpression, and biomaterial binding. The primary objective is to provide a fresh viewpoint on the utilization of exosomes in addressing bone degenerative conditions and to support the practical application of exosomes in the theranosis of degenerative orthopaedic diseases.

Prokaryotic microvesicles Ortholog of eukaryotic extracellular vesicles in biomedical fields

Every single cell can communicate with other cells in a paracrine manner via the production of nano-sized extracellular vesicles. This phenomenon is conserved between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In eukaryotic cells, exosomes (Exos) are the main inter-cellular bioshuttles with the potential to carry different signaling molecules. Likewise, bacteria can produce and release Exo-like particles, namely microvesicles (MVs) into the extracellular matrix. Bacterial MVs function with diverse biological properties and are at the center of attention due to their inherent therapeutic properties. Here, in this review article, the comparable biological properties between the eukaryotic Exos and bacterial MVs were highlighted in terms of biomedical application. Video Abstract.

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes as a promising cell-free therapy for knee osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA), as a degenerative disease, leads to high socioeconomic burdens and disability rates. The knee joint is typically the most affected and is characterized by progressive destruction of articular cartilage, subchondral bone remodeling, osteophyte formation and synovial inflammation. The current management of OA mainly focuses on symptomatic relief and does not help to slow down the advancement of disease. Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their exosomes have garnered significant attention in regenerative therapy and tissue engineering areas. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos), as bioactive factor carriers, have promising results in cell-free therapy of OA. This study reviewed the application of various MSC-Exos for the OA treatment, along with exploring the potential underlying mechanisms. Moreover, current strategies and future perspectives for the utilization of engineered MSC-Exos, alongside their associated challenges, were also discussed.

Understanding the role of exosomal lncRNAs in rheumatic diseases: a review

Rheumatic diseases, a group of diseases whose etiology is still unclear, are thought to be related to genetic and environmental factors, leading to complex pathogenesis. Based on their multi-system involvement, the diagnosis and treatment continue to face huge challenges. Whole-genome assays provide a distinct direction for understanding the underlying mechanisms of such diseases. Exosomes, nano-sized bilayer membrane vesicles secreted by cells, are mentioned as a key element in the physiological and pathological processes of the body. These exosomes mediate biologically active substances, such as nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids and deliver them to cells. Notably, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a unique class of non-coding RNAs, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases. However, the mechanism needs to be further explored. This article provided a comprehensive review of the findings on exosomal lncRNAs in rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune liver diseases, primary dermatomyositis, and systemic sclerosis. Through in-depth understanding of these lncRNAs and their involved signaling pathways provide new theoretical supports for the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases.

Leveraging a disulfidptosis‑related lncRNAs signature for predicting the prognosis and immunotherapy of glioma

BACKGROUND

Gliomas, a prevalent form of primary brain tumors, are linked with a high mortality rate and unfavorable prognoses. Disulfidptosis, an innovative form of programmed cell death, has received scant attention concerning disulfidptosis-related lncRNAs (DRLs). The objective of this investigation was to ascertain a prognostic signature utilizing DRLs to forecast the prognosis and treatment targets of glioma patients.

METHODS

RNA-seq data were procured from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Disulfidptosis-related genes were compiled from prior research. An analysis of multivariate Cox regression and the least absolute selection operator was used to construct a risk model using six DRLs. The risk signature's performance was evaluated via Kaplan-Meier survival curves and receiver operating characteristic curves. Additionally, functional analysis was carried out using GO, KEGG, and single-sample GSEA to investigate the biological functions and immune infiltration. The research also evaluated tumor mutational burden, therapeutic drug sensitivity, and consensus cluster analysis. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR was conducted to validate the expression level of DRLs.

RESULTS

A prognostic signature comprising six DRLs was developed to predict the prognosis of glioma patients. High-risk patients had significantly shorter overall survival than low-risk patients. The robustness of the risk model was validated by receiver operating characteristic curves and subgroup survival analysis. Risk model was used independently as a prognostic indicator for the glioma patients. Notably, the low-risk patients displayed a substantial decrease in the immune checkpoints, the proportion of immune cells, ESTIMATE and immune score. IC50 values from the different risk groups allowed us to discern three drugs for the treatment of glioma patients. Lastly, the potential clinical significance of six DRLs was determined.

CONCLUSIONS

A novel six DRLs signature was developed to predict prognosis and may provide valuable insights for patients with glioma seeking novel immunotherapy and targeted therapy.

High LYRM4-AS1 predicts poor prognosis in patients with glioma and correlates with immune infiltration

Background

Many researches proved that non-coding RNAs are important in glioma development. We screened the differentially expressed genes through The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and identified the molecule LYRM4-AS1 associated with prognosis. As a lncRNA, the expression level and role of LYRM4-AS1 in glioma are inconclusive. Therefore, we attempted to assess the clinical significance, expression and related mechanisms of LYRM4-AS1 in glioma by employing cell experiments and an integrative in silico methodology.

Methods

RNA-seq data were obtained from UCSC XENA and TCGA datasets. The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was used to download glioma-related expression profile data. The LYRM4-AS1 expression level was evaluated. Survival curves were constructed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression analysis was used to analyze independent variables. Patients were divided into high and low expression group base on the median LYRM4-AS1 expression value in glioma tissues. The DESeq2 R package was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between two different expression LYRM4-AS1 groups. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted. Next, the single-sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA) was done to quantify the immune infiltration of immune cells in glioma tissues. Gene expression profiles for glioma tumor tissues were used to quantify the relative enrichment score for each immune cell. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between LYRM4-AS1 and biomarkers of immune cells as well as immune checkpoints in glioma. Finally, assays for cell apoptosis, cell viability and wound healing were conducted to evaluate the function on U87 MG and U251 cells after knocking down LYRM4-AS1.

Results

We found that LYRM4-AS1 was upregulated and related to the grade and malignancy of glioma. Survival analyses showed that high expression LYRM4-AS1 patients had poor clinical outcomes (P < 0.01). Cox regression analyses demonstrated that LYRM4-AS1 was an independent risk factor for overall survival (OS) in glioma (HR: 274 1.836; CI [1.278-2.639]; P = 0.001). Enrichment and immune infiltration analysis showed interferon signaling and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction enriched in the LYRM4-AS1 high-expression phenotype, and LYRM4-AS1 showed significantly positively related to immune infiltration as well as immune checkpoints (P < 0.01). The knockdown of LYRM4-AS1 in U87 MG and U251 cells can inhibit migration and proliferation of cells (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

These findings indicated that the increased LYRM4-AS1 may be useful for the diagnosis and prognosis of glioma and might participate in the immune infiltration.

Conditioned Medium - Is it an Undervalued Lab Waste with the Potential for Osteoarthritis Management?

BACKGROUND

The approaches currently used in osteoarthritis (OA) are mainly short-term solutions with unsatisfactory outcomes. Cell-based therapies are still controversial (in terms of the sources of cells and the results) and require strict culture protocol, quality control, and may have side-effects. A distinct population of stromal cells has an interesting secretome composition that is underrated and commonly ends up as biological waste. Their unique properties could be used to improve the existing techniques due to protective and anti-ageing properties.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

In this review, we seek to outline the advantages of the use of conditioned media (CM) and exosomes, which render them superior to other cell-based methods, and to summarise current information on the composition of CM and their effect on chondrocytes.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

CM are obtainable from a variety of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) sources, such as adipose tissue, bone marrow and umbilical cord, which is significant to their composition. The components present in CMs include proteins, cytokines, growth factors, chemokines, lipids and ncRNA with a variety of functions. In most in vitro and in vivo studies CM from MSCs had a beneficial effect in enhance processes associated with chondrocyte OA pathomechanism.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

This review summarises the information available in the literature on the function of components most commonly detected in MSC-conditioned media, as well as the effect of CM on OA chondrocytes in in vitro culture. It also highlights the need to standardise protocols for obtaining CM, and to conduct clinical trials to transfer the effects obtained in vitro to human subjects.

Taxol‑resistant breast cancer cell‑derived exosome‑delivered miR‑187‑5p regulates the growth of breast cancer cells via ABCD2 and Wnt/β‑catenin signaling

Acquired resistance to Taxol (TAX) contributes to clinical treatment failure and significantly reduces the survival rate of patients. The present study aimed to explore the effects of exosomal microRNA (miR)-187-5p on TAX resistance in breast cancer cells and its underlying mechanisms. Exosomes were isolated from MCF-7 and TAX-resistant MCF-7/TAX cells, and the miR-187-5p and miR-106a-3p levels of the cells and exosomes were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Next, MCF-7 cells were treated with TAX for 48 h and either treated with exosomes or transfected with miR-187-5p mimics. Cell viability, apoptosis, migration, invasion and colony formation were determined using Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometry, Transwell and colony formation assays, and the expression levels of associated genes and proteins were detected by RT-qPCR and western blotting, respectively. Finally, a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to confirm the target of miR-187-5p. The results showed that miR-187-5p expression levels increased significantly in TAX-resistant MCF-7 cells and exosomes compared with normal MCF-7 cells and exosomes (P<0.05). However, miR-106a-3p was not detected in the cells or exosomes. Therefore, miR-187-5p was selected for subsequent experiments. A series of cell assays showed that TAX inhibited the viability, migration, invasion and colony formation of MCF-7 cells and promoted their apoptosis; however, these changes were reversed by resistant cell exosomes and miR-187-5p mimics. Additionally, TAX significantly upregulated ABCD2 and downregulated β-catenin, c-Myc and cyclin D1, whereas resistant exosomes and miR-187-5p mimics reversed the TAX-induced changes in expression. Finally, ABCD2 was confirmed to directly bind with miR-187-5p. It may be concluded that TAX-resistant cell-derived exosomes delivering miR-187-5p may affect the growth of TAX-induced breast cancer cells by targeting ABCD2 and c-Myc/Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Soluble and EV-Associated Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in Knee Osteoarthritis Pathology and Detection

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative disease of the connective tissue of the human musculoskeletal system. Despite its widespread prevalence, there are many limitations in its diagnosis and treatment. OA diagnosis currently relies on the presence of clinical symptoms, sometimes accompanied by changes in joint X-rays or MRIs. Biomarkers help not only to diagnose early disease progression but also to understand the process of OA in many ways. In this article, we briefly summarize information on articular joints and joint tissues, the pathogenesis of OA and review the literature about biomarkers in the field of OA, specifically inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, proteins, miRNA, and metabolic biomarkers found in the blood, synovial fluid and in extracellular vesicles.

Therapeutic Efficiency of Nasal Mucosa-Derived Ectodermal Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Rats with Acute Hepatic Failure

Background

Liver transplantation is limited by the insufficiency of liver organ donors when treating end-stage liver disease or acute liver failure (ALF). Ectodermal mesenchymal stem cells (EMSCs) derived from nasal mucosa have emerged as an alternative cell-based therapy. However, the role of EMSCs in acute liver failure remains unclear.

Methods

EMSCs were obtained from the nasal mucosa tissue of rats. First, EMSCs were seeded on the gelatin-chitosan scaffolds, and the biocompatibility was evaluated. Next, the protective effects of EMSCs were investigated in carbon tetrachloride- (CCl₄-) induced ALF rats. Finally, we applied an indirect coculture system to analyze the paracrine effects of EMSCs on damaged hepatocytes. A three-step nontransgenic technique was performed to transform EMSCs into hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) in vitro.

Results

EMSCs exhibited a similar phenotype to other mesenchymal stem cells along with self-renewal and multilineage differentiation capabilities. EMSC-seeded gelatin-chitosan scaffolds can increase survival rates and ameliorate liver function and pathology of ALF rat models. Moreover, transplanted EMSCs can secrete paracrine factors to promote hepatocyte regeneration, targeted migration, and transdifferentiate into HLCs in response to the liver's microenvironment, which will then repair or replace the damaged hepatocytes. Similar to mature hepatocytes, HLCs generated from EMSCs possess functions of expressing specific hepatic markers, storing glycogen, and producing urea.

Conclusions

These results confirmed the feasibility of EMSCs in acute hepatic failure treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first time that EMSCs are used in the therapy of liver diseases. EMSCs are expected to be a novel and promising cell source in liver tissue engineering.

Engineering exosomes for bone defect repair

Currently, bone defect repair is still an intractable clinical problem. Numerous treatments have been performed, but their clinical results are unsatisfactory. As a key element of cell-free therapy, exosome is becoming a promising tool of bone regeneration in recent decades, because of its promoting osteogenesis and osteogenic differentiation function in vivo and in vitro. However, low yield, weak activity, inefficient targeting ability, and unpredictable side effects of natural exosomes have limited the clinical application. To overcome the weakness, various approaches have been applied to produce engineering exosomes by regulating their production and function at present. In this review, we will focus on the engineering exosomes for bone defect repair. By summarizing the exosomal cargos affecting osteogenesis, the strategies of engineering exosomes and properties of exosome-integrated biomaterials, this work will provide novel insights into exploring advanced engineering exosome-based cell-free therapy for bone defect repair.

Breakthrough of extracellular vesicles in pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent whole-joint disease that causes disability and pain and affects a patient's quality of life. However, currently, there is a lack of effective early diagnosis and treatment. Although stem cells can promote cartilage repair and treat OA, problems such as immune rejection and tumorigenicity persist. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) can transmit genetic information from donor cells and mediate intercellular communication, which is considered a functional paracrine factor of stem cells. Increasing evidences suggest that EVs may play an essential and complex role in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of OA. Here, we introduced the role of EVs in OA progression by influencing inflammation, metabolism, and aging. Next, we discussed EVs from the blood, synovial fluid, and joint-related cells for diagnosis. Moreover, we outlined the potential of modified and unmodified EVs and their combination with biomaterials for OA therapy. Finally, we discuss the deficiencies and put forward the prospects and challenges related to the application of EVs in the field of OA.

The potential therapeutic role of extracellular vesicles in osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a worldwide and disabling disease, which cause severe pain and heavy socioeconomic burden. However, pharmacologic or surgical therapies cannot mitigate OA progression. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy has emerged as potential approach for OA treatment, while the immunogenicity and ethical audit of cell therapy are unavoidable. Compared with stem cell strategy, EVs induce less immunological rejection, and they are more stable for storage and in vivo application. MSC-EVs-based therapy possesses great potential in regulating inflammation and promoting cartilage matrix reconstruction in OA treatment. To enhance the therapeutic effect, delivery efficiency, tissue specificity and safety, EVs can be engineered via different modification strategies. Here, the application of MSC-EVs in OA treatment and the potential underlying mechanism were summarized. Moreover, EV modification strategies including indirect MSC modification and direct EV modification were reviewed.

Exosome-based strategy for degenerative disease in orthopedics: Recent progress and perspectives

BACKGROUND

Degenerative diseases in orthopaedics have become a significant global public health issue with the aging of the population worldwide. The traditional medical interventions, including physical therapy, pharmacological therapy and even surgery, hardly work to modify degenerative progression. Stem cell-based therapy is widely accepted to treat degenerative orthopaedic disease effectively but possesses several limitations, such as the need for strict monitoring of production and storage and the potential risks of tumorigenicity and immune rejection in clinical translation. Furthermore, the ethical issues surrounding the acquisition of embryonic stem cells are also broadly concerned. Exosome-based therapy has rapidly grown in popularity in recent years and is regarded as an ideal alternative to stem cell-based therapy, offering a promise to achieve 'cell-free' tissue regeneration.

METHODS

Traditionally, the native exosomes extracted from stem cells are directly injected into the injured site to promote tissue regeneration. Recently, several modified exosome-based strategies were developed to overcome the limitations of native exosomes, which include mainly exogenous molecule loading and exosome delivery through scaffolds. In this paper, a systematic review of the exosome-based strategy for degenerative disease in orthopaedics is presented.

RESULTS

Treatment strategies based on the native exosomes are effective but with several disadvantages such as rapid diffusion and insufficient and fluctuating functional contents. The modified exosome-based strategies can better match the requirements of the regeneration in some complex healing processes.

CONCLUSION

Exosome-based strategies hold promise to manage degenerative disease in orthopaedics prior to patients reaching the advanced stage of disease in the future. The timely summary and highlights offered herein could provide a research perspective to promote the development of exosome-based therapy, facilitating the clinical translation of exosomes in orthopaedics.

TRANSLATIONAL POTENTIAL OF THIS ARTICLE

Exosome-based therapy is superior in anti-senescence and anti-inflammatory effects and possesses lower risks of tumorigenicity and immune rejection relative to stem cell-based therapy. Exosome-based therapy is regarded as an ideal alternative to stem cell-based therapy, offering a promise to achieve 'cell-free' tissue regeneration.

Exosomes rewire the cartilage microenvironment in osteoarthritis: from intercellular communication to therapeutic strategies

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage loss and accounts for a major source of pain and disability worldwide. However, effective strategies for cartilage repair are lacking, and patients with advanced OA usually need joint replacement. Better comprehending OA pathogenesis may lead to transformative therapeutics. Recently studies have reported that exosomes act as a new means of cell-to-cell communication by delivering multiple bioactive molecules to create a particular microenvironment that tunes cartilage behavior. Specifically, exosome cargos, such as noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) and proteins, play a crucial role in OA progression by regulating the proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, and inflammatory response of joint cells, rendering them promising candidates for OA monitoring and treatment. This review systematically summarizes the current insight regarding the biogenesis and function of exosomes and their potential as therapeutic tools targeting cell-to-cell communication in OA, suggesting new realms to improve OA management.

Regulatory mechanisms and potential medical applications of HNF1A-AS1 in cancers

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are defined as a class of non-protein-coding RNAs that are longer than 200 nucleotides. Previous studies have shown that lncRNAs play a vital role in the progression of multiple diseases, which highlights their potential for medical applications. The lncRNA hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 homeobox A (HNF1A) antisense RNA 1 (HNF1A-AS1) is known to be abnormally expressed in multiple cancers. HNF1A-AS1 exerts its oncogenic roles through a variety of molecular mechanisms. Moreover, aberrant HNF1A-AS1 expression is associated with diverse clinical features in cancer patients. Therefore, HNF1A-AS1 is a promising biomarker for tumor diagnosis and prognosis and thus a potential candidate for tumor therapy. This review summarizes current studies on the role and the underlying mechanisms of HNF1A-AS1 various cancer types, including gastric cancer, liver cancer, glioma, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, osteosarcoma, esophageal adenocarcinoma, hemangioma, oral squamous cell carcinoma, laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, cervical cancer, as well as gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms. We also describe the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic value of HNF1A-AS1 for multiple cancer patients.

Integrating Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation to Explore the Key Mechanism of Gubitong Recipe in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Background

Gubitong Recipe (GBT) is a prescription based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory of tonifying the kidney yang and strengthening the bone. A previous multicentral randomized clinical trial has shown that GBT can effectively relieve joint pain and improve quality of life with a high safety in treating osteoarthritis (OA). This study is aimed at elucidating the active compounds, potential targets, and mechanisms of GBT for treating OA.

Method

The network pharmacology method was used to predict the key active compounds, targets, and mechanisms of GBT in treating OA. An OA rat model was established with Hulth surgery, and the pathological changes of articular cartilage were observed to evaluate the effects of GBT. Chondrocytes were stimulated with LPS to establish in vitro models, and key targets and mechanisms predicted by network pharmacology were verified via qRT-PCR, ELISA, western blot, and immunofluorescence. The Contribution Index Model and molecular docking were used to determine the key active compounds of GBT and the major nodes affecting predicted pathways.

Result

A total of 500 compounds were acquired from related databases, where 87 active compounds and their 254 corresponding targets were identified. 2979 OA-related genes were collected from three databases, 150 of which were GBT-regulating OA genes. The compound-target network weight analysis and PPI results showed that IL-6 and PGE2 are key targets of GBT in treating OA. KEGG results showed that PI3K/AKT, Toll-like receptor, NFκB, TNF, and HIF-1 are the key signaling pathways. An in vivo experiment showed that GBT could effectively suppress cartilage degradation of OA rats. In vitro experiments demonstrated that GBT can inhibit the key targets of KEGG-related pathways. Molecular-docking results suggested that luteolin, licochalcone A, and β-carotene were key targets of GBT, and the mechanisms may be associated with the NFκB signaling pathway. Blockage experiments showed that the NFκB pathway is the key pathway of GBT in treating OA.

Conclusion

This study verified that GBT can effectively protect articular cartilage through multitarget and multipathway, and its inhibitory effect on the NFκB pathway is the most key mechanism in treating OA.

PTH (1-34) enhances the therapeutic effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokines expression on OA chondrocyte repair in vitro

Background

The effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) during the treatment of cartilage damage have been proven to be attributed to paracrine mechanisms, particularly the effect of exosomes. Exosomes from different batches are inhomogeneous, and different treatment effects are observed between samples. The purpose of this research was to find more effective and homogeneous exosomes for the repair of chondrocytes in osteoarthritis (OA). We observed the potential effects and possible mechanisms of exosomes derived from parathyroid hormone (PTH) (1-34)-preconditioned BMSCs (Exo^PTH) in the alleviation of OA.

Materials and methods

Exosomes derived from BMSCs (Exo^BMSC) and Exo^PTH were isolated by differential centrifugation. Primary rat chondrocytes were used to establish the OA model by interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) in vitro. The effects of these two types of exosomes on OA chondrocyte proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix formation were measured and compared. We observed changes in IL-2, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels via Western blotting (WB), and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT–PCR).

Results

We successfully extracted Exo^BMSC and Exo^PTH and established an IL-1β-induced OA model in primary chondrocytes from rats. Our study showed that IL-2, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels increased significantly in OA chondrocytes; however, both Exo^BMSC and Exo^PTH reduced the levels of IL-2, TNF-α, and IL-6. In addition, Exo^PTH exhibited stronger anti-inflammatory effects. Exo^PTH had a more marked effect on proliferation, migration, and production of the extracellular matrix (Col-II) in OA chondrocytes than Exo^BMSC at 24 h.

Conclusion

Exo^PTH increased the migration, proliferation, and chondral matrix formation of OA chondrocytes in vitro. In OA chondrocyte therapy, the potential mechanism of Exo^PTH might involve the inhibition of production of proinflammatory cytokines. Although the two types of exosomes had some similar effects, most effects of Exo^PTH were better than those of Exo^BMSC, so Exo^PTH may have a better ability to alleviate OA.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13075-022-02778-x.

Mesenchymal stromal cell-based therapy for cartilage regeneration in knee osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, as a degenerative disease, is a common problem and results in high socioeconomic costs and rates of disability. The most commonly affected joint is the knee and characterized by progressive destruction of articular cartilage, loss of extracellular matrix, and progressive inflammation. Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-based therapy has been explored as a new regenerative treatment for knee osteoarthritis in recent years. However, the detailed functions of MSC-based therapy and related mechanism, especially of cartilage regeneration, have not been explained. Hence, this review summarized how to choose, authenticate, and culture different origins of MSCs and derived exosomes. Moreover, clinical application and the latest mechanistical findings of MSC-based therapy in cartilage regeneration were also demonstrated.

Exosomes from miR-29a-modified adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells reduce excessive scar formation by inhibiting TGF-β2/Smad3 signaling

Pathological scars mainly refer to hypertrophic scars and keloids, and have a high incidence. Moreover, these scars seriously affect the patient's appearance and are associated with significant pain. The present study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of microRNA (miR)-29a from human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) exosomes on scar formation. Firstly, the expression of miR-29a in thermal skin tissues of mice and human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts (HSFBs) was detected via reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Exosomes derived from miR-29a-modified hADSCs were extracted and the influence of miR-29a-modified hADSCs-exo on the proliferation and function of HSFBs was determined. Lastly, the effect of miR-29a-modified hADSCs-exo on scar formation was determined using a thermal mouse model. The results demonstrated that miR-29a was downregulated in scar tissues after scalding and in HSFBs. After treating HSFBs with miR-29a-modified hADSC exosomes, miR-29a-overexpressing hADSC exosomes inhibited the proliferation and migration of HSFBs. Moreover, it was found that TGF-β2 was the target of miR-29a, and that hADSC exosome-derived miR-29a inhibited the fibrosis of HSFBs and scar hyperplasia after scalding in mice by targeting the TGF-β2/Smad3 signaling pathway. In summary, the current data indicated that miR-29a-modified hADSC exosome therapy can decrease scar formation by inhibiting the TGF-β2/Smad3 signaling pathway via its derived exogenous miR-29a, and this may be useful for the future treatment of pathological scars by providing a potential molecular basis.