Recent Advances of Adipose-Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Retinal Diseases

Adipose-derived stem cells and antibiotics: A novel synergistic approach for treating implant-related osteomyelitis

Implant-related osteomyelitis poses a significant challenge in orthopedic practice, particularly due to the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant infections and biofilm-associated complications. This article focused on exploring the potential of combination therapy with adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and antibiotics to overcome these challenges, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy. A systematic synthesis of the results of recent in vivo studies, predominantly those using rat models, was performed. Studies that evaluated the effectiveness of ADSCs combined with antibiotics against common pathogens in implant-related osteomyelitis, particularly Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis, were selected. A significant reduction in symptoms such as swelling, abscess formation, and bacterial burden in the ADSCs + antibiotic-treated group was observed in all studies. In addition, microcomputed tomography revealed reduced osteolysis, indicating enhanced bone preservation. Furthermore, histological examination revealed improved tissue structure and altered immune response, signifying the dual role of ADSCs in enhancing antibiotic action and modulating the immune system. This review highlights the promising role of the concurrent use of ADSCs and antibiotics in the treatment of implant-related osteomyelitis. This novel therapeutic strategy has the potential to revolutionize the management of complex orthopedic infections, especially those resistant to conventional treatments. However, further research is required to translate the results of animal studies into clinical applications and to develop optimized treatment protocols for human use.

Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications of Human Pericyte-like Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in an In Vitro Model of Diabetic Retinopathy

The blood-retinal barrier (BRB) is strongly compromised in diabetic retinopathy (DR) due to the detachment of pericytes (PCs) from retinal microvessels, resulting in increased permeability and impairment of the BRB. Western blots, immunofluorescence and ELISA were performed on adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) and pericyte-like (P)-ASCs by co-cultured human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) under hyperglycemic conditions (HG), as a model of DR. Our results demonstrated that: (a) platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) and its activated form were more highly expressed in monocultured P-ASCs than in ASCs, and this expression increased when co-cultured with HRECs under high glucose conditions (HG); (b) the transcription factor Nrf2 was more expressed in the cytoplasmic fraction of ASCs and in the P-ASC nuclear fraction, under normal glucose and, even more, under HG conditions; (c) cytosolic phospholipase A2 activity and prostaglandin E2 release, stimulated by HG, were significantly reduced in P-ASCs co-cultured with HRECs; (d) HO-1 protein content was significantly higher in HG-P-ASCs/HRECs than P-ASCs/HRECs; and (e) VEGF-A levels in media from HG-co-cultures were reduced in P-ASCs/HRECs with respect to ASCs/HRECs. The data obtained highlighted the potential of autologous differentiated ASCs in future clinical applications based on cell therapy to counteract the damage induced by DR.