The Effects of Fibrin-icariin Nanoparticle Loaded in Poly (lactic-co-glycolic) Acid Scaffold as a Localized Delivery System on Chondrogenesis of Human Adipose-derived Stem Cells

Time- and Concentration-Dependent Effects of the Stem Cells Derived from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth on Osteosarcoma Cells

Background

Stem cells have been proposed to be one of the potent sources for treatment applications. Among diverse types of stem cells, stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) are known as the immature stem cell population, which are easily isolated, fast, and without ethical implications. SHEDs could induce pluripotent stem cells and show differentiation in chondrocytes, adipocytes, osteoblasts, neural cells, hepatocytes, myocytes, odontoblasts, and skin cells.

Materials and Methods

In the current study, we investigated the effects of SHED on osteosarcoma cells (Saos-II) following 3 and 5 days indirect coculture.

Results

Our results showed that indirect coculture of SHED with Saos-II cells could promote or inhibit Saos-II cells' growth in a concentration (the number of SHED vs. Saos-II cells) and time (days of indirect co-culture) dependent manner.

Conclusion

Our findings suggested that, indirectly, SHED co-culture with the Soas-II cells might functions as a tumor suppressor where a higher number of SHEDs are used in the culture in comparison with the one cultured in the absence of/or fewer SHED incubation.

Progress in Composite Hydrogels and Scaffolds Enriched with Icariin for Osteochondral Defect Healing

Osteochondral structure reconstruction by tissue engineering, a challenge in regenerative medicine, requires a scaffold that ensures both articular cartilage and subchondral bone remodeling. Functional hydrogels and scaffolds present a strategy for the controlled delivery of signaling molecules (growth factors and therapeutic drugs) and are considered a promising therapeutic approach. Icariin is a pharmacologically-active small molecule of prenylated flavonol glycoside and the main bioactive flavonoid isolated from Epimedium spp. The in vitro and in vivo testing of icariin showed chondrogenic and ostseoinductive effects, comparable to bone morphogenetic proteins, and suggested its use as an alternative to growth factors, representing a low-cost, promising approach for osteochondral regeneration. This paper reviews the complex structure of the osteochondral tissue, underlining the main aspects of osteochondral defects and those specifically occurring in osteoarthritis. The significance of icariin’s structure and the extraction methods were emphasized. Studies revealing the valuable chondrogenic and osteogenic effects of icariin for osteochondral restoration were also reviewed. The review highlighted th recent state-of-the-art related to hydrogels and scaffolds enriched with icariin developed as biocompatible materials for osteochondral regeneration strategies.

Enhanced antitumor effect of icariin nanoparticles coated with iRGD functionalized erythrocyte membrane

Lung cancer is the most common cause of incidence and mortality among tumor diseases. Icariin (ICA), a potential Chinese medicine monomer, has been reported to show outstanding antitumor effects. However, the hydrophobic nature and less tumor penetration limit its potential as a topical healing agent. There are few studies report the efficacy of ICA on lung cancer, moreover, there is no biomimetic targeted delivery system in the application of ICA. Herein, we firstly develop a novel ICA bionic targeted nano-preparation, camouflaged by the tumor penetrating peptide iRGD (cRGDKGPDC), functionalized red blood cell membrane (RBCM), has the increased solubility, utilized biocompatibility, and aggravated tumor penetration of ICA. In this study, we constructed the iRGD functionalized RBCM mimetic targeted ICA-loaded nanoparticles (iRINPs) and explored the anti-tumor effect of iRINPs against lung cancer with biochemical and behavioral analysis. The results suggested that iRINPs showed improved biocompatibility and stability, and reduced phagocytic uptakes by macrophages. Besides, the modification of iRGD significantly improved the targeting ability of iRINPs. In vitro and in vivo the treatment effects and safety assays showed that iRINPs attained better therapeutic effects than ICA by inhibiting A549 cell migration, proliferation and invasion, as well as reducing side effects of ICA. Overall, we expected that the new bionic nanocarriers would be a promising nano-platform for ICA in the precise therapy of lung cancer.

Advances in nanoenabled 3D matrices for cartilage repair

Cartilage repair strategies are evolving at a fast pace with technology development. Matrices that offer multifaceted functions and a full adaption to the cartilage defect are of pivotal interest. Current cartilage repair strategies face numerous challenges, mostly related to the development of highly biomimetic materials, non-invasive injectable solutions, and adequate degradation rates. These strategies often fail due to feeble mechanical properties, the inability to sustain cell adhesion, growth, and differentiation or by underestimating other players of cartilage degeneration, such as the installed pro-inflammatory microenvironment. The integration of nanomaterials (NMs) into 3D scaffolds, hydrogels and bioinks hold great potential in the improvement of key features of materials that are currently applied in cartilage tissue engineering strategies. NMs offer a high surface to volume ratio and their multiple applications can be explored to enhance cartilage mechanical properties, biocompatibility, cell differentiation, inflammation modulation, infection prevention and even to function as diagnostic tools or as stimuli-responsive cues in these 3D structures. In this review, we have critically reviewed the latest advances in the development of nanoenabled 3D matrices - enhanced by means of NMs - in the context of cartilage regeneration. We have provided a wide perspective of the synergistic effect of combining 3D strategies with NMs, with emphasis on the benefits brought by NMs in achieving functional and enhanced therapeutic outcomes. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Cartilage is one of the most challenging tissues to treat owing to its limited self-regeneration potential. Novel strategies using nanoenabled 3D matrices have emerged from the need to design more efficient solutions for cartilage repair, that take into consideration its unique mechanical properties and can direct specific cell behaviours. Here we aim to provide a comprehensive review on the synergistic effects of 3D matrices nanoenrichment in the context of cartilage regeneration, with emphasis on the heightening brought by nanomaterials in achieving functional and enhanced therapeutic outcomes. We anticipate this review to provide a wide perspective on the past years' research on the field, demonstrating the great potential of these approaches in the treatment and diagnosis of cartilage-related disorders.

Cartilage Particles can Promote Chondrogenesis of Adipose-Derived Stromal Cells on Poly(ε-Caprolactone)/Fibrin Hybrid Constructs Prepared via Sandwich Model

Electrospun fibers have demonstrated a remarkable potential as a framework structure in the fabrication of cartilage tissue engineering (CTE) scaffolds. Various extracellular matrices have been incorporated into electrospun scaffolds to mimic and simulate the extracellular environment. The objective of this study was to fabricate hybrid constructs using composite electrospun scaffolds based on poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and cartilage-derived matrix (CDM) and fibrin hydrogel to improve the viability and differentiation of human adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) for CTE applications.Initially, PCL and PCL-CDM electrospun mats were fabricated. Fibrin/ ADSCs hydrogel were seeded on PCL- CDM mats and arranged layer-by-layer using sandwich technique. This method has been employed to increase cell seeding and infiltration efficiency through the entire mass of the scaffold. Real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR), were performed to examine the expression of collagen types II and X, SOX9 and aggrecan. The production of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) was also tested in vitro by Toluidine blue stain and biochemical assay in the cultured scaffolds.The findings demonstrated that incorporation of CDM in PCL fibers results in improved cell viability. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that the sandwich method resulted in homogenous cell seeding within the scaffold. Overall, the RT- PCR, biochemical and histological results, showed that incorporation of the CDM into PCL/fibrin sandwich scaffolds stimulated ADSCs chondrogenesis and produced the products which increased expression of chondrogenic genes. It also, enhanced GAG synthesis compared to PCL/fibrin scaffolds.These findings suggest PCL-CDM/fibrin can be considered as an appropriate hybrid scaffold for CTE applications.

Small molecule compounds promote the proliferation of chondrocytes and chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells in cartilage tissue engineering

The application of tissue engineering to generate cartilage is limited because of low proliferative ability and unstable phenotype of chondrocytes. The sources of cartilage seed cells are mainly chondrocytes and stem cells. A variety of methods have been used to obtain large numbers of chondrocytes, including increasing chondrocyte proliferation and stem cell chondrogenic differentiation via cytokines, genes, and proteins. Natural or synthetic small molecule compounds can provide a simple and effective method to promote chondrocyte proliferation, maintain a stable chondrocyte phenotype, and promote stem cell chondrogenic differentiation. Therefore, the study of small molecule compounds is of great importance for cartilage tissue engineering. Herein, we review a series of small molecule compounds and their mechanisms that can promote chondrocyte proliferation, maintain chondrocyte phenotype, or induce stem cell chondrogenesis. The studies in this field represent significant contributions to the research in cartilage tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.