Safety and efficacy of autologous adipose tissue-derived stem cell transplantation in aging-related low-grade inflammation patients: a single-group, open-label, phase I clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Inflamm-aging is associated with the rate of aging and is significantly related to diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, atherosclerosis, heart disease, and age-related degenerative diseases such as type II diabetes and osteoporosis. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficiency of autologous adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell (AD-MSC) transplantation in aging-related low-grade inflammation patients.

METHODS

This study is a single-group, open-label, phase I clinical trial in which patients treated with 2 infusions (100 million cells i.v) of autologous AD-MSCs were initially evaluated in 12 inflamm-aging patients who concurrently had highly proinflammatory cytokines and 2 of the following 3 diseases: diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity. The treatment effects were evaluated based on plasma cytokines.

RESULTS

During the study's follow-up period, no adverse effects were observed in AD-MSC injection patients. Compared to baseline (D-44), the inflammatory cytokines IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly reduced after 180 days (D180) of MSC infusion. IL-4/IL-10 at 90 days (D90) and IL-2/IL-10 at D180 increased, reversing the imbalance between proinflammatory and inflammatory ratios in the patients.

CONCLUSION

AD-MSCs represent a potential intervention to prevent age-related inflammation in patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov number is NCT05827757, first registered on 13th Oct 2020.

The Efficacy of Transplanting Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Sheets in the Treatment of Myocardial Infarction in Mice

The transplantation of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) sheets derived from human umbilical cords (hUCs) was investigated in this study as a potential application in treating myocardial infarction (MI). Two groups of hUC-MSC sheets were formed by populating LunaGelTM, which are 3D scaffolds of photo-crosslinkable gelatin-based hydrogel with two different cell densities. An MI model was created by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery of healthy BALB/c mice. After two weeks, the cell sheets were applied directly to the MI area and the efficacy of the treatment was evaluated over the next two weeks by monitoring the mice's weight, evaluating the left ventricle ejection fraction, and assessing the histology of the heart tissue at the end of the experiment. Higher cell density showed significantly greater efficiency in MI mice treatment in terms of weight gain and the recovery of ejection fraction. The heart tissue of the groups receiving cell sheets showed human-CD44-positive staining and reduced fibrosis and apoptosis. In conclusion, the hUC-MSC sheets ameliorated heart MI injury in mice and the efficacy of the cell sheets improved as the number of cells increased.

A simple and effective scaffold for mouse hepatic stellate cell primary culture

AIMS

Scaffold-based culture is necessary for hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) because HSC are promptly autoactivated under plastic conditions. Our research aims to investigate the potential and role of fibrin scaffold in reducing autoactivation, maintaining cell function, and extending the in vitro culture time of primary HSCs.

METHODS

HSCs were isolated from BALB/c mice and cultured on the surface of Plastic, Matrigel, and Fibrin gel. HSC's characteristics, including recovery, morphology, proliferation, lipid droplet (LD) storage, and activation were evaluated.

RESULTS

Cell recovery was 86%, 80%, and 60% in Fibrin, Matrigel, and Plastic, respectively (p<0.05). HSCs cultured on plastic dish were autoactivated until day 7 with high proliferation, loss of cytoplasmic LD lipid droplets, and increased expression of activation markers, including α-sma and Collagen type I. In contrast, these phenomena were reduced in Matrigel and Fibrin-based culture (p<0.05). HSC culture in fibrin scaffold was associated with altered expression of cell adhesion molecules, including increased E-cadherin and inhibited N-cadherin. HSCs were more stellate-like in morphology in Fibrin than in Matrigel scaffold. Interestingly, fibrin-scaffold-embedded culture was able to maintain HSC quiescent state for up to 14 days in vitro.

CONCLUSION

Fibrin gel could provide a potential scaffold for primary HSC culture while preserving cell function and extending primary HSC in vitro culture time.

Targeting Non-Coding RNAs for the Development of Novel Hepatocellular Carcinoma Therapeutic Approaches

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a global health challenge, representing the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Although therapeutic advances have been made in the few last years, the prognosis remains poor. Thus, there is a dire need to develop novel therapeutic strategies. In this regard, two approaches can be considered: (1) the identification of tumor-targeted delivery systems and (2) the targeting of molecule(s) whose aberrant expression is confined to tumor cells. In this work, we focused on the second approach. Among the different kinds of possible target molecules, we discuss the potential therapeutic value of targeting non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), which include micro interfering RNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs). These molecules represent the most significant RNA transcripts in cells and can regulate many HCC features, including proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis. In the first part of the review, the main characteristics of HCC and ncRNAs are described. The involvement of ncRNAs in HCC is then presented over five sections: (a) miRNAs, (b) lncRNAs, (c) circRNAs, (d) ncRNAs and drug resistance and (e) ncRNAs and liver fibrosis. Overall, this work provides the reader with the most recent state-of-the-art approaches in this field, highlighting key trends and opportunities for more advanced and efficacious HCC treatments.

Autophagy Inhibitor Chloroquine Downmodulates Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Liver Damage in Bile-Duct-Ligated Mice

Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation via the autophagy pathway is a critical factor in liver fibrogenesis. This study tests the hypothesis that chloroquine (CQ) treatment can prevent autophagy and HSC activation in vitro and in vivo in bile-duct-ligated (BDL) mice. Sham-operated and BDL mice were treated with either PBS or CQ in two 60 mg/kg doses the day (D) before and after surgery. On day 2 (2D), HSCs were isolated, and their biological activities were evaluated by measuring intracellular lipid content, α-sma/collagen, and expression of autophagy lc3, sqstm1/p62 markers. The treatment efficacy on liver function was evaluated with serum albumin, transaminases (AST/ALT), and hepatic histology. Primary HSCs were treated in vitro for 24 h with CQ at 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 30, and 50 µM. Autophagy and HSC activation were assessed after 2D of treatment. CQ treatment improved serum AST/ALT, albumin, and bile duct proliferation in 2D BDL mice. This is associated with a suppression of HSC activation, shown by higher HSC lipid content and collagen I staining, along with the blockage of HSC autophagy indicated by an increase in p62 level and reduction in lc3 staining. CQ 5 µM inhibited autophagy in primary HSCs in vitro by increasing p62 and lc3 accumulation, thereby suppressing their in vitro activation. The autophagy inhibitor CQ reduced HSC activation in vitro and in vivo. CQ improved liver function and reduced liver injury in BDL mice.

Potential Application of Small Interfering RNA in Gastro-Intestinal Tumors

Despite the progress made in the diagnoses and therapy of gastrointestinal cancers, these diseases are still plagued by a high mortality. Thus, novel therapeutic approaches are urgently required. In this regard, small interfering RNA (siRNA), double-stranded RNA molecules able to specifically target the mRNA of pathological genes, have the potential to be of therapeutic value. To be effective in the human body, siRNAs need to be protected against degradation. Additionally, they need to target the tumor, leaving the normal tissue untouched in an effort to preserve organ function. To accomplish these tasks, siRNAs have been formulated with smart delivery systems such has polymers and lipids. While siRNA protection is not particularly difficult to achieve, their targeting of tumor cells remains problematic. Here, after introducing the general features of gastrointestinal cancers, we describe siRNA characteristics together with representative delivery systems developed for gastrointestinal cancers. Afterward, we present a selection of research papers employing siRNAs against upper- and lower- gastrointestinal cancers. For the liver, we also consider papers using siRNAs to combat liver cirrhosis, a relevant risk factor for liver cancer development. Finally, we present a brief description of clinical trials employing siRNAs for gastrointestinal cancers.

Effects of autophagy inhibition by chloroquine on hepatic stellate cell activation in CCl4-induced acute liver injury mouse model

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation, a critical event in liver fibrosis, has been recently shown to be related to autophagy. Determine whether chloroquine (CQ) could affect (i) the activation of HSC in vivo and (ii) the hepatic damage in a mice acute liver injury model.

METHODS

The acute liver injury was induced in BALB/c mice by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄ group); 24 h before and after CCl₄ administration animals were treated by CQ (CCl₄  + CQ group). As control, mice treated by olive oil were considered. After 48 h from CCl₄ /olive oil administration, blood samples, liver tissues, and HSCs were harvested for analysis.

RESULTS

In vivo, CQ attenuates CCl₄ -induced acute liver damage as evidenced by (i) the reduction of liver enlargement, (ii) the reduction of liver swelling and necrosis also supported by a certain decrease of circulating transaminases level, and (iii) the reduction of liver fibrosis evaluated by collagen deposition and α-sma protein expression. In HSCs isolated from CQ treated group, we observed the inhibition of autophagy proved by the increase in p62 protein and the decrease of lc3 protein. In addition, CQ reduced the expression of the HSCs activation markers α-sma/collagen-I and down-regulated the expression of the proliferative marker ki67.

CONCLUSION

The autophagy attenuation exerted by CQ together with the reduction of the expression of the proliferation marker in HSCs can lessen the acute liver damage potentially opening the way to novel therapeutic approaches for hepatic fibrosis.

Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor alleviates liver fibrosis in bile duct-ligated mice

Introduction: Biliary atresia (BA) is the leading cause of liver fibrosis and failure in neonates with surgical jaundice, leading to poor outcome. Clinical and animal studies showing that granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) treatment could improve liver fibrosis and cirrhosis suggest that GCSF may be offered as a low-cost intervention to improve the course of BA. This study aims to test the hypothesis that 10 µg/kg/day x 5 days of GCSF could improve liver function, reduce molecular pro-fibrotic markers and decrease liver fibrosis in a mouse model of bile duct ligation (BDL). Methods: Balb/c mice underwent Sham surgery, or BDL for seven days followed by subcutaneous GCSF administration at 10 µg/kg/day for five consecutive days. Twelve days post-operation, blood samples were taken from the facial vein for leukocyte/neutrophil count and for measurement of serum enzymatic activities. The median lobe of the liver was acquired for total RNA and protein extraction. Moreover, the median liver lobe was used for hematoxylin-eosin staining, sirius red staining, and for visualization by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: Twelve days post-operation, GCSF-treated bile duct-ligated (BDL) mice had a higher survival rate than that of placebo-treated mice (hazard ratio=1.88, p=0.084). The GCSF-treated mice had diminished liver serum transaminase activities (AST: 228.92 ± 222.67 vs. 313.46 ± 164.80 IU/L; ALP: 573.24 ± 177.89 IU/L vs. 471.75 ± 117.92 IU/L). GCSF treatment also reduced fibrosis with down-regulation of expression of pro-fibrotic markers including TGF-β1 (-2.61-fold mRNA), α-SMA (-2.46-fold mRNA; -1.88-fold protein, p<0.001) and collagen (-3.28-fold mRNA; -1.79-fold collagen deposit, p=0.0055). Moreover, GCSF treatment led to an improvement of histological grade and a reduction of extension of ductular structures caused by cholestasis (-1.77-fold CK7-positive bile ducts, p<0.0001; -2.33-fold CK7 positivity, p<0.0001). Conclusion: Administration of GCSF (10 μg/kg/day) for five consecutive days improved the pathological condition of BDL mice. In this study, the positive effect of GCSF could be eventually surpassed due to end-stage liver disease caused from BDL in the mouse model. Further experiments are required to elucidate the effects and mechanisms of GCSF on bile obstruction.  

ID: 1084 Proliferative and differentiative effects of the Panax vietnamensis ethanol fraction on murine neural stem cells

Background:Ginseng has been known since ancient time for its unique pharmaceutical effects on human health. Modern studies indicated that extracts of ginseng could improve a broad range of pathological conditions including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. Panax vietnamensis, a new ginseng species recently discovered in Vietnam, has received much interest due to its high composition of both known and new saponins whose therapeutic effects have not yet fully evaluated. In this study, the proliferative and differentiative effects of different fractions of the extract of Panax vietnamensis on cultured neural stem cells would be assessed. Materials and methods: Fractions from the Panax vietnamensis were prepared following a successive extraction of the raw material using ethanol, n-butanol, ether ethylic, and water, respectively. Potential toxicity and proliferative effects of each fraction were assessed based on the increase in the sphere diameter in before further analyses. The percentage of cells in active phases, cell cycle- or differentiation-associated genes were analyzed using flow cytometry and real-time RT-PCR. Results:Our results revealed that supplementing media with 200 µg/ml of ethanol Panax vietnamensis fraction significantly increased diameters of neurospheres, also maintained the growth rate of the neurospheres compared with the control within the five-day period. Moreover, the results also demonstrated that the ginseng ethanol fraction and a known neurotrophic protein, NGF, affected the differentiation of the neural stem cells.   Conclusion:200 µg/ml ethanol fraction from the extract of Panax vietnamensis most significantly induced the proliferation of cultured neural stem cells. However, the higher concentration of the fraction seemed not to maintain the growth of neurospheres. Regarding differentiation, the ethanol fraction of Vietnamese ginseng possibly shared similar mechanisms with the neurotrophic growth factor.

ID: 1055 Adipose-derived stem cells and platelet rich plasma ameliorate liver cirrhotic circumstance in CCl4-induced mice: a new approach for liver cirrhosis treatment

Background: Stem cell therapy in liver cirrhosis treatment is attracting the attention of the scientific community. Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells are a potential source of cells because they have self-renewal, high proliferation, and differentiation into a variety of cell types, including hepatocytes as potential cell sources for cirrhosis treatment. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) growth factors contribute to regeneration and wound healing. We test the hypothesis that PRP co-administration enhances MSC treatment for mouse cirrhosis. Method: Male Swiss mice were treated orally with olive oil or CCl4 for 11 weeks. PRP was obtained from healthy mice. Mouse adipose-derived stem cells (mADSCs) from adipose tissue of 3 weeks CCl4 mice were cultured for three passages (P3-mADSCs) before the transfer by tail vein injection with or without PRP into 11 weeks CCl4 mice. Mice were divided into six groups (n=10 each group). 1) normal, 2) cirrhotic, 3) cirrhotic /PBS; 4) cirrhotic/PRP (0.2 ml/mice with PRP from healthy mice), 5) cirrhotic/mADSCs (5 x 105 cells/mice), and 6) cirrhotic/mADSC-PRP.   Result: mADSCs were highly positive for CD44, CD90, and CD105. Relative to liver cells, P3-mADSCs highly expressed Alb, Ck18, Ck19, Tnf, c-met, Cyp1a1, Afp, Muc1, Ldl receptor. mADSCs were strongly positive for Cyp1a1 (98.21±1.57%) and Hgf (95.55±3.11%); moderately positive for alfa-fetoprotein (45.99±2.08%), Aat (44.43±7.79%), Alb (57.81±8.49%) and differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells under induction medium. After transplantation, CFDA-transplanted cells into CCl4-treated mice were found in the liver at day 21 st. Compared to mADSCs, mADSCs and PRP co-treatment most effectively improved serum AST/ALT/bilirubin and albumin levels in day seven cirrhotic mice (p<0.05); and significantly down-regulated procollagen (104-fold less) and TGF-beta 1 (10-fold less) in day 21 cirrhotic liver. Histology index and collagen deposition were improved in 100% of mADSC/PRP- and mADSCs- cirrhotic mice compared to 33.3% of PBS- or PRP- cirrhotic liver (p<0.05). Conclusion: Cultured mADSCs express hepatocyte enriched markers. PRP coadministration enhances mADSC effects to improve liver function further, and further reduce fibrosis.

ID: 1035 Transplantation of umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells to treat liver cirrhosis in mice: a comparison of tail and portal vein injection

Background: Up to date, there have been some studies indicating positive effects of stem cells on treating the liver cirrhosis. In this study, we compared the effectiveness of two methods in which mesenchymal stem cells harvested from umbilical cord blood (UCB-MSCs) were transfused either via portal or tail veins to the mouse models of liver cirrhosis.  Methods: Liver cirrhosis was induced by CCl4 (1 ml/kg) on male Swiss mice within 11 weeks, followed by administration of 106 UCB-MSCs via the portal or tail vein. After 21 days, blood samples were collected for measuring transaminase, bilirubin and albumin activities. The expression of fibrosis-associated genes, specifically procollagen – alpha 1 and integrin – beta1, were assessed using qRT-PCR. The histopathology was also evaluated using hematoxylin/eosin, Masson trichrome staining and immunohistochemistry with collagen type 1 and alpha-SMA antibody.  Results: UCB-MSCs transplantation significantly improved post-21 days of treatment in the liver fibrosis mice as compared with placebo group. Notably, UCB-MSCs transferred through portal veins revealed a more positive effect than via tail veins as indicated by the improvement in the biochemical indexes, fibrosis-related genes expression, and liver histopathology.  Conclusion: The UCB-MSCs therapy proved to be a promising method for treating the liver cirrhosis. The method of delivering stem cells through portal vein was more effective than through tail vein

ID: 1074 The efficiency of adipose-derived stem cell pretreated with hepatocyte growth factor and platelet rich plasma on a liver cirrhosis mouse model

Background: Because of their ease of isolation, high proliferation capacity in vitro, as well as their ability to differentiate into liver cells, Adipose-derived stem cell (ADSCs), are considered to be a promised candidate for liver disease treatment, including liver cirrhosis treatment. Recent studies show that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) can stimulate ADSC to migrate to the injured areas and platelet rich plasma (PRP) can increase the stemness of ADSCs. Method: In this study, we cultured ADSCs in the medium supplemented 20 ng/ml and 10% PRP; then transplanted them into the cirrhosis mouse model. After 11 weeks of CCl4 induction (1ml/kg, three times per week), mice were divided into 3 groups: (1) PBS group which were injected 0.2 ml PBS; (2) ADSC group which were transplanted 5x105 ADSCs non-pretreated with HGF and PRP; (3) ADSC/HGF+PRP group which were transplanted 5x105 ADSCs pretreated with HGF and PRP via the tail vein. We evaluated the effectiveness of the therapeutic at the day 7th and 14th after transplantation. Results: The results show that the transplantation of ADSC pretreated with HGF and PRP after seven days improves the body weight (increase 4.673%); decreases the ALT level (p < 0.05), the total leukocyte number (p < 0.05) and the expression of Pro-collagen (decrease 4.1 times) as well as α-SMA (decrease 5.1 times), in comparison to the ADSC group. ADSCs pretreated with HGF and PRP also help to improve the liver tissue structure. Conclusion: The therapy using ADSCs pretreated with HGF and PRP is considered to be a promising therapy.

Comparative treatment efficiency of adipose and bone marrow derived allogenic mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in mouse models of liver fibrosis

Background: The application of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy in liver fibrosis treatment has been increasingly investigated in recent years. MSCs obtained from a variety of sources (e.g. bone marrow, umbilical cord blood and adipose tissue) have been studied and have achieved remarkable results. In this study, we compared the effects of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSC) transplantation with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) transplantation in a mouse model of liver fibrosis, induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Methods: Eight-week old mice were treated with CCl4 for 11 weeks to induce liver fibrosis then 5x105 cells were transplanted into mice via the tail vein. Results: After 21 days of transplantation, the results showed that the stem cell treated groups ameliorated better than the placebo group. MSC treated groups showed reduced AST and ALT levels, down-regulated expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) genes, and improved liver histopathology. Both sources of MSCs (bone marrow and adipose tissue) were effective in the mouse model of liver fibrosis. Conclusion: Our results also indicated that AD-MSC transplantation in mice accelerated liver regeneration better than BM-MSC transplantation.

Good manufacturing practice-compliant isolation and culture of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an attractive source of stem cells for clinical applications. These cells exhibit a multilineage differentiation potential and strong capacity for immune modulation. Thus, MSCs are widely used in cell therapy, tissue engineering, and immunotherapy. Because of important advantages, umbilical cord blood-derived MSCs (UCB-MSCs) have attracted interest for some time. However, the applications of UCB-MSCs are limited by the small number of recoverable UCB-MSCs and fetal bovine serum (FBS)-dependent expansion methods. Hence, this study aimed to establish a xenogenic and allogeneic supplement-free expansion protocol.

Methods

UCB was collected to prepare activated platelet-rich plasma (aPRP) and mononuclear cells (MNCs). aPRP was applied as a supplement in Iscove modified Dulbecco medium (IMDM) together with antibiotics. MNCs were cultured in complete IMDM with four concentrations of aPRP (2, 5, 7, or 10%) or 10% FBS as the control. The efficiency of the protocols was evaluated in terms of the number of adherent cells and their expansion, the percentage of successfully isolated cells in the primary culture, surface marker expression, and in vitro differentiation potential following expansion.

Results

The results showed that primary cultures with complete medium containing 10% aPRP exhibited the highest success, whereas expansion in complete medium containing 5% aPRP was suitable. UCB-MSCs isolated using this protocol maintained their immunophenotypes, multilineage differentiation potential, and did not form tumors when injected at a high dose into athymic nude mice.

Conclusion

This technique provides a method to obtain UCB-MSCs compliant with good manufacturing practices for clinical application.

Activated platelet-rich plasma improves adipose-derived stem cell transplantation efficiency in injured articular cartilage

INTRODUCTION

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have been isolated, expanded, and applied in the treatment of many diseases. ADSCs have also been used to treat injured articular cartilage. However, there is controversy regarding the treatment efficiency. We considered that ADSC transplantation with activated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may improve injured articular cartilage compared with that of ADSC transplantation alone. In this study, we determined the role of PRP in ADSC transplantation to improve the treatment efficiency.

METHODS

ADSCs were isolated and expanded from human adipose tissue. PRP was collected and activated from human peripheral blood. The effects of PRP were evaluated in vitro and in ADSC transplantation in vivo. In vitro, the effects of PRP on ADSC proliferation, differentiation into chondrogenic cells, and inhibition of angiogenic factors were investigated at three concentrations of PRP (10%, 15% and 20%). In vivo, ADSCs pretreated with or without PRP were transplanted into murine models of injured articular cartilage.

RESULTS

PRP promoted ADSC proliferation and differentiation into chondrogenic cells that strongly expressed collagen II, Sox9 and aggrecan. Moreover, PRP inhibited expression of the angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor. As a result, PRP-pretreated ADSCs improved healing of injured articular cartilage in murine models compared with that of untreated ADSCs.

CONCLUSION

Pretreatment of ADSCs with PRP is a simple method to efficiently apply ADSCs in cartilage regeneration. This study provides an important step toward the use of autologous ADSCs in the treatment of injured articular cartilage.

Can Activated Platelet Rich Plasma Combined with Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Be Used to Treat Skin Wrinkles?

In recent years, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs) have been used separately for many clinical applications, especially skin rejuvenation. A combined injection of PRP and ADSCs could therefore be used to treat skin wrinkles. However, there are controversies and reports with conflicting results regarding the efficacy of this treatment. The authors aimed to determine the anti-wrinkle and skin rejuvenation mechanism of combined PRP and ADSCs treatment. The effects of PRP and ADSCs isolated from the same consenting donors were evaluated using in vitro and in vivo models. The in vitro effects of PRP and ADSCs on dermal fibroblast proliferation, collagen production, and inhibition of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) production were investigated using a co-culture model. Fibroblasts and ADSCs were cultured within the same dish, but in two separate cavities (using an insert plate), in the presence of the same PRP-supplemented medium. In vivo, the authors evaluated the effects of combined PRP and ADSCs on skin histochemistry, including changes in the dermal layer and collagen production in photo-aged skin (mice). They also determined the survival and differentiation of grafted ADSCs. The results show that combined PRP and ADSCs strongly stimulate in vitro fibroblast proliferation, collagen production, and inhibition of MMP-1 synthesis. Intra-dermal co-injection of PRP and ADSCs was observed to stimulate increased dermal layer thickness and collagen production compared with the untreated group. These results indicate that a combined PRP and ADSC injection can reduce wrinkles more effectively than either PRP or ADSC alone, and provide insight into the clinical use of PRP combined with ADSCs for dermal applications, particularly skin rejuvenation.

Suppression of human breast tumors in NOD/SCID mice by CD44 shRNA gene therapy combined with doxorubicin treatment

Background

Breast cancer stem cells with a CD44⁺CD24⁻ phenotype are the origin of breast tumors. Strong CD44 expression in this population indicates its important role in maintaining the stem cell phenotype. Previous studies show that CD44 down-regulation causes CD44⁺CD24⁻ breast cancer stem cells to differentiate into non-stem cells that are sensitive to antitumor drugs and lose many characteristics of the original cells. In this study, we determined tumor suppression in non-obese severe combined immunodeficiency mice using CD44 shRNA therapy combined with doxorubicin treatment.

Methods

Tumor-bearing non-obese severe combined immunodeficiency mice were established by injection of CD44⁺CD24⁻ cells. To track CD44⁺CD24⁻ cells, green fluorescence protein was stably transduced using a lentiviral vector prior to injection into mice. The amount of CD44 shRNA lentiviral vector used for transduction was based on CD44 down-regulation by in vitro CD44 shRNA transduction. Mice were treated with direct injection of CD44 shRNA lentiviral vector into tumors followed by doxorubicin administration after 48 hours. The effect was evaluated by changes in the size and weight of tumors compared with that of the control.

Results

The combination of CD44 down-regulation and doxorubicin strongly suppressed tumor growth with significant differences in tumor sizes and weights compared with that of CD44 down-regulation or doxorubicin treatment alone. In the combination of CD44 down-regulation and doxorubicin group, the tumor weight was significantly decreased by 4.38-fold compared with that of the control group.

Conclusion

These results support a new strategy for breast cancer treatment by combining gene therapy with chemotherapy.

Engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the production of ?-glycerol 3-phosphate

L-glycerol 3-phosphate (L-G3P) was accumulated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by pathway engineering. Intracellular concentration of this metabolic intermediate could be increased more than 20 times compared to the wild type by overexpressing GPD1 encoding the glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase in a gpp1 Delta gpp2 Delta mutant which lacks both isoenzymes of glycerol 3-phosphatase. Investigation of cellular pattern of triacylglycerols and glycerophospholipids did not reveal considerable changes due to accumulation of their precursor L-G3P. Hyperosmotic stress did not affect the L-G3P pool in the gpp1 Delta gpp2 Delta mutant overexpressing GPD1 despite an about 4-fold increase of specific GPD activity. In contrast, oxygen limitation improved intracellular L-G3P concentration by enhancing the availability of cytosolic NADH. The reduction of pyruvate decarboxylase activity by deleting PDC2 led to an additional increase. In fact, the triple mutant gpp1 Delta gpp2 Delta pdc2 Delta overexpressing GPD1 accumulated 17 mg L-G3P/g dry weight during glucose batch fermentation under oxygen limitation. This value corresponds to an about 100-fold increase compared to that found in the wild type.

Fetus in fetu: a case report and literature review

Fetus in fetu is a rare condition in which a fetiform calcified mass often is present in the abdomen of its host, a newborn or an infant. We report on a case of a 19-month-old girl whose plain abdominal radiograph, ultrasonography, and computed tomography scan revealed a mass in which the contents favor a fetus in fetu rather than a teratoma. The noncalcified vertebral column invisible on the radiographs was identified by the pathologist; therefore, the nonvisualization of the vertebral axis on radiography or on computed tomography scan does not exclude the diagnosis of fetus in fetu.

Regulation of prolactin receptor expression by estradiol in the female rat brain

Prolactin (PRL) receptors have been identified in many tissues, including the brain, but little is known about their distribution and regulation. In the female rat brain, ovariectomy significantly (p < 0.05) decreased PRL binding capacity, but not the affinity, in the hypothalamus and pons-medulla. Using reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification and Western blot analyses we found both the long and short forms of the PRL receptor mRNAs and proteins in the hypothalamus, pons-medulla and cortex in the female rat. Ovariectomy decreased the expression of short, but not the long form of the PRL receptor in the hypothalamus and pons-medulla, but not the cortex. Administration of estradiol (1.0 mg per 100 g b.w.) restored the PRL binding capacity, protein and mRNA levels of the short form of the receptor back to control levels. These results suggest that the expression and distribution of PRL receptors in the brain are differentially regulated in specific brain regions.