Fibroblast expression of neurotransmitter receptor HTR2A associates with inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis joint.

The study of neuroimmune crosstalk and the involvement of neurotransmitters in inflammation and bone health has illustrated their significance in joint-related conditions. One important mode of cell-to-cell communication in the synovial fluid (SF) is through extracellular vesicles (EVs) carrying microRNAs (miRNAs). The role of neurotransmitter receptors in the pathogenesis of inflammatory joint diseases, and whether there are specific miRNAs regulating differentially expressed HTR2A, contributing to the inflammatory processes and bone metabolism is unclear. Expression of neurotransmitter receptors and their correlated inflammatory molecules were identified in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) synovium from a scRNA-seq dataset. Immunohistochemistry staining of synovial tissue (ST) from RA and OA patients was performed for validation. Expression of miRNAs targeting HTR2A carried by SF EVs was screened in low- and high-grade inflammation RA from a public dataset and validated by qPCR. HTR2A reduction by target miRNAs was verified by miRNAs mimics transfection into RA fibroblasts. HTR2A was found to be highly expressed in fibroblasts derived from RA synovial tissue. Its expression showed a positive correlation with the degree of inflammation observed. 5 miRNAs targeting HTR2A were decreased in RA SF EVs compared to OA, three of which, miR-214-3p, miR-3120-5p and miR-615-3p, mainly derived from monocytes in the SF, were validated as regulators of HTR2A expression. The findings suggest that fibroblast HTR2A may play a contributory role in inflammation and the pathogenesis of RA. Additionally, targeting miRNAs that act upon HTR2A could present novel therapeutic strategies for alleviating inflammation in RA.

The tooth movement efficiency of different orthodontic thermoplastics for clear aligners: study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: With regard to the esthetics and comfort of orthodontic treatment, the requirement for removable clear aligners (CAs) is increasing. Unlike conventional fixed orthodontic appliances, CAs were made of thermoplastic film by thermoforming on the personalized dental models. The construction of orthodontic thermoplastic is a critical factor for orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). Polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) are the most commonly orthodontic thermoplastics; however, the evidence of the differences between different orthodontic thermoplastic are limited to vitro environment and the evidence in vivo environment is not available. Therefore, this trial aims to provide reliable evidence for orthodontists' personalized treatment plans whether the two most commonly used orthodontic thermoplastics of PETG and TPU have differences in the efficiency of OTM. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This randomized controlled clinical study will recruit 44 orthodontic patients for orthodontic treatment. All the subjects will be randomized into two groups (PETG and TPU, n = 22 for each group). In the first stage (M0 to M1), clear aligners will be made of two orthodontic thermoplastics and move the maxillary first or second premolars 2 mm. In the second stage, patients will take the standard orthodontic treatments. The primary outcome will be the efficiency of clear aligners made of different materials on the digital models. The secondary outcome will be the efficiency of clear aligners made of different materials on the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The efficiency will be calculated through the superimposition of the digital models and CBCT. DISCUSSION: The results from this trial will serve as evidence for orthodontists and manufacturers and clarify whether the difference in orthodontic thermoplastics significantly impacts the efficiency of OTM. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2300070980. Registered on 27 April 2023. https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=186253.

Palmitic acid induces GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis in periodontal ligament cells via the NF-κB pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity can affect periodontal tissues and exacerbate periodontitis. Pyroptosis, a newly identified type of inflammatory cell death, is involved in the development of periodontal inflammation. The saturated fatty acid palmitic acid (PA) is elevated in obese patients. The effect of PA on pyroptosis in periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) and its underlying mechanisms remain unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human PDLCs were isolated from healthy individuals and cultured for experiments. The effects of PA on PDLC pyroptosis and the underlying mechanisms were examined by transmission electron microscopy, quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting. RESULTS: The morphology of PDLCs in the PA group indicated pyroptotic characteristics, including swollen cells, plasma membrane rupture and changes in subcellular organelles. PA induced inflammatory responses in PDLCs, as indicated by an increase in IL-1ß in the cell culture supernatant. Furthermore, we found that the pyroptosis-related proteins caspase-1, caspase-4 and GSDMD were involved in PA-induced cell death. GSDMD and caspase-4 inhibitors alleviated pyroptotic death of PDLCs. Moreover, PA promoted NF-κB P65 phosphorylation. A NF-κB inhibitor decreased IL-1ß expression and partly rescued cell death induced by PA. CONCLUSION: PA activated the NF-κB pathway and induced the inflammatory response in PDLCs. Caspase-4/GSDMD mediated PDLC pyroptosis induced by PA.

Long-Lasting Thixotropic Natural Polymeric Hydrogel Based on Silk Nanofibrils.

Hydrogels are considered to be ideal biomedical materials as their physical properties are similar to the physiological tissue environment. In particular, thixotropic hydrogels have received increasing attention from researchers because of their injectability. Herein, a simple and rapid method was developed for the preparation of a regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) hydrogel with long-lasting and excellent thixotropy. The thixotropic RSF hydrogel was readily formed by ultrasonic treatment of the pretreated RSF solution for 2 min followed by incubation at 40 °C for 10 min. The storage modulus of the RSF hydrogels recovered to more than 90% of the original value within 20 s after withstanding 1000% shear strain. By avoiding complicated chemical or physical treatments and by addition of crosslinking agents and/or other chemical components, the obtained RSF hydrogels maintained excellent biocompatibility. Hence, the cells implanted inside the hydrogel can grow and proliferate normally. By virtue of ultrasonic treatment during the preparation, functional nanoparticles can be uniformly dispersed in the RSF solution to prepare RSF-based hybrid hydrogels with various functions. As an application example, hydroxyapatite (HAP) with osteoinductivity was mixed with RSF solution to prepare the RSF/HAP hybrid hydrogel. The RSF/HAP hybrid hydrogel maintained biocompatibility and thixotropy of the original RSF hydrogel and promoted osteoblastic differentiation of cells owing to the addition of HAP. Therefore, the RSF hydrogel prepared in this work has a strong application prospect in the biomedical field including, but not limited to, bone repair.

Rab27a-mediated extracellular vesicle secretion contributes to osteogenesis in periodontal ligament-bone niche communication.

Periodontitis, an infectious and common disease worldwide, leads to the destruction of the periodontal ligament-alveolar bone complex. Within the bone metabolic niche, communication between periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) has been considered a major contributor to osteogenesis. PDLSC-derived extracellular vesicles (P-EVs) have shown great potential for bone regeneration. However, the secretion and uptake mechanisms of P-EVs remain elusive. Herein, the biogenesis of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from PDLSCs was observed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. PDLSCs were transduced with Ras-associated protein 27a (Rab27a) siRNA (PDLSCsiRab27a) to inhibit EV secretion. The effect of P-EVs on BMMSCs was evaluated using a non-contact transwell co-culture system. We observed that Rab27a knockdown decreased EV secretion, and PDLSCsiRab27a remarkably attenuated co-culture-enhanced osteogenesis of BMMSCs. Isolated PDLSC-derived EVs enhanced osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs in vitro and induced bone regeneration in a calvarial defect model in vivo. PDLSC-derived EVs were rapidly endocytosed by BMMSCs via the lipid raft/cholesterol endocytosis pathway and triggered the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. In conclusion, PDLSCs contribute to the osteogenesis of BMMSCs through Rab27a-mediated EV secretion, thereby providing a potential cell-free approach for bone regeneration.

Silk-Inorganic Nanoparticle Hybrid Hydrogel as an Injectable Bone Repairing Biomaterial.

Silk fibroin is regarded as a promising biomaterial in various areas, including bone tissue regeneration. Herein, Laponite® (LAP), which can promote osteogenic differentiation, was introduced into regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) to prepare an RSF/LAP hybrid hydrogel. This thixotropic hydrogel is injectable during the operation process, which is favorable for repairing bone defects. Our previous work demonstrated that the RSF/LAP hydrogel greatly promoted the osteogenic differentiation of osteoblasts in vitro. In the present study, the RSF/LAP hydrogel was found to have excellent biocompatibility and significantly improved new bone formation in a standard rat calvarial defect model in vivo. Additionally, the underlying biological mechanism of the RSF/LAP hydrogel in promoting osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) was extensively explored. The results indicate that the RSF/LAP hydrogels provide suitable conditions for the adhesion and proliferation of BMSCs, showing good biocompatibility in vitro. With the increase in LAP content, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mRNA and protein expression of the osteogenic markers of BMSCs improved significantly. Protein kinase B (AKT) pathway activation was found to be responsible for the inherent osteogenic properties of the RSF/LAP hybrid hydrogel. Therefore, the results shown in this study firmly suggest such an injectable RSF/LAP hydrogel with good biocompatibility (both in vitro and in vivo) would have good application prospects in the field of bone regeneration.

Vertical Control of a Severe Hyperdivergent Skeletal Class II Malocclusion with Steep Posterior Occlusal Plane in a Camouflage Case.

Severe hyperdivergent skeletal Class II malocclusion may be ideally treated with orthognathic surgery in adult patients. Here, we report a camouflage treatment of a 23-year-old female patient. She was diagnosed with a skeletal Class II malocclusion with extreme high mandibular plane angle, retrusive mandible, steep posterior occlusal plane, anterior open bite, and severe overjet. The treatment plan included extraction of all second premolars and intrusion of the maxillary anterior teeth and mandibular posterior teeth using miniscrews. These contributed to an effective counterclockwise rotation of the mandible, decreased lower face height, and improvement in anterior overbite. This case report shows a vertical control strategy on severe hyperdivergent skeletal Class II malocclusions, which achieves well-controlled sagittal and vertical dimensions and a favorable facial appearance. The treatment and retention results were well balanced and aesthetically pleasing.

Protein-inorganic hybrid porous scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

Porous scaffolds hold promise in the treatment of bone defects for bone tissue engineering due to their interconnected porous structure and suitable mechanical properties. Herein, LAPONITE® (LAP), which is able to promote osteogenic differentiation, was introduced into regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) porous scaffolds. Due to hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions between RSF and LAP, RSF/LAP 3D porous scaffolds were successfully prepared. The pore size, porosity, and mechanical properties of the RSF/LAP 3D porous scaffolds were modulated during the preparation process. Evaluation of the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on the RSF/LAP 3D porous scaffolds in vitro indicated that the addition of LAP improved the adhesion and proliferation of cells. Additionally, alkaline phosphatase activity and osteospecific gene expression analysis showed that the RSF/LAP 3D porous scaffolds enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs compared to the pristine RSF porous scaffolds, especially with a higher LAP content. The subcutaneous implantation of the RSF/LAP 3D porous scaffolds in rats demonstrated good histocompatibility in vivo. Therefore, RSF/LAP 3D porous scaffolds with good biocompatibility and biodegradability have good application prospects in the field of bone tissue engineering.

Robust Silk Protein Hydrogels Made by a Facile One-Step Method and Their Multiple Applications.

Silk fibroin is a natural polymer that has various material forms and wide applications. Hydrogel is one of the most attractive silk materials because of its hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, and flexibility. However, its applications are still quite limited because they have a complicated preparation process and/or low mechanical strength. Herein, a simple way to prepare tough silk fibroin hydrogels via a solvent-exchange method is introduced. The degummed silk fiber was directly dissolved in a calcium chloride/formic acid solution and then water was used to replace the solvent. The silk fibroin hydrogel that was obtained using this facile method exhibited even better mechanical properties than most silk fibroin hydrogels that have been reported in the literature. Also, the silk fibroin hydrogel maintained biocompatibility that was as good as that prepared via other methods. Finally, the possibility of using this regenerated silk fibroin hydrogel as a multi-functional platform (such as a catalyst carrier, photothermal agent, and underwater adhesive) has been discussed. Therefore, such a natural, sustainable, robust, and good biocompatible silk fibroin hydrogel that is prepared by an improved method may have great potential for further applications.

Dehiscence and fenestration of Class I individuals with normality patterns in the anterior region: a CBCT study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of alveolar bone dehiscence and fenestration of Class I individuals with normality patterns in the anterior region using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 4715 retrospective cases from January 2018 to December 2020 in the Orthodontic Department of xxx Hospital were screened. Sixty-one cases were Class I individuals with normality patterns in the anterior region. Their incidence of dehiscence and fenestration in the anterior teeth region was studied and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Dehiscence was found in 27.46% of the evaluated anterior teeth and fenestration was found in 26.91% of anterior teeth. Severe dehiscences and fenestrations mainly occurred in mandibular canines and maxillary canines, respectively. Alveolar bone defects were present in 100% of patients, while one patient had alveolar bone defects in 91.67% of the anterior teeth. CONCLUSIONS: Dehiscence was found in 27.46% of the anterior teeth of Class I individuals with normality patterns, while fenestration was found in 26.91% of them. Alveolar bone defects were present in 100% of patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Alveolar bone dehiscence and fenestration were normal and common in our sample, indicating that they are more likely to be physiological rather than pathological defects. Orthodontists should be aware of the presence and severity of these defects before treatment in order to avoid both possible complications and overtreatment.

Sequential soft- and hard-tissue augmentation after clear aligner-mediated adjustment of traumatic occlusion: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Oral health and esthetic concerns have increasingly motivated adults with periodontitis to seek orthodontic care. Patients with periodontitis often have other dental complications that can make treatment more challenging or less likely to be successful. The predictability of multidisciplinary regenerative and orthodontic treatment approaches in a patient with periodontitis, thin periodontal phenotype, and anterior crossbite is described. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 35-year-old man was designated as having a high risk of experiencing soft-tissue recession owing to his thin periodontal phenotype. After the initial periodontal therapy, clear aligners were used to eliminate the anterior crossbite that was causing traumatic occlusion. In addition, a subepithelial connective tissue graft was used to alter the thin periodontal phenotype. Three months later, guided bone regeneration with corticotomy was performed to increase bone mass, and orthodontic traction was used at 2 weeks after surgery. Orthodontic treatment was continued until all the spaces had been closed. Clinical and radiographic evaluations conducted at the 6-month follow-up revealed substantial improvements in both the soft- and hard-tissue phenotypes. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Outcomes in this case indicate that sequential soft- and hard-tissue augmentation, after eliminating traumatic occlusion via using a clear aligner, may be a valuable approach for improving soft- and hard-tissue support in patients with periodontitis.

Periodontal Ligament Stem Cell-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles Embedded in Matrigel Enhance Bone Repair Through the Adenosine Receptor Signaling Pathway.

PURPOSE: Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are natural biocarriers for biomolecule transfer between cells and promising therapeutic strategies for bone defect repair. In this study, human periodontal ligament stem cell (PDLSC)-derived sEVs (P-EVs) were immobilized in Matrigel to establish a topical cell-free transplantation strategy for bone repair. METHODS: PDLSCs were cultured and P-EVs were isolated from the culture supernatant. In a rat bilateral calvarial defect model, P-EV/Matrigel was plugged into one defect and PBS/Matrigel was applied to the other. Bone repair in vivo was assessed by micro-computed tomography, histomorphometry, and immunohistochemical staining. In vitro, we investigated the effects of P-EVs on the proliferation and migration capabilities of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) and explored the potential mechanism of action. RESULTS: The in vivo study showed that P-EV/Matrigel accelerated bone tissue repair by increasing cell infiltration when compared with the control. In vitro, P-EVs enhanced proliferation and migration of BMMSCs via increased phosphorylation of AKT and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). The role of P-EV-induced adenosine receptor signaling in AKT and ERK1/2 phosphorylation was a key mediator during enhanced BMMSC migration. CONCLUSION: These results are the first to demonstrate that P-EVs accelerated the repair of bone defects, partially through promoting cell proliferation and migration. P-EV/Matrigel, which combines topical EV-implantation and extracellular matrix scaffolds, provides a new cell-free strategy for bone tissue repair.

Silk-based hybrid microfibrous mats as guided bone regeneration membranes.

The usage of a guided bone regeneration (GBR) membrane that prevents the ingrowth of fibroblast cells and enhances the regeneration rate is an effective strategy for bone regeneration therapy. Herein, LAPONITE® (LAP) nanoplatelets, a bioactive clay with good osteoinductivity, were incorporated within a regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) microfibrous mat via electrospinning. The as-prepared RSF-LAP hybrid microfibrous mats had an interconnected structure with pore size significantly smaller than that of the fibroblast cells, leading to an effective prevention of fibroblast cell ingrowth into the defect sites. As per the water contact angle measurements, the incorporation of LAP significantly improved the hydrophilicity of the RSF microfibrous mats. The in vitro cell experiment results show that the RSF-LAP microfibrous mats exhibited better cell adhesion and proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) than the pristine RSF microfibrous mats. Moreover, the RSF-LAP microfibrous mats promoted osteogenic differentiation by upregulating alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and osteo-specific gene expression. Therefore, the results suggest that this easily fabricated LAP-incorporated RSF microfibrous mat has great potential to be a promising biomaterial for GBR applications.

High-Fat Diet-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction Promotes Genioglossus Injury - A Potential Mechanism for Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Obesity.

PURPOSE: Obesity is a worldwide metabolic disease and a critical risk factor for several chronic conditions. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an important complication of obesity. With the soaring morbidity of obesity, the prevalence of OSA has markedly increased. However, the underlying mechanism of the high relevance between obesity and OSA has not been elucidated. This study investigated the effects of obesity on the structure and function of the genioglossus to explore the possible mechanisms involved in OSA combined with obesity. METHODS: Six-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were fed high-fat diet (HFD, 60% energy) or normal diet (Control, 10% energy) for 16 weeks. The muscle fibre structure and electromyography (EMG) activity of genioglossus were measured. The ultrastructure and function of mitochondrial, oxidative damage and apoptosis in genioglossus were detected by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), qPCR, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and TUNEL staining. We further studied the influence of palmitic acid (PA) on the proliferation and myogenic differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts, as well as mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in C2C12 myotubes. RESULTS: Compared with the control, the number of muscle fibres was decreased, the fibre type was remarkably changed, and the EMG activity had declined in genioglossus. In addition, a HFD also reduced mitochondria quantity and function, induced excessive oxidative stress and increased apoptosis in genioglossus. In vitro, PA treatment significantly inhibited the proliferation and myogenic differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts. Moreover, PA decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential, upregulated mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and activated the mitochondrial-related apoptotic pathway in myotubes. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that a HFD caused genioglossus injury in obese mice. The mitochondrial dysfunction and the accompanying oxidative stress were involved in the genioglossus injury, which may provide potential therapeutic targets for OSA with obesity.

Autophagy controls mesenchymal stem cell therapy in psychological stress colitis mice.

Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation (MSCT) has been applied to treat a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Psychosocial stress can aggravate disease progression in chronic inflammatory patients. Whether psychological stress affects MSCT is largely unknown. In this study we show that psychological stress attenuates therapeutic effects of MSCT in a DSS-induced colitis mouse model by elevating the levels of exosomal Mir7k/mmu-let-7 k (microRNA 7 k) in circulation. Mechanistically, Mir7k inhibits STAT3 pathway in donor MSCs, leading to upregulated expression of BECN1 (beclin 1, autophagy related) and, thus, activation of macroautophagy/autophagy. Inhibition of autophagy by blocking Mir7k or activating STAT3 signaling can restore MSCT-mediated therapy in psychologically stressed colitis mice. Our study identifies a previously unknown role of autophagy in regulating MSCT therapy via exosomal miRNA Mir7k.Abbreviations: BafA1: bafilomycin A1; BECN1: beclin 1, autophagy related; DAI: disease activity index; DAPI: 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole; DSS: dextran sulfate sodium; GFP: green fluorescent protein; HAI: histological activity index; IFNG/IFN-γ: interferon gamma; IL10: interleukin 10; IL1RN/IL-1Rra: interleukin 1 receptor antagonist; KD: knockdown; miRNA: microRNA; MSCs: mesenchymal stem cells; MSCT: mesenchymal stem cell transplantation; NTA: nanoparticle tracking analysis; PGE2: prostaglandin E2; SD: standard deviation; siRNA: small-interfering RNA; STAT3: signal transducer and activator of transcription 3; TEM: transmission electron microscopy; TGFB1/TGF-ß1: transforming growth factor, beta 1; Th17 cell: T helper cell 17; TNF/TNF-α: tumor necrosis factor; TNFAIP6/TSG6: tumor necrosis factor alpha induced protein 6; Tregs: regulatory T cells.

The composite sandwich structure of dNCPs polyelectrolyte multilayers induced the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs in vitro.

This study reported about the fabrication of dentin non-collagenous proteins (dNCPs) polyelectrolyte multilayers and evaluated its osteogenic potential. The composite sandwich structure of dNCPs polyelectrolyte multilayers was generated on the surface of polycaprolactone electrospinning membranes by the Layer-by-Layer self-assembly technique. The dNCPs-coated membranes comprised the experimental group and the non-coated membranes acted as the control. Nanofiber morphologies of both membranes were observed under scanning electron microscope. The release of dNCPs was evaluated by ELISA kit. Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) were seeded on both membranes. The morphology changes and proliferation of cells were tested. The expressions of osteogenic-related genes and proteins were evaluated by RT-PCR, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, and immunofluorescence staining. dNCPs-coated membranes displayed significantly different fiber morphology than the non-coated membranes. A stable release of dentin phosphoprotein was maintained from day 4 to day 15 in the experimental group. Cells on dNCPs-coated membranes were found to have cuboidal or polygonal shapes. The proliferative rate of cells was significantly lower in the experimental group from day 4 to day 9 (p<0.05). However, cells on the dNCPs-coated membranes demonstrated a significantly higher ALP content and expression levels of osteogenic gene and proteins than the controls (p<0.05). These results indicated that dNCPs polyelectrolyte multilayers could induce the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs in vitro.

A simvastatin-releasing scaffold with periodontal ligament stem cell sheets for periodontal regeneration.

Simvastatin (SIM) has been documented to induce the osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs). To establish an efficient release system for periodontal regeneration, a polycaprolactone (PCL) membrane scaffold containing SIM was electrospun and evaluated. The obtained PCL-SIM membrane scaffold showed sustained release up to 28 days, without deleterious effect on proliferation of PDLSCs on the scaffolds. PDLSCs were seeded onto scaffolds and their osteogenic differentiation was evaluated. After 21 days, expressions of collagen type I, alkaline phosphatase and bone sialoprotein genes were significantly upregulated and mineralized matrix formation was increased on the PCL-SIM scaffolds compared with the PCL scaffolds. In a heterotopic periodontal regeneration model, a cell sheet-scaffold construct was assembled by placement of multilayers of PDLSC sheets on PCL or PCL-SIM scaffolds, and these were then placed between dentin and ceramic bovine bone for subcutaneous implantation in athymic mice. After 8 weeks, the PCL-SIM membrane showed formation of significantly more ectopic cementum-like mineral on the dentin surface. These findings demonstrated that the PCL-SIM membrane scaffold promotes cementum-like tissue formation by sustained drug release, suggesting the feasibility of its therapeutic use with PDLSC sheets to improve periodontal regeneration.

[Isolation and biological characteristics of exosomes derived from periodontal ligament stem cells].

PURPOSE: To isolate and identify exosomes derived from periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) collected by ultracentrifugation. METHODS: Using the limiting dilution technique, human PDLSCs were isolated and expanded. The cell culture supernatant of PDLSCs was collected. Exosomes were collected and purified with a ultracentrifugation method. Biological characteristics of exosomes derived from PDLSCs were measured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Western blot and nanosight tracing analysis (NTA). RESULTS: Exosomes could be successfully isolated from the supernatant of PDLSCs by a ultracentrifugation method. Under TEM, the PDLSC-derived exosomes exhibited elliptic or saucer-like shape and the central area had lower electron density than the circum area. The PDLSC-derived exosomes could express the common surface adhesion molecules CD9, CD63, CD81 and TSG101. NTA results showed that the collected exosomes had a size around (119±12.1) nm and an approximate concentration of (3.80±0.39)×108 particles/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Exosomes derived from PDLSCs can be collected by a ultracentrifugation method, which expresses common membrane proteins and morphological characteristics of exosomes.

Inhibitory effects of 17ß-estradiol or a resveratrol dimer on hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in genioglossus myoblasts: Involvement of ERα and its downstream p38 MAPK pathways.

Deficiency in the functioning of the genioglossus, which is one of the upper airway dilator muscles, is an important cause of obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Estrogens have been reported to inhibit hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression in hypoxia, regulating its target genes and exerting protective effects on the genioglossus in chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH). This study aimed to investigate the role of 17ß-estradiol (E2) and a resveratrol dimer (RD) on HIF-1α and the underlying mechanism. Mouse genioglossus myoblasts were isolated and cultured, and the estrogen receptor α (ERα) shRNA lentivirus was used for gene knockdown. Then MTT assay was used to determine the effects of E2 and RD on the viability of the cells. Cells in different groups were treated with different agents (E2, or RD, or E2 and SB203580), incubated under normoxia or hypoxia for 24 h, and then expression levels of HIF-1α, ERα, ERß, total-p38 MAPK and phospho-p38 MAPK were detected. We observed that both E2 and RD inhibited the overexpression of HIF-1α induced by hypoxia at the mRNA and protein levels, and these effects were eliminated by genetic silencing of ERα by RNAi. In addition, we found that E2 activated p38 MAPK pathways to inhibit HIF-1α expression. On the whole, ERα may be responsible for downregulation of HIF-1α by E2 or RD via activation of downstream p38 MAPK pathways.

[Drug release from electrospun simvastatin/polycaprolactone fibrous membranes].

PURPOSE: To prepare electrospun simvastatin/polycaprolactone(SMV/PCL) membrane scaffolds and to evaluate the release properties of this formulation. METHODS: Electrospun SMV/PCL membrane scaffolds were prepared as the experimental group, and electrospun PCL membrane as the control group. The morphology and characteristics of membrane surface were determined by scanning electron microscopic(SEM) and X-ray diffraction(XRD). The release profile of SMV was determined using an ultraviolet-visible spectrometer. The data were analyzed statistically with SPSS 17.0 software package. RESULTS: SEM and XRD indicated that SMV/PCL nanofibers were successfully electrospun and SMV was encapsulated into the fibers. In vitro drug release studies showed that simultaneous SMV release, being nearly linear with time, was achieved and sustained SMV release was prolonged to 28 days. CONCLUSIONS: Electrospun SMV/PCL nanofiber membranes demonstrate sustained drug release properties, suggesting their potential applicability as prospective scaffolds in periodontal regeneration.