Delayed onset, immunomodulation, and lifespan improvement of SOD1G93A mice after intravenous injection of human mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the selective and progressive loss of motor neurons from the spinal cord, brain stem, and motor cortex. Although the hallmark of ALS is motor neuron degeneration, astrocytes, microglia, and T cells actively participate. Pharmacological treatment with riluzole has little effect on the lifespan of the patient. Thus, the development of new therapeutic strategies is of utmost importance. The objective of this study was to verify whether human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) from adipose tissue have therapeutic potential in SOD1G93A transgenic mice. The treatment was carried out in the asymptomatic phase of the disease (10th week) by a single systemic application of ad-hMSCs (1 ×105 cells). The animals were sacrificed at the 14th week (the initial stage of symptoms) or the end-stage (ES) of the disease. The lumbar spinal cords were dissected and processed for Nissl staining (neuronal survival), immunohistochemistry (gliosis and synaptic preservation), and gene transcript expression (qRT-PCR). Behavioral analyses considering the onset of disease and its progression, neurological score, body weight, and motor control (rotarod test) started on the 10th week and were performed every three days until the ES of the disease. The results revealed that treatment with ad-hMSCs promoted greater neuronal survival (44%) than vehicle treatment. However, no effect was seen at the ES of the disease. Better structural preservation of the ventral horn in animals treated with ad-hMSCs was observed, together with decreased gliosis and greater synapse protection. In line with this, we found that the transcript levels of Hgf1 were upregulated in ad-hMSCs-treated mice. These results corroborate the behavioral data showing that ad-hMSCs had delayed motor deficits and reduced weight loss compared to vehicle animals. Additionally, cell therapy delayed the course of the disease and significantly improved survival by 20 days. Overall, our results indicate that treatment with ad-hMSCs has beneficial effects, enhancing neuronal survival and promoting a less degenerative neuronal microenvironment. Thus, this may be a potential therapy to improve the quality of life and to extend the lifespan of ALS patients.

Poly (L-Lactic Acid) Cell-Laden Scaffolds Applied on Swine Model of Tracheal Fistula.

INTRODUCTION: Tracheal fistula (TF) treatments may involve temporary orthosis and further ablative procedures, which can lead to infection. Thus, TF requires other therapy alternatives development. The hypothesis of this work was to demonstrate the feasibility of a tissue-engineered alternative for small TF in a preclinical model. Also, its association with suture filaments enriched with adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal stem cells (AT-MSCs) was assessed to determine whether it could optimize the regenerative process. METHODS: Poly (L-Lactic acid) (PLLA) membranes were manufactured by electrospinning and had morphology analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. AT-MSCs were cultured in these scaffolds and in vitro assays were performed (cytotoxicity, cellular adhesion, and viability). Subsequently, these cellular constructs were implanted in an animal small TF model. The association with suture filaments containing attached AT-MSCs was present in one animal group. After 30 d, animals were sacrificed and regenerative potential was evaluated, mainly related to the extracellular matrix remodeling, by performing histopathological (Hematoxylin-Eosin and trichrome Masson) and immunohistochemistry (Collagen I/II/III, matrix metalloproteinases-2, matrix metalloproteinases-9, vascular endothelial growth factor, and interleukin-10) analyses. RESULTS: PLLA membranes presented porous fibers, randomly oriented. In vitro assays results showed that AT-MSCs attached were viable and maintained an active metabolism. Swine implanted with AT-MSCs attached to membranes and suture filaments showed aligned collagen fibers and a better regenerative progress in 30 d. CONCLUSIONS: PLLA membranes with AT-MSCs attached were useful to the extracellular matrix restoration and have a high potential for small TF treatment. Also, their association with suture filaments enriched with AT-MSCs was advantageous.

Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment of Canine Cutaneous and Subcutaneous Mast Cell Tumors.

Mast cell tumors (MCTs) are hematopoietic neoplasms composed of mast cells. It is highly common in dogs and is extremely important in the veterinary oncology field. It represents the third most common tumor subtype, and is the most common malignant skin tumor in dogs, corresponding to 11% of skin cancer cases. The objective of this critical review was to present the report of the 2nd Consensus meeting on the Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment of Canine Cutaneous and Subcutaneous Mast Cell Tumors, which was organized by the Brazilian Association of Veterinary Oncology (ABROVET) in August 2021. The most recent information on cutaneous and subcutaneous mast cell tumors in dogs is presented and discussed.

Hyaluronic acid and fibrin from L-PRP form semi-IPNs with tunable properties suitable for use in regenerative medicine.

Autologous leukocyte- and platelet-rich plasma (L-PRP) combined with hyaluronic acid (HA) has been widely used in local applications for cartilage and bone regeneration. The association between L-PRP and HA confers structural and rheological changes that differ among individual biomaterials but has not been investigated. Therefore, the standardization and characterization of L-PRP-HA are important to consider when comparing performance results to improve future clinical applications. To this end, we prepared semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPNs) of L-PRP and HA and characterized their polymerization kinetics, morphology, swelling ratio, stability and rheological behavior, which we found to be tunable according to the HA molar mass (MM). Mesenchymal stem cells derived from human adipose tissue (h-AdMSCs) seeded in the semi-IPNs had superior viability and chondrogenesis and osteogenesis capabilities compared to the viability and capabilities of fibrin. We have demonstrated that the preparation of the semi-IPNs under controlled mixing ensured the formation of cell-friendly hydrogels rich in soluble factors and with tunable properties according to the HA MM, rendering them suitable for clinical applications in regenerative medicine.

Monitorização de células-tronco mesenquimais injetadas via retrobulbar próximas ao nervo óptico lesados de coelhos / Monitoring of stem cells from adipose tissue injected via retrobulbar next to previously injured optic nerve of rabbits

Resumo Objetivo: Verificar a presença das células-tronco mesenquimais (MSC) na área próxima ao nervo óptico de coelhos previamente lesado com álcool absoluto. Métodos: Os 12 coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia foram distribuídos em 2 lotes. Após sedação, cada olho do animal recebeu uma injeção retrobulbar de 1 ml de álcool absoluto em um dos olhos e de 1 ml de solução fisiológica 0,9% (SF) no olho contralateral. Após 15 dias deste procedimento inicial todos os olhos dos animais pertencentes ao lote A, receberam via retrobulbar, uma solução contendo MSC de tecido adiposo humano e previamente marcadas com Qdots,. Todos os olhos dos animais do lote B receberam solução PBS. Resultados: Após 15 dias desta última aplicação os animais foram sacrificados e as lâminas foram analisadas. A presença das MSC foi observada em 100% dos olhos dos animais do lote A. Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem que a marcação prévia das MSC com Qdots permitiu o acompanhamento das mesmas na região aplicada e em áreas mais internas do nervo óptico. A permanência de MSC após 15 dias de aplicação ao redor do nervo óptico sugere a viabilidade e possível participação das mesmas no processo de regeneração do tecido lesado. Nas condições deste estudo, a via de aplicação retrobulbar permitiu a mobilização das células tronco do local de aplicação até áreas centrais dos nervos ópticos nos animais do lote A, sugerindo que esta poderá ser uma via de acesso eficaz para as MSC no processo de regeneração de neuropatias ópticas.

Abstract Obtective: To verify the presence of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in the area close to the optic nerve of previously injured with absolute alcohol. Methods: Twelve New Zealand breed rabbits were divided into two groups, and after sedation, each eye of the animal received a retrobulbar injection of 1 ml of absolute ethanol in one eye, and 1 ml of physiological solution 0.9 % (PS) in the contralateral eye. After 15 days all eyes of animals belonging to group A, received via retrobulbar a solution containing MSCs from human adipose tissue (AT) and previously marked with Qdots, while all eyes of animals from group B received solution containing PBS. Results: The presence of MSC was observed in 100% of the eyes of the animals of group A and the more central areas near and into the optic nerve. Conclusion: The results suggest that the appointment of MSC with Qdots allowed their follow-up applied in the region and in the inner areas of the optic nerve. The MSC permanence after 15 days of application around the optic nerve suggests the feasibility and possible involvement of the same during the damaged tissue regeneration process. Under the conditions of this study, the route of retrobulbar application and the presence of the stem cells to the central areas of the optic nerves in animals of group A, suggests that this might be an effective approach for MSCs in regeneration process of optic neuropathies.

Centrifugation Conditions in the L-PRP Preparation Affect Soluble Factors Release and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Proliferation in Fibrin Nanofibers.

Leukocyte and platelet-rich plasma (L-PRP) is an autologous product that when activated forms fibrin nanofibers, which are useful in regenerative medicine. As an important part of the preparation of L-PRP, the centrifugation parameters may affect the release of soluble factors that modulate the behavior of the cells in the nanofibers. In this study, we evaluated the influences of four different centrifugation conditions on the concentration of platelets and leukocytes in L-PRP and on the anabolic/catabolic balance of the nanofiber microenvironment. Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (h-AdMSCs) were seeded in the nanofibers, and their viability and growth were evaluated. L-PRPs prepared at 100× g and 100 + 400× g released higher levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB due to the increased platelet concentration, while inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were more significantly released from L-PRPs prepared via two centrifugation steps (100 + 400× g and 800 + 400× g) due to the increased concentration of leukocytes. Our results showed that with the exception of nanofibers formed from L-PRP prepared at 800 + 400× g, all other microenvironments were favorable for h-AdMSC proliferation. Here, we present a reproducible protocol for the standardization of L-PRP and fibrin nanofibers useful in clinical practices with known platelet/leukocyte ratios and in vitro evaluations that may predict in vivo results.