miR-758-3p/ILK signaling modulated angiogenesis by regulating VEGFA in wound healing.

Chronic wounds cause physical, psychological and economic damage to patients, while therapeutic choices are limited. ILK was reported to play key roles in both fibrosis and angiogenesis, which are two important factors during wound healing. However, the function of ILK during vascularization in wounds remains unclear. In our study, we found increased ILK expression in chronic wound tissues compared to adjacent tissue, as well as a positive relationship between ILK expression and microvessel density. Moreover, fibroblasts overexpressing ILK showed an enhanced ability to promote HUVEC migration and tube formation, during which PI3K/Akt, downstream of ILK, played key roles and VEGFA was the key cytokine. Considering the important function of ILK in wound healing and the lack of an ILK activator, we investigated microRNAs targeting ILK and found that miR-758-3p could target ILK to regulate its transcription. The inhibition of miR-758-3p increased ILK expression and sequentially upregulated VEGFA and activated angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro. Taken together, these results revealed that ILK played a key role in wound healing by regulating angiogenesis and that activating ILK by inhibiting miR-758-3p was an effective way to promote wound healing. Whether miR-758-3p/ILK signaling can be utilized as a therapeutic target for wound healing requires further investigation.

Delivery of sodium morrhuate to hemangioma endothelial cells using immunoliposomes conjugated with anti-VEGFR2/KDR antibody.

Hemangioma is a common benign tumor affecting infants. In this study, we prepared sodium morrhuate immunoliposomes through encapsulation of sodium morrhuate with liposomes coupled with an anti-VEGFR2/KDR antibody and examined its effect on the biology of human hemangioma endothelial cells (HECs). It was found that compared to the liposomal sodium morrhuate group, treatment with sodium morrhuate immunoliposomes facilitated cell detachment and apoptotic death. Confocal microscopy analysis revealed that sodium morrhuate immunoliposomes had a higher binding activity to HECs than liposomal sodium morrhuate. Apoptosis analysis further demonstrated that treatment with liposomal sodium morrhuate or sodium morrhuate immunoliposomes significantly induced apoptosis in HECs, compared to the control group. Western blot analysis revealed an induction of caspase-3 and caspase-9 levels and reduction of caspase-8 and Bcl-2 levels in HECs treated with liposomal sodium morrhuate or sodium morrhuate immunoliposomes. Taken together, these results indicate that sodium morrhuate immunoliposomes have an increased capacity to target HECs and promote mitochondrial apoptosis. Therefore, sodium morrhuate immunoliposomes may represent a promising agent in the treatment of hemangiomas.

Copolymer cell/scaffold constructs for bone tissue engineering: co-culture of low ratios of human endothelial and osteoblast-like cells in a dynamic culture system.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of different ratios of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) on osteogenic activity of human osteoblast-like cells (HOB) and capillary-like structure (CLS), seeded into copolymer scaffolds in a dynamic culture system. HOB and HUVEC were co-cultured into poly(L-lactide)-co-(1,5-dioxepan-2-one) [poly(LLA-co-DXO)] scaffolds at ratios of 5:1 (5:1 group) and 2:1 (2:1 group). Samples were collected after 5, 15, and 25 days. Cross-sections were processed and the CLS from HUVEC was disclosed in both groups. Cell viability was determined by dsDNA assay. Cells seeded at the ratio of 5:1 had good viability. Total RNA was isolated and the reverse transcription reaction was performed. The influences on the expression of several osteogenic genes were various with regarding to different ratios of HUVEC demonstrated by the PCR array. The RT-PCR results was in consistent with the PCR array results that several osteogenesis related genes had higher expression in the 5:1 group than in the 2:1 group, especially at day 25, such as alkaline phosphatase, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), and so forth. ELISA showed that the production of IGF1 after 25 days of incubation were higher in cells co-cultured at the 5:1 ratio than at the 2:1 ratio. The results show that under dynamic culture conditions, co-culture of HOB with a low ratio of HUVEC in copolymer scaffolds results in CLS formation and significantly influenced the expression of osteogenic markers.

Proteomic analysis of mitochondria from infantile hemangioma endothelial cells treated with sodium morrhuate and its liposomal formulation.

Hemangioma is the most common benign tumor of infancy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the biological effects of sodium morrhuate (SM) and its liposomal formulation on infantile hemangioma endothelial cells (IHECs). Morphological analysis revealed that exposure to liposomal sodium morrhuate (LSM) preferentially caused apoptotic death in IHECs, manifested as shrunken configuration and formation of apoptotic bodies. In contrast, necrotic death was prominent in IHECs treated with an equal concentration of SM. By means of proteomic analysis and confirmation experiments, we revealed that the apoptosis-inducing effects of LSM were associated with an upregulation of a set of genes involved in mitochondrial death pathway, including apoptosis-inducing factor, cytochrome c1, caspase-8, and lamin B1. In conclusion, our data highlight the proapoptotic activity of LSM in IHECs through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and may provide a promising avenue to treat hemangiomas of infancy.

Aggrecanases gene inhibition in chondrocytes: a new possible strategy to relieve immune rejection of transplants.

Cartilage damaged by trauma or degenerative disease has limited intrinsic potential for repair, due to lack of blood supply. The repair and reconstruction of cartilage defects are severe problems, and many patients are eager to find avenues to these matters. Until now, the number of methods used to repair cartilage defects has increased, but all of these have their own advantages and inconveniences, and do not seem to have been optimized. As the source of autologous cartilage is limited and has a high potential donor site morbidity, it is common practice to transplant allogenic cartilage instead. However, immunological rejection will happen accompanied with allogenic cartilage transplantation, affect the long viability of cartilage and result in the absorption of cartilage. Cartilage is an avascular tissue and its extracellular matrix prevents immunization of the host. The extracellular matrix acts as immunological barrier and makes the cartilage be a poor antigen tissue. So it is important to maintain the stability of cartilage matrix. The main features are the loss of aggrecan after cartilage transplantation surgery and aggrecanases play an important role in the cartilage degradation of aggrecan. We hypothesize that if we inhibit the aggrecanases gene of chondrocytes, make the extracellular matrix aggrecan of chondrocytes increasing and immunological rejection problems will be relieved. Accordingly, this will provide a new method for allogenic and tissue engineering cartilage transplantation and cartilage transplantation will be utilized widely for any clinical treatments.

[Study of immunolipo-sodium morrhuate applied on human hemangioma endothelial cells in vitro].

PURPOSE: To explore the method of preparing immunolipo-sodium morrhuate and evaluate its effect on human hemangioma endothelial cells in vitro. METHODS: Using SPDP((N-Succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio)) propionate) as cross-linker, anti-VEGFR2/KDR monoclone antibody was combined to the liposome surface to prepare immunolipo-sodium morrhuate by extruding method, and then its effect on human hemangioma endothelial cells in vitro was observed by laser scanning confocal microscope, inverted microscope, Gimsa staining, transmission electron microscope, MTT and flow cytometry. RESULTS: The average diameter of the immunoliposome was 122.9 nm, which had a very good stability when compared with normal liposome, it had stronger and faster combining ability, its potential to induce apoptosis was much more prominent, and its toxic effect on human hemangioma endothelial cells was gentle, which was similar to normal liposome. CONCLUSION: We have prepared immunolipo-sodium morrhuate successfully, which has very good specific initiative targetting ability in vitro and can induce pervasive apoptosis of human hemangioma endothelial cells.

[The effect of aloesin on melanocytes in the pigmented skin equivalent model].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of aloesin, tea polyphenols, arbutin on melanocytes in the pigmented skin equivalent model. METHODS: First, we constructed the pigmented skin equivalent model in vitro. And then we detected the effect of aloesin, tea polyphenols and arbutin on the cells' shape, tyrosinase activity and formation of melanin in the constructed pigmented skin equivalent. RESULTS: Three depigmenting agents showed an inhibition effect on the tyrosinase activity of melanocytes and reduced significantly melanin content in the pigmented skin equivalent model, in which the tea polyphenols had the strongest effect, and then was the aloesin. But the tea polyphenols showed the strongest toxicity, while the aloesin and arbutin had a much lower toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: All the three depigmenting agents showed a concentration dependent suppression effect on the tyrosinase activity and formation of melanin, in which the tea polyphenols was the strongest effect( P <0.05). Aoesin has a good suppression effect on the tyrosinase activity and formation of melanin, but has a much lower toxicity, which could be used as a safe depigmenting agent.

[Apoptotic study on the effect of fluorine and selenium on the human hair follicle in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to observe the human hair follicle apoptosis status affected by fluorine and the antagonism effect by selenium in vitro. METHODS: The single hair follicles were separated and cultured, then they were added in different concentrations of sodium fluoride and sodium selenite. Chosen the appropriate concentrations, they were divided into 7 groups. The TUNEL was used to investigate the apoptotic cells of different parts. The morphous of hair follicles was observed consecutively and electron microscope was used. RESULTS: We found that in 1 mmol/L and 10 mmol/L sodium fluoride groups, when the human hair follicles in vitro were cultured on the 5th day, the apoptotic cells of outer root sheath (ORS), dermal sheath and hair papilla, hair bulb were obviously increased. But 0.01 mmol/L sodium selenite weakened the toxicity of 1 mmol/L sodium fluoride at the outer root sheath and hair bulb (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Different concentrations of sodium fluoride had different effect on the growth of human hair follicle in vitro which were cultured on 5th day. Sodium fluoride of certain concentration could accelerate the apoptosis of human hair follicle in vitro. Sodium selenite of certain concentration could act antagonism to the toxicity of sodium fluoride.

[Experimental study on induction of the normal human melanocytes apoptosis in vitro by cycloheximide and TNF-alpha].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of cycloheximide and TNF-alpha on melanocyte (MC). METHODS: Melanocyte apoptosis was studied with MTT, transmitting electron microscopy and fluorescence labeling of alive cells. RESULTS: We added TNF-alpha and cycloheximide in melanocytes, and the typical apoptosis appeared 24 hours later, with chromatin condensation, nuclear pyknosis and apoptotic bodies formation. The results of cytometry showed the typical apoptotic peak. CONCLUSION: TNF-alpha and cycloheximide together could inhibit MC proliferation and induce MC apoptosis.

[The effects of aloesin and arbutin on cultured melanocytes in a synergetic method].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of aloesin and arbutin on normal cultured human melanocytes in synergetic method. METHODS: Building up the system of cultured human melanocytes. The cultured melanocytes in vitro were treated with the mixture of aloesin and arbutin. The cell viability and tyrosinase activity was measured by MTT assay, utilization of L-Dopa as the substrate respectively; melanin content was measured by image analysis system. Furthermore, the effects of the mixture on melanocytes were compared with that of aloesin and arbutin. RESULTS: The mixture of aloesin and arbutin showed an inhibition on tyrosinase activity of human melanocytes and reduced significantly melanin content. Between the mixture and the single use of aloesin or arbutin, there is significant difference (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the mixture has little influence on melanocytes viability and there is negative significance. CONCLUSION: The mixture of aloesin and arbutin can significantly inhibit the tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis of cultured human melanocytes. It showed the effects of aloesin and arbutin in a synergistic manner. It is worth to give farther study later.

[Effects of NGF and estrogens on human hair follicle in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of NGF, estrogens and minoxidil on the growth of human hair follicle in vitro. METHODS: In a model of human hair follicle in vitro, the follicle was separately treated with the NGF, estrogens and minoxidil. The growth of the hair follicle was measured in length with an eyepiece micrometer. The effects of the NGF, estrogens and minoxidil were evaluated by measuring the rates of incorporation of 3H-TdR of DNA synthesis. RESULTS: The growth of the human hair follicle was showing significantly faster in the 100 ng/ml NGF and 125 micrograms/ml minoxidil groups, compared with the control (P < 0.05), but the growth was significantly inhibited in the 0.5 microgram/ml 17 beta-E2 group (P < 0.05). There was no difference shown for the growth of the hair follicle in the group mixed with 100 ng/ml NGF and 0.5 microgram/ml 17 beta-E2 (P > 0.05). The rates of incorporation of 3H-TdR in the groups were shown that the results just correlated with the results of the above-mentioned method. CONCLUSIONS: The 100 ng/ml NGF and 125 micrograms/ml minoxidil could increase the growth of human hair follicle while the 0.5 microgram/ml 17 beta-E2 could inhibit it. The 100 ng/ml NGF could neutralized the effect of the 0.5 microgram/ml 17 beta-E2.