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It is more than a decade that amniotic membrane has been used as a wound dressing because of its anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-fibrotic, anti-scarring properties, as well as its pain relieving and epithelialization promoting features. However, amniotic membrane had limited applications because it needs to suture in surgery, is highly fragile, firmly adhere to the wound and may cause bleeding and pain when changing the bandage. This study investigated the possibility of development of a novel amniotic-based chitosan gel dressing as a potential wound repair substrate with marked efficacy. In this experiment, amniotic gel prepared based on chitosan/PVP gel containing human amniotic membrane extract (AME-Gel) was investigated in terms of wound-healing efficacy and scar preventive effects in a rat burn model. The levels of re-epithelialization and dermal regeneration were examined by histological assessment using H&E and Masson's trichrome staining. Also, we clarified the mechanism of healing and cytokine-releasing activities of AME as well as its effect on epithelization, angiogenesis, and fibroblast growth and migration. Our results revealed that AME-Gel induces epidermal and dermal regeneration at a shorter time through formation of granulation tissue, enhancement of fibroblast proliferation, and improvement of blood capillary formation concomitant with developing collagen bundles. Therefore, AME-Gel could be considered a simple and easy to be used as a biological dressing for any type of superficial burn wounds, without any adverse effects.
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Curativos Biológicos/estatística & dados numéricos , Queimaduras/terapia , Quitosana/uso terapêutico , Cicatriz/terapia , Cicatrização/fisiologia , Âmnio , Animais , Biópsia por Agulha , Queimaduras/patologia , Cicatriz/patologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Humanos , Imuno-Histoquímica , Técnicas In Vitro , Masculino , Neovascularização Fisiológica/fisiologia , Distribuição Aleatória , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real/métodos , Sensibilidade e EspecificidadeRESUMO
JMJD1A (jumonji domain-containing 1A), a known histone H3K9 demethylase, has been identified as a critical epigenetic regulator in male germ cells, activating the sperm chromatin-packaging genes encoding protamines (PRM) and transition proteins (TNP) required for spermatid elongation and condensation. This research investigated the expression pattern of JMJD1A protein in testicular biopsies of 79 infertile men who had undergone testicular sperm extraction. Samples were classified into obstructive azoospermia (OA, n = 26), round spermatid maturation arrest (SMA, n = 29) and Sertoli cell only syndrome (SCOS, n = 24). Experiments including the detection of mRNA and protein expressions of JMJD1A revealed a severe decrease of JMJD1A/JMJD1A in samples with SMA and SCOS compared with samples with OA (P < 0.005, Kruskal-Wallis test). Additional experiments, including incorporation of JMJD1A on the promoter regions of TNP and PRM genes, and the expression of these genes, showed a significant decrease in the SMA and SCOS versus the OA testes (P < 0.005, Kruskal-Wallis test). These findings show the low expression of JMJD1A/JMJD1A, as well as its low incorporation into chromatin in testes with round spermatid maturation arrest, suggesting that a deficient expression of JMJD1A/JMJD1A might be reflecting and/or contributing to round spermatid maturation arrest.
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Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Histona Desmetilases com o Domínio Jumonji/metabolismo , Espermátides/patologia , Espermatozoides/anormalidades , Adulto , Biópsia , Cromatina/metabolismo , Histonas/metabolismo , Humanos , Infertilidade Masculina/genética , Masculino , Oligospermia/genética , Espermatogênese , Espermatozoides/patologia , Testículo/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND AIMS: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) attributed to cisplatin is well documented. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are proven to be renotropic. Although they have been shown to improve function in CKD and reduce fibrosis in different experimental rodent models, their efficiency in primates is unknown. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevention of CKD and reduction of fibrosis in monkeys treated with MSCs after cisplatin nephrotoxicity. METHODS: We induced CKD in adult rhesus Macaca mulatta monkeys by means of intravenous administration of cisplatin. Autologous MSCs were transplanted by means of intrarenal arterial injections to assess the adverse effects of cisplatin in two CKD models: preventative and stable. Preventative CKD monkeys (n = 3) underwent cell transplantation 4 days after the cisplatin injection. The stable CKD monkeys (n = 2) underwent cell transplantation 6 months after the cisplatin injection. Non-treated (n = 4) and normal saline-injected animals (n = 3) comprised the control and vehicle groups, respectively. We followed the animals for survival rate, serum biochemistry, urine analysis and histopathological indices. RESULTS: In the preventive CKD model, MSC transplantation tended to improve some renal functions but significantly reduced the histopathologic score compared with the vehicle and control groups. In the stable CKD model, MSCs did not ameliorate renal function or pathological score. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that MSCs tend to delay progression of CKD and fibrosis but do not reduce established interstitial fibrosis in this unique primate model of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.
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Transplante de Células-Tronco Mesenquimais/métodos , Insuficiência Renal Crônica/prevenção & controle , Animais , Cisplatino/efeitos adversos , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Fibrose/prevenção & controle , Fibrose/terapia , Rim/patologia , Macaca mulatta , Masculino , Células-Tronco Mesenquimais/citologia , Insuficiência Renal Crônica/induzido quimicamente , Insuficiência Renal Crônica/mortalidade , Insuficiência Renal Crônica/terapia , Taxa de Sobrevida , Transplante AutólogoRESUMO
Background: Semen analysis is a common test conducted for diagnosing the cause of male infertility, so using an innocuous lubricant can be beneficial to reduce the semen collection difficulties. Aims: In this study, the effects of BabyDance™ lubricant gel, a paraben-free lubricant, on sperm parameters were investigated. Study Setting and Design: It was a prospective study and a total of 45 individuals were enrolled. Materials and Methods: First, the semen samples of 20 patients referred to Royan Research Institute were incubated with different concentrations of gel, and subsequently, the sperm motility and vitality were evaluated. In the second phase, 25 individuals who had a spermogram test were asked to apply the gel in the new semen examination. Statistical Analysis: Obtained data were statistically analysed using SPSS software. Results: The results of the in vitro phase revealed that this gel does not affect the pH, sample colour, viability, total motility and progressive and non-progressive motility of spermatozoa at any concentration. The second phase results also represented no difference in spermatozoal characteristics with and without gel use. Moreover, 100% of the participants in the second phase were satisfied with the gel and recommended that to other patients. Conclusion: It was concluded that this gel can be considered a harmless product to sperm and can be a beneficial option for clients referring to infertility centres that facilitate the semen collection process.
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Cell-based therapy and tissue engineering are promising substitutes for liver transplantation to cure end-stage liver disorders. However, the limited sources for healthy and functional cells and poor engraftment rate are main challenges to the cell-based therapy approach. On the other hand, feasibility of production and size of bioengineered tissues are primary bottlenecks in tissue engineering. Here, we induce regeneration in a rat fibrotic liver model by transplanting a natural bioengineered scaffold with a native microenvironment repopulated with autologous stem/progenitor cells. In the main experimental group, a 1 mm3 stromal derived factor-1α (SDF-1α; S) loaded scaffold from decellularized liver extracellular matrix (LEM) was transplanted (Tx) into a fibrotic liver and the endogenous stem/progenitor cells were mobilized via granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF; G) therapy. Four weeks after transplantation, changes in liver fibrosis and necrosis, efficacy of cell engraftment and differentiation, vasculogenesis, and liver function recovery were assessed in this (LEM-TxSG) group and compared to the other groups. We found significant reduction in liver fibrosis stage in the LEM-TxSG, LEM-TxS and LEM-TxG groups compared to the control (fibrotic) group. Liver necrosis grade, and alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels dramatically reduced in all experimental groups compared to the control group. However, the number of engrafted cells into the transplanted scaffold and ratio of albumin (Alb) positive cells per total incorporated cells were considerably higher in the LEM-TxSG group compared to the LEM-Tx, LEM-TxS and LEM-TxG groups. Serum Alb levels increased in the LEM-Tx, LEM-TxS, and LEM-TxG groups, and was highest in the LEM-TxSG group, which was significantly more than the fibrotic group. Small vessel formation in the LEM-TxSG group was significantly higher than the LEM-Tx and LEM-TxS groups. Totally, these findings support application of the in vivo tissue engineering approach as a possible novel therapeutic strategy for liver fibrosis.
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OBJECTIVE: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a common infertility-related complication that affects approximately 1-3 % of women worldwide. Known causes of etiology are found in approximately half the cases but the other half remain unexplained. It is estimated that several thousands of genes contribute to reproductive success in mammals and the genetic causes of RPL cannot be fully addressed through targeted genetic tests. In recent years, massive parallel sequencing technologies has helped discovering many causal mutations in hereditary diseases such as RPL. STUDY DESIGN: Using whole-exome sequencing (WES), we studied a large multiplex consanguineous family with multiple cases of RPL and hydatidiform moles (HM). In addition, targeted Sanger sequencing was applied to 40 additional non-related individuals with RPL. RESULTS: The use of WES permitted to identify the pathogenic variant in KHDC3L (c.322_325delGACT) in related who experienced RPL with or without HM. Sanger sequencing confirmed the segregation of the mutation throughout the pedigree and permitted to establish this variant as the genetic cause responsible for RPL and HM in this family. CONCLUSION: KHDC3L is well established as a susceptibility gene for HM but we confirmed here that KHDC3L deleterious variants can also induce RPL. In addition, we observed a genotype-phenotype correlation, demonstrating that women with a truncating KHDC3L homozygous variant could not sustain a pregnancy and often had pregnancy losses mainly due to HM while those with the same heterozygous variant could have children but often endured RPL with no HM.
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Aborto Habitual , Mola Hidatiforme , Aborto Habitual/genética , Proteínas Adaptadoras de Transdução de Sinal/genética , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Mola Hidatiforme/genética , Mutação , Linhagem , Gravidez , ProteínasRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we examined the tolerance-inducing effects of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAD-MSCs) and bone marrow-derived MSCs (hBM-MSCs) on a nonhuman primate model of skin transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, allogenic and xenogeneic of immunomodulatory properties of human AD-MSCs and BM-MSCs were evaluated by mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assays. Human MSCs were obtained from BM or AD tissues (from individuals of either sex with an age range of 35 to 65 years) and intravenously injected (2×106 MSCs/kg) after allogeneic skin grafting in a nonhuman primate model. The skin sections were evaluated by H and E staining for histopathological evaluations, particularly inflammation and rejection reaction of grafts after 96 hours of cell injection. At the mRNA and protein levels, cellular mediators of inflammation, such as CD4+IL-17+ (T helper 17; Th17) and CD4+INF-γ+ (T helper 1, Th1) cells, along with CD4+FoxP3+ cells (Treg), as the mediators of immunomodulation, were measured by RT-PCR and flow cytometry analyses. RESULTS: A significant Treg cells expansion was observed in MSCs-treated animals which reached the zenith at 24 hours and remained at a high concentration for 96 hours; however, Th1 and Th17 cells were significantly decreased. Our results showed that human MSCs significantly decrease Th1 and Th17 cell proliferation by decreasing interleukin-17 (IL-17) and interferon-γ (INF-γ) production and significantly increase Treg cell proliferation by increasing FoxP3 production. They also extend the allogenic skin graft survival in nonhuman primates. Histological evaluations showed no obvious presence of inflammatory cells or skin redness or even bulging after MSCs injection up to 96 hours, compared to the group without MSCs. There were no significant differences between hBM-MSCs and hAD-MSCs in terms of histopathological scores and inflammatory responses (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: It seems that MSCs could be regarded as a valuable immunomodulatory tool to reduce the use of immunosuppressive agents.
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An increasing body of data implicates the Septin family in the pathology of several diseases, including male fertility. The objective of this study was to evaluate the gene and protein expression pattern of Septin 14 in the testis tissue of azoospermic men. In addition, Septin 14 localization was also assessed in the sperm. Testicular tissues were obtained from biopsies of non-obstrutive azoospermic men who underwent diagnostic testicular biopsy in Royan institute and were divided into two groups: TESE + with positive result in testicular sperm extraction (with hypospermatogenesis pathology) and TESE- with negative result (included patients with Sertoli cell only syndrome and maturation arrest pathologies). Total RNA and protein was extracted using trizol reagent. Septin 14 gene and protein expression level were assessed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot techniques, respectively. The localization of Septin 14 protein was also studied by Immunocytochemistry. The expression of Septin 14 was significantly lower (p < 0. 05) in TESE- group than TESE + in both mRNA and protein levels. The localization of Septin 14 protein was detected in the head to tail of normal sperms with high localization in front of the acrosome and the neck. This is a novel localization report on Septin 14 in sperm. Regarding the presence of this protein in the sperm acrosome and neck, it can be concluded that decreasing of Septin 14 protein expression may be associated with the pathogenesis of male infertility and therefore Septin 14 expression level maybe critical for human spermatogenesis.
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Azoospermia/genética , Expressão Gênica , Septinas/análise , Septinas/genética , Testículo/química , Testículo/metabolismo , Acrossomo/química , Azoospermia/metabolismo , Azoospermia/patologia , Biópsia , Humanos , Imuno-Histoquímica , Masculino , Oligospermia/genética , Oligospermia/metabolismo , Oligospermia/patologia , RNA Mensageiro/análise , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real , Espermatogênese/genética , Espermatozoides/química , Espermatozoides/ultraestrutura , Testículo/patologiaRESUMO
Notch suppression by gamma-secretase inhibitors is a valid approach against melanoma. However, most of studies have evaluated the short-term effect of DAPT on tumor cells or even cancer stem cells. In the present study, we surveyed the short-term and long-term effects of DAPT on the stem cell properties of A375 and NA8 as melanoma cell lines. The effects of DAPT were tested both in vitro and in vivo using xenograft models. In A375 with B-raf mutation, DAPT decreased the level of NOTCH1, NOTH2, and HES1 as downstream genes of the Notch pathway. This was accompanied by enhanced apoptosis after 24 h treatment, arrest in the G2-M phase, and impaired ability of colony and melanosphere formation at the short term. Moreover, tumor growth also reduced during 13 days of treatment. However, long-term treatment of DAPT promoted tumor growth in the xenograft model and enhanced the number and size of colonies and spheroids in vitro. The gene expression studies confirmed the up-regulation of Wnt and Notch downstream genes as well as AXIN1, CSNK2A3, and CEBPA2 following the removal of Notch inhibitor in vitro and in the xenograft model. Moreover, the Gompertz-based mathematical model determined a new drug resistance term in the present study. Our data supported that the long-term and not short-term inhibition of Notch by DAPT may enhance tumor growth and motility through up-regulation of AXIN1, CSNK2A3, and CEBPA2 genes in B-raf mutated A375 cells.
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BACKGROUND: Due to limited graft donor sites in extensive burns, re-harvesting of a single donor area is very common. Given the importance of fetal fibroblasts in accelerating fetal wound healing, fetal cell-based skin substitutes have emerged as a novel therapeutic modality for regenerating damaged skin. In this trial, we aimed to evaluate the safety, feasibility and potential efficacy of application of amniotic membranes seeded with fetal fibroblasts for accelerating donor sites healing in burn patients. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, phase I clinical trial, 10 patients with total burn surface area of 10-55% were enrolled. Three equal parts (10×10cm) were selected in donor site of each patient and covered by Vaseline gauze (control group), amniotic membrane (AM group), or amniotic membrane seeded with fetal fibroblasts (AM-F group). Adverse events, pain intensity scores, and wound sizes were recorded on days 4, 8, 11, 14, and 20 post-treatment. Also, histological assessments were done on days 0 and 14 after the surgery. RESULTS: All patients underwent surgery, and no adverse events occurred during the procedure and follow-up period. Significantly lower pain intensity and higher healing rates were observed in AM-F and AM groups compared to the control group. Moreover, mean complete re-epithelializatin in AM-F and AM groups were 10.1±2.4 and 11.3±2.9 days, showing that the healing process was significantly accelerated compared to the control group with mean closure time of 14.8±1.6 days. Histological assessment showed lower inflammatory cells infiltration in AM-F and AM groups compared to control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated the safety of transplantation of amniotic membrane seeded with fetal fibroblasts for treatment of donor sites in burn patients; however, preliminary assessments showed no benefits for this therapeutic modality over amniotic membrane alone. Thus, to draw accurate conclusions, further trials in larger populations should be conducted. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: This study is assigned as level I.
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Curativos Biológicos , Queimaduras/cirurgia , Fibroblastos/transplante , Transplante de Pele/métodos , Pele Artificial , Sítio Doador de Transplante , Cicatrização , Adolescente , Adulto , Método Duplo-Cego , Feminino , Feto/citologia , Humanos , Inflamação , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Background: Two of the Wnt signaling pathway target genes, tumor necrosis factor receptor family member (TROY) and leucine-rich G-protein coupled receptor (LGR5), are involved in the generation and maintenance of gastrointestinal epithelium. A negative modulatory role has recently been assigned to TROY, in this pathway. Here, we have examined their simultaneous expression in gastric carcinogenesis. Methods: Tumor and paired adjacent tissues of intestinal-type gastric cancer (GC) patients (n = 30) were evaluated for LGR5 and TROY expression by immunohistochemistry. The combination of the percentage of positively¬ stained cells and the intensity of staining was defined as the composite score and compared between groups. The obtained findings were re-evaluated in a mouse model. Results: TROY expression in the tumor tissue was significantly lower than that of the adjacent tissue (2.5 ± 0.9 vs. 3.3 ± 0.9, p = 0.004), which was coincident with higher LGR5 expression (3.6 ± 1.1 vs. 2.7 ± 0.9, p = 0.001). This observation was prominent at stages II/III of GC, leading to a statistically significant mean difference of expression between these two molecules (p = 0.005). In the H. pylori infected-mouse model, this inverse expression was observed in transition from early (8-16 w) to late (26-50 w) time points, post treatment (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Our data demonstrates an inverse trend between TROY down-regulation and LGR5 up-regulation in GC tumors, as well as in response to H. pylori infection in mice. These findings support a potential negative modulatory role for TROY on LGR5 expression.
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Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/genética , Receptores do Fator de Necrose Tumoral/genética , Neoplasias Gástricas/genética , Idoso , Animais , Biomarcadores Tumorais/análise , Biomarcadores Tumorais/biossíntese , Biomarcadores Tumorais/genética , Feminino , Infecções por Helicobacter/genética , Infecções por Helicobacter/metabolismo , Infecções por Helicobacter/patologia , Humanos , Masculino , Camundongos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/análise , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/biossíntese , Receptores do Fator de Necrose Tumoral/análise , Receptores do Fator de Necrose Tumoral/biossíntese , Neoplasias Gástricas/metabolismo , Neoplasias Gástricas/patologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Spermatogenesis is a complex process controlled by a plethora of genes. Changes in expression and function of these genes may thus lead to spermatogenic deficiency and male infertility. TEX11, TEX12, TEX14 and TEX15 are germ cell-specific genes expressed in the testis. TEX11, involved in the initiation and maintenance of chromosome synapses in meiotic chromosomes, has been shown to be essential for meiosis and fertility in males. TEX14, a component of intercellular bridges in germ cells, is required for spermatogenesis and fertility. TEX12 and TEX15 are essential for correct assembly of the synaptonemal complex and thus meiosis progression. METHODS: In order to examine whether changes in expression of these genes is associated with impaired spermatogenesis, expression levels of these genes were quantified by RT-qPCR on samples retrieved from infertile patients submitted to diagnostic testicular biopsy at Royan institute. Samples were divided into two groups of 18 patients with non-obstructive azoospermia considered as case; nine patients with obstructive azoospermia were included in the control group. RESULTS: A significant down-regulation of these genes was observed in the SCOS group when compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: This result suggests that regular expression of TEX11, TEX12, TEX14 and TEX15 is essential for the early stages of spermatogenesis.
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Azoospermia/genética , Proteínas de Ciclo Celular/genética , Proteínas Cromossômicas não Histona/genética , Espermatogênese/genética , Testículo/metabolismo , Fatores de Transcrição/genética , Adulto , Azoospermia/metabolismo , Proteínas de Ciclo Celular/metabolismo , Proteínas Cromossômicas não Histona/metabolismo , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fatores de Transcrição/metabolismoRESUMO
In this research, fabrication of gelatin/chondroitin sulfate (GAG) nanofibrous scaffolds using electrospinning technique for skin tissue engineering was studied. The influence of GAG content on chemical, physical, mechanical and biological properties of the scaffolds were investigated. Human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells were cultured and bioactivity of electrospun gelatin/GAG scaffolds for skin tissue engineering was assayed. Biological results illustrated that HDF cells attached and spread well on gelatin/GAG nanofibrous scaffolds displaying spindle-like shapes and stretching. MTS assay was performed to evaluate the cell proliferation on electrospun gelatin/GAG scaffolds. The results confirmed the influence of GAG content as well as the nanofibrous structure on cell proliferation and attachment of substrates. The gelatin/GAG nanofibrous scaffolds with the desired thickness for in-vivo evaluations were used on the full-thickness wounds. Pathobiological results showed that cell loaded gelatin/GAG scaffolds significantly accelerated wounds healing. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2020-2034, 2017.
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Proliferação de Células , Sulfatos de Condroitina/química , Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Gelatina/química , Nanofibras/química , Alicerces Teciduais/química , Cicatrização , Adesão Celular , Fibroblastos/citologia , HumanosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: This study investigated the effects of amniotic membrane combined with adipose-derived stem cells or fetal fibroblasts on regenerating extensive burns in rats. METHODS: Third degree burns of 1100-1800 mm2 were induced on 32 Sprague-Dawley rats. Burned sites were excised and randomly covered with Vaseline gauze (control), human amniotic membrane (HAM), human fetal fibroblasts seeded on HAM (HAM-FF), or human adipose-derived stem cells seeded on HAM (HAM-ASC), and followed by wound closure and histological assessments. RESULTS: Wound closure rates of HAM-FF, HAM-ASC, HAM and control groups at seven and 14 days after the treatment were 42.2% and 81.9%, 41.9% and 81.7%, 33.5% and 74.2%, and 16.5% and 69.7%, respectively. Wounds of HAM-FF, HAM-ASC, HAM and control groups were closed on 40, 40, 50 and 60 days after the treatment, respectively (P < 0.05). Histological assessments revealed lower inflammatory cell infiltration in HAM-ASC and HAM-FF groups. CONCLUSIONS: Cell-based engineered skin substitutes seem to accelerate wound regeneration, especially within the first 14 days.
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Âmnio , Queimaduras/terapia , Cicatrização/fisiologia , Tecido Adiposo/citologia , Animais , Células Cultivadas , Fibroblastos , Humanos , Masculino , Vaselina/farmacologia , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Regeneração , Células-Tronco , Engenharia TecidualRESUMO
Male infertility accounts for half of the infertility problems experienced by couples. Azoospermia, having no measurable level of sperm in seminal fluid, is one of the known conditions resulting in male infertility. In order to elucidate the complex molecular mechanisms causing male azoospermia, label-free quantitative shotgun proteomics was carried out on testicular tissue specimens from patients with obstructive azoospermia and non-obstructive azoospermia, including maturation arrest (MA) and Sertoli cell only syndrome (SCOS). The abundance of 520 proteins was significantly changed across three groups of samples. We were able to identify several functional biological pathways enriched in azoospermia samples and confirm selected differentially abundant proteins, using multiple histological methods. The results revealed that cell cycle and proteolysis, and RNA splicing were the most significant biological processes impaired by the substantial suppression of proteins related to the aforementioned categories in SCOS tissues. In the MA patient testes, generation of precursor metabolites and energy as well as oxidation-reduction were the most significantly altered processes. Novel candidate proteins identified in this study include key transcription factors, many of which have not previously been shown to be associated with azoospermia. Our findings can provide substantial insights into the molecular regulation of spermatogenesis and human reproduction. SIGNIFICANCE: The obtained data showed a drastic suppression of proteins involved in spliceosome, cell cycle and proteasome proteins, as well as energy and metabolic production in Sertoli cell only syndrome testis tissue, and to a lesser extent in maturation arrest samples. Moreover, we identified new transcription factors that are highly down-regulated in SCOS and MA patients, thus helping to understand the molecular complexity of spermatogenesis in male infertility. Our findings provide novel candidate protein targets associated with SCOS or MA azoospermia.
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Azoospermia/etiologia , Proteômica/métodos , Testículo/metabolismo , Humanos , Infertilidade Masculina/etiologia , Masculino , Redes e Vias Metabólicas , Proteólise , Splicing de RNA , Síndrome de Células de Sertoli , Testículo/químicaRESUMO
Adult tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show tremendous promise for a wide array of therapeutic applications predominantly through paracrine activity. Recent reports showed that human embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived MSCs are an alternative for regenerative cellular therapy due to manufacturing large quantities of MSCs from a single donor. However, no study has been reported to uncover the secretome of human ESC-MSCs as treatment of an acute liver failure (ALF) mouse model. We demonstrated that human ESC-MSCs showed similar morphology and cell surface markers compared with bone marrow-derived MSCs. ESC-MSCs exhibited a higher growth rate during early in vitro expansion, along with adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential. Treatment with ESC-MSC-conditioned medium (CM) led to statistically significant enhancement of primary hepatocyte viability and increased immunomodulatory interleukin-10 secretion from lipopolysaccharide-induced human blood mononuclear cells. Analysis of the MSCs secretome by a protein array screen showed an association between higher frequencies of secretory proteins such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and regulation of cell proliferation, cell migration, the development process, immune system process, and apoptosis. In this thioacetamide-induced mouse model of acute liver injury, we observed that systemic infusion of VEGF led to significant survival. These data have provided the first experimental evidence of the therapeutic potential of human ESC-MSC-derived molecules. These molecules show trophic support to hepatocytes, which potentially creates new avenues for the treatment of ALF, as an inflammatory condition.
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Células-Tronco Embrionárias Humanas/citologia , Falência Hepática Aguda/terapia , Transplante de Células-Tronco Mesenquimais , Células-Tronco Mesenquimais/citologia , Células-Tronco Mesenquimais/metabolismo , Animais , Células da Medula Óssea/citologia , Células da Medula Óssea/efeitos dos fármacos , Diferenciação Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Linhagem Celular , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Meios de Cultivo Condicionados/farmacologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Hepatócitos/citologia , Hepatócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Hepatócitos/metabolismo , Células-Tronco Embrionárias Humanas/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Imunomodulação/efeitos dos fármacos , Falência Hepática Aguda/patologia , Masculino , Células-Tronco Mesenquimais/efeitos dos fármacos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Proteoma/metabolismo , ProteômicaRESUMO
In this study, physical and biological features of the novel three-dimensional cell-loaded gelatin (G)/chitosan (CS) scaffolds fabricated via combining salt-leaching and lyophilization technique is evaluated. To fabricate these scaffolds, CS and G solutions were blended at different ratios and the influence of G/CS ratio on physical and biological properties of the scaffolds were studied. The properties of porous structure, such as microstructure, porosity, mean pore size, phosphate buffer saline solution absorption, mechanical properties as well as biocompatibility were evaluated. The in vitro assays showed excellent cell attachment and proliferation on scaffolds with G/CS ratio of 80/20. The results showed that the amount of G has a significant effect on attachment, growth, and proliferation of fibroblast cells on the scaffolds. In vivo assessment showed that treatment with human dermal fibroblast cell loaded scaffolds significantly accelerated wounds healing in rat compared with the control groups. The biological investigation on these scaffolds proves that they have a great potential for using in skin tissue engineering.