Recombinant human fibroblast growth factor 7 obtained from stable Chinese hamster ovary cells enhances wound healing.

Although fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) is known to promote wound healing, its mass production poses several challenges and very few studies have assessed the feasibility of producing FGF7 in cell lines such as Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Therefore, this study sought to produce recombinant FGF7 in large quantities and evaluate its wound healing effect. To this end, the FGF7 gene was transfected into CHO cells and FGF7 production was optimized. The wound healing efficacy of N-glycosylated FGF7 was evaluated in animals on days 7 and 14 post-treatment using collagen patches (CPs), FGF7-only, and CP with FGF7 (CP+FGF7), whereas an untreated group was used as the control. Wound healing was most effective in the CP+FGF7 group. Particularly, on day 7 post-exposure, the CP+FGF7 and FGF7-only groups exhibited the highest expression of hydroxyproline, fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and transforming growth factor. Epidermalization in H&E staining showed the same order of healing as hydroxyproline content. Additionally, the CP+FGF7 and FGF7-only group exhibited more notable blood vessel formation on days 7 and 14. In conclusion, the prepared FGF7 was effective in promoting wound healing and CHO cells can be a reliable platform for the mass production of FGF7.

Promotion of hair growth by a conditioned medium from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells cultivated in a 3D scaffold of gelatin sponge.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the effects of a conditioned medium (CM) from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HuMSCs) cultivated in gelatin sponge (GS-HuMSCs-CM) on hair growth in a mouse model. METHODS: CM was collected from the HuMSCs cultivated in a monolayer or in a gelatin sponge. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) levels in CMs were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). A hair loss model by a C57 BL/6J mouse was prepared. The effects of GS-HuMSCs-CM and HuMSCs on hair regrowth in mice were investigated by intradermal injection in the depilated back skin with normal saline (NS) as the control. The time for hair regrowth and full covering in depilated areas was observed, and the hair growth was evaluated histologically and by grossly measuring hair length and diameter. RESULTS: Compared with monolayer cultured cells, the three-dimensional (3D) culture of HuMSCs in gelatin sponge drastically increased VEGF, IGF-1, KGF, and HGF production. GS-HuMSCs-CM and HuMSCs injection both promoted hair regeneration in mice, while GS-HuMSCs-CM presented more enhanced effects in hair length, hair diameter, and growth rate. GS-HuMSCs-CM significantly promoted angiogenesis in injected skin areas, which might also contribute to faster hair regrowth. CONCLUSION: GS-HuMSCs-CM exerted significant effects on inducing hair growth and promoted skin angiogenesis in C57BL/6J mice.

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Craniomaxillofacial development involves a series of highly ordered temporal-spatial cellular differentiation processes in which a variety of cell signaling factors, such as fibroblast growth factors, play important regulatory roles. As a classic fibroblast growth factor, fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) serves a wide range of regulatory functions. Previous studies have demonstrated that FGF7 regulates the proliferation and migration of epithelial cells, protects them, and promotes their repair. Furthermore, recent findings indicate that epithelial cells are not the only ones subjected to the broad and powerful regulatory capacity of FGF7. It has potential effects on skeletal system development as well. In addition, FGF7 plays an important role in the development of craniomaxillofacial organs, such as the palate, the eyes, and the teeth. Nonetheless, the role of FGF7 in oral craniomaxillofacial development needs to be further elucidated. In this paper, we summarized the published research on the role of FGF7 in oral craniomaxillofacial development to demonstrate the overall understanding of FGF7 and its potential functions in oral craniomaxillofacial development.

FGF7 enhances the expression of ACE2 in human islet organoids aggravating SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a primary cell surface viral binding receptor for SARS-CoV-2, so finding new regulatory molecules to modulate ACE2 expression levels is a promising strategy against COVID-19. In the current study, we utilized islet organoids derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), animal models and COVID-19 patients to discover that fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) enhances ACE2 expression within the islets, facilitating SARS-CoV-2 infection and resulting in impaired insulin secretion. Using hESC-derived islet organoids, we demonstrated that FGF7 interacts with FGF receptor 2 (FGFR2) and FGFR1 to upregulate ACE2 expression predominantly in ß cells. This upregulation increases both insulin secretion and susceptibility of ß cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Inhibiting FGFR counteracts the FGF7-induced ACE2 upregulation, subsequently reducing viral infection and replication in the islets. Furthermore, retrospective clinical data revealed that diabetic patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms exhibited elevated serum FGF7 levels compared to those with mild symptoms. Finally, animal experiments indicated that SARS-CoV-2 infection increased pancreatic FGF7 levels, resulting in a reduction of insulin concentrations in situ. Taken together, our research offers a potential regulatory strategy for ACE2 by controlling FGF7, thereby protecting islets from SARS-CoV-2 infection and preventing the progression of diabetes in the context of COVID-19.

Construction and characterization of a functional variant hFGF7 with enhanced properties by circular permutation.

Human fibroblast growth factor 7 (hFGF7) is a member of the paracrine-acting FGF family and mediates various reactions such as wound healing, tissue homeostasis, and liver regeneration. These activities make it a plausible candidate for pharmaceutical applications as a drug. However, the low expression level and stability of the recombinant hFGF7 were known to be major hurdles for further applications. Here, the expression level and stability of hFGF7 were attempted to improve by changing the order of amino acids through circular permutation (CP), thereby expecting an alternative fate according to the N-end rule. CP-hFGF7 variants were constructed systematically by using putative amino acid residues in the loop region that avoided the disruption of the structural integrity especially in the functional motif. Among them, cp-hFGF7115-114 revealed a relatively higher expression level in the soluble fraction than the wild-type hFGF7 and was efficiently purified (7 mg L-1) to apparent homogeneity. The activity and stability of the purified variant cp-hFGF7115-114 were comparable or superior to that of the wild-type hFGF7, thereby strongly suggesting that CP could be an alternative tool for the functional expression of hFGF7 in Escherichia coli.

Cancer-associated fibroblast-secreted FGF7 as an ovarian cancer progression promoter.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer (OC) is distinguished by its aggressive nature and the limited efficacy of current treatment strategies. Recent studies have emphasized the significant role of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in OC development and progression. METHODS: Employing sophisticated machine learning techniques on bulk transcriptomic datasets, we identified fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7), derived from CAFs, as a potential oncogenic factor. We investigated the relationship between FGF7 expression and various clinical parameters. A series of in vitro experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effect of CAFs-derived FGF7 on OC cell activities, such as proliferation, migration, and invasion. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis was also conducted to elucidate the interaction between FGF7 and its receptor. Detailed mechanistic investigations sought to clarify the pathways through which FGF7 fosters OC progression. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that higher FGF7 levels correlate with advanced tumor stages, increased vascular invasion, and poorer prognosis. CAFs-derived FGF7 significantly enhanced OC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Single-cell analysis and in vitro studies revealed that CAFs-derived FGF7 inhibits the ubiquitination and degradation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) via FGFR2 interaction. Activation of the FGF7/HIF-1α pathway resulted in the upregulation of mesenchymal markers and downregulation of epithelial markers. Importantly, in vivo treatment with neutralizing antibodies targeting CAFs-derived FGF7 substantially reduced tumor growth. CONCLUSION: Neutralizing FGF7 in the medium or inhibiting HIF-1α signaling reversed the effects of FGF7-mediated EMT, emphasizing the dependence of FGF7-mediated EMT on HIF-1α activation. These findings suggest that targeting the FGF7/HIF-1α/EMT axis may offer new therapeutic opportunities to intervene in OC progression.

Enhanced prokaryotic expression, purification, and biological activities of human keratinocyte growth factor.

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), also known as fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7), plays a critical role in embryonic development, cell proliferation, and differentiation. However, efficient production of recombinant KGF remains a challenge due to its low expression levels and high tendency for aggregation in Escherichia coli. This study aimed to enhance the expression and solubility of KGF by employing different protein tags-PDIb'a', MBP, and His-fused to the N-terminus of KGF. Among these, H-PDIb'a'-KGF demonstrated superior stability and was selected for large-scale production and purification. The purified KGF was confirmed through liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis, which showed an 81% fragment mass identification coverage. Biological activity assessments using human breast cancer MCF-7 cells indicated that purified KGF significantly increased cell proliferation, with an EC50 of 6.4 ± 0.5 pM. Interestingly, PDIb'a' alone also exhibited a stimulatory effect on MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, the purified KGF enhanced the wound healing of HaCaT keratinocytes in a dose-dependent manner. These findings provide valuable insights into the efficient production and functional characterization of recombinant KGF for potential applications in therapeutic interventions.

Fibroblast growth factor 7 protects osteoblasts against oxidative damage through targeting mitochondria.

The pathophysiology of osteoporosis is significantly influenced by the impaired functioning of osteoblasts, which is particularly caused by oxidative stress. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon are still not well understood. The objective of this study was to elucidate the impact of fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) on the behavior of osteoblasts under conditions of oxidative stress. The osteoblast-like MC3T3 cells were pretreated with recombinant FGF7 in the presence of oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ). We first provided the evidence that the endogenous FGF7 was significantly increased in osteoblasts in response to the increased H2 O2 levels. Recombined FGF7 demonstrated a remarkable capacity to resist the detrimental effects of H2 O2 -induced oxidative stress, including the increase in cell apoptosis, decrease in osteoblast viability, and impairment in osteogenic differentiation capacity, on osteoblasts. Furthermore, we extensively explored the mechanism underlying these protective effects and discovered a remarkable modulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis in H2 O2 -treated cells following the pronounced expression of FGF7, which significantly differed from the control group. Additionally, we observed that FGF7 exerted partial preservation on both the morphology and function of mitochondria when exposed to oxidative stress conditions. Furthermore, FGF7 exhibited the ability to enhance the activation of the p38/MAPK signaling pathway while concurrently suppressing the JNK/MAPK signaling pathway in response to oxidative stress. These results underscore the promising role and underlying mechanisms of FGF7 in preserving osteoblast homeostasis in the face of oxidative stress.

HIV enteropathy and 'Slim disease': Historical and current perspectives.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic diarrhoea and severe wasting associated with HIV infection were first described in East African patients as slim disease (SD) in 1985. The main histological features are flattening of the villi (villous atrophy) and crypt hyperplasia (elongated crypts), i.e., HIV enteropathy (HIVE). Selective loss of mucosal clusters of differentiation 4 (CD4)+ T helper (Th)17+ lymphocytes is the immunological hallmark of HIVE. This review explores (i) the historical background of HIVE and SD, (ii) the relationship between gut mucosal CD4+ Th17+ and intestinal-resident intra-epithelial gamma delta (IRIE) T lymphocytes in pathogenesis of HIVE, (iii) the role of cytokines in regulation of intestinal epithelial proliferation, and (iv) the role of antiretroviral therapy in HIVE. METHODS: Recent studies have highlighted the role of IRIE T lymphocytes, mostly CD8+, in regulating gut epithelial regeneration. CD4+Th17+ and IRIE T cells are necessary to maintain intestinal barrier integrity and mucosal antimicrobial immune defence. However, the immunological cross-talk between such lymphocyte sub-sets culminating in HIVE is uncertain. We undertook a narrative literature review under the headings 'HIVE', 'SD', and 'Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Relevant studies were located using the electronic search engines Google Scholar and PubMed from 1984 to 2022. RESULTS: Depletion of Th17+ cells in the lamina propria, attributed to low-level viraemia, is accompanied by concomitant increase in the density of gut mucosal IRIE T lymphocytes in AIDS. The latter express a broad range of cytokines (interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-17) and chemokines e.g., keratinocyte growth factor, post exposure to HIV-infected cells. Keratinocyte growth factor induces epithelial proliferation mainly in the crypts, leading to functional immaturity of enterocytes, reduced gut absorptive surface area and malabsorption in animal experiments. Of note, the absence of IRIE T cells is associated with a reduction in epithelial cell turnover. Patients with HIVE receiving early HAART show enhanced expression of mucosal repair genes and improvement of gut symptoms. CONCLUSION: Multiple lines of enquiry suggest HIVE is directly related to HIV infection and is a consequence of perturbations in mucosal CD4+Th17+ and IRIE T lymphocytes. The pathological result is enterocyte immaturity and dysfunction. SD whose main features are malabsorption, diarrhoea and weight loss, is a severe clinical expression of HIVE. A better understanding of immuno-pathogenesis of HIVE opens a window of opportunity for the potential use of immunotherapy in HIV disease and other T cell-mediated enteropathies.

Gene expression of Postn and FGF7 in canine chordae tendineae and their effects on flexor tenocyte biology.

Chordae tendineae, referred to as heart tendinous cords, act as tendons connecting the papillary muscles to the valves in the heart. Their role is analogous to tendons in the musculoskeletal system. Despite being exposed to millions of cyclic tensile stretches over a human's lifetime, chordae tendineae rarely suffer from overuse injuries. On the other hand, musculoskeletal tendinopathy is very common and remains challenging in clinical treatment. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism behind the remarkable durability and resistance to overuse injuries of chordae tendineae, as well as to explore their effects on flexor tenocyte biology. The messenger RNA expression profiles of chordae tendineae were analyzed using RNA sequencing and verified by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction  and immunohistochemistry. Interestingly, we found that periostin (Postn) and fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) were expressed at significantly higher levels in chordae tendineae, compared to flexor tendons. We further treated flexor tenocytes in vitro with periostin and FGF7 to examine their effects on the proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and tendon-related gene expression of flexor tenocytes. The results displayed enhanced cell proliferation ability at an early stage and an antiapoptotic effect on tenocytes, while treated with periostin and/or FGF7 proteins. Furthermore, there was a trend of promoted tenocyte migration capability. These findings indicated that Postn and FGF7 may represent novel cytokines to target flexor tendon healing. Clinical significance: The preliminary discovery leads to a novel idea for treating tendinopathy in the musculoskeletal system using specific molecules identified from chordae tendineae.

ISX-9 Promotes KGF Secretion From MSCs to Alleviate ALI Through NGFR-ERK-TAU-ß-Catenin Signaling Axis.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been widely studied to alleviate acute lung injury (ALI) due to their paracrine function. However, the microenvironment of inflammatory outbreaks significantly restricted the factors secreted from MSCs like keratinocyte growth factor (KGF). KGF is a growth factor with tissue-repaired ability. Is there a better therapeutic prospect for MSCs in combination with compounds that promote their paracrine function? Through compound screening, we screened out isoxazole-9 (ISX-9) to promote MSCs derived KGF secretion and investigated the underlying mechanisms of action. METHODS: Compounds that promote KGF secretion were screened by a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. The TMT isotope labeling quantitative technique was used to detect the differential proteins upon ISX-9 administrated to MSCs. The expressions of NGFR, ERK, TAU, and ß-catenin were detected by Western blot. In the ALI model, we measured the inflammatory changes by HE staining, SOD content detection, RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence, etc. The influence of ISX-9 on the residence time of MSCs transplantation was explored by optical in vivo imaging. RESULTS: We found out that ISX-9 can promote the expression of KGF in MSCs. ISX-9 acted on the membrane receptor protein NGFR, upregulated phosphorylation of downstream signaling proteins ERK and TAU, downregulated phosphorylation of ß-catenin, and accelerated ß-catenin into the nucleus to further increase the expression of KGF. In the ALI model, combined ISX-9 with MSCs treatments upgraded the expression of KGF in the lung, and enhanced the effect of MSCs in reducing inflammation and repairing lung damage compared with MSCs alone. CONCLUSIONS: ISX-9 facilitated the secretion of KGF from MSCs both in vivo and in vitro. The combination of ISX-9 with MSCs enhanced the paracrine function and anti-inflammatory effect of MSCs compared with MSCs applied alone in ALI. ISX-9 played a contributive role in the transplantation of MSCs for the treatment of ALI.

Human corneal epithelial cell and fibroblast migration and growth factor secretion after rose bengal photodynamic therapy (RB-PDT) and the effect of conditioned medium.

PURPOSE: To investigate human corneal epithelial cell and fibroblast migration and growth factor secretion after rose bengal photodynamic therapy (RB-PDT) and the effect of conditioned medium (CM). METHODS: A human corneal epithelial cell line (HCE-T), human corneal fibroblasts (HCF) and keratoconus fibroblasts (KC-HCF) have been used. Twenty-four hours after RB-PDT (0.001% RB concentration, 565 nm wavelength illumination, 0.17 J/cm2 fluence) cell migration rate using scratch assay and growth factor concentrations in the cell culture supernatant using ELISA have been determined. In addition, the effect of CM has been observed. RESULTS: RB-PDT significantly reduced migration rate in all cell types, compared to controls (p≤0.02). Migration rate of HCE-T cultures without RB-PDT (untreated) was significantly higher using HCF CM after RB-PDT, than using HCF CM without RB-PDT (p<0.01). Similarly, untreated HCF displayed a significantly increased migration rate with HCE-T CM after RB-PDT, compared to HCE-T CM without treatment (p<0.01). Furthermore, illumination alone and RB-PDT significantly decreased keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) concentration in HCF and KC-HCF supernatant, and RB-PDT significantly decreased soluble N-Cadherin (SN-Cad) concentration in HCF supernatant, compared to controls (p<0.01 for all). In HCE-T CM, RB-PDT increased hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGFb) concentration (p≤0.02), while decreasing transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) concentration (p<0.01). FGFb concentration increased (p<0.0001) and TGF-ß concentration decreased (p<0.0001) in HCF CM, by RB-PDT. Epidermal growth factor (EGF), HGF, and TGF-ß concentration decreased (p≤0.03) and FGFb concentration increased (p<0.01) in KC-HCF CM, using RB-PDT. CONCLUSIONS: HCE-T, HCF and KC-HCF migration rate is reduced 24 hours after RB-PDT. In contrast, HCE-T migration is enhanced using HCF CM after RB-PDT, and HCF migration rate is increased through HCE-T CM following RB-PDT. Modulation of EGF, KGF, HGF, FGFb, TGF-ß and N-Cadherin secretion through RB-PDT may play an important role in corneal wound healing.

Mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium alleviates acute lung injury through KGF-mediated regulation of epithelial sodium channels.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a progressive inflammatory injury, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be used to treat ALI. MSC-conditioned medium (MSC-CM) contains many cytokines, in which keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) is a soluble factor that plays a role in lung development. We aim to explore the protective effects of MSCs secreted KGF on ALI, and investigate the involvement of epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), which are important in alveolar fluid reabsorption. Both lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced mouse and alveolar organoid ALI models were established to confirm the potential therapeutic effect of MSCs secreted KGF. Meanwhile, the expression and regulation of ENaC were determined in alveolar type II epithelial (ATII) cells. The results demonstrated that MSC-CM and KGF could alleviate the extent of inflammation-related pulmonary edema in ALI mice, which was abrogated by a KGF neutralizing antibody. In an alveolar organoid ALI model, KGF in MSC-CM could improve the proliferation and decrease the differentiation of ATII cells. At the cellular level, the LPS-inhibited protein expression of ENaC could be reversed by KGF in MSC-CM. In addition, bioinformatics analysis and our experimental data provided the evidence that the NF-κB signaling pathway may be involved in the regulation of ENaC. Our research confirmed that the therapeutic effect of MSC-CM on edematous ALI was closely related to KGF, which may be involved in the proliferation and differentiation of ATII cells, as well as the upregulation of ENaC expression by the inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway.

Hepatocyte survival and proliferation by fibroblast growth factor 7 attenuates liver inflammation, and fibrogenesis during acute liver injury via paracrine mechanisms.

Hepatocyte damage during liver injury instigates activation of macrophages and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) resulting in liver inflammation and fibrosis respectively. Improving hepatocyte survival and proliferation thereby ameliorating inflammation and fibrosis represents a promising approach for the treatment of liver injury. In the liver, fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) play a crucial role in promoting hepatocyte proliferation and tissue regeneration. Among 22 FGFs, FGF7 induces hepatocyte survival and liver regeneration as shown previously in mouse models of cholestatic liver injury and partial hepatectomy. We hypothesized that FGF7 promotes hepatocyte survival and proliferation by interacting with FGFR2b, expressed on hepatocytes, and ameliorates liver injury (inflammation and early fibrogenesis) via paracrine mechanisms. To prove this hypothesis and to study the effect of FGF7 on hepatocytes and liver injury, we administered FGF7 exogenously to mice with acute carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury. We thereafter studied the underlying mechanisms and the effect of exogenous FGF7 on hepatocyte survival and proliferation, and the consequent paracrine effects on macrophage-induced inflammation, and HSCs activation in vitro and in vivo. We observed that the expression of FGF7 as well as FGFR2 is upregulated during acute liver injury. Co-immunostaining of FGF7 and collagen-I confirmed that FGF7 is expressed by HSCs and is possibly captured by the secreted ECM. Immunohistochemical analysis of liver sections showed increased hepatocyte proliferation upon exogenous FGF7 treatment as determined by Ki67 expression. Mechanistically, exogenous FGF7 improved hepatocyte survival (and increased drug detoxification) via AKT and ERK pathways while maintaining hepatocyte quiescence restricting hepatocarcinogenesis via P27 pathways. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that improved hepatocyte survival and proliferation leads to a decrease in infiltrated monocytes-derived macrophages, as a result of reduced CCL2 (and CXCL8) expression by hepatocytes. Moreover, conditioned medium studies showed reduced collagen-I secretion by HSCs (indicative of HSCs activation) upon treatment with FGF7-treated hepatocytes conditioned medium. Altogether, we show that exogenous administration of FGF7 induces hepatocyte survival and proliferation and leads to amelioration of inflammatory response and fibrosis in acute liver injury via paracrine mechanisms. Our study further demonstrates that FGF7, FGF7 derivatives, or nano-engineered FGF7 may benefit patients with hepatic dysfunction.

Distinct effects of Fgf7 and Fgf10 on the terminal differentiation of murine bladder urothelium revealed using an organoid culture system.

BACKGROUND: Dysregulation of the terminal differentiation of bladder urothelium is associated with the pathogenesis of urinary tract disorders. Fibroblast growth factor (Fgf)7 and Fgf10 stimulate urothelial proliferation; however, their roles in cellular differentiation remain unclear. In this study, we used an organoid system to investigate the roles of these Fgfs in regulating bladder urothelium differentiation and identify their distribution patterns in the mouse bladder. METHODS: Adult bladder epithelia (AdBE) isolated from adult mouse bladder tissues (AdBTs) were used to culture adult bladder organoids (AdBOs) in the presence of Fgf7 and Fgf10. The differentiation status of the cells in AdBTs, AdBEs, AdBOs, and neonatal bladder tissues (NeoBTs) was analyzed via quantitative real-time-PCR for the presence of undifferentiated cell markers (Krt5, Trp63, and Krt14) and differentiated cell markers (Krt20, Upk1a, Upk2, and Upk3a). Organoid cell proliferation was assessed by counting cell numbers using the trypan blue method. The effects of Fgf7 and Fgf10 on organoid differentiation were assessed using different doses of Fgfs, and the involvement of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) signaling in these processes was tested by introducing a PPARγ agonist (Rosiglitazone) and antagonist (T0070907) to the culture. The expression patterns of Fgf7 and Fgf10 were examined via in situ hybridization of AdBTs. RESULTS: AdBOs showed higher expression of undifferentiated cell markers and lower expression of differentiated cell markers than AdBTs, NeoBTs, and AdBEs, indicating the relatively immature state of AdBOs. Differentiation of AdBOs was enhanced by Rosiglitazone and Fgf7, suggesting an interplay of intracellular signals between Fgf7 and PPARγ. Co-addition of T0070907 suppressed Fgf7-mediated differentiation, demonstrating that PPARγ is activated downstream of Fgf7 to promote cellular differentiation into umbrella cells. Furthermore, we found that Fgf7 is predominantly expressed in the umbrella cells of the urothelium, whereas Fgf10 is predominantly expressed in the urothelium and stroma of AdBTs. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that unlike Fgf10, Fgf7 induces cellular differentiation via PPARγ activity and has a unique tissue distribution pattern in the adult bladder. Further studies on the Fgf7-PPARγ signaling axis would provide insights into the differentiation mechanisms toward functional umbrella cells and the pathogenesis of several urinary tract diseases.

Temporal variation in oral microbiome composition of patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation with keratinocyte growth factor.

INTRODUCTION: Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT) is a well-established treatment for lymphoma. Unintended effects of this therapy include oral mucositis (OM) and gastrointestinal toxicities, resulting in poor clinical outcomes. The gut microbiome has been previously linked to transplant toxicities among allogeneic recipients, but little is known about the effects of AHCT on the oral microbiome. METHODS: Seven patients with non-Hodgkin or Hodgkin lymphoma undergoing AHCT with palifermin (keratinocyte growth factor) were included. Buccal swab samples were collected at baseline and 14- and 28-days post-treatment. Oral microbial communities were characterized with 16 S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Temporal trends in community composition, alpha diversity, and beta diversity were investigated. RESULTS: A significant reduction in the relative abundance of the genera Gemella and Actinomyces were observed from baseline. No significant temporal differences in alpha diversity were observed. Significant changes in beta diversity were recorded. CONCLUSION: Results of this pilot study suggest treatment with AHCT and palifermin affects the oral microbiome, resulting in temporal shifts in oral microbial community composition. Future studies are warranted to confirm these trends and further investigate the effects of AHCT on the oral microbiome and how these shifts may affect health outcomes.

BFNB Enhances Hair Growth in C57BL/6 Mice through the Induction of EGF and FGF7 Factors and the PI3K-AKT-ß-Catenin Pathway.

The objective of this study was to investigate the potential effects of a formulation derived from the bioactive fraction of nanostructured Bacopa procumbens (BFNB) on the promotion of hair growth in C57BL/6 mice. The characterization of the follicular phases and histomorphological analysis showed that the topical application of the formulation for 15 days significantly increased pigmentation and hair growth on the dorsum and head of the mice. Additionally, an acceleration of the follicular cycle phases was observed, along with an increase in the number of follicles, hair length, and diameter, compared to mice treated with minoxidil. In silico analysis and molecular characterization demonstrated that BFNB enhances the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7), activating the PI3K-AKT-ß-catenin signaling pathway, as well as the expression of PCNA, KI-67, Cyclin D1, and Cyclin E, regulating the cell cycle and cell proliferation, crucial events for hair regeneration. Our results strongly suggest the utility of BFNB as a therapeutic alternative to stimulate hair growth and promote hair health.

Knockdown of circADAM9 inhibits cell progression and glycolysis by targeting the miR-1236-3p/FGF7 axis in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are closely associated with the development of breast cancer (BC). In this study, we aimed to clarify how differentially expressed circRNAs affect the development of BC. METHODS: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of circADAM9, miR-1236-3p and fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7). Colony formation, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), wound healing, transwell, and flow cytometry were used to assess cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. Glucose consumption, lactic acid production and ATP levels were assessed using glycolysis metabolism analysis. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were carried out to verify the relationship between miR-1236-3p and circADAM9 or FGF7. The roles of cirADAM9 on tumor growth were analyzed using a xenograft tumor model. Ki-67 and FGF7 expression was measured via immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay. Apoptosis-related proteins and exosome markers were detected by western blot. RESULTS: CircADAM9 was highly expressed in BC cells, and circADAM9 silencing inhibited BC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and glycolysis, and promoted cell apoptosis. Furthermore, miR-1236-3p inhibition could overturn circADAM9 knockdown-mediated BC inhibition. Moreover, the negative influences of miR-1236-3p overexpression on BC progression were restrained via FGF7 overexpression. CircADAM9 silence also inhibited BC tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSION: CircADAM9 promoted BC development partly by the miR-1236-3p/FGF7 axis, highlighting a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for BC patients.