Intravenous Autologous Bone Marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Delay Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Swine.

Rationale: Early post injury mitigation strategies in ARDS are in short supply. Treatments with allogeneic stromal cells are administered after ARDS develops, require specialized expertise and equipment, and to date have shown limited benefit. Objectives: Assess the efficacy of immediate post injury intravenous administration of autologous or allogeneic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to smoke inhalation and burns. Methods: Yorkshire swine (n = 32, 44.3 ± 0.5 kg) underwent intravenous anesthesia, placement of lines, severe smoke inhalation, and 40% total body surface area flame burns, followed by 72 hours of around-the-clock ICU care. Mechanical ventilation, fluids, pressors, bronchoscopic cast removal, daily lung computed tomography scans, and arterial blood assays were performed. After injury and 24 and 48 hours later, animals were randomized to receive autologous concentrated bone marrow aspirate (n = 10; 3 × 106 white blood cells and a mean of 56.6 × 106 platelets per dose), allogeneic MSCs (n = 10; 6.1 × 106 MSCs per dose) harvested from healthy donor swine, or no treatment in injured control animals (n = 12). Measurements and Main Results: The intravenous administration of MSCs after injury and at 24 and 48 hours delayed the onset of ARDS in swine treated with autologous MSCs (48 ± 10 h) versus control animals (14 ± 2 h) (P = 0.004), reduced ARDS severity at 24 (P < 0.001) and 48 (P = 0.003) hours, and demonstrated visibly diminished consolidation on computed tomography (not significant). Mortality at 72 hours was 1 in 10 (10%) in the autologous group, 5 in 10 (50%) in the allogeneic group, and 6 in 12 (50%) in injured control animals (not significant). Both autologous and allogeneic MSCs suppressed systemic concentrations of TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α). Conclusions: The intravenous administration of three doses of freshly processed autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs delays ARDS development and reduces its severity in swine. Bedside retrieval and administration of autologous MSCs in swine is feasible and may be a viable injury mitigation strategy for ARDS.

Freeze-dried platelets are a promising alternative in bleeding thrombocytopenic patients with hematological malignancies.

Thrombosomes are trehalose-stabilized, freeze-dried group O platelets with a 3-year shelf life. They can be stockpiled, rapidly reconstituted, and infused regardless of the recipient's blood type. Thrombosomes thus represent a potential alternative platelet transfusion strategy. The present study assessed the safety and potential early signals of efficacy of Thrombosomes in bleeding thrombocytopenic patients. We performed an open-label, phase 1 study of single doses of allogeneic Thrombosomes at three dose levels in three cohorts, each consisting of eight patients who had hematologic malignancies, thrombocytopenia, and bleeding. Adverse events, dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), World Health Organization (WHO) bleeding scores, and hematology values were assessed. No DLTs were reported. The median age was 59 years (24-71). Most patients had AML (58%) or ALL (29%), followed by MDS (8%) and myeloproliferative neoplasm (4%). The WHO scores of 22 patients who were actively bleeding at a total of 27 sites at baseline either improved (n = 17 [63%]) or stabilized (n = 10 [37%]) through day 6. Twenty-four hours after infusion, 12 patients (50%) had a clinically significant platelet count increase. Of eight patients who received no platelet transfusions for 6 days after Thrombosomes infusion, 5 had a clinically significant increase in platelet count of ≥5000 platelets/µL and 2 had platelet count normalization. Thrombosomes doses up to 3.78 × 108 particles/kg demonstrated safety in 24 bleeding, thrombocytopenic patients with hematological malignancies. Thrombosomes may represent an alternative to conventional platelets to treat bleeding. A phase 2 clinical trial in a similar patient population is underway.

Cryopreserved mesenchymal stem cells regain functional potency following a 24-h acclimation period.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are attractive cell-therapy candidates. Despite their popularity and promise, there is no uniform method of preparation of MSCs. Typically, cells are cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen, thawed, and subsequently administered to a patient with little to no information on their function post-thaw. We hypothesized that a short acclimation period post-thaw will facilitate the recovery of MSC's functional potency. METHODS: Human bone-marrow-derived MSCs were divided into 3 groups: FC (fresh cells; from existing culture); TT (thawed + time; acclimated for 24 h post-thaw); and FT (freshly thawed; thawed and immediately used). The 3 groups were analyzed for their cellular and functional potency. RESULTS: Phenotypic analysis demonstrated a decrease in CD44 and CD105 surface markers in FT MSCs, with no change in the other two groups. All MSCs were able to differentiate down the osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages. In FT cells, metabolic activity and apoptosis was significantly increased with concomitant decrease in cell proliferation; clonogenic capacity; and key regenerative genes. Following 24-h acclimation, apoptosis was significantly reduced in TT cells with a concomitant upregulation in angiogenic and anti-inflammatory genes. While all MSCs significantly arrested T-cell proliferation, the TT MSCs were significantly more potent. Similarly, although all MSCs maintained their anti-inflammatory properties, IFN-γ secretion was significantly diminished in FT cells. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that FT MSCs maintain their multipotent differentiation capacity, immunomodulatory function, and anti-inflammatory properties; yet, various aspects of cell characteristics and function are deleteriously affected by cryopreservation. Importantly, a 24-h acclimation period 'reactivates' thawed cells to recover their diminished stem-cell function.

Therapeutic potential of products derived from mesenchymal stem/stromal cells in pulmonary disease.

Multipotent mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) possess robust self-renewal characteristics and the ability to differentiate into tissue-specific cells. Their therapeutic potential appears promising as evident from their efficacy in several animal models of pulmonary disorders as well as early-phase clinical trials of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Such therapeutic efficacy might be attributed to MSC-derived products (the "secretome"), namely conditioned media (CM) and extracellular vesicles (EVs), which have been shown to play pivotal roles in the regenerative function of MSCs. Importantly, the EVs secreted by MSCs can transfer a variety of bioactive factors to modulate the function of recipient cells via various mechanisms, including ligand-receptor interactions, direct membrane fusion, endocytosis, or phagocytosis.Herein, we review the current state-of-the-science of MSC-derived CM and EVs as potential therapeutic agents in lung diseases. We suggest that the MSC-derived secretome might be an appropriate therapeutic agent for treating aggressive pulmonary disorders because of biological and logistical advantages over live cell therapy. Nonetheless, further studies are warranted to elucidate the safety and efficacy of these components in combating pulmonary diseases.

PTH Induces Systemically Administered Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Migrate to and Regenerate Spine Injuries.

Osteoporosis affects more than 200 million people worldwide leading to more than 2 million fractures in the United States alone. Unfortunately, surgical treatment is limited in patients with low bone mass. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) was shown to induce fracture repair in animals by activating mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). However, it would be less effective in patients with fewer and/or dysfunctional MSCs due to aging and comorbidities. To address this, we evaluated the efficacy of combination i.v. MSC and PTH therapy versus monotherapy and untreated controls, in a rat model of osteoporotic vertebral bone defects. The results demonstrated that combination therapy significantly increased new bone formation versus monotherapies and no treatment by 2 weeks (P < 0.05). Mechanistically, we found that PTH significantly enhanced MSC migration to the lumbar region, where the MSCs differentiated into bone-forming cells. Finally, we used allogeneic porcine MSCs and observed similar findings in a clinically relevant minipig model of vertebral defects. Collectively, these results demonstrate that in addition to its anabolic effects, PTH functions as an adjuvant to i.v. MSC therapy by enhancing migration to heal bone loss. This systemic approach could be attractive for various fragility fractures, especially using allogeneic cells that do not require invasive tissue harvest.

Stem cell therapy for osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Current osteoporosis treatments are predominantly bone-resorbing drugs that are associated with several side effects. The use of stem cells for tissue regeneration has raised great hope in various fields of medicine, including musculoskeletal disorders. Stem cell therapy for osteoporosis could potentially reduce the susceptibility of fractures and augment lost mineral density by either increasing the numbers or restoring the function of resident stem cells that can proliferate and differentiate into bone-forming cells. Such osteoporosis therapies can be carried out by exogenous introduction of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), typically procured from bone marrow, adipose, and umbilical cord blood tissues or through treatments with drugs or small molecules that recruit endogenous stem cells to osteoporotic sites. The main hurdle with cell-based osteoporosis therapy is the uncertainty of stem cell fate and biodistribution following cell transplantation. Therefore, future advancements will focus on long-term engraftment and differentiation of stem cells at desired bone sites for tangible clinical outcome.

Freeze-dried platelets promote clot formation, attenuate endothelial cell permeability, and decrease pulmonary vascular leak in a murine model of hemorrhagic shock.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhagic shock (HS) and trauma induce endothelial barrier compromise, inflammation, and aberrant clotting. We have shown that fresh human platelets (Plts) and Plt extracellular vesicles mitigate vascular leak in murine models of injury. Here, we investigate the potential of freeze-dried platelets (FDPlts) to attenuate pulmonary vascular permeability, decrease inflammation, and promote clotting in a murine model of HS. METHODS: Human FDPlts were characterized using in vitro assays of Plt marker expression, aggregation, coagulation, and endothelial cell permeability. An intravital model of vascular injury in the mouse cremaster muscle was used to assess the ability of FDPlts to incorporate into clots. Mouse groups subjected to controlled hemorrhage for 90 minutes were (1) lactated Ringer solution (LR), (2) FDPlts, (3) fresh human Plts, (4) murine whole blood (WB), and (5) shams (only instrumented). Hemorrhagic shock mouse endpoints included coagulation, pulmonary vascular permeability, and lung injury. RESULTS: Freeze-dried Plts expressed Plt-specific markers and retained functionality similar to fresh Plts. In in vitro assays of Plt aggregation, differences were noted. In vivo, FDPlts and Plts were found to incorporate into clots in postcapillary venules in the mouse cremaster muscle. Hemorrhagic shock mice resuscitated with LR displayed increased pulmonary vascular permeability compared with sham (sham, 686.6 ± 359.7; shock-LR, 2,637 ± 954.7; p = 0.001), and treatment with FDPlts or WB attenuated permeability compared with shock: shock-FDPlts, 1,328 ± 462.6 (p = 0.05), and shock-WB, 1,024 ± 370.5 (p = 0.0108). However, human Plts (Days 1-3) did not attenuate vascular leak in HS mice compared with shock-LR (shock-Plts, 3,601 ± 1,581; p = 0.33). CONCLUSION: FDPlts contribute to clot formation similar to fresh human Plts. FDPlts also attenuated vascular permeability in vitro and in vivo. Mouse WB resuscitation but not fresh human Plts attenuated vascular permeability after HS. These data suggest that the effect of FDPlts may be a suitable alternative to fresh Plts in modulating hemostasis and the endotheliopathy associated with injury.

Evaluation of sepsis using compensatory reserve measurement: A prospective clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, characterized by metabolic and hemodynamic changes that can lead to multiorgan failure and death. The evaluation of a patient's condition is routinely performed by several objective criteria. The compensatory reserve measurement (CRM) represents a new paradigm that measures the total of all physiological compensatory mechanisms, using noninvasive photoplethysmography to read changes in arterial waveforms. The present study's aim was to evaluate the applicability and the predictive value of the CRM during sepsis. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected from patients hospitalized in the department of surgery because of different inflammatory illnesses. All subjects were evaluated with hemodynamic, laboratory measurements and CRM throughout hospitalization. RESULTS: Of 100 subjects enrolled, 84 patients were not septic. The remaining 16 patients were in sepsis (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment [SOFA] score, >2), 6 of whom were in septic shock and 4 died. When nonseptic patients were compared with septic patients, statistical differences were found in C-reactive protein level (p < 0.0005), SOFA score (p < 0.0005), and CRM (p < 0.0001). Other parameters did not show any difference between groups. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for CRM was 1, significantly higher than the area under the receiver operating characteristic for heart rate (0.78), systolic blood pressure (0.67), quick SOFA (0.81), and respiratory rate (0.56). CONCLUSION: Clinical criteria, imaging, and laboratory features used to identify a septic patient are suboptimal. This demonstrates the need for a monitoring device capable of detecting rapidly, constantly, and simply the sum condition of the ill patient. We have shown that CRM was able to distinguish between severe septic and nonseptic patients early in the course of hospitalization and was significantly more sensitive than the conventional diagnostic tools. Such capability to assess the septic patients or even to triage these patients will surely aid treatment of sepsis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Care management, level II.

Bench-to-bedside optimization of mesenchymal stem cell isolation, processing, and expansion for in vivo administration.

Aim: In this study, we aimed at identifying the optimal conditions for isolation, processing and expansion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Methods: Porcine bone marrow was obtained from either small- or large-volume bone marrow aspirate (BMA). Next, three BMA processing methods were compared. Finally, the best condition was selected from various culture parameters, including basal media, supplementation and seeding density. Results: Our results demonstrate that a small-volume BMA and direct plating yields significantly higher concentration of MSCs. Basal media supplementation with 10% platelet lysate and seeding density of 1000 cells/cm2 can generate large numbers of multipotent MSCs with augmented function and low population doublings. Conclusion: This work provides guidance for preparation of robust MSCs for future clinical trials.

Preconditioning in an Inflammatory Milieu Augments the Immunotherapeutic Function of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells.

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have emerged as potent therapeutic agents for multiple indications. However, recent evidence indicates that MSC function is compromised in the physiological post-injury milieu. In this study, bone marrow (BM)- and adipose-derived (AD)-MSCs were preconditioned in hypoxia with or without inflammatory mediators to potentiate their immunotherapeutic function in preparation for in vivo delivery. Human MSCs were cultured for 48 hours in either normoxia (21% O2) or hypoxia (2% O2) with or without the addition of Cytomix, thus creating 4 groups: 1) normoxia (21%); 2) Cytomix-normoxia (+21%); 3) hypoxia (2%); and 4) Cytomix-hypoxia (+2%). The 4 MSC groups were subjected to comprehensive evaluation of their characteristics and function. Preconditioning did not alter common MSC surface markers; nonetheless, Cytomix treatment triggered an increase in tissue factor (TF) expression. Moreover, the BM-MSCs and AD-MSCs from the +2% group were not able to differentiate to chondrocytes and osteoblasts, respectively. Following Cytomix preconditioning, the metabolism of MSCs was significantly increased while viability was decreased in AD-MSCs, but not in BM-MSCs. MSCs from both tissues showed a significant upregulation of key anti-inflammatory genes, increased secretion of IL-1 receptor antagonist (RA), and enhanced suppression of T-cell proliferation following the Cytomix treatment. Similarly, following a lipopolysaccharide challenge, the Cytomix-treated MSCs suppressed TNF-α secretion, while promoting the production of IL-10 and IL-1RA. These preconditioning approaches facilitate the production of MSCs with robust anti-inflammatory properties. AD-MSCs preconditioned with Cytomix under normoxia appear to be the most promising therapeutic candidates; however, safety concerns, such as thrombogenic disposition of cells due to TF expression, should be carefully considered prior to clinical translation.

Prehospital trauma experience of the Israel defense forces on the Syrian border 2013-2017.

BACKGROUND: The Israeli Defense Force Medical Corps (IDF-MC) is routinely collecting prehospital data to establish a prehospital registry. Since February 2013, Israel has been providing medical care to Syrian refugees. This unique humanitarian aid begins in prehospital settings and typically culminates in Israeli civilian hospitals. This report describes the accumulated experience of the IDF-MC to provide Syrian refugees with prehospital treatment. METHODS: Care provided by IDF-MC medical teams, including prehospital casualty care, is regularly documented and after-action reports are conducted. Records of casualties arriving at the Israeli-Syrian border from February 16, 2013, to December 31, 2017, were prospectively extracted from the IDF Trauma Registry. Patients who did not have a casualty card were excluded. The database included demographic information, injury signature and treatment given. RESULTS: During the study period, 2,785 Syrian casualties were treated, of whom 2,339 were trauma victims. The most common mechanism of injury was penetrating (60.4%). Prehospital lifesaving interventions included 127 endotracheal intubations, 30 cricothyroidotomies, 55 chest decompressions, and 58 tourniquets for extremity hemorrhage control. Remote Damage Control Resuscitation included reconstituted freeze-dried plasma (n = 75) and tranexamic acid (n = 222 casualties) with no adverse effects. CONCLUSION: The experience of the IDF-MC teams in caring for civilian casualties along a hostile international border is unique. In this capacity, the IDF-MC has demonstrated effectiveness in providing lifesaving and resuscitative interventions including tranexamic acid and freeze-dried plasma. In this experience, tourniquets have been effective in controlling hemorrhage when applied early and endotracheal intubation and cricothyroidotomy have provided effective airway options in select patients. Prehospital combat casualty care presents a significant challenge both in terms of providing adequate care and in terms of data collection and analysis. The experience described in this article is one example of effective, ongoing prehospital data gathering process. Efforts to provide medical relief to victims of the Syrian civil war continue to this day. While we hope for a better future, as long as these lessons continue to accumulate, it is our obligation to use them to support improvement of trauma care and hopefully save more lives. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, level III.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Reconditioned in Their Own Serum Exhibit Augmented Therapeutic Properties in the Setting of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising form of therapy for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The objective of this study was twofold: (a) to characterize cytokine expression in serum from ARDS subjects receiving MSCs and (b) to determine MSC function following "preconditioning" with ARDS serum. In phase I, serum from three cohorts of animals (uninjured [no ARDS, n = 4], injured untreated [n = 5], and injured treated with approximately 6 million per kilogram MSCs [n = 7]) was analyzed for expression of inflammatory mediators. In phase II, the functional properties of bone marrow porcine MSCs were assessed following "preconditioning" with serum from the three cohorts. In phase III, the findings from the previous phases were validated using human bone marrow MSCs (hBM-MSCs) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Serum from injured treated animals had significantly lower levels of interferon-γ and significantly higher levels of interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) and IL-6. Similarly, upon exposure to the injured treated serum ex vivo, the MSCs secreted higher levels of IL-1RA and IL-10, dampened the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, exhibited upregulation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) genes, and triggered a strong immunomodulatory response via prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ). hBM-MSCs demonstrated a similar augmented therapeutic function following reconditioning in a LPS milieu. Administration of MSCs modulated the inflammatory milieu following ARDS. Exposure to ARDS serum ex vivo paralleled the trends seen in vivo, which appear to be mediated, in part, through TLR-4 and VEGF and PGE2 . Reconditioning MSCs in their own serum potentiates their immunotherapeutic function, a technique that can be used in clinical applications. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2019;8:1092-1106.

The promise of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for acute respiratory distress syndrome.

This review describes the current state of the science on mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) treatment for acute lung injury (ALI). The general characteristics, regenerative potential, and mechanism of action of MSCs are first presented. Next, particular emphasis is placed on the application of MSCs for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in preclinical and clinical studies. Finally, we discuss current challenges and future directions in the field presented from a clinician-researcher perspective. The objective of this work is to provide the readership with a current review of the literature discussing the hurdles and overall promise of MSCs as therapeutic interventions for the treatment of ARDS.

The effect of acute respiratory distress syndrome on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

BACKGROUND: It is known that, following a physiological insult, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) mobilize and home to the site of injury. However, the effect of injury on the function of endogenous MSCs is unknown. In this study, MSCs harvested from the bone marrow of swine with or without acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) were assessed for their characteristics and therapeutic function. METHODS: MSCs were harvested from three groups of anesthetized and mechanically ventilated swine (n = 3 in each group): 1) no ARDS ('Uninjured' group); 2) ARDS induced via smoke inhalation and 40% burn and treated with inhaled epinephrine ('Injured Treated' group); and 3) ARDS without treatment ('Injured Untreated' group). Cellular evaluation of the three groups included: flow cytometry for MSC markers; colony forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F) assay; proliferative and metabolic capacity; gene expression using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR); and a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge, with or without coculture with mononuclear cells (MNCs), for evaluation of their protein secretion profile using Multiplex. Statistical analysis was performed using one- or two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a Tukey's post-test; a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Cells from all groups exhibited nearly 100% expression of MSC surface markers and retained their multidifferentiation capacity. However, the MSCs from the 'Injured Untreated' group generated a significantly higher number of colonies compared with the other two groups (p < 0.0001), indicative of increased clonogenic capacity following ARDS. Following an LPS challenge, the MSCs from the 'Injured Untreated' group exhibited a significant reduction in their proliferative capacity (p = 0.0002), significant downregulation in the expression of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1; p < 0.001), Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 (p < 0.01), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF; p < 0.05) genes, and significantly diminished secretory capacity for the inflammatory mediators interleukin (IL)-6 (p < 0.0001), IL-8 (p < 0.05), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (p < 0.05) compared with the 'Uninjured' group. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that, following ARDS, there is an increase in the clonogenic capacity of MSCs to increase the available stem cell pool in vivo. However, MSCs harvested from subjects with ARDS seem to exhibit a diminished capacity to proliferate, express regenerative signals, and secrete pro/anti-inflammatory mediators.

Short-term physiological hypoxia potentiates the therapeutic function of mesenchymal stem cells.

BACKGROUND: In the bone marrow, MSCs reside in a hypoxic milieu (1-5% O2) that is thought to preserve their multipotent state. Typically, in vitro expansion of MSCs is performed under normoxia (~ 21% O2), a process that has been shown to impair their function. Here, we evaluated the characteristics and function of MSCs cultured under hypoxia and hypothesized that, when compared to normoxia, dedicated hypoxia will augment the functional characteristics of MSCs. METHODS: Human and porcine bone marrow MSCs were obtained from fresh mononuclear cells. The first study evaluated MSC function following both long-term (10 days) and short-term (48 h) hypoxia (1% O2) culture. In our second study, we evaluated the functional characteristics of MSC cultured under short-term 2% and 5% hypoxia. MSCs were evaluated for their metabolic activity, proliferation, viability, clonogenicity, gene expression, and secretory capacity. RESULTS: In long-term culture, common MSC surface marker expression (CD44 and CD105) dropped under hypoxia. Additionally, in long-term culture, MSCs proliferated significantly slower and provided lower yields under hypoxia. Conversely, in short-term culture, MSCs proliferated significantly faster under hypoxia. In both long-term and short-term cultures, MSC metabolic activity was significantly higher under hypoxia. Furthermore, MSCs cultured under hypoxia had upregulated expression of VEGF with concomitant downregulation of HMGB1 and the apoptotic genes BCL-2 and CASP3. Finally, in both hypoxia cultures, the pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL-8, was suppressed, while levels of the anti-inflammatories, IL-1ra and GM-CSF, were elevated in short-term hypoxia only. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we demonstrate that hypoxia augments the therapeutic characteristics of both porcine and human MSCs. Yet, short-term 2% hypoxia offers the greatest benefit overall, exemplified by the increase in proliferation, self-renewing capacity, and modulation of key genes and the inflammatory milieu as compared to normoxia. These data are important for generating robust MSCs with augmented function for clinical applications.

Antibiotic Treatment - What Can Be Learned from Point of Injury Experience?

Introduction: Early antibiotic administration after trauma reduces infection rates of open wounds. A clinical practice guideline (CPG) was created to ensure that wounded personnel who are not expected to arrive at the hospital within an hour receive antibiotic treatment in the field. This study evaluated how well-advanced life saver (ALS) providers complied with Israeli Defense Force (IDF) CPG. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of all trauma patients between November 2011 and January 2015 was conducted. All casualties who suffered from penetrating injuries with evacuation times greater than 60 min were examined. Casualties who should have received antibiotic treatment in accordance with the IDF CPG were further divided into those who received antibiotics (i.e., "Antibiotic" group) and those who did not receive antibiotic treatment (i.e., "No Antibiotics" group). Results: For a 3-yr period, a total of 5,142 casualties occurred in the pre-hospital environment. According to parameters established in the CPG, 600 casualties should have received antibiotic treatment. Of these patients, only 49 (8.2%) received antibiotic treatment. Comparative analysis between these groups revealed no significant differences in regards to gender, age, and time to MTF; however, significant differences were found in regards to injury severity score (ISS) (p < 0.01), care under fire (i.e., treatment at a combat zone) criteria (p < 0.00001), and life-saving interventions (p < 0.005). Discussion: Although the reasons for poor adherence to IDF CPG's are not entirely clear, the data suggest that the severity of the injuries sustained by these casualties requiring a greater number of LSIs, longer evacuation distances, and a more hostile battlefield environment may each contribute to poor adherence. Since this has been identified as a training gap, the importance of antibiotic administration at point of injury in delayed evacuation scenarios has been reinforced.

Battlefield pain management: A view of 17 years in Israel Defense Forces.

BACKGROUND: Pain control in trauma is an integral part of treatment in combat casualty care (CCC). More soldiers injured on the battlefield will need analgesics for pain than those who will need lifesaving interventions (LSI). It has been shown that early treatment of pain improves outcomes after traumatic injury, whereas inadequate treatment leads to higher rates of PTSD. The purpose of this article is to report the Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps (IDF-MC) experience with point of injury (POI) use of analgesia. METHODS: All cases documented in the IDF Trauma Registry (ITR) between January 1997 and December 2014 were examined. All cases of POI pain medications were extracted. Data collection included mechanism of injury, wound distribution, pain medication administered, mortality, and provider type. RESULTS: Of 8,576 patients, 1,056 (12.3%) patients who had at least one documented pain management treatment were included in this study. Demographics of the study population included 94.2% men and 5.8% women with a median age of 21 years. Injury mechanisms included 40.3% blast injuries (n = 426) and 29% gunshot injuries (306). Of 1,513 injured body regions reported, 52% (787) were extremity wounds (upper and lower), 23% (353) were truncal wounds, and 17.7% (268) were head and neck injuries. A total of 1,469 episodes of analgesic treatment were reported. The most common types of analgesics were morphine (74.7%, 1,097 episodes), ketamine (9.6%, 141 episodes), and fentanyl (13.6%, 200 episodes). Of the patients, 39% (413) received more than one type of analgesic. In 90.5% of cases, analgesia was administered by a physician or a paramedic. Over the span of the study period (1997-2014), types of analgesics given by providers at POI had changed, as fentanyl was introduced to providers. A total of 801 LSIs were performed on 379 (35.9%) patients receiving analgesia, and no adverse events were found in any of the casualties. CONCLUSION: Most casualties at POI did not receive any analgesics while on the battlefield. The most common analgesics administered at POI were opioids and the most common route of administration was intravenously. This study provides evidence that over time analgesic administration has gained acceptance and has been more common place on the battlefield. Increasingly, more casualties are receiving pain management treatment early in CCC along with LSIs. We hope that this shift will impact CCC by reducing PTSD and overall morbidity resulting from inadequate management of acute pain.

Controlling Arteriogenesis and Mast Cells Are Central to Bioengineering Solutions for Critical Bone Defect Repair Using Allografts.

Although most fractures heal, critical defects in bone fail due to aberrant differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells towards fibrosis rather than osteogenesis. While conventional bioengineering solutions to this problem have focused on enhancing angiogenesis, which is required for bone formation, recent studies have shown that fibrotic non-unions are associated with arteriogenesis in the center of the defect and accumulation of mast cells around large blood vessels. Recently, recombinant parathyroid hormone (rPTH; teriparatide; Forteo) therapy have shown to have anti-fibrotic effects on non-unions and critical bone defects due to inhibition of arteriogenesis and mast cell numbers within the healing bone. As this new direction holds great promise towards a solution for significant clinical hurdles in craniofacial reconstruction and limb salvage procedures, this work reviews the current state of the field, and provides insights as to how teriparatide therapy could be used as an adjuvant for healing critical defects in bone. Finally, as teriparatide therapy is contraindicated in the setting of cancer, which constitutes a large subset of these patients, we describe early findings of adjuvant therapies that may present future promise by directly inhibiting arteriogenesis and mast cell accumulation at the defect site.

BMP6-Engineered MSCs Induce Vertebral Bone Repair in a Pig Model: A Pilot Study.

Osteoporotic patients, incapacitated due to vertebral compression fractures (VCF), suffer grave financial and clinical burden. Current clinical treatments focus on symptoms' management but do not combat the issue at the source. In this pilot study, allogeneic, porcine mesenchymal stem cells, overexpressing the BMP6 gene (MSC-BMP6), were suspended in fibrin gel and implanted into a vertebral defect to investigate their effect on bone regeneration in a clinically relevant, large animal pig model. To check the effect of the BMP6-modified cells on bone regeneration, a fibrin gel only construct was used for comparison. Bone healing was evaluated in vivo at 6 and 12 weeks and ex vivo at 6 months. In vivo CT showed bone regeneration within 6 weeks of implantation in the MSC-BMP6 group while only minor bone formation was seen in the defect site of the control group. After 6 months, ex vivo analysis demonstrated enhanced bone regeneration in the BMP6-MSC group, as compared to control. This preclinical study presents an innovative, potentially minimally invasive, technique that can be used to induce bone regeneration using allogeneic gene modified MSCs and therefore revolutionize current treatment of challenging conditions, such as osteoporosis-related VCFs.