Co-Administration of Resolvin D1 and Peripheral Nerve-Derived Stem Cell Spheroids as a Therapeutic Strategy in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI), primarily caused by trauma, leads to permanent and lasting loss of motor, sensory, and autonomic functions. Current therapeutic strategies are focused on mitigating secondary injury, a crucial aspect of SCI pathophysiology. Among these strategies, stem cell therapy has shown considerable therapeutic potential. This study builds on our previous work, which demonstrated the functional recovery and neuronal regeneration capabilities of peripheral nerve-derived stem cell (PNSC) spheroids, which are akin to neural crest stem cells, in SCI models. However, the limited anti-inflammatory capacity of PNSC spheroids necessitates a combined therapeutic approach. As a result, we investigated the potential of co-administering resolvin D1 (RvD1), known for its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, with PNSC spheroids. In vitro analysis confirmed RvD1's anti-inflammatory activity and its inhibitory effect on pro-inflammatory cytokines. In vivo studies involving a rat SCI model demonstrated that combined therapy of RvD1 and PNSC spheroids outperformed monotherapies, exhibiting enhanced neuronal regeneration and anti-inflammatory effects as validated through behavior tests, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry. Thus, our findings suggest that the combined application of RvD1 and PNSC spheroids may represent a novel therapeutic approach for SCI management.

Peripheral Nerve-Derived Stem Cell Spheroids Induce Functional Recovery and Repair after Spinal Cord Injury in Rodents.

Stem cell therapy is one of the most promising candidate treatments for spinal cord injury. Research has shown optimistic results for this therapy, but clinical limitations remain, including poor viability, engraftment, and differentiation. Here, we isolated novel peripheral nerve-derived stem cells (PNSCs) from adult peripheral nerves with similar characteristics to neural-crest stem cells. These PNSCs expressed neural-crest specific markers and showed multilineage differentiation potential into Schwann cells, neuroglia, neurons, and mesodermal cells. In addition, PNSCs showed therapeutic potential by releasing the neurotrophic factors, including glial cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor, insulin-like growth factor, nerve growth factor, and neurotrophin-3. PNSC abilities were also enhanced by their development into spheroids which secreted neurotrophic factors several times more than non-spheroid PNSCs and expressed several types of extra cellular matrix. These features suggest that the potential for these PNSC spheroids can overcome their limitations. In an animal spinal cord injury (SCI) model, these PNSC spheroids induced functional recovery and neuronal regeneration. These PNSC spheroids also reduced the neuropathic pain which accompanies SCI after remyelination. These PNSC spheroids may represent a new therapeutic approach for patients suffering from SCI.

IDH1 R132C mutation is detected in clear cell hepatocellular carcinoma by pyrosequencing.

BACKGROUND: Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutation is common in low-grade glioma (approximately 80%) and acute myeloid leukemia (approximately 10%). Other than brain tumor or hematologic malignancies, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCC) is a well-known solid tumor with IDH1 mutation (6.8-20%). Histologically, poor differentiation and clear cell change are associated with IDH1 mutation in iCC. Since hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) shares histologic features with iCC, some specific subtypes of HCC might show a higher IDH1 mutation rate than reported before (0.5-1.5%). METHODS: Forty-six cases of iCC and 48 cases of HCC (including 20 cases of clear cell type and 13 cases of pseudoglandular pattern) were tested for IDH1 mutation by pyrosequencing. RESULTS: Three cases in iCC (6.5%) and five cases in HCC (10.4%) had IDH1 mutation, all of which were Arg132Cys. IDH1 mutant HCCs were all clear cell type. Although the IDH1 mutation rate between iCC and HCC demonstrated no significant difference, clear cell HCC revealed statistically increased mutation rate compared to that of HCC without clear cell change (P = 0.009). Presence of IDH1 mutation was related with poor survival in clear cell HCC patients (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Clear cell HCC showed higher frequency of IDH1 mutation rate than other variants of HCC. This result consolidates the assumption that morphological features of tumors reflect molecular alterations.

NFI-C regulates osteoblast differentiation via control of osterix expression.

In bone marrow, bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) have the capacity to differentiate into osteoblasts and adipocytes. Age-related osteoporosis is associated with a reciprocal decrease of osteogenesis and an increase of adipogenesis in bone marrow. In this study, we demonstrate that disruption of nuclear factor I-C (NFI-C) impairs osteoblast differentiation and bone formation, and increases bone marrow adipocytes. Interestingly, NFI-C controls postnatal bone formation but does not influence prenatal bone development. We also found decreased NFI-C expression in osteogenic cells from human osteoporotic patients. Notably, transplantation of Nfic-overexpressing BMSCs stimulates osteoblast differentiation and new bone formation, but inhibits adipocyte differentiation by suppressing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma expression in Nfic(-/-) mice showing an age-related osteoporosis-like phenotype. Finally, NFI-C directly regulates Osterix expression but acts downstream of the bone morphogenetic protein-2-Runx2 pathway. These results suggest that NFI-C acts as a transcriptional switch in cell fate determination between osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation in BMSCs. Therefore, regulation of NFI-C expression in BMSCs could be a novel therapeutic approach for treating age-related osteoporosis.

ODAM inhibits RhoA-dependent invasion in breast cancer.

Odontogenic ameloblast-associated protein (ODAM) contributes to cell adhesion. In human cancer, ODAM is down-regulated, and the overexpression of ODAM results in a favourable prognosis; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying ODAM-mediated inhibition of cancer invasion and metastasis remain unclear. Here, we identify a critical role for ODAM in inducing cancer cell adhesion. ODAM induced RhoA activity and the expression of downstream factors, including Rho-associated kinase (ROCK). ODAM-mediated RhoA signalling resulted in actin filament rearrangement by activating PTEN and inhibiting the phosphorylation of AKT. When ODAM is overexpressed in MCF7 breast cancer cells and AGS gastric cancer cells that activate RhoA at high levels, it decreases motility, increases adhesion and inhibits the metastasis of MCF7 cells. Conversely, depletion of ODAM in cancer cells inhibits Rho GTPase activation, resulting in increased cancer migration and invasion. These results suggest that ODAM expression in cells maintains their adhesion, resulting in the prevention of their metastasis via the regulation of RhoA signalling in breast cancer cells. SIGNIFICANCE Breast cancer represents the first most frequent cancer, and the ratio of mortality is high in women. Of utmost importance for reducing risk by breast cancer are their anti-invasion mechanisms, particularly in the non-invasive cancer cells because metastasis is the principal cause of death among cancer patients. ODAM induced RhoA activity. ODAM-mediated RhoA signalling resulted in actin filament rearrangement, increased cell adhesion and inhibited the migration/invasion of MCF7 cells. These results suggest that ODAM expression maintains their adhesion, resulting in the prevention of their metastasis via the regulation of RhoA signalling in breast cancer cells.

Repeated intrathecal injections of peripheral nerve-derived stem cell spheroids improve outcomes in a rat model of traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of disability and mortality worldwide. However, existing treatments still face numerous clinical challenges. Building on our prior research showing peripheral nerve-derived stem cell (PNSC) spheroids with Schwann cell-like phenotypes can secrete neurotrophic factors to aid in neural tissue regeneration, we hypothesized that repeated intrathecal injections of PNSC spheroids would improve the delivery of neurotrophic factors, thereby facilitating the restoration of neurological function and brain tissue repair post-TBI. METHODS: We generated PNSC spheroids from human peripheral nerve tissue using suspension culture techniques. These spheroids were characterized using flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The conditioned media were evaluated in SH-SY5Y and RAW264.7 cell lines to assess their effects on neurogenesis and inflammation. To simulate TBI, we established a controlled cortical impact (CCI) model in rats. The animals were administered intrathecal injections of PNSC spheroids on three occasions, with each injection spaced at a 3-day interval. Recovery of sensory and motor function was assessed using the modified neurological severity score (mNSS) and rotarod tests, while histological (hematoxylin and eosin, Luxol fast blue staining) and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging analyses, alongside immunofluorescence, were conducted to evaluate the recovery of neural structures and pathophysiology. RESULTS: PNSC spheroids expressed high levels of Schwann cell markers and neurotrophic factors, such as neurotrophin-3 and Ephrin B3. Their conditioned medium was found to promote neurite outgrowth, reduce reactive oxygen species-mediated cell death and inflammation, and influence M1-M2 macrophage polarization. In the CCI rat model, rats receiving repeated triple intrathecal injections of PNSC spheroids showed significant improvements in sensory and motor function, with considerable neural tissue recovery in damaged areas. Notably, this treatment promoted nerve regeneration, axon regrowth, and remyelination. It also reduced glial scar formation and inflammation, while encouraging angiogenesis. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that repeated intrathecal injections of PNSC spheroids can significantly enhance neural recovery after TBI. This effect is mediated by the diverse neurotrophic factors secreted by PNSC spheroids. Thus, the strategy of combining therapeutic cell delivery with multiple intrathecal injections holds promise as a novel clinical treatment for TBI recovery.

Adipose-derived stem cells on the healing of ischemic colitis: a therapeutic effect by angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND: There has been no specific treatment for ischemic colitis. We verified the effects of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) on ischemia-induced colitis in a rat model. METHODS: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats (10 weeks old; weight, 350 ± 20 g) were divided into two groups: a control group (only fibrinogen and thrombin injected, n = 20) and an ASC group (local implantation of ASCs mixed with thrombin and fibrinogen, n = 20). An ischemic colitis model was established by modifying Nagahata's methods with double-blind randomization. ASCs (1 × 10(6) cells) were implanted intramurally into the ischemic area using a fibrin glue mixture. The severity of adhesion, degree of ileus, the number and size of the ulcers, Wallace macroscopic and microscopic scores, and microvascular density were measured. RESULTS: The degree of ileus was significantly lower, and significantly fewer and smaller ulcerations were found in the ASC group than those in the control group. Wallace macroscopic and microscopic scores were lower in the ASC group than in the control group (1.90 ± 1.22 versus 3.25 ± 1.83, p < 0.01 and 1.55 ± 1.88 versus 2.84 ± 1.89, p < 0.05, respectively). Microvascular density was higher in the ASC group than in the control (54.45 ± 19.45 versus 26.54 ± 13.14, p < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Local implantation of ASCs into an ischemic-injured colonic wall reduced the grade of ischemic injury and enhanced tissue healing by promoting angiogenesis.

Lung injury induced by the pulmonary instillation of povidone-iodine in rats.

PURPOSE: Povidone-iodine (polyvinylpyrrolidone iodine, PI), which is commonly used as a pre- and postoperative oral antiseptic, has been reported to cause pneumonia secondary to its pulmonary aspiration. Because no studies have yet investigated the underlying mechanisms of PI-induced pneumonia, we conducted an animal study to analyze the effect of PI on the lung following its pulmonary instillation. METHODS: The lungs of 61 male Sprague-Dawley rats (150-250 g) were instilled with varying volumes of either phosphate-buffered saline or PI solutions varying in strength from 0.01% to 10%. The lungs were harvested from the rats 1 h or 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, or 21 days after instillation for radiologic examination, macroscopic and light and scanning electron microscopic assessment, and an assessment of pulmonary toxicity using an MTT-based cytotoxicity assay. RESULTS: Macroscopically, atelectasis was the primary pulmonary lesion after PI instillation. The primary light and scanning electron microscopic findings were an initial inflammatory phase with edema, alveolar rupture, and leukocyte infiltration into the pulmonary interstitium, which progressed into a phase of lung parenchyma loss, and then resolved itself with scar tissue formation. Lung tissue viability following 1-day exposure to 0.01%, 0.1%, 1%, or 5% PI progressively decreased in a significant dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: PI aspiration can cause lung injury, including pulmonary fibrosis.

Novel GSK-3ß Inhibitor Neopetroside A Protects Against Murine Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury.

Recent trends suggest novel natural compounds as promising treatments for cardiovascular disease. The authors examined how neopetroside A, a natural pyridine nucleoside containing an α-glycoside bond, regulates mitochondrial metabolism and heart function and investigated its cardioprotective role against ischemia/reperfusion injury. Neopetroside A treatment maintained cardiac hemodynamic status and mitochondrial respiration capacity and significantly prevented cardiac fibrosis in murine models. These effects can be attributed to preserved cellular and mitochondrial function caused by the inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta, which regulates the ratio of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, reduced, through activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 axis in a phosphorylation-independent manner.

Bilateral symmetrical lipoma of the buccal fat pad as an incidental finding in a woman with weight gain after tamoxifen: a case report.

Although lipoma is a common benign tumor, it occurs relatively infrequently in the oral and maxillofacial areas, and only 31 cases of lipoma in the buccal fat pad have been reported. Herein, we present an extremely rare case of symmetric lipomas in both buccal fat pads. These masses were incidentally discovered during a facelift procedure in a 50-year-old woman with a 4-year history of tamoxifen use. during which she had gained 10 kg. The patient stated that cheek protrusion had developed concomitantly with weight gain and was exacerbated by an injection lipolysis procedure she had received 1 year previously. This case underscores the importance of paying careful attention to the patient's medication use and surgical history when evaluating suspected cases of lipoma, and sheds light on tamoxifen use and subcutaneous injections of phosphatidylcholine and deoxycholate as potential risk factors for lipoma development.

Retropharyngeal chordoma extending to the spinal cord, mimicking a neurogenic tumor: a case report and literature review.

Chordomas are rare, locally aggressive bone malignancies with poor prognoses. However, those with minimal or no bone involvement are more easily resectable because of their well-delineated margins and thus have better prognoses. Such extraosseous chordomas of the spine are localized both intradurally and extradurally. Only a few case reports have focused on extraosseous, extradural spinal chordomas. Radiologically, this type of chordoma has a dumbbell shape; however, dumbbell-shaped spinal tumors are traditionally thought to be neurogenic tumors (i.e., schwannomas or neurofibromas). We herein report a unique case involving a woman with a dumbbell-shaped extraosseous chordoma protruding predominantly into the retropharyngeal space. A 44-year-old woman presented for evaluation of a left submandibular mass. A T2-hyperintense, gadolinium-enhancing mass was found in her cervical spinal canal, protruding through the C2/3 neural foramen into the retropharyngeal space with minimal vertebral involvement. The initial diagnosis was a neurogenic tumor, most likely a schwannoma. After subtotal removal, the pathologic diagnosis was a chordoma. Because chordomas and schwannomas have significantly different prognoses, caution is warranted when a dumbbell-shaped tumor is identified in the spine with minimal or no vertebral deterioration on radiology. This report also provides the first thorough review of extraosseous dumbbell-shaped intraspinal-extraspinal chordomas.

Intramyocardial delivery of human cardiac stem cell spheroids with enhanced cell engraftment ability and cardiomyogenic potential for myocardial infarct repair.

Strategies for stem cell-based cardiac regeneration and repair are key issues for the ischemic heart disease (IHD) patients with chronic complications related to ischemic necrosis. Cardiac stem cells (CSCs) have demonstrated high therapeutic efficacy for IHD treatment owing to their specific cardiac-lineage commitment. The therapeutic potential of CSCs could be further enhanced by designing a cellular spheroid formulation. The spheroid culture condition of CSCs was optimized to ensure regulated size and minimal core necrosis in the spheroids. The CSC spheroids revealed mRNA profiles of the factors related to cardiac regeneration, angiogenesis, anti-inflammatory, and cardiomyocyte differentiation with a higher expression level than the CSCs. Intramyocardially delivered CSC spheroids in the rat IHD model resulted in a significant increase in retention rate by 1.82-fold (day 3) and 1.98-fold (day 14) compared to CSCs. Endothelial cell differentiation and neovascularization of the engrafted CSC spheroids were noted in the infarcted myocardium. CSC spheroids significantly promoted cardiac regeneration: i.e., decreased infarction and fibrotic area (11.22% and 4.18%) and increased left ventricle thickness (0.62 mm) compared to the untreated group. Cardiac performance was also improved by 2.04-fold and 1.44-fold increase in the ejection fraction and fractional shortening, respectively. Intramyocardial administration of CSC spheroids might serve as an advanced therapeutic modality with enhanced cell engraftment and regenerative abilities for cardiac repair after myocardial infarction.

Ex vivo organ culture of adipose tissue for in situ mobilization of adipose-derived stem cells and defining the stem cell niche.

In spite of the advances in the knowledge of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), in situ location of ASCs and the niche component of adipose tissue (AT) remain controversial due to the lack of an appropriate culture system. Here we describe a fibrin matrix-supported three-dimensional (3D) organ culture system for AT which sustains the ASC niche and allows for in situ mobilization and expansion of ASCs in vitro. AT fragments were completely encapsulated within the fibrin matrix and cultured under dynamic condition. The use of organ culture of AT resulted in a robust outgrowth and proliferation in the fibrin matrix. The outgrown cells were successfully recovered from fibrin by urokinase treatment. These outgrown cells fulfilled the criteria of mesenchymal stem cells, adherence to plastic, multilineage differentiation, and cell surface molecule expression. In vitro label retaining assay revealed that newly divided cells during the culture resided in interstitium between adipocytes and capillary endothelial cells. These interstitial stromal cells proliferated and outgrew into the fibrin matrix. Both in situ mobilized and outgrown cells expressed CD146 and alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA), but no endothelial cell markers (CD31 and CD34). The structural integrity and spatial approximation of CD31(-)/CD34(-)/CD146(+)/SMA(+) interstitial stromal cells, adipocytes, and capillary endothelial cells were well preserved during in vitro culture. Our results suggest that ASCs are natively associated with the capillary wall and more specifically, belong to a subset of pericytes. Furthermore, organ culture of AT within a fibrin matrix-supported 3D environment can recapitulate the ASC niche in vitro.

Effect of stem cells and fibrin concentration on the vascularization of the Medpor orbital implant.

BACKGROUND: To determine the effect of adipose-derived adult stem cells (ADASCs) and optimal concentration of fibrin on fibrovascular ingrowth into porous polyethylene orbital implants (Medpor). METHODS: Medpor sheet treated with O.25% fibrin only and ADASCs in mixtures containing fibrin (0.25%, 0.5% or 1.25%) were applied to a Medpor sheet and implanted in the back of each of 20 athymic nude mice. After 10 days, implants were removed and observed for fibrovascularization and stability. Haemoglobin, collagen and cellular DNA content were determined in quantitative assays. RESULTS: Haemoglobin, collagen and cellular DNA levels were significantly higher in ADASC group than in the cell-free implant (0.25% fibrin only) group (P < 0.01). The level of haemoglobin and collagen content was significantly higher in the ADASC + 0.5% fibrin group among the ADASC and fibrin mixtures (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: ADASCs significantly improved fibrovascularization on Medpor compared with implants alone. Fibrin, used together with ADASCs to potentiate fibrovascularization, was most effective at concentrations of 0.5%.

Characterization of human cardiac mesenchymal stromal cells and their extracellular vesicles comparing with human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Cardiac regeneration with adult stem-cell (ASC) therapy is a promising field to address advanced cardiovascular diseases. In addition, extracellular vesicles (EVs) from ASCs have been implicated in acting as paracrine factors to improve cardiac functions in ASC therapy. In our work, we isolated human cardiac mesenchymal stromal cells (h-CMSCs) by means of three-dimensional organ culture (3D culture) during ex vivo expansion of cardiac tissue, to compare the functional efficacy with human bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (h-BM-MSCs), one of the actively studied ASCs. We characterized the h-CMSCs as CD90low, c-kitnegative, CD105positive phenotype and these cells express NANOG, SOX2, and GATA4. To identify the more effective type of EVs for angiogenesis among the different sources of ASCs, we isolated EVs which were derived from CMSCs with either normoxic or hypoxic condition and BM-MSCs. Our in vitro tube-formation results demonstrated that the angiogenic effects of EVs from hypoxia-treated CMSCs (CMSC-Hpx EVs) were greater than the well-known effects of EVs from BM-MSCs (BM-MSC EVs), and these were even comparable to human vascular endothelial growth factor (hVEGF), a potent angiogenic factor. Therefore, we present here that CD90lowc-kitnegativeCD105positive CMSCs under hypoxic conditions secrete functionally superior EVs for in vitro angiogenesis. Our findings will allow more insights on understanding myocardial repair. [BMB Reports 2020; 53(2): 118-123].

Expression of pro-angiogenic cytokines and their inhibition by dexamethasone in an ex vivo model of nasal polyps.

We used an organ culture of nasal polyps (NP) to provide ex vivo model to study the expression of pro-angiogenic cytokines and the effect of glucocorticoids in the pathogenesis of NP. Glucocorticoids are the drugs of choice for clinical treatment of NP; however, their mechanism of action is not fully understood. The cell-cell and cell-matrix integrity is well maintained in cultured NP. Expression of IL-6, IL-8, bFGF, GRO, and MCP-1 was increased in cultured NP compared to pre-cultured NP. Expression levels of IL-6, bFGF, and GRO in cultured NP were downregulated by dexamethasone (DEX) treatment, while MCP-1 expression was not suppressed. Further, RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis showed that HIF-1alpha and VEGF were suppressed in DEX-treated NP compared to untreated NP. Taken together, these results suggest that ex vivo organ culture can be considered a useful model to study the pathogenesis and regulation of pro-angiogenic cytokines in nasal polypogenesis.

The effects of hemodilution on acute inflammatory responses in a bleomycin-induced lung injury model.

Acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) can be used in acute lung injury (ALI) patients who refuse blood transfusions. To investigate the effects of hemodilution on the acute inflammatory response in lung injury, the authors studied the effects of ANH in a rat model of bleomycin-induced lung injury. Bleomycin (10 mg/kg) was used to induce lung injury in 2 groups of rats. The treatment groups included a lung injury group with hemodilution (HI), a lung injury group without hemodilution (NHI), and a control group. Hemodilution was performed by removing blood and substituting the same amount of hydroxyethyl starch solution targeted to 7.0 g/dL via the right and left internal jugular veins. At day 3 after bleomycin instillation, systemic hemoglobin concentration was 9.5 +/- 1.1 g/dL. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, and interleukin-6 levels measured in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), blood, and lung tissue were not significantly different between the HI and NHI groups 3 days after lung injury. Microscopic findings showed fibrosis and inflammation in the HI and NHI groups 28 days after lung injury, but no significant differences were found between the 2 groups. Hemodilution after bleomycin administration did not further affect the acute inflammatory response or lung injury.

Intra-articular delivery of synovium-resident mesenchymal stem cells via BMP-7-loaded fibrous PLGA scaffolds for cartilage repair.

Delivery of synovium-resident mesenchymal stem cells (synMSCs) to cartilage defect site might provide a novel therapeutic modality for treatment of articular cartilage diseases. However, low isolation efficiency of synMSCs limits their therapeutic application. Niche-preserving non-enzymatic isolation of synMSCs was firstly attempted by employing micro-organ culture system based on recapitulating tissue-specific homeostasis ex vivo. The isolated synMSCs retained superior long-term growth competency, proliferation and chondrogenic potential to bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs). It was noted that synMSCs demonstrated 9-fold increase in cartilaginous micro-tissue formation and 13-fold increase in sulfated proteoglycans deposition compared to BMSCs. For delivery of synMSCs, fibrous PLGA scaffolds were specifically designed for full-thickness osteochondral defects in rabbits. The scaffolds provided effective micro-environment for growth and host-integration of synMSCs. Combined delivery of synMSCs with bone morphogenetic proteins-7 (BMP-7) was designed to achieve synergistic therapeutic efficacy. BMP-7-loaded PLGA nanoparticles electrosprayed onto the scaffolds released BMP-7 over 2 weeks to conform with its aimed role in stimulating early stage endochondral ossification. Scaffold-supported combined administration of synMSCs with BMP-7 resulted in high proteoglycan and collagen type II induction and thick hyaline cartilage formation. Intra-articular co-delivery of synMSCs with BMP-7 via fibrous PLGA scaffolds may be a promising therapeutic modality for articular cartilage repair.

Mesenchymal hamartoma in nasopharynx: a case report.

Hamartoma in the nasopharynx of the children is especially rare. Most documented cases occurred in infants, with characteristic histologic features of a mixture of various mesenchymal tissues. We report a case arising in a 15-year-old male patient, who presented with a 1-month history of right-sided nasal obstruction. The mass was resected endoscopically and confirmed histologically as a lymphoid hamartoma. We report and discuss the pathological features of this rare nasopharyngeal hamartoma.

Engineered extracellular microenvironment with a tunable mechanical property for controlling cell behavior and cardiomyogenic fate of cardiac stem cells.

Endogenous cardiac stem cells (CSCs) are known to play a certain role in the myocardial homeostasis of the adult heart. The extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding CSCs provides mechanical signals to regulate a variety of cell behaviors, yet the impact in the adult heart of these mechanical properties of ECM on CSC renewal and fate decisions is mostly unknown. To elucidate CSC mechanoresponses at the individual cell and myocardial level, we used the sol-to-gel transitional gelatin-poly(ethylene glycol)-tyramine (GPT) hydrogel with a tunable mechanical property to construct a three-dimensional (3D) matrix for culturing native myocardium and CSCs. The elastic modulus of the GPT hydrogel was controlled by adjusting cross-linking density using hydrogen peroxide. The GPT hydrogel showed an ability to transduce integrin-mediated signals into the myocardium and to permit myocardial homeostatic processes in vitro, including CSC migration and proliferation into the hydrogel from the myocardium. Decreasing the elastic modulus of the hydrogel resulted in upregulation of phosphorylated integrin-mediated signaling molecules in CSCs, which were associated with significant increases in cell spreading, migration, and proliferation of CSCs in a modulus-dependent manner. However, increasing the elastic modulus of hydrogel induced the arrest of cell growth but led to upregulation of cardiomyocyte-associated mRNAs in CSCs. This work demonstrates that tunable 3D-engineered microenvironments created by GPT hydrogel are able to control CSC behavior and to direct cardiomyogenic fate. Our system may also be appropriate for studying the mechanoresponse of CSCs in a 3D context as well as for developing therapeutic strategies for in situ myocardial regeneration. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides a physical framework of myocardial niches in which endogenous cardiac stem cells (CSCs) reside, renew, differentiate, and replace cardiac cells. Interactions between ECM and CSCs might be critical for the maintenance of myocardial homeostasis in the adult heart. Yet most studies done so far have used irrelevant cell types and have been performed at the individual cell level, none able to reflect the in vivo situation. By the use of a chemically defined hydrogel to create a tunable 3D microenvironment, we succeeded in controlling CSC behavior at the myocardial and individual cell level and directing the cardiomyogenic fate. Our work may provide insight into the design of biomaterials for in situ myocardial regeneration as well as for tissue engineering.