Human hair follicle-derived mesenchymal stem cells improve ovarian function in cyclophosphamide-induced POF mice.

Introduction: Mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) of different tissue origins have become a new option for the treatment of premature ovarian failure (POF) as they can recovery the ovarian function. However, there were rarely researches about human hair follicle-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HF-MSCs) in POF.

Objectives: In this study, we compared the effects of HF-MSCs and human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HU-MSCs) on POF models to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.

A novel exosome-based multifunctional nanocomposite platform driven by photothermal-controlled release system for repair of skin injury.

Currently, exosomes showed appropriate potential in the repair of skin injury. However, the functions of the exosomes could be compromised rapidly due to their short half-life and high clearance rate in vivo. In addition, the controlled release of effective concentrations of exosomes could increase the utilization efficiency of exosomes in wound healing.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes exert anti-inflammatory effects on osteoarthritis chondrocytes.

Inflammation of chondrocytes plays a critical role in the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis (OA). Recent evidence indicated exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs-Exos) exhibit excellent anti-inflammatory ability in many troublesome inflammatory diseases including OA. In the present study, we aimed to explore the role of human umbilical cord-derived MSCs-Exos (hUC-MSCs-Exos) in treating the inflammation of chondrocytes and its related mechanisms.

Exosomes derived from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells protect cartilage and regulate the polarization of macrophages in osteoarthritis.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common joint diseases and a major global public health concern. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been widely used for the treatment of OA owing to their paracrine secretion of trophic factors, a phenomenon in which exosomes may play a major role. Here, we investigate the potential of exosomes from human umbilical cord-derived MSCs (hUC-MSCs-Exos) in alleviating OA.

Soft substrates promote direct chemical reprogramming of fibroblasts into neurons.

Fibroblasts can be directly reprogrammed via a combination of small molecules to generate induced neurons (iNs), bypassing intermediate stages. This method holds great promise for regenerative medicine; however, it remains inefficient. Recently, studies have suggested that physical cues may improve the direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into neurons, but the underlying mechanisms remain to be further explored, and the physical factors reported to date do not exhibit the full properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM).

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles protect retina in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa by anti-inflammation through miR-146a-Nr4a3 axis.

Background: Retinitis pigmentosa is a rod-cone degenerative disease that induces irreversible vision loss. This study probed the protective capacity of mesenchymal stem cell-derived small EVs (MSC-EVs) on the retinas of rd10 mice and the underlying mechanism.

Methods: MSC-EVs were injected into the vitreous of rd10 mice at postnatal day 14 and P21; morphology and function were examined at P28.

Fracture Nonunion Treated with Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound and Monitored with Ultrasonography: A Feasibility Study.

The positive effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on bone fracture healing has been proved. However, during the period of LIPUS therapy, it is undetermined whether LIPUS promotes the formation of heterotopic ossification (HO), which usually occurs in muscle tissues after trauma such as bone fracture and spinal cord injury. Here, we used 6-week LIPUS therapy in a 42-year-old Chinese male patient with a fracture nonunion in combination with ultrasonography for monitoring fracture healing and HO formation.

MicroRNA-27b targets CBFB to inhibit differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into hypertrophic chondrocytes.

Background: Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) have chondrocyte differentiation potential and are considered to be a cell source for cell-transplantation-mediated repair of cartilage defects, including those associated with osteoarthritis (OA). However, chondrocyte hypertrophic differentiation is a major obstacle for the application of hBMSCs in articular cartilage defect treatment. We have previously shown that microRNA-27b (miR-27b) inhibits hypertrophy of chondrocytes from rat knee cartilage.

MSC-derived exosomes attenuate cell death through suppressing AIF nucleus translocation and enhance cutaneous wound healing.

Background: Skin wounding is very common and may be slow to heal. Increasing evidence shows that exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) dramatically enhance skin wound healing in a paracrine manner. However, the mechanism underlying this phenomenon has not yet been elucidated.

Ultrasonography Monitoring of Trauma-Induced Heterotopic Ossification: Guidance for Rehabilitation Procedures.

Traumatic injury is one of varying causes of heterotopic ossification (HO). After HO occurrence, rehabilitation training need alterations to avoid the aggravation of HO. Therefore, monitoring of HO development plays an important role in the rehabilitation procedure.

Analysis of differentially expressed genes among human hair follicle-derived iPSCs, induced hepatocyte-like cells, and primary hepatocytes.

Background: Differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into hepatocytes has important clinical significance in providing a new stem cell source for cell therapy of terminal liver disease. The differential gene expression analysis of hiPSCs, induced hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs), and primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) provides valuable information for optimization of an induction scheme and exploration of differentiation mechanisms.

Methods: Human hair follicle-derived iPSCs (hHF-iPSCs) were induced in vitro by mimicking the environment of a developing liver for 19 days.

Serum metabonomics study on antidiabetic effects of fenugreek flavonoids in streptozotocin-induced rats.

Fenugreek is a well-known medicinal plant used for treatment of diabetes. In this study, the antidiabetic effect of fenugreek flavonoids was investigated by metabonomics based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Fenugreek flavonoids were purified using polyamide resin and D101 macroporous adsorption resin, characterized by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, and administered to streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats for 28 days.

Effects of Matrix Stiffness on the Morphology, Adhesion, Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

BMMSCs have drawn great interest in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine attributable to their multi-lineage differentiation capacity. Increasing evidence has shown that the mechanical stiffness of extracellular matrix is a critical determinant for stem cell behaviors. However, it remains unknown how matrix stiffness influences MSCs commitment with changes in cell morphology, adhesion, proliferation, self-renewal and differentiation.

Efficient feeder cells preparation system for large-scale preparation and application of induced pluripotent stem cells.

Despite recent progress in the preparation of feeder cells for human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), there remain issues which limit the acquisition of feeder cells in large scale. Approaches for obtaining feeder cells quickly on a large scale are in immediate need. To reach this goal, we established suspension-adhesion method (SAM) and three-dimensional (3D) suspension method (3DSM).

Effect of matrix stiffness on the proliferation and differentiation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a compatible cellular alternative for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering because of their powerful multipotency. Matrix stiffness plays a profound role on stem cell behavior. Nevertheless, the effect of matrix stiffness on umbilical cordmesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) remains unexplored.

Metabonomics study of the therapeutic mechanism of fenugreek galactomannan on diabetic hyperglycemia in rats, by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Fenugreek is a traditional plant for the treatment of diabetes. Galactomannan, an active major component in fenugreek seeds, has shown hypoglycemic activity. The present study was performed to investigate the therapeutic mechanism underlying fenugreek galactomannan (F-GAL) in treating diabetes, using a metabonomics approach based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS).

Feasibility of human hair follicle-derived mesenchymal stem cells/CultiSpher(®)-G constructs in regenerative medicine.

The use of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in cell therapies has increased the demand for strategies that allow efficient cell scale-up. Preliminary data on the three-dimensional (3D) spinner culture describing the potential use of microcarriers for hMSCs culture scale-up have been reported. We exploited a rich source of autologous stem cells (human hair follicle) and demonstrated the robust in vitro long-term expansion of human hair follicle-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hHF-MSCs) by using CultiSpher(®)-G microcarriers.

Large-scale expansion of Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells on gelatin microbeads, with retention of self-renewal and multipotency characteristics and the capacity for enhancing skin wound healing.

Introduction: Successful stem cell therapy relies on large-scale generation of stem cells and their maintenance in a proliferative multipotent state. This study aimed to establish a three-dimension culture system for large-scale generation of hWJ-MSC and investigated the self-renewal activity, genomic stability and multi-lineage differentiation potential of such hWJ-MSC in enhancing skin wound healing.

Methods: hWJ-MSC were seeded on gelatin microbeads and cultured in spinning bottles (3D).

Cyclosporine A increases hair follicle growth by suppressing apoptosis-inducing factor nuclear translocation: a new mechanism.

Cyclosporine A (CsA) enhances hair growth through caspase-dependent pathways by retarding anagen-to-catagen phase transition in the hair follicle growth cycle. Whether apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), a protein that induces caspase-independent apoptosis, can regulate the hair follicle cycle in response to CsA is currently unclear. Here, we show that the pro-hair growth properties of CsA are in part due to blockage of AIF nuclear translocation.

Engineered hair follicle mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing controlled-release insulin reverse hyperglycemia in mice with type L diabetes.

Genetically engineered stem cells that overexpress genes encoding therapeutic products can be exploited to correct metabolic disorders by repairing and regenerating diseased organs or restoring their function. Hair follicles are readily accessible and serve as a rich source of autologous stem cells for cell-based gene therapy. Here we isolated mesenchymal stem cells from human hair follicles (HF-MSCs) and engineered them to overexpress the human insulin gene and release human insulin in a time- and dose-dependent manner in response to rapamycin.