The Role of Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: Current Evidence and Future Directions

AbstractBiodiversity loss may increase the risk of infectious disease in a phenomenon known as the dilution effect. Circumstances that increase the likelihood of disease dilution are: (i) when hosts vary in their competence, and (ii) when communities disassemble predictably, such that the least competent hosts are the most likely to go extinct. Despite the central role of competence in diversity–disease theory, we lack a clear understanding of the factors underlying competence, as well as the drivers and extent of its variation. Our perspective piece encourages a mechanistic understanding of competence and a deeper consideration of its role in diversity–disease relationships. We outline current evidence, emerging questions and future directions regarding the basis of competence, its definition and measurement, the roots of its variation and its role in the community ecology of infectious disease.

Download Full-text

Immune Check-Point Inhibitors in Breast Cancer: Current Evidence and Future Directions

Austin Journal of Surgery ◽

10.26420/austinjsurg.2021.1270 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Mosteiro M ◽

◽

Cejuela M ◽

Pernas S ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Advanced Breast Cancer ◽

Triple Negative ◽

New Combination ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Check Point ◽

Future Directions ◽

Combination Strategies ◽

Check Point Inhibitors

Check-point inhibitors have erupted as a treatment option for numerous kinds of neoplasms. Although there have been some achievements, the evidence supporting their use in breast cancer is scarce. Combinations with chemotherapy seem to provide better outcomes, and triple negative is the subtype most likely to benefit from them. New combination strategies are undergoing research to improve these results. Other approaches to determining biomarkers that identify which populations clearly benefit from these therapies are needed. Here, we review the clinical data of the role of immune check-point inhibitors in early and advanced breast cancer and present emerging strategies.

Download Full-text

The Contributions of Prostate Cancer Stem Cells in Prostate Cancer Initiation and Metastasis

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers11040434 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 434 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Wenjuan Mei ◽

Xiaozeng Lin ◽

Anil Kapoor ◽

Yan Gu ◽

Kuncheng Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Cancer Stem Cells ◽

Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Critical Role ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Target Cells ◽

Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Prostate Cancer Stem Cells

Research in the last decade has clearly revealed a critical role of prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs) in prostate cancer (PC). Prostate stem cells (PSCs) reside in both basal and luminal layers, and are the target cells of oncogenic transformation, suggesting a role of PCSCs in PC initiation. Mutations in PTEN, TP53, and RB1 commonly occur in PC, particularly in metastasis and castration-resistant PC. The loss of PTEN together with Ras activation induces partial epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is a major mechanism that confers plasticity to cancer stem cells (CSCs) and PCSCs, which contributes to metastasis. While PTEN inactivation leads to PC, it is not sufficient for metastasis, the loss of PTEN concurrently with the inactivation of both TP53 and RB1 empower lineage plasticity in PC cells, which substantially promotes PC metastasis and the conversion to PC adenocarcinoma to neuroendocrine PC (NEPC), demonstrating the essential function of TP53 and RB1 in the suppression of PCSCs. TP53 and RB1 suppress lineage plasticity through the inhibition of SOX2 expression. In this review, we will discuss the current evidence supporting a major role of PCSCs in PC initiation and metastasis, as well as the underlying mechanisms regulating PCSCs. These discussions will be developed along with the cancer stem cell (CSC) knowledge in other cancer types.

Download Full-text

Human Periosteum-Derived Stem Cells for Tissue Engineering Applications: The Role of VEGF

Stem Cell Reviews and Reports ◽

10.1007/s12015-012-9374-7 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 882-890 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

C. Ferretti ◽

V. Borsari ◽

M. Falconi ◽

A. Gigante ◽

R. Lazzarini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tissue Engineering ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Engineering Applications

Download Full-text

The Role of Parasites in Sexual Selection: Current Evidence and Future Directions

Advances in the Study of Behavior ◽

10.1016/s0065-3454(08)60141-2 ◽

1992 ◽

pp. 39-68 ◽

Cited By ~ 114

Author(s):

Marlene Zuk

Keyword(s):

Sexual Selection ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Future Directions

Download Full-text

Cartilage Tissue Engineering: Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Growth Factors, and Scaffolds

Regenerative Medicine and Plastic Surgery ◽

10.1007/978-3-030-19962-3_18 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 249-262

Author(s):

Mudasir Bashir Gugjoo ◽

Hari Prasad Aithal ◽

Prakash Kinjavdekar ◽

Amarpal

Keyword(s):

Tissue Engineering ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽

Growth Factors ◽

Cartilage Tissue Engineering ◽

Cartilage Tissue

Download Full-text

Three-dimensional printed bone scaffolds: The role of nano/micro-hydroxyapatite particles on the adhesion and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part H Journal of Engineering in Medicine ◽

10.1177/0954411916680236 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 231 (6) ◽

pp. 555-564 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

Marco Domingos ◽

Antonio Gloria ◽

Jorge Coelho ◽

Paulo Bartolo ◽

Joaquim Ciurana

Keyword(s):

Tissue Engineering ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽

Calcium Phosphates ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽

Mechanical Tests ◽

Engineering Research

Bone tissue engineering is strongly dependent on the use of three-dimensional scaffolds that can act as templates to accommodate cells and support tissue ingrowth. Despite its wide application in tissue engineering research, polycaprolactone presents a very limited ability to induce adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic cell differentiation. To overcome some of these limitations, different calcium phosphates, such as hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate, have been employed with relative success. This work investigates the influence of nano-hydroxyapatite and micro-hydroxyapatite (nHA and mHA, respectively) particles on the in vitro biomechanical performance of polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite scaffolds. Morphological analysis performed with scanning electron microscopy allowed us to confirm the production of polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite constructs with square interconnected pores of approximately 350 µm and to assess the distribution of hydroxyapatite particles within the polymer matrix. Compression mechanical tests showed an increase in polycaprolactone compressive modulus ( E) from 105.5 ± 11.2 to 138.8 ± 12.9 MPa (PCL_nHA) and 217.2 ± 21.8 MPa (PCL_mHA). In comparison to PCL_mHA scaffolds, the addition of nano-hydroxyapatite enhanced the adhesion and viability of human mesenchymal stem cells as confirmed by Alamar Blue assay. In addition, after 14 days of incubation, PCL_nHA scaffolds showed higher levels of alkaline phosphatase activity compared to polycaprolactone or PCL_mHA structures.

Download Full-text