Therapeutic effect of adipose stromal vascular fraction spheroids for partial bladder outlet obstruction induced underactive bladder

Background: Underactive bladder (UAB) is a common clinical problem but related research is rarely explored. As there are currently no effective therapies, the administration of adipose stromal vascular fraction (ad-SVF) provides a new potential method to treat underactive bladder. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were induced by partial bladder outlet obstruction (PBOO) for four weeks and randomly divided into three groups: rats treated with PBS (Sham group); rats administrated with ad-SVF (ad-SVF group) and rats performed with ad-SVF spheroids (ad-SVFsp group). After four weeks, urodynamic studies were performed to evaluate bladder functions and all rats were sacrificed for further studies.Results: We observed that the bladder functions and symptoms of UAB were significantly improved in the ad-SVFsp group than that in the Sham group and ad-SVF group. Meanwhile, our data showed that ad-SVF spheroids could remarkably promote angiogenesis, suppress cell apoptosis and stimulate cell proliferation in bladder tissue than that in the other two groups. Moreover, ad-SVF spheroids increased the expression levels of bFGF, HGF and VEGF-A than ad-SVF. IVIS Spectrum small-animal in vivo imaging system revealed that ad-SVF spheroids could increase the retention rate of transplanted cells in bladder tissue. Conclusions: Ad-SVF spheroids improved functions and symptoms of bladder induced by PBOO, which contributes to promote angiogenesis, suppress cell apoptosis and stimulate cell proliferation. Ad-SVF spheroids provide a potential treatment for the future patients with UAB.

Investigating Differential Expression of mTOR1/UCA1 in Tumor Samples of Colorectal Cancer Compared with Tumor Marginal Samples

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second and third most common cancer in men and women respectively, and the fourth cause of cancer death of individuals. Mutations in specific genes can lead to colorectal cancer. UCA1 is one of the oncogenic genes that have been shown to stimulate cell proliferation. mTOR1 is another gene that leads to the growth of cancer cells through anabolic processes and autophagy inhibition. Objectives: In this study, we evaluate the expression of these two genes in different phases of CRC, that helps the early detection of colorectal cancer which can increase the survival rate. Methods: First, we collected 25 colorectal cancer tumor tissues and 25 adjacent normal tissues as a control group. Then, RNA was extracted from tissue samples and cDNA synthesized. The UCA1 and mTOR1 expression was evaluated in CRC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues by Real Time PCR. Results: Our results showed that the UCA1 and mTOR1 expression in the tumor tissues was significantly higher than in the adjacent normal tissues (P < 0.05). There was also a significant difference in Lynph inv and Vescu inv with mTOR1 expression (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Our results showed that UCA1/mTOR1 may be important genes involved in colorectal cancer. mTOR1 was also identified as one of the possible genes in metastasis of colorectal cancer. Thus, UCA1 and mTOR1 can probably be considered as biomarkers in CRC therapy and diagnosis.

Molecular mechanism of cytokinin-activated cell division in Arabidopsis

Mitogens trigger cell division in animals. In plants, cytokinins, a group of phytohormones derived from adenine, stimulate cell proliferation. Cytokinin signaling is initiated by membrane-associated histidine kinase receptors and transduced through a phosphorelay system. We show that in the Arabidopsis shoot apical meristem (SAM), cytokinin regulates cell division by promoting nuclear shuttling of Myb-domain protein 3R4 (MYB3R4), a transcription factor that activates mitotic gene expression. Newly synthesized MYB3R4 protein resides predominantly in the cytoplasm. At the G2-to-M transition, rapid nuclear accumulation of MYB3R4—consistent with an associated transient peak in cytokinin concentration—feeds a positive feedback loop involving importins and initiates a transcriptional cascade that drives mitosis and cytokinesis. An engineered nuclear-restricted MYB3R4 mimics the cytokinin effects of enhanced cell proliferation and meristem growth.

Erythropoetin stimulates tissue repair in experimental wounds

The efficacy of recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) is being studied in the context of wound management. The ability of EPO to stimulate cell proliferation was found, which is of great importance in the complex process of wound healing. The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of using EPO for wound healing in a rat model. Material and methods. We examined 24 wounds simulated in the interscapular region of a rat, which were divided into 2 groups: a group with standard treatment, a group with EPO treatment at a dosage of 400 IU/kg, s/c. Planimetry of the wound was performed at the appointed time. Also, histological examination of wound tissue samples was carried out. Results. Differences in reduction and change in wound size in the EPO group were more significant than in the standard treatment group. Conclusions. The experiment demonstrated an improvement in wound healing with EPO treatment compared with standard treatment, which led to a decrease in wound size and a shorter healing period. Keywords: erythropoietin, EPO, angiogenesis, wound treatment.

RhPDGF – Basic Characteristics and Potential Application in the Oral Surgery – An Overview

Growth factors (GFs) are bioactive molecules participating in organ development, tissue regeneration and repair. They are protein molecules with a relatively low molecular weight and are released by activated platelets. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is one of the GFs of highest amount in human platelets. It is known to stimulate cell proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis, as well as angiogenesis in healthy tissues and neoplasms. However, most of the studies in the literature demonstrate the influence of PDGF on tissue regeneration without revealing its intimate mechanisms of action on different cell types. In the current review we emphasis on the effects of PDGF in order to stimulate various biological processes in wide number of pre-clinical and clinical studies.

Stress effect on 3D culturing of MC3T3-E1 cells on microporous bovine bone slices

The choosing of micromechanical environment is very important for the growth of bone-related cells. In this paper, bovine cancellous bone slices with 3D porous structures were used for 3D culturing of MC3T3-E1 cells (Mouse embryo osteoblast precursor cells) through a four-point-bending device due to their good biocompatibility and strength. Effects of micromechanical environment on the growth of MC3TC-E1 cells were investigated by immunofluorescent staining and alkaline phosphatase analysis, and the most positive microporous structures were found. In addition, a model of cell density vs stress was established through a specific normalization method and finite element simulation. The results showed that the micromechanical environment of the bone slices promoted cell proliferation, and the detail influence of stress on cell proliferation could be described by the mathematical model, which could provide a theoretical basis for the design of micromechanical environment in the bone tissue engineering scaffolds to stimulate cell proliferation.

Serum-free media for the growth of primary bovine myoblasts

The demand for meat is expected to exceed production capacity by livestock in the coming decennia. Therefore, cultured beef might be a viable alternative to traditional livestock-derived beef. One of the problems however is the sustainability of cultured beef through the use of fetal bovine serum. We aimed to identify a serum-free medium or a serum-replacement that is as effective as the current method used for culturing bovine myoblasts. Cells were harvested from a female Blanc Bleu Belge cow and myoblasts were subsequently isolated. Cells were cultured in either Advanced DMEM containing 20% FBS and 10% HS or one of the chemically-defined, serum-free media for 6 days. MTS was used as a measure of cell proliferation at day 1, 4 or 6 and microscopic pictures were taken to assess cell morphology. FBM™, TesR™ and Essential 8™ are commercially available xeno-free media developed for human PSCs and fibroblasts, with the highest potential to sustain bovine myoblast proliferation. Of the supplements tested, XenoFree™ and a custom-prepared growth factor mix failed to stimulate cell proliferation. LipoGro™ stimulated cell proliferation in some cases but also changed the phenotype of myoblasts to an adipocyte-like phenotype. We conclude that serum-free media stimulate exponential cell expansion, albeit not to the extent of the current growth medium containing up to 30% serum. Further research is needed to investigate whether prolonged cell culture or an adaptation period could further increase cell proliferation.

A New Bioactive Glass/Collagen Hybrid Composite for Applications in Dentistry

Bioactive glasses (BGs) are currently employed in a wide range of medical and dentistry applications by virtue of their bone-bonding ability. The incorporation of BGs into a collagen matrix may be used to combine the regenerative potential of these materials with the specific biological advantages of collagen. However, most of the collagen/BG composites reported in the literature are scaffolds and there is a lack of moldable putties or injectable systems. Here, granules of an innovative BG containing strontium and magnesium were mixed with collagen and PEG to obtain a putty (BGMS/C) suitable for dental applications. For the sake of comparison, granules of 45S5 Bioglass®, the gold standard among BGs, were used to prepare a 45S5/collagen putty. Both the composites were evaluated in vitro with respect to murine fibroblasts. The materials showed an excellent biocompatibility, making them interesting for possible applications in dentistry and reconstructive surgery. Moreover, BGMS/C seems to stimulate cell proliferation.