Encapsulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in 3D Ovarian Cell Constructs Promotes Stable and Long-Term Hormone Secretion with Improved Physiological Outcomes in a Syngeneic Rat Model.

Loss of ovarian function (e.g., due to menopause) leads to profound physiological effects in women including changes in sexual function and osteoporosis.

Amnion membrane hydrogel and amnion membrane powder accelerate wound healing in a full thickness porcine skin wound model.

There is a need for effective wound treatments that retain the bioactivity of a cellular treatment, but without the high costs and complexities associated with manufacturing, storing, and applying living biological products. Previously, we developed an amnion membrane-derived hydrogel and evaluated its wound healing properties using a mouse wound model. In this study, we used a full thickness porcine skin wound model to evaluate the wound-healing efficacy of the amnion hydrogel and a less-processed amnion product comprising a lyophilized amnion membrane powder.

Delivering Cas9/sgRNA ribonucleoprotein (RNP) by lentiviral capsid-based bionanoparticles for efficient 'hit-and-run' genome editing.

Transient expression of the CRISPR/Cas9 machinery will not only reduce risks of mutagenesis from off-target activities, but also decrease possible immune response to Cas9 protein. Building on our recent developing of a system able to package up to 100 copies of Cas9 mRNA in each lentivirus-like particle (LVLP) via the specific interaction between aptamer and aptamer-binding proteins (ABP), here we develop a lentiviral capsid-based bionanoparticle system, which allows efficient packaging of Cas9/sgRNA ribonucleoprotein (RNP). We show that replacing the Tetraloop of sgRNA scaffold with a com aptamer preserves the functions of the guide RNA, and the com-modified sgRNA can package Cas9/sgRNA RNP into lentivirus-like particles via the specific interactions between ABP and aptamer, and sgRNA and Cas9 protein.

Impaired Regeneration Potential in Urinary Stem Cells Diagnosed from the Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy.

Stem cells present in urine possess regenerative capacity to repair kidney injury. However, the unique characteristics of urinary stem cells (USC) from patients with diabetic nephropathy (d-USC) are unknown. The goal of this study was to investigate stemness properties in cell phenotype and regenerative potential of d-USC, compared to USC from healthy individuals.

A novel decellularized skeletal muscle-derived ECM scaffolding system for in situ muscle regeneration.

The cell-based tissue engineering strategies have gained attention in restoring normal tissue function after skeletal muscle injuries; however, these approaches require a donor tissue biopsy and extensive cell expansion process prior to implantation. In order to avoid this limitation, we developed a novel cell-free muscle-specific scaffolding system that consisted of a skeletal muscle-derived decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) and a myogenic factor, insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Rheological, morphological, and biological properties of this muscle-specific scaffold (IGF-1/dECM) as well as collagen and dECM scaffolds were examined.

In vitro evaluation of functionalized decellularized muscle scaffold for in situ skeletal muscle regeneration.

Current treatment options for repairing volumetric muscle loss injury involve the use of existing host tissue like muscular flaps or grafts. However, host muscle tissue may not be available and donor site morbidity, such as functional loss and volume deficiency, is often present. In this study, we developed a biofunctionalized muscle-derived decellularized extracellular matrix scaffolding system to utilize endogenous stem/progenitor cells for in situ muscle tissue regeneration.

Engineering blood vessels and vascularized tissues: technology trends and potential clinical applications.

Vascular tissue engineering has the potential to make a significant impact on the treatment of a wide variety of medical conditions, including providing generated vascularized tissue and organ constructs for transplantation. Since the first report on the construction of a biological blood vessel, significant research and technological advances have led to the generation of clinically relevant large and small diameter tissue engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs). However, developing a biocompatible blood-contacting surface is still a major challenge.

Use of uniformly sized muscle fiber fragments for restoration of muscle tissue function.

Treatment of extensive muscle loss due to traumatic injury, congenital defects, or tumor ablations is clinically challenging. The current treatment standard is grafting of autologous muscle flaps; however, significant donor site morbidity and graft tissue availability remain a problem. Alternatively, muscle fiber therapy has been attempted to treat muscle injury by transplanting single fibers into the defect site.

Purging of malignant cell contamination prior to spermatogonia stem cell autotransplantation to preserve fertility: progress & prospects.

Purpose Of Review: This systematic review evaluates the state of the art in terms of strategies used to detect and remove contaminated malignant cells from testicular biopsy prior to spermatogonia stem cells (SSCs) autotransplantation to restore fertility.

Recent Findings: Several trials have been done in past two decades to determine the reliable methods of detecting and purging cancer cells prior to SSCs autotransplantation.

Summary: The success in treating childhood cancer has dramatically increased over the past few decades.

Kidney regeneration with biomimetic vascular scaffolds based on vascular corrosion casts.

We have developed a biomimetic renal vascular scaffold based on a vascular corrosion casting technique. This study evaluated the feasibility of using this novel biomimetic scaffold for kidney regeneration in a rat kidney cortical defect model. Vascular corrosion casts were prepared from normal rat kidneys by perfusion with 10% polycaprolactone (PCL) solution, followed by tissue digestion.