Enhancement of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of adipose-derived human mesenchymal stem cells by making uniform spheroid on the new nano-patterned plates.

Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions; thus, several MSC products have been applied as cell therapy in clinical trials worldwide. Recent studies have demonstrated that MSC spheroids have superior anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions to a single cell suspension. Current methods to prepare MSC spheroids include hanging drop, concave microwell aggregation, spinner flask, and gravity circulation.

Hyperglycemia decreases the expression of ATP synthase β subunit and enolase 2 in glomerular epithelial cells.

Glomerular epithelial cells (GECs) are known to play a key role in maintaining the structure and function of the glomerulus. GEC injury induced by hyperglycemia is present in early-stage diabetic nephropathy (DN), which is the most common cause of renal failure. In an attempt to identify target proteins involved in the pathogenesis of GEC injury at early DN, we performed the proteomic analysis using primary cultures of GECs, prepared from the dissected rat glomeruli.

Combinations of growth factors enhance the potency of islets in vitro.

Objectives: Recent studies have demonstrated the impressive expansion of beta cells in vitro. But unfortunately, expanded beta cells do not function in the same way as fully differentiated beta cells. Therefore, we developed a condition that would allow islet cells to proliferate while maintaining their endocrine function.

A fibrin gel carrier system for islet transplantation into kidney subcapsule.

Islet transplantation is a promising therapeutic option for type 1 diabetes, and actively performed in the clinic as well as in the animal experiments. For the rodent experiments, islet transplantation into kidney subcapsule is widely used to assess islet quality, however, it is often difficult to do using a polyethylene tubing and fine needle because of inherent dead volume of needle and stickiness of the tubing to islets. This problem makes it difficult to interpret the physiological response to different islet doses.