Elevation of astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles over the first month post-stroke in humans.

We sought to identify alterations in the quantity of plasma brain-derived extracellular vesicles (EV) over the first month post-stroke to shed light on related injury and repair mechanisms. We assessed plasma levels of presumed neuron-derived EVs (NDEs), astrocyte-derived EVs (ADEs), and oligodendrocyte-derived EVs (ODEs) in 58 patients 5, 15, and 30 days post-ischemic stroke and 46 controls matched for cardiovascular risk factors using sandwich immunoassays. Subsets of brain-derived EVs were identified by co-expression of the general EV marker CD9 and markers for neurons (L1CAM, CD171), astrocytes (EAAT1), and oligodendrocytes (MOG) respectively.

Vitronectin-Based, Biomimetic Encapsulating Hydrogel Scaffolds Support Adipogenesis of Adipose Stem Cells.

Soft tissue defects are relatively common, yet currently used reconstructive treatments have varying success rates, and serious potential complications such as unpredictable volume loss and reabsorption. Human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), isolated from liposuction aspirate have great potential for use in soft tissue regeneration, especially when combined with a supportive scaffold. To design scaffolds that promote differentiation of these cells down an adipogenic lineage, we characterized changes in the surrounding extracellular environment during adipogenic differentiation.

Histological characterization of human breast implant capsules.

Background: This study investigated the relationships between histomorphological aspects of breast capsules, including capsule thickness, collagen fiber alignment, the presence of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-positive myofibroblasts, and clinical observations of capsular contracture.

Methods: Breast capsule samples were collected at the time of implant removal in patients undergoing breast implant replacement or revision surgery. Capsular contracture was scored preoperatively using the Baker scale.

Skin extracellular matrix stimulation following injection of a hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler in a rat model.

Background: Hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers have gained rapid acceptance for treating facial wrinkles and deep tissue folds. Although their space-filling properties are well understood, this study evaluates the cellular and molecular changes in skin, as a secondary effect, following injection of a commercially available, 24-mg/ml, cross-linked hyaluronic acid-based filler (HYC-24L+) in a rodent model.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 2 to 4 months, were injected intradermally with 20 μl of HYC-24L+ using a linear threading technique and followed to 12 weeks after injection.

Specific active immunotherapy of cancer: potential and perspectives.

Extensive research over the past two decades in tumor immunology has shown that immune reactivity to tumor antigens can restrict tumor growth and/or metastasis, especially when tumor burden is low. These observations in experimental models have been translated into clinical studies involving both active and passive forms of immunotherapies. While immune responses to specific tumor antigens can be detected in patients with various types of cancers, responses to any single antigen seldom correlate directly with a clinical response to tumors; however, some clinical regressions of solid tumors have been reported with certain types of cancer vaccines.

Targeting of humanized antibody D93 to sites of angiogenesis and tumor growth by binding to multiple epitopes on denatured collagens.

A humanized, affinity-matured IgG1 antibody, called D93, and its parental murine IgM HUI77 have been shown to specifically bind denatured collagens and thereby inhibit angiogenesis and tumor growth in various animal models. In this study, we have identified epitopes for both HUI77 and D93 on human collagen type IV. Several tryptic D93-binding peptides were identified by Western blot analysis and protein sequencing.

Novel anti-denatured collagen humanized antibody D93 inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth: An extracellular matrix-based therapeutic approach.

Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) secreted by both tumor and endothelial cells proteolytically degrade collagen during tumor growth and neo-vascularization. This exposes cryptic binding sites on collagen with functional relevance for angiogenesis. In this report, we characterized a novel humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody, D93.