Effects of Fluid Shear Stress on Human Intervertebral Disc Nucleus Pulposus Cells Based on Label-Free Quantitative Proteomics.

Objective: To explore the possible mechanism of fluid shear stress on human nucleus pulposus cells based on label-free proteomics technology.

Methods: The human nucleus pulposus cell line was purchased and subcultured in vitro. The Flexcell STR-4000 multiflow field cell fluid shear stress loading culture system was used to apply continuous laminar fluid shear stress (12 dyne/cm, 45 mins) to the monolayer adherent cells.

Decreased Adiponectin Levels Are a Risk Factor for Cognitive Decline in Spinal Cord Injury.

Objective: Spinal cord injury (SCI) has become popular in recent years, and cognitive decline is a common complication. Adiponectin is a common protein hormone involved in the course of many diseases, but its relationship with SCI has not yet been elucidated. The purpose of our prospective study is to explore whether adiponectin can be used as a biomarker of cognitive decline in SCI.

Expression of ANGPTL4 in Nucleus Pulposus Tissues Is Associated with Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

Objective: Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4), encoding a glycosylated secreted protein, has been reported to be closely related to many kinds of diseases, including diabetes, tumor, and some musculoskeletal pathologies, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis. The aim of the current study is to investigate the role of ANGPTL4 in intervertebral disc degeneration and analyze the association of ANGPTL4 expression with Pfirrmann grades.

Methods: A total of 162 nucleus pulposus tissues were collected from lumbar intervertebral disc herniation patients undergoing interforaminal endoscopic surgery.

Therapeutic potential of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 in autoimmune diseases.

: Autoimmune diseases (ADs) are idiopathic and heterogeneous disorders with contentious pathophysiology. Great strides have been made in epigenetics and its involvement in ADs. Zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) has sparked extensive interest because of its pleiotropic roles in distinct pathologic contexts.

[Isolation and biological characterization of human amniotic fluid-derived stem cells].

Objective: To establish in vitro culture procedure for human amniotic fluid-derived CD117 positive stem cells, and to identify the characteristics of CD117 positive stem cells.

Methods: 86 amniotic fluid samples (10 mL of each) were obtained by second-trimester amniocentesis. Isolation of amniotic fluid-derived stem cells expressing CD117 antigen was performed via magnetic cell sorting using the CD117 MicroBead Kit.