Bioactive peptide amphiphile nanofiber gels enhance burn wound healing.

Background: Burns are physically debilitating and potentially fatal injuries. The standard-of-care for burn wounds is the coverage with gauze dressings designed to minimize trauma to the regenerating epidermis and dermis during dressing changes. However, deep partial- and full-thickness burns always heal slowly when standard wound care alone is performed.

Application of Hydroxycholesterols for Alveolar Cleft Osteoplasty in a Rodent Model.

Background: Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have played a central role in the regenerative therapies for bone reconstruction, including alveolar cleft and craniofacial surgery. However, the high cost and significant adverse effect of BMPs limit their broad application. Hydroxycholesterols, naturally occurring products of cholesterol oxidation, are a promising alternative to BMPs.

Natural Killer Cells Differentiate Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells and Modulate Their Adipogenic Potential.

Background: Natural killer cells are thought to represent more than 30 percent of all lymphocytes within the stromal vascular fraction of lipoaspirates. However, their physiologic interaction with adipocytes and their precursors has never been specifically examined. The authors hypothesized that natural killer cells, by means of cytokine secretion, are capable of promoting the differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells.

Oxy133, a novel osteogenic agent, promotes bone regeneration in an intramembranous bone-healing model.

Current reconstructive techniques for complex craniofacial osseous defects are challenging and are associated with significant morbidity. Oxysterols are naturally occurring cholesterol oxidation products with osteogenic potential. In this study, we investigated the effects of a novel semi-synthetic oxysterol, Oxy133, on in vitro osteogenesis and an in vivo intramembranous bone-healing model.