Publications by authors named "Mariana Garcia-Mejia"

Human amniotic membrane mesenchymal stem cells (hAM-MSC) secrete a myriad of components with immunosuppressive activities. In the present research, we aimed to describe the effect of prostaglandin E (PGE) secreted by hAM-MSCs on neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) release and to characterize the role of its receptors (EP2/EP4) in PAD-4 and NFκB activity in neutrophils. Human peripheral blood neutrophils were ionomycin-stimulated in the presence of hAM-MSC conditioned medium (CM) treated or not with the selective PGE inhibitor MF-63, PGE, EP2/EP4 agonists, and the selective PAD-4 inhibitor GSK-484.

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The objective of this study was to describe the short-term results of allogenic transplantation of limbal stem cells expanded on amniotic membrane for the ocular surface reconstruction. Prospective nonrandomized, nonmasked study in a single ophthalmological center. Ten patients with bilateral total limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) were included.

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Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been the subject of research in the field of innate immunity since their first description more than a decade ago. Neutrophils are the first cells recruited at sites of inflammation, where they perform their specific functions, including the release of NETs, which consist of web-like structures composed of granule proteins bound to decondensed chromatin fibres. This process has aroused interest, as it contributes to understanding how pathogenic microorganisms are contained, but they are also associated with pathophysiological processes of a wide range of diseases.

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Amniotic membrane, the inner layer of the placenta, has biological properties (e.g. promotes epithelization, reduces fibrosis, secretes antimicrobial products and inhibits immune responses) which make it a useful option for several ophthalmologic procedures, especially those involving the ocular surface.

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Purpose: Mesenchymal stromal stem cells (MSC) are non-hemopoietic cells with the capacity to self-renewal and to differentiate into various cell lineages of mesenchymal origin. More recently, the immune regulatory potential of MSC has been focused on. Furthermore, mesenchymal stem cells obtained from diverse tissues possess immunomodulatory properties and inhibit proinflammatory immune reactions.

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