Direct evidence for the age-dependent demise of GNAS-mutated cells in oral fibrous dysplasia.

Objective: Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a benign bone disease characterized by fibro-osseous lesions. FD is caused by somatic mutations in the gene, guanine nucleotide-binding protein, alpha stimulating activity polypeptide 1 (GNAS), which encodes the G protein subunit, Gsα. FD manifests early in life, but the growth of lesions usually ceases in adulthood.

Anti-EGFR scFv tetramer (tetrabody) with a stable monodisperse structure, strong anticancer effect, and a long in vivo half-life.

The development of single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) as therapeutic agents has the potential to reduce the high cost of antibody production, but the development process often impairs scFv functions such as binding affinity and pharmacokinetics. Multimerization is one strategy for recovering or enhancing these lost functions. Previously, we constructed several antiepidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) scFv multimers by modifying linker length and domain order.

The Local CNP/GC-B system in growth plate is responsible for physiological endochondral bone growth.

Recent studies revealed C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) and its receptor, guanylyl cyclase-B (GC-B) are potent stimulators of endochondral bone growth. As they exist ubiquitously in body, we investigated the physiological role of the local CNP/GC-B in the growth plate on bone growth using cartilage-specific knockout mice. Bones were severely shorter in cartilage-specific CNP or GC-B knockout mice and the extent was almost the same as that in respective systemic knockout mice.

Multimerization of anti-(epidermal growth factor receptor) IgG fragments induces an antitumor effect: the case for humanized 528 scFv multimers.

The construction of antibody fragments has the potential to reduce the high cost of therapeutic antibody production, but the structures of these fragments, with monovalency and the lack of an Fc region, can lead to reduced function. Multimerization is one strategy for recovering function that also yields better tumor-to-blood ratios than IgGs or monomeric antibody fragments because of rapid tumor uptake and clearance. Here, we constructed single-chain variable fragment (scFv) multimers by modifying the linker length and domain order of humanized anti-(epidermal growth factor receptor) IgG 528 (h528) and tested their ability to inhibit tumor growth.

Human induced pluripotent stem cells differentiated into chondrogenic lineage via generation of mesenchymal progenitor cells.

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) exhibit pluripotency, proliferation capability, and gene expression similar to those of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). hESCs readily form cartilaginous tissues in teratomas in vivo; despite extensive effort, however, to date no efficient method for inducing mature chondrocytes in vitro has been established. hiPSCs can also differentiate into cartilage in vivo by teratoma formation, but as with hESCs, no reliable system for in vitro chondrogenic differentiation of hiPSCs has yet been reported.

Pluripotency of mesenchymal cells derived from synovial fluid in patients with temporomandibular joint disorder.

Aims: Mesenchymal stem cells are an interesting source of material for regenerative medicine. The present study aimed at characterizing the phenotype and differentiation potential of adherent synovial fluid-derived cells from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder patients.

Main Methods: Synovial fluid collection takes place during TMJ cavity irrigation arthrocentesis under local anesthesia.

Osteoinduction by repeat plasmid injection of human bone morphogenetic protein-2.

Background: Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) is an osteoinductive protein and is considered useful for the treatment of skeletal disorders. Previous studies using BMP-2 in clinical applications have encountered difficulties, including the lack of an efficient, safe, inexpensive and simple delivery system. The gene transfer approach is a promising option for utilizing BMP-2.

Experimental study of osteoinduction using a new material as a carrier for bone morphogenetic protein-2.

We evaluated the usefulness of artificial collagen as a new carrier for recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) by comparing it with that of atelopeptide collagen, which is derived from porcine skin, and which we have previously shown to be useful for the induction of bone. rhBMP-2 5μg with either atelopeptide collagen 3mg or artificial collagen 3mg was implanted into the calf muscle of 10-week-old Wistar rats (n=3 in each group). Three rats were given artificial collagen alone and acted as controls (n=3).

Osteoinduction by microbubble-enhanced transcutaneous sonoporation of human bone morphogenetic protein-2.

Background: Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) is believed to participate in bone healing and regeneration. Previous studies using BMP-2 in clinical applications have encountered difficulties that include the lack of an efficient, safe and simple delivery system, and expensive proteins and matrices. The gene transfer approach is a promising option for utilizing BMP-2.

Evaluation of pluripotency in human dental pulp cells.

Purpose: Postnatal stem cells have been isolated from various tissues, including bone marrow, neural tissue, skin, retina, and dental epithelium. Recently, adult stem cells have been isolated from human dental pulp. Postnatal stem cells have been isolated from a variety of tissues.