Assessment of decellularization strategy and biocompatibility testing of full-thickness abdominal wall to produce a tissue-engineered graft.

Background: Restoration of the abdominal wall defects due to herniation or other complications represents a challenging task of the reconstructive surgery. Synthetic grafts or crosslinked animal-derived grafts, are utilized, followed by significant adverse reactions.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate primarily the production of a decellularized abdominal wall scaffold and secondly its biocompatibility upon transplantation in an animal model.

Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products as Potential Therapeutic Strategy against COVID-19 and Immune-Related Disorders.

Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) comprise a heterogenous class of innovative medicinal products, which further require extensive preclinical and clinical assessments before their broader use in the general population [...

Frequency distribution of HLA class I and II alleles in Greek population and their significance in orchestrating the National Donor Registry Program.

Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) represent one of the most polymorphic systems in humans, responsible for the identification of foreign antigens and the presentation of immune responses. Therefore, HLA is considered to play a major role in human disorders, donor-recipient matching and transplantation outcomes. This study aimed to determine the HLA class I and II alleles and haplotypes in the Greek population.

Efficient Decellularization of the Full-Thickness Rat-Derived Abdominal Wall to Produce Acellular Biologic Scaffolds for Tissue Reconstruction: Promising Evidence Acquired from In Vitro Results.

Background: Functional restoration of abdominal wall defects represents one of the fundamental challenges of reconstructive surgery. Synthetic grafts or crosslinked animal-derived biological grafts are characterized by significant adverse reactions, which are mostly observed after their implantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the decellularization protocol to produce a completely acellular full-thickness abdominal wall scaffold.

Exploring the Immunomodulatory Properties of Stem Cells in Combating COVID-19: Can We Expect More?

Since the first appearance of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in December 2019, the disease has displayed a remarkable interindividual variability in the global population, resulting in different mortality and morbidity rates. Still, an effective cure against SARS-CoV-2 has not been developed, and therefore, alternative therapeutic protocols must also be evaluated. Considering that stem cells, especially Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs), are characterized by both regenerative and immunomodulatory properties and that their safety and tolerability have been investigated previously, these cells could potentially be applied against coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19).

Multi-component cord blood banking: a proof-of-concept international exercise.

Background: Most public cord blood (CB) banks currently discard more than 80% of umbilical CB units not suitable for hemopoietic stem cell transplant due to low stem cell count. Although CB platelets, plasma, and red blood cells have been used for experimental allogeneic applications in wound healing, corneal ulcer treatment, and neonatal transfusion, no standard procedures for their preparation have been defined internationally.

Materials And Methods: A network of 12 public CB banks in Spain, Italy, Greece, the UK, and Singapore developed a protocol to validate a procedure for the routine production of CB platelet concentrate (CB-PC), CB platelet-poor plasma (CB-PPP), and CB leukoreduced red blood cells (CB-LR-RBC) using locally available equipment and the commercial BioNest ABC and EF medical devices.

Clinical Benefit of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Infusion in Ovarian Function Rejuvenation: Evidence from a Before-After Prospective Pilot Study.

: The intraovarian administration of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) acts beneficially for the stimulation of follicle production in women presenting different forms of ovarian dysfunction. This pilot study aimed to evaluate and provide significant data regarding the efficacy of PRP to rejuvenate the ovaries. A total of 253 women aged 22-56 years, were divided into five groups, based on their status.

Design and Fabrication of Artificial Stem Cell Microenvironments.

Major key features of stem cells' functions are self-renewal and their capacity for differentiation, allowing for maintain a proper stem cell reservoir as well as producing lineage-committed cells [...

Evaluation of the Regenerative Potential of Platelet-Lysate and Platelet-Poor Plasma Derived from the Cord Blood Units in Corneal Wound Healing Applications: An In Vitro Comparative Study on Corneal Epithelial Cells.

Background: Cord blood platelet lysate (CB-PL) and cord blood platelet poor plasma (CB-PPP) have been applied with success in wound healing applications. Pathologies such as Sjogrens's Syndrome (SS) and chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) can lead to severe ophthalmology issues. The application of CB-PL and CB-PPP may be strongly considered for damaged cornea healing.

Investigating the production of platelet lysate obtained from low volume Cord Blood Units: Focus on growth factor content and regenerative potential.

Background: The regenerative potential of platelet lysate (PL) and platelet gel (PG) is mediated by the release of platelets (PLTs) growth factors. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the PL production utilizing low volume single Cord Blood Units (CBUs) and the comparison of the biomolecule content between PLs obtained from intermediate and high volume CBUs.

Methods: CBUs (n = 90) with volumes greater than 50 ml and initial platelet count > 150 × 10/L were used.

Mesenchymal stromal cell delivery as a potential therapeutic strategy against COVID-19: Promising evidence from results.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which was initiated in December 2019. COVID-19 is characterized by a low mortality rate (< 6%); however, this percentage is higher in elderly people and patients with underlying disorders. COVID-19 is characterized by mild to severe outcomes.

Modern Approaches in Cardiovascular Disease Therapeutics: From Molecular Genetics to Tissue Engineering.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) currently represents one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It is estimated that more than 17.9 million people die each year due to CVD manifestations.

Improved Repopulation Efficacy of Decellularized Small Diameter Vascular Grafts Utilizing the Cord Blood Platelet Lysate.

Background: The development of functional bioengineered small-diameter vascular grafts (SDVGs), represents a major challenge of tissue engineering. This study aimed to evaluate the repopulation efficacy of biological vessels, utilizing the cord blood platelet lysate (CBPL).

Methods: Human umbilical arteries (hUAs, = 10) were submitted to decellularization.

Optimizing Decellularization Strategies for the Efficient Production of Whole Rat Kidney Scaffolds.

Background: Renal dysfunction remains a global issue, with chronic kidney disease being the 18th most leading cause of death, worldwide. The increased demands in kidney transplants, led the scientific society to seek alternative strategies, utilizing mostly the tissue engineering approaches. Unlike to perfusion decellularization of kidneys, we proposed alternative decellularization strategies to obtain acellular kidney scaffolds.

Selection Criteria of Cord Blood Units for Platelet Gel Production: Proposed Directions from Hellenic Cord Blood Bank. Comment on Mallis et al. Short Term Results of Fibrin Gel Obtained from Cord Blood Units: A Preliminary in Vitro Study. 2019, , 66.

This article provides additional knowledge for cord blood platelet gel (CBPG) production. Recently, it has been shown that CBPG exerts beneficial properties in wound healing applications. CBPG is produced after a two-step centrifugation process, following the addition of calcium gluconate.

Future Perspectives in Small-Diameter Vascular Graft Engineering.

The increased demands of small-diameter vascular grafts (SDVGs) globally has forced the scientific society to explore alternative strategies utilizing the tissue engineering approaches. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) comprises one of the most lethal groups of non-communicable disorders worldwide. It has been estimated that in Europe, the healthcare cost for the administration of CVD is more than 169 billion €.

Mesenchymal stromal cells as potential immunomodulatory players in severe acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 and the related coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is a worldwide emerging situation, which was initially reported in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Currently, more than 7258842 new cases, and more than 411879 deaths have been reported globally. This new highly transmitted coronavirus is responsible for the development of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Insights into Biomechanical and Proteomic Characteristics of Small Diameter Vascular Grafts Utilizing the Human Umbilical Artery.

The gold standard vascular substitutes, used in cardiovascular surgery, are the Dacron or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE)-derived grafts. However, major adverse reactions accompany their use. For this purpose, decellularized human umbilical arteries (hUAs) may be proven as a significant source for the development of small diameter conduits.

Efficient differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells from Wharton's Jelly mesenchymal stromal cells using human platelet lysate: A potential cell source for small blood vessel engineering.

Background: The development of fully functional small diameter vascular grafts requires both a properly defined vessel conduit and tissue-specific cellular populations. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) derived from the Wharton's Jelly (WJ) tissue can be used as a source for obtaining vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), while the human umbilical arteries (hUAs) can serve as a scaffold for blood vessel engineering.

Aim: To develop VSMCs from WJ-MSCs utilizing umbilical cord blood platelet lysate.

The Combined Use of Stem Cells and Platelet Lysate Plasma for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: A Pilot Study-6 Months Results.

The current treatment of Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is mainly based on the use of drugs that provide erections shortly after use but they do not really treat the problem. Stem cell therapy is a novel treatment with regenerative properties that can possibly treat erectile dysfunction. Five patients with erectile disease were treated with Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs) and Platelet Lysate Plasma (PLP).

Vitrified Human Umbilical Arteries as Potential Grafts for Vascular Tissue Engineering.

Background: The development of a biological based small diameter vascular graft (d < 6 mm), that can be properly stored over a long time period at - 196 °C, in order to directly be used to the patients, still remains a challenge. In this study the decellularized umbilical arteries (UAs) where vitrified, evaluated their composition and implanted to a porcine model, thus serving as vascular graft.

Methods: Human UAs were decellularized using 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) detergents.

Effect of Cord Blood Platelet Gel on wound healing capacity of human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells.

Background: Wound healing is a dynamic process, involving the recruitment of growth factors, cytokines, chemokines and cellular populations. Recently, the Cord Blood Platelet Gel (CBPG) has been applied successfully in wound closure and tissue regeneration. Moreover, its proper combination with stem cell populations such as Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) may positively improve the wound healing process.

Introduction to the Special Issue on Stem Cell and Biologic Scaffold Engineering.

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine is a rapidly evolving research field that effectively combines stem cells and biologic scaffolds in order to replace damaged tissues. Biologic scaffolds can be produced through the removal of resident cellular populations using several tissue engineering approaches, such as the decellularization method. In addition, tissue engineering requires the interaction of biologic scaffolds with cellular populations.

Short Term Results of Fibrin Gel Obtained from Cord Blood Units: A Preliminary in Vitro Study.

Background: Recent findings have shown that the fibrin gel derived from cord blood units (CBUs) play a significant role in wound healing and tissue regeneration. The aim of this study was to standardize the fibrin gel production process in order to allow for its regular use.

Methods: CBUs ( = 200) were assigned to 4 groups according to their initial volume.