MSCs-derived ECM functionalized hydrogel regulates macrophage reprogramming for osteoarthritis treatment by improving mitochondrial function and energy metabolism.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease that affects the entire joint, with synovial inflammation being a major pathological feature. Macrophages, as the most abundant immune cells in the synovium, have an M1/M2 imbalance that is closely related to the occurrence and development of OA. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to effectively suppress inflammation in the treatment of OA, but they still pose issues such as immune rejection and tumorigenicity.

Case report: Non-EBV associated cerebral vasculitis and cerebral hemorrhage in X-linked lymphoproliferative disease.

X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by immune dysregulation. The three most common clinical phenotypes are EBV-associated infectious mononucleosis (FIM), abnormal gammaglobulinemia, and lymphoma. We present a rare case of XLP1 with neurovasculitis, which is non-EBV-related and involves multiple systems, a condition rarely seen in children.

Mechanism of M2 macrophages modulating astrocyte polarization through the TGF-β/PI3K/Akt pathway.

Recent studies have revealed that activated astrocytes (AS) are divided into two distinct types, termed A1 and A2. A2 astrocytes are neuroprotective and promote tissue repair and regeneration following spinal cord injury. Whereas, the specific mechanism for the formation of the A2 phenotype remains unclear.

Case report: Heterogeneous mutations of SOX10 gene in a Chinese infant with Waardenburg syndrome type 4C.

A 5-month-old patient presented with grayish-blue iris bilaterally, skin and mucosal pigmentation loss, Hirschsprung's disease, full-blown growth retardation, and sensorineural deafness. The patient's whole exon gene sequencing revealed a spontaneous heterozygous code-shifting mutation in the SOX10 gene: c.803del:p.

Clinical manifestations and gene analysis of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome: A case report.

Background: This case report describes a child with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS, OMIM: 176670) caused by (OMIM: 150330) gene mutation, and we have previously analyzed the clinical manifestations and imaging characteristics of this case. After 1-year treatment and follow-up, we focus on analyzing the changes in the clinical manifestations and genetic diagnosis of the patient.

Case Summary: In April 2020, a 2-year-old boy with HGPS was found to have an abnormal appearance, and growth and development lagged behind those of children of the same age.

Peripheral Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Modulate Macrophage Plasticity through the IL-10/STAT3 Pathway.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that can skew the balance of M1/M2 macrophage polarization towards the M2 phenotype via their paracrine effects, thereby promoting anatomical and functional recovery after many inflammatory diseases induced by macrophages. However, the underlying mechanism is still poorly understood. This study focused on the IL-10/STAT3 pathway and investigated whether IL-10 secreted by PBMSCs could mediate M2 polarization through the activation of this pathway.

Effects of astrocytes and microglia on neuroinflammation after spinal cord injury and related immunomodulatory strategies.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic event which is still without adequate therapies. Neuroinflammation is the main pathogenesis of secondary damage post-SCI, leading to tissue loss and neurological dysfunction. Previous studies have shown that microglia and astrocytes are the major immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS) and play a crucial role in modulating neuroinflammatory responses.

PBMSCs transplantation facilitates functional recovery after spinal cord injury by regulating microglia/macrophages plasticity.

Background: Stem cell therapy has been proven as one of the promising strategies for treating spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the role of peripheral blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PBMSCs) in animal models of SCI has not been fully uncovered. This study aimed to investigate whether transplanted PBMSCs could inhibit neuroinflammation and then promote the functional recovery by shifting the microglia/macrophages phenotype from M1 to M2 at the site of injury after SCI.

Efficacy of levetiracetam in the treatment of pediatric epilepsy: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: To systematically collect, critically evaluate, and synthesize current evidence with respect to the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of levetiracetam as mono- or adjunctive therapy for children and adolescents with all types of epilepsy.

Methods: The presentation of methods and results in this systematic review was performed according to the evaluation guidelines for health care interventions provided in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocol. Literature retrieval will use the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, China Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, Wanfang Database, and Ongoing Clinical Trials Database.

Regulatory Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Secondary Inflammation in Spinal Cord Injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic condition with high morbidity and mortality that still lacks effective therapeutic strategies. It is well known that the most important stage in SCI pathogenesis is secondary injury, and among the involved mechanisms, the inflammatory cascade is the main contributor and directly influences neurological function recovery. In recent years, increasing evidence has shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation is a promising immunomodulatory strategy.

Neuroinflammation and Scarring After Spinal Cord Injury: Therapeutic Roles of MSCs on Inflammation and Glial Scar.

Transected axons are unable to regenerate after spinal cord injury (SCI). Glial scar is thought to be responsible for this failure. Regulating the formation of glial scar post-SCI may contribute to axonal regrow.

Design and development of a novel biostretch apparatus for tissue engineering.

A uniaxial cyclic stretch apparatus is designed and developed for tissue engineering research. The biostretch apparatus employs noncontact electromagnetic force to uniaxially stretch a rectangular Gelfoam or RTV silicon scaffold. A reliable controller is implemented to control four stretch parameters independently: extent, frequency, pattern, and duration of the stretch.