Adipose mesenchymal stem cells-derived extracellular vesicles exert their preferential action in damaged central sites of SOD1 mice rather than peripherally.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder involving motor neuron (MN) loss in the motor cortex, brainstem and spinal cord leading to progressive paralysis and death. Due to the pathogenetic complexity, there are no effective therapies available. In this context the use of mesenchymal stem cells and their vesicular counterpart is an emerging therapeutic strategy to counteract neurodegeneration.

A Cellular Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis to Study the Therapeutic Effects of Extracellular Vesicles from Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Microglial Activation.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons (MNs) in the brain and spinal cord, leading to progressive paralysis and death. Increasing evidence indicates that neuroinflammation plays an important role in ALS's pathogenesis and disease progression. Neuroinflammatory responses, primarily driven by activated microglia and astrocytes, and followed by infiltrating peripheral immune cells, contribute to exacerbate/accelerate MN death.

Calcification alters the viscoelastic properties of tendon fascicle bundles depending on matrix content.

Tendon fascicle bundles are often used as biological grafts and thus must meet certain quality requirements, such as excluding calcification, which alters the biomechanical properties of soft tissues. In this work, we investigate the influence of early-stage calcification on the mechanical and structural properties of tendon fascicle bundles with varying matrix content. The calcification process was modeled using sample incubation in concentrated simulated body fluid.

Influence of blood sample storage and different types of anticoagulants on results of NK cytotoxicity tests.

Introduction: Natural killer (NK) cells are important players in the human immune response. Impaired NK function may lead to serious, life-threatening conditions. Defects may be consequences of genetic mutations or results of secondary factors such as infections, malignancies and autoimmune diseases.

Rehydration of the Tendon Fascicle Bundles Using Simulated Body Fluid Ensures Stable Mechanical Properties of the Samples.

In this work, we investigate the influence of dehydration and subsequent rehydration of tendon fascicle bundles on their structural and mechanical properties by using distilled water, 0.9% NaCl, 10% NaCl, SBF, and double concentrated SBF (SBFx2). The properties of tendon fascicle bundles were investigated by means of uniaxial tests with relaxation periods and hysteresis for samples with various interfascicular matrix content, dissected from the anterior and posterior areas of bovine tendon.

Electrospun Membrane Surface Modification by Sonocoating with HA and ZnO:Ag Nanoparticles-Characterization and Evaluation of Osteoblasts and Bacterial Cell Behavior In Vitro.

Guided tissue regeneration and guided bone regeneration membranes are some of the most common products used for bone regeneration in periodontal dentistry. The main disadvantage of commercially available membranes is their lack of bone cell stimulation and easy bacterial colonization. The aim of this work was to design and fabricate a new membrane construct composed of electrospun poly (D,L-lactic acid)/poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) fibers sonocoated with layers of nanoparticles with specific properties, i.

The dispersion of viscoelastic properties of fascicle bundles within the tendon results from the presence of interfascicular matrix and flow of body fluids.

In this work, we investigate differences in the mechanical and structural properties of tendon fascicle bundles dissected from different areas of bovine tendons. The properties of tendon fascicle bundles were investigated by means of uniaxial tests with relaxation periods and hysteresis, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Uniaxial tests with relaxation periods revealed greater elastic modulus, hysteresis, as well as stress drop during the relaxation of samples dissected from the posterior side of the tendon.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Neurological Disorders.

Neurological disorders are becoming a growing burden as society ages, and there is a compelling need to address this spiraling problem. Stem cell-based regenerative medicine is becoming an increasingly attractive approach to designing therapies for such disorders. The unique characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) make them among the most sought after cell sources.

Immunomodulatory and Regenerative Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Extracellular Vesicles: Therapeutic Outlook for Inflammatory and Degenerative Diseases.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are non-hematopoietic, multipotent stem cells derived from mesoderm, which can be easily isolated from many sources such as bone marrow, umbilical cord or adipose tissue. MSCs provide support for hematopoietic stem cells and have an ability to differentiate into multiple cell lines. Moreover, they have proangiogenic, protective and immunomodulatory properties.

Neuroinflammation evoked by brain injury in a rat model of lacunar infarct.

Stroke is the leading cause of long-term, severe disability worldwide. Immediately after the stroke, endogenous inflammatory processes are upregulated, leading to the local neuroinflammation and the potentiation of brain tissue destruction. The innate immune response is triggered as early as 24 h post-brain ischemia, followed by adaptive immunity activation.

A 3D Scanning System for Inverse Analysis of Moist Biological Samples: Design and Validation Using Tendon Fascicle Bundles.

In this article, we present the design and validation of a non-contact scanning system for the development of a three-dimensional (3D) model of moist biological samples. Due to the irregular shapes and low stiffness of soft tissue samples, the use of a non-contact, reliable geometry scanning system with good accuracy and repeatability is required. We propose a reliable 3D scanning system consisting of a blue light profile sensor, stationary and rotating frames with stepper motors, gears and a five-phase stepping motor unit, single-axis robot, control system, and replaceable sample grips, which once mounted onto the sample, are used for both scanning and mechanical tests.

Mesenchymal stem cells injected into carotid artery to target focal brain injury home to perivascular space.

: The groundbreaking discovery of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with their multifaceted benefits led to their widespread application in experimental medicine, including neurology. Efficient delivery of MSCs to damaged regions of the central nervous system may be a critical factor in determining outcome. Integrin VLA-4 (α4β1) coded by ITGA4 and ITGB1 genes is an adhesion molecule expressed by leukocytes, which is responsible for initiation of their diapedesis through cell docking to the inflamed vessel wall expressing VCAM1 receptor.

Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles attenuate neuroinflammation evoked by focal brain injury in rats.

Background: Ischemic stroke is the major cause of long-term severe disability and death in aged population. Cell death in the infarcted region of the brain induces immune reaction leading to further progression of tissue damage. Immunomodulatory function of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been shown in multiple preclinical studies; however, it has not been successfully translated to a routine clinical practice due to logistical, economical, regulatory, and intellectual property obstacles.

Neuroinflammation as a target for treatment of stroke using mesenchymal stem cells and extracellular vesicles.

Ischemic stroke is the third cause of death in the developed countries and the main reason of severe disability. Brain ischemia leads to the production of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) by neurons and glial cells which results in astrocyte and microglia activation, pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines production, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, infiltration of leukocytes from the peripheral blood into the infarcted area, and further exacerbation of tissue damage. However, some immune cells such as microglia or monocytes are capable to change their phenotype to anti-inflammatory, produce anti-inflammatory cytokines, and protect injured nervous tissue.

Labeling of human mesenchymal stem cells with different classes of vital stains: robustness and toxicity.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation has been explored as a new clinical approach to repair injured tissues. However, in order to evaluate the therapeutic activity of MSC, cell tracking techniques are required to determine the fate of transplanted cells in both preclinical and clinical studies. In these aspects, different vital stains offer the potential for labeling and monitoring of grafted cells in vivo.

A Breakthrough Application of a Cross-Linked Polystyrene Anion-Exchange Membrane for a Hydrogencarbonate Ion-Selective Electrode.

Polystyrene cross-linked with divinylbenzene and functionalized by a quaternary ammonium cation anion site is used as the membrane of a hydrogencarbonate (i.e., bicarbonate) ion-selective electrode.

Single-cell, high-throughput analysis of cell docking to vessel wall.

Therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been reported consistently in animal models of stroke, with mechanism mainly through immunomodulation and paracrine activity. Intravenous injection has been a prevailing route for MSCs administration, but cell quantities needed when scaling-up from mouse to human are extremely high putting into question feasibility of that approach. Intra-arterial delivery directly routes the cells to the brain thus lowering the required dose.

Imaging of extracellular vesicles derived from human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells using fluorescent and magnetic labels.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells have been shown therapeutic in various neurological disorders. Recent studies support the notion that the predominant mechanism by which MSCs act is through the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs seem to have similar therapeutic activity as their cellular counterparts and may represent an interesting alternative standalone therapy for various diseases.

Neuroprotective Potential and Paracrine Activity of Stromal Vs. Culture-Expanded hMSC Derived from Wharton Jelly under Co-Cultured with Hippocampal Organotypic Slices.

Regardless of enormous translational progress in stem cell clinical application, our knowledge about biological determinants of transplantation-related protection is still limited. In addition to adequate selection of the cell source well dedicated to a specific disease and optimal standardization of all other pre-transplant procedures, we have decided to focus more attention to the impact of culture time and environment itself on molecular properties and regenerative capacity of cell cultured in vitro. The aim of this investigation was to determine neuroprotection-linked cell phenotypic and functional changes that could spontaneously take place when freshly isolated Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cell (WJ-MSC) undergo standard selection, growth, and spontaneous differentiation throughout passaging in vitro.