CD44 mediates hyaluronan to promote the differentiation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes.

Objectives: CD44 is the major receptor for hyaluronan (HA), but its effect on HA-induced differentiation of human amnion mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of CD44 in HA-induced chondrogenesis.

Methods: Immunocytochemistry and toluidine blue staining were used to assess the secretion of type II collagen and aggrecan, respectively.

Establishment of a novel experimental model of infected anal fistula in rat.

Refractory Crohn's-like enterocutaneous fistula indicates the aggressive manifestation and lead to poor prognosis of patients. The development of multidisciplinary strategies for fistula administration largely subjects to the deficiency of animal model for disease remodeling and the underlying pathogenic mechanism. For the purpose, infected anal fistula model was conducted by BLV single-core electrolytic aluminum combined with dextran sodium sulfate.

Quality Control Analysis of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells During Investigational New Drug Application for GvHD Administration in China.

Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), including the acute and chronic types (aGvHD, cGvHD), arise as the dominating secondary disease in patients with unsatisfying consequences of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Approximately half of GvHD patients were steroid-resistant, with a two-year overall survival rate lower than 20%. Worse still, there are no standardized criteria for an optimal second-line therapy for steroid-resistant aGVHD patients.

Visualized Analyses of Investigations Upon Mesenchymal Stem/stromal Cell-based Cytotherapy and Underlying Mechanisms for COVID-19 Associated ARDS.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) triggered by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a widespread pandemic globally and seriously threatened public health. Patients with COVID-19 infection, and in particular, those with severe pneumonia-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) manifested rapid disease progression and the resultant high mortality and morbidity. Advances in fundamental and clinical studies have suggested the feasibility of mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC)-based therapy as an inspiring alternative for ARDS administration.

gene enhances hyaluronic acid-mediated chondrogenic differentiation in human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells via the activation of Sox9/ERK/smad signals.

This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms, whereby hyaluronic acid, a main extracellular matrix component of articular cartilage, promotes the chondrogenic differentiation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs). Our previous findings indicated that hyaluronic acid combined with hAMSCs showed a marked therapeutic effect against rat osteoarthritis. In the present study, hyaluronic acid markedly enhanced the expression of chondrocyte-specific markers including , and Sox9 in hAMSCs, with strong synergistic effects on chondrogenic differentiation, in combination with the commonly used inducer, transforming growth factor β3 (TGF-β3).

Effect of CD44 on differentiation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes via Smad and ERK signaling pathways.

CD44 antigen (CD44) is a transmembrane protein found in cell adhesion molecules and is involved in the regulation of various physiological processes in cells. It was hypothesized that CD44 directly affected the chondrogenic differentiation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs). In the present study, the expression of chondrocyte‑associated factors was detected in the absence and presence of the antibody blocker anti‑CD44 antibody during the chondrogenic differentiation of hAMSCs.

A Brief Analysis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Biological Drugs for the Treatment of Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF): Safety and Potency.

Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF) is characterized by acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis, organ failure, high mortality, and poor prognosis. At present, the clinical methods of treatment include comprehensive treatment with medicines, artificial liver system, and Orthotopic Liver Transplantation (OLT), and of these, OLT is considered the most effective treatment for ACLF. However, it is difficult for ACLF patients to benefit from OLT due to the shortage of liver donors, high cost, unpredictable postoperative complications, and long-term use of immunosuppressive drugs; therefore, it is important to explore a new treatment option.

Application of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: A concise review.

Osteoarthritis (OA) refers to a chronic joint disease characterized by degenerative changes of articular cartilage and secondary bone hyperplasia. Since articular cartilage has a special structure, namely the absence of blood vessels as well as the low conversion rate of chondrocytes in the cartilage matrix, the treatment faces numerous clinical challenges. Traditional OA treatment (.