Silencing CoREST inhibits the viability and migration of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in TNF-α-induced rheumatoid arthritis.

Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) have functions in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) through the onset of synovitis, the growth of pannus and the destruction of cartilage and bone. The significant increase in the proliferation, migration and invasion of FLSs induces the onset and advancement of RA. To date, the exact function of corepressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (CoREST) in RA remains unclear, but its expression has been determined in RA synovial tissues.

A Multiple Stimuli-Sensitive Low-Molecular-Weight Gel with an Aggregate-Induced Emission Effect for Sol-Gel Transition Detection.

A low-molecular-weight gel (LMWG) with a hydrazone moiety and an aggregate-induced emission (AIE) unit was fabricated; the self-assembly and disassembly of the LMWG under different stimuli conditions were studied. The LMWG exhibited multiple stimuli sensitivity with temperature, light, ions, and ionic strength. The hydrazone was integrated into the gelator to act as ion sensing sites and hydrogen bond donor groups to fulfil the task of ion recognition of Ni, BH, and OH, as well as ion-controlled reversible sol-gel recovery by adding H for deprotonation; it also broke under UV irradiation to evoke light-sensitivity.

In situ injection of phenylboronic acid based low molecular weight gels for efficient chemotherapy.

Injectable low molecular weight gels (LMWGs) based on the derivatives of phenylboronic acid were prepared and used as substrates for efficient in situ chemotherapy. The gelators as well as LMWGs were characterized by (1)H NMR, UV-vis, FTIR, MS and SEM. Anticancer drug doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) was encapsulated in the gels.

Low molecular weight gels induced differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

Four low molecular weight gels (LMWGs) with different moduli were fabricated as scaffolds to investigate the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The MSCs differentiated to osteoblasts in rigid LMWGs and to chondrocytes in soft LMWGs. The critical modulus to induce the different differentiations was between 10 and 20 kPa.