Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address:
Published: March 2016
AI Article Synopsis
Article Abstract
To address the lack of reliable long-term solutions for cartilage injuries, strategies in tissue engineering are beginning to leverage developmental processes to spur tissue regeneration. This study focuses on the use of poly(L-lysine) (PLL), previously shown to up-regulate mesenchymal condensation during developmental skeletogenesis in vitro, as an early chondrogenic stimulant of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). We characterized the effect of PLL incorporation on the swelling and degradation of oligo(poly(ethylene) glycol) fumarate) (OPF)-based hydrogels as functions of PLL molecular weight and dosage. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of PLL incorporation on the chondrogenic gene expression of hydrogel-encapsulated MSCs. The incorporation of PLL resulted in early enhancements of type II collagen and aggrecan gene expression and type II/type I collagen expression ratios when compared to blank controls. The presentation of PLL to MSCs encapsulated in OPF hydrogels also enhanced N-cadherin gene expression under certain culture conditions, suggesting that PLL may induce the expression of condensation markers in synthetic hydrogel systems. In summary, PLL can function as an inductive factor that primes the cellular microenvironment for early chondrogenic gene expression but may require additional biochemical factors for the generation of fully functional chondrocytes.
NAC [NO APICAL MERISTEM (NAM), ARABIDOPSIS TRANSCRIPTION ACTIVATOR FACTOR 1/2 (ATAF1/2), and CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON (CUC2)] transcription factors are key regulators of plant growth, development, and stress responses but were also crucial players during land plant adaptation and crop domestication. Using representative members of green algae, bryophytes, lycophytes, gymnosperms, and angiosperms, we expanded the evolutionary history of NAC transcription factors to unveil the relationships among members of this gene family. We found a massive increase in the number of NAC transcription factors from green algae to lycophytes and an even larger increase in flowering plants.
Dioscorea alata, a key tuber crop for global food security, is threatened by anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. However, identification of functional resistance genes against C. gloeosporioides in D.
METTL3, an m6A methyltransferase, is integral to the regulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) biogenesis, degradation, and translation through the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification. Alterations in m6A homeostasis have been implicated in the development, progression, invasion, and metastasis of certain cancers. The present research aims to examine the consequences of METTL3 knockdown using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) on the proliferation and invasive capabilities of human colorectal and melanoma cancer cell lines.
Introduction: Retinol has a long history of treating skin conditions, including photoaging. However, skin irritation with repeated use of retinol is well documented. The present study assessed the effectiveness of a novel topical formulation, referred to as retinol topical formulation (RTF), to improve the quality of skin health.
Exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) was associated with adipogenesis. However, potential mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Herein, a 3T3-L1 adipocyte model was used to explore the dynamic changes in adipocyte differentiation (2, 4, and 8 days) under PFOA and HFPO-DA exposure.
