Mining of potentially stem cell-related miRNAs in planarians.

Stem cells and regenerative medicine have recently become important research topics. However, the complex stem cell regulatory networks involved in various microRNA (miRNA)-mediated mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. Planarians are ideal animal models for studying stem cells owing to their rich stem cell populations (neoblasts) and extremely strong regeneration capacity.

Quantification of Skeletal Muscle Perfusion in Peripheral Artery Disease Using F-Sodium Fluoride Positron Emission Tomography Imaging.

Background: Perfusion deficits contribute to symptom severity, morbidity, and death in peripheral artery disease (PAD); however, no standard method for quantifying absolute measures of skeletal muscle perfusion exists. This study sought to preclinically test and clinically translate a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging approach using an atherosclerosis-targeted radionuclide, fluorine-18-sodium fluoride (F-NaF), to quantify absolute perfusion in PAD.

Methods And Results: Eight Yorkshire pigs underwent unilateral femoral artery ligation and dynamic F-NaF PET/computed tomography imaging on the day of and 2 weeks after occlusion.

Chemically Defined Conditions Mediate an Efficient Induction of Dental Pulp Pluripotent-Like Stem Cells into Hepatocyte-Like Cells.

Liver diseases are major causes of morbidity and mortality. Dental pulp pluripotent-like stem cells (DPPSCs) are of a considerable promise in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine as a new source of tissue-specific cells; therefore, this study is aimed at demonstrating their ability to generate functional hepatocyte-like cells . Cells were differentiated on a collagen scaffold in serum-free media supplemented with growth factors and cytokines to recapitulate liver development.

Meniscus regeneration with injectable Pluronic/PMMA-reinforced fibrin hydrogels in a rabbit segmental meniscectomy model.

Injectable hydrogel systems are a facile approach to apply to the damaged meniscus in a minimally invasive way. We herein developed a clinically applicable and injectable semi-interpenetrated network (semi-IPN) hydrogel system based on fibrin (Fb), reinforced with Pluronic F127 (F127) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), to improve the intrinsic weak mechanical properties. Through the dual-syringe device system, the hydrogel could form a gel state within about 50 s, and the increment of compressive modulus of Fb hydrogels was achieved by adding F127 from 3.

Efficacy and safety of a novel hemostatic material, BoneStat, compared with Ostene and Bone Wax in a rat calvarial defect model.

Hemostasis has critical significance during surgical procedures. Bone Wax has traditionally been commonly used for bone hemostasis despite well-documented undesirable side effects: hindering osteogenesis and induction of inflammatory reactions with consequent increase in infection rates. A later developed formulation, Ostene, offers an alternative to Bone Wax with lesser undesired effects.

Adverse Reactions and Clinical Outcomes for Leukocyte-Poor Versus Leukocyte-Rich Platelet-Rich Plasma in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has gained attention as a therapeutic option for knee osteoarthritis; however, its efficacy varies widely. Leukocytes in PRP raise the concern of aggravating proinflammatory activity. To date, PRP has rarely been investigated with regard to leukocyte concentration.

Injectable Fibrin/Polyethylene Oxide Semi-IPN Hydrogel for a Segmental Meniscal Defect Regeneration.

Background: Meniscal deficiency from meniscectomy is a common situation in clinical practices. Regeneration of the deficient meniscal portion, however, is still not feasible.

Purpose: To develop an injectable hydrogel system consisting of fibrin (Fb) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) and to estimate its clinical potential for treating a segmental defect of the meniscus in a rabbit meniscal defect model.

Comparative Proteomic Analysis Identifies EphA2 as a Specific Cell Surface Marker for Wharton's Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) are a valuable tool in stem cell research due to their high proliferation rate, multi-lineage differentiation potential, and immunotolerance properties. However, fibroblast impurity during WJ-MSCs isolation is unavoidable because of morphological similarities and shared surface markers. Here, a proteomic approach was employed to identify specific proteins differentially expressed by WJ-MSCs in comparison to those by neonatal foreskin and adult skin fibroblasts (NFFs and ASFs, respectively).

Combined Delivery of Two Different Bioactive Factors Incorporated in Hydroxyapatite Microcarrier for Bone Regeneration.

Background: The delivery of growth factors using a carrier system presents a promising and innovative tool in tissue engineering and dentistry today. Two of the foremost bioactive factors, bone morphogenetic protein-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), are widely applied using a ceramic scaffold. The aim of this study was to determine the use of hydroxyapatite microcarrier (MC) for dual delivery of osteogenic and angiogenic factors to accelerate hard tissue regeneration during the regenerative process.

S53P4 Bioactive Glass Inorganic Ions for Vascularized Bone Tissue Engineering by Dental Pulp Pluripotent-Like Stem Cell Cocultures.

In this study, we proposed for the first time the use of inorganic ions dissolved from BaG in a cell coculture system to induce vascularized bone formation For that, we used dental pulp pluripotent-like stem cells from a single individual source obtained in a minimally invasive extraction manner. Moreover, we carried out all the experiments under xeno-free conditions, allowing the extrapolation of the results to the development of clinically orientated applications. Overall, these results would provide a new promising system to promote the success and survival of bone tissue engineering constructs after implantation.

The Effect of Commercially Available Endodontic Cements and Biomaterials on Osteogenic Differentiation of Dental Pulp Pluripotent-Like Stem Cells.

The aim of this study is to compare the osteogenic differentiation capacity of the dental pulp pluripotent-like stem cells (DPPSCs) using conditional media pretreated with ProRoot-MTA, Biodentine (BD) or the newly manufactured pure Portland cement Med-PZ (MZ). DPPSCs, isolated from human third molars, are the most relevant cell model to draw conclusions about the role of biomaterials on dental tissue regeneration. Cytotoxicity, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and calcium deposition analysis were evaluated at different differentiation time points.

Accelerated hardening of nanotextured 3D-plotted self-setting calcium phosphate inks.

Unlabelled: Direct ink writing (DIW) techniques open up new possibilities for the fabrication of patient-specific bone grafts. Self-setting calcium phosphate inks, which harden at low temperature, allow obtaining nanostructured scaffolds with biomimetic properties and enhanced bioactivity. However, the slow hardening kinetics hampers the translation to the clinics.

Nanocements produced from mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles.

Biomedical cements are considered promising injectable materials for bone repair and regeneration. Calcium phosphate composition sized with tens of micrometers is currently one of the major powder forms. Here we report a unique cement form made from mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (BGn).

Chemically Defined Conditions Mediate an Efficient Induction of Mesodermal Lineage from Human Umbilical Cord- and Bone Marrow- Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Dental Pulp Pluripotent-Like Stem Cells.

The human umbilical cord Wharton's Jelly- and the bone marrow- mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs and BM-MSCs, respectively) and the newly identified dental pulp pluripotent-like stem cells (DPPSCs) are new sources for stem cells with prospective use in cell regeneration and therapy. These cells are self-renewable, can be differentiated into several lineages, and can potentiate the immune responses. We hypothesized that three-dimensional (3D) culture conditions and directed differentiation using specific signaling regulators will enhance an efficient generation of mesoderm (MD) lineage independent from the origin or source of the stem cells.

Stem Cell Therapy for Articular Cartilage Repair: Review of the Entity of Cell Populations Used and the Result of the Clinical Application of Each Entity.

Background: Following successful preclinical studies, stem cell therapy is emerging as a candidate for the treatment of articular cartilage lesions. Because stem cell therapy for cartilage repair in humans is at an early phase, confusion and errors are found in the literature regarding use of the term stem cell therapy in this field.

Purpose: To provide an overview of the outcomes of cartilage repair, elucidating the various cell populations used, and thus reduce confusion with regard to using the term stem cell therapy.

Human dental pulp pluripotent-like stem cells promote wound healing and muscle regeneration.

Background: Dental pulp represents an easily accessible autologous source of adult stem cells. A subset of these cells, named dental pulp pluripotent-like stem cells (DPPSC), shows high plasticity and can undergo multiple population doublings, making DPPSC an appealing tool for tissue repair or maintenance.

Methods: DPPSC were harvested from the dental pulp of third molars extracted from young patients.

Interactions between microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs in cardiac development and repair.

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are emerging players in muscle regulation. Based on their length and differences in molecular structure, ncRNAs are subdivided into several categories including small interfering RNAs, stable non-coding RNAs, microRNAs (miRs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs. miRs and lncRNAs are able to post-transcriptionally regulate many genes and bring into play several traits simultaneously due to a myriad of different targets.

Type 1 Diabetes Treatments Based on Stem Cells.

Background: More than a decade ago, a new research field named Stem Cell Therapy emerged in Health Science. Initially, it was considered that cells owned a differentiation capability; however, this dogma has changed when new results have been published regarding the ability of the cells to differentiate into different cell tissue mainly due to the novel reprogramming strategies. Accordingly, cells from an adult tissue source may be potentially capable of originating cells of a very different cell type.

A mini review focused on the proangiogenic role of silicate ions released from silicon-containing biomaterials.

Angiogenesis is considered an important issue in the development of biomaterials for the successful regeneration of tissues including bone. While growth factors are commonly used with biomaterials to promote angiogenesis, some ions released from biomaterials can also contribute to angiogenic events. Many silica-based biomaterials have been widely used for the repair and regeneration of tissues, mainly hard tissues such as bone and tooth structure.

Dental pulp pluripotent-like stem cells (DPPSC), a new stem cell population with chromosomal stability and osteogenic capacity for biomaterials evaluation.

Background: Biomaterials are widely used to regenerate or substitute bone tissue. In order to evaluate their potential use for clinical applications, these need to be tested and evaluated in vitro with cell culture models. Frequently, immortalized osteoblastic cell lines are used in these studies.

Cartilage Regeneration in Osteoarthritic Patients by a Composite of Allogeneic Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Hyaluronate Hydrogel: Results from a Clinical Trial for Safety and Proof-of-Concept with 7 Years of Extended Follow-Up.

Few methods are available to regenerate articular cartilage defects in patients with osteoarthritis. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of articular cartilage regeneration by a novel medicinal product composed of allogeneic human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs). Patients with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 3 osteoarthritis and International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grade 4 cartilage defects were enrolled in this clinical trial.

Improvement of osteogenesis in dental pulp pluripotent-like stem cells by oligopeptide-modified poly(β-amino ester)s.

Unlabelled: Controlling pluripotent stem cell differentiation via genetic manipulation is a promising technique in regenerative medicine. However, the lack of safe and efficient delivery vehicles limits this application. Recently, a new family of poly(β-amino ester)s (pBAEs) with oligopeptide-modified termini showing high transfection efficiency of both siRNA and DNA plasmid has been developed.

Promoting angiogenesis with mesoporous microcarriers through a synergistic action of delivered silicon ion and VEGF.

Angiogenic capacity of biomaterials is a key asset to drive vascular ingrowth during tissue repair and regeneration. Here we design a unique angiogenic microcarrier based on sol-gel derived mesoporous silica. The microspheres offer a potential angiogenic stimulator, Si ion, 'intrinsically' within the chemical structure.

Biomaterials and Culture Technologies for Regenerative Therapy of Liver Tissue.

Regenerative approach has emerged to substitute the current extracorporeal technologies for the treatment of diseased and damaged liver tissue. This is based on the use of biomaterials that modulate the responses of hepatic cells through the unique matrix properties tuned to recapitulate regenerative functions. Cells in liver preserve their phenotype or differentiate through the interactions with extracellular matrix molecules.

Defined three-dimensional culture conditions mediate efficient induction of definitive endoderm lineage from human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells.

Background: Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) are gaining increasing interest as an alternative source of stem cells for regenerative medicine applications. Definitive endoderm (DE) specification is a prerequisite for the development of vital organs such as liver and pancreas. Hence, efficient induction of the DE lineage from stem cells is crucial for subsequent generation of clinically relevant cell types.