17β-Estradiol promotes angiogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by upregulating the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury: a new therapeutic strategy

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) is a serious kidney condition that causes significant damage due to lack of blood flow. This injury leads to oxidative stress and inflammation, which can cause acute tubular necrosis and kidney failure. Stem cell-derived exosomes, small vesicles released by stem cells, have shown promise in treating RIRI. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been used to mitigate RIRI, and their exosomes have been found to play a crucial role in repairing damaged tissues. This review explores the key roles of exosomes from different sources of MSCs in RIRI, the potential of MSC-derived exosomes in treating this disease, and future research directions.

In vitro effects and mechanisms of Humulus lupulus extract on bone marrow progenitor cells and endothelial cells

Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disorder and is associated with a high incidence of fractures. Angiogenesis and adequate blood flow are important during bone repair and maintenance. Estrogens play a key role in bone formation, in the prevention of bone resorption and vasculature maintenance. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been used with great benefits for bone fracture prevention but has been linked to the development of serious important side effects, including cancer and stroke. Phytoestrogens are an attractive alternative to HRT because their chemical structure is similar to estradiol but, they could behave as selective modulators: acting as antagonists of estrogen receptors in the breast and endometrium and as agonists in the vascular endothelium and bone. Hops contain a wide variety of phytoestrogens that have individually been shown to possess estrogenic activity by either blocking or mimicking. In this study we have to evaluate the in vitro effects and mechanisms of action of hops extracts on the osteogenic and adipogenic capacity of bone marrow progenitor cells (BMPCs), and the angiogenic potential of EA.hy926 endothelial cells. We show that hops extracts increase the proliferative capacity of BMPCs and promote their osteogenic differentiation while decreasing their pro-osteoclastogenic capacity; and that these effects are mediated by the MAPK pathway. Additionally, hops extracts prevent the adipogenic differentiation of BMPCs and promote endothelial cell activity, by mechanisms also partially mediated by MAPK.

Endometriotic lesions exhibit distinct metabolic signature compared to paired eutopic endometrium at the single-cell level

Current therapeutics of endometriosis focus on hormonal disruption of endometriotic lesions (ectopic endometrium, EcE). Recent findings show higher glycolysis utilization in EcE, suggesting non-hormonal strategy for disease treatment that addresses cellular metabolism. Identifying metabolically altered cell types in EcE is important for targeted metabolic drug therapy without affecting eutopic endometrium (EuE). Here, using single-cell RNA-sequencing, we examine twelve metabolic pathways in paired samples of EuE and EcE from women with confirmed endometriosis. We detect nine major cell types in both EuE and EcE. Metabolic pathways are most differentially regulated in perivascular, stromal, and endothelial cells, with the highest changes in AMPK signaling, HIF-1 signaling, glutathione metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycolysis. We identify transcriptomic co-activation of glycolytic and oxidative metabolism in perivascular and stromal cells of EcE, indicating a critical role of metabolic reprogramming in maintaining endometriotic lesion growth. Perivascular cells, involved in endometrial stroma repair and angiogenesis, may be potential targets for non-hormonal treatment of endometriosis.

Perspectives on Osteoarthritis Treatment with Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae

Knee osteoarthritis, a widespread degenerative condition, impacts a younger population and leads to high disability rates. Nature often provides solutions for aging and disease prevention. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae (AB) are natural substances with potential. MSCs can transform into various tissues, alleviating symptoms by releasing factors and miRNA, potentially slowing osteoarthritis progression. AB's compositions target knee joint cells, enhancing internal conditions and joint function. Both MSCs and AB share mechanisms for immune regulation, reducing cartilage apoptosis, promoting chondrocyte formation, and addressing osteoporosis. They also influence estrogen and gut flora. This article reviews their roles in treating osteoarthritis, discussing apoptosis reduction, chondrocyte growth, bone enhancement, angiogenesis, and regulation of estrogen and intestinal flora. It explores their relationship and suggests AB's potential in stimulating mesenchymal stem cell repair for knee osteoarthritis treatment.

Research progress in MCM family: Focus on the tumor treatment resistance

Malignant tumors constitute a significant category of diseases posing a severe threat to human survival and health, thereby representing one of the most challenging and pressing issues in the field of biomedical research. Due to their malignant nature, which is characterized by a high potential for metastasis, rapid dissemination, and frequent recurrence, the prevailing approach in clinical oncology involves a comprehensive treatment strategy that combines surgery with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapies, and other interventions. Treatment resistance remains a major obstacle in the comprehensive management of tumors, serving as a primary cause for the failure of integrated tumor therapies and a critical factor contributing to patient relapse and mortality. The Minichromosome Maintenance (MCM) protein family comprises functional proteins closely associated with the development of resistance in tumor therapy.The influence of MCMs manifests through various pathways, encompassing modulation of DNA replication, cell cycle regulation, and DNA damage repair mechanisms. Consequently, this leads to an enhanced tolerance of tumor cells to chemotherapy, targeted drugs, and radiation. Consequently, this review explores the specific roles of the MCM family in various cancer treatment strategies. Its objective is to enhance our comprehension of resistance mechanisms in tumor therapy, thereby presenting novel targets for clinical research aimed at overcoming resistance in cancer treatment. This bears substantial clinical relevance.

What happens to the osteoporotic bone mesenchymal stem cells? Evidence from RNA sequencing

Evidence presented that osteoporosis is closely related to the dysfunction of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). But most studies are insufficient to reveal what actually happens to the osteoporotic BMSCs. In this study, BMSCs were harvested from ovariectomized and sham-operated rats. After checking the characteristics of rat models and stem cells, the BMSCs were carried out for RNA sequencing. Part of the findings were verified that seven mRNAs (Abi3bp, Aifm3, Ccl11, Cdkn1c, Chst10, Id2, Vcam1) were significantly up-regulated in osteoporotic BMSCs while seven mRNAs (Cep63, Fgfr3, Myc, Omd, Pou2f1, Smarcal1, Timm10b) were down-regulated. In addition, potential miRNA-mRNA and lncRNA-mRNA regulatory networks were illustrated. The changes in osteoporotic BMSCs covered a large set of biological processes, including cell viability, differentiation, immunoreaction, bone repairment and estrogen defect. This study enriched the pathophysiological mechanisms of BMSCs and osteporosis, as well as provided dozens of attractive RNA targets for further treatment.

Impact of 17β-Estradiol on the Shape, Survival, Osteogenic Transformation, and mRNA Expression of Gingiva-Derived Stem Cell Spheroids

Background and Objectives: Mesenchymal stem cells hold promise for tissue regeneration, given their robust growth and versatile differentiation capabilities. An analysis of bone marrow-sourced mesenchymal stem cell proliferation showed that 17β-estradiol could enhance their growth. This study aims to investigate the influence of 17β-estradiol on the shape, survival, osteogenic differentiation, and mineralization of human mesenchymal stem cells. Materials and Methods: Spheroids made from human gingiva-derived stem cells were cultivated with varying concentrations of 17β-estradiol: 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 nM. Morphology was assessed on days 1, 3, and 5. The live/dead kit assay was employed on day 3 for qualitative cell viability, while cell counting kit-8 was used for quantitative viability assessments on days 1, 3, and 5. To evaluate the osteogenic differentiation of the spheroids, a real-time polymerase chain reaction assessed the expressions of RUNX2 and COL1A1 on day 7. Results: The stem cells formed cohesive spheroids, and the inclusion of 17β-estradiol did not noticeably alter their shape. The spheroid diameter remained consistent across concentrations of 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 nM of 17β-estradiol. However, cellular viability was boosted with the addition of 1 and 10 nM of 17β-estradiol. The highest expression levels for RUNX2 and COL1A1 were observed with the introduction of 17β-estradiol at 0.1 nM. Conclusions: In conclusion, from the results obtained, it can be inferred that 17β-estradiol can be utilized for differentiating stem cell spheroids. Furthermore, the localized and controlled use, potentially through localized delivery systems or biomaterials, can be an area of active research. While 17β-estradiol holds promise for enhancing stem cell applications, any clinical use requires a thorough understanding of its mechanisms, careful control of its dosage and delivery, and extensive testing to ensure safety and efficacy.

LC-MS Analysis of Ginsenosides in Different Parts of Panax quinquefolius and Their Potential for Coronary Disease Improvement

Seven main ginsenosides, including ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rb₁, pseudoginsenoside F₁₁, ginsenoside Rb₂, ginsenoside Rb₃, ginsenoside Rd, and ginsenoside F₂, were identified by LC-QTOF MS/MS from root, leaf and flower extracts of Panax quinquefolius. These extracts promoted intersegmental vessel growth in a zebrafish model, indicating their potential cardiovascular health benefits. Network pharmacology analysis was then conducted to reveal the potential mechanisms of ginsenoside activity in the treatment of coronary artery disease. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses elucidated that G protein-coupled receptors played a critical role in VEGF-mediated signal transduction and that the molecular pathways associated with ginsenoside activity are involved in neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, cholesterol metabolism, the cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, etc. Moreover, VEGF, FGF2, and STAT3 were confirmed as the major targets inducing proliferation of endothelial cells and driving the pro-angiogenic process. Overall, ginsenosides could be potent nutraceutical agents that act to reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease. Our findings will provide a basis to utilize the whole P. quinquefolius plant in drugs and functional foods.

Exploring the mechanism of Alisma orientale for the treatment of pregnancy induced hypertension and potential hepato-nephrotoxicity by using network pharmacology, network toxicology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation

Background: Pregnancy-induced Hypertension (PIH) is a disease that causes serious maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Alisma Orientale (AO) has a long history of use as traditional Chinese medicine therapy for PIH. This study explores its potential mechanism and biosafety based on network pharmacology, network toxicology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Methods: Compounds of AO were screened in TCMSP, TCM-ID, TCM@Taiwan, BATMAN, TOXNET and CTD database; PharmMapper and SwissTargetPrediction, GeneCards, DisGeNET and OMIM databases were used to predict the targets of AO anti-PIH. The protein-protein interaction analysis and the KEGG/GO enrichment analysis were applied by STRING and Metascape databases, respectively. Then, we constructed the "herb-compound-target-pathway-disease" map in Cytoscape software to show the core regulatory network. Finally, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were applied to analyze binding affinity and reliability. The same procedure was conducted for network toxicology to illustrate the mechanisms of AO hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Results: 29 compounds with 78 potential targets associated with the therapeutic effect of AO on PIH, 10 compounds with 117 and 111 targets associated with AO induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity were obtained, respectively. The PPI network analysis showed that core therapeutic targets were IGF, MAPK1, AKT1 and EGFR, while PPARG and TNF were toxicity-related targets. Besides, GO/KEGG enrichment analysis showed that AO might modulate the PI3K-AKT and MAPK pathways in treating PIH and mainly interfere with the lipid and atherosclerosis pathways to induce liver and kidney injury. The "herb-compound-target-pathway-disease" network showed that triterpenoids were the main therapeutic compounds, such as Alisol B 23-Acetate and Alisol C, while emodin was the main toxic compounds. The results of molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation also showed good binding affinity between core compounds and targets. Conclusion: This research illustrated the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects of AO against PIH and AO induced hepato-nephrotoxicity. However, further experimental verification is warranted for optimal use of AO during clinical practice.