USP9X-enriched MSC-sEV inhibits LSEC angiogenesis in MASH mice by downregulating the IκBα/NF-κB/Ang-2 pathway

Accelerated differentiation of photothermal effect-induced mesenchymal stem cells regulated by activating HSP90-autophagy boosts wound repair

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) have the potential for pluripotent differentiation, transformation into stromal cells, and release of various cytokines to accelerate tissue healing as well as fight against inflammatory response. However, the differentiation and maturation of MSC require considerable time, which limits their clinical application. To tackle this difficulty, we herein propose a strategy of "selective accelerated activation of MSC by photothermal effect (PTE)" based on our previous work of "laser-controlled platelet activation". In vitro experiments presented that a photothermal agent (Indocyanine green, ICG) could be loaded by bone marrow-derived MSC (BMSC), which facilitated temperature increase under laser irradiation, leading to the speed differentiation and maturity of BMSC. Further findings revealed that PTE prevented BMSC from oxidative stress, thereby reducing inflammation and apoptosis. The ICG-loaded BMSC, which mixed with hydrogel, was further covered on the acute wounds in rats, promoting wound healing and blood vessel regeneration under laser irradiation. In-depth RNA-sequencing results indicated that PTE treatment led to the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) enriched in autophagy and PI3K signaling pathways, as confirmed by the increased expression of autophagy-associated biomarkers and observed autophagosome in BMSC. Furthermore, the HSP90 was activated in response to the PTE, which inhibited PI3K signaling. Finally, the silence of HSP90 abolished PTE-driven PI3K blockage, autophagy, and differentiation of BMSC. To summarize, PTE could facilitate the differentiation of MSC by triggering HSP90-mediated autophagy, which provides a novel approach for controlled MSC differentiation and the potential application of MSC cytopharmaceutics in wound repair.

The role of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver diseases and liver cancer: mechanisms and potential therapies

Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), with their unique morphology and function, have garnered increasing attention in chronic liver disease research. This review summarizes the critical roles of LSECs under physiological conditions and in two representative chronic liver diseases: metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and liver cancer. Under physiological conditions, LSECs act as selective barriers, regulating substance exchange and hepatic blood flow. Interestingly, LSECs exhibit contrasting roles at different stages of disease progression: in the early stages, they actively resist disease advancement and help restore sinusoidal homeostasis; whereas in later stages, they contribute to disease worsening. During this transition, LSECs undergo capillarization, lose their characteristic markers, and become dysfunctional. As the disease progresses, LSECs closely interact with hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, various immune cells, and tumor cells, driving processes such as steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, angiogenesis, and carcinogenesis. Consequently, targeting LSECs represents a promising therapeutic strategy for chronic liver diseases. Relevant therapeutic targets and potential drugs are summarized in this review.