Effects of an early intervention using human amniotic epithelial cells in a COPD rat model

The potential role of multifunctional human amniotic epithelial cells in pancreatic islet transplantation

Pancreatic islet cell transplantation has proven efficacy as a treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus, chiefly in individuals who are refractory to conventional insulin replacement therapy. At present its clinical use is restricted, firstly by the limited access to suitable donor organs but also due to factors associated with the current clinical transplant procedure which inadvertently impair the long-term functionality of the islet graft. Of note, the physical, biochemical, inflammatory, and immunological stresses to which islets are subjected, either during pretransplant processing or following implantation are detrimental to their sustained viability, necessitating repeated islet infusions to attain adequate glucose control. Progressive decline in functional beta (β)-cell mass leads to graft failure and the eventual re-instatement of exogenous insulin treatment. Strategies which protect and/or preserve optimal islet function in the peri-transplant period would improve clinical outcomes. Human amniotic epithelial cells (HAEC) exhibit both pluripotency and immune-privilege and are ideally suited for use in replacement and regenerative therapies. The HAEC secretome exhibits trophic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties of relevance to islet graft survival. Facilitated by β-cell supportive 3D cell culture systems, HAEC may be integrated with islets bringing them into close spatial arrangement where they may exert paracrine influences that support β-cell function, reduce hypoxia-induced islet injury, and alter islet alloreactivity. The present review details the potential of multifunctional HAEC in the context of islet transplantation, with a focus on the innate capabilities that may counter adverse events associated with the current clinical transplant protocol to achieve long-term islet graft function.

Characteristics and Therapeutic Potential of Human Amnion-Derived Stem Cells

Stem cells including embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and adult stem cells (ASCs) are able to repair/replace damaged or degenerative tissues and improve functional recovery in experimental model and clinical trials. However, there are still many limitations and unresolved problems regarding stem cell therapy in terms of ethical barriers, immune rejection, tumorigenicity, and cell sources. By reviewing recent literatures and our related works, human amnion-derived stem cells (hADSCs) including human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) and human amniotic epithelial stem cells (hAESCs) have shown considerable advantages over other stem cells. In this review, we first described the biological characteristics and advantages of hADSCs, especially for their high pluripotency and immunomodulatory effects. Then, we summarized the therapeutic applications and recent progresses of hADSCs in treating various diseases for preclinical research and clinical trials. In addition, the possible mechanisms and the challenges of hADSCs applications have been also discussed. Finally, we highlighted the properties of hADSCs as a promising source of stem cells for cell therapy and regenerative medicine and pointed out the perspectives for the directions of hADSCs applications clinically.

Concise Review: Fetal Membranes in Regenerative Medicine: New Tricks from an Old Dog?

The clinical application of the fetal membranes dates back to nearly a century. Their use has ranged from superficial skin dressings to surgical wound closure. The applications of the fetal membranes are constantly evolving, and key to this is the uncovering of multiple populations of stem and stem-like cells, each with unique properties that can be exploited for regenerative medicine. In addition to pro-angiogenic and immunomodulatory properties of the stem and stem-like cells arising from the fetal membranes, the dehydrated and/or decellularized forms of the fetal membranes have been used to support the growth and function of other cells and tissues, including adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. This concise review explores the biological origin of the fetal membranes, a history of their use in medicine, and recent developments in the use of fetal membranes and their derived stem and stem-like cells in regenerative medicine. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2017;6:1767-1776.

Extracellular matrix promotes proliferation, migration and adhesion of airway smooth muscle cells in a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease via upregulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Extracellular matrix (ECM) creates the tissue microenvironment and serves a role in airway wall remodeling in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the biological function of ECM in COPD remains to be elucidated. In the present study, 24 healthy Sprague Dawley rats were randomized to normal and COPD groups. COPD was established by intratracheal injection with lipopolysaccharide over 30 days. Subsequently, airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) were isolated from rats and served as a model to assess the effects of three ECM components, including collagen type I, laminin and collagen type III (COL‑3). Functional analysis in vitro, using cell counting kit‑8, flow cytometry, wound healing and cell adhesion assays indicated that the ECM components could promote cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration and adhesion ability, respectively. Furthermore, as demonstrated by ELISA, treatment with ECM components increased levels of C‑X‑C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1), CXCL8 and interleukin‑6 in ASMCs. Expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1), fibroblast growth factor‑1 (FGF‑1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) was increased, and expression of matrix metalloproteinase‑9 (MMP‑9) was decreased following treatment with ECM components, as demonstrated by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Additionally, specific activation of phosphoinositide 3‑kinase (PI3K) signaling, using insulin‑like growth factor‑1 (IGF‑1), promoted cell proliferation and cell cycle progression, increased expression of TGFβ1, FGF‑1, PI3K, AKT, phospho‑AKT, serine/threonine‑protein kinase mTOR (mTOR), phospho‑mTOR and TIMP1, promoted cell migration capacity and reduced the expression level of MMP‑9 in cells from COPD rats. Consistently, PI3K inhibitor LY294002 exerted the opposite effect to IGF‑1. In conclusion, ECM proteins promoted proliferation, migration and adhesion of ASMCs form rat models of COPD through activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Xiaoqinglong Decoction Attenuates Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Rats via Inhibition of Autophagy

Effective treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and knowledge of the underlying mechanism are urgently required. Xiaoqinglong decoction (XQL) is widely used to treat COPD in Traditional Chinese Medicine, but the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that XQL ameliorates COPD via inhibition of autophagy in lung tissue on a rat model. Rats were divided into five groups, namely, Control group, COPD group, COPD + XQL group, COPD + Rapamycin group, and COPD + XQL + Rapamycin group. Pathological changes on cellular and molecular levels, apoptosis reflected by TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) assay, and autophagy represented by LC3II/LC3I ratio and p62 level were investigated for each group. Compared with the Control group, COPD rats exhibited structural changes and activated inflammation in the lung tissue, together with enhanced apoptosis and elevated autophagy biomarkers. XQL treatment significantly ameliorated these changes, while rapamycin augmented them. These data altogether confirmed the involvement of autophagy in the pathogenesis of COPD and suggested that XQL attenuates COPD via inhibition of autophagy.