Development of a Peptide Derived from Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF-BB) into a Potential Drug Candidate for the Treatment of Wounds

Elucidating VSMC phenotypic transition mechanisms to bridge insights into cardiovascular disease implications

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide, despite advances in understanding cardiovascular health. Significant barriers still exist in effectively preventing and managing these diseases. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are crucial for maintaining vascular integrity and can switch between contractile and synthetic functions in response to stimuli such as hypoxia and inflammation. These transformations play a pivotal role in the progression of cardiovascular diseases, facilitating vascular modifications and disease advancement. This article synthesizes the current understanding of the mechanisms and signaling pathways regulating VSMC phenotypic transitions, highlighting their potential as therapeutic targets in cardiovascular disease interventions.

The involvement of RIPK4 in TNF-α-stimulated IL-6 and IL-8 production by melanoma cells

PURPOSE

The receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK4) has an oncogenic function in melanoma, regulates NF-κB and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, and is sensitive to the BRAF inhibitors: vemurafenib and dabrafenib which lead to its decreased level. As its role in melanoma remains not fully understood, we examined the effects of its downregulation on the transcriptomic profile of melanoma.

METHODS

Applying RNA-seq, we revealed global alterations in the transcriptome of WM266.4 cells with RIPK4 silencing. Functional partners of RIPK4 were evaluated using STRING and GeneMANIA databases. Cells with transient knockdown (via siRNA) and stable knockout (via CRISPR/Cas9) of RIPK4 were stimulated with TNF-α. The expression levels of selected proteins were assessed using Western blot, ELISA, and qPCR.

RESULTS

Global analysis of gene expression changes indicates a complex role for RIPK4 in regulating adhesion, migration, proliferation, and inflammatory processes in melanoma cells. Our study highlights potential functional partners of RIPK4 such as BIRC3, TNF-α receptors, and MAP2K6. Data from RIPK4 knockout cells suggest a putative role for RIPK4 in modulating TNF-α-induced production of IL-8 and IL-6 through two distinct signaling pathways-BIRC3/NF-κB and p38/MAPK. Furthermore, increased serum TNF-α levels and the correlation of RIPK4 with NF-κB were revealed in melanoma patients.

CONCLUSION

These data reveal a complex role for RIPK4 in regulating the immune signaling network in melanoma cells and suggest that this kinase may represent an alternative target for melanoma-targeted adjuvant therapy.

Development of hybrid biomicroparticles: cellulose exposing functionalized fusion proteins

BACKGROUND

One of the leading current trends in technology is the miniaturization of devices to the microscale and nanoscale. The highly advanced approaches are based on biological systems, subjected to bioengineering using chemical, enzymatic and recombinant methods. Here we have utilised the biological affinity towards cellulose of the cellulose binding domain (CBD) fused with recombinant proteins.

RESULTS

Here we focused on fusions with 'artificial', concatemeric proteins with preprogrammed functions, constructed using DNA FACE™ technology. Such CBD fusions can be efficiently attached to micro-/nanocellulose to form functional, hybrid bionanoparticles. Microcellulose (MCC) particles were generated by a novel approach to enzymatic hydrolysis using Aspergillus sp. cellulase. The interaction between the constructs components - MCC, CBD and fused concatemeric proteins - was evaluated. Obtaining of hybrid biomicroparticles of a natural cellulose biocarrier with proteins with therapeutic properties, fused with CBD, was confirmed. Further, biological tests on the hybrid bioMCC particles confirmed the lack of their cytotoxicity on 46BR.1 N fibroblasts and human adipose derived stem cells (ASCs). The XTT analysis showed a slight inhibition of the proliferation of 46BR.1 N fibroblasts and ACSs cells stimulated with the hybrid biomicroparticles. However, in both cases no changes in the morphology of the examined cells after incubation with the hybrid biomicroparticles' MCC were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Microcellulose display with recombinant proteins involves utilizing cellulose, a natural polymer found in plants, as a platform for presenting or displaying proteins. This approach harnesses the structural properties of cellulose to express or exhibit various recombinant proteins on its surface. It offers a novel method for protein expression, presentation, or immobilization, enabling various applications in biotechnology, biomedicine, and other fields. Microcellulose shows promise in biomedical fields for wound healing materials, drug delivery systems, tissue engineering scaffolds, and as a component in bio-sensors due to its biocompatibility and structural properties.

Functional characterization of the dimeric form of PDGF-derived fusion peptide fabricated based on theoretical arguments

A skin wound leads to the loss of skin integrity and the influx of pathogens into the tissue. Platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) are cytokines released from alpha granules during wound healing and interact with their cell surface receptors and activate signals involved in chemotaxis, growth, proliferation, and differentiation pathways. Due to the low stability of growth factors (GFs), a new peptide-derived PDGF-BB was designed, expressed in the Shuffle strain of E. coli, and purified by Ni-NTA agarose affinity column chromatography. The effect of fusion peptide was then evaluated on L929 fibroblast cells and animal models with skin lesions. In vitro, studies showed that the peptide led to an increase in the migration of fibroblast cells in the scratch assay. Its positive effect on wound healing was also observed in the skin-injured rats after 3, 7, and 12 days. A significant rise in neutrophils and granular tissue formation, re-epithelialization, angiogenesis, and collagen formation was exhibited on the third day of treatment when compared to the control group. The results showed that, despite reducing PDGF size, the fusion peptide was able to maintain at least some of the known functions attributed to full-length PDGF and showed positive results in wound healing.

Growth factors and their peptide mimetics for treatment of traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of disability in adults, caused by a physical insult damaging the brain. Growth factor-based therapies have the potential to reduce the effects of secondary injury and improve outcomes by providing neuroprotection against glutamate excitotoxicity, oxidative damage, hypoxia, and ischemia, as well as promoting neurite outgrowth and the formation of new blood vessels. Despite promising evidence in preclinical studies, few neurotrophic factors have been tested in clinical trials for TBI. Translation to the clinic is not trivial and is limited by the short in vivo half-life of the protein, the inability to cross the blood-brain barrier and human delivery systems. Synthetic peptide mimetics have the potential to be used in place of recombinant growth factors, activating the same downstream signalling pathways, with a decrease in size and more favourable pharmacokinetic properties. In this review, we will discuss growth factors with the potential to modulate damage caused by secondary injury mechanisms following a traumatic brain injury that have been trialled in other indications including spinal cord injury, stroke and neurodegenerative diseases. Peptide mimetics of nerve growth factor (NGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), glial cell line-derived growth factor (GDNF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) will be highlighted, most of which have not yet been tested in preclinical or clinical models of TBI.

Release systems based on self-assembling RADA16-I hydrogels with a signal sequence which improves wound healing processes

Self-assembling peptides can be used for the regeneration of severely damaged skin. They can act as scaffolds for skin cells and as a reservoir of active compounds, to accelerate scarless wound healing. To overcome repeated administration of peptides which accelerate healing, we report development of three new peptide biomaterials based on the RADA16-I hydrogel functionalized with a sequence (AAPV) cleaved by human neutrophil elastase and short biologically active peptide motifs, namely GHK, KGHK and RDKVYR. The peptide hybrids were investigated for their structural aspects using circular dichroism, thioflavin T assay, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy, as well as their rheological properties and stability in different fluids such as water or plasma, and their susceptibility to digestion by enzymes present in the wound environment. In addition, the morphology of the RADA-peptide hydrogels was examined with a unique technique called scanning electron cryomicroscopy. These experiments enabled us to verify if the designed peptides increased the bioactivity of the gel without disturbing its gelling processes. We demonstrate that the physicochemical properties of the designed hybrids were similar to those of the original RADA16-I. The materials behaved as expected, leaving the active motif free when treated with elastase. XTT and LDH tests on fibroblasts and keratinocytes were performed to assess the cytotoxicity of the RADA16-I hybrids, while the viability of cells treated with RADA16-I hybrids was evaluated in a model of human dermal fibroblasts. The hybrid peptides revealed no cytotoxicity; the cells grew and proliferated better than after treatment with RADA16-I alone. Improved wound healing following topical delivery of RADA-GHK and RADA-KGHK was demonstrated using a model of dorsal skin injury in mice and histological analyses. The presented results indicate further research is warranted into the engineered peptides as scaffolds for wound healing and tissue engineering.

Transdermal drug delivery via microneedles to mediate wound microenvironment

Cutaneous wound healing is a complex process, while modulating the wound microenvironment has become an essential therapeutic goal. In clinics, advanced dressings or dermal templates can promote wound healing but their ability in mediating wound microenvironment is limited. In the last decade, microneedle (MN) array patches have emerged as a new class of wound dressings. These dressings enable non-invasive transdermal and precise medication delivery. Combined with smart materials, MN additionally allows real-time monitoring of wound site markers such as inflammatory factors, oxygen levels, vascularization, pH and temperature, etc., while releasing therapeutic molecules responsively to the wound site. In this review, the MN-based strategies were reviewed for modulating wound microenvironment via introducing the main characteristics of the wound microenvironment and various types of MN-based delivery systems. Additionally, the progress and future trends in the application of MNs in mediating wound microenvironments are also discussed.

Examination of epigenetic inhibitor zebularine in treatment of skin wounds in healthy and diabetic mice

DNA methyltransferase inhibitor zebularine was proven to induce regeneration in the ear pinna in mice. We utilized a dorsal skin wound model to further evaluate this epigenetic inhibitor in wound healing. Full-thickness excisional wounds were made on the dorsum of 2 and 10-month-old healthy BALB/c and 3 and 8-month-old diabetic (db/db) mice, followed by topical or intraperitoneal zebularine delivery. Depending on the strain, age, dose, and delivery, the zebularine treatments either had no effect or accelerated or delayed wound closure. In principle, zebularine applied topically moderately promoted wound closure in the healthy but markedly delayed in the diabetic mice, which was in line with decreased viability of cultured keratinocytes from diabetic patients exposed to zebularine. The histological analysis revealed an improvement in the architecture of restored skin in zebularine-treated mice, manifested as a distinct layered pattern resembling panniculus carnosus. The finding corresponds with the zebularine-mediated activation of the Wnt5a gene, an essential regulator of Wnt signaling, the pathway involved in hair follicle development, the process which in turn is connected with regenerative skin healing. Although zebularine did not remarkably accelerate wound healing, zebularine and other epigenetic inhibitors deserve further testing as potential drugs to improve the quality of restored skin.

A Systematic Review of Keratinocyte Secretions: A Regenerative Perspective

Cell regenerative therapy is a modern solution for difficult-to-heal wounds. Keratinocytes, the most common cell type in the skin, are difficult to obtain without the creation of another wound. Stem cell differentiation towards keratinocytes is a challenging process, and it is difficult to reproduce in chemically defined media. Nevertheless, a co-culture of keratinocytes with stem cells usually achieves efficient differentiation. This systematic review aims to identify the secretions of normal human keratinocytes reported in the literature and correlate them with the differentiation process. An online search revealed 338 references, of which 100 met the selection criteria. A total of 80 different keratinocyte secretions were reported, which can be grouped mainly into cytokines, growth factors, and antimicrobial peptides. The growth-factor group mostly affects stem cell differentiation into keratinocytes, especially epidermal growth factor and members of the transforming growth factor family. Nevertheless, the reported secretions reflected the nature of the involved studies, as most of them focused on keratinocyte interaction with inflammation. This review highlights the secretory function of keratinocytes, as well as the need for intense investigation to characterize these secretions and evaluate their regenerative capacities.

What Role Does PDGFA Gene Polymorphisms Play in Treating Tennis Elbow with PRP? A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

This study aims to identify genotype variants of the platelet-derived growth factor alpha polypeptide gene (PDGFA) that can influence the individual response to the treatment with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in tennis elbow patients.

METHODS

We observed a cohort of 107 patients (132 elbows) with tennis elbow who received treatment with PRP. Patients have been followed-up for two years after PRP injection and the effectiveness of the treatment was measured using universal patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs): visual analog scale (VAS), quick version of disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand score (QDASH), and patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation (PRTEE). PROMs values, and clinical and platelet parameters were compared between genotype variants of the studied polymorphisms (rs1800814, rs2070958 and rs62433334).

RESULTS

The A allele carriers (rs1800814) had significantly lower values of VAS (week 12), QDASH, and PRTEE (weeks 8, 12). The T allele carriers (rs2070958) had significantly lower values of VAS (weeks 8, 12), QDASH, and PRTEE (weeks 4-12). Additional forms of therapy (manual and physical) were necessary significantly more often in GG (rs1800814) and CC (rs2070958) homozygotes.

CONCLUSIONS

The PDGFA gene's polymorphisms influences the effectiveness of PRP therapy in tennis elbow treatment. The effectiveness of PRP is greater in A allele (rs1800814) and T allele (rs2070958) carriers.

Wound Healing Activity of Nanoemulgel Containing Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb. Extract on Burns Model in Rat

BACKGROUND: The content of secondary metabolites in mobe leaves has the potential to be used in wound healing. Artocarpine, one of the secondary metabolites found in mobe leaves, is reported to affect the expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) protein, thereby increasing fibroblast cell proliferation and accelerating the wound healing process. AIM: This study aims to determine the wound healing activity of nanoemulgel-containing ethanol extract of mobe leaves. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The method used in this study was experimental using chemicals ethanol 96%, Carbopol 940, PEG 400, Propylene glycol, Methyl Paraben, Propyl Paraben, Triethanolamine, Aqua Destillata. Mode leaves which were taken purposively were then formulated in nanoemulgel preparations which were tested for wound healing in male rats. The nanoemulgel preparation was then evaluated which included homogeneity, emulsion type, pH, viscosity, dispersion, and measurement of the nanoemulgel globules of mobe leaf extract, stability of the nanoemulgel preparation. Tests for the healing effect of burns were carried out on male rats for 14 days. RESULTS: Mobe leaves ethanol extract can be formulated into nanoemulgel dosage forms. This study showed wound healing activity of nanoemulgels with concentration variation of mobe leaves ethanol extract. The percentage of wound diameter reducing and fibroblast cells value were showed to increase and significantly different to negative control (p < 0.05) in 14 days. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB and TGF-β1 immunoexpression evaluation result showed significantly different to Blanko group (p < 0.05) in 14-day observation. CONCLUSION: From this study, nanoemulgel mobe can stimulate more fibroblast cell proliferation by greatly expressing TGF-β1 and PDGF BB in burn wounds.

Routine laboratory parameters in patients with necrotizing pancreatitis by the time of operative pancreatic debridement: Food for thought

BACKGROUND

Timing of invasive intervention such as operative pancreatic debridement (OPD) in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) is linked to the degree of encapsulation in necrotic collections and controlled inflammation. Additional markers of these processes might assist decision-making on the timing of surgical intervention. In our opinion, it is logical to search for such markers among routine laboratory parameters traditionally used in ANP patients, considering simplicity and cost-efficacy of routine laboratory methodologies.

AIM

To evaluate laboratory variables in ANP patients in the preoperative period for the purpose of their use in the timing of surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of routine laboratory parameters in 53 ANP patients undergoing OPD between 2017 and 2020 was performed. Dynamic changes of routine hematological and biochemical indices were examined in the preoperative period. Patients were divided into survivors and non-survivors. Survivors were divided into subgroups with short and long post-surgery length of stay (LOS) in hospital. Correlation analysis was used to evaluate association of laboratory variables with LOS. Logistic regression was used to assess risk factors for patient mortality.

RESULTS

Seven patients (15%) with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and 46 patients (85%) with moderately SAP (MSAP) were included in the study. Median age of participants was 43.2 years; 33 (62.3%) were male. Pancreatitis etiology included biliary (15%), alcohol (80%), and idiopathic/other (5%). Median time from diagnosis to OPD was ≥ 4 wk. Median postoperative LOS was at the average of 53 d. Mortality was 19%. Progressive increase of platelet count in preoperative period was associated with shortened LOS. Increased aspartate aminotransferase and direct bilirubin (DB) levels the day before the OPD along with weak progressive decrease of DB in preoperative period were reliable predictors for ANP patient mortality.

CONCLUSION

Multifactorial analysis of dynamic changes of routine laboratory variables can be useful for a person-tailored timing of surgical intervention in ANP patients.

Why PRP works only on certain patients with tennis elbow? Is PDGFB gene a key for PRP therapy effectiveness? A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

There is variability in individual response to platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy in tennis elbow treatment. Genetic variation, especially within genes encoding growth factors may influence the observed inter-individual differences. The purpose of this study was to identify polymorphic variants of the platelet-derived growth factor beta polypeptide gene (PDGFB) that determine an improved individual response to PRP therapy in tennis elbow patients.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study was designed in accordance with STROBE and MIBO guidelines. A cohort of 107 patients (132 elbows, 25 bilateral) was studied, including 65 females (77 elbows) and 42 males (55 elbows), aged 24-64 years (median 46.00 ± 5.50), with lateral elbow tendinopathy treated with autologous PRP injection. The effectiveness of PRP therapy was recorded in all subjects at 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 52 weeks after PRP injection using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), quick version of Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score (QDASH) and Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE). In order to determine the PDGFB variants with the best response to PRP therapy, patient reported outcome measures were compared between individual genotypes within studied polymorphic variants (rs2285099, rs2285097, rs2247128, rs5757572, rs1800817 and rs7289325). The influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms on blood and PRP parameters, including the concentration of PDGF-AB and PDGF-BB proteins was also analyzed.

RESULTS

Our analysis identified genetic variants of the PDGFB gene that lead to a better response to PRP therapy. The TT (rs2285099) and CC (rs2285097) homozygotes had higher concentration of platelets in whole blood than carriers of other genotypes (p = 0.018) and showed significantly (p < 0.05) lower values of VAS (weeks 2-12), QDASH and PRTEE (weeks 2-24). The rs2285099 and rs2285097 variants formed strong haplotype block (r² = 98, D'=100). The AA homozygotes (rs2247128) had significantly lower values of VAS (weeks 4-52), QDASH and PRTEE (weeks 8, 12).

CONCLUSIONS

PDGFB gene's polymorphisms increase the effectiveness of PRP therapy in tennis elbow treatment. Genotyping two polymorphisms of the PDGFB gene, namely rs2285099 (or rs2285097) and rs2247128 may be a helpful diagnostic tool while assessing patients for PRP therapy and modifying the therapy to improve its effectiveness.

Adipose-derived stromal cells for nonhealing wounds: Emerging opportunities and challenges

Wound healing complications affect thousands of people each year, thus constituting a profound economic and medical burden. Chronic wounds are a highly complex problem that usually affects elderly patients as well as patients with comorbidities such as diabetes, cancer (surgery, radiotherapy/chemotherapy) or autoimmune diseases. Currently available methods of their treatment are not fully effective, so new solutions are constantly being sought. Cell-based therapies seem to have great potential for use in stimulating wound healing. In recent years, much effort has been focused on characterizing of adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (AD-MSCs) and evaluating their clinical use in regenerative medicine and other medical fields. These cells are easily obtained in large amounts from adipose tissue and show a high proregenerative potential, mainly through paracrine activities. In this review, the process of healing acute and nonhealing (chronic) wounds is detailed, with a special attention paid to the wounds of patients with diabetes and cancer. In addition, the methods and technical aspects of AD-MSCs isolation, culture and transplantation in chronic wounds are described, and the characteristics, genetic stability and role of AD-MSCs in wound healing are also summarized. The biological properties of AD-MSCs isolated from subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue are compared. Additionally, methods to increase their therapeutic potential as well as factors that may affect their biological functions are summarized. Finally, their therapeutic potential in the treatment of diabetic and oncological wounds is also discussed.

Functionalized Peptide Fibrils as a Scaffold for Active Substances in Wound Healing

Technological developments in the field of biologically active peptide applications in medicine have increased the need for new methods for peptide delivery. The disadvantage of peptides as drugs is their low biological stability. Recently, great attention has been paid to self-assembling peptides that can form fibrils. Such a formulation makes bioactive peptides more resistant to enzymatic degradation and druggable. Peptide fibrils can be carriers for peptides with interesting biological activities. These features open up prospects for using the peptide fibrils as long-acting drugs and are a valid alternative to conventional peptidic therapies. In our study, we designed new peptide scaffolds that are a hybrid of three interconnected amino acid sequences and are: pro-regenerative, cleavable by neutrophilic elastase, and fibril-forming. We intended to obtain peptides that are stable in the wound environment and that, when applied, would release a biologically active sequence. Our studies showed that the designed hybrid peptides show a high tendency toward regular fibril formation and are able to release the pro-regenerative sequence. Cytotoxicity studies showed that all the designed peptides were safe, did not cause cytotoxic effects and revealed a pro-regenerative potential in human fibroblast and keratinocyte cell lines. In vivo experiments in a dorsal skin injury model in mice indicated that two tested peptides moderately promote tissue repair in their free form. Our research proves that peptide fibrils can be a druggable form and a scaffold for active peptides.

Fragments of gD Protein as Inhibitors of BTLA/HVEM Complex Formation-Design, Synthesis, and Cellular Studies

One of the major current trends in cancer immunotherapy is the blockade of immune checkpoint proteins that negatively regulate the immune response. This has been achieved through antibodies blocking PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4/CD80/CD86 interactions. Such antibodies have revolutionized oncological therapy and shown a new way to fight cancer. Additional (negative) immune checkpoints are also promising targets in cancer therapy and there is a demand for inhibitors for these molecules. Our studies are focused on BTLA/HVEM complex, which inhibits T-cell proliferation and cytokine production and therefore has great potential as a new target for cancer treatment. The goal of the presented studies was the design and synthesis of compounds able to block BTLA/HVEM interactions. For that purpose, the N-terminal fragment of glycoprotein D (gD), which interacts with HVEM, was used. Based on the crystal structure of the gD/HVEM complex and MM/GBSA analysis performed on it, several peptides were designed and synthesized as potential inhibitors of the BTLA/HVEM interaction. Affinity tests, ELISA tests, and cellular-based reporter assays were performed on these compounds to check their ability to bind to HVEM and to inhibit BTLA/HVEM complex formation. For leading peptides candidates, all-atom and subsequent docking simulations with a coarse-grained force field were performed to determine their binding modes. To further evaluate their potential as drug candidates, their stability in plasma and their cytotoxicity effects on PBMCs were assessed. Our data indicate that the peptide gD(1-36)(K10C-T29C) is the best candidate as a future drug. It interacts with HVEM protein, blocks the BTLA/HVEM interaction, and is nontoxic to cells. The present study provides a new perspective on the development of BTLA/HVEM inhibitors that disrupt protein interactions.

Imunofan-RDKVYR Peptide-Stimulates Skin Cell Proliferation and Promotes Tissue Repair

Regeneration and wound healing are vital to tissue homeostasis and organism survival. One of the biggest challenges of today's science and medicine is finding methods and factors to stimulate these processes in the human body. Effective solutions to promote regenerative responses will accelerate advances in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, transplantology, and a number of other clinical specialties. In this study, we assessed the potential efficacy of a synthetic hexapeptide, RDKVYR, for the stimulation of tissue repair and wound healing. The hexapeptide is marketed under the name "Imunofan" (IM) as an immunostimulant. IM displayed stability in aqueous solutions, while in plasma it was rapidly bound by albumins. Structural analyses demonstrated the conformational flexibility of the peptide. Tests in human fibroblast and keratinocyte cell lines showed that IM exerted a statistically significant (p < 0.05) pro-proliferative activity (30-40% and 20-50% increase in proliferation of fibroblast and keratinocytes, respectively), revealed no cytotoxicity over a vast range of concentrations (p < 0.05), and had no allergic properties. IM was found to induce significant transcriptional responses, such as enhanced activity of genes involved in active DNA demethylation (p < 0.05) in fibroblasts and activation of genes involved in immune responses, migration, and chemotaxis in adipose-derived stem cells derived from surgery donors. Experiments in a model of ear pinna injury in mice indicated that IM moderately promoted tissue repair (8% in BALB/c and 36% in C57BL/6 in comparison to control).