Therapeutic Effects of Intravenous Injection of Fresh and Frozen Thawed HO-1-Overexpressed Ad-MSCs in Dogs with Acute Spinal Cord Injury

Transcription factor AP-2 Beta, a potential target of repetitive Transspinal magnetic stimulation in spinal cord injury treatment, reduced inflammation and alleviated spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a neurodegenerative disease, with a high disability rate. According to the results of mRNA-seq, transcription factor AP-2 Beta (TFAP2B) is a potential target of repetitive Transspinal Magnetic Stimulation (rTSMS) in SCI treatment. Our results demonstrated that rTSMS significantly improved motor function and promoted neuronal survival post-SCI. The result showed that TFAP2B was downregulated following SCI, while significant upregulation after rTSMS treatment, suggesting its pivotal role in neuronal repair. Overexpression of TFAP2B improved Basso Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) score and athletic ability, and decreased cell apoptosis in SCI rats. Additionally, overexpression of TFAP2B reduced the expression of Iba1 and GFAP in spinal cord, and the expression of PDGFrβ was also reduced in SCI rats after TFAP2B overexpression. Knockdown of TFAP2B reverses the effect of rTSMS treatment in SCI. We found that rTSMS alleviate osteoporosis caused by SCI, resulting in increased BMD, BV/TV, and Tb.Th. rTSMS treatment lowered the RANKL/OPG ratio. In all, our study illustrated TFAP2B is a downstream target of rTSMS for the treatment of SCI, and overexpression of TFAP2B enhanced the therapeutic effect of rTSMS.

Advancements in Antioxidant-Based Therapeutics for Spinal Cord Injury: A Critical Review of Strategies and Combination Approaches

Spinal cord injury (SCI) initiates a cascade of secondary damage driven by oxidative stress, characterized by the excessive production of reactive oxygen species and other reactive molecules, which exacerbate cellular and tissue damage through the activation of deleterious signaling pathways. This review provides a comprehensive and critical evaluation of recent advancements in antioxidant-based therapeutic strategies for SCI, including natural compounds, RNA-based therapies, stem cell interventions, and biomaterial applications. It emphasizes the limitations of single-regimen approaches, particularly their limited efficacy and suboptimal delivery to injured spinal cord tissue, while highlighting the synergistic potential of combination therapies that integrate multiple modalities to address the multifaceted pathophysiology of SCI. By analyzing emerging trends and current limitations, this review identifies key challenges and proposes future directions, including the refinement of antioxidant delivery systems, the development of multi-targeted approaches, and strategies to overcome the structural complexities of the spinal cord. This work underscores the pressing need for innovative and integrative therapeutic approaches to advance the clinical translation of antioxidant-based interventions and improve outcomes for SCI patients.

Hmox1 is Identified as a Ferroptosis Hub Gene and Associated with the M1 Type Microglia/Macrophage Polarization in Spinal Cord Injury: Bioinformatics and Experimental Validation

Ferroptosis and immune cell infiltration are important pathological events in spinal cord injury (SCI), but links between ferroptosis and immune microenvironment after SCI were rare reported. In our study, 77 FRDEGs were screened at 7 days after SCI. GO analysis of FRDEGs showed that aging (GO:0007568; P-value = 1.11E-05) was the most remarkable enriched for biological process, protein binding (GO:0005515; adjusted P-value = 4.44E-06) was the most significantly enriched for molecular function, cytosol (GO:0005829; adjusted P-value = 1.51E-04) was the most prominent enriched for cellular component. Meanwhile, Ferroptosis was significantly enriched both in KEGG (rno04216; adjusted P-value = 0.001) and GSEA (NES = 1.35; adjusted P-value = 0.004) analysis. Next, Hmox1 (Log2Fold change = 6.52; adjusted P-value = 0.004) was identified as one of hub genes in SCI-induced ferroptosis. In the results of immune cell infiltration analysis, proportion of microglia/macrophage was significantly increased after SCI, and Hmox1 was found to positively correlate to the M1 type microglia/macrophage abundance. Finally, effects of Hmox1 on ferroptosis and M1 type polarization were validated in vivo and in vitro. Summarily, we found that Hmox1 was the hub gene in SCI-induced ferroptosis and associated with the M1 type polarization.

Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Overexpressing Heme Oxygenase-1 Promotes Symptoms Recovery in Cystitis Rats by Alleviating Neuroinflammation

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) seriously reduces the patient's quality of life, yet current therapies only provide partial relief. In the spinal dorsal horn (SDH), neuroinflammation plays a pivotal role in the development of IC. Injection of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUMSCs) to reduce inflammation is an effective strategy, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) exhibits anti-nociceptive effect in neuroinflammatory pain. This study aimed to test the therapeutic effects of hUMSCs overexpressing HO-1 on cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis rat model. Cystitis rats were transplanted with altered cells and then assessed for 3 weeks. A series of behavioral measurements would be trial including suprapubic mechanical allodynia, depressive-like behaviors, micturition frequency, and short-term memory function. Additionally, western blot, immunofluorescence staining, and ELISA kit test for anti-inflammation effect. HUMSCs were capable of being transduced to overexpress HO-1. Injection of hUMSCs overexpressing HO-1 was more effective than hUMSCs alone in alleviating behavioral symptoms in rats. Furthermore, hUMSCs overexpressing HO-1 inhibited the activation of glial and TLR4/p65/NLRP3 pathway, decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the SDH region. Surprisingly, it markedly increased anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, reduced MDA content, and protected GSH concentrations in local environment. Our results suggest that injecting hUMSCs overexpressing HO-1 intrathecally can significantly promote functional outcomes in cystitis rats by reducing neuroinflammation, at least, partly through downregulating TLR4/p65/NLRP3 signaling pathway in the SDH region. This cell therapy affords a new strategy for IC/BPS treatment.

Mesenchymal stem cells of Oravka chicken breed: promising path to biodiversity conservation

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multilineage cells able to differentiate into other cell types. MSCs derived from bone marrow or compact bones are the most accessible stem cells used in tissue engineering. Therefore, the aim of this study was to isolate, characterize and cryopreserve MSCs of endangered Oravka chicken breed. MSCs were obtained from compact bones of the femur and tibiotarsus. MSCs were spindle-shaped and were able to differentiate into osteo-, adipo-, and chondrocytes under the specific differentiation conditions. Furthermore, MSCs were positive for surface markers such as CD29, CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105, CD146 and negative for CD34CD45 by flow cytometry. Moreover, MSCs demonstrated high positivity of "stemness" markers aldehyde dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase as well as for intracellular markers vimentin, desmin, α-SMA. Subsequently, MSCs were cryopreserved using 10% dimethyl sulfoxide in liquid nitrogen. Based on the results from the viability, phenotype, and ultrastructure assessment we can concluded that the MSCs were not negatively affected by the cryopreservation. Finally, MSCs of endangered Oravka chicken breed were successfully stored in animal gene bank, thus making them a valuable genetic resource.

Mesenchymal stem cells for regenerative medicine in central nervous system

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells, whose paracrine and immunomodulatory potential has made them a promising candidate for central nervous system (CNS) regeneration. Numerous studies have demonstrated that MSCs can promote immunomodulation, anti-apoptosis, and axon re-extension, which restore functional neural circuits. The therapeutic effects of MSCs have consequently been evaluated for application in various CNS diseases including spinal cord injury, cerebral ischemia, and neurodegenerative disease. In this review, we will focus on the research works published in the field of mechanisms and therapeutic effects of MSCs in CNS regeneration.

Comparison of freshly cultured versus cryopreserved mesenchymal stem cells in animal models of inflammation: A pre-clinical systematic review

Background:

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that demonstrate therapeutic potential for the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory-mediated conditions. Although controversial, some studies suggest that MSCs may lose their functionality with cryopreservation which could render them non-efficacious. Hence, we conducted a systematic review of comparative pre-clinical models of inflammation to determine if there are differences in in vivo measures of pre-clinical efficacy (primary outcomes) and in vitro potency (secondary outcomes) between freshly cultured and cryopreserved MSCs.

Methods:

A systematic search on OvidMEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS, and Web of Science (until January 13, 2022) was conducted. The primary outcome included measures of in vivo pre-clinical efficacy; secondary outcomes included measures of in vitro MSC potency. Risk of bias was assessed by the SYRCLE ‘Risk of Bias’ assessment tool for pre-clinical studies.

Results:

Eighteen studies were included. A total of 257 in vivo pre-clinical efficacy experiments represented 101 distinct outcome measures. Of these outcomes, 2.3% (6/257) were significantly different at the 0.05 level or less; 2 favoured freshly cultured and 4 favoured cryopreserved MSCs. A total of 68 in vitro experiments represented 32 different potency measures; 13% (9/68) of the experiments were significantly different at the 0.05 level or less, with seven experiments favouring freshly cultured MSC and two favouring cryopreserved MSCs.

Conclusions:

The majority of preclinical primary in vivo efficacy and secondary in vitro potency outcomes were not significantly different (p<0.05) between freshly cultured and cryopreserved MSCs. Our systematic summary of the current evidence base may provide MSC basic and clinical research scientists additional rationale for considering a cryopreserved MSC product in their pre-clinical studies and clinical trials as well as help identify research gaps and guide future related research.

Funding:

Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine

Stem cell treatment trials of spinal cord injuries in animals

BACKGROUND

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious neurological spinal cord damage that resulted in the loss of temporary or permanent function. However, there are even now no effective therapies for it. So, a new medical promising therapeutic hotspot over the previous decades appeared which was (Stem cell (SC) cure of SCI). Otherwise, animal models are considered in preclinical research as a model for humans to trial a potential new treatment.

METHODOLOGY

Following articles were saved from different databases (PubMed, Google scholar, Egyptian knowledge bank, Elsevier, Medline, Embase, ProQuest, BMC) on the last two decades, and data were obtained then analyzed.

RESULTS

This review discusses the type and grading of SCI. As well as different types of stem cells therapy for SCI, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), neural stem cells (NSCs), hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The review focuses on the transplantation pathways, clinical evaluation, and clinical signs of different types of SC on different animal models which are summarized in tables to give an easy to reach.

CONCLUSION

Pharmacological and physiotherapy have limited regenerative power in comparison with stem cells medication in the treatment of SCI. Among several sources of cell therapies, mesenchymal stromal/stem cell (MSC) one is being progressively developed as a trusted important energetic way to repair and regenerate. Finally, a wide-ranged animal models have been condensed that helped in human clinical trial therapies.

[Research progress of hydrogel combined with mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of spinal cord injury]

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a complex pathological process. Based on the encouraging results of preclinical experiments, some stem cell therapies have been translated into clinical practice. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have become one of the most important seed cells in the treatment of SCI due to their abundant sources, strong proliferation ability and low immunogenicity. However, the survival rate of MSCs transplanted to spinal cord injury is rather low, which hinders its further clinical application. In recent years, hydrogel materials have been widely used in tissue engineering because of their good biocompatibility and biodegradability. The treatment strategy of hydrogel combined with MSCs has made some progress in SCI repair. This review discusses the significance and the existing problems of MSCs in the repair of SCI. It also describes the research progress of hydrogel combined with MSCs in repairing SCI, and prospects its application in clinical research, aiming at providing reference and new ideas for future SCI treatment.

The Comparative Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury in Humans and Animal Models: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Animal models have been used in preclinical research to examine potential new treatments for spinal cord injury (SCI), including mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation. MSC transplants have been studied in early human trials. Whether the animal models represent the human studies is unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis has examined the effects of MSC transplants in human and animal studies. Following searches of PubMed, Clinical Trials and the Cochrane Library, published papers were screened, and data were extracted and analysed. MSC transplantation was associated with significantly improved motor and sensory function in humans, and significantly increased locomotor function in animals. However, there are discrepancies between the studies of human participants and animal models, including timing of MSC transplant post-injury and source of MSCs. Additionally, difficulty in the comparison of functional outcome measures across species limits the predictive nature of the animal research. These findings have been summarised, and recommendations for further research are discussed to better enable the translation of animal models to MSC-based human clinical therapy.

Emerging and Adjunctive Therapies for Spinal Cord Injury Following Acute Canine Intervertebral Disc Herniation

Some dogs do not make a full recovery following medical or surgical management of acute canine intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH), highlighting the limits of currently available treatment options. The multitude of difficulties in treating severe spinal cord injury are well-recognized, and they have spurred intense laboratory research, resulting in a broad range of strategies that might have value in treating spinal cord-injured dogs. These include interventions that aim to directly repair the spinal cord lesion, promote axonal sparing or regeneration, mitigate secondary injury through neuroprotective mechanisms, or facilitate functional compensation. Despite initial promise in experimental models, many of these techniques have failed or shown mild efficacy in clinical trials in humans and dogs, although high quality evidence is lacking for many of these interventions. However, the continued introduction of new options to the veterinary clinic remains important for expanding our understanding of the mechanisms of injury and repair and for development of novel and combined strategies for severely affected dogs. This review outlines adjunctive or emerging therapies that have been proposed as treatment options for dogs with acute IVDH, including discussion of local or lesion-based approaches as well as systemically applied treatments in both acute and subacute-to-chronic settings. These interventions include low-level laser therapy, electromagnetic fields or oscillating electrical fields, adjunctive surgical techniques (myelotomy or durotomy), systemically or locally-applied hypothermia, neuroprotective chemicals, physical rehabilitation, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, electroacupuncture, electrical stimulation of the spinal cord or specific peripheral nerves, nerve grafting strategies, 4-aminopyridine, chondroitinase ABC, and cell transplantation.

Exosomes derived from human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells improve neurologic function by promoting angiogenesis after spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious central nervous system condition with no effective clinal treatment. Recently, transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived exosomes has been proposed as a potential treatment for SCI. However, whether exosomes have similar functions as transplanted human placenta-derived MSCs(hPMSCs) has remained unclear.

METHODS

The hPMSCs-derived exosomes (hPMSCs-Exos) were extracted using a sequential centrifugation approach. Then, the effects of hPMSCs-Exos on angiogenesis were analysis both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the sensory and locomotor functions of mice after SCI were also analyzed.

RESULTS

The administration of hPMSCs-Exos promote the tube formation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVECs). Furthermore, vessel numbers, vessel volume fraction and vessel connectivity in spinal cords significantly increased after exosomes were intrathecally injected in the SCI model. In addition, the locomotor and sensory function, also significantly improved in the exosome treatment group.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study demonstrated that hPMSCs-Exos have proangiogenic effects on endothelial cells and enhanced angiogenesis in SCI model. Thus, this treatment strategy demonstrates great potential for the treatment of SCI.