Tissue Engineering as a Promising Treatment for Glottic Insufficiency: A Review on Biomolecules and Cell-Laden Hydrogel

SCUBE3 promotes osteogenic differentiation and mitophagy in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells through the BMP2/TGF-β signaling pathway

In clinical settings, addressing large bone defects remains a significant challenge for orthopedic surgeons. The use of genetically modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) has emerged as a highly promising approach for these treatments. Signal peptide-CUB-EGF domain-containing protein 3 (SCUBE3) is a multifunctional secreted glycoprotein, the role of which remains unclear in human hBMSCs. This study used various experimental methods to elucidate the potential mechanism by which SCUBE3 influences osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs in vitro. Additionally, the therapeutic efficacy of SCUBE3, in conjunction with porous GeLMA microspheres, was evaluated in vivo using a mouse bone defect model. Our findings indicate that SCUBE3 levels increase significantly during early osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs, and that reducing SCUBE3 levels can hinder this differentiation. Overexpressing SCUBE3 elevated osteogenesis gene and protein levels and enhanced calcium deposition. Furthermore, treatment with recombinant human SCUBE3 (rhSCUBE3) protein boosted BMP2 and TGF-β expression, activated mitophagy in hBMSCs, ameliorated oxidative stress, and restored osteogenic function through SMAD phosphorylation. In vivo, GELMA/OE treatment effectively accelerated bone healing in mice. In conclusion, SCUBE3 fosters osteogenic differentiation and mitophagy in hBMSCs by activating the BMP2/TGF-β signaling pathway. When combined with engineered hydrogel cell therapy, it could offer valuable guidance for the clinical management of extensive bone defects.

Effective Treatments for Abductor Vocal Cord Paralysis: A Comprehensive Review

Abductor vocal cord paralysis (AVCP) is a disabling disorder that affects the voice and the quality of life of a patient, and hence, there is importance in providing a detailed knowledge of its aetiology and management. In this review article, we offer an implicational definition of AVCP and a discussion of its background, viewed as potentially affecting voice production and health. Finally, we explore modalities of diagnosis by medical history and physical examination, visualization techniques like laryngoscopy and stroboscopy, and radiographic imaging such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The article reviews and categorizes approaches into operative and non-operative treatments, including injection laryngoplasty, voice therapy, botulinum toxin injections, and the management of Reinke's edema. Surgical approaches, like arytenoid adduction, cordotomy, and posterior cordotomy, are also scrutinized taking their indication, efficacy, and complication profile into consideration. Learning about the advantages and drawbacks of the following experimental yet promising directions like nerve-muscle pedicle implantation, nerve reinnervation, and engineering of tissues is therefore highly necessitated. In conclusion, the review details the measures that have shown to be useful in the treatment process and their impact on the future practice of clinical work, calling for a more clarified structure of the organization of diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative activities. Future research directions are outlined based on the gaps which include the development of new treatment approaches, the evaluation of treatment for long-term effects, and the need for interdisciplinary cooperation in the medical field for the benefit of the patients.

Engineered stem cell-based strategy: A new paradigm of next-generation stem cell product in regenerative medicine

Stem cells have garnered significant attention in regenerative medicine owing to their abilities of multi-directional differentiation and self-renewal. Despite these encouraging results, the market for stem cell products yields limited, which is largely due to the challenges faced to the safety and viability of stem cells in vivo. Besides, the fate of cells re-infusion into the body unknown is also a major obstacle to stem cell therapy. Actually, both the functional protection and the fate tracking of stem cells are essential in tissue homeostasis, repair, and regeneration. Recent studies have utilized cell engineering techniques to modify stem cells for enhancing their treatment efficiency or imparting them with novel biological capabilities, in which advances demonstrate the immense potential of engineered cell therapy. In this review, we proposed that the "engineered stem cells" are expected to represent the next generation of stem cell therapies and reviewed recent progress in this area. We also discussed potential applications of engineered stem cells and highlighted the most common challenges that must be addressed. Overall, this review has important guiding significance for the future design of new paradigms of stem cell products to improve their therapeutic efficacy.