Evaluation of the effect of BMSCs condition media and methylprednisolone in TGF-β expression and functional recovery after an acute spinal cord injury

TGF-β signaling pathway in spinal cord injury: Mechanisms and therapeutic potential

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a highly disabling central nervous system injury with a complex pathological process, resulting in severe sensory and motor dysfunction. The current treatment modalities only alleviate its symptoms and cannot effectively intervene or treat its pathological process. Many studies have reported that the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling pathway plays an important role in neuronal differentiation, growth, survival, and axonal regeneration after central nervous system injury. Furthermore, the TGF-β signaling pathway has a vital regulatory role in SCI pathophysiology and neural regeneration. Following SCI, regulation of the TGF-β signaling pathway can suppress inflammation, reduce apoptosis, prevent glial scar formation, and promote neural regeneration. Due to its role in SCI, the TGF-β signaling pathway could be a potential therapeutic target. This article reported the pathophysiology of SCI, the characteristics of the TGF-β signaling pathway, the role of the TGF-β signaling pathway in SCI, and the latest evidence for targeting the TGF-β signaling pathway for treating SCI. In addition, the limitations and difficulties in TGF-β signaling pathway research in SCI are discussed, and solutions are provided to address these potential challenges. We hope this will provide a reference for the TGF-β signaling pathway and SCI research, offering a theoretical basis for targeted therapy of SCI.

Mesenchymal stem cell secretome and extracellular vesicles for neurodegenerative diseases: Risk-benefit profile and next steps for the market access

Neurodegenerative diseases represent a growing burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown promise as a potential therapy due to their neuroregenerative, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory properties, which are, however, linked to the bioactive substances they release, collectively known as secretome. This paper provides an overview of the most recent research on the safety and efficacy of MSC-derived secretome and extracellular vesicles (EVs) in clinical (if available) and preclinical models of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, acute ischemic stroke, and spinal cord injury. The article explores the biologically active substances within MSC-secretome/EVs, the mechanisms responsible for the observed therapeutic effects, and the strategies that may be used to optimize MSC-secretome/EVs production based on specific therapeutic needs. The review concludes with a critical discussion of current clinical trials and a perspective on potential future directions in translating MSC-secretome and EVs into the clinic, specifically regarding how to address the challenges associated with their pharmaceutical manufacturing, including scalability, batch-to-batch consistency, adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) guidelines, formulation, and storage, along with quality controls, access to the market and relative costs, value for money and impact on total expenditure.

Expression of Collagen (Types I, III, and V), HSP47, MMP-2, and TIMP-1 in Retrobulbar Adipose Tissue of Patients with Thyroid-Associated Orbitopathy

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the expression of collagen (types I, III, and V), heat shock protein 47 (HSP47), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in the retrobulbar adipose tissues of patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO).

Materials and Methods

The retrobulbar adipose tissues were collected from 4 TAO patients undergoing orbital decompression and 4 ocular enucleation patients with atrophic eyeball caused by ocular trauma between May 2019 and September 2019. Masson staining was performed to analyze the differences in collagen expression and degree of histologic fibrosis in each sample. The protein expressions of collagen (types I, III, and V), HSP47, MMP-2, and TIMP-1 were determined by western blotting. The data of western blotting were analyzed using SPSS version 17.0, with independent t-tests.

Results

The results of Masson staining showed that the expression of collagen fibers in the TAO group was significantly higher than that in the control group, and the fibers were diffuse and irregular in distribution. The expression level of collagen (types I, III, and V), HSP47, MMP-2, and TIMP-1 in the TAO group were significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The proliferation and fibrosis of retrobulbar adipose tissue in TAO patients might be related to the increased expression of collagen (types I, III, and V) and HSP47 and decreased degradation of extracellular matrix.