Microplasma radio frequency technology using stationary tips on pig skin: A histological study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the histological properties of microplasma radiofrequency (MPRF) using a stationary tip in different treatment strategies on porcine skin.

METHODS

Two Bama miniature pigs received MPRF treatment with two types of stationary tips in eight groups of parameters (power, duration, and pass) on dorsal skin. Skin samples were collected from each treatment zone immediately, at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson staining were performed to assess histologic changes as well as neocollagenesis. The dynamic changes of heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) and heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) were also detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Skin damage increased with pulse energy, duration, and pass. Longer durations or repeated treatments may cause particularly severe skin damage. During the wound healing process, the newborn collagen of the dermis is rearranged. The distribution of HSP47 and HSP72 was consistent with the extent of collagen remodeling. It peaked 1 month after treatment.

CONCLUSION

MPRF can effectively cause epidermal ablation, dermal collagen hyperplasia, and remodeling. Increasing power should be the first choice when increasing treatment intensity. For longer durations or repeated treatments, caution should be taken to avoid excessive skin trauma.

In Vitro Study of Thymosin Beta 4 Promoting Transplanted Fat Survival by Regulating Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

BACKGROUND

Autologous fat grafting (AFG) has emerged as a highly sought-after plastic surgery procedure, although its success has been hampered by the uncertain fat survival rate. Current evidence suggests that adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) may contribute to fat retention in AFG. In previous studies, it was confirmed that thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) could enhance fat survival in vivo, although the precise mechanism remains unclear.

METHODS

ADSCs were isolated from patients undergoing liposuction and their proliferation, apoptosis, anti-apoptosis, and migration were analyzed under Tβ4 stimulation using cell counting kit-8, flow cytometry, wound healing assay, and real-time quantitative PCR. The mRNA levels of genes relating to angiogenesis and Hippo signaling were also determined.

RESULTS

Tβ4 at 100 ng/mL (p-value = 0.0171) and 1000 ng/mL (p-value = 0.0054) significantly increased ADSC proliferation from day 1 compared to the control group (0 ng/mL). In addition, the mRNA levels of proliferation-associated genes were elevated in the Tβ4 group. Furthermore, Tβ4 enhanced the anti-apoptotic ability of ADSCs when stimulated with Tβ4 and an apoptotic induction reagent (0 ng/mL vs. 1000 ng/mL, p-value = 0.011). Crucially, the mRNA expression levels of angiogenesis-related genes and critical genes in the Hippo pathway were affected by Tβ4 in ADSCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Tβ4 enhances adipose viability in AFG via facilitating ADSC proliferation and reducing apoptosis, and acts as a crucial positive regulator of ADSC-associated angiogenesis. Additionally, Tβ4 could be accountable for the phenotypic adjustment of ADSCs by regulating the Hippo pathway.

NO LEVEL ASSIGNED

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The preliminary study of exosomes derived from thymosin beta 4-treated adipose-derived stem cells in fat grafting

BACKGROUND

The retention rate in autologous fat grafting is an increasing concern for surgeons and patients. Our previous research verified that thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) positively affected fat survival, while the mechanism was unknown. The endothelial cells (ECs) and exosomes derived from adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were regarded to play a critical role in fat transplantation.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of exosomes derived from Tβ4-treated ADSCs on EC proliferation and to identify the exosomal microRNA (miRNA) profile compared with the Tβ4-untreated group. Additionally, this research intended to recognize the related molecules and signaling pathways in the Tβ4-treated group with potential roles in fat transplants.

METHODS

ADSCs were collected from patients who underwent liposuction surgery. Depending on whether the medium was supplemented with exogenous Tβ4 or not, exosomes derived from cultured ADSCs were divided into the Tβ4-Exos group and Con-Exos group. Exosome uptake and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays assessed the influence of Tβ4-Exos on EC proliferation. The exosomal miRNAs of the two groups were analyzed by next-generation sequencing. With the criteria at the |log₂ (fold change)| ≥ 1 and p-value < 0.05, up-regulated and down-regulated differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were obtained. Prediction databases were used to predict the downstream mRNAs for DEMs. And then, overlapping genes for the up-regulated DEMs and the down-regulated were screened out, followed by enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction network construction, and the gene cluster and hub gene identification.

RESULTS

ADSCs were obtained from four female patients. The exosome uptake and CCK-8 assays showed that the Tβ4-Exos could increase cell growth rate compared with the control group (DMEM-H + PBS). In Tβ4-Exos and Con-Exos groups, 2651 exosomal miRNAs were recognized, with 80 up-regulated and 99 down-regulated DEMs according to the criteria. After the prediction, 621 overlapping genes for the up-regulated and 572 for the down-regulated DEMs were screened. The subsequent bioinformatics analysis found specific molecules and pathways related to the positive effect on fat survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The exosomes derived from Tβ4-treated ADSCs probably positively affect EC proliferation. Compared with the Con-Exos group, several exosomal DEMs, genes, and pathways were distinguished. These findings of this exploratory study provide the potential direction for future in-depth research on fat grafting.