Stem Cell Res Ther
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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and vascular health. Peripheral blood-derived CD34+ progenitor cells have been used as biomarker for CVD risk and may play a similar role in OSA and CVD risk assessment. Although there are some controversial results in the literature, OSA patients may have a reduction in the number and function of CD34+ cells. The damages promoted by OSA in CD34+ cells may lead to an increase in endothelial oxidative stress and endothelial inflammation which may lead to a reduced endothelial repair capacity. In this study, we explored the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on peripheral blood-derived CD34+ cells and arterial stiffness (another predictor of endothelial health and CVD risk) in OSA patients. ⋯ Our findings suggest that 3-month CPAP intervention does not show statistical significant increase in CD34+ cell number and function, in mostly moderate to severe OSA subjects; however, it did demonstrate a positive trend. CPAP therapy, did help improve arterial stiffness parameter.
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Bone-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) transplantation has been reported to be effective for the treatment of ischemic heart disease, but whether BMSCs are the optimal cell type remains under debate. Increasing numbers of studies have shown that Nestin, an intermediate filament protein, is a potential marker for MSCs, which raises the question of whether Nestin+ cells in BMSCs may play a more crucial role in myocardial repair. ⋯ These results suggest that Nestin+ BMSC transplantation can improve cardiac function in an AMI model by recruiting resident CECs to the infarcted border region via the CXCL12/CXCR4 chemokine pathway. And we demonstrated that Nestin+BMSC-secreted TIMP-1/2 enhances CXCL12(SDF1α)/CXCR4 axis-driven migration of endogenous Sca-1+ endothelial cells in ischemic heart post-AMI. Taken together, our results show that Nestin is a useful marker for the identification of functional BMSCs and indicate that Nestin+ BMSCs could be a better therapeutic candidate for cardiac repair.
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The mechanisms underpinning the regenerative capabilities of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were originally thought to reside in their ability to recognise damaged tissue and to differentiate into specific cell types that would replace defective cells. However, recent work has shown that molecules produced by MSCs (secretome), particularly those packaged in extracellular vesicles (EVs), rather than the cells themselves are responsible for tissue repair. ⋯ Taken together, our study implies that extracellular vesicles and soluble molecules within ADSC secretome act in a synergistic manner to promote muscle generation.
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Posterolateral spinal fusion with autologous bone graft is considered the "gold standard" for lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) when surgical treatment is indicated. The potential role of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to replace the bone graft in this setting has not been fully addressed. ⋯ The use of autologous MSCs for spine fusion in patients with monosegmental degenerative disc disease is feasible, safe, and potentially effective.
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The discovery of animal cloning and subsequent development of cell reprogramming technology were quantum leaps as they led to the achievement of rejuvenation by cell reprogramming and the emerging view that aging is a reversible epigenetic process. Here, we will first summarize the experimental achievements over the last 7 years in cell and animal rejuvenation. Then, a comparison will be made between the principles of the cumulative DNA damage theory of aging and the basic facts underlying the epigenetic model of aging, including Horvath's epigenetic clock. ⋯ In contrast, the epigenetic model of aging straightforwardly explains both biologic phenomena. A plausible initial application of rejuvenation in vivo would be preventing adult individuals from aging thus eliminating a major risk factor for end of life pathologies. Further, it may allow the gradual achievement of whole body rejuvenation.