Life sciences
-
Studies have proposed the role of AP-2α in human disease. However, few have focused on its effects on intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). This study intends to discuss the role of AP-2α in IDD by regulating TGF-β1 and Smad3 expression. ⋯ Collectively, our study demonstrates that knockdown of AP-2α restricts TGF-β1 and Smad3 expression to promote proliferation and depress senescence and apoptosis of NP cells in rats with IDD.
-
The outbreak of COVID-19 in December 2019, has become an urgent and serious public health emergency. At present, there is no effective treatment or vaccine for COVID-19. Therefore, there is a crucial unmet need to develop a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19 patients. ⋯ Moreover, the contribution of MSCs to prevent cell death and inhibit tissue fibrosis is well established. In the current review article, the potential mechanisms by which MSCs contribute to the treatment of COVID-19 patients are highlighted. Also, current trials that evaluated the potential of MSC-based treatments for COVID-19 are briefly reviewed.
-
The infection epidemic event of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was formally declared a pandemic by World Health Organization on March 11th, 2020. Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a new type of coronavirus, which has high contagion and mainly causes respiratory symptoms. ⋯ The factors such as directly pathogen-mediated damage to cardiomyocytes, down-regulated angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression, excessive inflammatory response, hypoxia and adverse drug reaction, are closely related to the occurrence and development of the course of COVID-19. In combination with recently published medical data of patients having SARS-CoV-2 infection and the latest studies, the manifestations of damage to cardiovascular system by COVID-19, possible pathogenic mechanisms and advances of the treatment are proposed in this article.