Life sciences
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The present study was designed to investigate whether the antinociceptive effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) during oxaliplatin (OXL)-induced sensory neuropathy is related to antioxidant properties. ⋯ MSC induce reversion of sensory neuropathy induced by OXL possibly by activation of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pathways, leading to reestablishment of redox homeostasis in the spinal cord.
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Sepsis occurs due to a damaging host response to infection and is the chief cause of death in most intensive care units. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit immunomodulatory properties and can modulate key cells of the innate and adaptive immune systems through various effector mechanisms, such as exosomes. Exosomes and their microRNA (miRNA or miR) cargo including miR-21 can initiate profound phenotypic changes in the tumor microenvironment due to their intercellular communication transmitting the pleiotropic messages between different cell types, tissues, and body fluids. ⋯ More specifically, we demonstrated βMSCs-derived exosomes inhibited the effects of PDCD4, the target gene of miR-21, on macrophage polarization and sepsis. In conclusion, exosomal miR-21 emerged as a key mediator of IL-1β pretreatment induced immunomodulatory properties of MSCs. The study indicated a novel basis for therapeutic application of MSCs in sepsis.
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Review
Cardioprotection of pharmacological postconditioning on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Acute myocardial infarction is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality and can cause irreversible myocardial damage. Timely reperfusion is critical to limit infarct size and salvage the ischemic myocardium. ⋯ Previous studies have shown that various mechanisms are involved in the effects of PPC. In this review, we summarize the relative effects and potential underlying mechanisms of PPC to provide a foundation for future research attempting to develop novel treatments against myocardial I/R injury.
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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.
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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.