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The caprine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from fetal adnexa are highly proliferative. These cells possess tri-lineage differentiation potential and express MSC surface antigens and pluripotency markers with a wound-healing potential. This present study was conducted to compare the immunomodulatory potential of caprine MSCs derived from the fetal adnexa. Mid-gestation caprine uteri (2–3 months) were collected from the abattoir to isolate MSCs from amniotic fluid (cAF), amniotic sac (cAS), Wharton's jelly (cWJ) and cord blood (cCB), which were expanded and characterized at the 3rd passage. These MSCs were then stimulated with inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ and TNF-α) to assess the percentage of inhibition produced on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) proliferation. The percentage of inhibition on activated PBMCs proliferation produced by cWJ MSCs and cAS MSCs was significantly higher than cCB and cAF MSCs. The relative mRNA expression profile and immunofluorescent localization of different immunomodulatory cytokines and growth factors were conducted upon stimulation. The mRNA expression profile of a set of different cytokines and growth factors in each caprine fetal adnexa MSCs were modulated. Indoleamine 2, 3 dioxygenase appeared to be the major immunomodulator in cWJ, cAF, and cCB MSCs whereas inducible nitric oxide synthase in cAS MSCs. This study suggests that caprine MSCs derived from fetal adnexa display variable immunomodulatory potential, which appears to be modulated by different molecules among sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from existing blood vessels, is a complex and highly regulated process that plays a role in a wide variety of physiological and pathological processes. In malignancy, angiogenesis is essential for neoplastic cells to acquire the nutrients and oxygen critical for their continued proliferation. Angiogenesis requires a sequence of well-coordinated events mediated by a number of tightly regulated interactions between pro-angiogenic factors and their corresponding receptors expressed on various vascular components (e.g., endothelial cells and pericytes) and stromal components forming the extracellular matrix. In this review, we discuss the functional roles of key growth factors and cytokines known to promote angiogenesis in cutaneous melanoma and key factors implicated in the extracellular matrix remodeling that acts synergistically with angiogenesis to promote tumor progression in melanoma, incorporating some of the most up-to-date basic science knowledge from recently published in vivo and in vitro experimental studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common reason for hair loss. Its frequency in Caucasian population is up to 80% in men and 42% in women. Current gold standard for AGA treatment includes minoxidil and/or finasteride. Both drugs have moderate treatment efficacy and can cause significant side effects. Minoxidil is the only option for treatment of AGA in women since finasteride has no efficacy. This review considers actual concepts of molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis and current treatment options of AGA with their limitations and shortcomings. Current state and perspectives of novel approaches to AGA treatment, potentially more effective and safe than minoxidil and finasteride, are described. The review discusses growth factors and cytokines, topical 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, androgen receptor antagonists, prostaglandin analogs and antagonists, Wnt signaling activators and platelet-rich plasma injections.

Vasculogenesis and angiogenesis play a crucial role in embryonic development. Pathological neovascularization in ocular tissues can lead to vision-threatening vascular diseases, including proliferative diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, retinopathy of prematurity, choroidal neovascularization, and corneal neovascularization. Neovascularization involves various cellular processes and signaling pathways and is regulated by angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). Modulating these circuits may represent a promising strategy to treat ocular neovascular diseases. Lipid mediators derived from membrane lipids are abundantly present in most tissues and exert a wide range of biological functions by regulating various signaling pathways. In particular, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids exert potent pro-angiogenic or anti-angiogenic effects, according to the findings of numerous preclinical and clinical studies. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the regulation of ocular neovascularization by lipid mediators and their metabolites. A better understanding of the effects of lipid signaling in neovascularization may provide novel therapeutic strategies to treat ocular neovascular diseases and other human disorders.

BackgroundWhen transplanted into failing heart, autologous somatic tissue–derived cells yield functional recovery via paracrine effects that enhance native regeneration. However, the therapeutic effects are modest. We developed a method in which scaffold‐free cell sheets are attached to the epicardial surface to maximize paracrine effects. This Phase I clinical trial tested whether transplanting autologous cell–sheets derived from skeletal muscle is feasible, safe, and effective for treating severe congestive heart failure. Methods and ResultsFifteen ischemic cardiomyopathy patients and 12 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, who were in New York Heart Association functional class II or III and had been treated with the maximum medical and/or interventional therapies available, were enrolled. Scaffold‐free cell sheets of 3 to 9×108 cells derived from autologous muscle were transplanted over the LV free wall via left thoracotomy, without additional interventional treatments. There were no procedure‐related major complications during follow‐up. The majority of the ischemic cardiomyopathy patients showed marked symptomatic improvement in New York Heart Association classification (pre: 2.9±0.5 versus 6 months: 2.1±0.4, P

Cardiac atrial appendage stem cells (CASCs) show extraordinary myocardial differentiation properties, making them ideal candidates for myocardial regeneration. However, since the myocardium is a highly vascularized tissue, revascularization of the ischemic infarct area is essential for functional repair. Therefore, this study assessed if CASCs contribute to cardiac angiogenesis via paracrine mechanisms. First, it was demonstrated that CASCs produce and secrete high levels of numerous angiogenic growth factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3). Functional in vitro assays with a human microvascular endothelial cell line (HMEC-1) and CASC CM showed that CASCs promote endothelial cell proliferation, migration and tube formation, the most important steps of the angiogenesis process. Addition of inhibitory antibodies against identified growth factors could significantly reduce these effects, indicating their importance in CASC-induced neovascularization. The angiogenic potential of CASCs and CASC CM was also confirmed in a chorioallantoic membrane assay, demonstrating that CASCs promote blood vessel formation in vivo . In conclusion, this study shows that CASCs not only induce myocardial repair by cardiomyogenic differentiation, but also stimulate blood vessel formation by paracrine mechanisms. The angiogenic properties of CASCs further strengthen their therapeutic potential and make them an optimal stem cell source for the treatment of ischemic heart disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

c-Kitpos cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) represent a successful approach in healing the infarcted heart and rescuing its mechanical function, but electrophysiological consequences are uncertain. CPC mobilization promoted by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and IGF-1 improved electrogenesis in myocardial infarction (MI). We hypothesized that locally delivered CPCs supplemented with HGF + IGF-1 (GFs) can concur in ameliorating electrical stability of the regenerated heart. Adult male Wistar rats (139 rats) with 4-wk-old MI or sham conditions were randomized to receive intramyocardial injection of GFs, CPCs, CPCs + GFs, or vehicle (V). Enhanced green fluorescent protein-tagged CPCs were used for cell tracking. Vulnerability to stress-induced arrhythmia was assessed by telemetry-ECG. Basic cardiac electrophysiological properties were examined by epicardial multiple-lead recording. Hemodynamic function was measured invasively. Hearts were subjected to anatomical, morphometric, immunohistochemical, and molecular biology analyses. Compared with V and at variance with individual CPCs, CPCs + GFs approximately halved arrhythmias in all animals, restoring cardiac anisotropy toward sham values. GFs alone reduced arrhythmias by less than CPCs + GFs, prolonging ventricular refractoriness without affecting conduction velocity. Concomitantly, CPCs + GFs reactivated the expression levels of Connexin-43 and Connexin-40 as well as channel proteins of key depolarizing and repolarizing ion currents differently than sole GFs. Mechanical function and anatomical remodeling were equally improved by all regenerative treatments, thus exhibiting a divergent behavior relative to electrical aspects. Conclusively, we provided evidence of distinctive antiarrhythmic action of locally injected GF-supplemented CPCs, likely attributable to retrieval of Connexin-43, Connexin-40, and Cav1.2 expression, favoring intercellular coupling and spread of excitation in mended heart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Preeclampsia is the major cause of maternofetal and neonatal morbi-mortality including intrauterine growth retardation, miscarriages and stillbirths. Inadequate vascular dilation and angiogenesis represent the crucial underlying defect of gravidic hypertension, denoting a failed response to the vasodilatory and pro-angiogenic challenge imposed by pregnancy, especially if multifetal. A similar pathogenesis appears involved in gestational diabetes. In this review we aimed to provide a hint on understanding the deeply involved angiogenic disorders which eventually culminate in utero-placental failure. The key players in these complex processes may be found in an intricate network of growth factors (GFs) and GF inhibitors, controlled by several vascular risk factors modulated by environment and genes, which eventually impact on early and late cardiovascular outcomes of mother and fetus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article tests the hypothesis that erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogen homolog-1 (ETS-1) is a common mediator of the renal proinflammatory profibrotic effects of Angiotensis II (Ang II). Studies suggest that ETS-1 is a common mediator of the proinflammatory and profibrotic effects of Ang II-induced hypertensive renal damage. Such mediation may result in the development of novel strategies in the treatment and prevention of end-organ injury in hypertension.

The article cites a study which examines the advantages of telmisartan, an angiotensin (Ang) II type 1 receptor blocker, over another similar drug, losartan, in treating chronic kidney disease. It examined the role of peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor-y (PPARy) in the telmisartan's renal protective actions on mice with renal injury. It showed how PPARy activation allowed telmisartan to prevent hydronephrosis more strongly than losartan because of its hepatocyte growth factor (HGF).

We have recently cloned a novel molecule that interacts with the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R)-associated protein (ATRAP). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that ATRAP modulates angiotensin II-induced responses in vascular smooth muscle cells. The results of immunoprecipitation and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer assay demonstrated a direct interaction between ATRAP and AT1R at baseline and showed that angiotensin II enhanced the interaction of these proteins >2-fold. The results of immunofluorescence analysis also demonstrated that >65% of ATRAP constitutively colocalized with an endosome marker. Although only 36% of ATRAP colocalized with AT1R at baseline, angiotensin II enhanced the colocalization of these molecules and made 92% of ATRAP colocalize with AT1R on a quantitative fluorescence analysis. Overexpression of ATRAP by adenoviral transfer decreased the cell surface AT1R number from 4.33 to 2.13 fmol/10(6) cells at baseline and from 3.04 to 1.26 fmol/10(6) cells even after removal of angiotensin II. ATRAP also suppressed angiotensin II-mediated increases in c-fos gene transcription and transforming growth factor-beta production. Furthermore, this suppression was accompanied by inhibition of angiotensin II-induced activation of 5-bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. Finally, ATRAP knockdown by small-interference RNA activated angiotensin II-induced c-fos gene expression, which was effectively inhibited by valsartan, an AT1R-specific antagonist. These results indicate that ATRAP promotes internalization of AT1R and attenuates the angiotensin II-mediated c-fos-transforming growth factor-beta pathway and proliferative response in vascular smooth muscle cells, suggesting a novel strategy to inhibit vascular fibrosis and remodeling through a novel and specific blockade of AT1R signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vasculogenesis and angiogenesis play a crucial role in embryonic development. Pathological neovascularization in ocular tissues can lead to vision-threatening vascular diseases, including proliferative diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, retinopathy of prematurity, choroidal neovascularization, and corneal neovascularization. Neovascularization involves various cellular processes and signaling pathways and is regulated by angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). Modulating these circuits may represent a promising strategy to treat ocular neovascular diseases. Lipid mediators derived from membrane lipids are abundantly present in most tissues and exert a wide range of biological functions by regulating various signaling pathways. In particular, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids exert potent pro-angiogenic or anti-angiogenic effects, according to the findings of numerous preclinical and clinical studies. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the regulation of ocular neovascularization by lipid mediators and their metabolites. A better understanding of the effects of lipid signaling in neovascularization may provide novel therapeutic strategies to treat ocular neovascular diseases and other human disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: When transplanted into failing heart, autologous somatic tissue-derived cells yield functional recovery via paracrine effects that enhance native regeneration. However, the therapeutic effects are modest. We developed a method in which scaffold-free cell sheets are attached to the epicardial surface to maximize paracrine effects. This Phase I clinical trial tested whether transplanting autologous cell-sheets derived from skeletal muscle is feasible, safe, and effective for treating severe congestive heart failure., Methods and Results: Fifteen ischemic cardiomyopathy patients and 12 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, who were in New York Heart Association functional class II or III and had been treated with the maximum medical and/or interventional therapies available, were enrolled. Scaffold-free cell sheets of 3 to 9×10 8 cells derived from autologous muscle were transplanted over the LV free wall via left thoracotomy, without additional interventional treatments. There were no procedure-related major complications during follow-up. The majority of the ischemic cardiomyopathy patients showed marked symptomatic improvement in New York Heart Association classification (pre: 2.9±0.5 versus 6 months: 2.1±0.4, P <0.01; 1 year: 1.9±0.3, P <0.01) and the Six-Minute Walk Test with significant reduction of serum brain natriuretic peptide level (pre: 308±72 pg/mL versus 6 months: 191±56 versus 1 year: 182±46, P <0.05), pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, pulmonary vein resistance, and left ventricular wall stress after transplantation instead of limited efficacy in dilated cardiomyopathy patients., Conclusions: Cell-sheet transplantation as a sole therapy was feasible for treating cardiomyopathy. Promising results in the safety and functional recovery warrant further clinical follow-up and larger studies to confirm this treatment's efficacy for severe congestive heart failure., Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://www.umin.ac.jp/english/. Unique identifier: UMIN000003273., (© 2017 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley.)