Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are found in all adult mesenchymal tissues. They play a role in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and repair by allowing renewal of the cellular stock. MSCs can be isolated from both human and animal sources. These cells are important in regenerative medicine and cell therapy, thus adipose tissue is a rich and promising source of these cells. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are often effective and safe, and have been used in preclinical and clinical studies for both autologous and allogeneic transplantation. The potential use of stem cell-based therapies for the repair and regeneration of various tissues and organs provides an important alternative therapeutic solution for the treatment of many diseases. However, it is necessary to have control of the cell manipulation process prior to their use. Exposure of humans to the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA) has been associated with increased weight and obesity, but the mechanisms by which BPA increases adipose tissue in humans remains to be determined. BPA has been classified as a potent endocrine-disrupting chemical that interferes with adipogenesis. Currently, few studies have reported the effect of BPA on the integrity and capacity for differentiation of MSCs. Thus, this review aims to present, for the first time, a current survey and a discussion of the effects of BPA action on MSCs.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in older men. In this regard, recent studies have attempted to define the relationships between prostatic fibrosis, LUTS, and increased expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF β1) in BHP. Therapeutic approaches for BPH such as 5-α-reductase inhibitors and alpha-adrenergic blocking agents increase TGF β1 expression in the prostatic tissue. Here, we investigated the effects of the 5-α-reductase inhibitor-finasteride-on rat ventral prostate tissue, especially with regard to the tissue distribution and gene expression of fibrillar collagens. Adult Wistar rats (n = 15) were treated with finasteride (25 mg/kg/day) by subcutaneous injection for 7 and 30 days. Age-matched, vehicle-treated (n = 15) adult Wistar rats were used as control. Finasteride treatment reduced prostate size and increased the area of types I and III collagen fibers in the prostatic stroma. As expected, TGF β1 mRNA expression was upregulated by finasteride treatment. However, COL1A1 and COL3A1 mRNA expressions decreased after both 7 and 30 days of finasteride treatment, suggesting that finasteride treatment promotes prostate parenchyma and stroma changes, which lead to the observed types I and III collagen remodeling without de novo collagen synthesis. The upregulation of TGF β1 mRNA and protein associated with the 5-α-reductase inhibitor is more closely related to epithelial and stromal cell death pathways than to prostatic fibrosis.
The possibility of chemical contamination is an important issue to consider when designing a cell therapy strategy. Both bisphenol A (BPA) and 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD) are among the most environmentally relevant endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs, compounds with a high affinity for adipose tissue) recently studied. Adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) are mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) obtained from adipose tissue widely used in regenerative medicine to prevent and treat diseases in several tissues and organs. Although the experimental use of tissue‐engineered constructs requires careful analysis for approval and implantation, there has been a recent increase in the number of approved clinical trials for this promising strategy. This study aimed to evaluate cell viability, apoptosis, DNA damage, and the adipogenic or osteogenic differentiation potential of rat adipose‐derived stem cells (rASCs) exposed to previously established non‐cytotoxic doses of BPA and TCDD in vitro. Results demonstrated that 10 μM of BPA and 10 nM of TCDD were able to significantly reduce cell viability, while all exposure levels resulted in DNA damage, although did not increase the apoptosis rate. According to the analysis of adipogenic differentiation, 1 μM of BPA induced the significant formation of oil droplets, suggesting an increased adipocyte differentiation, while both 10 μM of BPA and 10 nM of TCDD decreased adipocyte differentiation. Osteogenic differentiation did not differ among the treatments. As such, BPA and TCDD in the concentrations tested can modify important processes in rASCs such as cell viability, adipogenic differentiation, and DNA damage. Together, these findings prove that EDCs play an important role as contaminants, putatively interfering in cell differentiation and thus impairing the therapeutic use of ASCs.
Summary:
Moebius syndrome is a rare congenital facial palsy that can generate serious emotional repercussions, mainly due to the inability to smile. Currently, no treatment is available; however, surgery can restore muscle function. This case report introduces a new technique for the treatment of Moebius syndrome with zygomatic muscle neurotization using nerve grafts and end-to-side neurorrhaphies, in a 3-year-old girl diagnosed with bilateral Moebius syndrome who was unable to smile on the left side. After 4 years, the patient presented with full smile restoration on the left side, with right and left independent movements and complete symmetry.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.