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Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be isolated from not only bone marrow, but also various adult mesenchymal tissues such as periosteum, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue. MSCs from different tissue sources have different molecular phenotypes and differentiation potential. Synovial membrane (SM) is an important and highly specific component of synovial joints. Previous studies have suggested that the synovium is a structure with a few cell layers thick and consists mainly of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), which forms a layer that lining the synovial membrane on the joint cavity and synovial fluid through cell-cell contact. In recent years, studies have found that there are also mesenchymal stem cells in the synovium, and as an important part of the mesenchymal stem cell family, it has strong capabilities of cartilage forming and tissue repairing. This article reviews the sources, surface markers, subtypes, influencing factors, and applications in inflammatory joints of synovial membrane mesenchymal stem cells (SM-MSCs) in recent years, aiming to clarify the research status and existing problems of SM-MSCs.

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Background: Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4, also known as WFDC-2) has been implicated in fibrotic disorders pathobiology. We tested the hypothesis that HE4 may be used as a candidate biomarker for systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). Methods: A total of 169 consecutive SSc patients and 169 age-and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled and blood samples were collected. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and paired lavage was performed on 169 patients and 37 healthy controls. All patients were classified as having SSc-no ILD or SSc-ILD, based on high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest, and a semiquantitative grade of ILD extent was evaluated through CT scans (grade 1, 0–25%; grade 2, 26–50%; grade 3, 51–75%; grade 4, 76–100%). Serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) HE4 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Serum HE4 levels were higher in SSc patients [median (interquartile range), 139.4 (85.9–181.8) pmol/l] compared with healthy controls [39.5 (24.3–54.2) pmol/l, p < 0.001] and were higher in patients with SSc-ILD [172.1 (94.8–263.3) pmol/l] than in those with SSc-no ILD [97.4 (85.5–156.5) pmol/l, p < 0.001]. This observation was replicated in the BALF samples. Corresponding values were 510.8 (144.6–1013.8) pmol/l for SSc cohort, 754.4 (299–1060) pmol/l for SSc-ILD, 555.1 (203.7–776.2) pmol/l for SSc-no ILD, and 238.7 (97.7–397.6) pmol/l for controls. The semiquantitative grade of ILD on CT scan was significantly proportional to the HE4 levels and the lung function parameter (i.e., FVC) had a negative correlation with the HE4 levels. Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate the potential clinical utility of blood and BALF HE4 as a biomarker for SSc-ILD. Future prospective validation studies are warranted.

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Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by joint inflammation and damage to the cartilage and bone in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can improve articular symptoms and reduce bone erosion in CIA rats; however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying MSC-induced improvement of bone destruction in CIA. Methods Wistar rats were divided into a normal group, CIA control group, MTX intervention group, and BMSC intervention group, each comprising 8 rats. Serum RANKL, OPG, and CXCL10 levels of all groups were determined via flow cytometry after 42 days of interventions. RANKL, OPG, TRAF6, CXCL10, and CXCR3 were detected on the synovial membrane via immunohistochemistry, and their relative mRNA levels were determined via RT-PCR analysis. BMSCs were labeled with GFP and administered to CIA rats via the tail vein. At different time points, the distribution of implanted GFP-MSCs in synovial tissues was observed using a fluorescence microscope, and the potential of GFP-MSCs to differentiate into chondrocytes was assessed via immunofluorescence analysis. Results BMSC transplantation improved joint inflammation and inhibited bone destruction in CIA rats. BMSCs inhibited the expression of serum CXCL10 and CXCL10 and CXCR3 expression at the synovial membrane. Moreover, protein and mRNA expression analyses revealed that BMSCs potentially regulated RANKL/OPG expression levels in the serum and synovial tissue. Upon implantation into CIA rats, GFP-MSCs were traced in the joints. GFP-positive cells were observed in the cartilage tissue from day 11 and until 42 days after transplantation. Anti-type II collagen/GFP double-positive cells were observed in the articular cartilage (especially damaged cartilage) upon immunofluorescence staining of anti-type II collagen. Conclusions BMSCs improve bone destruction in CIA by inhibiting the CXCL10/CXCR3 chemotactic axis, regulating the RANKL/OPG ratio, and directly differentiating into chondrocytes.

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Background: Localization of small pulmonary nodules (SPNs) is challenging in minimally invasive pulmonary resection, and it is unknown whether computer tomography (CT) guided by indocyanine green (ICG) can provide accurate localization with minimal complications. Methods:We performed a retrospective study of patients who underwent thoracoscopic resection of pulmonary nodules after CT-guided preoperative localization with ICG from May 2019 to May 2020. Demographics, procedural data, postoperative complications, and pathologic information, were collected, and an analysis of the accuracy and complications after surgery was conducted.Results: In 471 patients, there was a total of 512 peripheral pulmonary nodules that were ≤2 cm in size.The average time for CT-guided percutaneous ICG injection for localization was 18 minutes, and 98.4% (504/512) of the nodules were successfully localized. The average size of the nodules was 9.1 mm, and the average depth from the pleural surface was 8.9 mm. Overall, 5.9% (28/471) of the patients had asymptomatic pneumothorax after localization, but none needed a tube thoracostomy. All the nodules were resected using video-assisted thoracoscopy technique.Conclusions: Preoperative CT-guided transthoracic ICG injection is safe and feasible for localization of small lung nodules for minimally invasive pulmonary resection. This technique should be considered for preoperative CT-guided localization of small lung nodules.