Modulation Of Inflammatory Cascade Research Articles

Current State for Clinical Use of Stem Cells and Platelet-Rich Plasma

In the management of common orthopaedic pathology involving tendons, ligaments, bone, and articular cartilage, the application of small molecules and biologic compounds has expanded greatly in the past decade. In particular, the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cells has gained significant attention for potential therapeutic augmentation of healing, modulation of inflammatory cascades, and pain modulation. Despite the increase in clinical application and interest, there has been a paucity of high level of evidence studies supporting the use of these biologic agents. This article examines the current state for the clinical use of stem cells and PRP, with review of the most recent clinical studies involving the treatment of tendon, ligament, bone, and cartilage injury. Current evidence regarding safety profile, therapeutic effect, and validated outcome scores are reported. Though plagued by inconsistency in experimental testing and low numbers of large, multicenter randomized controlled trials, the use of stem cells and PRP appears to have a positive clinical effect with minimal systemic side effects or complications. Further study is needed to elucidate the specific therapeutic indications, dosing regimen, and efficacy of treatment in short and long follow-ups is needed to document the role and effectiveness of these treatments in clinical practice.

Involvement of visceral adipose tissue in modulation of inflammatory cascade in preeclampsia

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical application of plasma complete hydatidiform mole pregnancy-associated microRNAs (CHM-miRNAs: hsa-miR-520b, hsa-miR-520f and hsa-miR-520c-3p). We measured plasma CHM-miRNA concentration by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in two cases of CHM resulting in gestational trophoblastic neoplasia later. As progress of treatments in both cases, the plasma concentrations of CHM-miRNAs showed a decreasing tendency similar to the pattern for serum hCG concentration, but exhibited a transient increasing tendency after each course of chemotherapy, suggesting that the plasma CHM-miRNAs could be an additional follow-up marker for malignant changes of CHM.

Protective effects of cationic bovine serum albumin-conjugated PEGylated tanshinone IIA nanoparticles on cerebral ischemia

Tanshinone IIA is a good candidate for treating cerebral ischemia, but its short half-life and poor permeability across the blood–brain-barrier (BBB) limit its curative efficacy. In this study, we successfully developed cationic bovine serum albumin-conjugated tanshinone IIA PEGylated nanoparticles (CBSA-PEG-TIIA-NPs). A cerebral ischemia rat model was established to evaluate the treatment efficacy and protective mechanism of CBSA-PEG-TIIA-NPs. CBSA-PEG-TIIA-NPs showed the mean particle size 118 ± 14 nm with drug loaded ratio and encapsulation efficiency 5.69 ± 0.6% and 83.2 ± 2.6%, respectively. The pharmacokinetics demonstrated that CBSA-PEG-TIIA-NPs could significantly prolong circulation time and increase plasma concentration compared with intravenously administrated TIIA solution. The biodistribution and brain uptake study confirmed that CBSA-PEG-TIIA-NPs possessed better brain delivery efficacy with a high accumulation in brain. CBSA-PEG-TIIA-NPs obviously ameliorated infarct volume, neurological deficit and histopathological severity. Treatment with CBSA-PEG-TIIA-NPs markedly inhibited the levels of the MPO, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. Furthermore, CBSA-PEG-TIIA-NPs significantly decreased the mRNA expressions of iNOS and p38MAPK, upregulated PPARγ expression, and inhibited the protein levels of iNOS, GFAP and p38MAPK phosphorylation. These results demonstrated that CBSA-PEG-TIIA-NPs possessed remarkable neuroprotective effects on ischemic stroke through modulation of inflammatory cascades and neuronal signal pathways involved in cerebral ischemia.

Regulator of calcineurin 1 (Rcan1) has a protective role in brain ischemia/reperfusion injury

BackgroundAn increase in intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2+]i is one of the first events to take place after brain ischemia. A key [Ca2+]i-regulated signaling molecule is the phosphatase calcineurin (CN), which plays important roles in the modulation of inflammatory cascades. Here, we have analyzed the role of endogenous regulator of CN 1 (Rcan1) in response to experimental ischemic stroke induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion.MethodsAnimals were subjected to focal cerebral ischemia with reperfusion. To assess the role of Rcan1 after stroke, we measured infarct volume after 48 h of reperfusion in Rcan1 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. In vitro studies were performed in astrocyte-enriched cortical primary cultures subjected to 3% oxygen (hypoxia) and glucose deprivation (HGD). Adenoviral vectors were used to analyze the effect of overexpression of Rcan1-4 protein. Protein expression was examined by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting and expression of mRNA by quantitative real-time Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (real time qRT-PCR).ResultsBrain ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in vivo increased mRNA and protein expression of the calcium-inducible Rcan1 isoform (Rcan1-4). I/R-inducible expression of Rcan1 protein occurred mainly in astroglial cells, and in an in vitro model of ischemia, HGD treatment of primary murine astrocyte cultures induced Rcan1-4 mRNA and protein expression. Exogenous Rcan1-4 overexpression inhibited production of the inflammatory marker cyclo-oxygenase 2. Mice lacking Rcan1 had higher expression of inflammation associated genes, resulting in larger infarct volumes.ConclusionsOur results support a protective role for Rcan1 during the inflammatory response to stroke, and underline the importance of the glial compartment in the inflammatory reaction that takes place after ischemia. Improved understanding of non-neuronal mechanisms in ischemic injury promises novel approaches to the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.