Combinatorial polymer electrospun matrices promote physiologically-relevant cardiomyogenic stem cell differentiation

Myocardial infarction results in extensive cardiomyocyte death which can lead to fatal arrhythmias or congestive heart failure. Delivery of stem cells to repopulate damaged cardiac tissue may be an attractive and innovative solution for repairing the damaged heart. Instructive polymer scaffolds with a wide range of properties have been used extensively to direct the differentiation of stem cells. In this study, we have optimized the chemical and mechanical properties of an electrospun polymer mesh for directed differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) towards a cardiomyogenic lineage. A combinatorial polymer library was prepared by copolymerizing three distinct subunits at varying molar ratios to tune the physicochemical properties of the resulting polymer: hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG), hydrophobic poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), and negatively-charged, carboxylated PCL (CPCL). Murine ESCs were cultured on electrospun polymeric scaffolds and their differentiation to cardiomyocytes was assessed through measurements of viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), α-myosin heavy chain expression (α-MHC), and intracellular Ca(2+) signaling dynamics. Interestingly, ESCs on the most compliant substrate, 4%PEG-86%PCL-10%CPCL, exhibited the highest α-MHC expression as well as the most mature Ca(2+) signaling dynamics. To investigate the role of scaffold modulus in ESC differentiation, the scaffold fiber density was reduced by altering the electrospinning parameters. The reduced modulus was found to enhance α-MHC gene expression, and promote maturation of myocyte Ca(2+) handling. These data indicate that ESC-derived cardiomyocyte differentiation and maturation can be promoted by tuning the mechanical and chemical properties of polymer scaffold via copolymerization and electrospinning techniques.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phellinus</Emphasis> extracts inhibit migration and matrix metalloproteinase secretion in porcine coronary artery endothelial cells

Phellinus linteus is a fungus which is found primarily in tropical regions of the Americas, Africa, and Asia.P. linteus has been used in traditional medical practice for the treatment of arthritis, liver damage and cancer. Angiogenesis is a process that involves migration, proliferation and cell differentiation, as well as the formation of new capillary structures. The anti-angiogenic activities evidenced by natural compounds may actually be a critical effect for the inhibition of angiogenesis-dependent disease by these agents via the blockage of vascular development. This study assessed the effects of water extracts fromP. linteus (Phellinus extracts) on primary cultured porcine coronary artery endothelial cells (PCAECs).Phellinus extracts induced no changes in DNA synthesis or cell numbers, but inhibited the migration of PCAECs.Phellinus extracts also induced a reduction in the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9. Our results show that, in endothelial cells,Phellinus extracts may inhibit angiogenesis by reducing levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 secretion.     

RML1 and RML2, Arabidopsis genes required for cell proliferation at the root tip.

New cells are produced from the meristematic tissues located at the shoot and root tip throughout the life of higher plants. To investigate the genetic mechanism regulating meristematic activity, we isolated and characterized four single-gene, recessive mutants in Arabidopsis thaliana called root meristemless (rml). Complementation tests identified two RML loci; RML1 maps to chromosome IV and RML2 maps to chromosome III. These mutants produce normal embryonic roots that either did not undergo or experienced limited cell division following germination, resulting in primary roots of less than 2.0 mm in length. Mutants can produce lateral and adventitious roots, which can grow to a length comparable to the embryonic root and arrest, indicating that the growth arrest is unrelated to the embryonic dormancy process. Neither the addition of growth regulators to the media nor the removal of shoots can rescue mutant roots from growth arrest, indicating that the mutant phenotype is not caused by a shortage of known growth regulators or by a transmissible shoot inhibitor. Normal cell division ability in mutant embryo, shoot, and callus cells indicates that the RML gene functions are not part of the general cell division processes; rather, they are involved specifically in activating the cell division cycle in the root apical cells.     

Fabrication of degradable carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) microneedle with laser writing and replica molding process for enhancement of transdermal drug delivery

Transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS) may provide a more reliable method of drug delivery than oral delivery by avoiding gut absorption and first-pass metabolism, but needs a method for efficiently crossing the epidermal barrier. To enhance the delivery through the skin, we have developed a biocompatible, dissolvable microneedle array made from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Using laser ablation for creating the mold greatly improved the efficiency and reduced the cost of microneedle fabrication. Mixing CMC with amylopectin (AP) enhanced the mechanical and tunable dissolution properties of the microneedle for controlled release of model compounds. Using the CMC microneedle array, we observed significant enhancement in the skin permeability of a fluorescent model compound, and also increase in the anti-oxidant activity of ascorbic acid after crossing the skin. Our dissolvable microneedle array provides a new and biocompatible method for delivery of drugs and cosmetic compounds through the skin.     

Metformin and tenovin‐6 synergistically induces apoptosis through LKB1‐independent SIRT1 down‐regulation in non‐small cell lung cancer cells

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is known to play a role in a variety of tumorigenesis processes by deacetylating histone and non‐histone proteins; however, antitumour effects by suppressing SIRT1 activity in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain unclear. This study was designed to scrutinize clinicopathological significance of SIRT1 in NSCLC and investigate effects of metformin on SIRT1 inhibition. This study also evaluated new possibilities of drug combination using a SIRT1 inhibitor, tenovin‐6, in NSCLC cell lines. It was found that SIRT1 was overexpressed in 300 (62%) of 485 formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded NSCLC tissues. Its overexpression was significantly associated with reduced overall survival and poor recurrence‐free survival after adjusted for histology and pathologic stage. Thus, suppression of SIRT1 expression may be a reasonable therapeutic strategy for NSCLC. Metformin in combination with tenovin‐6 was found to be more effective in inhibiting cell growth than either agent alone in NSCLC cell lines with different liver kinase B1 (LKB1) status. In addition, metformin and tenovin‐6 synergistically suppressed SIRT1 expression in NSCLC cells regardless of LKB1 status. The marked reduction in SIRT1 expression by combination of metformin and tenovin‐6 increased acetylation of p53 at lysine 382 and enhanced p53 stability in LKB1‐deficient A549 cells. The combination suppressed SIRT1 promoter activity more effectively than either agent alone by up‐regulating hypermethylation in cancer 1 (HIC1) binding at SIRT1 promoter. Also, suppressed SIRT1 expression by the combination synergistically induced caspase‐3‐dependent apoptosis. The study concluded that metformin with tenovin‐6 may enhance antitumour effects through LKB1‐independent SIRT1 down‐regulation in NSCLC cells.     

Comparison of Ionized Calcium-binding Adapter Molecule 1 Immunoreactivity of the Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus and CA1 Region in Adult and Aged Dogs

Similarities between age-related changes in the canine and human brain have resulted in the general acceptance of the canine brain as a model of human brain aging. The hippocampus is essentially required for intact cognitive ability and appears to be particularly vulnerable to the aging process. We observed changes in ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1, a microglial marker) immunoreactivity and protein levels in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and CA1 region of adult (2-3 years) and aged (10-12 years) dogs. We also observed the interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, protein levels in these groups. In the dentate gyrus and CA1 region of the adult dog, Iba-1 immunoreactive microglia were well distributed and their processes were highly ramified. However, in the aged dog, the processes of Iba-1 immunoreactive microglia were hypertrophied in the dentate gyrus. Moreover, Iba-1 protein level in the dentate gyrus in the aged dog was higher than in the adult dog. IFN-gamma expression was increased in the dentate gyrus homogenates of aged dogs than adult dogs. In addition, we found that some neurons were positive to Fluoro-Jade B (a marker for neuronal degeneration) in the dentate polymorphic layer, but not in the hippocampal CA1 region in the aged dog. These results suggest that Iba-1 immunoreactive microglia are hypertrophied in the dentate gyrus in the aged dog.     

HO-1 and JAK-2/STAT-1 signals are involved in preferential inhibition of iNOS over COX-2 gene expression by newly synthesized tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid, CKD712, in cells activated with lipopolysacchride

We found that CKD712, an S enantiomer of YS49, strongly inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and NO induction but showed a weak inhibitory effect on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and PGE(2) induction in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. We, therefore, investigated the molecular mechanism(s) responsible for this by using CKD712 in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. Treatment with either SP600125, a specific JNK inhibitor or TPCK, a NF-kappaB inhibitor, but neither ERK inhibitor PD98059 nor p38 inhibitor SB203580, significantly inhibited LPS-mediated iNOS and COX-2 induction. CKD712 inhibited NF-kappaB (p65) activity and translocation but failed to prevent JNK activation. However, AG490, a specific JAK-2/STAT-1 inhibitor, efficiently prevented LPS-mediated iNOS induction but not the induction of COX-2, and CKD712 completely blocked STAT-1 phosphorylation by LPS, suggesting that the NF-kappaB and JAK-2/STAT-1 pathways but not the JNK pathway are important for CKD712 action. Interestingly, CKD712 induced heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) gene expression in LPS-treated cells. LPS-induced NF-kappaB and STAT-1 activation was partially prevented by HO-1 overexpression. Furthermore, HO-1 siRNA partly reversed not only the LPS-induced NF-kappaB activation and STAT-1 phosphorylation but also inhibition of these actions by CKD 712. Additionally, silencing HO-1 by siRNA prevented CKD712 from inhibiting iNOS expression but not COX-2. When examined plasma NO and PGE(2) levels and iNOS and COX-2 protein levels in lung tissues of mice injected with LPS (10 mg/kg), pretreatment with CKD712 greatly prevented NO and iNOS induction in a dose-dependent manner and slightly affected PGE(2) and COX-2 production as expected. Taken together, we conclude that inhibition of JAK-2/STAT-1 pathways by CKD 712 is critical for the differential inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 by LPS in vitro and in vivo where HO-1 induction also contributes to this by partially modulating JAK-2/STAT-1 pathways.