Biological impact of the fibroblast growth factor family on articular cartilage and intervertebral disc homeostasis.

Somatic neural and neural crest stem cells are promising sources for cellular therapy of several neurodegenerative diseases. However, because of practical considerations such as inadequate accessibility of the source material, the application of neural crest stem cells is strictly limited. The secondary palate is a highly regenerative and heavily innervated tissue, which develops embryonically under direct contribution of neural crest cells. Here, we describe for the first time the presence of nestin-positive neural crest-related stem cells within Meissner corpuscles and Merkel cell-neurite complexes located in the hard palate of adult Wistar rats. After isolation, palatal neural crest-related stem cells (pNC-SCs) were cultivated in the presence of epidermal growth factor and fibroblast growth factor under serum-free conditions, resulting in large amounts of neurospheres. We used immunocytochemical techniques and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to assess the expression profile of pNC-SCs. In addition to the expression of neural crest stem cell markers such as Nestin, Sox2, and p75, we detected the expression of Klf4, Oct4, and c-Myc. pNC-SCs differentiated efficiently into neuronal and glial cells. Finally, we investigated the potential expression of stemness markers within the human palate. We identified expression of stem cell markers nestin and CD133 and the transcription factors needed for reprogramming of somatic cells into pluripotent cells: Sox2, Oct4, Klf4, and c-Myc. These data show that cells isolated from palatal rugae form neurospheres, are highly plastic, and express neural crest stem cell markers. In addition, pNC-SCs may have the ability to differentiate into functional neurons and glial cells, serving as a starting point for therapeutic studies.

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Adult palatum as a novel source of neural crest-related stem cells.

Biomacromolecule has been widely used as biomedical material. Because different biomacromolecules possess different properties, how to exhibit the respective advantages of different components on one type of biomaterial becomes the hot spot in the field of biomaterial studying. This work reported a type of complex film that consisted of hyaluronic acid (HA), type I collagen (Col-I), and chitosan (CS) (HA-Col-I/CS, HCC). Then, a series of experiments were performed, such as inverted microscopic observation, atomic force microscopic (AFM) imaging, flow cytometry (FCM) measurement, MTT assay, and MIC assay. In the present work, we observed the growing condition of 3T3 fibroblasts on the surface of the HCC complex film, visualized the morphological changes of platelets during the coagulation process, and discovered microparticles on the platelet membrane. Moreover, we confirmed the microparticles are the platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) using the FCM. In addition, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of HCC against Escherichia coli (E. coli) 8099 was 0.025 mg/ml, against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) ATCC 6538 was 0.1 mg/ml. The results together indicated that the HCC film possessed promising coagulation property, cell compatibility and anti-bacteria property, and the potential in future clinical application such as wound healing and bandage.

Coagulation property of hyaluronic acid–collagen/chitosan complex film

OBJECTIVE Peripheral nerve adhesion caused by extraneural and intraneural scar formation after neurolysis leads to nerve dysfunction. The authors previously developed a novel very flexible biodegradable nerve conduit composed of poly(L-lactide) and poly(e-caprolactone) for use in peripheral nerve regeneration. In the present study, they investigated the effect of protective nerve wrapping on preventing adhesion in a rat sciatic nerve adhesion model. METHODS Rat sciatic nerves were randomly assigned to one of the following four groups: a no-adhesion group, which involved neurolysis alone without an adhesion procedure; an adhesion group, in which the adhesion procedure was performed after neurolysis, but no treatment was subsequently administered; a nerve wrap group, in which the adhesion procedure was performed after neurolysis and protective nerve wrapping was then performed with the nerve conduit; and a hyaluronic acid (HA) group, in which the adhesion procedure was performed after neurolysis and nerve wrapping was then performed with a 1% sodium HA viscous solution. Six weeks postoperatively, the authors evaluated the extent of scar formation using adhesion scores and biomechanical and histological examinations and assessed nerve function with electrophysiological examination and gastrocnemius muscle weight measurement. RESULTS In the adhesion group, prominent scar tissue surrounded the nerve and strongly adhered to the nerve biomechanically and histologically. The motor nerve conduction velocity and gastrocnemius muscle weight were the lowest in this group. Conversely, the adhesion scores were significantly lower, motor nerve conduction velocity was significantly higher, and gastrocnemius muscle weight was significantly higher in the nerve wrap group than in the adhesion group. Additionally, the biomechanical breaking strength was significantly lower in the nerve wrap group than in the adhesion group and HA group. The morphological properties of axons in the nerve wrap group were preserved. Intraneural macrophage invasion, as assessed by the number of CD68- and CCR7-positive cells, was less severe in the nerve wrap group than in the adhesion group. CONCLUSIONS The nerve conduit prevented post-neurolysis peripheral nerves from developing adhesion and allowed them to maintain their nerve function because it effectively blocked scarring and prevented adhesion-related damage in the peripheral nerves.

/pdf/protective-effect-of-biodegradable-nerve-conduit-against-1gylekun0q.pdf

Protective effect of biodegradable nerve conduit against peripheral nerve adhesion after neurolysis.

Objective: The biostimulation effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) have recently been demonstrated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of LLLT on palatal mucoperiostal wound healing and oxidative stress status in experimental diabetic rats. Materials and methods: Forty-two male Wistar rats that weighed 250–300 g were used in this study. Experimental diabetes was induced in all of the rats using streptozotocin. A standardized full thickness wound was made in the mucoperiosteum of the hard palates of the rats using a 3 mm biopsy punch. The rats were divided into groups: 1 (control group, non- irradiated), and 2 (experimental group, irradiated). Treatment using a GaAlAs laser at a wavelength of 940 nm and at dose of 10 J/cm2 began after surgery, and was repeated on the 2nd, 4th, and 6th days post-surgery. Seven animals from each group were killed on the 7th, 14th, and 21st day after surgery. Biopsies were performed for the histological analysis and blood samples were collected b...

The Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Palatal Mucoperiosteal Wound Healing and Oxidative Stress Status in Experimental Diabetic Rats

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on collagen changes after mucoperiosteal denudation of rat palate. Material and methods. A total of 36 male Wistar rats were divided into control, scar, sham, and bFGF groups. In the scar, sham, and bFGF groups, lateral palatal mucoperiosteum was excised to form scar tissue on the palate. In the bFGF group, bFGF solution was injected into the operated area 1 week postoperatively. At 6 weeks postoperatively, the distribution of collagen type I and the 3-dimensional structure of collagen fibers were investigated under immunofluorescent and scanning electron microscopy. Result. In the bFGF group, weakly immunostained submucosa was clearly distinguishable from the strongly immunostained cervical periodontal ligament and gingiva. Collagen fibers running from submucosal tissue into the surface of underlying palatal bone comprised loosely arranged collagen fibrils. Lumen structures in collagen fibers resemble...

Effects of bFGF on suppression of collagen type I accumulation and scar tissue formation during wound healing after mucoperiosteal denudation of rat palate

wookjin Choi

Papers

Effects of bFGF on suppression of collagen type I accumulation and scar tissue formation during wound healing after mucoperiosteal denudation of rat palate