Latest developments in the field of stem cell research and regenerative medicine compiled from publicly available information and press releases from non-academic institutions in June 2024.
Latest developments in the field of stem cell research and regenerative medicine compiled from publicly available information and press releases from non-academic institutions in June 2024.
Aim: Over the last two decades, numerous experimental studies have examined the feasibility of delivering stem cells into the cochlea to restore hearing. While these studies have spawned new cell therapy companies, there is little information on what patients understand or expect from these emerging therapies.Methods: This study sought to understand the awareness and perspectives of Australian audiologists and their adult patients toward stem cell therapies for treating hearing loss.Results: An anonymous survey indicated 91% of patients and 39% of audiologists were unaware of these therapies being developed. Thirty percent of audiologists reported being asked about stem cell therapies for hearing loss, but 70% were not confident answering patient queries about this and were unsure where to gather information. Primary concerns reported by patients were cost (45%) and safety of treatment (42%). Interestingly, 58% of patients were unsure of how this therapy would improve their hearing, yet 25% of these patients expected that their hearing would return to normal.Conclusion: There was strong support for development of educational materials for both patient and clinician. The increasingly important role of audiologists in providing patient counselling was reflected in overwhelming support (from both patient and clinician) for audiologists providing such information.
Tennis elbow, also commonly known as lateral epicondylitis or common extensor tendinosis, is a common musculoskeletal injury in the adult population. Currently, the standard treatment regimen prescribed for this injury involves a combination of rest, physical therapy, bracing and anti-inflammatory medications. If refractory to these conservative measures, platelet-rich plasma has been shown effective. However, in the case of full thickness tears, surgery has remained the only treatment option until now. We present a case report of a 56-year-old man with a diagnosis of a left large full thickness tear and rupture with retraction of his common extensor tendon (CET) following a corticosteroid injection. The patient was treated with microfragmented adipose transfer. He was re-evaluated around 7 weeks and again at 15 weeks post-treatment and demonstrated ultrasound evidence of complete bridging and remodeling of his prior full thickness CET tear and resolution of retraction. This case presents a promising option for patients with full thickness CET tears who would like to refrain from or are unable to have surgery. Further research and possible randomized controlled trials are needed to further assess the full efficacy of microfragmented adipose transfer in the treatment of full thickness CET tears.
Background: Heart failure (HF) causes over 266,400 deaths annually. Despite treatment advancements, HF mortality remains high. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer promising new options. This review assesses iPSC-based treatments for HF.Method: the review included studies from PubMed, ScienceDirect and Web of Science.Results: Analysis of 25 studies with 553 animals showed a baseline ejection fraction (EF) of 39.2 ± 8.9%. iPSC treatment significantly improved EF (MD = 8.6, p < 0.001) and fractional shortening (MD = 6.38, p < 0.001), and reduced ventricular remodeling without increasing arrhythmia risk.Conclusion: iPSC-based therapy improves heart function and reduces ventricular volumes in HF animal models, aligning with promising early clinical trial outcomes.
Background: Autologous tissues such as buccal mucosa (BM) are widely used for reconstruction of urethral strictures; however, limitations such as donor site morbidity and scarce tissue supply require the development of alternative biomaterials for urethral repair. The goals of this study were to determine the safety and efficacy of bi-layer silk fibroin (BLSF) matrices for urethral stricture repair and compare histological and functional outcomes to the standard approach, BM urethroplasty under good laboratory practices.Material and methods: A total of 13 rabbits exhibiting urethral stricture formation following electrocoagulation injury were treated with onlay urethroplasty with either acellular BLSF (N = 7) or autologous BM (N = 6) grafts for 3 months. Uninjured control rabbits were maintained in parallel (N = 4).Results and conclusion: Animals receiving BLSF implants were demonstrated to be functionally equivalent to BM grafts in their ability to restored strictured calibers, support micturition and promote tissue regeneration with minimal inflammation.
In the rapidly advancing field of regenerative medicine, relying solely on cell transplantation alone may be insufficient for achieving functional recovery, and rehabilitation before and after transplantation is crucial. Regenerative rehabilitation functions by synergizing the therapeutic effects of regeneration and rehabilitation to maximize tissue regeneration and patient function. We used the keywords "regenerative rehabilitation" to search across the database for published works; this review discusses the development of regenerative rehabilitation for the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. Rehabilitation has become a crucial component of regenerative medicine because it can enhance patients' functional activity and facilitate their early return to society. Experimental data increasingly demonstrates that rehabilitation interventions support the regeneration of transplanted tissues.
Aim: Unrelated stem cell donor registries (DRs) are increasingly engaging in the field of cell and gene therapy (CGT). This study aims to explore the values, concerns, needs and expectations of donors and members of the public on donating hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) for CGT.Methods: Seven focus groups were conducted in 2019 with members of the public, prospective donors and donors on the Anthony Nolan DR in the UK.Results: Participants expressed concerns over increased frequency of donation and incidental findings and required more information on the type of research including the purpose and possible outcomes.Conclusion: Addressing donors' concerns, needs and expectations on donating cellular materials for CGT research and development is essential to maintaining the highest standards for donor care and safety within this rapidly emerging field.
Background: Adjunctive pharmacological treatment may improve nerve regeneration. We investigated nerve regeneration processes of PXL01 - a lactoferrin-derived peptide - after repair of the sciatic nerve in healthy Wistar rats.Materials & methods: PXL01, sodium hyaluronate (carrier) or sodium chloride was administered around the repair. After 6 days axonal outgrowth, Schwann cell response, pan- (CD68) and pro-healing (CD206) macrophages in sciatic nerve, sensory neuronal response in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and expression of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) in sciatic nerves and DRGs were analyzed.Results: Despite a lower number of pan-macrophages, other investigated variables in sciatic nerves or DRGs did not differ between the treatment groups.Conclusion: PLX01 applied locally inhibits inflammation through pan-macrophages in repaired sciatic nerves without any impact on nerve regeneration or pro-healing macrophages.
Latest developments in the field of stem cell research and regenerative medicine compiled from publicly available information and press releases from non-academic institutions in February 2024.
Clinical orthopedics continuously aims to improve methods for bone formation. Clinical applications where bone formation is necessary include critical long bone defects in orthopedic trauma or tumor patients. Though some biomaterials combined with autologous stem cells significantly improve bone repair, critical-size damages are still challenged with the suitable implantation of biomaterials and donor cell survival. Extracellular matrix (ECM) is the fundamental structure in tissues that can nest and nourish resident cells as well as support specific functions of the tissue type. ECM also plays a role in cell signaling to promote bone growth, healing and turnover. In the last decade, the use of bone-derived ECMs or ECM-similar biomaterials have been widely investigated, including decellularized and demineralized bone ECM. In this article, we reviewed the current productions and applications of decellularized and demineralized bone matrices. We also introduce the current study of whole limb decellularization and recellularization.