Acta histochemica最新文献

Background

There is an urgent need for new treatments to solve hair loss problem. As mesenchymal stem cells were proved to have effects on promoting tissue repair and regeneration, in which the exosome plays a vital role, we aim to investigate the influence of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells exosome (UCMSC-Exos) on hair growth and its mechanism.

Methods

The hUCMSC-Exos were extracted by ultracentrifugation. Primary fibroblasts were cultured with or without hUCMSC-Exos and cell proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. C57BL/6 mice model of depilation-induced hair regrowth was treated with either hUCMSC-Exos (200 μg/mL) or PBS on one side of the dorsal back. Real time quantitative PCR, flow cytometry analysis, immunohistochemistry and Immunofluorescent staining were used to analyze the regulative effect of hUCMSC-Exos on hair follicle stem/progenitor cells and Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Results

The proliferation of fibroblasts incubated with hUCMSC-Exos at the concentration of 200 μg/mL was greater than other groups. Treatment with hUCMSC-Exos resulted in rapid reentry into anagen. Hair follicle stem/progenitor cell markers (K15, Lgr5, Lgr6, CD34 and Lrig1) and Wnt/β-catenin pathway related factors (Wnt5, Lef1, Lrp5 and β-catenin) were increased in hUCMSC-Exos-injected region.

Conclusion

hUCMSC-Exos promote fibroblasts proliferation and accelerate mouse hair regrowth by upregulating hair follicle stem/progenitor cell and Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which suggests potential therapeutic approaches for hair loss disorders.

Myeloid malignancies stem from a modified hematopoietic stem cell and predominantly include acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic neoplasms, myeloproliferative malignancies, and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) exhibit immunoregulatory properties by governing the innate and adaptive immune systems, creating a permissive and supportive environment for neoplasm growth. This review examines the key characteristics of MDSCs in myeloid malignancies, highlighting that an increased MDSC count corresponds to heightened immunosuppressive capabilities, fostering an immune-tolerant neoplasm microenvironment. Also, this review analyzes and describes the potential of combined cancer therapies, focusing on targeting MDSC generation, expansion, and their inherent immunosuppressive activities to enhance the efficacy of current cancer immunotherapies. A comprehensive understanding of the implications of myeloid malignancies may enhance the exploration of immunotherapeutic strategies for their potential application.

Reproductive impairment is the most prevalent yet most ignored complication of diabetes mellitus. In diabetes, the problem associated with reproductive health is comprehensive in both males and females. Diabetic females have problems like delayed menarche, irregular menstrual cycle, subfertility, complications in pregnancy and early menopause. This may decrease reproductive age in diabetic females as the menarche is delayed and menopause is early in them. Like diabetic males, diabetic females also have the negative effect of oxidative stress on the reproductive system. This may lead to dysfunction of the ovary. It affects the physiological cycle like the ovary’s maturation, embryo development and pregnancy. These complications also affect the offspring, and they may also become diabetic. This review aims to concentrate on the effect of diabetes on the reproductive system of females and the impairment caused by it. We will also discuss in detail the role of the hypothalamus-pituitary ovary axis, diabetes impact on different reproductive phases of females, and the sexual disorders that occur in them.

Choroidal melanoma (CM), a highly metastatic eye tumor, exhibits vasculogenic mimicry (VM) facilitated by hypoxia-induced angiogenesis. This study explored the inhibitory impact of the anti-malarial drug Artesunate (ART) on CM VM through modulation of the HIF-1α/VEGF/PDGF pathway. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) confirmed VM in CM with elevated VEGF and PDGF expression. Hypoxia promoted CM proliferation, upregulating HIF-1α, VEGF and PDGF. VEGF and PDGF enhanced CM migration, invasion and VM, with HIF-1α playing a crucial role. ART mitigated VM formation by suppressing the HIF-1α/VEGF/PDGF pathway, highlighting its potential as an anti-tumor agent in CM.

Autophagy is a lysosome-dependent, self-renewal mechanism that degrades and recycles cellular components in eukaryotic cells to maintain the homeostasis of the intracellular environment. Psoriasis is featured by increased inflammatory response, epidermal hyperproliferation and abnormal differentiation, infiltration of immune cells and increased expression levels of both endothelial adhesion molecules and angiogenic mediators. Evidence indicates that autophagy has important roles in many different types of cells, such as lymphocytes, keratinocytes, monocytes and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). This paper will review the role of autophagy in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and strategies for therapeutic modulation.

Key Message

Autophagy regulates the functions of cutaneous cells (MSCs, KCs, T cells and endothelial cells). Since reduced autophagy contributes in part to the pathogenesis of psoriasis, enhancement of autophagy can be an alternative approach to mitigate psoriasis.

We previously reported the presence of P2X3 purinoceptors (P2X3)-expressing subserosal afferent nerve endings consisting of net- and basket-like nerve endings in the rat gastric antrum. These nerve endings may morphologically be vagal mechanoreceptors activated by antral peristalsis. The present study investigated immunoreactivities for vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT) 1 and VGLUT2 as well as exocytosis-related proteins, i.e., core components of the SNARE complex (SNAP25, Stx1, and VAMP2) and synaptotagmin-1 (Syt1), in whole-mount preparations of the rat gastric antrum using double immunofluorescence. VGLUT1 immunoreactivity was not detected, whereas VGLUT2 immunoreactivity was observed in P2X3-immunoreactive subserosal nerve endings composed of both net- and basket-like endings. In net-like nerve endings, intense VGLUT2 immunoreactivity was localized in polygonal bulges of reticular nerve fibers and peripheral axon terminals. Furthermore, intense immunoreactivities for SNAP25, Stx1, and VAMP2 were localized in net-like nerve endings. Intense immunoreactivities for VAMP2 and Syt1 were observed in VGLUT2-immunoreactive net-like nerve endings. In basket-like nerve endings, VGLUT2 immunoreactivity was localized in pleomorphic terminal structures and small bulges surrounding the subserosal ganglion, whereas immunoreactivities for SNAP25, Stx1, and VAMP2 were weak in these nerve endings. VGLUT2-immunoreactive basket-like nerve endings were weakly immunoreactive for VAMP2 and Syt1. These results suggest that subserosal afferent nerve endings release glutamate by exocytosis mainly from net-like nerve endings to modulate their mechanoreceptor function.

Rodlet cells are unique pear-shaped cells found primarily in the epithelium of the teleost fishes. The rodlet cell was first identified by Thèlohan in 1892 who named it Rhabdospora thelohani as it was believed to be a protozoan parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa. The rodlet cell as parasite paradigm persisted for several decades afterwards but has since faded in the last 20 years or so. The rodlet cell is now generally believed to be an immune cell, functioning as an early responder to parasite intrusion. This short review makes a detailed comparison of apicomplexan structure and behavior with that of the rodlet cell to further strengthen the argument against a parasitic nature for the fish cell. It is then proposed that apical microvilli of the rodlet cell serve as a mechanical trigger for rodlet discharge as possible defense against larger ectoparasites.

Alveolar, the smallest structural and functional units within the respiratory system, play a crucial role in maintaining lung function. Alveolar damage is a typical pathological hallmark of respiratory diseases. Nevertheless, there is currently no simple, rapid, economical, and unbiased method for quantifying alveolar size for entire lung tissue. Here, firstly, we conducted lung sample slicing based on the size, shape, and distribution of airway branches of different lobes. Next, we performed HE staining on different slices. Then, we provided an unbiased quantification of alveolar size using free software ImageJ. Through this protocol, we demonstrated that C57Bl/6 mice exhibit varying alveolar sizes among different lobes. Collectively, we provided a simple and unbiased method for a more comprehensive quantification of alveolar size in mice, which holds promise for a broader range of respiratory research using mouse models.

The prevalence of primary osteoarthritis is higher in females than males. However, it remains unclear if there are sex differences in the incidence of post-traumatic osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of sex on osteoarthritic changes after ACL reconstruction using an animal model. Rats were divided into the following four groups: male control, male ACL reconstruction, female control, and female ACL reconstruction. ACL reconstruction surgery was performed on the right knees of rats in the ACL reconstruction groups, while rats in the control groups did not undergo knee surgery. At 1, 4, and 12 weeks after surgery, cartilage degeneration in the medial tibial plateau and osteophyte formation in the proximal tibia were histologically assessed. After ACL reconstruction, an increase in the Mankin score, cartilage fissures, and osteophyte formation were detected within 12 weeks in both male and female rats, with similar degrees of these changes between males and females. However, changes in cartilage thickness and chondrocyte density after ACL reconstruction differed between males and females. Cartilage thickening was observed in male rats but not in female rats. The increase in chondrocyte density in the anterior region was detected in both males and females but was more pronounced in female rats. In conclusion, osteoarthritic changes were observed after ACL reconstruction in both male and female rats, but differences in changes in cartilage thickness and chondrocyte density were observed between males and females.