Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine News and Discussions

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Tissue engineering: Developing bioinspired multi-functional tendon-mimetic hydrogels
https://phys.org/news/2023-02-tissue-bi ... ogels.html
by Thamarasee Jeewandara , Phys.org
In a new report now published in Science Advances, Mingze Sun and a research team in physics, mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering in Hong Kong China reported the development of multifunctional tendon-mimetic hydrogels by assembling aramid nanofiber composites.

The anisotropic composite hydrogels (ACH) contained stiff nanofibers and soft polyvinyl alcohol moieties to mimic biological interactions that typically occur between collagen fibers and proteoglycans in tendons. The team was bioinspired by natural tendons to develop hydrogels with a high elastic modulus, strength and fracture toughness.

The researchers biofunctionalized these material surfaces with bioactive molecules to present biophysical cues to impart behavioral similarities to those of cell attachment. Additionally, the soft bioelectronic components integrated on the hydrogels facilitated a variety of physiological benefits. Based on the outstanding functionality of the tendon-mimetics, the team envisioned broader applications of the materials in advanced tissue engineering to form implantable prosthetics for human-machine interactions.
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Using bone marrow precursor cells instead of transplantation to regenerate bone
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-03- ... ation.html
by Stefanie Seltmann, Berlin Institute of Health

Bone is the second most commonly transplanted tissue after blood, with about two million bone transplants performed worldwide each year—but often with only moderate therapeutic success. Cell-based therapies could provide an alternative approach to transplantation.

Together with colleagues from Paracelsus Medical Private University (PMU) Salzburg, researchers at the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH) have now demonstrated that human progenitor cells can regenerate large bone defects and form new mineralized tissue. The researchers have published the findings from their work in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

Although most bone fractures heal completely without scarring, particularly large bone defects caused by severe trauma, infection or tumor surgery often do not heal naturally and require bone transplantation. Bone is the second most commonly transplanted tissue after blood, with about two million bone transplants performed worldwide each year.

However, the availability of grafts is limited and their regenerative capacity is often low. Cell-based therapies offer a promising alternative. Tissue engineered in vitro from progenitor cells such as multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) could replace standard bone graft treatments.

Together with colleagues from Paracelsus Medical Private University (PMU) Salzburg, researchers at the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH) have now shown that this method works. A crucial factor is that these stromal cells can be obtained from various tissues, such as adipose tissue, skin tissue and bone marrow.
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Scientists from Singapore and Sweden Achieve Promising Results Towards Restoring Vision in Blindness Caused by Cellular Degeneration in the Eye
April 14, 2023

Introduction:
(Eurekalert) SINGAPORE, 14 April 2023 – A preclinical study using stem cells to produce progenitor photoreceptor cells—light-detecting cells found in the eye—and then transplanting these into experimental models of damaged retinas has resulted in significant vision recovery. This finding, by scientists at Duke-NUS Medical School, the Singapore Eye Research Institute and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, marks a first step towards potentially restoring vision in eye diseases characterised by photoreceptor loss.

“Our laboratory has developed a novel method that enables the production of photoreceptor progenitor cells resembling those in human embryos,” said Assistant Professor Tay Hwee Goon, first author of the study from Duke-NUS’ Centre for Vision Research. “Transplantation of these cells into experimental models has yielded partial restoration of the retinal function.”

The degeneration of photoreceptors in the eye is a significant cause of declining vision that can eventually lead to blindness and for which there is currently no effective treatment. Photoreceptor degeneration occurs in a variety of inherited retinal diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa—a rare eye disease that breaks down cells in the retina over time and eventually causes vision loss—and age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision impairment worldwide.

Asst Prof Tay and her team developed a procedure to grow human embryonic stem cells in the presence of purified laminin proteins that are involved in normal development of human retinas. In the presence of the laminins, stem cells could be directed to differentiate into photoreceptor progenitor cells responsible for converting light into signals that are sent to the brain.

When these cells were transplanted into damaged retinas, the preclinical models showed significant recovery of vision. A diagnostic test called electroretinogram also identified significant recovery in the retinas via electrical activity in the retina in response to a light stimulus. The transplanted cells established connections with surrounding retinal cells and nerves in the inner retina. They also survived and functioned for many weeks after transplantation.
Read more here: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/986089
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High-resolution roadmap charted for regeneration of pancreatic beta-cells
https://phys.org/news/2023-05-high-reso ... cells.html
by Liu Jia, Chinese Academy of Sciences
A research group led by Prof. Shao Zhen from the Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health (SINH) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the collaborators charted a high-resolution roadmap for the process of pancreatic β cell regeneration by in vivo transdifferentiation from adult acinar cells using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology. The study was published in Science Advances.

Adult mammals have limited capacity to regenerate functional cells. In vivo transdifferentiation heralds the possibility of regeneration by lineage reprogramming from other fully differentiated cells. Taking pancreatic β cell regeneration as a paradigm, it has been reported that in vivo transdifferentiation from adult mouse pancreatic acinar cells to induced β cells has been achieved which is induced by Mafa, Pdx1, and Ngn3 (M3 factor).

Regenerated β cells in this way could produce and secrete insulin without causing rejection in mice, which holds great promise for curing diabetes.
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High-tech pen paints healing gel right into wounds
By Ben Coxworth
June 02, 2023
https://newatlas.com/medical/paint-woun ... g-ink-pen/
Most wound dressings simply cover the injury and perhaps also kill harmful bacteria. The PAINT system goes much further, as it incorporates a pen that could one day allow doctors to paint a gelatinous healing ink right into wounds.

Its name an acronym for "portable bioactive ink for tissue healing," the PAINT technology is being developed by scientists from China's Nanjing University.

The system is centered around a 3D-printing pen which contains a sodium alginate gel and particles known as extracellular vesicles (EVs). The latter are naturally produced by white blood cells, and play a large role in the reduction of inflammation and formation of new blood vessels at injury sites.

The gel and the EVs mix with one another at the tip of the pen, forming a sturdy viscous ink which is extruded into cuts of any shape or size. In tests performed on human epithelial cells, application of that ink shifted those cells into the proliferated phase of the healing process, wherein new blood vessels formed and inflammatory substances were reduced.

Additionally, the PAINT system was found to boost collagen fiber production when tested on injured mice. Large wounds on a treated group of the animals were almost completely healed after 12 days, whereas wounds on an untreated control group were "not nearly as far along in the healing process" at that time.
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Cell therapy that repairs cornea damage with patient's own stem cells achieves positive phase I trial results
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-08- ... -stem.html
by Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
A team led by researchers from Mass Eye and Ear, a member of Mass General Brigham, reports the results of a phase I trial of a revolutionary stem cell treatment called cultivated autologous limbal epithelial cell transplantation (CALEC), which was found to be safe and well-tolerated over the short term in four patients with significant chemical burns in one eye.

According to a study published August 18 in Science Advances, the patients who were followed for 12 months experienced restored cornea surfaces—two were able to undergo a corneal transplant and two reported significant improvements in vision without additional treatment.

While the phase I study was designed to determine preliminary safety and feasibility before advancing to a second phase of the trial, the researchers consider the early findings promising.
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Japanese company developing drug to grow new teeth, plans for clinical trials on humans in 2024

Mon 25 Sep 2023 at 6:37am

A drug to grow new teeth is being developed at a Japanese pharmaceutical company, with hopes to begin clinical trials in less than a year.

Toregem Biopharma, funded by Kyoto University, has developed an antibody drug which inhibits the protein in the mouth that suppresses growth and stops "tooth buds" from developing.

The team has already successfully administered the drug to ferrets, which have both baby and permanent teeth similar to humans, in 2018.

They want to see trials on humans in July 2024, and want the drug on the market by 2030. The company also plans for a second clinical trial on children born without some or all of their teeth.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-25/ ... /102898454


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Restoring Heart Regeneration With a Metabolic Switch
This may repair the damage induced by heart attacks.

By Josh Conway

In a recent article in Nature, researchers have restored cardiac regeneration to adult mice by disabling fatty acid oxidation, discovering a potential pathway for human treatments.

https://www.lifespan.io/news/restoring- ... lic-switch
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Stem cell discovery raises prospect of reversing osteoarthritis
By Paul McClure
November 01, 2023
https://newatlas.com/medical/stem-cell- ... arthritis/
Researchers have found that osteoarthritis in mice is caused by the depletion of specialized gene-expressing cartilage-forming stem cells and found a way to reverse the condition. The discovery opens the door to treating the painful condition instead of just managing its symptoms.

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects all joint tissues, and leads to the loss of articular cartilage, whose principal function is to provide a smooth, lubricated surface that allows bones to move smoothly past each other.

There’s no cure for the long-term, progressive condition. Rather, the symptoms of joint pain and stiffness are managed with analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the long-term use of which has actually been associated with hastened progression of osteoarthritis symptoms. But, in a new study, researchers at the University of Adelaide in South Australia have found that OA may be not only treatable, but it may be reversible.
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'Super melanin' heals skin injuries from sunburn, chemical burns
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-11- ... nburn.html
by Northwestern University
Imagine a skin cream that heals damage occurring throughout the day when your skin is exposed to sunlight or environmental toxins. That's the potential of a synthetic, biomimetic melanin developed by scientists at Northwestern University.

In a new study, the scientists show that their synthetic melanin, mimicking the natural melanin in human skin, can be applied topically to injured skin, where it accelerates wound healing. These effects occur both in the skin itself and systemically in the body.

When applied in a cream, the synthetic melanin can protect skin from sun exposure and heals skin injured by sun damage or chemical burns, the scientists said. The technology works by scavenging free radicals, which are produced by injured skin such as a sunburn. Left unchecked, free radical activity damages cells and ultimately may result in skin aging and skin cancer.
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