BioFactors最新文献

{"title":"ErbB2-NOTCH1 axis controls autophagy in cardiac cells","authors":"Francesca Fortini,&nbsp;Francesco Vieceli Dalla Sega,&nbsp;Edoardo Lazzarini,&nbsp;Giorgio Aquila,&nbsp;Polina Sysa-Shah,&nbsp;Edoardo Bertero,&nbsp;Alessia Ascierto,&nbsp;Paolo Severi,&nbsp;Achille Wilfred Ouambo Talla,&nbsp;Alessio Schirone,&nbsp;Kathleen Gabrielson,&nbsp;Giampaolo Morciano,&nbsp;Simone Patergnani,&nbsp;Gaia Pedriali,&nbsp;Paolo Pinton,&nbsp;Roberto Ferrari,&nbsp;Elena Tremoli,&nbsp;Pietro Ameri,&nbsp;Paola Rizzo","doi":"10.1002/biof.2091","DOIUrl":"10.1002/biof.2091","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Although the epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (ErbB2) and Notch1 signaling pathways have both significant roles in regulating cardiac biology, their interplay in the heart remains poorly investigated. Here, we present evidence of a crosstalk between ErbB2 and Notch1 in cardiac cells, with effects on autophagy and proliferation. Overexpression of ErbB2 in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts induced Notch1 activation in a post-transcriptional, p38-dependent manner, while ErbB2 inhibition with the specific inhibitor, lapatinib, reduced Notch1 activation. Moreover, incubation of H9c2 cells with lapatinib resulted in stalled autophagic flux and decreased proliferation, consistent with the established cardiotoxicity of this and other ErbB2-targeting drugs. Confirming the findings in H9c2 cells, exposure of primary neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes to exogenous neuregulin-1, which engages ErbB2, stimulated proliferation, and this effect was abrogated by concomitant inhibition of the enzyme responsible for Notch1 activation. Furthermore, the hearts of transgenic mice specifically overexpressing ErbB2 in cardiomyocytes had increased levels of active Notch1 and of Notch-related genes. These data expand the knowledge of ErbB2 and Notch1 functions in the heart and may allow better understanding the mechanisms of the cardiotoxicity of ErbB2-targeting cancer treatments.</p>","PeriodicalId":8923,"journal":{"name":"BioFactors","volume":"51 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141589538","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unveiling the potential: Extracellular vesicles from plant cell suspension cultures as a promising source","authors":"Oğuz Kaan Kırbaş,&nbsp;Derya Sağraç,&nbsp;Özgün Cem Çiftçi,&nbsp;Gökçeçiçek Özdemir,&nbsp;Dilek Öztürkoğlu,&nbsp;Batuhan Turhan Bozkurt,&nbsp;Ümit Cem Derman,&nbsp;Ezgi Taşkan,&nbsp;Pakize Neslihan Taşlı,&nbsp;Bahar Soğutmaz Özdemir,&nbsp;Fikrettin Şahin","doi":"10.1002/biof.2090","DOIUrl":"10.1002/biof.2090","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Extracellular vesicles are secreted by all eukaryotic cells and they have an important role in intercellular signaling. Plant extracellular vesicles (PEVs) are a novel area of research that has gained attention due to their potential implications in biomolecule transport and therapeutic applications. PEVs are lipid bilayer-enclosed structures that contain a diverse cargo of biomolecules such as proteins and lipids. Moreover, it is known that PEVs have a noticeable therapeutic potential for various conditions such as inflammation and oxidative stress. However, there are critical problems such as removing the endosomes and plant-derived biomolecules that decrease the standardization and therapeutic efficacy of PEVs. In our study, the aim was to characterize plant cell suspension-derived extracellular vesicles (PCSEVs) obtained from two different plant cell suspension cultures: <i>Stevia rebaudiana</i> and <i>Vaccaria hispanica</i>. These vesicles were isolated using ultrafiltration and characterized with nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The molecular composition of PCSEVs was profiled and the cellular uptake assay was performed. Our results demonstrated that PCSEVs have a spherical shape, less than 200 nm. In the fatty acid analysis, the primary components in PCSEVs were palmitic acid, linoleic acid, and cis-vaccenic acid. The protein content of <i>Stevia rebaudiana</i>-derived EVs (SDEVs) was largely associated with proteins involved in extracellular structures and functions. Conversely, <i>Vaccaria hispanica</i>-derived EVs (HDEVs) displayed a higher presence of cytosolic proteins. These findings contribute to the understanding of PCSEVs and open up potential avenues in extracellular vesicle research, pointing to promising prospects for future innovations in various fields.</p>","PeriodicalId":8923,"journal":{"name":"BioFactors","volume":"51 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11680973/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141578931","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Perillaldehyde alleviates polyQ-induced neurodegeneration through the induction of autophagy and mitochondrial UPR in Caenorhabditis elegans","authors":"Minglv Fang,&nbsp;Ying Liu,&nbsp;Xiaoyan Gao,&nbsp;Jing Yu,&nbsp;Xiaohui Tu,&nbsp;Xueying Mo,&nbsp;Huanhu Zhu,&nbsp;Yan Zou,&nbsp;Cheng Huang,&nbsp;Shengjie Fan","doi":"10.1002/biof.2089","DOIUrl":"10.1002/biof.2089","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease associated with autophagy disorder and mitochondrial dysfunction. Here, we identified therapeutic potential of perillaldehyde (PAE), a monoterpene compound obtained from <i>Perilla frutescens</i> (L.) Britt., in the <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> (<i>C. elegans</i>) model of HD, which included lifespan extension, healthspan improvement, decrease in polyglutamine (polyQ) aggregation, and preservation of mitochondrial network. Further analyses indicated that PAE was able to induce autophagy and mitochondrial unfolded protein reaction (UPR^mt) activation and positively regulated expression of associated genes. In <i>lgg-1</i> RNAi <i>C. elegans</i> or <i>C. elegans</i> with UPR^mt-related genes knockdown, the effects of PAE treatment on polyQ aggregation or rescue polyQ-induced toxicity were attenuated, suggesting that its neuroprotective activity depended on autophagy and UPR^mt. Moreover, we found that pharmacological and genetic activation of UPR^mt generally protected <i>C. elegans</i> from polyQ-induced cytotoxicity. Finally, PAE promoted serotonin synthesis by upregulating expression of TPH-1, and serotonin synthesis and neurosecretion were required for PAE-mediated UPR^mt activation and its neuroprotective activity. In conclusion, PAE is a potential therapy for polyQ-related diseases including HD, which is dependent on autophagy and cell-non-autonomous UPR^mt activation.</p>","PeriodicalId":8923,"journal":{"name":"BioFactors","volume":"51 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141578930","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The flavonoid quercetin decreases ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression but not SARS-CoV-2 infection in cultured human lung cells","authors":"Michael James Houghton,&nbsp;Eglantine Balland,&nbsp;Matthew James Gartner,&nbsp;Belinda Jane Thomas,&nbsp;Kanta Subbarao,&nbsp;Gary Williamson","doi":"10.1002/biof.2084","DOIUrl":"10.1002/biof.2084","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on host cells, via its spike protein, and transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2) cleaves the spike-ACE2 complex to facilitate virus entry. As rate-limiting steps for virus entry, modulation of ACE2 and/or TMPRSS2 may decrease SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and COVID-19 severity. In silico modeling suggested the natural bioactive flavonoid quercetin can bind to ACE2 and a recent randomized clinical trial demonstrated that oral supplementation with quercetin increased COVID-19 recovery. A range of cultured human cells were assessed for co-expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Immortalized Calu-3 lung cells, cultured and matured at an air–liquid interface (Calu-3-ALIs), were established as the most appropriate. Primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBECs) were obtained from healthy adult males (<i>N</i> = 6) and cultured under submerged conditions to corroborate the outcomes. Upon maturation or reaching 80% confluence, respectively, the Calu-3-ALIs and PBECs were treated with quercetin, and mRNA and protein expression were assessed by droplet digital PCR and ELISA, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 infectivity, and the effects of pre- and co-treatment with quercetin, was assessed by median tissue culture infectious dose assay. Quercetin dose-dependently decreased ACE2 and TMPRSS2 mRNA and protein in both Calu-3-ALIs and PBECs after 4 h, while TMPRSS2 remained suppressed in response to prolonged treatment with lower doses (twice daily for 3 days). Quercetin also acutely decreased ADAM17 mRNA, but not ACE, in Calu-3-ALIs, and this warrants further investigation. Calu-3-ALIs, but not PBECs, were successfully infected with SARS-CoV-2; however, quercetin had no antiviral effect, neither directly nor indirectly through downregulation of ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Calu-3-ALIs were reaffirmed to be an optimal cell model for research into the regulation of ACE2 and TMPRSS2, without the need for prior genetic modification, and will prove valuable in future coronavirus and respiratory infectious disease work. However, our data demonstrate that a significant decrease in the expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 by a promising prophylactic candidate may not translate to infection prevention.</p>","PeriodicalId":8923,"journal":{"name":"BioFactors","volume":"50 6","pages":"1268-1286"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11627474/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141417555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Issue Information - Cover","authors":"","doi":"10.1002/biof.1966","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/biof.1966","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8923,"journal":{"name":"BioFactors","volume":"50 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/biof.1966","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141329399","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mitigation of experimental ER stress and diabetes mellitus induced peripheral neuropathy by autophagy promoter, 6-BIO","authors":"Praveen Jaiswar,&nbsp;Mitali Bhate,&nbsp;Avadhesha Surolia","doi":"10.1002/biof.2088","DOIUrl":"10.1002/biof.2088","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Neuropathy occurs due to damage to the peripheral/central nervous system either due to injury, disease, or drug usage. Increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is observed in neuropathy. ER stress also leads to a block in autophagy amplifying neuropathic pain. 6-Bromoindirubin-3′-oxime (6-BIO) is an inhibitor of GSK-3β which suppresses mTOR activity thereby increasing autophagy. Tunicamycin (TM)-mediated ER stress and diabetic rat models were used to elucidate the role of ER stress and autophagy in mitigation of neuropathic pain by 6-BIO. Pain was assessed by behavioral studies in ER stressed/diabetic rats having neuropathy. Western blotting, RT-PCR, and fluorescence microscopy were used to assess the level of autophagy and ER stress after TM and 6-BIO treatment in SH-SY5Y neurons. Intraplantar injection of TM in rats led to peripheral neuropathy which was reduced upon 6-BIO injection. 6-BIO also reduced pain in animals exhibiting diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Modulation in the markers of autophagy (p-mTOR, LC-3, and SQSTM1/p62) shows that 6-BIO induces autophagolysosome formation post TM treatment. Concomitantly, 6-BIO reduces ER stress and c-Fos expression—a neuronal activity and pain marker. Alleviation of pain by the inhibition of ER stress and increased formation of autolysosomes by 6-BIO can be harnessed for treating peripheral neuropathy.</p>","PeriodicalId":8923,"journal":{"name":"BioFactors","volume":"51 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141309870","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Differential protein expression and metabolite profiling in glaucoma: Insights from a multi-omics analysis","authors":"Jeong-hun Mok,&nbsp;Do Young Park,&nbsp;Jong Chul Han","doi":"10.1002/biof.2079","DOIUrl":"10.1002/biof.2079","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Various substances within the aqueous humor (AH) can directly or indirectly impact intraocular tissues associated with intraocular pressure (IOP), a critical factor in glaucoma development. This study aims to investigate individual changes in these AH substances and the interactions among altered components through a multi-omics approach. LC/MS analysis was conducted on AH samples from patients with exfoliation syndrome (XFS, <i>n</i> = 5), exfoliation glaucoma (XFG, <i>n</i> = 4), primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG, <i>n</i> = 11), and cataracts (control group, <i>n</i> = 7). Subsequently, differentially expressed proteins and metabolites among groups, alterations in their network interactions, and their biological functions were examined. Both data-independent acquisition and data-dependent acquisition methods were employed to analyze the AH proteome and metabolome, and the results were integrated for a comprehensive analysis. In the proteomics analysis, proteins upregulated in both the XFG and POAG groups were associated with lipid metabolism, complement activation, and extracellular matrix regulation. Metabolomic analysis highlighted significant changes in amino acids related to antioxidant processes in the glaucoma groups. Notably, VTN, APOA1, C6, and L-phenylalanine exhibited significant alterations in the glaucoma groups. Integration of individual omics analyses demonstrated that substances associated with inflammation and lipid metabolism, altered in the glaucoma groups, showed robust interactions within a complex network involving PLG, APOA1, and L-phenylalanine or C3, APOD, and L-valine. These findings offer valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms governing IOP regulation and may contribute to the development of new biomarkers for managing glaucoma.</p>","PeriodicalId":8923,"journal":{"name":"BioFactors","volume":"50 6","pages":"1220-1235"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11627470/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141178715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification and validation of the TRHDE-AS1/hsa-miR-449a/ADAMTS5 axis as a novel prognostic biomarker in prostate cancer","authors":"Xin Lian,&nbsp;Honglan Zhou,&nbsp;Si Liu","doi":"10.1002/biof.2083","DOIUrl":"10.1002/biof.2083","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Despite advancements in cancer research, the prognostic implications of competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks in prostate cancer (PCa) remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to elucidate the prognostic relevance of ceRNA networks in PCa, utilizing a comprehensive bioinformatics approach alongside experimental validation. After searching The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data were extracted to identify differentially expressed RNAs (DERs) between 491 PCa samples and 51 normal prostate tissues, following which a comprehensive bioinformatics strategy was implemented to construct a ceRNA network. An optimal prognostic signature comprising these DERs was then established and validated using TCGA data. In addition, functional validation was performed through RNA pull-down, dual-luciferase reporter assays, quantitative real-time PCR, and western blot analysis conducted in PC-3 and DU145 cell lines, thereby complementing the bioinformatics analysis. A total of 613 DERs, comprising 103 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), 60 microRNAs (miRNAs), and 450 messenger RNAs (mRNAs), were identified and utilized in constructing a ceRNA network, which encompassed 23 lncRNAs, 9 miRNAs, and 52 mRNAs. An optimal prognostic signature was established, including VPS9D1 antisense RNA 1 (VPS9D1-AS1), miR-449a, cyclin-dependent kinase 5 regulatory subunit 1 (CDK5R1), targeting protein for Xklp2 (TPX2), solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), copine7 (CPNE7), and maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK), yielding area under the curve (AUC) values exceeding 0.8 across training, validation, and entire datasets. Our experiments results revealed an interaction between lncRNA TRHDE antisense RNA 1 (TRHDE-AS1) and miR-449a and that miR-449a could target the ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 5 (ADAMTS5) mRNA. Knockdown of miR-449a significantly impeded cell proliferation, G1/S transition, migration and invasion, and promoted apoptosis in PC-3 and DU145 cells. Furthermore, knockdown of miR-449a notably downregulated protein expression of CDK4, cyclin D1, N-cadherin and vimentin, while upregulating protein expression of cleaved caspase-3 and E-cadherin. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the prognostic-linked ceRNA network in PCa, providing fundamental insights that could improve diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for PCa management.</p>","PeriodicalId":8923,"journal":{"name":"BioFactors","volume":"50 6","pages":"1251-1267"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141178718","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Salvia hispanica L. (chia) seed improves redox state and reverts extracellular matrix collagen deposition in skeletal muscle of sucrose-rich diet-fed rats","authors":"Paola G. Illesca,&nbsp;María del R. Ferreira,&nbsp;Adriana Benmelej,&nbsp;María Eugenia D'Alessandro","doi":"10.1002/biof.2087","DOIUrl":"10.1002/biof.2087","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Skeletal muscle (SkM) is a plastic and dynamic tissue, essential in energy metabolism. Growing evidence suggests a close relationship between intramuscular fat accumulation, oxidative stress (OS), extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, and metabolic deregulation in SkM. Nowadays natural products emerge as promising alternatives for the treatment of metabolic disorders. We have previously shown that chia seed administration reverts SkM lipotoxicity and whole-body insulin resistant (IR) in sucrose-rich diet (SRD) fed rats. The purpose of the present study was to assess the involvement of OS and fibrosis in SkM metabolic impairment of insulin-resistant rats fed a long-term SRD and the effects of chia seed upon these mechanisms as therapeutic strategy. Results showed that insulin-resistant SRD-fed rats exhibited sarcopenia, increase in lipid peroxidation, altered redox state, and ECM remodeling-increased collagen deposition and lower activity of the metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) in SkM. Chia seed increased ferric ion reducing antioxidant power and glutathione reduced form levels, and the activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase enzymes. Moreover, chia seed reversed fibrosis and restored the MMP-2 activity. This work reveals a participation of the OS and ECM remodeling in the metabolic alterations of SkM in our experimental model. Moreover, current data show novel properties of chia seed with the potential to attenuate SkM OS and fibrosis, hallmark of insulin-resistant muscle.</p>","PeriodicalId":8923,"journal":{"name":"BioFactors","volume":"51 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141157528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Crosstalk among miR-29, α-SMA, and TGFβ1/β3 in melatonin-induced exosome (Mel-prExo) treated human limbal mesenchymal stem cells (hLMSCs): An insight into scarless healing of the cornea","authors":"Burcugul Altug,&nbsp;Merve Nur Soykan,&nbsp;Sevinc Eyubova,&nbsp;Ayla Eker Sariboyaci,&nbsp;Cezmi Dogan,&nbsp;Onur Ozalp,&nbsp;Eray Atalay","doi":"10.1002/biof.2085","DOIUrl":"10.1002/biof.2085","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Inflammatory mediators that infiltrate the corneal stroma after corneal infections, trauma or refractive surgery can trigger the transformation of corneal keratocytes into myofibroblasts, resulting in highly irregular collagen deposition and subsequently corneal scarring. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be used as therapeutic agents to regenerate corneal and conjunctival tissue damage, regulate inflammation, and reduce the development of limbal stem cell failure. The use of MSC-derived exosomes as a cell-free therapeutic vector is a novel therapeutic approach. This study aimed to assess the effect of exosomes obtained from melatonin (Mel)-treated human limbal mesenchymal stem cells (hLMSCs) on naïve hLMSCs and to determine their influence on the antifibrotic and pro-regenerative pathways involved in corneal scarring. hLMSCs were treated with varying concentrations of Mel, followed by isolation and characterization of the procured exosomes (Mel-prExos). These exosomes were added to the cell culture media of naïve hLMSCs to examine their antifibrotic and pro-regenerative effects. The expression of miR-155, miR-29, TGFβ1, TGFβ3, PPARγ, and α-SMA miRNAs and genes were compared between Mel-treated hLMSCs and Mel-prExo-treated hLMSCs by using real-time PCR. We found that at 1 μM Mel and in the presence of Mel-prExos, TGFβ1 was expressed 0.001-fold, while TGFβ3 was expressed 0.6-fold. miR-29 expression was increased 38-fold in the control-Exo group compared to that in the control group. Changes in TGFβ1/β3 and α-SMA expression are associated with miR-29 and miR-155. This approach could prove beneficial for ocular surface tissue engineering applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":8923,"journal":{"name":"BioFactors","volume":"50 6","pages":"1287-1297"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11627467/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141157520","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}