Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy - Volume 20, Issue 4, 2025

While there is no certain treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI), stem cell-based therapy may be an attractive alternative, but the survival and differentiation of cells in the host tissue are poor. Conditioned medium (CM) has several beneficial effects on cells.

In this meta-analysis study, we examined the effect of CM on SCI treatment.

After searching on MEDLINE, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Web of Science, first and secondary screening were performed based on title, abstract, and full text. The data were extracted from the included studies, and meta-analysis was performed using STATA.14 software. A standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval was used to report findings. Quality control and subgroup analysis were also performed.

The results from 52 articles and 61 separate experiments showed that CM had a significantly strong effect on improving motor function after SCI (SMD = 2.58; 95% CI: 2.17 to 2.98; p < 0.001) and also analysis of data from 12 articles demonstrated that CM reduced the expression of GFAP marker (SMD = -4.16; p < 0.0001) compared to SCI group without any treatment. Subgroup analysis showed that treatment with CM of neural stem cells was better than CM of mesenchymal stem cells. It was more effective after a mild lesion than a moderate or severe one. The improvement was more pronounced with <4 weeks than >4 weeks follow-up.

CM had a significant effect in improving motor function after SCI, especially in cases of mild lesions. It has been observed that if CM originates from the neural stem cells, it has a more significant effect than mesenchymal cells.

Exosomes derived from Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs-Exo) have been implicated in the enhancement of wound repair in Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU). Objective: The current research was designed to explore the therapeutic potential and underlying mechanisms of ADSCs-Exo modified with microRNA-125b (miR-125b) in the context of DFU.

Rat models with DFU and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) subjected to high glucose (HG) conditions served as experimental systems and were administered miR-125b-engineered ADSCs-Exo. Then, the expressions of CD34, Ki-67, angiogenesis-related factors (VEGF and TGFβ-1), angiogenesis inhibitor DLL-4, and inflammation-related proteins (TLR-4 and IL-6) were detected.

MiR-125b was upregulated in ADSCs-Exo. MiR-125b-mimics transfection in ADSCs-Exo reduced inflammatory infiltration and promoted granulation formation and wound healing in wound tissues. MiR-125b-mimics-modified ADSCs-Exo injection increased the expression of CD34, Ki-67, VEGF, and TGFβ-1, whereas decreased the expression of DLL-4, TLR-4, and IL-6 in wound tissues of DFU rats. In addition, miR-125b-mimics-ADSCs-Exo injection reversed the negative effects of HG on the proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of HUVECs, as well as the positive effects of cell apoptosis. Moreover, miR-125b-inhibitor-ADSCs-Exo injection had the opposite effects to miR-125b-mimics-ADSCs-Exo.

ADSCs-Exo promoted wound healing of DFU rats, especially when overexpressing miR-125b.

To determine the effectiveness of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy on visual acuity and visual field in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.

Stem cell treatment in retinitis pigmentosa provides improvement in visual acuity and visual field.

Forty-seven eyes of 27 patients diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa were included in our study.

Allogeneic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were administered by deep subtenon injection. Complete routine ophthalmological examinations, optical coherence tomography (Zeiss, Cirrus HD-OCT) measurements, and visual field (Humphrey perimetry, 30-2) tests were performed on all patients before the treatment and on the 1st, 3rd, and 6th month after treatment. The best corrected visual acuities of the patients were determined by the Snellen chart and converted to logMAR. Visual evoked potential (VEP) and electroretinogram (ERG) examinations of the patients before the treatment and on the 6th month after the treatment were performed (Metrovision) data were compared.

Visual acuities were 0.74 ± 0.49 logMAR before treatment and 0.61 ± 0.46 logMAR after treatment. Visual acuity had a statistically significant increase (p < 0.001). The visual field deviation was found to be -27.16 ± 5.77 dB before treatment and -26.59 ± 5.96 dB after treatment (p = 0.005). The ganglion cell layer was 46.26 ± 12.87 µm before treatment and 52.47 ± 12.26 µm after treatment (p = 0.003). There was a significant improvement in Pattern VEP 120º P100 amplitude compared to that before the treatment (4.43 ± 2.42 µV) and that after the treatment (5.09 ± 2.86 µV) (p = 0.013). ERG latency measurements were 18.33 ± 15.39 µV before treatment and 20.87 ± 18.64 µV after treatment for scotopic 0.01 (p = 0.02). ERG latency measurements for scotopic 3.0 were 20.75 ± 26.31 µV before treatment and 23.10 ± 28.60 µV after treatment (p = 0.014).

Retinitis pigmentosa is a progressive, inherited disease that can result in severe vision loss. In retinitis pigmentosa, the application of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells by deep subtenon injection has positive effects on visual function. No systemic or ophthalmic side effects were detected in the patients during the 6-month follow-up period.

Periodontitis is a common complication of diabetes, with advanced glycation end products (AGEs) playing a key role in its pathogenesis. Albiflorin, a monoterpene glycoside, has shown potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study aims to investigate the effects of albiflorin on AGEs-induced gingival fibroblasts and its underlying mechanisms.

This study aimed to evaluate the role of albiflorin in mitigating ROS production, inflammation, and MMP-1 expression in AGEs-induced gingival fibroblasts.

The viability of gingival fibroblasts treated with albiflorin and AGEs was assessed using CCK-8 assays. ROS levels were measured by DCF staining, and the expression of inflammatory markers and MMP-1 was evaluated by ELISA and qPCR. The involvement of the NF-κB and Nrf2 pathways was examined by immunoblotting.

Albiflorin enhanced the viability of AGEs-induced gingival fibroblasts and reduced ROS production. It also decreased the expression of IL-6, IL-8, RAGE, and MMP-1, suggesting an anti-inflammatory effect. Mechanistically, albiflorin modulated the NF-κB and Nrf2 pathways in AGEs-induced gingival fibroblasts.

Albiflorin exhibited protective effects against AGEs-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in gingival fibroblasts, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for periodontitis in diabetic patients. The modulation of the NF-κB and Nrf2 pathways by albiflorin provides insight into its mechanism of action.

Complications arising from diabetes can result in stem cell dysfunction, impairing their ability to undergo differentiation into various cellular lineages. The present study evaluated the effect of histone deacetylase inhibitors, Valproic acid and Trichostatin A, on the odontogenic differentiation potential of dental pulp stem cells under hyperglycemic conditions.

Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes mellitus in 12 male Wistar rats. Dental parameters were examined using micro-computed tomography. The odontogenic potential of human pulp stem cells exposed to 30 mM glucose was assessed through alkaline phosphatase assays, examination of gene expression for dentin matrix protein 1 and dentin sialoprotein using real-time PCR, and alizarin red staining for calcium deposition.

Along with reduced dentin thickness and root length in diabetic rats, the results revealed a significant increase in histone deacetylase 3 and 2 gene expressions in isolated diabetic pulp tissues compared to the control groups. The gene expression of odontogenic-related markers and alkaline phosphatase activity in human cultured pulp stem cells under hyperglycemic conditions significantly decreased. Adding Valproic acid and Trichostatin A restored the odontogenic differentiation markers, including calcium deposition, gene expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein, dentin matrix protein 1, and alkaline phosphatase activity.

The data suggests that hyperglycemic conditions negatively impact the odontogenic potential of pulp mesenchymal stem cells. However, histone deacetylase inhibitors improve the impaired odontogenic differentiation capacity. This study implies that histone deacetylases may represent a potential therapeutic target for enhancing the regenerative mineralization of pulp cells in diabetic patients.

Skeletal muscle atrophy in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused by abnormal skeletal muscle satellite cell (SSC) proliferation due to increased glycolysis, which impairs muscle regeneration. In DM1, RNA foci sequester muscleblind-like protein 1 (MBNL1) in the nucleus, inhibiting its role in regulating SSC proliferation. Aerobic training reduces glycolysis and increases SSC proliferation and muscle fiber volume. This study aimed to investigate whether aerobic training prevents muscle atrophy in DM1 through the regulation of glycolysis via MBNL1.

In this study, we used the HSA^LR transgenic mice (DM1 mice model) to investigate the effects of aerobic training on skeletal muscle atrophy and its molecular mechanisms. HSA^LR mice were subjected to 4 weeks of aerobic training. After aerobic training, hindlimb grip, and myofiber mean cross-sectional area (CSA) detected by haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining were performed. In DM1 primary SSCs, cell proliferation was assessed using Pax7 and MyoD immunofluorescence and CCK-8 assays, RNA foci were detected by RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization, and total MBNL1 expression was measured by western blot. We also used lentivirus to knock down MBNL1 in DM1 primary SSCs and performed RNA sequencing and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR). Furthermore, glycolysis detected by ECAR and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) assays were performed in WT, Sedentary, and Training group SSCs. Glycolysis was inhibited with shikonin, a glycolysis inhibitor, and the proliferation of DM1 SSCs was subsequently evaluated. Finally, we engineered an adeno-associated virus specifically targeting MBNL1 to knock down MBNL1 in DM1 mice. Subsequently, we assessed hindlimb grip strength and CSA in vivo, as well as the glycolytic capacity and proliferative capacity of DM1 SSCs in vitro.

Aerobic training increased hindlimb grip strength and the average myofiber CSA in DM1 mice. Additionally, aerobic training reduced RNA foci, upregulated MBNL1, and promoted SSC proliferation. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) indicated that glycolytic processes were enriched following the knockdown of MBNL1. Furthermore, ECAR showed glycolysis was enhanced after the knockdown of MBNL1. Aerobic training reduced elevated glycolysis in DM1 mice and primary SSCs. Treatment with shikonin promoted DM1 SSC proliferation. However, MBNL1 knockdown was shown to abolish the reduced glycolysis and increased proliferation capability of SSCs due to aerobic training.

Taken together, aerobic training suppresses glycolysis in SSCs via the upregulation of MBNL1, thereby enhancing SSC proliferation and alleviating muscle atrophy.

Aging is a phenomenon which occurs over time and leads to the decay of living organisms. During the progression of aging, some age-associated diseases including cardiovascular disease, cancers, and neurological, mental, and physical disorders could develop. Genetic and epigenetic factors like microRNAs, as one of the post-transcriptional regulators of genes, play important roles in senescence. The self-renewal and differentiation capacity of mesenchymal stem cells makes them good candidates for regenerative medicine.

The objective of this study is to evaluate senescence-related miRNAs in human MSCs using bioinformatics analysis.

In this study, the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was used to investigate the senescence-related genome profile. Then, down-regulated genes were selected for further bioinformatics analysis with the assumption that their decreased expression is associated with an increased aging process. Considering that miRNAs can interfere in gene expression, miRNAs complementary to these genes were identified using bioinformatics software.

Through bioinformatics analysis, we predicted hsa-miR-590-3p, hsa-miR-10b-3p, hsa-miR-548 family, hsa-miR-144-3p, and hsa-miR-30b-5p which involve in cellular senescence and the aging of human MSCs.

miRNA mimics or anti-miRNA agents have the potential to be used as anti-aging tools for MSCs.