1,721,433 research outputs found
Decellularized tissue for muscle regeneration
Several acquired or congenital pathological conditions can affect skeletal muscle leading to volumetric muscle loss (VML), i.e., an irreversible loss of muscle mass and function. Decellularized tissues are natural scaffolds derived from tissues or organs, in which the cellular and nuclear contents are eliminated, but the tridimensional (3D) structure and composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are preserved. Such scaffolds retain biological activity, are biocompatible and do not show immune rejection upon allogeneic or xenogeneic transplantation. An increase number of reports suggest that decellularized tissues/organs are promising candidates for clinical application in patients affected by VML. Here we explore the different strategies used to generate decellularized matrix and their therapeutic outcome when applied to treat VML conditions, both in patients and in animal models. The wide variety of VML models, source of tissue and methods of decellularization have led to discrepant results. Our review study evaluates the biological and clinical significance of reported studies, with the final aim to clarify the main aspects that should be taken into consideration for the future application of decellularized tissues in the treatment of VML conditions
Stem cells from fetal membranes and amniotic fluid: Markers for cell isolation and therapy
Stem cell therapy is in constant need of new cell sources to conceive regenerative medicine approaches for diseases that are still without therapy. Scientists drew the attention toward amniotic membrane and amniotic fluid stem cells, since these sources possess many advantages: first of all as cells can be extracted from discarded foetal material it is inexpensive, secondly abundant stem cells can be obtained and finally, these stem cell sources are free from ethical considerations. Many studies have demonstrated the differentiation potential in vitro and in vivo toward mesenchymal and non-mesenchymal cell types; in addition the immune-modulatory properties make these cells a good candidate for allo- and xenotransplantation. This review offers an overview on markers characterisation and on the latest findings in pre-clinical or clinical setting of the stem cell populations isolated from these sources. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
ES, iPS, MSC, and AFS cells. Stem cells exploitation for Pediatric Surgery: current research and perspective
Despite the advancements that have been made in treating infants with congenital malformations, these still represent a major cause of disease and death during the first years of life and childhood. Regeneration of natural tissue from living cells to restore damaged tissues and organs is the main purpose of regenerative medicine. This relatively new field has emerged by the combination of tissue engineering and stem cell transplantation as a possible strategy for the replacement of damaged organs or tissues. This review would like to offer an insight on the latest evolution of stem cells with a glance at their possible application for regenerative medicine, particularly in the Paediatric Surgery field
Letter to the Editor in Response to: Association of operative approach with postoperative outcomes in neonates undergoing surgical repair of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula
Decellularized Tissue for Muscle Regeneration
Several acquired or congenital pathological conditions can affect skeletal muscle leading to volumetric muscle loss (VML), i.e., an irreversible loss of muscle mass and function. Decellularized tissues are natural scaffolds derived from tissues or organs, in which the cellular and nuclear contents are eliminated, but the tridimensional (3D) structure and composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are preserved. Such scaffolds retain biological activity, are biocompatible and do not show immune rejection upon allogeneic or xenogeneic transplantation. An increase number of reports suggest that decellularized tissues/organs are promising candidates for clinical application in patients affected by VML. Here we explore the different strategies used to generate decellularized matrix and their therapeutic outcome when applied to treat VML conditions, both in patients and in animal models. The wide variety of VML models, source of tissue and methods of decellularization have led to discrepant results. Our review study evaluates the biological and clinical significance of reported studies, with the final aim to clarify the main aspects that should be taken into consideration for the future application of decellularized tissues in the treatment of VML conditions
Isolation and characterisation of mouse intestinal mesoangioblasts
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Children suffering from intestinal failure (IF) endure considerable morbidity and overall have poor survival rates, complicated by the shortage of organs available for transplantation. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches are pivotal if outcomes are to be improved. Over the past years, tissue engineering (TE) has emerged as a possible alternative treatment for many congenital and acquired conditions. TE aims at creating bioengineered organs by means of combining scaffolds with appropriate cell types, which in the intestine are organised within a multilayer structure. In order to generate functional intestine, this cellular diversity and organisation will need to be recreated. While the cells for the epithelial, neural and vascular compartments have been well defined, so far, less attention has been put on the muscular compartment. More recently, mesoangioblasts (MABs) have been identified as a novel source for tissue regeneration since they are able to give rise to vascular and other mesodermal derivatives. To date MABs have not been successfully isolated from intestinal tissue. Therefore, our aim was to demonstrate the possibility of isolating MABs from adult mouse small intestine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All experiments were carried out using small intestinal tissues from C57BL/6J mice. We applied an established protocol for MAB isolation from the isolated neuromuscular layer of the small intestine. Cultured cells were stained for Ki67 to assess proliferation rates as well as for a panel of pericyte markers to determine their phenotype. RESULTS: Cells were successfully isolated from gut biopsies. Cultured cells showed good proliferative capacity and positivity for at least three pericytes markers found in vessels of the gut neuromuscular wall: neuron-glial antigen 2, alkaline phosphatase and platelet-derived growth factor β. CONCLUSION: This proof-of-principle study lays the foundation for further characterization of MABs as a possible cell source for intestinal smooth muscle regeneration and TE.sponsorship: The authors would like to acknowledge the NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre which supports all research at Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health. Additional support for this project was provided by Horizon 2020 INTENS funding. NT is supported by Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity. SP's PhD studentship is funded through a GOSHCC grant awarded to NT. CM is supported by Guts UK (Derek Butler Fellowship). PDC is supported by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR-RP-2014-04-046). (NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, Horizon 2020 INTENS funding, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity, GOSHCC, Guts UK (Derek Butler Fellowship), National Institute for Health Research|NIHR-RP-2014-04-046)status: Publishe
Update on foregut molecular embryology and role of regenerative medicine therapies
Esophageal atresia (OA) represents one of the commonest and most severe develop-mental disorders of the foregut, the most proximal segment of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (esophagus and stomach) in embryological terms. Of intrigue is the common origin from this foregut of two very diverse functional entities, the digestive and respiratory systems. OA appears to result from incomplete separation of the ventral and dorsal parts of the foregut during development, resulting in disruption of esophageal anatomy and frequent association with tracheo-oesophageal fistula. Not surprisingly, and likely inher-ent to OA, are associated abnormalities in components of the enteric neuromusculature and ultimately loss of esophageal functional integrity. An appreciation of such develop-mental processes and associated defects has not only enhanced our understanding of the etiopathogenesis underlying such devastating defects but also highlighted the potential of novel corrective therapies. There has been considerable progress in the identification and propagation of neural crest stem cells from the GI tract itself or derived from pluripotent cells. Such cells have been successfully transplanted into models of enteric neuropathy confirming their ability to functionally integrate and replenish missing or defective enteric nerves. Combinatorial approaches in tissue engineering hold signifi-cant promise for the generation of organ-specific scaffolds such as the esophagus with current initiatives directed toward their cellularization to facilitate optimal function. This chapter outlines the most current understanding of the molecular embryology underlying foregut development and OA, and also explores the promise of regenerative medicine
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