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Objectives: Astragalus plants and their derivatives have been used historically for the treatment of various conditions, and they have recently been used to treat dermatological diseases and as topical cosmetic enhancers. In this consolidated systematic review, we analyzed current peer-reviewed publications regarding the topical effects of Astragalus derivatives on the treatment of dermatological diseases and whether the current market claims of its benefits and harms are substantiated. Methods: A systematic review using PRISMA criteria was conducted, and two independent reviewers selected and collected data from 9 papers that met the inclusion criteria. Results: Findings from these papers demonstrated that topical Astragalus derivatives were effective in the treatment of alopecia, atopic dermatitis, wound healing, contact dermatitis, dermatophytosis, and psoriasis. The beneficial effects of Astragalus in these dermatological conditions were attributed to its immunomodulatory mechanisms. Conclusion: The wide availability of this product allows its easy use for treating common dermatological issues. However, these articles are limited by their assessment of use on non-human mammals, the short duration of trials, and unclear mechanisms of action that limit research development. Future research is needed to close these gaps before the development of Astragalus-based pharmaceuticals for dermatological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hair follicle (HF) undergo periodic growth and development in mammals, which regulated by dermal papilla cells (DPCs) are reported to play an important role in HF morphogenesis and development. However, primary DPCs have low proliferative activity, age quickly, and fresh cell isolation is both time-consuming and laborious. In this study, we introduced the SV40 large T antigen (SV40T) into dissociated early passage rabbit vibrissae DPCs with lentiviral vectors and established seven immortalized DPC lines (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6 and R-7). These cell lines displayed early passage morphology and high alkaline phosphatase activity. RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining showed that all the immortalized cell lines expressed the DPC markers (α-SMA, IGF1, ALPL, FGF2, BMP2 and TGFβ2), but α-SMA was only expressed well in R-3, R-4, and R-7. Furthermore, it was found that R-7 was the only line to survive beyond 50 passages. Compared to melanoma cells, R-7 did not undergo malignant transformation. Karyotyping and cell growth viability analysis illustrated that the R-7 cell line preserved the basic characteristics of primary DPCs. The R-7 DPCs established have potential application for future hair research. The study provides the theoretical basis in the cell research of HF growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Cardiac fibrosis is central to heart failure (HF), especially HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), often caused by hypertension. Despite fibrosis causing diastolic dysfunction and impaired electrical conduction, responsible for arrhythmia-induced sudden cardiac death, the mechanisms are poorly defined and effective therapies are lacking. Here we show that crosstalk between cardiac cytotoxic memory CD8+ T cells and overly stressed cardiomyocytes is essential for development of non-ischemic hypertensive cardiac fibrosis. Methods and results: CD8 T cell depletion in hypertensive mice, strongly attenuated CF, reduced cardiac apoptosis and improved ventricular relaxation. Interaction between cytotoxic memory CD8+ T cells and overly stressed cardiomyocytes is highly dependent on the CD8+ T cells expressing the innate stress-sensing receptor NKG2D and stressed cardiomyocytes expressing the NKG2D activating ligand RAE-1. The interaction between NKG2D and RAE-1 results in CD8+ T cell activation, release of perforin, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, increased numbers of TGF-β1 expressing macrophages and fibrosis. Deleting NKG2D or perforin from CD8+ T cells greatly attenuates these effects. Activation of the cytoplasmic DNA-STING-TBK1-IRF3 signaling pathway in overly stressed cardiomyocytes is responsible for elevating RAE-1 and MCP-1, a macrophage attracting chemokine. Inhibiting STING activation greatly attenuates cardiomyocyte RAE-1 expression, the cardiomyocyte apoptosis, TGF-β1 and fibrosis. Conclusion: Our data highlight a novel pathway by which CD8 T cells contribute to an early triggering mechanism in CF development; preventing CD8+ T cell activation by inhibiting the cardiomyocyte RAE-1-CD8+ T cell-NKG2D axis holds promise for novel therapeutic strategies to limit hypertensive cardiac fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Camellia seed cake is a by‐product of Camellia oleifera Abel seed after oil extraction. Washing hair with Camellia seed cake extract is a traditional Chinese custom that has lasted for over one thousand years. However, the hair growth‐promoting effects of Camellia seed cake extract were not investigated so far. This work examined the effects of de‐saponinated Camellia seed cake extracts (DS‐CSE) on hair growth, using in vitro and in vivo models. Methods: The studies on cell proliferation, cell cycle regulation, and K+ channels activation effects of DS‐CSE were performed on human dermal papilla cells (DPCs). Relative expression of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β1) in DPCs was determined by RT‐PCR. Relative expression of ERK and AKT was determined by Western blot analysis. Hair growth‐promoting effects were also measured in C57BL/6J mice model. Results: DS‐CSE treatment significantly proliferated DPCs, relating to the increased proportion of DPCs in S and G2/M phases, the activation of potassium channels and the promoted phosphorylation of ERK and AKT in DPCs. DS‐CSE treatment also significantly upregulated the mRNA levels of HGF, VEGF and IGF‐1, and downregulated the mRNA level of TGF‐β1. Topical application of DS‐CSE promoted hair growth on shaven back mice and also upregulated the expression of VEGF in mice. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that DS‐CSE exerts a hair growth‐promoting effect in vitro and in vivo by proliferating DPCs through the ERK and AKT signaling pathways and regulating the expression of growth factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Arbas Cashmere goats are excellent domestic breeds with high yields of wool and cashmere. Their wool and cashmere can bring huge benefits to the livestock industry. Our studies intend to more fully understand the biological characteristics of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) in order to further explore the mechanisms of wool and cashmere regular regeneration. And they have been increasingly considered as promising multipotent cells in regenerative medicine because of their capacity to self-renew and differentiate. However, many aspects of the specific growth characteristics and differentiation ability of HFSCs remain unknown. This study aimed to further explore the growth characteristics and pluripotency of primary hair follicle stem cells (PHFSCs) and secondary hair follicle stem cells (SHFCs). Results: We obtained PHFSCs and SHFSCs from Arbas Cashmere goats using combined isolation and purification methods. The proliferation and vitality of the two types of HFSCs, as well as the growth patterns, were examined. HFSC-specific markers and genes related to pluripotency, were subsequently identified. The PHFSCs and SHFSCs of Arbas Cashmere goat have a typical cobblestone morphology. Moreover, the PHFSCs and SHFSCs express HFSC surface markers, including CD34, K14, K15, K19 and LGR5. We also identified pluripotency-associated gene expression, including SOX2, OCT4 and SOX9, in PHFSCs and SHFSCs. Finally, PHFSCs and SHFSCs displayed multipotent abilities. PHFSCs and SHFSCs can be directed to differentiate into adipocyte-like, neural-like, and hepatocyte-like cells. Conclusions: In conclusion, this study confirmed that the biological characteristics and differentiation potential of PHFSCs and SHFSCs from Arbas Cashmere goats. These findings broaden and refine our knowledge of types and characteristics of adult stem cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]