Search

The next generation of wearable electronics for health monitoring, Internet‐of‐Things system, "interface‐on‐invisible," and green energy harvesting require electrically conductive material that is superiorly transparent, negligibly hysteretic, industrially feasible, and highly stretchable. The practical potential of ionic hydrogel is challenged with obvious hysteresis and a limited sensing range due to relative delamination and viscoelastic performance. Herein, a novel liquid conductor, termed as egg white liquid, is developed from self‐liquidation of egg white hydrogel, and the liquid not only inherits the designed architecture from a hydrogel predecessor but also achieves comparable conductivity (20.4 S m−1) to the ionic hydrogel and ultrahigh transparency (up to 99.8%). Moreover, the 3D‐printed liquid–elastomer hybrid exhibits excellent conformability, remarkable sensitivity with negligible hysteresis (0.77%), and the capability of monitoring human motions and dynamic moduli is further demonstrated. The liquid nature inspires a gesture‐controlled touchless user interface for front‐end electronic systems. Furthermore, mechanical energy harvesting and pressure sensing are evidenced by exploiting this liquid conductor into a triboelectric nanogenerator. Notably, the as‐prepared liquid via subsequent phase transition possessing superior transparency, ultralow hysteresis, economic benefit, and unique liquid phase may potentially fuel the development of a new class of wearable electronics, human–machine interface, and clean energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan is a promising natural biomaterial for biological application; however, the weak mechanical performance of pristine chitosan limits its further utilization in hard tissue (such as cartilage) engineering. In this study, a chitosan-based 3D printing bioink with suitable mechanical properties was developed as 3D bioprinting ink for chondrocyte support. Chitosan was first modified by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to provide more carboxyl groups followed by physical crosslinking with calcium to increase the hydrogel strength. Dynamic mechanical analysis was carried out to evaluate viscoelastic properties with the addition of modified chitosan. A bioink with a combination of modified and pristine chitosan was formulated for scaffold fabrication via 3D bioprinting technique. Furthermore, cell viability, cell proliferation, and expression of chondrogenic markers were evaluated in vitro in chondrocytes loaded on the bioink. The novel bioink exhibited a favorable mechanical property and promoted cell attachment and chondrogenic gene expression in chondrocytes. Based on these results, we can conclude that the presented bioink could qualify for use in 3D bioprinting in cartilage tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autophagy related 16 like 1 (ATG16L1) is a crucial component of autophagy that regulates the formation of the autophagosome. In mammals, ATG16L1 also performs important roles in immunity, including controlling viral replication and regulating innate immune signaling; however, investigation on the role of piscine ATG16L1 in immunity is rare. In this report, the ATG16L1 homolog of black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus (bcATG16L1) was cloned and identified, and its negative regulatory role in mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS)-mediated antiviral signaling was described. The coding region of bcATG16L1 consists of 1830 nucleotides and encodes 609 amino acids, including one coiled-coil domain at the N-terminus, three low complexity region domains in the middle, and seven WD40 domains at the C-terminus. By immunofluorescence assay and immunoblotting, we found that bcATG16L1 is a cytosolic protein with a molecular weight of ∼74 kDa. In addition, over-expression of bcATG16L1 suppressed bcMAVS-mediated bcIFNa and DrIFNφ1 promoters transcriptional activity and inhibited bcMAVS-mediated antiviral activity. We further confirmed the co-localization of bcATG16L1 and bcMAVS by immunofluorescence assay and verified the protein interaction between bcATG16L1 and bcMAVS by immunoprecipitation assay. Our results report for the first time that black carp ATG16L1 suppresses MAVS-mediated antiviral signaling in teleost fish. • bcATG16L1 interacts with bcMAVS. • bcATG16L1 suppresses bcMAVS-mediated activation of bcIFNa and DrIFNφ1 promoters. • bcATG16L1 negatively regulates bcMAVS-mediated antiviral activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) and sclerodermatous graft-versus-host disease (Scl-GVHD)—characterized by similar developmental fibrosis, vascular abnormalities, and innate and adaptive immune response, resulting in severe skin fibrosis at the late stage—are chronic autoimmune diseases of connective tissue. The significant immune system dysfunction, distinguishing autoimmune-related fibrosis from mere skin fibrosis, should be a particular focus of treating autoimmune-related fibrosis. Recent research shows that innovative mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapy, with the capacities of immune regulation, inflammation suppression, oxidation inhibition, and fibrosis restraint, shows great promise in overcoming the disease. Main body: This review of recent studies aims to summarize the therapeutic effect and theoretical mechanisms of MSC-based therapy in treating autoimmune-related fibrotic skin diseases, SSc and Scl-GVHD, providing novel insights and references for further clinical applications. It is noteworthy that the efficacy of MSCs is not reliant on their migration into the skin. Working on the immune system, MSCs can inhibit the chemotaxis and infiltration of immune cells to the skin by down-regulating the expression of skin chemokines and chemokine receptors and reducing the inflammatory and pro-fibrotic mediators. ​Furthermore, to reduce levels of oxidative stress, MSCs may improve vascular abnormalities, and enhance the antioxidant defenses through inducible nitric oxide synthase, thioredoxin 1, as well as other mediators. The oxidative stress environment does not weaken MSCs and may even strengthen certain functions. Regarding fibrosis, MSCs primarily target the transforming growth factor-β signaling pathway to inhibit fibroblast activation. Here, miRNAs may play a critical role in ECM remodeling. Clinical studies have demonstrated the safety of these approaches, though outcomes have varied, possibly owing to the heterogeneity of MSCs, the disorders themselves, and other factors. Nevertheless, the research clearly reveals the immense potential of MSCs in treating autoimmune-related fibrotic skin diseases. Conclusion: The application of MSCs presents a promising approach for treating autoimmune-related fibrotic skin diseases: SSc and Scl-GVHD. Therapies involving MSCs and MSC extracellular vesicles have been found to operate through three primary mechanisms: rebalancing the immune and inflammatory disorders, resisting oxidant stress, and inhibiting overactivated fibrosis (including fibroblast activation and ECM remodeling). However, the effectiveness of these interventions requires further validation through extensive clinical investigations, particularly randomized control trials and phase III/IV clinical trials. Additionally, the hypothetical mechanism underlying these therapies could be elucidated through further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decellularized adipose tissue (DAT) represents a promising scaffold for adipose tissue engineering. However, the unique and prolonged lipid removal process required for adipose tissue can damage extracellular matrix (ECM) constituents. Moreover, inadequate vascularization limits the recellularization of DAT in vivo. We proposed a neo‐mechanical protocol for rapidly breaking adipocytes and removing lipid content from adipose tissue. The lipid‐depleted adipose tissue was then subjected to a fast and mild decellularization to fabricate high‐quality DAT (M‐DAT). Adipose liquid extract (ALE) derived from this mechanical process was collected and incorporated into M‐DAT to further optimize in vivo recellularization. Ordinary DAT was fabricated and served as a control. This developed strategy was evaluated based on decellularization efficiency, ECM quality, and recellularization efficiency. Angiogenic factor components and angiogenic potential of ALE were evaluated in vivo and in vitro. M‐DAT achieved the same decellularization efficiency, but exhibited better retention of ECM components and recellularization, compared with those with ordinary DAT. Protein quantification revealed considerable levels of angiogenic factors (basic fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor‐β1, and vascular endothelial growth factor) in ALE. ALE promoted tube formation in vitro and induced intense angiogenesis in M‐DAT in vivo; furthermore, higher expression of the adipogenic factor PPARγ and greater numbers of adipocytes were evident following ALE treatment, compared with those in the M‐DAT group. Mechanical processing of adipose tissue led to the production of high‐quality M‐DAT and angiogenic factor‐enriched ALE. The combination of ALE and M‐DAT could be a promising strategy for engineered adipose tissue construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autophagy is a highly conserved cellular process that degrades modified, surplus, or harmful cytoplasmic components by sequestering them in autophagosomes which then fuses with the lysosome for degradation. As a major intracellular degradation and recycling pathway, autophagy is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis, as well as for remodeling during normal development. Impairment of this process has been implicated in various diseases, in the pathogenic response to bacterial and viral infections, and in aging. Pluripotent stem cells, with their ability to self-replicate and to give rise to any specialized cell type, are very valuable resources for cell-based medical therapies and open a number of promising avenues for studying human development and disease. It has been suggested that autophagy is vital for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis in stem cells, and subsequently more in-depth knowledge about the regulation of autophagy in stem cell biology has been acquired recently. In this review, we describe the most significant advances in the understanding of autophagy regulation in hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells, as well as in induced pluripotent stem cells. In particular, we highlight the roles of various autophagy activities in the regulation of self-renewal and differentiation of these stem cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Conditioned medium (CM) is a new treatment modality in regenerative medicine and has shown a successful outcome in wound healing. We recently introduced extracellular matrix/stromal vascular fraction gel (ECM/SVF‐gel), an adipose‐derived stem cell and adipose native extracellular matrix‐enriched product for cytotherapy. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of CM from ECM/SVF‐gel (Gel‐CM) on wound healing compared with the conventional CM from adipose tissue (Adi‐CM) and stem cell (SVF‐CM). In vitro wound healing effect of three CMs on keratinocytes and fibroblasts was evaluated in terms of proliferation property, migratory property, and extracellular matrix production. In vivo, two full‐thickness wounds were created on the back of each mice. The wounds were randomly divided to receive Gel‐CM, Adi‐CM, SVF‐CM, and PBS injection. Histologic observations and collagen content of wound skin were made. Growth factors concentration in three CMs was further quantified. In vitro, Gel‐CM promoted the proliferation and migration of keratinocytes and fibroblasts and enhanced collagen I synthesis in fibroblasts compared to Adi‐CM and SVF‐CM. In vivo, wound closure was faster, and dermal and epidermal regeneration was improved in the Gel‐CM‐treated mice compared to that in Adi‐CM and SVF‐CM‐treated mice. Moreover, The growth factors concentration (i.e., vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, and transforming growth factor‐β) in Gel‐CM were significantly higher than those in Adi‐CM and SVF‐CM. Gel‐CM generated under serum free conditions significantly enhanced wound healing effect compared to Adi‐CM and SVF‐CM by accelerating cell proliferation, migration, and production of ECM. This improved trophic effect may be attributed to the higher growth factors concentration in Gel‐CM. Gel‐CM shows potential as a novel and promising alternative to skin wound healing treatment. But limitations include the safety and immunogenicity studies of Gel‐CM still remain to be clearly clarified and more data on mechanism study are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesenchymal stem cells are an attractive cell type for cytotherapy in wound healing. The authors recently developed a novel, adipose-tissue-derived, injectable extracellular matrix/stromal vascular fraction gel (ECM/SVF-gel) for stem cell therapy. This study was designed to assess the therapeutic effects of ECM/SVF-gel on wound healing and potential mechanisms. ECM/SVF-gel was prepared for use in nude mouse excisional wound healing model. An SVF cell suspension and phosphate-buffered saline injection served as the control. The expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in ECM/SVF-gel were analyzed at different time points. Angiogenesis (tube formation) assays of ECM/SVF-gel extracts were evaluated, and vessels density in skin was determined. The ECM/SVF-gel extract promoted tube formation in vitro and increased the expression of the angiogenic factors VEGF and bFGF compared with those in the control. The expression of the inflammatory chemoattractant MCP-1 was high in ECM/SVF-gel at the early stage and decreased sharply during the late stage of wound healing. The potent angiogenic effects exerted by ECM/SVF-gel may contribute to the improvement of wound healing, and these effects could be related to the enhanced inflammatory response in ECM/SVF-gel during the early stage of wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adipose stem cells have prominent implications in tissue regeneration due to their abundance and relative ease of harvest from adipose tissue and their abilities to differentiate into mature cells of various tissue lineages and secrete various growth cytokines. Development of tissue engineering techniques in combination with various carrier scaffolds and adipose stem cells offers great potential in overcoming the existing limitations constraining classical approaches used in plastic and reconstructive surgery. However, as most tissue engineering techniques are new and highly experimental, there are still many practical challenges that must be overcome before laboratory research can lead to large-scale clinical applications. Tissue engineering is currently a growing field of medical research; in this review, we will discuss the progress in research on biomaterials and scaffolds for tissue engineering applications using adipose stem cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adipose stem cells have prominent implications in tissue regeneration due to their abundance and relative ease of harvest from adipose tissue and their abilities to differentiate into mature cells of various tissue lineages and secrete various growth cytokines. Development of tissue engineering techniques in combination with various carrier scaffolds and adipose stem cells offers great potential in overcoming the existing limitations constraining classical approaches used in plastic and reconstructive surgery. However, as most tissue engineering techniques are new and highly experimental, there are still many practical challenges that must be overcome before laboratory research can lead to large-scale clinical applications. Tissue engineering is currently a growing field of medical research; in this review, we will discuss the progress in research on biomaterials and scaffolds for tissue engineering applications using adipose stem cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transparent Protein Hydrogels: Protein Gel Phase Transition: Toward Superiorly Transparent and Hysteresis-Free Wearable Electronics (Adv. Funct. Keywords: gesture-controlled consoles; hysteresis-free sensors; phase transition; transparent protein hydrogels; triboelectric nanogenerators EN gesture-controlled consoles hysteresis-free sensors phase transition transparent protein hydrogels triboelectric nanogenerators 1 1 1 07/04/20 20200702 NES 200702 In article number 1910080, Feng Lu, Malcolm Xing, and co-workers report a solid-liquid phase transition from egg white hydrogel; the resulting transparent liquid can be employed as an electric conductor for wearable electronics, and is hysteresis-free and velocity-insulating. Gesture-controlled consoles, hysteresis-free sensors, phase transition, transparent protein hydrogels, triboelectric nanogenerators. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Taking advantage of cellular paracrine mechanisms, the secretome of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and adipose tissue has been demonstrated to induce tissue repair and regeneration in various ischemic and impaired conditions. However, these cell-based therapies have been hindered by issues, such as inherent safety and cost-efficiency for clinical applications. In this study, we prepared a liquid cell-free extract from human adipose tissue [adipose liquid extract (ALE)] and evaluated its potential therapeutic efficacy. Methods: ALE was prepared from human subcutaneous adipose tissue using a rapid and physical approach, and the protein components in ALE were identified using mass spectrometry analysis. In vivo, the therapeutic effect of this agent was investigated on wound healing in C57BL/6 mice, and wound healing rate, vessel density, and neo-adipocyte formation in wounded skins were measured at days 3, 7, 11, and 14. In vitro, the effect of ALE on the viability of human ADSCs, tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and adipogenic differentiation of ADSCs were tested. Results: The results demonstrated that ALE contained a variety of growth factors and did not affect cell viability. ALE-treated wounds exhibited accelerated wound healing with increased vessel density and formation of neo-adipocytes compared to that of control wounds. Moreover, when added as a cell culture supplement, ALE effectively induced tube formation of HUVECs and lipid accumulation in ADSCs. ALE-treated ADSCs also exhibited elevated levels of adipogenic gene expression. Conclusions: ALE is a novel growth-rich therapeutic agent that is cell-free and easy to produce. Besides, it is also able to induce angiogenesis and adipogenesis both in vitro and in vivo, thus indicating that it could be used for wound repair and soft tissue regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The complications of large‐volume fat grafting (LVFG) for breast augmentation remain unpredictable and include palpable breast nodules, oil cysts, and calcifications. Aims: This study was aimed to provide an optimal treatment option for breast nodules after LVFG and evaluate their pathological characteristics. Patients/Methods: We effectively performed complete resection of breast nodules in 29 patients after LVFG using a minimal skin incision with the vacuum‐assisted breast biopsy (VABB) system under ultrasound guidance. And we further carried on histologic examination of excised nodules and evaluated their pathological characteristics. Results: The breast nodules were excised thoroughly with cosmetic effect satisfactorily. Interestingly, subsequent histologic examination showed that type I and VI collagens were strongly expressed in the fibrotic area and type IV collagen were positively expressed around the blood vessel. Furthermore, we found that the type VI collagen+ area appeared around mac2+ macrophages and α‐SMA+ myofibroblasts. Conclusions: The VABB system may be the optimal treatment option for breast nodules after LVFG. And type VI collagens may serve as a biomarker of grafted adipose tissue fibrosis. The relationship between macrophages, fibroblasts, and collagen formation may be therapeutic targets for regulating fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using artificial lightning of standardized Waveform A, this study explored the lightning strike protection (LSP) effect of zirconium carbide (ZrC) and copper (Cu) modified short-carbon-fiber-reinforced boron phenolic resin composites under a current peak of 200 kA. Based on the results of visual observation, micro-morphologies characterization, three-dimensional shapes and X-ray detection, we observed a remarkable LSP effect in this composite, which can be attributed to the high bending strength of the laminated structure, and the well thermal resistance of ZrC. Meanwhile, the addition of Cu powders with concentrations of 10% was demonstrated to enable efficiently withstand the lightning strike and prevent crack propagation since the electrically conductive path. Our findings proposed a promising LSP skin material for the aircraft, which will maintain structural stability under the impact of a lightning strike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical unpredictability and variability following fat grafting remain non‐negligible problems due to the unknown mechanism of grafted fat retention. The role of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which renders cells with structural and biochemical support, has been ignored. This study aimed to clarify the ECM remodeling process, related cellular events, and the spatiotemporal relationship between ECM remodeling and adipocyte survival and adipogenesis after fat grafting. Labeled Coleman fat by the matrix‐tracing technique was grafted in nude mice. The ECM remodeling process and cellular events were assessed in vivo. The related cytokines were evaluated by qRT‐PCR. An in vitro cell migration assay was performed to verify the chemotactic effect of M2‐like macrophages on fibroblasts. The results demonstrated that in the periphery, most of the adipocytes of the graft survived or regenerated, and the graft‐derived ECM was gradually replaced by the newly‐formed ECM. In the central parts, most adipocytes in the grafts died shortly after, and a small part of the graft‐derived and newly‐formed ECM was expressed with irregular morphology. Adipose ECM remodeling is associated with increased infiltration of macrophages and fibroblasts, as well as up‐regulated expression of cytokines in the adipose tissue. To sum up, our results describe the various preservation mode of fat grafts after transplantation and underscore the importance of macrophage‐mediated ECM remodeling in graft preservation after fat grafting. The appreciation and manipulation of underlying mechanisms that are operant in this setting stand to explore new therapeutic approaches and improve clinical outcomes of fat grafting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NiFe spinel material itself has good thermal stability and emissivity and can be prepared as an infrared high radiation coating for energy saving applications in industrial high temperature furnace applications. In this study, Cr3+ and Cu2+ doped spinel NiFe 2 O 4 was prepared by solid phase reaction at 1250 °C for 3 h and the microstructure and physicochemical properties of the powder and coating were characterised by XRD, SEM, EDS and IR radiometry. The effect of Cr3+ and Cu2+ doping on the infrared emissivity of spinel NiFe 2 O 4 was investigated and energy saving assessment was carried out in a resistance furnace. The results show that the doping of Cr3+ and Cu2+ can significantly affect the emissivity of spinel powders in the 2.5–10 μm band, and the coatings prepared from the four powders have an emissivity of up to 0.95 in the 2.5–10 μm band. using this high temperature infrared radiation energy saving coating in a resistance furnace resulted in significant energy savings compared to no coating. The furnace was tested for energy saving by holding the furnace for 2 h and 5 h, and the energy saving efficiency reached 20.7% and 17.0% respectively. The coating was subjected to 10 thermal shock tests from room temperature to 700 °C. The coating bonded well and had good thermal shock resistance. Therefore, the coating has wide application prospects for energy saving applications in the field of industrial high temperature furnaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) is activated by IκB kinase ε (IKKε) and Tank-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), which plays a crucial role in the interferon signaling in vertebrates. However, the regulation of teleost IRF3 by IKKε remains largely unknown. In this study, the IRF3 homologue (bcIRF3) of black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) has been cloned and characterized. The transcription of bcIRF3 was detected to increase in host cells in response to different stimuli. bcIRF3 distributed predominantly in the cytosolic area; however, translocated into nuclei after virus infection. bcIRF3 showed IFN-inducing ability in reporter assay and EPC cells expressing bcIRF3 showed enhanced antiviral ability against both grass carp reovirus (GCRV) and spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV). Moreover, knockdown of bcIRF3 reduced the antiviral ability of the host cells, and the transcription of antiviral-related cytokines was obviously lower in bcIRF3-deficient host cells than that of control cells. The data of reporter assay and plaque assay demonstrated that bcIKKε obviously enhanced bcIRF3-mediated IFN production and antiviral activity. Immunofluorescent staining and co-immunoprecipitation assay revealed that bcIKKε interacted with bcIRF3. It was interesting that the nuclear translocation of bcIRF3 and bcIKKε was enhanced by each other when these two molecules were co-expressed in the cells, however, the protein levels of bcIRF3 and bcIKKε were decreased mutually. Thus, our data support the conclusion that bcIKKε interacts with bcIRF3 and enhances bcIRF3-mediated antiviral signaling during host innate immune activation. • bcIKKε interacted with bcIRF3 and enhanced bcIRF3/IFN signaling. • The nuclear translocation of bcIRF3 and bcIKKε was enhanced by each other when co-expressed. • Knockdown of bcIRF3 led to the dampened antiviral activity of the host cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of infectious disease. Macrophages can directly destroy most of the invading bacteria through the phagolysosomal pathway. E74‐like factor 4 (Elf4) is one of the important transcription factors that controls diverse pathogens, but the role of Elf4 in macrophage‐mediated S. aureus eradication is unknown. Our data show that Elf4 is induced by S. aureus in macrophages. Elevated expression of Elf4 results in decreased bacterial load and inflammatory responses during S. aureus infection in vivo and in vitro. Elf4‐overexpressed macrophages have decreased mTOR activity and increased lysosomal mass. Collectively, these results suggest that S. aureus induces Elf4 expression, which enhances lysosomal function and increases the capacity of macrophages to eliminate intracellular pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have become one of the most utilized adult stem cells due to their abundance and accessibility. Recent studies have shown that paracrine cytokines, exosomes, and other active substances are the main factors through which ADSCs exert their biological effects. Main body: Adipose cell-free derivatives have been recently gaining attention as potential therapeutic agents for various human diseases. These derivatives include ADSC-conditioned medium (ADSC-CM), ADSC exosomes (ADSC-Exo), and cell-free adipose tissue extracts (ATEs), all of which can be conveniently carried, stored, and transported. Currently, research on ADSC-conditioned medium (ADSC-CM) and ADSC exosomes (ADSC-Exo) is surging. Moreover, cell-free adipose tissue extracts (ATEs), obtained by purely physical methods, have emerged as the focus of research in recent years. Conclusion: Adipose cell-free derivatives delivery can promote cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, suppress cell apoptosis, and inflammation, as well as reduce oxidative stress and immune regulation. Thus, adipose cell-free derivatives have a broad therapeutic potential in many areas, as they possess anti-skin aging properties, promote wound healing, reduce scar formation, and provide myocardial protection and neuroprotection. This article summarizes these effects and reviews research progress in the use of adipose cell-free derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypertrophic scars cause cosmetic and functional problems for patients, and their treatment remains challenging. Mechanical micronization of adipose tissue can remove adipocytes and concentrate functional cells. Stromal vascular fraction (SVF)-gel is obtained by a series of simple mechanical processes, including shifting between syringes and centrifugation. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic effect of SVF-gel on hypertrophic scars. Methods: A model of hypertrophic scars was established in rabbit ears. SVF-gel and SVF cells were obtained from rabbit inguinal fat pads and injected into scars. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was used as a control. Scars were structurally characterized by histologic and immunohistochemical analyses. Expression of inflammatory and fibrogenic genes was evaluated. Results: Hypertrophic scars became less visible and softer following injection of SVF-gel or SVF cells. Dermal thickness was significantly lower in the groups treated with SVF-gel and SVF cells than in the PBS-treated group. Treatment with SVF-gel restored subcutaneous fat tissue in scars, while treatment with SVF cells and PBS did not. Injection of SVF-gel and SVF cells reduced macrophage infiltration in the dermal layer and decreased mRNA expression of interleukin-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. In addition, the level of myofibroblasts and collagen deposition were reduced in the groups treated with SVF-gel and SVF cells. Conclusions: SVF-gel has therapeutic effects on hypertrophic scars. Injection of SVF-gel into hypertrophic scars restores subcutaneous fat tissue and reduces the levels of macrophages and myofibroblasts; thus, it decreased the dermal thickness of the scar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein Kinase A catalytic subunit α (PKACα), plays an important role in the PKA and NF-κB signaling pathway in mammals. However, the function of PKACα in teleost fish remains largely unknown. In this study, PKACα from black carp (bcPKACα) has been cloned and its role in the innate immune antiviral signaling pathway was investigated. The open reading frame of bcPKACα gene contains 1056 nucleotides and the immunofluorescence assay verified that PKACα was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm. The reporter assay showed that bcPKACα expression and co-expression of bcPKACα and black carp TAK1 (bcTAK1) could activate the transcription of NF-κB. However, bcTAK1/bcIRF7-mediated IFN transcription was inhibited by bcPKACα. Knockdown of bcPKACα showed slightly enhanced antiviral activity against spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) compared with control group. Accordingly, the antiviral activity against SVCV and grass carp reovirus (GCRV) of EPC cells co-expressing bcPKACα, bcTAK1 and bcIRF7 was obviously lower than that of EPC cells co-expressing bcTAK1 and bcIRF7. The similar subcellular distribution and interaction between bcPKACα and bcTAK1 were detected by immunofluorescent staining and co-immunoprecipitation assay separately. The data generated in this study demonstrates that bcPKACα associates with bcTAK1 and positively regulates NF-κB signaling, however, negatively regulates TAK1/IRF7 signaling pathway. • bcPKACα interacted with bcTAK1. • bcPKACα positively regulates NF-κB signaling pathway. • bcPKACα negatively regulates TAK1/IRF7 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dihydroxyacetone kinase (DAK) functions as a negative regulator of melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5)-mediated interferon (IFN) production in human. To explore its role in teleost fish, DAK homologue of black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) has been cloned and characterized in this paper. The transcription of black carp DAK (bcDAK) variated in host cells in response to LPS, poly (I:C) and virus stimulation, and bcDAK was majorly distributed in the cytoplasm. Overexpressed bcDAK in EPC cells showed little IFN promoter-inducing ability in the reporter assay and no antiviral activity in plaque assay. When co-expressed with black carp MDA5 (bcMDA5) in EPC cells, bcDAK obviously inhibited bcMDA5-mediated IFN promoter transcription in reporter assay and the antiviral activity in plaque assay. The knockdown of bcDAK enhanced the antiviral activity of the host cells. The association between bcDAK and bcMDA5 has been identified through immunofluorescent staining and co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) assay. Thus, the data generated in this study support the conclusion that black carp DAK interacts with MDA5 and negatively regulates MDA5-mediated antiviral signaling. 1. bcDAK interacted with bcMDA5. 2. Overexpressed bcDAK inhibited bcMDA5-mediated IFN signaling. 3. Knocking down bcDAK enhanced host antiviral activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]