Transplantation of human meningioma stem cells loaded on a self-assembling peptide nanoscaffold containing IKVAV improves traumatic brain injury in rats.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in permanent brain function impairment due to the poor regenerative ability of neural tissue. Tissue engineering has appeared as a promising approach to promote nerve regeneration and to ameliorate brain damage. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of transplantation of the human meningioma stem-like cells (hMgSCs) seeded in a promising three-dimensional scaffold (RADA4GGSIKVAV; R-GSIK) on the functional recovery of the brain and neuroinflammatory responses following TBI in rats. After induction of TBI, hMgSCs seeded in R-GSIK was transplanted within the injury site and its effect was compared to several control groups. Application of hMgSCs with R-GSIK improved functional recovery after TBI. A significant higher number of hMgSCs was observed in the brain when transplanted with R-GSIK scaffold compared to the control groups. Application of hMgSCs seeded in R-GSIK significantly decreased the lesion volume, reactive gliosis, and apoptosis at the injury site. Furthermore, treatment with hMgSCs seeded in R-GSIK significantly inhibited the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 and its downstream signaling molecules, including interleukin-1ß and tumor necrosis factor. These data revealed the potential for hMgSCs seeded in R-GSIK to improve the functional recovery of the brain after TBI; possibly via amelioration of inflammatory responses. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Tissue engineered scaffolds that mimic the natural extracellular matrix of the brain may modulate stem cell fate and contribute to tissue repair following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Among several scaffolds, self-assembly peptide nanofiber scaffolds markedly promotes cellular behaviors, including cell survival and differentiation. We developed a novel three-dimensional scaffold (RADA16GGSIKVAV; R-GSIK). Transplantation of the human meningioma stem-like cells seeded in R-GSIK in an animal model of TBI significantly improved functional recovery of the brain, possibly via enhancement of stem cell survival as well as reduction of the lesion volume, inflammatory process, and reactive gliosis at the injury site. R-GSIK is a suitable microenvironment for human stem cells and could be a potential biomaterial for the reconstruction of the injured brain after TBI.

Changes in the expression of some genes involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in Cuminum cyminum L. under UV stress.

Biotic and abiotic stresses cause special defense reactions in plant organs, which after a series of reactions, these stresses produce secondary metabolites. The effect of ultraviolet radiation on the expression of key genes involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites (Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), GPP synthases, Deoxyribonino heptulosinate 7-phosphate synthase (DAHP), and Deoxy Xylose Phosphate Synthase (DXS)), and the association of these genes with different amounts of secondary metabolites (phenol, terpene, flavonoids, anthocyanins, alkaloids, lycopene, and beta-carotene) was investigated in this study. The results of this study showed that the application of UV-B stress significantly increased the expression of GPPs, HMG-CoA reductase, DXS, DAHPs, and PAL genes compared to the control plants. The expression of two key genes involved in the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids, including DAHPs and PAL, increased with UV-B stress, and the highest expression was related to the PAL gene. The results revealed that UV-B stress caused a significant increase in total levels of terpenoids, phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, alkaloids, beta-carotene, and lycopene. The highest relative expression of all genes was obtained in treatment A (UV-B radiation for 1 h), while in treatment B (UV-B radiation for 2 h), no significant changes were observed in the expression of the genes.

Generation of motor neurons from human amygdala-derived neural stem-like cells.

OBJECTIVES: Among several cell sources, adult human neural stem/progenitor cells (hNS/PCs) have been considered outstanding cells for performing mechanistic studies in in vitro and in vivo models of neurological disorders as well as for potential utility in cell-based therapeutic approaches. Previous studies addressed the isolation and culture of hNS/PCs from human neocortical and hippocampal tissues. However, little data are available on hNS/PCs obtained from the adult human amygdala. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study explored the capacity of the amygdala harvested from resected brain tissues of patients with medically refractory epilepsy to generate neurosphere-like bodies and motor neuron-like cells. RESULTS: Although the proliferation process was slow, a considerable amount of cells was obtained after the 3rd passage. In addition, the cells could generate motor neuron-like cells under appropriate culture conditions. CONCLUSION: Isolation and culture of these cells enable us to improve our knowledge of the role of the amygdala in some neurological and psychological disorders and provide a novel source for therapeutic cell transplantation.