MATERIAL AND METHODS: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes involved in cancer progression and are regarded as major oncotargets. Among others, MMP9 plays critical roles in tumour progression, angiogenesis, and invasion of cutaneous SCC. We aimed to determine whether the MMP9 gene is a suitable gene target for anti-cancer therapy for cutaneous SCC. We performed clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cas9 transfection of guide RNA (gRNA) targeting the MMP9 gene into human cutaneous SCC cell line A431.
RESULTS: Following CRISPR transfection treatment, the viability (p < 0.01) and migratory activities (p < 0.0001) of in vitro cutaneous SCC cells were found to be reduced significantly. The use of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) also revealed downregulation of the mRNA expression levels of cancer-promoting genes TGF-β, FGF, PI3K, VEGF-A, and vimentin. Direct inhibition of the MMP9 gene was shown to decrease survivability and metastasis of cutaneous SCC cell line A431.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provided direct evidence that MMP9 is important in the viability, proliferation, and metastasis of cutaneous SCC cells. It serves as a positive foundation for future CRISPR-based targeted anti-cancer therapies in treating skin cancer and other forms of malignancies that involve MMPs as the key determinants.
METHOD AND MATERIALS: The electronic search was carried out using PubMed/MEDLINEⓇdatabases with the keywords "tissue engineering AND meniscus" spanning the period of publications from Jan 1980 until Dec 2022.
RESULTS: The literature search identified 405 references in PubMed/MEDLINE, and 179 were selected following the eligibility requirements. The research analysis showed that the existing meniscal tissue engineering studies used a wide variety of seed cells, cytokines, bioactive materials and 3D structures. Each showed distinct advantages and disadvantages in terms of biocompatibility, degradability, mechanical strength, porosity, and etc. It was noted that 3D printing technology is promising for tissue engineering meniscus research. In addition, the optimal use of compression and hydrostatic pressure to markedly improve the functional properties of tissue-engineering meniscal can serve as an useful strategy.
CONCLUSION: This review analysed the different approaches employed for meniscus tissue engineering and regeneration. Meniscal tissue engineering still faces several major challenges in terms of seed cells, choice of materials and 3D printing strategies, which should be effectively overcome to harness the full potential of this technology.
METHODS: MSC were isolated from human bone marrow mononuclear cells based on plastic adherent properties and expanded in vitro in the culture medium. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) were characterised using microscopy, immunophenotyping, and their ability to differentiate into adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteocytes. hMSC were then injected into athymic mice, which had induced glomerulonephropathy (GN).
RESULTS: Test mice (induced GN and infused hMSC) were shown to have anti-human CD105(+) cells present in the kidneys and were also positive to anti-human desmin, a marker for mesangial cells. Furthermore, immunofluorescence assays also demonstrated that anti-human desmin(+) cells in the glomeruli of these test mice were in the proliferation stage, being positive to anti-human Ki-67.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that hMSC found in renal glomeruli differentiated into mesangial cells in vivo after glomerular injury occurred.