Month: August 2020

The Role of TGF-β3 on Mesenchymal Stem Cell Chondrogenesis and the Potential for Therapeutic Use in Osteoarthritis

August 12, 2020 Peter Duong
Peter Duong Osteoarthritis (OA), currently the most common form of arthritis, is a progressive degenerative disease affecting the joint cartilage and surrounding joint infrastructure1,2. Treatments for OA are limited to pain relief and functional rehabilitation1,2. Regeneration of cartilage in the affected joint(s) provide potential solutions to reverse degeneration of joint…
Orthopedics Stem Cells

Role of Matrix Metalloproteases (MMP) Inhibitors in Decreasing Permeability of the Blood-Brain Barrier and Modulation of Inflammatory Response during Ischemic Stroke

August 11, 2020 Ashmi Patel
Ashmi Patel Introduction. Stroke outco me is dependent on several factors including the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) by matrix metalloproteases (MMPs).2  In ischemia, MMP-2 and MMP-9 degrade claudin-5, which facilitates the increased permeability of the BBB and decrease in tight junction proteins (TJPs).2  MMP-9 cleaves ZO-1 and degrades…
Cardiology Inflammation

The Role of Allogeneic Stem Cell Therapy in Treatment of Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis by Immunomodulating the Treg and Th17 Balance

August 11, 2020 Dariusz Mrugala
Dariusz Mrugala Introduction.  Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic progressive autoimmune disease which primarily affects the distal articular joints, and especially the hands.1  The interaction of heritable risk factors like HLA-DR04, and environmental risk factors such as smoking, promote a loss of immune tolerance for self-antigens which leads to immune…
Immunology Stem Cells

Role of the Tumor Suppressor Gene p53 in Pathogenesis of Maladaptive Cardiac Hypertrophy Following a Pressure-Overloaded State

August 11, 2020 Amelia Khoo
Amelia Khoo Introduction.  Heart disease and its resulting pathology is the leading cause of death worldwide.1 Cardiovascular mortality can result from overwork of tissue following pressure-overloaded states such as chronic systemic hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, and aortic stenosis.  Two of the manifestations of  these disease states are maladaptive hypertrophy of the…
Cardiology

Decreased Risk of Heart Failure in Type II Diabetic Patients due to Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors

August 11, 2020 Frederick Wang
Frederick Wang Introduction.  Heart failure is a progressive disease resulting in inadequate blood flow and poor systemic nutrient exchange.  Alarmingly, the coexistence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and heart failure is extremely high, affecting 30-40% of patients, and is associated with higher heart failure hospitalizations and cardiovascular-related mortality.1,2 T2DM…
Cardiology

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Suppress Cartilage Degradation via A WNT5A-Dependent Mechanism: Implications for Osteoarthritis Therapy

August 11, 2020 R. Kenneth Sims IV
Kenneth Sims IV Introduction.  Osteoarthritis (OA) is a “wear-and-tear” disease in which synovial joints, such as the knee or shoulder, degenerate over time. This disease can cause significant pain and immobility, and there is a need for therapy beyond symptomatic management.  Within the OA joint, chondrocytes lose the ability to…
Orthopedics Stem Cells