Dermal fibroblasts maintain the skin homeostasis by interacting with the epidermis and extracellular matrix. Their senescence contributes to functional defects in the skin related to aging. ...Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel therapeutic agents that could inhibit fibroblast senescence. In this study, we investigated the effects of Cistanche deserticola polysaccharide (CDP), a natural anti-inflammatory component, on the progression of senescence in human dermal fibroblasts. Normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) were cultured in passages, and highly senescent cells were selected as senescent cells. CDP treatment increased the cell proliferation in senescent NHDFs and decreased the proportion of senescence-associated-β-galactosidase-positive cells. The treatment suppressed the senescence-related secretory phenotype, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was reduced, alleviating H2O2-induced oxidative stress. CDP mitigated ROS formation via the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor/heme oxygenase-1 pathway in senescent cells and was involved in the suppression of upstream p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase. These results indicate that CDP is an antioxidant that can alleviate age-related inflammation and may be a useful compound for skin anti-aging.
Senescent cells accumulate in aging skin, causing age-related changes and a decline in functional efficiency. Therefore, senolysis, a treatment that specifically removes senescent cells and ...rejuvenates the skin, should be explored. We targeted apolipoprotein D (ApoD), a previously identified marker expressed on senescent dermal fibroblasts, and investigated a novel senolysis approach using a monoclonal antibody against this antigen and a secondary antibody conjugated with the cytotoxic drug pyrrolobenzodiazepine. Observations using fluorescently labeled antibodies revealed that ApoD functions as a surface marker of senescent cells and that the antibody is taken up and internalized only by such cells. The concurrent administration of the antibody with the PBD-conjugated secondary antibody specifically eliminated only senescent cells without harming young cells. The antibody-drug conjugate treatment of aging mice combined with the administration of antibodies reduced the number of senescent cells in the dermis of mice and improved the senescent skin phenotype. These results provide a proof-of-principle evaluation of a novel approach to specifically eliminate senescent cells using antibody-drug conjugates against senescent cell marker proteins. This approach is a potential candidate for clinical applications to treat pathological skin aging and related diseases via the removal of senescent cells.
The accumulation of senescent cells in aging tissues is associated with age-related diseases and functional decline. Thus, senolysis, a therapy aimed at rejuvenation by removing senescent cells from ...the body, is being developed. However, this therapy requires the identification of membrane surface antigens that are specifically expressed on senescent cells for their selective elimination. We showed that atypical chemokine receptor 3 (ACKR3), a receptor of the CXC motif chemokine 12 (CXCL12) implicated in cancer, inflammation, and cardiovascular disorders, is selectively expressed on the surface of senescent human fibroblasts but not on proliferating cells. Importantly, the differential presence of ACKR3 enabled the isolation of senescent cells by flow cytometry using anti-ACKR3 antibodies. Furthermore, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assays revealed that cell surface ACKR3 preferentially sensitizes senescent but not dividing fibroblasts to cell injury by natural killer cells. Conclusively, the selective expression of ACKR3 on the surface of senescent cells allows the preferential elimination of senescent cells. These results might contribute to the future development of novel senolysis approaches.
Purpose:
To evaluate the utility and efficacy of bioabsorbable hydroxyapatite and collagen complex (HA/Col) for secondary bone grafting in unilateral alveolar clefts.
Patients and Methods:
Between ...2015 and 2016, 21 patients with unilateral cleft lips and alveolar clefts were enrolled. In group I, a cancellous iliac bone graft was placed at the alveolar cleft (6 males, 5 females). In group II, a bioabsorbable HA/Col was placed at the alveolar cleft (4 males, 7 females).
Results:
The groups did not differ in age, cleft volume, or surgical duration. There was a significant difference in intraoperative blood loss between the 2 groups (6.7 ± 1.89 mL in group II vs 38.8 ± 9.73 mL in group I P < .01). The use of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia was also significantly lower in group II than in group I (2.2 ± 1.9 times vs 12.2 ± 4.4 times P < .01). Only 1 female in group II who had maxillary sinusitis did not achieve osteosynthesis. With the exception of this patient, the 12-month bone volumes in groups I and II were 0.567 ± 0.066 and 0.596 ± 0.073 mL, respectively, without significant difference (P = .18).
Conclusion:
Compared with an autogenous bone, bioabsorbable HA/Col significantly reduces postoperative pain. In addition, the use of HA/Col alone produced the same result as an autologous bone and is effective in filling the alveolar cleft.
Unlike adult mammalian wounds, early embryonic mouse skin wounds completely regenerate and heal without scars. Analysis of the underlying molecular mechanism will provide insights into scarless wound ...healing. Twist2 is an important regulator of hair follicle formation and biological patterning; however, it is unclear whether it plays a role in skin or skin appendage regeneration. Here, we aimed to elucidate Twist2 expression and its role in fetal wound healing. ICR mouse fetuses were surgically wounded on embryonic day 13 (E13), E15, and E17, and Twist2 expression in tissue samples from these fetuses was evaluated via in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Twist2 expression was upregulated in the dermis of E13 wound margins but downregulated in E15 and E17 wounds. Twist2 knockdown on E13 left visible marks at the wound site, inhibited regeneration, and resulted in defective follicle formation. Twist2-knockdown dermal fibroblasts lacked the ability to undifferentiate. Furthermore, Twist2 hetero knockout mice (Twist + /-) formed visible scars, even on E13, when all skin structures should regenerate. Thus, Twist2 expression correlated with skin texture formation and hair follicle defects in late mouse embryos. These findings may help develop a therapeutic strategy to reduce scarring and promote hair follicle regeneration.
Antiangiogenic therapy for the treatment of cancer and other neovascular diseases is desired to be selective for pathological angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Macrophage colony-stimulating factor ...(M-CSF), a cytokine required for the differentiation of monocyte lineage cells, promotes the formation of high-density vessel networks in tumors and therefore possesses therapeutic potential as an M-CSF inhibitor. However, the physiological role of M-CSF in vascular and lymphatic development, as well as the precise mechanisms underlying the antiangiogenic effects of M-CSF inhibition, remains unclear. Moreover, therapeutic potential of M-CSF inhibition in other neovascular diseases has not yet been evaluated. We used osteopetrotic (op/op) mice to demonstrate that M-CSF deficiency reduces the abundance of LYVE-1(+) and LYVE1(-) macrophages, resulting in defects in vascular and lymphatic development. In ischemic retinopathy, M-CSF was required for pathological neovascularization but was not required for the recovery of normal vasculature. In mouse osteosarcoma, M-CSF inhibition effectively suppressed tumor angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, and it disorganized extracellular matrices. In contrast to VEGF blockade, interruption of M-CSF inhibition did not promote rapid vascular regrowth. Continuous M-CSF inhibition did not affect healthy vascular and lymphatic systems outside tumors. These results suggest that M-CSF-targeted therapy is an ideal strategy for treating ocular neovascular diseases and cancer.
Adult mammalian wounds leave visible scars, whereas skin wounds in developing mouse fetuses are scarless until a certain point in development when complete regeneration occurs, including the ...structure of the dermis and skin appendages. Analysis of the molecular mechanisms at this transition will provide clues for achieving scarless wound healing. The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family is a key regulator of inflammation and fibrosis during wound healing. We aimed to determine the expression and role of FGF family members in fetal wound healing. ICR mouse fetuses were surgically wounded at embryonic day 13 (E13), E15, and E17. Expression of FGF family members and FGF receptor (FGFR) in tissue samples from these fetuses was evaluated using in situ hybridization and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Fgfr1 was downregulated in E15 and E17 wounds, and its ligand Fgf7 was upregulated in E13 and downregulated in E15 and E17. Recombinant FGF7 administration in E15 wounds suppressed fibrosis and promoted epithelialization at the wound site. Therefore, the expression level of Fgf7 may correlate with scar formation in late mouse embryos, and external administration of FGF7 may represent a therapeutic option to suppress fibrosis and reduce scarring.
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in wound healing. To analyze the roles of MMP-9 and MMP-13 in wound healing, we generated full-thickness cutaneous wounds in MMP-9 knockout (KO), ...MMP-13 KO, MMP-9/13 double KO, and wild-type mice. Macroscopic wound closure was delayed in all of the KO mice, as compared with wild-type mice. The rate of re-epithelialization was significantly delayed in MMP-9 KO and MMP-13 KO mice and remarkably delayed in MMP-9/13 double KO mice, as compared with wild-type mice. Both MMP-9 and MMP-13 were expressed by the leading edges of epidermal cells in wild-type mice, and the migration of keratinocytes was suppressed by treatment with an MMP inhibitor or transfection of small interfering RNAs for MMP-9 or MMP-13, as compared with controls. The vascular density in wound granulation was significantly lower in both MMP-13 KO and MMP-9/13 double KO mice than in wild-type mice. Degradation of connective tissue growth factor in wound tissue was transiently prevented in MMP-13 KO mice. Morphometric analyses demonstrated a reduction in both wound contraction and myofibroblast formation in both MMP-13 KO and MMP-9/13 double KO mice. Proliferation and transforming growth factor-β1-induced myofibroblast differentiation of dermal fibroblasts from MMP-13 KO mice were decreased, as compared with wild-type dermal fibroblasts. These data suggest that MMP-13 plays a role in keratinocyte migration, angiogenesis, and contraction in wound healing, while MMP-9 functions in keratinocyte migration.
Background and objectives
Photoacoustic lymphangiography, which is based on photoacoustic technology, is an optical imaging that visualizes the distribution of light absorbing tissue components like ...hemoglobin or melanin, as well as optical absorption contrast imaging agents like indocyanine green (ICG) in the lymphatic channels, with high spatial resolution. In this report, we introduce the three‐dimensional (3D) images of human lymphatic vessels obtained with photoacoustic lymphangiography.
Methods
We used the 3D photoacoustic visualization system (PAI‐05). Some healthy subjects and lymphedema patients were recruited. To image the lymphatic structures of the limbs ICG was administered subcutaneously as in fluorescence lymphangiography. Photoacoustic images were acquired by irradiating the tissue using a laser at wavelengths of near‐infrared region. On the same occasion, fluorescence images were also recorded.
Results
The lymphatic vessels up to the diameter of 0.2 mm could be observed three‐dimensionally with the venules around them. In the patient‐group, dermal backflow patterns were often observed as dense interconnecting 3D structures of lymphatic vessels. Collecting vessels passing below the dermis were also observed, which were not observed by fluorescence lymphography.
Conclusions
Photoacoustic lymphangiography provided the detailed observation of each lymphatic vessel, leading to deeper understanding of 3D structures and physiological state of the vessel.
Facial nerve paralysis interferes with mimetic muscle function. To reconstruct natural facial movement, free muscle flaps are transplanted as new muscles. However, it is difficult to maintain resting ...tonus. A dual innervation technique in which other nerves such as the hypoglossal nerve or contralateral facial nerve are added is often applied. Using 10-week-old rats (n = 10), the masseteric and hypoglossal nerves were cut, and the distal stump of the masseteric nerve and the proximal stump of the hypoglossal nerve were then sutured (suture group). In the other group, the masseteric nerve was cut and cauterized (cut group). Immunohistochemistry and microarray were performed on the extracted masseter muscle. The immunohistochemistry results suggested that the muscles in the suture group obtained oxidative characteristics. The microarray showed the genes involved in mitochondrial function, including Perm1. In summary, our data support the validity of the dualinnervation technique for facial paralysis treatment.
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