Ameliorating liver fibrosis in an animal model using the secretome released from miR-122-transfected adipose-derived stem cells

BACKGROUND Recently,the exclusive use of mesenchymal stem cell(MSC)-secreted molecules,called secretome,rather than cells,has been evaluated for overcoming the limitations of cell-based therapy,while maintaining its advantages.However,the use of na?ve secretome may not fully satisfy the specificity of each disease.Therefore,it appears to be more advantageous to use the functionally reinforced secretome through a series of processes involving physico-chemical adjustments or genetic manipulation rather than to the use na?ve secretome.AIM To determine the therapeutic potential of the secretome released from miR-122-transfected adipose-derived stromal cells(ASCs).METHODS We collected secretory materials released from ASCs that had been transfected with antifibrotic miR-122(MCM)and compared their antifibrotic effects with those of the na?ve secretome(CM).MCM and CM were intravenously administered to the mouse model of thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis,and their therapeutic potentials were compared.RESULTS MCM infusion provided higher therapeutic potential in terms of:(A)Reducing collagen content in the liver;(B)Inhibiting proinflammatory cytokines;and(C)Reducing abnormally elevated liver enzymes than the infusion of the na?ve secretome.The proteomic analysis of MCM also indicated that the contents of antifibrotic proteins were significantly elevated compared to those in the na?ve secretome.CONCLUSION We could,thus,conclude that the secretome released from miR-122-transfected ASCs has higher antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties than the na?ve secretome.Because miR-122 transfection into ASCs provides a specific way of potentiating the antifibrotic properties of ASC secretome,it could be considered as an enhanced method for reinforcing secretome effectiveness.

Superior gallstone dissolubility and safety of tert-amyl ethyl ether over methyl-tertiary butyl ether

BACKGROUND The use of methyl-tertiary butyl ether(MTBE)to dissolve gallstones has been limited due to concerns over its toxicity and the widespread recognition of the safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.The adverse effects of MTBE are largely attributed to its low boiling point,resulting in a tendency to evaporate.Therefore,if there is a material with a higher boiling point and similar or higher dissolubility than MTBE,it is expected to be an attractive alternative to MTBE.AIM To determine whether tert-amyl ethyl ether(TAEE),an MTBE analogue with a relatively higher boiling point(102°C),could be used as an alternative to MTBE in terms of gallstone dissolubility and toxicity.METHODS The in vitro dissolubility of MTBE and TAEE was determined by measuring the dry weights of human gallstones at predetermined time intervals after placing them in glass containers with either of the two solvents.The in vivo dissolubility was determined by comparing the weights of solvent-treated gallstones and control(dimethyl sulfoxide)-treated gallstones,after the direct infusion of each solvent into the gallbladder in both hamster models with cholesterol and pigmented gallstones.RESULTS The in vitro results demonstrated a 24 h TAEE-dissolubility of 76.7%,56.5%and 38.75%for cholesterol,mixed,and pigmented gallstones,respectively,which represented a 1.2-,1.4-,and 1.3-fold increase in dissolubility compared to that of MTBE.In the in vitro experiment,the 24 h-dissolubility of TAEE was 71.7%and 63.0%for cholesterol and pigmented gallstones,respectively,which represented a 1.4-and 1.9-fold increase in dissolubility compared to that of MTBE.In addition,the results of the cell viability assay and western blot analysis indicated that TAEE had a lower toxicity towards gallbladder epithelial cells than MTBE.CONCLUSION We demonstrated that TAEE has higher gallstone dissolubility properties and safety than those of MTBE.As such,TAEE could present an attractive alternative to MTBE if our findings regarding its efficacy and safety can be consistently reproduced in further subclinical and clinical studies.

Generation of induced secretome from adipose-derived stem cells specialized for disease-specific treatment:An experimental mouse model

BACKGROUND Recently,the exclusive use of mesenchymal stem cell(MSC)-secreted molecules,named as the secretome,have been evaluated for overcoming the limitations of cell-based therapy while maintaining its advantages.AIM To improve cell-free therapy by adding disease-specificity through stimulation of MSCs using disease-causing materials.METHODS We collected the secretory materials(named as inducers)released from AML12 hepatocytes that had been pretreated with thioacetamide(TAA)and generated the TAA-induced secretome(TAA-isecretome)after stimulating adipose-derived stem cells with the inducers.The TAA-isecretome was intravenously administered to mice with TAA-induced hepatic failure and those with partial hepatectomy.RESULTS TAA-isecretome infusion showed higher therapeutic potential in terms of(1)restoring disorganized hepatic tissue to normal tissue;(2)inhibiting proinflammatory cytokines(interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α);and(3)reducing abnormally elevated liver enzymes(aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase)compared to the naïve secretome infusion in mice with TAA-induced hepatic failure.However,the TAA-isecretome showed inferior therapeutic potential for restoring hepatic function in partially hepatectomized mice.Proteomic analysis of TAA-isecretome identified that antioxidant processes were the most predominant enriched biological networks of the proteins exclusively identified in the TAA-isecretome.In addition,peroxiredoxin-1,a potent antioxidant protein,was found to be one of representative components of TAA-isecretome and played a central role in the protection of TAA-induced hepatic injury.CONCLUSION Appropriate stimulation of adipose-derived stem cells with TAA led to the production of a secretome enriched with proteins,especially peroxiredoxin-1,with higher antioxidant activity.Our results suggest that appropriate stimulation of MSCs with pathogenic agents can lead to the production of a secretome specialized for protecting against the pathogen.This approach is expected to open a new way of developing various specific therapeutics based on the high plasticity and responsiveness of MSCs.