Stem Cells

Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hiPSC-MSCs) have emerged as a promising alternative for stem cell transplantation therapy. Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-Exos) can play important roles in repairing injured tissues.

Analysis of cellular mechanotransduction, the mechanism by which cells convert mechanical signals into biochemical responses, has focused on identification of critical mechanosensitive molecules and cellular components.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs; also called mesenchymal stromal cells) have received much attention during the last two decades, at first because of their regeneration capacity and poor immunogenicity and, more recently, because of their proved immunomodulatory function.

Shock wave therapy (SWT) represents a clinically widely used angiogenic and thus regenerative approach for the treatment of ischaemic heart or limb disease. We hypothesize that SWT causes cellular cavitation without damaging the target cells, thus liberating cytoplasmic RNA that in turn activates TLR3.

Cell-based therapies with autologous adipose tissue–derived cells have shown great potential in several clinical studies in the last decades. Although possible clinical applications of autologous adipose tissue– derived cells are manifold, they are limited by insufficient uniformity in cell identity and regenerative potency.

One of the mainstays of facial rejuvenation strategies is volume restoration, which can be achieved by autologous fat grafting. In our novel approach, we treated the adipose tissue harvest site with extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in order to improve the quality of the regenerative cells.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) are both used for the treatment of soft tissue injuries in horses. Clinically, the question has been raised whether these two therapies could be used in combination. The hypothesis of this study was the application of ESWT to PRP would increase the release of platelet derived growth factors (PDGF) and transforming growth factors beta 1 (TGF) from platelets.

Results: ESWT enhances cell proliferation in vitro and wound healing in vivo. Conclusion: ESWT-induced ATP release and subsequent extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation are prerequisites for enhanced cell proliferation and wound healing.

ESWT may potentially be a HART modality that could improve quality of life and reduce the socioeconomic burden associated with the global epidemic of T1DM.

Our results demonstrate for the first time that hMSCs express functional P2X7 receptors and that shockwave treatment induces osteogenic differentiation by stimulating these P2X7 receptors by the release of cellular ATP.