Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder. Levodopa (L-DOPA) remains the gold-standard drug available for treating PD. Curcumin has many pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-amyloid, and antitumor properties. Copolymers composed of Poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) and biodegradable polyesters such as Poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) can self-assemble into nanoparticles (NPs). This study describes the development of NH₂–PEO–PCL diblock copolymer positively charged and modified by adding glutathione (GSH) on the outer surface, resulting in a synergistic delivery of L-DOPA curcumin that would be able to pass the blood–brain barrier. Methods: The NH₂–PEO–PCL NPs suspensions were prepared by using a nanoprecipitation and solvent displacement method and coated with GSH. NPs were submitted to characterization assays. In order to ensure the bioavailability, Vero and PC12 cells were treated with various concentrations of the loaded and unloaded NPs to observe cytotoxicity. Results: NPs have successfully loaded L-DOPA and curcumin and were stable after freeze-drying, indicating advancing into in vitro toxicity testing. Vero and PC12 cells that were treated up to 72 h with various concentrations of L-DOPA and curcumin-loaded NP maintained high viability percentage, indicating that the NPs are biocompatible. Conclusions: NPs consisting of NH₂–PEO–PCL were characterized as potential formulations for brain delivery of L-DOPA and curcumin. The results also indicate that the developed biodegradable nanomicelles that were blood compatible presented low cytotoxicity.

Background: Posttransplant cell tracking, via stem cell labeling, is a crucial strategy for monitoring and maximizing benefits of cell-based therapies. The structures and functionalities of polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids allow their utilization in nanotechnology systems. Materials and methods: In the present study, we analyzed the potential benefit of curcumin-loaded nanoparticles (NPC) using Vero cells (in vitro) and NPC-labeled adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (NPC-ADMSCs) (in vivo) in myocardial infarction and sciatic nerve crush preclinical models. Thereafter, transplantation, histological examination, real time imaging, and assessment of tissue regeneration were done. Results: Transplanted NPC-ADMSCs were clearly identified and revealed potential benefit when used in cell tracking. Conclusion: This approach may have broad applications in modeling labeled transplanted cells and in developing improved stem cell therapeutic strategies.

Aim. The effects of cryopreservation on adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells are not clearly documented, as there is a growing body of evidence about the importance of adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells for regenerative therapies. The aim of this study was to analyze human adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells phenotypic expression (CD34, CD45, CD73, CD90, CD105, and CD49d), colony forming unit ability, viability, and differentiation potential before and after cryopreservation. Materials and Methods. 12 samples of the adipose tissue were collected from a healthy donor using the liposuction technique. The cell isolation was performed by enzymatic digestion and then the cells were cultured up to passage 2. Before and after cryopreservation the immunophenotype, cellular viability analysis by flow cytometer, colony forming units ability, differentiation potential into adipocytes and osteoblasts as demonstrated by Oil Red O and Alizarin Red staining, respectively. Results. The immunophenotypic markers expression was largely preserved, and their multipotency was maintained. However, after cryopreservation, the cells decreased α4‐integrin expression (CD49d), cell viability, and number of colony forming units. Conclusions. These findings suggest that ADMSC transplanted after cryopreservation might compromise the retention of transplanted cells in the host tissue. Therefore, further studies are warranted to standardize protocols related to cryopreservation to attain full benefits of stem cell therapy.

Purpose: In deep burns, wound contraction and hypertrophic scar formation can generate functional derangement and debilitation of the affected part. In order to improve the quality of healing in deep second-degree burns, we developed a new treatment in a preclinical model using nanostructured membranes seeded with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Methods: Membranes were obtained by reconstitution of bacterial cellulose (reconstituted membrane [RM]) and produced by a dry-cast process, then RM was incorporated with 10% tamarind xyloglucan plus gellan gum 1:1 and 10% lysozyme (RMGT–LZ) and with 10% gellan gum and 10% lysozyme (RMG–LZ). Membrane hydrophobic/hydrophilic characteristics were investigated by static/dynamic contact-angle measurements. They were cultivated with MSCs, and cell adhesion, proliferation, and migration capacity was analyzed with MTT assays. Morphological and topographic characteristics were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. MSC patterns in flow cytometry and differentiation into adipocytes and osteocytes were checked. In vivo assays used RMG–LZ and RMGT–LZ (with and without MSCs) in Rattus norvegicus rats submitted to burn protocol, and histological sections and collagen deposits were analyzed and immunocytochemistry assay performed. Results: In vitro results demonstrated carboxyl and amine groups made the membranes moderately hydrophobic and xyloglucan inclusion decreased wettability, favoring MSC adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. In vivo, we obtained 40% and 60% reduction in acute/chronic inflammatory infiltrates, 96% decrease in injury area, increased vascular proliferation and collagen deposition, and complete epithelialization after 30 days. MSCs were detected in burned tissue, confirming they had homed and proliferated in vivo. Conclusion: Nanostructured cellulose–gellan–xyloglucan–lysozyme dressings, especially when seeded with MSCs, improved deep second-degree burn regeneration.

Identifying target microRNAs (miRNAs) might serve as a basis for developing advanced therapies for Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease. This review aims to identify the main therapeutic targets of miRNAs that can potentially act in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. The publication research was conducted from May 2021 to March 2022, selected from Scopus, PubMed, Embase, OVID, Science Direct, LILACS, and EBSCO. A total of 25 studies were selected from 1549 studies evaluated. The total number of miRNAs as therapeutic targets evidenced was 90 for AD and 54 for PD. An average detection accuracy of above 84% for the miRNAs was observed in the selected studies of AD and PD. The major signatures were miR-26b-5p, miR-615-3p, miR-4722-5p, miR23a-3p, and miR-27b-3p for AD and miR-374a-5p for PD. Six miRNAs of intersection were found between AD and PD. This article identified the main microRNAs as selective biomarkers for diagnosing PD and AD and therapeutic targets through a systematic review and meta-analysis. This article can act as a microRNA guideline for laboratory research and pharmaceutical industries for treating Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases and offers the opportunity to evaluate therapeutic interventions earlier in the disease process.

Biological scaffolds have become an attractive approach for repairing the infarcted myocardium and have been shown to facilitate constructive remodeling in injured tissues. This study aimed to investigate the possible utilization of bacterial cellulose (BC) membrane patches containing cocultured cells to limit myocardial postinfarction pathology. Myocardial infarction (MI) was induced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in 45 Wistar rats, and patches with or without cells were attached to the hearts. After one week, the animals underwent echocardiography to assess for ejection fraction and left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes. Following patch formation, the cocultured cells retained viability of >90% over 14 days in culture. The patch was applied to the myocardial surface of the infarcted area after staying 14 days in culture. Interestingly, the BC membrane without cellular treatment showed higher preservation of cardiac dimensions; however, we did not observe improvement in the left ventricular ejection fraction of this group compared to coculture-treated membranes. Our results demonstrated an important role for BC in supporting cells known to produce cardioprotective soluble factors and may thus provide effective future therapeutic outcomes for patients suffering from ischemic heart disease.