Objective To review the research progress of osteoblasts in the hematopoietic microenvironment of bone marrow and regulatory pathways and mechanisms. Methods The advances in the osteoblasts as crucial components for hematopoietic microenvironment in bone marrow, regulation to osteoblasts and hematopoietic stem cells(HSCs), and correlative singal pathways and mechanisms were introduced based on the recent related literature. Results Evidence indicates that osteoblasts are crucial components of the hematopoietic microenvironments in adult bone marrow. The osteoblasts maintainthe quiescence of primitive HSCs by the signaling receptorsligands, secreted cell factors and celladhesion molecules and by regulating other cells in the niche. The quiescent primitive HSCs persist stem cell characteristic which has unlimited selfrenewal and multipotent differentiation potential. Conclusion The further understanding of the relationship between osteoblasts and hematopoietic microenvironment should lead to development of new strategies directed toward clinical therapeutics of HSCs transplantation.
ObjectiveTo review cancer associated fibroblasts(CAFs) and its role in the evolution of gastrointestinal neoplasms. MethodDomestic and international publications in relation to CAFs and its role in the evolution of gastrointestinal neoplasms were collected and reviewed. ResultsIn the gastrointestinal cancers, as the largest number and the most important stromal cells of the tumor microenvironment, CAFs induce the homeostasis of cell microenviron-ment out of balance, promote the remodeling of the tumor metabolism and extracellular matrix(ECM), and thus impulse the generation, proliferation, invasion and metastasis of the tumor by secreting different kinds of cytokines. ConclusionsThe key role CAFs playing in the tumor generation and evolution makes themselves and the multiple relatively specific molecules they secrete a new target for prognosis and targeted therapy, and this gives us a new idea for the combined treatment of gastrointestinal tumor or any other tumors.
In the tumor microenvironment, tumor-associated macrophage, as polarized macrophages M2 phenotype, can promote tumor progression and affect the prognosis of cancer. Significant attention has been drawn towards tumor-associated macrophage in recent years. In this review, we describe the polarization state of macrophages determined by tumor microenvironment and the recruitment of tumor-associated macrophage. We also pay special attention to the interaction between tumor-associated macrophages and tumors, discuss and summarize various targeted therapy strategies for tumor-associated macrophages, aiming to provide a reference for the future development of these novel and effective anti-cancer treatments.
ObjectiveTo understand the single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and its research progress in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of breast cancer, in order to provide new ideas and directions for the research and treatment of breast cancer. MethodThe development of scRNA-seq technology and its related research literature in breast cancer TME at home and abroad in recent years was reviewed. ResultsThe scRNA-seq was a quantum technology in high-throughput sequencing of mRNA at the cellular level, and had become a powerful tool for studying cellular heterogeneity when tissue samples were fewer. While capturing rare cell types, it was expected to accurately describe the complex structure of the TME of breast cancer. ConclusionsAfter decades of development, scRNA-seq has been widely used in tumor research. Breast cancer is a malignant tumor with high heterogeneity. The application of scRNA-seq in breast cancer research can better understand its tumor heterogeneity and TME, and then promote development of personalized diagnosis and treatment.
ObjectiveTo summarize the methods and research progress of imaging evaluation of liver iron concentration.MethodsThe current status and progress of different imaging techniques in liver iron overload research were reviewed by studying the relevant literatures at home and abroad. The methods for determining liver iron concentration and their advantages and disadvantages were summarized.ResultsThe imaging methods for determining liver iron concentration mainly included traditional non-enhanced CT and dual energy CT examination, magnetic resonance signal intensity ratio, relative signal intensity index, T2 and R2 values, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, T2* and R2* values, susceptibility weighted imaging, and quantitative susceptibility mapping.ConclusionLiver iron quantification imaging method, including dual-energy CT and magnetic resonance imaging could non-invasively and accurately assess the liver iron overload.
Stem cells have been regarded with promising application potential in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine due to their self-renewal and multidirectional differentiation abilities. However, their fate is relied on their local microenvironment, or niche. Recent studied have demonstrated that biophysical factors, defined as physical microenvironment in which stem cells located play a vital role in regulating stem cell committed differentiation. In vitro, synthetic physical microenvironments can be used to precisely control a variety of biophysical properties. On this basis, the effect of biophysical properties such as matrix stiffness, matrix topography and mechanical force on the committed differentiation of stem cells was further investigated. This paper summarizes the approach of mechanical models of artificial physical microenvironment and reviews the effects of different biophysical characteristics on stem cell differentiation, in order to provide reference for future research and development in related fields.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in normal-sized lymph node metastasis of colorectal cancer.MethodThe relevant literatures published recently at domestic and abroad about USPIO enhanced MRI in normal-sized lymph node metastasis of colorectal cancer were collected and reviewed.ResultsUSPIO, a kind of lymph node targeted magnetic resonance contrast agent, could be used to evaluate lymph node metastasis of malignant tumors. USPIO enhanced MRI could detect normal-sized lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer effectively compared with normal MRI. It provided a higher diagnostic performance than normal enhanced MRI. In addition, USPIO enhanced MRI could also distinguish inflammatory and metastatic lymph nodes better that were difficult to be distinguished by normal enhanced MRI.ConclusionUSPIO enhanced MRI shows a certain potential for clinical application in detecting normal-sized lymph node metastasis of colorectal cancer, but it has not been widely used in China.
ObjectiveTo analyze the correlation between the molecular biological information of SMARCA4-deficient non-small cell lung cancer (SMARCA4-dNSCLC) and its clinical prognosis, and to explore the spatial features and molecular mechanisms of interactions between cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of SMARCA4-dNSCLC. MethodsUsing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), this study conducted functional enrichment analysis on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in SMARCA4-dNSCLC and depicted its genomic variation landscape. Through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and a combination of 10 different machine learning algorithms, patients in the training group were divided into a low-risk group and a high-risk group based on a median risk score (RiskScore). A corresponding prognostic prediction model was established, and on this basis, a nomogram was constructed to predict the 1, 3, and 5-year survival rates of patients. K-M survival curves, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and time-dependent ROC curves were drawn to evaluate the predictive ability of the model. External datasets from GEO further validated the prognostic value of the prediction model. In addition, we also evaluated the immunological characteristics of the TME of the prognostic model. Finally, using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptome (ST), we explored the spatial features of interactions between cells in the TME of SMARCA4-dNSCLC, intercellular communication, and molecular mechanisms. ResultsA total of 56 patients were included in the training group, including 38 males and 18 females, with a median age of 62 (56-70) years. There were 28 patients in both the low-risk and high-risk groups. A total of 474 patients were included in the training group, including 265 males and 209 females, with a median age of 65 (58-70) years. A risk score model composed of 8 prognostic feature genes (ELANE, FSIP2, GFI1B, GPR37, KRT81, RHOV, RP1, SPIC) was established. Compared with patients in the low-risk group, those in the high-risk group showed a more unfavorable prognostic outcome. Immunological feature analysis revealed differences in the infiltration of various immune cells between the low-risk and high-risk groups. ScRNA-seq and ST analyses found that interactions between cells were mainly through macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) signaling pathways (MIF-CD74+CXCR4 and MIF-CD74+CD44) via ligand-receptor pairs, while also describing the niche interactions of the MIF signaling pathway in tissue regions. ConclusionThe 8-gene prognostic model constructed in this study has certain predictive accuracy in predicting the survival of SMARCA4-dNSCLC. Combining the ScRNA-seq and ST analyses, cell-to-cell crosstalk and spatial niche interaction may occur between cells in the TME via the MIF signaling pathway (MIF-CD74+CXCR4 and MIF-CD74+CD44).
Objective To compare and research the process of woundhealing in occlusive moist environment and dry environment on the skin donor site. Methods The wound healing of adult skin donor site was studied by clinical observation, histological and electromicroscopical examinations on the operative day and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th days postoperatively, each skin donor site was divided into two parts: occlusive environment and dry environment. Results The wounds of occlusive moist environment healed faster than those of dry environment; thefibroblasts were more active and activated earlier, revascularization and re-epithelialization happened earlier and more quickly. Conclusion In occlusive environment, more active fibroblasts can accelerate granulation growth; quicker regenerative capillaries bring more nourishment; quicker re-epithelialization accelerates the wound healing.
ObjectiveTo explore optimal conditions of isolation, culture and labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) in vitro of rat bone marrow endothelial progenitor cells, and lay the foundations for the further EPCs tracer study in vivo. MethodsThe EPCs derived from rat bone marrow were isolated and cultured by using density gradient centrifugation, which were labeled with different concentrations SPIO, Prussian blue staining was used to detect the cells labeling rate, MTT assay was used to detect the cells proliferation activity, and Trypan blue staining was used to detect the cells vitality. ResultsEPCs gradually growed in monolayer arrangement about 7 d after cultured. When the concentration of SPIO was 50μg/mL, the highest labeling rate of Prussian blue staining was 90%, the growth state of labeled EPCs were good, and could normal adherent growth and passage. At this time, the cell viability and proliferation activity were the highest through trypan blue staining and MTT assay. ConclusionsEPCs can be labeled with SPIO easily and efficiently when the concentration was 50μg/mL?without interference on the viability and proliferation activity, which lay the foundations for the further EPCs tracer study in vivo.