Inclusivity and diversity : integrating international perspectives on stem cell challenges and potential

Regenerative medicine has great potential. The pace of scientific advance is exciting and the medical opportunities for regeneration and repair may be transformative. However, concerns continue to grow, relating to problems caused both by unscrupulous private clinics offering unregulated therapies based on little or no evidence and by premature regulatory approval on the basis of insufficient scientific rationale and clinical evidence. An initiative by the InterAcademy Partnership convened experts worldwide to identify opportunities and challenges, with a focus on stem cells. This was designed to be inclusive and consensus outputs reflected the diversity of the global research population. Among issues addressed for supporting research and innovation while protecting patients were ethical assessment; pre-clinical and clinical research; regulatory authorization and medicines access; and engagement with patients, policy makers, and the public. The InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) identified options for action for sharing good practice and building collaboration within the scientific community and with other stakeholders worldwide.http://stemcellreports.cell.comdm2022Immunolog

Trichinella spiralis Excretory–Secretory Products Induce Tolerogenic Properties in Human Dendritic Cells via Toll-Like Receptors 2 and 4

Trichinella spiralis, as well as its muscle larvae excretory–secretory products (ES L1), given either alone or via dendritic cells (DCs), induce a tolerogenic immune microenvironment in inbred rodents and successfully ameliorate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. ES L1 directs the immunological balance away from T helper (Th)1, toward Th2 and regulatory responses by modulating DCs phenotype. The ultimate goal of our work is to find out if it is possible to translate knowledge obtained in animal model to humans and to generate human tolerogenic DCs suitable for therapy of autoimmune diseases through stimulation with ES L1. Here, the impact of ES L1 on the activation of human monocyte-derived DCs is explored for the first time. Under the influence of ES L1, DCs acquired tolerogenic (semi-matured) phenotype, characterized by low expression of HLA-DR, CD83, and CD86 as well as moderate expression of CD40, along with the unchanged production of interleukin (IL)-12 and elevated production of IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, compared to controls. The interaction with DCs involved toll-like receptors (TLR) 2 and 4, and this interaction was mainly responsible for the phenotypic and functional properties of ES L1-treated DCs. Importantly, ES L1 potentiated Th2 polarizing capacity of DCs, and impaired their allo-stimulatory and Th1/Th17 polarizing properties. Moreover, ES L1-treated DCs promoted the expansion of IL-10- and TGF-β- producing CD4+CD25hiFoxp3hi T cells in indolamine 2, 3 dioxygenase (IDO)-1-dependent manner and increased the suppressive potential of the primed T cell population. ES L1-treated DCs retained the tolerogenic properties, even after the challenge with different pro-inflammatory stimuli, including those acting via TLR3 and, especially TLR4. These results suggest that the induction of tolerogenic properties of DCs through stimulation with ES L1 could represent an innovative approach for the preparation of tolerogenic DC for treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders

Gland Suspension Improves Breast Augmentation Outcomes

Background:. While dual plane breast augmentation successfully addresses low ptosis grades, concomitant hypomastia and greater ptosis often requires combined immediate or staged mastopexy with extended incisions beyond those required for breast augmentation. In an attempt at offering a minimal scar in a single procedure, we evaluated the benefit of a gland suspension maneuver in addition to a dual plane dissection and implant placement to improve breast contour, avoid postoperative ptosis, and thus reduce staged reintervention procedures. Methods:. A consecutive group of 73 patients presenting ptotic hypomastia were jointly categorized and underwent implant placement, dual plane dissection level 3, and gland suspension maneuver. An age, implant volume, ptosis degree matched historical cohort was used as control (no gland suspension). All subjects were followed longer than 1 year postoperatively. Outcome analysis included reintervention rates and objective geodesic changes using objective morphometric parameters as measured by 3D scan analysis. Results:. When experimental and control cohorts were segregated according to ptosis grade, gland suspension maneuver was associated to a lower frequency of subsequent ancillary mastopexy procedures (reintervention rate) for all ptosis grades except ptosis grade III. When gland suspension was compared with ptosis equivalent control groups, gland suspension was associated to a higher upper pole volume increment and higher pole convexity and lower pole morphometry. Conclusion:. The addition of gland suspension to implant dual plane breast augmentation appears to be a clinically beneficial maneuver with measurable contour impact and appears to avoid subsequent mastopexy procedures, except for high ptosis grade candidates