RPE and Stem Cell Therapy

acceptedVersionPeer reviewe

microRNAs: Small molecules with a large impact on colorectal cancer

peer reviewedColorectal cancer (CRC) accounts for one of the main cancer-related mortality and morbidity worldwide. The molecular mechanisms of CRC development have been broadly investigated and, over the last decade, it has become evident that aberrant transcription of microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small, noncoding RNA molecules, has a significant role in the inception and promotion of CRC. In the involved tissues of CRC, the transcription profile of miRNAs is modulated, and their expression templates are related with prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes. Here, in the current review, we attempted to discuss the latest information regarding the aberrantly expressed miRNAs in CRC and the advantages of utilizing miRNAs as biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis of CRC as well as potential therapeutic application. The effect of miRNAs involved in various signaling pathways, primarily p53, EGFR, Wnt, and TGF-β pathways, was clarified. © 2021 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc

Hemostatic properties and the role of cell receptor recognition in human hair keratin protein hydrogels

Driven by new discoveries in stem-cell biology and regenerative medicine, there is broad interest in biomaterials that go beyond basic interactions with cells and tissues to actively direct and sustain cellular behavior. Keratin biomaterials have the potential to achieve these goals but have been inadequately described in terms of composition, structure, and cell-instructive characteristics. In this manuscript we describe and characterize a keratin-based biomaterial, demonstrate self-assembly of cross-linked hydrogels, investigate a cell-specific interaction that is dependent on the hydrogel structure and mediated by specific biomaterial-receptor interactions, and show one potential medical application that relies on receptor binding - the ability to achieve hemostasis in a lethal liver injury model. Keratin biomaterials represent a significant advance in biotechnology as they combine the compatibility of natural materials with the chemical flexibility of synthetic materials. These characteristics allow for a system that can be formulated into several varieties of cell-instructive biomaterials with potential uses in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, drug and cell delivery, and trauma

Transitioning from intravenous to subcutaneous vedolizumab in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (TRAVELESS)

Background and aims: subcutaneous (SC) vedolizumab presents the opportunity for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients to manage their treatment at home. There is currently no data on the process of transitioning patients established on intravenous (IV) to SC as part of routine clinical care. The aim of this programme is to evaluate the clinical and biochemical outcomes of switching a cohort of IBD patients established on IV vedolizumab to SC 12 weeks following the transition.Methods: 178 adult patients were offered the opportunity to transition to SC vedolizumab. Patients who agreed were reviewed prior to switching and at week 12 (W12) after their first SC dose. Evaluation outcomes included disease activity scores, the IBD-Control patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and faecal calprotectin (FCP). Reasons for patients declining or accepting transitioning, pharmacokinetics, adverse drug reactions and risk factors for a poor outcome in SARS-CoV-2 infection were also assessed.Results: 124 patients agreed to transition, of which 106 patients had been on IV vedolizumab for at least 4 months. There were no statistically significant differences in disease activity scores or IBD-Control PROMs between baseline and W12. A statistically significant increase in FCP was observed (31µg/g vs. 47µg/g; p=0.008), although this was unlikely to be clinically relevant. The most common adverse drug reaction reported was injection site reactions (15%). Based on this cohort of patients, an expected reduction of £572,000 per annum is likely to be achieved.Conclusions: transitioning patients established on IV vedolizumab to SC appears to be safe and effective, with high patient satisfaction and multiple benefits for the health service.</p