Tendon and ligament injuries are frequent in sport horses and are prone to recurrence due to incomplete healing. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are increasingly used, but data controlled on the early effects of autologous MSCs remain limited. A prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in horses with naturally occurring tendinopathies. After standardized PRP pretreatment, non-responders were randomized to receive intralesional autologous muscle-derived MSCs (mdMSCs, n = 17) or placebo (n = 6). Clinical and ultrasonographic parameters were evaluated at the recruitment period (T0) before the administration of the local treatment (T1), 4 (T2) and 8 weeks later (T3). Eighteen horses from both groups received at T2 a second intralesional injection of mdMSCs at the investigator's discretion; this phase was not randomized. Horses treated with mdMSCs showed significant improvements from T1 to T2 across both clinical and ultrasonographic parameters, whereas no significant changes were observed in the placebo group. Between-group comparison at T2 confirmed the significant superiority of mdMSCs. Further improvements were observed between T2 and T3 in the 18 horses that received a second injection. No systemic adverse events were recorded, and local reactions were mild and transient. This randomized controlled trial demonstrates early clinical and ultrasonographic efficacy of autologous mdMSCs in equine tendinopathy, with additional benefit from a second injection. The autologous approach combines efficacy and safety while avoiding the immunological and logistical constraints of allogeneic strategies.

Cultured meat, a sustainable alternative to conventional meat, addresses ethical and environmental challenges in livestock production. Its production relies on bovine muscle stem cells from adult muscle or fetal tissue, whose proliferation and differentiation vary with age and developmental stage. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these variations remain unclear. RNA sequencing was performed to characterize the transcriptomic landscape of bovine muscle stem cells across developmental stages, including myogenic maturation. Differentially expressed genes and key signaling pathways regulating myogenesis were identified, and the functional impact of modulating the AKT-autophagy pathway on differentiation was assessed. Transcriptomic analysis revealed distinct age-dependent gene expression patterns. It was possible to classify cells into three categories: young undifferentiated, young differentiated, and old differentiated. Young undifferentiated-like cells exhibited upregulation of genes associated with active states during the transitions from quiescence to activation and, ultimately, to commitment, indicating that they had robust differentiation potential. In contrast, aged myogenic samples displayed gene expression profiles that acted as barriers to efficient myogenic differentiation. Notably, modulation of the AKT-autophagy pathway both facilitated the production of very mature myogenic cells and prevented spontaneous differentiation, thereby preserving differentiation capacity in vitro. These findings provide insights into age-dependent muscle stem cell differentiation and suggest strategies to optimize cultured meat production. The appropriate modulation of key signaling pathways may help us to overcome major challenges in achieving scalable and efficient cultured meat manufacturing.

In the original publication [...].

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a highly aggressive bone cancer with limited therapeutic options. Carnosic acid (CA), a phenolic diterpene with well-established antioxidant properties, has shown anticancer activity, yet its mechanisms in OS remain unclear. In this study, we found that CA suppressed proliferation and induced apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanistically, CA activated the STING/IRF3 signaling pathway and enhanced nitric oxide (NO) production, factors closely linked to redox modulation and mitochondrial apoptotic signaling. Pharmacological inhibition or siRNA-mediated knockdown of STING, as well as blockade of NO synthesis, significantly reduced CA-induced apoptosis in vitro. In a xenograft mouse model, CA treatment suppressed tumor growth, and this effect was partially reversed by STING inhibition. These findings suggest that CA exerts antitumor effects in OS through modulation of innate immune and redox-related signaling pathways, supporting its potential as a therapeutic compound that links antioxidant and immunomodulatory actions.

Pathological accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is implicated in several diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and aging. However, ROS play essential roles in cellular functions, including proliferation, differentiation, and immune responses, at physiological levels. In megakaryocytes, the cells responsible for producing platelets, ROS exert context-dependent effects, either promoting or impairing maturation depending on developmental stage and subcellular localization. In this review, we summarize current evidence demonstrating that balanced ROS signaling is required throughout megakaryocyte development. Further, we discuss how the source and timing of ROS generation determine their distinct stage-specific functions, and the role of ROS dysregulation in defective platelet production in conditions such as aging, inflammation, and hematopoietic stress. We further highlight the importance of redox regulation for efficient in vitro platelet manufacturing. Although stem cell-derived platelets hold great promise for addressing global platelet shortages, current systems produce significantly fewer platelets than are found naturally. We propose that limited understanding and poor control of ROS dynamics contribute to limited platelet yield and quality. By viewing ROS as tunable biological signals rather than solely as harmful byproducts, we emphasize redox modulation as a practical and actionable approach to enhance platelet biogenesis and support the development of next-generation platelet therapies.

Melanoma is an aggressive cancer characterized by a rapid metastatic process. Thus, understanding the mechanisms underlying its progression is urgently needed to improve patient outcomes. In this regard, there is consistent evidence of a tumor-sustaining crosstalk between melanoma and subcutaneous adipose tissue; however, the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in this communication still needs to be clarified. We demonstrated that the EVs derived from adipocytes did not alter melanoma cell proliferation but significantly promoted tumor cell migration and invasion by determining an enrichment in mesenchymal markers, such as N-cadherin and vimentin. In particular, these changes were accompanied by the transition towards a stem-like phenotype, characterized by enhanced spherogenic ability and ABCG2 upregulation; interestingly, this led to a reduced in vitro response to the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib. Mechanistically, an increase in PGC-1α expression was found, resulting in higher mitochondrial mass and activity, ATP synthesis, and ROS overproduction; of note, treatment of melanoma cells with SR-18292 and XCT790, two inactivators of mitochondrial biogenesis, and N-acetylcysteine, a ROS scavenger, successfully counteracted the above EV-related effects, suggesting that mitochondrial function could be targeted to suppress the vesicular interactions between adipose tissue and melanoma. Taken together, these results highlight the crucial role played by EVs in melanoma stroma, pointing out the ability of adipocyte-derived vesicles to sustain cancer aggressiveness via PGC-1α-dependent mitochondrial reprogramming.

Epigenetic dysregulation is a central driver of cancer progression, therapeutic resistance, and phenotypic plasticity. Among epigenetic mechanisms, microRNAs (miRNAs) and DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) engage in reciprocal regulatory interactions that extend beyond transient gene control. Emerging evidence indicates that DNMT-miRNA feedback loops function as epigenetic memory units, stabilizing malignant cell states and enabling durable phenotypic inheritance even after removal of initiating stimuli under conditions shaped by persistent redox and stress signaling cues. In this review, we synthesize mechanistic, computational, and translational studies demonstrating how double-negative DNMT-miRNA feedback architectures generate bistable regulatory circuits that lock cancer cells into epithelial-mesenchymal transition, stem-like, and therapy-resistant states through redox-sensitive regulatory thresholds rather than static epigenetic alterations. This framework provides a unifying explanation for why transient environmental or therapeutic cues can induce long-lasting epigenetic reprogramming and why conventional single-target epigenetic inhibitors often fail to achieve durable clinical responses. Building on this concept, we propose that herbal medicines and plant-derived phytochemicals act as epigenetic reset signals capable of destabilizing pathological epigenetic attractor states encoded by DNMT-miRNA memory circuits by modulating intracellular redox balance and redox-responsive signaling pathways. Owing to their multi-component and systems-level regulatory properties, herbal interventions modulate miRNA expression, DNMT activity, and upstream stress-responsive pathways in a coordinated manner, facilitating transitions from memory-dominated states toward renewed epigenetic plasticity. We further discuss the translational implications of combining miRNA-based therapies with herbal medicine as a strategy for epigenetic reprogramming rather than transient suppression within a redox-guided therapeutic framework. Finally, we address key challenges and clinical feasibility considerations, including delivery, heterogeneity, and safety, and outline future directions for biomarker-guided and systems-informed epigenetic therapies that incorporate redox state as a functional determinant of epigenetic responsiveness. By reframing DNMT-miRNA interactions through the lens of epigenetic memory, this review highlights miRNA-herbal combination strategies as a forward-looking approach for overcoming therapeutic resistance and achieving durable reprogramming in cancer through selective manipulation of redox-sensitive epigenetic signaling circuits.

Excessive oxidative stress can cause irreversible cytotoxic damage to both healthy and cancer cells through the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated lipid peroxidation. Ferroptosis has recently been shown to promote lipid peroxidation due to the over-accumulation of iron. Although cancer cells possess elevated antioxidant capacity to neutralize chemotherapy-induced oxidative stress, the co-delivery of polyphenol compounds such as curcumin (CUR) can overwhelm these defenses by elevating intracellular ROS levels to a toxic threshold, thereby increasing anticancer efficacy. In this study, we evaluated the potential of CUR to chemosensitize doxorubicin (DOX) towards the DOX-resistant lung cell line (H69AR). Our results demonstrated that the combination of DOX and CUR resulted in a concentration-dependent behavior, where low-dose concentrations exhibited antagonistic effects, while high-dose IC50-equivalent concentrations shifted towards synergism. The combination induced significantly greater mitochondrial dysfunction, ATP depletion, cytochrome C release, and caspase-3 activation. This also resulted in excessive ROS generation, intracellular iron overload, and lipid peroxidation, accompanied by a reduction in antioxidant enzymatic activities. Pretreatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (ROS inhibitor) and ferrostatin-1 (ferroptosis inhibitor) further supported the involvement of oxidative stress and ferroptosis in modulating apoptosis and DNA fragmentation. Molecular docking analyses supported the binding of CUR and DOX to key ferroptosis regulators. This study shows the potential of CUR to sensitize DOX-resistant cancer cells through ferroptosis-linked-oxidative stress targeting.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading global cause of mortality, largely due to the limited regenerative capacity of adult human myocardium. Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) offer a scalable platform for cardiac repair and disease modeling; however, their persistent metabolic immaturity-characterized by reliance on glycolysis, reduced oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), and structurally underdeveloped mitochondria-limits functional integration and long-term therapeutic efficacy. Recent advances indicate that targeted metabolic reprogramming can enhance mitochondrial biogenesis, increase ATP production, and improve stress resilience in iPSC-CMs. This review examines the complementary integration of CRISPR-based metabolic engineering and extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated metabolic modulation as a systems-level strategy for cardiac maturation. We discuss CRISPR activation, interference, and epigenome-editing approaches targeting regulators such as PGC-1α, TFAM, and PPARs to promote stable enhancement of mitochondrial networks and respiratory capacity. In parallel, engineered EVs delivering miRNAs, metabolic enzymes, and redox modulators provide non-genomic mechanisms to optimize bioenergetic function and mitigate oxidative stress. By synthesizing mechanistic insights, quantitative bioenergetic metrics, and translational considerations, we propose CRISPR-EV synergy as a precision framework for durable metabolic maturation of iPSC-CMs, with implications for regenerative therapy, pharmacologic screening, and myocardial repair.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease for which there is currently no cure. Dominant mutations in the TARDBP gene are causative of ALS. In particular, the p. G376D substitution in TDP-43 causes familial ALS and it is associated with TDP-43 mislocalization in the cytosol, increased presence of cytoplasmic aggregates, and lysosomal and mitochondrial dysfunction. We previously designed a small interfering RNA (siRNA) that specifically targets and silences the mutant allele and we demonstrated that, in patient-derived fibroblasts, it can reduce TDP-43 aggregation, decrease oxidative stress, and improve cell viability. Here, we investigated the ability of this siRNA to revert some ALS-associated pathological phenotypes in motor neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), as motor neurons are the primary cells affected in ALS. siRNA treatment reduced TDP-43 mislocalization, enhanced lysosomal function and cell viability, and decreased oxidative stress. These findings indicate that this allele-specific siRNA effectively reverses key ALS-related cellular deficits in motor neurons, representing a promising candidate for targeted therapy in patients carrying the TDP-43 G376D mutation.

Pulp necrosis remains a significant clinical challenge in dentistry, as current therapeutic approaches fail to achieve functional pulp regeneration. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), as crucial mediators of intercellular communication, offer new opportunities for regenerative strategies. In this study, we focus on CD24+ human dental papilla cells (CD24+ hDPCs), a functionally defined subpopulation previously characterized as having superior regenerative potential, and evaluate the regenerative potential of their derived EVs (CD24+ EVs) in pulp-like tissue regeneration. CD24+ EVs significantly enhanced the proliferation, migration, and osteo/odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and markedly promoted endothelial tube formation in vitro. In a treated dentin matrix (TDM)-based ectopic regeneration model, CD24+ EVs increased cellular accumulation within the regenerated tissue and robust angiogenesis, inducing the formation of well-organized, highly vascularized pulp-like tissue with dense cellular architecture and positive DSPP expression. Together, these findings suggest that CD24+ EVs concurrently enhance cell migration, odontogenic differentiation, and angiogenesis, and support a promising cell-assisted EV strategy grounded in functionally defined cellular subpopulations for pulp-like tissue regeneration.

Three-dimensional (3D) organoid and co-culture models have emerged as transformative tools for studying human endometrial function, implantation, and placental development, overcoming key limitations of animal and two-dimensional in vitro systems. This review synthesises available information of recent advances in endometrial epithelial organoids (EEOs), trophoblast organoids (TBOs), and increasingly complex co-culture platforms incorporating stromal, vascular, and trophoblast compartments to model epithelial-stromal crosstalk, decidualisation, angiogenesis, and embryo implantation. Emerging developments include assembloid systems, synthetic and semi-synthetic extracellular matrices, and microfluidic organ-on-a-chip technologies that enable long-term culture, hormonal responsiveness, and patient-specific modelling. These approaches have recapitulated key features of the mid-secretory endometrium, placental villous architecture, trophoblast differentiation, and early implantation events while revealing disease-associated dysfunctions in conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and endometrial cancer. Despite significant progress, current models remain limited by incomplete cellular diversity, polarity constraints, and challenges in fully modelling immune and vascular interactions. Collectively, emerging 3D organoid and co-culture systems provide physiologically relevant platforms to interrogate human reproductive biology, elucidate mechanisms underlying implantation failure and placental disease, and support the development of personalised therapeutic strategies to improve reproductive outcomes.

Apigenin, a naturally occurring flavonoid with low toxicity, exhibits anticancer activity, yet its effects on microRNAs (miRNAs) and downstream gene networks in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain unclear. Here, we evaluated apigenin's antitumor effects in TE-1 and Eca-109 cells, assessing proliferation, apoptosis, colony formation, and invasion. Differentially expressed miRNAs were identified via small RNA sequencing, and candidate target genes were predicted, annotated using GO and KEGG analyses, and validated by qRT-PCR, revealing miRNA-mediated regulatory mechanisms underlying apigenin's inhibitory effects in ESCC. Apigenin markedly suppressed cell proliferation, clonogenic growth, wound closure, and invasive capacity, while promoting apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. In TE-1 cells, apigenin upregulated hsa-let-7c-3p, hsa-miR-374c-3p, hsa-miR-3177-3p hsa-miR-4454, and hsa-miR-4728-3p, while downregulating hsa-miR-573, hsa-miR-548az-5p, hsa-miR-33b-5p, hsa-miR-4479, and hsa-miR-3198. Correspondingly, tumor-associated target genes including ALDH3A2, SEMA3F, MAP4K5, and TRIP13 were upregulated, whereas PIK3IP1, AGO2, MMP2, and RALBP1 were suppressed. In Eca-109 cells, apigenin altered the expression of distinct miRNAs, including the upregulation of hsa-miR-891-5p, hsa-miR-3170, hsa-miR-4421, and hsa-miR-675-5p and the downregulation of hsa-miR-153, hsa-miR-3188, and hsa-miR-4435, thereby modulating key oncogenic targets such as MAPK1, SALL4, and COX15. Functional enrichment analyses indicated that apigenin-regulated genes are involved in multiple cancer-related pathways across cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments. Overall, these results suggest that apigenin suppresses ESCC progression via coordinated miRNA-mRNA regulation, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent.

Adipose tissue engineering (ATE) is an interdisciplinary field integrating materials science, cell biology, and engineering, aiming to construct functional artificial adipose tissue for addressing adipose tissue deficiency, metabolic disorders, and related clinical challenges. This review systematically summarizes the core advances, critical limitations, and translational potential of ATE. First, we elaborate on the three fundamental elements of ATE: scaffold materials (hydrogels, porous materials, microspheres, fibrous materials, decellularized extracellular matrix, 3D-printed/bioprinted scaffolds, and prevascularized constructs), seed cells (adipose-derived stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, etc.), and growth factors (vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, etc.), as well as their synergistic regulatory roles in adipose tissue regeneration. We then discuss the key factors influencing adipogenic differentiation and vascularization, which are pivotal for the formation of functional ATE constructs. Furthermore, we detail the construction and evaluation of in vitro and in vivo ATE models, highlighting the value of large animal models in bridging preclinical and clinical gaps. The applications of ATE in soft tissue repair and reconstruction, drug screening and disease modeling, and cultured meat manufacturing are comprehensively analyzed, with emphasis on technical challenge across different directions. Finally, we discuss the core challenges hindering ATE clinical translation, including lack of standardization of adipose-derived stem cells, immunogenicity issues, regulatory barriers, and technical limitations, and propose targeted future perspectives. This review provides a comprehensive and critical overview of ATE, offering guidance for promoting its translation from preclinical research to clinical practice and industrial application.

Corneal scarring (fibrosis) is a blinding condition affecting millions of sufferers worldwide. It is not only in common ocular injuries but also in genetically inherited rare diseases such as epidermolysis bullosa (EB), keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness (KID) syndrome and aniridia. In rare diseases like EB or KID syndrome, corneal fibrosis arises from chronic inflammation, structural instability and neuro-immune dysfunction driven by genetic mutations. Current therapies are not effective in addressing the needs of affected individuals due to limited efficacy nor the considerable side effects of treatment. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) from various cell types such as mesenchymal stem cells not only possess high biocompatibility but have shown promising results in limiting corneal fibrosis. Rather than targeting a single molecular signaling pathway, EVs which contain regulatory RNAs and proteins are hypothesized to target multiple pathways synergistically. Macrophage-derived EVs (Mac-EVs) with an immunomodulatory nature may offer a promising therapeutic effect for rare diseases. Various EV delivery platforms have been proposed in preclinical studies. However, not all of these delivery techniques are appropriate for the cornea in rare diseases. In this review, we delineate recent advances in understanding corneal fibrosis from a rare disease point of view, including the impact on corneal immune cells and nerves. We then provide critical considerations of therapeutic development for corneal fibrosis in rare diseases. Furthermore, we used this knowledge to comprehensively consider the various EVs, especially Mac-EVs, synthesis methods and delivery techniques. Ultimately, this review aims to enable biomolecule researchers to develop EV-based therapies that not only exert anti-fibrotic effects but also address clinical compatibility for corneal fibrosis in rare diseases.

Myeloid epithelial reproductive tyrosine kinase (MERTK) receptor is overexpressed in cancers and is associated with poor prognosis. RGX-019-MMAE, a novel humanized IgG1-MMAE antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) (Inspirna, Inc), selectively binds to MERTK with high affinity, resulting in internalization and degradation of the receptor. It then induces cytotoxicity through the release of the payload, MMAE (monomethyl auristatin E), which disrupts mitosis.

Tonsil mesenchymal stem cells (TMSCs) are a promising regenerative medicine source but require continuous subculturing for expansion. Long-term expansion in vitro induces cellular senescence, impairing their function. This study aimed to elucidate senescence-related phenotypic alterations and regulatory mechanisms in human tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Lipid accumulation is involved in pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Progenitor cells are associated with the disease progression; however, their identity remains unclear. We therefore set out to investigate whether adipogenic differentiation occurs in rat coronary artery explants, identify progenitor cells involved, and determine the role of proliferation in this process.

Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is an adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder caused by expansion of a polyglutamine tract in the androgen receptor (AR). Here, we show that polyglutamine-expanded AR accumulates in the nucleus of motor neurons and induces aberrant upregulation of glutamatergic synaptic genes through dysfunction of the master transcriptional repressor REST during early postnatal development in a mouse model of SBMA (AR-97Q mice). Reducing mutant AR or restoring REST function using antisense oligonucleotides during the neonatal period attenuated the upregulation of glutamatergic synaptic genes and ameliorated the disease phenotype and histopathology in AR-97Q mice. Furthermore, we observed increased calcium activity in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived motor neurons from SBMA patients compared to those from healthy controls, reflecting neuronal hyperexcitability. Late-onset neurodegeneration in SBMA is attributable to early synaptic defects and the resulting hyperexcitability of motor neurons, which may represent therapeutic targets.

The 14-3-3 proteins are emerging as important modulators of osteoblast differentiation and function. Recent studies highlight specific roles of 14-3-3 paralogs in bone physiology, with their dysregulation linked to impaired skeletal homeostasis and bone-related diseases. Among these, the 14-3-3γ paralog has been implicated in bone formation, though its precise role remains unclear.In this study, we investigated the function of 14-3-3γ in the osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hASCs). Using an adenoviral system, we knocked down 14-3-3γ and assessed osteogenic markers. Tissue-Nonspecific Alkaline Phosphatase (TNAP) activity, RUNX2 protein levels, and the expression of osteogenic genes (BGLAP, SPP1) were analyzed during matrix maturation and mineralization. Calcium and collagen deposition were evaluated via Alizarin Red S and Aniline Blue staining, respectively, and compared with cells overexpressing recombinant 14-3-3γ. Proteomic profiling via quantitative mass spectrometry was performed to identify protein changes after 14-3-3γ silencing. Subcellular localization of endogenous 14-3-3γ was also examined during differentiation. Knockdown of 14-3-3γ enhanced TNAP activity and increased matrix mineralization, while its overexpression suppressed these processes. Proteomic analysis revealed enrichment of proteins related to endoplasmic reticulum stress and bone development. Furthermore, 14-3-3γ shifted from a diffuse to a peri-endoplasmic reticulum distribution, with increased colocalization with calnexin during osteogenic induction. These findings reveal a novel inhibitory role of 14-3-3γ in matrix mineralization of hASCs, suggesting that targeting this paralog may offer new avenues for therapies in bone remodeling disorders.