1.Unlocking the role of wound microbiome in diabetic, burn, and germ-free wound repair treated by natural and synthetic scaffolds.
Zeyu XU ; Lixiang ZHANG ; Qinghan TANG ; Chenxi YANG ; Xiaotong DING ; Ziyu WANG ; Rizhong HUANG ; Ruihan JIANG ; Joannake MAITZ ; Huaikai SHI ; Xin YAN ; Mei DONG ; Jun CHEN ; Yiwei WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):611-626
In current clinical practice, various dermal templates and skin substitutes are used to enhance wound healing. However, the role of wound commensal microbiome in regulating scaffold performance and the healing process remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the influence of both natural and synthetic scaffolds on the wound commensal microbiome and wound repair in three distinct models including diabetic wounds, burn injuries, and germ-free (GF) wounds. Remarkably, synthetic electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds were observed to positively promote microbiome diversity, leading to enhanced diabetic wound healing compared to the natural scaffolds Integra® (INT) and MatriDerm® (MAD). In contrast, both natural and synthetic scaffolds exhibited comparable effects on the diversity of the microbiome and the healing of burn injuries. In GF wounds with no detectable microorganisms, a reversed healing rate was noted showing natural scaffold (MAD) accelerated wound repair compared to the open or the synthetic scaffold (PCL) treatment. Furthermore, the response of the wound commensal microbiome to PCL scaffolds appears pivotal in promoting anti-inflammatory factors during diabetic wound healing. Our results emphasize that the wound commensal microbiome, mediated by different scaffolds plays an important role in the wound healing process.
2.Compound Centella asiatica formula alleviates Schistosoma japonicum-induced liver fibrosis in mice by inhibiting the inflammation-fibrosis cascade via regulating the TLR4/MyD88 pathway.
Liping GUAN ; Yan YAN ; Xinyi LU ; Zhifeng LI ; Hui GAO ; Dong CAO ; Chenxi HOU ; Jingyu ZENG ; Xinyi LI ; Yang ZHAO ; Junjie WANG ; Huilong FANG
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(6):1307-1316
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the therapeutic mechanism of compound Centella asiatica formula (CCA) for alleviating Schistosoma japonicum (Sj)-induced liver fibrosis in mice.
METHODS:
The active components and targets of CCA were identified using the TCMSP database with cross-analysis of Sj-related liver fibrosis targets. A "drug-component-target-pathway-disease" network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.1. Functional enrichment analysis (GO/KEGG) was performed using DAVID. Molecular docking study was carried out to validate interactions between the core targets and the key compounds. For experimental validation of the results, 36 mice were divided into control group, Sj-infected model group, and CCA-treated groups. In the latter two groups, liver fibrosis was induced via abdominal infection with Sj cercariae for 8 weeks, followed by 8 weeks of daily treatment with CCA decoction or saline. Hepatic pathology of the mice was assessedwith HE and Masson staining, and hepatic expressions of collagen-I and collagen-III were detected using immunohistochemistry; serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were determined with ELISA. Hepatic expressions of TLR4 and MyD88 proteins were analyzed with Western blotting.
RESULTS:
We identified a total of 107 bioactive CCA components and 791 targets, including 37 intersection targets linked to Sj-induced fibrosis. The core targets included TNF, TP53, JUN, MMP9, and CXCL8, involving the IL-17 signaling, lipid metabolism, TLR4/MyD88 axis, and cancer pathways. Molecular docking study confirmed strong binding affinity between quercetin (a primary CCA component) and TNF/TP53/JUN/MMP9. In Sj-infected mouse models, CCA treatment significantly attenuated hepatic inflammatory cell infiltration, reduced collagen-I and collagen-III deposition, improved tissue architecture, reduced serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels, and downregulated TLR4 and MyD88 expressions in the liver.
CONCLUSIONS
CCA mitigates Sj-induced liver fibrosis by targeting TNF, TP53, JUN, and MMP9 to modulate the TLR4/MyD88 pathway, thereby suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine release, inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation, reducing collagen deposition, and preventing granuloma formation in the liver.
Animals
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Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism*
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Mice
;
Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism*
;
Schistosoma japonicum
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Liver Cirrhosis/parasitology*
;
Schistosomiasis japonica
;
Signal Transduction
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Molecular Docking Simulation
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Inflammation
;
Centella/chemistry*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
3.Single-cell transcriptomics identifies PDGFRA+ progenitors orchestrating angiogenesis and periodontal tissue regeneration.
Jianing LIU ; Junxi HE ; Ziqi ZHANG ; Lu LIU ; Yuan CAO ; Xiaohui ZHANG ; Xinyue CAI ; Xinyan LUO ; Xiao LEI ; Nan ZHANG ; Hao WANG ; Ji CHEN ; Peisheng LIU ; Jiongyi TIAN ; Jiexi LIU ; Yuru GAO ; Haokun XU ; Chao MA ; Shengfeng BAI ; Yubohan ZHANG ; Yan JIN ; Chenxi ZHENG ; Bingdong SUI ; Fang JIN
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):56-56
Periodontal bone defects, primarily caused by periodontitis, are highly prevalent in clinical settings and manifest as bone fenestration, dehiscence, or attachment loss, presenting a significant challenge to oral health. In regenerative medicine, harnessing developmental principles for tissue repair offers promising therapeutic potential. Of particular interest is the condensation of progenitor cells, an essential event in organogenesis that has inspired clinically effective cell aggregation approaches in dental regeneration. However, the precise cellular coordination mechanisms during condensation and regeneration remain elusive. Here, taking the tooth as a model organ, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing to dissect the cellular composition and heterogeneity of human dental follicle and dental papilla, revealing a distinct Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) population with remarkable odontogenic potential. Interestingly, a reciprocal paracrine interaction between PDGFRA+ dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs) and CD31+ Endomucin+ endothelial cells (ECs) was mediated by Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and Platelet-derived growth factor subunit BB (PDGFBB). This crosstalk not only maintains the functionality of PDGFRA+ DFSCs but also drives specialized angiogenesis. In vivo periodontal bone regeneration experiments further reveal that communication between PDGFRA+ DFSC aggregates and recipient ECs is essential for effective angiogenic-osteogenic coupling and rapid tissue repair. Collectively, our results unravel the importance of MSC-EC crosstalk mediated by the VEGFA and PDGFBB-PDGFRA reciprocal signaling in orchestrating angiogenesis and osteogenesis. These findings not only establish a framework for deciphering and promoting periodontal bone regeneration in potential clinical applications but also offer insights for future therapeutic strategies in dental or broader regenerative medicine.
Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha/metabolism*
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Humans
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Neovascularization, Physiologic/physiology*
;
Dental Sac/cytology*
;
Single-Cell Analysis
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Transcriptome
;
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism*
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Bone Regeneration
;
Animals
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Dental Papilla/cytology*
;
Periodontium/physiology*
;
Stem Cells/metabolism*
;
Regeneration
;
Angiogenesis
4.Chromatin landscape alteration uncovers multiple transcriptional circuits during memory CD8+ T-cell differentiation.
Qiao LIU ; Wei DONG ; Rong LIU ; Luming XU ; Ling RAN ; Ziying XIE ; Shun LEI ; Xingxing SU ; Zhengliang YUE ; Dan XIONG ; Lisha WANG ; Shuqiong WEN ; Yan ZHANG ; Jianjun HU ; Chenxi QIN ; Yongchang CHEN ; Bo ZHU ; Xiangyu CHEN ; Xia WU ; Lifan XU ; Qizhao HUANG ; Yingjiao CAO ; Lilin YE ; Zhonghui TANG
Protein & Cell 2025;16(7):575-601
Extensive epigenetic reprogramming involves in memory CD8+ T-cell differentiation. The elaborate epigenetic rewiring underlying the heterogeneous functional states of CD8+ T cells remains hidden. Here, we profile single-cell chromatin accessibility and map enhancer-promoter interactomes to characterize the differentiation trajectory of memory CD8+ T cells. We reveal that under distinct epigenetic regulations, the early activated CD8+ T cells divergently originated for short-lived effector and memory precursor effector cells. We also uncover a defined epigenetic rewiring leading to the conversion from effector memory to central memory cells during memory formation. Additionally, we illustrate chromatin regulatory mechanisms underlying long-lasting versus transient transcription regulation during memory differentiation. Finally, we confirm the essential roles of Sox4 and Nrf2 in developing memory precursor effector and effector memory cells, respectively, and validate cell state-specific enhancers in regulating Il7r using CRISPR-Cas9. Our data pave the way for understanding the mechanism underlying epigenetic memory formation in CD8+ T-cell differentiation.
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism*
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Cell Differentiation
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Chromatin/immunology*
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Animals
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Mice
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Immunologic Memory
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Epigenesis, Genetic
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SOXC Transcription Factors/immunology*
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NF-E2-Related Factor 2/immunology*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Gene Regulatory Networks
;
Enhancer Elements, Genetic
5.Optimizing outdoor smoking points outside large exhibition halls based on real-time on-site PM2.5 and CO2 monitoring
Jin SUN ; Chenxi YAN ; Zhuohui ZHAO ; Chenchen XIE ; Zhengyang GONG ; Hao TANG ; Kunlei LE ; Yuzhi CHENG ; Zhuyan YIN ; Jingyi YUAN ; De CHEN ; Yunfei CAI
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(6):673-680
Background Improper settings of outdoor smoking points in public places may increase the risk of secondhand smoke exposure among the population. Conducting research on air pollution in and around smoking spots and related influencing factors can provide valuable insights for optimizing the setting of outdoor smoking points. Objective To investigate the influence of the number of smokers at outdoor smoking points and the distance on the diffusion characteristics of surrounding air pollutants, in order to optimize the setting of outdoor smoking points. Methods Surrounding the exhibition halls in the China International Import Expo (CIIE), two outdoor smoking points were randomly selected, one on the first floor (ground level) and the other on the second floor (16 m above ground), respectively. At 0, 3, 6, and 9 m from the smoking points in the same direction, validated portable air pollutant monitors were used to measure the real-time fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations for consecutive 5 d during the exhibition, as well as the environmental meteorological factors at 0 m with weather meters including wind speed, wind direction, and air pressure. An open outdoor atmospheric background sampling point was selected on each of the two floors to carry out parallel sampling. Simultaneously, the number of smokers at each smoking point were double recorded per minute. The relationships between the number of smokers, distance from the smoking points, and ambient PM2.5 and CO2 concentrations were evaluated by generalized additive regression models for time-series data after adjustment of confounders such as temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. Results The median numbers of smokers at smoking points on the first and second floors were 6 [interquartile range (IQR): 3, 9] and 9 (IQR: 6, 13), respectively. Windless (wind speed <0.6 m·s−1) occupied most of the time (85.9%) at both locations. The average concentration of ambient PM2.5 at the smoking points (0 m) [mean ± standard deviation, (106±114) μg·m−3] was 4.2 times higher than that of the atmospheric background [(25±7) μg·m−3], the PM2.5 concentration showed a gradient decline with the increase of distance from the smoking points, and the average PM2.5 concentration at 9 m points [(35±22) μg·m−3] was close to the background level (1.4 times higher). The maximum concentration of CO2 [(628±23) μmol·mol−1] was observed at 0 m, and its average value was 1.3 times higher than that of the atmospheric background [(481±40) μmol·mol−1], and there was no gradient decrease in CO2 concentration with increasing distance at 0, 3, 6, and 9 m points. The regression analyses showed that, taking smoking point as the reference, every 3 m increase in distance was associated with a decrease of ambient PM2.5 by 24.6 [95% confidence interval (95%CI): 23.5, 25.8] μg·m−3 (23.2%) and CO2 by 54.1 (95%CI: 53.1, 55.1) μmol·mol−1 (8.6%). Every one extra smoker at the smoking point was associated with an average increase of PM2.5 and CO2 by 2.0 (95%CI: 1.7, 2.8) μg·m−3 and 1.0 (95%CI: 0.7,1.2) μmol·mol−1, respectively. The sensitivity analysis indicated that, under windless conditions, the concentrations of PM2.5 and CO2 at the smoking points were even higher but the decreasing and dispersion characteristics remained consistent. Conclusion Outdoor smoking points could significantly increase the PM2.5 concentrations in the surrounding air and the risks of secondhand smoke exposure, despite of the noticeable decreasing trend with increasing distance. Considering the inevitable poor dispersion conditions such as windless and light wind, outdoor smoking points are recommended to be set at least 9 m or farther away from non-smoking areas.
6.The outcome of down-regulation+hormone replacement cycle endometrial preparation regimen in frozen-thawed embryo transfer in advanced age women
Xiaoyan WANG ; Chenxi YANG ; Yan ZHAO ; Yanni A
Chongqing Medicine 2024;53(2):251-256
Objective To analyze the effects of down-regulation+hormone replacement therapy(HRT)endometrial preparation regimen on the pregnancy outcomes of advanced age women(≥35 years old)undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer.Methods The clinical data of 329 patients with frozen-thawed em-bryo transfer in this hospital from June 2020 to June 2022 were analyzed retrospectively.Among them,149 pa-tients receiving gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue(GnRHa)down-regulation+HRT endometrial preparation were included in the group A,and the other 180 patients with HRT endometrial preparation were included in the group B.The basic situation,endometrial transformation day situation and clinical outcome were compared between the two groups.The group A and group B were further divided into the two sub-groups according to age:group A1(35-<40 years old,n=101),group A2(≥40 years old,n=48),group B1(35-<40 years old,n=99)and group B2(≥40 years old,n=81).The effects of two endometrial prepara-tion regimens were compared among the different age groups.Results There were no significant differences in the age,infertility years,BMI,anti-Mullerian hormone level,as well as basal hormones levels such as estra-diol,progesterone,follicle-stimulating hormone,luteinizing hormone(LH),prolactin and testosterone between the two groups(P>0.05).The levels of estradiol and LH on the endometrial transformation day in the group A were significantly lower than those in the group B(P<0.05),the endometrial thickness,proportion of the patients with endometrial thickness ≥8 mm and proportion of the patients with type Ⅲ blood intima in the group A were significantly higher than those in the group B(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the number of transplanted embryos and the number of transplanted excellent embryos between the two groups(P>0.05).The clinical pregnancy rate and embryo implantation rate in the group A were significantly higher than those in the group B(46.31%vs.35.56%;33.33%vs.25.18%,P<0.05),and there was no significant difference in the early miscarriage rate between the two groups(P>0.05).The further subgroup analysis showed that the clinical pregnancy rate and embryoimplantation rate in the group A2 were significant-ly higher than those in the group B2(35.42%vs.18.52%;21.43%vs.12.40%,P<0.05),while there was no significant difference between the group A1 and group B1(P>0.05).Conclusion The advanced age pa-tients undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer could select GnRHa down-regulation+HRT regimen to a-chieve better pregnancy outcomes,especially for those age ≥40 years old.
7.Study on liver tissue derived-extracellular vesicles regulating the osteogenic differentiation ability of mesenchymal stem cells and promoting the healing of jaw bone defects
Chenghan LI ; Xiao LEI ; Chenxi ZHENG ; Yan JIN ; Bingdong SUI ; Siqi YING
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2024;59(5):435-443
Objective:To explore the biological process of liver tissue-derived extracellular vesicle (LT-EV) in promoting osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and healing of jaw defects to provide a feasible treatment method for the clinical treatment of jaw bone defects.Methods:Enzymatic hydrolysis and differential centrifugation were used to extract LT-EV, scanning electron microscopy, Western blotting, and nanoparticle tracking analyzers were used to identify and characterize LT-EV, and further to explore the biological functions of LT-EV through proteomics and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Flow cytometry was used to detect LT-EV plasma concentration and to calculate the plasma half-life of LT-EV. Small animal in vivo imaging system was used to detect the biological distribution of LT-EV 24 hours after injection. Six C57BL/6 mice were divided into control group and LT-EV group (3 mice in each group) by simple random sampling method. All mice underwent jaw bone defect surgery and tail vein injection every 7 days (the control group was injected with phosphoric buffer saline, LT-EV group was injected with LT-EV), micro-CT was used to evaluate the degree of mouse jaw bone healing 28 days after surgery, HE staining was used to analyze the multi-organ biosafety of LT-EV, and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the jaw bone expression of osteogenic marker proteins in the defect area. Human jaw bone mesenchymal stem cells (hJBMSC) induced by osteogenic differentiation were treated with LT-EV (obtained from orthognathic surgery patients provided by the Department of Traumatology and Orthognathic Surgery of School of Stomatology of The Fourth Military Medical University resected normal jaw bone fragments), and the difference in osteogenic differentiation ability between the hJBMSC group and the control group (phosphate buffer saline treatment) was compared, and the in vitro bone differentiation promoting effect of LT-EV was verified through alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Results:The yield of LT-EV was high, and proteomics and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes showed that LT-EV contained a series of proteins that regulated cell biological functions. LT-EV injected into the tail vein could reach the mouse jaw bone defect area and promote the regeneration and repair of the jaw bone defect [the bone volume fractions of the LT-EV group and the control group were (36.06±4.20)% and (18.58±5.61)%, respectively; t=4.32, P=0.013], and had good biosafety. LT-EV could promote osteogenic differentiation of hJBMSC in vitro. Compared to the control group, ALP staining and osteogenic gene expression levels were significantly enhanced after osteogenic differentiation of hJBMSC ( P<0.05). Conclusions:LT-EV exhibits a high yield, ease of acquisition, high biological safety, and excellent bone-promoting effects. It holds promise as a novel cell-free therapy strategy for regenerating craniofacial bone defects.
8.Research of the therapeutic effect of Yunnan Baiyao on middle aged and elderly lung cancer patients undergoing the uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic
Chenxi LOU ; Yichen LUO ; Baijun LI ; Zhenniu LEI ; Jingwei YAN ; Wentao SONG ; Jinmin ZHENG ; Linyuan TAN ; Guanyong MO
China Modern Doctor 2024;62(24):86-89
Objective To analyze the clinical efficacy of Yunnan Baiyao in middle aged and elderly lung cancer patients undergoing the uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic.Methods A total of 90 patients with non-small cell lung cancer meeting the criterias were screened and divided into two groups according to random number table method,which respectively received conventional treatment(control group)and Yunnan Baiyao treatment(experimental group).The perioperative period related indexes,coagulation function related indexes,and the occurrence rate of complications were observed and compared between the two groups.Results The intraoperative bleeding volume and thoracic drainage volume for the first day of experimental group were significantly lower than control group(P<0.05).However,there were no significant difference in the coagulation function related indexes between two groups before and after surgery(P>0.05).Additionally,there were also no significant difference in the occurrence rate of complication between two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Yunnan Baiyao can reduce intraoperative bleeding volume and chest tube drainage volume for the first day,promots the recovery of patients,and has a good clinical application value.
9.miR-2110 Affects the Biological Behaviors of Lung Adenocarcinoma by Regulating CDT1
Yuan MI ; Xuzhe LI ; Cong WANG ; Chenxi LIN ; Zhichao ZHAO ; Xiaofei YAN ; Ping SHI ; Lei WANG
Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences) 2024;55(5):1202-1209
Objective To investigate the effect of miR-2110 on the biological behaviors,such as cell proliferation,apoptosis,and metastasis,of lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD)cells by means of cell and animal experiments.Methods Bioinformatics websites,including ENCORI,TargetScan,miRTarBase,and Tarbase,were used to analyze the changes in the expression of miR-2110 in LUAD samples and to predict miR-2110 target.LUAD tissue samples and cells were collected and the changes in the expression of miR-2110 were verified through PCR technology.CCK-8 assay,clonogenic assay,Transwell assay,and flow cytometry were conducted to analyze alterations in the functions of LUAD cells.In addition,10 BALB/c female nude mice aged 6 to 8 weeks were randomly divided into 2 groups,and the effect of miR-2110 on LUAD was investigated by in vivo experiments.Results miR-2110 was significantly decreased in LUAD tissues and cells compared with the normal lung tissues.miR-2110 overexpression inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of LUAD cells and promoted the apoptosis of tumor cells(P<0.05).Bioinformatics prediction and dual luciferase reporter gene assay results confirmed that miR-2110 could target and bind to CDT1.In addition,overexpression of CDT1 gene reversed the proliferation,metastasis,and apoptosis of miR-2110 compared with the miR-2110 overexpression group(P<0.05).Nude mice in vivo experiments showed that miR-2110 overexpression significantly decreased the expression of Ki67,a tumor proliferation index,and vimentin and MMP9,two metastasis indices,compared with the control group.Conclusion miR-2110 can inhibit proliferation and metastasis of LUAD by targeting CDT1,providing a new rationale for the treatment of LUAD.
10.MSCs-derived apoptotic extracellular vesicles promote muscle regeneration by inducing Pannexin 1 channel-dependent creatine release by myoblasts.
Qingyuan YE ; Xinyu QIU ; Jinjin WANG ; Boya XU ; Yuting SU ; Chenxi ZHENG ; Linyuan GUI ; Lu YU ; Huijuan KUANG ; Huan LIU ; Xiaoning HE ; Zhiwei MA ; Qintao WANG ; Yan JIN
International Journal of Oral Science 2023;15(1):7-7
Severe muscle injury is hard to heal and always results in a poor prognosis. Recent studies found that extracellular vesicle-based therapy has promising prospects for regeneration medicine, however, whether extracellular vesicles have therapeutic effects on severe muscle injury is still unknown. Herein, we extracted apoptotic extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs-ApoEVs) to treat cardiotoxin induced tibialis anterior (TA) injury and found that MSCs-ApoEVs promoted muscles regeneration and increased the proportion of multinucleated cells. Besides that, we also found that apoptosis was synchronized during myoblasts fusion and MSCs-ApoEVs promoted the apoptosis ratio as well as the fusion index of myoblasts. Furthermore, we revealed that MSCs-ApoEVs increased the relative level of creatine during myoblasts fusion, which was released via activated Pannexin 1 channel. Moreover, we also found that activated Pannexin 1 channel was highly expressed on the membrane of myoblasts-derived ApoEVs (Myo-ApoEVs) instead of apoptotic myoblasts, and creatine was the pivotal metabolite involved in myoblasts fusion. Collectively, our findings firstly revealed that MSCs-ApoEVs can promote muscle regeneration and elucidated that the new function of ApoEVs as passing inter-cell messages through releasing metabolites from activated Pannexin 1 channel, which will provide new evidence for extracellular vesicles-based therapy as well as improving the understanding of new functions of extracellular vesicles.
Creatine/metabolism*
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Extracellular Vesicles
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Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism*
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Myoblasts/metabolism*
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Regeneration
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Connexins/metabolism*

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