Genes & Cells

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a multifactorial disease of the respiratory system that affects the lung parenchyma and airways; it is one of the leading causes of death in the world, which explains the constant search for new approaches to diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the disease. COPD develops as a result of a complex interaction of molecular genetic factors, a network of epigenetic regulators, and environmental factors that are closely related to lifestyle. The molecular pathogenesis of COPD may include the mechanisms of alteration of the regulation of stressful reactions that prevent cellular senescence.

Non-coding RNAs play an important role in the regulation of various intracellular signaling pathways and is the most relevant subject of genetic studies of various pathological phenotypes. The expression profile of long non-coding RNA is often disregulated in various diseases. Information on the role of long non-coding RNA in the development of COPD is limited. Long non-coding RNA and the target-genes of signaling pathways involved in cellular senescence form a complex interactive network and may be targets for disease therapy.

The review presents the data concerning some aspects of the molecular pathogenesis of COPD, as well as role of long non-coding RNAs in the development of the COPD.

BACKGROUND: A promising method for treating the pathology of the retinal pigment epithelium in age-related macular degeneration is cell replacement therapy.

AIM: The aim of the study was to analyze the results of cell transplantation in the form of a cell suspension into the subretinal space at various times.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The material of the study was 20 rabbits (40 eyes) of the New Zealand albino breed. A month after the modeling of retinal pigment epithelium atrophy and retinal degeneration, rabbits underwent subretinal transplantation of induced retinal pigment epithelium in the form of a cell suspension. Optical coherence tomography and autofluorescence studies were conducted in a period of up to 8 months. Enucleated eyes of animals were subjected to morphological study.

RESULTS: When observing rabbits with a previously created model of atrophy in the long term, it was found that the cells of the transplanted retinal pigment epithelium remained viable for the entire period. There were no inflammatory reactions from the eyeball, clouding of the optical media, pathological changes in the structure of the retina.

CONCLUSION: Thus, with the introduction of a suspension of induced retinal pigment epithelium cells with atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium, the injected cells retain their viability for up to 8 months.

BACKGROUND: Agents based on blood derivatives contain substances that accelerate the healing of wound defects. Nowadays data have been accumulated that various blood derivatives have different effects on regeneration processes. Therefore, a comparative study of the effect of several types of such preparations on the corneal stroma’s cell culture is relevant.

AIM: Impact assessment of 3 different blood derivatives on the processes of proliferation, migration and cell death of keratocytes in vitro.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted on a primary cell culture of human corneal keratocytes. Blood samples were obtained from the cubital vein of healthy volunteers after signing informed consent to participate in the study. Monolayer wound healing test, formazan test to assess proliferation, staining for Annexin V to assess the processes of apoptosis and necrosis were perfomed. Moreover, effect evaluation of platelet-rich plasma, intact serum and processed serum were performed.

RESULTS: It was shown that all 3 stimulants have a positive effect on the regeneration of the experimental stromal defect, but it is implemented in different ways. Processed whey showed the greatest stimulating effect on the process of cell migration. This serum reduced the level of cell death, but had almost no effect on proliferation processes. It is advisable to further study different types of stimulants to obtain processed serum. Intact serum increased the percentage of dividing cells more than others, but also proportionally increased the percentage of death in culture. Platelet-rich plasma showed the weakest effect on the migratory ability of keratocytes, but it still differed significantly from the control. This stimulator had little effect on the process of cell division, and had no effect on the overall level of cell death.

CONCLUSION: Experimental data can be taken into account in choosing of the management in clinical practice and personalized usage of blood derivatives, specifically in prescribing some blood derivatives to accelerate regeneration, and other derivatives for reducing cell death’s processes.