Background: Operational tolerance (OT) is a state of graft functional stability that occurs after at least 1 year of immunosuppressant withdrawal. MicroRNAs ( microRNA ) are small non-coding RNAs that downregulate messenger RNA/protein expression of innumerous molecules and are critical for homeostasis. We investigated whether OT in kidney transplantation displays a differential microRNA profile, which would suggest that microRNAs participate in Operational Tolerance mechanisms, and may reveal potential molecular pathways. Methods: We first compared serum microRNA in OT ( n = 8) with chronic rejection (CR) ( n = 5) and healthy individuals (HI) ( n = 5), using a 768- microRNA qPCR-panel. We used the Thermo Fisher Cloud computing platform to compare the levels of microRNA s in the OT group in relation to the other study groups. We performed validation experiments for miR-885-5p , by q-PCR, in a larger number of study subjects (OT = 8, CR = 12, HI = 12), as individual samples. Results: We detected a differential microRNA profile in OT vs. its opposing clinical outcome—CR—suggesting that microRNAs may integrate transplantation tolerance mechanisms. Some miRNAs were detected at higher levels in OT: miR-885-5p, miR-331-3p , miR-27a-5p vs . CR; others, we found at lower levels: miR-1233-3p, miR-572, miR-638, miR-1260a. Considering highly predicted/experimentally demonstrated targets of these miRNAs, bioinformatics analysis revealed that the granzyme B, and death receptor pathways are dominant, suggesting that cell death regulation integrates transplantation tolerance mechanisms. We confirmed higher miR-885-5p levels in OT vs. CR, and vs. HI, in a larger number of subjects. Conclusions: We propose that epigenetics mechanisms involving microRNAs may integrate human transplantation tolerance mechanisms, and regulate key members of the cell death/survival signaling. miR-885-5p could favor cell survival in OT by diminishing the levels of CRADD/RAIDD and CASP3. Nonetheless, given the nature of any complex phenomenon in humans, only cumulative data will help to determine whether this microRNA differential profile may be related to the cause or consequence of operational tolerance.

This study aimed to verify the efficacy of low‐level laser irradiation (LLLI) on the proliferation of MC3T3‐E1 preosteoblasts cultured on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) films. The produced films were characterized by contact angle tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and X‐ray diffraction. The MC3T3‐E1 cells were cultured as three different groups: Control—cultured on polystyrene plastic surfaces; PLA—cultured on PLA films; and PLA + Laser—cultured on PLA films and submitted to laser irradiation (660 nm; 30 mW; 4 J/cm2). Cell proliferation was analyzed by Trypan blue and Alamar blue assays at 24, 48, and 72 h after irradiation. Cell viability was assessed by Live/Dead assay, apoptosis‐related events were evaluated by Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) expression, and cell cycle events were analyzed by flow cytometry. Cell morphology on the surface of films was assessed by SEM. Cell counting and biochemical assay results indicate that the PLA + Laser group exhibited higher proliferation (p < 0.01) when compared with the Control and PLA groups. The Live/Dead and Annexin/PI assays indicate increased cell viability in the PLA + Laser group that also presented a higher percentage of cells in the proliferative cell cycle phases (S and G2/M). These findings were also confirmed by the higher cell density observed in the irradiated group through SEM images. The evidence from this study supports the idea that LLLI increases the proliferation of MC3T3‐E1 cells on PLA surfaces, suggesting that it can be potentially applied in bone tissue engineering.

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Tissue engineering aims at the development of biological substitutes that can restore, maintain, or improve the functionality of damaged tissue or organs. To this end, molecular and cellular interactions may influence the tissue reactions to biomaterials. In order to be effective and integrated to the receiving area, the bone graft is required to allow a strong cell adhesion, interacting with several molecules to induce migration, differentiation, and thus the mineralization of the new bone on the graft. These cell adhesion molecules (CAM) will mediate the contact between two cells or between cells and the extracellular matrix, an essential process to the success of the implant. Objective: This paper is a systematic review of the literature on the mechanisms of cell adhesion to bone grafts associated to nanotechnology, describing the importance and the role of those molecules in the adhesion and thus in tissue regeneration. Literature review: After the use of search strategies, 18 articles that describe processes of cell adhesion to bone grafts were selected. Results: The main reported mechanisms involve cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) and extracellular matrix components. Conclusion: Several molecules are involved in the process of cell adhesion to bone grafts, highlighting the role of integrins, the focal adhesion mechanism, the influence of the collagen matrix, and the activity of alkaline phosphatase in bone matrix formation. Accurate identification of these mechanisms of cell adhesion is essential for further advancement in tissue engineering, such as the production of biological bone substitutes that achieve a better clinical outcome.