Cisplatin is a highly effective chemotherapeutic agent but displays significant ototoxic side effects. The most prominent change seen in the cochlea after cisplatin administration consists of loss of outer hair cells. Several mechanisms are believed to mediate cisplatin-induced apoptosis: binding of cisplatin to guanine bases on DNA and the formation of inter- and intra-strand chain cross-linking, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with increased lipid peroxidation and Ca(2+) influx and, finally, inflammation mediated by cisplatin. The aim of the present review is to analyze the role of ROS in the mechanisms causing cisplatin-mediated apoptosis in the inner ear and the contribution of the different pathways involved, emphasizing the main strategies to blockade events leading to apoptosis of cochlear cells.

In recent years, the reconstruction of human skin by tissue engineering represents a clinical challenge and has offered a therapeutic alternative. Avascular engineered skin equivalents have been available for several years and used to treat wounds due to burns, nonhealing ulcers, and surgical excisions. They are constituted by different types of cultured cells included in a three-dimensional structure that permits cellular proliferation to create tissue substitutes. The major drawback of these artificial skin substitutes is their lack of blood supply, since the endurance and cell proliferation of the substitute depend on an adequate oxygen and nutrient supply and on toxin removal. These functions are served by the vascular system. We have produced a new model of endothelialized skin substitute that promotes the formation of capillary-like structures by seeding human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with dermal fibroblasts and human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADMSCs) in a fibrin matrix. Dermal fibroblasts and hADMSCs produce extracellular matrix that stimulates cellular growth and proliferation. hADMSCs secrete significant quantities of angiogenic and antiapoptotic factors (vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor), which induce in vitro differentiation of these cells into endothelial cells promoting angiogenesis and participating in tissue repair and skin regeneration processes. We obtained the artificial skin substitute with similar structure to native skin, including dermis and epidermis. We demonstrated that endothelial cells (CD31 and von Willebrand factor positive) proliferated and organized themselves into capillary-like structures within the fibrin matrix. The epidermis showed a complete epithelization by squamous cells (AE1/AE3 cytokeratin positive) with intracytoplasmic keratohyalin granules, hyperkeratosis, and parakeratosis. We have established a novel artificial skin substitute that facilitates the formation of capillary-like structures that may provide a novel therapeutic approach to different skin defects and prove to be a useful tool for regenerative medicine.

The uterus-lining endometrium is essential to mammalian reproduction, receiving and accommodating the embryo for proper development. Despite its key role, mechanisms underlying endometrial biology (menstrual cycling, embryo interaction) and disease are not well understood. Its hidden location in the womb, and thereby-associated lack of suitable research models, contribute to this knowledge gap. Recently, 3D organoid models have been developed from both healthy and diseased endometrium. These organoids closely recapitulate the tissue’s epithelium phenotype and (patho)biology, including in vitro reproduction of the menstrual cycle. Typically, organoids are grown in a scaffold made of surrogate tissue extracellular matrix (ECM), with mouse tumor basement membrane extracts being the most commonly used. However, important limitations apply including their lack of standardization and xeno-derivation which strongly hinder clinical translation. Therefore, researchers are actively seeking better alternatives including fully defined matrices for faithful and efficient growth of organoids. Here, we summarize the state-of-the-art regarding matrix scaffolds to grow endometrium-derived organoids as well as more advanced organoid-based 3D models. We discuss remaining shortcomings and challenges to advance endometrial organoids toward defined and standardized tools for applications in basic research and translational/clinical fields.

On March 19 World Health Organization declare the pandemic situation by outbreak coronavirus disease 2019 in the world. The pressure on the health care system has been very high in several countries. Spanish National Transplant Organization (ONT) have made many efforts in maintaining transplantation activity. Although the impact of the pandemic on organ activity has been analysed, to date, less data exist regarding the impact on tissue activity. The aim of this study has been the evaluation of the possible impact on the procurement, processing and distribution of tissues during the peak period of the pandemic COVID-19 in Spain. For this study, a multicentre analysis has been made with a survey of the tissue banks in Spain, during the period March 1 to April 30, 2020. Our data suggest that the impact of coronavirus in Spain has affected dramatically tissue donation but with a moderate effect on stored tissues such as bone, valves, vessels or skin. Tissue banks should prepare if future next pandemic waves surges so that tissue provision is guaranteed both in urgent and elective surgeries.