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UC-MSCs had significantly higher potential of steroidogenic differentiation than BM-MSCs; thus, UC-MSCs could be favourable cells of choice for cell-based therapy for steroidogenic insufficiency compared to BM-MSCs.

Carbon nanotube (CNT)/poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) nanocomposite films were fabricated using a solution mixing and evaporation method. The surface morphology, mechanical and electrical properties of these novel hybrid films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), contact angle determination, tensile tests and electrical measurements. Compared to neat PHBHHx, both the surface roughness and the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites increased, and mechanical properties showed a significant improvement due to the presence of CNTs. The cell compatibility of the nanocomposites was evaluated by human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The activity and proliferation of hMSCs were demonstrated to be outstanding when nanocomposite films contained 1% CNTs compared with that on the neat PHBHHx. Levels of osteogenesis differentiation on nanocomposite films were assessed through alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, calcium contents and specific osteogenesis genes mRNA expressions, which showed that the 1% CNT/PHBHHx composite film was also suitable for osteogenesis of hMSCs. The results indicated that semiconductive CNT/PHBHHx biomaterials could be a potential candidate in bone tissue engineering.

Background Previous studies reported that emodin extracted from Rheum palmatum L. exerts antiproliferation and antimetastatic effects in a variety of human cancer types. However, the role of emodin in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unknown. Methods EdU and colony formation assays were performed to evaluate the effects of emodin on proliferation. The mobility capacities of HCC treated with emodin were evaluated using wound healing assay. Transwell invasion and migration assays were performed to evaluate anti-migratory and anti-invasive effects of emodin on HCC. Annexin V-FITC/PI was performed to analyze the apoptosis. PI stain was performed to analyze cell cycle. RNA sequencing technology was used to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) induced by emodin in HCC. The impact of emodin on autophagic flux in HepG2 cells was examined by mCherry-GFP-LC3 analysis. Western blot was used to assess the protein expressions of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), autophagy, PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Results We found that emodin inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, emodin inhibited cell proliferation, induced S and G2/M phases arrest, and promoted apoptosis in HepG2 cells. The migration and invasion of HepG2 cells were also suppressed by emodin. Enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs involved in cell adhesion, cancer metastasis and cell cycle arrest. Moreover, western bolt results show that emodin-induced autophagy promotes Snail and β-catenin degradation. We also found that blocking autophagic flux after emodin treatment caused EMT reversal. Furthermore, the PI3K agonist Y-P 740 significantly reversed the phosphorylation levels of GSK3β and mTOR. These results indicated that emodin induced autophagy and inhibited the EMT in part through suppression of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. Conclusion Our study indicated that emodin inhibited cell metastasis in HCC via the crosstalk between autophagy and EMT.

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