We show that KLPGWSG binds molecules expressed on the cell surface of murine adult neural stem cells, thus may potentially be involved in stem cell fate determination. Indeed we demonstrated that this peptide in solution enhances per se cell differentiation toward the neuronal phenotype. Hence, we synthesized two LDLK-12-based self-assembling peptides functionalized with KLPGWSG peptide (KLP and Ac-KLP) and characterized them via atomic

force microscopy, rheometry and circular dichroism, obtaining nanostructured hydrogels supporting murine neural stem cells differentiation in vitro. Interestingly, we demonstrated that, when scaffold stiffness is comparable to that of the brain in vivo, the Ac-KLP SAP-based scaffold enhances the neuronal differentiation of neural

stem cells. These evidences place both KLPGWSG and the functionalized self-assembling peptide SHP099 solubility dmso Ac-KLP as promising candidates for, respectively, biomimetic studies and stem cell therapies for nervous regeneration.”
“Purpose: The pelvic tissue of women with pelvic organ prolapse is stiffer than that of controls but there are scant data on the collagen composition that corresponds to these mechanical properties. We evaluated human vaginal wall stiffness using the novel scanning haptic microscope and correlated these measurements to collagen expression in women with and without pelvic organ prolapse. JAK inhibitor In this simultaneous biomechanical and biochemical assessment we evaluated the usefulness of this measurement technology for pelvic floor disorder research and confirmed an association between mechanical properties and composition.

Materials NU7026 and Methods: The elastic constant (a measure of stiffness) of vaginal wall tissue was measured with the scanning haptic microscope. Protein expression of collagen types I and III of the same tissues were determined by Western blot. The Student t test was used for comparisons between groups.

Results: The anterior and posterior vaginal walls of premenopausal and postmenopausal women with pelvic organ prolapse were significantly stiffer than those of controls (p < 0.05). Collagen III protein expression

in the anterior vaginal wall in the control group was higher than in menopausal women. Collagen I expression was not significantly different between controls and cases.

Conclusions: The scanning haptic microscope produced reliable mechanical measurements in small tissue samples without tissue destruction. Vaginal wall tissues are stiffer in women with pelvic organ prolapse than in controls. This vaginal wall stiffness was associated with lower protein expression of collagen III in the vaginal wall compared to that in asymptomatic controls.”
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