Hongwu Du

Cell therapy for neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) is considered a promising strategy to halt disease progression. Currently, most clinically applied cells are derived from two-dimensional (2D) cultures. However, 2D-cultured mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are prone to aging and functional deterioration after multiple passages, and the availability of neural precursor cells for cell replacement therapy remains limited. In contrast, three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures have garnered significant attention due to their unique 3D spatial interactions. The unique spatial architecture of 3D culture not only enhances cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions in MSC spheroids, thereby preserving MSCs properties, but also facilitates developmental processes of brain organoids derived from pluripotent stem cells, including embryogenesis, morphogenesis, and organogenesis. This review highlights the therapeutic ability of 3D-cultured MSC spheroids and brain organoids for NDs and summarizes advanced engineering platforms for their production. Future research should integrate the strengths of both technologies by establishing standardized quality control systems and scalable production processes to harness the microenvironmental modulation capacity of MSC spheroids and the precise cell replacement ability of brain organoids, ultimately advancing personalized therapies for NDs. Graphical Abstract

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell lysates (UCML) have crucial bioactivities, including tissue regeneration, wound healing, and immune regulation, showing great potential for treating eye diseases. This study investigates the therapeutic efficacy of UCML loaded in artificial tears (AT@UCML) on dry eye syndrome (DES) and retinal injury. This study first evaluated the safety, antioxidant properties, and tissue-repairing effects of AT@UCML in disease-relevant ocular cells. Then, we treated DES and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) retinal injury mouse models by AT@UCML. To assess the effects in DES mice, we measured tear secretion, corneal damage, and goblet cell numbers. For I/R mice, we examined retinal ganglion cell numbers and retinal thickness. Experiments showed that AT@UCML reduced oxidative stress and protected ocular cells. In DES mice, it increased tear secretion, repaired corneal damage, and restored goblet cell counts. In I/R mice, it reduced retinal ganglion cell loss and restored retinal thickness. AT@UCML effectively treated DES and I/R injuries by protecting key ocular cells. This study expands the application of stem cell therapy in ophthalmology and provides a basis for developing related treatments.

Purpose To provide a comprehensive overview of the structural and functional characteristics of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB), examine its critical role in the pathogenesis of major ocular diseases, and summarize current and emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring BRB integrity. Methods A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, focusing primarily on publications from the past 10 years supplemented by seminal earlier works. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on BRB molecular anatomy, pathological mechanisms, disease-specific roles, and therapeutic interventions. Results The BRB comprises inner (iBRB) and outer (oBRB) compartments with distinct cellular and molecular architectures. BRB dysfunction is driven by convergent mechanisms including aging, hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, and hypoxia, which disrupt tight junction proteins and promote aberrant angiogenesis. This barrier breakdown constitutes a pivotal pathogenic driver in major blinding diseases: age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion, glaucoma, and uveitis. Current standard treatments include anti-VEGF agents and corticosteroids. Emerging strategies target Wnt/β-catenin signaling, employ senolytic therapies, utilize biomaterial-based drug delivery, and develop organ-on-a-chip models for personalized medicine. Conclusions BRB disruption represents a critical inflection point in ocular disease progression, triggering self-perpetuating cycles of neuroinflammation and degeneration. Effective restoration requires multi-faceted approaches combining anti-angiogenic, antiinflammatory, and barrier-strengthening mechanisms. Future research should focus on dynamic functional assessment, single-cell multi-omics integration, and adaptive therapeutic strategies to prevent irreversible vision loss.

A portable centrifugal microfluidic nucleic acid analyzer tailored for point-of-care diagnostics was developed. The system consists of a main unit and a sector-shaped microfluidic chip driven by centrifugal force. By incorporating branched microchannels into the chip design, the system enables simultaneous detection of multiple targets from a single sample. The sample flows sequentially through the sample reservoir, dissolution chamber, and metering structure before reaching the reaction chamber. Under the presence of specific primers, the analyzer performs loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) by heating the chip. Fluorescence signals are captured by the optical detection module and displayed in real-time. We designed highly specific primers targeting six common feline upper respiratory disease (FURD) pathogens and extensively validated the device’s specificity and sensitivity. The system demonstrated a low detection limit (10–100 copies/μL) and successfully identified 72 clinically positive samples, achieving 100% agreement with conventional PCR. Weighing only 5 kg, the analyzer can accurately detect and identify six FURD-related pathogens from a single sample within 30 min. This method enables a shift from single-target to multitarget detection and promotes the broader adoption of decentralized testing. It offers an efficient and convenient solution for rapid and accurate pathogen detection, particularly in pet hospitals and veterinary clinical diagnostics. Graphical Abstract