Biomolecules

The BMP2/7 heterodimer is known as a stronger inducer of osteogenic differentiation than BMP2 or BMP7 homodimers. Our aim was to establish BMP2/7-expressing human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) to evaluate tReceived: 23 October 2025; Revised: 29 November 2025; Accepted: 3 December 2025; Published: 3 December 2025 he osteogenic potential of the genetically modified cells. Lentiviral transduction was used to introduce the Tet-ON-regulated transgene-containing vector to the cells. Endogenous heterodimers were detected at the mRNA and protein levels using RNA-seq, qPCR, and Western blot, while secreted heterodimers were detected using ELISA assays. Osteogenic differentiation was monitored by measuring alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mineralization, and the expression levels of RUNX2 and ALPL genes. Our results showed that ALP activity did not change in the transduced DPSCs; however, increased mineralization was detected, which correlates with the results obtained by RNA sequencing. Based on our results, BMP2/7-expressing DPSCs could be used in the treatment of bone defects, where heterodimers may have not only autocrine but also paracrine effects.

Background: Radiation-induced tissue degeneration is the most important side effect of radiotherapy. Sitagliptin with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacity was tested in alleviating the radiation-induced cellular degeneration in kidney and testis tissues. Methods: Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups as control, radiation (RT), radiation + sitagliptin (RT + SGT), and sitagliptin + radiation (SGT + RT). The RT group received 8 Gy radiation. Sitagliptin was applied per os at a 10 mg/kg dose for 14 days to the SGT groups either after or before radiation. Results: Radiation induced marked oxidative stress in kidney and testis tissues, whereas sitagliptin partially restored several antioxidant parameters in the kidney and reduced MDA levels in the testis. Histologically, radiation caused degenerative changes in the renal tubules and glomerulus and the testicular seminiferous tubules, while sitagliptin treatment attenuated these changes in both organs. Caspase-3 expression increased significantly after radiation treatment in the kidney without substantial improvement by sitagliptin; however, VEGF expression, which was markedly reduced by radiation in both tissues, was restored in sitagliptin-treated groups. FGF expression suppressed in all irradiated groups as compared to the control with no significant differences among them. Conclusions: Overall, the results indicated that sitagliptin can be used to attenuate the degenerative effects induced by radiation. Sitagliptin use after radiation as compared to the before use showed significantly better results especially in the kidney tissue.

Despite the clinical efficacy of doxorubicin (DOX), effective strategies to prevent its cardiotoxicity are still lacking. Finerenone, a nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), has demonstrated cardioprotective properties; however, its role and mechanism in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) remain unclear. In this study, Finerenone treatment was found to significantly alleviate DOX-induced cardiac dysfunction and pathological remodeling in both mouse models and cultured cells. Mechanistically, molecular docking suggests that Finerenone may directly bind to Latent Transforming Growth Factor Beta Binding Protein 2 (LTBP2), a key regulator of TGF-β bioavailability. This potential binding could inhibit the LTBP2–TGF-β axis, thereby suppressing DOX-induced activation and subsequent Smad3 phosphorylation. The importance of this pathway was supported by the similar anti-fibrotic effects observed with the TGF-β inhibitor LY2109761. However, our findings on the direct binding of Finerenone to LTBP2 are preliminary and require further validation through additional experimental approaches. These results identify LTBP2 as a novel direct target of Finerenone and reveal an additional mechanism underlying its cardioprotective action, suggesting its potential repurposing for the prevention of DIC.