Our Science

A ready cell system providing the realization of reparative and regenerative processes in all organs (Cell Sources of Regeneration) exists in all organisms. The active molecules S.M.E.M.® are involved in the mechanisms of tissue regeneration by modulating the CSR.

The cellular and molecular mechanisms of tissue repair and regeneration

During regeneration, the formation of a complete set of differentiated cells in the tissue is realized via two main mechanisms: stimulation of CSR1 (multipotent stem cells) and CSR2(cell dedifferentiation with subsequent redifferentiation into the needed cell types). Multipotent stem cells in CSR1 are capable of asymmetrical mitosis, resulting in the formation of two cells. One remains a stem cell, while the other starts differentiation and forms the population of the socalled progenitor cells, which, in turn, are capable of further division and differentiation. Hence, the progenitor cells are the sources of all cells intrinsic of a certain tissue.

S.M.E.M.®

(Signalling Molecules of the Extracellular Matrix)

    • The new experimental approach developed for their identification and study (method of extraction, methods of purification, method of biotesting, methods and models for the study of specific biological activity).

    • Their ability to be active in ultra-low doses.

    • Similarity of physical and chemical properties.

    • Cell adhesion

    • Cell migration

    • Cell proliferation

    • Cell differentiation

    • Support viability of cells in vitro

  • 1. Small molecular weight (less than 10kDа).

    2. High Са2+ binding activity.

    3. Resistance to chemical and physical factors.

    4. Biological activity in ultra-low doses.

    5. Ability to form stable nano-sized particles in solutions (50-200nm).

The initial phase of any pathologic process can be characterized as a stage of disturbance of adhesion and contact interactions between cells. This picture of the loss of cooperation relations between cells occurs regardless of what caused the beginning of the disease or what kind of damage affected this tissue. It was found that signalling molecules biologically active in ultra-low doses are secreted by tissue cells in response to the damaging effect (trauma, effect from different physical and chemical factors) and they are located in the extracellular space.

Peptide complex S.M.E.M.® isolated from extracellular space and belong to the group of homeostatic signalling molecules, is primarily involved in the maintenance of a certain status of adhesion cell-cell interactions playing the principal role in the regulation of the main biological processes  such as cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, work of the main enzyme systems in tissues, etc.  S.M.E.M.® can stimulate reparative and restorative processes due to additional activation of the cell sources of regeneration.

The counts of dying cells and cells regenerating due to division of adjacent cells or CSR activation are equilibrated in constantly regenerating tissues. When the tissue is exposed to a negative factor causing overall cell death, this exposure leads to disorders in cooperative interactions between the cells in the tissue, organization of the macromolecular structures of extracellular space (intracellular matrix, minor matrix, cell-cell contact ultrastructure’s), and the development of inflammation because of accumulation of tissue detritus. The duration of intervals needed for these processes plays the key role in the selection of the approach to subsequent tissue regeneration with the formation of a cicatrix or with complete recovery of the histostructure.

Immune system cells involved in the acute phase of inflammation can have dual effects on the regenerative and reparative processes in the tissue

For example, macrophages involved in phagocytosis of tissue detritus secrete collagenases destroying collagen at the site of injury, promote restoration of epithelial tissues, and thus stimulate regeneration. On the other hand, macrophages promote angiogenesis and release cytokines: transforming growth factor- β and platelet growth factor stimulating fibroblast proliferation and migration, which, in turn, promotes the formation of cicatricial tissue. Hence, for complete regeneration of the tissue structure at the site of the defect it is essential that dead cell material is removed, inflammation arrested, and cell division and differentiation processes are then controlled so that tissue structure reparation is possible without development of the cicatrix. The key point in the regulation of the last stage of regeneration is, on the one hand, regulation of proliferation of connective tissue elements rapidly filling the defect with violation of the normal tissue morphology, and on the other hand, stimulation of cell proliferation and differentiation essential for complete recovery of the histostructure. In most cases (particularly in injuries to the deep layers of tissues), the course of events conforms to variant 1 of tissue regeneration (with the formation of a connective tissue cicatrix). Variant 2 of complete recovery of tissue structure has no time to develop, because the processes leading to the formation of differentiated cells essential for restoration of the normal histostructure are much slower than cicatrix formation.

Secretion of S.M.E.M.® is stimulated after tissue damage for stimulation of CSR (irrespective of the nature of the destructive agent)

However, this stimulation can be rapidly leveled, for example, because of the development of inflammatory reaction (macrophage and leukocyte migration and production of numerous cytokines by these cells), which can arrest hypersecretion of S.M.E.M.® and create the information block situation for CSR.

It can be expected that creation of conditions for constant delivery of S.M.E.M.® to CSR will lead to reparation of the histostructure corresponding to the morphology of normally functioning tissue.