Article
Biology
Sandy Gozlan, Vivien Batoumeni, Tara Fournier, Celine Nanteau, Anais Potey, Marilou Clemencon, Gael Orieux, Jose-Alain Sahel, Olivier Goureau, Jerome E. Roger, Sacha Reichman
Summary: Researchers have developed a simple method to generate, expand, and cryopreserve retinal progenitor cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. These cells have the potential to be used in cell-based therapies and drug discovery for retinal diseases.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Michiko Yamane, Nanako Takaoka, Koya Obara, Kyoumi Shirai, Ryoichi Aki, Yuko Hamada, Nobuko Arakawa, Robert M. Hoffman, Yasuyuki Amoh
Summary: Hair-follicle-associated pluripotent (HAP) stem cells, located in hair follicles, can differentiate into multiple cell types, including neurons and cardiomyocytes. Studies have shown that HAP stem cells treated with neural-induction medium can differentiate into dopaminergic neurons, which may potentially help improve symptoms of Parkinson's disease in the future.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yo Oguma, Yasumasa Kuroda, Shohei Wakao, Yoshihiro Kushida, Mari Dezawa
Summary: In human bone marrow-mesenchymal stromal cells, the pluripotent-like Muse-MSCs and multipotent MSCs show differential gene expression patterns, with Muse-MSCs exhibiting higher expression of genes related to signal acceptance, metabolism, and ribosomes, and MSCs showing higher expression of genes related to cell cycle, cytoskeleton, and extracellular matrix.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Takashi Yoshino, Takahiro Suzuki, Go Nagamatsu, Haruka Yabukami, Mika Ikegaya, Mami Kishima, Haruka Kita, Takuya Imamura, Kinichi Nakashima, Ryuichi Nishinakamura, Makoto Tachibana, Miki Inoue, Yuichi Shima, Ken-ichirou Morohashi, Katsuhiko Hayashi
Summary: Novel methods have been developed to generate functional mouse oocytes from pluripotent stem cell-derived primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) and fetal ovarian somatic cell-like cells (FOSLCs). When FOSLCs are aggregated with PGCLCs, they enter meiosis and produce oocytes capable of fertilization and development into live offspring, providing a method for in vitro oocyte production and follicle generation for a better understanding of mammalian reproduction.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Elrade Rofaani, Yong He, Juan Peng, Yong Chen
Summary: This study developed a method to overcome the lack of in vivo-like basement membrane (BM) for in vitro modeling by culturing primordial lung progenitors (PLPs) on an artificial basement membrane (ABM) composed of collagen IV and laminin. The forces generated by the growing epithelial monolayer on the ABM led to geometry-dependent folding and enhanced expression of surfactant protein C and aquaporin 5 compared with a nanofiber-covered substrate. This work emphasizes the importance of recapitulating natural BM for advanced epithelial modeling.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Haiying Wang, Linlin Liu, Chang Liu, Lingling Wang, Jiyu Chen, Huasong Wang, Dai Heng, Ming Zeng, Chun Liu, Zhongcheng Zhou, Xiaoying Ye, Yajuan Wan, Huiyu Li, Lin Liu
Summary: The combination of Vitamin C and AM580 can induce female embryonic stem cells to differentiate into embryonic gonadal somatic cell-like cells, promoting meiosis progression and folliculogenesis. This approach has implications in studying germ cell and follicle development and potentially treating female infertility.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yu Jin Jang, Mijeong Kim, Bum-Kyu Lee, Jonghwan Kim
Summary: The authors developed a simple procedure to convert human primed pluripotent stem cells into trophoblast stem-like cells using bone morphogenetic protein 4, providing an important opportunity to study human placenta development and pathology.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Hao Xu, Liying Wu, Guojia Yuan, Xiaolu Liang, Xiaoguang Liu, Zuobiao Li, Nianping Chen, Maryam Farzaneh
Summary: Hepatic disease negatively affects liver function and metabolism. Primary human hepatocytes are the best choice for predicting and treating liver diseases, but their sources are limited. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have emerged as an alternative strategy for liver disease therapy. Recent studies have found that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can also differentiate into hepatocytes. Various differentiation protocols have been established to obtain hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) from PSCs and MSCs and mimic their characteristics.
CURRENT STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mohamed A. Faynus, Jeffrey K. Bailey, Britney O. Pennington, Mika Katsura, Duncan A. Proctor, Ashley K. Yeh, Sneha Menon, Dylan G. Choi, Jane S. Lebkowski, Lincoln Johnson, Dennis O. Clegg
Summary: Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye disease with no current treatment options. Using microcarrier technology for cell culture allows efficient large-scale production of therapeutic retinal pigmented epithelial cells, fulfilling the treatment demands.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Biology
Jingqiang Wang, Chunye Liu, Lingli He, Zhiyao Xie, Lanyue Bai, Wentao Yu, Zuoyun Wang, Yi Lu, Dong Gao, Junfen Fu, Lei Zhang, Yi Arial Zeng
Summary: The activation and proliferation of ovarian surface epithelium stem cells after ovulatory rupture is triggered by selective activation of YAP signaling and lower expression of Vgll4 in Procr progenitors. YAP activation promotes Procr transcription and the combination of increased cell division and Procr expression leads to expansion of Procr+ progenitors surrounding the rupture site.
Article
Developmental Biology
K. Lundin, K. Sepponen, P. Vayrynen, X. Liu, D. A. Yohannes, M. Survila, B. Ghimire, J. Kansakoski, S. Katayama, J. Partanen, S. Vuoristo, P. Paloviita, N. Rahman, T. Raivio, K. Luiro, I Huhtaniemi, M. Varjosalo, T. Tuuri, J. S. Tapanainen
Summary: This study investigates the function of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and its receptor (FSHR) using in vitro models. By differentiating FSHR-expressing cells from human pluripotent stem cells, the researchers were able to study endogenous FSHR function. The results show that FSH stimulation activates the cAMP signaling pathway and downstream mediators, and the analysis of protein-protein interactions revealed key proteins associated with infertility.
MOLECULAR HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Xiaotong Wang, Zili Li, Mengyuan Qu, Chengliang Xiong, Honggang Li
Summary: Our study identified a loss-of-function variant p.His244ArgfsTer31 (c.731_732delAT) in PIWIL2 as the causative variant for complete SCOS in a male patient. This variant resulted in a truncated PIWIL2 protein lacking all functional domains and no PIWIL2 expression in the patient's testes. In vitro differentiation models demonstrated that this variant severely impaired the formation and maintenance of spermatogonial stem cell-like cells (SSCLCs). RNA-seq analysis suggested the inactivation of the Wnt signaling pathway in the process of SSCLC induction in the PIWIL2(-/-) group, which was validated in the patient group by RT-qPCR. Furthermore, inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway hindered the formation and maintenance of SSCLCs during the differentiation of normal hiPSCs.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Hang-soo Park, Rishi Man Chugh, Jin Seok, Esra Cetin, Hanaa Mohammed, Hiba Siblini, Farzana Liakath Ali, Mohammad Mousaei Ghasroldasht, Hiba Alkelani, Amro Elsharoud, Mara Ulin, Sahar Esfandyari, Ayman Al-Hendy
Summary: This study compared the therapeutic effects of MSCs and equal amounts of MSC-derived exosomes in a POI mouse model. The results showed that although there were some differences, both treatments were able to achieve pregnancy in the POI mouse model.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Zhuoran Yu, Sihan Zhou, Minli Liu, Lijun Chen, Xue Zhang, Xu Yang, Hongdi Cui, Chaoqian Jiang, Yanjiao Lv, Tingsheng Yan, Qingran Kong, Zhonghua Liu
Summary: This study successfully derived and maintained stable porcine pluripotent stem cells (pLCDMs) using the LCDM culture system. Transcriptome analysis revealed the unique molecular characteristics and similarities/differences with human and mouse EPSCs. Furthermore, two small molecules in the culture system were found to play a crucial role in promoting trophoblast lineage differentiation potential of pLCDMs.
Review
Cell Biology
Michal Szymoniuk, Jakub Litak, Leon Sakwa, Aleksandra Dryla, Wojciech Zezulinski, Wojciech Czyzewski, Piotr Kamieniak, Tomasz Blicharski
Summary: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a common neurological disorder that causes permanent disability in most patients. Stem Cell Therapy (SCT) shows promise in regenerating the injured spinal cord through the use of various types of stem cells. Understanding the pathogenesis of SCI and the molecular mechanisms of stem cell action can improve the efficacy of SCT and lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches.
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Martin Stimpfel, Nina Jancar, Irma Virant-Klun
STEM CELL REVIEWS AND REPORTS
(2018)
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Martin Stimpfel, Nina Jancar, Irma Virant-Klun
STEM CELL REVIEWS AND REPORTS
(2018)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Tanja Burnik Papler, Eda Vrtacnik Bokal, Ursula Prosenc Zmrzljak, Martin Stimpfel, Antonio Simone Lagana, Fabio Ghezzi, Nina Jancar
ARCHIVES OF GYNECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS
(2019)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Irma Virant-Klun, S. Omejec, M. Stimpfel, P. Skerl, S. Novakovic, N. Jancar, E. Vrtacnik-Bokal
STEM CELL REVIEWS AND REPORTS
(2019)
Article
Andrology
Martin Stimpfel, Nina Jancar, Eda Vrtacnik-Bokal, Irma Virant-Klun
SYSTEMS BIOLOGY IN REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE
(2019)
Article
Andrology
Martin Stimpfel, Eda Vrtacnik-Bokal
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
P. Petric, E. Vrtacnik-Bokal, M. Stimpfel
Summary: Stem cell therapy for infertility can be divided into direct transplantation and in vitro differentiation methods. While these approaches have shown improvements in reproductive potential in animal models, there is insufficient evidence to suggest successful applications in humans.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Helena Ban Frangez, Eda Vrtacnik Bokal, Martin Stimpfel, Teja Divjak Budihna, Ferdinando Antonio Gulino, Simone Garzon, Fabio Ghezzi, Ibrahim Alkatout, Georgios Gitas, Antonio Simone Lagana
Summary: The study found that women who underwent previous laparoscopic cystectomy for endometrioma required higher doses of gonadotrophins for ovarian stimulation and had a lower number of retrieved oocytes compared with other types of infertility. However, pregnancy and delivery rates were comparable to other causes of infertility. These findings can help in providing adequate counselling for infertile women with ovarian endometriomas and making informed decisions shared with the patient.
JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maja Tomic, Eda Vrtacnik Bokal, Martin Stimpfel
Summary: This review discusses recent advancements in preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) of embryos. Different PGT methods and analysis of genetic materials are presented. Non-invasive PGT-A (niPGT-A) is a novel approach that analyzes genetic material in spent embryo culture media (SECM). However, niPGT-A has limitations including lower quantity and quality of cell-free genetic material and unknown origin.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biology
Maja Tomic, Luka Bolha, Joze Pizem, Helena Ban-Frangez, Eda Vrtacnik-Bokal, Martin Stimpfel
Summary: This study identified 9 miRNAs that could serve as biomarkers for sperm quality in relation to teratozoospermia, highlighting the need for objective markers to personalize the treatment of male infertility.
Article
Biology
Martin Stimpfel, Nina Jancar, Helena Ban-Frangez, Eda Vrtacnik-Bokal
Summary: The latest reports suggest that it may be better to transfer embryos to the uterus on day five instead of day three of preimplantation development, but this may only be applicable when patients are under 36 years old and there are only one-two embryos obtained in the cycle. A retrospective study was conducted to address this issue, analyzing data from IVF/ICSI cycles where one-two embryos were obtained and comparing the outcomes between day three and day five embryo transfer. The study revealed that the birth rate per embryo transfer was significantly higher in the day five group, particularly in patients under 36 years old.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sanja Ozimic, Helena Ban-Frangez, Martin Stimpfel
Summary: The cryopreservation of human spermatozoa has been a viable option for cancer patients undergoing chemo or radiotherapies since the late 1950s. Different techniques are available for cryopreservation, with programmable slow freezing and freezing on liquid nitrogen vapors being the most commonly used. However, the use of vitrification is still not widely accepted. Cryodamage caused by cryopreservation can lead to molecular and structural changes in spermatozoa, affecting their plasma membrane fluidity, motility, viability, and DNA integrity. Cryoprotectants are added to mitigate cryodamage, and antioxidants have been investigated to improve post-thaw sperm quality. This review discusses cryopreservation techniques, cryodamage, and cryoprotectants, providing a comparison of techniques and recent advances.
CURRENT ISSUES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Tanja Burnik Papler, Martin Stimpfel, Brina Kovacik, Eda Vrtacnik Bokal
Summary: This study found that 20.8% of infertile PCOS women who underwent LOD before IVF experienced poor ovarian response (POR). Women with POR had higher serum FSH levels and required higher doses of gonadotrophins, indicating a possible association with FSH-R genotypes related to POR and higher FSH levels.
MEDICINA-LITHUANIA
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Martin Stimpfel, Nina Jancar, Eda Vrtacnik-Bokal
Summary: Collecting semen samples at home has a positive effect on sperm quality, but no significant differences in cycle outcomes are observed when these samples are used in IVF/ICSI cycles.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOMEDICINE ONLINE
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Martin Stimpfel, Lili Bacer-Kermavner, Nina Jancar, Eda Vrtacnik-Bokal
TAIWANESE JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2020)
