Article
Immunology
Alasdair G. Kay, James M. Fox, James P. Hewitson, Andrew P. Stone, Sophie Robertson, Sally James, Xiao-nong Wang, Elizabeth Kapasa, Xuebin B. Yang, Paul G. Genever
Summary: The heterogeneity of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) poses challenges for their clinical development. A subtype of MSCs characterized by CD317 expression has been identified, and they show a constitutive interferon signature linked to human disease. CD317(pos) MSCs induce tissue damage in a skin inflammation model, while CD317(neg) MSCs have no effect. CD317(neg) MSCs can suppress the proliferation of activated human T cells, while CD317(pos) MSCs increase the polarization towards pro-inflammatory Th1 cells. CD317(neg) and CD317(pos) MSCs can suppress leukocyte recruitment, but only CD317(neg) MSCs suppress macrophage numbers.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Stephen Lenzini, Koushik Debnath, Jagdish C. Joshi, Sing Wan Wong, Kriti Srivastava, Xue Geng, Ik Sung Cho, Angela Song, Raymond Bargi, James C. Lee, Gary C. H. Mo, Dolly Mehta, Jae-Won Shin
Summary: Recent research showed that seeding mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) on engineered hydrogels mimicking soft tissue elasticity leads to an approximately 10-fold increase in extracellular vesicles (EVs) secretion per cell, potentially due to faster transport of multivesicular bodies (MVBs) within MSCs on soft hydrogels, resulting in increased EV secretion. The study also revealed that the Actin-related protein 2/3 complex, rather than myosin-II, limits MVB transport and EV secretion from MSCs on hydrogels.
Article
Cell Biology
Jun Ochiai, Larakaye Villanueva, Hope Niihara, Yutaka Niihara, Joan Oliva
Summary: This study developed a method to engineer multilayer adipose stem cell cell sheets (ASCCSs) using chemically defined/serum-free culture media, which can differentiate into osteoblasts and chondrocytes. The number of cells per cell sheet was estimated using cell sheet transmittance, providing important non-invasive information.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kayla Templeton, Meiby Ramos, Jacqueline Rose, Bryan Le, Qingwen Zhou, Amin Cressman, Stephanie Ferreyra, Carlito B. Lebrilla, Fernando Antonio Fierro
Summary: The study demonstrates that sialylation of N-glycans in MSCs is tightly regulated in response to environmental cues, with the inhibition of sialylation by 3F-Neu5Ac resulting in increased adhesion, migration, and survival of MSCs, while also inhibiting osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. Additionally, the secretion of key trophic factors by MSCs is variably affected upon exposure to 3F-Neu5Ac, suggesting glycoengineering MSCs to reduce sialylated N-glycans could enhance their therapeutic potential.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Ilan Pinkhasov, Liron Kabakov, Carlos E. E. Nemcovsky, Miron Weinreb, Pnina Schlesinger, Omer Bender, Maayan Gal, Daniel Z. Z. Bar, Evgeny Weinberg
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the heterogeneity of ex vivo-cultured human mesenchymal stromal cells derived from different regions of the oral mucosa. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis revealed distinct cell sub-populations, with a higher proportion of mesenchymal stem cells in the masticatory mucosa. These findings have important implications for understanding cell function and potential therapeutic interventions.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Beverly Brooks, Dominique Ebedes, Ahsan Usmani, Joaquin Vega Gonzales-Portillo, Daniel Gonzales-Portillo, Cesario Borlongan
Summary: Ischemic brain injury is a major cause of death worldwide with limited treatment options. Stem cell-based regenerative therapies, specifically mesenchymal stromal cells, show promise in stroke treatment, but further research is needed to fully understand their cell function.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Raphael Gorodetsky, Wilhelm K. Aicher
Summary: MSCs from different sources can release pro-regenerative and anti-inflammatory factors, with hPSCs from the fresh human placenta being a preferred source for abundant cell harvesting. The f-hPSCs from neonate tissues of the placenta can undergo extended expansion with low risk of senescence, making them competent cells for therapy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Renata Skovronova, Eleonora Scaccia, Sandra Calcat-i-Cervera, Benedetta Bussolati, Timothy O'Brien, Karen Bieback
Summary: This study indicates that the effects of ASC on immunomodulation and angiogenesis are independent of EV. Specific ASC-EV effects need to be dissected for their use as cell-free therapeutics.
JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Li-Na Zhang, Di-Di Zhang, Lei Yang, Yu-Xuan Gu, Qiu-Ping Zuo, Hao-Yi Wang, Jia Xu, Dian-Xin Liu
Summary: Invasion and metastasis are key characteristics of malignant tumors, with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) recognized as the initial step. Cell fusion, particularly involving mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs), plays a critical role in cancer development and progression, potentially influencing tumor growth and metastasis.
Review
Immunology
Takeshi Nitta
Summary: The microenvironment of the thymus consists of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and mesenchymal stromal cells, which play crucial roles in T cell development and selection. While TECs are well-studied, the immunological significance of mesenchymal stromal cells, particularly fibroblasts, has been less explored. Recent advancements in technology have allowed for the identification and characterization of these cells, revealing their unique functions in thymic organogenesis and T cell development.
INFLAMMATION AND REGENERATION
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Denise Zujur, Ziadoon Al-Akashi, Anna Nakamura, Chengzhu Zhao, Kazuma Takahashi, Shizuka Aritomi, William Theoputra, Daisuke Kamiya, Koichi Nakayama, Makoto Ikeya
Summary: We developed a stepwise differentiation method to generate matrix-rich cartilage spheroids from induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (iMSCs) via the induction of neural crest cells under xeno-free conditions. By using a thienoindazole derivative, TD-198946, we achieved enhanced chondrogenesis in iMSCs. Our findings provide a novel cell source for stem cell-based cartilage repair and offer the potential for biofabrication of larger cartilage tissues using chondrogenic spheroids and technologies such as Kenzan Bioprinting.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ana Merino, Marta Sablik, Sander S. Korevaar, Carmen Lopez-Iglesias, Maitane Ortiz-Virumbrales, Carla C. Baan, Eleuterio Lombardo, Martin J. Hoogduijn
Summary: This study found that membrane particles (MP) generated from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) can preserve the beneficial effects of MSC on endothelial cell repair processes. This suggests that MP may have potential applications for treating vascular diseases where inflammatory processes damage the endothelium.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Fabian Westhauser, Marcela Arango-Ospina, Sarina Losch, Sebastian Wilkesmann, Burkhard Lehner, Muhammad S. Ali, Wolfgang Peukert, Aldo R. Boccaccini, Joerg Fellenberg
Summary: Our study found that five different compositions of BGs exhibit a concentration and time-dependent cytotoxic effect on neoplastic GCTB cells, whereas bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells were largely unaffected. The cytotoxic effects were determined by the composition of the BGs, and were not associated with activation of caspases, instead suggesting a necrotic cell death process involving disruption of cell membranes and a rapid decrease in intracellular HMG1 levels.
Review
Immunology
Takeshi Nitta, Hiroshi Takayanagi
Summary: The stromal microenvironment in the thymus is crucial for generating a functional T cell repertoire, with thymic epithelial cells (TECs) being the most prominent type. Besides TECs, other stromal cell types of mesenchymal origin also play important roles in controlling TEC development. The recently discovered functional effect of thymic fibroblasts on T cell repertoire selection is highlighted as a significant advancement in our understanding of thymic organogenesis and T cell development.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Shahram Eisa-Beygi, Meng-Ming Hu, Suresh N. Kumar, Brooke E. Jeffery, Ross F. Collery, Nghia (Jack) Vo, Bhawika S. Lamichanne, H. Joseph Yost, Matthew B. Veldman, Brian A. Link
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the cell-cell interactions involved in endothelial tip cell fusion during venous angiogenesis. Imaging and loss-of-function studies revealed that BMP-responsive stromal cells facilitate the timely and precise fusion of venous tip cells. The findings highlight the requirement of stromal cells for anastomosis of venous tip cells in embryonic hematopoietic tissue.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Roswitha Luftinger, Natalia Zubarovskaya, Jacques-Emmanuel Galimard, Annamaria Cseh, Elisabeth Salzer, Franco Locatelli, Mattia Algeri, Akif Yesilipek, Josu de la Fuente, Antonella Isgro, Amal Alseraihy, Emanuele Angelucci, Frans J. Smiers, Giorgia La La Nasa, Marco Zecca, Tunc Fisgin, Emel Unal, Katharina Kleinschmidt, Christina Peters, Arjan Lankester, Selim Corbacioglu
Summary: Significant advances in supportive care have improved the life expectancy of patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia major (TDT), but iron overload remains a barrier to long-term survival. This retrospective analysis compared the outcomes of TDT patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with different conditioning regimens, and found that both busulfan-fludarabine-based and treosulfan-fludarabine-based conditioning resulted in high cure rates. The main causes of death were infections, graft-versus-host disease, and rejection.
ANNALS OF HEMATOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Serena Ilaria Tripodi, Elena Bergami, Arianna Panigari, Valentina Caissutti, Carlotta Brovia, Marica De Cicco, Emanuele Cereda, Riccardo Caccialanza, Marco Zecca
Summary: Nutrition plays an increasingly important role in the health and growth of children, especially those facing cancer. This article reviews nutritional assessment methods and interventions for children with cancer. The key findings highlight the importance of monitoring the nutritional status and body composition of oncologic children, as well as the need for skilled clinical nutrition personnel.
Review
Oncology
Francesco Fabozzi, Chiara Maria Trovato, Antonella Diamanti, Angela Mastronuzzi, Marco Zecca, Serena Ilaria Tripodi, Riccardo Masetti, Davide Leardini, Edoardo Muratore, Veronica Barat, Antonella Lezo, Francesco De Lorenzo, Riccardo Caccialanza, Paolo Pedrazzoli
Summary: Nutritional management in pediatric cancer patients is often overlooked, and there is a lack of systematic approach. This consensus statement provides practical recommendations based on consensus to address the nutritional needs of children with cancer, filling a gap in the field.
Letter
Biophysics
Daniele Zama, Riccardo Masetti, Francesco Baccelli, Davide Leardini, Edoardo Muratore, Nicoletta Abram, Francesca Vendemini, Alessandra Biffi, Katia Perruccio, Maria Rosaria D'Amico, Maura Faraci, Veronica Tintori, Anita Spirito, Luca Lo Nigro, Franco Locatelli, Roberto Luksch, Francesco Saglio, Nicola Santoro, Elena Soncini, Marco Zecca, Ottavio Ziino, Arcangelo Prete, Daria Pagliara, Simone Cesaro
BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Gloria Pelizzo, Maria Antonietta Avanzini, Stefania Croce, Anna Mandelli, Elisa Lenta, Andrea Farolfi, Chiara Valsecchi, Salvatore Zirpoli, Giulia Lanfranchi, Eleonora Durante, Elena Zoia, Gianvincenzo Zuccotti, Valeria Calcaterra
Summary: This case report describes the successful treatment of an 18-month-old male patient with chronic respiratory failure using allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). MSC treatment resulted in an improvement in the patient's respiratory condition, as well as growth recovery. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of MSCs in the treatment of respiratory system diseases.
Letter
Biophysics
Luca Vinci, Christian Flotho, Peter Noellke, Dirk Lebrecht, Riccardo Masetti, Valerie de Haas, Barbara De Moerloose, Michael Dworzak, Henrik Hasle, Tayfun Guengoer, Jan Stary, Dominik Turkiewicz, Marek Ussowicz, Cristina Diaz de Heredia, Jochen Buechner, Kirsi Jahnukainen, Krisztian Kallay, Ivana Bodova, Owen P. P. Smith, Marco Zecca, Dorine Bresters, Peter Lang, Tania Nicole Masmas, Roland Meisel, Herbert Pichler, Miriam Erlacher, Gudrun Goehring, Franco Locatelli, Brigitte Strahm, Charlotte M. M. Niemeyer, Ayami Yoshimi
BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alice Nevone, Francesca Lattarulo, Monica Russo, Giada Panno, Paolo Milani, Marco Basset, Maria Antonietta Avanzini, Giampaolo Merlini, Giovanni Palladini, Mario Nuvolone
Summary: In the next-generation sequencing era, RT-qPCR remains widely used for quantifying nucleic acids due to its popularity, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. However, accurate measurement of transcriptional levels requires appropriate reference genes for normalization. Here, we present a strategy that utilizes publicly available transcriptomic datasets to select suitable reference genes for specific clinical or experimental settings and includes a pipeline for RT-qPCR assay design and validation. We demonstrated the efficacy of this strategy by identifying and validating reference genes for transcriptional studies of bone-marrow plasma cells in AL amyloidosis patients. This strategy can be applied to other settings with publicly available transcriptomic datasets.
Article
Biophysics
Karl-Walter Sykora, Rita Beier, Ansgar Schulz, Simone Cesaro, Johann Greil, Jolanta Gozdzik, Petr Sedlacek, Peter Bader, Johannes Schulte, Marco Zecca, Franco Locatelli, Bernd Gruhn, Dirk Reinhardt, Jan Styczynski, Simona Piras, Franca Fagioli, Sonia Bonanomi, Maurizio Caniglia, Xieran Li, Joachim Baumgart, Jochen Kehne, Monika Mielcarek-Siedziuk, Krzysztof Kalwak
Summary: This study compared the safety and efficacy of busulfan and treosulfan in conditioning treatment for children with non-malignant diseases prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The results showed that treosulfan had a higher rate of treatment success and overall survival, but a higher rate of graft failure. Busulfan and treosulfan had similar adverse events.
BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Article
Hematology
V. Munaretto, P. Corti, E. Bertoni, S. I. Tripodi, M. E. Guerzoni, S. Cesaro, F. Arcioni, C. Piccolo, T. Mina, M. Zecca, D. Cuzzubbo, M. Casale, G. Palazzi, L. D. Notarangelo, N. Masera, P. Samperi, S. Perrotta, G. Russo, L. Sainati, R. Colombatti
Summary: Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a common reason for hospitalization in sickle cell disease (SCD). Despite advances in acute care, many settings lack knowledge about ACS best practices. A retrospective study in Italy showed that standardized management improved diagnostic and therapeutic pathways of ACS in children, but discrepancies were found between reference centers and general hospitals.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Hematology
Annamaria Cseh, Jacques-Emmanuel Galimard, Josu de la Fuente, Antonella Isgro, Marco Zecca, Birgit Garwer, Alexandra Biffi, Mahmoud Aljurf, Mikael Sundin, Cristina Belendez, Franco Locatelli, Adriana Balduzzi, Sarah Lawson, Henrik Sengeloev, Marianne Ifversen, Riccardo Saccardi, Robert Wynn, Arjan C. Lankester, Selim Corbacioglu, Christina Peters
BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Claudia Del Fante, Cristina Mortellaro, Santina Recupero, Giovanna Giorgiani, Annalisa Agostini, Arianna Panigari, Cesare Perotti, Marco Zecca
Summary: This study retrospectively analyzed red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) transfusion practices in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients during the first 100 days after the procedure. The study found that the transfusion thresholds for RBC and PLT decreased over time, and the number of transfusions remained low in patients without severe hemorrhagic complications. No increase in mortality or adverse events was observed during the study period.
Article
Pediatrics
Chiara Ionio, Francesca Bigoni, Maddalena Sacchi, Marco Zecca, Elena Bergami, Marta Landoni, Giulia Ciuffo, Anna Rovati, Damiano Rizzi
Summary: This study aimed to explore the psychological and post-traumatic consequences of oncological disease in adolescents and their impact on the family system. The findings revealed that adolescent cancer patients had lower levels of psychological well-being and showed a significant influence of the traumatic event on their identity and life perspectives. The study also highlighted a positive correlation between adolescents' psychological well-being and their relationship with parents.
Article
Oncology
Sabina Di Matteo, Maria Antonietta Avanzini, Gloria Pelizzo, Valeria Calcaterra, Stefania Croce, Grazia Maria Spaggiari, Charles Theuer, Gianvincenzo Zuccotti, Lorenzo Moretta, Andrea Pelosi, Bruno Azzarone
Summary: Different components of the tumor microenvironment, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumoral mesenchymal stromal cells, play a major role in cancer progression, metastatic spread and resistance to chemo-immunotherapy. Neuroblastoma tumor-associated mesenchymal stromal cells (NB-TA-MSC) have been extensively characterized for their pro-tumorigenic properties, while their immunosuppressive potential, especially against NK cells, has not been thoroughly investigated. This study reveals that primary young/proliferating NB-TA-MSC resist direct lysis by activated NK cells, inhibiting proliferation, cytolytic activity and functional markers of freshly isolated NK cells. These findings highlight the importance of eliminating NB-TA-MSC for improved neuroblastoma immunotherapy.
Meeting Abstract
Cell Biology
Rosalia Cacciatore, Annamaria Pasi, Paola Bergamaschi, Giovanna Giorgiani, Patrizia Comoli, Ilaria Sbarsi, Lorenza Chiesa, Carolina Radaelli, Cinzia Pizzochero, Maria Cristina Monti, Angela Leone, Cesare Perotti, Marco Zecca
Review
Pediatrics
Marcello Lanari, Elisabetta Venturini, Luca Pierantoni, Giacomo Stera, Guido Castelli Gattinara, Susanna Maria Roberta Esposito, Silvia Favilli, Emilio Franzoni, Eleonora Fusco, Paolo Lionetti, Claudio Maffeis, Gianluigi Marseglia, Laura Massella, Fabio Midulla, Alberto Zanobini, Marco Zecca, Alberto Villani, Annamaria Staiano, Luisa Galli
Summary: The rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to the urgent need for rapid development of therapeutic options. Recently, human recombinant monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been approved for use in patients aged >= 12 with SARS-CoV-2 infection and specific risk factors. Currently, two different combinations of mAbs, Bamlanivimab+Etesevimab (produced by Eli Lilly) and Casirivimab+Imdevimab (produced by Regeneron), are recommended for use. These drugs have shown favorable effects in adult patients in the early stage of infection, but there is limited data on their use in children.
ITALIAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2022)
