Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ingrid Wilhelmsen, Mikel Amirola Martinez, Justyna Stokowiec, Chencheng Wang, Aleksandra Aizenshtadt, Stefan Krauss
Summary: This study investigates the phenotypic and functional development of pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatic stellate cells (scHSCs) and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (scLSECs) during extended in vitro culture. It is crucial to consider the choice of pluripotent stem cell line and experimental timeframe in designing in vitro platforms involving scHSCs and scLSECs. Notch inhibition and co-culturing scHSCs and scLSECs have shown potential in enhancing the stability and maturity of these cells.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jun Jie Tan, Jacques P. Guyette, Kenji Miki, Ling Xiao, Gurbani Kaur, Tong Wu, Liye Zhu, Katrina J. Hansen, King-Hwa Ling, David J. Milan, Harald C. Ott
Summary: The study demonstrates the generation of premature PECs using BVR stimulation, co-culturing PECs with cardiomyocytes leads to cardiomyocyte aggregation, proliferation and the formation of more mature structures with improved beating/contractility.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Julia Vallverdu, Raquel A. Martinez Garcia de la Torre, Inge Mannaerts, Stefaan Verhulst, Ayla Smout, Mar Coll, Silvia Arino, Teresa Rubio-Tomas, Beatriz Aguilar-Bravo, Celia Martinez-Sanchez, Delia Blaya, Catherine M. Verfaillie, Leo A. van Grunsven, Pau Sancho-Bru
Summary: Human iPSCs are differentiated into HSCs with growth factors for in vitro modeling. The protocol yields iPSC-HSCs with phenotypic and functional characteristics of primary HSCs, suitable for high-throughput in vitro studies. Coculturing iPSC-HSCs with hepatocytes allows for the formation of 3D hepatic spheroids, enabling modeling and drug screening studies.
Article
Cell Biology
Seung-Cheol Choi, Ha-Rim Seo, Long-Hui Cui, Myeong-Hwa Song, Ji-Min Noh, Kyung-Seob Kim, Ji-Hyun Choi, Jong-Ho Kim, Chi-Yeon Park, Hyung Joon Joo, Soon Jun Hong, Tae Hee Ko, Jong-Il Choi, Hyo Jin Kim, Jong-Hoon Kim, Se-Hwan Paek, Ji-Na Park, Dong-Hyung Kim, Yongjun Jang, Yongdoo Park, Do-Sun Lim
Summary: The study demonstrates that FGF4 and ascorbic acid can induce differentiation of human embryonic stem cell-cardiogenic mesoderm cells into mature cardiomyocytes, providing a model for adult-onset cardiac disease and drug discovery. These mature cardiomyocytes release acute myocardial infarction biomarkers in response to hypoxic injury, with potential for diagnosis and prognosis in coronary artery diseases based on transcriptome analyses.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yinpeng Jin, Rongfeng Shi, Tangkai Qi, Qiang Li, Cong Chen, Shane Gao, Fengjuan Gao, Danjing Yang, Guangxi Sun, Jianqing Xu, Qingchun Fu, Jun Xu, Xiaoyan Zhang
Summary: Hepatocyte transplantation is hindered by limited resources, but mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) and provide some hepatocyte functions. In this study, human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) were found to have stronger hepatic differentiation ability compared to umbilical cord MSCs (hUCMSCs). The use of hADSCs-HLC or a combination of hADSCs and hADSCs-HLC had a better curative effect in treating acute liver failure, leading to hepatocyte regeneration, liver function recovery, reduced systemic inflammatory reaction, and improved survival rate.
ACTA BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA SINICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shimpei Maruoka, Toshiyasu Ojima, Hiromitsu Iwamoto, Junya Kitadani, Hirotaka Tabata, Shinta Tominaga, Masahiro Katsuda, Keiji Hayata, Akihiro Takeuchi, Hiroki Yamaue
Summary: This study demonstrates the successful generation of DC vaccines with potent anti-tumor effects using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) transfected with ivtRNA derived from colorectal cancer patients. The study also identified potential neoantigens and showed the ability of the generated DC vaccines to induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) against these neoantigens.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Razik Bin Abdul Mu-u-min, Abdoulaye Diane, Asma Allouch, Heba H. Al-Siddiqi
Summary: This review emphasizes the importance of calcium and its signaling pathways in beta cell function and the implications of calcium dysfunction in the onset of diabetes. Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) technology holds promise in generating functional pancreatic beta cells to replace dysfunctional cells, reducing the burden of diabetes. However, current differentiation protocols result in beta-like cells with limited functionality compared to adult beta cells. Targeting calcium function in differentiation protocols is suggested to improve the generation of mature and functional beta-like cells.
Article
Cell Biology
Shu-Kun He, Liang-Ju Ning, Ruo-Nan Hu, Xuan Yao, Jing Cui, Wei Ding, Jing-Cong Luo, Ting-Wu Qin
Summary: This study designed a novel scaffold (sDCB-ECM) to enhance the bioactivity and stem cell proliferation and migration by mimicking the natural structure of the tendon-bone interface and utilizing tendon-derived stem cell extracellular matrix (ECM). The results indicated that sDCB-ECM had the potential to enhance tendon-bone interface regeneration.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Xiaoyan Xie, Hailei Yao, Xiaoyan Han, Wen Yue, Xuetao Pei
Summary: Red blood cells and platelets derived from stem cells are potential solutions to meet the increasing demand for blood transfusion. While successful clinical trials have been conducted, there remains limited information on the clinical translation of stem cell-derived RBCs and platelets.
STEM CELLS TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Mohammad Reza Mahdavi, Seyed Ehsan Enderami
Summary: This study aimed to expand CD 133+ stem cells derived from UCB on a 3D silk scaffold, showing that the electrospun silk scaffold could be used as a suitable substrate for UCB CD 133+ stem cell expansion.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nattaya Damkham, Surapol Issaragrisil, Chanchao Lorthongpanich
Summary: This review provides an update on the regulation of YAP and TAZ, transcriptional coactivators in the Hippo signaling pathway, in stem cell behaviors and differentiation. It highlights their roles in mechanosensing and mechanotransduction, as well as the importance of understanding how cells perceive and respond to their microenvironment for improving the efficiency and efficacy of stem cell products.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ana Luisa Rodrigues Toste de Carvalho, Hsiao-Yun Liu, Ya-Wen Chen, Matteo Porotto, Anne Moscona, Hans-Willem Snoeck
Summary: This protocol details a method for direct differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into various mature lung and airway cell types using a 3D collagen I matrix. The resulting cultures have potential applications in regenerative medicine, lung disease modeling, drug screening, and studying human lung development.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Michelle Vanessa Kamga Kapchoup, Juergen Hescheler, Filomain Nguemo
Summary: Hydroxychloroquine (HDQ) has been widely studied for its potential use in the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. This antimalarial drug has shown beneficial effects on stem cell proliferation and cardiomyocyte activity, but it can also be toxic at high concentrations. Identifying risk factors and understanding the cardiotoxic profile of HDQ is challenging.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Faiza Yaqub, Noreen Latief, Hira Butt, Nadia Naseer, Sheikh Riazuddin
Summary: The study demonstrated that ALA-primed ADSCs protect hepatocytes from CCl4-induced damage, reducing oxidative stress, regulating apoptosis, and promoting cell proliferation. Additionally, ALA and ADSCs also improve the response of primary hepatocytes to hepatotoxicity by modulating the expression of multiple genes and proteins.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Edward J. Calabrese
Summary: This paper provides a detailed assessment of hormetic dose responses in adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) of animal models and humans, showing that hormetic dose responses are commonly reported for ADSCs and may have a determinant role in potential clinical applications.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Margherita Maffei, Antonio Giordano
Summary: Leptin, produced by white adipose tissue, plays a crucial role in informing the brain about energy stores and regulating energy balance. Obesity-induced alterations in certain hubs of the hypothalamus may hinder the action of Leptin, leading to resistance in obese patients. Understanding how Leptin gains access to the brain and how neuronal plasticity interferes with its function may provide insights for enhancing the effects of Leptin.
REVIEWS IN ENDOCRINE & METABOLIC DISORDERS
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Diletta Rosati, Antonio Giordano
Summary: Single-cell RNA sequencing technologies play a crucial role in understanding cancer heterogeneity and lineage-dependent drug resistance.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Georgia Colleluori, Laura Graciotti, Mauro Pesaresi, Angelica Di Vincenzo, Jessica Perugini, Eleonora Di Mercurio, Sara Caucci, Patrizia Bagnarelli, Cristina M. Zingaretti, Enzo Nisoli, Stefano Menzo, Adriano Tagliabracci, Annie Ladoux, Christian Dani, Antonio Giordano, Saverio Cinti
Summary: This study confirms the presence of lung fat embolism in COVID-19 patients and describes novel COVID-19-related features possibly contributing to the unfavorable prognosis in individuals with COVID-19 and obesity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBESITY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giulio Poli, Miriana Di Stefano, Joan Arias Estevez, Filippo Minutolo, Carlotta Granchi, Antonio Giordano, Salvatore Parisi, Matteo Mauceri, Vincenzo Canzonieri, Marco Macchia, Isabella Caligiuri, Tiziano Tuccinardi, Flavio Rizzolio
Summary: This study reports the virtual screening and identification of potential PIN1 inhibitors with anti-tumoral activity. The results confirm the reliability of the in silico protocol and provide new ligands as starting points for the development of PIN1 inhibitors.
JOURNAL OF ENZYME INHIBITION AND MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Georgia Colleluori, Chiara Galli, Ilenia Severi, Jessica Perugini, Antonio Giordano
Summary: Obesity disease is caused by dysfunctional energy balance regulation, with the central nervous system as the master regulator. During early postnatal periods, when the brain is highly plastic and influenced by the environment, neural circuitry involved in this regulation matures. This phenomenon is considered an evolutionary strategy, adjusting metabolic functions to environmental cues. Individuals who experience early life stress (ELS) have a higher prevalence of obesity. Oxytocin plays a vital role in regulating energy balance and is closely linked to leptin. Both oxytocin and leptin impact neurodevelopment and are affected by ELS and obesity.
Correction
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pietro Mancuso, Rossella Tricarico, Vikram Bhattacharjee, Laura Cosentino, Yuwaraj Kadariya, Jaroslav Jelinek, Emmanuelle Nicolas, Margret Einarson, Neil Beeharry, Karthik Devarajan, Richard A. Katz, Dorjbal G. Dorjsuren, Hongmao Sun, Anton Simeonov, Antonio Giordano, Joseph R. Testa, Guillaume Davidson, Irwin Davidson, Lionel Larue, Robert W. Sobol, Timothy J. Yen, Alfonso Bellacosa
Review
Cell Biology
Pierluigi Scalia, Stephen J. Williams, Yoko Fujita-Yamaguchi, Antonio Giordano
Summary: The IGFs are important growth factors that play a key role in cell growth and cell cycle progression through their cellular receptors. Understanding the intracellular signaling mechanisms of IGFs is crucial for cancer research. This study provides a comprehensive summary of the current understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of IGFs in cancer and suggests new perspectives for further research.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Ilenia Severi, Silvia Abbatelli, Jessica Perugini, Eleonora Di Mercurio, Martina Senzacqua, Antonio Giordano
Summary: This study is the first comprehensive morphological investigation into the distribution and physiological role of BChE in the mouse gastrointestinal tract. BChE-positive cells were found in various digestive organs, such as the stomach, liver, and intestine, and were closely linked to ghrelin production.
JOURNAL OF ANATOMY
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Elena Rossi, Luciano Mutti, Andrea Morrione, Antonio Giordano
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to interstitial pneumonia and neurological symptoms, especially in elderly patients prone to cytokine storm and severe outcomes like acute respiratory distress syndrome. Limited understanding exists on the correlation between symptoms and clinical outcomes, as well as virus-host interactions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
A. Giordano, F. Cinti, R. Canese, G. Carpinelli, G. Colleluori, A. Di Vincenzo, G. Palombelli, I Severi, M. Moretti, C. Redaelli, J. Partridge, M. C. Zingaretti, A. Agostini, F. Sternardi, A. Giovagnoni, S. Castorina, S. Cinti
Summary: Obesity is a major cause of death worldwide, and understanding the adipose organ is crucial for studying its pathology and formulating therapeutic strategies. This study utilized various techniques such as anatomical dissections and medical imaging to demonstrate that white and brown adipose tissues form a large, unified structure that can be considered a true organ. This finding was confirmed in both mice and humans.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giovanni Ciccarelli, Stefano Conte, Giovanni Cimmino, Patrizia Maiorano, Andrea Morrione, Antonio Giordano
Summary: Atherosclerosis is a complex disease involving metabolic processes and inflammation. Despite improved therapies, a significant residual risk remains due to unmet therapeutic targets. Endothelial dysfunction and lipid infiltration are primary causes of atherosclerotic plaque progression. Mitochondrial dysfunction can affect arterial wall cells, leading to oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and intracellular lipid deposition. Evaluating mitochondrial defects through the detection and characterization of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is crucial, and mitochondria-targeting therapies show promise in treating atherosclerosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Elisa Ventura, Giacomo Ducci, Reyes Benot Dominguez, Valentina Ruggiero, Antonino Belfiore, Elena Sacco, Marco Vanoni, Renato V. V. Iozzo, Antonio Giordano, Andrea Morrione
Summary: Progranulin plays an important pro-tumorigenic role in various solid tumors and has diagnostic and prognostic values in multiple tumor types. The molecular mechanisms underlying progranulin's function in cancer are not fully understood, but recent evidence suggests a strong context-dependency of progranulin signaling. This review focuses on summarizing the current evidence supporting the pro-oncogenic role of progranulin and its molecular mechanisms of action in cancer.
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Giovanna Liguori, Anna Costagliola, Renato Lombardi, Orlando Paciello, Antonio Giordano
Summary: Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) are planned activities carried out in multidisciplinary teams with educational, therapeutic, and recreational purposes. These interventions offer many advantages to subjects but may expose them to zoonotic-pathogen transmission. Therefore, ensuring positive animal welfare and implementing preventive measures are crucial for the safety of patients.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alfredo Caturano, Margherita D'Angelo, Andrea Mormone, Vincenzo Russo, Maria Pina Mollica, Teresa Salvatore, Raffaele Galiero, Luca Rinaldi, Erica Vetrano, Raffaele Marfella, Marcellino Monda, Antonio Giordano, Ferdinando Carlo Sasso
Summary: Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the development and progression of diabetes and its associated complications. The imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the body's antioxidant defense mechanisms leads to cellular damage and dysfunction. By understanding and addressing oxidative stress, it may be possible to alleviate the burden of diabetes and improve patient outcomes.
CURRENT ISSUES IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Oncology
Pierpaolo Correale, Francesca Pentimalli, Valerio Nardone, Antonio Giordano, Luciano Mutti
