Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Takeo Mukai, Kenshi Sei, Tokiko Nagamura-Inoue
Summary: Studies show that MSCs exert neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects by secreting neurotrophic factors, and clinical trials have confirmed their efficacy in treating neurological disorders, highlighting the promising progress in this field.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yeping Yu, Qiqi Zhang, Ning Wu, Lei Xia, Jie Cao, Qiang Xia, Jie Zhao, Jianjun Zhang, Hualian Hang
Summary: Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hUMSCs) overexpressing hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4 alpha) showed better therapeutic effects on acute liver failure (ALF) compared to hUMSCs without HNF4 alpha overexpression. The overexpression of HNF4 alpha enhanced IL-10 transcription and promoted M2 macrophage polarization through the IL-10/STAT3 pathway. This study suggests that HNF4 alpha-hUMSCs could serve as a novel therapy for ALF.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Huanjie Chen, Yulong Luo, Yiping Zhu, Yongshun Ye, Difei Chen, Xinyu Song, Zhulin Xiao, Ming Liu, Shiyue Li
Summary: In this study, UCMSCs overexpressing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) were used to treat pulmonary fibrosis. The results showed that HGF-UCMSCs significantly reduced fibrosis and improved lung function. The overexpression of HGF may enhance the anti-fibrotic effect of UCMSCs by interacting with interleukin-17-producing cells in fibrotic lungs.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Shashank Chetty, Reza Yarani, Ganesh Swaminathan, Rosita Primavera, Shobha Regmi, Sravanthi Rai, Jim Zhong, Abantika Ganguly, Avnesh S. Thakor
Summary: This review provides an overview of the sources, regenerative and immunomodulatory properties, clinical applications, therapeutic potential, biodistribution, and obstacles to translation of umbilical cord-mesenchymal stromal cells.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Xiaoyun Wu, Zhijie Ma, Yuxiao Yang, Yongxu Mu, Daocheng Wu
Summary: In this study, the safety and biodistribution of intraperitoneally transplanted umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UCMSCs) were investigated. It was found that UCMSCs cultured in a serum-free, xeno-free, and chemically defined media (UCMSCs&SXFM-CD) exhibited improved safety profiles compared to UCMSCs cultured in serum-containing media (UCMSCsSCM), with no significant toxicity or tumorigenicity observed.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Liyan Shi, Jing Ren, Jiping Li, Dongxu Wang, Yusu Wang, Tao Qin, Xiuying Li, Guokun Zhang, Chunyi Li, Yimin Wang
Summary: In this study, the therapeutic effects of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (uMSCs) on pulmonary fibrosis (PF) were investigated, with a focus on their extracellular vesicles (uMSC-EVs) and specific miRNAs. The results suggest that uMSC-EVs alleviate PF by inhibiting the TGF-beta signaling pathway, with miR-21 and miR-23 playing critical roles in this process. This reveals a new potential strategy for PF treatment in clinical settings.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Lucas Eduardo Botelho de Souza, Fernanda Ursoli Ferreira, Carolina Hassibe Thome, Heloisa Brand, Maristela Delgado Orellana, Vitor Marcel Faca, Aparecida Maria Fontes, Dimas Tadeu Covas
Summary: Melanoma cells have the capability to activate an EMT-like program and acquire metastatic traits through distinct pathways induced by MSCs' secretome, both in mouse and human cells.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adrienne Wright, Orman (Larry) Snyder, Hong He, Lane K. Christenson, Sherry Fleming, Mark L. Weiss
Summary: Many cell types, including cancer cells, release extracellular vesicles (EVs) that expose tissue factor (TF). It is unclear whether MSC-EVs have a risk of thromboembolism due to TF expression. In this study, the researchers investigated the expression of TF and the procoagulant activity of MSC-EVs. They also examined the impact of different EV isolation methods and cell culture expansion on EV yield, characterization, and potential risk. The results showed that MSC-EVs express TF and have procoagulant activity. Therefore, when using MSC-derived EVs as a therapeutic agent, considerations should be given to TF expression, procoagulant activity, and thromboembolism risk.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Cheng Ma, Xin Qi, Yi-Fan Wei, Zhi Li, He-Long Zhang, He Li, Feng-Lei Yu, Ya-Nan Pu, Yong-Can Huang, Yong-Xin Ren
Summary: This study introduced human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicles (hUCMSC-EVs) as promising vehicles for the treatment of ligamentum flavum hypertrophy (LFH). By delivering miR-146a-5p and miR-221-3p, the hUCMSC-EVs significantly suppressed LFH and inhibited the activity of the TGF-beta/SMAD4 signaling pathway.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Charles Michael Cotten, Kimberley Fisher, William Malcolm, Kathryn E. Gustafson, Lynn Cheatham, Amanda Marion, Rachel Greenberg, Joanne Kurtzberg
Summary: Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in neonates causes high mortality and long-term morbidity. Previous use of autologous cord blood for brain damage had limitations, while allogeneic cord tissue mesenchymal stromal cells (hCT-MSC) have shown promise. A phase I clinical trial was conducted to test the safety and efficacy of hCT-MSC in neonates with HIE, with positive results.
STEM CELLS TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Zan Tang, Junxiao Gao, Jie Wu, Guifang Zeng, Yan Liao, Zhenkun Song, Xiao Liang, Junyuan Hu, Yong Hu, Muyun Liu, Nan Li
Summary: HucMSC transplantation alleviates lung collagen accumulation and mortality in bleomycin-induced PF mice, promotes AT2 cell proliferation, inhibits lung fibroblast proliferation, and induces interferon-sensitive macrophages (IFNSMs) to secrete CXCL9 and CXCL10, recruiting more Treg cells to the injured lung.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Santina Acuto, Melania Lo Iacono, Elena Baiamonte, Rosa Lo Re, Aurelio Maggio, Vincenzo Cavalieri
Summary: This study optimized a method for isolating, propagating, and characterizing MSCs from human umbilical cords, resulting in the production of conditioned media with predictable composition and biological effects. This method has the potential for large-scale production of toxic-free conditioned media.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Yoann Athiel, Jean-Marie Jouannic, Vincent Mauffre, Coralie Dehan, Clovis Adam, Stephane Blot, Pauline Lallemant, Timothe De Saint Denis, Jerome Larghero, Justine Nasone, Lucie Guilbaud
Summary: This study examines the effects of using an adjuvant allogenic umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cell (UC-MSC) patch on motor and sphincter function in fetal surgery for myelomeningocele (MMC). The results show that the UC-MSC group had higher motor scores and a lower incidence of amyotrophy and incontinence compared to the control group. In addition, the UC-MSC group had less fibrosis and a higher density of large neurons in the spinal cord.
BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Siyu Cai, Chuiqin Fan, Lichun Xie, Huifeng Zhong, Aijia Li, Siyu Lv, Maochuan Liao, Xixi Yang, Xing Su, Yue Wang, Hongwu Wang, Manna Wang, Peng Huang, Yulin Liu, Yu Wang, Yufeng Liu, Tianyou Wang, Yong Zhong, Lian Ma
Summary: This study found that foreskin mesenchymal stromal cells (FSMSCs) have better immunomodulatory capacity than human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (HuMSCs) in vitro. Moreover, immune MSCs may play a vital role in the heterogeneity of immunoregulatory properties.
CELL AND BIOSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Yuanyuan Xie, Shuo Liu, Liudi Wang, Hui Yang, Chenxu Tai, Li Ling, Libo Chen, Shanshan Liu, Bin Wang
Summary: The study examined the therapeutic variations of HUCMSCs derived from different donors in a mouse liver fibrosis model, revealing consistent expressions of surface markers and viability, but distinct differences in differentiation potentials and immune regulations. The individual heterogeneity of HUCMSCs could potentially lead to diverse therapeutic outcomes in specific diseases, suggesting the importance of donor variation in stromal cell therapy.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Koichiro Yasaka, Tomoya Tanishima, Yuta Ohtake, Taku Tajima, Hiroyuki Akai, Kuni Ohtomo, Osamu Abe, Shigeru Kiryu
Summary: Deep learning reconstruction (DLR) can improve image quality and interobserver agreement in evaluations of neuroforaminal stenosis on 1.5T cervical spine MRI compared to 3T MRI without DLR.
Article
Pediatrics
Hirosato Aoki, Jun Shibasaki, Kennosuke Tsuda, Kouji Yamamoto, Akihito Takeuchi, Yuichiro Sugiyama, Tetsuya Isayama, Takeo Mukai, Tomoaki Ioroi, Nanae Yutaka, Akihito Takahashi, Takuya Tokuhisa, Makoto Nabetani, Osuke Iwata
Summary: The Thompson score during the first 4 days of life, especially at 72-90 hours, can be useful in predicting short-term adverse outcomes in neonatal encephalopathy. A high Thompson score at 72-90 hours is associated with the need for prolonged life support. However, the rarity of withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment in Japan allows a significant portion of infants with severe encephalopathy and a high Thompson score to recover and survive without tracheostomy.
PEDIATRIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Kennosuke Tsuda, Jun Shibasaki, Akihito Takeuchi, Takeo Mukai, Yuichiro Sugiyama, Tetsuya Isayama, Tomoaki Ioroi, Akihito Takahashi, Nanae Yutaka, Osuke Iwata, Baby Cooling RegistryJapan
Summary: This study evaluates the predictive ability of prolonged requirements for mechanical ventilation or tube feeding support in newborn infants with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy treated with hypothermia. The study found that prolonged dependence on mechanical ventilation or tube feeding for more than 7 and more than 14 days can predict adverse outcomes at 18 months.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Shinji Yamamoto, Keiji Yonezawa, Naoki Fukata, Koji Takeshita, Makoto Kodama, Tetsuro Yamana, Shigeru Kiryu, Yukinori Okada
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the utility of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value in MRI for determining the histopathological type of anal fistula cancer and its relationship with clinical information and surgical findings. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 69 patients diagnosed with anal fistula cancer, and 25 patients were included in the final analysis. The results showed that ADC value can predict the histopathological type and depth of anal fistula cancers, as well as the classification of progression.
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Shigeru Kiryu, Hiroyuki Akai, Koichiro Yasaka, Taku Tajima, Akira Kunimatsu, Naoki Yoshioka, Masaaki Akahane, Osamu Abe, Kuni Ohtomo
Summary: Deep learning has revolutionized the field of radiology and has recently been applied to the image reconstruction process of MRI. Deep learning reconstruction (DLR) has been successful in improving the signal-to-noise ratio in MR images, reducing imaging time, and lowering costs. However, the DLR technique may also introduce image artifacts and obscure small lesions, highlighting the need for further research in this area.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Masahiro Tsuji, Takeo Mukai, Yoshiaki Sato, Yasue Azuma, Saki Yamamoto, Florence Cayetanot, Laurence Bodineau, Atsuto Onoda, Tokiko Nagamura-Inoue, Jacques-Olivier Coq
Summary: Low birth weight (LBW) increases the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder and autism spectrum disorder, and there are currently no prophylactic measures available. Neuroinflammation plays a major role in NDDs, and umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UC-MSCs) have immunomodulatory properties. This study found that systemic administration of UC-MSCs in the early postnatal period improved hyperexcitability in LBW pups, but the beneficial effects for NDDs were marginal.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Mariko Sekiguchi, Takeo Mukai, Yoshihiko Shitara, Kohei Kashima, Takahiro Seyama, Keiichi Kumasawa, Naoto Takahashi
Summary: Reports on the clinical course of fetal umbilical vein varix in premature infants are limited. We report a case of an extremely low body weight infant with intra-abdominal umbilical vein varix who developed disseminated intravascular coagulation, polycythemia, and hyperbilirubinemia after birth; late-onset neonatal hepatitis; and fetal thrombotic vasculopathy confirmed by placental histopathology. Despite the favorable outcomes reported in the literature, premature infants with umbilical vein varix may require careful observation and management for coagulopathy and late-onset hepatitis.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Pediatrics
Takeo Mukai, Rafael Galindo, Jacques-Olivier Coq
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Taku Tajima, Hiroyuki Akai, Koichiro Yasaka, Akira Kunimatsu, Naoki Yoshioka, Masaaki Akahane, Kuni Ohtomo, Osamu Abe, Shigeru Kiryu
Summary: This study compares the diagnostic performance of 1.5 T and 3 T magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for detecting cerebral aneurysms using deep learning-based computer-assisted detection software. The study also investigates the causes of potential false positives.
Article
Pediatrics
Keisuke Hoshi, Takeo Mukai, Keiichi Kumasawa, Naoto Takahashi
Summary: The patient, a female newborn, had honeycomb-like dilatation and peri-intestinal strong echo patterns in the gastrointestinal tract detected by ultrasonography at 35 weeks and 3 days of gestation. Emergency Cesarean section was performed due to nonreassuring fetal status. After birth, the baby showed hematogenous intragastric residue and defecation, which improved later. Gastrointestinal allergy was suspected and enteral feeding with hydrolyzed protein formula was initiated.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Takeo Mukai, Kenji Waki
Summary: This article discusses the possibility of XLP in patients with EBV encephalitis and presents a case of a 3-year-old boy diagnosed with XLP. The evaluation revealed mutations in the SH2D1A gene for this patient. The article also mentions the abnormal findings in EEG and head MRI during the patient's admission.
CLINICAL CASE REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Takeo Mukai, Kenji Waki
Summary: ALCAPA should be considered as a possible diagnosis in myocarditis, and contrast-enhanced CT or catheterization should be considered even if no coronary artery abnormalities are detected on echocardiography.
CLINICAL CASE REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Shunichiro Tsuji, Takeo Mukai, Hideaki Tsuchiya, Chizuru Iwatani, Akiko Nakamura, Tokiko Nagamura-Inoue, Takashi Murakami
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) for endometriosis. In a nonhuman primate model, intraperitoneal administration of UC-MSCs exacerbated the condition, while intravenous administration decreased CA125 levels.
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Makoto Nabetani, Takeo Mukai, Akihiko Taguchi
Summary: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with increased prevalence worldwide. The relationship between ASD and neuroinflammation, microglia, and glucose metabolism has been extensively studied. Cell therapies have shown promising results in clinical studies for ASD treatment, suggesting a new paradigm for autism therapy.
CELL TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Article
Biology
Makoto Nabetani, Takeo Mukai
Summary: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impairments in social communication, cognition, motor skills, and executive function. Recent research has focused on the immune pathology in the brains of individuals with ASD, with new therapeutic approaches targeting immune modulation and microglial function. Cell therapies, such as umbilical cord blood cells and mesenchymal stromal cells, show promise as potential treatments for ASD in future clinical studies.
Article
Neurosciences
Yang He, Jun Tang, Meng Zhang, Junjie Ying, Dezhi Mu
Summary: This study investigated the protective effects and mechanisms of human placenta derived mesenchymal stem cells (hPMSCs) transplantation in a rat model of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). The results showed that hPMSCs transplantation reduced apoptosis and improved long-term neurological prognosis. Furthermore, the downregulation of Sema 3A/NRP-1 expression and activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway played a key role in the protective effects of hPMSCs.
Article
Neurosciences
Emily L. Isenstein, Edward G. Freedman, Jiayi Xu, Ian A. DeAndrea-Lazarus, John J. Foxe
Summary: This study evaluated electrophysiological discrimination of parametric somatosensory stimuli in healthy young adults to understand how the brain processes the duration of tactile information. The results showed that participants did not electrophysiologically discriminate between 100 and 115 ms, but they exhibited distinct electrophysiological responses when the deviant stimuli were 130, 145, and 160 ms. These findings contribute to a better understanding of tactile sensitivity in different clinical conditions.
Article
Neurosciences
Juliana R. Souza, Ludmila Lima-Silveira, Daniela Accorsi-Mendonca, Benedito H. Machado
Summary: This study demonstrates that A2A receptors play a crucial role in modulating synaptic transmission in the NTS neurons and are required for the enhancement of glutamatergic transmission observed under short-term sustained hypoxia conditions.
Article
Neurosciences
Miki Hashizume, Rina Ito, Rie Suge, Yasushi Hojo, Gen Murakami, Takayuki Murakoshi
Summary: The basolateral amygdaloid complex (BLA) is closely involved in the formation of emotional memories, including both aversive memory and contextual fear memory. Acute sleep deprivation (SD) disrupts the acquisition of tone-associated fear memory in juvenile rats, but has no significant effect on contextual fear memory. Slow network oscillation in the amygdala contributes to the formation of amygdala-dependent fear memory in relation to sleep.
Article
Neurosciences
Qunxian Wang, Shipeng Guo, Dongjie Hu, Xiangjun Dong, Zijun Meng, Yanshuang Jiang, Zijuan Feng, Weihui Zhou, Weihong Song
Summary: GSDME plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease by regulating the switch from apoptosis to pyroptosis and participating in neuroinflammatory response. Knockdown of GSDME has been shown to improve cognitive impairments, indicating that GSDME could be a therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease.
