Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yong-Jin Kim, Amin Tamadon, Yoon-Young Kim, Byeong-Cheol Kang, Seung-Yup Ku
Summary: This review focuses on the current knowledge of epigenetic regulation of cardiomyocyte proliferation and differentiation from embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells through histone modification and microRNAs, the maintenance of pluripotency, and its alteration during cardiac lineage differentiation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Lucie Zilova, Venera Weinhardt, Tinatini Tavhelidse, Christina Schlagheck, Thomas Thumberger, Joachim Wittbrodt
Summary: Organoids derived from rapidly developing teleosts show efficient assembly of anterior neural structures, particularly the retina, within just 4 days. The number of aggregated cells and genetic factors crucially impact morphological changes, reflecting the in vivo situation. High efficiency and rapid development of fish-derived organoids combined with advanced genome editing techniques allow for immediate research on development, disease, and the impact of physical environment on morphogenesis and differentiation.
Review
Cell Biology
Jianyi Ding, Yongqin Li, Andre Larochelle
Summary: The ability to produce human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the laboratory holds great potential for cellular therapy of blood diseases. However, current differentiation protocols for generating HSCs from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) lack clinical relevance and result in limited engraftment and differentiation capabilities. This review discusses how intrinsic cues and extrinsic environmental inputs have been integrated into PSC differentiation protocols to enhance the emergence of definitive hematopoiesis, and explores the role of genomics in advancing this field.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carolina Villarroya-Beltri, Ana Filipa B. Martins, Alejandro Garcia, Daniel Gimenez, Eduardo Zarzuela, Monica Novo, Cristina Del Alamo, Jose Gonzalez-Martinez, Gloria C. Bonel-Perez, Irene Diaz, Maria Guillamot, Massimo Chiesa, Ana Losada, Osvaldo Grana-Castro, Meritxell Rovira, Javier Munoz, Maria Salazar-Roa, Marcos Malumbres
Summary: Maintenance of stemness is regulated by CDC14, a CDK-counteracting phosphatase, which dephosphorylates UTF1 to trigger its degradation and control neural differentiation. Lack of CDC14 results in deficient neural system development and impaired neural differentiation from ESCs. CDC14 phosphatases are critical molecular switches linking cell cycle regulation and self-renewal.
Review
Cell Biology
Alexander Keller, Claudia Spits
Summary: Chromosomal abnormalities have a significant impact on the state of human pluripotent stem cells, especially in terms of their potential clinical applications. These abnormalities often exist in a mosaic state in culture, making them difficult to detect using conventional methods.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sang-Hoon Yoon, Mi-Rae Bae, Hyeonwoo La, Hyuk Song, Kwonho Hong, Jeong-Tae Do
Summary: This study proposed an efficient method for deriving NSCs from mouse ESCs through a combination of 3D culture for early neural lineage commitment and 2D NSC derivation. The results demonstrated that ESCs could efficiently differentiate into tripotent NSCs through specification in 3D culture followed by 2D culture.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Alexandra Neaverson, Malin H. L. Andersson, Osama A. Arshad, Luke Foulser, Mary Goodwin-Trotman, Adam Hunter, Ben Newman, Minal Patel, Charlotte Roth, Tristan Thwaites, Helena Kilpinen, Matthew E. Hurles, Andrew Day, Sebastian S. Gerety
Summary: Efficient and effective methods for converting human induced pluripotent stem cells into differentiated derivatives are critical for performing robust, large-scale studies of development and disease modelling, and for providing a source of cells for regenerative medicine. Here, we describe a 14-day neural differentiation protocol which allows for the scalable, simultaneous differentiation of multiple iPSC lines into cortical neural stem cells.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Ana Belen Alvarez-Palomo, Jordi Requena-Osete, Raul Delgado-Morales, Victoria Moreno-Manzano, Carme Grau-Bove, Agueda M. Tejera, Manel Juan Otero, Carme Barrot, Irene Santos-Barriopedro, Alejandro Vaquero, Jovita Mezquita-Pla, Sebastian Moran, Carlos Hobeich Naya, Iris Garcia-Martinez, Francisco Vidal Perez, Maria A. Blasco, Manel Esteller, Michael J. Edel
Summary: The study demonstrates that utilizing synthetic mRNA transfection of CYCLIN D1 during reprogramming repairs DNA and significantly improves the genetic stability of human iPSC. This method reduces various genetic instabilities, decreases DNA damage, promotes correct protein expression, and reduces single-nucleotide polymorphism changes per chromosome.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Chao Sun, Yinhua Dong, Jun Wei, Meng Cai, Dongfang Liang, Yongqing Fu, You Zhou, Yi Sui, Fangda Wu, Roman Mikhaylov, Hanlin Wang, Feifei Fan, Zhihua Xie, Mercedes Stringer, Zhiyong Yang, Zhenlin Wu, Liangfei Tian, Xin Yang
Summary: This study develops a highly effective acoustic stimulator working at -20 MHz to investigate the roles of acousto-mechanical stimuli in the differentiation of hESCs. Our results show that acoustic dose alters the expression of extracellular matrix and physiological activity-related genes, indicating that acoustic stimulation is an important tool in regulating the stem cells' differentiation processes in cell therapy.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Karlijn A. L. Hasaart, Freek Manders, Joske Ubels, Mark Verheul, Markus J. van Roosmalen, Niels M. Groenen, Rurika Oka, Ewart Kuijk, Susana M. Chuva de Sousa Lopes, Ruben van Boxtel
Summary: This study compares the mutation burden between cultured iPSCs and their isogenic embryonic cells, finding that iPSCs maintain genomic integrity during culture at a similar degree as pluripotent cells in vivo.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ana Belen Garcia-Delgado, Rafael Campos-Cuerva, Cristina Rosell-Valle, Maria Martin-Lopez, Carlos Casado, Daniela Ferrari, Javier Marquez-Rivas, Rosario Sanchez-Pernaute, Beatriz Fernandez-Munoz
Summary: In this study, we developed an experimental model using human stem cells grown in vitro to form brain organoids, and evaluated their potential for assessing the safety of cell therapy products. Our results suggest that brain organoids provide valuable information in the evaluation of cell therapies, and can help reduce the use of animals in regulatory studies.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xingchi Chen, Chang Liu, Matthew Wadsworth, Eric Z. Zeng, Tristan Driscoll, Changchun Zeng, Yan Li
Summary: This study investigates the differentiation capacity of human induced pluripotent stem cells on different auxetic polyurethane foams with different characteristics, and finds that the properties of the foams affect cell adhesion density and differentiation capacity.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Muhammad Shahid Javaid, Tracie Tan, Naomi Dvir, Alison Anderson, Terence J. O'Brien, Patrick Kwan, Ana Antonic-Baker
Summary: This review reports the current information and progress in using induced pluripotent stem cells to generate patient-specific models of epilepsy, which can be used to study the pathological mechanisms of epilepsy and drug development.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Edward J. Calabrese
Summary: This paper provides a thorough assessment of hormetic dose responses in embryonic stem cells, suggesting that this response may serve as a fundamental and highly conserved evolutionary strategy.
CHEMICO-BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS
(2022)
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
Ophthalmology
Lucie Tichotova, Hana Studenovska, Goran Petrovski, Stepan Popelka, Yaroslav Nemesh, Miroslava Sedlackova, Saskia Drutovic, Sonali Rohiwal, Pavla Jendelova, Slaven Erceg, Anna Brymova, Ana Artero-Castro, Lyubomyr Lytvynchuk, Zbynek Stranak, Zdenka Ellederova, Jan Motlik, Taras Ardan
Summary: RPE replacement is an effective modern option for saving vision in cases of retinal degeneration caused by dysfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium. Cultivating RPE cells on PDLLA nanofibrous membranes results in better maturation and long-term survival, making them a plausible source for replacing non-functioning RPEs during cell therapy.
ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Katerina Havelikova, Barbora Smejkalova, Pavla Jendelova
Summary: Spinal cord injury is a devastating medical condition that currently has no effective treatment. Stem cell treatment, whether using exogenous or endogenous stem cells, shows potential for promoting neurogenesis and aiding in recovery. This review discusses various approaches, including drug administration, reducing inflammation, neuromodulation with physical factors, and in vivo reprogramming, to enhance neurogenesis in the injured spinal cord.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Isaac Francos-Quijorna, Marina Sanchez-Petidier, Emily R. Burnside, Smaranda R. Badea, Abel Torres-Espin, Lucy Marshall, Fred de Winter, Joost Verhaagen, Victoria Moreno-Manzano, Elizabeth J. Bradbury
Summary: This study reveals that chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) contribute to inflammation resolution failure after spinal cord injury (SCI) by preventing immune cells from converting to a pro-resolution phenotype. This process is mediated by TLR4 signaling.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mykhailo Nahorniak, Vitalii Patsula, Dana Marekova, Petr Matous, Oleksandr Shapoval, Viktoriia Oleksa, Magda Vosmanska, Lucia Machova Urdzikova, Pavla Jendelova, Vit Herynek, Daniel Horak
Summary: In this study, UCNPs with different surface coatings were prepared and characterized. The dissolution behavior of the particles in different media was evaluated, and the cytotoxicity and uptake by cells were assessed. The results showed that PMVEMA coating provided better protection against particle dissolution in water. However, the cytotoxicity of the particles depended not only on their ability to degrade, but also on the type of coating. UCNP@Ale-PDMA particles showed better biocompatibility compared to other surface coatings.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucia Machova Urdzikova, Veronika Cimermanova, Kristyna Karova, Jose Dominguez, Katerina Stepankova, Michaela Petrovicova, Katerina Havelikova, Chirag D. Gandhi, Meena Jhanwar-Uniyal, Pavla Jendelova
Summary: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition with physical and psychological consequences. The study found that both EGCG and PP242 significantly improved sensory/motor functions in SCI, with EGCG appearing to be more effective. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of EGCG and PP242 in suppressing mTOR pathways and promoting recovery from SCI in rats.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Santosh Gupta, Lyubomyr Lytvynchuk, Taras Ardan, Hana Studenovska, Georgina Faura, Lars Eide, Ljubo Znaor, Slaven Erceg, Knut Stieger, Jan Motlik, Kapil Bharti, Goran Petrovski
Summary: The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) plays a crucial role in maintaining the normal physiology of the eye, and damage to the RPE can lead to degenerative eye diseases. Currently, stem cell-derived RPE transplantation is being explored for treating early stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This article focuses on developmental studies and stem cell-based research to understand the biology and derive functional RPEs.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Miodrag Stojkovic, Francisco Manuel Ortuno Guzman, Dongjun Han, Petra Stojkovic, Joaquin Dopazo, Konstantina M. Stankovic
Summary: Plastic pollution is rapidly increasing, but its impact on human health is poorly understood. This study demonstrates the use of human cellular models to identify molecular biomarkers of environmental pollution and potentially decipher the origins of environmental diseases.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Katerina Stepankova, Dana Marekova, Kristyna Kubasova, Radek Sedlacek, Karolina Turnovcova, Irena Vackova, Sarka Kubinova, Pavol Makovicky, Michaela Petrovicova, Jessica C. F. Kwok, Pavla Jendelova, Lucia Machova Urdzikova
Summary: This study evaluated the physiological changes and potential side effects of 4-methylumbelliferone (4MU) treatment in healthy rats. The results showed increased bile acids, blood sugars, and proteins after 4MU administration, as well as increased interleukins IL10, IL12p70, and IFN gamma. However, these effects were reversed after a 9-week wash-out period.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tristano Pancani, Michelle Day, Tatiana Tkatch, David L. L. Wokosin, Patricia Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Jyothisri Kondapalli, Zhong Xie, Yu Chen, Vahri Beaumont, D. James Surmeier
Summary: Using a mouse model of Huntington's disease, the authors found increased connectivity in the corticostriatal pathway due to deficient cholinergic transmission. Lowering mutant huntingtin specifically in striatal cholinergic interneurons normalized the connectivity, providing evidence for a key node in the network underlying corticostriatal pathophysiology in Huntington's disease.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Blanca Jimenez-Gomez, Patricia Ortega-Saenz, Lin Gao, Patricia Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Paula Garcia-Flores, Navdeep Chandel, Jose Lopez-Barneo
Summary: The hypoxic ventilatory response is triggered by chemoreceptor glomus cells in the carotid body that are connected to the respiratory center in the brainstem. The function of mitochondrial complex I (MCI) in acute oxygen sensing by glomus cells is still unclear. This study shows that transgenic expression of the yeast enzyme NDI1, which does not directly contribute to proton pumping, can fully restore the hypoxic ventilatory response and sensitivity to hypoxia in MCI-deficient mice. These findings highlight the necessity of maintaining mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase activity for oxygen-dependent regulation of breathing and demonstrate the potential of gene therapy for functional recovery.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Francisco Javier Rodriguez-Jimenez, Pavla Jendelova, Slaven Erceg
Summary: Ependymal cells, dormant progenitors in the spinal cord, undergo significant changes following spinal cord injury (SCI). The understanding of molecular events that activate ependymal cells after SCI is crucial for controlling the regenerative response in damaged tissues. This review focuses on cell adhesion molecules, cellular membrane receptors, ion channels, and transcription factors that mediate SCI-induced activation of ependymal cells. The coordinated expression of receptors and ion channels regulates ependymal cell activation and may contribute to cellular replacement and tissue regeneration after SCI.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2023)
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Santosh Gupta, Lyubomyr Lytvynchuk, Taras Ardan, Hana Studenovska, Ruchi Sharma, Georgina Faura, Lars Eide, Rama Shanker Verma, Ljubo Znaor, Slaven Erceg, Knut Stieger, Jan Motlik, Goran Petrovski, Kapil Bharti
Summary: Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a critical cell monolayer forming the blood-retina-barrier (BRB) and a permeable bridge between the choriocapillaris and the retina. Loss of the RPE is associated with degenerative diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Pluripotent stem cell-derived RPE (pRPE) has been extensively explored as a regenerative module for treating AMD, and strategies for RPE derivation and transplantation have been discussed in this review.
STEM CELLS TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jarred M. Griffin, Sonia Hingorani Jai Prakash, Till Bockemuehl, Jessica M. Benner, Barbara Schaffran, Victoria Moreno-Manzano, Ansgar Bueschges, Frank Bradke
Summary: This study investigates the combined effects of pharmacological microtubule stabilization and rehabilitation therapy on functional recovery following spinal cord injury. The findings suggest that these two approaches act complementarily to enhance locomotion and functional improvements. Microtubule stabilization promotes axon regeneration and reduces growth-inhibitory molecule deposition, while rehabilitation therapy is a clinically validated approach for functional improvements. The results support the combination of microtubule stabilization and rehabilitation therapy in a clinical setting.
BRAIN COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)