Article
Developmental Biology
Viju Vijayan Pillai, Tiffany G. Kei, Shailesh Gurung, Moubani Das, Luiz G. B. Siqueira, Soon Hon Cheong, Peter J. Hansen, Vimal Selvaraj
Summary: TGF beta 1 plays a crucial role in the differentiation of trophoblast cells, and inhibition of RhoA/Rock promotes self-renewal and proliferation.
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sandra Haider, Alexander G. Beristain
Summary: Research in human reproductive biology has heavily relied on clinical samples and animal models due to limited access to human embryonic material. The development of human-based in vitro systems, such as organoids, has enabled researchers to study key molecular and cellular processes unique to human reproduction. These systems have advanced our understanding of reproductive organ development, maintenance, and function, and have the potential to revolutionize personalized medicine and pre-clinical drug testing.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Review
Developmental Biology
Canbin Zheng, Emily B. Ballard, Jun Wu
Summary: Interspecies blastocyst complementation involves injecting donor stem cells into a host embryo to compensate for missing organs or tissues. While it has been successful between closely related species, it presents greater challenges for species that are further apart evolutionarily due to xenogeneic barriers. Overcoming these barriers is crucial for successful interspecies organ generation.
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Hyun-Ji Park, Kenneth J. De Jesus Morales, Sruti Bheri, Brandon P. Kassouf, Michael E. Davis
Summary: This article summarizes the interactions between cardiac ECM and cells, focusing on their role in ischemic heart disease. It also highlights recent advances in native ECM-mimicking cardiac matrices as a platform for modulating cardiac cell behavior and inducing cardiac repair.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ladda Meesuk, Jintamai Suwanprateeb, Faungchat Thammarakcharoen, Chairat Tantrawatpan, Pakpoom Kheolamai, Iyapa Palang, Duangrat Tantikanlayaporn, Sirikul Manochantr
Summary: This study evaluated the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation potentials of MSCs cultured on 3D-printed hydroxyapatite (HA) and coated 3D-printed HA scaffolds. The results showed that MSCs cultured on these scaffolds could attach and differentiate into osteoblasts, with MSCs on the coated 3D-printed HA showing higher osteogenic capacity.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Luni Hu, Mengwei Han, Yichen Deng, Jingjing Gong, Zhiyuan Hou, Yanyu Zeng, Yime Zhang, Jing He, Chao Zhong
Summary: Through transcriptome comparison, two genesets capable of efficiently distinguishing tissue-residential natural killer (trNK) cells from conventional NK (cNK) cells have been defined. The activation of trNK and cNK shows a fundamental difference, with chromatin landscape and cytokine milieu playing important roles. IL-21 is critical in promoting trNK activation. This study expands our knowledge about the distinct functionalities of trNK and cNK during immune responses.
Article
Oncology
Mateusz Adamiak, Kamila Bujko, Arjun Thapa, Valentina Pensato, Katarzyna Brzezniakiewicz-Janus, Janina Ratajczak, Daryl L. Davies, Henning Ulrich, Magda Kucia, Mariusz Z. Ratajczak
Summary: Recent evidence suggests that extracellular adenosine triphosphate (eATP) plays a crucial role in regulating the mobilization and homing of hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs) through activation of P2X4 and P2X7 receptors. Deficiency in either receptor impairs chemotaxis of HSPCs and affects their homing and engraftment post transplantation.
Review
Reproductive Biology
J. Zhou, R. C. West, E. L. Ehlers, T. Ezashi, L. C. Schulz, R. M. Roberts, Y. Yuan, D. J. Schust
Summary: Human extended embryo culture and stem-cell-derived trophoblast cells provide new insights into peri-implantation stage placental development and may be used to study the black box stage of human pregnancy in the future.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Guolun Wang, Bingqiang Wen, Xiaomeng Ren, Enhong Li, Yufang Zhang, Minzhe Guo, Yan Xu, Jeffrey A. Whitsett, Tanya Kalin, Vladimir V. Kalinichenko
Summary: A unique population of pulmonary endothelial progenitor cells was identified, which can be derived from pluripotent embryonic stem cells, holding promise for the treatment of pulmonary disorders.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Xiu Yu, Shiqi Liang, Manqi Chen, Hanwen Yu, Ruiqi Li, Yuliang Qu, Xuhui Kong, Ruirui Guo, Rongyan Zheng, Zsuzsanna Izsvak, Chuanbo Sun, Mingzhu Yang, Jichang Wang
Summary: In this study, a cell model mimicking human 8-cell stage embryos was developed to study the mechanisms of early human development. This model successfully isolated and maintained a population of cells resembling the 8-cell state, which expressed key genes involved in zygotic genome activation. The findings provide valuable insights into early human development.
Article
Hematology
Francoise Levavasseur, Samia Oussous, Tuerdi Zubaidan, Olivier Kosmider, Frederic Pendino, David Rombaut, Didier Bouscary, Michaela Fontenay, Evelyne Lauret, Isabelle Dusanter-Fourt
Summary: This study identified FOXP1 as a new regulator of myeloid progenitor oxidative stress in human hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. FOXP1 expression was associated with poor prognosis in cytogenetically normal AML patients. Knockdown of FOXP1 increased superoxide anion levels in human-committed CD34+CD38+ cells but not in stem cell-enriched CD34+CD38- HSPCs or AML cells. FOXP1 upregulated expression of the stress sensor SIRT1 by stabilizing SIRT1 protein.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Jianan Jiang, Jinhua Qin, Jisheng Li, Xiaosong Lin, Bowen Zhang, Zeng Fan, Lijuan He, Quan Zeng, Wen Yue, Min Zheng, Xuetao Pei, Yanhua Li
Summary: This study found that the small molecule Ricolinostat can promote the differentiation of megakaryocytic cells from HSPCs, increase the proliferation of megakaryocytic cells, and decrease the secretion of IL-8 and the expression of CXCR2, thereby improving the efficiency of megakaryocytic differentiation of HSPCs.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rowan M. Karvas, Laurent David, Thorold W. Theunissen
Summary: Trophoblasts play critical roles in blastocyst implantation and maternal-fetal communication during pregnancy. However, our understanding of human trophoblast biology is limited due to the scarcity of first-trimester placental tissue and the inadequacy of animal models. Recent advancements in deriving human trophoblast stem cells from pluripotent and somatic cell sources provide exciting opportunities to study the molecular mechanisms of placental development and pregnancy-related diseases.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Chen Tian, Yueyang Li, Lina Wang, Junqi Si, Yaxin Zheng, Junnan Kang, Yafei Wang, M. James You, Guoguang Zheng
Summary: This study revealed the importance of the interaction between mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and leukemia cells in the development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). By inhibiting the interaction between fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2), the growth and dissemination of leukemia cells can be reduced, providing a therapeutic strategy to control disease progression.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2022)
Review
Hematology
Vincenzo Calvanese, Hanna K. A. Mikkola
Summary: Developmental hematopoiesis is a complex process involving the generation of differentiated blood cells and the establishment of a pool of undifferentiated hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) for postnatal life. Recent single-cell studies have identified rare human HSCs and traced their origin to a unique type of arterial endothelium in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros region. These studies provide new insights into HSC generation and may inform efforts to generate HSCs from pluripotent stem cells in vitro.
Article
Clinical Neurology
R. B. Mcgill, F. J. Steyn, S. T. Ngo, K. A. Thorpe, S. Heggie, R. D. Henderson, P. A. Mccombe, T. M. Woodruff
Summary: This study investigated immune marker changes in ALS patients over 16 months and found that CD14 expression on monocytes increased with disease duration and decreased ALSFRS-R score. HLA-DR expression on monocytes also increased with disease severity/duration, while CD16 expression remained unchanged. Patients had reduced non-classical monocytes and an increased classical to non-classical monocyte ratio over time, indicating potential immunological changes. These findings suggest that monocytes may play a role in ALS pathology and could serve as therapeutic targets for immunomodulatory therapies in clinical trials.
AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS AND FRONTOTEMPORAL DEGENERATION
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Xaria X. Li, Declan M. Gorman, John D. Lee, Richard J. Clark, Trent M. Woodruff
Summary: This study compared the effects of recombinant human C5a and purified plasma-derived human C5a on the signaling and functional activities of human macrophages. The results showed similar potency in cell signaling but distinct functional responses. Recombinant C5a from commercial sources induced cytokine production in macrophages in a receptor-independent manner, which was not due to endotoxin contamination. Therefore, caution should be exercised when using recombinant human C5a in functional assays.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Weizhi Xu, Faheem Maqbool, Vinod Kumar, James R. Falconer, Cedric S. Cui, Trent M. Woodruff, Karin Borges, Andrew K. Whittaker, Maree T. Smith, Felicity Y. Han
Summary: A sustained-release formulation of ketamine, known as KSL, was developed with high loading and demonstrated prolonged release in mice after intravenous administration. The formulation showed high encapsulation efficiency and drug loading, achieving 100% release in vitro within 8 hours.
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Tanya S. McDonald, Titaya Lerskiatiphanich, Trent M. Woodruff, Pamela A. McCombe, John D. Lee
Summary: Neurodegeneration refers to the progressive loss of neurons in disorders like Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and Parkinson's disease. Energy metabolism disturbances and alterations are common features in the onset and progression of these diseases. Understanding these metabolic changes could lead to improved treatment options for neurodegenerative disorders.
JOURNAL OF CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eduardo A. Albornoz, Alberto A. Amarilla, Naphak Modhiran, Sandra Parker, Xaria X. Li, Danushka K. Wijesundara, Julio Aguado, Adriana Pliego Zamora, Christopher L. D. McMillan, Benjamin Liang, Nias Y. G. Peng, Julian D. J. Sng, Fatema Tuj Saima, Jenny N. Fung, John D. Lee, Devina Paramitha, Rhys Parry, Michael S. Avumegah, Ariel Isaacs, Martin W. Lo, Zaray Miranda-Chacon, Daniella Bradshaw, Constanza Salinas-Rebolledo, Niwanthi W. Rajapakse, Ernst J. Wolvetang, Trent P. Munro, Alejandro Rojas-Fernandez, Paul R. Young, Katryn J. Stacey, Alexander A. Khromykh, Keith J. Chappell, Daniel Watterson, Trent M. Woodruff
Summary: COVID-19 infection may lead to neurological symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease. The study found that SARS-CoV-2 and spike protein can directly activate the NLRP3 inflammasome in microglial cells, which may contribute to the development of neuroinflammation.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Xaria X. Li, John D. Lee, Han S. Lee, Richard J. Clark, Trent M. Woodruff
Summary: TLQP-21 is a neuropeptide derived from the VGF precursor protein and has pleiotropic roles in regulating metabolism, nociception, and microglial functions. TLQP-21 acts through several receptors, with C3aR being the most commonly reported. However, its activity in immune cells, which express C3aR, remains understudied. This study found that TLQP-21 induced ERK signaling in human and mouse macrophages, with mouse TLQP-21 being more potent than the human counterpart. These findings suggest a significant discrepancy in TLQP-21 C3aR activity between human and murine receptors in immune cells.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Andrew O. Yam, Jacqueline Bailey, Francis Lin, Arnolda Jakovija, Scott E. Youlten, Claudio Counoupas, Matthias Gunzer, Tobias Bald, Trent M. Woodruff, James A. Triccas, Leonard D. Goldstein, David Gallego-Ortega, Shane T. Grey, Tatyana Chtanova
Summary: Intratumoral injection of microbial bioparticles stimulates neutrophil antitumor functions, leading to remodeling of tumor tissue, repression of tumor growth, and enhancement of checkpoint inhibitor therapy. This indicates the potential of microbial therapy in the treatment of solid cancers.
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Eduardo A. Albornoz, Richard Gordon, Vinod Kumar, Avril A. B. Robertson, Kate Schroder, Trent M. Woodruff
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Xaria X. Li, Trent M. Woodruff
Summary: This study presents a protocol for investigating the effects of C3aR and C5aR1 receptors in vitro using phosphorylated ERK as a readout. The protocol includes steps for isolating human monocyte-derived macrophages, culturing and preparing cell lines expressing the receptors, performing pharmacological assays, and detecting phospho-ERK1/2.
Article
Cell Biology
Julio Aguado, Alberto A. Amarilla, Atefeh Taherian Fard, Eduardo A. Albornoz, Alexander Tyshkovskiy, Marius Schwabenland, Harman K. Chaggar, Naphak Modhiran, Cecilia Gomez-Inclan, Ibrahim Javed, Alireza A. Baradar, Benjamin Liang, Lianli Peng, Malindrie Dharmaratne, Giovanni Pietrogrande, Pranesh Padmanabhan, Morgan E. Freney, Rhys Parry, Julian D. J. Sng, Ariel Isaacs, Alexander A. Khromykh, Guillermo Valenzuela Nieto, Alejandro Rojas-Fernandez, Thomas P. Davis, Marco Prinz, Bertram Bengsch, Vadim N. Gladyshev, Trent M. Woodruff, Jessica C. Mar, Daniel Watterson, Ernst J. Wolvetang
Summary: Senescent cells play a significant role in brain aging and COVID-19-induced neuropathology, and senolytic therapy shows therapeutic potential in protecting against COVID-19-induced brain aging.
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
John Lee, Jianina Marallag, Trent Woodruff
MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martin Lo, Alberto Ortiz, John Lee, Eduardo Albornoz, Alexander Khromykh, Daniel Watterson, Trent Woodruff
MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Austin Read, John Lee, Trent Woodruff
MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Barbara Rolfe, Stefan Sonderegger, Crystal McGirr, Trent Woodruff
MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Cedric S. Cui, Vinod Kumar, Declan M. Gorman, Richard J. Clark, John D. Lee, Trent M. Woodru
Summary: C5a receptor 1 inhibitors have been studied as potential therapeutic targets for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, with PMX53 and JPE-1375 identified as drug candidates. A robust in vivo pharmacodynamic model was developed in mice, showing that both PMX53 and JPE-1375 have similar in vivo efficacy in inhibiting C5aR1-mediated responses, but PMX53 has a longer duration of action. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed rapid distribution and elimination of both compounds, with PMX53 having a longer half-life, allowing for the development of an accurate pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model.
ACS PHARMACOLOGY & TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE
(2022)