Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Ran Zheng, Ting Geng, Dan-Ya Wu, Tianzhe Zhang, Hai-Nan He, Hai-Ning Du, Donghui Zhang, Yi-Liang Miao, Wei Jiang
Summary: This study introduces a feeder-free method to convert human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells into EPSCs, demonstrating their extended pluripotency in terms of molecular features, chimeric ability, and transcriptome. Additionally, it identifies chemicals targeting glycolysis and histone methyltransferase to facilitate the conversion and maintenance of feeder-free EPSCs.
Article
Immunology
Christopher D. L. Johnson, Nicole E. Zale, Eric D. Frary, Joseph A. Lomakin
Summary: This study developed a feeder-cell-free and FBS-free protocol using NK Cloudz to expand NK cells, providing a promising option for commercial GMP manufacturing of NK cells for immunotherapy.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Minhua Chen, Yutong Li, Yu Wu, Siqi Xie, Jie Ma, Jingjing Yue, Rong Lv, Zhigang Tian, Fang Fang, Weihua Xiao
Summary: NK cells have shown great potential in targeting various cancers, especially hematological malignancies, but their efficacy against solid tumors is limited. This study demonstrates that NK cells expanded using a feeder cell-free system derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells have potent inhibitory effects on ovarian cancer growth. Adoptive transfer of expanded NK cells can reduce ascites formation and inhibit tumor growth in ovarian cancer mouse models. This highlights the promise of NK cell immunotherapy as a treatment strategy for ovarian cancers, including solid tumors and ascites.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Delia Alba Soto, Micaela Navarro, Canbin Zheng, Michelle Margaret Halstead, Chuan Zhou, Carly Guiltinan, Jun Wu, Pablo Juan Ross
Summary: Through the use of a commercially available alternative and a chemically-defined substrate, we have successfully simplified the culture conditions for bESCs, resulting in newly derived bESC lines that are easy to establish, propagate, and maintain stability after long-term culture, while still retaining pluripotency.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Tsukika Sato, Kent Imaizumi, Hirotaka Watanabe, Mitsuru Ishikawa, Hideyuki Okano
Summary: The culture system using feeder-free iPSCs has been established to generate region-specific neural cells with high purity and functionality. This system can produce specific neuronal subtypes including forebrain cortical neurons, forebrain interneurons, midbrain dopaminergic neurons, and spinal motor neurons. Furthermore, the temporal patterning of cortical neuron layer specification in the forebrain has been successfully replicated in this culture system, demonstrating its potential for modeling neurological and psychiatric disease phenotypes.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sisi Chen, Binyun Ma, Xue Li, Kailang Zhang, Yankai Wei, Bei Du, Xun Liu, Ruihua Wei, Xiaorong Li, Hong Nian
Summary: This study reveals that miR-181a-5p negatively regulates pathogenic Th17 cell responses by targeting AKT3 and activating FOXO3. Decreased miR-181a-5p and up-regulated AKT3 expression were found in uveitis patients. Intravitreal administration of miR-181a-5p mimics effectively attenuated clinical and pathological signs of established uveitis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yue Zhang, Hao Zhang, Guohua Yuan, Guobin Yang
Summary: TGF-131 plays dual roles in odontoblast differentiation in mouse dental papilla cells, which is determined by IPO7.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mieszko Lachota, Katarzyna Zielniok, Daniel Palacios, Minoru Kanaya, Leena Peena, Hanna Julie Hoel, Merete Thune Wiiger, Lise Kveberg, Wojciech Hautz, Radoslaw Zagozdzon, Karl-Johan Malmberg
Summary: Research has found that the chemokine receptor repertoire of peripheral blood NK cells changes during NK cell differentiation and is closely associated with the migratory response of different NK cell subsets. Simultaneous stimulation of CXCR1/2 and CX3CR1 receptors can synergistically enhance the migratory response of NK cells. The lack of naturally occurring chemokine-chemokine receptor pairs in human cancers may explain the exclusion of NK cells from the tumor microenvironment.
Article
Immunology
Joao Calmeiro, Luis Mendes, Iola F. Duarte, Catarina Leitao, Adriana R. Tavares, Daniel Alexandre Ferreira, Celia Gomes, Joao Serra, Amilcar Falcao, Maria Teresa Cruz, Mylene A. Carrascal, Bruno Miguel Neves
Summary: This study compared the impact of different clinical grade serum-free media on dendritic cell differentiation, showing that dendritic cells differentiated in AIM-V or X-VIVO 15 exhibited better mature phenotype and immune activation capacity. Metabolomic analysis revealed that the enhanced DC immunostimulatory capacities were associated with increased catabolism of amino acids and glucose.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Letter
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Xue Li, Xinning Tong, Ian Chi Kei Wong, Kuan Peng, Celine Sze Ling Chui, Francisco Tsz Tsun Lai, Eric Yuk Fai Wan, Carlos King Ho Wong, Wai Keung Leung, Esther Wai Yin Chan
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Hong-Lian Wang, Biao Wei, Hui-Jun He, Xiao-Ru Huang, Jing-Yi Sheng, Xiao-Cui Chen, Li Wang, Rui-Zhi Tan, Jian-Chun Li, Jian Liu, Si-Jin Yang, Ronald C. W. Ma, Hui-Yao Lan
Summary: By inhibiting the Smad3 gene, beta cell proliferation can be promoted, thereby improving the efficacy of islet cell replacement therapy for diabetes.
Editorial Material
Physiology
Patrick Ming-Kuen Tang, Haiyong Chen, Ying Tang, David J. Nikolic-Paterson, Hui Yao Lan
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Philip Chiu-Tsun Tang, Jeff Yat-Fai Chung, Vivian Wei-wen Xue, Jun Xiao, Xiao-Ming Meng, Xiao-Ru Huang, Shuang Zhou, Alex Siu-Wing Chan, Anna Chi-Man Tsang, Alfred Sze-Lok Cheng, Tin-Lap Lee, Kam-Tong Leung, Eric W-F Lam, Ka-Fai To, Patrick Ming-Kuen Tang, Hui-Yao Lan
Summary: This study identified a novel role of macrophage-myofibroblast transition (MMT) in cancer, showing that MMT cells can de novo generate cancer-promoting cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Through fate-mapping, RNA velocity, and pseudotime analysis, a subset of CAFs derived from macrophages was confirmed in the tumor microenvironment. Targeting Smad3, a key regulator in the MMT process, effectively blocked CAF formation and cancer progression in vivo, suggesting MMT as a potential therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenbiao Wang, Junzhe Chen, Dingwen Hu, Pan Pan, Liying Liang, Wenjing Wu, Ying Tang, Xiao R. Huang, Xueqing Yu, Jianguo Wu, Hui Y. Lan
Summary: COVID-19 can cause severe multi-organ damage with kidneys being one of the major targets. The research shows that SARS-CoV-2 N protein interacts with Smad3 to enhance signaling, leading to tubular epithelial cell death and AKI. Targeting Smad3 may offer a novel therapy for COVID-19-related AKI.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yao-Zhong Kong, Qiyan Chen, Hui-Yao Lan
Summary: This review focuses on the regulatory role and molecular mechanisms of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in kidney diseases, as well as the therapeutic potential of targeting MIF signaling to treat kidney diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Xiaobo Li, Jinghua Pan, Tongzheng Liu, Wenqian Yin, Qun Miao, Zhan Zhao, Yufeng Gao, Wei Zheng, Hang Li, Rong Deng, Dandan Huang, Shenghui Qiu, Yiran Zhang, Qi Qi, Lijuan Deng, Maohua Huang, Patrick Ming-Kuen Tang, Yihai Cao, Minfeng Chen, Wencai Ye, Dongmei Zhang
Summary: This study discovered a previously unidentified subset of TPCs, TCF21(high) TPCs, which were associated with liver metastasis in patients with CRC. TCF21 in TPCs increased perivascular ECM stiffness, collagen rearrangement, and basement membrane degradation, establishing a perivascular metastatic microenvironment for colorectal cancer liver metastasis. Furthermore, loss of integrin alpha 5 inhibited the FAK/PI3K/AKT/DNMT1 axis, impairing TCF21 DNA hypermethylation in TCF21(high) TPCs. Overall, this study uncovers a new role of TPCs in haematogenous metastasis and provides potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for CRC metastasis.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wenjing Wu, Wenbiao Wang, Liying Liang, Junzhe Chen, Biao Wei, Xiao-Ru Huang, Xiaoqin Wang, Xueqing Yu, Hui-Yao Lan
Summary: Increasing evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 can cause acute kidney injury (AKI) in COVID-19 patients, but the mechanisms are unclear and treatments are ineffective. This study found that overexpression of the SARS-CoV-2 N gene in the kidneys of diabetic mice led to AKI, and treatment with quercetin, a traditional Chinese medicine compound, inhibited AKI by blocking the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 N protein and Smad3. This study highlights the pathogenic role of the SARS-CoV-2 N protein in AKI and identifies quercetin as a potential treatment for COVID-19-induced AKI.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jeff Yat-Fai Chung, Philip Chiu-Tsun Tang, Max Kam-Kwan Chan, Vivian Weiwen Xue, Xiao-Ru Huang, Calvin Sze-Hang Ng, Dongmei Zhang, Kam-Tong Leung, Chun-Kwok Wong, Tin-Lap Lee, Eric W-F Lam, David J. Nikolic-Paterson, Ka-Fai To, Hui-Yao Lan, Patrick Ming-Kuen Tang
Summary: In this study, the researchers found that phenotype and function of tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) are influenced by the microenvironment, resulting in different impact on tumor development as N1 or N2 state. They discovered that Smad3 activation is negatively correlated with N2 state and patient survival in NSCLC patients. In preclinical lung cancer models, targeting Smad3 reprogrammed TANs to an antitumor state (N1), suppressing tumor growth. Mechanistically, Smad3 regulated the maturity of TANs and maintained the N2 state through controlling genes related to cell fate determination. Thus, the findings suggest that Smad3 signaling could be a therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Jiao-Yi Chen, Wai-Han Yiu, Patrick Ming-Kuen Tang, Sydney Chi-Wai Tang
Summary: Fibrotic signaling plays a crucial role in the development and progression of renal cell carcinoma. Targeting classic fibrotic signaling processes such as TGF-beta signaling and EMT shows promising antitumor effects both preclinically and clinically. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of fibrotic signaling in renal cell carcinoma can facilitate the development of precision therapies against solid cancers.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Rui-zhi Tan, Xia Zhong, Rang-yue Han, Ke-huan Xie, Jian Jia, Ye Yang, Mei Cheng, Chun-yan Yang, Hui-yao Lan, Li Wang
Summary: This study demonstrates the crucial role of Mincle in psoriasis, as it mediates and maintains inflammation through the Mincle-Syk-NF-κB pathway in macrophages. Targeting Mincle with a neutralizing antibody significantly improves the symptoms of psoriasis.
CELL DEATH DISCOVERY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jian-Chun Li, Jian Jia, Li Dong, Zhong-Jing Hu, Xiao-Ru Huang, Hong-Lian Wang, Li Wang, Si-Jin Yang, Hui-Yao Lan
Summary: This study investigated the role of Erbb4-IR in hypertensive heart disease using ultrasound-microbubble-mediated silencing. It was found that Erbb4-IR mediates cardiac fibrosis induced by Ang II, and silencing Erbb4-IR effectively improves cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis. Therefore, targeting Erbb4-IR may be a novel therapy for hypertensive cardiovascular diseases.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS
(2023)
Letter
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liying Liang, Wenbiao Wang, Junzhe Chen, Wenjing Wu, Xiao-Ru Huang, Biao Wei, Yu Zhong, Ronald C. W. Ma, Xueqing Yu, Hui-Yao Lan
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Philip Chiu-Tsun Tang, Ying-Ying Zhang, Jane Siu-Fan Li, Max Kam-Kwan Chan, Jiaoyi Chen, Ying Tang, Yiming Zhou, Dongmei Zhang, Kam-Tong Leung, Ka-Fai To, Sydney Chi-Wai Tang, Hui-Yao Lan, Patrick Ming-Kuen Tang
Summary: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) plays a crucial role in inflammatory diseases by regulating immune cell activity and promoting extracellular matrix production. In cancer, TGF-beta enhances cancer cell invasion and metastasis by affecting stemness and epithelial mesenchymal transition. However, directly targeting TGF-beta could have undesirable outcomes as it also has protective anti-inflammatory and tumor-suppressive effects. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) associated with TGF-beta are being investigated as potential therapeutic targets for tissue fibrosis and cancer progression.
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Patrick Ming-Kuen Tang, Ying-Ying Zhang, Jun Xiao, Philip Chiu-Tsun Tang, Jeff Yat-Fai Chung, Jinhong Li, Vivian Weiwen Xue, Xiao-Ru Huang, Charing Ching-Ning Chong, Chi-Fai Ng, Tin-Lap Lee, Ka-Fai To, David J. Nikolic-Paterson, Hui-Yao Lan
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
