Article
Cell Biology
Suneel Rallapalli, Soma Guhathakurta, Purna S. Korrapati
Summary: The discovery of CPCs has raised hopes for heart cell therapy, but there are still issues with defining CPC types and validating methods for generating high-quality CPC populations. Long-term culture may alter CPC immunophenotypes, highlighting the need for validated molecular signatures to assess the impact of ex vivo expansion on cell therapy products.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Naresh Polisetti, Lyne Sharaf, Ursula Schloetzer-Schrehardt, Guenther Schlunck, Thomas Reinhard
Summary: The fate of limbal epithelial progenitor cells (LEPC) in the corneal limbus of humans depends on the microenvironment, particularly limbal niche cells (LNC). However, research on LNC has been limited by a lack of effective protocols to isolate and purify these cells. In this study, we developed a protocol to retrieve pure populations of LNC, including limbal mesenchymal stromal cells (LMSC), limbal melanocytes (LM), and LEPC, using collagenase digestion and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). The sorted cells were characterized and the effects of LMSC and LM on LEPC were investigated in 3D co-cultures. The results showed that LMSC exhibited self-renewal capacity and expressed mesenchymal stem cell markers, while LM exhibited self-renewal capacity and sustained melanin production. The sorted LEPC expressed epithelial progenitor markers and showed colony-forming ability. Co-cultivation of LMSC and LM with LEPC resulted in a stratified epithelium and preserved the LEPC phenotype. This efficient isolation protocol allows for further transcriptomic, proteomic, and functional studies on LNC, providing valuable insights into the limbal stem cell niche.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Sarah Ingrid Pinto Santos, Vanessa Cristina de Oliveira, Naira Caroline Godoy Pieri, Fabiana Fernandes Bressan, Carlos Eduardo Ambrosio, Matheus Levi Tajra Feitosa
Summary: The study found that the spinal cord of canine fetuses may be a source of neural stem cells and neural progenitor cells, providing an interesting option for research on neurogenesis and neuroregenerative therapy.
NEUROSCIENCE LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Makram Merimi, Laurence Lagneaux, Catherine A. Lombard, Douaa Moussa Agha, Dominique Bron, Philippe Lewalle, Nathalie Meuleman, Mustapha Najimi, Etienne M. Sokal, Mehdi Najar
Summary: This study revealed that ADHLSCs do not induce the expression of immune-inflammatory molecules during expansion or hepatogenic differentiation, demonstrating their non-immunogenic profile. This suggests the safe and efficient utilization of ADHLSCs in liver tissue therapeutic repair strategy.
INFLAMMATION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Thomas I-H Park, Leon C. D. Smyth, Miranda Aalderink, Zoe R. Woolf, Justin Rustenhoven, Kevin Lee, Deidre Jansson, Amy Smith, Sheryl Feng, Jason Correia, Peter Heppner, Patrick Schweder, Edward Mee, Mike Dragunow
Summary: This article presents a simple and highly reproducible method to culture various types of human brain cells from brain specimens. The method allows for quick preparation of cells and can be used to study human brain cells.
Review
Oncology
Isabella Maria Mayer, Andrea Hoelbl-Kovacic, Veronika Sexl, Eszter Doma
Summary: Transplantation of adult hematopoietic stem cells is crucial for treating hematological disorders, while leukemic stem cells play a significant role in disease initiation and relapse. Understanding methods to maintain and expand hematopoietic cells, as well as isolate and enrich hematopoietic stem cells and leukemic stem cells, is essential for developing therapeutic strategies.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuanyuan Chen, Reka Toth, Sara Chocarro, Dieter Weichenhan, Joschka Hey, Pavlo Lutsik, Stefan Sawall, Georgios T. Stathopoulos, Christoph Plass, Rocio Sotillo
Summary: This study demonstrates that Club cells utilize regeneration mechanisms to develop lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Club cells undergo an epigenetic switch and acquire an AT2-like phenotype during tumor formation. This research highlights the significant role of Club cells in the initiation of LUAD.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jia-Ru Wei, Dongchang Xiao, Lei Tang, Nana Xu, Ruifeng Liu, Yuhui Shen, Zihui Xu, Xuan Sang, Jian Ge, Mengqing Xiang, Sheng Liu
Summary: The authors present a surgical approach to isolate neural cells from macaques with fast and efficient steps, combined with optimized culturing conditions, to improve the yield and quality of cell populations for downstream analyses. The protocol allows for the isolation of mature neurons, immature cells, and neural progenitor cells from adult and aged macaques.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Yuyang Gan, Hailin Wang, Lijuan Du, Zhexiang Fan, Pingping Sun, Kaitao Li, Qian Qu, Jin Wang, Ruosi Chen, Zhiqi Hu, Yong Miao
Summary: A large number of pelage HF-MSCs can be quickly and conveniently isolated from adult mice using a two-step Ficoll density gradient sedimentation method. These cells possess similar characteristics and functions as whisker HF-MSCs and can promote hair growth by secreting exosomes.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Angela Picerno, Francesca Giannuzzi, Claudia Curci, Giuseppe De Palma, Maria Giovanna Di Chiano, Simona Simone, Rossana Franzin, Anna Gallone, Vito Francesco Di Lorenzo, Alessandra Stasi, Giovanni Battista Pertosa, Carlo Sabba, Loreto Gesualdo, Fabio Sallustio
Summary: The lncRNA HOTAIR is highly expressed in renal progenitor cells and plays a key role in maintaining their proliferative capacity and limiting apoptosis. Knockout of HOTAIR leads to senescence of renal progenitor cells and decreased expression of the stem cell marker CD133. HOTAIR exerts its function through epigenetic silencing of cell cycle inhibitor p15.
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)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Aran Shintani, Masashi Higuchi
Summary: This study successfully isolated PRRX1-positive pituitary stem/progenitor cells from the MCL-niche in adult mice, providing further insight into the cell supply system in the pituitary gland.
STEM CELL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
SeungHye Han, Minho Lee, Youngjin Shin, Regina Giovanni, Ram P. Chakrabarty, Mariana M. Herrerias, Laura A. Dada, Annette S. Flozak, Paul A. Reyfman, Basil Khuder, Colleen R. Reczek, Lin Gao, Jose Lopez-Barneo, Cara J. Gottardi, G. R. Scott Budinger, Navdeep S. Chandel
Summary: Alveolar epithelial type 1 (AT1) cells are necessary for gas exchange, while alveolar epithelial type 2 (AT2) cells play a role in lung development and repair. In this study, deleting a specific subunit of the mitochondrial electron transport chain complex I in lung epithelial cells led to abnormal alveolar development and death. Restoring NAD(+) regeneration was able to correct the developmental defects and prevent lethality. These findings highlight the importance of mitochondrial complex I-dependent NAD(+) regeneration in directing cell fate during lung development.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Diego Herrero, Guillermo Albericio, Marina Higuera, Maria Herranz-Lopez, Miguel A. Garcia-Brenes, Alejandra Cordero, Enrique Roche, Pilar Sepulveda, Carmen Mora, Antonio Bernad
Summary: Research on the interaction of adult cardiac progenitor cells with other cardiac cell populations can define the vascular cardiac stem cell niche, which is associated with low oxidative stress domains in vasculature, and manipulating this niche may offer new hope in the cardiac regeneration field.
Article
Cell Biology
Rayna de Wit, Sailay Siddiqi, Dorien Tiemessen, Rebecca Snabel, Gert Jan Veenstra, Egbert Oosterwijk, Ad Verhagen
Summary: The study demonstrates the feasibility of isolating progenitor cells with stem cell features from pericardium and pleura, showing multipotency and capability to differentiate towards chondrogenic, osteogenic and adipogenic lineages. Despite subtle differences, based on gene expression, pericardium- and pleura-derived stem cells may offer a superior autologous cell source for tracheal tissue engineering.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Raffaella Mauro, Cristina Rocchi, Francesco Vasuri, Alessia Pini, Anna Laura Croci Chiocchini, Carmen Ciavarella, Gaetano La Manna, Gianandrea Pasquinelli, Gianluca Faggioli, Mauro Gargiulo
Summary: This study investigates the role of Ki67, a proliferative marker, in arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for hemodialysis and its relationship with time-dependent histological morphologic changes. The results show that native veins do not contain proliferating cells, whereas vascular cell proliferation starts immediately after AVF creation and is significantly associated with myointimal thickening and subendothelial localization of Ki67-immunoreactive cells.
JOURNAL OF VASCULAR ACCESS
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Giulia Matacchione, Jessica Perugini, Eleonora Di Mercurio, Jacopo Sabbatinelli, Francesco Prattichizzo, Martina Senzacqua, Gianluca Storci, Christian Dani, Giovanni Lezoche, Mario Guerrieri, Antonio Giordano, Massimiliano Bonafe, Fabiola Olivieri
Summary: Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes and inflammation. This study found that obese patients have a higher number of senescent cells in visceral adipose tissue compared to subcutaneous adipose tissue. These cells also expressed the macrophage marker CD68. The number of senescent cells in visceral adipose tissue correlated positively with BMI, HOMA-IR, and insulin resistance. In vitro experiments demonstrated that macrophages cultured in high glucose conditions exhibited a senescent-like phenotype and co-culturing these cells with adipocytes resulted in inflammatory activation and impaired insulin signaling. These findings suggest that senescent macrophages may play a role in obesity-induced inflammation and insulin resistance.
Letter
Oncology
Ginevra Lolli, Margherita Ursi, Michele Dicataldo, Beatrice Casadei, Gianluca Storci, Lisa Argnani, Francesca Bonifazi, Pier Luigi Zinzani
LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA
(2022)
Letter
Pathology
Marco Rosetti, Claudia Di Carlo, Giovanni Poletti, Evita Massari, Marta Monti, Giuseppe Romano, Virginia Libri, Melania Olivieri, Valentina Polli, Luca Baldrati, Stefania Valenti, Tommaso Fasano
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Sara Salucci, Alberto Bavelloni, Anna Bartoletti Stella, Francesco Fabbri, Ivan Vannini, Manuela Piazzi, Karyna Volkava, Katia Scotlandi, Giovanni Martinelli, Irene Faenza, William Blalock
Summary: Approximately 7% of childhood cancers and 1% of adult cancers are soft tissue sarcomas, with rhabdomyosarcoma being the most common subtype. Despite current therapeutic protocols, survival rates for RMS have not improved significantly in the past decade. Curcumin, derived from the Curcuma longa plant, has low toxicity and has shown anti-tumorigenic effects in vitro. This study evaluated curcumin's activity in RMS cell lines and identified the major pathways affected by curcumin's anti-tumorigenic effects. Curcumin treatment resulted in cell cycle arrest, inhibited migration and colony formation, and induced apoptosis. Proteome profiler analysis revealed that curcumin primarily influenced signaling through AKT-mTOR, STAT, AMPK, and p53 pathways in a subtype-specific manner. Combinational therapeutic targeting of these pathways may be the best option for RMS treatment.
Article
Immunology
Gianluca Storci, Francesco Barbato, Francesca Ricci, Pier Luigi Tazzari, Serena De Matteis, Enrica Tomassini, Michele Dicataldo, Noemi Laprovitera, Mario Arpinati, Margherita Ursi, Enrico Maffini, Elena Campanini, Elisa Dan, Silvia Manfroi, Spartaco Santi, Manuela Ferracin, Massimiliano Bonafe, Francesca Bonifazi
Summary: Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a major complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and using rabbit anti-T lymphocyte globulin (ATLG) in addition to calcineurin inhibitors and antimetabolites is an effective strategy to prevent GVHD. Tailoring the dose of ATLG based on host characteristics can minimize side effects and improve outcomes.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Serena De Matteis, Michele Dicataldo, Beatrice Casadei, Gianluca Storci, Noemi Laprovitera, Mario Arpinati, Enrico Maffini, Pietro Cortelli, Maria Guarino, Francesca Vaglio, Maria Naddeo, Barbara Sinigaglia, Luca Zazzeroni, Serafina Guadagnuolo, Enrica Tomassini, Salvatore Nicola Bertuccio, Daria Messelodi, Manuela Ferracin, Massimiliano Bonafe, Pier Luigi Zinzani, Francesca Bonifazi
Summary: Inflammatory complications, such as ICANS, can affect the infusion of CAR T cells in patients with R/R-BCL. This study found that a lower percentage of CD3(+)CD8(+) lymphocytes and higher levels of CRP were associated with ICANS. Additionally, ICANS patients had an increase in senescent CD8(+) T cells and M-MDSC, as well as elevated levels of EVs carrying myeloid markers and cytokines.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Livia Gozzellino, Margherita Nannini, Carmine Pizzi, Ornella Leone, Barbara Corti, Valentina Indio, Chiara Baldovini, Pasquale Paolisso, Alberto Foa, Davide Pacini, Gianluca Folesani, Angela Schipani, Alice Costa, Gianandrea Pasquinelli, Maria Abbondanza Pantaleo, Annalisa Astolfi
Summary: Primary cardiac sarcomas are rare malignant tumors with poor prognosis. This study aimed to investigate the gene mutations and expression profiles of two types of cardiac sarcomas, osteosarcoma and leiomyosarcoma, using whole-transcriptome sequencing. The results revealed specific genetic alterations and differential gene expression in these two types of sarcomas compared to other cardiac histotypes, which could be associated with tumorigenesis mechanisms. These findings provide insights for further research on targeted therapies and improving the prognosis of patients with primary cardiac sarcomas.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michele Fiore, Alberto Taddia, Valentina Indio, Salvatore Nicola Bertuccio, Daria Messelodi, Salvatore Serravalle, Jessica Bandini, Filippo Spreafico, Daniela Perotti, Paola Collini, Andrea Di Cataldo, Gianandrea Pasquinelli, Francesca Chiarini, Maura Fois, Fraia Melchionda, Andrea Pession, Annalisa Astolfi
Summary: Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) is a rare pediatric renal tumor with worse prognosis than Wilms' tumor. This study aims to investigate the molecular differences between metastatic and localized BCOR-ITD-positive CCSK at diagnosis. The findings suggest that metastatic CCSKs have an overexpression of genes related to the MAPK signaling pathway, and FGF3 may play a role in the acquisition of a more aggressive phenotype.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ivan Vannini, Tania Rossi, Mattia Melloni, Martina Valgiusti, Milena Urbini, Alessandro Passardi, Giulia Bartolini, Chiara Gallio, Irene Azzali, Sara Bandini, Valentina Ancarani, Lorenzo Montanaro, Giovanni Luca Frassineti, Francesco Fabbri, Ilario Giovanni Rapposelli
Summary: In this study, blood-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) from patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were analyzed to identify molecular signatures predictive of therapy response. The EV concentration and size did not differ significantly between responders and non-responders, but there was decreased expression of SSEA4 and CD81 in responder patients. Analysis of EV miRNAs revealed at least 44 differentially expressed miRNAs between responders and non-responders. These findings demonstrate the potential of EV-derived biomarkers in predicting therapy response in pancreatic cancer.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Martina Bedeschi, Noemi Marino, Elena Cavassi, Filippo Piccinini, Anna Tesei
Summary: Prostate cancer is a common cancer in European males and androgen deprivation therapy is the standard treatment. However, resistance to this therapy has led to cancer progression and long-term side effects. Studies have shown that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and targeting them could be a potential therapeutic approach to overcome therapy resistance in prostate cancer.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Martina Ghetti, Ivan Vannini, Maria Teresa Bochicchio, Irene Azzali, Lorenzo Ledda, Giovanni Marconi, Mattia Melloni, Francesco Fabbri, Michela Rondoni, Roberta Chicchi, Davide Angeli, Andrea Ghelli Luserna di Rora, Barbara Giannini, Irene Zacheo, Rino Biguzzi, Francesco Lanza, Giovanni Martinelli, Giorgia Simonetti
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a role as molecular mediators in the tumor microenvironment, transporting information and regulating the immune system. circPVT1 is overexpressed in AML and has immunosuppressive properties. This study characterized EVs from AML patients, showing larger size and different surface markers compared to healthy subjects. Moreover, circPVT1 was found to be more abundant in EVs from AML patients. These findings provide insights into AML EVs and suggest a role of circPVT1 in the interaction between AML cells and the tumor microenvironment.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alice Costa, Livia Gozzellino, Margherita Nannini, Annalisa Astolfi, Maria Abbondanza Pantaleo, Gianandrea Pasquinelli
Summary: Visceral sarcomas are a rare subtype of soft tissue sarcomas, and understanding their development mechanisms and developing personalized therapies are urgent clinical needs. However, the complex genomic profiles and lack of reliable preclinical models present challenges.
Article
Surgery
Salome Kuntz, Fabien Thaveau, Michael Ohana, Gianandrea Pasquinelli, Nabil Chakfe, Anne Lejay
Summary: This report presents a rare case of long-term graft failure in a thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) due to calcified neo-atherosclerosis. The patient, who underwent TEVAR 11 years prior for blunt traumatic aortic injury, developed severe hypertension. Computed tomography angiography revealed calcifications in the distal luminal end of the TEVAR, causing a significant stenosis. After multidisciplinary discussion, the patient underwent open surgery to remove the graft and replace the aortic arch and descending thoracic aorta.
EJVES VASCULAR FORUM
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Hematology
S. De Matteis, M. Dicataldo, B. Casadei, N. Laprovitera, G. Storci, B. Sinigaglia, F. Barbato, P. L. Zinzani, M. Bonafe, F. Bonifazi