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)
Review
Cell Biology
Eva Sykova, Dasa Cizkova, Sarka Kubinova
Summary: MSCs, as candidates in regenerative medicine, have shown significant therapeutic potential in animal experiments and clinical studies due to their immunomodulatory, paracrine, and neural stimulation effects.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
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
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chiara Aquilina-Reid, Samuel Brennan, Ashton Curry-Hyde, Guus M. Teunisse, Michael Janitz
Summary: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are highly abundant and conserved long noncoding RNAs that can act as microRNA sponges, affecting gene expression. This study analyzed ALS patient samples to identify differentially expressed circRNAs and explored their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic candidates for ALS.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Fabiola De Marchi, Katia Mareschi, Ivana Ferrero, Roberto Cantello, Franca Fagioli, Letizia Mazzini
Summary: This study analyzed the long-term effects of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using data from two clinical trials. The findings suggest that MSC transplantation could potentially slow down ALS progression and improve survival.
Article
Neurosciences
Hirotoshi Magota, Masanori Sasaki, Yuko Kataoka-Sasaki, Shinichi Oka, Ryo Ukai, Ryo Kiyose, Rie Onodera, Jeffery D. Kocsis, Osamu Honmou
Summary: ALS is a devastating neurodegenerative disease with uncertain pathogenesis, but disruption of BSCB may contribute to motor neuron degeneration. Intravenous infusion of MSCs in SOD1(G93A) ALS rats showed delayed disease progression, preserved BSCB function, and increased expression of neurturin, indicating potential therapeutic targets for ALS treatment.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Yoann Athiel, Justine Nasone, Lousineh Arakelian, Lionel Faivre, Anais Dugas, Jean-Marie Jouannic, Jerome Larghero, Lucie Guilbaud
Summary: The study aimed to assess the biodistribution of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UC-MSCs) in lambs who had a prenatal myelomeningocele repair. The results showed no detection of GFP lentivirus genomic DNA in the organs of the grafted lambs, providing support for translational application in humans.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2022)
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
Clinical Neurology
Philippe Corcia, Pascal Lejeune, Patrick Vourc'h, Stephane Beltran, Anne-Sophie Piegay, Helene Blasco, Vincent Meininger
Summary: This study characterized the prototypical phenotype of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) associated with PFN1 mutations and identified clinical indications for testing mutations in this gene. The main clinical findings for familial ALS linked to PFN1 were identified as pedigrees with over five cases, an onset age around 50 years, onset in the lower limbs, and the absence of cognitive impairment. The similarities with other ALS mutations prompt a review of ALS classifications based on both phenotype and genotype.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(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)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Thomas H. Julian, Sarah Boddy, Mahjabin Islam, Julian Kurz, Katherine J. Whittaker, Tobias Moll, Calum Harvey, Sai Zhang, Michael P. Snyder, Christopher McDermott, Johnathan Cooper-Knock, Pamela J. Shaw
Summary: Mendelian randomization studies on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis show a causal link between blood lipids and the disease risk, while factors like smoking and immune function require further investigation for confirmation. The use of high methodological standards and replication across different datasets are essential for reliable results in Mendelian randomization studies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
M. Kathryn Brewer, Pascual Torres, Victoria Ayala, Manuel Portero-Otin, Reinald Pamplona, Pol Andres-Benito, Isidro Ferrer, Joan J. Guinovart, Jordi Duran
Summary: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor neuron loss in the spinal cord. Glycogen accumulation in reactive astrocytes has been found to contribute to neurotoxicity and disease progression in ALS. This study demonstrates that glycogen accumulates in the spinal cord and brainstem of ALS mice and is associated with reactive astrocytes. The reduced glycogen synthesis in ALS mice leads to a longer lifespan and lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine Cxcl10, suggesting that glycogen accumulation is linked to inflammation and disease progression.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ximena Bonilla, Ana Milena Lara, Manuela Llano-Leon, David A. Lopez-Gonzalez, David G. Hernandez-Mejia, Rosa Helena Bustos, Bernardo Camacho-Rodriguez, Ana-Maria Perdomo-Arciniegas
Summary: Umbilical cord blood is an important source of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, and recent research has focused on developing ex vivo expansion strategies for these cells. Co-culturing the cells with specific mesenchymal stromal cells has been found to significantly increase their cellular dose and regulate their proliferation capacity. Additionally, the secretory profile of umbilical cord blood-derived cells closely resembles that of bone marrow-derived cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(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
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Yu Huan, Huili Yang, Biying Yang, Yu Zheng, Xiaomei Hou, Guiling Chen, Wenqi Zhang, Xiang Zeng, Baoxin Du
Summary: The combination of conditioned medium (CM) and ginsenoside Rg1 (G-Rg1) effectively reduces apoptosis in SOD1G93A-NSC34 cells by suppressing the NF-κB/Bcl-2 signaling pathway.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF NATURAL MEDICINES
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Andrea David Re Cecconi, Mara Barone, Simona Gaspari, Massimo Tortarolo, Caterina Bendotti, Luca Porcu, Giulia Terribile, Rosanna Piccirillo
Summary: Cancer cachexia and ALS seem to have similar mechanisms of muscle wasting at least at the catabolic level. The p97-Nploc4 complex appears to play a crucial role in muscle atrophy during these disorders, and disrupting this complex might serve as a novel drug strategy.
JOURNAL OF CACHEXIA SARCOPENIA AND MUSCLE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Giovanni Sitia, Fabio Fiordaliso, Martina B. Violatto, Jennifer Fernandez Alarcon, Laura Talamini, Alessandro Corbelli, Lorena Maria Ferreira, Ngoc Lan Tran, Indranath Chakraborty, Mario Salmona, Wolfgang J. Parak, Luisa Diomede, Paolo Bigini
Summary: Food-grade titanium dioxide (E171) contains nanoparticles that pose potential risks to human and animal health. This study evaluated the impact of E171 on invertebrate and vertebrate animals, finding significant impairments in pharyngeal function, reproduction, and development, as well as inflammation and parenchymal modifications in the liver and lungs.
Article
Oncology
Andrea David Re Cecconi, Mara Barone, Mara Forti, Martina Lunardi, Alfredo Cagnotto, Mario Salmona, Davide Olivari, Lorena Zentilin, Andrea Resovi, Perla Persichitti, Dorina Belotti, Federica Palo, Nobuyuki Takakura, Hiroyasu Kidoya, Rosanna Piccirillo
Summary: The study aimed to assess the role of apelin in combating muscle loss during cancer cachexia. The results showed that although apelin exhibited beneficial effects against muscle atrophy in in vitro models, it failed to do so in in vivo models due to undesired apelin resistance. This study uncovering apelin resistance highlights potential issues in apelin-based therapy for cancer cachexia.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alessandro Palmioli, Valeria Mazzoni, Ada De Luigi, Chiara Bruzzone, Gessica Sala, Laura Colombo, Chiara Bazzini, Chiara Paola Zoia, Mariagiovanna Inserra, Mario Salmona, Ivano De Noni, Carlo Ferrarese, Luisa Diomede, Cristina Airoldi
Summary: The social and economic costs associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, require significant efforts for the development of effective preventive and therapeutic strategies. Research suggests that hops, a main ingredient in beer, contain natural compounds that can help prevent the main biochemical mechanisms responsible for Alzheimer's disease. This study investigates the chemical variability of hops and identifies specific compounds that exhibit anti-Alzheimer's activity through various mechanisms.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ettore Beghi, Elisabetta Pupillo, Elisa Bianchi, Valentina Bonetto, Silvia Luotti, Laura Pasetto, Caterina Bendotti, Massimo Tortarolo, Francesca Sironi, Laura Camporeale, Alexander V. Sherman, Sabrina Paganoni, Ada Scognamiglio, Fabiola De Marchi, Paolo Bongioanni, Renata Del Carratore, Claudia Caponnetto, Luca Diamanti, Daniele Martinelli, Andrea Calvo, Massimiliano Filosto, Alessandro Padovani, Stefano Cotti Piccinelli, Claudia Ricci, Stefania Dalla Giacoma, Nicoletta De Angelis, Maurizio Inghilleri, Rossella Spataro, Vincenzo La Bella, Giancarlo Logroscino, Christian Lunetta, Claudia Tarlarini, Jessica Mandrioli, Ilaria Martinelli, Cecilia Simonini, Elisabetta Zucchi, Maria Rosaria Monsurro, Dario Ricciardi, Francesca Trojsi, Nilo Riva, Massimo Filippi, Isabella Laura Simone, Gianni Soraru, Cristina Spera, Lucia Florio, Sonia Messina, Massimo Russo, Gabriele Siciliano, Amelia Conte, Maria Valeria Saddi, Nicola Carboni, Letizia Mazzini
Summary: This study is a clinical trial on the effects of RNS60 in ALS patients. The results indicate that RNS60 has positive effects on respiratory and bulbar function, suggesting further investigation is warranted.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Arianna Zanoni, Cora Casiraghi, Riccardo Po, Paolo Biagini, Mattia Sponchioni, Davide Moscatelli
Summary: Redispersible polymer powders (RDPPs), which are dry powder additives used in the concrete industry, are mainly produced from fossil resources. This study focuses on developing bio-based RDPPs to reduce carbon footprint. Two types of bio-based core-shell nanoparticles were synthesized and found to be promising candidates as RDPPs. The powders were characterized and their potential as concrete additives were evaluated by examining changes in surface morphologies of concrete specimens.
MACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Caio J. Perecin, Mattia Sponchioni, Renato Auriemma, Natalia N. P. Cerize, Davide Moscatelli, Laudemir C. Varanda
Summary: Tailor-made magnetite-biodegradable polymer nanocomposites were synthesized and shown to have multiple functions for biomedical applications.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Arianna Zanoni, Flavio Tollini, Cora Casiraghi, Giuseppe Storti, Mattia Sponchioni, Davide Moscatelli
Summary: Engineered polylactic acid (PLA) nanoparticles synthesized from oligo(lactic acid) macromonomers have been studied for controlled drug delivery. This study compares the synthesis of PLA-based macromonomers via ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and direct polycondensation of lactic acid in the presence of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). It is found that polycondensation is a valuable alternative to ROP for macromonomers with an average chain length of up to 4, while ROP remains the main route for longer chains requiring strict control over the chain length distribution.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Francesca Sironi, Fabiola De Marchi, Letizia Mazzini, Caterina Bendotti
Summary: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of motor neurons and neuromuscular impairment. Stem cell therapy shows promise in protecting motor units through various mechanisms. However, more coordinated effort and research is needed to address challenges in stem cell source selection, mechanism of action, and expected clinical outcomes. This review covers recent advances in stem cell therapies in ALS animal models and ongoing human clinical trials.
BRAIN RESEARCH BULLETIN
(2023)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Andrea Conz, Mario Salmona, Luisa Diomede
Summary: The human gut microbiota is a complex community of microorganisms in the digestive tract, which plays a vital role in maintaining normal gut health. Factors such as genetics, age, antibiotics, environment, and diet can influence the composition and function of the gut microbiota. With the increasing use of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) in diets, their impact on the gut microbiota has become a focus of research. However, conflicting results have been reported in pre-clinical and clinical studies, and a consensus on the effects of NNS on the gut microbiota is yet to be reached.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Martina B. Violatto, Giovanni Sitia, Laura Talamini, Annalisa Morelli, Ngoc Lan Tran, Qian Zhang, Atif Masood, Beatriz Pelaz, Indranath Chakraborty, Daxiang Cui, Wolfgang J. Parak, Mario Salmona, Neus G. Bastus, Victor Puntes, Paolo Bigini
Summary: Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are a major source of human exposure to nanoparticulate matter. Although potential toxic effects have been demonstrated, the correlation between NP properties and their interaction with biological targets is not fully understood. This study prepared engineered TiO2 NPs with different geometries and administered them intravenously in mice. The results showed that the accumulation of TiO2 NPs in organs was low, with a longer-lasting presence in the lungs. Rod-shaped NPs were the most toxic and could induce pulmonary alterations and hepatocellular injury. Small physico-chemical differences dramatically modified accumulation and safety.
Article
Cell Biology
Paola Fabbrizio, Cassandra Margotta, Jessica D'Agostino, Giuseppe Suanno, Lorenzo Quetti, Caterina Bendotti, Giovanni Nardo
Summary: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a motor neuron disease with a poor prognosis and unmet therapeutic need. Recent research suggests that the modulation of macrophage muscle response and enhancement of satellite cell differentiation can delay muscle atrophy and motor neuron loss in ALS. IL-10 treatment was found to improve motor performance in ALS mice by promoting satellite cells and muscle pro-regenerative activity of macrophages.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marten Beeg, Sara Baroni, Arianna Piotti, Alessia Porta, Ada De Luigi, Alfredo Cagnotto, Marco Gobbi, Luisa Diomede, Mario Salmona
Summary: We developed and validated a technology platform for designing and testing peptides inhibiting the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-based pseudoviruses. We generated a cyclic peptide library derived from the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. The cyclic peptide c9_05 showed effective inhibition against the Wuhan and UK variants, but was negligible against the Omicron variant and the B.1.351 (South African) spike.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jennifer Fernandez Alarcon, Mahmoud Soliman, Tanja Ursula Luedtke, Eva Clemente, Marko Dobricic, Martina B. Violatto, Alessandro Corbelli, Fabio Fiordaliso, Chiara Cordiglieri, Laura Talamini, Giovanni Sitia, Sergio Moya, Paolo Bigini, Marco P. Monopoli
Summary: This study evaluated the accumulation, internalization, and safety of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in the liver after long-term exposure. The results showed that GNPs were rapidly segregated into lysosomes of endothelial cells or Kupffer cells, regardless of their coating or shape. Despite the long-lasting accumulation in tissues, GNPs did not induce hepatic toxicity and were rapidly eliminated from the blood circulation.
