Article
Developmental Biology
JiSoo Park, Hao-An Hsiung, Irina Khven, Gioele La Manno, Matthias P. Lutolf
Summary: A self-organizing 3D neural tube organoid model derived from single mouse embryonic stem cells was developed, exhibiting in vivo-like tissue architecture, cell type composition, and anterior-posterior patterning. The maturation of the neural tube organoids revealed the emergence of multipotent neural crest cells and mature neurons. Single-cell transcriptome analyses provided insights into the transcriptional events during neural crest cell emergence and neural differentiation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Guo-yi Liu, Yan Wu, Fan-yi Kong, Shu Ma, Li-yan Fu, Jia Geng
Summary: This study demonstrates that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can alleviate inflammation and demyelination in EAE mice by differentiating into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Transplanted BMSCs improved neurological function scores and reduced disease incidence in EAE mice. Additionally, BMSCs transplantation down-regulated pro-inflammatory factors and up-regulated anti-inflammatory factors in EAE mice.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yijun Yang, Yanghui Qu, Yan Cheng, Duancheng Guo, Qianhai Fan, Zeng-jie Yang
Summary: This protocol provides detailed procedures for isolating, purifying, and transplanting tumor cells from MB in mice, facilitating the investigation of mechanisms underlying MB progression.
Article
Cell Biology
C. J. A. Olde Hanhof, E. Dilmen, F. A. Yousef Yengej, F. Latta, C. M. E. Ammerlaan, J. Schreurs, L. Hooijmaijers, J. Jansen, M. B. Rookmaaker, I. Orhon, M. C. Verhaar, J. G. Hoenderop
Summary: Kidney tubuloids are cell models derived from human or mouse renal epithelial cells that closely resemble their in vivo counterparts. They grow polarized in 3D, have long-term expansion capabilities, and represent multiple segments of the nephron. In this study, mouse tubuloids were differentiated towards the collecting duct, showing upregulation of collecting duct-specific genes and protein expression. They also exhibited polarized expression of collecting duct water channels and physiological responses to certain stimulation. These findings highlight the potential of mouse kidney tubuloids as in vitro models to study kidney diseases.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Qingsong Guo, Yuhua Lu, Yan Huang, Yibing Guo, Shajun Zhu, Qiuqiang Zhang, Donghui Zhu, Zhiwei Wang, Jia Luo
Summary: The research demonstrates the crucial role of specific miRNAs in exosomes for the differentiation of iPSCs into functional cells, providing insight into novel regulatory mechanisms governing iPSCs differentiation into IPCs.
DIABETES METABOLIC SYNDROME AND OBESITY-TARGETS AND THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Dongli Liang, Qi Sun, Zijue Zhu, Chuanyun Wang, Shicheng Ye, Zheng Li, Yuan Wang
Summary: This study found that genetically infertile mice can be suitable recipients for xenotransplantation of human germ cells, with minimal immunological rejection from immune-competent mouse recipients. The researchers also derived spermatogonia-like cells (SLCs) from human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), which showed colonization and proliferation in transplanted mouse recipients. This study functionally defined the cell identity of PSC-derived SLCs and supported the use of genetically infertile recipients as a convenient model for evaluating spermatogonia from different species.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maik Liedtke, Christin Voelkner, Alexandra V. Jurs, Franziska Peter, Michael Rabenstein, Andreas Hermann, Moritz J. Frech
Summary: NP-C2 is a rare genetic disease affecting cholesterol metabolism, sharing similar pathophysiological features with NP-C1. Research indicates that NPC2-deficient cells exhibit unique characteristics including low NPC2 protein level, high cholesterol accumulation, and relative resistance to reactive oxygen species.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yandong Li, Jie Feng, Yan Li, Jianqiu Pei, Shengshou Hu, Yu Nie
Summary: Transplantation of neonatal cardiac macrophages recruited by injury promotes adult heart regeneration after myocardial infarction, improving cardiac function and cardiomyocyte proliferation. This method may be a promising strategy for cardiac injury treatment.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rachel A. Caston, Paola Fortini, Kevin Chen, Jack Bauer, Eugenia Dogliotti, Y. Whitney Yin, Bruce Demple
Summary: After cellular differentiation, the expression of Fen1 and DNA2, which are involved in repairing mitochondrial DNA, decreases, while MGME1 and ExoG show minimal changes. Neuronal cells maintain mitochondrial DNA repair upon differentiation, relying on mitochondria-specific enzymes for BER.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ruslan Rust, Rebecca Z. Weber, Melanie Generali, Debora Kehl, Chantal Bodenmann, Daniela Uhr, Debora Wanner, Kathrin J. Zuercher, Hirohide Saito, Simon P. Hoerstrup, Roger M. Nitsch, Christian Tackenberg
Summary: In this study, transgene- and xeno-free neural progenitor cells (NPCs) were generated for potential clinical applications. These cells had stable gene expression, could be expanded, and spontaneously differentiated into mature neurons. This research presents a valuable tool for safe and effective cell therapies for brain injuries.
JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Hao Wu, Haiquan Chen, Bingqing Yi, Karyne M. Rogers, Xuehai Bian, Ni Lin, Xiuwen Zhou, Baohui Jin, Zhi Yan, Haichao Zhou
Summary: This study comprehensively analyzed 96 bottled mineral water samples from different origins including China, France, Italy, New Zealand, and Fiji. By investigating various factors such as dissolved inorganic carbon, water isotopes, mineral elements, and ions, the researchers were able to trace the origin of the mineral water. The results showed significant variations in the composition of mineral water from different regions, and statistical models were successful in accurately distinguishing the origins of the water samples.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Michiko Shigyo, Yoshiomi Kobayashi, Oleksandr Platoshyn, Silvia Marsala, Tomohisa Kato Jr, Naoki Takamura, Kenji Yoshida, Akiyoshi Kishino, Mariana Bravo-Hernandez, Stefan Juhas, Jana Juhasova, Hana Studenovska, Vladimir Proks, Joseph D. Ciacci, Martin Marsala
Summary: We developed a manual-selection protocol to generate expandable and stable human neural precursor cells from induced pluripotent stem cells. These cells displayed normal karyotype, expressed neural precursor markers, and were able to differentiate into functional neurons in vitro. When transplanted into immunodeficient rats, the cells matured and expressed human-specific neuronal and glial markers without tumor formation.
CELL TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yuka Ikawa, Takuya Wakai, Hiroaki Funahashi, Tet Htut Soe, Kazunori Watanabe, Takashi Ohtsuki
Summary: This study demonstrates a promising method for studying the developmental process of early embryogenesis by using a photoinduced cytosolic dispersion of RNA (PCDR) method to deliver small RNAs into single blastomeres in a photo-dependent manner and enable RNA interference in mouse embryos.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Ali Farrokhi, MohammadReza Rahavi, Sumin Jo, Reza Jalili, C. James Lim, Aziz Ghahsary, Gregor S. D. Reid
Summary: Fibroblasts are important in tissue engineering, but the survival and functionality of allogeneic fibroblasts after transplantation remain controversial. This study found that rejection by innate and adaptive immune cells is responsible for the loss of allogeneic fibroblasts.
CELL TRANSPLANTATION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tanner Rathbone, Ilayda Ates, Callie Stuart, Tina Parker, Renee N. Cottle
Summary: This protocol describes a method for isolating primary mouse hepatocytes and delivering CRISPR-Cas9 using electroporation. The method is fast and effective, with high cell viability and transfection efficiency, and has potential applications in studying genetic diseases related to the liver.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Hebun Erdur, Joachim E. Weber, Anselm Angermaier, Stephan Kinze, Ali Sotoodeh, Claudia Gorski, Kerstin Bollweg, Stefanie Ernst, Farid Kandil, Janina Behrens, Ramanan Ganeshan, Anne Keysers, Malgorzata Kotlarz-Boettcher, Daniel Peters, Ludwig Schlemm, Kirsten Stangenberg-Gliss, Carl Witt, Beata Hennig, Katrin C. Reber, Udo Schneider, Christiana Franke, Ingo Schmehl, Hans-Beatus Straub, Agnes Floeel, Sarah Theen, Matthias Endres, Tobias Kurth, Heinrich J. Audebert
Summary: Implementing a multicomponent system-of-care can reduce the risk of poor outcomes in stroke patients.
ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marcos J. Arauzo-Bravo, Lars Erichsen, Pauline Ott, Agnes Beermann, Jamal Sheikh, Daniela Gerovska, Chantelle Thimm, Marcelo L. Bendhack, Simeon Santourlidis
Summary: Prostate cancer remains a significant threat to life and causes devastating morbidity. Although advancements in PSA screening and treatments have reduced mortality rates, new recommendations against PSA screening highlight the imbalance between the benefit and harm of current diagnosis and treatment practices. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new diagnostic and prognostic tools to accurately assess the disease and enable personalized therapies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ann-Katrin Schild, Yasemin Goereci, Daniel Scharfenberg, Kim Klein, Joachim Luelling, Dix Meiberth, Finja Schweitzer, Sophie Stuermer, Philip Zeyen, Derya Sahin, Gereon R. Fink, Frank Jessen, Christiana Franke, Oezguer A. Onur, Josef Kessler, Clemens Warnke, Franziska Maier
Summary: The aim of this study was to assess the neuropsychological profile of patients with asymptomatic to mild/moderate acute COVID-19 disease. The study found that approximately 60% of participants reported cognitive deficits, particularly in the domains of learning/memory and executive functions. These deficits were associated with daytime sleepiness but not with depression, anxiety, sleep quality, general health status, or fatigue.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Arianna Minoia, Luca Dalle Carbonare, Jens Christian Schwamborn, Silvia Bolognin, Maria Teresa Valenti
Summary: Degenerative diseases affecting bone tissues and the brain have significant socioeconomic impact. Osteoporosis and neurodegenerative diseases are often linked, with bone fractures and reduced mobility being common in patients. Bone is not only involved in movement but also plays a role in mineral metabolism and the production of stem cells. The interaction between the nervous system and bone is bidirectional, with bone influencing neuronal regulation and vice versa. This review summarizes recent knowledge on this interaction and emphasizes its importance. Experimental models and suggestions for evaluating molecular interactions between nerve and skeletal cells are also discussed.
Article
Cell Biology
Maria Meszaros, Thi Ha My Phan, Judit P. Vigh, Gergo Porkolab, Anna Kocsis, Emese K. Pali, Tamas F. Polgar, Fruzsina R. Walter, Silvia Bolognin, Jens C. Schwamborn, Jeng-Shiung Jan, Maria A. Deli, Szilvia Veszelka
Summary: Research has found that nanoparticles targeting cerebral endothelial cells can enhance drug delivery to the brain. By combining alanine and glutathione, these polypeptide nanocarriers showed increased permeability and cellular uptake in a co-culture model of human endothelial cells and brain pericytes. These findings suggest that poly(l-glutamic acid) nanoparticles can be effective nanocarriers for drug delivery to the nervous system.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Morris Gellisch, Gabriela Morosan-Puopolo, Oliver T. Wolf, Dirk A. Moser, Holm Zaehres, Beate Brand-Saberi
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate whether students' psychobiological stress responses can be enhanced in the context of anatomical online learning and how increased physiological parameters correlate with characteristics of learning experiences in a digital learning environment. The results showed that compared to passive online learning, students engaged in the interaction-enhanced version of online learning displayed a significantly reduced Heart Rate Variability, along with a strong increase in salivary cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase activity. These findings demonstrate that the physiological arousal of students engaged in online learning can be enhanced via interactive teaching methods and highlight the correlation between higher physiological responses and elementary criteria of learning experience such as engagement and attention.
ANNALS OF ANATOMY-ANATOMISCHER ANZEIGER
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Christiana Franke, Fabian Boesl, Yasemin Goereci, Ameli Gerhard, Finja Schweitzer, Maria Schroeder, Helle Foverskov-Rasmussen, Josephine Heine, Anneke Quitschau, Farid I. Kandil, Ann-Katrin Schild, Carsten Finke, Heinrich J. Audebert, Matthias Endres, Clemens Warnke, Harald Pruess
Summary: Autoantibodies targeting brain epitopes are common in patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) and strongly associate with pathological cognitive screening tests, particularly when found in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Axel Chemla, Giuseppe Arena, Claudia Saraiva, Clara Berenguer-Escuder, Dajana Grossmann, Anne Grunewald, Christine Klein, Philip Seibler, Jens C. Schwamborn, Rejko Kruger
Summary: In this study, two Parkinson's disease patients' primary skin fibroblasts carrying distinct heterozygous mutations in the RHOT1 gene encoding Miro1 were reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using episomal reprogramming. Isogenic gene-corrected lines were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Both isogenic pairs were comprehensively characterized and quality assured to study the Miro1-related molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in iPSC-derived neuronal models.
STEM CELL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Vitaly L. Zimyanin, Anna-Maria Pielka, Hannes Glass, Julia Japtok, Dajana Grossmann, Melanie Martin, Andreas Deussen, Barbara Szewczyk, Chris Deppmann, Eli Zunder, Peter M. Andersen, Tobias M. Boeckers, Jared Sterneckert, Stefanie Redemann, Alexander Storch, Andreas Hermann
Article
Cell Biology
Bita Massih, Alexander Veh, Maren Schenke, Simon Mungwa, Bettina Seeger, Bhuvaneish T. Selvaraj, Siddharthan Chandran, Peter Reinhardt, Jared Sterneckert, Andreas Hermann, Michael Sendtner, Patrick Lueningschroer
Summary: This article introduces a human neuromuscular co-culture system that enables the formation of neuromuscular junctions by differentiating induced pluripotent stem cells into motor neurons and 3D skeletal muscle tissue. The system is suitable for modeling the pathophysiology of motor neuron diseases and has been used to study the synaptic coupling and muscle contraction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). This in vitro model recapitulates aspects of human physiology and is of great importance for studying human motor neurons in health and disease.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Josephine Heine, Katia Schwichtenberg, Tim J. Hartung, Sophia Rekers, Claudia Chien, Fabian Boesl, Rebekka Rust, Christian Hohenfeld, Julia Bungenberg, Ana S. Costa, Carmen Scheibenbogen, Judith Bellmann-Strobl, Friedemann Paul, Christiana Franke, Kathrin Reetz, Carsten Finke
Summary: This study explores the clinical characteristics, associated structural imaging changes, and influences on fatigue severity in patients with post-COVID syndrome. The findings reveal that the fatigue experienced by these patients is associated with structural changes in the thalamus and basal ganglia, providing insights into understanding post-COVID fatigue and related neuropsychiatric complications.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
N. M. Daya, L. Mavrommatis, H. Zhuge, M. Athamneh, A. Roos, D. Glaeser, K. Doering, H. Zaehres, M. Vorgerd, A. K. Guettsches
Summary: This study introduces a human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) line generated from cultured dermal fibroblasts of a male patient with myofibrillar myopathy. The cell line carries a mutation in the filamin C (FLNC) gene and displays typical embryonic stem cell-like morphology and pluripotent stem cell markers expression. It has the potential to differentiate into all three germ layers.
STEM CELL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Cristina Marisol Castillo Bautista, Kristin Eismann, Marc Gentzel, Silvia Pelucchi, Jerome Mertens, Hannah E. Walters, Maximina H. Yun, Jared Sterneckert
Summary: Aging disrupts protein homeostasis and contributes to various diseases, including ALS. Repressing autophagy is a strategy to restore protein homeostasis and protect neurons. A study found that obatoclax, a small molecule BH3 mimetic, can disrupt the interaction between BECN1 and BCL2, reducing FUS levels and improving protein homeostasis to rescue neurons. Obatoclax has potential as a therapeutic for ALS and other age-related disorders linked to protein homeostasis defects.
Article
Cell Biology
Francesco Antoniani, Marco Cimino, Laura Mediani, Jonathan Vinet, Enza M. Verde, Valentina Secco, Alfred Yamoah, Priyanka Tripathi, Eleonora Aronica, Maria E. Cicardi, Davide Trotti, Jared Sterneckert, Anand Goswami, Serena Carra
Summary: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) are neurodegenerative disorders linked by genetic causes, with TARDBP, FUS, and C9orf72 genes playing critical roles. The proteins produced by these genes accumulate in the cytoplasm, leading to pathological inclusions. This study explores the connection between the cytoplasmic and nuclear protein quality control (PQC) systems, highlighting the impairment of PML nuclear bodies (PML-NBs) and cytoplasmic stress granules (SGs) in ALS-FTD cases, which contribute to protein aggregation.
CELL DEATH DISCOVERY
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Lampros Mavrommatis, Abdul Zaben, Urs Kindler, Marie-Cecile Kienitz, Julienne Dietz, Hyun-Woo Jeong, Pierre Boehme, Beate Brand-Saberi, Matthias Vorgerd, Holm Zaehres
Summary: This study presents two strategies for rescuing CAPN3 mutations, providing possibilities for studying LGMD2A disease models and potential translational applications.
STEM CELLS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
