Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marta Cadenas-Martin, Francisco Arnalich-Montiel, Maria P. De Miguel
Summary: This study developed a protocol for deriving human limbal stem cells (LSCs) from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) that is compatible with the standard carrier human amniotic membrane. The best protocol achieved optimal differentiation efficiency and will benefit patients with LSC deficiency, aiding in the restoration of vision.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Tanja Ilmarinen, Meri Vattulainen, Jeyalakshmi Kandhavelu, Dominique Bremond-Gignac, Daniel Aberdam, Heli Skottman
Summary: Congenital aniridia is caused by mutations on the PAX6 gene leading to reduced PAX6 protein and abnormal eye development. Aniridia-associated keratopathy (AAK) is characterized by progressive corneal opacification similar to late-onset limbal stem cell (LSC) deficiency. This study generated induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) from AAK patients and found that PAX6 haploinsufficiency affects LSC lineage commitment.
Article
Cell Biology
Chengxin Zhou, Fengyang Lei, Mirja Mittermaier, Bruce Ksander, Reza Dana, Claes H. Dohlman, Demetrios G. Vavvas, James Chodosh, Eleftherios I. Paschalis
Summary: Limbal stem cell (LSC) deficiency is a common and severe complication after chemical injury to the eye. This study reveals that LSC damage is mediated by immune cell mediators, even without direct injury to LSCs. Elevated pH in the anterior chamber triggers uveal stress, release of inflammatory cytokines, and subsequent LSC damage and death.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Basanta Bhujel, Se-Heon Oh, Chang-Min Kim, Ye-Ji Yoon, Young-Jae Kim, Ho-Seok Chung, Eun-Ah Ye, Hun Lee, Jae-Yong Kim
Summary: The cornea is susceptible to damage, but corneal transplantation can restore its functions. However, this procedure faces obstacles such as a shortage of donors and graft rejection. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown potential in corneal regeneration by differentiating into corneal cells and secreting growth factors. This review highlights the contribution of MSCs and MSC-derived exosomes in overcoming corneal disease and their potential as therapeutic agents.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Louis-Philippe Guerin, Danielle Larouche, Mohib W. Morcos, Anne Faucher, Francois A. Auger, Bartha M. Knoppers, Ralph Kyrillos, Richard Bazin, Lucie Germain
Summary: The study aimed to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of CACE grafting in patients with LSCD. The results showed promising improvements in visual acuity and low occurrence of complications with CACE grafting.
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Sara Galindo, Ana de la Mata, Marina Lopez-Paniagua, Jose M. Herreras, Inmaculada Perez, Margarita Calonge, Teresa Nieto-Miguel
Summary: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have unique properties that make them effective for treating ocular surface diseases. The most commonly used administration routes for MSC treatment of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD) include intravenous and intraperitoneal injections, topical administration, and MSC transplantation using carrier substrata like amniotic membrane (AM). Subconjunctival injection is a minimally invasive technique that is frequently used in ophthalmology to treat corneal failure due to LSCD.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gloria Bertoli, Antonella Panio, Claudia Cava, Francesca Gallivanone, Martina Alini, Giulia Strano, Federico Molfino, Loredana Brioschi, Paola Viani, Danilo Porro
Summary: Prostate cancer is a common male neoplasm and is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men. Traditional diagnosis of prostate cancer relies on prostate secreted antigen (PSA) evaluation, but false positives are common, making additional tests necessary. This study explores the role of miR-153 in controlling cell growth and invasion in high Gleason Score prostate cancer, and suggests that miR-153 could serve as a circulating biomarker for diagnosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Alfonso Eirin, Yu Meng, Xiang-Yang Zhu, Yongxin Li, Ishran M. Saadiq, Kyra L. Jordan, Hui Tang, Amir Lerman, Andre J. van Wijnen, Lilach O. Lerman
Summary: Obesity alters the miRNA expression profile and size of human adipose mesenchymal stem/stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), reducing their capacity to repair injured cells and modulate important injury pathways in recipient cells. These observations may guide the development of novel strategies to improve healing and repair in obese individuals.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Huldani Huldani, Saade Abdalkareem Jasim, Dmitry Olegovich Bokov, Walid Kamal Abdelbasset, Mohammed Nader Shalaby, Lakshmi Thangavelu, Ria Margiana, Maytham T. Qasim
Summary: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have great potential as therapeutic candidates, but their clinical application is limited due to their tumorigenic properties. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), as paracrine factors of MSCs, have gained attention as potential cell-free replacement therapy due to their low immunogenicity and tumorigenicity, as well as easy management.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Shunsuke Nakakura, Sachiko Maruoka, Taiichiro Chikama, Yuki Nagata, Etsuko Terao, Kanae Ueda, Saki Dote, Satomi Oogi
Summary: Limbal epithelial stem cell deficiency (LSCD) is a corneal epithelial lesion caused by various factors, including bullous keratopathy, multiple surgeries, and drug-related damage in glaucoma patients. This study evaluated the treatment course of LSCD in glaucoma patients by retrospectively reviewing medical records. The majority of patients showed improvement or stabilization of LSCD after treatment with dry eye drops, steroid eye drops, and antibiotics.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Praveen Thokala, Aastha Singh, Vijay Kumar Singh, Varsha M. Rathi, Sayan Basu, Vivek Singh, Sheila MacNeil, Virender Singh Sangwan
Summary: The global uptake of simple limbal epithelial transplantation (SLET) was reported and compared with the economic, clinical, and social outcomes of cultured limbal epithelial transplantation (CLET). The anatomical success of SLET was similar to CLET for adults but better for children. Economic analysis showed that SLET provided cost-savings compared to CLET.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarah Y. T. Robertson, JoAnn S. Roberts, Sophie X. Deng
Summary: Limbal epithelial stem/progenitor cells (LSCs) reside in a niche with finely tuned balances of various signaling pathways, and respond to molecular signals as well as physical structure. Damage to LSCs or their niche leads to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), and understanding the molecular regulation of LSCs is crucial for treating LSCD effectively.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Meri Vattulainen, Tanja Ilmarinen, Taina Viheriala, Vilma Jokinen, Heli Skottman
Summary: Functional limbal stem cells (LSCs) were successfully differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), showing similar marker expression and wound healing capacity to tissue-derived LSCs. Post-thaw hPSC-LSCs exhibited a robust response to the injury-associated signal mediator ATP and demonstrated higher wound healing capacity compared to tissue-derived LSCs.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ricardo Malvicini, Diego Santa-Cruz, Anna Maria Tolomeo, Maurizio Muraca, Gustavo Yannarelli, Natalia Pacienza
Summary: In this study, we developed a chromatographic, scalable, and clinically compatible method to isolate and concentrate extracellular vesicles (EVs) from conditioned media, while preserving their biological activity. The method is simple, fast, and suitable for clinical production.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Irene Anton-Sales, Laura Koivusalo, Heli Skottman, Anna Laromaine, Anna Roig
Summary: Limbal stem cells are crucial for cell-based treatments for ocular surface disorders, and using bacterial nanocellulose as a carrier could potentially overcome the major bottleneck of successful delivery and retention of therapeutic cells. Surface functionalization with human extracellular matrix proteins on BNC substrates significantly improves the attachment and survival of stem cells, showing promise for future research in treating severe ocular surface pathologies.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Swarnabh Bhattacharya, Laura Serror, Eshkar Nir, Dalbir Dhiraj, Anna Altshuler, Maroun Khreish, Beatrice Tiosano, Peleg Hasson, Lia Panman, Chen Luxenburg, Daniel Aberdam, Ruby Shalom-Feuerstein
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Alizee le Riche, Edith Aberdam, Laetitia Marchand, Elie Frank, Colin Jahoda, Isabelle Petit, Sylvie Bordes, Brigitte Closs, Daniel Aberdam
Article
Cell Biology
Edith Aberdam, Lauriane N. Roux, Philippe-Henri Secretan, Franck Boralevi, Joel Schlatter, Fanny Morice-Picard, Stefano Sol, Christine Bodemer, Caterina Missero, Salvatore Cisternino, Daniel Aberdam, Smail Hadj-Rabia
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Valerie Barbier, Johanna Erbani, Corrine Fiveash, Julie M. Davies, Joshua Tay, Michael R. Tallack, Jessica Lowe, John L. Magnani, Diwakar R. Pattabiraman, Andrew C. Perkins, Jessica Lisle, John E. J. Rasko, Jean-Pierre Levesque, Ingrid G. Winkler
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Cell Biology
Johanna Erbani, Joshua Tay, Valerie Barbier, Jean-Pierre Levesque, Ingrid G. Winkler
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Cell Biology
Anna Maria Lena, Erica Foffi, Massimiliano Agostini, Mara Mancini, Margherita Annicchiarico-Petruzzelli, Daniel Aberdam, Tania Velletri, Yufang Shi, Gerry Melino, Ying Wang, Eleonora Candi
Summary: The transcription factor p53 plays a crucial role in controlling the differentiation process of mesenchymal stem cells. Other members of the p53 family, such as p63 and p73, may also be involved in this process. Specifically, TAp63 isoforms are shown to be upregulated during osteogenic differentiation, potentially impacting bone-related diseases and breast cancer metastasis.
Article
Ophthalmology
Orly Dorot, Lauriane N. Roux, Lea Zennaro, Keren Oved, Dominique Bremond-Gignac, Edward Pichinuk, Daniel Aberdam
Summary: The study found that Duloxetine can enhance PAX6 activity and restore normal function of limbal cells in patients with aniridia-related keratopathy, and activates PAX6 expression by inhibiting the ERK pathway. This discovery is of great importance for the development of topical treatment drugs for aniridia.
Article
Ophthalmology
L. Latta, F. C. Figueiredo, R. Ashery-Padan, J. M. Collinson, J. Daniels, S. Ferrari, N. Szentmary, S. Sola, R. Shalom-Feuerstein, M. Lako, S. Xapelli, D. Aberdam, N. Lagali
Summary: Aniridia, a rare congenital disease, is characterized by progressive corneal defects and ocular surface pathology, presenting challenges in clinical management due to its bilateral nature and the presence of multiple coexisting ocular and systemic morbidities. The role of limbal stem cells and the ocular microenvironment in the pathogenesis of aniridia-associated keratopathy (AAK) has been questioned in light of new evidence, highlighting the need for further research to deepen the understanding and develop new treatments for this blinding ocular surface disease.
Article
Ophthalmology
D. Bremond-Gignac, M. Robert, A. Daruich, V Borderie, F. Chiannbaretta, S. Valleix
Summary: Congenital aniridia is a rare ocular disease primarily caused by abnormalities in the PAX6 gene. It can lead to visual impairment, photophobia, and has significant impacts on personal and professional life. Treatment involves medical and surgical management, as well as comprehensive rehabilitation care.
JOURNAL FRANCAIS D OPHTALMOLOGIE
(2022)
Review
Ophthalmology
Alejandra Daruich, Melinda Duncan, Matthieu P. Robert, Neil Lagali, Elena V. Semina, Daniel Aberdam, Stefano Ferrari, Vito Romano, Cyril Burin des Roziers, Rabia Benkortebi, Nathalie De Vergnes, Michel Polak, Frederic Chiambaretta, Ken K. Nischal, Francine Behar-Cohen, Sophie Valleix, Dominique Bremond-Gignac
Summary: Congenital PAX6-aniridia is not only characterized by the absence of the iris, but it is also associated with other ocular abnormalities and systemic features, making it a complex syndromic disorder. Foveal hypoplasia is now recognized as a more frequent feature than iris hypoplasia and plays a major role in visual prognosis. Genetic diagnosis of aniridia is challenging due to the genetic complexity caused by PAX6-related developmental genes. Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing combined with Whole-Genome Sequencing can increase the genetic diagnostic yield of aniridia.
PROGRESS IN RETINAL AND EYE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Isabelle Petit, Ayelet Levy, Soline Estrach, Chloe C. Feral, Andrea Goncalves Trentin, Florent Dingli, Damarys Loew, Jieqiong Qu, Huiqing Zhou, Clotilde Thery, Celine Prunier, Daniel Aberdam, Olivier Ferrigno
Summary: This study found that fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) binds to extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from dermal fibroblasts, protecting FGF2 from degradation and promoting wound healing. This provides a new approach for using EVs as a potential tool for delivering FGF2.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Ophthalmology
Arianne J. H. Van Velthoven, Tor P. Utheim, Maria Notara, Dominique Bremond-Gignac, Francisco C. Figueiredo, Heli Skottman, Daniel Aberdam, Julie T. Daniels, Giulio Ferrari, Christina Grupcheva, Carina Koppen, Mohit Parekh, Thomas Ritter, Vito Romano, Stefano Ferrari, Claus Cursiefen, Neil Lagali, Vanessa L. S. Lapointe, Mor M. Dickman
Summary: Congenital aniridia is a panocular disorder characterized by iris hypoplasia and aniridia-associated keratopathy (AAK), leading to loss of vision. The understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of AAK may provide new insights for its management, as there is currently no approved therapy to delay or prevent its progression. This review discusses the biological mechanisms involved in AAK development and explores potential future treatment options including surgical, pharmacological, cell therapies, and gene therapies.
SURVEY OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Petros Moustardas, Daniel Aberdam, Neil Lagali
Summary: This review article focuses on the roles of MAPK signaling pathways in ocular pathophysiology and the potential to treat eye diseases. It summarizes the current research on MAPK-targeting compounds in the context of macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma, keratopathy, and other ocular diseases. Challenges in overcoming eye toxicity of some MAPK inhibitors are also discussed.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Tanja Ilmarinen, Meri Vattulainen, Jeyalakshmi Kandhavelu, Dominique Bremond-Gignac, Daniel Aberdam, Heli Skottman
Summary: Congenital aniridia is caused by mutations on the PAX6 gene leading to reduced PAX6 protein and abnormal eye development. Aniridia-associated keratopathy (AAK) is characterized by progressive corneal opacification similar to late-onset limbal stem cell (LSC) deficiency. This study generated induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) from AAK patients and found that PAX6 haploinsufficiency affects LSC lineage commitment.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jos G. A. Smits, Dulce Lima Cunha, Maryam Amini, Marina Bertolin, Camille Laberthonniere, Jieqiong Qu, Nicholas Owen, Lorenz Latta, Berthold Seitz, Lauriane N. Roux, Tanja Stachon, Stefano Ferrari, Mariya Moosajee, Daniel Aberdam, Nora Szentmary, Simon J. van Heeringen, Huiqing Zhou
Summary: This study uses multiomics and gene regulatory network analysis to compare the limbal stem cells that maintain the cornea with keratinocytes which maintain the skin, revealing an intriguing interplay of transcription factors that drive epithelial similarities and differences in health and disease.
