Article
Biology
Christoph Budjan, Shichen Liu, Adrian Ranga, Senjuti Gayen, Olivier Pourquie, Sahand Hormoz
Summary: Vertebrates, including humans, have similar body shapes with paired segments forming from head to tail, known as somites. Studying somite formation in humans can provide insights into development and diseases. Budjan et al. successfully grew human stem cells into organoids to mimic somites formation, providing a new model for studying human development and diseases.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Luca Mariani, Xiaogang Guo, Niels Alvaro Menezes, Anna Maria Drozd, Selgin Deniz Cakal, Qinhu Wang, Elisabetta Ferretti
Summary: Researchers demonstrate that the TALE/HOX activity can destabilize nucleosomes at WNT-responsive regions to activate paraxial mesodermal genes. Cells interpret WNT signals by establishing a permissive chromatin environment at lineage-specific genes to trigger transcriptional responses to inductive signals.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Developmental Biology
Lauren E. Limbach, Rocky L. Penick, Rudy S. Casseday, Maddelyn A. Hyland, Erika A. Pontillo, Afomia N. Ayele, Kristen M. Pitts, Sarah D. Ackerman, Breanne L. Harty, Amy L. Herbert, Kelly R. Monk, Sarah C. Petersen
Summary: The peripheral nervous system (PNS) in vertebrates is a complex network that plays a crucial role in transmitting sensory and motor information throughout the body. This study focused on a zebrafish mutant, stl159, and identified the tcf15 gene as a key factor in PNS development. The findings suggest that tcf15 regulates peripheral nerve patterning through non-cell autonomous mechanisms during muscle development.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Qiuting Deng, Shengpeng Wang, Zijie Huang, Qing Lan, Guangyao Lai, Jiangshan Xu, Yue Yuan, Chang Liu, Xiumei Lin, Weimin Feng, Wen Ma, Mengnan Cheng, Shijie Hao, Shanshan Duan, Huiwen Zheng, Xiaoyan Chen, Yong Hou, Yingjie Luo, Longqi Liu, Chuanyu Liu
Summary: In mammals, early organogenesis starts after gastrulation, with the specification of different types of progenitor/precursor cells. To understand the chromatin landscape and molecular mechanism underlying early mouse organogenesis, single-cell ATAC-seq was performed on E8.5-E10.5 mouse embryos. A total of 101,599 single cells were analyzed, identifying 41 specific cell types at these stages. Integrated analysis of scATAC-seq and public scRNA-seq data revealed critical regulatory elements and transcription factors involved in spinal cord development and somitogenesis. The intersecting accessible peaks with disease-related loci also suggested potential clinical implications. This work provides important insights into cell fate determination and embryonic development, contributing to our understanding of human developmental malformations.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Ivy Usansky, Patrycja Jaworska, Ludovica Asti, Fiona N. Kenny, Carl Hobbs, Vasiliki Sofra, Hanfei Song, Malcolm Logan, Anthony Graham, Tanya J. Shaw
Summary: The research investigates the differences in the dermis from different embryonic origins in response to wound repair, revealing varying mechanisms of tissue repair across different body sites.
JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Yuki Ikeda, Shoichiro Tani, Takeshi Moriishi, Aiko Kuroda, Yuki Matsuo, Naoya Saeki, Chizuko Inui-Yamamoto, Makoto Abe, Takashi Maeda, David W. Rowe, Ung-il Chung, Hironori Hojo, Yuki Matsushita, Takashi Sawase, Shinsuke Ohba
Summary: This study successfully developed a pluripotent stem cell system that models the intramembranous ossification process in humans and induces two distinct modes of ossification by controlling cell fate.
REGENERATIVE THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ding Wang, Yapu Li, Changlu Xu, Hongtao Wang, Xin Huang, Xu Jin, Sirui Ren, Jie Gao, Jingyuan Tong, Jinhua Liu, Jiaxi Zhou, Lihong Shi
Summary: The role of SETD7 in human hematopoietic development is not well understood. In this study, it was found that deletion of SETD7 attenuated the generation of hematopoietic progenitor cells from human embryonic stem cells. Further investigation revealed that SETD7 was required for lateral plate mesoderm specification, but not essential for the generation of endothelial progenitor cells and hematopoietic progenitor cells. Mechanistically, SETD7 interacted with beta-catenin to facilitate its degradation, independently of its histone methyltransferase activity. Decreased SETD7 expression led to the accumulation of beta-catenin and activation of the Wnt signaling pathway, resulting in altered mesoderm patterning.
Article
Developmental Biology
Afnan Alzamrooni, Petra Mendes Vieira, Nicoletta Murciano, Matthew Wolton, Frank R. Schubert, Samuel C. Robson, Susanne Dietrich
Summary: The head mesoderm in vertebrates is responsible for the development of the heart, blood vessels, smooth muscle, and some skeletal muscle in the head. It has been hypothesized that the ability to generate cardiac and smooth muscle is the basic function of this tissue. However, it is unclear whether the entire head mesoderm possesses generic cardiac competence, how long this competence lasts, and what happens when it fades. A study using chicken embryos found that the paraxial head mesoderm, which normally does not contribute to cardiac development, can respond to bone morphogenetic proteins (Bmps) for a long time. The ability of the mesoderm to interpret Bmp signals changes over time, with cardiac competence fading and being replaced by skeletal muscle competence.
DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mi-Sun Hur, Seunggyu Lee, Han-Sung Jung, Richard A. Schneider
Summary: This study investigates the anatomical connections of the depressor supercilii (DS) with the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi (LLSAN) and inferior fibers of the orbicularis oculi (OOc INF) in the human midface. The findings reveal that the DS is connected to the LLSAN and OOc INF through muscle fibers or thin aponeuroses, influencing the movement of the eyebrows, nasal ala, and upper lip.
Article
Optics
Jian Yu, Yiping Wang, Zhiyong Bai, Luping Wu, Cailing Fu, Shen Liu, Yu Liu
Summary: In this paper, the nonparaxial propagation dynamics of chirped circular Airy derivative beams (CCADBs) are investigated using the vector angular spectrum method. The CCADBs maintain excellent autofocusing performances during nonparaxial propagation. The derivative order and chirp factor of the CCADBs are important physical quantities that regulate nonparaxial propagation characteristics. The radiation force on a Rayleigh microsphere induced by CCADBs is also analyzed. Results show that not all derivative order CCADBs can achieve stable microsphere trapping effect, and the derivative order and chirp factor can be used to tune the capture effect of Rayleigh microsphere.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
M. Kathleen Pitirri, Joan T. T. Richtsmeier, Mizuho Kawasaki, Abigail P. P. Coupe, Susan Motch Perrine, Kazuhiko Kawasaki
Summary: Bone can form through intramembranous ossification or endochondral ossification. This study investigates the relationship between cranial cartilage and dermal bone formation. Using transgenic mice, researchers determined the derivation of cells that comprise cranial cartilages. The data advanced the understanding of cranial cartilage's role in intramembranous bone formation.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Optics
David M. Paganin, Daniele Pelliccia, Kaye S. Morgan
Summary: Unresolved spatially random microstructure in illuminated sample can cause position-dependent blur in the formed image. The blurring influence of the sample can be modeled by an anomalous-diffusion field using the paraxial approximation. The scalar or tensor character of the diffusion field depends on the rotational isotropy or anisotropy of the random microstructure's autocorrelation function.
Article
Optics
Jingchen Li, Kun Zhang, Jialin Du, Fanxing Li, Fan Yang, Wei Yan
Summary: In this paper, adaptive liquid lenses are utilized in a double-sided telecentric zoom system to reduce the mechanical motion group and retain only one movable aperture stop (STO). Gaussian brackets and an appropriate screening method are derived to obtain suitable initial structure parameters from the solution space. The lens module design method and CODEV software are employed to optimize the system, resulting in excellent design performance with controlled telecentricity, distortion, and MTF. This optical system shows high potential and value in precision machine vision, while the proposed design method effectively addresses the lack of initial structure in adaptive liquid lens zoom systems.
Article
Cell Biology
Xulun Wu, Wentao Zhao, Hao Wu, Qiancheng Zhang, Yiming Wang, Kunyuan Yu, Jinglei Zhai, Fan Mo, Meijiao Wang, Shiwen Li, Xili Zhu, Xiaoyan Liang, Baoyang Hu, Guang-Hui Liu, Jun Wu, Hongmei Wang, Fan Guo, Leqian Yu
Summary: The interactions between extra-embryonic tissues and embryonic tissues are crucial for proper early embryo development. However, the understanding of this crosstalk is limited due to ethical restrictions, difficulty in obtaining natural human embryos, and lack of appropriate in vitro models. Our study showed that by aggregating human embryonic stem cells with human trophoblast stem cells, hESCs self-organized into an asymmetric structure with primitive streak-like cells exclusively located at one end and morphologically flattened cells presumed to be extra-embryonic mesoderm cells induced at the opposite end. This research revealed potential roles of the extra-embryonic trophectoderm in regulating proper primitive streak formation and inducing extra-embryonic mesoderm cells from the human epiblast.
CELL PROLIFERATION
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Xinxin Li, Rongfang Xie, Yilin Luo, Runlu Shi, Yuanqiang Ling, Xiaojing Zhao, Xuejuan Xu, Weiwei Chu, Xusheng Wang
Summary: The skin is a complex multi-layered structure, and understanding the mechanisms of its development is important for clinical applications. The review discusses the regulatory roles of TGF-beta and FGF signalling pathways in the development of different skin layers, particularly the dermis. It also explores the potential of these pathways for skin regeneration and suggests new perspectives for future research.
CELL PROLIFERATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Vanda Povoa, Catia Rebelo de Almeida, Mariana Maia-Gil, Daniel Sobral, Micaela Domingues, Mayra Martinez-Lopez, Miguel de Almeida Fuzeta, Carlos Silva, Ana Rita Grosso, Rita Fior
Summary: Using a zebrafish xenograft model, the study demonstrates that the engraftment capacity of human colorectal cancer cell lines is influenced by innate immune response and immunoediting. Different cancer cell lines in zebrafish xenografts show distinct engraftment and clearance profiles. Furthermore, macrophages and neutrophils play a crucial role in the clearance process.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Developmental Biology
Adam J. Isabella, Jason A. Stonick, Julien Dubrulle, Cecilia B. Moens
Summary: Regeneration after peripheral nerve damage requires axons to grow to correct target tissues in a process called target-specific regeneration. Research on zebrafish vagus motor nerve reveals strong target-specific regrowth capabilities, with regeneration relying on neurons' intrinsic memory of their position and pre-existing innervation.
Article
Cell Biology
Diogo Paramos-de-Carvalho, Isaura Martins, Ana Margarida Cristovao, Ana Filipa Dias, Dalila Neves-Silva, Telmo Pereira, Diana Chapela, Ana Farinho, Antonio Jacinto, Leonor Saude
Summary: Persistent senescent cells play a role in aging-related chronic disorders but may also be central during tissue remodeling events like development or organ repair. Research has shown that different senescence profiles are induced in regenerative zebrafish compared to scarring mouse after spinal cord injury. Depletion of senescent cells in injured mice improves motor, sensory, and bladder functions, associated with enhanced myelin sparing, reduced fibrotic scars, and decreased inflammation. Targeting senescent cells could be a promising therapeutic strategy for spinal cord injuries and other non-regenerative organs.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Maria F. Ali, Andrew J. Latimer, Yinxue Wang, Leah Hogenmiller, Laura Fontenas, Adam J. Isabella, Cecilia B. Moens, Guoqiang Yu, Sarah Kucenas
Summary: The study demonstrates the essential role of Met signaling in the initial developmental migration of OPCs, showing that Met acts cell-autonomously in OPCs. These findings provide new insights into the regulation of OPC migration during development in vivo.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Genetics & Heredity
Adam J. Isabella, Eduardo Leyva-Diaz, Takuya Kaneko, Scott J. Gratz, Cecilia B. Moens, Oliver Hobert, Kate O'Connor-Giles, Rajan Thakur, Haosheng Sun
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Genetics & Heredity
Adam J. Isabella, Eduardo Leyva-Diaz, Takuya Kaneko, Scott J. Gratz, Cecilia B. Moens, Oliver Hobert, Kate O'Connor-Giles, Rajan Thakur, HaoSheng Sun
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mayra Martinez-Lopez, Vanda Povoa, Rita Fior
Summary: Zebrafish larval xenografts are widely used for cancer research, providing real-time studies and various experimental advantages compared to other models. The reduction in size scale allows for single cell imaging and shorter assay times, making it highly attractive for personalized medicine applications. However, a general standardized protocol for efficient generation is still lacking.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Mariana Tavares Barroso, Bruna Costa, Catia Rebelo de Almeida, Mireia Castillo Martin, Nuno Couto, Tania Carvalho, Rita Fior
Summary: This study successfully developed a zebrafish xenograft model to evaluate the response of pancreatic cancer cells to different chemotherapies, providing more treatment options for clinical decisions.
Article
Oncology
Raquel Cruz-Duarte, Catia Rebelo de Almeida, Magda Negrao, Afonso Fernandes, Paula Borralho, Daniel Sobral, Lina M. Gallego-Paez, Daniel Machado, Joao Gramaca, Jose Vilchez, Ana T. Xavier, Miguel Godinho Ferreira, Ana R. Miranda, Helder Mansinho, Maria J. Brito, Teresa R. Pacheco, Catarina Abreu, Ana Lucia-Costa, Andre Mansinho, Rita Fior, Luis Costa, Marta Martins
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of PLC gamma 1 as a predictive biomarker for cetuximab responses and provides an alternative therapeutic approach to overcome PLC gamma 1-mediated resistance in patients with RAS WT mCRC. The mechanism involves the activation of ERK and AKT pathways and the noncatalytic role of PLC gamma 1 SH2 tandem domains in downstream signaling via SHP2. The findings contribute to the development of novel strategies for the treatment of mCRC.
CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Biology
Diogo Paramos-de-Carvalho, Antonio Jacinto, Leonor Saude
Summary: Cellular senescence is a complex and programmed cellular state with diverse physiological and pathological roles across the lifespan of an organism. New tools have allowed researchers to uncover the functional impact of senescent cells in various contexts, although reconciling these effects can be challenging. Ongoing clinical research is exploring the targeting of senescent cells and its potential implications in this rapidly evolving field.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carmen de Sena-Tomas, Angelika G. Aleman, Caitlin Ford, Akriti Varshney, Di Yao, Jamie K. Harrington, Leonor Saude, Mirana Ramialison, Kimara L. Targoff
Summary: The study identifies a Nkx2.5-dependent gene regulatory network operating through ect2, psmb3, and psmd7 to orchestrate cell cycle re-entry, proteolysis, and mitochondrial metabolism during myocardial repair.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Bruno Frederico, Isaura Martins, Diana Chapela, Francesca Gasparrini, Probir Chakravarty, Tobias Ackels, Cecile Piot, Bruna Almeida, Joana Carvalho, Alessandro Ciccarelli, Christopher J. Peddie, Neil Rogers, James Briscoe, Francois Guillemot, Andreas T. Schaefer, Leonor Saude, Caetano Reis e Sousa
Summary: This study identifies a subset of latent regenerative cells called ependymal cells that exist in mammals following tissue damage. Using lineage tracing techniques, researchers found that these ependymal cells arise early in embryonic development and spread throughout the central nervous system to form a continuous layer. While these cells do not contribute to neuronal or glial lineages in the steady state, they can trans-differentiate into neural stem cells in response to injury or suitable factors.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Ribeiro, Mariana Rebocho da Costa, Carmen de Sena-Tomas, Elsa Charas Rodrigues, Raquel Quiteria, Tiago Macarico, Susana Constantino Rosa Santos, Leonor Saude
Summary: The vascular system repair after spinal cord injury (SCI) is inefficient in mammals, leading to secondary tissue damage and immune imbalance, which limit functional recovery. Unlike mammals, zebrafish can repair the spinal cord and restore motility, but the vascular response to injury was not studied. This study describes the development of the zebrafish spinal cord blood vasculature and its response to injury, demonstrating successful re-vascularization and reinforcing the value of zebrafish as a regenerative model for SCI.
Meeting Abstract
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Luis Estronca, Vitor Franciso, Patricia Pitrez, Ines Honorio, Lara Carvalho, Helena Vazao, Josephine Blersh, Akhilesh Rai, Xavier Nissan, Ulrich Simon, Mario Graos, Leonor Saude, Lino Ferreira
TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Luis Estronca, Vitor Francisco, Patricia Pitrez, Ines Honorio, Lara Carvalho, Helena Vazao, Josephine Blersch, Akhilesh Rai, Xavier Nissan, Ulrich Simon, Mario Graos, Leonor Saude, Lino Ferreira
Summary: The study evaluated the vascular bioactivity and safety of 30 different nanoparticle formulations using a zebrafish model and personal humanized models. The results showed that the toxicity profile of the nanoparticles was influenced by the age of endothelial cells and vascular network format, with endothelial cells cultured in flow conditions showing less susceptibility to cytotoxicity effects. The study highlights the importance of in vitro hiPSC-derived vascular systems in screening interactions with vascular nanomaterials.
NANOSCALE HORIZONS
(2021)