Article
Cell Biology
Mirko Farina, Simona Bernardi, Nicola Polverelli, Mariella D'Adda, Michele Malagola, Katia Bosio, Federica Re, Camillo Almici, Andrew Dunbar, Ross L. Levine, Domenico Russo
Summary: This study identified multiple somatic mutations in circulating endothelial cells (CECs) of Primary Myelofibrosis (PMF) patients, with 70% of patients sharing at least one mutation between hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and CECs, suggesting a potential significant role of endothelial cells in PMF.
Article
Hematology
Haiyun Pei, Huilin Li, Lei Xu, Bowen Zhang, Heng Zhang, Yali Jia, Liqing Liang, Xiaoyan Xie, Zeng Fan, Zhou Yang, Xiaoling Wang, Feiling Song, Lijuan He, Wen Yue, Xuetao Pei
Summary: The major challenge in using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) is their efficient and controlled differentiation into specific cell types. This study focused on understanding the characteristics of hiPSCs derived from human umbilical arterial endothelial cells (HuA-iPSCs) and their differentiation potential. It was found that HuA-iPSCs retained a transcriptional memory and DNA methylation signature similar to their parental cells, and they showed the highest efficiency in differentiating into hematopoietic cells compared to other hiPSCs.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucas Lange, Michael Morgan, Axel Schambach
Summary: The in vitro generation of hematopoietic cells, especially HSCs, from human pluripotent stem cells has great potential for regenerative medicine, but still faces challenges due to insufficient functionality and quantity of the produced HSCs. Further understanding of the complex processes involved in this conversion is needed to achieve the goal of generating therapeutically applicable PSC-derived HSCs in vitro.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Mariko Tsuruda, Saori Morino-Koga, Minetaro Ogawa
Summary: Experimental findings suggest that VE-cad(+) cells from late-stage embryos can differentiate into MCs independently of HSCs in vitro, and have the potential to generate connective tissue MCs in vivo, shedding light on the differentiation mechanism of hematopoietic cells.
Article
Cell Biology
Diana Sa da Bandeira, Alastair Morris Kilpatrick, Madalena Marques, Mario Gomez-Salazar, Telma Ventura, Zaniah Nashira Gonzalez, Dorota Stefancova, Fiona Rossi, Matthieu Vermeren, Chris Sebastiaan Vink, Mariana Beltran, Neil Cowan Henderson, Bongnam Jung, Reinier van der Linden, Harmen Jan George van de Werken, Wilfred F. J. van Ijcken, Christer Betsholtz, Stuart John Forbes, Henar Cuervo, Mihaela Crisan
Summary: This study reveals the expression of PDGFRβ in distinct perivascular stromal cell layers in mice and shows that its deletion impairs hematopoiesis. The study also demonstrates that PDGFRβ(+) cells play a dual role in murine hematopoiesis, acting as support for HSPCs in the aortic niche and giving rise to a subset of HSPCs that persist into adulthood.
Review
Immunology
Carsten Riether
Summary: Adult bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) maintain their function through interactions with regulatory T cells (Tregs). In leukemia, these regulatory mechanisms are disrupted, leading to compromised treatment outcomes.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Yun-Qiao Li, Yandong Gong, Siyuan Hou, Tao Huang, Haizhen Wang, Di Liu, Yanli Ni, Chaojie Wang, Junliang Wang, Jun Hou, Ruichuang Yang, Jing Yan, Guangyu Zhang, Bing Liu, Yu Lan
Summary: This study reveals the spatiotemporal and functional heterogeneity of Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) derived from Hemogenic Endothelial Cells (HECs) during embryonic development. PK44 cells in the AGM region and yolk sac display similar developmental dynamics and functional characteristics with endothelial and hematopoietic features. They demonstrate multilineage reconstitution capacity and transcriptional differences, providing a fundamental basis for future research on HSC generation.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biology
Shiru Yuan, Guohuan Sun, Yawen Zhang, Fang Dong, Hui Cheng, Tao Cheng
Summary: The study describes the SMART model developed based on data from HSC studies, aiming to delineate the key characteristics of adult stem cells and speculate on the physiological relevance of stem cells in other tissues. Efforts are now being made to understand ASC biology and develop safe and effective ASC-based therapies.
SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhao-hua Deng, Jing Zhong, Hai-lin Jiang, Hyun-Woo Jeong, Jian-wei Chen, Ya-hai Shu, Ming Tan, Ralf H. Adams, Ke-ping Xie, Qi Chen, Yang Liu
Summary: Antipsychotic agent haloperidol induces vascular defects in bone marrow, affecting hematopoiesis and hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. This effect is reversible after withdrawal of haloperidol. Mechanistically, haloperidol blocks the secretion of VEGF-A from HSPCs.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Geoffrey Brown
Summary: Hematopoietic stem cells and their progeny interact with the environment and cytokines, affecting the generation of blood and immune cells. Recent studies show that adult bone marrow HSCs are a mixture of different cells, and cytokines can also guide cell lineage selection.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Lifei Hou, Koichi Yuki
Summary: CD11a plays a critical role in leukocyte arrest and immunological synapse formation, but its role in the bone marrow is not well studied. This research showed that CD11a is expressed on all subsets of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HPSCs). CD11a deficiency enhances HSPCs activity under LPS stimulation, possibly by upregulating the production of IL-27 to promote cell proliferation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Geoffrey Brown
Summary: The hematopoietic cell system is a complex ecosystem that can meet the needs of mature blood cells in both steady-state and emergency situations. It is highly integrated and social, adapting to different demands by generating cells biased towards specific lineages. Leukemia stem cells disrupt the cell hierarchy, being restricted to one lineage and able to alter the bone marrow stromal niches.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu Wei Zhang, Katharina Schoenberger, Nina Cabezas-Wallscheid
Summary: Significant progress has been made in understanding the relationship between cellular metabolism and epigenetic regulation in hematopoietic stem cells. Environmental factors, dietary habits, and hematological diseases can alter the metabolism and epigenetic features of HSCs. Understanding these mechanisms can lead to the discovery of new therapeutic targets for eliminating leukemia stem cells while preserving healthy HSCs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sanshiro Kanazawa, Hiroyuki Okada, Dan Riu, Yo Mabuchi, Chihiro Akazawa, Junichi Iwata, Kazuto Hoshi, Atsuhiko Hikita
Summary: This study demonstrates the important role of c-Mpl signal in the proliferation and differentiation ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are maintained through co-culture with hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Furthermore, the study suggests the existence of a hematopoietic-mesenchymal signal and highlights the significance of HSC state in the stability of MSC properties.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nattaya Damkham, Surapol Issaragrisil, Chanchao Lorthongpanich
Summary: This review provides an update on the regulation of YAP and TAZ, transcriptional coactivators in the Hippo signaling pathway, in stem cell behaviors and differentiation. It highlights their roles in mechanosensing and mechanotransduction, as well as the importance of understanding how cells perceive and respond to their microenvironment for improving the efficiency and efficacy of stem cell products.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Jose Manuel Inacio, Joao von Gilsa Lopes, Ana Mafalda Silva, Fernando Cristo, Sara Marques, Matthias E. Futschik, Jose Antonio Belo
Summary: Deciphering the clues of a regenerative mechanism for the mammalian adult heart, particularly focusing on the role of DAND5, could potentially lead to the development of more effective treatment options for heart failure. Further research on the transcriptional profiling sequencing and quantitative RT-PCR assays of DAND5 may provide insights into the generation and expansion of pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes systems for clinical applications.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martin Kuiper, Joseph Bonello, Jesualdo T. Fernandez-Breis, Philipp Bucher, Matthias E. Futschik, Pascale Gaudet, Ivan V. Kulakovskiy, Luana Licata, Colin Logie, Ruth C. Lovering, Vsevolod J. Makeev, Sandra Orchard, Simona Panni, Livia Perfetto, David Sant, Stefan Schulz, Steven Vercruysse, Daniel R. Zerbino, Astrid Laegreid
Summary: Following nine workshops organized by GREEKC, experts from around the world worked to improve the Gene Regulation Knowledge Commons (GRKC) by standardizing and updating workflows, as well as involving end-users in the design process, leading to significant achievements in enhancing the GRKC.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Matthias Riediger, Miguel A. Hernandez-Prieto, Kuo Song, Wolfgang R. Hess, Matthias E. Futschik
Summary: The Fur protein plays a crucial role in maintaining iron homeostasis and defending against reactive oxygen species in both pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria. By analyzing genome-wide transcriptional data, a high confidence regulon controlled by Fur was identified in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and its close relative, strain 6714, consisting of 33 protein-coding genes primarily involved in iron ion transport and storage. The regulation of iron uptake, storage, and utilization involves interactions between the Fur regulon, various transcription factors, the FtsH3 protease, and the sRNA IsaR1.
Article
Neurosciences
Thomas Wallach, Zoe J. Mossmann, Michal Szczepek, Max Wetzel, Rui Machado, Martin Raden, Milad Miladi, Gunnar Kleinau, Christina Krueger, Paul Dembny, Drew Adler, Yuanyuan Zhai, Victor Kumbol, Omar Dzaye, Jutta Schueler, Matthias Futschik, Rolf Backofen, Patrick Scheerer, Seija Lehnardt
Summary: Specific miRNAs released from apoptotic cortical neurons can activate TLR7 and/or TLR8, leading to neuronal apoptosis in the CNS. This study highlights the role of miRNAs as extracellular signaling molecules in neurodegenerative diseases.
MOLECULAR NEURODEGENERATION
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Zhao Wang, Kristin Franke, Gurkan Bal, Zhuoran Li, Torsten Zuberbier, Magda Babina
Summary: The recent discovery of MRGPRX2 explains the mast cell-dependent symptoms independently of Fc epsilon RI-activation. MRGPRX2 signals by activating G proteins, mainly depending on Gαi. Ca++ channels and PI3K are crucial in the process as well.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Catherine M. Francis, Matthias E. Futschik, Jian Huang, Wenjia Bai, Muralidharan Sargurupremraj, Alexander Teumer, Monique M. B. Breteler, Enrico Petretto, Amanda S. R. Ho, Philippe Amouyel, Stefan T. Engelter, Robin Buelow, Uwe Voelker, Henry Voelzke, Marcus Doerr, Mohammed-Aslam Imtiaz, N. Ahmad Aziz, Valerie Lohner, James S. Ware, Stephanie Debette, Paul Elliott, Abbas Dehghan, Paul M. Matthews
Summary: The study identifies genetic variants associated with aortic distensibility, highlighting the causal relationships between aortic distensibility and aortic aneurysms as well as brain small vessel disease. The findings provide new insights into the mechanisms related to cardiovascular development, extracellular matrix production, and smooth muscle cell contraction.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Magda Babina, Kristin Franke, Gurkan Bal
Summary: Mast cells, as evolutionarily old cells, play important roles in allergic responses and inflammation. They are related to other leukocyte subsets but form a separate branch in the hematopoietic system. Mast cells share some functions with the nervous system and express unique neuronal markers. Genes hyper-expressed in mast cells, but largely inactive in other myelocytes, include those related to traffic/lysosomes, the dopamine system, Ca2+-related entities, adhesion molecules, and transcription factors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fernando Bonet, Sabrina Brito Anez, Jose Manuel Inacio, Matthias E. Futschik, Jose Antonio Belo
Summary: Loss of CCBE1 leads to congenital heart defects, thinner myocardium, and hyper-trabeculation in mice. It also results in reduced proliferation of cardiomyocytes and epicardial cells, as well as impaired migration of epicardial-derived cells (EPDC) and decreased nonmyocyte/nonendothelial cells intramyocardially. Furthermore, CCBE1 deficiency causes deregulation of EMT-related genes during heart development.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kristin Franke, Guerkan Bal, Zhuoran Li, Torsten Zuberbier, Magda Babina
Summary: In skin mast cells (skMCs), CREB is rapidly phosphorylated upon SCF-mediated KIT dimerization, which requires intrinsic KIT kinase activity and partly depends on ERK1/2. CREB is a crucial component in skMCs, functioning as an effector of the SCF/KIT axis and orchestrating immediate early gene induction and lifespan.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dounia Djeghloul, Andrew Dimond, Sherry Cheriyamkunnel, Holger Kramer, Bhavik Patel, Karen Brown, Alex Montoya, Chad Whilding, Yi-Fang Wang, Matthias E. Futschik, Nicolas Veland, Thomas Montavon, Thomas Jenuwein, Matthias Merkenschlager, Amanda G. Fisher
Summary: Recent studies have shown that repressive chromatin machinery, including DNA methyltransferases and polycomb repressor complexes, binds to chromosomes throughout mitosis and their depletion results in increased chromosome size. In this study, the researchers found that enzymes that catalyze H3K9 methylation are also retained on mitotic chromosomes. Mutants lacking H3K9me3 display unusually small and compact mitotic chromosomes, but this phenotype can be rescued by providing exogenous protein lysine methyltransferase or inhibiting Ezh2 activity. These findings highlight the important role of H3K9me3 in maintaining chromosome architecture and epigenetic memory during cell division.
NATURE STRUCTURAL & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Tania Barata, Isabel Duarte, Matthias E. Futschik
Summary: Stem cells possess the ability to self-renew and differentiate, making them crucial in processes like development and aging. By comparing multiple stem cell samples, a significant overlap in gene signatures was found, leading to the identification of integrated stemness signatures (ISSs). These ISSs provide a more reliable basis for research by excluding false positives.
Article
Cell Biology
Kristin Franke, Guerkan Bal, Zhuoran Li, Torsten Zuberbier, Magda Babina
Summary: Mast cells are effector cells in allergic and inflammatory diseases, and their biology is regulated by the SCF/KIT axis. Recent research has identified RHEX as a heavily phosphorylated protein in MCs, but its function remains unclear. This study demonstrates that RHEX acts as a negative regulator of SCF-supported skin MC survival by interfering with KIT signal transduction. The findings suggest that RHEX may have various roles in MC lineage and provide a framework for future research on its involvement in other crucial processes.
Article
Virology
Jamie Fagg, Rupert Beale, Matthias E. Futschik, Elena Turek, David Chapman, Susan Halstead, Marc Jones, Joanna Cole-Hamilton, Rory Gunson, Malur Sudhanva, Paul E. Klapper, Harper Vansteenhouse, Sarah Tunkel, Anna Dominiczak, Timothy E. A. Peto, Tom Fowler
Summary: This study demonstrates that swab pooling has high sensitivity and specificity, and high-throughput laboratories are capable of implementing this method immediately, making it an option for rapid upscaling of laboratory capacity during future pandemics.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Olivia Kay, Matthias E. Futschik, Elena Turek, David Chapman, Simon Carr, Malur Sudhanva, Paul E. Klapper, Tony Cox, Michael Hill, Joanna Cole-Hamilton, Peter Marks, Sarah A. Tunkel, Timothy Peto, Lindsey Davies, Tom Fowler
Summary: This study aimed to explore the feasibility of using expectorated saliva (ES) and drooled saliva (DS) for community mass testing. The results showed that ES and DS tests had a high level of concordance with combined throat and nose (CTN) swab-based results. DS showed a significantly higher sensitivity than ES and CTN swab in detecting symptomatic cases. This study demonstrates that saliva-based SARS-CoV-2 RNA testing is highly accurate and can be considered as an alternative to swabbing.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY PLUS
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Zhao Wang, Zhuoran Li, Guerkan Bal, Kristin Franke, Torsten Zuberbier, Magda Babina
Summary: MRGPRX2 is a novel receptor that activates mast cells through G protein signaling, leading to granule discharge. Beta-arrestin-1 controls the abundance of MRGPRX2, while beta-arrestin-2 is mainly involved in signal termination.
FRONTIERS IN ALLERGY
(2022)