Review
Cell Biology
Ting-Jung Lin, Guang-Chao Cheng, Luo-Yun Wu, Wei-Yu Lai, Thai-Yen Ling, Yung-Che Kuo, Yen-Hua Huang
Summary: Cellular therapy has shown potential as a treatment for ALS, but its safety and efficacy are still a topic of debate. This review summarizes the current progress and discusses the pros and cons of different types of cell therapy, with a focus on mesenchymal stem cells in ALS.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Fatima Aerts-Kaya, Niek P. van Til
Summary: Leukodystrophies are a group of genetic degenerative brain disorders that can be lethal if not treated. Gene therapy offers promising results for the treatment of leukodystrophies, and this article discusses the potential interventions of gene therapy in certain types of leukodystrophies, such as X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy and metachromatic leukodystrophy. The advantages and disadvantages of different gene therapy approaches are also discussed, along with the ongoing developments in the field of molecular technologies for treating leukodystrophies in the future.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Marina Vivarelli, Manuela Colucci, Mattia Algeri, Federica Zotta, Francesco Emma, Ines L'Erario, Marco Busutti, Stefano Rota, Chiara Capelli, Martino Introna, Marta Todeschini, Federica Casiraghi, Annalisa Perna, Tobia Peracchi, Andrea De Salvo, Nadia Rubis, Franco Locatelli, Giuseppe Remuzzi, Piero Ruggenenti
Summary: This study evaluated the therapeutic effects and immunomodulatory properties of autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs in children and young adults with severe steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome. The results showed that BM-MSC infusion delayed the time to first relapse, reduced the number of relapses, and decreased the use of immunosuppressive drugs in treated children. No treatment benefit was observed in adults. Moreover, immunomodulatory studies suggested that repeating MSC infusions at 3-6 months may sustain the therapeutic benefits.
Review
Cell Biology
Jianyi Ding, Yongqin Li, Andre Larochelle
Summary: The ability to produce human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the laboratory holds great potential for cellular therapy of blood diseases. However, current differentiation protocols for generating HSCs from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) lack clinical relevance and result in limited engraftment and differentiation capabilities. This review discusses how intrinsic cues and extrinsic environmental inputs have been integrated into PSC differentiation protocols to enhance the emergence of definitive hematopoiesis, and explores the role of genomics in advancing this field.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Talagavadi Channaiah Anudeep, Madhan Jeyaraman, Sathish Muthu, Ramya Lakshmi Rajendran, Prakash Gangadaran, Prabhu Chandra Mishra, Shilpa Sharma, Saurabh Kumar Jha, Byeong-Cheol Ahn
Summary: Alopecia, including scarring and non-scarring types, is a common diagnosis in clinical practice. The most prevalent type is non-scarring alopecia, with androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata being the majority of cases. Traditional treatments have significant downsides, leading to the exploration of regenerative therapies. Growth factor-rich and stem cell-rich treatments have shown potential, but standardization is lacking. Further understanding and standardization of regenerative cellular therapies for hair restoration are needed.
Review
Cell Biology
Angus W. Thomson, Kazuki Sasaki, Mohamed B. Ezzelarab
Summary: Non-human primates (NHP) are crucial for studying Treg immunobiology and their potential in adoptive therapy. NHP Treg have been successfully isolated and expanded ex vivo, showing promise in organ transplantation. Studies have provided insights into the fate and stability of adoptively transferred Treg in NHP.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Izabella Skulimowska, Justyna Sosniak, Monika Gonka, Agata Szade, Alicja Jozkowicz, Krzysztof Szade
Summary: Recent studies on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have shown promising opportunities and challenges for their clinical applications. The heterogenic pool of HSCs dynamically changes with aging, involving complex interactions with the bone marrow niche. These findings may lead to overcoming current limitations in HSC transplantation and expanding the patient group that can benefit from the clinical potential of HSCs.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anna M. Gooch, Sabiha S. Chowdhury, Ping M. Zhang, Zhuma M. Hu, Christof Westenfelder
Summary: Novel biotherapies for Type 1 Diabetes are urgently needed to expand the donor pool and deliver all islet hormones without requiring anti-rejection drugs. Researchers have successfully created Neo-Islets (NIs), islet-sized organoids, by co-culturing culture-expanded islet cells (ICs) and Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs). The re-differentiation of islet cells in vivo correlates with the reestablishment of normal blood glucose levels.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yiqiang Chang, Ansong Ping, Chunyu Chang, Volker M. Betz, Lin Cai, Bin Ren
Summary: This study investigated the effects of lactoferrin (LF) on the osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). The results showed that LF could promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs. LF concentration of 100 mu g/mL exhibited the most significant osteoinductive effect. LF could be used as an alternative to bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in bone tissue engineering to promote bone repair.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Lisa M. McGinley, Matthew S. Willsey, Osama N. Kashlan, Kevin S. Chen, John M. Hayes, Ingrid L. Bergin, Shayna N. Mason, Aaron W. Stebbins, Jacquelin F. Kwentus, Crystal Pacut, Jennifer Kollmer, Stacey A. Sakowski, Caleb B. Bell, Cynthia A. Chestek, Geoffrey G. Murphy, Parag G. Patil, Eva L. Feldman
Summary: Research evaluated a novel MRI contrast agent for tracking stem cells post intracranial transplantation in vivo. Results demonstrated that the contrast agent does not impact cell viability and provides robust MRI contrast in animal brains. Linear correlations suggest the contrast agent aids in determining graft survival or rejection.
STEM CELLS TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Vivien Haeussler, Friederike Ufer, Jana Poettgen, Christine Wolschke, Manuel A. Friese, Nicolaus Kroeger, Christoph Heesen, Jan-Patrick Stellmann
Summary: This study compared the outcomes of patients with highly active multiple sclerosis treated with either autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) or alemtuzumab. The results showed that more patients in the aHSCT group maintained no evidence of disease activity and experienced improvement in EDSS compared to those in the alemtuzumab group.
ANNALS OF CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Jae-Yong Nam, Sehwan Chun, Tae Yong Lee, Yunjeong Seo, Kwijoo Kim, Jinseok Park, Wonjae Sung, Ki-Wook Oh, Sanggon Lee, Jin-Sung Park, Juyeon Oh, Kyung Cheon Chung, Hyonggin An, Hyeon Sik Chu, Bugyeong Son, Seung Hyun Kim
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the long-term survival benefits of intrathecal lenzumestrocel treatment. The results showed that the survival probability was significantly higher in the BM-MSC group compared to the external control group. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated a significantly lower hazard ratio for death in the BM-MSC group, and multiple injections were found to be more effective. Additionally, no serious adverse drug reactions were observed during the safety assessment lasting a year after the first administration.
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Ramana Vaka, Darryl R. Davis
Summary: This article discusses the current state of cellular therapies for cardiac repair and regeneration, outlining the progression of new ideas from preclinical literature to ongoing clinical trials. Recent data supporting the mechanics and mechanisms of myogenic and paracrine therapies are evaluated in the context of long-term cardiac engraftment, informing on promising new approaches for future avenues in the field.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Agnieszka Fus-Kujawa, Barbara Mendrek, Anna Trybus, Karolina Bajdak-Rusinek, Karolina L. Stepien, Aleksander L. Sieron
Summary: Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) show potential in gene therapy and disease modeling. To safely apply this technology in clinical settings, optimal reprogramming factors and vectors must be considered to reduce the risk of insertional tumorigenesis.
Article
Hematology
Mizuki Watanabe, Junya Kanda, Takahiro Fukuda, Naoyuki Uchida, Kazuhiro Ikegame, Keisuke Kataoka, Hikaru Kobayashi, Takahide Ara, Jun Ishikawa, Ken-ichi Matsuoka, Yasuhiro Sugio, Hideyuki Nakazawa, Takashi Ikeda, Yoshiko Atsuta, Eisei Kondo, Ritsuro Suzuki
Summary: The impact of acute and chronic graft versus host disease (aGVHD, cGVHD) on lymphoma progression and transplant outcomes was studied in 2204 Japanese patients with non-Hodgkin lymphomas. While aGVHD/cGVHD had no statistical impact on lymphoma progression in the overall cohort, their impact was significant in certain groups. Limited cGVHD was associated with superior survival, while severe GVHDs showed negative impacts on them.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Paolo Barbero, Domizia Vecchio, Eleonora Virgilio, Paola Naldi, Cristoforo Comi, Roberto Cantello
Summary: The case report describes a 35-year-old Caucasian woman who presented with sudden bilateral impaired vision and was later diagnosed with Susac syndrome. The patient had previous episodes of mild dizziness and underwent various examinations to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment with intravenous steroids and cyclophosphamide led to improvement in symptoms.
NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Elena Contaldi, Cristoforo Comi, Roberto Cantello, Luca Magistrelli
NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luca Magistrelli, Elena Contaldi, Francesca Vignaroli, Silvia Gallo, Federico Colombatto, Roberto Cantello, Cristoforo Comi
Summary: Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of dopaminergic neurons. Recent studies have shown that immune system hyperactivation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines are signature features of idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Genetic factors may also play a role in some patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Katia Mareschi, Elena Marini, Alessia Giovanna Santa Banche Niclot, Marta Barone, Giuseppe Pinnetta, Aloe Adamini, Manuela Spadea, Luciana Labanca, Graziella Lucania, Ivana Ferrero, Franca Fagioli
Summary: This study demonstrates that the use of HPL-S is an effective alternative for MSC production under GMP conditions. The protein and growth factor content in HPL-S is comparable to that of HPL-E. Furthermore, MSCs derived from HPL-S show lower HLA-DR expression in immunophenotypic analysis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eleonora Virgilio, Fabiola De Marchi, Elena Contaldi, Umberto Dianzani, Roberto Cantello, Letizia Mazzini, Cristoforo Comi
Summary: Tau protein plays an important role as a biomarker in neurodegenerative diseases and has different diagnostic and prognostic values in various conditions.
Article
Neurosciences
Elena Grossini, Alessandro Stecco, Carla Gramaglia, Daniel De Zanet, Roberto Cantello, Benedetta Gori, Davide Negroni, Danila Azzolina, Daniela Ferrante, Alessandro Feggi, Alessandro Carriero, Patrizia Zeppegno
Summary: This study aimed to better understand misophonia through various methods. The results showed that participants with misophonia exhibited sympathetic activation when exposed to trigger sounds, and there were differences in brain activity, heart rate variability, and skin conductance compared to healthy controls. These findings are important for the diagnosis, classification, and treatment of this disorder.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Fabiola De Marchi, Marcella Serioli, Alessandro Collo, Evelyn Gisell Belotti, Francesca Alloatti, Giampaolo Biroli, Andrea Bolioli, Roberto Cantello, Sergio Riso, Letizia Mazzini
Summary: This study describes the impact of a chatbot webapp on improving communication between physicians, patients, and/or caregivers for dietary monitoring in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The chatbot allows patients to register their meals and receive nutritional recommendations. Results show that this telehealth approach can help prevent further weight loss in ALS patients.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Alessandro Godono, Francesco Felicetti, Alessio Conti, Marco Clari, Margherita Dionisi-Vici, Filippo Gatti, Catalina Ciocan, Tommaso Pinto, Emanuela Arvat, Enrico Brignardello, Franca Fagioli, Enrico Pira
Summary: This study assessed the prevalence of employment among childhood cancer survivors (CCS) and found that two-thirds of them were employed worldwide. The study also identified different employment rates based on socio-demographic and clinical factors, and highlighted the importance of designing targeted interventions to promote employment in this population.
Article
Oncology
Margherita Dionisi-Vici, Alessandro Godono, Anna Castiglione, Filippo Gatti, Nicoletta Fortunati, Marco Clari, Alessio Conti, Giulia Zucchetti, Eleonora Biasin, Antonella Varetto, Enrico Pira, Franca Fagioli, Enrico Brignardello, Francesco Felicetti
Summary: This study aims to describe the occupational status of long-term childhood cancer survivors (CCS) and evaluate the association between late effects and unemployment and job satisfaction. The results show that severe late effects have a negative impact on occupation and worsen the perception of satisfaction with the economic situation of unemployed CCS. Routine follow-up care for CCS should include monitoring their socioeconomic development and providing interventions to help them obtain suitable jobs.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Eleonora Virgilio, Domizia Vecchio, Maria Francesca Sarnelli, Valentina Solara, Roberto Cantello, Cristoforo Comi
Summary: We conducted a retrospective analysis on MS patients with cognitive decline to investigate early predictors of future cognitive impairment and motor disability. Older and less educated patients with longer disease duration and higher white matter lesion load (WMLL) at diagnosis were more likely to develop cognitive impairment. WMLL, disease duration, and educational levels were significant predictive factors for future cognitive impairment.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Domizia Vecchio, Paolo Barbero, Giulia Galli, Eleonora Virgilio, Paola Naldi, Cristoforo Comi, Roberto Cantello
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic role of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) of the non-neuritic eye at the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). The results showed that P100 latency and N75-P100 amplitude at MS diagnosis were associated with disability at last follow-up, and P100 latency was identified as a predictor for future disability.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Alessia Giovanna Santa Banche Niclot, Elena Marini, Ivana Ferrero, Francesco Barbero, Elena Rosso, Ivana Fenoglio, Alessandro Barge, Augusto Pessina, Valentina Cocce, Francesca Paino, Katia Mareschi, Franca Fagioli
Summary: This study demonstrated that the conditioned medium isolated from MSCs loaded with PTX exhibited strong cytotoxic effects on OS cell lines. Additionally, the presence of nanoparticles with a size similar to extracellular vesicles and minimal doses of PTX were detected in the secretome.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Giulia Zucchetti, Giorgia Gamberini, Sabrina Ciappina, Celeste Cagnazzo, Federica Ricci, Stefano Vallero, Paola Quarello, Paola Peretta, Franca Fagioli
Summary: This study aims to describe an innovative prospective observational study protocol for evaluating and monitoring the neuropsychological outcomes of children and adolescents affected by brain tumors. It involves assessing patients at three different time points using standardized neuropsychological tests, allowing clinicians to provide appropriate rehabilitation and educational programs from the early stages.
BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Giulia Zucchetti, Sabrina Ciappina, Cristiana Risso, Alice Malabaila, Sara Racalbuto, Elena Longo, Margherita Dionisi Vici, Marina Bertolotti, Paola Quarello, Franca Fagioli
Summary: This study investigated the feelings of children and adolescents with acute or chronic illness towards the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, and compared their experiences with children without illness. The results showed that participants, regardless of their health condition, felt fear of the virus and potential infection for themselves and their families, but experienced less interference with daily functioning. The fragile group demonstrated greater resilience towards the pandemic situation compared to the low-risk group, and some differences were found within the fragile group based on the type of illness.
Article
Pediatrics
Marcello Della Corte, Elisa Cerchia, Marco Oderda, Paola Quarello, Franca Fagioli, Paolo Gontero, Simona Gerocarni Nappo
Summary: This case report presents a prechemotherapy transperitoneal robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for a unilateral, non-syndromic Wilms tumor in a child. The patient showed no tumor recurrence during a 28-month follow-up period.
Article
Neurosciences
Wenzhu Wang, Zihan Li, Yitong Yan, Shuo Wu, Xinyu Yao, Chen Gao, Lanxiang Liu, Yan Yu
Summary: This study investigated the reparative mechanisms of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and found that LIPUS promotes hippocampal neurogenesis, enhances neural electrical activity and neural plasticity, ultimately restoring neuronal function and cognitive capabilities in TBI mice.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2024)
Article
Neurosciences
Wenmin Yi, Fei Chen, Minghao Yuan, Chuanling Wang, Shengyuan Wang, Jie Wen, Qian Zou, Yinshuang Pu, Zhiyou Cai
Summary: The study suggests that a high-fat diet may lead to tau hyperphosphorylation and synaptic dysfunction by inhibiting the SIRT1/AMPK pathway and disrupting autophagy flux, ultimately resulting in cognitive decline.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2024)
Article
Neurosciences
Kim M. Hemsley, Helen Beard, Glyn Chidlow, Teresa Mammone, Leanne K. Winner, Daniel Neumann, Barbara King, Marten F. Snel, Paul J. Trim, Robert J. Casson
Summary: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive method that can be used to rapidly and quantitatively examine the integrity of the neuroretina. It has been shown that OCT can be used to observe retinal thinning in patients with childhood dementia, and to assess the improvement of retinal structure after treatment. Furthermore, OCT can provide insights into other childhood dementias based on the correlation between retinal and brain degeneration in Sanfilippo syndrome.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2024)
Article
Neurosciences
Qianling Jiang, Xin Ma, Gaochen Zhu, Wen Si, Lingyu He, Guan Yang
Summary: This study investigated the effects of EAE induction on thymopoiesis and T cell development, revealing changes such as increased apoptosis, decreased proliferation, and a blockade in the transition from double-negative thymocytes to double-positive cells. It was also found that positive selection was disrupted in the thymus of EAE mice, along with an increased production of regulatory T cells.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2024)
Article
Neurosciences
Alice McDouall, Guido Wassink, Sumudu Ranasinghe, Kelly Q. Zhou, Rashika N. Karunasinghe, Justin M. Dean, Joanne O. Davidson
Summary: This study found that blocking connexin 43 hemichannels can attenuate brain injury and promote neurodevelopment in infants with mild hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, without causing hypothermia.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2024)
Article
Neurosciences
Hannah Sweetman, Mahmudur Rahman, Aditya Vedantam, Kajana Satkunendrarajah
Summary: Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a neurological condition characterized by chronic compression of the cervical spinal cord, leading to impaired limb function. While respiratory dysfunction is not a common symptom of DCM, it can affect the ventilatory response to respiratory challenges. Surgical decompression improves sensorimotor function in DCM, but its impact on respiratory function is unclear. This study evaluates respiratory function and adaptive ventilation in a DCM model, showing that DCM impairs acute adaptive ventilatory ability and surgical decompression does not fully restore it.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2024)
Article
Neurosciences
Chengmei Sun, Muhammad Saif Ur Rahman, Budbazar Enkhjargal, Jianhua Peng, Keren Zhou, Zhiyi Xie, Lingyun Wu, Tongyu Zhang, Qiquan Zhu, Jiping Tang, Yujia Zeng, John H. Zhang, Shanshan Xu
Summary: This study found that Osteopontin (OPN) can attenuate inflammatory responses after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) by promoting an anti-inflammatory microglial state. This effect may be mediated through the integrin-FAK-STAT3 and NF-kappa B signaling pathways.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2024)
Article
Neurosciences
Yang Yang, Xuezhu Chen, Chuanyan Yang, Mei Liu, Qianying Huang, Likun Yang, Yuhai Wang, Hua Feng, Zhongyang Gao, Tunan Chen
Summary: The study explores the effects of specific chemogenetic stimulation of intact corticospinal tract on functional recovery after stroke in mice. The findings demonstrate that combining chemogenetic activation with rehabilitation training leads to significant motor functional recovery by promoting axon sprouting and rewiring new functional circuits.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2024)
