The global incidence of asthma,a leading respiratory disorder affecting more than 235 million people,has dramatically increased in recent years.Characterized by chronic airway inflammation and an imbalanced response t...The global incidence of asthma,a leading respiratory disorder affecting more than 235 million people,has dramatically increased in recent years.Characterized by chronic airway inflammation and an imbalanced response to airborne irritants,this chronic condition is associated with elevated levels of inflammatory factors and symptoms such as dyspnea,cough,wheezing,and chest tightness.Conventional asthma therapies,such as corticosteroids,long-actingβ-agonists,and antiinflammatory agents,often evoke diverse adverse reactions and fail to reduce symptoms and hospitalization rates over the long term effectively.These limitations have prompted researchers to explore innovative therapeutic strategies,including stem cell-related interventions,offering hope to those afflicted with this incurable disease.In this review,we describe the characteristics of stem cells and critically assess the potential and challenges of stem cell-based therapies to improve disease management and treatment outcomes for asthma and other diseases.展开更多
Bone metastasis is the primary cause of mortality in breast cancer(BC)patients.The present study elucidates the functional role of the differentiated embryonic chondrocyte-expressed gene 1(DEC1)in promoting BC-related...Bone metastasis is the primary cause of mortality in breast cancer(BC)patients.The present study elucidates the functional role of the differentiated embryonic chondrocyte-expressed gene 1(DEC1)in promoting BC-related bone metastasis.Analysis of patient-derived samples and public databases revealed a significant upregulation of DEC1 and CXCR4 in breast tumors compared with adjacent normal tissues,with elevated levels correlating with increased metastatic potential,suggesting their synergistic involvement in BC progression.Intracardiac injection experiments demonstrated that Dec1-WT 4T1 cells induced more severe osteolysis and larger metastatic lesions than Dec1-KD 4T1 cells.In MDA-MB-231 cells,DEC1 overexpression(OE)upregulated CXCR4 and proliferation/migration-related genes,whereas DEC1 knockdown reversed these effects.Notably,AMD3100,a specific CXCR4 antagonist,partially reversed the DEC1-OE-induced upregulation of CXCR4 and associated pro-metastatic genes.Mechanistically,DEC1 bound to the CXCR4 promoter region(-230 to-326)and activated its transcription,corroborated by ChIP-seq data.Furthermore,pharmacological inhibition of AKT(LY294002)or JAK2(AZD1480),but not ERK(PD98059),attenuated DEC1-mediated CXCR4 upregulation,although all three inhibitors mitigated DEC1-driven migration-related gene expression.Additionally,DEC1 enhanced CXCL12 secretion from mesenchymal stromal cells and osteoblasts,amplifying the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis within the bone microenvironment.Collectively,our findings demonstrate that DEC1 promotes BC bone metastasis by directly transactivating CXCR4 expression,providing a molecular basis for targeting DEC1 to prevent and treat BC bone metastasis.展开更多
Stem cell-based brain repair is a promising emergent therapy for Parkinson's disease based on years of foundational research using human fetal donors as a cell source.Unlike current therapeutic options for patient...Stem cell-based brain repair is a promising emergent therapy for Parkinson's disease based on years of foundational research using human fetal donors as a cell source.Unlike current therapeutic options for patients,this approach has the potential to provide longterm stem cell–derived reconstruction and restoration of the dopaminergic input to denervated regions of the brain allowing for restoration of certain functions to patients.The ultimate clinical success of stem cell–derived brain repair will depend on both the safety and efficacy of the approach and the latter is dependent on the ability of the transplanted cells to survive and differentiate into functional dopaminergic neurons in the Parkinsonian brain.Because the pre-clinical literature suggests that there is considerable variability in survival and differentiation between studies,the aim of this systematic review was to assess these parameters in human stem cell-derived dopaminergic progenitor transplant studies in animal models of Parkinson's disease.A defined systematic search of the PubMed database was completed to identify relevant studies published up to March 2024.After screening,76 articles were included in the analysis from which 178 separate transplant studies were identified.From these,graft survival could be assessed in 52 studies and differentiation in 129 studies.Overall,we found that graft survival ranged from<1% to 500% of cells transplanted,with a median of 51%of transplanted cells surviving in the brain;while dopaminergic differentiation of the cells ranged from 0% to 46% of cells transplanted with a median of 3%.This systematic review suggests that there is considerable scope for improvement in the differentiation of stem cell-derived dopaminergic progenitors to maximize the therapeutic potential of this approach for patients.展开更多
Chicken meat quality directly influences consumer acceptability and is crucial for the economic success of the poultry industry.Genetics and nutrition are key determinants of the meat quality traits in broilers.This r...Chicken meat quality directly influences consumer acceptability and is crucial for the economic success of the poultry industry.Genetics and nutrition are key determinants of the meat quality traits in broilers.This review summarizes the research advances in this field,with a focus on the genetic and nutritional foundations that regulate intramuscular fat(IMF)deposition and meat quality in chickens over the past decade.The effects of embryonic nutrition,both maternal nutrition and in ovo feeding(IOF),on skeletal muscle development,the IMF content,and meat quality traits in broilers are also discussed.In genetics,single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that de novo lipogenesis predominantly occurs in myocytes,which is key to the formation of IMF in chicken muscle tissue.Fatty acid synthase(FASN)is the key enzyme involved in this process.This discovery has reshaped the traditional understanding of intramuscular lipid metabolism in poultry.Key genes,proteins,and pathways,such as FASN,FABP4,PPARG,C/EBPα,SLC27A1;LPL,APOA1,COL1A1;PPAR and ECM–receptor interactions signaling,have been identified to regulate IMF content and distribution by modulating fatty acid metabolism and adipogenesis.LncHLFF was innovatively found to promote ectopic IMF deposition in chickens via exosome-mediated mechanisms without affecting abdominal fat deposition.MiR-27b-3p and miR-128-3p were found to inhibit adipogenic differentiation by targeting PPARG,thereby affecting IMF formation.In nutrition,nutrigenomics research has shown that fructose enhances IMF deposition by activating ChREBP,providing new targets for nutritional interventions.Adjusting dietary components,including energy,protein,amino acids,fatty acids,and phytochemicals(e.g.,rutin),has been shown to significantly improve meat quality in broilers.Maternal nutrition(e.g.,intake of energy,amino acids,vitamins,and trace elements)and IOF(e.g.,N-carbamylglutamate)have also been confirmed to significantly impact offspring meat quality,opening new avenues for improving embryonic nutrition.Based on these significant advancements,this review proposes strategies that integrate genetic and nutritional approaches.These strategies aim to modulate the differentiation fate of paraxial mesenchymal stem cells toward myogenic or adipogenic lineages and the interaction between muscle and adipose tissues.These insights would help to improve meat quality while ensuring the growth performance of broiler chickens.展开更多
Spermatozoa have a highly complex RNA profile.Several of these transcripts are suggested as biomarkers for male infertility and contribute to early development.To analyze the differences between sperm RNA quantity and...Spermatozoa have a highly complex RNA profile.Several of these transcripts are suggested as biomarkers for male infertility and contribute to early development.To analyze the differences between sperm RNA quantity and expression of protamine(PRM1 and PRM2)and testis-specific histone 2B(TH2B)genes,spermatozoa from 33 patients who enrolled in assisted reproduction treatment(ART)program were analyzed.Sperm RNA of teratozoospermic(T),oligoteratozoospermic(OT),and normozoospermic(N)samples was extracted,and the differences in transcript levels among the study groups were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).The correlations of total RNA per spermatozoon and the expression of the transcripts were evaluated in relation to sperm characteristics and preimplantation embryo development.The mean(±standard deviation)RNA amount per spermatozoon was 28.48(±23.03)femtogram in the overall group and was significantly higher in the OT group than that in N and T groups.Total sperm RNA and gene expression of PRM1 and PRM2 genes were related to preimplantation embryo development and developmental arrest.Specific sperm characteristics were correlated with the expressions of PRM1,PRM2,or TH2B genes.We conclude that the sperm RNA amount and composition are important factors and might influence early embryonic development and also differ in different cases of male infertility.展开更多
Background Extracellular vesicles(EVs)regulate cell metabolism and various biological processes by delivering spe-cific proteins and nucleic acids to surrounding cells.We aimed to investigate the effects of the cargo ...Background Extracellular vesicles(EVs)regulate cell metabolism and various biological processes by delivering spe-cific proteins and nucleic acids to surrounding cells.We aimed to investigate the effects of the cargo contained in EVs derived from adipose-derived stem cells(ASCs)on the porcine embryonic development.Methods ASCs were isolated from porcine adipose tissue and characterized using ASC-specific markers via flow cytometry.EVs were subsequently extracted from the conditioned media of the established ASCs.These EVs were added to the in vitro culture environment of porcine embryos to observe qualitative improvements in embryonic development.Furthermore,the proteins within the EVs were analyzed to investigate the underlying mechanisms.Results We observed a higher blastocyst development rate and increased mitochondrial activity in early stage embryos in the ASC-EVs-supplemented group than in the controls(24.8%±0.8%vs.28.6%±1.1%,respectively).The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)assay of blastocysts also revealed signifi-cantly reduced apoptotic cells in the ASC-EVs-supplemented group.Furthermore,through proteomics,we detected the proteins in ASC-EVs and blastocysts from each treatment group.This analysis revealed a higher fraction of pro-teins in the ASC-EVs-supplemented group than in the controls(1,547 vs.1,495,respectively).Gene analysis confirmed that ASC-EVs showed a high expression of tyrosine-protein kinase(SRC),whereas ASC-EVs supplemented blastocysts showed a higher expression of Cyclin-dependent kinase 1(CDK1).SRC is postulated to activate protein kinase B(AKT),which inhibits the forkhead box O signaling pathway and activates CDK1.Subsequently,CDK1 activation influences the cell cycle,thereby affecting in vitro embryonic development.Conclusion ASC-EVs promote mitochondrial activity,which is crucial for the early development of blastocysts and vital in the downregulation of apoptosis.Additionally,ASC-EVs supply SRC to porcine blastocysts,thereby elon-gating the cell cycle.展开更多
Background Early embryo development plays a pivotal role in determining pregnancy outcomes,postnatal development,and lifelong health.Therefore,the strategic selection of functional nutrients to enhance embryo developm...Background Early embryo development plays a pivotal role in determining pregnancy outcomes,postnatal development,and lifelong health.Therefore,the strategic selection of functional nutrients to enhance embryo development is of paramount importance.In this study,we established a stable porcine trophectoderm cell line expressing dual fluorescent reporter genes driven by the CDX2 and TEAD4 gene promoter segments using lentiviral transfection.Results Three amino acid metabolites—kynurenic acid,taurine,and tryptamine—met the minimum z-score criteria of 2.0 for both luciferase and Renilla luciferase activities and were initially identified as potential metabolites for embryo development,with their beneficial effects validated by qPCR.Given that the identified metabolites are closely related to methionine,arginine,and tryptophan,we selected these three amino acids,using lysine as a standard,and employed response surface methodology combined with our high-throughput screening cell model to efficiently screen and optimize amino acid combination conducive to early embryo development.The optimized candidate amino acid system included lysine(1.87 mmol/L),methionine(0.82 mmol/L),tryptophan(0.23 mmol/L),and arginine(3 mmol/L),with the ratio of 1:0.43:0.12:1.60.In vitro experiments confirmed that this amino acid system enhances the expression of key genes involved in early embryonic development and improves in vitro embryo adhesion.Transcriptomic analysis of blastocysts suggested that candidate amino acid system enhances early embryo development by regulating early embryonic cell cycle and differentiation,as well as improving nutrient absorption.Furthermore,based on response surface methodology,400 sows were used to verify this amino acid system,substituting arginine with the more cost-effective N-carbamoyl glutamate(NCG),a precursor of arginine.The optimal dietary amino acid requirement was predicted to be 0.71%lysine,0.32%methionine,0.22%tryptophan,and 0.10%NCG for sows during early gestation.The optimized amino acid system ratio of the feed,derived from the peripheral release of essential amino acids,was found to be 1:0.45:0.13,which is largely consistent with the results obtained from the cell model optimization.Subsequently,we furtherly verified that this optimal dietary amino acid system significantly increased total litter size,live litter size and litter weight in sows.Conclusions In summary,we successfully established a dual-fluorescent high-throughput screening cell model for the efficient identification of potential nutrients that would promote embryo development and implantation.This innovative approach overcomes the limitations of traditional amino acid nutrition studies in sows,providing a more effective model for enhancing reproductive outcomes.展开更多
In vitro fertilization(IVF)is one of the most used assisted reproductive technology(ART)techniques today.However,the success of IVF procedures heavily relies on maintaining a sterile environment in laboratories.This n...In vitro fertilization(IVF)is one of the most used assisted reproductive technology(ART)techniques today.However,the success of IVF procedures heavily relies on maintaining a sterile environment in laboratories.This narrative review examines the effects of microbiological contamination in IVF laboratories,exploring its sources,impacts on IVF outcomes,and preventive measures.We conducted a complete literature search using databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar,focusing on studies published within the last fifteen years.Our findings highlight that microbiological contamination can significantly impair embryo quality,reduce implantation and pregnancy rates,and increase the risk of miscarriage and infection.The review also discusses current best practices for contamination prevention and identifies areas for future research.This work emphasizes the critical importance of stringent sterility protocols in IVF laboratories and calls for continued vigilance and innovation in maintaining optimal conditions for assisted reproduction.展开更多
Spatial transcriptomics technology provides novel insights into the spatial organization of gene expression during embryonic development.In this study,we propose a method that integrates analysis across both temporal ...Spatial transcriptomics technology provides novel insights into the spatial organization of gene expression during embryonic development.In this study,we propose a method that integrates analysis across both temporal and spatial dimensions to investigate spatial transcriptomics data from mouse embryos at different developmental stages.We quantified the spatial expression pattern of each gene at various stages by calculating its Moran’s I.Furthermore,by employing time-series clustering to identify dynamic co-expression modules,we identified several developmentally stage-specific regulatory gene modules.A key finding was the presence of distinct,stage-specific gene network modules across different developmental periods:Early modules focused on morphogenesis,mid-stage on organ development,and late-stage on neural and tissue maturation.Functional enrichment analysis further confirmed the core biological functions of each module.The dynamic,spatially-resolved gene expression model constructed in this study not only provides new biological insights into the programmed spatiotemporal reorganization of gene regulatory networks during embryonic development but also presents an effective approach for analyzing complex spatiotemporal omics data.This work provides a new perspective for understanding developmental biology,regenerative medicine,and related fields.展开更多
The oviduct epithelium is the initial maternal contact site for embryos after fertilization,offering the microenviron-ment before implantation.This early gestation period is particularly sensitive to stress,which can ...The oviduct epithelium is the initial maternal contact site for embryos after fertilization,offering the microenviron-ment before implantation.This early gestation period is particularly sensitive to stress,which can cause reduced fertil-ity and reproductive disorders in mammals.Nevertheless,the local impact of elevated stress hormones on the ovi-duct epithelium has received limited attention to date,except for a few reports on polyovulatory species like mice and pigs.In this study,we focused on the effects of chronic maternal stress on cattle,given its association with infertil-ity issues in this monoovulatory species.Bovine oviduct epithelial cells(BOEC)differentiated at the air–liquid interface(ALI)were stimulated with 250 nmol/L cortisol for 1 or 3 weeks.Subsequently,they were assessed for morphology,bioelectrical properties,and gene expression related to oviduct function,glucocorticoid pathway,cortisol metabo-lism,inflammation,and apoptosis.Results revealed adverse effects of cortisol on epithelium structure,featured by deciliation,vacuole formation,and multilayering.Additionally,cortisol exposure led to an increase in transepithelial potential difference,downregulated mRNA expression of the major glucocorticoid receptor(NR3C1),upregulated the expression of cortisol-responsive genes(FKBP5,TSC22D3),and significant downregulation of oviductal glycopro-tein 1(OVGP1)and steroid receptors PGR and ESR1.The systematic comparison to a similar experiment previously performed by us in porcine oviduct epithelial cells,indicated that bovine cultures were more susceptible to elevated cortisol levels than porcine.The distinct responses between both species are likely linked to their divergence in the cortisol-induced expression changes of HSD11B2,an enzyme controlling the cellular capacity to metabolise cortisol.These findings provide insights into the species-specific reactions and reproductive consequences triggered by maternal stress.展开更多
Human cytomegalovirus(HCMV)poses a significant risk of neural damage during pregnancy.As the most prevalent intrauterine infectious agent in low-and middle-income countries,HCMV disrupts the development of neural stem...Human cytomegalovirus(HCMV)poses a significant risk of neural damage during pregnancy.As the most prevalent intrauterine infectious agent in low-and middle-income countries,HCMV disrupts the development of neural stem cells,leading to fetal malformations and abnormal structural and physiological functions in the fetal brain.This review summarizes the current understanding of how HCMV infection dysregulates the Wnt signaling pathway to induce fetal malformations and discusses current management strategies.展开更多
Following the publication of Xu et al.(2022),an error was identified in Figure 1D.Specifically,the top left panel was inadvertently duplicated during figure preparation.To ensure the accuracy and integrity of our publ...Following the publication of Xu et al.(2022),an error was identified in Figure 1D.Specifically,the top left panel was inadvertently duplicated during figure preparation.To ensure the accuracy and integrity of our published work,we request the publication of a corrigendum with the corrected image.We apologize for this oversight and any confusion it may have caused.The amended figure is provided in the updated Supplementary Materials.展开更多
In the mammalian genome,most CpGs are methylated.However,CpGs within the CpG islands(CGIs)are largely unmethylated,which are important for gene expression regulation.The mechanism underlying the low methylation levels...In the mammalian genome,most CpGs are methylated.However,CpGs within the CpG islands(CGIs)are largely unmethylated,which are important for gene expression regulation.The mechanism underlying the low methylation levels at CGIs remains largely elusive.KDM2 proteins(KDM2A and KDM2B)are H3K36me2 demethylases known to bind specifically at CGIs.Here,we report that depletion of each or both KDM2 proteins,or mutation of all their JmjC domains that harbor the H3K36me2 demethylation activity,leads to an increase in DNA methylation at selective CGIs.The Kdm2a/2b double knockout shows a stronger increase in DNA methylation compared with the single mutant of Kdm2a or Kdm2b,indicating that KDM2A and KDM2B redundantly regulate DNA methylation at CGIs.In addition,the increase of CGI DNA methylation upon mutations of KDM2 proteins is associated with the chromatin environment.Our findings reveal that KDM2A and KDM2B function redundantly in regulating DNA methylation at a subset of CGIs in an H3K36me2 demethylation-dependent manner.展开更多
Periodontitis is a common oral disease caused by bacteria coupled with an excessive host immune response.Stem cell therapy can be a promising treatment strategy for periodontitis,but the relevant mechanism is complica...Periodontitis is a common oral disease caused by bacteria coupled with an excessive host immune response.Stem cell therapy can be a promising treatment strategy for periodontitis,but the relevant mechanism is complicated.This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of mitochondria from human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells(hESC-MSCs)for the treatment of periodontitis.The gingival tissues of periodontitis patients are characterized by abnormal mitochondrial structure.Human gingival fibroblasts(HGFs)were exposed to 5μg/mL lipopolysaccharide(LPS)for 24 h to establish a cell injury model.When treated with hESC-MSCs or mitochondria derived from hESC-MSCs,HGFs showed reduced expression of inflammatory genes,increased adenosine triphosphate(ATP)level,decreased reactive oxygen species(ROS)production,and enhanced mitochondrial function compared to the control.The average efficiency of isolated mitochondrial transfer by hESC-MSCs was determined to be 8.93%.Besides,a therapy of local mitochondrial injection in mice with LPS-induced periodontitis showed a reduction in inflammatory gene expression,as well as an increase in both the mitochondrial number and the aspect ratio in gingival tissues.In conclusion,our results indicate that mitochondria derived from hESC-MSCs can reduce the inflammatory response and improve mitochondrial function in HGFs,suggesting that the transfer of mitochondria between hESC-MSCs and HGFs serves as a potential mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of stem cells.展开更多
Background:Radiofrequency ablation(RFA)is an efficient treatment with unlimited potential for liver cancer that can effectively reduce patient mortality.Understanding the biological process related with RFA treatment ...Background:Radiofrequency ablation(RFA)is an efficient treatment with unlimited potential for liver cancer that can effectively reduce patient mortality.Understanding the biological process related with RFA treatment is important for improving treatment strategy.This study aimed to identify the critical targets for regulating the efficacy of RFA.Methods:The RFA treatment in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)tumor models in vivo,was analyzed by RNA sequencing technology.The heat treatment in vitro for HCC tumor cells was also constructed to explore the mechanism after RFA treatment in tumor cells.Nanoparticles with high affinity to tumor cells were applied as a new therapy to interfere with the expression of maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase(MELK).Results:It was found that RFA treatment upregulated MELK expression,and MELK inhibition promoted RFA efficacy by immunogenic cell death and the antitumor response,including anti-tumoral macrophage polarization and increased CD8+T cell cytotoxicity in HCC.Mechanically,MELK binds to fatty acid-binding protein 5(FABP5),and affects its ubiquitination through the K48R pathway to increase its stability,thereby activating protein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)signaling axis to weaken the RFA-mediated antitumor effect.In addition,the synthesis of arginylglycylaspartic acid(RGD)-lipid nanoparticles(LNPs)targeting tumor cell-intrinsic MELK enhanced RFA efficacy in HCC.Conclusions:MELK is a therapeutic target by regulating RFA efficacy in HCC,and targeting MELK via RGD-LNPs provides new insight into improving RFA efficacy in HCC clinical treatment and combating the malignant progression of liver cancer.展开更多
Traumatic optic neuropathy is a form of optic neuropathy resulting from trauma.Its pathophysiological mechanisms involve primary and secondary injury phases,leading to progressive retinal ganglion cell loss and axonal...Traumatic optic neuropathy is a form of optic neuropathy resulting from trauma.Its pathophysiological mechanisms involve primary and secondary injury phases,leading to progressive retinal ganglion cell loss and axonal degeneration.Contributing factors such as physical trauma,oxidative stress,neuroinflammation,and glial scar formation exacerbate disease progression and retinal ganglion cell death.Multiple forms of cell death—including apoptosis,pyroptosis,necroptosis,and ferroptosis—are involved at different disease stages.Although current treatments,such as corticosteroid therapy and surgical interventions,have limited efficacy,cell-based therapies have emerged as a promising approach that simultaneously promotes neuroprotection and retinal ganglion cell regeneration.This review summarizes recent advances in cell-based therapies for traumatic optic neuropathy.In the context of cell replacement therapy,retinal ganglion cell-like cells derived from embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells—via chemical induction or direct reprogramming—have demonstrated the ability to integrate into the host retina and survive for weeks to months,potentially improving visual function.Mesenchymal stem cells derived from various sources,including bone marrow,umbilical cord,placenta,and adipose tissue,have been shown to enhance retinal ganglion cell survival,stimulate axonal regeneration,and support partial functional recovery.Additionally,neural stem/progenitor cells derived from human embryonic stem cells offer neuroprotective effects and function as“neuronal relays,”facilitating reconnection between damaged regions of the optic nerve and the visual pathway.Beyond direct cell transplantation,cell-derived products,such as extracellular vesicles and cell-extracted solutions,have demonstrated promising neuroprotective effects in traumatic optic neuropathy.Despite significant progress,several challenges remain,including limited integration of transplanted cells,suboptimal functional vision recovery,the need for precise timing and delivery methods,and an incomplete understanding of the role of the retinal microenvironment and glial cell activation in neuroprotection and neuroregeneration.Furthermore,studies with longer observation periods and deeper mechanistic insights into the therapeutic effects of cell-based therapies remain scarce.Two Phase I clinical trials have confirmed the safety and potential benefits of cell-based therapy for traumatic optic neuropathy,with reported improvements in visual acuity.However,further studies are needed to validate these findings and establish significant therapeutic outcomes.In conclusion,cell-based therapies hold great promise for treating traumatic optic neuropathy,but critical obstacles must be overcome to achieve functional optic nerve regeneration.Emerging bioengineering strategies,such as scaffold-based transplantation,may improve cell survival and axonal guidance.Successful clinical translation will require rigorous preclinical validation,standardized protocols,and the integration of advanced imaging techniques to optimize therapeutic efficacy.展开更多
Epilepsy is a serious neurological disorder;however,the effectiveness of current medications is often suboptimal.Recently,stem cell technology has demonstrated remarkable therapeutic potential in addressing various ne...Epilepsy is a serious neurological disorder;however,the effectiveness of current medications is often suboptimal.Recently,stem cell technology has demonstrated remarkable therapeutic potential in addressing various neurological diseases,igniting interest in its applicability for epilepsy treatment.This comprehensive review summarizes different therapeutic approaches utilizing various types of stem cells.Preclinical experiments have explored the use and potential therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells,including genetically modified variants.Clinical trials involving patientderived mesenchymal stem cells have shown promising results,with reductions in the frequency of epileptic seizures and improvements in neurological,cognitive,and motor functions reported.Another promising therapeutic strategy involves neural stem cells.These cells can be cultured outside the body and directed to differentiate into specific cell types.The transplant of neural stem cells has the potential to replace lost inhibitory interneurons,providing a novel treatment avenue for epilepsy.Embryonic stem cells are characterized by their significant capacity for self-renewal and their ability to differentiate into any type of somatic cell.In epilepsy treatment,embryonic stem cells can serve three primary functions:neuron regeneration,the maintenance of cellular homeostasis,and restorative activity.One notable strategy involves differentiating embryonic stem cells intoγ-aminobutyric acidergic neurons for transplantation into lesion sites.This approach is currently undergoing clinical trials and could be a breakthrough in the treatment of refractory epilepsy.Induced pluripotent stem cells share the same genetic background as the donor,thereby reducing the risk of immune rejection and addressing ethical concerns.However,research on induced pluripotent stem cell therapy remains in the preclinical stage.Despite the promise of stem cell therapies for epilepsy,several limitations must be addressed.Safety concerns persist,including issues such as tumor formation,and the low survival rate of transplanted cells remains a significant challenge.Additionally,the high cost of these treatments may be prohibitive for some patients.In summary,stem cell therapy shows considerable promise in managing epilepsy,but further research is needed to overcome its existing limitations and enhance its clinical applicability.展开更多
Spinal cord injury is considered one of the most difficult injuries to repair and has one of the worst prognoses for injuries to the nervous system.Following surgery,the poor regenerative capacity of nerve cells and t...Spinal cord injury is considered one of the most difficult injuries to repair and has one of the worst prognoses for injuries to the nervous system.Following surgery,the poor regenerative capacity of nerve cells and the generation of new scars can make it very difficult for the impaired nervous system to restore its neural functionality.Traditional treatments can only alleviate secondary injuries but cannot fundamentally repair the spinal cord.Consequently,there is a critical need to develop new treatments to promote functional repair after spinal cord injury.Over recent years,there have been seve ral developments in the use of stem cell therapy for the treatment of spinal cord injury.Alongside significant developments in the field of tissue engineering,three-dimensional bioprinting technology has become a hot research topic due to its ability to accurately print complex structures.This led to the loading of three-dimensional bioprinting scaffolds which provided precise cell localization.These three-dimensional bioprinting scaffolds co uld repair damaged neural circuits and had the potential to repair the damaged spinal cord.In this review,we discuss the mechanisms underlying simple stem cell therapy,the application of different types of stem cells for the treatment of spinal cord injury,and the different manufa cturing methods for three-dimensional bioprinting scaffolds.In particular,we focus on the development of three-dimensional bioprinting scaffolds for the treatment of spinal cord injury.展开更多
In recent years,neonicotinoids(NEOs)and organophosphate esters(OPEs)have been widely used as substitutes for traditional pesticides and brominated fame-retardants,respectively.Previous studies have shown that those co...In recent years,neonicotinoids(NEOs)and organophosphate esters(OPEs)have been widely used as substitutes for traditional pesticides and brominated fame-retardants,respectively.Previous studies have shown that those compounds can be frequently detected in environmental and human samples,are able to penetrate the placental barrier,and are toxic to animals.Thus,it is reasonable to speculate that NEOs and OPEs may have potential adverse effects in humans,especially during development.We employed a human embryonic stem cell differentiation-and liver S9 fraction metabolism-based fast screening model to assess the potential embryonic toxicity of those two types of chemicals.We show that four NEO and five OPE prototypes targeted mostly ectoderm specification,as neural ectoderm and neural crest genes were down-regulated,and surface ectoderm and placode markers up-regulated.Human liver S9 fraction's treatment could generally reduce the effects of the chemicals,except in a few specific instances,indicating the liver may detoxify NEOs and OPEs.Our findings suggest that NEOs and OPEs interfere with human early embryonic development.展开更多
BACKGROUND This study aimed to explore the relationship between gene mutations and early embryonic development arrest and to provide more possibilities for the diagnosis and treatment of repeated implantation failure....BACKGROUND This study aimed to explore the relationship between gene mutations and early embryonic development arrest and to provide more possibilities for the diagnosis and treatment of repeated implantation failure.CASE SUMMARY Here,we collected and described the clinical data of a patient with early embryonic development stagnation after repeated in vitro fertilization attempts for primary infertility at the Department Reproductive Center of Zaozhuang Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital.We also detected the whole-exon gene of the patient's spouse and parents,and conducted bioinformatics analysis to determine the pathogenesis of the gene.CONCLUSION A novel mutant of the TUBB8 gene[c.602G>T(p.C201F)]was identified,and this mutant provided new data on the genotype-phenotype relationships of related diseases.展开更多
基金the Joint Innovation Project Funds of Huaqiao University,No.2022YX001.
文摘The global incidence of asthma,a leading respiratory disorder affecting more than 235 million people,has dramatically increased in recent years.Characterized by chronic airway inflammation and an imbalanced response to airborne irritants,this chronic condition is associated with elevated levels of inflammatory factors and symptoms such as dyspnea,cough,wheezing,and chest tightness.Conventional asthma therapies,such as corticosteroids,long-actingβ-agonists,and antiinflammatory agents,often evoke diverse adverse reactions and fail to reduce symptoms and hospitalization rates over the long term effectively.These limitations have prompted researchers to explore innovative therapeutic strategies,including stem cell-related interventions,offering hope to those afflicted with this incurable disease.In this review,we describe the characteristics of stem cells and critically assess the potential and challenges of stem cell-based therapies to improve disease management and treatment outcomes for asthma and other diseases.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.82073934,81872937)Office of Jiangsu Provincial Academic Degrees Committee(Grant No.JX10114120).
文摘Bone metastasis is the primary cause of mortality in breast cancer(BC)patients.The present study elucidates the functional role of the differentiated embryonic chondrocyte-expressed gene 1(DEC1)in promoting BC-related bone metastasis.Analysis of patient-derived samples and public databases revealed a significant upregulation of DEC1 and CXCR4 in breast tumors compared with adjacent normal tissues,with elevated levels correlating with increased metastatic potential,suggesting their synergistic involvement in BC progression.Intracardiac injection experiments demonstrated that Dec1-WT 4T1 cells induced more severe osteolysis and larger metastatic lesions than Dec1-KD 4T1 cells.In MDA-MB-231 cells,DEC1 overexpression(OE)upregulated CXCR4 and proliferation/migration-related genes,whereas DEC1 knockdown reversed these effects.Notably,AMD3100,a specific CXCR4 antagonist,partially reversed the DEC1-OE-induced upregulation of CXCR4 and associated pro-metastatic genes.Mechanistically,DEC1 bound to the CXCR4 promoter region(-230 to-326)and activated its transcription,corroborated by ChIP-seq data.Furthermore,pharmacological inhibition of AKT(LY294002)or JAK2(AZD1480),but not ERK(PD98059),attenuated DEC1-mediated CXCR4 upregulation,although all three inhibitors mitigated DEC1-driven migration-related gene expression.Additionally,DEC1 enhanced CXCL12 secretion from mesenchymal stromal cells and osteoblasts,amplifying the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis within the bone microenvironment.Collectively,our findings demonstrate that DEC1 promotes BC bone metastasis by directly transactivating CXCR4 expression,providing a molecular basis for targeting DEC1 to prevent and treat BC bone metastasis.
基金supported by research grants from the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research(grant numbers:17244 and 023410)Science Foundation Ireland(Grant Numbers:19/FFP/6554)(to ED)。
文摘Stem cell-based brain repair is a promising emergent therapy for Parkinson's disease based on years of foundational research using human fetal donors as a cell source.Unlike current therapeutic options for patients,this approach has the potential to provide longterm stem cell–derived reconstruction and restoration of the dopaminergic input to denervated regions of the brain allowing for restoration of certain functions to patients.The ultimate clinical success of stem cell–derived brain repair will depend on both the safety and efficacy of the approach and the latter is dependent on the ability of the transplanted cells to survive and differentiate into functional dopaminergic neurons in the Parkinsonian brain.Because the pre-clinical literature suggests that there is considerable variability in survival and differentiation between studies,the aim of this systematic review was to assess these parameters in human stem cell-derived dopaminergic progenitor transplant studies in animal models of Parkinson's disease.A defined systematic search of the PubMed database was completed to identify relevant studies published up to March 2024.After screening,76 articles were included in the analysis from which 178 separate transplant studies were identified.From these,graft survival could be assessed in 52 studies and differentiation in 129 studies.Overall,we found that graft survival ranged from<1% to 500% of cells transplanted,with a median of 51%of transplanted cells surviving in the brain;while dopaminergic differentiation of the cells ranged from 0% to 46% of cells transplanted with a median of 3%.This systematic review suggests that there is considerable scope for improvement in the differentiation of stem cell-derived dopaminergic progenitors to maximize the therapeutic potential of this approach for patients.
基金funded by the Regional Innovation and Development Joint Fund of National Natural Science Foundation of China(Project No.U21A20253)2115 Talent Development Program of China Agricultural University.
文摘Chicken meat quality directly influences consumer acceptability and is crucial for the economic success of the poultry industry.Genetics and nutrition are key determinants of the meat quality traits in broilers.This review summarizes the research advances in this field,with a focus on the genetic and nutritional foundations that regulate intramuscular fat(IMF)deposition and meat quality in chickens over the past decade.The effects of embryonic nutrition,both maternal nutrition and in ovo feeding(IOF),on skeletal muscle development,the IMF content,and meat quality traits in broilers are also discussed.In genetics,single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that de novo lipogenesis predominantly occurs in myocytes,which is key to the formation of IMF in chicken muscle tissue.Fatty acid synthase(FASN)is the key enzyme involved in this process.This discovery has reshaped the traditional understanding of intramuscular lipid metabolism in poultry.Key genes,proteins,and pathways,such as FASN,FABP4,PPARG,C/EBPα,SLC27A1;LPL,APOA1,COL1A1;PPAR and ECM–receptor interactions signaling,have been identified to regulate IMF content and distribution by modulating fatty acid metabolism and adipogenesis.LncHLFF was innovatively found to promote ectopic IMF deposition in chickens via exosome-mediated mechanisms without affecting abdominal fat deposition.MiR-27b-3p and miR-128-3p were found to inhibit adipogenic differentiation by targeting PPARG,thereby affecting IMF formation.In nutrition,nutrigenomics research has shown that fructose enhances IMF deposition by activating ChREBP,providing new targets for nutritional interventions.Adjusting dietary components,including energy,protein,amino acids,fatty acids,and phytochemicals(e.g.,rutin),has been shown to significantly improve meat quality in broilers.Maternal nutrition(e.g.,intake of energy,amino acids,vitamins,and trace elements)and IOF(e.g.,N-carbamylglutamate)have also been confirmed to significantly impact offspring meat quality,opening new avenues for improving embryonic nutrition.Based on these significant advancements,this review proposes strategies that integrate genetic and nutritional approaches.These strategies aim to modulate the differentiation fate of paraxial mesenchymal stem cells toward myogenic or adipogenic lineages and the interaction between muscle and adipose tissues.These insights would help to improve meat quality while ensuring the growth performance of broiler chickens.
基金supported by the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Istanbul University(No.13930).
文摘Spermatozoa have a highly complex RNA profile.Several of these transcripts are suggested as biomarkers for male infertility and contribute to early development.To analyze the differences between sperm RNA quantity and expression of protamine(PRM1 and PRM2)and testis-specific histone 2B(TH2B)genes,spermatozoa from 33 patients who enrolled in assisted reproduction treatment(ART)program were analyzed.Sperm RNA of teratozoospermic(T),oligoteratozoospermic(OT),and normozoospermic(N)samples was extracted,and the differences in transcript levels among the study groups were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).The correlations of total RNA per spermatozoon and the expression of the transcripts were evaluated in relation to sperm characteristics and preimplantation embryo development.The mean(±standard deviation)RNA amount per spermatozoon was 28.48(±23.03)femtogram in the overall group and was significantly higher in the OT group than that in N and T groups.Total sperm RNA and gene expression of PRM1 and PRM2 genes were related to preimplantation embryo development and developmental arrest.Specific sperm characteristics were correlated with the expressions of PRM1,PRM2,or TH2B genes.We conclude that the sperm RNA amount and composition are important factors and might influence early embryonic development and also differ in different cases of male infertility.
基金The Ministry of Science and ICT through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) supported this study (grant numbers:2021R1A2C2009294)The Research Institute for Veterinary Science at the Seoul National University partially funded this study。
文摘Background Extracellular vesicles(EVs)regulate cell metabolism and various biological processes by delivering spe-cific proteins and nucleic acids to surrounding cells.We aimed to investigate the effects of the cargo contained in EVs derived from adipose-derived stem cells(ASCs)on the porcine embryonic development.Methods ASCs were isolated from porcine adipose tissue and characterized using ASC-specific markers via flow cytometry.EVs were subsequently extracted from the conditioned media of the established ASCs.These EVs were added to the in vitro culture environment of porcine embryos to observe qualitative improvements in embryonic development.Furthermore,the proteins within the EVs were analyzed to investigate the underlying mechanisms.Results We observed a higher blastocyst development rate and increased mitochondrial activity in early stage embryos in the ASC-EVs-supplemented group than in the controls(24.8%±0.8%vs.28.6%±1.1%,respectively).The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)assay of blastocysts also revealed signifi-cantly reduced apoptotic cells in the ASC-EVs-supplemented group.Furthermore,through proteomics,we detected the proteins in ASC-EVs and blastocysts from each treatment group.This analysis revealed a higher fraction of pro-teins in the ASC-EVs-supplemented group than in the controls(1,547 vs.1,495,respectively).Gene analysis confirmed that ASC-EVs showed a high expression of tyrosine-protein kinase(SRC),whereas ASC-EVs supplemented blastocysts showed a higher expression of Cyclin-dependent kinase 1(CDK1).SRC is postulated to activate protein kinase B(AKT),which inhibits the forkhead box O signaling pathway and activates CDK1.Subsequently,CDK1 activation influences the cell cycle,thereby affecting in vitro embryonic development.Conclusion ASC-EVs promote mitochondrial activity,which is crucial for the early development of blastocysts and vital in the downregulation of apoptosis.Additionally,ASC-EVs supply SRC to porcine blastocysts,thereby elon-gating the cell cycle.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (32172747 and 32425052)
文摘Background Early embryo development plays a pivotal role in determining pregnancy outcomes,postnatal development,and lifelong health.Therefore,the strategic selection of functional nutrients to enhance embryo development is of paramount importance.In this study,we established a stable porcine trophectoderm cell line expressing dual fluorescent reporter genes driven by the CDX2 and TEAD4 gene promoter segments using lentiviral transfection.Results Three amino acid metabolites—kynurenic acid,taurine,and tryptamine—met the minimum z-score criteria of 2.0 for both luciferase and Renilla luciferase activities and were initially identified as potential metabolites for embryo development,with their beneficial effects validated by qPCR.Given that the identified metabolites are closely related to methionine,arginine,and tryptophan,we selected these three amino acids,using lysine as a standard,and employed response surface methodology combined with our high-throughput screening cell model to efficiently screen and optimize amino acid combination conducive to early embryo development.The optimized candidate amino acid system included lysine(1.87 mmol/L),methionine(0.82 mmol/L),tryptophan(0.23 mmol/L),and arginine(3 mmol/L),with the ratio of 1:0.43:0.12:1.60.In vitro experiments confirmed that this amino acid system enhances the expression of key genes involved in early embryonic development and improves in vitro embryo adhesion.Transcriptomic analysis of blastocysts suggested that candidate amino acid system enhances early embryo development by regulating early embryonic cell cycle and differentiation,as well as improving nutrient absorption.Furthermore,based on response surface methodology,400 sows were used to verify this amino acid system,substituting arginine with the more cost-effective N-carbamoyl glutamate(NCG),a precursor of arginine.The optimal dietary amino acid requirement was predicted to be 0.71%lysine,0.32%methionine,0.22%tryptophan,and 0.10%NCG for sows during early gestation.The optimized amino acid system ratio of the feed,derived from the peripheral release of essential amino acids,was found to be 1:0.45:0.13,which is largely consistent with the results obtained from the cell model optimization.Subsequently,we furtherly verified that this optimal dietary amino acid system significantly increased total litter size,live litter size and litter weight in sows.Conclusions In summary,we successfully established a dual-fluorescent high-throughput screening cell model for the efficient identification of potential nutrients that would promote embryo development and implantation.This innovative approach overcomes the limitations of traditional amino acid nutrition studies in sows,providing a more effective model for enhancing reproductive outcomes.
文摘In vitro fertilization(IVF)is one of the most used assisted reproductive technology(ART)techniques today.However,the success of IVF procedures heavily relies on maintaining a sterile environment in laboratories.This narrative review examines the effects of microbiological contamination in IVF laboratories,exploring its sources,impacts on IVF outcomes,and preventive measures.We conducted a complete literature search using databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar,focusing on studies published within the last fifteen years.Our findings highlight that microbiological contamination can significantly impair embryo quality,reduce implantation and pregnancy rates,and increase the risk of miscarriage and infection.The review also discusses current best practices for contamination prevention and identifies areas for future research.This work emphasizes the critical importance of stringent sterility protocols in IVF laboratories and calls for continued vigilance and innovation in maintaining optimal conditions for assisted reproduction.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.12090052,U24A2014,and 12325405).
文摘Spatial transcriptomics technology provides novel insights into the spatial organization of gene expression during embryonic development.In this study,we propose a method that integrates analysis across both temporal and spatial dimensions to investigate spatial transcriptomics data from mouse embryos at different developmental stages.We quantified the spatial expression pattern of each gene at various stages by calculating its Moran’s I.Furthermore,by employing time-series clustering to identify dynamic co-expression modules,we identified several developmentally stage-specific regulatory gene modules.A key finding was the presence of distinct,stage-specific gene network modules across different developmental periods:Early modules focused on morphogenesis,mid-stage on organ development,and late-stage on neural and tissue maturation.Functional enrichment analysis further confirmed the core biological functions of each module.The dynamic,spatially-resolved gene expression model constructed in this study not only provides new biological insights into the programmed spatiotemporal reorganization of gene regulatory networks during embryonic development but also presents an effective approach for analyzing complex spatiotemporal omics data.This work provides a new perspective for understanding developmental biology,regenerative medicine,and related fields.
基金German research Foundation(DFG,grant numbers:CH2321/1–1 and SCHO1231/7–1)JH has received a scholarship from the Chinese Scholarship Council(CSC No.:201908350115).
文摘The oviduct epithelium is the initial maternal contact site for embryos after fertilization,offering the microenviron-ment before implantation.This early gestation period is particularly sensitive to stress,which can cause reduced fertil-ity and reproductive disorders in mammals.Nevertheless,the local impact of elevated stress hormones on the ovi-duct epithelium has received limited attention to date,except for a few reports on polyovulatory species like mice and pigs.In this study,we focused on the effects of chronic maternal stress on cattle,given its association with infertil-ity issues in this monoovulatory species.Bovine oviduct epithelial cells(BOEC)differentiated at the air–liquid interface(ALI)were stimulated with 250 nmol/L cortisol for 1 or 3 weeks.Subsequently,they were assessed for morphology,bioelectrical properties,and gene expression related to oviduct function,glucocorticoid pathway,cortisol metabo-lism,inflammation,and apoptosis.Results revealed adverse effects of cortisol on epithelium structure,featured by deciliation,vacuole formation,and multilayering.Additionally,cortisol exposure led to an increase in transepithelial potential difference,downregulated mRNA expression of the major glucocorticoid receptor(NR3C1),upregulated the expression of cortisol-responsive genes(FKBP5,TSC22D3),and significant downregulation of oviductal glycopro-tein 1(OVGP1)and steroid receptors PGR and ESR1.The systematic comparison to a similar experiment previously performed by us in porcine oviduct epithelial cells,indicated that bovine cultures were more susceptible to elevated cortisol levels than porcine.The distinct responses between both species are likely linked to their divergence in the cortisol-induced expression changes of HSD11B2,an enzyme controlling the cellular capacity to metabolise cortisol.These findings provide insights into the species-specific reactions and reproductive consequences triggered by maternal stress.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(ZR2019MC059)the Traditional Chinese Medicine Science Project of Shandong Province(M-2023093)the Weifang Municipal Science and Technology Development Program(2025YX037).
文摘Human cytomegalovirus(HCMV)poses a significant risk of neural damage during pregnancy.As the most prevalent intrauterine infectious agent in low-and middle-income countries,HCMV disrupts the development of neural stem cells,leading to fetal malformations and abnormal structural and physiological functions in the fetal brain.This review summarizes the current understanding of how HCMV infection dysregulates the Wnt signaling pathway to induce fetal malformations and discusses current management strategies.
文摘Following the publication of Xu et al.(2022),an error was identified in Figure 1D.Specifically,the top left panel was inadvertently duplicated during figure preparation.To ensure the accuracy and integrity of our published work,we request the publication of a corrigendum with the corrected image.We apologize for this oversight and any confusion it may have caused.The amended figure is provided in the updated Supplementary Materials.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32070607)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2020YFA0804000)the CAS Project for Young Scientists in Basic Research(YSBR-012).
文摘In the mammalian genome,most CpGs are methylated.However,CpGs within the CpG islands(CGIs)are largely unmethylated,which are important for gene expression regulation.The mechanism underlying the low methylation levels at CGIs remains largely elusive.KDM2 proteins(KDM2A and KDM2B)are H3K36me2 demethylases known to bind specifically at CGIs.Here,we report that depletion of each or both KDM2 proteins,or mutation of all their JmjC domains that harbor the H3K36me2 demethylation activity,leads to an increase in DNA methylation at selective CGIs.The Kdm2a/2b double knockout shows a stronger increase in DNA methylation compared with the single mutant of Kdm2a or Kdm2b,indicating that KDM2A and KDM2B redundantly regulate DNA methylation at CGIs.In addition,the increase of CGI DNA methylation upon mutations of KDM2 proteins is associated with the chromatin environment.Our findings reveal that KDM2A and KDM2B function redundantly in regulating DNA methylation at a subset of CGIs in an H3K36me2 demethylation-dependent manner.
基金supported by the Key R&D Program of Zhejiang(No.2023C03072)the Medical and Health Science and Technology Program of Zhejiang Province(No.2021PY007)and the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Nos.2021YFA1301100 and 2021YFA1301101).
文摘Periodontitis is a common oral disease caused by bacteria coupled with an excessive host immune response.Stem cell therapy can be a promising treatment strategy for periodontitis,but the relevant mechanism is complicated.This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of mitochondria from human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells(hESC-MSCs)for the treatment of periodontitis.The gingival tissues of periodontitis patients are characterized by abnormal mitochondrial structure.Human gingival fibroblasts(HGFs)were exposed to 5μg/mL lipopolysaccharide(LPS)for 24 h to establish a cell injury model.When treated with hESC-MSCs or mitochondria derived from hESC-MSCs,HGFs showed reduced expression of inflammatory genes,increased adenosine triphosphate(ATP)level,decreased reactive oxygen species(ROS)production,and enhanced mitochondrial function compared to the control.The average efficiency of isolated mitochondrial transfer by hESC-MSCs was determined to be 8.93%.Besides,a therapy of local mitochondrial injection in mice with LPS-induced periodontitis showed a reduction in inflammatory gene expression,as well as an increase in both the mitochondrial number and the aspect ratio in gingival tissues.In conclusion,our results indicate that mitochondria derived from hESC-MSCs can reduce the inflammatory response and improve mitochondrial function in HGFs,suggesting that the transfer of mitochondria between hESC-MSCs and HGFs serves as a potential mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of stem cells.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82072025,82072026,82102162,and 82303886)the“Leading Goose”Research and Development Program of Zhejiang Province(2023C03062)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province(LY22H160040 and LQ22H180010)the Key Research and Development Project of Lishui City(2022ZDYF12,2022ZDYF20,and 2022ZDYF20).
文摘Background:Radiofrequency ablation(RFA)is an efficient treatment with unlimited potential for liver cancer that can effectively reduce patient mortality.Understanding the biological process related with RFA treatment is important for improving treatment strategy.This study aimed to identify the critical targets for regulating the efficacy of RFA.Methods:The RFA treatment in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)tumor models in vivo,was analyzed by RNA sequencing technology.The heat treatment in vitro for HCC tumor cells was also constructed to explore the mechanism after RFA treatment in tumor cells.Nanoparticles with high affinity to tumor cells were applied as a new therapy to interfere with the expression of maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase(MELK).Results:It was found that RFA treatment upregulated MELK expression,and MELK inhibition promoted RFA efficacy by immunogenic cell death and the antitumor response,including anti-tumoral macrophage polarization and increased CD8+T cell cytotoxicity in HCC.Mechanically,MELK binds to fatty acid-binding protein 5(FABP5),and affects its ubiquitination through the K48R pathway to increase its stability,thereby activating protein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)signaling axis to weaken the RFA-mediated antitumor effect.In addition,the synthesis of arginylglycylaspartic acid(RGD)-lipid nanoparticles(LNPs)targeting tumor cell-intrinsic MELK enhanced RFA efficacy in HCC.Conclusions:MELK is a therapeutic target by regulating RFA efficacy in HCC,and targeting MELK via RGD-LNPs provides new insight into improving RFA efficacy in HCC clinical treatment and combating the malignant progression of liver cancer.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China,No.2022YFA1105502(to PG)the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82271123(to PG),32200618(to ZT)。
文摘Traumatic optic neuropathy is a form of optic neuropathy resulting from trauma.Its pathophysiological mechanisms involve primary and secondary injury phases,leading to progressive retinal ganglion cell loss and axonal degeneration.Contributing factors such as physical trauma,oxidative stress,neuroinflammation,and glial scar formation exacerbate disease progression and retinal ganglion cell death.Multiple forms of cell death—including apoptosis,pyroptosis,necroptosis,and ferroptosis—are involved at different disease stages.Although current treatments,such as corticosteroid therapy and surgical interventions,have limited efficacy,cell-based therapies have emerged as a promising approach that simultaneously promotes neuroprotection and retinal ganglion cell regeneration.This review summarizes recent advances in cell-based therapies for traumatic optic neuropathy.In the context of cell replacement therapy,retinal ganglion cell-like cells derived from embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells—via chemical induction or direct reprogramming—have demonstrated the ability to integrate into the host retina and survive for weeks to months,potentially improving visual function.Mesenchymal stem cells derived from various sources,including bone marrow,umbilical cord,placenta,and adipose tissue,have been shown to enhance retinal ganglion cell survival,stimulate axonal regeneration,and support partial functional recovery.Additionally,neural stem/progenitor cells derived from human embryonic stem cells offer neuroprotective effects and function as“neuronal relays,”facilitating reconnection between damaged regions of the optic nerve and the visual pathway.Beyond direct cell transplantation,cell-derived products,such as extracellular vesicles and cell-extracted solutions,have demonstrated promising neuroprotective effects in traumatic optic neuropathy.Despite significant progress,several challenges remain,including limited integration of transplanted cells,suboptimal functional vision recovery,the need for precise timing and delivery methods,and an incomplete understanding of the role of the retinal microenvironment and glial cell activation in neuroprotection and neuroregeneration.Furthermore,studies with longer observation periods and deeper mechanistic insights into the therapeutic effects of cell-based therapies remain scarce.Two Phase I clinical trials have confirmed the safety and potential benefits of cell-based therapy for traumatic optic neuropathy,with reported improvements in visual acuity.However,further studies are needed to validate these findings and establish significant therapeutic outcomes.In conclusion,cell-based therapies hold great promise for treating traumatic optic neuropathy,but critical obstacles must be overcome to achieve functional optic nerve regeneration.Emerging bioengineering strategies,such as scaffold-based transplantation,may improve cell survival and axonal guidance.Successful clinical translation will require rigorous preclinical validation,standardized protocols,and the integration of advanced imaging techniques to optimize therapeutic efficacy.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82471471(to WJ),82471485(to FY)Shaanxi Province Special Support Program for Leading Talents in Scientific and Technological Innovation,No.tzjhjw(to WJ)+1 种基金Shaanxi Key Research and Development Plan Project,No.2023-YBSF-353(to XW)the Joint Fund Project of Innovation Research Institute of Xijing Hospital,No.LHJJ24JH13(to ZS)。
文摘Epilepsy is a serious neurological disorder;however,the effectiveness of current medications is often suboptimal.Recently,stem cell technology has demonstrated remarkable therapeutic potential in addressing various neurological diseases,igniting interest in its applicability for epilepsy treatment.This comprehensive review summarizes different therapeutic approaches utilizing various types of stem cells.Preclinical experiments have explored the use and potential therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells,including genetically modified variants.Clinical trials involving patientderived mesenchymal stem cells have shown promising results,with reductions in the frequency of epileptic seizures and improvements in neurological,cognitive,and motor functions reported.Another promising therapeutic strategy involves neural stem cells.These cells can be cultured outside the body and directed to differentiate into specific cell types.The transplant of neural stem cells has the potential to replace lost inhibitory interneurons,providing a novel treatment avenue for epilepsy.Embryonic stem cells are characterized by their significant capacity for self-renewal and their ability to differentiate into any type of somatic cell.In epilepsy treatment,embryonic stem cells can serve three primary functions:neuron regeneration,the maintenance of cellular homeostasis,and restorative activity.One notable strategy involves differentiating embryonic stem cells intoγ-aminobutyric acidergic neurons for transplantation into lesion sites.This approach is currently undergoing clinical trials and could be a breakthrough in the treatment of refractory epilepsy.Induced pluripotent stem cells share the same genetic background as the donor,thereby reducing the risk of immune rejection and addressing ethical concerns.However,research on induced pluripotent stem cell therapy remains in the preclinical stage.Despite the promise of stem cell therapies for epilepsy,several limitations must be addressed.Safety concerns persist,including issues such as tumor formation,and the low survival rate of transplanted cells remains a significant challenge.Additionally,the high cost of these treatments may be prohibitive for some patients.In summary,stem cell therapy shows considerable promise in managing epilepsy,but further research is needed to overcome its existing limitations and enhance its clinical applicability.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82171380(to CD)Jiangsu Students’Platform for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program,No.202110304098Y(to DJ)。
文摘Spinal cord injury is considered one of the most difficult injuries to repair and has one of the worst prognoses for injuries to the nervous system.Following surgery,the poor regenerative capacity of nerve cells and the generation of new scars can make it very difficult for the impaired nervous system to restore its neural functionality.Traditional treatments can only alleviate secondary injuries but cannot fundamentally repair the spinal cord.Consequently,there is a critical need to develop new treatments to promote functional repair after spinal cord injury.Over recent years,there have been seve ral developments in the use of stem cell therapy for the treatment of spinal cord injury.Alongside significant developments in the field of tissue engineering,three-dimensional bioprinting technology has become a hot research topic due to its ability to accurately print complex structures.This led to the loading of three-dimensional bioprinting scaffolds which provided precise cell localization.These three-dimensional bioprinting scaffolds co uld repair damaged neural circuits and had the potential to repair the damaged spinal cord.In this review,we discuss the mechanisms underlying simple stem cell therapy,the application of different types of stem cells for the treatment of spinal cord injury,and the different manufa cturing methods for three-dimensional bioprinting scaffolds.In particular,we focus on the development of three-dimensional bioprinting scaffolds for the treatment of spinal cord injury.
基金supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China (No.2020YFA0907500)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos.22150710514,22021003,and 22106174)+1 种基金the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (No.XDPB200202)the Postdoc Science Foundation of China (No.2021M693322)。
文摘In recent years,neonicotinoids(NEOs)and organophosphate esters(OPEs)have been widely used as substitutes for traditional pesticides and brominated fame-retardants,respectively.Previous studies have shown that those compounds can be frequently detected in environmental and human samples,are able to penetrate the placental barrier,and are toxic to animals.Thus,it is reasonable to speculate that NEOs and OPEs may have potential adverse effects in humans,especially during development.We employed a human embryonic stem cell differentiation-and liver S9 fraction metabolism-based fast screening model to assess the potential embryonic toxicity of those two types of chemicals.We show that four NEO and five OPE prototypes targeted mostly ectoderm specification,as neural ectoderm and neural crest genes were down-regulated,and surface ectoderm and placode markers up-regulated.Human liver S9 fraction's treatment could generally reduce the effects of the chemicals,except in a few specific instances,indicating the liver may detoxify NEOs and OPEs.Our findings suggest that NEOs and OPEs interfere with human early embryonic development.
基金Supported by the Shandong Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Development Program,No.C-262the 2021 Science and Technology Innovation Research Project of Shandong Maternal and Child Health Association,No.2021-19-24.
文摘BACKGROUND This study aimed to explore the relationship between gene mutations and early embryonic development arrest and to provide more possibilities for the diagnosis and treatment of repeated implantation failure.CASE SUMMARY Here,we collected and described the clinical data of a patient with early embryonic development stagnation after repeated in vitro fertilization attempts for primary infertility at the Department Reproductive Center of Zaozhuang Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital.We also detected the whole-exon gene of the patient's spouse and parents,and conducted bioinformatics analysis to determine the pathogenesis of the gene.CONCLUSION A novel mutant of the TUBB8 gene[c.602G>T(p.C201F)]was identified,and this mutant provided new data on the genotype-phenotype relationships of related diseases.
