Background:Therapeutic responses of breast cancer vary among patients and lead to drug resistance and recurrence due to the heterogeneity.Current preclinical models,however,are inadequate for predicting individual pat...Background:Therapeutic responses of breast cancer vary among patients and lead to drug resistance and recurrence due to the heterogeneity.Current preclinical models,however,are inadequate for predicting individual patient responses towards different drugs.This study aimed to investigate the patient-derived breast cancer culture models for drug sensitivity evaluations.Methods:Tumor and adjacent tissues from female breast cancer patients were collected during surgery.Patient-derived breast cancer cells were cultured using the conditional reprogramming technique to establish 2D models.The obtained patient-derived conditional reprogramming breast cancer(CRBC)cells were subsequently embedded in alginate-gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel microspheres to form 3D culture models.Comparisons between 2D and 3D models were made using immunohistochemistry(tumor markers),MTS assays(cell viability),flow cytometry(apoptosis),transwell assays(migration),and Western blotting(protein expression).Drug sensitivity tests were conducted to evaluate patient-specific responses to anti-cancer agents.Results:2D and 3D culture models were successfully established using samples from eight patients.The 3D models retained histological and marker characteristics of the original tumors.Compared to 2D cultures,3D models exhibited increased apoptosis,enhanced drug resistance,elevated stem cell marker expression,and greater migration ability—features more reflective of in vivo tumor behavior.Conclusion:Patient-derived 3D CRBC models effectively mimic the in vivo tumor microenvironment and demonstrate stronger resistance to anti-cancer drugs than 2D models.These hydrogel-based models offer a cost-effective and clinically relevant platform for drug screening and personalized breast cancer treatment.展开更多
BACKGROUND The development of regenerative therapy for human spinal cord injury(SCI)is dramatically restricted by two main challenges:the need for a safe source of functionally active and reproducible neural stem cell...BACKGROUND The development of regenerative therapy for human spinal cord injury(SCI)is dramatically restricted by two main challenges:the need for a safe source of functionally active and reproducible neural stem cells and the need of adequate animal models for preclinical testing.Direct reprogramming of somatic cells into neuronal and glial precursors might be a promising solution to the first challenge.The use of non-human primates for preclinical studies exploring new treatment paradigms in SCI results in data with more translational relevance to human SCI.AIM To investigate the safety and efficacy of intraspinal transplantation of directly reprogrammed neural precursor cells(drNPCs).METHODS Seven non-human primates with verified complete thoracic SCI were divided into two groups:drNPC group(n=4)was subjected to intraspinal transplantation of 5 million drNPCs rostral and caudal to the lesion site 2 wk post injury,and lesion control(n=3)was injected identically with the equivalent volume of vehicle.RESULTS Follow-up for 12 wk revealed that animals in the drNPC group demonstrated a significant recovery of the paralyzed hindlimb as well as recovery of somatosensory evoked potential and motor evoked potential of injured pathways.Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging data confirmed the intraspinal transplantation of drNPCs did not adversely affect the morphology of the central nervous system or cerebrospinal fluid circulation.Subsequent immunohistochemical analysis showed that drNPCs maintained SOX2 expression characteristic of multipotency in the transplanted spinal cord for at least 12 wk,migrating to areas of axon growth cones.CONCLUSION Our data demonstrated that drNPC transplantation was safe and contributed to improvement of spinal cord function after acute SCI,based on neurological status assessment and neurophysiological recovery within 12 wk after transplantation.The functional improvement described was not associated with neuronal differentiation of the allogeneic drNPCs.Instead,directed drNPCs migration to the areas of active growth cone formation may provide exosome and paracrine trophic support,thereby further supporting the regeneration processes.展开更多
Cancer cell lines have been used widely in cancer biology, and as biological or functional cell systems in many biomedical research fields. These cells are usually defective for many normal activities or functions due...Cancer cell lines have been used widely in cancer biology, and as biological or functional cell systems in many biomedical research fields. These cells are usually defective for many normal activities or functions due to significant genetic and epigenetic changes. Normal primary cell yields and viability from any original tissue specimens are usually relatively low or highly variable. These normal cells cease after a few passages or population doublings due to very limited proliferative capacity. Animal models(ferret, mouse, etc.) are often used to study virus-host interaction. However, viruses usually need to be adapted to the animals by several passages due to tropism restrictions including viral receptors and intracellular restrictions. Here we summarize applications of conditionally reprogrammed cells(CRCs), long-term cultures of normal airway epithelial cells from human nose to lung generated by conditional cell reprogramming(CR) technology, as an ex vivo model in studies of emerging viruses. CR allows to robustly propagate cells from non-invasive or minimally invasive specimens, for example, nasal or endobronchial brushing. This process is rapid(2 days) and conditional. The CRCs maintain their differentiation potential and lineage functions, and have been used for studies of adenovirus, rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza viruses, parvovirus, and SARS-CoV. The CRCs can be easily used for airliquid interface(ALI) polarized 3 D cultures, and these coupled CRC/ALI cultures mimic physiological conditions and are suitable for studies of viral entry including receptor binding and internalization, innate immune responses, viral replications, and drug discovery as an ex vivo model for emerging viruses.展开更多
Tumor metabolic reprogramming is a core hallmark of cancer,characterized by pathways such as aerobic glycolysis,aberrant lipid metabolism,and glutaminolysis that support rapid proliferation and immunosuppressive micro...Tumor metabolic reprogramming is a core hallmark of cancer,characterized by pathways such as aerobic glycolysis,aberrant lipid metabolism,and glutaminolysis that support rapid proliferation and immunosuppressive microenvironments.Circular RNAs(circRNAs)are highly stable,evolutionarily conserved non-coding RNAs that have emerged as critical modulators of these metabolic shifts.This review aims to systematically elucidate the roles and mechanisms of circRNAs in reprogramming tumor metabolism,and to discuss their clinical potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.Through mechanisms including miRNA sponging,protein interactions,regulation of mitochondrial dynamics,and modulation of metabolic enzymes,circRNAs influence key metabolic pathways by targeting glycolytic enzymes,lipid synthesis regulators,and glutaminolysis-related molecules to either facilitate or inhibit their expression.This review systematically summarizes the unique contributions of circRNAs to tumor metabolic reprogramming,highlighting key mechanisms such as regulation of peptide-encoding protein translation,mitochondrial localization function,gene promoter-targeted transcriptional regulation,and cross-pathway metabolic mediation,which underscore their distinct biological advantages and regulatory roles in tumor metabolism.The stability and tissue specificity of circRNAs make them promising diagnostic biomarkers,while their role in drug resistance mediated by metabolic reprogramming highlights their potential as therapeutic targets.Strategies such as circRNA inhibitors,mimics,and nanoparticle-based delivery systems are being explored to modulate tumor metabolism.Despite challenges including complex regulatory networks and limited manipulation tools,advances in high-throughput technologies and clinical trials hold promise for translating circRNA research into novel cancer therapies.展开更多
Long COVID is characterized by a group of persistent symptoms following the acute SARS-COV2 infection, which presented a multifaceted challenge to the healthcare systems all over the globe. The long COVID symptoms spa...Long COVID is characterized by a group of persistent symptoms following the acute SARS-COV2 infection, which presented a multifaceted challenge to the healthcare systems all over the globe. The long COVID symptoms span various organ systems including the respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and neurological manifestations. Mitochondrial dysfunction and immune dysregulation play crucial roles in the long COVID pathophysiology. Recently nutritional intervention gained much attention in managing post-viral syndromes. Effective interventions like supplementation of omega-3 fatty acid, macro and micro nutrients, and vitamins help to reduce systemic inflammation and counteract muscle wasting. Other approaches like nutritional recovery, dietetic interventions, continuous nutritional care post-hospital discharge, nutritional rehabilitation programs,whole-diet approaches like Mediterranean diet, plant-based diet, and caloric optimization, improve overall functional recovery. Physical activity and exercise regimes have been shown to improve fatigue, dyspnea, and cognitive function. Tailored exercise regimes may promote safe rehabilitation. Certain ineffective interventions,such as non-personalized approaches, high dose of antioxidants, use of herbal products that are not clinically validated need to be addressed. Dietary interventions such as personalized nutritional counseling have been demonstrated to improve physical performance in long COVID patients. Further research is needed to refine protocols and identify optimal combinations of dietary and movement-based therapies to support the recovery of long-COVID patients. This narrative review focuses on the ongoing researches that reveals the intricate relationship between nutrition and long COVID recovery and also establishes effective protocols for nutritional care.展开更多
Background:Gastric cancer(GC)remains highly lethal,with metabolic reprogramming as a key hallmark.This study explores Centromere Protein F(CENPF)’s role in GC pathogenesis,specifically its regulation of glutamine met...Background:Gastric cancer(GC)remains highly lethal,with metabolic reprogramming as a key hallmark.This study explores Centromere Protein F(CENPF)’s role in GC pathogenesis,specifically its regulation of glutamine metabolism.Methods:The Cancer Genome Atlas-Stomach Adenocarcinoma(TCGA-STAD),GSE19826,and GSE27342 datasets were analyzed by bioinformatics to identify key candidate genes in GC.The function of CENPF was assessed by flow cytometry,colony formation assays,and Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8).RNA sequencing,metabolic profiling,chromatin immunoprecipitation(ChIP),western blot(WB),and luciferase reporter assay were employed to investigate the fundamental mechanisms.Results:CENPF was upregulated in GC tumor samples and had a high diagnostic potential.CENPF knockdown declined cell proliferation,caused G2 arrest,and promoted apoptosis in GC cells.RNA sequencing revealed that CENPF was involved in glutamine metabolism.CENPF overexpression enhanced glutamine consumption and glutamate production,while glutamine deficiency reversed CENPF-mediated cell survival.CENPF stabilized cellular myelocytomatosis(c-Myc)by preventing proteasomal degradation,bound to the glutaminase(GLS)promoter,promoting glutamine metabolism.Overexpression of GLS or c-Myc rescued the CENPF knockdown’s inhibitory effect on GC cell growth.Conclusion:Our findings identify a new CENPF/c-Myc/GLS axis that affects glutamine metabolism and cell survival in GC,implying that CENPF might be a novel target for the treatment of GC.展开更多
Metabolic reprogramming involving branched-chain amino acids(BCAAs)—leucine,isoleucine,and valine—is increasingly recognized as pivotal in cancer progression,metastasis,and immune modulation.This review comprehensiv...Metabolic reprogramming involving branched-chain amino acids(BCAAs)—leucine,isoleucine,and valine—is increasingly recognized as pivotal in cancer progression,metastasis,and immune modulation.This review comprehensively explores how cancer cells rewire BCAA metabolism to enhance proliferation,survival,and therapy resistance.Tumors manipulate BCAA uptake and catabolism via high expression of transporters like L-type amino acid transporter 1(LAT1)and enzymes including branched chain amino acid transaminase 1(BCAT1),branched chain amino acid transaminase 2(BCAT2),branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase(BCKDH),and branched chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase kinase(BCKDK).These alterations sustain energy production,biosynthesis,redox homeostasis,and oncogenic signaling(especially mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1[mTORC1]).Crucially,tumor-driven BCAA depletion also shapes an immunosuppressive microenvironment,impairing anti-tumor immunity by limiting essential nutrients for T cells and natural killer(NK)cells.Innovative therapeutic strategies targeting BCAA pathways—ranging from selective small-molecule inhibitors(e.g.,LAT1 and BCAT1/2)to dietary modulation—have shown promising preclinical and early clinical efficacy,highlighting their potential to exploit metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer cells while bolstering immune responses.By integrating multi-omics data and precision targeting approaches,this review underscores the translational significance of BCAA metabolic reprogramming,positioning it as a novel frontier in cancer treatment.展开更多
Metastatic brain tumors undergo profound metabolic-epigenetic reprogramming driven by the unique constraints of the brain microenvironment.Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF1α)enhances glycolytic flux,lactate accumulat...Metastatic brain tumors undergo profound metabolic-epigenetic reprogramming driven by the unique constraints of the brain microenvironment.Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF1α)enhances glycolytic flux,lactate accumulation,and histone lactylation,collectively supporting metastatic colonization and immune evasion.Key metabolites including acetyl-CoA,S-adenosylmethionine(SAM),α-ketoglutarate(α-KG),fumarate,and 2-hydroxyglutarate(2-HG)-directly modify chromatin states by regulating histone acetyltransferases,DNA/histone methyltransferases,andα-KG dependent dioxygenases such as Ten-Eleven Translocation(TET)enzymes and lysine demethylases(KDMs).These metabolic shifts result in aberrant DNA methylation,histone lysine residue at position 27 on Histone H3(H3K27)trimethylation,and depletion of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine(5hmC),all of which are hallmark epigenetic alterations in brain metastasis and primary Central Nervous System(CNS)tumors.Additionally,the blood-brain barrier(BBB)and blood-tumor barrier(BTB)impose nutrient restrictions and induce metabolic dependency on glutamine,acetate,and lactate shuttling,thereby reshaping epigenetic enzyme activity.We synthesize current mechanistic evidence showing how metabolic pressures in the brain microenvironment remodel the epigenome to promote tumor plasticity,stemness,and therapeutic resistance.Understanding these coupled pathways reveals vulnerable nodes such as HIF1αsignaling,α-KG-dependent demethylation,and lactate-driven epigenetic remodeling that may be exploited for targeted treatment of metastatic brain tumors.The present review aims to provide in-depth insights into epigenetic regulation,including chromatin and histone modifications as well as noncoding RNAs and metabolic reprogramming,highlighting how the two interplay in the development and progression of metastatic brain tumors and their therapeutic potential.展开更多
Background:Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is an aggressive and lethal malignancy.Metabolic reprogramming dynamically remodels the tumor microenvironment(TME)and drives HCC progression.This study investigated the mechani...Background:Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is an aggressive and lethal malignancy.Metabolic reprogramming dynamically remodels the tumor microenvironment(TME)and drives HCC progression.This study investigated the mechanism through which metabolic reprogramming remodels the TME in HCC.Methods:HCC patient transcriptome data were subjected to bioinformatics analysis to identify differentially expressed genes and immune infiltration status.Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to determine the correlation between succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit A(SDHA)expression and M2 macrophage infiltration.SDHA-knockdown or SDHA-overexpressing HCC cells were used for in vitro experiments,including co-culturing,flow cytometry,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Western blotting assay,functional assays,and subcutaneous tumor model mice were used to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying succinate-mediated HCC cell-macrophage interactions in the TME.Results:Higher infiltration of M2 macrophages correlated with worse prognosis in HCC patients.SDHA was downregulated in HCC tumor tissues and showed a negative correlation with M2 macrophage infiltration.SDHA knockdown promoted M2 macrophage polarization,whereas SDHA overexpression reversed this effect.Mechanistically,SDHA deficiency in HCC cells induced succinate accumulation,which promoted M2 macrophage polarization by activating the G protein-coupled receptor 91(GPR91)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)pathway.Concurrently,succinate stimulation enhanced mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in M2 macrophages,thereby promoting HCC progression.Serum succinate levels were elevated in HCC patients.The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that serum succinate is a promising diagnostic marker for HCC(area under the curve=0.815).Conclusion:SDHA deficiency leads to succinate accumulation,which promotes M2 macrophage polarization through the GPR91/STAT3 pathway,thereby facilitating HCC progression.Based on these findings,serum succinate could be a promising diagnostic biomarker for HCC.展开更多
Cancer is still a major public-health problem that threatens human life worldwide and further study needs to be carried out in the basic and preclinical areas.Although high-throughput sequencing technology and individ...Cancer is still a major public-health problem that threatens human life worldwide and further study needs to be carried out in the basic and preclinical areas.Although high-throughput sequencing technology and individualized precise therapy have made breakthroughs over the years,the high failure rate of clinical translational research has limited the innovation of antitumor drugs and triggered the urgent need for optimal cancer-research models.The development of cancerous cell lines,patient-derived xenograft(PDX)models,and organoid has strongly promoted the development of tumor-biology research,but the prediction values are limited.Conditional reprogramming(CR)is a novel cell-culture method for cancer research combining feeder cells with a Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase(ROCK)inhibitor,which enables the rapid and continuous proliferation of primary epithelial cells.In this review,we summarize the methodology to establish CR model and overview recent functions and applications of CR cell-culture models in cancer research with regard to the study of cancerbiology characterization,the exploration of therapeutic targets,individualized drug screening,the illumination of mechanisms about response to antitumor drugs,and the improvement of patient-derived animal models,and finally discuss in detail the major limitations of this cell-culture system.展开更多
The regeneration of sweat glands(SwGs)plays a pivotal role in the functional recovery of extensive skin wounds.Recent research has illuminated the possibility of reprogramming human epidermal ker-atinocytes(HEKs)into ...The regeneration of sweat glands(SwGs)plays a pivotal role in the functional recovery of extensive skin wounds.Recent research has illuminated the possibility of reprogramming human epidermal ker-atinocytes(HEKs)into induced SwG cells through the ectopic expression of ectodysplasin A.However,the clinical application of this genetic manipulation approach is inherently limited.In this study,we pre-sent findings demonstrating that a combination of six compounds can effectively and speedily reprogram HEKs in culture into fully functional SwG cells.These chemically induced SwG-like cells(ciSGCs)closely resemble the morphology,phenotypes,and functional properties of human primary SwG ductal cells.Furthermore,ciSGCs can be stimulated to differentiate into mature SwG cell types in vitro.In a 3D culture system,they can also generate SwG organoids that exhibit structural and biological features akin to native SwGs.Upon transplantation into scalded mouse paw skin,ciSGCs significantly expedited cuta-neous wound healing and completely restored the structural and functional aspects of the SwGs.In con-clusion,the small molecule cocktail-directed SwG reprogramming offers a non-transgenic and controllable strategy for producing high-quality,clinical-grade SwG cells,showing immense potential for the treatment of burn patients.展开更多
Cellular reprogramming allows for the de novo generation of human neurons and glial cells from patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders. Crucially, this technology preserves the genome of the donor individ...Cellular reprogramming allows for the de novo generation of human neurons and glial cells from patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders. Crucially, this technology preserves the genome of the donor individual and thus provides a unique opportunity for systematic investigation of genetic influences on neuronal pathophysiology. Although direct reprogramming of adult somatic cells to neurons is now possible, the majority of recent studies have used induced pluripotent stem cells （iPSCs） derived from patient fibroblasts to generate neural progenitors that can be differentiated to specific neural cell types. Investigations of monogenic diseases have established proof-of-principle for many aspects of cellular disease modeling, including targeted differentiation of neuronal populations and rescue of phenotypes in patient iPSC lines. Refinement of protocols to allow for efficient generation of iPSC lines from large patient cohorts may reveal common functional pathology and genetic interactions in diseases with a polygenic basis. We review several recent studies that illustrate the utility of iPSC-based cellular models of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders to identify novel phenotypes and therapeutic approaches.展开更多
Genomic aberrations induced by somatic cell reprogramming are a major drawback for future applications of this technology in regenerative medicine.A new study by Ji et al.published in Stem Cell Reports suggests a coun...Genomic aberrations induced by somatic cell reprogramming are a major drawback for future applications of this technology in regenerative medicine.A new study by Ji et al.published in Stem Cell Reports suggests a counteracting strategy based on balancing the mitochondrial/oxidative stress pathway through antioxidant supplementation.展开更多
The direct reprogramming of somatic cells into induced neural progenitor cells(iNPCs)has been envisioned as a promising approach to overcome ethical and clinical issues of pluripotent stem cell transplantation.We prev...The direct reprogramming of somatic cells into induced neural progenitor cells(iNPCs)has been envisioned as a promising approach to overcome ethical and clinical issues of pluripotent stem cell transplantation.We previously reported that astrocyte-derived induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs)have more tendencies for neuronal differentiation than fibroblast-derived iPSCs.However,the differences of neurogenic potential between astrocytederived iNPCs(AiNPCs)and iNPCs from non-neural origins,such as fibroblast-derived iNPCs(FiNPCs),and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.Our results suggested that AiNPCs exhibited higher differentiation efficiency,mobility and survival capacities,compared to FiNPCs.The whole transcriptome analysis revealed higher activities of TGFβsignaling in AiNPCs,versus FiNPCs,following a similar trend between astrocytes and fibroblasts.The higher neurogenic competence,migration ability,and cell death resistance of AiNPCs could be abrogated using TGFβ signaling inhibitor LY2157299.Hence,our study demonstrates the difference between iNPCs generated from neural and non-neural cells,together with the underlying mechanisms,which,provides valuable information for donor cell selection in the reprogramming approach.展开更多
Spinal cord injuries impose a notably economic burden on society,mainly because of the severe after-effects they cause.Despite the ongoing development of various therapies for spinal cord injuries,their effectiveness ...Spinal cord injuries impose a notably economic burden on society,mainly because of the severe after-effects they cause.Despite the ongoing development of various therapies for spinal cord injuries,their effectiveness remains unsatisfactory.However,a deeper understanding of metabolism has opened up a new therapeutic opportunity in the form of metabolic reprogramming.In this review,we explore the metabolic changes that occur during spinal cord injuries,their consequences,and the therapeutic tools available for metabolic reprogramming.Normal spinal cord metabolism is characterized by independent cellular metabolism and intercellular metabolic coupling.However,spinal cord injury results in metabolic disorders that include disturbances in glucose metabolism,lipid metabolism,and mitochondrial dysfunction.These metabolic disturbances lead to corresponding pathological changes,including the failure of axonal regeneration,the accumulation of scarring,and the activation of microglia.To rescue spinal cord injury at the metabolic level,potential metabolic reprogramming approaches have emerged,including replenishing metabolic substrates,reconstituting metabolic couplings,and targeting mitochondrial therapies to alter cell fate.The available evidence suggests that metabolic reprogramming holds great promise as a next-generation approach for the treatment of spinal cord injury.To further advance the metabolic treatment of the spinal cord injury,future efforts should focus on a deeper understanding of neurometabolism,the development of more advanced metabolomics technologies,and the design of highly effective metabolic interventions.展开更多
Direct in vivo conversion of astrocytes into functional new neurons induced by neural transcription factors has been recognized as a potential new therapeutic intervention for neural injury and degenerative disorders....Direct in vivo conversion of astrocytes into functional new neurons induced by neural transcription factors has been recognized as a potential new therapeutic intervention for neural injury and degenerative disorders. However, a few recent studies have claimed that neural transcription factors cannot convert astrocytes into neurons, attributing the converted neurons to pre-existing neurons mis-expressing transgenes. In this study, we overexpressed three distinct neural transcription factors––NeuroD1, Ascl1, and Dlx2––in reactive astrocytes in mouse cortices subjected to stab injury, resulting in a series of significant changes in astrocyte properties. Initially, the three neural transcription factors were exclusively expressed in the nuclei of astrocytes. Over time, however, these astrocytes gradually adopted neuronal morphology, and the neural transcription factors was gradually observed in the nuclei of neuron-like cells instead of astrocytes. Furthermore,we noted that transcription factor-infected astrocytes showed a progressive decrease in the expression of astrocytic markers AQP4(astrocyte endfeet signal), CX43(gap junction signal), and S100β. Importantly, none of these changes could be attributed to transgene leakage into preexisting neurons. Therefore, our findings suggest that neural transcription factors such as NeuroD1, Ascl1, and Dlx2 can effectively convert reactive astrocytes into neurons in the adult mammalian brain.展开更多
Aging is a pivotal risk factor for intervertebral disc degeneration(IVDD)and chronic low back pain(LBP).The restoration of aging nucleus pulposus cells(NPCs)to a youthful epigenetic state is crucial for IVDD treatment...Aging is a pivotal risk factor for intervertebral disc degeneration(IVDD)and chronic low back pain(LBP).The restoration of aging nucleus pulposus cells(NPCs)to a youthful epigenetic state is crucial for IVDD treatment,but remains a formidable challenge.Here,we proposed a strategy to partially reprogram and reinstate youthful epigenetics of senescent NPCs by delivering a plasmid carrier that expressed pluripotency-associated genes(Oct4,Klf4 and Sox2)in Cavin2-modified exosomes(OKS@M-Exo)for treatment of IVDD and alleviating LBP.The functional OKS@M-Exo efficaciously alleviated senescence markers(p16^(INK4a),p21^(CIP1)and p53),reduced DNA damage and H4K20me3 expression,as well as restored proliferation ability and metabolic balance in senescent NPCs,as validated through in vitro experiments.In a rat model of IVDD,OKS@M-Exo maintained intervertebral disc height,nucleus pulposus hydration and tissue structure,effectively ameliorated IVDD via decreasing the senescence markers.Additionally,OKS@MExo reduced nociceptive behavior and downregulated nociception markers,indicating its efficiency in alleviating LBP.The transcriptome sequencing analysis also demonstrated that OKS@M-Exo could decrease the expression of age-related pathways and restore cell proliferation.Collectively,reprogramming by the OKS@M-Exo to restore youthful epigenetics of senescent NPCs may hold promise as a therapeutic platform to treat IVDD.展开更多
Despite recent advances in understanding the biology of aging,the field remains fragmented due to the lack of a central organizing hypothesis.Although there are ongoing debates on whether the aging process is programm...Despite recent advances in understanding the biology of aging,the field remains fragmented due to the lack of a central organizing hypothesis.Although there are ongoing debates on whether the aging process is programmed or stochastic,it is now evident that neither perspective alone can fully explain the complexity of aging.Here,we propose the pro-aging metabolic reprogramming(PAMRP)theory,which integrates and unifies the genetic-program and stochastic hypotheses.This theory posits that aging is driven by degenerative metabolic reprogramming(MRP)over time,requiring the emergence of pro-aging substrates and triggers(PASs and PATs)to predispose cells to cellular and genetic reprogramming(CRP and GRP).展开更多
Cells undergo metabolic reprogramming to adapt to changes in nutrient availability, cellular activity, and transitions in cell states. The balance between glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration is crucial for energy...Cells undergo metabolic reprogramming to adapt to changes in nutrient availability, cellular activity, and transitions in cell states. The balance between glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration is crucial for energy production, and metabolic reprogramming stipulates a shift in such balance to optimize both bioenergetic efficiency and anabolic requirements. Failure in switching bioenergetic dependence can lead to maladaptation and pathogenesis. While cellular degradation is known to recycle precursor molecules for anabolism, its potential role in regulating energy production remains less explored. The bioenergetic switch between glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration involves transcription factors and organelle homeostasis, which are both regulated by the cellular degradation pathways. A growing body of studies has demonstrated that both stem cells and differentiated cells exhibit bioenergetic switch upon perturbations of autophagic activity or endolysosomal processes. Here, we highlighted the current understanding of the interplay between degradation processes, specifically autophagy and endolysosomes, transcription factors, endolysosomal signaling, and mitochondrial homeostasis in shaping cellular bioenergetics. This review aims to summarize the relationship between degradation processes and bioenergetics, providing a foundation for future research to unveil deeper mechanistic insights into bioenergetic regulation.展开更多
Müller glia,as prominent glial cells within the retina,plays a significant role in maintaining retinal homeostasis in both healthy and diseased states.In lower vertebrates like zebrafish,these cells assume respon...Müller glia,as prominent glial cells within the retina,plays a significant role in maintaining retinal homeostasis in both healthy and diseased states.In lower vertebrates like zebrafish,these cells assume responsibility for spontaneous retinal regeneration,wherein endogenous Müller glia undergo proliferation,transform into Müller glia-derived progenitor cells,and subsequently regenerate the entire retina with restored functionality.Conversely,Müller glia in the mouse and human retina exhibit limited neural reprogramming.Müller glia reprogramming is thus a promising strategy for treating neurodegenerative ocular disorders.Müller glia reprogramming in mice has been accomplished with remarkable success,through various technologies.Advancements in molecular,genetic,epigenetic,morphological,and physiological evaluations have made it easier to document and investigate the Müller glia programming process in mice.Nevertheless,there remain issues that hinder improving reprogramming efficiency and maturity.Thus,understanding the reprogramming mechanism is crucial toward exploring factors that will improve Müller glia reprogramming efficiency,and for developing novel Müller glia reprogramming strategies.This review describes recent progress in relatively successful Müller glia reprogramming strategies.It also provides a basis for developing new Müller glia reprogramming strategies in mice,including epigenetic remodeling,metabolic modulation,immune regulation,chemical small-molecules regulation,extracellular matrix remodeling,and cell-cell fusion,to achieve Müller glia reprogramming in mice.展开更多
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province(No.2021B1515120053)Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(Grant No.2024A1515140166).
文摘Background:Therapeutic responses of breast cancer vary among patients and lead to drug resistance and recurrence due to the heterogeneity.Current preclinical models,however,are inadequate for predicting individual patient responses towards different drugs.This study aimed to investigate the patient-derived breast cancer culture models for drug sensitivity evaluations.Methods:Tumor and adjacent tissues from female breast cancer patients were collected during surgery.Patient-derived breast cancer cells were cultured using the conditional reprogramming technique to establish 2D models.The obtained patient-derived conditional reprogramming breast cancer(CRBC)cells were subsequently embedded in alginate-gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel microspheres to form 3D culture models.Comparisons between 2D and 3D models were made using immunohistochemistry(tumor markers),MTS assays(cell viability),flow cytometry(apoptosis),transwell assays(migration),and Western blotting(protein expression).Drug sensitivity tests were conducted to evaluate patient-specific responses to anti-cancer agents.Results:2D and 3D culture models were successfully established using samples from eight patients.The 3D models retained histological and marker characteristics of the original tumors.Compared to 2D cultures,3D models exhibited increased apoptosis,enhanced drug resistance,elevated stem cell marker expression,and greater migration ability—features more reflective of in vivo tumor behavior.Conclusion:Patient-derived 3D CRBC models effectively mimic the in vivo tumor microenvironment and demonstrate stronger resistance to anti-cancer drugs than 2D models.These hydrogel-based models offer a cost-effective and clinically relevant platform for drug screening and personalized breast cancer treatment.
基金Supported by Russian Science Foundation,No.16-15-10432。
文摘BACKGROUND The development of regenerative therapy for human spinal cord injury(SCI)is dramatically restricted by two main challenges:the need for a safe source of functionally active and reproducible neural stem cells and the need of adequate animal models for preclinical testing.Direct reprogramming of somatic cells into neuronal and glial precursors might be a promising solution to the first challenge.The use of non-human primates for preclinical studies exploring new treatment paradigms in SCI results in data with more translational relevance to human SCI.AIM To investigate the safety and efficacy of intraspinal transplantation of directly reprogrammed neural precursor cells(drNPCs).METHODS Seven non-human primates with verified complete thoracic SCI were divided into two groups:drNPC group(n=4)was subjected to intraspinal transplantation of 5 million drNPCs rostral and caudal to the lesion site 2 wk post injury,and lesion control(n=3)was injected identically with the equivalent volume of vehicle.RESULTS Follow-up for 12 wk revealed that animals in the drNPC group demonstrated a significant recovery of the paralyzed hindlimb as well as recovery of somatosensory evoked potential and motor evoked potential of injured pathways.Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging data confirmed the intraspinal transplantation of drNPCs did not adversely affect the morphology of the central nervous system or cerebrospinal fluid circulation.Subsequent immunohistochemical analysis showed that drNPCs maintained SOX2 expression characteristic of multipotency in the transplanted spinal cord for at least 12 wk,migrating to areas of axon growth cones.CONCLUSION Our data demonstrated that drNPC transplantation was safe and contributed to improvement of spinal cord function after acute SCI,based on neurological status assessment and neurophysiological recovery within 12 wk after transplantation.The functional improvement described was not associated with neuronal differentiation of the allogeneic drNPCs.Instead,directed drNPCs migration to the areas of active growth cone formation may provide exosome and paracrine trophic support,thereby further supporting the regeneration processes.
基金part support by a GUMC COVID-19 grant (to XL)the support from Center for Cell Reprogramming,GUMC。
文摘Cancer cell lines have been used widely in cancer biology, and as biological or functional cell systems in many biomedical research fields. These cells are usually defective for many normal activities or functions due to significant genetic and epigenetic changes. Normal primary cell yields and viability from any original tissue specimens are usually relatively low or highly variable. These normal cells cease after a few passages or population doublings due to very limited proliferative capacity. Animal models(ferret, mouse, etc.) are often used to study virus-host interaction. However, viruses usually need to be adapted to the animals by several passages due to tropism restrictions including viral receptors and intracellular restrictions. Here we summarize applications of conditionally reprogrammed cells(CRCs), long-term cultures of normal airway epithelial cells from human nose to lung generated by conditional cell reprogramming(CR) technology, as an ex vivo model in studies of emerging viruses. CR allows to robustly propagate cells from non-invasive or minimally invasive specimens, for example, nasal or endobronchial brushing. This process is rapid(2 days) and conditional. The CRCs maintain their differentiation potential and lineage functions, and have been used for studies of adenovirus, rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza viruses, parvovirus, and SARS-CoV. The CRCs can be easily used for airliquid interface(ALI) polarized 3 D cultures, and these coupled CRC/ALI cultures mimic physiological conditions and are suitable for studies of viral entry including receptor binding and internalization, innate immune responses, viral replications, and drug discovery as an ex vivo model for emerging viruses.
基金funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China(82360801).
文摘Tumor metabolic reprogramming is a core hallmark of cancer,characterized by pathways such as aerobic glycolysis,aberrant lipid metabolism,and glutaminolysis that support rapid proliferation and immunosuppressive microenvironments.Circular RNAs(circRNAs)are highly stable,evolutionarily conserved non-coding RNAs that have emerged as critical modulators of these metabolic shifts.This review aims to systematically elucidate the roles and mechanisms of circRNAs in reprogramming tumor metabolism,and to discuss their clinical potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.Through mechanisms including miRNA sponging,protein interactions,regulation of mitochondrial dynamics,and modulation of metabolic enzymes,circRNAs influence key metabolic pathways by targeting glycolytic enzymes,lipid synthesis regulators,and glutaminolysis-related molecules to either facilitate or inhibit their expression.This review systematically summarizes the unique contributions of circRNAs to tumor metabolic reprogramming,highlighting key mechanisms such as regulation of peptide-encoding protein translation,mitochondrial localization function,gene promoter-targeted transcriptional regulation,and cross-pathway metabolic mediation,which underscore their distinct biological advantages and regulatory roles in tumor metabolism.The stability and tissue specificity of circRNAs make them promising diagnostic biomarkers,while their role in drug resistance mediated by metabolic reprogramming highlights their potential as therapeutic targets.Strategies such as circRNA inhibitors,mimics,and nanoparticle-based delivery systems are being explored to modulate tumor metabolism.Despite challenges including complex regulatory networks and limited manipulation tools,advances in high-throughput technologies and clinical trials hold promise for translating circRNA research into novel cancer therapies.
基金Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung city, Taiwan China, for its support。
文摘Long COVID is characterized by a group of persistent symptoms following the acute SARS-COV2 infection, which presented a multifaceted challenge to the healthcare systems all over the globe. The long COVID symptoms span various organ systems including the respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and neurological manifestations. Mitochondrial dysfunction and immune dysregulation play crucial roles in the long COVID pathophysiology. Recently nutritional intervention gained much attention in managing post-viral syndromes. Effective interventions like supplementation of omega-3 fatty acid, macro and micro nutrients, and vitamins help to reduce systemic inflammation and counteract muscle wasting. Other approaches like nutritional recovery, dietetic interventions, continuous nutritional care post-hospital discharge, nutritional rehabilitation programs,whole-diet approaches like Mediterranean diet, plant-based diet, and caloric optimization, improve overall functional recovery. Physical activity and exercise regimes have been shown to improve fatigue, dyspnea, and cognitive function. Tailored exercise regimes may promote safe rehabilitation. Certain ineffective interventions,such as non-personalized approaches, high dose of antioxidants, use of herbal products that are not clinically validated need to be addressed. Dietary interventions such as personalized nutritional counseling have been demonstrated to improve physical performance in long COVID patients. Further research is needed to refine protocols and identify optimal combinations of dietary and movement-based therapies to support the recovery of long-COVID patients. This narrative review focuses on the ongoing researches that reveals the intricate relationship between nutrition and long COVID recovery and also establishes effective protocols for nutritional care.
基金funded by the Medical and Health Technology Development Programin Shandong Province.Project number:202303031600.
文摘Background:Gastric cancer(GC)remains highly lethal,with metabolic reprogramming as a key hallmark.This study explores Centromere Protein F(CENPF)’s role in GC pathogenesis,specifically its regulation of glutamine metabolism.Methods:The Cancer Genome Atlas-Stomach Adenocarcinoma(TCGA-STAD),GSE19826,and GSE27342 datasets were analyzed by bioinformatics to identify key candidate genes in GC.The function of CENPF was assessed by flow cytometry,colony formation assays,and Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8).RNA sequencing,metabolic profiling,chromatin immunoprecipitation(ChIP),western blot(WB),and luciferase reporter assay were employed to investigate the fundamental mechanisms.Results:CENPF was upregulated in GC tumor samples and had a high diagnostic potential.CENPF knockdown declined cell proliferation,caused G2 arrest,and promoted apoptosis in GC cells.RNA sequencing revealed that CENPF was involved in glutamine metabolism.CENPF overexpression enhanced glutamine consumption and glutamate production,while glutamine deficiency reversed CENPF-mediated cell survival.CENPF stabilized cellular myelocytomatosis(c-Myc)by preventing proteasomal degradation,bound to the glutaminase(GLS)promoter,promoting glutamine metabolism.Overexpression of GLS or c-Myc rescued the CENPF knockdown’s inhibitory effect on GC cell growth.Conclusion:Our findings identify a new CENPF/c-Myc/GLS axis that affects glutamine metabolism and cell survival in GC,implying that CENPF might be a novel target for the treatment of GC.
基金supported by a grant from the Dalian Science and Technology Innovation Fund Program(No.2024JJ13PT070)United Foundation for Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics,Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University(No.DMU-2&DICP UN202410)Dalian Life and Health Field Guidance Program Project(No.2024ZDJH01PT084).
文摘Metabolic reprogramming involving branched-chain amino acids(BCAAs)—leucine,isoleucine,and valine—is increasingly recognized as pivotal in cancer progression,metastasis,and immune modulation.This review comprehensively explores how cancer cells rewire BCAA metabolism to enhance proliferation,survival,and therapy resistance.Tumors manipulate BCAA uptake and catabolism via high expression of transporters like L-type amino acid transporter 1(LAT1)and enzymes including branched chain amino acid transaminase 1(BCAT1),branched chain amino acid transaminase 2(BCAT2),branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase(BCKDH),and branched chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase kinase(BCKDK).These alterations sustain energy production,biosynthesis,redox homeostasis,and oncogenic signaling(especially mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1[mTORC1]).Crucially,tumor-driven BCAA depletion also shapes an immunosuppressive microenvironment,impairing anti-tumor immunity by limiting essential nutrients for T cells and natural killer(NK)cells.Innovative therapeutic strategies targeting BCAA pathways—ranging from selective small-molecule inhibitors(e.g.,LAT1 and BCAT1/2)to dietary modulation—have shown promising preclinical and early clinical efficacy,highlighting their potential to exploit metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer cells while bolstering immune responses.By integrating multi-omics data and precision targeting approaches,this review underscores the translational significance of BCAA metabolic reprogramming,positioning it as a novel frontier in cancer treatment.
文摘Metastatic brain tumors undergo profound metabolic-epigenetic reprogramming driven by the unique constraints of the brain microenvironment.Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF1α)enhances glycolytic flux,lactate accumulation,and histone lactylation,collectively supporting metastatic colonization and immune evasion.Key metabolites including acetyl-CoA,S-adenosylmethionine(SAM),α-ketoglutarate(α-KG),fumarate,and 2-hydroxyglutarate(2-HG)-directly modify chromatin states by regulating histone acetyltransferases,DNA/histone methyltransferases,andα-KG dependent dioxygenases such as Ten-Eleven Translocation(TET)enzymes and lysine demethylases(KDMs).These metabolic shifts result in aberrant DNA methylation,histone lysine residue at position 27 on Histone H3(H3K27)trimethylation,and depletion of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine(5hmC),all of which are hallmark epigenetic alterations in brain metastasis and primary Central Nervous System(CNS)tumors.Additionally,the blood-brain barrier(BBB)and blood-tumor barrier(BTB)impose nutrient restrictions and induce metabolic dependency on glutamine,acetate,and lactate shuttling,thereby reshaping epigenetic enzyme activity.We synthesize current mechanistic evidence showing how metabolic pressures in the brain microenvironment remodel the epigenome to promote tumor plasticity,stemness,and therapeutic resistance.Understanding these coupled pathways reveals vulnerable nodes such as HIF1αsignaling,α-KG-dependent demethylation,and lactate-driven epigenetic remodeling that may be exploited for targeted treatment of metastatic brain tumors.The present review aims to provide in-depth insights into epigenetic regulation,including chromatin and histone modifications as well as noncoding RNAs and metabolic reprogramming,highlighting how the two interplay in the development and progression of metastatic brain tumors and their therapeutic potential.
基金supported by the Central Government-Guided Local Science and Technology Development Fund Project(Science and Technology Innovation Base Project)(Grant No.236Z7749G)Hebei Provincial Precision Medicine Innovation and Development Joint Fund Incubation Project(Grant No.H2025206547)Hebei Provincial Basic Research Special Youth Science Fund Project(Grant No.H2025206274).
文摘Background:Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is an aggressive and lethal malignancy.Metabolic reprogramming dynamically remodels the tumor microenvironment(TME)and drives HCC progression.This study investigated the mechanism through which metabolic reprogramming remodels the TME in HCC.Methods:HCC patient transcriptome data were subjected to bioinformatics analysis to identify differentially expressed genes and immune infiltration status.Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to determine the correlation between succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit A(SDHA)expression and M2 macrophage infiltration.SDHA-knockdown or SDHA-overexpressing HCC cells were used for in vitro experiments,including co-culturing,flow cytometry,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Western blotting assay,functional assays,and subcutaneous tumor model mice were used to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying succinate-mediated HCC cell-macrophage interactions in the TME.Results:Higher infiltration of M2 macrophages correlated with worse prognosis in HCC patients.SDHA was downregulated in HCC tumor tissues and showed a negative correlation with M2 macrophage infiltration.SDHA knockdown promoted M2 macrophage polarization,whereas SDHA overexpression reversed this effect.Mechanistically,SDHA deficiency in HCC cells induced succinate accumulation,which promoted M2 macrophage polarization by activating the G protein-coupled receptor 91(GPR91)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)pathway.Concurrently,succinate stimulation enhanced mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in M2 macrophages,thereby promoting HCC progression.Serum succinate levels were elevated in HCC patients.The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that serum succinate is a promising diagnostic marker for HCC(area under the curve=0.815).Conclusion:SDHA deficiency leads to succinate accumulation,which promotes M2 macrophage polarization through the GPR91/STAT3 pathway,thereby facilitating HCC progression.Based on these findings,serum succinate could be a promising diagnostic biomarker for HCC.
基金This work was supported by grants from the National Science and Technology Major Project‘Key New Drug Creation and Manufacturing Program’[No.2018ZX09711002,China]Guangzhou Science and Technology Program[No.201707010048,China]the Science and Technology Foundation of Guangdong Province[No.2016A030312014,China].
文摘Cancer is still a major public-health problem that threatens human life worldwide and further study needs to be carried out in the basic and preclinical areas.Although high-throughput sequencing technology and individualized precise therapy have made breakthroughs over the years,the high failure rate of clinical translational research has limited the innovation of antitumor drugs and triggered the urgent need for optimal cancer-research models.The development of cancerous cell lines,patient-derived xenograft(PDX)models,and organoid has strongly promoted the development of tumor-biology research,but the prediction values are limited.Conditional reprogramming(CR)is a novel cell-culture method for cancer research combining feeder cells with a Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase(ROCK)inhibitor,which enables the rapid and continuous proliferation of primary epithelial cells.In this review,we summarize the methodology to establish CR model and overview recent functions and applications of CR cell-culture models in cancer research with regard to the study of cancerbiology characterization,the exploration of therapeutic targets,individualized drug screening,the illumination of mechanisms about response to antitumor drugs,and the improvement of patient-derived animal models,and finally discuss in detail the major limitations of this cell-culture system.
基金supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China(92268206)the CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences(CIFMS,2019-I2M-5-059)+3 种基金the Military Medical Research Projects(2023-JSKY-SSQG-006)the Independent Research Project of State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning,the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2023YFC3011900)the Specific Research Fund of The Innovation Platform for Academicians of Hainan Province(YSPTZX202317)the Open Project of the State Key Laboratory of Trauma,Burn and Combined Injury,Third Military Medical University(SKLKF202301).
文摘The regeneration of sweat glands(SwGs)plays a pivotal role in the functional recovery of extensive skin wounds.Recent research has illuminated the possibility of reprogramming human epidermal ker-atinocytes(HEKs)into induced SwG cells through the ectopic expression of ectodysplasin A.However,the clinical application of this genetic manipulation approach is inherently limited.In this study,we pre-sent findings demonstrating that a combination of six compounds can effectively and speedily reprogram HEKs in culture into fully functional SwG cells.These chemically induced SwG-like cells(ciSGCs)closely resemble the morphology,phenotypes,and functional properties of human primary SwG ductal cells.Furthermore,ciSGCs can be stimulated to differentiate into mature SwG cell types in vitro.In a 3D culture system,they can also generate SwG organoids that exhibit structural and biological features akin to native SwGs.Upon transplantation into scalded mouse paw skin,ciSGCs significantly expedited cuta-neous wound healing and completely restored the structural and functional aspects of the SwGs.In con-clusion,the small molecule cocktail-directed SwG reprogramming offers a non-transgenic and controllable strategy for producing high-quality,clinical-grade SwG cells,showing immense potential for the treatment of burn patients.
文摘Cellular reprogramming allows for the de novo generation of human neurons and glial cells from patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders. Crucially, this technology preserves the genome of the donor individual and thus provides a unique opportunity for systematic investigation of genetic influences on neuronal pathophysiology. Although direct reprogramming of adult somatic cells to neurons is now possible, the majority of recent studies have used induced pluripotent stem cells （iPSCs） derived from patient fibroblasts to generate neural progenitors that can be differentiated to specific neural cell types. Investigations of monogenic diseases have established proof-of-principle for many aspects of cellular disease modeling, including targeted differentiation of neuronal populations and rescue of phenotypes in patient iPSC lines. Refinement of protocols to allow for efficient generation of iPSC lines from large patient cohorts may reveal common functional pathology and genetic interactions in diseases with a polygenic basis. We review several recent studies that illustrate the utility of iPSC-based cellular models of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders to identify novel phenotypes and therapeutic approaches.
基金The authors declare no competing financial or commercial interests and acknowledge support from the Fritz Thyssen Foundation(grant AZ.10.11.2.160 to A.P.)the European Union(funding/FP7(FP7/2007-2013)/Grant Agreement n°305299/AgedBrainSYSBIO to J.A.).
文摘Genomic aberrations induced by somatic cell reprogramming are a major drawback for future applications of this technology in regenerative medicine.A new study by Ji et al.published in Stem Cell Reports suggests a counteracting strategy based on balancing the mitochondrial/oxidative stress pathway through antioxidant supplementation.
基金This work was supported in part by research grants from the State Key Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81830037 to J.Z.)the National Basic Research Program of China(973 Program Grant No.2014CB965001 to JZ)+5 种基金Innovative Research Groups of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81221001 to JZ)Joint Research Fund for Overseas Chinese,Hong Kong and Macao Young Scientists of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81329002 to JZ)the National Institutes of Health(No.1R01NS097195–01 to JZ)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81901333 to XX)Shanghai Sailing Program(No.19YF1451700 to XX)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation Grant(No.2018 M642087 to XX).
文摘The direct reprogramming of somatic cells into induced neural progenitor cells(iNPCs)has been envisioned as a promising approach to overcome ethical and clinical issues of pluripotent stem cell transplantation.We previously reported that astrocyte-derived induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs)have more tendencies for neuronal differentiation than fibroblast-derived iPSCs.However,the differences of neurogenic potential between astrocytederived iNPCs(AiNPCs)and iNPCs from non-neural origins,such as fibroblast-derived iNPCs(FiNPCs),and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.Our results suggested that AiNPCs exhibited higher differentiation efficiency,mobility and survival capacities,compared to FiNPCs.The whole transcriptome analysis revealed higher activities of TGFβsignaling in AiNPCs,versus FiNPCs,following a similar trend between astrocytes and fibroblasts.The higher neurogenic competence,migration ability,and cell death resistance of AiNPCs could be abrogated using TGFβ signaling inhibitor LY2157299.Hence,our study demonstrates the difference between iNPCs generated from neural and non-neural cells,together with the underlying mechanisms,which,provides valuable information for donor cell selection in the reprogramming approach.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82202681(to JW)the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province,Nos.LZ22H090003(to QC),LR23H060001(to CL).
文摘Spinal cord injuries impose a notably economic burden on society,mainly because of the severe after-effects they cause.Despite the ongoing development of various therapies for spinal cord injuries,their effectiveness remains unsatisfactory.However,a deeper understanding of metabolism has opened up a new therapeutic opportunity in the form of metabolic reprogramming.In this review,we explore the metabolic changes that occur during spinal cord injuries,their consequences,and the therapeutic tools available for metabolic reprogramming.Normal spinal cord metabolism is characterized by independent cellular metabolism and intercellular metabolic coupling.However,spinal cord injury results in metabolic disorders that include disturbances in glucose metabolism,lipid metabolism,and mitochondrial dysfunction.These metabolic disturbances lead to corresponding pathological changes,including the failure of axonal regeneration,the accumulation of scarring,and the activation of microglia.To rescue spinal cord injury at the metabolic level,potential metabolic reprogramming approaches have emerged,including replenishing metabolic substrates,reconstituting metabolic couplings,and targeting mitochondrial therapies to alter cell fate.The available evidence suggests that metabolic reprogramming holds great promise as a next-generation approach for the treatment of spinal cord injury.To further advance the metabolic treatment of the spinal cord injury,future efforts should focus on a deeper understanding of neurometabolism,the development of more advanced metabolomics technologies,and the design of highly effective metabolic interventions.
基金supported by the Key Project of Guangzhou City,No.202206060002Science and Technology Project of Guangdong Province,No.2018B030332001Guangdong Provincial Pearl River Project,No.2021ZT09Y552 (all to GC)。
文摘Direct in vivo conversion of astrocytes into functional new neurons induced by neural transcription factors has been recognized as a potential new therapeutic intervention for neural injury and degenerative disorders. However, a few recent studies have claimed that neural transcription factors cannot convert astrocytes into neurons, attributing the converted neurons to pre-existing neurons mis-expressing transgenes. In this study, we overexpressed three distinct neural transcription factors––NeuroD1, Ascl1, and Dlx2––in reactive astrocytes in mouse cortices subjected to stab injury, resulting in a series of significant changes in astrocyte properties. Initially, the three neural transcription factors were exclusively expressed in the nuclei of astrocytes. Over time, however, these astrocytes gradually adopted neuronal morphology, and the neural transcription factors was gradually observed in the nuclei of neuron-like cells instead of astrocytes. Furthermore,we noted that transcription factor-infected astrocytes showed a progressive decrease in the expression of astrocytic markers AQP4(astrocyte endfeet signal), CX43(gap junction signal), and S100β. Importantly, none of these changes could be attributed to transgene leakage into preexisting neurons. Therefore, our findings suggest that neural transcription factors such as NeuroD1, Ascl1, and Dlx2 can effectively convert reactive astrocytes into neurons in the adult mammalian brain.
基金supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China(2020YFA0908900)National Natural Science Foundation of China(21935011 and 82072490)+1 种基金Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission(KQTD20200820113012029 and KJZD20230923114612025)Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Biomaterials(2022B1212010003).
文摘Aging is a pivotal risk factor for intervertebral disc degeneration(IVDD)and chronic low back pain(LBP).The restoration of aging nucleus pulposus cells(NPCs)to a youthful epigenetic state is crucial for IVDD treatment,but remains a formidable challenge.Here,we proposed a strategy to partially reprogram and reinstate youthful epigenetics of senescent NPCs by delivering a plasmid carrier that expressed pluripotency-associated genes(Oct4,Klf4 and Sox2)in Cavin2-modified exosomes(OKS@M-Exo)for treatment of IVDD and alleviating LBP.The functional OKS@M-Exo efficaciously alleviated senescence markers(p16^(INK4a),p21^(CIP1)and p53),reduced DNA damage and H4K20me3 expression,as well as restored proliferation ability and metabolic balance in senescent NPCs,as validated through in vitro experiments.In a rat model of IVDD,OKS@M-Exo maintained intervertebral disc height,nucleus pulposus hydration and tissue structure,effectively ameliorated IVDD via decreasing the senescence markers.Additionally,OKS@MExo reduced nociceptive behavior and downregulated nociception markers,indicating its efficiency in alleviating LBP.The transcriptome sequencing analysis also demonstrated that OKS@M-Exo could decrease the expression of age-related pathways and restore cell proliferation.Collectively,reprogramming by the OKS@M-Exo to restore youthful epigenetics of senescent NPCs may hold promise as a therapeutic platform to treat IVDD.
文摘Despite recent advances in understanding the biology of aging,the field remains fragmented due to the lack of a central organizing hypothesis.Although there are ongoing debates on whether the aging process is programmed or stochastic,it is now evident that neither perspective alone can fully explain the complexity of aging.Here,we propose the pro-aging metabolic reprogramming(PAMRP)theory,which integrates and unifies the genetic-program and stochastic hypotheses.This theory posits that aging is driven by degenerative metabolic reprogramming(MRP)over time,requiring the emergence of pro-aging substrates and triggers(PASs and PATs)to predispose cells to cellular and genetic reprogramming(CRP and GRP).
文摘Cells undergo metabolic reprogramming to adapt to changes in nutrient availability, cellular activity, and transitions in cell states. The balance between glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration is crucial for energy production, and metabolic reprogramming stipulates a shift in such balance to optimize both bioenergetic efficiency and anabolic requirements. Failure in switching bioenergetic dependence can lead to maladaptation and pathogenesis. While cellular degradation is known to recycle precursor molecules for anabolism, its potential role in regulating energy production remains less explored. The bioenergetic switch between glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration involves transcription factors and organelle homeostasis, which are both regulated by the cellular degradation pathways. A growing body of studies has demonstrated that both stem cells and differentiated cells exhibit bioenergetic switch upon perturbations of autophagic activity or endolysosomal processes. Here, we highlighted the current understanding of the interplay between degradation processes, specifically autophagy and endolysosomes, transcription factors, endolysosomal signaling, and mitochondrial homeostasis in shaping cellular bioenergetics. This review aims to summarize the relationship between degradation processes and bioenergetics, providing a foundation for future research to unveil deeper mechanistic insights into bioenergetic regulation.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.31930068National Key Research and Development Program of China,Nos.2018YFA0107302 and 2021YFA1101203(all to HX).
文摘Müller glia,as prominent glial cells within the retina,plays a significant role in maintaining retinal homeostasis in both healthy and diseased states.In lower vertebrates like zebrafish,these cells assume responsibility for spontaneous retinal regeneration,wherein endogenous Müller glia undergo proliferation,transform into Müller glia-derived progenitor cells,and subsequently regenerate the entire retina with restored functionality.Conversely,Müller glia in the mouse and human retina exhibit limited neural reprogramming.Müller glia reprogramming is thus a promising strategy for treating neurodegenerative ocular disorders.Müller glia reprogramming in mice has been accomplished with remarkable success,through various technologies.Advancements in molecular,genetic,epigenetic,morphological,and physiological evaluations have made it easier to document and investigate the Müller glia programming process in mice.Nevertheless,there remain issues that hinder improving reprogramming efficiency and maturity.Thus,understanding the reprogramming mechanism is crucial toward exploring factors that will improve Müller glia reprogramming efficiency,and for developing novel Müller glia reprogramming strategies.This review describes recent progress in relatively successful Müller glia reprogramming strategies.It also provides a basis for developing new Müller glia reprogramming strategies in mice,including epigenetic remodeling,metabolic modulation,immune regulation,chemical small-molecules regulation,extracellular matrix remodeling,and cell-cell fusion,to achieve Müller glia reprogramming in mice.
