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Factors derived from mouse embryonic stem cells promote self-renewal of goat embryonic stem-like cells.

Goat embryonic stem (ES)-like cells could be isolated from primary materials-inner cell masses (ICMs) and remain undifferentiated for eight passages in a new culture system containing mouse ES cell conditioned medium (ESCCM) and on a feeder layer of mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs). However, when cultured in medium without mouse ESCCM, goat ES-like cells could not survive for more than three passages. In addition, no ES-like cells could be obtained when ICMs were cultured on goat embryo fibroblasts or the primary materials-whole goat blastocysts were cultured on MEFs. Goat ES-like cells isolated from ICMs had a normal karyotype and highly expressed alkaline phosphatase. Multiple differentiation potency of the ES-like cells was confirmed by differentiation into neural cells and fibroblast-like cells in vitro. These results suggest that mouse ES cells might secrete factors playing important roles in promoting goat ES-like cells' self-renewal, moreover, the feeder layers and primary materials could also influence the successful isolation of goat ES-like cells.

Animals↗

Characterization of neural stem cells on electrospun poly(L-lactic acid) nanofibrous scaffold.

Nanofibrous poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) scaffolds were fabricated by an electrospinning technique and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, mercury porosimeter, atomic force microscopy and contact-angle test. The produced PLLA fibers with diameters ranging from 150 to 350 nm were randomly orientated with interconnected pores varying from several microm to about 140 microm in-between to form a three-dimensional architecture, which resembles the natural extracellular matrix structure in human body. The in vitro cell culture study was performed and the results indicate that the nanofibrous scaffold not only supports neural stem cell (NSC) differentiation and neurites out-growth, but also promotes NSC adhesion. The favorable interaction between the NSCs and the nanofibrous scaffold may be due to the greatly improved surface roughness of the electrospun nanofibrous scaffold. As evidenced by this study, the electrospun nanofibrous scaffold is expected to play a significant role in neural tissue engineering.

Animals↗

Surface markers expressed by multipotent human and mouse neural progenitor cells include tetraspanins and non-protein epitopes.

Surface molecules play important roles in a wide range of cellular functions, yet little has been reported regarding the expression of such markers by neural stem cells. Here, multipotent human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) were expanded as a monolayer in the presence of fibroblast/epidermal growth factor, harvested, labeled with monoclonal antibodies, and analyzed by flow cytometry. Positive markers included CD9, CD15, CD81, CD95 (Fas), GD(2) ganglioside, and major histocompatibility complex class I and beta2 microglobulin, as well as low levels of the hematopoietic stem cell marker CD34. Of these, mouse NPCs were positive for CD9, CD15, CD81, and GD(2) ganglioside. The markers reported here have been implicated in a wide range of cellular functions including proliferation, migration, differentiation, apoptosis, and immune recognition.

Animals↗

In vitro and in vivo characterization of neural stem cells.

Neural stem cells are defined as clonogenic cells with self-renewal capacity and the ability to generate all neural lineages (multipotentiality). Cells with these characteristics have been isolated from the embryonic and adult central nervous system. Under specific conditions, these cells can differentiate into neurons, glia, and non-neural cell types, or proliferate in long-term cultures as cell clusters termed "neurospheres". These cultures represent a useful model for neurodevelopmental studies and a potential cell source for cell replacement therapy. Because no specific markers are available to unequivocally identify neural stem cells, their functional characteristics (self-renewal and multipotentiality) provide the main features for their identification. Here, we review the experimental and ultrastructural studies aimed at identifying the morphological characteristics and the antigenic markers of neural stem cells for their in vitro and in vivo identification.

Animals↗

Stem cells and the formation of the myocardium in the vertebrate embryo.

A major goal in cardiovascular biology is to repair diseased or damaged hearts with newly generated myocardial tissue. Stem cells offer a potential source of replacement myocytes for restoring cardiac function. Yet little is known about the nature of the cells that are able to generate myocardium and the conditions they require to form heart tissue. A source of information that may be pertinent to addressing these issues is the study of how the myocardium arises from progenitor cells in the early vertebrate embryo. Accordingly, this review will examine the initial events of cardiac developmental biology for insights into the identity and characteristics of the stem cells that can be used to generate myocardial tissue for therapeutic purposes.

Animals↗

Instructive role of Wnt/beta-catenin in sensory fate specification in neural crest stem cells.

Wnt signaling has recently emerged as a key factor in controlling stem cell expansion. In contrast, we show here that Wnt/beta-catenin signal activation in emigrating neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) has little effect on the population size and instead regulates fate decisions. Sustained beta-catenin activity in neural crest cells promotes the formation of sensory neural cells in vivo at the expense of virtually all other neural crest derivatives. Moreover, Wnt1 is able to instruct early NCSCs (eNCSCs) to adopt a sensory neuronal fate in a beta-catenin-dependent manner. Thus, the role of Wnt/beta-catenin in stem cells is cell-type dependent.

Animals↗

Brain transplantation of human neural stem cells transduced with tyrosine hydroxylase and GTP cyclohydrolase 1 provides functional improvement in animal models of Parkinson disease.

Parkinson disease is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons resulting in movement disorder. Neural stem cells (NSC) of the CNS have recently aroused a great deal of interest, not only because of their importance in basic research of neural development, but also for their therapeutic potential in neurological disorders. We have recently generated an immortalized human NSC cell line, HB1.F3, via retrovirus-mediated v-myc transfer. This line is capable of self-renewal, is multipotent, and expresses cell specific markers for NSC, ATP-binding cassettes transporter (ABCG2) and nestin. Next, we co-transduced the F3 NSC line with genes encoding tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and GTP cyclohydrolase 1 (GTPCH1) in order to generate dopamine-producing NSC. The F3.TH.GTPCH human NSC line expresses TH and GTPCH phenotypes as determined by RT-PCR, western blotting and immunocytochemistry, and shows a 800 to 2000-fold increase in production of L-dihydroxyphenyl alanine in HPLC analysis. A marked improvement in amphetamine-induced turning behavior was observed in parkinsonian rats implanted with F3.TH.GTPCH cells, but not in control rats receiving F3 NSC. In the animals showing functional improvement, a large number of TH-positive F3.TH.GTPCH NSC were found at injection sites. These results indicate that human NSC, genetically transduced with TH and GTPCH1 genes, have great potential in clinical utility for cell replacement therapy in patients suffering from Parkinson disease.

Animals↗

Multipotent human hematopoietic cell line K562: lineage-specific constitutive and inducible antigens.

K562 cells have been reported to display a variety of non-erythroid properties. Using 28 lineage-specific monoclonal antibodies, we analysed which antigens are present spontaneously and which are inducible by a variety of agents. The data suggest that (1) antigens of a given lineage are preferentially responsive to certain inducers, e.g. megakaryocytic antigens to phorbol ester, and (2) a given inducer may influence antigens of different lineages in opposite directions, e.g. phorbol dibutyrate, not only induces megakaryocytic antigens, but also decreases granulocyte and erythroid antigens. We conclude that the K562 cell, despite its malignant origin, retains some capacity for expression of alternative programs of differentiation, a characteristic of the normal multipotent hematopoietic stem cell.

Antigens↗

Molecular characterization of mouse gastric zymogenic cells.

Zymogenic cells (ZCs), acid-producing parietal cells (PCs), and mucus-secreting pit cells are the principal epithelial lineages in the stomachs of adult mice and humans. Each lineage is derived from the multipotent gastric stem cell and undergoes perpetual renewal within discrete mucosal invaginations (gastric units). In this report, we analyze the molecular features of ZCs and their contributions to gastric epithelial homeostasis. GeneChip analysis yielded a dataset of 57 mRNAs encoding known proteins and 14 ESTs enriched in adult mouse ZCs. This dataset, obtained from comparisons of cellular populations purified by counterflow elutriation and lectin panning, was validated by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR studies of the in vivo expression of selected genes using cells harvested from different regions of gastric units by laser capture microdissection. ZC-enriched mRNAs include regulators of angiogenesis (e.g. platelet-derived growth factors A and B). Because PCs are enriched in transcripts encoding other angiogenic factors (e.g. Vegfb), the contributions of these two lineages to vascular development was examined by performing quantitative three-dimensional imaging of the capillary networks that surround gastric units in two types of mice. In normal adult gnotobiotic FVB/N animals, network density is on average 2-fold higher in ZC- and PC-containing units located in the proximal (corpus) region of the stomach compared with units positioned in the distal (antral) region that lack these lineages (p < 0.01). Gnotobiotic transgenic mice with an engineered ablation of all ZCs and PCs have a 2-fold reduction in capillary network density in their corpus region gastric units compared with the corpus units of normal littermates (p < 0.01). These results support an emerging theme that angiogenesis in the adult mouse gut is modulated by cross-talk between its epithelial lineages and the underlying mesenchyme.

Animals↗

Differentiation of neuronal cells in fragile X syndrome.

Neural stem cells are multipotent cells which give rise to neurons and glia of the mammalian central nervous system. Recently, we found that differentiation of neural stem cells is altered in fragile X syndrome, a developmental brain disorder with disturbances in the molecular mechanisms that mediate learning and memory. The absence of fragile X mental retardation protein caused an increased number of new-born cells in the subventricular region of the embryonic mouse brain and substantial aberrances in the differentiation of both human and mouse neural stem cells in vitro. Here, alterations of neuronal cell differentiation in fragile X syndrome, the implications of our recent findings, and some open questions that need to be addressed, are discussed.

Animals↗

Mesenchymal stem cells: will they have a role in the clinic?

In addition to hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), human post natal bone marrow contains another stem cell capable of giving rise to multiple mesenchymal cell lineages. Termed mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) based on their capacity for multi-lineage differentiation, these cells can easily be obtained following a simple bone marrow aspiration procedure and subsequently expanded in culture through as many as 50 population doublings. This extensive capacity for expansion in vitro at clinical scale has recently facilitated the development of clinical trials designed to assess the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of transplanting MSC for a variety of pathological conditions. This review focuses on the background and rationale for performing clinical studies of MSC transplantation and will discuss the potential role that MSC may play in the correction or modification of human diseases.

Animals↗

Adult stem cells and cancer stem cells: tie in or tear apart?

Stem cell research is one of the new frontiers of medical science. Because of the unique self-renewable ability and powerful potential to differentiate, stem cells can be viewed as the mother of all cells in the body and have been investigated as a possible tool for reversing the degeneration and damage on organs. Recently, successful isolating cancerous stem cells from leukemia, breast and brain cancers provide a new target for eliminate cancer; however, it hints an increasing caution in using adult stem cells for organ repair. Cancerous stem cells share the same properties of self-renewal and differentiation with normal stem cells, with the addition of similar phenotype of adult stem cells isolated from the same tissue. Some believe that cancerous stem cells are derived from mutation of the normal stem cells, whereas others suspect it to be from different origins. Further investigation of the intrinsic factor underlying the behavior of adult stem cells and cancerous stem cells will shed light on both the fields of tissue engineering and cancer therapy. In this review, recent progresses in the studies of adult stem cells and cancerous stem cells are summarized to facilitate a better understanding and elicit much attention in this field.

Animals↗

Isolation of a highly clonogenic and multipotential subfraction of adult stem cells from bone marrow stroma.

Attempts have been made to develop cell and gene therapies using the adult stem cells from bone marrow referred to as mesenchymal stem cells or marrow stromal cells (MSCs). However, the results have been variable in part because there are no standardized protocols for preparing and characterizing MSCs. In the experiments presented here, we developed a standardized assay by light scattering to measure the content of rapidly self-renewing cells (RS cells) in preparations of MSCs. The assay quickly identifies preparations of MSCs that replicate rapidly in subsequent culture. In addition, the standardized assay enabled us to isolate RS cells that were up to 90% clonogenic and that generated single cell-derived colonies that differentiated into either mineralizing cells or adipocytes with appropriate additions to the medium.

Adipocytes↗

Activation of REST/NRSF target genes in neural stem cells is sufficient to cause neuronal differentiation.

REST/NRSF is a transcriptional repressor that acts at the terminal stage of the neuronal differentiation pathway and blocks the transcription of several differentiation genes. REST/NRSF is generally downregulated during induction of neuronal differentiation. The recombinant transcription factor REST-VP16 binds to the same DNA binding site as does REST/NRSF but functions as an activator instead of a repressor and can directly activate the transcription of REST/NRSF target genes. However, it is not known whether REST-VP16 expression is sufficient to cause formation of functional neurons from neural stem cells (NSCs). Here we show that regulated expression of REST-VP16 in a physiologically relevant NSC line growing under cycling conditions converted the cells rapidly to the mature neuronal phenotype. Furthermore, when grown in the presence of retinoic acid, REST-VP16-expressing NSCs activated their target, as well as other differentiation genes that are not their direct target, converting them to the mature neuronal phenotype and enabling them to survive in the presence of mitotic inhibitors, which is a characteristic of mature neurons. In addition, these neuronal cells were physiologically active. These results showed that direct activation of REST/NRSF target genes in NSCs with a single transgene, REST-VP16, is sufficient to cause neuronal differentiation, and the findings suggested that direct activation of genes involved in the terminal stage of differentiation may cause neuronal differentiation of NSCs.

Animals↗

Small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. A clinicopathologic, morphometric, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study of 18 cases.

A multiinstitutional review of 3778 patients with a primary malignancy of the urinary bladder revealed 18 cases (0.48%) of small cell carcinoma which were histologically and morphometrically identical to pulmonary small cell undifferentiated carcinoma. Age, sex, and symptoms at first presentation were comparable to that known in transitional cell carcinoma. Sixteen patients (89%) developed metastatic disease, with most frequent involvement of regional lymph nodes, liver, skeleton, and abdominal cavity. The unfavorable clinical outcome was worse as compared with that reported in advanced stage poorly differentiated transitional cell carcinoma, and was similar to the rapidly fatal outcome of pulmonary small cell undifferentiated carcinoma. Fourteen patients (78%) died by tumor at a mean follow-up period of 9.4 months, and only one patient was free of recurrent disease more than 5 years after cystectomy. This apparent aggressive tumor behavior was independent of the presence of neuroendocrine differentiation characteristics at immunohistochemical (13 cases, 72%) or electron microscopic study (eight cases, 44%). The prolonged survival periods (15-38 months) of the five patients who received combination chemotherapy suggested that, just as in small cell lung carcinoma, chemotherapy may be profitable. A unified concept of histogenesis of bladder cancer with a common origin from a multipotent mucosal stem cell is proposed.

Aged↗

PKCepsilon induces astrocytic differentiation of multipotential neural precursor cells.

In this study, we examined the role of PKC in the differentiation of multipotential neural precursor cells (NPCs). We found that the NPCs expressed PKCalpha,beta2,delta,epsilon,zeta and low levels of PKCgamma. The PKC activator, PMA, selectively increased the number of astrocytes, whereas it decreased the generation of neurons and oligodendrocytes. Similarly, overexpression of PKCepsilon increased the differentiation of astrocytes and a PKCepsilonKD mutant abolished PMA effect. PMA phosphorylates PKCepsilon on serine 729. Using a PKCepsilonS729A mutant, we found that the phosphorylation of PKCepsilon on serine 729 was essential for the differentiation of astrocytes induced by PMA. To delineate the mechanisms involved in PMA and PKCepsilon effects, we examined the expression of Notch1, which has been associated with astrocytic differentiation. We found that PMA and PKCepsilon induced a large increase in Notch1 expression and the PKCepsilonS729A mutant abolished PMA effect. Moreover, the PKCepsilonS729A mutant also inhibited the effect of CNTF on astrocytic differentiation and Notch 1 expression. Finally, Notch1 mediated the effect of PMA on astrocytic differentiation, since the gamma-secretase inhibitor L-685,458, and Notch1 silencing abolished PMA effect. Our data suggest an important role of PKCepsilon in astrocytic differentiation and implicate Notch1 as a possible mediator of this effect.

Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases↗

Generation of cardiomyocytes from embryonic stem cells experimental studies.

BACKGROUND: Cardiomyopathy is characterized by the loss of functional cardiomyocytes resulting in heart failure. More recently, there is increasing evidence from animal studies that transplantation of cardiomyocytes may represent a valuable approach for the treatment of severe heart failure. DEVELOPMENT OF CARDIAC CELLS: Treatment of cardiovascular diseases using cardiomyocytes derived from embryonic stem cells prerequisites establishment of pure lineages of early embryonic cardiomyocytes from human embryonic stem cells. The development of cardiac cells from embryonic stem cells is regulated by several growth factors such as TGF-beta, IGF FGF and erythropoietin. After binding to their receptor, growth factors induce expression of a number of cardiac specific transcription factors such as the zinc finger GATA proteins and Nkx-2.5, a coactivator of the GATA-4 protein. The GATA-4 transcription factor and Nkx-2.5 are essential for heart development. In parallel to adult cardiomyocytes, embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes developmentally express cardiac specific proteins and ion channels. GENERATION FROM EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS: Recently, it has been shown that pure cardiomyocytes can be generated from genetically manipulated embryonic stem cells. In order to achieve the selective cardiac differentiation of embryonic stem cells different culture conditions are currently tested to examine in the future the influence of different growth factors. However, although significant progress has been made in generating pure cardiomyocytes, further efforts are required to avoid possible immunological rejection of the engrafted cardiomyocytes. Thus, a main challenge in the future will be the establishment of pure lineages of cardiomyocytes derived from human embryonic stem cells.

Adult↗