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Armijo E, Edwards G, Flores A, Vera J, Shahnawaz M, Moda F, Gonzalez C, Sanhueza M, Soto C. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Precursors Improve Memory, Synaptic and Pathological Abnormalities in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071802. [PMID: 34359972 PMCID: PMC8303262 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia in the elderly population. The disease is characterized by progressive memory loss, cerebral atrophy, extensive neuronal loss, synaptic alterations, brain inflammation, extracellular accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, and intracellular accumulation of hyper-phosphorylated tau (p-tau) protein. Many recent clinical trials have failed to show therapeutic benefit, likely because at the time in which patients exhibit clinical symptoms the brain is irreversibly damaged. In recent years, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been suggested as a promising cell therapy to recover brain functionality in neurodegenerative diseases such as AD. To evaluate the potential benefits of iPSCs on AD progression, we stereotaxically injected mouse iPSC-derived neural precursors (iPSC-NPCs) into the hippocampus of aged triple transgenic (3xTg-AD) mice harboring extensive pathological abnormalities typical of AD. Interestingly, iPSC-NPCs transplanted mice showed improved memory, synaptic plasticity, and reduced AD brain pathology, including a reduction of amyloid and tangles deposits. Our findings suggest that iPSC-NPCs might be a useful therapy that could produce benefit at the advanced clinical and pathological stages of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Armijo
- Mitchell Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Brain Disorders, Department of Neurology, Mc Govern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (E.A.); (G.E.); (A.F.); (M.S.); (F.M.); (C.G.)
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Av. San Carlos de Apoquindo 2200, Las Condes, Santiago 7550000, Chile
| | - George Edwards
- Mitchell Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Brain Disorders, Department of Neurology, Mc Govern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (E.A.); (G.E.); (A.F.); (M.S.); (F.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Andrea Flores
- Mitchell Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Brain Disorders, Department of Neurology, Mc Govern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (E.A.); (G.E.); (A.F.); (M.S.); (F.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Jorge Vera
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago 7800024, Chile; (J.V.); (M.S.)
| | - Mohammad Shahnawaz
- Mitchell Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Brain Disorders, Department of Neurology, Mc Govern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (E.A.); (G.E.); (A.F.); (M.S.); (F.M.); (C.G.)
| | - Fabio Moda
- Mitchell Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Brain Disorders, Department of Neurology, Mc Govern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (E.A.); (G.E.); (A.F.); (M.S.); (F.M.); (C.G.)
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Division of Neurology 5 and Neuropathology, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Cesar Gonzalez
- Mitchell Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Brain Disorders, Department of Neurology, Mc Govern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (E.A.); (G.E.); (A.F.); (M.S.); (F.M.); (C.G.)
- Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias, Universidad San Sebastián, Puerto Montt 5480000, Chile
| | - Magdalena Sanhueza
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago 7800024, Chile; (J.V.); (M.S.)
| | - Claudio Soto
- Mitchell Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Brain Disorders, Department of Neurology, Mc Govern Medical School, University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (E.A.); (G.E.); (A.F.); (M.S.); (F.M.); (C.G.)
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Av. San Carlos de Apoquindo 2200, Las Condes, Santiago 7550000, Chile
- Correspondence:
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Icariin Promotes Survival, Proliferation, and Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells In Vitro and in a Rat Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Stem Cells Int 2021; 2021:9974625. [PMID: 34257671 PMCID: PMC8249160 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9974625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves the degeneration of cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain. Neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for treating AD. Icariin (ICA) is the main active component in Epimedium, a traditional Chinese herb. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of ICA on the proliferation and differentiation of NSCs in the basal forebrain of a fimbria-fornix transection (FFT) rat model. In the present study, ICA promoted the survival, proliferation, and migration of NSCs in vitro. In FFT rats, ICA promoted the proliferation and differentiation of NSCs into neurons and increased the number of cholinergic neurons in the MS and VDB of the basal forebrain. These results suggest that combination therapy of ICA oral administration and NSC transplantation may provide a new potential and effective approach for AD therapy.
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Mitra S, Behbahani H, Eriksdotter M. Innovative Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease-With Focus on Biodelivery of NGF. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:38. [PMID: 30804738 PMCID: PMC6370742 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with abnormal protein modification, inflammation and memory impairment. Aggregated amyloid beta (Aβ) and phosphorylated tau proteins are medical diagnostic features. Loss of memory in AD has been associated with central cholinergic dysfunction in basal forebrain, from where the cholinergic circuitry projects to cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Various reports link AD progression with declining activity of cholinergic neurons in basal forebrain. The neurotrophic molecule, nerve growth factor (NGF), plays a major role in the maintenance of cholinergic neurons integrity and function, both during development and adulthood. Numerous studies have also shown that NGF contributes to the survival and regeneration of neurons during aging and in age-related diseases such as AD. Changes in neurotrophic signaling pathways are involved in the aging process and contribute to cholinergic and cognitive decline as observed in AD. Further, gradual dysregulation of neurotrophic factors like NGF and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have been reported during AD development thus intensifying further research in targeting these factors as disease modifying therapies against AD. Today, there is no cure available for AD and the effects of the symptomatic treatment like cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) and memantine are transient and moderate. Although many AD treatment studies are being carried out, there has not been any breakthrough and new therapies are thus highly needed. Long-term effective therapy for alleviating cognitive impairment is a major unmet need. Discussion and summarizing the new advancements of using NGF as a potential therapeutic implication in AD are important. In summary, the intent of this review is describing available experimental and clinical data related to AD therapy, priming to gain additional facts associated with the importance of NGF for AD treatment, and encapsulated cell biodelivery (ECB) as an efficient tool for NGF delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumonto Mitra
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Homira Behbahani
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Maria Eriksdotter
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.,Aging Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Azizi F, Jalil H, Nasiri Z, Moshtaghian J, Esmaeili F, Doostmohammadi A, Shabani L, Ebrahimie E. The combined effects of three-dimensional cell culture and natural tissue extract on neural differentiation of P19 embryonal carcinoma stem cells. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2018; 12:1909-1924. [PMID: 29905008 DOI: 10.1002/term.2712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Tissue engineering, as a novel transplantation therapy, aims to create biomaterial scaffolds resembling the extracellular matrix in order to regenerate the damaged tissues. Adding bioactive factors to the scaffold would improve cell-tissue interactions. In this study, the effect of chitosan polyvinyl alcohol nanofibres containing carbon nanotube scaffold with or without active bioglass (BG+ /BG- ), in combination with neonatal rat brain extract on cell viability, proliferation, and neural differentiation of P19 embryonic carcinoma stem cells was investigated. To induce differentiation, the cells were cultured in α-MEM supplemented with neonatal rat brain extract on the scaffolds. The expression of undifferentiated stem cell markers as well as neuroepithelial and neural-specific markers was evaluated and confirmed by real-time Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunofluorescence procedures. Finally, the three-dimensional (3D) cultured cells were implanted into the damaged neural tubes of chick embryos, and their fates were followed in ovo. Based on the histological and immunofluorescence observations, the transplanted cells were able to survive, migrate, and penetrate into the host embryonic tissues. Gene network analysis suggested the possible involvement of neurotransmitters as a downstream target of synaptophysin and tyrosine hydroxylase. Overall, the results of this study indicated that combining the effects of 3D cell culture and natural brain tissue extract can accelerate the differentiation of P19 embryonic carcinoma cells into neuronal phenotype cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faezeh Azizi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Jalil
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Zohreh Nasiri
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Jamal Moshtaghian
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Fariba Esmaeili
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Ali Doostmohammadi
- Department of Materials, Faculty of Engineering, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Leila Shabani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Esmaeil Ebrahimie
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,School of Information Technology and Mathematical Sciences, Division of Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Institute of Biotechnology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.,School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Pramanik S, Sulistio YA, Heese K. Neurotrophin Signaling and Stem Cells-Implications for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Stem Cell Therapy. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:7401-7459. [PMID: 27815842 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-0214-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Neurotrophins (NTs) are members of a neuronal growth factor protein family whose action is mediated by the tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) receptor family receptors and the p75 NT receptor (p75NTR), a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family. Although NTs were first discovered in neurons, recent studies have suggested that NTs and their receptors are expressed in various types of stem cells mediating pivotal signaling events in stem cell biology. The concept of stem cell therapy has already attracted much attention as a potential strategy for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). Strikingly, NTs, proNTs, and their receptors are gaining interest as key regulators of stem cells differentiation, survival, self-renewal, plasticity, and migration. In this review, we elaborate the recent progress in understanding of NTs and their action on various stem cells. First, we provide current knowledge of NTs, proNTs, and their receptor isoforms and signaling pathways. Subsequently, we describe recent advances in the understanding of NT activities in various stem cells and their role in NDs, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Finally, we compile the implications of NTs and stem cells from a clinical perspective and discuss the challenges with regard to transplantation therapy for treatment of AD and PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subrata Pramanik
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea
| | - Yanuar Alan Sulistio
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea
| | - Klaus Heese
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea.
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Comparative effect of immature neuronal or glial cell transplantation on motor functional recovery following experimental traumatic brain injury in rats. Exp Ther Med 2016; 12:1671-1680. [PMID: 27602084 PMCID: PMC4998226 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2016.3527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study evaluated the comparative effect of stereotaxically transplanted immature neuronal or glial cells in brain on motor functional recovery and cytokine expression after cold-induced traumatic brain injury (TBI) in adult rats. A total of 60 rats were divided into four groups (n=15/group): Sham group; TBI only group; TBI plus neuronal cells-transplanted group (NC-G); and TBI plus glial cells-transplanted group (GC-G). Cortical lesions were induced by a touching metal stamp, frozen with liquid nitrogen, to the dura mater over the motor cortex of adult rats. Neuronal and glial cells were isolated from rat embryonic and newborn cortices, respectively, and cultured in culture flasks. Rats received neurons or glia grafts (~1×106 cells) 5 days after TBI was induced. Motor functional evaluation was performed with the rotarod test prior to and following glial and neural cell grafts. Five rats from each group were sacrificed at 2, 4 and 6 weeks post-cell transplantation. Immunofluorescence staining was performed on brain section to identify the transplanted neuronal or glial cells using neural and astrocytic markers. The expression levels of cytokines, including transforming growth factor-β, glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor, which have key roles in the proliferation, differentiation and survival of neural cells, were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. A localized cortical lesion was evoked in all injured rats, resulting in significant motor deficits. Transplanted cells successfully migrated and survived in the injured brain lesion, and the expression of neuronal and astrocyte markers were detected in the NC-G and GC-G groups, respectively. Rats in the NC-G and GC-G cell-transplanted groups exhibited significant motor functional recovery and reduced histopathologic lesions, as compared with the TBI-G rats that did not receive neural cells (P<0.05, respectively). Furthermore, GC-G treatment induced significantly improved motor functional recovery, as compared with the NC-G group (P<0.05). Increased cytokine expression levels were detected in the NC-G and GC-G groups, as compared with the TBI-G; however, no differences were found between the two groups. These data suggested that transplanted immature neural cells may promote the survival of neural cells in cortical lesion and motor functional recovery. Furthermore, transplanted glial cells may be used as an effective therapeutic tool for TBI patients with abnormalities in motor functional recovery and cytokine expression.
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Li XY, Bao XJ, Wang RZ. Potential of neural stem cell-based therapies for Alzheimer's disease. J Neurosci Res 2015; 93:1313-24. [PMID: 25601591 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2014] [Revised: 11/23/2014] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), known to be a leading cause of dementia that causes heavy social and financial burdens worldwide, is characterized by progressive loss of neurons and synaptic connectivity after depositions of amyloid-β (Aβ) protein. Current therapies for AD patients can only alleviate symptoms but cannot deter the neural degeneration, thus providing no long-term recovery. Neural stem cells (NSCs), capable of self-renewal and of differentiation into functional neurons and glia, have been shown to repair damaged networks and reverse memory and learning deficits in animal studies, providing new hope for curing AD patients by cell transplantation. Under AD pathology, the microenvironment also undergoes great alterations that affect the propagation of NSCs and subsequent therapeutic efficiency, calling for measures to improve the hostile environment for cell transplantation. This article reviews the therapeutic potential of both endogenous and exogenous NSCs in the treatment of AD and the challenges to application of stem cells in AD treatment, particularly those from the microenvironmental alterations, in the hope of providing more information for future research in exploiting stem cell-based therapies for AD. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Yuan Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin-Jie Bao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ren-Zhi Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Molcanyi M, Mehrjardi NZ, Schäfer U, Haj-Yasein NN, Brockmann M, Penner M, Riess P, Reinshagen C, Rieger B, Hannes T, Hescheler J, Bosche B. Impurity of stem cell graft by murine embryonic fibroblasts - implications for cell-based therapy of the central nervous system. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:257. [PMID: 25249934 PMCID: PMC4155790 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cells have been demonstrated to possess a therapeutic potential in experimental models of various central nervous system disorders, including stroke. The types of implanted cells appear to play a crucial role. Previously, groups of the stem cell network NRW implemented a feeder-based cell line within the scope of their projects, examining the implantation of stem cells after ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury. Retrospective evaluation indicated the presence of spindle-shaped cells in several grafts implanted in injured animals, which indicated potential contamination by co-cultured feeder cells (murine embryonic fibroblasts - MEFs). Because feeder-based cell lines have been previously exposed to a justified criticism with regard to contamination by animal glycans, we aimed to evaluate the effects of stem cell/MEF co-transplantation. MEFs accounted for 5.3 ± 2.8% of all cells in the primary FACS-evaluated co-culture. Depending on the culture conditions and subsequent purification procedure, the MEF-fraction ranged from 0.9 to 9.9% of the cell suspensions in vitro. MEF survival and related formation of extracellular substances in vivo were observed after implantation into the uninjured rat brain. Impurity of the stem cell graft by MEFs interferes with translational strategies, which represents a threat to the potential recipient and may affect the graft microenvironment. The implications of these findings are critically discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Molcanyi
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne , Cologne , Germany ; Clinic of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne , Cologne , Germany
| | - Narges Zare Mehrjardi
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne , Cologne , Germany
| | - Ute Schäfer
- Research Unit for Experimental Neurotraumatology, Medical University of Graz , Graz , Austria
| | - Nadia Nabil Haj-Yasein
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo , Oslo , Norway
| | - Michael Brockmann
- Department of Pathology, Kliniken der Stadt Köln, Cologne-Merheim Hospital, University of Witten/Herdecke , Cologne , Germany
| | - Marina Penner
- Clinic of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne , Cologne , Germany
| | - Peter Riess
- Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics, HELIOS Klinik Bad Berleburg , Bad Berleburg , Germany
| | - Clemens Reinshagen
- Molecular Neurotherapy and Imaging Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School , Boston, MA , USA ; Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School , Boston, MA , USA
| | - Bernhard Rieger
- Clinic of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne , Cologne , Germany
| | - Tobias Hannes
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne , Cologne , Germany ; Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Heart Center Cologne, Medical Faculty, University Hospital of Cologne , Cologne , Germany
| | - Jürgen Hescheler
- Institute of Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne , Cologne , Germany
| | - Bert Bosche
- Division of Neurosurgery, St Michael's Hospital, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science and the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto , Toronto, ON , Canada ; Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen , Essen , Germany
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Chen WW, Blurton-Jones M. Concise review: Can stem cells be used to treat or model Alzheimer's disease? Stem Cells 2013; 30:2612-8. [PMID: 22997040 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2012] [Accepted: 09/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of age-related dementia, affecting over 5 million people in the U.S. alone. AD patients suffer from progressive neurodegeneration that gradually impairs their memory, ability to learn, and carry out daily activities. Unfortunately, current therapies for AD are largely palliative and several promising drug candidates have failed in recent clinical trials. There is therefore an urgent need to improve our understanding of AD pathogenesis, create innovative and predictive models, and develop new and effective therapies. In this review, we will discuss the potential of stem cells to aid in these challenging endeavors. Because of the widespread nature of AD pathology, cell-replacement strategies have been viewed as an incredibly challenging and unlikely treatment approach. Yet recent work shows that transplantation of neural stem cells (NSCs) can improve cognition, reduce neuronal loss, and enhance synaptic plasticity in animal models of AD. Interestingly, the mechanisms that mediate these effects appear to involve neuroprotection and trophic support rather than neuronal replacement. Stem cells may also offer a powerful new approach to model and study AD. Patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells, for example, may help to advance our understanding of disease mechanisms. Likewise, studies of human embryonic and NSCs are helping to decipher the normal functions of AD-related genes; revealing intriguing roles in neural development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley W Chen
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-4545, USA
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Molcanyi M, Bosche B, Kraitsy K, Patz S, Zivcak J, Riess P, El Majdoub F, Hescheler J, Goldbrunner R, Schäfer U. Pitfalls and fallacies interfering with correct identification of embryonic stem cells implanted into the brain after experimental traumatic injury. J Neurosci Methods 2013; 215:60-70. [PMID: 23454685 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2013.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2013] [Revised: 02/13/2013] [Accepted: 02/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Cell-therapy was proposed to be a promising tool in case of death or impairment of specific cell types. Correct identification of implanted cells became crucial when evaluating the success of transplantation therapy. Various methods of cell labeling have been employed in previously published studies. The use of intrinsic signaling of green fluorescent protein (GFP) has led to a well known controversy in the field of cardiovascular research. We encountered similar methodological pitfalls after transplantation of GFP-transfected embryonic stem cells into rat brains following traumatic brain injury (TBI). As the identification of implanted graft by intrinsic autofluorescence failed, anti-GFP labeling coupled to fluorescent and conventional antibodies was needed to visualize the implanted cells. Furthermore, different cell types with strong intrinsic autofluorescence were found at the sites of injury and transplantation, thus mimicking the implanted stem cells. GFP-positive stem cells were correctly localized, using advanced histological techniques. The activation of microglia/macrophages, accompanying the transplantation post TBI, was shown to be a significant source of artefacts, interfering with correct identification of implanted stem cells. Dependent on the strategy of stem cell tracking, the phagocytosis of implanted cells as observed in this study, might also impede the interpretation of results. Critical appraisal of previously published data as well as a review of different histological techniques provide tools for a more accurate identification of transplanted stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Molcanyi
- Clinic of Neurosurgery, University of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50937 Köln, Germany
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Varghese VM, Prasad T, Kumary TV. Optimization of culture conditions for an efficient xeno-feeder free limbal cell culture system towards ocular surface regeneration. Microsc Res Tech 2011; 73:1045-52. [PMID: 20196106 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.20831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Ex vivo expansion of limbal stem cells from a small biopsy and its subsequent transplantation is the golden choice of treatment for limbal stem cell deficiency. Use of murine 3T3 feeder layer is a prerequisite for this ex vivo expansion. There is an ever-increasing demand for feeder free cultures to avoid xenotoxicity and transmission of xeno-diseases to human system. This study was aimed to establish an efficient xeno-feeder free limbal culture system towards ocular surface regeneration. To study the effect of initial dispase treatment and culture system used, migratory distance of cells from explants was analyzed from phase contrast images using "interactive measurements" of Qwin software (Leica). Expression of p63 in different culture systems was studied by immunofluorescent staining, followed by quantitative confocal microscopy (Carl Zeiss). Results showed dispase treatment was not necessary for establishing limbal explant culture. A combination of Iscove's modified Dulbecco's medium and Panserin 801 resulted in formation of autofeeder layer with maintenance of progenitor characteristics, thus mimicking natural tissue architecture. Further analysis of this culture system showed that cells could be cultured till confluency. Immunofluorescent staining of ABCG2 revealed presence of stem cell marker in the confluent cell layer. Scanning Electron Micrographs demonstrated homogenous population of tightly packed cells in this culture system. Replacement of bovine serum with autologous serum did not affect morphology or growth of cells in this culture system. This study will be a major step in the development of xeno-feeder free epithelial equivalents towards ocular surface reconstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viji Mary Varghese
- Tissue Culture Laboratory, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
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Yoon TM, Chang B, Kim HT, Jee JH, Kim DW, Hwang DY. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) cultured under distinctive feeder-free culture conditions display global gene expression patterns similar to hESCs from feeder-dependent culture conditions. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2010; 6:425-37. [PMID: 20521176 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-010-9158-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-based assay systems and genetically modified hESCs are very useful tools for screening drugs that regulate stemness and differentiation and for studying the molecular mechanisms involved in hESC fate determination. For these types of studies, feeder cell-dependent cultures of hESCs are often problematic because the physiology of the feeder cells is perturbed by the drug treatments or genetic modifications, which potentially obscures research outcomes. In this study, we evaluated three commonly used feeder-free culture conditions to determine whether they supported the undifferentiated growth of hESCs and to determine whether the hESCs grown in these conditions displayed gene expression patterns that were similar to the expression patterns of feeder cell-dependent hESCs. Our results demonstrate that hESCs grown in the three feeder-free conditions expressed undifferentiation marker genes as strongly as hESCs that were grown in the feeder-dependent cultures. Furthermore, genome-wide gene expression profiles indicated that the gene expression patterns of hESCs that were grown under feeder-free or feeder-dependent culture conditions were highly similar. These results indicate that the feeder-free culture conditions support the undifferentiated growth of hESCs as effectively as the feeder-dependent culture conditions. Therefore, feeder-free culture conditions are potentially suitable for drug screening and for the genetic manipulation of hESCs in basic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae-Min Yoon
- CHA Stem Cell Institute, Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University College of Medicine, Seoul, 135-081, South Korea
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Predifferentiated embryonic stem cells promote functional recovery after spinal cord compressive injury. Brain Res 2010; 1349:115-28. [PMID: 20599835 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2010] [Revised: 06/09/2010] [Accepted: 06/10/2010] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
We tested the effects of mouse embryonic stem cells (mES) grafts in mice spinal cord injury (SCI). Young adult female C57/Bl6 mice were subjected to laminectomy at T9 and 1-minute compression of the spinal cord with a vascular clip. Four groups were analyzed: laminectomy (Sham), injured (SCI), vehicle (DMEM), and mES-treated (EST). mES pre-differentiated with retinoic acid were injected (8 x 10(5) cells/2 microl) into the lesion epicenter, 10 min after SCI. Basso mouse scale (BMS) and Global mobility test (GMT) were assessed weekly up to 8 weeks, when morphological analyses were performed. GMT analysis showed that EST animals moved faster (10.73+/-0.9076, +/-SEM) than SCI (5.581+/-0.2905) and DMEM (5.705+/-0.2848), but slower than Sham animals (15.80+/-0.3887, p<0.001). By BMS, EST animals reached the final phase of locomotor recovery (3.872+/-0.7112, p<0.01), while animals of the SCI and DMEM groups improved to an intermediate phase (2.037+/-0.3994 and 2.111+/-0.3889, respectively). White matter area and number of myelinated nerve fibers were greater in EST (46.80+/-1.24 and 279.4+/-16.33, respectively) than the SCI group (39.97+/-0.925 and 81.39+/-8.078, p<0.05, respectively). EST group also presented better G-ratio values when compared with SCI group (p<0.001). Immunohistochemical revealed the differentiation of transplanted cells into astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and Schwann cells, indicating an integration of transplanted cells with host tissue. Ultrastructural analysis showed, in the EST group, better tissue preservation and more remyelination by oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells than the other groups. Our results indicate that acute transplantation of predifferentiated mES into the injured spinal cord increased the spared white matter and number of nerve fibers, improving locomotor function.
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Bentz K, Molcanyi M, Schneider A, Riess P, Maegele M, Bosche B, Hampl JA, Hescheler J, Patz S, Schäfer U. Extract Derived from Rat Brains in the Acute Phase Following Traumatic Brain Injury Impairs Survival of Undifferentiated Stem Cells and Induces Rapid Differentiation of Surviving Cells. Cell Physiol Biochem 2010; 26:821-30. [DOI: 10.1159/000323991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/08/2010] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
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Maegele M, Schaefer U. Stem cell‐based cellular replacement strategies following traumatic brain injury (TBI). MINIM INVASIV THER 2009; 17:119-31. [DOI: 10.1080/13645700801970087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Schneider A, Spitkovsky D, Riess P, Molcanyi M, Kamisetti N, Maegele M, Hescheler J, Schaefer U. "The good into the pot, the bad into the crop!"--a new technology to free stem cells from feeder cells. PLoS One 2008; 3:e3788. [PMID: 19023443 PMCID: PMC2582950 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2008] [Accepted: 10/22/2008] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
A variety of embryonic and adult stem cell lines require an initial co-culturing with feeder cells for non-differentiated growth, self renewal and maintenance of pluripotency. However for many downstream ES cell applications the feeder cells have to be considered contaminations that might interfere not just with the analysis of experimental data but also with clinical application and tissue engineering approaches. Here we introduce a novel technique that allows for the selection of pure feeder-freed stem cells, following stem cell proliferation on feeder cell layers. Complete and reproducible separation of feeder and embryonic stem cells was accomplished by adaptation of an automated cell selection system that resulted in the aspiration of distinct cell colonies or fraction of colonies according to predefined physical parameters. Analyzing neuronal differentiation we demonstrated feeder-freed stem cells to exhibit differentiation potentials comparable to embryonic stem cells differentiated under standard conditions. However, embryoid body growth as well as differentiation of stem cells into cardiomyocytes was significantly enhanced in feeder-freed cells, indicating a feeder cell dependent modulation of lineage differentiation during early embryoid body development. These findings underline the necessity to separate stem and feeder cells before the initiation of in vitro differentiation. The complete separation of stem and feeder cells by this new technology results in pure stem cell populations for translational approaches. Furthermore, a more detailed analysis of the effect of feeder cells on stem cell differentiation is now possible, that might facilitate the identification and development of new optimized human or genetically modified feeder cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Schneider
- Institute for Research in Operative Medicine (IFOM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Germany
| | - Dimitry Spitkovsky
- Center of Physiology, Institute of Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Peter Riess
- Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Witten-Herdecke at the Hospital Merheim, Cologne, Germany
| | - Marek Molcanyi
- Clinic of Neurosurgery and 2nd Department of Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Naidu Kamisetti
- Center of Physiology, Institute of Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Marc Maegele
- Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Witten-Herdecke at the Hospital Merheim, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jürgen Hescheler
- Center of Physiology, Institute of Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ute Schaefer
- Department of Experimental Neurotraumatology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
- * E-mail:
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