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Ozkan S, Isildar B, Sahin H, Saygi HI, Konukoglu D, Koyuturk M. Comparative analysis of effects of conditioned mediums obtained from 2D or 3D cultured mesenchymal stem cells on kidney functions of diabetic rats: Early intervention could potentiate transdifferentiation of parietal epithelial cell into podocyte precursors. Life Sci 2024; 343:122543. [PMID: 38460812 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
AIM The secretome of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could be a potential therapeutic intervention for diabetes and associated complications like nephropathy. This study aims to evaluate the effects of conditioned mediums (CMs) collected from umbilical cord-derived MSCs incubated under 2-dimensional (2D) or 3D culture conditions on kidney functions of rats with type-I diabetes (T1D). MAIN METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 20 mg/kg streptozocin for 5 consecutive days to induce T1D, and 12 doses of CMs were applied intraperitoneally for 4 weeks. The therapeutic effects of CMs were comparatively investigated by biochemical, physical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical analysis. KEY FINDINGS 3D-CM had significantly higher total protein concentration than the 2D-CM Albumin/creatinine ratios of both treatment groups were significantly improved in comparison to diabetes. Light microscopic evaluations showed that glomerular and cortical tubular damages were significantly ameliorated in only the 3D-CM applied group compared to the diabetes group, which were correlated with transmission electron microscopic observations. The nephrin and synaptopodin expressions increased in both treatment groups compared to diabetes. The WT1, Ki-67, and active caspase-3 expressions in glomeruli and parietal layers of the treatment groups suggest that both types of CMs suppress apoptosis and promote possible parietal epithelial cells' (PECs') transdifferentiation towards podocyte precursor cells by switching on WT1 expression in parietal layer rather than inducing new cell proliferation. SIGNIFICANCE 3D-CM was found to be more effective in improving kidney functions than 2D-CM by ameliorating glomerular damage through the possible mechanism of transdifferentiation of PECs into podocyte precursors and suppressing glomerular apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serbay Ozkan
- Izmir Katip Çelebi University, Faculty of Medicine, Histology and Embryology Department, Turkey; Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Histology and Embryology Department, Turkey
| | - Basak Isildar
- Balıkesir University, Faculty of Medicine, Histology and Embryology Department, Turkey; Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Histology and Embryology Department, Turkey
| | - Hakan Sahin
- Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Histology and Embryology Department, Turkey
| | - Halil Ibrahim Saygi
- Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Histology and Embryology Department, Turkey; Istanbul Medeniyet University, Faculty of Medicine, Histology and Embryology Department, Turkey
| | - Dildar Konukoglu
- Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Medical Biochemistry Department, Turkey
| | - Meral Koyuturk
- Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Histology and Embryology Department, Turkey.
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Ding X, Wu R, Jin B, Zhu C, Zhang Y, Yang X. Human Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells prevent pregnancy loss in a rat by JAK/STAT-mediated immunomodulation. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2023; 49:2417-2426. [PMID: 37464974 DOI: 10.1111/jog.15748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
AIM Spontaneous abortion (SA) is a multiple-original syndrome with immune imbalance as one of its major risk factors. As Wharton's jelly-mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) are considered to be able to prevent abortion, this study aims to explore the currently poorly understood underlining molecular signaling pathways and regulatory mechanisms of WJ-MSCs in pregnancy maintenance. METHODS Abortion mode is established by subcutaneous injection of bromocriptine in rat on day 9 and abortion prevention is achieved by WJ-MSCs injection via tail vein. WJ-MSCs were cultured with/without the inhibitors of JAK/STAT or NF-κB. The uterus was collected on the 14th day of gestation and the rate of embryo absorption was calculated. The expression of Th1/Th2/Th3 cytokines in decidual, placental tissue, and peripheral blood was analyzed. RESULTS WJ-MSCs treatment significantly reduced the abortion rate in bromocriptine-treated pregnancy such that it was not significantly different from a normal pregnancy. JAK/STAT inhibition abolished pregnancy preserving effects of WJ-MSCs but NF-κB inhibition did not. The levels of Th1-related cytokines and mRNA levels in the bromocriptine abortion model were significantly higher than the normal pregnancy group and ethanol control group, while levels of the Th2-related cytokines and mRNA levels significantly decreased. WJ-MSCs transfusion into the abortion model restored cytokine profiles such that they were not significantly different from the normal pregnancy group and ethanol control group. JAK/STAT inhibition of WJ-MSCs prevented their effect on cytokine and mRNA levels, but NF-κB inhibition did not. CONCLUSIONS WJ-MSCs significantly lower the rate of embryo resorption of spontaneous abortion by reducing Th1-related cytokines while increasing Th2 and Th3-related cytokines in JAK/STAT-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rongrong Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - Beibei Jin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chunyu Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuquan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaoqing Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
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Ozkan S, Isildar B, Ercin M, Gezginci-Oktayoglu S, Konukoglu D, Neşetoğlu N, Oncul M, Koyuturk M. Therapeutic potential of conditioned medium obtained from deferoxamine preconditioned umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on diabetic nephropathy model. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:438. [PMID: 36056427 PMCID: PMC9438289 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-03121-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-derived conditioned media (CM) can be increased after preconditioning with various chemical agents. The aim of this study is comparative evaluation of effects of N-CM and DFS-CM which are collected from normal (N) and deferoxamine (DFS) preconditioned umbilical cord-derived MSCs on rat diabetic nephropathy (DN) model. Methods After incubation of the MSCs in serum-free medium with/without 150 µM DFS for 48 h, the contents of N-CM and DFS-CM were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Diabetes (D) was induced by single dose of 55 mg/kg streptozotocin. Therapeutic effects of CMs were evaluated by biochemical, physical, histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. Results The concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor alpha, nerve growth factor and glial-derived neurotrophic factor in DFS-CM increased, while one of brain-derived neurotrophic factor decreased in comparison with N-CM. The creatinine clearance rate increased significantly in both treatment groups, while the improvement in albumin/creatinine ratio and renal mass index values were only significant for D + DFS-CM group. Light and electron microscopic deteriorations and loss of podocytes-specific nephrin and Wilms tumor-1 (WT-1) expressions were significantly restored in both treatment groups. Tubular beclin-1 expression was significantly increased for DN group, but it decreased in both treatment groups. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive apoptotic cell death increased in the tubules of D group, while it was only significantly decreased for D + DFS-CM group. Conclusions DFS-CM can be more effective in the treatment of DN by reducing podocyte damage and tubular apoptotic cell death and regulating autophagic activity with its more concentrated secretome content than N-CM. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-022-03121-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serbay Ozkan
- Histology and Embryology Department, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Kocamustafapaşa Street, 34098, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Basak Isildar
- Histology and Embryology Department, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Kocamustafapaşa Street, 34098, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Merve Ercin
- Biology Department, Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Selda Gezginci-Oktayoglu
- Biology Department, Molecular Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Dildar Konukoglu
- Medical Biochemistry Department, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Neşet Neşetoğlu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Drug Application and Research Center, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mahmut Oncul
- Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Meral Koyuturk
- Histology and Embryology Department, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Kocamustafapaşa Street, 34098, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Synergic Renoprotective Effects of Combined ASC Therapy with RAAS Blockade in Experimental Advanced CKD. Stem Cells Int 2022; 2022:5111782. [PMID: 35371263 PMCID: PMC8975629 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5111782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Global prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has increased considerably in the recent decades. Overactivity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), associated to renal inflammation and fibrosis, contributes to its evolution. The treatments currently employed to control CKD progression are limited and mainly based on the pharmacological inhibition of RAAS, associated with diuretics and immunosuppressive drugs. However, this conservative management promotes only partial deceleration of CKD evolution and does not completely avoid the progression of the disease and the loss of renal function, which motivates the medical and scientific community to investigate new therapeutic approaches to detain renal inflammation/fibrosis and CKD progression. Recent studies have shown the application of mesenchymal stem cells (mSC) to exert beneficial effects on the renal tissue of animals submitted to experimental models of CKD. In this context, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of subcapsular application of adipose tissue-derived mSC (ASC) in rats submitted to the 5/6 renal ablation model, 15 days after the establishment of CKD, when the nephropathy was already severe. We also verify whether ASC associated to Losartan would promote greater renoprotection when compared to the respective monotherapies. Animals were followed until 30 days of CKD, when body weight, systolic blood pressure, biochemical, histological, immunohistochemical, and gene expression analysis were performed. The combination of ASC and Losartan was more effective than Losartan monotherapy in reducing systolic blood pressure and glomerulosclerosis and also promoted the complete normalization of proteinuria and albuminuria, a significant reduction in renal interstitial macrophage infiltration and downregulation of renal IL-6 gene expression. The beneficial effects of ACS are possibly due to the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory role of factors secreted by these cells, modulating the local immune response. Although studies are still required, our results demonstrated that a subcapsular inoculation of ASC, associated with the administration of Losartan, exerted additional renoprotective effect in rats submitted to a severe model of established CKD, when compared to Losartan monotherapy, thus suggesting ASC may be a potential adjuvant to RAAS-blockade therapy currently employed in the conservative management of CKD.
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De Vriese AS, Wetzels JF, Glassock RJ, Sethi S, Fervenza FC. Therapeutic trials in adult FSGS: lessons learned and the road forward. Nat Rev Nephrol 2021; 17:619-630. [PMID: 34017116 PMCID: PMC8136112 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-021-00427-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is not a specific disease entity but a lesion that primarily targets the podocyte. In a broad sense, the causes of the lesion can be divided into those triggered by a presumed circulating permeability factor, those that occur secondary to a process that might originate outside the kidneys, those caused by a genetic mutation in a podocyte or glomerular basement membrane protein, and those that arise through an as yet unidentifiable process, seemingly unrelated to a circulating permeability factor. A careful attempt to correctly stratify patients with FSGS based on their clinical presentation and pathological findings on kidney biopsy is essential for sound treatment decisions in individual patients. However, it is also essential for the rational design of therapeutic trials in FSGS. Greater recognition of the pathophysiology underlying podocyte stress and damage in FSGS will increase the likelihood that the cause of an FSGS lesion is properly identified and enable stratification of patients in future interventional trials. Such efforts will facilitate the identification of effective therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- An S De Vriese
- Division of Nephrology and Infectious Diseases, AZ Sint-Jan Brugge, Brugge, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jack F Wetzels
- Department of Nephrology, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Richard J Glassock
- Department of Medicine, Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sanjeev Sethi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Yang Y, Geng X, Chi K, Liu C, Liu R, Chen X, Hong Q, Cai G. Ultrasound enhances the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells wrapped in greater omentum for aristolochic acid nephropathy. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:261. [PMID: 33941258 PMCID: PMC8091698 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02243-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported to promote regeneration in both subjects with acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), but their efficacy remains limited, probably because most of the cells accumulate in the lungs, liver, and spleen after an intravenous infusion. Therefore, ultrasound-guided administration of MSCs represents a possible approach to solve this problem. The greater omentum is used to promote cell survival due to its rich vasculature. We hypothesized that ultrasound-guided administration of MSCs combined with greater omentum might be more curative than currently available approaches. Methods In this study, we established an aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) model by intraperitoneally administering aristolochic acid I sodium salt (AA-I) at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight on alternate days for 4 weeks. Subsequently, a laparotomy was performed, and the left kidney from which the capsule had been removed was wrapped with the greater omentum. A dose of 2 × 107 MSCs was injected into the space between the greater omentum and the left kidney. Equal amounts of MSCs were administered under ultrasound guidance every second week for a total of 4 treatments. Mice were sacrificed 4 weeks after surgery. Serum creatinine and blood urea levels were measured to assess renal function. qPCR, Western blot, and histological analyses were conducted to further investigate the therapeutic mechanism of MSCs. Results Ultrasound-guided injection of MSCs into the greater omentum that surrounds the kidney enriched cells in the kidney region for up to 5 days. Renal function tests indicated that MSCs improved renal function to a great extent, as reflected by decreased blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels. In addition, histological analyses showed that MSCs noticeably attenuated kidney injury, as evidenced by the amelioration of tubular necrosis and peritubular interstitial fibrosis. Mitigation of renal interstitial fibrosis was further confirmed by immunohistochemistry, qPCR, and western blotting after MSC treatment. Moreover, immunofluorescence staining revealed that MSCs alleviated inflammatory responses by increasing the counts of CD206+ cells and decreasing the counts of CD68+ cells. MSC migration was initiated in response to AA-I-treated renal epithelial cells in an in vitro migration assay. Conclusions These findings suggested that administration of MSCs into the cavity formed by the injured kidney and the greater omentum under ultrasound guidance improved renal function, attenuated kidney injury, and mitigated renal interstitial fibrosis and inflammatory responses. Thus, this approach might be a safe and effective therapy for CKD. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-021-02243-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanjun Yang
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Xiaodong Geng
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Kun Chi
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Ran Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Xiangmei Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Quan Hong
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China.
| | - Guangyan Cai
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China.
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Paris GC, Azevedo AA, Ferreira AL, Azevedo YMA, Rainho MA, Oliveira GP, Silva KR, Cortez EAC, Stumbo AC, Carvalho SN, de Carvalho L, Thole AA. Therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells in multiple organs affected by COVID-19. Life Sci 2021; 278:119510. [PMID: 33865879 PMCID: PMC8049196 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Currently, the world has been devastated by an unprecedented pandemic in this century. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has been causing disorders, dysfunction and morphophysiological alterations in multiple organs as the disease evolves. There is a great scientific community effort to obtain a therapy capable of reaching the multiple affected organs in order to contribute for tissue repair and regeneration. In this regard, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as potential candidates concerning the promotion of beneficial actions at different stages of COVID-19. MSCs are promising due to the observed therapeutic effects in respiratory preclinical models, as well as in cardiac, vascular, renal and nervous system models. Their immunomodulatory properties and secretion of paracrine mediators, such as cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and extracellular vesicles allow for long range tissue modulation and, particularly, blood-brain barrier crossing. This review focuses on SARS-CoV-2 impact to lungs, kidneys, heart, vasculature and central nervous system while discussing promising MSC's therapeutic mechanisms in each tissue. In addition, MSC's therapeutic effects in high-risk groups for COVID-19, such as obese, diabetic and hypertensive patients are also explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo C Paris
- LPCT - Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Histology and Embryology Department, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Aline A Azevedo
- LPCT - Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Histology and Embryology Department, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Adriana L Ferreira
- LPCT - Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Histology and Embryology Department, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Yanca M A Azevedo
- LPCT - Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Histology and Embryology Department, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mateus A Rainho
- LPCT - Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Histology and Embryology Department, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Genilza P Oliveira
- LPCT - Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Histology and Embryology Department, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Karina R Silva
- LPCT - Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Histology and Embryology Department, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Erika A C Cortez
- LPCT - Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Histology and Embryology Department, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ana C Stumbo
- LPCT - Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Histology and Embryology Department, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Simone N Carvalho
- LPCT - Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Histology and Embryology Department, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Lais de Carvalho
- LPCT - Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Histology and Embryology Department, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Alessandra A Thole
- LPCT - Laboratory of Stem Cell Research, Histology and Embryology Department, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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