Epigenetic regulation of nestin expression during neurogenic differentiation of adipose tissue stem cells

Long noncoding RNA Ftx regulates the protein expression profile in HCT116 human colon cancer cells

Background

The long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) five prime to Xist (Ftx) is involved in distant metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to investigate Ftx alteration-induced proteomic changes in the highly metastatic CRC cell line HCT116.

Methods

Tandem mass tag (TMT)-based proteomics analysis was performed to detect the differential protein expression in Ftx-overexpressing and Ftx-silenced HCT116 cells. The differentially expressed proteins were classified and characterized by bioinformatics analyses, including gene ontology (GO) annotation, GO/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway/protein domain enrichment analyses, as well as hierarchical clustering. A total of 5471 proteins were quantified, and the proteins with |fold change|≥ 1.2 and p < 0.05 were identified as differentially expressed proteins in response to Ftx overexpression or silencing.

Results

The bioinformatics analyses revealed that the differentially expressed proteins were involved in a wide range of GO terms and KEGG signaling pathways and contained multiple protein domains. These terms, pathways, and protein domains were associated with tumorigenesis and metastasis in CRC.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the alteration of Ftx expression induces proteomic changes in highly metastatic HCT116 cells, suggesting that Ftx and its downstream molecules and signaling pathways could be potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for metastatic CRC.

Conductive chitosan/polyaniline hydrogel with cell-imprinted topography as a potential substrate for neural priming of adipose derived stem cells

Biophysical characteristics of engineered scaffolds such as topography and electroconductivity have shown potentially beneficial effects on stem cell morphology, proliferation, and differentiation toward neural cells. In this study, we fabricated a conductive hydrogel made from chitosan (CS) and polyaniline (PANI) with induced PC12 cell surface topography using a cell imprinting technique to provide both topographical properties and conductivity in a platform. The engineered hydrogel's potential for neural priming of rat adipose-derived stem cells (rADSCs) was determined in vitro. The biomechanical analysis revealed that the electrical conductivity, stiffness, and hydrophobicity of flat (F) and cell-imprinted (CI) substrates increased with increased PANI content in the CS/PANI scaffold. The conductive substrates exhibited a lower degradation rate compared to non-conductive substrates. According to data obtained from F-actin staining and AFM micrographs, both CI(CS) and CI(CS-PANI) substrates induced the morphology of rADSCs from their irregular shape (on flat substrates) into the elongated and bipolar shape of the neuronal-like PC12 cells. Immunostaining analysis revealed that both CI(CS) and CI (CS-PANI) significantly upregulated the expression of GFAP and MAP2, two neural precursor-specific genes, in rADSCs compared with flat substrates. Although the results reveal that both cell-imprinted topography and electrical conductivity affect the neural lineage differentiation, some data demonstrate that the topography effects of the cell-imprinted surface have a more critical role than electrical conductivity on neural priming of ADSCs. The current study provides new insight into the engineering of scaffolds for nerve tissue engineering.

Neural differentiation of canine mesenchymal stem cells/multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells

BACKGROUND

The ability of adipose tissue-derived multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells/mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) to differentiate in neural lineages promises progress in the field of regenerative medicine, especially for replacing neuronal tissue damaged by different neurological disorders. Reprogramming of ASCs can be induced by the growth medium with neurogenic inductors and specific growth factors. We investigated the neural differentiation potential of canine ASCs using several growth media (KEM, NIMa, NIMb, NIMc) containing various combinations of neurogenic inductors: B27 supplement, valproic acid, forskolin, N2-supplement, and retinoic acid. Cells were first preconditioned in the pre-differentiation neural induction medium (mitogenically stimulated; STIM1), followed by the induction of neuronal differentiation.

RESULTS

After 3, 6, and 9 days of neural induction, elongated neural-like cells with bipolar elongations were observed, and some oval cells with light nuclei appeared. The expression of neuronal markers tubulin beta III (TUBB3), neurofilament H (NF-H), microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP2), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was observed using immunocytochemistry, which confirmed the differentiation into neurons and glial cells. Flow cytometry analysis showed high GFAP expression (between 70 and 90% of all cells) after cells had been growing three days in the neural induction medium a (NIMa). Around 25% of all cells also expressed adult neuronal markers NF-H and MAP2. After nine days of ASCs differentiation, the expression of all neural markers was reduced. There were no differences between the neural differentiation of ASCs isolated from female or male dogs.

CONCLUSIONS

The differentiation repertoire of canine ASCs extends beyond mesodermal lineages. Using a defined neural induction medium, the canine ASCs differentiated into neural lineages and expressed markers of neuronal and glial cells, and also displayed the typical neuronal morphology. Differentiated ASCs can thus be a source of neural cellular lineages for the regenerative therapy of nerve damage and could be useful in the future for therapy or the modelling of neurodegenerative diseases.

The Role of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells, Dermal Regenerative Templates, and Platelet-Rich Plasma in Tissue Engineering-Based Treatments of Chronic Skin Wounds

The continuous improvements in the field of both regenerative medicine and tissue engineering have allowed the design of new and more efficacious strategies for the treatment of chronic or hard-to-heal skin wounds, which represent heavy burden, from a medical and economic point of view. These novel approaches are based on the usage of three key methodologies: stem cells, growth factors, and biomimetic scaffolds. These days, the adipose tissue can be considered the main source of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells, especially adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). ASCs are easily accessible from various fat depots and show an intrinsic plasticity in giving rise to cell types involved in wound healing and angiogenesis. ASCs can be found in fat grafts, historically used in the treatment of chronic wounds, and have been evaluated as such in both animal models and human trials, to exploit their capability of accelerating wound closure and inducing a correct remodeling of the newly formed fibrovascular tissue. Since survival and fitness of ASCs need to be improved, they are now employed in conjunction with advanced wound dressings, together with dermal regenerative templates and platelet-rich plasma (as a source of growth and healing factors). In this work, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the topic, based on existing studies and on our own experience.

The Cellular and Molecular Patterns Involved in the Neural Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

Injuries to the nervous system cause serious problems among affected patients by preventing them from the possibility of living a normal life. As this tissue possesses a reduced capacity of self-regeneration currently, lots of different strategies are being developed in order to make the regeneration in the nervous system possible. Among them, tissue engineering and stem cell-based therapies are to date very exploded fields and tremendous progress has been made in this direction. As the two main components of the nervous system, react differently to injuries and behave different during disease, it is clear that two separate regeneration approaches have been taken into consideration during development of treatment. Special attention is constantly given to the potential of adipose-derived stem cells for this kind of application. Due to the fact that they present remarkable properties, they can easily be obtained and have demonstrated that are capable of engaging in neural and glial lineages, adipose-derived stem cells are promising tools for the field of nervous system regeneration. Moreover, new insights into epigenetic control and modifications during the differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells towards the neural liege could provide new methods to maximize the regeneration process. In this review, we summarize the current applications of adipose-derived stem cells for neural regeneration and discuss in-depth molecular patterns involved in the differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells in neuron-like cells and Schwann-like cells.

Differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells into neuron/motoneuron-like cells for cell replacement therapy of spinal cord injury

Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) are increasingly presumed to be a prospective stem cell source for cell replacement therapy in various degenerative and/or traumatic diseases. The potential of trans-differentiating hADSCs into motor neuron cells indisputably provides an alternative way for spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment. In the present study, a stepwise and efficient hADSC trans-differentiation protocol with retinoic acid (RA), sonic hedgehog (SHH), and neurotrophic factors were developed. With this protocol hADSCs could be converted into electrophysiologically active motoneuron-like cells (hADSC-MNs), which expressed both a cohort of pan neuronal markers and motor neuron specific markers. Moreover, after being primed for neuronal differentiation with RA/SHH, hADSCs were transplanted into SCI mouse model and they survived, migrated, and integrated into injured site and led to partial functional recovery of SCI mice. When ablating the transplanted hADSC-MNs harboring HSV-TK-mCherry overexpression system with antivirial Ganciclovir (GCV), functional relapse was detected by motor-evoked potential (MEP) and BMS assays, implying that transplanted hADSC-MNs participated in rebuilding the neural circuits, which was further confirmed by retrograde neuronal tracing system (WGA). GFP-labeled hADSC-MNs were subjected to whole-cell patch-clamp recording in acute spinal cord slice preparation and both action potentials and synaptic activities were recorded, which further confirmed that those pre-conditioned hADSCs indeed became functionally active neurons in vivo. As well, transplanted hADSC-MNs largely prevented the formation of injury-induced cavities and exerted obvious immune-suppression effect as revealed by preventing astrocyte reactivation and favoring the secretion of a spectrum of anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Our work suggests that hADSCs can be readily transformed into MNs in vitro, and stay viable in spinal cord of the SCI mouse and exert multi-therapeutic effects by rebuilding the broken circuitry and optimizing the microenvironment through immunosuppression.

Neurotrophic Factor Secretion and Neural Differentiation Potential of Multilineage-differentiating Stress-enduring (Muse) Cells Derived from Mouse Adipose Tissue

Multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring (Muse) cells are endogenous pluripotent stem cells that can be isolated based on stage-specific embryonic antigen-3 (SSEA-3), a pluripotent stem cell-surface marker. However, their capacities for survival, neurotrophic factor secretion, and neuronal and glial differentiation are unclear in rodents. Here we analyzed mouse adipose tissue-derived Muse cells in vitro. We collected mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from C57BL/6 J mouse adipose tissue and separated SSEA-3⁺, namely Muse cells, and SSEA-3^-, non-Muse cells, to assess self-renewability; pluripotency marker expression (Nanog, Oct3/4, Sox2, and SSEA-3); spontaneous differentiation into endodermal, mesodermal, and ectodermal lineages; and neural differentiation capabilities under cytokine induction. Neurally differentiated Muse and non-Muse cell functions were assessed by calcium imaging. Antioxidant ability was measured to assess survival under oxidative stress. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) secretion were analyzed in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. SSEA-3⁺ Muse cells (6.3 ± 1.9% of mouse adipose-MSCs), but not non-Muse cells, exhibited self-renewability, spontaneous differentiation into the three germ layers, and differentiation into cells positive for Tuj-1 (27 ± 0.9%), O4 (17 ± 3.4%), or GFAP (23 ± 1.3%) under cytokine induction. Neurally differentiated Muse cells responded to KCl depolarization with greater increases in cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ levels than non-Muse cells. Cell survival under oxidative stress was significantly higher in Muse cells (50 ± 2.7%) versus non-Muse cells (22 ± 2.8%). Muse cells secreted significantly more BDNF, VEGF, and HGF (273 ± 12, 1479 ± 7.5, and 6591 ± 1216 pg/mL, respectively) than non-Muse cells (133 ± 4.0, 1165 ± 20, and 2383 ± 540 pg/mL, respectively). Mouse Muse cells were isolated and characterized for the first time. Muse cells showed greater pluripotency-like characteristics, survival, neurotrophic factor secretion, and neuronal and glial-differentiation capacities than non-Muse cells, indicating that they may have better neural-regeneration potential.

Long-range interactions between topologically associating domains shape the four-dimensional genome during differentiation

Genomic information is selectively used to direct spatial and temporal gene expression during differentiation. Interactions between topologically associating domains (TADs) and between chromatin and the nuclear lamina organize and position chromosomes in the nucleus. However, how these genomic organizers together shape genome architecture is unclear. Here, using a dual-lineage differentiation system, we report long-range TAD-TAD interactions that form constitutive and variable TAD cliques. A differentiation-coupled relationship between TAD cliques and lamina-associated domains suggests that TAD cliques stabilize heterochromatin at the nuclear periphery. We also provide evidence of dynamic TAD cliques during mouse embryonic stem-cell differentiation and somatic cell reprogramming and of inter-TAD associations in single-cell high-resolution chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) data. TAD cliques represent a level of four-dimensional genome conformation that reinforces the silencing of repressed developmental genes.

Advances in stem cell therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

INTRODUCTION

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, incurable neurodegenerative disease that targets motoneurons. Cell-based therapies have generated widespread interest as a potential therapeutic approach but no conclusive results have yet been reported either from pre-clinical or clinical studies.

AREAS COVERED

This is an integrated review of pre-clinical and clinical studies focused on the development of cell-based therapies for ALS. We analyze the biology of stem cell treatments and results obtained from pre-clinical models of ALS and examine the methods and the results obtained to date from clinical trials. We discuss scientific, clinical, and ethical issues and propose some directions for future studies.

EXPERT OPINION

While data from individual studies are encouraging, stem-cell-based therapies do not yet represent a satisfactory, reliable clinical option. The field will critically benefit from the introduction of well-designed, randomized and reproducible, powered clinical trials. Comparative studies addressing key issues such as the nature, properties, and number of donor cells, the delivery mode and the selection of proper patient populations that may benefit the most from cell-based therapies are now of the essence. Multidisciplinary networks of experts should be established to empower effective translation of research into the clinic.

A systems-approach reveals human nestin is an endothelial-enriched, angiogenesis-independent intermediate filament protein

The intermediate filament protein nestin is expressed during embryonic development, but considered largely restricted to areas of regeneration in the adult. Here, we perform a body-wide transcriptome and protein-profiling analysis to reveal that nestin is constitutively, and highly-selectively, expressed in adult human endothelial cells (EC), independent of proliferative status. Correspondingly, we demonstrate that it is not a marker for tumour EC in multiple malignancy types. Imaging of EC from different vascular beds reveals nestin subcellular distribution is shear-modulated. siRNA inhibition of nestin increases EC proliferation, and nestin expression is reduced in atherosclerotic plaque neovessels. eQTL analysis reveals an association between SNPs linked to cardiovascular disease and reduced aortic EC nestin mRNA expression. Our study challenges the dogma that nestin is a marker of proliferation, and provides insight into its regulation and function in EC. Furthermore, our systems-based approach can be applied to investigate body-wide expression profiles of any candidate protein.

Molecular Mechanisms of Transdifferentiation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells into Neural Cells: Current Status and Perspectives

Neurological diseases can severely compromise both physical and psychological health. Recently, adult mesenchymal stem cell- (MSC-) based cell transplantation has become a potential therapeutic strategy. However, most studies related to the transdifferentiation of MSCs into neural cells have had disappointing outcomes. Better understanding of the mechanisms underlying MSC transdifferentiation is necessary to make adult stem cells more applicable to treating neurological diseases. Several studies have focused on adipose-derived stromal/stem cell (ADSC) transdifferentiation. The purpose of this review is to outline the molecular characterization of ADSCs, to describe the methods for inducing ADSC transdifferentiation, and to examine factors influencing transdifferentiation, including transcription factors, epigenetics, and signaling pathways. Exploring and understanding the mechanisms are a precondition for developing and applying novel cell therapies.

Increased insulin-like growth factor 1 production by polyploid adipose stem cells promotes growth of breast cancer cells

Background

Adipose-tissue stem cells (ASCs) are subject of intensive research since their successful use in regenerative therapy. The drawback of ASCs is that they may serve as stroma for cancer cells and assist tumor progression. It is disquieting that ASCs frequently undergo genetic and epigenetic changes during their in vitro propagation. In this study, we describe the polyploidization of murine ASCs and the accompanying phenotypical, gene expressional and functional changes under long term culturing.

Methods

ASCs were isolated from visceral fat of C57BL/6 J mice, and cultured in vitro for prolonged time. The phenotypical changes were followed by microscopy and flow cytometry. Gene expressional changes were determined by differential transcriptome analysis and changes in protein expression were shown by Western blotting. The tumor growth promoting effect of ASCs was examined by co-culturing them with 4 T1 murine breast cancer cells.

Results

After five passages, the proliferation of ASCs decreases and cells enter a senescence-like state, from which a proportion of cells escape by polyploidization. The resulting ASC line is susceptible to adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation, and expresses the stem cell markers CD29 and Sca-1 on an upregulated level. Differential transcriptome analysis of ASCs with normal and polyploid karyotype shows altered expression of genes that are involved in regulation of cancer, cellular growth and proliferation. We verified the increased expression of Klf4 and loss of Nestin on protein level. We found that elevated production of insulin-like growth factor 1 by polyploid ASCs rendered them more potent in tumor growth promotion in vitro.

Conclusions

Our model indicates how ASCs with altered genetic background may support tumor progression.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-018-4781-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Basic Characteristics of Muse Cells

Multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring (Muse) cells exhibit the core characteristics of pluripotent stem cells, namely, the expression of pluripotency markers and the capacity for trilineage differentiation both in vitro and in vivo and self-renewability. In addition, Muse cells have unique characteristics not observed in other pluripotent stem cells such as embryonic stem cells, control of pluripotency by environmental switch of adherent suspension, symmetric and asymmetric cell division, expression of factors relevant to stress tolerance, and distinctive tissue distribution. Pluripotent stem cells were recently classified into two discrete states, naïve and primed. These two states have multiple functional differences, including their proliferation rate, molecular properties, and growth factor dependency. The properties exhibited by Muse cells are similar to those of primed pluripotent stem cells while with some uniqueness. In this chapter, we provide a comprehensive description of the basic characteristics of Muse cells.

Notch Signaling Activation Enhances Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Retinal Differentiation

Retinal disease treatment by stem cell-based replacement relies on stem cell differentiation into retinal cells. We previously demonstrated that human periodontal ligament-derived stem cells can be directed into retinal lineage upon induction. Here, we report the transdifferentiation potential of human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) into retinal lineage and its enhancement by Notch signaling modulation. Human ASCs, isolated from abdominal fat, expressed mesenchymal but not hematopoietic stem cell markers, and they can differentiate into adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteoblasts in vitro. Upon noggin/Dkk-1/IGF-1 induction, the treated ASCs showed elevated expression of retinal progenitor, retinal ganglion, and photoreceptor cell markers as well as the glutamate-evoked calcium response, which was not observed in the noninduced cells. Compared to the regular induction treatment, Notch signaling activation by JAG1 enhanced the expression of retinal progenitor and precursor markers without affecting the glutamate-evoked calcium response. In contrast, Notch signaling inhibition by DAPT showed more retinal ganglion cells, but delayed the response to glutamate stimulation. In summary, our results revealed that human ASCs possess a retinal transdifferentiation potential upon noggin/Dkk-1/IGF-1 induction, which can further be enhanced by Notch signaling activation.

Amniotic membrane and adipose-derived stem cell co-culture system enhances bone regeneration in a rat periodontal defect model

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory process that potentially leads to alveolar bone destruction and tooth loss. Tissue engineering combined with stem cell therapy is a potential effective treatment for periodontal bone loss. Amniotic membrane (AM) is a potential scaffold enriched with multiple growth factors. It has the effects of anti-inflammation, antiangiogenesis, and immunosuppression. Herein, we used adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and an AM co-cultured system to study bone regeneration in a rat periodontal defect model in vivo.

METHODS

Human ADSCs were isolated from the infrapatellar fat pad, and characterized by flow cytometry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and multipotent differentiation assays. The co-culture system was applied in the periodontal two-wall osseous defect in a rat model, and computed tomography was used to measure the effect.

RESULTS

Human ADSCs isolated from the infrapatellar fat pad showed spindle-like morphology. Flow cytometry results demonstrated that ADSCs expressed a high level of CD90 and CD105, but not CD31, CD34, and CD45. ADSCs strongly expressed stemness genes, including SOX2, OCT4, NANOG, and KLF4 on different passages. Furthermore, ADSCs were able to differentiate into osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic cells. In the periodontal osseous defect rat model, ADSCs and the AM co-culture system significantly increased bone regeneration.

CONCLUSION

This study provides the basis for using ADSCs with an AM co-culture system as stem cell therapy and scaffold transplantation in clinical periodontology.

TET2 Negatively Regulates Nestin Expression in Human Melanoma

Although melanoma is an aggressive cancer, the understanding of the virulence-conferring pathways involved remains incomplete. We have demonstrated that loss of ten-eleven translocation methylcytosine dioxygenase (TET2)-mediated 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) is an epigenetic driver of melanoma growth and a biomarker of clinical virulence. We also have determined that the intermediate filament protein nestin correlates with tumorigenic and invasive melanoma growth. Here we examine the relationships between these two biomarkers. Immunohistochemistry staining of nestin and 5-hmC in 53 clinically annotated primary and metastatic patient melanomas revealed a significant negative correlation. Restoration of 5-hmC, as assessed in a human melanoma cell line by introducing full-length TET2 and TET2-mutated constructs, decreased nestin gene and protein expression in vitro. Genome-wide mapping using hydroxymethylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing disclosed significantly less 5-hmC binding in the 3' untranslated region of the nestin gene in melanoma compared to nevi, and 5-hmC binding in this region was significantly increased after TET2 overexpression in human melanoma cells in vitro. Our findings provide evidence suggesting that nestin regulation is negatively controlled epigenetically by TET2 via 5-hmC binding at the 3' untranslated region of the nestin gene, providing one potential pathway for understanding melanoma growth characteristics. Studies are now indicated to further define the interplay between 5-hmC, nestin expression, and melanoma virulence.

Molecular physiognomies and applications of adipose-derived stem cells

Adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASC) are multipotent with abilities to differentiate into multiple lineages including connective tissue and neural cells. Despite unlimited opportunity and needs for human and veterinary regenerative medicine, applications of adipose-derived stromal/stem cells are at present very limited. Furthermore, the fundamental biological factors regulating stemness in ASC and their stable differentiation into other tissue cells are not fully understood. The objective of this review was to provide an update on the current knowledge of the nature and isolation, molecular and epigenetic determinants of the potency, and applications of adipose-derived stromal/stem cells, as well as challenges and future directions. The first quarter of the review focuses on the nature of ASC, namely their definition, origin, isolation and sorting methods and multilineage differentiation potential, often with a comparison to mesenchymal stem cells of bone marrow. Due to the indisputable role of epigenetic regulation on cell identities, epigenetic modifications (DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling and microRNAs) are described broadly in stem cells but with a focus on ASC. The final sections provide insights into the current and potential applications of ASC in human and veterinary regenerative medicine.

Systemic Administration of Small Interfering RNA Targeting Human Nestin Inhibits Pancreatic Cancer Cell Proliferation and Metastasis

OBJECTIVES

Nestin, a progenitor/stem cell marker, is expressed in human pancreatic cancer, where its expression correlates positively with invasiveness and metastasis. Here, we investigated the inhibition of nestin expression and the regulation of nestin expression.

METHODS

We analyzed the effects of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting nestin using pancreatic cancer cell lines.

RESULTS

Nestin siRNA inhibited the growth, migration, invasion, and sphere-forming ability of the pancreatic cancer cell lines. Pancreatic cancer cells cotreated with gemcitabine and nestin siRNA exhibited lower cell viability than cells treated with a control siRNA, gemcitabine alone, or nestin siRNA alone. Cells derived from the metastatic nodules of mice showed higher nestin expression than the parental cells, and nestin expression in pancreatic cancer cells was regulated by methylation of the nestin gene. In an orthotopic implantation model using mice, administration of nestin siRNA significantly decreased primary and metastatic tumor formation by human pancreatic cancer cells compared to tumor formation in control siRNA-treated mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Nestin plays a key role in pancreatic cancer cell metastasis and stemness and that administration of nestin siRNA may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer.

Direct Conversion of Equine Adipose-Derived Stem Cells into Induced Neuronal Cells Is Enhanced in Three-Dimensional Culture

The ability to culture neurons from horses may allow further investigation into equine neurological disorders. In this study, we demonstrate the generation of induced neuronal cells from equine adipose-derived stem cells (EADSCs) using a combination of lentiviral vector expression of the neuronal transcription factors Brn2, Ascl1, Myt1l (BAM) and NeuroD1 and a defined chemical induction medium, with βIII-tubulin-positive induced neuronal cells displaying a distinct neuronal morphology of rounded and compact cell bodies, extensive neurite outgrowth, and branching of processes. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of dimensionality on neuronal transdifferentiation, comparing conventional two-dimensional (2D) monolayer culture against three-dimensional (3D) culture on a porous polystyrene scaffold. Neuronal transdifferentiation was enhanced in 3D culture, with evenly distributed cells located on the surface and throughout the scaffold. Transdifferentiation efficiency was increased in 3D culture, with an increase in mean percent conversion of more than 100% compared to 2D culture. Additionally, induced neuronal cells were shown to transit through a Nestin-positive precursor state, with MAP2 and Synapsin 2 expression significantly increased in 3D culture. These findings will help to increase our understanding of equine neuropathogenesis, with prospective roles in disease modeling, drug screening, and cellular replacement for treatment of equine neurological disorders.

Epigenetic priming of inflammatory response genes by high glucose in adipose progenitor cells

Cellular metabolism confers wide-spread epigenetic modifications required for regulation of transcriptional networks that determine cellular states. Mesenchymal stromal cells are responsive to metabolic cues including circulating glucose levels and modulate inflammatory responses. We show here that long term exposure of undifferentiated human adipose tissue stromal cells (ASCs) to high glucose upregulates a subset of inflammation response (IR) genes and alters their promoter histone methylation patterns in a manner consistent with transcriptional de-repression. Modeling of chromatin states from combinations of histone modifications in nearly 500 IR genes unveil three overarching chromatin configurations reflecting repressive, active, and potentially active states in promoter and enhancer elements. Accordingly, we show that adipogenic differentiation in high glucose predominantly upregulates IR genes. Our results indicate that elevated extracellular glucose levels sensitize in ASCs an IR gene expression program which is exacerbated during adipocyte differentiation. We propose that high glucose exposure conveys an epigenetic 'priming' of IR genes, favoring a transcriptional inflammatory response upon adipogenic stimulation. Chromatin alterations at IR genes by high glucose exposure may play a role in the etiology of metabolic diseases.

Differentiation of equine mesenchymal stromal cells into cells of neural lineage: potential for clinical applications

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are able to differentiate into extramesodermal lineages, including neurons. Positive outcomes were obtained after transplantation of neurally induced MSCs in laboratory animals after nerve injury, but this is unknown in horses. Our objectives were to test the ability of equine MSCs to differentiate into cells of neural lineage in vitro, to assess differences in morphology and lineage-specific protein expression, and to investigate if horse age and cell passage number affected the ability to achieve differentiation. Bone marrow-derived MSCs were obtained from young and adult horses. Following demonstration of stemness, MSCs were neurally induced and microscopically assessed at different time points. Results showed that commercially available nitrogen-coated tissue culture plates supported proliferation and differentiation. Morphological changes were immediate and all the cells displayed a neural crest-like cell phenotype. Expression of neural progenitor proteins, was assessed via western blot or immunofluorescence. In our study, MSCs generated from young and middle-aged horses did not show differences in their ability to undergo differentiation. The effect of cell passage number, however, is inconsistent and further experiments are needed. Ongoing work is aimed at transdifferentiating these cells into Schwann cells for transplantation into a peripheral nerve injury model in horses.

Analysis of the effects of five factors relevant to in vitro chondrogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells using factorial design and high throughput mRNA-profiling

The in vitro process of chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells for tissue engineering has been shown to require three-dimensional culture along with the addition of differentiation factors to the culture medium. In general, this leads to a phenotype lacking some of the cardinal features of native articular chondrocytes and their extracellular matrix. The factors used vary, but regularly include members of the transforming growth factor β superfamily and dexamethasone, sometimes in conjunction with fibroblast growth factor 2 and insulin-like growth factor 1, however the use of soluble factors to induce chondrogenesis has largely been studied on a single factor basis. In the present study we combined a factorial quality-by-design experiment with high-throughput mRNA profiling of a customized chondrogenesis related gene set as a tool to study in vitro chondrogenesis of human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells in alginate. 48 different conditions of transforming growth factor β 1, 2 and 3, bone morphogenetic protein 2, 4 and 6, dexamethasone, insulin-like growth factor 1, fibroblast growth factor 2 and cell seeding density were included in the experiment. The analysis revealed that the best of the tested differentiation cocktails included transforming growth factor β 1 and dexamethasone. Dexamethasone acted in synergy with transforming growth factor β 1 by increasing many chondrogenic markers while directly downregulating expression of the pro-osteogenic gene osteocalcin. However, all factors beneficial to the expression of desirable hyaline cartilage markers also induced undesirable molecules, indicating that perfect chondrogenic differentiation is not achievable with the current differentiation protocols.

Human adipose tissue possesses a unique population of pluripotent stem cells with nontumorigenic and low telomerase activities: potential implications in regenerative medicine

In this study, we demonstrate that a small population of pluripotent stem cells, termed adipose multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring (adipose-Muse) cells, exist in adult human adipose tissue and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (adipose-MSCs). They can be identified as cells positive for both MSC markers (CD105 and CD90) and human pluripotent stem cell marker SSEA-3. They intrinsically retain lineage plasticity and the ability to self-renew. They spontaneously generate cells representative of all three germ layers from a single cell and successfully differentiate into targeted cells by cytokine induction. Cells other than adipose-Muse cells exist in adipose-MSCs, however, do not exhibit these properties and are unable to cross the boundaries from mesodermal to ectodermal or endodermal lineages even under cytokine inductions. Importantly, adipose-Muse cells demonstrate low telomerase activity and transplants do not promote teratogenesis in vivo. When compared with bone marrow (BM)- and dermal-Muse cells, adipose-Muse cells have the tendency to exhibit higher expression in mesodermal lineage markers, while BM- and dermal-Muse cells were generally higher in those of ectodermal and endodermal lineages. Adipose-Muse cells distinguish themselves as both easily obtainable and versatile in their capacity for differentiation, while low telomerase activity and lack of teratoma formation make these cells a practical cell source for potential stem cell therapies. Further, they will promote the effectiveness of currently performed adipose-MSC transplantation, particularly for ectodermal and endodermal tissues where transplanted cells need to differentiate across the lineage from mesodermal to ectodermal or endodermal in order to replenish lost cells for tissue repair.