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Zhang L, Wang X, Xia G, Huang J, Wen Z, Liang C, Cao X, Zhou Y, Wu S. YAP maintains cartilage stem/progenitor cell homeostasis in osteoarthritis. J Orthop Translat 2024; 46:79-90. [PMID: 38817242 PMCID: PMC11137389 DOI: 10.1016/j.jot.2024.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The cartilage stem/progenitor cells (CSPC) play a critical role in maintaining cartilage homeostasis. However, the effects of phenotypic fluctuations of CSPC on cartilage degeneration and the role of CSPC in the pathogenesis of OA is largely unknown. Methods The cartilage samples of 3 non-OA and 10 OA patients were collected. Human CSPC (hCSPC) derived from these patients were isolated, identified, and evaluated for cellular functions. Additionally, chondrocytes derived from OA patients were isolated. The effect of Yes-associated protein (YAP) expression on hCSPC was investigated in vitro. The OA rat model was established by Hulth's method. Lentivirus-mediated YAP (Lv-YAP) or lentivirus-mediated YAP RNAi (Lv-YAP-RNAi) was injected intra-articularly to modulate YAP expression in rat joints. In addition, allogeneic rat CSPC (rCSPC) overexpressing or silencing YAP were transplanted by intra-articularly injection. We also evaluated the functions of rCSPC and the OA-related cartilage phenotype in the rat model. Finally, the transcriptome of OA rCSPC overexpressing YAP was examined to explore the potential downstream targets of YAP in rCSPC. Results hCSPC derived from OA patients exhibited differential chondrogenesis capacity. Among them, a subset of hCSPC showed pronounced dysfunction, including impaired chondrogenic differentiation, inhibition of proliferation and migration, and downregulation of lubricin. Additionally, YAP was lowly expressed in quiescent non-OA hCSPC, upregulated in activated OA hCSPC, but significantly downregulated in dysfunctional OA hCSPC. Notably, the overexpression of YAP in OA hCSPC improved the proliferation, lubricin production, cell migration, and senescence, while silencing YAP had the opposite effect. In vivo, upregulation of YAP in the joint delayed OA progression and improved the cartilage regeneration capacity of rCSPC. Using transcriptomic analysis, we found that YAP may regulate rCSPC function by upregulating Baculoviral IAP repeat-containing 2 (BIRC2). Importantly, the knockdown of BIRC2 partly blocked the regulation of YAP on the CSPC function. Conclusion Dysfunction of CSPC compromises the intrinsic repair capacity of cartilage and impairs cartilage homeostasis in OA. Notably, the transcriptional co-activator YAP plays a critical role in maintaining CSPC function through potential target gene BIRC2. The Translational Potential of this Article In this study, we observed targeting the YAP-BIRC2 axis improved the CSPC function and restored the cartilage homeostasis in OA. This study provides a potential stem cell-modifying OA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410005, China
| | - Xinxing Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Guang Xia
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Junjie Huang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Zi Wen
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Chi Liang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Xu Cao
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Yong Zhou
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
| | - Song Wu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, China
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Bieńko K, Leszcz M, Więckowska M, Białek J, Petniak A, Szymanowski R, Wilińska A, Piszcz B, Krzyżanowski A, Kwaśniewska A, Płachno BJ, Gil-Kulik P, Kocki J. VEGF Expression in Umbilical Cord MSC Depends on the Patient's Health, the Week of Pregnancy in Which the Delivery Took Place, and the Body Weight of the Newborn - Preliminary Report. Stem Cells Cloning 2023; 16:5-18. [PMID: 37139466 PMCID: PMC10150760 DOI: 10.2147/sccaa.s399303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cells collected from Wharton's jelly are a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells. They can be easily obtained and grown using the adhesive method. They produce many types of proteins, including VEGF. Their role is to participate in angiogenesis, vasodilation, stimulation of cells to migrate, and chemotactic activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate expression of genes from the vascular endothelial growth factor family: VEGFA, VEGFB and VEGFC in MSC and the analysis of dependence of the expression of the studied genes on clinical factors related to the course of pregnancy and childbirth, and health of mother and child. Material and Methods The research material was an umbilical cord obtained from 40 patients hospitalized in the Department of Obstetrics and Pathology of Pregnancy of the Independent Public Clinical Hospital No.1 in Lublin. The age of the women was 21-46, all gave birth by cesarean section. Some of the patients suffered from hypertension and hypothyroidism. Material collected from patients immediately after delivery was subjected to enzymatic digestion with type I collagenase. The isolated cells were then cultured in adherent conditions, and then gene expression was assessed using qPCR and the immunophenotype of the cells was assessed cytometrically. Results Conducted studies have shown significant differences in expression of VEGF family genes depending on clinical condition of mother and child. Significant differences in VEGF-family gene expression level in umbilical cord MSC collected from women with hypothyroidism, hypertension, time of labor and birth weight of the baby were shown. Conclusion Probably due to hypoxia (caused, for example, by hypothyroidism or hypertension), the MSCs found in the umbilical cord may react with an increased expression of VEGF and a compensatory increase in the amount of secreted factor, the aim of which is, i.a., vasodilation and increase of blood supply to the fetus through the umbilical vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Bieńko
- Student Scientific Society of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Monika Leszcz
- Student Scientific Society of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Marta Więckowska
- Student Scientific Society of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Justyna Białek
- Student Scientific Society of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Alicja Petniak
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Rafał Szymanowski
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Wilińska
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Bartosz Piszcz
- Department of Obstetrics and Pathology of Pregnancy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
- Doctoral School, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Arkadiusz Krzyżanowski
- Department of Obstetrics and Pathology of Pregnancy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Anna Kwaśniewska
- Department of Obstetrics and Pathology of Pregnancy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Bartosz J Płachno
- Department of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Paulina Gil-Kulik
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence: Paulina Gil-Kulik, Department of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lublin, 11 Radziwillowska Str., Lublin, 20-080, Poland, Email
| | - Janusz Kocki
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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Liu L, Liu Q, Zou X, Chen Q, Wang X, Gao Z, Jiang J. Identification of thyroid hormone response genes in the remodeling of dorsal muscle during Microhyla fissipes metamorphosis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1099130. [PMID: 36817577 PMCID: PMC9937655 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1099130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Extensive morphological, biochemical, and cellular changes occur during anuran metamorphosis, which is triggered by a single hormone, thyroid hormone (TH). The function of TH is mainly mediated through thyroid receptor (TR) by binding to the specific thyroid response elements (TREs) of direct response genes, in turn regulating the downstream genes in the cascade. The remodeling of dorsal skeletal muscle during anuran metamorphosis provides the perfect model to identify the immediate early and direct response genes that are important during apoptosis, proliferation, and differentiation of the muscle. METHODS In our current study, we performed Illumina sequencing combined with single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing in the dorsal muscle of Microhyla fissipes after TH, cycloheximide (CHX), and TH_CHX treatment. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION We first identified 1,245 differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) after TH exposure, many of which were involved in DNA replication, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, cell cycle, apoptosis, p53 signaling pathway, and protein digestion and absorption. In the comparison of the TH group vs. control group and TH_CHX group vs. CHX group overlapping gene, 39 upregulated and 6 downregulated genes were identified as the TH directly induced genes. Further analysis indicated that AGGTCAnnTnAGGTCA is the optimal target sequence of target genes for TR/RXR heterodimers in M. fissipes. Future investigations on the function and regulation of these genes and pathways should help to reveal the mechanisms governing amphibian dorsal muscle remodeling. These full-length and high-quality transcriptomes in this study also provide an important foundation for future studies in M. fissipes metamorphosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lusha Liu
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qi Liu
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xue Zou
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiheng Chen
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xungang Wang
- Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, China
| | - Zexia Gao
- College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Zexia Gao, ; Jianping Jiang,
| | - Jianping Jiang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Zexia Gao, ; Jianping Jiang,
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Motofei IG. Biology of cancer; from cellular and molecular mechanisms to developmental processes and adaptation. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:600-615. [PMID: 34695580 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer research has been largely focused on the cellular and molecular levels of investigation. Recent data show that not only the cell but also the extracellular matrix plays a major role in the progression of malignancy. In this way, the cells and the extracellular matrix create a specific local microenvironment that supports malignant development. At the same time, cancer implies a systemic evolution which is closely related to developmental processes and adaptation. Consequently, there is currently a real gap between the local investigation of cancer at the microenvironmental level, and the pathophysiological approach to cancer as a systemic disease. In fact, the cells and the matrix are not only complementary structures but also interdependent components that act synergistically. Such relationships lead to cell-matrix integration, a supracellular form of biological organization that supports tissue development. The emergence of this supracellular level of organization, as a structure, leads to the emergence of the supracellular control of proliferation, as a supracellular function. In humans, proliferation is generally involved in developmental processes and adaptation. These processes suppose a specific configuration at the systemic level, which generates high-order guidance for local supracellular control of proliferation. In conclusion, the supracellular control of proliferation act as an interface between the downstream level of cell division and differentiation, and upstream level of developmental processes and adaptation. Understanding these processes and their disorders is useful not only to complete the big picture of malignancy as a systemic disease, but also to open new treatment perspectives in the form of etiopathogenic (supracellular or informational) therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ion G Motofei
- Department of Oncology/ Surgery, Carol Davila University, St. Pantelimon Hospital, Dionisie Lupu Street, No. 37, Bucharest, 020021, Romania.
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Expression Analysis of BIRC3 as One Target Gene of Transcription Factor NF-κB for Esophageal Cancer. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10091673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Esophageal cancer (ESCA) is one of the highest lethal malignancy tumors worldwide. Baculoviral IAP repeat-containing protein 3 (BIRC3) is the main inhibitor of apoptosis in many malignancies. The aim of this study was to clarify how BIRC3 acts in ESCA cells. Through TNMplot and GEPIA2 analysis, BIRC3 was found abundantly expressed in ESCA cells. The quantitative RT-PCR assay confirmed BIRC3 was pronouncedly induced in all used ESCA cell lines. In addition, proinflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-1β were shown to have promotion effects on BIRC3 expression in ESCA cells. These promotive effects were blocked when the function of NF-κB was inhibited by bay 11-7082, which indicates the expression of the BIRC3 gene was regulated via the NF-κB transcription pathway in ESCA. Moreover, bioinformatics analysis showed that the BIRC3 gene had many NF-κB binding cis-elements. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was then performed and it was found that NF-κB directly interacts with cis-elements of the BIRC3 gene. In conclusion, our data proved that the high expression level of BIRC3 maintained the survival of ESCA cells. BIRC3 was up-regulated by proinflammatory cytokine TNFα and IL-1β through the NF-κB signaling pathway, and this may be helpful for esophageal cancer prevention and therapy.
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Evaluation of the Impact of Pregnancy-Associated Factors on the Quality of Wharton's Jelly-Derived Stem Cells Using SOX2 Gene Expression as a Marker. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147630. [PMID: 35886978 PMCID: PMC9317592 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
SOX2 is a recognized pluripotent transcription factor involved in stem cell homeostasis, self-renewal and reprogramming. It belongs to, one of the SRY-related HMG-box (SOX) family of transcription factors, taking part in the regulation of embryonic development and determination of cell fate. Among other functions, SOX2 promotes proliferation, survival, invasion, metastasis, cancer stemness, and drug resistance. SOX2 interacts with other transcription factors in multiple signaling pathways to control growth and survival. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a parturient’s age, umbilical cord blood pH and length of pregnancy on the quality of stem cells derived from Wharton’s jelly (WJSC) by looking at birth weight and using SOX2 gene expression as a marker. Using qPCR the authors, evaluated the expression of SOX2 in WJSC acquired from the umbilical cords of 30 women right after the delivery. The results showed a significant correlation between the birth weight and the expression of SOX2 in WJSC in relation to maternal age, umbilical cord blood pH, and the length of pregnancy. The authors observed that the younger the woman and the lower the umbilical cord blood pH, the earlier the delivery occurs, the lower the birth weight and the higher SOX2 gene expression in WJSC. In research studies and clinical applications of regenerative medicine utilizing mesenchymal stem cells derived from Wharton’s Jelly of the umbilical cord, assessment of maternal and embryonic factors influencing the quality of cells is critical.
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Xie J, Ekpo MD, Xiao J, Zhao H, Bai X, Liang Y, Zhao G, Liu D, Tan S. Principles and Protocols For Post-Cryopreservation Quality Evaluation of Stem Cells in Novel Biomedicine. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:907943. [PMID: 35592426 PMCID: PMC9113563 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.907943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell therapy is a thriving topic of interest among researchers and clinicians due to evidence of its effectiveness and promising therapeutic advantage in numerous disease conditions as presented by novel biomedical research. However, extensive clinical application of stem cells is limited by its storage and transportation. The emergence of cryopreservation technology has made it possible for living organs, tissues, cells and even living organisms to survive for a long time at deep low temperatures. During the cryopreservation process, stem cell preparations are subject to three major damages: osmotic damage, mechanical damage, and peroxidative damage. Therefore, Assessing the effectiveness and safety of stem cells following cryopreservation is fundamental to the quality control of stem cell preparations. This article presents the important biosafety and quality control parameters to be assessed during the manufacturing of clinical grade stem cell products, highlights the significance of preventing cryodamage. and provides a reference for protocols in the quality control of stem cell preparations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxian Xie
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Marlene Davis Ekpo
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jian Xiao
- Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Hongbin Zhao
- Hunan Carnation Biotechnology Co. LTD, Changsha, China.,Hainan Nova Doctor Group Co. Ltd, Haikou, China
| | - Xiaoyong Bai
- Hunan Carnation Biotechnology Co. LTD, Changsha, China.,Hainan Nova Doctor Group Co. Ltd, Haikou, China
| | - Yijie Liang
- Hunan Carnation Biotechnology Co. LTD, Changsha, China.,Hainan Nova Doctor Group Co. Ltd, Haikou, China
| | - Guang Zhao
- Hunan Sheng Bao Biological Technology Co., Ltd (in Yinfeng Biological Group., Ltd), Changsha, China
| | - Dong Liu
- Hunan Sheng Bao Biological Technology Co., Ltd (in Yinfeng Biological Group., Ltd), Changsha, China
| | - Songwen Tan
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Shen J, Wang R, Chen Y, Fang Z, Tang J, Yao J, Ling Y, Zhang L, Zhang X. An Immune-Related Signature Predicted Survival in Patients With Kidney Papillary Cell Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:670047. [PMID: 34164341 PMCID: PMC8215362 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.670047] [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: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune-related genes are important factors in tumor progression. The main aim of this study was to identify the immune-related genes in kidney papillary cell carcinoma (pRCC) patients. We downloaded RNAseq data and clinical information of pRCC patients from the TCGA database and retrieved the immune-related genes list from Immport. From the data, we mined out 2,468 differential expression genes (DEGs) and 183 immune-related DEGs. Four hub DEGs (NTS, BIRC5, ELN, and CHGA) were identified after conducting Cox analysis and LASSO analysis. Moreover, the prognostic value of the signature based on four hub DEGs was verified using Kaplan–Meier analysis (P = 0.0041 in the training set and p = 0.021 in the test set) and ROC analysis (AUC: 0.957 in 1 year, 0.965 in 2 years, and 0.901 in 3 years in the training set, and 0.963 in 1 year, 0.898 in 2 years, and 0.742 in 3 years in the test set). Furthermore, we found that the high-risk score group had a higher percentage of B cells in the immune component, a higher expression of immune-related genes (CTLA4, LAG3, PDCD1LG2, and TIGIT), and a better immunotherapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yu Chen
- The First Hospital of Huzhou, Huzhou, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Xu Zhang
- Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou, China
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Cell lineage-specific methylome and genome alterations in gout. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:3843-3865. [PMID: 33493135 PMCID: PMC7906142 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we examined data from 69 gout patients and 1,455 non-gout controls using a MethylationEPIC BeadChip assay and Illumina HiSeq platform to identify lineage-specific epigenetic alterations and associated genetic factors that contributed to gouty inflammation. Cell lineage-specific differentially methylated sites were identified using CellDMC after adjusting for sex, age, alcohol drinking, smoking status, and smoking history (total pack-years). Different cell lineages displayed distinct differential methylation. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis and NetworkAnalyst indicated that many differential methylated sites were associated with interleukin-1β expression in monocytes. On the UCSC Genome Browser and WashU Epigenome Browser, metabolic trait, cis-methylation quantitative trait loci, genetic, and functional annotation analyses identified nine methylation loci located in interleukin-1β-regulating genes (PRKCZ, CIDEC, VDAC1, CPT1A, BIRC2, BRCA1, STK11, and NLRP12) that were associated specifically with gouty inflammation. All nine sites mapped to active regulatory elements in monocytes. MoLoTool and ReMap analyses indicated that the nine methylation loci overlapped with binding sites of several transcription factors that regulated interleukin-1β production and gouty inflammation. Decreases in PRKCZ and STK11 methylation were also associated with higher numbers of first-degree relatives who also had gout. The gouty-inflammation specific methylome and genome alterations could potentially aid in the identification of novel therapeutic targets.
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Human Umbilical Cord: Information Mine in Sex-Specific Medicine. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11010052. [PMID: 33451112 PMCID: PMC7828611 DOI: 10.3390/life11010052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological differences between sexes should be considered in all stages of research, as sexual dimorphism starts in utero leading to sex-specific fetal programming. In numerous biomedical fields, there is still a lack of stratification by sex despite primary cultured cells retaining memory of the sex and of the donor. The sex of donors in biological research must be known because variations in cells and cellular components can be used as endpoints, biomarkers and/or targets of pharmacological studies. This selective review focuses on the current findings regarding sex differences observed in the umbilical cord, a widely used source of research samples, both in the blood and in the circulating cells, as well as in the different cellular models obtainable from it. Moreover, an overview on sex differences in fetal programming is reported. As it emerges that the sex variable is still often forgotten in experimental models, we suggest that it should be mandatory to adopt sex-oriented research, because only awareness of these issues can lead to innovative research.
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