1
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Tang BL. Debates on humanization of human-animal brain chimeras - are we putting the cart before the horses? MEDICINE, HEALTH CARE, AND PHILOSOPHY 2024; 27:359-366. [PMID: 38797779 DOI: 10.1007/s11019-024-10209-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Research on human-animal chimeras have elicited alarms and prompted debates. Those involving the generation of chimeric brains, in which human brain cells become anatomically and functionally intertwined with their animal counterparts in varying ratios, either via xenografts or embryonic co-development, have been considered the most problematic. The moral issues stem from a potential for "humanization" of the animal brain, as well as speculative changes to the host animals' consciousness or sentience, with consequential alteration in the animal hosts' moral status. However, critical background knowledge appears to be missing to resolve these debates. Firstly, there is no consensus on animal sentience vis-à-vis that of humans, and no established methodology that would allow a wholesome and objective assessment of changes in animal sentience resulting from the introduction of human brain cells. Knowledge in interspecies comparative neuropsychology that could allow effective demarcation of a state of "humanization" is also lacking. Secondly, moral status as a philosophical construct has no scientific and objective points of reference. Either changes in sentience or humanization effects would remain unclear unless there are some neuroscientific research grounding. For a bioethical stance based on moral status of human-animal brain chimera to make meaningful contributions to regulatory policies, it might first need to be adequately informed by, and with its arguments constructed, in a manner that are factually in line with the science. In may be prudent for approved research projects involving the generation of human-animal brain chimera to have a mandatory component of assessing plausible changes in sentience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bor Luen Tang
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, National University of Singapore, 8 Medical Dr, Singapore, 117596, Singapore.
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2
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Nagano H, Mizuno N, Sato H, Mizutani E, Yanagida A, Kano M, Kasai M, Yamamoto H, Watanabe M, Suchy F, Masaki H, Nakauchi H. Skin graft with dermis and appendages generated in vivo by cell competition. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3366. [PMID: 38684678 PMCID: PMC11058811 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47527-7] [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: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Autologous skin grafting is a standard treatment for skin defects such as burns. No artificial skin substitutes are functionally equivalent to autologous skin grafts. The cultured epidermis lacks the dermis and does not engraft deep wounds. Although reconstituted skin, which consists of cultured epidermal cells on a synthetic dermal substitute, can engraft deep wounds, it requires the wound bed to be well-vascularized and lacks skin appendages. In this study, we successfully generate complete skin grafts with pluripotent stem cell-derived epidermis with appendages on p63 knockout embryos' dermis. Donor pluripotent stem cell-derived keratinocytes encroach the embryos' dermis by eliminating p63 knockout keratinocytes based on cell-extracellular matrix adhesion mediated cell competition. Although the chimeric skin contains allogenic dermis, it is engraftable as long as autologous grafts. Furthermore, we could generate semi-humanized skin segments by human keratinocytes injection into the amnionic cavity of p63 knockout mice embryos. Niche encroachment opens the possibility of human skin graft production in livestock animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisato Nagano
- Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
- Stem Cell Therapy Laboratory, Advanced Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-8513, Japan
| | - Naoaki Mizuno
- Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan.
- Stem Cell Therapy Laboratory, Advanced Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan.
- Department of Experimental Animal Model for Human Disease, Center for Experimental Animals, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan.
| | - Hideyuki Sato
- Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
- Stem Cell Therapy Laboratory, Advanced Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Eiji Mizutani
- Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
- Stem Cell Therapy Laboratory, Advanced Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Therapy, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8577, Japan
| | - Ayaka Yanagida
- Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
- Stem Cell Therapy Laboratory, Advanced Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Mayuko Kano
- Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
- Stem Cell Therapy Laboratory, Advanced Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
- Metabolism and Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 216-8511, Japan
| | - Mariko Kasai
- Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
- Stem Cell Therapy Laboratory, Advanced Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Hiromi Yamamoto
- Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
- Stem Cell Therapy Laboratory, Advanced Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Motoo Watanabe
- Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
- Stem Cell Therapy Laboratory, Advanced Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Fabian Suchy
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Hideki Masaki
- Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
- Stem Cell Therapy Laboratory, Advanced Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Nakauchi
- Division of Stem Cell Therapy, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan.
- Stem Cell Therapy Laboratory, Advanced Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan.
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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Raposo VL. Homo chimaera after homo sapiens?: the legal status of human–non-human chimaeras with human brain cells. BIOSOCIETIES 2023. [DOI: 10.1057/s41292-023-00302-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
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4
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Rodger D, Cooper DKC. Kidney xenotransplantation: Future clinical reality or science fiction? Nurs Health Sci 2023; 25:161-170. [PMID: 36335558 PMCID: PMC10124775 DOI: 10.1111/nhs.12994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
There is a global shortage of organs for transplantation and despite many governments making significant changes to their organ donation systems, there are not enough kidneys available to meet the demand. This has led scientists and clinicians to explore alternative means of meeting this organ shortfall. One of the alternatives to human organ transplantation is xenotransplantation, which is the transplantation of organs, tissues, or cells between different species. The resurgence of interest in xenotransplantation and recent scientific breakthroughs suggest that genetically engineered pigs may soon present a realistic alternative as sources of kidneys for clinical transplantation. It is therefore important for healthcare professionals to understand what is involved in xenotransplantation and its future implications for their clinical practices. First, we explore the insufficiency of different organ donation systems to meet the kidney shortage. Second, we provide a background and a summary of the progress made so far in xenotransplantation research. Third, we discuss some of the scientific, technological, ethical, and public health issues associated with xenotransplantation. Finally, we summarize the literature on the attitudes of healthcare professionals toward xenotransplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Rodger
- Institute of Health and Social Care, School of Allied and Community Health, London South Bank University, London, UK
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK
| | - David K. C. Cooper
- Center for Transplantation Sciences, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Abstract
Non-human animal chimeras, containing human neurological cells, have been created in the laboratory. Despite a great deal of debate, the status of such beings has not been resolved. Under normal definitions, such a being could either be unconventionally human or abnormally animal. Practical investigations in animal sentience, artificial intelligence, and now chimera research, suggest that such beings may be assumed to have no legal rights, so philosophy could provide a different answer. In this vein, therefore, we can ask: What would a chimera, if it could think, think about? Thinking is used to capture the phenomena of a novel, chimeric being perceiving its terrible predicament as no more than a laboratory experiment. The creation of a thinking chimera therefore forces us to reconsider our assumptions about what makes human beings (potentially) unique (and other sentient animals different), because, as such, a chimera's existence bridges our social and legal expectations about definitions of human and animal. Society has often evolved new social norms based on different kinds of (ir)rational contrivances; the imperative of non-contradiction, which is defended here, therefore requires a specific philosophical response to the rights of a thinking chimeric being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Capps
- Department of Bioethics, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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6
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Sarmah H, Sawada A, Hwang Y, Miura A, Shimamura Y, Tanaka J, Yamada K, Mori M. Towards human organ generation using interspecies blastocyst complementation: Challenges and perspectives for therapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1070560. [PMID: 36743411 PMCID: PMC9893295 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1070560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Millions of people suffer from end-stage refractory diseases. The ideal treatment option for terminally ill patients is organ transplantation. However, donor organs are in absolute shortage, and sadly, most patients die while waiting for a donor organ. To date, no technology has achieved long-term sustainable patient-derived organ generation. In this regard, emerging technologies of chimeric human organ production via blastocyst complementation (BC) holds great promise. To take human organ generation via BC and transplantation to the next step, we reviewed current emerging organ generation technologies and the associated efficiency of chimera formation in human cells from the standpoint of developmental biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemanta Sarmah
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Anri Sawada
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Youngmin Hwang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Akihiro Miura
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Yuko Shimamura
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Junichi Tanaka
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kazuhiko Yamada
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Munemasa Mori
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
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7
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Weeratunga P, Harman RM, Van de Walle GR. Induced pluripotent stem cells from domesticated ruminants and their potential for enhancing livestock production. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1129287. [PMID: 36891466 PMCID: PMC9986305 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1129287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Ruminant livestock, including cattle, sheep, goat, and buffalo, are essential for global food security and serve valuable roles in sustainable agricultural systems. With the limited availability of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) from these species, ruminant induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and iPSC-like cells provide a valuable research tool for agricultural, veterinary, biomedical, and pharmaceutical applications, as well as for the prospect of translation to human medicine. iPSCs are generated by reprogramming of adult or fetal cells to an ESC-like state by ectopic expression of defined transcription factors. Despite the slow pace the field has evolved in livestock species compared to mice and humans, significant progress has been made over the past 15 years in using different cell sources and reprogramming protocols to generate iPSCs/iPSC-like cells from ruminants. This mini review summarizes the current literature related to the derivation of iPSCs/iPSC-like cells from domesticated ruminants with a focus on reprogramming protocols, characterization, associated limitations, and potential applications in ruminant basic science research and production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasanna Weeratunga
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Rebecca M Harman
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Gerlinde R Van de Walle
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
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8
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Ding L, Xiao Z, Gong X, Peng Y. Knowledge graphs of ethical concerns of cerebral organoids. Cell Prolif 2022; 55:e13239. [PMID: 35582763 PMCID: PMC9357362 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The rapid development of cerebral organoid technology and the gradual maturity of cerebral organoids highlight the necessity of foresighted research on relevant ethical concerns. We employed knowledge graphs and conducted statistical analysis with CiteSpace for a comprehensive analysis of the status quo of the research on the ethical concerns of cerebral organoids from a bibliometric perspective. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a statistical analysis of published papers on cerebral organoid ethics, keyword co-occurrence graph, literature co-citation and knowledge clustering graph to examine the status of the ethics research, internal relationship between technological development and ethical research, and ethical concerns of the academia. Finally, we used a keyword time zone graph and related statistics to analyze and predict the trends and popular topics of future cerebral organoids ethics research. RESULTS We demonstrated that although the ethical concerns of cerebral organoids have long been discussed, it was not until 2017 that the ethical issues began to receive more attention, when cerebral organoids were gradually mimicking the human brain more closely and increasingly being combined with chimera research. The recent key ethical concerns are primarily divided into three categories: concerns that are common in life sciences, specific to cerebral organoids, and present in cross-fields. These increasing ethical concerns are inherently related to the continual development of technology. The analysis pointed out that future research should focus on the ethical concerns of consciousness that are unique to cerebral organoids, ethical concerns of cross-fields, and construction and improvement of legislative and regulatory systems. CONCLUSIONS Although research on cerebral organoids can benefit the biomedicine field, the relevant ethical concerns are significant and have received increasing attention, which are inherently related to the continual development of technology. Future studies in ethics regarding cerebral organoid research should focus on the ethical concerns of consciousness, and cross-fields, as well as the improvement of regulatory systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Ding
- Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenyu Xiao
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China.,Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xia Gong
- Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yaojin Peng
- Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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9
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Horcharoensuk P, Yang-En S, Chakritbudsabong W, Samatiwat P, Pramong R, Rungarunlert S, Rungsiwiwut R. Melatonin attenuates dimethyl sulfoxide- and Zika virus-induced degeneration of porcine induced neural stem cells. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2022; 58:232-242. [PMID: 35235152 PMCID: PMC8890020 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-022-00648-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Domestic pigs have become increasingly popular as a model for human diseases such as neurological diseases. Drug discovery platforms have increasingly been used to identify novel compounds that combat neurodegeneration. Currently, bioactive molecules such as melatonin have been demonstrated to offer a neuroprotective effect in several studies. However, a neurodegenerative platform to study novel compounds in a porcine model has not been fully established. In this study, characterized porcine induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) were used for evaluation of the protective effect of melatonin against chemical and pathogenic stimulation. First, the effects of different concentrations of melatonin on the proliferation of porcine iNSCs were studied. Second, porcine iNSCs were treated with the appropriate concentration of melatonin prior to induced degeneration with dimethyl sulfoxide or Zika virus (ZIKV). The results demonstrated that the percentages of Ki67 expression in porcine iNSCs cultured in 0.1, 1, and 10 nM melatonin were not significantly different from that in the control groups. Melatonin at 1 nM protected porcine iNSCs from DMSO-induced degeneration, as confirmed by a dead cell exclusion assay and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) analysis. In addition, pretreatment with melatonin reduced the percentage of dead porcine iNSCs after ZIKV infection. Melatonin increased the ΔΨm, resulting in a decrease in cell degeneration. However, pretreatment with melatonin was unable to suppress ZIKV replication in porcine iNSCs. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the anti-degenerative effect of melatonin against DMSO- and ZIKV-induced degeneration in porcine iNSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pongsatorn Horcharoensuk
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, 10100, Thailand
| | - Sunantha Yang-En
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, 10100, Thailand
| | - Warunya Chakritbudsabong
- Laboratory of Cellular Biomedicine and Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand.,Department of Preclinic and Applied Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand
| | - Papavee Samatiwat
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, 10100, Thailand
| | - Ratchadaporn Pramong
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, 10100, Thailand
| | - Sasitorn Rungarunlert
- Laboratory of Cellular Biomedicine and Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand.,Department of Preclinic and Applied Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand
| | - Ruttachuk Rungsiwiwut
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, 10100, Thailand.
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10
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Strell P, Shetty A, Steer CJ, Low WC. Interspecies Chimeric Barriers for Generating Exogenic Organs and Cells for Transplantation. Cell Transplant 2022; 31:9636897221110525. [PMID: 36173102 PMCID: PMC9527994 DOI: 10.1177/09636897221110525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing need for organs and novel cell-based therapies has provided a niche for approaches like interspecies chimeras. To generate organs from one donor species in another host species requires techniques such as blastocyst complementation and gene editing to successfully create an embryo that has cells from both the donor and the host. However, the task of developing highly efficacious and competent interspecies chimeras is met by many challenges. These interspecies chimeric barriers impede the formation of chimeras, often leading to lower levels of chimeric competency. The barriers that need to be addressed include the evolutionary distance between species, stage-matching, temporal and spatial synchronization of developmental timing, interspecies cell competition and the survival of pluripotent stem cells and embryos, compatibility of ligand–receptor signaling between species, and the ethical concerns of forming such models. By overcoming the interspecies chimera barriers and creating highly competent chimeras, the technology of organ and cellular generation can be honed and refined to develop fully functioning exogenic organs, tissues, and cells for transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe Strell
- Comparative and Molecular Bioscience Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Anala Shetty
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, and Genetics Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Clifford J Steer
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, and Genetics Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Walter C Low
- Comparative and Molecular Bioscience Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, and Genetics Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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11
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Savatier P, Aksoy I. [Interspecies systemic chimeras]. Med Sci (Paris) 2021; 37:863-872. [PMID: 34647874 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2021145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Inter-species chimeras are both fantastic and monstrous creatures from Greek or Egyptian mythology, and a long-established research tool. Recent advances in the field of pluripotent stem cells have made it possible to extend the repertoire of inter-species chimeras to "systemic" chimeras, in which the mixing of cells from both species involves all organs including the germline. These chimeric embryos and fetuses open up new research avenues and potential medical applications. We will review the latest advances in the field. We will discuss the concepts of developmental complementation and developmental equivalence. We will discuss the methodological hurdles to be unlocked, as well as the biological and ethical limits of these new technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Savatier
- Université Lyon 1, unité Inserm 1208, Cellules souches et cerveau (Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute, SBRI), 18 avenue Doyen Lépine, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Irène Aksoy
- Université Lyon 1, unité Inserm 1208, Cellules souches et cerveau (Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute, SBRI), 18 avenue Doyen Lépine, 69500 Bron, France
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12
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Klitzman R. How Artistic Representation Can Inform Current Debates About Chimeras. THE JOURNAL OF MEDICAL HUMANITIES 2021; 42:337-343. [PMID: 33852102 DOI: 10.1007/s10912-021-09691-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Researchers have increasingly been creating chimeras - combinations of cells from two species - raising profound ethical, social and scientific controversies. Such research could lead to the creation of animals such as pigs that contain human organs for transplantation, yet public fears have emerged. Scientists have thus called for enhanced public education and discussion, but these efforts require comprehension of the nature of public concerns. While arguments have viewed chimeras as either "good" or "bad," artists have long depicted chimeras in ways that can inform these discussions. Chimeras have a long history - the term itself is from Greek mythology - and have generated complex and ambivalent responses, reflecting deep questions regarding who we are as humans. Images across disparate cultures (such as Sphinxes and minotaurs) suggest how humans have long seen species boundaries as fluid but in differing ways. These images suggest that emotional, not just rational, utilitarian perspectives need to be addressed and that challenges may arise in altering views of all individuals. Nonetheless, public messages could draw on historic examples of positive such combinations. Thus, artistic representations can aid scientists, policymakers, educators and members of the public-at-large recognize and better comprehend and address the discomforts chimeras can foster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Klitzman
- Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Mail Unit #15, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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13
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Koplin J, Massie J. Lessons from Frankenstein 200 years on: brain organoids, chimaeras and other 'monsters'. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2021; 47:567-571. [PMID: 32001547 DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2019-105839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein has captured the public imagination ever since it was first published over 200 years ago. While the narrative reflected 19th-century anxieties about the emerging scientific revolution, it also suggested some clear moral lessons that remain relevant today. In a sense, Frankenstein was a work of bioethics written a century and a half before the discipline came to exist. This paper revisits the lessons of Frankenstein regarding the creation and manipulation of life in the light of recent developments in stem cell and neurobiological research. It argues that these lessons are becoming more relevant than ever.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Koplin
- Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
- Biomedical Ethics Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - John Massie
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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14
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Le-Kim TH, Koo BI, Jo SD, Liang NW, Yang MY, Cho I, Chang JB, Wang TW, Nam YS. Artificial Taste Buds: Bioorthogonally Ligated Gustatory-Neuronal Multicellular Hybrids Enabling Intercellular Taste Signal Transmission. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2021; 7:3783-3792. [PMID: 34324295 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.1c00247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Heterogeneous tissue models require the assembly and co-culture of multiple types of cells. Our recent work demonstrated taste signal transmission from gustatory cells to neurons by grafting single-stranded DNA into the cell membrane to construct multicellular assemblies. However, the weak DNA linkage and low grafting density allowed the formation of large gustatory cell self-aggregates that cannot communicate with neurons efficiently. This article presents the construction of artificial taste buds exhibiting active intercellular taste signal transmission through the hybridization of gustatory-neuronal multicellular interfaces using bioorthogonal click chemistry. Hybrid cell clusters were formed by the self-assembly of neonatal gustatory cells displaying tetrazine with a precultured embryonic hippocampal neuronal network displaying trans-cyclooctene. A bitter taste signal transduction was provoked in gustatory cells using denatonium benzoate and transmitted to neurons as monitored by intracellular calcium ion sensing. In the multicellular hybrids, the average number of signal transmissions was five to six peaks per cell, and the signal transmission lasted for ∼5 min with a signal-to-signal gap time of 10-40 s. The frequent and extended intercellular signal transmission suggests that the cell surface modification by the bioorthogonal click chemistry is a promising approach to fabricating functional multicellular hybrid clusters potentially useful for cell-based biosensors, toxicity assays, and tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trang Huyen Le-Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Bon Il Koo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Duk Jo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Nai-Wen Liang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, 101, Section 2, Kuang-Fu Road, Hsinchu, Taiwan 30013, Republic of China
| | - Moon Young Yang
- KAIST Institute for NanoCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - In Cho
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Byum Chang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Tzu-Wei Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, 101, Section 2, Kuang-Fu Road, Hsinchu, Taiwan 30013, Republic of China
| | - Yoon Sung Nam
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.,KAIST Institute for NanoCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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15
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Pimenta C, Bettiol V, Alencar-Silva T, Franco OL, Pogue R, Carvalho JL, Felipe MSS. Advanced Therapies and Regulatory Framework in Different Areas of the Globe: Past, Present, and Future. Clin Ther 2021; 43:e103-e138. [PMID: 33892966 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2021.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The field of human medicine is in a constant state of evolution, developing and incorporating technological advances from diverse scientific fields. In recent years, cellular and gene therapies have come of age, challenging regulatory agencies to define the path for commercial registration. Approval necessarily demands robust evidence for safety and efficacy, but these exigencies must not be such that they render unviable the development and testing of the therapeutic agent. Furthermore, reimbursement strategies are required to guarantee commercial viability of these products, to avoid the risk that they will be removed from the market or become unavailable to most patients through lack of financial resources. To address such challenges, several countries have created strategies to manage advanced therapy products. METHODS Based on official documents published by regulatory agencies worldwide, this review summarizes the current scenario in the United States, Europe, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, and China in this regard, discussing the harmonized and dissonant aspects of the regulatory framework in different regions of the world and exploring perspectives for the future. FINDINGS The technical aspects of advanced therapies are increasingly complex, bringing challenges for high mass commercialization and demanding specific regulation. The regulatory framework of the analyzed regions is mainly recent and discordant, but many harmonizing initiatives were observed. IMPLICATIONS The comparative analysis of regulatory frameworks in different parts of the world is informative, as scientists must be aware of the rationale of regulators to assertively develop new technology and products that will be commercialized. The comparative analysis also provides insight into the main dissonances that must be addressed, fostering the harmonization of local regulatory frameworks. Many unanswered questions still lie ahead for the field of advanced therapies, and empirical evidence will be the most effective way to separate hype from hope and to establish the most sustainable mechanisms to regulate and finance such products in each part of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cleila Pimenta
- Public Health Program, University of Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Vitória Bettiol
- Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology Program, Catholic University of Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Thuany Alencar-Silva
- Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology Program, Catholic University of Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Octavio Luiz Franco
- Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology Program, Catholic University of Brasília, DF, Brazil; Catholic University of Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil
| | - Robert Pogue
- Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology Program, Catholic University of Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Juliana Lott Carvalho
- Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology Program, Catholic University of Brasília, DF, Brazil; Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Maria Sueli Soares Felipe
- Public Health Program, University of Brasília, DF, Brazil; Genomic Sciences and Biotechnology Program, Catholic University of Brasília, DF, Brazil.
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16
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Blue R, Miranda SP, Gu BJ, Chen HI. A Primer on Human Brain Organoids for the Neurosurgeon. Neurosurgery 2021; 87:620-629. [PMID: 32421821 DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyaa171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Human brain organoids emerged in 2013 as a technology that, unlike prior in Vitro neural models, recapitulates brain development with a high degree of spatial and temporal fidelity. As the platform matured with more accurate reproduction of cerebral architecture, brain organoids became increasingly valuable for studying both normal cortical neurogenesis and a variety of congenital human brain disorders. While the majority of research utilizing human brain organoids has been in the realm of basic science, clinical applications are forthcoming. These present and future translational efforts have the potential to make a considerable impact on the field of neurosurgery. For example, glioma organoids are already being used to study tumor biology and drug responses, and adaptation for the investigation of other neurosurgery-relevant diseases is underway. Moreover, organoids are being explored as a structured neural substrate for repairing brain circuitry. Thus, we believe it is important for our field to be aware and have an accurate understanding of this emerging technology. In this review, we describe the key characteristics of human brain organoids, review their relevant translational applications, and discuss the ethical implications of their use through a neurosurgical lens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Blue
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Stephen P Miranda
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ben Jiahe Gu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - H Isaac Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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17
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Babochkina TI, Gerlinskaya LA, Moshkin MP. Generation of donor organs in chimeric animals via blastocyst complementation. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2020; 24:913-921. [PMID: 35088005 PMCID: PMC8763716 DOI: 10.18699/vj20.690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The lack of organs for transplantation is an important problem in medicine today. The growth of organs
in chimeric animals may be the solution of this. The proposed technology is the interspecific blastocyst complementation method in combination with genomic editing for obtaining “free niches” and pluripotent stem cell
production methods. The CRISPR/Cas9 method allows the so-called “free niches” to be obtained for blastocyst
complementation. The technologies of producing induced pluripotent stem cells give us the opportunity to obtain human donor cells capable of populating a “free niche”. Taken together, these technologies allow interspecific
blastocyst complementation between humans and other animals, which makes it possible in the future to grow
human organs for transplantations inside chimeric animals. However, in practice, in order to achieve successful
interspecific blastocyst complementation, it is necessary to solve a number of problems: to improve methods for
producing “chimeric competent” cells, to overcome specific interspecific barriers, to select compatible cell developmental stages for injection and the corresponding developmental stage of the host embryo, to prevent apoptosis of donor cells and to achieve effective proliferation of the human donor cells in the host animal. Also, it is
very important to analyze the ethical aspects related to developing technologies of chimeric organisms with the
participation of human cells. Today, many researchers are trying to solve these problems and also to establish new
approaches in the creation of interspecific chimeric organisms in order to grow human organs for transplantation.
In the present review we described the historical stages of the development of the blastocyst complementation
method, examined in detail the technologies that underlie modern blastocyst complementation, and analyzed
current progress that gives us the possibility to grow human organs in chimeric animals. We also considered the
barriers and issues preventing the successful implementation of interspecific blastocyst complementation in practice, and discussed the further development of this method
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Affiliation(s)
- T I Babochkina
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - L A Gerlinskaya
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - M P Moshkin
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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18
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Koplin JJ. Human-Animal Chimeras: The Moral Insignificance of Uniquely Human Capacities. Hastings Cent Rep 2020; 49:23-32. [PMID: 31581332 DOI: 10.1002/hast.1051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Human-animal chimeras-creatures composed of a mix of animal and human cells-have come to play an important role in biomedical research, and they raise ethical questions. This article focuses on one particularly difficult set of questions-those related to the moral status of human-animal chimeras with brains that are partly or wholly composed of human cells. Given the uncertain effects of human-animal chimera research on chimeric animals' cognition, it would be prudent to ensure we do not overlook or underestimate their moral status. However, to assess moral status, we first need to determine what kinds of capacities are morally relevant. The standard view holds that it matters, morally, if chimeric animals develop uniquely human cognitive capacities. I argue that this view is mistaken, highlighting three problems with it: that we can think of examples of uniquely human cognitive capacities that are not morally significant, that we can think of examples of morally significant cognitive capacities that are not uniquely human, and that evidence that some cognitive capacity is shared with nonhuman animals does not undermine claims that this capacity is morally significant. We need a better framework for thinking about the moral status of part-human beings.
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19
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Bossert S, Werdecker L, Strech D, Neitzke G, Dierks ML, Meyer A, Hirschberg I. [Ethics University on Regenerative Medicine - As an Instrument for the Development of Valid Public Opinions?]. DAS GESUNDHEITSWESEN 2020; 82:e124-e137. [PMID: 32894872 DOI: 10.1055/a-1205-0672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In 2016, we invited interested citizens to participate in the "ethics university on regenerative medicine" at Hannover Medical School. The present study analyses if and how this discursive and informative event inspired participants to form their own opinion on the issues at hand and to develop their general ethics literacy. METHODS The "ethics university" was performed twice in 2016; each run consisted of four single consecutive events. Lectures were combined with interactive learning stations, and group discussions. Opinions and information level of all participants were surveyed by means of a postal questionnaire before and after the course to detect any changes of opinions and information levels; additionally, we surveyed participants' self-assessment. Participants of the second run were asked to form a waiting list control group to compare results from first run-participants. Furthermore, we conducted a content analysis of group discussions during the ethics university. RESULTS Of 168 participants of both runs, 101 took part in the pre/post-survey. In addition, 30 questionnaires of the waiting list control group were analysed. Participants showed a higher level of information after the ethics university (changes between 0.75 and 1.93 points on a five-point scale). Between 50.5 and 66.0% of participants indicated that their opinion on different issues had become either more affirmative or more disapprobative as a result of attending the ethics university. On average, opinions were more positive after participation (between 0.44 and 1.0 points on a 5-point scale). Respondents in the waiting list control group showed no changes in opinion or information level. Participants themselves felt that they formed their opinions mainly on the basis of information they received in lectures, conversations with experts, interactive learning sessions, and written information. However, for many participants, interacting with other participants in the group discussions, as well as reflecting their own views was an important to forming informed opinions. CONCLUSION Results of the evaluation show that participants were inspired to form their own opinions by the ethics university and to develop their ethics literacy (e. g. ability to reflect on normative questions). For future ethics universities, the group of participants should be as diverse as possible. In addition, interactive and discursive elements should be given a higher priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Bossert
- Institut für Geschichte, Ethik und Philosophie der Medizin, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover.,Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH Stabsstelle Zukunftscampus, Jülich
| | - Lena Werdecker
- Institut für Geschichte, Ethik und Philosophie der Medizin, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover.,Institut für Integrative Gesundheitsversorgung und Gesundheitsförderung, Universität Witten/Herdecke, Witten
| | - Daniel Strech
- Institut für Geschichte, Ethik und Philosophie der Medizin, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover.,Berliner Institut für Gesundheitsforschung, Charité & Max-Delbrück-Centrum, Berlin
| | - Gerald Neitzke
- Institut für Geschichte, Ethik und Philosophie der Medizin, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover
| | - Marie-Luise Dierks
- Institut für Epidemiologie, Sozialmedizin und Gesundheitssystemforschung, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover
| | - Antje Meyer
- Institut für Epidemiologie, Sozialmedizin und Gesundheitssystemforschung, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover
| | - Irene Hirschberg
- Institut für Geschichte, Ethik und Philosophie der Medizin, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover
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20
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Koplin JJ. 'It's not worse than eating them': the limits of analogy in bioethics. Monash Bioeth Rev 2020; 38:129-145. [PMID: 32803446 DOI: 10.1007/s40592-020-00115-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Bioethicists often defend novel practices by drawing analogies with practices that we are already familiar with and currently tolerate. If some novel practice is less bad than some widely-accepted practice, then (it is argued) we cannot rightly reject it. Using the bioethics literature on xenotransplantation and interspecies blastocyst complementation as a case study, I show how this style of argument can go awry. The key problem is that our moral intuitions about familiar practices can be distorted by their seeming normality. When considering the ethics of emerging technologies and novel practices, we should remain open to the possibility that our moral views about familiar practices are mistaken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian J Koplin
- Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. .,Biomedical Ethics Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
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21
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Bodart JF, Dupré A. Animal experimentation in transgenesis: evaluating course design in large classrooms. FEBS Open Bio 2020; 10:954-968. [PMID: 32202039 PMCID: PMC7262896 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Teachers are guided by an ethical code of conduct. Teacher behavior can be perceived as normative and can set standards; for example, in the field of animal experimentation. The importance of ethical standards raises the question of its transmission. This survey addressed the relevance of using large amphitheater teaching groups to educate students on the ethical aspects of animal experimentation. A course was built to include interactivity sequences to gather feedback from students about moral dilemmas or assertions about animal experimentation. To that end, surveys were conducted on third‐year students, prior to the course, shortly after the course and at the end of the academic year. Students were asked to indicate whether the experimental protocols were satisfactory. Before the course, few students reported ethical dimensions in the proposed protocols; animals were considered scientific objects, not sentient beings. The situation was noticeably different for students on courses with an emphasis on the animal as the unit of study. Although large classrooms are not considered to be relevant places to question ethical issues, the proportion of students discussing ethical aspects of protocols increased shortly after the lecture, and this increased at the end of the academic year. These observations suggest that the effect of teaching on ethical considerations was sustainable despite the lectures being performed in a large classroom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-François Bodart
- CNRS, UMR 8576 - UGSF - Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Univ. Lille, France
| | - Aurélie Dupré
- CIREL-Théodile EA 4354, DIP - Service Conseil et Accompagnement à la Pédagogie, Univ. Lille, France
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22
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Kwisda K, White L, Hübner D. Ethical arguments concerning human-animal chimera research: a systematic review. BMC Med Ethics 2020; 21:24. [PMID: 32293411 PMCID: PMC7092670 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-020-00465-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The burgeoning field of biomedical research involving the mixture of human and animal materials has attracted significant ethical controversy. Due to the many dimensions of potential ethical conflict involved in this type of research, and the wide variety of research projects under discussion, it is difficult to obtain an overview of the ethical debate. This paper attempts to remedy this by providing a systematic review of ethical reasons in academic publications on human-animal chimera research. Methods We conducted a systematic review of the ethical literature concerning human-animal chimeras based on the research question: “What ethical reasons have been given for or against conducting human-animal chimera research, and how have these reasons been treated in the ongoing debate?” Our search extends until the end of the year 2017, including MEDLINE, Embase, PhilPapers and EthxWeb databases, restricted to peer-reviewed journal publications in English. Papers containing ethical reasons were analyzed, and the reasons were coded according to whether they were endorsed, mentioned or rejected. Results Four hundred thirty-one articles were retrieved by our search, and 88 were ultimately included and analyzed. Within these articles, we found 464 passages containing reasons for and against conducting human-animal chimera research. We classified these reasons into five categories and, within these, identified 12 broad and 31 narrow reason types. 15% of the retrieved passages contained reasons in favor of conducting chimera research (Category P), while 85% of the passages contained reasons against it. The reasons against conducting chimera research fell into four further categories: reasons concerning the creation of a chimera (Category A), its treatment (Category B), reasons referring to metaphysical or social issues resulting from its existence (Category C) and to potential downstream effects of chimera research (Category D). A significant proportion of identified passages (46%) fell under Category C. Conclusions We hope that our results, in revealing the conceptual and argumentative structure of the debate and highlighting some its most notable tendencies and prominent positions, will facilitate continued discussion and provide a basis for the development of relevant policy and legislation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koko Kwisda
- CELLS - Centre for Ethics and Law in the Life Sciences, Leibniz University Hannover, Otto-Brenner-Strasse 1, 30159, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Lucie White
- Institute of Philosophy, Leibniz University Hannover, Im Moore 21, 30167, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dietmar Hübner
- Institute of Philosophy, Leibniz University Hannover, Im Moore 21, 30167, Hannover, Germany
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23
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Morata Tarifa C, López Navas L, Azkona G, Sánchez Pernaute R. Chimeras for the twenty-first century. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2020; 40:283-291. [PMID: 32054356 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2019.1679084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in stem cell biology and molecular engineering have improved and simplified the methodology employed to create experimental chimeras, highlighting their value in basic research and broadening the spectrum of potential applications. Experimental chimeras have been used for decades during the generation of murine genetic models, this being especially relevant in developmental and regeneration studies. Indeed, their value for the research and modeling of human diseases was recognized by the 2007 Nobel Prize to Mario Capecchi, Martin Evans, and Oliver Smithies. More recently, their potential application in regenerative medicine has generated a lot of interest, particularly the enticing possibility to generate human organs for transplantation in livestock animals. In this review, we provide an update on interspecific chimeric organogenesis, its possibilities, current limitations, alternatives, and ethical issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Morata Tarifa
- Preclinical Department, Andalusian Network for Advanced Therapies, Fundación Progreso y Salud, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Luis López Navas
- Preclinical Department, Andalusian Network for Advanced Therapies, Fundación Progreso y Salud, Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - Rosario Sánchez Pernaute
- Preclinical Department, Andalusian Network for Advanced Therapies, Fundación Progreso y Salud, Sevilla, Spain
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Koplin J, Wilkinson D. Moral uncertainty and the farming of human-pig chimeras. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2019; 45:440-446. [PMID: 31256005 PMCID: PMC6691869 DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2018-105227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
It may soon be possible to generate human organs inside of human-pig chimeras via a process called interspecies blastocyst complementation. This paper discusses what arguably the central ethical concern is raised by this potential source of transplantable organs: that farming human-pig chimeras for their organs risks perpetrating a serious moral wrong because the moral status of human-pig chimeras is uncertain, and potentially significant. Those who raise this concern usually take it to be unique to the creation of chimeric animals with 'humanised' brains. In this paper, we show how that the same style of argument can be used to critique current uses of non-chimeric pigs in agriculture. This reveals an important tension between two common moral views: that farming human-pig chimeras for their organs is ethically concerning, and that farming non-chimeric pigs for food or research is ethically benign. At least one of these views stands in need of revision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Koplin
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- University of Melbourne Law School, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dominic Wilkinson
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford, UK
- John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
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25
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Tong C, Li C, Xie B, Li M, Li X, Qi Z, Xia J. Generation of bioartificial hearts using decellularized scaffolds and mixed cells. Biomed Eng Online 2019; 18:71. [PMID: 31164131 PMCID: PMC6549274 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-019-0691-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with end-stage heart failure must receive treatment to recover cardiac function, and the current primary therapy, heart transplantation, is plagued by the limited supply of donor hearts. Bioengineered artificial hearts generated by seeding of cells on decellularized scaffolds have been suggested as an alternative source for transplantation. This study aimed to develop a tissue-engineered heart with lower immunogenicity and functional similarity to a physiological heart that can be used for heart transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS We used sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to decellularize cardiac tissue to obtain a decellularized scaffold. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated from rat bone marrow and identified by flow cytometric labeling of their surface markers. At the same time, the multi-directional differentiation of MSCs was analyzed. The MSCs, endothelial cells, and cardiomyocytes were allowed to adhere to the decellularized scaffold during perfusion, and the function of tissue-engineered heart was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and electrocardiogram. RESULTS MSCs, isolated from rats differentiated into cardiomyocytes, were seeded along with primary rat cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells onto decellularized rat heart scaffolds. We first confirmed the pluripotency of the MSCs, performed immunostaining against cardiac markers expressed by MSC-derived cardiomyocytes, and completed surface antigen profiling of MSC-derived endothelial cells. After cell seeding and culture, we analyzed the performance of the bioartificial heart by electrocardiography but found that the bioartificial heart exhibited abnormal electrical activity. The results indicated that the tissue-engineered heart lacked some cells necessary for the conduction of electrical current, causing deficient conduction function compared to the normal heart. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that MSCs derived from rats may be useful in the generation of a bioartificial heart, although technical challenges remain with regard to generating a fully functional bioartificial heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cailing Tong
- School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102 Fujian China
- Organ Transplantation Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ and Tissue Regeneration, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102 Fujian China
| | - Cheng Li
- Organ Transplantation Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ and Tissue Regeneration, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102 Fujian China
| | - Baiyi Xie
- Organ Transplantation Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ and Tissue Regeneration, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102 Fujian China
| | - Minghui Li
- Organ Transplantation Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ and Tissue Regeneration, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102 Fujian China
| | - Xianguo Li
- Organ Transplantation Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ and Tissue Regeneration, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102 Fujian China
| | - Zhongquan Qi
- School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004 Guangxi China
| | - Junjie Xia
- Organ Transplantation Institute of Xiamen University, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ and Tissue Regeneration, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102 Fujian China
- School of Medicine, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004 Guangxi China
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Lavazza A. What (or sometimes who) are organoids? And whose are they? JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2019; 45:144-145. [PMID: 30580320 DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2018-105268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In terms of ethical implications, Boers, van Delden and Bredenoord (2018) have made an interesting step forward with their model of organoids as hybrids, which seeks to find a balance between subject-like value and object-like value. Their framework aims to introduce effective procedures not to exploit donors and to increase their engagement, but it does not seem to take sufficient account of how organoids are used and how donors and society as a whole may want to act about such uses. I will concentrate my remarks on three points that I consider relevant. The first comment concerns the so-called mini-brains. The second one is related to the issue of consent and long-term 'control' over the organic material granted by donors. The last comment focuses on 'genetic minorities'.
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De Los Angeles A, Elsworth JD, Redmond DE. ERK-independent African Green monkey pluripotent stem cells in a putative chimera-competent state. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 510:78-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.01.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Crane AT, Voth JP, Shen FX, Low WC. Concise Review: Human-Animal Neurological Chimeras: Humanized Animals or Human Cells in an Animal? Stem Cells 2019; 37:444-452. [PMID: 30629789 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Blastocyst complementation is an emerging methodology in which human stem cells are transferred into genetically engineered preimplantation animal embryos eventually giving rise to fully developed human tissues and organs within the animal host for use in regenerative medicine. The ethical issues surrounding this method have caused the National Institutes of Health to issue a moratorium on funding for blastocyst complementation citing the potential for human cells to substantially contribute to the brain of the chimeric animal. To address this concern, we performed an in-depth review of the neural transplantation literature to determine how the integration of human cells into the nonhuman neural circuitry has altered the behavior of the host. Despite reports of widespread integration of human cell transplants, our review of 150 transplantation studies found no evidence suggestive of humanization of the animal host, and we thus conclude that, at present, concerns over humanization should not prevent research on blastocyst complementation to continue. We suggest proceeding in a controlled and transparent manner, however, and include recommendations for future research with careful consideration for how human cells may contribute to the animal host nervous system. Stem Cells 2019;37:444-452.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T Crane
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Minnesota Craniofacial Research Training Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Joseph P Voth
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Francis X Shen
- University of Minnesota Law School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Walter C Low
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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De Los Angeles A, Pho N, Redmond, Jr. DE. Generating Human Organs via Interspecies Chimera Formation: Advances and Barriers. THE YALE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2018; 91:333-342. [PMID: 30258320 PMCID: PMC6153627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
The shortage of human organs for transplantation is a devastating medical problem. One way to expand organ supply is to derive functional organs from patient-specific stem cells. Due to their capacity to grow indefinitely in the laboratory and differentiate into any cell type of the human body, patient-specific pluripotent stem (PS) cells harbor the potential to provide an inexhaustible supply of donor cells for transplantation. However, current efforts to generate functional organs from PS cells have so far been unsuccessful. An alternative and promising strategy is to generate human organs inside large animal species through a technique called interspecies blastocyst complementation. In this method, animals comprised of cells from human and animal species are generated by injecting donor human PS cells into animal host embryos. Critical genes for organ development are knocked out by genome editing, allowing donor human PS cells to populate the vacated niche. In principle, this experimental approach will produce a desired organ of human origin inside a host animal. In this mini-review, we focus on recent advances that may bring the promise of blastocyst complementation to clinical practice. While CRISPR/Cas9 has accelerated the creation of transgenic large animals such as pigs and sheep, we propose that further advances in the generation of chimera-competent human PS cells are needed to achieve interspecies blastocyst complementation. It will also be necessary to define the constituents of the species barrier, which inhibits efficient colonization of host animal embryos with human cells. Interspecies blastocyst complementation is a promising approach to help overcome the organ shortage facing the practice of clinical medicine today.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nam Pho
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - D. Eugene Redmond, Jr.
- Axion Research Foundation, Hamden, CT,To whom all correspondence should be addressed: D. Eugene Redmond, Jr., Axion Research Foundation, Hamden, CT 06517;
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Clarke G, Harley P, Hubber EL, Manea T, Manuelli L, Read E, Watt FM. Bench to bedside: Current advances in regenerative medicine. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2018; 55:59-66. [PMID: 30007127 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2018.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Regenerative medicine is a diverse and rapidly evolving field, employing core expertise from biologists, engineers, and clinicians. Recently the field has made significant progress towards regenerating or replacing tissues lost to age, disease or injury. Current strategies include transplantation of adult or pluripotent stem cells to replace tissue or support tissue healing. Promising approaches for the future of regenerative medicine include stimulating endogenous stem cells for in situ repair, transplantation of organoids to repair minor tissue injury, and the use of interspecies chimerism to produce functional metabolic organs for transplantation. In our review we focus on these emerging strategies, paying particular attention to their current and prospective translational impacts and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Clarke
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, Floor 28. Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Peter Harley
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, Floor 28. Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Ella-Louise Hubber
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, Floor 28. Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Teodora Manea
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, Floor 28. Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Luigi Manuelli
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, Floor 28. Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Emily Read
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, Floor 28. Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Fiona M Watt
- Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, King's College London, Floor 28. Tower Wing, Guy's Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, UK.
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Patuzzo S, Goracci G, Gasperini L, Ciliberti R. 3D Bioprinting Technology: Scientific Aspects and Ethical Issues. SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ETHICS 2018; 24:335-348. [PMID: 28660387 DOI: 10.1007/s11948-017-9918-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The scientific development of 3D bioprinting is rapidly advancing. This innovative technology involves many ethical and regulatory issues, including theoretical, source, transplantation and enhancement, animal welfare, economic, safety and information arguments. 3D bioprinting technology requires an adequate bioethical debate in order to develop regulations in the interest both of public health and the development of research. This paper aims to initiate and promote ethical debate. The authors examine scientific aspects of 3D bioprinting technology and explore related ethical issues, with special regard to the protection of individual rights and transparency of research. In common with all new biotechnologies, 3D bioprinting technology involves both opportunities and risks. Consequently, several scientific and ethical issues need to be addressed. A bioethical debate should be carefully increased through a multidisciplinary approach among experts and also among the public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Patuzzo
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Verona, 37134, Verona, Italy.
| | - Giada Goracci
- Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, University of Verona, 37129, Verona, Italy
| | - Luca Gasperini
- 3B's, Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho, 4806-909, Caldas das Taipas, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarãs, Portugal
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Cito M, Pellegrini S, Piemonti L, Sordi V. The potential and challenges of alternative sources of β cells for the cure of type 1 diabetes. Endocr Connect 2018; 7:R114-R125. [PMID: 29555660 PMCID: PMC5861368 DOI: 10.1530/ec-18-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The experience in the field of islet transplantation shows that it is possible to replace β cells in a patient with type 1 diabetes (T1D), but this cell therapy is limited by the scarcity of organ donors and by the danger associated to the immunosuppressive drugs. Stem cell therapy is becoming a concrete opportunity to treat various diseases. In particular, for a disease like T1D, caused by the loss of a single specific cell type that does not need to be transplanted back in its originating site to perform its function, a stem cell-based cell replacement therapy seems to be the ideal cure. New and infinite sources of β cells are strongly required. In this review, we make an overview of the most promising and advanced β cell production strategies. Particular hope is placed in pluripotent stem cells (PSC), both embryonic (ESC) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). The first phase 1/2 clinical trials with ESC-derived pancreatic progenitor cells are ongoing in the United States and Canada, but a successful strategy for the use of PSC in patients with diabetes has still to overcome several important hurdles. Another promising strategy of generation of new β cells is the transdifferentiation of adult cells, both intra-pancreatic, such as alpha, exocrine and ductal cells or extra-pancreatic, in particular liver cells. Finally, new advances in gene editing technologies have given impetus to research on the production of human organs in chimeric animals and on in situ reprogramming of adult cells through in vivo target gene activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monia Cito
- Diabetes Research InstituteIRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Pellegrini
- Diabetes Research InstituteIRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Piemonti
- Diabetes Research InstituteIRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele UniversityMilan, Italy
| | - Valeria Sordi
- Diabetes Research InstituteIRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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Ahmed E, Sansac C, Assou S, Gras D, Petit A, Vachier I, Chanez P, De Vos J, Bourdin A. Lung development, regeneration and plasticity: From disease physiopathology to drug design using induced pluripotent stem cells. Pharmacol Ther 2017; 183:58-77. [PMID: 28987320 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Lungs have a complex structure composed of different cell types that form approximately 17 million airway branches of gas-delivering bronchioles connected to 500 million gas-exchanging alveoli. Airways and alveoli are lined by epithelial cells that display a low rate of turnover at steady-state, but can regenerate the epithelium in response to injuries. Here, we review the key points of lung development, homeostasis and epithelial cell plasticity in response to injury and disease, because this knowledge is required to develop new lung disease treatments. Of note, canonical signaling pathways that are essential for proper lung development during embryogenesis are also involved in the pathophysiology of most chronic airway diseases. Moreover, the perfect control of these interconnected pathways is needed for the successful differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) into lung cells. Indeed, differentiation of iPSC into airway epithelium and alveoli is based on the use of biomimetics of normal embryonic and fetal lung development. In vitro iPSC-based models of lung diseases can help us to better understand the impaired lung repair capacity and to identify new therapeutic targets and new approaches, such as lung cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Engi Ahmed
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, Montpellier F34000, France; CHU Montpellier, Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapy, Hôpital Saint-Eloi, Montpellier F34000, France; INSERM, U1183, Montpellier F34000, France; Université de MONTPELLIER, UFR de Médecine, Montpellier F34000, France
| | - Caroline Sansac
- CHU Montpellier, Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapy, Hôpital Saint-Eloi, Montpellier F34000, France
| | - Said Assou
- CHU Montpellier, Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapy, Hôpital Saint-Eloi, Montpellier F34000, France; INSERM, U1183, Montpellier F34000, France; Université de MONTPELLIER, UFR de Médecine, Montpellier F34000, France
| | - Delphine Gras
- Dept of Respiratory Diseases APHM, INSERM CNRS U 1067, UMR7333, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Aurélie Petit
- INSERM, U1046, PhyMedExp, Montpellier F34000, France
| | | | - Pascal Chanez
- Dept of Respiratory Diseases APHM, INSERM CNRS U 1067, UMR7333, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - John De Vos
- CHU Montpellier, Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapy, Hôpital Saint-Eloi, Montpellier F34000, France; INSERM, U1183, Montpellier F34000, France; Université de MONTPELLIER, UFR de Médecine, Montpellier F34000, France; CHU Montpellier, Unit for Cellular Therapy, Hospital Saint-Eloi, Montpellier F 34000, France.
| | - Arnaud Bourdin
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, Montpellier F34000, France; Université de MONTPELLIER, UFR de Médecine, Montpellier F34000, France; INSERM, U1046, PhyMedExp, Montpellier F34000, France.
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Dondorp W, Johnson MH. Human-animal chimeras: circumventing rather than discussing ethical concerns comes at a price. Reprod Biomed Online 2017; 35:341-342. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Kusunose M, Inoue Y, Kamisato A, Muto K. A Preliminary Study Exploring Japanese Public Attitudes Toward the Creation and Utilization of Human-Animal Chimeras: a New Perspective on Animals Containing “Human Material” (ACHM). Asian Bioeth Rev 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s41649-017-0020-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Levine S, Grabel L. The contribution of human/non-human animal chimeras to stem cell research. Stem Cell Res 2017; 24:128-134. [PMID: 28941410 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2017.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric animals are made up of cells from two separate zygotes. Human/non-human animal chimeras have been used for a number of research purposes, including human disease modeling. Pluripotent stem cell (PSC) research has relied upon the chimera approach to examine the developmental potential of stem cells, to determine the efficacy of cell replacement therapies, and to establish a means of producing human organs. Based on ethical issues, this work has faced pushback from various sources including funding agencies. We discuss here the essential role these studies have played, from gaining a better understanding of human biology to providing a stepping stone to human disease treatments. We also consider the major ethical issues, as well as the current status of support for this work in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonya Levine
- Department of Biology and College of the Environment, Wesleyan University, 52 Lawn Avenue, Middletown, CT 06459-0170, United States.
| | - Laura Grabel
- Department of Biology and College of the Environment, Wesleyan University, 52 Lawn Avenue, Middletown, CT 06459-0170, United States.
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Abstract
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced its plans to lift its moratorium on funding research that involves injecting human embryonic stem cells into animal embryos, which would allow for the creation of part-human and part-animal organisms known as chimeras. The NIH allowed only one month to receive public comments in the midst of a presidential election campaign. Lifting the moratorium means that, for the first time, the federal government will begin spending taxpayer dollars on the creation and manipulation of new organisms that would blur the line between humans and animals. Interestingly, this government effort is creating an uncommon coalition between pro-life groups and animal rights activists that oppose this medical research on ethical grounds; the former seeking to ensure the welfare of human embryos and the latter seeking to protect the well-being of animals. Unlike the issue of abortion, this research is complex. Yet, it is important that the pro-life laity and clergy be adequately informed on some of the basic science and ethics that surround this research. To fully understand why this research is unethical and why the NIH is pursuing this particular research, it is important to understand the ethical tenets governing human-subject research and why secular scientists are pursuing this scientific field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Moy
- Cellular Engineering Technologies, Coralville, IA, USA
- John Paul II Medical Research Institute, Iowa City, IA, USA
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Sawai T, Hatta T, Fujita M. The Japanese Generally Accept Human-Animal Chimeric Embryo Research but Are Concerned About Human Cells Contributing to Brain and Gametes. Stem Cells Transl Med 2017; 6:1749-1750. [PMID: 28696005 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.17-0128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tsutomu Sawai
- Uehiro Research Division for iPS Cell Ethics, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Taichi Hatta
- Uehiro Research Division for iPS Cell Ethics, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Misao Fujita
- Uehiro Research Division for iPS Cell Ethics, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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Hagan-Brown A, Favaretto M, Borry P. Newspaper coverage of human-pig chimera research: A qualitative study on select media coverage of scientific breakthrough. Xenotransplantation 2017; 24. [DOI: 10.1111/xen.12317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Abena Hagan-Brown
- Eastern Virginia Medical School; Norfolk VA USA
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care; Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law; Leuven Belgium
| | - Maddalena Favaretto
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care; Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law; Leuven Belgium
| | - Pascal Borry
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care; Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law; Leuven Belgium
- Institute for Human Genomics and Society, KU Leuven; Leuven Belgium
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De Vos J, Assou S. Induced pluripotent stem cells: An unlimited source of organs for transplantation. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2017; 41:249-253. [PMID: 27964840 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinre.2016.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Organ production outside the human body could address the shortage of organs for transplantation. However, in vitro organ production is still a faraway perspective, particularly because of the difficulty in establishing an effective vascularization. A new emerging technology proposes to use carrier animals for the development of human organs. In this approach, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) are injected in animal embryos to produce chimeric animals that contain autologous human organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- J De Vos
- CHU de Montpellier, Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapy, hôpital Saint-Éloi, 80, avenue Augustin-Fliche, 34000 Montpellier cedex 5, France; Inserm, U1183, 34000 Montpellier, France; Université de Montpellier, UFR de médecine, 34000 Montpellier, France; CHU de Montpellier, Unit for Cellular Therapy, Hospital Saint-Éloi, 34000 Montpellier, France.
| | - S Assou
- CHU de Montpellier, Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapy, hôpital Saint-Éloi, 80, avenue Augustin-Fliche, 34000 Montpellier cedex 5, France; Inserm, U1183, 34000 Montpellier, France; Université de Montpellier, UFR de médecine, 34000 Montpellier, France.
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Sawai T, Hatta T, Fujita M. Public attitudes in Japan towards human-animal chimeric embryo research using human induced pluripotent stem cells. Regen Med 2017; 12:233-248. [PMID: 28332949 DOI: 10.2217/rme-2016-0171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To understand the steps and objectives for which Japanese people are willing to accept human-animal chimeric embryo research using human induced pluripotent stem cells. METHODS An internet-based survey was conducted for the general public and researchers in Japan in 2016. RESULTS Over 60% of the public and 83.8% of researchers supported the creation of human-swine chimeras and 81.0% of the public and 92.4% of researchers supported the creation of human-swine chimeric embryos. DISCUSSION When presented with a graded view of human-swine chimeric embryo research with concomitant, specific objectives, a large majority of the general public as well as researchers are willing to accept this research with the aims of disease study, novel drug and treatment development, and transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsutomu Sawai
- Uehiro Research Division for iPS Cell Ethics, Center for iPS Cell Research & Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Taichi Hatta
- Uehiro Research Division for iPS Cell Ethics, Center for iPS Cell Research & Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Misao Fujita
- Uehiro Research Division for iPS Cell Ethics, Center for iPS Cell Research & Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
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