1
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Dany F, Rinendyaputri R. A Response to Article "Rho-Associated Protein Kinase Inhibitor and Hypoxia Synergistically Enhance the Self-Renewal, Survival Rate, and Proliferation of Human Stem Cells" [Letter]. Stem Cells Cloning 2022; 15:65-66. [PMID: 36320340 PMCID: PMC9618249 DOI: 10.2147/sccaa.s392521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Frans Dany
- Biomedical Research Center, Health Research Organization, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Cibinong, West Java, Indonesia,Correspondence: Frans Dany, Biomedical Research Center, Health Research Organization, Genomic Building, Cibinong Science Center, Jl. Raya Bogor No. 490, Cibinong, West Java, 16915, Indonesia, Email ;
| | - Ratih Rinendyaputri
- Biomedical Research Center, Health Research Organization, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Cibinong, West Java, Indonesia
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2
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Roodgar M, Suchy FP, Nguyen LH, Bajpai VK, Sinha R, Vilches-Moure JG, Van Bortle K, Bhadury J, Metwally A, Jiang L, Jian R, Chiang R, Oikonomopoulos A, Wu JC, Weissman IL, Mankowski JL, Holmes S, Loh KM, Nakauchi H, VandeVoort CA, Snyder MP. Chimpanzee and pig-tailed macaque iPSCs: Improved culture and generation of primate cross-species embryos. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111264. [PMID: 36044843 PMCID: PMC10075238 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
As our closest living relatives, non-human primates uniquely enable explorations of human health, disease, development, and evolution. Considerable effort has thus been devoted to generating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from multiple non-human primate species. Here, we establish improved culture methods for chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) and pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina) iPSCs. Such iPSCs spontaneously differentiate in conventional culture conditions, but can be readily propagated by inhibiting endogenous WNT signaling. As a unique functional test of these iPSCs, we injected them into the pre-implantation embryos of another non-human species, rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Ectopic expression of gene BCL2 enhances the survival and proliferation of chimpanzee and pig-tailed macaque iPSCs within the pre-implantation embryo, although the identity and long-term contribution of the transplanted cells warrants further investigation. In summary, we disclose transcriptomic and proteomic data, cell lines, and cell culture resources that may be broadly enabling for non-human primate iPSCs research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morteza Roodgar
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Fabian P Suchy
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lan H Nguyen
- Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Vivek K Bajpai
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Rahul Sinha
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jose G Vilches-Moure
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kevin Van Bortle
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Joydeep Bhadury
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, University of Gothenburg, SE 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ahmed Metwally
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lihua Jiang
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ruiqi Jian
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Rosaria Chiang
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Angelos Oikonomopoulos
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Joseph C Wu
- Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Irving L Weissman
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Joseph L Mankowski
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Susan Holmes
- Department of Statistics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kyle M Loh
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Hiromitsu Nakauchi
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Catherine A VandeVoort
- California National Primate Research Center and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Michael P Snyder
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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3
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Saito Y, Yamanaka S, Matsumoto N, Takamura T, Fujimoto T, Matsui K, Tajiri S, Matsumoto K, Kobayashi E, Yokoo T. Generation of functional chimeric kidney containing exogenous progenitor-derived stroma and nephron via a conditional empty niche. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110933. [PMID: 35705028 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Generation of new kidneys can be useful in various research fields, including organ transplantation. However, generating renal stroma, an important component tissue for structural support, endocrine function, and kidney development, remains difficult. Organ generation using an animal developmental niche can provide an appropriate in vivo environment for renal stroma differentiation. Here, we generate rat renal stroma with endocrine capacity by removing mouse stromal progenitor cells (SPCs) from the host developmental niche and transplanting rat SPCs. Furthermore, we develop a method to replace both nephron progenitor cells (NPCs) and SPCs, called the interspecies dual replacement of the progenitor (i-DROP) system, and successfully generate functional chimeric kidneys containing rat nephrons and stroma. This method can generate renal tissue from progenitors and reduce xenotransplant rejection. Moreover, it is a safe method, as donor cells do not stray into nontarget organs, thus accelerating research on stem cells, chimeras, and xenotransplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yatsumu Saito
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuichiro Yamanaka
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoto Matsumoto
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Takamura
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshinari Fujimoto
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenji Matsui
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Susumu Tajiri
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kei Matsumoto
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eiji Kobayashi
- Department of Kidney Regenerative Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Yokoo
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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4
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Tsuji K, Kitamura S, Wada J. Potential Strategies for Kidney Regeneration With Stem Cells: An Overview. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:892356. [PMID: 35586342 PMCID: PMC9108336 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.892356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Kidney diseases are a major health problem worldwide. Despite advances in drug therapies, they are only capable of slowing the progression of kidney diseases. Accordingly, potential kidney regeneration strategies with stem cells have begun to be explored. There are two different directions for regenerative strategies, de novo whole kidney fabrication with stem cells, and stem cell therapy. De novo whole kidney strategies include: 1) decellularized scaffold technology, 2) 3D bioprinting based on engineering technology, 3) kidney organoid fabrication, 4) blastocyst complementation with chimeric technology, and 5) the organogenic niche method. Meanwhile, stem cell therapy strategies include 1) injection of stem cells, including mesenchymal stem cells, nephron progenitor cells, adult kidney stem cells and multi-lineage differentiating stress enduring cells, and 2) injection of protective factors secreted from these stem cells, including growth factors, chemokines, and extracellular vesicles containing microRNAs, mRNAs and proteins. Over the past few decades, there have been remarkable step-by-step developments in these strategies. Here, we review the current advances in the potential strategies for kidney regeneration using stem cells, along with their challenges for possible clinical use in the future.
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Abstract
Most developments in regenerative medicine have in common that there are many uncertainties and knowledge gaps. These features make the evaluation of long-term consequences of the available options difficult and have consequences for the ethical issues raised. This paper presents an overview of ethical issues raised in regenerative medicine, using as a starting point a list of stakeholders and their interests. Ethical issues are introduced via a simplified account of a project that focuses on several difficult problems, as well as a conceptual framework consisting of the following key concepts: present situation, goals, difficulties on the road toward the goals, and strategies for dealing with the difficulties. The list of ethical issues discussed includes safety and efficacy, patient consent, information, professional responsibilities, as well as equity and fairness. The issues and the underlying values need to be clarified, specified, debated, and ranked in order of importance. A particular problem is that values sometimes clash: Certain values can be achieved only at the expense of others. If and when values clash, principles are available that can guide the decision making. The paper comments on two such principles with implications for the particular issue of patient access to experimental treatments: the precautionary principle and the principle of proportionality. The paper ends with some conclusions for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Göran Hermerén
- Department of Medical Ethics, Biomedical Centre, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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6
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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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7
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Raposo VL. The new Japanese regulation on human/non-human chimeras: should we worry? JBRA Assist Reprod 2021; 25:155-161. [PMID: 33118717 PMCID: PMC7863089 DOI: 10.5935/1518-0557.20200045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In March 2019 Japan modified its norms regarding research with human/non-human chimeras. The amended rules allow the creation of chimeras with human brain cells, and the subsequent transfer of the resulting creature to an uterus, where it can develop for more than 14 days, eventually until term. At this moment, the real consequences of this new regulation in actual research are still uncertain. However, many concerning issues have already been identified. This paper will start by addressing traditional topics involving this practice: the use of non-human animals in research, the use of human stem cells in scientific experimentation and the creation of human/non-human chimeras. Subsequently, it will analyze the new concerning issues brought on by the 2019 amendment: the use of human brain cells, the transfer of the chimera to an uterus and its development for more than 14 days, and the possibility of using animals which present close similarities with humans. In the end, the paper will conclude that in spite of the legal and ethical hazards that this new regulation might carry, it should be allowed under strict scrutiny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Lúcia Raposo
- Faculty of Law of Macao University, Macao, China
- Faculty of Law of Coimbra University, Coimbra, Portugal
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8
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Nowak-Imialek M, Wunderlich S, Herrmann D, Breitschuh-Leibling S, Gohring G, Petersen B, Klein S, Baulain U, Lucas-Hahn A, Martin U, Niemann H. In Vitro and In Vivo Interspecies Chimera Assay Using Early Pig Embryos. Cell Reprogram 2020; 22:118-133. [PMID: 32429746 DOI: 10.1089/cell.2019.0107] [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: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric pigs harboring organs derived from human stem cells are promising for patient-specific regenerative therapies. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can contribute to all cell types of the fetus, including germline after injection into embryos. However, ethical concerns prohibit testing human iPSCs in chimera assays. Here, we evaluated porcine embryos as hosts for an interspecies chimera assay using iPSCs from either cynomolgus monkeys (cyiPSCs) or mouse (miPSCs). To establish an in vitro culture system compatible for cyiPSCs and porcine embryos, we determined blastocyst development in eight different stem cell media. The highest developmental rates of blastocysts were achieved in Knockout Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium with 20% knockout serum replacement. We found that cyiPSCs injected into porcine embryos survived in vitro and were mostly located in the trophectoderm (TE). Instead, when miPSCs were injected into porcine embryos, the cells rapidly proliferated. The behavior of chimeras developed in vitro was recapitulated in vivo; cyiPSCs were observed in the TE, but not in the porcine epiblast. However, when miPSCs were injected into in vivo derived porcine embryos, mouse cells were found in both, the epiblast and TE. These results demonstrate that porcine embryos could be useful for evaluating the interspecies chimera-forming ability of iPSCs from different species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Nowak-Imialek
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Neustadt, Germany.,REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stephanie Wunderlich
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs-LEBAO, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Doris Herrmann
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Neustadt, Germany
| | | | - Gudrun Gohring
- Department of Human Genetics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Björn Petersen
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Sabine Klein
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Ulrich Baulain
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Andrea Lucas-Hahn
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Ulrich Martin
- REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs-LEBAO, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heiner Niemann
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Neustadt, Germany.,REBIRTH Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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9
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Ayanoğlu FB, Elçin AE, Elçin YM. Bioethical issues in genome editing by CRISPR-Cas9 technology. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 44:110-120. [PMID: 32256147 PMCID: PMC7129066 DOI: 10.3906/biy-1912-52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Genome editing technologies have led to fundamental changes in genetic science. Among them, CRISPR-Cas9 technology particularly stands out due to its advantages such as easy handling, high accuracy, and low cost. It has made a quick introduction in fields related to humans, animals, and the environment, while raising difficult questions, applications, concerns, and bioethical issues to be discussed. Most concerns stem from the use of CRISPR-Cas9 to genetically alter human germline cells and embryos (called germline genome editing). Germline genome editing leads to serial bioethical issues, such as the occurrence of undesirable changes in the genome, from whom and how informed consent is obtained, and the breeding of the human species (eugenics). However, the bioethical issues that CRISPR-Cas9 technology could cause in the environment, agriculture and livestock should also not be forgotten. In order for CRISPR-Cas9 to be used safely in all areas and to solve potential issues, worldwide legislation should be prepared, taking into account the opinions of both life and social scientists, policy makers, and all other stakeholders of the sectors, and CRISPR-Cas9 applications should be implemented according to such legislations. However, these controls should not restrict scientific freedom. Here, various applications of CRISPR-Cas9 technology, especially in medicine and agriculture, are described and ethical issues related to genome editing using CRISPR-Cas9 technology are discussed. The social and bioethical concerns in relation to human beings, other organisms, and the environment are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Betül Ayanoğlu
- Tissue Engineering, Biomaterials and Nanobiotechnology Laboratory, Ankara University Faculty of Science,Ankara University Biotechnology Institute, Ankara University Stem Cell Institute, Ankara Turkey
| | - Ayşe Eser Elçin
- Tissue Engineering, Biomaterials and Nanobiotechnology Laboratory, Ankara University Faculty of Science,Ankara University Biotechnology Institute, Ankara University Stem Cell Institute, Ankara Turkey
| | - Yaşar Murat Elçin
- Tissue Engineering, Biomaterials and Nanobiotechnology Laboratory, Ankara University Faculty of Science,Ankara University Biotechnology Institute, Ankara University Stem Cell Institute, Ankara Turkey.,Biovalda Health Technologies, Inc., Ankara Turkey
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10
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Pyo DH, Hong HK, Lee WY, Cho YB. Patient-derived cancer modeling for precision medicine in colorectal cancer: beyond the cancer cell line. Cancer Biol Ther 2020; 21:495-502. [PMID: 32208894 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2020.1738907] [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: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Since effective immunotherapeutic agents such as immune checkpoint blockade to treat cancer have emerged, the need for reliable preclinical cancer models that can evaluate and discover such drugs became stronger than ever before. The traditional preclinical cancer model using a cancer cell line has several limitations to recapitulate intra-tumor heterogeneity and in-vivo tumor activity including interactions between tumor-microenvironment. In this review, we will go over various preclinical cancer models recently discovered including patient-derived xenografts, humanized mice, organoids, organotypic-tumor spheroids, and organ-on-a-chip models. Moreover, we will discuss the future directions of preclinical cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dae Hee Pyo
- Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye Kyung Hong
- Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Institute for Future Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Woo Yong Lee
- Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yong Beom Cho
- Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Health Sciences and Technology, SAIHST, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea
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11
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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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12
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Generation of pluripotent stem cell-derived mouse kidneys in Sall1-targeted anephric rats. Nat Commun 2019; 10:451. [PMID: 30723213 PMCID: PMC6363802 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08394-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Regeneration of human kidneys in animal models would help combat the severe shortage of donors in transplantation therapy. Previously, we demonstrated by interspecific blastocyst complementation between mouse and rats, generation of pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived functional pancreas, in apancreatic Pdx1 mutant mice. We, however, were unable to obtain rat PSC-derived kidneys in anephric Sall1 mutant mice, likely due to the poor contribution of rat PSCs to the mouse metanephric mesenchyme, a nephron progenitor. Here, conversely, we show that mouse PSCs can efficiently differentiate into the metanephric mesenchyme in rat, allowing the generation of mouse PSC-derived kidney in anephric Sall1 mutant rat. Glomerular epithelium and renal tubules in the kidneys are entirely composed of mouse PSC-derived cells expressing key functional markers. Importantly, the ureter-bladder junction is normally formed. These data provide proof-of-principle for interspecific blastocyst complementation as a viable approach for kidney generation.
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13
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Chan S. Current and emerging global themes in the bioethics of regenerative medicine: the tangled web of stem cell translation. Regen Med 2017; 12:839-851. [PMID: 29119870 PMCID: PMC5985499 DOI: 10.2217/rme-2017-0065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Probably the most serious problem facing the field of regenerative medicine today is the challenge of effective translation and development of viable stem cell-based therapies. Particular concerns have been raised over the growing market in unproven cell therapies. In this article, I explore recent developments in the stem cell therapy landscape and argue that while the sale of unproven therapies undoubtedly poses ethical concerns, it must be understood as part of a larger problem at the interface between biomedicine, healthcare, publics, policy and the market. Addressing this will require a broader perspective incorporating the shifting relationships between different stakeholder groups, the global politics of research and innovation, and the evolving role of publics and patients with respect to science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Chan
- Usher Institute for Population Health Sciences & Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, UK
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14
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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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15
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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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16
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Abstract
Diseases of glia, including astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, are among the most prevalent and disabling, yet least appreciated, conditions in neurology. In recent years, it has become clear that besides the overtly glial disorders of oligodendrocyte loss and myelin failure, such as the leukodystrophies and inflammatory demyelinations, a number of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders may also be causally linked to glial dysfunction and derive from astrocytic as well as oligodendrocytic pathology. The relative contribution of glial dysfunction to many of these disorders may be so great as to allow their treatment by the delivery of allogeneic glial progenitor cells, the precursors to both astroglia and myelin-producing oligodendrocytes. Given the development of new methods for producing and isolating these cells from pluripotent stem cells, both the myelin disorders and appropriate glial-based neurodegenerative conditions may now be compelling targets for cell-based therapy. As such, glial cell-based therapies may offer potential benefit to a broader range of diseases than ever before contemplated, including disorders such as Huntington's disease and the motor neuron degeneration of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which have traditionally been considered neuronal in nature.
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17
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Abstract
Chimaeras are both monsters of the ancient imagination and a long-established research tool. Recent advances, particularly those dealing with the identification and generation of various kinds of stem cells, have broadened the repertoire and utility of mammalian interspecies chimaeras and carved out new paths towards understanding fundamental biology as well as potential clinical applications.
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18
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Abstract
Embryonic pluripotency can be recapitulated in vitro by a spectrum of pluripotent stem cell states stabilized with different culture conditions. Their distinct spatiotemporal characteristics provide an unprecedented tool for the study of early human development. The newly unveiled ability of some stem cell types for crossing xeno-barriers will facilitate the generation of interspecies chimeric embryos from distant species, including humans. When combined with efficient zygote genome editing technologies, xenogeneic human pluripotent stem cells may also open new frontiers for regenerative medicine applications, including the possibility of generating human organs in animals via interspecies chimeric complementation.
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19
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Francipane MG, Lagasse E. Towards Organs on Demand: Breakthroughs and Challenges in Models of Organogenesis. CURRENT PATHOBIOLOGY REPORTS 2016; 4:77-85. [PMID: 28979828 DOI: 10.1007/s40139-016-0111-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, functional three-dimensional (3D) tissue generation in vitro has been significantly advanced by tissue-engineering methods, achieving better reproduction of complex native organs compared to conventional culture systems. This review will discuss traditional 3D cell culture techniques as well as newly developed technology platforms. These recent techniques provide new possibilities in the creation of human body parts and provide more accurate predictions of tissue response to drug and chemical challenges. Given the rapid advancement in the human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) field, these platforms also hold great promise in the development of patient-specific, transplantable tissues and organs on demand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Giovanna Francipane
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
- Ri.MED Foundation, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Eric Lagasse
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA
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20
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Current Concepts of Using Pigs as a Source for Beta-Cell Replacement Therapy of Type 1 Diabetes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s40610-016-0039-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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21
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Kurtz A, Oh SJ. Non-human primate chimeras make a move. Stem Cell Investig 2016; 3:13. [PMID: 27357481 DOI: 10.21037/sci.2016.04.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Kurtz
- 1 Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin 13353, Germany ; 2 College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, 151-742, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Su-Jun Oh
- 1 Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Berlin 13353, Germany ; 2 College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, 151-742, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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22
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Kemter E, Wolf E. Pigs pave a way to de novo formation of functional human kidneys. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:12905-6. [PMID: 26460047 PMCID: PMC4620893 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1517582112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Kemter
- Gene Center and Center for Innovative Medical Models, Ludwig-Maximilian University Munich, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Eckhard Wolf
- Gene Center and Center for Innovative Medical Models, Ludwig-Maximilian University Munich, D-81377 Munich, Germany
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23
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Abstract
There is an increasing worldwide shortage of organs and cells for transplantation in patients with end-stage organ failure or cellular dysfunction. This shortage could be resolved by the transplantation of organs or cells from pigs into humans. What competing approaches might provide support for the patient with end-stage organ or cell failure? Four main approaches are receiving increasing attention - (i) implantable mechanical devices, although these are currently limited almost entirely to devices aimed at supporting or replacing the heart, (ii) stem cell technology, at present directed mainly to replace absent or failing cells, but which is also fundamental to progress in (iii) tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, in which the ultimate aim is to replace an entire organ. A final novel potential approach is (iv) blastocyst complementation. These potential alternative approaches are briefly reviewed, and comments added on their current status and whether they are now (or will soon become) realistic alternative therapies to xenotransplantation.
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24
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Abstract
In recent years, there has been much interest in the prospect of generating and using human stem cells that exhibit a state of naïve pluripotency. Such a pluripotent state might be functionally confirmed by assessing the chimeric contribution of these cells to non-human blastocysts. Furthermore, the generation of naïve human pluripotent stem cells in vitro could lead to the creation of chimeric animal models that can facilitate the study of human development and disease. However, these lines of research raise thorny ethical concerns about the moral status of such chimeric animals. Here, I call attention to these ethical barbs and suggest a way in which to proceed cautiously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Insoo Hyun
- Department of Bioethics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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25
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Abstract
In September 2014, over 100 scientists from around the globe gathered at Wotton House near London for the Company of Biologists' workshop 'From Stem Cells to Human Development'. The workshop covered diverse aspects of human development, from the earliest stages of embryogenesis to differentiation of mature cell types of all three germ layers from pluripotent cells. In this Meeting Review, we summarise some of the exciting data presented at the workshop and draw together the main themes that emerged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Medvinsky
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
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26
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Pourquié O, Bruneau B, Keller G, Smith A. Looking inwards: opening a window onto human development. Development 2015; 142:1-2. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.119727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Summary: Development Editors announce a new focus on human developmental biology and discuss how they hope to support this expanding field.
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