Generation of Porcine Induced Neural Stem Cells Using the Sendai Virus

Direct Cell Reprogramming and Phenotypic Conversion: An Analysis of Experimental Attempts to Transform Astrocytes into Neurons in Adult Animals

Central nervous system (CNS) repair after injury or disease remains an unresolved problem in neurobiology research and an unmet medical need. Directly reprogramming or converting astrocytes to neurons (AtN) in adult animals has been investigated as a potential strategy to facilitate brain and spinal cord recovery and advance fundamental biology. Conceptually, AtN strategies rely on forced expression or repression of lineage-specific transcription factors to make endogenous astrocytes become "induced neurons" (iNs), presumably without re-entering any pluripotent or multipotent states. The AtN-derived cells have been reported to manifest certain neuronal functions in vivo. However, this approach has raised many new questions and alternative explanations regarding the biological features of the end products (e.g., iNs versus neuron-like cells, neural functional changes, etc.), developmental biology underpinnings, and neurobiological essentials. For this paper per se, we proposed to draw an unconventional distinction between direct cell conversion and direct cell reprogramming, relative to somatic nuclear transfer, based on the experimental methods utilized to initiate the transformation process, aiming to promote a more in-depth mechanistic exploration. Moreover, we have summarized the current tactics employed for AtN induction, comparisons between the bench endeavors concerning outcome tangibility, and discussion of the issues of published AtN protocols. Lastly, the urgency to clearly define/devise the theoretical frameworks, cell biological bases, and bench specifics to experimentally validate primary data of AtN studies was highlighted.

iPSC Technology: An Innovative Tool for Developing Clean Meat, Livestock, and Frozen Ark

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology is an emerging technique to reprogram somatic cells into iPSCs that have revolutionary benefits in the fields of drug discovery, cellular therapy, and personalized medicine. However, these applications are just the tip of an iceberg. Recently, iPSC technology has been shown to be useful in not only conserving the endangered species, but also the revival of extinct species. With increasing consumer reliance on animal products, combined with an ever-growing population, there is a necessity to develop alternative approaches to conventional farming practices. One such approach involves the development of domestic farm animal iPSCs. This approach provides several benefits in the form of reduced animal death, pasture degradation, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. Hence, it is essentially an environmentally-friendly alternative to conventional farming. Additionally, this approach ensures decreased zoonotic outbreaks and a constant food supply. Here, we discuss the iPSC technology in the form of a "Frozen Ark", along with its potential impact on spreading awareness of factory farming, foodborne disease, and the ecological footprint of the meat industry.

Ginsenoside Rb1 improves intestinal aging via regulating the expression of sirtuins in the intestinal epithelium and modulating the gut microbiota of mice

Intestinal aging seriously affects the absorption of nutrients of the aged people. Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) which has multiple functions on treating gastrointestinal disorders is one of the important ingredients from Ginseng, the famous herb in tradition Chinese medicine. However, it is still unclear if GRb1 could improve intestinal aging. To investigate the function and mechanism of GRb1 on improving intestinal aging, GRb1 was administrated to 104-week-old C57BL/6 mice for 6 weeks. The jejunum, colon and feces were collected for morphology, histology, gene expression and gut microbiota tests using H&E staining, X-gal staining, qPCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence staining, and 16S rDNA sequencing technologies. The numbers of cells reduced and the accumulation of senescent cells increased in the intestinal crypts of old mice, and administration of GRb1 could reverse them. The protein levels of CLDN 2, 3, 7, and 15 were all decreased in the jejunum of old mice, and administration of GRb1 could significantly increase them. The expression levels of Tert, Lgr5, mKi67, and c-Myc were all significantly reduced in the small intestines of old mice, and GRb1 significantly increased them at transcriptional or posttranscriptional levels. The protein levels of SIRT1, SIRT3, and SIRT6 were all reduced in the jejunum of old mice, and GRb1 could increase the protein levels of them. The 16S rDNA sequencing results demonstrated the dysbiosis of the gut microbiota of old mice, and GRb1 changed the composition and functions of the gut microbiota in the old mice. In conclusion, GRb1 could improve the intestinal aging via regulating the expression of Sirtuins family and modulating the gut microbiota in the aged mice.

To Explore the Stem Cells Homing to GBM: The Rise to the Occasion

Multiple efforts are currently underway to develop targeted therapeutic deliveries to the site of glioblastoma progression. The use of carriers represents advancement in the delivery of various therapeutic agents as a new approach in neuro-oncology. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and neural stem cells (NSCs) are used because of their capability in migrating and delivering therapeutic payloads to tumors. Two of the main properties that carrier cells should possess are their ability to specifically migrate from the bloodstream and low immunogenicity. In this article, we also compared the morphological and molecular features of each type of stem cell that underlie their migration capacity to glioblastoma. Thus, the major focus of the current review is on proteins and lipid molecules that are released by GBM to attract stem cells.

Melatonin attenuates dimethyl sulfoxide- and Zika virus-induced degeneration of porcine induced neural stem cells

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.