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Ahmad W, Saleh B, Qazi REM, Muneer R, Khan I, Khan M, Salim A. Direct differentiation of rat skin fibroblasts into cardiomyocytes. Exp Cell Res 2024; 435:113934. [PMID: 38237847 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2024.113934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the major cardiovascular diseases caused by diminished supply of nutrients and oxygen to the heart due to obstruction of the coronary artery. Different treatment options are available for cardiac diseases, however, they do not completely repair the damage. Therefore, reprogramming terminally differentiated fibroblasts using transcription factors is a promising strategy to differentiate them into cardiac like cells in vitro and to increase functional cardiomyocytes and reduce fibrotic scar in vivo. In this study, skin fibroblasts were selected for reprogramming because they serve as a convenient source for the autologous cell therapy. Fibroblasts were isolated from skin of rat pups, propagated, and directly reprogrammed towards cardiac lineage. For reprogramming, two different approaches were adopted, i.e., cells were transfected with: (1) combination of cardiac transcription factors; GATA4, MEF2c, Nkx2.5 (GMN), and (2) combination of cardiac transcription factors; GATA4, MEF2c, Nkx2.5, and iPSC factors; Oct4, Klf4, Sox2 and cMyc (GMNO). After 72 h of transfection, cells were analyzed for the expression of cardiac markers at the mRNA and protein levels. For in vivo study, rat MI models were developed by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery and the reprogrammed cells were transplanted in the infarcted heart. qPCR results showed that the reprogrammed cells exhibited significant upregulation of cardiac genes. Immunocytochemistry analysis further confirmed cardiomyogenic differentiation of the reprogrammed cells. For the assessment of cardiac function, animals were analyzed via echocardiography after 2 and 4 weeks of cell transplantation. Echocardiographic results showed that the hearts transplanted with the reprogrammed cells improved ejection fraction, fractional shortening, left ventricular internal systolic and diastolic dimensions, and end systolic and diastolic volumes. After 4 weeks of cell transplantation, heart tissues were harvested and processed for histology. The histological analysis showed that the reprogrammed cells improved wall thickness of left ventricle and reduced fibrosis significantly as compared to the control. It is concluded from the study that novel combination of cardiac transcription factors directly reprogrammed skin fibroblasts and differentiated them into cardiomyocytes. These differentiated cells showed cardiomyogenic characters in vitro, and reduced fibrosis and improved cardiac function in vivo. Furthermore, direct reprogramming of fibroblasts transfected with cardiac transcription factors showed better regeneration of the injured myocardium and improved cardiac function as compared to the indirect approach in which combination of cardiac and iPSC factors were used. The study after further optimization could be used as a better strategy for cell-based therapeutic approaches for cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waqas Ahmad
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
| | - Bilal Saleh
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
| | - Rida-E-Maria Qazi
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
| | - Rabbia Muneer
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
| | - Irfan Khan
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
| | - Mohsin Khan
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Asmat Salim
- Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan.
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Karami Z, Moradi S, Eidi A, Soleimani M, Jafarian A. Induced pluripotent stem cells: Generation methods and a new perspective in COVID-19 research. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 10:1050856. [PMID: 36733338 PMCID: PMC9887183 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1050856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) exhibit an unlimited ability to self-renew and produce various differentiated cell types, thereby creating high hopes for both scientists and patients as a great tool for basic research as well as for regenerative medicine purposes. The availability and safety of iPSCs for therapeutic purposes require safe and highly efficient methods for production of these cells. Different methods have been used to produce iPSCs, each of which has advantages and disadvantages. Studying these methods would be very helpful in developing an easy, safe, and efficient method for the generation of iPSCs. Since iPSCs can be generated from somatic cells, they can be considered as valuable cellular resources available for important research needs and various therapeutic purposes. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease that has endangered numerous human lives worldwide and currently has no definitive cure. Therefore, researchers have been rigorously studying and examining all aspects of COVID-19 and potential treatment modalities and various drugs in order to enable the treatment, control, and prevention of COVID-19. iPSCs have become one of the most attractive and promising tools in this field by providing the ability to study COVID-19 and the effectiveness of drugs on this disease outside the human body. In this study, we discuss the different methods of generation of iPSCs as well as their respective advantages and disadvantages. We also present recent applications of iPSCs in the study and treatment of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Karami
- 1Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sharif Moradi
- 2Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Akram Eidi
- 1Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoud Soleimani
- 3Hematology and Cell Therapy Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran,4Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Science, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arefeh Jafarian
- 5Iranian Tissue Bank and Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,*Correspondence: Arefeh Jafarian,
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Fehér A. Callus, Dedifferentiation, Totipotency, Somatic Embryogenesis: What These Terms Mean in the Era of Molecular Plant Biology? FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:536. [PMID: 31134106 PMCID: PMC6524723 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Recent findings call for the critical overview of some incorrectly used plant cell and tissue culture terminology such as dedifferentiation, callus, totipotency, and somatic embryogenesis. Plant cell and tissue culture methods are efficient means to preserve and propagate genotypes with superior germplasm as well as to increase genetic variability for breading. Besides, they are useful research tools and objects of plant developmental biology. The history of plant cell and tissue culture dates back to more than a century. Its basic methodology and terminology were formulated preceding modern plant biology. Recent progress in molecular and cell biology techniques allowed unprecedented insights into the underlying processes of plant cell/tissue culture and regeneration. The main aim of this review is to provide a theoretical framework supported by recent experimental findings to reconsider certain historical, even dogmatic, statements widely used by plant scientists and teachers such as "plant cells are totipotent" or "callus is a mass of dedifferentiated cells," or "somatic embryos have a single cell origin." These statements are based on a confused terminology. Clarification of it might help to avoid further misunderstanding and to overcome potential "terminology-raised" barriers in plant research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attila Fehér
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
- *Correspondence: Attila Fehér, ;
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Kolenda T, Przybyła W, Kapałczyńska M, Teresiak A, Zajączkowska M, Bliźniak R, Lamperska KM. Tumor microenvironment - Unknown niche with powerful therapeutic potential. Rep Pract Oncol Radiother 2018; 23:143-153. [PMID: 29760589 PMCID: PMC5948324 DOI: 10.1016/j.rpor.2018.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are in a group of cancers that are the most resistant to treatment. The survival rate of HNSCC patients has been still very low since last 20 years. The existence of relationship between oncogenic and surrounding cells is probably the reason for a poor response to treatment. Fibroblasts are an important element of tumor stroma which increases tumor cells ability to proliferate. Another highly resistance, tumorigenic and metastatic cell population in tumor microenvironment are cancer initiating cells (CICs). The population of cancer initiating cells can be found regardless of differentiation status of cancer and they seem to be crucial for HNSCC development. In this review, we describe the current state of knowledge about HNSCC biological and physiological tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Kolenda
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetic, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
- Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Chair of Medical Biotechnology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Weronika Przybyła
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetic, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
- Department of Pediatric Research, Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marta Kapałczyńska
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetic, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Charite University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna Teresiak
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetic, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
| | - Maria Zajączkowska
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetic, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Chair of Medical Biotechnology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Renata Bliźniak
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetic, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poznan, Poland
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Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) give rise to the entire nervous system. Animal models suggest that defects in NSC proliferation and differentiation contribute to several brain disorders (e.g., microcephaly, macrocephaly, autism, schizophrenia, and Huntington's disease). However, animal models of such diseases do not fully recapitulate all disease-related phenotypes because of substantial differences in brain development between rodents and humans. Therefore, additional human-based evidence is required to understand the mechanisms that are involved in the development of neurological diseases that result from human NSC (hNSC) dysfunction. Human-induced pluripotent stem cells provide a new model to investigate the contribution of hNSCs to various neurological pathologies. In this chapter, we review the role of hNSCs in both neurodevelopment- and neurodegeneration-related human brain pathologies, with an emphasis on recent evidence that has been obtained using embryonic stem cell- or induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hNSCs and progenitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Liszewska
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Jacek Jaworski
- International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Warsaw, Poland.
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Suchorska WM, Augustyniak E, Richter M, Trzeciak T. Comparison of Four Protocols to Generate Chondrocyte-Like Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSCs). Stem Cell Rev Rep 2017; 13:299-308. [PMID: 27987073 PMCID: PMC5380716 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-016-9708-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Stem cells (SCs) are a promising approach to regenerative medicine, with the potential to treat numerous orthopedic disorders, including osteo-degenerative diseases. The development of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) has increased the potential of SCs for new treatments. However, current methods of differentiating hiPSCs into chondrocyte-like cells are suboptimal and better methods are needed. The aim of the present study was to assess four different chondrogenic differentiation protocols to identify the most efficient method of generating hiPSC-derived chondrocytes. For this study, hiPSCs were obtained from primary human dermal fibroblasts (PHDFs) and differentiated into chondrocyte-like cells using four different protocols: 1) monolayer culture with defined growth factors (GF); 2) embryoid bodies (EBs) in a chondrogenic medium with TGF-β3 cells; 3) EBs in chondrogenic medium conditioned with human chondrocytes (HC-402-05a cell line) and 4) EBs in chondrogenic medium conditioned with human chondrocytes and supplemented with TGF-β3. The cells obtained through these four protocols were evaluated and compared at the mRNA and protein levels. Although chondrogenic differentiation of hiPSCs was successfully achieved with all of these protocols, the two fastest and most cost-effective methods were the monolayer culture with GFs and the medium conditioned with human chondrocytes. Both of these methods are superior to other available techniques. The main advantage of the conditioned medium is that the technique is relatively simple and inexpensive while the directed method (i.e., monolayer culture with GFs) is faster than any protocol described to date because it is does not require additional steps such as EB formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiktoria Maria Suchorska
- Radiobiology Lab, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, 61- 866, Poznan, Poland
- Department of Electroradiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-866, Poznan, Poland
| | - Ewelina Augustyniak
- Radiobiology Lab, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, 61- 866, Poznan, Poland.
- The Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Richter
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-545, Poznan, Poland
| | - Tomasz Trzeciak
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-545, Poznan, Poland
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Marmorstein R, Adams PD. Epigenetics meets metabolism through PHB-mediated histone H3.3 deposition by HIRA. Stem Cell Investig 2017; 4:46. [PMID: 28607920 DOI: 10.21037/sci.2017.05.08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ronen Marmorstein
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Peter D Adams
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Suchorska WM, Augustyniak E, Richter M, Trzeciak T. Gene expression profile in human induced pluripotent stem cells: Chondrogenic differentiation in vitro, part A. Mol Med Rep 2017; 15:2387-2401. [PMID: 28447755 PMCID: PMC5428238 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.6334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) offer promise in regenerative medicine, however more data are required to improve understanding of key aspects of the cell differentiation process, including how specific chondrogenic processes affect the gene expression profile of chondrocyte-like cells and the relative value of cell differentiation markers. The main aims of the present study were as follows: To determine the gene expression profile of chondrogenic-like cells derived from hiPSCs cultured in mediums conditioned with HC-402-05a cells or supplemented with transforming growth factor β3 (TGF-β3), and to assess the relative utility of the most commonly used chondrogenic markers as indicators of cell differentiation. These issues are relevant with regard to the use of human fibroblasts in the reprogramming process to obtain hiPSCs. Human fibroblasts are derived from the mesoderm and thus share a wide range of properties with chondrocytes, which also originate from the mesenchyme. Thus, the exclusion of dedifferentiation instead of chondrogenic differentiation is crucial. The hiPSCs were obtained from human primary dermal fibroblasts during a reprogramming process. Two methods, both involving embryoid bodies (EB), were used to obtain chondrocytes from the hiPSCs: EBs formed in a chondrogenic medium supplemented with TGF-β3 (10 ng/ml) and EBs formed in a medium conditioned with growth factors from HC-402-05a cells. Based on immunofluorescence and reverse transcription-quantiative polymerase chain reaction analysis, the results indicated that hiPSCs have the capacity for effective chondrogenic differentiation, in particular cells differentiated in the HC-402-05a-conditioned medium, which present morphological features and markers that are characteristic of mature human chondrocytes. By contrast, cells differentiated in the presence of TGF-β3 may demonstrate hypertrophic characteristics. Several genes [paired box 9, sex determining region Y-box (SOX) 5, SOX6, SOX9 and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein] were demonstrated to be good markers of early hiPSC chondrogenic differentiation: Insulin-like growth factor 1, Tenascin-C, and β-catenin were less valuable. These observations provide valuable data on the use of hiPSCs in cartilage tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ewelina Augustyniak
- Radiobiology Laboratory, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, 61‑866 Poznan, Poland
| | - Magdalena Richter
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61‑545 Poznan, Poland
| | - Tomasz Trzeciak
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61‑545 Poznan, Poland
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Jiang R, Niu X, Huang Y, Wang X. β-Catenin is important for cancer stem cell generation and tumorigenic activity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2016; 48:229-37. [PMID: 26849897 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmv134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 11/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most common malignant tumors with poor prognosis and recurrence in South China. The hard eradication of NPC in clinic is predominantly due to cancer stem cells (CSCs). Increasing evidence revealed that the aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin was positively correlated with the produce of CSCs. To further investigate the effect of β-catenin on CSCs and tumorigenesis in NPC, a CNE2 cell line (pLKO.1-sh-β-catenin-CNE2) with stably suppressed expression of β-catenin was used in this study. The expressions of biomarkers in CSCs including c-myc, Nanog, Oct3/4, Sox2, EpCAM as well as adhesion-related proteins like E-cadherin and vimentin were analyzed by western blot analysis and immunofluorescent staining. The proliferation and migration abilities were investigated by MTT assay and Transwell assay, respectively. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. Finally, xenograft was performed to determine the effect of β-catenin on oncogenesis in vivo. Results showed that the expressions of c-myc, Nanog, Oct3/4, Sox2, and EpCAM were all decreased in pLKO.1-sh-β-catenin-CNE2 cells. It was also found that vimentin was downregulated, while E-cadherin was upregulated. Results of MTT and Transwell assays suggested that the proliferation and migration abilities were impaired by silencing of β-catenin, and more cells were arrested in G1 phase when compared with the control. In vivo study indicated that the tumor growth was markedly suppressed in experimental group. Based on current findings, β-catenin may function as an essential protein for the maintenance of migration and proliferation abilities of NPC cells, and a complicated network consisting of c-myc, Nanog, Oct3/4, Sox2, EpCAM, E-cadherin, vimentin, and β-catenin may be involved in the inherent regulation mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 2000031, China
| | - Xiaoshuang Niu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 2000031, China
| | - Yuxiang Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 2000031, China
| | - Xiaosheng Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai 2000031, China
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