Reciprocal crosstalk between endometrial carcinoma and mesenchymal stem cells via transforming growth factor-β/transforming growth factor receptor and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12/C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 aggravates malignant phenotypes

Designated for cyclic shedding, the endometrial stroma is rich in endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (EMSCs) and may play an important role in the development of endometrial carcinoma (EC). This study characterized the crosstalk of EC cells with EMSCs and the resultant effects on malignant phenotypes. The cultured EMSCs expressed CD73, CD90, and CD105, but not CD14, CD19, CD34, CD45, or human leukocyte antigen—antigen D related markers. These EMSCs also showed osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation ability. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and C–X–C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) secretion or expression were reciprocally enhanced in EC cells and EMSCs, as well as in their tissues. By acting on the receptors expressed in their mutual target cells, the interaction between TGF-β and CXCL12 results in the enhanced migration, invasion, tumorigenesis, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition of EC cells, which can be blocked by neutralizing the antibody of either CXCL12 or C–X–C chemokine receptor type 4. The study revealed unprecedented paracrine interactions between EC cells and EMSCs that resulted in the enhancement of transformation phenotypes. Thus, the blocking of TGF-β or CXCL12 signaling can be a therapeutic target for EC.

PAX3 Promotes Cell Migration and CXCR4 Gene Expression in Neural Crest Cells

Neural crest (NC) cells are a multipotent cell population with powerful migration ability during development. C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) is a chemokine receptor implicated to mediate NC migration in various species, whereas the underlying mechanism is not well documented yet. PAX3 is a critical transcription factor for the formation of neural crest and the migration and differentiation of NCs. In this study, we retrieved a potential PAX3 binding element in the promoter of the CXCR4 gene, and we further found that PAX3 could promote the expression of CXCR4 and facilitate the migration of NCs. We finally demonstrated that PAX3 could bind the promoter region of CXCR4 and increase CXCR4 transcription by luciferase assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). These findings suggested that PAX3 is a pivotal modulator of NC migration via regulating CXCR4 expression.

Immunopharmacological intervention for successful neural stem cell therapy: New perspectives in CNS neurogenesis and repair

The pharmacological support and stimulation of endogenous and transplanted neural stem cells (NSCs) is a major challenge in brain repair. Trauma to the central nervous system (CNS) results in a distinct inflammatory response caused by local and infiltrating immune cells. This makes NSC-supported regeneration difficult due to the presence of inhibitory immune factors which are upregulated around the lesion site. The continual and dual role of the neuroinflammatory response leaves it difficult to decipher upon a single modulatory strategy. Therefore, understanding the influence of cytokines upon regulation of NSC self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation is crucial when designing therapies for CNS repair. There is a plethora of partially conflicting data in vitro and in vivo on the role of cytokines in modulating the stem cell niche and the milieu around NSC transplants. This is mainly due to the pleiotropic role of many factors. In order for cell-based therapy to thrive, treatment must be phase-specific to the injury and also be personalized for each patient, i.e. taking age, sex, neuroimmune and endocrine status as well as other key parameters into consideration. In this review, we will summarize the most relevant information concerning interleukin (IL)-1, IL-4, IL-10, IL-15, IFN-γ, the neuropoietic cytokine family and TNF-α in order to extract promising therapeutic approaches for further research. We will focus on the consequences of neuroinflammation on endogenous brain stem cells and the transplantation environment, the effects of the above cytokines on NSCs, as well as immunopharmacological manipulation of the microenvironment for potential therapeutic use.