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Vargas PA, Goldaracena N. Alternatives to left lateral segment for pediatric liver transplantation, or required surgeon toolkit? Hepatobiliary Surg Nutr 2024; 13:376-378. [PMID: 38617497 PMCID: PMC11007322 DOI: 10.21037/hbsn-23-671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Paola A Vargas
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Nicolas Goldaracena
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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Van Broeckhoven J, Sommer D, Dooley D, Hendrix S, Franssen AJPM. Macrophage phagocytosis after spinal cord injury: when friends become foes. Brain 2021; 144:2933-2945. [PMID: 34244729 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
After spinal cord injury (SCI), macrophages can exert either beneficial or detrimental effects depending on their phenotype. Aside from their critical role in inflammatory responses, macrophages are also specialized in the recognition, engulfment, and degradation of pathogens, apoptotic cells, and tissue debris. They promote remyelination and axonal regeneration by removing inhibitory myelin components and cellular debris. However, excessive intracellular presence of lipids and dysregulated intracellular lipid homeostasis result in the formation of foamy macrophages. These develop a pro-inflammatory phenotype that may contribute to further neurological decline. Additionally, myelin-activated macrophages play a crucial role in axonal dieback and retraction. Here, we review the opposing functional consequences of phagocytosis by macrophages in SCI, including remyelination and regeneration versus demyelination, degeneration, and axonal dieback. Furthermore, we discuss how targeting the phagocytic ability of macrophages may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Van Broeckhoven
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Daniela Sommer
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Dearbhaile Dooley
- School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield Dublin 4, Ireland.,UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Sven Hendrix
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.,Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Aimée J P M Franssen
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
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Balasubramanian B, Liu W, Pushparaj K, Park S. The Epic of In Vitro Meat Production-A Fiction into Reality. Foods 2021; 10:1395. [PMID: 34208720 DOI: 10.3390/foods10061395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to a proportionally increasing population and food demands, the food industry has come up with wide innovations, opportunities, and possibilities to manufacture meat under in vitro conditions. The amalgamation of cell culture and tissue engineering has been the base idea for the development of the synthetic meat, and this has been proposed to be a pivotal study for a futuristic muscle development program in the medical field. With improved microbial and chemical advancements, in vitro meat matched the conventional meat and is proposed to be eco-friendly, healthy, nutrient rich, and ethical. Despite the success, there are several challenges associated with the utilization of materials in synthetic meat manufacture, which demands regulatory and safety assessment systems to manage the risks associated with the production of cultured meat. The role of 3D bioprinting meat analogues enables a better nutritional profile and sensorial values. The integration of nanosensors in the bioprocess of culture meat eased the quality assessment throughout the food supply chain and management. Multidisciplinary approaches such as mathematical modelling, computer fluid dynamics, and biophotonics coupled with tissue engineering will be promising aspects to envisage the future prospective of this technology and make it available to the public at economically feasible rates.
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Shen Y, Campbell RE, Côté DC, Paquet ME. Challenges for Therapeutic Applications of Opsin-Based Optogenetic Tools in Humans. Front Neural Circuits 2020; 14:41. [PMID: 32760252 PMCID: PMC7373823 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2020.00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
As the technological hurdles are overcome and optogenetic techniques advance to have more control over neurons, therapies based on these approaches will begin to emerge in the clinic. Here, we consider the technical challenges surrounding the transition of this breakthrough technology from an investigative tool to a true therapeutic avenue. The emerging strategies and remaining tasks surrounding genetically encoded molecules which respond to light as well as the vehicles required to deliver them are discussed.The use of optogenetics in humans would represent a completely new paradigm in medicine and would be associated with unprecedented technical considerations. To be applied for stimulation of neurons in humans, an ideal optogenetic tool would need to be non-immunogenic, highly sensitive, and activatable with red light or near-infrared light (to maximize light penetration while minimizing photodamage). To enable sophisticated levels of neuronal control, the combined use of optogenetic actuators and indicators could enable closed-loop all-optical neuromodulation. Such systems would introduce additional challenges related to spectral orthogonality between actuator and indicator, the need for decision making computational algorithms and requirements for large gene cassettes. As in any gene therapy, the therapeutic efficiency of optogenetics will rely on vector delivery and expression in the appropriate cell type. Although viral vectors such as those based on AAVs are showing great potential in human trials, barriers to their general use remain, including immune responses, delivery/transport, and liver clearance. Limitations associated with the gene cassette size which can be packaged in currently approved vectors also need to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Shen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Robert E Campbell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daniel C Côté
- Centre de Recherche CERVO, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.,Département de Physique et Génie Physique, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Eve Paquet
- Centre de Recherche CERVO, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada.,Département de Biochimie, Microbiologie et Bioinformatique, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
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Gurunathan S, Kang MH, Jeyaraj M, Qasim M, Kim JH. Review of the Isolation, Characterization, Biological Function, and Multifarious Therapeutic Approaches of Exosomes. Cells 2019; 8:cells8040307. [PMID: 30987213 PMCID: PMC6523673 DOI: 10.3390/cells8040307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 612] [Impact Index Per Article: 122.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that contain a specific composition of proteins, lipids, RNA, and DNA. They are derived from endocytic membranes and can transfer signals to recipient cells, thus mediating a novel mechanism of cell-to-cell communication. They are also thought to be involved in cellular waste disposal. Exosomes play significant roles in various biological functions, including the transfer of biomolecules such as RNA, proteins, enzymes, and lipids and the regulation of numerous physiological and pathological processes in various diseases. Because of these properties, they are considered to be promising biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of various diseases and may contribute to the development of minimally invasive diagnostics and next generation therapies. The biocompatible nature of exosomes could enhance the stability and efficacy of imaging probes and therapeutics. Due to their potential use in clinical applications, exosomes have attracted much research attention on their roles in health and disease. To explore the use of exosomes in the biomedical arena, it is essential that the basic molecular mechanisms behind the transport and function of these vesicles are well-understood. Herein, we discuss the history, biogenesis, release, isolation, characterization, and biological functions of exosomes, as well as the factors influencing their biogenesis and their technical and biological challenges. We conclude this review with a discussion on the future perspectives of exosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangiliyandi Gurunathan
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-Dong, Gwangin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea.
| | - Min-Hee Kang
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-Dong, Gwangin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea.
| | - Muniyandi Jeyaraj
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-Dong, Gwangin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea.
| | - Muhammad Qasim
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-Dong, Gwangin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea.
| | - Jin-Hoi Kim
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-Dong, Gwangin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea.
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Abstract
This article discusses the contingencies and complexities of CRISPR. It outlines key problems regarding off-target effects and replication of experimental work that are important to consider in light of CRISPR's touted ease of use and diffusion. In light of literature on the sociotechnical dimensions of the life sciences and biotechnology and literature on former bioweapons programs, this article argues that we need more detailed empirical case studies of the social and technical factors shaping CRISPR and related gene-editing techniques in order to better understand how they may be different from other advances in biotechnology-or whether similar features remain. This information will be critical to better inform intelligence practitioners and policymakers about the security implications of new gene-editing techniques.
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Abstract
Angiogenesis contributes to the growth of solid tumors. Antiangiogenic agents are widely used in various cancers and considerable efforts have been made in the development of novel biomarkers that can predict the outcome of an anticancer treatment. Of those, circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and their subsets constitute a surrogate tool for monitoring disease activity. However, owing to the lack of standardization on the phenotypes and detection of CECs and their subsets, results have always been inconsistent and uninterpretable. In this review, we focus on the biological characteristics in terms of physiology, phenotypes and detection of CECs along with their subsets; review the current scenario of CEC enumeration as a surrogate biomarker in clinical oncology; and explore their future potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangbin Zhou
- Department of Oncology, The Second Clinical Medical College, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen 518020, China.,Integrated Chinese & Western Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yaying Zhou
- Clinical Medical Research Center, The Second Clinical Medical College, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen 518020, China
| | - Jun Dong
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Wenyong Tan
- Department of Oncology, The Second Clinical Medical College, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Jinan University, Shenzhen 518020, China
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