Limbal stem cells as a potential source of pancreatic beta cells

BACKGROUND/RATIONAL Beta cell replacement therapy represents an alternative approach to conventional insulin regimen for the management of type 1 diabetes. Stem cells theoretically represent a suitable and renewable source of surrogate beta cells. Recently, it has been demonstrated that corneal epithelium contains stem cells in the basal layer of the limbus. Our aim was to isolate and characterize limbal stem cells (LSCs) from adult corneal-limbal biopsies, and to assess their capability to differentiate into insulin-producing cells. METHODS 2-3 mm2 biopsies were obtained from limbus and central cornea of four patients undergoing surgery for ocular diseases not involving conjuctive or corne…

Molecular characterization of cancer stem cells in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma

BRAF(V600E) mutation influences hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha expression levels in papillary thyroid cancer

Abstract Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha is found frequently overexpressed in solid tumors cells, exerting an important role in angiogenesis, glucose metabolism, cell proliferation, survival and invasion. In thyroid carcinomas, hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha expression was found increased in differentiated, poorly differentiated, medullary and anaplastic variants. Hypoxia represents the principal stimulus responsible for hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha induction. Other nonhypoxic stimuli increase hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha synthesis through the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways in a cell-type-specific manner. We have previously s…

BrafV600E mutation and hyperexpression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) in papillary thyroid carcinoma

Antitumor effect of aminobisphosphonates on anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cell lines.