Search results for "STEM CELLS"

Unveiling neural stem cell quiescence: a crosstalk with the extracellular matrix niche

2023

Neural stem cells (NSCs) in the subependymal zone (SEZ) reside in a very specialized microenvironment that tightly regulates their activation state. Three NSC populations coexist in the niche, quiescent (qNSCs), primed and activated (aNSCs), which display unique, actively modulated, molecular identities. One of the specialized extrinsic properties that affect NSC quiescence-to-activation transitions is the extracellular matrix (ECM). The SEZ is the only region in the whole mouse brain that has two basement membrane (BM) structures: vascular and speckled BMs. Further, it displays higher stiffness compared to non-neurogenic areas, suggesting that both composition and ECM properties could part…

Paracrine roles of extracellular vesicles released by mouse mesoangioblasts

2017

Extracellular vesicles (EV) represent an important mediator of cell-to-cell communication and are involved in both autocrine and paracrine signaling, with a critical role in a number of physiological and pathological conditions.1 The bioactive molecules contained within EV simultaneously activate several different pathways resulting in the synergistic stimulation of target cells. The discovery and characterization of EV have added a novel understanding to regenerative medicine, namely the finding that stem cells are an abundant source of EV.1-2 A6 mouse mesoangioblasts, vessel-associated multipotent progenitor stem cells that are capable of differentiating into different mesodermal cell typ…

Systems level approach reveals the correlation of endoderm differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells with specific microstructural cues of fibrin…

2014

Stem cells receive numerous cues from their associated substrate that help to govern their behaviour. However, identification of influential substrate characteristics poses difficulties because of their complex nature. In this study, we developed an integrated experimental and systems level modelling approach to investigate and identify specific substrate features influencing differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) on a model fibrous substrate, fibrin. We synthesized a range of fibrin gels by varying fibrinogen and thrombin concentrations, which led to a range of substrate stiffness and microstructure. mESCs were cultured on each of these gels, and characterization of the diff…

Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells differentiation into hepatocyte-like cells: functional characterization and expression of immunomodulatory mol…

2015

Mesenchymal stem cells derived from Wharton’s jelly (WJ-MSCs) recently emerged as promising tools for cellular therapy due to their ability to differentiate into diverse cell types and their immunomodulatory features. Little is known on the expression of immunomodulatory molecules in mature cells differentiated from WJ-MSCs, therefore we aimed to characterize the extent of maintenance of the naive traits of these cells also in a highly specialized differentiated counterpart. WJ-MSCs were differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) with a four weeks protocol. RT-PCR, flow cytometry, IHC and ICC were performed to assess expression of key markers in both undifferentiated and differentiate…

Bidirectional cell-matrix interaction dictates neuronal network formation in a brain-mimetic 3D scaffold

2022

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) derived neurons are emerging as a powerful tool for studying neurobiology, disease pathology, and modeling. Due to the lack of platforms available for housing and growing hPSC-derived neurons, a pressing need exists to tailor a brain-mimetic 3D scaffold that recapitulates tissue composition and favourably regulates neuronal network formation. Despite the progress in engineering biomimetic scaffolds, an ideal brain-mimetic scaffold is still elusive. We bioengineered a physiologically relevant 3D scaffold by integrating brain-like extracellular matrix (ECM) components and chemical cues. Culturing hPSCs-neurons in hyaluronic acid (HA) gels and HA-chondroitin…

Biological Effects of New Hydraulic Materials on Human Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells.

2019

Background: The aim of this study was: to evaluate the biological properties of new hydraulic materials: Bio-C Repair and Bio-C Sealer. Methods: Periodontal ligament stem cells were exposed to several dilutions of Bio-C Repair and Bio-C Sealer. The ion release profile and pH were determined. Metabolic activity, cell migration and cell survival were assessed using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), wound-healing assays and Annexin assays, respectively. Cells were cultured in direct contact with the surface of each material. These were then analyzed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). Statistical differences were ass…

At the roots of tolerogenicity and immune modulation: an in vitro and in situ survey on the expression of immunomodulatory molecules by Wharton’s jel…

2012

Healthy mitochondria for stroke cells.

2018

Stroke is a debilitating disease that remains as a significant unmet need. Although our understanding of the disease pathology has advanced over the years, treatment options for stroke are limited. Recent studies have implicated the important role of healthy mitochondria in neuroprotection against stroke. Under the stroke pathological condition, transfer of healthy mitochondria is observed from astrocytes to ischemic neurons. However, without additional therapeutic intervention, such astrocyte-to-neuron transfer of mitochondria may not sufficiently afford a robust and stable therapeutic effect against the devastating primary insult and progressive neurodegeneration associated with stroke. W…

Human γδ T-Cells: From Surface Receptors to the Therapy of High-Risk Leukemias

2018

γδ T lymphocytes are potent effector cells, capable of efficiently killing tumor and leukemia cells. Their activation is mediated by γδ T-cell receptor (TCR) and by activating receptors shared with NK cells (e.g., NKG2D and DNAM-1). γδ T-cell triggering occurs upon interaction with specific ligands, including phosphoantigens (for Vγ9Vδ2 TCR), MICA-B and UL16 binding protein (for NKG2D), and PVR and Nectin-2 (for DNAM-1). They also respond to cytokines undergoing proliferation and release of cytokines/chemokines. Although at the genomic level γδ T-cells have the potential of an extraordinary TCR diversification, in tissues they display a restricted repertoire. Recent studies have identified …

Cell therapy medicinal product regulatory framework in Europe and its application for MSC-based therapy development

2012

Advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), including cell therapy products, form a new class of medicines in the European Union. Since the ATMPs are at the forefront of scientific innovation in medicine, specific regulatory framework has been developed for these medicines and implemented from 2009. The Committee for Advanced Therapies (CAT) has been established at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for centralized classification, certification and evaluation procedures, and other ATMP-related tasks. Guidance documents, initiatives, and interaction platforms are available to make the new framework more accessible for small- and medium-sized enterprises, academia, hospitals, and foundation…