scholarly journals A basic guide to stem cell differentiation

2016 ◽  
Vol 215 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-293
Author(s):  
Ben Short

Increasing intracellular pH promotes the differentiation of adult and embryonic stem cells.

2016 ◽  
Vol 215 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryne Ulmschneider ◽  
Bree K. Grillo-Hill ◽  
Marimar Benitez ◽  
Dinara R. Azimova ◽  
Diane L. Barber ◽  
...  

Despite extensive knowledge about the transcriptional regulation of stem cell differentiation, less is known about the role of dynamic cytosolic cues. We report that an increase in intracellular pH (pHi) is necessary for the efficient differentiation of Drosophila adult follicle stem cells (FSCs) and mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). We show that pHi increases with differentiation from FSCs to prefollicle cells (pFCs) and follicle cells. Loss of the Drosophila Na+–H+ exchanger DNhe2 lowers pHi in differentiating cells, impairs pFC differentiation, disrupts germarium morphology, and decreases fecundity. In contrast, increasing pHi promotes excess pFC cell differentiation toward a polar/stalk cell fate through suppressing Hedgehog pathway activity. Increased pHi also occurs with mESC differentiation and, when prevented, attenuates spontaneous differentiation of naive cells, as determined by expression of microRNA clusters and stage-specific markers. Our findings reveal a previously unrecognized role of pHi dynamics for the differentiation of two distinct types of stem cell lineages, which opens new directions for understanding conserved regulatory mechanisms.


2012 ◽  
Vol 287 (44) ◽  
pp. 36777-36791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroaki Fujimori ◽  
Mima Shikanai ◽  
Hirobumi Teraoka ◽  
Mitsuko Masutani ◽  
Ken-ichi Yoshioka

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-267
Author(s):  
Jian Zhu ◽  
Yitian Wang ◽  
Wei Yu ◽  
Kaishun Xia ◽  
Yuluan Huang ◽  
...  

Background:Long suspected as transcriptional noise, recently recognized, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as an indicator, biomarker and therapy target in the physiologic and pathologic process. Mesenchymal stem cells and embryonic stem cells are important source for normal and therapeutic tissue repair. However, the mechanism of stem cell differentiation is not completely understood. Research on lncRNAs may provide novel insights into the mechanism of differentiation process of the stem cell which is important for the application of stem cell therapy. The lncRNAs field is still very young, new insights into lncRNAs function are emerging to a greater understanding of biological processes. Objective: In this review, we summarize the recent researches studying lncRNAs and illustrate how they act in the differentiation of the mesenchymal stem cells and embryonic stem cells, and discuss some future directions in this field. Results: Numerous lncRNAs were differentially expressed during differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and embryonic stem cells. LncRNAs were able to regulate the differentiation processes through epigenetic regulation, transcription regulation and post-transcription regulation. Conclusion: LncRNAs are involved in the differentiation process of mesenchymal stem cells and embryonic stem cells, and they could become promising indicator, biomarker and therapeutic targets in the physiologic and pathologic process. However, the mechanisms of the role of lncRNAs still require further investigation.


Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Smith ◽  
Zyoud ◽  
Allegrucci

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the unique ability to self-renew and differentiate into many different cell types. Their function is controlled by core gene networks whose misregulation can result in aberrant stem cell function and defects of regeneration or neoplasia. HOX genes are master regulators of cell identity and cell fate during embryonic development. They play a crucial role in embryonic stem cell differentiation into specific lineages and their expression is maintained in adult stem cells along differentiation hierarchies. Aberrant HOX gene expression is found in several cancers where they can function as either oncogenes by sustaining cell proliferation or tumor-suppressor genes by controlling cell differentiation. Emerging evidence shows that abnormal expression of HOX genes is involved in the transformation of adult stem cells into cancer stem cells. Cancer stem cells have been identified in most malignancies and proved to be responsible for cancer initiation, recurrence, and metastasis. In this review, we consider the role of HOX genes in normal and cancer stem cells and discuss how the modulation of HOX gene function could lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies that target cancer stem cells to halt tumor initiation, progression, and resistance to treatment.


2009 ◽  
Vol 296 (1) ◽  
pp. H159-H170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiuju Li ◽  
Pratap Karki ◽  
Lei Lei ◽  
Huayan Wang ◽  
Larry Fliegel

Embryonic stem cells provide one potential source of cardiomyocytes for cardiac transplantation; however, after differentiation of stem cells in vitro, cardiomyocytes usually account for only a minority of cells present. To gain insights into improving cardiomyocyte development from stem cells, we examined the role of the Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) in cardiomyocyte differentiation. NHE1 protein and message levels were induced by treatment of CGR8 cells to form embryoid bodies and cardiomyocytes. The NHE1 protein was present on the cell surface and NHE1 inhibitor-sensitive activity was detected. Inhibition of NHE1 activity during differentiation of CGR8 cells prevented cardiomyocyte differentiation as indicated by decreased message for transcription factors Nkx2-5 and Tbx5 and decreased levels of α-myosin heavy chain protein. Increased expression of NHE1 from an adenoviral vector facilitated cardiomyocyte differentiation. Similar results were found with cardiomyocyte differentiation of P19 embryonal carcinoma cells. CGR8 cells were treated to induce differentiation, but when differentiation was inhibited by dispersing the EBs, myocardial development was inhibited. The results demonstrate that NHE1 activity is important in facilitating stem cell differentiation to cardiomyocyte lineage. Elevated NHE1 expression appears to be triggered as part of the process that facilitates cardiomyocyte development.


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