scholarly journals A Case of Identity: HOX Genes in Normal and Cancer Stem Cells

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Smith ◽  
Zyoud ◽  
Allegrucci
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Adult Stem Cells ◽  
Hox Genes ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Stem Cell Differentiation ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation ◽  
Hox Gene

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.

scholarly journals Induction of Cancerous Stem Cells during Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation

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

scholarly journals Increased intracellular pH is necessary for adult epithelial and embryonic stem cell differentiation

2016 ◽  
Vol 215 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryne Ulmschneider ◽  
Bree K. Grillo-Hill ◽  
Marimar Benitez ◽  
Dinara R. Azimova ◽  
Diane L. Barber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Intracellular Ph ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Stem Cell Differentiation ◽  
Follicle Cells ◽  
Stalk Cell ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation

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.

Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 facilitates cardiomyocyte embryonic stem cell differentiation

2009 ◽  
Vol 296 (1) ◽  
pp. H159-H170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiuju Li ◽  
Pratap Karki ◽  
Lei Lei ◽  
Huayan Wang ◽  
Larry Fliegel
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Stem Cell Differentiation ◽  
Embryoid Bodies ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation ◽  
Cardiomyocyte Differentiation ◽  
Nhe1 Activity

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.

scholarly journals Optical Spectroscopy for Noninvasive Monitoring of Stem Cell Differentiation

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Downes ◽  
Rabah Mouras ◽  
Alistair Elfick
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Raman Spectroscopy ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Ftir Spectroscopy ◽  
Optical Spectroscopy ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Stem Cell Differentiation ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation ◽  
Cars Microscopy

There is a requirement for a noninvasive technique to monitor stem cell differentiation. Several candidates based on optical spectroscopy are discussed in this review: Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy. These techniques are briefly described, and the ability of each to distinguish undifferentiated from differentiated cells is discussed. FTIR spectroscopy has demonstrated its ability to distinguish between stem cells and their derivatives. Raman spectroscopy shows a clear reduction in DNA and RNA concentrations during embryonic stem cell differentiation (agreeing with the well-known reduction in the nucleus to cytoplasm ratio) and also shows clear increases in mineral content during differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. CARS microscopy can map these DNA, RNA, and mineral concentrations at high speed, and Mutliplex CARS spectroscopy/microscopy is highlighted as the technique with most promise for future applications.

Effects of Encapsulation Microenvironment on Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lulu Li ◽  
Rene Schloss ◽  
Noshir Langrana ◽  
Martin Yarmush
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cell ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Stem Cell Differentiation ◽  
Cell Aggregation ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation ◽  
Cell Lineages

Pluripotent embryonic stem cells represent a promising renewable cell source to generate a variety of differentiated cell types. Although many investigators have described techniques to effectively differentiate stem cells into different mature cell lineages, their practicality is limited by the absence of large scale processing consideration and low yields of differentiated cells. Previously we have established a murine embryonic stem cell alginate-poly-l-lysine microencapsulation differentiation system. The three-dimensional alginate microenvironment maintains cell viability, is conducive to ES cell differentiation to hepatocyte lineage cells, and maintains differentiated cellular function. In the present work, we demonstrate that hepatocyte differentiation is mediated by cell-cell aggregation in the encapsulation microenvironment. Both cell aggregation and hepatocyte functions, such as urea and albumin secretion, as well as increased expression of cytokaratin 18 and cyp4507a, occur concomitantly with surface E-cadherin expression. Furthermore, by incorporating soluble inducers, such as retinoic acid, into the permeable microcapsule system, we demonstrate decreased cell aggregation and enhanced neuronal lineage differentiation with the expression of various neuronal specific markers, including neurofilament, A2B5, O1 and GFAP. Therefore, as a result of capsule parameter and microenvironment manipulation, we are capable of targeting cellular differentiation to both endodermal and ectodermal cell lineages.

scholarly journals Embryonic Decellularized Cardiac Scaffold Supports Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation to Produce Beating Cardiac Tissue

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cree Chamberland ◽  
Almudena Martinez-Fernandez ◽  
Rosanna Beraldi ◽  
Timothy J. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cell ◽  
Pluripotent Stem Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Stem Cell Differentiation ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation ◽  
Cardiac Tissues ◽  
Therapeutic Concepts

Regenerative medicine offers a curative approach to treating heart disease through multiple emerging therapeutic concepts. Decellularized organ scaffolds are being optimized to guide and spatially organize stem cell differentiation in efforts to rebuild functional tissues. Additionally, pluripotent stem cells offer a transformative cell source to differentiate into the full spectrum of cellular building blocks. Adult cardiac tissues have been used as extracellular scaffolds as a proof of principle; however, matching the developmental stages of embryonic scaffold with primitive cardiac progenitors may be used to optimize the differentiation and maturation of bioengineered cardiac tissues. Our novel approach uses embryo-derived decellularized hearts as scaffolds to promote embryonic stem cell differentiation. Further, we determined that agitation with 0.25% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution was the most effective protocol to maintain matrix integrity while eliminating endogenous cells. The scaffolds were successfully reseeded with different cellular sources derived from pluripotent stem cells to achieve beating cardiac tissues characterized by endothelial, cardiac, and smooth muscle markers. Therefore, embedding stem cells within a tissue-specific environment matched to the developmental stage of the progenitors may offer a practical solution for stem-cell-derived applications such as disease modeling, pharmaceutical safety testing, and screening of novel therapeutic targets.

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