scholarly journals Advances and Applications in Stem Cell Biology

2012 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-80
Author(s):  
Shamoli Bhattacharyya
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Adult Stem Cells ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Stem Cell Biology ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Basic Biology

ABSTRACT Mesenchymal stem cells have shown great promise as the source of adult stem cells for regenerative medicine. Present research efforts are directed at isolating these cells from various sources, growing them in vitro and maintaining their pluripotency as well as capacity for self renewal. It is crucial to identify the regulatory molecules which directly or indirectly control the proliferative status or influence the niche microenvironment. The main challenge is to understand the basic biology of the stem cells and manipulate them for further therapeutic applications. Considering their malignant potential, stem cells may be a double edged sword. While the benefits of these cells need to be harnessed judiciously, a significant amount of research is required before embarking on widespread use of this tool for the benefit of humanity. How to cite this article Bhattacharyya S. Advances and Applications in Stem Cell Biology. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2012;46(2):75-80.

Realistic Prospects for Stem Cell Therapeutics

Hematology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 (1) ◽  
pp. 398-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Q. Daley ◽  
Margaret A. Goodell ◽  
Evan Y. Snyder
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Regenerative Medicine ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Adult Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell Biology ◽  
Cell Therapies ◽  
The Media ◽  
New Treatment ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract Studies of the regenerating hematopoietic system have led to the definition of many of the fundamental principles of stem cell biology. Therapies based on a range of tissue stem cells have been widely touted as a new treatment modality, presaging an emerging new specialty called regenerative medicine that promises to harness stem cells from embryonic and somatic sources to provide replacement cell therapies for genetic, malignant, and degenerative conditions. Insights borne from stem cell biology also portend development of protein and small molecule therapeutics that act on endogenous stem cells to promote repair and regeneration. Much of the newfound enthusiasm for regenerative medicine stems from the hope that advances in the laboratory will be followed soon thereafter by breakthrough treatments in the clinic. But how does one sort through the hype to judge the true promise? Are stem cell biologists and the media building expectations that cannot be met? Which diseases can be treated, and when can we expect success? In this review, we outline the realms of investigation that are capturing the most attention, and consider the current state of scientific understanding and controversy regarding the properties of embryonic and somatic (adult) stem cells. Our objective is to provide a framework for appreciating the promise while at the same time understanding the challenges behind translating fundamental stem cell biology into novel clinical therapies.

The Role of Nucleophosmin In Hematopoietic Stem Cells and the Pathogenesis of Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 95-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keisuke Ito ◽  
Paolo Sportoletti ◽  
John G Clohessy ◽  
Grisendi Silvia ◽  
Pier Paolo Pandolfi
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Myelodysplastic Syndrome ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Stem Cell Biology ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem

Abstract Abstract 95 Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is an incurable stem cell disorder characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis and an increased risk of leukemia transformation. Nucleophosmin (NPM) is directly implicated in primitive hematopoiesis, the pathogenesis of hematopoietic malignancies and more recently of MDS. However, little is known regarding the molecular role and function of NPM in MDS pathogenesis and in stem cell biology. Here we present data demonstrating that NPM plays a critical role in the maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and the transformation of MDS into leukemia. NPM is located on chromosome 5q and is frequently lost in therapy-related and de novo MDS. We have previously shown that Npm1 acts as a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor in the hematopoietic compartment and Npm1+/− mice develop a hematologic syndrome with features of human MDS, including increased susceptibility to leukemogenesis. As HSCs have been demonstrated to be the target of the primary neoplastic event in MDS, a functional analysis of the HSC compartment is essential to understand the molecular mechanisms in MDS pathogenesis. However, the role of NPM in adult hematopoiesis remains largely unknown as Npm1-deficiency leads to embryonic lethality. To investigate NPM function in adult hematopoiesis, we have generated conditional knockout mice of Npm1, using the Cre-loxP system. Analysis of Npm1 conditional mutants crossed with Mx1-Cre transgenic mice reveals that Npm1 plays a crucial role in adult hematopoiesis and ablation of Npm1 in adult HSCs leads to aberrant cycling and followed by apoptosis. Analysis of cell cycle status revealed that HSCs are impaired in their ability to maintain quiescence after Npm1-deletion and are rapidly depleted in vivo as well as in vitro. Competitive reconstitution assay revealed that Npm1 acts cell-autonomously to maintain HSCs. Conditional inactivation of Npm1 leads to an MDS phenotype including a profoundly impaired ability to differentiate into cells of the erythroid lineage, megakaryocyte dyspoiesis and centrosome amplification. Furthermore, Npm1 loss evokes a p53-dependent response and Npm1-deleted HSCs undergo apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. Strikingly, transfer of the Npm1 mutation into a p53-null background rescued the apoptosis of Npm1-ablated HSCs and resulted in accelerated transformation to an aggressive and lethal form of acute myeloid leukemia. Our findings highlight the crucial role of NPM in stem cell biology and identify a new mechanism by which MDS can progress to leukemia. This has important therapeutic implications for de novo MDS as well as therapy-related MDS, which is known to rapidly evolve to leukemia with frequent loss or mutation of TRP53. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals The evolving biology of small molecules: controlling cell fate and identity

2011 ◽  
Vol 366 (1575) ◽  
pp. 2208-2221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jem A. Efe ◽  
Sheng Ding
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Adult Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell Biology ◽  
Vast Number ◽  
Short Period

Small molecules have been playing important roles in elucidating basic biology and treatment of a vast number of diseases for nearly a century, making their use in the field of stem cell biology a comparatively recent phenomenon. Nonetheless, the power of biology-oriented chemical design and synthesis, coupled with significant advances in screening technology, has enabled the discovery of a growing number of small molecules that have improved our understanding of stem cell biology and allowed us to manipulate stem cells in unprecedented ways. This review focuses on recent small molecule studies of (i) the key pathways governing stem cell homeostasis, (ii) the pluripotent stem cell niche, (iii) the directed differentiation of stem cells, (iv) the biology of adult stem cells, and (v) somatic cell reprogramming. In a very short period of time, small molecules have defined a perhaps universally attainable naive ground state of pluripotency, and are facilitating the precise, rapid and efficient differentiation of stem cells into somatic cell populations relevant to the clinic. Finally, following the publication of numerous groundbreaking studies at a pace and consistency unusual for a young field, we are closer than ever to completely eliminating the need for genetic modification in reprogramming.

Gastrointestinal Stem Cells. III. Emergent themes of liver stem cell biology: niche, quiescence, self-renewal, and plasticity

2006 ◽  
Vol 290 (2) ◽  
pp. G189-G193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil D. Theise
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Stem Cell Niche ◽  
Progenitor Cell ◽  
Stem Cell Biology ◽  
Cell Plasticity ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Cell Niche

This essay will address areas of liver stem/progenitor cell studies in which consensus has emerged and in which controversy still prevails over consensus, but it will also highlight important themes that inevitably should be a focus of liver stem/progenitor cell investigations in coming years. Thus concepts regarding cell plasticity, the existence of a physiological/anatomic stem cell niche, and whether intrahepatic liver stem/progenitor cells comprise true stem cells or progenitor cells (or both) will be approached in some detail.

scholarly journals TSH-induced gene expression involves regulation of self-renewal and differentiation-related genes in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

2011 ◽  
Vol 212 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emin Umit Bagriacik ◽  
Melek Yaman ◽  
Rauf Haznedar ◽  
Gulsan Sucak ◽  
Tuncay Delibasi
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Human Bone ◽  
Human Bone Marrow ◽  
Stem Cell Biology ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Regulatory Pathways

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells are pluripotent cells that are capable of differentiating into a variety of cell types including neuronal cells, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, myocytes, and adipocytes. Despite recent advances in stem cell biology, neuroendocrine relations, particularly TSH interactions remain elusive. In this study, we investigated expression and biological consequence of TSH receptor (TSHR) interactions in mesenchymal stem cells of cultured human bone marrow. To the best of our knowledge, we demonstrated for the first time that human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells expressed a functional thyrotropin receptor that was capable of transducing signals through cAMP. We extended this study to explore possible pathways that could be associated directly or indirectly with the TSHR function in mesenchymal stem cells. Expression of 80 genes was studied by real-time PCR array profiles. Our investigation indicated involvements of interactions between TSH and its receptor in novel regulatory pathways, which could be the important mediators of self-renewal, maintenance, development, and differentiation in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. TSH enhanced differentiation to the chondrogenic cell lineage; however, further work is required to determine whether osteoblastic differentiation is also promoted. Our results presented in this study have opened an era of regulatory events associated with novel neuroendocrine interactions of hypothalamic–pituitary axis in mesenchymal stem cell biology and differentiation.

scholarly journals Advances in Extracellular Matrix-Mimetic Hydrogels to Guide Stem Cell Fate

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Ryan S. Stowers
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Stem Cell Differentiation ◽  
Stem Cell Biology ◽  
Stem Cell Fate ◽  
Material Systems

In the fields of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, stem cells offer vast potential for treating or replacing diseased and damaged tissue. Much progress has been made in understanding stem cell biology, yielding protocols for directing stem cell differentiation toward the cell type of interest for a specific application. One particularly interesting and powerful signaling cue is the extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding stem cells, a network of biopolymers that, along with cells, makes up what we define as a tissue. The composition, structure, biochemical features, and mechanical properties of the ECM are varied in different tissues and developmental stages, and serve to instruct stem cells toward a specific lineage. By understanding and recapitulating some of these ECM signaling cues through engineered ECM-mimicking hydrogels, stem cell fate can be directed in vitro. In this review, we will summarize recent advances in material systems to guide stem cell fate, highlighting innovative methods to capture ECM functionalities and how these material systems can be used to provide basic insight into stem cell biology or make progress toward therapeutic objectives.

scholarly journals The Emerging Roles of JNK Signaling in Drosophila Stem Cell Homeostasis

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5519
Author(s):  
Salvador C. Herrera ◽  
Erika A. Bach
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Stem Cell Biology ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Jnk Pathway ◽  
Jnk Signaling ◽  
Kinase Cascade ◽  
Induced Apoptosis ◽  
Drosophila Models

The Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway is an evolutionary conserved kinase cascade best known for its roles during stress-induced apoptosis and tumor progression. Recent findings, however, have identified new roles for this pleiotropic pathway in stem cells during regenerative responses and in cellular plasticity. Here, we provide an overview of recent findings about the new roles of JNK signaling in stem cell biology using two well-established Drosophila models: the testis and the intestine. We highlight the pathway’s roles in processes such as proliferation, death, self-renewal and reprogramming, and discuss the known parallels between flies and mammals.

scholarly journals Autophagy in Stem Cell Biology: A Perspective on Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Differentiation

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xihang Chen ◽  
Yunfan He ◽  
Feng Lu
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Pluripotent Stem Cells ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Stem Cell Biology ◽  
Self Renewal ◽  
Cellular Homeostasis ◽  
Intracellular Degradation ◽  
Induced Pluripotent

Autophagy is a highly conserved cellular process that degrades modified, surplus, or harmful cytoplasmic components by sequestering them in autophagosomes which then fuses with the lysosome for degradation. As a major intracellular degradation and recycling pathway, autophagy is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis, as well as for remodeling during normal development. Impairment of this process has been implicated in various diseases, in the pathogenic response to bacterial and viral infections, and in aging. Pluripotent stem cells, with their ability to self-replicate and to give rise to any specialized cell type, are very valuable resources for cell-based medical therapies and open a number of promising avenues for studying human development and disease. It has been suggested that autophagy is vital for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis in stem cells, and subsequently more in-depth knowledge about the regulation of autophagy in stem cell biology has been acquired recently. In this review, we describe the most significant advances in the understanding of autophagy regulation in hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells, as well as in induced pluripotent stem cells. In particular, we highlight the roles of various autophagy activities in the regulation of self-renewal and differentiation of these stem cells.

scholarly journals Stem cell myths

2007 ◽  
Vol 363 (1489) ◽  
pp. 9-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Magnus ◽  
Ying Liu ◽  
Graham C Parker ◽  
Mahendra S Rao
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Therapeutic Agents ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Stem Cell Biology ◽  
Scientific Approach

Stem cells, although difficult to define, hold great promise as tools for understanding development and as therapeutic agents. However, as with any new field, uncritical enthusiasm can outstrip reality. In this review, we have listed nine common myths that we believe affect our approach to evaluating stem cells for therapy. We suggest that careful consideration needs to be given to each of these issues when evaluating a particular cell for its use in therapy. Data need to be collected and reported for failed as well as successful experiments and a rigorous scientific approach taken to evaluate the undeniable promise of stem cell biology.

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