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Molecular Research in Human Stem Cells

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2024 | Viewed by 2744

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Interests: mesenchymal stem cells; cardiovascular disease; atherosclerosis; microRNA; cell differentiation; endothelial to mesenchymal transition (End-MT); inflammation; PPAR-γ

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Guest Editor
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences—DIMEC, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Interests: mesenchymal stem cells; in vitro 3D models; electron microscopy; cell-biomaterial interactions; extracellular vescicles; vascular diseases
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Stem cells constitute a reservoir of pluripotent cells, capable of differentiating into multiple specialized cell types, and meanwhile, they are endowed with self-renewal to continue the stem cell niche. The stem cell differentiation process is tightly regulated at several levels, like the chemokine/growth factor amount within the microenvironment and the molecular switchers. In this category, transcription factors, signal transduction pathways, microRNA (miRNA) and epigenetics (i.e., DNA methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation) are critical fine tuners of stem cell behavior and phenotypes, including the malignant fate. Therefore, investigating the main mechanisms that govern stem cell biology and fate decision would be promising for translational purposes, bridging the gap between the therapeutic potential and the involvement of stem cells in human disease.

This Special Issue of IJMS will cover the molecular regulatory mechanisms that shape stem cell properties and phenotypes, including in the pathological setting. Biomolecular experiments exploring the transcriptional switchers and miRNAs in stem cell biology are welcome.

Dr. Carmen Ciavarella
Dr. Sabrina Valente
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • stem cells
  • mesenchymal stem cells
  • miRNA
  • differentiation
  • self-renewal
  • inflammation
  • transcription factors
  • senescence
  • extracellular vesicles

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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13 pages, 2274 KiB  
Article
IFN-β Overexpressing Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Mitigate Alcohol-Induced Liver Damage and Gut Permeability
by Soonjae Hwang, Young Woo Eom, Seong Hee Kang, Soon Koo Baik and Moon Young Kim
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(15), 8509; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25158509 - 4 Aug 2024
Viewed by 715
Abstract
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a form of hepatic inflammation. ALD is mediated by gut leakiness. This study evaluates the anti-inflammatory effects of ASCs overexpressing interferon-beta (ASC-IFN-β) on binge alcohol-induced liver injury and intestinal permeability. In vitro, ASCs were transfected with a non-viral [...] Read more.
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a form of hepatic inflammation. ALD is mediated by gut leakiness. This study evaluates the anti-inflammatory effects of ASCs overexpressing interferon-beta (ASC-IFN-β) on binge alcohol-induced liver injury and intestinal permeability. In vitro, ASCs were transfected with a non-viral vector carrying the human IFN-β gene, which promoted hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) secretion in the cells. To assess the potential effects of ASC-IFN-β, C57BL/6 mice were treated with three oral doses of binge alcohol and were administered intraperitoneal injections of ASC-IFN-β. Mice treated with binge alcohol and administered ASC-IFN-β showed reduced liver injury and inflammation compared to those administered a control ASC. Analysis of intestinal tissue from ethanol-treated mice administered ASC-IFN-β also indicated decreased inflammation. Additionally, fecal albumin, blood endotoxin, and bacterial colony levels were reduced, indicating less gut leakiness in the binge alcohol-exposed mice. Treatment with HGF, but not IFN-β or TRAIL, mitigated the ethanol-induced down-regulation of cell death and permeability in Caco-2 cells. These results demonstrate that ASCs transfected with a non-viral vector to induce IFN-β overexpression have protective effects against binge alcohol-mediated liver injury and gut leakiness via HGF. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research in Human Stem Cells)
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15 pages, 10966 KiB  
Article
Amelioration of Photoreceptor Degeneration by Intravitreal Transplantation of Retinal Progenitor Cells in Rats
by Jing Yang, Geoffrey P. Lewis, Chin-Hui Hsiang, Steven Menges, Gabriel Luna, William Cho, Nikolay Turovets, Steven K. Fisher and Henry Klassen
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(15), 8060; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25158060 - 24 Jul 2024
Viewed by 674
Abstract
Photoreceptor degeneration is a major cause of untreatable blindness worldwide and has recently been targeted by emerging technologies, including cell- and gene-based therapies. Cell types of neural lineage have shown promise for replacing either photoreceptors or retinal pigment epithelial cells following delivery to [...] Read more.
Photoreceptor degeneration is a major cause of untreatable blindness worldwide and has recently been targeted by emerging technologies, including cell- and gene-based therapies. Cell types of neural lineage have shown promise for replacing either photoreceptors or retinal pigment epithelial cells following delivery to the subretinal space, while cells of bone marrow lineage have been tested for retinal trophic effects following delivery to the vitreous cavity. Here we explore an alternate approach in which cells from the immature neural retinal are delivered to the vitreous cavity with the goal of providing trophic support for degenerating photoreceptors. Rat and human retinal progenitor cells were transplanted to the vitreous of rats with a well-studied photoreceptor dystrophy, resulting in substantial anatomical preservation and functional rescue of vision. This work provides scientific proof-of-principle for a novel therapeutic approach to photoreceptor degeneration that is currently being evaluated in clinical trials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research in Human Stem Cells)
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17 pages, 12385 KiB  
Article
Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Mouse Hair Follicles Inhibit the Development of Type 1 Diabetes
by Dragica Mićanović, Suzana Stanisavljević, Hanluo Li, Ivan Koprivica, Natalija Jonić, Ivana Stojanović, Vuk Savković and Tamara Saksida
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 5974; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25115974 - 29 May 2024
Viewed by 939
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known for their immunosuppressive properties. Based on the demonstrated anti-inflammatory effect of mouse MSCs from hair follicles (moMSCORS) in a murine wound closure model, this study evaluates their potential for preventing type 1 diabetes (T1D) in C57BL/6 mice. [...] Read more.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known for their immunosuppressive properties. Based on the demonstrated anti-inflammatory effect of mouse MSCs from hair follicles (moMSCORS) in a murine wound closure model, this study evaluates their potential for preventing type 1 diabetes (T1D) in C57BL/6 mice. T1D was induced in C57BL/6 mice by repeated low doses of streptozotocin. moMSCORS were injected intravenously on weekly basis. moMSCORS reduced T1D incidence, the insulitis stage, and preserved insulin production in treated animals. moMSCORS primarily exerted immunomodulatory effects by inhibiting CD4+ T cell proliferation and activation. Ex vivo analysis indicated that moMSCORS modified the cellular immune profile within pancreatic lymph nodes and pancreatic infiltrates by reducing the numbers of M1 pro-inflammatory macrophages and T helper 17 cells and upscaling the immunosuppressive T regulatory cells. The proportion of pathogenic insulin-specific CD4+ T cells was down-scaled in the lymph nodes, likely via soluble factors. The moMSCORS detected in the pancreatic infiltrates of treated mice presumably exerted the observed suppressive effect on CD4+ through direct contact. moMSCORS alleviated T1D symptoms in the mouse, qualifying as a candidate for therapeutic products by multiple advantages: non-invasive sampling by epilation, easy access, permanent availability, scalability, and benefits of auto-transplantation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research in Human Stem Cells)
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