Highly efficient differentiation of human ES cells and iPS cells into mature pancreatic insulin-producing cells

Human pluripotent stem cells represent a potentially unlimited source of functional pancreatic endocrine lineage cells. Here we report a highly efficient approach to induce human embryonic stem （ES） cells and induced pluripo- tent stem （iPS） cells to differentiate into mature insulin-producing cells in a chemical-defined culture system. The differentiated human ES cells obtained by this approach comprised nearly 25% insulin-positive cells as assayed by flow cytometry analysis, which released insulin/C-peptide in response to glucose stimuli in a manner comparable to that of adult human islets. Most of these insulin-producing cells co-expressed mature β cell-specific markers such as NKX6-1 and PDX1, indicating a similar gene expression pattern to adult islet β cells in vivo. In this study, we also demonstrated that EGF facilitates the expansion of PDXl-positive pancreatic progenitors. Moreover, our protocol also succeeded in efficiently inducing human iPS cells to differentiate into insuIin-producing ceils. Therefore, this work not only provides a new model to study the mechanism of human pancreatic specialization and maturation in vitro, but also enhances the possibility of utilizing patient-specific iPS cells for the treatment of diabetes.

In vitro derivation of functional insulin-producing cells from human embryonic stem cells

The capacity for self-renewal and differentiation of human embryonic stem （ES） cells makes them a potential source for generation of pancreatic beta cells for treating type I diabetes mellitus. Here, we report a newly developed and effective method, carried out in a serum-free system, which induced human ES cells to differentiate into insulin-producing cells. Activin A was used in the initial stage to induce definitive endoderm differentiation from human ES cells, as detected by the expression of the definitive endoderm markers Sox17 and Brachyury. Further, all-trans retinoic acid （RA） was used to promote pancreatic differentiation, as indicated by the expression of the early pancreatic transcription factors pdxl and hlxb9. After maturation in DMEM/F12 serum-free medium with bFGF and nicotinamide, the differentiated cells expressed islet specific markers such as C-peptide, insulin, glucagon and glut2. The percentage of C-peptide-positive cells exceeded 15%. The secretion of insulin and C-peptide by these cells corresponded to the variations in glucose levels. When transplanted into renal capsules of Streptozotocin （STZ）-treated nude mice, these differentiated human ES cells survived and maintained the expression of beta cell marker genes, including C-peptide, pdxl, glucokinase, nkx6.1, lAPP, pax6 and Tcfl. Thirty percent of the transplanted nude mice exhibited apparent restoration of stable euglycemia; and the corrected phenotype was sustained for more than six weeks. Our new method provides a promising in vitro differentiation model for studying the mechanisms of human pancreas development and illustrates the potential of using human ES cells for the treatment of type I diabetes mellitus.

A secretory function of human insulin-producing cells in vivo

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells derived from human umbilical cord blood (UCB-MSCs) have good research and application prospects in the treatment of diabetes. We once induced UCB-MSCs to differentiate into insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in vitro, but we did not know the functions of these cells in vivo. The aim of this study was to assess the functional effects of IPCs on insulin secretion and their role in the treatment of diabetes in vivo. METHODS: UCB-MSCs were induced to IPCs by an inducing protocol with extracellular matrix gel. BALB/C nude mice were made hyperglycemic by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The diabetic mice were transplanted with 1x10(7) IPCs under the renal capsule or with phosphate-buffered saline as a control. After transplantation, the grafts were analyzed by immunocytochemistry for the expression of human insulin; the serum human insulin levels were measured; and blood glucose and body weight status were monitored. RESULTS: Immunofluorescence showed that numerous IPCs under the kidney capsule were insulin-positive. On day 14 after transplantation, the serum human insulin level of the treatment group (n=9) averaged 0.44 +/- 0.12 mU/L, which was higher than that of the control group (n=9) that did not express insulin (t=10.842, P<0.05). The diabetic mice remained hyperglycemic and kept losing body weight after IPC transplantation, and there was no significant difference in the control group. CONCLUSION: IPCs differentiated from UCB-MSCs generate human insulin in diabetic mice, but more research is needed to make further use of them to regulate hyperglycemia and body weight in vivo. (Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2009; 8: 255-260)

Induction of pancreatic duct cells of neonatal rats into insulin-producing cells with fetal bovine serum: A natural protocol and its use for patch clamp experiments

AIM： To induce the pancreatic duct cells into endocrine cells with a new natural protocol for electrophysiological study. METHODS： The pancreatic duct cells of neonatal rats were isolated, cultured and induced into endocrine ceils with 15% fetal bovine serum for a period of 20 d. During this period, insulin secretion, MTT value, and morphological change of neonatal and adult pancreatic islet cells were comparatively investigated. Pancreatic β-cells were identified by morphological and electrophysiological characteristics, while ATP sensitive potassium channels （KATP）, voltage-dependent potassium channels （Kv）, and voltage-dependent calcium channels （KcA） in β-cells were identified by patch clamp technique. RESULTS： After incubation with fetal bovine serum, the neonatal duct cells budded out, changed from duct-like cells into islet clusters. In the first 4 d, MTT value and insulin secretion increased slowly （MTT value from 0.024 ±0.003 to 3.028±0.003, insulin secretion from 2.6±0.6 to 3.1±0.8 mIU/L）. Then MTT value and insulin secretion increased quickly from d 5 to d 10 （MTT value from 0.028 ±0.003 to 0.052±0.008, insulin secretion from 3.1±0.8 to 18.3±2.6 mIU/L）, then reached high plateau （MTT value 〉0.052±0.008, insulin secretion 〉18.3±2.6 mIU/L）. In contrast, for the isolated adult pancreatic islet cells, both insulin release and MTT value were stable in the first 4 d （MTT value from 0.029±0.01 to 0.031±0.011, insulin secretion from 13.9±3.1 to 14.3±3.3 mIU/L）, but afterwards they reduced gradually （MTT value 〈0.031 ±0.011, insulin secretion 〈8.2±1.5 mIU/L）, and the pancreatic islet cells became dispersed, broken or atrophied correspondingly. The differentiated neonatal cells were identified as pancreatic islet cells by dithizone staining method, and pancreatic β-cells were further identified by both morphological features and electrophysiological characteristics, i.e. the existence of recording currents from KATP, Kv, and KCA. CONCLUSION： Islet cells differentiated from neonatal pancreatic duct cells with the new natural protocol are more advantageous in performing patch clamp study over the isolated adult pancreatic islet cells.

In vitro-derived insulin-producing cells modulate Th1 immune responses and induce IL-10 in streptozotocin-induced mouse model of pancreatic insulitis

Background: Insulitis is defined by the presence of immune cells infiltrating in the pancreatic islets that might progress into the complete β-cell loss. The immunomodulatory properties of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells(BM-MSCs) have attracted much attention. This study aimed to evaluate the possible immunomodulatory effects of rat BM-MSCs and MSCs-derived insulin-producing cells(IPCs) in a mouse model of pancreatic insulitis. Methods: Insulitis was induced in BALB/c mice using five consecuti ve doses of streptozotocin. MSCs or IPCs were directly injected into the pancreas of mice and their effects on the expression of Th subsetsrelated genes were evaluated. Results: Both BM-MSCs and IPCs significantly reduced the expression of pancreatic Th1-related IFN-γ( P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively) and T-bet genes(both P < 0.001). Moreover, the expression of IL-10 gene was significantly increased in IPC-treated compared to BM-MSC-or PBS-treated mice( P < 0.001 both comparisons). Conclusions: BM-MSCs and IPCs could successfully suppress pathologic Th1 immune responses in the mouse model of insulitis. However, the marked increase in IL-10 gene expression by IPCs compared to BM-MSCs suggests that their simultaneous use at the initial phase of autoimmune diabetes might be a better option to reduce inflammation but these results need to be verified by further experiments.

Enhancement of insulin-producing cell differentiation from embryonic stem cells using pax4-nucleofection method

AIM： To enhance the differentiation of insulin producing cell （IPC） ability from embryonic stem （ES） cells in vitro. METHODS： Four-day embryoid body （EB）-formatted ES cells were dissociated as single cells for the followed plasmid DNA delivery. The use of NucleofectorTM electroporator （Amaxa biosystems, Germany） in combination with medium-contained G418 provided a high efficiency of gene delivery for advanced selection. Neucleofected cells were plated on the top of fibronectincoated Petri dishes. Addition of Ly294002 and raised the glucose in medium at 24 h before examination.The differentiation status of these cells was monitored by semi-quantitative PCR （SQ-PCR） detection of the expression of relative genes, such as oct-4, sox-17, foxa2, mixll, pdx-1, insulin 1, glucagons and somatostatin. The percentage of IPC population on d 18 of the experiment was investigated by immunohistochemistry （IHC）, and the content/secretion of insulin was estimated by ELISA assay. The mice with severe combined immunodeficiency disease （SCID） pretreated with streptozotocin （STZ） were used to eliminate plasma glucose restoration after pax4^＋ ES implantation. RESULTS： A high efficiency of gene delivery was demonstrated when neucleofection was used in the present study; approximately 70% cells showed DsRed expression 2 d after neucleofection. By selection of medium-contained G418, the percentage of DsRed expressing cells kept high till the end of study. The pancreatic differentiation seemed to be accelerated by pax4 nucleofection. When compared to the group of cells with mock control, foxa2, mixll, pdxl, higher insulin and somatostatin levels were detected by SQ-PCR 4 d after nucleofection in the group of pax4 expressing plasmid delivery. Approximately 55% of neucleofected cells showed insulin expression 18 d after neucleofection, and only 18% of cells showed insulin expression in mock control. The disturbance was shown by nucleofected pax4 RNAi vector; only 8% of cells expressed insulin 18 d after nucleofection. A higher IPC population was also detected in the insulin content by ELISA assay, and the glucose dependency was demonstrated in insulin secretion level. In the animal model, improvement of average plasma glucose concentration was observed in the group of pax-4 expressed ES of SCID mice pretreated with STZ, but no significant difference was observed in the group of STZ-pretreated SCID mice who were transplanted ES with mock plasmid. CONCLUSION： Enhancement of IPC differentiation from EB-dissociated ES cells can be revealed by simply using pax4 expressing plasrnid delivery. Not only more IPCs but also pancreatic differentiation-related genes can be detected by SQ-PCR. Expression of relative genes, such as foxa 2, mixl 1, pdx-1, insulin 1 and somatostatin after nucleofection, suggests that pax4 accelerates the whole differentiation progress. The higher insulin production with glucose dependent modulation suggests that pax4 expression can drive more mature IPCs. Although further determination of the entire mechanism is required, the potential of pax-4-nucleofected cells in medical treatment is promising.

Differentiation of embryonic stem cells into insulin-producing cells promoted by Nkx2.2 gene transfer

AIM： To investigate the ability of a genetically altered embryonic stem （ES） cell line to generate insulin-producing cells in vitro following transfer of the Nkx2.2 gene.METHODS： Hamster Nkx2.2 genes were transferred into mouse ES cells. Parental and Nkx2.2-transfected ES cells were initiated toward differentiation in embryoid body （EB） culture for 5 d and the resulting EBs were transferred to an attached culture system. Dithizone （DTZ）, a zincchelating agent known to selectively stain pancreatic beta cells, was used to detect insulin-producing cells.The outgrowths were incubated in DTZ solution （final concentration, 100μg/mL） for 15 rain before being examined microscopically. Gene expression of the endocrine pancreatic markers was also analyzed by RT-PCR. In addition, insulin production was determined immunohistochemically and its secretion was examined using an ELISA.RESULTS： DTZ-stained cellular clusters appeared after approximately 14 d in the culture of Nkx2.2-transfected ES cells （Nkx-ES cells）, which was as much as 2 wk earlier, than those in the culture of parental ES cells （wt-ES）. The frequency of DTZ-positive cells among total cultured cells on day 28 accounted for approximately 1.0% and 0.1% of the Nkx-ES- and wt-ES-derived EB outgrowths, respectively. The DTZ-positive cellular clusters were found to be immunoreactive to insulin, while the gene expressions of pancreatic-duodenal homeobox 1 （PDX1）, proinsulin 1 and proinsulin 2 were observed in the cultures that contained DTZ-positive cellular clusters.Insulin secretion was also confirmed by ELISA, whereas glucose-dependent secretion was not demonstrated.CONCLUSION： Nkx2.2-transfected ES cells showed an ability to differentiate into insulin-producing cells.

In vitro pancreas duodenal homeobox-1 enhances the differentiation of pancreatic ductal epithelial cells into insulin-producing cells

AIM: To observe whether pancreatic and duodenal homeobox factor-1 enhances the differentiation of pancreatic ductal epithelial cells into insulin-producing cells in vitro. METHODS: Rat pancreatic tissue was submitted to digestion by collegenase, ductal epithelial cells were separated by density gradient centrifugation and then cultured in RPMI1640 medium with 10% fetal bovine serum. After 3-5 passages, the cells were incubated in a six-well plate for 24 h before transfection of recombination plasmid XlHbox8VP16. Lightcycler quantitative real-time RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of PDX-1 and insulin mRNA in pancreatic epithelial cells. The expression of PDX-1 and insulin protein was analyzed by Western blotting. Insulin secretion was detected by radioimmunoassay. Insulin- producing cells were detected by dithizone-staining. RESULTS: XlHbox8 mRNA was expressed in pancreatic ductal epithelial cells. PDX-1 and insulin mRNA as well as PDX-1 and insulin protein were signifi cantly increased in the transfected group. The production and insulin secretion of insulin-producing cells differentiated from pancreatic ductal epithelial cells were higher than those of the untransfected cells in vitro with a significant difference (1.32 ± 0.43 vs 3.48 ± 0.81, P < 0.01 at 5.6 mmol/L; 4.86 ± 1.15 vs 10.25 ± 1.32, P < 0.01 at 16.7 mmol/L). CONCLUSION: PDX-1 can differentiate rat pancreaticductal epithelial cells into insulin-producing cells in vitro. In vitro PDX-1 transfection is a valuable strategy for increasing the source of insulin-producing cells.

BM-MSCs Differentiated Insulin-Producing Cells Produce More Insulin in Presence of EGF than of FGF

Adult stem cells have the ability to differentiate into islet like cells for the hope of treating diabetes mellitus (DM). The most important part is the differentiation process from na?ve stem cells to fully differentiated fully functional islet cells. For this purpose, we wanted to optimize the current proposed differentiation media by replacing the FGF with EGF and measure insulin production. Bone marrow-derived MSCs were from mice long bones and expanded in cell culture before induction of differentiation. Stem cells surface markers were analyzed by immunocytochemistry. Cultured stem cells were negative for CD34 while they expressed high levels of CD90. Differentiated cells morphology was studied by using H & E stain. Differentiated cells were detected by studying protein expression of insulin as specific marker for IPC differentiation. Cells function was studied by measuring the insulin production in tissue culture supernatant in vitro and also insulin release in response to glucose challenge. Ditizone staining were both positive. Insulin was secreted by these cells in response to different concentrations of glucose stimulation in a regulated manner. Cells induced with formula contain EGF produced more insulin in the same formula but contain FGF instead, this prove that EGF is the best to use during differentiation process.

Current progress and emerging technologies for generating extrapancreatic functional insulin-producing cells

Diabetes has been one of the major concerns in recent years,due to the increasing rate of morbidity and mortality worldwide.The available treatment strategies for uncontrolled diabetes mellitus(DM)are pancreas or islet transplantation.However,these strategies are limited due to unavailability of quality pancreas/islet donors,life-long need of immunosuppression,and associated complications.Cell therapy has emerged as a promising alternative options to achieve the clinical benefits in the management of uncontrolled DM.Since the last few years,various sources of cells have been used to convert into insulin-producingβ-like cells.These extrapancreatic sources of cells may play a significant role inβ-cell turnover and insulin secretion in response to environmental stimuli.Stem/progenitor cells from liver have been proposed as an alternative choice that respond well to glucose stimuli under strong transcriptional control.The liver is one of the largest organs in the human body and has a common endodermal origin with pancreatic lineages.Hence,liver has been proposed as a source of a large number of insulinproducing cells.The merging of nanotechnology and 3D tissue bioengineering has opened a new direction for producing islet-like cells suitable for in vivo transplantation in a cordial microenvironment.This review summarizes extrapancreatic sources for insulin-secreting cells with reference to emerging technologies to fulfill the future clinical need.

Transplantation of insulin-producing cells to treat diabetic rats after 90% pancreatectomy

AIM:To investigate the effects of transplantation of insulin-producing cells(IPCs) in the treatment of diabetic rats after 90% pancreatectomy.METHODS:Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(UCMSCs) were isolated and induced into IPCs using differentiation medium.Differentiated cells were examined by dithizone(DTZ) staining,reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),and real-time RT-PCR.C-peptide release,both spontaneously and after glucose challenge,was measured by ELISA.IPCs were then transplanted into Sprague-Dawley rats after 90% pancreatectomy and blood glucose levels and body weight were measured.RESULTS:The differentiated cells were positive for DTZ staining and expressed pancreatic β-cell related genes.C-peptide release by the differentiated cells increased after glucose challenge(380.6 ± 15.32 pmol/L vs 272.4 ± 15.32 pmol/L,P < 0.05).Further,in the cell transplantation group,blood sugar levels were significantly lower than in the sham group 2 wk after transplantation(18.7 ± 2.5 mmol/L vs 25.8 ± 1.25 mmol/L,P < 0.05).Glucose tolerance tests showed that 45 min after intraperitoneal glucose injection,blood glucose levels were significantly lower on day 56 after transplantation of IPCs(12.5 ± 4.7 mmol/L vs 42.2 ± 9.3 mmol/L,P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:Our results show that UCMSCs can differentiate into islet-like cells in vitro under certain conditions,which can function as IPCs both in vivo and in vitro.

Role of miR-128/216a Regulating Isl1 Expression during Differentiation of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Insulin-Producing Cells

Islet-1(Isl1),a LIM homeodomain protein,is expressed in the embryonic pancreatic epithelium.As a key transcription factor,Isl1 can not only regulate insulin gene expression in normal glucose condition but also maintainβ-cell function and impact pancreaticβ-cell target genes.Some experiments have suggested that Micro RNA(miRNA)can play a critical role during the induction of insulinproducing cells(IPCs).However,it is unclear whether miRNA may regulate Isl1 expression during differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(HUMSCs)into IPCs.In this investigation,we induced HUMSCs into IPCs with a modified two-step protocol,activin A,retinoic acid(step1)and conophylline,nicotinamide(step2).To find the miRNA regulating Isl1 expression,we respectively used Target Scan,miRDB and RNAhybrid to predict and got the result,miR-128 and miR-216a.The miRNAs can inhibit Isl1 expression by dual luciferase assay.The results of real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR)showed that Isl1 expression level was almost reciprocal to that of miR-128 and miR-216a during differentiation of HUMSCs into IPCs.Furthermore,over-expression of miR-128 or miR-216a downregulated expression levels of Isl1 and Maf A.Therefore,miR-128 or miR-216a may regulate expression of islet-specific transcription factors to control differentiation of HUMSCs into IPCs.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells derived from Wharton＇s jelly differentiate into insulin-producing cells in vitro

Background Islet transplantation is an effective way of reversing type Ⅰ diabetes. However, islet transplantation is hampered by issues such as immune rejection and shortage of donor islets. Mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into insulin-producing cells. However, the potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells （huMSCs） to become insulin-producing cells remains undetermined.Methods We isolated and induced cultured huMSCs under islet cell culture conditions. The response of huMSCs were monitored under an inverted phase contrast microscope. Immunocytochemical and immunofluorescence staining methods were used to measure insulin and glucagon protein levels. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） was performed to detect gene expression of human insulin and PDX-1. Dithizone-staining was employed to determine the zinc contents in huMSCs. Insulin secretion was also evaluated through radioimmunoassay.Results HuMSCs induced by nicotinamide and β-mercaptoethanol or by neurogenic differentiation 1 gene （NeuroD1）transfection gradually changed morphology from typically elongated fibroblast-shaped cells to round cells. They had a tendency to form clusters. Immunocytochemical studies showed positive expression of human insulin and glucagon in these cells in response to induction. RT-PCR experiments found that huMSCs expressed insulin and PDX-1 genes following induction and dithizone stained the cytoplasm of huMSCs a brownish red color after induction. Insulin secretion in induced huMSCs was significantly elevated compared with the control group （t=6.183, P〈0.05）.Conclusions HuMSCs are able to differentiate into insulin-producing cells in vitro. The potential use of huMSCs in βcell replacement therapy of diabetes needs to be studied further

采用Cell-SELEX技术的核酸适配体在肿瘤靶向治疗的研究进展

阐述细胞-配体指数富集系统进化(Cell-SELEX)技术特点,以及通过该技术筛选得到的核酸适配体在肿瘤靶向治疗中的应用进展和挑战,通过查阅近年的相关文献,综述核酸适配体作为药物及药物载体在肿瘤靶向治疗中的应用研究进展。结果表明:基于Cell-SELEX技术筛选得到的核酸适配体在肿瘤靶向治疗中的疗效显著,可开发成为肿瘤靶向治疗的潜力药物及良好的药物载体。

Differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells from diabetic patients into insulin-producing cells in vitro

Bckground Stem cells, which have the ability to differentiate into insulin-producing cells （IPCs）, would provide a potentially unlimited source of islet cells for transplantation and alleviate the major limitations of availability and allogeneic rejection. Therefore, the utilization of stem cells is becoming the most promising therapy for diabetes mellitus （DM）. Here, we studied the differentiation capacity of the diabetic patient＇s bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs） and tested the feasibility of using MSCs for β-cell replacement. Methods Bone marrow-derived MSCs were obtained from 10 DM patients （5 type 1 DM and 5 type 2 DM） and induced to IPCs under a three-stage protocol. Representative cell surface antigen expression profiles of MSCs were analysed by flow cytometric analysis. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） was performed to detect multiple genes related to pancreatic β-cell development and function. The identity of the IPCs was illustrated by the analysis of morphology, ditizone staining and immunocytochemistry. Release of insulin by these cells was confirmed by immunoradioassay. Results Flow cytometric analysis of MSCs at passage 3 showed that these cells expressed high levels of CD29 （98.28%）, CD44 （99.56%） and CD106 （98.34%）. Typical islet-like cell clusters were observed at the end of the protocol （18 days）. Ditizone staining and immunohistochemistry for insulin were both positive. These differentiated cells at stage 2 （10 days） expressed nestin, pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 （PDX-1）, Neurogenin3, Pax4, insulin, glucagon, but at stage 3 （18 days） we observed the high expression of PDX-1, insulin, glucagon. Insulin was secreted by these cells in response to different concentrations of glucose stimulation in a regulated manner （P〈0.05）. Conclusions Bone marrow-derived MSCs from DM patients can differentiate into functional IPCs under certain conditions in vitro. Using diabetic patient＇s own bone marrow-derived MSCs as a source of autologous IPCs for β-cell reDlacement would be feasible.

The combined application of stem cells and three-dimensional bioprinting scaffolds for the repair of spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury is considered one of the most difficult injuries to repair and has one of the worst prognoses for injuries to the nervous system.Following surgery,the poor regenerative capacity of nerve cells and the generation of new scars can make it very difficult for the impaired nervous system to restore its neural functionality.Traditional treatments can only alleviate secondary injuries but cannot fundamentally repair the spinal cord.Consequently,there is a critical need to develop new treatments to promote functional repair after spinal cord injury.Over recent years,there have been seve ral developments in the use of stem cell therapy for the treatment of spinal cord injury.Alongside significant developments in the field of tissue engineering,three-dimensional bioprinting technology has become a hot research topic due to its ability to accurately print complex structures.This led to the loading of three-dimensional bioprinting scaffolds which provided precise cell localization.These three-dimensional bioprinting scaffolds co uld repair damaged neural circuits and had the potential to repair the damaged spinal cord.In this review,we discuss the mechanisms underlying simple stem cell therapy,the application of different types of stem cells for the treatment of spinal cord injury,and the different manufa cturing methods for three-dimensional bioprinting scaffolds.In particular,we focus on the development of three-dimensional bioprinting scaffolds for the treatment of spinal cord injury.

Notch signaling： a novel regulating differentiation mechanism of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells into insulin-producing cells in vitro

Background Human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells （UCB-MSCs） could be induced to differentiate into insulin producing cells （IPCs） in vitro, which have good application potential in the cell replacement treatment of type-1 diabetes. However, the mechanisms regulating this differentiation have remained largely unknown. Notch signaling is critical in cell differentiation. This study investigated whether Notch signaling could regulate the IPCs differentiation of human UCB-MSCs. Methods Using an interfering Notch signaling protocol in vitro, we studied the role of Notch signaling in differentiation of human UCB-MSCs into IPCs. In a control group the induction took place without interfering Notch signaling. Results Human UCB-MSCs expressed the genes of Notch receptors （Notch 1 and Notch 2） and ligands （Jagged 1 and Deltalike 1）. Human UCB-MSCs with over-expressing Notch signaling in differentiation resulted in the down-regulation of insulin gene level, proinsulin protein expression, and insulin-positive cells percentage compared with the control group. These results showed that over-expressing Notch signaling inhibited IPCs differentiation. Conversely, when Notch signaling was attenuated by receptor inhibitor, the induced cells increased on average by 3.06-fold （n=-4, P 〈0.001） in insulin gene level, 2.60-fold （n=-3, P 〈0.02） in proinsulin protein expression, and 1.62-fold （n=-6, P 〈0.001） in the rate of IPCs compared with the control group. Notch signaling inhibition significantly promoted IPCs differentiation with about 40% of human UCB-MSCs that converted to IPCs, but these IPCs were not responsive to glucose challenge very well both in vitro and in vivo. Hence, further research has to be carried out in the future. Conclusions Notch signaling may be an important mechanism regulating IPCs differentiation of human LICB-MSCs in vitro and Notch signaling inhibition may be an efficient way to increase the number of IPCs, which may resolve the shortage of islet of cell replacement treatment of type-1 diabetes.

Cell reprogramming therapy for Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is typically characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta.Many studies have been performed based on the supplementation of lost dopaminergic neurons to treat Parkinson’s disease.The initial strategy for cell replacement therapy used human fetal ventral midbrain and human embryonic stem cells to treat Parkinson’s disease,which could substantially alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in clinical practice.However,ethical issues and tumor formation were limitations of its clinical application.Induced pluripotent stem cells can be acquired without sacrificing human embryos,which eliminates the huge ethical barriers of human stem cell therapy.Another widely considered neuronal regeneration strategy is to directly reprogram fibroblasts and astrocytes into neurons,without the need for intermediate proliferation states,thus avoiding issues of immune rejection and tumor formation.Both induced pluripotent stem cells and direct reprogramming of lineage cells have shown promising results in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.However,there are also ethical concerns and the risk of tumor formation that need to be addressed.This review highlights the current application status of cell reprogramming in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease,focusing on the use of induced pluripotent stem cells in cell replacement therapy,including preclinical animal models and progress in clinical research.The review also discusses the advancements in direct reprogramming of lineage cells in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease,as well as the controversy surrounding in vivo reprogramming.These findings suggest that cell reprogramming may hold great promise as a potential strategy for treating Parkinson’s disease.

Mechanism of inflammatory response and therapeutic effects of stem cells in ischemic stroke:current evidence and future perspectives

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide,with an increasing trend and tendency for onset at a younger age.China,in particular,bears a high burden of stroke cases.In recent years,the inflammatory response after stroke has become a research hotspot:understanding the role of inflammatory response in tissue damage and repair following ischemic stroke is an important direction for its treatment.This review summarizes several major cells involved in the inflammatory response following ischemic stroke,including microglia,neutrophils,monocytes,lymphocytes,and astrocytes.Additionally,we have also highlighted the recent progress in various treatments for ischemic stroke,particularly in the field of stem cell therapy.Overall,understanding the complex interactions between inflammation and ischemic stroke can provide valuable insights for developing treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes.Stem cell therapy may potentially become an important component of ischemic stroke treatment.

眼斑双锯鱼(Amphiprion ocellaris)发育中体色花纹时序发生的色素细胞变化和控制基因表达的分析Ⅱ.仔稚幼鱼时期

眼斑双锯鱼(Amphiprion ocellaris)属于鲈形目、雀鲷科、双锯鱼属,是热带珊瑚礁观赏鱼类的首选品种,其不同发育时期各种色素细胞的动态变化及其控制基因表达情况有待深入研究。记录了眼斑双锯鱼仔稚幼鱼体色花纹模式建成的发育过程,对比不同发育时期体色变化的特点,筛选出仔稚幼鱼时期体色花纹变化较为明显的9个发育时期,并利用荧光定量PCR检测了眼斑双锯鱼各发育时期的10个体色控制基因的表达情况。结果显示:眼斑双锯鱼的体色发生存在明显的时序性,仔鱼时期鱼体呈现半透明状,黑色素细胞排列在身体两侧,随着生长发育数量逐渐增多;稚鱼时期,体表开始出现红色素细胞和黄色素细胞,身体慢慢变得不透明,9 dph开始出现第一道条纹,虹彩色素细胞数量逐渐增多,10 dph时期观察到第二道条纹出现;幼鱼时期,三道白色条纹完全形成,体表的橙红色和白色条纹被黑色素细胞分隔开来,界线逐渐清晰,长成完整的花纹。结合荧光定量PCR结果分析发现:在仔稚幼鱼阶段,10个体色控制基因在各发育时期均有表达,不同功能分类的基因在不同发育时期的表达变化趋势差异较大,在仔稚幼鱼前期表达量变化较大的基因主要为TYR、Dct、Ednrb、Sox10等与黑色素细胞迁移、分化、合成相关的基因;随着幼鱼不断的生长发育,白色条纹逐条出现,与虹彩色素细胞相关的Fms、Foxd3等基因也开始出现表达量显著上升的趋势。