Modulation of stem cell fate in intestinal homeostasis,injury and repair

The mammalian intestinal epithelium constitutes the largest barrier against the external environment and makes flexible responses to various types of stimuli.Epithelial cells are fast-renewed to counteract constant damage and disrupted barrier function to maintain their integrity.The homeostatic repair and regeneration of the intestinal epithelium are governed by the Lgr5+intestinal stem cells(ISCs)located at the base of crypts,which fuel rapid renewal and give rise to the different epithelial cell types.Protracted biological and physicochemical stress may challenge epithelial integrity and the function of ISCs.The field of ISCs is thus of interest for complete mucosal healing,given its relevance to diseases of intestinal injury and inflammation such as inflammatory bowel diseases.Here,we review the current understanding of the signals and mechanisms that control homeostasis and regeneration of the intestinal epithelium.We focus on recent insights into the intrinsic and extrinsic elements involved in the process of intestinal homeostasis,injury,and repair,which fine-tune the balance between self-renewal and cell fate specification in ISCs.Deciphering the regulatory machinery that modulates stem cell fate would aid in the development of novel therapeutics that facilitate mucosal healing and restore epithelial barrier function.

Glioblastoma stem cells:Molecular characteristics and therapeutic implications

Glioblastoma Multiforme(GBM)is a grade IV astrocytoma,with a median survival of 14.6 mo.Within GBM,stem-like cells,namely glioblastoma stem cells(GSCs),have the ability to self-renew,differentiate into distinct lineages within the tumor and initiate tumor xenografts in immunocompromised animal models.More importantly,GSCs utilize cell-autonomous and tumor microenvironment-mediated mechanisms to overcome current therapeutic approaches.They are,therefore,very important therapeutic targets.Although the functional criteria defining GSCs are well defined,their molecular characteristics,the mechanisms whereby they establish the cellular hierarchy within tumors,and their contribution to tumor heterogeneity are not well understood.This review is aimed at summarizing current findings about GSCs and their therapeutic importance from a molecular and cellular point of view.A better characterization of GSCs is crucial for designing effective GSCtargeted therapies.

Efficient expansion of rare human circulating hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in steady-state blood using a polypeptide-forming 3D culture

Although widely applied in treating hematopoietic malignancies,transplantation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells(HSPCs)is impeded by HSPC shortage.Whether circulating HSPCs(cHSPCs)in steady-state blood could be used as an alternative source remains largely elusive.Here we develop a three-dimensional culture system(3DCS)including arginine,glycine,aspartate,and a series of factors.Fourteen-day culture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMNCs)in 3DCS led to 125-and 70-fold increase of the frequency and number of CD34+cells.Further,3DCS-expanded cHSPCs exhibited the similar reconstitution rate com-pared to CD34+HSPCs in bone marrow.Mechanistically,3DCS fabricated an immunomodulatory niche,secreting cytokines as TNF to support cHSPC survival and proliferation.Finally,3DCS could also promote the expansion of cHSPCs in patients who failed in HSPC mobilization.Our 3DCS successfully expands rare cHSPCs,providing an alternative source for the HSPC therapy,particularly for the patients/donors who have failed in HSPC mobilization.