Three-dimensional cell culture systems as an in vitro platform for cancer and stem cell modeling

Three-dimensional(3D)culture systems are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to mimic tissue-like structures more effectively than the monolayer cultures.In cancer and stem cell research,the natural cell characteristics and architectures are closely mimicked by the 3D cell models.Thus,the 3D cell cultures are promising and suitable systems for various proposes,ranging from disease modeling to drug target identification as well as potential therapeutic substances that may transform our lives.This review provides a comprehensive compendium of recent advancements in culturing cells,in particular cancer and stem cells,using 3D culture techniques.The major approaches highlighted here include cell spheroids,hydrogel embedding,bioreactors,scaffolds,and bioprinting.In addition,the progress of employing 3D cell culture systems as a platform for cancer and stem cell research was addressed,and the prominent studies of 3D cell culture systems were discussed.

Progress in in vitro culture and gene editing of porcine spermatogonial stem cells

Research on in vitro culture and gene editing of domestic spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) is of considerable interest but remains a challenging issue in animal science. In recent years, some progress on the isolation, purification, and genetic manipulation of porcine SSCs has been reported. Here, we summarize the characteristics of porcine SSCs as well current advances in their in vitro culture, potential usage, and genetic manipulation. Furthermore, we discuss the current application of gene editing in pig cloning technology. Collectively, this commentary aims to summarize the progress made and obstacles encountered in porcine SSC research to better serve animal husbandry, improve livestock fecundity, and enhance potential clinical use.

Studies on Single Cell Culture in vitro in Wheat——The variation of grain protein content and its fractions from regenerated plants

On the basis of previous studies dealing with the variation of major agronomic and yield characteristics of regenerated plants derived from single cell culture in vitro of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.Cultivar NE 7742), the grain protein content and its fractions from regenerated plants with stable agronomic characteristics were studied from 1992 to 1995. The results showed that the variation of grain protein content and its fractions in somaclones from single cell culture in vitro were very significant and the range was very wide (11531770%). Several types of variation were found in the studies, especially the type with higher protein content than that of cultivar NE 7742 (non-culture parent). Among them, -2069% of lines the grain protein content was significantly higher than that of NE 7742 and combined with high yielding potential. The tendency of variation of the four protein fractions showed that the variation of albumin was not obvious and maintained the same level as NE774 increased in some somaclones and decreased in others. However, the percentages both globulin and glutenin tended to increase. The variation of total amount of structural protein and the ratio between globulin and glutenin tended to increase. The variation of total amount of structural protein and the ratio between globulin and albumm was mainly influenced by globulin under the condition of culture in vitro. The variation of total amount of storage protein and the ratio between gliadin and glutenin was mainly affected by glutenin. The results mentioned above demonstrated that the induction and screening of somaclonal variation could be an effective way in wheat improvement in combining high protein content with high yield.

In vitro long-term culture and differentiation of mouse spermatogonia stem cells

The studies from 7 or 8 days old mice were used to prepare the spermatogonial stem cells. The isolation and purification of spermatogonial stem cells were done by means of the Percoll discontinual density gradient concentration. The cells of the 3rd band were collected and cultured in vitro in DMEM supplemented with 2.5% or 10% fetal bovine serum （FBS）. The results showed that with the feeder layer and 2.5% serum, the spermatogonial stem cells could proliferate, differentiate last more than 4 months.

Preparation, cryopreservation and in vitro culture of spermatogonial stem cells of new born calves

The experiment was designed to study the preparation, cryopreservation and culture of calf spermatogonial stem cells in order to provide some data for theoretical research and practical use of calf spermatogonial stem cells. As for enzymolysis of testis tissue, two digestive method A and B. The cryopreservation cooling procedure was that spermatogonial stem cells was equilibrated at 4℃ for lh, at -20℃ for lh, at -40℃ for 2h, at -80℃ overnight and then stored in liquid nitrogen. The different concentration of three eryoprotectants were compared. The results indicated that both method A and method B achieved the same high motility rates of cells with method B needing time longer, calf spermatogonial stem cells could be well cryopreserved by the stage cooling procedure. Satisfactory cryopreservative results were gotten by adding 10% DMSO or 10% EG to cryopreservative medium, the former was better and adding sucrose could improved cryopreservative effect. The culture behaviors of spermatogonial stem cells kept the same before and after cryopreservation. It was concluded that an effective method was verified for preparation, cryopreservation and culture of new calf spermatogonial stem cells.

Comparison of biological characteristics of marrow mesenchymal stem cells in hepatitis B patients and normal adults

AIM: To establish a culture system of marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)from hepatitis B patients and normal adults and to compare their biological characteristics. METHODS: MSCs were isolated from bone marrow in 34 male hepatitis B patients and 15 male normal adults and cultivated in vitro. Their biological characteristics including surface markers, shapes and appearances, growth curves, first passage time and passage generations were compared. RESULTS: Cultivation achievement ratio of hepatitis B patients was lower than that of normal adults, no statistical significance (82.35% vs 100%, P > 0.05). Compared with MSCs of normal adults, MSCs of hepatitis B patients presented a statistical lower growth curve, longer first passage time (13.0 ± 1.6 d vs 11.4 ± 1.5 d, P < 0.05), fewer passaging generation numbers (10.5 ± 1.4 generations vs 12.3 ± 1.7 generations, P < 0.05), though both shared same appearances, shapes and surface markers. MSCs in hepatitis B patients would expand, spread out and age more easily and there were more refractive particles in the cytoplasm. CONCLUSION: MSCs from hepatitis B patients can be cultured in vitro. Although their appearance, shape and surface marker are similar to those of MSCs from normal adults, there are differences in their biological characteristics.

Establishment of a humanized mouse model using steady-state peripheral blood-derived hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells facilitates screening of cancer-targeted T-cell repertoires

Background:Cancer-targeted T-cell receptor T(TCR-T)cells hold promise in treating cancers such as hematological malignancies and breast cancers.However,approaches to obtain cancer-reactive TCR-T cells have been unsuccessful.Methods:Here,we developed a novel strategy to screen for cancer-targeted TCR-T cells using a special humanized mouse model with person-specific immune fingerprints.Rare steady-state circulating hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells were expanded via three-dimensional culture of steady-state peripheral blood mononuclear cells,and then the expanded cells were applied to establish humanized mice.The human immune system was evaluated according to the kinetics of dendritic cells,monocytes,T-cell subsets,and cytokines.To fully stimulate the immune response and to obtain B-cell precursor NAML-6-and triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231-targeted TCR-T cells,we used the inactivated cells above to treat humanized mice twice a day every 7 days.Then,human T cells were processed for TCRβ-chain(TRB)sequencing analysis.After the repertoires had been constructed,features such as the fraction,diversity,and immune signature were investigated.Results:The results demonstrated an increase in diversity and clonality of T cells after treatment.The preferential usage and features of TRBV,TRBJ,and the V–J combination were also changed.The stress also induced highly clonal Science and Technology,Grant/Award Number:2021C03010;Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China,Grant/Award Numbers:LTGY24H080003,LY21H080004 expansion.Tumor burden and survival analysis demonstrated that stress induction could significantly inhibit the growth of subsequently transfused live tumor cells and prolong the survival of the humanized mice.Conclusions:We constructed a personalized humanized mouse model to screen cancer-targeted TCR-T pools.Our platform provides an effective source of cancer-targeted TCR-T cells and allows for the design of patient-specific engineered T cells.It therefore has the potential to greatly benefit cancer treatment.

How old is too old? In vivo engraftment of human peripheral blood stem cells cryopreserved for up to 18 years-implications for clinical transplantation and stability programs

BACKGROUND Peripheral blood stem cells(PBSC)are commonly cryopreserved awaiting clinical use for hematopoietic stem cell transplant.Long term cryopreservation is commonly defined as five years or longer,and limited data exists regarding how long PBSC can be cryopreserved and retain the ability to successfully engraft.Clinical programs,stem cell banks,and regulatory and accrediting agencies interested in product stability would benefit from such data.Thus,we assessed recovery and colony forming ability of PBSC following long-term cryopreservation as well as their ability to engraft in NOD/SCID/IL-2 Rγnull(NSG)mice.AIM To investigate the in vivo engraftment potential of long-term cryopreserved PBSC units.METHODS PBSC units which were collected and frozen using validated clinical protocols were obtained for research use from the Cellular Therapy Laboratory at Indiana University Health.These units were thawed in the Cellular Therapy Laboratory using clinical standards of practice,and the pre-freeze and post-thaw characteristics of the units were compared.Progenitor function was assessed using standard colony-forming assays.CD34-selected cells were transplanted into immunodeficient mice to assess stem cell function.RESULTS Ten PBSC units with mean of 17 years in cryopreservation(range 13.6-18.3 years)demonstrated a mean total cell recovery of 88%±12%(range 68%-110%)and post-thaw viability of 69%±17%(range 34%-86%).BFU-E growth was shown in 9 of 10 units and CFU-GM growth in 7 of 10 units post-thaw.Immunodeficient mice were transplanted with CD34-selected cells from four randomly chosen PBSC units.All mice demonstrated long-term engraftment at 12 wk with mean34%±24%human CD45+cells,and differentiation with presence of human CD19+,CD3+and CD33+cells.Harvested bone marrow from all mice demonstrated growth of erythroid and myeloid colonies.CONCLUSION We demonstrated engraftment of clinically-collected and thawed PBSC following cryopreservation up to 18 years in NSG mice,signifying likely successful clinical transplantation of PBSC following long-term cryopreservation.

Ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells: Recent advances

Hematopoietic stem cells(HSCs) have become the most extensively studied stem cells and HSC-based cellular therapy is promising for hematopoietic cancers and hereditary blood disorders. Successful treatment of patients with HSC cells depends on sufficient number of highly purified HSCs and progenitor cells. However, stem cells are a very rare population no matter where they come from. Thus, ex vivo amplification of these HSCs is essential. The heavy demands from more and more patients for HSCs also require industrial-scale expansion of HSCs with lower production cost and higher efficiency. Two main ways to reach that goal:(1) to find clinically applicable, simple and efficient methods(or reagents) to enrich HSCs;(2) to find new developmental regulators and chemical compounds in order to replace the currently used cytokine cocktails for HSCsamplification. In this Editorial review, we would like to introduce the current status of ex vivo expansion of HSCs, particularly focusing on enrichment and culture supplements.

Stem cells of the reproductive tract of women

Research in stem cells is one of the most rapidly evolving fields of investigation in medicine today. Stem cells are defined as cells that have the capacity to both generate daughter cells identical to the cell of origin (self-renewal) and to produce progeny with more restricted, specialized potential (differentiated cells). This dual ability to self-renew and differentiate offers great promise for expanding our understanding of organ systems, elucidating disease pathophysiology, and creating therapeutic approaches to difficult diseases. The goal of this review is to offer an overview of the different types of stem cells and to provide an introduction to the applications of stem cells to the field of obstetrics and gynecology.

Sulfated GAG mimetic peptide nanofibers enhance chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in 3D in vitro models

Articular cartilage,which is exposed to continuous repetitive compressive stress,has limited self-healing capacity in the case of trauma.Thus,it is crucial to develop new treatment options for the effective regeneration of the cartilage tissue.Current cellular therapy treatment options are microfracture and autologous chondrocyte implantation;however,these treatments induce the formation of fibrous cartilage,which degenerates over time,rather than functional hyaline cartilage tissue.Tissue engineering studies using biodegradable scaffolds and autologous cells are vital for developing an effective long-term treatment option.3D scaffolds composed of glycosaminoglycan-like peptide nanofibers are synthetic,bioactive,biocompatible,and biodegradable and trigger cell-cell interactions that enhance chondrogenic differentiation of cells without using any growth factors.We showed differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes in both 2D and 3D culture,which produce a functional cartilage extracellular matrix,employing bioactive cues integrated into the peptide nanofiber scaffold without adding exogenous growth factors.

Development of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell culture in vitro

Objective To review the in vitro development of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells culture （BM-MSC）.Data sources The data cited in this review were mainly obtained from articles listed in Medline and PubMed. The search terms were “bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell” and “cell culture”.Study selection Articles regarding the in vitro development of BM-MSCs culture, as well as the challenge of optimizing cell culture environment in two-dimensional （2D） vs. 3D.Results Improving the culture conditions increases the proliferation and reduces the differentiation. Optimal values for many culture parameters remain to be identified. Expansion of BM-MSCs under defined conditions remains challenging, including the development of optimal culture conditions for BMSC and large-volume production systems.Conclusions Expansion of BM-MSCs under defined conditions remains challenges, including the development of optimal culture conditions for BMSC and scale-up to large-volume production systems. Optimal values for many culture parameters remain to be identified.

In vitro culture of isolated primary hepatocytes and stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells for liver regeneration

Various liver diseases result in terminal hepatic failure, and liver transplantation, cell transplantation and artificial liver support systems are emerging as effective therapies for severe hepatic disease. However, all of these treatments are limited by organ or cell resources, so developing a sufficient number of functional hepatocytes for liver regeneration is a priority. Liver regeneration is a complex process regulated by growth factors （GFs）, cytokines, transcription factors （TFs）, hormones, oxidative stress products, metabolic net- works, and microRNA. It is well-known that the function of isolated primary hepatocytes is hard to maintain; when cultured in vitro, these cells readily undergo dedifferentia- tion, causing them to lose hepatocyte function. For this mason, most studies focus on inducing stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells （ESCs）, induced pluripotent stem cells （iPSCs）, hepatic progenitor cells （HPCs）, and mesenchymal stem cells （MSCs）, to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells （HLCs） in vitro. In this review, we mainly focus on the nature of the liver regeneration process and discuss how to main- tain and enhance in vitro hepatic function of isolated primary hepatocytes or stem cell-derived HLCs for liver regenera- tion. In this way, hepatocytes or HLCs may be applied for clinical use for the treatment of terminal liver diseases and may prolong the survival time of patients in the near future.

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.

Positive stool culture could predict the clinical outcomes of haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

We aimed to identify the effect of positive stool cultures (PSCs) on the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT)(n = 332). PSCs were observed in 61 patients (PSC group, 18.4%). Enterobacteriaceae in stool specimens was associated with a higher risk of bloodstream infection, and Candida in stool specimens was related to a higher risk of platelet engraftment failure. The cumulative incidence of infection-related mortality 1 year after haplo-HSCT in the PSC group was higher than that of the patients who showed persistently negative stool cultures (NSC group;19.2% vs. 8.9%, P = 0.017). The probabilities of overall survival (71.4% vs. 83.8%, P = 0.031) and disease-free survival (69.6% vs. 81.0%, P = 0.048) 1 year after haplo-HSCT for the PSC group were significantly lower than those for the NSC group, particularly for patients who had Candida in their stool specimens. In multivariate analysis, Candida in stool specimens significantly increased the risk of mortality and was associated with poorer survival. Our results showed that PSC influenced the clinical outcomes after haplo-HSCT, particularly those who had Candida in their stool specimens .

精原干细胞体外分离培养的研究进展

精原干细胞是雄性动物睾丸内能够增殖分化产生精子的生殖干细胞,具有传递遗传信息的能力。鉴于其独特的生物学特性,精原干细胞在构建转基因动物和制备多潜能干细胞等领域具有十分重要的作用。精原干细胞的获取有多种分离纯化方法,在体外培养前通常结合使用两种或两种以上的方法来富集高纯度的精原干细胞。目前,关于精原干细胞体外长期培养的研究已在多种家畜上取得了一定进展。文章综述了精原干细胞的生物学特性及其微环境、精原干细胞富集的主要方法和体外培养的多种条件,为建立完善的家畜精原干细胞体外长期培养体系提供参考。

黑枸杞花青素联合人脂肪源性血管外膜细胞支持脐血造血干/祖细胞的增殖

背景:黑枸杞花青素(Anthocyanins in Lycium ruthenicum Murr,ALRM)是黑枸杞中重要的活性成分之一,具有抗氧化、免疫调节等功效。人脂肪源性血管外膜细胞(CD146^(+)hAD-PCs)是骨髓间充质干细胞的前体细胞,在体外具有促进造血干/祖细胞增殖与分化的功能。ALRM联合CD146^(+)hAD-PCs对脐血造血干/组细胞的体外支持作用有待于研究。目的:探讨ALRM联合CD146^(+)hAD-PCs对脐血CD34^(+)造血干/祖细胞体外扩增的支持作用。方法:CCK-8法检测不同质量浓度ALRM(0,200,400,600,800,1000 mg/L)对CD146^(+)hAD-PCs增殖的影响;流式细胞术检测ALRM对CD146^(+)hAD-PCs细胞周期的影响。共培养实验分为空白组、ALRM组、CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组、ALRM+CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组,分析ALRM联合CD146^(+)hAD-PCs对脐血CD34^(+)造血干/祖细胞的体外支持作用。共培养1,2,4周,比较扩增后细胞数量、集落形成单位数量,流式细胞仪检测细胞免疫表型,ELISA检测细胞因子水平。结果与结论:(1)ALRM质量浓度为200 mg/L时,CD146^(+)hAD-PCs活力最高,CD146^(+)hAD-PCs的G_(0)/G_(1)期细胞比例下降,S期、G_(2)/M期细胞比例上升(P<0.01)。(2)脐血CD34^(+)造血干/祖细胞数量变化:在共培养1,2,4周时ALRM+CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组高于ALRM组(P均<0.05),在共培养2,4周时ALRM+CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组高于CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组(P均<0.05),ALRM组与空白组随着共培养时间延长细胞数量逐渐减少。(3)集落形成能力及免疫表型分析:在共培养1,2周时ALRM+CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组的集落形成单位数量高于CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组和ALRM组(P均<0.05);在共培养1,2,4周时ALRM+CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组CD45^(+)、CD34^(+)CD33^(-)细胞比例高于CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组(P均<0.01)。(4)细胞因子变化:在共培养4周时ALRM+CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组的白细胞介素2水平高于ALRM组、CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组(P<0.05);在共培养2,4周时ALRM+CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组白细胞介素3水平高于CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组(P<0.05);在共培养1周时ALRM+CD146^(+)h AD-PCs组的粒细胞集落刺激因子水平高于CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组,在共培养2周时高于ALRM组、CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组(P<0.01);在共培养1,2,4周时ALRM组、ALRM+CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组的干扰素γ水平低于CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组(P<0.05)。(5)由于空白组无基质细胞,脐血CD34^(+)造血干/祖细胞在共培养1周之后就无法计数,未进行免疫表型、集落分析和细胞因子检测。(6)结果表明:ALRM可以通过促进CD146^(+)hAD-PCs增殖和细胞周期转化进而促进脐血CD34^(+)造血干/祖细胞的体外扩增,在造血干细胞移植研究方面具有重要价值。

非人灵长类多能干细胞体外培养和诱导分化的研究进展

干细胞在疾病发生、细胞治疗、药物筛选和临床应用等方面具有巨大价值。自日本科学家Shinya Yamanaka发现诱导多能干细胞以来,相关的研究立即成为研究热点并持续至今。小鼠干细胞的研究为其它动物的相关研究开辟了道路,但在药物筛选和疾病治疗等方面有很大局限性。非人灵长类与人类具有更高的基因同源性,在生理、病理、生殖、药理、神经等多方面与人类高度相似,是研究人类疾病和开发人用药物的理想动物模型。非人灵长类研究也是新药在进入临床实验前必须的一个环节。非人灵长类干细胞的研究在疾病的机理研究和药物开发中越发重要,同时避免了伦理问题。本文从体外培养系统的优化和诱导分化的方法两个方面对非人灵长类多能干细胞的相关研究进行了综述,以期为非人灵长类干细胞进一步深入研究提供参考。

高糖对乳牙牙髓干细胞生长及成骨分化能力的影响

目的探讨高糖对乳牙牙髓干细胞(SHED)生长及成骨分化能力的影响。方法从河南大学赛思口腔医院口腔颌面外科收集拔除的6~8岁无牙体牙髓牙周疾病的健康儿童的滞留乳牙,体外培养获得SHED,实验分为5.5 mmol·L^(-1)低糖组及25 mmol·L^(-1)高糖组。用细胞计数CCK-8试剂盒(CCK-8)检测两组细胞的增殖速度。分别用含两种不同糖浓度的成骨矿化液诱导21 d后,行茜素红染色实验,实时荧光定量PCR(QPCR)技术检测骨向分化相关基因碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、Runt相关转录因子2(RUNX2)和骨钙素(OCN)、骨桥蛋白(OPN)表达的差异。结果CCK-8检测结果显示,培养2~6 d时高糖组的OD值小于低糖组(P<0.05);成骨诱导后,高糖组的钙化结节数量少于低糖组,且高糖组的RUNX-2、ALP、OCN和OPN的相对表达量低于低糖组(P<0.05)。结论高糖抑制SHED的生长及成骨分化能力。

The evolving views of hematopoiesis:from embryo to adulthood and from in vivo to in vitro

The hematopoietic system composed of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells(HSPCs)and their differentiated lineages serves as an ideal model to uncover generic principles of cell fate transitions.From gastrulation onwards,there successively emerge primitive hematopoiesis(that produces specialized he-matopoietic cells),pro-definitive hematopoiesis(that produces lineage-restricted progenitor cells),and definitive hematopoiesis(that produces multipotent HSPCs).These nascent lineages develop in several transient hematopoietic sites and finally colonize into lifelong hematopoietic sites.The development and maintenance of hematopoietic lineages are orchestrated by cell-intrinsic gene regulatory networks and cell-extrinsic microenvironmental cues.Owing to the progressive methodology(e.g.,high-throughput lineage tracing and single-cell functional and omics analyses),our understanding of the developmental origin of hematopoietic lineages and functional properties of certain hematopoietic organs has been updated;meanwhile,new paradigms to characterize rare cell types,cell heterogeneity and its causes,and comprehensive regulatory landscapes have been provided.Here,we review the evolving views of HSPC biology during developmental and postnatal hematopoiesis.Moreover,we discuss recent advances in the in vitro induction and expansion of HSPCs,with a focus on the implications for clinical applications.