Deer antler stem cell niche: An interesting perspective

In recent years,there has been considerable exploration into methods aimed at enhancing the regenerative capacity of transplanted and/or tissue-resident cells.Biomaterials,in particular,have garnered significant interest for their potential to serve as natural scaffolds for cells.In this editorial,we provide commentary on the study by Wang et al,in a recently published issue of World J Stem Cells,which investigates the use of a decellularized xenogeneic extracellular matrix(ECM)derived from antler stem cells for repairing osteochondral defects in rat knee joints.Our focus lies specifically on the crucial role of biological scaffolds as a strategy for augmenting stem cell potential and regenerative capabilities,thanks to the establishment of a favorable microenvironment(niche).Stem cell differen-tiation heavily depends on exposure to intrinsic properties of the ECM,including its chemical and protein composition,as well as the mechanical forces it can generate.Collectively,these physicochemical cues contribute to a bio-instructive signaling environment that offers tissue-specific guidance for achieving effective repair and regeneration.The interest in mechanobiology,often conceptualized as a form of“structural memory”,is steadily gaining more validation and momen-tum,especially in light of findings such as these.

Game-changing insights on vertebral skeletal stem cells in bone metastasis and therapeutic horizons

Greenblatt and his team have unveiled vertebral skeletal stem cells(vSSCs)as a critical player in the landscape of bone metastasis.This commentary delves into the transformative discoveries surrounding vSSCs,emphasizing their distinct role in bone metastasis compared to other stem cell lineages.We illuminate the unique properties and functions of vSSCs,which may account for the elevated susceptibility of vertebral bones to metastatic invasion.Furthermore,we explore the exciting therapeutic horizons opened by this newfound understanding.These include potential interventions targeting vSSCs,modulation of associated signaling pathways,and broader implications for the treatment and management of bone metastasis.By shedding light on these game-changing insights,we hope to pave the way for novel strategies that could revolutionize the prognosis and treatment landscape for cancer patients with metastatic bone disease.

Safety and efficiency of Wharton’s Jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cell administration in patients with traumatic brain injury:First results of a phase I study

BACKGROUND Traumatic brain injury(TBI)is characterized by a disruption in the normal function of the brain due to an injury following a trauma,which can potentially cause severe physical,cognitive,and emotional impairment.Stem cell transplantation has evolved as a novel treatment modality in the management of TBI,as it has the potential to arrest the degeneration and promote regeneration of new cells in the brain.Wharton’s Jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells(WJ-MSCs)have recently shown beneficial effects in the functional recovery of neurological deficits.AIM To evaluate the safety and efficiency of MSC therapy in TBI.METHODS We present 6 patients,4 male and 2 female aged between 21 and 27 years who suffered a TBI.These 6 patients underwent 6 doses of intrathecal,intramuscular(i.m.)and intravenous transplantation of WJ-MSCs at a target dose of 1×106/kg for each application route.Spasticity was assessed using the Modified Ashworth scale(MAS),motor function according to the Medical Research Council Muscle Strength Scale,quality of life was assessed by the Functional Independence Measure(FIM)scale and Karnofsky Performance Status scale.RESULTS Our patients showed only early,transient complications,such as subfebrile fever,mild headache,and muscle pain due to i.m.injection,which resolved within 24 h.During the one year follow-up,no other safety issues or adverse events were reported.These 6 patients showed improvements in their cognitive abilities,muscle spasticity,muscle strength,performance scores and fine motor skills when compared before and after the intervention.MAS values,which we used to assess spasticity,were observed to statistically significantly decrease for both left and right sides(P<0.001).The FIM scale includes both motor scores(P<0.05)and cognitive scores(P<0.001)and showed a significant increase in pretest posttest analyses.The difference observed in the participants’Karnofsky Performance Scale values pre and post the intervention was statistically significant(P<0.001).CONCLUSION This study showed that cell transplantation has a safe,effective and promising future in the management of TBI.

Stem cell-based ischemic stroke therapy:Novel modifications and clinical challenges

Ischemic stroke(IS)causes severe disability and high mortality worldwide.Stem cell(SC)therapy exhibits unique therapeutic potential for IS that differs from current treatments.SC’s cell homing,differentiation and paracrine abilities give hope for neuroprotection.Recent studies on SC modification have enhanced therapeutic effects for IS,including gene transfection,nanoparticle modification,biomaterial modification and pretreatment.Thesemethods improve survival rate,homing,neural differentiation,and paracrine abilities in ischemic areas.However,many problems must be resolved before SC therapy can be clinically applied.These issues include production quality and quantity,stability during transportation and storage,as well as usage regulations.Herein,we reviewed the brief pathogenesis of IS,the“multi-mechanism”advantages of SCs for treating IS,various SC modification methods,and SC therapy challenges.We aim to uncover the potential and overcome the challenges of using SCs for treating IS and convey innovative ideas for modifying SCs.

Advances in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder:Wharton jelly mesenchymal stem cell transplantation

BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder(ASD)is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with multifaceted origins.In recent studies,neuroinflammation and immune dysregulation have come to the forefront in its pathogenesis.There are studies suggesting that stem cell therapy may be effective in the treatment of ASD.AIM To evolve the landscape of ASD treatment,focusing on the potential benefits and safety of stem cell transplantation.METHODS A detailed case report is presented,displaying the positive outcomes observed in a child who underwent intrathecal and intravenous Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells(WJ-MSCs)transplantation combined with neurorehabilitation.RESULTS The study demonstrates a significant improvement in the child’s functional outcomes(Childhood Autism Rating Scale,Denver 2 Developmental Screening Test),especially in language and gross motor skills.No serious side effects were encountered during the 2-year follow-up.CONCLUSION The findings support the safety and effectiveness of WJ-MSC transplantation in managing ASD.

Anti-aging based on stem cell therapy:A scoping review

Stem cells are present in the tissues and organs and remain in a quiescent and undifferentiated state until it is physiologically necessary to produce new descendant cells.Due to their multipotency property,mesenchymal stem cells have attracted considerable attention worldwide due to their immunomodulation and therapeutic function in tissue regeneration.Stem cells secrete components such as paracrine factors,extracellular vesicles,and exosomes which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory,anti-aging,reconstruction and wound healing potentials in many in vitro and in vivo models.The pluripotency and immunomodulatory features of stem cells could potentially be an effective tool in cell therapy and tissue repair.Aging affects the capacity for self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells,decreasing the potential for regeneration and the loss of optimal functions in organisms over time.Current progress in the field of cellular therapy and regenerative medicine has facilitated the evolution of particular guidelines and quality control approaches,which eventually lead to clinical trials.Cell therapy could potentially be one of the most promising therapies to control aging due to the fact that single stem cell transplantation can regenerate or substitute the injured tissue.To understand the involvement of stem cells not only in tissue maintenance and disease but also in the control of aging it is important to know and identify their properties,functions,and regulation in vivo,which are addressed in this review.

Current perspectives on mesenchymal stem cells as a potential therapeutic strategy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)has emerged as a significant health challenge,characterized by its widespread prevalence,intricate natural progression and multifaceted pathogenesis.Although NAFLD initially presents as benign fat accumulation,it may progress to steatosis,non-alcoholic steatohepatitis,cirrhosis,and hepatocellular carcinoma.Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)are recognized for their intrinsic self-renewal,superior biocompatibility,and minimal immunogenicity,positioning them as a therapeutic innovation for liver diseases.Therefore,this review aims to elucidate the potential roles of MSCs in alleviating the progression of NAFLD by alteration of underlying molecular pathways,including glycolipid metabolism,inflammation,oxidative stress,endoplasmic reticulum stress,and fibrosis.The insights are expected to provide further understanding of the potential of MSCs in NAFLD therapeutics,and support the development of MSC-based therapy in the treatment of NAFLD.

One-step cell biomanufacturing platform:porous gelatin microcarrier beads promote human embryonic stem cell-derived midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cell differentiation in vitro and survival after transplantation in vivo

Numerous studies have shown that cell replacement therapy can replenish lost cells and rebuild neural circuitry in animal models of Parkinson’s disease.Transplantation of midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cells is a promising treatment for Parkinson’s disease.However,transplanted cells can be injured by mechanical damage during handling and by changes in the transplantation niche.Here,we developed a one-step biomanufacturing platform that uses small-aperture gelatin microcarriers to produce beads carrying midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cells.These beads allow midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cell differentiation and cryopreservation without digestion,effectively maintaining axonal integrity in vitro.Importantly,midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cell bead grafts showed increased survival and only mild immunoreactivity in vivo compared with suspended midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cell grafts.Overall,our findings show that these midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cell beads enhance the effectiveness of neuronal cell transplantation.

Long non-coding RNA H19 regulates neurogenesis of induced neural stem cells in a mouse model of closed head injury

Stem cell-based therapies have been proposed as a potential treatment for neural regeneration following closed head injury.We previously reported that induced neural stem cells exert beneficial effects on neural regeneration via cell replacement.However,the neural regeneration efficiency of induced neural stem cells remains limited.In this study,we explored differentially expressed genes and long non-coding RNAs to clarify the mechanism underlying the neurogenesis of induced neural stem cells.We found that H19 was the most downregulated neurogenesis-associated lnc RNA in induced neural stem cells compared with induced pluripotent stem cells.Additionally,we demonstrated that H19 levels in induced neural stem cells were markedly lower than those in induced pluripotent stem cells and were substantially higher than those in induced neural stem cell-derived neurons.We predicted the target genes of H19 and discovered that H19 directly interacts with mi R-325-3p,which directly interacts with Ctbp2 in induced pluripotent stem cells and induced neural stem cells.Silencing H19 or Ctbp2 impaired induced neural stem cell proliferation,and mi R-325-3p suppression restored the effect of H19 inhibition but not the effect of Ctbp2 inhibition.Furthermore,H19 silencing substantially promoted the neural differentiation of induced neural stem cells and did not induce apoptosis of induced neural stem cells.Notably,silencing H19 in induced neural stem cell grafts markedly accelerated the neurological recovery of closed head injury mice.Our results reveal that H19 regulates the neurogenesis of induced neural stem cells.H19 inhibition may promote the neural differentiation of induced neural stem cells,which is closely associated with neurological recovery following closed head injury.

Effects of exosomes from mesenchymal stem cells on functional recovery of a patient with total radial nerve injury: A pilot study

BACKGROUND Peripheral nerve injury can result in significant clinical complications that have uncertain prognoses.Currently,there is a lack of effective pharmacological interventions for nerve damage,despite the existence of several small compounds,Despite the objective of achieving full functional restoration by surgical intervention,the persistent challenge of inadequate functional recovery remains a significant concern in the context of peripheral nerve injuries.AIM To examine the impact of exosomes on the process of functional recovery following a complete radial nerve damage.METHODS A male individual,aged 24,who is right-hand dominant and an immigrant,arrived with an injury caused by a knife assault.The cut is located on the left arm,specifically below the elbow.The neurological examination and electrodiagnostic testing reveal evidence of left radial nerve damage.The sural autograft was utilized for repair,followed by the application of 1 mL of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome,comprising 5 billion microvesicles.This exosome was split into four equal volumes of 0.25 mL each and delivered microsurgically to both the proximal and distal stumps using the subepineural pathway.The patient was subjected to a period of 180 d during which they had neurological examination and electrodiagnostic testing.RESULTS The duration of the patient’s follow-up period was 180 d.An increasing Tinel’s sign and sensory-motor recovery were detected even at the 10th wk following nerve grafting.Upon the conclusion of the 6-mo post-treatment period,an evaluation was conducted to measure the extent of improvement in motor and sensory functions of the nerve.This assessment was based on the British Medical Research Council scale and the Mackinnon-Dellon scale.The results indicated that the level of improvement in motor function was classified as M5,denoting an excellent outcome.Additionally,the level of improvement in sensory function was classified as S3+,indicating a good outcome.It is noteworthy that these assessments were conducted in the absence of physical therapy.At the 10th wk post-injury,despite the persistence of substantial axonal damage,the nerve exhibited indications of nerve re-innervation as evidenced by control electromyography(EMG).In contrast to the preceding.EMG analysis revealed a significant electrophysiological enhancement in the EMG conducted at the 6th-mo follow-up,indicating ongoing regeneration.CONCLUSION Enhanced comprehension of the neurobiological ramifications associated with peripheral nerve damage,as well as the experimental and therapy approaches delineated in this investigation,holds the potential to catalyze future clinical progress.

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.

Cognitive function among military veterans with STEM occupations

Dear Editor,There is limited research on the relationship between science,technology,engineering,and mathematics(STEM)occupational history and cognitive function in later life,especially among military veterans,who may be at greater risk for later-life cognitive decline.This study examines a nationally representative sample of military veterans to address this gap in knowledge.

Allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells may be a viable treatment modality in cerebral palsy

BACKGROUND Cerebral palsy(CP)describes a group of disorders affecting movement,balance,and posture.Disturbances in motor functions constitute the main body of CP symptoms.These symptoms surface in early childhood and patients are affected for the rest of their lives.Currently,treatment involves various pharmacotherapies for different types of CP,including antiepileptics for epilepsy and Botox A for focal spasticity.However,none of these methods can provide full symptom relief.This has prompted researchers to look for new treatment modalities,one of which is mesenchymal stem cell therapy(MSCT).Despite being a promising tool and offering a wide array of possibilities,mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)still need to be investigated for their efficacy and safety.AIM To analyze the efficacy and safety of MSCT in CP patients.METHODS Our sample consists of four CP patients who cannot stand or walk without external support.All of these cases received allogeneic MSCT six times as 1×106/kg intrathecally,intravenously,and intramuscularly using umbilical cord-derived MSCs(UC-MSC).We monitored and assessed the patients pre-and post-treatment using the Wee Functional Independence Measure(WeeFIM),Gross Motor Function Classification System(GMFCS),and Manual Ability Classification Scale(MACS)instruments.We utilized the Modified Ashworth Scale(MAS)to measure spasticity.RESULTS We found significant improvements in MAS scores after the intervention on both sides.Two months:Rightχ^(2)=4000,P=0.046,leftχ^(2)=4000,P=0.046;four months:Rightχ^(2)=4000,P=0.046,leftχ^(2)=4000,P=0.046;12 months:Rightχ^(2)=4000,P=0.046,leftχ^(2)=4000,P=0.046.However,there was no significant difference in motor functions based on WeeFIM results(P>0.05).GMFCS and MACS scores differed significantly at 12 months after the intervention(P=0.046,P=0.046).Finally,there was no significant change in cognitive functions(P>0.05).CONCLUSION In light of our findings,we believe that UC-MSC therapy has a positive effect on spasticity,and it partially improves motor functions.

Placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells attenuate secondary brain injury after controlled cortical impact in rats by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases

Background:As a form of biological therapy,placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells(PDMSCs)exhibit considerable promise in addressing the complex pathological processes of traumaticbrain injury(TBI)due to their multi-target and multi-pathway mode of action.Material&Methods:This study investigates the protective mechanisms and benefits of PDMSCs in mitigating the effects of controlled cortical impact(CCI)in rats and glutamate-induced oxidative stress injury in HT22 cells in vitro.Our primary objective is to provide evidence supporting the clinical application of PDMSCs.Results:In the in vivo arm of our investigation,we observed a swift elevation of matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)in the proximal cortex of injured brain tissues after CCI.PDMSCs,distinguished by their heightened expression of metalloproteinase tissue inhibitors-1 and-2(TIMP-1 and TIMP-2):were intravenously administered via the caudal vein.This intervention yielded significant reductions in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier(BBB):the extent of brain edema,the levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1βand TNF-αin damaged brain tissue,and the activation status of microglia in CCI-afflicted rats.In the realm of in vitro experiments,PDMSC-conditioned media demonstrated substantial reductions in mortality rates and cleaved caspase-3 levels in glutamate-induced HT22 cells compared with conventional media.Notably,this advantage was negated upon the introduction of neutralizing antibodies targeting TIMP-1 and TIMP-2.Conclusion:Collectively,our findings underscore the potential of PDMSCs in alleviating oxidative stress injury and secondary brain injury in the pathological process of TBI.

Lipid droplets in the nervous system:involvement in cell metabolic homeostasis

Lipid droplets serve as primary storage organelles for neutral lipids in neurons,glial cells,and other cells in the nervous system.Lipid droplet formation begins with the synthesis of neutral lipids in the endoplasmic reticulum.Previously,lipid droplets were recognized for their role in maintaining lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis;however,recent research has shown that lipid droplets are highly adaptive organelles with diverse functions in the nervous system.In addition to their role in regulating cell metabolism,lipid droplets play a protective role in various cellular stress responses.Furthermore,lipid droplets exhibit specific functions in neurons and glial cells.Dysregulation of lipid droplet formation leads to cellular dysfunction,metabolic abnormalities,and nervous system diseases.This review aims to provide an overview of the role of lipid droplets in the nervous system,covering topics such as biogenesis,cellular specificity,and functions.Additionally,it will explore the association between lipid droplets and neurodegenerative disorders.Understanding the involvement of lipid droplets in cell metabolic homeostasis related to the nervous system is crucial to determine the underlying causes and in exploring potential therapeutic approaches for these diseases.

Quality-adjusted time without symptoms or toxicity analysis of haploidentical-related donor vs.identical sibling donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia

Objective:We aimed to compare the quality-adjusted time without symptoms or toxicity(Q-TWiST)in acute myeloid leukemia(AML)patients who received haploidentical-related donor(HID)and identical sibling donor(ISD)hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT).Methods:Five clinical health states were defined:toxicity(TOX),acute graft-versus-host disease(GVHD),chronic GVHD(cGVHD),time without symptoms and toxicity(TWiST)and relapse(REL).The equation used in this study was as follows:Q-TWiST=UTOX×TOX+UTWiST×TWiST+UREL×REL+UaGVHD×aGVHD+UcGVHD×cGVHD.Results:A total of 239 AML patients were enrolled.We established a mathematical model,i.e.,Q-TWiST HID HSCT>Q-TWiST ISD HSCT,to explore the range of utility coefficients satisfying the inequality.Based on the raw data,the utility coefficient is equivalent to the following inequality:10.57067UTOX-46.27733UREL+105.9374+3.388078UaGVHD-210.8198UcGVHD>0.The model showed that when UTOX,UREL,and UaGVHD were within the range of 0-1,as well as when UcGVHD was within the range of 0-0.569,the inequality Q-TWiST HID HSCT>Q-TWiST ISD HSCT was valid.According to the results of the ChiCTR1800016972 study,the median coefficients of TOX,acute GVHD(aGVHD),and cGVHD were 0.56(0.41-0.76),0.56(0.47-0.72),and 0.54(0.37-0.79),respectively.We selected a series of specific examples of the coefficients,i.e.,UTOX=0.5,UREL=0.05,UaGVHD-0.5,and UcGVHD-0.5.The Q-TWiST values of ISD and HID HSCT were 896 and 900 d,respectively(P=0.470).Conclusions:We first observed that Q-TWiST was comparable between AML patients receiving HID HSCT and those receiving ISD HSCT.

Expansion of human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells in regenerative medicine

BACKGROUND Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that possess the potential for self-renewal with the capacity to differentiate into multiple lineages.In humans,their limited numbers pose a challenge in fulfilling the necessary demands for the regeneration and repair of damaged tissues or organs.Studies suggested that mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs),necessary for repair and regeneration via transplantation,require doses ranging from 10 to 400 million cells.Furthermore,the limited expansion of MSCs restricts their therapeutic application.AIM To optimize a novel protocol to achieve qualitative and quantitative expansion of MSCs to reach the targeted number of cells for cellular transplantation and minimize the limitations in stem cell therapy protocols.METHODS Human umbilical cord(hUC)tissue derived MSCs were obtained and re-cultured.These cultured cells were subjected to the following evaluation pro-cedures:Immunophenotyping,immunocytochemical staining,trilineage differentiation,population doubling time and number,gene expression markers for proliferation,cell cycle progression,senescence-associatedβ-galactosidase assay,human telomerase reverse transcriptase(hTERT)expression,mycoplasma,cytomegalovirus and endotoxin detection.RESULTS Analysis of pluripotent gene markers Oct4,Sox2,and Nanog in recultured hUC-MSC revealed no significant differences.The immunophenotypic markers CD90,CD73,CD105,CD44,vimentin,CD29,Stro-1,and Lin28 were positively expressed by these recultured expanded MSCs,and were found negative for CD34,CD11b,CD19,CD45,and HLA-DR.The recultured hUC-MSC population continued to expand through passage 15.Proliferative gene expression of Pax6,BMP2,and TGFb1 showed no significant variation between recultured hUC-MSC groups.Nevertheless,a significant increase(P<0.001)in the mitotic phase of the cell cycle was observed in recultured hUC-MSCs.Cellular senescence markers(hTERT expression andβ-galactosidase activity)did not show any negative effect on recultured hUC-MSCs.Additionally,quality control assessments consistently confirmed the absence of mycoplasma,cytomegalovirus,and endotoxin contamination.CONCLUSION This study proposes the development of a novel protocol for efficiently expanding stem cell population.This would address the growing demand for larger stem cell doses needed for cellular transplantation and will significantly improve the feasibility of stem cell based therapies.

TAX1BP1 and FIP200 orchestrate non-canonical autophagy of p62 aggregates for mouse neural stem cell maintenance

Autophagy plays a pivotal role in diverse biological processes,including the maintenance and differentiation of neural stem cells(NSCs).Interestingly,while complete deletion of Fip200 severely impairs NSC maintenance and differentiation,inhibiting canonical autophagy via deletion of core genes,such as Atg5,Atg16l1,and Atg7,or blockade of canonical interactions between FIP200 and ATG13(designated as FIP200-4A mutant or FIP200 KI)does not produce comparable detrimental effects.This highlights the likely critical involvement of the non-canonical functions of FIP200,the mechanisms of which have remained elusive.Here,utilizing genetic mouse models,we demonstrated that FIP200 mediates non-canonical autophagic degradation of p62/sequestome1,primarily via TAX1BP1 in NSCs.Conditional deletion of Tax1bp1 in fip200hGFAP conditional knock-in(cKI)mice led to NSC deficiency,resembling the fip200hGFAP conditional knockout(cKO)mouse phenotype.Notably,reintroducing wild-type TAX1BP1 not only restored the maintenance of NSCs derived from tax1bp1-knockout fip200hGFAP cKI mice but also led to a marked reduction in p62 aggregate accumulation.Conversely,a TAX1BP1 mutant incapable of binding to FIP200 or NBR1/p62 failed to achieve this restoration.Furthermore,conditional deletion of Tax1bp1 in fip200hGFAP cKO mice exacerbated NSC deficiency and p62 aggregate accumulation compared to fip200hGFAP cKO mice.Collectively,these findings illustrate the essential role of the FIP200-TAX1BP1 axis in mediating the non-canonical autophagic degradation of p62 aggregates towards NSC maintenance and function,presenting novel therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases.

Banking of perinatal mesenchymal stem/stromal cells for stem cellbased personalized medicine over lifetime:Matters arising

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells(MSCs)are currently applied in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.Numerous clinical studies have indicated that MSCs from different tissue sources can provide therapeutic benefits for patients.MSCs derived from either human adult or perinatal tissues have their own unique advantages in their medical practices.Usually,clinical studies are conducted by using of cultured MSCs after thawing or short-term cryopreserved-then-thawed MSCs prior to administration for the treatment of a wide range of diseases and medical disorders.Currently,cryogenically banking perinatal MSCs for potential personalized medicine for later use in lifetime has raised growing interest in China as well as in many other countries.Meanwhile,this has led to questions regarding the availability,stability,consistency,multipotency,and therapeutic efficiency of the potential perinatal MSC-derived therapeutic products after longterm cryostorage.This opinion review does not minimize any therapeutic benefit of perinatal MSCs in many diseases after short-term cryopreservation.This article mainly describes what is known about banking perinatal MSCs in China and,importantly,it is to recognize the limitation and uncertainty of the perinatal MSCs stored in cryobanks for stem cell medical treatments in whole life.This article also provides several recommendations for banking of perinatal MSCs for potentially future personalized medicine,albeit it is impossible to anticipate whether the donor will benefit from banked MSCs during her/his lifetime.

A dysregulated calcium homeostasis as the earliest pathological sign in stem cell-derived Parkinson's disease neurons?

Parkinson’s disease(PD) is characterized by the slow and progressive demise of dopamine(DA)-synthesizing neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta(SNc),a nucleus located in the human ventral midbrain.Neuron death also affects other regions in the brain at later stages of PD.The concomitant lack of DA in the human forebrain(striatum) leads to the typical motor symptoms of this still uncurable neurodegenerative disorder.