scholarly journals Organotypic Cultures as a Model to Study Adult Neurogenesis in CNS Disorders

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Cavaliere ◽  
Monica Benito-Muñoz ◽  
Carlos Matute

Neural regeneration resides in certain specific regions of adult CNS. Adult neurogenesis occurs throughout life, especially from the subgranular zone of hippocampus and the subventricular zone, and can be modulated in physiological and pathological conditions. Numerous techniques and animal models have been developed to demonstrate and observe neural regeneration but, in order to study the molecular and cellular mechanisms and to characterize multiple types of cell populations involved in the activation of neurogenesis and gliogenesis, investigators have to turn toin vitromodels. Organotypic cultures best recapitulate the 3D organization of the CNS and can be explored taking advantage of many techniques. Here, we review the use of organotypic cultures as a reliable and well defined method to study the mechanisms of neurogenesis under normal and pathological conditions. As an example, we will focus on the possibilities these cultures offer to study the pathophysiology of diseases like Alzheimer disease, Parkinson’s disease, and cerebral ischemia.

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianfei Lu ◽  
Anatol Manaenko ◽  
Qin Hu

Adult neurogenesis mainly occurs at the subventricular zone (SVZ) on the walls of the lateral ventricle and the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the dentate gyrus (DG). However, the majority of newborn neurons undergo programmed cell death (PCD) during the period of proliferation, migration, and integration. Stroke activates neural stem cells (NSCs) in both SVZ and SGZ. This process is regulated by a wide variety of signaling pathways. However, the newborn neurons derived from adult neurogenesis are insufficient for tissue repair and function recovery. Thus, enhancing the endogenous neurogenesis driven by ischemia and promoting the survival of newborn neurons can be promising therapeutic interventions for stroke. Here, we present an overview of the process of adult neurogenesis and the potential of stroke-induced neurogenesis on brain repair.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayara Vieira Mundim ◽  
Laura Nicoleti Zamproni ◽  
Agnes Araújo Sardinha Pinto ◽  
Layla Testa Galindo ◽  
André Machado Xavier ◽  
...  

AbstractTraumatic brain injury is an important cause of mortality and morbidity all over the world. After the initial injury there is a cascade of cellular and molecular events that ultimately lead to cell death. Therapies aim not only to counteract these mechanisms but also to replenish the lost cell population in order to achieve a better recovery. The adult mammal brain in not as plastic as the postnatal, but it has at least two neurogenic regions that maintains physiological functions in the brain; the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, which produces neurons that integrate locally, and the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles, that produces neuroblasts that migrate through the rostral migratory stream (RMS) to the olfactory bulbs. Brain injuries, as well as neurodegenerative diseases, induce the SVZ to respond by increasing cell proliferation and migration to the injured areas. Here we report that SVZ cells migrate to the injured cortex after traumatic brain injury in mice, and that the physiological RMS migration is not impaired. We also show that Prokineticin 2 (PROK2), a chemokine important for the olfactory bulb neurogenesis by promoting the directional migration of neuroblasts, is induced in the injured cortex. Using PROK2 receptor antagonist and recombinant PROK2 we show for the first time that PROK2 can directionally attract SVZ cells in vitro and in vivo. The data we present here links one more element of the inflammatory process, PROK2 secreted by microglia, to the attempt to regenerate an acutely injured mammalian cortex.AbbreviationsSGZsubgranular zoneSVZsubventricular zoneRMSrostral migratory streamPROK2Prokineticin 2


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Chiara G. Monaco ◽  
Dragan Maric ◽  
Ombretta Salvucci ◽  
Cristina Antonetti Lamorgese Passeri ◽  
Patrizia Accorsi ◽  
...  

AbstractErythro-myeloid progenitors (EMP) are found in a population of cells expressing CD31 and CD45 markers (CD31+CD45+). A recent study indicated that EMPs persist until adulthood and can be a source of endothelial cells. We identified two sub-populations of EMP cells, CD31lowCD45low and CD31highCD45+, from peripheral blood that can differentiate into cells of erythroid lineage. Our novel findings add to the current knowledge of hematopoietic lineage commitment, and our sequential, dual-step, in vitro culture model provides a platform for the study of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying human hematopoiesis and erythroid differentiation.


Stem Cells ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 458-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose A. Morales-Garcia ◽  
Victor Echeverry-Alzate ◽  
Sandra Alonso-Gil ◽  
Marina Sanz-SanCristobal ◽  
Jose A. Lopez-Moreno ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 246-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Termini ◽  
Enrique Boccardo

In vitro culture of primary or established cell lines is one of the leading techniques in many areas of basic biological research. The use of pure or highly enriched cultures of specific cell types obtained from different tissues and genetics backgrounds has greatly contributed to our current understanding of normal and pathological cellular processes. Cells in culture are easily propagated generating an almost endless source of material for experimentation. Besides, they can be manipulated to achieve gene silencing, gene overexpression and genome editing turning possible the dissection of specific gene functions and signaling pathways. However, monolayer and suspension cultures of cells do not reproduce the cell type diversity, cell-cell contacts, cell-matrix interactions and differentiation pathways typical of the three-dimensional environment of tissues and organs from where they were originated. Therefore, different experimental animal models have been developed and applied to address these and other complex issues in vivo. However, these systems are costly and time consuming. Most importantly the use of animals in scientific research poses moral and ethical concerns facing a steadily increasing opposition from different sectors of the society. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of alternative in vitro experimental models that accurately reproduce the events observed in vivo to reduce the use of animals. Organotypic cultures combine the flexibility of traditional culture systems with the possibility of culturing different cell types in a 3D environment that reproduces both the structure and the physiology of the parental organ. Here we present a summarized description of the use of epithelial organotypic for the study of skin physiology, human papillomavirus biology and associated tumorigenesis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 1142-1153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sreyashi Chandra ◽  
Md. Tanjim Alam ◽  
Jhilik Dey ◽  
Baby C. Pulikkaparambil Sasidharan ◽  
Upasana Ray ◽  
...  

Background: The central nervous system (CNS) known to regulate the physiological conditions of human body, also itself gets dynamically regulated by both the physiological as well as pathological conditions of the body. These conditions get changed quite often, and often involve changes introduced into the gut microbiota which, as studies are revealing, directly modulate the CNS via a crosstalk. This cross-talk between the gut microbiota and CNS, i.e., the gut-brain axis (GBA), plays a major role in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS) and Huntington’s disease (HD). Objective: We aim to discuss how gut microbiota, through GBA, regulate neurodegenerative disorders such as PD, AD, ALS, MS and HD. Methods: In this review, we have discussed the present understanding of the role played by the gut microbiota in neurodegenerative disorders and emphasized the probable therapeutic approaches being explored to treat them. Results: In the first part, we introduce the GBA and its relevance, followed by the changes occurring in the GBA during neurodegenerative disorders and then further discuss its role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Finally, we discuss its applications in possible therapeutics of these diseases and the current research improvements being made to better investigate this interaction. Conclusion: We concluded that alterations in the intestinal microbiota modulate various activities that could potentially lead to CNS disorders through interactions via the GBA.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 305-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marietta Herrmann ◽  
Franz Jakob

The bone marrow hosts skeletal progenitor cells which have most widely been referred to as Mesenchymal Stem or Stromal Cells (MSCs), a heterogeneous population of adult stem cells possessing the potential for self-renewal and multilineage differentiation. A consensus agreement on minimal criteria has been suggested to define MSCs in vitro, including adhesion to plastic, expression of typical surface markers and the ability to differentiate towards the adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages but they are critically discussed since the differentiation capability of cells could not always be confirmed by stringent assays in vivo. However, these in vitro characteristics have led to the notion that progenitor cell populations, similar to MSCs in bone marrow, reside in various tissues. MSCs are in the focus of numerous (pre)clinical studies on tissue regeneration and repair.Recent advances in terms of genetic animal models enabled a couple of studies targeting skeletal progenitor cells in vivo. Accordingly, different skeletal progenitor cell populations could be identified by the expression of surface markers including nestin and leptin receptor. While there are still issues with the identity of, and the overlap between different cell populations, these studies suggested that specific microenvironments, referred to as niches, host and maintain skeletal progenitor cells in the bone marrow. Dynamic mutual interactions through biological and physical cues between niche constituting cells and niche inhabitants control dormancy, symmetric and asymmetric cell division and lineage commitment. Niche constituting cells, inhabitant cells and their extracellular matrix are subject to influences of aging and disease e.g. via cellular modulators. Protective niches can be hijacked and abused by metastasizing tumor cells, and may even be adapted via mutual education. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on bone marrow skeletal progenitor cell niches in physiology and pathophysiology. We discuss the plasticity and dynamics of bone marrow niches as well as future perspectives of targeting niches for therapeutic strategies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Margret Paar ◽  
Vera H. Fengler ◽  
Daniel J. Rosenberg ◽  
Angelika Krebs ◽  
Rudolf E. Stauber ◽  
...  

AbstractHuman serum albumin (HSA) constitutes the primary transporter of fatty acids, bilirubin, and other plasma compounds. The binding, transport, and release of its cargos strongly depend on albumin conformation, which is affected by bound ligands induced by physiological and pathological conditions. HSA is both highly oxidized and heavily loaded with fatty acids and bilirubin in chronic liver disease. By employing small-angle X-ray scattering we show that HSA from the plasma of chronic liver disease patients undergoes a distinct opening compared to healthy donors. The extent of HSA opening correlates with clinically relevant variables, such as the model of end-stage liver disease score, bilirubin, and fatty acid levels. Although the mild oxidation of HSA in vitro does not alter overall structure, the alteration of patients’ HSA correlates with its redox state. This study connects clinical data with structural visualization of albumin dynamicity in solution and underlines the functional importance of albumin’s inherent flexibility.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2545
Author(s):  
Ya-Hui Chen ◽  
Po-Hui Wang ◽  
Pei-Ni Chen ◽  
Shun-Fa Yang ◽  
Yi-Hsuan Hsiao

Cervical cancer is one of the major gynecologic malignancies worldwide. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgical resection, radiotherapy, or a combination of these treatments; however, relapse and recurrence may occur, and the outcome may not be favorable. Metformin is an established, safe, well-tolerated drug used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes; it can be safely combined with other antidiabetic agents. Diabetes, possibly associated with an increased site-specific cancer risk, may relate to the progression or initiation of specific types of cancer. The potential effects of metformin in terms of cancer prevention and therapy have been widely studied, and a number of studies have indicated its potential role in cancer treatment. The most frequently proposed mechanism underlying the diabetes–cancer association is insulin resistance, which leads to secondary hyperinsulinemia; furthermore, insulin may exert mitogenic effects through the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) receptor, and hyperglycemia may worsen carcinogenesis through the induction of oxidative stress. Evidence has suggested clinical benefits of metformin in the treatment of gynecologic cancers. Combining current anticancer drugs with metformin may increase their efficacy and diminish adverse drug reactions. Accumulating evidence is indicating that metformin exerts anticancer effects alone or in combination with other agents in cervical cancer in vitro and in vivo. Metformin might thus serve as an adjunct therapeutic agent for cervical cancer. Here, we reviewed the potential anticancer effects of metformin against cervical cancer and discussed possible underlying mechanisms.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A120-A120
Author(s):  
Sashi Kasimsetty ◽  
Himavanth Gatla ◽  
Dhana Chinnasamy

BackgroundMCY-M11, an anti-mesothelin CAR (Meso-CAR) mRNA transfected PBMC cell product manufactured through <1 day-process is under clinical evaluation for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer and peritoneal mesothelioma. In this in-vitro study, we characterized the phenotypic and functional status of immune cell populations in MCY-M11 and their possible role in antitumor immunity.MethodsMCY-M11 cell product were generated using unmanipulated healthy donor PBMCs (n=5) by transfection of Meso-CAR mRNA using MaxCyte’s proprietary Flow Electroporation® system. Frozen MCY-M11 cell product was thawed and cultured for 18 hours, then co-cultured with hMSLNneg or hMSLNpos human mesothelioma cell line, MSTO-211H, or stimulated with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 antibodies in vitro for 8 days. Distinct cell populations in MCY-M11 were evaluated for kinetics and duration of CAR expression, differentiation, activation, exhaustion, and their ability to secrete various immunomodulatory molecules during in vitro stimulation. Antigen-specific proliferation and cytotoxicity of MCY-M11 against hMSLNpos tumor cells as well as their ability to mount long-term antitumor immunity through epitope spreading mechanisms were studied.ResultsIndividual cell populations in MCY-M11 exhibited a consistent but transient Meso-CAR expression persisting for about 7 days. Cell subsets in MCY-M11 acquired early signs of activation and differentiation within 18–24 hours post-culture, but only attained full activation and lineage-specific differentiation upon specific response to hMSLNpos tumor cells. hMSLN antigen experienced MCY-M11 retained significant fractions of Naïve and Central Memory T cells and increased percentage of Effector Memory T cells along with increased expression of CD62L, CD27, and chemokine receptors (CCR5, CCR7, and CXCR3). MCY-M11 exhibited strong antigen-specific cytotoxicity against hMSLNpos tumor cells with corresponding increase in activation and proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets and displayed low or no acquisition of known exhaustion markers. NK cells also exhibited a functionally superior molecular signature exhibiting increased levels of NKG2D, NKp44, NKp46, FAS, and TRAIL. The Monocytes and B cells in MCY-M11 also acquired an activated, differentiated, and mature phenotype, expressing molecules required for antigen presentation (HLA-DR, HLA-ABC, and CD205) and T cell co-stimulation (CD80 and CD86) to mount a strong antitumor response. These phenotypic changes in cell subsets of MCY-M11 transpired with simultaneous secretion of potent immunostimulatory molecules and chemokines facilitating an extended antitumor response through epitope spreading.ConclusionsWe demonstrated that MCY-M11 is a unique cell product possessing a complete built-in immune cellular machinery with favorable phenotype and enhanced functions specialized in mediating an effective and long-term antitumor response.Trial RegistrationNCT03608618


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