scholarly journals The Kynurenine Pathway in Stem Cell Biology

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. IJTR.S12626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon P. Jones ◽  
Gilles J. Guillemin ◽  
Bruce J. Brew

The kynurenine pathway (KP) is the main catabolic pathway of the essential amino acid tryptophan. The KP has been identified to play a critical role in regulating immune responses in a variety of experimental settings. It is also known to be involved in several neuroinflammatory diseases including Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. This review considers the current understanding of the role of the KP in stem cell biology. Both of these fundamental areas of cell biology have independently been the focus of a burgeoning research interest in recent years. A systematic review of how the two interact has not yet been conducted. Several inflammatory and infectious diseases in which the KP has been implicated include those for which stem cell therapies are being actively explored at a clinical level. Therefore, it is highly relevant to consider the evidence showing that the KP influences stem cell biology and impacts the functional behavior of progenitor cells.

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. E10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C. Jin ◽  
Zachary A. Medress ◽  
Tej D. Azad ◽  
Vanessa M. Doulames ◽  
Anand Veeravagu

Recent advances in stem cell biology present significant opportunities to advance clinical applications of stem cell–based therapies for spinal cord injury (SCI). In this review, the authors critically analyze the basic science and translational evidence that supports the use of various stem cell sources, including induced pluripotent stem cells, oligodendrocyte precursor cells, and mesenchymal stem cells. They subsequently explore recent advances in stem cell biology and discuss ongoing clinical translation efforts, including combinatorial strategies utilizing scaffolds, biogels, and growth factors to augment stem cell survival, function, and engraftment. Finally, the authors discuss the evolution of stem cell therapies for SCI by providing an overview of completed (n = 18) and ongoing (n = 9) clinical trials.


Author(s):  
Simon P. Jones ◽  
Gilles J. Guillemin ◽  
Bruce J. Brew

2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
I.P. Neuringer ◽  
S.H. Randell

Currently, there is great enthusiasm about potential stem cell therapies for intractable diseases. We previously reviewed the topic of stem cells in lung injury and repair, including the role of endogenous, tissue (somatic) stem cells and the contribution of circulating cells to the lung parenchyma. Our purpose here is to provide a concise update in this fast-moving field. New information and ongoing debate focus attention on basic issues in lung stem cell biology and highlight the need for additional studies to establish the feasibility of cell therapies to prevent or treat lung diseases.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 454-459
Author(s):  
Xuejing Hou ◽  
Ying Liu ◽  
Isabelle Streuli ◽  
Patrick Dällenbach ◽  
Jean Dubuisson ◽  
...  

Asherman’s Syndrome or Intrauterine adhesions is an acquired uterine condition where fibrous scarring forms within the uterine cavity, resulting in reduced menstrual flow, pelvic pain and infertility. Until recently, the molecular mechanisms leading to the formation of fibrosis were poorly understood, and the treatment of Asherman’s syndrome has largely focused on hysteroscopic resection of adhesions, hormonal therapy, and physical barriers. Numerous studies have begun exploring the molecular mechanisms behind the fibrotic process underlying Asherman’s Syndrome as well as the role of stem cells in the regeneration of the endometrium as a treatment modality. The present review offers a summary of available stem cell-based regeneration studies, as well as highlighting current gaps in research.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1002
Author(s):  
Fabiola Marino ◽  
Mariangela Scalise ◽  
Eleonora Cianflone ◽  
Luca Salerno ◽  
Donato Cappetta ◽  
...  

Over the years strong evidence has been accumulated showing that aerobic physical exercise exerts beneficial effects on the prevention and reduction of cardiovascular risk. Exercise in healthy subjects fosters physiological remodeling of the adult heart. Concurrently, physical training can significantly slow-down or even reverse the maladaptive pathologic cardiac remodeling in cardiac diseases, improving heart function. The underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of the beneficial effects of physical exercise on the heart are still a subject of intensive study. Aerobic activity increases cardiovascular nitric oxide (NO) released mainly through nitric oxidase synthase 3 activity, promoting endothelium-dependent vasodilation, reducing vascular resistance, and lowering blood pressure. On the reverse, an imbalance between increasing free radical production and decreased NO generation characterizes pathologic remodeling, which has been termed the “nitroso-redox imbalance”. Besides these classical evidence on the role of NO in cardiac physiology and pathology, accumulating data show that NO regulate different aspects of stem cell biology, including survival, proliferation, migration, differentiation, and secretion of pro-regenerative factors. Concurrently, it has been shown that physical exercise generates physiological remodeling while antagonizes pathologic remodeling also by fostering cardiac regeneration, including new cardiomyocyte formation. This review is therefore focused on the possible link between physical exercise, NO, and stem cell biology in the cardiac regenerative/reparative response to physiological or pathological load. Cellular and molecular mechanisms that generate an exercise-induced cardioprotective phenotype are discussed in regards with myocardial repair and regeneration. Aerobic training can benefit cells implicated in cardiovascular homeostasis and response to damage by NO-mediated pathways that protect stem cells in the hostile environment, enhance their activation and differentiation and, in turn, translate to more efficient myocardial tissue regeneration. Moreover, stem cell preconditioning by and/or local potentiation of NO signaling can be envisioned as promising approaches to improve the post-transplantation stem cell survival and the efficacy of cardiac stem cell therapy.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Αθανάσιος Στεργιόπουλος

Το δυναμικό και η ικανότητα αυτο-ανανέωσης και διαφοροποίησης των νευρικών βλαστικών κυττάρων (ΝΒΚ) ελέγχονται από τη δράση διαφόρων μεταγραφικών παραγόντων και πυρηνικών υποδοχέων, επηρεάζοντας μ ’αυτόν τον τρόπο την ανάπτυξη και τη λειτουργία του κεντρικού νευρικού συστήματος (ΚΝΣ). Στην παρούσα μελέτη χαρακτηρίσαμε τον ορφανό πυρηνικό υποδοχέα NR5A2 (LRH1), ως ένα νέο μόριο το οποίο κατέχει κεντρικό αναπτυξιακό ρόλο στο ΚΝΣ. Με πειράματα υπερ-έκφρασης και αποσιώπησης γονιδίων σε πρωτογενή ΝΒΚ καθώς και με ανάλυση εμβρύων ποντικών στα οποία έχει επιτραπεί η ιστο-ειδική και χρονική εξάλειψη του NR5A2, δείξαμε πως ο NR5A2 είναι ικανός να διακόπτει τον πολλαπλασιασμό των ΝΒΚ, οδηγώντας τα προς τη νευρωνική διαφοροποίηση με την παράλληλη απώλεια των αστροκυττάρων. Σε μηχανιστική βάση, ο NR5A2 ελέγχει αυτούς τους φαινοτύπους μέσω της άμεσης επίδρασής του στον γενετικό τόπο του Ink4/Arf, στο Prox1, το οποίο αποτελεί καθοδικό στόχο των προ-νευρικών γονιδίων, καθώς επίσης και στα σηματοδοτικά μονοπάτια του Notch1 και του JAK/STAT. Αντιθέτως, ο NR5A2 ρυθμίζεται ανοδικά από προ-νευρικά γονίδια και από τα Notch1 και JAK/STAT μονοπάτια. Συμπερασματικά, οι παρατηρήσεις μας προτείνουν τον NR5A2 σαν ένα νέο υποδοχέα-ρυθμιστή της ανάπτυξης του ΚΝΣ, και, σε συνδυασμό με την ανακάλυψη αγωνιστών/ανταγωνιστών του, τον καθιστούν υποψήφιο στόχο στην ανάπτυξη θεραπευτικών στρατηγικών αναγεννητικής ιατρικής του ΚΝΣ.


2010 ◽  
Vol 134 (12) ◽  
pp. 1740-1749
Author(s):  
Yunyi Kong ◽  
Suresh M. Kumar ◽  
Xiaowei Xu

Abstract Recent advances in molecular genetics and cancer stem cell biology have shed some light on the molecular basis of melanomagenesis. In this review, we will focus on major genetic alterations in the melanoma, particularly pathways involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and tumor suppression. The potential role of melanoma-initiating cells during melanomagenesis and progression will also be discussed. Understanding pathogenesis of melanoma may uncover new diagnostic clues and therapeutic targets for this increasingly prevalent disease.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando de Sá Silva ◽  
Paula Nascimento Almeida ◽  
João Vitor Paes Rettore ◽  
Claudinéia Pereira Maranduba ◽  
Camila Maurmann de Souza ◽  
...  

Stem cells, both embryonic and adult, due to the potential for application in tissue regeneration have been the target of interest to the world scientific community. In fact, stem cells can be considered revolutionary in the field of medicine, especially in the treatment of a wide range of human diseases. However, caution is needed in the clinical application of such cells and this is an issue that demands more studies. This paper will discuss some controversial issues of importance for achieving cell therapy safety and success. Particularly, the following aspects of stem cell biology will be presented: methods for stem cells culture, teratogenic or tumorigenic potential, cellular dose, proliferation, senescence, karyotyping, and immunosuppressive activity.


Hematology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 (1) ◽  
pp. 398-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Q. Daley ◽  
Margaret A. Goodell ◽  
Evan Y. Snyder

Abstract Studies of the regenerating hematopoietic system have led to the definition of many of the fundamental principles of stem cell biology. Therapies based on a range of tissue stem cells have been widely touted as a new treatment modality, presaging an emerging new specialty called regenerative medicine that promises to harness stem cells from embryonic and somatic sources to provide replacement cell therapies for genetic, malignant, and degenerative conditions. Insights borne from stem cell biology also portend development of protein and small molecule therapeutics that act on endogenous stem cells to promote repair and regeneration. Much of the newfound enthusiasm for regenerative medicine stems from the hope that advances in the laboratory will be followed soon thereafter by breakthrough treatments in the clinic. But how does one sort through the hype to judge the true promise? Are stem cell biologists and the media building expectations that cannot be met? Which diseases can be treated, and when can we expect success? In this review, we outline the realms of investigation that are capturing the most attention, and consider the current state of scientific understanding and controversy regarding the properties of embryonic and somatic (adult) stem cells. Our objective is to provide a framework for appreciating the promise while at the same time understanding the challenges behind translating fundamental stem cell biology into novel clinical therapies.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Nawaz ◽  
Farah Fatima ◽  
Krishna C. Vallabhaneni ◽  
Patrice Penfornis ◽  
Hadi Valadi ◽  
...  

Stem cells are proposed to continuously secrete trophic factors that potentially serve as mediators of autocrine and paracrine activities, associated with reprogramming of the tumor microenvironment, tissue regeneration, and repair. Hitherto, significant efforts have been made to understand the level of underlying paracrine activities influenced by stem cell secreted trophic factors, as little is known about these interactions. Recent findings, however, elucidate this role by reporting the effects of stem cell derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) that mimic the phenotypes of the cells from which they originate. Exchange of genetic information utilizing persistent bidirectional communication mediated by stem cell-EVs could regulate stemness, self-renewal, and differentiation in stem cells and their subpopulations. This review therefore discusses stem cell-EVs as evolving communication factors in stem cell biology, focusing on how they regulate cell fates by inducing persistent and prolonged genetic reprogramming of resident cells in a paracrine fashion. In addition, we address the role of stem cell-secreted vesicles in shaping the tumor microenvironment and immunomodulation and in their ability to stimulate endogenous repair processes during tissue damage. Collectively, these functions ensure an enormous potential for future therapies.


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