Satellite Cells: Regenerative Mechanisms and Applicability in Muscular Dystrophy

The satellite cells are long regarded as heterogeneous cell population, which is intimately linked to the processes of muscular recovery. The heterogeneous cell population may be classified by specific markers. In spite of the significant amount of variation amongst the satellite cell populations, it seems that their activity is tightly bound to the paired box 7 transcription factor expression, which is, therefore, used as a canonical marker for these cells. Muscular dystrophic diseases, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, elicit severe tissue injuries leading those patients to display a very specific pattern of muscular recovery abnormalities. There have been works on the application of precursors cells as a therapeutic alternative for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and initial attempts have proven the cells inefficient; however later endeavours have proposed solutions for the experiments improving significantly the results. The presence of a range of satellite cells populations indicates the existence of specific cells with enhanced capability of muscular recovery in afflicted muscles

Análise proteômica em Lippia alba (Verbenaceae)(Mill.) N.E.Brown

Lippia alba is a plant vastly utilized in popular medicine due to its antimicrobial, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and pro-digestive features. It is commonly known in Brazilian Portuguese as “cidreira”, “erva cidreira” along with other popular names and “bushy matgrass” in English. It is widely used in Brazil and South America. The species display large genetic variation, five cytotypes have been described with 2n=30, 38, 45, 60 and 90. The study of these chromosomal variations has led to proposing the formation of an autopolyploid complex derived from unilateral and bilateral crossings of cytotypes by reduced and/or non-reduced gametes. There have been advances concerning the knowledge on L. alba and on the formation of the polyploid complex. Various approaches have been employed, such as analysis of data generated from karyotyping, cytogenetics, cytometry and molecular genetics. The present work aims at contributing to elucidate the possibility of biological variations by assessing, comparatively, the proteomic profile of the ploidy levels described for the species (diploid, aneuploid, triploid, tetraploid and hexaploid). Protein extraction from leaves has been carried out with posterior dimensional electrophoretic separation. Later, we performed spot analysis and protein identification by mass spectrometry. When comparing the proteomic profile from the diploid sample to the remaining ploidy levels, expression differences were observed between the spots analyzed. The differences showed to be either qualitative, due to the variation in presence of spots, and quantitative, as observed in the volume percentage of each spot. In addition, we identified 44 proteins, being 27 related to photosynthesis, 12 to metabolism and energy, 3 chaperones, and 2 tubulins with structural function. For each of the identified proteins, it was possible to observe similarities and divergences concerning expression amidst the ploidy levels studied. The proteins identified possess relevant roles in primary metabolism of L. alba. Our data suggest that alterations in genome size do not provoke representative alterations on the proteomic profile, with the exception of the triploid sample, which displayed a particular profile.Lippia alba é uma planta vastamente utilizada pela medicina popular devido as suas características antimicrobianas, antiespasmódicas, anti-inflamatórias, analgésicas, digestivas, entre outras. Conhecida popularmente como “cidreira”, “erva cidreira” entre outros nomes populares, L. alba é amplamente utilizada no Brasil e na América do Sul. Possuindo grande variação genética, foram encontrados cinco citótipos de L. alba com 2n=30, 38, 45, 60 e 90 cromossomos. O estudo dessas variações cromossômicas levou a uma proposta de formação de um complexo autopoliploide a partir de cruzamentos unilaterais e bilaterais de citótipos por meio de gametas reduzidos e/ou não reduzidos. Avanços foram obtidos no que diz respeito ao conhecimento de L. alba e diversas abordagens, tais como, análise de dados cariotípicos, citogenéticos, citométricos e moleculares foram empregadas. Para contribuir no estudo da variação biológica da espécie, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar, de forma comparativa, o perfil proteômico dos níveis de ploidia descritos para a espécie (diploide, aneuploide, triploide, tetraploide, hexaploide). Para isso, foi realizada a extração de proteínas de folhas de representantes das ploidias citadas, com posterior separação por eletroforese bidimensional, análise de spots e identificação de proteínas por espectrometria de massas. Ao comparar o perfil proteômico do acesso diploide ao perfil dos demais níveis de ploidia, foi possível identificar diferenças de expressão entre os spots analisados. Essas diferenças mostraram-se tanto qualitativas, devido a variações de ausência e presença na expressão dos spots, quanto quantitativas, de acordo com a porcentagem de volume de cada spot. Além disso, foram identificadas 44 proteínas, sendo 27 relacionadas à fotossíntese, 12 relacionadas à energia e metabolismo, 3 chaperonas e 2 proteínas tubulinas de função estrutural. Para cada uma dessas proteínas identificadas, foi possível observar as semelhanças e divergências de expressão entre os níveis de ploidia estudados. As proteínas identificadas possuem papéis relevantes no metabolismo primário de Lippia alba. Os dados sugerem, de modo geral, que a alteração no tamanho do genoma não provocou alterações representativas no perfil proteômico observado, à exceção do acesso triploide que apresentou um perfil particular

Isolamento de células-tronco de dentes decíduos exfoliados humanos e sua capacidade para diferenciação osteogênica

As células-tronco de dentes decíduos exfoliados, isoladas como uma subpopulação das células-tronco da polpa dentária, demonstram possuir a capacidade de se diferenciarem in vitro em neurônios, adipócitos, odontoblastos e osteoblastos. Devido a sua facilidade de obtenção, que não envolve um procedimento invasivo, esta linhagem celular é considerada uma grande promessa para a medicina regenerativa. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram estabelecer e caracterizar duas linhagens de células-tronco de dentes decíduos humanos. As linhagens foram isoladas a partir de amostras de crianças saudáveis de 6 anos de idade. Os resultados mostraram, por citometria de fluxo, que as células foram positivas para marcadores de células-tronco mesenquimais (CD105 (SH2), SH3 e SH4) e negativa para a marcação hematopoiética (CD45) e que as linhagens estabelecidaseram constituídas de uma população homogênea de células-tronco. As células obtidas foram avaliadas quanto a sua proliferação e capacidade de diferenciação osteogênica. As linhagens tiveram estatisticamente a mesma taxa de proliferação e foram capazes de diferenciação osteogênica

Toward Personalized Cell Therapies by Using Stem Cells: Seven Relevant Topics for Safety and Success in Stem Cell Therapy

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

Intestinal Microbiota as Modulators of the Immune System and Neuroimmune System: Impact on the Host Health and Homeostasis

Many immune-based intestinal disorders, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, as well as other illnesses, may have the intestines as an initial cause or aggravator in the development of diseases, even apparently not correlating directly to the intestine. Diabetes, obesity, multiple sclerosis, depression, and anxiety are examples of other illnesses discussed in the literature. In parallel, importance of the gut microbiota in intestinal homeostasis and immunologic conflict between tolerance towards commensal microorganisms and combat of pathogens is well known. Recent researches show that the immune system, when altered by the gut microbiota, influences the state in which these diseases are presented in the patient directly and indirectly. At the present moment, a considerable number of investigations about this subject have been performed and published. However, due to difficulties on correlating information, several speculations and hypotheses are generated. Thus, the present review aims at bringing together how these interactions work—gut microbiota, immune system, and their influence in the neuroimmune system

Satellite Cells: Regenerative Mechanisms and Applicability in Muscular Dystrophy

The satellite cells are long regarded as heterogeneous cell population, which is intimately linked to the processes of muscular recovery. The heterogeneous cell population may be classified by specific markers. In spite of the significant amount of variation amongst the satellite cell populations, it seems that their activity is tightly bound to the paired box 7 transcription factor expression, which is, therefore, used as a canonical marker for these cells. Muscular dystrophic diseases, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, elicit severe tissue injuries leading those patients to display a very specific pattern of muscular recovery abnormalities. There have been works on the application of precursors cells as a therapeutic alternative for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and initial attempts have proven the cells inefficient; however later endeavours have proposed solutions for the experiments improving significantly the results. The presence of a range of satellite cells populations indicates the existence of specific cells with enhanced capability of muscular recovery in afflicted muscles

Intestinal Microbiota as Modulators of the Immune System and Neuroimmune System: Impact on the Host Health and Homeostasis

Many immune-based intestinal disorders, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, as well as other illnesses, may have the intestines as an initial cause or aggravator in the development of diseases, even apparently not correlating directly to the intestine. Diabetes, obesity, multiple sclerosis, depression, and anxiety are examples of other illnesses discussed in the literature. In parallel, importance of the gut microbiota in intestinal homeostasis and immunologic conflict between tolerance towards commensal microorganisms and combat of pathogens is well known. Recent researches show that the immune system, when altered by the gut microbiota, influences the state in which these diseases are presented in the patient directly and indirectly. At the present moment, a considerable number of investigations about this subject have been performed and published. However, due to difficulties on correlating information, several speculations and hypotheses are generated. Thus, the present review aims at bringing together how these interactions work—gut microbiota, immune system, and their influence in the neuroimmune system