Assessing Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Dopaminergic Neuron Progenitor Transplants Using Non-invasive Imaging Techniques

Abstract: Purpose: Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived dopaminergic neuron progenitor cells (DAPCs) are a potential therapy for Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, their intracranial administration raises safety concerns including uncontrolled proliferation, migration and inflammation. Here, we apply a bimodal imaging approach to investigate the fate of DAPC transplants in the rat striatum. Procedures: DAPCs co-expressing luciferase and ZsGreen or labelled with micron-sized particles of iron oxide (MPIOs) were transplanted in the striatum of RNU rats (n = 6 per group). DAPCs were tracked in vivo using bioluminescence and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging modalities. Results: Transgene silencing in differentiating DAPCs accompanied with signal attenuation due to animal growth rendered the bioluminescence undetectable by week 2 post intrastriatal transplantation. However, MR imaging of MPIO-labelled DAPCs showed that transplanted cells remained at the site of injection for over 120 days. Post-mortem histological analysis of DAPC transplants demonstrated that labelling with either luciferase/ZsGreen or MPIOs did not affect the ability of cells to differentiate into mature dopaminergic neurons. Importantly, labelled cells did not elicit increased glial reactivity compared to non-labelled cells. Conclusions: In summary, our findings support the transplantation of hPSC-derived DAPCs as a safe treatment for PD

Secretome of mesenchymal stem cells and its impact on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by irreversible loss of lung function that stem from two mechanisms, inflammation and senescence. Crosstalk between these two mechanisms accelerate the development of COPD, thus targeting these two pathways may offer benefits in the treatment of COPD. Growing amount of evidence have shown that mesenchymal stem cells as a promising candidate for the treatment of COPD. Over the years, many studies conducted to decipher the therapeutic effect of MSC in COPD and the mechanisms involve, in the hope of utilizing these cells as new therapeutic strategy for COPD. However, the cell-based therapy by using the MSC presented with many obstacles including low engraftment at the site of injury, the risk of microvascular occlusion, unwanted differentiation, and also the risk of malignant transformation. Recently, recently researchers begin to look at the possibility of using MSC derived extracellular vesicles as an alternative to MSC. Here we review the effect of MSC and MSC derived EV in modulating inflammation, and senescence in COPD. We also review current treatment and the side effect in COPD, and senolytic drugs, a new therapeutic strategy targeting the senescent cells

Assessing Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Dopaminergic Neuron Progenitor Transplants Using Non-invasive Imaging Techniques

Abstract: Purpose: Human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived dopaminergic neuron progenitor cells (DAPCs) are a potential therapy for Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, their intracranial administration raises safety concerns including uncontrolled proliferation, migration and inflammation. Here, we apply a bimodal imaging approach to investigate the fate of DAPC transplants in the rat striatum. Procedures: DAPCs co-expressing luciferase and ZsGreen or labelled with micron-sized particles of iron oxide (MPIOs) were transplanted in the striatum of RNU rats (n = 6 per group). DAPCs were tracked in vivo using bioluminescence and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging modalities. Results: Transgene silencing in differentiating DAPCs accompanied with signal attenuation due to animal growth rendered the bioluminescence undetectable by week 2 post intrastriatal transplantation. However, MR imaging of MPIO-labelled DAPCs showed that transplanted cells remained at the site of injection for over 120 days. Post-mortem histological analysis of DAPC transplants demonstrated that labelling with either luciferase/ZsGreen or MPIOs did not affect the ability of cells to differentiate into mature dopaminergic neurons. Importantly, labelled cells did not elicit increased glial reactivity compared to non-labelled cells. Conclusions: In summary, our findings support the transplantation of hPSC-derived DAPCs as a safe treatment for PD

Development and characterization of SSR markers for pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) using an enriched library

In the present work, we report the development of 11 microstallite markers (SSR) for Punica granatum. Evaluated on a set of 27 pomegranate accessions sampled in Tunisia, they displayed 25 alleles, with number of alleles per locus ranging between 1 and 4, and an observed heterozygosity from 0.037 and 0.592. This set of SSR markers can be very useful for studies dealing with genetic diversity assessment of germplasm, with cultivars/varieties fingerprinting and pedigree analysis of this economically important fruit species

Comparison of microscopic and endoscopic resection of third-ventricular colloid cysts: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Colloid cysts are uncommon benign lesions. There is a lack of consensus regarding the preferred surgical strategy for colloid cyst resection; the technique with the optimal rates of remission, recurrence, mortality, and complications is debatable. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To determine surgical outcomes, we performed a systematic review of the published literature on Colloid cysts. Eligible studies (n = 63) with a prospective or retrospective evaluation of endoscopic or microscopic resection of third ventricle colloid cysts were included, which contained data describing extents of resection, seizures, meningitis, and tumor recurrence. A total of 3143 patients (1741 microscopically and 1402 endoscopically operated) were included in the final analysis. RESULTS: According to the results of the meta-analysis, there was a higher rate of gross total resection (GTR) (98.15 versus 91.29, p = 0.00), need for shunting (4.75 versus 1.46, p = 0.04), postoperative complications (20.68 versus 10.42, P = 0.03), mean operating time (194.18 versus 113.04 min), and duration of hospitalization (7.85 versus 4.69 days) for microscopic resection compared with endoscopic resection. While endoscopic resection is associated with a higher rate of cyst recurrence (1.78 versus 0.00, P = 0.00), there was no difference in reoperation rate (0.49 for endoscopic versus 0.09 for microscopic resection). CONCLUSION: Microsurgical resection of third ventricle colloid cysts was associated with a higher rate of GTR and a lower rate of recurrence, while there was a lower rate of postoperative complications, duration of surgery, and shorter hospitalization period in the endoscopic group