Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy - Volume 14, Issue 3, 2019

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) characterized multi-directional differentiation, low immunogenicity and high portability, serve as ideal “seed cells” in ophthalmological disease therapy. Therefore, in this mini-review, we examined the recent literature concerning the potential application of BMSCs for the treatment of ophthalmological disease, that includes: the cellular activity of BMSCs transplantation, migration and homing, as well as the immuno-modulatory and antiinflammatory effects of BMSCs and signaling involved. Each aspect is complementary to the others and together these aspects promoted further understanding of the potential use of BMSCs in treating ophthalmological diseases.

The nuclear factor kappa B (NF-ΚB) consists of a family of transcription factors involved in the regulation of a wide variety of biological responses. Growing evidence support that NF-ΚB plays a major role in oncogenesis as well as its well-known function in the regulation of immune responses and inflammation. Therefore, we made a review of the diverse molecular mechanisms by which the NF-ΚB pathway is constitutively activated in different types of human cancers and the potential role of various oncogenic genes regulated by this transcription factor in cancer development and progression. We also discussed various pharmacological approaches employed to target the deregulated NF-ΚB signaling pathway and their possible therapeutic potential in cancer therapy. Moreover, Syk (Spleen tyrosine kinase), non-receptor tyrosine kinase which mediates signal transduction downstream of a variety of transmembrane receptors including classical immune-receptors like the B-cell receptor (BCR), which can also activate the inflammasome and NF-ΚB-mediated transcription of chemokines and cytokines in the presence of pathogens would be discussed as well. The highlight of this review article is to summarize the classic and novel signaling pathways involved in NF-ΚB and Syk signaling and then raise some possibilities for cancer therapy.

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a common refractory orthopedic disease with multiple etiologies that more frequently occurs in middle-aged and young people. ONFH is the main cause of hip replacement in young patients. Since Professor Hernigou first reported the use of stem cells in the treatment of early stage ONFH, a large number of studies have demonstrated the potential of stem cells in the treatment of adult patients with ONFH. With the rise of interdisciplinary stem cell therapy combined with platelet-rich plasma therapy, gene therapy or other methods have gradually attracted the attention of researchers. This article summarizes the current advances in stem cell therapy for ONFH, as well as the problems and challenges, which may provide reference for further research.

Background: Characterization of the fate changes of stem cells is essential to understand the roles of certain stem cells both during development and in diseases, such as cancer. In the past two decades, more and more importance has been paid to the studies of in vivo lineage tracing, because they could authentically reveal the differentiation, migration and even proliferation of stem cells. However, specific genetic tools have only been developed until recently. Objective: To summarize the progresses of genetic tools for specific lineage tracing with emphasis on their applications in investigating the stem cell niche signals. Results: Three major genetic strategies have been reviewed according to the development of technique, particularly the advantages and disadvantages of individual methods. Conclusion: In vivo specific lineage tracing of stem cells could be achieved by comprehensive application of multiple genetic tools.

Bone homeostasis is strictly regulated by balanced activity of bone-forming osteoblasts and bone-resorbing osteoclasts.Disruption of the balance of activity between osteoblasts and osteoclasts leads to various metabolic bone diseases. Osteoclasts are cells of hematopoietic origin that they are large, multinucleated cells formed by the fusion of precursor cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage, they are unique cells that degrade the bone matrix, activation of transcription factors nuclear factoractivated T cells c1 (NFATc1) is required for sufficient osteoclast differentiation and it plays the role of a master transcription regulator of osteoclast differentiation, meanwhile, NFATc1 could be employed to elicit anabolic effects on bone. In this review, we have summarized the various mechanisms that control NFATc1 regulation during osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation as well as a new strategy for promoting bone regeneration in osteopenic disease.

The human skin undergoes the complex process of aging which is prompted by the interplay of intrinsic mechanisms and extrinsic influences. Aging is unavoidable but can be somewhat delayed. Numerous approaches have been developed to slow down facial skin aging process as it is of interest to stake holders in the beauty and fashion world as well as to plastic surgeons. Adipose-derived stem cell [ADSC] and mesenchymal stem cell [MSC] as potential anti-aging agents to some extent have provided a promising and effective alternative in managing skin and facial skin aging. Furthermore, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells [BMMSC] have exhibited similar ability to rejuvenate aged skin. This review is aimed at giving a comprehensive account of the application of stem cells especially ADSCs and MSCs to reduce or slow down the rate of facial skin aging process.

Angiogenesis has always been a concern in the field of tissue engineering. Poor vascularization of engineered constructs is a problem for the clinical success of these structures. Among the various methods employed to induce angiogenesis, stem cells provide a promising tool for the future. The present review aims to present the application of stem cells in the induction of angiogenesis. Additionally, it summarizes recent advancements in stem cell-mediated angiogenesis of different tissue engineering constructs.

Background: Long suspected as transcriptional noise, recently recognized, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as an indicator, biomarker and therapy target in the physiologic and pathologic process. Mesenchymal stem cells and embryonic stem cells are important source for normal and therapeutic tissue repair. However, the mechanism of stem cell differentiation is not completely understood. Research on lncRNAs may provide novel insights into the mechanism of differentiation process of the stem cell which is important for the application of stem cell therapy. The lncRNAs field is still very young, new insights into lncRNAs function are emerging to a greater understanding of biological processes. Objective: In this review, we summarize the recent researches studying lncRNAs and illustrate how they act in the differentiation of the mesenchymal stem cells and embryonic stem cells, and discuss some future directions in this field. Results: Numerous lncRNAs were differentially expressed during differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and embryonic stem cells. LncRNAs were able to regulate the differentiation processes through epigenetic regulation, transcription regulation and post-transcription regulation. Conclusion: LncRNAs are involved in the differentiation process of mesenchymal stem cells and embryonic stem cells, and they could become promising indicator, biomarker and therapeutic targets in the physiologic and pathologic process. However, the mechanisms of the role of lncRNAs still require further investigation.

Development of multicellular organisms is a very complex and organized process during which cells respond to various factors and features in extracellular environments. It has been demonstrated that during embryonic evolvement, under certain physiological or experimental conditions, unspecialized cells or stem cells can be induced to become tissue or organ-specific cells with special functions. Considering the importance of physical cues in stem cell fate, the present study reviews the role of physical factors in stem cells differentiation and discusses the molecular mechanisms associated with these factors.

The discovery of small non-coding RNAs began an interesting era in cellular and molecular biology. To date, miRNAs are the best recognized non-coding RNAs for maintenance and differentiation of pluripotent stem cells including embryonic stem cells (ES), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), and cancer stem cells. ES cells are defined by their ability to self-renew, teratoma formation, and to produce numerous types of differentiated cells. Dual capacity of ES cells for self-renewal and differentiation is controlled by specific interaction with the neighboring cells and intrinsic signaling pathways from the level of transcription to translation. The ES cells have been the suitable model for evaluating the function of non-coding RNAs and in specific miRNAs. So far, the general function of the miRNAs in ES cells has been assessed in mammalian and non-mammalian stem cells. Nowadays, the evolution of sequencing technology led to the discovery of numerous miRNAs in human and mouse ES cells that their expression levels significantly changes during proliferation and differentiation. Several miRNAs have been identified in ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm cells, as well. This review would focus on recent knowledge about the expression and functional roles of miRNAs in embryonic and lineage-specific stem cells. It also describes that miRNAs might have essential roles in orchestrating the Waddington's landscape structure during development.