Female Age Affects the Mesenchymal Stem Cell Characteristics of Aspirated Follicular Cells in the In Vitro Fertilization Programme

Mesenchymal stem cells for lysosomal storage and polyglutamine disorders: Possible shared mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Mesenchymal stem cells' (MSC) therapeutic potential has been investigated for the treatment of several neurodegenerative diseases. The fact these cells can mediate a beneficial effect in different neurodegenerative contexts strengthens their competence to target diverse mechanisms. On the other hand, distinct disorders may share similar mechanisms despite having singular neuropathological characteristics.

METHODS

We have previously shown that MSC can be beneficial for two disorders, one belonging to the groups of Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs) - the Krabbe Disease or Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy, and the other to the family of Polyglutamine diseases (PolyQs) - the Machado-Joseph Disease or Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3. We gave also input into disease characterization since neuropathology and MSC's effects are intrinsically associated. This review aims at describing MSC's multimode of action in these disorders while emphasizing to possible mechanistic alterations they must share due to the accumulation of cellular toxic products.

RESULTS

Lysosomal storage disorders and PolyQs have different aetiology and associated symptoms, but both result from the accumulation of undegradable products inside neuronal cells due to inefficient clearance by the endosomal/lysosomal pathway. Moreover, numerous cellular mechanisms that become compromised latter are also shared by these two disease groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Here, we emphasize MSC's effect in improving proteostasis and autophagy cycling turnover, neuronal survival, synaptic activity and axonal transport. LSDs and PolyQs, though rare in their predominance, collectively affect many people and require our utmost dedication and efforts to get successful therapies due to their tremendous impact on patient s' lives and society.

Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Derived from Human and Animal Perinatal Tissues-Origins, Characteristics, Signaling Pathways, and Clinical Trials

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are currently one of the most extensively researched fields due to their promising opportunity for use in regenerative medicine. There are many sources of MSCs, of which cells of perinatal origin appear to be an invaluable pool. Compared to embryonic stem cells, they are devoid of ethical conflicts because they are derived from tissues surrounding the fetus and can be safely recovered from medical waste after delivery. Additionally, perinatal MSCs exhibit better self-renewal and differentiation properties than those derived from adult tissues. It is important to consider the anatomy of perinatal tissues and the general description of MSCs, including their isolation, differentiation, and characterization of different types of perinatal MSCs from both animals and humans (placenta, umbilical cord, amniotic fluid). Ultimately, signaling pathways are essential to consider regarding the clinical applications of MSCs. It is important to consider the origin of these cells, referring to the anatomical structure of the organs of origin, when describing the general and specific characteristics of the different types of MSCs as well as the pathways involved in differentiation.

The impact of recipient age on the effects of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure and liver cirrhosis

Background

The results of a previous study verified that umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) have good therapeutic effects for the treatment of HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) and liver cirrhosis (LC). Nevertheless, it is still unknown whether the effects of UCMSCs are affected by recipient age.

Methods

Patients treated with UCMSCs who met the criteria of HBV-related ACLF and liver cirrhosis were identified in this retrospective observational study. Patients were divided into subgroups according to the World Health Organization (WHO) age criteria (< 45 vs. ≥ 45 years). Group A included young ACLF patients (< 45 y), and group B included older ACLF patients (≥ 45 y). Young LC patients (< 45 y) were assigned to group C, and group D included older LC patients (≥ 45 y). Patients’ clinical characteristics, demographics, biochemical factors, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores were compared for 24 weeks.

Results

Sixty-four ACLF patients and 59 LC patients were enrolled in this study. Compared with patients in groups B and C, patients in group A did not show significant superiority in terms of the levels of ALT, AST, TBIL, AFP, and PTA and MELD scores. However, the median decrease and cumulative decrease in the TBIL and ALT levels of patients in group C were larger than those of patients in group D after four weeks of UCMSC transfusions. For older patients (≥ 45 y), the cumulative decrease and the median decrease in the TBIL of ACLF patients were significantly greater than those of LC patients after UCMSC treatment. However, the median decrease in ALT levels of ACLF patients was significantly greater than that of LC patients during UCMSC treatment, and the cumulative decrease in ALT levels of ACLF patients was significantly greater than that of LC patients at all time points.

Conclusion

The therapeutic effects of UCMSCs for HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure and liver cirrhosis varied partly by patient age. Assessing patient age is necessary prior to UCMSC clinical use.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-021-02544-x.

Multiparameter flow cytometric detection and quantification of senescent cells in vitro

It has been over half a century since cellular senescence was first noted and characterized, and yet no consensus senescent marker has been reliably established. This challenge is compounded by the complexity and heterogenic phenotypes of senescent cells. This necessitates the use of multiple biomarkers to confidently characterise senescent cells. Despite cytochemical staining of senescence associated-beta-galactosidase being a single marker approach, as well as being time and labour-intensive, it remains the most popular detection method. We have developed an alternative flow cytometry-based method that simultaneously quantifies multiple senescence markers at a single-cell resolution. In this study, we applied this assay to the quantification of both replicative and induced senescent primary cells. Using this assay, we were able to quantify the activity level of SA β-galactosidase, the expression level of p16^INK4a and γH2AX in these cell populations. Our results show this flow cytometric approach to be sensitive, robust, and consistent in discriminating senescent cells in different cell senescence models. A strong positive correlation between these commonly- used senescence markers was demonstrated. The method described in this paper can easily be scaled up to accommodate high-throughput screening of senescent cells in applications such as therapeutic cell preparation, and in therapy-induced senescence following cancer treatment.