Neuronal characteristics of amniotic fluid derived cells after adenoviral transformation

The preclinical and clinical implications of fetal adnexa derived mesenchymal stromal cells in wound healing therapy

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) isolated from fetal adnexa namely amniotic membrane/epithelium, amniotic fluid and umbilical cord have hogged the limelight in recent times, as a proposed alternative to MSCs from conventional sources. These cells which are identified as being in a developmentally primitive state have many advantages, the most important being the non-invasive nature of their isolation procedures, absence of ethical concerns, proliferation potential, differentiation abilities and low immunogenicity. In the present review, we are focusing on the potential preclinical and clinical applications of different cell types of fetal adnexa, in wound healing therapy. We also discuss the isolation-culture methods, cell surface marker expression, multi-lineage differentiation abilities, immune-modulatory capabilities and their homing property. Different mechanisms involved in the wound healing process and the role of stromal cells in therapeutic wound healing are highlighted. Further, we summarize the findings of the cell delivery systems in skin lesion models and paracrine functions of their secretome in the wound healing process. Overall, this holistic review outlines the research findings of fetal adnexa derived MSCs, their usefulness in wound healing therapy in human as well as in veterinary medicine.

A combination of lycopene and human amniotic epithelial cells can ameliorate cognitive deficits and suppress neuroinflammatory signaling by choroid plexus in Alzheimer's disease rat

Neuroinflammation characterized by glial activation and release of proinflammatory mediators is considered to be correlated with cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previously, some studies have demonstrated that lycopene (LYCO) or human amniotic epithelial cells (HAECs) could attenuate inflammation in AD. Specifically, the choroid plexus (CP), an epithelial layer that forms the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, is able to modulate the cognitive function, through changes in the neuroinflammatory response and in brain immune surveillance. However, it is unclear if LYCO can interact with HAECs to improve neuroinflammation at the CP. Thus, this study chose the region of interest, considered the feasibility of using a combination of LYCO and HAECs, as a therapeutic agent for immunomodulatory effects at the CP in an acutely induced AD rat model. Results showed that oral administration of LYCO, HAECs transplantation, and their combination significantly improved cognitive deficits in water maze test, decreased the level of proinflammatory mediators (TNF-α and IL-1β), increased the level of anti-inflammatory mediators (IL-10 and TGF-β1) in the cerebro-spinal fluid, and hippocampal tissue. Interestingly, LYCO administration, HAECs transplantation and their combination reversed the Aβ_1-42 induced up-regulation of Toll like receptor 4 and nuclear factor-κB p65 mRNA and protein expressions at the CP. This study provided the novel experimental evidence for the influence of co-treatment with LYCO and HAECs on immunomodulatory capabilities of CP. It could also warrant therapeutic window for the pathophysiology of AD and the associated underlying mechanisms at the CP.

293 cells express both epithelial as well as mesenchymal cell adhesion molecules

The 293 cell line, used extensively in various types of studies due to the ease with which these cells can be transfected, was thought to be derived by the transformation of primary cultures of human embryonic kidney cells with sheared adenovirus type 5 DNA. Although the 293 cells were assumed to originate from epithelial cells, the exact origin of these cells remains unknown. Previous attempts to characterize these cells combined immunostaining, immunoblot analysis and microarray analysis to demonstrate that 293 cells express neurofilament subunits, α-internexin, and several other proteins typically found in neurons. These findings raised the possibility that the 293 cell line may have originated from human neuronal lineage cells. Contrary to this suggestion, in this study, we found that the 293 cells expressed N-cadherin and vimentin, which are marker proteins expressed in mesenchymal cells. Furthermore, the 293 cells also expressed E-cadherin, cytokeratins 5/8 and desmoglein 2, which are epithelial cell markers. When the cells, primarily cultured from the kidneys of Clawn miniature swine and passaged 10–15 generations [termed porcine kidney epithelial (PKE) cells] were examined, they were found to be positive for the expression of both mesenchymal and epithelial markers. Thus, transformation by adenovirus was not necessary for the cells to express N-cadherin. Occludin and zonula occludens (ZO)-1, two components of tight junctions in epithelial and endothelial cells, were detected in the 293 and the PKE cells. Thus, the findings of the present study demonstrate that 293 cells retain several characteristics of epithelial cells.

Limited but durable changes to cellular gene expression in a model of latent adenovirus infection are reflected in childhood leukemic cell lines

Mucosal lymphocytes support latent infections of species C adenoviruses. Because infected lymphocytes resist re-infection with adenovirus, we sought to identify changes in cellular gene expression that could inhibit the infectious process. The expression of over 30,000 genes was evaluated by microarray in persistently infected B-and T-lymphocytic cells. BBS9, BNIP3, BTG3, CXADR, SLFN11 and SPARCL1 were the only genes differentially expressed between mock and infected B cells. Most of these genes are associated with oncogenesis or cancer progression. Histone deacetylase and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors released the repression of some of these genes. Cellular and viral gene expression was compared among leukemic cell lines following adenovirus infection. Childhood leukemic B-cell lines resist adenovirus infection and also show reduced expression of CXADR and SPARCL. Thus adenovirus induces limited changes to infected B-cell lines that are similar to changes observed in childhood leukemic cell lines.

Proteomic changes in HEK-293 cells induced by hepatitis delta virus replication

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection greatly increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis B virus chronically infected patients. HDV is highly dependent on host factors for accomplishment of the replication cycle. However, these factors are largely unknown and the mechanisms involved in the pathogenicity of the virus still remain elusive. Here, we made use of the HEK-293 cell line, which was engineered in order to mimic HDV replication. Five different proteomes were analyzed and compared using a MS-based quantitative proteomics approach by (18)O/(16)O stable isotope labeling. About 3000 proteins were quantified and 89 found to be differentially expressed as a consequence HDV RNA replication. The down-regulation of p53 , HSPE, and ELAV as well as the up-regulation of Transportin 1 , EIF3D, and Cofilin 1 were validated by Western blot. A systems biology approach was additionally used to analyze altered pathways and networks. The G2/M DNA damage checkpoint and pyruvate metabolism were among the most affected pathways, and Cancer was the most likely disease associated to HDV replication. Western blot analysis allowed identifying 14-3-3 σ interactor as down-regulated protein acting in the G2/M cell cycle control checkpoint. This evidence supports deregulation of G2/M checkpoint as a possible mechanism involved in the promotion of HDV associated hepatocellular carcinoma.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

This manuscript provides a description of changes observed in the cellular proteome that arise as result of expression of the hepatitis delta virus (HDV) antigen as well as virus genome replication. Using a systems biology approach cancer was found to be the most probable disease associated with HDV replication. Additionally, results show that HDV alters the regulation of G2/M cell cycle control checkpoint. Taken together, our data provide new insights into probable mechanisms associated with the increased incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma observed in HDV infected patients.

Amniotic fluid-derived stem cells for cardiovascular tissue engineering applications

Recent research has demonstrated that a population of stem cells can be isolated from amniotic fluid removed by amniocentesis that are broadly multipotent and nontumorogenic. These amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (AFSC) could potentially provide an autologous cell source for treatment of congenital defects identified during gestation, particularly cardiovascular defects. In this review, the various methods of isolating, sorting, and culturing AFSC are compared, along with techniques for inducing differentiation into cardiac myocytes and endothelial cells. Although research has not demonstrated complete and high-yield cardiac differentiation, AFSC have been shown to effectively differentiate into endothelial cells and can effectively support cardiac tissue. Additionally, several tissue engineering and regenerative therapeutic approaches for the use of these cells in heart patches, injection after myocardial infarction, heart valves, vascularized scaffolds, and blood vessels are summarized. These applications show great promise in the treatment of congenital cardiovascular defects, and further studies of isolation, culture, and differentiation of AFSC will help to develop their use for tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and cardiovascular therapies.

Therapeutic effects of human amniotic epithelial cell transplantation on double-transgenic mice co-expressing APPswe and PS1ΔE9-deleted genes

Human amniotic epithelial cells (HAECs), which exhibit characteristics of embryonic and pluripotent stem cells, could be utilized for cell therapy without legal or ethical problems. Double-transgenic (TG) mice (n=20) and wild-type (WT) mice (n=20) were randomly assigned to two groups, respectively. The transplantation group was treated with HAECs and the control group with PBS. A six-radial arm water maze was used to assess spatial memory. Immunofluorescence was utilized to track HAEC survival. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine octamer-binding protein 4 (oct-4) and nanog expression in the HAECs. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to measure acetylcholine levels in the hippocampus. The density of cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain and nerve fibers in the hippocampus was measured following acetylcholinesterase staining. Results showed that transplanted HAECs survived for at least eight weeks and migrated to the third ventricle without immune rejection. Graft HAECs also expressed the specific stem cell markers oct-4 and nanog. Compared with the control group, HAEC transplantation significantly ameliorated spatial memory deficits in TG mice, as well as increased acetylcholine levels and the number of hippocampal cholinergic neurites. Intracerebroventricular HAEC transplantation improved spatial memory in double-TG mice, and results suggested that increased acetylcholine levels in the hippocampus, released by surviving cholinergic neurites, were responsible for this improvement.

Neurogenic differentiation of amniotic fluid stem cells

In 2003, human amniotic fluid has been shown to contain stem cells expressing Oct-4, a marker for pluripotency. This finding initiated a rapidly growing and very promising new stem cell research field. Since then, amniotic fluid stem (AFS) cells have been demonstrated to harbour the potential to differentiate into any of the three germ layers and to form three-dimensional aggregates, so-called embryoid bodies, known as the principal step in the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. Marker selection and minimal dilution approaches allow the establishment of monoclonal AFS cell lineages with high proliferation potential. AFS cells have a lower risk for tumour development and do not raise the ethical issues of embryonic stem cells. Compared to induced pluripotent stem cells, AFS cells do not need exogenic treatment to induce pluripotency, are chromosomal stable and do not harbour the epigenetic memory and accumulated somatic mutations of specific differentiated source cells. Compared to adult stem cells, AFS can be grown in larger quantities and show higher differentiation potential. Accordingly, in the recent past, AFS became increasingly accepted as an optimal tool for basic research and probably also for specific cell-based therapies. Here, we review the current knowledge on the neurogenic differentiation potential of AFS cells.

Amniotic-Fluid Stem Cells: Growth Dynamics and Differentiation Potential after a CD-117-Based Selection Procedure

Amniotic fluid (AF) has become an interesting source of fetal stem cells. However, AF contains heterogeneous and multiple, partially differentiated cell types. After isolation from the amniotic fluid, cells were characterized regarding their morphology and growth dynamics. They were sorted by magnetic associated cell sorting using the surface marker CD 117. In order to show stem cell characteristics such as pluripotency and to evaluate a possible therapeutic application of these cells, AF fluid-derived stem cells were differentiated along the adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic as well as the neuronal lineage under hypoxic conditions. Our findings reveal that magnetic associated cell sorting (MACS) does not markedly influence growth characteristics as demonstrated by the generation doubling time. There was, however, an effect regarding an altered adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation capacity in the selected cell fraction. In contrast, in the unselected cell population neuronal differentiation is enhanced.

Carbon-ion-induced activation of the NF-κB pathway

Carbon-ion cancer therapy offers several physical and radiobiological advantages over conventional photon cancer therapy. The molecular mechanisms that determine cellular outcome, including the activation of transcription factors and the alteration of gene expression profiles, after carbon-ion exposure are still under investigation. We have previously shown that argon ions (LET 272 keV/µm) had a much higher potential to activate the transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) than X rays. NF-κB is involved in the regulation of cellular survival, mostly by antiapoptosis and cell cycle-regulating target genes, which are important in the resistance of cancer cells to radiotherapy. Therefore, activation of the NF-κB pathway by accelerated carbon ions (LET 33 and 73 keV/µm) was examined. For comparison, cells were exposed to 150 kV X rays and to accelerated carbon ions. NF-κB-dependent gene induction after exposure was detected in stably transfected human 293 reporter cells. Carbon ions and X rays had a comparable potential to activate NF-κB in human cells, indicating a comparable usefulness of pharmacological NF-κB inhibition during photon and carbon-ion radiotherapy.

In vitro differentiation of human amniotic fluid-derived cells: augmentation towards a neuronal dopaminergic phenotype

Amniotic fluid is known to yield a number of cell types which are multipotent, ethically derived, genetically stable, easily grown, expanded and possess favourable immunogenicity, which has resulted in an increasing interest for use in various neuronal disorders such as Parkinson's disease. The neuronal potential of cells derived from the adherent fraction of amniotic fluid, routinely taken by amniocentesis, are least explored. The aim of the present study was to investigate the capacity of these cells for neuronal and dopaminergic differentiation using in vitro differentiation protocols with canonical inductive factors not previously tested. To do this, samples derived from multiple donors were grown under four conditions: standard serum-containing media, NB (neurobasal) media designed specifically for propagation and maintenance of neuronal cells, NB media with addition of retinoic acid and BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) for NI (neuronal induction), and NB media with addition of FGF8 (fibroblast growth factor-8) and Shh (sonic hedgehog) after NI. Our results showed the presence of multiple neuronal markers after growth in serum-containing medium [TUJ1, MAP2, NF-M, TH (tyrosine hydroxylase)], which was significantly up-regulated after serum withdrawal in NB medium alone with induction of NeuN (neuronal nuclei) and NSE (neuron-specific enolase). NI and DA.I (dopaminergic induction) was accompanied by further increases in expression and a distinct transition to a sustained neuronal morphology. Western blot analysis confirmed increasing TH expression and NURR1, expressed in base serum-containing media, found to be down-regulated after induction. In conclusion, these cells possess a highly favourable base neuronal and dopaminergic prepotential, which may easily be accentuated by standard induction protocols.