Protective Effect of Human-Neural-Crest-Derived Nasal Turbinate Stem Cells against Amyloid-β Neurotoxicity through Inhibition of Osteopontin in a Human Cerebral Organoid Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

Intranasal Administration of Human Neural Crest-Derived Nasal Turbinate Stem Cells Attenuates Microglia Activity in Mild Head Trauma Models

BACKGROUND

Mild head trauma often leads to long-term cognitive and neurological deficits. PLX3397, an inhibitor of colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R), offers promise as a therapeutic agent for traumatic brain injury (TBI) by targeting neuro-inflammation. Stem cell-based approaches are widely studied for neurological disorders. The objective of this study was to investigate therapeutic effect of intranasal administration of human neural crest-derived nasal turbinate stem cells (hNTSCs) on mild TBI in comparison with that of PLX3397.

METHODS

We developed a model of mice with repetitive and mild TBI following a weight-drop once a day for 5 days. PLX3397 (50 mg/kg, p. o.) was administered for 21 days. Intranasal administration of hNTSCs (1 × 106) was performed once.

RESULTS

Iba1 + and GFAP + cells were increased in the cortex and hippocampus of TBI models. Iba1 + cells and GFAP + cells were remarkably decreased in PLX3397 or hNTSC-treated TBI models. Administration of PLX3397 attenuated the decrease in neurobehavioral activity. Similar effects were observed in a TBI model with a single dose of hNTSC.

CONCLUSION

Intranasal administration of hNTSCs had a microglia-depleting effect. Administered hNTSCs were found around the cortex and hippocampus of TBI brains. This investigation may provide a promising path for therapeutic initiatives for repetitive and mild TBI.

Enhancing Endothelial Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Human Turbinates Using Lab-on-a-Chip Technology

Background and Objectives: Endothelial cells are essential to various therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular diseases. Developing efficient methods to generate large quantities of well-defined endothelial cells could improve cardiovascular treatment. This study explored the impact of lab-on-a-chip technology on the endothelial differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells derived from the human inferior nasal turbinate (hNTSCs). Materials and Methods: hNTSCs were isolated from five patients and divided into two groups: an experimental group subjected to lab-on-a-chip technology and a control group following two-dimensional differentiation protocols. The endothelial differentiation capacity of hNTSCs was assessed through histological examination and gene expression analysis. Results: Comparative evaluation of traditional differentiation methods and lab-on-a-chip technology indicated that hNTSCs expressed endothelial cell-specific markers, including CD34, KDR, CDH5, and CD31. Notably, CD31, CD34, and CDH5 exhibited significantly elevated expression levels in the lab-on-a-chip system. Additionally, cytokine analysis showed marked increases in IL-1a and IL-8 expression under lab-on-a-chip conditions compared to standard differentiation techniques. Conclusions: Lab-on-a-chip technology may enhance the differentiation of hNTSCs into endothelial cells with angiogenic potential, highlighting its promise for future cardiovascular regenerative applications.

Organoids in lung cancer brain metastasis: Foundational research, clinical translation, and prospective outlooks

Brain metastasis stands as a leading contributor to mortality in lung cancer patients, yet the intricate mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains elusive. This underscores the need for robust preclinical models and effective treatment strategies. Emerging as viable in vitro models that closely replicate actual tumors, three-dimensional culture systems, particularly organoids derived from non-malignant cells or cancer organoids, have emerged as promising avenues. This review delves into the forefronts of fundamental research and clinical applications focused on lung cancer brain metastasis-derived organoids, highlighting current challenges and delineating prospects. These studies offer tremendous potential for clinical application despite being in nascent status.

The Development of a Human Respiratory Mucosa-on-a-Chip Using Human Turbinate-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the influence of a respiratory mucosa-on-a-chip on the respiratory epithelial differentiation potential of human nasal inferior turbinate-derived stem cells (hNTSCs). Materials and Methods: After isolating hNTSCs from five patients, we divided the samples from the patients into the study group with a mucosa-on-a-chip and the control group with conventional differentiation (using conventional differentiation methods). The respiratory epithelial differentiation potential of hNTSCs was analyzed by histology and gene expression. Results: In the quantitative analysis, PCR showed that the hNTSCs expressed the cytokeratin genes (KRT13, 14), transformation-related protein P63 (TP63), and vimentin of basal cells in the airway epithelium at higher levels, but cytokeratin genes (KRT6) at lower levels, in the mucosa-on-a-chip than in conventional differentiation. In the cytokine analysis (GM-CSF, IFNr, IL-1a, IL-1b, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12(p70), IL-13, IL-17A, IL-17E/IL-25, RANTES, TNFa, IL-6, and IL-8), the expressions of IFNr, IL-13, RANTES, TNFa, IL-6, and IL-8 were significantly upregulated in the mucosa-on-a-chip than in conventional differentiation. Conclusions: We conclude that the human respiratory mucosa-on-a-chip using human turbinate-derived mesenchymal stem cells allows the respiratory differentiation of hNTSCs and shows the difference in gene and cytokine expression, which could serve as an alternative to conventional differentiation for the production of functionally competent hNTSCs for future clinical applications.

Human Nasal Inferior Turbinate-Derived Neural Stem Cells Improve the Niche of Substantia Nigra Par Compacta in a Parkinson's Disease Model by Modulating Hippo Signaling

BACKGROUND

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases, following Alzheimer's disease. The onset of PD is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Stem cell therapy has great potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, and human nasal turbinate-derived stem cells (hNTSCs) have been found to share some characteristics with mesenchymal stem cells. Although the Hippo signaling pathway was originally thought to regulate cell size in organs, recent studies have shown that it can also control inflammation in neural cells.

METHODS

Dopaminergic neuron-like cells were differentiated from SH-SY5Y cells (DA-Like cells) and treated with 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium iodide to stimulate Reactive oxidative species (ROS) production. A transwell assay was conducted to validate the effect of hNTSCs on the Hippo pathway. We generated an MPTP-induced PD mouse model and transplanted hNTSCs into the substantia nigra of PD mice via stereotaxic surgery. After five weeks of behavioral testing, the brain samples were validated by immunoblotting and immunostaining to confirm the niche control of hNTSCs.

RESULTS

In-vitro experiments showed that hNTSCs significantly increased cell survival and exerted anti-inflammatory effects by controlling ROS-mediated ER stress and hippocampal signaling pathway factors. Similarly, the in-vivo experiments demonstrated an increase in anti-inflammatory effects and cell survival rate. After transplantation of hNTSCs, the PD mouse model showed improved mobility and relief from PD symptoms.

CONCLUSION

hNTSCs improved the survival rate of dopaminergic neurons by manipulating the hippocampal pathway through Yes-associated protein (YAP)/transcriptional coactivator with a PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) by reducing inflammatory cytokines. In this study, we found that controlling the niche of hNTSCs had a therapeutic effect on PD lesions.

Cell replacement with stem cell-derived retinal ganglion cells from different protocols

Glaucoma, characterized by a degenerative loss of retinal ganglion cells, is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. There is currently no cure for vision loss in glaucoma because retinal ganglion cells do not regenerate and are not replaced after injury. Human stem cell-derived retinal ganglion cell transplant is a potential therapeutic strategy for retinal ganglion cell degenerative diseases. In this review, we first discuss a 2D protocol for retinal ganglion cell differentiation from human stem cell culture, including a rapid protocol that can generate retinal ganglion cells in less than two weeks and focus on their transplantation outcomes. Next, we discuss using 3D retinal organoids for retinal ganglion cell transplantation, comparing cell suspensions and clusters. This review provides insight into current knowledge on human stem cell-derived retinal ganglion cell differentiation and transplantation, with an impact on the field of regenerative medicine and especially retinal ganglion cell degenerative diseases such as glaucoma and other optic neuropathies.

Contextualizing the Role of Osteopontin in the Inflammatory Responses of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive accumulations of extracellular amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregates from soluble oligomers to insoluble plaques and hyperphosphorylated intraneuronal tau, also from soluble oligomers to insoluble neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Tau and Aβ complexes spread from the entorhinal cortex of the brain to interconnected regions, where they bind pattern recognition receptors on microglia and astroglia to trigger inflammation and neurotoxicity that ultimately lead to neurodegeneration and clinical AD. Systemic inflammation is initiated by Aβ's egress into the circulation, which may be secondary to microglial activation and can confer both destructive and reparative actions. Microglial activation pathways and downstream drivers of Aβ/NFT neurotoxicity, including inflammatory regulators, are primary targets for AD therapy. Osteopontin (OPN), an inflammatory cytokine and biomarker of AD, is implicated in Aβ clearance and toxicity, microglial activation, and inflammation, and is considered to be a potential therapeutic target. Here, using the most relevant works from the literature, we review and contextualize the evidence for a central role of OPN and associated inflammation in AD.

Amyloid Precursor Protein and Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders associated with age or inherited mutations. It is characterized by severe dementia in the late stages that affect memory, cognitive functions, and daily life overall. AD progression is linked to the accumulation of cytotoxic amyloid beta (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau protein combined with other pathological features such as synaptic loss, defective energy metabolism, imbalances in protein, and metal homeostasis. Several treatment options for AD are under investigation, including antibody-based therapy and stem cell transplantation. Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is a membrane protein considered to play a main role in AD pathology. It is known that APP in physiological conditions follows a non-amyloidogenic pathway; however, it can proceed to an amyloidogenic scenario, which leads to the generation of extracellular deleterious Aβ plaques. Not all steps of APP biogenesis are clear so far, and these questions should be addressed in future studies. AD is a complex chronic disease with many factors that contribute to disease progression.

Characteristics of Human Nasal Turbinate Stem Cells under Hypoxic Conditions

This study investigated the influence of hypoxic culture conditions on human nasal inferior turbinate-derived stem cells (hNTSCs), a subtype of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). It aimed to discern how hypoxia affected hNTSC characteristics, proliferation, and differentiation potential compared to hNTSCs cultured under normal oxygen levels. After obtaining hNTSCs from five patients, the samples were divided into hypoxic and normoxic groups. The investigation utilized fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for surface marker analysis, cell counting kit-8 assays for proliferation assessment, and multiplex immunoassays for cytokine secretion study. Differentiation potential-osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic-was evaluated via histological examination and gene expression analysis. Results indicated that hNTSCs under hypoxic conditions preserved their characteristic MSC phenotype, as confirmed by FACS analysis demonstrating the absence of hematopoietic markers and presence of MSC markers. Proliferation of hNTSCs remained unaffected by hypoxia. Cytokine expression showed similarity between hypoxic and normoxic groups throughout cultivation. Nevertheless, hypoxic conditions reduced the osteogenic and promoted adipogenic differentiation potential, while chondrogenic differentiation was relatively unchanged. These insights contribute to understanding hNTSC behavior in hypoxic environments, advancing the development of protocols for stem cell therapies and tissue engineering.

Advances in Brain Metastasis Models

To obtain achievements in addressing the clinical challenges of brain metastasis, we need a clear understanding of its biological mechanisms. Brain metastasis research is challenged by many practical scientific barriers. Depending on the purpose of the study, experimental brain metastasis models in vivo can be used. It is now possible to re-create the architecture and physiology of human organs. Human organoids provide unique opportunities for the study of human disease and complement animal models. The translation of experimental findings to clinical application has several barriers in the development of treatment for brain metastasis. A variety of models have provided significant contributions to the knowledge of brain metastasis pathology and remain pivotal tools for examining novel therapeutic strategies.