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Centurione L, Centurione MA, Antonucci I, Sancilio S, Stati G, Stuppia L, Di Pietro R. Human amniotic fluid stem cells are able to form embryoid body-like aggregates which performs specific functions: morphological evidences. Histochem Cell Biol 2021; 155:381-390. [PMID: 33219831 PMCID: PMC8021515 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-020-01940-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Human second trimester Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells (hAFSCs) harbour the potential to differentiate into cells of each of the three germ layers and to form Embryoid Body (EB)-like aggregates, without inducing teratoma formation and with no ethical concerns. However, in spite of the number of reports on hAFSCs-EBs and their characterization, a thorough evaluation in light and electron microscopy of morphological and morphometric features of hAFSCs-EBs development in vitro has not been reported yet. Apart from a superficial layer of epithelial-like flat cells, displaying rare microvilli on the free surface, hAFSCs-EBs enclose inner material, abundant in vesicles and secretory granules, showing early characteristics of connective extracellular matrix dispersed among different types of inner cells. The observation of a number of microvesicles mainly represented by microparticles and, to a lower extent, by exosomes indicates the presence of a complex cellular communication system within this structure. According to morphological analysis, after 7 days of in vitro culture hAFSCs-EB appears as a well-organized corpuscle, sufficiently young to be a carrier of stemness and at the same time, when appropriately stimulated, able to differentiate. In fact, 7-day hAFSCs-EB represents itself an initial cellular transformation towards a specialized structure both in recording and in providing different stimuli from the surrounding environment, organizing structures and cells towards a differentiation fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Centurione
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013, Chieti, Italy
- StemTeCh Group, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (C.A.S.T.), G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013, Chieti, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Centurione
- StemTeCh Group, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (C.A.S.T.), G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013, Chieti, Italy
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, National Research Council, CNR, Unit of Chieti-Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013, Chieti, Italy
| | - Ivana Antonucci
- StemTeCh Group, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (C.A.S.T.), G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, G. d'Annunzio University Chieti-Pescara, 66013, Chieti, Italy
| | - Silvia Sancilio
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013, Chieti, Italy.
- StemTeCh Group, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (C.A.S.T.), G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013, Chieti, Italy.
| | - Gianmarco Stati
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013, Chieti, Italy
- StemTeCh Group, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (C.A.S.T.), G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013, Chieti, Italy
| | - Liborio Stuppia
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, G. d'Annunzio University Chieti-Pescara, 66013, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013, Chieti, Italy
| | - Roberta Di Pietro
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013, Chieti, Italy
- StemTeCh Group, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (C.A.S.T.), G. d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013, Chieti, Italy
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Thrombin Generation and Cancer: Contributors and Consequences. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11010100. [PMID: 30654498 PMCID: PMC6356447 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11010100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2018] [Revised: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The high occurrence of cancer-associated thrombosis is associated with elevated thrombin generation. Tumour cells increase the potential for thrombin generation both directly, through the expression and release of procoagulant factors, and indirectly, through signals that activate other cell types (including platelets, leukocytes and erythrocytes). Furthermore, cancer treatments can worsen these effects. Coagulation factors, including tissue factor, and inhibitors of coagulation are altered and extracellular vesicles (EVs), which can promote and support thrombin generation, are released by tumour and other cells. Some phosphatidylserine-expressing platelet subsets and platelet-derived EVs provide the surface required for the assembly of coagulation factors essential for thrombin generation in vivo. This review will explore the causes of increased thrombin production in cancer, and the availability and utility of tests and biomarkers. Increased thrombin production not only increases blood coagulation, but also promotes tumour growth and metastasis and as a consequence, thrombin and its contributors present opportunities for treatment of cancer-associated thrombosis and cancer itself.
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