Comparative analysis of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells and umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells

Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and their differentiation into mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (iMSCs) have created exciting source of cells for autologous therapy. In this study, we have compared the therapeutic potential of iMSCs generated from urinary epithelial (UE) cells with the available umbilical cord MSCs (UC‐MSCs). For this, adult UE cells were treated with the mRNA of pluripotent genes (OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, KLF4, MYC and LIN28) and a cocktail of miRNAs under specific culture conditions for generating iPSCs. Our non‐viral and mRNA‐based treatment regimen demonstrated a high reprogramming efficiency to about 30% at passage 0. These UE‐iPSCs were successfully differentiated further into ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm lineage of cells. Moreover, these UE‐iPSCs were subsequently differentiated into iMSCs and were compared with the UC‐MSCs. These iMSCs were capable of differentiating into osteocytes, chondrocytes and adipocytes. Our qRT‐PCR and Western blot data showed that the CD73, CD90 and CD105 gene transcripts and proteins were highly expressed in iMSCs and UC‐MSCs but not in other cells. The comparative qRT‐PCR data showed that the iMSCs maintained their MSC characteristics without any chromosomal abnormalities even at later passages (P15), during which the UC‐MSCs started losing their MSC characteristics. Importantly, the wound‐healing property demonstrated through migration assay was superior in iMSCs when compared to the UC‐MSCs. In this study, we have demonstrated an excellent non‐invasive and pain‐free method of obtaining iMSCs for regenerative therapy. These homogeneous autologous highly proliferative iMSCs may provide an alternative source of cells to UC‐MSCs for treating various diseases.

Abstract 515: Non-invasive Method of Generating Human Induced-mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived From Urinary Epithelial Cells for Regenerative Therapy

Introduction: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent adult stem cells having an extensive proliferation capacity in vitro and in vivo. These MSCs can differentiate into various mesoderm-type cells such as osteoblasts, cardiomyocytes, etc. A subpopulation of urinary epithelial cells (UECs) have been identified in urine samples, is considered a promising cell resource for generating autologous induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).

Hypothesis: We hypothesize that the production of high quality, autologous, induced-MSCs (iMSCs) with high replicative potential suitable for the regenerative therapy, using an easy, and the most non-invasive method of isolation, from human UECs.

Methods and Results: Human urine was collected and centrifuged to obtain the UECs, which were characterized by the expression of CK19 and ZO1. These UECs were reprogrammed to iPSCs using a cocktail of mRNAs (OCT4, KLF4, SOX2, c-MYC, Nanog and Lin28) along with Lipofectamine for 11 days in culture. These iPSCs were characterized by the expression of the pluripotent markers such as OCT4, SOX2 and SSEA4. The iPSCs were subsequently differentiated into iMSCs using the mesenchymal specific medium for 21 days. iMSCs were harvested at the end of 21 days, and they were characterized by the high levels of mRNA and protein expressions of mesenchymal specific markers such as CD73, CD90 and CD105 (Fig. 1A). FACS analysis showed that more than 93% of the cells were positive for the markers of MSCs (Fig. 1B) . Moreover, the obtained iMSCs have high proliferation capacity compared with the adult stem cells.

Conclusions: We have developed an easy, non-invasive method for obtaining autologous, non-immunogenic and highly-proliferating iMSCs suitable for various regenerative therapies including cardiac diseases, from urinary epithelial cells.

Abstract 419: Beneficial Effects of scaRNA Modulated Human iPSC-derived Cardiomyocytes Exposed Under Hypoxic Conditions

Introduction: Studies have shown that mRNA splicing is regulated by small cajal-body associated RNAs (scaRNAs) and plays a significant role in mammalian cardiac development and differentiation, but the potential contribution to human in vitro differentiation of iPSCs into CMCs remains unknown. In this study, the comparison of scaRNA20 modified and unmodified iPSCs derived-CMCs (iCMCs) will allow us to understand the role of scaRNAs in cardiac differentiation.

Hypothesis: We hypothesize that the scaRNA20 modulated iCMCs are capable of withstanding better at low-oxygen environment than the normal iCMCs which will facilitate for cardiac therapy.

Methods and Results: To show how ischemic cardiomyopathy effects on CMC contractility, skin fibroblast derived normal iCMCs (SF-N-iCMCs) and scaRNA20-OE-iCMCs were subjected to hypoxic condition (1% O 2 ). Our particle image velocimetry (PIV) analysis shows that the contractility is reduced in normal iCMCs whereas the scaRNA20-OE-iCMCs maintained the contractility under hypoxic condition (Fig. A-C) . Moreover, the qRT-PCR data show that the SF-N-iCMCs exposed to hypoxic condition decreased the expression of scaRNA20 (Fig. D). These data suggest that the scaRNA20-OE-iCMCs are capable of withstanding the low-oxygen environment at the infarcted heart.

Conclusions: We report for the first time the beneficial effects of scaRNA20 modulated CMCs prior to transplantation will be an effective therapy for cardiac regeneration. <!--EndFragment-->

Diurnal and seasonal patterns of soil CO2 efflux from the Pichavaram mangroves, India

The diurnal and seasonal variation of soil carbon dioxide (CO₂) flux was measured in the Pichavaram mangrove forest, the Southeast coast of India from February 2016 to October 2016 using an automated soil CO₂ flux chamber system. Maximum soil CO₂ efflux reached at 14:00 h and minimum at 00:00 h. The surface soil CO₂ concentration ranged from 375 to 532 ppm with the mean 405 ± 18 ppm. The daily soil CO₂ flux varied from near zero to about 7 μmol m^-2 s^-1 with a mean value of 2.4 ± 1.3 μmol m^-2 s^-1. The highest seasonal CO₂ efflux from soil was during the summer and premonsoon seasons, whereas low flux values were recorded during the monsoon season. Soil CO₂ efflux values were highly correlated with soil temperature. Tidal inundation during monsoon season, extreme drought condition in summer, and unusual precipitation are the major factors controlling the soil CO₂ flux.

Photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants by g-C3N4/EPDM nanocomposite film: Viable, efficient and facile recoverable

The original metal free graphitic carbon nitride/ethylene propylene diene monomer nanocomposite film (g-C₃N₄/EPDM NCF) was fabricated by facile solution cast method. g-C₃N₄/EPDM NCF with diameter (50mm) and thickness (4mm) was investigated towards the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) dye solution under visible light irradiation. The as synthesized g-C₃N₄/EPDM NCF was exhibited high crystalline nature with the crystalline size of 21.53nm, the smooth surface nature and the particle size was observed from the TEM analysis is 20nm. Furthermore, the influence of operational parameters was carried out which demonstrated that 100mg photocatalyst and 25μM of dye concentration were obtained as an optimized condition for the best photocatalytic degradation results. As a result of scavenger experiment, it was concluded that the hydroxyl radical (OH) was actively involved in the photocatalytic degradation. The g-C₃N₄/EPDM NCF were recoverable from the photocatalytic reaction system and the present find findings may open up a new platform for the simple handpicked photocatalyst.

A selective electrochemical sensor for caffeic acid and photocatalyst for metronidazole drug pollutant - A dual role by rod-like SrV2O6

In the present study, well-defined one-dimensional (1D) rod-like strontium vanadate (SrV2O6) was prepared by simple hydrothermal method without using any other surfactants/templates. The successful formation of rod-like SrV2O6 was confirmed by various analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Interestingly, for the first time the dual role of as-prepared rod-like SrV2O6 were employed as an electrochemical sensor for the detection of caffeic acid (CA) as well as visible light active photocatalyst for the degradation of metronidazole (MNZ) antibiotic drug. As an electrochemical sensor, the SrV2O6 modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) demonstrated a superior electrocatalytic activity for the detection of CA by chronoamperometry and cyclic voltammetry (CVs). In addition, the electrochemical sensor exhibited a good current response for CA with excellent selectivity, wide linear response range, lower detection limit and sensitivity of 0.01-207 µM, 4 nM and 2.064 μA μM-1cm-2, respectively. On the other hand, as-synthesized rod-like SrV2O6 showed highly efficient and versatile photocatalytic performances for the degradation of MNZ, which degrades above 98% of MNZ solution under visible light irradiation within 60 min. The obtained results evidenced that the improvement of rod-like SrV2O6 might be a resourceful electrocatalyst and photocatalyst material in the probable applications of environmental and biomedical applications.