Cell competition: Winning out by losing notch

Cell competition where ‘loser’ cells are eliminated by neighbors with higher fitness is a widespread phenomenon in development. However, a growing body of evidence argues cells with somatic mutations compete with their wild type counterparts in the earliest stages of cancer development. Recent studies have begun to shed light on the molecular and cellular mechanisms that alter the competitiveness of cells carrying somatic mutations in adult tissues. Cells with a ‘winner’ phenotype create clones which may expand into extensive fields of mutant cells within normal appearing epithelium, favoring the accumulation of further genetic alterations and the evolution of cancer. Here we focus on how mutations which disrupt the Notch signaling pathway confer a ‘super competitor’ status on cells in squamous epithelia and consider the broader implications for cancer evolution.     

乳腺癌干细胞和乳腺癌

肿瘤干细胞既包含干细胞的特性也包含肿瘤细胞的特性。乳腺癌起源于乳腺癌干细胞的说法能够合理地解释乳腺癌的不均一性及其治疗后的复发,这些变异的干细胞可能作为肿瘤预防策略的靶标。而且,由于乳腺癌干细胞能够抵抗辐射治疗和化学治疗,所以要想更好地治疗乳腺癌就需要寻找针对这些干细胞的靶标。我们综述了乳腺癌干细胞的发现、富集和分离、相关的信号途径,以及在乳腺癌治疗中的应用。     

造血干细胞移植条件对小鼠造血重建的影响

通过同种基因型小鼠构建造血干细胞移植模型,将预处理的全骨髓单个核细胞或c-Kit⁺造血干细胞移植至致死剂量照射的受体小鼠体内,动态监测移植2～16周后受体小鼠体内供体来源细胞造血重建以及嵌合情况,以期揭示不同群体的供体细胞以及预处理等因素对小鼠造血干细胞移植后造血重建的影响。实验结果显示,移植后早期(2周)全骨髓单个核细胞组髓系比例要高于c-Kit⁺细胞移植组,但全骨髓移植组受体小鼠呈现出较大的移植后不良反应,出现脱毛、食欲不振以及体重减轻的症状。c-Kit⁺细胞移植组在淋系重建上要早于全骨髓移植组,供体细胞的嵌合植入也早于全骨髓移植组,但两组实验组最终均能完成造血重建过程。实验结果表明c-Kit⁺细胞移植组在移植后能够较快地实现供体细胞植入,进而开始造血重建,且c-Kit⁺细胞移植组的不良反应要低于全骨髓移植组。结果说明在整体造血重建效果上c-Kit⁺细胞移植组要优于全骨髓移植组。     

SOX9的表达在诱导肝细胞向胰腺干祖样细胞转化中的意义研究

目的:研究SOX9的表达在诱导肝细胞向胰腺干祖样细胞转化过程中的意义.方法:分离培养小鼠原代肝细胞,包装、浓缩表达OCT4的慢病毒并感染肝细胞,使用RT-PCR监测慢病毒感染后肝细胞中SOX9的表达,并根据SOX9表达情况尝试向胰腺干祖样细胞诱导.使用PCR和免疫荧光鉴定生成的胰腺干祖样细胞.结果:肝细胞感染OCT4-慢病毒后,肝细胞内颗粒逐渐释出,细胞折光性增强.SOX9表达从第6d持续至第8d.从SOX9阴性的第4d开始向胰腺诱导,无集落样的胰腺干祖样细胞生成,RT-PCR检测其标志物CK19为阴性;从SOX9阳性的第6d开始向胰腺诱导,可见集落样生长的胰腺干祖样细胞,RT-PCR检测CK19为阳性,免疫荧光染色显示CK19表达在胞浆中.结论:肝细胞向胰腺干祖样细胞转化过程中SOX9的表达提示了“兼性肝细胞”的出现,此细胞具有向胰腺谱系诱导分化的潜能,这为进一步生成有功能的胰岛内分泌细胞和实现糖尿病的细胞替代治疗提供了理论和实验依据.     

干细胞在胰腺癌中的研究进展

胰腺癌是预后程度极差的恶性肿瘤,已初步证实胰腺干细胞可转化为胰腺癌细胞。成功分离和鉴定了胰腺癌干细胞并对其与转移、耐药的关系和信号通路异常的关系进行了初步研究。深入理解干细胞在胰腺癌中的作用,可能根本改变临床胰腺癌防治的方式。     

Barrett esophagus: What a mouse model can teach us about human disease

The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is rapidly rising in the western world and accounts for 2% of all cancer-related deaths. The precursor lesion for EAC is Barrett esophagus (BE), which is strongly associated with gastresophageal reflux disease. A major limitation to the study of EAC has been the absence of tractable and genetically modifiable preclinical models of BE. A mouse model of BE and EAC that resembles human disease could provide novel insights into the origins and molecular pathogenesis of BE. In addition, validated animal models could help stratify BE patients given the limited predictive power of current standard endoscopic measures and clinical assessment. Here, we review the findings from recently developed mouse models of BE and EAC and their impact on clinical decision making, surveillance programs and therapeutic options. The data, taken together, suggest potential origins of BE from the gastric cardia, a role of bile acid and hypergatrinemia for carcinogenesis, a growing importance for columnar-like epithelium and a critical role for Notch signaling.     

Stem and progenitor cells for neurological repair: minor issues, major hurdles, and exciting opportunities for paracrine-based therapeutics

The transplantation of cultured stem and progenitor cells is a key element in the rapidly growing field of regenerative medicine. Based on their ability to rescue and/or repair injured tissue and partially restore organ function, multiple types of stem/progenitor cells have already entered into clinical trials. However, despite several decades of intense research, the goal to apply culture-expanded stem/progenitor cells in a manner that can effectively replace cells after injury has yet to be realized. Many sources of potentially useful cells are available, but something is clearly missing. In addition, recent studies suggest that paracrine effects of secreted or released factors are responsible for most of the benefits observed after cell transplantation, rather than direct cell replacement. These data call into question the need for cell transplantation for many types of therapy, in particular for acute injuries such as myocardial infarction and stroke. In this review, we examine current progress in the area of cell transplantation and minor issues and major hurdles regarding the clinical application of different cell types. We discuss the "paracrine hypothesis" for the action of transplanted stem/progenitor cells as an opportunity to identify defined combinations of biomolecules to rescue and/or repair tissues after injury. Although many of the concepts in this review will apply to multiple injury/repair systems, we will focus primarily on stem/progenitor cell-based treatments for neurological disorders and stroke.     

OGT Regulates Hematopoietic Stem Cell Maintenance via PINK1-Dependent Mitophagy

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Barrett esophagus

The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is rapidly rising in the western world and accounts for 2% of all cancer-related deaths. The precursor lesion for EAC is Barrett esophagus (BE), which is strongly associated with gastresophageal reflux disease. A major limitation to the study of EAC has been the absence of tractable and genetically modifiable preclinical models of BE. A mouse model of BE and EAC that resembles human disease could provide novel insights into the origins and molecular pathogenesis of BE. In addition, validated animal models could help stratify BE patients given the limited predictive power of current standard endoscopic measures and clinical assessment. Here, we review the findings from recently developed mouse models of BE and EAC and their impact on clinical decision making, surveillance programs and therapeutic options. The data, taken together, suggest potential origins of BE from the gastric cardia, a role of bile acid and hypergatrinemia for carcinogenesis, a growing importance for columnar-like epithelium and a critical role for Notch signaling.     

低氧环境中微囊化成骨细胞支持造血干/祖细胞扩增

在模拟骨髓造血壁龛(hematopoietic niche)的氧分压条件下,探讨微囊化成骨细胞(osteoblasts,OB)对脐血造血干/祖细胞(HSPC)体外扩增的支持和调控机理．分离培养人髂骨OB,采用聚电解质络合法将第3代的OB以密度为8×105 ml包埋在直径为0.5 mm的明胶-海藻酸钠-壳聚糖(GAC)微胶珠中．将微珠+造血干/祖细胞(A′组)、造血干/祖细胞(B′组)及微珠(C′组)置于6孔板,在5%氧分压下进行培养．同时在20%常氧条件下设置同样分组培养作为对照(A,B,C)．通过流式细胞分析和半固体细胞集落培养,观察比较各培养体系中造血干/祖细胞的扩增,并检测体系内白血病抑制因子(LIF)和白介素-6(IL-6)的含量变化以探讨作用机理．经过倒置相差显微镜观察,人成骨细胞在微珠中分散均匀,生长状态良好．微珠内部有丰富的孔道供营养物质传递,有大量造血干/祖细胞弱黏附于微珠表面．经过7天的培养,A′、B′、A、B四组造血细胞的扩增倍数分别为(49.0 ± 4.6),(3.3 ± 0.5),(17.7 ± 1.2)和(1.9 ± 0.2)．A′、B′、A 组的CD34+细胞分别扩增了(87.6 ± 8.3), (2.2 ± 0.3)和(14.9 ± 1.0)倍,B组则出现下降．A′、B′、A、B四组CFU-Cs集落扩增倍数分别为(9.8 ± 0.8),(3.5 ± 0.4), (6.9 ± 0.7)和(2.6 ± 0.2)．低氧共培养体系比常氧共培养体系和非共培养体系对造血干/祖细胞的扩增有更大的促进作用．A′、B′、C′中IL-6和LIF含量明显高于对应的A、B、C组,与扩增倍数的差异相对应．微囊化成骨细胞对造血干/祖细胞扩增有明显的促进作用,5%氧分压接近体内造血壁龛氧环境,在此环境中成骨细胞分泌细胞因子量增多并通过其对造血干/祖细胞的扩增进行调节．     

PAF-Myc-Controlled Cell Stemness Is Required for Intestinal Regeneration and Tumorigenesis

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干细胞生物工程研究展望

 由于最近两年干细胞研究技术的突破 ,一门崭新的学科“干细胞生物工程”已经形成 .人类胚胎干细胞在体外的成功培养以及一种组织的干细胞 (成体干细胞 )向另一种组织细胞横向分化的发现 ,为利用“干细胞生物工程”技术治疗疾病奠定了基础 .本综述着重介绍干细胞研究领域的一些新概念和新技术以及干细胞分化的基因调控 .对干细胞生物工程的临床应用前景作了概括性讨论     

命运决定子Numb在神经干/祖细胞不对称分裂及分化中的调控作用 

不对称分裂是干/祖细胞发育分化中的基本过程,膜相关蛋白Numb在其中发挥重要作用.Numb极性分布于细胞一侧,在干/祖细胞有丝分裂时不对等分配至两个子代细胞,使子代细胞产生不同分化命运.如一个保持在干/祖细胞状态,而另一个发育为神经元,这一过程主要通过抑制Notch信号通路发挥作用.近年在哺乳动物中的研究中发现,高强度Notch信号又能够反馈抑制Numb活性.Numb具有维持神经干/祖细胞增殖与促进分化的双重作用,Numb的命运决定作用还与Shh信号通路和p53蛋白等相关.另外,Numb参与调控细胞的粘连、迁移以及神经元轴突的分支与延长.本文主要对Numb在果蝇及哺乳动物神经干/祖细胞中的定位以及其在决定细胞命运和分化中的调控作用进行综述.     

Determining cancer risk: the evolutionary multistage model or total stem cell divisions?

A recent hypothesis proposed that the total number of stem cell divisions in a tissue (TSCD model) determine its intrinsic cancer risk; however, a different model—the multistage model—has long been used to understand how cancer originates. Identifying the correct model has important implications for interpreting the frequency of cancers. Using worldwide cancer incidence data, we applied three tests to the TSCD model and an evolutionary multistage model of carcinogenesis (EMMC), a model in which cancer suppression is recognized as an evolving trait, with natural selection acting to suppress cancers causing a significant mean loss of Darwinian fitness. Each test supported the EMMC but contradicted the TSCD model. This outcome undermines results based on the TSCD model quantifying the relative importance of ‘bad luck'' (the random accumulation of somatic mutations) versus environmental and genetic factors in determining cancer incidence. Our testing supported the EMMC prediction that cancers of large rapidly dividing tissues predominate late in life. Another important prediction is that an indicator of recent oncogenic environmental change is an unusually high mean fitness loss due to cancer, rather than a high lifetime incidence. The evolutionary model also predicts that large and/or long-lived animals have evolved mechanisms of cancer suppression that may be of value in preventing or controlling human cancers.     

细胞周期中MicroRNA的调控作用

MicroRNA是近年来发现并热点研究的一类重要的非编码RNA,在干细胞的更新与分化、体细胞性状与数量的维持、甚至肿瘤细胞的恶性增生等生物学过程中都具有重要的调控作用.microRNA通过与靶位点结合而快速有效地降解靶基因mRNA或抑制蛋白的翻译,下调E2F、CDK、cyclin、p21、p27、DNA多聚酶α等关键的细胞周期调控因子的表达,加速或减慢细胞增殖的速度.microRNA对细胞周期的调控还将涉及到微生物感染机体的过程、免疫系统的调控、妊娠期母体的变化、组织的修复、细胞的凋亡与衰老等诸多方面.随着对microRNA调控细胞周期机制的深入研究,microRNA及其靶基因不仅可以作为某些疾病的分子标记物,而且可以用于指导疾病的预防和治疗.     

Expression of Putative Stem Cell Marker,Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 Alpha,in Mammary Gland of Water Buffalo

Buffaloes account for more than 56% of total milk production in India. Cyclic remodeling of mammary glands of human, mice, cow, sheep, and goat is determined by mammary stem cells. It is logical to assume that buffalo mammary gland will have mammary stem/progenitor cells. Thus far, no report exists on identification of buffalo mammary stem cells. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4A) is a candidate marker for hepatic progenitor cells and has recently been suggested as a marker of bovine mammary stem/progenitor cells. We hypothesized that (1 Pasha TN, Hayat Z. Present situation and future perspective of buffalo production in Asia. J Anim Plant Sci 2012; 22(3 supple.):250–256. [Google Scholar]) HNF4A identifies putative buffalo mammary stem/progenitor cells and (2 NDDB. National Dairy Development Board. 2015. http://www.nddb.org/English/Statistics/Pages/Milk-Production.aspx. Accessed May 10, 2015. [Google Scholar]) the number of HNF4A-positive cells increases during mastitis. Sixteen buffalo mammary samples were collected from a local slaughterhouse. Hematoxylin and eosin staining were performed on 5-micron thick sections and on the basis of gross examination and histomorphology of the mammary glands, physiological stages of the animals were estimated as non-lactating (n = 4), mastitis (n = 9), and prepubertal (n = 3). In total, 24048 cells were counted (5–10 microscopic fields/animal; n = 16 animals) of which, 40% cells were mammary epithelial cells (MEC) and 60% cells were the stromal cells. The percentage of MEC in non-lactating animals was higher compared to mastitic animals (47.3% vs. 37.3%), which was likely due to loss of MEC in mastitis. HNF4A staining was observed in nuclei of MEC of ducts, alveoli, and stromal cells. Basal location and low frequency of HNF4A-positive MEC (ranges from 0.4–4.5%) were consistent with stem cell characteristics. Preliminary study showed coexpression of HNF4A with MSI1 (a mammary stem cell marker in sheep), suggesting HNF4A was likely to be a putative mammary stem/progenitor cell marker in buffalo. HNF4A-positive MEC (basal and luminal; light and dark stained) tended to be higher in non-lactating than the mastitic animals (8.73 ± 1.71% vs. 4.29 ± 1.19%; P = 0.07). The first hypothesis that HNF4A identify putative mammary stem/progenitor cells was confirmed but the second hypothesis that the number of mammary stem/progenitor cells decreases during mastitis was unsupported. This is the first report outlining the expression of HNF4A and identification of putative mammary stem/progenitor cells in buffalo mammary gland.     

活体生物发光与荧光成像技术在干细胞研究中的应用

活体生物发光与荧光成像技术是近年发展起来的新兴技术,以其操作简便、灵敏度高、创伤性小在生命科学研究中有着较大的优势,目前已被广泛应用于基因标记、细胞凋亡、免疫细胞研究、肿瘤转移等诸多领域,尤其在新兴的干细胞研究方面更是发挥着不可替代的作用。综述了活体生物发光与荧光成像技术的原理、优势、应用范围及发展前景,特别对近年来该技术在胚胎干细胞的肝向分化、人造血干细胞重建小鼠造血系统、神经祖细胞治疗中枢神经系统肿瘤等方面的应用做了详细介绍。