The effect of clinical-grade retinal pigment epithelium derived from human embryonic stem cells using different transplantation strategies

Dear Editor, Many forms of sight-threatening diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), are caused by the dysfunction, degeneration and loss of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)(Strauss, 2005). RPE cell transplantation may potentially recover or halt disease progression, in which human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) could serve as an unlimited donor source for RPE differentiation, and a few clinical trials have shown the safety and effective of transplantation of hESCs-derived RPE (hESC-RPE) for AMD patients (Schwartz et al., 2012;Schwartz etal., 2015;Song etal., 2015;da Cruz et al., 2018;Kashani et al., 2018;Liu et al., 2018).     

Design of high performance nanozymes: a single-atom strategy

<正>Nanozymes, nanomaterials with enzyme-like characteristics,are emerging as novel artificial enzymes (Gao et al., 2007;Manea et al., 2004; Yan, 2018). They are superior to natural enzymes in many ways, such as higher stability, lower cost in preparation, and better robustness toward harsh environments (Wei and Wang, 2013). Various nanomaterials (e.g.,     

Generation of marker-free transgenic rice using CRISPR/Cas9 system controlled by ?oral speci?c promoters

Recently, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has been used as a powerful tool for genome editing in many species (Jinek et al., 2012;Cong et al., 2013;Wright et al., 2016;Li et al., 2017;Deng et al., 2018). The CR1SPR/Cas9 system can not only be used as a useful technology to disrupt endogenous genes but also expand numerous other applications, such as precise base editing (Komor et al., 2016;Zong et al., 2017), regulation of gene expression (Gilbert et al., 2013), and gene replacement or insertion (Wang et al., 2017).     

Engrafted newborn neurons could functionally integrate into the host neuronal network

The limited capability to regenerate new neurons following injuries of the central neural system (CNS) still remains a major challenge for basic and clinical neuroscience.Neural stem cells (NSCs) could nearly have the potential to differentiate into all kinds of neural cells in vitro.Previous studies verified that exogenous transplanted NSCs are capable of differentiating into neurons and projecting onto the host neurons in the rat brain (Tabar et al.,2005;Dong JR et al.,2012),which could lead to behavioral recovery from neuronal damages such as spinal cord injury (McDonald et al.,1999),Parkinson's disease (Gonzalez et al.,2015;Kim et al.,2002;Lindvall,2001),and stroke (Zhang et al.,2016).     

Mutations in TP53, ZNF750, and RB1 typify ocular sebaceous carcinoma

<正>Sebaceous carcinoma(SC) of the eyelid is a rare but aggressive malignancy, accounting for 3%e5% of eyelid malignancies in the United States, and up to 35% in Asian populations(Deprez and Uffer, 2009; Xu et al., 2018; Yu et al., 2018). It is frequently mistaken for benign conditions or less aggressive malignancies such as basal cell carcinoma(Muqit et al., 2013), and the effects of delay in diagnosis can be devastating to patients. Aggressive surgical resection is the primary treatment of these tumors and often involves orbital     

From herbal small RNAs to one medicine

<正>In this special topic "Herbal small RNAs, novel precision medicine from Mother Nature", we present four original articles that study the entry of small RNAs derived from herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine into mammalian cells and their function within human and mouse cells, and one review paper focusing on current trends in herb genomics (Du et al., 2017; Huang et al., 2018; Zhang et al., 2018;Li et al., 2019; Xin et al., 2018).     

PIK-75 promotes homology-directed DNA repair

Homo!ogy-directed repair(HDR)is one of two major DNA repair pathways to mend the double-strand breaks(DSBs)formed in the genome(Liang et al.,1998;Pardo et al.,2009).Although less efficient compared with another DNA repair pathway,nonhomologous end joining(NHEJ),HDR is a type of precise repair to restore DNA damage and sustain genomic stability(Pardo et al.,2009;Ceccaldi et al.,2016).By contrast,NHEJ usually introduces mutations into the repaired site,thus probably harming the genomic integrity(Lieber et al.,2003).The error-free property enables HDR to be harnessed to correct a faulty mutation for therapeutic purpose in cells or in the body(Wu et al.,2013).In add让ion,HDR possesses great potential in the generation of genome-edited animals with precise genetic modifications,such as point mutation,DNA replacement,and DNA insertion in a specific genomic site(Wang et al.,2013).However,the low repair frequency mediated by HDR significantly limits让s application for efficient gene correction or establishment of various genetically modified animal models.Currently,multiple site-specific endonucleases have emerged as highly efficient tools to create targeted DSBs and markedly promote subsequent DNA repair either via HDR or NHEJ(Gaj et al.,2013).Nonetheless,the HDR-mediated modifications following the cleavage of engineering nucleases are still inefficient,usually with an efficiency less than 20%in cultured mammalian cells and embryos(Mali et al..2013;Wang et al.,2013;Yang et al.,2013).     

Oxidative eustress: the physiological role of oxidants

<正>The perception of a pivotal role of reactive oxygen species(ROS)(Sies et al., 2022), reactive nitrogen species(RNS)and electrophiles(Parvez et al., 2018) in cell biology and physiology has gained widespread acceptance. In recent years, evidence for an important role of reactive sulfur species(RSS) has accumulated as well(Cirino et al., 2023).     

SOCS-3 contributes to bisphenol a exposure-induced insulin resistance in hepatocytes

<正>Dear Editor,Bisphenol A (BPA), a common and widely used monomer in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resin,(Healy et al., 2015; De Filippis et al., 2018) has been defined as an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) associated with the etiology of insulin resistance (IR)(Gioiosa et al., 2015;Wei et al., 2017) and metabolic disorders (Padmanabhan et al., 2010; Fang et al., 2015; Balistrieri et al., 2018). However,     

Nanoscale storage encryption: data storage in synthetic DNA using a cryptosystem with a neural network

<正>Dear Editor,Synthetic DNA is emerging as a new data storage medium with high density and durable preservation capability potential(Ceze et al., 2019; Yazdi et al., 2015), thus enhancing the security of data stored in DNA is particularly important(Cherian et al., 2013; El-Zoghabi et al., 2013; Kalsi et al.,2018).     

Asthma-associated polymorphisms in 17q12-21 locus modulate methylation and gene expression of GSDMA in naive CD4~+ T cells

正The 17q12-21 locus harboring ORMDL sphingolipid biosynthesis regulator 3 (ORMDL3) and Gasdermin B (GSDMB) genes exhibits one of the most significant and replicated associations with asthma[MIM:600807](Stein et al.,2018).Several studies explored the complex interactions between SNPs,gene expression and epigenetic modifications at this locus,primarily focusing on the levels of expressed ORMDL3 and GSDMB (Stein et al.,2018).Given that DNA methylation and gene expression signals are cell-type specific(Reinius et al.,2012),isolated materials such as lymphocytes from blood and,to a lesser extent,bronchial epithelial cells from biopsies of bronchi or bronchoalveolar lavages have been used in a number of studies to investigate such interactions (Stein et al.,2018).None     

Resident endothelial cells generate hepatocytes through cell fusion in adult mouse liver

正Unravelling lineage plasticity and cellular contribution to hepatocytes provides valuable information for understanding sources that fuel homeostatic renewal of the liver(Miyajima et al.,2014).In the adult stage,hepatocytes are mainly self-renewed through cell division(Schaub et al.,2014;Tarlow et al.,2014;Yanger et al.,2014).Under severe injury or when hepatocyte proliferation is significantly impaired,cholangiocytes or biliary epithelial cells contribute to hepatocytes(Raven et al.,2017;Deng et al.,2018).It     

HIV encephalopathy is contributed by macrophages and microglia

<正>Dear Editor,Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS), characterized by a significant decrease in the number of CD4+T cells,causes a defective T cell immune response, which subsequently leads to various conditional pathogenic infections and tumors(Calmy et al., 2018; Seligmann et al., 1987). Neurological disorders have been reported in 70%–80% of patients with AIDS(Saylor et al., 2016),     

Structure-activity relationship optimization for lassa virus fusion inhibitors targeting the transmembrane domain of GP2

Dear Editor,Lassa virus(LASV)belongs to the Mammarenavirus genus,Arenaviridae family.Arenaviruses are classified into two main groups-Old World(OW)and New World(NW)-based on virus genetics,serology,antigenic properties and geographical relationships.The OW LASV and Lujo virus(LUJV),as well as NW Jurn'n virus(JUNV),Machupo virus(MACV),Guanarito virus(GTOV),Sabia virus(SABV)and Chapare virus(CHAPV),are known to cause severe hemorrhagic fever and are listed as biosafety level 4(BSL-4)agents.The arenavirus glycoprotein complex(GPC)contains three subunits-the retained stable-signal peptide(SSP),the receptor-binding subunit GP1,and the membrane fusion subunit GP2(Lenz et al.,2001).Notably,the proximate external membrane region and TM of GP2,together with the ectodomain loop and TMs of SSP,form an SSP-GP2 interface,playing essential roles in regulating membrane fusion,and providing targets for distinct fusion inhibitors(Larson et al.,2008;Lee et al.,2008;York et al.,2008;York and Nunberg,2009;Thomas et al.,2011;Burgeson et al.,2013a;Shankar et al.,2016;Wang et al.,2016;Wang et al.,2018).Among these inhibitors,ST-161 is LASV specific(Burgeson et al.,2013a).In this study,we conducted structure-activity relationship(SAR)optimization of ST-161.As a result,21 derivatives with IC50 values<1 pmol/L are presented in Table S1.Hit compounds 21,29 and 57 exhibiting robust inhibition of the LASV pseudotype virus(LASVpv,VSV backbone enveloped by LASV GPC with single cycle infection)entry with IC50 values lower than 0.2 nmol/L(Figs.1A and S1),as well as hit compound 72 with an ester bond instead of acylhydrazone,were further investigated.To test whether the four hit compounds inhibit LASV entry by blocking the GPC-mediated membrane fusion,the inhibition effects of these compounds against LASV GPC mediated fusion were quantitatively determined by dual-luciferase assay(Thomas et al.,2011;Wang et al.,2018).     

Strengthening the functional research on the interaction between host genes and microbiota

正In recent years, many studies have focused on the interaction between host genes and microbiota and their mutual influence (Bonder et al., 2016; Goodrich et al., 2014; Rothschild et al., 2018; Wang et al., 2016; Zhang et al., 2019). Host genetic variation influences the composition of the microbial community, for instance in inflammatory bowel disease, host genetic susceptibilities induce pathological shifts in micro-     

Unlimited source of human microglia inspiring physiopathological and translational studies of the central nervous system

<正>The retinal organoid is a vital model for studying retinal development and related diseases, especially for the human retina(Jin et al., 2019). The retina constitutes an integral part of the central nervous system(CNS) and originates from neuroectodermal cells during organogenesis. Subsequently,ectodermal cells are typically used for induction and differentiation in the retinal organoid-related studies(Eiraku et al.,     

Bmelo12, an elongase of very long-chain fatty acids gene,regulates silk yield in Bombyx mori

<正>In silkworm, cocoon shell weight (CSW), an index of silk yield, is a quantitative trait (Nagaraju and Goldsmith, 2002), and multiple quantitative trait loci (QTLs) located on different chromosomes have been found(Zhan et al., 2009; Zhang et al., 2010; Li et al., 2015; Fang et al., 2020).     

A Truncated F-Box Protein Confers the Dwarfism in Cucumber

正Dwarfism is an important plant architecture trait in crop breeding(Peng et al.,1999;Sasaki el al.,2002).In cucurbits.the compact plant type was proposed to develop new varieties for the once-over mechanical harvest for concentrated fruit set and higher densities(Li et al.,2011;Mondal et al.,2011).Several recessive genes in cucurbits have been reported to confer the phenotype of short internodes or bushy plant habits,such as compact,cp-2,and dw in cucumber(Cucumis sativus