Immortalization with telomerase of the Nestin-positive cells of the human pancreas

Cells expressing the neuronal stem cell marker Nestin are present in the human pancreas but the biological role of these cells has yet to be resolved. We report here the establishment with the catalytic subunit of human telomerase (hTERT) of a line of normal human cells representing this cell type. Primary human cells derived from the ducts of the pancreas were transduced with an hTERT cDNA. The infected cells became positive for telomerase, failed to senesce, and were still proliferating after more than 150 doublings. The immortalized cells were positive for the expression of Nestin (at both the mRNA and protein levels) and were found to be free of cancer-associated changes: diploid and expressing wild type p16(INK4a), p53, and K-Ras. An established line of normal human cells representing this cell type should be of great value to help define the biological properties of this novel cell type.     

Biotechnological challenges of bioartificial kidney engineering

With the world-wide increase of patients with renal failure, the development of functional renal replacement therapies have gained significant interest and novel technologies are rapidly evolving. Currently used renal replacement therapies insufficiently remove accumulating waste products, resulting in the uremic syndrome. A more preferred treatment option is kidney transplantation, but the shortage of donor organs and the increasing number of patients waiting for a transplant warrant the development of novel technologies. The bioartificial kidney (BAK) is such promising biotechnological approach to replace essential renal functions together with the active secretion of waste products. The development of the BAK requires a multidisciplinary approach and evolves at the intersection of regenerative medicine and renal replacement therapy. Here we provide a concise review embracing a compact historical overview of bioartificial kidney development and highlighting the current state-of-the-art, including implementation of living-membranes and the relevance of extracellular matrices. We focus further on the choice of relevant renal epithelial cell lines versus the use of stem cells and co-cultures that need to be implemented in a suitable device. Moreover, the future of the BAK in regenerative nephrology is discussed.     

Synthesis and evaluation of biphenyl derivatives as potential downregulators of VEGF protein secretion and telomerase-related gene expressions

A group of 47 biphenyl functionalized compounds, prepared by means of Suzuki couplings, has been investigated for their cytotoxicity on two tumoral cell lines (HT-29 and MCF-7) and one non tumoral cell line (HEK-293). 29 selected compounds have been investigated for their ability to inhibit the production of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Subsequently, the capacity of the compounds to downregulate the expression of the VEGF, h-TERT and c-Myc genes, the two latter involved in the control of the activation of telomerase, has also been determined.     

GSRd 对人脑胶质瘤U251 细胞端粒酶活性和hTERT表达的影响

目的:探索人参苷皂Rd对人脑胶质瘤的作用。方法:人脑胶质瘤U251细胞系细胞培养,不同浓度的人参皂苷Rd处理观察细胞形态、测定端粒酶活性以及h TERT表达水平。结果:随着GSRd浓度的升高,U251细胞的生长被明显抑制,出现了细胞凋亡和凋亡小体的现象;在经GSRd处理后U251细胞的端粒酶活性,对照组和溶媒组类似,而GSRd药物处理24 h后,细胞端粒酶活性显著降低,其中20μg/L组端粒酶活性降低极显著,P0.01,40μg/L和80μg/L组端粒酶活性显著降低,P0.05。GSRd药物处理48 h后,细胞端粒酶在20、40、80μg/L处理后,端粒酶活性降低极显著,P0.01;20μg/L、40μg/L和80μg/L的GSRd处理细胞后,相比于对照和溶媒组,h TERT基因表达水平显著降低。结论:人参皂苷Rd能够促进人脑胶质瘤U251细胞凋亡,对于临床治疗脑胶质瘤有重要的意义。     

Endoplasmic reticulum stress activates telomerase

Telomerase contributes to cell proliferation and survival through both telomere‐dependent and telomere‐independent mechanisms. In this report, we discovered that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress transiently activates the catalytic components of telomerase (TERT) expression in human cancer cell lines and murine primary neural cells. Importantly, we show that depletion of hTERT sensitizes cells to undergo apoptosis under ER stress, whereas increased hTERT expression reduces ER stress‐induced cell death independent of catalytically active enzyme or DNA damage signaling. Our findings establish a functional link between ER stress and telomerase, both of which have important implications in the pathologies associated with aging and cancer.