Current Issue : July - September Volume : 2016 Issue Number : 3 Articles : 4 Articles
Epigenetic events, including covalent histone modifications and DNA methylation, play fundamental roles in the determination of\nlineage-specific gene expression and cell fates.The aim of this study was to determine whether the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor\n(DNMTi) 5-aza-2...
Bone tissue engineering is the most promising technology for enhancing bone regeneration. Scaffolds loaded with osteogenic\nfactors improve the therapeutic effect. In this study, the bioactive PEI (polyethylenimine)/pBMP2- (bone morphogenetic protein-\n2 plasmid-) PLGA (poly(D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid)) core-shell scaffolds were prepared using coaxial electrospinning for a\ncontrolled gene delivery to hPDLSCs (human periodontal ligament stem cells). The pBMP2 was encapsulated in the PEI phase as\na core and PLGA was employed to control pBMP2 release as a shell. First, the scaffold characterization and mechanical properties\nwere evaluated. Then the gene release behavior was analyzed. Our results showed that pBMP2 was released at high levels in the first\nfew days, with a continuous release behavior in the next 28 days. At the same time, PEI/pBMP2 showed high transfection efficiency.\nMoreover, the core-shell electrospun scaffold showed BMP2 expression for a much longer time (more than 28 days) compared\nwith the single axial electrospun scaffold, as evaluated by qRT-PCR and western blot after culturing with hPDLSCs. These results\nsuggested that the core-shell PEI/pBMP2-PLGA scaffold fabricated by coaxial electrospinning had a good gene release behavior\nand showed a prolonged expression time with a high transfection efficiency....
Stem cell-derived neurons from various source materials present unique model systems to examine the fundamental properties\nof central nervous system (CNS) development as well as the molecular underpinnings of disease phenotypes. In order to more\naccurately assess potential therapies for neurological disorders, multiple strategies have been employed in recent years to produce\nneuronal populations that accurately represent in vivo regional and transmitter phenotypes. These include new technologies such as\ndirect conversion of somatic cell types into neurons and glia which may accelerate maturation and retain genetic hallmarks of aging.\nIn addition, novel forms of genetic manipulations have brought human stem cells nearly on par with those of rodent with respect\nto gene targeting. For neurons of the CNS, the ultimate phenotypic characterization lies with their ability to recapitulate functional\nproperties such as passive and active membrane characteristics, synaptic activity, and plasticity. These features critically depend\non the coordinated expression and localization of hundreds of ion channels and receptors, as well as scaffolding and signaling\nmolecules. In this review I will highlight the current state of knowledge regarding functional properties of human stem cell-derived\nneurons, with a primary focus on pluripotent stem cells. While significant advances have been made, critical hurdles must be\novercome in order for this technology to support progression toward clinical applications....
Introduction. Xeroderma pigmentosum group C (XPC), essential component ofmultisubunit stem cell coactivator complex (SCC),\nfunctions as the critical factor modulating pluripotency and genome integrity through interaction with Oct-4/Sox2. However, its\nspecific role in regulating pluripotency and multilineage differentiation of human dental pulp cells (DPCs) remains unknown.\nMethods. To elucidate the functional role XPC played in pluripotency andmultilineage differentiation of DPCs, expressions of XPC\ninDPCs with long-term culture were examined by real-time PCR and western blot.DPCs were transfected with lentiviral-mediated\nhuman XPC gene; then transfection rate was investigated by real-time PCR and western blot. Cell cycle, apoptosis, proliferation,\nsenescence, multilineage differentiation, and expression of Oct-4/Sox2/c-Myc in transfected DPCs were examined. Results. XPC,\nOct-4, Sox2, and c-Myc were downregulated at P7 compared with P3 in DPCs with long-term culture. XPC genes were upregulated\nin DPCs at P2 after transfection and maintained high expression level at P3 and P7. Cell proliferation, PI value, and telomerase\nactivity were enhanced, whereas apoptosis was suppressed in transfected DPCs. Oct-4/Sox2/c-Myc were significantly upregulated,\nand multilineage differentiation in DPCs with XPC overexpression was enhanced after transfection. Conclusions. XPC plays an\nessential role in themodulation of pluripotency andmultilineage differentiation of DPCs through regulation of Oct-4/Sox2/c-Myc....
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