{"title":"Integration of mechanical and ECM microenvironment signals in the determination of cancer stem cell states.","authors":"Tiina A Jokela, Mark A LaBarge","doi":"10.1007/s40778-020-00182-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40778-020-00182-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are increasingly understood to play a central role in tumor progression. Growing evidence implicates tumor microenvironments as a source of signals that regulate or even impose CSC states on tumor cells. This review explores points of integration for microenvironment-derived signals that are thought to regulate CSCs in carcinomas.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>CSC states are directly regulated by the mechanical properties and extra cellular matrix (ECM) composition of tumor microenvironments that promote CSC growth and survival, which may explain some modes of therapeutic resistance. CSCs sense mechanical forces and ECM composition through integrins and other cell surface receptors, which then activate a number of intracellular signaling pathways. The relevant signaling events are dynamic and context-dependent.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>CSCs are thought to drive cancer metastases and therapeutic resistance. Cells that are in CSC states and more differentiated states appear to be reversible and conditional upon the components of the tumor microenvironment. Signals imposed by tumor microenvironment are of a combinatorial nature, ultimately representing the integration of multiple physical and chemical signals. Comprehensive understanding of the tumor microenvironment-imposed signaling that maintains cells in CSC states may guide future therapeutic interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":37444,"journal":{"name":"Current Stem Cell Reports","volume":"7 ","pages":"39-47"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2021-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1007/s40778-020-00182-2","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25525564","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Christopher S Mallery, Maira Carrillo, Ariel Mei, Ana Correia-Branco, Olga Kashpur, Mary C Wallingford
{"title":"Cellular Complexity of Hemochorial Placenta: Stem Cell Populations, Insights from scRNA-seq, and SARS-CoV-2 Susceptibility.","authors":"Christopher S Mallery, Maira Carrillo, Ariel Mei, Ana Correia-Branco, Olga Kashpur, Mary C Wallingford","doi":"10.1007/s40778-021-00194-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40778-021-00194-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>The placenta is a transient organ that forms de novo and serves a critical role in supporting fetal growth and development. Placental oxygen, nutrients, and waste are transported through processes that depend on vascular structure and cell type-specific expression and localization of membrane transporters. Understanding how the placenta develops holds great significance for maternal-fetal medicine. The purpose of this review is to examine current information regarding placental progenitor populations.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent advancements in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) provide unprecedented depth for the investigation of cell type-specific gene expression patterns in the placenta. Thus far, several mouse placenta scRNA-seq studies have been conducted which produced and analyzed transcriptomes of placental progenitors and cells of the fully developed placenta between embryonic day (E) 7.0 and E12.5. Together with human placenta scRNA-seq data which, in part, has been produced through coordinated research campaigns in the scientific community to understand the potential for SARS-CoV-2 infection, these mammalian studies lend fundamental insight into the cellular and molecular composition of hemochorial placentae found in both mouse and human.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Single-cell placenta research has advanced understanding of tissue-resident stem cells and molecules that are poised to support maternal-fetal communication and nutrient transport. Herein, we provide context for these recent findings by reviewing placental anatomy and cell populations, and discuss recent scRNA-seq mouse placenta findings. Further research is needed to evaluate the utility of placental stem cells in the development of new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of wound healing and disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":37444,"journal":{"name":"Current Stem Cell Reports","volume":"7 4","pages":"185-193"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8527817/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10612494","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pradeep Ramalingam, Jason M Butler, Michael G Poulos
{"title":"Vascular Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Homeostasis, Regeneration, and Aging.","authors":"Pradeep Ramalingam, Jason M Butler, Michael G Poulos","doi":"10.1007/s40778-021-00198-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40778-021-00198-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) sit at the top of the hierarchy that meets the daily burden of blood production. HSC maintenance relies on extrinsic cues from the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment to balance stem cell self-renewal and cell fate decisions. In this brief review, we will highlight the studies and model systems that define the centralized role of BM vascular endothelium in modulating HSC activity in health and stress.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>The BM microenvironment is composed of a diverse array of intimately associated vascular and perivascular cell types. Recent dynamic imaging studies, coupled with single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and functional readouts, have advanced our understanding of the HSC-supportive cell types and their cooperative mechanisms that govern stem cell fate during homeostasis, regeneration, and aging. These findings have established complex and discrete vascular microenvironments within the BM that express overlapping and unique paracrine signals that modulate HSC fate.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Understanding the spatial and reciprocal HSC-niche interactions and the molecular mechanisms that govern HSC activity in the BM vascular microenvironment will be integral in developing therapies aimed at ameliorating hematological disease and supporting healthy hematopoietic output.</p>","PeriodicalId":37444,"journal":{"name":"Current Stem Cell Reports","volume":" ","pages":"194-203"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8639543/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39572486","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mayuri Bandekar, Dharmendra K Maurya, Deepak Sharma, Santosh K Sandur
{"title":"Preclinical Studies and Clinical Prospects of Wharton's Jelly-Derived MSC for Treatment of Acute Radiation Syndrome.","authors":"Mayuri Bandekar, Dharmendra K Maurya, Deepak Sharma, Santosh K Sandur","doi":"10.1007/s40778-021-00188-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40778-021-00188-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) have received widespread attention from researchers owing to the remarkable benefits offered by these cells over other stem cells. The primitive nature of WJ-MSCs, ease of isolation, differentiation ability, and immuno-modulatory nature make these cells superior to bone marrow MSCs and ideal to treat various human ailments. This review explores ability of WJ-MSCs to mitigate acute radiation syndrome caused by planned or unplanned radiation exposure.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent reports suggest that WJ-MSCs home to damaged tissues in irradiated host and mitigate radiation induced damage to radiosensitive tissues such as hematopoietic and gastrointestinal systems. WJ-MSCs and conditioned media were found to protect mice from radiation induced mortality and also prevent radiation dermatitis. Local irradiation-induced lung toxicity in mice was significantly reduced by CXCR4 over-expressing WJ-MSCs.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Emerging evidences support safety and effectiveness of WJ-MSCs for treatment of acute radiation syndrome and lung injury after planned or accidental exposure. Additionally, conditioned media collected after culturing WJ-MSCs can also be used for mitigation of radiation dermatitis. Clinical translation of these findings would be possible after careful evaluation of resilience, effectiveness, and molecular mechanism of action of xenogeneic WJ-MSCs in non-human primates.</p>","PeriodicalId":37444,"journal":{"name":"Current Stem Cell Reports","volume":"7 2","pages":"85-94"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1007/s40778-021-00188-4","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38940648","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Sensing Stemness.","authors":"Teresa V Bowman, Eirini Trompouki","doi":"10.1007/s40778-021-00201-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40778-021-00201-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are formed embryonically during a dynamic developmental process and later reside in adult hematopoietic organs in a quiescent state. In response to their changing environment, HSCs have evolved diverse mechanisms to cope with intrinsic and extrinsic challenges. This review intends to discuss how HSCs and other stem cells co-opted DNA and RNA innate immune pathways to fine-tune developmental processes.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Innate immune receptors for nucleic acids like the RIG-I-like family receptors and members of DNA sensing pathways are expressed in HSCs and other stem cells. Even though the \"classic\" role of these receptors is recognition of foreign DNA or RNA from pathogens, it was recently shown that cellular transposable element (TE) RNA or R-loops activate such receptors, serving as endogenous triggers of inflammatory signaling that can shape HSC formation during development and regeneration.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Endogenous TEs and R-loops activate RNA and DNA sensors, which trigger distinct inflammatory signals to fine-tune stem cell decisions. This phenomenon could have broad implications for diverse somatic stem cells, for a variety of diseases and during aging.</p>","PeriodicalId":37444,"journal":{"name":"Current Stem Cell Reports","volume":" ","pages":"219-228"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8639566/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39572487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anindya Dasgupta, Kristen Herzegh, H Trent Spencer, Christopher Doering, Eric Day, William P Swaney
{"title":"Regulatory Framework for Academic Investigator-Sponsored Investigational New Drug Development of Cell and Gene Therapies in the USA.","authors":"Anindya Dasgupta, Kristen Herzegh, H Trent Spencer, Christopher Doering, Eric Day, William P Swaney","doi":"10.1007/s40778-021-00196-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40778-021-00196-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>The promise of cell and gene therapy (CGT) products for a multitude of diseases has revitalized investigators to advance novel CGT product candidates to first-in-human trials by pursuing the investigational new drug (IND) mechanism administered by the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This review is intended to familiarize academic investigators with the IND governing regulations set forth by the FDA.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>CGT products are extraordinarily complex biologics and, therefore, early-stage evaluation programs must be customized to satisfactorily address their unique developmental challenges. The US FDA continues to foster the development of transformational technology that will facilitate the broad application of safe and effective gene therapy products that have the potential to alleviate many conditions previously out of reach of therapeutic intervention. FDA is committed to working with the scientific community and industry to facilitate the availability of these treatments to patients.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>The pathway to meet regulatory compliance during early stage IND programs can be daunting to academic investigators interested in CGT product development that typically don't progress beyond phase 1/2. However, by keeping abreast of current regulatory framework and building upon FDA's supportive infrastructure, an investigator can be well-positioned to advance innovative scientific discoveries towards early stage clinical assessments.</p>","PeriodicalId":37444,"journal":{"name":"Current Stem Cell Reports","volume":" ","pages":"129-139"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8483165/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39509894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The role of RNA epigenetic modification in normal and malignant hematopoiesis.","authors":"Radovan Vasic, Yimeng Gao, Chengyang Liu, Stephanie Halene","doi":"10.1007/s40778-020-00178-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40778-020-00178-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>RNA epigenetic modifications have been identified as novel, dynamic regulators of gene expression, with important impacts on stem cell fate decisions. Here we examine the functions of RNA modifications, with a focus on <i>N</i> <sup>6</sup>-methyladenosine (m<sup>6</sup>A), in hematopoietic stem cells under normal conditions and in malignancy.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>The m<sup>6</sup>A RNA modification is a critical regulator of hematopoiesis. Disruption of different elements of the m<sup>6</sup>A machinery can skew the balance of self-renewal and differentiation in normal hematopoietic stem cells. The m<sup>6</sup>A reader, writer, and eraser proteins are also overexpressed in myeloid leukemia, and disruption of their function impairs leukemogenesis. RNA m<sup>6</sup>A modification governs important aspects of immune system function, including immune cell development, immune signaling, and recognition of RNA as foreign or self. In hematopoietic stem cells, endogenously-derived double stranded RNA can form in the absence of m<sup>6</sup>A, inducing deleterious inflammatory pathways which compromise stem cell function.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>The RNA modification m<sup>6</sup>A exerts a variety of functions in normal hematopoietic stem cells as well as leukemic cells. Pharmacologic modulation of different elements of the m<sup>6</sup>A machinery provides a promising avenue for <i>ex vivo</i> expansion of hematopoietic stem cells in the transplant setting, as well as for leukemia therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":37444,"journal":{"name":"Current Stem Cell Reports","volume":"6 4","pages":"144-155"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2020-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7992056/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25525563","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Stem Cell Metabolism and Diet.","authors":"Marine Barthez, Zehan Song, Chih Ling Wang, Danica Chen","doi":"10.1007/s40778-020-00180-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40778-020-00180-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Diet has profound impacts on health and longevity. Evidence is emerging to suggest that diet impinges upon the metabolic pathways in tissue-specific stem cells to influence health and disease. Here, we review the similarities and differences in the metabolism of stem cells from several tissues, and highlight the mitochondrial metabolic checkpoint in stem cell maintenance and aging. We discuss how diet engages the nutrient sensing metabolic pathways and impacts stem cell maintenance. Finally, we explore the therapeutic implications of dietary and metabolic regulation of stem cells.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Stem Cell transition from quiescence to proliferation is associated with a metabolic switch from glycolysis to mitochondrial OXPHOS and the mitochondrial metabolic checkpoint is critically controlled by the nutrient sensors SIRT2, SIRT3, and SIRT7 in hematopoietic stem cells. Intestine stem cell homeostasis during aging and in response to diet is critically dependent on fatty acid metabolism and ketone bodies and is influenced by the niche mediated by the nutrient sensor mTOR.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Nutrient sensing metabolic pathways critically regulate stem cell maintenance during aging and in response to diet. Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying dietary and metabolic regulation of stem cells provides novel insights for stem cell biology and may be targeted therapeutically to reverse stem cell aging and tissue degeneration.</p>","PeriodicalId":37444,"journal":{"name":"Current Stem Cell Reports","volume":"6 4","pages":"119-125"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2020-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7992378/pdf/nihms-1641673.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25525562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Huajun Han, Arul Jayaraman, Stephen Safe, Robert S Chapkin
{"title":"Targeting the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in stem cells to improve the use of food as medicine.","authors":"Huajun Han, Arul Jayaraman, Stephen Safe, Robert S Chapkin","doi":"10.1007/s40778-020-00184-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40778-020-00184-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Intestinal stem cells, the most rapidly proliferating adult stem cells, are exquisitely sensitive to extrinsic dietary factors. Uncontrolled regulation of intestinal stem cells is closely linked to colon tumorigenesis. This review focuses on how dietary and microbial derived cues regulate intestinal stem cell functionality and colon tumorigenesis in mouse models by targeting the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR).</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>AhR, a ligand activated transcription factor, can integrate environmental, dietary and microbial cues to modulate intestinal stem cell proliferation, differentiation and their microenvironment, affecting colon cancer risk. Modulation of AhR activity is associated with many chronic diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases where AhR expression is protective.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>AhR signaling controls the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells, influences local niche factors, and plays a protective role in colon tumorigenesis. Mounting evidence suggests that extrinsic nutritional/dietary cues which modulate AhR signaling may be a promising approach to colon cancer chemoprevention.</p>","PeriodicalId":37444,"journal":{"name":"Current Stem Cell Reports","volume":"6 4","pages":"109-118"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2020-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1007/s40778-020-00184-0","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39313286","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}