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":"https://doi.org/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":1.4,"publicationDate":"2020-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1007/s40778-020-00178-y","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}
Raghavan Chinnadurai, Matthew H Forsberg, John A Kink, Peiman Hematti, Christian M Capitini
{"title":"Use of MSCs and MSC-educated macrophages to mitigate hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome.","authors":"Raghavan Chinnadurai, Matthew H Forsberg, John A Kink, Peiman Hematti, Christian M Capitini","doi":"10.1007/s40778-020-00176-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40778-020-00176-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Innovative and minimally toxic treatment approaches are sorely needed for the prevention and treatment of hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome (H-ARS). Cell therapies have been increasingly studied for their potential use as countermeasures for accidental and intentional ionizing radiation exposures which can lead to fatal ARS. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are a cell therapy that have shown promising results in preclinical studies of ARS, and are being developed in clinical trials specifically for H-ARS. MSCs, MSC-educated macrophages (MEMs) and MSC-exosome educated macrophages (EEMs) all have the potential to be used as adoptive cell therapies for H-ARS. Here we review how MSCs have been reported to mitigate inflammation from radiation injury while also stimulating hematopoiesis during ARS.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>We discuss emerging work with immune cell subsets educated by MSCs, including MEMs and EEMs, in promoting hematopoiesis in xenogeneic models of ARS. We also discuss the first placental-derived MSC product to enter phase I trials, PLX-R18, and the challenges faced by bringing MSC and other cell therapies into the clinic for treating ARS.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Although MSCs, MEMs and EEMs are potential cell therapy candidates in promoting hematopoietic HRS, challenges persist in translational clinical development of these products to the clinic. Whether any of these cellular therapies will be sufficient as stand-alone therapies to mitigate H-ARS or if they will be a bridging therapy that insures survival until a curative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant can be performed are the key questions that will have to be answered.</p>","PeriodicalId":37444,"journal":{"name":"Current Stem Cell Reports","volume":"6 3","pages":"77-85"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2020-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1007/s40778-020-00176-0","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38392151","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}
Arun Pradhan, Tanya V Kalin, Vladimir V Kalinichenko
{"title":"Genome Editing for Rare Diseases.","authors":"Arun Pradhan, Tanya V Kalin, Vladimir V Kalinichenko","doi":"10.1007/s40778-020-00175-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s40778-020-00175-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of the review: </strong>Significant numbers of patients worldwide are affected by various rare diseases, but the effective treatment options to these individuals are limited. Rare diseases remain underfunded compared to more common diseases, leading to significant delays in research progress and ultimately, to finding an effective cure. Here, we review the use of genome-editing tools to understand the pathogenesis of rare diseases and develop additional therapeutic approaches with a high degree of precision.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Several genome-editing approaches, including CRISPR/Cas9, TALEN and ZFN, have been used to generate animal models of rare diseases, understand the disease pathogenesis, correct pathogenic mutations in patient-derived somatic cells and iPSCs, and develop new therapies for rare diseases. The CRISPR/Cas9 system stands out as the most extensively used method for genome editing due to its relative simplicity and superior efficiency compared to TALEN and ZFN. CRISPR/Cas9 is emerging as a feasible gene-editing option to treat rare monogenic and other genetically defined human diseases.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Less than 5% of ~7000 known rare diseases have FDA-approved therapies, providing a compelling need for additional research and clinical trials to identify efficient treatment options for patients with rare diseases. Development of efficient genome-editing tools capable to correct or replace dysfunctional genes will lead to novel therapeutic approaches in these diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":37444,"journal":{"name":"Current Stem Cell Reports","volume":"6 3","pages":"41-51"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2020-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7653884/pdf/nihms-1610082.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38600412","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}