Cell stem cellPub Date : 2026-05-07DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.007
Zhen Sun, Ludi Zhang, Lijian Hui
{"title":"Advancing hepatocyte-based therapies: A translational perspective.","authors":"Zhen Sun, Ludi Zhang, Lijian Hui","doi":"10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hepatocyte-based therapies represent a promising alternative to liver transplantation, yet their clinical translation is constrained by the limited availability of functional cells and inefficient engraftment. Here, we review progress in the field from a translational perspective, focusing on strategies to overcome these core challenges. We analyze emerging cell sources derived from stem cell technologies and assess their therapeutic potential. These translational efforts are organized around two clinical paradigms: hepatocyte replacement for long-term functional correction and temporary hepatocyte support for liver failure. Beyond hepatocytes, we also discuss preclinical and translational advances involving other liver cell types. To conclude, we outline critical gaps that need to be addressed for clinical translation, including scalable good manufacturing practice (GMP)-compliant manufacturing, efficient preconditioning regimens, long-term immune compatibility with non-invasive graft monitoring, and patient stratification for optimal clinical outcomes. We also discuss how hepatocyte-based therapies can complement gene/RNA therapies and xenotransplantation to broaden treatment options for liver diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":93928,"journal":{"name":"Cell stem cell","volume":"33 5","pages":"726-746"},"PeriodicalIF":20.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147857999","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cell stem cellPub Date : 2026-05-07DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.009
Suijuan Zhong, Qian Wu, Xiaoqun Wang
{"title":"Tracking time and space: A new integrative approach in spatiotemporal transcriptomics.","authors":"Suijuan Zhong, Qian Wu, Xiaoqun Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Niu et al.<sup>1</sup> introduce SPTEdU-seq, a strategy that integrates spatial transcriptomics with EdU-based temporal labeling to jointly capture transcriptional states and proliferative history. This approach provides a framework for resolving spatiotemporal cell dynamics in development, regeneration, and cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":93928,"journal":{"name":"Cell stem cell","volume":"33 5","pages":"717-719"},"PeriodicalIF":20.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147857960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cell stem cellPub Date : 2026-05-07DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.008
Se-In Lee, Wenjie Luo, Li Gan
{"title":"CAR-A astrocytes for Alzheimer's: Promise and challenge.","authors":"Se-In Lee, Wenjie Luo, Li Gan","doi":"10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In a recent study in Science, Chen et al. engineer astrocytes with anti-amyloid chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to enable sustained, antigen-directed clearance of amyloid-β (Aβ) in vivo, revealing how CAR design can shape both pathology and glial responses.</p>","PeriodicalId":93928,"journal":{"name":"Cell stem cell","volume":"33 5","pages":"720-721"},"PeriodicalIF":20.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147857977","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cell stem cellPub Date : 2026-05-07Epub Date: 2026-04-28DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.011
Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño, Stephen C Noctor, Ana Espinosa, Jeanelle Ariza, Philip Parker, Samantha Orasji, Marcel M Daadi, Krystof Bankiewicz, Arturo Alvarez-Buylla, Arnold R Kriegstein
{"title":"Embryonic MGE Precursor Cells Grafted into Adult Rat Striatum Integrate and Ameliorate Motor Symptoms in 6-OHDA-Lesioned Rats.","authors":"Verónica Martínez-Cerdeño, Stephen C Noctor, Ana Espinosa, Jeanelle Ariza, Philip Parker, Samantha Orasji, Marcel M Daadi, Krystof Bankiewicz, Arturo Alvarez-Buylla, Arnold R Kriegstein","doi":"10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.011","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":93928,"journal":{"name":"Cell stem cell","volume":" ","pages":"891-893"},"PeriodicalIF":20.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147792199","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cell stem cellPub Date : 2026-05-07DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.010
Elisa T Zhang
{"title":"From breakdown to repair: A human organoid model of menstruation.","authors":"Elisa T Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Menstruation entails repeated cycles of cyclical shedding and scarless regeneration of the endometrium, yet the precise cellular states underlying this process have remained poorly defined. In this issue, Nikolakopoulou et al. establish an in vitro menstrual cycle (IVMC) protocol using human endometrial organoids, revealing WNT7A as a central regulator of epithelial regeneration.</p>","PeriodicalId":93928,"journal":{"name":"Cell stem cell","volume":"33 5","pages":"715-716"},"PeriodicalIF":20.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147858004","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cell stem cellPub Date : 2026-05-07DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.012
Alexander Waclawiczek, Aino-Maija Leppä, Simon Renders, Ines Bergerweiss, Karolin Stumpf, Barbara Betz, Susanna Gabrowski, Frank Y Huang, Maria-Eleni Lalioti, Bendix Hempel, Markus Sohn, Heikki Kuusanmäki, Vera Thiel, Julia M Unglaub, Rabia Shahswar, Sarah Richter, Maike Janssen, Darja Karpova, Elisa Donato, Halvard Bonig, Christoph Röllig, Simon Raffel, Michael Heuser, Michael Hundemer, Mika Kontro, Ann-Kathrin Eisfeld, Tim Sauer, Nina Cabezas-Wallscheid, Carsten Müller-Tidow, Andreas Trumpp
{"title":"Leukemic stem cell subtypes determine venetoclax resistance and therapeutic vulnerabilities in AML.","authors":"Alexander Waclawiczek, Aino-Maija Leppä, Simon Renders, Ines Bergerweiss, Karolin Stumpf, Barbara Betz, Susanna Gabrowski, Frank Y Huang, Maria-Eleni Lalioti, Bendix Hempel, Markus Sohn, Heikki Kuusanmäki, Vera Thiel, Julia M Unglaub, Rabia Shahswar, Sarah Richter, Maike Janssen, Darja Karpova, Elisa Donato, Halvard Bonig, Christoph Röllig, Simon Raffel, Michael Heuser, Michael Hundemer, Mika Kontro, Ann-Kathrin Eisfeld, Tim Sauer, Nina Cabezas-Wallscheid, Carsten Müller-Tidow, Andreas Trumpp","doi":"10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax has transformed the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but relapse due to resistance of leukemic stem cells (LSCs) remains a major challenge. By molecular and functional profiling of LSCs from >150 patients, we identify four LSC subtypes. These mirror distinct hematopoietic lineage stages, which determine the expression ratio between the venetoclax target BCL-2 and resistance-inducing proteins MCL-1 and BCL-xL (MAC-score). Longitudinal analyses reveal that venetoclax resistance mostly arises in LSCs through plasticity toward a megakaryocytic/erythroid-progenitor (MEP)-LSC state that switches survival dependency from BCL-2 to BCL-xL. In rare cases, mature monocytic/dendritic (MoDe)-LSCs, found within LAMP5<sup>+</sup> monocytic AMLs, drive venetoclax resistance. LSC subtyping improves genetic risk stratification and provides subtype-specific therapies: venetoclax-resistant MEP-LSCs respond to BCL-xL inhibitors, whereas MoDe-LSCs are sensitive to MEK1/2 inhibition. Our findings reveal four distinct LSC types with unique vulnerabilities and propose biomarker-guided treatment strategies that complement genetic profiling to overcome venetoclax resistance.</p>","PeriodicalId":93928,"journal":{"name":"Cell stem cell","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":20.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147858005","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cell stem cellPub Date : 2026-05-07Epub Date: 2026-04-28DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.005
Konstantina Nikolakopoulou, Weand Ybañez, Lhéanna Klaeylé, Lisa Frugoli, Tereza Cindrova-Davies, Hans-Rudolf Hotz, Charlotte Soneson, Margherita Yayoi Turco
{"title":"An in vitro menstrual cycle using organoids captures epithelial cell transitions during menstruation and regeneration of the human endometrium.","authors":"Konstantina Nikolakopoulou, Weand Ybañez, Lhéanna Klaeylé, Lisa Frugoli, Tereza Cindrova-Davies, Hans-Rudolf Hotz, Charlotte Soneson, Margherita Yayoi Turco","doi":"10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Menstruation is an unusual process in which the human endometrium undergoes cyclical shedding with scarless regeneration. Despite its pivotal role in reproductive health, the cellular states and interactions orchestrating this process remain poorly defined, largely due to the lack of in vitro systems that capture the inaccessible perimenstrual window. We use human endometrial organoids to establish an in vitro menstrual cycle (IVMC) protocol that recapitulates cyclical epithelial dynamics. We validate the IVMC by benchmarking against in vivo samples spanning the menstrual window through histology, transcriptomic, and multiplex secreted-protein analysis. During menstruation, the in vivo luminal epithelium acquires a distinct transcriptomic signature, characterized by WNT7A expression. Loss of WNT7A compromises long-term organoid survival, highlighting its functional importance. The regeneration-associated luminal epithelium acts as a signaling hub during regeneration through interactions with the vasculature. This work opens new avenues to dissect the unique regenerative program of the endometrium in health and disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":93928,"journal":{"name":"Cell stem cell","volume":" ","pages":"747-762.e8"},"PeriodicalIF":20.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147792234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cell stem cellPub Date : 2026-04-30DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.006
Haruko Kunitomi, Aye Myat Khaine, Radia Jamee, Vanessa Arreola, Mariselle Lancero, Amba Raychaudhuri, Samuel Perli, Yoshiko Sato, Mio Iwasaki, Pedro Ruivo, Kiichiro Tomoda, Mari Mito, Yuichi Shichino, Shintaro Iwasaki, Shinya Yamanaka
{"title":"eIF4G2-mediated selective translation of chromatin regulators safeguards adult intestinal stem cell identity and differentiation.","authors":"Haruko Kunitomi, Aye Myat Khaine, Radia Jamee, Vanessa Arreola, Mariselle Lancero, Amba Raychaudhuri, Samuel Perli, Yoshiko Sato, Mio Iwasaki, Pedro Ruivo, Kiichiro Tomoda, Mari Mito, Yuichi Shichino, Shintaro Iwasaki, Shinya Yamanaka","doi":"10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2026.04.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>eIF4G2 (DAP5/NAT1) is a non-canonical translation initiation factor, but its role in homeostasis is unclear. Using inducible Eif4g2 knockout mice and intestinal organoids, we show that eIF4G2 loss collapses Lgr5<sup>+</sup> intestinal stem cell (ISC) and secretory maturation programs while preserving villus architecture. Transcriptomic and single-nucleus multiome analyses reveal a durable fetal-like/regenerative state with YAP-TEAD activation and regenerative absorptive cells. Ribosome profiling identifies selective translation-efficiency loss among chromatin regulators, especially the KAT3 coactivators CREBBP and EP300, resulting in reduced KAT3 abundance and global histone acetylation; chemical KAT3 inhibition phenocopies this state. CUT&Tag and assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing (ATAC-seq) demonstrate that reduced eIF4G2-KAT3 output drives locus-selective enhancer remodeling, with loss of adult ISC/Wnt-Notch elements and activation of TEAD-enriched fetal loci, without inflammatory or integrated stress response programs driving the transition. Fetal intestinal spheroids remain viable despite similar biochemical defects, highlighting a stage-specific requirement for translational buffering in maintaining adult identity.</p>","PeriodicalId":93928,"journal":{"name":"Cell stem cell","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":20.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147824702","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cell stem cellPub Date : 2026-04-02Epub Date: 2026-03-19DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2026.02.009
Federica Mosti, Jing Liu, Katie Lam, Noah R Dillon, Samantha Skavicus, Victoria A Kapps, Ketrin Gjoni, Chia-Fang Lee, Emily N Glidewell, Nicholas S Heaton, Katherine S Pollard, Debra L Silver
{"title":"Species-specific chromatin architecture and neurogenesis mediated by a human enhancer.","authors":"Federica Mosti, Jing Liu, Katie Lam, Noah R Dillon, Samantha Skavicus, Victoria A Kapps, Ketrin Gjoni, Chia-Fang Lee, Emily N Glidewell, Nicholas S Heaton, Katherine S Pollard, Debra L Silver","doi":"10.1016/j.stem.2026.02.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.stem.2026.02.009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Genomic modifications underlie the evolution of human brain features, including a larger neocortex. Human accelerated regions (HARs) are highly conserved loci containing human-specific variants, with ∼50% identified as neurodevelopmental enhancers. However, the neurodevelopmental functions of HARs and their mechanisms of gene regulation are largely unknown. We show that human (Homo sapiens [Hs]) HAR1984 promotes neurogenesis by influencing species-specific transcription and chromatin interactions. Hs-HAR1984 knockin chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes [Pt]) cortical organoids contain more progenitors and neurons, whereas Pt-HAR1984 knockin human cortical organoids exhibit the opposite phenotype. Hs-HAR1984 knockin mice have increased neurogenesis and a thicker cortex with focal folds. HAR1984 exhibits chromatin looping with its target genes, ETV5 and TRA2B, in human fetal brains, which is notably reduced in chimpanzee, macaque, and mouse neural cells. We show that human-specific HAR1984 promotes these interactions and that human-specific ETS variant transcription factor 5 (ETV5) binding auto-regulates enhancer activity. Our study demonstrates molecular mechanisms underlying human-specific neurodevelopment, linking HARs to chromatin architecture, cortical fate, and expansion.</p>","PeriodicalId":93928,"journal":{"name":"Cell stem cell","volume":" ","pages":"695-714.e10"},"PeriodicalIF":20.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13142994/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147492283","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}