{"title":"Locking the Fate: How PROX1 Represses Plasticity and Liver Cancer.","authors":"Seung-Won Lee, Jungsun Kim","doi":"10.1089/cell.2025.0013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/cell.2025.0013","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A Transcriptional Ridge in the Waddington Landscape. The Waddington landscape model, proposed in 1957, provides a powerful framework for understanding cell fate determination (Waddington, 1957). As development progresses, cells become restricted to distinct fates, separated by high \"ridges\" that prevent identity switching. A recent study in Nature Genetics uncovers such a ridge in hepatocyte lineage specification (Lim et al., 2025). Lim et al. report that prospero homeobox protein 1 (PROX1) acts as a hepatocyte-specific safeguard repressor, ensuring lineage stability by actively suppressing alternative cell fates and preventing cholangiocarcinoma development.</p>","PeriodicalId":9708,"journal":{"name":"Cellular reprogramming","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143708779","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cellular reprogrammingPub Date : 2025-02-01Epub Date: 2025-01-29DOI: 10.1089/cell.2025.0007
Jungsun Kim, Mariana Lopes, Carlos-Filipe Pereira
{"title":"Reprogramming Stars #20: Attenuating Cancer Cell Memory and Discovering Cancer Biomarkers with Cellular Reprogramming-An Interview with Dr. Jungsun Kim.","authors":"Jungsun Kim, Mariana Lopes, Carlos-Filipe Pereira","doi":"10.1089/cell.2025.0007","DOIUrl":"10.1089/cell.2025.0007","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9708,"journal":{"name":"Cellular reprogramming","volume":" ","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143058321","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cellular reprogrammingPub Date : 2025-02-01Epub Date: 2024-12-17DOI: 10.1089/cell.2024.0075
Mahmood S Choudhery, Taqdees Arif, Ruhma Mahmood
{"title":"Bidirectional Prime Editing: Combining Precision with Versatility for Genome Editing.","authors":"Mahmood S Choudhery, Taqdees Arif, Ruhma Mahmood","doi":"10.1089/cell.2024.0075","DOIUrl":"10.1089/cell.2024.0075","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Genome editing techniques have potential to revolutionize the field of life sciences. Several limitations associated with traditional gene editing techniques have been resolved with the development of prime editors that precisely edit the DNA without double-strand breaks (DSBs). To further improve the efficiency, several modified versions of prime editing (PE) system have been introduced. Bi-directional PE (Bi-PE), for example, uses two PE guide RNAs enabling broad and improved editing efficiency. It has the potential to alter, delete, integrate, and replace larger genome sequences and edit multiple bases at the same time. This review aims to discuss the typical gene editing methods that offer DSB-mediated repair mechanisms, followed by the latest advances in genome editing technologies with non-DSB-mediated repair. The review specifically focuses on Bi-PE being an efficient tool to edit the human genome. In addition, the review discusses the applications, limitations, and future perspectives of Bi-PE for gene editing.</p>","PeriodicalId":9708,"journal":{"name":"Cellular reprogramming","volume":" ","pages":"10-23"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142846175","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cellular reprogrammingPub Date : 2025-02-01Epub Date: 2025-01-30DOI: 10.1089/cell.2024.0087
Zhao-Qi Tang, Yan-Rong Ye, Yun Shen
{"title":"Molecular Mechanisms and Strategies for Inducing Neuronal Differentiation in Glioblastoma Cells.","authors":"Zhao-Qi Tang, Yan-Rong Ye, Yun Shen","doi":"10.1089/cell.2024.0087","DOIUrl":"10.1089/cell.2024.0087","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly invasive brain tumor, and traditional treatments combining surgery with radiochemotherapy have limited effects, with tumor recurrence being almost inevitable. Given the lack of proliferative capacity in neurons, inducing terminal differentiation of GBM cells or glioma stem cells (GSCs) into neuron-like cells has emerged as a promising strategy. This approach aims to suppress their proliferation and self-renewal capabilities through differentiation. This review summarizes the methods involved in recent research on the neuronal differentiation of GBM cells or GSCs, including the regulation of transcription factors, signaling pathways, miRNA, and the use of small molecule drugs, among various strategies. It also outlines the interconnections between the mechanisms studied, hoping to provide ideas for exploring new therapeutic avenues for GBM and the development of differentiation-inducing drugs for GBM.</p>","PeriodicalId":9708,"journal":{"name":"Cellular reprogramming","volume":" ","pages":"24-32"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143063901","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cellular reprogrammingPub Date : 2025-02-01Epub Date: 2024-11-29DOI: 10.1089/cell.2024.0062
Jian Zhao, Yan Gu, Peng Hou
{"title":"Protective Effect and Molecular Mechanism of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Diabetic Foot Ulcers.","authors":"Jian Zhao, Yan Gu, Peng Hou","doi":"10.1089/cell.2024.0062","DOIUrl":"10.1089/cell.2024.0062","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study explores the protective mechanism of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) in diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Human umbilical cord MSCs (HucMSCs) were identified via osteogenesis and adipogenic differentiation, as well as flow cytometry. EVs were isolated from HucMSCs and characterized using transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and Western blotting. Fluorescence microscopy revealed the uptake of PKH67-labeled EVs and Cy3-labeled microRNA-21-5p (miR-21-5p) by human skin fibroblasts (HSFs). EVs were cocultured with HSFs, and cell proliferation and migration were assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, scratch, and Transwell assays. miR-21-5p overexpression in EVs was evaluated for its role in promoting HSF functions. The expression levels of miR-21-5p, Krüppel-like factor 6 (KLF6), α-smooth muscle actin, and collagen type I alpha 1 chain were analyzed via quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting. The interaction between miR-21-5p and KLF6 was confirmed through a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. HucMSC-derived EVs enhanced the proliferation and migration of HSFs under high glucose by delivering miR-21-5p, which targeted and inhibited KLF6. Overexpression of KLF6 counteracted the pro-proliferative and migratory effects of EVs carrying miR-21-5p. Overall, these findings suggest that HucMSC-EVs promote HSF proliferation and migration by downregulating KLF6 via miR-21-5p delivery, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for DFU.</p>","PeriodicalId":9708,"journal":{"name":"Cellular reprogramming","volume":" ","pages":"33-44"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142749728","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Baris Tursun, Mariana Lopes, Carlos-Filipe Pereira
{"title":"Reprogramming Stars #17: Breaking Down the Barriers of Direct Reprogramming Using a Model Organism-An Interview with Dr. Baris Tursun.","authors":"Baris Tursun, Mariana Lopes, Carlos-Filipe Pereira","doi":"10.1089/cell.2024.54625","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1089/cell.2024.54625","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9708,"journal":{"name":"Cellular reprogramming","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-12-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142892408","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Transplantation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Airway Epithelia at Different Induction Stages into Nude Rat.","authors":"Keisuke Mizuno, Hiroe Ohnishi, Yo Kishimoto, Hideaki Okuyama, Yoshitaka Kawai, Masayuki Kitano, Yasuyuki Hayashi, Koichi Omori","doi":"10.1089/cell.2024.0054","DOIUrl":"10.1089/cell.2024.0054","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Tracheal reconstruction is necessary in patients with large tracheal defects. Previously, artificial tracheae made of polypropylene and collagen sponge have been used clinically by our group. As a basic research aimed at promoting epithelialization for infection defense, we transplanted cell sheets of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived airway epithelial cells (iAECs) with artificial tracheae into tracheal defects of rats and confirmed their engraftment. In this study, we examined the difference in the cell engraftment between hiPSC-derived airway epithelial progenitor cells (iAEPCs) and iAECs. Cell sheets were collected on days 38, 45, and 56 of induction into iAECs, then transplanted into nude rats with tracheal defects along with the artificial trachea. Two weeks after transplantation, surviving human nuclear antigen (HNA)-positive epithelial cells were observed none of six rats in the 38-day group, two out of six in 45-day group, and five out of six in the 56-day group. The proportion of surviving HNA+ cells among the epithelial cells of 56-day group was significantly higher those of 38-day group. Differentiated iAECs are more suitable for the transplantation of hiPSCs into tracheal defects. Our findings propose the use of differentiated cells for improvement of engraftment efficiency.</p>","PeriodicalId":9708,"journal":{"name":"Cellular reprogramming","volume":" ","pages":"156-163"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142726355","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cellular reprogrammingPub Date : 2024-12-01Epub Date: 2024-11-27DOI: 10.1089/cell.2024.0073
Fatin Fazrina Roslan, Yuexin Yu, Mengmeng Wang, Nurul Ain Nasim Mohd Yusof, Ghee Chien Ooi, Khong Lek Then, Kong Yong Then, Soon-Keng Cheong, Mohd Nor Azim Ab Patar, Jun Jie Tan
{"title":"Reprogramming of Expanded Cord Blood-Derived CD34<sup><b>+</b></sup> Cells from Umbilical Cord-Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Co-Culture to Generate Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.","authors":"Fatin Fazrina Roslan, Yuexin Yu, Mengmeng Wang, Nurul Ain Nasim Mohd Yusof, Ghee Chien Ooi, Khong Lek Then, Kong Yong Then, Soon-Keng Cheong, Mohd Nor Azim Ab Patar, Jun Jie Tan","doi":"10.1089/cell.2024.0073","DOIUrl":"10.1089/cell.2024.0073","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cord blood (CB) is widely stored as a source of hematopoietic stem cells for potential future use, though its application for autologous purposes remains limited. Repurposing CB into human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can broaden its utility beyond hematological conditions. This study investigated the effects of umbilical cord-mesenchymal stromal cell (UC-MSC) co-culture on CB CD34<sup>+</sup> cells and the characteristics of the resulting hiPSCs. CD34<sup>+</sup> cells were isolated, expanded in UC-MSC co-culture for 3 days, and reprogrammed into hiPSCs using episomal vectors. Results showed that UC-MSC co-culture significantly increased CD34<sup>+</sup> cell numbers (<i>p</i> < 0.0001, <i>n</i> = 6), with a reduced population doubling time of 25.1 ± 2.1 hours compared with the control (<i>p</i> < 0.0004, <i>n</i> = 6). The yield of CD34<sup>+</sup> cells was substantially higher in the UC-MSC co-culture group. The hiPSCs exhibited comparable reprogramming efficiency, pluripotency marker expression, trilineage differentiation potential, and genomic stability to CD34<sup>+</sup> cells expanded under standard culture conditions. These findings suggest that CD34<sup>+</sup> cells from CB, expanded in UC-MSC co-culture, can be reprogrammed into functional hiPSCs without compromising cell quality or genetic stability.</p>","PeriodicalId":9708,"journal":{"name":"Cellular reprogramming","volume":" ","pages":"164-176"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142726336","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}