Progress In Stem Cell Research Research Articles

Cutting-Edge Microfabricated Biomedical Tools for Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Research

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), including embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells (hESCs and hiPSCs, respectively), continue to attract researchers and clinicians as well as patients worldwide because of their applicability in regenerative medicine, cell-based therapies, and drug discovery. However, conventional biomedical approaches for stem cell research provide only limited insights regarding how stem cells are regulated in our body and how we could control them. To accelerate the progress of stem cell research and their applications, interdisciplinary research needs to be carried out to enable access of or mimic in vivo physiological conditions and to investigate their functions. In the past few decades, progress in microfabrication engineering has had a tremendous impact in both academia and industry (electronics, mechanics, chemicals, and environments), and many people have realized that microfabricated tools hold great potential for applications in stem cell research because they allow precise manipulation of a wide range of biological materials, including small molecules, DNA/RNA, proteins, cells, and tissues. In this review, I describe advanced microfabricated tools for studying the mechanisms of in vivo stem cell regulation and precise manipulation of stem cells, notably hPSCs, and concerns of using such tools for stem cell research.

Whole-Genome Analysis, Stem Cell Research, and the Future of Biobanks

The convergence of the genomic revolution and biobanking with rapid progress in stem cell research holds vast potential for personalized medicine and novel therapies. In this Forum, we explore social and ethical considerations emerging from strategies to realize the promise of these remarkable technologies.

Stem cell therapy for incontinence: where are we now? What is the realistic potential?

A significant number of women experience stress urinary incontinence (SUI), which greatly affects their quality of life. Recent research investigating utilization of stem cells and their derivatives for the prevention and treatment of SUI has been performed to test the effect of cell source and method of administration in several animal models of SUI. The type of stem cell, timing of optimal dose or doses after injury, mechanism of action of stem cells, and route of administration must be investigated both preclinically and clinically before stem cell therapy becomes a possible treatment for SUI, although the future of this therapy looks promising. This article reviews the progress in stem cell research for incontinence and describes areas of future work as suggested by research in other fields.

Therapeutics of stem cells in periodontal regeneration.

The structure and composition of the periodontium are affected in many acquired and heritable diseases, and the most significant among these is periodontal disease. Periodontal regeneration is considered to be organically promising but clinically capricious. The principal requirements for tissue engineering are the incorporation of appropriate numbers of responsive progenitor cells and the presence of bioactive levels of regulatory signals within an appropriate extracellular matrix or carrier construct. Stem cell therapy is a treatment that uses stem cells, or cells that come from stem cells, to replace or to repair a patient's cells or tissues that are damaged. And, recent progress in stem cell research and in tissue engineering promises novel prospects for tissue regeneration in dental practice in the future, with regeneration of a functional and living tooth as one of the most promising therapeutic strategies for the replacement of a diseased or damaged tooth.

Stem Cells for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by neurodegenerative changes or apoptosis of neurons involved in networks, leading to permanent paralysis and loss of sensation below the site of the injury. Cell replacement therapy has provided the basis for the development of potentially powerful new therapeutic strategies for a broad spectrum of human neurological diseases. In recent years, neurons and glial cells have successfully been generated from stem cells, and extensive efforts by investigators to develop stem cell-based brain transplantation therapies have been carried out. We review here notable previously published experimental and preclinical studies involving stem cell-based cell for neurodegenerative diseases and discuss the future prospects for stem cell therapy of neurological disorders in the clinical setting. Steady and solid progress in stem cell research in both basic and preclinical settings should support the hope for development of stem cell-based cell therapies for neurological diseases.

Strategies in cardiac tissue engineering

In heart failure, post-myocardial infarction and some congenital cardiac anomalies, organ transplantation is the only effective cure. Shortage of organ donors and complications of orthotopic heart transplant remain major challenges to the modern field of transplantation. Tissue engineering using cell-based strategies presents itself as a new way of generating functional myocardium. Engineering functional myocardium de novo requires an abundant source of cells that can form cardiomyocytes. These cells may be used with biocompatible scaffold materials to generate a contractile myocardium. Lastly, to sustain the high metabolism of the construct, a functional vasculature needs to be developed with the forming cardiac tissue. This review provides an update on the progress of stem cell research in the context of cardiac tissue development, types of biomaterials used in cardiac tissue engineering (CTE) and currently employed strategies for vascularization in CTE. In addition, a brief overview of strategies utilized in CTE is provided.

Application of a modified method for stem cell isolation from lipoaspirates in a basic lab

Aim Lipoaspirate, a wasted by product from liposuction procedure recently has been shown to contain abundant mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs have been studied in many research areas to regenerate many cell lineages including, myogenic, cardiomyogenic, and angiogenic lineages. The large quantity of MSCs in lipoaspirate, makes it an attractive source for stem cells used in research and clinical applications. A simplified method which is suitable to be performed in a basic laboratory will facilitate development of stem cell research in developing countries. Therefore the outcomes from this study are expected to encourage the progress of stem cell research in Indonesia. Methods Lipoaspirate was digested using collagenase type I, followed by a basic filtration method. Purification of MSCs was done by cell culture for 2-3 days followed by supernatant removal. To confirm the homogenous population of MSCs, an analysis using flowcytometry was performed based on the MSCs minimal criteria developed by Mesenchymal and Tissue Stem Cell Committee of the International Society of Cell Therapy. Resuts MSCs were able to be obtained at 16.41 ± 8.22 x 108 cells per 120 ml lipoaspirate. The cultured cells showed fibroblastic morphology which is characteristic for MSCs and were able to be purified from non-MSCs cells. This was confirmed by flowcytometry assay showing expression of CD105 and the absence of HLA-Class II, CD 45, CD 34, CD14, and CD19. Conclusions This study has shown that it was feasible to isolate messenchymal stem cell from human lipoaspirate. The procedure was practicable to be performed within a basic laboratory. (Med J Indones 2009; 18: 91-6)

Stem cell‐based cell therapy in neurological diseases: A review

Human neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, and spinal cord injury are caused by a loss of neurons and glial cells in the brain or spinal cord. Cell replacement therapy and gene transfer to the diseased or injured brain have provided the basis for the development of potentially powerful new therapeutic strategies for a broad spectrum of human neurological diseases. However, the paucity of suitable cell types for cell replacement therapy in patients suffering from neurological disorders has hampered the development of this promising therapeutic approach. In recent years, neurons and glial cells have successfully been generated from stem cells such as embryonic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and neural stem cells, and extensive efforts by investigators to develop stem cell-based brain transplantation therapies have been carried out. We review here notable experimental and preclinical studies previously published involving stem cell-based cell and gene therapies for Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, ALS, Alzheimer's disease, MS, stroke, spinal cord injury, brain tumor, and lysosomal storage diseases and discuss the future prospects for stem cell therapy of neurological disorders in the clinical setting. There are still many obstacles to be overcome before clinical application of cell therapy in neurological disease patients is adopted: 1) it is still uncertain what kind of stem cells would be an ideal source for cellular grafts, and 2) the mechanism by which transplantation of stem cells leads to an enhanced functional recovery and structural reorganization must to be better understood. Steady and solid progress in stem cell research in both basic and preclinical settings should support the hope for development of stem cell-based cell therapies for neurological diseases.

Stem Cells: Therapeutic Potential in Dentistry

The aim of this paper is to present a review and discussion of the current status of stem cell research with regard to tooth generation. Stem cells have been isolated from the pulp tissue of both deciduous and permanent teeth as well as from the periodontal ligament. Dental pulp stem cells demonstrate the capacity to form a dentin pulp-like complex in immunocompromised mice. A tooth-like structure was successfully formed, using a heterogeneous mixture of dental enamel epithelium, pulp mesenchymal cells, and scaffolds. The scientific community understands the need for more investigations to completely understand the conditions that would best favor the creation of a tooth substitute. Recent gains in the understanding of the molecular regulation of tooth morphogenesis, stem cell biology, and biotechnology offers the opportunity to realize this goal. These findings, combined with the recent progress in stem cell research and tissue engineering, might allow the development of alternatives for current materials and therapies used to treat tooth tissue loss (e.g., enamel, dentin, pulp), reconstruct dentoalveolar and craniofacial bone defects, and eventually replace an entire tooth.

Adipose-Derived Stem Cells: Characterization and Current Application in Orthopaedic Tissue Repair

Orthopaedic tissues, such as bone, cartilage, intervertebral disc and tendon, contain cells that are difficult to culture and stimulate in vitro for repair of damaged tissue. Stem cells have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into many tissue types. Recent progress in stem cell research has led to an enthusiastic effort to utilize stem cells for orthopaedic tissue regeneration. Due to ease of harvest and abundance, adipose-derived mesenchymal cells (ASC) are an attractive, readily available adult stem cell that has become increasingly popular for use in many stem cell applications. Recent progress has been made in characterizing ASC and looking mechanistically at gene expression and cellular pathways involved in differentiation. This review focuses on (i) the characterization of ASC through expression of appropriate surface markers; (ii) modulation of in vitro differentiation of ASC through different scaffolds, growth factors, and media; and (iii) the use of ASC in orthopaedic tissue repair. Strategies for repair involve the use of differentiated or undifferentiated, fresh or passaged ASC, in conjunction with appropriate choice of media, growth factors and scaffolds. Recent in vivo studies utilizing ASC are discussed giving results on defect repair and potential for clinical orthopaedic tissue regeneration.

Articular cartilage regeneration using stem cells

Articular cartilage plays pivotal roles in securing smooth joint kinematics and act as a shock absorber, however, it has minimal healing potential. Chondral injury could lead to the development of osteoarthritis (OA) and therefore is a major clinical concern. There have been marrow stimulating technique and osteochondral transplantation explored to promote cartilage repair. In addition, autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) has been developed by Peterson and Brittberg and more than 20,000 cases underwent the procedure all over the world. Recent progress in stem cell research has raised the potential application of stem cell therapy to cartilage repair. In this review, potential application of bone marrow or synovial-derived mesenchymal cells to promote cartilage repair would be discussed.

Adipose-Derived Stem Cells: Characterization and Current Application in Orthopaedic Tissue Repair

Orthopaedic tissues, such as bone, cartilage, intervertebral disc and tendon, contain cells that are difficult to culture and stimulate in vitro for repair of damaged tissue. Stem cells have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into many tissue types. Recent progress in stem cell research has led to an enthusiastic effort to utilize stem cells for orthopaedic tissue regeneration. Due to ease of harvest and abundance, adipose-derived mesenchymal cells (ASC) are an attractive, readily available adult stem cell that has become increasingly popular for use in many stem cell applications. Recent progress has been made in characterizing ASC and looking mechanistically at gene expression and cellular pathways involved in differentiation. This review focuses on (i) the characterization of ASC through expression of appropriate surface markers; (ii) modulation of in vitro differentiation of ASC through different scaffolds, growth factors, and media; and (iii) the use of ASC in orthopaedic tissue repair. Strategies for repair involve the use of differentiated or undifferentiated, fresh or passaged ASC, in conjunction with appropriate choice of media, growth factors and scaffolds. Recent in vivo studies utilizing ASC are discussed giving results on defect repair and potential for clinical orthopaedic tissue regeneration.

Mass spectrometry based proteomic analysis of human stem cells: a brief review

Stem cells can give rise to various cell types and are capable of regenerating themselves over multiple cell divisions. Pluripotency and self-renewal potential of stem cells have drawn vast interest from different disciplines, with studies on the molecular properties of stem cells being one example. Current investigations on the molecular basis of stem cells pluripotency and self-renewal entail traditional techniques from chemistry and molecular biology. In this mini review, we discuss progress in stem cell research that employs proteomics approaches. Specifically, we focus on studies on human stem cells from proteomics perspective. To our best knowledge, only the following types of human stem cells have been examined via proteomics analysis: human neuronal stem cells, human mesenchymal stem cells, and human embryonic stem cells. Protein expression serves as biomarkers of stem cells and identification and expression level of such biomarkers are usually determined using two-dimensional electrophoresis coupled mass spectrometry or non-gel based mass spectrometry.

Stem cell therapies in reparative medicine.

The future implementation of stem cell therapies to treat conditions thus far considered incurable has been envisioned as logical consequence of the fast-paced progress in stem cell research over the last few years. Still, many practical obstacles stand in the way to the routine application of these novel technologies in medicine. The conference "Stem Cell Therapies in Reparative Medicine," held aboard the cruise vessel Majesty of the Seas (Miami, USA-Nassau, Bahamas, April 19-22, 2002), focused on the analysis of these problems from different perspectives, including developmental biology (cell proliferation, fate determination, and enrichment), immunology (allorejection and prevention of autoimmunity recurrence), and clinical therapy, emphasizing the impact of stem cell technologies on the emerging field of tissue engineering and the treatment of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

Three-dimensional approach to stem cell therapy.

Recent progress in stem cell research is opening a new hope for cell therapy in regenerative medicine. Two breakthroughs were made in the stem cell era, one, new discoveries in multi-potentiality of adult stem cells beyond the traditionally appreciated extent, and the other, establishment of pluripotent stem cell from human embryo. In addition to the newly identified multi-potentiality of adult stem cells, their ability to be trans-differentiated toward other tissue types (stem cell plasticity) as well as to migrate toward the site of tissue damage make adult stem cells particularly attractive choice for stem cell based therapy. Stem cell therapy for organ regeneration, therefore, could be approached from three distinct dimensions: first, direct differentiation of multi-potent stem cells toward desired tissue types; secondly, regeneration of specific tissues through in vivo stem cell plasticity, and lastly, by tissue-specific stem cells from many types of organs. While each approach in stem cell therapy poses distinctive limitations for their successful clinical applications, understanding regulatory mechanisms of stem cell self-renewal and their in vivo engraftment will mostly extend their medical efficacy of stem cell based therapy.