Generation of Red Blood Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells-An Update.

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is a lifesaving medical procedure that can treat patients with anemia and hemoglobin disorders. However, the shortage of blood supply and risks of transfusion-transmitted infection and immune incompatibility present a challenge for transfusion. The in vitro generation of RBCs or erythrocytes holds great promise for transfusion medicine and novel cell-based therapies.

Generation and Application of Directly Reprogrammed Endothelial Cells.

Cell-based therapy has emerged as a promising option for treating advanced ischemic cardiovascular disease by inducing vascular regeneration. However, clinical trials with adult cells turned out disappointing in general. As a newer approach, direct reprogramming has emerged to efficiently generate endothelial cells (ECs), which can promote neovascularization and vascular regeneration.

Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Vascular Cells: Recent Progress and Future Directions.

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) hold great promise for cardiovascular regeneration following ischemic injury. Considerable effort has been made toward the development and optimization of methods to differentiate hiPSCs into vascular cells, such as endothelial and smooth muscle cells (ECs and SMCs). In particular, hiPSC-derived ECs have shown robust potential for promoting neovascularization in animal models of cardiovascular diseases, potentially achieving significant and sustained therapeutic benefits.

Anti-melanogenic activity of phytosphingosine via the modulation of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor signaling pathway.

Background: Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) suppresses the expression of enzymes controlling the production of melanin. Phytosphingosine is a well-known cosmetic agent, but its anti-melanogenic activity and mechanism of action remain unclear.

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the effects of phytosphingosine on melanin synthesis and elucidate the plausible mechanism of actions in vitro and ex vivo systems.

Anti-Tumor Activity of Yuanhuacine by Regulating AMPK/mTOR Signaling Pathway and Actin Cytoskeleton Organization in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells.

Yuanhuacine (YC), a daphnane diterpenoid from the flowers of Daphne genkwa, exhibited a potential growth inhibitory activity against human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. YC also suppressed the invasion and migration of lung cancer cells. However, the precise molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated.

Antitumor Activity of Americanin A Isolated from the Seeds of Phytolacca americana by Regulating the ATM/ATR Signaling Pathway and the Skp2-p27 Axis in Human Colon Cancer Cells.

The antiproliferative and antitumor activities of americanin A (1), a neolignan isolated from the seeds of Phytolacca americana, were investigated in human colon cancer cells. Compound 1 inhibited the proliferation of HCT116 human colon cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. The induction of G2/M cell-cycle arrest by 1 was concomitant with regulation of the ataxia telangiectasia-mutated/ATM and Rad3-related (ATM/ATR) signaling pathway.