Ectopic expression of OCT4B1 Decreases Fertility Rate and Changes Sperm Parameters in Transgenic Mice.

Background: The octamer-binding transcription factor-4 (OCT4) is known as an established important regulator of pluripotency, as well as a genetic "master switch" in the self-renewal of embryonic stem and germ cells. , one of the three spliced variants of human OCT4, plays crucial roles in the regulation of pluripotency and stemness.

Objectives: The present study developed a transgenic mouse model containing an -expressing construct under the transcriptional direction of mouse mammary tumor virus promoter (pMMTV) to evaluate the role of OCT4B1 in the function of male germ cells in terms of fertility potential.

Synergistic impact of platelet rich plasma-heparin sulfate with hydroxyapatite/zirconia on the osteoblast differentiation potential of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

3D porous hydroxyapatite (HA) has been reinforced by zirconia (ZrO) coating and impregnation with a combination of platelet rich plasma (PRP) as a source of growth factors (GFs) and Heparin sulfate (HS) to sustain the release of GFs. Adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) were characterized by flow cytometry for CD (cluster of differentiation) 44, CD105, CD106, CD34 and CD144, along with checking the multipotency by differentiation into the adipocytes and osteoblasts. Then, they were cultured on the scaffold treated with and without osteogenic media on days 7, 14 and 21.

Evaluation of Fibroblast Viability Seeded on Acellular Human Amniotic Membrane.

Background: Investigating the viability and proliferative rates of fibroblast cells on human amniotic membrane (HAM) as a scaffold will be an important subject for further research. The aim of this study was to assess the fibroblast viability seeded on acellular HAM, since foreskin neonatal allogenic fibroblasts seeded on HAM accelerate the wound healing process.

Methods: Fibroblasts were retrieved from the foreskin of a genetically healthy male infant, and we exploited AM of healthy term neonates to prepare the amniotic scaffold for fibroblast transfer.

A VHH-Based Anti-MUC1 Chimeric Antigen Receptor for Specific Retargeting of Human Primary T Cells to MUC1-Positive Cancer Cells.

Objective: Immunotherapy with redirected T cells that express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) is a promising prospect in cancer treatment. Most CARs use murine-derived single-chain variable fragments (scFvs) as an antigen targeting moiety, which may lead to host immunogenic responses and engineered T cell disappearance. It seems that development of less immunogenic CARs, such as CARs composed of the camelid variable domain of heavy chain antibodies (VHHs) may likely overcome this obstacle.

Effects of clomiphene citrate plus estradiol or progesterone on endometrial ultrastructure: An RCT.

Background: Pinopods concentrations in endometrial surface is a marker of implantation. Estradiol valerate (EV) was used to change the adverse effects of Clomiphene Citrate (CC) on the endometrium.

Objective: The goal was to assess whether there is a significant difference in the endometrial pinopods concentrations and other parameters after adding EV and progesterone to higher doses of CC.

Induction of Chondrogenic Differentiation in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Cultured on Human Demineralized Bone Matrix Scaffold under Hydrostatic Pressure.

Background: Articular cartilage damage is still a troublesome problem. Hence, several researches have been performed for cartilage repair. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chondrogenicity of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) scaffolds under cyclic hydrostatic pressure (CHP) .

Promoting hepatogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells using a novel laminin-containing gelatin cryogel scaffold.

Liver transplantation is the only definitive treatment currently available for acute and chronic liver failure. However, this approach has been restricted by complications including rejection and infection. Tissue engineering approaches using stem cell-derived functional hepatic cells offer a potential alternative.

Improvement of hepatogenic differentiation of iPS cells on an aligned polyethersulfone compared to random nanofibers.

The application of stem cells holds great promises in cell and tissue transplants. This study was designed to compare the hepatogenic differentiation of iPSCs on aligned PES/COL versus random. Aligned and random PES/COL nanofibrus scaffolds were fabricated by electrospining and their surface modified through plasma treatment and collagen coating.

Hepatogenic Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem cells on Collagen-Coated Polyethersulfone Nanofibers.

Many scientists have been fascinated with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for cell replacement therapies. Nanofibrous biocompatible scaffolds have been shown to foster better cell adhesion and improve stem cell differentiation. In the current study, after fabrication using electrospinning technique and surface modifications, the characteristics of polyethersulfone (PES) nanofibers were determined by scanning electron microscopy, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.

Laminin matrix promotes hepatogenic terminal differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

Objectives: The application of stem cells holds great promises in cell transplants. Considering the lack of optimal in vitro model for hepatogenic differentiation, this study was designed to examine the effects of laminin matrix on the improvement of in vitro differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSC) into the more functional hepatocyte-like cells.

Materials And Methods: Characterization of the hBM-MSCs was performed by immunophenotyping and their differentiation into the mesenchymal-derived lineage.

Improving the Growth Rate of Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Alginate/Gelatin Versus Alginate Hydrogels.

Background: Expansion and differentiation of stem cells relies on the soluble materials as well as the physical conditions of their microenvironment. Several methods have been studied in attempt to enhance the growth and differentiation rates of different adult stem cells extracted from different sources.

Objectives: The purpose was to improve the three-dimensional (3D) culture condition of the semi-permeable polymeric beads for encapsulation of the human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) by modifying the ratio of the alginate-gelatin composition.

A novel in vitro model for cancer stem cell culture using ectopically expressed piwil2 stable cell line.

Objective: Piwil2, a member of Ago/Piwi gene family containing Piwi and PAZ domains, has been shown to be ectopically expressed in different cancer cells, especially its remarkable expression in cancer stem cells (CSCs), and is also known to be essential for germ line stem cell self-renewal in various organisms. The hypothesis that CSC may hold the key to the central problem of clinical oncology and tumor relapse leads to more anticancer treatment studies. Due to emerging controversies and extreme difficulties in studying of CSC, like the cells using in vivo models, more attempts have expended to establish different in vitro models.

Expression of galectin-8 on human endometrium: Molecular and cellular aspects.

Background: The up-regulation of galectin-3, galectin-9, and galectin-15 expression in the luminal and glandular epithelium was reported in preparation of the endometrium for embryo implantation at the midlutheal phase. However, no data was available regarding the expression and the distribution pattern of galectin-8 in the human endometrium during a regular menstrual cycle.

Objective: The current study designed to investigate the expression and the distribution pattern of galectin-8, a beta-galactoside-binding lectin in the human endometrium during both proliferative and luteal phases of a regular menstrual cycle.

Subcellular localization of L-selectin ligand in the endometrium implies a novel function for pinopodes in endometrial receptivity.

Background: Apical surfaces of human endometrial epithelium and endothelium are key elements for the initiation of molecular interactions to capture the blastocyst or leukocyte, respectively. The L-selectin adhesion system has been strongly proposed to play an important role in the initial steps of trophoblast adhesion and promotion of integrin-dependent processes, ultimately culminating in the establishment of the embryo-maternal interface. On the basis of these facts, we hypothesized a novel role for pinopodes as the first embryo-fetal contact sites to contain the highest subcellular expression of L-selectin ligand suggesting its role in early adhesion as predicted.

Hepatogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells induced by insulin like growth factor-I.

Aim: To improve hepatic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) using insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-I), which has important role in liver development, hepatocyte differentiation and function.

Methods: Bone marrow of healthy donors was aspirated from the iliac crest. The adherent cells expanded rapidly and were maintained with periodic passages until a relatively homogeneous population was established.

Differential expression pattern of the human endoderm-specific transcription factor sox17 in various tissues and cells.

Background: Sox17 is a member of the Sry-related high mobility group (HMG) of transcription factors that is necessary for endodermal formation and liver development in multiple species. Sox17 gene expression is required for formation of definitive endoderm that gives rise to various tissues.

Objective: To examine the expression of Sox17 in various human tissues and cells.

Polymerization of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) potentiates IGF-I actions in placenta.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), the main secretory protein of decidua that binds to IGFs and has been shown to inhibit or stimulate IGFs' bioactivities. Polymerization, one of the posttranslational modifications of IGFBP-1, has been shown to lead to loss of inhibiting effect of IGFBP-1 on IGF-I actions. The current studies were undertaken to elucidate the effects of steroid hormones on IGFBP-1 polymerization in trophoblast cell cultures.

Properties of L-type amino acid transporter 1 in epidermal ovarian cancer.

Hypothesis: To investigate the expression and the functional properties of L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) in human epithelial ovarian cancer to provide a basis for potential new therapies to control the growth and the metastasis of ovarian cancer.

Methods: The material used comprised 63 surgically resected specimens obtained from female patients undergoing gynecologic surgery at Kyorin University School of Medicine (Tokyo, Japan). The expression of LAT1 in 53 cases of ovarian cancers was determined by Western blot and immunohistochemical staining, and results were compared with those of normal ovarian tissues (5 cases) and benign ovarian tumors (5 cases).

Expression and localization of galectin-9 in the human uterodome.

Galectin-9 has been recently considered as a novel marker for the mid- and late-secretory phases of human endometrium and decidua. The aim of this study was to investigate the subcellular distribution of galectin-9 in the endometrial epithelium, especially during the frame of the implantation window. Endometrial biopsies in the proliferative, early, and mid-secretory phases from women with regular menstrual cycle were studied using several approaches, including scanning electron microscopy, immunostaining for light and transmission electron microscopies (TEM), immunoblotting, and statistical analysis of the area-related numerical densities of galectin-9-bound nanogold.

Induction of trophinin in human endometrial surface epithelia by CGbeta and IL-1beta.

During embryo implantation, trophinin mediates cell adhesion by homophilic binding at the apical surfaces of trophectoderm and endometrium. Trophinin is expressed on the human endometrial epithelia in rare occasions. We developed hCG-coated agarose beads that mimic the physical and physiological features of an implantation-stage human blastocyst.

The membrane-spanning domain of CD98 heavy chain promotes alpha(v)beta3 integrin signals in human extravillous trophoblasts.

CD98 heavy chain (CD98hc) is expressed highly in developing human placental trophoblast. CD98hc is an amino acid transporter and is thought to function in cell fusion, adhesion, and invasion by interacting with integrins. In invasive extravillous trophoblast, alpha(v)beta(3) integrin is expressed in a temporally and spatially specific manner, which prompted us to investigate the potential role of CD98hc in signal transduction of alpha(v)beta(3) integrin.

Trophoblast cell activation by trophinin ligation is implicated in human embryo implantation.

During human embryo implantation, trophectoderm mediates adhesion of the blastocyst to the uterine epithelium. The rapid growth of the embryo and invasion of the maternal tissue suggest adhesion-induced activation of the embryonal cells. We show here that ligation of trophinin, a homophilic cell adhesion molecule expressed on trophoblastic cells, induces tyrosine phosphorylation in trophinin-expressing trophoblastic HT-H cells.

Secretory role for human uterodomes (pinopods): secretion of LIF.

The differentiation of human endometrial epithelium is a dynamic event, which occurs throughout the menstrual cycle in preparation for pregnancy. The appearance of uterodomes (pinopods) in this regard was first introduced in rodents with an established pinocytotic function, whereas little evidence was available in humans in this context. This study was undertaken to identify the potential physiological roles of uterodomes in the implantation process.

Posttranslational modifications of decidual IGFBP-1 by steroid hormones in vitro.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) appears to regulate insulin-like growth factors (IGFs; IGF-I and IGF-II) biological activity within the local environment of human placenta by modulating IGFs interaction with their receptors. Considering that posttranslational modifications of IGFBP-1 such as phosphorylation and proteolysis affect its affinity for IGFs, this study was undertaken to identify the role of estrogen and progesterone in this regard. The conditioned media of steroid hormone-treated decidual cells were evaluated using different approaches using sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and non-denaturing PAGE following immunoblotting as well as zymographys that contained gelatin and IGFBP-1 as substrates.