Human amniotic epithelial stem cell-derived dopaminergic neuron-like cells ameliorate motor dysfunction in a rat model of Parkinson's disease.

Aims: Parkinson's disease (PD) remains a substantial clinical challenge due to the progressive loss of midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons in nigrostriatal pathway. In this study, human amniotic epithelial stem cells (hAESCs)-derived dopaminergic neuron-like cells (hAESCs-DNLCs) were generated, with the aim of providing new therapeutic approach to PD.

Materials And Methods: hAESCs, which were isolated from discarded placentas, were induced to differentiate into hAESCs-DNLCs by following a "two stages" induction protocol.

Androgen aggravates liver fibrosis by activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in CCl-induced liver injury mouse model.

Studies have shown that there are differences between the sexes regarding to the occurrence and development of liver diseases, which may be associated with sex hormones. However, the mechanisms behind it are largely unknown. In this study, we first investigated the differences of liver injury between male and female mice, using the CCl-induced liver injury mouse model.