Optimization of Thymidine Kinase-Based Safety Switch for Neural Cell Therapy.

Cell therapies based on pluripotent stem cells (PSC), have opened new therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases. However, insufficiently differentiated PSC can lead to tumor formation. Ideally, safety switch therapies should selectively kill proliferative transplant cells while preserving post-mitotic neurons.

Neurothreads: Development of supportive carriers for mature dopaminergic neuron differentiation and implantation.

In this study we present the use of elastic macroporous cryogels for differentiation and transplantation of mature neurons. We develop a coating suitable for long-term neuronal culture, including stem cell differentiation, by covalent immobilization of neural adhesion proteins. In the context of cell therapy for Parkinson's disease, we show compatibility with established dopaminergic differentiation of both immortalized mesencephalic progenitors - LUHMES - and human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).

Human Neural Organoids for Studying Brain Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases.

The lack of relevant in vitro neural models is an important obstacle on medical progress for neuropathologies. Establishment of relevant cellular models is crucial both to better understand the pathological mechanisms of these diseases and identify new therapeutic targets and strategies. To be pertinent, an in vitro model must reproduce the pathological features of a human disease.

Host Cell Copper Transporters CTR1 and ATP7A are important for Influenza A virus replication.

Background: The essential role of copper in eukaryotic cellular physiology is known, but has not been recognized as important in the context of influenza A virus infection. In this study, we investigated the effect of cellular copper on influenza A virus replication.

Methods: Influenza A/WSN/33 (H1N1) virus growth and macromolecule syntheses were assessed in cultured human lung cells (A549) where the copper concentration of the growth medium was modified, or expression of host genes involved in copper homeostasis was targeted by RNA interference.