iNOS activation regulates β-catenin association with its partners in endothelial cells.

Background: Signals that disrupt β-catenin association to cadherins may influence the translocation of β-catenin to the nucleus to regulate transcription. Post-translational modification of proteins is a signalling event that may lead to changes in structural conformation, association or function of the target proteins. NO and its derivatives induce nitration of proteins during inflammation.

Human liver stem cells improve liver injury in a model of fulminant liver failure.

Unlabelled: Liver transplantation is currently the only effective therapy for fulminant liver failure, but its use is limited by the scarcity of organs for transplantation, high costs, and lifelong immunosuppression. Here we investigated whether human liver stem cells (HLSCs) protect from death in a lethal model of fulminant liver failure induced by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide in SCID mice. We show that injection of HLSCs and of HLSC-conditioned medium (CM) significantly attenuates mouse mortality in this model.

Human liver stem cell-derived microvesicles inhibit hepatoma growth in SCID mice by delivering antitumor microRNAs.

Microvesicles (MVs) play a pivotal role in cell-to-cell communication. Recent studies demonstrated that MVs may transfer genetic information between cells. Here, we show that MVs derived from human adult liver stem cells (HLSC) may reprogram in vitro HepG2 hepatoma and primary hepatocellular carcinoma cells by inhibiting their growth and survival.

A combining method to enhance the in vitro differentiation of hepatic precursor cells.

The ideal bioartificial liver should be designed to reproduce as nearly as possible in vitro the habitat that hepatic cells find in vivo. In the present work, we investigated the in vitro perfusion condition with a view to improving the hepatic differentiation of pluripotent human liver stem cells (HLSCs) from adult liver. Tissue engineering strategies based on the cocultivation of HLSCs with hepatic stellate cells (ITO) and with several combinations of medium were applied to improve viability and differentiation.

Isolation and characterization of resident mesenchymal stem cells in human glomeruli.

In humans, renal resident stem cells were identified within the interstitium, the tubular cells, and the Bowman's capsule. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether multipotent stem cells are present also in the adult human-decapsulated glomeruli and whether they represent a resident population. We found that human glomeruli deprived of the Bowman's capsule contain a population of CD133+CD146+ cells and a population of CD133-CD146+ cells expressing mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) markers and renal stem cell markers CD24 and Pax-2.

Use of a rotary bioartificial liver in the differentiation of human liver stem cells.

The use of bioartificial livers (BALs) for the expansion of human adult liver stem cells and the production of growth factors could be a potential strategy for cell-based extracorporeal liver support. The present study aimed to assessing the differentiation of human adult liver stem cells in a rotary BAL. Liver stem cells were seeded into a polysulphone membrane filter at a density of 3 x 10(8) cells, and the filter was connected to a rotary bioreactor perfusion system (37 degrees C, 50 mL/min, 48 h).

Macrophage stimulating protein may promote tubular regeneration after acute injury.

Macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP) exerts proliferative and antiapoptotic effects, suggesting that it may play a role in tubular regeneration after acute kidney injury. In this study, elevated plasma levels of MSP were found both in critically ill patients with acute renal failure and in recipients of renal allografts during the first week after transplantation. In addition, MSP and its receptor, RON, were markedly upregulated in the regenerative phase after glycerol-induced tubular injury in mice.

Isolation and characterization of a stem cell population from adult human liver.

Several studies suggested the presence of stem cells in the adult normal human liver; however, a population with stem cell properties has not yet been isolated. The purpose of the present study was to identify and characterize progenitor cells in normal adult human liver. By stringent conditions of liver cell cultures, we isolated and characterized a population of human liver stem cells (HLSCs).

Mesenchymal stem cells contribute to the renal repair of acute tubular epithelial injury.

Acute renal failure (ARF) is a common disease with high morbidity and mortality. Recovery from ARF is dependent on the replacement of necrotic tubular cells with functional tubular epithelium. Recent advancement in developmental biology led to the discovery of immature mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in bone marrow and several established organs and to the definition of their potential in the recovery from tissue injury.