A novel fluorescent dye selectively images and kills cancer stem cells by targeting mitochondria: Evidence from a cell line‑based zebrafish xenograft model.

Numerous agents such as near-infrared dyes that are characterized by specialized cancer imaging and cytotoxicity effects have key roles in cancer diagnosis and therapy via molecularly targeting special biological tissues, organelles and processes. In the present study, a novel fluorescent compound was demonstrated to inhibit cancer cell proliferation in a zebrafish model with slight toxicity. Further studies demonstrated selective staining of cancer cells and even putative cancer stem cells via accumulation of the dye in the mitochondria of cancer cells, compared with normal cells.

Astrocytes increase exosomal secretion of oligodendrocyte precursor cells to promote their proliferation via integrin β4-mediated cell adhesion.

Many degenerative diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) are associated with demyelination. Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are potential stem cells that can differentiate into oligodendrocytes (OLs) and promote myelination. Promoting the proliferation of OPCs is key to stimulating remyelination and treating neurodegenerative diseases.