Human iPSC-Derived Renal Cells Change Their Immunogenic Properties during Maturation: Implications for Regenerative Therapies.

The success of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-based therapy critically depends on understanding and controlling the immunological effects of the hiPSC-derived transplant. While hiPSC-derived cells used for cell therapy are often immature with post-grafting maturation, immunological properties may change, with adverse effects on graft tolerance and control. In the present study, the allogeneic and autologous cellular immunity of hiPSC-derived progenitor and terminally differentiated cells were investigated in vitro.

Upregulated immuno-modulator PD-L1 in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors provides a potential biomarker and a therapeutic target.

Background: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are rare aggressive sarcomas with poor prognosis. More than half of MPNSTs develop from benign precursor tumors associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) which is a tumor suppressor gene disorder. Early detection of malignant transformation in NF1 patients is pivotal to improving survival.

The Translational Landscape of the Human Heart.

Gene expression in human tissue has primarily been studied on the transcriptional level, largely neglecting translational regulation. Here, we analyze the translatomes of 80 human hearts to identify new translation events and quantify the effect of translational regulation. We show extensive translational control of cardiac gene expression, which is orchestrated in a process-specific manner.

Parallel generation of easily selectable multiple nephronal cell types from human pluripotent stem cells.

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) provide a source for the generation of defined kidney cells and renal organoids applicable in regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and drug screening. These applications require the provision of hPSC-derived renal cells by reproducible, scalable, and efficient methods. We established a chemically defined protocol by application of Activin A, BMP4, and Retinoic acid followed by GDNF, which steered hPSCs to the renal lineage and resulted in populations of SIX2/CITED1 metanephric mesenchyme- (MM) and of HOXB7/GRHL2 ureteric bud (UB)-like cells already by 6 days.

Effector T cell subclasses associate with tumor burden in neurofibromatosis type 1 patients.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a hereditary tumor syndrome caused by mutations of the NF1 gene and resulting dysregulation of the Ras-pathway. In addition to peripheral nerve tumors, affected tissues include the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular system. The immune system has recently been suggested as a possible modulator NF1-related phenotypes.

Trace element analysis of three tissues from Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) in South Korea.

Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) are endangered worldwide, but the specific cause of their decline has not been determined. This study analyzed the concentrations of potentially toxic trace elements, including As, Cd, Pb, Hg, Se, Cu, Mn, and Zn, in the liver, kidney, and lung tissues of Eurasian otters in South Korea. There were high individual variations in the tissue concentrations of all the elements analyzed.

Age related changes of the extracellular matrix and stem cell maintenance.

Aging is characterized by reduced tissue and organ function, regenerative capacity, and accompanied by a decrease in tissue resident stem cell numbers and a loss of potency. The impact of aging on stem cell populations differs between tissues and depends on a number of non cell-intrinsic factors, including systemic changes associated with immune system alterations, as well as senescence related changes of the local cytoarchitecture. The latter has been studied in the context of environmental niche properties required for stem cell maintenance.