Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease caused in 10% of cases by inherited mutations considered "familial". An ever-increasing amount of evidence is showing a fundamental role for RNA metabolism in ALS pathogenesis, and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) appear to play a role in ALS development. Here, we aim to investigate the expression of a panel of lncRNAs (linc-Enc1, linc-Brn1a, linc-Brn1b, linc-p21, Hottip, Tug1, Eldrr, and Fendrr) which could be implicated in early phases of ALS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExisting therapies for Parkinson's disease (PD) are only symptomatic. As erythropoietin (EPO) is emerging for its benefits in neurodegenerative diseases, here, we test the protective effect driven by EPO in in vitro (SH-SY5Y cells challenged by MPP) and in vivo (C57BL/6J mice administered with MPTP) PD models. EPO restores cell viability in both protective and restorative layouts, enhancing the dopaminergic recovery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStem Cells (SCs) show a great potential in therapeutics for restoring and regenerating native tissues. The clinical translation of SCs therapies is currently hindered by the inability to expand SCs in large therapeutic dosages, while maintaining their safety and potency. The use of biomaterials allows for the generation of active biophysical signals for directing SCs fate through 3D micro-scaffolds, such as the one named "Nichoid", fabricated with two-photon laser polymerization with a spatial resolution of 100 nm.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF3D cell cultures are becoming more and more important in the field of regenerative medicine due to their ability to mimic the cellular physiological microenvironment. Among the different types of 3D scaffolds, we focus on the Nichoid, a miniaturized scaffold with a structure inspired by the natural staminal niche. The Nichoid can activate cellular responses simply by subjecting the cells to mechanical stimuli.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnderstanding the molecular basis of adipogenesis is vital to identify new therapeutic targets to improve anti-obesity drugs. The adipogenic process could be a new target in the management of this disease. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of GMG-43AC, a selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ modulator, during adipose differentiation of murine pre-adipocytes and human Adipose Derived Stem Cells (hADSCs).
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