We studied the differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and developed a novel protocol for generating functional cardiomyocytes (CMs) from ESCs by co-culturing these with live cardiac cells. We then evaluated the structural and functional properties of these ESC-derived CMs (ESCMs). An acellular matrix obtained from rabbit heart tissues was used as a scaffold. Then ESCMs were seeded onto the acellular matrix for preliminary tissue engineering applications. We found that by mimicking the cardiac microenvironment, the percentage of beating embryoid bodies (EBs) was much higher and the homogeneity of EBs were significantly improved over that seen in the control group (p<0.001). ESCMs in EBs acquired almost the same structural and functional properties as typical CMs. After implantation, the cells in the EBs rapidly grew and expanded in the extracellular matrix. These results indicate that the differentiation of ESCs can be controlled in a cardiac mimicking microenvironment and that ESCs can be used as an ideal cell source for large-scale tissue engineering applications for the procurement of cardiac muscle.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1042/CBI20090021 | DOI Listing |
PLoS Genet
January 2025
Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Medicine, Ein- Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel.
Germ cells are essential for fertility, embryogenesis, and reproduction. Germline development requires distinct types of germ granules, which contains RNA-protein (RNP) complexes, including germ plasm in embryos, piRNA granules in gonadal germ cells, and the Balbiani body (Bb) in oocytes. However, the regulation of RNP assemblies in zebrafish germline development are still poorly understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe central nervous system (CNS) parenchyma has conventionally been believed to lack lymphatic vasculature, likely due to a non-permissive microenvironment that hinders the formation and growth of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs). Recent findings of ectopic expression of LEC markers including Prospero Homeobox 1 (PROX1), a master regulator of lymphatic differentiation, and the vascular permeability marker Plasmalemma Vesicle Associated Protein (PLVAP), in certain glioblastoma and brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), has prompted investigation into their roles in cerebrovascular malformations, tumor environments, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) abnormalities. To explore the relationship between ectopic LEC properties and BBB disruption, we utilized endothelial cell-specific overexpression mutants.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Orthop Case Rep
January 2025
Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Introduction: Neuroblastoma is an embryonic tumor of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system. It is the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood and accounts for up to 15% of all pediatric cancer fatalities. The manifestation of neuroblastoma is variable depending on the location of the tumor and the presence or absence of paraneoplastic syndromes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Biol Chem
January 2025
Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE; Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE; ASPIRE Precision Medicine Research Institute Abu Dhabi (PMRI-AD), United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE. Electronic address:
Neurodevelopmental disorders have complex origins that manifest early during embryonic growth and are associated with intricate gene regulation dynamics. A perturbed metabolic environment such as hyperglycemia or dyslipidemia, particularly due to maternal obesity, poses a threat to the optimal development of the embryonic central nervous system. Accumulating evidence suggests that these metabolic irregularities during pregnancy may alter neurogenesis pathways, thereby predisposing the developing fetus to neurodevelopmental disorders.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiochem Biophys Res Commun
December 2024
Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China. Electronic address:
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