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Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESC) offer an important resource as a limitless supply of any differentiated cell type of the human body. Keratocytes,cells from the corneal stroma,may have the potential for restoration of vision in cell therapy and biomedical engineering applications,but these specialized cells are not readily expanded in vitro. Here we describe a two-part method to produce keratocytes from the H1 hESC cell line. The hESC cells,maintained and expanded in feeder-free culture medium are first differentiated to neural crest cells using the stromal-derived inducing activity (SDIA) of the PA6 mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line. The resulting neural crest cells are selected by their expression of cell-surface CD271 and subsequently cultured as 3D pellets in a defined differentiation medium to induce a keratocyte phenotype. View Publication

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a highly prevalent,chronic inflammatory lung disease with limited existing therapeutic options. While modulation of peroxisome proliferator-activating receptor (PPAR)-$$ activity can modify inflammatory responses in several models of lung injury,the relevance of the PPARG pathway in COPD pathogenesis has not been previously explored. Mice lacking Pparg specifically in airway epithelial cells displayed increased susceptibility to chronic cigarette smoke (CS)-induced emphysema,with excessive macrophage accumulation associated with increased expression of chemokines,Ccl5,Cxcl10,and Cxcl15. Conversely,treatment of mice with a pharmacological PPAR$$ activator attenuated Cxcl10 and Cxcl15 expression and macrophage accumulation in response to CS. In vitro,CS increased lung epithelial cell chemokine expression in a PPAR$$ activation-dependent fashion. The ability of PPAR$$ to regulate CS-induced chemokine expression in vitro was not specifically associated with peroxisome proliferator response element (PPRE)-mediated transactivation activity but was correlated with PPAR$$-mediated transrepression of NF-$$B activity. Pharmacological or genetic activation of PPAR$$ activity abrogated CS-dependent induction of NF-$$B activity. Regulation of NF-$$B activity involved direct PPAR$$-NF-$$B interaction and PPAR$$-mediated effects on IKK activation,I$$B$$ degradation,and nuclear translocation of p65. Our data indicate that PPARG represents a disease-relevant pathophysiological and pharmacological target in COPD. Its activation state likely contributes to NF-$$B-dependent,CS-induced chemokine-mediated regulation of inflammatory cell accumulation. View Publication

Non-viral gene delivery into human embryonic stem cells (hESCs)is an important tool for controlling cell fate. However,the delivery efficiency remains low due in part to the tight colony structure of the cells which prevents effective exposure towards delivery vectors. We herein report a novel approach to enhance non-viral gene delivery to hESCs by transiently altering the cell and colony structure. (R)-(+)-trans-4-(1-aminoethyl)-N-(4-pyridyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide (Y-27632),a small molecule that inhibits the rho-associated protein kinase pathway,is utilized to induce transient colony spreading which leads to increased transfection efficiency by 1.5 to 2 folds in a spectrum of non-viral transfection reagents including Lipofectamine 2000 and Fugene HD. After removal of Y-27632 post-transfection,cells can revert back to its normal state and do not show alteration of pluripotency. This approach provides a simple,effective tool to enhance non-viral gene delivery into adherent hESCs for genetic manipulation. View Publication

Dysbindin is a schizophrenia susceptibility factor and subunit of the biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles complex 1 (BLOC-1) required for lysosome-related organelle biogenesis,and in neurons,synaptic vesicle assembly,neurotransmission,and plasticity. Protein networks,or interactomes,downstream of dysbindin/BLOC-1 remain partially explored despite their potential to illuminate neurodevelopmental disorder mechanisms. Here,we conducted a proteome-wide search for polypeptides whose cellular content is sensitive to dysbindin/BLOC-1 loss of function. We identified components of the vesicle fusion machinery as factors downregulated in dysbindin/BLOC-1 deficiency in neuroectodermal cells and iPSC-derived human neurons,among them the N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF). Human dysbindin/BLOC-1 coprecipitates with NSF and vice versa,and both proteins colocalized in a Drosophila model synapse. To test the hypothesis that NSF and dysbindin/BLOC-1 participate in a pathway-regulating synaptic function,we examined the role for NSF in dysbindin/BLOC-1-dependent synaptic homeostatic plasticity in Drosophila. As previously described,we found that mutations in dysbindin precluded homeostatic synaptic plasticity elicited by acute blockage of postsynaptic receptors. This dysbindin mutant phenotype is fully rescued by presynaptic expression of either dysbindin or Drosophila NSF. However,neither reduction of NSF alone or in combination with dysbindin haploinsufficiency impaired homeostatic synaptic plasticity. Our results demonstrate that dysbindin/BLOC-1 expression defects result in altered cellular content of proteins of the vesicle fusion apparatus and therefore influence synaptic plasticity. View Publication

Unintended exposure to teratogenic compounds can lead to various birth defects; however current animal-based testing is limited by time,cost and high inter-species variability. Here,we developed a human-relevant in vitro model,which recapitulated two cellular events characteristic of embryogenesis,to identify potentially teratogenic compounds. We spatially directed mesoendoderm differentiation,epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the ensuing cell migration in micropatterned human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) colonies to collectively form an annular mesoendoderm pattern. Teratogens could disrupt the two cellular processes to alter the morphology of the mesoendoderm pattern. Image processing and statistical algorithms were developed to quantify and classify the compounds' teratogenic potential. We not only could measure dose-dependent effects but also correctly classify species-specific drug (Thalidomide) and false negative drug (D-penicillamine) in the conventional mouse embryonic stem cell test. This model offers a scalable screening platform to mitigate the risks of teratogen exposures in human. View Publication

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Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) enhances cellular proliferation and reduces apoptosis during the early differentiation of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into neural progenitor-like cells (NPCs) in the presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). BMSCs were differentiated in three groups of growth factors: (A) EGF + bFGF,(B) EGF + bFGF + IGF-1,and (C) without growth factor. To unravel the molecular mechanisms of the NPCs derivation,microarray analysis using GeneChip miRNA arrays was performed. The profiles were compared among the groups. Annotated microRNA fingerprints (GSE60060) delineated 46 microRNAs temporally up-regulated or down-regulated compared to group C. The expressions of selected microRNAs were validated by real-time PCR. Among the 46 microRNAs,30 were consistently expressed for minimum of two consecutive time intervals. In Group B,only miR-496 was up-regulated and 12 microRNAs,including the let-7 family,miR-1224,miR-125a-3p,miR-214,miR-22,miR-320,miR-708,and miR-93,were down-regulated. Bioinformatics analysis reveals that some of these microRNAs (miR-22,miR-214,miR-125a-3p,miR-320 and let-7 family) are associated with reduction of apoptosis. Here,we summarize the roles of key microRNAs associated with IGF-1 in the differentiation of BMSCs into NPCs. These findings may provide clues to further our understanding of the mechanisms and roles of microRNAs as key regulators of BMSC-derived NPC maintenance. View Publication

BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence suggests that some long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in certain diseases,such as cancer. The lncRNA,CCDC26,is related to childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) because its copy number is altered in AML patients. RESULTS We found that CCDC26 transcripts were abundant in the nuclear fraction of K562 human myeloid leukemia cells. To examine the function of CCDC26,gene knockdown (KD) was performed using short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs),and four KD clones,in which CCDC26 expression was suppressed to 1% of its normal level,were isolated. This down-regulation included suppression of CCDC26 intron-containing transcripts (the CCDC26 precursor mRNA),indicating that transcriptional gene suppression (TGS),not post-transcriptional suppression,was occurring. The shRNA targeting one of the two CCDC26 splice variants also suppressed the other splice variant,which is further evidence for TGS. Growth rates of KD clones were reduced compared with non-KD control cells in media containing normal or high serum concentrations. In contrast,enhanced growth rates in media containing much lower serum concentrations and increased survival periods after serum withdrawal were observed for KD clones. DNA microarray and quantitative polymerase chain reaction screening for differentially expressed genes between KD clones and non-KD control cells revealed significant up-regulation of the tyrosine kinase receptor,KIT,hyperactive mutations of which are often found in AML. Treatment of KD clones with ISCK03,a KIT-specific inhibitor,eliminated the increased survival of KD clones in the absence of serum. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that CCDC26 controls growth of myeloid leukemia cells through regulation of KIT expression. A KIT inhibitor might be an effective treatment against the forms of AML in which CCDC26 is altered. View Publication

Host defense peptides have recently gained much interest as novel anti-infectives owing to their ability to kill bacteria and simultaneously modulate host cell responses. The cationic host defense peptide GKY25 (GKYGFYTHVFRLKKWIQKVIDQFGE),derived from the C terminus of human thrombin,inhibits proinflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo,but the mode of action is unclear. In this study,we show that GKY25,apart from binding bacterial LPS,also interacts directly with monocytes and macrophages in vitro,ex vivo,and in vivo. Moreover,GKY25 inhibits TLR4- and TLR2-induced NF-κB activation in response to several microbe-derived agonists. Furthermore,GKY25 reduces LPS-induced phosphorylation of MAPKs p38α and JNK1/2/3. FACS and electron microscopy analyses showed that GKY25 interferes with TLR4/myeloid differentiation protein-2 dimerization. The results demonstrate a previously undisclosed activity of the host defense peptide GKY25,based on combined LPS and cell interactions leading to inhibition of TLR4 dimerization and subsequent reduction of NF-κB activity and proinflammatory cytokine production in monocytes and macrophages. View Publication

Characterizing clinically relevant brain metastasis models and assessing the therapeutic efficacy in such models are fundamental for the development of novel therapies for metastatic brain cancers. In this study,we have developed an in vivo imageable breast-to-brain metastasis mouse model. Using real time in vivo imaging and subsequent composite fluorescence imaging,we show a widespread distribution of micro- and macro-metastasis in different stages of metastatic progression. We also show extravasation of tumour cells and the close association of tumour cells with blood vessels in the brain thus mimicking the multi-foci metastases observed in the clinics. Next,we explored the ability of engineered adult stem cells to track metastatic deposits in this model and show that engineered stem cells either implanted or injected via circulation efficiently home to metastatic tumour deposits in the brain. Based on the recent findings that metastatic tumour cells adopt unique mechanisms of evading apoptosis to successfully colonize in the brain,we reasoned that TNF receptor superfamily member 10A/10B apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) based pro-apoptotic therapies that induce death receptor signalling within the metastatic tumour cells might be a favourable therapeutic approach. We engineered stem cells to express a tumour selective,potent and secretable variant of a TRAIL,S-TRAIL,and show that these cells significantly suppressed metastatic tumour growth and prolonged the survival of mice bearing metastatic breast tumours. Furthermore,the incorporation of pro-drug converting enzyme,herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase,into therapeutic S-TRAIL secreting stem cells allowed their eradication post-tumour treatment. These studies are the first of their kind that provide insight into targeting brain metastasis with stem-cell mediated delivery of pro-apoptotic ligands and have important clinical implications. View Publication

The extent,regulation and enzymatic basis of RNA editing by cytidine deamination are incompletely understood. Here we show that transcripts of hundreds of genes undergo site-specific CtextgreaterU RNA editing in macrophages during M1 polarization and in monocytes in response to hypoxia and interferons. This editing alters the amino acid sequences for scores of proteins,including many that are involved in pathogenesis of viral diseases. APOBEC3A,which is known to deaminate cytidines of single-stranded DNA and to inhibit viruses and retrotransposons,mediates this RNA editing. Amino acid residues of APOBEC3A that are known to be required for its DNA deamination and anti-retrotransposition activities were also found to affect its RNA deamination activity. Our study demonstrates the cellular RNA editing activity of a member of the APOBEC3 family of innate restriction factors and expands the understanding of CtextgreaterU RNA editing in mammals. View Publication

BACKGROUND Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is initiated and maintained by a subset of self-renewing leukemia stem cells (LSCs),which contribute to the progression,recurrence and therapeutic resistance of leukemia. However,the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of LSCs drug resistance have not been fully defined. In this study,we attempted to elucidate the mechanisms of LSCs drug resistance. METHODS We performed reverse phase protein arrays to analyze the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins in the LSC-enriched leukemia cell line KG-1a. Immuno-blotting,cell viability and clinical AML samples were evaluated to verify the micro-assay results. The characteristics and transcriptional regulation of survivin were analyzed with the relative luciferase reporter assay,mutant constructs,chromatin immuno-precipitation (ChIP),quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR),and western blotting. The levels of Sp1,c-Myc,phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK),phospho-mitogen and stress-activated protein kinase (p-MSK) were investigated in paired CD34+ and CD34- AML patient samples. RESULTS Survivin was highly over-expressed in CD34 + CD38- KG-1a cells and paired CD34+ AML patients compared with their differentiated counterparts. Functionally,survivin contributes to the drug resistance of LSCs,and Sp1 and c-Myc concurrently regulate levels of survivin transcription. Clinically,Sp1 and c-Myc were significantly up-regulated and positively correlated with survivin in CD34+ AML patients. Moreover,Sp1 and c-Myc were further activated by the ERK/MSK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway,modulating survivin levels. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrated that ERK/MSK/Sp1/c-Myc axis functioned as a critical regulator of survivin expression in LSCs,offering a potential new therapeutic strategy for LSCs therapy. View Publication