Numerous studies have shown that cell replacement therapy can replenish lost cells and rebuild neural circuitry in animal models of Parkinson’s disease.Transplantation of midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cells is a p...Numerous studies have shown that cell replacement therapy can replenish lost cells and rebuild neural circuitry in animal models of Parkinson’s disease.Transplantation of midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cells is a promising treatment for Parkinson’s disease.However,transplanted cells can be injured by mechanical damage during handling and by changes in the transplantation niche.Here,we developed a one-step biomanufacturing platform that uses small-aperture gelatin microcarriers to produce beads carrying midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cells.These beads allow midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cell differentiation and cryopreservation without digestion,effectively maintaining axonal integrity in vitro.Importantly,midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cell bead grafts showed increased survival and only mild immunoreactivity in vivo compared with suspended midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cell grafts.Overall,our findings show that these midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cell beads enhance the effectiveness of neuronal cell transplantation.展开更多
PTEN-induced putative kinase 1(PINK1),a mitochondrial kinase that phosphorylates Parkin and other proteins,plays a crucial role in mitophagy and protection against neurodegeneration.Mutations in PINK1 and Parkin can l...PTEN-induced putative kinase 1(PINK1),a mitochondrial kinase that phosphorylates Parkin and other proteins,plays a crucial role in mitophagy and protection against neurodegeneration.Mutations in PINK1 and Parkin can lead to loss of function and early onset Parkinson's disease.However,there is a lack of strong in vivo evidence in rodent models to support the theory that loss of PINK1 affects mitophagy and induces neurodegeneration.Additionally,PINK1 knockout pigs(Sus scrofa)do not appear to exhibit neurodegeneration.In our recent work involving non-human primates,we found that PINK1 is selectively expressed in primate brains,while absent in rodent brains.To extend this to other species,we used multiple antibodies to examine the expression of PINK1 in pig tissues.In contrast to tissues from cynomolgus monkeys(Macaca fascicularis),our data did not convincingly demonstrate detectable PINK1expression in pig tissues.Knockdown of PINK1 in cultured pig cells did not result in altered Parkin and BAD phosphorylation,as observed in cultured monkey cells.A comparison of monkey and pig striatum revealed more PINK1-phosphorylated substrates in the monkey brain.Consistently,PINK1 knockout in pigs did not lead to obvious changes in the phosphorylation of Parkin and BAD.These findings provide new evidence that PINK1expression is specific to primates,underscoring the importance of non-human primates in investigating PINK1function and pathology related to PINK1 deficiency.展开更多
Pluripotent stem cells(PSCs),characterized by self-renewal and capacity of differentiating into three germ layers,are the programmable building blocks of life.PSC-derived cells and multicellular systems,particularly o...Pluripotent stem cells(PSCs),characterized by self-renewal and capacity of differentiating into three germ layers,are the programmable building blocks of life.PSC-derived cells and multicellular systems,particularly organoids,exhibit great potential for regenerative medicine.However,this field is still in its infancy,partly due to limited strategies to robustly and precisely control stem cell behaviors,which are tightly regulated by inner gene regulatory networks in response to stimuli from the extracellular environment.Synthetic receptors and genetic circuits are powerful tools to customize the cellular sense-and-response process,suggesting their underlying roles in precise control of cell fate decision and function reconstruction.Herein,we review the progress and challenges needed to be overcome in the fields of PSC-based cell therapy and multicellular system generation,respectively.Furthermore,we summarize several well-established synthetic biology tools and their applications in PSC engineering.Finally,we highlight the challenges and perspectives of harnessing synthetic biology to PSC engineering for regenerative medicine.展开更多
Hereditary hearing loss(HHL),a genetic disorder that impairs auditory function,significantly affects quality of life and incurs substantial economic losses for society.To investigate the underlying causes of HHL and e...Hereditary hearing loss(HHL),a genetic disorder that impairs auditory function,significantly affects quality of life and incurs substantial economic losses for society.To investigate the underlying causes of HHL and evaluate therapeutic outcomes,appropriate animal models are necessary.Pigs have been extensively used as valuable large animal models in biomedical research.In this review,we highlight the advantages of pig models in terms of ear anatomy,inner ear morphology,and electrophysiological characteristics,as well as recent advancements in the development of distinct genetically modified porcine models of hearing loss.Additionally,we discuss the prospects,challenges,and recommendations regarding the use pig models in HHL research.Overall,this review provides insights and perspectives for future studies on HHL using porcine models.展开更多
Background:Pig organ xenotransplantation is a potential solution for the severe organ shortage in clinic,while immunogenic genes need to be eliminated to improve the immune compatibility between humans and pigs.Curren...Background:Pig organ xenotransplantation is a potential solution for the severe organ shortage in clinic,while immunogenic genes need to be eliminated to improve the immune compatibility between humans and pigs.Current knockout strategies are mainly aimed at the genes causing hyperacute immune rejection(HAR)that occurs in the first few hours while adaptive immune reactions orchestrated by CD4 T cell thereafter also cause graft failure,in which process the MHCⅡmolecule plays critical roles.Methods:Thus,we generate a 4-gene(GGTA1,CMAH,β4GalNT2,and CIITA)knockout pig by CRISPR/Cas9 and somatic cell nuclear transfer to compromise HAR and CD4 T cell reactions simultaneously.Results:We successfully obtained 4KO piglets with deficiency in all alleles of genes,and at cellular and tissue levels.Additionally,the safety of our animals after gene editing was verified by using whole-genome sequencing and karyotyping.Piglets have survived for more than one year in the barrier,and also survived for more than 3 months in the conventional environment,suggesting that the piglets without MHCⅡcan be raised in the barrier and then gradually mated in the conventional environment.Conclusions:4KO piglets have lower immunogenicity,are safe in genomic level,and are easier to breed than the model with both MHCⅠandⅡdeletion.展开更多
In the intricate skeletal muscle tissue,the symbiotic relationship between myotubes and their supporting vasculature is pivotal in delivering essential oxygen and nutrients.This study explored the complex interplay be...In the intricate skeletal muscle tissue,the symbiotic relationship between myotubes and their supporting vasculature is pivotal in delivering essential oxygen and nutrients.This study explored the complex interplay between skeletal muscle and endothelial cells in the vascularization ofmuscle tissue.By harnessing the capabilities of three-dimensional(3D)bioprinting and modeling,we developed a novel approach involving the co-construction of endothelial and muscle cells,followed by their subsequent differentiation.Our findings highlight the importance of the interaction dynamics between these two cell types.Notably,introducing endothelial cells during the advanced phases of muscle differentiation enhanced myotube assembly.Moreover,it stimulated the development of the vascular network,paving the way for the early stages of vascularized skeletal muscle development.The methodology proposed in this study indicates the potential for constructing large-scale,physiologically aligned skeletal muscle.Additionally,it highlights the need for exploring the delicate equilibrium and mutual interactions between muscle and endothelial cells.Based on the multicell-type interaction model,we can predict promising pathways for constructing even more intricate tissues or organs.展开更多
Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligases(CRLs),the largest family of multi-subunit E3 ubiquitin ligases in eukaryotic cells,represent core cellular machinery for executing protein degradation and maintaining proteostasis.Here...Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligases(CRLs),the largest family of multi-subunit E3 ubiquitin ligases in eukaryotic cells,represent core cellular machinery for executing protein degradation and maintaining proteostasis.Here,we asked what roles Cullin proteins play in human mesenchymal stem cell(hMSC)homeostasis and senescence.To this end,we conducted a comparative aging phenotype analysis by individually knocking down Cullin members in three senescence models:replicative senescent hMSCs,Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome hMSCs,and Werner syndrome hMSCs.Among all family members,we found that CUL2 deficiency rendered hMSCs the most susceptible to senescence.To investigate CUL2-specific underlying mechanisms,we then applied CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing technology to generate CUL2-deficient human embryonic stem cells(hESCs).When we differentiated these into h MSCs,we found that CUL2 deletion markedly accelerates hMSC senescence.Importantly,we identified that CUL2 targets and promotes ubiquitin proteasome-mediated degradation of TSPYL2(a known negative regulator of proliferation)through the substrate receptor protein APPBP2,which in turn downregulates one of the canonical aging marker-P21^(waf1/cip1),and thereby delays senescence.Our work provides important insights into how CRL2^(APPBP2)-mediated TSPYL2 degradation counteracts hMSC senescence,providing a molecular basis for directing intervention strategies against aging and aging-related diseases.展开更多
The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)can be caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection,and has led to millions of deaths among more than 100 million infected people around the worl...The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)can be caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection,and has led to millions of deaths among more than 100 million infected people around the world according to the declaration from World Health Organization.Dysregulated immune response of both the innate and adaptive immune systems is subsistent on COVID-19 patients,of which the degree are associated with disease severity,lung damage and long term functional disability.Current treatment options have included antiretroviral drugs,anti-inflammatory factors,antibodies,immune checkpoint inhibitors,and convalescent plasma therapy.More recently,mesenchymal stem cell(MSC)therapy has been explored for the management and control of COVID-19,particularly with the aim of preventing or at least mitigating respiratory co-morbidities.Though the safety and efficacy of stem cell therapy have been validated in multiple phase I–III clinical trials,to date,no standardized stem cell preparation,administration dosage or interval,product QA/QC testing,storage,transportation,or disposal protocols have been established.The present paper proposes a systematic methodology that addresses all the foregoing process steps and evaluation criteria for the efficacious and safe administration of MSCs in the treatment of patients infected with COVID-19.展开更多
The oral cavity is a complex physiological community encompassing a wide range of microorganisms.Dysbiosis of oral microbiota can lead to various oral infectious diseases,such as periodontitis and tooth decay,and even...The oral cavity is a complex physiological community encompassing a wide range of microorganisms.Dysbiosis of oral microbiota can lead to various oral infectious diseases,such as periodontitis and tooth decay,and even affect systemic health,including brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases.Recent studies have highlighted how oral microbes might be involved in brain aging and neurodegeneration,indicating potential avenues for intervention strategies.In this review,we summarize clinical evidence demonstrating a link between oral microbes/oral infectious diseases and brain aging/neurodegenerative diseases,and dissect potential mechanisms by which oral microbes contribute to brain aging and neurodegeneration.We also highlight advances in therapeutic development grounded in the realm of oral microbes,with the goal of advancing brain health and promoting healthy aging.展开更多
Cell and gene therapies hold tremendous promise for treating a range of difficult-to-treat diseases.However,concerns over the safety and efficacy require to be further addressed in order to realize their full potentia...Cell and gene therapies hold tremendous promise for treating a range of difficult-to-treat diseases.However,concerns over the safety and efficacy require to be further addressed in order to realize their full potential.Synthetic receptors,a synthetic biology tool that can precisely control the function of therapeutic cells and genetic modules,have been rapidly developed and applied as a powerful solution.Delicately designed and engineered,they can be applied to finetune the therapeutic activities,i.e.,to regulate production of dosed,bioactive payloads by sensing and processing user-defined signals or biomarkers.This review provides an overview of diverse synthetic receptor systems being used to reprogram therapeutic cells and their wide applications in biomedical research.With a special focus on four synthetic receptor systems at the forefront,including chimeric antigen receptors(CARs)and synthetic Notch(synNotch)receptors,we address the generalized strategies to design,construct and improve synthetic receptors.Meanwhile,we also highlight the expanding landscape of therapeutic applications of the synthetic receptor systems as well as current challenges in their clinical translation.展开更多
Translesion DNA synthesis(TLS)can bypass DNA lesions caused by chemotherapeutic drugs,which usually result in drug resistance.Given its key role in mutagenesis and cell survival after DNA damage,inhibition of the TLS ...Translesion DNA synthesis(TLS)can bypass DNA lesions caused by chemotherapeutic drugs,which usually result in drug resistance.Given its key role in mutagenesis and cell survival after DNA damage,inhibition of the TLS pathway has emerged as a potential target for improving the efficacy of DNA-damaging agents such as cisplatin(CDDP),a widely used anticancer agent.Unfortunately,few suitable natural TLS inhibitors have been reported.Here,we found that a triterpenoid compound Ganoboninketal C(26-3)from Ganoderma boninense,a traditional Chinese medicine,can impair CDDP-induced TLS polymerase eta(Polη)focus formation,PCNA monoubiquitination as well as mutagenesis.Moreover,26-3 can significantly sensitize tumor cells to CDDP killing and reduce the proportion of cancer stem cells in AGS and promote apoptosis after CDDP exposure.Interestingly,26-3 can also sensitize tumor cells to Gefitinib therapy.Mechanistically,through RNA-seq analysis,we found that 26-3 could abrogate the CDDP-induced upregulation of Polηand PIDD(p53-induced protein with a death domain),2 known factors promoting TLS pathway.Furthermore,we found that activating transcription factor 3 is a potential novel TLS modulator.Taken together,we have identified a natural TLS inhibitor 26-3,which can be potentially used as an adjuvant to improve clinical efficacy.展开更多
The advancement of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats(CRISPR)gene editing technology has revolutionized the comprehension of human genome,propelling molecular and cellular biology research into ...The advancement of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats(CRISPR)gene editing technology has revolutionized the comprehension of human genome,propelling molecular and cellular biology research into unexplored realms and accelerating progress in life sciences and medicine.CRISPR-based gene screening,recognized for its efficiency and practicality,is widely utilized across diverse biological fields.Aging is a multifaceted process governed by a myriad of genetic and epigenetic factors.Unraveling the genes regulating aging holds promise for understanding this intricate phenomenon and devising strategies for its assessment and intervention.This review provides a comprehensive overview of the progress in CRISPR screening and its applications in aging research,while also offering insights into future directions.CRISPR-based genetic-manipulation tools are positioned as indispensable instruments for mitigating aging and managing age-related diseases.展开更多
The testis is pivotal for male reproduction,and its progressive functional decline in aging is associated with infertility.However,the regulatory mechanism underlying primate testicular aging remains largely elusive.H...The testis is pivotal for male reproduction,and its progressive functional decline in aging is associated with infertility.However,the regulatory mechanism underlying primate testicular aging remains largely elusive.Here,we resolve the aging-related cellular and molecular alterations of primate testicular aging by establishing a single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas.Gene-expression patterns along the spermatogenesis trajectory revealed molecular programs associated with attrition of spermatogonial stem cell reservoir,disturbed meiosis and impaired spermiogenesis along the sequential continuum.Remarkably,Sertoli cell was identified as the cell type most susceptible to aging,given its deeply perturbed age-associated transcriptional profiles.Concomitantly,downregulation of the transcription factor Wilms'Tumor 1(WTi),essential for Sertoli cell homeostasis,was associated with accelerated cellular senescence,disrupted tight junctions,and a compromised cell identity signature,which altogether may help create a hostile microenvironment for spermatogenesis.Collectively,our study depicts in-depth transcriptomic traits of non-human primate(NHP)testicular aging at single-cell resolution,providing potential diagnostic biomarkers and targets for therapeutic interventions against testicular aging and age-related male reproductive diseases.展开更多
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark feature of cellular senescence and organ aging.Here,we asked whether the mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein(MAVS),which is essential for driving antiviral response,also r...Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark feature of cellular senescence and organ aging.Here,we asked whether the mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein(MAVS),which is essential for driving antiviral response,also regulates human stem cell senescence.To answer this question,we used CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing and directed differentiation techniques to generate various MAVS-knockout human stem cell models.We found that human mesenchymal stem cells(hMSCs)were sensitive to MAVS deficiency,as manifested by accelerated senescence phenotypes.We uncovered that the role of MAVS in maintaining mitochondrial structural integrity and functional homeostasis depends on its interaction with the guanosine triphosphatase optic atrophy type 1(OPA1).Depletion of MAVS or OPA1 led to the dysfunction of mitochondria and cellular senescence,whereas replenishment of MAVS or OPA1 in MAVS-knockout hMSCs alleviated mitochondrial defects and premature senescence phenotypes.Taken together,our data underscore an uncanonical role of MAVS in safeguarding mitochondrial homeostasis and antagonizing human stem cell senescence.展开更多
Immunity-and-matrix-regulatory cells(IMRCs)derived from human embryonic stem cells have unique abilities in modulating immunity and regulating the extracellular matrix,which could be mass-produced with stable biologic...Immunity-and-matrix-regulatory cells(IMRCs)derived from human embryonic stem cells have unique abilities in modulating immunity and regulating the extracellular matrix,which could be mass-produced with stable biological properties.Despite resemblance to mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)in terms of self-renew and tri-lineage differentiation,the ability of IMRCs to repair the meniscus and the underlying mechanism remains undetermined.Here,we showed that IMRCs demonstrated stronger immunomodulatory and pro-regenerative potential than umbilical cord MSCs when stimulated by synovial fluid from patients with meniscus injury.Following injection into the knees of rabbits with meniscal injury,IMRCs enhanced endogenous fibrocartilage regeneration.In the dose-escalating phase I clinical trial(NCT03839238)with eighteen patients recruited,we found that intra-articular IMRCs injection in patients was safe over 12 months post-grafting.Furthermore,the effective results of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)of meniscus repair and knee functional scores suggested that 5×107 cells are optimal for meniscus injury treatment.In summary,we present the first report of a phase I clinical trial using IMRCs to treat meniscus injury.Our results demonstrated that intra-articular injection of IMRCs is a safe and effective therapy by providing a permissive niche for cartilage regeneration.展开更多
Prime editing(PE)is a recent gene editing technology that can mediate insertions or deletions and all twelve types of base-tobase conversions.However,its low efficiency hampers the application in creating novel breeds...Prime editing(PE)is a recent gene editing technology that can mediate insertions or deletions and all twelve types of base-tobase conversions.However,its low efficiency hampers the application in creating novel breeds and biomedical models,especially in pigs and other important farm animals.Here,we demonstrate that the pig genome is editable using the PE system,but the editing efficiency was quite low as expected.Therefore,we aimed to enhance PE efficiency by modulating both exogenous PE tools and endogenous pathways in porcine embryonic fibroblasts(PEFs).First,we modified the peg RNA by extending the duplex length and mutating the fourth thymine in a continuous sequence of thymine bases to cytosine,which significantly enhanced PE efficiency by improving the expression of peg RNA and targeted cleavage.Then,we targeted SAMHD1,a deoxynucleoside triphosphate triphosphohydrolase(d NTPase)that impedes the reverse transcription process in retroviruses,and found that treatment with its inhibitor,cephalosporin C zinc salt(CPC),increased PE efficiency up to 29-fold(4-fold on average),presumably by improving the reverse transcription process of Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase(M-MLV RT)in the PE system.Moreover,PE efficiency was obviously improved by treatment with a panel of histone deacetylase inhibitors(HDACis).Among the four HDACis tested,panobinostat was the most efficient,with an efficiency up to 122-fold(7-fold on average),partly due to the considerable HDACi-mediated increase in transgene expression.In addition,the synergistic use of the three strategies further enhanced PE efficiency in PEFs.Our study provides novel approaches for optimization of the PE system and broadens the application scope of PE in agriculture and biomedicine.展开更多
Although the mTOR-4E-BP1 signaling pathway is implicated in aging and aging-related disorders,the role of 4E-BP1 in regulating human stem cell homeostasis remains largely unknown.Here,we report that the expression of ...Although the mTOR-4E-BP1 signaling pathway is implicated in aging and aging-related disorders,the role of 4E-BP1 in regulating human stem cell homeostasis remains largely unknown.Here,we report that the expression of 4E-BP1 decreases along with the senescence of human mesenchymal stem celis(hMSCs).Genetic inactivation of 4E-BP1 in hMSCs compromises mitochondrial respiration,increases mitochondrial reactive oxygen species(Ros)production,and accelerates cellular senescence.Mechanistically,the absence of 4E-BP1 destabilizes proteins in mitochondrial respiration complexes,especially several key subunits of complex III including UQCRC2.Ectopic expression of 4E-BP1 attenuates mitochondrial abnormalities and alleviates cellular senescence in 4E-BP1-deficient hMSCs as well as in physiologically aged hMSCs.These findings together demonstrate that 4E-BP1 functions as a geroprotector to mitigate human stem cell senescence and maintain mitochondrial homeostasis,particularly for the mitochondrial respiration complex Il,thus providing a new potential target to counteract human stem cell senescence.展开更多
Mechanical force is crucial in the whole process of embryonic development.However,the role of trophoblast mechanics during embryo implantation has rarely been studied.In this study,we constructed a model to explore th...Mechanical force is crucial in the whole process of embryonic development.However,the role of trophoblast mechanics during embryo implantation has rarely been studied.In this study,we constructed a model to explore the effect of stiffness changes in mouse trophoblast stem cells(mTSCs)on implantation:microcarrier was prepared by sodium alginate using a droplet microfluidics system,and mTSCs were attached to the microcarrier surface with laminin modifications,called T(micro).Compared with the spheroid,formed by the self-assembly of mTSCs(T(sph)),we could regulate the stiffness of the microcarrier,making the Young’s modulus of mTSCs(367.70±79.81 Pa)similar to that of the blastocyst trophoblast ectoderm(432.49±151.90 Pa).Moreover,T(micro)contributes to improve the adhesion rate,expansion area and invasion depth of mTSCs.Further,T(micro)was highly expressed in tissue migration-related genes due to the activation of the Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase(ROCK)pathway at relatively similar modulus of trophoblast.Overall,our study explores the embryo implantation process with a new perspective,and provides theoretical support for understanding the effect of mechanics on embryo implantation.展开更多
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated gene(Cas) system is continually optimized to achieve the most efficient gene editing effect. The Cas12i^(Max), a Cas12i variant, ...The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated gene(Cas) system is continually optimized to achieve the most efficient gene editing effect. The Cas12i^(Max), a Cas12i variant, exhibits powerful DNA editing activity and enriches the gene editing toolbox. However, the application of Cas12i^(Max)in large domestic animals has not yet been reported. To verify the efficiency and feasibility of multiple gene editing in large animals, we generated porcine fibroblasts with simultaneous knockouts of IGF2, ANPEP, CD163,and MSTN via Cas12i^(Max)in one step. Phenotypically stable pigs were created through somatic cell nuclear transfer technology. They exhibited improved growth performance and muscle quality. Furthermore, we simultaneously edited three genes in bovine fibroblasts. A knockout of MSTN and PRNP was created and the amino acid Q-G in CD18 was precisely substituted. Meanwhile, no off-target phenomenon was observed by sum-type analysis or off-target detection. These results verified the effectiveness of Cas12i^(Max)for gene editing in livestock animals and demonstrated the potential application of Cas12i^(Max)in the field of animal trait improvement for agricultural production.展开更多
Dear Editor,Stem cell therapy holds enormous and revolutionary promise to treat various age-related diseases,such as diabetes,heart failure,and Parkinson’s disease.However,low retention and survival rate of delivered...Dear Editor,Stem cell therapy holds enormous and revolutionary promise to treat various age-related diseases,such as diabetes,heart failure,and Parkinson’s disease.However,low retention and survival rate of delivered stem cells,partially due to immunological rejection,constitute major hurdles for the clinical implementation of stem cell therapy(Lei et al.,2021a).Since mounting evidence showed that several types of stem cells mainly exert their therapeutic effects through the secretion of paracrine effects,exosomes,which are released by stem cells and execute most paracrine functions,have begun to draw attention in the field(Tran and Damaser,2015).Exosomes are membrane-enclosed vesicles with an average diameter of∼100 nanometers secreted by the cells,containing cytokines.展开更多
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China,Nos.2017YFE0122900(to BH),2019YFA0110800(to WL),2019YFA0903802(to YW),2021YFA1101604(to LW),2018YFA0108502(to LF),and 2020YFA0804003(to JW)the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.31621004(to WL,BH)and 31970821(to YW)+1 种基金CAS Project for Young Scientists in Basic Research,No.YSBR-041(to YW)Joint Funds of the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.U21A20396(to BH)。
文摘Numerous studies have shown that cell replacement therapy can replenish lost cells and rebuild neural circuitry in animal models of Parkinson’s disease.Transplantation of midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cells is a promising treatment for Parkinson’s disease.However,transplanted cells can be injured by mechanical damage during handling and by changes in the transplantation niche.Here,we developed a one-step biomanufacturing platform that uses small-aperture gelatin microcarriers to produce beads carrying midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cells.These beads allow midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cell differentiation and cryopreservation without digestion,effectively maintaining axonal integrity in vitro.Importantly,midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cell bead grafts showed increased survival and only mild immunoreactivity in vivo compared with suspended midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cell grafts.Overall,our findings show that these midbrain dopaminergic progenitor cell beads enhance the effectiveness of neuronal cell transplantation.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32070534,32370567,82371874,81830032,31872779,82071421,81873736)Key Field Research and Development Program of Guangdong Province (2018B030337001)+3 种基金Guangzhou Key Research Program on Brain Science (202007030008)Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province (2021ZT09Y007,2020B121201006)Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2023B1515020031,2022A1515012301)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Jinan University,21620358)。
文摘PTEN-induced putative kinase 1(PINK1),a mitochondrial kinase that phosphorylates Parkin and other proteins,plays a crucial role in mitophagy and protection against neurodegeneration.Mutations in PINK1 and Parkin can lead to loss of function and early onset Parkinson's disease.However,there is a lack of strong in vivo evidence in rodent models to support the theory that loss of PINK1 affects mitophagy and induces neurodegeneration.Additionally,PINK1 knockout pigs(Sus scrofa)do not appear to exhibit neurodegeneration.In our recent work involving non-human primates,we found that PINK1 is selectively expressed in primate brains,while absent in rodent brains.To extend this to other species,we used multiple antibodies to examine the expression of PINK1 in pig tissues.In contrast to tissues from cynomolgus monkeys(Macaca fascicularis),our data did not convincingly demonstrate detectable PINK1expression in pig tissues.Knockdown of PINK1 in cultured pig cells did not result in altered Parkin and BAD phosphorylation,as observed in cultured monkey cells.A comparison of monkey and pig striatum revealed more PINK1-phosphorylated substrates in the monkey brain.Consistently,PINK1 knockout in pigs did not lead to obvious changes in the phosphorylation of Parkin and BAD.These findings provide new evidence that PINK1expression is specific to primates,underscoring the importance of non-human primates in investigating PINK1function and pathology related to PINK1 deficiency.
基金supported by grants from the National Key Research and Development Program(2019YFA0903800,2019YFA0110800 to W.L.,2022YFA0806302 to S.W.)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32225030 to W.L.)the CAS Project for Young Scientists in Basic Research(YSBR-012 to W.L.).
文摘Pluripotent stem cells(PSCs),characterized by self-renewal and capacity of differentiating into three germ layers,are the programmable building blocks of life.PSC-derived cells and multicellular systems,particularly organoids,exhibit great potential for regenerative medicine.However,this field is still in its infancy,partly due to limited strategies to robustly and precisely control stem cell behaviors,which are tightly regulated by inner gene regulatory networks in response to stimuli from the extracellular environment.Synthetic receptors and genetic circuits are powerful tools to customize the cellular sense-and-response process,suggesting their underlying roles in precise control of cell fate decision and function reconstruction.Herein,we review the progress and challenges needed to be overcome in the fields of PSC-based cell therapy and multicellular system generation,respectively.Furthermore,we summarize several well-established synthetic biology tools and their applications in PSC engineering.Finally,we highlight the challenges and perspectives of harnessing synthetic biology to PSC engineering for regenerative medicine.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2021YFA0805902,2022YFF0710703)National Natural Science Foundation of China (32201257)+1 种基金Science and Technology Innovation Project of Xiongan New Area (2022XAGG0121)Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by the China Association for Science and Technology (2019QNRC001)。
文摘Hereditary hearing loss(HHL),a genetic disorder that impairs auditory function,significantly affects quality of life and incurs substantial economic losses for society.To investigate the underlying causes of HHL and evaluate therapeutic outcomes,appropriate animal models are necessary.Pigs have been extensively used as valuable large animal models in biomedical research.In this review,we highlight the advantages of pig models in terms of ear anatomy,inner ear morphology,and electrophysiological characteristics,as well as recent advancements in the development of distinct genetically modified porcine models of hearing loss.Additionally,we discuss the prospects,challenges,and recommendations regarding the use pig models in HHL research.Overall,this review provides insights and perspectives for future studies on HHL using porcine models.
基金National Key Research and Development Program,Grant/Award Number:2019YFA0903800,2021YFA0805701,2021YFA0805905 and 2022YFA1103603CAS Project for Young Scientists in Basic Research,Grant/Award Number:YSBR-012+2 种基金STI 2030-Major Project,Grant/Award Number:2023ZD0407503National Natural Science Foundation of China,Grant/Award Number:32071456 and 82241224Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences,Grant/Award Number:XDA16030000。
文摘Background:Pig organ xenotransplantation is a potential solution for the severe organ shortage in clinic,while immunogenic genes need to be eliminated to improve the immune compatibility between humans and pigs.Current knockout strategies are mainly aimed at the genes causing hyperacute immune rejection(HAR)that occurs in the first few hours while adaptive immune reactions orchestrated by CD4 T cell thereafter also cause graft failure,in which process the MHCⅡmolecule plays critical roles.Methods:Thus,we generate a 4-gene(GGTA1,CMAH,β4GalNT2,and CIITA)knockout pig by CRISPR/Cas9 and somatic cell nuclear transfer to compromise HAR and CD4 T cell reactions simultaneously.Results:We successfully obtained 4KO piglets with deficiency in all alleles of genes,and at cellular and tissue levels.Additionally,the safety of our animals after gene editing was verified by using whole-genome sequencing and karyotyping.Piglets have survived for more than one year in the barrier,and also survived for more than 3 months in the conventional environment,suggesting that the piglets without MHCⅡcan be raised in the barrier and then gradually mated in the conventional environment.Conclusions:4KO piglets have lower immunogenicity,are safe in genomic level,and are easier to breed than the model with both MHCⅠandⅡdeletion.
基金support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.T2222029,U21A20396,and 62127811)the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS)(No.XDA16020802)the CAS Project for Young Scientists in Basic Research(No.YSBR-012).
文摘In the intricate skeletal muscle tissue,the symbiotic relationship between myotubes and their supporting vasculature is pivotal in delivering essential oxygen and nutrients.This study explored the complex interplay between skeletal muscle and endothelial cells in the vascularization ofmuscle tissue.By harnessing the capabilities of three-dimensional(3D)bioprinting and modeling,we developed a novel approach involving the co-construction of endothelial and muscle cells,followed by their subsequent differentiation.Our findings highlight the importance of the interaction dynamics between these two cell types.Notably,introducing endothelial cells during the advanced phases of muscle differentiation enhanced myotube assembly.Moreover,it stimulated the development of the vascular network,paving the way for the early stages of vascularized skeletal muscle development.The methodology proposed in this study indicates the potential for constructing large-scale,physiologically aligned skeletal muscle.Additionally,it highlights the need for exploring the delicate equilibrium and mutual interactions between muscle and endothelial cells.Based on the multicell-type interaction model,we can predict promising pathways for constructing even more intricate tissues or organs.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2020YFA0804000,2022YFA1103700,2020YFA0112200,2021YFF1201000,the STI2030-Major Projects-2021ZD0202400,2022YFA1103800)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82201714,81921006,82125011,92149301,92168201,91949209,92049304,92049116,32121001,82192863,82122024,82071588,32000500,82271600,82001477,82201727)+12 种基金the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDA16000000)CAS Project for Young Scientists in Basic Research(YSBR-076,YSBR-012)the Program of the Beijing Natural Science Foundation(Z190019)the Fellowship of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2022M712216)the Project for Technology Development of Beijing-affiliated Medical Research Institutes(11000023T000002036310)the Pilot Project for Public Welfare Development and Reform of Beijing-affiliated Medical Research Institutes(11000022T000000461062)Youth Innovation Promotion Association of CAS(E1CAZW0401,2022083,2023092)Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by CAST(YESS20200012,YESS20210002)the Informatization Plan of Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS-WX2021SF-0301,CAS-WX2022SDC-XK14,CASWX2021SF-0101)New Cornerstone Science Foundation through the XPLORER PRIZE(2021-1045)Excellent Young Talents Program of Capital Medical University(12300927)Excellent Young Talents Training Program for the Construction of Beijing Municipal University Teacher Team(BPHR202203105)Beijing Hospitals Authority Youth Programme(QML20230806)。
文摘Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligases(CRLs),the largest family of multi-subunit E3 ubiquitin ligases in eukaryotic cells,represent core cellular machinery for executing protein degradation and maintaining proteostasis.Here,we asked what roles Cullin proteins play in human mesenchymal stem cell(hMSC)homeostasis and senescence.To this end,we conducted a comparative aging phenotype analysis by individually knocking down Cullin members in three senescence models:replicative senescent hMSCs,Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome hMSCs,and Werner syndrome hMSCs.Among all family members,we found that CUL2 deficiency rendered hMSCs the most susceptible to senescence.To investigate CUL2-specific underlying mechanisms,we then applied CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing technology to generate CUL2-deficient human embryonic stem cells(hESCs).When we differentiated these into h MSCs,we found that CUL2 deletion markedly accelerates hMSC senescence.Importantly,we identified that CUL2 targets and promotes ubiquitin proteasome-mediated degradation of TSPYL2(a known negative regulator of proliferation)through the substrate receptor protein APPBP2,which in turn downregulates one of the canonical aging marker-P21^(waf1/cip1),and thereby delays senescence.Our work provides important insights into how CRL2^(APPBP2)-mediated TSPYL2 degradation counteracts hMSC senescence,providing a molecular basis for directing intervention strategies against aging and aging-related diseases.
基金This work was supported by The National Key R&D Program of China(Nos.2020YFC0841900,2020YFC0844000,and 2020YFC08860900)The Innovation Groups of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81721002)Study on Comprehensive Treatment of Pneumonia(No.BWS20J006).
文摘The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)can be caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection,and has led to millions of deaths among more than 100 million infected people around the world according to the declaration from World Health Organization.Dysregulated immune response of both the innate and adaptive immune systems is subsistent on COVID-19 patients,of which the degree are associated with disease severity,lung damage and long term functional disability.Current treatment options have included antiretroviral drugs,anti-inflammatory factors,antibodies,immune checkpoint inhibitors,and convalescent plasma therapy.More recently,mesenchymal stem cell(MSC)therapy has been explored for the management and control of COVID-19,particularly with the aim of preventing or at least mitigating respiratory co-morbidities.Though the safety and efficacy of stem cell therapy have been validated in multiple phase I–III clinical trials,to date,no standardized stem cell preparation,administration dosage or interval,product QA/QC testing,storage,transportation,or disposal protocols have been established.The present paper proposes a systematic methodology that addresses all the foregoing process steps and evaluation criteria for the efficacious and safe administration of MSCs in the treatment of patients infected with COVID-19.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81921006(to GHL)。
文摘The oral cavity is a complex physiological community encompassing a wide range of microorganisms.Dysbiosis of oral microbiota can lead to various oral infectious diseases,such as periodontitis and tooth decay,and even affect systemic health,including brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases.Recent studies have highlighted how oral microbes might be involved in brain aging and neurodegeneration,indicating potential avenues for intervention strategies.In this review,we summarize clinical evidence demonstrating a link between oral microbes/oral infectious diseases and brain aging/neurodegenerative diseases,and dissect potential mechanisms by which oral microbes contribute to brain aging and neurodegeneration.We also highlight advances in therapeutic development grounded in the realm of oral microbes,with the goal of advancing brain health and promoting healthy aging.
基金funding received from the National Key Research and Development Program(2019YFA0903800 and 2019YFA0110800 to W.L.)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32201193 to F.T.+1 种基金31621004 to Q.Z.and W.L.)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2022M713133 to T.C.).
文摘Cell and gene therapies hold tremendous promise for treating a range of difficult-to-treat diseases.However,concerns over the safety and efficacy require to be further addressed in order to realize their full potential.Synthetic receptors,a synthetic biology tool that can precisely control the function of therapeutic cells and genetic modules,have been rapidly developed and applied as a powerful solution.Delicately designed and engineered,they can be applied to finetune the therapeutic activities,i.e.,to regulate production of dosed,bioactive payloads by sensing and processing user-defined signals or biomarkers.This review provides an overview of diverse synthetic receptor systems being used to reprogram therapeutic cells and their wide applications in biomedical research.With a special focus on four synthetic receptor systems at the forefront,including chimeric antigen receptors(CARs)and synthetic Notch(synNotch)receptors,we address the generalized strategies to design,construct and improve synthetic receptors.Meanwhile,we also highlight the expanding landscape of therapeutic applications of the synthetic receptor systems as well as current challenges in their clinical translation.
基金supported by National Key Research and Development Program of China(2018YFA0108500)NSFC82341006,81673334,31970740,31801144,31800684 and 31701227+3 种基金Natural Science Foundation of Beijing(IS23071)Postdoctoral Research Foundation of China(2021M703206)Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province(202203021211155)the State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology.
文摘Translesion DNA synthesis(TLS)can bypass DNA lesions caused by chemotherapeutic drugs,which usually result in drug resistance.Given its key role in mutagenesis and cell survival after DNA damage,inhibition of the TLS pathway has emerged as a potential target for improving the efficacy of DNA-damaging agents such as cisplatin(CDDP),a widely used anticancer agent.Unfortunately,few suitable natural TLS inhibitors have been reported.Here,we found that a triterpenoid compound Ganoboninketal C(26-3)from Ganoderma boninense,a traditional Chinese medicine,can impair CDDP-induced TLS polymerase eta(Polη)focus formation,PCNA monoubiquitination as well as mutagenesis.Moreover,26-3 can significantly sensitize tumor cells to CDDP killing and reduce the proportion of cancer stem cells in AGS and promote apoptosis after CDDP exposure.Interestingly,26-3 can also sensitize tumor cells to Gefitinib therapy.Mechanistically,through RNA-seq analysis,we found that 26-3 could abrogate the CDDP-induced upregulation of Polηand PIDD(p53-induced protein with a death domain),2 known factors promoting TLS pathway.Furthermore,we found that activating transcription factor 3 is a potential novel TLS modulator.Taken together,we have identified a natural TLS inhibitor 26-3,which can be potentially used as an adjuvant to improve clinical efficacy.
文摘The advancement of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats(CRISPR)gene editing technology has revolutionized the comprehension of human genome,propelling molecular and cellular biology research into unexplored realms and accelerating progress in life sciences and medicine.CRISPR-based gene screening,recognized for its efficiency and practicality,is widely utilized across diverse biological fields.Aging is a multifaceted process governed by a myriad of genetic and epigenetic factors.Unraveling the genes regulating aging holds promise for understanding this intricate phenomenon and devising strategies for its assessment and intervention.This review provides a comprehensive overview of the progress in CRISPR screening and its applications in aging research,while also offering insights into future directions.CRISPR-based genetic-manipulation tools are positioned as indispensable instruments for mitigating aging and managing age-related diseases.
基金supported by the National Key Research-and Development Program of China(2022YFA1103700)the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDA160000c0)+9 种基金the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2020YFAOB04000,2020YFA0112200,2021YFF1201005,2022YFA1103B00),the STI2030-Major Projects(20212D0202400)the National Natural Science Foundation af China(Grant Nos 81921006,82125011,92149301,9216820191949209,92049304,92049116,32121001,82192863,82122024.82071588,32000500,31900523,82201714,82271600,82201727)CAS Project for Young Scientists in Basic Research(YSBR-076,YSBR-012)the Program of the Beijing Natural Science Foundation(Z190019)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2022M712216)кC.Wong Education Foundation(GJTD-2019-06 GTD-2019-08)the lot Proje for Publie Welfare Development and Reform of Beijing-affiliated Medical Restarch Institutes(11000022T000000461062)Young Elte Scientists Sponsorship Progran by CAST YESS20000012,YES520210002)Yout Innovation Promotion Association of CAS(E1CAZWO-401,2022083)the Tencent Foundation(2021-1045)the Plan of Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS-WX2021SF-0301,CAS-WX2021SF-0101,CAS-WX2022SDC-XK14)Strategic Collaborative Research Program of the Ferring Institute of ReproductiveMedicine,Grant No.FIRMC180305。
文摘The testis is pivotal for male reproduction,and its progressive functional decline in aging is associated with infertility.However,the regulatory mechanism underlying primate testicular aging remains largely elusive.Here,we resolve the aging-related cellular and molecular alterations of primate testicular aging by establishing a single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas.Gene-expression patterns along the spermatogenesis trajectory revealed molecular programs associated with attrition of spermatogonial stem cell reservoir,disturbed meiosis and impaired spermiogenesis along the sequential continuum.Remarkably,Sertoli cell was identified as the cell type most susceptible to aging,given its deeply perturbed age-associated transcriptional profiles.Concomitantly,downregulation of the transcription factor Wilms'Tumor 1(WTi),essential for Sertoli cell homeostasis,was associated with accelerated cellular senescence,disrupted tight junctions,and a compromised cell identity signature,which altogether may help create a hostile microenvironment for spermatogenesis.Collectively,our study depicts in-depth transcriptomic traits of non-human primate(NHP)testicular aging at single-cell resolution,providing potential diagnostic biomarkers and targets for therapeutic interventions against testicular aging and age-related male reproductive diseases.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFA1103700,2020YFA0804000,2020YFA0112200,2021YFF1201005,and the STI2030-Major Projects-2021ZD0202400)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(81921006,82125011,92149301,92168201,91949209,92049304,92049116,32121001,82192863,82122024,and 82071588)+9 种基金the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDA16000000)CAS Project for Young Scientists in Basic Research(YSBR-076,YSBR-012)the Program of the Beijing Natural Science Foundation(Z190019)Youth Innovation Promotion Association of CAS(E1CAZW0401)the Pilot Project for Public Welfare Development and Reform of Beijing-affiliated Medical Research Institutes(11000022T000000461062)the Informatization Plan of Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS-WX2021SF-0101,CAS-WX2021SF-0301,and CAS-WX2022SDC-XK14)Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by CAST(YESS20200012)the New Cornerstone Science Foundation through the XPLORER PRIZE(2021-1045)the Excellent Young Talents Program of Capital Medical University(12300927)the Excellent Young Talents Training Program for the Construction of Beijing Municipal University Teacher Team(BPHR202203105).
文摘Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark feature of cellular senescence and organ aging.Here,we asked whether the mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein(MAVS),which is essential for driving antiviral response,also regulates human stem cell senescence.To answer this question,we used CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing and directed differentiation techniques to generate various MAVS-knockout human stem cell models.We found that human mesenchymal stem cells(hMSCs)were sensitive to MAVS deficiency,as manifested by accelerated senescence phenotypes.We uncovered that the role of MAVS in maintaining mitochondrial structural integrity and functional homeostasis depends on its interaction with the guanosine triphosphatase optic atrophy type 1(OPA1).Depletion of MAVS or OPA1 led to the dysfunction of mitochondria and cellular senescence,whereas replenishment of MAVS or OPA1 in MAVS-knockout hMSCs alleviated mitochondrial defects and premature senescence phenotypes.Taken together,our data underscore an uncanonical role of MAVS in safeguarding mitochondrial homeostasis and antagonizing human stem cell senescence.
基金supported by the Natural Key Research and Development Program(No:2021YFA1101604)the key Research and Development program of Hubei province(2022BCA028)the international cooperation project of China Manned Space Program,and program for Tongji Hospital Academic Frontier Youth Team(2019A20)。
文摘Immunity-and-matrix-regulatory cells(IMRCs)derived from human embryonic stem cells have unique abilities in modulating immunity and regulating the extracellular matrix,which could be mass-produced with stable biological properties.Despite resemblance to mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)in terms of self-renew and tri-lineage differentiation,the ability of IMRCs to repair the meniscus and the underlying mechanism remains undetermined.Here,we showed that IMRCs demonstrated stronger immunomodulatory and pro-regenerative potential than umbilical cord MSCs when stimulated by synovial fluid from patients with meniscus injury.Following injection into the knees of rabbits with meniscal injury,IMRCs enhanced endogenous fibrocartilage regeneration.In the dose-escalating phase I clinical trial(NCT03839238)with eighteen patients recruited,we found that intra-articular IMRCs injection in patients was safe over 12 months post-grafting.Furthermore,the effective results of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)of meniscus repair and knee functional scores suggested that 5×107 cells are optimal for meniscus injury treatment.In summary,we present the first report of a phase I clinical trial using IMRCs to treat meniscus injury.Our results demonstrated that intra-articular injection of IMRCs is a safe and effective therapy by providing a permissive niche for cartilage regeneration.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2020YFA0509503,2022YFF0710703,2021YFA0805902)the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (31925036,32025034)+3 种基金the Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by the China Association for Science and Technology (2019QNRC001)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31801031)the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDA16030304)Lingnan Modern Agriculture Project (NT2021005)。
文摘Prime editing(PE)is a recent gene editing technology that can mediate insertions or deletions and all twelve types of base-tobase conversions.However,its low efficiency hampers the application in creating novel breeds and biomedical models,especially in pigs and other important farm animals.Here,we demonstrate that the pig genome is editable using the PE system,but the editing efficiency was quite low as expected.Therefore,we aimed to enhance PE efficiency by modulating both exogenous PE tools and endogenous pathways in porcine embryonic fibroblasts(PEFs).First,we modified the peg RNA by extending the duplex length and mutating the fourth thymine in a continuous sequence of thymine bases to cytosine,which significantly enhanced PE efficiency by improving the expression of peg RNA and targeted cleavage.Then,we targeted SAMHD1,a deoxynucleoside triphosphate triphosphohydrolase(d NTPase)that impedes the reverse transcription process in retroviruses,and found that treatment with its inhibitor,cephalosporin C zinc salt(CPC),increased PE efficiency up to 29-fold(4-fold on average),presumably by improving the reverse transcription process of Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase(M-MLV RT)in the PE system.Moreover,PE efficiency was obviously improved by treatment with a panel of histone deacetylase inhibitors(HDACis).Among the four HDACis tested,panobinostat was the most efficient,with an efficiency up to 122-fold(7-fold on average),partly due to the considerable HDACi-mediated increase in transgene expression.In addition,the synergistic use of the three strategies further enhanced PE efficiency in PEFs.Our study provides novel approaches for optimization of the PE system and broadens the application scope of PE in agriculture and biomedicine.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2018YFC2000100)the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDA16000000)+9 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(8190143281921006,82125011,92149301,92168201,91949209,92049304,92049116,32121001,82192863,82122024,82071588,81861168034,81922027,81870228,32100937,31900524,82201727)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2020YFA0804000,2020YFA0113400,2020YFA0112200,2018YFA0107203,the STI2030-Major Projects-2021ZD0202400,2021YFF1201005,2022YFA1103700,2022YFA1103800)CAS Project for Young Scientists in Basic Research(YSBR-076,YSBR-012)the Program of the Beijing Natural Science Foundation(Z190019,JQ20031)K.C.Wong Education Foundation(GJTD-2019-06,GJTD-2019-08)Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by CAST(YESS20200012)Youth Innovation Promotion Association of CAS(EiCAZW0401)the Pilot Project for Public Welfare Development and Reform of Beijing-affliated Medical Research Institutes(11000022T000000461062)the Informatization Plan of Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS-WX2021SF-0301,CASWX2022SDC-XK14)CAS Special Research Assistant(SRA)Program,and the Tencent Foundation(2021-1045).
文摘Although the mTOR-4E-BP1 signaling pathway is implicated in aging and aging-related disorders,the role of 4E-BP1 in regulating human stem cell homeostasis remains largely unknown.Here,we report that the expression of 4E-BP1 decreases along with the senescence of human mesenchymal stem celis(hMSCs).Genetic inactivation of 4E-BP1 in hMSCs compromises mitochondrial respiration,increases mitochondrial reactive oxygen species(Ros)production,and accelerates cellular senescence.Mechanistically,the absence of 4E-BP1 destabilizes proteins in mitochondrial respiration complexes,especially several key subunits of complex III including UQCRC2.Ectopic expression of 4E-BP1 attenuates mitochondrial abnormalities and alleviates cellular senescence in 4E-BP1-deficient hMSCs as well as in physiologically aged hMSCs.These findings together demonstrate that 4E-BP1 functions as a geroprotector to mitigate human stem cell senescence and maintain mitochondrial homeostasis,particularly for the mitochondrial respiration complex Il,thus providing a new potential target to counteract human stem cell senescence.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(T2222029 and U21A20396)Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDA16020802)+1 种基金CAS Project for Young Scientists in Basic Research(YSBR-012)CAS Engineering Laboratory for Intelligent Organ Manufacturing(KFJ-PTXM-039).
文摘Mechanical force is crucial in the whole process of embryonic development.However,the role of trophoblast mechanics during embryo implantation has rarely been studied.In this study,we constructed a model to explore the effect of stiffness changes in mouse trophoblast stem cells(mTSCs)on implantation:microcarrier was prepared by sodium alginate using a droplet microfluidics system,and mTSCs were attached to the microcarrier surface with laminin modifications,called T(micro).Compared with the spheroid,formed by the self-assembly of mTSCs(T(sph)),we could regulate the stiffness of the microcarrier,making the Young’s modulus of mTSCs(367.70±79.81 Pa)similar to that of the blastocyst trophoblast ectoderm(432.49±151.90 Pa).Moreover,T(micro)contributes to improve the adhesion rate,expansion area and invasion depth of mTSCs.Further,T(micro)was highly expressed in tissue migration-related genes due to the activation of the Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase(ROCK)pathway at relatively similar modulus of trophoblast.Overall,our study explores the embryo implantation process with a new perspective,and provides theoretical support for understanding the effect of mechanics on embryo implantation.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2018YFE0201100,2021YFA0805905,2021YFA0805701,2022YFA1103101)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32102549)+3 种基金the National Key R&D Program of Ningxia(2021BEF02023)the China Agriculture Research System of MOF and MARA(CARS-36)the Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program(ASTIP-IAS06)the project from The Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and Foundation of State Key Laboratory for Sheep Genetic Improvement and Healthy Production(2021ZD04)。
文摘The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated gene(Cas) system is continually optimized to achieve the most efficient gene editing effect. The Cas12i^(Max), a Cas12i variant, exhibits powerful DNA editing activity and enriches the gene editing toolbox. However, the application of Cas12i^(Max)in large domestic animals has not yet been reported. To verify the efficiency and feasibility of multiple gene editing in large animals, we generated porcine fibroblasts with simultaneous knockouts of IGF2, ANPEP, CD163,and MSTN via Cas12i^(Max)in one step. Phenotypically stable pigs were created through somatic cell nuclear transfer technology. They exhibited improved growth performance and muscle quality. Furthermore, we simultaneously edited three genes in bovine fibroblasts. A knockout of MSTN and PRNP was created and the amino acid Q-G in CD18 was precisely substituted. Meanwhile, no off-target phenomenon was observed by sum-type analysis or off-target detection. These results verified the effectiveness of Cas12i^(Max)for gene editing in livestock animals and demonstrated the potential application of Cas12i^(Max)in the field of animal trait improvement for agricultural production.
基金This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2020YFA0804000)the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDA16010000)+9 种基金the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2018YFC2000100,2020YFA0112201,2017YFA0103304,2017YFA0102802,2018YFA0107203,2020YFA0803401,and 2019YFA0802202)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.81921006,81625009,91749202,81861168034,91949209,92049304,81822018,82071588,92049116,81801370,31801010,31970597,31901058 and U20A20403)the Program of the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission(Z191100001519005)Beijing Natural Science Foundation(Z190019)the Key Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(KFZD-SW-221)K.C.Wong Education Foundation(GJTD-2019-06,GJTD-2019-08)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2018M640154)the Non-profit Central Research Institute Fund of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences(2020-JKCS011)the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of CAS(2021078,E1CAZW0401)the State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology,the State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology,and the Milky Way Research Foundation(MWRF).
文摘Dear Editor,Stem cell therapy holds enormous and revolutionary promise to treat various age-related diseases,such as diabetes,heart failure,and Parkinson’s disease.However,low retention and survival rate of delivered stem cells,partially due to immunological rejection,constitute major hurdles for the clinical implementation of stem cell therapy(Lei et al.,2021a).Since mounting evidence showed that several types of stem cells mainly exert their therapeutic effects through the secretion of paracrine effects,exosomes,which are released by stem cells and execute most paracrine functions,have begun to draw attention in the field(Tran and Damaser,2015).Exosomes are membrane-enclosed vesicles with an average diameter of∼100 nanometers secreted by the cells,containing cytokines.
