Tauopathies comprise a spectrum of genetic and sporadic neurodegenerative diseases mainly characterized by hyperphosphorylated TAU protein accumulations and aggregations in neurons and/or glia. Gene-therapy, in particular adeno-associated virus/AAV-based, is an effective medical approach for difficult-to-treat genetic diseases for which there are no convincing traditional therapies, such as tauopathies. We outline a future vision for the application of this promising therapeutic approach for genetic and sporadic tauopathies: Upon admission, patients suffering from a difficult to treat neurologic disease will be subjected to (epi)genetic and clinical profiling to match their disease entity to a known genetic disease. Next, iPSC/AAV-based studies will help to design and validate (patient-tailored if necessary) gene-therapy approach, with a pipeline set up for fast (pre-)clinical studies.
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MOHAMED AGHYAD AL KABBANI1,2, GILBERT WUNDERLICH3,4, CHRISTOPH KöHLER5, HANS ZEMPEL1,2,*
BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.4, pp. 847-853, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.018144
Abstract Tauopathies comprise a spectrum of genetic and sporadic neurodegenerative diseases mainly characterized by the presence of hyperphosphorylated TAU protein aggregations in neurons or glia. Gene therapy, in particular adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based, is an effective medical approach for difficult-to-treat genetic diseases for which there are no convincing traditional therapies, such as tauopathies. Employing AAV-based gene therapy to treat, in particular, genetic tauopathies has many potential therapeutic benefits, but also drawbacks which need to be addressed in order to successfully and efficiently adapt this still unconventional therapy for the various types of tauopathies. In this Viewpoint, we briefly introduce some potentially treatable… More >
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MINGZHI LUO*, KAI NI, YAN SUN, JIA GUO, KANG WEN, LINHONG DENG*
BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.4, pp. 855-871, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.017520
（This article belongs to this Special Issue: Cellular Biomechanics in Health and Diseases)
Abstract Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) is still threatening the human life and society throughout the world. For those critically ill patients, mechanical ventilation (MV) is essential to provide life support during treatment. However, both the virus infection and MV disrupt the balance between secretion and elimination of airway mucus and lead to mucus accumulation in the lung. Postmortem examination verified that the lungs in patients died of COVID-19 are indeed filled with sticky mucus, suggesting a great need to improve airway mucus clearance in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Therefore, it may be helpful… More >
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MAKOTO NABETANI1,*, TAKEO MUKAI2
BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.4, pp. 873-879, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.018218
Abstract Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impairments in social communication, abnormal to absent verbal communication, the presence of repetitive stereotypic verbal and non-verbal behaviors and restricted interests, with onset early in life. We showed cognitive and behavioral characteristics of ASD by impairment of communication, cognition, perception, motor skills, executive function, theory of mind and emotion control. Recently, pathogenesis of immune pathology in the brains of individuals with ASD has been focused. New therapeutic approaches in the viewpoints of immune modulation and microglial function are logical for novel treatments for individuals with ASD. Cell therapies such… More >
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CINZIA SIGNORINI*, GIULIA COLLODEL, ELENA MORETTI
BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.4, pp. 881-884, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.018062
Abstract The manuscript deals with our studies and experiences in the assessment of cytoskeleton in different cellular models and situations. The immunofluorescent study of several cytoskeletal proteins was relevant in the evaluation of a therapy for osteoarthritis, in case of alkaptonuria and in testing the efficacy of docetaxel in neuroblastoma cancer cells leading to apoptosis. A relevant part of our experience focus on the study of cytoskeleton in seminiferous epithelium and spermatozoa, identifying alterations affecting blood-testis barrier after a silver nanoparticle treatment, chromosomal segregation in case of varicocele, sperm motility and diagnosing systematic sperm defects as “Primary ciliary dyskinesia” and “Dysplasia… More >
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M. CAROLINA DI SANTO1,2,#, AGUSTINA ALAIMO1,2,#, ANA PAULA DOMÍNGUEZ RUBIO1,2, OSCAR E. PÉREZ1,2,*
BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.4, pp. 885-891, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.018391
Abstract Chitosan-based nanocarriers (CS-NCs) show a promising role in improving drugs and bioactive compounds delivery for therapy. However, the effects exerted by CS-NCs at the cellular level, including their recognition and uptake, have not been fully investigated yet. Many factors, including size, shape, concentration, and surface chemistry of CS-NCs, play an important role in determining the types of intracellular signals triggered. The mechanism of uptake and the involvement of the cytoskeleton during the CS-NCs endocytosis variates among the different cell types as well as further effects observed inside cells. In the present work, we discuss the effects induced by CS-NCs per… More >
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PETRA KRAUS1,*, ANKITA SAMANTA1, SINA LUFKIN2, THOMAS LUFKIN1
BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.4, pp. 893-898, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.018432
（This article belongs to this Special Issue: Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Secretome and Biomaterials: Regenerative Medicine Application)
Abstract Pain and lifestyle changes are common consequences of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) and affect a large part of the aging population. The stemness of cells is exploited in the field of regenerative medicine as key to treat degenerative diseases. Transplanted cells however often face delivery and survival challenges, especially in tissues with a naturally harsh microniche environment such as the intervertebral disc. Recent interest in the secretome of stem cells, especially cargo protected from microniche-related decay as frequently present in degenerating tissues, provides new means of rejuvenating ailing cells and tissues. Exosomes, a type of extracellular vesicles with purposeful cargo… More >
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KENJI TSUJI*, SHINJI KITAMURA, JUN WADA
BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.4, pp. 899-902, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.018594
（This article belongs to this Special Issue: Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Secretome and Biomaterials: Regenerative Medicine Application)
Abstract Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have abilities to mediate tissue protection through mechanisms of anti-apoptosis, anti-oxidative stress and anti-fibrosis as well as tissue regeneration through mechanisms of cell proliferation, differentiation and angiogenesis. These effects by MSCs are mediated by a variety of factors, including growth factors, cytokines and extracellular vesicles (EVs). Among these factors, EVs, containing proteins, mRNA and microRNAs (miRNA), may carry their contents into distant tissues with high stability. Therefore, the treatment with MSC-derived EVs may be promising as ‘natural’ drug delivery systems (DDS). Especially, the treatment of MSC-derived EVs with the manipulation of specific miRNAs expression has been… More >
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FERENC SIPOS*, GYÖRGYI MŰZES
BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.4, pp. 903-906, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.018200
（This article belongs to this Special Issue: Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Secretome and Biomaterials: Regenerative Medicine Application)
Abstract Though mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered as an important pillar of regenerative medicine, their regenerative potential has been shown to be limited in several pathological conditions. The adverse properties of MSC-based cell therapy have drawn attention to the therapeutic use of MSC-derived secretome. However, MSC-originated exosomes and microvesicles can also possess a significant impact on disease development, including cancer. By interchanging secretome, MSCs can interact with tumor cells and promote mutual exchange/induction of cellular markers. In addition, enzymes secreted into and activated within exosomes can result in the acquisition of new tumor cell properties. Therefore, therapeutic applications of MSC-derived… More >
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EJLAL ABU-EL-RUB1,2,*, RAMADA R. KHASAWNEH1, FATIMAH A. ALMAHASNEH1, HANA M. ZEGALLAI3,4
BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.4, pp. 907-911, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.018306
Abstract The paracrine and immunomodulatory cytokines secreted by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), generally referred to as the MSCs derived secretome, has substantial potential for the treatment of many chronic and degenerative diseases. MSCs secretome contains both common and disease specific cytokines and modulators that can be beneficial against a wide range of chronic diseases. Herein, we discuss the MSCs secretome composition profile and its translational applicability and the challenges surrounding its use in clinical settings. More >
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THAÍS CASAGRANDE PAIM, MÁRCIA ROSÂNGELA WINK*
BIOCELL, Vol.46, No.4, pp. 913-922, 2022, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.018498
Abstract Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play key roles in regenerative medicine by promoting tissue healing. MSCs can be isolated from different adult tissues and they are able to differentiate into several lineages. Due to their anti-inflammatory, angiogenic and immune-modulatory properties, MSCs are suitable for tissue engineering applications and, when associated with biomaterials, their benefits can be improved. Moreover, recently, MSCs have been studied for new clinical applications, such as in the treatment of patients with COVID-19. MSCs regenerative potential has been attributed to their secretome, which comprises extracellular matrix, soluble proteins and several elements, including the release of extracellular vesicles. Even… More >
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