Multi Functional Role Of Stem Cells In Disease

This book provides a state-of-the-art compendium on the role of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans during development and in cancer. It also suggests directions for novel therapeutic and biotechnological applications in stem cell biology. Proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans, as part of the extracellular matrix, are multifunctional modulators of growth factor, cytokine, integrin and morphogen signaling, which determine both self-renewal, senescence and/or differentiation of stem cells during development. Since proteoglycans modulate cell adhesion and migration they are important organizers of the extracellular matrix within the proper stem cell niche. A malfunctioning of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans contributes to the cancer stem cell phenotype, which is linked to therapeutic resistance and recurrence in malignant disease. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the extracellular matrix and its role in development. The series Biology of Extracellular Matrix is published in collaboration with the American Society for Matrix Biology.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Human Health and Diseases provides a contemporary overview of the fast-moving field of MSC biology, regenerative medicine and therapeutics. MSCs offer the potential to dramatically reduce human suffering from disease. Numerous MSC-based studies are ongoing each year, each offering hope for novel treatments in human disease. This book provides information on MSC application in well-studied human diseases and tissue repair/regeneration and recent advances in their research and treatment. These discoveries are placed within the structural context of tissue and developmental biology in sections dealing with recent advances in our understanding of MSC biology. Includes insights ranging from MSC biology and development through the derivation and identification and properties of MSCs Helps to identify potential innovative solutions for restoring normal morphogenesis and/or regeneration of diseased organs Discusses the fact-based promise of MSC therapeutics and regenerative medicine in the real world

Recent scientific breakthroughs, celebrity patient advocates, and conflicting religious beliefs have come together to bring the state of stem cell researchâ€"specifically embryonic stem cell researchâ€"into the political crosshairs. President Bush’s watershed policy statement allows federal funding for embryonic stem cell research but only on a limited number of stem cell lines. Millions of Americans could be affected by the continuing political debate among policymakers and the public. Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine provides a deeper exploration of the biological, ethical, and funding questions prompted by the therapeutic potential of undifferentiated human cells. In terms accessible to lay readers, the book summarizes what we know about adult and embryonic stem cells and discusses how to go about the transition from mouse studies to research that has therapeutic implications for people. Perhaps most important, Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine also provides an overview of the moral and ethical problems that arise from the use of embryonic stem cells. This timely book compares the impact of public and private research funding and discusses approaches to appropriate research oversight. Based on the insights of leading scientists, ethicists, and other authorities, the book offers authoritative recommendations regarding the use of existing stem cell lines versus new lines in research, the important role of the federal government in this field of research, and other fundamental issues.

This book focuses on the basic aspects of dental stem cells (DSCs) as well as their clinical applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. It opens with a discussion of classification, protocols, and properties of DSCs and proceeds to explore DSCs within the contexts of cryopreservation; epigenetics; pulp, periodontal, tooth, bone, and corneal stroma regeneration; neuronal properties, mesenchymal stem cells and biomaterials; and as sources of hepatocytes for liver disease treatment. The fifteen expertly authored chapters comprehensively examine possible applications of DSCs and provide invaluable insights into mechanisms of growth and differentiation. Dental Stem Cells: Regenerative Potential draws from a wealth of international perspectives and is an essential addition to the developing literature on dental stem cells. This installment of Springer’s Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine series is indispensable for biomedical researchers interested in bioengineering, dentistry, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, cell biology and oncology.

Stem cell and regenerative medicine research is a hot area of research which promises to change the face of medicine as it will be practiced in the years to come. Challenges in the 21st century to combat diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer and related diseases may well be addressed employing stem cell therapies and tissue regeneration. Frontiers in Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research is essential reading for researchers seeking updates in stem cell therapeutics and regenerative medicine. This volume includes reviews on the following topics: -the role of microvesicles and exosomes in mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) in treating diseases while overcoming side effects -alternative models for understanding cancer stem cell biology -stem cells treatments for orthopaedic injury and endocrine disorders -wound healing biomaterials -theoretical models of hematopoietic cell dynamics (with implications for bone marrow transplants)

Cancer is a devastating disease that claims the lives of countless people due to its uncontrolled growth pattern. Among various cancers, pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancers due to its aggressive nature, lack of early symptoms and resistance to chemotherapy. The molecular profile of this deadly malignancy is not completely understood. Malignancy arises due to loss or gain of function in genes involved in cell cycle progression leading to disruption of tightly regulated transitions. In addition the evolving concept of cancer throws light on a small population of cells within the tumor known as the cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor-initiating cells that are resistant to all drugs treatment and contributes towards tumor initiation and recurrence. Several studies have been carried out to identify specific markers for the cancer stem cell population including that of pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic Differentiation 2 (PD2) or human Polymerase Associated Factor 1 (hPaf1) is an important component of the multifunctional PAF1 complex initially identified to play a crucial role in transcriptional elongation of genes. During the last decade, several papers on PD2 showed that it is a multifaceted molecule playing roles in cell cycle regulation, stem cell maintenance, histone methylation, chromatin remodeling and acinar-to-ductal metaplasia. In this dissertation, the first goal was to investigate the role of PD2 in pancreatic cancer stem cells. Initially, we analyzed the expression and function of PD2 in pancreatic cancer stem cells isolated from pancreatic cancer cell lines, Kras (G12D); Pdx1 (Cre)(KC), Kras (G12D); Trp53 (R172H/+.); Pdx1(Cre) (KPC) mouse models and human pancreatic tumors. Furthermore, the expression of PD2 was significantly higher in CSCs isolated from pancreatic cancer cells along with CSC markers. These cells were shown to exhibit a cobblestone appearance, increased tumorsphere formation and significant tumor growth, characteristic of the CSC phenotype. interestingly, PD2 was found to be specifically overexpressed in a subpopulation of cells within mouse KC, KPC and human pancreatic tumors, which co-express CSC markers. The drug resistance property was impaired upon knockdown of PD2 with simultaneous alteration in the CSC phenotype and reduction in CD133 and MDR2 gene expression. Overall, my study identified that PD2 has a role in self-renewal and drug resistance of pancreatic CSCs. The second part of my dissertation was primarily focused at exploring the functional role of PD2 in pancreatic cancer cells. The ectopic overexpression of PD2 resulted in increased growth rate of tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of PD2 led to increased growth, colony formation and migration. Interestingly, elevated expression of PD2 also increased the percentage of CSCs. Furthermore, in vivo studies revealed that PD2 overexpression leads to increased tumor volume and metastasis to distant secondary sites. These results were corroborated at the protein level where elevated expression of PD2 led to the up-regulation of c-Myc which is an important player in tumorigenesis and metastasis. In addition, the expression of PD2 in pancreatic cancer tissues and in vitro pancreatic progression model was elucidated. We demonstrated that the expression of PD2 was increased in the ducts present in the pancreatic cancer tissues when compared to the normal tissues. Likewise, the expression of PD2 was elevated in the transformed Human Pancreatic Nestin expressing (HPNE) cells when compared to the untransformed HPNE cells. Understanding the role of PD2 through cell lines led to my next aim to generate PD2 conditional knockout mice in order to substantiate our earlier work in cancer stem cells and acinar to ductal metaplasia during PC initiation. The animal model would be an important resource for understanding the role of PD2 in detail. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that PD2 is an essential member of the oncogene family that plays a significant role in facilitating drug resistance and cancer stem cell maintenance thereby acting as a positive regulator of cancer.

The main objective of this book is to provide a comprehensive review on stem cells and their role in tissue regeneration, homeostasis and therapy. In addition, the role of cancer stem cells in cancer initiation, progression and drug resistance are discussed. The cell signaling pathways and microRNA regulating stem cell self-renewal, tissue homeostasis and drug resistance are also mentioned. Overall, these reviews will provide a new understanding of the influence of stem cells in tissue regeneration, disease regulation, therapy and drug resistance in several human diseases.

Virtually any disease that results from malfunctioning, damaged, or failing tissues may be potentially cured through regenerative medicine therapies, by either regenerating the damaged tissues in vivo, or by growing the tissues and organs in vitro and implanting them into the patient. Principles of Regenerative Medicine discusses the latest advances in technology and medicine for replacing tissues and organs damaged by disease and of developing therapies for previously untreatable conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, and renal failure. Key for all researchers and instituions in Stem Cell Biology, Bioengineering, and Developmental Biology The first of its kind to offer an advanced understanding of the latest technologies in regenerative medicine New discoveries from leading researchers on restoration of diseased tissues and organs

The second edition of Stem Cells: Scientific Facts and Fiction provides the non-stem cell expert with an understandable review of the history, current state of affairs, and facts and fiction of the promises of stem cells. Building on success of its award-winning preceding edition, the second edition features new chapters on embryonic and iPS cells and stem cells in veterinary science and medicine. It contains major revisions on cancer stem cells to include new culture models, additional interviews with leaders in progenitor cells, engineered eye tissue, and xeno organs from stem cells, as well as new information on "organs on chips" and adult progenitor cells. In the past decades our understanding of stem cell biology has increased tremendously. Many types of stem cells have been discovered in tissues that everyone presumed were unable to regenerate in adults, the heart and the brain in particular. There is vast interest in stem cells from biologists and clinicians who see the potential for regenerative medicine and future treatments for chronic diseases like Parkinson's, diabetes, and spinal cord lesions, based on the use of stem cells; and from entrepreneurs in biotechnology who expect new commercial applications ranging from drug discovery to transplantation therapies. Explains in straightforward, non-specialist language the basic biology of stem cells and their applications in modern medicine and future therapy Includes extensive coverage of adult and embryonic stem cells both historically and in contemporary practice Richly illustrated to assist in understanding how research is done and the current hurdles to clinical practice

Stem Cells and Aging covers what is known about the effect of time and age on the basic units of life, which are the corresponding tissue-specific or adult stem cells. Even though the concept of stem cells was introduced nearly a century ago by Alexander Maximow, modern stem-cell research began in 1963 when James Till, Ernest McCullough and Lou Siminovitch established assays to detect hematopoietic stem cells. In fact, given the importance of the aging-associated diseases, scientists have developed a keen interest in understanding the aging process as they attempt to define the role of dysfunctional stem cells in the aging process. With an aging population worldwide, understanding these age-related stem cell changes at a basic biology level and at the level of their influences for regenerative medicine is of interest and importance. There is increasing evidence that the aging process can have much adverse effects on stem cells. In the modern era, one of the emerging fields in treating human diseases is stem cell research, as stem cells have the remarkable potential to treat a wide range of diseases. Nevertheless, understanding the molecular mechanism involved in aging and deterioration of stem cell function is crucial in developing effective new therapies for aging. Serves as an ideal reference to guide investigators toward valuable answers to the problems of our aging population Addresses the effect of time and age on human stem cells Includes chapters from contributors exploring the biology of stem cell aging around the globe

Topic Editor RL is a patent inventor on exosome-related patents, PCT/AU2017/050821 and PCT/AU2016/050468. All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.

This monograph sheds new light on pulmonary sensory receptors. Diving into the pulmonary microenvironment, the book focuses on the role of pulmonary neuroepithelial bodies (NEBs) as potential receptors and effectors, able to store and release neurotransmitters. It explores NEBs as potential stem cell niche and highlights the multidisciplinary approach taken to identify and study NEBs, including functional morphological investigation, live cell imaging, genetic models, and laser microdissection combined with gene expression analysis. Complexly organized NEBs are an integral part of the intrapulmonary airway epithelium of all air-breathing vertebrates. For decades a quest has been going on to unravel the functional significance of these intriguing structures that appear to be modified in the course of many pulmonary diseases. The NEB microenvironment (ME) is composed of organoid clusters of pulmonary neuroendocrine cells (PNECs) that are able to store and release neurotransmitters and are closely contacted by extensive nerve terminals, emphasizing a potential receptor/effector role and probable signalling to the central nervous system. PNECs are largely shielded from the airway lumen by a special type of Clara cells, the Clara-like cells, with potential stem cell characteristics. So far, functional studies of the pulmonary NEB ME revealed that PNECs can be activated by various mechanical and chemical stimuli, resulting in a calcium-mediated release of neurotransmitters. In the past decades, a number of publications have exposed NEBs as potential hypoxia sensors. Recent experimental evidence unveiled that the NEB ME is a quiescent stem cell niche in healthy postnatal lungs, and silencing may involve bone morphogenetic protein signalling mediated by vagal afferents. Only an integrated approach that takes all current information into account will be able to explain the full role of the pulmonary NEB ME in health and disease. This highly informative and carefully presented book, provides insights for researchers, PhD students with an interest in (bio)medical and veterinary science, especially in the field of the autonomic innervation of the lung, chemo-and mechanoreceptors

In this volume, the contributing authors from top labs involved in stem cell theranostics share the latest advances in the field of stem cell research. The book covers many aspects of stem cell-based therapy and the progress made toward stem cell therapy for liver, ocular, and cardiovascular diseases as well as cancer. This volume serves as a continuation of Prof. Khawaja Husnain Haider’s previously edited books pertaining to stem cells-based therapnostics. This is an ideal book for researchers involved in drug development as well as regenerative medicine and stem cell-based therapy. The secondary audience includes graduate and postgraduate medical students, doctors, cellular pharmacology, drug industry, and researchers involved in using stem cells as ex-vivo disease models for drug development.

This book is a compilation of the bench experience of leading experts from various research labs involved in the cutting edge area of research. The authors describe the use of stem cells both as part of the combinatorial therapeutic intervention approach and as tools (disease model) during drug development, highlighting the shift from a conventional symptomatic treatment strategy to addressing the root cause of the disease process. The book is a continuum of the previously published book entitled "Stem Cells: from Drug to Drug Discovery" which was published in 2017.

Most organs in the adult human body are able to maintain themselves and undergo repair after injury; these processes are largely dependent on stem cells. In this Monograph, the Guest Editors bring together leading authors in the field to provide information about the different classes of stem cells present both in the developing and adult lung: where they are found, how they function in homeostasis and pathologic conditions, the mechanisms that regulate their behaviour, and how they may be harnessed for therapeutic purposes. The book focuses on stem cells in the mouse and human lung but also includes the ferret as an increasingly important new model organism. Chapters also discuss how lung tissue, including endogenous stem cells, can be generated in vitro from pluripotent stem cell lines. This state-of-the-art collection comprehensively covers one of the most exciting areas of respiratory science

This book discusses the main stem cell niches under distinct pathophysiological conditions. The role of tissue microenvironments in stem cell regulation, as well as modern methodologies and new techniques for the identification and characterization of stem cell niches, are discussed by leading experts in the field. Chapters describe the major components of various stem cell microenvironments, such as cellular components, soluble factors, cell-cell interactions, extra-cellular matrix proteins, and physical forces. Stem Cell Microenvironments and Beyond is part of the highly successful Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology series. It is essential reading for graduate students and researchers in the field of stem cells or cell biology as well as clinicians.