Transplantation of SDF-1α-loaded liver extracellular matrix repopulated with autologous cells attenuated liver fibrosis in a rat model.

Cell-based therapy and tissue engineering are promising substitutes for liver transplantation to cure end-stage liver disorders. However, the limited sources for healthy and functional cells and poor engraftment rate are main challenges to the cell-based therapy approach. On the other hand, feasibility of production and size of bioengineered tissues are primary bottlenecks in tissue engineering. Here, we induce regeneration in a rat fibrotic liver model by transplanting a natural bioengineered scaffold with a native microenvironment repopulated with autologous stem/progenitor cells. In the main experimental group, a 1 mm3 stromal derived factor-1α (SDF-1α; S) loaded scaffold from decellularized liver extracellular matrix (LEM) was transplanted (Tx) into a fibrotic liver and the endogenous stem/progenitor cells were mobilized via granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF; G) therapy. Four weeks after transplantation, changes in liver fibrosis and necrosis, efficacy of cell engraftment and differentiation, vasculogenesis, and liver function recovery were assessed in this (LEM-TxSG) group and compared to the other groups. We found significant reduction in liver fibrosis stage in the LEM-TxSG, LEM-TxS and LEM-TxG groups compared to the control (fibrotic) group. Liver necrosis grade, and alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels dramatically reduced in all experimental groups compared to the control group. However, the number of engrafted cells into the transplanted scaffold and ratio of albumin (Alb) positive cells per total incorporated cells were considerably higher in the LEM-TxSG group compared to the LEM-Tx, LEM-TxS and LEM-TxG groups. Serum Alb levels increased in the LEM-Tx, LEM-TxS, and LEM-TxG groups, and was highest in the LEM-TxSG group, which was significantly more than the fibrotic group. Small vessel formation in the LEM-TxSG group was significantly higher than the LEM-Tx and LEM-TxS groups. Totally, these findings support application of the in vivo tissue engineering approach as a possible novel therapeutic strategy for liver fibrosis.

Temporal activation of LRH-1 and RAR-γ in human pluripotent stem cells induces a functional naïve-like state.

Naïve pluripotency can be established in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) by manipulation of transcription factors, signaling pathways, or a combination thereof. However, differences exist in the molecular and functional properties of naïve hPSCs generated by different protocols, which include varying similarities with pre-implantation human embryos, differentiation potential, and maintenance of genomic integrity. We show here that short treatment with two chemical agonists (2a) of nuclear receptors, liver receptor homologue-1 (LRH-1) and retinoic acid receptor gamma (RAR-γ), along with 2i/LIF (2a2iL) induces naïve-like pluripotency in human cells during reprogramming of fibroblasts, conversion of pre-established hPSCs, and generation of new cell lines from blastocysts. 2a2iL-hPSCs match several defined criteria of naïve-like pluripotency and contribute to human-mouse interspecies chimeras. Activation of TGF-ß signaling is instrumental for acquisition of naïve-like pluripotency by the 2a2iL induction procedure, and transient activation of TGF-ß signaling substitutes for 2a to generate naïve-like hPSCs. We reason that 2a2iL-hPSCs are an easily attainable system to evaluate properties of naïve-like hPSCs and for various applications.

Improvement of islet engrafts by enhanced angiogenesis and microparticle-mediated oxygenation.

A major hindrance in islet transplantation as a feasible therapeutic approach for patients with type 1 diabetes is the insufficient oxygenation of the grafts, which results in cell death in portions of the implant. Here we address this limitation through the application of oxygen-generating microparticles (MP) and a fibrin-conjugated heparin/VEGF collagen scaffold to support cell survival by using a ß cell line and pancreatic rat islets. MP are composed of a polyvinylpyrrolidone/hydrogen peroxide (PVP/H2O2) core and poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) shell, along with immobilized catalase on the shell. The presence of MP is sufficient to reduce hypoxia-induced cell dysfunction and death for both cell types, resulting in localization of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) into the cytoplasm and enhanced metabolic function. After co-transplantation of MP and a reduced islet mass (250 islet equivalents) within an angiogenic scaffold in the omental pouch of streptozotocin-induced diabetic nude mice, we have observed significantly promoted graft function as evidenced by improved blood glucose levels, body weight, glucose tolerance, serum C-peptide, and graft revascularization. These results suggest that the developed platform has great potential to enhance the efficacy for implants in cases where the cell dosage is critical for efficacy, such as islet transplantation and ischemic tissues.