Preservation of pancreas in the University of Wisconsin solution supplemented with AP39 reduces reactive oxygen species production and improves islet graft function.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) results in increased rates of delayed graft function and early graft loss. It has recently been reported that hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) protects organ grafts against prolonged IRI. Here, we investigated whether the preservation of pancreas in University of Wisconsin (UW) solution supplemented with AP39, which is a mitochondrial-targeted H2 S donor, protected pancreatic islets against IRI and improved islet function. Porcine pancreata were preserved in the UW solution with AP39 (UW + AP39) or the vehicle (UW) for 18 h, followed by islet isolation. The islet yields before and after purification were significantly higher in the UW + AP39 group than in the UW group. The islets isolated from the pancreas preserved in UW + AP39 exhibited significantly decreased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and a significantly increased mitochondrial membrane potential as compared to the islets isolated from the pancreas preserved in the vehicle. We found that the pancreas preserved in UW + AP39 improved the outcome of islet transplantation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. These results suggest that the preservation of pancreas in UW + AP39 protects the islet grafts against IRI and could thus serve as a novel clinical strategy for improving islet transplantation outcomes.

RNA analysis based on a small number of manually isolated fixed cells (RNA-snMIFxC) to profile stem cells from human deciduous tooth-derived dental pulp cells.

BACKGROUND: Expression of stemness factors, such as octamer-binding transcription factor 3/4 (OCT3/4), sex determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in human deciduous tooth-derived dental pulp cells (HDDPCs) can be assessed through fixation and subsequent immuno- or cytochemical staining. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), a powerful system to collect cells of interest, is limited by the instrument cost and difficulty in handling. Magnetic-activated cell sorting is inexpensive compared to FACS, but is confined to cells with surface expression of the target molecule. In this study, a simple and inexpensive method was developed for the molecular analysis of immuno- or cytochemically stained cells with intracellular expression of a target molecule, through isolation of a few cells under a dissecting microscope using a mouthpiece-controlled micropipette. RESULTS: Two or more colored cells (~ 10), after staining with a chromogen such a 3,3'-diaminobenzidine, were successfully segregated from unstained cells. Expression of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, a housekeeping gene, was discernible in all samples, while the expression of stemness genes (such as OCT3/4, SOX2, and ALP) was confined to positively stained cells. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate the fidelity of these approaches in profiling cells exhibiting cytoplasmic or nuclear localization of stemness-specific gene products at a small-scale.

Pancreas preservation with amphotericin B deteriorates islet yield for porcine islet isolation.

BACKGROUND: Amphotericin B is a crucial agent in the management of serious systemic fungal infections. It is also known to be cytotoxic. In this study, we evaluated the effect of amphotericin B added to the preservation solution on islet yield during islet isolation. METHODS: Porcine pancreata were preserved in the preservation solution with or without amphotericin B (0.25 µg/mL) for approximately 18 hours at 4°C, and then islet isolation was performed. An optimized number (1750 IE) of isolated islets from each group were transplanted into streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. The culture of isolated islets and acinar tissue with amphotericin B was also evaluated. RESULTS: The islet yield before and after purification in the amphotericin B (-) group was significantly higher than that in the amphotericin B (+) group. After islet transplantation into diabetic mice, blood glucose levels reached the normoglycemic range, with 50% and 0% of that of the diabetic mice in the amphotericin B (-) and amphotericin B (+) groups, respectively. In the culture study, amphotericin B was found to be cytotoxic to porcine islets and acinar tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Amphotericin B added to the preservation solution deteriorates islet yield during porcine islet isolation. Thus, the use of amphotericin B should be considered carefully for the preservation of the pancreas for islet isolation and islet culture before islet transplantation.

Pancreas preservation in extracellular-type p38 inhibitor-containing solution improves islet yield for porcine islet isolation.

BACKGROUND: For islet transplantation, pancreas preservation and islet isolation activate p38, which is a member of the stress-activated group of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). In this study, we evaluated an extracellular-type p38 inhibitor-containing (EP) solution with University of Wisconsin (UW) solution, the gold standard for organ preservation. The EP solution has high sodium-low potassium composition with low viscosity compared to UW solution. Moreover, EP solution contains a recently developed p38 inhibitor (11R-p38I110 ) from our laboratory. METHODS: Porcine pancreata were preserved in UW, EP, or EP-P solution (EP solution without 11R-p38I110 ), and then islet isolation was performed. An optimized number (1500 IE) of isolated islets from each group were transplanted into streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. RESULTS: The islet yield before and after purification was significantly higher in the EP group than in the UW group. The islet yield before and after purification was not significantly different between the EP and EP-P groups; however, the EP solution prevented a reduction in the number of islets during culture. Western blot analysis showed that p38 activation was attenuated by EP solution. For islet transplantation into streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, pancreas preservation in EP solution improved the outcome of islet transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreas preservation with EP solution preserved islet function better than with UW solution. The advantages of EP solution over UW solution may include the inhibition of p38 activity as well as the composition of the solution.

Novel cell-permeable p38-MAPK inhibitor efficiently prevents porcine islet apoptosis and improves islet graft function.

During islet transplantation, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 is preferentially activated in response to the isolation of islets and the associated inflammation. Although therapeutic effects of p38 inhibitors are expected, the clinical application of small-molecule inhibitors of p38 is not recommended because of their serious adverse effects on the liver and central nervous system. Here we designed peptides to inhibit p38, which were derived from the sites on p38 that mediate binding to proteins such as MAPK kinases. Peptide 11R-p38I110 significantly inhibited the activation of p38. To evaluate the effects of 11R-p38I110 , porcine islets were incubated with 10 µmol/L 11R-p38I110 or a mutant form designated 11R-mp38I110 . After islet transplantation, blood glucose levels reached the normoglycemic range in 58.3% and 0% of diabetic mice treated with 11R-p38I110 or 11R-mp38I110 , respectively. These data suggest that 11R-p38I110 inhibited islet apoptosis and improved islet function. Peptide p38I110 is a noncompetitive inhibitor of ATP and targets a unique docking site. Therefore, 11R-p38I110 specifically inhibits p38 activation, which may avoid the adverse effects that have discouraged the clinical use of small-molecule inhibitors of p38. Moreover, our methodology to design "peptide inhibitors" could be used to design other inhibitors derived from the binding sites of proteins.

Atorvastatin Inhibits the HIF1α-PPAR Axis, Which Is Essential for Maintaining the Function of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.

We herein report a novel mechanism of action of statin preparations using a new drug discovery method. Milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 protein (MFG-E8) was identified from the secretory component of mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) as a cell adhesion-promoting factor effective for screening active cellular agents of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) in vitro using electrochemical impedance. Our analyses showed that atorvastatin did not cause death in myocardial cells differentiated from hiPSCs but reduced the pluripotent cell survival in vitro when using serum- and albumin-free media, and inhibited the ability to form teratomas in mice. This result could have been already the cytopathic effect of atorvastatin, and complete elimination of hiPSCs was confirmed in the xenotransplantation assay. The administration of atorvastatin to hiPSCs caused the expression of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)1α mRNA to be unchanged at 6 hr and downregulated at 24 hr. In addition, the inhibition of the survival of hiPSCs was confirmed by HIF1α-peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) axis inhibition. These results suggest that the addition of atorvastatin to hiPSC cultures reduces the survival of pluripotent cells by suppressing the HIF1α-PPAR axis. In summary, the HIF1α-PPAR axis has an important role in maintaining the survival of pluripotent hiPSCs.

Identification of Proteins Differentially Expressed by Adipose-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Isolated from Immunodeficient Mice.

Although cell therapy using adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AdMSCs) regulates immunity, the degree to which cell quality and function are affected by differences in immunodeficiency of donors is unknown. We used liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC MS/MS) to identify the proteins expressed by mouse AdMSCs (mAsMSCs) isolated from normal (C57BL/6) mice and mice with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). The protein expression profiles of each strain were 98%-100% identical, indicating that the expression levels of major proteins potentially associated with the therapeutic effects of mAdMSCs were highly similar. Further, comparable levels of cell surface markers (CD44, CD90.2) were detected using flow cytometry or LC MS/MS. MYH9, ACTN1, CANX, GPI, TPM1, EPRS, ITGB1, ANXA3, CNN2, MAPK1, PSME2, CTPS1, OTUB1, PSMB6, HMGB1, RPS19, SEC61A1, CTNNB1, GLO1, RPL22, PSMA2, SYNCRIP, PRDX3, SAMHD1, TCAF2, MAPK3, RPS24, and MYO1E, which are associated with immunity, were expressed at higher levels by the SCID mAdMSCs compared with the C57BL/6 mAdMSCs. In contrast, ANXA9, PCBP2, LGALS3, PPP1R14B, and PSMA6, which are also associated with immunity, were more highly expressed by C57BL/6 mAdMSCs than SCID mAdMSCs. These findings implicate these two sets of proteins in the pathogenesis and maintenance of immunodeficiency.

piggyBac Transposon-Based Immortalization of Human Deciduous Tooth Dental Pulp Cells with Multipotency and Non-Tumorigenic Potential.

We aimed to immortalize primarily isolated human deciduous tooth-derived dental pulp cells (HDDPCs) by transfection with piggyBac (PB)-based transposon vectors carrying E7 from human papilloma virus 16 or complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). HDDPCs were co-transfected with pTrans (conferring PB transposase expression) + pT-pac (conferring puromycin acetyltransferase expression) + pT-tdTomato (conferring tdTomato cDNA expression) and pT-E7 (conferring E7 expression) or pTrans + pT-pac + pT-EGFP (conferring enhanced green fluorescent protein cDNA expression) + pT-hTERT (conferring hTERT expression). After six days, these cells were selected in medium containing 5 µg/mL puromycin for one day, and then cultured in normal medium allowing cell survival. All resultant colonies were harvested and propagated as a pool. Stemness and tumorigenic properties of the established cell lines ("MT_E7" for E7 and "MT_hTERT" for hTERT) with untransfected parental cells (MT) were examined. Both lines exhibited proliferation similar to that of MT, with alkaline phosphatase activity and stemness-specific factor expression. They displayed differentiation potential into multi-lineage cells with no tumorigenic property. Overall, we successfully obtained HDDPC-derived immortalized cell lines using a PB-based transfection system. The resultant and parental cells were indistinguishable. Thus, E7 and hTERT could immortalize HDDPCs without causing cancer-associated changes or altering phenotypic properties.

Induced Tissue-Specific Stem Cells and Epigenetic Memory in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have significant implications for overcoming most of the ethical issues associated with embryonic stem (ES) cells. The pattern of expressed genes, DNA methylation, and covalent histone modifications in iPS cells are very similar to those in ES cells. However, it has recently been shown that, following the reprogramming of mouse/human iPS cells, epigenetic memory is inherited from the parental cells. These findings suggest that the phenotype of iPS cells may be influenced by their cells of origin and that their skewed differentiation potential may prove useful in the generation of differentiated cell types that are currently difficult to produce from ES/iPS cells for the treatment of human diseases. Our recent study demonstrated the generation of induced tissue-specific stem (iTS) cells by transient overexpression of the reprogramming factors combined with tissue-specific selection. iTS cells are cells that inherit numerous components of epigenetic memory from donor tissue and acquire self-renewal potential. This review describes the "epigenetic memory" phenomenon in iPS and iTS cells and the possible clinical applications of these stem cells.

A Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomic Analysis of Cells Cultured in DMEM 10% FBS and Chemically Defined Medium Using Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) are representative cell sources for cell therapy. Classically, Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) has been used as culture medium for hADSCs. A chemically defined medium (CDM) containing no heterologous animal components has recently been used to produce therapeutic hADSCs. However, how the culture environment using a medium without FBS affects the protein expression of hADSC is unclear. We subjected hADSCs cultured in CDM and DMEM (10% FBS) to a protein expression analysis by tandem mass spectrometry liquid chromatography and noted 98.2% agreement in the proteins expressed by the CDM and DMEM groups. We classified 761 proteins expressed in both groups by their function in a gene ontology analysis. Thirty-one groups of proteins were classified as growth-related proteins in the CDM and DMEM groups, 16 were classified as antioxidant activity-related, 147 were classified as immune system process-related, 557 were involved in biological regulation, 493 were classified as metabolic process-related, and 407 were classified as related to stimulus responses. These results show that the trend in the expression of major proteins related to the therapeutic effect of hADSCs correlated strongly in both groups.

Induction of Expandable Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Aged Mesenchymal Stem Cells by a Synthetic Self-Replicating RNA.

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) have attracted attention due to their potential for use in the treatment of various diseases. However, the self-renewal capacity of ADSCs is restricted and their function diminishes during passage. We previously generated induced tissue-specific stem cells from mouse pancreatic cells using a single synthetic self-replicating Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE)-reprogramming factor (RF) RNA replicon (SR-RNA) expressing the reprogramming factors POU class 5 homeobox 1 (OCT4), Krueppel-like factor 4 (KLF4), Sex determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), and Glis Family Zinc Finger 1 (GLIS1). This vector was used to generate induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Here, we applied this SR-RNA vector to generate human iTS cells from aged mesenchymal stem cells (hiTS-M cells) deficient in self-renewal that were derived from adipose tissue. These hiTS-M cells transfected with the SR-RNA vector survived for 15 passages. The hiTS-M cells expressed cell surface markers similar to those of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) and differentiated into fat cells and osteoblasts. Global gene expression profiling showed that hiTS-M cells were transcriptionally similar to hADSCs. These data suggest that the generation of iTS cells has important implications for the clinical application of autologous stem cell transplantation.

A Comparison of Proteins Expressed between Human and Mouse Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells by a Proteome Analysis through Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) have become a common cell source for cell transplantation therapy. Clinical studies have used ADSCs to develop treatments for tissue fibrosis, such as liver cirrhosis and pulmonary fibroma. The need to examine and compare basic research data using clinical research data derived from mice and humans is expected to increase in the future. Here, to better characterize the cells, the protein components expressed by human ADSCs used for treatment, and mouse ADSCs used for research, were comprehensively analyzed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. We found that 92% (401 type proteins) of the proteins expressed by ADSCs in humans and mice were consistent. When classified by the protein functions in a gene ontology analysis, the items that differed by >5% between human and mouse ADSCs were "biological adhesion, locomotion" in biological processes, "plasma membrane" in cellular components, and "antioxidant activity, molecular transducer activity" in molecular functions. Most of the listed proteins were sensitive to cell isolation processes. These results show that the proteins expressed by human and murine ADSCs showed a high degree of correlation.

DNA Methyltransferase 1 Is Indispensable for Development of the Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus.

UNLABELLED: Development of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) in the mammalian brain is achieved through multiple processes during late embryonic and postnatal stages, with each developmental step being strictly governed by extracellular cues and intracellular mechanisms. Here, we show that the maintenance DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) is critical for development of the DG in the mouse. Deletion of Dnmt1 in neural stem cells (NSCs) at the beginning of DG development led to a smaller size of the granule cell layer in the DG. NSCs lacking Dnmt1 failed to establish proper radial processes or to migrate into the subgranular zone, resulting in aberrant neuronal production in the molecular layer of the DG and a reduction of integrated neurons in the granule cell layer. Interestingly, prenatal deletion of Dnmt1 in NSCs affected not only the developmental progression of the DG but also the properties of NSCs maintained into adulthood: Dnmt1-deficient NSCs displayed impaired neurogenic ability and proliferation. We also found that Dnmt1 deficiency in NSCs decreased the expression of Reelin signaling components in the developing DG and increased that of the cell cycle inhibitors p21 and p57 in the adult DG. Together, these findings led us to propose that Dnmt1 functions as a key regulator to ensure the proper development of the DG, as well as the proper status of NSCs maintained into adulthood, by modulating extracellular signaling and intracellular mechanisms. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Here, we provide evidence that Dnmt1 is required for the proper development of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). Deletion of Dnmt1 in neural stem cells (NSCs) at an early stage of DG development impaired the ability of NSCs to establish secondary radial glial scaffolds and to migrate into the subgranular zone of the DG, leading to aberrant neuronal production in the molecular layer, increased cell death, and decreased granule neuron production. Prenatal deletion of Dnmt1 in NSCs also induced defects in the proliferation and neurogenic ability of adult NSCs. Furthermore, we found that Dnmt1 regulates the expression of key extracellular signaling components during developmental stages while modulating intracellular mechanisms for proliferation and neuronal production of NSCs in the adult.

Establishment of a pancreatic stem cell line from fibroblast-derived induced pluripotent stem cells.

BACKGROUND: For cell therapies to treat diabetes, it is important to produce a sufficient number of pancreatic endocrine cells that function similarly to primary islets. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells represent a potentially unlimited source of functional pancreatic endocrine cells. However, the use of iPS cells for laboratory studies and cell-based therapies is hampered by their high tumorigenic potential and limited ability to generate pure populations of differentiated cell types in vitro. The purpose of this study was to establish a pancreatic stem cell line from iPS cells derived from mouse fibroblasts. METHODS: Mouse iPS cells were induced to differentiate into insulin-producing cells by a multi-step differentiation protocol, which was conducted as described previously with minor modifications. Selection of the pancreatic stem cell was based on morphology and Pdx1 expression. The pancreatic potential of the pancreatic stem cells was evaluated using a reverse transcription PCR, real-time PCR, immunofluorescence, and a glucose challenge test. To assess potential tumorigenicity of the pancreatic stem cells, the cells were injected into the quadriceps femoris muscle of the left hindlimb of nude mice. RESULTS: The iPS-derived pancreatic stem cells expressed the transcription factor--Pdx1--a marker of pancreatic development, and continued to divide actively beyond passage 80. Endocrine cells derived from these pancreatic stem cells expressed insulin and pancreatic genes, and they released insulin in response to glucose stimulation. Mice injected with the pancreatic stem cells did not develop tumors, in contrast to mice injected with an equal number of iPS cells. CONCLUSION: This strategy provides a new approach for generation of insulin-producing cells that is more efficient and safer than using iPS cells. We believe that this approach will help to develop a patient-specific cell transplantation therapy for diabetes in the near future.

Establishment of Induced Pancreatic Stem Cells by Yes-Associated Protein 1.

Recently, we and others generated induced tissue-specific stem/progenitor (iTS/iTP) cells. The advantages of iTS/iTP cells compared with induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are (1) easier generation, (2) efficient differentiation, and (3) no teratomas formation. In this study, we generated mouse induced pancreatic stem cells (iTS-P cells) by the plasmid vector expressing Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP). The iTS-P YAP9 cells expressed Foxa2 (endoderm marker) and Pdx1 (pancreatic marker) while the expressions of Oct3/4 and Nanog (marker of embryonic stem [ES] cells) in iTS-P YAP9 cells was significantly lower compared with those in ES cells. The iTS-P YAP9 cells efficiently differentiated into insulin-expressing cells compared with ES cells. The ability to generate autologous iTS cells may be applied to diverse applications of regenerative medicine.

Establishment of a stem cell administration imaging method in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse models.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive disease caused by interstitial inflammation. Treatments are extremely scarce; therapeutic drugs and transplantation therapies are not widely available due to cost and a lack of donors, respectively. Recently, there has been a high interest in regenerative medicine and exponential advancements in stem cell-based therapies have occurred. However, a sensitive imaging technique for investigating the in vivo dynamics of transplanted stem cells has not yet been established and the mechanisms of stem cell-based therapy remain largely unexplored. In this study, we administered mouse adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (mASCs) labeled with quantum dots (QDs; 8.0 nM) to a mouse model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in an effort to clarify the relationship between in vivo dynamics and therapeutic efficacy. These QD-labeled mASCs were injected into the trachea of C57BL/6 mice seven days after bleomycin administration to induce fibrosis in the lungs. The therapeutic effects and efficacy were evaluated via in vivo/ex vivo imaging, CT imaging, and H&E staining of lung sections. The QD-labeled mASCs remained in the lungs longer and suppressed fibrosis. The 3D imaging results showed that the transplanted cells accumulated in the peripheral and fibrotic regions of the lungs. These results indicate that mASCs may prevent fibrosis. Thus, QD labeling could be a suitable and sensitive imaging technique for evaluating in vivo kinetics in correlation with the efficacy of cell therapy.

Shh from mossy cells contributes to preventing NSC pool depletion after seizure-induced neurogenesis and in aging.

Epileptic seizures induce aberrant neurogenesis from resident neural stem cells (NSCs) in the dentate gyrus of the adult mouse hippocampus, which has been implicated in depletion of the NSC pool and impairment of hippocampal function. However, the mechanisms regulating neurogenesis after seizures remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that Sonic hedgehog (Shh) from mossy cells is a major source of Shh signaling activity after seizures, by which mossy cells contribute to seizure-induced neurogenesis and maintenance of the NSC pool. Deletion of Shh from mossy cells attenuates seizure-induced neurogenesis. Moreover, in the absence of Shh from mossy cells, NSCs pool are prematurely depleted after seizure-induced proliferation, and NSCs have impaired self-renewal. Likewise, lack of Shh from mossy cells accelerates age-related decline of the NSC pool with accompanying reduction of self-renewal of NSCs outside the context of pathology such as seizures. Together, our findings indicate that Shh from mossy cells is critical to maintain NSCs and to prevent exhaustion from excessive consumption in aging and after seizures.

Cytoprotective Effect of Pteryxin on Insulinoma MIN6 Cells Due to Antioxidant Enzymes Expression via Nrf2/ARE Activation.

The low-level antioxidant activity of pancreatic islets causes type 1 diabetes due to oxidative stress, which is also the cause of failure in the pancreatic islets' isolation and cell transplantation. In our previous study, pteryxin was found to be a natural product as a nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor (Nrf2) activator. This study focused on elucidation that the potentiality of pteryxin can activate the antioxidant enzymes, even under oxidative stress, by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Pteryxin treated with mouse insulinoma MIN6 cells was enhanced the antioxidant gene expressions in the ARE (antioxidant response element) region for HO-1 (Heme Oxygenase-1), GCLC (Glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit), SOD1 (Super Oxide dismutase1), and Trxr1 (Thioredoxin reductase1), and those enzymes were also expressed during the nuclei transference of cytoplasmic Nrf2. In fact, the cells exposed to H2O2 concentrations of a half-cell lethal in the presence of pteryxin were then induced main antioxidant enzymes, HO-1, GCLC, and Trxr1 in the ARE region. The increased glutathione (GSH) levels associated with the GCLC expression also suggested to be cytoprotective against oxidative stress by activating the redox-metabolizing enzymes involving their increased antioxidant activity in the cells. In addition, Akt is a modulator for Nrf2, which may be responsible for the Nrf2 activation. These results allowed us to consider whether pteryxin or its synthesized congeners, an Nrf2 activator, is a potential preservative agent against islet isolation during cell transplantation.

Shh from mossy cells contributes to preventing NSC pool depletion after seizure-induced neurogenesis and in aging.

Epileptic seizures induce aberrant neurogenesis from resident neural stem cells (NSCs) in the dentate gyrus of the adult mouse hippocampus, which has been implicated in depletion of the NSC pool and impairment of hippocampal function. However, the mechanisms regulating neurogenesis after seizures remain unknown. Here we demonstrate that Shh from mossy cells is a major source of Shh signaling activity after seizures, by which mossy cells contribute to seizure-induced neurogenesis and maintenance of the NSC pool. Deletion of Shh from mossy cells attenuates seizure-induced neurogenesis. Moreover, in the absence of Shh from mossy cells, NSCs pool are prematurely depleted after seizure-induced proliferation, and NSCs have impaired self-renewal. Likewise, lack of Shh from mossy cells accelerates age-related decline of the NSC pool with accompanying reduction of self-renewal of NSCs outside the context of pathology such as seizures. Together, our findings indicate that Shh from mossy cells is critical to maintain NSCs and to prevent exhaustion from excessive consumption in aging and after seizures.

Neuronal Activity Changes the Number of Neurons That Are Synaptically Connected to OPCs.

The timing and specificity of oligodendrocyte myelination during development, as well as remyelination after injury or immune attack, remain poorly understood. Recent work has shown that oligodendrocyte progenitors receive synapses from neurons, providing a potential mechanism for neuronal-glial communication. In this study, we investigated the importance of these neuroglial connections in myelination during development and during neuronal plasticity in the mouse hippocampus. We used chemogenetic tools and viral monosynaptic circuit tracing to analyze these connections and to examine oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) proliferation, myelination, synapse formation, and neuronal-glial connectivity in vivo after increasing or decreasing neuronal activity levels. We found that increasing neuronal activity led to greater OPC activation and proliferation. Modulation of neuronal activity also altered the organization of neuronal-glial connections: while it did not impact the total number of RabV-labeled neuronal inputs, or the number of RabV-labeled inhibitory neuronal (IN) inputs, it did alter the number of RabV-labeled excitatory neuron to OPC connections. Overall, our findings support the idea that neuronal activity plays a crucial role in regulating OPC proliferation and activation as well as the types of neuronal inputs to OPCs, indicating that neuronal activity is important for OPC circuit composition and function.