Multipotent fetal-derived Cdx2 cells from placenta regenerate the heart.

The extremely limited regenerative potential of adult mammalian hearts has prompted the need for novel cell-based therapies that can restore contractile function in heart disease. We have previously shown the regenerative potential of mixed fetal cells that were naturally found migrating to the injured maternal heart. Exploiting this intrinsic mechanism led to the current hypothesis that Caudal-type homeobox-2 (Cdx2) cells in placenta may represent a novel cell type for cardiac regeneration. Using a lineage-tracing strategy, we specifically labeled fetal-derived Cdx2 cells with enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). Cdx2-eGFP cells from end-gestation placenta were assayed for cardiac differentiation in vitro and in vivo using a mouse model of myocardial infarction. We observed that these cells differentiated into spontaneously beating cardiomyocytes (CMs) and vascular cells in vitro, indicating multipotentiality. When administered via tail vein to infarcted wild-type male mice, they selectively and robustly homed to the heart and differentiated to CMs and blood vessels, resulting in significant improvement in contractility as noted by MRI. Proteomics and immune transcriptomics studies of Cdx2-eGFP cells compared with embryonic stem (ES) cells reveal that they appear to retain "stem"-related functions of ES cells but exhibit unique signatures supporting roles in homing and survival, with an ability to evade immune surveillance, which is critical for cell-based therapy. Cdx2-eGFP cells may potentially represent a therapeutic advance in allogeneic cell therapy for cardiac repair.

Diversity within US dermatology residency programs and opportunities to care for underserved populations: A 2020 survey study.

Dermatology is the second-least diverse medical specialty. In this survey study, we identified the current proportion of underrepresented in medicine (UIM) residents and faculty in dermatology residency programs, perceptions on the importance of program diversity, and various opportunities for dermatology residents to care for underserved populations. We found that programs that provided greater resident exposure to the care of underserved populations and those that strongly considered residency applicants' desire to work with underserved populations had greater percentages of UIM residents. These findings illustrate the importance of expanding diversity among residency programs as this may be key to improving health disparities among underserved populations. Additionally, we identified various barriers that programs have to incorporating service-oriented curricula, including faculty time and cost.