Wolbachia enhance Drosophila stem cell proliferation and target the germline stem cell niche

Wolbachia are widespread maternally transmitted intracellular bacteria that infect most insect species and are able to alter the reproduction of innumerous hosts. The cellular bases of these alterations remain largely unknown. Here, we report that Drosophila mauritiana infected with a native Wolbachia wMau strain produces about four times more eggs than the noninfected counterpart. Wolbachia infection leads to an increase in the mitotic activity of germline stem cells (GSCs), as well as a decrease in programmed cell death in the germarium. Our results suggest that up-regulation of GSC division is mediated by a tropism of Wolbachia for the GSC niche, the cellular microenvironment that supports GSCs.     

Establishment and characterization of immortalized bovine male germline stem cell line

Male germline stem cells(m GSCs) are unique adult germ cells with self-renewal potential and spermatogenesis function in the testis.However,further studies are needed to establish a long-term cultural system of m GSCs in vitro,especially for large animals such as bovine m GSCs.In this study,we first established a stable immortalized bovine male germline stem cell line by transducing Simian virus 40(SV40) large T antigen.The proliferation of these cells was improved significantly.These cells could express spermatogonial stem cell(SSC)-specific markers,such as PLZF,PGP9.5,VASA,LIN28 A,and CD49 F,both in the m RNA and protein levels.Additionally,these cells could be differentiated into three germ layer cells to enter meiosis,form colonies,and proliferate in the seminiferous tubules of busulfan-induced infertile mice.The immortalized bovine m GSCs maintain the criteria of m GSCs.     

Direct control of germline stem cell division and cyst growth by neural insulin in Drosophila

Stem cells reside in specialized niches that provide signals required for their maintenance and division. Tissue-extrinsic signals can also modify stem cell activity, although this is poorly understood. Here, we report that neural-derived Drosophila insulin-like peptides (DILPs) directly regulate germline stem cell division rate, demonstrating that signals mediating the ovarian response to nutritional input can modify stem cell activity in a niche-independent manner. We also reveal a crucial direct role of DILPs in controlling germline cyst growth and vitellogenesis.     

Stem cell self-renewal controlled by chromatin remodeling factors

The self-renewing ability of a stem cell is controlled by its specialized micro-environment or niche, whereas epigenetic regulation of gene expression by chromatin remodeling factors underlies cell fate determination. Here we report that the adenosine triphosphate-dependent chromatin remodeling factors ISWI and DOM control germline stem cell and somatic stem cell self-renewal in the Drosophila ovary, respectively. The iswi mutant germline stem cells are lost rapidly because of defects in responding to bone morphogenetic protein niche signals and in repressing differentiation, whereas the dom mutant somatic stem cells are lost because of defective self-renewal. This work demonstrates that different stem cell types can use different chromatin remodeling factors to control cell self-renewal.     

Dodeca-CLE peptides as suppressors of plant stem cell differentiation

In plants and animals, small peptide ligands that signal in cell-cell communication have been suggested to be a crucial component of development. A bioassay of single-cell transdifferentation demonstrates that a dodecapeptide with two hydroxyproline residues is the functional product of genes from the CLE family, which includes CLAVATA3 in Arabidopsis. The dodecapeptide suppresses xylem cell development at a concentration of 10(-11) M and promotes cell division. An application, corresponding to all 26 Arabidopsis CLE protein family members, of synthetic dodecapeptides reveals two counteracting signaling pathways involved in stem cell fate.     

Mechanism of divergent growth factor effects in mesenchymal stem cell differentiation

Closely related signals often lead to very different cellular outcomes. We found that the differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells into bone-forming cells is stimulated by epidermal growth factor (EGF) but not platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). We used mass spectrometry-based proteomics to comprehensively compare proteins that were tyrosine phosphorylated in response to EGF and PDGF and their associated partners. More than 90% of these signaling proteins were used by both ligands, whereas the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway was exclusively activated by PDGF, implicating it as a possible control point. Indeed, chemical inhibition of PI3K in PDGF-stimulated cells removed the differential effect of the two growth factors, bestowing full differentiation effect onto PDGF. Thus, quantitative proteomics can directly compare entire signaling networks and discover critical differences capable of changing cell fate.     

Male germline stem cells: from mice to men

The production of functional male gametes is dependent on the continuous activity of germline stem cells. The availability of a transplantation assay system to unequivocally identify male germline stem cells has allowed their in vitro culture, cryopreservation, and genetic modification. Moreover, the system has enabled the identification of conditions and factors involved in stem cell self-renewal, the foundation of spermatogenesis, and the production of spermatozoa. The increased knowledge about these cells is also of great potential practical value, for example, for the possible cryopreservation of stem cells from boys undergoing treatment for cancer to safeguard their germ line.     

Endothelial cells stimulate self-renewal and expand neurogenesis of neural stem cells

Neural stem cells are reported to lie in a vascular niche, but there is no direct evidence for a functional relationship between the stem cells and blood vessel component cells. We show that endothelial cells but not vascular smooth muscle cells release soluble factors that stimulate the self-renewal of neural stem cells, inhibit their differentiation, and enhance their neuron production. Both embryonic and adult neural stem cells respond, allowing extensive production of both projection neuron and interneuron types in vitro. Endothelial coculture stimulates neuroepithelial cell contact, activating Notch and Hes 1 to promote self-renewal. These findings identify endothelial cells as a critical component of the neural stem cell niche.     

大鼠骨髓干细胞的分离、培养和诱导生成内皮祖细胞的研究

目的探讨大鼠骨髓干细胞的体外分离、培养和诱导生成内皮祖细胞的的可行性,并检测其表型和功能。方法取大鼠长骨骨髓细胞,第3代细胞传代后加用终质量浓度10μg/L的血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）的细胞因子,培养3 d后行内皮细胞特异性成分鉴定。结果（1）免疫组化染色鉴定：P3代CD133呈中度阳性表现,CD34呈弱阳性表现;经VEGF诱导后表达明显增强。（2）流式细胞仪细胞计数鉴定：P3代CD133、CD34阳性细胞率分别为97.3%、55.5%;经VEGF诱导后CD133、CD34阳性细胞率分别为91.4%、78.6%。（3）P3代VEGF诱导后乙酰化低密度脂蛋白（ac-LDL）、荆豆凝集素（UEA）双染鉴定：经VEGF诱导的P3代细胞ac-LDL和FITC-UEA-1双荧光染色阳性率（70.2±5.1）%,未经VEGF诱导后的P3代细胞ac-LDL和FITC-UEA-1双荧光染色阳性率（20.4±3.8）%。（4）RealTime-PCR检测第3代VEGF cell和三代cell的内皮细胞特异性成分表达：P3 VEGF cell血管内皮生长因子受体2（VEGF-R2）浓度是P3cell的2.22倍。结论用贴壁筛选法和VEGF细胞因子培养大鼠骨髓干细胞可以获得较高纯度的内皮祖细胞（EPCs）,该细胞具有内皮祖细胞的特性,可用于进一步向内皮细胞分化的研究与应用。     

天冬氨酸修饰的纳米硒（PEG2000-ASP@Se）对间充质 干细胞增殖与分化能力的影响

采用天冬氨酸（ASP）加以聚乙二醇（PEG2000）修饰制备纳米硒（PEG2000-ASP@Se）并评价其对间充质干细胞（hMSCs）的增殖与分化的影响。实验制备所得PEG2000-ASP@Se纳米粒子通过投射电子显微镜观察其外貌特征,并采用马尔文粒度仪检测其水合粒径。表征结果显示,该纳米粒子具有较好的分散性,其水溶液稳定性较好,水合粒径约为（154±2） nm。根据MTT实验数据,PEG2000-ASP@Se纳米对干细胞增殖能力影响较小。此外,借助流式细胞术,使用Annexin V-FITC/PI双染探针检查纳米是否会导致干细胞凋亡。并检测纳米作用下干细胞内活性氧水平变化情况,从而进一步证实该纳米粒子具有较小的毒副作用。为探究该纳米粒子对干细胞分化潜能的影响作用,使用茜素红染色定性分析干细胞成骨分化过程中产生的矿化结节。上述实验表明,PEG2000-ASP@Se是一个具有良好细胞相容性,毒性较小的促进干细胞成骨分化的纳米药物。     

一串红茎腐病的发生及防治

不少养花爱好者缺乏防治一串红茎腐病的经验,本文着重介绍了一串红茎腐病的正确识别、发病规律及防治经验,以供养花爱好者参考。     

Fat metabolism links germline stem cells and longevity in C. elegans

Fat metabolism, reproduction, and aging are intertwined regulatory axes; however, the mechanism by which they are coupled remains poorly understood. We found that germline stem cells (GSCs) actively modulate lipid hydrolysis in Caenorhabditis elegans, which in turn regulates longevity. GSC arrest promotes systemic lipolysis via induction of a specific fat lipase. Subsequently, fat mobilization is promoted and life span is prolonged. Constitutive expression of this lipase in fat storage tissue generates lean and long-lived animals. This lipase is a key factor in the lipid hydrolysis and increased longevity that are induced by decreased insulin signaling. These results suggest a link between C. elegans fat metabolism and longevity.     

Male and female Drosophila germline stem cells: two versions of immortality

Drosophila male and female germline stem cells (GSCs) are sustained by niches and regulatory pathways whose common principles serve as models for understanding mammalian stem cells. Despite striking cellular and genetic similarities that suggest a common evolutionary origin, however, male and female GSCs also display important differences. Comparing these two stem cells and their niches in detail is likely to reveal how a common heritage has been adapted to the differing requirements of male and female gamete production.     

内在调节蛋白及生长因子对精原干细胞增殖与分化的调控

文章阐述了在转录水平上精原干细胞在增殖与分化过程中的内在调节蛋白Plzf、Sohlh及其对精原干细胞的调节机制。介绍了胶质细胞源性神经营养因子、干细胞因子、Ets相关分子、骨形态发生蛋白、肝细胞生长因子、斯里兰卡肉桂碱受体等由支持细胞分泌的对精原细胞增殖与分化有重要作用的生长因子。     

Tumor cell rejection through terminal cell differentiation

Leukemic cells cultured in the presence of various conditioned media differentiate into macrophages. This finding suggested that the maintenance of undifferentiated state and self-renewal in vivo may be related to the inability of the host to generate an appropriate level of differentiation factor (DF). Evidence for this hypothesis was derived from experiments in vitro and in vivo with myeloid leukemia of rat. The following results were obtained: (i) in vitro, the percentage of cell differentiation at a fixed concentration of DF was inversely related to the concentration of cells; (ii) leukemic cell inoculates that were lethal to 7-day-old rats were rejected by 21-day-old rats; (iii) leukemic cells in diffusion chambers underwent differentiation in 21-day-old rats but not in 7-day-old rats; (iv) organs from 21-day-old rats contained more DF activity than those of 7-day-old rats; (v) treatment of rats with DF in diffusion chambers resulted in leukemic cell differentiation inside the chamber; and (vi) the development of leukemia in 7-day-old rats was aborted by treatment with DF. These results show that the differentiation of rat leukemia cells requires the appropriate level of DF. The proliferation of transplanted leukemia cells in 7-day-old rats goes unchecked because of inadequate generation of DF. Conversely, in the 21-day-old rats, rejection is accomplished by differentiation of the transplanted cells.