Tumors are increasingly recognized as a consequence of systemic immune dysregulation, while current therapies merely focus on direct tumor killing or local immune activation, overlooking the systemic immune landscape that enables tumorigenesis and metastasis. Targeting distal immune organs, such as the bone marrow (BM), without perturbing tumors remains challenging. Here, we develop a BM-targeted and tumor-evasive cell vector that restricts immunomodulation to the BM niche, enabling systemic immune reprogramming through niche-derived signaling. This mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based vector overexpresses Golgi apparatus protein 1 (MSCGlg1) to mimic BM affinity signals. In a myelosuppression model, MSCGlg1 delivers CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) to protect hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) from chemotherapy toxicity while preserving antitumor efficacy. In a subcutaneous tumor model, MSCGlg1 delivers interleukin-7 (IL-7), restoring immune competence without promoting tumor proliferation. This strategy establishes a versatile framework for targeted immunomodulation to treat cancer as a systemic immune disease.

The cytokine thrombopoietin (THPO) promotes both self-renewal and cell cycle quiescence of adult bone marrow (BM) hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). It remains unclear how THPO differentially regulates HSC expansion versus quiescence and whether it influences the broader BM hematopoietic hierarchy, particularly multipotent progenitor cells (MPPs), which express MPL, the receptor for THPO. Adult constitutional Thpo-knockout mice exhibited significant decrease in both HSC and MPP numbers, yet single-cell RNA sequence-based genetic changes were prominent only in HSCs. Induced deletion of Thpo in adult mice showed that THPO primarily maintains adult BM HSC numbers by inhibiting apoptosis. Thpo deficiency-driven reduction of adult BM MPPs was attributed to the shortage of expansion and differentiation of HSCs during neonatal BM hematopoiesis. Drug-mediated enhancement of THPO signaling in neonatal Thpo-deficient mice rescued adult BM progenitor cell numbers but not HSC apoptosis. THPO function is thus limited during adult hematopoiesis but is critical during neonatal development to establish a structured HSC and MPP hierarchy.

cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a hereditary brain small vessel disease caused by pathogenic variants in the NOTCH3 gene, leading to NOTCH3 protein accumulation and degeneration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Here, we developed a CADASIL 3D Vessel-on-Chip model using either primary brain VSMCs or human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived VSMCs from CADASIL patients and isogenic controls. In 3D co-culture with hiPSC-derived endothelial cells, both primary and hiPSC-derived CADASIL VSMCs exhibited disease-relevant morphological abnormalities, increased NOTCH3 and contractile protein levels, and altered intracellular Ca2+ dynamics that were not observed under conventional 2D culture. PDGFRβ, a downstream NOTCH3 target, was upregulated and correlated with NOTCH3 protein levels in both 3D models and CADASIL patient brain tissue. Pharmacological inhibition of NOTCH3 cleavage reduced NOTCH3 protein levels and rescued CADASIL VSMC phenotypic abnormalities. In conclusion, this 3D Vessel-on-Chip model robustly shows CADASIL pathology-relevant readouts and provides a platform for mechanistic studies and therapeutic testing.

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive neuronal dysfunction and loss. Microglia, the brain's resident macrophages, are key contributors to disease pathogenesis, with many genetic risk variants enriched in microglia-specific genes. While rodent models have provided valuable insights, human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) and embryonic stem cell (ESC) technologies now enable the generation of human microglia-like cells, offering a physiologically relevant platform to study human microglial biology. This review discusses the developmental origins and functions of microglia, current differentiation approaches, and how these models help elucidate disease-relevant phenotypes and molecular mechanisms in neurodegeneration.

Neural crest stem cells (NCSCs), capable of differentiating into neurons and Schwann cells, are essential for peripheral nerve regeneration. This study investigates the role of endogenous NCSC-like cells in mechano-electrical stimulation (MES)-enhanced peripheral nerve repair. In a critical-sized nerve injury model, MES leads to complete nerve reconnection, accompanied by a significant increase in NCSC-like cells at the injury sites. In vitro, MES promotes the simultaneous differentiation of NCSC-like cells into neurons and Schwann cells, with elevated neuregulin 1 (NRG1) expression, a key factor in Schwann cell development. Mechanistically, MES activates BMP/Smad signaling, driving neuronal differentiation and subsequent NRG1 secretion, which in turn promotes Schwann cell maturation through the ErBB/NFAT pathway. These findings demonstrate that MES enhances peripheral nerve regeneration by activating and directing stem cell differentiation, supporting a novel therapeutic approach that utilizes physical stimulation for stem cell modulation for nerve repair.

Although neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has shown efficacy in reducing tumor burden in colorectal cancer (CRC), its impact on long-term patient outcomes remains limited. Here, we identify quiescent persister tumor cells (PTCs) as a critical determinant of therapeutic failure. Elevated PTC abundance correlates with poor long-term prognosis, even in patients exhibiting an initial response to treatment. Quiescent PTCs possess aggressive stem-like traits and orchestrate an immunosuppressive microenvironment characterized by CD96+CD8+ T cell infiltration in an orthotopic CRC mouse model. CD96 depletion diverts CD8+ T cells from an exhaustion trajectory and promotes memory-like phenotypes through enhanced mitochondrial function. Consistently, anti-CD96 therapy effectively eliminates PTCs in preclinical models. We also engineered epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)-targeted human chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells deficient in CD96 expression, which robustly target PTCs and demonstrate remarkable therapeutic potential against CRC. Overall, our study uncovers CD96 as a previously unrecognized axis of vulnerability within the PTC-driven microenvironment, offering a promising avenue to enhance CRC therapeutic outcomes.

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) tumor stem cells play a crucial role in the occurrence and development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but the identity and role of Cancer Stem Cell (CSC) subpopulations that drive metastasis remain unclear. This study explores the mechanisms of NPC stem cell subpopulations (CXCR4+) in the development of NPC, providing a reference for therapeutic targets for NPC.

The regulation of multiple biological reactions in stem cells is linked with the functions of different ion channels, and their modulation is considered as an effective approach to control stem cell behavior. Human endometrial-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (eMSCs) are promising candidates for the use in regenerative medicine due to high availability and minimal ethical issues. The cultivation of eMSCs as 3D spheroids was shown to improve its properties for stem cell therapies. Dramatic changes in cell organization occur during 2D-to-spheroid transition, and this potentially affects eMSC signaling pathways including ion channel-dependent reactions. Previously we have identified BK potassium channels in the 2D culture of eMSCs but their impact to cellular reactions remain unidentified. Here, we aimed to determine and compare the role of BK channel activity in the control of 2D eMSC migration and 3D spheroid reactivation. We observed significant decrease of eMSC spheroid spreading rates in the presence of specific BK channel blockers while no effect of BK inhibitors on 2D eMSC migration was detected. Our results show the 2D-to-3D transition resulted in the inclusion of BK channels to the pathways controlling eMSC migration during spheroid reactivation. Our data demonstrates the particular importance to identify the similarities and differences between key ion channel-controlled signaling pathways and physiological reactions in 2D and 3D cell cultures.

Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is a chronic and challenging infectious condition with rising global prevalence, and its bronchiectatic subtype is particularly difficult to treat with conventional regimens due to frequent adverse effects, thus necessitating novel therapeutic approaches. This report presents a 42-year-old female patient diagnosed with bronchiectatic NTM-PD, characterized by persistent cough, sputum production, and hemoptysis, which was confirmed through radiological findings and microbiological testing. Following intolerance to conventional antimicrobial therapy, the patient was treated exclusively with nebulized inhalation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (HucMSC-Exos). This intervention led to significant alleviation of respiratory symptoms, stabilization of pulmonary function, and marked improvement in immunological parameters. In conclusion, nebulized HucMSC-Exos therapy demonstrated successful outcomes in this case, improving clinical symptoms, pulmonary function, and immune status, which suggests its potential as a viable and innovative therapeutic strategy for managing this complex condition and warrants further clinical investigation.

This retrospective study examines the clinical outcomes and immune reconstitution dynamics in patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) exhibiting mixed chimerism (MC) compared with those with full donor chimerism (FDC) following HLA-matched hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Analysis of propensity score-matched cohorts (23 MC vs 69 FDC) revealed comparable 5-year overall survival (OS: 87.0% vs 92.8%, P = .433) but significantly inferior failure-free survival (FFS: 47.8% vs 87.0%, P < .001) in patients with MC due to a higher incidence of graft failure (52.2% vs 8.7%, P < .001). Longitudinal immune profiling revealed delayed recovery of myeloid and lymphoid lineages in patients with MC at 12 months post-HSCT, with pronounced deficits in adaptive immunity. Specifically, CD8+CD28+ T cell counts were consistently reduced at 1 month (median, 20 vs 41 cells/μL, P = .049), 3 months (median, 86 vs 153 cells/μL, P = .024), and 6 months (median, 109 vs 160 cells/μL, P = .001), and CD4+CD25+ T cells were diminished at 6 months (median, 11 vs 20 cells/μL, P = .006). Multivariate analysis revealed that elevated CD8+CD28+ T cell levels at 3 months (≥140 cells/μL) were an independent predictor of improved FFS (HR = 0.30, P = .035). These findings highlight MC-associated immune dysregulation, particularly impaired CD28-costimulated T cell and CD4+CD25+ T cell reconstitution, as a key mediator of graft instability. This study underscores the prognostic value of early immune monitoring and suggests therapeutic strategies that target T cell recovery to mitigate MC-related risk in patients with SAA.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and dysregulated proteolysis drive Huntington's disease (HD), tauopathy, and related neurodegenerative disorders. Calpain-2, a Ca2+-activated protease restrained by calpastatin (CAST), is pathologically overactivated, yet no therapies directly target this axis. We identify A36, a brain-penetrant small molecule derived from CHIR99021 that selectively stabilizes the CAST-calpain-2 complex without inhibiting GSK3. A36 acts as a protein-protein interaction stabilizer, enhancing CAST-calpain-2 binding, preventing CAST degradation, and thereby limiting calpain-2 activation and mitochondrial damage. In patients with HD induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons and mutant mouse striatal neurons, A36 normalized mitochondrial morphology and membrane potential, reduced oxidative stress, and improved survival. In vivo, A36 displayed favorable pharmacokinetics and central nervous system exposure; treatment reduced striatal neurodegeneration, mutant huntingtin aggregation, and motor deficits in HD R6/2 mice, and lowered phosphorylated tau, neuroinflammation, and cognitive decline in tauopathy PS19 mice. These findings establish pharmacological stabilization of CAST-calpain-2 as a therapeutic strategy and position A36 as a mechanism-selective modulator with broad neurodegenerative disease potential.

Neural progenitor cells exhibit developmental plasticity as they can commit to distinct developmental trajectories. The male-specific lethal complex (MSLc) is linked to multiple developmental disorders, suggesting a role in neural fate commitment. To dissect MSLc function, we used a multipronged approach combining chronic and acute depletion models. Knockout of the MSLc scaffolding component MSL1 caused embryonic lethality by E10.5 (embryonic day 10.5), and single-cell multiomics revealed altered cell population composition across multiple germ layer-derived lineages, including neuroectoderm. Two-dimensional directed differentiation models showed that the MSLc facilitates accessibility at regulatory elements during early stages of neurogenesis. Neurodevelopmental genes displayed reduced enhancer-promoter contacts and failed to reach appropriate expression levels when the MSLc was absent early in neural differentiation. In contrast, MSLc loss at later stages did not recapitulate this phenotype, indicating that MSLc-mediated gene priming is a key mechanism enabling timely activation of lineage-specifying transcriptional programs.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematopoietic malignancy caused by abnormal proliferation and differentiation of blasts. PRMT5, a methyltransferase that catalyzes symmetric dimethylation of arginine (SDMA) residues, has been implicated in cancer stem cell homeostasis and shown to be a potential therapeutic target in AML. However, given the toxicity of complete PRMT5 inhibition, there is a need to identify effective synergistic therapies. Through a targeted screen of compounds that inhibit key nodes of PRMT5-regulated pathways, we identified a synthetic lethality between inhibition of PRMT5 and LSD1, a lysine demethylase known to affect AML blast differentiation. The two inhibitors broadly reshape the transcriptome of targeted cells and synergize to promote AML differentiation and eventually growth inhibition and apoptosis, in a p53-dependent manner. To leverage this synthetic lethal interaction, we generated new dual compounds to inhibit both enzymes and recapitulated the effects of the drug combination. Our results uncover an unexpected convergence of PRMT5- and LSD1-regulated targets, paving the way for new therapeutic opportunities.

Glucocorticoid (GC)-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) involves bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) apoptosis and dysregulated osteo-adipogenic differentiation. While aberrant H19 promoter methylation and expression have been linked to various bone metabolic disorders such as osteoporosis and osteosarcoma, their specific role in the pathogenesis of GC-induced ONFH remains largely unexplored.

The PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) biosynthesis pathway is best studied for its role in suppressing Drosophila germline transposable elements. Piwi, the founding member of the pathway, is involved in adult intestinal stem cell (ISC) homeostasis. Whether a broader role of the PIWI pathway exists in the intestine remains unknown. Here, we characterize a role of the PIWI family protein Aubergine (Aub) in ISCs. While dispensable for basal ISC self-renewal, upregulation of Aub by damage-induced reactive oxygen species drives regenerative ISC proliferation through increased protein synthesis, including translation of ISC factors Myc and Sox21a. Unexpectedly, such roles of Aub in ISCs appear uncoupled from its piRNA regulatory function. Additionally, Aub and mammalian PIWIL1 mediate tumorigenic intestinal growth in Drosophila and human organoids, respectively. Our results reveal regulated protein translation as a fundamental aspect of regenerative ISC function and discover a central role of Aub in such process.

The adult B cell pool is a mosaic comprising short-lived naive B cells and long-lived memory. Using genetic time stamping, we have previously shown that early-life-origin (ELO) B cells contribute substantially to the adult mouse immune system. Here, we show that they share a memory-like signature, with ELO B-1 cells being enriched for the PD-L2/CD80 double-positive (DP) immunophenotype. Indeed, microbial antigen exposure in neonates expands distinct specificities within the DP B-1 cell compartment, identifying it as a reservoir of immunoglobulin (Ig)M memory. B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a disease marked by the accumulation of memory-like cells. By applying time stamping to a mouse model of unmutated CLL, we demonstrate that leukemic expansion is driven by B-1 clones that arise prior to postnatal day 10. Importantly, B-1 cells in mice and humans share molecular features with unmutated CLL, altogether supporting a potential contribution of ELO B cells to this disease.

Overcoming the limitations of synthetic vascular grafts in the development of biocompatible and regenerative vessels remains a long-term objective in tissue engineering. In this study, we engineered large-diameter fibrin-based vascular grafts with a target inner diameter of 21 mm replicating all three layers of the native human vessel wall in vitro.

Recent studies have highlighted the impact of copper-induced cell death (cuproptosis) on cancer progression, prognosis, and treatment, but it remains unclear whether cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) play any role in the glioma tumor microenvironment (TME). The CRGs expression patterns in TCGA glioma samples were evaluated based on genetic and transcriptional alterations identifying three different molecular groupings and showing that CRGs changes were linked to clinical characteristics, prognosis, and TME infiltration. Machine learning algorithms were then used to develop an overall survival score for cuproptosis-related prognostic genes (CRPGs), and its prognostic ability was validated for glioma patients. An elevated CRPGs score indicates a heightened mutation burden, increased glioma metabolism, compromised immunity, and strong correlation with both the cancer stem cells (CSC) index and medication sensitivity to chemotherapeutics. This extensive examination of CRGs in gliomas showed their possible significance in the tumor microenvironment as well as their prognostic value. This extremely precise CRPGs nomogram has furthered our understanding of cuproptosis in gliomas, which will allow new approaches to prognosis and immunotherapy development.

Controlling the proliferation and immune evasion of cancer cells can lead to effective strategies for cancer treatment. Thymoquinone, a bioactive compound derived from Nigella sativa exhibits a potent anti-tumor activity. It can be used as a therapeutic approach because it stabilizes the G-quadruplex structure in the promoter regions of oncogenes. This study aims to investigate the effects of thymoquinone on CD55, an inhibitor of the complement system, and CD114, which is involved in cancer cell proliferation. Real-time PCR and Western blot were conducted to verify the expression of CD55 and CD114 in patients' tumor samples, HMEC cells, MCF-7 cells, and MCF7-cancer stem cells (MCF7-CSCs). MCF-7 cells were treated with thymoquinone, and their biological behavior was evaluated using proliferation, migration, and wound-healing assays. The result indicated that CD55 and CD114 were induced among the patient's samples. The same result is followed by MCF-7 cells and MCF7-CSCs. Treatment of MCF-7 and MCF7-CSCs with thymoquinone effectively downregulated CD55 and CD114 and suppressed the stemness markers Sox2 and Nanog. Promoter analysis revealed the putative G-quadruplex sequences in the CD55 and CD114 genes. Thymoquinone binds to them at the CD55 and CD114 promoters, thereby limiting mRNA expression. Additionally, the inhibition of their expression reduced cell movement and growth, as verified by biological assays. In summary, treating breast cancer cells with thymoquinone could stabilize the G-quadruplex structure on the promoter regions of CD55 and CD114 and hinder their mRNA expression. Therefore, restoring immune recognition and inhibition of proliferation. Hence, thymoquinone could be a potent target for breast cancer therapeutics.

The number of pet dogs is increasing, and the number of working dogs (e.g., guide dogs, police dogs) is also gradually increasing. Skin wounds are a common clinical problem in dogs and tend to be more common in the clinic as mechanical wounds. The healing process of skin wounds is often influenced by a variety of factors, including infection, nutritional status, and immune response, while wound healing is more difficult in dogs with diabetes or aging dogs. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play an important role in skin healing and regeneration with their multidirectional differentiation potential and immunomodulatory function. However, the application of MSCs alone for the treatment of skin wounds may have certain limitations, such as low cell survival and a lack of localization. Therefore, it is important to find methods that can enhance the therapeutic effect of MSCs. Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), an extracellular matrix protein widely involved in regulating biological processes such as cell proliferation, migration, and matrix production, may enhance the efficacy of MSCs in skin wound healing. This study aims to systematically evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of SPARC-overexpressing adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) in promoting skin wound healing by establishing wound models in normal, diabetic, and aged mice and dogs, thereby validating their potential under diverse physiological and pathological conditions. For in vitro validation, we used hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to induce Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell (HUVEC) and Human Keratinocyte Cell (HaCaT) injury. All animals were randomly assigned to six experimental groups as follows: (1) Model group: Untreated wound (negative control); (2) HY group: Hydrogel alone (vehicle control); (3) Con group: Control-ADSCs (cell control); (4) Con-Exo&HY group: Control-ADSC exosomes in hydrogel; (5) SPARC group: oe-SPARC-ADSCs (treatment); (6) SPARC-Exo&HY group: oe-SPARC-ADSC exosomes in hydrogel (treatment). Separately, HUVEC and HaCaT cells were assigned to four experimental conditions: a blank control group, a model group, a control-ADSC-treated group, and an oe-SPARC-ADSC-treated group. ADSCs modified by SPARC significantly promoted re-epithelialization integrity, collagen deposition, inflammation reduction, angiogenesis, and hair follicle regeneration during wound healing in dog skin. HUVEC and HaCaT cells proliferated after adding oe-SPARC-ADSCs cell supernatant. Meanwhile, quantitative proteomic sequencing data analysis showed that SPARC could promote skin wound healing by enhancing cell adhesion, hyaluronic acid binding, and vascular smooth muscle contraction of ADSCs. Both in vitro cellular assays and in vivo wound-healing models suggest that the combination of SPARC and ADSCs for the treatment of skin wounds has broad application prospects.