Scientific Program

Conference Series Ltd invites all the participants across the globe to attend 5th World Congress on Cell & Stem Cell Research Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Day 2 :

  • Workshop on stem cells in glomerular repair: Present status, challenges, and future expectations
Location: Vienna Room

Chair

Guillermo A Herrera

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
Louisiana

Speaker
Biography:

Abstract:

Mesangial injury represents a crucial event in the pathogenesis of light chain-associated glomerulopathies in patients with plasma cell dyscrasias. The glomerulopathic light chains interact with mesangial cells where purported receptors regulate the downstream cellular mechanisms that will be activated and result in glomerular alterations. The physicochemical and conformational characteristics of the abnormal light chains are primarily responsible for the downstream events affecting the mesangial milieu. Different light chains are responsible for two diseases with diametrically opposite mesangial alterations: Light chain deposition disease which results in the expansion of the mesangium due to accumulation of matrix proteins not present in the normal mesangium and AL (light chain-associated) amyloidosis where the native mesangial matrix is replaced by fibrils (amyloid). In both cases there is enhancement of mesangial cell apoptosis and the altered mesangium has a marked decreased of mesangial cells, most undergoing apoptosis. The repair of the damaged mesangium is difficult due to the absence of enough mesangial cells that can participate in the process and also the damage can be so extensive that the intrinsic processes that are available for repair (i.e. recruitment of stem cells from bone marrow and precursor stem cells in renal niches) cannot effectively carry out the recovery. Introducing exogenous mesenchymal stem cells represents a novel therapeutic avenue that has been experimentally tested with promising results. Glomerular repair is hindered by how much of the glomerulus has become sclerosed and how to re-establish capillary walls and spaces in segmentally sclerosed / hyalinized glomerular areas. Disposing of the sclerotic material represents a major challenge for repair mechanisms to be able to restore homeostasis. In-vitro, ex-vivo and in-vivo animal models have been created to study these disorders providing excellent platforms to elucidate pathogenesis and provide insightful information that can be translated to the practice of renal pathology, as the in-vitro and in-vivo platforms corroborate each other. The presentation will address how mesangial injury occurs in LCDD and AL-amyloidosis as examples of generic mesangiopathies. Other presentations in the symposium will summarizes existing data regarding the niches of stem cells that participate in glomerular homeostasis and repair and experimental use of exogenous mesenchymal stem cells in mesangial healing.

Paola Romagnanin

Meyer Childrens Hospital
Italy

Title: The renal parenchymal niches of progenitor cells and glomerular repair

Time : 09:45-10:10

Speaker
Biography:

Paola Romagnani was born in Florence, Italy, in 1970. She graduated at the School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Florence in 1995 and obtained her PhD in 2001. In 1999, she has won the Hoechst Marion Roussel Foundation Award as best young Italian scientist. From 2006 she is Associate Professor of Nephrology and from 2009 Chair of Nephrology and Director of the Specialty School of Nephrology of the University of Florence. From 2010, she is Head of the Nephrology and Dialysis Unit at the University Hospital Meyer, Florence. She has published more than 140 manuscripts in international peer-reviewed journals. Her studies received over 10000 citations. In 2007, she has won the European Research Council Starting Grant Investigator Award. From 2008 to 2011 she coordinated a Cooperative European Project of the FP7 Program. From 2011 she is Ambassador of the European Commission for the Programme “Youth on the move”. From 2012 she is included in AcademiaNet, the database of excellent female scientists organized by Robert Bosch Stiftung’s foundation in collaboration with Nature. In 2014 she has won the European Research Council Consolidator Grant Award.

Abstract:

Kidney disorders represent a major global health issue. In the last few years, studies performed in mammalian kidney supported the existence of renal progenitors with the potential to regenerate glomerular as well as tubular epithelial cells. Indeed, renal progenitors (RPC) have become a key player in the pathogenesis of kidney disorders, and their study is increasing knowledge about the mechanisms of kidney response to injury. Renal progenitors were first identified in human, where they localize within the Bowman's capsule as well as along the tubular compartment. Lineage tracing of the murine renal progenitor system following injury has shown that the outcome of glomerular disorders may depend from a balance between injury and regeneration. Indeed, factors that promote progression of renal disorders, like proteinuria, impair renal progenitors growth and differentiation, thus blocking regenerative processes. Consistently, use of drugs that stimulate renal progenitors growth or differentiation exert protective effect on renal function and restore kidney tissue integrity. From all these findings it appears clear that understanding of how self-renewal and fate decision of renal progenitors may be perturbed will be of crucial importance and that RPC represent novel therapeutic targets to improve podocyte regeneration and disease regression.

Jiamin Teng

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
Louisiana

Title: Experimental platforms to address mesangial repair: What has been accomplished

Time : 10:10-10:35

Speaker
Biography:

Abstract:

The human kidney has about 500 000 nephrons made up of different cell types. Mesangial cells (MCs) and the mesangial matrix were first described in the mid-nineteenth century, as important components of a region called glomerular mesangium . As normally smooth muscle phenotype cells, mesangial cells are strategically located, directly involved in biological phenomena governing renal embryology, physiology and pathology. Many pathologic glomerular processes begin and are centered in mesangial areas. Immunoglobulin light chains producing glomerular damage (so-called glomerulopathic light chains) interact with mesangial cells resulting in different pathological events. Focused on mesangial repair and restoration of the mesangium after homeostasis has been altered, various experiment models including in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo have been used.in our laboratory in the last 30 years. The most recent animal models have recreated the various mesangiopathies that are characteristic of glomerulonephritis. These experimental platforms have allowed us to correlate in-vitro data with animal results and have shown that the sequence of events participating in the pathological processes are identical. Each platform offers specific advantages and disadvantages to answer different questions. The talk will address these and will highlight the value of each of the research platforms. Combining the data that has been obtained has resulted in a full appreciation of what is involved in the genesis of the mesangial damage. The use of stem cells to repair and restore the damaged mesangium has provided insights into how mesenchymal stem cells do so offering a promising new therapeutic avenue to treat conditions such as diabetic nephropathy and thrombotic microangiopathies among others.

Break: Coffee Break 10:35-10:50 @ Vienna Foyer

Elba A Turbat-Herrera

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
Louisiana

Title: Induced pluripotent and mesenchymal stem cells: Exogenous participation for glomerular

Time : 10:50-11:15

Speaker
Biography:

Abstract:

The study of stem cells is a growing field in which these are used to repopulate, therefore, repair damaged tissues. Many studies have been performed in several organ systems. In the kidney, studies of stem cell repair have been conducted for repair of the tubules but very little has been published about glomerular repair. Our laboratory has been engaged in the study of mesangial repair after injury induced by using mesenchymal sten cells ( MSC) to repopulate the damaged mesangium and differentiate into mesangial cells. Mesangial injury produced by glomerulopathic monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains can produce damage either by lysis of the mesangial matrix with replacement of the damaged matrix by amyloid(AL-amyloidosis) or increased matrix by deposition of abnormal light chains(light chain deposition disease) depending upon the physicochemical abnormality of the light chain utilized in the experiments, and corresponding interactions with mesangial cells. Our unique experimental model of mesangial injury has allowed us to explore the use of exogenous stem cells for mesangial repair of the damage produced by two different physicochemically and, therefore, conformationally ( stoichiometrically abnormal) different light chains. In vivo and in vitro platforms have been used to observe mesangial damage and repair from the in vitro and in vivo aspects. The sequence of events that leads to mesenchymal stem cells identifying the site of glomerular damage, eliminating the remnants of the damaged mesangium such as apoptotic cells and extraneous matrix(LCDDD and AL-amyloid) and to differentiating into mature mesangial cells which then lay down new mesangial matrix has been elucidated. Part of our in vitro studies includes our observations utilizing a six dimensional (6 D) live cell culture system by which the actual glomerular repair was observed and digitally recorded for up to approximately 14 days. By this method the process of mesenchymal stem cells clearing mesangial debris and differentiation into mesangial cells can be analyzed in detail. Each of the platforms will be presented to show their advantages and limitations. By studying the information obtained by each model system we have been able to better understand how exogenous mesenchymal stem cells can participate in the repair of the glomerular mesangium. The use of induced pluripotential stem cells (iPSC) in the kidney has a scant representation in the literature. A review of what is available will be presented. iPSC are a type of pluripotent stem cells that can be generated from adult stem cells. Dr. Shinya Yamanaka is the pioneer of this revolutionary technology that allows experimentation and ultimate repair and treatment of different conditions without the use of embryonic stem cells and the controversial method of obtaining them. Yamanaka, in 2006 showed that the introduction of four specific genes that encode transcription factors into the genome of mature/committed cells, leads to the reprogramming of these cells into pluripotent stem cells. Advantages of iPSCs (besides not being necessary to destroy or manipulate embryos ), is that these can be made patient - specific making it useful in the treatment of genetic diseases and others. Methods of reprogramming mature cells can range from Yamanaka’s method of virally introducing the four specific genes: OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and c-Myc to a variety of other methods are still in evolution. Concerns of oncogenic transformation due to tampering with the cellular genome brought about in 2008 a technique for removal of the oncogenes introduced after inducing pluripotency and in 2009 scientists found a way to induce pluripotency without the necessity to tamper with the genome by the exposure of mature cells to recombinant proteins or protein induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). Recombinant proteins are also about 100-200 times more efficient than retroviral methods in inducing regression of mature cells into pluripotency. The evaluation and experimentation to develop new methods of inducing pluripotentiality avoiding those that could be potentially harmful to patients is ongoing and it is our hope that it will develop into efficient methods by which stem cells can be produced and used for the repair and healing of damaged kidneys as well as other organs.

  • Symposium
Location: Vienna Room

Session Introduction

Ornella Parolini

International Placenta Stem Cell Society (IPLASS), Italy

Title: Immunomodulatory mechanisms underlying the therapeutical effects of amniotic membrane-derived cells

Time : 11:15-11:35

Speaker
Biography:

Ornella Parolini is the Director of E. Menni Research Center, Fondazione Poliambulanza, Brescia, Italy and the President of IPLASS - International Placenta Stem Cell Society. She has pioneered research on human placenta-derived stem cells. Her research is focused on the immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties of amniotic and chorionic membrane-derivatives as amnion patches, amniotic cell subpopulations and their conditioned medium, as products applicable in regenerative medicine. She is author of over 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals as well as several book chapters. She also has several patent applications.

Abstract:

The modern understanding of regenerative medicine focuses on the immunomodulatory potential of MSC, rather than their differentiation capability. In the complex scenario of stem cells, the human placenta has blossomed as an interesting source of therapeutic cells. Our group has pioneered the understanding of the immunomodulatory potential of cells isolated from human term placenta. We have previously described the ability of mesenchymal cells isolated from the amniotic membrane (hAMSC) to reduce T cell proliferation induced by alloantigens or mitogens, and their capability to block the differentiation of monocytes to dendritic cells. Recently, we demonstrated that primary and expanded hAMSC, cultured with monocytes in either contact or transwell settings, strongly inhibited the differentiation of DCs and induced a shift toward M2-like macrophages. This was observed even when medium conditioned by hAMSC (CM-hAMSC) was aplied, but not when using cells isolated from the epithelial layer of the amniotic membrane (hAEC). We’ve also shown that monocytes co-cultured with hAMSC and hAEC possessed different secretomes. In a more recent study we showed that CM-hAMSC was able to equally suppress the proliferation of central and effector memory subsets of both CD4+ T-helper (Th) and CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. CM-hAMSC induced significant changes in the phenotype of CD4+ cells, such as the reduced expression of markers associated to the Th1 and Th17 populations. Significant changes in cytokine secretion were also induced by CM-hAMSC. We also showed that CM-hAMSC significantly induced the Treg compartment, as shown by an induction of proliferating CD4+FoxP3+ cells and CD25+FoxP3+ and CD39+FoxP3+ Treg and increased secretion of TGF-β. Taken together, these multifaceted, immunomodulatory properties of cells isolated from the amniotic membrane of human term placenta, and conditioned medium derived from cell culture, render them unique and attractive for their potential in a variety of applications, especially inflammatory diseases.

  • Track 10: Novel Stem Cell Technologies 
    Track 16: Tumour Science, Apoptosis and Cancer
Location: Vienna Room

Chair

Paul J. Davis

Albany Medical College, USA

Co-Chair

Gary Guishan Xiao

Dalian University of Technology, China

Session Introduction

Paul J Davis

Albany Medical College
USA

Title: Activity of nanoparticulate tetrac (nanotetrac) on models of glioblastoma

Time : 11:35-11:55

Speaker
Biography:

Davis is a graduate of Harvard Medical School and had his postgraduate medical training at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the NIH. His academic positions have included Chair, Department of Medicine, Albany Medical College. He has served as President, American Thyroid Association, as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Board of Internal Medicine and he is Co-Head, Faculty of 1000 – Endocrinology. He serves on multiple Editorial Boards of His scientific interests include molecular mechanisms of actions of nonpeptide hormones, particularly, thyroid hormone. He and his colleagues described the cell surface receptor for thyroid hormone on integrin v3 that underlies the pro-angiogenic activity of the hormone and the proliferative action of the hormone on cancer cells. He has co-authored more than 200 original research articles and 30 textbook chapters and he has edited three medical textbooks.

Abstract:

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor with a less than 10% 5-year survival rate. The tumor is relatively chemo- and radioresistant and, despite its vascularity, has shown disappointing clinical responses to anti-angiogenic management. Nanoparticulate tetrac (Nanotetrac) is anti-cancer/anti-angiogenic agent that acts exclusively at a thyroid hormone-tetrac receptor on plasma membrane integrin v3 and does not gain entry to cells. In the formulation, tetrac is covalently bound via a linker to poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles. From the integrin, the agent disorders a panel of tumor cell defense pathways by downstream actions on expression of differentially regulated genes and is pro-apoptotic by several mechanisms. In the C6 rat subcutaneous glioma xenograft in the mouse, standard clinical GBM chemotherapy with temozolomide (TMZ) at 10 mg/kg was wholly ineffective (tumor volumes) at 14 d, as was subtherapeutic Nanotetrac at 0.3 mg/kg. Added to TMZ, Nanotetrac at 0.3 mg/kg reduced tumor volume by 53% at 14 d. In the subcutaneous human U87MG (U87-luc) GBM xenograft, Nanotetrac at 1 mg/kg injected with implanted cells inhibited tumor growth by 79% at 16 d. Luminescent scanning revealed no viable cells in the Nanotetrac-exposed tumors, with full viability in the void PLGA-injected lesions. Systemic (s.c.) Nanotetrac at 1 mg/kg reduced subcutaneous tumor U87MG xenograft volume by 46% at 10 d. All Nanotetrac results were significant at p <0.05. Studied in vitro, U87MG cells proliferated in response to physiological concentrations of free L-thyroxine (T4) and supraphysiological levels of 3,5,3,-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3). The T4 effect was associated with activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (pERK1/2), but not phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Taken together, these studies indicate that 1) GBM is a thyroid hormone-responsive tumor, consistent with clinical observations of the action of induced hypothyroxinemia on GBM (A Hercbergs et al., Anticancer Res 23:617-626,2003; Oncologist 2015, in press) and 2) Nanotetrac systemically or intratumorally is effective in reducing GBM xenograft volumes/weights and reducing tumor cell viability.

Speaker
Biography:

Stephen Lin received his PhD from the Washington University in St. Louis and did his Postdoctoral research at Harvard University. In 2006 he joined StemCells, Inc. of California as a Scientist for liver cellular therapeutics, where he discovered pathways that contribute to the rapid decline of function and expansion of primary human hepatocytes. Since 2012 he has been Staff Scientist for early-stage product concepts at Life Technologies (now part of Thermo Fisher Scientific), a global life sciences company that develops and offers tools for every aspect of stem cell and gene therapy including genetic manipulation, genetic analysis, and cell culture.

Abstract:

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have great potential to model, and possibly treat human ailments that have long been difficult to study in the laboratory. One example is Parkinson’s disease (PD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by a loss of dopaminergic neurons in the brain. Because of the lack of access to disease tissue and the paucity/scarcity of good animal models, iPSC-generated neurons hold promise in the development of model systems to study PD. Beyond the core principles of generating iPSCs, a series of technologies are needed to develop these cells as disease models and therapeutics. These include the non-integrating introduction of stem cell factors, precise editing of iPSC genomes and effective differentiation methods. Using PD as an example, the author will describe a non-integrating virus delivery system that was used to generate iPSCs from Parkinson’s patients and a Transcription Activator-Like (TAL) effector nuclease technology for targeted DNA editing of those cells. The author will also cover methods for studying these PD patient cells, including methods for direct differentiation of iPSCs to neural stem cells (NSCs) without the usual intermediary embryoid body and rosette formation, and downstream methods for monitoring phenotypes that are associated with PD cells. A long-term goal is to use these cells and assay technologies as a platform for interrogating small molecule compounds in order to identify drug candidates that “relieve” the phenotypes associated with PD. The author will end with thoughts on challenges, but hope, of using stem cells to model and treat human diseases.

Georg F. Weber

University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center
USA

Title: Regulation of anchorage-independence by splice variants of osteopontin

Time : 12:15-12:35

Speaker
Biography:

Georg F. Weber attended medical school in Wuerzburg, Germany. He worked at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School from 1990 through 1999 and is currently on the faculty at the University of Cincinnati. Georg F. Weber has published close to 90 scientific reports, including many in the most respected professional journals, and various monographs, most recently textbooks on molecular oncology and anti-cancer drugs. He holds several patents. As a component of his mission to research cancer dissemination, Georg F. Weber is the founder and chief executive officer of MetaMol Theranostics, a company specialized in diagnosis and treatment of cancer metastasis.

Abstract:

The major limiting factor in the process of metastasis formation is the death of the tumor cells before their implantation in target organs. Hence, anchorage-independent survival is essential for metastasis. While untransformed non-hematopoietic cells undergo anoikis consecutive to losing contact with their substratum, cancer cells can survive in the circulation for extended periods of time. The detachment of mammary epithelial cells prompts a loss of glucose transport, leading to ATP deficiency, compromised energy metabolism, and cell death. Invasive breast tumor cells abundantly express two splice variants of the metastasis gene osteopontin. Osteopontin-a and osteopontin-c synergize in supporting tumor progression via up-regulating the cellular energy production, thus supporting deadherent survival. Osteopontin-a increases the levels of glucose in breast cancer cells, likely through sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, STAT3 and its transcriptional targets apolipoprotein D and IGFBP5. Osteopontin-c signaling activates three interdependent pathways of the energy metabolism, comprising the hexose monophosphate shunt and glycolysis that can feed into the tricarboxylic acid cycle, the glycerol phosphate shuttle that supports the mitochondrial respiratory chain, and elevated creatine that increases the formation of ATP. Metabolic probing identified differential regulation of the pathway components, with mitochondrial activity being redox dependent and the creatine pathway depending on glutamine. These molecular connections generate a flow toward two mechanisms of ATP generation, via creatine and via the respiratory chain, which are consistent with a stimulation of the energy metabolism that supports anti-anoikis. Osteopontin-c is never expressed without the full-length form osteopontin-a. Each of these splice variants activates signal transduction pathways that are distinct from the other. Our findings imply a coalescence in cancer cells between osteopontin-a, which increases the cellular glucose levels, and osteopontin-c, which utilizes this glucose to generate energy. The splice form-specific metabolic effects of osteopontin add a novel aspect to the pro-metastatic functions of this molecule. It is likely that metabolic responses to environmental cues are more common in cell biology than has hitherto been recognized.

Speaker
Biography:

Prabhat Singhal has completed his PhD from Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Manipal University in 2007. Dr. Singhal has postdoctoral experience at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Harvard Medical School (HMS). Currently, Dr. Singhal is a research associate at MGH. He has published several high impact articles in reputed journals. Dr. Singhal has served as peer reviewer across multiple journals and has been serving also as an editorial board member. Dr. Singhal is the founding member of Green Science Foundation and technical advisor to Biotech Dhaba.

Abstract:

Speaker
Biography:

Ludmila B Buravkova (MD, PhD) is a member of Russian Academy of Sciences, Head of Cell Physiology Lab, IBMP and Professor of Moscow State University. She is an expert in stem cell and gravitational physiology, cell signaling, a tutor of 19 PhD students, has over 100 publications,12 patents, serves as Editorial Board Member of Human Physiology, Cell Technologies in Biology and Medicine, Advisory Boards in Russian Ministry of Science and Russian Found for Basic Research, PI of projects in cell physiology, received awards from Russian Government for Outstanding Scientific Results (2004) and from Pleiades Publishing for best publications in Life Sciences (2014).

Abstract:

Cord blood hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (cbHSPCs) attract considerable interest as an alternative to bone marrow HSPCs. Low number of HSPCs in one sample limit its broad application. Thus far, the development of ex vivo cbHSPC amplification is a primary goal of cell technologies. Imitation of hematopoietic niche ex vivo may significantly improve cbHSPC expansion. In this work, HSPCs were selected from unfractioned cbMNCs through adhesion to adipose mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) under standard (20%) and tissue-related (5%) О2. ASCs efficiently maintained viability and supported further HSPC expansion at both О2 levels. A new floating generation of HSPCs grew up and was enriched with СD34+ cells up to 100 (20% О2) and 200 (5% О2) times, included cobble-stone area forming cells and colony-forming cells (CFCs). The number of CFCs was 1.6 times higher than at 20% О2 due to increase in multipotent precursors - BFU-E, CFU-GEMM and CFU-GM. These changes were at least partly ensured by increased of MCP-1 and IL-8 at 5% O2. After HSPC/aMSC interaction, up-regulation of cell adhesion molecule genes (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, CDH1) and down-regulation of matrix remodeling genes (COLs, MMPs, TIMPs, ADAMs, HAS1) were demonstrated by RT-PCR. This indicates on activation of ASC stromal function at 5% O2. Thus, the combination of cbMNCs and ASCs enables selection of HSPCs, whose further expansion without exogenous cytokines provides the CD34+ cells enrichment. These data are important for elucidation of hematopoiesis mechanisms and as a tool for ex vivo HSPC expansion for the needs of regenerative medicine.

Break: Lunch Break 13:15-14:00 @ Athens Foyer
Speaker
Biography:

Daniela Dinulescu is an Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School. She received her Ph.D. from Oregon Health and Science University and completed her postdoctoral studies in the field of Cancer Genetics at MIT. Dr. Dinulescu’s research interests focus on cancer biology, malignancies of the gonads and reproductive tract, with a special emphasis on ovarian cancer research and endometriosis. Our laboratory is actively investigating the key contribution of cancer stem cells (CSCs) to tumor chemoresistance. Our current studies focus on better understanding the mechanism of Notch signaling in the maintenance of the CSC niche and ovarian tumorigenesis. The aim is to harness the power of nanotechnology to develop improved “homing” technologies for the delivery of therapeutic agents specifically targeting and sensitizing ovarian cancer cells, including CSCs, in a spatio-temporal fashion.

Abstract:

Chemo resistance to platinum therapy is a major obstacle that needs to be overcome in the treatment of solid tumors, including ovarian cancer patients. The high rates and patterns of therapeutic failure seen in ovarian cancer are consistent with a steady accumulation of drug-resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs). Our studies demonstrate that the Notch signaling pathway and Notch3 in particular are critical for the regulation of CSCs and tumor resistance to platinum. We have shown that Notch3 over expression in tumor cells results in expansion of CSCs and increased platinum chemo resistance. In contrast, γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI), a Notch pathway inhibitor, depletes CSCs and increases tumor sensitivity to platinum. Similarly, a Notch3 siRNA knockdown increases the response to platinum therapy, further demonstrating that modulation of tumor chemo sensitivity by GSI is Notch specific. Most importantly, the cisplatin/GSI combination is the only treatment that effectively eliminates both CSCs and the bulk of tumor cells, indicating that a dual combination targeting both populations is needed for tumor eradication. Both platinum-resistant and platinum-sensitive relapses may benefit from such an approach as clinical data suggest that all relapses after platinum therapy are increasingly platinum resistant. Since this increased sensitivity is only observed in tumors with Notch 3 over expression and activation of the Notch pathway, the use of genetic biomarkers to identify which patients are most likely to benefit from GSI-based therapy is critical. In addition, it is important to identify a Notch-based signature to better assess drug responses in clinical trials. A further challenge to the clinical application of GSIs has been their gastrointestinal toxicity and off-target effects. In an attempt to remedy this issue, inhibitory antibodies have recently been synthesized for all Notch receptors, including Notch 3, and they are currently being tested. This will pave the way for new clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of more selective and less toxic antibody based therapies in enhancing the response to platinum treatment. The overwhelming potential of Notch-based cancer treatments cannot be ignored. Increasing the use of personalized tumor biomarkers and translating these novel therapies into practice holds great promise for achieving a better prognosis in ovarian cancer.

Hany A. Omar

University of SharjahUnited Arab Emirates

Title: Energy Restriction Synergizes Doxorubicin Activity via Targeting Breast Cancer Stem Cells

Time : 14:20-14:40

Speaker
Biography:

Omar holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences (1998) and a Master’s degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology (2005) from Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Egypt. He completed his Ph.D. degrees in molecular biology at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio (2010). After post-doctoral studies at The Ohio State University (2011), he led cancer cell molecular biology research in different places. He is now an assistant professor of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates & Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt. Dr. Omar has published close to 35 scientific reports, including many in the most respected professional journals on molecular oncology and anti-cancer drugs.

Abstract:

Unlike normal cells, cancer cells often shift their metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis as an adaptive response to intermittent hypoxia and the robust demand for energy production. However, the high need of glucose and the lack of flexibility in modifying energy resources make cancer cells extremely vulnerable to glucose starvation and energy restriction. Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are known to mediate metastasis, resistance to radiation and chemotherapy, and contribute to relapse. The aim of the current work was to study to effect of energy-restriction mimetic agents (ERMAs) such as resveratrol and 2-deoxyglucose on the anticancer activity of doxorubicin in breast cancer cells. Methods: The antitumor effects of ERMAs and/or doxorubicin and the therapeutic combination were assessed by MTT assay, caspase activation, PARP cleavage, colony formation assay, immunofluorescence, and Western blot analysis. Percentage of ALDH1+/CD44+/CD24-/low in MDA-MB-231 cells was assessed by flow cytometry. Treatment with doxorubicin, while inhibited the cell viability, increased breast cancer ALDH1+/CD44+/CD24-/low cells. This stem cell-enriched population was declined and the anticancer effect of doxorubicin was significantly synergized by its combination with resveratrol or 2-deoxyglucose, suggesting that ERMAs preferentially inhibit stem/progenitors in breast cancer cells. Together, our results suggest that the targeting BCSCs population by ERMAs could be a rational strategy to minimize the resistance to doxorubicin.

Speaker
Biography:

Shuji Matsuoka has completed his PhD at the age of 30 years from Tokyo University and postdoctoral studies from La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology. He is the assistant professor of Pathology and Oncology, Juntendo University School of Medicine. He has published more than 30 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

We developed mouse anti-human pan HLA class II monoclonal antibody (mAb) by immunizing BALB/c mouse with live cells of several human lymphoma cell lines and screened by cytotoxic ability for lymphoma cell lines not used for immunization. This newly established mAb triggered cytoskeleton-dependent, but complement- and caspase-independent, cell death in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) cell lines, Burkitt lymphoma cell lines, and advanced adult T-cell leukemia cell lines but not normal lymphocytes. Intravenous injection of mAb 4713 in tumor-bearing SCID mice improved survival significantly. Treatment with this mAb induced the formation of large pores on the surface of target lymphoma cells within 30 min. This finding suggests that the cell death process induced by this anti-pan HLA-class II mAb may involve the same death signals stimulated by a cytolytic anti-pan MHC class I mAb (RE2) that also induces large pores formation in mouse lymphoma cell lines and activated normal lymphocytes. This multifaceted study supports the therapeutic potential of mAb 4713 for various forms of lymphoma.

Biography:

Anna Asplund completed her PhD in 2005, and has since then been working as a Researcher within the Human Protein Atlas project at Uppsala University, Sweden. She is responsible for technical development within the group, and also in charge of the Cell Line, Atlas, displaying the expression profile in 44 cell lines on both RNA and protein level. She has published more than 40 articles in reputed journals.

Abstract:

Enormous amounts of money and time is spent on research performed on cell lines. In December 2013 a new version of the Human cell line atlas was released, featuring complete transcriptomic profiling of 43 human cell lines of diverse cellular origin. In addition, in situ protein profiles with IHC images, generated using well validated antibodies, are available for approximately 5500 gene products. With transcriptomic data additionally available from 27 different tissues, comparisons between diverse sets of both tissues and cell lines has allowed us to identify principle differences in gene expression between in vivo and in vitro growth. The analysis reveals that approximately 32% of the protein coding genes are expressed in all samples, both tissues and cell lines, and are likely to perform “housekeeping” functions. For the remaining 68%, tissues show a greater level of expression of genes involved in regulation of communication, while cell lines more abundantly express genes involved in mitosis. Hierarchical clustering reveals that, as expected, all cell lines cluster together, and not with their respective tissue counterparts. However, if only genes displaying a specific expression in a subset of tissues or cell lines are included in the analysis, the clustering appears quite different. In addition, global transcriptome analysis of colorectal cancer cell line CaCo2 reveals a greater level of resemblance to colon tissue if cultured in 3D compared to in 2D. The expression of colorectal specific genes appears to be retained in 3D, while lost in 2D. Major differences are also seen in morphology.

Speaker
Biography:

A.S. Singh is presently working as postdoctoral research fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Axel Brockmann at NCBS. He completed his Ph. D research in May 2013 in the University of Calcutta under the supervision of Dr. Usha Rajamma. His main research interest is to understand the mechanism of how genes regulate behaviors through certain neural circuitry systems.

Abstract:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most common genetically predominant neurodevelopmental disorders and the prevalence rate is more than one percent. The pathophysiogy of the disorder is highly complex and several genes are believed to involve with each having minor contribution leading to the final ASD phenotype. In the last two decades, various risk variants of different genes have been identified but none of the individual variants account for more than 1% of ASD cases in average. Recent researches are strongly approaching towards identification of genes that contribute to specific autism endophenotype. So far two most common finding in ASD research are transient increased of head circumference and platelet hyperserotonemia. And platelet hyperserptonemia has been considered as autism endophenotype. Moreover, abnormal serotonin synthesis capacity has been implicated in the brain of ASD individuals, thereby the involvement of serotonergic system abnormality both in the brain as well as periphery in the pathophysiology of ASD. Investigation of few selected single nucleotide polymorphisms from three potential serotonergic candidate genes, TPH1, TPH2 and ITGB3 via population and family based approaches, revealed moderate risk of these genes to the disorder. Gene-gene interaction analysis further suggests their interactive role in ASD. Thus, the present finding provides preliminary evidence and one step further towards the involvement of these genes on the cause of ASD. Further validation on cellular and animal model system will be able to provide the functional effect caused by these genetic variants.

Break: Coffee Break 15:40-15:55 @ Vienna Foyer
Speaker
Biography:

Laurent Counillon has completed his PhD at the age of 26 years from the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis and his postdoctoral studies at Yale University (Center for Structural Biology). He is full Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis since 2003 and group leader in the CNRS UMR7370 Research Unit located at the Faculty of Medicine of Nice.

Abstract:

Eukaryotic single-membrane organelles possess a finely tuned acidic luminal pH, which is crucial for the compartmentalization of cellular events and for the maturation, trafficking, recycling and degradation of proteins. This acidification is described to be produced by vacuolar H+-ATPases, coupled to vesicular ClC chloride transporters. Three highly conserved Na+/H+ exchangers NHE6, 7, 9 are also expressed in these compartments. Their mutations are linked to autism-spectrum disorders and neurodegeneration. NHE6, 7 and 9 are believed to exchange cytosolic K+ for H+ and alkalinize vesicles. We used somatic cell genetic techniques based on proton killing to select cell lines that express wild-type-intracellular NHEs at the plasma membrane. This enabled the measurement of the exchangers transport parameters using intracellular pH and ion flux measurements. Noticeably, we showed that NHE7 transports Li+, Na+ but not K+, is non-reversible in physiological conditions and is constitutively activated by cytosolic H+. Therefore it cannot work as a proton leak, but rather as a novel proton-loading transporter. Using videofluorescence and spinning disk confocal microscopy we next observed that in intracellular vesicles NHE7 mediates an acidification that is additive to that of V-ATPases. This acidification results in an accelerated endocytosis rate. Taken together our study reveals an unexpected proton-loading function for a vesicular Na+/H+ exchanger and provides clues for understanding its role in intracellular trafficking as well as in NHEs linked-neurological disorders.

Ahmed T El-Serafi

University of Sharjah
UAE

Title: Can glass be the answer for in-vitro bone differentiation?

Time : 16:15-16:35

Speaker
Biography:

Serafi was graduated from the College of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Egypt and obtained his master degree in Medical Biochemistry from there. He had his PhD degree in the field of the bone and cartilage regeneration from the Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, Institute of Developmental Sciences, Developmental Origin of Health and Disease division, University of Southampton, UK. Ahmed is currently an assistant professor in the University of Sharjah, UAE and he is establishing stem cells research line within the Sharjah Institute of Medical Research.

Abstract:

Three dimensional tissue culture is gaining more interest as being more physiological model that increases cell to cell contact and consequently enhances stem cell differentiation and matrix formation. This model is gaining more interest as an alternative for animal testing according to the 3Rs guidelines. Previously, we have reported different modifications for the classical 3D models for pellet cultures system in order to enhance the processes of osteogenesis and chondrogenesis of human bone-marrow-derived stromal cells and human fetal-femur-derived cells. Hereby, we investigated the effect of different materials on the pellet formation. When the cells were cultured on glass tubes, the cells formed a monolayer rather than coalesce together to form a pellet. After 10 days, the cell layerhas self-assembled itself to form a 3D sphere that was at least 16 times the size of pellets formed in similar conditions on a plastic surface. Extensive osteoid was formed in these self-assembled spheres, which had folded into sheets with chondrogenic matrix in between. These unusual constructs offer a new model to test the effect of drugs on bone formation. In addition, combining few constructs may help to fill a bone gap as a potential and novel approach in regenerative medicine.

Huanxiang Zhang

Medical College of Soochow University, China

Title: Beta-Catenin Signaling Regulates the Chemotactic Responses of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Time : 16:35-16:55

Biography:

Prof. Huanxiang Zhang has completed his Ph.D at the age of 28 years from Beijing Normal University, China and postdoctoral studies from Geneva University School of Medicine, Switzerland. He is now working in the Department of Cell Biology, Medical College of Soochow University, China. His research focuses on the control of the directed migration and differentiation of stem cells, including neural stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells and embryonic stem cells, and tissue engineering, especially the interaction between stem cells and the silk fibroin scaffolds with a variety of physical and chemical properties. He has published more than 50 papers in reputed journals. Recently, his group demonstrated the close relationship between the chemoattractant-stimulated chemotaxis of stem cells and their differentiation states.

Abstract:

Precise migration of stem cells is crucially important for embryonic development, homeostasis in adults, and tissue repair after injury. However, the detailed mechanisms of the directed migration of these cells are not clear. During the past few years, our study showed that the differentiating mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess different migratory capacity and the chemotactic responses of these cells correlates closely with their differentiation states. Accordingly, the formation and the asymmetrical distribution of focal adhesions (FAs) between the leading lamella and the cell rear, the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin, as well as the turnover of FAs varies greatly in differentiating MSCs, leading to the most effective chemotactic responses of MSCs in certain differentiation states. Further, we demonstrated that signaling through PI3K/Akt and MAPKs are involved in regulating the directed migration of MSCs. More importantly, we found that beta-catenin signaling is prerequisite for the chemotactic migration of MSCs. In this talk, I will summarize our data regarding the regulatory effects of beta-catenin signaling on MSCs that undergo chemotaxis.

Biography:

Abstract:

Biography:

Shalini Gupta is working as the Associate Professor in the Department of Oral Pathology, KGMU, Lucknow, India. She had University Merit Scholarship and fourteen Gold Medals & distinction. She is actively involved with various extramural & intramural research projects and published 55 papers in indexed national & international journals. She is also in the Editorial Advisory Board & reviewer in various journals. She has many Fellowships & Scientific Awards to her credit. She has many National & International Memberships in Prestigious Associations. She has also Published two Books. Area of Interest- molecular genetics and cytogenetics, oral cancer genomics and proteomics,Nanotechnology , cancer stem cell, bioinformatics & Forensic Odontology.

Abstract:

This study focuses on development and validation of the HPLC method for the determination of 5-Fluorouracil (5 FU), used in chemotherapy for oral cancer treatment as intra oral nanogel formulation. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is sixth most common cancer and mostly occurs in middle and older ages. The HPLC method was validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guide¬lines (2005). The following characteristics were consid¬ered for validation: specificity, linearity, range, accuracy, precision, LOD, LOQ and robustness. A fast, simple and reliable HPLC method using photodiode array detection for determining the encapsu¬lation efficiency of 5-FU in PLA and PLA-PEG blended nanoparticles has been developed and validated according to the ICH guidelines. The method fulfilled the require¬ments to be considered as a reliable and feasible method, including specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, robustness, LOD and LOQ and further be evaluated in nanogel fomulation. The analytical procedure has a chromatographic run time of 4.30 min, which allows analyzing a large number of samples in a short period of time.

Break: 18:30-19-30 Cocktails sponsored by Journal of Cell Science & Therapy @ Athens Foyer
  • Track 1: Stem Cell & Gene Therapy
    Track 4: Current Research
Location: Barcelona Room

Chair

Haval Shirwan

University of Louisville, USA

Co-Chair

George G. Chen

The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China

Session Introduction

Robin Bachelder

Duke University Medical Center
Durham

Title: Chemo-residual Triple-Negative Breast Tumor cells Exhibit Increased Metastatic Potential

Time : 11:35-11:55

Speaker
Biography:

Dr. Bachelder obtained her Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1995, and pursued postdoctoral studies at Harvard Medical School for an additional 10 years. She joined the faculty in the Department of Pathology at Duke University School of Medicine in 2005, where she initiated her studies of triple-negative breast cancer chemotherapy resistance. Her research focuses on understanding tumor heterogeneity, and its implications for therapy resistance. She has published more than 20 peer-reviewed manuscripts, and is the recipient of multiple grants from the Department of Defense, National Institutes of Health, and private foundations.

Abstract:

Although many tumors are initially responsive to chemotherapy, residual tumor cells frequently persist, and are thought to be responsible for future tumor growth at local and distant sites. Recent studies indicate that chemotherapy can alter the tumor microenvironment in a manner that enables increased tumor metastasis. However, to date, an ability of chemotherapy to promote tumor metastasis by directly influencing tumor cell signaling has not been demonstrated. In the current study, we show that short-term exposure of triple-negative breast tumor cells to chemotherapy in vitro results in: 1) die-off of the majority of tumor cells, and 2) survival of chemo-residual tumor cells with increased invasive and metastatic potential. Notably, tumor cells derived from our short-term chemotherapy model do not exhibit increased cancer stem cell behaviors relative to untreated tumor cells. We demonstrate that tumor cells surviving short-term chemotherapy express a pro-form of an adhesion molecule (Pro-N-cadherin) on their cell surface, which drives their invasive behavior. Collectively, our results indicate that short-term chemotherapy treatment models can identify novel signaling molecules in chemo-residual tumor cells that confer a metastatic phenotype. Importantly, our findings also suggest that chemotherapy enriches for a subset of triple-negative tumor cells with enhanced metastatic potential.

Viacheslav Mikhailov

Professor
Member of the International Society of Differentiation USA

Title: Bone marrow cells influences for function of rat decidua

Time : 11:55-12:15

Speaker
Biography:

Abstract:

Prenatal development of man, some monkeys of old world and of rodents take places surrounded by decidual cells (DC). DC form around fetus special type of tissue named decidua patietalis and decidua basalis. Decidualization of endometrium is obligatory condition for fetus development. Decidua controls the growth of fetuses and progress of pregnancy. The immediate precursors of main types of decidual cells is not characterized yet. There are demonstration of bone marrow origin of large decidual cells (LDC) and of metrial granulated cells (Kearns, Lala, 1982; Peel et al., 1983; Bulmer and Sunderland, 1984). The precursors of LDC also observed under uterine epithelium during rat and human implantation (Galassi, 1968; Mikhailov, 2003). Decidua is turnover type of cell population. In accord with flow cytometry the proliferative activity of human decidua parietalis of first pregnant trimester is near 3.5 ± 0.3%. Before birth the proliferative activity comes down up to 1.6 ± 0.2%. In case of mild and severe preeclampsia the level of proliferating cells decreases up to 1.1±0.2 % and 0.45 ± 0.2% accordingly. Severe preeclampsia is also characterized by prominent abnormality of DC DNA content and by decrease of decidua thickness. It means that DC loss are not compensated by precursors or by stem cells proliferation at severe preeclampsia (Mikhailov et al., 1992). To maintain the point of view for bone marrow stem cells as source of precursors for DC we studied the influence of rat bone marrow cells (BMC) transplantation on rat fetus development and pathological changes of pregnancy course. BMC were prepared from bone marrow of pregnant rats and injected intra vein of pregnant rat of the same date of pregnancy immediately. The state of fetuses was controlled at 18th day of pregnancy. It was shown that transplantation of BMC of pregnant rats into pregnant rats of the same date of development is not provided by teratogenic effects. At the same time there is increase of size of the fetuses in case of BMC transplantation during implantation (6-9 days of pregnancy) and by retardation the fetuses growth in case of BMC transplantation during placentation (11-12 days of pregnancy). The increased size of fetuses after BMC transplantation during implantation may be explained by positive paracrine effect of transplanted allogenic BMC for growth of fetuses as consequence of increased decidua growth. Early we had observed that rat BMC transplantation to pseudopregnant rats increased the sizes of rat decidual tissue (Domnina et al., 2014). The retardation of growth of rat fetuses can be also achieved by injections of rabbit anti-kidney or anti-decidua anti-serums. (Mikhailov, 1967). The work was supported by Grant RFBR # 14-04-00259-a and by MCB RAS program.

Speaker
Biography:

Abstract:

Background: Aerobic glycolysis rate is higher in breast cancer tissues than adjacent normal tissues in order to supply ATP, lactate and anabolic precursors needed for tumourgenesis and metastasis. High aerobic glycolysis requires NAD as a vital cofactor in order to guarantee its flow. Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) as an important enzyme in cancer metabolism could be a source of NAD beside to famous LDH to allow the continued functioning of glycolysis even in the absence of oxygen. Enzyme kinetic characteristics are related to environment-involved the enzyme and tumor microenvironment has distinct features relative to adjacent normal tissues. The aim of current study was to elucidate the kinetic parameters of MDH in human http://stemcell.conferenceseries.com/ by considering two points of views; the probable role of MDH in supporting of NAD pool and the effect of diverse tumor microenvironment on kinetic enzyme. Methods: MDH activity was measured from crude human breast tumors and normal tissues, which were obtained directly from operating room. The Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) and maximum velocity (Vmax) was then determined in the crude extracts. Results: Tumor MDH affinity in forward reaction was same as normal MDH but Vmax of cancerous MDH was higher relative to normal MDH. In reverse reaction, affinity of tumor MDH for malate and NAD+ was lower than normal MDH. Conclusions: The lower MDH affinity for malate and NAD+ is a valuable tool for preserving NAD and malate by cancer cells in order to use them in other pathways such as glycolysis and malate decarboxylation to pyruvate. The increasing MDH affinity for malate and decreasing the MDH activity and expression in forward reaction may be a valid molecular target to abolish its probable effect on tumourgenesis also kinetic characteristics of MDH could be a novel diagnosis parameter for human breast cancer.

John Yu

Chang Gung Memorial Hospital , Institute of Stem Cell & Translation Cancer Research,
Taiwan

Title: Harnessing Novel Biomarkers of Human Embryonic Stem Cells for Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy

Time : 12:35-12:55

Speaker
Biography:

Abstract:

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are defined as a group of cells at the preimplantation stage of embryo, with the capacity for self-renewal and differentiation to generate different types of cells and tissues. Cancer stem/initiating cells (CSC) also possess the capability of stem cells to multiply and differentiate into their progenies, display resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and could be the root cause for relapse and metastasis of cancerous tumors. On the cell surface, more than 85% of proteins are glycosylated. Recent studies indicated that glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are ubiquitous components of cell membranes and, similar to surface glycoproteins, can act as mediators of cell adhesion and signal transduction. Therefore, a systematic survey of expression profiles of GSLs and glycoproteins in hESCs and various differentiated derivatives was carried out. Based on MALDI-MS and MS/MS analyses, we have found a number of unique expressions of GSLs in the undifferentiated hESCs and induced pleuripotent stem (iPS) cells, and also a close association of the GSL expressions in hESCs and iPS cells with differentiation. On the other hand, Globo H, a known biomarker for cancers, was highly expressed uniquely in undifferentiated hESCs and iPS cells. This and other ESC signatures unique for hESCs and iPS cells will perhaps be the targets of therapy for cancers. In addition, we had also employed glycoproteomics and glycan analysis to analyze the expression of sialylated N-glycoproteins for hESCs. We have identified seven newly found surface N-linked sialoglycoproteins that are expressed abundantly in hESCs prior to differentiation and their expression levels are many folds higher in breast cancer CSC as compared to non-CSC. For example, silencing of ESC02 leads to decrease in cell proliferation of hESCs and mammary sphere formation of breast cancer, leading to cell arrest. In addition, loss-of-function of ESC02 results in developmental skewing toward endoderm/mesoderm differentiation in vitro and in vivo. These findings warrant the development of ESC02 as target for new therapy. Furthermore, ESC02 sheds to the plasma, resulting in higher level of auto Abs detected in patients with breast cancer. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) for these auto Abs in patients was 0.86, indicating excellent discrimination for cancer diagnosis. Therefore, these newly found GSLs and glycoproteins present in hESCs and iPS cells could be candidates for cancer diagnosis and glycan-targeted therapy of tumors.

Biography:

George G Chen is a professor in the Department of Surgery, Director of Surgical Research Laboratories, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, China. He is also served as a principle investigator at the Hong Kong Cancer Institute. He has extensive experience in cancer research, particularly in the area of hepato- and lung-carcinogenesis. He has authored or co-authored more than 180 papers and has written a number of books or book chapters. He is currently a member of editorial boards or a guest editor of a number of scientific journals and a regular peer-reviewer for several grant agents.

Abstract:

As a leading cancer in the world, 85-90% of lung cancer cases are attributable to cigarette smoking directly or indirectly. Though cigarette smoking is preventable, the incidence of tobacco smoking remains very high in some parts of the world and such a situation is likely to remain in the foreseeable future due to sociocultural factors and other issues. There is not an effective treatment that is specially developed for smoking-related lung cancer, contributing to the high mortality of this malignancy. Using cultured lung epithelial cells, human lung cancer tissues, and the mouse lung tumor model, we studied roles of thromboxane A2 (TXA2), thromboxane synthase (TXS) and its receptors (TPa and TPb) in smoking-induced lung tumorigenesis and analyzed potential molecules for targeting therapy against this cancer. We have detailed how the involvement of TXS and TXA2 in smoking-induced lung cancer cell proliferation, growth, resistance to apoptosis, and we have identified a novel auto-regulatory feedback loop for TPα activation. We conclude that smoking promotes lung tumor growth via inducing TXS and TPα, which constitutes an auto-positive feedback loop to exaggerate the growth. Therefore, TPα and TXS appear to be the ideal targets against smoking-related lung cancer.

Break: Lunch Break 13:15-14:00 @ Athens Foyer

Kevin Murray

BioSpherix, Ltd
USA

Title: Better Manufacturing Practice for Cell Therapies

Time : 14:00-14:20

Speaker
Biography:

Kevin Murray, VP Global Sales for BioSpherix, Ltd. BS BioChemistry, MBA Finance & Marketing, 20+ Years experience in the Pharmaceutical/Biotech/Medical Research Industry.

Abstract:

The Xvivo GMP platform reduces risk and provides superior process control for the culture, processing, and expansion of cell-based therapeutics. Total isolation protects the cells from possible contamination, the people from viral vectors, prions…as well as allow for the optimization of the cell environment. Critical cell environmental factors such as temperature, RH, CO2 and O2 can be controlled, monitored and uninterrupted throughout the entire cell production process. Dynamic incubation options allow for adjustments in incubation conditions which keep up with the changing needs of dynamic cell cultures. Superior process control results in a higher quality cell product and more consistent results for your entire protocol.

Shivdas G Nanaware

D. Y. Patil University
India

Title: Platelet cell based therapy: an excellent wound healing medicine

Time : 14:20-14:40

Speaker
Biography:

Prof.Dr.Shivdas Ganpati Nanaware is a Dean, Faculty of Interdisciplinary studies and Co-ordinator, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Department at Center for Interdisciplinary Research, D.Y.Patil Unviersity, Kolhapur, Maharashtra,India. Prof. Nanaware completed his Ph.D. at the age of 30 years from Shivaji University Kolhapur.After completion of his Doctorate he has served in the same University as a Professor and Head, Department of the Zoology for 35 years. Prof.Nanaware has a unique combination of rich scientific research and administration experience. His research is related to cellular changes in response to water polluting toxicants, pesticides and plant derived bioactive compounds. His research work on crop distructive molluscan pest snails and slugs is well recognized by the researchers working in Malacology.He has developed a “Confirmatory Metachromatic Histochemical Technique for the detection of unusual Polysaccharide, Galactogen” in animals. He has published more than 60 papers in reputed generals and has guided 20 research scholars for their M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees. He is a member of editorial boards of many Journals of cell and tissue research. He has attended several national and international conferences in India and abroad. Prof.Nanaware is a life member of many professional societies. He has received several awards and honors in recognition of his meritorious research work. He is a recipient of Best Teacher Award, Govt. of Maharashtra and Shivaji University, Kolhapur. He is also a Gold Medal Awardee of Academy of Environmental Biology. Dr.Nanaware has interest in many branches of Zoology, Toxicology, Neurobiology, Cell biology Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Clinical Application of Cell Therapy.

Abstract:

The wound management forms an important part of the medical and pharmaceutical concern worldwide. Many methods were traditionally used to cure wounds including dressing with natural or synthetic bandages such as cotton, wool, lint and gauzes, and the extracts of plant parts, oils and ghee. The effective wound management depends on understanding a number of different factors such as the type of wound, the healing process , condition of the wound in terms of health and infection ( e.g. diabetic) environment and social setting and the physical and chemical properties of the available dressings. In recent advances it has been proved that the platelets, one of the blood cellular elements, play important role in the wound healing mechanism both in wounds and non-healing diabetic wounds. Platelet cells are practically involved in every event of the wound healing cascade including homeostasis, proliferation, remodeling and cell signaling. Platelet cell growth factors like PGDF, TGF Alfa , TGF Beta and EGF help in chemotaxis, fibroblast proliferation, collagen production and metabolism, epithelial cell proliferation and granulation and tissue formation related functions in wound healing. With the development of platelet cell based procedures at our center such as use of activated platelets, platelet riched plasma (PRP), polymer based scaffolds of Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and their combinations have showed dramatic and interesting changes during wound healing. Our efforts in developing the human skin engineering, cellular matrices and cell based therapies are in progress to improve perfect wound healing process. We hope that the potential application of these technologies will be helpful to the people with wounds in general and non-healing diabetic wounds in particular in the near future and will insure rapid and complete healing key strategy for the wound management.

Abdelhakim Mohamed Safwat

Al-AZHAR University Egypt

Title: Stem Cell Therapy In Cases Of Retinitis Pigmentosa

Time : 14:40-15:00

Speaker
Biography:

Dr Abdelhakim Mohamed Safwat , Medicine doctor , now is Assistant lecturer of ophthalmology department, Al-Azhar Univ. Member in Egyptian society of ophthalmology (EOS) , Egyptian vetrioretinal society. He got B Sc in medicine 2003, master in ophthalmology (treatment modalities in age related macular degeneration), and diploma in uses of laser in medicine. His working experiences: internship in Al-Azhar Univ. hospitals for one year , resident in ophthalmology department for 3 years , fellow in international eye hospital for 3 years and assistant lecturer up till now . His studies focus on regenerative medicine in ophthalmology mainly age related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa .Scientific activities: speaker in international neuropsychatric conference of Alexandria University, annual conference of clinical pathology department of Cairo University, Egyptian vitreoretinal society meeting 2014, international conference of stem cell and nanotechnology of Ainshams University , stem cell scientific meeting in national institute of research and 2nd annual world congress of geriatrics and gerontology 2014 .

Abstract:

Retinitis pigmentosa is a common label for a heterogeneous group of heritable retinal degenerative diseases that result in progressive visual loss secondary to photoreceptor cell death. Of the 2 photoreceptor cell types in retina (Rods and cones), these diseases primarily affect rods; the cones die an “innocent bystander” death. This is reflected in the natural clinical course of retinitis pigmentosa, which usually begins with loss of rod-mediated night vision and Advances over the years with progressive loss of the peripheral visual field and, ultimately, the loss of central, cone-mediated vision. There is concomitant attenuation of the retinal vasculature. It is thought that vascular loss follows decreased metabolic demand by the photoreceptors. Currently no definitive treatment for retinitis pigmentosa exists, although nutritional approaches may slow some forms of this disease. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are progenitors of all connective tissue cells. In adults of multiple vertebrate species, MSCs have been isolated from BM and other tissues, expanded in culture and differentiated into several tissue-forming cells. A number of studies have shown that bone-marrow-derived MSCs can differentiate into cells expressing photoreceptor proteins. In this study we compare between two types of stem cells to restore vision in RP patients . Results are compared according to visual outcome, investigations and complications. Finally the use of stem cell is useful in cases of retinitis pigmentosa and may be other retinal dystrophies.

Elena R. Andreeva

Institute of Biomedical Problems
Russia

Title: Activated Leukocytes Alter Allogeneic Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Functions

Time : 15:00-15:20

Speaker
Biography:

Dr. Elena R. Andreeva received her PhD at Russian Cardiology Research Center in 1996. She is Leading Reseach Scientist in Cell Physiology Lab in the Institute of Biomedical Problems of Russian Academy of Sciences. The field of her scientific interests: cell physiology of stem and progenitor cells, cellular and molecular mechanisms of adaptation, cell-to-cell interactions. Dr. Andreeva has published more than 60 papers in Russian and International Journals. She is a Member of Russian Atherosclerosis Society, International Atherosclerosis Society.

Abstract:

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been assumed as a perspective tool for allogeneic application in cell therapy due to their immunotolerance. Recent findings reveal that MSCs are not totally invisible for host immune system but rather possess immuno-evasive properties. Here we evaluated the direct cell-to-cell and paracrine effects of PHA-activated mononuclear cells (MNCs) from peripheral blood on allogeneic MSCs at standard (20%) and tissue-related (5%) O2 levels. Interaction with MNCs had no effect on MSC stromal phenotype, but significantly increased soluble and membrane-associated ICAM-1 expression. Upon direct contact MNCs modulated the functional activity of MSCs: the viability of MSCs with elevated ROS was reduced. ROS formation, mitochondrial trans-membrane potential and lysosome activity were increased. MSC proliferation and differentiation was slowed down. Paracrine regulation of MNC/MSCs interaction did not affect MSC intracellular parameters, but suppressed its migration. The global gene expression analysis showed that MSCs were more sensitive to the MNCs at 20% O2. MSC "proinflammatory" activation was associated with increased expression of IL-8, CCL5,IL-1b,COX-2. MCP-1,IL-1b,TRAF3IP2 were up regulated, and IL-8,COX-2,IL-7R – down regulated at 5% O2 in comparison with 20% O2. Upon interaction with MNCs the up-regulation of "immunosuppressive" genes: HLA-B,-E,-F,-H, PTGIS, TGFBI, LIF, PTGS2 was detected. Increased expression of genes whose products provide MSC proliferative activity, extracellular matrix remodeling (MMP1,MMP3) were also demonstrated. These data indicate that the interaction with MNCs significantly altered MSC gene profile and functional activity that can further facilitate the MSC participation in regenerative processes in tissues.

Biography:

Professor Sribatsa Kumar Mahapatra completed his M.B.B.S.with Honours from M.K.C.G.Medical College,Berhampur(gm),Odissa,India in1977 later got his M.S. in General Surgery from Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India in 1982 and obtained his F.R.C.S.from Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1994. Presently he is working as Professor and Head of the Dept.of General Surgery at VIMSAR Sambalpur, Odisha with teaching, treatment and research activity. In a busy 1200 bed hospital he has published many papers on cell therapy in national and international journals.

Abstract:

Chronic non healing ulcers of lower limb due to diabetes, sickle cell disease, peripheral vascular disease, hansens disease, burns and venous ulcers which are refractory to conventional treatment are tried with autologus bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy. Ulcer healing was then observed with control group of similar type of ulcers where only conventional ulcer therapy was tried. The progress of ulcer healing was then observed by appearance of good quality granulation tissue, marginal epithelial migration and ulcer contraction in stem cell applied ulcers in contrast to control group

Break: Coffee Break 15:40-15:55 @ Barcelona Foyer
Biography:

Abstract:

The incidence and prevalence of heart valve disease is increasing worldwide and the number of heart valve replacements is expected to increase significantly in the future. By mimicking the main tissue structures and properties of human heart value, tissue engineering offers new options for the replacements. Applying an appropriate scaffold in fabricating tissue engineered heart valves (TEHVs) is of importance since it affects the secretion of the main extracellular matrix (ECM) components, collagen and elastin, which are crucial for providing the mechanical, elastic and tensile strength of TEHVs. Using Real Time PCR, the relative collagen and elastin genes expression levels obtained for three samples of each examined valvular interstitial cells (VICs)-seeded scaffolds including PGS-PCL microfibrous scaffolds, Gelatin and Hyaluronic acid based hydrogel-only and the composite (consists of PGS-PCL and hydrogel) scaffolds. Statistical analysis was performed using one way ANOVA with the significance level of P < 0.05. Our results showed that the level of relative expression of collagen and elastin genes was higher in the VICs-seeded composite scaffolds compared to PGS-PCL-only and hydrogel-only scaffolds and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The maximum difference of elastin and collagen genes expression was between the composite scaffold and the hydrogel-only scaffold, with the most and the least quantity, respectively. The VICs-seeded composite scaffold were observed to be more inductive to ECM secretion over the PGS-PCL-only and hydrogel-only scaffolds. This composite scaffold can serve as a model scaffold for heart valve tissue engineering with the capability of providing the necessary mechanical-properties such as, elasticity and tensile strength and the ability to grow, repair and be remodelled as a tissue.

Speaker
Biography:

Reinaldo Barros Geraldo is a young scientist, researcher currently postdoc at Federal University of Juiz de Fora (Brazil). Graduated in Biomedicine Fluminense Federal University (2007), Master of Neuroimmunology, Fluminense Federal University (2009) and Doctor of Science by Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (2013). Has experience in the areas of biochemistry, with an emphasis on computer modeling, acting on the following subjects: Comparative modeling, structural biochemistry and Molecular Biology. At now, he has published 11 papers in reputed journals.

Abstract:

Platelets and erythrocytes are blood elements involved in important pathologies such as the hemoglobinopathies, thrombosis and occlusive processes, and they may be both correlated to them. The treatment of these pathologies is a science purpose as the current options present risks and collateral effects. This work purpose was to produce a review about platelets and erythrocytes and their participation in some pathology, also describing a brief study about these elements and a hemoglobinopathy patient. We also identified some molecules with an antiplatelet profile on rabbit blood from three new acylhidrazones and pirazole-piridine serie synthetized by Alice Bernardino and Vitor Ferreira groups from Instituto de Química da UFF (Labiomol AM serie) and Luiza Dias e Maria Abadia Di Vaio groups from Faculdade de Farmácia da UFF (Labiomol LHa e Labiomol LHb serie), using ADP, arachidonic acid and collagen as agonists. The LabiomolLHa serie was the most promising on platelet assay induced by arachidonic acid, where Labiomol LHa 41, 43, 62, 65, 66, 67 e 130 compounds were able to totally inhibit the platelet aggregation.

  • Young Research Forum
Location: Barcelona Room

Session Introduction

Ji-Hye Jung

Korea University
Korea

Title: Novel role for CXCR2 in human pluripotent stem cells

Time : 15:55-16:10

Speaker
Biography:

Ji-Hye Jung is a Ph.D student at the Department of Biomedical Science, Graduate school of medicine, Korea University, Korea. She has interest and experiences in Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and Adult stem cells and published her study on SCI journals. Currently, she focused on the mechanisms of self-renewal and differentiation in hESCs and iPSCs.

Abstract:

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a crucial factor sustaining human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). We designed this study to search the substitutive factors other than bFGF for the maintenance of hPSCs by using human placenta-derived conditioned medium without exogenous bFGF (hPCCM-), containing CXCR2 ligands including IL-8 and GROα, which was developed on the basis of our previous studies. Firstly, we confirmed that IL-8 and/or GROα play independent roles to preserve the phenotype of hPSCs. And, we tried CXCR2 blockage of hPSCs in hPCCM- and verified the significant decrease of pluripotency-associated genes expression and the proliferation of hPSCs. Interestingly, CXCR2 suppression of hPSCs in mTeSR™1 containing exogenous bFGF decreased the proliferation of hPSCs with maintaining pluripotency characteristics. Lastly, we found that hPSCs proliferated robustly for more than 35 passages in hPCCM- on a gelatin substratum. Our findings suggest that, CXCR2 and its related ligands might be novel factors comparable to bFGF supporting the characteristics of hPSCs and hPCCM- might be useful for a unique feeder-free humanized culture system supporting hPSCs maintenance as well as for the accurate evaluation of CXCR2 role on hPSCs without the confounding influence of exogenous bFGF.

Speaker
Biography:

Bamsah AlTinawi, Third year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery student at Alfaisal University, Riyadh KSA. She is involved in research since her first year in medicine and has three published papers in well-respected journals: Nutritional Journal, Austin Anatomy Journal and Medical Teacher. Worked with Dr. Paul Ganguly, Dr. Bernhard Juurlink, on DHBA using Chromatography techniques “HPLC” with EC system. She went to (University of Mississippi Medical Center) UMMC, USA 2013 worked in a basic genetic with Dr.Michael R. Garrett on MHY15 gene location. Curently, she is the research head in a cancer support group “SMILE, You Are Blessed” and starting a clinical research project in KFSH.RC, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center with Dr. Fatimah S. Alhamlan, working on AU campus labs with Dr. Ahmed Yaqinuddin on the miRNA in blood for differential diagnosis of different types of cancer. In 2014, she had done summer electives in KFSH, KSA in Cardiac surgery under mentorship of Dr. Zohair Al Halees, a well-known figure in Cardiac surgery in the world. She is active in many extracurricular activities and is part of leading initiatives in volunteering and community service teams such as "The Change Team", the Medical Student Association of Alfaisal University.

Abstract:

Today we are beginning to understand how phytochemicals can influence metabolism, cellular signaling and gene expression. The hydroxybenzoic acids are related to salicylic acid and salicin, the first compounds isolated that have a pharmacological activity. In this review we examine how a number of hydroxyphenolics have the potential to ameliorate cardiovascular problems related to aging such as hypertension, atherosclerosis and dyslipidemia. The compounds focused upon include 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (Pyrocatechuic acid), 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (Gentisic acid), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (Protocatechuic acid), 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (α-Resorcylic acid) and 3-monohydroxybenzoic acid. The latter two compounds activate the hydroxycarboxylic acid receptors with a consequence there is a reduction in adipocyte lipolysis with potential improvements of blood lipid profiles. Several of the other compounds can activate the Nrf2 signaling pathway that increases the expression of antioxidant enzymes, thereby decreasing oxidative stress and associated problems such as endothelial dysfunction that leads to hypertension as well as decreasing generalized inflammation that can lead to problems such as atherosclerosis. It has been known for many years that increased consumption of fruits and vegetables promotes health. We are beginning to understand how specific phytochemicals are responsible for such therapeutic effects. Hippocrates’ dictum of ‘Let food be your medicine and medicine your food’ can now be experimentally tested and the results of such experiments will enhance the ability of nutritionists to devise specific health-promoting diets.

Speaker
Biography:

Dr. Evelyn M. Jiagge is a physician scientist with a translational focus on integrating molecular genetics of aggressive breast cancer of women with African ancestry with fundamental studies of cancer signal transduction. She observed during her practice as a surgeon in Ghana, that breast cancer patients presented with very aggressive tumors that did not respond to current therapy. With the help of her mentors, Drs Wicha, Merajver and Newman, she is pursuing a PhD in cancer Biology at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on ‘the contribution of African ancestry and breast cancer stem cells to aggressive breast cancers’.

Abstract:

Triple negative breast cancers (TNBC) constitute a heterogeneous group with relatively poor outcome and increased prevalence in women of African descent. There is emerging evidence that a subpopulation of breast cancer cells, termed breast cancer stem cells (BCSC), has the unique ability of self-renewal, and may contribute to treatment resistance and metastasis. We therefore sought to determine whether the poorer breast cancer outcome for women of African descent related to molecular alterations in their BCSC populations. To accomplish this, we analyzed subpopulations of cells previously found to exhibit stem-like characteristics of self-renewal, within each tumor in order to delineate the heterogeneity of gene expression patterns in different subpopulations of cells within tumors of patients of diverse ethnicities. Based on previous work, we hypothesized that there are distinct sub populations of BCSC, which exhibit distinct signaling pathway enrichment that may confer to TNBCs their highly metastatic and drug resistant characteristics. We developed PDX models from TNBC of 5 Ghanaian, 5 African American and 5 Caucasian patients. We collected bulk cells from the PDXs and used fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to select and collect ALDH+ cells and CD24 CD44+EpCAM+ cells. We extracted RNA from the sorted cell populations and performed RNA-sequencing using the Illumina Next Generation Sequencing platform. Our results showed that the bulk, ALDH1+ and CD44+ populations within each tumor segregate closely together, and we noted no distinct ethnic separation when we performed the analyses either of the bulk or special subpopulations. Upon centering on the mean for each sample in each tumor, thereby abrogating differences between individual tumors, we observe a significant separation between the ALDH1+ and the CD44+/CD24- sub populations. In particular, the following pathways are most differentially enriched in these subpopulations; the numbers between parentheses indicate the numbers of genes significantly altered that contribute to each pathway. ALDH1+ : Wnt (10), MAPK (13), axon guidance (6), GnRH signaling (7), TGFbeta (9), endocytosis(5). CD44+/CD24-/EpCAM+: tRNA synthesis (5), N-glycan biosynthesis (7) and RNA degradation (6). We are now focusing on additional experiments to verify whether the above pathways are indeed active in these subpopulations and we are exploring their biological significance in regards to tumor growth and metastases. Although we did not detect any specific clustering of tumors by ethnicity, our work suggests the presence of an ALDH1+ subpopulation of cells that exhibit characteristic enrichment of pathways distinct from those enriched in CD44+/CD24- /EpCAM+ cells.

Speaker
Biography:

Dan Markeson is a plastic surgery resident based in Manchester, UK. After undertaking a BSc (Hons) in neuroscience at the University of Birmingham, he completed his MBBS medical degree at University College London (UCL). He then trained in renowned London hospitals and undertook surgical training in Oxford before starting his plastic surgery residency in Manchester, UK. He has published 12 peer-reviewed articles and his interest in research led to him completing a research MD at UCL aged 32 in which he fabricated a novel collagen-based scaffold containing vascular networks using stem and progenitor cells derived from adult fat and blood.

Abstract:

Objectives: The synthetic replacement of full thickness skin is suboptimal both aesthetically and functionally. We aimed to improve upon existing dermal substitutes for wound healing by using adult-derived stem and progenitor cells to form blood vessels within fabricated scaffolds. In so doing, the goal was to improve the trajectory of wound healing since expeditious maturation has been suggested to improve outcomes. Methods: Endothelial colony forming cells and mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from adult peripheral blood (PBECFC) and adipose tissue (AdMSC) and characterized. The PBECFCs were compared to cord blood and umbilical vein derived ECFCs for chemokinesis and chemotaxis within collagen and fibrin gels and using this data we fabricated collagen gels containing ECFC and AdMSCs co-cultures. Tubule parameters from gels were calculated using confocal microscopy and Imaris 3D software and optimized pre-vascularized gels were scaled up and compared to empty gels within an immunodeficient murine wound model. Results and conclusions: We demonstrated that autologous adult-derived stem cells could be used to fabricate a pre-vascularized scaffold that enhanced wound to host integration with significantly more tubules noted at 7 days within our optimized pre-vascularized scaffolds than standard gels in vivo (p=0.04). Our research could pave the way for improved graft take and appearance in full-thickness wound repair and lays the foundations for a world where split skin grafting following trauma or malignancy will no longer be necessary.

Speaker
Biography:

Dr. Rosalba Camicia has completed her PhD at the age of 26 years from University of Zurich, International Graduate School in Life Science, and postdoctoral studies from Oxford University Radcliffe Department of Medicine. She was visiting scientist at the Department of Bioengineering and Applied Science (DEAS), Harvard University, Cambridge, Ma, USA where she helped to develop a new method of molecular drug delivery from electro-polymerized micro- and nano-patterned surfaces. She has published 6 papers in reputed journals and has been serving Zurich Cancer Network, European Association for Cancer Research (EACR), University of Oxford Club and NHS Trust as a member.

Abstract:

The B-aggressive lymphoma proteins BALs have been recently identified as a risk-related gene product in aggressive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Prostate cancer (PCa). BALs are constitutively expressed in a subset of high-risk DLBCLs with an active host inflammatory response and have been suggested to be associated with interferon-related gene expression. We have previously demonstrated that BAL1 acts as a novel oncogenic survival factor in high-risk, chemo-resistant, diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) (Camicia R. et Al, JCS 2013) and in metastatic PCa (Bachmann et Al., Mol Cancer 2014). Our study provides first evidence that the enzymatic activity of BALs is required for survival of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and mPCa cells. Our results show for the first time that BAL1 represses the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic IFNγ-STAT1-IRF1-p53 axis and mediates proliferation, survival and chemo-resistance in DLBCL and mPCa. As a consequence constitutive IFNγ-STAT1 signaling does not lead to apoptosis but rather to chemo-resistance in tumors overexpressing BALs. The present study further suggests that the combined targeted inhibition of STAT1, BAL1 and BAL2 could increase the efficacy of chemotherapy or radiation treatment in DLBCL, prostate cancer and other high-risk tumor types with an increased STAT1 signaling.

Gary F Gerlach

University of Notre Dame, USA

Title: Modeling renal progenitor development using the zebrafish kidney

Time : 17:10-17:25

Biography:

Abstract:

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 300 million people world-wide, representing the 12th leading cause of death1. Understanding how nephrons, the simplest functional unit of the kidney, develop from renal progenitors can lend insight into the processes that go awry during disease. The zebrafish pronephros provides an excellent in vivo system to study the mechanisms of vertebrate nephrogenesis. When and how renal progenitors in the zebrafish embryo undergo tubulogenesis to form nephrons is poorly understood, but is known to involve a mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) and the acquisition of polarity. We determined the precise timing of these events in pronephros tubulogenesis. As the ternary polarity complex is an essential regulator of epithelial cell polarity across tissues, we performed gene knockdown studies to assess the roles of the related factors atypical protein kinase C iota and zeta (prkcι, prkcζ). We found that prkcι and prkcζ serve partially redundant functions to establish pronephros tubule epithelium polarity. Further, the loss of prkcι or the combined knockdown of prkcι/ζ disrupted proximal tubule morphogenesis and podocyte migration due to cardiac defects that prevented normal fluid flow to the kidney. Surprisingly, tubule cells in prkcι/ζ morphants displayed ectopic expression of the transcription factor pax2a and the podocyte-associated genes wt1a, wt1b, and podxl, suggesting that prkcι/ζ are needed to maintain renal epithelial identity. Interestingly, knockdown of pax2a, but not wt1a, was sufficient to rescue ectopic tubule gene expression in prkcι/ζ morphants. These data suggest a model in which the redundant activities of prkcι and prkcζ are essential to establish tubule epithelial polarity and also serve to maintain proper epithelial cell type identity in the tubule by inhibiting pax2a expression. These studies provide a valuable foundation for further analysis of MET during nephrogenesis, and have implications for understanding the pathways that affect renal progenitors during kidney development, disease, and regeneration.

Speaker
Biography:

Alencar Kolinski Machado is graduated in Biomedicine from Franciscan University Center (Brazil). He completed his master in Pharmacology at Federal University of Santa Maria (Brazil). Currently, he is PhD student in the Department of Pharmacology at Federal University of Santa Maria (Brazil) and University of Toronto (Canada). He is working with mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular metabolism as well as stem cells

Abstract:

Some evidences suggested that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can induce the proliferation, migration and regenerative potential on adult mesenchymal stem cells as well as on adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) that could be useful to ASCs expansion in the therapeutic applications. However, the H2O2 could cause premature senescence in addition to DNA damage predisposing the cells to malignant transformation. Therefore, the present study evaluated the acute cytotoxic, oxidative and genotoxic effects of different concentrations of H2O2 on ASCs obtained from human lipoaspirates. ASCs were obtained, isolated and cultured. These cells were treated with concentration by 1-1000 μM of H2O2 during two hours. The cell viability was evaluated by cell culture-free double-strand (ds) DNA determination using Quant-iTTM ®PicoGreen dsDNA dye; apoptosis induction was analyzed from immunoassay measure of caspases 1, 3 and 8 levels; the analyses of oxidative stress in biochemical markers as well as the genotoxic effect by DNA Comet assay were also performed. All concentrations increased the cell mortality occurring 100% of mortality at >200 μM H2O2. The levels of 1, 3 and 8 caspases, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and lipo peroxidation increased in a dose-dependent way in cells treated with <200 μM H2O2. The catalase levels also increased approximately 50% in cells exposed to H2O2 when compared to the control group. H2O2 concentrations >10 μM were genotoxic when compared to control group. The results suggest that ASCs obtained from processed human lipoaspirates are highly sensitive to H2O2 exposition and the survived cells might present important DNA damage that could affect its proliferative and differentiation capacity.

Chen Shen

George Washington University
USA

Title: On the interpretation of the recent Nobel Prize discovery of the

Time : 17:40-17-55

Speaker
Biography:

Chen Shen received a BS degree in Software Engineering from Huazhong University, China, 2011. In the Spring of 2013, he got. an MS degree in Computer Science from the George Washington University. He made a master thesis on “Generalized Fibonacci Code” under guidance of Professor Berkovich. In the fall of 2013, he joined a startup company as an image processing engineer in Tennessee. At the same time, he did research on Big Data with Professor Berkovich and his student. Now, he is a PhD student of the GWU CS Department doing research under the advice of Professor Choi.

Abstract:

On the interpretation of the recent Nobel Prize discovery of the "internal GPS" in the brain and its possible implications for medical treatment John O’Keefe with May-Britt Moser and Edvard I. Moser have discovered a surprising phenomenon of the internal memory map in mice brains. It has been observed that some neurons fire when the tested animal moves over a particular area. In this work, we provide an interpretation of this effect based on a model of the brain suggested by S. Berkovich. For this purpose, we have arranged computer simulations of random walks of an artificial “mouse” with rate of recording determined by the time “mouse” spends in a given position. Then, some cutoff threshold was chosen, and according to the considered brain model the signal can be detected only above a certain threshold. The simulation outcomes resemble the obtained experimental results. The correctness of our concept can be verified by studying memory maps from various special forced deterministic movements of a real mouse. As long as the discovered phenomenon is real, it can provide a new approach to medical treatment. Apparently, macromolecule interactions are essentially determined by information signaling rather than merely by direct physical contact. So, medical drugs can be applied from outside using internal memory map of a pathological area of the organism. Most remarkably, the possibility of localized outside applications of drugs may reduce undesirable side effects, especially some detrimental consequences of chemotherapy in cancer.

Break: 18:30-19-30 Cocktails sponsored by Journal of Cell Science & Therapy @ Athens Foyer