98%
921
2 minutes
20
In vitro platforms for studying the human brain have been developed, and brain organoids derived from stem cells have been studied. However, current organoid models lack three-dimensional (3D) vascular networks, limiting organoid proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In this study, we created a 3D model of vascularized spheroid cells using an injection-molded microfluidic chip. We cocultured spheroids derived from induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) with perfusable blood vessels. Gene expression analysis and immunostaining revealed that the vascular network greatly enhanced spheroid differentiation and reduced apoptosis. This platform can be used to further study the functional and structural interactions between blood vessels and neural spheroids, and ultimately to simulate brain development and disease.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9298365 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bit.27978 | DOI Listing |
J Clin Invest
September 2025
Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.
Understanding the genetic causes of diseases affecting pancreatic β cells and neurons can give insights into pathways essential for both cell types. Microcephaly, epilepsy and diabetes syndrome (MEDS) is a congenital disorder with two known aetiological genes, IER3IP1 and YIPF5. Both genes encode proteins involved in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to Golgi trafficking.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRNA Biol
September 2025
Department of Stem Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Neural stem cells (NSCs) are multipotent stem cells with self-renewal capacity, able to differentiate into all neural lineages of the central nervous system, including neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes; thus, their proliferation and differentiation are essential for embryonic neurodevelopment and adult brain homoeostasis. Dysregulation in these processes is implicated in neurological disorders, highlighting the need to elucidate how NSCs proliferate and differentiate to clarify the mechanisms of neurogenesis and uncover potential therapeutic targets. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression involved in many aspects of nervous system development and function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
September 2025
School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
Engineering functional exosomes represents a cutting-edge approach in biomedicine, holding the promise to transform targeted therapy. However, challenges such as achieving consistent modification and scalability have limited their wider adoption. Herein, we introduce a universal and effective strategy for engineering multifunctional exosomes through cell fusion.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
September 2025
Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202.
Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are highly compartmentalized neurons whose long axons serve as the sole connection between the eye and the brain. In both injury and disease, RGC degeneration occurs in a similarly compartmentalized manner, with distinct molecular and cellular responses in the axonal and somatodendritic regions. The goal of this study was to establish a microfluidic-based platform to investigate RGC compartmentalization in both health and disease states.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTissue Eng Regen Med
September 2025
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, #505 BanPo-Dong, SeoCho-Gu, Seoul, 06591, Republic of Korea.
Background: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease delineated by excessive lymphocyte infiltration to the lacrimal or salivary glands, leading to dry eye and dry mouth. Exosomes secreted from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are known to have anti-inflammatory and tissue regeneration abilities. This study endeavored to demonstrate the effect of MSC-derived exosomes on the clinical parameter of dry eyes and associated pathology in SS mouse model.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF