Disease Markers - Volume 24, issue 4-5

Authors: Mishra, Bibhuti | Gearhart, John | Papadopoulos, Vassilios

Article Type: Other

Citation: Disease Markers, vol. 24, no. 4-5, pp. 199-200, 2008

Authors: Jiang, Xiaoyan | Zhao, Yun | Forrest, Donna | Smith, Clayton | Eaves, Allen | Eaves, Connie

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal multi-step myeloproliferative disease that is initially produced and ultimately sustained by a rare subpopulation of BCR-ABL^{+} cells with multi-lineage stem cell properties. These BCR-ABL^{+} CML stem cells are phenotypically similar to normal hematopoietic stem cells which are also maintained throughout the course of the disease at varying levels in different patients. Defining the unique properties of the leukemic stem cells that …produce the chronic phase of CML has therefore had to rely heavily on access to samples from rare patients in which the stem cell compartment is dominated by leukemic elements. Here we review past and ongoing approaches using such samples to identify biologically and clinically relevant biomarkers of BCR-ABL^{+} stem cells that explain their unusual biology and that may help to design, or at least predict, improved treatment responses in CML patients. These studies are of particular interest in light of recent evidence that chronic phase CML stem cells are not only innately resistant to imatinib mesylate and other drugs that target the BCR-ABL oncoprotein, but are also genetically unstable. Show more

Keywords: Hematopoietic stem cells, chronic myeloid leukemia, imatinib, BCR-ABL-targeted therapies, stem cell biomarkers, drug resistance

Citation: Disease Markers, vol. 24, no. 4-5, pp. 201-216, 2008

Authors: He, Aiwu Ruth | Mendelson, Jonathan | Blake, Tiffany | Mishra, Lopa | Marshall, John L.

Article Type: Research Article

Citation: Disease Markers, vol. 24, no. 4-5, pp. 217-222, 2008

Authors: Taniguchi, Hideki | Chiba, Tetsuhiro

Article Type: Research Article

Citation: Disease Markers, vol. 24, no. 4-5, pp. 223-229, 2008

Authors: Kim, Sun-Jung | Park, Joon-Suk | Kang, Kyung-Sun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Neural stem cells are multi-potent and able to self renew to maintain its character throughout the life. Loss of self renewal ability of stem cells prevents recovery or replacement of cells damaged by disease with new cells. The Niemann-Pick type C1 (NPC1) disease is one of the neurodegenerative diseases, caused by a mutation of NPC1 gene which affects the function of NPC1 protein. We reported that NPC 1 gene deficiency could lead to lack of the …self renewal ability of neural stem cells in Niemann pick type C disease. We also investigated many genes which are involved in stem cells proliferation and differentiation by gene profile in NPC mice. Diagnosis of NPC disease is difficult because it is accompanied by complicated symptoms and the fact that there is no effective treatment for NPC patients. Studies of these stem cells and their relationship to Niemann pick type C disease will provide new biomarkers for early diagnosis as well as a potential cure by use of targeted therapeutics for Niemann pick type C disease. Show more

Keywords: Neural stem cells, niemann pick type C disease, biomarker

Citation: Disease Markers, vol. 24, no. 4-5, pp. 231-238, 2008

Authors: Wrathall, Jean R. | Lytle, Judith M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Traumatic injury to the adult spinal cord results in a massive loss of cells and permanent functional deficits. However, recent studies demonstrate that there is a proliferative response of endogenous glial precursors and progenitors and perhaps also pluripotent neural stem cells. These cells may prove to be an important new therapeutic target to improve recovery after injury to the spinal cord and brain.

Keywords: Neural stem cells, oligodendrocyte precursor cells, NG2^{+} cells

Citation: Disease Markers, vol. 24, no. 4-5, pp. 239-250, 2008

Authors: Yun, Chohee | Mendelson, Jonathan | Blake, Tiffany | Mishra, Lopa | Mishra, Bibhuti

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling has diverse and complex roles in various biological phenomena such as cell growth, differentiation, embryogenesis and morphogenesis. ES cells provide an essential model for understanding the role of TGF-β signaling in lineage specification and differentiation. Recent studies have suggested significant role of TGF-β in stem/progenitor cell biology. Here in this review, we focus on the role of the TGF-β superfamily in neuronal development.

Citation: Disease Markers, vol. 24, no. 4-5, pp. 251-255, 2008

Authors: Pine, Sharon R. | Marshall, Blair | Varticovski, Lyuba

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Lung cancer remains a major cause of cancer-related lethality because of high incidence and recurrence in spite of significant advances in staging and therapies. Recent data indicates that stem cells situated throughout the airways may initiate cancer formation. These putative stem cells maintain protumorigenic characteristics including high proliferative capacity, multipotent differentiation, drug resistance and long lifespan relative to other cells. Stem cell signaling and differentiation pathways are maintained within distinct cancer types, …and destabilization of this machinery may participate in maintenance of cancer stem cells. Characterization of lung cancer stem cells is an area of active research and is critical for developing novel therapies. This review summarizes the current knowledge on stem cell signaling pathways and cell markers used to identify the lung cancer stem cells. Show more

Keywords: ABC transporters, drug resistance, hedgehog, notch, non-small cell lung cancer, side population, small cell lung cancer, stem cells, Wnt

Citation: Disease Markers, vol. 24, no. 4-5, pp. 257-266, 2008

Authors: Ebata, Kevin T. | Yeh, Jonathan R. | Zhang, Xiangfan | Nagano, Makoto C.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are defined by their ability to both self-renew and produce differentiated germ cells that will develop into functional spermatozoa. Because of this ability, SSCs can reestablish spermatogenesis after testicular damage caused by cytotoxic agents or after transplantation into an infertile recipient. Therefore, SSCs are an important target cell for restoring male fertility, particularly for cancer patients who have to undergo sterilizing cancer therapies. In the mouse, the identification …of SSC markers allows for the isolation of a highly enriched population of stem cells. This enriched stem cell population can be expanded in culture for an indefinite period of time, cryopreserved, and transplanted into infertile recipients to restore fertility. Thus, the identification of markers and the establishment of a long-term culture system for human SSCs will be crucial for realizing the potential of these cells in a clinical setting. In this article, we focus on the markers that have been identified for mouse SSCs and discuss how human SSC markers may be used in the restoration of fertility. Show more

Keywords: Spermatogenesis, stem cells, transplantation, cancer, male fertility restoration

Citation: Disease Markers, vol. 24, no. 4-5, pp. 267-276, 2008

Authors: Zhang, Yunhui | Ge, Renshan | Hardy, Matthew P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Leydig cells are the primary source of testosterone in the male, and differentiation of Leydig cells in the testes is one of the primary events in the development of the male body and fertility. Stem Leydig cells (SLCs) exist in the testis throughout postnatal life, but a lack of cell surface markers previously hindered attempts to obtain purified SLC fractions. Once isolated, the properties of SLCs provide interesting clues for the ontogeny of these cells within …the embryo. Moreover, the clinical potential of SLCs might be used to reverse age-related declines in testosterone levels in aging men, and stimulate reproductive function in hypogonadal males. This review focuses on the source, identification and outlook for therapeutic applications of SLCs. Separate pools of SLCs may give rise to fetal and adult generations of Leydig cell, which may account for their observed functional differences. These differences should in turn be taken into account when assessing the consequences of environmental pollutants such as the phthalate ester, diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP). Show more

Keywords: Stem Leydig cell, testosterone, Fetal Leydig cell, Adult Leydig cell, Phthalate

Citation: Disease Markers, vol. 24, no. 4-5, pp. 277-286, 2008