SK, WR, and QDL were supported by the Veterinary Stem Cell and Bioengineering Research Unit, Ratchadaphiseksomphot Endowment Fund, Chulalongkorn University. TO and PP were supported by Chulalongkorn Academic Advancement into Its 2nd Century Project. CS was supported by a research supporting grant of the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn Academic Advancement into Its 2nd Century Project, Veterinary Stem Cell and Bioengineering Research Unit, Ratchadaphiseksomphot Endowment Fund, Chulalongkorn University, and Government Research Fund.

This work was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University. Human DPSCs (hDPSCs) were isolated from human dental pulp tissues extracted from both premolars and molars due to wisdom teeth issues. Informed consent was obtained from the patients under an approved protocol (HREC-DCU 2018/054).
1. Integrative induction protocol
<ol>
	<li>Preparation of lentiviral vector carrying PDX1
	<ol>
		<li>Use human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293FT cells for viral packaging. Culture and maintain these cells in Dulbecco&#39;s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1% L-glutamine, and 1% Antibiotic-Antimycotic.</li>
		<li>Generate PDX1-lentivirus vectors by co-transfection of 10 &#181;g each of the packaging and envelope plasmids and 20 &#181;g of the targeted gene plasmid into HEK293FT cells using calcium phosphate transfection system, e.g., psPAX2, pMD2.G, and human pWPT-PDX111. Ensure that the cells are 80%-90% confluent during the time of infection.</li>
		<li>Collect the medium containing lentiviral particles at 48 and 72 h after transfection.</li>
		<li>Filter the collected medium through a 0.45 &#181;m filter; concentrate the viruses with a centrifugal filter at 100 kDa nominal molecular weight cut-off (NMWCO).</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>PDX1 overexpression
	<ol>
		<li>Use passage 3-5 hDPSC that are 70-80% confluent. Trypsinize and count the cells using a cell counter. Seed 1 x 106 hDPSCs onto a 60 mm tissue culture-treated dish and incubate overnight.</li>
		<li>24 h later, add fresh virus particles obtained from step 1.1.4 to transduce polybrene pre-treated cells (4 &#181;g/mL polybrene, 30 min under 37 &#176;C and 5% CO2) at the desired multiplicity of infection (MOI). For example, in this case, MOI used is 20. Maintain the cells in the cell culture incubator for 24 h at 37 &#176;C with 5% CO2.</li>
		<li>After the 24 h infection period, discard the medium containing viral particles. Add fresh culture media and continue growing the cells for 48 h. All cultures are maintained at 37 &#176;C and 5% CO2.</li>
		<li>Check the aggregated morphology of the transfected cells before proceeding to the induction step. PDX1 transduction is confirmed by gene expression analysis (Supplemental Figure 1). 
		NOTE: Check the cell morphology under a microscope before proceeding to the next steps.</li>
		<li>Harvest and proceed to a three-step induction protocol (step 1.3) as a microenvironmental induction approach.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Three-step induction protocol 
	NOTE: The three-step induction protocol resulted in the series of pancreatic differentiation of hDPSCs to definitive endoderm, pancreatic endoderm/endocrine, and pancreatic beta-cells/IPCs using serum-free medium (SFM)-A, SFM-B, and SFM-C, respectively.
	<ol>
		<li>Discard the culture medium, and then wash the transduced-hDPSCs with 1x phosphate-buffered solution (PBS).</li>
		<li>Add 0.25% trypsin-EDTA solution to the cells and incubate for 1 min at 37 &#176;C, 5% CO2.</li>
		<li>Add the culture medium to stop the trypsin activity and gently flush the cells to get the single cell suspension. Count the cells and aliquot 1 x 106 cells into each collecting tube.</li>
		<li>Centrifuge the cell suspension at 468 x g (Relative Centrifugal Force: RCF), 4 &#176;C, for 5 min. Discard the supernatant and save the cell pellet.</li>
		<li>Resuspend the pellet in 3 mL of first pancreatic induction medium, i.e., serum-free medium (SFM)-A. Seed the cells on a low attachment culture plate (60 mm). Maintain the cells at 37 &#176;C and 5% CO2 for 3 days. 
		NOTE: Observe cells morphology under an inverted microscope before proceeding to the next step.</li>
		<li>Remove SFM-A and add 3 mL of the second induction medium, i.e., SFM-B. Maintain the cells for the next 2 days at 37 &#176;C, 5% CO2. 
		NOTE: Observe cells morphology under an inverted microscope before proceeding to the next step.</li>
		<li>Remove SFM-B and add 3 mL of the third induction medium, i.e., SFM-C. Maintain the cells for the next 5 days in a cell culture incubator maintained at 37 &#176;C with 5% CO2. Change the medium every 48 h. Observe their morphology after 5 days. 
		NOTE: Each induction medium is supplemented with different reagents as described; SFM-A: 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA), 1x insulin-transferrin-selenium (ITS), 4 nM of activin A, 1 nM of sodium butyrate, and 50 &#181;M of beta-mercaptoethanol; SFM-B: 1% BSA, 1x ITS, and 0.3 mM taurine; and SFM C: 1.5% BSA, 1x ITS, 3 mM taurine, 100 nM of glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1, 1 mM nicotinamide, and 1x non-essential amino acids (NEAAs).</li>
		<li>Make sure to check the cell morphology under an inverted microscope after each step. The cells will become more aggregated and float as colonies.</li>
		<li>Collect cell colonies for further analysis. Check for colony morphology and size. Perform pancreatic gene marker expression analysis and functional analysis (Glucose stimulated C-peptide secretion assay).</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
2. Non-integrative induction protocol
NOTE: The non-integrative protocol is the backbone protocol for delivering the IPCs with the three-step induction process as a microenvironmental induction approach8,9.
<ol>
	<li>Use passage 3-5 hDPSCs at 70%-80% confluency.</li>
	<li>Discard the culture medium and wash hDPSCs with 1x PBS.</li>
	<li>Add 0.25% trypsin-EDTA solution onto the cells and incubate for 1 min at 37 &#176;C, 5% CO2.</li>
	<li>Add the culture medium to stop the trypsin activity and gently pipette the cells to obtain the single cell suspension. Count cells and aliquot 1 x 106 cells into each collection tube.
	<ol>
		<li>Centrifuge the cell suspension at 468 x g (RCF), 4 &#176;C, 5 min. Discard the supernatant.</li>
		<li>Resuspend the pellet in SFM-A and seed onto a low attachment culture plate (60 mm). Culture the cells at 37 &#176;C and 5% CO2 for 3 days. Check the cell morphology under an inverted microscope.</li>
		<li>Remove SFM-A, add SFM-B (Day 3) and then maintain the cells for the next 2 days under 37 &#176;C, 5% CO2.</li>
		<li>Remove SFM-B, add SFM-C (Day 5) and then maintain the cells for the next 5 days under 37 &#176;C, 5% CO2. SFM-C is changed every 48 h. 
		NOTE: Each induction medium is supplemented with different reagents as described; SFM-A: 1% BSA, 1x ITS, 4 nM of activin A, 1 nM of sodium butyrate, and 50 &#181;M of beta-mercaptoethanol; SFM-B: 1% BSA, 1x ITS, and 0.3 mM taurine; and SFM C: 1.5% BSA, 1x ITS, 3 mM taurine, 100 nM of GLP-1, 1 mM nicotinamide, and 1x NEAAs.</li>
		<li>Make sure to check the cell morphology under the inverted microscope after each step and at Day 10. 
		NOTE: The cells will become more aggregated and will float as colonies.</li>
		<li>Collect cell colonies for further analysis. Check for colony morphology and size. Perform pancreatic gene marker expression analysis and functional analysis (Glucose stimulated C-peptide secretion assay).</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>

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The authors have nothing to disclose.

Achieving higher IPCs production from MSCs plays an essential role in diabetes therapy. The critical steps of the integrative protocol rely on the quality of cells to be used for the transduction and the quality of transduced cells. Some cell requirements that should be checked for successful transduction are ensuring cell healthiness, cell banking management, and cells are in a mitotically active state. Further, monitoring the viability of transduced cells also plays an important role. Less successful transduction is ca...

Diabetes mellitus is an ongoing global concern. An International Diabetes Federation (IDF) report estimated that the global prevalence of diabetes would increase from 151 million in 2000 to 415 million in 20151,2. The latest epidemiology-based study has predicted that the estimated worldwide diabetes prevalence will increase from 451 million in 2017 to 693 million in 20451. The success of pancreatic islet transplantation using the Edmonton protocol was first demonstrated in 2000, when it was shown to maintain endogenous insulin production and stabilize the normoglycemic condition in type I diabetic patients3. However, the application of the Edmonton protocol still faces a bottleneck problem. The limited number of cadaveric pancreas donors is the main issue since each patient with type I diabetes requires at least 2-4 islet donors. Furthermore, the long-term use of immunosuppressive agents may cause life-threatening side effects4,5. To address this, the development of a potential therapy for diabetes in the past decade has mainly focused on the generation of effective insulin-producing cells (IPCs) from various sources of stem cells6.
Stem cells became an alternative treatment in many diseases, including diabetes type I, which is caused by the loss of beta-cells. Transplantation of IPCs is the new promising method for controlling blood glucose in these patients7. Two approaches for generating IPCs, integrative and non-integrative induction protocols, are presented in this article. The induction protocol mimicked the natural pancreatic developmental process to get the matured and functional IPCs8,9.
For this study, hDPSCs were characterized by flow cytometry for MSC surface marker detection, multilineage differentiation potential, and RT-qPCR to determine the expression of stemness property and proliferative gene markers (data not shown)8,9,10. hDPSCs were induced toward definitive endoderm, pancreatic endoderm, pancreatic endocrine, and pancreatic beta-cells or IPCs (Figure 1), respectively7. To induce the cells, a three-step induction approach was used as a backbone protocol. This protocol was called a non-integrative protocol. In the case of integrative protocol, the essential pancreatic transcription factor, PDX1, was overexpressed in hDPSCs followed by the induction of&#160;overexpressed PDX1 in hDPSCs using a three-step differentiation protocol. The difference between non-integrative and integrative protocol is the overexpression of PDX1 in integrative protocol and not in the non-integrative protocol. The pancreatic differentiation was compared between the integrative and non-integrative protocols in this study.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell Culture</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibiotic-Antimycotic</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific Corporation, USA</td>
			<td>15240062</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Corning&#174; 60 mm TC-treated Culture Dish</td>
			<td>Corning&#174;</td>
			<td>430166</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dulbecco&#8217;s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific Corporation</td>
			<td>12800017</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal bovine serum (FBS)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific Corporation</td>
			<td>10270106</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GlutaMAX&#8482;</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific Corporation</td>
			<td>35050061</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) powder, pH 7.4</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P3813-10PAK</td>
			<td>One pack is used for preparing 1 L of PBS solution with sterile DDI</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypsin-EDTA (0.25%)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific Corporation</td>
			<td>25200072</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lentiviral Vector Carrying PDX1 Preparation</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Amicon&#174; Ultra-15 Centrifugal Filter</td>
			<td>Merck Millipore, USA</td>
			<td>UFC910024</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Human pWPT-PDX1 plasmid</td>
			<td>Addgene</td>
			<td>12256</td>
			<td>Gift from Didier Trono; http://n2t.net/addgene:12256; RRID: Addgene_12256</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Millex-HV Syringe Filter Unit, 0.45&#160;&#181;m</td>
			<td>Merck Millipore</td>
			<td>SLHV033RB</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>pMD2.G plasmid</td>
			<td>Addgene</td>
			<td>12259</td>
			<td>Gift from Didier Trono; http://n2t.net/addgene:12259; RRID: Addgene_12259</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Polybrene Infection / Transfection Reagent</td>
			<td>Merck Millipore</td>
			<td>TR-1003-G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>psPAX2 plasmid</td>
			<td>Addgene</td>
			<td>12260</td>
			<td>Gift from Didier Trono; http://n2t.net/addgene:12260; RRID: Addgene_12260</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Three-step Induction Protocol</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Activin A Recombinant Human Protein</td>
			<td>Merck Millipore</td>
			<td>GF300</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Beta-mercaptoethanol</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific Corporation</td>
			<td>21985-023</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bovine serum albumin (BSA, Cohn fraction V, fatty acid free)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>A6003</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>G3265</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Insulin-Transferrin-Selenium (ITS)</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>41400-045</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nicotinamide</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>N0636</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Non-Essential Amino Acids (NEAAs)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific Corporation</td>
			<td>11140-050</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Non-treated cell culture dish, 60mm</td>
			<td>Eppendorf</td>
			<td>30701011</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium butyrate</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>B5887</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Taurine</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>T0625</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

in vitro induction of human dental pulp stem cells toward pancreatic lineages

As of 2000, the success of pancreatic islet transplantation using the Edmonton protocol to treat type I diabetes mellitus still faced some obstacles. These include the limited number of cadaveric pancreas donors and the long-term use of immunosuppressants. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been considered to be a potential candidate as an alternative source of islet-like cell generation. Our previous reports have successfully illustrated the establishment of induction protocols for differentiating human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) to insulin-producing cells (IPCs). However, the induction efficiency varied greatly. In this paper, we demonstrate the comparison of hDPSCs pancreatic induction efficiency via integrative (microenvironmental and genetic manipulation) and non-integrative (microenvironmental manipulation) induction protocols for delivering hDPSC-derived IPCs (hDPSC-IPCs). The results suggest distinct induction efficiency for both the induction approaches in terms of 3-dimensional colony structure, yield, pancreatic mRNA markers, and functional property upon multi-dosage glucose challenge. These findings will support the future establishment of a clinically applicable IPCs and pancreatic lineage production platform.

In this article, the outcomes of both the induction protocols were compared. The diagrams of both induction protocols are illustrated in Figure 2A,C. In both the protocols, the evaluation was performed under a light microscope, and images were analyzed with ImageJ. hDPSCs were able to form colony-like structures from the first day of induction in both induction protocols. The colony&#39;s morphology was round and dense, and all colonies floated in the culture vessels through...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about In vitro Induction of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Toward Pancreatic Lineages at JoVE.com

In vitro Induction of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Toward Pancreatic Lineages

This protocol presents a comparison between two different induction protocols for differentiating human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) toward pancreatic lineages in vitro: the integrative protocol and the non-integrative protocol. The integrative protocol generates more insulin producing cells (IPCs).

In vitro Induction of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Toward Pancreatic Lineages

As of 2000, the success of pancreatic islet transplantation using the Edmonton protocol to treat type I diabetes mellitus still faced some obstacles. ...

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Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

3.2K Views.  Chulalongkorn University. This protocol presents a comparison between two different induction protocols for differentiating human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) toward pancreatic lineages in vitro: the integrative protocol and the non-integrative protocol. The integrative protocol generates more insulin producing cells (IPCs).

Video: In vitro Induction of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Toward Pancreatic Lineages

Use of Human Perivascular Stem Cells for Bone Regeneration

Human perivascular stem cells (PSCs) can be isolated in sufficient numbers from multiple tissues for purposes of skeletal tissue engineering1-3. PSCs are a FACS-sorted population of 'pericytes' (CD146+CD34-CD45-) and 'adventitial cells' (CD146-CD34+CD45-), each of which we have previously reported to have properties of mesenchymal stem cells. PSCs, like MSCs, are able to undergo osteogenic differentiation, as well as secrete pro-osteogenic cytokines1,2. In the present protocol, we demonstrate the osteogenicity of PSCs in several animal models including a muscle pouch implantation in SCID (severe combined immunodeficient) mice, a SCID mouse calvarial defect and a femoral segmental defect (FSD) in athymic rats. The thigh muscle pouch model is used to assess ectopic bone formation. Calvarial defects are centered on the parietal bone and are standardly 4 mm in diameter (critically sized)8. FSDs are bicortical and are stabilized with a polyethylene bar and K-wires4. The FSD described is also a critical size defect, which does not significantly heal on its own4. In contrast, if stem cells or growth factors are added to the defect site, significant bone regeneration can be appreciated. The overall goal of PSC xenografting is to demonstrate the osteogenic capability of this cell type in both ectopic and orthotopic bone regeneration models.

Human perivascular stem cells (PSCs) are a novel stem cell class for skeletal tissue regeneration similar to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). PSCs can be isolated by FACS (fluorescence activated cell sorting) from adipose tissue procured during standard liposuction procedures, then combined with an osteoinductive scaffold to achieve bone formation in vivo.

Human perivascular stem cells (PSCs) can be isolated in sufficient numbers from multiple tissues for purposes of skeletal tissue engineering1-3. PSCs are ...

Alginate Microcapsule as a 3D Platform for Propagation and Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESC) to Different Lineages

Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) are emerging as an attractive alternative source for cell replacement therapy since they can be expanded in culture indefinitely and differentiated to any cell types in the body. Various types of biomaterials have also been used in stem cell cultures to provide a microenvironment mimicking the stem cell niche1-3. The latter is important for promoting cell-to-cell interaction, cell proliferation, and differentiation into specific lineages as well as tissue organization by providing a three-dimensional (3D) environment4 such as encapsulation. The principle of cell encapsulation involves entrapment of living cells within the confines of semi-permeable membranes in 3D cultures2. These membranes allow for the exchange of nutrients, oxygen and stimuli across the membranes, whereas antibodies and immune cells from the host that are larger than the capsule pore size are excluded5. Here, we present an approach to culture and differentiate hESC DA neurons in a 3D microenvironment using alginate microcapsules. We have modified the culture conditions2 to enhance the viability of encapsulated hESC. We have previously shown that the addition of p160-Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, Y-27632 and human fetal fibroblast-conditioned serum replacement medium (hFF-CM) to the 3D platform significantly enhanced the viability of encapsulated hESC in which the cells expressed definitive endoderm marker genes1. We have now used this 3D platform for the propagation of hESC and efficient differentiation to DA neurons. Protein and gene expression analyses after the final stage of DA neuronal differentiation showed an increased expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a marker for DA neurons, &gt;100 folds after 2 weeks. We hypothesized that our 3D platform using alginate microcapsules may be useful to study the proliferation and directed differentiation of hESC to various lineages. This 3D system also allows the separation of feeder cells from hESC during the process of differentiation and also has potential for immune-isolation during transplantation in the future.

Alginate Microcapsule as a 3D Platform for Propagation and Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells hESC to Different Lineages

We have optimized a microencapsulation technique as an effective 3D platform for propagation and differentiation of embryonic stem cells to endoderm and dopaminergic (DA) neurons. It also provides an opportunity for immune-isolation of cells from the host during transplantation. This platform can be adapted for other cell types.

Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) are emerging as an attractive alternative source for cell replacement therapy since they can be expanded in culture ...

Development, Expansion, and In vivo Monitoring of Human NK Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESCs) and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)

We present a method for deriving natural killer (NK) cells from undifferentiated hESCs and iPSCs using a feeder-free approach. This method gives rise to high levels of NK cells after 4 weeks culture and can undergo further 2-log expansion with artificial antigen presenting cells. hESC- and iPSC-derived NK cells developed in this system have a mature phenotype and function. The production of large numbers of genetically modifiable NK cells is applicable for both basic mechanistic as well as anti-tumor studies. Expression of firefly luciferase in hESC-derived NK cells allows a non-invasive approach to follow NK cell engraftment, distribution, and function. We also describe a dual-imaging scheme that allows separate monitoring of two different cell populations to more distinctly characterize their interactions in vivo. This method of derivation, expansion, and dual in vivo imaging provides a reliable approach for producing NK cells and their evaluation which is necessary to improve current NK cell adoptive therapies.

Development, Expansion, and In vivo Monitoring of Human NK Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cells hESCs and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells iPSCs

This protocol describes the development, expansion, and in vivo imaging of NK cells derived from hESCs and iPSCs.

We present a method for deriving natural killer (NK) cells from undifferentiated hESCs and iPSCs using a feeder-free approach. This method gives rise to ...

Transplantation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Mesoangioblast-like Myogenic Progenitors in Mouse Models of Muscle Regeneration

Patient-derived iPSCs could be an invaluable source of cells for future autologous cell therapy protocols. iPSC-derived myogenic stem/progenitor cells similar to pericyte-derived mesoangioblasts (iPSC-derived mesoangioblast-like stem/progenitor cells: IDEMs) can be established from iPSCs generated from patients affected by different forms of muscular dystrophy. Patient-specific IDEMs can be genetically corrected with different strategies (e.g. lentiviral vectors, human artificial chromosomes) and enhanced in their myogenic differentiation potential upon overexpression of the myogenesis regulator MyoD. This myogenic potential is then assessed in vitro with specific differentiation assays and analyzed by immunofluorescence. The regenerative potential of IDEMs is further evaluated in vivo, upon intramuscular and intra-arterial transplantation in two representative mouse models displaying acute and chronic muscle regeneration. The contribution of IDEMs to the host skeletal muscle is then confirmed by different functional tests in transplanted mice. In particular, the amelioration of the motor capacity of the animals is studied with treadmill tests. Cell engraftment and differentiation are then assessed by a number of histological and immunofluorescence assays on transplanted muscles. Overall, this paper describes the assays and tools currently utilized to evaluate the differentiation capacity of IDEMs, focusing on the transplantation methods and subsequent outcome measures to analyze the efficacy of cell transplantation.

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived myogenic progenitors are promising candidates for cell therapy strategies to treat muscular dystrophies. This protocol describes transplantation and functional measurements required to evaluate the engraftment and differentiation of iPSC-derived mesoangioblasts (a type of muscle progenitors) in mouse models of acute and chronic muscle regeneration.

Patient-derived iPSCs could be an invaluable source of cells for future autologous cell therapy protocols. iPSC-derived myogenic stem/progenitor cells ...

Eye Irritation Test (EIT) for Hazard Identification of Eye Irritating Chemicals using Reconstructed Human Cornea-like Epithelial (RhCE) Tissue Model

To comply with the Seventh Amendment to the EU Cosmetics Directive and EU REACH legislation, validated non-animal alternative methods for reliable and accurate assessment of ocular toxicity in man are needed. To address this need, we have developed an eye irritation test (EIT) which utilizes a three dimensional reconstructed human cornea-like epithelial (RhCE) tissue model that is based on normal human cells. The EIT is able to separate ocular&#160;irritants and corrosives (GHS Categories 1 and 2 combined) and those that do not require labeling (GHS No Category). The test utilizes two separate protocols, one designed for liquid chemicals and a second, similar protocol for solid test articles. The EIT prediction model uses a single exposure period (30 min for liquids, 6 hr for solids) and a single tissue viability cut-off (60.0% as determined by the MTT assay). Based on the results for 83 chemicals (44 liquids and 39 solids) EIT achieved 95.5/68.2/ and 81.8% sensitivity/specificity and accuracy (SS&#38;A) for liquids, 100.0/68.4/ and 84.6% SS&#38;A for solids, and 97.6/68.3/ and 83.1% for overall SS&#38;A. The EIT will contribute significantly to classifying the ocular irritation potential of a wide range of liquid and solid chemicals without the use of animals to meet regulatory testing requirements. The EpiOcular EIT method was implemented in 2015 into the OECD Test Guidelines as TG 492.

Eye Irritation Test EIT for Hazard Identification of Eye Irritating Chemicals using Reconstructed Human Cornea-like Epithelial RhCE Tissue Model

We have developed an eye irritation test which utilizes a three dimensional reconstructed human cornea-like epithelial (RhCE) tissue model. The test is able to discriminate between ocular irritant and corrosive materials (GHS Categories 1 and 2 combined) and those that do not require labeling (GHS No Category).

To comply with the Seventh Amendment to the EU Cosmetics Directive and EU REACH legislation, validated non-animal alternative methods for reliable and ...

Efficient Generation and Editing of Feeder-free IPSCs from Human Pancreatic Cells Using the CRISPR-Cas9 System

Embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells can self-renew and differentiate into multiple cell types of the body. The pluripotent cells are thus coveted for research in regenerative medicine and are currently in clinical trials for eye diseases, diabetes, heart diseases, and other disorders. The potential to differentiate into specialized cell types coupled with the recent advances in genome editing technologies including the CRISPR/Cas system have provided additional opportunities for tailoring the genome of iPSC for varied applications including disease modeling, gene therapy, and biasing pathways of differentiation, to name a few. Among the available editing technologies, the CRISPR/Cas9 from Streptococcus pyogenes has emerged as a tool of choice for site-specific editing of the eukaryotic genome. The CRISPRs are easily accessible, inexpensive, and highly efficient in engineering targeted edits. The system requires a Cas9 nuclease and a guide sequence (20-mer) specific to the genomic target abutting a 3-nucleotide &#34;NGG&#34; protospacer-adjacent-motif (PAM) for targeting Cas9 to the desired genomic locus, alongside a universal Cas9 binding tracer RNA (together called single guide RNA or sgRNA). Here we present a step-by-step protocol for efficient generation of feeder-independent and footprint-free iPSC and describe methodologies for genome editing of iPSC using the Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes. The genome editing protocol is effective and can be easily multiplexed by pre-complexing sgRNAs for more than one target with the Cas9 protein and simultaneously delivering into the cells. Finally, we describe a simplified approach for identification and characterization of iPSCs with desired edits. Taken together, the outlined strategies are expected to streamline generation and editing of iPSC for manifold applications.

This protocol describes in detail the generation of footprint-free induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from human pancreatic cells in feeder-free conditions, followed by editing using CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoproteins and characterization of the modified single-cell clones.

Embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells can self-renew and differentiate into multiple cell types of the body. The pluripotent cells are thus coveted ...

Advanced 3D Liver Models for In vitro Genotoxicity Testing Following Long-Term Nanomaterial Exposure

Due to the rapid development and implementation of a diverse array of engineered nanomaterials (ENM), exposure to ENM is inevitable and the development of robust, predictive in vitro test systems is essential. Hepatic toxicology is key when considering ENM exposure, as the liver serves a vital role in metabolic homeostasis and detoxification as well as being a major site of ENM accumulation post exposure. Based upon this and the accepted understanding that 2D hepatocyte models do not accurately mimic the complexities of intricate multi-cellular interactions and metabolic activity observed in vivo, there is a greater focus on the development of physiologically relevant 3D liver models tailored for ENM hazard assessment purposes in vitro. In line with the principles of the 3Rs to replace, reduce and refine animal experimentation, a 3D HepG2 cell-line based liver model has been developed, which is a user friendly, cost effective system that can support both extended and repeated ENM exposure regimes (&#8804;14 days). These spheroid models (&#8805;500 &#181;m in diameter) retain their proliferative capacity (i.e., dividing cell models) allowing them to be coupled with the &#8216;gold standard&#8217; micronucleus assay to effectively assess genotoxicity in vitro. Their ability to report on a range of toxicological endpoints (e.g., liver function, (pro-)inflammatory response, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity) has been characterized using several ENMs across both acute (24 h) and long-term (120 h) exposure regimes. This 3D in vitro hepatic model has the capacity to be utilized for evaluating more realistic ENM exposures, thereby providing a future in vitro approach to better support ENM hazard assessment in a routine and easily accessible manner.

This procedure was established to be used for developing advanced 3D hepatic cultures in vitro, which can provide a more physiologically relevant assessment of the genotoxic hazards associated with nanomaterial exposures over both an acute or long-term, repeated dose regimes.

Due to the rapid development and implementation of a diverse array of engineered nanomaterials (ENM), exposure to ENM is inevitable and the development of ...

Single-Cell Optical Action Potential Measurement in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes

Conventional intracellular microelectrode techniques to quantify cardiomyocyte electrophysiology are extremely complex, labor intensive, and typically carried out in low throughput. Rapid and ongoing expansion of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology presents a new standard in cardiovascular research and alternate methods are now necessary to increase throughput of electrophysiological data at a single cell level. VF2.1Cl is a recently derived voltage sensitive dye which provides a rapid single channel, high magnitude response to fluctuations in membrane potential. It possesses kinetics superior to those of other existing voltage indicators and makes available functional data equivalent to that of traditional microelectrode techniques. Here, we demonstrate simplified, non-invasive action potential characterization in externally paced human iPSC derived cardiomyocytes using a modular and highly affordable photometry system.

Here we describe optical acquisition and characterization of action potentials from induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes using a high-speed modular photometry system.

Conventional intracellular microelectrode techniques to quantify cardiomyocyte electrophysiology are extremely complex, labor intensive, and typically ...

A Culture Method to Maintain Quiescent Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), like other mammalian HSCs, maintain lifelong hematopoiesis in the bone marrow. HSCs remain quiescent in vivo, unlike more differentiated progenitors, and enter the cell cycle rapidly after chemotherapy or irradiation to treat bone marrow injury or in vitro culture. By mimicking the bone marrow microenvironment in the presence of abundant fatty acids, cholesterol, low concentration of cytokines, and hypoxia, human HSCs maintain quiescence in vitro. Here, a detailed protocol for maintaining functional HSCs in the quiescent state in vitro is described. This method will enable studies of the behavior of human HSCs under physiological conditions.

This protocol enables the maintenance of quiescent human hematopoietic stem cells in vitro by mimicking the bone marrow microenvironment using abundant fatty acids, cholesterol, lower concentrations of cytokines, and hypoxia.

Human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), like other mammalian HSCs, maintain lifelong hematopoiesis in the bone marrow. HSCs remain quiescent in vivo, ...

Propagation of Dental and Respiratory Cells and Organs in Microgravity

Gravity is one of the key determinants of human cell function, proliferation, cytoskeletal architecture and orientation. Rotary bioreactor systems (RCCSs) mimic the loss of gravity as it occurs in space and instead provide a microgravity environment through continuous rotation of cultured cells or tissues. These RCCSs ensure an un-interrupted supply of nutrients, growth and transcription factors, and oxygen, and address some of the shortcomings of gravitational forces in motionless 2D (two dimensional) cell or organ culture dishes. In the present study we have used RCCSs to co-culture cervical loop cells and dental pulp cells to become ameloblasts, to characterize periodontal progenitor/scaffold interactions, and to determine the effect of inflammation on lung alveoli. The RCCS environments facilitated growth of ameloblast-like cells, promoted periodontal progenitor proliferation in response to scaffold coatings, and allowed for an assessment of the effects of inflammatory changes on cultured lung alveoli. This manuscript summarizes the environmental conditions, materials, and steps along the way and highlights critical aspects and experimental details. In conclusion, RCCSs are innovative tools to master the culture and 3D (three dimensional) growth of cells in vitro and to allow for the study of cellular systems or interactions not amenable to classic 2D culture environments.

This protocol presents a method for the culture and 3D growth of ameloblast-like cells in microgravity to maintain their elongated and polarized shape as well as enamel-specific protein expression. Culture conditions for the culture of periodontal engineering constructs and lung organs in microgravity are also described.

Gravity is one of the key determinants of human cell function, proliferation, cytoskeletal architecture and orientation. Rotary bioreactor systems (RCCSs) ...