MicroRNA Signatures and Molecular Subtypes of Glioblastoma: The Role of Extracellular Transfer.

Despite the importance of molecular subtype classification of glioblastoma (GBM), the extent of extracellular vesicle (EV)-driven molecular and phenotypic reprogramming remains poorly understood. To reveal complex subpopulation dynamics within the heterogeneous intratumoral ecosystem, we characterized microRNA expression and secretion in phenotypically diverse subpopulations of patient-derived GBM stem-like cells (GSCs). As EVs and microRNAs convey information that rearranges the molecular landscape in a cell type-specific manner, we argue that intratumoral exchange of microRNA augments the heterogeneity of GSC that is reflected in highly heterogeneous profile of microRNA expression in GBM subtypes.

Synthetic bioreducible lipid-based nanoparticles for miRNA delivery to mesenchymal stem cells to induce neuronal differentiation.

MicroRNA (miRNA) functions in tissue regeneration and determines the fate of stem cells. Nanoparticle-based miRNA delivery systems for therapeutic applications have been studied in clinical settings. However, gene delivery to stem cells is still a challenging issue. Lipid-like nanoparticles produced using combinatorial approaches have recently been used for delivery of a variety of biologics. In this study, we investigated the ability of these lipids to deliver miRNA to human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). First, small library screening of bioreducible lipids was performed using fluorophore-conjugated miRNA to determine the optimal chemical structure for miRNA delivery to hMSCs. Next, miRNA-9 (miR-9), which promotes neuronal differentiation of stem cells, was delivered to hMSCs using the lipids identified from the library screening. Morphological changes of the cells and upregulation of neuronal marker genes were observed after the delivery of miR-9. The synthetic bioreducible lipids are effective in facilitating miRNA delivery to hMSCs and promoting the neuronal differentiation.

Integrating Protein Engineering and Bioorthogonal Click Conjugation for Extracellular Vesicle Modulation and Intracellular Delivery.

Exosomes are small, cell-secreted vesicles that transfer proteins and genetic information between cells. This intercellular transmission regulates many physiological and pathological processes. Therefore, exosomes have emerged as novel biomarkers for disease diagnosis and as nanocarriers for drug delivery. Here, we report an easy-to-adapt and highly versatile methodology to modulate exosome composition and conjugate exosomes for intracellular delivery. Our strategy combines the metabolic labeling of newly synthesized proteins or glycan/glycoproteins of exosome-secreting cells with active azides and bioorthogonal click conjugation to modify and functionalize the exosomes. The azide-integrated can be conjugated to a variety of small molecules and proteins and can efficiently deliver conjugates into cells. The metabolic engineering of exosomes diversifies the chemistry of exosomes and expands the functions that can be introduced into exosomes, providing novel, powerful tools to study the roles of exosomes in biology and expand the biomedical potential of exosomes.

Neuronal Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Using Exosomes Derived from Differentiating Neuronal Cells.

Exosomes deliver functional proteins and genetic materials to neighboring cells, and have potential applications for tissue regeneration. One possible mechanism of exosome-promoted tissue regeneration is through the delivery of microRNA (miRNA). In this study, we hypothesized that exosomes derived from neuronal progenitor cells contain miRNAs that promote neuronal differentiation. We treated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) daily with exosomes derived from PC12 cells, a neuronal cell line, for 1 week. After the treatment with PC12-derived exosomes, MSCs developed neuron-like morphology, and gene and protein expressions of neuronal markers were upregulated. Microarray analysis showed that the expression of miR-125b, which is known to play a role in neuronal differentiation of stem cells, was much higher in PC12-derived exosomes than in exosomes from B16-F10 melanoma cells. These results suggest that the delivery of miRNAs contained in PC12-derived exosomes is a possible mechanism explaining the neuronal differentiation of MSC.

Quantification of cell co-migration occurrences during cell aggregation on fibroin substrates.

A quantitative analytical method was proposed for measuring cell co-migration, which was defined as two or more cells migrating together. To accurately identify and quantify this behavior, cell migration on fibroin substrates was analyzed with respect to intercellular distance. Specifically, cell size was characterized by major diameter, and then, based on these measurements and cell center data, a specific threshold distance for defining co-migration was determined after analyzing cell motion using the Voronoi diagram method. The results confirmed that co-migration occurrences of rounded cells were significantly more stable on fibroin than on ProNectin substrates under the present experimental conditions. The cell co-migration analysis method in this article was shown to be successful in evaluating the stability of cell co-migration and also suggested the presence of "critical distance" where two cells interact on fibroin substrates. With further research, the cell co-migration analysis method and "critical distance" may prove to be capable of identifying the aggregation behavior of other cells on different materials, making it a valuable tool that can be used in tissue engineering design.

Fabrication of 2D and 3D constructs from reconstituted decellularized tissue extracellular matrices.

We demonstrated a novel process to reconstitute a decellularized extracellular matrix (Recon-ECM) of heart and liver tissue using a combination of mechanical homogenization and enzymatic digestion. Such Recon-ECM was used as a biomaterial to produce flat or micro-patterned 2D films after crosslinking using replica molding. The mechanical properties of the resulting films were tuned by changing the type of crosslinking reagents. We also demonstrated the fabrication of mechanically robust 3D scaffolds by freeze-drying of the Recon-ECM solution. The porosity of the 3D scaffold was controlled by changing the concentration of the Recon-ECM. HepG2 cells were used to investigate the potential substrate of these engineered 2D patterned and 3D porous structures. The cell attachment, proliferation, and urea synthesis were evaluated, and the results indicate that the scaffold generated from Recon-ECM provides a biologically friendly environment for cells to grow. This method provides a new way to use decellularized ECM as a source of biomaterial to produce novel scaffolds with better controlled micro- and nano-scale structures, tunable physicochemical properties with desired biological functions.

Quantitative evaluation of fibroblast migration on a silk fibroin surface and TGFBI gene expression.

Cell migration plays important roles in natural processes involving embryonic development, inflammation, wound healing, cancer metastasis and angiogenesis. Cell migration on various biomaterials is also believed to improve the rate of wound healing and implant therapies in the tissue-engineering field. This study measured the distance traversed, or mileage, of mouse fibroblasts on a silk fibroin surface. Fibroblasts on the fibroin surface moved with better progress during 24 h than cells on collagen or fibronectin surfaces. Results obtained by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) revealed that fibroblasts on the fibroin surface expressed transforming growth factor ß-induced protein (TGFBI), which is an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein, stronger than on other surfaces in the early cell-culture stages. These results demonstrate that the fibroin surface shows higher potential to enhance cell migration and the production of ECM than a collagen or fibronectin surface.