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Stem cells are cells that have the capacity to self-renew by dividing and to develop into more mature, specialised cells. Stem cells can be unipotent, multipotent, pluripotent or totipotent, depending on the number of cell types to which they can give rise.
Organelles called mitochondria are transferred to blood-vessel-forming cells by support cells. Unexpectedly, these mitochondria are degraded, kick-starting the production of new ones and boosting vessel formation.
A therapeutic strategy that alters gene expression in a rare and severe neurodevelopmental condition has been tested in stem-cell-based models of the disease, and has been shown to correct genetic and cellular defects.
DNA methylation (DNAm) clocks can track mitotic age, but their potential use for cancer risk prediction remains less explored. Here, the authors develop a DNAm counter of total mitotic age (stemTOC) that shows an increase of mitotic age in normal tissues and precancerous lesions.
Cell plasticity underlies development and regeneration. Here, the authors show that mouse lung alveolar type 2 cells undergo maturation postnatally and their plasticity is restricted by CEBPA and increases upon viral infection.
Regeneration of cardiac endothelial cells is challenging as these cells must receive proper cues for tissue formation and integrate in the pre-existing vasculature. Here, Farber et. al identify Sox17-Erg as an efficient combination to reprogram cardiac fibroblasts into endothelial-like cells both in vivo and in vitro.
Dysregulation of basal progenitor cells induces esophageal tumorigenesis but the underlying mechanism is less explored. Here, the authors show that Jag1/2 deficiency promotes expansion of basal progenitor cells, leading to reduced squamous epithelial differentiation and enhanced formation of squamous cell carcinoma in the foregut.
Organelles called mitochondria are transferred to blood-vessel-forming cells by support cells. Unexpectedly, these mitochondria are degraded, kick-starting the production of new ones and boosting vessel formation.