Abstract: Pericytes, the mural cells of blood microvessels, regulate microvascular development and function and have been implicated in many brain diseases. However, due to a paucity of defining markers, pericyte identification and functional characterization remain ambiguous and data interpretation problematic. In mice carrying two transgenic reporters, Pdgfrb-eGFP and NG2-DsRed, we found that double-positive cells were vascular mural cells, while the single reporters marked additional, but non-overlapping, neuroglial cells. Double-positive cells were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and analyzed by RNA sequencing. To reveal defining patterns of mural cell transcripts, we compared the RNA sequencing data with data from four previously published studies. The meta-analysis provided a conservative catalogue of 260 brain mural cell-enriched gene transcripts. We validated pericyte-specific expression of two novel markers, vitronectin (Vtn) and interferon-induced transmembrane protein 1 (Ifitm1), using fluorescent in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. We further analyzed signaling pathways and interaction networks of the pericyte-enriched genes in silico. This work provides novel insight into the molecular composition of brain mural cells. The reported gene catalogue facilitates identification of brain pericytes by providing numerous new candidate marker genes and is a rich source for new hypotheses for future studies of brain mural cell physiology and pathophysiology.

Abstract: Methods to identify genes encoding immunoglobulin heavy and light chains from single B lymphocytes vary in efficiency, error rate and practicability. Here we describe a protocol to sequence and clone the variable antibody region of single antigen-specific mouse memory B cells for antibody production. After purification, antigen-specific mouse memory B cells are first single-cell-sorted by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), and V(D)J transcripts are amplified by RT-PCR. Fragments are then combined with linearized expression vectors, assembled in vitro as part of a sequence- and ligation-independent cloning (SLIC) reaction and then transformed into Escherichia coli. Purified vectors can then be used to produce monoclonal antibodies in HEK293E suspension cells. This protocol improves the amplification efficiency of antibody variable genes and accelerates the cloning workflow. Antibody sequences will be available in 3-4 d, and microgram to milligram amounts of antibodies are produced within 14 d. The new protocol should be useful for addressing fundamental questions about antigen-specific memory B cell responses, as well as for characterizing antigen-specific antibodies.

Abstract: Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can provide a promising source of midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons for cell replacement therapy for Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, iPSC-derived donor cells inevitably contain tumorigenic or inappropriate cells. To eliminate these unwanted cells, cell sorting using antibodies for specific markers such as CORIN or ALCAM has been developed, but neither marker is specific for ventral midbrain. Here we employ a double selection strategy for cells expressing both CORIN and LMX1A::GFP, and report a cell surface marker to enrich mDA progenitors, LRTM1. When transplanted into 6-OHDA-lesioned rats, human iPSC-derived LRTM1+ cells survive and differentiate into mDA neurons in vivo, resulting in a significant improvement in motor behaviour without tumour formation. In addition, there was marked survival of mDA neurons following transplantation of LRTM1+ cells into the brain of an MPTP-treated monkey. Thus, LRTM1 may provide a tool for efficient and safe cell therapy for PD patients. Midbrain dopaminergic neurons generated from stem cells show promise for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Here, the authors use the cell surface marker, LRTM1, to enrich the midbrain dopaminergic progenitors and show improved motor function/cell survival when grafted into rat/monkey brains, respectively.

Abstract: Research on the relationship between aberrant long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and cancer stem cell (CSC) biology in cancer patients has been recently gaining attention. The goal of this study was to investigate whether the decreasing lncRNA HOTAIR expression would inhibit human colorectal cancer (CRC) stem cells. CD133(+)CSCs were isolated from human CRC LoVo cell line by using a magnetic-activated cell sorting system, and were transfected with the expression vector-based small hairpin RNA targeting HOTAIR (shHOTAIR). The ability of cellular proliferation, migration, invasion, colony-forming, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated molecule expression as well as the tumorigenicity of CD133(+)-shHOTAIR were evaluated by the MTT, wound-healing, cellular invasion, colony formation and Western blot assays, respectively. This study found that, when compared with control cells in vitro, CD133(+)-shHOTAIR exhibited the decreased HOTAIR expression, suppressed cellular proliferation, migration, invasion, colony-forming, and inhibited the Vimentin expression with increased E-cadherin expression. In particular, the down-regulation of the HOTAIR expression in CD133(+)CSCs markedly attenuated the tumor growth and lung metastasis in xenograft nude mice. Taken together, this study found that down-regulating the HOTAIR expression in CD133(+)CSCs could serve as a potential anti-cancer regimen to inhibit the invasiveness and metastasis of CRC CSCs.

Abstract: The isolation and study of cell-specific populations in the central nervous system (CNS) has gained significant interest in the neuroscience community. The ability to examine cell-specific gene and protein expression patterns in healthy and pathological tissue is critical for our understanding of CNS function. Several techniques currently exist to isolate cell-specific populations, each having their own inherent advantages and shortcomings. Isolation of distinct cell populations using magnetic sorting is a technique which has been available for nearly 3 decades, although rarely used in adult whole CNS tissue homogenate. In the current study we demonstrate that distinct cell populations can be isolated in rodents from early postnatal development through adulthood. We found this technique to be amendable to customization using commercially available membrane-targeted antibodies, allowing for cell-specific isolation across development and animal species. This technique yields RNA which can be utilized for downstream applications-including quantitative PCR and RNA sequencing-at relatively low cost and without the need for specialized equipment or fluorescently labeled cells. Adding to its utility, we demonstrate that cells can be isolated largely intact, retaining their processes, enabling analysis of extrasomatic proteins. We propose that magnetic cell sorting will prove to be a highly useful technique for the examination of cell specific CNS populations.

Abstract: Recent advances in cell sorting aim at the development of novel methods that are sensitive to various mechanical properties of cells. Microfluidic technologies have a great potential for cell sorting; however, the design of many micro-devices is based on theories developed for rigid spherical particles with size as a separation parameter. Clearly, most bioparticles are non-spherical and deformable and therefore exhibit a much more intricate behavior in fluid flow than rigid spheres. Here, we demonstrate the use of cells' mechanical and dynamical properties as biomarkers for separation by employing a combination of mesoscale hydrodynamic simulations and microfluidic experiments. The dynamic behavior of red blood cells (RBCs) within deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) devices is investigated for different device geometries and viscosity contrasts between the intra-cellular fluid and suspending medium. We find that the viscosity contrast and associated cell dynamics clearly determine the RBC trajectory through a DLD device. Simulation results compare well to experiments and provide new insights into the physical mechanisms which govern the sorting of non-spherical and deformable cells in DLD devices. Finally, we discuss the implications of cell dynamics for sorting schemes based on properties other than cell size, such as mechanics and morphology.

Abstract: The present study was performed to investigate the effect of resveratrol (trans-3,4′,5-trihydroxystilbene) present as a natural phytoalexin in grapes, peanuts, and red wine on oral squamous cancer cell lines, SCC-VII, SCC-25, and YD-38. MTS assay and flow cytometry, respectively, were used for the analysis of inhibition of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Western blot analysis was performed to examine the effect of resveratrol on the expression of proteins associated with cell cycle regulation. The results revealed a concentration- and time-dependent inhibition of proliferation in all the three tested cell lines on treatment with resveratrol. The IC50 of resveratrol for SCC-VII, SCC-25, and YD-38 cell lines was found to be 0.5, 0.7, and 1.0 μg/ml, respectively, after 48-h treatment. Examination of the cell cycle analysis showed that resveratrol treatment induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and enhanced the expression of phospho-cdc2 (Tyr 15), cyclin A2, and cyclin B1 in the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells. It also caused a marked increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells as revealed by the fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. Thus, resveratrol exhibits inhibitory effect on the proliferation of OSCC oral cancer cells through the induction of apoptosis and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest.

Abstract: Acknowledgements Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are being increasingly pursued as potential therapies for immune-mediated conditions, including multiple sclerosis. Although they can suppress human Th1 responses, they reportedly can reciprocally enhance human Th17 responses. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the capacity of hMSCs to modulate human Th1 and Th17 responses. Human adult bone marrow-derived MSCs were isolated, and their purity and differentiation capacity were confirmed. Human venous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were activated, alone, together with hMSC, or in the presence of hMSC-derived supernatants (sups). Cytokine expression by CD4+ T-cell subsets (intracellular staining by fluorescence-activated cell sorting) and secreted cytokines (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) were then quantified. The contribution of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) as well as of myeloid cells to the hMSC-mediated regulation of T-cell responses was investigated by selective depletion of PGE2 from the hMSC sups (anti-PGE2 beads) and by the selective removal of CD14+ cells from the PBMC (magnetic-activated cell sorting separation). Human MSC-secreted products could reciprocally induce interleukin-17 expression while decreasing interferon-γ expression by human CD4+ T cells, both in coculture and through soluble products. Pre-exposure of hMSCs to IL-1β accentuated their capacity to reciprocally regulate Th1 and Th17 responses. Human MSCs secreted high levels of PGE2, which correlated with their capacity to regulate the T-cell responses. Selective removal of PGE2 from the hMSC supernatants abrogated the impact of hMSC on the T cells. Selective removal of CD14+ cells from the PBMCs also limited the capacity of hMSC-secreted PGE2 to affect T-cell responses. Our discovery of a novel PGE2-dependent and myeloid cell-mediated mechanism by which human MSCs can reciprocally induce human Th17 while suppressing Th1 responses has implications for the use of, as well as monitoring of, MSCs as a potential therapeutic for patients with multiple sclerosis and other immune-mediated diseases. Although animal studies have generated a growing interest in the anti-inflammatory potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, MSCs possess the capacity to both limit and promote immune responses. Yet relatively little is known about human-MSC modulation of human disease-implicated T-cell responses, or the mechanisms underlying such modulation. The current study reveals a novel prostaglandin E2-dependent and myeloid cell-mediated mechanism by which human MSCs can reciprocally regulate human Th17 and Th1 responses, with implications for the use of MSCs as a potential therapeutic for patients with multiple sclerosis and other immune-mediated diseases.

Abstract: This study aimed to explore cell surface biomarkers related to cancer stem cells (CSCs) and their role in the tumorigenesis of colon cancer. Various colon cancer cell lines were screened for CD133 and CD44 expression. CD44(high)/CD133(high) and CD44(low)/CD133(low) cells were separately isolated by Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS). The cell proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle characteristics, and tumorigenic properties in CD44(high)/CD133(high) and CD44(low)/CD133(low) cells were investigated through in vitro experiments and in vivo tumor xenograft models. The expression profiles of stem cell-related genes were examined by RT-PCR. With HCT-116 cells, flow cytometry analysis revealed that CD44(high)/CD133(high) cells had higher proliferation potency than CD44(low)/CD133(low) cells. Compared to CD44(low)/CD133(low) cells, CD44(high)/CD133(high) cells had more stem cell-related genes, and displayed increased tumorigenic ability. In summary, CD44(high)/CD133(high) cells isolated from HCT-116 cells harbor CSC properties that may be related to the tumor growth of colon cancer. These results suggest that CD44 and CD133 could be strong markers of colorectal cancer stem cells.

Abstract: Single cell Raman spectroscopy measures a spectral fingerprint of the biochemistry of cells, and provides a powerful method for label-free detection of living cells without the involvement of a chemical labelling strategy. However, as the intrinsic Raman signals of cells are inherently weak, there is a significant challenge in discriminating and isolating cells in a flowing stream. Here we report an integrated Raman-microfluidic system for continuous sorting of a stream of cyanobacteria, Synechocystis sp. PCC6803. These carotenoid-containing microorganisms provide an elegant model system enabling us to determine the sorting accuracy using the subtly different resonance Raman spectra of microorganism cultured in a (12)C or (13)C carbon source. Central to the implementation of continuous flow sorting is the use of "pressure dividers" that eliminate fluctuations in flow in the detection region. This has enabled us to stabilise the flow profile sufficiently to allow automated operation with synchronisation of Raman acquisition, real-time classification and sorting at flow rates of ca. <100 μm s(-1), without the need to "trap" the cells. We demonstrate the flexibility of this approach in sorting mixed cell populations with the ability to achieve 96.3% purity of the selected cells at a speed of 0.5 Hz.

Abstract: Study hypothesis We investigated whether DEAD-box polypeptide 4 (DDX4) positive cells from post-natal ovaries of germline lineage reporter mice can be isolated based on endogenously expressed fluorescent proteins and used to establish a cell line for producing offspring. Study finding DDX4-positive cells from post-natal ovaries of germline lineage reporter mice can be isolated and used to establish a cell line for producing offspring. What is known already In recent years, female germline stem cells (FGSCs) have been isolated from the ovaries of post-natal mice by magnetic-activated cell sorting or fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) relying on an antibody against DDX4. However, whether DDX4-positive cells from post-natal ovaries of germline lineage reporter mice can be established without using an antibody, as well as a cell line established for producing offspring, remains unknown. Study design, samples/materials, methods To obtain the expected offspring (Ddx4-Cre;mT/mG mice), Ddx4-Cre mice were crossed with mT/mG mice. In the ovaries of Ddx4-Cre;mT/mG mice, germ cells were destined to express enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) while somatic cells still express tandem dimer Tomato (tdTomato). Therefore, the germ cells could be clearly distinguished from somatic cells by fluorescent proteins. Then, we investigated the pattern of fluorescent cells in the ovaries of 21-day-old Ddx4-Cre;mT/mG mice under a fluorescent microscope. Germ cells were sorted by FACS without using antibody and used to establish a FGSC line. The FGSC line was analyzed by DDX4 immunostaining, Edu (5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine) labeling, and RT-PCR for germ cell markers. Finally, the physiological function of the FGSC line was examined by transplanting FGSCs into the ovaries of sterilized recipients and subsequent mating. Main results and the role of chance Firstly, we have successfully isolated FGSCs from the ovaries of 21-day-old Ddx4-Cre;mT/mG mice based on endogenously expressed fluorescent proteins. FACS was used to separate the cells and 2.3% of all viable cells was EGFP-positive germ cells. Subsequently, a FGSC line was established that was doubly positive for DDX4 immunostaining and Edu labeling. The mRNA expression of several germ cell markers in this cell line, such as Ddx4, Deleted in azoospermia-like (Dazl), B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein-1 (Blimp1), Stella and Fragilis, was detected. Lastly, the FGSC line was proven to be functional under physiological conditions, as offspring were produced after transplanting FGSCs into ovaries of sterilized recipients and a subsequent mating. Limitations, reasons for caution The molecular mechanisms of proliferation and differentiation of FGSCs in vivo and in vitro still need to be elucidated. Wider implications of the findings Our results confirm that DDX4-positive cells can be separated from post-natal mouse ovaries and used to establish cell lines that are functional in producing offspring, and provide further evidence for the existence of post-natal FGSCs in mammals. The Ddx4-Cre;mT/mG mouse strain is an ideal model for the isolation, characterization and propagation of FGSCs and is a useful tool for fully elucidating the molecular mechanisms of proliferation and differentiation of FGSCs in vivo and in vitro. Large scale data none. Study funding and competing interests This work was supported by National Basic Research Program of China (2013CB967401) and the National Nature Science Foundation of China (81370675, 81200472 and 81421061). The authors declare no competing interests.

Abstract: Obtaining highly purified differentiated cells via directed differentiation from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is an essential step for their clinical application. Among the various conditions that should be optimized, the precise role and contribution of the extracellular matrix (ECM) during differentiation are relatively unclear. Here, using a short fragment of laminin 411 (LM411-E8), an ECM predominantly expressed in the vascular endothelial basement membrane, we demonstrate that the directed switching of defined ECMs robustly yields highly-purified (>95%) endothelial progenitor cells (PSC-EPCs) without cell sorting from hPSCs in an integrin-laminin axis-dependent manner. Single-cell RNA-seq analysis revealed that LM411-E8 resolved intercellular transcriptional heterogeneity and escorted the progenitor cells to the appropriate differentiation pathway. The PSC-EPCs gave rise to functional endothelial cells both in vivo and in vitro. We therefore propose that sequential switching of defined matrices is an important concept for guiding cells towards desired fate.

Abstract: When comparing hepatic phenotypes between iPSC-derived hepatocyte-like cells from different liver disease patients, cell heterogeneity can confound interpretation. We proposed that homogeneous cell populations could be generated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Using cell-surface capture proteomics, we identified a total of 300 glycoproteins on hepatocytes. Analyses of the expression profiles during the differentiation of iPSCs revealed that SLC10A1, CLRN3, and AADAC were highly enriched during the final stages of hepatocyte differentiation. FACS purification of hepatocyte-like cells expressing SLC10A1, CLRN3, or AADAC demonstrated enrichment of cells with hepatocyte characteristics. Moreover, transcriptome analyses revealed that cells expressing the liver gene regulatory network were enriched while cells expressing a pluripotent stem cell network were depleted. In conclusion, we report an extensive catalog of cell-surface N-linked glycoproteins expressed in primary hepatocytes and identify cell-surface proteins that facilitate the purification of homogeneous populations of iPSC-derived hepatocyte-like cells.

Abstract: Fetal and adult Leydig cells develop in mammalian prenatal and postnatal testes, respectively. In mice, fetal Leydig cells (FLCs) emerge in the interstitial space of the testis at embryonic day 12.5 and thereafter increase in number, possibly through differentiation from progenitor cells. However, the progenitor cells have not yet been identified. Previously, we established transgenic mice in which FLCs are labeled strongly with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). Interestingly, fluorescence-activated cell sorting provided us with weakly EGFP-labeled cells as well as strongly EGFP-labeled FLCs. In vitro reconstruction of fetal testes demonstrated that weakly EGFP-labeled cells contain FLC progenitors. Transcriptome from the 2 cell populations revealed, as expected, marked differences in the expression of genes required for growth factor/receptor signaling and steroidogenesis. In addition, genes for energy metabolisms such as glycolytic pathways and the citrate cycle were activated in strongly EGFP-...

Abstract: Cell segregation is the process by which cells self-organize to establish developmental boundaries, an essential step in tissue formation. Cell segregation is a common outcome of Eph/ephrin signaling, but the mechanisms remain unclear. In craniofrontonasal syndrome, X-linked mosaicism for ephrin-B1 expression has been hypothesized to lead to aberrant Eph/ephrin-mediated cell segregation. Here, we use mouse genetics to exploit mosaicism to study cell segregation in the mammalian embryo and integrate live-cell imaging to examine the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. Our data demonstrate that dramatic ephrin-B1-mediated cell segregation occurs in the early neuroepithelium. In contrast to the paradigm that repulsive bidirectional signaling drives cell segregation, unidirectional EphB kinase signaling leads to cell sorting by the Rho kinase-dependent generation of a cortical actin differential between ephrin-B1- and EphB-expressing cells. These results define mechanisms of Eph/ephrin-mediated cell segregation, implicating unidirectional regulation of cortical actomyosin contractility as a key effector of this fundamental process.

Abstract: This paper reports the characterization and sorting of cells based on stiffness contrast. Cell stiffness is characterized in terms of elastic modulus, deformability index and hydrodynamic resistance. For different cell types, elastic modulus is measured using nanoindentation experiments on AFM and deformability index of cells is measured by hydrodynamic stretching of the cells in a flow focusing microchannel device. Hydrodynamic resistance of cells is obtained by measuring the excess pressure drop across a segment of a microchannel and correlated with cell size ρc and elastic modulus using a large set of experimental data. The highly-invasive malignant breast cancer cells MDA MB 231, non-invasive malignant breast cancer cells MCF 7, human promyelocytic leukaemia cells HL60 and the cervical cancer cells HeLa are considered in the present study. A microfluidic device with focusing and spacing control for stiffness based sorting of cells was designed and fabricated. Experiments were performed to demonstrate cell sorting and characterize the device performance in terms of sorting efficiency, which was found to depend on the stiffness contrast. The proposed device has potential to be used as a lab on chip diagnostic tool for sorting of diseased cells from healthy cells based on stiffness contrast.

Abstract: We leveraged IDH wild type glioblastomas and derivative neurospheres to define tumor-intrinsic transcription phenotypes. Transcriptomic multiplicity correlated with increased intratumoral heterogeneity and tumor microenvironment presence. In silico cell sorting demonstrated that M2 macrophages/microglia are the most frequent type of immune cells in the glioma microenvironment, followed by CD4 T lymphocytes and neutrophils. Hypermutation associated with CD8+ T cell enrichment. Longitudinal transcriptome analysis of 124 pairs of primary and recurrent gliomas showed expression subtype is retained in 53% of cases with no proneural to mesenchymal transition being apparent. Inference of the tumor microenvironment through gene signatures revealed a decrease in invading monocytes but a subtype dependent increase in M2 macrophages/microglia cells after disease recurrence. All expression datasets are accessible through http://recur.bioinfo.cnio.es/.

Abstract: There is increasing evidence suggesting the important role of inflammation and, subsequently, macrophages in the development and progression of renal disease. Macrophages are heterogeneous cells that have been implicated in kidney injury. Macrophages may be classified into two different phenotypes: classically activated macrophages (M1 macrophages), that release pro-inflammatory cytokines and promote fibrosis; and alternatively activated macrophages (M2 macrophages) that are associated with immunoregulatory and tissue-remodeling functions. These macrophage phenotypes need to be discriminated and analyzed to determine their contribution to renal injury. However, there are scarce studies reporting consistent phenotypic and functional information about macrophage subtypes in inflammatory renal disease models, especially in rats. This fact may be related to the limited macrophage markers used in rats, contrary to mice. Therefore, novel strategies are necessary to quantify and characterize the renal content of these infiltrating cells in a reliable way. This manuscript details a protocol for kidney digestion and further phenotypic and quantitative analysis of macrophages from rat kidneys by flow cytometry. Briefly, kidneys were incubated with collagenase and total macrophages were identified according to the dual presence of CD45 (leukocytes common antigen) and CD68 (PAN macrophage marker) in live cells.This was followed by surface staining of CD86 (M1 marker) and CD163 (M2 marker). Rat peritoneal macrophages were used as positive control for macrophage marker detection by flow cytometry. Our protocol resulted in low cellular mortality and allowed characterization of different intracellular and surface protein markers, thus limiting the loss of cellular integrity observed in other protocols. Moreover, this procedure allows the use of macrophages for further techniques, including cell sorting and mRNA or protein expression studies, among others.

Abstract: The proteome profiles of specific cell types have recently been investigated using techniques such as fluorescence activated cell sorting and laser capture microdissection. However, quantitative proteomic analysis of specific cell types has not yet been performed. In this study, to investigate the response of the proteome to zinc, magnesium, and calcium deficiency in specific cell types of Arabidopsis thaliana roots, we performed isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ)-based quantitative proteomics using GFP-expressing protoplasts collected by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Protoplasts were collected from the pGL2-GFPer and pMGP-GFPer marker lines for epidermis or inner cell lines (pericycle, endodermis, and cortex), respectively. To increase the number of proteins identified, iTRAQ-labeled peptides were separated into 24 fractions by OFFGFEL electrophoresis prior to high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry analysis. Overall, 1039 and 737 proteins were identified and quantified in the epidermal and inner cell lines, respectively. Interestingly, the expression of many proteins was decreased in the epidermis by mineral deficiency, although a weaker effect was observed in inner cell lines such as the pericycle, endodermis, and cortex. Here, we report for the first time the quantitative proteomics of specific cell types in Arabidopsis roots.

Abstract: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cause of the tumor worldwide, its incidence is increasing year by year. This study aims to investigate the sorting and biological characteristics of side population (SP) cells. Human HCC tissues used were obtained from patients undergoing surgical resection. SP cells were sorted using flow cytometry. Cell cycle assay, apoptosis assay and colony formation assay were performed to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis. Invasion assay was employed to examine SP cell invasion. Tumorigenicity assay was used to evaluate tumorigenicity. HCC related microRNAs (miRNA) were analyzed using Micro-array analysis. Target genes were predicted using miRNA database. GO analsis was employed to predict target gene function. Apoptosis percentage was lower and cell viability was higher in SP cells than non-SP (NSP) cells. Colony forming ability of SP cells was significantly higher than NSP cells. Transwell assay positive cells in SP cells were higher significantly than NSP cells. Tumorigenicity of SP cells was higher significantly than NSP cells. 107 differentially expression miRNA were discovered, including 45 up-expressed miRNAs and 62 down-expressed miRNAs in SP cells. Up-regulated hsa-miR-193b-3p and hsa-miR-505-3p predict 25 and 35 target genes, and correlated with 4 and 42 GO terms, respectively. Down-regulated hsa-miR-200a-3p, hsa-miR-194-5p, hsa-miR-130b-3p predict 133, 48 and 127 target genes, and correlate with 10, 7 and 109 GO terms, respectively. In conclusion, proliferation, colony formation, anti-apoptosis, self-renewal capavility, invasive characteristic and tumorigenicity in SP cells isolated from HCC tissues was higher compared to NSP cells. Therefore, sorted SP cells could characterize with biological functions of cancer stem cells.

Abstract: The ability to capture, enrich, and propagate circulating cancer cells/circulating tumor cells (CTCs) for downstream analyses such as ex vivo drug-sensitivity testing of short-term cultures of CTCs, single cell sorting of CTCs by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS), animal injection tumor and/or metastasis formation studies, next generation sequencing (NGS), gene expression profiling, gene copy number determination, and epigenomic analyses is of high priority and of immense importance to both the basic research and translational/clinical research communities. Vitatex Inc.'s functional cell separation technology, constructed as Vita-Assay™ (AG6W, AN6W, AR6W) culture plates, is based on the preferential adhesion of invasive rare blood cells of tissue origin to a tissue or tumor microenvironment mimic-the so-called cell adhesion matrix (CAM), which has a demonstrated ability to enrich viable CTCs from blood up to one-million fold.The CAM-scaffold allows for the functional capture and identification of invasive CTCs (iCTCs) including invasive tumor progenitor (TP) cells from cancer-patients' blood. CAM-captured CTCs are capable of ingesting the CAM (CAM+) itself. Green and red fluorescent versions of Vita-Assay™ (AG6W and AR6W) allow for direct visualization of CAM-uptake by cancer cells. Vita-Assay™ CAM-enrichment has allowed for sensitive multiplex flow cytometric and microscopic detection of iCTCs from patients with cancers of the breast, ovary, prostate, pancreas, colorectum, and lung; it has also been successfully utilized for ex vivo drug-sensitivity testing of ovarian-cancer patient CTCs. The CAM enrichment method is equally suitable for the separation of iCTCs and TP cells in ascites and pleural fluid.

Abstract: Contents Research on bovine embryonic stem cells (bESCs) has been hampered because bESCs are cultured in conditions that are based on information obtained from culturing mouse and human inner cell mass (ICM) cells. The aim of this study was to compare gene expression in ICM and trophectoderm (TE) cell lineages of bovine embryos and to discuss the findings relative to information available for mice and humans. We separated a high-purity (>90%) ICM and TE from bovine blastocysts by magnetic-activated cell sorting and analysed their transcriptomes by single cell RNA-seq. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were assessed using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. Finally, qRT-PCR was performed to validate the RNA-seq results. From 207 DEGs identified (adjusted p ≤ .05; fold change ≥2), 159 and 48 had greater expression in the ICM and TE cells respectively. We validated 27 genes using qRT-PCR and found their expression patterns were mostly similar to those of RNA-seq, including 12 novel ICM-dominant (HNF4A, CCL24, FGFR4, IFITM3, PTCHD2, GJB5, FN1, KLK7, PRDM14, GRP, FGF19 and GCM1) and two novel TE-dominant (SLC10A1 and WNT4) genes. Bioinformatics analysis showed that these DEGs are involved in many important pathways, such as MAPK and cancer cell pathways, and these pathways have been shown to play essential roles in mouse and human ESCs in the self-renewal and pluripotent maintenance. As a conclusion, there were sufficient differences to allow us to conclude that the control of pluripotency in bovine ICM cells is species-specific.

Abstract: Many long noncoding RNAs have been reported to play pivotal roles in cancer biology. Among them, the long noncoding RNA ZNFX1-AS1 has been confirmed to function in breast cancer progression, but the role of ZNFX1-AS1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth and the related molecular mechanisms still remains unknown. In the present study, we first identified the expression of ZNFX1-AS1 in HCC patients' specimens and HCC cell lines through quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Next, the effects of ZNFX1-AS1 on HCC cell growth and apoptosis were analyzed. MTT assay was used to measure the cell numbers, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis was performed to evaluate cell apoptosis. Finally, the relationship between ZNFX1-AS1 and miR-9 in HCC was studied. Our results suggest that ZNFX1-AS1 was markedly downregulated in HCC samples and cell lines. Overexpression of ZNFX1-AS1 inhibited the cell proliferation and colony formation in HCC cell lines and also induced HCC cell apoptosis. Additionally, miR-9 was lowly expressed in HCC tissues and positively correlated with ZNFX1-AS1 expression. Meanwhile, significant upregulation of miR-9 and downregulation of the methylation of miR-9 promoter CpG island were observed when ZNFX1-AS1 was overexpressed. In summary, our results indicate that ZNFX1-AS1 plays a vital role in HCC progression via regulating the methylation of miR-9 and may be a potential tumor suppressor.

Abstract: Background: It is supposed that human colorectal cancer consists of a phenotypically distinct population of tumorigenic cancer cells known as cancer stem cells (CSCs) which play a pivotal role in cancer progression, maintenance, metastasis, and the relapse.The aim of this effort was to investigate and compare biological characterizations of CD133+ with CD133? cell subsets isolated from both primary and metastatic human colorectal tumors. Materials and Methods: Using our optimized protocols, unfixed colorectal tumors were enzymatically and mechanically dissociated into single cells followed by evaluation of postdigestion viability. The obtained single cell suspensions were then subjected to cell sorting using magnetic beads according to CD133 marker. The resultant CD133+ and CD133? cell subsets were cultured in specific cell culture medium followed by aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH) activity assessment and flow cytometric analyses. Results: The results demonstrate that CD133+ cells have smaller size and lower complexity of intracellular structure, sphere formation ability, and ALDH enzyme activity while CD133? cells isolated from primary colon cancer samples were not able to form a sphere and did not show ALDH enzyme activity. Intriguingly, CD133? cells isolated from metastatic colorectal cancer specimen were able to form a sphere and shown ALDH enzyme activity. The present study indicates that our results are in agreement with SC theory and possibility of the existence of cellular plasticity among cancer subpopulations should be portrayed. Conclusion: We also conclude that this cellular plasticity is greatly affected by tumor microenvironment cues and the role of CSCs niche in cancer therapeutic strategies should be precisely considered. Key words: Cancer stem cells, cancer therapy, cellular plasticity, colorectal cancer

Abstract: Purpose To evaluate the potential carcinogenic effects of radiofrequency energy (RFE) emitted by cell phones on human thyroid primary cells.Materials and methods Primary thyroid cell culture was prepared from normal thyroid tissue obtained from patients who underwent surgery at our department. Subconfluent thyroid cells were irradiated under different conditions inside a cell incubator using a device that simulates cell phone-RFE. Proliferation of control and irradiated cells was assessed by the immunohistochemical staining of antigen Kiel clone-67 (Ki-67) and tumor suppressor p53 (p53) expression. DNA ploidy and the stress biomarkers heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was evaluated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).Results Our cells highly expressed thyroglobulin (Tg) and sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) confirming the origin of the tissue. None of the irradiation conditions evaluated here had an effect neither on the proliferation marker Ki-67 nor on p53 exp...