BACKGROUND: The effects of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell (UC-MSC) treatment on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients have been preliminarily characterized. However, real-world data on the safety and efficacy of intravenous transfusions of MSCs in hospitalized COVID-19 patients at the convalescent stage remain to be reported. METHODS: This was a single-arm, multicenter, real-word study in which a contemporaneous external control was included as the control group. Besides, severe and critical COVID-19 patients were considered together as the severe group, given the small number of critical patients. For a total of 110 patients, 21 moderate patients and 31 severe patients were enrolled in the MSC treatment group, while 26 moderate patients and 32 severe patients were enrolled in the control group. All patients received standard treatment. The MSC treatment patients additionally received intravenous infusions of MSCs at a dose of 4 × 10 7 cells on days 0, 3, and 6, respectively. The clinical outcomes, including adverse events (AEs), lung lesion proportion on chest computed tomography, pulmonary function, 6-min walking distance (6-MWD), clinical symptoms, and laboratory parameters, were measured on days 28, 90, 180, 270, and 360 during the follow-up visits. RESULTS: In patients with moderate COVID-19, MSC treatment improved pulmonary function parameters, including forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and maximum forced vital capacity (VCmax) on days 28 (FEV1, 2.75 [2.35, 3.23] vs . 2.11 [1.96, 2.35], P  = 0.008; VCmax, 2.92 [2.55, 3.60] vs . 2.47 [2.18, 2.68], P  = 0.041), 90 (FEV1, 2.93 [2.63, 3.27] vs . 2.38 [2.24, 2.63], P  = 0.017; VCmax, 3.52 [3.02, 3.80] vs . 2.59 [2.45, 3.15], P  = 0.017), and 360 (FEV1, 2.91 [2.75, 3.18] vs . 2.30 [2.16, 2.70], P  = 0.019; VCmax,3.61 [3.35, 3.97] vs . 2.69 [2.56, 3.23], P  = 0.036) compared with the controls. In addition, in severe patients, MSC treatment notably reduced the proportion of ground-glass lesions in the whole lung volume on day 90 ( P  = 0.045) compared with the controls. No difference in the incidence of AEs was observed between the two groups. Similarly, no significant differences were found in the 6-MWD, D-dimer levels, or interleukin-6 concentrations between the MSC and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the safety and potential of MSC treatment for improved lung lesions and pulmonary function in convalescent COVID-19 patients. However, comprehensive and long-term studies are required to confirm the efficacy of MSC treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000031430.
Humans ; COVID-19/therapy* ; Female ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Umbilical Cord/cytology* ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Infertility has become one of the most serious diseases worldwide, and 50% of this disease can be attributed to male-related factors. Spermatogenesis, by definition, is a complex process by which spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) self-renew to maintain stem cell population within the testes and differentiate into mature spermatids. It is of great significance to uncover gene regulation and signaling pathways that are involved in the fate determinations of SSCs with aims to better understand molecular mechanisms underlying human spermatogenesis and identify novel targets for gene therapy of male infertility. Significant achievement has recently been made in demonstrating the signaling molecules and pathways mediating the fate decisions of mammalian SSCs. In this review, we address key gene regulation and crucial signaling transduction pathways in controlling the self-renewal, differentiation, and apoptosis of SSCs, and we illustrate the networks of genes and signaling pathways in SSC fate determinations. We also highlight perspectives and future directions in SSC regulation by genes and their signaling pathways. This review could provide novel insights into the genetic regulation of normal and abnormal spermatogenesis and offer molecular targets to develop new approaches for gene therapy of male infertility.
Humans ; Male ; Signal Transduction/physiology* ; Apoptosis/physiology* ; Spermatogenesis/physiology* ; Cell Differentiation ; Adult Germline Stem Cells/physiology* ; Spermatogonia/cytology* ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Animals ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; Cell Self Renewal/genetics*

Icariin is a pure compound derived from Epimedium brevicornu Maxim, and it helps the regulation of male reproduction. Nevertheless, the role and underlying mechanisms of Icariin in mediating male germ cell development remain to be clarified. Here, we have demonstrated that Icariin promoted proliferation and DNA synthesis of mouse spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Furthermore, surface plasmon resonance iron (SPRi) and molecular docking (MOE) assays revealed that phosphodiesterase 5A (PDE5A) was an important target of Icariin in mouse SSCs. Mechanically, Icariin decreased the expression level of PDE5A. Interestingly, hydrogen peroxides (H 2 O 2 ) enhanced the expression level of phosphorylation H2A.X (p-H2A.X), whereas Icariin diminished the expression level of p-H2A.X and DNA damage caused by H 2 O 2 in mouse SSCs. Finally, our in vivo animal study indicated that Icariin protected male reproduction. Collectively, these results implicate that Icariin targets PDE5A to regulate mouse SSC viability and DNA damage and improves male reproductive capacity. This study thus sheds new insights into molecular mechanisms underlying the fate decisions of mammalian SSCs and offers a scientific basis for the clinical application of Icariin in male reproduction.
Male ; Animals ; Flavonoids/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5/drug effects* ; DNA Damage/drug effects* ; Cell Survival/drug effects* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Spermatogonia/drug effects* ; Reproduction/drug effects* ; Adult Germline Stem Cells/metabolism* ; DNA Replication/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between the types and quantities of immune cells in the graft and early immune reconstitution after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and their influence on clinical prognosis. METHODS: The clinical data of 83 patients with hematological diseases who received allo-HSCT in Shanxi Bethune Hospital from September 2020 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The number of mononuclear cells (MNC), CD34⁺ cells and lymphocyte subsets (including CD3⁺T, CD3⁺CD4⁺T(Th), CD3⁺CD8⁺T(Ts), NK cells and B cells) infused into the recipients was counted, and the peripheral blood lymphocytes were detected before conditioning and on days 14, 30, 60 and 100 post-HSCT. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis showed that the number of MNC in the graft affected the recovery of CD4⁺T lymphocytes after HSCT, and the number of CD4⁺T lymphocytes in the graft affected the recovery of NK cells and B cells after HSCT. The patient age, donor sex, stem cell source, degree of HLA matching, use of ATG before HSCT, the occurrence of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) after HSCT, and viral infection all affect the early cellular immune reconstitution post-HSCT. The number of infused cells had no significant impact on the median engraftment time for neutrophils and platelets after HSCT. Patients with lower numbers of CD3⁺T, CD4⁺T and B cells in the graft were more prone to viral infection after HSCT. However, the cells in the graft had no significant effect on disease recurrence or mortality. CONCLUSION The recovery rate of lymphocyte count after allo-HSCT varies. The numbers of MNC and CD4⁺T cells in the graft may be related to the cellular immune reconstitution after HSCT, while the numbers of CD34⁺,CD3⁺T,CD8⁺T,NK and B cells have no significant effect on the cellular immune reconstruction. The numbers of CD3⁺T,CD4⁺T and B cells in the graft were negatively correlated with viral infection after HSCT, but the cellular components of the graft have no obvious influence on hematopoietic reconstitution, disease recurrence, death, recurrence-free survival(RFS) and overall survival(OS) after HSCT.
Humans ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Immune Reconstitution ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Retrospective Studies ; Graft vs Host Disease/immunology* ; Male ; Female ; Killer Cells, Natural/immunology* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; B-Lymphocytes/immunology* ; Prognosis ; Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology* ; Adolescent

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) load in different lymphocyte subsets, as well as clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with hematologic malignancies experiencing EBV reactivation. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples from patients were collected. B, T, and NK cells were isolated sorting with magnetic beads by flow cytometry. The EBV load in each subset was quantitated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Clinical data were colleted from electronic medical records. Survival status was followed up through outpatient visits and telephone calls. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0. RESULTS: A total of 39 patients with hematologic malignancies were included, among whom 35 patients had undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The median time to EBV reactivation was 4.8 months (range: 1.7-57.1 months) after allo-HSCT. EBV was detected in B, T, and NK cells in 20 patients, in B and T cells in 11 patients, and only in B cells in 4 patients. In the 35 patients, the median EBV load in B cells was 2.19×10⁴ copies/ml, significantly higher than that in T cells (4.00×10³ copies/ml, P <0.01) and NK cells (2.85×10² copies/ml, P <0.01). Rituximab (RTX) was administered for 32 patients, resulting in EBV negativity in 32 patients with a median time of 8 days (range: 2-39 days). Post-treatment analysis of 13 patients showed EBV were all negative in B, T, and NK cells. In the four non-transplant patients, the median time to EBV reactivation was 35 days (range: 1-328 days) after diagnosis of the primary disease. EBV was detected in one or two subsets of B, T, or NK cells, but not simultaneously in all three subsets. These patients received a combination chemotherapy targeting at the primary disease, with 3 patients achieving EBV negativity, and the median time to be negative was 40 days (range: 13-75 days). CONCLUSION In hematologic malignancy patients after allo-HSCT, EBV reactivation commonly involves B, T, and NK cells, with a significantly higher viral load in B cells compared to T and NK cells. Rituximab is effective for EBV clearance. In non-transplant patients, EBV reactivation is restricted to one or two lymphocyte subsets, and clearance is slower, highlighting the need for prompt anti-tumor therapy.
Humans ; Hematologic Neoplasms/virology* ; Herpesvirus 4, Human/physiology* ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Virus Activation ; Lymphocyte Subsets/virology* ; Flow Cytometry ; Killer Cells, Natural/virology* ; Male ; Female ; B-Lymphocytes/virology* ; Viral Load ; Adult ; T-Lymphocytes/virology* ; Middle Aged

Lumbar disc (LD) herniation and aging are prevalent conditions that can result in substantial morbidity. This study aimed to clarify the mechanisms connecting the LD aging and herniation, particularly focusing on cellular senescence and molecular alterations in the nucleus pulposus (NP). We performed a detailed analysis of NP samples from a diverse cohort, including individuals of varying ages and those with diagnosed LD herniation. Our methodology combined histological assessments with single-nucleus RNA sequencing to identify phenotypic and molecular changes related to NP aging and herniation. We discovered that cellular senescence and a decrease in nucleus pulposus progenitor cells (NPPCs) are central to both processes. Additionally, we found an age-related increase in NFAT1 expression that promotes NPPC senescence and contributes to both aging and herniation of LD. This research offers fresh insights into LD aging and its associated pathologies, potentially guiding the development of new therapeutic strategies to target the root causes of LD herniation and aging.
Intervertebral Disc Displacement/metabolism* ; Humans ; Aging/pathology* ; Nucleus Pulposus/pathology* ; Male ; Female ; Transcriptome ; Middle Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/pathology* ; Adult ; Cellular Senescence ; Stem Cells/pathology* ; Aged ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of chemotherapy combined with venetoclax followed by allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for the treatment of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN). METHODS: The clinical data of 3 patients with BPDCN undergoing allo-HSCT in Department of Hematology, Wuhan First Hospital from July 2017 to November 2021 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 3 patients, there were 1 male and 2 females, aged 27-52 years old. Skin lesions were observed during initial diagnosis, and it could also be characterized by acute leukemia. Characteristic molecular markers of tumor cells, such as CD4, CD56, CD123, and CD303 were positive. In addition, the expression detection of Bcl-2 in 3 patients were positive. Chemotherapy combined with venetoclax in the initial induction of chemotherapy (1 case) or disease recurrence and progress (2 cases) was performed. There were 2 cases evaluated as complete remission (CR) and 1 case as partial remission (PR) before allo-HSCT. The patients all received a nonmyeloablative conditioning without total body irradiation (TBI). The prevention programme of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was antithymocyte globulin + mycophenolate mofetil + cyclosporin A/FK506 ± methotrexate. The number of mononuclear cell (MNC) count was (16.73-18.35)×10⁸/kg, and CD34⁺ cell count was (3.57-4.65)×10⁶/kg. The 3 patients were evaluated as CR after allo-HSCT (+21 to +28 d), the donor-recipient chimerism rate was 100%, and Ⅲ-Ⅳ GVHD was not observed. One patient died at +50 d after transplantation, two patients were followed up for 28 months and 15 months, respectively, and achieved disease-free survival (DFS). CONCLUSIONS BPDCN is a highly aggressive malignant tumor with poor prognosis. Chemotherapy combined with venetoclax followed by allo-HSCT may lead to long-term DFS or even cure. Post-transplant maintenance is still unclear.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Acute Disease ; Graft vs Host Disease/prevention & control* ; Myeloproliferative Disorders ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology* ; Dendritic Cells

Continuous self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) is vital for maintenance of adult spermatogenesis. Although several spermatogonial stem cell regulators have been extensively investigated in rodents, regulatory mechanisms of human SSC self-renewal and differentiation have not been fully established. We analyzed single-cell sequencing data from the human testis and found that forkhead box P4 (FOXP4) expression gradually increased with development of SSCs. Further analysis of its expression patterns in human testicular tissues revealed that FOXP4 specifically marks a subset of spermatogonia with stem cell potential. Conditional inactivation of FOXP4 in human SSC lines suppressed SSC proliferation and significantly activated apoptosis. FOXP4 expressions were markedly suppressed in tissues with dysregulated spermatogenesis. These findings imply that FOXP4 is involved in human SSC proliferation, which will help elucidate on the mechanisms controlling the fate decisions in human SSCs.
Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Forkhead Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Spermatogenesis/genetics* ; Spermatogonia/metabolism* ; Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Testis/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of patients with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm(BPDCN). METHODS: Clinical data of 5 patients diagnosed with BPDCN in Wuhan First Hospital and Wuhan Tongji Hospital from June 2016 to November 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 5 patients, 3 were male and 2 were female, with a median age of 28(10-52) years old. Four patients showed obvious skin damage at the initial diagnosis; the other one showed clinical manifestations of acute leukemia rather than obvious skin damage at the initial diagnosis, but infiltrated skin when the disease relapsed after treatment. Other infiltration sites of lesions included bone marrow (2/5), peripheral blood (2/5), lymph nodes (3/5), liver and spleen (2/5). All patients had no clinical manifestation of central nervous system infiltration. Tumor cell specific immune markers CD4, CD56, CD123 were all positive, and the median Ki-67 index was 70%. TET2, ASXL1 and NRAS gene mutations were found respectively in 3 patients by next-generation sequencing technique (NGS). ALL-like, AML-like and invasive NK/T cell lymphoma-like first-line induction chemotherapy regimens were used for the patients. One patient died of severe complications during the early stage of chemotherapy, 3 patients were evaluated as CR, and 1 patient was evaluated as PR. 2 patients were recurred and progressed after induction of chemotherapy, and one of them was evaluated as CR after re-treatment. One patient received autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) and got long-term survival (OS 87 months). 3 patients received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), of which one died of transplantation related complications, and 2 cases survived. The median follow-up time of 4 patients with evaluable efficacy was 28.5(9-84) months, the median OS time was 31.5(10-87) months. CONCLUSION BPDCN is a highly heterogeneous malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. HSCT, especially allo-HSCT can significantly improve the prognosis of BPDCN patients.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Leukemia/pathology* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Prognosis ; Myeloproliferative Disorders ; Skin Neoplasms/pathology* ; Acute Disease ; Dendritic Cells

Continuous spermatogenesis depends on the self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). SSCs, the only male reproductive stem cells that transmit genetic material to subsequent generations, possess an inherent self-renewal ability, which allows the maintenance of a steady stem cell pool. SSCs eventually differentiate to produce sperm. However, in an in vitro culture system, SSCs can be induced to differentiate into various types of germ cells. Rodent SSCs are well defined, and a culture system has been successfully established for them. In contrast, available information on the biomolecular markers and a culture system for livestock SSCs is limited. This review summarizes the existing knowledge and research progress regarding mammalian SSCs to determine the mammalian spermatogenic process, the biology and niche of SSCs, the isolation and culture systems of SSCs, and the biomolecular markers and identification of SSCs. This information can be used for the effective utilization of SSCs in reproductive technologies for large livestock animals, enhancement of human male fertility, reproductive medicine, and protection of endangered species.
Adult Germline Stem Cells ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Male ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatogonia ; Stem Cells