Human heart disease: lessons from human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes

Technical advances in generating and phenotyping cardiomyocytes from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC-CMs) are now driving their wider acceptance as in vitro models to understand human heart disease and discover therapeutic targets that may lead to new compounds for clinical use. Current literature clearly shows that hPSC-CMs recapitulate many molecular, cellular, and functional aspects of human heart pathophysiology and their responses to cardioactive drugs. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of hPSC-CMs models that have been described to date and highlight their most recent and remarkable contributions to research on cardiovascular diseases and disorders with cardiac traits. We conclude discussing immediate challenges, limitations, and emerging solutions.     

DNA synthesis in glial cells during nerve regeneration

Zusammenfassung Autoradiographie von Gliazellen, welche regenerierende motorische Nervenzellen umgeben, ergab eine stark erhöhte DNA-Synthese in den Gliazellen zwischen dem zweiten und sechsten Tag nach dem Nervenschaden. Morphologisch erscheinen typische Gliaveränderungen mit hochgradiger Hypertrophie der Astrocyten in der zweiten und dritten Woche nach der Operation.     

Pattern of adult eclosion during interspecific competition

Summary During interspecific competition, eggs of the same age, of 2 different species, experience different speeds of development. In each mixed culture there exist 2 different peaks of adult emergence. Here is a mechanism ensuring that the maximum number of one of the competing species emerges first followed by the other. The possible implications of this are discussed. Thanks are due to Dr S.R. Ramesh and Iris Sedlak for their assistance in the preparation of the line drawings.     

Inhibition of lens regeneration in the eye of the adult newt,Diemictylus viridescens

Résumé La comparaison immunoéléctrophorétique d'extrait du cristallin de salamandre avec de l'extrait du cristallin de poulet a montré que la différence essentielle réside dans le caractère antigénétique du-cristallin. La régénération du cristallin fut inhibée par les matières extraites du cristallin de salamandre mais non pas par celles qui provenaient du cristallin de poulet.

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This work was supported by a grant from the National Research Council of Canada toD. J. McCallion.     

Metabolism of the snailCryptozona ligulata during regeneration of optic tentacles

Summary The biochemical changes in the hemolymph and tissues were followed during regeneration of the optic tentacles of the snailCryptozona ligulata (Pulmonata-Stylommatophora). There is a remarkable increase in total carbohydrates in hemolymph and tissues and glycogen in tissues at the expense of free amino acids and fatty acids. It is clear that ablation of the optic tentacles stimulates carbohydrate synthesis through glyconeogenic routes. The optic tentacles regenerate completely in 18–21 days.     

RNA-induced biosynthesis of adult haemolobin in Coolye's disease

Riassunto L'introduzione nella cavità midollare dello sterno di soggetti affetti da morbo di Cooley di ARN II° estratto dalle cellule emopoiteiche normali, provoca un netto aumento della quota di HbA nelle cellule della serie eritroblastica.     

Muscle development, regeneration and laminopathies: how lamins or lamina-associated proteins can contribute to muscle development, regeneration and disease

The aim of this review article is to evaluate the current knowledge on associations between muscle formation and regeneration and components of the nuclear lamina. Lamins and their partners have become particularly intriguing objects of scientific interest since it has been observed that mutations in genes coding for these proteins lead to a wide range of diseases called laminopathies. For over the last 10 years, various laboratories worldwide have tried to explain the pathogenesis of these rare disorders. Analyses of the distinct aspects of laminopathies resulted in formulation of different hypotheses regarding the mechanisms of the development of these diseases. In the light of recent discoveries, A-type lamins—the main building blocks of the nuclear lamina—together with other key elements, such as emerin, LAP2α and nesprins, seem to be of great importance in the modulation of various signaling pathways responsible for cellular differentiation and proliferation.     

Cellular events in denervated limb stumps ofAmbystoma larvae during re-innervation and subsequent regeneration

Summary Amputated, denervatedAmbystoma forelimbs undergo cellular dedifferentiation and slight resorption through 12 days post-amputation. Subsequently, as limb stumps become re-innervated, there occur mitosis, blastema formation, and regeneration. The initial increase in the mitotic index in once-denervated limb stumps is closely correlated with the presence of ingrowing nerve fibres.This work was supported by grant PCM 76-11807 from the National Science Foundation.     

Nucleolar changes in spinal ganglion neurons during the course of axon regeneration

Résumé L'écrasement du nerf sciatique du rat modifie de plusieurs manières les nucléoles des neurones ganglionnaires rachidiens correspondants. Tandis que le volume de la pars amorpha augmente considérablement, le filament nucléolaire ou nucleolonema s'allonge, sa disposition est plus lâche, et sa coloration devient moins évidente. Ce processus atteint son maximum 15 jours après le résection du nerf et il est négligeable 60 jours plus tard. Les changements du nucleolonema et de la pars amorpha pourraient être en rapport avec la synthèse cytoplasmatique.

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Supported by grant No. AF 313-64 of the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research.     

Autoradiographic study on incorporation of leucine-H3 in peripheral nerves during regeneration

Zusammenfassung Durch Gabe von radioaktivem Leucin wurde festgestellt, dass im regenerierenden peripheren Nerven die Proteinsynthese in den Schwannschen Zellen deutlich erhöht ist. Verglichen damit ist die Eiweißsynthese in den Axonstümpfen, von denen die Regeneration ausgeht, geringfügig.