Feature Channels: Stem Cells

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Zhang et al. show that the mechanical properties of a three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel can enhance the secretion of niche factors from bone marrow stromal cells, which in turn promotes the maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and reverses a

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Li et al. report on the generation of cynomolgus monkey models of blastocyst-stage embryos (called “blastoids”) using naive cynomolgus embryonic stem cells. These blastoids recapitulate gastrulation in vitro and induce early pregnancy responses

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Shivdasani et al. assign niche functions to specific mesenchymal cell types near stem cells at the base of intestinal crypts. They identify PDGFRAlo fibroblasts as a substantial source of requisite Wnt ligands and show that BMP signaling from crypt

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Stem cell-based embryo models provide a useful system for studying early embryonic development. Li and colleagues reported the generation of cynomolgus monkey blastoids with similar characteristics to natural blastocysts. These blastoids possess the

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The existence of adult beta cell neogenesis has been controversial, with numerous papers published arguing for and against over the years, and many conclusions in the field are thus based on studies that were performed years and sometimes decades ago

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Marchiano and colleagues interrogate the underlying causes of ventricular arrhythmias occurring after human pluripotent stem cell-cardiomyocyte transplantation. Through stepwise analysis and gene editing of ion channel expression, they mitigate pace-

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Engraftment arrhythmia (EA) compromises the safety of hPSC-CM cell therapy. We hypothesized that spontaneous graft depolarizations are the source of EAs. We used a CRISPR screen to demonstrate that targeting excitatory channels HCN4, CACNA1H, and SLC

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Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with reduced adult hippocampal neurogenesis and impaired hippocampal-dependent behaviors. Li et al. report that stimulating adult neurogenesis combined with new-born neuron activation ameliorates behavioral s

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The process of generating adult-born neurons (ABNs) in the hippocampus is impaired in AD. Song and colleagues report a circuit-based strategy by stimulating SuM to enhance hippocampal neurogenesis in AD mice. Activation of SuM-modified ABNs restores

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The paucity of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) presents a challenge for both transplantation and the study of HSCs.1 Sakurai et al.2 now present a cytokine-free culture system for robust ex vivo expansion of functional human HSCs that may lead to e

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Magenheim et al. challenge a recent study claiming that pancreatic beta cells are generated at a physiologically important rate from progenitor cells within ducts. They show that the lineage-tracing systems used in that study do in fact pulse label

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Yue and colleagues demonstrate that matrix stiffness negatively regulates the HSC niche factor expression by BMSCs. They successfully engineer a soft bone marrow niche that not only promotes HSC maintenance and lymphopoiesis but also rejuvenates midd

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Small molecule-induced cell fate transitions are characterized by low efficiency and slow kinetics. An optimized chemical reprogramming approach now facilitates the robust and rapid conversion of somatic cells to pluripotent stem cells, unlocking exc

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Banjac et al. review the mechanisms behind homeostasis and regeneration in the epidermis, hematopoietic system, and intestinal epithelium with an emphasis on tissue stem cells. They highlight key challenges facing the field with reference to underst

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Chemical reprogramming provides a robust approach for cell fate manipulation. Here, Deng and colleagues developed a highly reproducible and efficient chemical reprogramming method for the induction of human pluripotent stem cells and revealed increas