The quest for an effective and safe personalized cell therapy using epigenetic tools
T A L Brevini1, G Pennarossa1, E F M Manzoni1
1Laboratory of Biomedical Embryology, Unistem, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy.
Clinical Epigenetics
|November 29, 2016
Summary
Epigenetic plasticity allows cells to adapt to environmental cues, influencing cell fate and specialization. Understanding these mechanisms is key for personalized medicine, cell therapy, and regenerative medicine applications.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics and Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Genomics and Personalized Medicine
Background:
- Phenotypic variation arises from genotype-environment interactions, a property known as plasticity.
- Epigenetic mechanisms like DNA methylation and histone modifications regulate gene expression and cell fate.
- Epigenetic alterations are implicated in diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in small molecule approaches for personalized medicine.
- To discuss the application of epigenetic understanding in drug targeting and cell therapy.
- To explore the potential for direct cell type conversion in regenerative medicine.
Main Methods:
- Discussion of current literature on epigenetic mechanisms and their role in cell plasticity.
- Analysis of small molecule interventions for targeted epigenetic modulation.
- Review of strategies for cell phenotype switching and generation of cells for medical use.
Main Results:
- Epigenetic mechanisms provide tools to modify cell phenotypes for therapeutic applications.
- Personalized medicine approaches are crucial for treating diseases with genetic and epigenetic heterogeneity.
- Small molecules offer promising avenues for targeted therapies and cell-based treatments.
Conclusions:
- Harnessing epigenetic plasticity is vital for advancing personalized medicine and cell therapies.
- Direct cell conversion holds significant potential for regenerative medicine and clinical applications.
- Further research into epigenetic mechanisms will drive innovation in disease treatment and tissue regeneration.
Related Concept Videos
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
6.3K
Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
6.3K
01:19Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells
3.4K
Epidermal stem cells (EpiSCs) are mainly located at the basal layer of the epidermis. These cells repair minor injuries of the skin and replace dead skin cells. However, EpiSCs’ cannot heal severe wounds such as major burns or those from diabetes or hereditary disorders. In such cases, culturing the epidermal stem cells from the patient is possible and has yielded successful treatment options, such as laboratory-grown skin grafts. These grafts are synthesized using a patient’s own...
3.4K
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
9.0K
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
9.0K
01:24Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming
2.2K
Nuclear reprogramming is a process of transforming one cell type into an unrelated cell type by epigenetic changes that alter the cell’s original gene expression pattern. Such epigenetic changes force cells to express a different set of genes, which play a significant role in inducing transformation into other cell types. Nuclear reprogramming offers applications in reproductive cloning for livestock propagation and regenerative medicine — developing patient-specific cells for...
2.2K
01:22iPS Cell Differentiation
3.2K
The ability of induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs to differentiate into most body cell types has stimulated repair and regenerative medicine research over the past few decades. iPSC-derived blood cells, hepatocytes, beta islet cells, cardiomyocytes, neurons, and other cell types can repair injuries or regenerate damaged tissue in diseases such as diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.
3.2K
01:32Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
2.3K
Chromatin modification alters gene expression; therefore, scientists can add histone-modifying enzymes, histone variants, and chromatin remodeling complexes to somatic cells to aid reprogramming into pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
2.3K