L13: Recreating Anatomy- Stem Cells

Question 1

2 types of stem cells

Answer 1

1) self-renewal (replicating)
2) differentiation (specialising)

Question 2

3 types of stem cells

Answer 2

1) embryonic stem cells
2) adult stem cells
3) induced pluripotent stem cells

Question 3

Where does embryonic stem cells originate from?

Answer 3

Inner cell mass of the blastocyst

Question 4

Where are adult stem cells created?

Answer 4

During ontogeny, within most adult animal tissues/organs

Question 5

Where does induced pluripotent stem cells originate from?

Answer 5

Somatic differentiated cells after transduction

Question 6

What are adult stem cells?

Answer 6

Undifferentiated cell found in some adult organs, which can self-renew & differentiate to become all specialised cell types within the specific organ

Question 7

2 stem cell niche concept

Answer 7

1) cellular niche
2) non-cellular niche

Question 8

Cellular niche

Answer 8

Niche cells & stem cells interact physically through junctional complexes

Question 9

Non-cellular niches

Answer 9

Physical interaction of the stem cells with the basal membrane & the ECM can be established

Question 10

What are organoids?

Answer 10

3D culture system derived from stem cells, they are miniaturised & simplified versions of an organ

Question 11

Define self-organisation

Answer 11

Process by which local interactions between cells that are initially disordered lead to the emergence of patterns & functions

Question 12

APplications of pluripotennt stem cells for tissue repair

Answer 12

Directed differentiation of iPSCs to form functional tissues for:
- Repairing damaged organs
- Engineering tissues for transplantation

Question 13

What does the term “niche” refer to in the context of stem cells?

Answer 13

The niche refers to the microenvironment that supports stem cells

Question 14

Which signaling pathway is associated with the development of pancreatic progenitors?

Answer 14

Notch signaling pathway

Question 15

Which type of stem cell is involved in the differentiation into pancreatic B-cells?

Answer 15

Embryonic stem cells

Question 16

How can bioengineering techniques be applied to create pancreatic niches?

Answer 16

• Bioprinting pancreatic tissue
• Developing organoids

Question 17

What challenges exist in the transplantation of pancreatic B-cells derived from stem cells?

Answer 17

• Immune rejection
• Not achieving cell maturation
• Limited cell survival

Question 18

What are the key stages in the differentiation of pancreatic endocrine precursors?

Answer 18

Stages of pancreatic endocrine differentiation

Question 19

What is the main difference between embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells?

Answer 19

Embryonic: Differentiate into any cell type
Adult stem cells: Limited to specific organ type

Question 20

What is the ultimate goal of tissue engineering in relation to organ formation?

Answer 20

To repeat native organ formation

Question 21

In what ways can stem cells be used to treat pancreatic diseases?

Answer 21

• Differentiating into insulin-producing cell
• ## Replace damaged pancreatic tissue

Question 22

Which transcription factors are commonly associated with induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells?

Answer 22

Oct4
Sox2
c-Myc
Klf4

Question 23

What role do extrinsic signals play in establishing cell identity?

Answer 23

Extrinsic signals guide differentiation and establish cell identity

Question 24

What is the significance of self-organization in organoid development?

Answer 24

Self-organization enables the emergence of organized structures and functions

Question 25

What is the significance of Lgr5-expressing cells in intestinal organoids?

Answer 25

Lgr5-expressing cells serve as intestinal stem cells for organoid formation

Question 26

Discuss the relationship between chronic inflammation and gastrointestinal disorders.

Answer 26

CI: Linked to gastrointestinal orders, damage gut tissue, disrupt normal function

Inflammation leads to changes in gut microbiota & immune response, worsening symptoms & complications

Question 27

What is the purpose of using patient-specific iPSCs in regenerative medicine?

Answer 27

To create personalized cell therapies for regenerative medicine

Question 28

What challenges exist in identifying and utilizing adult stem cells?

Answer 28

Difficulty in isolating and expanding adult stem cells

Question 29

How do intestinal organoids contribute to regenerative medicine?

Answer 29

They model intestinal structures for research and therapy

Question 30

Explain the concept of directed differentiation in the context of stem cell therapy.

Answer 30

Process of guiding stem cells to develop into specific cell types
- Used to create specialised cells for treating diseases

Question 31

What are organoids, and how are they created?

Answer 31

Organoids are self-organizing 3D culture systems derived from stem cells

Question 32

Describe the role of signaling pathways in stem cell maintenance and differentiation.

Answer 32

Crucial role in stem cell maintenance & differentiation by:
Regulating self-renewal
Mediating communication
Influencing transcription factors

Question 33

What are the key properties of stem cells?

Answer 33

Ability to self-renew and differentiate into specialized cells

Question 34

What is the primary function of adult stem cells?

Answer 34

To replace dead or damaged cells

Question 35

How does the process of self-assembly contribute to tissue engineering?

Answer 35

Self-assembly enhances the emergence of organized structures in tissue engineering

Question 36

How can organoids be used to model infectious diseases like Hepatitis C?

Answer 36

Can model infection diseases by:
- Mimicking liver tissue structure
- Testing drug response
- Allow virus infection studies

Question 37

What techniques are used for drug screening in organoid models?

Answer 37

Drug efficacy assays

Question 38

How does the extracellular matrix (ECM) influence stem cell behavior?

Answer 38

• Provide structural support
• Regulate cell signalling
• Affect stem cell proliferation & differentiation

Question 39

What are organoids used for in disease modeling?

Answer 39

To model diseases and understand their pathology

Question 40

How does the concept of self-organization differ from guided engineering approaches in tissue regeneration?

Answer 40

SO relies on natural cell interactions to form structures, emerging patterns without external guidance

GE: Involves controlled conditions designed to direct cell behaviour & cell formation

Question 41

What is the role of FGF10 in cell therapy for liver disease?

Answer 41

GF10 supports liver cell regeneration in therapy

Question 42

What applications do pluripotent stem cells have in regenerative medicine?

Answer 42

Creating organoids and engineering tissues for various organs

Question 43

What role do transcription factors play in the differentiation of stem cells into specialized cells?

Answer 43

TFs guide stem cell differentation by regulating gene expression
- Activate/suppress speific genes, directing stem cells to develop into specialised cells

Question 44

What are the potential benefits and limitations of using adult stem cells in regenerative medicine?

Answer 44

Benefits of adult stem cells:

Self-renewal and differentiation potential
Fewer ethical concerns
Applications in various tissues
Limitations:

Restricted plasticity
Limited availability
Difficulty in identification and isolation