Nature
Scientists use human pluripotent stem cells to generate three-dimensional lacrimal gland like organs
Ryuhei Hayashi team of Osaka University School of medicine in Japan has made important progress recently. They use human pluripotent stem cells to generate three-dimensional lacrimal gland organs. This achievement was published online in nature on April 20.
The researchers identified cells with the characteristics of lacrimal gland primordia, which appeared in two-dimensional ocular organs cultured from human pluripotent stem cells. When separated by cell sorting and grown under specific conditions, the cells form three-dimensional lacrimal gland like organs with ducts and acini, which are realized by budding and branching. Clonal colony analysis showed that the organoids were derived from pluripotent ocular surface epithelial stem cells. These organoids show significant similarities with natural lacrimal glands in morphology, immunomarker characteristics and basic patterns of gene expression. When transplanted near the eyes of recipient rats, they experience functional maturation, form cavities and produce tear film proteins.
It is reported that the lacrimal gland is the main exocrine gland of the eye. They are located in the orbit, behind the upper eyelid and towards the temporal side of each eye. They secrete tears as the main component of the tear film.
Relevant paper information:
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-04613-4
Nature Medicine
Treatment of depression with thaloxicin enhances the ability of global integration of the brain
Recently, researchers such as Richard E. Daws of Imperial College of technology found that the ability of global integration in the brain was enhanced after the treatment of depression. This research result was recently published online in nature medicine.
The researchers evaluated the subacute effects of siroxicin on brain function in two clinical trials of depression. The first was an open label trial of oral celecoxib (10 mg and 25 mg, 7 days apart) in patients with treatment tolerant depression. The second trial was a double-blind phase II randomized controlled trial comparing cilocibin with escitalopram.
In these two trials, the antidepressant response to cilocibin was rapid and sustained, and was associated with the reduction of fMRI brain network modularization, which means that the antidepressant effect of cilocibin may depend on the overall increase of brain network integration. Network mapping analysis showed that the high-order functional network rich in 5-HT2A receptor became more functionally interconnected and flexible after treatment with siroxicin. The antidepressant response of escitalopram was mild, and no changes in brain network organization were observed. In two studies, efficacy related brain changes were associated with strong antidepressant effects, indicating an overall increase in the integration of brain networks, the antidepressant mechanism of cilocibin treatment.
Relevant paper information: