State-of-the-Art Gene-Target and Cell Therapy in Poland

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Gene and Cell Therapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2024) | Viewed by 15922

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine in Zabrze, Academy of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
Interests: ophthalmology; vitroretinal surgery; medical biology; personalized medicine; molecular marker

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Guest Editor
Collegium Medicum, WSB University, Dabrowa Gornicza, Poland
Interests: molecular biology; biotechnology; molecular-target therapies; cancer; psoriasis; next-generation sequencing; molecular marker; medicine
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to publish contributions on all aspects of the study of molecular and epigenetic biology as well as gene and cell therapy in Poland. Research articles and reviews are sought which provide insight into any aspects of gene and cell therapies in Poland. Topics include but are not limited to:

  • Personalized diagnostic and therapy;
  • Target vectors for gene therapies;
  • Molecular processes of cell division, senescence, and cell death;
  • Stem-cell-based therapies;
  • Cell-vehicle-targeting strategies;
  • Gene-, peptide-, protein-, oligonucleotide-, and cell-based therapeutics;
  • Antisense oligonucleotide technology;
  • Molecular mechanisms and models of disease;
  • Suicide gene therapy;
  • Clinical genome editing;
  • Pre-clinical animal/in vitro studies to assess safety of gene and cell therapy products;
  • Epigenetic aims of therapy;
  • Signaling networks and system biology;
  • Molecular anti-cytokine therapies in diseases with cell hyperproliferation;
  • Gene and immune therapies in children and adults with a wide range of disorders;
  • Gene and cellular therapies;
  • Molecular mechanisms of drugs resistance.

Dr. Anita Lyssek-Borón
Dr. Beniamin Grabarek
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomedicines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cell therapy
  • gene therapy
  • signaling pathways
  • drug resistance
  • stem cells
  • vector
  • molecular marker

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3572 KiB  
Article
Effects of the Co-Overexpression of the BCL and BDNF Genes on the Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid-Ergic Differentiation of Wharton’s-Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
by Paulina Borkowska, Julia Morys, Aleksandra Zielinska and Jan Kowalski
Biomedicines 2023, 11(6), 1751; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11061751 - 18 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1171
Abstract
One of the problems with using MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells) to treat different neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system is their low ability to spontaneously differentiate into functional neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate how the co-overexpression of the [...] Read more.
One of the problems with using MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells) to treat different neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system is their low ability to spontaneously differentiate into functional neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate how the co-overexpression of the BCL and BDNF genes affects the ability of genetically modified MSCs to differentiate into GABA-ergic neurons. A co-overexpression of two genes was performed, one of which, BCL, was supposed to increase the resistance of the cells to the toxic agents in the brain environment. The second one, BDNF, was supposed to direct the cells onto the neuronal differentiation pathway. As a result, the co-overexpression of both BCL2 + BDNF and BCLXL + BDNF caused an increase in the MAP2 gene expression level (a marker of the neuronal pathway) and the SYP gene that is associated with synaptogenesis. In both cases, approximately 18% of the genetically modified and then differentiated cells exhibited the presence of the GAD protein, which is characteristic of GABA-ergic neurons. Despite the presence of GAD, after both modifications, only the BCL2 and BDNF co-overexpression correlated with the ability of the modified cells to release gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) after depolarization. Our study identified a novel model of genetically engineered MSCs that can be used as a tool to deliver the antiapoptotic proteins (BCL) and neurotrophic factor (BDNF) directly into the brain microenvironment. Additionally, in the investigated model, the genetically modified MSCs could easily differentiate into functional GABA-ergic neurons and, moreover, due to the secreted BCL and BDNF, promote endogenous neuronal growth and encourage synaptic connections between neurons. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Gene-Target and Cell Therapy in Poland)
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13 pages, 1728 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Selected Immune Parameters in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery with the Use of Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Aspects of Age and Sex—A Pilot Study
by Piotr Sindera, Ewa Kucewicz-Czech and Grażyna Wilczek
Biomedicines 2023, 11(4), 1224; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11041224 - 20 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1413
Abstract
The present study aimed to assess the changes in the immunological parameters of patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The serum or plasma samples of patients were assessed to determine the concentrations of IL-6, one of the major proinflammatory cytokines (seven [...] Read more.
The present study aimed to assess the changes in the immunological parameters of patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The serum or plasma samples of patients were assessed to determine the concentrations of IL-6, one of the major proinflammatory cytokines (seven females and six males), and selected classes of immunoglobulins (six females and seven males). The samples for ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) were collected from patients before the use of CPB, at 60 min of the use of CPB, and at 24 h after the surgery. After 24 h of the surgery, IL-6, IgM, and IgG concentrations were higher in the serum of female patients than in the serum of male patients. However, compared to female patients, male patients showed a significant increase in IgG3 concentration after 24 h of the surgery. Regardless of age, the levels of the analyzed classes of immunoglobulins were similar in all patients. Additionally, in both age groups, a significant increase in the serum IL-6 concentration was observed after the first postoperative day, and this increase was more pronounced in patients diagnosed to have postoperative infections. The serum IL-6 concentration can serve as a potential marker of pathogenic infections in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB and is thus useful for the early diagnosis of postoperative infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Gene-Target and Cell Therapy in Poland)
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18 pages, 3147 KiB  
Article
Diagnostic Problems in C3 Glomerulopathy
by Leszek Niepolski, Anna Czekała, Monika Seget-Dubaniewicz, Magdalena Frydrychowicz, Patrycja Talarska-Markiewicz, Angelika Kowalska, Jagoda Szmelter, Wiesława Salwa-Żurawska, Tomasz Sirek, Dawid Sobański, Beniamin Oskar Grabarek and Jakub Żurawski
Biomedicines 2023, 11(4), 1101; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11041101 - 05 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1673
Abstract
Background: C3 glomerulopathies (C3GN) are a group of rare kidney diseases associated with impaired complement regulation. The effects of this disease include the accumulation of complement C3 in the kidneys. Based on the clinical data, as well as light, fluorescence, and electron microscopy [...] Read more.
Background: C3 glomerulopathies (C3GN) are a group of rare kidney diseases associated with impaired complement regulation. The effects of this disease include the accumulation of complement C3 in the kidneys. Based on the clinical data, as well as light, fluorescence, and electron microscopy results, the diagnoses were verified. The study group consisted of biopsy specimens, which were obtained from 332 patients who were diagnosed with C3 glomerulopathy. In all cases, histopathological examinations were performed; deposits of complement C3 and C1q components, as well as the immunoglobulins IgA, IgG, and IgM, were identified using immunofluorescence. Furthermore, electron microscopy was also performed. Results: The histopathological examination results presented cases of C3GN (n = 111) and dense deposit disease (DDD; n = 17). The non-classified (NC) group was the most numerous (n = 204). The lack of classification was due to the poor severity of the lesions, even on the electron microscopic examination or in the presence of intense sclerotic lesions. Conclusions: In cases of suspected C3 glomerulopathies, we believe an electron microscopy examination is necessary. This examination is beneficial in mild-to-extremely-severe cases of this glomerulopathy, where the lesions are barely discernible when using immunofluorescence microscopy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Gene-Target and Cell Therapy in Poland)
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Review

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21 pages, 1221 KiB  
Review
The Role of COX-2 and PGE2 in the Regulation of Immunomodulation and Other Functions of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
by Agnieszka Kulesza, Leszek Paczek and Anna Burdzinska
Biomedicines 2023, 11(2), 445; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11020445 - 03 Feb 2023
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 5912
Abstract
The ability of MSCs to modulate the inflammatory environment is well recognized, but understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for these properties is still far from complete. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a product of the cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) pathway, is indicated as one of the [...] Read more.
The ability of MSCs to modulate the inflammatory environment is well recognized, but understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for these properties is still far from complete. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a product of the cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) pathway, is indicated as one of the key mediators in the immunomodulatory effect of MSCs. Due to the pleiotropic effect of this molecule, determining its role in particular intercellular interactions and aspects of cell functioning is very difficult. In this article, the authors attempt to summarize the previous observations regarding the role of PGE2 and COX-2 in the immunomodulatory properties and other vital functions of MSCs. So far, the most consistent results relate to the inhibitory effect of MSC-derived PGE2 on the early maturation of dendritic cells, suppressive effect on the proliferation of activated lymphocytes, and stimulatory effect on the differentiation of macrophages into M2 phenotype. Additionally, COX-2/PGE2 plays an important role in maintaining the basic life functions of MSCs, such as the ability to proliferate, migrate and differentiate, and it also positively affects the formation of niches that are conducive to both hematopoiesis and carcinogenesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Gene-Target and Cell Therapy in Poland)
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15 pages, 1712 KiB  
Review
SERPINA3: Stimulator or Inhibitor of Pathological Changes
by Mateusz de Mezer, Jan Rogaliński, Stanisław Przewoźny, Michał Chojnicki, Leszek Niepolski, Magdalena Sobieska and Agnieszka Przystańska
Biomedicines 2023, 11(1), 156; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11010156 - 07 Jan 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4705
Abstract
SERPINA3, also called α-1-antichymotrypsin (AACT, ACT), is one of the inhibitors of serine proteases, one of which is cathepsin G. As an acute-phase protein secreted into the plasma by liver cells, it plays an important role in the anti-inflammatory response and antiviral response. [...] Read more.
SERPINA3, also called α-1-antichymotrypsin (AACT, ACT), is one of the inhibitors of serine proteases, one of which is cathepsin G. As an acute-phase protein secreted into the plasma by liver cells, it plays an important role in the anti-inflammatory response and antiviral response. Elevated levels of SERPINA3 have been observed in heart failure and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease or Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease. Many studies have shown increased expression levels of the SERPINA3 gene in various types of cancer, such as glioblastoma, colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, breast cancer, or melanoma. In this case, the SERPINA3 protein is associated with an antiapoptotic function implemented by adjusting the PI3K/AKT or MAPK/ERK 1/2 signal pathways. However, the functions of the SERPINA3 protein are still only partially understood, mainly in the context of cancerogenesis, so it seems necessary to summarize the available information and describe its mechanism of action. In particular, we sought to amass the existing body of research focusing on the description of the underlying mechanisms of various diseases not related to cancer. Our goal was to present an overview of the correct function of SERPINA3 as part of the defense system, which unfortunately easily becomes the “Fifth Column” and begins to support processes of destruction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Gene-Target and Cell Therapy in Poland)
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