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This volume covers recent developments on the role, composition, and functional significance of intercellular and interorganellar transfer. It highlights the involvement of intercellular and interorganellar transfer in cell and developmental biology, differentiation, pathogen dissemination, shaping the genetic makeup of organisms, and the development of various diseases. Animals and plants evolved different communication mechanisms and transfer of molecules and organelles between cells and between organelles within the individual cells. Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) in animals, discovered as recently as 2004, and their functional equivalent in plants, plasmodesmata, discovered over 100 years ago, are the membranous bridges that mediate the transfer of organelles, membrane patches, vesicles, DNA/RNA, and different molecules between cells. In addition, there are other means of transfer and communication between the cells, such as cytonemes, airinames, extracellular vesicles (exosomes), and others. Variations in cytoskeletal composition, morphology, modality, and connected cells suggest that these structures play a role in development, establishment of cell fate, progenitor cell differentiation, cell reprogramming, ferroptosis, generation of cancer stem cells, and various diseases. The exchange of intact membrane patches (trogocytosis) between cells of the immune system may modify the immune response. Additionally, the transfer of genetic information between nucleus and organelles and cells of different species can shape the species and evolutionary outcome. Viral and bacterial pathogens can hijack the inter-cellular transfer routes to spread more efficiently. Cell-to-cell transfer of animal and plant pathogens can also occur by the virological synapse (VS). These specialized pathogen-induced structures share similarities and differences with neurological and immunological synapses.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the molecular basis of developmental and stem cell regulation. It revisits some of the classical models of developmental biology and puts them in context with the findings of modern stem cell research and developmental biology. Biomedical research is embarking on a new era due to new tools, which are exemplified by stem cell technologies, single-cell transcriptome analysis, and live imaging at a single-cell resolution. Publications based on cutting-edge technologies do often not provide the readers with deep biological backgrounds. This causes the risk that precious data are reduced to highly specific descriptions without sufficient biological contexts.Contemporary developmental biology on the other hand as written in many textbooks, is to a significant extent based on conceptions backdated many decades ago, and is not necessarily supported by recent findings. Yet, the prevailing classical notions tend to mislead modern biomedical researches.This book not only presents current models for developmental processes but also reinterprets and re-evaluates classic observations, thus linking classical and modern worlds of developmental biology. Spanning from molecular mechanisms to highly embryological matters it provides a bridge between these different disciplines.Written for advanced students of developmental and stem cell biology, researchers and teaching scholars, this book provides a new road map to modern developmental biology and stem cell biology.

This book gives a current overview on the development, origin, structure, and functions of germline and somatic cell syncytia during embryogenesis and organogenesis. It also reviews pathogen-induced syncytia and the role of syncytial cells in cancer development.The book covers the following topics:germline syncytia, evolution, function and structure; syncytia in embryogenesis and development; the role of somatic cell fusion in fungi, specialized somatic tissues, host defense and adaptation; syncytia induced by viruses and parasites;syncytia and circulating hybrid cells in cancer and other pathological conditions; It also discusses how the genomic adaptations of microorganisms to extreme habitats can prompt the evolution of mononuclear and multinucleate/syncytial cells. The book offers a fresh outlook on syncytia's role in various processes: embryogenesis, organogenesis, adaptation, host defense, and development of specialized tissues. It highlights the importance of syncytia under physiological and pathological conditions.

This book covers a wide range of topics that illustrate the various functions of autophagy in stem cells and offers insights on the mechanisms by which autophagy can regulate stem-cell self-renewal and facilitate specific differentiation programs. Stem cells are unique cells present in most multicellular animals and are essential for their survival. They have two unique properties: the ability to self-renew and the ability to differentiate into one or more cell types. These characteristics of stem cells have found immense therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine. Autophagy is a crucial membrane trafficking pathway that is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis that involves sequestration of non-functional proteins, protein aggregates and damaged organelles in double-membraned vesicles called autophagosomes, which are subsequently targeted to the lysosome for degradation. The primary aim of this book is to provide knowledge of recent developments in our understanding of the role of autophagy in stem cells, including germline stem cells.Autophagy is considered a promising target for many diseases. Significant efforts are being developed to identify specific modulators of autophagy, which will aid in designing combinatorial therapeutic strategies that will allow significant improvements in regenerative medicine.

This book aims to systemically summarize the key findings about Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) and present the consensus of current views and prospective. ILCs are a class of newly recognized immune cells which play an instructive role in shaping immunity in physiological and pathological conditions. This book discusses the differentiation of ILC, the relation of ILCs with respiratory function, inflammation in the gut, skin disorders, cancer, neurobiology and microbes. The knowledge included in this book is valuable for both basic immunologists and clinicians in understanding the heterogenetic immune responses in disease and health.

Cell differentiation and the development of multicellular organisms are processes of self-assembly, controlled and driven by signaling molecules and cascades including redox regulation. These reactions may have provided the energy for the first metabolic steps in the evolution of life. Today, redox modifications are established as important regulatory events in cellular functions including differentiation and development. Redox modifications of single cysteines regulate differentiation of stem cells, formation of functioning organs, and de-differentiation such as formation of cancer cells. Current cancer therapy is based on redox events as well and regeneration often reactivates developmental pathways. Understanding differentiation and de-differentiation on a molecular level is therefore a prerequisite for the continuing development of new medical therapies. This book summarizes the roles of redox regulation in development by bringing together different concepts and comparing similarities and differences between various cell types and species. An international team of contributors presents several new aspects of redox-regulated differentiation and de-differentiation, including aspects of redox medicine.Key Features Provides the first summary on this important topic Reviews redox-dependent development of model organisms and single organs Highlights the redox-regulated pathways important for differentiation processes Illustrates the potential of redox medicine Combines state-of-the-art knowledge in differentiation/development, aging/longevity, and repair/regeneration Written by leading experts in the field Related TitlesAyyanathan, K., ed. Cancer Cell Signaling: Targeting Signaling Pathways Toward Therapeutic Approaches to Cancer (ISBN 978-1-77188-067-1)Clarke, M. & J. Frampton. Stem Cells: Biology and Application (ISBN 9780-8153-4511-4)Lim, W. & B. Mayer. Cell Signaling: Principles and Mechanisms (ISBN 978-0-8153-4244-1)Wong, E., ed. Autophagy and Signaling (ISBN 978-0-367-65772-7)

Cell Interactions in Differentiation is a collection of papers presented at the Sixth Sigrid Jusélius Foundation Symposium held in Helsinki, Finland, in August 1976. Contributors discuss cell interactions during differentiation, particularly referring to the problem of embryonic induction. They also consider how a cell becomes adjusted to the synchronized development of an entire multicellular organism, so as to express its genetic information at a strictly controlled time and place. This volume is organized into five sections encompassing 30 chapters and begins with an overview of embryonic cells and their two fundamental properties. Cells are not necessarily predetermined and can be experimentally diverted from their normal developmental pathway, and those within an embryonic organism require extrinsic messages to express their developmental capacities. The next chapters focus on early determinative events in embryogenesis, touching on topics such as the genetic aspects of cell type determination, interactions between embryonic cells during the early development of the mouse, and the differentiation of teratocarcinoma stem cells in vitro. The reader is then introduced to positional information and morphogenetic signals; the biological''specificity''of morphogenetic tissue interactions; and the molecular mechanisms underlying cell contact interactions. The remaining chapters explore some of the most important conceptual and methodological approaches to the problems of cell-cell recognition and the integration of cells into multicellular systems. This book will be of interest to scientists and investigators in developmental biology and related fields.

This book updates and expands on various aspects of the vasculature's microenvironment and how these regulate differentiation and assembly. Discussed in this new edition are efforts to capitalize on combing engineering techniques, to study and manipulate various biophysical cues, including: endothelial cell- pericyte interactions (Davis), mechanical forces to regulate vascularization in three-dimensional constructs (Levenberg), how matrix properties and oxygen tension regulate vascular fate and assembly (Gerecht), biophysical cues in relation to vascular aging (Ferreira), 3D printing of complex vascularized tissue (Hibino), the harnessing of biophysical cues for therapeutic vasculature interfacing with the damaged brain (Segura) and finally, the infarcted heart (Grayson). This second edition of Biophysical Regulation of Vascular Differentiation and Assembly provides an interdisciplinary view of vasculature regulation thru various biophysical cues and presents recent advances in measuring and controlling such parameters. This book will be of interest to biologists, biophysicists and engineers who work with vascular differentiation and assembly.

This book summarizes early pioneering achievements in the field of human neural stem cell (hNSC) research and combines them with the latest advances in stem cell technology, including reprogramming and gene editing. The powerful potential of hNSC to generate and repair the developing and adult CNS has been confirmed by numerous experimental in vitro and in vivo studies. The book presents methods for hNSC derivation and discusses the mechanisms underlying NSC in vitro fate decisions and their in vivo therapeutic mode of action.The long-standing dogma that the human central nervous system (CNS) lacks the ability to regenerate was refuted at the end of the 20th century, when evidence of the presence of neurogenic zones in the adult human brain was found. These neurogenic zones are home to human neural stem cells (hNSCs), which are capable of self-renewing and differentiating into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. NSCs isolated from human CNS have a number of clinical advantages, especially the innate potential to differentiate into functional neural cells. Nevertheless, their full clinical exploitation has been hindered by limited access to the tissue and low expansion potential. The search for an alternative to CNS sources of autologous, therapeutically competent hNSCs was the driving force for the many studies proving the in vitro plasticity of different somatic stem cells to generate NSCs and their functional progeny. Now the era of induced pluripotent stem cells has opened entirely new opportunities to achieve research and therapeutic goals with the aid of hNSCs.

Anaerobiosis and Stemness: An evolutionary paradigm provides a context for understanding the many complexities and evolutionary features of stem cells and the clinical implications of anaerobiosis stem cells. Combining theoretical and experimental knowledge, the authors provide a broad understanding of how the absence or low concentration of oxygen can play an influential role in the maintenance and self-renewal of stem cells and stem cell differentiation. This understanding has clinical implications for the fields of regenerative medicine, cancer biology and transplantation, as well as cell engineering and cell therapy. Anaerobiosis and Stemness is an important resource for stem cell and developmental biologists alike, as well as oncologists, cancer biologists, and researchers using stem cells for regeneration. - Highlights the molecular and evolutionary features of stem cells which make them so important to all biological research - Explores methods of isolation, characterization, activation, and maintenance of stem cells - Includes models for clinical application in regenerative medicine, cancer therapy, and transplantation

This work provides a state-of-the art overview on the most relevant aspects of cell polarity.Volume 2 discusses the physiological and pathophysiological relevance of cell polarity. It especially focuses on pathophysiological conditions in which one or several aspects of cell polarity are impaired, and in which a loss of cell polarity possibly contributes to disease (e.g. epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cancer, role of polarity proteins in cancer). Both volumes are intended for professors, group leaders and researchers in cell biology as well as for medical professionals working in anatomy, cell biology, physiology, pathology and tumor biology.

Adult Stem Cells, second edition, takes a critical look at issues concerning the developmental or differentiation potential for a variety of tissue types and for specific adult stem cell types. Since the first edition appeared a decade ago, our understanding of adult stem cells, and more specifically tissue-specific adult stem cells, has advanced tremendously. And an increased interest in regenerative medicine and potential stem cell applications has driven a quest for better understanding of stem cell biology. In turn, this has spawned much activity on generation and utilization of more and better reagents to identify and isolate stem cells and stem cell-like subpopulations, and on assays elucidating their developmental or differentiation potential and functional integration with host tissues and organs. In this fully updated new edition, chapters cover topics ranging from signaling pathways maintaining stemness in hematopoietic cells to regeneration after injury and endocrine mechanisms underlying the stem cell theory of aging. Other chapters cover stem cells by organ or system including pituitary, cardiac, epithelial, teeth, lung, ovary, prostate, liver, and many more. Importantly, the authors of the chapters have not only summarized their successes, but have also summarized some of the difficulties that each particular field is still facing with respect to maximizing the utility of stem cells in clinical settings. Collectively, they impart both the excitement and challenges facing stem cell utilization for repair and regeneration making this book essential reading for those involved in stem cell research as well as those involved in clinical assays.

Cellular proliferation, as a result of cell growth and cell division, is one of the most fundamental biological processes. Although there is a great deal which remains unclear, significant advances have been made in past decades in our understanding of the process and regulation of cell proliferation. There is considerable evidence that this understanding of different cells and cell proliferation behavior provides useful information that may be of major importance in disease control, drug discovery, biomaterial development and medical device improvement. This book studies and discusses recent developments in the field of cell proliferation including: the controlling factors for cell proliferation; changes occurring in the cells; therapeutic effects of the biological molecules to the cells; and analysis of cell proliferation based on the quantal concept. Furthermore, the effects that biomaterials and drugs have on cell proliferation are also reviewed in this book.

This new volume of Current Topics in Developmental Biology covers the area of Planar Cell Polarity with contributions from an international board of authors. The 12 chapters provide a comprehensive set of reviews covering such topics as PCP in Zebra fish, the role of Dishevelled in PCP regulation, and PCP in axon pathfinding. - Covers the area of planar cell polarity - International board of authors - 12 chapters provide a comprehensive set of reviews covering such topics as planar cell polarity in Zebrafish, the role of disheveled in planar cell polarity regulation, and planar cell polarity in axon path finding

Because of their ability to differentiate and develop into functional vasculature, stem cells hold tremendous promise for therapeutic applications. However, the scientific understanding and the ability to engineer these cellular systems is still in its early stages, and must advance significantly for the therapeutic potential of stem cells to be realized. Stem cell differentiation and function are exquisitely tuned by their microenvironment. This book will provide a unique perspective of how different aspect of the vasculature microenvironment regulates differentiation and assembly. Recent efforts to exploits modern engineering techniques to study and manipulate various biophysical cues will be described including: oxygen tension during adult and embryonic vasculogenesis (Semenza and Zandstra), extracellular matrix during tube morphogenesis and angiogenesis (Wirtz, Davis, Ingber), surface topography and modification (Chen and Gerecht), shear stress and cyclic strain effect on vascular assembly and maturation (Vunjak-Novakovic and Niklason), and three dimensional space for angio-andvasculogensis (Ferreria and Fischbach).

Stem cells are fascinating cell types. They can replicate themselves forever while retaining the potential to generate progeny with speci?c functions. Because of these special properties, stem cells have been subjects of intensive investigation, from understanding basic mechanisms underlying tissue generation, to modeling human diseases, to application for cell replacement therapy. Stem cells come in different forms. For example, mouse embryonic stem cells can general all cell types in a body, either in a dish or when put back into mouse embryos. On the other hand, neural stem cells in the adult brain generate neurons and glia cells that contribute to the brain's plasticity. Rapid progress has been made in the stem cell?eld with discov- ies published in a record speed. A quick Pubmed search has returned 2789 hits for “embryonic stem cells” and 815 hits for “adult neural stem cells/neurogenesis” in the year 2008 alone. It remains a taunting task for all who are interested in stem cells to keep up with rapidly accumulating literatures. The “Perspectives of Stem Cells” by a truly international team of experts provides a timely and invaluable highlight of the stem cell?eld gearing toward future therapeutic applications in the nervous system. Stem cells with neural potentials have attracted a lot of attention because of their promise for cell replacement therapy, ranging from degenerative neurological dis- ders to spinal cord injuries.

Book Description: This book summarizes some of the major processes involved in the production of daughter cells as they have been reported from work mainly with synchronous cultures of microalgae over the 50 years or so since that technique was first developed. It highlights the key findings that have led to our present understanding of cell cycle processes in microalgae with particular reference to those that control daughter-cell production. The authors of this book also systematize the data on molecular genetic system controlling drosophila bristle morphogenesis and proposes an integral scheme of its functioning. In addition, the current understanding of kidney regeneration after injury are examined from the perspective of renotropic factors, renal stem/progenitor cells, and stem cell therapies. In unicellular and multicellular organisms, asymmetric division enables segregation of damaged molecules into one daughter cell. The authors suggest that partition of damaged proteins and organelles and segregation of template DNA may function together to produce long-lived stem cells. Daughter cells'behavior of the chlorarachniophytes are also described and the evolution and biological implications are discussed. Lastly, recent advances in stem cell biology are summarized, and ways in which clinical medicine could take advantage of this fascinating field of biology are examined.

For more than 30 years, Current Topics in Developmental Biology has provided a forum for dissemination and discussion of new ideas and thought in developmental biology. Bringing together a series of articles on the structural, functional, and developmental characteristics of epithelials, this thematic volume represents a timely and valuable contribution to an exciting and multidisciplinary field of study. Because defects in epithelial function and growth control play a major role in human disease—cancerous tumors, spina bifida, cardiac malformations, for example—this volume will be of particular interest to researchers working in cancer drug design and development and those working in therapeutic areas to treat developmental abnormalities. - Coverage of current research findings and thought on cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions gives researchers a better understanding of the processes of remodeling and morphogenesis, which are critical to the development of drugs aimed at disrupting the early formation and proliferation of cancerous tumors - Inclusion of chapters that discuss the most contemporary thought on cell polarity and tissue morphogenesis, providing researchers with a better understanding of the control of cellular organization and polarity (particularly important to researchers who are developing treatments for developmental abnormalities and those working in cancer drug development) - Use of a variety of animal models, allowing researchers to compare and contrast the molecular mechanisms that underlie cell-cell and cell-extracelluar matrix interactions in a variety of research models

For the first time world-leading experts in the area of cellular signaling have joined to the production of a book on Smad signal transduction. Smads are the principal intracellular effectors of TGF-b family members that control numerous cellular responses with critical roles in development and in tissue homeostasis. In a series of 22 cutting-edge chapters forward looking reviews of Smads are provided that cover their discovery, evolution, role in development, mechanism of action and regulation, and how deregulation in Smad signalling contributes to human diseases. Written for an audience with basic understanding of molecular and cell biology, this volume provides an in-depth review of a rapidly developing field and extensive cross-references between chapters are provided. This book will be of particular interest to basic and applied biomedical researchers (students, post-docs or group leaders) with desire to understand the principles of cell-cell communication and mechanisms by which signaling pathways and gene programs control cell proliferation and differentiation, and how this knowledge may come to be applied in the clinic.

Each and every hair is much more than just the visible shaft—there are also associated complex sheath structures of epidermal and dermal origin. In the hair follicle, cells undergo a variety of differentiation processes, mostly depending on their layers and positions therein, and electron microscopy reveals a very complex architecture. The structure of a particular layer, such as Henle's layer of the inner root sheath, is not uniform. Rather, cells drastically change during the course of differentiation. By simply comparing electron micrographs of cells of a layer at different degrees of differentiation, one can hardly recognize them as belonging to the same layer. As readers will see, this book contains many superb electron mic- graphs, from low-magni?cation panoramic views for orientation to hi- power views showing ultrastructural detail. Captions and schematic drawings are also very helpful in “reading” electron micrographs and - derstanding the structural detail. In this way, Dr. Morioka has succeeded in dissecting the complex hair follicle at the ultrastructural level.

Cellular polarization is key to all cellular functions. Our perceptions, which are derived from our senses, depend on the proper cellular polarization of our sense organs, such as the eyes or ears. Much of this book examines the different aspects in cellular polarization and its researched role in the Drosophila, where the first planar cellular polarity (PCP) gene was discovered over 20 years ago. Topics also include: From flies to man: how we are polarized, Marking an embryo work, Cellular polarization at its functional best, Hearing and seeing your environment, and From a cell to an organ.This series represents timely issues in developmental biology. It provides annual reviews of selected topics, written from the perspectives of leading investigators in the field of development.• Presents many various organisms such as flies, fish, frogs and mice• Offers over 40 exceptional illustrations• First of its kind to include new data and detailed models on cell planar polarization

This book brings together scientists working at the interface between the cell cycle, cell growth and development in a variety of model systems and research paradigms. The focus is on understanding how such diverse developmental inputs can modulate cell cycle regulation and, reciprocally, how a common way of regulating cell cycle progression can participate in different developmental strategies.

The interaction between biology and evolution has been the subject of great interest in recent years. Because evolution is such a highly debated topic, a biologically oriented discussion will appeal not only to scientists and biologists but also to the interested lay person. This topic will always be a subject of controversy and therefore any breaking information regarding it is of great interest.The author is a recognized expert in the field of developmental biology and has been instrumental in elucidating the relationship between biology and evolution. The study of evolution is of interest to many different kinds of people and Genomic Regulatory Systems: In Development and Evolution is written at a level that is very easy to read and understand even for the nonscientist.• Contents Include• Regulatory Hardwiring: A Brief Overview of the Genomic Control Apparatus and Its Causal Role in Development and Evolution • Inside the Cis-Regulatory Module: Control Logic and How the Regulatory Environment Is Transduced into Spatial Patterns of Gene Expression• Regulation of Direct Cell-Type Specification in Early Development• The Secret of the Bilaterians: Abstract Regulatory Design in Building Adult Body Parts• Changes That Make New Forms: Gene Regulatory Systems and the Evolution of Body Plans

Cell Lineage and Fate Determination provides a comprehensive view of the mechanisms regulating cell lineage and fate determination in an effort to understand how the fertilized egg is transformed into a complex of specialized tissues. It presents basic information on eight different animal models and recent developmental biological research done in each model. The book provides a focused forum presenting key information for researchers studying various aspects of developmental and cellular biology. Extensive use of tables and black-and-white and color figures helps illustrate each model. The book concludes by discussing future goals for bringing cellular, molecular, and genetic research to clinical applications and tissue replacement therapies.Key Features• Presents eight different animal models• Provides a focused forum on cell fate determination that provides comprehensive and key information for researchers• Illustrates the transitional relationship between researchers and clinicians• Includes the extensive use of tables and color figures

There are three main themes running through this volume. First, basic methods for measurement of cell proliferation are introduced and explained with reference to various systems, primarily in vitro, but in vivo procedures are also illustrated. The second theme is growth signalling, and is exemplified by methods for the analysis of transduction pathways for growth, beginning at the cell membrane and leading to the cell nucleus. The last theme presented here is growth cessation, illustrated by several systems for induction of cell differentiation, and of cell senescence. The emphasis throughout the book is on human cell systems, making it particularly relevant to scientists interested in human disease, especially cancer. Importantly, well proved methods for studying cell growth are supplemented by some novel approaches, e.g., studies of cell cycle checkpoints, cell spheroids, and nuclear architecture. Only two chapters have been retained, in an updated form from Cell Growth and Apoptosis, the predecessor volume. The book is written by a team of scientists highly experienced in procedures they describe, and offer details and hints found valuable in their own laboratories; thus, variants of the same general methods can be found in different chapters. These should be helpful to beginning as well as experienced investigators, and are designed to stimulate new approaches to old and new questions.

Few cells conform to the stereotype of the spherical blob hastily scribbled on chalkboards and, regrettably, sometimes even displayed prominently in textbooks. Instead, real cells display a remarkable degree of structural and functional asymmetry. In modern cell biological parlance, this asymmetry has come to be lumped under the general heading of'cell polarity'. Cell polarity is by no means restricted to the cells of tissues and organs, but can also be displayed by cells that lead a more solitary existence. The amazing extent to which cell morphology is correlated with function has long been a source of inspiration for biologists. Today the fascination continues unabated in the field of cell polarity, where it is fueled by an ever-deepening appreciation for the ways that fundamental cellular processes, such as membrane trafficking and cytoskeleton assembly, contribute to the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity. In the ensuing chapters, a collection of experts will summarize and interpret the findings obtained from basic research on cell polarity in a diverse array of experimental systems.

Current Topics in Developmental Biology

Current Topics in Developmental Biology

Current Topics in Developmental Biology

Current Topics in Developmental Biology

Current Topics in Developmental Biology

Current Topics in Developmental Biology

Current Topics in Developmental Biology