To get insights into the role played by each of the influenza A virus polypeptides in morphogenesis and virus particle assembly, the generation of virus-like particles (VLPs) has been examined in COS-1 cell cultures expressing, from recombinant plasmids, different combinations of the viral structural proteins. The presence of VLPs was examined biochemically, following centrifugation of the supernatants collected from transfected cells through sucrose cushions and immunoblotting, and by electron-microscopic analysis. It is demonstrated that the matrix (M1) protein is the only viral component which is essential for VLP formation and that the viral ribonucleoproteins are not required for virus particle formation. It is also shown that the M1 protein, when expressed alone, assembles into virus-like budding particles, which are released in the culture medium, and that the recombinant M1 protein accumulates intracellularly, forming tubular structures. All these results are discussed with regard to the roles played by the virus polypeptides during virus assembly.The final step in the lytic cycle of enveloped viruses involves the budding of the newly formed particles from cellular membranes. Previous to this step, all viral structural components should have been transported, either individually or as preassembled complexes, to the cellular membrane, where viral proteins will drive the budding process.A number of studies have focused on the assembly and budding processes of viruses (arena-, alpha-, rhabdo-, paramyxo-, orthomyxo-, and retroviruses) that obtain their envelope from the plasma membrane (reviewed in references 2, 13, and 19). For the alphavirus Semliki Forest virus, it has been established that virus budding is strictly dependent on interactions between the transmembrane spike protein and the internal nucleocapsid (46). In retroviruses, however, interactions between the cytoplasmic tail of external virus proteins (Env) and the internal virus components (Gag polyprotein) are not a prerequisite for virus budding since expression of the Gag protein alone is sufficient to drive budding of virus-like particles (VLPs) (7,14). A different mechanism, which directs the assembly and release of coronavirus particles, which assemble at intracellular membranes, has been described (47). In this case, expression of viral membrane proteins alone is sufficient to drive the assembly and budding of VLPs (47).It is widely accepted that the matrix protein plays a pivotal role as an assembly organizer for RNA viruses containing a single negative-strand genomic RNA molecule (such as rhabdo-and paramyxoviruses) (reviewed in reference 25). In fact, rabies and measles viruses modified by reverse genetics technology to lack the matrix gene grow poorly, and the released matrix-less particles show drastically altered morphologies (3, 31). Moreover, it has been shown that the M1 proteins of vesicular stomatits virus (VSV) and human parainfluenza virus type 1 have intrinsic budding activity when expressed alone (5, 22, 26), an observation ...

Expansion of human stem cells before cell therapy is typically performed at 20% O 2 . Growth in these pro-oxidative conditions can lead to oxidative stress and genetic instability. Here, we demonstrate that culture of human mesenchymal stem cells at lower, physiological O 2 concentrations significantly increases lifespan, limiting oxidative stress, DNA damage, telomere shortening and chromosomal aberrations. Our gene expression and bioenergetic data strongly suggest that growth at reduced oxygen tensions favors a natural metabolic state of increased glycolysis and reduced oxidative phosphorylation. We propose that this balance is disturbed at 20% O 2 , resulting in abnormally increased levels of oxidative stress. These observations indicate that bioenergetic pathways are intertwined with the control of lifespan and decisively influence the genetic stability of human primary stem cells. We conclude that stem cells for human therapy should be grown under low oxygen conditions to increase biosafety. Cell Death and Differentiation (2012) 19, 743-755; doi:10.1038/cdd.2011; published online 2 December 2011Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) are being evaluated for the treatment of a large variety of pathologies, including traumatic lesions and cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. 1,2 Although hMSC can be obtained from several tissues, they are scarce and their quantity and quality depends on a patient's clinical history, age, gender and genetic background. Most cell therapy protocols use 10-50 million hMSC per treatment, requiring expansion of extracted stem cells ex vivo for about 8 weeks before implantation. This expansion is typically performed under 'standard' non-physiological culture conditions, which among other factors expose cells to 20% O 2 , roughly 10 times the oxygen concentration encountered in their natural niches. 3,4 Previous studies have shown that exposure of mammalian cells to 20% O 2 concentrations induces DNA damage, thereby contributing decisively to cell senescence and loss of viability. [5][6][7] Conversely, culture of human stem cells over a physiological range of oxygen tensions (1-5%) improves cell growth, alters differentiation processes and extends lifespan. 8 Low oxygen tensions have also been shown to reduce the levels of double-strand breaks (DSB) and chromosomal abnormalities in several types of stem cells. 9,10 This evidence suggests that the poorly defined 'cell culture stress' can be a cause of genetic instability and therefore constitute a biological risk for cell therapy protocols. In agreement with this notion, we have found that short-term growth of hMSC at 20% O 2 significantly increases oxidative stress and DNA damage markers, DSB, chromosomal aberrations, aneuploidy and telomere shortening rates compared with cells grown at 3% O 2 . Despite these clear correlations, the mechanisms underlying the generation of genetic instability at high O 2 tension are mostly unknown.Mammalian cells have developed oxygen-sensing mechanisms to maintain cell and tissue homeostasis (reviewed...

In spite of the extensive potential of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in cell therapy, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that regulate their therapeutic properties. We aimed to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in controlling the transition between the resting and reparative phenotypes of hMSCs, hypothesizing that these miRNAs must be present in the undifferentiated cells and downregulated to allow initiation of distinct activation/differentiation programs. Differential miRNA expression analyses revealed that miR-335 is significantly downregulated upon hMSC differentiation. In addition, hMSCs derived from a variety of tissues express miR-335 at a higher level than human skin fibroblasts, and overexpression of miR-335 in hMSCs inhibited their proliferation and migration, as well as their osteogenic and adipogenic potential. Expression of miR-335 in hMSCs was upregulated by the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, a positive regulator of MSC self-renewal, and downregulated by interferon-c (IFN-c), a pro-inflammatory cytokine that has an important role in activating the immunomodulatory properties of hMSCs. Differential gene expression analyses, in combination with computational searches, defined a cluster of 62 putative target genes for miR-335 in hMSCs. Western blot and 3 0 UTR reporter assays confirmed RUNX2 as a direct target of miR-335 in hMSCs. These results strongly suggest that miR-335 downregulation is critical for the acquisition of reparative MSC phenotypes. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent mesodermderived somatic stem cell (SSC) precursors of non-hematopoietic connective tissues that are present in the stroma of virtually all mammalian organs, especially bone marrow and subcutaneous fat (reviewed in Bernardo et al. 1 ). Upon activation by tissue damage, MSCs contribute to tissue-repair processes through a multitude of activities, including cell proliferation, differentiation and migration, and the regulation of angiogenesis and immune responses. There is growing evidence, in both animal and clinical models, that administration of ex vivo-expanded human MSCs (hMSCs) has potential to ameliorate many degenerative disorders; however, the specific molecular mechanisms underlying this therapeutic potential remain mostly unknown.MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an extensive family of small (18-24 nucleotide), single-stranded non-coding RNAs, which regulate gene expression in eukaryotic cells by controlling the translation (usually by repression), stability and localization of specific mRNA targets. Computational predictions of miRNA targets indicate that each miRNA regulates hundreds of mRNAs, and that approximately one third of all mammalian protein-coding genes are regulated by miRNAs. 2 Functional studies show that miRNAs participate in virtually each cellular process investigated, and that alterations in their expression levels might underlie human diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. There are also data indicating that mammalian miRNAs can be imported into the nucleu...

ASCT constitutes a therapeutic option for HL patients after a first relapse. Promising results are observed in patients with low tumour burden at diagnosis, autografted after a long CR and without detectable disease at ASCT. Innovative approaches should be pursued for patients with risk factors at relapse.

Early salvage therapy for patients with high-risk aggressive nodal PTCL that do not achieve CR after three courses of chemotherapy and ASCT frontline consolidation for chemosensitive patients may improve treatment outcome.