Dkk-1-derived Synthetic Peptides and Lithium Chloride for the Control and Recovery of Adult Stem Cells from Bone Marrow

GSK-3β inhibition protects mesothelial cells during experimental peritoneal dialysis through upregulation of the heat shock response

“…We decided to focus on LiCl as this compound is broadly investigated as standard GSK-3β inhibitor both in clinical and experimental research (Carmichael et al 2002;Chuang et al 2011;Li et al 2011). In our study, LiCl was found to be most effective at concentrations of 10 mM, which is the dose used in the majority of in vitro studies (Lewitt et al 2001;Mantelli and Ledda 1989;Gregory et al 2005;Lucas et al 2010;Li et al 2011). Indeed, addition of lithium to the cytotoxic PDF Dianeal® and Extraneal® prior to experimental PD resulted in significant cytoprotection of the exposed mesothelial cells, as reflected by several assessments of cellular viability, such as dose-dependent decrease of LDH release, reduced cell death rate in the live/dead assay and improved cell survival measured as neutral red uptake.…”

“…Lithium chloride (LiCl) was added for dose-response experiments in concentrations from 1 to 10 mM; for the remaining experiments, LiCl was administered at a concentration of 10 mM which is in the dose range that is applied in most in vitro studies (Lewitt et al 2001;Mantelli and Ledda 1989;Gregory et al 2005;Lucas et al 2010;Li et al 2011). LiCl treatment was started 24 h prior to incubation with PDF and was applied during the whole experiment.…”

Human stem/progenitor cells from bone marrow promote neurogenesis of endogenous neural stem cells in the hippocampus of mice

“…25) for hematopoietic stem cells. The effectiveness of MSCs as feeder layers for hematopoietic stem cells has, in part, been explained by their production of a large number of growth stimulating factors (26)(27)(28)(29). For example, human MSCs have been shown to express neurotrophins not only in culture but also after implantation into the brains of rats (30) and immunodeficient mice (31).…”

Function and biological roles of the Dickkopf family of Wnt modulators

“…Within Dkk1, the colipase fold but not the DKK_N domain is sufficient for Lrp6 binding and Wnt inhibition (Brott and Sokol, 2002;Mao and Niehrs, 2003) and mutation of the conserved Cys220 of the colipase fold abolishes the interaction (Semenov et al, 2001). A 21-mer peptide derived from the colipase fold (L184-Ser204) has a high affinity for Lrp6, and another colipase fold derived peptide (Cys233-Cys253) mimics effects of full-length Dkk1 in reducing b-catenin and inducing proliferation in human mesenchymal stem cells (Gregory et al, 2005). Such peptides may thus serve as useful LRP5/6 inhibitors.…”