Pigs (Sus scrofa) are widely acknowledged as an important large mammalian animal model due to their similarity to human physiology, genetics, and immunology. Leveraging the full potential of this model presents significant opportunities for major advancements in the fields of comparative biology, disease modeling, and regenerative medicine. Thus, the derivation of pluripotent stem cells from this species can offer new tools for disease modeling and serve as a stepping stone to test future autologous or allogeneic cell-based therapies. Over the past few decades, great progress has been made in establishing porcine pluripotent stem cells (pPSCs), including embryonic stem cells (pESCs) derived from pre- and peri-implantation embryos, and porcine induced pluripotent stem cells (piPSCs) using a variety of cellular reprogramming strategies. However, the stabilization of pPSCs was not as straightforward as directly applying the culture conditions developed and optimized for murine or primate PSCs. Therefore, it has historically been challenging to establish stable pPSC lines that could pass stringent pluripotency tests. Here, we review recent advances in the establishment of stable porcine PSCs. We focus on the evolving derivation methods that eventually led to the establishment of pESCs and transgene-free piPSCs, as well as current challenges and opportunities in this rapidly advancing field.

BACKGROUND: Humans\' nervous system has a limited ability to repair nerve cells, which poses substantial challenges in treating injuries and diseases. Stem cells are identified by the potential to renew their selves and develop into several cell types, making them ideal candidates for cell replacement in injured neurons. Neuronal differentiation of embryonic stem cells in modern medicine is significant. Nanomaterials have distinct advantages in directing stem cell function and tissue regeneration in this field. We attempted in this systematic review to collect data, analyze them, and report results on the effect of nanomaterials on neuronal differentiation of embryonic stem cells.
METHODS: International databases such as PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and EMBASE were searched for available articles on the effect of nanomaterials on neuronal differentiation of embryonic stem cells (up to OCTOBER 2023). After that, screening (by title, abstract, and full text), selection, and data extraction were performed. Also, quality assessment was conducted based on the STROBE checklist.
RESULTS: In total, 1507 articles were identified and assessed, and then only 29 articles were found eligible to be included. Nine studies used 0D nanomaterials, ten used 1D nanomaterials, two reported 2D nanomaterials, and eight demonstrated the application of 3D nanomaterials. The main biomaterial in studies was polymer-based composites. Three studies reported the negative effect of nanomaterials on neural differentiation.
CONCLUSIONS: Neural differentiation is crucial in neurological regenerative medicine. Nanomaterials with different characteristics, particularly those cellular regulating activities and stem cell fate, have much potential in neural tissue engineering. These findings indicate a new understanding of potential applications of physicochemical cues in nerve tissue engineering.

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) can lead to significant neurological deficits and lifelong disability, with far-reaching physical, psychological, and economic consequences for affected individuals and their families. Current treatments for SCIs are limited in their ability to restore function, and there is a pressing need for innovative therapeutic approaches. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising strategy to promote the regeneration and repair of damaged neural tissue following SCIs. This review article comprehensively discusses the potential of different stem cell types, such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs), in SCI treatment. We provide an in-depth analysis of the unique advantages and challenges associated with each stem cell type, as well as the latest advancements in the field. Furthermore, we address the critical challenges faced in stem cell therapy for SCIs, including safety concerns, ethical considerations, standardization of protocols, optimization of transplantation parameters, and the development of effective outcome measures. We also discuss the integration of novel technologies such as gene editing, biomaterials, and tissue engineering to enhance the therapeutic potential of stem cells. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts among various stakeholders in the scientific community, including researchers, clinicians, bioengineers, industry partners, and patients, to overcome these challenges and realize the full potential of stem cell therapy for SCI patients. By fostering such collaborations and advancing our understanding of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, we can pave the way for the development of groundbreaking therapies that improve the lives of those affected by SCIs.

The goal of in vitro gametogenesis is to reproduce the events of sperm and oocyte development in the laboratory. Significant advances have been made in the mouse in the last decade, but evolutionary divergence from the murine developmental program has prevented the replication of these advances in large mammals. In recent years, intensive work has been done in humans, non-human primates and livestock to elucidate species-specific differences that regulate germ cell development, due to the number of potential applications. One of the most promising applications is the use of in vitro gametes to optimize the spread of elite genetics in cattle. In this context, embryonic stem cells have been posed as excellent candidates for germ cell platforms. Here, we present the most relevant advances in in vitro gametogenesis of interest to livestock science, including new types of pluripotent stem cells with potential for germline derivation, characterization of the signaling environment in the gonadal niche, and experimental systems used to reproduce different stages of germ cell development in the laboratory.

Revolutionary advancements in regenerative medicine have brought stem cell therapy to the forefront, offering promising prospects for the regeneration of ischemic cardiac tissue. Yet, its full efficacy, safety, and role in treating ischemic heart disease (IHD) remain limited. This literature review explores the intricate mechanisms underlying stem cell therapy. Furthermore, we unravel the innovative approaches employed to bolster stem cell survival, enhance differentiation, and seamlessly integrate them within the ischemic cardiac tissue microenvironment. Our comprehensive analysis uncovers how stem cells enhance cell survival, promote angiogenesis, and modulate the immune response. Stem cell therapy harnesses a multifaceted mode of action, encompassing paracrine effects and direct cell replacement. As our review progresses, we underscore the imperative for standardized protocols, comprehensive preclinical and clinical studies, and careful regulatory considerations. Lastly, we explore the integration of tissue engineering and genetic modifications, envisioning a future where stem cell therapy reigns supreme in regenerative medicine.

Pluripotency describes the ability of stem cells to differentiate into derivatives of the three germ layers. In reporting new human pluripotent stem cell lines, their clonal derivatives or the safety of differentiated derivatives for transplantation, assessment of pluripotency is essential. Historically, the ability to form teratomas in vivo containing different somatic cell types following injection into immunodeficient mice has been regarded as functional evidence of pluripotency. In addition, the teratomas formed can be analyzed for the presence of malignant cells. However, use of this assay has been subject to scrutiny for ethical reasons on animal use and due to the lack of standardization in how it is used, therefore questioning its accuracy. In vitro alternatives for assessing pluripotency have been developed such as ScoreCard and PluriTest. However, it is unknown whether this has resulted in reduced use of the teratoma assay. Here, we systematically reviewed how the teratoma assay was reported in publications between 1998 (when the first human embryonic stem cell line was described) and 2021. Our analysis of >400 publications showed that in contrast to expectations, reporting of the teratoma assay has not improved: methods are not yet standardized, and malignancy was examined in only a relatively small percentage of assays. In addition, its use has not decreased since the implementation of the ARRIVE guidelines on reduction of animal use (2010) or the introduction of ScoreCard (2015) and PluriTest (2011). The teratoma assay is still the preferred method to assess the presence of undifferentiated cells in a differentiated cell product for transplantation since the in vitro assays alone are not generally accepted by the regulatory authorities for safety assessment. This highlights the remaining need for an in vitro assay to test malignancy of stem cells.

Mammals represent a relevant species in worldwide cultures with significant commercial value. These animals are considered an attractive large animal model for biomedical and biotechnology research. The development of large animal experimental models may open alternative strategies for investigating stem cells (SCs) physiology and potential application in the veterinary field. The embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are known to possess natural pluripotency that confers the ability to differentiate into various tissues in vivo and in vitro. These notable characteristics can be useful for research and innovative applications, including biomedicine, agriculture and industry. Transcription factors play a crucial role in preserving stem cell self-renewal, whereas growth factors are involved in both growth and differentiation. However, to date, many questions concerning pluripotency, cellular differentiation regulator genes, and other molecules such as growth factors and their interactions in many mammalian species remain unresolved. The purpose of this review is to provide an overall review regarding the study of ESCs in mammals and briefly discuss the role of transcription and growth factors.

This systematic scoping review aims to map and identify the available artificial-intelligence-based techniques for imaging analysis, the characterization of stem cell differentiation, and trans-differentiation pathways. On the ninth of March 2022, data were collected from five electronic databases (PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus) and manual citation searching; all data were gathered in Zotero 5.0. A total of 4422 articles were collected after deduplication; only twenty-seven studies were included in this systematic scoping review after a two-phase screening against inclusion criteria by two independent reviewers. The amount of research in this field is significantly increasing over the years. While the current state of artificial intelligence (AI) can tackle a multitude of medical problems, the consensus amongst researchers remains that AI still falls short in multiple ways that investigators should examine, ranging from the quality of images used in training sets and appropriate sample size, as well as the unexpected events that may occur which the algorithm cannot predict.

Alzheimer\'s disease (AD) is one of the most common forms of dementia and affects around 50 million people around the globe. AD is diagnosed mainly through imaging techniques and to date only five drugs are approved for management of AD but no promising treatment is available for AD. So in this review, we are focusing on stem cell therapy for AD. This review will cover all stem cells like mesenchymal stem cells, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and neural stem cells. Clinical trials of AD have also been discussed. Finally, limitations of stem cells are discussed with ongoing clinical trials, and in the future stem cell therapy can be used for treatment of AD.

Totipotent stem cells are cells with the capacity to form an entire embryo. Many attempts have been made to convert other types of cells to totipotent stem cells which we called induced totipotent stem cells. Various aspects of these cells such as transcriptional and epigenetics networks are unique. By taking advantage of these aspects, efficient methods have been provided to induce totipotent stem cells. Although this advancement is significant, many aspects of induction such as the underlying mechanism remain to be elucidated. On the other hand, embryonic stem cells usually are the source of induction which raise important questions regarding if these methods are induction or promotion of 2C intrinsic totipotent cells in ESC culture. Here, we review the latest mouse progress in underling mechanism of induction of totipotent stem cells. In addition, we follow up on the progress of Blastoids derived from totipotent stem cells.