The global demand for fish is rising and projected to increase for years to come. However, there is uncertainty whether this increased demand can be met by the conventional approaches of capture fisheries and fish farming because of wild stock depletion, natural resource requirements, and environmental impact concerns. One proposed complementary solution is to manufacture the same meat directly from fish cells, as cellbased fish. More than 30 ventures are competing to commercialize cell-based meat broadly, but the field lacks a foundation of shared scientific knowledge, which threatens to delay progress. Here, we recommend taking a research-focused, more open and collaborative approach to cell-based fish meat development that targets lean fish and an unlikely but very attractive candidate for accelerating research and development, the zebrafish. Although substantial work lies ahead, cell-based meat technology could prove to be a more efficient, less resource-intensive method of producing lean fish meat. ll

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Populations of hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors are quite heterogeneous and consist of multiple cell subsets with distinct phenotypic and functional characteristics. Some of these subsets also appear to be interconvertible and oscillate between functionally distinct states. The multipotent hematopoietic cell line EML has emerged as a unique model to study the heterogeneity and interconvertibility of multipotent hematopoietic cells. Here we describe extensive phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of EML cells which stems from the coexistence of multiple cell subsets. Each of these subsets is phenotypically and functionally heterogeneous, and displays distinct multilineage differentiation potential, cell cycle profile, proliferation kinetics, and expression pattern of HSC markers and some of the key lineage-associated transcription factors. Analysis of their maintenance revealed that on a population level all EML cell subsets exhibit cell-autonomous interconvertible properties, with the capacity to generate all other subsets and re-establish complete parental EML cell population. Moreover, all EML cell subsets generated during multiple cell generations maintain their distinct phenotypic and functional signatures and interconvertible properties. The model of EML cell line suggests that interconvertible multipotent hematopoietic cell subsets coexist in a homeostatically maintained dynamic equilibrium which is regulated by currently unknown cell-intrinsic mechanisms.

Background: The favorable biological and mechanical properties of the most common components of the placenta, the amnion and chorion, have been exploredfor regenerative medical indications. The use of the combination of amnion and chorion has also become very popular. But, published data from placental tissues in their final, useable form is lacking. During treatment with membrane product, the tissue is usually sterile, intact and laid on a wound or treatment area. The factors available to the treatment area from the applied product need to be elucidated and presented in a relatable form. Current reporting for eluted growth factor results are typically expressed per milliliter, which is not informative with respect to the area of tissue covered by the actual membrane and may differ among techniques.Methods: To address this inconsistency, amnion or amnion/chorion were isolated from human placentas and processed by a proprietary procedure. The final dry, sterilized product was evaluated for structural components and growth factor elution. Growth factors were quantified by multiplex panels and ELISAs and the values normalized to specific area and elution volume of finished product. This information allows extrapolation to all membrane sizes and affords cross-study comparisons.Results: Analysis of membrane supernatants show that dehydrated, sterilized amnion and amnion/chorion elute factors that are conducive to wound healing, which are available to recipient tissues. Importantly, these measurable factors eluted from dehydrated, sterilized membranes can be reported as a function of available factors per square centimeter of tissue. Conclusions:The standardized characterization of dehydrated, sterilized amnion and amnion/chorion as delivered to recipient tissues permits understanding and comparison of the products across various graft sizes, types, and eluate volumes. Further, reporting this data as a function of cm 2 of dehydrated tissue allows extrapolation by independent scientists and clinicians.

Aplastic anemia (AA) is an immune-mediated and life-threatening form of acquired bone marrow failure (BMF), characterized by development and expansion of self-reactive T cells. These T cells cause continuous destruction of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), progenitors, and mature blood cells, leading to severe and if left untreated fatal marrow hypoplasia and pancytopenia. Standard treatment options for patients with AA include: (1) immunosuppressive therapy (IST) with anti-thymocyte globulin and cyclosporine A which targets self-reactive T cells, or (2) matched sibling or unrelated BM transplant (BMT). The IST treatment is often not effective due to poor response to therapy or disease relapse after IST. Also, BMT is not an option for many patients due to their age, comorbidities, and the lack of histocompatible donor. This necessitates development and testing of novel approaches to reduce severity of AA and to efficiently treat patients with refractory and relapsed AA. Immune-mediated AA was reproduced in animals, including mouse lymphocyte infusion models, which are used to study further etiology and pathophysiology of AA and test new drugs and approaches in treating and managing AA. In these mouse models the immune correlates and pathologic features of AA are strikingly similar to features of severe human AA. In this article we (a) briefly review standard and developing approaches for treating AA and (b) describe development and testing of novel treatment approach with a potential to safely reduce BM hypoplasia and significantly decrease the loss of HSCs in mouse lymphocyte infusion model of AA.