Abstract: The radical treatment currently for decompensated liver cirrhosis is still liver transplantation. However, liver transplants are not widely performed worldwide and development of genuine regeneration therapy for liver cirrhosis is an urgent task. We have developed a novel murine model [the green fluorescent protein (GFP)/carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) model], and reported that infused GFP-positive bone marrow cells repopulated cirrhotic liver. Moreover, repopulated bone marrow cells ameliorated liver fibrosis through higher expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9, consistent with improved liver functions and better survival rate. Based on these findings, we started a clinical trial of autologous bone marrow cell infusion (ABMi) therapy for decompensated liver cirrhotic patients, and reported the efficacy and the safety of this approach. On the other hand, various other clinical studies for liver disease have been also reported, including hepatic administration of autologous CD34-positive cells induced by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), portal vein administration of CD133-positive mononuclear cells, and administration of autologous bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Effectiveness of these approaches has been shown in some patients. We provided here an overview of the current status of liver regeneration therapies including our results of the murine GFP/CCl₄ model and ABMi therapy for liver cirrhosis and future prospects. ... Read more

Abstract: Visual performance, to a large extent, depends on the optical and refractive properties of the eye. The cornea is of great importance to this system. However, it requires a healthy epithelium for protection and optimal functioning. A sophisticated apparatus which relies on unipotent stem cells ensures the homeostasis of the corneal epithelium. A number of pathologic conditions can damage this mechanism, thereby compromising the ocular surface. This article will examine the concepts underlying a healthy or diseased corneal surface. Subsequently, current therapeutic approaches to regenerate a healthy epithelium and potential future developments will be discussed. ... Read more

Abstract: Epigenetics is a field that has swiftly gained momentum over the past few years. It has been associated with applications in development, evolution and pathogenesis. In recent studies, however, a link has surfaced that connects epigenetic changes and transplantation. From its very beginning, transplantation medicine has been confronted with the looming specter of transplant rejection. It has been shown that epigenetic changes are at least partly involved in transplant outcomes; it is therefore of great importance to further investigate the exact mechanisms affecting transplantation outcome. The use of epigenetic markers for the determination of graft prognosis and the diagnosis of transplant rejection status promises to be an efficient and accurate means in clinical applications. As will be discussed in this review, enlisting the help of epigenetic mechanisms might not only facilitate the diagnosis of graft rejection, but also contribute to attenuation of transplant rejection. This would be a very desirable aid to the field of transplant medicine. ... Read more

Abstract: The World Health Organization (WHO) classification of lympho-hematopoietic neoplasms is increasingly based on genetic criteria. Here, we focus on changes that, as compared to the 2001 edition, were introduced into the 2008 WHO classification of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and related precursor neoplasms. The category of AML with recurrent genetic abnormalities was expanded to account for 60% of AML by adding three distinct entities, i.e., AML with t(6,9), inv(3), or t(1;22), and two provisional entities, i.e., AML with mutated NPM1 or CEBPA. These changes have greatly modified the approaches to diagnosis and prognostic stratification of AML patients. To emphasize the need of various parameters for diagnosis, including myelodysplasia (MD)-related cytogenetic abnormalities, history of myelodysplasia or myelodysplasia/myeloproliferative neoplasm, and multilineage dysplasia, the category of "AML with multilineage dysplasia" was re-named AML with MD-related changes. Finally, we describe the unique characteristics of myeloid proliferations associated with Down syndrome and blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm. ... Read more