



@article {3303,
	title = {Hippo pathway effectors control cardiac progenitor cell fate by acting as dynamic sensors of substrate mechanics and nanostructure},
	journal = {ACS Nano},
	volume = {8},
	year = {2014},
	note = {Cited By (since 1996):4Export Date: 21 November 2014},
	month = {2014},
	pages = {2033 - 2047},
	abstract = {Stem cell responsiveness to extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and mechanical cues has been the subject of a number of investigations so far, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying stem cell mechano-biology still need full clarification. Here we demonstrate that the paralog proteins YAP and TAZ exert a crucial role in adult cardiac progenitor cell mechano-sensing and fate decision. Cardiac progenitors respond to dynamic modifications in substrate rigidity and nanopattern by promptly changing YAP/TAZ intracellular localization. We identify a novel activity of YAP and TAZ in the regulation of tubulogenesis in 3D environments and highlight a role for YAP/TAZ in cardiac progenitor proliferation and differentiation. Furthermore, we show that YAP/TAZ expression is triggered in the heart cells located at the infarct border zone. Our results suggest a fundamental role for the YAP/TAZ axis in the response of resident progenitor cells to the modifications in microenvironment nanostructure and mechanics, thereby contributing to the maintenance of myocardial homeostasis in the adult heart. These proteins are indicated as potential targets to control cardiac progenitor cell fate by materials design. {\textcopyright} 2014 American Chemical Society.},
	keywords = {adult cardiac progenitor cell, cardiac differentiation, mechano- transduction, substrate nanotopography, YAP/TAZ},
	url = {http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84896911335\&partnerID=40\&md5=c15ea687a167227f6d91e71dcc812590},
	author = {Mosqueira, D. and Pagliari, S. and Uto, K and Ebara, M and Romanazzo, S. and Escobedo-Lucea, C and Nakanishi, J and Taniguchi, A and Franzese, O and Di Nardo, P. and Goumans, MJ and Traversa, E and Pinto-Do-{\'O}, P. and Aoyagi, T. and Forte, G.}
}
@article {3305,
	title = {Human umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells attenuate remodeling after myocardial infarction by proangiogenic, antiapoptotic, and endogenous cell-activation mechanisms},
	journal = {Stem Cell Research and Therapy},
	volume = {5},
	year = {2014},
	note = {Cited By (since 1996):2Export Date: 21 November 2014},
	month = {2014},
	abstract = {Introduction. Among the plethora of cells under investigation to restore a functional myocardium, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been granted considerable interest. However, whereas the beneficial effects of bone marrow MSCs (BM-MSCs) in the context of the diseased heart are widely reported, data are still scarce on MSCs from the umbilical cord matrix (UCM-MSCs). Herein we report on the effect of UCM-MSC transplantation to the infarcted murine heart, seconded by the dissection of the molecular mechanisms at play. Methods. Human umbilical cord tissue-derived MSCs (UCX{\textregistered}), obtained by using a proprietary technology developed by ECBio, were delivered via intramyocardial injection to C57BL/6 females subjected to permanent ligation of the left descending coronary artery. Moreover, medium produced by cultured UCX{\textregistered} preconditioned under normoxia (CM) or hypoxia (CMH) was collected for subsequent in vitro assays. Results: Evaluation of the effects upon intramyocardial transplantation shows that UCX{\textregistered} preserved cardiac function and attenuated cardiac remodeling subsequent to myocardial infarction (MI). UCX{\textregistered} further led to increased capillary density and decreased apoptosis in the injured tissue. In vitro, UCX{\textregistered}-conditioned medium displayed (a) proangiogenic activity by promoting the formation of capillary-like structures by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and (b) antiapoptotic activity in HL-1 cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxia. Moreover, in adult murine cardiac Sca- 1{\textsection}ssup{\textsection}+{\textsection}esup{\textsection} progenitor cells (CPCs), conditioned medium enhanced mitogenic activity while activating a gene program characteristic of cardiomyogenic differentiation. Conclusions: UCX{\textregistered} preserve cardiac function after intramyocardial transplantation in a MI murine model. The cardioprotective effects of UCX{\textregistered} were attributed to paracrine mechanisms that appear to enhance angiogenesis, limit the extent of the apoptosis, augment proliferation, and activate a pool of resident CPCs. Overall, these results suggest that UCX{\textregistered} should be considered an alternative cell source when designing new therapeutic approaches to treat MI. {\textcopyright} 2014 Nascimento et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.},
	url = {http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84896713037\&partnerID=40\&md5=22fdca81d834ec78c8196552c3d250ae},
	author = {Nascimento, D.S. and Mosqueira, D. and Sousa, L.M. and Teixeira, M. and Filipe, M. and Resende, TP and Ara{\'u}jo, A.F. and Valente, M. and Almeida, J. and Martins, J.P. and Santos, J.M. and B{\'a}rcia, R.N. and Cruz, P. and Cruz, H. and Pinto-Do-{\'O}, P.}
}
@article {2849,
	title = {Adult stem cells and biocompatible scaffolds as smart drug delivery tools for cardiac tissue repair},
	journal = {Current Medicinal Chemistry},
	volume = {20},
	year = {2013},
	note = {Cited By (since 1996):1Export Date: 12 December 2013Source: Scopus},
	month = {2013///},
	pages = {3429 - 3447},
	url = {http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84883267656\&partnerID=40\&md5=b03789229cfac322e56bb69b4fc644ea},
	author = {Pagliari, S. and Romanazzo, S. and Mosqueira, D. and Pinto-Do-{\'O}, P. and Aoyagi, T. and Forte, G.}
}
