Sreekala Panaikal Venugopala Shenoy

Mrs. Sreekala Panaikal Venugopala Shenoy


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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4 September 2024 in Cells
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MDMartha elena Diaz-Hernandez
Martha elena Diaz-Hernandez
KMKimihide Murakami
Kimihide Murakami
SMShizumasa Murata
Shizumasa Murata
NKNazir Khan
Nazir Khan
SSSreekala Panaikal Venugopala Shenoy
Sreekala Panaikal Venugopala Shenoy
HDHicham M. Drissi
Hicham M. Drissi
Intervertebral disc disease (IDD) is a debilitating spine condition that can be caused by intervertebral disc (IVD) damage which progresses towards IVD degeneration and dysfunction. Recently, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) were recognized as a valuable resource for cell-based regenerative medicine in skeletal diseases. Therefore, adult somatic cells reprogrammed into human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) represent an attractive cell source for the derivation of notochordal-like cells (NCs) as a first step towards the development of a regenerative therapy for IDD. Utilizing a differentiation method involving treatment with a four-factor cocktail targeting the BMP, FGF, retinoic acid, and Wnt signaling pathways, we differentiate CRISPR/Cas9-generated mCherry-reporter knock-in hiPSCs into notochordal-like cells. Comprehensive analysis of transcriptomic changes throughout the differentiation process identified regulation of histone methylation as a pivotal driver facilitating the differentiation of hiPSCs into notochordal-like cells. We further provide evidence that specific inhibition of histone demethylases KDM2A and KDM7A/B enhanced the lineage commitment of hiPSCs towards notochordal-like cells. Our results suggest that inhibition of KDMs could be leveraged to alter the epigenetic landscape of hiPSCs to control notochord-specific gene expression. Thus, our study highlights the importance of epigenetic regulators in stem cell-based regenerative approaches for the treatment of disc degeneration.