Search Results (3,585)

Stripe rust of wheat, caused by the obligate biotrophic fungus Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is a devastating disease. The natural degeneration and viability loss of Pst urediniospores directly impact its dispersal and epidemic potential, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to systematically decipher the key molecular changes during the natural degeneration of Pst urediniospores using a multi-omics approach. We performed integrated transcriptomic (RNA-seq) and metabolomic (LC-MS) analyses on relatively purified fresh urediniospores (CC group) and those undergoing room-temperature-induced degeneration (CM group) of the prevalent Pst race CYR34. A total of 1622 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 382 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were identified. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant downregulation of core energy and biosynthetic pathways, including ribosome biogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation. Metabolomic profiling showed that lipids and lipid-like molecules, along with organic acids and derivatives, constituted the major classes of altered metabolites. DAMs were primarily enriched in pathways such as “Metabolic pathways” and “ABC transporters.” Integrated analysis indicated a prevalent negative correlation pattern between gene expression levels and metabolite abundance. This study provides a systematic molecular landscape associated with Pst urediniospore degeneration, revealing characteristics concomitant with the suppression of energy metabolism and translation functions, thereby offering novel insights and a data foundation for understanding the mechanisms of viability maintenance and loss. Full article

Rising global temperatures lead to a continuous increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, posing serious threats to terrestrial homeotherms. However, adaptive changes in respiratory metabolism and molecular mechanisms in lung tissues of small mammals under extreme water shortage conditions remain unclear. This study hypothesized that small desert mammals can adapt to extreme water shortage environments by regulating the plasticity of lung tissue gene expression and respiratory metabolism. Using 29 wild-caught Siberian jerboas (Orientallactaga sibirica) as subjects, we implemented a 12-day complete water deprivation protocol to simulate extreme aridity. Body weight, food intake, and daily energy expenditure (DEE) were monitored throughout the experiment. Whole-transcriptome sequencing of lung tissues was performed to profile mRNA, circRNA, and miRNA expression, with competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network analysis to explore molecular mechanisms underlying lung adaptation to water deprivation. Over the 12-day water deprivation (WS) period, Orientallactaga sibirica (O. sibirica) exhibited a 30.3% reduction in body mass and a 68.1% decrease in food intake relative to the baseline level. DEE during the peak activity period at the end of the experiment was 12.6% lower in the WS group compared to the control group. In lung tissue, structural integrity-related genes (Mybl2, Ccnb1) were downregulated. A key finding was that circ_0015576 exhibits a significant positive correlation with the potassium channel gene Kcnk15 and a robust negative correlation with miR-503-5p—suggesting that circ_0015576 functions as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to sequester miR-503-5p and thereby derepress Kcnk15 expression. Core regulatory genes (ApoA4, Dusp15 etc.) were also coordinately downregulated. Collectively, these results indicate that O. sibirica reduces overall energy expenditure, which may be associated with lung gene expression plasticity, such as those related with lung cell proliferation, pulmonary function, and gas exchange efficiency. This metabolic downregulation facilitates energy conservation under severe water scarcity. Full article

The Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire) (DLY) pig is a cornerstone of three-way crossbreeding system. Nevertheless, advances in commercial crossbred performance have been constrained by the dearth of high-resolution genomic resources for this key population. Here, we report the sequencing and assembly of 16 haplotype-resolved, chromosome-level genome assemblies derived from eight DLY pigs. These assemblies exhibited high continuity (contig N50: 18.17–29.54 Mb) and completeness (BUSCO: 99.3–99.4%), with sequences successfully localized to the 19 chromosomes. Genome annotation revealed an average of 21,922 protein-coding genes and 44.66% repetitive sequences per assembly. Comparative genomic analysis against the current reference genome Sscrofa11.1 enabled the construction of a non-redundant SV catalog comprising 130,416 variants, nearly half of which (48.99%) were novel relative to existing pig pan-genome SV panel. These SVs clustered non-randomly into 231 “SV hotspots” that were significantly enriched in protein-coding genes and putative regulatory elements. Functional analyses further linked these SV hotspots to quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with economically important traits. A focused analysis of a 3.43 Mb hotspot on chromosome 1, overlapping a known QTL for average daily gain, revealed eight high-frequency SVs in open chromatin regions near candidate genes (NCS1, HMCN2, FUBP3, ABL1, and FIBCD1), suggesting a cis-regulatory mechanism that may influence gene expression. Collectively, this work provides the first haplotype-resolved genomic resource for commercial crossbred pigs, and establishes a foundational framework for deciphering the genomic architecture of hybrid vigor and advancing precision breeding in swine. Full article

Exoskeletons are increasingly used in industrial settings, yet most are designed for structured, repetitive tasks, limiting adaptability to dynamic movements. In construction, frequent locomotion tasks demand continuous lower-limb engagement, and ladder climbing places substantial loads on coordination and flexibility. This study aimed to identify key muscles involved in climbing to support the development of adaptive exoskeletons. Ten healthy male participants (33.8 ± 3.4 years; 178.7 ± 5.0 cm; 87.4 ± 16.1 kg) performed vertical and A-frame ladder ascents in a controlled laboratory setting. Surface electromyography was recorded from eight right-leg muscles and processed using band-pass filtering, rectification, and root mean square smoothing. Two normalization strategies were applied: walking normalization, expressing climbing activity relative to level walking, and maximum voluntary contraction normalization, with amplitudes expressed as a percentage of maximum voluntary contraction. Our results showed that all muscles were more active in climbing than walking, with quadriceps (vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris) exhibiting the greatest increases. Gastrocnemius also approached or exceeded 100%MVC, tibialis anterior averaged 70–80%MVC, and hamstrings contributed 20–40%MVC mainly for stabilization. Vertical and A-frame ladders followed similar patterns with subtle posture-related variations. These findings highlight knee extensors as primary targets for adaptive exoskeleton assistance during ladder climbing tasks commonly performed on construction sites. Full article

Drought is one of the most limiting abiotic stresses for agricultural production, especially in horticultural crops grown in arid and semi-arid areas. In the present study, we evaluated the potential of bacterial isolates obtained from coastal environments in Chile to improve drought tolerance in Lagenaria siceraria, a plant species increasingly used as a rootstock for cucurbit cropping. Rhizosphere bacteria were isolated from Sicyos baderoa, the only native cucurbit species of the Chilean coast, from which four isolates with plant growth-promoting traits, such as indole-3-acetic acid production, phosphorus solubilization, nitrogen fixation, and siderophore production, were selected. These isolates were inoculated on two L. siceraria genotypes, Illapel and Osorno, under both normal irrigation and water deficit conditions. The results showed that Peribacillus frigoritolerans showed a clearer positive effect on biomass and net photosynthesis under water deficit in the Illapel genotype, increasing shoot biomass by up to ~75% and restoring net photosynthetic rates by up to ~260% relative to non-inoculated drought-stressed plants. In contrast, responses associated with Staphylococcus succinus and those observed in the Osorno genotype were mainly expressed as trait- and tissue-specific adjustments, consistent with a more stabilizing response rather than broad growth stimulation. Additionally, malondialdehyde levels were reduced by up to ~25%, while free proline accumulation increased by more than 100% under water deficit. In contrast, total phenolic compounds showed more variable responses, indicating genotype- and strain-specific adjustment of antioxidant metabolism. Overall, the observed responses were heterogeneous and strongly dependent on the specific strain–genotype–trait combination and, therefore, should be interpreted as preliminary evidence supporting the potential value of native rhizobacteria for improving early drought-related traits in cucurbit rootstocks. Among the tested strains, Peribacillus frigoritolerans emerged as the most promising candidate for enhancing early drought tolerance in responsive genotypes such as Illapel, while highlighting the need for follow-up studies under replicated nursery and field conditions, including grafted plants, multiple drought intensities and combined inoculant strategies. Full article

Background: Long INterspersed Element-1 (LINE-1) retrotransposons comprise 17–20% of the human genome. These retroelements are normally silenced early in embryonic development through epigenetic mechanisms and reawakened during oncogenesis, leading to transcriptional dysregulation, genomic instability, and immune evasion. Methods: In the present study, we categorized LINE-1 transcripts across 121 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) by subfamily, length, orientation, chromosomal origin, and distribution. In addition, high-prevalence insertions were mapped to nearby genes to assess potential functional interactions. Results: LINE-1 transcript abundance and length in NSCLC were dominated by evolutionarily young subfamilies, particularly L1HS and L1PA2 through L1PA5. Chromosomal patterns were conserved across NSCLC subtypes, with modest enrichment of L1HS activity on Chromosome 4 and the X Chromosome. The lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSQCC) subtype exhibited the highest total levels of L1HS expression relative to other NSCLC subtypes. Race modestly influenced LINE-1 transcript abundance, with cell lines derived from self-identified African American individuals showing elevated overall LINE-1 and L1HS expression. Age showed a weak positive correlation with total LINE-1 abundance. Integrative analysis revealed recurrent hotspots at 22q12.1 and 20p11.21 that were transcriptionally active across subtypes and coincided with previously reported intact LINE-1 elements active in epithelial cancers. Recurrent insertions were located near cancer-associated genes, including RB1, NEDD4, FTO, LAMA2, NOD1, and KCNB2, implicating LINE-1 activity in cis-regulatory remodeling of oncogenic pathways. Conclusions: Together, these findings indicate that LINE-1 transcript heterogeneity in NSCLC is shaped by host genomic architecture and conserved functional hotspots, providing new insights into the mechanisms of genetic and epigenetic dysregulation associated with LINE-1 retroelements. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits poor clinical response to gemcitabine, largely due to intrinsic and acquired mechanisms of chemoresistance. Identifying agents capable of enhancing gemcitabine efficacy without increasing cytotoxicity remains an unmet therapeutic need. Here, we characterise a small drug sensitiser molecule, B12, and evaluate its potential to sensitise PDAC cells to gemcitabine. Methods: Gemcitabine’s dose–response was assessed by MTT assay to determine IC₅₀ values and dose-modifying factor (DMF). Phenotypic consequences of co-treatment were examined using colony formation and wound scratch assays. Mitochondrial membrane potential (JC-1) and apoptosis (Annexin V/PI) were measured using flow cytometry. Transcriptomic profiling was performed using mRNA-seq with differential expression analysis and pathway enrichment (KEGG/GSEA). NF-κB activity was assessed by nuclear and cytoplasmic fractionation of p65, and RT-qPCR validation of NF-κB associated target genes. Results: B12 alone displayed minimal cytotoxicity in the PANC-1 cell line and normal pancreatic ductal HPDE cells, yet shifted the gemcitabine dose–response curve in PANC-1 cells, reducing the IC₅₀ and yielding a dose-modifying factor of 1.39. Functionally, B12 enhanced gemcitabine-induced suppression of colony formation and reduced wound closure relative to gemcitabine alone. The co-treatment also increased both mitochondrial depolarisation and apoptotic cell populations, with increased cell proliferation inhibition over time. Transcriptomic profiling identified a set of B12-associated genes downregulated both in B12-treated and B12 + gemcitabine conditions, including factors linked to growth, survival, inflammation, metabolism, and drug inactivation. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed negative enrichment of NF-κB associated pathways during B12 co-treatment. Consistently, nuclear-cytoplasmic fractionation showed that B12 reduced gemcitabine-induced nuclear accumulation of p65, accompanied by decreased expression of NF-κB associated targets such as BCL2L1, CCL20, SLC2A1, and MAP3K14. Conclusions: In PDAC cell models, B12 enhances gemcitabine cytotoxic response while displaying minimal intrinsic toxicity under the conditions tested. The sensitising phenotype is accompanied by increased apoptotic susceptibility and is associated with reduced NF-κB signalling at the pathway, transcript, and p65 nuclear localisation levels. However, to establish causality, the lack of sensitisation in HPDE cells will require further validation. Full article

Drought severely limits plant productivity, and understanding its regulatory mechanisms remains essential. Here, we characterize Lipid Transport Superfamily-Polyketide cyclase/dehydrase (LTS-PYL), a PYR/PYL/RCAR-domain gene, using Arabidopsis overexpression and CRISPR-Cas9 genome-edited lines to elucidate its role in drought adaptation. LTS-PYL overexpression enhanced early seedling growth, increasing root length (RL) by 40% and 31%, whereas genome-edited lines exhibited severe defects, including 42%, 28% reductions in fresh weight and 63%, 50% decreases in root length relative to WT-T. Under drought stress, overexpression lines displayed strong growth and reproductive resilience, with shoot length (SL) increased by up to 80%, silique length (Sil L) by 61%, and seed number doubled compared with WT-T. In contrast, genome-edited lines showed marked reductions in these traits, confirming their drought sensitivity. LTS-PYL overexpression strongly suppressed oxidative stress, reducing H₂O₂ by 74% and 68% and O₂⁻· by 39% and 38%, while increasing relative water content (RWC) by 42% and 39%. Genome-edited lines exhibited elevated (H₂O₂, O₂⁻·) and up to 33% lower RWC. Antioxidant capacity was also strengthened in overexpression plants, with catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activities increasing by 138%, 168% and 62%, 148%, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and electrolyte leakage (EL) reduced by 23%, 37%, relative to WT-T. Conversely, genome-edited lines showed weakened antioxidant defenses and higher membrane damage. Transcriptionally, overexpression activated drought-responsive genes, elevating LTS-PYL (604%, 472%), DREB2A (227%, 200%), and ABA levels (48%, 34%), whereas genome-edited lines showed strongly reduced expression and ABA decreases of 66%, 62%. Additionally, LTS-PYL enhanced osmotic adjustment, increasing proline (58%, 53%), sugars (37%, 46%), and sucrose (111%, 100%), while limiting chlorophyll (Chl) loss to 9%, 20%. Genome-edited lines exhibited reduced osmolytes and severe chlorophyll decline. Overall, LTS-PYL acts as a strong positive regulator of drought tolerance, integrating ABA signaling, osmotic adjustment, ROS detoxification, and transcriptional activation. Full article

Objective: To develop a novel and efficient vaccine for controlling scuticociliatosis in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), this study targeted the parasitic ciliate Pseudocohnilembus persalinus for membrane protein vaccine preparation. Methods: The immunoprotective efficacy and underlying molecular mechanisms of the vaccine were systematically evaluated through immunization–challenge experiments, immune parameter detection, and transcriptomic analysis. Results: Results showed that the serum IgM level in turbot immunized with the membrane protein vaccine reached its peak one week after the second immunization, which was significantly higher than that in the control group and the whole-cell protein vaccine group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the activities of serum peroxidase (POD), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), acetylcholinesterase (ACH), and lysozyme (LZM) were significantly enhanced (p < 0.05). At 24 h and 48 h post-challenge, the relative parasite reduction rates at the wound sites in the membrane protein vaccine group were 87.79% and 74.17%, respectively. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 1063 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the spleen tissue of turbot immunized with the membrane protein vaccine, including 734 upregulated and 329 downregulated genes. These DEGs were significantly enriched in pathways such as glycine, serine and threonine metabolism and one carbon pool by folate, which are involved in immune responses by regulating immune cell proliferation, antioxidant defense, and immune substance synthesis. Conclusions: This study successfully developed a P. persalinus membrane protein vaccine with excellent immunoprotective efficacy and elucidated its molecular mechanisms of protection. It provides a novel vaccine candidate for the green control of turbot scuticociliatosis and offers a theoretical basis and technical support for the development of fish parasite subunit vaccines. Full article

Accurate normalization of RT-qPCR data requires selecting stable internal control genes, particularly in models characterized by dynamic metabolic transitions, such as 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The current study compares the expression stability of nine widely used housekeeping genes (HKGs) (peptidylprolyl isomerase A (Ppia), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Gapdh), beta-2 microglobulin (B2M), ribosomal protein, large, P0 (36b4), hydroxymethylbilane synthase (Hmbs), hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (Hprt), tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein, zeta polypeptide (Ywhaz), 18S ribosomal RNA (18S), and β-actin (Actb)) across key stages of differentiation (days 0, 9, and 18) and under treatments with palmitic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Stability was assessed using four classical algorithms—geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder—supplemented by the ΔCt method, conventional statistical testing, correlation, and regression analysis relative to two target genes, fatty acid-binding protein 4 (Fabp4) and sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (Srebf1). The obtained data indicate that no single HKG remains universally stable across these experimental conditions, and the expression of traditionally used reference genes (Gapdh, Actb, Hprt, 18S) is highly influenced by both the stage of adipogenesis and exposure to lipid-modulating factors. In contrast, Ppia, 36b4, and B2M—despite some of them being underestimated in use as references—consistently display the lowest variability across most analytical tools, forming a reliable and functionally diverse normalization panel. It should be noted that our initial stability assessment revealed apparent discrepancies among mathematical evaluation methods, emphasizing the need for a holistic, multiple-level approach strategy. The applied combination of algorithmic and statistical methods provides a more rigorous and objective framework for assessing the stability of reference genes, which is highly recommended in such a complex adipocyte-based model. Full article

Global warming leads to premature dormancy release and untimely flowering in southern highbush blueberry during winter, resulting in chilling injury and yield losses. However, effective strategies to delay flowering by modulating dormancy progression without compromising fruit quality remain lacking. This study demonstrated through field trials that spraying 1 mg/mL ethephon (ETH) during the early endodormancy stage effectively delayed dormancy release and reduced the bud break rate of spring shoots by approximately 33.92% relative to the control, with no adverse effects on fruit quality. The treatment also reduces sucrose content in floral buds, a change potentially associated with dormancy maintenance. To explore the molecular basis of this process, we examined two ethylene-responsive transcription factors, VcERF112 and VcERF115, previously identified in our laboratory. Their expression was rapidly upregulated following ETH treatment. Heterologous expression of either gene in Arabidopsis delayed both seed germination and flowering, suggesting a conserved growth-suppressive function. Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed that VcERF112 and VcERF115 bind to the T2 region (−2310 to −1595 bp) of the VcBRC1 (VcBRANCHED1) promoter and enhance its expression. In contrast, sucrose treatment suppressed VcBRC1 expression. Collectively, these results propose that ethylene may sustain bud dormancy through a coordinated mechanism that operates independently of the classic abscisic acid (ABA)/gibberellins (GA) balance, a relationship not addressed in this study. This mechanism involves the induction of VcERF112/115 to activate VcBRC1, coupled with the reduction in sucrose levels to alleviate its repressive effect on VcBRC1. These findings provide new molecular insights into the ethylene-mediated regulatory network underlying bud dormancy in blueberry. Full article

Background/Objectives: Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare, histologically heterogeneous neoplasms lacking robust molecular biomarkers. Hippo pathway dysregulation—driving YAP/TEAD-dependent transcription—has been implicated across cancers, but transcript-level data in TETs are limited. Methods: We profiled 26 (23 TETs and three normal thymus) formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens by SYBR real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) across World Health Organization (WHO) subtypes, focusing on core Hippo components YAP1, TEAD4, MST1, SAV1, LATS1, and MOB1A. Expression was normalized to the geometric mean of HPRT1 and TBP and reported as log₂ fold change (log₂FC) using the 2^−ΔΔCq method relative to the pooled normal. Group differences were compared using non-parametric tests. Results: Median log₂FC values showed subtype-dependent upregulation of YAP1/TEAD4, notably in type A (YAP1 ≈ +3.43) and B3 (YAP1 ≈ +2.78) thymomas, with TEAD4 strongly increased in thymic carcinoma (TC; ≈ +3.49) and elevated in type A/B3. Upstream kinases tended to be subtype-specifically reduced, particularly in TC (MST1 ≈ −1.38; LATS1 ≈ −1.34), and modestly in B1. SAV1 was elevated in type A (≈+2.25) and B3 (≈+2.01), while MOB1A remained near baseline. Differential expression among WHO subtypes (Kruskal–Wallis) was significant for YAP1 (p = 0.003), TEAD4 (p = 0.015), SAV1 (p = 0.004), MST1 (p = 0.012), and LATS1 (p = 0.036), but not for MOB1A (p = 0.09). Conclusions: TETs seem to exhibit subtype-dependent expression patterns of core Hippo pathway components, characterized by enhanced YAP1–TEAD4 transcriptional output in selected subtypes and marked reduction of the MST1/LATS1 kinase module, most pronounced in TC. These exploratory patterns nominate candidate markers for subtype stratification and clinical validation. Full article

Asterothamnus centraliasiaticus is a key species within the desert ecosystems of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. To elucidate the physiological responses and underlying molecular mechanisms of drought tolerance in A. centraliasiaticus, this study employed high-throughput RNA sequencing of leaf tissues to identify key pathways and drought resistance-related genes associated with adaptation to water deficit conditions. Physiological analyses revealed that drought stress significantly enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes, increased the accumulation of osmotic adjustment substances and membrane damage indicators, and elevated relative electrical conductivity in leaves. In contrast, total ROS levels were significantly reduced under drought stress, indicating effective activation of antioxidant defense systems. Transcriptome analysis identified 15,010 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in response to drought stress. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that these DEGs were predominantly involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction, and zeatin biosynthesis pathways, which are closely associated with stress perception, signal transduction, and adaptive metabolic regulation. Moreover, qPCR validation of 15 randomly selected genes corroborated the RNA-seq results, confirming the reliability of the transcriptomic data. Collectively, these findings provide a valuable molecular framework for understanding drought response pathways and identifying drought resistance genes in A. centraliasiaticus, thereby offering theoretical support for future studies on xerophytic plant adaptation and molecular breeding for drought tolerance. Full article

Biodegradable tracheal stents have been developed to overcome the limitations of metallic and removable stents in benign airway disease. This study evaluated the local and systemic inflammatory response induced by a biodegradable polydioxanone tracheal stent in a rabbit model. Twenty-one rabbits were assigned to three follow-up groups (30, 60, and 90 days). In each group, six animals received a tracheal stent, and one served as a sham control. Clinical status and respiratory symptoms were monitored, and serial peripheral blood interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels were measured. At the end of follow-up, tracheoscopy, IL-8 quantification in tracheal lavage, and necropsy were performed. No deaths or severe respiratory symptoms occurred. Tracheoscopic findings were significantly less severe after stent degradation, with reduced congestion (p = 0.030), inflammation (p = 0.003), and secretions (p = 0.030). Two granulomas and two cases of stenosis were identified. Mean IL-8 expression in tracheal lavage (relative quantification, RQ) was 14,129 ± 3007 when the stent was present and 426 ± 100 after degradation (p = 0.003). Blood IL-8 expression increased significantly on day 1 compared with baseline (p = 0.022) and subsequently decreased (p = 0.034). Inflammatory and structural alterations induced by a polydioxanone tracheal stent decrease after stent degradation. Full article

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major contributor to heart failure and cardiac transplantation. This study investigated the metabolic potential of human myocardium-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hmMSCs) and subsequently cardiac sphere-derived cells (SDCs) obtained from healthy (non-dilated) and pathological (dilated) myocardial tissues. hmMSCs were isolated using the explant outgrowth method and expanded in monolayer culture. Small round cells loosely attached on hmMSCs were harvested and cultivated as cardiac spheroids for 1–3 days, subsequently obtaining SDCs. The cell morphology, proliferation rate, mitochondrial activity, and intracellular calcium levels were analyzed using flow cytometry, Seahorse metabolic assays, and spectrophotometry, while expression of cell progenitor and cardiac commitment genes were analyzed by quantitative PCR. Both healthy and pathological SDCs demonstrated significantly enhanced mitochondrial function—reflected by increased maximal respiration, ATP production, and coupling efficiency—along with reduced steady-state intracellular calcium levels compared with hmMSCs. SDCs from both healthy and dilated myocardium showed marked upregulation of several cardiac progenitor and lineage-commitment genes relative to hmMSCs. SDCs derived from both healthy and dilated myocardiums possess a more favorable metabolic, progenitor and cardiac commitment profile than conventional hmMSCs. hmMSCs and SDCs from dilated myocardium retain residual metabolic potential, which may be further enhanced under 3D culture conditions. Full article