The Toll-Like Receptor 3 Ligand, Poly(I:C), Improves Immunosuppressive Function and Therapeutic Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Sepsis via Inhibiting MiR-143 Investigators found that, after treating human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells with various Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands, only TLR3 ligand, poly(I:C), could significantly increase the expression of cyclooxygenase-2. [Stem Cells] Abstract Membrane Culture and Reduced Oxygen Tension Enhances Cartilage Matrix Formation from Equine Cord Blood Mesenchymal Stromal Cells In Vitro The authors evaluated and compared the effect of reduced oxygen and membrane culture during in vitro chondrogenesis of equine cord blood mesenchymal stromal cells. [Osteoarthritis Cartilage] Abstract Long Term Immune Reconstitution and Infection Burden after Mismatched Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Mismatched unrelated donor (MMUD) or umbilical cord blood (UCB) can be chosen as alternative donors for allogeneic stem cell transplantation but might be associated with long lasting immune deficiency. Sixty-six patients who underwent a first transplantation from either UCB or 9/10 MMUD (n= 36) and who survived beyond 3 months were evaluated. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract Human Umbilical Cord Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Attenuate Remodeling Following Myocardial Infarction by Pro-Angiogenic, Anti-Apoptotic and Endogenous Cell Activation Mechanisms Investigators report on the effect of umbilical cord matrix-derived mesenchymal stromal cells transplantation to the infarcted murine heart, seconded by the dissection of the molecular mechanisms at play. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Abstract | Full Article Characterization and Profiling of Immunomodulatory Genes of Equine Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Non-Invasive Sources Although bone marrow is the best known source for isolating equine mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC), non-invasive alternative sources such as umbilical cord blood (UCB), umbilical cord matrix (UCM) and peripheral blood (PB) have been reported also. Equine MSC from 3 non-invasive alternative sources were isolated from 6 individual mares (PB) and their foals (UCB & UCM) at parturition. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Abstract | Full Article Optimization of the Therapeutic Efficacy of Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in an NSG Mouse Xenograft Model of Graft-versus-Host Disease Scientists attempted to evaluate whether human umbilical cord blood-mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) could either prevent or treat graft-versus-host disease in an NSG mouse xenograft model by injection of MSCs before or after in vivo clearance. [Cytotherapy] Abstract Transcription Factor SCL/TAL1 Mediates the Phosphorylation of MEK/ERK Pathway in Umbilical Cord Blood CD34+ Stem Cells during Hematopoietic Differentiation Transcription factor stem cell leukemia (SCL), also known as the T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia 1 (TAL1), plays a key role in the regulation of hematopoiesis, but the molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Researchers aimed to elucidate the effects of the epidermal growth factor receptor signal pathways underlying the biologic activity of SCL/TAL1 on normal hematopoietic development. Lentiviral vectors with up or down-regulation of SCL/TAL1 were transfected into umbilical cord blood CD34 stem cells. [Blood Cells Mol Dis] Abstract Effect of Human Endothelial Progenitor Cell (EPC)- or Mouse Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-Derived Vessel Formation on the Survival of Vitrified/Warmed Mouse Ovarian Grafts Investigators evaluated the effectiveness of improving angiogenesis at graft sites on the survival of follicles in transplanted ovarian tissue. Matrigel containing 5 × 105 of cord blood-derived EPCs or 200 ng of mouse vascular endothelial growth factor was injected subcutaneously into BALB/c-Nu mice. [Reprod Sci] Abstract |