Conversion of Human Fibroblasts into Monocyte-Like Progenitor Cells The authors report on the establishment of a novel methodology allowing for the conversion of human fibroblasts into hematopoietic progenitor-like cells with macrophage differentiation potential. Profiling of cord blood hematopoietic progenitor cell populations identified miR-125b as a factor facilitating commitment of SOX2-generated CD34+ cells to immature hematopoietic-like progenitor cells with grafting potential. [Stem Cells] Abstract | Press Release Improved Explant Method to Isolate Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Immunosuppressive Properties To overcome low cell recovery rates, the authors demonstrate an improved explant method for umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells isolation, which involves the use of a stainless steel mesh to protect the tissue from floating after the minced fragments are aligned at regular intervals in culture dishes. [Tissue Eng Part C Methods] Abstract Heterogeneous Functions of Perinatal Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Require a Pre-Selection before Their Banking for Clinical Use Researchers compared adult bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) with MSCs from perinatal tissues (cord blood, umbilical cord, amnion and chorion) on their in vitro immunological and stromacytic efficiencies under different priming conditions. Their results showed that perinatal-MSCs had a potential to modulate the in vitro immune response as well as be useful to hematopoietic progenitor cell ex vivo expansion. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract Molecular and Functional Analyses of Motor Neurons Generated from Human Cord-Blood-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Researchers present for the first time the differentiation of human cord-blood-derived iPSCs (hCBiPSCs) into motor neurons, the cell type primarily affected in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In contrast to induced pluripotent stem cells generated from adult tissue, the hCBiPSCs hold the promise of lower genetic mutation burden or epigenetic alterations, which makes them ideal candidates for transplantation studies. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract Clinical Observation of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation in Treatment for Sequelae of Thoracolumbar Spinal Cord Injury Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells have a considerable advantage and potential in treating for central nervous system diseases and have become a novel alternative treatment for spinal cord injury. Investigators compared the neurological function outcome of stem cell transplantation, rehabilitation therapy, and self-healing for sequelae of spinal cord injury. [J Transl Med] Abstract | Full Article mTORC1 Is Essential for Early Steps during Schwann Cell Differentiation of Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells and Regulates Lipogenic Gene Expression Scientists used amniotic fluid stem (AFS) cells and focused on the mechanisms occurring during early steps of differentiation along the Schwann cell lineage. They initiated Schwann cell differentiation in AFS cells and monitored as well as modulated the activity of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, the major regulator of anabolic processes. [PLoS One] Full Article Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Alleviate Nasal Mucosa Radiation Damage in a Guinea Pig Model The authors investigated the therapeutic effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in a guinea pig model of nasal mucosa radiation damage and explored its therapeutic mechanism. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract Comparative Analysis of Unrelated Cord Blood Transplantation and HLA-Matched Sibling Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children with High-Risk or Advanced Acute Leukemia Scientists present a clinical comparison of unrelated cord blood transplantation and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell or bone marrow transplantation in children with high-risk or advanced acute leukemia. [Ann Hematol] Abstract Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Neural Stem Cells Using Cerebrospinal Fluid Researchers optimized a methodology for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiation into neural stem cells using cerebrospinal fluid. MSCs were extracted from umbilical cord blood from healthy, full-term, newborn infants and from the bone marrow of patients. [Cell Biochem Biophys] Abstract Characterization of Combinatorial Histone Modifications on Lineage-Affiliated Genes during Hematopoietic Stem Cell Myeloid Commitment Scientists observed the role of combinatorial histone modification pattern in the maintenance of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) pluripotency and differentiation. HSCs were collected from human umbilical cord blood and induced to differentiate to committed cells in vitro. [Acta Biochim Biophys Sin] Abstract |