Nonviral Cell Labeling and Differentiation Agent for Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Based on Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles The authors developed a platform of a nonviral gene delivery system of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) to rapidly generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived definitive-lineage cells, including endodermal-differentiated cells. They also evaluated the feasibility and efficiency of FITC-conjugated MSNs (FMSNs) for labeling of iPSCs and utilized the multifunctional properties of FMSNs for a suitable carrier for biomolecule delivery. [ACS Nano] Abstract Gene Regulation and Priming by Topoisomerase IIα in Embryonic Stem Cells Investigators found that the expression of topo II isoforms, topoisomerase IIα and topoisomerase IIβ, is the characteristic of dividing and postmitotic tissues, respectively. In embryonic stem cells, topoisomerase IIα preferentially occupies active gene promoters. Topoisomerase IIα inhibition compromises genomic integrity, which results in epigenetic changes, altered kinetics of RNA Pol II at target promoters and misregulated gene expression. [Nat Commun] Abstract Selecting Antagonistic Antibodies that Control Differentiation through Inducible Expression in Embryonic Stem Cells Scientists describe an innovative system for identifying antibodies by introducing and expressing antibody gene populations in embryonic stem (ES) cells. Following induced antibody expression and secretion, changes in differentiation outcomes of individual antibody-expressing ES clones are monitored using lineage-specific gene expression to identify clones that encode and express signal-modifying antibodies. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Genome-Wide Profiling Reveals Stimulus-Specific Functions of p53 during Differentiation and DNA Damage of Human Embryonic Stem Cells Researchers performed genome-wide profiling of p53 chromatin interactions and target gene expression in human embryonic stem cells in response to early differentiation, induced by retinoic acid, versus DNA damage, caused by adriamycin. [Nucleic Acids Res] Full Article Critical Components of the Pluripotency Network Are Targets for the p300/CBP Interacting Protein (p/CIP) in Embryonic Stem Cells Investigators found that p/CIP is highly expressed in undifferentiated mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells and is downregulated during differentiation. siRNA-mediated knockdown of p/CIP decreased transcript levels of Nanog, but not Oct4 or Sox2. Microarray expression analysis showed that Klf4, Tbx3 and Dax-1, are significantly downregulated in mES cells when p/CIP is knocked down. [Stem Cell] Abstract BMP10 as a Potent Inducer of Trophoblast Differentiation in Human Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Researchers compared the potency at which bone morphogenetic protein-5 (BMP5), BMP10 and BMP13, which are members of distinct BMP subgroups due to differences in sequential and structural homology, induce differentiation in human embryonic stem cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells. [Biomaterials] Abstract Cell Recognition Molecule L1 Promotes Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation through the Regulation of Cell Surface Glycosylation Investigators examined whether sialylation and fucosylation are involved in embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation through L1 signaling. RNA interference analysis showed that L1 enhanced differentiation of ESCs into neurons through the upregulation of FUT9 and ST3Gal4. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract Identifying Division Symmetry of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells: Negative Impact of DNA Methyltransferases on Symmetric Self-Renewal Over 350 sister embryonic stem cells (ESCs) were isolated through a microdissection method, and then expression levels of 48 key genes were examined for each sister cell. The authors’ system revealed considerable diversities between sister ESCs at both pluripotent and differentiated states, whereas the similarity between sister ESCs was significantly elevated in a 2i (MEK and GSK3b inhibitors) condition, which is believed to mimic the ground state of pluripotency. [Stem Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release Direct Comparison of Autologous and Allogeneic Transplantation of iPSC-Derived Neural Cells in the Brain of a Nonhuman Primate Using nonhuman primates, scientists found that the autologous transplantation of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons elicited only a minimal immune response in the brain. In contrast, the allografts caused an acquired immune response with the activation of microglia (IBA-1+/MHC class II+) and the infiltration of leukocytes (CD45+/CD3+). [Stem Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release |