Thrombin Receptor Regulates Hematopoiesis and Endothelial-to-Hematopoietic Transition The authors showed that thrombin receptor (F2r) functions as a negative regulator during hematopoietic development. F2r is significantly upregulated during hematopoietic differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells and zebrafish hematopoietic development. [Dev Cell] Abstract Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Hepatocytes Support Complete Replication of Hepatitis C Virus Researchers demonstrated that human embryonic stem cell-derived hepatocytes can be infected with the hepatitis C virus JFH1 genotype 2a, resulting in the production of viral RNA in the stem cell progeny. [J Hepatol] Abstract Characterization and Neural Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells on Cadherin-Based Substrata Scientists evaluated the effects of recombinant extracellular matrix components on the mouse embryonic stem and induced pluripotent stem cells’ self-renewal and differentiation into neural progenitors, comparing conventional culture substrata. [Biomaterials] Abstract A Putative Role for the Immunoproteasome in the Maintenance of Pluripotency in Human Embryonic Stem Cells Investigators showed enhanced expression of genes encoding subunits of the 20s proteasome in human embryonic stem cells coupled to their downregulation as the cells progress into differentiation. [Stem Cells] Abstract Generation of Kidney from Pluripotent Stem Cells via Blastocyst Complementation Researchers used blastocyst complementation to generate pluripotent stem cell-derived donor organs in vivo. [Am J Pathol] Abstract Differentiation and Transplantation of Functional Pancreatic Beta Cells Generated from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from a Type 1 Diabetes Mouse Model Researchers demonstrated a proof of concept for cellular therapy using non-obese diabetic mouse-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to Retinal Pigmented Epithelium in Defined Conditions Using Purified Extracellular Matrix Proteins The authors selected several purified extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and substrates, based on the in vivo retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) ECM environment, and tested their ability to support induced pluripotent stem cell-RPE differentiation and maintenance. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract Patient-Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells as a Model for Familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy Researchers generated cardiomyocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells derived from patients in a dilated cardiomyopathy family carrying a point mutation in the gene encoding sarcomeric protein cardiac troponin T. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release Junctophilin 2 Knockdown Interferes with Mitochondrium Status in ESC-CMs and Cardiogenesis of ES Cells Researchers explored the possible links between Junctophilin 2 (Jp2) and the mitochondrium-sarcoplasmic reticulum interaction in embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (ESC-CMs), as well as the role of Jp2 in cardiogenesis of ES cells. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract Evaluating Biotoxicity with Fibroblasts Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells Scientists investigated the use of differentiated fibroblasts from human embryonic stem cells as a cellular model for cytotoxicity and genotoxicity screening. [Toxicol In Vitro] Abstract |