Migration Inhibitory Factor Produced by Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages Contributes to Teratoma Progression After Embryonic Stem Cell Transplantation Researchers investigated the effects of the microenvironment on stem cell growth and teratoma development using undifferentiated embryonic stem cells. [Cancer Res] Abstract Neural Stem Cells Directly Differentiated from Partially Reprogrammed Fibroblasts Rapidly Acquire Gliogenic Competency Researchers concluded that the directly induced neural stem cells were derived from partially reprogrammed cells, because dissociated ESCs/iPSCs did not form neurospheres in this culture condition. [Stem Cells] Abstract Overexpression of TIMP-1 in Embryonic Stem Cells Attenuates Adverse Cardiac Remodeling Following Myocardial Infarction The present study evaluates whether transplanted mouse embryonic stem cells overexpressing TIMP-1, an anti-apoptotic and anti-fibrotic protein, can enhance cardiac myocyte differentiation, inhibit native cardiac myocyte apoptosis, reduce fibrosis, and improve cardiac function in the infarcted myocardium. [Cell Transplant] Abstract Expression of the 49 Human ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) Genes in Pluripotent Embryonic Stem Cells and in Early- and Late-Stage Multipotent Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Possible Role of ABC Plasma Membrane Transporters in Maintaining Human Stem Cell Pluripotency Scientists performed a sensitive qRT-PCR analysis of ABC gene expression in embryonic stem cells (hESCs), bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and hESC-derived hMSCs. [Cell Cycle] Abstract Maxadilan Prevents Apoptosis in iPS Cells and Shows No Effects on the Pluripotent State or Karyotype Researchers investigated the expression of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide type I receptor in human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. [PLoS One] Abstract One-Step Derivation of Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC)-Like Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells on a Fibrillar Collagen Coating The present study reports a new method to rapidly derive MSC-like cells from human embryonic stem cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells, in one step, based on culturing the cells on thin, fibrillar, type I collagen coatings that mimic the structure of physiological collagen. [PLoS One] Abstract Human Embryonic Stem Cells Differentiated to Lung Lineage-Specific Cells Ameliorate Pulmonary Fibrosis in a Xenograft Transplant Mouse Model The aim of this study was to differentiate human embryonic stem cells into lung epithelial lineage-specific cells as the first step in the development of cell-based strategies to repair lung injury in the bleomycin mouse model of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. [PLoS One] Abstract All-Trans-Retinoid Acid Induces the Differentiation of Encapsulated Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into GABAergic Neurons The goal of this work was to examine the generation of GABAergic neurons from mouse embryonic stem cells by comparing an embryoid body-based methodology versus a hydrogel-based encapsulation protocol that involves the use of all-trans-retinoid acid. [Differentiation] Abstract |