Cell-of-Origin-Specific 3D Genome Structure Acquired during Somatic Cell Reprogramming Scientists studied genome topology dynamics during reprogramming of different somatic cell types with highly distinct genome conformations. They found large-scale topologically associated domain repositioning and alterations of tissue-restricted genomic neighborhoods and chromatin loops, effectively erasing the somatic-cell-specific genome structures while establishing an embryonic stem-cell-like 3D genome. [Cell Stem Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract C/EBPα Creates Elite Cells for iPSC Reprogramming by Upregulating Klf4 and Increasing the Levels of Lsd1 and Brd4 Investigators showed that C/EBPα post-transcriptionally increases the abundance of several hundred proteins, including Lsd1, Hdac1, Brd4, Med1 and Cdk9, components of chromatin-modifying complexes present at super-enhancers. [Nat Cell Biol] Abstract Improving the Gene Transfection in Human Embryonic Stem Cells: Balancing with Cytotoxicity and Pluripotent Maintenance Using poly(amidoamine) dendrimers ended with amine, hydroxyl or carboxyl as a model, researchers tested the influences of size and surface group as well as cytotoxicity and endocytosis on human embryonic stem cell gene transfection. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract Angiogenic Activity Mediates Bone Repair from Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Osteogenic Cells The authors evaluated osteogenic progenitor cells derived from both human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Phenotypic and genotypic analyses demonstrated that these hESCs/hiPSCs are similar in their osteogenic differentiation efficiency and they generate osteogenic cells comparable to osteogenic cells derived from mesenchymal stromal cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article In Vivo Reprogramming Reactive Glia into iPSCs to Produce New Neurons in the Cortex following Traumatic Brain Injury Investigators showed that retroviral mediated expression of four transcription factors, Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c‑Myc, cooperatively reprogrammed reactive glial cells into induced pluripotent stem cells in the adult neocortex following traumatic brain injury. [Sci Rep] Full Article Inhibition of IKK/NF-κB Signaling Enhances Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cells The authors report that inhibition of IκB kinase (IKK)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling enhanced differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by expediting the loss of pluripotent markers and increasing the expression of MSC surface markers. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Comprehensive Identification of Krüppel-Like Factor Family Members Contributing to the Self-Renewal of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells and Cellular Reprogramming Scientists found that only Klf2, Klf4, and Klf5 produced leukemia inhibitory factor-independent self-renewal, although most KLF proteins, if not all, have the ability to occupy the regulatory regions of Nanog, a critical Klf target gene. [PLoS One] Full Article Comparative Study of Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESC) and Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSC) as a Treatment for Retinal Dystrophies Investigators differentiated retinal pigment epithelium from hESCs or hiPSCs and transplanted them into the subretinal space of the Royal College of Surgeons rat. [Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev] Full Article |