ESC & iPSC News Volume 13.25 | Jun 27 2018

TOP STORY

A LINE1-Nucleolin Partnership Regulates Early Development and ESC Identity

In ESCs, LINE1 acted as a nuclear RNA scaffold that recruited Nucleolin and Kap1/Trim28 to repress Dux, the master activator of a transcriptional program specific to the 2-cell embryo. In parallel, LINE1 RNA mediated binding of Nucleolin and Kap1 to rDNA, promoting rRNA synthesis and ESC self-renewal. [Cell] Abstract | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

hPSC Modeling Reveals that Fate Selection of Cortical Deep Projection Neurons Occurs in the Subplate

By modeling subplate formation with human PSCs (hPSCs), scientists showed that all classes of cortical deep projection neurons (DPNs) can be specified from subplate neurons (SPNs). Post-mitotic WNT signaling regulated DPN class selection, and DPNs in the caudal fetal cortex appeared to exclusively derive from SPNs. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

The miR-590/Acvr2a/Terf1 Axis Regulates Telomere Elongation and Pluripotency of Mouse iPSCs

Researchers showed that fully reprogrammed mature iPSCs or mouse embryonic stem cells expressed higher levels of miR-590-3p and miR-590-5p than pre-iPSCs. Ectopic expression of either miR-590-3p or miR-590-5p in pre-iPSCs improved telomere elongation and pluripotency. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

OCIAD1 Controls Electron Transport Chain Complex I Activity to Regulate Energy Metabolism in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Investigators showed that OCIAD1-depleted cells had increased oxidative phosphorylation and may be poised for differentiation. OCIAD1 maintained human embryonic stem cells, and its depletion by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout lead to rapid and increased differentiation upon induction, whereas OCIAD1 overexpression had the opposite effect. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Modulation of Sonic Hedgehog-Induced Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Behaviors through E-Cadherin Expression and Integrin β1-Dependent F-Actin Formation

Sonic hedgehog pathway (Shh) induced adherens junction disruption through proteolysis by activating matrix metallopeptidases. The release of β‐catenin from adherens junctions mediated by Shh led to cell cycle‐dependent mouse ESC proliferation. Shh‐mediated Gli1 expression led to integrin β1 upregulation, followed by FAK and Src phosphorylation. [Br J Pharmacol] Abstract

Comparison of Multi-Lineage Differentiation of hiPSCs Reveals Novel miRNAs that Regulate Lineage Specification

The authors identified miR-192 and miR-372-3p, respectively, as representative candidate key miRNAs for the hepatic and nephric lineages. Functional characterization validated that miR-192 and miR-372-3p regulated lineage differentiation via modulation of the expressions of lineage-specific genes. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Sequential Application of Discrete Topographical Patterns Enhances Derivation of Functional Mesencephalic Dopaminergic Neurons from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Using human iPSCs, researchers applied topographical patterns sequentially during differentiation stages and examined their ability to influence derivation yield and functionality of regionalized subtype-specific dopaminergic (DA) neurons. Gratings showed higher yield of DA neurons and may be beneficial for initial lineage commitment. [Sci Rep] Full Article

The Development of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells from Normal Human and RDEB Epidermal Keratinocytes

After their induction, keratinocyte-derived iPSCs (KC-iPSC)-induced cells were found to be compatible with mesenchymal stem/stromal cells. With the subcutaneous and intravenous injection of the KC-iPSC-induced cells into wounded immunodeficient mice, human type VII collagen was detected at the dermal-epidermal junction of epithelized areas. [J Dermatol Sci] Abstract

Effects of Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor Stimulation on the Differentiation of Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Neural Progenitor Cells

Scientists revealed that mouse iPS cells predominantly expressed muscarinic acetylcholine receptors m₂ and m₄. Treatment with pilocarpine alone did not affect the expression of Nestin (a specific marker for neural progenitor cells). However, additional treatment with pilocarpine significantly suppressed all‐trans retinoic acid‐induced Nestin expression. [Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol] Abstract

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Advanced In Vitro Models of Vascular Biology: Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Organ-on-Chip Technology

Investigators review recent multidisciplinary developments in advanced experimental models of blood vessels that combine human iPSC with microfluidic organ-on-chip technology. They provide examples of their utility in various research areas and discuss steps necessary for further integration in biomedical applications so that they can contribute effectively to the evaluation and development of new drugs and other therapeutics as well as personalized treatments. [Adv Drug Deliv Rev] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

iPSC-Derived Enterocyte-Like Cells for Drug Absorption and Metabolism Studies

The authors describe mechanisms underlying the differentiation of iPSCs into enterocyte-like cells, appraise the usefulness of these cells in 3-D intestinal models, and discuss their suitability to be used in the future for drug screening. [Trends Mol Med] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the ESC & iPSC research field.

CBMG Announces Grand Opening of Global Research and Development Center in Gaithersburg, Maryland

Cellular Biomedicine Group Inc. (CBMG) announced the grand opening of a new research and development center in Gaithersburg, Maryland. “We are elated to announce the opening of a research center located in the heart of a renowned cancer cell therapy knowledge and biotech research hub,” commented Tony Liu, CEO of CBMG. [Cellular Biomedicine Group] Press Release

Boehringer Ingelheim Bolsters Biologics Research and Development With 230 Million Euro Investment in New Development Center

Boehringer Ingelheim announced a 230 million euro investment into a new Biologicals Development Center at the company’s Research and Development site in Biberach, Germany during the foundation stone laying for the new center. [Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH.] Press Release

Macchiarini Guilty of Misconduct, but Whistleblowers Share Blame, New Karolinska Institute Verdict Finds

The Karolinska Institute in Stockholm has finally, officially, found disgraced surgeon Paolo Macchiarini guilty of scientific misconduct. However, the verdict is a bitter pill for the four people who raised the alarm about Macchiarini’s fraud. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Top US Court Upholds Trump Travel Ban: Student Visas Already in Decline

The travel restrictions now vary by country, and include some exemptions for students. But data from the Department of Justice reveal that the government issued just 289 visas to students from Iran, Libya, Yemen and Somalia in the first three months of this year. [Nature News] Editorial

New Drug Approval Should Force the DEA to Rethink Cannabis-Derived Medicines

The Food and Drug Adminstration’s approval of Epidiolex, a medication derived from cannabis, could be life-changing for Americans suffering from certain types of epilepsy. It may also have far-reaching implications for U.S. marijuana policy. [STAT News] Editorial

Worrying Changes in Hungary

The European country’s autocratic government has made a disturbing grab at the nation’s scientific institutions. [Nature News] Editorial

Senate Panel Proposes $2 Billion, 5.4% Increase for NIH

A U.S. Senate appropriations subcommittee approved a spending bill that calls for giving the National Institutes of Health (NIH) a $2 billion, 5.4% increase to $39.1 billion in the 2019 fiscal year that begins 1 October. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW 2018 Till & McCulloch Meetings (TMM2018)
November 12-14, 2018
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.

NEW Research Associate/Scientist – iPSC Research and Manufacture (Evotec AG)

Research Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Training Fellow – Vertebrate Neural Tube Development (The Francis Crick Institute)

Postdoctoral Positions – Human Functional Genomics of Aging & Disease (Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University)

Research Associate/PhD Position – iPSCs & Neurodegenerative Disease (TU Dresden)

Research Specialist – Cardiovascular Disease (University of Illinois)

Postdoctoral Position – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Cell Therapy in Type 1 Diabetes (The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology – DanStem)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Embryonic Stem Cell Research (University of Illinois)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacogenomics (Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine)

Senior Scientist/ Scientist – Tissue Engineering (Novoheart)

Postdoctoral Fellow – hiPSC Based Cardiac Regeneration (Duke University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Human Skeletal Muscle Disease Modeling and Regeneration (Duke University)

PhD Candidate Position – Cardiovascular Diseases and iPSCs (University Medical Center Göttingen)

Scientist/Senior Scientist – Bioprocess Engineering (Bluerock Therapeutics, LLC.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering (Stanford University)

Postdoctoral Associate – hiPSC-Based Brain Organoids (Rutgers University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology (City of Hope)

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