Determination of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Fate by Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF) Results in Increased Adiposity and Reduced Bone Mineral Content Since mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation into adipocytes vs. osteoblasts can be regulated by specific factors, PEDF-directed dependency of murine and human MSCs was assessed. PEDF inhibited adipogenesis and promoted osteoblast differentiation of murine MSCs, osteoblast precursors, and human MSCs. [FASEB J] Abstract Interferon-ß Gene-Modified Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Attenuate Hepatocellular Carcinoma through Inhibiting AKT/FOXO3a Pathway Scientists investigated the using of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells genetically engineered to produce interferon-ß as a gene delivery system to treat hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. [Brit J Cancer] Abstract Platelet Rich Plasma Clot Releasate Preconditioning Induced PI3K/AKT/NF?B Signaling Enhances Survival and Regenerative Function of Rat Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Hostile Microenvironments Researchers describe novel effects of platelet rich clot releasate on rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, with the former driving a gene program which can reduce apoptosis and promote the regenerative function of the latter in hostile microenvironments through enhancement of paracrine/autocrine factors. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract BKCa and hEag1 Channels Regulate Cell Proliferation and Differentiation in Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Scientists investigated potential roles of large-conductance Ca2+-activated potassium (BKCa) channels and ether-à-go-go potassium (hEag1 or Kv10.1) channels in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation in human mesenchymal stem cells. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract Inhibition of Wnt/ß-Catenin Signaling Promotes Engraftment of Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Repair Lung Injury Investigators found that activated Wnt/ß-catenin signaling may regulate the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and is associated with lung fibroblasts activation, pulmonary fibrosis and tissue repair process in acute lung injury rats. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract Mesenchymal Stem Cells from iPS Cells Facilitate Periodontal Regeneration Researchers successfully induced induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) to differentiate into mesenchymal stem cells (MSC)-like cells. The MSC-like cells generated satisfied the International Society of Cellular Therapy’s minimal criteria for defining multipotent MSC, since they had plastic adherent properties, expressed key MSC-associated markers, and had the capacity to undergo tri-lineage differentiation. [J Dent Res] Abstract CXCR4-Overexpressing Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improve Repair of Acute Kidney Injury Scientists tested the hypothesis that CXCR4 overexpression improves bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells’ repair ability and that this is related to increased release of cytokines. [Am J Physiol Renal Physiol] Abstract A Negative Correlation between Per1 and Sox6 Expression during Chondrogenic Differentiation in Pre-Chondrocytic ATDC5 Cells Scientists previously showed upregulation by parathyroid hormone (PTH) of the clock gene Period-1 (Per1) through the cAMP/protein kinase A signaling pathway in pre-chondrocytic ATDC5 cells. In this study, they investigated the role of Per1 in the suppression of chondrogenic differentiation by PTH. [J Pharmacol Sci] Abstract | Full Article Sustained Release of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 via Coacervate Improves the Osteogenic Potential of Muscle-Derived Stem Cells Prolonged exposure to bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)2 released by the poly(ethylene argininylaspartate diglyceride):heparin delivery system promoted the differentiation of muscle-derived stem cells to an osteogenic lineage in vitro and induced the formation of viable bone at an ectopic site in vivo. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract Multipotent Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Mediate Expansion of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells via Hepatocyte Growth Factor/c-Met and STAT3 Researchers report that human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can expand CD14–CD11b+CD33+ human myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). MSC-expanded MDSCs suppress allogeneic lymphocyte proliferation, express arginase-1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase, and increase the number of regulatory T lymphocytes. [Stem Cells Rep] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Full Article |