Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 8.29 | Jul 26 2016

TOP STORY

Decreased MORF Leads to Prolonged Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Periodontitis-Associated Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation resulted in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in mesenchymal stem cells in the setting of periodontitis. Long-term proinflammatory cytokines induced prolonged ER stress and decreased the osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

Simulated Microgravity Inhibits Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells via Depolymerizing F-Actin to Impede TAZ Nuclear Translocation

Researchers demonstrated that actin cytoskeletal changes regulate nuclear aggregation of the transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), which is indispensable for osteogenesis of bone mesenchymal stem cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Transcriptome Sequencing Wide Functional Analysis of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Response to TLR4 Ligand

Scientists evaluated the gene expression profile and migratory potential of human mesenchymal stem cells upon stimulation with the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) ligand lipopolysaccharide. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Joint Mimicking Mechanical Load Activates TGFβ1 in Fibrin-Poly(Ester-Urethane) Scaffolds Seeded with Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Investigators provided evidence that the application of joint mimicking multiaxial load induces the secretion of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) by mechanically stimulated mesenchymal stem cells. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

CD146 Expression Influences Periapical Cyst Mesenchymal Stem Cell Properties

Investigators compared two subpopulations of human periapical cyst mesenchymal stem cells characterized by the low or high expression of CD146 to establish whether this expression can regulate their stem cell properties. [Stem Cell Rev] Abstract

IN VIVO

Protection of Brain Injury by Amniotic Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Secreted Metabolites

Mice subjected to sham or traumatic brain injury by controlled cortical impact received human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells or phosphate-buffered saline infused intracerebroventricularly or intravenously 24 hours after injury. [Crit Care Med] Abstract

Unique and Redundant Functions of P70S6K Isoforms Regulate Mesenchymal Cell Proliferation and Migration in Pulmonary Fibrosis

To interrogate the roles of the p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (p70S6K) isoforms, investigators overexpressed TGFα in mice deficient for the S6K1 or S6K2 genes and measured changes in lung histology, morphometry, total lung collagen, lung function and proliferation between wild type and isoform deficient mice. [Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol] Abstract

Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Promote Neural Differentiation and Behavioral Performance in the Photothrombotic Mouse Model

Scientists adapted the photothorombosis mouse model and determined the optimum conditions for generation of cell death and deficits with high reproducibility. [Biotechnol J] Abstract

EGCG Suppresses ERK5 Activation to Reverse Tobacco Smoke-Triggered Gastric Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in BALB/c Mice

Researchers investigated the regulatory role of ERK5 in tobacco smoke-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in the stomach of mice and the preventive effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). [Nutrients] Full Article

Hydrogen Sulfide Regulates Homeostasis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Regulatory T Cells

The growing number of diverse targets for which hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) serves as a gasotransmitter has been extensively reviewed elsewhere. The authors discuss current emerging evidence that H₂S regulates mesenchymal stem cell and T-cell functions. [J Dent Res] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cells as a Double-Edged Sword in Suppression or Progression of Solid Tumor Cells

Although the role of a number of pathways, including IL-6/STAT3 pathway, has been indicated in controlling the interaction between mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and tumor cells, other mechanisms by which MSCs can control the tumor cells are not clear yet. A better understanding of these mechanisms through further studies can determine the exact role of MSCs in cancer progression and identify them as important therapeutic agents or targets. [Tumor Biol] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the mesenchymal cell research field.

TSRI Scientists Receive Funding to Advance Stem Cell-Based Parkinson’s Therapy

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) and Scripps Clinic have received a grant of nearly $2.4 million from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to support safety and quality tests of a potential stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease. [The Scripps Research Institute] Press Release

£1.2 Million for Injectable Stem-Cell Carrying Microspheres to Regenerate Bones

The University of Nottingham has secured £1.2 million to develop injectable stem cell-carrying materials to treat and prevent fractures caused by osteoporosis and other bone-thinning diseases. [University of Nottingham] Press Release

Europe Overhauls Rules for ‘First-In-Human’ Trials in Wake of French Disaster

The European Union is beefing up protections for volunteers in Phase I clinical trials in the wake of a disastrous clinical study in Rennes, France, that resulted in the death of one volunteer and the hospitalization of five others. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) in London announced in a “concept paper” that it wants to improve strategies to identify and reduce risks in “first-in-human” studies on healthy volunteers. [ScienceInsider] Editorial | Article

Chinese Scientists to Pioneer First Human CRISPR Trial

Chinese scientists are on the verge of being first in the world to inject people with cells modified using the CRISPR–Cas9 gene-editing technique. A team led by Lu You, an oncologist at Sichuan University’s West China Hospital in Chengdu, plans to start testing such cells in people with lung cancer. The clinical trial received ethical approval from the hospital’s review board. [Nature News] Editorial

Scientific Literature: Information Overload

Recent bibliometrics show that the number of published scientific papers has climbed by 8–9% each year over the past several decades. In the biomedical field alone, more than 1 million papers pour into the PubMed database each year — about two papers per minute. [Nature News] Editorial

Science Advice for Europe

Exactly one month after Britain’s momentous decision to leave the European Union, around 4500 scientists and friends of science will assemble in Manchester, UK, for the opening of the EuroScience Open Forum, Europe’s largest interdisciplinary research conference. [Science] Editorial

Trump vs Clinton: Worlds Apart on Science

Science is slowly coming into focus in the US presidential campaign. Although neither Republican Donald Trump nor Democrat Hillary Clinton has emphasized core research issues, the candidates — and their parties — are beginning to flesh out their positions on climate change, education, biomedical research and other topics that involve the scientific community. [Nature News] Editorial

Public Is Wary of Using Technologies to Enhance Human Performance, Survey Finds

A new poll finds that Americans have serious questions about the use of new technologies to enhance the lives of healthy people. Those with strong religious beliefs are especially troubled by the prospect of such enhancements, seeing them as meddling with nature. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW 3^rd Stem Cells Conference (IV IPLASS Meeting)
September 19-21, 2016
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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

NEW PhD Position – Ultrasound Stimulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Tissue Repair and Regeneration (University of Birmingham)

Postdoctoral Position – Organogenesis and Mesenchymal Stem Cells (University of Southern California)

Postdoctoral Positions – GLUT4 Trafficking in Adipose and Muscle Cells (ShanghaiTech University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Energy Homeostasis in Skeletal Muscle, Adipose Tissue and Liver (The University of Tennessee Health Science Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Tumor Microenvironment in Sarcoma Progression (Universita’ di Bologna)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Stem Cell Pathways in Mesenchymal Tumors (University of Miami Health System)

Position on Mesenchymal Niche Signaling in Colon Cancer (Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy)

Cell Biologist – Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Biostage)

Postdoctoral Position – Bone and Stem Cell Research (University of Connecticut Health)

PhD Studentship – Vascular Tissue Engineering (Trinity College Dublin)

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