Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 11.38 | Oct 1 2019

TOP STORY

In Situ Tissue Engineering of Tendon-to-Bone Interface by Endogenous Stem/Progenitor Cells

Investigators implemented micro-precise spatiotemporal delivery of growth factors in 3D-printed scaffolds for integrative regeneration of a fibrocartilaginous tendon-to-bone interface. Sustained and spatially controlled release of tenogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic growth factors was achieved using microsphere-based delivery carriers embedded in thin membrane-like scaffolds. [Biofabrication] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

TLR4 Signaling Drives Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Commitment to Promote Tumor Microenvironment Transformation in Multiple Myeloma

The authors investigated the crosstalk between MSCs and myeloma cells in the pro-inflammatory microenvironment promoting immune evasion and tumor growth. MSCs were collected from patients with diagnosis of MGUS, smoldering myeloma, multiple myeloma at diagnosis, relapse or refractory, and from age-matched healthy controls and cultured with peripheral blood mononucleated cells from healthy volunteer donors. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Mitochondrial Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (PCK2) Regulates Osteogenic Differentiation by Modulating AMPK/ULK1-Dependent Autophagy

Scientists report a novel function of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK2) as a positive regulator of MSCs osteogenic differentiation. In addition to its well-known role in anabolism, they demonstrated that PCK2 regulated autophagy. PCK2 deficiency significantly suppressed autophagy, leading to the impairment of osteogenic capacity of MSCs. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Design and Manufacture of 3D Cell Culture Plate for Mass Production of Cell-Spheroids

Mesenchymal stem cells seeded on the newly-fabricated 3D cell culture plate aggregated to form 3D spheroids within 24 hours of incubation and well-maintained their viability. Thus, due to the capacity of mass production of the cell spheroids with a desired cell viability, the newly-fabricated plate could have great promise to prepare 3D cell spheroids for experimental as well as clinical applications. [Sci Rep] Full Article

The Biological Response of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells to Thymol and Carvacrol in Comparison to Their Essential Oil: An Innovative New Study

The impact of essential oil, thymol and carvacrol from Ptychotis verticillata on several bone-marrow MSC biological features were studied. These compounds showed positive effects on MSCs by preserving their morphology, sustaining their viability, promoting their proliferation, protecting them from cytotoxicity and oxidative stress. [Food Chem Toxicol] Abstract

Inhibiting Expression of Cxcl9 Promotes Angiogenesis in MSCs-HUVECs Co-Culture

The effect of rat bone-marrow derived MSCs on angiogenic capability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in growth medium (GM) and osteogenic induction medium (OIM) was investigated. It was demonstrated that cells co-cultured in OIM showed high efficiency in osteogenesis but failed to form capillary-like structure while the results of co-culture in GM were the opposite. [Arch Biochem Biophys] Abstract

Platelet-Rich Plasma Improves the Therapeutic Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Enhancing Their Secretion of Angiogenic Factors in a Combined Radiation and Wound Injury Model

The authors assessed the release of cytokines from umbilical cord blood (UCB)-MSCs cultured with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and observed changes in the expression of angiogenic factors. The angiogenic paracrine factors from UCB‐MSCs cultured with PRP was assessed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). To assess therapeutic efficacy, UCB-MSCs and PRP were topically implanted into a combined radiation and wound injury mouse model. [Exp Dermatol] Abstract

IN VIVO

Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Healing via TNF-α-Stimulated Gene-6 in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Models

Researchers explored the regenerative effects of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-MSCs and the mechanisms by which iPSC-MSCs promoted mucosal healing via tumor necrosis factor-α-stimulated gene 6 in mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease. Human iPSCs were induced to differentiate into MSCs following a clinically compliant protocol. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Impact of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Delivery through Cardiopulmonary Bypass on Postnatal Neurogenesis

Two-week-old piglets were randomly assigned to one of three groups: control, deep hypothermic circulatory-arrest, and circulatory-arrest followed by MSC administration. MSCs were delivered through cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) during the rewarming period. Neural stem/progenitors, proliferating cells and neuroblasts were identified using immunohistochemistry at three hours after CPB. [Ann Thorac Surg] Abstract

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Molecular Determinants of Mesenchymal Cell Activation in Fibroproliferative Diseases

The authors focus on the biology of MSCs and the molecular mechanisms that regulate their pertinent functions. They discuss key pro-fibrotic mediators, signaling pathways, and transcription factors that dictate their activation and persistence. [Cell Mol Life Sci] Abstract

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

Salarius Pharmaceuticals Achieves Dose-Escalation Milestones in Ongoing Phase I/II Ewing Sarcoma and Phase I Advanced Solid Tumor Clinical Trials

Salarius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the Safety Review Committees overseeing the Phase I/II clinical study of Seclidemstat in Ewing sarcoma and the Phase I study of Seclidemstat in patients with advanced solid tumors have approved the advancement of each study to the fourth level dosing cohort. [Salarius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (GlobeNewswire, Inc.)] Press Release

Yale Scientists Win NIH Awards for Pioneering Work

The Yale School of Medicine’s Valentina Greco and Marina R. Picciotto are among the 11 recipients of the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Pioneer Award, which recognizes scientists who have a history of creative research and who show promise in originating ‘pioneering approaches to major challenges.’ Greco and Picciotto will receive $3.5 million dollars of funding over the course of five years. [Yale University] Press Release

India Pushes for Alternatives to Animals in Biomedical Research

India has become the latest nation to explore using emerging technologies such as organs-on-a-chip to replace animals in research. Earlier this month, the national regulator for biomedical research recommended fast-tracking investments in technologies that can replace animals. [Nature News] Editorial

China: How Science Made a Superpower

The opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing featured ancient China’s four great inventions: the compass, printing press, paper and gunpowder. The lesson on display, as taught in classrooms across the country that today publishes the most research papers, is that Chinese innovation in science and technology changed the world. [Nature News] Editorial

Two-Thirds of Researchers Report ‘Pressure to Cite’ in Nature Poll

An online poll answered by more than 4,300 Nature readers suggests that most researchers have felt pressured by peer reviewers to cite studies in their papers that seem unnecessary. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW International Conference on Hematopoietic and Mesenchymal Stem Cell
February 13-14, 2020
Instanbul, Turkey

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

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Stem Cells (University of South Florida)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cells (The Francis Crick Institute)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Plasticity (Univeristy of Technology)

Lecturer – Stem Cell Biology (The University of Manchester)

Assistant Professors – Regenerative Medicine (Washington University in St. Louis)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Proteoglycans in Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis (Drexel University)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Development and Stem Cell Biology (California Institute of Technology)

Postdoctoral Researchers – Stem Cell Biology (Simon Fraser University)

Postdoctoral Researcher – MSCs in Accelerated Aging Treatment (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – MSC Donation (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

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