ESC & iPSC News

ESC & iPSC News is an online resource dedicated to the latest research in the fields of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).

3D ECM-Rich Environment Sustains the Identity of Naive Human iPSCs

December 1, 2022

[Cell Stem Cell] Using an unbiased and integrated approach combining microfluidic cultures with transcriptional, proteomic, and secretome analyses, researchers found that naive, but not primed, hunan induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) colonies were characterized by a self-organized ECM-rich microenvironment.

UC San Diego Awarded $8M to Expand Stem Cell Therapy Clinical Trials

December 1, 2022

[UC San Diego Health] As part of a state-wide effort to advance stem cell therapies, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) awarded $8 million to the UC San Diego Alpha Stem Cell Clinic. The funding will support the clinic’s mission of bringing new stem cell-based therapies to patients with difficult-to-treat diseases.

Zygotic Genome Activation by the Totipotency Pioneer Factor Nr5a2

November 30, 2022

[Science] Based on de novo motif searches, scientists identified the orphan nuclear receptor Nr5a2 as a key activator of major zygotic genome activation in mouse 2-cell embryos. Nr5a2 was required for progression beyond the 2-cell stage.

TDP-43 Safeguards the Embryo Genome from L1 Retrotransposition

November 30, 2022

[Science Advances] Researchers showed that transactive response (TAR) DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), mutations in which constitute a major risk factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, inhibited long interspersed nuclear element-1 (L1) retrotransposition in mESCs and preimplantation embryos.

TERRA Regulates DNA G-Quadruplex Formation and ATRX Recruitment to Chromatin

November 30, 2022

[Nucleic Acids Research] Investigators showed that telomeric-repeat containing RNA (TERRA) modulated ATRX occupancy on repetitive sequences and over genes, and maintained DNA G-quadruplex structures at TERRA target and non-target sites in mESC.

Oct4:Sox2 Binding Is Essential for Establishing but Not Maintaining Active and Silent States of Dynamically Regulated Genes in Pluripotent Cells

November 30, 2022

[Genes & Development] By quantitatively examining dynamic ranges of gene expression, the authors found that Oct4 and Sox2 enhancer binding was strongly enriched near genes subject to large dynamic ranges of expression among cell types, with binding sites near these genes usually within superenhancers.

Modeling Sex Differences in Humans Using Isogenic Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

November 30, 2022

[Stem Cell Reports] Researchers developed a cellular model to study sex differences in humans. Somatic cells from a mosaic Klinefelter syndrome patient were reprogrammed to generate isogenic iPSC lines with different sex chromosome complements: 47, XXY/46, XX/46, XY/45, and X0.

Naive Pluripotent and Trophoblastic Stem Cell Lines as a Model for Detecting Missing Proteins in the Context of the Chromosome-Centric Human Proteome Project

November 30, 2022

[Journal of Proteome Research] Scientists analyzed naive pluripotent and trophoblastic stem cells and discovered 4 new missing proteins, thus contributing to the Chromosome-centric Human Proteome Project.

Comparison of CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Megabase-Scale Genome Deletion Methods in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

November 30, 2022

[DNA Research] The authors compared methods to delete the 2.5-Mb Krüppel-associated box zinc finger protein gene cluster in mESCs using CRISPR-Cas9. Three methods were used: (i) deletion by non-homologous end joining; (ii) homology-directed repair (HDR); (iii) HDR employing targeting vectors with a selectable marker and 1-kb homology arms.

Exposing Intracellular Molecular Changes during the Differentiation of Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Erythropoietin-Producing Cells Using Raman Spectroscopy and Imaging

November 30, 2022

[Scientific Reports] Investigators explored intracellular molecular changes during the differentiation of hiPSCs into erythropoietin-producing cells using Raman spectroscopy and imaging.

Determining Epigenetic Memory in Kidney Proximal Tubule Cell Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Using a Quadruple Transgenic Reprogrammable Mouse

November 30, 2022

[Scientific Reports] Scientists reprogrammed proximal tubule cells and tail tip fibroblasts from a reprogrammable mouse to iPSCs and differentiated the iPSCs to renal progenitors to understand if epigenetic memory played a role in renal differentiation.

Differentiation of Enteric Neural Crest Cells Transplanted from SOX10-Venus Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into the Gut of the Endothelin Receptor B Null Mouse Model

November 30, 2022

[Pediatric Surgery International] Researchers established ESCs from Sox10-Venus+ mice. These cells were cultured for 2 days, then selected and co-cultured with either a dissociated control or Sox10-Venus–Ednrb KO mouse gut on embryonic day 13.5.

Since 2007, ESC & iPSC News has been providing updates on the top publications, reviews, and news in pluripotent stem cell research. Through our website, Twitter, and email newsletters, our editorial team is proud to help keep researchers and medical professionals up-to-date with the latest discoveries, jobs, and event postings in the pluripotent stem cell field.