Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy Alleviates Interstitial Cystitis by Activating Wnt Signaling Pathway Researchers evaluated the therapeutic potency of using human umbilical cord-blood derived mesenchymal stem cells to treat interstitial cystitis in a rat model and investigated its responsible molecular mechanism. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract Human Placenta-Derived CD146-Positive Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Display a Distinct Osteogenic Differentiation Potential Scientists investigated if expression of CD146 on mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from placenta correlates with a similar osteogenic differentiation potential. The MSCs were isolated specifically from the endometrial and fetal parts of human term placenta and expanded in separate cultures, and compared to MSCs from bone marrow as controls. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract Effect of HSA Coated Iron Oxide Labeling on Human Umbilical Cord Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Researchers analyzed the efficacy of human serum albumin (HSA) coated iron oxide nanoparticles on the differentiation of human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells. [Nanotechnology] Abstract Three-Dimensional Spheroid Culture of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes Cell Yield and Stemness Maintenance Investigators established a novel three-dimensional (3D) system for the culture of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells within a real 3D microenvironment but with no digestion or passaging. [Cell Tissue Res] Abstract Combination Therapy with Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Is Superior for the Treatment of Acute Lung Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats Researchers aimed to explore a more effective treatment method by combining human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 for acute lung ischemia-reperfusion injury. [Cell Biochem Funct] Abstract Stem Cells Derived from Human First-Trimester Umbilical Cord Have the Potential to Differentiate into Oocyte-Like Cells In Vitro Scientists investigated whether stem cells derived from human first-trimester umbilical cord (hFTUCs) are able to differentiate into germ cells. The hFTUCs were first isolated, expanded and then cultured in differentiation medium containing human follicular fluid, follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone and estradiol for 24 days. [Int J Mol Med] Abstract | Download Full Article Effects of Hypoxia on Proliferation of Human Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Researchers found that hypoxia, in part via hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, improved the proliferation efficiency, and prevented senescence of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells without altering their morphology and surface markers. [Cytotechnology] Abstract |