ESC & iPSC News Volume 10.26 | Jul 15 2015

Durable Pluripotency and Haploidy in Epiblast Stem Cells Derived from Haploid Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro
Researchers report that mouse haploid embryonic stem cells can differentiate in vitro into haploid epiblast stem cells, which maintain an intact haploid genome, unlimited self-renewal potential, and durable pluripotency to differentiate into various tissues in vitro and in vivo. [J Mol Cell Biol] Abstract

Barriers for Deriving Transgene-Free Pig iPS Cells with Episomal Vectors
The authors generated porcine induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using non-integrating replicating episomal plasmids. Although these porcine iPSCs met most pluripotency criteria, they could neither generate cloned piglets through nuclear transfer, nor contribute to later stage chimeras through morula injections or aggregations. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Differentiation of Odontoblast-Like Cells from Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells by Pax9 and Bmp4 Transfection
Researchers describe a novel method of odontoblast differentiation from induced pluripotent stem cells using gene transfection. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

Evidence for Bystander Signaling between Human Trophoblast Cells and Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Scientists examined the responses of human embryonic stem cells in tissue culture to two metals at low concentration. They compared direct exposures with indirect exposures across a bi-layered model of the placenta cell barrier. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Ethyl 2-((4-Chlorophenyl)Amino)Thiazole-4-Carboxylate and Derivatives Are Potent Inducers of Oct3/4
Researchers report a lead structure ethyl 2-(4-chlorophenylamino)-thiazole-4-carboxylate, termed O4I2, showing high activity in enforcing Oct3/4 expression. Based on chemical expansion they further identified derivatives having increased activity towards Oct3/4 induction. [J Med Chem] Abstract

Transcriptional Activation of Human CDCA8 Gene Regulated by Transcription Factor NF-Y in Embryonic Stem Cells and Cancer Cells
Reporter gene assays revealed that the cell division cycle associated 8 (CDCA8) promoter was activated in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and cancer cell lines, and drove the reporter expression specifically to pluripotent cells during early mouse embryo development, and to tumor tissues in tumor-bearing mice, indicating that CDCA8 is transcriptionally activated in hESCs and cancer cells. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Improvement of Cell Survival during Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Definitive Endoderm Differentiation
Researchers used a SOX17-enhanced green fluorescent protein reporter human embryonic stem cell line to compare and modify established definitive endoderm differentiation protocols. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Investigating DNA Methylation Dynamics and Safety of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation towards Striatal Neurons
Investigators report the global changes observed on the CpG islands distributed in promoters, gene bodies and intergenic regions and the major biochemical pathways and genes involved in methylation changes, as H9-human embryonic stem cells turn into a neuronal culture containing medium-sized spiny striatal neurons. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

MiR-181c Regulates Human Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation via Targeting GATA4
Investigators provided evidence that miR-181c was significantly increased in undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and decreased in differentiated cells. In addition, knockdown of miR-181c down-regulated the expression of hESC pluripotency markers Oct4, Sox2, Nanog and c-Myc. [Mol Cells] Abstract

Two New Routes to Make Blood: Hematopoietic Specification from Pluripotent Cell Lines vs. Reprogramming of Somatic Cells
Researchers discuss different sources of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) available at the moment, various safety risks associated with them, and possible solutions for successful use of hPSCs in the clinic. They also discuss ongoing clinical trials of hPSC-based treatments [Ann Med] Abstract

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Groundbreaking Clinical Trial to Assess Use of Newborn Stem Cells in the Treatment of Pediatric Stroke
Cord Blood Registry^® announced the launch of an FDA-regulated clinical trial to investigate autologous stem cell therapy in children diagnosed as having had a prenatal or perinatal pediatric stroke. [Cord Blood Registry^®] Press Release

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Russia’s Only Private Science Funder Closes Its Doors
The Dynasty Foundation, Russia’s only private funder of scientific research, announced its closure after being labeled a “foreign agent” by the Russian government in May. The decision was made at a meeting of the foundation’s council and published on Dynasty’s website. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

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Scientist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Positions – Human ES & iPS Cells and Heart Regenerative Medicine (University of Pittsburgh)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Niche Function (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

MICA Stem Cell Scientist (Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency)

Stem Cell Scientist (Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Neurology (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)

Postdoctoral Position – Embryonic Stem Cell Pluripotency and Self-Renewal (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences )

Postdoctoral Position – Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Study Metabolism and Gene Expression Regulating Neural Tube Development (Joslin Diabetes Center)

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