ESC & iPSC News Volume 12.18 | May 10 2017

TOP STORY

Scientists Unveil the UK’s Largest Resource of Human Stem Cells from Healthy Donors

One of the largest sets of high quality human induced pluripotent stem cell lines from healthy individuals has been produced. Comprehensively annotated and available for independent research, the hundreds of stem cell lines are a powerful resource for scientists studying human development and disease. [Press release from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute discussing online prepublication in Nature] Press Release | Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Integration of CpG-Free DNA Induces De Novo Methylation of CpG Islands in Pluripotent Stem Cells

Researchers showed that insertion of CpG-free DNA into targeted CpG islands (CGIs) induces de novo methylation of the entire CGI in human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). The methylation status was stably maintained even after CpG-free DNA removal, extensive passaging, and differentiation. By targeting the DNA mismatch repair gene MLH1 CGI, they generated a PSC model of a cancer-related epimutation. [Science] Abstract | Press Release | Video

mRNA-Mediated Glycoengineering Ameliorates Deficient Homing of Human Stem Cell-Derived Hematopoietic Progenitors

Investigators examined the bone marrow (BM) homing properties of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). They found that the cells express molecular effectors of BM extravasation, such as the chemokine receptor CXCR4 and the integrin dimer VLA-4, but lack expression of E-selectin ligands that program HSPC trafficking to BM. [J Clin Invest] Full Article

Overexpression of Trophoblast Stem Cell-Enriched MicroRNAs Promotes Trophoblast Fate in Embryonic Stem Cells

The authors interrogated the potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) to drive trans-differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into the trophoblast lineage. Analysis of gene expression data identified a network of trophoblast stem cell-enriched miRNAs that were predicted to target mRNAs enriched in ESCs. Ectopic expression of these miRNAs in ESCs resulted in a stable trophoblast phenotype, supported by gene expression changes and in vivo contribution potential. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Functional Analysis of Dendritic Cells Generated from T-iPSCs from CD4+ T Cell Clones of SjöGren’s Syndrome

Researchers describe the generation of dendritic cells (DCs) from induced pluripotent stem cells derived from T cells (T-iPSCs). They reprogrammed CD4⁺ T cell clones from a patient with Sjögren’s syndrome into iPSCs, which were differentiated into DCs (T-iPS-DCs). T-iPS-DCs had dendritic cell-like morphology, and expressed CD11c, HLA-DR, CD80, CD86, and also BDCA-3. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

Efficient Recreation of t(11;22) EWSR1-FLI1⁺ in Human Stem Cells Using CRISPR/Cas9

Investigators compared three strategies aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the CRISPR-mediated t(11;22) translocation in human stem cells, including mesenchymal and induced pluripotent stem cells: (1) using end-joining DNA processing factors involved in repair mechanisms, or (2) ssODNs to guide the ligation of the double-strand break ends generated by CRISPR/Cas9; and (3) all-in-one plasmid or ribonucleoprotein complex-based approaches. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

Tip110 Deletion Impaired Embryonic and Stem Cell Development Involving Downregulation of Stem Cell Factors Nanog, Oct4, and Sox2

Researchers aimed to characterize the function of Tip110 in embryonic development. Transgenic mice lacking expression of a functional Tip110 gene (Tip110^–/^–) died post-implantation, and Tip110^–/^– embryos exhibited developmental arrest between 8.5 and 9.5 days post coitum. However, in vitro cultures of Tip110^–/^– embryos showed that Tip110 loss did not impair embryo growth from the zygote to the blastocyst. [Stem Cells] Full Article

Establishment of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Normal B Cells and Inducing AID Expression in Their Differentiation into Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells

Investigators established B cell derived induced pluripotent stem cells with immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement from normal B cells purified from lymph nodes. The critical points of their method are pre-stimulation of B cells with IL-21 and CD40-ligand, followed by consecutive transfection of highly concentrated Yamanaka factors using a retroviral vector. [Sci Rep] Full Article

A Preliminary Analysis of Volatile Metabolites of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells along the In Vitro Differentiation

Researchers investigated in vitro the volatile compounds released during human induced pluripotent stem cells reprogramming. A preliminary gas chromatographic/mass spectrometer analysis, based on a single extraction method and chromatographic separation, indicated 17 volatile compounds whose relative abundance was altered in each step of the differentiation process. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Pericytes Are Heterogeneous in Their Origin within the Same Tissue

Scientists showed that pericytes from within the same tissue may be heterogeneous in their origin. A subpopulation of embryonic dermal pericytes was derived from the hematopoietic lineage, an unexpected source. [Dev Biol] Abstract

Mature Induced-Pluripotent-Stem-Cell-Derived Human Podocytes Reconstitute Kidney Glomerular-Capillary-Wall Function on a Chip

Researchers demonstrated an efficient and chemically defined method for directing the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem (hiPS) cells into podocytes that express markers for a mature phenotype and that exhibit primary and secondary foot processes. They showed that the hiPS-cell-derived podocytes produce glomerular basement-membrane collagen and recapitulate the natural tissue–tissue interface of the glomerulus, as well as the differential clearance of albumin and inulin, when co-cultured with human glomerular endothelial cells in an organ-on-a-chip microfluidic device. [Nat Biomed Eng] Full Article | Press Release | Editorial

DNA Damage in Stem Cells

The authors discuss the pathophysiological and therapeutic implications of the molecular pathways through which stem cells cope with DNA damage. [Mol Cell] Abstract

An Arduous Journey from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to Functional Pancreatic β-Cells

Scientists comprehensively summarize, compare and critically analyze intricacies of developing technologies, including differentiation platforms, robustness of protocols, and methodologies used to characterize human pluripotent stem cell-derived β-like cells. They discuss experimental issues that need to be resolved before these β-like cells can be used clinically. [Diabetes Obes Metab] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the ESC & iPSC research field.

BioTime Announces New Positive Data from OpRegen^® Trial in Dry-AMD

BioTime, Inc. announced new data from the Phase I/IIa clinical trial of OpRegen^® in the advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (dry-AMD). [Press release from BioTime, Inc. discussing research presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), Baltimore] Press Release

Six New York City Scientists Win Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Young Investigators in Cancer Research

The Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance announced the six winners of the fourth annual Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Young Investigators in Cancer Research, awarded annually to promising early career, New York City-area scientists. Recipients receive $200,000 in funding per year for up to three years, for a total of $600,000, to support explorative, high-risk/high-reward cancer research. [Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance] Press Release

Canadian Cancer Trials Group Awarded $23.5M over Five Years

The Canadian Cancer Society has renewed its commitment to the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) through a major funding award of $23.5 million over five years. This generous funding allows CCTG to continue its world-class cancer clinical trials research. [Queen’s University] Press Release

George Washington (GW) Researcher Receives $1.7 Million Federal Grant to Continue Study of the Hedgehog Receptor

Among scientists specializing in the area, the mechanisms behind the signaling function of the Hedgehog (Hh) receptor pathway remain a mystery. Xiaoyen Zheng, Ph.D., assistant professor of anatomy and regenerative biology at the GW University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, who recently received a $1.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health and National Institute of General Medical Sciences, is determined to learn more about the Hh pathway. [George Washington University] Press Release

The Secret War against Counterfeit Science

China is famous for knock-off DVDs, Louis Vuitton bags and Rolex watches. But counterfeit reagents aren’t on sale in busy public markets. They are sold through sophisticated websites, mixed in with legitimate supplies, and sourced and sold using a network of unwitting partners. [Nature News] Editorial

Science Publishers Try New Tack to Combat Unauthorized Paper Sharing

The unauthorized sharing of copyrighted research papers is on the rise, say analysts who track the publishing industry. Faced with this problem, science publishers seem to be changing tack in their approach to researchers who breach copyright. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 3^rd International Cancer Symposium
September 25-27, 2017
Lyon, France

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

NEW Assistant Professor – Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (Harvard University)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Cardiovascular (Columbia University Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Cellular Modeling of Diabetes (University of California, San Diego)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Stem Cell Technology (Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California)

Postdoctoral Position – Epigenetics of Pluripotent Stem Cells (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cells and Epigenetics (University of Michigan)

Independent Group Leaders – Regenerative Medicine (Center for Regenerative Medicine)

Group Leader – Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Brain Malignancies (German Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Multiple Areas (University of Oklahoma)

Assistant or Associate Member – Stem CellGene Therapy (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pluripotent Stem Cell Technology (University of California, Davis)

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