ESC & iPSC News Volume 13.03 | Jan 24 2018

TOP STORY

Researchers Create First Stem Cells Using CRISPR Genome Activation

Researchers turned skin cells from mice into stem cells by activating a specific gene in the cells using CRISPR technology. The innovative approach offers a potentially simpler technique to produce the valuable cell type and provides important insights into the cellular reprogramming process. [Press release from Gladstone Institutes discussing online prepublication in Cell Stem Cell] Press Release | Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Transplantation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiovascular Progenitors for Severe Ischemic Left Ventricular Dysfunction

The authors tested the feasibility of leveraging the properties of human ESCs to generate clinical-grade cardiovascular progenitor cells and assessed their safety in patients with severe ischemic left ventricular dysfunction. [J Am Coll Cardiol] Abstract

Parallel Derivation of Isogenic Human Primed and Naive Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Researchers developed a method to generate naive human iPSCs directly from somatic cells, using OKMS overexpression and specific culture conditions, further enabling parallel generation of their isogenic primed counterparts. [Nat Commun] Full Article

MEIS1 Regulates Hemogenic Endothelial Generation, Megakaryopoiesis, and Thrombopoiesis in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells by Targeting TAL1 and FLI1

Scientists identified myeloid ectopic viral integration site 1 homolog (MEIS1) as a crucial regulator of human PSC early hematopoietic differentiation. MEIS1 was vital for specification of APLNR⁺ mesoderm progenitors to functional hemogenic endothelial progenitors, thereby controlling formation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

Compartmentalization of HP1 Proteins in Pluripotency Acquisition and Maintenance

Heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) γ interacted with OCT4 and DPPA4 in HP1α and HP1β knockouts and in H3K9 methylation depleted H3K9M ESC lines. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

TCF7L1 Suppresses Primitive Streak Gene Expression to Support Human Embryonic Stem Cell Pluripotency

Investigators explored the role of transcriptional regulators of WNT signaling, the TCF/LEFs. As in mouse ESCs, TCF7L1 is the predominant family member in human ESCs. [Development] Abstract

Phosphorylation of ULK1 by AMPK Is Essential for Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Pluripotency

Scientists showed that activation of ULK1 by AMPK is essential for ESC self-renewal and pluripotency. Dysfunction of Ulk1 decreased the autophagic flux in ESCs, leading to compromised self-renewal and pluripotency. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Efficient Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Skeletal Muscle Cells by Combining RNA-Based MYOD1-Expression and POU5F1-Silencing

The authors showed a rapid and robust method to induce myogenic differentiation of human PSCs by introducing mRNA encoding MYOD1 together with small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of POU5F1. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Analysis of Mitochondrial Function in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Patients with Mitochondrial Diabetes Due to the A3243G Mutation

Investigators analyzed the mitochondrial functions of two mutation-undetectable and two mutation-high clones in patients through four methods to assess complex I activity, mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial respiration, and mitochondrial ATP production. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Targeted Reversion of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Patients with Human Cleidocranial Dysplasia Improves Bone Regeneration in a Rat Calvarial Bone Defect Model

The authors investigated whether iPSCs properly differentiate into osteoblasts after repairing the runt-related transcription factor 2 mutation in iPSCs derived from cleidocranial dysplasia patients to establish normal iPSCs, and whether engraftment of osteoblasts derived from properly reverted iPSCs results in better regeneration in immunodeficient rat calvarial bone defect models. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Models of Retinitis Pigmentosa

Scientists summarize current human iPSC-based retinitis pigmentosa models and highlight key achievements and challenges of these cellular models, as well as questions that still remain unanswered. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Pluripotency Deconstructed

The authors discuss an intermediate stage of pluripotency that is termed “formative”. Formative pluripotency features a gene regulatory network switch from the naïve state and comprises capacitation of enhancers, signaling pathways and epigenetic machinery in order to install competence for lineage specification. [Dev Growth Differ] Abstract

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

Treatment Commences in Second Patient Cohort in Cynata’s World First Clinical Trial

Cynata Therapeutics Limited announced that the first patient in cohort B has been treated with CYP-001, the company’s first mesenchymal stem cell product for steroid-resistant acute graft-versus-host disease. [Cynata Therapeutics Limited (GlobeNewswire, Inc.)] Press Release

CBMG Accelerates Cell Therapy Manufacturing with GE Healthcare’s New Start-to-Finish Solution

Cellular Biomedicine Group Inc. announced its plan to configure part of its facility in Shanghai with GE Healthcare’s FlexFactory™ platform, which is expected to be designed to speed up manufacturing timelines for its cell therapy clinical trials and commercial launch. [Cellular Biomedicine Group Inc.] Press Release

German Scientists Hope for Windfall from Incoming Government

Research budget could rise to 3.5% of gross domestic product if agreement struck during coalition talks holds. [Nature News] Editorial

Nobel Laureate Suggests He Could Fall on Sword over Colleague’s Bogus Paper

Shinya Yamanaka, who won a share of the 2012 Noble Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, has suggested he could resign as director of Kyoto University’s Center for iPS Cell Research and Application in Japan over a fraudulent paper published by center researchers. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

U.S. Scientists Breathe a Sigh of Relief as Government Shutdown to End

It’s over—at least for the moment. The U.S. Senate voted 81–18 to advance legislation funding government activities, essentially ending a partial government shutdown that had moved into its third day. The House of Representatives is expected to follow suit, sending the bill to President Donald Trump for his signature. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW The Stem Cell Niche Conference 2018
May 27-31, 2018
Copenhagen, Denmark

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

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Cell-Based Cardiac Regeneration (Karolinska Institutet)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Pancreas Development and Stem Cells (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Neurodegeneration (Lund University)

Research Scientist – Stem Cell Research (Evotec AG)

Postdoctoral Position – Bioinformatics and Computational Biology of Stem Cells & Cancer (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Research Fellows – Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (The University of Queensland)

Postdoctoral Position – Regenerative Medicine (University of Pennsylvania)

PhD Studentship – Patient Specific iPSCs for Studying Leukemia (Institute for Biomedical Engineering)

Postdoctral Fellow – Human Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (Boston University School of Medicine)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in ESC & iPSC News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.