ESC & iPSC News Volume 13.21 | May 30 2018

TOP STORY

MTF2 Recruits Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 by Helical-Shape-Selective DNA Binding

Researchers demonstrated that MTF2, one of the three vertebrate homologs of Drosophila melanogaster Polycomblike, is a DNA-binding, methylation-sensitive polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) recruiter in mouse embryonic stem cells. MTF2 directly bound to DNA and was essential for recruitment of PRC2 both in vitro and in vivo. [Nat Genet] Abstract | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Exit from Naive Pluripotency Induces a Transient X Chromosome Inactivation-Like State in Males

The authors found that naive PSCs (nPSCs) accumulated Xist on the male X chromosome and on both female X chromosomes as they become NANOG negative at the onset of differentiation. This was accompanied by the appearance of a repressive chromatin signature and partial X-linked gene silencing, suggesting a transient and rapid X chromosome inactivation-like state in male nPSCs. [Cell Stem Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

An Intermediate Pluripotent State Controlled by MicroRNAs Is Required for the Naive-to-Primed Stem Cell Transition

Scientists found that highly dynamic ISY1 expression during the naive-to-primed ESC transition defined a specific phase of “poised” pluripotency characterized by distinct miRNA and mRNA transcriptomes and widespread poised cell contribution to mouse chimeras. ISY1 promoted exit from the naive state and was necessary and sufficient to induce and maintain poised pluripotency, and persistent ISY1 overexpression inhibited the transition from the naive to the primed state. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

In Vivo Reprogramming Drives Kras-Induced Cancer Development

Investigators showed that the transient expression of reprogramming factors in pancreatic acinar cells resulted in the transient repression of acinar cell enhancers, which are similarly observed in pancreatitis. They demonstrated that Kras and p53 mutations were insufficient to induce ERK signaling in the pancreas. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Activation of the Arterial Program Drives Development of Definitive Hemogenic Endothelium with Lymphoid Potential

Researchers showed that activation of the arterial program through ETS1 overexpression or by modulating MAPK/ERK signaling pathways at the mesodermal stage of development dramatically enhanced the formation of arterial-type hemogenic endothelium (HE) expressing DLL4 and CXCR4. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

FBXL19 Recruits CDK-Mediator to CpG Islands of Developmental Genes Priming Them for Activation during Lineage Commitment

The authors identified FBXL19 as a CpG island-binding protein in mouse ES cells and showed that it associates with the CDK-Mediator complex. FBXL19 recruited CDK-Mediator to CpG island-associated promoters of non-transcribed developmental genes to prime these genes for activation during cell lineage commitment. [eLIFE] Abstract

Activated Mitochondrial Apoptosis in hESCs after Dissociation Involving the PKA/P-p53/Bax Signaling Pathway

Human ESCs (hESCs) are highly fragile with massive cell death after dissociation into single cells, which seriously hampers their applications. Investigators showed that the dissociation caused caspase-dependent apoptosis in hESCs mediated by mitochondrial pathway with the up-regulation of pro-apoptotic proteins, decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and elevation in pro-apoptotic Cyto c release, which were suppressed by H89. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

Modulation of STAT3 Phosphorylation by PTPN2 Inhibits Naïve Pluripotency of Embryonic Stem Cells

Scientists showed that upregulation of the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPN2) inhibited STAT3 activity by reducing its phosphorylation level and promoted mouse ESC (mESC) differentiation, whereas PTPN2 knockout by CRISPR/CAS9 delayed mESC differentiation. PTPN2 knockdown facilitated the generation of mESC‐like colonies in STAT3‐overexpressing mouse epiblast stem cells. [FEBS Lett] Abstract

3D Bioprinting Stem Cell Derived Tissues

The authors review the current state of the field of 3D printing stem cell derived tissues. They cover 3D printing technologies and discuss the different types of stem cells used for tissue engineering applications, and detail the properties required for the bioinks used when printing viable tissues from stem cells. [Cell Mol Bioeng] Full Article

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

Evotec and Celgene Expand iPSC Collaboration to Include Additional Cell Lines

Evotec AG announced that the company will receive a $6m payment from Celgene following Celgene’s decision to expand the collaboration to include additional cell lines. This collaboration pursues an innovative approach to the discovery and development of novel medicines by leveraging Evotec’s unique human iPSC technology platform, which is one of the largest and most sophisticated platforms in the industry. [Evotec] Press Release

BioTime Further Expands OpRegen^® Clinical Trial in Dry-AMD with the Opening of Two Additional U.S. Sites

BioTime, Inc., announced the expansion of its ongoing Phase I/IIa clinical trial for OpRegen^®, with the addition of two new U.S. sites that are expected to begin treating patients later this quarter. [Biotime, Inc.] Press Release

BioTime Announces $1.9 Million Grant for Continued Development of OpRegen^® for Dry-AMD

BioTime, Inc., has been awarded a new grant for 2018 of up to 6.9 million Israeli New Shekels (approximately $1.9 million) from the Israel Innovation Authority. [Biotime, Inc.] Press Release

‘Reprogrammed’ Stem Cells Approved to Mend Human Hearts for the First Time

Scientists in Japan now have permission to treat people who have heart disease with cells produced by a revolutionary reprogramming technique. The study is only the second clinical application of iPS cells. The treatment will initially be given to three people over the next year. The team will then seek approval to conduct a clinical trial in around ten patients. If it proves safe, the treatment could then be sold commercially under Japan’s fast-track system for regenerative medicine. [Nature News] Editorial

Max Planck Scientists Criticize Handling of Animal-Rights Charges against Leading Neuroscientist

Researchres at one of Germany’s leading neuroscience institutes say that their employer, the Max Planck Society, is failing in its responsibility to defend the institute’s scientists against efforts by animal-rights activists to disrupt research. [Nature News] Editorial

Brexit: UK May Get Poorer Access than Israel to EU Science Scheme

Theresa May’s appeal for a special Brexit deal on science and research collaboration, worth billions to the British economy, is being stonewalled by Brussels as it prepares to offer an arrangement less privileged and more expensive than that given to non-EU states such as Israel. [The Guardian] Editorial

Who Gets Credit? Survey Digs into the Thorny Question of Authorship

Opinions about which research contributions deserve authorship credit on a scholarly paper vary markedly across scientific disciplines — and even within the same field, a survey of thousands of researchers reveals. More than two-thirds of respondents said they would grant authorship to someone who interpreted data or drafted the manuscript. [Nature News] Editorial

Will U.S. Academies Expel Sexual Harassers?

As high-profile sexual harassment cases fuel public criticism, the presidents of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine announced they may adopt new policies allowing the prestigious bodies to eject members who have committed harassment and other forms of misconduct. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW ComBio 2018
September 23-26, 2018
Sydney, Australia

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

NEW Research Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

NEW Senior Scientist/ Scientist – Tissue Engineering (Novoheart)

Research Technologist – Stem Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

PhD Position – Systems Biology and Single-Cell Transcriptomics of ESCs (University of Southern Denmark)

Postdoctoral Fellow – hiPSC Based Cardiac Regeneration (Duke University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Human Skeletal Muscle Disease Modeling and Regeneration (Duke University)

PhD Candidate Position – Cardiovascular Diseases and iPSCs (University Medical Center Göttingen)

Scientist/Senior Scientist – Bioprocess Engineering (Bluerock Therapeutics, LLC.)

Postdoctoral Fellow Positions – Cardiovascular Stem Cell/iPSC Biology (University of Illinois at Chicago)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering (Stanford University)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer, Immunotherapy, and Fibrosis (University of Alabama at Birmingham)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cells, Development and Cancer (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Associate – hiPSC-Based Brain Organoids (Rutgers University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology (City of Hope)

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