ESC & iPSC News Volume 14.01 | Jan 16 2019

TOP STORY

Human Blood Vessel Organoids as a Model of Diabetic Vasculopathy

Scientists report the development of self-organizing three-dimensional human blood vessel organoids from PSCs. These human blood vessel organoids contained endothelial cells and pericytes that self-assembled into capillary networks that were enveloped by a basement membrane. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Generation of Hepato-Biliary Organoids from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

In this system, human iPSCs were induced to 3D hepato-biliary organoids and to some extent recapitulated key aspects of early hepatogenesis in a parallel fashion. The induced hepatocyte-like cells could uptake ICG, accumulate lipid and glycogen, and displayed appropriate secretion ability and drug metabolic ability; the biliary structures in the system showed GGT activity and the ability to efflux rhodamine and store bile acid. [J Hepatol] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

GATA6 Cooperates with EOMES/SMAD2/3 to Deploy the Gene Regulatory Network Governing Human Definitive Endoderm and Pancreas Formation

To elaborate the human-specific requirements for GATA6, the authors modeled GATA6 loss in vitro by combining both gene-edited and patient-derived PSCs (hPSCs) and directed differentiation toward β-like cells. They found that GATA6 heterozygous hPSCs showed a modest reduction in definitive endoderm (DE) formation, while GATA6-null hPSCs failed to enter the DE lineage. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

Primary Cardiac Manifestation of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Revealed by Patient Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes

The PKD1-mutant iPSC-cardiomyocytes (CMs) showed a relatively unstable baseline as a greater percentage of cells exhibited delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs). Both the autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease patient iPSC-CMs showed more β-adrenergic agonist-elicited DADs compared with control-CMs. [EBioMedicine] Full Article

Sirt6 Regulates Efficiency of Mouse Somatic Reprogramming and Maintenance of Pluripotency

Mouse embryonic fibroblasts isolated from transgenic Oct4-GFP reporter mice with or without sirtuin 6 (Sirt6) were used for reprogramming by Yamanaka factors. Investigators found that loss of function of Sirt6 could significantly decrease reprogramming efficiency. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Generation of Mesothelial Progenitor-Like Cells from Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Researchers established a differentiation protocol for mouse iPSC-derived mesothelial progenitor cells (miMPCs) via the exposure to defined factors, as well as purification using MPC-specific cell surface antigens. Furthermore, the miMPCs had the ability to suppress postoperative adhesion and facilitate liver regeneration. [FEBS Lett] Abstract

Attempts for Generation of Embryonic Stem Cells from Human Embryos Following In Vitro Embryo Twinning

Scientists aimed to generate human ESCs (hESCs) following the production of twin embryos by in vitro embryo splitting procedures. Initial outgrowths of hESC-like cells were generated, and cells were proliferated, passaged and some of them expressed hESC and trophoblastic markers; however, no cell lines were established. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Polybenzyl Glutamate Biocompatible Scaffold Promotes the Efficiency of Retinal Differentiation toward Retinal Ganglion Cell Lineage from Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

iPSC-derived neural spheres cultured on a polybenzyl glutamate (PBG) scaffold increased the differentiated retinal neurons and promoted the neurite outgrowth in the retinal ganglion cell progenitor layer. Additionally, iPSCs cultured on a PBG scaffold formed organoid-like structures compared to that of iPSCs cultured on cover glass within the same culture period. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

Aberrant hiPSCs-Derived from Human Keratinocytes Differentiates into 3D Retinal Organoids That Acquire Mature Photoreceptors

Researchers efficiently differentiated mosaic human iPSCs (hiPSCs) into retinal organoids containing mature photoreceptors. The use of a Notch inhibitor, DAPT, at an early timepoint from days 29-42 of culture improved the specification of the retinal neuron and the use of retinoic acid at days 70-120 led to the maturation of photoreceptors. [Cells] Abstract | Download Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Imidazopyridines as Potent KDM5 Demethylase Inhibitors Promoting Reprogramming Efficiency of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Investigators showed that imidazopyridines-analogues of zolpidem, a sedative-hypnotic drug-were able to improve reprogramming efficiency and facilitate reprogramming of resistant human primary fibroblasts. The lead compound showed a remarkable OCT4 induction, which at least in part, was due to the inhibition of H3K4-demethylase (KDM5). [iScience] Abstract | Full Article | Graphical Abstract

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Modeling Sarcomeric Cardiomyopathies with Human Cardiomyocytes Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

The authors review published results to date within the growing field of iPSC-based sarcomeric cardiomyopathy disease models. They devote special attention to the methods of mechanical characterization selected in each case, and how these relate to the paradigms of classical muscle mechanics. [J Physiol] Abstract

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

NYSCF Inks Strategic Partnership with Ngene Therapeutics

The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) will serve as a key partner to Ngene Therapeutics Inc. in stem cell derivation and differentiation towards the generation of high-quality cell lines for disease research and of clinical-grade, good manufacturing practice cell lines for cell-based therapies. [The New York Stem Cell Foundation] Press Release

Avalon GloboCare CEO David Jin, MD, PhD to Chair and Speak at the Plenary Session of the 14^th Annual World Stem Cell Summit

Avalon GloboCare Corp. announced that its President and Chief Executive Officer, David Jin, MD, PhD, will chair and speak at the plenary session of the 14^th Annual World Stem Cell Summit in Miami, Florida. The presentation is entitled, “Status of Cellular Therapy and Regenerative Medicine in China.” [Avalon GloboCare Corp.] Press Release

Government Shutdown Keeps Young Scientists in Limbo

With the lapse in government funding in its fourth week, early-career researchers tell The Scientist how their businesses, jobs, and research have been affected. [The Scientist] Editorial

Mass Student Protests Bring Down Albania’s Science Minister

Albania’s education and science minister has been replaced in a government reshuffle amid weeks of mass student protests that brought the country’s public universities to a halt. For years, students have been complaining about growing privatization of education, which, they say, has hiked fees without adding benefits. [Nature News] Editorial

Groundbreaking Deal Makes Large Number of German Studies Free to Public

Three years ago, a group of German libraries, universities, and research institutes teamed up to force the three largest scientific publishers to offer an entirely new type of contract. In exchange for an annual lump sum, they wanted a nationwide agreement making papers by German authors free to read around the world, while giving researchers in Germany access to all of the publishers’ online content. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW 2^nd London Stem Cell Network Symposium
April 30, 2019
London, United Kingdom

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology (City of Hope)

NEW Senior Laboratory Research Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Research (The Francis Crick Institute)

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

Scientist – Cell Culture Media and Cell Line Development (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Genetics and Epigenomics of iPSC Biology (Stanford University)

Assistant Associate Professor/Professor in Residence – Stem Cell Program (UC Davis Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Positions – PSC-Derived Human Lung Organoids (Columbia University Irving Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Fellows – Human iPSC Cell Differentiation Research (Boston Children’s Hospital)

Assistant/Associate Adjunct Professor – Cardiovascular Medicine (UC Davis)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cells and Diabetes (A*STAR)

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