ESC & iPSC News Volume 14.31 | Aug 14 2019

TOP STORY

MYC Competes with MiT/TFE in Regulating Lysosomal Biogenesis and Autophagy through an Epigenetic Rheostat

Scientists describe an epigenetic rheostat orchestrated by c-MYC and histone deacetylases that inhibited lysosomal and autophagic biogenesis by concomitantly repressing the expression of the transcription factors MiT/TFE and FOXH1, and that of lysosomal and autophagy genes. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Knockout of the Neuropsychiatric Risk Gene KCTD13 Causes Developmental Deficits in Human Cortical Neurons Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Researchers deleted the KCTD13 gene in human-iPSCs using CRISPR/Cas9 nickase. Following neural differentiation of KCTD13 deficient and isogenic control iPSC lines, they detected a moderate but significant inhibition of DNA synthesis and proliferation in KCTD13 deficient human neural precursor cells. [Mol Neurobiol] Abstract

MLP-Deficient Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Cardiomyocytes Develop Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Heart Failure Phenotypes Due to Abnormal Calcium Handling

The authors generated a knockout muscle LIM protein (MLP/CSRP3) human ESC (hESC) H9 cell line using CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene disruption. CSRP3 disruption had no impact on the cardiac differentiation of H9 cells and led to confirmed MLP deficiency in hESC-derived cardiomyocytes. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Induced 2C Expression and Implantation-Competent Blastocyst-Like Cysts from Primed Pluripotent Stem Cells

Researchers describe induced self-organizing 3D blastocyst (BC)-like cysts (iBLCs) generated from mouse PSC culture. Resembling natural BCs, iBLCs had a blastocoel-like cavity and were formed with outer cells expressing trophectoderm lineage markers and with inner cells expressing pluripotency markers. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

In Vivo Surveillance and Elimination of Teratoma‐Forming Human Embryonic Stem Cells with Monoclonal Antibody 2448 Targeting Annexin A2

Scientists investigated if the use of ch2448 can be extended to human ESCs (hESCs). ch2448 was found to bind specifically to undifferentiated hESCs but not differentiated progenitors. Similar to cancer cells, ch2448 killed hESCs in vivo either indirectly by eliciting antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity or directly by antibody‐drug conjugate. [Biotechnol Bioeng] Abstract

Effect of Ionizing Radiation from Computed Tomography on Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells into Neural Precursors

Investigators studied the effect of radiation from computed tomography scans on differentiation of human ESCs into neuronal lineage. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

Targeted Gene Therapy in Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from a Patient with Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1 Using CRISPR/Cas9 Technology

Scientists report the CRISPR/Cas9 nuclease-mediated gene targeting of a single-copy AGXT therapeutic minigene into the safe harbor AAVS1 locus in primary hyperoxaluria type 1-iPSCs without off-target inserts. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Visualization of Sequential Conversion through Human Intermediately Reprogrammed Stem Cells into iPS Cells

Single‐cell microarray analysis revealed the stage‐specific sequential gene activation during the conversion of intermediately reprogrammed stem cells into iPSCs, using OCT4, TDGF1, and E‐CADHERIN as marker genes. [Genes Cells] Abstract

An Isogenic Neurovascular Unit Model Comprised of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells, Pericytes, Astrocytes, and Neurons

Brain microvascular endothelial cells, neurons, astrocytes, and brain like pericytes were differentiated from human iPSCs and placed in a Transwell-type neurovascular unit model. [Fluids Barriers CNS] Full Article

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Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells as a Novel Cancer Vaccine

The authors provide an overview of how cancer develops, the role of immune surveillance in cancer progression, the current status and challenges of cancer immunotherapy as well as the genetic overlap between pluripotent stem cells and cancer cells. [Expert Opin Biol Ther] Abstract

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AC Immune Announces Research Collaboration with University of Pennsylvania Focusing on Pathogenic Protein TDP-43 in Neurodegenerative Diseases

AC Immune SA announced a research partnership with leading scientists in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania focused on studying the pathological mechanisms of TDP-43 misfolding and aggregation. [AC Immune SA] Press Release

Fate Therapeutics Announces Issuance of Foundational US Patent Covering iPSC-Derived CAR T Cells

Fate Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the US Patent and Trademark Office has issued US Patent No. 10,370,452 covering compositions and uses of effector T cells expressing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), where such T cells are derived from a pluripotent stem cell including an iPSC. [Fate Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

UC Faculty Members Quit Cell Press Editorial Boards over Impasse with Publisher

Some of the University of California’s (UC’s) most prominent scientists have announced they will resign from editorial boards of Cell Press to protest the continuing impasse between its owner, publishing giant Elsevier, and UC over subscription costs and open access to articles. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Academia to FBI on Monitoring Chinese Scientists: “Tread Carefully”

Nearly two dozen higher education groups warn the government to be cautious when advising US research universities to keep an eye on students and faculty with ties to certain Chinese institutions. [The Scientist] Editorial

NEW From Stem Cell Biology to New Therapies
November 6-8, 2019
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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NEW Assistant Specialist – Division of Cardiovascular Medicine (University of California, Davis)

Scientific Communications Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Anatomy and Embryology (Leiden University Medical Center)

Biologist – Stem Cell Engineering (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

Postdoctoral Associate – Cancer and Glioma Stem Cell Biology (Weill Cornell Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow Positions – Cancer Research (Nationwide Children’s Hospital)

Tenure-Track Faculty Position – Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Research Technician – Beta Cell Production from Human PSCs (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

Senior Scientist – Cell Engineering and Characterization (Merck & Co., Inc)

Associate Professor – Developmental and Stem Cell Biology (The University of Hong Kong)

Postdoctoral Fellows – Striated Muscle Regeneration (Duke University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pluripotent Stem Cells & Joint Tissue Development (Boston Children’s Hospital)

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

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