ESC & iPSC News Volume 14.32 | Aug 21 2019

TOP STORY

De Novo Mutations in Mitochondrial DNA of iPSCs Produce Immunogenic Neoepitopes in Mice and Humans

Scientists present evidence in mice and humans that nonsynonymous mtDNA mutations can arise and become enriched during reprogramming to the iPSC stage, long-term culture and differentiation into target cells. [Nat Biotechnol] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Transcriptionally Active HERV-H Retrotransposons Demarcate Topologically Associating Domains in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

By interrogating chromatin reorganization during human PSC differentiation, researchers discovered a role for the primate-specific endogenous retrotransposon human endogenous retrovirus subfamily H (HERV-H) in creating topologically associating domains in hPSCs. [Nat Genet] Abstract

Distinct Molecular Trajectories Converge to Induce Naive Pluripotency

The authors showed that acquisition of naive pluripotency could follow transcriptionally and mechanistically distinct routes. Starting from post-implantation epiblast stem cells, one route advanced through a mesodermal state prior to naive pluripotency induction, whereas another transiently resembled the early inner cell mass and correspondingly gained greater developmental potency. [Cell Stem Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Dynamic Enhancer DNA Methylation as Basis for Transcriptional and Cellular Heterogeneity of ESCs

Investigators used allele-specific reporters at the endogenous Sox2 and Mir290 super-enhancers in embryonic stem cells and found that the allelic DNA methylation state was dynamically switching, resulting in cell-to-cell heterogeneity. [Mol Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Rinf Regulates Pluripotency Network Genes and Tet Enzymes in Embryonic Stem Cells

Scientists found that in mouse ESCs, Rinf bound to the chromatin and was enriched at promoters and enhancers of Tet1, Tet2, and pluripotency genes. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Xeno-Free and Feeder-Free Culture and Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells on Recombinant Vitronectin-Grafted Hydrogels

Human ESCs proliferated on hydrogels for over 10 passages and differentiated into the cells derived from three germ layers indicating the maintenance of pluripotency. [Biomater Sci] Abstract

Dystrophin Deficiency Leads to Dysfunctional Glutamate Clearance in iPSC Derived Astrocytes

The authors generated cortical neuronal and astrocytic progeny from iPSCs from six Duchenne muscular dystrophy subjects carrying different mutations and several unaffected PSC lines. [Transl Psychiatry] Full Article

Generation of a Purified iPSC-Derived Smooth Muscle-Like Population for Cell Sheet Engineering

Researchers developed murine and human iPSC lines carrying fluorochrome reporters that identified Acta²⁺/ACTA²⁺ cells as they emerged in vitro in real time during iPSC-directed differentiation. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Neuroinflammatory Astrocytes Generated from Cord Blood-Derived Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Using RNA sequencing and in vitro cell assays, researchers measured transcriptional and cellular effects of chronic exposure of human iPSC-derived astrocytes to the cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha or interleukin-1 beta. [J Neuroinflammation] Full Article

Ectopic Activation of WNT Signaling in Human Embryonal Carcinoma Cells and Its Effects in Short- and Long-Term In Vitro Culture

Investigators studied WNT signaling in a panel of representative pluripotent and nullipotent human embryonal carcinoma (EC) cell lines. They found that EC cell lines showed distinct levels of intrinsic WNT signaling and respond differently to ectopic WNT activation. [Sci Rep] Full Article

mRNA and miRNA Expression Profiles in an Ectoderm-Biased Substate of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

To explore biomarkers for defining and monitoring the pluripotent substates during culture, scientists established different substates in H9 human ES cells by changing the extracellular matrix from vitronectin to Matrigel. [Sci Rep] Full Article

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Recent Advances in Deriving Human Endodermal Tissues from Pluripotent Stem Cells

Researchers review recent advances in the derivation and applications of human endodermal tissues, including the esophagus, lung, pancreas, liver, stomach, small intestine, and colon. [Curr Opin Cell Biol] Abstract

Construction of 3D In Vitro Models by Bioprinting Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: Challenges and Opportunities

A limited, but growing, number of recent reports suggest that cells derived by differentiation of human ESCs and human iPSCs can be used as building blocks in bioprinted human 3D models, reproducing the cellular variety and cytoarchitecture of real tissues. [Brain Res] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

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

RenovaCare Awarded New Patent Allowing for the Spray of Stem Cells for Regeneration of Organs and Tissues

RenovaCare, Inc. announced the issuance of a new patent allowing the company’s novel medical device to now spray all varieties of tissues and cells, thus opening the door for its potential application in the regeneration of tissues and organs, beyond skin. [RenovaCare, Inc.] Press Release

Lineage Cell Therapeutics Awarded NIH Grant for Innovative Vision Restoration Program

Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc. announced that it has been awarded a new $670,621 Small Business Innovation Research grant to advance its Vision Restoration Program, the company’s proprietary and innovative program generating 3D human retinal tissue derived from pluripotent cells. [Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Brazil’s Budget Cuts Threaten More Than 80,000 Science Scholarships

Brazil’s main science-funding agency will have to suspend more than 80,000 scholarships to postdoctoral researchers and graduate and undergraduate students starting in September unless it receives additional cash from the government. [Nature News] Editorial

The Push to Replace Journal Supplements with Repositories

Broken links, clunky formats, and outdated platforms have both authors and publishers turning to alternative solutions. [The Scientist] Editorial

Hundreds of Extreme Self-Citing Scientists Revealed in New Database

A data set, which lists around 100,000 researchers, shows that at least 250 scientists have amassed more than 50% of their citations from themselves or their co-authors, while the median self-citation rate is 12.7%. The study could help to flag potential extreme self-promoters, and possibly ‘citation farms’, in which clusters of scientists massively cite each other, say the researchers. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Gene Regulation: From Mechanisms to Disease
January 26-30, 2020
Keystone, Colorado, United States

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NEW Investigator – Stem Cells (GlaxoSmithKline)

Scientific Communications Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

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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