Direct Reprogramming of Somatic Cells Is Promoted by Maternal Transcription Factor Glis1 Researchers showed that the Gli-like transcription factor Glis1 (Glis family zinc finger 1) markedly enhances the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from both mouse and human fibroblasts when it is expressed together with OSK (Oct3/4, Sox2 and Klf4). [Nature] Democracy Derived? New Trajectories in Pluripotent Stem Cell Research Here, coauthorship networks of stem cell research articles and analysis of cell lines used in stem cell research indicated that human induced pluripotent stem cells are not replacing human embryonic stem cells, but instead, the two cell types are complementary, interdependent research tools. [Cell] Antisense RNA Polymerase II Divergent Transcripts Are P-TEFb Dependent and Substrates for the RNA Exosome Investigators reported the characterization of upstream antisense transcription in regions encoding transcription start site associated RNAs at four divergent CpG island promoters: Isg20l1, Tcea1, Txn1, and Sf3b1. [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A] A System for Treating Ischemic Disease Using Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Endothelial Cells without Direct Incorporation Scientists sought to develop a method for using secreted angiogenic factors from human embryonic stem cell-derived endothelial cell derivatives, while avoiding direct cell incorporation, to reduce tumorigenesis or unidentified side effects of injected cells in vivo. [Biomaterials] Docosahexaenoic Acid Promotes Dopaminergic Differentiation in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Inhibits Teratoma Formation in Rats with Parkinson-Like Pathology This study examined whether functional neurons could be efficiently generated from induced pluripotent stem cells using a five-step induction procedure combined with docosahexaenoic acid treatment. [Cell Transplant] Mapping the Stem Cell State: Eight Novel Human Embryonic Stem and Embryonal Carcinoma Cell Antibodies Data revealed a range of reactivity for all antibodies against both embryonic stem and embryonal carcinoma cells, suggesting that these markers will afford recognition of unique sub-states within the undifferentiated stem cell compartment. [Int J Androl] Cell Type-Specific Transcriptional Regulation of the Gene Encoding Importin-α1 In this study, researchers identified a critical promoter region in Kpna2 and showed that the expression of this gene is differentially regulated in embryonic stem cells and NIH3T3 cells. [Exp Cell Res] Enhanced Production of Neuroprogenitors, Dopaminergic Neurons and Identification of Target Genes by Overexpression of Sonic Hedgehog in Human Embryonic Stem Cells In this study, investigators reported that overexpression of Sonic hedgehog in human embryonic stem cells promotes the derivation of neuroprogenitors (NP), increases proliferation of NP and subsequently increases the yield of dopaminergic neurons. [Stem Cells Dev] Simple and Efficient Method for Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Using PiggyBac Transposition of Doxycycline-Inducible Factors and an EOS (Early Transposon Promoter and Oct3/4 and Sox2 Enhancers) Reporter System Scientists described a simple and efficient system for generating high-quality induced pluripotent stem cells by a single transfection of multiple plasmids that does not require the use of a virus, special instruments or skilled techniques. [Genes Cells] |