ESC & iPSC News Volume 8.20 | May 22 2013

Transcriptional and Epigenetic Dynamics during Specification of Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) provides a unique opportunity to study the regulatory mechanisms that facilitate cellular transitions in a human context. To that end, researchers performed comprehensive transcriptional and epigenetic profiling of populations derived through directed differentiation of hESCs representing each of the three embryonic germ layers. [Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Subtelomeric Hotspots of Aberrant 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine-Mediated Epigenetic Modifications during Reprogramming to Pluripotency
Investigators showed that 5-hydroxymethylcytosine levels increase significantly during reprogramming to human induced pluripotent stem cells mainly owing to TET1 activation, and this hydroxymethylation change is critical for optimal epigenetic reprogramming, but does not compromise primed pluripotency. [Nat Cell Biol] Abstract

Human iPS Cell-Derived Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells Induce T-Cell Anergy in In Vitro Generated Alloreactive CD8⁺ T-Cells
Immunological knowledge about induced pluripotent stem (iPS)-cell derivatives remains enigmatic. Researchers characterized hiPS-derived CD34⁺ hematopoietic progenitor cells. [Blood] Abstract

Brief Demethylation Step Allows the Conversion of Adult Human Skin Fibroblasts into Insulin-Secreting Cells
Adult human skin fibroblasts were exposed for 18 hours to the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-azacytidine, followed by a three-step protocol for the induction of endocrine pancreatic differentiation that lasted 36 days. At the end of this treatment, 35 ± 8.9% fibroblasts became pancreatic converted cells that acquired an epithelial morphology, produced insulin, and then released the hormone in response to a physiological glucose challenge in vitro. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Role of SIRT6 in Aging and Reprogramming of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
A knockout mouse model of SIRT6 has displayed dramatic phenotypes of accelerated aging. In keeping with its role in aging, the authors demonstrated that human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) from older subjects were more resistant to reprogramming by classic Yamanaka factors than those from young subjects, but the addition of SIRT6 during reprogramming substantially improved such efficiency in older HDFs. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Comparison of Electrophysiological Data from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) to Functional Pre-Clinical Safety Assays
Multi-electrode array data shows that human induced pluripotent stem cell cardiomyocytes demonstrate relevant pharmacology and show excellent correlations to assays used currently to existing functional cardiac electrophysiological studies. [Toxicol Sci] Abstract

Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes Migrate in Response to Gradients of Fibronectin and Wnt5a
Human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes show robust promigratory responses to fibronectin and Wnt5a, findings that have implications on both cardiac development and cell-based therapies. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Epithelial Cells in a Novel In Vitro Model of Vocal Mucosa
Researchers sought to create a valid, reproducible three-dimensional in vitro model of human origin of vocal fold mucosa of human origin. They hypothesized that co-culture of human embryonic stem cell-derived simple epithelial cells with primary vocal fold fibroblasts under appropriate conditions would elicit morphogenesis of progenitor cells into vocal fold epithelial-like cells and creation of a basement membrane. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Mechanisms and Models of Somatic Cell Reprogramming
The authors discuss recent discoveries regarding the role of reprogramming factors in remodeling the genome, including new insights into the function of MYC, and describe the different phases, markers and emerging models of reprogramming. [Nat Rev Genet] Abstract

Uncovering the True Identity of Naïve Pluripotent Stem Cells
Scientists review different hypotheses regarding the nature of murine embryonic stem cells and discuss their implications for human pluripotent stem cell biology. [Trends Cell Biol] Abstract

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

ACT Confirms Clinical Trial Participant Showed Improvement in Vision from 20/400 to 20/40 following Treatment
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) confirmed that the vision of a patient enrolled in a clinical investigation of the company’s retinal pigment epithelial cells derived from human embryonic stem cells has improved from 20/400 to 20/40 following treatment. [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.] Press Release

Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission Funds 31 New Research Proposals in FY 2013
The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission has completed its review of the 171 applications received in response to its FY 2013 Requests for Applications. The board of directors of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation approved the Commission’s recommendation to fund 31 new proposals with the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund’s $10.4 million FY2013 budget. [Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund] Press Release

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Italy May Rein in Rogue Stem-Cell Therapy
A controversial decree allowing severely ill patients to continue treatment with an unproven, and possibly unsafe, stem-cell therapy may be amended, if the Italian parliament’s Chamber of Deputies has its way. The Chamber’s social affairs committee unanimously passed amendments to the decree that would allow the Brescia-based Stamina Foundation, which developed the therapy, to continue administering it. [Chamber of Deputies, Italy] Press Release

Japan to Offer Fast-Track Approval Path for Stem Cell Therapies
A retooling of Japan's drug authorization framework, on its way to becoming law, could produce the world's fastest approval process specifically designed for regenerative medicine. [Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency, Japan] Press Release

NIH Saves Lives: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Calls on Congress to Restore Full NIH Funding
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center called on Congress to support restoring full funding to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which supports pioneering research that saves lives. Funding was recently cut due to sequestration. [Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center] Press Release

NEW Research Fellow - Cardiovascular Regenerative Applications (Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic)

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships - Embryonic Stem Cells, Epigenetics, and Gene Regulation (NIEHS, National Institutes of Health)

Postdoctoral Fellow - Stem Cell and Cancer Biology (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

Genomic Study of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Models of Human Disease (Stanford University - Dept. of Cardiovascular Medicine)

Research Assistant - Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Ocular Stem Cells (Mount Sinai School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Positions - Stem Cells and Immunology (University of Connecticut)

Postdoctoral Position - Pluripotent Stem Cell Research (Masaryk University)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow - Ocular Stem Cell (Buck Institute for Research on Aging)

Postdoctoral Position - Developmental and Stem Cell Biology (Washington University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow (Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne)


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