ESC & iPSC News Volume 8.25 | Jun 26 2013

VGLL4 Is a Novel Regulator of Survival in Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Scientists identified Vestigial-like 4 (VGLL4), a co-transcriptional regulator with no previously described function in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), as a positive regulator of survival in hESCs. Specifically, VGLL4 overexpression in hESCs significantly decreases cell death in response to dissociation stress. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Hypoxia Induces Re-Entry of Committed Cells into Pluripotency
Investigators showed that hypoxia can govern cell fate decision since hypoxia alone can revert human embryonic stem cell (hESC)- or iPSC-derived differentiated cells back to a stem cell-like state, as evidenced by re-activation of an Oct4-promoter reporter. [Stem Cells] Abstract

A Proapoptotic Effect of Valproic Acid on Progenitors of Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Glutamatergic Neurons
Although the neuroprotective or neurodestructive effects of valproic acid (VPA) have been investigated in heterogeneous cell populations, in this study, researchers used homogeneous populations of neural progenitor cells and glutamatergic cortical pyramidal neurons, which were differentiated from embryonic stem cells. [Cell Death Dis] Abstract

The G Protein Coupled Receptor Apj Is Expressed in the Second Heart Field and Regulates Cerberus-Baf60C Axis in Embryonic Stem Cell Cardiomyogenesis
Researchers provided new in vivo evidence that the G protein coupled receptor Apj is expressed in the mesodermal cells of the second heart field, a population of cardiac progenitors that give rise to a major part of the definitive heart. By combining loss- and gain of function studies in mouse embryonic stem cells, they showed that Apj controls the balance between proliferation and cardiovascular differentiation, and regulates the Nodal/BMP antagonist Cerberus and the Baf60c/Smarcd3 subunit of the BAF chromatin remodeling complex. [Cardiovasc Res] Abstract

Proteome Analysis of Post-Transplantation Recovery Mechanisms of an EAE Model of Multiple Sclerosis Treated with Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Neural Precursors
Investigators treated a score 3 experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model with an embryonic stem cell-derived neural precursor. Clinical analysis showed recovery of the EAE model of multiple sclerosis following transplantation. [J Proteomics] Abstract

Cooperation of Endothelial and Smooth Muscle Cells Derived from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Enhances Neovascularization in Dermal Wounds
Scientists assessed whether cotransplantation of endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells could promote neovascularization and tissue repair in a murine dermal wound model. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiac Progenitors Differentiate to Cardiomyocytes and Form Biosynthetic Tissues
Researchers first described the derivation of mouse induced pluripotent stem cells, which once differentiated allow for the enrichment of Nkx2-5(+) cardiac progenitors, and the cardiomyocyte-specific expression of the red fluorescent protein. They showed that the cardiac progenitors are multipotent and capable of differentiating into endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and cardiomyocytes. [PLoS One] Full Article

An iPSC Line from Human Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Undergoes Early to Invasive Stages of Pancreatic Cancer Progression
Researchers hypothesized that if human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells were converted to pluripotency and then allowed to differentiate back into pancreatic tissue, they might undergo early stages of cancer. Although most induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines were not of the expected cancer genotype, one PDAC line, 10-22 cells, when injected into immunodeficient mice, generated pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia precursors to PDAC that progressed to the invasive stage. [Cell Rep]
Abstract | Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Stage-Specific Regulation of Reprogramming to Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells by Wnt Signaling and T Cell Factor Proteins
Investigators demonstrated that active Wnt signaling inhibits the early stage of reprogramming to induced pluripotent stem cells, whereas it is required and even stimulating during the late stage. [Cell Rep]
Abstract | Full Article | Graphical Abstract

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University at Buffalo Study Seeks Molecular Cause of Parkinson’s Disease, Subtypes
Jian Feng, PhD, professor of physiology and biophysics, will use a $1 million state grant to explore molecular signatures of neurons in two types of Parkinson’s disease patients. He is generating midbrain, dopamine-releasing neurons from induced pluripotent stem cells derived from patients’ skin fibroblasts. [University at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences] Press Release

NEW Recovery and Purification of Biosynthetic Products
November 27, 2013
London, United Kingdom

NEW New Procedures and Innovations for Analytical Development of Biopharmaceuticals
November 28, 2013
London, United Kingdom

NEW Applications for Synthetic Biology in Industrial Biotechnology
November 29, 2013
London, United Kingdom

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