Mosaic Copy Number Variation in Human Neurons Investigators used single-cell genomic approaches to map DNA copy number variation in neurons obtained from human induced pluripotent stem cell lines and postmortem human brains. [Science] Abstract | Press Release Single-Cell Methylome Landscapes of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells and Early Embryos Analyzed Using Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing Researchers describe a methylome analysis technique that enables single-cell and single-base resolution DNA methylation analysis based on reduced representation bisulfite sequencing. The technique is highly sensitive and can detect the methylation status of up to 1.5 million CpG sites within the genome of an individual mouse embryonic stem cell. [Genome Res] Abstract Coordinate Nodal and BMP Inhibition Directs Baf60c-Dependent Cardiomyocyte Commitment Scientists showed that the endoderm-derived dual Nodal/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist Cerberus-1 in embryonic stem cell cultures orchestrates two signaling pathways that direct the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex to cardiomyogenic loci in multipotent progenitors, activating lineage-specific transcription. [Genes Dev] Abstract iPSC-Derived Neural Precursors Exert a Neuroprotective Role in Immune-Mediated Demyelination via the Secretion of LIF Scientists showed that mouse induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural stem/precursor cells – when intrathecally transplanted after disease onset – ameliorate clinical and pathological features of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of multiple sclerosis. [Nat Commun] Abstract Autophagy Regulates Homeostasis of Pluripotency-Associated Proteins in hESCs Researchers demonstrate that autophagy acts together with the ubiquitin-proteasome system to modulate the levels of pluripotency-associated (PA) proteins in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Autophagy inhibition impaired the pluripotency despite increment of PA proteins in hESCs. [Stem Cells] Abstract Nanotopographical Control for Maintaining Undifferentiated Human Embryonic Stem Cell Colonies in Feeder Free Conditions A substrate featuring arrays of increasing nanopillar diameter was devised to investigate the effects of varying surface nanotopography on the maintenance of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells colonies in the absence of feeder cells. [Biomaterials] Abstract The Effect of Multivalent Sonic Hedgehog on Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells into Dopaminergic and GABAergic Neurons Researchers designed multivalent biomaterials presenting Sonic hedgehog (Shh) in defined spatial arrangements and investigated the role of Shh valency in ventral specification of human embryonic stem cells into these therapeutically relevant cell types. [Biomaterials] Abstract Comprehensive Quantitative Comparison of the Membrane Proteome, Phosphoproteome and Sialiome of Human Embryonic and Neural Stem Cells To obtain information about membrane-associated proteins and their modified amino acids potentially involved in changes of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and neural stem cells (NSCs) as well as to investigate potential new markers for these two cell stages, scientists performed large-scale quantitative membrane-proteomic of hESCs and NSCs. [Mol Cell Proteomics] Abstract LSD1 Regulates Pluripotency of Embryonic Stem/Carcinoma Cells through HDAC1-Mediated Deacetylation of Histone H4 at Lysine 16 The authors found that LSD1 interacts with HDAC1 to regulate the proliferation of embryonic stem/embryonic carcinoma/teratocarcinoma cells through H4K16 acetylation, which they showed is a critical substrate of HDAC1. [Mol Cell Biol] Abstract Functional Roles of Nurr1, Pitx3 and Lmx1a in Neurogenesis and Phenotype Specification of Dopamine Neurons during In Vitro Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells To elucidate detailed functional mechanisms of key fate-determining transcription factors (e.g., Nurr1, Pitx3, and Lmx1a) and their functional interplay for midbrain dopamine neurons, researchers developed a highly efficient gain-of-function system by transducing the neural progenitors derived from embryonic stem cells with retroviral vectors, allowing the analysis of downstream molecular and cellular effects. [Stem Cell Dev] Abstract Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Modeling of Multisystemic, Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis The authors describe the directed differentiation of transthyretin amyloidosis patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells into hepatocytes that produce mutant transthyretin, and the cardiomyocytes and neurons normally targeted in the disease. [Stem Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release |