ESC & iPSC News Volume 9.03 | Jan 29 2014

Clonal Culturing of Human Embryonic Stem Cells on Laminin-521/E-Cadherin Matrix in Defined and Xeno-Free Environment
Researchers produced and isolated a human recombinant Laminin-521 (LN-521) isoform and developed a cell culture matrix containing LN-521 and E-cadherin, which both localize to stem cell niches in vivo. This matrix allows clonal derivation, clonal survival and long-term self-renewal of human embryonic stem cells under completely chemically defined and xeno-free conditions without ROCK inhibitors. [Nat Commun]
Full Article | Press Release

Generation of Folliculogenic Human Epithelial Stem Cells from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Scientists developed a strategy to differentiate human induced pluripotent stem cells into CD200⁺/ITGA6⁺ epithelial stem cells that can reconstitute the epithelial components of the hair follicle and interfollicular epidermis. [Nat Commun] Abstract | Press Release

Nanog Is Dispensable for the Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
The authors found that Nanog is dispensable for induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) formation under optimized culture conditions. They further document that Nanog-deficient iPSCs are transcriptionally highly similar to wild-type iPSCs and support the generation of teratomas and chimeric mice. [Curr Biol]
Abstract | Graphical Abstract

In Vitro Chondrogenesis and In Vivo Repair of Osteochondral Defect with Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Researchers investigated the chondrogenic features of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and examine the differences in the chondrogenesis between hiPSCs and human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. [Biomaterials] Abstract

OCT4 as a Target of miR-34a Stimulates p63 but Inhibits p53 to Promote Human Cell Transformation
To test their hypothesis whether cell oncogenic transformation shares some mechanisms with the process of reprogramming non-stem cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), the authors studied the relationship among the key factors for promoting or inhibiting iPSC in radiation-transformed human epithelial cell lines derived from different tissues (lung, breast and colon). [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Beta-Catenin Is Vital for the Integrity of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
The authors generated new genetically modified mouse embryonic stem cell lines allowing for the deletion of β-catenin in a controlled manner by taking advantage of the Cre-ER-T2 system and analyzed the effects in a narrow time window shortly after ablation. By using this approach, rather than taking long term cultured β-catenin null cell lines they demonstrated that β-catenin is dispensable for the maintenance of pluripotency associated genes. [PLoS One] Full Article

Comparative Study of Efficacy of Dopaminergic Neuron Differentiation between Embryonic Stem Cell and Protein-Based Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell
Scientists differentiated two types of stem cells; mouse embryonic stem cells and protein-based induced pluripotent stem cells generated by non-viral methods, into midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons, and then compared the efficiency of DA neuron differentiation from these two cell types. [PLoS One] Full Article

Single-Step Generation of Gene Knockout-Rescue System in Pluripotent Stem Cells by Promoter Insertion with CRISPR/Cas9
Researchers report an efficient and single step strategy to generate gene knockout-rescue system in pluripotent stem cells by promoter insertion with CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Characterization of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cell Sheets Aiming for Clinical Application
Investigators generated human induced pluripotent stem cells-derived retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell sheets optimized to meet clinical use requirements, including quality, quantity, consistency, and safety. These cell sheets are generated as a monolayer of cells without any artificial scaffolds, express typical RPE markers, form tight junctions that exhibit polarized secretion of growth factors, and show phagocytotic ability and gene-expression patterns similar to those of native RPE. [Stem Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

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Pluristem’s Cell Manufacturing Facility Marks Major Milestone with German Regulatory Approval of New Scaled-Up 3D Manufacturing Process
Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc. announced it has received approval from the Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Germany’s health authority, to supply cells from its advanced, fully automated, and proprietary 3D cell expansion manufacturing platform implemented at its new state-of-the-art Good Manufacturing Practices facility. [Pluristem Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

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Push for Regenerative Medicine R&D
An expert panel has proposed that the Japanese government focus the nation’s medical research and development on such cutting-edge fields as regenerative medicine and genomic medicine. Based on a report compiled by the panel, the Abe administration will soon adopt a comprehensive strategy on a future vision for Japan’s medical research at a meeting of its task force for health care strategy. [The Japanese Times] Editorial

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Signaling and Epigenetics (Fondazione Istituto Nazionale Genetica Molecolare)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Systems Biology of Cellular Reprogramming (University of California – San Diego)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cells and Epigenetics (Mount-Sinai)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Morphogenetic Signaling Pathways in Development and Disease (University of Rochester Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Epigenetic Regulation of Heart Formation Using Human ES & iPS Cells (University of Pittsburgh)

Postdoctoral Associate – Hematopoietic Differentiation (Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Associate – Stem Cell Biology (State University of New York)

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