ESC & iPSC News Volume 9.23 | Jun 18 2014

Critical Differences in Toxicity Mechanisms in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Hepatocytes, Hepatic Cell Lines and Primary Hepatocytes
Modified mRNA was used to reprogram foreskin fibroblasts into human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) that were differentiated into hiPSC-derived hepatocytes (hiPSC-Hep). The hiPSC-Hep, primary cryopreserved human hepatocytes and the hepatic cell lines HepaRG and Huh7 were treated with staurosporine and acetaminophen, and the toxic responses were compared. [Arch Toxicol] Abstract

The Generation of Definitive Endoderm from Human Embryonic Stem Cells Is Initially Independent from Activin A but Requires Canonical Wnt-Signaling
The specific role of the GSK3beta inhibitor CHIR-99021 was analyzed during the differentiation of human ES cells and compared against a classic endoderm differentiation protocol. [Stem Cell Rev] Abstract

The Use of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Reveal Pathogenic Gene Mutations and Explore Treatments for Retinitis Pigmentosa
Researchers generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from a retinitis pigmentosa patient carrying a rhodopsin mutation. Using helper-dependent adenoviral vector gene transfer, the mutation was corrected in the patient’s iPSCs and also introduced into control iPSCs. [Mol Brain] Full Article

MHC-Matched Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Can Attenuate Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses but Are Still Susceptible to Innate Immunity in Pigs
Investigators examined whether induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells induce immune responses in the swine leukocyte antigen (SLA)-matched setting. iPS cells were generated from the SLA-defined MHC-matched (C1) strain of Clawn miniature swine, which were confirmed to develop teratomas in mice, and transplanted into the testes and ovary of C1 pigs. [PLoS One] Full Article

Deletion of Alox5 Gene Decreases Osteogenic Differentiation but Increases Adipogenic Differentiation of Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
To detect the effect of Alox5 on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), both Alox5 knockout mouse iPSCs and wild-type mouse iPSCs were developed. [Cell Tissue Res] Abstract

Biallelic Targeting of Expressed Genes in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Using the Cas9 System
The authors provide a detailed method using the Cas9 system to target expressed genes in mouse embryonic stem cells. A promoterless marker flanked by short homology arms to the target locus is transfected into cells together with Cas9 and guide RNA expression vectors. [Methods] Abstract

Otx2 and Oct4 Drive Early Enhancer Activation during Embryonic Stem Cell Transition from Naive Pluripotency
Investigators examined the role of Otx2 in this process in mouse embryonic stem cells and demonstrated that it plays a leading role in remodeling the gene regulatory networks as cells exit from ground state pluripotency. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Chromosome Instability in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Culture conditions and long-term culture have been traditionally proposed as possible factors involved in the acquisition of chromosomal abnormalities. Investigators analyzed the chromosome constitution, the undifferentiated state and the functional pluripotency of three different mouse embryonic stem cells grown under the same culture conditions. [Sci Rep] Full Article

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TxCell Receives Certificate of GMP Compliance for Cell Therapy Manufacturing Facility in France
TxCell SA announced that it has been granted Certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance for its cell therapy manufacturing facility in Besançon, France. [TxCell SA] Press Release

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Japanese Stem Cell Debacle Could Bring Down Center
Shutting down the research center at the heart of an unfolding scientific scandal may be necessary to prevent a recurrence of research misconduct, according to a report released at a press conference. A committee reviewing conduct at the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology found lax oversight and a failure on the part of senior authors of two papers in Nature outlining a surprisingly simple way of reprogramming mature cells into stem cells. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

U.S. Senate Bill Would Give NIH 2% Raise in 2015
A U.S. Senate spending panel approved a draft bill that would raise the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH’s) budget by $605.7 million, to $30.5 billion, in the 2015 fiscal year. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the ESC & iPSC community.

NEW Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology Endoderm Lineages (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

NEW Scientist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

NEW Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

NEW Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Studying RNA and Heart Biology Using Human Stem Cells (University of Pittsburgh)

Postdoctoral Position – Functional Characterization of Neurons Derived from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (Radboud University Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Hematopoietic Stem Cells as Well as on Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (KU Leuven)

Postdoctoral Position – Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology (Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research)

PhD Studentship – Molecular Mechanism of Asymmetric Stem Cell Division (King’s College London)

Postdoctoral Fellows – Reproductive Sciences/Embryonic Development (University of Maryland)

Postdoctoral Position – Epigenetics, Stem Cell Biology and Heart Development (Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research)

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

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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