ESC & iPSC News Volume 9.42 | Oct 29 2014

Notch Signaling Regulates Motor Neuron Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells
The authors studied the role of Notch signaling in regulation of the switch from the pMN progenitor state to differentiated motor neurons in a human model system. Human embryonic stem cells were directed to differentiate to pMN-like progenitor cells by the inductive action of retinoic acid and a Shh agonist, purmorphamine. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Huntingtin Promotes mTORC1 Signaling in the Pathogenesis of Huntington’s Disease
Researchers found that protein huntingtin (Htt) promotes signaling by mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and that it is potentiated by poly-Q-expanded Htt. Knocking out Htt in mouse embryonic stem cells or human embryonic kidney cells attenuated amino acid-induced mTORC1 activity, whereas overexpressing wild-type or poly-Q-expanded Htt in striatal neuronal cells increased basal mTOR activity.
[Sci Signal] Abstract | Press Release

Human iPS Cell-Engineered Cardiac Tissue Sheets with Cardiomyocytes and Vascular Cells for Cardiac Regeneration
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (HiPSC)-cardiac tissue sheets transplantation to rat infarcted hearts significantly improved cardiac function. In addition to neovascularization, scientists confirmed that engrafted human cells mainly consisted of cardiomyocytes in >40% of transplanted rats four weeks after transplantation. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Histologic and Spectroscopic Study of Pluripotent Stem Cells after Implanting in Ocular Traumatic Injuries in a Murine Model
Scientists analyzed the histopathological and spectroscopic changes in ocular tissue with trauma, treated with mouse pluripotent stem cells. Results showed that the experimental groups treated with stem cells presented a decrease in the inflammatory response, and the histological integrity was restored, which contrasted with the experimental group treated with saline solution. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Abstract | Full Article

Directed Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into Leydig-Like Cells Rescue Testosterone Deficient Male Rats In Vivo
Investigators describe a robust method of directing differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into Leydig-like cells in vitro by over-expression of the transcription factor SF-1 and treatment with a combination of 8 Br-cAMP and forskolin. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Hypoxia Enhances Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into Definitive Endoderm and Distal Lung Cells
Researchers investigated the effects of hypoxia on spontaneous and activin A-induced definitive endoderm differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells and their subsequent differentiation into distal pulmonary epithelial cells. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Endoderm Generates Endothelial Cells during Liver Development
Scientists demonstrate that during development of the liver, a subset of endothelial cells (ECs) is generated from FOXA2⁺ endoderm-derived fetal hepatoblast progenitor cells expressing KDR (VEGFR2/FLK-1). Using human and mouse embryonic stem cell models, they demonstrate that KDR⁺FOXA2⁺ endoderm cells developing in hepatic differentiation cultures generate functional ECs. [Stem Cell Rep]
Full Article | Press Release

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ViaCyte’s VC-01^TM Investigational Stem Cell-Derived Islet Replacement Therapy Successfully Implanted into First Patient
ViaCyte, Inc. announced that the first patient in its Phase I/II study was successfully implanted with VC-01^TM, its embryonic stem cell-derived islet replacement product candidate being developed as a treatment for type 1 diabetes. [ViaCyte, Inc. (PR Newswire)] Press Release

The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute Announces Largest-Ever Stem Cell Repository
The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute will provide for the first time the largest-ever number of stem cell lines available to the scientific research community. Initially, over 600 induced pluripotent stem cell lines and 1,000 cultured fibroblasts from over 1,000 unique human subjects will be made available, with an increasing number available in the first year. [New York Stem Cell Foundation] Press Release

UC San Diego Named Stem Cell “Alpha Clinic”
In a push to further speed clinical development of emerging stem cell therapies, Sanford Stem Cell Clinical Center at UC San Diego Health System was named one of three new “alpha clinics” by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. [UC San Diego Health System] Press Release

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Managers of Discredited STAP Stem Cell Study Refund Salary
The top administrators of RIKEN, Japan’s national network of research laboratories, will voluntarily return one to three months of their salaries to atone for their responsibility for the STAP stem cell fiasco. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Overhaul of Chinese Science Spending Looms
The Chinese government is readying a major shake-up of how it doles out science funding. The Ministry of Science and Technology may hand control of the lion’s share of research spending to as-yet-unidentified “independent institutes”. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

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Postdoctoral Position – Muscle Cell Therapy (I-Stem)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Stem Cell Biology (Texas Biomedical Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pluripotent Stem Cell Laboratory (University of California – San Diego)

PhD Position – DNA Demethylation, Reprogramming & Differentiation (Institute of Molecular Biology)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Stem Cells & Epigenetics (National Institutes of Health)

Postdoctoral Positions – Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine (Texas Biomedical Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Transplantation Aspects of Hepatocytes Derived from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells (INSERM UMR 1064)

Postdoctoral Positions – Hematopoietic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (Indiana University School of Medicine)

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

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

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

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

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

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