Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 10.12 | Mar 27 2018

TOP STORY

The Pattern of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Expression Is an Independent Marker of Outcome in Multiple Myeloma

To determine the impact of MSCs on multiple myeloma (MM) outcome in an in vivo system, investigators first identified genes from cultured MSCs that were specific to MSC expression and were not or minimally expressed in PCs or other cells present in BM aspirates. They then applied this MSC gene signature to whole BM biopsies of MM patients compared to healthy controls and determined MSC expression scores specific to MM and predictive of outcome. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

Substrate Stiffness Modulates the Multipotency of Human Neural Crest Derived Ectomesenchymal Stem Cells via CD44 Mediated PDGFR Signaling

The authors investigated whether substrate stiffness mediated mechanical cues can directly modulate the development of ectodermal MSCs from a precursor human neural crest stem cell population. [Biomaterials] Abstract

In Vitro Fusion of Normal and Neoplastic Breast Epithelial Cells with Human Mesenchymal Stroma/Stem Cells (MSC) Partially Involves TNF Receptor Signaling

The authors suggested that cell fusion between MSC and MCF10A breast epithelial cells can be stimulated by TNF‐α involving TNF receptor‐activated cell death pathways or additional NF‐κB signaling. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Osteoporotic Donors Preserve Functionality and Modulate Systemic Inflammatory Microenvironment in Osteoporotic Cytotherapy

Researchers discovered that bone marrow MSCs from osteoporotic donors of ovariectomized (OVX) mice lost their anti-inflammatory capability and failed to prevent bone loss when infused back into OVX recipients. Nevertheless, MSCs from adipose tissues preserved their anti-inflammatory capacity, despite diseased microenvironments of OVX donors, and continued to show protective effects on bone in OVX recipients. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Cryopreserved Clumps of Mesenchymal Stem Cell/Extracellular Matrix Complexes Retain Osteogenic Capacity and Induce Bone Regeneration

Scientists investigated the effect of cryopreservation on MSC/extracellular matrix complexes (C-MSCs). Cryopreserved C-MSCs retained their 3D structure and did not exhibit a decrease in cell viability. In addition, stem cell marker expression levels and the osteogenic differentiation properties of C-MSCs were not reduced by cryopreservation. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Amenable Epigenetic Traits of Dental Pulp Stem Cells Underlie High Capability of Xeno-Free Episomal Reprogramming

The authors showed a robust episomal and xeno-free reprogramming strategy for human induced pluripotent stem cell generation from dental pulp stem cells which renders good efficiency over a short time frame. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Intra-Hydrogel Culture Prevents Transformation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Induced by Monolayer Expansion

Investigators report that the intra-hydrogel culture system mitigates the transformation of MSCs induced by 2D expansion. MSCs expanded in monolayer culture prior to encapsulation in collagen hydrogels featured impaired stemness in chondrogenesis, comparing with the freshly isolated bone marrow mononuclear cells seeded directly in collagen hydrogels. [Biomater Sci] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Periodic Microstructures on Bioactive Glass Surfaces Enhance Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Promote Osteoclastogenesis In Vitro

Scientists demonstrated that periodically microstructured bioactive glasses might improve the osteogenic differentiation of human MSCs and influence the activity of material resorbing cells in vitro. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

IN VIVO

MicroRNA-663 Induces Immune Dysregulation by Inhibiting TGF-β1 Production in Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Investigators showed that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) display a unique miRNA signature in bone marrow-derived MSCs compared with normal controls, among which miR-663 is closely associated with SLE disease activity. [Cell Mol Immunol] Abstract

Intravenous Administration of Anti-Inflammatory Mesenchymal Stem Cell Spheroids Reduces Chronic Alcohol Intake and Abolishes Binge-Drinking

Scientists showed, in an animal model of chronic ethanol intake and relapse-drinking, that both the intravenous and intra-cerebroventricular administration of a single dose of MSC-spheroids inhibited chronic ethanol intake and relapse-like drinking by 80–90%, displaying significant effects over 3–5 weeks. [Sci Rep] Full Article | Editorial | Interview

Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of Intra-Articular Progenza in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Single Ascending Dose Study

Cell therapies are being investigated as potential disease modifying treatment options for osteoarthritis. Progenza (PRG) comprises in vitro expanded mesenchymal stem cells derived from human donor adipose tissue combined with cell culture supernatant. Researchers evaluated the safety and tolerability of PRG. [J Transl Med] Full Article

Stem Cells: Their Source, Potency and Use in Regenerative Therapies with Focus on Adipose-Derived Stem Cells – A Review

Adult stem cells can be used in autogenous form. These cells are present in practically all tissues in the organism. However, adipose tissue seems to be the most advantageous tissue from which to isolate them, because of its abundancy, its subcutaneous location, and the need for less invasive techniques. Adipose tissue-derived stem cells are therefore considered highly promising in present-day regenerative medicine. [Biotechnol Adv] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the mesenchymal cell research field.

TiGenix and Takeda Announce Alofisel^® (Darvadstrocel) Receives Approval to Treat Complex Perianal Fistulas in Crohn’s Disease in Europe

TiGenix NV and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited announced that the European Commission has approved Alofisel for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas in adult patients with nonactive/mildly active luminal Crohn’s disease. Alofisel is a local administration of allogeneic expanded adipose-derived stem cells for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas in adult Crohn’s disease patients that have previously shown an inadequate response to at least one conventional therapy or biologic therapy. [TiGenix NV] Press Release

Biomedical Group Brings California’s Regenerative Medicine Research to the National Stage

Biocom’s Regenerative Medicine Fly-In brought ten participants from seven companies, including researchers, regulatory experts and business executives to Washington to meet with officials at the National Institutes of Health and the FDA, as well as U.S. Representatives Susan Davis, Scott Peters, Lou Correa and Judy Chu. Participants had the unique opportunity to discuss new advances in regenerative medicine and the successes and challenges they face. [Biocom (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Cambridge Analytica Controversy Must Spur Researchers to Update Data Ethics

Revelations keep emerging in the Cambridge Analytica personal-data scandal, which has captured global public attention. But when the dust settles, researchers harvesting data online will face greater scrutiny. And so they should. [Nature News] Editorial

Duke’s Mishandling of Misconduct Prompts New U.S. Government Grant Oversight

The U.S. National Institutes of Health imposed unusual new requirements on researchers based at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, who receive federal funds. The changes are a response to concerns over how the institution handled recent cases involving research misconduct and grant management. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Massive Cyberhack by Iran Allegedly Stole Research from 320 Universities, Governments, and Companies

Nine Iranians working on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps hacked the computers of 7998 professors at 320 universities around the world over the past five years, an indictment filed by a federal grand jury alleges. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) Annual Meeting 2018
December 8-12, 2018
San Diego, California, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Bone Biology (Cornell University)

Research Assistant – Stem Cell Biology in Critical Limb Ischemia (NUI Galway)

Postdoctoral Positions – Bioengineering (George Washington University)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Skeletal Stem Cell Biology (Johns Hopkins University)

Faculty Position – Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (University of Illinois)

Postodoctoral Fellowship – Cell and Molecular Biology (Canadian Nuclear Laboratories)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Cell Biology (University of Pennsylvania)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Bone Biology and Osteoimmunology (Weill Cornell Medicine)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Obstetrics and Gynecology (University of Illinois)

Full Professor Position – Cell and Developmental Biology (Max F. Perutz Laboratories)

Lectureship – Stem Cell Biology (University of Edinburgh)

Scientist – Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, (Moderna Therapeutics)

Principal Investigator – Cardiac Cell Repair (Boston Children’s Hospital)

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