Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 10.39 | Oct 02 2018

TOP STORY

Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-AA Is a Substantial Factor in the Ability of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells and Endothelial Progenitor Cells to Enhance Wound Healing

Researchers knocked down platelet-derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA) expression in adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) using the PDGF-AA short hairpin RNA technique and investigated the related molecular mechanism. They showed that transplantation of ASCs could enhance wound healing. [FASEB J] Abstract

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IN VITRO

Limited Endothelial Plasticity of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Revealed by Quantitative Phenotypic Comparisons to Representative Endothelial Cell Controls

Quantitative phenotypic comparisons to representative endothelial cells controls were used to determine the extent of endothelial differentiation being achieved with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs). ASCs were harvested from human subcutaneous abdominal white adipose tissue, and their endothelial differentiation was induced using well-established biochemical stimuli. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Full Article

Serum-Free Medium Enhances the Immunosuppressive and Antifibrotic Abilities of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Utilized in Experimental Renal Fibrosis

Researchers cultured MSCs in a serum-free medium and in a medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum and investigated their effects on inflammation and fibrosis. MSC-conditioned medium suppressed transforming growth factor-β1-induced phosphorylation of Smad2 in HK-2 cells, with no significant difference between the two MSCs. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Full Article

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Are Attracted to Latent HIV-1-Infected Cells and Enable Virus Reactivation via a Non-Canonical PI3K-NFκB Signaling Pathway

Scientists documented that exposure to MSCs or their conditioned media (MSC-CM) rapidly increased HIV-1 p24 production from the latently-infected U1 & ACH2 cell lines. MSCs exposed to CM from U1 cells showed enhanced migratory ability towards latently-infected cells and retained their latency-reactivation potential. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Biomimetic Matrices for Rapidly Forming Mineralized Bone Tissue Based on Stem Cell-Mediated Osteogenesis

Collagen matrices, enhanced with two selected key matrix proteins, osteocalcin and/or osteopontin, increased the rate and quantity of synthesized bone matrix by increasing mesenchymal stem/stromal cell proliferation, accelerating osteogenic differentiation, enhancing angiogenesis and showing a sustained bone formation response from MSCs obtained from a variety of human tissue sources (marrow, fat and umbilical cord). [Sci Rep] Full Article

Flow Cytometry Analysis of Adrenoceptors Expression in Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells

Researchers provided flow cytometry analysis of expression of adrenergic receptors on the surface of human MSCs isolated from ten different donors. They found that the expression profile of adrenergic receptors in MSCs vary significantly between donors. They also showed that alpha1A-adrenoceptor expression is upregulated under the action of noradrenaline. [Sci Data] Full Article

IN VIVO

Oxytocin Effects on Osteoblastic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Adult and Aging Female Wistar Rats

Scientists found alkaline phosphatase activity was higher in the osteogenic medium (OM) + oxytocin (OT) than OM group in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from 24-month-old female rats. OM + OT improved osteogenic differentiation, observed by anticipated mineralization and increased gene expression of bone morphogenetic protein two, bone sialoprotein, osteopontin and osteocalcin in both aged relative to OM controls. [Exp Gerontol] Abstract

Buyang Huanwu Decoction Combined with BMSCs Transplantation Promotes Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury by Rescuing Axotomized Red Nucleus Neurons

Researchers investigated whether Buyang huanwu decoction combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplantation had synergistic effect on neuroprotection of red nucleus neurons after spinal cord injury. [J Ethnopharmacol] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Engineered Periosteum-Bone Biomimetic Bone Graft Enhances Posterolateral Spine Fusion in a Rabbit Model

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and periosteum-derived cells have shown great viability in terms of osteogenic potential and have been considered the major cellular source for skeletal tissue engineering. The authors determined the feasibility of using a newly tissue-engineered biomimetic bone graft for posterolateral spine fusion. [Spine J] Abstract

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Osteogenesis and Aging: Lessons from Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Aging is a high risk factor for the development of osteoporosis, a multifactorial age-related progressive disease characterized by reduced bone mass and increased risk of fractures. At the cellular level, the mesenchymal stem cell pool in the bone marrow niche shows a biased differentiation into adipogenesis at the cost of osteogenesis. This differentiation shift leads to decreased bone formation, contributing to the etiology of osteoporosis. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Overexpressing IL-35: A Novel Immunosuppressive Strategy and Therapeutic Target for Inducing Transplant Tolerance

Accumulating evidence demonstrates that the therapeutic abilities of MSCs can be amplified by gene modification. Researchers have constructed IL-35 gene-modified MSCs and explored their functions and mechanisms in some disease models. The authors discuss the potential tolerance-inducing effects of MSCs in transplantation and briefly introduce the immunoregulatory functions of the IL-35 gene-modified MSCs. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Improved Therapeutic Potential of MSCs by Genetic Modification

Investigators summarize the uses of genetically modified MSCs to treat different diseases, including bone diseases, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, central nervous system disorders, and cancer. To better understand the exact role of genetically modified MSCs, key mechanisms determining, which genes are selected to be used for modifying MSCs and improvements in post-genetic modification are discussed. [Gene Ther] Abstract

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

Trial Results of Mesoblast Cell Therapy in End-Stage Heart Failure Selected as Late-Breaking Presentation

Mesoblast Limited announced that the 159-patient randomized placebo-controlled Phase IIb trial evaluating its allogeneic mesenchymal precursor cell (MPC) product candidate MPC-150-IM in the treatment of end-stage heart failure patients implanted with a left ventricular assist device has been selected as a late-breaking presentation. [Press release from Mesoblast Ltd (GlobeNewswire, Inc.) discussing research to be presented at the 2018 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association, Chicago] Press Release

Novo Nordisk to Establish California Manufacturing Site for Stem Cell-Based Therapies

Novo Nordisk announced the establishment of a manufacturing site in Fremont, California, US to develop and produce stem cell-based therapies. The announcement follows the signing of a long-term lease on a good manufacturing practice facility, previously operated by Asterias Biotherapeutics. [Novo Nordisk A/S] Press Release

Kangstem Biotech Selects Orgenesis’ Subsidiary Masthercell for GMP Manufacturing of Furestem-AD in Europe

Orgenesis Inc. announced that Kangstem Biotech Co., Ltd. has selected Orgenesis’ subsidiary, Masthercell Global Inc. as its contract manufacturing partner for the European clinical trials of Furestem-AD(R), a cell therapy designed to treat atopic dermatitis. [Orgenesis Inc.] Press Release

U.K. Scientists ‘Are Going to Be All Right,’ after Brexit, Science Minister Promises

In January, U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Sam Gyimah as science and universities minister as a part of a broader cabinet reshuffle. During his visit, Gyimah spoke with Science about the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, a topic that is causing a great deal of anxiety among U.K. scientists. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Airlines Fight Effort to Force Them to Carry Lab Animals

A last-ditch attempt by biomedical science advocates to force airlines to transport nonhuman primates and other research animals appears to be facing stiff headwinds. Last week, four international carriers strongly urged the U.S. Department of Transportation to summarily reject a plea from a leading research advocacy organization to order the airlines to resume flying animals to research facilities around the world. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

China To Train African Scientists as Part of $60-Billion Development Plan

China wants to train Africa’s next generation of scientists. Its lofty goal is to improve African science in fields from agriculture and climate change to quantum physics and artificial intelligence. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Scandinavian Society for Biomaterials 2019 Conference
June 12-14, 2019
Kirkkonummi, Finland

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Bone Regeneration (University of Michigan)

NEW Assistant Professor – Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (Harvard University)

Postdoctoral Fellows – Regenerative Medicine (Stanford University)

Faculty Positions – Biomedical Engineering (Pennsylvania State University)

Tenure Track Assistant Professor – Regenerative Biology (Massachusetts General Hospital)

Tenure Track Group Leader Position – Mechanisms in Multicellularity or Tissue Regulation (Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research)

Tenure-Track Faculty Position – Stem Cell Biology (Children’s Research Institute at UT Southwestern)

Assistant Professor – Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (Columbia University)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Interdisciplinary (Oregon Health & Science University)

Faculty Positions – Biomedical Research (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

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