Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 11.11 | Mar 26 2019

TOP STORY

How ‘Sleeper Cell’ Cancer Stem Cells Are Maintained in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

Ravi Bhatia, MD, and colleagues described how niche-specific expression of a particular chemokine by a particular type of bone marrow cell controlled quiescence of these treatment-resistant leukemic stem cells. The chemokine was CXCL12, and the particular bone marrow cells expressing it were mesenchymal stromal cells. [Press release from University of Alabama at Birmingham discussing online prepublication in Cell Stem Cell] Press Release | Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

Genome-Scale Capture C Promoter Interactions Implicate Effector Genes at GWAS Loci for Bone Mineral Density

Investigators carried out physical and direct variant to gene mapping in human mesenchymal progenitor cell-derived osteoblasts employing a massively parallel, high resolution Capture C based method in order to simultaneously characterize the genome-wide interactions of all human promoters. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release

Gelatin Microspheres Releasing Transforming Growth Factor Drive in Vitro Chondrogenesis of Human Periosteum Derived Cells in Micromass Culture

Microscopy showed that gelatin microspheres could be successfully incorporated within human periosteum derived cell micromasses without interfering with the formation of the structure, while biochemical analysis and histology demonstrated increasing DNA content at week two and accumulation of glycosaminoglycan and collagen at weeks two and four. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Comparison of Human Isogeneic Wharton’s Jelly MSCs and iPSC-Derived MSCs Reveals Differentiation-Dependent Metabolic Responses to IFNG Stimulation

To explore differences between native MSCs (nMSCs) and iPSC-derived MSCs (iMSCs), scientists developed isogeneic lines from Wharton’s jelly from the umbilical cords of two donors under xeno-free conditions. They demonstrated that although both differentiation protocols yielded iMSCs similar to their parental nMSCs, there were substantial differences. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Epigenetic Alterations in Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Osteosarcoma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles

MSCs and pre-osteoblasts were treated with osteosarcoma (OS)-extracellular vesicles (EVs) at different time points, and the epigenetic signature of OS-EVs was assessed by methylation analysis of LINE-1 (long interspersed element) and tumor suppressor genes. [Epigenetics] Full Article

Effect of Tetrahedral DNA Nanostructures on Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells

Real-time cell analysis and CCK8 were used to screen the best concentration of tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDN) for periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs). Cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation were assessed after PDLSCs were treated with TDN. [Cell Prolif] Full Article

Tissue-Specific Influence of Lamin A Mutations on Notch Signaling and Osteogenic Phenotype of Primary Human Mesenchymal Cells

Researchers used lentiviral constructs bearing mutations R527C and R471C and explored its influence on proosteogenic phenotype expression and Notch pathway activity in four types of human cells: umbilical vein endothelial cells, cardiac mesenchymal cells, aortic smooth muscle cells, and aortic valve interstitial cells. [Cells] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

IN VIVO

Requirement for YAP1 Signaling in Myxoid Liposarcoma

Mechanistically, FUS-DDIT3 promoted YAP1 expression, nuclear localization, and transcriptional activity and physically associated with YAP1 in the nucleus of myxoid liposarcoma (MLS) cells. Pharmacologic inhibition of YAP1 activity impaired the growth of MLS cells in vitro and in vivo. [EMBO Mol Med] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Synchronous Delivery of Hydroxyapatite and Connective Tissue Growth Factor Derived Osteoinductive Peptide Enhanced Osteogenesis

Sustained released H1 effectively promoted proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells-derived MSCs. Moreover, after eight weeks implantation in mice, this silk fibroin (SF)-H1/poly(l-lactic acid-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL)-hydroxyapatite composite induced bone tissue formation significantly faster than SF/PLCL as indicated by μ cysteine knot. [J Control Release] Abstract

Single Cell-Derived Clonally Expanded Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells from Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer-Derived Pluripotent Stem Cells Ameliorate the Endometrial Function in the Uterus of a Murine Model with Asherman’s Syndrome

The authors developed single cell-derived clonal expansion following mesenchymal progenitor cell (MPC) derivation from somatic cell nuclear transfer-derived (SCNT)-human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to offer a pure population and a higher biological activity. Additionally, they investigated the therapeutic effects of SCNT-hPSC-MPCs in model mice of Asherman’s syndrome, which is characterized by synechiae or fibrosis with endometrial injury. [Cell Prolif] Abstract

Overexpression of Dlx2 Enhances Osteogenic Differentiation of BMSCs and MC3T3-E1 Cells via Direct Upregulation of Osteocalcin and Alp

Micro-CT of implanted tissues in nude mice confirmed that Distal-homeobox (Dlx) 2 overexpression in bone marrow stromal cells promoted bone formation in vivo. Dlx2 overexpression had little impact on the expression level of the pivotal osteogenic transcription factors Runx2, Dlx5, Msx2, and Osterix, but led to upregulation of Alp and Osteocalcin, both of which play critical roles in promoting osteoblast maturation. [Int J Oral Sci] Full Article

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Synchrotron Radiation Techniques Boost the Research in Bone Tissue Engineering

The authors present an overview of X-ray synchrotron radiation techniques and provide a general outlook of their applications on bone tissue engineering, with a focus on their group’s work. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

Current Understanding of the Immunosuppressive Properties of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Investigators shed light on current knowledge regarding the mechanisms by which MSCs exert immunosuppressive effects both in vitro and in vivo, focusing on the receptors expressed by MSCs, the correlation between soluble factors secreted by MSCs and their immunosuppressive effects, and interactions between MSCs and immune cells. [J Mol Med] Abstract

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

BrainStorm Announces Grant of an Additional New European Patent for NurOwn^®

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. announced that the European Patent Office has granted a European-wide patent titled ‘Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of CNS Diseases.’ [BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Mesoblast Licensee Files for Marketing Approval to Treat Epidermolysis Bullosa

Mesoblast Limited announced its licensee in Japan, JCR Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., has filed to extend marketing approval of TEMCELL^® HS Inj. for use in patients with epidermolysis bullosa. TEMCELL is already approved for the treatment of acute graft versus host disease, and was the first allogeneic cellular medicine to receive full regulatory approval in Japan. [Mesoblast Limited] Press Release

Memorandum of Understanding for Confirmatory Trial to Support Marketing Approval of Revascor for Reduction of Gastrointestinal Bleeding in LVAD Patients

Mesoblast Limited announced that the International Center for Health Outcomes and Innovation Research at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Mesoblast have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to conduct a confirmatory clinical trial using Mesoblast’s product candidate Revascor for reduction of gastrointestinal bleeding in end-stage heart failure patients implanted with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). [Mesoblast Limited (GlobeNewswire, Inc.)] Press Release

Duke University Settles Research Misconduct Lawsuit for $112.5 Million

Duke University will pay $112.5 million to the US government to settle a lawsuit brought by a former employee who alleged that the university included falsified data in applications and reports for federal grants worth nearly $200 million. The university will also take several steps “to improve the quality and integrity of research conducted on campus,” including the creation of a new advisory panel that will provide recommendations to the president, the Durham, North Carolina, institution said in a statement. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Top US Institutes Still Aren’t Reporting Clinical-Trial Results on Time

Many leading US universities are breaking the law by failing to make public the results of clinical trials. A report found that 25 of the 40 universities that sponsor the most trials in the United States did not post study results on a public, government register within 12 months of completion, as is required by US law. [Nature News] Editorial

As Elsevier Falters, Wiley Succeeds in Open-Access Deal Making

Over the last few years, Project DEAL, a consortium that represents around 700 academic institutions in Germany, has been in negotiations for nationwide licensing agreements with three of the largest scholarly publishers – Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Wiley. [The Scientist] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conference: Lung Development, Injury and Repair 2019
August 4-9, 2019
Lewiston, Maine, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellowship – Molecular Oncology (Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine)

Junior Professorship – Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research (German Research Center)

Associate Professor – Department of Endocrinology (University of Southern Denmark)

Assistant Professor – Medical Biotechnology (Aarhus University)

Cell Biologist – MSCs & Liver Disease (Hepatx Corporation)

Postdoctoral Fellow & Research Associate – Morphogenetic Signaling Pathways (University of Rochester Medical Center)

Faculty Position – Bioengineering (University of Pittsburgh)

Assistant Professor – Biomedical Engineering (Binghamton University)

Assistant Professor – Sarcoma or Skeletal Related Malignancies (University of California at Davis)

Assistant Professor – Department of Biological Sciences (Rutgers University Newark)

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