Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 11.19 | May 21 2019

TOP STORY

Methylation and PTEN Activation in Dental Pulp Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes Osteogenesis and Reduces Oncogenesis

Investigators report dental pulp-MSCs exhibited increased osteogenic potential, possessed decreased adipogenic potential, formed dentin pulp-like complexes, and were resistant to oncogenic transformation when compared to bone marrow-MSCs. Genome-wide RNA-seq and differential expression analysis revealed differences in adipocyte and osteoblast differentiation pathways, bone marrow neoplasm pathway, and PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin-Expressing Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Confer a Long-Term Survival Benefit in a Mouse Model of Lethal GvHD

Researchers showed that apceth-201 mesenchymal stem/stromal cells efficiently suppressed T cell proliferation and polarized macrophages to an anti-inflammatory M2 type, in vitro. To assess the in vivo efficacy of apceth-201, it was tested in two different mouse models of acute graft-versus-host disease. [Mol Ther] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Fabrication of Size-Controllable Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Spheroids from Micro-Scaled Cell Sheets

The authors report a method for the fabrication of size-controllable stem cell spheroids in different sizes from micro-scaled cell sheets (μCS) using thermosensitive hydrogels and investigated their effects on stem cell function. MSCs isolated from different tissues such as human turbinate tissue, bone marrow, and adipose tissue were adhered selectively to each micro-pattern on the surface of the hydrogel and formed μCS. [Biofabrication] Abstract

Endothelin-1 Augments Therapeutic Potency of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells via N-Cadherin and VEGF Signaling

Scientists identified differences in the levels of N-cadherin and VEGF between effective and ineffective clones of human umbilical-cord-blood mesenchymal stem cells, with regard to the infarcted rat myocardium. In this study, they compared gene expression profiles between the effective and ineffective clones, and identified that endothelin-1 was enriched in the effective clone. [Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev] Abstract

Elevated BMP and Mechanical Signaling through YAP1/RhoA Poises FOP Mesenchymal Progenitors for Osteogenesis

Utilizing an established mesenchymal stem cell model of mouse embryonic fibroblasts from the Acvr1^R206H/+ mouse model that mimicked the human disease fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), the authors demonstrated that activation of the mechanotransductive effectors Rho/ROCK and YAP1 were increased in Acvr1^R206H/+ cells. [J Bone Miner Res] Abstract

Potency Analysis of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Using a Phospho-STAT Matrix Loop Analytical Approach

Researchers developed an assay matrix approach that captured the STAT phosphorylation of MSCs upon stimulation with their combined secretome that arose with the interaction of activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Secretome of heat inactivated MSCs cocultured with and without activated PBMCs were used as an internal reference. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Human Adipose Stromal-Vascular Fraction Self-Organizes to Form Vascularized Adipose Tissue in 3D Cultures

Investigators developed a 3D model of human white adipose tissue (AT) reminiscent of the cellular architecture found in vivo. Starting with adipose progenitors derived from the stromal-vascular fraction of human subcutaneous white AT, they generated spheroids in which endogenous endothelial cells self-assembled to form highly organized endothelial networks among stromal cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Emulating the Early Phases of Human Tooth Development In Vitro

A developmentally inspired approach was pursued to reproduce fundamental steps of human tooth organogenesis in vitro using human dental pulp cells. Similar to the in vivo situation of tooth initiating mesenchymal condensation, a 3D self-organizing culture was pursued resulting in an organoid of the size of a human tooth germ with odontogenic marker expression. [Sci Rep] Full Article

IN VIVO

TNF-α/IL-1β-Licensed Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Promote Corneal Allograft Survival via Myeloid Cell-Mediated Induction of Foxp3⁺ Regulatory T Cells in the Lung

Investigators aimed to enhance the immunomodulatory capacity of syngeneic MSCs. In vitro, MSCs licensed with TNF-α/IL-1β (MSCs^{TNF-α/IL-1β}) suppressed syngeneic lymphocyte proliferation via NO production. In vivo, when administered post-transplantation, nonlicensed syngeneic MSCs improved graft survival from 0 to 50% and MSCs^{TNF-α/IL-1β}, in an NO-dependent manner, improved survival to 70%. [FASEB J] Abstract

An Injectable Scaffold Based on Temperature Responsive Hydrogel and Factor-Loaded Nano-Particles for Application in Vascularization in Tissue Engineering

Researchers developed an injectable system based on a temperature responsive hydrogel and stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) loaded into two types of nanoparticles to induce migration and rapid proliferation of MSCs and endothelial cells via selective SDF-1/VEGF release. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

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Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Hemorrhagic Stroke: Status of Preclinical and Clinical Research

The authors review the current studies focusing on MSC therapy for hemorrhagic stroke in an effort to summarize the status of preclinical and clinical research. Preliminary evidence indicates that MSCs are both safe and tolerable in patients, however future randomized controlled trials are required to translate the promising preclinical research into an effective therapy for hopeful patients. [Regen Med] Full Article

Recent Advances in Cell Sheet Technology for Bone and Cartilage Regeneration: From Preparation to Application

Investigators introduce several widely used cell sheet preparation systems, including traditional approaches and recent improvements, as well as their advantages and shortcomings. Recent advances in utilising cell sheet technology to regenerate bone or cartilage defects and bone-cartilage complex defects are reviewed. [Int J Oral Sci] Full Article

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

Predictive Biotech Signs Letter of Intent with IQVIA to Begin Clinical Trial for Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Predictive Technology Group, Inc. announced the signing of a letter of intent with IQVIA to guide the regulatory strategy for its wholly owned subsidiary Predictive Biotech. This collaboration will accelerate the process of identifying and executing the appropriate regulatory pathways for the company’s existing products and future product candidates. [Predictive Technology Group] Press Release

ElevateBio Launches to Create and Operate a Portfolio of Highly Innovative Cell and Gene Therapy Companies

ElevateBio announced operations to create and build a broad portfolio of cell and gene therapy companies through partnerships with leading academic researchers, medical centers and entrepreneurs. [ElevateBio (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Ford Government Scraps Funding for Stem Cell Research

The Ford government plans to stop all funding to an institute that supports Ontario scientists at the cutting edge of stem cell research. Provincial officials have told the Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine that its $5 million in annual funding from the province will cease next March. [CBC Radio-Canada] Editorial

NSF, NASA, NIST Would Get Funding Boosts Under House Spending Bill

The National Science Foundation (NSF) would get a 7% budget increase, and NASA a 3.8% bump, under a 2020 spending bill approved by an appropriations panel of the US House of Representatives. The bill rejects cuts to those and other federal research agencies proposed by President Donald Trump’s administration. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

National Cancer Institute Will Stop Funding Nanotechnology Centers

The end to funding represents a “natural transition” from putting dedicated support into an emerging field to becoming a more mature research field that fits in with other cancer fields, says Piotr Grodzinski of the National Cancer Institute’s Nanodelivery Systems and Devices Branch, which oversees the Centers of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence, to Science. [The Scientist] Editorial

NEW Bone and Muscle Interactions: the Mechanical and Beyond
August 16-18, 2019
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

NEW Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mesa
October 2-4, 2019
Carlsbad, California, United States

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

NEW Cell Culture Specialist – Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Tisch MS Research Center of New York)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Regenerative Medicine & Developmental Genetics (Medical School of Chonnam National University)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Scaffolding and Drug Delivery in Regenerative Medicine (IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza)

Postdoctoral Associate – Inflammation and Aging in Adipose, Liver, and Muscle (Case Western Reserve University)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Cancer and Regenerative Medicine (University of Bristol)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (University Health Network)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Sarcoma Image Processing (Institute of Cancer Research)

Postdoctoral – Stem Cell & Biochemical Pharmacology (Genetech)

Senior Research Fellow – Stem Cell & Cancer Research (Gillies McIndoe Research Institute)

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

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

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