Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 11.22 | Jun 11 2019

TOP STORY

Recapitulating Bone Development through Engineered Mesenchymal Condensations and Mechanical Cues for Tissue Regeneration

Researchers engineered mesenchymal condensations that mimic the cellular organization and lineage progression of the early limb bud in response to local transforming growth factor-β1 presentation from incorporated gelatin microspheres. They then controlled mechanical loading in vivo by dynamically tuning fixator compliance. [Sci Transl Med] Full Article | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

Lobular Architecture of Human Adipose Tissue Defines the Niche and Fate of Progenitor Cells

Researchers report that lobules were composed of two extracellular matrix compartments, i.e., septa and stroma, delineating niches of CD45⁻/CD34⁺/CD31⁻ progenitor subsets characterized by MSCA1 and CD271 expression. MSCA1⁺ adipogenic subset was enriched in stroma while septa contained mainly MSCA1⁻/CD271⁻ and MSCA1⁻/CD271^high progenitors. [Nat Commun] Full Article

2-Hydroxyglutarate Inhibits MyoD-Mediated Differentiation by Preventing H3K9 Demethylation

A MyoD-driven model was used to study the role of IDH mutations in the differentiation of mesenchymal cells. The presence of 2-hydroxyglutarate produced by oncogenic IDH2 blocked the ability of MyoD to drive differentiation into myotubes. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Deer Antler Stem Cells Are a Novel Type of Cells That Sustain Full Regeneration of a Mammalian Organ—Deer Antler

Three types of antler stem (AS) cells were isolated for comprehensive molecular characterization. A horn-growth-related gene, RXFP2, was found to be expressed only in AS cells lineages but not in the facial periosteal cells suggesting the RXFP2 might be a specific marker for the AS cell lineage in deer. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Combination of G-CSF and AMD3100 Improves the Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Inducing M2 Polarization of Macrophages through NF-κB-IL1RA Signaling Pathway

In a co-culture system, rat M0-type macrophages co-cultured with peripheral blood (PB) derived-MSCs showed higher expression of M2 markers including CD206, Arg-1, IL-10, and CCL-22 than bone marrow-derived-MSCs, indicating that PB-MSCs induced greater M0 polarization to M2. [Front Pharmacol] Full Article

Human Osteogenic Differentiation in Space: Proteomic and Epigenetic Clues to Better Understand Osteoporosis

Scientists investigated proteomic and epigenetic changes in blood-derived stem cells during osteoblastic differentiation induced by rapamycin under microgravity conditions. A decrease in the expression of four embryonic markers was found to occur to a larger extent on board the International Space Station than on Earth, along with an earlier activation of the differentiation process towards the osteogenic lineage. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase Postpones Rat Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Senescence by Mediating NAD⁺-Sirt1 Signaling

The authors showed that Nampt expression was down-regulated during MSC replicative senescence. Nampt depletion via a specific Nampt inhibitor FK866 or Nampt knockdown in early passage MSCs led to enhanced senescence as indicated by senescence-like morphology, reduced proliferation, and adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation, and increased senescence-associated-β-galactosidase activity and the expression of the senescence-associated factor p16^INK4a. [Aging (Albany NY)] Full Article

A Comparative Analysis of the Osteogenic Potential of Dental Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Researchers compared the in vitro osteogenic differentiation potential of within-subject MSCs derived from the dental pulp of permanent teeth, the dental pulp of deciduous teeth, and the periodontal ligament of permanent teeth. A single subject was identified that required concurrent removal of both deciduous and permanent teeth for orthodontic purposes. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Alterations in Nuclear Lamina and the Cytoskeleton of Bone Marrow-Derived Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Cultured under Simulated Microgravity Conditions

The authors investigated the effects of simulated microgravity on human MSCs using a 3D-clinostat, a recently developed device used to generate simulated microgravity condition in vitro. Time-lapse analysis shows that cells cultured under conventional culture conditions had a stretched morphology and underwent unidirectional migration, while cells cultured under simulated microgravity conditions underwent multidirectional migration with directional changes of cell movement. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

IN VIVO

PLEXIN-B2 Promotes the Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells via Activation of the RhoA Signaling Pathway

Scientists analyzed the effect of PLXNB2 on the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by using gene overexpression and knockdown assays. The results revealed that PLXNB2 was upregulated during BMSC differentiation into an osteoblastic lineage. [Cell Signal] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Decrease Oxidative Stress in the Bowels of Interleukin-10 Knockout Mice

Human bone marrow-derived MSCs were injected into IL-10 KO mice. Oxidative stress and inflammation levels were evaluated in the large intestine and compared with those in control IL-10 KO mice and normal wild-type control mice. [Gut Liver] Abstract | Download Full Article

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Regenerative and Engineered Options for Urethroplasty

Tissue engineering using different cell types and tissue scaffolds offers a promising alternative for tissue repair and replacement. The past 30 years of tissue engineering has resulted in the development of several therapies that are now in use in the clinic, especially in treating cutaneous, bone and cartilage defects. [Nat Rev Urol] Abstract

Enhancing the Therapeutic Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells with the CRISPR-Cas System

The authors outline the evolution of MSC research and its applicability, and the progress of the CRISPR-Cas system from its discovery to the most recent clinical trials. They also propose perspectives on how the CRISPR-Cas system may improve the therapeutic potential of MSCs, making it more beneficial and long lasting. [Stem Cell Rev] Abstract

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

Anika Announces Plans to Showcase HYALOFAST Hyaluronic Acid-Based Cartilage Repair Scaffold

Anika Therapeutics, Inc. announced plans to showcase HYALOFAST, a biodegradable, HA-based scaffold for cartilage repair, along with its regenerative medicine and orthobiologics portfolio. HYALOFAST was featured in the meeting’s scientific program in a special session on scaffolds, led by Dr. Boguslaw Sadlik, head of the Biological Joint Reconstruction Department at the St. Luke’s Hospital in Bielsko- Biala, Poland. [Press release from Anika Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research presented at the 2019 International Cartilage Regeneration and Joint Preservation Society (ICRS) Focus Meeting, Rome] Press Release

Mesoblast and JCR Pharmaceuticals Expand Japan License Agreement to Use of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Newborns with Insufficient Blood Flow to the Brain

Mesoblast Limited announced it has expanded its partnership with JCR Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. in Japan to the use of MSCs for the treatment of newborns who lack sufficient blood supply and oxygen to the brain, a condition termed neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. [Mesoblast Limited (GlobeNewswire, Inc.)] Press Release

Bioventus to Co-Develop Next Generation Placental Tissue Product for Knee Osteoarthritis with MTF Biologics

Bioventus has entered into a development collaboration agreement with MTF Biologics to co-develop a next generation placental tissue product for the treatment of painful musculoskeletal conditions, with an initial focus on knee osteoarthritis. [Bioventus] Press Release

JCR Announces Completion of Phase I/II Clinical Trial Notification Of TEMCELL^® HS Inj. (JR-031HIE) for the Indication of Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. announced the successful completion of the Phase I/II clinical trial notification for JR-031HIE, TEMCELL^® HS Inj. allogeneic bone marrow-derived MSCs for the treatment of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in neonates via intravenous administration, to the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, along with due regulatory inquiries. [JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.] Press Release

UCLA Professor’s Last Gift Will Support Research in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology

Shortly before financier and UCLA professor Roy Doumani passed away in March, he and his wife, Carol, contributed $5.25 million to advance research in cancer and stem cell biology at the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA. [Regents of University of California] Press Release

Judge Says FDA Can Stop Clinic from Selling Stem Cell Treatments

The decision may facilitate the agency cracking down more effectively on the unproven interventions these companies sell. [The Scientist] Editorial

Research Institute Investigates Possible Image Manipulation in Papers

India’s Council of Scientific & Industrial Research is investigating potential image-manipulation problems flagged by PubPeer commenters in 130 papers from its Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, The Hindu reported. The publication has separately reported PubPeer comments pointing out apparent image manipulation for 31 papers from the CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, and 35 from the CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute. [The Scientist] Editorial

Stem Cell Clinics Co-Opt Clinical-Trials Registry to Market Unproven Therapies, Critics Say

On the one hand, the FDA issued a letter stating that what an Arizona distributor was selling as stem cell therapies were “unapproved” and posed “safety concerns.” On the other, a National Institutes of Health database — clinicaltrials.gov — went right on listing the same merchant’s studies, with a link to the company’s website and the word “Recruiting” displayed invitingly in green. [STAT News] Editorial

NEW Biotech Week Boston
September 9-12, 2019
Boston, Massachusetts, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – MSCs in Skeletal Development (University of Pennsylvania)

Assistant Director – Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapies (MD Anderson Cancer Centre)

Assistant Professor – Musculoseketal Biology (Keck School of Medicine of USC)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Genetic Analysis of Sarcomas (The Francis Crick Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Tumor Immunology of Mesenchymal Cells (Lund University)

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

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

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