Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 11.23 | Jun 18 2019

TOP STORY

Three-Dimensional Microenvironmental Priming of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Hydrogels Facilitates Efficient and Rapid Retroviral Gene Transduction via Accelerated Cell Cycle Synchronization

Photocrosslinkable hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels with an elastic modulus of 1.0–2.7kPa were successfully prepared by varying the degree of methacrylation in the HA backbone. Culturing human adipose-derived stem cells in a 3D microenvironment significantly reduced the amount of time required for retroviral gene transduction compared with the conventional 2D method and maintained a high transduction efficiency. [NPG Asia Mater] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

miR-892b Inhibits Hypertrophy by Targeting KLF10 in the Chondrogenesis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The authors investigated the functional role of miR-892b as a novel inhibitor of chondrocyte hypertrophy during TGF-β-mediated chondrogenesis of human (h)MSCs. The expression of miR-892b during TGF-β-mediated chondrogenesis of hMSCs and the effects of miR-892b overexpression on chondrogenic and hypertrophic marker genes in the chondrogenesis of hMSCs were investigated. [Mol Ther Nucleic Acids] Abstract

Exosomes from CD99-Deprived Ewing Sarcoma Cells Reverse Tumor Malignancy by Inhibiting Cell Migration and Promoting Neural Differentiation

Investigators showed that, as a consequence of CD99 silencing, Ewing sarcoma (EWS) cells delivered exosomes with oncosuppressive functions that significantly reduced tumor aggressiveness. These CD99-lacking microvesicles modulated gene expression of the EWS-recipient cells, reduced proliferation and migration, in turn inducing a more-differentiated less-malignant phenotype. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Meniscus-Derived Matrix Scaffolds Promote the Integrative Repair of Meniscal Defects

The authors generated porcine meniscus-derived matrix (MDM) scaffolds and tested their effectiveness in promoting meniscus repair via migration of endogenous meniscus cells from the surrounding meniscus or exogenously seeded human bone marrow-derived MSCs. Both endogenous meniscal cells and MSCs infiltrated the MDM scaffolds. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Substance P Improves MSC-Mediated RPE Regeneration by Modulating PDGF-BB

Researchers investigated the role of substance P (SP) on bone marrow MSC-mediated retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) regeneration in vitro. The MSCs were primed with SP followed by the addition of conditioned medium to RPE. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

DLX3 Regulates Osteogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells via Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway Mediated Histone Methylation of DKK4

Distal-less homeobox 3 (DLX3) overexpression and knockdown in cells were achieved using lentiviruses. The osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow MSCs was detected using alkaline phosphatase expression, alizarin red staining, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Full Article

Bioinspired Calcium Phosphate Mineralization on Net-Shape-Nonwoven Chitosan Scaffolds Stimulates Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cell Differentiation

Microscopy revealed fast attachment and morphological adaptation of the cells on both, the pure and the functionalized Net-Shape-Nonwoven (NSN)-scaffolds. Remarkably, the cell number of osteogenically induced hBMSC on ormoHAP-modified NSN-scaffolds increased 3.5-5-fold compared to pure NSN-scaffolds. [Biomed Mater] Abstract

Osteogenic Differentiation of Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Fibrin Glue- or Fibronectin-Coated Ceraform^®

Investigators used and compared alternative synthetic biphasic ceramic Ceraform^® coated with the tissue adhesives fibrin glue and fibronectin seeded with osteogenically induced cells, which were previously differentiated from adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal cells. [J Biomater Appl] Abstract

The Response of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Internal Exposure to Tritium β-Rays

Human MSCs were exposed to 2 × 10⁷ Bq/ml tritiated water (HTO), and the biological effects after the exposure were examined. Apoptosis and DNA double-strand breaks were assayed to analyze the cellular response to the damage induced by HTO. Slight enhancement of apoptosis was found after treatment, except at the dose of 9 mGy. [J Radiat Res] Full Article

IN VIVO

Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Treatment on Systemic Cytokine Levels in a Phase I Dose Escalation Safety Trial of Septic Shock Patients

Researchers determined whether plasma cytokine profiles may provide further information into the safety and biological effects of MSC treatment, as no previous study had conducted a comprehensive analysis of circulating cytokine levels in critically ill patients treated with MSCs. The interventional cohort of septic shock patients received a single dose of 0.3, 1.0, or 3.0 million mesenchymal stem/stromal cells/kg body weight. [Crit Care Med] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Play a Key Role in Immunomodulation during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Cardiac arrest was induced in adult Sprague-Dawley rats by transcutaneous electrical epicardium stimulation. The rats were divided into four groups. In a separate cohort of sham operation animals, induced pluripotent stem cells-MSCs or PBS was infused via the femoral vein after restoration of spontaneous circulation. [Brain Res] Abstract

Enhanced Antitumor Efficacy of an Oncolytic Adenovirus Armed with an EGFR-Targeted BiTE Using Menstrual Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Carriers

Scientists showed that combining MenSCs with ICOVIR15-cBiTE, an oncolytic adenoviruses expressing an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeting bispecific T-cell engager, enhanced the antitumor efficacy compared to menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MenSCs) loaded with the unarmed virus ICOVIR15. They found that MenSCs properly produced cBiTE after viral infection leading to a greater antitumor potency both in vitro and in vivo. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract

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Autophagy: A Potential Key Contributor to the Therapeutic Action of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The authors give an overview of the studies which highlight a possible link between the therapeutic properties of MSCs and their ability to modulate autophagy, and it summarizes examples of disorders where these therapeutic properties have been correlated with such modulation. [Autophagy] Abstract

Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) for Targeting Solid Tumors: Therapeutic Potential beyond Regenerative Therapy

MSCs’ use as drug delivery vehicles has been limited by poor drug load capacity. Scientists discus various strategies for the non-genetic modification of MSCs that allows their use in tumor targeted delivery of small molecule chemotherapeutic agents. [J Pharmacol Exp Ther] Abstract

Muscular Contribution to Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis from the Perspective of Stem Cell-Based Regenerative Medicine

It seems that there is a link between adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, muscles and stem cells, which might warrant further investigations with a long-term goal of setting foundations for eventual bench-to-bedside translation. [Stem Cells Dev] 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, hyaluronic acid-based scaffold for cartilage repair, along with its regenerative medicine and orthobiologics portfolio. [Press release from Anika Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research presented at 2019 International Cartilage Regeneration and Joint Preservation Society (ICRS) Focus Meeting, Bedford] Press Release

LulzBot Announces 3D Bioprinting Collaboration with FluidForm

Aleph Objects Inc., manufacturer of LulzBot 3D Printers, announced their collaboration with FluidForm Inc., an innovator in 3D bioprinting. Together, Aleph Objects and FluidForm will combine their expertise to offer new bioprinting solutions, with the initial offering coming this summer. [Aleph Objects, Inc.] Press Release

Bone Therapeutics’ Allogeneic Cell Therapy Product, ALLOB, Meets Primary Endpoints in Phase IIa Study in Patients Undergoing a Lumbar Spinal Fusion Procedure

Bone Therapeutics announced that its allogeneic cell therapy product, ALLOB, successfully completed the 12 months follow-up period of a Phase IIa study in patients undergoing a lumbar spinal fusion procedure. [Bone Therapeutics] Press Release

Trump Issues Executive Order that Could Reduce Scientific Advice

President Donald Trump issued an executive order on June 14 to cut back the number of advisory committees by at least a third by the end of September, according to a statement from the White House. The federal advisory committee system is the formal structure for government agencies to seek advice from experts including scientists. [The Scientist] Editorial

China Clamps Down on Foreign Use of Chinese Genetic Material and Data

China has announced new regulations for the use of human genetic resources that come from Chinese participants. The rules, announced on June 10, require international scientists using biomaterials from China to have a Chinese collaborator and go into effect on July 1. [The Scientist] Editorial

NEW International Conference on Genomes & AI: From Packing to Regulation
October 1-2, 2019
Singapore, Singapore

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

NEW Postdoctoral Researchers – Cardiometabolic Diseases (Columbia University Medical Center)

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)

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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