Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 11.25 | Jul 2 2019

TOP STORY

In Vivo Photoacoustic Tracking of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Viability

The authors report the use of a nanoparticle-based contrast agent that could track stem cell viability using photoacoustic imaging. The contrast agent consisted of inert gold nanorods coated with IR775c, a reactive oxygen species sensitive near-infrared dye. [ACS Nano] Abstract

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IN VITRO

Extracellular Vesicles from Human Urine-Derived Stem Cells Prevent Osteoporosis by Transferring CTHRC1 and OPG

Investigators used human urine-derived stem cells (USCs), which were noninvasively harvested from unlimited and easily available urine, as a “factory” to obtain extracellular vesicles (USC-EVs) and demonstrated that the systemic injection of USC-EVs effectively alleviated bone loss and maintained bone strength in osteoporotic mice by enhancing osteoblastic bone formation and suppressing osteoclastic bone resorption. [Bone Res] Full Article

The MicroRNAs miR-204 and miR-211 Maintain Joint Homeostasis and Protect against Osteoarthritis Progression

Researchers report that two homologous microRNAs, miR-204 and miR-211, maintained joint homeostasis to suppress osteoarthritis pathogenesis. Specific knockout of miR-204/-211 in mesenchymal progenitor cells resulted in Runx2 accumulation in multi-type joint cells, causing whole-joint degeneration. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cell Engulfment Reveals Metastatic Advantage in Breast Cancer

Using flow cytometry and a microfluidic single-cell paring and retrieval platform, the authors showed that MSC engulfment capacity was associated with breast cancer (BC) cell metastatic potential and generated cells with mesenchymal-like, invasion, and stem cell traits. Whole-transcriptome analyses of selectively retrieved engulfing BC cells identify a gene signature of MSC engulfment consisting of WNT5A, MSR1, ELMO1, IL1RL2, ZPLD1, and SIRPB1. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

Soft Culture Substrates Favor Stem-Like Cellular Phenotype and Facilitate Reprogramming of Human Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells (hMSCs) through Mechanotransduction

Researchers demonstrated that soft substrates caused modulation of several cellular features of MSCs into a phenotype closer to pluripotent stem cells. MSCs cultured on soft substrates presented more relaxed nuclei, lower maturation of focal adhesions and F-actin assembling, more euchromatic and less heterochromatic nuclear DNA regions, and increased expression of pluripotency-related genes. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Dynamic Adaptation of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Physiology upon Exposure to Surface Micropatterns

Investigators used well established techniques to compare human MSCs cultured on flat and topographically enhanced polystyrene and observed dramatically changed cell morphologies accompanied by shrinkage of cytoplasm and nucleus, a decreased overall cellular metabolism, and slower cell cycle progression resulting in a lower proliferation rate in cells exposed to surface topographies. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Recapitulating Bone Development Events in a Customized Bioreactor through Interplay of Oxygen Tension, Medium pH and Systematic Differentiation Approaches

Scientists demonstrated that chondroitin sulfate A was a potent chondrogenic inducer, specifically in combination with acidic medium and low pO₂. Endochondral ossification was recapitulated through a systematic chondrogenic-osteogenic differentiation regime and multiple osteochondral cell types were derived. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Metabolic Syndrome Induces Release of Smaller Extracellular Vesicles from Porcine Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Researchers tested the hypothesis that metabolic syndrome (MetS) shifted the size distribution of MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs). Adipose tissue-derived MSC-EV subpopulations from Lean and MetS pigs were characterized for number and size using nanoparticle-tracking analysis, flow cytometry, and transmission electron microscopy. [Cell Transplant] Full Article

Growth on Metallo-Supramolecular Coordination Polyelectrolyte (MEPE) Stimulates Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Osteosarcoma Cells (MG63) and Human Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Investigators showed that the same MEPEs stimulated the osteogenic differentiation of pre-osteoblasts. MEPE modified surfaces also triggered the differentiation of primary bone derived MSCs towards the osteogenic lineage. [Polymers (Basel)] Full Article

IN VIVO

Expression of Lymphocyte Immunoregulatory Biomarkers in Bone and Soft-Tissue Sarcomas

Scientists provide the most systematic evaluation to date of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and immune checkpoint biomarker expression in sarcomas. They examined by morphology and immunohistochemistry 1072 sarcoma specimens representing 22 types, in addition to 236 benign bone and soft-tissue tumors. [Mod Pathol] Abstract

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Mechanochemical Feedback Loops in Development and Disease

In recent years, dynamic changes in tissue geometry, flow, rheology, and cell fate specification have emerged as key platforms of mechanochemical feedback loops in multiple processes. The authors review recent experimental and theoretical advances in understanding how these feedbacks function in development and disease. [Cell] Full Article

The Therapeutic Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Lung Cancer: Benefits, Risks and Challenges

Investigators present published data on the cell- and secretome-based therapeutic competences of MSCs, as well as on their potential as engineered delivery vectors for the treatment of lung cancer. Despite the controversial role of MSCs in the context of lung cancer therapy, current findings support hopeful perspectives to harness the potential of MSC-based regimens that may augment current treatment modalities in lung cancer. [Cell Oncol (Dordr)] Abstract

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

Third Clinical Site Initiated for BrainStorm Cell Therapeutic’s Phase II Progressive MS Study

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. announced that the company has contracted with the Keck School of Medicine of The University of Southern California and its academic medical center, Keck Medicine of USC as the third clinical study site for the company’s Phase II open-label, multicenter study of repeated intrathecal administration of autologous MSC-NTF cells in participants with progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS). [BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

Therapeutic Solutions International Obtains Exclusive License for Patented Clinical Stage Adult Stem Cell for Treatment of Military and Sports Brain Injuries

Therapeutics Solutions International, Inc. announced recently signing of a license agreement providing exclusive rights to a patented adult stem cell for development of therapeutics in the area of chronic traumatic encephalopathy and traumatic brain injury. [Therapeutics Solutions International, Inc. (GlobeNewswire, Inc.)] Press Release

Germany’s Prestigious Max Planck Society Conducts Huge Bullying Survey

Most of the scientists who work for one of the world’s richest and most prestigious basic research organizations, the Max Planck Society (MPS) in Germany, have pride and trust in their institutes — but cases of sexual discrimination and bullying occur regularly, and nearly half of foreign scientists working for the MPS don’t feel they fit in. [Nature News] Editorial

Taiwan to Crack Down on Unauthorized Research Collaborations with Mainland China

According to Taiwan’s Central News Agency, the island’s government is investigating seven researchers for allegedly joining a prestigious programe sponsored by the mainland China government to lure academics to the mainland without the necessary permissions. [Nature News] Editorial

India Culls Hundreds More ‘Dubious’ Journals from Government Approved List

A rise in Indian scientists publishing research in low-quality journals prompted the University Grants Commission to create a ‘white list’ of approved journals in 2017. Universities use the list to evaluate researchers for promotion and hiring. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Latin American Society for Developmental Biology
October 28-31, 2019
Buenos Aires, Argentina

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Mesenchymal Tumor Invasion Research (Luxembourg Institute of Health)

NEW Research Assistant – Sarcoma and Melanoma Medical Oncology (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Assistant Director – Cell & Gene Therapy (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology & Respiratory Disease Research with MSCs (Boehringer Ingelheim)

Development Scientist – Cell Therapy (GE)

Postdoctoral Researchers – Cardiometabolic Diseases (Columbia University Medical Center)

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

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

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)

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