Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 11.41 | Oct 22 2019

TOP STORY

Metalloprotease-Dependent Attenuation of BMP Signaling Restricts Cardiac Neural Crest Cell Fate

Adam19-depleted mice abnormally formed neural crest cells (NCC)-derived cartilage in their hearts through the upregulation of Sox9 levels in cardiac (C)NCCs. Moreover, NCC-lineage-specific Sox9-overexpressing mice recapitulated CNCC chondrogenesis. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

Spatially Patterned Microribbon-Based Hydrogels Induce Zonally-Organized Cartilage Regeneration by Stem Cells in 3D

MSCs were seeded in either trilayer microribbon (μRB) or hydrogel scaffolds that were composed of layered biomaterial compositions that had been chosen for their ability to differentiate MSCs into chondrocytes with zonal properties. To mimic the aligned collagen morphology in the superficial layer of native cartilage, an additional experimental group added MSC-laden aligned μRBs to the surface of the superficial layer of a μRB trilayer. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

3-Mercaptopyruvate Sulfurtransferase Disruption in Dermal Fibroblasts Facilitates Adipogenic trans-Differentiation

Investigators tested the hypothesis that suppression of 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (MPST) in dermal fibroblasts might induce plasticity-related changes and broaden the transdifferentiation potency. Inactivation of MPST with phenylpyruvate or by siRNA silencing led to diminished H₂S production associated with increased production of reactive oxygen species and lactic acid. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

Investigating Curcumin Potential for Diabetes Cell Therapy, In Vitro and In Vivo Study

Differentiation efficiency investigated by flowcytometry. RNA extraction and real-time PCR performed for important genes in IPC differentiation and tumorigenesis including Insulin, Nestin, Ngn3, Pdx1, P21, and P53. [Life Sci] Abstract

Cell Migration of Preosteoblast Cells on a Clinical Gelatin Sponge for 3D Bone Tissue Engineering

Researchers layered commonly found clinical materials, hemostatic gelatin sponges, in a novel manner to create a 3D scaffold for bone engineering purposes. They further examined the comparable benefits of our design with both closed- and open-bottom holders. [Biomed Mater] Abstract

Distal C-Terminus of Cav1.2 Is Indispensable for the Chondrogenic Differentiation of Rat Dental Pulp Stem Cells

The authors examined the contribution of Cav1.2 and its distal C-terminus to the commitment of rat dental pulp stem cells toward chondrocytes and adipocytes in vitro. The expression of Cav1.2 was obviously elevated in chondrogenic differentiation but did not differ significantly in adipogenic differentiation. [Cell Biol Int] Abstract

IN VIVO

Osteogenic Potential of Zn²⁺-Passivated Carbon Dots for Bone Regeneration in Vivo

The optimum dose for inducing osteoblasts was evaluated by MTS assay, intracellular reactive oxygen species detection, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity test and alizarin red staining in vitro. A 5 mm diameter calvarial bone defect model was created in rats and Zn²⁺-passivated carbon dots were applied for repairing the critical bone defect. [Biomater Sci] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

AAV-Anti-miR-214 Prevents Collapse of the Femoral Head in Osteonecrosis by Regulating Osteoblast and Osteoclast Activities

Scientists revealed significantly increased levels of miR-214 in necrotic regions, with commensurate changes in the numbers of its target cells. To investigate whether targeting miR-214 could prevent femoral head collapse, they constructed an adeno-associated virus-associated anti-miR-214 (AAV-anti-miR-214) and evaluated its function in vivo. [Mol Ther Nucleic Acids] Abstract

Human Adipose-Derived Pericytes Display Steroidogenic Lineage Potential In Vitro and Influence Leydig Cell Regeneration In Vivo in Rats

Investigators asked whether human adipose-derived perivascular stem cells (hAd-PSCs) could be converted into Leydig-like cells and determined their capacity to promote regeneration in Leydig Cell (LC)-ablated rat testes. Exposure of hAd-PSCs to differentiation-inducing factors in vitro upregulated steroidogenic genes but did not fully induce LC differentiation. [Sci Rep] Full Article

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Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Cancer: A Review of Their Immunomodulatory Functions and Dual Effects on Tumor Progression

MSCs can both promote and constrain tumor progression by directly affecting tumor cells via secreted mediators and cell-cell interactions and by modulating the innate and adaptive immune response. The authors summarize their current understanding of MSC involvement in tumor development and highlights the mechanistic underpinnings of their implication in tumor growth and progression. [J Pathol] Abstract

Dysregulated MicroRNA Fingerprints and Methylation Patterns in Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Cancer Stem Cells, and Mesenchymal Stem Cells

There is substantial evidence that initiation of carcinogenesis in liver cirrhosis, a leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is mediated by cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs were also shown to be responsible for relapse and chemoresistance in several cancers, including HCC. [Front Cell Dev Biol] Full Article

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Hope Biosciences Opens First Phase I/II Stem Cell Trial for Brain Injury Treatment

Hope Biosciences announced that enrollment is now open for a Phase I/II trial evaluating safety and efficacy of Hope Biosciences’ autologous, adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells for traumatic brain injury and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, in partnership with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. [Hope Biosciences] Press Release

Patients with Ultra-Rare Bone Marrow Disease Set to Benefit From £1.15M Grant From LifeArc and the Aplastic Anaemia Trust

LifeArc, a UK-based medical research charity, and the Aplastic Anaemia Trust have jointly awarded a £1.15m research grant to King’s College London and King’s College Hospital to investigate the potential of a novel type of “personalized cellular therapy” to reverse the ultra-rare condition aplastic anemia. The results of this research could give new hope to people living with a severe, life-limiting form of this condition. [LifeArc (PharmiWeb)] Press Release

Female Researchers in Australia Less Likely to Win Major Medical Grants than Males

Female scientists in Australia were less likely to win a major type of medical-research grants this year than their male counterparts, despite an overhaul of the country’s science funding that was supposed to address gender inequity. [Nature News] Editorial

Trump Names Seven to Revived Presidential Science Advisory Panel

Thirty-three months after taking office, President Donald Trump has chosen a group of business leaders to advise him on science and technology policy. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

UK Science Minister Says DARPA-Like Agency Is in the Works

The UK government is working to establish a “blue sky” funding agency similar to the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, UK science minister Chris Skidmore told the Science and Technology Select Committee of Parliament’s House of Commons. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Islet Biology: From Gene to Cell to Micro-Organ
January 27-31, 2020
Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States

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NEW Researcher – Biomaterials and Stem Cells (National University of Ireland Galway)

NEW Postdoctroal Researcher – CRISPR/Cas9 in Tissue Regeneration (Howard Hughes Medical Institute)

Tenure-Track Positions – Biologic and Materials Sciences & Prosthodontics (University of Michigan)

Professor Positions – Biomedical Science (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

Assistant Professor – Cell and Molecular Biology (Boston University)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Stem Cells (University of South Florida)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cells (The Francis Crick Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Plasticity (University of Technology, Sydney)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Proteoglycans in Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis (Drexel University)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Development and Stem Cell Biology (California Institute of Technology)

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