Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 3.09 | Mar 8 2011

Lentiviral Vector Mediated Modification of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Enhanced Survival in an In Vitro Model of Ischemia
Researchers investigated lentiviral vector-mediated genetic modification of rat bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells and examined any functional effect of such genetic modification in an in vitro model of ischemia. [Stem Cell Res Ther]

Transient Regenerative Potential of the Neonatal Mouse Heart
Researchers found that the hearts of 1-day-old neonatal mice can regenerate after partial surgical resection, but this capacity is lost by 7 days of age. [Science]

Wnt Signaling Promotes Neuronal Differentiation from Mesenchymal Stem Cells Through Activation of Tlx3
Since neurons in cranial sensory ganglia and dorsal root ganglia transiently express Ngn1, NeuroD and Brn3a during embryonic development, researchers hypothesized that Wnt proteins could instructively promote a sensory neuronal fate from mesenchymal stem cells directed to differentiate into neurons. [Stem Cells]

The Promotion of Cartilage Defect Repair Using Adenovirus Mediated Sox9 Gene Transfer of Rabbit Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells
The chondrogenic effect of Sox9 on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in vitro and its application in articular cartilage repair in vivo were evaluated. [Biomaterials]

Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells Exhibit Proliferation Potential and Spontaneous Rhythmic Contraction After Fusion with Neonatal Rat Cardiomyocytes
This study illustrates that human adipose tissue-derived stem cells exhibit both stem cell (proliferation) and cardiomyocyte properties (action potential and spontaneous rhythmic beating) after fusion with rat cardiomyocytes, supporting the theory that fusion, even if artificially induced, could indeed be a mechanism for cardiomyocyte renewal in the heart. [FASEB J]

The Cdc42 Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor FGD1 Regulates Osteogenesis in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Results demonstrate an important role for FGD1/Cdc42 signaling in human mesenchymal stem cell osteogenesis and suggest that the defects in bone remodeling in faciogenital dysplasia may persist throughout adult life and serve as a potential pathway that may be targeted for enhancing bone regeneration. [Am J Pathol]

fMLP Promotes Osteoblast Differentiation via the N-Formyl Peptide Receptor 1-Mediated Signaling Pathway in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Bone Marrow
Findings provide novel insight into the functional role of N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) in bone biology, with important implications for its potential use as a therapeutic agent for treatment of bone-related disorders. [J Biol Chem]

Comparison of Canine Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Times: Involvement of Astrogliosis, Inflammation, Intracellular Actin Cytoskeleton Pathways, and Neurotrophin
Transplantation of canine mesenchymal stem cells one week after spinal cord injury was more effective in improving clinical signs and neuronal regeneration and reducing fibrosis formation compared to the other transplantation times evaluated. [Cell Transplant]

MicroRNA 21 Regulates the Proliferation of Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Alters MicroRNA 21
Researchers determined the expression of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in white adipose tissues in a high-fat diet-induced obesity mouse model to examine the relationship between miR-21 and obesity and the effect of miR-21 on human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell proliferation. [J Cell Physiol]

Hyaline Cartilage Regeneration by Combined Therapy of Microfracture and Long-Term BMP-2 Delivery
Researchers tested the hypothesis that long-term delivery of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 to cartilage defects subjected to microfracture results in regeneration of high quality hyaline-like cartilage, as opposed to short-term delivery of BMP-2 or no BMP-2 delivery. [Tissue Eng Part A]

Epithelial Interactions and Local Engraftment of Lung-Resident Mesenchymal Stem Cells
This study demonstrates, for the first time, an ability of tissue-specific mesenchymal stem cells to engraft in their organ of origin and establishes a pathway of bi-directional interaction between these mesenchymal progenitors and adult somatic epithelial cells in the lung. [Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol]

Gingiva-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells-Mediated Therapeutic Approach for Bone Tissue Regeneration
Results imply that mesenchymal stem cells derived from gingival tissue could be a novel source for stem cell-based therapy in bone reconstruction in clinical applications. [Stem Cells Dev]

Mesoblast Half-Year Results
Regenerative medicine company Mesoblast Limited reported its half year results for the period ended 31 December 2010. [Mesoblast Limited Press Release]

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

Advances in Stem Cell Research: Development, Regeneration and Disease
April 6-8, 2011
Paris, France

2nd Annual Translational Regenerative Medicine Forum
April 6-8, 2011
Washington, DC, Untied States

3rd Meeting of the Forum of Italian Researchers on Mesenchymal and Stromal Stem Cells (FIRST)
April 18, 2011
Milan, Italy

Stem Cells for Drug Developers 2011
April 26-29, 2011
Boston, United States

Israeli Stem Cells Society 4th Annual Meeting 2011
May 23-24, 2011
Tel-Hashomer, Israel

BioBanking
July 11-12, 2011
London, United Kingdom

Stem Cell Programming & Reprogramming
December 8-11, 2011
Lisbon, Portugal

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

Lab Technologist – Human Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

Assistant Professor (University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Center for Cellular and Molecular Engineering)

Field Applications Specialist – Cell Therapy (Pall Corporation) 

Postdoctoral Position – Scientist (Helmholtz Zentrum München – German Research Center for Environmental Health – Helmholtz Association)

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