High-Efficiency Matrix Modulus-Induced Cardiac Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Inside a Thermosensitive Hydrogel The authors have developed a thermosensitive and injectable hydrogel suitable for the delivery of cells into the heart, and found that the appropriate gel modulus can differentiate mesenchymal stem cells into cardiac cells with high efficiency. [Acta Biomater] Abstract Dynamic MicroRNA Profiles of Hepatic Differentiated Human Umbilical Cord Lining-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Researchers aimed to identify microRNAs involved in the hepatic differentiation of human umbilical cord lining-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSC). After isolating hUC-MSCs, they induced hepatocyte formation in vitro with growth factors. After 26 days of induction, hUC-MSCs could express hepatocyte-specific genes, synthesize urea and glycogen and uptake low-density lipoprotein. [PLoS One] Full Article Aging Effect on Neurotrophic Activity of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Researchers isolated human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from bone marrow of young and old donors and analyzed their capacity to differentiate and promote neurite outgrowth from dorsal root ganglia neurons. Treatment of MSCs with growth factors induced protein expression of the glial cell marker S100 in cultures from young but not old donors. [PLoS One] Full Article The Influence of Polymer Scaffolds on Cellular Behavior of Bone Marrow Derived Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells The interaction of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with biomaterials is of great importance for cell proliferation, differentiation and function, and can be strongly influenced by numerous factors, such as the chemical nature and the mechanical properties of the material surface. Researchers investigated the interaction of bone marrow derived human MSCs with different amorphous and transparent polymers namely polystyrene, polycarbonate, poly(ether imide), polyetherurethane and poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile). [Clin Hemorheol Microcirc] Abstract Intraglandular Transplantation of Bone Marrow-Derived Clonal Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Amelioration of Post-Irradiation Salivary Gland Damage External irradiation in head and neck cancers may induce irreversible hyposalivation and consequent xerostomia, stemming from radiation damage to salivary glands (SGs). As cell-based therapy has been reported to be able to repair or restore damaged SG tissues, scientists attempted to determine whether bone marrow-derived clonal mesenchymal stem cells can ameliorate irradiation-induced salivary gland damage via a murine model. [Oral Oncol] Abstract Effects of Secretome Obtained from Normoxia-Preconditioned Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Traumatic Brain Injury Rats Results demonstrated that intravenous injection of secretome from normoxia-preconditioned human mesenchymal stem cells may ameliorate traumatic brain injury induced by fluid percussion injury in rats by reducing neuronal cell loss and apoptosis and promoting vascular epithelial growth factor production, resulting in functional outcome improvement. [Trauma Acute Care Surg] Abstract Co-Culture with Sertoli Cells Promotes Proliferation and Migration of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Researchers hypothesized that co-culture of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) with Sertoli cells may promote proliferation and migration of UCMSCs. To examine this, they isolated UCMSCs from human cords and Sertoli cells from mouse testes, and co-cultured them using a Transwell system. They found that UCMSCs exhibited strong proliferation ability and potential to differentiate to other cell lineages such as osteocytes and adipocytes. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract Establishment of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Lines from a p53-Knockout Mouse Researchers established several adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) clonal cell lines that maintain the tissue-specific markers and characteristics of the developmental phase. These clonal cell lines will serve as important tools to study the mechanism of differentiation of MSCs. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 Enhances the Kinetics of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Chondrogenesis To evaluate changes over time, researchers assessed chondrogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells at early and late time points during pellet culture using real-time PCR, measurement of glycosaminoglycan accumulation, and histology. Marked enhancement of chondrogenesis was seen early compared to controls. However, the differences from controls in gene expression dramatically diminished over time. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract |