Chemical Modification of Collagen Improves Glycosaminoglycan Retention of Their Co-Precipitates Chemical modifications, namely deamination, methylation and amination, were used to alter the net charge of collagen prior to fabrication of collagen-glycosaminoglycan co-precipitate. Despite lower initial cell adhesion than untreated, all modified scaffolds promoted proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells and showed >95% cell viability at all time points. [Acta Biomater] Abstract Exosomes Derived from Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Alleviate Liver Fibrosis Researchers found that transplantation of exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells reduced surface fibrous capsules and got their textures soft, as well as alleviated hepatic inflammation and collagen deposition in carbon tetrachloride-induced fibrotic liver. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract Isolation and Characterization of CD276+/HLA-E+ Human Sub-Endocardial Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Chronic Heart Failure Patients: Analysis of Differentiative Potential and Immunomodulatory Markers Expression Investigators showed a novel method to reproducibly isolate and culture mesenchymal stem cells from the sub-endocardial zone of human left ventricle from patients undergoing heart transplant for post-infarct chronic heart failure. [Stem Cell Dev] Abstract Mesenchymal Stem Cell 1 (MSC1)-Based Therapy Attenuates Tumor Growth Whereas MSC2-Treatment Promotes Tumor Growth and Metastasis Researchers previously developed a new approach to induce the conventional mixed pool of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into two uniform but distinct phenotypes they termed MSC1 and MSC2. Here they tested the in vitro and in vivo stability of MSC1 and MSC2 phenotypes as well as their effects on tumor growth and spread. [PLoS One] Full Article Tissue Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 or Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Transfection of Aged Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Enhances Cell Therapy after Myocardial Infarction Scientists genetically engineered old human mesenchymal stem cells with tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-3 and vascular endothelial growth factor and evaluated the effects on the efficacy of cell-based gene therapy in a rat myocardial infarction model. [Rejuvenation Res] Abstract Retinoic Acid Regulates Commitment of Undifferentiated Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Osteoblasts and Adipocytes Researchers investigated the role of retinoic acid (RA) in differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells using the C3H10T1/2 cell line. RA stimulated activity and expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and upregulated activity of the ALP gene promoter. [J Bone Miner Metab] Abstract Maohuoside A Acts in a BMP-Dependent Manner during Osteogenesis Maohuoside A, a single compound isolated from the Epimedium koreanum Nakai, was found to promote osteogenesis in mouse bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. [Phytother Res] Abstract Low-Level Visible Light Irradiation Promotes Proliferation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Researchers demonstrated the ability of broadband visible light illumination to promote proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. [Lasers Med Sci] Abstract Human Mesenchymal Precursor Cells (Stro-1+) from Spinal Cord Injury Patients Improve Functional Recovery and Tissue Sparing in an Acute Spinal Cord Injury Rat Model Investigators aimed to determine the potential of purified human mesenchymal precursor cells to repair the injured spinal cord after transplantation into T-cell deficient athymic RNU nude rats following acute moderate contusive spinal cord injury. [Cell Transplant] Abstract | Full Article Isolation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Shoulder Rotator Cuff: Potential Source for Muscle and Tendon Repair Similar to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, rotator cuff mesenchymal stem cells were proved to have the potential to undergo osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation. [Cell Transplant] Abstract | Full Article |