Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 5.05 | Feb 12 2013

miR-126 and miR-126* Repress Recruitment of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Inflammatory Monocytes to Inhibit Breast Cancer Metastasis
Investigators report that miR-126/miR-126*, a microRNA pair derived from a single precursor, independently suppress the sequential recruitment of mesenchymal stem cells and inflammatory monocytes into the tumor stroma to inhibit lung metastasis by breast tumor cells in a mouse xenograft model. [Nat Cell Biol] Abstract

Nanotopographical Cues Augment Mesenchymal Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Using planar polycarbonate substrates lacking in topographical cues and substrates displaying a nanotopographical pattern, mesenchymal differentiation of human embryonic stem cells is directed in the absence of chemical factors and without induction of differentiation by embryoid body formation. Cells incubated on nanotopographical substrates show enhanced expression of mesenchymal or stromal markers and expression of early osteogenic progenitors at levels above those detected in cells on planar substrates in the same basal media. [Small] Abstract | Press Release

In Vivo Imaging of the Therapeutic Efficacy and Fate of Bimodal Engineered Stem Cells in Malignant Brain Tumors
Researchers developed an efficient stem cell based therapeutic strategy that simultaneously allows killing of tumor cells and assessment and eradication of stem cells post highly malignant glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumor treatment. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) engineered to co-express the prodrug converting enzyme, herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase and a potent and secretable variant of tumor necrosis factor apoptosis-inducing ligand induced caspase mediated GBM cell death and showed selective MSC sensitization to the prodrug ganciclovir. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Diverse Functions of Secreted Frizzled-Related Proteins in the Osteoblastogenesis of Human Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Osteoinductive pretreatment of human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) has been widely accepted in bone tissue engineering before the use of cell transplantation; however, the mechanisms by which osteoinductive medium enhances osteoblastic differentiation are not well understood. Using periodontal ligament-derived hMSCs, researchers identified key signaling molecules for osteoblastogenesis. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Induce Granulocytic Differentiation of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemic Cells via IL-6 and MEK/ERK Pathways
The authors report that human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells are capable of inducing granulocytic differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)-derived NB4 cell line as well as primary APL cells and also cooperate with all-trans retinoic acid in an additive manner. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Growth Differentiation Factor-5 Enhances In Vitro Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Chondrogenesis and Hypertrophy
Supplementation of chondrogenic mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) pellet cultures with growth differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5), a highly regulated gene in the chondrogenic phase of endochondral ossification was investigated here under the hypothesis that GDF-5 will enhance the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs, thereby supporting their entry into ossification. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Co-Transplantation of Third-Party Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived MSCs Promotes Engraftment in Children Undergoing Unrelated Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation
Success of umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) has been limited by a high rate of graft failure and delayed hematological recovery. It has been postulated that MSCs have hematopoiesis-supportive properties. Therefore, to overcome the limitation of UCBT, third-party UCB-derived MSCs were co-transplanted in recipients receiving unrelated UCBT. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Efficiently Differentiate into Insulin-Producing Cells in Pancreatic Islet Microenvironment Both In Vitro and In Vivo
The differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from rat tissues (adipose, rAT; bone marrow, rBM) were analyzed by in vitro and in vivo co-culture experiments. The insulin-producing capacities of islets transplanted under the renal kidney capsule with rAT- and rBM-MSCs were compared and the reduction of hyperglycemia symptoms in rat models was examined. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Transplantation-Potential-Related Biological Properties of Decidua Basalis Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Maternal Human Term Placenta
Scientists obtained decidua-basalis-derived mesenchymal stem cells through enzymatic digestion and density gradient centrifugation and confirmed their capacity to differentiate into cell types of the mesodermal lineage, such as osteoblasts, adipocytes and chondroblasts. [Cell Tissue Res] Abstract

Evaluation of Early Stage Human Bone Marrow Stromal Proliferation, Cell Migration and Osteogenic Differentiation on μ-MIM Structured Stainless Steel Surfaces
Researchers previously showed that microstructured stainless steel surfaces characterized by the presence of defined hexagonally arranged hemisphere-like structures significantly affected cell architecture (shape and focal adhesion size) of primary human bone mesenchymal stromal cells. Here they further investigated the influence these microstructures (microcline protruding hemispheres) on critical aspects of cell behavior namely; proliferation, migration and osteogenic differentiation. [J Mater Sci Mater Med] Abstract

REVIEWS

RNL BIO Filed Phase II/III Clinical Trial with KFDA to Treat Cerebral Palsy Using Autologous Fat Derived Stem Cells
RNL BIO CO LTD announced the filing of an Investigational New Drug application with the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) to initiate clinical trials Phase II and III assessing the company’s RNL-Astrostem(TM) stem cell drug in patients with cerebral palsy. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

Key Mesenchymal Precursor Cell Patents Granted in United States and China
Regenerative medicine company Mesoblast Limited announced that it has been granted three key new patents by the United States Patent and Trade Mark Office and the State Intellectual Property Office of the People’s Republic of China. These patents deliver major commercial advantages and offer long term protection in these territories for the company’s products based on its proprietary mesenchymal precursor cell adult stem cell technology platform. [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)

NEW Clinical Translation of Stem Cells 2013
April 22-23, 2013
Palm Springs, United States

NEW International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR): 11th Annual Meeting
June 12-15, 2013
Boston, United States

NEW Stem Cells & Cell Therapy Summit
September 5-6, 2013
London, United Kingdom

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

Postdoctoral Position – Tumorigenicity of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Weizmann Institute of Science)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Biology (Johns Hopkins School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Human Stem Cell Engineering (University of Wisconsin – Madison)

Postdoctoral Position – Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (Mount Sinai Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (University of Bergen)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer and Stem Cell Biology (University of Texas at Houston)

Faculty Position – Stem Cell Biology (SARITE Center for Stem Cell Engineering Translational Medicine)

Full Professorship – Stem Cell Biology (Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen)


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