Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 5.11 | Mar 26 2013

Effects of a miR-31, Runx2 and Satb2 Regulatory Loop on the Osteogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells
The effects of miR-31, Runx2 and Satb2 on the osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were investigated using mimics and inhibitors of miR-31, small interfering RNA for knockdown of Runx2 and plasmids for over-expression of Runx2. The results showed that miR-31 expression decreased progressively in BMSC cultures during differentiation. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Glycosaminoglycan Mimetic Associated to Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Based Scaffolds Inhibit Ectopic Bone Formation but Induce Angiogenesis In Vivo
Researchers developed a strategy associating the glycosaminoglycan mimetic [OTR4120] with bone substitutes to optimize stem cell-based therapeutic products. They showed that [OTR4120] was able to potentiate proliferation, migration and osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Repair of Osteochondral Defects with Rehydrated Freeze-Dried Oligo(poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate) Hydrogels Seeded with Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Porcine Model
Researchers analyzed the morphology of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) seeded into rehydrated freeze-dried oligo[poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate] (OPF) hydrogel and in vivo gross morphological and histological outcome of defects implanted with BMSCs-OPF scaffold in a porcine model. The analyses were based on magnified histologic sections for different types of cartilage repair tissues, the outcome of the subchondral bone, scaffold, and statistical assessment of neotissue filling percentage, cartilage phenotype and Wakitani scores. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) Scaffolds Coated with Collagen and Glycosaminoglycans: Impact on Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Researchers analyzed poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds modified with artificial extracellular matrices (aECM) consisting of collagen type I, chondroitin sulphate, and sulphated hyaluronan. They investigated the effect of these aECM coatings on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. They found that scaffolds were homogeneously coated, and cross-linking of aECM did not significantly influence the amount of collagen immobilized. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Autologous Rabbit Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for the Treatment of Bone Injuries with Distraction Osteogenesis
Although distraction osteogenesis is the most important therapy for treating bone defects, this treatment is restricted in many situations. Researchers examined the therapeutic potential of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and osteoblasts differentiated from adipose tissue-derived MSCs in the treatment of bone defects. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Inflammatory Environment Induces Gingival Tissue-Specific Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Differentiate towards a Pro-Fibrotic Phenotype
Under the influence of inflammatory cytokines, gingival tissue-specific mesenchymal stem cells exhibited a higher rate of proliferation than those under normal conditions, while their potential for osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation was suppressed. [Biol Cell] Abstract

S100A16 Inhibits Osteogenesis but Stimulates Adipogenesis
Researchers aimed to demonstrate, in the mouse bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell model, whether S100A16 significantly stimulates adipogenic, rather than osteogenic differentiation. The overexpression of S100A16 led to a significant increase in Oil Red O staining (a marker of adipocyte differentiation) but a decrease in Alizarin Red S staining (a marker of osteoblast differentiation). In contrast, reducing the expression of S100A16 resulted in minimal Oil Red O staining but increased Alizarin Red S staining. [Mol Biol Rep] Abstract

Downregulated MicroRNA-32 Expression Induced by High Glucose Inhibits Cell Cycle Progression via PTEN Upregulation and Akt Inactivation in Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Using a microRNA microarray approach, the authors identified that miRNA-32-5p expression is significantly reduced under hyperglycemic conditions in rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Engineering Tubular Bone Using Mesenchymal Stem Cell Sheets and Coral Particles
Rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were continuously cultured to form a cell sheet with osteogenic potential and coral particles were integrated into the sheet. The composite sheet was then wrapped around a cylindrical mandrel to fabricate a tubular construct. The resultant tubular construct was cultured in a spinner-flask bioreactor and subsequently implanted into a subcutaneous pocket in a nude mouse for assessment of its histological characteristics, radiological density and mechanical property. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Comparison of Cell Proliferation; Apoptosis; Cellular Morphology and Ultrastructure between Human Umbilical Cord and Placenta-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
The authors compared various properties of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with human placenta-derived MSCs, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, cellular morphology, ultrastructure, and their ability to secrete various growth factors (i.e. vascular endothelial growth factor, insulin-like growth factors-1, and hepatocyte growth factor), which will allow the selection appropriate MSC sources for cellular therapy. [Neurosci Lett] Abstract

REVIEWS

The Uncertain Role of Unmodified Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Tumor Progression: What Master Switch?
The authors review the heterogeneity of mesenchymal stem cells by the species from which they are derived, the methodology for their isolation and the context of their interactions with cancer cells. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the mesenchymal cell research field.

Stem Cell Agency Banks on $32 Million New Approach to Advance Research
When you need money you go to the bank. But when researchers need high quality stem cells where do they go to get those? Soon they’ll be able to go to a stem cell bank set up by California’s stem cell agency, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. The governing Board of the agency voted to approve nine applications to create the cells that will go in that bank and to run it. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine] Press Release

Bone Therapeutics Awarded Manufacturing Authorization and European Approval to Produce Allogeneic Bone Cell Therapy Products
BONE THERAPEUTICS announced that it has been awarded both ‘Tissue Establishment and ‘GMP’ Accreditation for the manufacturing of its ALLOB^® allogeneic bone cell therapy product, being initially developed for the treatment of impaired fractures. [Bone Therapeutics SA] 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 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory: Mouse Development, Stem Cells & Cancer
June 5-25, 2013
Cold Spring Harbor, United States

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

Faculty Position – Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine (University of Washington School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Dysregulation of Hematopoietic and Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Indiana University)

Lecturer or Reader – Associate Professor (University of Reading)

Postdoctoral Position – Cardiopulmonary Molecular Biology (Hannover Medical School)

Postdoctoral Positions – Angiogenesis and Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Biology (Boston University)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Development (Stony Brook University)

Postdoctoral Position – Inflammation and Fibrosis (Institut Pasteur)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Mesenchymal Cell News? Click here to submit!

Comments or Suggestions? Email info@connexoncreative.com with your feedback.