Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 5.12 | Apr 2 2013

Intracellular Aggregation of Multimodal Silica Nanoparticles for Ultrasound-Guided Stem Cell Implantation
Researchers describe a multimodal, silica-based nanoparticle that can be used for cell sorting (fluorescence), real-time guided cell implantation ultrasound, and high-resolution, long-term monitoring by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The nanoparticle agent increased the ultrasound and MRI contrast of labeled human mesenchymal stem cells 700 and 200% versus unlabeled cells, respectively, and allowed cell imaging in animal models for 13 days after implantation. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Attenuates Brain Injury after Neonatal Stroke
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been shown to improve outcome after neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury mainly by secretion of growth factors stimulating repair processes. Researchers investigated whether MSC treatment improves recovery after neonatal stroke and whether MSC overexpressing brain-derived neurotrophic factor further enhances recovery. [Stroke] Abstract

Netrin-1 Protects Hypoxia-Induced Mitochondrial Apoptosis through Heat Shock Protein 27 Expression via Deleted in Colorectal Cancer- and Integrin α6β4-Dependent Akt, Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β, and Heat Shock Factor-1 in Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Netrin (Ntn) has the potential to be successfully applied as an anti-apoptotic agent with a high affinity for tissue, for therapeutic strategies of umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCB-MSC), although the mechanism by which Ntn-1 protects hypoxic injury has yet to be identified. Therefore, researchers examined the effect of Ntn-1 on hypoxia-induced UCB-MSC apoptosis, as well as the potential underlying mechanisms of its protective effect. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

The Collagen Component of Biological Bone Graft Substitutes Promotes Ectopic Bone Formation by Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Researchers addressed whether bone formation variability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is cell-intrinsic or biomaterial-dependent and may be improved using biological bone substitutes with and without collagen. Ectopic bone formation of MSCs from nine donors was tested in immune deficient mice on biological bone substitutes of bovine and equine origin, containing collagen or not. Synthetic β-TCP was used for comparison. [Acta Biomater] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Engineered to Inhibit Complement-Mediated Damage
Researchers investigated whether engineering mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to express US2, US3, US6, or US11 HCMV proteins can alter complement recognition, thereby better protecting MSC from complement attack and lysis. HCMV-US proteins increased MSC protectin expression at different levels as determined by flow cytometric evaluation of the median fluorescence intensity ratio. [PLoS One]
Full Article | Press Release

OstemiR: A Novel Panel of MicroRNA Biomarkers in Osteoblastic and Osteocytic Differentiation from Mesencymal Stem Cells
Scientists investigated the microRNA (miRNA) expression signatures of cell cultures undergoing osteoblastic and osteocytic differentiation from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) using mouse MSC line KUSA-A1 and human MSCs. Ninety types of miRNA were quantified during osteoblastic/osteocytic differentiation in KUSA-A1 cells utilizing miRNA PCR arrays. [PLoS One] Full Article

Mesenchymal Bone Marrow Stem Cells within Polyglycolic Acid Tube Observed In Vivo after Six Weeks Enhance Facial Nerve Regeneration
Researchers evaluated the functional and histological effects of bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) combined with polyglycolic acid tube (PGAt) in autografted rat facial nerves. After neurotmesis of the mandibular branch of the rat facial nerve, surgical repair consisted of nerve autografting contained in pGAt filled with basement membrane matrix with undifferentiated BMSC or Schwann-like cells that had differentiated from BMSC. [Brain Res] Abstract

Transplantation of Bone Marrow-Derived MSCs Improves Cisplatinum-Induced Renal Injury through Paracrine Mechanisms
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported to preserve renal function in various models of acute kidney injury (AKI). Different routes were used to transplant MSCs, but the role of cell transplantation routes in directing outcomes has been unknown. Researchers evaluated organ bio-distributions of transplanted MSCs, and correlated survival of transplanted cells with outcomes in mice with cisplatinum-induced AKI. [Exp Mol Pathol] Abstract

Myocardin-Related Transcription Factor-A Is a Key Regulator in Retinoic Acid-Induced Neural-Like Differentiation of Adult Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
The authors showed that retinoic acid (RA) can induce neural-like differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as evidenced by the increase of neuron-specific marker expression and the gradually decreased resting membrane potential. Of note, myocardin-related transcription factor-A, a major co-activator of serum response factor, was significantly activated and its nuclear localization was observed during RA-induced neural-like differentiation. [Gene] Abstract

REVIEWS

Advances in Stem Cell Therapy against Gliomas
The authors discuss current trends and the latest developments in stem cell therapy against malignant gliomas from both the experimental laboratory and the clinic. [Trends Mol Med] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Neuroregeneration in Parkinson’s Disease
This review is focused on strategies based on the therapeutic potential for Parkinson’s disease of the neurotrophic and neuroregenerative properties of a subclass of stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells. [Exp Neurol] Abstract

Placental Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Unique Source for Cellular Cardiomyoplasty
The authors discuss and compare the characteristics of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells as a novel alternative cell source for cellular cardiomyoplasty. [Ann Thorac Surg] Abstract

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

Regenerative Medicine Company, Eqalix, Announces Grant from Nanotechnology Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Eqalix has announced they have received a $50,000 grant from the Nanotechnology Institute in Philadelphia Pennsylvania that will facilitate the advancement of the development of its technologies for regenerative medicine. [The Nanotechnology Institute] Press Release

Cellular Dynamics International Opens Facility in California, Leasing Space from the Buck Institute to Derive and Bank Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Cellular Dynamics International (CDI) announced that the company is opening a facility in Novato, California, leasing space from the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. This opening of a second CDI facility is in response to the company receiving a $16 million grant award from the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to create and bank human induced pluripotent stem cells. [Cellular Dynamics International] 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 Gordon Research Conference: Tissue Repair & Regeneration
June 16-21, 2013
New London, United States

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

Tenure-Track Investigator(s) – Musculoskeletal Biology or Diseases of Bone, Cartilage, or Muscle (National Institutes of Health)

Fellowship – Angiogenic and Mesenchymal Transdifferentiation Potential of Cancers Stem Cells  (Università degli Studi di Genova)

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

Lecturer or Reader – Associate Professor (University of Reading)

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)

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