Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 5.15 | Apr 23 2013

Ubiquitin E3 Ligase Itch Negatively Regulates Osteoblast Differentiation from Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells
Using bone marrow stromal cells from Itch^−/− mice and WT littermates as bone marrow mesenchymal precursor cells (BM-MPCs), scientists found BM-MPCs from Itch^−/− mice have compatible numbers of cells expressing mesenchymal stem cell markers. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Sox9 Modulates Cell Survival and Adipogenic Differentiation of Multipotent Adult Rat Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Scientists report that Sox9 modulates cell survival and contributes to the commitment of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to adipogenic or osteogenic differentiation lineage. Sox9 activity levels affect the expression of the key transcription factor in adipogenic differentiation, C/EBPß, and moreover, cyclin D1 mediated the expression of osteogenic marker osteocalcin in undifferentiated adult bone marrow derived rat MSC. [J Cell Sci] Abstract

Redundant miR-3077-5p and miR-705 Mediate the Shift of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Lineage Commitment to Adipocyte in Osteoporosis Bone Marrow
As the post-transcription regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs) has a critical role in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiation and bone homeostasis, researchers performed comprehensive miRNAs profiling and found miR-705 and miR-3077-5p were significantly enhanced in MSCs from osteoporosis bone marrow. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Low FasL Levels Promote Proliferation of Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Higher Levels Inhibit Their Differentiation into Adipocytes
Investigators showed that Fas ligand (FasL), a well-explored proapoptotic cytokine, can promote proliferation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in vitro and inhibits their differentiation into adipocytes. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

MePR: A Novel Human Mesenchymal Progenitor Model with Characteristics of Pluripotency
Researchers report on the immortalization and characterization of novel Mesenchymal Progenitor (MePR) cell lines from amniotic fluid-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), whose biological properties are similar to primary amniocytes. Their data indicate that MePR cells display the multipotency potential and differentiation rates of hMSCs, thus representing a useful model to study both mechanisms of differentiation and pharmacological approaches to induce selective differentiation. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Osteoprotegerin Enhances Osteogenesis of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Scientists profiled soluble factors secreted from MG-63 cells using a comparative protein array and found that osteoprotegerin (OPG), known as a potent anti-osteoclastogenic protein, was at the highest relative level among 507 soluble molecules detected by the array. Furthermore, treating human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) with OPG prior to osteogenic induction significantly increased the expression of osteocalcin mRNA transcript and the production of calcium deposits compared to the untreated control cells, suggesting that OPG is capable of priming undifferentiated hMSCs for the enhancement of subsequent osteogenesis. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Olfactory Ensheathing Cells (OEC)- and Neuroblastoma B104 Cell Line-Conditioned Medium Promotes Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Adipose Tissue toward a Neural Phenotype
Researchers examined whether conditioned medium obtained from OECs or B104 cells was capable of inducing differentiation of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells to a neuronal phenotype. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

Articular Cartilage Repair with Magnetic Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Scientists hypothesized that magnetic-assisted delivery of magnetically labeled mesenchymal stem cells (m-MSCs) would be rapid, allowing for chondrogenic differentiation and functional joint repair without replacement. The m-MSCs had no adverse effect on chondrogenic differentiation, and m-MSCs delivered by magnetic field application repaired cartilage defects. [Am J Sport Med] Abstract

Growth, Differentiation Capacity, and Function of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Expanded in Serum-Free Medium Developed via Combinatorial Screening
Investigators have developed a novel serum-free medium that supports highly efficient growth while maintaining the surface markers and functional characteristics defining hMSCs. In a comparison with serum-containing and other commercially available serum-free formulations, all conditions led to expansion of cells that meet the minimal criteria for hMSCs as set by the International Society for Cellular Therapy. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

Oxidative Stress-Induced Notch1 Signaling Promotes Cardiogenic Gene Expression in Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated from the bone marrow of adult rats and treated for 1 week with H₂O₂ or 48 h with glucose oxidase to mimic long term pulsed or short term continuous levels of H₂O₂ respectively. In 100 muM H₂O₂ or 5 mU/ml glucose oxidase treated MSCs, mRNA expression of selected endothelial genes, and early cardiac marker increased significantly while early smooth muscle markers and fibroblast marker vimentin decreased as measured by real-time PCR. [Stem Cell Res Ther]
Abstract | Full Article

REVIEWS

The Role of MicroRNAs in Adipocyte Differentiation
In this review, the authors summarize the biology and functional mechanisms of miRNAs in adipocyte differentiation. In addition, they further discuss the miRNA profiling, the miRNA function and miRNA target prediction in the adipogenesis. [Front Med] Abstract

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

TiGenix Reports Positive Phase IIa Study Results in Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis with Allogeneic Stem Cell Product Cx611
TiGenix announced positive six-month safety data of its Phase IIa study of Cx611 in rheumatoid arthritis, as well as a first indication of therapeutic activity on standard outcome measures and biologic markers of inflammation for at least three months after dosing. [TiGenix] Press Release

Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Patients Receive Regenerative Medicine Treatment to Reduce Scarring, Speed Wound Healing
SironRX Therapeutics Inc. reports that it has completed enrollment of patients in Cohort 1 of its placebo-controlled, randomized, dose escalation double-blind clinical study evaluating the safety and efficacy of JVS-100 to reduce scar formation and improve wound healing in patients receiving surgical sternotomy incisions. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

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NEW Gordon Research Seminar – Myogenesis
July 6-7, 2013
Lucca, Italy

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

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

Postdoctoral Position – Cardiopulmonary Molecular Biology (Hannover Medical School)

Price Gilbert, Jr. Chair – Regenerative Engineering and Medicine (Georgia Institute of Technology)

PhD and Postdoctoral Positions – Stem Cell Genetics (Universiti Putra Malaysia)

Cell Lab Technician – 3D Cell-Culture Matrices (Vienna University of Technology)

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