Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 5.17 | May 7 2013

Role of the P2Y₁₃ Receptor in the Differentiation of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells into Osteoblasts and Adipocytes
Researchers examined whether P2Y₁₃R activation was involved in the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Their study demonstrated that ADP stimulation of P2Y₁₃R^+/+ (but not P2Y₁₃R^−/−) adherent bone marrow stromal cells increased significantly the formation of alkaline phosphatase-colony forming units, as well as the expression of osteoblastic markers involved in the maturation of pre-osteoblasts into osteoblasts. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Mir-133b Promotes Neural Plasticity and Functional Recovery after Treatment of Stroke with Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Rats via Transfer of Exosome-Enriched Extracellular Particles
To test, in vivo, the hypothesis that exosomes from multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) mediate microRNA 133b (miR-133b) transfer, which promotes neurological recovery from stroke, investigators employed knock-in and knock-down technologies to up-regulate or down-regulate the miR-133b level in MSCs and their corresponding exosomes, respectively. Compared with controls, rats receiving naïve MSC treatment significantly improved functional recovery, and exhibited increased axonal plasticity and neurite remodeling in the ischemic boundary zone at day 14 after middle cerebral artery occlusion. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Acid Ceramidase Maintains the Chondrogenic Phenotype of Expanded Primary Chondrocytes and Improves the Chondrogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Investigators showed that addition of recombinant acid ceramidase (rAC) to primary chondrocyte culture media maintained low levels of ceramide and led to elevated sphingosine by 48 hours. rAC also improved the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, as revealed by histochemical and immunostaining. [PLoS One] Full Article

Suppression of Cholangiocarcinoma Cell Growth by Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Possible Role of Wnt and Akt Signaling
Scientists observed the effects of human mesenchymal stem cells on the human cholangiocarcinoma cell line, HCCC-9810, using an animal transplantation model, and conditioned media from human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs). Animal studies showed that hUC-MSCs can inhibit the growth of cholangiocarcinoma xenograft tumors. [PLoS One] Full Article

Prostaglandin E₂ Acts via Bone Marrow Macrophages to Block PTH-Stimulated Osteoblast Differentiation In Vitro
Scientists compared effects of continuous parathyroid hormone (PTH) on bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and primary osteoblasts (OB) from Cox-2 knockout (KO) mice, mice with deletion of PGE₂ receptors (Ptger4 and Ptger2 KO mice), and wild type controls. PTH increased OB differentiation in BMSCs only in the absence of COX-2 expression or activity. [Bone] Full Article

Effect of Chondroitinase ABC on Adhesion and Behavior of Synovial Membrane-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Rabbit Partial-Thickness Chondral Defects
Scientists attempted to evaluate the effect of chondroitinase ABC on the adhesion and behavior of transplanted synovial membrane-derived mesenchymal stem cells in rabbit partial-thickness chondral defects. [J Orthop Res] Abstract

Conditioned Medium from Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells May Induce the Differentiation of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Dopaminergic Neuron-Like Cells
Human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) were used as the available seed cells, and conditioned medium from human amniotic epithelial cells (ACM) was used as the inducing reagent. Results showed that the proportion of dopaminergic neuron-like cells from hUCB-MSCs was significantly increased after cultured in ACM, suggested by the upregulation of DAT, TH, Nurr1, and Pitx3. [J Neurosci Res] Abstract

Adipose Tissue-Derived MSCs as Monocultures or Cocultures with Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells: Performance In Vitro and in Rat Cranial Defects
Researchers aimed to compare the osteogenic capacity between human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs) and their cocultures with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro and their biological performance in vivo. AT-MSCs showed higher osteogenic differentiation in comparison to AT-MSCs/HUVECs on Ti in vitro. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Melatonin Pretreatment Improves the Survival and Function of Transplanted Mesenchymal Stem Cells after Focal Cerebral Ischemia
Researchers examined the effect of melatonin pretreatment on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) under ischemia-related conditions in vitro and after transplantation into ischemic rat brain. Results showed that melatonin pretreatment greatly increased MSC survival in vitro and reduced their apoptosis after transplantation into ischemic brain. [Cell Transplant] Abstract | Full Article

Inhibition of CK2 Binding to BMPRIa Induces C2C12 Differentiation into Osteoblasts and Adipocytes
The authors investigated the signaling pathways involved in the casein kinase II (CK2)-BMP receptor type-Ia (BMPRIa) mediated osteogenesis and identified a new signaling pathway activating adipogenesis dependent on the BMPRIa and CK2 association. [J Cell Commun Signal] Abstract

REVIEWS

Researchers Outline Concerns about Unproven Stem Cell Therapies
In this commentary, the authors discuss why only rigorous science and rigorous regulation can ensure translation of science into effective therapies rather than into ineffective market products, and mark, at the same time, the sharp distinction between the striving for new therapies and the deceit of patients. [EMBO J] Press Release | Full Article

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Mechanobiology and Emerging Experimental Platforms
The authors’ main goals are to provide engineers and microtechnology developers with an up-to-date description of mesenchymal stem cell mechanobiology that is relevant to the design of experimental platforms and to introduce biologists to these emerging platforms. [J R Soc Interface] Full Article

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Transplantation Rejection and Tolerance
The authors discuss the impact of the local microenvironment on mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and the mechanisms of MSC immunomodulation in the setting of solid organ transplantation. [CSH Perspect Med] Full Article

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

RNL BIO Co. Ltd. Files IND to Commence Phase II Clinical Trial of RNL-JointStem for Osteoarthritis in the United States
RNL BIO announced that it has filed an Investigational New Drug application (IND) with the Food and Drug Administration to begin clinical trials with its adipose-derived stem cell product, termed RNL-JointStem, for the treatment of osteoarthritis. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

RepliCel Announces New Tendon Repair Technology Based on Its Hair Follicle Cellular Expertise
RepliCel Life Sciences Inc. announced that it is initiating the clinical development of a new autologous cell therapy for the treatment of a variety of chronic tendon injuries including Achilles, patellar and elbow. [RepliCel Life Sciences Inc.] Press Release

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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 International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR): Stem Cells in Translation
September 15-18, 2013
Florence, Italy

NEW International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR): Stem Cells in Science & Medicine
October 14-17, 2013
Suzhou, China

NEW SELECTBIO CellTech 2014
January 28-29, 2014
San Diego, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

NEW Postdoctoral Opportunity – Pulmonary Research (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center)

Researcher – Mesenchymal Stromal Cells as a Therapy for Graft versus Host Disease (Newcastle University)

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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