Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 5.20 | May 28 2013

Osteogenesis of Heterotopically Transplanted Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Rat Models of Chronic Kidney Disease
Scientists based this study on the hypothesis of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) contributing to soft tissue calcification and ectopic osteogenesis in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Rat MSC were transplanted intraperitoneally in an established 3D collagen-based model in healthy control animals and two rat models of CKD and vascular calcification. After 4 and 8 weeks, MSC were still detectable and proliferating in the collagen gels. [J Bone Miner Res] Abstract
 
CXCL12/CXCR4 Signaling in the Osteoblast Regulates the Mesenchymal Stem Cell and Osteoclast Lineage Populations
Using Cre-Lox technology to delete CXCR4 in mature osteoblasts in mice, investigators showed a significant decrease in bone mass and alterations in cancellous bone structure. CXCR4 gene ablation increased the number of colony-forming units (CFU), CFU-positive for alkaline phosphatase, and mineralizing nodules in bone marrow stromal cell cultures. [FASEB J] Abstract

miR-10a Restores Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation by Repressing KLF4
Researchers hypothesized that the downregulation of miR-10a may be associated with the decreased differentiation capability of human mesenchymal stem cells from aged individuals. Upregulation of miR-10a resulted in increased differentiation to adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic lineages and in reduced cell senescence. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract | Full Article

Influence of Ischemic Microenvironment on Human Wharton’s Jelly Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
The authors focused on understanding the influence of ischemic microenvironment on the survival, proliferation, apoptosis, ROS-generation, antioxidant levels, immunophenotypic-expression and neurotrophic factor secretion of Wharton’s Jelly mesenchymal stromal cells. Immunophenotypic analysis showed reduction in mesenchymal-marker expression under ischemic conditions influenced mainly by hypoxia, whereas the decrease in cell-survival under ischemic conditions was mainly a result of nutrition depletion. [Placenta] Abstract

Immune Therapeutic Potential of Stem Cells from Human Supernumerary Teeth
Recently, a novel mesenchymal stem cell population was identified from dental pulp of human supernumerary teeth, and its multipotency characterized. In this study investigators examined the in vitro and in vivo immunomodulatory functions of human supernumerary tooth-derived stem cells. [J Dent Res] Abstract

Routine Clonal Expansion of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Amniotic Fluid for Perinatal Applications
Scientists developed a routine isolation, selection and expansion protocol of clonal stem cell lines from redundant clinical amniocentesis samples. 78 Clonal amniotic fluid stem cell populations were successfully isolated by mechanical selection from 21 consecutive amniocentesis samples. They were positive for mesenchymal stem cell CD markers and could be differentiated into the different lineages. [Prenat Diagn] Abstract

Innovative Strategy for MicroRNA Delivery in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells via Magnetic Nanoparticles
Researchers aimed to develop a technique to efficiently deliver microRNA into human mesenchymal stem cells with the help of a magnetic non-viral vector based on cationic polymer polyethylenimine bound to iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles. They tested different magnetic complex compositions and determined uptake efficiency and cytotoxicity by flow cytometry. [Int J Mol Sci] Abstract | Full Article

Adipose Tissue-Derived Multipotent Stromal Cells Have a Higher Immunomodulatory Capacity than Their Bone Marrow-Derived Counterparts
Scientists found that bone marrow-derived multipotent stromal cells (BM-MSCs) and adipose tissue-derived multipotent stromal cells (AT-MSCs) share a similar immunophenotype and capacity for in vitro multilineage differentiation. BM-MSCs and AT-MSCs showed comparable immunomodulatory effects as they were both able to suppress proliferation of stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells and to inhibit differentiation of monocyte-derived immature dendritic cells. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

Laser Patterning for the Study of MSC Cardiogenic Differentiation at the Single-Cell Level
Researchers explored whether cardiomyocyte alignment is relevant to stem cell cardiogenic differentiation. They report the construction of a laser-patterned, biochip-based, stem cell-cardiomyocyte coculture model with controlled cell alignment. [Light Sci App] Full Article

Fibrin Glue Improves the Therapeutic Effect of MSCs by Sustaining Survival and Paracrine Function
Scientists investigated the influence of fibrin glue on the paracrine effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs were isolated from human adipose tissue. The effects of fibrin glue on survival, migration, secretion of growth factors, and immune suppression of MSCs were investigated in vitro. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

REVIEWS

Osteoclast-Derived Coupling Factors in Bone Remodeling
The osteoblast lineage has long been known to program osteoclast formation and hence resorption, but the preservation of bone mass and integrity requires tight control of remodeling. This needs local controls that ensure availability of mesenchymal precursors and the provision of local signals that promote differentiation through the osteoblast lineage. [Calcified Tissue Int] Abstract

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

Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission Funds 31 New Research Proposals in FY 2013
The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission has completed its review of the 171 applications received in response to its FY 2013 Requests for Applications. The board of directors of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation approved the Commission’s recommendation to fund 31 new proposals with the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund’s $10.4 million FY2013 budget. [Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund] Press Release

Cell Therapy Catapult to Work with GlaxoSmithKline on Cell Therapies
The Cell Therapy Catapult will be working with GlaxoSmithKline plc to explore potential collaborations in a range of areas relevant to the development of cell therapies, from research projects to technical and regulatory strategy. [Cell Therapy Catapult] 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)

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NEW CIRM/ARM: Reimbursement Strategies for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine
June 20, 10:00AM (PT in US)
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NEW Cell Signaling in Metabolism, Inflammation and Cancer
September 2-6, 2013
Suzhou, China

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

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Mesenchymal Progenitor Cell Subsets in Lung Development and Repair (Boston University Pulmonary Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Mesenchymal Stem Cells (National University of Ireland)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Regenerative Stem Cell Research (NHS Blood and Transplant)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Group A Proteins in Cancer, Stem Cells and Normal Development (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Opportunity – Mesenchymal Cells in Pulmonary Fibrosis (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Cardiopulmonary Molecular Biology (Hannover Medical School)

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

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