Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 5.21 | Jun 4 2013

Synergistic Effects of GDNF and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor on Lifespan and Disease Progression in a Familial ALS Rat Model
The authors recently showed that human mesenchymal stem cells modified to release glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) decrease disease progression in a rat model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) when delivered to skeletal muscle. In the current study, they determined whether or not this effect could be enhanced by delivering GDNF in concert with other trophic factors. [Mol Ther] Abstract | Press Release

Electrofusion of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Islet Cells for Diabetes Therapy: A Rat Model
The authors hypothesized that electrofusion between mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and islet cells may yield robust islet cells for diabetes therapy. They established a method of electrofusion between dispersed islet cells and MSCs in rats. The fusion cells maintained glucose-responsive insulin release for 20 days in vitro. [PLoS One] Full Article

Overexpression of the Mesenchymal Stem Cell Cxcr4 Gene in Irradiated Mice Increases the Homing Capacity of These Cells
Researchers evaluated the homing efficacy in irradiated mice of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that have been engineered to overexpress the murine Cxcr4 gene. MSCs that overexpressed Cxcr4 displayed enhanced migration toward a stromal-derived factor 1 gradient. [Cell Biochem Biophys] Abstract

Behavior of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Chemically Synthesized HA-PCL Scaffolds for Hard Tissue Regeneration
Scientists characterized the response of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to a novel composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering. The response of two different lines of hMSCs, bone-marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells and dental pulp stem cells in terms of cell proliferation and differentiation into the osteoblastic phenotype, was evaluated using Alamar blue assay, scanning electron microscopy, histology and alkaline phosphatase activity. [J Tissue Eng Regen M] Abstract

Effect of Isolation Methodology on Stem Cell Properties and Multilineage Differentiation Potential of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells
Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are an attractive alternative mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) source because of their isolation simplicity compared with the more invasive methods associated with harvesting other MSC sources. However, the isolation method to be favored for obtaining DPSC cultures remains under discussion. This study compares the stem cell properties and multilineage differentiation potential of DPSCs obtained by the two most widely adapted isolation procedures. [Cell Tissue Res] Abstract

Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Support the Derivation and Propagation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Culture
Researchers demonstrated that inactivated human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) from different donors can be used as feeder cells to support the establishment and maintenance of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). The hiPSCs they generated and expanded on hMSCs exhibited the typical morphology of human embryonic stem cells, expressed undifferentiated pluripotent cell markers and genes, differentiated into all three germ layers via embryoid body and teratoma formation, and retained a normal chromosomal karyotype after 14 passages. [Cell Reprogram] Abstract

CX43 Change in LPS Preconditioning against Apoptosis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Induced by Hypoxia and Serum Deprivation Is Associated with ERK Signaling Pathway
Researchers investigated the effect and mechanism of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) preconditioning on survival and connexin 43 (CX43) expression in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (bMSCs) under hypoxia and serum deprivation (Hypoxia/SD) conditions. The Hypoxia/SD conditions induced significant apoptosis of bMSCs. [Mol Cell Biochem] Abstract

Transient Proteolytic Modification of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Increases Lung Clearance Rate and Targeting to Injured Tissue
Investigators showed that an alternative cell detachment of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells with pronase instead of trypsin significantly accelerated the lung clearance of the cells and, importantly, increased their targeting to an area of injury. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

Safety of Treatment with DLA-Identical or Unrelated Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in DLA-Identical Canine Bone Marrow Transplantation
Researchers investigated the safety of dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) identical or third party unrelated mesenchymal stromal cells in DLA-identical hematopoietic cell transplantation. There were no differences between treatment groups in depth of granulocyte or platelet nadirs, time to granulocyte or platelet engraftment, rate of acute graft vs. host disease or rejection. [Chimerism] Full Article

Generation of Human Epidermis-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Like Pluripotent Cells (hEMSCPCs)
Scientists isolated hEMSCPCs and demonstrated efficient harvesting, maintenance in vitro for at least 30 passages, reprogramming into multiple phenotypes in vivo, and integration into adult host tissues after injection into the mouse blastocyst to create chimeras. [Sci Rep] Full Article

REVIEWS

Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Vectors for Lung Cancer Therapy
This review outlines various agents which can be delivered by mesenchymal stem cells with substantial emphasis on TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand). [Respiration] Full Article

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

FDA-Approved Clinical Trial to Test Effectiveness of Fat-Derived Regenerative Cells on Heart Failure Patients 
Doctors at the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital announced that they have performed an investigational procedure on six patients in a new FDA-approved clinical trial to evaluate therapy that uses regenerative cells derived from a patients’ own adipose tissue to treat a severe form of heart failure. [Texas Heart Institute] Press Release

Bioheart Announces First Patients Successfully Enrolled and Treated in Angel Trial
Bioheart, Inc. announced that they have successfully enrolled and treated the first patients in the ANGEL Trial. This phase I ANGEL study will provide necessary safety and preliminary efficacy of adipose derived stem cells in patients with congestive heart failure. [Bioheart, Inc.] Press Release

Licenses Granted for the Manufacture of Human Cell Therapy Products
Roslin Cells Ltd, the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service and the University of Edinburgh announced that the GMP Cellular Therapy Manufacturing Facility within the Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine has recently been licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for the manufacture of human cell therapy products. [Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service] Press Release

New Alliance for European Excellence and Competitiveness in Life Sciences
At the Centre for Genomic Regulation, in Barcelona, directors and staff from ten top European research institutes will kick off a new alliance, called EU-LIFE, that will promote European research. The mission of EU-LIFE is to foster excellence, share knowledge, and influence policies in life sciences. Partners in EU-LIFE are renowned research centers that operate with similar principles of excellence, external reviews, independence, competiveness, and internationality. During difficult economic times and within a highly competitive international research landscape, they believe that they can join forces to better address complex questions, thereby contributing to pushing European science forward. [VIB] Press Release

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NEW 14th International TNF Conference: Tumor Necrosis Factor 2013
July 7-10, 2013
Quebec City, Canada

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

NEW PhD Student – Crosstalk between Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Inflammatory Cells (Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica)

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 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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