Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 5.27 | Jul 16 2013

Cross-Talk between EGF and BMP9 Signaling Pathways Regulates the Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Scientists investigated if epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling cross-talks with BMP9 and regulates BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation. They found that EGF potentiates BMP9-induced early and late osteogenic markers of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro, which can be effectively blunted by epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors Gefitinib and Erlotinib or receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors AG-1478 and AG-494 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. [J Cell Mol Med] Abstract | Full Article

Isolation Method and Xeno-Free Culture Conditions Influence Multipotent Differentiation Capacity of Human Wharton’s Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Wharton’s jelly (WJ) explants and enzymatically dissociated WJ cells were cultured in a defined, xeno-free (XF) medium for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The MSC phenotype of WJ explant- and pellet-derived cells, isolated and expanded in the MSC XF medium, was proven based on the expression of CD44/CD73/CD90/CD105 surface markers and osteo-/adipo-/chondrogenic multipotent differentiation potential, which differed according to the isolation method and/or passage number. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Abstract | Full Article

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Augment CD4+ and CD8+ T-Cell Proliferation through a CCL2 Pathway
Researchers showed that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have both suppressive and stimulatory functions toward T cells after stimulation with anti-CD3/CD28 beads or in an mixed lymphocyte reaction. This depended on the ratio of MSC to responder T cells, with low numbers of MSC increasing and higher numbers inhibiting T-cell proliferation. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Effect of Mechanical Stretch on the Proliferation and Differentiation of BMSCs from Ovariectomized Rats
To explore the correlation between mechanical stress and osteoblastic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in osteoporosis, investigators built an osteoporosis model in ovariectomized rats, and then investigated proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity, and the expression of osteoblastic genes in BMSCs under mechanical stress of 5 and 10% elongation, using the Flexercell Strain system. [Mol Cell Biochem] Abstract

Chemical Nanoroughening of Ti40Nb Surfaces and Its Effect on Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Response
Samples of low modulus beta-type Ti40Nb and cp2-Ti were chemically treated with 98% H₂SO₄ + 30% H₂O₂ solution. The in vitro analyses clearly indicated that the chemical treatment accelerates the adhesion and spreading of human mesenchymal stromal cells, increases the metabolic activity, and the enzyme activity of tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase. [J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater] Abstract

Emulsion Electrospun Nanofibers as Substrates for Cardiomyogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
The potential of cardiomyogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) on emulsion electrospun scaffold containing poly(l-lactic acid)-co-poly-(e-caprolactone), gelatin and vascular endothelial growth factor (PLCL/GV) was investigated in this study. The proliferation of hMSCs showed that 73.4% higher cell proliferation on PLCL/GV scaffolds than that on PLCL scaffold after 20 days of cell culture. [J Mater Sci Mater Med] Abstract

Short-Term Spheroid Formation Enhances the Regenerative Capacity of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells by Promoting Stemness, Angiogenesis, and Chemotaxis
Investigators examined whether adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) exhibit superior regenerative capacity by expanding them in monolayers following short-term spheroid formation. Spheroid-derived ASCs retained the expression pattern of cell surface markers and adipogenic/osteogenic differentiation capabilities of ASCs constantly cultured in monolayers. [Stem Cell Transl Med] Abstract

Identification and Isolation of Small CD44-Negative Mesenchymal Stem/Progenitor Cells from Human Bone Marrow Using Elutriation and Polychromatic Flow Cytometry
Scientists used polychromatic flow cytometry and counterflow centrifugal elutriation to identify a phenotypically distinct population of mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (MSPCs) within human bone marrow. The MSPC activity resided within a population of rare, small CD45–CD73+CD90+CD105+ cells that lack CD44, an antigen that is highly expressed on culture-expanded mesenchymal stem/stromal cells. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

LNGFR⁺THY-1⁺VCAM-1^hi+ Cells Reveal Functionally Distinct Subpopulations in Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Researchers report an improved prospective clonal isolation technique and revealed that the combination of three cell-surface markers (LNGFR, THY-1, and VCAM-1) allows for the selection of highly enriched clonogenic cells. Clonal characterization of LNGFR⁺THY-1⁺ cells demonstrated cellular heterogeneity among the clones. [Stem Cell Rep] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Full Article

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Bioventus Names Alessandra Pavesio New Chief Science Officer
Bioventus, a leader in active orthopaedic healing, announced that Alessandra Pavesio will join the company Aug. 5 as its new Chief Science Officer. A recognized opinion leader in regenerative medicine, Pavesio revolutionized cartilage regeneration by conceiving and developing the first third-generation autologous chondrocyte implantation technology to reach the market. [Bioventus] Press Release

Cellular Biomedicine Group Appoints Director of Medical Research
Cellular Biomedicine Group, Inc. announced the appointment of Maxwell Wang, M.D., PhD, as Director of Medical Research. Dr. Wang is an orthopedic surgeon with over 10 years of experience in academic research focused on mesenchymal stem cells and bone cells. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

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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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Postdoctoral Position – Cardiopulmonary Molecular Biology (Hannover Medical School)

Two PhD Students and One Postdoc – Molecular Cell Biology and Hematopoiesis (Sanquin)

PhD Positions – Tissue Engineering (Eight European Research Institutes)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Visualization of Gene Expression Promoting Mesenchymal Stem Cell Tropism (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

Director of Cell Processing Facility (S L Collins Associates, Inc.)

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