Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 5.32 | Aug 20 2013

FGFR1 Signaling Stimulates Proliferation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Inhibiting the Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitors P21^Waf1 and P27^Kip1
Using siRNA depletion, antibody-inhibition and small molecule inhibition, researchers established that Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1 (FGFR1) activity is rate-limiting for self-renewal of human adult mesenchymal stem cells. They showed that FGFR1 promotes stem cell proliferation through multiple mechanisms that unite to antagonize cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Microvesicles for Treatment of E.coli Endotoxin-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice
Scientists examined whether microvesicles released by human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) would be effective in restoring lung protein permeability and reducing inflammation in E.coli endotoxin-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in C57BL/6 mice. They found that human MSC derived microvesicles were therapeutically effective following E.coli endotoxin-induced ALI in mice in part through the expression of keratinocyte growth factor mRNA in the injured alveolus. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Adipose Tissue-Derived Stromal Stem Cell Therapy in Murine ConA-Derived Hepatitis Is Dependent on Myeloid-Lineage and CD4⁺ T-Cell Suppression
Researchers investigated the immunomodulatory effect of adipose tissue-derived stromal stem cells (ADSCs) on hepatitis using an acute ConA C57BL/6 murine hepatitis model. Intravenous administration of ADSCs simultaneously or 3 h post injection prevented and treated ConA-induced hepatitis. [Eur J Immunol] Abstract

Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Patients with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis: Safety and Efficacy
Scientists assessed the safety and efficacy of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this ongoing cohort, 172 patients with active RA who had inadequate responses to traditional medication were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups for different treatment: Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) plus medium without UC-MSCs, or DMARDs plus UC-MSCs group via intravenous injection. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Thyroid Hormone-Induced Hypertrophy in Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) Chondrogenesis Is Mediated by Bone Morphogenetic Protein-4 (BMP-4)
Chondrogenic differentiating MSCs express markers of hypertrophic growth plate chondrocytes. As hypertrophic cartilage undergoes ossification, this is a concern for the application of MSCs in articular cartilage tissue engineering. In order to identify mechanisms that elicit this phenomenon, the authors used an in vitro hypertrophy model of chondrifying MSCs for differential gene expression analysis and functional experiments with the focus on BMP signaling. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Adipogenic Potential in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Strictly Depends on Adult or Fetal Tissue Harvest
Researchers compared the adipogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) originated from two adult sources as fat pads and bone marrow, and from four fetal sources as umbilical cord blood, Wharton’s jelly, amniotic fluid and preterm umbilical cord perivascular cells. Surprisingly, adult MSC displayed higher differentiation capacities confirmed by gene expression analysis on a selected panel of adipogenesis-related genes. [Int J Biochem Cell Biol] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Exploit Extracellular Matrix as Mechanotransducer
Researchers showed that human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) harvest and assemble plasma fibronectin into their extracellular matrix (ECM) fibrils within 24 hours. hMSCs pro-actively pull on newly assembled fibronectin ECM fibrils, and the fibers are more stretched on rigid than on soft fibronectin-coated polyacrylamide gels. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Significantly Improves Neurological Function in Patients with Sequelae of Traumatic Brain Injury
Researchers investigated the effects of transplantation with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in patients with sequelae of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The study hypothesis was that umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation could safely and effectively improve neurological function in patients with sequelae of TBI. [Brain Res] Abstract

Genetically Engineered Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improve Functional Outcome in a Rat Model of Epilepsy
There is little research focusing on the multi-potency of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in the treatment of epilepsy, the present study was designed to examine the influence of genetically engineered BMSCs on the functional outcome in a rat model of epilepsy. [Brain Res] Abstract