Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 5.38 | Oct 1 2013

Enhanced Mesenchymal Stem Cell Survival Induced by GATA-4 Overexpression Is Partially Mediated by Regulation of the miR-15 Family
Researchers tested whether regulation of microRNAs and their target proteins was associated with the cytoprotective effects of GATA-4. Compared to mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) transfected with empty vector, MSC tranduced with GATA-4 showed less lactate dehydrogenase release and greater cell survival following 72 hour hypoxia exposure. [Int J Biochem Cell Biol] Abstract

A Protein-Based Hydrogel for In Vitro Expansion of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Scientists report on a physical hydrogel formed by a specific protein-peptide interaction, which could be used for the three dimensional cell culture of murine mesenchymal stem cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

p53 Regulates the Migration of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Response to the Tumor Microenvironment through both CXCL12-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms
Researchers investigated the role of p53 in mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) migration to tumors. p53 inhibits the migration of MSCs in response to tumor cells in conjunction with a decrease in CXCL12 transcription. [Int J Oncol] Abstract | Full Article

Constitutive Stabilization of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Alpha Selectively Promotes the Self-Renewal of Mesenchymal Progenitors and Maintains Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in an Undifferentiated State
Researchers showed that the stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α proteins exerts a selective influence on colony-forming mesenchymal progenitors promoting their self-renewal and proliferation, without affecting the proliferation of the mesenchymal stromal cell mass population. [Exp Mol Med] Abstract

FGF23 Affects the Lineage Fate Determination of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Scientists found that bone marrow stromal cells harvested from Klotho null mice developed fewer osteoblastic but more adipocytic colonies than cells from wild-type mice. They found that Klotho was weakly expressed and that FGF23 dose-dependently affected the lineage fate determination. [Calcif Tissue Int] Abstract

Receptor-Targeted, Magneto-Mechanical Stimulation of Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Researchers investigated the effects of magnetically targeting and actuating specific two mechanical-sensitive cell membrane receptors-platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα) and integrin ανβ3. It was found that a higher mineral-to-matrix ratio was obtained after three weeks of magneto-mechanical stimulation coupled with osteogenic medium culture by initially targeting PDGFRα compared with targeting integrin ανβ3 and non-treated controls. [Int J Mol Sci] Abstract | Full Article

Inhibition of Actin Polymerization Decreases Osteogeneic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells through p38 MAPK Pathway
Scientists tried to understand the initial molecular mechanisms and pathways that regulate the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into osteocytes or adipocytes. They observed that actin modification was important during differentiation and differentially regulated during adipogenesis and osteogenesis. [J Biomed Sci] Abstract | Full Article

Autologous Transplantation of GDNF-Expressing Mesenchymal Stem Cells Protects against MPTP-Induced Damage in Cynomolgus Monkeys
Scientists investigated the function of autologous mesenchymal stem cells expressing glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF-MSCs) for protection against MPTP-induced injury in cynomolgus monkeys. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Boosting Angiogenesis and Functional Vascularization in Injectable Dextran-Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels by Endothelial-Like Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Researchers investigated whether endothelial-like cells derived from mesenchymal stromal cells (EL-MSC) can be used for vascular tissue engineered in combination with injectable dextran-hyaluronic acid hydrogels (Dex-g-HA). Dex-g-HA enabled higher EL-MSC metabolic rates associated with optimal cell sprouting in vitro, compared to HUVECs. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

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Bioheart Announces Agreement With Invitrx to License Adipose Derived Stem Cells
Bioheart, Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement with Invitrx Therapeutics to license their adipose derived stem cell products. The license agreement term sheet for adipose derived cells is for use in all indications in both human and animal medicine. [Bioheart, Inc.] Press Release

BioLife Solutions and SAVSU Technologies Announce Exclusive Distribution Agreement
BioLife Solutions, Inc. and SAVSU Technologies, Inc. jointly announced an agreement wherein BioLife will exclusively market and distribute SAVSU’s proprietary precision thermal packaging products to the stem cells and regenerative medicine markets. [BioLife Solutions, Inc.] Press Release

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9 PhD Positions and 1 Postdoctoral Position – Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (RUNMC)

Faculty Positions – Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (Baylor College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Cell Delivery Systems in Bone Repair (Fujifilm)

PhD Position – Biomaterial Imaging (Uppsala University)

Postdoctoral Position – Cardiopulmonary Molecular Biology (Hannover Medical School)

Principal Investigator – Developmental & Stem Cell Biology (SickKids Hospital)

Scientist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Mesenchymal Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Cell Culture Media & Matrices (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate/Scientist – Antibodies Group (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Quality Control Analyst – Media (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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