Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 5.42 | Oct 29 2013

miRNA-199a-5p Regulates VEGFA in Endometrial Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis
Researchers found that the tumor suppressor gene, SMAD4, could elevate microRNA-199a-5p (miR-199a-5p) expression in ectopic endometrial mesenchymal stem cells. Up-regulation of miR-199a-5p suppressed cell proliferation, motility, and angiogenesis of these ectopic stem cells by targeting the 3′ untranslated region of VEGFA. [J Pathol] Abstract

SLIT3-ROBO4 Activation Promotes Vascular Network Formation in Human Engineered Tissue and Angiogenesis In Vivo
While there is evidence that the angiogenic effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is mediated via the secretion of paracrine signals, the identity of these signals is unknown. By utilizing two functionally distinct human MSC clones, researchers found that so-called “pericytic” MSCs secrete the pro-angiogenic vascular guidance molecule SLIT3, which guides vascular development by directing ROBO4-positive endothelial cells to form networks in engineered tissue. [J Mol Cell Cardiol] Full Article

Contribution of Mesenchymal Proliferation in Tooth Root Morphogenesis
Researchers compared the morphogenesis and cellular events of the mesial-root-forming (MRF) and bifurcation-forming regions, located in the mesial and center of the first lower molar, to better define the developmental mechanisms involved in multi-rooted tooth formation. They found that the mesenchyme in the MRF showed relatively higher proliferation than the bifurcation region. [J Dent Res] Abstract

Mitochondrial Respiration Regulates Adipogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Differentiation of stem cells into mature cell types is guided by growth factors and hormones, but recent studies suggest that metabolic shifts occur during differentiation and can modulate the differentiation process. Scientists therefore investigated mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial respiration and the mitochondrial membrane potential during adipogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

Conditioned Medium as a Strategy for Human Stem Cells Chondrogenic Differentiation
Scientists aimed to achieve chondrogenic differentiation of two different sources of stem cells using conditioned medium, without adding growth factors. They tested both human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and human Wharton’s jelly-derived stem cells. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

New Insights in Osteogenic Differentiation Revealed by Mass Spectrometric Assessment of Phosphorylated Substrates in Murine Skin Mesenchymal Cells
Researchers assessed differences in the phosphorylation status of different cellular proteins upon bone morphogenetic protein-2 osteogenic induction of isolated murine skin mesenchymal stem cells using Triplex Stable Isotope Dimethyl Labeling coupled with LC/MS. [BMC Cell Biol] Full Article

KDM6B Epigenetically Regulates Odontogenic Differentiation of Dental Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Scientists explored the role of KDM6B in dental mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) fate determination into the odontogenic lineage. Using shRNA-expressing lentivirus, they performed KDM6B knockdown in dental MSCs and observed that KDM6B depletion leads to a significant reduction in alkaline phosphate activity and in formation of mineralized nodules assessed by Alizarin Red staining. [Int J Oral Sci] Full Article

Effect of Culture Medium Type on Canine Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Developmental Competence of Interspecies Cloned Embryos
Scientists investigated whether two culture medium affects gene expression of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, subsequent development of interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer and gene expression of cloned embryos. [Theriogenology] Abstract

Del-1 Overexpression in Endothelial Cells Increases Vascular Density in Tissue Engineered Implants Containing Endothelial Cells and Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Scientists used a combination of strategies to stimulate the vascularization of tissue engineered constructs in vivo including a modular approach to build larger tissues from individual building blocks mixed together. Each building block included vascular cells by design: modules were submillimeter-sized collagen gels with an outer layer of endothelial cells (EC), and with embedded adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells to support EC survival and blood vessel maturation in vivo. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

The Angiogenic Properties of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells and Their Therapeutic Potential
Blood vessel formation is fundamental to development, while its dysregulation can contribute to serious disease. Expectations are that hundreds of millions of individuals will benefit from therapeutic developments in vascular biology. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells are central to the three main vascular repair mechanisms. [Br Med Bull] Abstract

Natural History of Mesenchymal Stem Cells, from Vessel Walls to Culture Vessels
A growing body of experimental data is currently paving the way to the medical usage of autologous sorted perivascular cells for indications in which mesenchymal stem/stromal cells have been previously contemplated or actually used, such as bone regeneration and cardiovascular tissue repair. [Cell Mol Life Sci] Abstract

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Bioheart Announces Agreement with Anosis to Distribute Products in the Middle East
Bioheart, Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement with Anosis, a company organized in Turkey. According to the distribution agreement, Anosis will distribute Bioheart therapies in Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Georgia and Iraq. [Bioheart, Inc.] Press Release

STEMSOFT Licenses StemLab Software to TUMCells
STEMSOFT™ Software Inc. (“STEMSOFT”) announced the licensing of StemLab™, the leading cell therapy transplant laboratory software, to TUMCells Interdisziplinäres Zentrum für zelluläre Therapien Technische Universität München (“TUMCells”) at the University Hospital Klinikum rechts der Isar in Germany. [STEMSOFT Software Inc.] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Position – Cardiopulmonary Molecular Biology (Hannover Medical School)

PhD Student Position – Pro-Tumorigenic Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Brain Tumors (Ludwig Maximilian University Munich)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells For Retinal Disease (University of Virginia)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Stem Cells (Bioprocessing Technology Institute)

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)

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

Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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