Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 6.05 | Feb 11 2014

CCR7 Guides Migration of Mesenchymal Stem Cell to Secondary Lymphoid Organs: A Novel Approach to Separate GvHD from GvL Effect
Chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) gene, encoding a receptor that specifically guides migration of immune cells into secondary lymphoid organs, was engineered into a murine mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) line C3H10T1/2 by retrovirus transfection system (MSCs/CCR7). Researchers found that infusion of MSCs/CCR7 potently prolonged the survival of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) mouse model. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Galectin-1 Stimulates Motility of Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Downregulation of Smad2/3-Dependent Collagen 3/5 and Upregulation of NF-?B-Dependent Fibronectin/Laminin 5 Expression
Scientists analyzed 17 extracellular matrix genes in umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Galectin-1 decreased the expression of collagen genes COL3A1 and COL5A1 but increased the expression of fibronectin and laminin 5, that were reversed by ß-lactose. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Promote Survival and Drug Resistance in Tumor Cells
Bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells but not NIH3T3 or murine skin fibroblasts stimulated the expansion of 4T1 cells in 3D co-cultures, and conditioned medium from these cells increased the viability of 4T1 and LL/2 cells in 2D cultures. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract

Low Oxygen Tension and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I) Promote Proliferation and Multipotency of Placental Mesenchymal Stem Cells (PMSCs) from Different Gestations via Distinct Signaling Pathways
The impact of varying concentrations of IGF-I and changing oxygen tension on PMSC signaling and multipotency was investigated in PMSCs from early (Preterm) and late (Term) gestation human placentae. [Endocrinology] Abstract

Involvement of Angiopoietin-like 4 in Matrix Remodeling during Chondrogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Addition of exogenous angiopoietin-like 4 during the course of transforming growth factor beta-induced differentiation reduced the mRNA levels of aggrecan and type II collagen, while it increased those of matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)1 and MMP13. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Phase I Dose-Escalation Clinical Trial
In a Phase I dose-escalation trial, researchers assessed the safety and feasibility of a single, intratracheal transplantation of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells in preterm infants at high risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia. [J Pediatr] Full Article | Press Release

Microparticles from Kidney-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Act as Carriers of Proangiogenic Signals and Contribute to Recovery from Acute Kidney Injury
Researchers isolated and characterized microparticles from kidney-derived mesenchymal stem cells. They investigated their in vitro biologic effects on human endothelial cells and in vivo renoprotective effects in acute ischemia-reperfusion renal injury. [PLoS One] Full Article

Characterization of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Ewing Sarcoma Patients. Pathogenetic Implications
Scientists determined that mesenchymal stem cells obtained specifically from Ewing Sarcoma (EWS) patients (MSC-P) lack the most prevalent gene fusion, EWSR1-FLI1 as well as EWSR1 gene rearrangements. Their study also revealed that MSC-P are more alike to MSC derived from healthy donors than to EWS cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

Myocardial Transfection of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1alpha and Co-Transplantation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Enhance Cardiac Repair in Rats with Experimental Myocardial Infarction
Researchers investigated the therapeutic effects of myocardial transfection of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and co-transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells on cardiac repair in myocardial infarction by using myocardial transfection of HIF-1alpha via an adenoviral vector. [Stem Cells Res Ther]
Abstract | Full Article

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Advances in Tissue Engineering through Stem Cell-Based Co-Culture
In this review, critical aspects of stem cell use in co-culture systems are discussed. Direct and indirect co-culture methodologies used in tissue engineering are described, along with various characteristics of cellular interactions in these systems. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

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

Juventas Therapeutics Initiates Phase II RETRO-HF Clinical Trial Enrollment for Patients with Heart Failure
Juventas Therapeutics announced that it has initiated enrollment of the Phase II RETRO-HF clinical trial to evaluate safety and efficacy of JVS-100 delivered via retrograde infusion to patients with symptomatic heart failure. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

Stem Cell Agency Funds More Than $66 Million in Research Including New Genomics Initiative
A team bringing together experts and investigators from seven different major California institutions has been awarded $40 million to create a new Center of Excellence in Stem Cell Genomics, by California’s stem cell agency, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine]
Press Release

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NEW Associate/Full Professor – Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, Neural Tissue Engineering/Regenerative Medicine (Temple University)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Regenerative Biology (University of California San Francisco)

Research Fellow – Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cell Biology (DRK-Blutspendedienst Baden-Württemberg-Hessen gGmbH)

Postdoctoral Researcher Position – Role of Muscle Stem Cells in Tissue Regeneration after Radiation Injury (IRSN [French Nuclear Safety Institute])

Postdoctoral Position – Regenerative Medicine (Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS)

Postdoctoral Position – Cardiopulmonary Molecular Biology (Hannover Medical School)

Postdoctoral Position – Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (RUNMC)

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