Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 6.43 | Nov 18 2014

Coordinate Expansion of Murine Hematopoietic and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Compartments by SHIPi
Researchers show that treatment of mice with aminosteroid inhibitors of SHIP1 (SHIPi) more than doubles the size of the adult mesenchymal stem cell compartment while simultaneously expanding the hematopoietic stem cell pool six-fold. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Correct Inappropriate Epithelial-Mesenchyme Relation in Pulmonary Fibrosis Using Stanniocalcin-1
Researchers show that mesenchymal stem cells can correct the inadequate-communication between epithelial and mesenchymal cells through stanniocalcin-1 secretion in a bleomycin-induced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis model. [Mol Ther] Abstract

Combination Therapy of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Serelaxin Effectively Attenuates Renal Fibrosis in Obstructive Nephropathy
Scientists tested the novel combination of mesenchymal stem cells with the antifibrotic serelaxin to repair and protect the kidney seven days post-unilateral ureteral obstruction, when fibrosis is established. [FASEB J] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Ligand Incorporation in Biomimetic Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Hydrogels Significantly Improve Insulin Secretion from Pancreatic Islets
Rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were encapsulated within synthetic poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel, and cell viability and apoptosis within this 3D environment was examined in detail. ATP content and caspase-3 activity of encapsulated MSCs showed that fibronectin-derived RGDS, laminin-derived IKVAV and/or insulinotropic glucagon-like peptide were required to maintain MSC survival. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Support Neuronal Fiber Growth in an Organotypic Brain Slice Co-Culture Model
The impact of different isolation procedures on the functional and regenerative characteristics of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) populations has not been studied thoroughly. To quantify these differences, scientists directly compared classically isolated bulk bone marrow-derived MSCs to the subpopulation Sca-1⁺Lin^–CD45^–-derived MSCs, isolated by FACS from bulk bone marrow-derived-cell suspensions. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

The Dose-Effect Relationship between the Seeding Quantity of Human Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells and In Vivo Tissue Engineered Bone Yield
Researchers report a dose-effect relationship of the quantity of seeded cell with in vivo bone yield, and the required quantity of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells for the effective, stable bone formation of tissue engineered bone. [Cell Transplant] Full Article

Identification of Regulatory Factors for Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Salivary Epithelial Cells in a Co-Culture System
Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were co-cultured with primary salivary epithelial cells from C57BL/6 mice. Co-cultured bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells clearly resembled salivary epithelial cells, as confirmed by strong expression of salivary gland epithelial cell-specific markers, such as alpha-amylase, muscarinic type 3 receptor, aquaporin-5, and cytokeratin 19. [PLoS One] Full Article

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Metastasis in Gastric Cancer through Paracrine Cues and Close Physical Contact
Cancer cells acquired an “activated” carcinoma-associated fibroblasts phenotype after being in close contact with mesenchymal stem cells and enhancing tumor metastasis and growth in vivo. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

Pim-1 Kinase Cooperates with Serum Signals Supporting Mesenchymal Stem Cell Propagation
Using genetically modified ovine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that constitutively overexpressed Pim-1, researchers evaluated the impact of elevated Pim-1 activity on the proliferation, survival, and differentiation of MSCs in culture. [Cells Tissues Organs] Abstract

Constitution of Fibrin-Based Niche for In Vitro Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Keratinocytes
Researchers hypothesized that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells may be directed to epidermal lineage in vitro on a specifically designed biomimetic and biodegradable niche. Cells were seeded on the test niche constituted with fibrin, fibronectin, gelatin, hyaluronic acid, laminin V, platelet growth factor, and epidermal growth factor in the presence of cell-specific differentiation medium. [Biores Open Access] Full Article

Mesoangioblast and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Muscular Dystrophy: Progress, Challenges, and Future Directions
The author summarizes recent results, compares the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells and mesoangioblasts derived from different tissues in restoration of protein expression and/or improvement in muscle function, and discusses future directions for translating these discoveries to the clinic. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

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

TissueGene Receives Recommendations from FDA on Pathway to Phase III Trial of TG-C for Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee
TissueGene, Inc. has received recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to submit its Phase III protocol for review under the Special Protocol Assessment. [TissueGene, Inc.] Press Release

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Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the mesenchymal cell community.

NEW Animal Surgery – Regenerative Medicine for Cardiac and Skeletal Muscle Disease (Duke University)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Physiology and Pharmacology of Human Skeletal Muscle Microtissues (Duke University)

Postdoctoral Position – Therapeutic Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (IRSN – French Nuclear Safety Institute)

Assistant/Associate Research Scientist – Bone Healing and Metabolism (New York University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Collaborative Training Program in Musculoskeletal Health Research (Western University)

Quality Improvement Coordinator – Regenerative Medicine (The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston)

Research Associate Position – Skeletal Research Center (Case Western Reserve University)

PhD Studentship – Biophysics and Mechanics of Stem Cells (Queen Mary University of London)

Scientist – Myogenic Progenitor Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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