Chromatin Changes at the PPAR-γ2 Promoter during Bone Marrow-Derived Multipotent Stromal Cell Culture Correlate with Loss of Gene Activation Potential Researchers used chromatin immunoprecipitation to compare post-translationally modified histones at a subset of gene promoters associated with developmental and environmental plasticity in bone marrow-derived multipotent stromal cells from multiple donors following culture expansion. [Stem Cells] Abstract Potential of VEGF-Encapsulated Electrospun Nanofibers for In Vitro Cardiomyogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Researchers investigated the potential of human mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into cardiomyogenic cell lineages, using 5-azacytidine on electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone)-gelatin nanofibrous scaffolds. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract Oxidation of the Aromatic Amino Acids Tryptophan and Tyrosine Disrupts Their Anabolic Effects on Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Using mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, scientists examined the effects of the oxidized amino acids di-tyrosine and kynurenine on proliferation, differentiation and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. [Mol Cell Endocrinol] Abstract Comparison between Xenogeneic and Allogeneic Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Acute Cerebral Infarct: Proof of Concept in Rats Investigators analyzed whether xenogeneic human adipose tissue-derived-mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) were as safe and effective as allogeneic rat AD-MSCs in permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. [J Transl Med] Abstract | Full Article Lysophosphatidic Acid Rescues Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Apoptosis Researchers demonstrate that lysophosphatidic acid protects bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells against hypoxia and serum deprivation-induced apoptosis. [Apoptosis] Abstract Impact of the Uremic Milieu on the Osteogenic Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells To study the effects of the uremic milieu on osteogenic properties, researchers applied an in vitro assay culturing human mesenchymal stem cells in osteogenic medium supplemented with serum from healthy donors and from uremic patients on hemodialysis. [PLoS One] Full Article Oncostatin M Regulates Osteogenic Differentiation of Murine Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells through a PKCdelta-Dependent Mechanism Using uncommitted murine adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal progenitors, scientists examined mechanisms of oncostatin M-induced osteogenesis. [Cell Tissue Res] Abstract Cell Fusion between Gastric Epithelial Cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells Results in Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Malignant Transformation Scientists investigated the effect of cell fusion between mesenchymal stem cells and the gastric epithelial cells in tumorigenesis. Cell fusion between cord blood mesenchymal stem cells and human gastric epithelial cells was performed in vitro. [BMC Cancer] Abstract | Full Article Donor Age and Cell Passage Affect Osteogenic Ability of Rat Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Researchers cultured bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) isolated from rats of various ages and evaluated their morphology, activity, and differentiation potential. Cultured BMSCs formed monolayer of fibroblast-like cells and maintained their characteristic morphology for seven to ten generations. [Cell Biochem Biophys] Abstract |