Recombinant Human Type II Collagen Hydrogel Provides a Xeno-Free 3D Micro-Environment for Chondrogenesis of Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Recombinant human type II collagen hydrogel was tested as a xeno-free micro-environment for the chondrogenesis of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Hepatocytes Express TIMP-4 and Follistatin The mechanism by which human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) differentiate into hepatocytes is still unclear. Researchers aimed to establish the specific characteristics of hBMSC-derived hepatocytes for future clinical applications [Liver Int] Abstract Pre-Exposure of Human Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Soluble Factors Enhances Their Homing to Brain Cancer Researchers report a reproducible, comprehensive, cell culture-based approach to enhance human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells’ engraftment to brain tumors. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract Prolonged Exposure to Hypoxic Milieu Improves the Osteogenic Potential of Adipose Derived Stem Cells Scientists investigated whether prolonged exposure to hypoxia affects the osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract PTEN/Akt-p27kip1 Signaling Promote the BM-MSCs Senescence and Apoptosis in SLE Patients Researchers aimed to determine the molecular mechanism of senescent bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. They found that the expression of protein 27 kinase inhibition protein 1 (p27kip1) increased significantly, which was regulated by phosphatase and tensin homology deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling in SLE BM-MSCs. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract Photo-Crosslinkable Biopolymers Targeting Stem Cell Adhesion and Proliferation: The Case Study of Gelatin and Starch-Based IPNs The authors focused on the development of biomaterials that support the adhesion and the proliferation of adipose-tissue derived stem cells. An in vitro cellular assay revealed that the hydrogels developed are biocompatible and supported cell adhesion of adipose-tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells. [J Mater Sci Mater Med] Abstract CXCL13 Promotes the Effect of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) on Tendon-Bone Healing in Rats and in C3HIOT1/2 Cells MSCs significantly elevated the levels of ultimate load to failure, stiffness and stress in specimens of rats, the effects of which were enhanced by CXC chemokine ligand-13 (CXCL13). The expression of miR-23a was down-regulated and the protein of ERK1/2 level was up-regulated by CXCL13 treatment in both in vivo and in vitro experiments. [Int J Mol Sci] Abstract | Download Full Article Double Labeling of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Gd-DTPA and PKH26 and the Influence on Biological Characteristics of hUCMSCs Scientists aimed to determine whether double labeling of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) with gadolinium-diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-DTPA) and PKH26 influences their biological characteristics. [Int J Exp Pathol] Abstract |