Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 7.12 | Mar 31 2015

Inducible VEGF Expression by Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Reduces the Minimal Islet Mass Required to Reverse Diabetes
Researchers hypothesized that co-transplantation of islets with human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stromal cells that conditionally overexpress VEGF may augment islet revascularization and reduce the minimal islet mass required to reverse diabetes in mice. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Characterization of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Aplastic Anemia
Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) involvement in the functional restriction of hemopoietic stem cells in aplastic anemia (AA) is largely unknown and therefore, the physical and functional properties of AA MSCs were studied in vitro. MSCs were characterized by their phenotype and ability to form adherent stromal layers. [Br J Haematol] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Like Cells Set the Balance of Stimulatory and Inhibitory Signals in Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells
Previous studies revealed that mesenchymal stem/stromal cell-like (MSCl) cells derived from pluripotent human embryonic stem cells resemble bone marrow-derived MSCs in morphology, phenotype and differentiating potential. Scientists investigated the effects of MSCl cells on the phenotype and functions of dendritic cells. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

VEGF Enhances the Migration of MSCs in Neural Differentiation by Regulating Focal Adhesion Turnover
Scientists investigated the regulatory roles for focal adhesion kinase and Rac1 in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-stimulated migration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in neural differentiation. They found that MSCs in various differentiation states show significant different chemotactic responses to VEGF and cells in 24-hour preinduction state possess the highest migration speed and efficiency. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

Co-Transplantation of Autologous MSCs Delays Islet Allograft Rejection and Generates a Local Immunoprivileged Site
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were generated in vitro from C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice bone marrow, and their immunomodulatory properties were tested in vitro. Researchers then tested the effect of a local or systemic administration of heterologous and autologous MSCs on graft survival in a fully allogeneic model of islet transplantation. [Acta Diabetol] Abstract

Human Amnion-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Severe Colitis in Rats
Scientists investigated the therapeutic effect of human amnion-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) in rats with severe colitis. The effect of AMSCs on the inflammatory signals was investigated in vitro. [Cell Transplant] Full Article

Enhanced Hepatogenic Transdifferentiation of Human Adipose Tissue Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Gene Engineering with Oct4 and Sox2
Researchers generated Oct4– and Sox2-overexpressing human adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells (ATMSCs) by liposomal transfection. They showed that albumin was strongly expressed in hepatogenic differentiated Oct4/Sox2-ATMSCs, whereas the expression level of α-fetoprotein was lower than that of red-fluorescent protein-ATMSCs. [PLoS One] Full Article

Human Pericytes Isolated from Adipose Tissue Have Better Differentiation Abilities than Their Mesenchymal Stem Cell Counterparts
Researchers performed a detailed analysis of the mesodermal potential of isogenic human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and pericytes (PCs) isolated from white adipose tissue. Although both cell populations expressed known mesodermal markers at similar levels and displayed a comparable growth rate, PCs differentiated towards osteocytes, adipocytes and myocytes more efficiently than their MSC counterparts. [Cell Tissue Res] Abstract

Long-Term Expandable SOX9⁺ Chondrogenic Ectomesenchymal Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Scientists report the successful generation and long-term expansion of SOX9-expressing
CD271⁺PDGFRα⁺CD73⁺ chondrogenic ectomesenchymal cells from the PAX3/SOX10/FOXD3-expressing MIXL1⁻CD271^hiPDGFRα^loCD73⁻ neural crest-like progeny of human pluripotent stem cells in a chemically defined medium supplemented with Nodal/Activin/transforming growth factorβ inhibitor and fibroblast growth factor. [Stem Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells in Liver Fibrosis: Recent Findings, Old/New Caveats and Future Perspectives
Current knowledge regarding mechanisms involved in liver cirrhosis amelioration mediated by naïve and genetically modified mesenchymal stem/stromal cells as well as the effects of applying preconditioning and combined strategies to improve their therapeutic effects are evaluated. [Stem Cell Rev] Abstract

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Stem Cells May Significantly Improve Tendon Healing, Reduce Retear Risk in Rotator Cuff Surgery
An injection of a patient’s bone marrow stem cells during rotator cuff surgery significantly improved healing and tendon durability. Each year in the U.S., more than 2 million people have rotator cuff surgery to re-attach their shoulder tendon to the head of the humerus. [Press release from American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) discussing research presented at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the AAOS, Las Vegas] Press Release

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Accellta Grants Exclusive Rights for Micro-Carrier Free Stem Cells Suspension Culture to STEMCELL Technologies
The stem cell company Accellta announced that it has granted exclusive worldwide rights to STEMCELL Technologies Inc. for manufacturing and distribution of medium for culturing pluripotent stem cells in suspension under feeder-free, non-adherent conditions. [Accellta Ltd.] Press Release

Stryker Spine and Stryker Trauma and Extremities to Launch Next Generation Viable Bone Matrix at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Stryker Corporation’s Spine and Trauma & Extremities Divisions will be launching BIO4™ during the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting in Las Vegas. BIO4™ is a viable bone matrix containing endogenous bone forming cells including mesenchymal stem cells, osteoprogenitor cells, osteoblasts, osteoinductive and angiogenic growth factors. [Stryker Corporation (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Cardiopulmonary Molecular Biology (Hannover Medical School)

Research Associate: Mesenchymal (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

Cell Culture Specialist – Mesenchymal Stem Cell and Neural Stem Cell Cultures (Tisch MS Research Center of New York)

Manufacturing Manager – Cell Therapy (Opexa Therapeutics)

Postdoctoral Fellow/Research Associate – Leukemia, Stem Cells and Development (Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute)

PhD Positions – Cartilage Regeneration in Joints and Intervertebral Disc Diseases (University Medical Center Utrecht)

Instructor – Regulation of Stem Cell Differentiation in Vascular Disease (The University of Alabama at Birmingham)

Postdoctoral Position – Morphogenetic Signaling Pathways in Development and Disease (University of Rochester Medical Center)

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