Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Prevent Allostimulation In Vivo and Control Checkpoints of Th1 Priming: Migration of Human DC to Lymph Nodes and NK Cell Activation Researchers investigated the impact of mesenchymal stromal cells on the functionality of human myeloid dendritic cells and the consequences for natural killer (NK) cell and Type 1 helper (Th1) priming in vitro and in vivo. [Stem Cells] Abstract A Comparative Study of the Therapeutic Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Limbal Epithelial Stem Cells for Ocular Surface Reconstruction Investigators prepared mesenchymal stromal/stem cells from bone marrow or adipose tissue as well as limbal epithelial stem cells, and their growth, differentiation, and secretory properties were compared. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract Modulation of Chondrogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Jellyfish Collagen Scaffolds by Cell Density and Culture Medium Researchers applied porous scaffolds made of collagen from the jellyfish Rhopilema esculentum for the in vitro chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). They systematically investigated the influence of seeding density, basic culture media with varying glucose content and supplementation with fetal calf serum or bovine serum albumin on the chondrogenic differentiation of hMSCs. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract Direct Cell-Cell Contact with Chondrocytes Is a Key Mechanism in Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Mediated Chondrogenesis Scientists investigated whether direct or indirect cell-cell contact between articular chondrocytes and mesenchymal stromal cells is essential for increased cartilage production in different cellular environments and elucidated the mechanisms behind these cellular interactions. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract Cultured Human Adipose Tissue Pericytes and Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Display a Very Similar Gene Expression Profile Both mesenchymal stromal cells and cultured pericytes were able to differentiate along mesenchymal pathways in vitro, displayed an essentially identical surface immunophenotype, and exhibited the ability to suppress CD3+ lymphocyte proliferation in vitro. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract Different Procoagulant Activity of Therapeutic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Derived from Bone Marrow and Placental Decidua The authors present a first safety follow-up on clinical experience with placenta-derived decidual stromal cells (DSCs), used as supportive immunomodulatory and regenerative therapy for patients with severe complications after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. They found that DSCs are smaller, almost half the volume of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells, which may favor microvascular passage. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract Pre-Stimulation with FGF-2 Increases In Vitro Functional Coupling of Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Cardiac Cells The authors investigated how the pre-treatment with growth factors modulates mesenchymal stem cell ability to integrate into the host tissue after transplantation, with particular focus on the expression of Cx43 and its cellular distribution. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract Expression of Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Mediates the Senescence of Mesenchymal Stem Cells through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway Scientists found that senescence was associated with human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression, and telomere length and telomerase activity. They established a short interfering RNA targeting hTERT and a gene expression vector carrying hTERT and transfected these into the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to investigate the detailed role and the underlying molecular mechanisms of action of hTERT in MSCs. [Int J Mol Med] Abstract |