Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 8.09 | Mar 8 2016

Urine of Preterm Neonates as a Novel Source of Kidney Progenitor Cells
Neonatal stem/progenitor cells expressed markers of nephron progenitors but also, stromal progenitors, with many single cells coexpressing these markers. Furthermore, these cells presented mesenchymal stem cell features and protected cocultured tubule cells from cisplatin-induced apoptosis. [J Am Soc Nephrol]
Abstract | Press Release

MiR-708 Promotes Steroid-Induced Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head, Suppresses Osteogenic Differentiation by Targeting SMAD3
Researchers investigated the differential expression of miRs in the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) of patients with osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH), and aimed to explain the relationship between glucocorticoid use and the development of MSC dysfunction in ONFH. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Characterization of Notch Signaling During Osteogenic Differentiation in Human Osteosarcoma Cell Line MG63
Scientists investigated, in vitro, the involvement of Notch pathway during all the developmental stages of osteogenic differentiation in human osteosarcoma cell line MG63. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

Loss-of-Function of HtrA1 Abrogates All-Trans Retinoic Acid-Induced Osteogenic Differentiation of Mouse Adipose-Derived Stromal Cells through Deficiencies in p70S6K Activation
Investigators assessed the influence of small interfering RNA-induced repression of high temperature requirement protease A1 (HtrA1) production on mouse adipose-derived stromal cell osteogenesis and examined its effects on all-trans retinoic acid-mediated mammalian target of rapamycin signaling. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

In Vitro Osteogenic Induction of Human Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells by PCL Fibrous Scaffolds Containing Dexamethazone-Loaded Chitosan Microspheres
Researchers report the encapsulation of dexamethasone within the chitosan microspheres embedded in a fibrous structure of poly ɛ-caprolactone (PCL) to provide a platform for osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Comparative Study of Equine Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Healthy and Injured Synovial Tissues: An In Vitro Assessment
Investigators evaluated phenotypic characteristics and differentiation potential of equine mesenchymal stem cells from synovial fluid and synovial membrane of healthy joints, joints with osteoarthritis and joints with osteochondritis dissecans to determine the most suitable synovial source for an allogeneic therapy cell bank. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

TLR4 Activation Promotes Bone Marrow MSC Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation via Wnt3a and Wnt5a Signaling
Researchers found that activated TLR4 by its ligand LPS promoted the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro. TLR4 activation by LPS also increased cytokine IL-6 and IL-1β production in MSCs. [PLoS One] Full Article

IN VIVO

A Novel Therapeutic Approach Using Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Protect against Mycobacterium abscessus
Scientists demonstrated the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a novel therapeutic strategy against M. abscessus, which is the most drug-resistant and difficult-to-treat mycobacterial pathogen. The systemic intravenous injection of MSCs not only improved mouse survival but also enhanced bacterial clearance in the lungs and spleen. [Stem Cells] Abstract

In Vivo Immunomodulatory Effects of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Conditioned Medium in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
The authors conducted a comparative analysis of the immunomodulatory properties of adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells and their conditioned media, derived from C57/BL6 mice, for mitigating the adverse clinical course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. [Immunol Lett] Abstract

Immunomodulatory Functions of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Possible Mechanisms
The authors review the studies on the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory functions of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and the mechanisms responsible for the interaction between immune cells and MSCs, which could improve the development of promising approaches for cell-mediated immune therapies. [Histol Histopathol] Abstract

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

ReNeuron Gears Up to Move into Welsh Government’s New Facility
ReNeuron is gearing up to move its entire operations to the Welsh Government’s new Advanced Therapies Medicinal Products facility at Pencoed. [Welsh Government] Press Release

$20 Million Gift Will Help Make Research Institute a Reality
An anonymous racehorse breeder has donated $20 million to Colorado State University to build a state-of-the-art regenerative medicine research facility, fulfilling a $65 million matching challenge from lead donors and fellow horse aficionados John and Leslie Malone. In December 2014, the Malones pledged a record-breaking $42.5 million for the planned facility, prompted by their interest in stem-cell therapy and its effectiveness in treating equine joint problems. [Colorado State University] Press Release

From our sponsor: Learn about applications of ALDHbr cells in regenerative medicine. Watch the video.

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

Research Technologist – Mesenchymal Stem Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Contract Research Position – Mesenchymal Stem Cells (NUI Galway)

Two Early Stage Researchers/PhD Fellowships – Tendon Therapy (NUI Galway)

Postdoctoral Position – Mesenchymal-to-Neural Transition (University of Tromsø)

Postdoctoral Position – Organogenesis and Mesenchymal Stem Cells (University of Southern California)

Research Fellow – Craniofacial Mesenchymal Progenitor Cell Behavior (University of Michigan School of Dentistry)

Non-Tenure Track Assistant/Associate Professor – Regenerative Medicine (The University of Hong Kong – Karolinska Institutet Collaboration in Regenerative Medicine)

Assistant Professor – Regenerative Medicine (Ming Wai Lau Center for Regenerative Medicine)

Independent Group Leaders – Regenerative Medicine (Center of Regenerative Medicine in Barcelona)

Research Assistant – Cancer Research (NUI Galway)

Project Scientist – Pulmonary Research (Cedars Sinai Medical Center)

Tenure-Track Faculty Positions – Assistant/Associate/Full Professor (Nanyang Technological University)

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