Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 8.11 | Mar 22 2016

Vav1 Regulates Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation Decision between Adipocyte and Chondrocyte via Sirt1
The authors investigated the molecular mechanism that controls mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) fate decisions for differentiation. They found that Vav1, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rho GTPase, was highly expressed in MSCs. [Stem Cells] Abstract

An EWS-FLI1-Induced Osteosarcoma Model Unveiled a Crucial Role of Impaired Osteogenic Differentiation on Osteosarcoma Development
Using the doxycycline-inducible EWS-FLI1 system, scientists established an EWS-FLI1-dependent osteosarcoma model from murine bone marrow stromal cells. They revealed that the withdrawal of EWS-FLI1 expression enhances the osteogenic differentiation of sarcoma cells, leading to mature bone formation. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Adipogenic Placenta-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Are Not Lineage Restricted by Withdrawing Extrinsic Factors: Developing a Novel Visual Angle in Stem Cell Biology
Scientists showed that after withdrawing extrinsic factors, adipogenic placental-derived mesenchymal stem cells reverted to a primitive cell population and retained stem cell characteristics. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Mast Cells Promote Proliferation and Migration and Inhibit Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells through PDGF
Mast cells (MCs) promote mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and migration by suppressing their myogenic differentiation. MCs accomplish this via activation of the platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) pathway, downregulation of miR-145/143, and modulation of the myocardin-Klf4 axis. [J Mol Cell Cardiol] Abstract

Analysis of Migration Rate and Chemotaxis of Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Response to LPS and LTA In Vitro
Researchers analyzed the migration rate and chemotaxis of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell in response to the basic cell-wall components lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Gram-negative bacteria and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) of Gram-positive bacteria in vitro. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

IN VIVO

Systemic Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Transplantation Prevents Functional Bone Loss in a Mouse Model of Age-Related Osteoporosis
Using minimally expanded exogenous mesenchymal stromal cells injected systemically into a mouse model of human age-related osteoporosis, scientists showed long-term engraftment and markedly increased bone formation. This led to improved bone quality and turnover and, importantly, sustained microarchitectural competence. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

Intra-Articular Injection of Synovial Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Cartilage Repair in a Mouse Injury Model
Researchers isolated a Sca-1 positive, chondrogenesis capable population of mouse synovial mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells from C57BL6 and MRL/MpJ “super-healer” strains. Intra-articular injection of Sca-1 + GFP + synovial cells from C57BL6 or MRL/MpJ into C57BL6 mice following cartilage injury led to increased cartilage repair by four weeks after injury. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Adenoviral Vector Encoding Soluble Flt-1 Engineered Human Endometrial Mesenchymal Stem Cells Effectively Regress Endometriotic Lesions in NOD/SCID Mice
Investigators studied the efficiency of Adsflt-1 engineered human eutopic mesenchymal stem cells secreting anti-angiogenic sFlt-1 as a targeted cell-based therapy for endometriosis. [Gene Ther] Abstract

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Capricor Awarded $3.4 Million Grant from California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Capricor Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has approved a grant award to Capricor for approximately $3.38 million to support the company’s Phase I/II HOPE-Duchenne clinical trial investigating CAP-1002, a cardiac cell therapy, in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy-associated cardiomyopathy. [Capricor Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Mechanoregulation of Fibrosis and Vascular Injury (St. Michael’s Hospital)

NEW Cell Culture Technician (California Institute of Technology)

NEW Postdoctoral Positions – Human Stem Cells and Heart Regenerative Medicine (University of Pittsburgh)

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

Postdoctoral Positions – Tissue Repair/Inflammation (Institut Pasteur)

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

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

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

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

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

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