Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 8.15 | Apr 19 2016

EMILIN-1 and ILK Are Novel Markers of Islet Regenerative Function in Human Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Investigators identified markers of cultured human mesenchymal stromal cells directly associated with islet regenerative function. Stromal cultures from nine separate bone marrow donors were demonstrated to have differing capacities to reduce hyperglycemia in the NOD/SCID streptozotocin-induced diabetic model. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Frequent Mechanical Stress Suppresses Proliferation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Bone Marrow without Loss of Multipotency
To simulate the dynamic structures of extracellular environments of the marrow in vivo, scientists designed a novel surrogate substrate for marrow derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) based on physically cross-linked hydrogels whose elasticity can be adopted dynamically by chemical stimuli. Under frequent mechanical stress, hMSCs grown on our hydrogel substrates maintain the expression of STRO-1 over 20 days, irrespective of the substrate elasticity. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Cardiac Mesenchymal Progenitors Differentiate into Adipocytes via Klf4 and c-Myc
Researchers showed that in the heart, the transduction of cardiac mesenchymal progenitors with Klf4 and c‑Myc was sufficient to drive the differentiation of these cells into adipocytes without the use of adipogenic stimulation cocktail, that is, insulin, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine and dexamethasone. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Gene Delivery of TGF-β3 and BMP2 in a MSC Laden Alginate Hydrogel for Articular Cartilage and Endochondral Bone Tissue Engineering
Researchers developed gene-activated alginate hydrogels capable of supporting nanohydroxyapatite-mediated non-viral gene transfer to control the phenotype of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for either cartilage or endochondral bone tissue engineering. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

BMP2 Induces Chondrogenic Differentiation, Osteogenic Differentiation and Endochondral Ossification in Stem Cells
Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) was identified as a regulator of chondrogenic differentiation, osteogenic differentiation and endochondral bone formation within the same system. BMP2 was used to regulate chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation in stem cells within the same culture system in vitro and in vivo. [Cell Tissue Res] Abstract

17β-Estradiol Differently Affects Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells from Adipose Tissue and Bone Marrow
The authors studied the effects of 10 and 100 nM 17 β-estradiol (E2) on adipose-derived and bone marrow stem/stromal cell (ASC and BMSC) vitality, proliferation and differentiation towards osteogenic and adipogenic lineages. E2 did not modulate ASC and BMSC vitality and growth rate, while the hormone produced a pro-adipogenic effect on both mesenchymal stem/stromal cells. [Differentiation] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Support the Viability and Differentiation of Thymocytes through Direct Contact in Autologous Co-Cultures
In autologous co-cultures of rat mesenchymal stromal cells and thymocytes, the stromal cells preserved the viability of cultured thymocytes and stimulated the development of CD4⁻CD8⁻ double-negative and the maturation of mainly CD4⁺ single-positive thymocytes. [Histochem Cell Biol] Abstract

Orai1 Mediates Osteogenic Differentiation via BMP Signaling Pathway in Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Scientists report that Orai1 mediates osteogenic differentiation via bone morphogenic protein (BMP) signaling pathway in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). In osteogenic conditions, BMSCs derived from wild-type mice underwent osteoblastic differentiation and induced mineralization as demonstrated by increased alkaline phosphatase activity and alizarin red S staining, respectively. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

IN VIVO

Combined Therapy with Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Ciprofloxacin against Acute Urogenital Organ Damage in Rat Sepsis Syndrome Induced by Intrapelvic Injection of Cecal Bacteria
The authors hypothesized that combined treatment with autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell and ciprofloxacin is superior to ciprofloxacin only in reducing sepsis-induced urogenital organ damage and mortality in rat sepsis syndrome caused by intrapelvic injection of cecal bacteria. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

Preconditioning Mesenchymal Stem Cells with the Mood Stabilizers Lithium and Valproic Acid Enhances Therapeutic Efficacy in a Mouse Model of Huntington’s Disease
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were treated in the presence or absence of combined lithium and valproic acid, and were then delivered by brain-targeted single intranasal administration to eight-week old Huntington’s disease (HD) mice. Open-field test revealed that ambulatory distance and mean velocity were significantly improved in HD mice that received preconditioned MSCs, compared to HD vehicle-control and HD mice transplanted with non-preconditioned MSCs. [Exp Neurol] Abstract

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Pluristem Continues to Strengthen its Position in Japan – Granted Two Key Cell Therapy Patents
Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. announced that the Japan Patent Office has granted the company two key patents addressing: 1) Pluristem’s core technology of three-dimensional expansion methods for producing therapeutic cell products derived from placental or fat cells; 2) the use of placenta-derived cells grown with this 3D technology to treat disorders of the hematopoietic system. [Pluristem Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

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

Engineering Project Lead (Cytonome)

Postdoctoral Training Fellow – Molecular and Stem Cell Biology (The Francis Crick Institute)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Stem Cell Biology and Cell Differentiation (University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Epigenetic Regulation of Cell Fate, Cancer and Metabolism (University Medical Center Freiburg)

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

Cell Culture Technician (California Institute of Technology)

Postdoctoral Positions – Tissue Repair/Inflammation (Institut Pasteur)

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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