IN VITRO Tumor Cell-Derived Exosomes Endow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells with Tumor-Promotion Capabilities Researchers report a critical role of tumor cell-derived exosomes in endowing bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) with a tumor-favourable phenotype. Tumor cell-derived exosomes affected neither the growth factor production nor the immunosuppressive property of MSCs. [Oncogene] Full Article Rapid and Efficient Stable Gene Transfer to Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Using a Modified Foamy Virus Vector Scientists described a self-inactivating foamy virus vector, incorporating the simian macaque foamy virus envelope and using physiological promoters, which efficiently transduced murine mesenchymal stromal cells in a single-round. [Mol Ther] Abstract | Full Article Oxysterols in Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Proliferation and Death Investigators described the short-term cytotoxic effects of cholestan-3α-5β-6α-triol, 3,5 cholestan-7-one,- cholestane-3,6-diol, 7-oxocholest-5-en-3β-yl acetate, and 5β-6β epoxy-cholesterol, on mesenchymal stem cells derived from human adipose tissue. [J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol] Abstract Overexpression of Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4α in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Suppresses Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development through Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway Downregulation Researchers investigated what effect mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (MSC-HNF4α) have on human hepatoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Conditioned medium collected from in vitro MSC-HNF4α cultures significantly inhibited hepatoma cell growth and metastasis compared with controls. [Cancer Biol Ther] Abstract Evidence Supporting a Paracrine Effect of IGF-1/VEGF on Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Commitment In order to deepen a possible paracrine effect of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on periosteum-derived progenitor cells and skin-derived MSCs, a Transwell coculture approach was used. The authors explored the genes involved in endothelial and osteoblastic differentiation, those modulating mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase-AKT signaling pathways as well as genes implicated in stemness. [Cells Tissues Organs] Full Article IN VIVO miR-211/STAT5A Signaling Modulates Migration of Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Improve Its Therapeutic Efficacy Researchers investigated a possible role for microRNA-211 (miR-211) in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) migration, and whether genetic manipulation of miR-211 in MSCs could be used to enhance its beneficial effects of cell transplantation. [Stem Cells] Abstract Chronic High Dose Alcohol Induces Osteopenia via Activation of mTOR Signaling in Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Scientists showed that high dose chronic alcohol consumption reduces osteogenic differentiation and enhances adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, leading to osteopenia in a mouse model. [Stem Cells] Abstract Activation of Wnt3a Signaling Promotes Myogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in mdx Mice Researchers report an effective mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation therapy in mdx mice by activation of Wnt3a signaling. MSCs were isolated from mouse bone marrow, and pretreated with Wnt3a-conditioned medium, then transplanted into mdx mice. [Acta Pharmacol Sin] Abstract Intra-Articular Injection of Platelet-Rich Fibrin Releasates in Combination with Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Articular Cartilage Defects: An In Vivo Study in Rabbits The therapeutic effects of platelet-rich fibrin releasate in combination with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells for articular cartilage regeneration were evaluated in a rabbit model. [J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater] Abstract |