Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 8.28 | Jul 19 2016

TOP STORY

Phase II Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Study of Efficacy and Safety of Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in the Prophylaxis of Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease after HLA-Haploidentical Stem-Cell Transplantation

In this multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, researchers investigated the incidence and severity of chronic graft-versus-host disease among patients, and the changes in T, B, and natural killer cells after the repeated infusion of mesenchymal stromal cells. [J Clin Oncol] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

Citrullination of Histone H3 Drives IL-6 Production by Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in MGUS and Multiple Myeloma

Investigators describe a mechanism by which increased expression of peptidyl arginine deiminase 2 by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and multiple myeloma directly alters malignant plasma cell phenotype. [Leukemia] Full Article | Press Release

Mesenchymal Tumors Can Derive from Ng2/Cspg4-Expressing Pericytes with β-Catenin Modulating the Neoplastic Phenotype

Using lineage tracing, scientists demonstrated that bone and soft tissue sarcomas driven by the deletion of the Trp53 tumor suppressor, or desmoid tumors driven by a mutation in Apc, can derive from cells expressing Ng2/Cspg4. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Tough and Cell-Compatible Chitosan Physical Hydrogels for Mouse Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Vitro

Researchers prepared a new type of chitosan physical hydrogel with various degrees of deacetylation via the heterogeneous deacetylation of nanoporous chitin hydrogels under mild conditions. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract

Exosomes from Human Colorectal Cancer Induce a Tumor-Like Behavior in Colonic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Colorectal cancer exosomes induce in colonic mesenchymal stromal cells: atypical morphology, higher proliferation, migration and invasion; formation of spheroids; an acidic extracellular environment associated with a plasma membrane redistribution of vacuolar H⁺-ATPase and increased expression of CEA. [Oncotarget] Full Article

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Donor Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Exhibit Comparable Potency to Healthy Controls In Vitro

No analysis has been reported that phenotypically and functionally characterizes mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) derived from newly diagnosed and late-stage type 1 diabetes mellitus donors in vitro with respect to their suitability for systemic immunotherapy. Investigators used gene array in combination with functional in vitro assays to address these questions. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

Design and Validation of a Consistent and Reproducible Manufacture Process for the Production of Clinical-Grade Bone Marrow-Derived Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Scientists describe the design of a bioprocess for bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells isolation and expansion, its validation and production of 48 consecutive batches for clinical use. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Adipose Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Minimize and Repair Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis

Researchers investigated the ability of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells to minimize and/or repair single dose radiation-induced oral mucositis. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Effect of Interleukin 1β on Stem Cell Differentiation

Scientists present the determination of whether interleukin-1β can induce the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells to cardiomyocytes. [Biol Chem] Abstract

IN VIVO

Combined Administration of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Overexpressing IGF-1 and HGF Enhances Neovascularization but Moderately Improves Cardiac Regeneration in a Porcine Model

Researchers evaluated the combination of cell- and gene-based therapy using mesenchymal stem cells genetically modified to overexpress insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) or hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) to treat acute myocardial infarction in a porcine model. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Nicotinamide Promotes Adipogenesis in Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Is Associated with Neonatal Adiposity: The Healthy Start BabyBUMP Project

Researchers tested three novel hypotheses: 1) nicotinamide (NAM) increases the adipogenic response of human umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells through a SIRT1 and PPARγ pathway; 2) lipid potentiates the NAM-enhanced adipogenic response; and 3) the adipogenic response to NAM is associated with increased percent fat mass among neonates. [PLoS One] Full Article

Platelet Lysate as a Substitute for Animal Serum for the Ex Vivo Expansion of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells: Present and Future

The authors concisely discuss aspects of platelet lysate (PL) as mesenchymal stem/stromal cell culture supplement as a preliminary step towards an agreed definition of the required characteristics of PL for the requirements of manufacturers and users. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

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

BioRestorative Therapies Announces Presentation at 3^rd Annual Regenerative Medicine Essentials Course

BioRestorative Therapies, Inc. announced that Ed Field will present, “Getting to Market: Interactive case studies with discussions on clinical trial plans, regulatory pathways and funding options,” which will include a case study on the development of the company’s therapy for the treatment of chronic lumbar disc disease. [Press release from BioRestorative Therapies, Inc. discussing research presented at 3^rd Annual Regenerative Medicine Essentials Course, Winston Salem] Press Release

BrainStorm Announces Positive Top Line Results from the U.S. Phase II Study of NurOwn^® in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. announced results from the recently completed U.S. randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II study of NurOwn^® in patients with ALS. [BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

Commence Bio Receives 1st Patent for MSC1: A New Cancer Immunotherapy Platform

Commence Bio, Inc. announced the issuance of a patent covering the company’s STaRT 41™ technology utilized for producing MSC1 cells. [Commence Bio, Inc.] Press Release

Drugs Watchdog Thwarting UK Progress in Stem Cell Therapy, Report Says

Britain’s hopes of leading the world in revolutionary therapies that regenerate damaged body parts are under threat because the NHS drugs watchdog cannot properly evaluate them, a report says. [The Guardian] Editorial | Report

Science’s Status Shifts in New Brexit Government

Three weeks after UK voters chose to leave the European Union, the country has a new prime minister, Theresa May — and a revamped administration that is poised to change science’s place in government. [Nature News] Editorial

Science under Siege: How Venezuela’s Economic Crisis Is Affecting Researchers

The political and economic crisis in Venezuela continues to worsen. As the price of oil — the country’s major export — has fallen, Venezuela has struggled to pay for imported goods while maintaining socialist economic policies put in place by former president Hugo Chávez. [Nature News] Editorial

First Greek Science Agency Is Rare Source of Joy for Beleaguered Researchers

A massive loan from the European Union’s investment bank gives Greek researchers their first ray of hope since the debt crisis hit six years ago: a government-backed plan to create a Greek research agency. [Nature News] Editorial

A Week of Political Bloodletting, but U.K. Science Minister Keeps His Job

For researchers worried about the future of science in the United Kingdom, the news was something to hold onto. Jo Johnson announced he will remain as science minister, despite a massive shakeup of the government cabinet. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW The 2^nd International Conference on Aging and Disease (ICAD 2016)
September 30-October 2, 2017
Stanford, United States

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

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

NEW Postdoctoral Positions – GLUT4 Trafficking in Adipose and Muscle Cells (ShanghaiTech University)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Energy Homeostasis in Skeletal Muscle, Adipose Tissue and Liver (The University of Tennessee Health Science Center)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Tumor Microenvironment in Sarcoma Progression (Universita’ di Bologna)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Stem Cell Pathways in Mesenchymal Tumors (University of Miami Health System)

Position on Mesenchymal Niche Signaling in Colon Cancer (Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy)

Cell Biologist – Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Biostage)

Postdoctoral Position – Bone and Stem Cell Research (University of Connecticut Health)

Professor – Cardiovascular Research (Monash University)

PhD Studentship – Vascular Tissue Engineering (Trinity College Dublin)

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