Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 8.30 | Aug 2 2016

TOP STORY

Biodistribution and Clearance of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Quantitative Three-Dimensional Cryo-Imaging after Intravenous Infusion in a Rat Lung Injury Model

Investigators hypothesized that three-dimensional cryo-imaging could be used to measure cell biodistribution and clearance after intravenous infusion in a rat lung injury model compared with normal rats. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract | Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

Tetrandrine Identified in a Small Molecule Screen to Activate Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Enhanced Immunomodulation

The authors screened a library of 1402 FDA-approved bioactive compounds to prime mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). They identified tetrandrine as a potential hit that activates the secretion of prostaglandin E2, a potent immunosuppressive agent, by MSC. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Polypyrrole/Alginate Hybrid Hydrogels: Electrically Conductive and Soft Biomaterials for Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Culture and Potential Neural Tissue Engineering Applications

Conductive and soft polypyrrole/alginate (PPy/Alg) hydrogels are developed by chemically polymerizing PPy within ionically cross-linked alginate hydrogel networks. [Macromol Biosci] Abstract

Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Clinical Scale Culture: In Vitro Evaluation of Their Differentiation, Hematopoietic Support and Immunosuppressive Capacities

Researchers analyzed the morphology, immunophenotype, differentiation potential (adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic), hematopoietic support and immunosuppressive capacity of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells from short scale cultures and clinical scale cultures in a comparative manner. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Human Bone Marrow and Adipose Tissue Maintain Their Immunosuppressive Properties after Chondrogenic Differentiation: Role of HLA-G

Scientists employed the alginate/hyaluronic acid hydrogel scaffold and induced both bone marrow- and adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes in three-dimensional condition. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

A Reduction in CD90 (THY-1) Expression Results in Increased Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Investigators analyzed the role that CD90 plays in the characteristic properties of in vitro expanded human mesenchymal stromal cells. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

IN VIVO

Spontaneous In Vivo Chondrogenesis of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells by Blocking Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Signaling

Considering the avascular and hypoxic milieu of articular cartilage, scientists hypothesized that sole inhibition of angiogenesis can provide physiological cues to direct in vivo differentiation of uncommitted mesenchymal stromal/stem cells to stable cartilage formation. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

In Vivo Therapeutic Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles with Optical Imaging Reporter in Tumor Mice Model

Investigators developed bioluminescent extracellular vesicles using Renilla luciferase-expressing mesenchymal stem cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Combined Treatment, Based on Lysomustine Administration with Mesenchymal Stem Cells Expressing Cytosine Deaminase Therapy, Leads to Pronounced Murine Lewis Lung Carcinoma Growth Inhibition

Researchers estimated the efficacy of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells, expressing cytosine deaminase combined with lysomustine chemotherapy in mice bearing late stage Lewis lung carcinoma. [J Gene Med] Abstract

The Influence of Tissue Microenvironment on Stem Cell-Based Cartilage Repair

The authors focus on microenvironmental features of articular cartilage and how they influence stem cell-based cartilage tissue repair. Also discussed are current tissue-engineering strategies used in combination with cell-based therapies, all of which are designed to mimic the natural properties of cartilage tissue in order to achieve a better healing response. [Ann N Y Acad Sci] Abstract

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

Cynata Files Application to Commence Phase I Clinical Trial

Cynata Therapeutics Limited announced that it has filed a Clinical Trial Authorisation application for its lead Cymerus™ mesenchymal stem cell product, with the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. [Cynata Therapeutics Limited] Press Release

Regeneus Ltd European Patent to Grant on Stem Cell Secretions Technology for Acne

Regeneus Ltd announced that the European Patent Office has decided to grant a patent covering the use of the company’s stem cell secretions technology for the topical treatment of acne. [Regeneus Ltd (ABN Newswire)] Press Release

Scientists Seek Influence on ‘Brexit Ministry’

Worried at the prospect of losing access to EU funding and collaborations, scientific societies have fired off numerous letters asking the government to keep their country in the EU’s research system, and warning of damage already caused by Brexit. [Nature News] Editorial

Brain Implants and Gene-Editing Enhancements Worry US Public

Most people in the United States are more worried than enthusiastic about the prospect of scientific advances such as gene editing and brain-chip implants, a survey of thousands suggests. [Nature News] Editorial | Poll

Major Review Calls Time on ‘Gaming’ in UK Research Assessment

The United Kingdom’s mammoth periodic audit of its research is set for a shake-up that could change the way universities hire academics – and might also encourage scientists to spend more time on public engagement. [Nature News] Editorial

Antibiotics Funding Splurge Gets Mixed Reception

Antibiotics researchers are set to receive hundreds of millions of dollars from a new funding stream — but not everyone thinks the cash is being directed to the right place. [Nature News] Editorial

Young Blood Antiaging Trial Raises Questions

A startup company has launched the first clinical trial in the United States to test the antiaging benefits of young blood in relatively healthy people. But there’s a big caveat: It’s a pay-to-participate trial, a type that has raised ethical concerns before, most recently in the stem cell field. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Dispute over President’s Age Tears Pasteur Institute Apart

Is 65 too old to stay at the helm of a major research center? That question is sowing division at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, Science has learned, and has plunged the 128-year-old institute, home to 1200 scientists and the place where HIV was first isolated, into a leadership crisis. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

U.S. Mental Health Institute Puts Champion of Basic Science at the Helm

Up to now, Joshua Gordon has split his career between working with patients with mental illness and mice designed to mimic that illness. But this fall, the neuroscientist and psychiatrist will take control of the $1.5 billion U.S. National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland. [ScienceInsider] Editorial | Press Release

Pan-European Pension Fund for Scientists Leaves the Station

A pan-European pension fund for researchers, called RESAVER, was set up by a consortium of employers to stimulate researcher mobility. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Advances in Cell Engineering, Imaging, and Screenings
November 17-18, 2016
Leuven, Belgium

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

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Cardiovascular and Obesity Research (Baylor College of Medicine)

NEW Assistant or Associate Member – Stem CellGene Therapy (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

PhD Position – Ultrasound Stimulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Tissue Repair and Regeneration (University of Birmingham)

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

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

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

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

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

Cell Biologist – Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Biostage)

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

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Mesenchymal Cell News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.