Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 8.35 | Sep 6 2016

TOP STORY

Self-Assembled 3D Spheroids and Hollow-Fibre Bioreactors Improve MSC-Derived Hepatocyte-Like Cell Maturation In Vitro

The first stage of hepatic differentiation of human neonatal mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) was performed in 2D monolayer cultures for 17 days. The second stage was performed by either maintaining cells in 2D cultures for an extra 10 days, as control, or alternatively cultured in 3D as self-assembled spheroids or in multicompartment membrane bioreactor system. [Arch Toxicol] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 Promotes Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Survival and Resultant Bone Formation When Entrapped in Photocrosslinked Alginate Hydrogels

It is hypothesized that the delivery of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) from a photocrosslinked alginate hydrogel (PAH) increases cell persistence by reducing apoptosis, while promoting osteogenic differentiation and enhancing bone formation compared to MSCs in PAHs without BMP-2. BMP-2 significantly decreased apoptosis and enhanced survival of photoencapsulated MSCs, while simultaneously promoting osteogenic differentiation in vitro. [Adv Healthc Mater] Abstract

Role of IGF1R⁺ MSCs in Modulating Neuroplasticity via CXCR4 Cross-Interaction

To guide the use of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) toward clinical applications, identifying pluripotent-like-markers for selecting MSCs that retain potent self-renewal-ability should be addressed. Researchers found that an insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor–expressing sub-population in human dental pulp MSCs, displayed multipotent properties. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Activation of β-Adrenergic Receptors Is Required for Elevated α1A-Adrenoreceptors Expression and Signaling in Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Researchers examined the mechanisms of regulation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) responsiveness to noradrenaline. Using flow cytometry, they demonstrated that α1A adrenergic receptors isoform was the most abundant in adipose tissue-derived MSCs. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Chemotherapy-Induced Dkk-1 Expression by Primary Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Is p53 Dependent

After evaluating a panel of Wnt activating and inhibiting molecules, scientists showed that primary human mesenchymal stem cells increase the expression of Dkk-1, an inhibitor of Wnt signaling, into the extracellular environment following chemotherapy exposure in a p53-dependent manner. [Med Oncol] Abstract

IN VIVO

Comparative Study of Allogenic and Xenogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Sprague-Dawley Rats

The paracrine and regenerative activities of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may vary with different stem cell sources. The authors compared the effects of MSCs from different sources on acute kidney injury induced by cisplatin and their influence on renal regeneration. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Overexpression of Gremlin 1 in Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Hindlimb Ischemia in Mice by Enhancing Cell Survival

Scientists assessed the putative beneficial effects of gremlin1 (GREM1) on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-based therapy for hindlimb ischemia. The lentiviral vector, EF1a-GREM1, was constructed using the Multisite Gateway System and used to transduce MSCs. In vitro studies demonstrated increased survival of GREM1-MSCs exposed to H₂O₂, which is consistent with the activation of caspase-3. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

Intra-Discal Injection of Autologous, Hypoxic Cultured Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Five Patients with Chronic Lower Back Pain: A Long-Term Safety and Feasibility Study

Five patients diagnosed with degenerative disc disease received an intra-discal injection of autologous, hypoxic cultured, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells as part of a previous study. These patients were re-consented to participate in this study in order to assess long-term safety and feasibility of intra-discal injection of autologous, hypoxic cultured, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells four to six years post mesenchymal stem cell infusion. [J Transl Med] Full Article

Effective Tracking of Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Vivo by Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using Melanin-Based Gadolinium³⁺ Nanoparticles

Tracking transplanted stem cells is necessary to clarify cellular properties and improve transplantation success. Researchers designed and synthesized melanin-based gadolinium³⁺ (Gd³⁺)-chelate nanoparticles of approximately 7 nm for stem cell tracking in vivo. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Contributory Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Not Conditioned Media, On Ovalbumin-Induced Asthmatic Changes in Male Rats

Investigators aimed in selecting an appropriate cell fraction and conditioned media (CM) to achieve the suitable candidate for ameliorating long-term chronic asthmatic changes of respiratory tract. Thirty-six rats were classified into healthy and sensitized groups, which were further divided into three subgroups; rats received systemically 50 μl volume of PBS, CM, or 2 × 10⁶ rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. [Inflammation] Abstract

Mechanisms of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cell Function

Focusing on three mechanisms, the authors discuss mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC)-mediated effects on immune cell responses, cell survival, and fibrosis and review recent progress with MSC-based or MSC-derived therapeutics. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

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

FDA Accepts Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma’s NDA Filing for Edaravone to Treat ALS

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the company’s New Drug Application (NDA) for edaravone an intravenous treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a rapidly progressive neurological disease. A decision on the application is anticipated on June 16, 2017 based on the Prescription Drug User Fee Act. If approved, the medicine will be commercialized, under the brand name RADICAVA™, through the newly-formed MT Pharma America, Inc. [Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation] Press Release

MDA Awards $6.7 Million in New Research Grants

The Muscular Dystrophy Association announced the award of 25 new research, development and research infrastructure grants totaling nearly $7 million and targeted to make an impact on muscular dystrophy, ALS and related life-threatening diseases in its program. The new grants are in addition to 41 grants announced earlier this year and bring MDA’s total 2016 commitment to new research aimed at finding treatments and cures across diseases to more than $17 million. [Muscular Dystrophy Association] Press Release

Congress Returns, with a Long Science To-Do List and Not Much Time

Congress returns from a 7-week summer break with a lengthy list of unfinished business, some of great interest to the U.S. research community—and just a few weeks to tackle it. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

New Vaccine Coalition Aims to Ward Off Epidemics

A new public-private coalition that aims to derail epidemics by speeding development of vaccines has now hung its shingle with the backing of the Wellcome Trust and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Turkey Sacks Thousands of University Staff

Turkey’s government has sacked 2,346 university staff for suspected ties to July’s attempted military coup in the country. The sackings, announced in a 1 September decree as part of a wider purge of 40,000 civil servants, are the first of an expected wave of dismissals under powers granted by state-of-emergency rules following the coup. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW ISSCR/STEMANCC/Basel Stem Cell Network 2017 International Symposium
February 24-March 1, 2017
Basel, Switzerland

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Role of Stromal Mesenchymal Cells in Tissue Injury/Repair (Institut Pasteur)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Subpopulations of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from the Bone Marrow and Adipose Tissue Sources (University of Miami)

NEW Faculty Positions – Various Areas (Jackson Laboratory)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunomodulatory Properties of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (NYU Langone Medical Center-Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery)

Postdoctoral Fellow/Scientist – Osteoblast Biology (Michigan State University)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Regenerative Medicine/Biomedical Science (University of California, San Francisco)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunomodulatory Properties of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (NYU Langone Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Functions in the Hematopoietic System and Other Systems Derived from the Mesoderm (University of Illinois at Chicago)

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

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

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