Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 8.43 | Nov 1 2016

TOP STORY

Deterministic Encapsulation of Single Cells in Thin Tunable Microgels for Niche Modeling and Therapeutic Delivery

Scientists report a microfluidic-based method for encapsulating single cells in an approximately six-micrometre layer of alginate that increases the proportion of cell-containing microgels by a factor of ten, with encapsulation efficiencies over 90%. [Nat Mater] Abstract | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

MicroRNA-21 Preserves the Fibrotic Mechanical Memory of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Expansion on stiff culture substrates activates pro-fibrotic cell programs that are retained by mechanical memory. The authors showed that priming on physiologically soft silicone substrates suppresses fibrogenesis and desensitizes mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) against subsequent mechanical activation in vitro and in vivo, and identify the microRNA miR-21 as a long-term memory keeper of the fibrogenic program in MSCs. [Nat Mater] Abstract

Widespread Chromatin Accessibility at Repetitive Elements Links Stem Cells with Human Cancer

Investigators found that the chromatin environment of Ewing sarcoma, a mesenchymally derived tumor, is shared with primary mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Accessibility at repetitive elements in MSCs offers a permissive environment that is exploited by the critical oncogene responsible for this cancer. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

Regulation of Cell Signaling Factors Using PLGA Nanoparticles Coated/Loaded with Genes and Proteins for Osteogenesis of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

For codelivery into undifferentiated human mesenchymal stem cells, the authors used biodegradable carriers loaded with Runt-related transcription factor 2 protein and coated with bone morphogenetic protein 2 plasmid DNA to induce osteogenesis. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Senescence-Associated DNA Methylation Is Stochastically Acquired in Subpopulations of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Scientists analyzed global DNA methylation (DNAm) profiles of human mesenchymal stem cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells to demonstrate that senescence-associated DNAm changes are overall similar in these different cell types. [Aging Cell] Full Article

Intravenous Administration of Xenogenic Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (ADMSC) and ADMSC-Derived Exosomes Markedly Reduced Brain Infarct Volume and Preserved Neurological Function in Rat after Acute Ischemic Stroke

Scientists tested the hypothesis that combined xenogenic ADMSC and ADMSC-derived exosome therapy could reduce brain-infarct zone and enhance neurological recovery in rat after acute ischemic stroke induced by 50-min left middle cerebral artery occlusion. [Oncotarget] Full Article

Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Treatment Prevents H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice

The authors hypothesized that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) would have beneficial effects in the treatment of H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV)-induced acute lung injury in mice. They found that MSC treatment significantly reduces H9N2 AIV-induced acute lung injury in mice and is associated with reduced pulmonary inflammation. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improve Mouse Non-Heart-Beating Liver Graft Survival by Inhibiting Kupffer Cell Apoptosis via TLR4-ERK1/2-Fas/FasL-caspase3 Pathway Regulation

The authors established an arterialized mouse non-heart-beating liver transplantation model, and compared survival rates, cytokine and chemokine expression, histology, and the results of in vitro co-culture experiments in animals with or without mesenchymal stem cells infusion. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Safety Studies for Use of Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells in a Rabbit Model for Osteoarthritis to Support a Phase I Clinical Trial

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) offer potential as a therapeutic option for clinical applications in musculoskeletal regenerative medicine because of their immunomodulatory functions and capacity for trilineage differentiation. In preparation for a Phase I clinical trial using AMSCs to treat patients with osteoarthritis, researchers carried out preclinical studies to assess the safety of human AMSCs within the intra-articular joint space. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Full Article

IN VIVO

Restoration of Corneal Transparency by Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Scientists investigated the potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to restore corneal transparency following ocular injury. Using an in vivo mouse model of ocular injury, they report that MSCs have the capacity to restore corneal transparency by secreting high levels of hepatocyte growth factor. [Stem Cell Reports] Abstract | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Sirt1 Overexpression Suppress Breast Tumor Growth via Chemokine-Dependent Natural Killer Cells Recruitment

Investigators demonstrated the effect of mesenchymal stem cells with Sirt1 overexpression in mice bearing 4T1 breast cancer and investigated the underlying mechanism. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Advances in Bone Marrow Stem Cell Therapy for Retinal Dysfunction

The authors provide an update of the current evidence in support of the use of bone marrow stem cells as treatment for retinal dysfunction. [Prog Retin Eye Res] Abstract

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

First Patient Is Enrolled in Global STEMTRA Trial for Traumatic Brain Injury in Japan

SanBio Co. Ltd., a scientific leader in regenerative medicine for neurological disorders, announced that the first patient in Japan was enrolled in the STEMTRA Phase II clinical trial study of regenerative cell medicine SB623 for patients affected by traumatic brain injury. [San Bio Co. Ltd] Press Release

BrainStorm Granted United States Patent for Its Stem Cell Technology

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. announced that it has been granted United States Patent No. 9,474,787 titled “Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of CNS Diseases.” The allowed claims cover mesenchymal stem cells that secrete neurotrophic factors, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial derived neurotrophic factor, as well as a pharmaceutical compositions comprising these factors. [BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

Two Baylor College of Medicine Faculty Members Named to National Academy of Medicine

Dr. Malcolm Brenner, founding director of the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital, and Dr. Cheryl Walker, founding director of the Center for Precision Environmental Health at Baylor, both renowned leaders in their respective fields, were elected to membership in the National Academy of Medicine. [Baylor College of Medicine] Press Release

Publisher Pulls 58 Articles by Iranian Scientists over Authorship Manipulation

A tranche of 58 articles authored by 282 Iran-based researchers were retracted by a leading scientific publisher, which said it had found signs that the peer review and publication processes had been compromised. [Nature News] Editorial

Young Scientists Ditch Postdocs for Biotech Start-Ups

There is a vanguard of young biomedical scientists who have started companies instead of taking the conventional academic path and pursuing postdoctoral studies after their PhDs. Among the factors driving this change are an infusion of money into early-stage biotech investing, the emergence of biotech incubators and the scarcity of academic jobs in science. [Nature News] Editorial

Beyond Trump vs Clinton: A Scientist’s Guide to the US Election

Choices that voters make will influence other levels of government — and some of these decisions will steer the course of science and science policy. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conference: Stem Cells & Cancer
February 12-17, 2017
Barga, Italy

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

NEW Professor – Cancer Biology (University of Pennsylvania)

NEW The MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine – PhD Studentships (The Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (WIMM), University of Oxford)

Research Associate – Mesenchymal (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cell Scientist (UHN Arthritis Program)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cells & Cartilage Development/Disease (Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School)

Staff Scientist/Research Assistant II – Musculoskeletal Tissue Development (Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School)

Postdoctoral Fellowship(s) – Multiple Laboratories (Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute)

Faculty Position – Pluripotent Stem Cell Research (Stanford University)

Early Stage Researchers – Controlling Cartilage to Bone Transitions for Improved Treatment of Bone Defects and Osteoarthritis (Various Employers)

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

Faculty Positions – Various Areas (Jackson Laboratory)

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.