Mesenchymal Cell News 8.44 November 8, 2016 | |
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TOP STORYLeukemogenic Effects of Ptpn11 Activating Mutations in the Stem Cell Microenvironment Investigators report that Ptpn11 activating mutations in the mouse bone marrow microenvironment promote the development and progression of myeloproliferative neoplasm through profound detrimental effects on hematopoietic stem cells. Ptpn11 mutations in mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells and osteoprogenitors, but not in differentiated osteoblasts or endothelial cells, cause excessive production of the CC chemokine CCL3 (also known as MIP-1α), which recruits monocytes to the area in which haematopoietic stem cells also reside. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)IN VITROHypoxia-Mimicking Nanofibrous Scaffolds Promote Endogenous Bone Regeneration Utilizing bio-mimetic materials to potentiate endogenous cell growth or signaling is superior to relying on exogenous cells or signals for bone formation. Desferoxamine-functionalized gelatin nanofibrous (GF) scaffolds, which have similar micro/macro structures to GF scaffolds, not only demonstrated decreased cytotoxicity on both human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human mesenchymal stem cells, but also significantly increased vascular endothelial growth factor expression in vitro. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract As a cell source with large quantity and easy access, peripheral blood mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and seeded in porcine demineralized cancellous bone scaffolds, cultured in chondrogenic medium and evaluated for in vitro chondrogenesis. Scientists showed that peripheral blood mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) shared similar proliferation and chondrogenic potential with bone marrow MSCs (BMMSCs) in demineralized cancellous bone scaffolds and could be an alternative to BMMSCs for cartilage tissue engineering. [Sci Rep] Full Article Mesenchymal stem cells-derived fibroblasts (MSC-DF) constitute a significant portion of stromal fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment and are key modulators of tumor progression. Investigators uncovered the Notch1 pathway as a molecular determinant that selectively controls the regulatory role of MSC-DF in melanoma metastasis. They demonstrated that the Notch1 pathway’s activity is inversely correlated with the metastasis-regulating function of fibroblasts and can determine the metastasis-promoting or -suppressing phenotype of MSC-DF. [Oncotarget] Full Article To identify additional osteoblastic transcription factors, scientists studied gene expression of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) during ex vivo osteoblast differentiation. They showed that the uncharacterized transcription factor, ZNF25, is associated with differentiation of hMSC to osteoblasts. [BMC Genomics] Full Article Investigators aimed to develop a novel injectable calcium phosphate cement (CPC) construct containing hydrogel fibers encapsulating cells for bone engineering, and to investigate and compare cell viability, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), human embryonic stem cells-MSCs and human umbilical cord MSCs in injectable CPC. [Biomed Mater] Abstract EGR1 Regulates Transcription Downstream of Mechanical Signals during Tendon Formation and Healing Using in vitro and in vivo models, researchers showed that the expression of Egr1 and tendon genes is downregulated in 3D-engineered tendons made of mesenchymal stem cells when tension is released as well as in tendon homeostasis and healing when mechanical signals are reduced. [PLoS One] Full Article Scientists used stressed mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), control MSCs and osteosarcoma cells to examine the hypothesis that tumor-associated MSCs in nutrient deprived core provide pro-proliferative, anti-apoptotic, and metastatic support to nearby tumor cells. [PLoS One] Full Article IN VIVOResearchers determined whether soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) has therapeutic effects and the mechanisms active in sRAGE-overexpressing mesenchymal stem cells (sRAGE-MSCs) in an experimental model of rheumatoid arthritis. sRAGE-MSCs were generated by DNA transfection of human adipose tissue-derived MSCs. [Sci Rep] Full Article Investigators evaluated the protective effect of manganese superoxide dismutase gene modified mesenchymal stem cells to facilitate the improved recovery of radiation-induced lung injury. [Hum Gene Ther] Abstract Scientists describe the preliminary clinical experience with three patients with diffuse axonal injury who were treated with intrathecal administration of autologous mesenchymal stromal cells. All three patients showed improvement after cell therapy, and subsequent studies with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography showed a diffuse and progressive increase in brain glucose metabolism. [Cytotherapy] Abstract Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Retinal Vascular Injury Researchers examined the potential of intravitreally implanted human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells to affect vascular repair and the blood–retina barrier in mice and rats with oxygen-induced retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy or retinal ischemia–reperfusion damage. [Acta Ophthalmol] Abstract | |
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REVIEWSTumor-Associated Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells: Emerging Therapeutic Targets The author discuss recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenic role of tumor-associated mesenchymal stromal cells (TA-MSCs) in regulating the survival, proliferation, migration and drug resistance of tumor cells, as well as the influence of MSCs on the immune status of the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, they discussed therapeutic approaches that target TA-MSC upstream or downstream modulators or use MSCs as vehicles for the delivery of tumoricidal agents. [Nat Rev Drug Discov] Abstract Pluripotent Stem Cells as a Robust Source of Mesenchymal Stem Cells There is now increasing evidence about the mesenchymal differentiation from pluripotent stem cells. The authors summarize the current knowledge of pluripotent-derived mesenchymal stem cells. [Stem Cell Rev] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the mesenchymal cell research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSTissueGene, Inc. announced an exclusive licensing and development agreement between Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation of Japan and TissueGene’s Asia licensee, Kolon Life Science of Korea. The agreement between the two companies focuses on the development and commercialization of Invossa™, the world’s first cell-mediated gene therapy for degenerative osteoarthritis for the Japanese market. [TissueGene, Inc.] Press Release Over Half a Billion in Research Council Grant to Karolinska Institute (KI) Researchers The Swedish Research Council announced the grants it will be awarding in the category of medicine and health. The total sum is almost 980 million Swedish krona (SEK), of which KI researchers will receive SEK 524,325,017. [Karolinska Institute] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSHard Work, Little Reward: Nature Readers Reveal Working Hours and Research Challenges A poll answered by thousands of Nature readers suggests that nearly two-thirds have considered quitting research, and that almost 40% work more than 60 hours in a week. The fight for funding is the greatest challenge facing early-career scientists, readers said. [Nature] Editorial Twitterstorm Shows Why Scientific Evidence Matters Grammar and Twitter rarely sit happily, so it would be churlish to point out that when the Welsh MP Glyn Davies tweeted at the weekend: “Nothing more irritating than academics rubbishing the efforts of those operating at the sharp end, without facing up to the hard decisions”, he was inadvertently complaining that people at the sharp end (himself included presumably) do not confront hard decisions. [Nature] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW 19th International Conference on Clinical Application of Adult Stem Cells Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Postdoctoral Fellows – Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Texas A&M Health Science Center) Research Associate – Mesenchymal (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.) Professor – Cancer Biology (University of Pennsylvania) Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cell Scientist (UHN Arthritis Program) Postdoctoral Fellowship(s) – Multiple Laboratories (Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute) Faculty Position – Pluripotent Stem Cell Research (Stanford University) Postdoctoral Fellow – Role of Stromal Mesenchymal Cells in Tissue Injury/Repair (Institut Pasteur) Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
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Home Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 8.44 | Nov 8 2016