Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 8.45 | Nov 15 2016

TOP STORY

Molecular Alterations in Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Derived from Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients

Investigators assessed genome wide genetic, transcriptional and epigenetic alterations in bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSC) derived from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Whole exome sequencing of AML BM-MSC samples from 21 patients revealed a non-specific pattern of genetic alterations in the stromal compartment. [Leukemia] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

ERK/Drp1-Dependent Mitochondrial Fission Is Involved in the MSC-Induced Drug Resistance of T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells

Researchers studied the effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on the mitochondrial dynamics of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cells, and how this may influence the chemoresistance of these cells. They tested both indirect (Transwell) and direct coculture strategies, and found that MSCs protected T-ALL cells from chemotherapeutic cell death and cytotoxicity under both culture conditions. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Generate Distinct Functional Hybrids In Vitro via Cell Fusion or Entosis

Scientists investigated cell-to-cell interaction between mouse mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and embryonic stem cells (ESCs). They reported that MSCs can either fuse forming heterokaryons, or be invaded by ESCs through entosis. [Sci Rep] Full Article

miR-101 Targets the EZH2/Wnt/β-Catenin the Pathway to Promote the Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The expression of miR-101 and its roles in the osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) remain unclear. The authors found that the miR-101 expression level was significantly increased during the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Heterogeneity of Proangiogenic Features in Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Bone Marrow, Adipose Tissue, Umbilical Cord, and Placenta

Investigators evaluated whether the in-situ environment would affect the angiogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). They found that MSCs regardless of their tissue origins could develop similar endothelial-relevant functions in vitro, including producing eNOS and uptaking ac-LDL during endothelial differentiation in spite of their feeble expression of endothelial-related genes and proteins. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

LIGHT (TNFSF14) Increases the Survival and Proliferation of Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Researchers monitored the effects of LIGHT on human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). LIGHT and LT-β receptor interaction increases the survival and proliferation of human BM-MSCs. [PLoS One] Full Article

IN VIVO

Mitochondrial Transfer of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Effectively Protects Corneal Epithelial Cells from Mitochondrial Damage

Scientists revealed mitochondrial transfer from mesenchymal stem cells provided novel protection for the cornea against oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial damage. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Transplantation of Gingiva-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Ameliorates Collagen-Induced Arthritis

The aim of this study was to test whether transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from gingival tissue could ameliorate collagen-induced arthritis, and to explore the role of the FasL/Fas pathway in the underlying mechanism. [Arthritis Res Ther] Full Article

Comparison of the Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived and Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in a Murine Model of Corneal Injury

Scientists investigated the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism of induced pluripotent stem cells-mesenchymal stromal cells in a murine model of chemical and mechanical injury to the cornea and compared the effects with those of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Undergo Apoptosis and Fragmentation after Intravenous Application in Immune-Competent Mice

Researchers investigated the changes in cell size and cell surface markers of human mesenchymal stromal cells after intravenous injection in immune competent mice. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Effect of Transplanting Various Concentrations of a Composite of Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel on Articular Cartilage Repair in a Rabbit Model

The authors aimed to explore the feasibility of cartilage repair by human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and to determine the optimal concentrations of the MSCs in a rabbit model. [PLoS One] Full Article

The Challenge in Using Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Recellularization of Decellularized Cartilage

The authors outline the present state of preparing decellularized cartilage extracellular matrices-derived scaffolds or composites for reconstruction of different cartilage types and of reseeding it particularly with mesenchymal stromal cells. [Stem Cell Rev] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

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

Promethera Biosciences Provides Update on HepaStem NASH-Fibrosis Program with Late-Breaking Preclinical Data

Promethera Biosciences SA announced the presentation of new preclinical nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-fibrosis data from its proprietary HepaStem program, demonstrating a beneficial effect of HepaStem in a NASH mouse model and confirming Hepastem’s unique and multifaceted mode of action. [Press release from Promethera Biosciences SA discussing research presented at The Liver Meeting^® 2016, The 67^th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease, Boston] Press Release

Zimmer Biomet Reports Positive Update on Biologics Pipeline following a Preliminary Analysis of Data from the First Pivotal Trial of Stem Cell Therapy for Critical Limb Ischemia to Reach Completion

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. announced an update on its Investigational Device Exemption clinical trial evaluating the use of autologous concentrated bone marrow aspirate (cBMA), prepared via the MarrowStim^™ PAD Kit, for the treatment of critical limb ischemia. A preliminary analysis of a partial data set found that treatment with cBMA improved amputation-free survival compared to placebo, while maintaining a safety profile comparable to placebo. [Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.] Press Release

Symic Bio​ and Nordic Bioscience Complete Enrollment of MODIFY-OA Trial of SB-061 for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Symic Bio announced the completion of enrollment for its Phase I/IIa MODIFY-OA clinical trial of SB-061 in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. SB-061 is designed to be a functional mimic of aggrecan, a macromolecule of the extracellular matrix critical to the proper function of healthy cartilage. Symic Bio entered a non-commercial partnership with Nordic Bioscience for the clinical development of SB-061. [Symic Bio] Press Release

Embryonic Stem Cells and Fetal Tissue Research—Will Trump Intervene?

Of all the materials valued in biomedical research, embryonic stem (ES) cells and fetal tissue have gotten disproportionate attention from politicians. Because creating ES cell lines initially requires destroying a human embryo, President George W. Bush tightly restricted the use of federal funds for research on all but a few stem cell lines. President Barack Obama then made lifting those restrictions one of his first official actions after he took office in 2009. [Science Insider] Editorial

Disgraced Stem-Cell Entrepreneur under Fresh Investigation

Public prosecutors in Turin, Italy, are investigating whether disgraced stem-cell entrepreneur Davide Vannoni — convicted on criminal charges last year for administering unproven stem-cell therapies in Italy — is offering his treatments again, this time in eastern Europe. [Nature News] Editorial

CRISPR Gene-Editing Tested in a Person for the First Time

A Chinese group has become the first to inject a person with cells that contain genes edited using the revolutionary CRISPR–Cas9 technique. A team led by oncologist Lu You at Sichuan University in Chengdu delivered the modified cells into a patient with aggressive lung cancer as part of a clinical trial at the West China Hospital, also in Chengdu. The move by Chinese scientists could spark a biomedical duel between China and the United States. [Nature News] Editorial

Experiment to Raise the Dead Blocked in India

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has derailed a controversial experiment that would seek to revive brain-dead accident victims. ICMR’s National Institute of Medical Statistics removed the “ReAnima” trial from India’s clinical trial registry. [Science Insider] Editorial

NEW ICSCRM 2017: 19^th International Conference on Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine
February 16-17, 2017
London, United Kingdom

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NEW PhD Position – Cartilage to Bone Transitions (IRCCS)

NEW Scientist – Upstream Process Development-Mesenchymal Stem Cell (Codiak BioSciences)

Research Associate – Mesenchymal (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellows – Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Texas A&M; Health Science Center)

Professor – Cancer Biology (University of Pennsylvania)

The MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine – PhD Studentships (The Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine)

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)

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

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