Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 8.47 | Nov 29 2016

TOP STORY

EZH1 and EZH2 Promote Skeletal Growth by Repressing Inhibitors of Chondrocyte Proliferation and Hypertrophy

Investigators showed that the combined loss of Ezh1 and Ezh2 in chondrocytes severely impairs skeletal growth in mice. Both of the principal processes underlying growth plate chondrogenesis, chondrocyte proliferation and hypertrophy, were compromised. Their findings reveal a critical role for histone H3 at lysine 27 methylation in the regulation of chondrocyte proliferation and hypertrophy in the growth plate, which are the central determinants of skeletal growth. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

Mechanisms of Cdc42-Mediated Rat MSC Differentiation on Micro/Nano-Textured Topography

The authors hypothesized that cell division cycle 42 protein (Cdc42), a key member of the Rho GTPases family, may regulate rat mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) morphology and osteogenic differentiation by micro/nano-textured topography, and that crosstalk between Cdc42 and Wnt/ β -catenin is the underlying mechanism. To confirm the hypothesis, they tested rat MSCs’ morphology, cytoskeleton, and osteogenic differentiation on micro/nano-textured topography. They then examined the cells’ Wnt pathway and Cdc42 signaling activity. The results showed that micro/nano-textured topography enhances MSCs’ osteogenic differentiation. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

A Glycovariant of Human CD44 Is Characteristically Expressed on Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

An alternative source of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) is adipose tissue (A-hMSCs), scientists assessed whether A-hMSCs bind E-selectin and/or possess sialyllactosamine-decorated CD44 accessible to α(1,3)-fucosylation. Their studies revealed that both types of hMSCs conspicuously lack transcripts encoding α(1,3)-fucosyltransferases but equally express glycosyltransferases critical to creation of sialyllactosamines. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Guiding hMSC Adhesion and Differentiation on Supported Lipid Bilayers

Researchers explored Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) ligand functionalized supported lipid bilayers for guiding human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) adhesion and differentiation by studying the effect of changes in ligand density and mobility. Cellular and molecular analyses showed that adhesion occurs through specific interactions with RGD ligands where the extent is positively correlated to changes in ligand density. [Adv Healthc Mater] Abstract

Cancer-Associated Mesenchymal Stroma Fosters the Stemness of Osteosarcoma Cells in Response to Intratumoral Acidosis via NF-κB Acivation

Scientists have recently shown that osteosarcoma (OS) is characterized by interstitial acidosis, a microenvironmental condition that is similar to a wound setting, in which mesenchymal reactive cells are activated to release mitogenic and chemotactic factors. They therefore tested the hypothesis that, in OS, acid-activated mesenchymal stem cells influence tumor cell behavior. [Int J Cancer] Abstract

Adipose Stem Cells Display Higher Regenerative Capacities and More Adaptable Electro-Kinetic Properties Compared to Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Scientists evaluated the regenerative potency of adipose stem cells (ASCs) compared to bone-marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs). They compared the dielectric and electro-kinetic properties of both types of cells using a novel dielectrophoresis microfluidic platform based on a printed circuit board technology. Their data showed that ASCs were more effective than BM-MSCs in promoting neovascularization in an animal model of hind-limb ischemia. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Lipid Coated Microbubbles and Low Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Enhance Chondrogenesis of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in 3D Printed Scaffolds

Lipid-coated microbubbles are used to enhance ultrasound imaging and drug delivery. Researchers applied these microbubbles along with low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) for the first time to enhance proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in a 3D printed poly-ethylene glycol-diacrylate hydrogel scaffold. The hMSC proliferation increased up to 40% after five days of culture in the presence of 0.5% (v/v) microbubbles and LIPUS in contrast to 18% with LIPUS alone. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Mechanisms of Immune Suppression Utilized by Canine Adipose and Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The authors generated canine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) and adipose derived (Ad-MSC) in vitro and their potency in suppressing T cell proliferation and cytokine production was compared, as well as differential gene expression. Mechanisms of T cells suppression were also investigated for both MSC types. They found that BM-MSC and Ad-MSC were roughly equivalent in terms of their ability to suppress T cell activation. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

IN VIVO

Allogeneic Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis via Intravenous Delivery (AETHER): A Phase I, Safety, Clinical Trial

The AETHER trial was the first study designed to evaluate the safety of a single infusion of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Investigators displayed the safety of a single infusion of human mesenchymal stem cells in patients with mild-moderate IPF. [Chest] Abstract

Gene Therapy with Mesenchymal Stem Cells Expressing IFNßAmeliorates Neuroinflammation in Experimental Models of Multiple Sclerosis

Researchers reported the therapeutic effect of systemic delivery of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AdMSCs) transduced with the IFN-β gene into experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)-induced mice. AdMSCs-IFNß maintained and, in some cases, enhanced the functional properties of AdMSCs by ameliorating the disability reached in EAE models and by decreasing the peripheral and central neuro-inflammatory phenomena. [Br J Pharmacol] Abstract

The Influence of Timing and Frequency of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy on Immunomodulation Outcomes after Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation

Scientists investigated the influence of timing and frequency of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell-treatment on immunologic and graft survival as well as graft vasculopathy outcomes after vascularized composite allotransplantation. [Transplantation] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem (Stromal) Cells: Biology and Preclinical Evidence for Therapeutic Potential for Organ Dysfunction Following Trauma or Sepsis

The authors discuss several preclinical studies that have provided evidence that cell-based therapy with mesenchymal stem (stromal) cells (MSC) are effective in clinically relevant models of organ failure following trauma or sepsis. They consider the mechanisms that may account for the biological activity and therapeutic potential of MSC, including paracrine factors, mitochondrial transfer, and the role of extracellular vesicles. They also briefly consider the status of efforts to translate preclinical studies to clinical trials. They also briefly consider the status of efforts to translate preclinical studies to clinical trials. [Stem Cells] Abstract

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

The Stem Cell Network Announce Funding of $9 Million for Innovative Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research

The Stem Cell Network with the support of the Canadian Minister of Science announced funding of $9 million for innovative stem cell and regenerative medicine research that will help translate discoveries into better health and economic growth for Canadians. This funding was made available thanks to a 2016 budget commitment of $12 million over two years by the Government of Canada to further the work of the Stem Cell Network. [The Stem Cell Network] Press Release

Cook Regentec and Asymptote Introduce the CellSeal^® Automated Thawing System

Cook Regentec and Asymptote Ltd. announced the launch of the CellSeal^® Automated Thawing System. The new system, which has been developed as part of a collaboration between the two companies, provides users with thorough control in the thawing of cryogenically frozen cells, a critical step in the delivery of cell and gene therapies. [Asymptote Ltd.] Press Release

Science Europe Lobby Group Hit by Sudden Exodus

Influential research organizations are pulling out of Science Europe, the Brussels-based advocacy group that aims to champion researchers’ interests with European Union policymakers. All but one of France’s research-funding organizations are preparing to leave the group at the end of this year — including Europe’s largest basic-research agency, the CNRS, which controls an annual budget of €3.3 billion. [Nature News] Editorial

Dear Scientists: Our Government Needs You

Trump doesn’t have a record on many science issues, and he’s flip flopped on topics like climate change where he does. We need more scientific expertise in the policy-making process. One thing that’s certain is that it’s important to come together in the science community and work to be better communicators. Scientists and engineers should run for elected office in local and national politics. [Scientific American] Editorial

Congress Poised to Pass Sweeping Biomedical Innovation Bill

Congress is poised to approve a massive piece of legislation that would provide the National Institutes of Health with $4.8 billion over the next decade for a set of research initiatives, including brain and cancer research and efforts to develop so-called precision medicine treatments that are tailored to an individual’s genetic makeup. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Spanish Military Flies Lab Animals to Canary Islands after Airlines Refuse to Take Them on Board

Twenty-nine transgenic mice that two Spanish airlines had refused to transport hitched a ride to the Canary Islands on a military plane Friday and are now at their final destination, the University of La Laguna on Tenerife in Spain. The mice, bred in the United States, had been stranded in Madrid for two months because Iberia and Air Europa have stopped shipping laboratory animals. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Translational Opportunities in Stem Cell Research
February 27-March 1, 2017
Basel, Switzerland

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

NEW PhD Positions – Transcriptional Networks Regulating Lineage (University of Southern Denmark)

Research Associate – Mesenchymal (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Aging and Regeneration (University of California San Francisco)

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

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

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