Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 9.11 | Mar 21 2017

TOP STORY

Fabrication of Synthetic Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Mice

Investigators aimed to fabricate synthetic analogs of stem cells and test their therapeutic potential for treatment of acute myocardial infarction in mice. Synthetic mesenchymal stem cells promoted cardiomyocyte functions and displayed cryopreservation and lyophilization stability in vitro and in vivo. [Circ Res] Abstract

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IN VITRO

CRISPR-Cas9–Guided Oncogenic Chromosomal Translocations with Conditional Fusion Protein Expression in Human Mesenchymal Cells

Scientists present a strategy combining CRISPR-Cas9 technology and homology-directed repair to allow for the selection of human mesenchymal stem cells harboring the oncogenic translocation EWSR1–WT1 found in the aggressive desmoplastic small round cell tumor. The expression of the fusion transcript was under the control of the endogenous EWSR1 promoter and could be conditionally expressed using Cre recombinase. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Role of the Unfolded Protein Response in Topography-Induced Osteogenic Differentiation in Rat Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The authors hypothesized that the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway may be involved in the topography-induced osteogenesis. Different surface topographies were fabricated on pure titanium foils and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and UPR pathway were systematically investigated. They found that ER stress and the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4 pathway were activated in a time- and topography-dependent manner. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

ICOSL Expression in Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes Induction of Regulatory T Cells

Researchers attempted to identify molecule(s) other than secreted factors that are responsible for mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-mediated regulatory T cell (Treg) induction and to uncover the underlying mechanisms. Under in vitro Treg-inducing conditions, ICOSL expression in MSCs coincided with Treg induction in co-cultures of MSCs with CD4⁺ T cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Biological Behavior of Human Nucleus Pulposus Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Response to Changes in the Acidic Environment during Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

The authors aimed to observe the biological effects of acidic conditions mimicking a degenerated intervertebral disc on nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells (NP-MSCs) in vitro. Cells were cultured at acidic pH levels with/without amiloride, an acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC) blocker. The proliferation and apoptosis of NP-MSCs and the expression of stem cell-related genes, ASICs and functional genes in NP-MSCs were evaluated. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

IN VIVO

Safety and Efficacy of Multipotent Adult Progenitor Cells in Acute Ischemic Stroke (MASTERS): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase II Trial

Researchers aimed to identify the highest, well-tolerated, and safest single dose of multipotent adult progenitor cells, and if they were efficacious as a treatment for stroke recovery. [Lancet Neurol] Abstract | Press Release

Electroacupuncture Promotes CNS-Dependent Release of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Electroacupuncture performed in rats and humans using front-limb acupuncture sites, LI-4 and LI-11, and Du-14 and Du-20 increased functional connectivity between the anterior hypothalamus and the amygdala and mobilized mesenchymal stem cells into the systemic circulation. [Stem Cells] Abstract | Press Release

High Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Activity Identifies a Subset of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells with Vascular Regenerative Potential

Both aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)^l° and ALDH^hi mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) subsets demonstrated similar expression of stromal cell and pericyte surface markers, and showed multipotent differentiation into bone, cartilage, and adipose cells in vitro. After subcutaneous transplantation within directed in vivo angiogenesis assay implants into immunodeficient mice, ALDH^hi MSCs or conditioned media produced by ALDH^hi MSCs significantly augmented murine vascular cell recruitment and perfused vessel infiltration compared to ALDH^l° MSCs. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Immunologic Regulatory Effects of Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Murine Ovalbumin Asthma Model

Researchers investigated the immunomodulatory properties of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (huMSCs) in an ovalbumin-induced murine asthma model. Administration of huMSCs significantly reduced methacholine bronchial hyperresponsiveness and eosinophil counts in BAL cells. [Clin Exp Allergy] Abstract

Combined Transplantation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Human Retinal Progenitor Cells into the Subretinal Space of RCS Rats

Since combined transplantation could be a promising way to integrate the advantages of both stem cell types, investigators transplanted human retinal progenitor cells (HRPCs) and human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HBMSCs) into the subretinal space of Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats. They report that HRPCs/HBMSCs combined transplantation maintained the electroretinogram results much better than HRPCs or HBMSCs single transplantations. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase Increased the Therapeutic Potential of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Radiation Pulmonary Fibrosis

Investigators aimed to determine whether injection of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UC-MSCs) over-expressing superoxide dismutase (SOD3) at the established fibrosis stage would have beneficial effects in a mice model of radiation pulmonary fibrosis. Their results demonstrated that the early treatment with UC-MSCs alone significantly reduced radiation pulmonary fibrosis in mice through paracrine effects, with further improvement by administration of SOD3-infected UC-MSCs. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

The MSC Adhesion Cascade – Insights into Homing and Transendothelial Migration

The authors summarize current knowledge on navigation, homing and transendothelial migration mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) after systemic administration. [Stem Cells] Abstract

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

Stem Cell, Regenerative Medicine Leaders Join Forces to Advance Canada’s Position in the Field

Stem cell science is powering regenerative medicine. Leaders from across this emerging sector have joined forces to advance the field, through the newly created Regenerative Medicine Alliance of Canada (RMAC). RMAC will serve as a mechanism to support strategic activity across the regenerative medicine sector. Members will work collaboratively to share information and identify strategies that will benefit the growth of the sector. [University of Toronto] Press Release

Durable Three-Year Outcomes in Degenerative Disc Disease after a Single Injection of Mesoblast’s Cell Therapy

Mesoblast Limited announced 36-month results from the randomized, placebo-controlled 100-patient Phase II trial of its proprietary allogeneic mesenchymal precursor cells (MPCs) in patients with chronic low back pain due to intervertebral disc degeneration. A single intra-discal injection of 6 million MPCs resulted in meaningful improvements in both pain and function that were durable for at least 36 months. [Mesoblast Limited] Press Release

Research Is an Afterthought in First Trump Budget

The 2018 budget proposal that President Donald Trump unveiled confirms two things that U.S. scientists have long suspected: The new president is no fan of research, and his administration has no overarching strategy for funding science. Deep proposed cuts to research at the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Energy, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offer evidence that Trump doesn’t see science — of any kind — as a spending priority. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Ethical Guidelines on Lab-Grown Embryos Beg for Revamping, Scientists Say

Researchers in the U.K. and U.S. recently succeeded for the first time in growing embryos in the lab for nearly two weeks before terminating them, showing that the so-called 14-day rule is no longer a scientific limitation — although it remains a cultural one. Now, a group of Harvard University scientists has published a paper arguing that it is time to reconsider the 14-day rule because of advances in synthetic biology. [Scientific American] Editorial

NEW Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Dynamics in Health, Disease and Aging
May 21-26, 2017
West Palm Beach, Florida, United States

NEW Cell Culture World Congress
May 23-24, 2017
San Diego, United States

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

NEW Assistant/Associate Professors – Bone Biology (University of Michigan)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Bone Biology and Bioinformatics (Stanford University)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Cell and Molecular Biology (Canadian Nuclear Laboratories)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program (Centenary Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Bone Regeneration and Stem Cell Biology (New York University)

Postdoctoral Associate – Biomaterials (University of Minnesota)

Assistant and Associate Professors – Regenerative & Cancer Cell Biology (Albany Medical College)

Associate/Assistant Professor(s) – Biomedical Sciences (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

Faculty Position – Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine (Seattle Children’s Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Positions – Cancer Proteomics & Bioinformatics (University of British Columbia)

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