Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 9.12 | Mar 28 2017

TOP STORY

Prostaglandin E2 Indicates Therapeutic Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury

Researchers designed assays to explore the responsiveness of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to immunological cues to address the immunomodulatory properties of MSC, one of their primary modes of therapeutic activity in traumatic brain injury. Their results showed intrinsic differences in the immunomodulatory capacity of MSC preparations from different bone marrow and amniotic fluid donors. [Stem Cells] Abstract

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IN VITRO

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Modulate Differentiation of Myeloid Progenitor Cells during Inflammation

Scientists report that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) inhibited the expression of differentiation markers on myeloid progenitors under inflammatory conditions. They demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of MSCs is dependent on direct cell-cell contact and that this intercellular contact is mediated through interaction of CD200 expressed by MSCs and CD200R1 expressed by myeloid progenitors. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Blockade of Neuroglobin Reduces Protection of Conditioned Medium from Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Human Astrocyte Model (T98G) under a Scratch Assay

Researchers explored the effect of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCA-CM) on T98G cells subjected to scratch assay. Their results indicated that hMSCA-CM improved cell viability, reduced nuclear fragmentation, attenuated the production of reactive oxygen species, and preserved mitochondrial membrane potential and ultrastructural parameters. [Mol Neurobiol] Abstract

Dentin Sialoprotein Facilitates Dental Mesenchymal Cell Differentiation and Dentin Formation

Dentin sialoprotein (DSP) mutations cause dentin genetic diseases. However, mechanisms of DSP in controlling dental mesenchymal cell differentiation are unknown. Using DSP as bait, the authors screened a protein library from mouse odontoblastic cells and found that DSP is a ligand and binds to cell surface receptor, occludin. [Sci Rep] Full Article

The Innate Immune Response in Fetal Lung Mesenchymal Cells Targets VEGFR2 Expression and Activity

The objective was to measure the genome-wide innate immune response in fetal lung mesenchymal cells exposed to the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Using Affymetrix MoGene 1.0st arrays, investigators showed that LPS induced expression of unique innate immune transcripts heavily weighted toward CC and CXC family chemokines. [Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol] Abstract

Compared to the Amniotic Membrane, Wharton’s Jelly May Be a More Suitable Source of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering and Clinical Regeneration

The authors evaluated the potential of human Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) and amniotic membrane (AM)-MSCs as a seeding cell in cardiovascular tissue engineering and cardiovascular regenerative medicine. Fibroblast-like human WJ-MSCs and AM-MSCs were successfully isolated and positively expressed the characteristic markers CD73, CD90, and CD105 but were negative for CD34, CD45, and HLA-DR. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

IN VIVO

Therapeutic Efficacy of Neural Stem Cells Originating from Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Diabetic Retinopathy

Researchers evaluated the effects of intravitreal injection of neural stem cells (NSCs) originating from human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on neurodegeneration of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in rats. NSCs originating from MSCs demonstrated a neuroprotective effect by increasing the number of surviving RGCs and significantly reducing the progression of DR. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Transplantation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Overexpressing IL10 Attenuates Cardiac Impairments in Rats with Myocardial Infarction

Investigators established overexpression of interleukin-10 (IL10) in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) through adenoviral transduction. Cell viability, apoptosis and IL10 secretion under ischemic challenge in vitro were examined. In addition, MSCs were transplanted into the injured hearts in a rat model of myocardial infarction (MI). Four weeks after the MI induction, myocardial infarction, cardiac functions, apoptotic cells and inflammation cytokines were assessed. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

Two-Year Follow-Up Outcomes of Premature Infants Enrolled in the Phase I Trial of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transplantation for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Scientists determined the long-term safety and outcomes of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants enrolled in a Phase I clinical trial up to two years of corrected age (CA). Intratracheal transplantation of MSCs in preterm infants appeared to be safe, with no adverse respiratory, growth, and neurodevelopmental effects at two years’ CA. [J Pediatr] Full Article

Cigarette Smoke Challenges Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Capacities in Guinea Pig

The study was designed to demonstrate, in an animal model of cigarette smoke (CS) exposure, whether CS affects the homing and functional capabilities of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). CS-exposed animals showed greater BM-MSCs lung infiltration than sham-exposed animals regardless of route of administration. [Respir Res] Full Article

The New MSC: MSCs as Pericytes Are Sentinels and Gatekeepers

The author presents current information about mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) function in situ and emphasizes how new observations provide insight into understanding the role of the pericyte/MSC in skeletal activities, including a new hypothesis for how these cells act as a gatekeeper for metastasis of melanoma into bone. [J Orthop Res] Abstract

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Study Shows Potential of Stem Cell Therapy to Repair Lung Damage

A new study has found that stem cell therapy can reduce lung inflammation in an animal model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis. Although, still at a pre-clinical stage, these findings have important potential implications for the future treatment of patients. [Press release from the European Respiratory Society discussing research presented at the 2017 Lung Science Conference, Estoril] Press Release

Phase II Part A Open Label Extension Trial of Palovarotene for Treatment of Patients with Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva Continues Positive Trends

Clementia Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced the preliminary results of its Phase II Part A Open Label Extension palovarotene trial in the treatment of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. Preliminary data supported the results obtained in the double-blind Phase II study: when the data were combined across these two studies, palovarotene resulted in approximately a 50% reduction in occurrence of new heterotopic ossification (HO) as compared to placebo; and importantly the volume of new HO was decreased by 70% for palovarotene treated subjects as compared to the placebo subjects. [Clementia Pharmaceuticals Inc.] Press Release

Research Team Receives $1.9 Million

A research team in the Department of Biomedical Engineering was awarded a $1.9 million research grant by the National Institute of Health in February and plans to use the funds for ongoing research. Associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering Melissa Grunlan heads the research team that is continuing a project to develop a polymer to fill and heal cranial bone defects that occur from an injury, birth defect or surgery. [The Battalion (Texas A&M University)] Press Release

Europe Says University of California Deserves Broad Patent for CRISPR

The European Patent Office announced its “intention to grant a patent” to the University of California (UC) for its broad-based claims about the genome-editing tool popularly known as CRISPR. UC, on behalf of several parties, has been in a pitched battle with the Broad Institute of Cambridge, Massachusetts, over CRISPR patents, and the new decision marks a sharp departure from the position of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Playing No Trump at AAAS Policy Forum

The relationship between U.S. scientists and the Trump administration hit a new low after organizers of a major annual science policy conference were unable to find anyone willing to discuss the president’s priorities. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Mouse Development, Stem Cells & Cancer
June 7-26, 2017
Cold Spring Harbor, United States

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellows – Regenerative Medicine (Aga Khan University)

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

Postdoctoral Fellow – Bone Biology and Bioinformatics (Stanford University)

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)

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