Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 9.20 | May 23 2017

TOP STORY

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

The authors 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. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Sense Mitochondria Released from Damaged Cells as Danger Signals to Activate their Rescue Properties

By using a co-culture system consisting of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and distressed somatic cells such as cardiomyocytes or endothelial cells, researchers showed that mitochondria from suffering cells acted as danger-signaling organelles that triggered the anti-apoptotic function of MSCs. [Cell Death Differ] Full Article

Detailed Characterization of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells from a Large Cohort of AML Patients Demonstrates a Definitive Link to Treatment Outcomes

Investigators report a functional, genetic, and immunological characterization of bone marrow mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) cultures from 46 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, stratified by molecular/cytogenetics into low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk subgroups. Stable MSC cultures were successfully established and characterized from 40 of 46 AML patients irrespective of the risk subgroup. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

Nerve Growth Factor from Chinese Cobra Venom Stimulates Chondrogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The authors isolated nerve growth factor (NGF) from Chinese cobra venom using a three-step procedure that they had improved upon from previous studies, and investigated the chondrogenic potential of NGF on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells both in vitro and in vivo. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Combined Therapy with Shock Wave and Retrograde Bone Marrow-Derived Cell Transplantation for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus

Researchers assessed retrograde autologous bone marrow cell transplantation via core drilling combined with focused extracorporeal shock wave treatment in undisplaced osteochondral lesion of the talus. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Metformin Induces Osteoblastic Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells were treated with metformin to assess cell viability, osteogenic differentiation, mineralization, and activation of the LKB1/AMP-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, a surrogate marker of metformin action. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Methylparaben and Butylparaben Alter Multipotent Mesenchymal Stem Cell Fates towards Adipocyte Lineage

Researchers investigated the effects of parabens (methylparaben and butylparaben) on modulating cell fate of multipotent stem cell line C3H10T1/2. Both parabens modulated adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells in vitro. [Toxicol Appl Pharmacol] Abstract

Reduced Adipogenesis after Lung Tumor Exosomes Priming in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells via TGFβ Signaling Pathway

Investigators found that lung cancer exosomes could be internalized by human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAD-MSCs) and significantly inhibited hAD-MSC adipogenesis as demonstrated by Oil Red O staining and decreased expression of adipogenic-specific genes. [Mol Cell Biochem] Abstract

IN VIVO

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) Attenuate Cutaneous Sclerodermatous Graft-versus-Host Disease (Scl-GvHD) through Inhibition of Immune Cell Infiltration in a Mouse Model

A B10.D2 → BALB/c transplant model of Scl-GvHD was used to address the therapeutic effect of MSCs on the development of chronic GvHD. The clinical and pathological severity of cutaneous Scl-GvHD was significantly attenuated in MSC-treated recipients relative to Scl-GvHD controls. [J Invest Dermatol] Abstract

Increased Stem Cells Delivered Using a Silk Gel/Scaffold Complex for Enhanced Bone Regeneration

The low in vivo survival rate of scaffold-seeded cells is still a challenge in stem cell-based bone regeneration. Scientists used a silk hydrogel to deliver more stem cells into a bone defect area and prolong the viability of these cells after implantation. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Cartilage Regeneration Approach and Cell Senescence: Can We Manipulate Cell Aging and Function?

The authors focus on homeostasis alterations occurring in mesenchymal stem cell-derived chondrocytes with during in vitro aging. Moreover, they deal with potential cell aging regulation approaches, such as cell stimulation through telomerase activators, mechanical stimulation strain and epigenetic regulation. [Tissue Eng Part B Rev] Abstract

Trophic Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Tissue Regeneration

Researchers summarize the studies that focused on the trophic effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) within the context of tissue regeneration. They also highlight the various underlying mechanisms employed by MSCs to act as trophic mediators. [Tissue Eng Part B Rev] Abstract

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

BrainStorm Initiated Technology Transfer to City of Hope for U.S. Production of NurOwn^® for Phase III ALS Study

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. announced that it has begun training the cell manufacturing team at City of Hope’s Center for Biomedicine and Genetics to produce clinical supplies of NurOwn^® adult stem cells for the company’s randomized, double-blind, multi-dose Phase III clinical study in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). [BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

Patient Treatment Commences in Cynata’s World First Clinical Trial

Cynata Therapeutics Limited announced that the first patient has been treated with CYP-001, the company’s first mesenchymal stem cell product, in its Phase I clinical trial in patients with steroid-resistant acute graft versus host disease. [Cynata Therapeutics Limited] Press Release

Longeveron to Receive Grant from the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund

Longeveron announced receiving a $750,000 grant from the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund to continue stem cell research. [Longeveron] Press Release

What’s in Trump’s 2018 Budget Request for Science?

President Donald Trump unveiled his full 2018 budget request to Congress. The spending plan, for the fiscal year that begins 1 October, fleshes out the so-called skinny budget that the White House released this past March. That plan called for deep cuts to numerous research agencies. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

UK Political Parties Promise Science Funding Boost

UK scientists worried about how Brexit will affect their funding received a boost when the country’s three main national parties pledged long-term targets to raise research spending. [Nature News] Editorial

Journal that Holds Record for Retracted Papers Also Has a Problem with Editorial Board Members

Last month, Springer, announced that the journal Tumor Biology was retracting 107 papers after finding that the peer-review process had been compromised. It was the third mass retraction at Tumor Biology. But that’s not Tumor Biology’s only problem. ScienceInsider has discovered that the journal’s editorial board, as published online, contains the names of several scientists who say they have no relationship whatsoever with the journal—including German Nobel laureate Harald zur Hausen. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conferences: Wnt Signaling
August 6-11, 2017
Stowe, United States

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Gene Regulation in Stem Cells and Tissue Regeneration (Northwestern University)

Postdoctoral Position – Cardiopulmonary Molecular Biology (Hannover Medical School)

Group Leader – Systems Biology and Next Generation Sequencing Analysis (University of Oxford)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Blood- and Bone-Forming Stem Cell Biology (International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University)

PhD Position – Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering (Queensland University of Technology)

Postdoctoral Position – Mesenchymal Stem Cell Biology (Longboats Explorers Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow Position(s) – Cell and Molecular Biology (University of Texas Health Science Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Adipocytes in the Melanoma Microenvironment (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Craniofacial Molecular Biology (University of Southern California)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Translational Brain Tumor Research (Northwestern University)

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