Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 9.21 | May 30 2017

TOP STORY

cFOS-SOX9 Axis Reprograms Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Chondroblastic Osteosarcoma

Scientists showed that the default tumor type from spontaneously transformed p53 knockout bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) is osteoblastic osteosarcoma. Integrated genome-wide studies revealed a regulatory mechanism whereby cFOS bound to the promoter of a key chondroblastic transcription factor, Sox9, and induced its transcription in BMSCs. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

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IN VITRO

MiR-122 Modification Enhances the Therapeutic Efficacy of Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells against Liver Fibrosis

The authors investigated whether miR-122 modification could improve the therapeutic efficacy of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) in treating liver fibrosis. MiR-122-modified AMSCs more effectively suppressed the proliferation of and collagen maturation in hepatic stellate cells than scramble miRNA-modified AMSCs. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article

Effect of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Stem Cell Supernatant on Equine Corneal Wound Healing In Vitro

Researchers aimed to determine and compare the in vitro effects of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and mesenchymal stem cell supernatant (MSC-Sp) on the wound healing capacity of equine corneal fibroblasts using a scratch assay. There was a significant percentage decrease in the scratch area remaining in the BM-MSC and MSC-Sp groups compared to the control group. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Supramolecular Polypseudorotaxane Gels for Controlled Delivery of rAAV Vectors in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Regenerative Medicine

Scientists investigated the in vitro release of rAAV vectors and subsequent transduction of human mesenchymal stem cells by rAAV vectors from the release medium and from gels in direct contact with the cells. Compared with free vectors, the gels provided higher levels of transgene expression. [Int J Pharm] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Correlation of CDC42 Activity with Cell Proliferation and Palmitate-Mediated Cell Death in Human Umbilical Cord Wharton’s Jelly Derived Mesenchymal Stromal cells

Investigators showed that CDC42 acts as an essential factor in regulating cell proliferation and also takes part in lipotoxic effects of palmitate in human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly derived MSCs (hWJ-MSCs). Cultured human bone marrow, adipose tissue, and hWJ-MSCs derived cells had varying pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion levels and cell death rates when treated by palmitate. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Characteristics of Labial Gland Mesenchymal Stem Cells of Healthy Individuals and Patients with SjöGren Syndrome: A Preliminary Study

Researchers elucidated the characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from the labial glands of healthy controls and of those from patients with Sjögren’s Syndrome in order to elucidate the related pathogenesis and uncover potential avenues for novel clinical interventions. The MSC characteristics of the cultured cells were confirmed using morphology, proliferation, colony forming-unit efficiency, and multipotentiality, including osteogenic, adipogenic, and salivary gland differentiation. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

IN VIVO

Ultrasmall Graphene Oxide Based T1 MRI Contrast Agent for In Vitro and In Vivo Labeling of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Investigators report the development of a two-dimensional nanomaterial graphene oxide (GO)-based T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent for in vitro and in vivo labeling of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). hMSCs were effectively labeled by GO-DOTA-Gd, which lead to a remarkably enhanced cellular MRI effect without obvious adverse effects on proliferation and differentiation of hMSCs. [Nanomedicine] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

The Combination of Nano-Calcium Sulfate/Platelet Rich Plasma Gel Scaffold with BMP2 Gene-Modified Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes Bone Regeneration in Rat Critical-Sized Calvarial Defects

The authors developed and investigated the effect of a new sandwich-like bone scaffold which combines a nano-calcium sulfate (nCS) disc along with platelet-rich plasma fibrin gel (nCS/PRP) with BMP2-modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on bone repair and regeneration in rat critical-sized calvarial defects. Their in vivo results showed that the combination of BMP2-modified MSCs and nCS/PRP scaffold dramatically increased new bone regeneration compared with the groups without PRP and/or BMP2. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Stroke Induces Mesenchymal Stem Cell Migration to Infarcted Brain Areas Via CXCR4 and C-Met Signaling

Scientists hypothesized that the serum from stroke patients increases mesenchymal stem cells trophism toward the infarcted brain area. Compared to the fetal bovine serum group, the stroke serum group but not the normal serum group showed significantly greater migration toward the infarcted brain area in the in vitro and in vivo models. [Transl Stroke Res] Abstract

Functional and Structural Assessment of the Effect of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity

The authors evaluated the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the functional and the structural improvement of doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiomyopathy in rats. DOX-administered rats showed significant functional and structural deterioration. DOX-MSCs treated rats showed improved functional and structural criteria with the restoration of all biochemical indicators of cardiac damage and reactive oxygen species to normal. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

Extracellular Calcium Promotes Bone Formation from Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Amplifying the Effects of BMP-2 on SMAD Signaling

Scientists analyzed the osteoinductive properties of extracellular calcium in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell differentiation. Early and late osteogenic gene expression and bone regeneration in a calvarial critical-size defect model demonstrated that extracellular Ca²⁺ enhances the effects of BMP-2 on Osteocalcin, Runx2 and Osterix expression and promotes bone regeneration in vivo. [PLoS One] Full Article

ATP-Induced Ca²⁺-Signaling Mechanisms in the Regulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Migration

The authors discuss the mechanisms for ATP release and clearance, the receptors and ion channels participating in ATP-induced Ca²⁺ signaling and the roles of such signaling mechanisms in mediating ATP-induced regulation of mesenchymal stem cell migration. [Cell Mol Life Sci] Full Article

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OICR Launches Five All-Star Teams of Ontario Scientists to Tackle Some of the Deadliest Forms of Cancer

Reza Moridi, Ontario’s Minister of Research, Innovation and Science announced that the Institute is funding five collaborative, cross-disciplinary and inter-institutional Translational Research Initiatives with a total of $24 million over the next two years. [Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR)] Press Release

Provia Labs Launches Library of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Research Samples Sourced from Dental, Adipose, Placental, and Umbilical Cord Tissue

Provia Laboratories LLC announced the launch of a comprehensive library of stem cell material available for researchers. The library includes ready to ship mesenchymal stem cells from dental pulp found in human third molars or human exfoliated deciduous teeth, as well as from follicular tissue, adipose tissue, placental tissue, and umbilical cord tissue. [Provia Laboratories LLC. (Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.)] Press Release | Video

NovaBone Announces Irrigation Resistant Products with Carriers that have Synergistic Effect in Bone Formation

NovaBone Products announces the addition of NovaBone IRM and NovaBone IRM MacroPOR to its portfolio of biologically active bone graft substitutes. Both formulations optimize osteogenesis, uniquely signal and stimulate osteoblastic activity, and offer angiogenic potential. [NovaBone Products (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Texas on Track to Become First State to Explicitly Back Stem Cell Therapies

Lawmakers in Austin have approved a bill authorizing unapproved stem cell therapies, putting Texas on track to become the first state to explicitly recognize the experimental treatments. [STAT News] Editorial

NIH Scales Back Plan to Curb Support for Big Labs after Hearing Concerns

Faced with a barrage of criticism, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has scaled back a plan to cap its support for individual labs in order to free up funds for more scientists. The changes did not appease scientists who gave NIH a tongue-lashing at a meeting of NIH’s Council of Councils. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

House Science Panel Joins Trump in Questioning Research Overhead Payments

A hearing on how the U.S. government defrays the cost of doing federally funded research on college campuses might put most people to sleep. But when budgets are tight, the billions of dollars being spent each year on so-called overhead become an irresistible target for lawmakers. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW 3^rd CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference
September 6-9, 2017
Mainz/Frankfurt, Germany

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NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Cellular Therapy for Degenerative Disc Disease (NUI Galway)

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 Position – Craniofacial Molecular Biology (University of Southern California)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Translational Brain Tumor Research (Northwestern University)

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