Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 9.22 | Jun 6 2017

TOP STORY

A Stretchable Piezoelectric Substrate Providing Pulsatile Mechanoelectric Cues for Cardiomyogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The authors developed a stretchable piezoelectric substrate (SPS) that can provide pulsatile mechanoelectric cues (PMEC) to human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) for cardiomyogenic differentiation ex vivo. Their data showed that hMSCs subjected to PMEC by SPS underwent promoted cardiac phenotype development; cell alignment and the expression of cardiac markers. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract

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IN VITRO

IP6K1 Reduces Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cell Fitness and Potentiates High Fat Diet-Induced Skeletal Involution

Investigators showed that inositol hexakisphosphate kinase 1 (Ip6k1) deletion in mice increased mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) yields from marrow and enhanced cell growth and survival ex vivo. In response to the appropriate stimuli, Ip6k1^-/- versus Ip6k1^+/+ MSCs exhibited enhanced osteogenesis and hematopoiesis-supporting activity and reduced adipogenic differentiation. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Polyethylene Glycol Modified PAMAM Dendrimer Delivery of Kartogenin to Induce Chondrogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The authors conjugated kartogenin (KGN) to the surface of polyethylene glycol (PEG)ylated polyamidoamine (PAMAM) and the end group of PEG to obtain the PEG-PAMAM-KGN (PPK) and KGN-PEG-PAMAM (KPP) conjugate, respectively. KPP induced higher expression of chondrogenic markers than PPK and free KGN. After treatment of KPP, CBF β nuclear localization intensity was significantly increased, indicating enhanced efficacy of chondrogenesis. [Nanomedicine] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

In Vitro Expansion Impaired the Stemness of Early Passage Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treatment of Cartilage Defects

Researchers investigated the chondrogenic potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells at passage 3 (P3 BMSCs) both in cartilage repair and in vitro, with freshly isolated bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) as controls. The results showed that P3 BMSCs were inferior to BMMNCs not only in their chondrogenic differentiation ability but also as candidates for long-term repair of cartilage defects. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Programmed Platelet Derived Growth Factor-ββ and Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 Delivery from a Hybrid Calcium Phosphate/Alginate Scaffold

Using a three-dimensional co-culture model, scientists observed that the sequence of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) to bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) delivery influenced both cellular infiltration and alkaline phosphatase expression. It was found that the presence of early PDGF delivery increased the distance of cell infiltration into the calcium phosphate/alginate scaffolding in comparison to early BMP-2 delivery and simultaneous PDGF+BMP-2 delivery. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

IN VIVO

BMP Signaling Orchestrates a Transcriptional Network to Control the Fate of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Mice

Researchers identified the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) population supporting mouse molar root growth as Gli1+ cells. Using a Gli1-mediated transgenic animal model, their results provide the first in vivo evidence that BMP signaling activity is required for the odontogenic differentiation of MSCs. They identified transcription factors, Pax9, Klf4, Satb2, and Lhx8, that are downstream of BMP signaling and are expressed in a spatially restricted pattern potentially involved in determining distinct cellular identities within the dental mesenchyme. [Development] Abstract

Simultaneous Delivery of Hydrophobic Small Molecules and siRNA Using Sterosomes to Direct Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation for Bone Repair

Scientists demonstrated the ability of stearylamine/cholesterol sterosomes to simultaneously deliver hydrophobic small molecule phenamil and noggin-directed small interfering RNA (siRNA) to enhance osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells both in in vitro two- and three-dimensional settings as well as in a mouse calvarial defect model. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Stabilize Axonal Transports for Autophagic Clearance of α-Synuclein in Parkinsonian Models

The authors demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could modulate cytoskeletal networks and trafficking to exert neuroprotective properties in wild-type or A53T α-synuclein overexpressing cells and mice. They found that eukaryotic Elongation Factor 1A-2, a soluble factor derived from MSCs, stabilized microtubule assembly by decreasing calcium/calmodulin-dependent tau phosphorylation and induced autophagolysosome fusion, which was accompanied by an increase in the axonal motor proteins and increased neuronal survival. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Correct Hemodynamic Dysfunction Associated with Liver Injury after Extended Resection in a Pig Model

Researchers performed a 70% liver resection in male pigs. MSCs were infused through a central venous catheter and hemodynamic parameters as well as markers of acute kidney damage were monitored under intensive care conditions for 24 hours post-surgery. MSCs supported kidney and liver function after extended liver resection. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Benefit of Cardiopoietic Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy on Left Ventricular Remodeling: Results from the Congestive Heart Failure Cardiopoietic Regenerative Therapy (CHART-1) Study

Scientists examined the impact of the intramyocardial administration of bone-marrow-derived, lineage-directed, autologous cardiopoietic mesenchymal stem cells on left ventricular (LV) remodeling in patients with advanced heart failure enrolled in the CHART-1 study. In CHART-1, intramyocardial administration of cardiopoietic stem cells led to reverse remodeling as evidenced by significant progressive decreases in LV end-diastolic volume and end-systolic volume through the 52 weeks of follow-up. [Eur J Heart Fail] Abstract

Design of Electrospun Nanofibrous Mats for Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The authors give a comprehensive literature survey on the mechanisms of electrospun nanofibers in supporting the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiation. They review the influences of biological or physical osteogenic inductive cues on the MSCs osteogenic differentiation. [Nanomedicine] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

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

Major Research Initiative Explores How Our Bones and Muscles Age

Researchers are dissecting what happens to the stem cells that make the tissues that help keep us upright, with an eye on improving our healthspan. “Daily exercise decreases the slope of that decline. But what we are focusing on is trying to see if we can flatten the curve even further,” said Dr. Carlos Isales, principal investigator on a new $9.3 million Program Project grant from the National Institutes of Health. [Augusta University] Press Release

Ortho-ACI^® Included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods

Orthocell Limited announced it has received confirmation from the Therapeutic Goods Administration that Ortho-ACI^® has been included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods. [Orthocell Limited (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Romania’s Science Reforms Prompt Boycott

Researchers in Romania are stepping up protests against controversial government science reforms. Hundreds of scientists at leading research institutions say they will refuse to sit on national panels that assess and award grants, after the Romanian researchers’ association Ad Astra called for the boycott. But not all scientists in the country support the move. [Nature News] Editorial

NIH Plan to Reduce Overhead Payments Draws Fire

President Donald Trump’s administration has brought a long-simmering debate over how the U.S. government supports university research back to a boil. In its 2018 budget proposal, the White House proposes cutting so-called indirect cost payments that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) makes to universities, hospitals, and research institutes by about two-thirds, to 10% of each grant. The administration says the change would allow it to redirect about $4.6 billion now spent each year on overhead—including maintaining labs and complying with regulations—to research. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Advances in Modeling Cancer in Mice: Technology, Biology, and Beyond
September 24-27, 2017
Orlando, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Biomedical Science (University of Illinois at Chicago)

NEW Assistant Professor – Regenerative Medicine (University of Ottawa)

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 (Longboat Explorers Inc.)

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

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