Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 9.32 | Aug 15 2017

TOP STORY

Thermosensitive Chitosan-Based Hydrogels Releasing Stromal Cell Derived Factor-1 Alpha Recruit MSC for Corneal Epithelium Regeneration

Investigators generated a bioactive, thermosensitive chitosan–gelatin hydrogel by incorporating exogenous recombinant human stromal cell–derived factor-1 alpha for corneal epithelium regeneration. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

Hyaluronic Acid Coatings as a Simple and Efficient Approach to Improve MSC Homing toward the Site of Inflammation

Scientists report a simple and versatile method to transiently overexpress the hyaluronic acid (HA) receptor, CD44, on MSC membranes, to improve their homing potential towards an inflammatory site without affecting their behavior. The effect of HA-coatings on murine MSC was functionally determined both, in vitro and in vivo as a consequence of the transient CD44 overexpression induced by HA. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Red (660 nm) or Near-Infrared (810 nm) Photobiomodulation Stimulates, while Blue (415 nm), Green (540 nm) Light Inhibits Proliferation in Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

The authors asked what was the effect of four wavelengths on proliferation of human adipose-derived stem cells? When cultured in proliferation medium there was a clear difference between blue/green which inhibited proliferation and red/near-infrared which stimulated proliferation, all at 3 J/cm². [Sci Rep] Full Article

Notch Signaling Pathway and Gene Expression Profiles during Early In Vitro Differentiation of Liver-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells to Osteoblasts

Changes in expression and distribution of Notch 1, 2, 3, and Delta1 in the cytoplasm and nuclei of rat liver-derived mesenchymal stromal cells differentiating into osteoblasts were investigated, together with the displacement of intracellular domains of the receptors. [Lab Invest] Abstract

Silk Fibroin/Chitosan Scaffold with Tunable Properties and Low Inflammatory Response Assists the Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells

A series of silk fibroin/chitosan scaffolds with tunable properties were prepared using freeze-drying method, and rat bone marrow-derived MSCs were seeded in these scaffolds to evaluate their availability of use in tissue engineering. [Int J Biol Macromol] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) from JAK2⁺ Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Differ from Normal MSCs and Contribute to the Maintenance of Neoplastic Hematopoiesis

Investigators studied the ability of bone marrow-derived-MSCs to support the growth and survival of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs), showing a significant increase in the number of CFU-GM colonies when myeloproliferative neoplastic (MPN)-HSPCs were co-cultured with MPN-MSCs. [PLoS One] Full Article

Properties of Dental Pulp–Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and the Effects of Culture Conditions

Dental pulp MSCs in a three-dimensional spheroid culture system, which is similar to the hanging drop culture for differentiation of embryonic stem cells, showed upregulation of odonto-/osteoblastic markers and mineralized nodule formation. [J Endod] Abstract

IN VIVO

Acceleration of Fracture Healing by Overexpression of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor in the Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Researchers engineered MSCs to over-express basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and evaluated its effects on fracture healing. Adipose-derived mouse MSCs were transduced to express bFGF and green fluorescence protein. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Attenuate Liver Fibrosis by Suppressing Th17 Cells

Scientists investigated molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in MSC-mediated modulation of IL-17 signaling during liver fibrosis. [Transpl Int] Abstract

A New Chapter for Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Decellularized Extracellular Matrices

According to current knowledge, decellularized extracellular matrices (dECM) influence growth, adhesion, differentiation, migration, apoptosis, proliferation, and phenotype of cells, covering almost all cellular events. The authors focus on MSC and the isolation methods and effects of MSC derived dECM. [Stem Cell Rev] Abstract

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

Tissue Regenix Completes Acquisition of CellRight Technologies

Tissue Regenix Group plc announced completion of the acquisition of CellRight Technologies LLC, a US based specialist in regenerative osteoinductive bone scaffolds. [Tissue Regenix Group plc (Business Wire Inc.)] Press Release

Bone Biologics Announces Appointment of Bret Hankey to Company’s Board of Directors

Bone Biologics Corp. (BBLG) announced that Bret Hankey has joined the company’s board of directors. Mr. Hankey brings more than 15 years of operating and board director experience to the BBLG board. [Bone Biologics Corp. (Business Wire Inc.)] Press Release

New FDA Security Rules Will Bar Agency from Hiring Some Foreign Nationals

The FDA is moving to adopt a new policy on security background checks that is sowing confusion and alarm among some of its scientists. The change, described in a “communications plan” shared with the agency’s senior staff in recent weeks, appears to effectively bar the agency from hiring—as employees or contractors—foreign nationals who have not lived in the United States for a total of three out of the last five years. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Budget Cuts Fuel Frustration among Japan’s Academics

Japan’s premier scientific research institution, RIKEN, turned 100 this year, and celebrated with a grand ceremony attended by the empress and emperor. But not everybody was in the mood to party. In the old days, RIKEN was known as a paradise for scientists because of its generous funding. No longer: as Japan cuts off funds in the face of continuing financial uncertainty, the cracks are starting to show. [Nature News] Editorial

US Biomedical-Research Facilities Unprepared for Attacks and Natural Disasters

When Hurricane Sandy hit New York City in 2012, the storm destroyed scientific equipment worth more than US$20 million at the New York University Langone Medical Center. Tropical Storm Allison hit the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston in 2001, and caused so much damage that some researchers had to restart their careers elsewhere. Despite such catastrophes, a report found that many research institutions in the United States are still unprepared for disasters. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 33^rd Ernst Klenk Symposium in Molecular Medicine
October 15-17, 2017
Cologne, Germany

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

NEW Faculty Position – Regenerative Biology (Northwestern University)

NEW Professor – Bioengineering (University of Pittsburgh)

NEW Assistant Professor – Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (Harvard University)

Postdoctoral Position – Epigenetic Control of Stem Cell Function and Metabolism (University of Freiburg)

Assistant Professor – Human Anatomy and Cell Science (University Of Manitoba)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Oral Biology (Rutgers School of Dental Medicine)

Assistant/Associate Professor – Pharmacology & Pharmaceutical Sciences (University of Southern California)

Postdoctoral Position – Cell Biology (The Scripps Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Regenerative Medicine (Loma Linda University)

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

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