Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 9.35 | Sep 5 2017

TOP STORY

The Functional Response of Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Electron-Beam Patterned Elastomeric Surfaces Presenting Micrometer to Nanoscale Heterogeneous Rigidity

The mechanoresponse of human mesenchymal stem cells to e-beam patterned substrates was probed in vitro and significant modulation of focal adhesion formation and osteochondral lineage commitment was observed as a function of both feature diameter and rigidity, establishing the groundwork for a new generation of biomimetic material interfaces. [Adv Mater] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

Exosomes from Glioma-Associated Mesenchymal Stem Cells Increase the Tumorigenicity of Glioma Stem-Like Cells via Transfer of miR-1587

The authors showed that glioma associated-human MSCs, a newly identified stromal component of glioblastoma, release exosomes that increase the proliferation and clonogenicity of tumor-initiating glioma stem-like cells. [Cancer Res] Abstract

The Wnt5a Receptor, Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-Like Orphan Receptor 2, Is a Predictive Cell Surface Marker of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells with an Enhanced Capacity for Chondrogenic Differentiation

Researchers generated clonal human MSC populations with varying capacities for chondrogenesis. Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 was identified through screening for upregulated genes in the most chondrogenic clones. [Stem Cells] Full Article

Human Primary Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Their In Vitro Progenies Display Distinct Transcriptional Profile Signatures

Recently, scientists demonstrated that bone marrow (BM)-MSCs fulfill stringent in vivo stem cell criteria when propagated as non-adherent mesenspheres but not as adherent-cultured cells. Motivated by these profound functional differences, they aimed to identify potential important MSC regulators by investigating global gene expression profiles of adherent and non-adherent culture-derived BM-MSCs in comparison with primary BM-MSCs. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Effects of Blue Light Emitting Diode Irradiation on the Proliferation, Apoptosis and Differentiation of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The authors determined the effects of blue light emitting diodes on the proliferation, apoptosis and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived MSCs. [Cell Physiol Biochem] Full Article

Understanding Molecular Mechanism of Improved Proliferation and Osteogenic Potential of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Grown on Polyelectrolyte Complex Derived from Non-Mulberry Silk Fibroin and Chitosan

In vitro cytocompatibility, in vivo biocompatibility and osteogenic markers analysis suggested that the polyelectrolyte complexes blended at pH 7.0 showed greater stability and enhanced growth and osteogenic differentiation capability of human MSCs. [Biomed Mater] Abstract

Influence of Hydrodynamic Pressure on the Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of Bone Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Seeded on Polyurethane Scaffolds

The viability, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rat bone mesenchymal stromal cells growing in a polymer scaffold were investigated after hydrodynamic pressure stimulation. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

IN VIVO

Co-Encapsulation and Co-Transplantation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Reduces Pericapsular Fibrosis and Improves Encapsulated Islet Survival and Function when Allografted

Scientists investigated whether co-encapsulation or co-transplantation of MSCs with encapsulated islets would reduce pericapsular fibrotic overgrowth and improve graft survival. Stimulating MSCs with a cytokine cocktail of IFN-γ and TNF-α enhanced their immunosuppressive potential by increasing nitric oxide production and secreting higher levels of immunomodulatory cytokines. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Fetal Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Enhance Humanization and Bone Formation of BMP7 Loaded Scaffolds

The authors compared the utility of human MSCs isolated from fetal term placenta and fetal first trimester bone marrow in a polycaprolactone scaffold/BMP7-based model in nude mice. [Biotechnol J] Abstract

Effects of In Vivo Deletion of GATA2 in Bone Marrow Stromal Cells

Investigators evaluated GATA2 effects in bone marrow-MSC in vivo. Expression profiling analysis of Gata2 knockout Ter119^–CD45^– mesenchymal stromal cells obtained from compact bone from tamoxifen-treated Gata2 conditional knockout mice revealed upregulation of 110 genes and downregulation of 141 by a factor of 2. [Exp Hematol] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells: A New Treatment for Sepsis and Septic Shock?

MSCs have raised hopes for the treatment of sepsis. Their immunomodulatory properties, antimicrobial activity and capacity of protection against organ failure confer MSCs with a major advantage to treat the immune and inflammatory dysfunctions associated with sepsis and septic shock. [Stem Cells] Abstract

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

Investigating the Mechanisms of Metastasis

DeClerck, a pediatrician-scientist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and co-leader of the Tumor Microenvironment Program at the USC-Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, was recently awarded $2.2 million from the National Cancer Institute, to investigate the tumor microenvironment from a relatively new context. The study will focus on a newly identified type of messenger – extracellular vesicles released by cancer cells into their environment. [Children’s Hospital Los Angeles] Press Release

FDA Grants Orphan Drug Status to Cellect’s ApoGraft™ for Acute GvHD and Chronic GvHD

Cellect Biotechnology Ltd. announced that the FDA has granted orphan drug designation for Cellect’s ApoGraft™ for the prevention of acute and chronic graft versus host disease (GvHD) in transplant patients. [Cellect Biotechnology Ltd.] Press Release

Budget Battle Looms for US Science Programs

Scientists in the United States are nervously watching from the sidelines as the annual budget skirmish heats up in Congress. Competing spending priorities in the House of Representative and Senate could push funding negotiations into December. [Nature News] Editorial

Young Immigrant Scientists Anxiously Await Trump’s DACA Decision

A 27-year-old is one of an untold number of scientists and engineers who are undocumented immigrants, and have been able to get jobs and degrees thanks to a federal initiative that President Donald Trump has threatened to end. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Brain Researchers in Uproar over NIH Clinical-Trials Policy

Scientists studying human behavior and cognitive brain function are up in arms over a plan by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) to classify most studies involving human participants as clinical trials. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW EACR-MRS: Seed and Soil: In Vivo Models of Metastasis
November 27-29, 2017
Berlin, Germany

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

NEW Faculty Position – Stem Cell Biology (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center)

Researcher – Skeletal Tissue Engineering (KU Leuven)

Assistant Professor – Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Faculty Position – Regenerative Biology (Northwestern University)

Professor – Bioengineering (University of Pittsburgh)

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)

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

Postdoctoral Position – Cell Biology (The Scripps Research Institute)

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

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Mesenchymal Cell News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.