Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 9.39 | Oct 3 2017

TOP STORY

Cellular Immunotherapy for Septic Shock (CISS): A Phase I Clinical Trial

Researchers conducted a Phase I dose escalation trial of MSCs in septic shock with the primary objective to examine the safety and tolerability of MSCs. [Am J Respir Crit Care Med] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

Tumor-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Use Distinct Mechanisms to Block the Activity of Natural Killer Cell Subsets

Scientists compared the immunomodulatory effects on natural killer (NK) cells of paired intratumor (T)- and adjacent non-tumor tissue (N)-derived MSCs from patients with squamous cell lung carcinoma (SCC). They observed that T-MSCs were more strongly immunosuppressive than N-MSCs and affected both NK function and phenotype, as defined by CD56 expression. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Human Amniotic Membrane Mesenchymal Stem Cells Inhibit Neutrophil Extracellular Traps through TSG-6

The authors identified that conditioned medium from human amniotic membrane mesenchymal stem cells was able to diminish neutrophil extracellular traps release, as well as the production of reactive oxygen species and the mitochondrial membrane potential from LPS-stimulated mouse bone marrow-derived neutrophils. [Sci Rep] Full Article

The Neurotrophic Effects of Different Human Dental Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Dental-MSCs (D-MSCs) including stem cells obtained from apical papilla, dental pulp stem cells, and periodontal ligament stem cells are potential sources of MSCs for nerve repair. Researchers present the characterization of various D-MSCs from the same human donors for peripheral nerve regeneration. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Overexpression of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 Alpha Improves Immunomodulation by Dental Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Scientists characterized immunomodulatory properties of dental MSCs and determined changes in their ability to modulate adaptive and innate immune populations after hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) alpha overexpression. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

IN VIVO

Neo-Organoid of Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Secreting Interleukin-12 for Breast Cancer Therapy

The authors noted that primary murine MSCs retrovirally engineered to secrete murine IL-12 can significantly interfere with growth of 4T1 breast cancer cells in vivo, with a more substantial anticancer action achieved when these cells are embedded in a matrix. [Cancer Res] Full Article

In Vitro and In Vivo Study of the Application of Volvox Spheres to Co-Culture Vehicles in Liver Tissue Engineering

Investigators simultaneously encapsulated rat MSCs and AML12 hepatocytes in volvox spheres and extensively evaluated the effects of various culturing modes on cell functions and fates. They showed that compared with a static flask culture, MSCs encapsulated in volvox spheres differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells with a 2-fold increase in albumin expression and a 2.5-fold increase in cytokeratin 18 expression in a dynamic bioreactor. [Acta Biomater] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Microbiota Regulates Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Lineage Differentiation and Immunomodulation

Using a well-established germ-free (GF) mouse model, researchers showed that the microbiota significantly altered the stemness of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) in comparison to specific-pathogen-free (SPF)-derived BMMSCs. Colonization of GF mice with SPF microbiota normalized the proliferation and differentiation abilities of BMMSCs. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Abstract

Transplantation of HGF Modified Dental Pulp Stem Cells Prevents Bone Loss in the Early Phase of Ovariectomy-Induced Osteoporosis

The authors investigated the roles of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene modified dental pulp derived MSCs (DPSCs) in bone regeneration using a mouse model of ovariectomy-induced bone loss. They transferred the HGF and luciferase gene into human DPSCs respectively by using recombinant adenovirus. [Hum Gene Ther] Abstract

Challenges and Strategies for Improving the Regenerative Effects of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Based Therapies

The authors review the major factors that hamper successful cell engraftment and the strategies that have been studied to enhance the beneficial effects of cell therapy. They provide a perspective on whether mesenchymal stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicle delivery, as a cell-free regenerative approach, may circumvent current cell therapy limitations. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

Strategies to Enhance Paracrine Potency of Transplanted Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Intractable Neonatal Disorders

The authors focus on recent investigations that elucidate the specifically regulated paracrine mechanisms of MSCs by injury type and discuss potential strategies to enhance paracrine potency, and thus therapeutic efficacy, of transplanted MSCs, including determining the appropriate source and preconditioning strategy for MSCs and the route and timing of their administration. [Pediatr Res] Full Article

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

Roosterbio and Gencure Expand Collaboration to Provide End-to-End Solutions for hMSC-Based Therapies

Biotech organizations RoosterBio Inc and GenCure announced that they are expanding their existing collaboration by providing end-to-end solutions for human MSC-based therapeutic technologies. [BioBridge Global] Press Release

BioCardia Announces Successful Interim Safety Analysis in Its Phase III Clinical Trial of CardiAMP Stem Cell Therapy for Heart Failure

BioCardia announced that the independent Data Safety Monitoring Board has completed the pre-specified interim analysis of safety outcomes for the first ten patients treated in the Phase III trial of its investigational CardiAMP cell therapy product. [BioCardia, Inc. (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Clinical Trial of Mesoblast’s Cell Therapy in End-Stage Heart Failure Patients Completes Enrollment

Mesoblast Limited announced that a multi-center team of researchers led by Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, has completed enrollment of a 159-patient Phase IIb trial evaluating Mesoblast’s novel allogeneic mesenchymal precursor cell therapy for the treatment of end-stage heart failure. The trial is funded by the United States National Institutes of Health, and the Canadian Institute of Health Research. [Mesoblast Limited (GlobeNewswire, Inc.)] Press Release

After Upheaval, Russian Academy of Sciences Gets New Leader

After months of uncertainty, the Russian Academy of Sciences here finally has a new leader. Russian President Vladimir Putin approved physicist Alexander Sergeyev as the academy’s president for the next 5 years. Sergeyev has vowed to secure more money for Russian science and create a fund, through a new tax on fossil fuel company profits, for upgrading the country’s antiquated research infrastructure. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Researchers Caught in Growing Rift over Catalan Independence

Scientists in Catalonia are feeling the ripples of a severe crisis as the region’s bid for independence from Spain comes to a head. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

French Government Proposes Big Science-Spending Boost

French research funding is set for a heartening increase in the country’s first budget under President Emmanuel Macron, if draft 2018 plans are voted into law. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 14^th Annual Stem Cell Symposium: Technology Innovation for Stem Cell Research and Therapy
February 2, 2018
Los Angeles, California, United States

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

NEW PhD Student Position – Bone Biology and Repair (KU Leuven)

PhD Studentship – Mechanobiology and Tissue Engineering (KU Leuven)

Faculty Positions – Tissue Regeneration and Engineering (Duke University)

Assistant or Associate Professor – Biomedical Engineering (University of British Columbia)

Tenure Track Faculty Positions – Regenerative Medicine, Tissue Repair and Tissue Engineering (University of Georgia)

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)

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.