Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 9.40 | Oct 10 2017

TOP STORY

Translating the Role of Osteogenic-Angiogenic Coupling in Bone Formation: Highly Efficient Chitosan-pDNA Activated Scaffolds Can Accelerate Bone Regeneration in Critical-Sized Bone Defects

Researchers developed a gene-activated scaffold platform using a bone-mimicking collagen hydroxyapatite scaffold loaded with chitosan nanoparticles carrying genes encoding osteogenic and angiogenic proteins. With a single treatment, protein expression by MSCs seeded onto the scaffold was sustained for up to 28 days and was functional in inducing MSC osteogenesis. [Biomaterials] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

Macropinocytic Entry of Isolated Mitochondria in Epidermal Growth Factor-Activated Human Osteosarcoma Cells

Scientists investigated the entry mechanism of isolated mitochondria into human osteosarcoma (HOS) cells. They confirmed that respiratory-competent cells can be produced following incubation of HOS cells lacking mitochondrial DNA with functional exogenous mitochondria and selection in a restrictive medium. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Annexin-Enriched Osteoblast-Derived Vesicles Act as an Extracellular Site of Mineral Nucleation within Developing Stem Cell Cultures

The authors defined the capacity of extracellular vesicles derived from mineralizing osteoblasts to induce mineralisation in MSC cultures and delineated the underlying biochemical mechanisms involved. [Sci Rep] Full Article | Press Release

Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Pre-Treated with IL-1β and Stimulated with BMP-3 Enhance Chondrogenesis

Researchers studied the effects of BMP-3, IL-1β and combination on human MSCs (hMSCs) encapsulated in PuraMatrix™ hydrogel, especially in the absence of TGF-β, in order to investigate the proliferation and differentiation ability of hMSCs over 28 days period. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Generation of an Immortalized Mesenchymal Stem Cell Line Producing a Secreted Biosensor Protein for Glucose Monitoring

Investigators generated a novel immortalized human MSC line co-expressing human telomerase reverse transcriptase and a secreted glucose biosensor transgene using the Sleeping Beauty transposon technology. Genetically modified hMSCs retained their mesenchymal characteristics. [PLoS One] Full Article

IN VIVO

Local Application of IGFBP5 Protein Enhanced Periodontal Tissue Regeneration via Increasing the Migration, Cell Proliferation and Osteo/Dentinogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in an Inflammatory Niche

The authors investigated the role of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 5 (IGFBP5) protein in MSCs and periodontal tissue regeneration independent of exogenous MSCs in an inflammatory niche. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Synergistic Effects on Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Cartilage Regeneration by Chondrogenic Preconditioning and Mechanical Stimulation

Bone marrow-derived MSCs were primed in chondrogenic induction medium, which was then replaced with normal growth medium to attain the manipulated cells. Methacrylated hyaluronic acid was synthesized as a scaffold to encapsulate the cells. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Conditioned Media in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis Patients: Clinical, Ophthalmological and Radiological Assessments of Safety and Efficacy

This open-label prospective Phase I/IIa clinical study used autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs followed by mesenchymal stromal cells conditioned media for the first time to treat multiple sclerosis patients. [CNS Neurosci Ther] Abstract | Full Article

Articular Cartilage Repair with Mesenchymal Stem Cells after Chondrogenic Priming: A Pilot Study

Scientists assessed a protocol that involved autologous transplantation of bone marrow-derived MSCs into full-thickness cartilage defects in sheep following isolation, expansion and a short period of chondrogenic priming. The impact of oxygen tension during pre-implantation culture was investigated. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Strategies to Retain Properties of Bone Marrow–Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Ex Vivo

The authors review the current understanding of MSC behavior in the bone marrow niche, describe different strategies to engineer an in vitro microenvironment for maintaining MSC properties and functions, and discuss previous findings on environmental factors critical to the modulation of MSC activities in engineered microenvironments. [Ann N Y Acad Sci] Abstract

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

FDA Awards 15 Grants for Clinical Trials to Stimulate Product Development for Rare Diseases

The FDA announced that it has awarded 15 new clinical trial research grants totaling more than $22 million over the next four years to boost the development of products for patients with rare diseases. [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] Press Release

InGeneron Appoints Angelo Moesslang as Chief Executive Officer

InGeneron, Inc. announced that Angelo Moesslang, PhD, former Chief Financial Officer of Fresenius Medical Care North America, has joined InGeneron and will serve as the new Chief Executive Officer. [InGeneron, Inc. (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Publishers Threaten to Remove Millions of Papers from ResearchGate

Millions of articles might soon disappear from ResearchGate, the world’s largest scholarly social network. Five publishers said they had formed a coalition that would start ordering ResearchGate to remove research articles from its site because they breach publishers’ copyright. [Nature News] Editorial

Navajo Nation Reconsiders Ban on Genetic Research

When the Navajo Nation opens its first oncology center next year in Tuba City, Arizona, clinicians there may be able to offer a service that has been banned on tribal lands for 15 years: analyzing the DNA of Navajo tribe members to guide treatments and study the genetic roots of disease. [Nature News] Editorial

Does Your State Get Its Fair Share of Federal Research Dollars?

The only physicist in Congress has introduced a bill that could rekindle a debate over how to deal with geographic disparities in the allocation of federal research funding. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Scientists Plead with Brazilian Government to Restore Funding

Anxiety is growing in Brazil over the country’s collapsing research budgets. President Michel Temer had slashed funding for science by 44% and has proposed additional decreases for 2018 — even as some science institutes run out of money for basic needs, such as paying electricity bills. The 2017 science budget, at 3.2 billion reais (US$1 billion), is the lowest the country has seen in at least 12 years. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 6^th Utrecht Stem Cell Conference – Regenerative Medicine Cardiology
February 16, 2018
Utrecht, Netherlands

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Research (Tsinghua University)

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)

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