Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 9.41 | Oct 17 2017

TOP STORY

Stem Cell Transplantation for Frailty

In this issue of the Journals of Gerontology, two clinical trials are published on the effects of MSC transplantation in frail older humans, and these trials represent potential landmarks in the treatment of frailty. Both studies are early-phase trials of a small number of participants, designed primarily to assess safety, so conclusions about efficacy need to be treated with caution. [Editorial from the Oxford University Press discussing online prepublication in The Journals of Gerontology Series A] Editorial | Press Release | Full Article 1 | Full Article 2

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

Differences in the Neovascular Potential of Thymus Versus Subcutaneous Adipose-Derived Stem Cells from Patients with Myocardial Ischemia

Investigators examined the neovascular potential under hypoxic conditions of adipose tissue (AT)-derived multipotent mesenchymal cells-derived from thymic and subcutaneous AT from 39 subjects with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus and of different ages who were undergoing coronary bypass surgery. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Optimization of the Use of a Pharmaceutical Grade Xeno-Free Medium for In Vitro Expansion of Human Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells

The authors report the optimization of a pharmaceutical-grade xeno-free strategy for human MSCs in vitro expansion based on the supplementation of basal medium with a pharmaceutical-grade human plasma-derived supplement for cell culture and two human growth factors, plus a coating of human plasma fibronectin. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Tumor Microenvironment Favor Breast Cancer Stem Cell Proliferation, Cancerogenic and Metastatic Potential, via Ionotropic Purinergic Signaling

Scientists analyzed the role played by MSCs in breast cancer oncogenesis. Data indicated that interaction of breast cancer cells with MSCs resulted in an increased proliferation and metabolic activity of breast cancer cells, partially due to MSC-derived microvesicles that are shed in the tumor microenvironment. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Omentin-1 Effects on Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Angiogenesis In Vitro

Omentin-1, a new fat depot-specific secretory adipokine, exerts proproliferation, prosurvival, and proangiogenic functions in certain cells via an Akt-dependent mechanism; however, little is known about the influence of omentin-1 on MSCs. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Monitoring Bone Tissue Engineered (BTE) Constructs Based on the Shifting Metabolism of Differentiating Stem Cells

Ever-increasing demand for bone grafts necessitates the realization of clinical implementation of bone tissue engineered constructs. The predominant hurdle to implementation remains to be securing FDA approval, based on the lack of viable methods for the rigorous monitoring of said constructs. The study presented herein details a method for such monitoring based on the shifting metabolism of mesenchymal stem cells as they differentiate into osteoblasts. [Ann Biomed Eng] Abstract

IN VIVO

A Novel Technique for Accelerated Culture of Murine Mesenchymal Stem Cells that Allows for Sustained Multipotency

Researchers describe a simple and reproducible method to generate murine MSCs by utilizing hypoxia and basic fibroblast growth factor supplementation. Cells produced using these conditions were generated 2.8 times faster than under traditional methods and the murine MSCs showed decreased senescence and maintained their multipotency and differentiation potential until passage 11 and beyond. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells or Meniscal Cells: What Is the Best Cell Source for Regenerative Meniscus Treatment in an Early Osteoarthritis Situation?

Researchers evaluated the appropriate cell source for autologous meniscal repair in a demanding setting of early osteoarthritis. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

The Application of Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Treat Thermal and Radiation Burns

The authors summarize the current knowledge on MSCs in treating thermal and radiation burns along with the specific scope of characterizing the biologic function of MSCs that help enhance wound healing in these chronic injuries. [Adv Drug Deliv Rev] Abstract

Stem Cells and Genome Editing: Approaches to Tissue Regeneration and Regenerative Medicine

The authors provide an overview of current work, from high-regeneration animal models, to stem cell-based culture models, transplantation technologies, large-animal chimeric models, and programmable nuclease-based genome-editing technologies. [J Hum Genet] Abstract

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

Zebrafish Models Developed by USC Scientist to Explain How Stem Cells Repair Damaged Organs

The National Institutes of Health has recognized USC scientist Gage Crump with an eight-year, $8 million grant to support the development of stem cell-based treatments for patients with craniofacial diseases. [University of Southern California] Press Release

Biotech Holdings Announces Effective Induction of “Reverse Abscopal Effect” in Rheumatoid Arthritis Using Procell Activated Stem Cells

Biotech Holdings announced filing of a patent application entitled “Reverse Abscopal Effect for Treatment of Autoimmunity.” The patent covers recent data showing that injection of ProCell stem cells in one joint of animals suffering from rheumatoid arthritis leads to remission of the disease in all the joints. [Biotech Holdings (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

FDA Advisers Back Gene Therapy for Rare Form of Blindness

Advisers to the FDA have paved the way for the agency’s first approval of a gene therapy to treat a disease caused by a genetic mutation. A panel of external experts unanimously voted that the benefits of the therapy, which treats a form of hereditary blindness, outweigh its risks. [Nature News] Editorial

German Researchers Resign from Elsevier Journals in Push for Nationwide Open Access

Five leading German scientists have resigned from their editorial positions at journals published by Elsevier, the latest step in a battle over open-access and subscription policies between the Dutch publishing giant and a consortium of German libraries, universities, and research institutes. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW 2018 Cell Dynamics Symposium
May 24-25, 2018
Nashville, Tennessee, United States

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

NEW Assistant Professor – Stem Cell And Regenerative Biology (Columbia University)

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Stem Cell Research (University of Helsinki)

NEW Postdoctoral Trainee – Cardiovascular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Research (Tsinghua University)

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)

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