Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 9.46 | Nov 21 2017

TOP STORY

Apoptosis in Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Induces In Vivo Recipient-Mediated Immunomodulation

Using a murine model of graft-versus-host disease, researchers demonstrate that MSCs are actively induced to undergo perforin-dependent apoptosis by recipient cytotoxic cells and that this process is essential to initiate MSC-induced immunosuppression. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

GPR56/ADGRG1 Inhibits Mesenchymal Differentiation and Radioresistance in Glioblastoma

Scientists report that the adhesion G-protein-coupled receptor, GPR56/ADGRG1, inhibits glioblastoma (GBM) mesenchymal differentiation and radioresistance. GPR56 loss of function promoted mesenchymal differentiation and radioresistance of glioma initiating cells both in vitro and in vivo. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Label-Free Discrimination Analysis of De-Differentiated Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells, Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Vascular and Osteogenic Progeny Using Vibrational Spectroscopy

Investigators established whether label-free vibrational spectroscopy can discriminate de-differentiated ‘synthetic’ vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from undifferentiated stem cells and their myogenic and osteogenic progeny in vitro, compared with conventional immunocytochemical and genetic analyses. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Prep1 Prevents Premature Adipogenesis of Mesenchymal Progenitors

Researchers showed that the homeodomain-containing transcription factor Prep1 is a repressor of adipogenic differentiation since its down-regulation in both ex vivo bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells and in vitro 3T3-L1 preadipocytes significantly increases their adipogenic differentiation ability. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Cryopreservation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in an Allogeneic Bioscaffold Based on Platelet Rich Plasma and Synovial Fluid

Scientists optimized the cryopreservation of knee-isolated MSCs embedded within the aforementioned biomimetic scaffold, in order to create a reserve of young autologous embedded knee MSCs for future clinical applications. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Calcium-Containing Scaffolds Induce Bone Regeneration by Regulating Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation and Migration

Investigators determined the effect of calcium sulfate (CaSO₄) on MSC migration. In addition, they evaluated the influence of CaSO₄ on MSC differentiation and the potential molecular mechanisms involved. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Poly(L-Lactic Acid) Nanofibers Containing Cissus quadrangularis Induced Osteogenic Differentiation In Vitro

A herbal fibrous sheet containing high weight percentage of Cissus quadrangularis (CQ) [20,40 and 60 wt/wt% in poly (L-lactic acid)] was fabricated through electrospinning. There was considerable increase in the adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MSCs on herbal fibers than normal fibers, mainly on P-Q20 and P-CQ40. [Int J Biol Macromol] Abstract

IN VIVO

Imbalanced Osteogenesis and Adipogenesis in Mice Deficient of the Chemokine Cxcl12/Sdf1 in the Bone Mesenchymal Stem/Progenitor Cells

Investigators report a novel function of Cxcl12 in postnatal bone development and homeostasis. Targeted deletion of Cxcl12 in Prx1- or Osx-expressing mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells, but not in mature osteoblasts, resulted in marrow adiposity and reduced trabecular bone content. [J Bone Miner Res] Abstract

Safety and Tolerability of Intradiscal Implantation of Combined Autologous Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Hyaluronic Acid in Patients with Chronic Discogenic Low Back Pain: 1-Year Follow-Up of a Phase I Study

Scientists assessed the safety and tolerability of a single intradiscal implantation of combined adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells and hyaluronic acid derivative in patients with chronic discogenic low back pain. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Enhancement of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Osteogenesis and New Bone Formation in Rats by Obtusilactone A

Expression of osteogenesis markers BMP2, Runx2, Collagen I, and Osteocalcin was enhanced inobtusilactone A (OA)-treated bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). An in vivo rat model with local administration of OA via needle implantation to bone marrow-residing BMSCs revealed that OA increased the new bone formation and trabecular bone volume in tibias. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

Native Joint-Resident Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Cartilage Repair in Osteoarthritis

The available data is synthesized to produce a proposed model in which joint-resident MSCs with access to superficial cartilage are key cells in adult cartilage repair and represent important targets for manipulation in ‘chondrogenic’ osteoarthritis, especially in the context of biomechanical correction of joints in early disease. [Nat Rev Rheumatol] Abstract

Advances, Challenges and Future Directions for Stem Cell Therapy in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Given their high proliferation activity, immunomodulation, multi-differentiation potential, and the capacity to secrete neuroprotective factors, adult mesenchymal stem cells represent a promising candidate for clinical translation. [Mol Neurodegener] Full Article

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

TiGenix to Present Positive 52-Week Phase III Cx601 Data at EHA-SWG Scientific Meeting

TiGenix NV announced that the positive 52-week results from its ADMIRE-CD Phase III clinical trial of Cx601 for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas in patients with Crohn’s disease will be presented. [Press release from TiGenix NV discussing research to be presented at the EHA-SWG Scientific Meeting on Shaping the Future of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Therapy, Amsterdam] Press Release

National Institutes of Health Awards Grant to Numerate to Develop Compounds that Enhance Bone Integration of Orthopedic Devices

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases of the National Institutes of Health awarded Numerate a grant to improve outcomes for patients who need an orthopedic implant surgery. [Numerate, Inc.] Press Release

Major Lupus Stem Cell Study Receives Funding

The Lupus Foundation of America announced it will provide $3.8 million in funding over the next five years to support the first-of-its-kind clinical trial in the United States to evaluate adult mesenchymal stem cells as a treatment for lupus. [Lupus Foundation of America] Press Release

Director of HHS Scientific Fraud Office Is out after Stormy 2-Year Tenure

The controversial director of the office that polices research fraud in U.S.-funded biomedical labs is temporarily moving to another agency. Kathy Partin has been removed after nearly two years as director of the U.S. Office of Research Integrity in Rockville, Maryland, according to Retraction Watch. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

European Medicines Agency Will Move to Amsterdam

The European Medicines Agency, charged with evaluating human and animal medicinal products for the European Union, will relocate to Amsterdam after it was selected in a draw of lots between it and Milan. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Hungary Rewards Highly Cited Scientists with Bonus Grants

Some top researchers prosper in Hungary as country tries to improve its international standing in science. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW SYStem – Symposium for the Next Generation of Stem Cell Researchers
February 22-24, 2018
Vienna, Austria

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

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells (NUI Galway)

NEW Postdoctoral Researchers – Stem Cell Metabolism (University of Helsinki)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellows – Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (Stanford University)

Postdoctoral Positions – Cytokines in Immunity, Stem Cells and Tissue Repair (Hospital for Special Surgery and Weill Cornell Medicine)

PI Positions – Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research (Hubrecht Institute)

Research Scientist – Global Research for Stem Cells (Novo Nordisk)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiac Recovery after Myocardial Infarction (University of Kentucky)

Assistant or Associate Professor – Sarcoma/Melanoma Surgery (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Assistant/Associate Professors – Developmental and Regenerative Biology (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)

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

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

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