Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 9.47 | Nov 28 2017

TOP STORY

Dysregulation of the miR-146a-Smad4 Axis Impairs Osteogenesis of Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells under Inflammation

Researchers found that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, an inflammatory environment mimic, inhibits osteogenesis of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), induces miR-146a and decreases Smad4. Overexpression of miR-146a inhibited the osteogenic ability of BMSCs, whereas blocking miR-146a partially rescued the osteogenesis deficiency under TNF-α treatment. [Bone Res] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

Layered Double Hydroxide and Polypeptide Thermogel Nanocomposite System for Chondrogenic Differentiation of Stem Cells

The authors propose a two dimensional/three dimensional nanocomposite system. The cells exhibited a tendency to aggregate in the nanocomposite system. In particular, chondrogenic biomarkers of type II collagen and transcription factor SOX 9 significantly increased at both mRNA and protein levels in the nanocomposite system, compared to the pure thermogel systems. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract

Treatment of Myocardial Infarction with Gene-Modified Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Small Molecular Hydrogel

Researchers tested a novel small-molecular hydrogel on whether it could provide a scaffold for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-modified MSCs and alleviate ventricular remodeling while preserving cardiac function after myocardial infarction. Overexpression of HGF in MSCs increased Bcl-2 and reduced Bax and caspase-3 levels in response to hypoxia in vitro. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Generation of Insulin-Producing Cells from Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on PVA Scaffold by Optimized Differentiation Protocol

In vitro studies showed that the treatment of human adipose-derived from mesenchymal stem cells in the 3D culture resulted in differentiated cells with strong characteristics of insulin-producing cells including pancreatic-like cells, the expression of the islet-associated genes at the mRNA and protein levels in comparison of 2D culture group. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

The Spatial Patterning of RGD and BMP-2 Mimetic Peptides at the Subcellular Scale Modulates Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Osteogenesis

Photolithography was used to decorate glass surfaces with subcellular patterns of RGD and BMP-2 ligands; two mimetic peptides recognized to be involved in stem cells osteogenesis. The biological relevance of well-defined RGD and BMP-2 patterned surfaces was evaluated by investigating the differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts, in the absence of induction media. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Zinc Sulfate Contributes to Promote Telomere Length Extension via Increasing Telomerase Gene Expression, Telomerase Activity and Change in the TERT Gene Promoter CpG Island Methylation Status of Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

ZnSO₄ as a proper antioxidant could improve the aging-related features due to lengthening of the telomeres, increasing the telomerase gene expression, telomerase activity, decreasing aging, and changing the methylation status of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter; it could potentially be beneficial for enhancing the application of aged-MSCs. [PLoS One] Full Article

IN VIVO

Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cell and Islet Cotransplantation: Safety and Efficacy

Researchers studied whether cotransplantation of ex vivo expanded autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells with islets is safe and beneficial in chronic pancreatitis patients undergoing total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Full Article

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived Exosomes and Microparticles Protect Cartilage and Bone from Degradation in Osteoarthritis

Scientists compared the respective role of exosomes (Exos) or microvesicles/microparticles (MPs) in osteoarthritis (OA). In vivo, Exos or MPs were injected in the collagenase-induced OA model and histomorphometric analyses of joints were performed by µCT and confocal laser microscopy. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Proliferation and Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Scaffolds Containing Chitosan, Calcium Polyphosphate and Pigeonite for Bone Tissue Engineering

The authors prepared and characterized scaffolds containing chitosan, calcium polyphosphate and pigeonite particles for bone formation in vitro and in vivo. In vivo implantation of scaffolds in rat critical-sized tibial defects displayed accelerated bone formation after eight weeks. [Cell Prolif] Abstract

Osteoinductivity of Nanostructured Hydroxyapatite-Functionalized Gelatin Modulated by Human and Endogenous Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

The effect of scaffolds on osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells was investigated in vitro. The osteoinductive ability of these scaffolds was then studied in vivo in a heterotopic bone formation model in nude mice. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Role of Galectin-3 in Bone Cell Differentiation, Bone Pathophysiology and Vascular Osteogenesis

Galectin-3 capacity to commit mesenchymal stem cells to the osteoblastic lineage and to favor transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells into an osteoblast-like phenotype opens a new area of interest in bone and vascular pathologies. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article

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

Degenerative Disc Patients Significantly Improve with USRM’s Adipocell^™ Chief Scientific Officer to Present Data

U.S. Stem Cell, Inc. announced Chief Science Officer Dr. Kristin Comella will present clinical data demonstrating safety and efficacy of its proprietary Adipocell^™ therapy in treating degenerative disc disease — a condition that affects more than 65 million Americans annually. [Press release from U.S. Stem Cell, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the Annual Meeting for International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science (IFATS), Miami] Press Release

Pluristem Granted Key U.S. Patent for Skeletal Muscle Regeneration – A Meaningful Asset Ahead of Upcoming Phase III Femoral Neck Fracture Study

Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a patent titled, “Skeletal muscle regeneration using mesenchymal system cells.” This key patent, which has already been granted in Europe, Hong Kong and Israel, addresses the use of MSCs for skeletal muscle regeneration used either directly after, or shortly after, post-surgical muscle injury. [Pluristem Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

Regentis Biomaterials Performs the First Cases in GelrinC Pivotal Study

Regentis Biomaterials announced the start of its Phase III pivotal clinical trial of GelrinC for the treatment of focal knee cartilage defects with successful surgery on three patients in the U.S. and Denmark. These procedures are part of an FDA approved Investigational Device Exemption clinical study to compare GelrinC to microfracture, the current standard of care treatment. [Regentis Biomaterials (PR Newswire LLC.)] Press Release

Zimbabwe’s Researchers Hope Political Change Will Revitalize Science

Academics optimistic that the end of Robert Mugabe’s authoritarian rule could boost research and international collaboration. [Nature News] Editorial

Nobel Laureates Demand Release of Iranian Scholar Facing Death Sentence

Some 75 Nobel prizewinners have called on the Iranian government to release Ahmadreza Djalali, a researcher in disaster medicine who was sentenced to death last month. The letter is the latest and most powerful protest against the ruling by the scientific community so far. [Nature News] Editorial

Gene Therapy Hits a Peculiar Roadblock: A Virus Shortage

Eager to speed development of revolutionary treatments, the Food and Drug Administration recently announced that it would expedite approval of experimental gene therapies. But the regulatory process may not be the biggest obstacle. [The New York Times] Editorial

Still No Science Advisor at the White House

Ten months into his presidency, Donald Trump has yet to name a science advisor. It’s the longest amount of time a modern president has taken to nominate someone to the position since at least 1976, when Congress established the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy. [MIT Technology Review] Editorial

NEW 11^th Dutch Stem Cell Meeting
May 4, 2018
Utrecht, Netherlands

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

NEW Research Technologist – Mesenchymal and Endothelial Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

Postdoctoral Researchers – Stem Cell Metabolism (University of Helsinki)

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)

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