TGF-beta

[Scientific Reports] To build a testing platform for advanced characterization of bone implants, investigators anchored model prosthetic titanium and stainless steel implants into decellularized bone scaffolds, seeded the implant-scaffold constructs with induced MSCs, and cultured the samples in an osteogenic environment in the presence of osteogenic inducing factors to grow bone tissue in vitro.

[Science] The authors identified elevated 15-PGDH, the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)–degrading enzyme, as a hallmark of aged tissues, including skeletal muscle. The resulting reduction in PGE2 signaling was a major contributor to muscle atrophy in aged mice and resulted from 15-PGDH-expressing myofibers and interstitial cells within muscle.

[Scientific Reports] The authors illustrated that canine dental pulp stem cells contained superior osteogenicity comparing with canine bone marrow-derived MSCs regarding alkaline phosphatase activity, matrix mineralization, and osteogenic marker expression.

[Disease Models & Mechanisms] Investigators determine the phenotypic responses of DMD cardiomyocytes (DMD-iCMs) after long-term exposure to DMD cardiac exosomes. DMD-iCMs were vulnerable to stress, evidenced by production of reactive oxygen species, the mitochondrial membrane potential and cell death levels.

[Scientific Reports] Using 850K DNA methylation arrays researchers compared the methylomes of young and aged human skeletal muscle and that of young/aged heterogenous muscle-derived human primary cells over several time points of differentiation.

[Bristol Myers Squibb] Bristol Myers Squibb and Forbius have announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Bristol Myers Squibb will acquire Forbius. Forbius has developed a portfolio of highly selective and potent inhibitors of TGF-beta 1 & 3, which are key mediators of immunosuppression and fibrosis.