News for Researchers

(Guangzhou, China) – Scientists at the Neurosurgery Institute of the Southern Medical University have demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells can modulate the inflammatory and immunes responses of neural tissue.

Microglia are the primary immunocompetent cells in brain tissue and microglia-mediated inflammation is associated with the pathogenesis of various neuronal disorders. Recently, many studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) display a remarkable ability to modulate inflammatory and immune responses through the release of a variety of bioactive molecules, thereby protecting the central nervous system.

Previously, we reported that MSCs have the ability to modulate inflammatory responses in a traumatic brain injury model and that the potential mechanisms may be partially attributed to upregulated TNF-alpha stimulated gene/protein 6 (TSG-6) expression. However, whether TSG-6 exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by affecting microglia is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of MSCs and TSG-6 in an in vitro lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV2 microglial activation model. We found that MSCs and TSG-6 significantly inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators in activated microglia.

(Pittsburgh, PA) Porcine bladder tissue used to help a human patient regrow muscle that he lost following an injury.

(Stockholm, Sweden) Teeth contain stem cells that stimulate the production of neurons and glia which are part of the nervous system.

(St. Paul, MN) Australia-based Cynata Therapeutics signed an agreement with Wuxi AppTech to conduct pre-clinical safety studies with a new stem cell technology.

(Jupiter, FL) – Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have been awarded a $2.6 million grant from the office of the director of the National Institutes of Health to produce specialized stems cells. The aim of the grant is to produce tens of millions of mouse mesenchymal stem cells for research purposes. Donald Phinney, a TSRI professor, will be the principal investigator for the new four-year project.

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(Madison, WI) University of Wisconsin researchers have reported the discovery of 2 genetic programs responsible for turning pluripotent stem cells into red blood cells or an variety of white blood cells.

(Alameda, CA) BioTime announced the issuance of 14 new patents to add to the largest known patent estate under one corporate umbrella in the field of pluripotent stem cell technology.

(Iowa City, IA) Nasal tissue regenerated on the spine of a woman who underwent stem cell transplantation.

(Newark, NJ) StemCells Inc. announced the appointment of Dr. Alan Trounson who is the former president of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).