First published online September 7, 2006
Stem Cells
Vol. 24 No.
10
October 2006, pp.
2160
-2161
doi:10.1634/stemcells.2006-0549; www.StemCells.com
© 2006 AlphaMed Press
OPEN ACCESS ARTICLE
One Successful Series Begets Another
Received on August 31, 2006;
accepted for publication on August 31, 2006.
First published online in STEM CELLS EXPRESS September 7, 2006.
Last year, the editors of STEM CELLS invited submissions for a special series that focused on the generation and characterization of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Our rationale for creating a special section was to compile a collection of papers that provided important information on the critical attributes of this special population of cells. We believed that having such a forum and highlighting selected papers would help other investigators working in the field. We planned to publish this series for a year and expected that a relatively small number of papers would meet the criteria we had established.
We were gratified to see that the number of papers we received far exceeded the number we had anticipated, and we are proud to report that a recent review on publications on human embryonic stem cells identified STEM CELLS as having published the largest number of peer-reviewed articles on the science of human embryonic stem cells [1].
It is impossible, of course, to discuss all the findings that were represented in this series, but a few deserve special mention. Investigators described the derivation of new lines, new methods of characterization of the lines, the development of controls to compare lines across different laboratories, methods of introduction of genomic information into the lines, and different strategies to perturb self-renewal and differentiation. Equally important was the comparative information available from comparing human ESC data with those from primates and the early information gleaned from the differentiation protocols described and the transplant and rejection issues discussed.
The enthusiasm with which this series was received has led us to propose a second invitation for a different population of cells. Current reports suggest that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may soon be viable clinical products. There are studies proposed using MSCs to treat myocardial infarction, MSCs to treat osteogenesis imperfecta, and MSCs as an adjuvant to increase the efficiency of bone marrow transplants and for the treatment of graft-versus-host disease. Each of these efforts requires key animal studies, development of a good manufacturing process, and a clinical plan.
As we survey the field, we find that progress has been rapid. We therefore encourage submission of work related to such translational activity and welcome reports on the benefits or lack thereof of such novel therapy. We believe that presenting such reports in this Journal will benefit not only the MSC community, but also all the other stem cell communities where therapeutic application of stem cells is being envisaged.
Mahendra S. Rao, M.D., Ph.D.
REFERENCES
- Guhr A, Kurtz A, Friedgen K et al. Current state of human embryonic stem cell research: An overview of cell lines and their usage in experimental work. STEM CELLS 2006; [Epub ahead of print].
ADDITIONAL READINGS
- Rao MS, Civin CI. Translational research: Toward better characterization of human embryonic stem cell lines. STEM CELLS 2005;23:1453.[Free Full Text]
- Lo B, Zettler P, Cedars MI et al. A new era in the ethics of human embryonic stem cell research. STEM CELLS 2005;23:1454–1459.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Noaksson K, Zoric N, Zeng X et al. Monitoring differentiation of human embryonic stem cells using real-time PCR. STEM CELLS 2005;23:1460–1467.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Hoffman LM, Hall L, Batten JL et al. X-inactivation status varies in human embryonic stem cell lines. STEM CELLS 2005;23:1468–1478.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Loring JF, Rao MS. Establishing standards for the characterization of human embryonic stem cell lines. STEM CELLS 2006;24:145–150.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Skottman H, Strömberg A-M, Matilainen E et al. Unique gene expression signature by human embryonic stem cells cultured under serum-free conditions correlates with their enhanced and prolonged growth in an undifferentiated stage. STEM CELLS 2006;24:151–167.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Yu J, Vodyanik MA, He P. Human embryonic stem cells reprogram myeloid precursors following cell-cell fusion. STEM CELLS 2006;24:168–176.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Constantinescu D, Gray HL, Sammak PJ et al. Lamin A/C expression is a marker of mouse and human embryonic stem cell differentiation. STEM CELLS 2006;24:177–185.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Turnpenny L, Spalluto CM, Perrett RM et al. Evaluating human embryonic germ cells: Concord and conflict as pluripotent stem cells. STEM CELLS 2006;24:212–220.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Drukker M, Katchman H, Katz G et al. Human embryonic stem cells and their differentiated derivatives are less susceptible to immune rejection than adult cells. STEM CELLS 2006;24:221–229.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Joannides A, Fiore-Hériché C, Westmore K et al. Automated mechanical passaging: a novel and efficient method for human embryonic stem cell expansion. STEM CELLS 2006;24:230–235.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Cai J, Chen J, Liu Y et al. Assessing self-renewal and differentiation in human embryonic stem cell lines. STEM CELLS 2006;24:516–530.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Plaia TW, Josephson R, Liu Y et al. Characterization of a new NIH-registered variant human embryonic stem cell line, BG01V: A tool for human embryonic stem cell research. STEM CELLS 2006;24:531–546.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Krichevsky AM, Sonntag K-C, Isacson O et al. Specific microRNAs modulate embryonic stem cell-derived neurogenesis. STEM CELLS 2006;24:857–864.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Luo Y, Schwartz C, Shin S et al. A focused microarray to assess dopaminergic and glial cell differentiation from fetal tissue or embryonic stem cells. STEM CELLS 2006;24:865–875.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Aouadi M, Bost F, Caron L et al. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activity commits embryonic stem cells to either neurogenesis or cardiomyogenesis. STEM CELLS 2006;24:1399–1406.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Xiao L, Yuan X, Sharkis SJ. Activin A maintains self-renewal and regulates fibroblast growth factor, Wnt, and bone morphogenic protein pathways in human embryonic stem cells. STEM CELLS 2006;24:1476–1486.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Novak I, Lightfoot DA, Wang H et al. Mouse embryonic stem cells form follicle-like ovarian structures but do not progress through meiosis. STEM CELLS 2006;24:1931–1936.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Camara-Clayette V, Le Pesteur F, Vainchenker W et al. Quantitative Oct4 overproduction in mouse embryonic stem cells results in prolonged mesoderm commitment during hematopoietic differentiation in vitro. STEM CELLS 2006;24:1937–1945.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Wakayama S, Jakt ML, Suzuki M et al. Equivalency of nuclear transfer-derived embryonic stem cells to those derived from fertilized mouse blastocysts. STEM CELLS 2006;24:2023–2033.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
