Minneapolis, MN, USA – New University of Minnesota Medical School research is the first to show that estrogen is essential to maintaining muscle stem cell health. In an article recently published in Cell Reports, lead authors Dawn Lowe and Carrie Ramey/CCRF are the first to establish that estrogen is essential in females for muscle stem cell maintenance and function.
![[STEMBOOK]: Making cancer stem cells visible to the immune system - New results may enable innovative treatment concept against leukemia](https://www.stembook.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/scf_news_files/2019.07.1%20Making%20cancer%20stem%20cells%20visible%20to%20the%20immune%20system%20-%20New%20results%20may%20enable%20innovative%20treatment%20concept%20against%20leukemia.jpg?itok=4EUCm151 "NK cells (red) attack normal leukemia cells (green). Leukemia stem cells (blue), on the other hand, suppress NKG2DL expression at their surface and thus escape destruction by the immune system. © Schürch/Lengerke, University and University Hospital of Basel")
Heidelberg, Germany – Leukemia stem cells protect themselves against the immune defense by suppressing a target molecule for killer cells. This protective mechanism can be tricked with drugs. In the journal Nature, scientists from Basel, Tübingen and Heidelberg describe the new therapeutic approaches that can possibly be derived from these results. A joint press release of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), and the University Hospital Tübingen.
![[STEMBOOK] Repair of aged tissue can be enhanced by inhibiting signals from neighbouring cells](https://www.stembook.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/scf_news_files/Re%C2%ADpair%20of%20aged%20tis%C2%ADsue%20can%20be%20en%C2%ADhanced%20by%20in%C2%ADhib%C2%ADit%C2%ADing%20sig%C2%ADnals%20from%20neigh%C2%ADbour%C2%ADing%20cells.jpg?itok=q6JcuXAC "Intestinal organoid captures interactions between stem cells and neighbouring Paneth cells (red), (Credit: Nelle Pentinmikko)"){kind=small}
Helsinki, Finland – Researchers at the University of Helsinki have discovered how regenerative capacity of intestinal epithelium declines when we age. Targeting of an enzyme that inhibits stem cell maintaining signaling rejuvenates the regenerative potential of an aged intestine. This finding may open ways to alleviate age-related gastrointestinal problems, reduce side-effects of cancer treatments, and reduce healthcare costs in the ageing society by promoting recovery. The article was published in Nature.
Würzburg, Germany – Scientists at the University Würzburg and University Hospital of Würzburg found that megakaryocytes act as “bouncers” and thus modulate bone marrow niche properties and cell migration dynamics. The study was published in July in the Journal Haematologica.
Boston, MA, USA – A new study published in Cell Reports found that a transcription factor called Slug serves as ‘command central’ for determining breast stem cell health, regulating both stem cell activity and repair of DNA damage. The research team also discovered that Slug likely functions as a safeguard against age-related decline of breast stem cell function.
Toledo, OH, USA – Scientists at The University of Toledo investigating improvements to a commonly used chemotherapy drug have discovered an entirely new class of cancer-killing agents that show promise in eradicating cancer stem cells.
![[STEMBOOK] World first: Homing instinct applied to stem cells show cells 'home' to cardiac tissue](https://www.stembook.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/scf_news_files/2019.07.03%20World%20first%20Homing%20instinct%20applied%20to%20stem%20cells%20show%20cells%20%27home%27%20to%20cardiac%20tissue.jpg?itok=43shdeAZ "Human mesenchymal stems exhibit green fluorescence after being 'painted' by the designer protein. (Credits: University of Bristol)")
Bristol, UK – In a world first, scientists have found a new way to direct stem cells to heart tissue. The findings, led by researchers at the University of Bristol and published in Chemical Science, could radically improve the treatment for cardiovascular disease, which causes more than a quarter of all deaths in the UK (1). To date, trials using stem cells, which are taken and grown from the patient or donor and injected into the patient's heart to regenerate damaged tissue, have produced promising results.
Washington, DC, USA – Stem cell stimulation shows promise as a potential noninvasive stroke treatment, according to research in mice published in JNeurosci. If extended to humans, this technique could greatly improve patients' quality of life.
Storrs, CT, USA – A new technology discovered by a team including UConn School of Dental Medicine researchers records cellular communication in real time – providing a closer look into the dynamics of cell secretion and a greater understanding of how cells repair tissue.
Researchers suggest a possible cell-based therapy to stimulate lung development in fragile premature infants who suffer from a rare condition called Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), which in the most severe cases can lead to lifelong breathing problems and even death.
