Cell Therapy News 17.43 November 28, 2016 | |
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TOP STORYIntronic Polyadenylation of PDGFRα in Resident Stem Cells Attenuates Muscle Fibrosis Scientists showed in mice that platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα) signaling regulates a population of muscle-resident fibro/adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) that play a supportive role in muscle regeneration but may also cause fibrosis when aberrantly regulated. They found that FAPs produce multiple transcriptional variants of Pdgfra with different polyadenylation sites, including an intronic variant that codes for a protein isoform containing a truncated kinase domain. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)Inhibition of mTOR Induces a Paused Pluripotent State Investigators report that the partial inhibition of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), a major nutrient sensor and promoter of growth, induces reversible pausing of mouse blastocyst development and allows their prolonged culture ex vivo. Paused blastocysts remain pluripotent and competent—able to give rise to embryonic stem cells and live, fertile mice. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release Tissue Damage and Senescence Provide Critical Signals for Cellular Reprogramming In Vivo Investigators found that the expression of OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and cMYC in vivo not only triggers reprogramming of some cells but also inflicts extensive damage on many other cells, driving them into a state known as cellular senescence. Senescent cells are characterized by their inability to proliferate and by their secretion of inflammatory cytokines. [Science] Abstract Investigators report that the deubiquitinase USP21 interacts with, deubiquitinates and stabilizes Nanog, and therefore maintains the protein level of Nanog in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Loss of USP21 resulted in Nanog degradation, mESCs differentiation and reduced somatic cell reprogramming efficiency. [Nat Commun] Full Article Researchers investigated the mechanism by which Netrin-1 (Ntn-1) promotes the proliferation of hUCB-MSCs with regard to the regeneration of injured tissues. They found that Ntn-1 induced the proliferation of hUCB-MSCs mainly via Inα6β4 coupled with c-Src. [Sci Rep] Full Article The authors evaluated the regenerative potency of adipose stem cells compared to bone-marrow mesenchymal stromal cells. Furthermore, they compared the dielectric and electro-kinetic properties of both types of cells using a novel Dielectrophoresis microfluidic platform based on a printed circuit board technology. [Sci Rep] Full Article Researchers showed the application of CRISPR-Cas9 technology to edit the human Rhodopsin (RHO) gene in a mouse model for autosomal dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa. They designed single or double sgRNAs to knock-down mutant RHO expression by targeting exon 1 of the RHO gene carrying the P23H dominant mutation. [Mol Ther Nucleic Acids] Full Article Scientists compared the functional characteristics of endothelial progenitor cells, right atrial (RAA) CPCs and left ventricular (LV) CPCs isolated from the same patients. Within the same heart, RAA and LV CPCs exhibited marked differences in surface marker expression, with RAA CPCs exhibiting better expansion potential and migration properties. [Int J Cardiol] Abstract | Press Release The authors investigated two distinct synovial fibroblast populations that were located preferentially in the lining or sub-lining layers and defined by their expression of either podoplanin or CD248, and explored their ability to undergo self-assembly and transmigration in vivo. [Arthritis Res Ther] Full Article | Press Release | |
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REVIEWSCellular Plasticity in Kidney Injury and Repair Emerging concepts on cellular plasticity have relevance to scientists’ understanding of repair after kidney injury, including epithelial regeneration. Here the authors discuss work published in the past five years on the cellular hierarchies and mechanisms underlying kidney injury and repair, with a particular focus on potential roles for cellular plasticity in this response. [Nat Rev Nephrol] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cell therapy research field. | |
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SCIENCE NEWSORIG3N, a leader in regenerative medicine technology, announced that it has achieved a significant milestone in cell therapy and regenerative medicine: It has identified Human Leukocyte Antigen compatible matches within its LifeCapsule bank for 90 percent of the U.S. population. [Press release from ORIG3N (PR Newswire Association LLC.) discussing research presented at the World Alliance Forum, San Francisco] Press Release | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSBoehringer Ingelheim and China Southeast University Institute of Life Sciences announced the start of a joint research project to develop new treatment approaches for hearing loss through regeneration of hair cells from inner ear stem cells. The new collaboration combines the expertise of Professor Renjie Chai, one of the worldwide leaders in the field of hearing loss, with Boehringer Ingelheim’s expertise in drug discovery and clinical development to pave the way for the development of much needed new treatment options for this condition. [Boehringer Ingelheim] Press Release Orchard Therapeutics Limited and researchers from the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at the University of California, Los Angeles, led by Orchard Scientific Advisory Board member Dr. Donald Kohn have been awarded $20 million by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine’s governing board. [Orchard Therapeutics Limited] Press Release Nature Cell Co., Ltd. Receives U.S. FDA Approval for Phase I and II Alzheimer’s Clinical Trial Nature Cell Co., Ltd. announced AstroStem’s approval for Phase I and Phase II clinical trials for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). AstroStem is a therapeutic agent for adult stem cells that collects about 10g of fat from the patient’s own abdominal subcutaneous tissue and separates only pure stem cells into a finished product, which is repeatedly administered intravenously to the patient. [Nature Cell Co., Ltd.] Press Release jCyte Completes Enrollment for Phase I/IIa Safety Trial jCyte has completed enrollment in a Phase I/IIa trial to study the safety of its stem cell therapy candidate for retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The trial included 28 patients with advanced RP, eight of whom have completed the one-year study. [jCyte] Press Release PhaseRx, Inc. announced that its lead candidate, PRX-OTC, which is being developed for the treatment of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, has received orphan drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). [PhaseRx, Inc.] Press Release Creative Medical Technology Holdings announced the formation of a wholly-owned subsidiary, AmnioStem LLC, focused on the development of therapeutic products derived from amniotic fluid stem cells. These stem cells are subject of issued US patent #7,569,385, which was licensed from the University of California, San Diego. [Creative Medical Technology Holdings (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced the European Commission approved Opdivo for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma after autologous stem cell transplant and treatment with brentuximab vedotin. Opdivo is now the first and only PD-1 inhibitor approved for a hematologic malignancy in the European Union. [Bristol-Myers Squibb Company] Press Release ASGCT Announces Plan to Educate the Public on Gene Editing in a Newly Released White Paper The American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) released Therapeutic Gene Editing: an ASGCT White Paper, intended to provide policy-makers, patient advocates, and the interested public with the necessary background information in anticipation of an upcoming consensus report on human gene editing from the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Medicine, expected to be released in early 2017. [American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy] Press Release | White Paper | |
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POLICY NEWSCongress Poised to Pass Sweeping Biomedical Innovation Bill Congress is poised to approve a massive piece of legislation that would provide the National Institutes of Health with $4.8 billion over the next decade for a set of research initiatives, including brain and cancer research and efforts to develop so-called precision medicine treatments that are tailored to an individual’s genetic makeup. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Spanish Military Flies Lab Animals to Canary Islands after Airlines Refuse to Take Them on Board Twenty-nine transgenic mice that two Spanish airlines had refused to transport hitched a ride to the Canary Islands on a military plane Friday and are now at their final destination, the University of La Laguna on Tenerife in Spain. The mice, bred in the United States, had been stranded in Madrid for two months because Iberia and Air Europa have stopped shipping laboratory animals. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
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REGULATORYFDAReport on the Performance of Drug and Biologics Firms in Conducting Postmarketing Requirements and Commitments; Availability (FR Doc. No:2016-28442) Notice Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; Application for Participation in the Medical Device Fellowship Program (FR Doc. No:2016-28443) Notice Bioequivalence Recommendations for Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride; Revised Draft Guidance for Industry; Availability (FR Doc. No:2016-28334) Notice
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EVENTSNEW EMBL-Cancer Core Europe Conference: Cancer Immunotherapy Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW GMP Manufacturing Director – Cell and Gene Therapy (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center) NEW Division Head – Cell Labeling and Sensing (Helmholtz Zentrum München) NEW Pioneer/Division Head – Human Organoids (Helmholtz Zentrum München) Assistant Professor – Molecular Therapeutics of Cancer (Dartmouth College) Research Fellow – Fat Tissue-Derived Stem Cells for Treating Metabolic Diseases (SBIC, A*STAR) Assistant or Associate Member – Stem CellGene Therapy (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center) Postdoctoral Fellowship – Genetic Medicine (Weill Cornell Medical College) Research Fellow in Pluripotent Stem Cells Self-Renewal Program and Cell Cycle (KU Leuven) Research Associate – Hematology (Editas Medicine) Assistant Professor – Developmental Biology (Florida State University) Postdoctoral Fellow – Pluripotent Stem Cell Technology (University of California Davis) Postdoctoral Fellow – Oxidative Lung Injury (Temple University) Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
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Home Cell Therapy News Volume 17.43 | Nov 28 2016