Cord Blood News Volume 5.04 | Jan 31 2013

Different Effects of HLA Disparity on Transplant Outcomes after Single-Unit Cord Blood Transplantation between Pediatric and Adult Patients with Leukemia
The authors investigated the effect of HLA disparity on the outcome of single-unit unrelated cord blood transplantation separately in 498 children aged 15 years or younger and 1,880 adults with leukemia. [Haematologica] Abstract | Full Article

Timing of Umbilical Cord Blood Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transplantation Determines Therapeutic Efficacy in the Neonatal Hyperoxic Lung Injury
Researchers found that intratracheal transplantation of human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells time-dependently attenuated hyperoxia-induced lung injury in neonatal rats, showing significant protection only in the early but not in the late phase of inflammation. [PLoS One] Full Article

Spindle Shaped Human Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells from Amniotic Fluid Promote Neovascularization
Researchers demonstrated, for the first time, the capacity of spindle shaped amniotic fluid mesenchymal cells to support neovascularization by umbilical cord blood endothelial colony forming cell derived cells in both in vitro and in vivo models. [PLoS One] Full Article

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation in Metachromatic Leukodystrophy
The authors evaluated long-term treatment outcomes after unrelated donor umbilical cord blood transplantation in pediatric patients according to disease burden and age at onset. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Expression and Role of Toll-Like Receptors on Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Scientists investigated the expression and role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) on human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs). The proliferation, differentiation and immunoregulatory activity of UC-MSCs primed with or without TLR ligands were determined. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Establishment of an Unrelated Umbilical Cord Blood Bank Qualification Program: Ensuring Quality while Meeting Food and Drug Administration Vendor Qualification Requirements
Qualification of a cord blood bank (CBB) is a complex process that includes evaluation of multiple aspects of donor screening and testing, processing, accreditation and approval by professional cell therapy groups, and results of received cord blood units. The University of Minnesota Medical Center Cell Therapy Laboratory has established a CBB vendor qualification process to ensure the CBB meets established regulatory and quality requirements. [Transfusion] Abstract

In Vitro Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Amniotic Fluid-Derived Stem Cells on a Poly(Lactide-co-Glycolide)-Bladder Submucosa Matrix Composite Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering
Researchers investigated whether a composite scaffold composed of naturally derived matrix combined with synthetic polymers would provide a microenvironment to facilitate the induction of osteogenic differentiation. They first showed that human amniotic fluid-derived stem cells (hAFSCs) adhered to the composite scaffolds and proliferated over time. They also showed that the composite scaffolds facilitated the differentiation of hAFSCs into an osteogenic lineage. [Biomed Mater] Abstract

Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells and Fetal Cell Microchimerism
During pregnancy, mobilized pluripotent fetal stem cells of yet unidentified in vivo significance float in the amniotic fluid, and the authors argue that circulating fetal cells and the pluripotent amniotic fluid cells might share a common origin. [Trends Mol Med] Abstract

Amniotic Fluid-Derived Stem Cells for Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering Applications
In this review, the various methods of isolating, sorting and culturing amniotic fluid-derived stem cells are compared, along with techniques for inducing differentiation into cardiac myocytes and endothelial cells. [Tissue Eng Part B Rev] Abstract

Rush Researchers Studying Stem Cell Therapy to Repair Damaged Knee Cartilage
Rush University Medical Center is conducting the United States’ first clinical study of an innovative stem cell drug, Cartistem, to repair knee cartilage damaged by aging, trauma or degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis. Cartistem is manufactured from mesenchymal stem cells derived from allogeneic (donor) umbilical cord blood. [Rush University Medical Center] Press Release

STEMSOFT and Digi-Trax Labeling Solution
STEMSOFT Software Inc., the leading provider of software solutions for the cell therapy and transplant community, and Digi-Trax® Corporation, the leading supplier of bar code labeling systems for healthcare, are pleased to announce the certification of ISBT label generation and printing from StemLab on the Digi-Trax HemaTrax-CT printing solution. [STEMSOFT Software Inc.] Press Release

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

NEW South Central Association of Blood Banks (SCABB) Annual Meeting
April 18-21, 2013
Baton Rouge, United States

View our events page to see a complete list of events in the cord blood community.

Postdoctoral Position (University of Iowa College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Research Associate (Washington University in St Louis – School Of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow (University of Michigan – Ann Arbor)

Postdoctoral Fellow (Mount Sinai Medical Center)

Early Stage Researcher PhD Posts – DECIDE ITN (The University of Birmingham)

Postdoctoral Position – mRNA Processing & Gene Expression in Stem Cells (University of California, Irvine)

Postdoctoral Position – Gene Regulation in the Hematopoietic and Immune Systems (Lund University)

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