Cord Blood News Volume 4.47 | Nov 29 2012

Haematopoietic Stem Cell Survival and Transplantation Efficacy Is Limited by the BH3-Only Proteins Bim and Bmf
The authors provide proof of principle that RNAi-based reduction of BIM or BMF, or overexpression of BCL-2 in human CD34⁺ cord blood cells may be an attractive therapeutic option to increase stem cell survival and transplantation efficacy. [EMBO Mol Med] Abstract

MLL-AF9 Mediated Immortalization of Human Hematopoietic Cells Along Different Lineages Changes during Ontogeny
Researchers showed that depending on extrinsic cues, human neonatal CD34⁺ cells are readily immortalized along either the myeloid or lymphoid lineage upon MLL-AF9 expression and give rise to mainly lymphoid leukemia in immunocompromised mice. In contrast, immortalization of adult bone marrow CD34⁺ cells is more difficult to achieve and is myeloid-biased, even when MLL-AF9 is expressed in purified hematopoietic stem cells. [Leukemia] Abstract

Human Cord Blood γδ T Cells Expressing Public Vγ2 Chains Dominate the Response to Bisphosphonate Plus IL-15
Researchers report that in cord blood mononuclear cell cultures, a single round of stimulation, using aminobisphosphonates to elevate phosphoantigen levels, resulted in expansion of adult-like Vγ2 chains and accumulation of memory cells with cytotoxic potential. [Immunology] Abstract

Increased Stem Cell Factor/c-kit by Hypoxia Promotes Autophagy of Human Placental Chorionic Plate-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells via Regulating the Phosphorylation of mTOR
Researchers aimed to compare the effect of hypoxia on the self-renewal of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and placental chorionic plate-derived mesenchymal stem cells and to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of self-renewal in each MSC type during hypoxia. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

Effects of Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Anterior Chamber-Associated Immune Deviation
Researchers inoculated C57BL/6 mice with ovalbumin in the anterior chamber (AC) to induce anterior chamber-associated immune deviation, while a control group received AC injection of solvent alone. Immediately after the AC injection, the mice were injected through the tail vein with human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells or phosphate buffer saline. All animals were subcutaneously immunized with ovalbumin one week later. Delayed-type hypersensitivity assay was performed another week following immunization. [Int Immunopharmacol] Abstract

Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Wharton’s Jelly Differentiate into Cholinergic-Like Neurons In Vitro
Researchers examined whether Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) could differentiate into cholinergic-like neurons in vitro. After induction, the spindle-shaped or fibroblast-like WJ-MSCs changed into bulbous cells. The induced cells positively expressed cholinergic neuron’s markers, and an acetylcholine secretion of the induced WJ-MSCs was significantly elevated. [Neurosci Lett] Abstract

Angiotensin-(1-7) Treatment Ameliorates Angiotensin II-Induced Apoptosis of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
Angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7), a metabolite of AngI and AngII, is a counter-regulatory mediator of AngII. Researchers investigated the effects of Ang-(1-7) on AngII-induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. [Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol] Abstract 

Immunosuppressive Properties of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Derived from Amnion, Placenta, Wharton’s Jelly and Umbilical Cord
Researchers aimed to explore the alternative sources of mesenchymal stem cells from amnion, placenta, Wharton’s jelly and umbilical cord, which are usually discarded. [Intern Med J] Abstract

Blood Stem Cell Products: Toward Sustainable Benchmarks for Clinical Translation
This review examines key technological milestones that need to be met in order to move ex vivo expanded hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells therapies from the bench-top to the bedside in a robust and reliable manner. [Bioessays] Abstract

Placenta as a Reservoir of Stem Cells: An Underutilized Resource?
The placenta is a fetal tissue that can be obtained during gestation and at term, and it represents a reservoir of stem cells with various potential. The authors review the relevant literature concerning the main stem cells that populate the placenta. [Br Med Bull] Abstract

Fate Therapeutics Initiates Phase II Clinical Study of ProHema for the Treatment of Hematologic Malignancies
Fate Therapeutics, Inc. announced the initiation of a randomized, controlled, Phase II multi-center study of its investigational hematopoietic stem cell therapy, ProHema, in adult patients undergoing double umbilical cord blood transplantation for hematologic malignancy. [Fate Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Public Release of LifeMap Discovery™ Version 1.0
LifeMap Sciences, Inc. are pleased to announce the public release of LifeMap Discovery™ version 1.0. LifeMap Discovery is a state-of-the-art roadmap of embryonic development and stem cell biology. The platform integrates embryonic development and stem cell biology with molecular, cellular, anatomical and disease-related information, and provides data mining capabilities and bioinformatics applications. [LifeMap Sciences, Inc.] Press Release

East Asia Faces Unique Challenges, Opportunities for Stem Cell Innovation
Tension is the theme running through the new consensus statement issued by the Hinxton Group, an international working group on stem cell research and regulation. Specifically, tension between intellectual property policies and scientific norms of free exchange, but also between eastern and western cultures, national and international interests, and privatized vs. nationalized health care systems. [Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics] 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)

Product Quality Scientist (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Endothelial Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist or Engineer – hPSC Bioengineer (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Quality Control Analyst (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Tumor Stem Cells (Cancer Institute of New Jersey)

Senior Research Technologist – Hematology (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

Postdoctoral Fellow in Stem Cell Biology (University of Texas Medical School at Houston)

Postdoctoral Position (BloodCenter of Wisconsin)


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