Generation of Integration-Free Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Postnatal Blood Mononuclear Cells by Plasmid Vector Expression Blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) are easily isolated from umbilical cord blood or adult peripheral blood, and can be used fresh or after freezing. Researchers described a detailed, validated protocol for effective generation of integration-free human induced pluripotent stem cells from blood MNCs by plasmid vectors. [Nat Protoc] Abstract Comparison of Hematopoietic Stem Cells Derived from Fresh and Cryopreserved Whole Cord Blood in the Generation of Humanized Mice Investigators compared the efficiency of CD34+ stem cells isolated from cryopreserved cord blood from a blood bank (CCB) and fresh cord blood in generating highly engrafted humanized mice in NOD-SCID IL2Rγnull rodents. Results reveal that the application of CCB samples for the engraftment of humanized mice does not result in less engraftment or a loss of differentiation and function of its subpopulations. [PLoS One] Full Article Notch Signaling Inhibits CD4 Expression during Initiation and Differentiation of Human T Cell Lineage Researchers investigated the contribution of Notch signaling and stromal support cells to differentiation of adult and cord blood human hemopoietic stem cells, using the Notch signaling OP9Delta co-culture system. [PLoS One] Full Article Reconstitution of Maturating and Regulatory Lymphocyte Subsets after Cord Blood and BMT in Children Some clinical characteristics of cord blood transplantation (CBT) might be explained by specificities in the reconstitution of immune subsets differing by their maturation stage or their implication in GvHD, tolerance or immune responses against tumor or infectious agents. Here, researchers compared the immune reconstitution of several of these subsets after CBT and BMT. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract The Expressions of Co-Stimulatory Molecules Are Altered on Putative Antigen-Presenting Cells in Cord Blood Researchers aimed to estimate the expressions of both B7-H1 and B7-H4 as well as CD200 and CD200R co-stimulatory molecules on immature myeloid and lymphoid dendritic cells, B CD19+ lymphocytes and monocytes in umbilical cord blood of healthy neonates and in peripheral blood of healthy adults. [Am J Reprod Immunol] Abstract Therapeutic Effects of Human Mesenchymal and Hematopoietic Stem Cells on Rotenone-Treated Parkinsonian Mice To appreciate the potential applications of stem cell technology in neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, it is important to understand the characteristics of the various types of stem cells. Here, researchers designed a set of experiments to compare the ability of three types of human stem cells-mesenchymal stem cells, bone marrow CD34+ cells, and cord blood CD34+ cells-using rotenone-treated NOD/SCID mice. [J Neurosci Res] Abstract An Optimized Multi-Parameter Flow Cytometry Protocol for Human T Regulatory Cell Analysis on Fresh and Viably Frozen Cells, Correlation with Epigenetic Analysis, and Comparison of Cord and Adult Blood The authors described an optimized multi-parameter flow cytometry protocol for the quantification of human T regulatory (Treg) cells from freshly obtained and viably frozen samples and correlations with epigenetic Treg cell analysis. They applied these two methodologies to characterize Treg cell differences between cord blood and adult peripheral blood. [J Immunol Methods] Abstract Distinct Immunomodulatory and Migratory Mechanisms Underpin the Therapeutic Potential of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Autoimmune Demyelination Researchers simultaneously assessed the therapeutic efficacy of human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as well as MSCs isolated from adipose tissue and umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly, in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. [Cell Transplant] Abstract |