Repeated Administrations of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Cells Improve Disease Outcomes in a Mouse Model of Sanfilippo Syndrome Type III B Sanfilippo syndrome type III B is an inherited disorder characterized by a deficiency of α-N-acetylglucosaminidase enzyme leading to accumulation of heparan sulfate in lysosomes and severe neurological deficits. The authors have previously shown that a single administration of human umbilical cord mononuclear cells (hUCB MNC) into Nagluknockout mice decreased behavioral abnormalities and tissue pathology. In this study, the researchers tested whether repeated doses of hUCB MNCs would be more beneficial than a single dose of cells. [Cell Transplant] Abstract Feasibility of Autologous Cord Blood Cells for Infants with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy The authors aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of providing autologous umbilical cord blood cells to neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. [J Pediatr] Abstract Efficiency and Safety of O6-Methylguanine DNA Methyltransferase (MGMTP140K)-Mediated In Vivo Selection in a Humanized Mouse Model Efficient O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMTP140K)-mediated myeloprotection and in vivo selection have been demonstrated in numerous animal models and most recently in a Phase I clinical study in glioblastoma patients. To improve the safety of the procedure, scientists evaluated a self-inactivating lentiviral MGMTP140K vector for transduction of human cord blood-derived CD34+ cells followed by transplantation of the cells into NOD/LtSz-scid/Il2rγ−/− mice. [Hum Gene Ther] Abstract Differential Effects of Epigenetic Modifiers on the Expansion and Maintenance of Human Cord Blood Stem/Progenitor Cells Researchers compared the effects of several histone deacetylase inhibitors, including valproic acid and trichostatin A, alone or in combination with 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine on the expansion of hematopoietic stem cells. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract Unrelated Donor Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant for Patients with Hemoglobinopathies using a Reduced Intensity Conditioning Regimen and Third-Party Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients with a hemoglobinopathy can be curative but is limited by donor availability. While positive results are frequently observed in those with a HLA matched sibling donor, the use of unrelated donors has been complicated by poor engraftment, excessive regimen-related toxicity and graft-versus-host disease. As a potential strategy to address these obstacles, a pilot study was designed that incorporated both a reduced intensity conditioning and mesenchymal stromal cells. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract Humoral Activity of Cord Blood-Derived Stem/Progenitor Cells: Implications for Stem Cell-Based Adjuvant Therapy of Neurodegenerative Disorders Investigators compared the expression of neurotrophins and their receptors in specific umbilical cord blood stem/progenitor cell populations, including lineage-negative, CD34+, and CD133+ cells, with that in unsorted, nucleated cells. [PLoS One] Full Article Instruction of Circulating Endothelial Progenitors In Vitro towards Specialized Blood-Brain Barrier and Arterial Phenotypes Researchers proposed a new source of specialized endothelial cells based on cord blood circulating endothelial progenitors (EPCs). As prototype examples, they evaluated the capacity of EPCs to acquire properties characteristic of cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (blood-brain barrier) or of arterial endothelial cells, in specific inducing culture conditions. [PLoS One] Full Article Regeneration of Full-Thickness Skin Defects Using Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells Loaded into Modified Porous Scaffolds Investigators demonstrated the ability of cord blood-derived unrestricted somatic stem cells and chitosan-modified poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) scaffold to promote skin regeneration. [ASAIO J] Abstract |