Cell Therapy News Volume 12.40 | Oct 10 2011

May 12, 2022

Issue 12.40 October 10, 2011

TOP STORY

Scientists Make Advance in Development of Patient-Specific Stem Cells
For the first time, scientists have derived embryonic stem cells from individual patients by adding the nuclei of adult skin cells from patients with type 1 diabetes to unfertilized donor oocytes. [Press release from The New York Stem Cell Foundation discussing online prepublication in Nature] Press Release | Abstract

PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by Impact Factor of the Journal)

Induced Immune Tolerance for Kidney Transplantation
In the current proof-of-concept study, 12 patients who received HLA-matched kidney transplants received a donor-cell infusion of highly enriched CD34⁺ hematopoietic progenitor cells mixed with CD3⁺ T cells, and a conditioning regimen of total lymphoid irradiation and anti–T-cell antibodies. [N Engl J Med] Abstract | Press Release

Genome Sequencing of Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Reveals Retroelement Stability and Infrequent DNA Rearrangement During Reprogramming
Here scientists employ whole-genome paired-end DNA sequencing and sensitive mapping algorithms to identify all classes of structural variation in three fully pluripotent mouse induced pluripotent stem cell lines. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Press Release

Direct Lineage Conversion of Terminally Differentiated Hepatocytes to Functional Neurons
Here, investigators demonstrate that terminally differentiated hepatocytes can be directly converted into functional induced neuronal cells. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Press Release

Sox2⁺ Adult Stem and Progenitor Cells Are Important for Tissue Regeneration and Survival of Mice
Researchers show here that Sox2 marks adult cells in several epithelial tissues where its expression has not previously been characterized, including the stomach, cervix, anus, testes, lens, and multiple glands. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Press Release

Innate Lymphoid Cells Promote Lung-Tissue Homeostasis After Infection with Influenza Virus
Here investigators identify a population of lung-resident Innate lymphoid cells in mice and humans that expressed the alloantigen Thy-1 (CD90), interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor α-chain (CD25), IL-7 receptor α-chain (CD127) and the IL-33 receptor subunit T1-ST2. [Nat Immunol] Abstract | Press Release

CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein α (C/EBPα)-Induced Transdifferentiation of Pre-B Cells into Macrophages Involves No Overt Retrodifferentiation
Earlier work has shown that pre-B cells can be converted into macrophages by the transcription factor C/EBPα at very high frequencies. Using this system, investigators performed a systematic analysis of whether during transdifferentiation the cells transiently reactivate progenitor-restricted genes or even retrodifferentiate. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Targeted Nanoparticle Enhanced Proapoptotic Peptide as Potential Therapy for Glioblastoma
Scientists have constructed a nanosystem targeted to tumor vasculature that incorporates three elements: (i) a tumor-homing peptide that specifically delivers its payload to the mitochondria of tumor endothelial cells and tumor cells, (ii) conjugation of this homing peptide with a proapoptotic peptide that acts on mitochondria, and (iii) multivalent presentation on iron oxide nanoparticles, which enhances the proapoptotic activity. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Engineering of Living Autologous Human Umbilical Cord Cell-Based Septal Occluder Membranes Using Composite PGA-P4HB Matrices
Here, researchers present the in vitro fabrication, crimping and experimental delivery of living human umbilical cord-cell derived tissue engineered occluder membranes based on composite matrices as a potential future autologous therapy of intracardiac wall defects. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Repairing Critical-Sized Calvarial Defects with Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells Modified by a Constitutively Active Form of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α and a Phosphate Cement Scaffold
To optimize the function of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) on inducing stem cells, another constitutively active form of HIF-1α was constructed with truncation mutant method and its therapeutic potential on critical-sized bone defects was evaluated with calcium-magnesium phosphate cement scaffold in a rat model. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Influence of Cationic Lipid Composition on Gene Silencing Properties of Lipid Nanoparticle Formulations of siRNA in Antigen-Presenting Cells
Investigators examined the uptake, intracellular trafficking, and gene silencing potency in primary bone marrow macrophages and dendritic cells of siRNA formulated in lipid nanoparticles containing four different ionizable cationic lipids. [Mol Ther] Abstract

Nonviral Gene Delivery of Erythropoietin by Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
In this study, scientists wanted to determine whether bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells can be used as cellular vehicles to deliver erythropoietin in mice without the use of viral vectors. [Gene Ther] Abstract

SCIENCE NEWS

Clinical Trial Uncovers Potential ‘Functional Cure’ for HIV/AIDS
Data from a clinical trial involving University of California, Los Angeles researchers suggest that a new therapy may potentially serve as a “functional cure” for HIV/AIDS. [Press release from the University of California, Los Angeles discussing research presented at the 51st Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, Chicago] Press Release

VistaGen Therapeutics Presents Highlights of Its Human Stem Cell-Derived “Micro-Heart” Cardiotoxicity Assay at NIH Symposium on Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine
VistaGen Therapeutics, Inc. announces a poster presentation of its research and development activities leading to validation of its human stem cell-derived “Micro-Heart” cardiotoxicity bioassay system, CardioSafe 3D™. [Press release from VistaGen Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research presented at the 4th Symposium on Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, Bethesda] Press Release

POLICY

Stem Cell Centre Gets Green Light from UK Government
The cell therapy centre, which will open in April 2012, is part of a £220 million program to turn British skills into manufacturing success. [Prime Minister, United Kingdom] Press Release

Europe Cuts Funding Red Tape
The European Commission acknowledges that burdensome administration, including a plethora of time sheets, financial audits and complicated rules, has discouraged some researchers from taking part in its €50.5-billion Seventh Framework Programme, known as FP7. [European Commission, France] Press Release

BUSINESS

ISBT Bar Code Labeling System for Cellular Therapy
Digi-Trax® Corporation and STEMSOFT™ Software Inc. are pleased to announce that they will jointly work together to develop an integrated solution that connects the industry’s leading cell therapy laboratory software system, StemLab™, with Digi-Trax’s flagship Hema-Trax®-CT labeling solution. [STEMSOFT™ Software Inc.] Press Release

Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission Issues 2012 Requests for Applications at Fourth Annual Stem Cell Symposium
Approximately 400 individuals attended the Fourth Annual Maryland Stem Cell Research Symposium presented by the Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission (Commission) at Towson University. The Commission also released its 2012 Requests for Applications at the symposium. [Maryland Stem Cell Research Symposium] Press Release

Merck Serono and Ono Pharmaceutical Form Collaborations to Develop Oral Multiple Sclerosis Drug and Cancer Immunotherapy
Merck Serono announced the signature of two separate agreements with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., to strengthen its multiple sclerosis and cancer franchises. [Merck Serono] Press Release

Postgraduate Student Travels to Germany with Cardiac Tissue Research
A postgraduate researcher at NUI Galway has been awarded a fellowship at a prestigious University in Germany to advance his work in the field of cardiac tissue engineering. [National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway] Press Release

Cell Therapy for Diabetes Neurovascular Complications: NIH $6.1 Million Grant Funds New Studies
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has awarded a research team a $6.1 million grant. [Emory University Woodruff Health Sciences Center] Press Release

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Researchers Receive Neurology Award for Contribution to Clinical Neuroscience
Jerry Mendell, MD, director of the Center for Gene Therapy in The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and his fellow researchers, are the latest recipients of the Annals of Neurology prize for an outstanding contribution to clinical neuroscience. [Nationwide Children’s Hospital] Press Release

Cellerix Secures €4.95 Million for Phase III Study of Allogeneic Adult Stem Cell Therapy
Cellerix has secured a €4.95 million soft loan from the nonprofit Madrid Network, to support Phase III development of lead expanded allogeneic adult stem cell product. [Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News] Press Release

KGI Professor Awarded Patent for Stem-Cell Therapy Aiding Heart-Attack Patients
Professor Ian Phillips and a former Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) research professor have been awarded a patent for a novel procedure that involves stem cells in the recovery of heart-attack patients. [Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences] Press Release

Vitro Develops Novel Stem Cell Technology for Use in Treatment of Hearing Loss
Vitro Diagnostics, Inc. announced development of technical advancements with application to treatment of hearing loss in animals and human through commercialization of a variety of stem cell products to prevent, reverse and restore hearing in cases of hearing loss. [MarketWatch] Press Release

Scientific Luminary Dr. Robert Langer Joins ACT’s Board of Directors
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) announced that Robert S. Langer, David H. Koch Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has been appointed to the company’s Board of Directors, and will also serve as the Chair of the Board’s Science Advisory Committee. [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.] Press Release

New National Tissue Engineering Centre to Develop Treatment for Early Osteoarthritis
Arthritis Research UK launched a £6 million experimental tissue engineering centre which aims to regenerate bone and cartilage by using patients’ own stem cells to repair the joint damage caused by osteoarthritis. [Arthritis Research UK] Press Release

NIH

Proposed Collection; Comment Request; STAR METRICS (Science and Technology for America’s Reinvestment: Measuring the EffecTs of Research on Innovation, Competitiveness and Science) (FR Doc No: 2011-25732)

Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc No: 2011-25639)

National Cancer Institute; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc No: 2011-25897)

National Cancer Institute; Notice of Meetings (FR Doc No: 2011-25998)

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc No: 2011-25635)

National Institute of General Medical Sciences; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc No: 2011-25870)

Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; A Generic Submission for Theory Development and Validation (NCI) (FR Doc No: 2011-26043)

REGULATORY

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

FDA Commissioner Outlines Steps to Spur Biomedical Innovation, Improve Health of Americans
FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., released a blueprint containing immediate steps that can be taken to drive biomedical innovation, while improving the health of Americans. Press Release

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

European Medicines Agency’s Management Board Officially Appoints Guido Rasi as New Executive Director
At its 6 October 2011 meeting in London, the European Medicines Agency’s Management Board formally appointed Guido Rasi as the new Executive Director of the Agency. Press Release

Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

New Members Sought for the British Pharmacopoeia Commission
The British Pharmacopoeia Commission is seeking to appoint three new members with effect from 1 January 2012. Appointments are for a four-year term. Press Release