Cell Therapy News Volume 13.11 | Mar 26 2012

Effect of Transendocardial Delivery of Autologous Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells on Functional Capacity, Left Ventricular Function, and Perfusion in Chronic Heart Failure
Researchers’ objectives were to determine if administration of bone marrow mononuclear cells through transendocardial injections improves myocardial perfusion, reduces left ventricular end-systolic volume, or enhances maximal oxygen consumption in patients with coronary artery disease or left ventricular dysfunction, and limiting heart failure or angina. [JAMA] Abstract | Press Release

Direct Conversion of Fibroblasts into Stably Expandable Neural Stem Cells
Researchers show direct derivation of stably expandable neural stem cells from mouse fibroblasts through a curtailed version of reprogramming to pluripotency. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Press Release

Direct Reprogramming of Fibroblasts into Neural Stem Cells by Defined Factors
Investigators show that a combination of transcription factors induces mouse fibroblasts to directly acquire a neural stem cell identity which they term as induced neural stem cells. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Press Release

Ubiquitous High-Level Gene Expression in Hematopoietic Lineages Provides Effective Lentiviral Gene Therapy of Murine Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome
Transplantation of stem cells transduced with MND-human Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome protein (WASp) lentiviral vector resulted in sustained, endogenous levels of WASp in all hematopoietic lineages, progressive selection for WASp⁺ T, NKT and B cells, rescue of T cell proliferation and cytokine production, and substantial restoration of marginal zone B cells. [Blood] Abstract

Co-Transplantation of Pure Blood Stem Cells with Antigen-Specific but Not Bulk T Cells Augments Functional Immunity
Researchers studied reactivity against murine CMV in lethally irradiated mice given allogeneic purified hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) or HSCs supplemented with T cells or T-cell subsets. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Pluripotent Stem Cell-Engineered Cell Sheets Re-Assembled with Defined Cardiovascular Populations Ameliorate Reduction in Infarct Heart Function Through Cardiomyocyte-Mediated Neovascularization
Investigators show the potentials and mechanisms of cardiac tissue sheet transplantation in cardiac function after myocardial infarction. [Stem Cells] Abstract

CNS-Specific Therapy for Ongoing EAE by Silencing Interleukin-17 Pathway in Astrocytes
Scientists report that intracerebroventricular injection of a novel lentiviral vector to knockdown Act1 expression in astrocytes effectively inhibited disease progression at experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induction, clinical onset, and peak of disease, with significantly reduced numbers of infiltrating inflammatory cells and percentage of Th17 cells in the central nervous system (CNS). [Mol Ther] Abstract

Off-the-Shelf Adenoviral-Mediated Immunotherapy via Bicistronic Expression of Tumor Antigen and iMyD88/CD40 Adjuvant
Researchers demonstrate that simple tumor-specific antigen delivery via adenoviral vectors results in strong antitumor immunity. [Mol Ther] Abstract

Targeting the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells: The Effect of Combining RNA Interference with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors or Cetuximab
Researchers have examined, in different non-small cell lung cancer cell lines, the combined effect of RNA interference targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mRNA, and inactivation of EGFR signaling using different receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors or a monoclonal antibody cetuximab. [BMC Med]
Abstract | Press Release

Fertile Offspring Derived from Mouse Spermatogonial Stem Cells Cryopreserved for More than 14 Years
Researchers demonstrate that long-term cryopreservation of testis cells from mouse, rat, rabbit and baboon safeguards spermatogonial stem cell viability, and that these cells can colonize the seminiferous tubules of recipient testes. [Hum Reprod] Abstract

Optimized Adoptive T-Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Residual Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Researchers demonstrated that dendritic cells primed with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) antigens stimulated the activation of MCL-specific T cells that recognized and destroyed both MCL cell lines and primary MCL in vitro. [Cancer Immunol Immunother] Abstract

Structured Three-Dimensional Co-Culture of Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Meniscus Cells Promotes Meniscal Phenotype without Hypertrophy
Scientists tested the feasibility of using mesenchymal stem cells co-cultured with mature meniscal cells for meniscus tissue engineering. [Biotechnol Bioeng] Abstract

Differentiated Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Promote Myelination and Enhance Functional Recovery in a Rat Model of Chronic Denervation
Rat adipose-derived stem cells transdifferentiated into a Schwann cell phenotype cocultured with dorsal root ganglion neurons were shown to associate with neurites and to express myelin basic protein-positive myelin protein. [J Neurosci Res] Abstract

Pluristem’s PLX Cells Effective in Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) in Animal Trial
Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc. announced that its PLacental eXpanded (PLX) cells, tested in a preclinical animal model of AMI, proved to effectively improve several cardiac hemodynamic parameters in animals that received those cells. [Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

SanBio Announces Enrollment of First Cohort of Patients in its Clinical Trial of Stem Cell Therapy for Chronic Stroke
SanBio Inc. announced the successful enrollment of the first dose cohort of patients in its Phase I/IIa clinical trial testing the safety and efficacy of a novel allogeneic stem cell therapy product in patients suffering from chronic deficits resulting from previous stroke injuries. [SanBio Inc.] Press Release

Global Coalition Calls for Oversight of Synthetic Biology
Friends of the Earth released the Principles for the Oversight of Synthetic Biology, the first global declaration from civil society to outline principles that must be adopted to protect public health and our environment from the risks posed by synthetic biology. [Friends of the Earth U.S., United States] Press Release

BIO Praises Senate Passage of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act
The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) applauds the Senate on the passage of H.R. 3606, the JOBS Act. The JOBS Act contains several provisions which would make the pathway to capital formation more attainable for small biotechnology companies. [Biotechnology Industry Organization, United States] Press Release

Activists Ground Primate Flights
In a campaign that could affect scientists across the West, the few major air carriers that still transport non-human primates are coming under unprecedented pressure to halt the practice. [People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, United States] Press Release

Indian Budget Disappoints
The Indian government’s budget for 2012-13 promised increases of between 2% and 18% for most of its scientific departments, disappointing researchers who note that the country’s 7% inflation rate will consume most of the extra cash. [Indian Science Congress, India] Press Release

Numbers of Young Scientists Declining in Japan
Junior researchers are being squeezed out of Japanese universities by government policies aimed at cutting costs. [Council for Science and Technology Policy, Japan] Press Release

Coronado Biosciences Signs Collaboration Agreement with Dr. Falk Pharma and OvaMed for the Development of TSO for Crohn’s Disease
Coronado Biosciences, Inc. announced that the Company signed a Collaboration Agreement with Dr. Falk Pharma GmbH and OvaMed GmbH (OvaMed) for the development of TSO (Trichuris suis ova) for Crohn’s disease. [Coronado Biosciences, Inc.] Press Release

Procognia Announced that the Feasibility Stage of the Company’s Research in Cooperation with the Weizmann Institute of Science Has Been Successfully Completed
Procognia announced that the feasibility stage of their research, which focused on the glycosylation structures of stem cells, has been successfully completed. The research was designed to develop a platform that will significantly improve the ability to identify and develop unique stem cells for transplant and treatment. [Procognia Ltd.] Press Release

Bioquark Inc., Organ Regeneration and Tissue Repair Company, Retains JSBarkats PLLC for Public Offering and PIPE Financing
Bioquark Inc. announced that it has retained the services of JSBarkats PLLC to represent Bioquark in all aspects of the company’s SEC compliance and securities legal work, as well as help with structuring future financing for the company. [PR Newswire] Press Release

Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplants Now Available at UVA
The new Stem Cell Transplant Program at the University of Virginia (UVA) Health System recently performed its first two stem cell transplants, using non-embryonic stem cells from umbilical cord blood. [University of Virginia Health System] Press Release

Takara Bio Submitted an Investigational New Drug (IND) Application for HIV-1 Gene Therapy to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Takara Bio Inc. announced that Takara Bio and its collaborator, University of Pennsylvania have jointly submitted an IND application to the FDA in order to conduct a ribonuclease MazF based gene therapy phase I clinical trial for HIV-1 infection disease in the United States. [Takara Bio Inc.] Press Release

Cytos to Raise up to CHF 37 Million from International and Strategic Investors to Advance Asthma Clinical Program
The new funds will recapitalize Cytos Biotechnology Ltd (Cytos) and enable it to further advance its programs and specifically to conduct a global multi-center Phase IIb clinical trial with its lead product CYT003-QbG10 in patients suffering from allergic asthma. [Cytos Biotechnology Ltd] Press Release

Vet-Stem Announces StemInsure: A Small Fat Sample Now, a Lifetime of Stem Cells Later
Vet-Stem announced the introduction of StemInsure. The StemInsure service provides banked stem cells that can be grown to supply a lifetime of stem cell therapy for dogs. [Vet-Stem, Inc.] Press Release

Paladin Labs Announces Canadian Approval for Oralair(TM)
Paladin Labs Inc. announced that Health Canada has approved Oralair™. Oralair™ is a sublingual grass pollen immunotherapy tablet for the treatment of the symptoms of moderate to severe seasonal grass pollen allergic rhinitis with or without conjunctivitis. [Paladin Labs Inc.] Press Release

Moraga Announces Issuance of Adult Stem Cell Patent for Humans
Moraga Biotechnology Corporation announced the publication of its blood-derived blastomere-like stem cells patent with the European Patent Office. [BusinessWire] Press Release

Anatomy of Success: Genetic Research Develops Tools for Studying Diseases, Improving Regenerative Treatment
Research from a Kansas State University professor may make it easier to recover after spinal cord injury or to study neurological disorders. Mark Weiss’ research team has perfected a technique to use stem cells to study targeted genetic modifications. [Kansas State University] Press Release

CSIR Makes a Breakthrough in Biomedical Stem Cell Technology
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)’s Gene Expression and Biophysics Group, headed by Dr. Musa Mhlanga, has generated the first induced pluripotent stem cells in Africa. [Council for Scientific and Industrial Research] Press Release

Roswell Park’s Outcomes for Blood and Marrow Transplant Among the Nation’s Highest
For the second consecutive year, a report compiled by the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research shows that the one-year survival rate for transplant patients treated at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) was significantly higher than expected, affirming RPCI’s position among the elite of U.S. centers performing the procedure. [Roswell Park Cancer Institute] Press Release

House Lawmakers Grill NIH Leaders on ‘Translational’ Spending
National Institutes of Health (NIH) officials faced tough questions from a House of Representatives panel about their desire to slash a program for states with relatively little NIH funding while giving a hefty increase to a new center aimed at speeding drug development. Press Release

Notice of Change in Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PA-10-071 “NIH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (Parent R13/U13)” (NOT-OD-12-084)

Notice of Change in Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PA-11-260 “Research Project Grant (Parent R01)” (NOT-OD-12-089)

Notice of Change in Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PAR-10-224 “Pre-Application for a Biomedical Technology Research Center (X02)” (NOT-OD-12-092)

Notice of Change of Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PAR-11-220, Support of NIGMS Program Project Grants (P01) (NOT-HG-12-013)

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc No: 2012-6962)

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc No: 2012-7095)

National Institute of General Medical Sciences; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc No: 2012-7250)

February 28-29, 2012: Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee Meeting Final Member Roster

February 28-29, 2012: Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee Meeting: Presentations

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; Notice of Participation (FR Doc No: 2012-7137)

Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding Between the Food and Drug Administration and Other Departments, Agencies, and Organizations (FR Doc No: 2012-6967)

Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding Between the Food and Drug Administration and Other Departments, Agencies, and Organizations (FR Doc No: 2012-6969)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

European Medicines Agency Management Board Strengthens Conflicts of Interest Policies and Transparency
Following its implementation in September 2011, the Management Board reviewed the initial experience with the Agency’s revised policy on the handling of conflicts of interest for scientific-committee members and experts. Press Release

EU Clinical Trials Register Information Now Available through WHO’s International Clinical Trials Registry Platform
Information contained in the European Union (EU) Clinical Trials Register managed by the European Medicines Agency is available through the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trial Registry Platform. Press Release

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

Documents Released Under Section 11C of the Freedom of Information Act 1982

NEW Canadian Blood and Marrow Transplant Group (CBMTG) 13th Annual Conference
April 11-14, 2012
Toronto, Canada

NEW European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Conference: Stem Cells in Cancer and Regenerative Medicine
August 29-September 1, 2012
Heidelberg, Germany

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the cell, gene and immunotherapy community.

Scientist – hPSC Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Antibody and Hybridoma Technology Platforms (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Business Analyst – Product Management (STEMSOFT Software, Inc.)

Senior Development Associate (Genzyme Corporation)

Quality Assurance Manager, GMP (Cellular Dynamics International)

Research Technologist III (Medical College of Wisconsin)

Postdoctoral Position: Manager/Chair in the Beta- Cell Biology and Therapy Unit (Kocaeli University)

Postdoctoral Position in Stem Cell Biology/Neuroscience/Cancer (The Jackson Laboratory)

Associate Director, Cell Therapy (Seattle Cancer Care Alliance)


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