Cell Therapy News Volume 13.16 | Apr 30 2012

May 12, 2022

Issue 13.16, April 30, 2012

TOP STORY

Generation of Genetically Modified Mice by Oocyte Injection of Androgenetic Haploid Embryonic Stem Cells
Researchers demonstrated that haploid embryonic stem cells from androgenetic blastocysts can be used as a genetically tractable fertilization agent for the production of live animals via injection into oocytes. [Cell]
Abstract | Press Release

PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by Impact Factor of the Journal)

Clonally Dominant Cardiomyocytes Direct Heart Morphogenesis
Researchers used multicolor clonal analysis to define the contributions of individual cardiomyocytes as the zebrafish heart undergoes morphogenesis from a primitive embryonic structure into its complex adult form. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release

Mesenchymal-Stem-Cell-Induced Immunoregulation Involves FAS-Ligand-/FAS-Mediated T Cell Apoptosis
Scientists showed that in mice, systemic infusion of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells induced transient T cell apoptosis via the FAS ligand-dependent FAS pathway and could ameliorate disease phenotypes in fibrillin-1 mutated systemic sclerosis and dextran-sulfate-sodium-induced experimental colitis. [Cell Stem Cell]
Abstract | Press Release

A Foundation for “Universal” T-Cell Based Immunotherapy: T-Cells Engineered to Express a CD19-Specific Chimeric-Antigen-Receptor and Eliminate Expression of Endogenous T Cell Receptor
Clinical-grade T-cells were genetically modified ex vivo to express a chimeric antigen receptor to redirect specificity to a tumor associated antigen, thereby conferring anti-tumor activity in vivo. [Blood] Abstract

MicroRNA-Mediated In Vitro and In Vivo Direct Reprogramming of Cardiac Fibroblasts to Cardiomyocytes
Researchers developed a strategy that identified and evaluated the potential of specific microRNAs capable of inducing reprogramming of cardiac fibroblasts directly to cardiomyocytes in vitro and in vivo. [Circ Res]
Abstract | Press Release

Xenografted Islet Cell Clusters from INSLEA29Y Transgenic Pigs Rescue Diabetes and Prevent Immune Rejection in Humanized Mice
Investigators provided the first proof-of-principle report on transgenic pigs with β-cell-specific expression of LEA29Y and their successful application as donors in a xenotransplantation model. [Diabetes]
Abstract | Press Release

Blockade of Endothelial Gi Protein Enhances Early Engraftment in Intraportal Cell Transplant to Mouse Liver
Researchers concluded that prior to cell transplant, Bordetella pertussis toxin blockade of the Gi protein pathway in liver endothelium promotes rapid, efficient cell implantation in liver parenchyma, and blocks chemokine receptor signaling. [Cell Transplant] Abstract

Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer Using an Oncolytic Virus Harboring the Lipocalin-2 Gene
The objective of the current study was to determine whether one cancer-targeting gene virotherapy approach, oncolytic virus-harboring lipocalin-2, is capable of treating pancreatic cancer. [Cancer] Abstract

Human Amniotic Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells May Generate a Universal Source of Cardiac Cells
The authors investigated three key properties of the human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) and hAMSC-derived iPSCs (MiPSCs): reprogramming efficiency of the partially pluripotent hAMSCs to generate MiPSCs, immunomodulatory properties of the hAMSCs and MiPSCs, and cardiac differentiation potential of the MiPSCs. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Safety Assessment of Intraportal Liver Cell Application in New Zealand White Rabbits Under GLP Conditions
Researchers investigated the toxicological profile of repeated intraportal infusion of allogeneic liver cells in 30 rabbits under GLP conditions. [Arch Toxicol] Abstract

Intracerebral Injection of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Impacts Cerebral Microvasculature After Experimental Stroke: MRI Study
Researchers evaluated the cerebral microvascular changes after a delayed injection of human mesenchymal stem cells. [NMR Biomed] Abstract

Therapeutic Effects of Human Adipose Stem Cell-Conditioned Medium on Stroke
Scientists confirmed the therapeutic effects of human adipose stem cell-conditioned medium against stroke in an animal model. [J Neurosci Res] Abstract

Two-Photon Polymerization-Generated and Micromolding-Replicated 3D Scaffolds for Peripheral Neural Tissue Engineering Applications
The results of this work supports the use of polylactic acid as a suitable material for supporting Schwann cell growth and in turn the use of 3D soft lithography for the synthesis of neural scaffolds in nerve repair. [Biofabrication]
Abstract | Press Release

SCIENCE NEWS

Stratatech Reports Positive Interim Clinical Results for StrataGraft® Skin Substitute
Stratatech Corp. announced positive preliminary results from its ongoing clinical trial of StrataGraft®, a universal human skin substitute being developed for the treatment of severe burns. [Press release from Stratatech Corporation discussing research presented at the American Burn Association 44th Annual Meeting, Seattle] Press Release

Timing Is Everything When Using Oxygen to Regenerate Bone
A research team at Tulane University reported that the application of high levels of oxygen to a severed bone facilitates bone regrowth. [Press release from Experimental Biology discussing research presented at Experimental Biology (EB) 2012, San Diego] Press Release

Participants Needed to Test Stem Cell Therapy for Stroke
Millions of stem cells derived from the bone marrow of healthy adult donors have been implanted in the brains of two stroke survivors at UPMC, one of two sites conducting a safety and dose escalation study of the technique. [University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences] Press Release

POLICY

National Bioeconomy Blueprint Released
The Obama Administration announced its commitment to strengthening bioscience research as a major driver of American innovation and economic growth. The National Bioeconomy Blueprint outlines steps that agencies will take to drive the bioeconomy and details ongoing efforts across the Federal government to realize this goal. [Office of Science and Technology Policy, United States] Press Release

Chinese Publishers Vow to Cleanse Journals
The China Association for Science and Technology in Beijing has taken the lead among the country’s publishers in trying to clamp down on academic misconduct. [The China Association for Science and Technology, China] Press Release

Egypt’s Presidential Candidates Pledge to Boost Science
As Egyptians prepare to vote in presidential elections, many candidates have promised new strategies for science, technology and innovation, and pledged to increase government expenditure on research. [Egyptian Government, Egypt] Press Release

BUSINESS

Galena Biopharma Takes Final Actions to Complete Spin-Off of RXi Pharmaceuticals
Galena Biopharma, Inc. announced that it has initiated the final steps to complete the previously announced spin-off of RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Galena’s wholly-owned subsidiary. [Galena Biopharma, Inc.]
Press Release

TechColumbus Commits $500,000 to Fund Ohio State University Spinoff Nanofiber Solutions
TechColumbus announced its commitment to invest $500,000 from its Pre-Seed Fund in Nanofiber Solutions LLC to advance innovations in cell culture technologies and regenerative medicine. [TechColumbus] Press Release

Argos Therapeutics Secures $25 million Series D Financing to Commence Phase III ADAPT Study in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC) in Mid-2012
Argos Therapeutics Inc. announced that it has secured a $25 million Series D financing to support the commencement of its Phase III ADAPT study in patients with newly diagnosed, mRCC in mid-2012. [MarketWatch] Press Release

SynGen Inc. Receives $5 million Equity Investment from Bay City Capital, LLC
SynGen Inc. announced that it has completed a $5 million Series A preferred stock financing with Bay City Capital, LLC (BCC). Under the terms of the transaction, BCC will appoint two representatives to SynGen’s board of directors. [PR Newswire] Press Release

MiRagen Therapeutics Secures $20 Million Series B Financing
MiRagen Therapeutics, Inc. announced the completion of a $20 million Series B financing. The funding enables miRagen to advance the development of its compelling microRNA-based therapeutics pipeline. [MiRagen Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Pluristem Awarded a $3.1 Million Grant by Israeli Government
Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Pluristem Ltd., has received approval for a 11.8 million New Israeli Shekels (approximately $3.1 million) grant from the Office of the Chief Scientist within the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor. [Pluristem Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

TAP Biosystems’ Project to Develop a Cell Therapy for Corneal Surface Disease Receives Additional Funding for Pre-Clinical and First in Man Trials
TAP Biosystems announced it has received further funding from the UK’s Technology Strategy Board. This will advance their project, developing a biomimetic cornea to treat corneal surface disease, into pre-clinical research and a safety trial in two patients. [TAP Biosystems] Press Release

ACT Announces Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) Approval to Increase RPE Dosage for Stargardt’s Disease Patients in U.S. Trial
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) announced that the DSMB have recently authorized the Company to move forward with enrollment and treatment of additional patients with Stargardt’s disease. [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.] Press Release

Coronado Biosciences Announces Independent Data Monitoring Committee Recommendation to Continue Falk Phase II Trial of TSO in Crohn’s Disease
Coronado Biosciences, Inc. announced that it received from Dr. Falk Pharma GmbH (Falk), its development partner, a recommendation from the independent data monitoring committee that conducted an interim analysis (blinded to Falk) of clinical data from the initial 120 patients to continue Falk’s Phase II clinical trial in Europe evaluating Trichuris suis ova (TSO) in Crohn’s disease. [Coronado Biosciences, Inc.] Press Release

Second U-M Stem Cell Line Now Publicly Available to Help Researchers Find Treatments for Nerve Condition
The University of Michigan (U-M)’s second human embryonic stem cell line has just been placed on the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s registry, making the cells available for federally-funded research. [University of Michigan Health System] Press Release

Bioo Scientific Launches Transduction Reagents for Targeted Delivery into Neuronal and Myeloid Cells
Bioo Scientific announced that it has launched the proprietary MyeloAim™ and NeuroAim™ Transduction Reagents which offer directed delivery of RNAi agents into myeloid cells (both in primary cells and in cell lines) or into neuronal cells (both in primary cells and in cell lines) respectfully. [Bioo Scientific Corp.] Press Release

New CU-Boulder Facility to be Used to Tackle Challenges Ranging from Cancer and Tissue Engineering to New Biofuels
A revolutionary research and teaching facility opening at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU-Boulder) will facilitate work on a wide swath of pressing societal challenges ranging from biomedical issues like cancer, heart disease and tissue engineering to the development of new biofuels. [University of Colorado Boulder]
Press Release

New Director, Associate Director at McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine
William R. Wagner, Ph.D. has been named director of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, a joint effort of Pitt and UPMC, effective immediately. Rocky S. Tuan, Ph.D. has been named associate director. [University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences] Press Release