Cell Therapy News Volume 13.18 | May 14 2012

May 12, 2022

Issue 13.18, May 14, 2012

TOP STORY

Heart Repair by Reprogramming Non-Myocytes with Cardiac Transcription Factors
Researchers showed that four transcription factors, GATA4, HAND2, MEF2C and TBX5, can cooperatively reprogram adult mouse tail-tip and cardiac fibroblasts into beating cardiac-like myocytes in vitro. [Nature] Abstract

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PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by Impact Factor of the Journal)

IL-15 Protects NKT Cells from Inhibition by Tumor-Associated Macrophages and Enhances Antimetastatic Activity
IL-15 protected antigen-activated NKT cells from hypoxia, and transgenic expression of IL-15 in adoptively transferred NKT cells dramatically enhanced their antimetastatic activity in mice. [J Clin Invest]
Full Article | Press Release

Histone H1 Depletion Impairs Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation
Investigators demonstrated that H1 plays a critical role in pluripotent stem cell differentiation, and their results suggest that H1 and chromatin compaction may mediate pluripotent stem cell differentiation through epigenetic repression of the pluripotency genes. [PLoS Genet] Full Article | Press Release

Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Controls Bone Marrow Derived Cells Therapeutic Effect through MMP 9 Signaling: Role in Physiological and Pathological Wound Healing
Scientists assessed the role of PAI-1 and MMP9 in wound healing process and in the BMMNC related effects on physiological and pathological wound healing. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Defining the Integration Capacity of ES Cell-Derived Photoreceptor Precursors
Researchers concluded that exclusion of proliferative cells from embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived cultures is essential for effective transplantation. Despite showing expression profiles characteristic of immature photoreceptors, the ES cell-derived precursors generated using this protocol did not display transplantation competence equivalent to precursors from the postnatal retina. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Atoh1 Directs the Formation of Sensory Mosaics and Induces Cell Proliferation in the Postnatal Mammalian Cochlea In Vivo
Researchers found that Atoh1 induces ectopic sensory patches through Notch signaling to form a cellular mosaic similar to the endogenous sensory epithelia and expansion of the sensory mosaic through the conversion of supporting cells and nonautonomous supporting cell production. [J Neurosci]
Abstract | Press Release

Cotransplantation of Allogeneic Mesenchymal and Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Children with Aplastic Anemia
The authors report the preliminary results of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with mesenchymal stem cells for six cases of severe aplastic anemia. [Pediatrics] Abstract

Immune Effects of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Experimental Stroke
Researchers intravenously transplanted syngeneic murine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) into C57BL/6 mice at six hours after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion to investigate the impact of MSCs on stroke-induced immunodepression. [J Cereb Blood Flow Metab] Abstract

Extended Survival of Glioblastoma Patients after Chemoprotective HSC Gene Therapy
Investigators showed efficient polyclonal engraftment of autologous mutant methylguanine methyltransferase-modified hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in three patients with glioblastoma. [Sci Transl Med]
Abstract | Press Release

Mixed Chimerism and Growth Factors Augment ß Cell Regeneration and Reverse Late-Stage Type 1 Diabetes
Researchers showed that combination therapy of induced mixed chimerism under a radiation-free nontoxic anti-CD3/CD8 conditioning regimen and administration of gastrin/epidermal growth factor augments both ß cell neogenesis and replication, resulting in reversal of late-stage type 1 diabetes in nonobese diabetic mice. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

Myeloid Progenitors: A Radiation Countermeasure that Is Effective when Initiated Days after Irradiation
The aim of this study was to elucidate the potential of mouse myeloid progenitor cells to mitigate lethal doses of ⁶⁰Co γ radiation and X rays in various strains of mice. [Radiat Res] Abstract | Press Release

SCIENCE NEWS

Alnylam Presents Final Results from a Phase I Clinical Trial of ALN-TTR01, an RNAi Therapeutic Targeting Transthyretin (TTR) for the Treatment of Transthyretin-Mediated Amyloidosis (ATTR)
Data from this study show that administration of ALN-TTR01 resulted in statistically significant reductions in serum TTR protein levels, including both wild-type and mutant TTR protein, in ATTR patients. [Press release from Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. discussing research presented at the XIII International Symposium on Amyloidosis, Groningen] Press Release

Treatment with Ixmyelocel-T Shown to Improve Outcomes in Heart Failure Patients
An investigational therapy derived from a patient’s own bone marrow stem cells improves heart function in some patients with progressive heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy, according to researchers. [Press release from The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) discussing research presented at the SCAI 2012 Scientific Sessions, Las Vegas] Press Release

Histogenics’ NeoCart for Patients with Knee Cartilage Damage Demonstrates Continued Efficacy for Periods of Up to Five Years
Histogenics Corporation announced intermediate term data supporting the clinical efficacy of the Company’s NeoCart Autologous Cartilage Tissue Implant for periods of up to five years with no evidence of severe treatment-related adverse events in patients with grade III chondral injury to the femur. [Press release from Business Wire discussing research presented at the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) 2012 Annual Meeting, Montreal] Press Release

Neuralstem Updates ALS Stem Cell Trial Progress
Neuralstem, Inc. announced that the Food and Drug Administration has approved the return of three patients from earlier cohorts in its ongoing Phase I safety trial to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with its spinal cord stem cells. They will be the first to receive stem cell transplantation along the length of the spinal cord. [Neuralstem, Inc.] Press Release

POLICY

European Parliament Rebukes Three Regulatory Agencies
The European Parliament postponed signing off on the 2010 expenditures of three science-related E.U. agencies amid concerns over conflicts of interest and inappropriate spending. The vote to postpone the so-called discharge – which affects the European Food Safety Authority, the European Medicines Agency, and the European Environment Agency – has no immediate consequences, but it is seen as a warning that the agencies need to restore their credibility. [European Parliament, European Union] Press Release

Algeria to Tackle HIV/AIDS
Algeria will partner with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS to build the first HIV/AIDS research center in the Middle East and North Africa. [Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, United Nations]
Press Release

A Global Standard for Peer Review
After winning the strong backing of the White House, Subra Suresh convened a meeting of 47 leaders of research funding agencies from 44 countries. At the conclusion of closed-door sessions, the group will issue the first-ever global statement on the principles of merit review. [National Science Foundation, United States]
Press Release

BUSINESS

Fluidigm and the Broad Institute Establish Single-Cell Genomics Research Center
The Broad Institute and Fluidigm Corporation announced the launch of a new research center dedicated to accelerating the development of research methods and discoveries in mammalian single-cell genomics. The Single-Cell Genomics Center is also expected to act as a hub for collaboration among single-cell genomics researchers in many pioneering fields, including stem cells and cancer biology. [Fluidigm Corporation]
Press Release

Angel Biotechnology Holdings plc Announces Acquisition of Assets of Biomaterial Manufacturing Business, Launch of Angel Biomedical Limited
Angel Biotechnology Holdings plc announced with immediate effect the acquisition of the assets of an established biomaterial and collagen manufacturing business, through its newly formed and wholly owned subsidiary, Angel Biomedical Ltd. [Angel Biotechnology Holdings plc] Press Release

UT MD Anderson Cancer Center and Norwegian Cancer Consortium Renew Collaboration
The University of Texas (UT) MD Anderson Cancer Center will renew a collaborative agreement with the Norwegian Cancer Consortium at a signing ceremony scheduled in Stavanger, Norway. [The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center] Press Release

Regenerative Sciences Receives $2 Million Investment for Orthopedic Stem Cell Initiatives
Regenerative Sciences, Inc. announced that it has secured a $2 million investment from philanthropist, visionary and businessman John C. Malone, PhD, chairman of Liberty Media Corporation. In addition to advancing Regenerative Sciences’ clinical and lab-based stem cell research, the investment will help support the national expansion of their Regenexx™ Physician Network. [PR Newswire] Press Release

Biomedical Structures Introduces Breakthrough Medical Textile Weaving Capabilities for Artificial Tendon and Ligament Applications
Biomedical Structures LLC announced its advanced new tapered medical textile solution for tendons, ligaments and other orthopedic applications. [Biomedical Structures LLC] Press Release

Compassionate Use of Pluristem’s PLX Cells Saves the Life of a Child after Bone Marrow Transplantation Failure
Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc. announced that a seven year-old girl suffering from an aplastic bone marrow whose condition was rapidly deteriorating is now experiencing a reversal of her condition with a significant increase in her red cells, white cells and platelets following the intramuscular injection of the company’s PLacental eXpanded (PLX) cells. [Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Academic Health Center Biorepository Established to Advance Cancer and Other Medical Research in Northwest Ohio
ProMedica and The University of Toledo announced the opening of the Academic Health Center BioRepository to help researchers find new and improved treatments for cancer and other medical conditions, including autism, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. Human blood and tissue samples will be donated by area patients to the BioRepository for future scientific research. [ProMedica] Press Release

Cardio3 BioSciences Announces CE Marking for its C-Cath^® Injection Catheter
Cardio3 BioSciences announced that it has received CE Marking (Conformité Européenne) for its intra-myocardial C-Cath^® Injection Catheter. [Cardio3 BioSciences] Press Release

Targeted Gene Therapy Offers Relief from Pain and Inflammation
Aditi Bhargava, PhD, is using RNA interference to develop a gene therapy system that sends specific commands to certain neurons telling them to turn off pain, or stop inflammation. [University of California, San Francisco] Press Release

Tissue Engineering Expert Elected as Leader of International Scientific Society
Anthony Hollander, ARC Professor of Rheumatology and Tissue Engineering at the University of Bristol has been elected President of the International Cartilage Repair Society. [University of Bristol] Press Release

NIH

Notice of Change in Country Eligibility for Fogarty International Training Grants (NOT-TW-12-011)

Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc No: 2012-11073)

Center for Scientific Review, Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc No: 2012-11323)

Announcement of National Eye Institute Participation in PA-11-347, “NINDS SBIR Technology Transfer (SBIR-TT [R43/R44])” (FR Doc No: 2012-11512)

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc No: 2012-11507)

National Human Genome Research Institute Amended Notice of Meeting (FR Doc No: 2012-11312)