Cell Therapy News Volume 13.20 | May 28 2012

Isolation of Primitive Endoderm, Mesoderm, Vascular Endothelial and Trophoblast Progenitors from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
BMP4-induced progenitors exhibited gene signatures of mesoderm, trophoblast and vascular endothelium, suggesting correspondence to gastrulation-stage primitive streak, chorion and allantois precursors, respectively. The same progenitor classes emerged during the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells. [Nat Biotechnol] Abstract

Defective B Cell Tolerance in Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency Is Corrected by Gene Therapy
After HSC gene therapy, adenosine deaminase-SCID patients displayed quasi-normal early B cell tolerance checkpoints, as evidenced by restored removal of developing autoreactive and anti-nuclear antibody-expressing B cells. [J Clin Invest] Full Article | Press Release

CD62L^– Memory T Cells Enhance T-Cell Regeneration after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation by Eliminating Host Resistance in Mice
Effector memory T cells (CD62L^–) were able to deplete host radioresistant T cells and facilitate hematopoietic engraftment, resulting in enhanced de novo T cell regeneration. [Blood] Abstract

Cellular Mechanical Properties Reflect the Differentiation Potential of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Elastic and viscoelastic properties of undifferentiated adipose-derived stem cells were tested via atomic force microscopy and correlated with lineage-specific metabolite production. Cell sorting simulations based on these “mechanical biomarkers” indicated they were predictive of differentiation capability and could be used to enrich for tissue-specific cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Concomitant Multipotent and Unipotent Dental Pulp Progenitors and Their Respective Contribution to Mineralized Tissue Formation
Three clonal pulp precursor cell lines, established from embryonic ED18 first molars of mouse transgenic for a recombinant plasmid adeno-SV40, were induced to differentiate towards the odonto/osteogenic, chondrogenic or adipogenic program. The clones were implanted into mandibular incisors or calvaria of adult mice. [Eur Cell Mater] Abstract

Derivation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Cultured on Synthetic Substrates
Results demonstrate that human-induced pluripotent stem cells cultured in a xeno-free system have the capability to differentiate into functional mesenchymal stem cells with the ability to form bone in vivo. [Stem Cells] Abstract | Press Release

Neuronal Properties, In Vivo Effects and Pathology of a Huntington’s Disease Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Results indicate that, although Huntington’s disease (HD)-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) carrying 72 CAG repeats can form GABAergic neurons and give rise to functional effects in vivo, without showing an overt HD phenotype, it is highly susceptible to proteasome inhibition and develops HD pathology at later stages of transplantation. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Endoluminal Gingival Fibroblast Transfer Reduces the Size of Rabbit Carotid Aneurisms via Elastin Repair
Investigators showed that gingival fibroblasts (GF) in vitro reduced matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity via increased secretion of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1. They aimed to evaluate in vivo the efficacy of GF transplantation to reduce aneurism development in a rabbit model. [Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol] Abstract

Differentiating Neural Crest Stem Cells Induce Proliferation of Cultured Rodent Islet Beta Cells
The authors developed a new in vitro co-culture system that enables the dissection of the elements that control the cellular interactions that lead to neural crest stem cell-dependent increase in islet beta cells. [Diabetologia] Abstract

Generation of Regionally Specified Neural Progenitors and Functional Neurons from Human Embryonic Stem Cells under Defined Conditions
Researchers have developed a method to generate human neural progenitors and neurons from human embryonic stem cells, which recapitulates human fetal brain development. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Press Release

Patient’s Stem Cells Show Promise in Treating Female Urinary Incontinence
Findings from a multi-center trial may give urologists another minimally invasive treatment option for women with stress urinary incontinence. The study showed that treating a woman with her own muscle-derived stem cells was both safe and effective. [Press release from Beaumont Health System discussing research presented at the American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting, Atlanta] Press Release

Data from Phase II Trial of HyperAcute(R) Pancreas (Algenpantucel-L) Immunotherapy Presented
The multi-institutional, open-label, dose-finding, Phase II trial evaluated the use of Algenpantucel-L in addition to chemotherapy with chemoradiotherapy in the adjuvant setting for resected pancreatic cancer. [Press release from NewLink Genetics Corporation discussing research to be presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2012, San Diego] Press Release

White House Petitioned to Make Research Free to Access
More than 17,000 people have signed an online petition urging US President Barack Obama to require all scientific journal articles resulting from US taxpayer-funded research to be made freely available online. [White House, United States] Press Release

New Russian Science Minister Will Continue Push from Academy to Universities
Andrei Fursenko will not return as Minister for Education and Science in the new cabinet. In his cabinet seat will be Dmitry Livanov, rector of the National University of Science and Technology. Among his priorities were the need to raise research funding, improve the quality of research evaluation, and shift the emphasis in research from Russian Academy of Sciences institutes to universities. [Minister for Education and Science, Russia]
Press Release

Horizon 2020: A €80 Billion Battlefield for Open Access
As negotiations proceed to shape the next installment of Europe’s gargantuan research funding programs, scientists, librarians, and publishers are eagerly awaiting the answer to a critical question: How strong will the new 7-year program, called Horizon 2020, be on Open Access? [European Commission, European Union]
Press Release

California’s Stem Cell Agency Announces International Collaborations and $69 Million in New Research Funding
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine announced its first ever collaboratively funded research projects with China and the federal government of Australia, a new project with Germany, plus $69 million for research to help develop therapies for 15 diseases in its latest round of funding. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine] Press Release

Karolinska University Hospital and GE Healthcare Collaborate to Advance Technologies for Cell Therapy
Karolinska University Hospital Sweden and General Electric (GE) Healthcare Life Sciences announced a joint research collaboration to drive advances in technologies and workflows for use in the rapidly emerging field of cell therapy. [General Electric Company] Press Release

IntelliCell BioSciences Announces Collaborative Agreement with the University of Florida on Stem Cell and Tissue Repair Research
IntelliCell BioSciences, Inc. announced that it has entered a sponsored research agreement with the Institute for Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Florida. [PR Newswire] Press Release

Alnylam and PBL Sign License Agreement for Baulcombe & Hamilton RNA Interference Patent
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Plant Bioscience Limited (PBL) announced that they have entered into a licensing agreement. PBL has granted Alnylam a world-wide, non-exclusive license to the Baulcombe patent for use in the field of human therapeutics. [Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission Funds 40 New Proposals in FY 2012
The board of directors of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation approved the Commission’s recommendation to fund 40 new proposals with the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund’s $12.4 million FY 2012 budget. [Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund] Press Release

UC San Diego Researchers Receive New CIRM Funding
Five scientists from the University of California (UC), San Diego and its School of Medicine have been awarded almost $12 million in new grants from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to conduct stem cell-based research into regenerating spinal cord injuries, repairing gene mutations that cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and finding new drugs to treat heart failure and Alzheimer’s disease. [University of California, San Diego Health System] Press Release

UCI Stem Cell Researcher to Receive $4.8 Million in State Funding
A University of California, Irvine (UCI) immunologist will receive $4.8 million to create a new line of neural stem cells that can be used to treat multiple sclerosis. [University of California, Irvine] Press Release

Cellectis Stem Cells Proudly Announces the Launch of the World’s Very First Human iPS Cell-Derived Hepatocyte Product
Cellectis stem cells announced the launch of a human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell derived hepatocyte product, hiPS-HEP^TM. [Cellectis Group] Press Release

RetroSense Therapeutics Completes Pre-IND Meeting for RST-001
RetroSense Therapeutics announced completion of a pre-Investigational New Drug (IND) meeting with the Center for Biological Evaluation and Research division of the FDA regarding RetroSense’s lead biologic, RST-001 for vision restoration in retinal degenerative conditions. [Business Wire] Press Release

KRIBB to Initiate Research Infrastructure for Xeno-Transplantation R&D
The Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB) opened the Xenotransplantation Bio-resources Building of the Korea National Primate Research Center at the Ochang Campus. The new building will support projects such as xeno-transplantation research through the combined efforts of industrial, academic, and research institutes, along with the existing resources of the Korea National Primate Research Center. [Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology] Press Release

The Division of Receipt and Referral Will Use eRA Commons to Communicate with Applicants and Applicant Organizations (NOT-OD-12-108)

Notice of Correction to RFA-HL-13-003 Ancillary Studies in Clinical Trials (R01) (NOT-HL-12-145)

Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc No: 2012-12651)

Roster of the Cellular, Tissue and Gene Therapies Advisory Committee

Charter of the Blood Products Advisory Committee

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Amendments to Sterility Test Requirements for Biological Products; Correction (FR Doc No: 2012-12594)

Risk Communication Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting (FR Doc No: 2012-12587)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

European Medicines Agency Recommends First-in-Class Medicine for Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis
The European Medicines Agency has recommended Kalydeco, an orphan-designated medicine, for the treatment of cystic fibrosis in patients age six years and older who have a G551D mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator gene. Press Release

NEW 24th International Congress of the Transplantation Society
July 15-19, 2012
Berlin, Germany

NEW Cell Culture & Bioprocessing Congress 2012
November 5-6, 2012
London, United Kingdom

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

Scientist – Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Epithelial Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – hPSC Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

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

Scientist – Endothelial Cells (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Mesenchymal Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Associate – Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Contract Assay Services (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

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

iPSC Scientist Position – Laboratory of Translational Cell Biology (The Bassell Lab, Emory University)

Postdoctoral Position – Translational Breast Cancer Research (ISREC/EPFL)

Senior Scientist (Techshot, Inc.)

Business Development Manager – Stem Cell (SynGen Inc.)

Controller (SynGen Inc.)

Director: Regulatory Affairs (SynGen Inc.)

Manufacturing Manager (SynGen Inc.)

Chief Scientific Officer (SynGen Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Department of Bioengineering and Barbara Davis Center (University of Colorado at Denver)

Postdoctoral Position – GIGA-Neurosciences (University of Liège)

Postdoctoral Position – Spinal Cord Neural Stem Cells (Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier)

Cellular Therapy Lab Specialist (The University of Texas Medical School at Houston)


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