Cell Therapy News Volume 13.35 | Sep 10 2012

Distinct Contribution of Stem and Progenitor Cells to Epidermal Maintenance
Researchers probed the cellular heterogeneity within the interfollicular epidermis (IFE) using two different inducible Cre recombinase-oestrogen receptor constructs targeting IFE progenitors in mice. Quantitative analysis of clonal fate data and proliferation dynamics demonstrated the existence of two distinct proliferative cell compartments arranged in a hierarchy involving slow-cycling stem cells and committed progenitor cells. After wounding, only stem cells contribute substantially to the repair and long-term regeneration of the tissue, whereas committed progenitor cells make a limited contribution. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release

Ultrastable Synergistic Tetravalent RNA Nanoparticles for Targeting to Cancers
Investigators report the construction of thermodynamically stable X-shaped RNA nanoparticles to carry four therapeutic RNA motifs by self-assembly of reengineered small RNA fragments. Systemic injection of ligand-containing nanoparticles into the tail-vein of mice revealed that the RNA nanoparticles remained intact and strongly bound to cancers without entering the liver, lung or any other organs or tissues, while remaining in cancer tissue for more than eight hours. [Nano Today] Full Article | Press Release

In Vivo Reprogramming of Sox9⁺ Cells in the Liver to Insulin-Secreting Ducts
Using a polycistronic vector researchers misexpressed Pdx1, Ngn3, and MafA in the livers of NOD-SCID mice rendered diabetic by treatment with streptozotocin. The diabetes was relieved long term. Use of a vector also expressing GFP shows that the ducts persist long after the viral gene expression has ceased, indicating that this is a true irreversible cell reprogramming event. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Full Article

Therapeutic Effects of hMAPC and hMSC Transplantation after Stroke in Mice
Researchers assessed the effect of human multipotent adult progenitor cells (hMAPCs) and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) on endogenous neurogenesis, angiogenesis and inflammation following stroke. [PLoS One] Full Article

The Application of Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels to Retinal Progenitor Cell Transplantation
Scientists describe the use of hyaluronic acid based hydrogels to encapsulate mouse retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) and a delivery system for injectable tissue engineering. The transplants caused very little disruption to the host retinal architecture. Hydrogels were degraded completely and RPCs distributed evenly in the sub-retinal space by week three and expressed the mature photoreceptor marker recoverin. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

TIMP3 or VEGF Transfection of Aged Human MSCs Enhances Cell Therapy after Myocardial Infarction
The authors genetically engineered old human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP3) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and evaluated the effects on the efficacy of cell-based gene therapy in a rat myocardial infarction model. [Rejuvenation Res] Abstract

RPE65 Gene Therapy Slows Cone Loss in Rpe65-Deficient Dogs
Scientists evaluated the effect of retinal pigment epithelium gene (RPE65) gene therapy on photoreceptor survival to predict the potential benefit and limitations of therapy in patients. [Gene Ther] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy Promotes Renal Repair by Limiting Glomerular Podocyte and Progenitor Cell Dysfunction in Adriamycin-Induced Nephropathy
Repeated injections of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) limited podocyte loss and apoptosis, and partially preserved nephrin and CD2AP in adriamycin-rats. MSCs attenuated the formation of glomerular podocyte-parietal epithelial cell bridges and normalized the distribution of NCAM+progenitor cells along the Bowman’s capsule, thereby reducing glomerulosclerosis. [Am J Physiol Renal Physiol] Abstract

Enhanced Antitumor Efficacy of Telomerase-Specific Oncolytic Adenovirus with Valproic Acid against Human Cancer Cells
Researchers determined whether the antitumor effect of OBP-301, an attenuated adenovirus, could be enhanced by valproic acid in human lung cancer cells. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Improves Regional Cardiac Remodeling following Ovine Infarction
Data demonstrated that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell implantation improved cardiac remodeling in the region adjacent to the infarct after cardiac infarction in the ovine infarction model. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

Cell Transplantation Approaches to Retinal Ganglion Cell Neuroprotection in Glaucoma
Scientists discuss the rationale for transplantation-based approaches to neuroprotection for glaucoma and explore the various mechanisms of action proposed to account for retinal ganglion cell neuroprotection achieved by two distinct cell classes that have been studied most extensively for this purpose: glial cells and mesenchymal stem cells. [Curr Opin Pharmacol] Abstract

Rescuing the Neonatal Brain from Hypoxic Injury with Autologous Cord Blood
This review examines the administration of human cord blood cells in animal models of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, which has generally resulted in improved outcomes, and multiple mechanisms that have been suggested, including anti-inflammation, release of neurotrophic factors and stimulation of endogenous neurogenesis. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Cardiac Stem Cell Therapy: Stemness or Commitment?
Researchers explored differentiation ability of various stem cells to cardiac progenitors/cardiomyocytes and compare their applicability in providing targeted recovery in light of current clinical challenges of cell therapy. [Cell Transplant] Abstract

Alnylam Presents Complete Results from Phase IIb Trial with ALN-RSV01, an Inhaled RNAi Therapeutic for the Treatment of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced complete results from its Phase IIb trial with ALN-RSV01 for the treatment of RSV infection in lung transplant patients. [Press release from Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. discussing research presented at the European Respiratory Society’s (ERS) Annual Congress, Vienna]
Press Release

Cytomedix’s AutoloGel System Highlighted in Two Presentations
Cytomedix, Inc. announced that the Company’s AutoloGel™ System was highlighted in an oral abstract and a poster presentation. The AutoloGel System is a device for the production of autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) gel, and is the only PRP device cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in wound management. [Press release from Cytomedix, Inc. discussing research presented at the 4^th Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS 2012), Yokohama] Press Release

Third Critically Ill Patient Successfully Treated with Pluristem’s PLX Cells Under Compassionate Use
Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the Company’s Placental eXpanded (PLX) cells were successfully administered to a third patient in Hadassah Medical Center; thus, a series of three life saving compassionate use treatments were completed. [Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Obama and Romney Tackle 14 Top Science Questions
Scientific American partnered with grassroots organization ScienceDebate.org to encourage the two main presidential candidates – Barack Obama and Mitt Romney – to answer 14 questions on some of the biggest scientific and technological challenges facing the nation. [Presidential Candidates, United States] Press Release

U.K. Devotes £10 Million to Open Access Shift
Following up on recommendations to make more research freely available to scientists and the public, the U.K. government pledged £10 million toward making scientific papers open access. [U.K. Government, United Kingdom] Press Release

NSF Reshuffling Highlights Global Science
Subra Suresh has been an advocate of greater international scientific collaboration since becoming director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) two years ago. And a reshuffling of four programs within his office reinforces that message. [National Science Foundation, United States] Press Release

$36.4 Million Funds for Radiation Syndrome Cell Therapy
Cellerant Therapeutics won a $36.4 million Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority grant to support advanced development of allogeneic cell-based therapy CLT-008, for the treatment of acute radiation syndrome. CLT-008 is an off-the-shelf cryopreserved cell-based therapy comprising human myeloid progenitor cells derived from hematopoietic stem cells. [Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News] Press Release

Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute Awarded $1.3 Million to Study Cardiac Stem Cells
A team of Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute stem cell researchers was awarded a $1.3 million grant from the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine to continue study of an experimental stem cell therapy that treats heart attack patients with heart-derived cells. [Cedars-Sinai] Press Release

State Stem Cell Research Funding Agency Awards $37.3 Million to Aid UC Irvine Efforts
Efforts to begin human clinical trials using stem cells to treat Alzheimer’s disease and retinitis pigmentosa received a $37.3 million boost from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine during its most recent round of funding. [University of California (UC), Irvine] Press Release

CIRM Funds Six UC San Diego Stem Cell Researchers
The governing board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has announced that six investigators from the University of California (UC), San Diego Stem Cell Research program have received a total of more than $7 million in the latest round of CIRM funding. [University of California, San Diego]
Press Release

DERMAGRAFT® Approved in Canada for Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Shire plc announced that its lead regenerative medicine product, DERMAGRAFT (human fibroblast-derived dermal substitute) has received regulatory approval from Health Canada as a class IV medical device for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. [Shire plc] Press Release

Medgenics’ Novel Tissue Implant Approved for Two Hepatitis C Clinical Trials in Israel
Medgenics, Inc. announced that Israel’s Ministry of Health has approved two Phase I/II clinical trials to assess the safety and efficacy of INFRADURE™ in patients with hepatitis C. These are the first approved clinical studies for the use of INFRADURE, a subcutaneous autologous tissue implant developed to continuously produce interferon alpha. [Medgenics, Inc.] Press Release

Argos Therapeutics Expands Global Patent Protection
Argos Therapeutics Inc. (Argos) announced it was recently granted two patents and one patent allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office and one patent allowance from the European Patent Office. These new patents and allowed patent applications cover compositions of matter and methods of use related to Argos´ proprietary immunotherapy technologies. [Argos Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

U.S. Patent Issued for Histogen’s Novel Cell Growth Process
Histogen, Inc. announced that the United States (U.S.) Patent and Trademark Office has issued patent 8,257,947, entitled “Extracellular Matrix Compositions Produced Under Hypoxic Culture Conditions” to the Company. [Histogen, Inc.] Press Release

Can Gene Therapy Cure Fatal Diseases in Children?
That low bone density causes osteoporosis and a risk of fracture is common knowledge. But an excessively high bone density is also harmful. The most serious form of excessively high bone density is a rare, hereditary disease which can lead to the patient’s death by the age of only five. Researchers are now trying to develop gene therapy against this disease. [Lund University] Press Release

STEMSOFT Welcomes New EMEA Sales Director
STEMSOFT Software Inc (STEMSOFT), the leading provider of software solutions for the cell therapy and transplant community, is pleased to welcome Isabel Feys on board as the new Director of Sales for the EMEA area. [STEMSOFT Software Inc] Press Release

Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc No: 2012-21893)

Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc No: 2012-21894)

Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc No: 2012-21748)

Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing (FR Doc No: 2012-21749)

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc No: 2012-21750)

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc No: 2012-21751)

Final Action Under the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules (NIH Guidelines) (FR Doc No: 2012-21849)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

MHRA Good Clinical Practice Symposium

NEW The Jackson Laboratory: The Power of Modeling Human Disease in NSG Mice
September 13, 1:00PM (ET in US)
Webinar

NEW 9th Stem Cell Research & Therapeutics Conference
October 24-26, 2012
Philadelphia, United States

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

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

Scientific Communications & Publishing Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Quality Control Operations Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Research and Development (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Media Development (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Research (University of Washington)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Preclinical Group (BN ImmunoTherapeutics)

Postdoctoral Positions – Immunity and Inflammation (CNRS & University of Toulouse, France)

Postdoctoral Position – Pathophysiology of Brain Tumors (UMR 6301 ISTCT)

Research Associate – Quality Assurance (University of California)

Scientist, Postdoctoral and Research Associate Positions (University of Miami – Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center)


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