Cell Therapy News Volume 13.46 | Nov 26 2012

In Vivo Directed Differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cells for Skeletal Regeneration
Researchers evaluated the ability of an osteogenic microniche consisting of a hydroxyapatite-coated, bone morphogenetic protein-2-releasing poly-l-lactic acid scaffold placed within the context of a macroenvironmental skeletal defect to guide in vivo differentiation of both embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

A Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trial of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Researchers aimed to assess safety and to perform initial evaluation of potential efficacy of systemic mesenchymal stem cell administration to patients with moderate-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. [Chest] Abstract

Characterization and Therapeutic Potential of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiovascular Progenitor Cells
Researchers sought to identify specific cell surface markers that label endogenous embryonic cardiovascular progenitor cells (CPCs) and validated these markers in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived Isl1⁺/Nkx2.5⁺ CPCs. Endogenous mouse and iPSC-derived Flt1⁺/Flt4⁺ CPCs differentiated into all three cardiovascular lineages in vitro. Flt1⁺/Flt4⁺ CPCs transplanted into left ventricles demonstrated robust engraftment and differentiation into mature cardiomyocytes. [PLoS One] Full Article | Press Release

Herpes Simplex Virus Vector Mediated Gene Therapy of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Blockade for Bladder Overactivity and Nociception in Rats
Researchers examined the effects of tumor necrosis factor-α blockade on bladder overactivity and nociception using replication defective HSV vectors expressing tumor necrosis factor-α soluble receptor. HSV vectors expressing tumor necrosis factor-α soluble receptor or β-galactosidase/green fluorescent protein as the control were injected into the bladder wall of female Sprague-Dawley^® rats. Green fluorescent protein was observed with fluorescent microscopy in the bladder and L6 dorsal root ganglia. [J Urol] Abstract

Development of a Gene Therapy Strategy to Target Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based Inhibition of Protein Phosphatase 2A Using the Alpha-Fetoprotein Promoter Enhancer and pgk Promoter: an In Vitro and In Vivo Study
The authors constructed a hepatocellular carcinoma-specific gene therapy system to target protein phosphatase 2A using the alpha-fetoprotein enhancer/phosphoglycerate kinase (pgk) promoter, and evaluated the efficiency and specificity of this system both in vitro and in vivo. [BMC Cancer] Full Article

Stability of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells during In Vitro Culture: Considerations for Cell Therapy
The authors examined human mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow, over extended culture time, using cytogenetic analyses, mixed lymphocyte reactions, proteomics and gene expression assays to determine whether the cultures would retain their potential for therapeutic use in subsequent passages. The results suggest that human mesenchymal stem cells cultures can be used successfully in cell therapy up to passage 4. However, use of cells from higher passages would have to be analyzed case by case. [Cell Prolif] Abstract

Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cell Therapy in Experimental Allergic Asthma: Intratracheal versus Intravenous Administration
Researchers concluded that marrow-derived mononuclear cell therapy modulated inflammatory and remodeling processes regardless of administration route in an experimental model of allergic asthma. [Respir Physiol Neurobiol] Abstract

Injectable Polyethylene Glycol-Fibrinogen Hydrogel Adjuvant Improves Survival and Differentiation of Transplanted Mesoangioblasts in Acute and Chronic Skeletal-Muscle Degeneration
Researchers investigated the use of intra-muscular transplantation of mesoangioblasts (vessel-associated progenitor cells), delivered with an injectable hydrogel biomaterial directly into the tibialis anterior muscle of acutely injured or dystrophic mice. The hydrogel cell carrier, made from a polyethylene glycol-fibrinogen matrix, was polymerized in situ together with mesoangioblasts to form a resorbable cellularized implant. [Skelet Muscle] Full Article | Press Release

Stem Cell Therapy: an Exercise in Patience and Prudence
This review discusses the current status of stem cell therapy, the issues surrounding it and its future prospects with a general background on the regulatory networks underlying pluripotency. [Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci] Abstract

Understanding Lentiviral Vector Chromatin Targeting: Working to Reduce Insertional Mutagenic Potential for Gene Therapy
Replication-deficient retroviruses have been successfully utilized as vectors, offering an efficient, stable method of therapeutic gene delivery. Many examples exist proving this mode of integrative gene transfer is both effective and safe in cultured systems and clinical trials. [Gene Ther] Abstract

Workshop on Access to Clinical-Trial Data and Transparency Kicks Off Process towards Proactive Publication of Data
This event marks the first step in the process to proactive publication of clinical-trial data, a decision the Agency made earlier this year. This decision aims to build trust and confidence in the system by allowing re-analysis of clinical-trial data by stakeholders. [European Medicines Agency] Press Release

View from Europe: Delivering on the Vision of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells
The EU must continue to support human embryonic stem cell research to maintain its lead in regenerative medicine. The upcoming Irish Presidency needs to recognize the importance of this research and resist calls for a ban on funding in Horizon 2020. [Science | Business] Press Release

Smart Scaffolding Aims to Rebuild Tissue from the Inside
Scientists at Rice and the Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry received a $1.7 million, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop a hydrogel that can be injected into a patient to form an active biological scaffold. [Rice University ] Press Release

NeoStem Receives Notification of $1.2 million NIH Grant Award for First Clinical Study of VSEL^TM Technology in Humans
NeoStem, Inc. announced that it has been awarded a two year grant totaling $1,221,854 for “Repair of Bone Defects with Human Autologous Pluripotent Very Small Embryonic-Like Stem Cells (VSEL)”, grant number 2R44DE022493-02A1, from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). [NeoStem, Inc.] Press Release

Cardio3 BioSciences Receives Authorization to Begin World’s First Phase III Clinical Trial in Regenerative Medicine for Heart Failure
The Belgian biotechnology company, Cardio3 BioSciences (C3BS), announced that it has received authorization from the Belgian Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products to begin its Congestive Heart failure Cardiopoietic Regenerative Therapy European Phase III trial for C3BS-CQR-1 in Belgium. This represents a world premiere for a regenerative medicine product targeting heart failure to be tested in the context of a Phase III trial. C3BS-CQR-1 is an autologous stem cell therapy for heart failure. [Cardio3 Biosciences] Press Release

LCT Starts DIABECELL^® Phase IIb Trial in Argentina
Living Cell Technologies (LCT) Limited has begun patient recruitment in Argentina for a Phase IIb trial of DIABECELL. The trial is designed to demonstrate the clinical benefits of DIABECELL in unstable type 1 diabetes. Twenty patients will receive two implants of 10,000 IEQ/kg (islet equivalents per kilogram of body weight), with the second implant occurring 12 weeks after the first. [Living Cell Technologies Limited]
Press Release

Mesoblast Reaches Key Manufacturing Agreement with FDA for Supply of Mesenchymal Precursor Cells in Phase III Clinical Trials
Mesoblast Limited announced that it has reached agreement with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the manufacturing process to supply its proprietary mesenchymal precursor cells for Phase III clinical trials. In addition, it has established with the FDA a clear pathway for commercial manufacturing supply of its cell therapy products. [Mesoblast Limited] Press Release

Bio-Matrix Scientific Group Inc.’s Regen BioPharma Initiates Pre-Clinical Study in Support of HemaXellerate™ Cell Therapy
Bio-Matrix Scientific Group, Inc. announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Regen BioPharma, Inc., has contracted Cascade Life Sciences, Inc. to research the safety and efficacy of Regen’s HemaXellerate™ product using mice models for testing. [Marketwire, Inc.] Press Release

UC-Davis and StemCyte Announce Cord Blood Banking Partnership
StemCyte, Inc. announced an agreement with the UC Davis Umbilical Cord Blood Collection Program in Sacramento to advance the collection, processing and registration of high quality and diverse cord blood cells from California mothers for public banking. [StemCyte, Inc.] Press Release

AGTC Secures $37.5M Series B Funding
Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation (AGTC) a privately-held, clinical stage biotechnology company developing gene therapy products to treat rare retinal diseases, announced that it has secured $37.5 million in a Series B round of financing. [Applied Genetic Technologies Corporation] Press Release

Stem Cell Pioneer Recognized for 20 Years of Discovery and Innovation
Dr. David Harris, Professor of Immunology at the University of Arizona and a scientific pioneer in the field of stem cell banking, was the recipient of the Arizona BioIndustry Association™ 2012 award for “20 Years of Discovery and Innovation”. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

December 4-5, 2012: Blood Products Advisory Committee Meeting: Draft Agenda

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

November 20, 2012 – FDA Approves First Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Manufactured Using Cell Culture Technology

NEW The Jackson Laboratory: New and Emerging Mouse Models of Parkinson’s Disease
December 6, 1:00PM (ET in US)
Webinar

NEW 66th Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ) Annual Scientific Meeting
April 13-16, 2013
Melbourne, Australia

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

Product Quality Scientist (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

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

Research Technologist – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist or Engineer – hPSC Bioengineer (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Quality Control Analyst (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

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

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

Postdoctoral Positions in Cell Biology, Biophysics and Neurobiology (University of Missouri – Kansas City)

Postdoctoral Fellow in Stem Cell Tissue Engineering (Stanford University School of Medicine)

Cell Therapy Researcher (Bioiberica SA)

Principal Investigator – Stem Cell and Cardiovascular Diseases (Heart Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Tumor Stem Cells (Cancer Institute of New Jersey)

Quality Assurance Manager (The University of Texas Medical School at Houston)


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