Cell Therapy News Volume 14.16 | Apr 29 2013

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    Issue 14.16 April 29, 2013
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    Publications | Reviews | Science | Policy | Business | NIH | CBER | Regulatory | Events | Jobs

    TOP STORY
    Intracoronary Injection of Bone Marrow Derived Mononuclear Cells, Early or Late after Acute Myocardial Infarction: Effects on Global Left Ventricular Function Four Months Results of the SWISS-AMI Trial
    Among patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction and left ventricle (LV) dysfunction following successful reperfusion, intracoronary infusion of bone marrow derived mononuclear cells either at 5-7 days or 3-4 weeks after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), did not improve LV-function at 4 months follow-up. [Circulation] Abstract | Press Release

    Isolate Mouse Cells In As Little As 15 Minutes


     
    PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

    Receptor Affinity and Extracellular Domain Modifications Affect Tumor Recognition by ROR1-Specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cells
    Investigators constructed ROR1-chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) from single chain antibodies with different affinities and containing extracellular IgG4-Fc spacer domains of different lengths, and evaluated the ability of T-cells expressing each CAR to recognize ROR1+ hematopoietic and epithelial tumors in vitro, and to eliminate human mantle cell lymphoma engrafted into immunodeficient mice. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

    Compact Designer TALENs for Efficient Genome Engineering
    Scientists report a significant improvement to the standard transcription activator-like effector nuclease architecture by leveraging the partially specific I-TevI catalytic domain to create a new class of monomeric, DNA-cleaving enzymes. They harnessed the catalytic mechanism of I-TevI to generate novel compact transcription activator-like effector nuclease-based nicking enzymes that display a greater than 25-fold increase in relative targeted gene correction efficacy. [Nat Commun] Full Article

    Bone Marrow Cells Expressing Clara Cell Secretory Protein Increase Epithelial Repair after Ablation of Pulmonary Clara Cells
    To determine if transtracheal delivery of wild-type bone marrow Clara cell secretory protein positive (CCSP+) cells is beneficial after ablation of lung CCSP+ cells, transgenic mice were treated with ganciclovir followed by transtracheal administration of CCSP+ or CCSP bone marrow cells. [Mol Ther] Full Article

    Sustained Function of Alginate-Encapsulated Human Islet Cell Implants in the Peritoneal Cavity of Mice Leading to a Pilot Study in a Type 1 Diabetic Patient
    Cultured human islet cells were equally distributed over free and alginate-encapsulated grafts before implantation in, respectively, the kidney capsule and the peritoneal cavity of non-obese diabetic mice with severe combined immunodeficiency and alloxan-induced diabetes. Implants were followed for in vivo function and retrieved for analysis of cellular composition (all) and insulin secretory responsiveness (capsules). [Diabetologia] Abstract

    Mesenchymal Stem Cells Attenuate Ischemic Acute Kidney Injury by Inducing Regulatory T Cells through Splenocyte Interactions
    Investigators found that mesenchymal stem cells decrease serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels, improve tubular injury, and downregulate IFN-γ production of T cells in the ischemic kidney. [Kidney Int] Full Article

    Long-Term Structural and Functional Effects of Autologous Muscle Precursor Cell Therapy in a Nonhuman Primate Model of Urinary Sphincter Deficiency
    The authors measured the long-term efficacy of autologous muscle precursor cell therapy in premenopausal female nonhuman primates with sustained urinary sphincter deficiency. [J Urol] Abstract

    The Dual Effect of MSCs on Tumor Growth and Tumor Angiogenesis
    Researchers investigated the influence of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) on the growth of pre-established tumors. They engrafted nude mice with luciferase-positive mouse adenocarcinoma cells to obtain subcutaneous or lung tumors. When tumor presence was confirmed by non-invasive bioluminescence imaging, hMSCs were injected into the periphery of the SC tumors or delivered by systemic intravenous injection in mice bearing either SC tumors or lung metastasis. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release

    Transplantation of Purified CD34+ Cells in the Treatment of Critical Limb Ischemia
    Scientists investigated the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the intramuscular injection of CD34+ cells isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells mobilized by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for the management of patients with critical limb ischemia who were considered unlikely to have successful long-term revascularization with open bypass or endovascular methods. [J Vasc Surg] Abstract

    Complimentary Wallchart: Human Hematopoietic Progenitors. Request Your Copy Today.


    REVIEWS

    Progress in Gene Therapy for Neurological Disorders
    Investigators describe the promising gene therapy strategies that have the potential to treat patients with neurological diseases and discuss prospects for future development of gene therapy. [Nat Rev Neurol] Abstract

    Cell Therapy of Peripheral Arterial Disease: From Experimental Findings to Clinical Trials
    Since the identification of the endothelial progenitor cell in 1997 by Asahara and Isner, the field of cell-based therapies for peripheral arterial disease has been in a state of continuous evolution. The authors review the current state of that field. [Circ Res] Abstract

    Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cell, gene and immunotherapy research field.

    New TeSR™-E8™ Is Here For Feeder-Free Culture of Human ES Cells and iPS Cells


    SCIENCE NEWS

    Majority of Children Readmitted to Hospital following Transplant
    Nearly two-thirds of children receiving stem cell transplants returned to the hospital within six months for treatment of unexplained fevers, infections or other problems, according to a study. Children who received donor cells were twice as likely to be readmitted as children who received their own stem cells. [Press release from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discussing research presented at the 26th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Miami] Press Release

    “Off-the-Shelf” Artificial Blood Vessels May Reduce Dialysis Complications
    Scientists bioengineered an artificial blood vessel by seeding human aorta cells onto a biodegradable mesh tube. In the process, a tubular vein develops in two months as the growing cells secrete proteins and the mesh support structure dissolves. In the study, bioengineered vessels implanted in primates for six months remained durable and didn’t have the common complications of synthetic grafts: blood clots, rejection and thickening of the adjacent vein that can obstruct the graft. [Press release from the American Heart Association, Inc. discussing research presented at the American Heart Association’s Emerging Science Series Webinar] Press Release

    From our sponsor: Gain hands-on training: Culture hPSCs and differentiate to definitive endoderm or neural progenitor cells. View Courses


     
    POLICY

    U.S. Lawmaker Proposes New Criteria for Choosing NSF Grants
    The new chair of the House of Representatives science committee has drafted a bill that, in effect, would replace peer review at the National Science Foundation (NSF) with a set of funding criteria chosen by Congress. For good measure, it would also set in motion a process to determine whether the same criteria should be adopted by every other federal science agency. [House of Representatives, United States] Press Release

    Science Campaigners Celebrate New Libel Law for England and Wales
    Scientists campaigning for libel law reform in England and Wales have a reason to celebrate. A new Defamation Bill that advocates say will help protect free speech – including statements included in peer-reviewed scientific publications – received the go-ahead from Parliament after several months of ping-pong between the House of Lords and the House of Commons. [Parliament, United Kingdom] Press Release

    Reconciliation Deal Opens Research Doors for Kosovo
    The European Commission wants to allow Kosovo to take greater part in E.U. research funding programs after the country signed a reconciliatory deal with Serbia. [European Commission, European Union] Press Release

    Tropical Medicine Researcher to Lead Wellcome Trust
    Infectious diseases researcher Jeremy Farrar will take over the reins at the Wellcome Trust, the United Kingdom’s most important private funder of medical research. [Wellcome Trust, United Kingdom] Press Release


    BUSINESS

    NeoStem’s Subsidiary, Progenitor Cell Therapy, Enters Into a Services Agreement with Sentien Biotechnologies, Inc.
    NeoStem, Inc. and its subsidiary, Progenitor Cell Therapy LLC (PCT), announced the execution of a Services Agreement with Sentien Biotechnologies, Inc. (Sentien) under which PCT will provide services to support Sentien’s development of its cell therapy product, including technology transfer, staff training, and manufacturing. [NeoStem, Inc.] Press Release

    Stemedica Enters into Stem Cell Licensing Agreement with Kalbe Farma
    Stemedica Asia PTE, LTD, a wholly owned subsidiary of Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc. announced that the Company has entered into a definitive licensing agreement with the Stem Cell and Cancer Institute, a division of PT Kalbe Farma Tbk. (Kalbe). [Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc.] Press Release

    Advaxis and FusionVax Sign a Memorandum of Understanding for the License of Advaxis’ ADXS-HPV in Asia
    Advaxis, Inc. announced that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with FusionVax, Inc. setting forth the main terms under which Advaxis will, subject to the entry of a definitive agreement, exclusively license its lead clinical stage product candidate, ADXS-HPV, to FusionVax for Asia. [Advaxis, Inc.] Press Release

    ACT Initiates Higher-Dosage Patient Treatment in European Clinical Trial for Macular Degeneration
    Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) announced treatment of the first patient in the third dosage cohort, and seventh patient overall, in its European Phase I clinical trial for Stargardt’s macular dystrophy using retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). The patient was injected with 150,000 hESC-derived RPE cells, as compared with the 100,000-cell dose used in patients of the second cohort. [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.] Press Release

    Mesoblast Reports Positive Interim Results in Phase II Trial of Proprietary Adult Stem Cells for Intervertebral Disc Repair
    Regenerative medicine company Mesoblast Limited announced that all 100 patients in its Phase II clinical trial of its proprietary mesenchymal precursor cells for intervertebral disc repair had completed six months of follow-up, the endpoint at which data will be evaluated for progression to Phase III. [Mesoblast Limited] Press Release

    Humacyte Announces Significant Clinical Milestones in Its Novel Bioengineered Blood Vessel Technology
    Humacyte, Inc. announced the accomplishment of significant milestones in the clinical development of its innovative bioengineered blood vessel technology – the first off-the-shelf, human-derived, artificial blood vessels. [Humacyte, Inc.] Press Release

    MRI Interventions’ ClearPoint(R) System Helps Advance Brain Cancer Clinical Trial of Investigational Gene Therapy Drug Toca 511, Demonstrates Benefits of MRI-Guided Drug Delivery
    MRI Interventions, Inc. announced that its ClearPoint® Neuro Intervention System is advancing the minimally-invasive precision delivery of the investigational gene therapy drug Toca 511 into malignant brain tumors. The procedure is being performed under real-time visualization and direct magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance at select clinical trial sites. [MRI Interventions, Inc.] Press Release

    UPLYSO(TM) (alfataliglicerase) Approved in Mexico and Chile for the Treatment of Gaucher Disease
    Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc. announced that the Mexican Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risk and the Public Health Institute of Chile have both granted regulatory approval to UPLYSO™ (alfataliglicerase) for the long-term enzyme replacement therapy for adults with a confirmed diagnosis of Type I Gaucher disease. UPLYSO is the first plant cell-based enzyme replacement therapy for the treatment of Gaucher disease. [Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

    American CryoStem Marks Major Global Expansion Milestone: Receives First International Shipment of Adipose Tissue for Processing and Cryo-Storage from Hong Kong
    American CryoStem Corporation announced receipt of its first commercial international shipment of adipose tissue for processing and long term cryo-storage. [American CryoStem Corporation] Press Release


    NIH

    Submission for OMB Review; 30-Day Comment Request: Request for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Line To Be Approved for Use in NIH-Funded Research (FR Doc No: 2013-10042)

    National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc No: 2013-09903)

    National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc No: 2013-09588)

    Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing (FR Doc No: 2013-09902)

    Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc No: 2013-09579)


    CBER
    HEMACORD (HPC, cord blood)


    REGULATORY

    Food and Drug Administration (United States)

    Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Protection of Human Subjects: Informed Consent; Institutional Review Boards (FR Doc No: 2013-09622)

    Use of International Standard ISO-10993, “Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices Part 1: Evaluation and Testing”; Draft Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff; Availability (FR Doc No: 2013-09479)

    Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

    Documents Released Under Section 11C of the Freedom of Information Act 1982


    EVENTS

    NEW The Jackson Laboratory: A Better “Mouse Trap” – Tools for Finding Mouse Models
    May 2, 1:00PM (ET in US)
    Webinar

    NEW ISEH Society for Hematology and Stem Cells: Combinatorial Transcriptional Control of Blood Stem and Progenitor Cells
    June 6, 10:00AM (ET in US)
    Webinar

    NEW MSC 2013: Adult Stem Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine
    August 19-21, 2013
    Cleveland, United States

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


    JOB OPPORTUNITIES

    NEW Postdoctoral Position – Cell Therapy (Goethe University Frankfurt am Main)

    Faculty Position – Stem Cell, Vascular and Developmental Biology in Ophthalmology (Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University)

    Cord Blood Laboratory Manager (Puget Sound Blood Center)

    Postdoctoral Fellow – Regenerative Medicine (The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston)

    Senior Scientist – Stem Cell Therapy: Metabolic Diseases (Paramount Recruitment)

    Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Immunology (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School)

    Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Regenerative Medicine (Loma Linda University)

    Postdoctoral Position – Synthetic Biology, RNAi & Gene Therapy (University of Heidelberg Medical School)

    Postdoctoral Fellowships – Muscular Dystrophy, Cardiomyopathy, Respiratory Failure, Gene Therapy (University of Pennsylvania)

    Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.