Cell Therapy News Volume 14.25 | Jul 1 2013

β-Mannosylceramide Activates Type I Natural Killer T Cells to Induce Tumor Immunity without Inducing Long-Term Functional Anergy
Researchers determined whether β-mannosylceramide induces anergy of type I natural killer T (iNKT) cells. Induction of anergy was determined by ex vivo analysis of splenocytes from mice pre-treated with iNKT cell agonists as well as in the CT26 lung metastasis in vivo tumor model. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

5′-Triphosphate-siRNA against Survivin Gene Induces Interferon Production and Inhibits Proliferation of Lung Cancer Cells In Vitro
Investigators designed and generated 5′-triphosphate-siRNA targeting human survivin gene (3p-survivin-siRNA). They demonstrated that 3p-survivin-siRNA induced a 3p-dependent type-I interferon response when transfected into human lung cancer cells. The 3p-survivin-siRNA significantly inhibited lung cancer cell proliferation in a 3p-dependent manner. [J Immunother] Abstract

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation with Umbilical Cord Multipotent Stromal Cell Infusion for the Treatment of Aplastic Anemia- A Single-Center Experience
The authors observed the outcome of co-transfusion of umbilical cord multipotent stromal cells and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells in the treatment of heavily-transfused patients with severe aplastic anemia. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Blocking Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling Pathway Augments Antitumor Effect of Adoptive NK-92 Cell Therapy
Scientists aimed to develop a treatment strategy through adoptive transfer of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) insensitive NK-92 cells. To block TGF-β signaling pathway, NK-92 cells were genetically modified with dominant negative TGF-β type II receptor by optimizing electroporation using the Amaxa Nucleofector system. These genetically modified NK-92 cells were insensitive to TGF-β and able to resist the suppressive effect of TGF-β on Calu-6 lung cancer cells in vitro. To determine the antitumor activity in vivo, recipient mice were challenged with a single subcutaneous injection of Calu-6 cells. [Int Immunopharmacol] Abstract

Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Combined with Inorganic Bovine Bone in Calvarial Bone Healing in Type 2 Diabetic Rats
The authors investigated whether adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) combined with inorganic bovine bone improve bone repair in calvarial vertical critical-sized defects (CSD) in type 2 diabetic rats. Bovine bone alone or seeded with 3×10⁵, 3×10⁶ or 3×10⁷ ASCs/graft was randomly transplanted into calvarial CSDs in diabetic rats induced by a high-fat diet with low-dose streptozotocin. [J Peridontol] Abstract Abstract

Pancreatic Tumor Mass in a Xenograft Mouse Model Is Decreased by Treatment with Therapeutic Stem Cells following Introduction of Therapeutic Genes
Scientists employed two types of therapeutic stem cells expressing cytosine deaminase with or without human interferon-β (IFN‑β) to selectively treat pancreatic cancer. [Oncol Rep] Abstract

Transplantation of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Enhances Nerve Regeneration of the Corticospinal Tract and Improves Recovery of Neurological Functions in a Collagenase-Induced Rat Model of Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Researchers hypothesized that functional restoration after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) involves brain reorganization which may be favorably modulated by stem cell transplantation. Here, bone marrow stromal cells were transplanted into the perilesional sites of collagenase induced ICH in adult rats one day after ICH injury. [Mol Cells] Abstract

The Functions and Applications of RGD in Tumor Therapy and Tissue Engineering
The authors review the main functions and advantages of Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic (RGD), describe the applications of RGD in imaging agents, drugs, gene delivery for tumor therapy, and highlights the role of RGD in promoting the development of tissue engineering (bone regeneration, cornea repair, artificial neovascularization) in recent years. [Int J Mol Sci] Abstract

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

Mesoblast Limited Receives Clearance to Begin Phase II Clinical Trial of Mesenchymal Precursor Cells in Diabetic Nephropathy
Mesoblast Limited announced that it has received approvals from Australian ethics committees to commence a Phase II trial evaluating a single intravenous infusion of its proprietary allogeneic or “off-the-shelf” adult mesenchymal precursor cells in patients with type 2 diabetes and advanced kidney disease, or diabetic nephropathy. [Mesoblast Limited] Press Release

UK Science Budget Stays Frozen
The United Kingdom (UK) budget for science will remain in the deep freeze, the chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne revealed. But with cuts being made to nearly all sectors except health and schools, some researchers are relieved that science has emerged relatively unscathed. The comprehensive spending review unveiled sets the budgets of all government departments for the 2015-16 financial year and leaves science funding at £4.6 billion – the same level that it has been at since 2010. [UK Government, United Kingdom]
Press Release

E.U. Leaders Agree on Science Budget
European Union (E.U.) leaders have reached a last-minute agreement on the bloc’s budget for the next seven years, which would include €70.2 billion for its flagship research program, Horizon 2020. This is a 23% increase over the previous incarnation, known as Framework Programme 7, which started in 2007 and ends this year. [European Commission, Europe] Press Release

Immunocore and Genentech Enter Strategic Alliance to Develop ImmTACs for Multiple Cancer Targets
Immunocore Limited, the Oxford-based biotechnology company developing novel biological drugs known as ImmTACs to treat cancer and viral disease, announced that it has entered into a research collaboration and licensing agreement with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group for the discovery and development of multiple novel cancer targets using Immunocore’s ImmTAC technology. [Immunocore Limited] Press Release

Dr. Robert Langer, Pioneer in Drug Delivery Systems and Regenerative Medicine Joins CHS Pharma, Inc. as a Member of its Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Board
CHS Pharma Inc. has announced the addition of Robert S. Langer, Sc.D., to its Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Board. Langer has made pioneering contributions in drug delivery and regenerative medicine, and together with Judah Folkman, M.D., the founder of the field of angiogenesis, isolated the first substances that stopped blood vessels from growing which led to the first treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration and many forms of cancer. [CHS Pharma Inc.] Press Release

BioBridge Global Announced as Holding Company Name for South Texas Blood & Tissue Center and Affiliates
BioBridge Global was announced as the name of the non-profit holding company that includes South Texas Blood & Tissue Center (STBTC), QualTex Laboratories and GenCure. The new structure and corporate name reflect the organization’s evolution and expansion in scope in recent years, and signals the Board’s intent that the new company will serve as a means to grow the enterprise, building and leveraging its capabilities in blood, tissue, bone marrow, cord blood, regenerative medicine, research and biologic testing. [South Texas Blood & Tissue Center] Press Release

Sidra to Open First Reprogrammable Cell Therapy Facility in the Region
Sidra Medical and Research Center will open the MENA region’s first reprogrammable cell therapy facility as part of its state-of-the-art hospital and research center. The facility will investigate a novel treatment approach, called reprogrammable cell therapy, where cells are altered to treat or cure disease. [Sidra Medical and Research Center] Press Release

Extracellular Matrix Key to Cell Therapy Success
Successful translation of basic stem cell (SC) research into commercially viable therapeutic applications relies on the ability to manipulate human cells suitable for regenerative medicine under animal product free conditions. The challenge remains to create serum-free systems in which SCs for human therapy can be placed in a microenvironment for optimal growth and differentiation without the risk of introducing viruses and animal-related pathogens. Local scientists are currently researching what may progress this challenge; the extracellular matrix, a dynamic biological support structure around cells of all tissues and organs in the human body. [Science Network Western Australia] Press Release

NIST Announces New Scaffold Reference Material for Tissue Engineering Research
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued a new reference material-a sort of standardized sample-of cellular scaffolds for use in tissue engineering research. Growing custom replacement tissue-cartilage, bone, blood vessels, possibly even whole organs-is one of the hot research fields in modern medicine. The new NIST reference material is designed as a common ground for research labs, a well-understood, uniform scaffold that can be used as a baseline or control in experiments that measure factors such as cell adhesion and proliferation. [The National Institute of Standards and Technology] Press Release

Waisman Scientists Model Human Disease in Stem Cells
In the laboratories at the Waisman Center at UW-Madison, scientists are growing induced pluripotent stem cells into models of disorders caused by defective nerve cells. The technology depends on work pioneered over the past decade or so by Su-Chun Zhang, a neuroscientist who leads the iPS Core at Waisman, which also produces cells for other investigators on campus. [University of Wisconsin – Madison] Press Release

Colorado State University Veterinarians Study Stem-Cell Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis
Colorado State University veterinarians are for the first time investigating the use of stem-cell therapy to treat chronic liver disease in dogs, a novel approach they hope could lead to successful treatments for dogs and people. In a new study, veterinarians are looking at treatment of chronic hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, with mesenchymal stem cells derived from excess fat tissue of healthy adult donors. [Colorado State University] Press Release

Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc No: 2013-15062)

NEW TERMIS (Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society) America Conference
November 10-13, 2013
Atlanta, United States