Cell Therapy News Volume 14.34 | Sep 2 2013

mRNA-Engineered Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Targeted Delivery of Interleukin-10 to Sites of Inflammation
To determine if a transiently controlled anti-inflammatory Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) secretome could be achieved at target sites of inflammation, the authors harnessed mRNA transfection to generate MSCs that simultaneously express functional rolling machinery to rapidly target inflamed tissues, and that express the potent immunosuppressive cytokine interleukin-10, that is not inherently produced by MSCs. [Blood] Abstract

The Use of Laryngeal Mucosa Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Repair the Vocal Fold Injury
Investigators established a new strategy for the healing of injured vocal fold, using laryngeal mucosa mesenchymal stem cells differentiating into myofibroblasts or fibroblasts and improving the reconstruction microenvironment in the vocal fold injury as a new alternative as seed cells for laryngeal tissue engineering. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Corneal Regeneration by Transplantation of Corneal Epithelial Cell Sheets Fabricated with Automated Cell Culture System in Rabbit Model
After pouring cells into a robotic system, cell seeding, medium change, and microscopic examination during culture were automatically performed according to a computer program. Transplantable corneal epithelial cell sheets were successfully fabricated in cell cartridges with this robotic system. Then, fabricated cell sheets were transplanted onto ocular surfaces of rabbit limbal epithelial stem cell deficiency model after 6 hour transportation using a portable homothermal container to keep inner temperature at 36°C. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation versus Conventional Therapy for Advanced Primary Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma
Scientists compared the efficacy and safety of conventional therapies with allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with advanced primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. [Cochrane Database Syst Rev] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Survival in the Infarcted Heart Is Enhanced by Lentivirus Vector-Mediated Hsp27 Expression
The authors investigated the effect of exogenous Hsp27 expression in mesenchymal stem cells in an in vitro model of ischemia and in an in vivo rat myocardial infarction model and determined if this could enhance the therapeutic benefit associated with cell delivery. [Hum Gene Ther] Abstract

Directed In Vitro Myogenesis of Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Their In Vivo Engraftment
Researchers report that human embryonic stem cells can differentiate into skeletal muscle cells without genetic manipulation. This is achieved through the isolation of cells expressing a mesodermal marker, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α, following embryoid body formation. When transplanted in vivo, these pre-myogenically committed cells were viable in tibialis anterior muscles 14 days post-implantation [PLoS One]
Full Article

Intramyocardial Injection of Autologous Bone Marrow-Derived Ex Vivo Expanded Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients Is Feasible and Safe up to 5 Years of Follow-Up
Investigators evaluated the safety and feasibility of intramyocardial mesenchymal stem cell injection in nine patients, shortly after acute myocardial infarction during short-term and 5-year follow-up. [J Cardiovasc Transl Res] Full Article

Priming Adult Stem Cells by Hypoxic Pretreatments for Applications in Regenerative Medicine
The authors review of the molecular mechanisms translating hypoxia into beneficial events for regenerative medicine. The involvement of epigenetic modifications, microRNAs, and oxidative stress, mainly activated by hypoxia inducible factors, are discussed. [J Biomed Sci] Abstract | Full Article

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Survey Shows Faltering Federal Investment in Science Threatens American Research
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology released its 2013 report on government-funded scientific research titled “Unlimited Potential, Vanishing Opportunity.” The report, detailing the findings of a survey of more than 3,700 frontline scientists from all fifty states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, depicts clearly the broad impact of cuts to federal investments in science funding. [The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, United States] Press Release

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BioTime Receives Approval to Begin Human Clinical Trials of Renevia
BioTime, Inc. announced that it has received approval from The Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices to begin human clinical trials of Renevia™, a unique biomaterial used as a delivery matrix for autologous adipose derived cells to treat the loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue arising from trauma, surgical resection, and congenital defects and disease. [BioTime, Inc.] Press Release

ReNeuron Receives European and US Orphan Drug Designation for Its Retinal Stem Cell Therapy Candidate for Treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa
ReNeuron announced that its ReN003 retinal stem cell therapy candidate for retinitis pigmentosa has achieved a significant regulatory milestone. The therapy has been granted Orphan Drug Designation in both Europe and the US by the European Commission and the Food and Drug Administration, respectively. [ReNeuron Group plc] Press Release

Opexa Announces Issuance of 50th Patent for T-Cell Immunotherapy Platform
Opexa Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company developing Tcelna®, a novel T-cell immunotherapy for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, announced that several key patents have issued, further strengthening the Company’s proprietary technology for the development of patient-specific immunotherapies. [Opexa Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Stem Cell Agency Awards More than $40 Million in New Research Grants
Prostate cancer, heart and liver disease, autism, and HIV/AIDS are among the diseases targeted by the state’s stem cell agency, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, in its latest round of funding. The agency’s governing Board the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee approved $40 million in funding for researchers at 10 institutions including Stanford, UCLA, UC San Diego, Human BioMolecular Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, The Gladstone Institutes, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, The Salk Institute, Numerate, Inc. and UC Irvine as part of its Early Translational IV Research awards. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine] Press Release

Four UCLA Researchers Receive CIRM Early Translational Grants
Four prominent researchers from UCLA’s Eli & Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research have received Early Translational research awards totaling approximately $13 million from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), the state stem cell agency. [University of California, Los Angeles] Press Release

Researcher Awarded $5 Million to Advance Future Stem Cell Treatments for Segmental Bone Fractures
A Cedars-Sinai team of researchers led by principal investigator Dan Gazit, PhD, DMD, has been awarded a $5.18 million grant from California’s stem cell research agency to advance stem cell technologies in segmental bone defects, a complex medical problem caused by large portions of bone tissue loss. [Cedars-Sinai Medical Center] Press Release

WPI Receives Five-Year, $1.94 Million NIH Grant for Cardiac Regeneration Research
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a five-year, $1.94 million grant to a biomedical research team at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) working at the forefront of cell therapies for healing cardiac muscle damaged by heart attack or chronic disease. [Worcester Polytechnic Institute] Press Release

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc: 2013-20885)

National Cancer Institute; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc: 2013-20944)

NHLBI Revises Participation in PAR-13-137 Bioengineering Research Grants (NOT-HL-13-194)

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc: 2013-21317)

Institutional Review Board Responsibilities for Reviewing the Qualifications of Investigators, Adequacy of Research Sites, and the Determination of Whether an Investigational New Drug/Investigational Device Exemption is Needed (FR Doc: 2013-20822)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Draft Policy on Publication and Access to Clinical-Trial Data: One Month Left to Send Comments

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NEW Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Bioengineering (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Research Technologist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Neurosteroids and Neural Stem Cells in Developing Brain (Children’s National Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Human Stem Cell Biology and Hematopoiesis (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Positions – AIDS Vaccine and Human Gene Therapy (GeneCure Biotechnologies)

Postdoctoral Appointee – Cell Cycle Regulation in Tumor Stem Cells (Rutgers University, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey)

Research Associate – Cardioprotection and Myocardium Repair by Gene or Cell Therapy (University of Louisville)

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