Cell Therapy News Volume 14.35 | Sep 9 2013

Minimally Invasive Transplantation of iPSC-Derived ALDHhiSSCloVLA4+ Neural Stem Cells Effectively Improves the Phenotype of an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Model
The authors isolated a specific neural stem cell (NSC) population from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) based on high aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, low side scatter, and integrin VLA4 positivity. They assessed the therapeutic effects of these NSCs on the phenotype of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mice after intrathecal or intravenous injections. [Hum Mol Genet] Abstract

Intranasal Delivery of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Significantly Extends Survival of Irradiated Mice with Experimental Brain Tumors
Researchers investigated the utility of intranasal delivery as a means of transporting stem cell based anti-glioma therapeutics. They hypothesized that mesenchymal stem cells delivered via nasal application could impart therapeutic efficacy when expressing TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand in a model of human glioma. [Mol Ther] Abstract

Exploiting Human CD34+ Stem Cell-Conditioned Medium for Tissue Repair
Cultured CD34+ cells expressed known stem cell genes such as Nanog, Oct4, Sox2, c-Kit and HoxB4. The conditioned medium containing the secreted factors prevented cell death in liver cells exposed to liver toxin in vitro via inhibition of the caspase-3 signaling pathway. More importantly, in vivo studies using animal models of liver damage demonstrated that injection of the conditioned medium could repair damaged liver tissue (significant reduction in the necroinflammatory activity), as well as enable the animals to survive. [Mol Ther] Abstract

Replacement of a Tracheal Stenosis with a Tissue-Engineered Human Trachea using Autologous Stem Cells – A Case Report
Using a detergent-enzymatic method the authors prepared an intact three-dimensional scaffold of an extracellular matrix derived from a human cadaver donor trachea, which they repopulated with autologous stem cells and implanted into a 76-year old patient with tracheal stenosis including lower part of the larynx. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Cooperation by Fibroblasts and Bone Marrow-Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Improve Pancreatic Rat-to-Mouse Islet Xenotransplantation
Xenogenic rat islets, autologous fibroblasts and/or allogenic Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BM-MSCs), were mixed with plasma, and coagulation was induced to constitute a Plasma-based Scaffold containing Islets (PSI), which was transplanted subcutaneously both in immunodeficient and immunocompetent diabetic mice. In immunodeficient diabetic mice, PSI itself allowed hyperglycemia reversion temporarily, but the presence of pro-angiogenic cells (fibroblasts or BM-MSCs) within PSI was necessary to improve graft re-vascularization and, thus, consistently maintain normoglycemia. [PLoS One] Full Article

A Novel Oxysterol Promotes Bone Regeneration in Rabbit Cranial Bone Defects
The authors studied the impact of Oxy49, a novel oxysterol analogue, on the osteogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Moreover, they evaluated the capacity for in vivo bone regeneration with Oxy49 in rabbit cranial bone defects. They found that rabbit BMSCs treated with Oxy49 demonstrated differentiation along osteogenic pathways, and that complete bone regeneration occurred when cranial defects were treated with Oxy49. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Allogeneic Stem Cells from Deciduous Teeth Mediated Treatment for Periodontitis in Miniature Swine
Previously, the authors successfully regenerated periodontal defect using autologous and allogeneic periodontal ligament stem cells. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the ability of allogeneic stem cells from exfoliated deciduous teeth to regenerate lost periodontium in swine periodontitis models. [J Periodontol] Abstract

Age of the Donor Reduces the Ability of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells to Alleviate Symptoms in the Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Mouse Model
The therapeutic efficacy of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) from older donors was directly compared with that of cells from younger donors for disease prevention. Mice were induced with chronic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis using the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein_35–55 peptide and treated before disease onset with ASCs derived from younger (<35 years)="" or="" older="">60 years) donors. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

Administration of Murine Stromal Vascular Fraction Ameliorates Chronic Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
The ability of murine stromal vascular fraction cells to treat myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein_35-55-induced experimental autoimmune encephalitis was compared with that of culture-expanded adipose-derived stromal/stem cell in C57Bl/6J mice. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

The Role of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Spinal Cord Injury, Regenerative Medicine and Possible Clinical Applications
The authors discuss the progress made in the cell-based therapy of spinal cord injury. An emphasis is placed on the application of adult mesenchymal stromal cells. [Biochimie] Abstract

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Abe Funds Stem Cells to Help Cure Japan Wasting Disease
Economic regeneration is the name of the game for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and cellular regeneration is one way to play it. The government is pushing through bills to fast-track regulatory approval for cell-based products and set new research guidelines. It’s also funding a $1.12 billion study of a type of stem cell free from ethical concerns over embryo harvesting that have dogged the science for more than a decade. [Government of Japan] English News Article | Japanese Press Release

Biogen Idec and Isis Pharmaceuticals Announce Strategic Collaboration to Advance Treatment of Neurological Disorders
Biogen Idec and Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the companies have entered into a broad, multi-year collaboration to leverage antisense technology to advance the treatment of neurological diseases. The agreement combines Biogen Idec’s expertise in neurology with Isis’ leadership in antisense technology to develop novel therapies to treat neurological disorders. [Biogen Idec] Press Release

America Stem Cell, Inc. Receives FDA Clearance for Its Multi-Center Nationwide Trial
America Stem Cell, Inc. (ASC) announced it has received clearance from FDA for its Phase I/IIa nationwide multi-center dual-umbilical cord transplantation study evaluating ASC-101 in patients with hematologic malignancies and myelodysplastic syndrome. [MarketWatch, Inc.] Press Release

SanBio Announces the Completion of Enrollment of Its Clinical Trial of Cell Therapy for Chronic Stroke Deficits
SanBio Inc. announced the successful completion of enrollment of patients in its Phase I/II clinical trial testing the safety and efficacy of a novel allogeneic cell therapy product, SB623, in patients suffering from chronic deficits resulting from previous stroke injuries. [SanBio, Inc.] Press Release

Stem Cell Therapeutics Advances CD47 Antagonist Program into IND-Enabling Phase
Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. announced that it has advanced its CD47 antagonist program into an Investigational New Drug (IND) enabling phase. In collaboration with a contract manufacturing organization, Stem Cell Therapeutics will begin the manufacturing process to generate drug for formal toxicology studies and a subsequent Phase I clinical study, which is anticipated to begin in H2/2015. [Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp.] Press Release

Targeted Medical Pharma Initiates Clinical Trial of Red Blood Cell Stimulating Formulation
Targeted Medical Pharma, Inc. announced the company has initiated a third open-label clinical trial of its oral amino acid-based erythropoietin stimulating system to determine increased red blood cell production in subjects diagnosed with anemia of chronic disease. [Targeted Medical Pharma, Inc.] Press Release

New Hub Forms Part of ‘Industrial Revolution’ in Regenerative Medicine
Scientists at the Universities of Sheffield, Loughborough and Cambridge are set to lead a new £4.5 million ‘Hub’ aimed at translating lab discoveries into regenerative treatment to help sufferers of Parkinson’s disease and deafness. The Hub forms part of a £25 million investment from three UK Research Councils in research and equipment to support the development of regenerative medicine therapies for a range of applications, including Parkinson’s disease, cardiovascular disease, wound and musculoskeletal repair, eye disorders and deafness. [The University of Sheffield] Press Release

BIDMC Awarded NIH Grant to Study New Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) has been awarded a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to investigate the use of a new noninvasive neurophysiologic intervention for the treatment of patients with spinal cord injuries. Alvaro Pascual-Leone, MD, PhD, Director of BIDMC’s Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, will serve as Co-Principal Investigator of the two-year $525,824 grant, together with Dylan Edwards, PhD, of the Burke Medical Research Institute/Weill Cornell Medical College. [EurekAlert!] Press Release

BioLife Solutions Provides Update on Clinical Use of CryoStor® and HypoThermosol® Cell and Tissue Biopreservation Media Products
BioLife Solutions, Inc. published on its corporate website an updated listing of over 85 clinical trial and hospital -approved uses of its proprietary biopreservation media for cells and tissues. [BioLife Solutions, Inc.]
Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Leukemia Biology (Northwestern University)

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