Cell Therapy News Volume 14.37 | Sep 23 2013

    0
    26

    Issue 14.37 September 23, 2013

    Cell Therapy News - Your Industry in an Instant
    Your Industry in an InstantTwitter Facebook
    Publications | Reviews | Science | Policy | Business | NIH | CBER | Regulatory | Events | Jobs

     
    TOP STORY
    Effect of Donor KIR2DL1 Allelic Polymorphism on the Outcome of Pediatric Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation
    Investigators tested the hypothesis that the clinical outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation could be affected by donor killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR)2DL1 polymorphism. [J Clin Oncol] Abstract
    Derivation of Metabolically Active Hepatocytes from Pluripotent Stem Cells - View On-Demand Webinar Now.

     
    PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)
    Thymosin β4 Increases the Potency of Transplanted Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Myocardial Repair
    Scientists investigated whether the cytoprotective effects of thymosin β4 can increase the effectiveness of transplanted swine mesenchymal stem cells for cardiac repair in a rat model of myocardial infarction. [Circulation] Abstract

    Normalization of Postinfarct Biomechanics Using a Novel Tissue-Engineered Angiogenic Construct
    Investigators propose a novel tissue-engineered therapy, whereby extracellular matrix scaffold seeded with endothelial progenitor cells can overcome these limitations using an environment in which the cells can thrive, enabling an insult-free myocardial cell delivery to normalize myocardial biomechanics. [Circulation] Abstract

    Prostaglandin E2 Enhances Long-Term Repopulation but Does Not Permanently Alter Inherent Stem Cell Competitiveness
    To analyze the short and long-term effects of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) exposure to prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), investigators followed the repopulation kinetics of PGE2 treated hematopoietic grafts through five serial transplantations and compared inherent long-term competitiveness in a HSC head-to-head secondary transplantation model. [Blood] Abstract

    High Resolution HLA-Matching in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Retrospective Collaborative Analysis
    To validate current donor selection strategies based on previous international studies, researchers retrospectively analyzed 2646 transplantations performed for hematologic malignancies in 28 German transplant centers. Donors and recipients were high resolution typed for HLA-A,-B,-C,-DRB1,-DQB1. [Blood] Abstract

    An Injectable Hydrogel Incorporating Mesenchymal Precursor Cells and Pentosan Polysulphate for Intervertebral Disc Regeneration
    The authors developed an injectable hydrogel system based on enzymatically-crosslinked polyethylene glycol and hyaluronic acid. They examined the effects of adding pentosan polysulphate, a synthetic glycosaminoglycan-like factor that has previously been shown (in vitro and in vivo) to this gel system in order to induce chondrogenesis in mesenchymal precursor cells when added as a soluble factor, even in the absence of additional growth factors such as TGF-β. [Biomaterials] Abstract

    Electrophysiological Integration and Action Potential Properties of Transplanted Cardiomyocytes Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
    Researchers investigated long-term electrophysiological integration and maturation of transplanted induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, which are essential for therapeutic benefit. [Cardiovasc Res] Abstract

    Periodontal Regeneration Uperiodontal Ligament Stem Cell-Transferred Amnion
    The authors developed a novel cell transplant method for periodontal regeneration using periodontal ligament stem cell-transferred amniotic membrane (PDLSC-amnion). They investigated the regenerative potential of PDLSC-amnion in a rat periodontal defect model. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

    Interactive Effects of Cell Therapy and Rehabilitation Realize the Full Potential of Neurogenesis in Brain Injury Model
    Researchers report the neural stem/progenitor cells transplantation into a brain injury mouse model followed by treadmill exercise training. Among all experimental groups, mice that underwent transplantation and treadmill exercise demonstrated significant functional motor and electrophysiological improvement. [Neurosci Lett] Abstract

    Register for Live Webinar: Customizing the Hematopoietic CFC Assay for Drug Development

     
    REVIEWS
    Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Paracrine Factors for the Treatment of Brain Tumors
    Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess some unique features (inherent tumor tropism; anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties) that are not commonly found in current anticancer agents. These cells are known to secrete a vast array of proteins including growth factors, cytokines, chemokines and so on that regulate their biology in an autocrine or paracrine manner in accordance to the surrounding microenvironment. This review briefly summarizes the biology of MSCs and discusses their properties and new development for brain cancer treatment. [Hum Gene Ther] Abstract

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

    New EasySep™ 15-Minute Mouse Cell Isolation Kits - Calculate Time Savings

     
    SCIENCE NEWS
    ‘First-in-Man’ Implant of Regenerative Cell Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease
    Living Cell Technologies Limited announced that the first patient has been successfully implanted in the Phase I clinical trial of the regenerative cell therapy NTCELL® – a potential treatment for Parkinson’s disease. The pioneering brain surgery was conducted at Auckland City Hospital and the patient has recovered well so far. [Living Cell Technologies Limited] Press Release

    Attend World Stem Cell Summit 2013 in San Diego! Your Window to the World of Regenerative Medicine.

     
    POLICY
    Australia’s New Science-Lite Government
    Australia’s scientific community and incoming Prime Minister Tony Abbott are off to a rocky start. Unveiling his picks for Cabinet posts at a press conference in Canberra, Abbott left science out in the cold. Pressed by reporters on the omission, Abbott replied that Australia’s national research agency, CSIRO, would fall under the portfolio of industry minister Ian Macfarlane. [Ministry of Industry, Australia] Press Release

    Vote Seals Fate of Russian Academy of Sciences
    Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, approved controversial reforms to the Russian Academy of Sciences. More than 330 members of the Duma voted in favor of the law, with only 107 against, in a move critics say will deprive the 289-year-old body of its independence and halt attempts to revitalize Russia’s struggling science system. [State Duma, Russia] Press Release

    Enter Our Contest 
    Cell Therapy News is giving away a free registration for the World Stem Cell Summit 2013 in San Diego! Click here to enter “Your Window to the World of Regenerative Medicine”.

     
    BUSINESS
    RIKEN and Leading Indian Institutions Launch Joint Research Centers
    RIKEN launched two virtual Joint Research Centers with India’s premier institution the National Center for Biological Sciences, the Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific research and the Indian Institute of Science. The two centers will facilitate scientific exchange and foster collaborations between Japan and India, in the fields of biology, life science and materials science. [RIKEN] Press Release

    Harvard’s Wyss Institute and Charité, One of Europe’s Largest University Hospitals, Announce Partnership
    The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and Berlin-based Charité jointly announced a formal partnership. The announcement formalizes and elevates an existing collaboration between Wyss Core Faculty member David Mooney, Ph.D., and Georg Duda, Ph.D., Vice-Director of Charité’s Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies and Wyss Institute Associate Faculty member. [Hansjorg Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University] Press Release

    NeoStem Reports Third Data Safety Monitoring Board Review of PreSERVE AMI Trial
    NeoStem, Inc. announced that the Data Safety Monitoring Board recommended continuing the PreSERVE AMI Phase II clinical trial following a third interim data and safety review. The PreSERVE trial of AMR-001 is a Phase II, randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind study designed to treat 160 patients. AMR-001 is being evaluated for the preservation of heart function after a severe heart attack. [NeoStem Inc.] Press Release

    FDA Lifts Clinical Hold of Pluristem’s Phase II Intermittent Claudication Study
    Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has lifted the clinical hold previously placed on the company’s U.S. Phase II Intermittent Claudication study. [Pluristem Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

    ACT Files Investigational New Animal Drug (INAD) Application with FDA to Treat 10 Different Disease Indications Using Pluripotent Stem Cells
    Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (ACT) announced that it has filed an INAD application with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to test its proprietary “off-the-shelf” mesenchymal stem cells in a range of different disease indications. [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.] Press Release

    STEMSOFT Announces Release of New Cord Banking Software Solution
    STEMSOFT™ Software Inc. (“STEMSOFT”) announced the release of a new cord banking software solution, STEMSOFT CORD. This new system is like no other cord banking software on the market and offers an intuitive, easy to follow user interface paired with the functionality demanded by this unique workflow. [STEMSOFT Software, Inc.] Press Release

    NeoStem Announces Licensing of Treg Patents to Strengthen Autoimmune Platform
    NeoStem, Inc. announced the licensing of three families of patents from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). NeoStem’s worldwide exclusive license to these patents provides incremental protection for the Company’s human Regulatory T cell (Treg) platform, and complements the recently announced collaboration with UCSF and the laboratories of Drs. Jeffrey Bluestone and Qizhi Tang, to develop Tregs for the treatment of type 1 diabetes, steroid resistant asthma, and organ transplant rejection. [NeoStem, Inc.] Press Release

    Muscular Contusions Now Being Treated at The Center for Regenerative Medicine in Miami Using Cell Therapy
    Muscular contusions are now being treated successfully at The Center for Regenerative medicine in Miami, according to Dr. A. J. Farshchian MD. Contusions in sports injuries are very common, typically caused by a forceful blow in to the muscle cells, muscle fibers and connective tissue gets damaged, there is some bleeding inside, skin does not break, but usually gets discolored (black and blue) as healing starts. [Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC] Press Release

    From our sponsor:
    View immunology lectures, protocols and other resources on the Human Immunology Portal.

     
    NIH
    Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc No: 2013-22379)

    Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc No: 2013-22492)

     
    CBER
    2013 Biological License Application Approvals

     
    REGULATORY
    Food and Drug Administration (United States)

    Draft Guidance for Industry on Patient Counseling Information Section of Labeling for Human Prescription Drug and Biological Products–Content and Format; Availability (FR Doc No: 2013-22644)

    Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; Requests for Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments Categorization (FR Doc No: 2013-22443)

     
    EVENTS
    NEW Keystone Symposia: Stem Cells and Cancer
    February 2-7, 2014
    Banff, Canada

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

     
    JOB OPPORTUNITIES
    NEW Research Scientist – Stem Cell Research (Approach People Recruitment)

    NEW Postdoctoral Position – Development of Cell Delivery Systems in Bone Repair (Fujifilm)

    Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Research (Tsinghua University Graduate School at Shenzhen)

    Postdoctoral Position – Leukemia Biology (Northwestern University)

    Cellular Therapy Lab Specialist (University of Texas Medical School at Houston)

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

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

    Research Technologist – Mesenchymal Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

    Research Technologist – Cell Culture Media & Matrices (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

    Research Associate/Scientist – Antibodies Group (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

    Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

    Quality Control Analyst – Media (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)


    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.