Cell Therapy News Volume 14.39 | Oct 7 2013

Integration of a Calcined Bovine Bone and BMSC-Sheet 3D Scaffold and the Promotion of Bone Regeneration in Large Defects
Researchers investigated the feasibility of applying calcined bovine bone, which was coated by allograft bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC)-sheet, as a 3D scaffold material in bone repairing tissue engineering. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Autologous Tenocyte Injection for the Treatment of Severe, Chronic Resistant Lateral Epicondylitis: A Pilot Study
On the basis of positive outcomes from preclinical studies, this study is the first clinical trial of autologous tenocyte injection on severe tendinopathy associated with chronic lateral epicondylitis. [Am J Sports Med]
Abstract | Press Release

Human Endometrial Mesenchymal Stem Cells Modulate the Tissue Response and Mechanical Behavior of Polyamide Mesh Implants for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair
Investigators used a tissue engineering approach to assess the in vivo biological and biomechanical behavior of a new gelatin/polyamide mesh, seeded with a novel source of mesenchymal stem cells in a subcutaneous rat model of wound repair. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Boosting Angiogenesis and Functional Vascularization in Injectable Dextran-Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels by Endothelial-Like Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Researchers examined in vitro the reciprocal influences between cells and matrix. Dextran-hyaluronic acid hydrogels (Dex-g-HA) enabled higher endothelial-like cells derived from mesenchymal stromal cell (EL-MSC) metabolic rates associated with optimal cell sprouting in vitro, compared to HUVECs. In vivo evaluation demonstrated absence of an acute inflammatory response and EL-MSCs incorporated within Dex-g-HA formed a functional vascular network integrated with the host vascular system. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Stem Cell-Like Dog Placenta Cells Afford Neuroprotection against Ischemic Stroke Model via Heat Shock Protein Upregulation
Scientists investigated the dog placenta as a viable source of stem cells for stroke therapy. Immunocytochemical evaluation of phenotypic markers of dog placenta cells (DPCs) cultured in proliferation and differentiation medium revealed that DPCs expressed both stem cell and neural cell markers, respectively. [PLoS One] Full Article

Impact of Failed Response to Novel Agent Induction in Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma
Investigators evaluated the impact of the response to induction therapy on the long-term prognosis of multiple myeloma (MM) after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in the era of novel agents. A total of 171 patients who were newly diagnosed with MM and underwent early ASCT were analyzed. [Ann Hematol] Abstract

Activation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Impacts Their Therapeutic Abilities in Lung Injury by Increasing Interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-1RN Levels
Investigators injected endotoxemic mice with minimally manipulated human mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the bone marrow of vertebral bodies with or without prior activation with serum from acute respiratory distress syndrome patients. [Stem Cells Transpl Med] Abstract

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U.S. Senate Blocks House Plan to Exempt NIH From Shutdown
The top Democrat in the U.S. Senate has blocked a House of Representatives plan to restore current funding levels for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through 15 December, saying House Republicans shouldn’t be allowed to pick and choose which federal agencies they’d like to reopen. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

New HHS Rule: Blood Stem Cells Aren’t for Sale
The Department of Health and Human Services has issued a proposed rule that would include hematopoietic stem cells acquired by apheresis under the definition of “human organ,” precluding payment for them. [MedPage Today, LLC] Editorial

Call for Change to Stem Cell Regulation
Professor Wilmut is among a number of leading scientists calling on governments from around the world to adopt a joined-up approach. This would allow induced pluripotent stem cells to be shared between countries. [The University of Edinburgh] Press Release

TrakCel Accelerates Stem Cell Logistics Solution Development with Welsh Government Funding
TrakCel has announced it will commence trials with leading international pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline in early 2014. Benefiting from an initial £100,000 from the Welsh Government SMART Cymru award for Research Development and Innovation, TrakCel has been able to swiftly develop demonstrable initial technology and present it to key players in the industry including GlaxoSmithKline. [Biotec Services International] Press Release

StemCells, Inc. Receives FDA Authorization of IND for Spinal Cord Injury
StemCells, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the Company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application for clinical testing of the Company’s proprietary HuCNS-SC® human neural stem cells as a treatment for spinal cord injury. [StemCells, Inc.] Press Release

BrainStorm Launches US Activities for Its Multi-Center ALS Clinical Trial
BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics announced that it has launched its activities in the US in preparation for its Phase IIa multi-center clinical trial, with the initiation of the NurOwn™ technology transfer process at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. [BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Nanoparticle Stem Cell Replacement Therapy for Reflux Nephropathy
An EU-funded project has investigated the potential of stem cell-based replacement therapy for prevention of end stage renal disease. The work involved the design of a new type of magnetic nanoparticle to label the stem cells for in vivo tracking. [Nanowerk] Press Release

Cellular Dynamics Issued U.S. Patent Covering iPSC Episomal Reprogramming
Cellular Dynamics International announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued Patent No. 8,546,140 entitled “Methods for the Production of iPS Cells Using Non-Viral Approach”. The newly issued patent relates to the method by which adult tissue cells, such as blood or skin, are reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells by the insertion of episomal vectors. [Cellular Dynamics International] Press Release

Bone Therapeutics Receives Clearance for ALLOB^® Phase I/IIa Trial
Bone Therapeutics announced that it has received clearance from the Competent Authorities in Belgium and the UK for a Phase I/IIa trial with its allogeneic cell therapy product ALLOB^® for the treatment of delayed union fractures. [Bone Therapeutics S.A.] Press Release

Medistem Announces Preclinical Data on Type 1 Diabetes and Filing of Intellectual Property
Medistem, Inc. announced that it filed patent application #61/885909 covering immune modulatory aspects of ERC-124, the company’s clinical-stage stem cell product. The provisional patent titled, “TOLEROGENIC USES OF ENDOMETRIAL REGENERATIVE CELLS“, was invented by Thomas Ichim, Ph.D. and Hugh Taylor, M.D. [GlobeNewswire, Inc.] Press Release

Geron Completes Divestiture of Stem Cell Assets
Geron Corporation announced the closing of the transaction to divest the company’s stem cell assets. Geron entered into an Asset Contribution Agreement with BioTime, Inc. and Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. [Geron Corporation] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Stem Cells (Bioprocessing Technology Institute)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Research (Bioprocessing Technology Institute)

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Manufacturing Associate (StemCells Inc.)

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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)

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

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

Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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