Cell Therapy News Volume 14.43 | Nov 4 2013

Resident Neural Stem Cells Restrict Tissue Damage and Neuronal Loss after Spinal Cord Injury in Mice
Central nervous system injuries are accompanied by scar formation. It has been difficult to delineate the precise role of the scar, as it is made by several different cell types, which may limit the damage but also inhibit axonal regrowth. Scientists showed that scarring by neural stem cell-derived astrocytes is required to restrict secondary enlargement of the lesion and further axonal loss after spinal cord injury. [Science] Abstract | Press Release

iPSC-Derived Neural Precursors Exert a Neuroprotective Role in Immune-Mediated Demyelination via the Secretion of LIF
Scientists showed that mouse induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural stem/precursor cells – when intrathecally transplanted after disease onset – ameliorate clinical and pathological features of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of multiple sclerosis. [Nat Commun] Abstract

The Enhancement of Bone Regeneration by Gene Activated Matrix Encoding for Platelet Derived Growth Factor
Researchers developed and tested a non-viral gene delivery system for bone regeneration utilizing a collagen scaffold to deliver polyethylenimine-plasmid DNA (encoding platelet derived growth factor-B) complexes. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Interferon-α-Secreting Mesenchymal Stem Cells Exert Potent Antitumor Effect In Vivo
Scientists tested whether mesenchymal stem cells continuingly secreting interferon-α (IFNα) can exert a persistent antitumor effect and eliminate the side effects associated with high clinical doses of recombinant IFNα. [Oncogene] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy Induces Glucocorticoid Synthesis in Colonic Mucosa and Suppresses Radiation-Activated T Cells: New Insights into MSC Immunomodulation
In a rat model of radiation proctitis, investigators evidenced that a single mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) injection reduces colonic mucosa damages induced by ionizing radiation with improvement of the re-epithelization process for up to 21 days. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

Production and First-in-Man Use of T Cells Engineered to Express a HSVTK-CD34 Sort-Suicide Gene
Suicide gene modified donor T cells can improve immune reconstitution after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, but can be eliminated in the event of graft versus host disease through the administration of prodrug. Researchers report the production and first-in-man use of mismatched donor T cells modified with a gamma-retroviral vector expressing a herpes simplex thymidine kinase (HSVTK):truncated CD34 suicide gene/magnetic selection marker protein. [PLoS One] Full Article | Press Release

The Therapeutic Effects of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Models
Intravenously or intracerebrally transplanted human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) greatly improved memory impairment and neuropathology, suggesting that hASCs have a high therapeutic potential for Alzheimer’s disease. [Neurodegener Dis] Abstract

Safety of Human Neural Stem Cell Transplantation in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury
Researchers assessed safety parameters for delayed transplantation of human central nervous system-derived neural stem cells (hCNS-SCns) by comparing hCNS-SCns transplantation in the subacute period, 9 days postinjury (DPI), versus the chronic period, 60 DPI, in contusion-injured athymic nude rats. [Stem Cell Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

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

Sangamo BioSciences Presents Clinical Data From SB-728-T HIV Study Demonstrating Long-Term Immune Reconstitution and Reduction in the HIV DNA Reservoir in Subjects with Long-Term Infection
Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. announced the presentation of clinical data from its program to develop a ZFP Therapeutic^® for HIV/AIDS. The data demonstrate a reduction in the HIV DNA reservoir since receiving SB-728-T in seven of nine HIV-infected subjects on long-term anti-retroviral therapy, despite a median duration of HIV infection of 21 years and baseline CD4 T-cell counts prior to SB-728-T treatment of less than 500 cells/µl. [Press release from Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. discussing research presented at “What Will it Take to Achieve an AIDS-Free World?”, San Francisco] Press Release

Grant-Giving Freeze Lifted at Texas Cancer Institute
Texas’s beleaguered cancer institute got some good news on 30 October when state politicians lifted a moratorium imposed on grants in December 2012. The Cancer Prevention and Research Institution of Texas in Austin was created in 2007 when Texans voted in favor of a $3 billion cancer initiative to fund scientific research, promote cancer prevention and foster commercialization. But the Texas agency has been dogged by accusations of favoritism, conflicts of interest and botched management. [Nature News] Editorial

EmailAddress&u=http://www.stemcell.com/en/Technical-Resources/228ae/29331-The-CFC-Assay-For-Cord-Blood.aspx?utm_source=ctn%26utm_medium=link%26utm_campaign=ON218-CordBloodTechBull_645x110&t=(A)CTN14.43iiitext” style=”text-decoration: none”>From our sponsor: Learn about assays for cord blood. Download the free technical bulletin.

University of Louisville Researchers Sign Global Licensing Agreement
The University of Louisville announced that researcher Dr. Suzanne Ildstad, representing Regenerex LLC, has entered into a license and research collaboration agreement with Novartis to provide access to stem cell technology that has the potential to help transplant patients avoid taking anti-rejection medicine for life and could serve as a platform for treatment of other diseases. [University of Louisville] Press Release

Pharmalink Receives US Orphan Drug Designation for Busulipo™, Its Novel Oncology Product for Bone Marrow Transplantation
Pharmalink AB announced its product Busulipo™, a conditioning agent for use in cancer patients prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, has received orphan drug designation from the US Food and Drug Administration. [Pharmalink AB] Press Release

Cellular Biomedicine Group Announces New Product Approved for Market in China and New Exclusive License
Cellular Biomedicine Group announced that their A-Stromal^TM adipose stromal cell purification kit is ready to launch on the market in China. In addition, they have signed an exclusive China and Hong Kong license for ProCeller computer controlled processing system to extract stem cells from adipose tissue. [Cellular Biomedicine Group] Press Release

FDA Clears Commencement of Phase III Chronic Heart Failure Trial Using Mesoblast’s Proprietary Cells
Mesoblast Limited announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the Investigational New Drug (IND) filing made by Mesoblast’s development and commercial partner Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd to commence a Phase III trial in patients with chronic congestive heart failure using Mesoblast’s proprietary Mesenchymal Precursor Cells. [Mesoblast Limited] Press Release

bluebird bio Announces First Patient Transplanted in Phase II/III Starbeam ALD-102 Study for the Treatment of CCALD
bluebird bio, Inc. announced that the first subject in its Phase II/III childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (CCALD) study, Starbeam has undergone infusion with bluebird bio’s Lenti-D drug product in an autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. [bluebird bio] Press Release

Cellular Biomedicine Group Announces Completion of Patient Treatment for Phase I/IIa Clinical Trial for Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA)
Cellular Biomedicine Group, Inc. announced that it has treated the final patient of its Phase I/IIa clinical trial for ReJoin^TM, a human adipose-derived mesenchymal precursor cell (haMPC) therapy for KOA. The trial tests the safety and efficacy of intra-articular injections of autologous haMPCs in order to reduce inflammation and repair damaged joint cartilage. [Cellular Biomedicine Group] Press Release

StemCells, Inc. Acquires Seminal Neural Stem Cell Patent Portfolio
StemCells, Inc. announced the acquisition of a portfolio of issued US and Canadian patents to which it had previously held an exclusive worldwide license. The portfolio broadly claims the manufacture and proliferation of purified populations of human neural stem cells and their use as therapeutics and as tools for drug discovery. [StemCells, Inc.] Press Release

STEMSOFT Announces Authorization to Submit Full Suite of AGNIS-Supported CIBMTR Forms
STEMSOFT™ Software Inc. (STEMSOFT) is pleased to announce that the Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR®) has certified STEMSOFTconnect: REGISTRY to electronically submit all available forms using the CIBMTR AGNIS system. [STEMSOFT Software Inc.] Press Release

Center for Scientific Review; Amended Notice of Meeting (FR Doc No: 2013-25900)

Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Experimental Study of Direct-to-Consumer Promotion Directed at Adolescents (FR Doc No: 2013-25963)

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; Investigational New Drug Safety Reporting Requirements for Human Drug and Biological Products and Safety Reporting Requirements for Bioavailability and Bioequivalence Studies in Humans (FR Doc No: 2013-25959)

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

Postdoctoral Positions – Stem Cell, Cancer Biology, Immunology and Bioengineering (UC Irvine)

Faculty Position – Stem Cell Biology (University of Notre Dame)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cells Research (University of Maryland Baltimore)

Assistant Professorships – Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (Keck School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Stem Cells (Bioprocessing Technology Institute)

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

Manufacturing Manager (StemCells Inc.)

Process Development Manager (StemCells Inc.)

Manufacturing Associate (StemCells Inc.)

Scientist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

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

Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (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.