Cell Therapy News Volume 15.12 | Mar 31 2014

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    Issue 15.12 March 31, 2014
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    Publications | Reviews | Science | Policy | Business | NIH | CBER | Regulatory | Events | Jobs

     
    TOP STORY
    Regeneration of Human-Ear-Shaped Cartilage by Co-Culturing Human Microtia Chondrocytes with BMSCs
    Scientists demonstrated that microtia chondrocytes (MCs) possessed strong proliferation ability but accompanied with rapid loss of chondrogenic ability during passage, indicating a poor feasibility to engineer the entire ear using expanded MCs. Co-transplantation results of MCs and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) demonstrated a strong chondroinductive ability of MCs to promote stable ectopic chondrogenesis of BMSCs in subcutaneous environment. [Biomaterials] Abstract
    Enter to Win a Travel Award to ISSCR 2014

     
    PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)
    Nuclear Reprogramming by Interphase Cytoplasm of Two-Cell Mouse Embryos
    Researchers investigated the presence of reprogramming activity in the cytoplasm of interphase two-cell mouse embryos. Direct transfer of cloned embryos, reconstructed with embryonic stem cell nuclei, into recipients resulted in live offspring. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release

    Osteogenic Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells and Calvarial Defect Repair Using Baculovirus-Mediated Co-Expression of BMP-2 and miR-148b
    Implantation of human adipose-derived stem cells co-expressing bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2)/microRNA-148b (miR-148b) into critical-size calvarial bone defects in nude mice accelerated and potentiated the bone healing and remodeling, filling ≈94% of defect area and ≈89% of defect volume with native calvaria-like flat bone in 12 weeks, as judged from micro computed tomography, histology and immunohistochemical staining. [Biomaterials] Abstract

    Interaction between Nonviral Reprogrammed Fibroblast Stem Cells and Trophic Factors for Brain Repair
    Central infusion of brain-derived neurotropic factor-expressing stem cells prevented the in vivo loss of neurons associated with infusion of the endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide. [Mol Neurobiol] Abstract

    Intramyocardial Transplantation of Cardiac Telocytes Decreases Myocardial Infarction and Improves Post-Infarcted Cardiac Function in Rats
    Researchers revealed that transplantation of cardiac telocytes was able to significantly decrease the infarct size and improved cardiac function 14 weeks after myocardial infarction. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article

    TALEN-Mediated Editing of Endogenous T-Cell Receptors Facilitates Efficient Reprogramming of T Lymphocytes by Lentiviral Gene Transfer
    Researchers designed T-cell receptor (TCR)-α and TCR-β-specific pairs of transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs). TALENs were delivered into T cells using an optimized messenger RNA-electroporation protocol. [Gene Ther] Abstract

    Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote the Repair of Islets from Diabetic Mice through Paracrine Actions
    Scientists tested the cytoprotective effect of conditioned medium from cultured mesenchymal stem cells on isolated islets exposed to STZ in vitro and on mice islets after the experimental induction of diabetes in vivo. [Mol Cell Endocrinol] Abstract

    Fibroblast-Like Cells Differentiated from Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Vocal Fold Wound Healing
    Scientists implanted fibroblast-like cells differentiated from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in a canine acute vocal fold wound model. Investigators then sought to characterize changes in the extracellular matrix proteins of vocal fold lamina propria. [PLoS One] Full Article

    Allogenic Tooth Transplantation Inhibits the Maintenance of Dental Pulp Stem/Progenitor Cells in Mice
    Investigators elucidated the influence of allograft on the maintenance of dental pulp stem/progenitor cells following tooth replantation and allo- or auto-genic tooth transplantation in mice using BrdU chasing, immunohistochemistry for BrdU, nestin and Ki67, in situ hybridization for Dspp, transmission electron microscopy and TUNEL assay. [Cell Tissue Res] Abstract

    Human Adult Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells Decrease Severity of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Sheep
    Endotoxin was infused intravenously into 14 sheep from which 6 received different doses of adult stem cells by intrabronchial delivery to evaluate the effect of stem cell therapy. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Abstract | Full Article

    Free Cell Stem Cell Poster: Directed Differentiation of ESCs/iPSCs

     
    REVIEWS
    Human Amniotic-Fluid-Derived Stem Cells: A Unique Source for Regenerative Medicine
    Amniotic-fluid-derived stem cells hold promise for the future treatment of many incurable diseases. However, such cell-based therapies have some limitations, and there are questions relating to the use of stem cells, which should be carefully analyzed before translation of these cells into clinical practice. [Expert Opin Biol Ther] Abstract

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

    Free Wallchart: Small Molecules, Big Impact in PSC Research

     
    SCIENCE NEWS
    Biothera Presents Phase IIb NSCLC Data
    Biothera gave a presentation about its randomized trial in patients with previously untreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) evaluating the company’s immunotherapy drug, Imprime PGG®. The study met its primary endpoint and showed a statistically significant improvement in objective response rate, more than double that of the control group. [Press release from Biothera discussing research presented at the European Lung Cancer Conference 2014, Geneva] Press Release

    Capricor Therapeutics Presents ALLSTAR Phase I Trial Data
    Capricor Therapeutics, Inc. highlighted positive data demonstrating that the Phase I portion of the company’s ALLogeneic heart STem cells to Achieve myocardial Regeneration (ALLSTAR) Phase I/II trial met its primary endpoint of safety. [Press release from Capricor Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research at the American College of Cardiology 63rd Annual Scientific Session and Expo, Washington, DC.] Press Release

    EmailAddress&u=http://www.stemcell.com/Home/Forms/Wallcharts/Wallchart Neural Stem Cells.aspx?utm_source=ctn%26utm_medium=link%26utm_campaign=NeuralWallchart_645x110-RequestWallchart&t=(Archive)CTN15.12iiitext” style=”text-decoration: none”>From our sponsor: Free wallchart from Nature Neuroscience – Neural Stem Cells. Request your copy.

     
    POLICY
    German University Tells Elsevier ‘No Deal’
    In the latest skirmish between academia and publishers over the costs of academic journals, the University of Konstanz in Germany has broken off negotiations over a new licensing agreement with the scientific publisher Elsevier. The publisher’s prices are too high, said university Rector Ulrich Rüdiger in a statement, and the institution “will no longer keep up with this aggressive pricing policy and will not support such an approach.” [ScienceInsider] Editorial

    UK Funders Get Tough on Privacy Breaches
    Leading UK organizations that fund research have threatened to revoke the funding of scientists who determine the identities of participants in medical and genomic studies who had expressed a wish to remain anonymous. [Nature News] Editorial

     
    BUSINESS
    Global Partners SillaJen, Transgene and Lee’s Pharmaceutical Confirm Clinical Development Plan for Pexa-Vec
    Transgene SA Lee’s Pharmaceutical and SillaJen unveiled their late-stage clinical development plan for Pexa-Vec oncolytic immunotherapy. The companies plan to initiate a global Phase III study in the first-line treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients, as well as several additional Phase I/II trials in different cancers, both as a single agent and in combination with a variety of other treatments, including immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. [Transgene SA] Press Release

    NeoStem Begins Research Collaboration for Treatment of Skin Wounds in Scleroderma
    NeoStem, Inc. announced that it has signed an agreement for a research collaboration investigating the potential of very small embryonic-like stem cells in treating difficult to heal wounds in an animal model of scleroderma. [NeoStem, Inc.] Press Release

    Spark Therapeutics and Genable Technologies Announce Collaboration to Advance a Gene Therapy Treatment for a Rare Form of Retinitis Pigmentosa
    Spark Therapeutics and Genable Technologies announced that they have entered into a collaboration agreement for Genable’s lead therapeutic to treat rhodopsin-linked autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa, GT038. [Spark Therapeutics] Press Release

    BrainStorm and Massachusetts General Hospital Sign Definitive Agreement for ALS Clinical Trial
    BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with the Massachusetts General Hospital to conduct a Phase II clinical trial of NurOwnâ„¢ in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), pending FDA and Institutional Review Board approvals. [BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

    £3.5 Million Boost for Regenerative Medicine Research Programs
    The Loughborough University-led Center for Doctoral Training in Regenerative Medicine has been awarded £3.5 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Medical Research Council to further its research programs in the fast-growing field of the healthcare industry. [Loughborough University] Press Release

    Adaptimmune Announces Award of £2.1 Million from the Biomedical Catalyst Fund
    Adaptimmune has been awarded a grant of £2.1 million from the Biomedical Catalyst Fund, managed by the UK’s innovation agency the Technology Strategy Board and the Medical Research Council. [Adaptimmune Limited]
    Press Release

    Researchers Testing Gene Therapy to Thwart Effects of Multiple Sclerosis
    University of Florida researchers have received a $40,000 grant from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to test a gene therapy technique in mice that aims to help the body not treat itself like a foreign invader – a process referred to as immune tolerance – in the earliest stages of multiple sclerosis. [University of Florida] Press Release

    Osteoarthritis Treatment, HiQCell, Shows Continuing Significant Patient Improvements at 12 Months Post-Treatment and Beyond
    Regeneus announced further results from its ethics approved joint registry used to track the safety and effectiveness of its cell therapy, HiQCell®, in the treatment of osteoarthritis. [Regeneus Ltd.] Press Release

    ReNeuron Receives UK Regulatory Approvals for Phase II Clinical Trial in Stroke and Phase I Clinical Trial in Critical Limb Ischemia
    ReNeuron Group plc, a leading UK-based stem cell therapy company, announced that it has received final UK regulatory and ethical approvals to commence two new clinical trials. [ReNeuron Group plc] Press Release

    bluebird bio Announces First Patient Transplanted in Phase I/II Northstar Study for the Treatment of Beta-Thalassemia
    bluebird bio, Inc. announced that the first subject with beta-thalassemia major has been enrolled in its Phase I/II Northstar Study (HGB-204) in the United States and has undergone infusion with bluebird bio’s LentiGlobin drug product in an autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. [bluebird bio, Inc.] Press Release

    Cellular Biomedicine Group Releases Positive Results from Phase I Clinical Trial for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
    Cellular Biomedicine Group, Inc. announced positive results from its Phase I clinical trial, which evaluated the safety of tumor stem cell specific dendritic cell therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common type of liver cancer. [Cellular Biomedicine Group, Inc.] Press Release

    STEMSOFT Announces New Website
    STEMSOFTâ„¢ Software Inc. announced the launch of their new website. This new website features a responsive, modern design for easy access across mobile and desktop devices, a rich user experience, and convenient access to STEMSOFT product information, news and events. [STEMSOFTâ„¢ Software Inc.] Press Release

     
    NIH
    Prospective Grant of Exclusive License: The Development of a Single Domain Human Anti-Mesothelin Monoclonal Antibody for the Treatment of Human Cancers (FR Doc No: 2014-07022)

    Prospective Grant of Exclusive License: Development of T Cell Receptors for Adoptive Transfer in Humans to Treat Cancer (FR Doc No: 2014-06412)

    Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing (FR Doc No: 2014-06404)

     
    CBER
    FDA Study Findings Could Facilitate Development of Safe Artificial Blood

     
    REGULATORY
    Food and Drug Administration (United States)

    Determination of Regulatory Review Period for Purposes of Patent Extension; NULOJIX (FR Doc No: 2014-07060)

     
    EVENTS
    NEW Society for Developmental Biology 73rd Annual Meeting
    Seattle, United States
    July 17-21, 2014

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

     
    JOB OPPORTUNITIES
    NEW Postdoctoral Research Fellow / Research Officer – Stem Cell Research (Bioprocessing Technology Institute)

    NEW Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

    Postdoctoral Position – Gene Therapy of Lysosomal Storage Diseases (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center)

    Cell Therapy Lab Manager (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

    Stem Cell Research Technician (Van Andel Research Institute)

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

    Director of GMP/GLP Quality Operations (University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine)

    Cell Culture Specialist – Manufacturing of Cell Therapy Products (Tisch MS Research Center of New York)

    Translational Research Scientist – Hematopoietic Cellular Therapy Program (University of Chicago)

    Postdoctoral Fellow – Hemostasis Gene Therapy (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)

    Postdoctoral Position – Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (RUNMC)

    Scientific Communications & Publishing Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

    Research Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

    Research Technologist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

    Research Technologist – PSC Biology and Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)


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