Cell Therapy News Volume 15.32 | Aug 18 2014

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    Issue 15.32 August 18, 2014
    Cell Therapy News - Your Industry in an Instant
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    Publications | Reviews | Science | Policy | Business | NIH | CBER | Regulatory | Events | Jobs

     
    TOP STORY
    Drug Delivery System Prevents Transplant Rejection
    Researchers developed a way to deliver immunosuppressant drugs locally and when prompted, through the use of a biomaterial that self-assembles into a hydrogel, a gelatinlike material. The novel system is able to target and control release of the medication, so that it is delivered where and when it is needed. [Press release from Brigham and Women’s Hospital discussing online prepublication in Science Translational Medicine]
    Press Release | Abstract
    Free Nature Reviews Immunology Poster: The Immune Response to HIV

     
    PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)
    CellNet: Network Biology Applied to Stem Cell Engineering
    Researchers developed CellNet, a network biology platform that more accurately assesses the fidelity of cellular engineering than existing methodologies and generates hypotheses for improving cell derivations. Analyzing expression data from 56 published reports, they found that cells derived via directed differentiation more closely resemble their in vivo counterparts than products of direct conversion, as reflected by the establishment of target cell-type gene regulatory networks. [Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

    Myc Inhibition Is Effective against Glioma and Reveals a Role for Myc in Proficient Mitosis
    Investigators preclinically validated Myc inhibition as a therapeutic strategy in mouse and human glioma, using a mouse model of spontaneous multifocal invasive astrocytoma and its derived neuroprogenitors, human glioblastoma cell lines, and patient-derived tumors both in vitro and in orthotopic xenografts. [Nat Commun]
    Full Article | Press Release

    Tracheal Tissue Engineering in Rats
    Scientists describe a protocol using a tissue engineering strategy and orthotopic transplantation of either natural decellularized donor tracheae or artificial electrospun nanofiber scaffolds into a rat model. [Nat Protoc] Abstract

    Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Reduces Abnormalities in the Expression of Immune Genes in Multiple Sclerosis
    Investigators evaluated by microarray DNA-chip technology the gene expression of peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets sorted from patients with multiple sclerosis patients before autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT), at six months, one year and two years after AHSCT and from healthy control subjects. [Clin Sci] Abstract

    Functional Tooth Restoration by Next-Generation Bio-Hybrid Implant as a Bio-Hybrid Artificial Organ Replacement Therapy
    Investigators enveloped embryonic dental follicle tissue around a hydroxyapatite-coated dental implant, and transplanted into the lower first molar region of a murine tooth-loss model. [Sci Rep] Full Article

    The Combination Use of Platelet-Rich Fibrin and Treated Dentin Matrix for Tooth Root Regeneration by Cell Homing
    In vivo, transplantation of autologous platelet-rich fibrin and allogeneic treated dentin matrix into fresh tooth extraction socket achieved successful root regeneration three months postsurgery, characterized by the regeneration of cementum and periodontal ligament-like tissues with orientated fibers, indicative of functional restoration. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

    Lenti-GDNF Gene Therapy Protects against Alzheimer’s Disease-Like Neuropathology in 3xTg-AD Mice and MC65 Cells
    Recombinant lentiviral vectors were used to overexpress glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) gene in hippocampal astrocytes of 3xTg-AD mice in vivo, and also in the MC65 human neuroblastoma that conditionally overexpresses the 99-residue carboxyl-terminal fragment of the amyloid precursor protein. [CNS Neurosci Ther] Abstract

    CD31+ Cell Transplantation Promotes Recovery from Peripheral Neuropathy
    Recently, the authors reported that human peripheral blood-derived CD31+ cells are highly angiogenic. In this study, they investigated the beneficial effects of CD31+ cells on peripheral neuropathy in mice. [Mol Cell Neurosci] Abstract

    Bystander Activation and Anti-Tumor Effects of CD8+ T Cells following Interleukin-2 Based Immunotherapy Is Independent of CD4+ T Cell Help
    Utilizing CD4 deficient mouse models, investigators observed a significant expansion of bystander-memory T cells following IL-2 (IT) which was similar to the non-CD4 depleted mice. Expanded bystander-memory CD8+ T cells upregulated PD-1 in the absence of CD4+ T cells which has been published as a hallmark of exhaustion and dysfunction in helpless CD8+ T cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

    Impaired Interferon-Alpha Production by Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells after Cord Blood Transplantation in Children: Implication for Post-Transplant TLR-Ligand Based Immunotherapy
    Researchers performed a longitudinal study of plasmacytoid dendritic cells reconstitution in bone-marrow-transplanted (BMT) and single-unit cord blood transplantation (CBT) children. Both CBT and unrelated BMT patients received antithymocyte globulin as part of their GvHD prophylaxis regimen. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

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    REVIEWS
    Vector Platforms for Gene Therapy of Inherited Retinopathies
    This review focuses on the available platforms for retinal gene therapy to fight inherited blindness, highlights their main strengths and examines the efforts to overcome some of their limitations. [Prog Retin Eye Res] Abstract

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

    [Free Webinar] A Guide To Successful Flow Cytometry Analysis of ALDHbr Cells - Watch Now.

     
    SCIENCE NEWS
    Immunovaccine Present at Ninth Annual Immunotherapies and Vaccines Summit (ImVacS) Conference
    Immunovaccine Inc. announced that Marc Mansour, Ph.D., the company’s chief executive officer, made a presentation at the Ninth Annual ImVacS. Dr. Mansour’s presentation described the clinical and immunological activity observed with the company’s cancer therapy DPX-Survivac. [Press release from Immunovaccine Inc. discussing research to be presented at the Ninth Annual ImVacS, Boston] Press Release

    Clinical Trial Evaluates Safety of Stem Cell Transplantation in Spine
    Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have launched a clinical trial to investigate the safety of neural stem cell transplantation in patients with chronic spinal cord injuries. [UC San Diego] Press Release

    From our sponsor: Free Nature Reviews Immunology poster – Immune Response to HIV. Request a copy.

     
    POLICY
    Indian Universities Ordered to Cut Length of Science Courses
    Thousands of students and staff at some of India’s leading universities, including the prestigious Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, have been left in turmoil after the institutions were ordered to cut the length of their undergraduate science courses to fall in line with national policy. [Nature News] Editorial

    WHO Ponders Treating Ebola-Infected People with Blood of Survivors
    As the Ebola outbreaks rages on in West Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO), desperate for a way to help infected people, is reconsidering a potential Ebola treatment tried as far back as 1976, after the first documented outbreak of the deadly viral disease: using the blood of people who have recovered from an infection to treat those still fighting the virus. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

     
    BUSINESS
    Human Longevity, Inc. and Celgene Cellular Therapeutics Sign License Agreement to Develop and Commercialize Placental Stem Cell Population, PSC-100 for Multiple Therapeutic Applications
    Human Longevity, Inc. announced it has signed an agreement with Celgene Cellular Therapeutics to license, develop, and co-promote Celgene’s proprietary placental cell population, PSC-100. [Human Longevity, Inc.]
    Press Release

    National Institutes of Health and Mesoblast Enter into Agreement for 120-Patient Trial in End-Stage Heart Failure
    Mesoblast Limited announced the signing of an agreement with the National Institutes of Health’s National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to collaborate on a trial using Mesoblast’s proprietary adult stem cell therapy to treat patients with advanced heart failure requiring an implantable left ventricular assist device to maintain circulatory support. [Mesoblast Ltd.] Download Press Release

    uniQure Acquires Cardiology Gene Therapy Company InoCard
    uniQure N.V. announced the acquisition of InoCard GmbH, an innovative, early-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of gene therapy approaches for cardiac disease. [uniQure N.V.] Press Release

    Juventas Therapeutics Completes Enrollment of Phase I/II RETRO-HF Trial and Demonstrates Safety for Retrograde Infusion of JVS-100 in Patients with Heart Failure
    Juventas Therapeutics, Inc. announced that it successfully completed the Phase I arm of the RETRO-HF clinical trial, and fully enrolled the Phase II arm that is evaluating the safety and preliminary clinical efficacy for retrograde infusion of JVS-100 in patients with heart failure. [Juventas Therapeutics, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release

    Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute Opens First-of-Its-Kind Research Stem Cell Clinic for Cardiac Patients
    Regenerative medicine experts at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute have opened a new clinic to evaluate heart and vascular disease patients for participation in stem cell medical studies. [Cedars-Sinai Medical Center]
    Press Release

    International Stem Cell Corporation Launches Stroke Program with Tulane University
    International Stem Cell Corporation (ISCO) announced that it has launched a new stroke program. Together with Tulane University, ISCO will study the impact of human parthenogenetic neural stem cells transplantation in a pre-clinical rodent model of ischemic stroke as a first step toward the clinical development of a potential stroke treatment. [International Stem Cell Corporation] Press Release

    First Stem Cell Production Facility to Focus on Immune-Matching Therapies Opens at CHOC
    A new stem cell production facility at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) will allow researchers to produce patient-specific cells for future immune-matching therapies that could positively impact fatal neurological diseases in children. The approach involves using umbilical cord blood to replace a patient’s immune system, then implanting neural cells derived from the same blood into the brain to repair and prevent brain damage. [Children’s Hospital of Orange County] Press Release

    ViaCyte, Inc. Raises $5.4 Million in a Private Financing to Support Clinical Development of Its Cell Therapy Product VC-01â„¢ for Insulin-Dependent Diabetes
    ViaCyte, Inc., a privately held regenerative medicine company developing a stem cell-derived islet replacement therapy for the treatment of diabetes, announced that it has completed a private equity financing transaction, providing the company with $5.4 million. [ViaCyte, Inc.] Press Release

     
    NIH
    National Cancer Institute; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. No: 2014-19145)

    National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences; Notice of Meetings (FR Doc. No: 2014-18987)

     
    CBER
    Approval History, Letters, Reviews and Related Documents – Ruconest

     
    REGULATORY
    Food and Drug Administration (United States)

    Revised Draft Guidance for Industry on Clinical Pharmacology Labeling for Human Prescription Drug and Biological Products-Considerations, Content, and Format; Availability (FR Doc. No: 2014-19264)

    Postmarketing Safety Reports for Human Drug and Biological Products; Electronic Submission Requirements; Correction (FR Doc. No: 2014-19255)

    Guidance for Industry on Immunogenicity Assessment for Therapeutic Protein Products; Availability (FR Doc. No: 2014-19267)

     
    EVENTS
    NEW 21st Stem Cell Network Workshop – Bioengineering and Stem Cells
    September 23, 2014
    Sydney, Australia

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

     
    JOB OPPORTUNITIES
    NEW Research Associate – Gene Therapy Center (University of Massachusetts)

    NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Based Therapeutics (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

    NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – New Combination Immune Therapies for Cancer (Massachusetts General Hospital)

    Postdoctoral Position – Scaffolding and Drug Delivery for Regenerative Medicine Applications (Ospedale Niguarda)

    Technical Account Manager (GlobalStem)

    Research Scientist – iPSC Biology and Genome Editing (Stem Cell Theranostics)

    Research Assistant – iPSC Biology and Genome Editing (Stem Cell Theranostics)

    Postdoctoral Researcher – Generation of Myocardium In Situ (Van Andel Research Institute)

    Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

    Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

    Scientist – Liver Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

    Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

    Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)


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