Cell Therapy News Volume 15.38 | Sep 29 2014

A Double-Negative Feedback Loop between MicroRNA-422a and FOXG1/Q1/E1 Regulates Hepatocellular Carcinoma Tumor Growth and Metastasis
A mechanistic study identified three genes, forkhead box G1 (FOXG1), FOXQ1, and FOXE1, as microRNA-422a targets in the regulation of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. Scientists investigated the function of the three targets themselves in HCC tumorigenesis using RNAi manipulation and demonstrated that the knockdown of these targets led to significant inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and migration both in vitro and in vivo. [Hepatology] Abstract

Enhanced Bone Tissue Regeneration by Antibacterial and Osteoinductive Silica-HACC-Zein Composite Scaffolds Loaded with rhBMP-2
Biodegradable rhBMP-2 loaded zein-based scaffolds with a macroporous structure were synthesized, and SBA-15 nanoparticles and hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HACC) were incorporated into the scaffolds to produce an anti-infective composite scaffold for delivery of osteogenic factors that facilitate the functional repair of bone defects. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Persistence of Virus Reservoirs in ART-Treated SHIV-Infected Rhesus Macaques after Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant
Researchers performed autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in three Simian/Human Immunodeficiency Virus (SHIV)-infected, antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated rhesus macaques using HSCs collected prior to infection and compared them to three SHIV-infected, ART-treated, untransplanted control animals to assess the effect of conditioning and autologous HSCT on viral persistence. [PLoS Pathog]
Full Article | Press Release

Immunogenicity of Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transplanted via Different Routes in Diabetic Rats
Scientists evaluated the immunogenicity of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vivo by transplanting MSCs into normal and diabetic rats via the tail vein or pancreas and found that MSCs exhibited low immunogenicity in normal recipients and even exerted some immunosuppressive effects in diabetic rats during the initial phase. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

Combining Autologous Dendritic Cell Therapy with CD3 Antibodies Promotes Regulatory T Cells and Permanent Islet Allograft Acceptance
Scientists investigated a novel approach combining administration of autologous tolerogenic dendritic cells with short-term treatment with CD3-specific Abs. Permanent acceptance of pancreatic islet allografts was achieved in mice treated with the combination therapy the day before transplantation but not in recipients treated with either therapy alone. [J Immunol] Abstract

Cell-Based Therapy for Acute and Chronic Liver Failures: Distinct Diseases, Different Choices
Which cell type is the most suitable source of cell-based therapies (CBTs) for acute liver failure (ALF) or chronic liver failure (CLF) remains unclear. To investigate this, mature hepatocytes in adult liver, fetal liver cells, induced hepatic stem cells and bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells were used as CBTs for ConA-induced ALF and Fah-deficient induced CLF in mice. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Aromatic-Turmerone Induces Neural Stem Cell Proliferation In Vitro and In Vivo
It has been suggested that aromatic (ar-) turmerone inhibits microglia activation, a property that may be useful in treating neurodegenerative disease. In vitro as well as in vivo, ar-turmerone promoted neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article | Press Release

Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Increased SDF-1 Expression Enhanced Fracture Healing
To enhance stem cell involvement, researchers investigated over-expression of stem cells with SDF-1 using an adenovirus. In a rat defect bone model, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells over-expressing SDF-1 showed significantly more new bone formation within the gap and less bone mineral loss at the area adjacent to the defect site during the early bone healing stage. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Transplantation of SHED Prevents Bone Loss in the Early Phase of Ovariectomy-Induced Osteoporosis
The mechanism by which stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) treat immune diseases is not fully understood. Investigators show that systemic transplantation of SHED via the tail vein ameliorates ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteopenia by reducing T-helper 1 and T-helper 17 cell numbers in the recipient OVX mice. [J Dent Res] Abstract

In Vivo Evaluation of Adeno-Associated Virus Gene Transfer in Airways of Mice with Acute or Chronic Respiratory Infection
While gene therapy development for cystic fibrosis often involves viral-based vectors, little is known about gene transfer in the context of an infected airway. In this study, three mouse models were established to evaluate adeno-associated virus gene transfer in such an environment. [Hum Gene Ther] Abstract

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Provectus Biopharmaceuticals’ PV-10 Clinical Data on Melanoma
Provectus Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the abstract to be presented entitled, “Subgroup efficacy in patients receiving intralesional rose bengal to all existing melanoma in Phase II study PV-10-MM-02,” is available online. [Press release from Provectus Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. discussing research presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2014 Congress, Madrid] Press Release | Abstract

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Nature Communications to Become Open Access Only
Nature Communications is to become the first Nature-branded open access only journal. Nature Communications will only accept open access research submissions from 20^th October 2014. [Nature] Editorial

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics Expands Cancer Immunotherapy Platform with Antigen-Specific T-Cell Technology Licensed from Caltech
ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. announced that it has established a licensing agreement with the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) for exclusive rights to novel technology for the development of certain antigen specific T-cell immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer. [ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.] Press Release

Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma and SanBio Conclude Joint Development and License Agreement for North America over SB623, Therapy for Stroke
Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd. and SanBio Co., Ltd. announced that the two companies have entered into a joint development and license agreement for exclusive marketing rights in the U.S. and Canada for SB623, a cell therapy for the treatment of patients with chronic stroke. [Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.] Press Release

Novartis AIN457 (Secukinumab) Is the First Ever IL-17A Inhibitor to Meet Primary Endpoint in Two Phase III Studies in Psoriatic Arthritis
Novartis announced that two pivotal Phase III studies of secukinumab in psoriatic arthritis met primary and key secondary endpoints. Secukinumab is an investigational medicine that works by stopping the action of interleukin-17A, a protein that is central to the development of inflammatory diseases. [Novartis AG] Press Release

Advanced Cell Technology Announces Final Patient Treated in Stargardt’s Macular Degeneration Phase I Trial in the United Kingdom
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. announced that it has completed treatment of the final patient in its U.K. based Phase I clinical trial for Stargardt’s macular degeneration. The successful transplantation of the company’s proprietary retinal pigment epithelium cells in the last patient of twelve represents the completion of the enrollment stage of this trial. [Advanced Cell Technology, Inc.] Press Release

AbbVie’s HUMIRA^® (Adalimumab) Receives U.S. FDA Approval for the Treatment of Pediatric Patients with Moderately to Severely Active Crohn’s Disease
AbbVie announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved HUMIRA^® for reducing signs and symptoms, and achieving and maintaining clinical remission, in pediatric Crohn’s disease patients six years of age and older when certain other treatments have not worked well enough. [AbbVie Inc.] Press Release

Fibrocell Science and Intrexon Advance GM-HDF-COL7 toward Clinical Development for the Treatment of Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa
Fibrocell Science, Inc., and Intrexon Corporation announced plans to file an investigational new drug application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for their drug candidate, GM-HDF-COL7 (genetically-modified human dermal fibroblast, collagen VII). [Fibrocell Science, Inc.] Press Release

Bioheart Announces Successful Grand Opening of Facility in South Africa
Bioheart, Inc. announced a successful grand opening of the laboratory and clinic in South Africa. The new facility, named South African Stem Cell Institute, immediately began treating patients. [Bioheart, Inc.] Press Release

Regeneus’ Osteoarthritis Cell Therapy, HiQCell, to Launch in Singapore
Regeneus Ltd. announced plans to open the HiQCell Regenerative Medicine Clinic in Singapore, and the appointment of leading specialist sports physician, Dr. Patrick Goh, as Medical Director. Through the clinic, Goh will provide patients in Singapore with access to Regeneus’ HiQCell, an innovative cell therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis, with first treatments expected to commence in late 2014. [Regeneus Ltd.] Press Release

Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing (FR Doc. No: 2014-22763)

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; Good Laboratory Practice Regulations for Nonclinical Studies (FR Doc. No: 2014-22986)

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Head of Cellular and Molecular Therapies Laboratory (NHS Blood & Transplant – Oxford)

Head of Cellular and Molecular Therapies Laboratory (NHS Blood & Transplant – Leeds)

Postdoctoral Position – Novel Mediators of Cardiovascular Disease and Novel Therapeutic Strategies (Monzino Cardiology Center)

Research Technician – Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (King’s College London)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiac Differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cells (Stanford University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiac Animal Surgery (Stanford University)

Postdoctoral Position – Transplantation Aspects of Hepatocytes Derived from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells (INSERM UMR 1064)

Research Associate – Gene Therapy Center (University of Massachusetts)

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

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

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.)

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