Cell Therapy News Volume 17.07 | Feb 22 2016

Cell-Free Multi-Layered Collagen-Based Scaffolds Demonstrate Layer Specific Regeneration of Functional Osteochondral Tissue in Caprine Joints
The long term ability of a multi-layered biomimetic collagen-based scaffold to repair osteochondral defects was investigated in a large animal model: namely critical sized lateral trochlear ridge and medial femoral condyle defects in the caprine stifle joint. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Autonomous Extracellular Matrix Remodeling Controls a Progressive Adaptation in Muscle Stem Cell Regenerative Capacity during Development
Investigators showed that fetal muscle stem cells (MuSCs) resist progenitor specification and exhibit altered division dynamics, intrinsic features that are progressively lost postnatally. After transplantation, fetal MuSCs expanded more efficiently and contributed to muscle repair. [Cell Rep]
Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Serially Transplanted Non-Pericytic CD146^– Adipose Stromal/Stem Cells in Silk Bioscaffolds Regenerate Adipose Tissue In Vivo
Scientists hypothesized that an adipose progenitor could be sorted based on the expression of CD146, CD34, and/or CD29 and when implanted in vivo these cells can persist, proliferate, and re-generate a functional fat pad over serial transplants. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Human Salivary Gland Stem Cells Functionally Restore Radiation Damaged Salivary Glands
Investigators showed the isolation of adult human salivary gland stem/progenitor cells and demonstrate at the single cell level in vitro self-renewal and differentiation into multilineage organoids. They also showed in vivo functionality, long-term engraftment and functional restoration in a xenotransplantation model. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Poly(Limonene Thioether) Scaffold for Tissue Engineering
A photocurable thiol-ene network polymer, poly(limonene thioether), was synthesized, characterized, fabricated into tissue engineering scaffolds, and demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. [Adv Healthc Mater] Abstract

Suicide Gene-Engineered Stromal Cells Reveal a Dynamic Regulation of Cancer Metastasis
Investigators developed an engineered human cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) cell line with an inducible suicide gene to enable selective in vivo elimination of human CAFs at different stages of xenograft tumor development, effectively circumventing the challenge of targeting a cell-specific marker. [Sci Rep] Full Article | Press Release

In Vivo Evaluation of a Simvastatin-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Bone Tissue Regeneration
Simvastatin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (SNs) were fabricated and the osteogenic effect of the SNs was evaluated in a critical-sized rabbit calvarial defect. Results revealed that the SNs significantly enhanced bone formation in vivo, as evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, and a fluorescence analysis. [Nanotechnology] Full Article

Design and Characterization of the Tumor Vaccine MGN1601, Allogeneic Fourfold Gene-Modified Vaccine Cells Combined with a TLR-9 Agonist
The tumor vaccine MGN1601 was designed and developed for treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Use of the vaccine in a therapeutic setting showed complete response in 92% of mice as well as synergistic action and necessity of the components. [Mol Ther Oncolytics] Full Article

Stem Cell Transplantation for the Treatment of Immunodeficiency in Children: Current Status and Hopes for the Future
Investigators describe current strategies employed to improve outcomes in primary immunodeficiencies, focusing on new developments in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, gene and cell therapy. [Expert Rev Clin Immunol] Abstract

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

US Cancer Institute to Overhaul Tumor Cell Lines
After more than 25 years of heavy use by researchers around the world, the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) has decided to retire the NCI-60, its panel of 60 human cancer cell lines grown in culture. The institute will launch a rejuvenated repository of cancer models that are derived from fresh patient samples and tagged with details about their clinical past. [Nature News] Editorial

NIH to Review Its Policies on All Nonhuman Primate Research
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is about to take a closer look at the use of nonhuman primates in all federally funded U.S. research labs. In response to a congressional mandate, the agency will convene a workshop this summer to review the ethical policies and procedures surrounding work on monkeys, baboons, and related animals. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

For RNA Paper Based on a Computer Game, Authorship Creates an Identity Crisis
A journal published a paper that reveals a set of folding constraints in the design of RNA molecules. Most of the data for the study come from an online game that crowdsources solutions from thousands of nonexpert players. But the lead authors of the paper are the players themselves. And there’s a twist: The journal nearly delayed publication because of “ethical” concerns about authors using only their game names. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

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Government of Canada Invests in Research Commercialization
The Centre for Commercialization of Cancer Immunotherapy will receive funding of $15 million over five years to develop, translate and commercialize cancer immunotherapy. [Networks of Centres of Excellence of Canada] Press Release

CIRM Invests in Treatment Focused on High Risk Blood Cancers, Leukemia and Lymphoma
Cord blood transplants can be life saving for people battling deadly blood cancers, but they can also cause complications that are life-threatening. That’s why the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has approved almost $3.5 million to fund a program to find a more effective, efficient and safer way to deliver those transplants. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine] Press Release

UTA Researcher Earns NSF CAREER Grant to Develop Conductive Bioelastomers for More Effective, Safer Tissue Engineering
Yi Hong, an assistant professor of bioengineering, has won a five-year, $500,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) Early Career Development, or CAREER, Program grant to create conductive, single-component and biodegradable elastomers. [The University of Texas at Arlington] Press Release

Cancer MoonShot 2020 Announces the Formation of a National Pediatrics Consortium, a Major Milestone in the War on Cancer in Children
Cancer MoonShot 2020 announced another milestone in its quest to alter the course of cancer care with the formation of the Pediatrics Consortium focused on bringing the promise of combined immunotherapy as the next-generation standard of cancer care to children diagnosed with the disease. [Cancer MoonShot 2020] Press Release

AVROBIO Inc. Launches to Develop Novel, Clinical-Stage Cell and Gene Therapies Targeting Immuno-Oncology and Rare Diseases
AVROBIO announced its launch plans to accelerate development of two novel cell and gene therapies. Phase I programs will be in the clinic by early to mid-2016 in both acute myeloid leukemia and Fabry disease. [AVROBIO Inc.] Press Release

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics Enters into Research Agreement with Stanford University to Advance Stem-to-T-Cell Program
ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. announced it has entered into an agreement with Stanford University for an option to evaluate and license intellectual property related to the identification of T cell receptors developed in the laboratory of Prof. Mark Davis at Stanford University School of Medicine. [ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd.] Press Release

BioTime and Asterias Sign Share Transfer Agreement and Cross-License Agreement for Pluripotent Stem Cell Related Patents
Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. and BioTime, Inc. and BioTime’s wholly owned subsidiary ES Cell International Pte Ltd, have entered into a Share Transfer Agreement through which BioTime will re-acquire from Asterias shares of capital stock of BioTime subsidiaries Cell Cure Neurosciences Ltd and OrthoCyte Corporation. [BioTime, Inc.] Press Release

Gene Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease to Be Tested by Pitt, UPMC Experts
Experts at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine are leading the second arm of a clinical trial using gene therapy to relieve the symptoms of tremor and mobility impairment in patients with Parkinson’s disease. [University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine] Press Release

Medigene Secures Additional Viral Vector Production Capacities for Its Clinical TCR Studies
Medigene AG has signed an agreement with the contract manufacturer EUFETS GmbH for the production and delivery of viral vectors. These viral vectors are required for Medigene’s upcoming clinical T-cell receptor (TCR) studies. [Medigene AG] Press Release

Center For Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. No: 2016-03416)

Recommendations for Donor Screening, Deferral, and Product Management to Reduce the Risk of Transfusion-Transmission of Zika Virus; Guidance for Industry; Availability

Removal of Review and Reclassification Procedures for Biological Products Licensed Prior to July 1, 1972 (FR Doc. No: 2016-02884)

NEW PhD Positions – Tendon Repair and Regeneration (NUI Galway)

Lead Scientist – Translational Therapy (NHS Blood and Transplant)

PhD Position – Leukemogenesis and Treatment Resistance (Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy)

Postdoctoral Positions – Gene Regulation and Translational Cancer Research (University of Texas Health Science Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Hematology/Oncology (Penn State College of Medicine)

Director of Manufacturing – Cell and Gene Therapy (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow/Research Associate – Cancer Therapy (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

Translational Research Scientist – Hematology/Oncology (University of Chicago)

Staff Scientist – Cell Therapy Process Development (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cell Cycle Control and Tumorigenesis (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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