Cell Therapy News 18.02 January 23, 2017 | |
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TOP STORYInvestigators developed a small-molecule approach for accelerated induction of early-born cortical neurons. Combinatorial application of six pathway inhibitors induced post-mitotic cortical neurons with functional electrophysiological properties by day 16 of differentiation, in the absence of glial cell co-culture. The resulting neurons, transplanted at day eight of differentiation into the postnatal mouse cortex, were functional and establish long-distance projections, as shown using iDISCO whole-brain imaging. [Nat Biotechnol] Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)Targeting Aurora Kinase A and JAK2 Prevents GVHD while Maintaining Treg and Antitumor CTL Function Investigators provide evidence that blocking Aurora A and JAK2 in human T cells is synergistic in vitro, prevents xenogeneic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and maintains antitumor responses by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Aurora A/JAK2 inhibition is immunosuppressive but permits the differentiation of inducible regulatory T cells (iTreg) that are hyperfunctional and CD39 bright and efficiently scavenge adenosine triphosphate. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract Pharmacological Rescue of Diabetic Skeletal Stem Cell Niches Researchers discovered that high serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor–α directly repressed the expression of Indian hedgehog (Ihh) in mSSCs and in their downstream skeletogenic progenitors in diabetic mice. When hedgehog signaling was inhibited during fracture repair, injury-induced mouse skeletal stem cell expansion was suppressed, resulting in impaired healing. They reversed this deficiency by precise delivery of purified Ihh to the fracture site via a specially formulated, slow-release hydrogel. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract Scientists showed that mesenchymal stem cell transplantation can effectively ameliorate osteopenia in systemic sclerosis (SSc) mice by rescuing impaired lineage differentiation of the recipient bone marrow MSCs. Mechanistically, they showed that donor MSCs transfer miR-151-5p to the recipient bone marrow MSCs in SSc mice to inhibit IL4Rα expression, thus downregulating mTOR pathway activation to enhance osteogenic differentiation and reduce adipogenic differentiation. [Cell Res] Abstract Under cyclic compression for seven days, scientists report focal adhesion kinase overexpression on the less stiff poly (glycerol sebacate) (PGS) and upregulation of the transcription factor Runx2 and late osteogenic markers osteocalcin and bone sialoprotein. Upon implanting PGS in the rabbit ulna defect, histology and micro-computed tomography analysis showed complete gap bridging with new bone by the PGS elastomer by 8 weeks while minimal bone formation was seen in empty controls. [Acta Biomater] Abstract Researchers observed that both SAOS2 and MCF7 cell lines induced an increase in human adipose stem cells (hASCs) proliferation, compared to hASCs alone, but, surprisingly, neither changes in the expression of CD90, CD29, CD324 and vimentin, nor variations in the Twist and Slug mRNAs were detectable. Noteworthy, SAOS2 and MCF7 cells induced in hASCs an upregulation of CD34 expression and stemness genes, including OCT3/4, Nanog, Sox2 and leptin, and a decrease in angiogenic factors, including CD31, PDGFα, PDGFRα, PDGFRβ and VEGF. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article The effects of Strontium-hardystonite-Gahnite (Sr-HT-Gahnite) on cell morphology, cell proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of adipose derived stem cells were systematically investigated. The cell proliferation, migration and angiogenic differentiation of human umbilical vein endothelial cell were studied. Levels of in vivo bone formation with Sr-HT Gahnite were significantly higher than that for eta-tricalcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite. [Sci Rep] Full Article Researchers reinforced transgene transcription by replacing the CMV promoter driving eGFP with the EF1/HTLV or SFFV promoters to produce vectors pEPI-EF1/HTLV and pEPI-SFFV, respectively; and plasmid replication by inserting the replication-Initiation Region (IR) from the β-globin locus into vector pEPI-SFFV to produce vector pEP-IR. All vectors supported stable transfections in K562 cells. Transfections of CD34+ cells from peripheral blood of healthy donors reached 30% efficiency. [Sci Rep] Full Article Scientists performed a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study to assess the neuroregenerative potential of intravenous granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) followed by infusion of mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cells in children with cerebral palsy. [J Transl Med] Full Article The authors aimed to compare treatment strategies in 334 consecutive children with acute leukemia relapse or progression after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in a recent 10-year period. Data could be analyzed in 288 patients with a median age of 8.16 years at transplantation. The median delay from first SCT to relapse or progression was 182 days. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract The authors investigated whether the migratory capacity of donor T-cells is associated with GvHD. This single center prospective study included 85 donor–recipient pairs. In vitro chemotaxis assays of the lymphocytes of the apheresis product were performed in parallel to the analysis of CD62L and CCR7 by flow cytometry. The migratory index to the CCR7 ligands, CCL19 and CCL21, was higher in T-cells from donors whose recipients will develop GvHD. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract | |
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REVIEWSStudies presented with an unclear-to-high risk of bias. In most studies, mesenchymal stem cells were used in combination with alloplastic mineral-phase or polymer scaffolds; no study directly compared cell-loaded scaffolds vs. autogenous bone. In three studies, cells were also modified by ex vivo gene-transfer of osteoinductive factors. The meta-analyses indicated statistically significant benefits in favor of: (a) cell-loaded vs. cell-free scaffolds in canine surgical-defect and ligature-induced peri-implantitis (LIPI) models; and (b) gene-modified vs. unmodified cells in canine LIPI models. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cell therapy research field. | |
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SCIENCE NEWSEvaluation of the Use of Human Umbilical Cord for In Utero Spina Bifida Repair Researchers evaluated a possible regenerative patch by using human umbilical cord in two studies titled Cryopreserved Human Umbilical Cord (HUC) vs Acellular Dermal Matrix for in utero spina bifida repair and the study conventional vs cryopreserved HUC patch based on repair for in utero spina bifida in a sheep model. [Press release from the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s (SMFM) discussing research to be presented at SMFM’s 37th Annual Meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting™, Las Vegas] Press Release | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSFred Hutch virologist and leading HIV researcher Dr. Larry Corey has received a $2.6 million grant from Gilead Sciences Inc. to investigate using CAR T cells — a type of immunotherapy — to bring about a cure or long-term remission for HIV [Fred Hutch Cancer Center] Press Release Asterias Announces Conference Call to Discuss Six-Month Efficacy Data from AST-OPC1 SCiStar Study Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. announced that the company will host a conference call to discuss new data evaluating the efficacy results six months after implantation of 10 million AST-OPC1 cells in patients with complete cervical spinal cord injuries in the ongoing SCiStar study. [Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc.] Press Release Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc announced that the first patient has been enrolled in a Phase III clinical trial comparing the efficacy and safety of defibrotide versus best supportive care in the prevention of hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) in adult and pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) who are at high risk or at very high risk of developing VOD. [Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc] Press Release Lysogene announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Rare Pediatric Disease Designation to LYS-GM101, the company’s drug candidate in development for patients with GM1 Gangliosidosis, a severe neurodegenerative disease. LYS-GM101 has the potential to replace the defective gene in the cells of GM1 patients, which will allow for the production of the functional enzyme and prevent the progressive nature of the neurological damage caused by GM1. [Lysogene (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release Abeona Therapeutics Inc. announced that the European Medicines Agency Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products has granted Orphan Drug Designation for Abeona’s gene therapy program ABO-101 for children impacted by Sanfilippo syndrome type B, a rare autosomal recessive disease that causes neurocognitive decline, speech loss, loss of mobility, and premature death in children. [Abeona Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release Cytori Therapeutics, Inc. announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire certain assets from privately held Azaya Therapeutics Inc. The acquisition, if consummated, would provide Cytori with a proprietary liposomal nanoparticle technology platform that would expand and complement the company’s leadership position in regenerative medicine. [Cytori Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established the Oncology Center of Excellence and appointed Dr. Richard Pazdur as its director. This will make oncology the first disease area to have a coordinated clinical review of drugs, biologics and devices across the agency’s three medical product centers. [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] Press Release Dr. Augustine M.K. Choi Named Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine Dr. Augustine M.K. Choi, an internationally renowned physician-scientist in the field of lung disease, has been named the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell University’s provost for medical affairs. [Weill Cornell Medicine] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSBiotech Firm Backs Controversial CRISPR Challenger A major enzyme manufacturer has signed an agreement with a Chinese university to explore uses for a protein claimed to be a powerful alternative to the popular genome-editing tool CRISPR–Cas9. Several scientists have failed to reproduce the results of the paper that first made the claim and doubt that the protein, NgAgo, works as a gene editor. [Nature News] Editorial Scientists Join Massive Protest against Trump The women in white lab coats didn’t expect to be treated like celebrities. The group of scientists, dozens strong, came to Washington DC to join the Women’s March, a massive protest against the brand-new US President, Donald Trump. But as they navigated the dense crowd near the National Air and Space Museum, the researchers were greeted by shouts of “We love science!” Eager strangers asked the scientists to pose for photographs with the signs they carried, which bore slogans such as “Stand up 4 Science” and “Science does not discriminate.” [Nature News] Editorial Wanted: A Leader for the Toughest Job in Global Health Global health watchers will pay close attention to Geneva, Switzerland when the World Health Organization (WHO) will announce the final three candidates to take the agency’s top job. The decision by WHO’s Executive Board, made up of representatives of 34 member states, follows months of behind-the-scenes jockeying, campaigning by the candidates, and intense speculation. It will be followed in May by a final vote by WHO’s 194 member states. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
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REGULATORYFDAAgency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; Premarket Approval of Medical Devices (FR Doc. No:2017-01188) Notice Determination That SYMMETREL (Amantadine Hydrochloride), Syrup, 50 Milligrams/5 Milliliters, Was Not Withdrawn From Sale for Reasons of Safety or Effectiveness (FR Doc. No:2017-01064) Notice
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EVENTSNEW EFGCP Annual Conference 2017 on Meeting the Ethical Standards under the Clinical Trials Regulation NEW Clinical Applications of Stem Cells Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESPostdoctoral Fellow – Various Projects (University of Oklahoma) Scientist – Regulatory Support (Cook MyoSite, Inc.) Scientist – Regulatory Affairs (Cook MyoSite, Inc.) Senior Scientist – Engineered T Cells Used in Adoptive Cell Therapies (Immatics) Tenure Track Faculty – Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (University of Notre Dame) Senior Research Scientist – Otolaryngology (Vanderbilt University Medical Center) Independent Research Group Leaders – Stem Cell Science (University of Cambridge) GMP Manufacturing Director – Cell and Gene Therapy (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center) Assistant Professor – Molecular Therapeutics of Cancer (Dartmouth College) Assistant or Associate Member – Stem CellGene Therapy (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center) Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
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Home Cell Therapy News Volume 18.02 | Jan 23 2017