Cell Therapy News 19.28 August 20, 2018 | |
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TOP STORYRestoration of Vision after De Novo Genesis of Rod Photoreceptors in Mammalian Retinas Investigators report that following gene transfer of β-catenin, cell-cycle-reactivated Müller glia can be reprogrammed to generate rod photoreceptors by subsequent gene transfer of transcription factors essential for rod cell fate specification and determination. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release | Editorial | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)Scientists showed that NUP214-ABL1 cooperates with TLX1 in driving T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia development using a transgenic mouse model and human T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. [Cancer Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Switchable CAR-T Cells Mediate Remission in Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Switchable CAR-T cells followed by administration of the switch directed against human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-induced complete remission in difficult-to-treat, patient-derived advanced pancreatic tumor models. [Gut] Full Article Using Pitx2/3 single and double mutant mice that provide genetic models of deregulated redox states, the authors demonstrated that moderate overproduction of reactive oxygen species results in premature differentiation of satellite cells while high levels lead to their senescence and regenerative failure. [Elife] Full Article Immunological Properties of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium (hESC-RPE) cells enhanced T cell apoptosis and secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). In addition, RPE cells altered the expression of T cell activation markers, CD69 and CD25. RPE cells transplanted into RCS rats without immunosuppression survived, provided retinal rescue, and enhanced IL-10 blood levels. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article Researchers induced a primate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model in cynomolgus monkeys and delivered embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells in spheres (EMSCsp) to preserve the cell viability during long-distance transportation. EMSCsp intrathecally injected into the central nervous system, remarkably reduced the clinical symptoms, brain lesions, and neuronal demyelination in the EAE monkeys during a three-month observation. [Cell Death Discov] Full Article The authors investigated whether induced pluripotent stem cell (SC)-derived cardiomyocytes are more effective than somatic SCs, such as skeletal myoblasts and mesenchymal SCs, in promoting functional recovery upon transplantation in a porcine model of myocardial infarction. [Transplantation] Abstract Researchers hypothesized that bone marrow-derived cells in the brain attenuate the overactive brain renin-angiotensin system and inflammation, thereby reducing neurogenic hypertension. [Hypertens Res] Abstract Scientists engineered a synthetic hydrogel-based matrix with optimal mechanical, cell-adhesive, and protease-degradable properties that promoted muscle satellite cell (MuSC) survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Delivery of MuSCs in the engineered matrix significantly improved in vivo cell survival, proliferation, and engraftment in nonirradiated and immunocompetent muscles of aged and dystrophic mice compared to collagen gels and cell-only controls. [Sci Adv] Full Article | Press Release Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Mesenchymal Cell News & ESC & iPSC News. | |
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REVIEWSStem Cell Therapy in Heart Diseases – Cell Types, Mechanisms and Improvement Strategies In order to optimize stem cell efficiency, it is crucial to elucidate the underlying mechanisms mediating the beneficial effects of stem cell transplantation. Based on these mechanisms, researchers have developed different improvement strategies to boost the potency of stem cell repair and to generate the “next generation” of stem cell therapeutics. [Cell Physiol Biochem] Full Article Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cell therapy research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSRXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced that it has entered into a research collaboration with the Karolinska Institutet. This collaboration will explore RXi’s self-delivering RNAi (sd-rxRNA®) compounds against targets involved in T cell and NK cell differentiation and/or in the immune cell tumor-induced stress response with the aim of producing anti-tumor adoptive cell therapy grafts with improved functionality and persistence. [RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation] Press Release Lion TCR Pte. Ltd. received approval from Health Sciences Authority, Singapore, for its Phase I/II multicentre clinical study of its product candidate for treatment of relapsed liver cancer post-liver transplantation. [Lion TCR Pte. Ltd.] Press Release IVITA Biomedical Announces Initiation of First Clinical Site for ROOT OF CANCER Glioblastoma Trial AIVITA Biomedical announced the initiation of its first clinical site for the company’s ROOT OF CANCER Phase II trial in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. Patients will receive autologous dendritic cells loaded with autologous tumor antigens derived from self-renewing tumor cells as an adjunctive therapy following primary surgery plus concurrent chemoradiation. [AIVITA Biomedical] Press Release MeiraGTx Holdings Plc announced that the FDA has granted Fast Track designation for its AAV-CNGB3 gene therapy product candidate for the treatment of achromatopsia caused by mutations in the CNGB3 gene. [MeiraGTx Holdings Plc] Press Release Sirnaomics, Inc. announced that the FDA has approved the company’s first oncology IND application. The IND approval will allow for the study of the company’s lead product candidate, STP705, in patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma [Sirnaomics, Inc.] Press Release Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc announced a favorable review of safety data from the second dose cohort of patients who received one billion transduced SPEAR T-cells targeting MAGE-A4 in the ongoing basket study in nine solid tumor indications. [Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc] Press Release Astellas Pharma Inc. and Quethera Limited announced that Astellas has acquired Quethera that is focused on developing novel treatments for ocular disorders, such as glaucoma. [Astellas Pharma Inc.] Press Release AgeX Therapeutics, Inc. announced that it has acquired certain patents and patent applications from Escape Therapeutics relating primarily to the use of the HLA-G gene to suppress rejection of transplanted cells and tissues. [AgeX Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSThe NIH Loosens Grip on Gene Therapy Trials The directors of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the US FDA propose limiting the role of the NIH in assessing proposals for gene therapy experiments, the two explain in a commentary in the New England Journal of Medicine. [The Scientist] Editorial Europe’s First Allogeneic Stem Cell Therapy Rejected by NICE Cost regulators for the NHS in England and Wales have not approved funding for TiGenix and Takeda’s Alofisel – the first allogeneic stem cell therapy to be approved for use across the European Union – for use in Crohn’s patients. [PharmaTimes] Editorial Salk Institute Asks Judge to Narrow Scope of Gender-Discrimination Suit Lawyers representing the Salk Institute for Biological Studies went to court, asking a judge to narrow the scope of a gender-discrimination lawsuit filed by molecular biologist Beverly Emerson. [Nature News] Editorial What Pakistan’s New Government Means for Science Pakistan is reeling from a political earthquake — and researchers are both nervous and excited. The incoming administration promises to use science to alleviate poverty, but it is facing an imminent economic crisis. [Nature News] Editorial
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REGULATORYNIHNational Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Science Policy (OSP) Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Research: Proposed Changes to the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines) (FR Doc. No:2018-17760) Notice
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EVENTSNEW World Muscle Society (WMS) Congress 2018 Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Immuno-Oncology (CELLECTIS Inc.) Molecular Biologist (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.) Postdoctoral Position – Gene Therapy (Genethon) Research Assistant or Associate – Cell Therapy (California Institute for Biomedical Research) Research Associate – Neuroimmunology (Thomas Jefferson University) Research Assistant or Associate – Cell Therapy (California Institute for Biomedical Research) PhD Student – Cellular Immunotherapy (Glycostem Therapeutics) Scientist/Senior Scientist – Lentivirus Production (Obsidian Therapeutics) Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunology, Immunotherapy, Gene Therapy (City of Hope) 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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