Cell Therapy News Volume 20.01 | Jan 14 2019

TOP STORY

Biomimetic 3D-Printed Scaffolds for Spinal Cord Injury Repair

Scientists tested the ability of microscale continuous projection printing method 3D-printed scaffolds loaded with neural progenitor cells to support axon regeneration and form new ‘neural relays’ across sites of complete spinal cord injury in vivo in rodents. [Nat Med] Abstract | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Neural Stem Cells Transfected with Reactive Oxygen Species-Responsive Polyplexes for Effective Treatment of Ischemic Stroke

The polymeric vector reactive oxygen species‐responsive charge‐reversal poly[(2‐acryloyl)ethyl(p‐boronic acid benzyl)diethylammonium bromide] mediated efficient gene transfection of neural stem cells and greatly enhanced their therapeutics in ischemic stroke treatment. [Adv Mater] Abstract

HER2 CAR-T Cells Eradicate Uveal Melanoma and T Cell Therapy-Resistant Human Melanoma in Interleukin-2 (IL-2) Transgenic NOD/SCID IL-2 Receptor Knockout Mice

Researchers demonstrated that chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells directed against HER2 could kill uveal and cutaneous melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo. [Cancer Res] Abstract

A Rare Population of Tumor Antigen-Specific CD4⁺CD8⁺ Double-Positive αβ T Lymphocytes Uniquely Provide CD8-Independent TCR Genes for Engineering Therapeutic T Cells

In vivo therapeutic efficacy was investigated in a xenograft model using NOD/SCID/IL-2Rγ-deficient (NSG) mice. Both 19305DP-TCR gene-engineered CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells eliminated A*02⁺NY-ESO-1⁺ tumor xenografts in NSG mice. [J Immunother Cancer] Full Article

Liver Macrophage Depletion Ameliorates the Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation in a Murine Model of Injured Liver

Superparamagnetic iron oxide-labeled human mesenchymal stem cells were injected intravenously into mice treated with carbon tetrachloride and subjected to hepatic macrophage-depletion. Liver tissues were collected at different intervals post transplantation for subsequent histopathological, morphometric, immunohistochemical, gene expression and ultrastructural studies. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Human Unrestricted Somatic Stem Cells Ameliorate Sepsis‐Related Acute Lung Injury in Mice

The authors investigated the therapeutic potential of human unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSCs) isolated from human umbilical cord blood in the mouse model of acute lung injury (ALI). USSCs significantly enhanced the survival rate of mice suffering from ALI and suppressed concentrations of proinflammatory mediators TNF‐α, and interleukin (IL)‐6, and the level of anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

Transplacental Delivery of Genome Editing Components Causes Mutations in Embryonic Cardiomyocytes of Mid‐Gestational Murine Fetuses

To examine a possible genome editing of fetal cells in vivo, scientists intravenously administered a solution containing plasmid DNA-FuGENE complex to pregnant wild‐type female mice [which had been successfully mated with enhanced green fluorescent protein‐expressing male transgenic mice] on day 12.5 of gestation. [IUBMB Life] Abstract

Autologous CD19-Directed Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T Cell Is an Effective and Safe Treatment to Refractory or Relapsed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Researchers conducted a clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells. Five patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL were treated with autologous T cells expressing the 19-41BBz CAR specifically targeting the CD19 antigen. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract

Schwannoma Gene Therapy by Adeno-Associated Virus Delivery of the Pore-Forming Protein Gasdermin-D

Investigators demonstrated that adeno-associated serotype 1 virus-P0-N-terminal of the pyroptotic gene Gasdermin-D injection into intra-sciatic schwannomas reduced the growth of tumors and resolved tumor-associated pain without causing neurologic damage. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract

Cardiomyocyte Progenitor Cells as a Functional Gene Delivery Vehicle for Long-Term Biological Pacing

Scientists studied whether lentivirally transduced cardiomyocyte progenitor cells that express the pacemaker current I_f could be used as functional gene delivery vehicle in biological pacing. [Molecules] Full Article

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Matrix-Assisted Cell Transplantation for Tissue Vascularization

The authors describe the choice of cells suitable for pro-angiogenic therapies, the properties that should be considered when designing semi synthetic matrices for transplantation and their relative importance. [Adv Drug Deliv Rev] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cell therapy research field.

NYSCF Inks Strategic Partnership with Ngene Therapeutics

The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute announced a partnership with Ngene Therapeutics Inc. to develop new disease treatments that leverage human stem cell research and novel gene editing techniques. [The New York Stem Cell Foundation] Press Release

SIRION Biotech and Denali Therapeutics Join Forces to Develop Gene Therapies for Diseases of the Central Nervous System

SIRION Biotech GmbH announced that it signed a license and collaboration agreement with Denali Therapeutics to develop adeno-associated virus vectors to enable therapeutics to cross the blood-brain barrier for clinical applications in neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS and certain other diseases of the CNS. [SIRION Biotech GmbH] Press Release

Gene Therapy Could Eliminate Drug Side Effect in Parkinson’s Patients

A Michigan State University researcher has received a $2.8 million federal grant to develop a gene therapy that could reduce and possibly eliminate a frustrating side effect of a drug commonly prescribed to Parkinson’s patients. [Michigan State University] Press Release

SpinalCyte, LLC Announces New International Patent

SpinalCyte, LLC announced at the JPMorgan Healthcare Conference the issuance of a new Australian patent. The company’s industry leading intellectual property portfolio in spine treatments for its lead product, CybroCell, now includes 36 U.S. and foreign patents issued with 40 pending. [SpinalCyte, LLC] Press Release

ProKidney Announces $62 Million Acquisition of inRegen

ProKidney announced the acquisition of inRegen and its affiliate, Twin City Bio, LLC. ProKidney has been initially capitalized with $75 million to finance the purchase of inRegen and Twin City Bio and to fund the clinical development of inRegen’s Renal Advanced Cell Therapy. [ProKidney, LLC (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

Cellenkos, Inc. Appoints Elizabeth Read as Chief Technology Officer, Adding Technology and Regulatory Affairs Expertise to Its Executive Team

Cellenkos^® announced the appointment of Elizabeth Read, M.D. as Chief Technology Officer and Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls Advisor overseeing product development, manufacturing and regulatory affairs. [Cellenkos, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

Open-Access Row Prompts Editorial Board of Elsevier Journal to Resign

The editorial board of an influential scientometrics journal — the Journal of Informetrics — has resigned in protest over the open-access policies of its publisher, Elsevier, and launched a competing publication. [Nature News] Editorial

If the Shutdown Drags on at FDA, It Will Put Anticipated New Treatments in Jeopardy

The government shutdown could soon jeopardize highly anticipated new drugs from Janssen, Sanofi and Novartis for depression, diabetes and multiple sclerosis, as well as a host of other potential new therapies, according to a STAT analysis of upcoming regulatory decision dates. [STAT News] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposia: Cancer Immunotherapy: Mechanistic Insights to Improve Clinical Benefit
March 10-14, 2019
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Inherited Retinal Degenerations (Ocular Genomics Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Pluripotent Stem Cells and Rare Diseases (I-STEM)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Genome and Metabolic Engineering (Columbia University Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Gene Therapy (University of Massachusetts)

Research Fellow – Stem Cell Biology (Brigham & Women’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School)

Postdoctoral Position – Technology-Driven Research in Biomedicine (CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences)

Assistant/Associate or Professor – Cancer Immunotherapy/Tumor Immunology (University of California, Irvine)

Faculty Position – Cancer Bioengineering (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)

Postdoctoral Position – Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cells and Bioengineering (Igenomix Foundation)

Postdoctoral Associate – Gene Therapy (University of Massachusetts)

Assistant Project Scientist – Hematology and Oncology (University of California, Davis)

Faculty Positions – Hematology and Oncology (University of California, Davis)

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