Cell Therapy News Volume 20.37 | Nov 4 2019

TOP STORY

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Healing of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug-Related Peptic Ulcer through Paracrine Actions in Pigs

Using a porcine model of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-related gastric ulcer, investigators showed that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells delivered by endoscopic submucosal injection promoted ulcer healing with less inflammatory infiltration and enhanced re-epithelization and neovascularization at day 7 and day 21 when compared with the controls. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Urocortin 2 Gene Transfer Improves Heart Function in Aged Mice

Researchers tested the hypotheses that urocortin 2 (Ucn2) gene transfer would increase left ventricular (LV) function in aged mice and that Ucn2 gene transfer given in early life would prevent age-related LV dysfunction. [Mol Ther] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Development of an AAV-Based MicroRNA Gene Therapy to Treat Machado-Joseph Disease

The authors demonstrated in a large animal model, the minipig, that intrathecal delivery of AAV5 could transduce the main areas affected in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 patients. [Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev] Abstract

Rat Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Sheets Suppress Renal Fibrosis via Microvascular Protection

Mesenchymal stromal cell sheets were transplanted onto the kidney surface of a rat renal ischemia-reperfusion‐injury model and the effects were compared between those in untreated rats and those receiving intravenous administration of the cells. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Full Article

Focal and Dose-Dependent Neuroprotection in ALS Mice following AAV2-Neurturin Delivery

Scientists conducted a study of adeno-associated virus serotype-2-neurturin (AAV2-NRTN) to assess the preclinical safety, tolerability, biodistribution, and efficacy of this compound in an ALS mouse model. SOD1G93A mice were injected with AAV2-NRTN intraspinally at several doses into the cervical spinal cord at 60 days of age. [Exp Neurol] Abstract

Transplantation of Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Podocytes in a Mouse Model of Membranous Nephropathy Attenuates Proteinuria

Researchers showed that transplantation of functional induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived podocytes following podocyte depletion resulted in recruitment of iPSC-derived podocytes within the damaged glomerulus, and led to attenuation of proteinuria and histological alterations. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Effect of Heart Ischemia and Administration Route on Biodistribution and Transduction Efficiency of AAV9 Vectors

In order to achieve optimal therapeutic delivery in heart disease, the authors explored AAV9 transduction efficiency in an infarcted heart using different routes of administration and promoters, including a cardiac‐specific one. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Treatment with Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves Renovascular Hypertension and Preserves the Ability of the Contralateral Kidney to Excrete Sodium

Scientists investigated the tubular function of both stenotic and contralateral kidneys and the effect of mesenchymal stem cell treatment by evaluating diuresis, natriuresis, and the expression of the main water and sodium transporters. [Kidney Blood Press Res] Full Article

Peripheral Delivery of Neural Precursor Cells Ameliorates Parkinson’s Disease-Associated Pathology

Researchers used an MPTP-injected mouse model of Parkinson’s disease and intravenously administered neural precursors obtained from mouse embryonic and mesenchymal stem cells. [Cells] Abstract | Download Full Article

Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Mesenchymal Cell News & ESC & iPSC News.

Mechanisms Underlying Cell Therapy in Liver Fibrosis: An Overview

The authors discuss the most recent advances and point out the corners and some controversies over several protocols and models that have shown promising results as potential candidates for cell therapy for liver fibrosis, presenting the respective mechanisms proposed for liver regeneration in each case. [Cells] Full Article

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

Ziopharm Oncology and MD Anderson Cancer Center Announce New R&D Agreement to Expand TCR-T Program

Ziopharm Oncology, Inc. and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center announced a new research and development agreement relating to Ziopharm’s Sleeping Beauty immunotherapy program to use non-viral gene transfer to stably express and clinically evaluate neoantigen-specific T-cell receptors in T cells. [Ziopharm Oncology, Inc.] Press Release

Tmunity and Oncora Medical Partner to Advance the Use of Real-World Data to Accelerate the Availability of CAR-T Therapies for Cancer Patients

Tmunity Therapeutics, Inc. announced it has entered into a strategic collaboration with Oncora Medical to access Oncora’s proprietary real-world data platform to support the design of future clinical programs with cell therapy. [Tmunity Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

NurOwn^® Data Safety Monitoring Board Recommends ALS Phase III Clinical Trial Continue

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the Phase III clinical trial independent Data Safety Monitoring Board has completed the second, pre-specified interim analysis, of safety outcomes for the first 106 patients who received repeat dosing of NurOwn® in the Phase III trial for ALS patients. [BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

PharmaCyte Biotech Closer to Submitting IND by Successfully Completing Encapsulation of Second Manufacturing Run of Clinical Trial Product

PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc., Cell-in-a-Box^®, is closer to submitting an Investigational New Drug application (IND) to the FDA. [PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc.] Press Release

Flexion Therapeutics Announces FDA Clearance of the Investigational New Drug Application for FX201, a Gene Therapy Candidate for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Flexion Therapeutics, Inc. announced clearance of the company’s Investigational New Drug application for FX201 in knee osteoarthritis, a painful, chronic and progressive disease that affects more than 15 million adults living in the United States. [Flexion Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Trainees Often Ghostwrite PIs’ Peer Reviews: Survey

Many graduate students and postdocs write or help compose peer reviews their advisors are invited to provide, according to a survey of nearly 500 early-career researchers published on October 31^st in eLife. And often they do so without disclosing that fact to the journal- a practice that the survey authors consider to be ghostwriting. [The Scientist] Editorial

Trump Nominates MD Anderson’s Stephen Hahn to Lead FDA

President Trump announced his intent to nominate Dr Stephen Hahn to lead the Food and Drug Administration. Dr Stephen Hahn is the chief medical executive at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. While he is an accomplished physician and researcher, he has never worked in government, leaving his potential FDA agenda a mystery. [STAT News] Editorial

NIH

Prospective Grant of an Exclusive Patent License for: Autologous Cell Graft of Manufactured Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cell(s) on a Biodegradable Support Scaffold Transplanted Sub-Retinally for Intra-Ocular Ophthalmic Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Humans (FR Doc. No:2019-23995) Notice

NEW Cell Therapy Analytical Development Summit
December 10-12, 2019
Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.

NEW Research Fellow/Research Associate – Cell & Gene Therapy (King’s College London)

Research Specialist – Stem Cell Research (University of Illinois)

Tenure-Track Faculty Position – Cancer Biology and Therapeutics (Geisel School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Research (BC Cancer)

Research Assistant – Cancer Research (BC Cancer)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Research (Baylor College of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Molecular Genetic Basis of Behavioral Variation (University of California, San Francisco)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Therapy (Purdue University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Single Cell Genomics (BC Cancer)

Tenure Track Faculty Position – Cancer Biology & Therapeutics (Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Cell Therapy News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.