Cord Blood News Volume 10.05 | Feb 8 2018

TOP STORY

Immunomodulation by Therapeutic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSC) Is Triggered through Phagocytosis of MSC By Monocytic Cells

The authors examined immunological mechanisms determining the fate of infused MSC and the immunomodulatory response associated with it. Tracking viable and dead human umbilical cord MSC (ucMSC) in mice using Qtracker beads and Hoechst33342 revealed that viable ucMSC were present in the lungs immediately after infusion. [Stem Cells] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Safety and Observations from a Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study to Assess Use of Autologous Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells to Improve Symptoms in Children with Autism

Scientists assessed the safety and clinical effects of autologous umbilical cord blood infusion in children with idiopathic autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Twenty-nine children two to six years of age with a confirmed diagnosis of ASD participated in this randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Full Article | Press Release

Ex Vivo Expansion of CD34⁺CD90⁺CD49f⁺ Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells from Non-Enriched Umbilical Cord Blood with Azole Compounds

Researchers performed ex vivo expansion of umbilical cord blood (UCB) hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from non-enriched mononucleated cells (MNC) using novel azole-based small molecules. Freshly-thawed UCB–MNC were cultured in expansion medium supplemented with small molecules and basal cytokine cocktail. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Full Article

Neuroprotection of the Hypoxic-Ischemic Mouse Brain by Human CD117⁺CD90⁺CD105⁺ Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells

The authors showed that spindle-shaped human amniotic fluid stem cells (SS-hAFSCs) and round-shaped hAFSCs differ in their neuro-protective ability, demonstrating that a single contralateral injection of SS-hAFSCs into hypoxic-ischemic P7 mice conferred a 47% reduction in hippocampal tissue loss and 43-45% reduction in TUNEL-positive cells in the hippocampus and striatum 48 hours after the insult, decreased microglial activation and TGFβ1 levels, and prevented demyelination. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Improvement in Bladder Dysfunction after Bladder Transplantation of Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells in Diabetic Rats

Investigators showed that bladder dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats could be improved by human amniotic fluid stem cells transplantation into bladder, which may be related to the recovery of bladder nerve growth factor and muscarinic receptors. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Analysis of the Spanish CCR5-∆32 Inventory of Cord Blood Units: Lower Cell Counts in Homozygous Donors

To achieve an inventory of CCR5-∆32 cord blood units, the 20,236 best cell quality units of the Spanish Registry were genotyped. Furthermore, their CD34⁺ and total nucleated cells counts, blood type, gender, HLA and donor’s geographical and ancestral origin were analyzed. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Human Umbilical Cord Perivascular Cells and Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Transplanted Intramuscularly Respond to a Distant Source of Inflammation

Investigators studied the therapeutic effects of intramuscular delivered MSCs to treat a distant inflammation, and compared the efficacy of neonatal (umbilical cord) and adult bone marrow MSCs. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Upregulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells Enhances Their Potential to Attenuate Lung Injury in a Preterm Rabbit Model of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Scientists evaluated the potential of human amniotic fluid (hAF)-SC and hAF-SC with upregulated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor as cell-therapeutic agents for bronchopulmonary dysplasia. [Neonatology] Abstract

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant in Adults with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: the Present State

The authors cover various aspects of hematopoietic stem cell transplant in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients, including indications, donor selection, conditioning regimens, and post-transplant management. [Expert Rev Hematol] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cord blood research field.

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Joins National Consortium to Study Use of Stem Cells in Treating a Rare Cardiac Defect

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is announcing participation in the first-ever clinical trial using stem cells from umbilical cord blood to delay or even prevent heart failure in children born with a rare congenital heart defect that leaves them with half a heart. [Children’s Hospital Los Angeles] Press Release

Nanjing Ying Peng Becomes Major Shareholder of China Cord Blood Corporation

China Cord Blood Corporation announced that Nanjing Ying Peng Hui Kang Medical Industry Investment Partnership, via its subsidiary, has become a major shareholder of the company. [China Cord Blood Corporation] Press Release

Trovagene Announces Completion of Cycle-One Dosing in First Patient Enrolled in its Phase Ib/II Clinical Trial of PCM-075 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Trovagene, Inc. announced that the first patient has completed the first cycle of dosing with PCM-075 in combination with low-dose cytarabine in its Phase Ib/II multicenter trial of patients with AML. [Trovagene, Inc.] Press Release

US Science Agency Will Require Universities to Report Sexual Harassment

Any institution receiving grant monies from the US National Science Foundation must now inform the agency if it finds that anyone funded by the grant proposal has committed sexual harassment. [Nature News] Editorial

Breakthrough in Budget Negotiations Could Raise Spending for Science

Top lawmakers in Congress announced a budget agreement that could produce substantial spending increases for research at key U.S. science agencies—and avoid a partial government shutdown. But the deal must still clear a few hurdles before it is finalized. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Restore Justice in Turkey

Peace is a dangerous cause to fight for in Turkey right now. In the latest blow to academics, eleven members of the Turkish Medical Association, including its president, Raşit Tükel, were arrested in early-morning raids. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Conference 2018
October 23-24, 2018
New York, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellowship – Leukemia (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Fellow Positions – Hematopoietic Stem Cell Biology (Nationwide Childrens Hospital and Ohio State University)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Hematopoiesis (University of North Dakota)

Postdoctoral Scholar – Leukemia (University of Southern California)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Fanconi Anemia (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center)

Scientific Manager – Cell Engineering Lab (Genentech, Inc.)

Research Fellow – Pediatric Cancer and Zebrafish Models (Massachusetts General Hospital)

Postdoctoral Scientists and Research Technologists – Hematopoiesis and Leukemogenesis (City of Hope)

Postdoctoral Associate – Experimental Hematology & Cancer Biology (University of Florida Health Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematopoietic Stem Cell Biology (University of Colorado, Anschutz)

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