Cord Blood News Volume 2.36 | Sep 23 2010

Efficient Nonadhesive Ex Vivo Expansion of Early Endothelial Progenitor Cells Derived from CD34+ Human Cord Blood Fraction for Effective Therapeutic Vascularization
In this study, instead of the typical adherent culture method, researchers investigated a more efficient, clinically applicable nonadhesive expansion method for early endothelial progenitor cells using cord blood-derived cells to overcome rapid cellular senescence. [FASEB J]

Mice Engrafted with Human Immune Cells May Provide Clues to Better Prevention and Treatment of Typhoid Fever
Better treatments and prevention for typhoid fever may emerge from a laboratory model that has just been developed for the disease. The model is based on transplanting human immune stem cells from umbilical cord blood into mice that are susceptible to infections. [Press release from the University of Washington discussing online prepublication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA]

High-Definition Mapping of Retroviral Integration Sites Identifies Active Regulatory Elements in Human Multipotent Hematopoietic Progenitors
High-definition MLV integration maps provide a rational basis for predicting genotoxic risks in gene therapy, and a new tool for genome-wide identification of promoters and regulatory elements controlling hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell functions. [Blood]

Humanized Nonobese Diabetic-scid IL2r(gamma)^null Mice Are Susceptible to Lethal Salmonella Typhi Infection
Researchers show that S. Typhi can replicate in vivo in nonobese diabetic-scid IL2r(gamma)^null mice engrafted with human hematopoietic stem cells to cause a lethal infection with pathological and inflammatory cytokine responses resembling human typhoid. [Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A]

Human Umbilical Cord Blood Cells Form Epidermis in the Skin Equivalent Model
Results determined that after one month of culturing in serum containing medium, human umbilical cord blood cells produced morphologically homogeneous colonies of epithelial cells expressing keratinocyte-specific markers. [Exp Dermatol]

Adult Dual Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation Using Myeloablative Total Body Irradiation (1350cGy) and Fludarabine Conditioning
The study supports the use of total body irradiation 1350cGy/fludarabine as an alternative to conventional myeloablative conditioning for dual umbilical cord blood transplantation. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant]

Feasibility of Reduced-Intensity Cord Blood Transplantation as Salvage Therapy for Graft Failure: Results of a Nationwide Survey of 80 Adult Patients
In an older population of patients, the data support the feasibility of cord blood transplantation with a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen for graft failure. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant]

Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Outcomes for Children with B-Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Early or Late BM Relapse
Results suggest that allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation should be pursued in children after a first marrow relapse, rather than waiting for subsequent recurrence. [Bone Marrow Transplant]

Platelet Growth Factors Suppress Ex Vivo Expansion and Enhance Differentiation of Umbilical Cord Blood CD133+ Stem Cells to Megakaryocyte Progenitor Cells
Taken together, platelet growth factors in the presence of cytokine cocktail suppress ex vivo expansion of umbilical cord blood CD133+ cells and enhance their differentiation into megakaryocytic progenitor cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. [Growth Factors]

A Suggested Total Size for the Cord Blood Banks of Japan
At its foundation, the 5-year aim of the Japanese Cord Blood Bank Network was to preserve 20,000 cord blood (CB) units, with the assumption that 90% of the Japanese population would be able to find a CB unit with 6/6 or 5/6 Ag-level HLA matches. [Bone Marrow Transplant]

Cord Blood America Closes South American Acquisition
Cord Blood America, Inc. announced that it has purchased controlling interest, 50.1 percent, of Biocordcell Argentina S.A. (BioCells, Inc.). [Cord Blood America, Inc. Press Release]

NeoStem and Progenitor Cell Therapy Announce Entry Into Merger Agreement
NeoStem, Inc. and Progenitor Cell Therapy, LLC jointly announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement whereby NeoStem will acquire Progenitor Cell Therapy. [NeoStem, Inc. Press Release]

CDL Laboratories Partners with Insception Biosciences
CDL Laboratories announced their partnership with Insception Cord Blood Program. [Canada NewsWire]

China Cord Blood Corporation Announces Framework Agreement Regarding Fourth License – Zhejiang Province
China Cord Blood Corporation announced that it has entered into a framework agreement to form an indirect non-wholly owned subsidiary with the Zhejiang Provincial Blood Center. [China Cord Blood Corporation Press Release]

Boehringer Ingelheim and Eurofins Medigenomix GmbH Cooperate in the Areas of DNA Banking and Pharmacogenetics/Pharmacogenomics
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG and Eurofins Medigenomix GmbH concluded a long-term service agreement in the area of DNA banking, as well as a master service agreement for pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic services. [Eurofins Medigenomix GmbH Press Release]

Masonic Cancer Center Receives $26 Million to Lead National Blood and Bone Marrow Cancer Research
Two of the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center’s leading physician-scientists on research and treatment of cancers of the blood and bone marrow–Philip McGlave, M.D., and Jeffrey Miller, M.D., have received renewed five-year program project research grants totaling almost $26 million from the National Cancer Institute. [University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center Press Release]

Scientists Seek Donations on Innovative Micro-Philanthropy Site
A creative new web site connects funding proposals by scientists with contributors who want to support the work out of the goodness of their hearts. [ScienceInsider]

Athersys Receives Orphan Drug Designation for MultiStem in Graft versus Host Disease
Athersys, Inc. announced that MultiStem®, Athersys’ multipotent adult progenitor stem cell therapy, has been granted orphan drug designation by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of graft versus host disease. [Athersys, Inc. Press Release]

University of South Florida Stem Cell Scientists Call for Research Ethics Consortium
Two University of South Florida stem cell researchers propose creating an independent national “Stem Cell Research Ethics Consortium” to provide better guidance on stem cell issues for regulatory agencies, law makers and policy makers. [University of South Florida Press Release]

Schwarzenegger Mulls Action on Cord Blood Legislation
The California Legislature sent a bill (AB 52) to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) that would set up a system to let parents donate umbilical cord blood at no cost. Collection of the cord blood largely would be funded by a $2 increase for certified birth certificates. [California Legislature, United States]

Government Asks Appeals Court to Keep Stem Cell Research Going
Government lawyers sallied forth on another legal maneuver in an effort to defend U.S.-funded research on stem cells: they asked an appeals court to grant a longer stay to allow research on human embryonic stem cells to continue while the court considers a lower court’s ruling that it is illegal. [Department of Justice, United States]

Oral Hearing Scheduled in Stem Cell Injunction Appeal
In an unexpected move, the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit scheduled a 30-minute oral hearing on 24 September to hear arguments on whether Chief Judge Royce Lamberth’s injunction that blocked National Institutes of Health funding for work with the cells should be lifted while the case is being litigated. [Court of Appeals, United States]

NIH Releases Biennial Report of the Director
Dr. Francis S. Collins, M.D., PhD, director of the National Institutes of Health, announced the release of the Biennial Report of the Director, NIH, for fiscal years 2008 and 2009. The report provides an integrated portrait of NIH research activities, making it easy for Congress, advocates and patient groups and the general public to understand the many activities of the agency. [National Institutes of Health, United States]

FDA Calls for Hearing on Biosimilars Legislation
The Food and Drug Administration will hold a two-day public hearing as it prepares to put into place regulations for the approval of generic versions of biological products, according to a draft document circulating among healthcare lobbyists. [Food and Drug Administration, United States]

FDA to Review Medical Products Alongside Medicare
A new process to review medical products at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in tandem with the nation’s Medicare insurance program could help speed up coverage decisions. [Food and Drug Administration, United States]

European Medicines Agency and U.S. Food and Drug Administration Extend Confidentiality Arrangements Indefinitely
The European Medicines Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have extended their confidentiality arrangements related to medicinal products for human and veterinary use, following the positive experience gained since the initial arrangements were signed in September 2003. [European Medicines Agency, European Union]

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-23856) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
 
National Center for Research Resources; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-23852) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-23867) [National Institutes of Health, United States]

Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meeting (FR Doc. 2010-23849) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
 
Center for Scientific Review; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-23860) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
 
National Cancer Institute; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-23543) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
 
National Cancer Institute; Notice of Closed Meetings (FR Doc. 2010-23545) [National Institutes of Health, United States]
 
Guidance on Withdrawal of Subjects From Research: Data Retention and Other Related Issues (FR Doc. 2010-23517) [Department of Health and Human Services, United States]

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