Cord Blood News Volume 4.31 | Aug 9 2012

Death-Associated Protein Kinase 3 Mediates Vascular Inflammation and Development of Hypertension in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
In human umbilical vein endothelial cells, expressions of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, endothelial selectin, and cyclooxygenase 2, as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) production induced by tumor necrosis factor-α, were inhibited by death-associated protein kinase (DAPK) inhibitor. Researchers demonstrated in cultured smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells that DAPK3 mediates tumor necrosis factor-induced inflammatory responses via ROS-dependent mechanisms. [Hypertension] Abstract

Human Adipose Derived Stem Cells Enhance the Angiogenic Potential of Endothelial Progenitor Cells but Not of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
Data suggest that cellular communication occurs between adipose derived stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) triggered by cell-cell contact or at least close proximity which is partially mediated by secreted VEGF leading to the enhancement of angiogenic properties in EPCs but not in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Umbilical Artery Chemokine CCL16 Is Associated with Preterm Preeclampsia and Fetal Growth Restriction
Researchers investigated cord blood and placental immunoproteins in order to find new clues on pathogenetic factors of preterm preeclampsia. [Cytokine] Abstract

Omentin Inhibits TNF-α-Induced Expression of Adhesion Molecules in Endothelial Cells via ERK/Nuclear Factor-κB Pathway
Scientists investigated whether omentin affected the expression of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Gene Therapy of Gastric Cancer Using LIGHT-Secreting Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Researchers investigated the use of umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells as carriers for a constant source of transgenic LIGHT to target tumor cells in vivo. [Gastric Cancer] Abstract

Prospective Cohort Study About the Lymphocyte Subpopulations’ Change and Impact on the Pregnancy Outcome in Fetal Growth Restriction
The percentage of B lmyphocyte in third trimester and CD4/CD8 ratio, kill cell activity in umbilical cord blood are associated with an increased risk of prematurity and SGA birth, but contrary result was found with the percentage and number of B lmyphocyte in cord blood. [J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med] Abstract

Lead Acetate Reduces the Ability of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Support Hematopoiesis In Vitro
Researchers found that lead acetate has a toxic effect on the self-renewal, multipotent differentiation potential and hematopoiesis-promoting function of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. [Mol Med Rep] Abstract

Novel, High-Yield Red Blood Cell Production Methods from CD34-Positive Cells Derived from Human Embryonic Stem, Yolk Sac, Fetal Liver, Cord Blood, and Peripheral Blood
The yield of cultured red blood cells can theoretically be maximized by amplifying the stem, progenitor, or precursor compartment. Researchers combined methods designed to expand these three compartments to optimize the yield of cultured red blood cells and found that exposing CD34⁺ cells to a short pulse of cytokines favorable for erythroid differentiation prior to stem cell expansion followed by progenitor expansion produced the highest yield of erythroid cells. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

Stem-Cell Pioneer Banks on Future Therapies
Stem-cell pioneer Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University in Japan plans to jump-start the field by building up a bank of stem cells for therapeutic use. A long-held dream of Yamanaka’s, the induced pluripotent stem (iPS) Cell Stock project received a boost, when a Japanese health-ministry committee decided to allow the creation of cell lines from the thousands of samples of fetal umbilical-cord blood held around the country. [NatureNews] Press Release

Wellcome Trust and MRC Invest in World-Class Stem Cell Institute at Cambridge
Two of the UK’s largest funders of medical research are to invest £8 million in a new world-leading center for stem cell biology and medicine at the University of Cambridge. The Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council (MRC) Cambridge Stem Cell Institute will advance our understanding of stem cells and their potential to treat a range of life-threatening conditions that currently have no effective cures. [University of Cambridge] Press Release

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

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Scientist – Mesenchymal Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Media Development (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Research and Development (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientific Communications & Publishing Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Quality Control Operations Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Stem Cell Therapy Scientist (Paramount Recruitment)

Clinical Lab Scientist – Cord Blood (Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Molecular Biology (Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Research (Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, University of Connecticut)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Hematopoiesis (Mount Sinai School of Medicine)


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