Double Unit Grafts Successfully Extend the Application of Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation in Adults with Acute Leukemia The transplantation of two partially HLA-matched umbilical cord blood (UCB) units has been adopted as a simple approach for increasing the total nucleated cells. The authors sought to determine whether the relative safety and efficacy of this approach was comparable to a single UCB transplant. [Blood] Abstract Enhanced Normal Short Term Human Myelopoiesis in Mice Engineered to Express Human-Specific Myeloid Growth Factors Investigators showed that five-fold more human myeloid cells are produced in sublethally irradiated NOD/SCID-IL-2Receptor-γchain-null (NSG) mice engineered to constitutively produce human interleukin-3, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and Steel Factor than in regular NSG mice three weeks after an intravenous injection of CD34+ human cord blood cells. [Blood] Abstract Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Endothelial Cells Progenitor Cells Derived from Cord Blood- and Peripheral Blood for Cell Therapy The authors established endothelial progenitor cells derived from cord blood- and peripheral blood and investigated their fundamental differences at the cellular and molecular levels through a combination of stem cell biology techniques and proteomic analysis. [Biomaterials] Abstract Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Inhibit, but Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Glioblastoma Multiforme Proliferation To examine the anticancer therapeutic application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from different sources, researchers established two different kinds of human MSC: umbilical cord blood-derived MSC and adipose tissue-derived MSC. They used these MSC in a co-culture assay with primary glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells to analyze how MSC from different sources can inhibit GBM growth. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract The Metabolomic Profile of Umbilical Cord Blood in Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Researchers aimed to describe and quantify the metabolomic profile of umbilical cord blood samples in a carefully defined population of full-term infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. [PLoS One] Full Article Transplantation of Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells or Their Conditioned Medium Prevents Bone Loss in Ovariectomized Nude Mice Researchers studied the effects of systemic injection of human umbilical cord blood-mesenchymal stem cells and their conditioned medium on ovariectomy-induced bone loss in nude mice. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract Cryopreservation of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells Amplified Ex Vivo from Cord Blood CD34+ Cells Transplantation of ex vivo expanded cord blood cells is becoming a reality, while the issue of expanded cells’ cryopreservation emerges as an option that allows the conservation of the product for transportation and future use. Here, researchers investigated whether it is possible to maintain the functional hematopoietic stem cell and committed progenitor properties after freezing and thawing of expanded cells. [Transfusion] Abstract Avoiding Room Temperature Storage and Delayed Cryopreservation Provide Better Postthaw Potency in Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Grafts Viable cell counts by flow cytometry and colony-forming unit recoveries were assessed on cord blood, mobilized peripheral blood stem cell, and bone marrow samples over 72 hours using two different storage conditions, refrigerated (4-8°C) or room temperature (19-22°C). To determine the effects of delayed freezing on progenitor recoveries, paired samples were evaluated before and after cryopreservation. [Transfusion] Abstract Influence of the AT2 Receptor on the L-Arginine-Nitric Oxide Pathway and Effects of (-)-Epicatechin on HUVECs from Women with Preeclampsia The production of nitric oxide and arginase activity were investigated in plasma and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) from women with preeclampsia, which were associated with arginase II, eNOS, caveolin, angiotensin 1 and 2 receptor expression (AT1R and AT2R, respectively). [J Hum Hypertens] Abstract Enhanced Survival and Neurite Network Formation of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Neuronal Progenitors in Three-Dimensional Collagen Constructs Researchers explored the survival and differentiation of human cord blood-derived neuronal progenitors in a three-dimensional (3D) collagen construct. In contrast to two-dimensional culture conditions, the cells survived in 3D for an extended period of time of more than two months. [J Mol Neurosci] Abstract | Full Article |