Cord Blood News Volume 5.07 | Feb 21 2013

Late Outgrowth Endothelial Cells Resemble Mature Endothelial Cells and Are Not Derived from Bone Marrow
Researchers aimed to identify the source and precursor of endothelial outgrowth cells (EOC) and to assess their regenerative potential compared to mature endothelial cells. EOC are readily isolated from umbilical cord blood (6/6 donors) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (4/6 donors) but not from bone marrow (0/6) or peripheral blood following mobilization with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (0/6 donors). [Stem Cells] Abstract

Human Neonatal Naive CD4⁺ T Cells Have Enhanced Activation-Dependent Signaling Regulated by the MicroRNA miR-181a
Scientists investigated the hypothesis that impaired human neonatal CD4⁺ T cell immunity was due to reduced signaling by naive CD4⁺ T cells following engagement of the αβ-TCR/CD3 complex and CD28. Surprisingly, calcium flux following engagement of CD3 was significantly higher in neonatal naive CD4⁺ T cells from umbilical cord blood compared with naive CD4⁺ T cells from adult peripheral blood. [J Immunol] Abstract

The Effects of Hedgehog on the RNA-Binding Protein Msi1 in the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Investigators evaluated the direct effects of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling on the proliferation and apoptosis of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells as well as investigated potential downstream regulatory mechanisms that may be responsible for Hh signaling. [PLoS One] Full Article

MicroRNAs miR-26a, miR-26b, and miR-29b Accelerate Osteogenic Differentiation of Unrestricted Somatic Stem Cells from Human Cord Blood
Unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSC) are a rare population in human cord blood that can be induced into cells representative of all three germinal layers. Researchers analyzed the functional impact of miRNAs on the osteogenic differentiation in USSC. [BMC Genomics] Abstract | Full Article

A Novel Reduced Intensity Conditioning Regimen Induces a High Incidence of Sustained Donor-Derived Neutrophil and Platelet Engraftment after Double-Unit Cord Blood Transplantation
A preparative regimen of reduced intensity that can reliably engraft cord blood (CB) and be used as an alternative to either high-dose myeloablative or non-myeloablative conditioning is needed. Researchers evaluated double-unit CB transplantation in 30 patients with acute leukemia or myelodysplasia using a regimen of cyclophosphamide 50 mg/kg, fludarabine 150 mg/m², thiotepa 10 mg/kg, and 400 cGy total body irradiation with cyclosporine-A/ mycophenolate mofetil immunosuppression. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Double-Unit Cord Blood Transplantation after Myeloablative Conditioning for Patients with Hematological Malignancies: A Multicenter Phase II Study in Japan
Scientists analyzed the outcome of 61 patients with hematological malignancies who were receiving double-unit cord blood transplantation after myeloablative conditioning performed as a prospective multi-center Phase II study. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Impact of ABO-Mismatch on Risk of GvHD after Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation
Investigators analyzed the impact of ABO-mismatch on acute GvHD and chronic GvHD in recipients of single and double umbilical cord blood-hematopoietic cell transplants. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Supported Umbilical Cord Blood Ex Vivo Expansion Enhances Regulatory T Cells and Reduces Graft versus Host Disease
Researchers explored the effect of ex vivo expansion of a single cord blood unit in a double cord blood transplantation setting on graft versus host disease and engraftment. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Pleiotrophin Is Involved in the Amniotic Epithelial Cell-Induced Differentiation of Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Dopaminergic Neuron-Like Cells
Scientists investigated whether pleiotrophin is released by amniotic epithelial cells and whether it is involved in the differentiation of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells into dopaminergic neuron-like cells. [Neurosci Lett] Abstract

An Improved Protocol for Ex Vivo Expansion of Highly Lytic NK Cells from Human Umbilical Cord Blood CD34⁺ Cells
The authors describe an improved protocol based on multiple cytokines (SCF, Flt3-L, IL-15 and IGF-1) culture for obtaining a high number of lytic NK cells from human umbilical cord blood CD34⁺ cells. [Protoc Exchange] Full Article

Osiris Therapeutics Receives Title of European Orphan Drug Designation for Prochymal^®
Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the European Medicines Agency has designated Osiris as the Orphan Drug title holder for Prochymal^® (remestemcel-L). The EU Commission adopted the decision to transfer the designation of Prochymal (ex vivo cultured adult human mesenchymal stem cells) as an orphan medicinal product under Regulation (EC) No 141/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council. [Osiris Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Osiris Therapeutics Successfully Defends Key Stem Cell Patent Challenge
Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. announced the successful conclusion of a patent challenge in Australia by an opponent whose identity under Australian law was not disclosed. The patent at issue covers the administration of mesenchymal stem cells, including Prochymal^® (remestemcel-L), for the treatment of inflammatory conditions involving the gastrointestinal tract. [Osiris Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

USC Launches Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research Initiative
A new University of Southern California (USC) initiative has been introduced to support collaborative research in regenerative medicine and stem cell biology across the university, facilitating the critical move from basic research into clinical applications. [University of Southern California] 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)

NEW 3^rd Stem Cells for Drug Developers
March 19-21, 2013
Boston, United States

NEW SMi’s Cell Culture 2013
July 3-4, 2013
London, United Kingdom

View our events page to see a complete list of events in the cord blood community.

Postdoctoral Fellow (Mount Sinai Medical Center)

Early Stage Researcher PhD Posts – DECIDE ITN (The University of Birmingham)

Postdoctoral Position – Gene Regulation in the Hematopoietic and Immune Systems (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology (Washington University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow (University of Michigan)

Postdoctoral Position – Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Stem Cell Aging (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation)

Postdoctoral Researcher – NK/T Cells (The Ohio State University – Comprehensive Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Research (University of Washington)


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