Cord Blood News Volume 5.10 | Mar 14 2013

Rapid and Efficient Reprogramming of Human Fetal and Adult Blood CD34⁺ Cells into Mesenchymal Stem Cells with a Single Factor
Investigators showed that human induced mesenchymal stem cells can be efficiently generated from cord blood- or adult peripheral blood-CD34⁺ cells by direct reprogramming with a single factor, OCT4. [Cell Res] Abstract

Efficient MRI Labeling of Endothelial Progenitor Cells: Design of Thiolated Surface Stabilized Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Researchers aimed to design thiolated surface stabilized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (TSS-SPIONs) for efficient internalization with high MRI sensitivity. Internalization of TSS-SPIONs into human endothelial progenitor cells from umbilical cord blood was more than threefold and 17-fold higher in contrast to unmodified chitosan hydrogel SPIONs and SPIONs, respectively. [Eur J Pharm Biopharm] Abstract

Attenuation of Hind-Limb Ischemia in Mice with Endothelial-Like Cells Derived from Different Sources of Human Stem Cells
The authors differentiated functional endothelial-like cells (EC) from human bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-EC), human embryonic stem cells (hESC-EC) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-EC), and compared their in vitro tube formation, migration and cytokine expression profiles, and in vivo capacity to attenuate hind-limb ischemia in mice. In vitro functional assay demonstrated that hiPSC-EC and hESC-EC had similar capacity for tube formation and migration as human umbilical cord endothelial cells and BM-EC. [PLoS One] Full Article

Naïve Rat Umbilical Cord Matrix Stem Cells Significantly Attenuate Mammary Tumor Growth through Modulation of Endogenous Immune Responses
Results suggest that naïve rat umbilical cord matrix stem cells (UCMSCs) attenuated mammary tumor growth at least in part by enhancing host anti-tumor immune responses. Naïve UCMSCs can be used as powerful therapeutic cells for breast cancer treatment, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 may be a key molecule to enhance the effect of UCMSCs at the tumor site. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Neonatal Macrophages Express Elevated Levels of Interleukin-27 that Oppose Immune Responses
Scientists showed that interleukin-27 gene expression is elevated in cord blood-derived macrophages relative to macrophages originating from healthy adults. [Immunology] Abstract

Int6/eIF3e Silenced HIF2α Stabilization Enhances Migration and Tube Formation of HUVECs via Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 Signaling
Investigators used HIF2α normoxic up-regulation via Int6 silencing to investigate the role of HIF2α in endothelial cells. As a result, Int6 silencing in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and in human aortic endothelial cells led to robust enhanced cord formation and the medium supernatant of Int6 silenced HUVECs enhanced migration of untreated HUVECs, indicating a HIF2α triggered secretory signaling. [Cytokine] Abstract

Mutation of the NPM1 Gene Contributes to the Development of Donor Cell-Derived Acute Myeloid Leukemia after Unrelated Cord Blood Transplantation for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
The authors report a new case of donor cell leukemia (DCL) after unrelated cord blood transplantation in a 44-year-old woman diagnosed as having acute lymphoblastic leukemia with t(1;19) that developed acute myeloid leukemia with normal karyotype and nucleophosmin (NPM1) mutation in donor cells. To their knowledge, this is the first report of NPM1 mutation contributing to DCL development. [Hum Pathol] Abstract

Osteogenic Potential of Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Cultured with Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Fibrin: A Preliminary Study
Researchers examined the potential for osteogenesis via regenerative medicine using autologous tissues (umbilical cord and umbilical cord blood) in nude mice. [J Craniomaxillofac Surg] Abstract

NeoStem Reports Second Data Safety Monitoring Board Review: Continue with PreSERVE AMI Phase II Trial as Planned
NeoStem, Inc. announced that it received approval to continue the PreSERVE AMI Phase II clinical trial following its second interim data and safety review by the Data Safety Monitoring Board. The PreSERVE trial of AMR-001 is a Phase II, randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind study designed to treat 160 patients and is approved by the FDA to enroll up to 180 patients. AMR-001 is being evaluated for the prevention of major adverse cardiac events following acute myocardial infarction. [NeoStem, Inc.] Press Release

UI Researchers Developing 3D Printer, ‘Bio-Ink’ to Create Human Organs
Using its facilities for engineering living tissue systems, the Biomanufacturing Laboratory at University of Iowa (UI) College of Engineering’s Center for Computer Aided Design is working to develop and refine various 3D printing processes required for organ and tissue fabrication. [The University of Iowa]
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)

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

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

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)

Lecturer or Reader – Associate Professor (University of Reading)

Cord Blood Laboratory Manager (Puget Sound Blood Center)


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