Cord Blood News Volume 5.14 | Apr 11 2013

CD4⁺ Cell-Dependent Granuloma Formation in Humanized Mice Infected with Mycobacteria
Investigators used humanized mice, in which human immune cells differentiate de novo from transplanted cord blood progenitor cells, to study the human immune responses to infection with Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Uterine Vasculature Remodeling in Human Pregnancy Involves Functional Macro-Chimerism by Endothelial Colony Forming Cells of Fetal Origin
Scientists investigated whether fetal endothelial colony forming cells transmigrate to maternal bloodstream and home to locations of maternal vasculogenesis, primarily the pregnant uterus. [Stem Cells]
Abstract | Full Article

Klf5 Controls Bone Marrow Homing of Stem Cells and Progenitors through Rab5-Mediated β1/β2-Integrin Trafficking
Researchers showed that Krüppel-like factor 5 (Klf5)-deficient hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors fail to engraft after transplantation. In vivo-inducible gain-of-function of Krüppel-like factor 5 in hematopoietic stem cells increases hematopoietic stem cell and progenitor adhesion. Altogether, these data indicate that Krüppel-like factor 5 is indispensable for adhesion, homing, lodging and retention of hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors in the bone marrow through Rab5-dependent post-translational regulation of β1/β2 integrins. [Nat Commun] Abstract | Press Release

Ontogeny of Human Umbilical Cord Perivascular Cells: Molecular and Fate Potential Changes during Gestation
Investigators examined the phenotypic, molecular and functional properties of first trimester-derived- human umbilical cord-derived perivascular cells, outlining properties that are unique to this population when compared to term counterparts. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Few Single Nucleotide Variations in Exomes of Human Cord Blood Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
The effect of the cellular reprogramming process per se on mutation load remains unclear. To address this issue, researchers performed whole exome sequencing analysis of induced pluripotent stem cells reprogrammed from human cord blood CD34⁺ cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

E-Selectin Mediated Adhesion and Migration of Endothelial Colony Forming Cells Is Enhanced by SDF-1α/CXCR4
Mechanisms of vascular repair specific to the mode of injury have not been well described in homogenous cell populations such as endothelial-colony forming cells and are needed for development of more effective vascular repair strategies. Lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxic injury to mature human umbilical vein endothelial cells was compared with hypoxic and radiation injury. [PLoS One] Full Article

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Maintain Long-Term In Vitro Stemness during Explant Culture
The advantage of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in view of cell and/or tissue replacement after transplantation and their prolonged clinical use raises heavy debates not only in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine to date. Explant culture of umbilical cord (UC) tissue pieces for more than 190 days demonstrated a similar morphology and proliferation rate of outgrowing MSC as compared to UC tissue cultured for 15 days. [Tissue Eng Part C Methods] Abstract

Role of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors in the Aging of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Researchers investigated the effects of largazole or trichostatin A, a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor, against human umbilical cord-mesenchymal stem cells aging. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

Evaluation of In Vitro and In Vivo Osteogenic Differentiation of Nano-Hydroxyapatite/Chitosan/ Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) Scaffolds with Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Investigators evaluated the feasibility of the application of the nano-hydroxyapatite/ Chitosan/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffold seeded with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in bone tissue engineering. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Preferential Expansion of Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived CD34-Positive Cells on Human Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Transgenic Feeder Cells Cultured on Regenerated Silk Fibroin Film
The authors constructed a recombinant adenovirus Ad-GFP/human leukemia inhibitory factor (hLIF) expressing hLIF. The hLIF gene was delivered into human embryo lung fibroblast cell line WI-38 via infection with Ad-GFP/hLIF. Then, the transgenic cells were cultured on regenerated silk fibroin films as feeder layer cells for expansion of cord blood CD34⁺ cells. [J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater] Abstract

Stem Cell Bioengineering Strategies to Widen the Therapeutic Applications of Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells from Umbilical Cord Blood
The authors review the current state of the art, future trends and challenges on the ex vivo expansion of umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSCs), focusing on culture parameters affecting the yield and quality of the expanded HSC grafts: novel HSC selection schemes prior to cell culture, cytokine/growth factor cocktails, the impact of biochemical factors (e.g. O₂) or the addition of supportive cells, e.g. mesenchymal stem/stromal cell-based feeder layers) were addressed. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Stem Cell Therapy to Cure Type 1 Diabetes: From Hype to Hope
Researchers discuss the therapeutic potential of stem cells derived from a variety of sources for the cure of type 1 diabetes mellitus, for example, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cells, and multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells derived from bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, and adipose tissue. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

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Gamida Cell Reports StemEx^® Phase II/III Study Safety and Efficacy Data
Gamida Cell announced additional analyses for the Phase II/III, multi-center, multi-national, historical cohort-controlled study to evaluate efficacy and safety of StemEx^® as an alternative transplantation treatment for patients with high risk leukemia and lymphoma. [Gamida Cell] Press Release

Cord Blood Bank in Hong Kong Receives FACT Accreditation, Reflects High Quality Standards for Cord Blood Banking and Unit Administration
The Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) has accredited its first cord blood bank in Hong Kong. FACT accreditation demonstrates commitment to promote quality medical practices, laboratory processes, and banking to achieve consistent production of high quality placental and umbilical cord blood units for administration. The Hong Kong Red Cross Catherine Chow Cord Blood Bank, directed by Dr. Che Kit Lin, received accreditation and is accredited for unrelated donations. [Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy] Press Release

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