Cord Blood News Volume 5.16 | Apr 25 2013

MePR: A Novel Human Mesenchymal Progenitor Model with Characteristics of Pluripotency
Scientists report on the immortalization and characterization of novel Mesenchymal Progenitor (MePR) cell lines from amniotic fluid-derived human mesenchymal stem cells, whose biological properties are similar to primary amniocytes. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Baculovirus as an Ideal Radionuclide Reporter Gene Vector: A New Strategy for Monitoring the Fate of Human Stem Cells In Vivo
The feasibility of utilizing recombinant baculoviruses carrying the sodium iodide symporter (NIS) reporter gene in monitoring stem cell therapy by radionuclide imaging was explored. Recombinant baculoviruses carrying NIS and green fluorescent protein reporter genes were constructed and used to infect human induced pluripotent stem cells, human embryonic stem cells and human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

Wnt Signaling Behaves as a “Master Regulator” in the Osteogenic and Adipogenic Commitment of Human Amniotic Fluid Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Human amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells (huAFMSCs) are emerging as a promising therapeutic option in regenerative medicine. Investigators characterized huAFMSC phenotype and multipotentiality. [Stem Cell Rev] Full Article

Reduced Frequency of High TLR4-Expressing CD14+ CD16+ Monocyte Subset in Cord Compared to Adult Blood Contributes to LPS Hyporesponsiveness in Newborns
The human innate immune response to pathogens is not fully effective and mature until well into childhood, as exemplified by varying responses to TLR agonists in newborns compared to adults. To better understand the mechanistic basis for this age-related difference in innate immunity researchers compared TNFα production by monocytes from cord blood and adult blood in response to LAM (lipoarabinomannan from M. tuberculosis, TLR2 ligand) and LPS (lipopolysaccharide from E. coli, TLR4 ligand). [Clin Vaccine Immunol] Abstract

Isolation of Functional Human Endothelial Cells from Small Volumes of Umbilical Cord Blood
The authors showed that human endothelial cells can be isolated without the prior separation of blood components through the technique of diluted whole blood incubation utilizing commercially available human serum. [Ann Biomed Eng] Abstract

Relative Biological Efficiency of Protons at Low and Therapeutic Doses in Induction of 53BP1/gH2AX Foci in Lymphocytes from Umbilical Cord Blood
In order to evaluate DNA damage induced by protons at low and radiotherapeutic doses, lymphocytes from umbilical cord blood of the same four probands were irradiated in the dose range of 1 – 200 cGy with γ-rays and protons (200 MeV, irradiation in the Bragg peak). [Int J Radiat Biol] Abstract

Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Cultured Rabbit Intervertebral Disc: A Novel Cell Source for Disc Repair
Researchers intended to confirm the potential for human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) to differentiate and display a chondrocyte-like phenotype after culturing in micromass and after injection into the rabbit intervertebral disc (IVD) explant culture. They also wanted to confirm hUCB-MSC survival after transplantation into the IVD explant culture. [Am J Phys Med Rehabil] Abstract

Self-Renewing Human Bone Marrow Mesenspheres Promote Hematopoietic Stem Cell Expansion
Researchers describe a method of isolating and culturing human bone marrow stromal stem/progenitor cells as nonadherent mesenchymal spheres. In culture conditions where they displayed a relatively undifferentiated phenotype, with decreased adherence to plastic and increased self-renewal, they promoted enhanced expansion of cord blood CD34⁺ cells through secreted soluble factors. Expanded hematopoietic stem cells were serially transplantable in immunodeficient mice and significantly increased long-term human hematopoietic engraftment. [Cell Rep] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

The Role of Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 in Hematopoiesis and Transplantation
The regulation and roles of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) activity are not well understood; therefore, the purpose of this review is to discuss the recent literature regarding DPP4 regulation, as well as the variety of molecules it may affect, and their potential clinical applications. [Curr Opin Hematol] Abstract

NK Cell-Based Immunotherapy for Malignant Diseases
Therapeutic natural killer (NK) cells can be derived from various sources, including peripheral or cord blood cells, stem cells or even induced pluripotent stem cells, and a variety of stimulators can be used for large-scale production in laboratories or good manufacturing practice facilities, including soluble growth factors, immobilized molecules or antibodies, and other cellular activators. A list of NK cell therapies to treat several types of cancer in clinical trials is reviewed here. [Cell Mol Immunol] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cord blood research field.

U of M Researchers Conduct World’s First Cord Blood Transplant Aimed at Curing Leukemia and HIV/AIDS
University of Minnesota (U of M) physicians will perform the world’s first cord blood transplant designed specifically to cure a pediatric patient of HIV/AIDS and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. [University of Minnesota] Press Release

Fred Hutchinson Transplant Program Pioneers Treatment Options for Minority Patients Struggling to Find a Donor Match
Paul O’Donnell, M.D., Ph.D is currently leading a multi-center, randomized clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of double unrelated umbilical cord blood transplants versus haploidentical related bone marrow transplants in people with leukemia or lymphoma. He is actively recruiting patients. A multi-center randomized Phase II study led by Colleen Delaney, M.D., MSc is also currently recruiting patients to evaluate the clinical efficacy of giving study participants umbilical cord blood cells that have been expanded in the laboratory to increase the number of cells available for the transplant. [Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center]
Press Release

From our sponsor: Gain hands-on training: Culture hPSCs and differentiate to definitive endoderm or neural progenitor cells. View Courses

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 Research Associate (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Novel Gene Discovery (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

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

Cord Blood Laboratory Manager (Puget Sound Blood Center)

Medical Technologist I – Confocal Microscopy & Live Cell Imaging Specialist (King Abdullah International Medical Research Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Biology (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

Technology Manager (GE Healthcare)

Development/Senior Development Scientist (GE Healthcare)


Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Cord Blood News? Click here to submit!

Comments or Suggestions? Email info@connexoncreative.com with your feedback.