Cord Blood- and Peripheral Blood-Derived Cytokine-Induced Killer (CB and PB-CIK) Cells Are Sensitive to Fas-Mediated Apoptosis It has been suggested that CIK cells are resistant to Fas-mediated apoptosis thereby rendering them more attractive for use in cellular immunotherapy. Unlike what was observed by others, researchers showed that CIK cells are sensitive to Fas-mediated apoptosis. They observed an increase in Fas expression in the different CIK cell subpopulations (CD3+CD56-, CD3+CD56+ and CD3-CD56+) isolated from both cord blood and peripheral blood. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract Unveiling the Effects of the Secretome of Mesenchymal Progenitors from the Umbilical Cord in Different Neuronal Cell Populations In this work researchers: 1) studied how cortical and cerebellar neuronal primary cultures behaved when incubated with Human Umbilical Cord Perivascular Cells (HUCPVCs) conditioned media (CM) and 2) characterized the differences between CM collected at two different conditioning time points. Primary cultures of cerebellar and cortical neurons were incubated with HUCPVCs CM (obtained 24 and 96 h after three days of culturing). [Biochimie] Abstract Secreted Galectin-3 As a Possible Biomarker for the Immunomodulatory Potential of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cells The authors found that umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UC-MSCs) expressed galectin-3 (Gal-3) both on the cell surface and in secreted form, and the expression levels of Gal-3 did not show significant variation after cell passaging. They further showed that Gal-3 expression correlated with the immunosuppressive function of UC-MSCs because knock-down of Gal-3 expression with small interfering RNA significantly abrogated the inhibitory effects of UC-MSCs on mitogen-stimulated and alloantigen-stimulated proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells; meanwhile, the inhibitory effect of UC-MSCs was reversed by adding back recombinant Gal-3 to the co-culture systems. [Cytotherapy] Abstract Cotransplantation of Haploidentical Hematopoietic and Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells with a Myeloablative Regimen for Refractory/Relapsed Hematologic Malignancy Researchers cotransplanted culture-expanded third-party donor-derived umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) in 50 people with refractory/relapsed hematologic malignancy undergoing haploidentical hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation with myeloablative conditioning. They observed that all patients given MSCs showed sustained hematopoietic engraftment without any adverse UC-MSC infusion-related reaction. [Ann Hematol] Abstract A Novel Co-Culture Model of HUVECs and HUASMCs by Hyaluronic Acid Micro-Pattern on Titanium Surface A “Smooth Muscle Cells (SMCs)-ColIV-Endothelial Cells (ECs)” co-culture model was built on a hyaluronic acid (HA) patterned titanium surface, and compared with the previous “SMCs-HAa-ECs” model on endothelial cell number, morphology index, nitric oxide and prostacyclin2 release, anticoagulation property, human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells (HUASMCs) inhibition property and retention under fluid flow shear stress. The result indicated that “SMCs-ColIV-ECs” model could enhance the number, spreading area and major/minor index of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), which contributed to the retention of HUVECs on the surface. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract Flow Perfusion Co-Culture of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Endothelial Cells on Biodegradable Polymer Scaffolds Scientists investigated the effect of flow perfusion culture on the mineralization of co-cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Osteogenically precultured hMSCs were seeded onto electrospun scaffolds in monoculture or a 1:1 ratio with HUVECs, cultured for 7 or 14 days in osteogenic medium under static or flow perfusion conditions, and the resulting constructs were analyzed for cellularity, alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium content. [Ann Biomed Eng] Abstract Matrix-Specified Differentiation of Human Decidua Parietalis Placental Stem Cells Researchers studied the effect of collagen type I on stem cell lineage specification. They altered the properties of collagen type I by incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNT). The collagen-CNT composite material was stiffer with thicker fibers and longer D-period. Human decidua parietalis stem cells were found to differentiate exclusively and rapidly towards neural cells on the collagen-CNT matrix. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract Quercetin Suppresses Inflammation by Reducing ERK1/2 Phosphorylation and NF Kappa B Activation in Leptin-Induced Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) High concentrations of plasma leptin and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in leptin-resistance in obesity have been reported to trigger endothelial dysfunction. Researchers aimed to elucidate the role of quercetin in modulating leptin-induced inflammation as assessed by the levels of Ob-Ra expression, ERK1/2 phosphorylation, NF-kappa B activation and TNF-alpha secretion in HUVECs in vitro. [BMC Res Notes] Abstract | Full Article |