Cord Blood News Volume 5.35 | Sep 5 2013

Human Amniotic Fluid Stem Cell Differentiation along Smooth Muscle Lineage
Scientists showed for the first time that efficient smooth muscle cells can be obtained from human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs). Clonal lines were generated from c-kit⁺ hAFSCs. [FASEB J] Abstract

The Activation of RhoC in Vascular Endothelial Cells Is Required for the S1P Receptor Type 2-Induced Inhibition of Angiogenesis
Whereas the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor type 1 (S1P₁R) regulates endothelial barrier function by coupling to Gα_i and the monomeric GTPase Rac1, the signaling pathways involved in the S1P-induced regulation of angiogenesis are ill defined. Scientists therefore studied the sprouting of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro and analyzed the activation of the RhoGTPases RhoA and RhoC. [Cell Signal] Abstract

Assessment of Umbilical Cord Tissue as a Source of Mesenchymal Stem Cell/Endothelial Cell Mixtures for Bone Regeneration
Compared with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), umbilical cord MSCs displayed significantly lower (range 4-240-fold) basal levels of bone-related transcripts, but their phenotypes were similar (CD73⁺, CD105⁺, CD90⁺, CD45^– and CD31^–). [Regen Med] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Umbilical Cord Express Preferentially Secreted Factors Related to Neuroprotection, Neurogenesis, and Angiogenesis
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) found in the Wharton’s jelly of the human umbilical cord are easily obtained and are capable of transplantation without rejection. Investigators isolated MSCs from Wharton’s jelly and bone marrow and compared their secretomes. [PLoS One] Full Article

Lipopolysaccharides Shapes the Human Wharton’s Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Vitro
The expression and role of toll-like receptor 4 in human Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hWJ-MSCs) was investigated using a model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Proliferation, apoptosis, and the expression of paracrine factors in hWJ-MSCs primed with LPS were analyzed. [Cell Physiol Biochem]
Full Article

Dominant Negative MCP-1 Blocks Human Osteoclast Differentiation: Gene Expression in Osteoclasts Derived from Cord Blood CFU-GM Myeloid Precursors
Human osteoclasts were differentiated using receptor activator of NFκB ligand and macrophage colony stimulating factor from colony forming unit-granulocyte macrophage (CFU-GM) precursors of the myeloid lineage grown from umbilical cord blood. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

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Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Partners with Insception Lifebank Cord Blood Program to Advance New Parent Education about Cord Blood
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Insception Lifebank Cord Blood Program announced a partnership to advance education and services to parents about banking cord blood. [Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre] Press Release

Stem Cell Agency Awards More than $40 Million in New Research Grants
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine’s governing board, the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee, approved $40 million in funding for researchers at 10 institutions including Stanford, UCLA, UC San Diego, Human BioMolecular Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, The Gladstone Institutes, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, The Salk Institute, Numerate, Inc. and UC Irvine as part of its Early Translational IV Research awards. [California Institute for Regenerative Medicine] Press Release

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Stem Cell Biology Researcher – Human Genetics and Stem Cell Biology (The Czech Genetic Bank Ltd.)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Stem Cell Biology and Cellular Immunology (Anthony Nolan, University College London)

Research Technologist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Hematopoietic Stem Cells (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology (The University of Texas Medical School at Houston)

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