Cord Blood News Volume 5.44 | Nov 7 2013

Human Amniotic Fluid-Derived Mesenchymal Cells from Fetuses with a Neural Tube Defect Do Not Deposit Collagen Type I Protein after TGF-ß1 Stimulation In Vitro
Scientists found that cells derived from fetuses with a neural tube defect, in contrast to healthy human amniotic fluid cells, did not deposit collagen type I. Furthermore, the neural tube defect cells showed, compared to both healthy amniotic fluid cells and fetal fibroblasts, much lower mRNA expression levels of genes that are involved in collagen biosynthesis. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Umbilical Cord Blood as an Alternative Source of Reduced-Intensity Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Chronic Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated T- or NK-Cell Lymphoproliferative Diseases
Recently scientists reported that reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) provided better outcomes than myeloablative conditioning because RIC was less toxic. However, it was unclear whether cord blood transplantation (CBT) works in the context of RIC. In this study they retrospectively analyzed 17 patients who underwent RIC followed by bone marrow transplantation and 15 patients who underwent RIC followed by CBT. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Prevention of GVHD by Adoptive T Regulatory Therapy Is Associated with Active Repression of Peripheral Blood Toll-Like Receptor-5 mRNA Expression
In a Phase I study, adoptive transfer of expanded CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ natural regulatory T cells (nTregs) resulted in a reduced incidence of grade II-IV graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). To investigate potential mechanisms responsible for the reduced GVHD risk, scientists analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cell mRNA expression of a tolerance gene set previously identified in operational tolerant kidney transplant recipients, comparing healthy controls to patients who received no nTregs or nTregs with and without GVHD. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Genomic Alterations in Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Call for Stringent Quality Control before Any Possible Therapeutic Approach
It is still unclear whether umbilical cord-mesenchymal stromal cells (UC-MSCs) are prone or not to the acquisition of genomic imbalances during in vitro expansion. With the use of array-comparative genomic hybridization, scientists compared copy number variations of early and late passages of in vitro-expanded UC-MSCs. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Fetal Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Cryopreserved Human Chorionic Villi: Cytogenetic and Molecular Analysis of Genome Stability in Long-Term Cultures
Human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSC) from chorionic villi (CV) were monitored for genetic stability in long-term cultures. Researchers set up a good manufacturing practice cryopreservation procedure for small amounts of native CV samples. After isolation, hMSC were in vitro cultured and analyzed for biological end points. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Reduction of Fibrosis in Dibutyltin Dichloride-Induced Chronic Pancreatitis Using Rat Umbilical Mesenchymal Stem Cells From Wharton’s Jelly
Researchers investigated the effects of rat umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells from Wharton’s jelly on dibutyltin dichloride-induced chronic pancreatitis and subsequent pancreatic fibrosis in rats. [Pancreas] Abstract

Intra-Arterial Transplantation of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells in Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Rats
Researchers investigated the feasibility of intra-arterial transplantation of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells for the treatment of long-term behavior dysfunction and brain lesion after neonatal hypoxia-ischemia. [Life Sci] Abstract

Electrophysiological Characterization of Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Induced by Olfactory Ensheathing Cell-Conditioned Medium
Until now, little work has been focused on the differentiation of umbilical cord blood-derived marrow stromal cells (UCB-MSCs). In this work, UCB-MSCs were demonstrated to be negative for CD34 and CD45 expression but positive for CD90 and CD105 expression. [Neurochem Res] Abstract

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The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Applauds FDA’s Approval of Gazyva® as First-Line Treatment for Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) approval of Gazyva® is an important advance for patients diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Gazyva, the first treatment approved through the FDA’s breakthrough therapy designation, is indicated in combination with chlorambucil to treat previously untreated patients with CLL. [The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society] Press Release

Delete Blood Cancer Announces the Start of Bone Marrow Awareness Month
Blood cancer is the second leading cause of all cancer deaths in the United States. To lend greater awareness to a solution to this issue, Delete Blood Cancer DKMS announced that November is Bone Marrow Awareness Month. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Research Fellows – Isolation of Stem Cells from Placenta and Amniotic Fluid (Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine)

Adult Stem Cell Transplant Physician (John Theurer Cancer Center)

PhD Studentship – Identifying Drugs to Improve the Utility of Bone Marrow and Cord Blood Transplantation (Cardiff University)

Postdoctoral Position – Human Pluripotent and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bioinformatics (Albert Einstein College Medicine)

Translational Clinician-Scientist – Stem Cell Transplantation (Boston Children’s Hospital)

Postdoctoral Position – Patient-Specific Stem Cell Lines: Disease Modeling, Repair and Transplantation (Columbia University)

Postdoctoral Position – Cellular and Genetic Therapies for Hemoglobinopathies (Blood Systems Research Institute)

Faculty Positions – Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (Baylor College of Medicine)

Scientist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

Research Associate/Scientist – Antibodies Group (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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