Cord Blood News Volume 6.00 | Jan 9 2014

Feasibility of Autologous Cord Blood Cells for Infants with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
The authors aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of providing autologous umbilical cord blood cells to neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. [J Pediatr] Abstract

Efficiency and Safety of O⁶-Methylguanine DNA Methyltransferase (MGMT^P140K)-Mediated In Vivo Selection in a Humanized Mouse Model
Efficient O⁶-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT^P140K)-mediated myeloprotection and in vivo selection have been demonstrated in numerous animal models and most recently in a Phase I clinical study in glioblastoma patients. To improve the safety of the procedure, scientists evaluated a self-inactivating lentiviral MGMT^P140K vector for transduction of human cord blood-derived CD34⁺ cells followed by transplantation of the cells into NOD/LtSz-scid/Il2rγ^−/− mice. [Hum Gene Ther] Abstract

Differential Effects of Epigenetic Modifiers on the Expansion and Maintenance of Human Cord Blood Stem/Progenitor Cells
Researchers compared the effects of several histone deacetylase inhibitors, including valproic acid and trichostatin A, alone or in combination with 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine on the expansion of hematopoietic stem cells. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Unrelated Donor Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant for Patients with Hemoglobinopathies using a Reduced Intensity Conditioning Regimen and Third-Party Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients with a hemoglobinopathy can be curative but is limited by donor availability. While positive results are frequently observed in those with a HLA matched sibling donor, the use of unrelated donors has been complicated by poor engraftment, excessive regimen-related toxicity and graft-versus-host disease. As a potential strategy to address these obstacles, a pilot study was designed that incorporated both a reduced intensity conditioning and mesenchymal stromal cells. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Humoral Activity of Cord Blood-Derived Stem/Progenitor Cells: Implications for Stem Cell-Based Adjuvant Therapy of Neurodegenerative Disorders
Investigators compared the expression of neurotrophins and their receptors in specific umbilical cord blood stem/progenitor cell populations, including lineage-negative, CD34⁺, and CD133⁺ cells, with that in unsorted, nucleated cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

Instruction of Circulating Endothelial Progenitors In Vitro towards Specialized Blood-Brain Barrier and Arterial Phenotypes
Researchers proposed a new source of specialized endothelial cells based on cord blood circulating endothelial progenitors (EPCs). As prototype examples, they evaluated the capacity of EPCs to acquire properties characteristic of cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (blood-brain barrier) or of arterial endothelial cells, in specific inducing culture conditions. [PLoS One] Full Article

Regeneration of Full-Thickness Skin Defects Using Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells Loaded into Modified Porous Scaffolds
Investigators demonstrated the ability of cord blood-derived unrestricted somatic stem cells and chitosan-modified poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) scaffold to promote skin regeneration. [ASAIO J] Abstract

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Cord Blood America, Inc. Earns AABB Accreditation
Cord Blood America, Inc. announced it has achieved AABB accreditation for cell therapy activity associated with cord blood processing, storage and distribution. [Cord Blood America, Inc.] Press Release

Pluristem Receives Key Placental Cell Therapy Patent in Australia
Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc. announced it has been granted a new patent in Australia. Patent #2008300185, titled “Methods for Cell Expansion and Uses of Cells and Conditioned Media Produced thereby for Therapy,” covers the use of adherent placental cells for the treatment of ischemia, which is a restriction of blood supply to tissues, and for treatments of conditions requiring connective tissue repair or regeneration. [Pluristem Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Position – Lineage Specific Cellular Differentiation Models Utilizing Umbilical Cord Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cells and Bioengineering (Queensland University of Technology/Translational Research Institute)

Clinical MD – Clinical Development Program for Oncology and Autoimmune Diseases (Immunomedics, Inc.)

Chief Medical Officer – Novel Therapeutics in Oncology and Autoimmune Disease (Immunomedics, Inc.)

PhD Studentship – iNKT Cells to Prevent Graft versus Host Disease (University of Birmingham)

Postdoctoral Associate – Graft-vs.-Host Disease and Graft-vs.-Leukemia in Mouse Models (Yale University School of Medicine)

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

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