Cord Blood News Volume 6.03 | Jan 30 2014

Sustained Donor Engraftment in Recipients of Double-Unit Cord Blood Transplantation Is Possible Despite Donor-Specific HLA-Antibodies
Investigators evaluated the influence of pre-existing human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-antibodies on engraftment in 82 double-unit cord blood recipients (median age 48 years) transplanted for hematologic malignancies. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Gene and miRNA Expression Profiles of Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells Vary Depending on Their Origin
Hematopoietic progenitors cells from G-CSF mobilized peripheral blood, bone marrow, or umbilical cord blood have different biological properties and different kinetic of engraftment post-transplantation, which might be at least in part explained by a different gene and miRNA expression pattern. In order to assess differences in gene and miRNA expression researchers analyzed whole genome expression profile as well as the expression of 384 miRNAs in CD34+ cells isolated from 18 healthy individuals (6 individuals per subtype of hematopoietic progenitor cells source). [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Monocytes Are Essential for the Neuroprotective Effect of Human Cord Blood Cells following Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Rat
Systemic administration of human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) mononuclear cells following middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rat reduces infarct size and, more importantly, restores motor function. The HUCB cell preparation is composed of immature T-cells, B-cells, monocytes and stem cells. Scientists examined whether the beneficial effects of HUCB injection were attributable to one of these cell types. [Mol Cell Neurosci] Abstract

Lipopolysaccharide Impaired the Functional Activity of Endothelial Colony-Forming Cells
Researchers investigated possible effects of lipopolysaccharide on the functional activity of endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs). ECFCs were isolated from human umbilical cord blood and characterized. [Respiration] Abstract

Induction of Multipotency in Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Cultivated under Suspension Conditions
Scientists isolated mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord tissue at the single-cell level, by treatment with trypsin, followed by cultivation under suspension conditions to form a colony. [Cell Stress Chaperones] Abstract

Cord Blood Graft Composition Impacts the Clinical Outcome of Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation
Investigators found that above-median frequencies of CD69+ T cells, naïve CD8+ T cells, and CD127+ B cells in the cord blood graft were each associated with significantly improved patient survival. [Transpl Infect Dis] Abstract

Prostaglandin E2 Promotes Survival of Naive UCB T Cells via the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway and Alters Immune Reconstitution after UCBT
Exposure of umbilical cord blood (UCB) to dimethyl-prostaglandin E2 (dmPGE2) increases hematopoietic stem cells in vivo. The authors determined that exposure of UCB T lymphocytes to dmPGE2 modified Wnt signaling resulting in T cell factor-mediated transcription. [Blood Cancer J] Full Article

Use of Umbilical Cord and Cord Blood-Derived Stem Cells for Tissue Repair and Regeneration
The authors summarize the knowledge about umbilical cord with main focus on its applications for tissue repair and regeneration. [Expert Opin Biol Ther] Abstract

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Minister Sherlock Opens Ireland’s First Human Use Stem Cell Manufacturing Facility at NUI Galway
The Centre for Cell Manufacturing Ireland at NUI Galway is the first ever facility on the island of Ireland to receive a license from the Irish Medicines Board to manufacture culture-expanded stem cells for human use. [National University of Ireland, Galway] Press Release

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NEW Assistant Professorship – Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Microenvironment (University of Zurich)

NEW PhD Position – Hematopoietic Stem Cells (KU Leuven)

Physician/Scientist – Hematopoietic Cellular Therapy Program (University of Chicago)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Blood Research Program (University of Edinburgh)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cell Biology (Yale University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Morphogenetic Signaling Pathways in Development and Disease (University of Rochester Medical Center)

PhD Candidates – Stem Cells and Biomedical Engineering (Queensland University of Technology – Translational Research Institute)

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

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