Cord Blood News Volume 6.12 | Apr 3 2014

Unique Effects of Mycophenolate Mofetil on Cord Blood T Cells: Implications for GvHD Prophylaxis
Using a combination of flow cytometry, ELISA, and quantitative PCR, the effects of mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine A, and the combination of both drugs were studied on resting and activated cord blood mononuclear cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. [Transplantation] Abstract

Convergence of Hypoxia and TGFβ Pathways on Cell Cycle Regulation in Human Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells
Investigators identified transcriptome changes induced by hypoxia, constitutively active HIF1^(P402/564) and HIF2^(P405/531) in human cord blood CD34⁺ cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

Ubiquitous Expression of MAKORIN-2 in Normal and Malignant Hematopoietic Cells and Its Growth Promoting Activity
Scientists investigated the expression levels of Makorin-2 (MKRN2) and RAF1 in normal and malignant hematopoietic cells, and leukemia cell lines. They also attempted to delineate the role of MKRN2 in umbilical cord blood CD34⁺ stem/progenitor cells and K562 cell line by over-expression and inhibition of MKRN2 through lentivirus transduction and shRNA nucleofection, respectively. [PLoS One] Full Article

Intra-Arterial Transplantation of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells Is More Efficacious and Safer Compared with Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in a Rodent Stroke Model
In the past decade, cells derived from the human umbilical cord (HUC) have emerged as a potential therapeutic alternative for stroke, however, the most effective HUC-derived cell population remains unknown. Researchers compared three cell populations derived from the human umbilical cord: cord blood mononuclear cells (cbMNCs); cord blood mesenchymal stromal cells (cbMSCs), a subpopulation of cbMNCs; and cord matrix MSCs. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Abstract | Full Article

Effect of Maternal Iron Status on the Number of CD34+ Stem Cells Harvested from Umbilical Cord Blood
Researchers investigated the impact of selected maternal indices (in particular iron status) on the number of CD34+ cells collected in the umbilical cord blood. [Transfusion] Abstract

Improvement of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation on Glial Cell and Behavioral Function in a Neonatal Model of Periventricular White Matter Damage
Scientists aimed to determine whether human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation improves glial cell function in cerebral white matter and long-term behavioral function in a periventricular white matter damage rat model. [Brain Res] Abstract

Human Umbilical Cord Blood Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Display a Novel Interaction between P-Selectin and Galectin-1
The authors discovered that P-selectin binds to umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells independently of the previously known sialyl Lewis x containing ligands such as P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1. [Scand J Immunol] Abstract

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£3.5 Million Boost for Regenerative Medicine Research Programs
The Loughborough University-led Centre for Doctoral Training in Regenerative Medicine has been awarded £3.5 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Medical Research Council to further its research programs in this globally important and fast-growing field of the healthcare industry. [Loughborough University] Press Release

STEMSOFT Announces New Website
STEMSOFT™ Software Inc. announced the launch of their new website. This new website features a responsive, modern design for easy access across mobile and desktop devices, a rich user experience, and convenient access to STEMSOFT product information, news and events. [STEMSOFT™ Software Inc.] Press Release

New wallchart from our sponsor:
Mesenchymal Stem Cells (a Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology collaboration). Request your free copy.

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

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NEW Postdoctoral Research Associate – Hematopoietic Stem Cell Gene Therapy (Washington State University)

NEW Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematopoietic Stem Cell and Leukemia Research (City of Hope)

Postdoctoral Position – Hematopoietic Stem Cell & Neutrophil Cell Polarity (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center)

Cell Therapy Lab Technologist II (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Mammalian Hematopoietic and Erythroid Development (The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Postdoctoral Position – Human Stem Cell Biology and Hematopoiesis (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

Director of GMP/GLP Quality Operations (University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine)

Research Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – PSC Biology and Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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