Cord Blood News Volume 6.33 | Aug 28 2014

The Effects of 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D₃ on In Vitro Human NK Cell Development from Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Umbilical cord blood CD34⁺ cells were isolated and cultured in conditions optimal for NK cell differentiation, and varying concentrations of 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [1,25(OH)₂D₃] were administered. At physiological concentrations, 1,25(OH)₂D₃ impaired NK cell development. [J Immunol] Abstract

Improvement of Cardiac Function by Placenta-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Does Not Require Permanent Engraftment and Is Independent of the Insulin Signaling Pathway
Investigators evaluated the efficacy of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy in a mouse model of myocardial infarction. Since MSCs can be obtained from two different regions of the human term placenta (chorionic plate or villi), cells obtained from both these regions were compared so that the best candidate for cell therapy could be selected. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Abstract | Full Article

SOX9 as a Predictor for Neurogenesis Potentiality of Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells
In an attempt to identify markers of amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) to predict their ability for neurogenesis, the authors performed a two-phase study. In the discovery phase of 23 AFSCs, they tested ZNF521/Zfp521, OCT6, SOX1, SOX2, SOX3, and SOX9 as predictive markers of AFSCs for neural differentiation. The efficacy of these predictive markers was tested in independent sets of 18 AFSCs and 14 dental pulp stem cells. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

Successful Treatment of Severe Immune Hemolytic Anemia after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation with Bortezomib: Report of a Case and Review of Literature
Researchers present a case report of immune hemolytic anemia that occurred after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from an ABO major-mismatched, HLA-matched unrelated donor. [Transfusion]
Full Article

Effect of Preemptive Treatment with Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on the Development of Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Mice
Investigators hypothesized that human umbilical cord blood-derived stem cells could suppress the inflammatory response in postischemic kidneys and attenuate early renal injury. [Am J Physiol Renal Physiol] Abstract

Isolation and Expansion of Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells from Umbilical Cord under Chemically Defined Conditions
To obtain more mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSC) from young healthy donors for allogeneic therapy on multiple patients, umbilical cord (UC) seems to be the best alternative. Scientists describe an easy, cost-effective and reproducible protocol of isolation of the MSC from Wharton’s jelly in UC. [Methods Mol Biol] Abstract

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Gamida Cell Announces Investment and Option Agreement with Major Pharmaceutical Company
Gamida Cell announced that it has signed an investment and option agreement with Novartis Pharma AG. According to the agreement, Novartis will invest $35 million in Gamida Cell and in return will receive 15% equity and an option to fully acquire Gamida Cell. The option is exercisable for a limited period of time following achievement of certain milestones connected to the development of NiCord^®. [Gamida Cell] Press Release

Cryo-Cell Provides Funding for Cord Blood Clinical Trial Application to Treat ALS
Cryo-Cell International, Inc. announced that it has provided funding to complete an Investigational New Drug Application for a FDA approved Phase I clinical trial for patients that have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease using umbilical cord blood cells. [Cryo-Cell International, Inc.] Press Release

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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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Postdoctoral Positions – Hematopoietic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (Indiana University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Positions – Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy (Duke University Department of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Signaling Transduction (University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Developing Applications of Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells in Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital)

Postdoctoral Positions – Reprogramming and Genetic Engineering Technologies to Develop New Models of Hematopoiesis and Hematopoietic Disorders (Icahn School of Medicine)

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Scientist – Human Genetic Disorders (Editas Medicine)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Hematopoietic Stem Cell Maintenance (Baylor College of Medicine)

Cord Tissue Processing Technician (Cord Blood Registry)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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