Cord Blood News Volume 6.39 | Oct 9 2014

Tubulin- and Actin-Associating GIMAP4 Is Required for IFN-γ Secretion during Th Cell Differentiation
Researchers discovered that GTPase of the immunity-associated protein (GIMAP) regulates secretion of cytokines in early differentiating human CD4⁺ Th lymphocytes and in particular the secretion of interferon (IFN)-γ also affecting its downstream targets. Cord blood-derived CD4⁺ T cells were nucleofected with either GIMAP4 gene-specific or non-targeting siRNA. [Immunol Cell Biol] Full Article

Promoting the Recovery of Injured Liver with PHBVHHx Scaffolds Loaded with Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from umbilical cord (WJ-MSCs). Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBVHHx) scaffolds loaded with WJ-MSCs were transplanted into liver-injured mice. Liver morphology improved after 30 days of transplantation and looked similar to normal liver. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Thrombopoietin Treatment of One Graft in a Double Cord Blood Transplant Provides Early Platelet Recovery while Contributing to Long-Term Engraftment in NSG Mice
Using a double cord blood (CB) murine transplant model, scientists investigated whether thrombopoietin cultured human CB CD34⁺ cells have a competitive advantage or disadvantage over untreated human CB CD34⁺ cells in terms of short-term and longer term platelet recovery, and longer term hematological recovery. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

A High Efficiency Induction of Dopaminergic Cells from Human Umbilical Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Hemiparkinsonian Rats
The success rate in previous attempts at transforming human mesenchymal stem cells (HUMSCs) isolated from Wharton’s jelly of the umbilical cord to dopaminergic cells was a mere 12.7 %. The present study was initiated to establish a more effective procedure for better yield of dopaminergic cells in such transformation for more effective HUMSC-based therapy for Parkinsonism. [Cell Transplant] Full Article

Human Chorionic Villous Mesenchymal Stem Cells Modify the Functions of Human Dendritic Cells, and Induce an Anti-Inflammatory Phenotype in CD1⁺ Dendritic Cells
Previously, the authors showed that mesenchymal stem cells derived from the chorionic villi of human term placenta (pMSCs) induce an anti-inflammatory phenotype in human macrophages. They determined whether pMSCs modify the differentiation and maturation of human monocytes into dendritic cells. [Stem Cell Rev] Abstract

Comparison of Chloromethyl-Dialkylcarbocyanine and Green Fluorescent Protein for Labeling Human Umbilical Mesenchymal Stem Cells
To investigate the effectiveness of chloromethyl-dialkylcarbocyanine (CM-Dil) and green florescent protein (GFP) for tracking transplanted stem human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs), hUC-MSCs were labeled with CM-Dil or GFP and transplanted into guinea pigs with nasal mucosa radiation injury. [Biotechnol Lett] Abstract

Clonal Dominance with Retroviral Vector Insertions Near the ANGPT1 and ANGPT2 Genes in a Human Xenotransplant Mouse Model
To develop a pre-clinical model for the evaluation of vector-related genotoxicity directly in the relevant human target cells, cord blood CD34⁺ hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) were transplanted into immunodeficient NOD.SCID.IL2rg^−/− mice after transduction with an LTR-driven gammaretroviral vector. Researchers investigated the effect of prolonged in vitro culture in the presence of cytokines recently described to promote HSC expansion or maintenance. [Mol Ther Nucleic Acids] Full Article

The Role of the Thymus in T Cell Immune Reconstitution after Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation
The authors discuss the mechanisms and clinical implications of thymic recovery and new approaches to improve reconstitution of the T cell repertoire after umbilical cord blood transplantation. [Blood] Abstract

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SynGen, Inc. Secures Additional Financing from Bay City Capital
SynGen, Inc., a company that focuses on the development and commercialization of instrument systems that harvest stem and progenitor cells from umbilical cord blood, bone marrow, peripheral blood, and cell culture, announced that it has secured additional financing from Bay City Capital, LLC. [SynGen, Inc.] Press Release

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