Cord Blood News Volume 7.31 | Aug 13 2015

Protein O-Mannosylation Is Crucial for Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Fate
Scientists showed that O-mannosylation genes, many of which are putative or verified glycosyltransferases, are expressed in a similar pattern in mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue, bone marrow, and umbilical cord blood and that their expression levels are retained constant during mesengenic differentiation. [Cell Mol Life Sci] Abstract

Treosulfan-Based Conditioning Regimens for Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children with Non-Malignant Diseases
A retrospective analysis was performed of children registered in the EBMT database, who received treosulfan before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, to identify possible dose-related toxicity and determine the incidence of engraftment, treatment-related mortality and overall survival. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Cellular Activity of Wharton’s Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Electrospun Fibrous and Solvent-Cast Film Scaffolds
Scientists investigated the effects of chemistry and topography of scaffold surface on adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells into motor neurons. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Are Genetically Stable Under a Hostile In Vivo-Like Scenario as Revealed by In Vitro Micronucleus Test
The authors exposed umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and placenta-derived MSCs to diverse conditions simulating an in vivo scenario and studied their genetic stability by use of an in vitro micronucleus test. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Efficient Episomal Reprogramming of Blood Mononuclear Cells and Differentiation to Hepatocytes with Functional Drug Metabolism
Researchers developed an efficient non-integration method for reprogramming fresh or frozen blood mononuclear cells, maintained in an optimized cytokine cocktail, to generate induced pluripotent cells. Applying the same cytokine cocktail and reprogramming methods to cord blood or fetal liver-derived CD34⁺ cells, they obtained 148 iPS colonies from 105 seeding cells [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

Sustained Release of Bioactive Protein from a Lyophilized Tissue-Engineered Construct Promotes the Osteogenic Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Tissue-engineered constructs (TECs) were prepared using demineralized bone matrix seeded with human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and the cells seeded in TECs were devitalized by lyophilizing the TECs. [J Orthop Res] Abstract

Monosialoteterahexosyl Ganglioside Induces the Differentiation of Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Neuron-Like Cells
Researchers investigated human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells for their potential to be induced to differentiate in vitro into neuron-like cells by monosialoteterahexosyl ganglioside [Int J Mol Med] Abstract | Download Full Article

Agitation Increases Expansion of Cord Blood Hematopoietic Cells and Promotes Their Differentiation into Myeloid Lineage
The authors investigated the effects of agitation on umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cell (UCB-HSC) growth and differentiation. They determined that an agitation rate at 40 rpm promoted UCB-HSC expansion and their colony forming potential. [Cytotechnology] Abstract

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Japan Grants Safety Clearance to Pluristem’s PLX-PAD Cells for Use in Clinical Trials
Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. announced that Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency has cleared the Company’s PLX-PAD cells for use in clinical trials in Japan. This clearance is required in order to apply for approval to conduct a Phase II study of PLX-PAD in critical limb ischemia (CLI) through Japan’s accelerated regulatory pathway for regenerative medicine. [Pluristem Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

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Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Principal Scientist – Hematopoietic Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Leukemia (Stanford University School of Medicine)

Laboratory Technologist – Cord Blood and Cord Tissue Bank (Texas Stem Cell)

Postdoctoral Position – Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cell Assays (Weill Cornell Medical School)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematopoietic Regeneration and Myeloid Malignancies (Weill-Cornell Medical College)

Research Associate – Cell Biology (Editas Medicine)

Independent Junior Group Leader – Lymphopoiesis or Gene Regulation/Nuclear Architecture in the Hematopoietic System (Max-Planck-Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immune Reconstitution in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (Stanford University)

Research Associate – Leukemia, Stem Cells and Development (Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute)

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