Cord Blood News Volume 7.36 | Sep 17 2015

A Prospective Investigation of Cell Dose in Single-Unit Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation for Adults with High-Risk Hematologic Malignancies
Researchers prospectively investigated single umbilical cord blood transplantation, with cord units as low as 1×107 NC/kg, all processed with post-thaw albumin–dextran dilution. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Human Cord Blood-Derived Platelet Lysate Enhances the Therapeutic Activity of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Isolated from Crohn’s Disease Patients in a Mouse Model of Colitis
Researchers combined the administration of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) with a human umbilical cord blood-derived platelet lysate as a novel strategy to improve MSC-based therapy for inflammatory bowel disease resolution. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Human Placenta-Derived Multipotent Stromal Cells Involved in Placental Angiogenesis via the PDGF-BB and STAT3 Pathways
Investigators studied the smooth muscle cell differentiation capability of human placental multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (hPMSCs) and identified how endothelial cells recruit hPMSCs participating in vessel formation. [Biol Reprod] Abstract | Full Article

Freezing of Fresh Wharton’s Jelly from Human Umbilical Cords Yields High Post-Thaw Mesenchymal Stem Cell Numbers for Cell-Based Therapies
To develop a simple method of harvesting pure homogeneous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for cord blood banks, researchers compared the post-thaw behavior of three groups of frozen UC (mixed cord, MC) tissues: freshly harvested WJ without cell separation, MSCs isolated from WJ (WJSC) and MC. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

A New Standardized Clinical-Grade Protocol for Banking Human Umbilical Cord Tissue Cells
Researchers developed a new method for umbilical cord tissue-mesenchymal stromal (UCT-MSC) cell isolation, cryopreservation, and expansion, following all criteria required by a stem cell bank. UCT-MSCs were isolated either by manual dissociation or by a semiautomatic dissociation system. [Transfusion] Abstract

The Histone Variant H2A.Z Is Dynamically Expressed in the Developing Mouse Placenta and in Differentiating Trophoblast Stem Cells
The authors showed that H2A.Z is highly expressed in the early mouse placenta, and is specifically limited to progenitor-like trophoblast cells. Using in vitro models, they revealed distinct differences in H2A.Z abundance between undifferentiated, differentiating and differentiated mouse trophoblast stem cells. [Placenta] Abstract

Immunoglobulin Gene Expression in Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived CD34⁺ Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells
Scientists assessed whether hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSC/HPCs) can express Ig. They suggest that Igs, especially IgM, may have a role in CD34⁺ HSC/HPCs function. [Gene] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cord blood research field.

Cancer Research UK and MedImmune Launch Ground-Breaking Biotherapeutics Research Center in Cambridge
A new laboratory that will focus on the discovery and development of novel biologic cancer treatments and diagnostics has been opened this week in Cambridge. The state-of-the-art CRUK-MEDI Alliance Laboratory is an innovative collaboration between Cancer Research UK, its commercial arm Cancer Research Technology, and MedImmune, the global biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca. [Cancer Research UK] Press Release

Stem Cell Specialists BioEden to Enter Strategic Alliance with Precious Cells Group
BioEden is teaming up with Precious Cells Group, a London based Medtech Company whose facilities specialize in enabling the harvesting and banking of stem cells from cord blood and peripheral blood derived stem cells amongst others platform technologies. [BioEden] 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)

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the cord blood community.

Principal Scientist – Hematopoietic Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Epigenetic Modifiers (Van Andel Research Institute)

Director of Research – Oncology and Hematology (CancerCare Manitoba)

Postdoctoral Fellow – HMGA Chromatin Remodeling Proteins in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)

Assistant Member – Cord Blood (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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)

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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