Cord Blood News Volume 8.06 | Feb 18 2016

The Synergistic Effect of Surface Topography and Sustained Release of TGF-β1 on Myogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Scientists investigated the synergistic effect of nanotopography and sustained release of biofunctional transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) on differentiation of human Wharton’s Jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cell toward myogenic lineage. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Differ in Their Attachment to Fibronectin-Derived Peptides from Term Placenta-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
The authors investigated the attachment of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to a set of peptide-coated surfaces and explored their interactions with peptides in suspension. Expanded placenta-derived MSCs attached well to surfaces coated with fibronectin-derived peptides P7, P15, and P17, whereas bone marrow-derived MSCs attached to P7, but barely to P15 and P17. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Conditioned Umbilical Cord Tissue Provides a Natural Three-Dimensional Storage Compartment as In Vitro Stem Cell Niche for Human Mesenchymal Stroma/Stem Cells
Expression of mesenchymal stroma/stem cells markers was maintained for at least 10 freeze/thaw/explant culture cycles demonstrating that repeated cryopreservation of conditioned umbilical cord tissue pieces provided a reproducible and enriched stem cell source. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

3, 3′,5-Triiodo-L-Thyronine Increases In Vitro Chondrogenesis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Human Umbilical Cord Stroma through SRC2
Mesenchymal stem cells from human umbilical cord stroma underwent directed differentiation toward chondrocyte-like cells by spheroid formation. Scientists demonstrated that 3, 3′, 5-triiodo-L-thyronine promotes differentiation towards chondrocytes-like cells in an in vitro model, that this differentiation is mediated by steroid receptor co-activator 2 (SRC2) and does not induce hypertrophy. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

Development of a Xeno-Free Feeder-Layer System from Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Prolonged Expansion of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Culture
Researchers tested human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells as a potent xeno-free feeder system for maintaining human induced pluripotent stem cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Derived from a Reproductive Tissue Niche under Oxidative Stress Have High Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Activity
Investigators screened an aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isozyme cDNA array and determined that relative to chorionic villous mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs), maternal decidua basalis MSCs expressed high levels of ALDH1 family members, predominantly ALDH1A1. [Stem Cell Rev] Abstract

Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation Is a Feasible Rescue Therapeutic Option for Patients Suffering from Graft Failure after Previous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Investigators retrospectively analyzed the efficacy and safety of umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT). UCBT was an alternative graft source for patients lacking a suitable related or unrelated donor and a feasible treatment option for patients experiencing graft failure after previous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. [Oncology] Abstract

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Red or White? Healthy Humans Need Both
A Canadian investigation recently launched to the International Space Station will explore the effects of spaceflight on blood cells. [NASA/Johnson Space Center (EurekAlert!)] Press Release

Celator Pharmaceuticals Phase III Trial of VYXEOS™ (CPX-351) in Patients with High-Risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia Reaches Required Number of Events for Overall Survival Analysis
Celator Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the Phase III clinical trial of VYXEOS™ Liposome for Injection in patients with untreated high-risk acute myeloid leukemia has reached its pre-specified number of events required for the analysis of overall survival. The company expects to announce overall survival results later this quarter. [Celator Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

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NEW PhD Position – Leukemogenesis and Treatment Resistance (Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy)

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