Cord Blood News Volume 8.10 | Mar 17 2016

Adipogenic Placenta-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Are Not Lineage Restricted by Withdrawing Extrinsic Factors: Developing a Novel Visual Angle in Stem Cell Biology
Researchers showed that after withdrawing extrinsic factors, adipogenic placental-derived mesenchymal stem cells reverted to a primitive cell population and retained stem cell characteristics. The mitochondrial network during differentiation and dedifferentiation may serve as a marker of absent or acquired pluripotency in various stem cell models. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Enhanced Neuro-Therapeutic Potential of Wharton’s Jelly–Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Comparison with Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Culture
Scientists examined stromal stem cells derived either from umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly (WJ-MSC) or bone marrow (BM-MSC) of adult, healthy donors. WJ-MSC, in comparison with BM-MSC, exhibited a higher proliferation rate, a greater expansion capability being additionally stimulated under low-oxygen atmosphere, enhanced neurotrophic factors gene expression and spontaneous tendency toward a neural lineage differentiation commitment confirmed by protein and gene marker induction. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Enhanced Ex Vivo Expansion of Human Hematopoietic Progenitors on Native and Spin Coated Acellular Matrices Prepared from Bone Marrow Stromal Cells
Investigators developed cell-free matrices from a bone marrow stromal cell line, which can be used as substrates either in native form or as tissue engineered coatings, for the enhanced ex vivo expansion of umbilical cord blood derived hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. [Stem Cells Int] Full Article

Mechanisms of Modulation of Cytokine Release by Human Cord Blood Monocytes Exposed to High Concentrations of Caffeine
LPS-activated cord blood monocytes (CBM) from 19 infants were exposed to caffeine with or without previous exposure to A₁R, A₃R, or phosphodiesterases (PDE) IV antagonists to determine changes in dose-response curves. Neither A₃R, nor PDE blockades are involved in caffeine’s modulation of cytokine release by CBM at any concentration. [Ped Res] Abstract

A Three-Dimensional Culture System Recapitulates Placental Syncytiotrophoblast Development and Microbial Resistance
The authors describe a three-dimensional-based culture model using human JEG-3 trophoblast cells that develop syncytiotrophoblast phenotypes when cocultured with human microvascular endothelial cells. [Sci Adv] Abstract

A Rational Strategy for the Use of Amniotic Epithelial Stem Cell Therapy for Liver Diseases
The author provides an overview of the beneficial properties of hAECs and proposes a rational strategy for translating placental stem cells toward clinical application for various liver diseases. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

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AngioStem™ Inc. Licenses Universal Donor Stem Cell Technology from Queensland University Australia
AngioStem™ Inc. announced signing of an exclusive licensing agreement with Queensland University covering intellectual property on newly discovered placentally derived stem cell populations. The proprietary stem cells are believed to play a role in successful pregnancy by creating new blood vessels that lead to formation and function of the placenta. [AngioStem™ Inc. (Business Wire)] 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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Associate Scientist – Hematopoietic Stem Cell Biology (Editas Medicine)

Research Associate – Hematopoietic Stem Cell Biology (Editas Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematology/Oncology (Boston Children’s Hospital)

Research Fellow – Erythropoiesis (New York Blood Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (Cleveland Clinic)

Translational Research Scientist – Hematology/Oncology (University of Chicago)

Postdoctoral Associate – Epigenetic Regulation of Normal and Leukemic Stem Cells (Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute)

Postdoctoral Positions – Immunology, Cancer, and Stem Cells (University of Connecticut)

PhD Position – Stem Cells and Transplantation (University of Geneva)

Postdoctoral position – Regenerative Medicine (University of Copenhagen)

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