Cord Blood News Volume 8.12 | Mar 31 2016

DNA Methylation of Cord Blood Cell Types: Applications for Mixed Cell Birth Studies
Using magnetic bead sorting, the authors isolated cord blood cell types (nucleated red blood cells, granulocytes, monocytes, natural killer cells, B cells, CD4⁺ T cells, and CD8⁺ T cells) from 17 live births at Johns Hopkins Hospital. They compared cell type specific signatures in cord to each other and methylation at 49.2% of CpG sites on the array differed by cell type. [Epigenetics] Abstract

Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Congenital Hemoglobinopathies Using Tailored Busulphan-Based Conditioning Regimen: Single Center Experience
A total of 38 pediatric patients, median age was eight years, suffering from hemoglobinopathy were treated. Sources of stem cells were peripheral blood in 30 transplants, bone marrow in seven transplants, and cord blood in three transplants. Overall survival above 90% in patients undergoing their first transplant was demonstrated using busulphan-based conditioning regimens. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Enhanced Cell Survival and Paracrine Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Overexpressing Hepatocyte Growth Factor Promote Cardioprotection in Myocardial Infarction
Scientists aimed to evaluate the cardioprotective effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) overexpressing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in a mouse model of myocardial infarction. The apoptosis of umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs) and HGF-UC-MSCs under normoxic and hypoxic conditions was detected. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

Alginate/PEG Based Microcarriers with Cleavable Crosslinkage for Expansion and Non-Invasive Harvest of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mesenchymal Stem Cells
A series of alginate/PEG (AL/PEG) semi-interpenetrating network microcarriers were prepared. AL/PEG microcarriers can support the attachment and proliferation of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells. [Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl] Abstract

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Transplantation and Quercetin Treatment in a Rat Model of Experimental Cerebral Ischemia
Scientists investigated the synergistic effect of quercetin administration and transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells following middle cerebral artery occlusion in rat. [Cell Mol Neurobiol] Abstract

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Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to Initiate Clinical Trial for Kids with Treatment-Resistant Leukemia
The Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is one of the first sites in the world to offer a promising new investigational therapy to treat pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. [Children’s Hospital Los Angeles] Press Release

Ligand Partner Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Receives FDA Approval of EVOMELA™ (Melphalan) for Injection
Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated announced that Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of EVOMELA™ for use in two indications: 1) as a high-dose conditioning treatment prior to hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation in patients with MM, and 2) for the palliative treatment of patients with MM for whom oral therapy is not appropriate. [Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated] 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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Postdoctoral Research Associate – Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (University of Pittsburgh)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Blood Stem cell Microenvironment (University of Illinois)

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)

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

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

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