Cord Blood News Volume 8.31 | Aug 10 2016

TOP STORY

Tandem Delivery of Multiple Therapeutic Genes Using Umbilical Cord Blood Cells Improves Symptomatic Outcomes in ALS

Intravenous injection of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell cotransduced with adenoviral vectors expressing vascular endothelial growth factor, glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor, and neural cell adhesion molecule resulted in prominent increase of life span and performance in behavioral tests in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). [Mol Neurobiol]

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

The Impact of Graft-Recipient ABO Compatibility on Outcomes after Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant for Non-Malignant Disease

As the future for umbilical cord blood (UCB) expansion technologies is bright, scientists assessed whether this typically-overlooked graft characteristic impacted various outcomes following UCB transplantation for non-malignant disorders. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Transplantation of Human Placenta Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Alleviates Critical Limb Ischemia in Diabetic Nude Rat

Investigators determined the therapeutic effects of human placenta derived mesenchymal stem cells on diabetic critical limb ischemia, with or without exogenous insulin administration, and the underlying mechanism of any effect. [Cell Transplant] Abstract

Serum and Xeno-Free, Chemically Defined, No-Plate-Coating-Based Culture System for Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from the Umbilical Cord

Investigators report for the first time a serum-free, xeno-free, completely chemically defined and no-plate-coating-based culture system for the isolation and expansion of umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells, whose biological characteristics were evaluated and compared with serum-containing medium methods. [Cell Prolif] Abstract

IGFBP5 Enhances Osteogenic Differentiation Potential of Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells and Wharton’s Jelly Umbilical Cord Stem Cells, via the JNK and MEK/Erk Signaling Pathways

Researchers investigated the molecular role of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 5 (IGFBP5) in regulating the osteogenic differentiation potential of MSCs. [Cell Prolif] Abstract

Therapeutic Potential of Secreted Molecules Derived from Human Amniotic Fluid Mesenchymal Stem/Stroma Cells in a Mice Model of Colitis

Scientists tested whether the secreted molecules, derived from a specific population of second trimester amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem/stromal cells, the spindle-shaped mesenchymal stem cells, could be utilized as a novel therapeutic, cell free approach for inflammatory bowel disease therapy. [Stem Cell Rev] Abstract

Potential Mechanisms Underlying Ectodermal Differentiation of Wharton’s Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Previously, investigators demonstrated that when Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs) were seeded onto an acellular matrix material derived from Wharton’s jelly and cultured in osteogenic induction media, generated hair-like structures indicative of ectodermal differentiation of WJMSCs. In this manuscript, they examined the underlying mechanism behind this observation using a variety of microscopy techniques in combination with molecular biology procedures such as western blotting and qPCR. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived Extracellular Vesicles Can Safely Ameliorate the Progression of Chronic Kidney Diseases

Administration of cell-free cord-blood mesenchymal stem cells derived extracellular vesicles was safe and could ameliorate the inflammatory immune reaction and improve the overall kidney function in grade III-IV CKD patients. [Biomater Res] Full Article

Gene Editing of Human Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells: Promise and Potential Hurdles

The authors discuss the specific applications of gene-editing technologies in human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, as informed by prior experience with gene addition strategies. [Hum Gene Ther] Abstract

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Crown Bioscience Announces the Completion of Over 100 Blood Cancer Studies

Crown Bioscience announced the milestone of completing 110 client projects on blood cancer treatments using models from their HuKemia^® collection. [Crown Bioscience] Press Release

Phase II Trial Results of Mesoblast’s Cell Therapy Show Dose-Related Improvements in Biologic Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis

Mesoblast Limited announced that a single intravenous infusion of its proprietary allogeneic mesenchymal precursor cell (MPC) product candidate, MPC-300-IV, was well tolerated and demonstrated a dose-related improvement in clinical symptoms, physical function, and disease activity relative to placebo through the 12 week primary endpoint in its Phase II trial in biologic refractory rheumatoid arthritis. [Mesoblast Limited (GlobeNewswire)] Press Release

Beyond CRISPR: A Guide to the Many Other Ways to Edit a Genome

The zeal with which researchers jumped on a possible new gene-editing system called NgAgo earlier this year reveals an undercurrent of frustration with CRISPR–Cas9 — and a drive to find alternatives. [Nature News] Editorial

US Agency Lifts Ban on Funding Human–Animal Hybrids

Researchers in the United States will soon be able to resume creating chimera-based projects. [Nature News] Editorial

The FDA Is Prohibited from Going Germline

A potentially renewable provision of the Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2016 forestalling the prospect of human germline modification was signed into law on December 18th, 2015. The provision has since been incorporated again into the House and Senate appropriation bills for the fiscal year. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW The 2^nd International Conference on Aging and Disease (ICAD 2016)
September 30-October 2, 2017
Stanford, United States

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Functions in the Hematopoietic System and Other Systems Derived from the Mesoderm (University of Illinois, Chicago)

Technical Sales Representative (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Tumor Immunology (Roswell Park Cancer Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematopoietic Stem Cells (University of Pennsylvania)

Postdoctoral Position – Organogenesis and Mesenchymal Stem Cells (University of Southern California)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Genomics (Ohio State University)

Assistant Member Faculty – PlatinumImmunotherapy (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Cell Biologist – Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Biostage)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Molecular and Cellular Basis of Hematopoiesis (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center)

PhD Studentship – Various Projects (Vienna Biocenter)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Tumor Microenvironment and Cancer Stem Cells (Duke University)

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