Cord Blood News Volume 8.37 | Sep 22 2016

TOP STORY

TLR3 Preconditioning Enhances the Therapeutic Efficacy of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells in TNBS-Induced Colitis via the TLR3-Jagged-1-Notch-1 Pathway

Intraperitoneally injected polyribocytidylic acid-primed human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) migrated to the inflamed colon and effectively improved clinical and pathological manifestations in colitic mice compared with mice treated with unstimulated hUC-MSCs. [Mucosal Immunol] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Purmorphamine as a Shh Signaling Activator Small Molecule Promotes Motor Neuron Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Cultured on Nanofibrous PCL Scaffold

The authors investigated the effect of the purmorphamine on Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into motor neuronal lineages instead of sonic hedgehog (Shh) on PCL scaffold. [Mol Neurobiol] Abstract

Diverse Impact of Xeno-Free Conditions on Biological and Regenerative Properties of hUC-MSCs and Their Extracellular Vesicles

The authors analyzed the influence of xeno-free expansion media on biological properties of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) and extracellular vesicles from UC-MSCs for future applications in cardiac repair in humans. They showed that proliferation, differentiation, phenotype stability, and cytokine secretion by UC-MSCs vary depending on the type of xeno-free media. [J Mol Med] Abstract

Improved Osteogenesis and Upregulated Immunogenicity in Human Placenta-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Primed with Osteogenic Induction Medium

Scientists evaluated the differentiation potential and immunogenicity of human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells manipulated with osteogenic priming and dedifferentiation process. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Abstract

Extracellular Vesicles Released from Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Prevent Life-Threatening Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease in a Mouse Model of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Investigators explored whether extracellular vesicles released from human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells could prevent acute graft-versus-host disease in a mouse model of allo-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Tissues Derived from Reprogrammed Wharton’s Jelly Stem Cells of the Umbilical Cord Provide an Ideal Platform to Study the Effects of Glucose, Zika Virus and Other Agents on the Fetus

The authors were able to reprogram stem cells in the Wharton’s jelly of the umbilical cord from normal and gestational diabetes mellitus cords into induced pluripotent stem cells from which a variety of functional fetal tissues including insulin-producing and cardiovascular tissues could be derived. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

E2F1 Orchestrates Transcriptomics and Oxidative Metabolism in Wharton’s Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Growth-Restricted Infants

Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from newborns with intrauterine fetal growth restriction were previously shown to exert anabolic features including insulin hypersensitivity. Here, researchers extended these observations and demonstrated that MSCs from small for gestational age individuals have decreased mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates. [PLoS One] Full Article

Estrogen Receptor Signaling in the Ferutinin-Induced Osteoblastic Differentiation of Human Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells

Since ferutinin is able to enhance osteoblastic differentiation of human amniotic fluid stem cells, researchers evaluated the role of the estrogen receptors α and G-protein coupled receptor 30 in ferutinin-mediated osteoblastic differentiation. [Life Sci] Abstract

Pharmacological Inhibition of AKT Activity in Human CD34⁺ Cells Enhances Their Ability to Engraft Immunodeficient Mice

Scientists examined the effect of genetic and pharmacological inhibition of AKT on human cord blood CD34⁺ cells. They found that knockdown of AKT1 in human cord blood CD34⁺ cells using siRNAs targeting AKT1 enhances their quiescence and colony formation potential in vitro. [Exp Hematol] Abstract

Endogenous, Very Small Embryonic-Like Stem Cells: Critical Review, Therapeutic Potential and a Look Ahead

The authors review the available literature on very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs), the methods of their isolation and characterization, their ontogeny, how they compare with embryonic stem cells, primordial germ cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, and their role in maintaining tissue homeostasis. This review includes a look ahead on how VSELs will result in paradigm shifts in basic reproductive biology. [Hum Reprod Update] Abstract

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

Golden Meditech and MD Anderson Team Up to Create Cellenkos, Inc.

Golden Meditech Holdings Limited and The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center have announced the creation of Cellenkos, Inc., a start-up enterprise focused on umbilical cord blood derived T-regulatory cellular therapies. [Golden Meditech Holdings Limited] Press Release

UK Regulatory Authority Approves Cynata GvHD Clinical Trial

Cynata Therapeutics Limited has received approval from the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to proceed with its Phase I clinical trial of CYP-001 in patients with steroid-resistant graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). CYP-001 is Cynata’s lead Cymerus™ mesenchymal stem cell product. [Cynata Therapeutics Limited (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

Titanic Clash over CRISPR Patents Turns Ugly

Much of the focus is on the teams centred at Berkeley and the Broad Institute, whose ‘foundational’ patents cover a wide swathe of CRISPR–Cas9 applications. Although Berkeley’s team filed for a patent first, the Broad opted for an expedited review process, and its patents were granted earlier. [Nature News] Editorial

Spain Joins Bandwagon for ‘Openness’ About Animal Research

The Spanish scientific community has pledged to become more transparent about animal research. Ninety research centers, universities, scientific societies, and companies around Spain have adopted a set of standards, launched by the Confederation of Spanish Scientific Societies, on how research organizations should open up communication channels about their use of laboratory animals. [Science Insider] Editorial

New Fellowship Aims to Increase Diversity in the Life Sciences

A new program aims to launch the careers of life scientists from underrepresented groups by providing up to 8 years of support, covering both the postdoctoral training and junior faculty stages. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Hanna H. Gray Fellows Program will award up to 15 recipients with $60,000 of salary support and $20,000 in flexible funds paid to their institutions for each of up to 4 years of postdoc training. [Science Insider] Editorial

NEW Cord Blood World Europe 2017
May 17-18, 2016
London, United Kingdom

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

NEW Assistant Associate or Full Member Faculty Position – Myeloid Malignancies (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Associate Position – Blood Cancer and Epigenetic Research (University of Miami)

Postdoctoral or Group Leader – Mechanisms Operating during Hematopoiesis and Leukemogenesis (Universität Tübingen)

Assistant, Associate or Full Professors – Hematologic Malignancies (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center)

Chair – Medical Biology (Masaryk University)

PhD Position – Tumor Microenvironment in Leukemia (Georg-Speyer-Haus)

Research Fellow – Cancer Biology (University of Michigan)

Assistant Associate or Full Member Faculty – Myeloid Malignancies (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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

Postdoctoral Position – Tumor Immunology (Roswell Park Cancer Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematopoietic Stem Cells (University of Pennsylvania)

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

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Cord Blood News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.