Cord Blood News Volume 8.47 | Dec 1 2016

TOP STORY

Increased DNA Methylation Variability in Type 1 Diabetes Across Three Immune Effector Cell Types

The incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) has substantially increased over the past decade, suggesting a role for non-genetic factors such as epigenetic mechanisms in disease development. Researchers present an epigenome-wide association study across 406,365 CpGs in 52 monozygotic twin pairs discordant for T1D in three immune effector cell types. [Nat Commun] Full Article

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Anti-Proliferative Activity of the NPM1 Interacting Natural Product Avrainvillamide in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Investigators examined the in vitro and in vivo anti-leukemic activity of the mutated nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) and chromosome region maintenance 1 homolog interacting natural product avrainvillamide (AVA) and a fully syntetic AVA analog. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Tumor-Specific Delivery of Biologics by a Novel T-Cell Line HOZOT

Scientists report a new, intriguing approach using HOZOT cells to transmit biologics such as oncolytic viruses into human cancer cells by cell-in-cell invasion. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Exosomes Derived from Human Endothelial Progenitor Cells Accelerate Cutaneous Wound Healing by Promoting Angiogenesis through Erk1/2 Signaling

Researchers demonstrated that the exosomes derived from human umbilical cord blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells possessed robust pro-angiogenic and wound healing effects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. [Int J Biol Sci] Full Article

Early and Long-Term Impaired T-Lymphocyte Immune Reconstitution after Cord Blood Transplantation with Antithymocyte Globulin

Umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) has been associated with delayed immune reconstitution. Researchers characterized the kinetics and investigated the risk variables affecting the main lymphocyte subsets recovery in 225 consecutive pediatric and adult patients who underwent myeloablative single-UCBT between 2005 and 2015 for malignant and non-malignant disorders. Low CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell counts were observed up to 12 months after UCBT. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Optimization of cGMP Purification and Expansion of Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived T-Regulatory Cells in Support of First-In-Human Clinical Trials

The authors previously completed a “first-in-human” clinical trial using in vitro expanded umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived tTreg to prevent graft-versus-host disease in patients undergoing UCB hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. tTreg were safe and demonstrated clinical efficacy, but low yield prevented further dose escalation. To optimize yield, they investigated the use of KT64/86 artificial antigen presenting cells to expand tTreg and incorporated a single re-stimulation after day 12 in expansion culture. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Erythrocyte Membrane Based Cationic Polymer-McDNA Complexes as an Efficient Gene Delivery System

The authors reported a potential gene delivery vehicle composed of the erythrocyte membrane and cationic polymers, for example the XtremeGENE from Roche and the ε-caprolactone modified polyethylenimine. [Biomater Sci] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Deep Sequencing of the TCRB Repertoire of Human Foxp3⁺ and Foxp3^– T Cells Suggests that They Are Completely Distinct and Non-Overlapping

The authors generated highly purified populations of human adult and cord blood auto-reactive conventional T cells and thymically-derived Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells based on the differential expression of CD25 and CD127. The purity of the sorted populations was validated by intracellular staining for Foxp3 and Helios. [Clin Exp Immunol] Abstract

A View of Human Hematopoietic Development from the Petri Dish

The authors first describe their current understanding of embryonic hematopoiesis and the structure of the embryonic hematopoietic system that serves as the roadmap for human pluripotent stem cell differentiation studies. [Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol] Abstract

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CellResearch Corporation Extends Umbilical Cord Tissue Banking Services Across the US through Partnership with University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus and CariCord

CellResearch Corporation Pte Ltd., through its wholly owned subsidiary, CordLabs Pte Ltd., has entered into an agreement with CariCord Inc. to provide umbilical cord tissue banking services in the United States. CariCord is the private postnatal cord blood and tissue banking partner of ClinImmune Labs at the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus. [CellResearch Corporation Pte Ltd. (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release

The Stem Cell Network Announce Funding of $9 Million for Innovative Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research

The Stem Cell Network with the support of the Canadian Minister of Science announced funding of $9 million for innovative stem cell and regenerative medicine research that will help translate discoveries into better health and economic growth for Canadians. This funding was made available thanks to a 2016 budget commitment of $12 million over two years by the Government of Canada to further the work of the Stem Cell Network. [The Stem Cell Network] Press Release

Battle over US Overtime Pay Rules Leaves Many Postdocs in Limbo

Institutions struggle to respond after court blocks regulations that would have increased wages for junior researchers. Some universities are proceeding with planned salary increases for postdocs, but others have cancelled — or at least, temporarily halted — changes to researchers’ pay. The uncertainty over how the legal battle will play out is already affecting some postdocs’ career and family plans. [Nature News] Editorial

FDA Chief Pushes Back against Criticism of Stem Cell Treatment Regulations

The country’s top drug regulators pushed back on claims they move too slowly in approving new stem cell treatments and sought to temper expectations for the field’s potential to benefit patients, emphasizing the hazards and the unknowns that persist with developing such therapies. [STAT News] Editorial

Big Biology Projects Warm up to Preprints

The 4D Nucleome, a major research consortium funded by the US National Institutes of Health, is now requiring that all manuscripts related to its US$120-million, five-year programme are posted to an online preprint server ahead of peer review. And a privately funded, US$600-million biomedical research initiative in California is considering whether to demand its investigators do the same. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Mouse Development, Stem Cells & Cancer
June 7-26, 2017
Cold Spring Harbor, United States

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NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Transcriptional Networks Regulating (University of Southern Denmark)

NEW Principle Scientist – Translational Development (Celgene Corporation)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Epigenetics/Systems Biology (National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health)

Postdoctoral Position – Leukemia Research (University Medicine Mannheim)

MRC WIMM Prize PhD Studentships (University of Oxford)

Senior Research Scientist / Natural Killer Cell Therapy Group Leader – Immunotherapy (The Anthony Nolan Trust)

Research Associate – Hematology (Editas Medicine)

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

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

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

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