Cord Blood News Volume 9.03 | Jan 26 2017

TOP STORY

Outcomes of UCB Transplantation Are Comparable in FLT3⁺ AML: Results of CIBMTR, Eurocord and EBMT Collaborative Analysis

Researchers found that compared with sibling hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), relapse risks were similar after umbilical cord blood (UCB), and unrelated donors (URD). UCB HCT was associated with statistically higher non-relapse mortality compared with sibling HCT, but not vs URD. UCB is a suitable option for adults with FLT3⁺ acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the absence of an HLA-matched sibling. [Leukemia] Abstract

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SIRT1-Dependent Anti-Senescence Effects of Cell-Deposited Matrix on Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The authors evaluated the effect of cell-deposited decellularized extracellular matrix (DECM) on oxidative stress-induced premature senescence in umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs). They found that DECM protected UC-MSCs from oxidative stress-induced premature senescence. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Generation of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Cord Blood: Evaluation of In Vitro Quality Parameters Prior to Clinical Use

Scientists explored whether cord blood (CB) may represent a suitable source of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) for clinical use and analyzed several in vitro parameters useful to better define the quality of CB-derived MSC prior to clinical application. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Toxoplasma gondii Induces Autophagy and Apoptosis in Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells via Down-Regulation of Mcl-1

Researchers determined the activities of autophagy and apoptosis as well as their regulatory mechanisms during T. gondii infection by using human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells as a model of congenital diseases. [Cell Cycle] Abstract

Increasing Stem Cell Dose Promotes Posttransplant Immune Reconstitution

Using immunocompromised mice transplanted with purified umbilical cord blood UCB CD34⁺ stem cells, the authors demonstrated that increasing the numbers of CD34⁺ cells in the transplant promotes hematopoietic and immune reconstitution. At early stages posttransplant, high stem cell dose generated relatively more B cells, while lower dose generated more myeloid and T cells. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

The Isolation and Production of a Ready-to-Use Product (the Amniotic Stem Cell Culture) in Accordance with GMP Regulations

Scientists aimed to standardize the isolation of amniotic stem cells and the selection of the optimal time of transplantation and cell application methods in burn patients according to the guidelines of the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Cord Blood Natural Killer Cells Expressing a Dominant Negative TGF-β Receptor: Implications for Adoptive Immunotherapy for Glioblastoma

The authors observed that transforming growth factor (TGF-β) inhibits expression of activating receptors such as NKG2D and DNAM1 and decreases killing activity against glioblastoma tumor cells through inhibition of perforin secretion. To overcome the detrimental effects of TGF-β, they engrafted a dominant negative TGF-β receptor II on cord blood-derived natural killer cells by retroviral transduction and evaluated their ability to kill glioblastoma cells in the presence of TGF-β. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Inhibit T Follicular Helper Cell Expansion through the Activation of iNOS in Lupus-Prone B6.MRL-Fas^lpr Mice

Scientists demonstrated that the frequency of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells was increased in lupus-prone B6.MRL-Fas^lpr (B6.lpr) mice and positively correlated to plasma cell proportions and serum total IgG as well as anti-dsDNA antibody levels. Transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells ameliorated lupus symptoms in B6.lpr mice, along with decreased percentages of Tfh cells. [Cell Transplant] Abstract

Icariin Combined with Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Significantly Improve the Impaired Kidney Function in Chronic Renal Failure

Investigators employed the use of icariin (ICA)-treated human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (huMSCs) for the treatment of chronic renal failure (CRF). Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine analyses showed amelioration of functional parameters in ICA-treated huMSCs for the treatment of CRF rats after transplantation. [Mol Cell Biochem] Abstract

Studying Hematopoiesis Using Single-Cell Technologies

The authors review recent technical advances in single-cell analysis technology, as well as their current applications. They also discuss the impact of single-cell technologies on both basic research and clinical application in hematology. [J Hematol Oncol] Full Article

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Invetech Announces Agreement with Erytech to Develop Scalable Automated Manufacturing System

Invetech announced a collaboration agreement with Erytech Pharma. Under the agreement, Invetech will develop systems to enable the commercial-scale manufacture of products based on Erytech’s proprietary ERYCAPS technology platform, which uses a novel technology to encapsulate therapeutic drug substances inside red blood cells and is designed to more effectively deliver therapeutics with reduced side effects. [Invetech] Press Release

The Kerry and Simone Vickar Family Foundation Commits $2 Million for Levine Cancer Institute Hematologic Oncology Chair

Carolinas HealthCare System announced today a $2 million commitment from the Kerry and Simone Vickar Family Foundation in support of academic and research efforts at Levine Cancer Institute. The funds will be designated to establish an endowed chair in their name: The Kerry and Simone Vickar Family Foundation Endowed Chair in Hematologic Oncology and Blood Disorders. [Carolinas HealthCare System (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

World’s Foremost Institute on Death and Disease Metrics Gets Massive Cash Boost

The world’s premier centre for health metrics — the science of measuring and analysing global health problems, and how they relate to healthcare and biomedical research funding — will receive a US$279-million cash injection from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The cash will go towards expanding the institute’s work over the next decade and consolidating its primacy in the field. It is considered by far the biggest and most influential research centre for health metrics, and its work informs the funding and policy decisions of many national governments and local, regional and global organizations, including the World Bank and the US National Institutes of Health. [Nature News] Editorial

What Trump’s Nominees Have Said About Science at Their Senate Hearings

This is the third week of U.S. Senate hearings on President Donald Trump’s nominees to his Cabinet. The nominees that senators have heard from include representative Tom Price, the nominee to run the Department of Health and Human Services, the parent agency of the National Institutes of Health. His opening statement included a nod to biomedical research at the department of Health and Human Services. Price says he will support science-based policies, rejects vaccine-autism and abortion–breast cancer links. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Candidates from Ethiopia, United Kingdom, and Pakistan Will Compete for WHO’s Top Slot

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced who will be up for election to the post of director-general in May. They are: former Ethiopian health minister and minister of foreign affairs Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus; British physician and United Nations official David Nabarro; and Pakistani cardiologist and former science minister Sania Nishtar. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Gordon Research Conferences – Tissue Repair & Regeneration
June 4-9, 2017
New London, United States

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

NEW Research Associate – Acute Myeloid Leukemia Research (University of Virginia)

Research Group Leader – Leukemia Research (University Hospital Basel)

Scientist Position – Immunology (New York Blood Center)

Full Member Faculty – Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Program (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Instructor – Molecular and Cellular Pathology (The University of Alabama)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Gastrointestinal Research (Boston Children’s Hospital; Harvard Medical School)

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

Principle Scientist – Translational Development (Celgene Corporation)

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

Assistant Member Faculty – Platinum/Immunotherapy (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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