Cord Blood News Volume 9.07 | Feb 23 2017

TOP STORY

Effects of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Co-Culture on Calcium-Induced Differentiation of Normal Human Keratinocytes

Researchers co-cultured umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with normal human epidermal keratinocytes to evaluate their paracrine effect in the presence of high extracellular calcium (Ca²⁺) concentration. They found that MSCs suppress both proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes under a high Ca²⁺ environment in TGFβ1-dependent manner. [Stem Cells] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

N-Acetylated Proline-Glycine-Proline Accelerates Cutaneous Wound Healing and Neovascularization by Human Endothelial Progenitor Cells

The authors explored the effects of N-acetylated Proline-Glycine-Proline (Ac-PGP), a degradation product of collagen, on human endothelial progenitor cells (hEPC)-mediated cutaneous wound healing and neovascularization. Treatment of hEPCs with Ac-PGP increased migration, proliferation, and tube-forming activity of hEPCs in vitro. [Sci Rep] Full Article

In Vitro Generation of Sertoli-Like and Haploid Spermatid-Like Cells from Human Umbilical Cord Perivascular Cells

Scientists cultured three independent lines of first trimester and term human umbilical cord-derived perivascular cells using a novel five-week step-wise in vitro differentiation protocol recapitulating key physiological signals involved in testicular development. Within three weeks of differentiation, two morphologically distinct cell types emerged including large adherent cells and semi-attached round cells. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

The Impact of Delayed Infusion Time in Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation

The authors examined the effect of thaw duration time on engraftment outcomes in 567 patients undergoing umbilical cord blood transplantation. With a range of 32 to 523 minutes, a prolonged thaw duration had no obvious effect on the incidence of neutrophil engraftment or time to recovery. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Metabolomics Analysis of the Osteogenic Differentiation of Umbilical Cord Blood Mesenchymal Stem Cells Reveals Differential Sensitivity to Osteogenic Agents

Investigators assessed the osteoinduction efficiency of BMP-2 and dexamethasone on umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells was assessed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry metabolomics analysis revealing metabolic discrepancies at 7, 14 and 21 days of induction. The metabolomics analysis revealed that each agent induced distinct metabolic alterations including changes in amino acid pools, glutaminolysis, one-carbon metabolism, glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Characterization of Tunneling Nanotubes in Wharton’s Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells. An Intercellular Exchange of Components between Neighboring Cells

Scientists report an extensive and detailed description of types, structure, components, dynamics and functionality of the tunneling nanotubes bridging neighboring human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells obtained from Wharton’s jelly. Characterization studies were carried out through phase contrast, fluorescence, electron microscopy and time lapse images with the aim of describing cells suitable for an eventual regenerative medicine. [Stem Cell Rev] Abstract

Decellularized Wharton’s Jelly from Human Umbilical Cord as a Novel 3D Scaffolding Material for Tissue Engineering Applications

This manuscript details a novel matrix derived from decellularized Wharton’s jelly (WJ) obtained from human umbilical cord for use as a scaffold for tissue engineering application. When seeded onto decellularized WJ matrix, WJ mesenchymal stem cells, successfully attached to, and penetrated the porous matrix resulting in a slower rate of cell proliferation. [PLoS One] Full Article

Adenovirus Vector-Mediated Ex Vivo Gene Transfer of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) to Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (UCB-MSCs) Promotes Crush-Injured Rat Sciatic Nerve Regeneration

The authors investigated the efficacy of adenovirus vector-mediated BDNF ex vivo gene transfer to human UCB-MSCs in a rat sciatic nerve crush injury model. Results showed that expression of BDNF at both the protein and mRNA levels was higher in the BDNF-Ad + UCB-MSC group compared to the UCB-MSC group in vitro. [Neurosci Lett] Abstract

Who Should Receive a Transplant for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia?

The authors describe the indications for allografting adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients in first complete remission. Role of minimal residual disease in optimizing hematopoietic cell transplantation for ALL is delineated. They also discuss how alternative donors, haploidentical and cord blood and reduced intensity conditioning make allografts more accessible to patients with high-risk ALL. [Curr Hematol Malig Rep] Abstract

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

Stem Cell Company Combining Stem Cell Therapy with Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment

Stemedix Inc. announced that they are offering their patients a powerful treatment combination; hyperbaric oxygen therapy and stem cell therapy. [Stemedix, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

The Scripps Research Institute Announces New Board Members and Chairman of the Board

The Scripps Research Institute announced the appointment of nine new members to its Board of Directors, including John D. Diekman, who will serve as chairman of the board. Diekman replaces Richard A. Gephardt, who is retiring from the board after seven years of service. [The Scripps Research Institute] Press Release

Updated: Will They or Won’t They? What Science Groups Are Saying About Joining the March for Science

The March for Science is creating a buzz in the scientific community. The march arose as a grassroots reaction to concerns about the conduct of science under President Donald Trump. And it has spurred debate over whether it will help boost public support for research, or make scientists look like another special-interest group, adding to political polarization. [Science Insider] Editorial

Firing of Veteran NIH Scientist Prompts Protests over Publication Ban

At least two dozen junior and senior researchers are stuck in scientific limbo after being barred from publishing data collected over a 25-year period at a National Institutes of Health (NIH) lab. The unusual ban follows the firing last summer of veteran neurologist Allen Braun by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders for what many scientists have told Science are relatively minor, if widespread, violations of his lab’s experimental protocol. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Why British Universities Are Unlikely to Accept Invitation to Set Up Campuses in France

A consortium of academic institutes near Paris is hoping to lure British universities to create research campuses in France, dangling as bait the possibility of access to European Union research funds after Brexit. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Cell Culture World Congress
May 23-24, 2017
San Diego, United States

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

NEW Assistant and Associate Professors – Regenerative & Cancer Cell Biology (Albany Medical College)

Staff Scientist/Assistant Professor – Nonmalignant Hematology (New York Blood Center)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cancer Biology (Moffitt Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Positions – Cancer Proteomics (University of British Columbia)

Assistant/Associate Professor – Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation and/or Gene Therapy (Dana Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center)

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

Research Group Leader – Leukemia Research (University Hospital Basel)

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

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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