Cord Blood News Volume 9.12 | Mar 30 2017

TOP STORY

Therapeutic Efficacy of Neural Stem Cells Originating from Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Diabetic Retinopathy

Researchers evaluated the effects of intravitreal injection of neural stem cells (NSCs) originating from human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on neurodegeneration of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in rats. NSCs originating from MSCs demonstrated a neuroprotective effect by increasing the number of surviving RGCs and significantly reducing the progression of DR. [Sci Rep] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Development of Novel Silk Fibroin/Polyvinyl Alcohol/Sol–Gel Bioactive Glass Composite Matrix by Modified Layer by Layer Electrospinning Method for Bone Tissue Construct Generation

A bilayer deposition of natural biopolymer and synthetic polymer solution with 58s bioactive glass sol was done by free liquid surface electrospinning and further stabilized through ethanol washing to fabricate novel nanofibrous composite scaffold. The biocompatibility, biomineralization and osteogenic potential of composite scaffold were evaluated by cell culture study using cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells. [Biofabrication] Abstract

Compared to the Amniotic Membrane, Wharton’s Jelly May Be a More Suitable Source of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering and Clinical Regeneration

The authors evaluated the potential of human Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) and amniotic membrane (AM)-MSCs as a seeding cell in cardiovascular tissue engineering and cardiovascular regenerative medicine. Fibroblast-like human WJ-MSCs and AM-MSCs were successfully isolated and positively expressed the characteristic markers CD73, CD90, and CD105 but were negative for CD34, CD45, and HLA-DR. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Intraarterial Transplantation of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells in Hyperacute Stroke Improves Vascular Function

Researchers evaluated the effects of hyperacute intraarterial transplantation of human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) mononuclear cells (MNCs) on cerebrovascular function in stroke rats using serial magnetic resonance imaging. They found that cerebral blood flow to the stroke-affected region at 28 days was improved by intraarterial transplantation of hUCB MNCs in the hyperacute stroke phase, compared to vehicle control. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Haplo-Cord Transplantation Compared to Haploidentical Transplantation with Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide in Patients with AML

Investigators analyzed the outcomes of patients who underwent myeloablative umbilical cord blood or haploidentical hemopoietic stem cell transplantation in Spain. With a median follow-up of 61 months for the Haplo-Cord group and 26 months for the post-transplant cyclophosphamide–haplo cohort, overall survival at two years was 55% and 59%, event-free survival was 45% vs 56%, relapse rate was 27% vs 21%, and non-relapse mortality was 17% vs 23%, respectively. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

First Experience of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Treatment of Shwachman–Diamond Syndrome Using Unaffected HLA–Matched Sibling Donor Produced through Preimplantation HLA Typing

Scientists present the first experience of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation treatment of Shwachman–Diamond syndrome using an unaffected HLA-identical sibling produced through preimplantation genetic diagnosis. The patient underwent allogeneic transplantation of cord blood hematopoietic stem cells, together with bone marrow from this sibling, resulting in complete hemopoietic recovery. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Full Article

Comparison of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Four Neonatal Tissues: Amniotic Membrane, Chorionic Membrane, Placental Decidua and Umbilical Cord

Researchers compared the biological characteristics of mesenchymal stromal cells isolated from amniotic membrane, chorionic membrane, placental decidua and umbilical cord to ascertain whether any one of these sources is superior to the others for cellular therapy purposes. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Characterization of CD31 Expression on Murine and Human Neonatal T Lymphocytes during Development and Activation

Lymphocytes were harvested from murine neonates at different ages, human late preterm and term cord blood, and adult peripheral blood. CD31 expressing neonatal murine CD4⁺ and CD8a⁺ T cells increase over the first week of life. Upon in vitro stimulation, human infants’ CD4⁺ and CD8a⁺ T cells shed CD31 faster in comparison to adults. [Pediatr Res] Abstract

Intersecting Worlds of Transfusion and Transplantation Medicine: An International Symposium Organized by the Canadian Blood Services Centre for Innovation

The principal theme of the symposium was centred on how the world of regenerative medicine intersects with that of transfusion medicine, with a particular focus on hematopoietic stem cells and stem cell therapies. The symposium highlighted several exciting developments and identified areas where additional research is needed. [Transfus Med Rev] Abstract

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

Burst Biologics Initiates Prospective Multicenter Clinical Study in Spinal Fusion

Burst Biologics has received IRB approval to begin a multicenter prospective clinical study in spinal fusion patients. The study will be conducted using BioBurst Fluid, a cellular allograft derived from umbilical cord blood which has shown very promising results in spinal fusion procedures. [Burst Biologics (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

BioLineRx Provides Update on Phase II Open-Label Study for BL-8040 as Novel Stem Cell Mobilization Treatment

BioLineRx Ltd. reported partial results data from its open-label Phase II trial for BL-8040 as a novel monotherapy approach for the mobilization and collection of blood forming stem and progenitor cells from the peripheral blood. Interim results show that a single injection of BL-8040 mobilized sufficient amounts of cells required for transplantation at a level of efficacy similar to that achieved by using four to six injections of G-CSF, the current standard of care. [BioLineRx Ltd.] Press Release

Trump Wants 2018 NIH Cut to Come From Overhead Payments

The Trump administration could slash $5.8 billion from the 2018 budget of the National Institutes of Health, yet still fund as least as much research by eliminating overhead payments to universities and research institutions, Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price told lawmakers. [Science Insider] Editorial

European Commission Considering Leap into Open-Access Publishing

One of Europe’s biggest science spenders could soon branch out into publishing. The European Commission, which spends more than €10 billion annually on research, may follow two other big league funders, the Wellcome Trust and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and set up a “publishing platform” for the scientists it funds, in an attempt to accelerate the transition to open-access publishing in Europe. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Europe Says University of California Deserves Broad Patent for CRISPR

The European Patent Office announced its “intention to grant a patent” to the University of California (UC) for its broad-based claims about the genome-editing tool popularly known as CRISPR. UC, on behalf of several parties, has been in a pitched battle with the Broad Institute of Cambridge, Massachusetts, over CRISPR patents, and the new decision marks a sharp departure from the position of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW 15^th International Cord Blood Symposium
June 8-10, 2017
San Diego, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Cell and Molecular Biology (Canadian Nuclear Laboratories)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Research (German Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Research (Helmholtz Association)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Leukemia Research (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles)

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)

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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