Cord Blood News Volume 9.18 | May 11 2017

TOP STORY

A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Allogeneic Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell for Lupus Nephritis

Researchers evaluated the efficacy of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) for the treatment of lupus nephritis. Remission occurred in 9 of 12 patients in the hUC-MSC group and 5 of 6 patients in the placebo group. A similar proportion of patients on hUC-MSC and placebo achieved complete remission. hUC-MSC had no apparent additional effect over and above standard immunosuppression. [Ann Rheum Dis] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

SP and IL-33 Together Markedly Enhance TNF Synthesis and Secretion from Human Mast Cells Mediated by the Interaction of Their Receptors

Scientists report that IL-33, a member of the IL-1 family of cytokines, administered in combination with substance P (SP), markedly increased tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene expression in cultured human LAD2 and primary mast cells derived from umbilical cord blood. SP and IL-33 in combination greatly stimulated TNF secretion. Pretreatment of LAD2 cells with two different neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists and siRNA inhibited TNF secretion by 50% when stimulated by SP and IL-33. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Curative or Pre-Emptive Adenovirus-Specific T Cell Transfer from Matched Unrelated or Third Party Haploidentical Donors after HSCT, including UCB Transplantations: A Successful Phase I/II Multicenter Clinical Trial

The authors report the results of a Phase I/II multicenter study which includes a series of adenovirus-specific T cell (ADV-VST) infusion either from the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) donor or from a third party haploidentical donor for patients transplanted with umbilical cord blood (UCB). Adoptive transfer of rapidly isolated ADV-VST is an effective therapeutic option for achieving in vivo expansion of specific T cells and clearance of viral load, even as a pre-emptive treatment. [J Hematol Oncol] Full Article

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosome Treatment Restores Lung Architecture and Ameliorates Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Scientists aimed to purify and comprehensively characterize mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-extracellular vesicles (EVs) from both human bone marrow (BMSC) and umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly (WJ) and investigate the efficacy of MSC-EV treatments in bronchopulmonary dysplasia. In vitro, addition of MSC-EVs to alveolar macrophages significantly reduced the induction of M1 markers such as TNFα and CCL5. Hyperoxia-exposed mice exhibited elevated right ventricular systolic pressure compared to normoxic control mice, which was effectively reduced by treatment with BMSC-EVs or WJMSC-EVs. [FASEB J] Abstract

Collagen Scaffold Combined with Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Functional Recovery after Scar Resection in Rats with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Scar tissue was surgically resected from adult rats with 12-week chronic spinal cord injury (SCI), and then collagen scaffold and human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells were implanted into the resected cavity to repair chronic SCI. The results demonstrated that the locomotor function of rats was not affected by surgical scar resection, indicating its safety in treating chronic SCI. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Granulocytic Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells from Human Cord Blood Modulate T-Helper-Cell Response towards an Anti-Inflammatory Phenotype

Researchers investigated the impact of granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells isolated from cord blood (CB-MDSC) on the polarization of T helper (Th)-cells. They demonstrated that CB-MDSCs inhibit Th1-responses and induced Th2-responses and regulatory T-cells. [Immunology] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Umbilical Cord Wharton’s Jelly Trigger Oligodendroglial Differentiation in Neural Progenitor Cells through Cell-to-Cell Contact

The authors sought to elucidate the mechanism through which differentiation in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) is triggered after exposure to Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stromal cells (WJ-MSCs). NPCs showed an increased expression of glial markers after co-culture (CC) with WJ-MSCs or exposure to WJ-MSC-conditioned mediums (CMs). CC had a more prominent effect on the expression of glial markers compared with CM or transwell CCs. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

HUCMNCs Protect Vascular Endothelium and Prevent ISR after Endovascular Interventional Therapy for Vascular Diseases in T2DM Rabbits

The therapeutic effect of transplantation of human umbilical cord blood cell-derived mononuclear cells (HUCMNCs) on treating in-stent restenosis (ISR) after endovascular interventional therapy was evaluated in preclinical rabbit model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)-related peripheral artery disease. The soluble vascular endothelial cadherin and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 were significantly attenuated after HUCMNC transplantation. [Mol Cell Biochem] Abstract

Decreased Phosphorylation of PDGFR-β Impairs the Angiogenic Potential of Expanded Endothelial Progenitor Cells via the Inhibition of PI3K/Akt Signaling

Human umbilical cord blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been proven to contribute to post-natal angiogenesis, and have been applied in various models of ischemia. However, to date, there is no available data on the angiogenic properties of EPCs during the process of in vitro expansion. Investigators expanded EPCs to obtain cells at different passages, and analyzed their cellular properties and angiogenic ability. [Int J Mol Med] Full Article

Expansion Strategies for Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Culture under Xeno-Free Conditions

Scientists evaluated different scalable culture systems to produce a meaningful number of umbilical cord matrix (UCM)-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) using AB human serum for culture medium supplementation during expansion and cryopreservation to enable a xeno-free bioprocess. UCM MSCs were cultured in a scalable planar and 3D microcarrier-based culture systems. [Biotechnol Prog] Abstract

Concise Review: Wharton’s Jelly: The Rich, but Enigmatic, Source of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Methods of cell isolation from Wharton’s jelly are discussed and the immunophenotypic and clonal characteristics of the cells are evaluated. The perivascular origin of the cells is addressed. Clinical trials with umbilical cord cells are reviewed. [Stem Cells] Full Article

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

Magenta Therapeutics Announces New Clinical Data on Its Lead Expansion Clinical Program, MGTA-456

Magenta Therapeutics announced the presentation of new clinical data on its lead expansion program, MGTA-456. The presentation highlights results from three clinical trials involving a total of 36 patients, which evaluated the use of MGTA-456 to expand the number of umbilical cord blood stem cells in a variety of transplant settings, including single cord transplant in older patients undergoing non-myeloablative conditioning. [Press release from Magenta Therapeutics (Business Wire, Inc.) discussing research to be presented at the 2017 American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASCGT) Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.] Press Release | Abstract

Six New York City Scientists Win Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Young Investigators in Cancer Research

The Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance announced the six winners of the fourth annual Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Young Investigators in Cancer Research, awarded annually to promising early career, New York City-area scientists. Recipients receive $200,000 in funding per year for up to three years, for a total of $600,000, to support explorative, high-risk/high-reward cancer research. [Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance] Press Release

European Commission Approves KEYTRUDA^® (Pembrolizumab) for Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma Who Failed Autologous Stem Cell Transplant and Brentuximab Vedotin (BV), or Who Are Transplant-Ineligible and Have Failed BV

Merck announced that the European Commission has approved KEYTRUDA^®, the company’s anti-PD-1 therapy, for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma who have failed autologous stem cell transplant and BV, or who are transplant-ineligible and have failed BV. [Merck & Co., Inc.] Press Release

The Secret War against Counterfeit Science

China is famous for knock-off DVDs, Louis Vuitton bags and Rolex watches. But counterfeit reagents aren’t on sale in busy public markets. They are sold through sophisticated websites, mixed in with legitimate supplies, and sourced and sold using a network of unwitting partners. [Nature News] Editorial

Science Publishers Try New Tack to Combat Unauthorized Paper Sharing

The unauthorized sharing of copyrighted research papers is on the rise, say analysts who track the publishing industry. Faced with this problem, science publishers seem to be changing tack in their approach to researchers who breach copyright. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW American Association of Blood Banks (AABB)
October 7-10, 2017
San Diego, United States

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

NEW MD/PhD Student – Malignant Hematology (Leiden University Medical Center)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Acute Myeloid Leukemia (LMU Munich)

Postdoctoral Position – Mesenchymal Stem Cell (Longboats Explorers Inc.)

Senior Research Scientist – Immunotherapy (Anthony Nolan Research Institute)

Assistant, Associate or Full Professors – Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital)

Research Associate – Blood Stem Cells (University of Cambridge)

Postdoctoral Position – Leukemia Research (VIB-KU Leuven Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer Research (German Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Research (Helmholtz Association)

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

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

Assistant Member Faculty – Platinum/Immunotherapy (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.

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