Cord Blood News 9.22 June 8, 2017 | |
| |
TOP STORYThe authors performed antenatal treatment of myelomeningocele with an artificial skin using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) generated from a patient with Down syndrome (AF-T21-iPSCs) and twin-twin transfusion syndrome (AF-TTTS-iPSCs) to a rat model. They manufactured three-dimensional skin with epidermis generated from keratinocytes derived from AF-T21-iPSCs and AF-TTTS-iPSCs and dermis of human fibroblasts and collagen type I. For generation of epidermis, they developed a protocol using Y-27632 and epidermal growth factor. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Press Release | |
| |
PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)Scientists demonstrated the effects of exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (huMSC-EXOs) on a cisplatin-induced ovarian granulosa cell model in vitro and discussed the preliminary mechanisms involved in these effects. They successfully extracted huMSC-EXOs from huMSC culture supernatant and observed the effective uptake of exosomes by cells with fluorescent staining. [Sci Rep] Full Article Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is believed to be resistant to NK cell-mediated killing. To overcome this resistance, investigators developed an innovative approach based on NK cell stimulation with Toll-like receptor-activated plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC). They showed that in vitro differentiation of cord blood CD34+ progenitors in the presence of aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonists gives rise to clinically relevant numbers of pDC, as about 108 pDC can be produced from a typical cord blood unit. [Cancer Immunol Immunother] Full Article The authors sought to compare the ability of human adipose- and amnion-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) to undergo osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. Human amniotic epithelial cells and human amniotic MSCs demonstrated significantly greater osteocalcin, aggrecan, and collagen type 2 gene expression compared with human adipose-derived MSCs, respectively, after culture in differentiation medium. [Am J Sports Med] Abstract Investigators tested the therapeutic efficacy of liver-directed transplantation of a placental stem cell, which possesses multilineage differentiation potential, low immunogenicity, and high lysosomal enzyme activity. Unfractionated human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) were transplanted directly into the liver of immunodeficient α-L-iduronidase (Idua) knockout mouse neonates. Enzyme activity assays indicated that hAEC transplantation restored IDUA function in the liver and significantly decreased urinary glycosaminoglycan excretion. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract | Full Article Unrelated cord blood transplantation (UCBT) is one way to expand donor options for patients with severe sickle cell disease (SCD) but historically has been associated with high graft rejection rates. Researchers hypothesized that the addition of thiotepa to a previously tested reduced intensity conditioning regimen would support engraftment after UCBT in SCD patients. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract A Novel Method for the Isolation of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Human Umbilical Cord Blood Very small embryonic-like cells (VSELs) are a population of very rare pluripotent stem cells isolated in adult murine bone marrow and many other tissues and organs, including umbilical cord blood. VSELs existence is still not universally accepted by the scientific community so, on this purpose, the authors sought to investigate whether presumptive VSELs could be isolated from human umbilical cord blood with an improved protocol based on the isolation of enriched progenitor cells by depletion of non-progenitor cells with magnetic separation. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract Development of a Novel Method for Amniotic Fluid Stem Cell Storage Scientists sought to determine whether direct freezing of amniotic fluid cells are able to maintain or improve the potential of a sub-population of stem cells. Human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs) isolated from cells obtained directly from amniotic fluid aspiration expressed mesenchymal stem cells markers until later passages, had a good proliferation rate and exhibited differentiation capacity similar to hAFSCs of cells cultured in a flask before freezing. Direct freezing induced a higher concentration of cells positive for pluripotency stem cell markers, without teratoma formation in vivo. [Cytotherapy] Abstract It is clinically important to maintain high viability and potency of umbilical cord blood units for transplantation during thawing. In the absence of a standard thawing protocol, investigators sought to develop one based on the consensus practice of transplant centers and address the shortage of dextran 40 thawing solution. [Transfusion] Abstract | |
| |
REVIEWSThe authors address the use of adult stem cells such as dental pulp derived; cord blood derived pure populations of regenerative stem cells for targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs). Pro-tumorogenicity of regenerative stem cells is of concern and hence has also been dealt with in relation to breast CSC therapeutics. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cord blood research field. | |
| |
INDUSTRY NEWSAmniox Medical Enters into Agreement with Intalere Amniox Medical, Inc. has announced an agreement with Intalere to serve their members with its market leading human tissue allograft technology composed of both umbilical cord and amniotic membrane for wound healing and soft-tissue repair. [Amniox Medical, Inc.] Press Release Emory-Yonsei Partnership Strengthens Faculty Collaboration The project being funded is a collaboration between Emory’s Young-sup Yoon, professor of medicine and biomedical engineering, and Yonsei’s Seung-Woo Cho, associate professor of biotechnology, both stem cell experts. They are investigating directly reprogramming more common somatic cells into neurons, cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells to the same purpose. Their long-term, cross-disciplinary collaboration includes developing and offering laboratory courses in methods, as well as multiple research projects and opportunities for exchange. [Emory University] Press Release | |
| |
POLICY NEWSLawmakers, patients, physicians and advocates gather on Capitol Hill to highlight advancements in sickle cell disease care and treatment options including transplant and genome editing. [American Society of Hematology] Press Release NSF Offers Arm’s-Length Defense of Trump’s 2018 Request President Donald Trump’s proposal for an 11.3% cut in spending at the National Science Foundation (NSF) may be dead on arrival in Congress. But that doesn’t mean congressional appropriators will be able to avoid any squeeze on NSF’s budget. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Critics Challenge NIH Finding that Bigger Labs Aren’t Necessarily Better A strident debate has erupted among biomedical researchers over a proposed National Institutes of Health (NIH) policy that would shift money from richer to poorer labs. The policy — which would limit investigators to the equivalent of three NIH grants — is based largely on an agency-led analysis of lab productivity. It found that once an NIH-funded lab grows to a certain size, each additional grant produces a smaller productivity boost. But NIH’s study, and one graph in particular, has drawn widespread criticism. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
| |
EVENTSNEW Applications of the Hematopoietic Progenitor Assay Training Course Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
| |
JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Prenatally Transplanted Stem Cells (Northwestern University Medical) Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematopoietic Stem Cells (University of Pennsylvania) Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Sleeping Beauty (Moffitt Cancer Center) Postdoctoral Research Position – Lymphoma (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) Postdoctoral Position – Acute Myeloid Leukemia (LMU Munich) Postdoctoral Position – Mesenchymal Stem Cell (Longboats Explorers Inc.) Full Member Faculty – Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Program (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.
| |
Have we missed an important article or publication in Cord Blood News? Click here to submit! Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here. | |
|