Cord Blood News Volume 9.30 | Aug 3 2017

TOP STORY

Gamma-Irradiated Human Amniotic Membrane Decellularized with Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Is a More Efficient Substrate for the Ex Vivo Expansion of Limbal Stem Cells

Investigators determined if decellularization and/or γ-irradiation had an adverse effect on culture growth and limbal stem cell phenotype. γ-irradiation marginally stiffened human amniotic membrane. [Acta Biomater] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Protection against RAGE-Mediated Neuronal Cell Death by sRAGE-Secreting Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in 5xFAD Transgenic Mouse Model

Researchers developed soluble form of receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE)-secreting umbilical cord derived MSCs to enhance the inhibitory effects of sRAGE on amyloid beta deposition and to reduce the secretion and synthesis of RAGE ligands in 5xFAD mice. [Brain Behav Immun] Abstract

The AF4-MLL Fusion Transiently Augments Multilineage Hematopoietic Engraftment but Is Not Sufficient to Initiate Leukemia in Cord Blood CD34⁺ Cells

Scientists established a humanized mouse model by using AF4-mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) to analyze its transformation potential in human cord blood-derived CD34⁺ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. [Oncotarget] Full Article

Different Therapeutic Effects of Cells Derived from Human Amniotic Membrane on Premature Ovarian Aging Depend on Distinct Cellular Biological Characteristics

The authors transplanted human amniotic MSCs (hAMSCs) and human amniotic epithelial cells into a different degrees of premature ovarian aging model. hAMSCs exerted better therapeutic activity on mouse ovarian function in the high-dose administration group. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Cytokine Profiles of Pre-Engraftment Syndrome after Single-Unit Cord Blood Transplantation for Adult Patients

Investigators examined the relationship between serum cytokine profiles and pre-engraftment syndrome in 44 adult patients who received cord blood transplantation in their institute between February 2013 and June 2016. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Modulation of Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number to Induce Hepatocytic Differentiation of Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells

The authors encapsulated human amniotic epithelial cells in barium alginate microcapsules and subsequently differentiated them into hepatocyte-like cells. Differentiation in encapsulated cells showed suppression of inflammatory genes as well as increased expression of genes associated with hepatocyte function pathways and networks. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Cytomegalovirus Viral Load in Cord Blood and Impact of Congenital Infection on Markers of Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Potency

Researchers developed and validated a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay to measure cytomegalovirus (CMV) viral load in cord blood from asymptomatic infants with congenital CMV infection and to assess the impact of CMV infection on cord blood hematopoietic progenitor cell concentrations and colony-forming unit functionality. [Transfusion] Abstract

Effect of Matrix Stiffness on the Proliferation and Differentiation of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Investigators cultured umbilical cord (UC)-MSCs on different stiffness polyacrylamide gels coated with fibronectin. They found that the proliferation and adhesion of UC-MSCs varied when cultured on the different matrices, and the spreading capacity was stronger as the stiffness increased. [Differentiation] Abstract

Minimal Modulation of the Host Immune Response to SIS Matrix Implants by Mesenchymal Stem Cells from the Amniotic Fluid

Scientists evaluated the potential of MSCs derived from amniotic fluid, an interesting MSC source for cell therapeutic applications in the perinatal period, for immune modulation when added to a biomaterial. [Hernia] Abstract

Double-Edged Sword of Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Cancer-Promoting vs Therapeutic Potentials

The authors summarized a number of findings to provide current information about their therapeutic potential in various diseases; they then discussed the potential roles of MSCs in tumor progression. [Cancer Sci] Abstract

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

Creative Medical Technology Holdings Demonstrates AmnioStem Derived Exosomes Inhibit Glioma Growth

Creative Medical Technology Holdings, Inc. announced preclinical data showing exosomes harvested from its patented AmnioStem amniotic fluid stem cell, selectively inhibited the growth of glioma brain cancer cells. [Creative Medical Technology Holdings, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

FDA Grants Approval of IDHIFA^®, the First Oral Targeted Therapy for Adult Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia and an IDH2 Mutation

Celgene Corporation and Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that IDHIFA^® was granted approval from the U.S. FDA for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia with an isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 (IDH2) mutation as detected by an FDA approved test. [Celgene Corporation] Press Release

PCM-075, in Combination with Decitabine, in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) for Exploration of the Safety, Tolerability, Dose and Scheduling, and Antitumor Activity

Trovagene, Inc. announced that the U.S. FDA has accepted its Investigational New Drug Application for PCM-075, a polo-like kinase 1 inhibitor, and has provided authorization to proceed with the treatment of patients with AML. [Trovagene, Inc.] Press Release

Iranian Scientist to Go on Trial for Espionage

An Iranian disaster-medicine researcher who was sent to prison in April 2016 is due to go to trial, on charges of “collaboration with a hostile government”. Ahmadreza Djalali has been warned by the Iranian court that he may be facing a death sentence, according to his wife, Vida Mehrannia. [Nature News] Editorial

Jordan Stakes Its Future on Science

Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan successfully lured the high-profile biennial conference to the Middle East for the first time — part of Jordan’s ongoing push to transform itself into a regional research powerhouse. The country hopes to emphasize the power of science to transcend politics and war in the increasingly volatile Middle East. [Nature News] Editorial

University of Tokyo Probe Says Chromosome Team Doctored Images

After a nearly year-long investigation into anonymous allegations of data and image falsification in numerous papers, a University of Tokyo committee announced it had confirmed that one research group falsified images and graphs in five papers. The panel cleared five other research groups of wrongdoing. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Why Would a University Pay a Scientist Found Guilty of Misconduct to Leave?

In June 2016, investigators at the University of Georgia in Athens concluded that Azza El-Remessy, a faculty member who studied the impact of diabetes on the eye, had committed misconduct and recommended she be terminated. El-Remessy hired a lawyer to dispute the findings, but the following October she gave up her challenge after the university paid her $100,000—essentially to leave. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW 37^th World Congress of Hematology (ISH)
September 13-16, 2018
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

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

NEW Tenure Track Assistant Professor Position – Tissue Regeneration (Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School)

NEW Research Associate II – Myelodeplastic Syndromes and Acute Myeloid Leukemia Research (H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center)

NEW Production Manager – Blood and Related Transfusion Products (Blood Systems Research Institute)

Researcher – Acute Myeloid Leukemia Research (University of Perugia)

Assistant Professor – Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (Harvard University)

Postdoctoral Position – Cell Biology (The Scripps Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematopoietic & Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Loma Linda University)

Postdoctoral Associate – Normal & Malignant Hematopoiesis (University of Miami)

Postdoctoral Position – Acute Myeloid Leukemia (University Hospital Heidelberg)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Acute Myeloid Leukemia (Ohio State University)

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

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