Cord Blood News 9.34 August 31, 2017 | |
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TOP STORYScientists evaluated the effect of red and green light emitted from light emitting diodes (LED) on the neural lineage differentiation of human umbilical cord matrix-derived mesenchymal cells in the presence or absence of retinoic acid (RA). Irradiation of these cells by green and red LED with or without RA pre-treatment successfully differentiated them into neural lineage when the morphology of the induced cells, gene expression pattern and protein synthesis was evaluated. [Sci Rep] Full Article | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)Given that the best characterized mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS-I) murine model is an immunocompetent mouse, researchers developed a transplantation system based on murine umbilical cord blood (UCB). With the final aim of testing the therapeutic efficacy of UCB in MPS-I mice transplanted at birth, they defined the features of murine UCB cells and demonstrated that they are capable of multi-lineage haematopoietic repopulation of myeloablated adult mice similarly to bone marrow cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article The outcome of 22 patients with aplastic anemia, aged ≥16 years, who underwent umbilical cord blood transplantation for graft failure (GF) after the first hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), was retrospectively analyzed using the registry database of the Japan Society for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. Umbilical cord blood could be an effective and promising option for stem cell source for urgent second transplantation in patients with aplastic anemia who develop GF after the previous HSCT. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract Investigators observed that the number of hematopoietic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, endothelial progenitors cells, and very small embryonic-like stem cells increased in maternal blood at 24 hours after physiological delivery. They proposed that delivery stress is associated with an increase in the number of circulating stem cells, not only on the fetal side but also on the maternal side of the fetal-maternal circulatory barrier. [Stem Cell Rev] Full Article The Amniotic Fluid as a Source of Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Lung-Specific Characteristics Scientists analyzed gene expression of pulmonary and renal markers of 212 clonal lines of amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells (AF-MSC) isolated from amniocentesis samples. Of all the isolated AF-MSC lines 26% were positive for lung endodermal markers FOXA2 and NKX2.1 and lacked expression of renal markers. [Prenat Diagn] Abstract Researchers focused on an anti-inflammatory agent, honokiol, which is isolated from an herb, investigated the potential effects on human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells in interleukin-1β stimulation. [BMC Cell Biol] Full Article | |
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REVIEWSEfforts to Enhance Blood Stem Cell Engraftment: Recent Insights from Zebrafish Hematopoiesis Recent studies in zebrafish have revealed novel genes that are required for hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) induction and niche regulation of HSC homeostasis. Manipulation of these signaling pathways and cell types may improve HSC bioengineering, which could significantly advance critical, lifesaving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation therapies. [J Exp Med] Full Article Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the cord blood research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSResearchers at John Theurer Cancer Center First in US to Initiate Groundbreaking New Studies Two related trials that may greatly expand the role of immunotherapy in hematologic malignancies are being led by researchers at one of the most active hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) centers in the United States—the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, which is part of Hackensack Meridian Health. The trials are testing the hypothesis that combined checkpoint inhibitors administered after HSCT will prevent or substantially reduce the risk for relapse in several blood and bone marrow malignancies. [Hackensack Meridian Health] Press Release Novel Treatment Aims to Transform Protocol for Deadly Blood Disorder UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland will pioneer stem cell transplants for a uniquely challenging patient population: second-trimester fetuses stricken with a potentially fatal disease. The two hospitals are enrolling ten pregnant women in the first phase of a clinical trial to treat fetuses with an inherited disorder that restricts the blood’s ability to carry oxygen to vital organs. The trial, the first of its kind in the world, is funded by a $12.1 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. [University of California San Francisco] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSSkepticism Surfaces over CRISPR Human Embryo Editing Claims When the first U.S. team to edit human embryos with CRISPR revealed their success earlier this month, the field reeled with the possibility that the gene-editing technique might soon produce children free of their parents’ genetic defects. But the way CRISPR repaired the paternal mutation targeted in the embryos was also a surprise. Instead of replacing the gene defect with strands of DNA that the researchers inserted, the embryos appeared to use the mother’s healthy gene as a template for repairing the cut made by CRISPR’s enzyme. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Science Suffers as China’s Internet Censors Plug Holes in Great Firewall China is tightening the screws on internet access, again. The latest crackdown—an evolving effort to ban virtual private networks not under government control—could seriously erode scientists’ ability to stay connected with peers abroad. [ScienceInsider] Editorial In the last few days alone, the FDA has taken steps in Florida and California to address a number of especially troubling products being marketed. But unfortunately, these are examples of a larger pool of actors who claim that their unproven and unsafe products will address a serious disease, but instead put patients at significant risk. [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] Editorial FDA Warns US Stem Cell Clinic of Significant Deviations The U.S. FDA posted a warning letter issued to US Stem Cell Clinic of Sunrise, Florida, and its Chief Scientific Officer Kristin Comella for marketing stem cell products without FDA approval and for significant deviations from current good manufacturing practice requirements, including some that could impact the sterility of their products, putting patients at risk. [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW 59th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Technical Director – Personalized Stem Cell Banking (Brilliant Research) Director – Allogenic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (Princess Margaret Cancer Centre) Postdoctoral Scholar – Malignant Hematopoiesis (Penn State College of Medicine) Assistant Professor – Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (Harvard University) Postdoctoral Position – Cell Biology (The Scripps Research Institute) Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematopoietic & Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Loma Linda University) 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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