Cord Blood News Volume 9.40 | Oct 12 2017

TOP STORY

A New CRISPR-Engineered Cancer Model to Test Therapeutics

Using multiplex CRISPR-Cas9 editing of human hematopoietic, or blood-forming, stem cells followed by transplantation in mice, scientists designed customized mouse models for the progression of leukemia. In a number of different experiments, the animal models successfully reflected human responses to a therapeutic agent commonly used to treat blood cancers. [Press release from the Broad Institute discussing online prepublication in Cell Stem Cell] Press Release | Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Inhibition of MEK/ERK Signaling Pathway Promotes Erythroid Differentiation and Reduces HSCs Engraftment in Ex Vivo Expanded Hematopoietic Stem Cells

The authors sought to understand the role of MEK/ERK pathway in ex vivo expansion of mononuclear cells and purified CD34⁺ cells, both derived from human umbilical cord blood. Culturing the cells in the presence of an inhibitor of MEK/ERK pathway—PD0325901—significantly reduced the expansion of CD34⁺ and CD34⁺ CD38⁻ cells, while there was no change in the expression of stemness-related genes. [J Cell Mol Med] Full Article

Placenta-Derived Adherent Stromal Cells Improve Diabetes Mellitus-Associated Left Ventricular Diastolic Performance

Investigators explored whether intravenous application of placenta-expanded (PLX) MSC-like cells improves left ventricular (LV) diastolic relaxation in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice and investigated underlying mechanisms. Diabetes mellitus was induced by STZ application during five subsequent days. STZ + PLX mice exhibited higher LV vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA expression and arteriole density versus STZ mice. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Full Article

pIL6-TRAIL-Engineered Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal/Stromal Stem Cells Are Highly Cytotoxic for Myeloma Cells Both In Vitro and In Vivo

Apoptosis is not selective for cancer cells since specific TRAIL receptors are also expressed by a number of normal cells. To overcome this drawback, scientists transduced umbilical cord-MSCs with a bicistronic vector including the TRAIL sequence under the control of IL-6 promoter (pIL6) whose transcriptional activation is promoted by the multiple myeloma milieu. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Upregulation of Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporter Polypeptide during Hepatogenic Differentiation of Umbilical Cord Matrix Mesenchymal Stem Cells Facilitates Hepatitis B Entry

Researchers examined the involvement of human sodium-taurocholate cotransporting peptide in governing differentiated umbilical cord matrix stem cells susceptibility to hepatitis B virus infection by characterizing the modulation of this transporter expression during hepatogenic differentiation and by appreciating the inhibition of its activity on infection efficacy. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

Human Amnion-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Osteogenic and Angiogenic Differentiation of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

The effects of human amnion-derived MSCs (HAMSCs) on osteogenic and angiogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (HASCs) were systematically investigated. The authors found that HAMSCs increased the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of HASCs. [PLoS One] Full Article

Effect of Metformin and Celecoxib on Cytotoxicity and Release of GDF-15 from Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in High Glucose Condition

Because MSCs have an important role in tissue repair, researchers examined the effects of metformin and celecoxib on viability of MSCs in different glucose conditions. MSCs, from umbilical cord blood, were cultured in normoglycemic, midglycemic, and hyperglycemic conditions, and the cell viability was evaluated by MTT assay. [Cell Biochem Funct] Abstract

Optimization of Culture Conditions for Rapid Clinical-Scale Expansion of Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Scientists report the effects of calcium and hypoxia on the proliferation of human umbilical cord blood-derived (hUCB)-MSCs. In addition, they determined the optimal conditions of these two factors for the large-scale culture of hUCB-MSCs. [Clin Transl Med] Full Article

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant-Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy: Current Paradigm and Novel Therapies

In addressing the current understanding of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA), the authors highlight the risk factors leading to endothelial damage and a pathophysiological cascade that ensues. They also compare the different definition criteria and biomarkers that can enable early intervention in TA-TMA patients. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

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

FDA Awards 15 Grants for Clinical Trials to Stimulate Product Development for Rare Diseases

The FDA announced that it has awarded 15 new clinical trial research grants totaling more than $22 million over the next four years to boost the development of products for patients with rare diseases. [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] Press Release

FDA Awards Six Grants for Natural History Studies in Rare Diseases

The FDA announced it has awarded six new research grants for natural history studies in rare diseases. The aim of the research is to inform medical product development by better understanding how specific rare diseases progress over time. [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] Press Release

NSF Drops Preproposals, Deadlines for Biologists Seeking Funding

The National Science Foundation (NSF) will no longer require biologists applying for grants to submit preproposals and to adhere to an annual deadline for submissions. The changes pull the plug on a five-year pilot project in two NSF divisions—and mark the agency’s latest attempt to reduce the burden of the grant review system on its staff and outside researchers without lowering its standards. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

South African Researchers Bemoan Slashed Funds

Academics in South Africa are in uproar after a government research agency announced plans to cut the budget of a prestigious grant program that rewards the country’s best researchers. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 2018 Cell Dynamics Symposium
May 24-25, 2018
Nashville, Tennessee, United States

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

NEW Scientists – In Vivo Leukemia Modeling (University of Copenhagen)

NEW Faculty Positions – Hematological Malignancies (University of Alabama at Birmingham)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematology (University of Tennessee Health Science Center)

NEW Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Hematopoietic Stem Cell Development (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Mesenchymal Stem Cells (University of Southern California)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Development & Epigenetics (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematopoietic Stem Cells (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

Staff Scientist – Translational Hematology (University of Copenhagen)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Functional Genomics of Human Hematopoiesis (Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School)

Technical Director – Personalized Stem Cell Banking (Brilliant Research)

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