Cord Blood News Volume 9.43 | Nov 2 2017

TOP STORY

Targeting Acute Myeloid Leukemia by Drug-Induced c-MYB Degradation

Transient exposure to mebendazole was sufficient to inhibit colony formation by acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells, but not normal cord blood-derived cells. Furthermore, mebendazole was effective at impairing AML progression in vivo in mouse xenotransplantation experiments. [Leukemia] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Quantitative Mass Spectrometry of Human Reticulocytes Reveal Proteome-Wide Modifications during Maturation

Immature reticulocytes and mature red blood cells were isolated from human cord blood using a magnetic separation procedure. After sub-fractionation into triton-extracted membrane proteins and luminal samples, quantitative mass spectrometry was conducted to identify more than 1800 proteins with good confidence and coverage. [Br J Haematol] Abstract | Press Release

Brief Report: Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Hematopoietic Progenitors Are Unable to Downregulate Key Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-Associated miRNAs

Scientists compared the miRNA expression profile of hematopoietic progenitors derived from pluripotent stem cells to those derived from bone marrow and found that numerous miRNAs are too highly expressed in hematopoietic progenitors derived from pluripotent stem cells, and that most of these are inhibitors of epithelial-mesenchymal transition or metastasis. [Stem Cells] Full Article

Effect of Autologous Cord Blood Infusion on Motor Function and Brain Connectivity in Young Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

After demonstrating safety, the authors conducted a Phase II trial of autologous cord blood (ACB) infusion in children with cerebral palsy to test whether ACB could improve function. Although there was no difference in mean change in Gross Motor Function Measure-66 scores at one year between placebo and treated groups, a dosing effect was identified. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Full Article | Press Release

High-Throughput Assessment of Mechanical Properties of Stem Cell Derived Red Blood Cells, toward Cellular Downstream Processing

Techniques relying on inherent mechanical and physical properties of cells offer high-throughput scalable alternatives, but knowledge of the mechanical phenotype is required. Investigators characterized deformability and size changes in CD34⁺ cells, and expelled nuclei, during their differentiation process into red blood cells at days 11, 14, 18 and 21, using Real-Time Deformability Cytometry and Atomic Force Microscopy. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Myeloablative Conditioning Regimens with Combined of Haploidentical and Cord Blood Transplantation for Myelodysplastic Syndrome Patients

Scientists evaluated the strategy of haploidentical stem cell combined with a small doses of umbilical cord blood from a third-party donor transplantation (haplo-cord transplant) for treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), by comparing with identical-sibling donor (ISD) transplantation. Haplo-cord-HSCT achieved outcomes similar to those of ISD-HSCT for MDS. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Effects of Opioid and Nonopioid Analgesics on Canine Wheal Formation and Cultured Human Mast Cell Degranulation

Researchers systematically characterized degranulating effects of opioid and nonopioid analgesics on cutaneous flares in the dog and in primary human mast cell (MC) cultures. Human primary MCs (human cord blood CD34⁺/CD45⁺ cells) were employed and β-hexosaminidase in cell-free supernatants were measured to assess degranulation. [Toxicol Appl Pharmacol] Abstract

PARKIN Overexpression in Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Wharton’s Jelly Suppresses 6-Hydroxydopamine–Induced Apoptosis: Potential Therapeutic Strategy in Parkinson’s Disease

Investigators evaluated the effect of the neurotoxicant 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) on regulated cell death signaling in MSCs and investigated whether overexpression of PARKIN in MSCs was capable of modulating the effect of 6-OHDA. 6-OHDA induced apoptosis in MSCs via generation of H₂O₂, activation of c-JUN and PUMA, mitochondrial depolarization and nuclei fragmentation. [Cytotherapy] Abstract

Unrestricted Somatic Stem Cells, as a Novel Feeder Layer: Ex Vivo Culture of Human Limbal Stem Cells

Ex vivo culture of limbal stem cells (LSCs) is a current promising approach for reconstruction of the ocular surface. Scientists developed a novel culture method to expand LSCs, using umbilical cord derived human unrestricted somatic stem cells instead of 3T3 cell with an emphasis on maintaining of the stemness in LSCs. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

From Cord to Caudate: Characterizing Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells and Their Paracrine Interactions with the Injured Brain

The authors describe the cell types found in umbilical cord blood (UCB) and review the available literature surrounding the effects of collection timing and volume, maternal risk factors, delivery characteristics, and neonatal demographics on the cellular composition of UCB. [Pediatr Res] Abstract

Umbilical Cord Blood Cells for Treatment of Cerebral Palsy; Timing and Treatment Options

Scientists discuss specific properties of cell types in umbilical cord blood, with respect to their therapeutic potential and the importance of optimal timing of administration. [Pediatr Res] Abstract

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

Gamida Cell to Present New Data from Key Programs

Gamida Cell announced that two oral presentations on new data from the company’s pipeline programs will be presented. The oral presentations will highlight safety and efficacy data for a completed Phase II study of the company’s lead clinical asset, NiCord, as a single cord blood graft, and proof-of-concept data for the advancement of natural killer cells as an immunotherapeutic modality for patients with cancer. [Press release from Gamida Cell discussing research to be presented at the 59^th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Hematology (ASH), Atlanta] Press Release

Magenta Therapeutics to Present Clinical Results and Preclinical Research

Magenta Therapeutics announced that the company will present clinical data from its stem cell expansion program and insights into its preclinical research. [Press release from Magenta Therapeutics discussing research to be presented at the 59^th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Hematology (ASH), Atlanta] Press Release

BioLineRx Announces Oral Presentation of Data Supporting BL-8040 as Robust Mobilizer of Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSC) Associated with Long-Term Engraftment

BioLineRx Ltd. disclosed preclinical data of BL-8040, its lead oncology platform, demonstrating that human CD34⁺ cells purified from BL-8040-mobilized grafts contain high numbers of a specific type of HSC associated with long-term engraftment, compared to cells mobilized by granulocyte colony stimulating factor. [Press release from BioLineRx Ltd. discussing research to be presented at the 59^th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Hematology (ASH), Atlanta] Press Release

Altemia^™ Achieves Successful Clinical Results in Pediatric Patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)

Sancilio Pharmaceuticals Company, Inc. announced positive top line results from a clinical study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Altemia^™, an oral soft gelatin dosage form, in pediatric sickle cell patients aged 5-17 years. [Sancilio Pharmaceuticals Company, Inc.] Press Release

Following Approval of Israel’s Ministry of Health, Pluristem Extends Its Trial of PLX-R18 to Treat Insufficient Hematopoietic Recovery after Bone Marrow Transplant and Opens Clinical Centers in Israel

Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. announced that it received approval from Israel’s Ministry of Health to initiate a Phase I trial studying the company’s PLX-R18 cell therapy as a treatment for insufficient hematopoietic recovery following hematopoietic cell transplantation. [Pluristem Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

Plans to Promote German Research Excellence Come under Fire

Germany’s latest program to boost research at its universities and make them more competitive inter­nationally risks missing its goals, according to observers. [Nature News] Editorial

Six Papers by Disgraced Surgeon Should Be Retracted, Report Concludes

Sweden’s national scientific ethics board, the Expert Group on Misconduct in Research, has concluded that six papers authored by disgraced surgeon Paolo Macchiarini should be retracted. The papers describe the purported clinical success of artificial trachea “seeded” with a patient’s own stem cells. All three patients described in the papers died of complications related to the implant. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Spanish Government Takes Control of Catalonian Universities

The Spanish government has taken over responsibility for higher education and research in Catalonia, following the region’s unilateral declaration of independence. It will retain control of spending on research centres and universities, which the League of European Research Universities says threatens institutional autonomy. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Phacilitate: Cord Blood & Perinatal Stem Cells
January 24-25, 2018
Miami, Florida, United States

NEW International Society for Experimental Hematology (ISEH) 47^th Annual Scientific Meeting
August 23-26, 2018
Los Angeles, California, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Positions – Hematopoietic/Leukemic Stem Cell Biology (New York University School of Medicine)

Senior Customer Success Specialist – Blood & Marrow Transplantation and Cell Therapy (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Opportunities – Hematological Malignancies (Albert Einstein College of Medicine)

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

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

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)

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

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