Cord Blood News Volume 9.49 | Dec 14 2017

TOP STORY

Multidimensional Analysis Integrating Human T-Cell Signatures in Lymphatic Tissues with Sex of Humanized Mice for Prediction of Responses after Dendritic Cell Immunization

Analyses of human T cell maturation in humanized models have been hampered by an overall low immune reactivity and lack of methods to define predictive markers of responsiveness. The authors evaluated the effects of mouse sex in the dynamics of T cell homing and maturation status in thymus, blood, bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes. [Front Immunol] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Kynurenic Acid, an IDO Metabolite, Controls TSG-6-Mediated Immunosuppression of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Scientists employed the mouse lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury (ALI) model, and found that indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is necessary to achieve the effect of human umbilical cord-derived MSC-based treatment on ALI. Notably, when IDO was deleted or inhibited, the expression of TNF-stimulated gene 6 (TSG-6) was decreased. [Cell Death Differ] Full Article

Effects of Maternal Obesity on Wharton’s Jelly Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

The authors investigated whether maternal metabolic environment affects MSCs from umbilical cord’s Wharton’s jelly (WJ) on a molecular level, and potentially render them unsuitable for clinical use in multiple recipients. In this pilot study on umbilical cords post partum from healthy non-obese and obese donors undergoing elective Cesarean section, they found that WJ MSCs from obese donors showed slower population doubling and a stronger immunosuppressive activity. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Tracing GFP-Labeled WJMSCs In Vivo Using a Chronic Salpingitis Model: An Animal Experiment

Researchers evaluated the distribution of Wharton’s jelly-derived MSCs (WJMSCs) and their repairing function on the oviduct. WJMSCs exhibited homing characteristics and migrated to the injured oviduct to promote epithelial cell growth. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

IGFBP3 Deposited in the Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Secreted Extracellular Matrix Promotes Bone Formation

Investigators tested the osteoinductive properties of a human umbilical cord MSC-secreted extracellular matrix construct (hUCMSC-ECM) in a large femur defect of a severe combined immunodeficiency mouse model. The hUCMSC-ECM improved the colonization of endogenous MSCs and bone regeneration, similar to the hUCMSC-seeded scaffold and superior to the scaffold substrate. [J Cell Physiol] Abstract

Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Subpopulations and Their Difference in Cell Biology and Effects on Retinal Degeneration in RCS Rats

Human umbilical cord (hUC)-MSCs are potential candidates for treating retinal degeneration (RD). To further study the biology and therapeutic effects of these cells, two hUC-MSC subpopulations, termed hUC-MSC1 and hUC-MSC2, were isolated by single-cell cloning method and their therapeutic functions were compared in RCS rat, a RD model. [Curr Mol Med] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles for Kidney Repair: Current Status and Looming Challenges

The authors summarize current knowledge of MSC-derived extracellular vesicle (EV) therapy in experimental acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease, and discuss the challenges that need to be addressed in order to consider MSC-derived EVs as a realistic clinical tool to treat patients with these conditions. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

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

Magenta Therapeutics’ Expanded Stem Cell Product, MGTA-456, Engrafts in 100% of Patients, Leading to Robust Neutrophil and Immune Recovery in Two Phase II Clinical Studies

Magenta Therapeutics reported Phase II clinical data from its MGTA-456 hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) expansion program. MGTA-456 is a single umbilical cord blood unit expanded with an aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist. [Press release from Magenta Therapeutics discussing research presented at the 2017 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, Atlanta] Press Release

Gamida Cell Presents Data from Two Key Development Programs

Gamida Cell announced final results from the Phase I/II trial evaluating NiCord, a product derived from cord blood stem cells, as a stand-alone graft to treat patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies. The study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating rapid neutrophil engraftment with manageable side effects. [Press release from Gamida Cell discussing research presented at the 2017 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, Atlanta] Press Release

AMNIOX Medical Awarded Premier Agreement for Regenerative Medicine Products, Offers Access to Amniotic Membrane Products to Premier Members

AMNIOX Medical, Inc. has been awarded a group purchasing agreement for Regenerative Skin Grafting Products with Premier. [AMNIOX Medical, Inc. (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

$5m Gift for Medical Research with Galli Chair in Medical Biology

Pamela Galli has given medical biology a $5 million boost with the establishment of the Lorenzo and Pamela Galli Chair in Medical Biology at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and the University of Melbourne. [Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research] Press Release

Iran’s Supreme Court Confirms Death Sentence for Jailed Scholar

Iran’s Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence handed to Ahmadreza Djalali, a scholar who worked in Europe, according to the human-rights group Amnesty International. [Nature News] Editorial

French Researchers Hope New Chief Will Revitalize Troubled Funding Agency

French scientists are hopeful that the newly appointed chief of a major research-funding agency will revive an organization suffering from squeezed budgets and staff discontent. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW The London Stem Cell Network Symposium 2018
February 26, 2018
London, United Kingdom

NEW 11^th Dutch Stem Cell Meeting
May 4, 2018
Utrecht, Netherlands

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

NEW Research Assistant – Mouse Handling (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Research Assistant – Flow Cytometry (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology (Ghent University)

Postdoctoral Position – Cell Reprogramming in Hematopoiesis and Immunity (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Positions – Hematopoietic Malignancies (New York University School of Medicine)

Faculty Position – Hematology/Oncology (Northwestern University)

Cord Blood Bank Collector (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Acute Myeloid Leukemia (St. Louis Hospital)

Scientist – Hematopoietic Stem Cells (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology)

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

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