Hematopoiesis News Volume 3.27 | Jul 10 2012

LABORATORY RESEARCH

Critical Function for the Ras-GTPase Activating Protein RASA3 in Vertebrate Erythropoiesis and Megakaryopoiesis
Researchers highlighted a critical, conserved, and nonredundant role for RASA3 in vertebrate hematopoiesis. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Full Article

β-Arrestin2 Mediates the Initiation and Progression of Myeloid Leukemia
Scientists investigated the role of β-arrestin in hematologic malignancies and found that although both β-arrestin1 and -2 are expressed in the hematopoietic system, loss of β-arrestin2 preferentially leads to a severe impairment in the establishment and propagation of the chronic and blast crisis phases of chronic myelogenous leukemia. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Full Article

Reovirus as a Viable Therapeutic Option for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma
Researchers tested the hypothesis that reovirus can successfully target human multiple myeloma (MM) in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo without affecting human hematopoietic stem cell re-population/differentiation in a murine model that partially recapitulates human MM. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

GATA Binding Protein 4 (GATA-4) and T-Cell Acute Leukemia 1 (TAL1) Regulate Myogenic Differentiation and Erythropoietin Response via Cross Talk with Sirtuin1
Scientists report that erythropoietin changes the skeletal myogenic regulatory factor expression program and delays differentiation via induction of GATA-4 and the basic-helix-loop-helix TAL1 and that knock down of both factors promotes differentiation. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Acellular Bone Marrow Extracts Significantly Enhance Engraftment Levels of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Mouse Xeno-Transplantation Models
Scientists investigated the effects of acellular bovine bone marrow extracts on hematopoietic stem cells in vitro and in vivo. [PLoS One] Full Article

NOTCH1 Signaling Promotes Human T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Initiating Cell Regeneration in Supportive Niches
These results reveal a functional hierarchy within the leukemia initiating cell (LIC) population based on NOTCH1 activation, which renders LIC susceptible to targeted NOTCH1 inhibition and highlights the utility of NOTCH1 antibody targeting as a key component of malignant stem cell eradication strategies. [PLoS One] Full Article | Press Release

Combined Treatment of 3-Hydroxyflavone and Imatinib Mesylate Increases Apoptotic Cell Death of Imatinib Mesylate-Resistant Leukemia Cells
Various flavonoids were screened for applicability in leukemia treatment, and 3-hydroxyflavone was found to be most effective in reducing cancer cell viability. [Leuk Res] Abstract

MicroRNAs Can Increase the Efficiency of Ex Vivo Platelet Generation
Researchers derived a highly efficient differentiation protocol to produce mature polyploid megakaryocytes and functional platelets from CD34⁺-hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells by comparing previously published approaches. [Ann Hematol] Abstract

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Eltrombopag and Improved Hematopoiesis in Refractory Aplastic Anemia
Scientists conducted a phase II study involving patients with aplastic anemia that was refractory to immunosuppression to determine whether the oral thrombopoietin mimetic eltrombopag can improve blood counts. [N Engl J Med] Abstract | Press Release

RUNX1 Mutations Are Associated with Poor Outcome in Younger and Older Patients with Cytogenetically Normal Acute Myeloid Leukemia and with Distinct Gene and MicroRNA Expression Signatures
Researchers determined the association of RUNX1 mutations with therapeutic outcome in younger and older patients with primary cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia and with gene/microRNA expression signatures. [J Clin Oncol] Abstract

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Oncologist Awarded $75,000 Hyundai Scholar Award
Weili Sun was awarded $75,000 by the Hyundai Hope on Wheels program. This grant will support Sun’s efforts to find new and effective therapies for childhood leukemia. [Children’s Hospital Los Angeles]
Press Release

CytRx Announces Allowance of U.S. Patent Application for Tamibarotene Capsule
CytRx Corporation announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a notice of allowance for a patent application with claims covering a pharmaceutical composition of tamibarotene in capsule form. CytRx is currently conducting a Phase II clinical trial with tamibarotene as a treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia. [CytRx Corporation] Press Release

OrSense Introduces Glasswing, Its Next-Generation, Wireless, Non-Invasive Hemoglobin Monitoring System for Anemia Screening
OrSense Ltd. introduced Glasswing^TM, its measurement system for anemia monitoring, hemorrhage detection and pre-donation screening. [OrSense Ltd.] Press Release

Death of Evidence Announcement
To make the public aware of government cuts to federal programs, Canadians are organizing a ‘Death of Evidence’ rally to coincide with a large scientific conference taking place in Ottawa. [Death of Evidence, Canada] Press Release

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)
 
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)
 
European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

NEW Cell Culture World Congress USA
November 12-13, 2012
Washington, United States
  
Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the hematopoietic community.

Research Associate – Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Contract Assay Services (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Media Development (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Epithelial Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Mesenchymal Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Anti-HIV Hematopoietic Stem Cell Gene Therapy (University of California, Los Angeles)

Postdoctoral Position – Hematopoietic Stem Cell Biology and Immunology (University of California, San Francisco)

Postdoctoral Positions – Stem Cells and Immunology (University of Connecticut)

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