Hematopoiesis News Volume 4.01 | Jan 15 2013

LABORATORY RESEARCH

The Function of Hematopoietic Stem Cells Is Altered by Both Genetic and Inflammatory Factors in Lupus Mice
Researchers investigated whether hematopoietic stem cell functions were altered in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-prone mice and whether it contributed to clinical manifestations of SLE. [Blood] Abstract

The Viral Oncogene Np9 Acts as a Critical Molecular Switch for Co-Activating β-Catenin, ERK, Akt and Notch1 and Promoting the Growth of Human Leukemia Stem/Progenitor Cells
HERV-K type 1-encoded Np9 is a tumor-specific biomarker, but its oncogenic role and targets in human leukemia remain elusive. Investigators identified Np9 as a potent viral oncogene in human leukemia. [Leukemia] Abstract

Bivalent Promoter Marks and a Latent Enhancer May Prime the Leukemia Oncogene LMO1 for Ectopic Expression in T-Cell Leukemia
Given that LMO1 is barely expressed in any hematopoietic lineage, and activation of transcriptional drivers in leukemic cells is not well described, scientists investigated the regulation of this gene in normal hematopoietic and leukemic cells. [Leukemia] Abstract

Critical Role of Presenilin-Dependent γ-Secretase Activity in DNA Damage-Induced Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein Expression and Apoptosis
Researchers investigated the effect of presenilin, the main component of the γ-secretase complex, in promyelocytic leukemia/p53 expression and downstream consequences during DNA damage-induced cell death using camptothecin. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Regeneration Enhanced by Ectopic Expression of Reactive Oxygen Species-Detoxifying Enzymes in Transplant Mice
Scientists showed that basal expression of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and catalase were at low levels in long-term and short-term repopulating hematopoietic stem cells, and administration of a MnSOD plasmid and lipofectin complex conferred radiation protection on irradiated recipient mice. [Mol Ther] Abstract

High Resolution Methylome Analysis Reveals Widespread Functional Hypomethylation during Adult Human Erythropoiesis
To understand the regulatory mechanisms governing lineage commitment, researchers conducted a high resolution methylomic and transcriptomic analysis of six major stages of human erythroid differentiation. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Sickle Erythrocytes Target Cytotoxics to Hypoxic Tumor Microvessels and Potentiate a Tumoricidal Response
Investigators exploited a hitherto unrecognized ability of sickled erythrocytes (SSRBCs) but not normal RBCs (NLRBCs) to selectively target hypoxic tumor vascular microenviroment and induce diffuse vaso-occlusion. Within minutes after injection SSRBCs, but not NLRBCs, home and adhere to hypoxic 4T1 tumor vasculature with hemoglobin saturation levels at or below 10% that are distributed over 70% of the tumor space. [PLoS One] Full Article | Press Release

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Anagrelide Compared to Hydroxyurea in WHO-Classified Essential Thrombocythemia: The ANAHYDRET Study, a Randomized Controlled Trial
In 259 previously untreated, high-risk essential thrombocythemia patients efficacy and tolerability of anagrelide compared to hydroxyurea was investigated in a prospective randomized non-inferiority Phase III study in an a priori ordered hypothesis. [Blood] Abstract

Risk-Stratified Adoptive Cellular Therapy following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Advanced Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Researchers evaluated outcomes in 50 consecutive patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia using the approach of alemtuzumab-based reduced intensity-conditioned allogeneic stem cell transplantation and pre-emptive donor lymphocyte infusions for mixed chimerism or minimal residual disease, with the intention of reducing the risk of graft-versus-host disease. [Br J Haematol] Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cell: Keystone of the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Niche and a Stepping-Stone for Regenerative Medicine
The authors examined the definition of mesenchymal stem cells and discuss the importance of rigorously characterizing their stem cell activity. They review their role and that of other putative niche constituents in the regulation of bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells. [Annu Rev Immunol] Abstract

The Potential Use of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
The authors summarize advances in the potential use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In addition, they discuss their use in clinical trials of the treatment of graft-versus-host disease following HSCT, the immunomodulatory capacity of MSCs, and their regenerative and therapeutic potential in the field of HSCT. [Exp Mol Med] Full Article

Cell Therapeutics Begins Enrolment in Phase III PERSIST-1 Trial of Pacritinib for the Treatment of Myelofibrosis
Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI) announced that the company has initiated clinical trial sites and began enrolling patients in a Phase III clinical trial CTI’s investigational JAK2 inhibitor which is being evaluated for the treatment of patients with myelofibrosis. [Cell Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

U.S.-Based Gene Therapy Study Begins Treating Participants
Cooley’s Anemia Foundation has learned that the first U.S.-based clinical trial in gene therapy for beta-thalassemia has begun treating trial participants. The Phase I study is being conducted at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. [Cooley’s Anemia Foundation, Inc.] Press Release

NeoStem’s Subsidiary, Progenitor Cell Therapy, and Hackensack University Medical Center Enter into a Cell Processing and Storage Services Agreement
NeoStem, Inc. and its subsidiary, Progenitor Cell Therapy, LLC (PCT) and Hackensack University Medical Center (HackensackUMC) announced that HackensackUMC has renewed its engagement of PCT’s services for processing and storage of a variety of cell types used therapeutically by the hospital. HackensackUMC will use the services of PCT for processing and storage services for peripheral blood progenitor cells, donor leukocytes, bone marrow and cord blood, as well as for further assays, storage, retrieval and transportation. [NeoStem, Inc.] 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 Israstem 2013
April 22-23, 2013
Ramat Gen, Israel

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

Scientist or Engineer – hPSC Bioengineer (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Cancer (Tsinghua University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Donor/Recipient Matching for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (Cleveland Clinic Transplant Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell and Leukemia (City of Hope Beckman Research Institute)

Principal Investigator – Hematology / Oncology (Celgene Corporation)

Postdoctoral Position – Signal Transduction Pathway Control of Cell Metabolism and Programmed Cell Death in Leukemia and Solid Tumor Environments (University of Cincinnati)

Associate Research Scientist – Cancer Biology of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (Columbia University Medical Center)

PhD Studentship – Functional Genomic Analysis on Hematopoietic Stem Cells (Fritz Lipmann Institute)

PhD Studentship – Initiation and Progression of a Pre-Leukemic Mouse Model of AML (University of Ulm)

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