Hematopoiesis News Volume 4.37 | Sep 24 2013

Epigenetic Roles of MLL Oncoproteins Are Dependent on NF-κB
Through functional and comparative genomic studies, investigators identified an essential role for NF-κB signaling in MLL leukemia. Suppression of NF-κB led to robust antileukemia effects that phenocopied loss of functional MLL oncoprotein or associated epigenetic cofactors. The NF-κB subunit RELA occupies promoter regions of crucial MLL target genes and sustains the MLL-dependent leukemia stem cell program. [Cancer Cell] Abstract

p21-Activated Kinase and Rac GTPases Promote Oncogenic KIT-Induced Neoplasms
To assess the role of Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factors in oncogene-induced transformation, scientists used an inhibitor of Rac, EHop-016, which specifically targets Vav1 and found that EHop-016 was a potent inhibitor of human and murine leukemic cell growth. [J Clin Invest] Full Article

Regulation of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cell Self-Renewal by the Microenvironment’s Control of Retinoic Acid Signaling
The high expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1, also known as retinaldehyde dehydrogenase, by hematopoietic stem cells suggests an important role for retinoic acid (RA) signaling in determining the fate of these cells. Scientists found that primitive human bone marrow-derived CD34⁺CD38^– cells not only highly express aldehyde dehydrogenase 1, but also the RA receptor α. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Prostaglandin E₂ Enhances Long-Term Repopulation but Does Not Permanently Alter Inherent Stem Cell Competitiveness
To analyze the short and long-term effects of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) exposure to prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), investigators followed the repopulation kinetics of PGE₂ treated hematopoietic grafts through five serial transplantations and compared inherent long-term competitiveness in a HSC head-to-head secondary transplantation model. [Blood] Abstract

A Regulatory Circuit Comprising GATA1/2 Switch and MicroRNA-27a/24 Promotes Erythropoiesis
Researchers report that GATA-1 and GATA-2 co-regulated the expression of two microRNA genes, microRNA-27a and microRNA-24, with critical roles in regulating erythroid differentiation. [Nucleic Acid Res] Full Article

The Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Produces Long-Term Changes on Gene and miRNA Expression Profiles in CD34+ Cells from Healthy Donors
Investigators analyzed the whole genome expression profile and the expression of 384 miRNAs in CD34+ cells isolated from peripheral blood of six healthy donors, before the mobilization and at 5, 30 and 365 days post-mobilization with the Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor. [Haematologica] Abstract

FGF7 Supports Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells and Niche-Dependent Myeloblastoma Cells via Autocrine Action on Bone Marrow Stromal Cells In Vitro
Scientists show that fibroblast growth factor (FGF7) may be a novel niche factor for hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells support and leukemic growth. FGF7 expression was attenuated in mouse embryonic fibroblasts deficient for the MED1 subunit of the Mediator transcriptional coregulator complex. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Effect of Donor KIR2DL1 Allelic Polymorphism on the Outcome of Pediatric Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation
Investigators tested the hypothesis that the clinical outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation could be affected by donor killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR)2DL1 polymorphism. [J Clin Oncol] Abstract

Unrelated Umbilical Cord Blood Transplant for Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in First and Second Complete Remission: A Comparison with Allografts from Adult Unrelated Donors
Using Cox regression the authors compared outcomes after 116 mismatched single or double cord blood, 546 peripheral blood progenitor-cells and 140, bone marrow grafts. Patient and disease characteristics of recipients were similar except cord blood recipients were younger, more likely to be non-Caucasians and to have low white blood cell count at diagnosis. [Haematologica] Abstract

Reduced-Intensity Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation for Patients Aged 50 years or Older with B-Cell ALL in Remission: A Retrospective Study by the Adult ALL Working Group of the Japan Society for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Researchers retrospectively assessed the outcome and pretransplantation predictors of the outcome in 118 patients aged greater than or equal to 50 years who received fludarabine-containing reduced-intensity allo-SCT for B-cell ALL in the first or second CR. Eighty patients received transplants from unrelated donors. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract

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STEMSOFT Announces Release of New Cord Banking Software Solution
STEMSOFT™ Software Inc. (“STEMSOFT”) announced the release of a new cord banking software solution, STEMSOFT CORD. This new system is like no other cord banking software on the market and offers an intuitive, easy to follow user interface paired with the functionality demanded by this unique workflow. [STEMSOFT Software, Inc.] Press Release

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)

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Cellular and Genetic Therapies for Hemoglobinopathies (Blood Systems Research Institute)

Research Associate – Leukemia & Stem Cell Biology (King’s College London)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Mechanisms that Regulate Stem Cell Self-Renewal Using Mouse Blood-Forming Stem Cells (Columbia University)

Postdoctoral Opportunity in Hematopoietic Stem Cells (Albert Einstein College of Medicine [AECOM])

Postdoctoral Researcher – Hematopoietic and Malignant Stem Cells (Istanbul University Institute of Experimental Medicine)

Postdoctoral Appointee – Cell Cycle Regulation in Tumor Stem Cells (Rutgers University, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey)

Research Technologist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Mesenchymal Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Cell Culture Media & Matrices (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate/Scientist – Antibodies Group (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Quality Control Analyst – Media (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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