Hematopoiesis News Volume 6.06 | Feb 17 2015

Vascular Niche Promotes Hematopoietic Multipotent Progenitor Formation from Pluripotent Stem Cells
Scientists differentiated hes2 human embryonic stem cells and Macaca nemestrina-induced pluripotent stem cell line-7 with cytokines in the presence or absence of endothelial cells (ECs) that express JAG1 and DLL4. Cells cocultured with ECs generated substantially more CD34⁺CD45⁺ hematopoietic progenitors compared with cells cocultured without ECs or with ECs lacking JAG1 or DLL4. [J Clin Invest] Full Article | Press Release

Early B-Cell Specific Inactivation of ATM Synergizes with Ectopic CyclinD1 Expression to Promote Pre-Germinal Center B-Cell Lymphomas in Mice
Researchers report that early and robust deletion of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) in precursor/progenitor B-cells causes cell-autonomous, clonal mature B cell lymphomas of both pre- and post-germinal center origins. [Leukemia] Abstract

Targeted Axl Inhibition Primes Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia B-Cells to Apoptosis and Show Synergistic/Additive Effects in Combination with BTK Inhibitors
Investigators explored the possibility of using a high-affinity Axl inhibitor as a single agent or in combination with Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors for future clinical trial to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

Immune Thrombocytopenia: Antiplatelet Autoantibodies Inhibit Proplatelet Formation by Megakaryocytes and Impair Platelet Production In Vitro
Investigators examined the effects of serum and IgG from 19 immune thrombocytopenia patients using day eight or nine megakaryocytes, derived from cord blood hematopoietic stem cells. [Haematologica] Abstract | Full Article

lncRNA Expression Discriminates Karyotype and Predicts Survival in B-Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Unbiased microarray profiling was performed on human B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) specimens and it was determined that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression correlates with cytogenetic abnormalities, which was confirmed by RT-qPCR in a large set of B-ALL cases. [Mol Cancer Res] Abstract

Ubiquitin Specific Protease 21 Is Dispensable for Normal Development, Hematopoiesis and Lymphocyte Differentiation
In order to determine whether USP21 is an essential and non-redundant regulator of GATA3 or RIPK1 activity in vivo, investigators characterized Usp21-deficient mice, focusing on mouse viability and development, hematopoietic stem cell function, and lymphocyte differentiation. [PLoS One] Full Article

CLINICAL RESEARCH

HLA-Matched Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation Improves Outcome of Higher Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome a Prospective Study on Behalf of SFGM-TC and GFM
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is considered the only curative treatment in patients with higher risk MDS, although demethylating agents have been reported to improve survival. The advantage of HSCT over other treatment comes from retrospective studies and researchers prospectively tested this hypothesis, analyzing in particular patients from the pre-transplant period to avoid the selection bias of performing transplantation. [Leukemia] Abstract

Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Multiple Sclerosis: A Phase II Trial
Investigators assessed in multiple sclerosis the effect of intense immunosuppression followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation versus mitoxantrone on disease activity measured by MRI. [Neurology] Abstract | Press Release

Targeting Interleukin-2 to the Bone Marrow Stroma for Therapy of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Relapsing after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Researchers report their experiences in four patients with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, who were treated with the immunocytokine F16-interleukin-2, in combination with low-dose cytarabine. [Cancer Immunol Res] Abstract

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Jazz Pharmaceuticals Presents Data on Defibrotide, an Investigational Treatment, in Patients with Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease (VOD)
Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc announced data on the use of defibrotide, an investigational medicine being studied in the United States for the treatment of hepatic VOD, a rare, potentially life-threatening, early complication in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation therapy. [Press release from Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc discussing research presented at the 2015 Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) Tandem Meeting, San Diego] Press Release

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Biotest Pharmaceuticals Opens Second Plasma Center
Biotest Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced that it has opened a new plasma collection center. The plasma donated at Biotest Plasma Centers is used to manufacture critical care therapies that treat life-threatening disorders in a variety of therapeutic areas. [Biotest Pharmaceuticals Corporation] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (University Medical Center of Freiburg)

Research Technologist – Hematopoietic Product Development (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Principal Scientist – Hematopoietic Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Senior Process Development Engineer (Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.)

Director – Vector Production (Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Hematopoietic Stem Cell Physiology and Pathophysiology (Kumamoto University)

Postdoctoral Position – Genetic Engineering and Transplantation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells (University of California – San Francisco)

Research Associate – Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Leukemia (City of Hope)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Post-Transcriptional Gene Regulation Governing Cancer Cell Behavior (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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