Hematopoiesis News Volume 8.49 | Dec 12 2017

TOP STORY

Letermovir Prophylaxis for Cytomegalovirus in Hematopoietic-Cell Transplantation

A total of 565 patients underwent randomization and received letermovir or placebo beginning a median of nine days after transplantation. Among 495 patients with undetectable cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA at randomization, fewer patients in the letermovir group than in the placebo group had clinically significant CMV infection or were imputed as having a primary end-point event by week 24 after transplantation. [N Engl J Med] Full Article | Press Release 1 | Press Release 2

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Rapid Mobilization Reveals a Highly Engraftable Hematopoietic Stem Cell

The authors developed a rapid stem cell mobilization regimen utilizing a unique CXCR2 agonist, GROβ, and the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100. A single injection of both agents resulted in stem cell mobilization peaking within 15 minutes that was equivalent in magnitude to a standard multi-day regimen of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. [Cell] Abstract | Press Release 1 | Press Release 2 | Graphical Abstract

In Vivo Single Cell Analysis Reveals Gata2 Dynamics in Cells Transitioning to Hematopoietic Fate

Investigators examined Gata2 expression in single aortic cells as they established hematopoietic fate in Gata2Venus mouse embryos. Time-lapse imaging revealed rapid pulsatile level changes in Gata2 reporter expression in cells undergoing endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition. [J Exp Med] Full Article

Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Infects Multiple Lineage Hematopoietic Cells In Vivo

To explore the possibility that human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infects HSCs, the authors analyzed integration sites of HTLV-1 provirus in various lineages of hematopoietic cells in patients with HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis and a HTLV-1 carrier using the high-throughput sequencing method. [PLoS Pathog] Full Article

Deficiency in Interferon Type 1 Receptor Improves Definitive Erythropoiesis in Klf1 Null Mice

The inhibitory effect of interferon-β (IFN-β) on erythropoiesis is known and, therefore, researchers speculated that IFN-β could have contributed to the impairment of definitive erythropoiesis in Klf1 knockout (KO) mice fetal liver. To validate this hypothesis, they determined whether the inactivation of type I interferon receptor would ameliorate the phenotype of Klf1 KO mice by improving the lethal anemia. [Cell Death Differ] Full Article

Intercellular Transfer of Microvesicles from Young Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Rejuvenates Aged Murine Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Using a murine system, the authors showed that a brief interaction of aged HSCs with young mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) rejuvenates them and restores their functionality via inter-cellular transfer of microvesicles containing autophagy-related mRNAs. Importantly, they showed that MSCs gain activated AKT signaling as a function of aging. [Stem Cells] Abstract

IL-11 Promotes the Treatment Efficacy of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Therapy in Aplastic Anemia Model Mice through a NF-κB/MicroRNA-204/Thrombopoietin Regulatory Axis

Scientists found that decreased miR-204-5p levels were coincident with increased proliferation in mouse HSCs following exposure to interleukin-11 (IL-11) in vitro. Consistent with these in vitro findings, IL-11 promoted HSC engraftment in a mouse model of aplastic anemia, an effect that was attenuated in cells overexpressing miR-204-5p. [Exp Mol Med] Full Article

Validating and Implementing the Use of an Infusion Pump for the Administration of Thawed Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells — A Single-Institution Experience

To ensure expedient and consistent infusions, researchers validated and implemented the use of an infusion pump for thawed peripheral blood stem cells. No significant differences were observed in vitro between the infusion methods for all measured variables. Overall infusion rates were similar in vivo for both groups but were significantly lower for patients who had nontunneled catheters that delivered the infusion by gravity. [Transfusion] Abstract

57R2A, a Newly Established Monoclonal Antibody against Mouse GPR56, Marks Long-Term Repopulating Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Investigators established a novel monoclonal antibody against mouse GPR56 (57R2A) to examine the expression and distribution of GPR56 protein in HSCs. A flow cytometry analysis using 57R2A showed that GPR56 was highly expressed in CD34⁻, c-Kit⁺, Sca-1⁺ and lineage negative fraction, which are highly enriched with HSCs. [Exp Hematol] Abstract

Intracerebroventricular Delivery of Hematopoietic Progenitors Results in Rapid and Robust Engraftment of Microglia-Like Cells

Scientists demonstrated that transplantation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in the cerebral lateral ventricles provides rapid engraftment of morphologically, antigenically, and transcriptionally dependable microglia-like cells. [Sci Adv] Full Article | Press Release

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Efficacy of High-Dose Therapy and Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Gray Zone Lymphoma: A US Multicenter Collaborative Study

Researchers conducted a multicenter retrospective study aimed to assess outcomes after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation in 32 patients with gray zone lymphoma treated at nine transplant centers in the United States. The three-year PFS and OS for all patients were 69% and 78%, respectively. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract

Concise Review: Advanced Cell Culture Models for Diamond Blackfan Anemia and Other Erythroid Disorders

The authors illustrate new confounding factors and discuss their clinical translation potential to improve the understanding of Diamond Blackfan anemia and other erythroid disorders. [Stem Cells] Full Article

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

St. Jude Gene Therapy Improves Immunity in Babies with ‘Bubble Boy’ Disease

Early evidence suggests that gene therapy developed at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will lead to broad protection for infants with the devastating immune disorder X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency disorder. [Press release from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital discussing research presented at the 2017 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, Atlanta] Press Release

Immunotherapy Drug for Rheumatoid Arthritis Nearly Eliminates Severe Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

Results from a Phase II clinical trial showed that the drug Abatacept nearly eliminated life-threatening severe acute graft-versus-host disease in patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplants. [Press release from Seattle Children’s Hospital discussing research presented at the 2017 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, Atlanta] Press Release

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 HSC expansion program. MGTA-456 is a single umbilical cord blood unit expanded with an aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist. It is currently being studied in adult and pediatric patients with hematologic malignancies. [Press release from Magenta Therapeutics discussing research presented at the 2017 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, Atlanta] Press Release

AstraZeneca to Highlight Its Commitment to Blood Cancers

AstraZeneca, along with Acerta Pharma, its hematology research and development center of excellence, and MedImmune, its global biologics research and development arm, will highlight significant progress in blood cancer research. [Press release from AstraZeneca discussing research presented at the 2017 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, Atlanta] Press Release

Foundation Medicine and Collaborators to Present New Data that Supports Use of FoundationOne^®Heme to Advance Personalized Medicine in Blood Cancers

Foundation Medicine, Inc. announced that new data generated with FoundationOne^®Heme, its comprehensive genomic profiling assay for hematologic malignancies and sarcomas, was presented. [Press release from Foundation Medicine, Inc. discussing research presented at the 2017 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, Atlanta] Press Release

Forty Seven Inc. Receives $5 Million Grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to Support Ongoing Clinical Trial in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Forty Seven Inc. announced the acceptance of a grant from the CIRM to support its ongoing clinical trial assessing Hu5F9-G4 alone and in combination with azacytidine in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. [Forty Seven Inc.] Press Release

Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Physician Wins Prestigious Recognition from ASH

Benjamin Ebert, MD, PhD, chair of Medical Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston has been named the recipient of the 2017 William Dameshek Prize from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) for his seminal discoveries in multiple areas of non-malignant and malignant hematology. [Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (EurekAlert!)] Press Release

Brexit ‘Breakthrough’ Raises Hope — and Questions

British science is expected to benefit from a deal that would allow EU nationals to remain in the country once it leaves the union. [Nature News] Editorial

Nine Researchers Sue University of Rochester over Sexual-Harassment Allegations

Nine researchers filed a federal lawsuit against the University of Rochester in New York, its president Joel Seligman and its provost Robert Clark over their handling of alleged sexual harassment by a professor there. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (ATVB)/Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) 2018 Scientific Sessions
May 9-12, 2018
San Francisco, California, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Hematopoietic Stem Cell Research (Ulm University)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Hematopoiesis and Immunity (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Suppression of Fetal Hemoglobin in Adult Red Cells (Boston Children’s Hospital)

Postdoctoral Scholarship – Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Training Fellow – Hematopoiesis (The Francis Crick Institute)

Staff Clinician – Hematology (National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute)

Postdoctoral Positions – Immunology & Ion Channels, STAT Proteins in Hematopoietic Malignancies, and Hematopoietic/Leukemic Stem Cell Biology (New York University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Molecular Genetics of Human T Cell Development (Ghent University)

PhD Position – 3D Models of the Stem Cell Niche (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Age Associated Changes of the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Compartment (National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Aging)

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