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This page shows you the most recent publications within this specialty of the MedWorm directory. This is page number 26.

Keeping stem cells in check: a hippo balancing act.
Abstract Knowing when to stop proliferation is crucial for any regenerative process. In a recent issue of Nature,Barry et al. (2012) report that the Hippo pathway component YAP negatively regulates Wnt signaling, thereby preventing stem cell overpopulation after a regenerative response in the intestine. PMID: 23290131 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Cell Stem Cell - January 3, 2013 Category: Stem Cells Authors: Vermeulen L Tags: Cell Stem Cell Source Type: research

Memoirs of a reincarnated T cell.
Abstract In two studies published in this issue of Cell Stem Cell,Nishimura et al. (2013) and Vizcardo et al. (2013) reprogram mature, antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The antigen-specific iPSCs can be redifferentiated into "rejuvenated" proliferative T cells and have broad applications for adoptive immunotherapy. PMID: 23290132 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Cell Stem Cell - January 3, 2013 Category: Stem Cells Authors: Crompton JG, Rao M, Restifo NP Tags: Cell Stem Cell Source Type: research

Making Healthy Stem Cells: The New Role of TPO.
Abstract Thrombopoietin (TPO) attracts much attention as an effective stimulus for blood cell formation in patients with hematopoietic disorders. In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, de Laval et al. (2013) show that TPO can also promote "healthy" hematopoietic stem cells when administered before radiotherapy to minimize HSC injury and mutagenesis in mice. PMID: 23290133 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Cell Stem Cell - January 3, 2013 Category: Stem Cells Authors: Goyama S, Mulloy JC Tags: Cell Stem Cell Source Type: research

The sox family of transcription factors: versatile regulators of stem and progenitor cell fate.
Abstract Sox family transcription factors are well-established regulators of cell fate decisions during development. Accumulating evidence documents that they play additional roles in adult tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Remarkably, forced expression of Sox factors, in combination with other synergistic factors, reprograms differentiated cells into somatic or pluripotent stem cells. Dysregulation of Sox factors has been further implicated in diseases including cancer. Here, we review molecular and functional evidence linking Sox proteins with stem cell biology, cellular reprogramming, and disease with an emph...
Source: Cell Stem Cell - January 3, 2013 Category: Stem Cells Authors: Sarkar A, Hochedlinger K Tags: Cell Stem Cell Source Type: research

Regeneration of Human Tumor Antigen-Specific T Cells from iPSCs Derived from Mature CD8(+) T Cells.
In this study, we established iPSCs from mature cytotoxic T cells specific for the melanoma epitope MART-1. When cocultured with OP9/DLL1 cells, these iPSCs efficiently generated TCRβ(+)CD4(+)CD8(+) double positive (DP) cells expressing a T cell receptor (TCR) specific for the MART-1 epitope. Stimulation of these DP cells with anti-CD3 antibody generated a large number of CD8(+) T cells, and more than 90% of the resulting cells were specific for the original MART-1 epitope. Stimulation of the CD8(+) T cells with MART-1 antigen-presenting cells led to the secretion of IFNγ, demonstrating their specific reactivity. The...
Source: Cell Stem Cell - January 3, 2013 Category: Stem Cells Authors: Vizcardo R, Masuda K, Yamada D, Ikawa T, Shimizu K, Fujii S, Koseki H, Kawamoto H Tags: Cell Stem Cell Source Type: research

Regulation of glycolysis by pdk functions as a metabolic checkpoint for cell cycle quiescence in hematopoietic stem cells.
Abstract Defining the metabolic programs that underlie stem cell maintenance will be essential for developing strategies to manipulate stem cell capacity. Mammalian hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) maintain cell cycle quiescence in a hypoxic microenvironment. It has been proposed that HSCs exhibit a distinct metabolic phenotype under these conditions. Here we directly investigated this idea using metabolomic analysis and found that HSCs generate adenosine-5'-triphosphate by anaerobic glycolysis through a pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (Pdk)-dependent mechanism. Elevated Pdk expression leads to active suppression of ...
Source: Cell Stem Cell - January 3, 2013 Category: Stem Cells Authors: Takubo K, Nagamatsu G, Kobayashi CI, Nakamura-Ishizu A, Kobayashi H, Ikeda E, Goda N, Rahimi Y, Johnson RS, Soga T, Hirao A, Suematsu M, Suda T Tags: Cell Stem Cell Source Type: research

Metabolic Regulation by the Mitochondrial Phosphatase PTPMT1 Is Required for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Differentiation.
This study establishes a crucial role of PTPMT1 in the metabolic regulation of HSC function. PMID: 23290137 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Cell Stem Cell - January 3, 2013 Category: Stem Cells Authors: Yu WM, Liu X, Shen J, Jovanovic O, Pohl EE, Gerson SL, Finkel T, Broxmeyer HE, Qu CK Tags: Cell Stem Cell Source Type: research

Fibronectin regulates wnt7a signaling and satellite cell expansion.
Abstract The influence of the extracellular matrix (ECM) within the stem cell niche remains poorly understood. We found that Syndecan-4 (Sdc4) and Frizzled-7 (Fzd7) form a coreceptor complex in satellite cells and that binding of the ECM glycoprotein Fibronectin (FN) to Sdc4 stimulates the ability of Wnt7a to induce the symmetric expansion of satellite stem cells. Newly activated satellite cells dynamically remodel their niche via transient high-level expression of FN. Knockdown of FN in prospectively isolated satellite cells severely impaired their ability to repopulate the satellite cell niche. Conversely, in vi...
Source: Cell Stem Cell - January 3, 2013 Category: Stem Cells Authors: Bentzinger CF, Wang YX, von Maltzahn J, Soleimani VD, Yin H, Rudnicki MA Tags: Cell Stem Cell Source Type: research

Abnormal calcium handling properties underlie familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy pathology in patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells.
Abstract Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a prevalent hereditary cardiac disorder linked to arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. While the causes of HCM have been identified as genetic mutations in the cardiac sarcomere, the pathways by which sarcomeric mutations engender myocyte hypertrophy and electrophysiological abnormalities are not understood. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying HCM development, we generated patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) from a ten-member family cohort carrying a hereditary HCM missense mutation (Arg663His) in the MYH7 gene. Diseased...
Source: Cell Stem Cell - January 3, 2013 Category: Stem Cells Authors: Lan F, Lee AS, Liang P, Sanchez-Freire V, Nguyen PK, Wang L, Han L, Yen M, Wang Y, Sun N, Abilez OJ, Hu S, Ebert AD, Navarrete EG, Simmons CS, Wheeler M, Pruitt B, Lewis R, Yamaguchi Y, Ashley EA, Bers DM, Robbins RC, Longaker MT, Wu JC Tags: Cell Stem Cell Source Type: research

Generation of rejuvenated antigen-specific T cells by reprogramming to pluripotency and redifferentiation.
Abstract Adoptive immunotherapy with functional T cells is potentially an effective therapeutic strategy for combating many types of cancer and viral infection. However, exhaustion of antigen-specific T cells represents a major challenge to this type of approach. In an effort to overcome this problem, we reprogrammed clonally expanded antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells from an HIV-1-infected patient to pluripotency. The T cell-derived induced pluripotent stem cells were then redifferentiated into CD8(+) T cells that had a high proliferative capacity and elongated telomeres. These "rejuvenated" cells possessed ant...
Source: Cell Stem Cell - January 3, 2013 Category: Stem Cells Authors: Nishimura T, Kaneko S, Kawana-Tachikawa A, Tajima Y, Goto H, Zhu D, Nakayama-Hosoya K, Iriguchi S, Uemura Y, Shimizu T, Takayama N, Yamada D, Nishimura K, Ohtaka M, Watanabe N, Takahashi S, Iwamoto A, Koseki H, Nakanishi M, Eto K, Nakauchi H Tags: Cell Stem Cell Source Type: research

Nodal signalling in embryogenesis and tumourigenesis.
Abstract With few exceptions, most cells in adult organisms have lost the expression of stem cell-associated proteins and are instead characterized by tissue-specific gene expression and function. This cell fate specification is dictated spatially and temporally during embryogenesis. It has become increasingly apparent that the elegant and complicated process of cell specification is "undone" in cancer. This may be because cancer cells respond to their microenvironment and mutations by acquiring a more permissive, plastic epigenome, or because cancer cells arise from mutated stem cells. Regardless, these advanced c...
Source: The International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology - January 3, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Quail DF, Siegers GM, Jewer M, Postovit LM Tags: Int J Biochem Cell Biol Source Type: research

Mesenchymal stem cells as an appropriate feeder layer for prolonged in vitro culture of human induced pluripotent stem cells.
Abstract Feeder layers have been applied extensively to support the growth and stemness potential of stem cells for in vitro cultures. Mouse embryonic fibroblast and mouse fibroblast cell line (SNL) are common feeder cells for human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) culture. Because of some problems in the use of these animal feeders and in order to simplify the therapeutic application of hiPSCs, we tested human adult bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) as a potent feeder system. This method benefits from prevention of possible contamination of animal origin feeder systems. hiPSCs transferred onto mito...
Source: Molecular Biology Reports - January 3, 2013 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Havasi P, Nabioni M, Soleimani M, Bakhshandeh B, Parivar K Tags: Mol Biol Rep Source Type: research

Treatment of relapsed adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: the Nagasaki Transplant Group experience
Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) relapse is a serious therapeutic challenge after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). In the present study, we retrospectively analyzed 35 patients who experienced progression of or relapsed persistent ATL after a first allo-SCT at 3 institutions in Nagasaki prefecture (Japan) between 1997 and 2010. Twenty-nine patients were treated by the withdrawal of immune suppressants as the initial intervention, which resulted in complete remission (CR) in 2 patients. As the second intervention, 9 patients went on to receive a combination of donor lymphocyte infusion and ...
Source: Blood - January 3, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: Itonaga, H., Tsushima, H., Taguchi, J., Fukushima, T., Taniguchi, H., Sato, S., Ando, K., Sawayama, Y., Matsuo, E., Yamasaki, R., Onimaru, Y., Imanishi, D., Imaizumi, Y., Yoshida, S., Hata, T., Moriuchi, Y., Uike, N., Miyazaki, Y. Tags: Transplantation, Free Research Articles, Lymphoid Neoplasia, Clinical Trials and Observations Source Type: research

Immunotherapeutic strategies to prevent and treat human herpesvirus 6 reactivation after allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Human herpesvirus (HHV) 6 causes substantial morbidity and mortality in the immunocompromised host and has no approved therapy. Adoptive transfer of virus specific T cells has proven safe and apparently effective as prophylaxis and treatment of other virus infections in immunocompromised patients; however, extension to subjects with HHV6 has been hindered by the paucity of information on targets of cellular immunity. We now characterize the cellular immune response from 20 donors against 5 major HHV6B antigens predicted to be immunogenic and define a hierarchy of immunodominance of antigens based on the frequency of respon...
Source: Blood - January 3, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: Gerdemann, U., Keukens, L., Keirnan, J. M., Katari, U. L., Nguyen, C. T. Q., de Pagter, A. P., Ramos, C. A., Kennedy-Nasser, A., Gottschalk, S. M., Heslop, H. E., Brenner, M. K., Rooney, C. M., Leen, A. M. Tags: Immunobiology, Transplantation Source Type: research

Acute toxicities of unrelated bone marrow versus peripheral blood stem cell donation: results of a prospective trial from the National Marrow Donor Program
We report a prospective study of 2726 BM and 6768 PBSC donors who underwent collection from 2004 to 2009. Pain and toxicities were assessed at baseline, during G-CSF administration, on the day of collection, within 48 hours of donation, and weekly until full recovery. Peak levels of pain and toxicities did not differ between the 2 donation processes for most donors. Among obese donors, PBSC donors were at increased risk of grade 2 to 4 pain as well as grade 2 to 4 toxicities during the pericollection period. In contrast, BM donors were more likely to experience grade 2 to 4 toxicities at 1 week and pain at 1 week and 1 mon...
Source: Blood - January 3, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: Pulsipher, M. A., Chitphakdithai, P., Logan, B. R., Shaw, B. E., Wingard, J. R., Lazarus, H. M., Waller, E. K., Seftel, M., Stroncek, D. F., Lopez, A. M., Maharaj, D., Hematti, P., O'Donnell, P. V., Loren, A. W., Leitman, S. F., Anderlini, P., Goldstein, Tags: Transfusion Medicine, Transplantation, Free Research Articles Source Type: research

DNA methylation changes are a late event in acute promyelocytic leukemia and coincide with loss of transcription factor binding
The origin of aberrant DNA methylation in cancer remains largely unknown. In the present study, we elucidated the DNA methylome in primary acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and the role of promyelocytic leukemia–retinoic acid receptor α (PML-RARα) in establishing these patterns. Cells from APL patients showed increased genome-wide DNA methylation with higher variability than healthy CD34+ cells, promyelocytes, and remission BM cells. A core set of differentially methylated regions in APL was identified. Age at diagnosis, Sanz score, and Flt3-mutation status characterized methylation subtypes. Transcripti...
Source: Blood - January 3, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: Schoofs, T., Rohde, C., Hebestreit, K., Klein, H.-U., Gollner, S., Schulze, I., Lerdrup, M., Dietrich, N., Agrawal-Singh, S., Witten, A., Stoll, M., Lengfelder, E., Hofmann, W.-K., Schlenke, P., Buchner, T., Hansen, K., Berdel, W. E., Rosenbauer, F., Duga Tags: Myeloid Neoplasia Source Type: research

Early T-cell progenitors are the major granulocyte precursors in the adult mouse thymus
The mouse thymus supports T-cell development, but also contains non–T-cell lineages such as dendritic cells, macrophages, and granulocytes that are necessary for T-cell repertoire selection and apoptotic thymocyte clearance. Early thymic progenitors (ETPs) are not committed to the T-cell lineage, as demonstrated by both in vitro and in vivo assays. Whether ETPs realize non–T-cell lineage potentials in vivo is not well understood and indeed is controversial. In the present study, we investigated whether ETPs are the major precursors of any non–T-lineage cells in the thymus. We analyzed the development of t...
Source: Blood - January 3, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: De Obaldia, M. E., Bell, J. J., Bhandoola, A. Tags: Hematopoiesis and Stem Cells Source Type: research

Regulation of multiple DNA repair pathways by the Fanconi anemia protein SLX4
SLX4, the newly identified Fanconi anemia protein, FANCP, is implicated in repairing DNA damage induced by DNA interstrand cross-linking (ICL) agents, topoisomerase I (TOP1) inhibitors, and in Holliday junction resolution. It interacts with and enhances the activity of XPF-ERCC1, MUS81-EME1, and SLX1 nucleases, but the requirement for the specific nucleases in SLX4 function is unclear. Here, by complementing a null FA-P Fanconi anemia cell line with SLX4 mutants that specifically lack the interaction with each of the nucleases, we show that the SLX4-dependent XPF-ERCC1 activity is essential for ICL repair but is dispensabl...
Source: Blood - January 3, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: Kim, Y., Spitz, G. S., Veturi, U., Lach, F. P., Auerbach, A. D., Smogorzewska, A. Tags: Hematopoiesis and Stem Cells, Editorials Source Type: research

CHOP and DHAP plus rituximab followed by autologous stem cell transplantation in mantle cell lymphoma: a phase 2 study from the Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte
This study confirms that induction with rituximab and cytarabine-based regimens is safe and effective in MCL patients. This regimen is currently compared with R-CHOP21 induction in a multicentric European protocol.
Source: Blood - January 3, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: Delarue, R., Haioun, C., Ribrag, V., Brice, P., Delmer, A., Tilly, H., Salles, G., Van Hoof, A., Casasnovas, O., Brousse, N., Lefrere, F., Hermine, O., for the Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte (GELA) Tags: Lymphoid Neoplasia, Clinical Trials and Observations Source Type: research

Convergent differentiation: myeloid and lymphoid pathways to murine plasmacytoid dendritic cells
The developmental origin of IFN-producing plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) has been uncertain. In the present study, we tracked the development of pDCs in cultures of BM precursors stimulated with Flt3 ligand. Common myeloid precursors (CMPs) produced both conventional DCs (cDCs) and pDCs via the DC-restricted common DC precursor. Common lymphoid precursors (CLPs) produced only a few cDCs with variable efficiency, but produced pDCs via a transient intermediate precursor with B-cell potential. The pDCs of both origins produced IFN-α when stimulated with CpG oligonucleotides. The pDCs of CLP origin showed evidence o...
Source: Blood - January 3, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: Sathe, P., Vremec, D., Wu, L., Corcoran, L., Shortman, K. Tags: Hematopoiesis and Stem Cells, Immunobiology, Plenary Papers Source Type: research

Genetic Variant as a Selection Marker for Anti-Prostate Stem Cell Antigen Immunotherapy of Bladder Cancer
A monoclonal antibody against prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) has emerged as a novel cancer therapy currently being tested in clinical trials for prostate and pancreatic cancers, but this treatment is likely to be efficient only in patients with PSCA-expressing tumors. The present study demonstrates that a genetic variant (rs2294008) discovered by bladder cancer genome-wide association studies is a strong predictor of PSCA protein expression in bladder tumors, as measured by two-sided multivariable linear regression (P = 6.46x10–11; n = 278). The association pattern is similar in non-muscle-invasive tumors, stages ...
Source: JNCI - January 3, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Kohaar, I., Porter-Gill, P., Lenz, P., Fu, Y.-P., Mumy, A., Tang, W., Apolo, A. B., Rothman, N., Baris, D., Schned, A. R., Ylaya, K., Schwenn, M., Johnson, A., Jones, M., Kida, M., Silverman, D. T., Hewitt, S. M., Moore, L. E., Prokunina-Olsson, L. Tags: Brief Communication Source Type: research

Agenda set for upcoming CRF-sponsored conference on stem cell therapy for heart disease
(Cardiovascular Research Foundation) The 8th International Conference on Cell Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease, sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation will be held Jan. 23-25, 2013. The conference is a comprehensive program dedicated to the evolving field of cell-based therapies for the repair and regeneration of cardiac and vascular disease, as well as related diseases such as diabetes and stroke.
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - January 3, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news

Japanese team creates cancer-specific killer T cells from induced pluripotent stem cells
(RIKEN) Researchers from the RIKEN Research Centre for Allergy and Immunology in Japan report today that they have succeeded for the first time in creating cancer-specific, immune system cells called killer T lymphocytes, from induced pluripotent stem cells.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - January 3, 2013 Category: Biology Source Type: news

Revolutionary techniques could help harness patients' own immune cells to fight disease
(Cell Press) Researchers reporting in two separate papers in the Jan. 4 issue of the Cell Press journal Cell Stem Cell used stem cell technology to successfully regenerate patients' immune cells, creating large numbers that were long-lived and could recognize their specified targets: HIV-infected cells in one case and cancer cells in the other. The findings could help in the development of strategies to rejuvenate patients' exhausted immune responses.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - January 3, 2013 Category: Biology Source Type: news

Sanford-Burnham and Intrexon Corporation establish collaboration to accelerate stem cell research
(Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute) Under the agreement, Sanford-Burnham will gain access to sophisticated proprietary cellular selection and gene regulation technologies that are not currently on the market, including Intrexon's Laser-Enabled Analysis and Processing instrument and RheoSwitch Therapeutic System®. As part of the agreement, Intrexon may obtain commercial and intellectual property rights resulting from technological advances made under the collaboration.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - January 3, 2013 Category: Biology Source Type: news

Sorting stem cells
(American Institute of Physics) Scientists propose a new way to isolate early stage embryonic stem cells.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - January 3, 2013 Category: Biology Source Type: news

Directed differentiation of human pluripotent cells to neural crest stem cells
Nature Protocols 8, 203 (2013). doi:10.1038/nprot.2012.156 Authors: Laura Menendez, Michael J Kulik, Austin T Page, Sarah S Park, James D Lauderdale, Michael L Cunningham & Stephen Dalton Multipotent neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) have the potential to generate a wide range of cell types including melanocytes; peripheral neurons; and smooth muscle, bone, cartilage and fat cells. This protocol describes in detail how to perform a highly efficient, lineage-specific differentiation of human pluripotent
Source: Nature Protocols - January 3, 2013 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Laura MenendezMichael J KulikAustin T PageSarah S ParkJames D LauderdaleMichael L CunninghamStephen Dalton Tags: Protocol Source Type: research

Stanford researchers use stem cells to pinpoint cause of common type of sudden cardiac death
(Stanford University Medical Center) When a young athlete dies unexpectedly on the basketball court or the football field, it's both shocking and tragic. Now Stanford University School of Medicine researchers have, for the first time, identified the molecular basis for a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy that is the most common cause for this type of sudden cardiac death.
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - January 3, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news

Stem Cell Technology May Help Rejuvenate Immune Cells
Manipulation of aging T-cells might help them defend against diseases such as HIV and cancer, researchers say
Source: Cancercompass News: Other Cancer - January 2, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news

Stem Cells as Treatment in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Dig Dis 2012;30(suppl 3):134–139 (DOI:10.1159/000342740)
Source: Digestive Diseases - January 2, 2013 Category: Gastroenterology Source Type: research

Diabetes Mellitus after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Horm Res Paediatr (DOI:10.1159/000345547)
Source: Karger Publishers - January 2, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research

FDA Clears OncoMed's Demcizumab (Anti-DLL4) to Resume Clinical Testing in the US
Partial Clinical Hold Removed By FDA REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 2, 2013 - OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage company developing novel therapeutics that target cancer stem cells (CSCs), or tumor-initiating cells, today...
Source: Drugs.com - Pharma News - January 2, 2013 Category: Pharmaceuticals Source Type: news

New Year, New Science
[More]
Source: Scientific American Topic - Stem Cell Research - January 2, 2013 Category: Stem Cells Tags: More Science,Energy Technology,Environment,Health,Mind & Brain,Physics,Society Policy,More Science,Energy Sustainability,Climate,Psychiatry,Psychology,Biotechnology,Biotechnology,Ethics,Pharmaceuticals,Energy Technology,Biology,Chemistry Source Type: news

Cultural, Social Factors Identified As Barriers To Participation By Minorities In Unrelated Stem Cell Donation Registries
New research examining the role of race and ethnicity in an individual's decision to become a donor for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) identifies several factors associated with varied participation rates in national donor registries across racial/ethnic groups. Results of this first-of-its-kind study were published online in Blood, the Journal of the American Society of Hematology (ASH). Hematopoietic cell transplants serve as valuable treatments for a range of blood disorders, as they generate new, healthy blood cells to replace diseased cells...
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - January 2, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Transplants / Organ Donations Source Type: news

Steering Stem Cells To Become Two Different Building Blocks For New Blood Vessels
Growing new blood vessels in the lab is a tough challenge, but a Johns Hopkins engineering team has solved a major stumbling block: how to prod stem cells to become two different types of tissue that are needed to build tiny networks of veins and arteries. The team's solution is detailed in an article appearing in the January 2013 print edition of the journal Cardiovascular Research. The article also was published recently in the journal's online edition...
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - January 2, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Vascular Source Type: news

Protein Kinase Akt Identified As Arbiter Of Cancer Stem Cell Fate, According To Penn Study
The protein kinase Akt is a key regulator of cell growth, proliferation, metabolism, survival, and death. New work on Akt's role in cancer stem cell biology from the lab of senior author Honglin Zhou, MD, PhD and Weihua Li, co-first author, both from the Center for Resuscitation Sciences, Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, and Xiaowei Xu, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, appears in Molecular Cell. The findings were also highlighted in Nature and Science reviews...
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - January 2, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Cancer / Oncology Source Type: news

Cell Transplantation Study Investigates Fate And Function Of Cells Transplanted To The CNS
When different types of cells are transplanted with the intent of having them aid in repairing central nervous system (CNS) trauma, what is the fate and function of those cells? A Belgian research team carried out research aimed at answering this question by determining how five varieties of cells - neural stem cells, mouse embryonic fibroblasts, dendritic cells, bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) and splenocytes - functioned and survived after transplantation in the CNS. Their study is published in Cell Transplantation (21:9), freely available on-line at http://www.ingentaconnect...
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - January 2, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Transplants / Organ Donations Source Type: news

Scientists Develop Scientific Technique To Help Prevent Inheritance Of Mitochondrial Diseases In Humans
A joint team of scientists from The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Laboratory and Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) has developed a technique that may prevent the inheritance of mitochondrial diseases in children. The study was published online in Nature. Dieter Egli, PhD, and Daniel Paull, PhD, of the NYSCF Laboratory with Mark Sauer, MD, and Michio Hirano, MD, of CUMC demonstrated how the nucleus of a cell can be successfully transferred between human egg cells...
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - January 2, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Genetics Source Type: news

In search of the pivot point of mechanotransduction: Mechanosensing of stem cells.
This article mainly focuses on the mechanosensing, which is the upstream event of stem cell mechanotransduction and the downstream one of physical stimuli. Putative mechanosensors such as ion channels, integrins, cell membrane, as well as primary cilia are discussed. Since mechanical environment is an important stem cell niche, identification of mechanosensors can not only elucidate the mechanisms of mechanotransduction and fate commitments, but also bring new prospects of the mechanical control as well as drug development for clinical application. PMID: 23294564 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Cell Transplantation - January 2, 2013 Category: Cytology Authors: Liu YS, Lee OK Tags: Cell Transplant Source Type: research

Improvement in Poor Graft Function after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation upon Administration of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Third-Party Donors: A Pilot Prospective Study.
Abstract Poor graft function (PGF) is a refractory complication that occurs after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). In the present study, we prospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) expanded from the bone marrow of a third-party donor to patients with PGF after allo-HSCT. Twenty patients with PGF (7 with primary and 13 with secondary PGF) received MSCs (1×10⁶/kg) one to three times at 28 day (d) intervals. Seventeen patients were responsive to MSCs whereas three were not. Within the first 100 d after MSC treatment, 13 patients developed 20 epi...
Source: Cell Transplantation - January 2, 2013 Category: Cytology Authors: Liu X, Wu M, Peng Y, Chen X, Sun J, Huang F, Fan Z, Zhou H, Wu X, Yu G, Zhang X, Li Y, Xiao Y, Song C, Xiang AP, Liu Q Tags: Cell Transplant Source Type: research

Isolation and characterization of antler derivedmultipotent stem cells.
In conclusion, our results show that deer antler tissue may contain MSCs and therefore may be a potential source for veterinary regenerative therapeutics. PMID: 23294672 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Cell Transplantation - January 2, 2013 Category: Cytology Authors: Seo MS, Park SB, Choi SW, Kim JJ, Kim HS, Kang KS Tags: Cell Transplant Source Type: research

Transplantation of human umbilical cord blood or amniotic epithelial stem cells alleviates mechanical allodynia after spinal cord injury in rats.
In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of transplanting human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) or amniotic epithelial stem cells (hAESCs) on SCI-induced mechanical allodynia (MA) and thermal hyperalgesia (TH) in T13 spinal cord hemisected rats. Two weeks after SCI, hUCB-MSCs or hAESCs were transplanted around the spinal cord lesion site and behavioral tests were performed to evaluate changes in SCI-induced MA and TH. Immunohistochemical and western blot analyses were also performed to evaluate possible therapeutic effects on SCI-induced inflammation and the nociceptive related ...
Source: Cell Transplantation - January 2, 2013 Category: Cytology Authors: Roh DH, Seo MS, Choi HS, Park SB, Han HJ, Beitz AJ, Kang KS, Lee JH Tags: Cell Transplant Source Type: research

Design of biomimetic vascular grafts with magnetic endothelial patterning.
Abstract The development of small diameter vascular grafts with a controlled pluricellular organization is still needed for vascular tissue engineering. Here, we describe a technological approach combining a tubular scaffold and magnetically labeled cells to create a pluricellular and organized vascular graft, the endothelialization of which could be monitored by MRI prior to transplantation. A novel type of scaffold was developed with a tubular geometry and a porous bulk structure enabling the seeding of cells in the scaffold pores. A homogeneous distribution of human mesenchymal stem cells in the macroporous stru...
Source: Cell Transplantation - January 2, 2013 Category: Cytology Authors: Fayol D, Visage CL, Ino J, Gazeau F, Letourneur D, Wilhelm C Tags: Cell Transplant Source Type: research

The Time Course of Development and Impact From Viral Resistance Against Ganciclovir in Cytomegalovirus Infection
(Val)ganciclovir is used to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection following solid organ (SOT) or hematopoietic stem cell (HSCT) transplantation. Treatment failures occur, but the contribution from 39 known ganciclovir‐related mutations (GRMs) in the CMV‐UL97 gene remains controversial. We propose a categorization of these GRMs potentially useful when interpreting sequence analyses in clinical settings. The UL97 gene was sequenced from first/recurrent CMV infections among consecutive SOT or HSCT recipients during 2004–2009. GRMs were categorized as: Signature GRM (sGRM) if in vitro ganciclovir IC50 ratio for mutated v...
Source: American Journal of Transplantation - January 2, 2013 Category: Transplant Surgery Authors: C. da Cunha‐Bang, N. Kirkby, M. Sønderholm, S. S. Sørensen, H. Sengeløv, M. Iversen, A. Rasmussen, F. Gustafsson, C. M. Frederiksen, J. Kjær, A. Cozzi Lepri, J. D. Lundgren Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Mechanism of leaf blade outgrowth [Plant Biology]
The WUSCHEL related homeobox (WOX) genes play key roles in stem cell maintenance, embryonic patterning, and lateral organ development. WOX genes have been categorized into three clades—ancient, intermediate, and modern/WUS—based on phylogenetic analysis, but a functional basis for this classification has not been established. Using the classical bladeless lam1 mutant...
Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - January 2, 2013 Category: Science Authors: Lin, H., Niu, L., McHale, N. A., Ohme-Takagi, M., Mysore, K. S., Tadege, M. Tags: Biological Sciences Source Type: research

Healing of large dentofacial defects
Dentofacial defects can be small or very large, consisting of defects in the craniomaxillofacial region with missing soft tissue, bony and other hard tissue components. Such combined mucosal, osseous and even cartilaginous defects can be reconstructed using flaps and bone grafts, or hopefully, in the future with bone graft substitutes or even tissue engineered constructs. The healing of such wounds always relies on the vascularity of the surrounding tissues. This chapter seeks to provide a physiological basis for the mechanisms involved in the healing of such large complex defects. The reconstruction of specific defects mu...
Source: Endodontic Topics - January 2, 2013 Category: Dentistry Authors: George K.B. Sándor, Robert P. Carmichael, Leena P. Ylikontiola, Ahmed Jan, Marc G. Duval, Cameron M.L. Clokie Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

TGF-{beta}1 and Gastrointestinal Tumors
TGF-β and its signaling pathways are important mediators in the suppression of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. TGF-β is released from cells in a latent complex consisting of TGF-β, the TGF-β propeptide [latency associated protein (LAP)], and a latent TGF-β binding protein (LTBP). We previously generated mice in which the LTBP-binding cysteine residues in LAP TGF-β1 were mutated to serine precluding covalent interactions with LTBP. These Tgfb1C33S/C33S mice develop multiorgan inflammation and tumors consistent with reduced TGF-β1 activity. To test whether further reduction in active TGF-β levels would yield a...
Source: Cancer Research - January 2, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Shibahara, K., Ota, M., Horiguchi, M., Yoshinaga, K., Melamed, J., Rifkin, D. B. Tags: Tumor and Stem Cell Biology Source Type: research

HER2-Driven Senescence and Metastasis
Senescence, a terminal cell proliferation arrest, can be triggered by oncogenes. Oncogene-induced senescence is classically considered a tumor defense barrier. However, several findings show that, under certain circumstances, senescent cells may favor tumor progression because of their secretory phenotype. Here, we show that the expression in different breast epithelial cell lines of p95HER2, a constitutively active fragment of the tyrosine kinase receptor HER2, results in either increased proliferation or senescence. In senescent cells, p95HER2 elicits a secretome enriched in proteases, cytokines, and growth factors. This...
Source: Cancer Research - January 2, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Angelini, P. D., Fluck, M. F. Z., Pedersen, K., Parra–Palau, J. L., Guiu, M., Bernado Morales, C., Vicario, R., Luque–Garcia, A., Navalpotro, N. P., Giralt, J., Canals, F., Gomis, R. R., Tabernero, J., Baselga, J., Villanueva, J., Arribas, J. Tags: Tumor and Stem Cell Biology Source Type: research

COX-2/PGE2-Driven Cancer Metastasis Requires MIG-7
In this study, we identified migration inducting gene-7 (MIG-7) protein as critical for COX-2/prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)- and Akt/GSK-3β-dependent tumor invasion/metastasis. COX-2/PGE2 activated EP4 to enhance Akt and GSK-3β phosphorylation and β-catenin/T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor signaling leading to MIG-7 upregulation. RNAi-mediated attenuation of MIG-7 blocked COX-2/PGE2- and Akt/GSK-3β-mediated migration/invasion effects. Furthermore, MIG-7 protein inhibited protein phosphatase 2A to sustain Akt/GSK-3β phosphorylation and cancer-cell migration/invasion. Cancer cells overexpressing MIG-7 exhibited increase...
Source: Cancer Research - January 2, 2013 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Ho, M.-Y., Liang, S.-M., Hung, S.-W., Liang, C.-M. Tags: Tumor and Stem Cell Biology Source Type: research