MedWorm: Stem Cell Therapy

[News of the Week] Cell Therapies: Clean Pigs Offer Alternative to Stem Cell Transplants

Science: Current Issue — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:50:22 +0100

Within a couple of years, a scientific team hopes to start clinical trials using cells from the first swine herd in the country specially bred to supply insulin-secreting pancreatic islets for people with diabetes. But they face immunological and regulatory challenges, as well as the challenge of overcoming public aversion to the idea.Author: Constance Holden (Source: Science: Current Issue)

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On your last nerve: Researchers advance understanding of stem cells

ScienceDaily Headlines — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:50:12 +0100

Researchers have identified a gene that tells embryonic stem cells in the brain when to stop producing nerve cells called neurons. The research is a significant advance in understanding the development of the nervous system, which is essential to addressing conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Selected Update: Cancer stem cells: Symmetry is key

Nature Signaling Update — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:16:38 +0100

The tumor suppressor protein p53 regulates the polarity of mammary stem cell division. (Source: Nature Signaling Update)

Systolic function of patients with myocardial infarction undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation

Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:54:09 +0100

CONCLUSION: Autologous mononuclear bone marrow cell transplantation did not improve the echocardiographic parameters of systolic function. (Source: Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia)

Genetic ablation of caveolin-1 increases neural stem cell proliferation in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the adult mouse brain.

Cell Cycle — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:38:10 +0100

In this study, dual-label immunofluorescence analysis of the proliferation marker, Ki67, and the stem cell markers, nestin and Sox2, was performed on brains of 8 week-old wild-type (WT) and Cav-1 knockout (KO) mice. Our results demonstrate an increased number of Ki67-positive nuclei in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of Cav-1 KO brains. Importantly, our dual-label immunofluorescence analyses demonstrate increased co-localization of Ki67 with both nestin and Sox2 in the SVZ of Cav-1 KO brains. Remarkably similar results were also obtained with Cav-2 and Cav-3 KO mouse brains as well, with increased proliferation of adult neural stem cells. Thus, the SVZ of caveolin KO mouse brains displays an increased proliferation of adult neural stem cells. Caveolin proteins might represent new crucial reg...

First reconstitution of an epidermis from human embryonic stem cells

ScienceDaily Headlines — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0100

Researchers in France have just succeeded in recreating a whole epidermis from human embryonic stem cells. The goal is to one day be able to propose this unlimited resource of cells as an alternative treatment in particular for victims of third degree burns. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

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Miller School Researchers Present Findings At AHA Scientific Sessions

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

A multidisciplinary team of clinical and basic science researchers in the Vascular Biology Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine has discovered a possible molecular signature of coronary artery disease in bone marrow stem cells. The dramatic findings were presented on November 16 at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions in Orlando. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Miller School Researchers Present Findings At AHA Scientific Sessions

Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

Burns Patients Awaiting Skin Grafts: Human Embryonic Stem-Cells Could Be Used To Generate Temporary Skin

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Burns Patients Awaiting Skin Grafts: Human Embryonic Stem-Cells Could Be Used To Generate Temporary Skin

Dermatology News From Medical News Today — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

A study in this week's edition of The Lancet reports that the use of human embryonic stem-cells (hESCs) is a promising alternative for producing temporary skin substitutes for patients awaiting skin grafts after, for example, serious burn injuries. The article is the work of Dr Christine Baldeschi, INSERM and Institute for Stem Cell Therapy and Exploration of Monogenic Diseases, Evry Cedex, France, and colleagues. (Source: Dermatology News From Medical News Today)

University Weighs Tighter Limits on Stem Cell Research

NYT > Health — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:15:43 +0100

The University of Nebraska would be the first such institution to set stricter limits than what national or state law allows. (Source: NYT > Health)

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Stem-Cell Debate Unlikely to Fade After Neb. Vote

NYT > Stem Cells — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- The University of Nebraska's governing board was expected to vote Friday on a resolution that would limit stem-cell research at the university system's facilities to rules approved under former President George W. Bush. (Source: NYT > Stem Cells)

University Weighs Tighter Limits on Stem Cell Research

NYT > Stem Cells — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

The University of Nebraska would be the first such institution to set stricter limits than what national or state law allows. (Source: NYT > Stem Cells)

New skin 'may help burns victims'

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:06:41 +0100

French researchers say they have found a way of using human embryonic stem cells to create new skin which could help serious burns victims. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

Stem cells: the first human trial

The Independent - Science — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:07:32 +0100

People suffering from a form of incurable blindness could soon become the first patients in the world to benefit from a new and controversial transplant operation using stem cells derived from spare human embryos left over from IVF treatment. (Source: The Independent - Science)

Human skin grown from stem cells offers burns victims hope

Scotsman.com News - Health — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

SCIENTISTS have transformed stem cells into human skin in a breakthrough that may revolutionise the treatment of burns victims. (Source: Scotsman.com News - Health)

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[Comment] Bioengineered human skin from embryonic stem cells

LANCET — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The therapeutic use of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) is currently prevented by several important hurdles. These hurdles include the availability of well-characterised, appropriately monitored cell lines that can be specified into the required lineages reproducibly and efficiently, without resulting in tumour formation or eliciting an immune response resulting in rejection. However, recent progress has provided hope that these challenges are not insurmountable and might eventually result in the use of hESCs for regenerative therapies for various diseases, including spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, and major tissue deficits. (Source: LANCET)

[Articles] Human embryonic stem-cell derivatives for full reconstruction of the pluristratified epidermis: a preclinical study

LANCET — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Cell therapy for large burns is dependent upon autologous epidermis reconstructed in vitro. However, the effectiveness of current procedures is limited by the delay needed to culture the patient's own keratinocytes. To assess whether the keratinocyte progeny of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) could be used to form a temporary skin substitute for use in patients awaiting autologous grafts, we investigated the cells' capability of constructing a pluristratified epidermis. (Source: LANCET)

To be, or not to be?

EMBO Reports AOP — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

EMBO Reports. doi:10.1038/embor.2009.244 Author: Katrien Devolder Are induced pluripotent stem cells potential babies, and does it matter? (Source: EMBO Reports AOP)

Paper round: Friday

OnMedica Latest News — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Stem cell therapy for eyes, epilepsy as an art form, and moreRelated items from OnMedicaSwine flu prompts warning over critical care beds shortagesNICE draft guidance rejects use of cancer liver drugDaily alcohol consumption can lower heart diseaseGPs fail to consider their own end-of-life careNew osteoporosis risk scores highly effective (Source: OnMedica Latest News)

Enhanced treatment of articular cartilage defect of the knee by intra-articular injection of Bcl-xL-engineered mesenchymal stem cells in rabbit model

Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

We examined whether the transduction of an anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-xL, into MSCs could prevent cell death and improve the implantation efficiency of MSCs in a rabbit model. Our current findings demonstrate that the group treated with Bcl-xL-engineered MSCs could improve cartilage healing both morphologically and histologically when compared with the controls. These results suggest that intra-articular injection of Bcl-xL-engineered MSCs is a potential non-invasive therapeutic method for effectively treating cartilage defects of the knee. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (Source: Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine)

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New 'Skin' from Stem Cells

MedlinePlus Health News — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Technique used in mice may offer hope to burn patients awaiting grafts Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Topics: Burns, Stem Cells (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

First human trials for stem cell blindness therapy

Telegraph Health — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:35:00 +0100

The first human trials of a stem cell therapy for an eye disease that causes blindness in young people could start next year. (Source: Telegraph Health)

Stem cell therapy for age-related retinal disease

Future Medicine: Aging Health — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:03:39 +0100

Aging Health , December 2009, Vol. 5, No. 6, Pages 799-811. (Source: Future Medicine: Aging Health)

The transcription factors STAT5A/B regulate GM-CSF-mediated granulopoiesis

Blood — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:02:20 +0100

Neutrophils play a vital role in the immune defense, which is evident by the severity of neutropenia causing life-threatening infections. Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) controls homeostatic and emergency development of granulocytes. However, little is known about the contribution of the downstream mediating transcription factors signal transducer and activator of transcription 5A and 5B (STAT5A/B). To elucidate the function of this pathway, we generated mice with complete deletion of both Stat5a/b genes in hematopoietic cells. In homeostasis, peripheral neutrophils were markedly decreased in these animals. Moreover, during emergency situations, such as myelosuppression, Stat5a/b-mutant mice failed to produce enhanced levels of neutrophils and were unable to respo...

Identification of novel regulators of hematopoietic stem cell development through refinement of stem cell localization and expression profiling

Blood — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:02:19 +0100

The first adult-repopulating hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are detected starting at day 10.5 of gestation in the aorta-gonads-mesonephros (AGM) region of the mouse embryo. Despite the importance of the AGM in initiating HSC production, very little is currently known about the regulators that control HSC emergence in this region. We have therefore further defined the location of HSCs in the AGM and incorporated this information into a spatial and temporal comparative gene expression analysis of the AGM. The comparisons included gene expression profiling (1) in the newly identified HSC-containing region compared with the region devoid of HSCs, (2) before and after HSC emergence in the AGM microenvironment, and (3) on populations enriched for HSCs and their putative precursors. Two genes fo...

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The role and regulation of friend of GATA-1 (FOG-1) during blood development in the zebrafish

Blood — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:02:19 +0100

The nuclear protein FOG-1 binds transcription factor GATA-1 to facilitate erythroid and megakaryocytic maturation. However, little is known about the function of FOG-1 during myeloid and lymphoid development or how FOG-1 expression is regulated in any tissue. We used in situ hybridization, gain- and loss-of-function studies in zebrafish to address these problems. Zebrafish FOG-1 is expressed in early hematopoietic cells, as well as heart, viscera, and paraspinal neurons, suggesting that it has multifaceted functions in organogenesis. We found that FOG-1 is dispensable for endoderm specification but is required for endoderm patterning affecting the expression of late-stage T-cell markers, independent of GATA-1. The suppression of FOG-1, in the presence of normal GATA-1 levels, induces sever...

Md. stem cell panel sees record interest for research grants

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:41:24 +0100

The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission received nearly 200 proposals for state-funded research grants, the highest number of applications to date in a year when there is less money available. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines)

Md. stem cell panel sees record interest for research grants

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:41:24 +0100

Genome-wide mapping of SMAD target genes reveals the role of BMP signaling in embryonic stem cell fate determination [LETTERS]

Genome Research — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:57:34 +0100

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are under precise control of both intrinsic self-renewal gene regulatory network and extrinsic growth factor-triggered signaling cascades. How external signaling pathways connect to core self-renewal transcriptional circuits is largely unknown. To probe this, we chose BMP signaling, which is previously recognized as a master control for both self-renewal and lineage commitment of murine ES cells. Here, we mapped target gene promoter occupancy of SMAD1/5 and SMAD4 on a genome-wide scale and found that they associate with a large group of developmental regulators that are enriched for H3K27 trimethylation and H3K4 trimethylation bivalent marks and are repressed in the self-renewing state, whereas they are rapidly induced upon differentiation. Smad knockdown experime...

The effect of titanium particles on rat bone marrow stem cells in vitro

Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:54:48 +0100

(Source: Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods)

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Company seeks to test stem cells for blindness

Reuters: Health — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:25:17 +0100

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Advanced Cell Technology, a small Massachusetts-based biotechnology company, said on Thursday it has asked for approval to test human embryonic stem cells in treating a rare cause of blindness. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Systems-level dynamic analyses of fate change in murine embryonic stem cells

Nature — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:24:38 +0100

Authors: Rong Lu, Florian Markowetz, Richard D. Unwin, Jeffrey T. Leek, Edoardo M. Airoldi, Ben D. MacArthur, Alexander Lachmann, Roye Rozov, Avi Ma’ayan, Laurie A. Boyer, Olga G. Troyanskaya, Anthony D. Whetton & Ihor R. Lemischka Molecular regulation of embryonic stem cell (ESC) fate involves a coordinated interaction between epigenetic, transcriptional and translational mechanisms. It is unclear how these different molecular regulatory mechanisms interact to regulate changes in stem cell fate. Here we present a dynamic systems-level study of cell fate change in murine ESCs following a well-defined perturbation. Global changes in histone acetylation, chromatin-bound RNA polymerase II, messenger RNA (mRNA), and nuclear protein levels were measured over 5 days after downreg...

P.E.I. toddler battles cancer in Toronto

CBC | Health — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:42:53 +0100

A two-year-old Summerside girl with tumours in her abdomen, ribcage, skull and leg bones is undergoing a stem cell transplant in Toronto in hopes of beating the cancer. (Source: CBC | Health)

Beyond genomics, biologists and engineers decode the next frontier

ScienceDaily Headlines — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0100

Biologists and engineers have dramatically improved the speed and accuracy of measuring an enigmatic set of proteins that influences almost every aspect of how cells and tissues function. The new method offers a long-sought tool for studying stem cells, cancer and other problems of fundamental importance to biology and medicine. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Is Hepatic Differentiation Of Embryonic Stem Cells Induced By Valproic Acid And Cytokines?

Transplants / Organ Donations News From Medical News Today — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0100

Embryonic stem (ES) cells, known for their capacity to proliferate indefinitely and differentiate into almost all types of cells including hepatocytes, have raised the hope of cellular replacement therapy for liver failure. There have been several protocols available for hepatic fate specification from ES cells, however, most of the protocols currently used result in low yield or purity of functional hepatocytes. (Source: Transplants / Organ Donations News From Medical News Today)

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Is Hepatic Differentiation Of Embryonic Stem Cells Induced By Valproic Acid And Cytokines?

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0100

International Event At Queen's Focuses On Male Infertility

Fertility News From Medical News Today — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0100

Male infertility and tackling falling birth rates across Europe will be among the topics addressed at this year's British Andrology Society's annual conference at Queen's University in Belfast. World leaders in the field of andrology - the study of male reproduction - will meet at Queen's this week (Thursday and Friday) to discuss the latest developments in the field of fertility including the potential to create artificial sperm from stem cells. (Source: Fertility News From Medical News Today)

Persistent non-neoplastic gammadelta-T cells in cerebrospinal fluid of a patient with hepatosplenic (gammadelta) T cell lymphoma: a case report with 6 years of flow cytometry follow-up.

International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:38:02 +0100

We describe a case of a 31-year old man diagnosed with a gammadelta HSTCL in 2003, successfully treated with chemotherapy and allogeneic stem cell transplantation, and followed from 2003 to present. Four-color flow cytometry (FC) was performed on a BD FACSCalibur and data analyzed with CellQuest Pro and FCS Express software. For cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), all cells were acquired due to limited material. Cytological correlation was available on all specimens. Molecular studies for T-cell gene rearrangement were non-contributory. By FC, the diagnostic HSTCL immunophenotype was CD3 (+), CD7 (+), CD2 (+), CD5 (-), CD4 (-), CD8 (-), TCR gammadelta (+). Subsequent CSF FC analysis revealed a distinct population of gammadelta T-cells in all specimens, ranging from <1% to 13% of lymphocytes. Con...

Transplanting People's Own Stem Cells Into Heart Lessens Pain, Improves Ability To Walk

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

The largest national stem cell study for heart disease showed the first evidence that transplanting a potent form of adult stem cells into the heart muscle of subjects with severe angina results in less pain and an improved ability to walk. The transplant subjects also experienced fewer deaths than those who didn't receive stem cells. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

NC State Researchers Advance Understanding Of Stem Cells

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Researchers from North Carolina State University have identified a gene that tells embryonic stem cells in the brain when to stop producing nerve cells called neurons. The research is a significant advance in understanding the development of the nervous system, which is essential to addressing conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Transplanting People's Own Stem Cells Into Heart Lessens Pain, Improves Ability To Walk

Pain / Anesthetics News From Medical News Today — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

NC State Researchers Advance Understanding Of Stem Cells

Alzheimer's / Dementia News From Medical News Today — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Stem Cells May Be Used as Skin Grafts

WebMD Health — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Human embryonic stem cells can be used to produce skin grafts for people who have been seriously burned, a study shows. (Source: WebMD Health)

First reconstitution of an epidermis from human embryonic stem cells

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

(INSERM (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)) Stem cell research is making great strides. This is yet again illustrated by a study carried out by the I-STEM Institute, published in the Lancet on Nov. 21, 2009. The I-STEM team, directed by Marc Peschanski has just succeeded in recreating a whole epidermis from human embryonic stem cells.The goal is to one day be able to propose this unlimited resource of cells as an alternative treatment in particular for victims of third degree burns. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

How plant stem cells guard against genetic damage

ScienceDaily Headlines — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Scientists have shown how plants can protect themselves against genetic damage caused by environmental stresses. The growing tips of plant roots and shoots have an in-built mechanism that, if it detects damage to the DNA, causes the cell to "commit suicide" rather than pass on its defective DNA. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

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Successful umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation in a child with WHIM syndrome

European Journal of Haematology — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

(Source: European Journal of Haematology)

Combinations of genetic mutations in the adult neural stem cell compartment determine brain tumour phenotypes

The EMBO Journal AOP — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Thomas S Jacques, Alexander Swales, Monika J Brzozowski, Nico V Henriquez, Jacqueline M Linehan, Zaman Mirzadeh, Catherine O' Malley, Heike Naumann, Arturo Alvarez-Buylla & Sebastian Brandner (Source: The EMBO Journal AOP)

Hydrodynamic modulation of embryonic stem cell differentiation by rotary orbital suspension culture

Biotechnology and Bioengineering — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can differentiate into all somatic cell types, but the development of effective strategies to direct ESC fate is dependent upon defining environmental parameters capable of influencing cell phenotype. ESCs are commonly differentiated via cell aggregates referred to as embryoid bodies (EBs), but current culture methods, such as hanging drop and static suspension, yield relatively few or heterogeneous populations of EBs. Alternatively, rotary orbital suspension culture enhances EB formation efficiency, cell yield, and homogeneity without adversely affecting differentiation. Thus, the objective of this study was to systematically examine the effects of hydrodynamic conditions created by rotary orbital shaking on EB formation, structure, and differentiation. Mouse E...

Initial activation of EpCAM cleavage via cell-to-cell contact

BMC Cancer — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Activation of EpCAM's cleavage and oncogenic capacity is dependent on cellular interaction (juxtacrine) to provide for initial signals of regulated intramembrane proteolysis, which then support signalling via soluble EpEX (paracrine). (Source: BMC Cancer)

Society for Hematology and Stem Cells Travel Grants to ISEH 2010 Meeting

ScanGrants feed — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Date: 15 - 18 September, 2010Location: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Melbourne Australia (www.mcec.com.au/) Through the generous support of the State government of Victoria we are able to offer up to 200 travel grants for PhD students and post-doctoral delegates as follows:Delegates traveling from Europe AUD$2000Delegates traveling from the USA AUD$1500Delegates traveling from Asia AUD$1200Delegates traveling from New Zealand or within Australia AUD$300Applications need to be submitted with your abstract and will be assessed based on the abstract rankings. Travel award applicants must also include a letter from their Mentor/Supervisor with their abstract submission requesting travel suppor...

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2nd human hESC trial?

The Scientist — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

A company has requested permission to conduct a clinical trial using human embryonic stem cells to treat a genetic eye disease (Source: The Scientist)

Consensus Report of the National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials Planning Meeting on Pancreas Cancer Treatment [SPECIAL ARTICLE]

Journal of Clinical Oncology — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:02:37 +0100

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality, despite significant improvements in diagnostic imaging and operative mortality rates. The 5-year survival rate remains less than 5% because of microscopic or gross metastatic disease at time of diagnosis. The Clinical Trials Planning Meeting in pancreatic cancer was convened by the National Cancer Institute's Gastrointestinal Cancer Steering Committee to discuss the integration of basic and clinical knowledge in the design of clinical trials in PDAC. Major emphasis was placed on the enhancement of research to identify and validate the relevant targets and molecular pathways in PDAC, cancer stem cells, and the microenvironment. Emphasis was also placed on developing rational combinations of targeted age...

Effects of Extracellular Matrix on Differentiation of Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Smooth Muscle Cell Lineage: Utility for Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering

Cells Tissues Organs — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Cells Tissues Organs (DOI:10.1159/000260061) (Source: Cells Tissues Organs)

Lifelong Exercise Keeps Seniors Young at Heart

MedlinePlus Health News — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:00:00 +0100

Separate study finds stem cell therapy improves exercise capacity in patients with enlarged hearts Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Topics: Exercise for Seniors, Heart Diseases, Stem Cells (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

T lineage differentiation from induced pluripotent stem cells.

Cellular Immunology — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:32:04 +0100

In this study, we co-cultured iPS cells on OP9 cells expressing the Notch ligand Delta-like 1 (DL1), the iPS cells differentiated into T lymphocytes. In addition, in vitro stimulation of iPS cell-derived T lymphocytes resulted in secretion of IL-2 and IFN-gamma. Moreover, adoptive transfer of iPS cell-derived T lymphocytes into Rag-deficient mice reconstituted their T cell pools. These results indicate that iPS cells are able to follow the normal program of T cell differentiation. PMID: 19811778 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Cellular Immunology)

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Vitrolife Receives Research Grant From VINNOVA For Development Of The Clinical Stem-Cell Media Of Tomorrow

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:00:00 +0100

VINNOVA announced in a press release yesterday that they are going to provide support of SEK 3.6 million for Vitrolife's research project for optimized culture media to enable the clinical use of stem cells. "It is very pleasing news and will enable more intensive work in an area that we very much believe in for the future", says Magnus Nilsson, Vitrolife's CEO. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Vitrolife Receives Research Grant From VINNOVA For Development Of The Clinical Stem-Cell Media Of Tomorrow

Stem Cell Research News From Medical News Today — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:00:00 +0100

Translational advances and novel therapies for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: hope or hype?

Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:16:31 +0100

Review ArticlesSreenivasa Chandana, Daruka Mahadevan, Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine, Volume 11 , pp e34AbstractBiological complexity, inaccessible anatomical location, nonspecific symptoms, lack of a screening biomarker, advanced disease at presentation and drug resistance epitomise pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) as a poor-prognosis, lethal disease. Twenty-five years of research (basic, translational and clinical) have barely made strides to improve survival, mainly because of a fundamental lack of knowledge of the biological processes initiating and propagating PDA. However, isolation of pancreas cancer stem cells or progenitors, whole-genome sequencing for driver mutations, advances in functional imaging, mechanistic dissection of the desmoplastic reaction and novel target...

StemCells, Inc. Provides Update on NCL Program Meeting with FDA

HSMN NewsFeed — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:12:33 +0100

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--StemCells, Inc. (NASDAQ: STEM ) today provided an update on the ongoing clinical development program of its proprietary HuCNS-SC(R) product candidate (purified human neural stem cells) for neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis ... Regenerative Medicine, Neurology, FDAStemCells, HuCNS-SC, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, stem cell (Source: HSMN NewsFeed)

X-Chromosome Inactivation: Sex, Pairing, Chromatin, and Stem Cells

Nature Network Boston - Upcoming Events — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:33:57 +0100

Venue: Harvard Medical School Start date: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:30:00 -0500 End date: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:30:00 -0500 (Source: Nature Network Boston - Upcoming Events)

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Cancer Chemical Biology Seminar Series

DF/HCC: Latest News — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:26:00 +0100

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Program in Cancer Chemical Biology Seminar SeriesBiomaterials and biotechnology: From the discovery of angiogenesis inhibitors to the development of controlled drug delivery systems and the foundation of tissue engineeringRobert S. Langer, Sc.D.David H. Koch Institute ProfessorMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyChemical Engineering DepartmentCambridge, MAAbstractResearch starting with the development of novel delivery systems for macromolecules is discussed. For example, new drug delivery technologies including nanoparticles and nanotechnology promise to create new treatments for cancer and other illnesses. They have also been used as essential parts of the assays used to isolate angiogenesis inhibitors. The creation of new biomaterials is also discussed....

Extracorporeal photo-apheresis for the treatment of steroid-resistant graft versus host disease

Transfusion and Apheresis Science — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:25:08 +0100

Abstract: Acute and chronic graft versus host disease are frequent and potentially severe complications of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and are among the leading causes of non-relapse transplant-related mortality. For patients with steroid refractory disease, prognosis is particularly poor and although a variety of treatment options are available, responses are commonly transient and the side effects often intolerable. Since it was first introduced for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, extracorporeal photo-apheresis has been utilized as an immunomodulatory therapy for certain autoimmune diseases and solid organ transplant rejection. Recently, extracorporeal photo-apheresis has become a promising alternative for patients with graft versus host disease with di...

Homing of lin−/CD117+ hematopoietic stem cells

Transfusion and Apheresis Science — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:25:07 +0100

In this report, we describe the homing of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to non-hematopoietic tissues in lethally irradiated (9Gy) hybrid mice transplanted intravenously with lin−/CD117+ bone marrow cells from ROSA26 mice. The numbers of CFU-GM in spleen of irradiated transplanted mice were well above the levels found in non-irradiated group as early as day 8 after transplant. On 12th day regeneration of lymphocytes was observed, an increase in granulocytes was detected as late as on 33rd day. Transplanted cells containing lacZ gene were detected in recipient mice by histochemistry and their location in the thymus, liver, stomach and ileum was followed during 33days post-transplantation. On 8 and 33days post-transplantation, we found massive presence of donor (lacZ+) cells in the thymic...

Your own stem cells can treat heart disease, study suggests

ScienceDaily Headlines — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0100

The largest national stem cell study for heart disease showed the first evidence that transplanting a potent form of adult stem cells into the heart muscle of patients with severe angina results in less pain and an improved ability to walk. They also experienced fewer deaths than those who didn't receive stem cells. The stem cells were injected in an effort to spur the growth of small blood vessels in the heart muscle. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Moving at the speed of science

Cancer Network — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Owen Witte, MD, has been a California resident for nearly 35 years, but there’s nothing laid-back about him. The director of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research retains the rapid fire speech of a native New Yorker. Although it was getting toward late afternoon when Dr. Witte met with Oncology News International, he ushered a steady stream of visitors into and out of his office at the University of California, Los Angeles. When he spoke about his work, it was with the same energy that no doubt drew him to science in the first place. (Source: Cancer Network)

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Cancer-Fighting Drugs Delivered Right To The Tumor

Neurology / Neuroscience News From Medical News Today — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0100

An encapsulation breakthrough by researchers at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology may enable doctors to deliver anti-cancer drugs directly to tumors over extended periods of time, while preventing the systemic side effects of chemotherapy and other current cancer treatments. The system consists of polymeric microcapsules containing human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) engineered to produce proteins that prevent cancer growth. (Source: Neurology / Neuroscience News From Medical News Today)

Serial in vivo imaging of the porcine heart after percutaneous, intramyocardially injected 111In-labeled human mesenchymal stromal cells

The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:33:50 +0100

Abstract This pilot trial aimed to investigate the utilization of 111In-labeling of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) for in vivo tracking after intramyocardial transplantation in a xenotransplantation model with gender mismatched cells. Human male MSC were expanded ex vivo and labeled with 111In-tropolone. Ten female pigs were included. The labeled cells were transplanted intramyocardially using a percutaneous injection system. The 111In activity was determined using gamma camera imaging. Excised hearts were analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and microscopy. Gamma camera imaging revealed focal cardiac 111In accumulations up to 6 days after injection (N = 4). No MSC could be identified with FISH, and microscopy identified widespread acute infla...

Extramedullary hematopoiesis is dysregulated in histamine-free histidine decarboxylase knockout (HDC−/−) mice

Inflammation Research — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:29:30 +0100

Conclusions The absence of histamine adversely affects splenic hematopoiesis via direct and indirect mechanisms. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original Research PaperDOI 10.1007/s00011-009-0114-7Authors Zsuzsanna Horváth, Semmelweis University Department of Genetics, Cell- and Immunobiology Nagyvárad tér 4 1089 Budapest HungaryÉva Pállinger, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Semmelweis University Research Group for Inflammation Biology and Immunogenomics Nagyvárad tér 4 1089 Budapest HungaryGyőző Horváth, Hungarian Defence Forces Department of Radiobiology, Research Institute of Military Medical Center Róbert Károly krt. 44 1134 Budapest HungaryIvett Jelinek, Semmelweis University Department of Genetics, Cell- and Immunobiology Nagyvárad tér 4 1089 Bud...

BrainStorm Stem Cell Therapy Technology Possesses Promising Potential For The Future Treatment Of Multiple Sclerosis

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc. (OTCBB:BCLI), a leading developer of adult stem cell technologies and therapeutics, is pleased to announce that the company's therapeutic approach for treating neurodegenerative diseases, particularly ALS and Parkinson's disease, was found to have a positive effect in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS). (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Stem Cells Improve Heart Function In Patients With Cardiomyopathy

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

A Florida cardiologist is using stem cell therapy to treat patients who suffer from a range of heart, lung and vascular illnesses. The results have been extraordinary. Zannos Grekos, M.D. uses the patients' own stem cells to treat the diseases. "One's own stem cells offer great potential for the treatment of serious heart, lung and vascular diseases," Dr. Grekos said. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Stem Cells Improve Heart Function In Patients With Cardiomyopathy

Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

BrainStorm Stem Cell Therapy Technology Possesses Promising Potential For The Future Treatment Of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis News From Medical News Today — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Is hepatic differentiation of embryonic stem cells induced by valproic acid and cytokines?

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

(World Journal of Gastroenterology) A research team from China developed a protocol for direct hepatic lineage differentiation from early developmental progenitors to a population of mature hepatocytes. Their study showed that hepatic cells of different developmental stages from early progenitors to matured hepatocytes can be acquired in the appropriate order based on sequential induction with valproic acid and cytokines. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Focus on male infertility at international event at Queen's

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

(Queen's University Belfast) Male infertility and tackling falling birth rates across Europe will be among the topics addressed at this year's British Andrology Society's annual conference at Queens University in Belfast.World leaders in the field of andrology -- the study of male reproduction -- will meet at Queen's this week to discuss the latest developments in the field of fertility including the potential to create artificial sperm from stem cells. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Beyond genomics, biologists and engineers decode the next frontier

EurekAlert! - Biology — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

(Princeton University, Engineering School) A team of biologists and engineers has dramatically improved the speed and accuracy of measuring histones, an enigmatic set of proteins that influences almost every aspect of how cells and tissues function. The new method offers a long-sought tool for studying stem cells, cancer and other problems of fundamental importance to biology and medicine. (Source: EurekAlert! - Biology)

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Heart therapy with stem cells shows progress

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

A treatment that uses adult stem cells to rebuild failing hearts reduced chest pain and improved activity levels for severely ill patients one year after injection, a Northwestern University researcher working with a Chicago-area device-maker reported.... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research)

Latest issue of Nature Biotechnology weighs in on the business of stem cells.www.parentprojectmd.org

Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Trading on hope Jane Qiu investigates the thriving business of selling stem cell transplants as cure-alls for debilitating diseases. Hungarian police arrested an American, two Ukrainians and a Hungarian in late July as they were planning to perform a stem cell transplant on a patient in a Budapest clinic. They were detained under suspicion of administering illegal and untested stem cell treatments. One of the Ukrainians, Yuliy Baltaytis, caused a scandal when his Barbados clinic was closed after the BBC alleged the fetal stem cells used in his procedures were obtained unethically in the Ukraine. The cost of the Budapest procedure, $25,000, betrayed the motivation of the four suspects: injecting stem cells into patients suffering from otherwise incurable diseases is big business. The arres...

DNA methylation in early development

Molecular Reproduction and Development — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Development from separate parental germ cells through fertilization and proceeding to a fully functioning adult animal occurs through an intricate program of transcriptional and chromatin changes. Epigenetic alterations such as DNA methylation are an important part of this process. This review looks at the role of DNA methylation in early embryonic development, as well as how this epigenetic mark affects stem cell differentiation and tissue-specific gene expression in somatic cells. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 2009. Published 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. (Source: Molecular Reproduction and Development)

Regenerative biology: Brainy stem cells

Nature — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Nature 462, 255 (2009). doi:10.1038/462255d Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA106, 19150–19155 (2009) 10.1073/pnas.0909293106Patients undergoing irradiation for brain tumours often display signs of cognitive dysfunction, owing in part to the loss of healthy neural stem and precursor cells. To investigate possible treatments, Charles (Source: Nature)

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Mutations Affecting the Interleukin-10 Receptor

New England Journal of Medicine — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Genetic analyses showed that mutations affecting the interleukin-10 receptor are associated with early-onset colitis. Further molecular analyses showed that the mutations abrogated interleukin-10 signaling. Treatment of one of the affected children by means of allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation was successful. (Source: New England Journal of Medicine)

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Impact on relapse of corticosteroid therapy after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia

Clinical Transplantation — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Imahashi N, Inamoto Y, Seto A, Watanabe K, Nishiwaki S, Yanagisawa M, Shinba M, Yasuda T, Kuwatsuka Y, Atsuta Y, Kodera Y, Miyamura K. Impact on relapse of corticosteroid therapy after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia.Clin Transplant 2009 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0012.2009.01158.x© 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract: Corticosteroids are often used following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) to control complications such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). However, there is some concern that corticosteroids may suppress the graft-versus-leukemia effect and increase leukemia relapse. To evaluate the effect of corticosteroids on relapse, we analyzed 112 adult patients who received their first allogeneic HSCT for acute myeloid ...

Duality of Enhancer Functioning Mode Revealed in a Reduced TCR{beta} Gene Enhancer Knockin Mouse Model.

Journal of Immunology — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Bonnet M, Huang F, Benoukraf T, Cabaud O, Verthuy C, Boucher A, Jaeger S, Ferrier P, Spicuglia S The TCRbeta gene enhancer (Ebeta) commands TCRbeta gene expression through the lifespan of T lymphocytes. Genetic and molecular studies have implied that in early thymocytes, Ebeta directs chromatin opening over the Dbeta-Jbeta-Cbeta domains and triggers initial Dbeta-Jbeta recombination. In mature T cells, Ebeta is required for expression of the assembled TCRbeta gene. Whether these separate activities rely on distinct Ebeta regulatory sequences and involve differing modes of activation is unclear. Using gene targeting in mouse embryonic stem cells, we replaced Ebeta by a conserved core fragment (Ebeta169). We found that Ebeta169-carrying alleles were capable of sustaining beta ge...

IL-7 Enhances Thymic Human T Cell Development in "Human Immune System" Rag2-/-IL-2R{gamma}c-/- Mice without Affecting Peripheral T Cell Homeostasis.

Journal of Immunology — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: van Lent AU, Dontje W, Nagasawa M, Siamari R, Bakker AQ, Pouw SM, Maijoor KA, Weijer K, Cornelissen JJ, Blom B, Di Santo JP, Spits H, Legrand N IL-7 is a central cytokine in the development of hematopoietic cells, although interspecies discrepancies have been reported. By coculturing human postnatal thymus hematopoietic progenitors and OP9-huDL1 stromal cells, we found that murine IL-7 is approximately 100-fold less potent than human IL-7 for supporting human T cell development in vitro. We investigated the role of human IL-7 in newborn BALB/c Rag2(-/-)gamma(c)(-/-) mice transplanted with human hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) as an in vivo model of human hematopoiesis using three approaches to improve IL-7 signaling: administration of human IL-7, ectopic expression of human IL-...

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Human Gingiva Are Capable of Immunomodulatory Functions and Ameliorate Inflammation-Related Tissue Destruction in Experimental Colitis.

Journal of Immunology — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, we isolated a new population of stem cells from human gingiva, a tissue source easily accessible from the oral cavity, namely, gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs), which exhibited clonogenicity, self-renewal, and multipotent differentiation capacities. Most importantly, GMSCs were capable of immunomodulatory functions, specifically suppressed peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation, induced expression of a wide panel of immunosuppressive factors including IL-10, IDO, inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in response to the inflammatory cytokine, IFN-gamma. Cell-based therapy using systemic infusion of GMSCs in experimental colitis significantly ameliorated both clinical and histopathological severity of the colonic inflammation, restored the...

The effect of endostatin mediated by human mesenchymal stem cells on ovarian cancer cells in vitro

Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:51:09 +0100

Conclusion We found that MSCs possessed great migratory capacity in vitro and the human ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line SKOV3 could significantly induce the migration of MSCs. Our results provided evidence that MSCs could be utilized as a powerful delivery system of endostatin. The endostatin produced by MSC-EN cells could inhibit the proliferation of SKOV3 cells. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperDOI 10.1007/s00432-009-0728-8Authors Jing Jiang, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology No. 246, Xue Fu Road, Nan Gang District 150001 Harbin Hei Longjiang ChinaWei Chen, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University Department of Cardiovascular Surgery Harbin Hei Longjiang ChinaRuji...

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Lisa Ray awaits stem cell treatment in Toronto

CBC | Health — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:52:03 +0100

Toronto actress Lisa Ray is preparing for a stem cell transplant to treat her rare cancer. (Source: CBC | Health)

Stem Cells: Growing Breasts After Cancer?

ABC News: Health — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:40:23 +0100

A new stem cell trial has some excited and others skeptical. Stem cell - Biotechnology - Biology - Stem Cell Research - Science and Technology (Source: ABC News: Health)

Stem Cells May Improve Heart Bypass Results

MedlinePlus Health News — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:00:00 +0100

Patients who had bone marrow transplant with surgery did better, study finds Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Topics: Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, Stem Cells (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Propagation of Human Spermatogonial Stem Cells In Vitro [Preliminary Communication]

JAMA — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:51:29 +0100

Conclusion Long-term culture and propagation of human spermatogonial stem cells in vitro is achievable. (Source: JAMA)

Effect of 5-azacytidine induction duration on differentiation of human first-trimester fetal mesenchymal stem cells towards cardiomyocyte-like cells [Work in progress report - Experimental]

Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:56:35 +0100

The aim of this study is to investigate effects of 5-azacytidine (5-aza) induction duration on differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from human first-trimester abortus (hfMSCs) towards cardiomyocyte-like cells. hfMSCs were stimulated with 10 µmol/l 5-aza for 24 h (group A), 48 h (group B) and 21 days (group C), respectively. During the induction, 30–40% of the cells gradually enlarged, elongated, connected with adjoining cells and formed myotube-like structures, branches and string-bead-like nuclei. Some of the cells congregated into cell clusters or strips. After the induction, numerous myofilaments in the cytoplasm and conjunction of intercalated disc-like structure between adjoining cells were observed. The induced cells expressed m...

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Can Stem Cells Help Grow New Breasts?

ABC News: Health — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:48:03 +0100

A new stem cell trial has some excited and others skeptical. Stem cell - Biotechnology - Biology - Stem Cell Research - Science and Technology (Source: ABC News: Health)

Bortezomib and High Dose Melphalan as Conditioning Regimen Before Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients With de Novo Multiple Myeloma

OncologySTAT Journal Scans — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:48:49 +0100

In this phase II study of 54 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, pre-transplant conditioning with bortezomib plus high-dose melphalan was safe and effective, resulting in a post-transplant... Autologous... (Source: OncologySTAT Journal Scans)

For Sale: Human Eggs Become a Research Commodity

Scientific American Topic - Medical Technology — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0100

Paying a woman for her eggs to use in stem cell research has been a bioethical no-no for years. But this past June, New York State decided to allow just that, becoming the first state to permit public money to be used in this way. The decision, which allows payment of up to $10,000, will likely jump-start donations--and thereby research. Many bioethicists, however, worry that the financial incentive could exploit women and compromise their health.Ethical issues surround egg donation because the process is not without risk. It requires a series of hormonal stimulation injections as well as an invasive procedure to retrieve the eggs. The long-term health effects and risks of complication are not well known. A woman who provides eggs for research is “assuming unknown risk for unknown be...

For Sale: Human Eggs Become a Research Commodity

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0100

For Sale: Human Eggs Become a Research Commodity

Scientific American Topic - Biotechnology — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0100

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Stem-cell treatment shows promise in heart patients

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:08:00 +0100

A treatment that uses adult stem cells to rebuild failing hearts reduced chest pain and improved activity of severely ill patients one year after injection, a Northwestern University researcher working with a Chicago device maker reported Tuesday at a... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research)

New Advance in Stem-Cell Transplants Offers New Cure for Immunodeficiency

Medscape Today Headlines — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:04:41 +0100

A novel "minimal-intensity" pre-transplant conditioning regimen improves engraftment in high-risk children with primary immunodeficiency. Journal Watch (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

The Indefinite Self Renewal Of Specialized Cells Without The Need For Stem Cell Intermediates

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0100

Is the indefinite expansion of adult cells possible without recourse to stem cell intermediates? The team led by Michael Sieweke at the Centre d'immunologie de Marseille Luminy (UniversitÃ© Aix-Marseille 2 / CNRS / INSERM) has proved that this is the case by achieving the ex vivo regeneration for several months of macrophages, specialized cells in the immune system. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

The Indefinite Self Renewal Of Specialized Cells Without The Need For Stem Cell Intermediates

Stem Cell Research News From Medical News Today — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0100

On your last nerve: NC State researchers advance understanding of stem cells

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

(North Carolina State University) Researchers from North Carolina State University have identified a gene that tells embryonic stem cells in the brain when to stop producing nerve cells called neurons. The research is a significant advance in understanding the development of the nervous system, which is essential to addressing conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

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Your own stem cells can treat heart disease

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

(Northwestern University) The largest national stem cell study for heart disease showed the first evidence that transplanting a potent form of adult stem cells into the heart muscle of patients with severe angina results in less pain and an improved ability to walk. They also experienced fewer deaths than those who didn't receive stem cells. The stem cells were injected in an effort to spur the growth of small blood vessels in the heart muscle. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Stimulus Funds Go to Stem Cell Research in Nebraska

NIGMS - Results — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:07:42 +0100

A Nebraska researcher was recently selected to receive federal stimulus funds to extend his work on induced pluripotent stem cells. (Source: NIGMS - Results)

Successful Immunotherapy of HCMV Disease Using Virus-Specific T Cells Expanded from an Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Recipient

American Journal of Transplantation — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Opportunistic infection remains the principal cause of mortality in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients with active extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) represents an important cause of disease in this setting and the toxicity of protracted and recurrent antiviral treatment together with eventual drug resistance represents a significant limitation to therapy. Although the expansion and adoptive transfer of HCMV-specific T cells from the healthy original donor can be an effective strategy to control viral replication, this is not possible when donors are seronegative or are subsequently inaccessible. Here we demonstrate for the first time, the successful expansion of HCMV-specific T cells from a seropositive transplant recipient of a seronegative ...

Mouse Models for Cancer Stem Cell Research.

Toxicologic Pathology — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Cheng L, Ramesh AV, Flesken-Nikitin A, Choi J, Nikitin AY The cancer stem cell concept assumes that cancers are mainly sustained by a small pool of neoplastic cells, known as cancer stem cells or tumor initiating cells, which are able to reproduce themselves and produce phenotypically heterogeneous cells with lesser tumorigenic potential. Cancer stem cells represent an appealing target for development of more selective and efficient therapies. However, direct testing of the cancer stem cell concept and assessment of its therapeutic implications in human cancers have been complicated by the use of immunocompromised mice. Genetically defined immunocompetent autochthonous mouse models of human cancer provide a valuable tool to address this problem. Furthermore, they allow for a b...

Injectable, Highly Flexible, and Thermosensitive Hydrogels Capable of Delivering Superoxide Dismutase.

Biomacromolecules — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Li Z, Wang F, Roy S, Sen CK, Guan J Injectable hydrogels are attractive for cell and drug delivery. In this work, we synthesized a family of injectable, biodegradable, fast gelling and thermosensitive hydrogels based on N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm), acrylic acid (AAc), dimethyl-gamma-butyrolactone acrylate (DBA), and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-poly(trimethylene carbontate) (HEMAPTMC) macromer. Type I collagen was composited with the hydrogels to improve their biocompatibility. The hydrogel copolymer solutions were readily injectable at 4 degrees C. The solutions exhibited thermal transition temperatures ranging from 23.6 to 24.5 degrees C and were capable of gelation within 7 s at 37 degrees C to form highly flexible and soft hydrogels with moduli from 39 to 119 KPa and bre...

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Fresh hope for German stem-cell patent case

news@nature.com — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:39:46 +0100

Referral to European Court may help to harmonize laws on intellectual property. (Source: news@nature.com)

Challenges Remain for Stem Cell Therapies

About.com Biotech Biomedical — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:20:29 +0100

There are many challenges to making stem cell therapies such as regenerative medicine actually work in a therapeutic setting. We might be able to harvest stem cells, from either blastocysts or by creating pluripotent cells from already differentiated tissues, but that's really only the beginning of a medically viable process. Once a cell line is cultured in a maintainable way, the following questions remain: How to direct differentiation into the desired tissue type Optimizing growth conditions and the physical environment for cell cultures or for growing organs for transplant How to inject and transport stem cells to the target location in the body Challenges Remain for Stem Cell Therapies originally appeared on About.com Biotech / Biomedical on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 21:20:29.P...

Alzheimer’s disease and stem cell therapy

Videocast - All Events — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:10:00 +0100

Presented by: Frank M. LaFerla, Ph.D., Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, UC IrvineCategory: NeuroscienceAired date: 11/09/2009 (Source: Videocast - All Events)

A new transmyocardial degradable stent combined with growth factor, heparin, and stem cells in acute myocardial infarction

Cardiovascular Research — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:06:17 +0100

Conclusion We have demonstrated in a pig model that an intramyocardial stent implanted with slow release of bFGF, heparin, and BMSC transplantation may significantly increase LV function, cardiac blood flow, and vascular density. Therefore, the present study may provide a new method for the surgical treatment of myocardial infarction. (Source: Cardiovascular Research)

In vitro post-meiotic germ cell development from human embryonic stem cells

Human Reproduction — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:11:31 +0100

CONCLUSIONS hESCs can form PGCs and post-meiotic spermatids in vitro, however, there remains doubt about oocyte development. Levels of steroid hormones produced by EBs were significant when compared with known values for a similar quantity of human testis, suggesting that hESC may intrinsically create a favourable hormonal niche for spermatogenesis. (Source: Human Reproduction)

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Stem cell support of oogenesis in the human

Human Reproduction — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:11:30 +0100

The possibility that women produce new oocytes post-natally as part of the normal physiological function of the ovary is currently under investigation. Post-natal production of oocyte-like cells has been detected under experimental conditions in the mouse. Although these cells have many characteristics of oocytes, their potential to mature to fertilization-competence was unproven. Zou et al. (Production of offspring from a germline stem cell line derived from neonatal ovaries. Nat Cell Biol 2009;11:631–636) made use of a striking cell isolation and culture strategy to establish cultures of proliferative germ cells from both newborn and adult ovaries. Their cells, referred to as female germline stem cells (FGSCs), proliferate long-term in culture and accept and maintain expression of ...

Embryonic Stem Cell Transplantation Correlates With Endogenous Neurogenin 3 Expression and Pancreas Regeneration in Streptozotocin-injured Mice

Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:01:21 +0100

In conclusion, transplanted ES cells can migrate to the injured pancreas. Transplantation is associated with enhanced endogenous regeneration characterized by expression of Ngn3 and increased β cell differentiation from endogenous progenitor cells. This manuscript contains online supplemental material at http://www.jhc.org. Please visit this article online to view these materials. (J Histochem Cytochem 57:1149–1158, 2009) (Source: Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry)

Fate Therapeutics Closes $30 Million Series B Financing

HSMN NewsFeed — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:21:21 +0100

Led by OVP Venture Partners and Includes Syndicate of Corporate Investors LA JOLLA, Calif., Nov. 16 (HSMN NewsFeed) -- Fate Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that it has completed a $30 million Series B financing led by OVP Venture Partners. Joining ... Regenerative Medicine, Biopharmaceuticals, Venture CapitalFate Therapeutics, pluripotent stem cell, Stem Cell Modulator (Source: HSMN NewsFeed)

Satb1 and Satb2 regulate embryonic stem cell differentiation and Nanog expression [Research Papers]

Genes and Development — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:02:32 +0100

Satb1 and the closely related Satb2 proteins regulate gene expression and higher-order chromatin structure of multigene clusters in vivo. In examining the role of Satb proteins in murine embryonic stem (ES) cells, we find that Satb1–/– cells display an impaired differentiation potential and augmented expression of the pluripotency determinants Nanog, Klf4, and Tbx3. Metastable states of self-renewal and differentiation competence have been attributed to heterogeneity of ES cells in the expression of Nanog. Satb1–/– cultures have a higher proportion of Nanoghigh cells, and an increased potential to reprogram human B lymphocytes in cell fusion experiments. Moreover, Satb1-deficient ES cells show an increased expression of Satb2, and we find that forced Satb2 expressio...

Protein Might Prevent Cancer

Medicineworld.org: New Article Alert — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:04:53 +0100

One difficulty with fighting cancer cells is that they are similar in a number of respects to the body's stem cells. By focusing on the differences, scientists at Karolinska Institutet have found a new way of tackling colon cancer. The study is presented in the prestigious journal Cell. Molecular signal pathways that stimulate the division of stem cells are generally the same as those active in tumour growth. This limits the possibility of treating cancer as the drugs that kill cancer cells also often adversely affect the body's healthy cells, especially stem cells. A newly released study from Karolinska Institutet, conducted in collaboration with an international team of researchers led by Professor Jonas Frisen, is now focusing on an exception that can make it possible to treat a form of...

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Partners United In Saving Lives - Canadian Blood Services

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0100

From November 14th through 21st, Canadian Blood Services' stem cell program, the OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network, is marking National Stem Cell Awareness Week with its Partners Uniting Lives campaign. Sadly, only 30 per cent of patients in need of a stem cell transplant will find a match within their own family - the rest turn to OneMatch. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Partners United In Saving Lives - Canadian Blood Services

Stem Cell Research News From Medical News Today — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0100

Stem cells help brain heal after radiation

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Scientists at the University of California have found a potential new use for human embryonic stem cells: helping cancer patients recover the cognitive function lost when their brains are treated with radiation. People with tumors in their head or... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research)

Distinct population of highly malignant cells in a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell line established by xenograft model

BioMed Central — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The progression and metastasis of solid tumors, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), have been related to the behavior of a small subpopulation of cancer stem cells. Here, we have established a highly malignant HNSCC cell line, SASVO3, from primary tumors using three sequential rounds of xenotransplantation. SASVO3 possesses enhanced tumorigenic ability both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, SASVO3 exhibits properties of cancer stem cells, including that increased the abilities of sphere-forming, the number of side population cells, the potential of transplanted tumor growth and elevated expression of the stem cell marker Bmi1. Injection of SASVO3 into the tail vein of nude mice resulted in lung metastases. These results are consistent with the postulate that the malignan...

Lung tissue generated from human embryonic stem cells

MedWire News - Respiratory — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Scientists have successfully differentiated human embryonic stem cells into lung epithelial tissue cells using a convenient air–liquid interface. (Source: MedWire News - Respiratory)

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p63 and its isoforms as markers of rat oral mucosa epidermal stem cells in vitro

Cell Biochemistry and Function — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Although techniques for purifying epidermal stem cells (ESCs) have been established, enriching a pure population of viable ESCs is still a challenging task. One approach toward enhancing the purity and viability of ESCs involves cell markers. While evidence suggests that p63 plays a role in maintaining the population of ESCs, whether p63 can function as a specific marker for ESCs is unclear. We isolated and cultured oral ESCs and illustrated the expression of p63 and its isoforms in rat oral mucosa tissues and stem cells before and after differentiation. Semi-reverse transcription PCR detected the TA, [Delta]N, [alpha] and [beta] isoforms when cells were cultured for 2 days, but only TA and [gamma] were detected after 14 days. We also found that p63 is expressed in basal and suprabasal epi...

Phase 2 study of two sequential three-drug combinations containing bortezomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone, followed by bortezomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone as frontline therapy for multiple myeloma

British Journal of Haematology — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

We report results from a phase 2 study of two sequential three-drug combinations. Forty-four previously untreated, symptomatic MM patients received: bortezomib 1·3 mg/m2 (days 1, 4, 8, 11), cyclophosphamide 300 mg/m2 (days 1, 8), plus dexamethasone 40 mg (day of and day after bortezomib) for three 21-day cycles, followed by bortezomib 1·0 mg/m2, dexamethasone 40 mg and thalidomide 100 mg daily for three cycles. Overall response rate for 42 evaluable patients was 95%, including 19% stringent complete response (sCR), 26% CR, and 57%[ge] very good partial response. Twenty-two patients have undergone stem-cell transplantation. After a median follow-up of 20·9 months, five patients have died; none was induction therapy-related. Median event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) have ...

Cord blood and bone marrow transplantation in inherited metabolic diseases: scientific basis, current status and future directions

British Journal of Haematology — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Progressive degeneration of the central nervous system leading to the loss of neuromotor, neurophysiological and cognitive abilities is the fundamental clinical problem in patients with many inherited metabolic diseases (IMD). Worldwide experience shows that morbidity, quality of life, and survival in these patients can be improved by allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), particularly when performed early in the course of the disease. At present, while available for some conditions, exogenous enzyme replacement therapy is unable to correct cognitive and central nervous system disease because of its inability to cross the blood-brain barrier. In contrast, HSCT allows donor-derived, enzyme-producing cells to migrate to the brain and other organs providing a permanent en...

Breakthroughs in Tissue Engineering

About.com Biotech Biomedical — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

A tissue is an aggregate of cells, growing and thriving in an environment where they adhere and interact with one another. Tissue Engineering is the use of bioengineering methods to create, improve, develop and grow tissues, which then may be used for grafting, cartilage repair or, ultimately, regenerative medical procedures. The study of tissues is aimed at determining the answers to fundamental questions such as how cells react and interact in a specific matrix, and may involve the use of proteomics to study gene expression and protein production in complex environments. This form of systems biology might look at cellular functions such as excretion of intercellular signaling substances, and epigenetic factors that determine physical features such as size and shape of organs. One of the ...

Priming With Angiopoietin-1 Augments the Vasculogenic Potential of the Peripheral Blood Stem Cells Mobilized With Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Through a Novel Tie2/Ets-1 Pathway.

Circulation — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions-The short-term priming with COMP-Ang1 may be a feasible and promising option to activate (mob)PBSCs by enhancing differentiation and adhesiveness and to improve the efficacy of cell therapy for ischemic diseases. PMID: 19917886 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Circulation)

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p53-based Anti-cancer Therapies: an Empty Promise?

Current Issues in Molecular Biology — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Desilet N, Campbell TN, Choy FY Since its discovery in 1979, p53 has become the focus of intensive cancer-based research in laboratories around the world. The p53 protein mediates critical cellular functions including the response to genotoxic stress, differentiation, senescence, and apoptosis, and has been shown to be mutated in a large proportion of human cancers. These observations led many to speculate that targeting the p53 pathway would result in the development of successful anti-cancer treatments. In spite of this, 30 years later, p53 has yet to fulfill this promise. However, new insights into small molecule combination therapies, microRNA regulation, structuring of clinical trials, and potential involvement in stem cell regulation may help p53 reach its potential. ...

Transplantation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells exerts a greater long-term effect than Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells in a chronic myocardial infarction model in rat.

Cell Transplantation — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Altogether, results show that MSC provides a long-term superior benefit than whole BM-MNC transplantation in a rat model of chronic MI. PMID: 19919732 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Cell Transplantation)

Generation of neural crest cells and peripheral sensory neurons from human embryonic stem cells.

Cell Research — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:14:04 +0100

Authors: Goldstein RS, Pomp O, Brokhman I, Ziegler L Peripheral somatic sensory neurons (PSNs) are responsible for the critical function of transmitting multiple modalities of information from the outside world, including heat, touch, and pain, as well as the position of muscles required for coordinated voluntary movement to the central nervous system. Many peripheral neuropathies exist, including hereditary neurodegeneration in Familial Dysautonomia, infections of PSNs by viruses such as Varicella zoster and damage to PSNs and/or their process resulting from other disease conditions such as diabetes. Understanding of the etiology of these diseases and development of treatments is hampered by the lack of normal and healthy human PSNs for study, which are only available from abortuses o...

Goldhirsh Foundation 2010 Grant Cycle of the Brain Tumor Research Awards Program

ScanGrants feed — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The Goldhirsh Foundation is pleased to announce the 2010 Grant Cycle of the Brain Tumor Research Awards Program. The next application deadline is Thursday, January 7, 2010, 12:00 Noon, U.S. and Canada Eastern Time (GMT-5) for awards beginning on July 1, 2010. The Goldhirsh Foundation was established by Bernard A. Goldhirsh in 2000, shortly after he was diagnosed with brain cancer. Since his death in 2003, the Board of Directors of the Foundation (which includes his two children) has been shaping a grantmaking program that reflects his values and entrepreneurial spirit. We are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of people touched by the organizations and projects we support.A significant portion of the Foundation’s annual grantmaking is devoted to support for brain tumor re...

Pioneering Discoveries About The Development Of Cells

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

How does the developing pancreas in an embryo 'know' which cells are to produce insulin and which cells are to have other assignments? Researchers need to understand this if they want to be able to treat type-1 diabetes with stem cells developed into insulin-producing beta cells. At Lund University scientists have uncovered pioneering new knowledge, and are publishing it in the journal Cell. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Paradoxical Protein Might Prevent Cancer

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

Pioneering Discoveries About The Development Of Cells

Diabetes News From Medical News Today — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

Paradoxical Protein Might Prevent Cancer

Biology / Biochemistry News From Medical News Today — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

One difficulty with fighting cancer cells is that they are similar in many respects to the body's stem cells. By focusing on the differences, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have found a new way of tackling colon cancer. The study is presented in the prestigious journal Cell. Molecular signal pathways that stimulate the division of stem cells are generally the same as those active in tumour growth. (Source: Biology / Biochemistry News From Medical News Today)

Autologous mesenchymal stem cells produce reverse remodelling in chronic ischaemic cardiomyopathy

European Heart Journal — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:06:29 +0100

Conclusion Together these data demonstrate that autologous MSCs can be safely delivered in an adult heart failure model, producing substantial structural and functional reverse remodelling. These findings demonstrate the safety and efficacy of autologous MSC therapy and support clinical trials of MSC therapy in patients with chronic ischaemic cardiomyopathy. (Source: European Heart Journal)

The Use Of Stem Cells In Regenerative Medicine May Be Detrimental For Health

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

The use of stem cells in regenerative medicine is not always beneficial for human health, it may even be harmful according to a work done by the University of Granada and University of LeÃ³n. Scientists have demonstrated that transplantation of human mononuclear cells isolated from umbilical cord blood exerted a deleterious effect in rats with liver cirrhosis. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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The Use Of Stem Cells In Regenerative Medicine May Be Detrimental For Health

Liver Disease / Hepatitis News From Medical News Today — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Neuroprotective effect of combined hypoxia-induced VEGF and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell treatment

Child's Nervous System — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:54:26 +0100

Conclusions These results suggest that combined pEpo-SV-VEGF and BMSC treatment is effective in protecting neurons against hypoxic ischemic injury. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperDOI 10.1007/s00381-009-1040-2Authors Sung Su An, Yonsei University Department of Neurosurgery, Spine & Spinal Cord Institute, College of Medicine Seoul 120-752 South KoreaHong Lian Jin, Yonsei University Department of Neurosurgery, Spine & Spinal Cord Institute, College of Medicine Seoul 120-752 South KoreaKeung Nyun Kim, Yonsei University Department of Neurosurgery, Spine & Spinal Cord Institute, College of Medicine Seoul 120-752 South KoreaHyun Ah Kim, Hanyang University Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering Seoul South KoreaDong Seok Kim, Yonsei University...

Stem Cells Help Brain Heal After Radiation

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Successful allogeneic stem cell transplantation with a reduced-intensity conditioning in a leukocyte adhesion deficiency type I patient

Pediatric Transplantation — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Hamidieh AA, Pourpak Z, Alimoghaddam K, Movahedi M, Bahoush G, Behmanesh F, Moin M, Ghavamzadeh A. Successful allogeneic stem cell transplantation with a reduced-intensity conditioning in a leukocyte adhesion deficiency type I patient.Pediatr Transplantation 2009. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract: LAD-I is a rare, autosomal recessive, primary immunodeficiency in which phagocyte adhesion and chemotaxis are impaired. Multiple infections in the absence of pus accumulation and persistent elevated peripheral blood neutrophil counts are the hallmark of LAD-I. Allogeneic HSCT is the only treatment proved to be potentially curative for phagocyte adhesion impairment in LAD-I. Here, we report on a case of a 30-month-old girl with LAD-I, in whom peripheral blood stem cell from a genotypically i...

Researchers Tout Groundbreaking Stem Cell Breakthroughs

OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Stem cell research promises a number of nearly-miraculous medical benefits, but it's also a source of heated debate. But there's one type of stem cell research that you may not have heard of, and researchers say it could offer all of the benefits... (Source: OrlandoSentinel: Medical Research)

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Cytomegalovirus‐Specific T Cell Immunotherapy Promotes Restoration of Durable Functional Antiviral Immunity following Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:48:47 +0100

Conclusions. These data confirm the ability of cellular immunotherapy to hasten reconstitution of antiviral immunity following allogeneic transplantation, indicating that significant clinical benefits may be conferred in terms of reduction of secondary viral infection episodes, potentially reducing exposure to the toxicities of antiviral drugs. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

NIH funds Rice/THI research into MRI tracking of stem cells

Health Imaging News — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:03:49 +0100

The National Institute of Health (NIH) has given researchers at Rice University and the Texas Heart Institute (THI) $1 million to refine MRI technology in such a way as to make it sensitive enough to help guide adult stem cells to repair damaged hearts. (Source: Health Imaging News)

NIH funds Rice/THI research into MRI tracking of stem cells

Health Imaging News — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:03:49 +0100

NIH funds Rice/THI research into MRI tracking of stem cells

Cardiovascular Business News — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:03:49 +0100

Relationship of Reconstituted Adaptive and Innate Cytomegalovirus (CMV)–Specific Immune Responses with CMV Viremia in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:42:59 +0100

Conclusions. To our knowledge, this is the first study to prospectively compare multiple measures of innate and adaptive immune responses in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients with CMV viremia. The strongest immune correlates with protection against CMV viremia in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients are reconstitution of CMV‐specific T cell memory responses (LPA) and recovery of natural killer cell function. In contrast, positive CMV‐LPA before transplantation may be a marker of high risk of CMV reactivation after transplantation. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

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[Research Article] Starvation Protects Germline Stem Cells and Extends Reproductive Longevity in C. elegans

Science: Current Issue — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:54:49 +0100

During starvation, germline stem cells are saved for regeneration when food is restored.Authors: Giana Angelo, Marc R. Van Gilst (Source: Science: Current Issue)

Identification of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Human Lung Parenchyma Capable of Differentiating into Aquaporin 5-Expressing Cells

Medscape Pathology Headlines — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:25 +0100

Without good therapies for end-stage lung disease, is there a need for alternative treatments like stem cell-based therapeutic approaches? Laboratory Investigation (Source: Medscape Pathology Headlines)

Stem Cells and Dentistry

Journal of Dental Hygiene — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:59:28 +0100

(Source: Journal of Dental Hygiene)

BioTime CEO Dr. Michael West to Present at Stem Cells USA & Regenerative Medicine Congress 2009

Drugs.com - Clinical Trials — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:32:36 +0100

ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 12, 2009 - BioTime, Inc. (NYSE Amex: BTIM) Chief Executive Officer Michael West, Ph.D. will give two presentations at the Stem Cells USA & Regenerative Medicine Congress 2009 to be held at The Westin... (Source: Drugs.com - Clinical Trials)