Here's a bunch of research right up HEMA's alley ...
MicroRNAs Can Effectively Induce Formation of Insulin-Producing Cells from Mesenchymal Stem Cells
The function of microRNAs in the formation of insulin-producing cells from adult stem cells is poorly understood. Scientists examined the microRNA expression profile in nestin-positive umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells and nestin-positive pancreatic mesenchymal stem cells using a deep sequencing approach. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract
Pre-Incubation with hucMSC-Exosomes Prevents Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity by Activating Autophagy
Investigators demonstrated that the pretreatment of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (hucMSC-Ex) can prevent the development of cisplatin-induced renal toxicity by activation of autophagy in vitro and in vivo. HucMSC-Ex inhibited cisplatin-induced mitochondrial apoptosis and secretion of inflammatory cytokines in renal tubular epithelial cells in vitro. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article
Autologous Cord Blood Infusions Are Safe and Feasible in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Results of a Single-Center Phase I Open-Label Trial
Scientists hypothesized that umbilical cord blood-derived cell therapies may have potential in alleviating autism spectrum disorder symptoms by modulating inflammatory processes in the brain. Significant improvements in children's behavior were observed on parent-report measures of social communication skills and autism symptoms, clinician ratings of overall autism symptom severity and degree of improvement, standardized measures of expressive vocabulary, and objective eye-tracking measures of children's attention to social stimuli. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release
Transplantation of Ex Vivo Expanded Umbilical Cord Blood (NiCord) Decreases Early Infection and Hospitalization
In a Phase I study, adult recipients of umbilical cord blood (UCB) stem cells cultured ex vivo for three weeks with nicotinamide (NiCord) had earlier median neutrophil recovery compared to historical controls. To evaluate the impact of faster neutrophil recovery on clinically relevant early outcomes, the authors reviewed infection episodes and hospitalization during the first 100 days in an enlarged cohort of 18 NiCord recipients compared to 86 standard UCB recipients at their institution. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract
Arachidonic Acid and Docosahexanoic Acid Enhance Platelet Formation from Human Apheresis-Derived CD34+ Cells
Blood banks frequently face a shortage of platelets. Therefore, methods to generate platelets on a large scale are strongly desirable. However, to generate megakaryocytes and platelets (PLTs) in numbers sufficient for clinical application, it is essential to understand the mechanism of platelet production and explore efficient strategies accordingly. Researchers found a significant enhancement in cell numbers, surface marker expression, cellular ploidy and expression of cytoskeletal components during PLT biogenesis in cultures exposed to media containing arachidonic acid/docosahexanoic acid than control cultures that were not exposed to these poly-unsaturated fatty acids. [Cell Cycle] Abstract
Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Improve Survival and Bacterial Clearance in Neonatal Sepsis in Rats
Investigators hypothesized that human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) improve survival in experimental neonatal sepsis. Treatment with either hUC-MSCs or preconditioned hUC-MSCs significantly increased survival. Both hUC-MSCs and preconditioned hUC-MSCs enhanced bacterial clearance. Lung neutrophil influx was decreased with preconditioned hUC-MSCs. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract
Gene Products Promoting Remyelination Are Up-Regulated in a Cell Therapy Product Manufactured from Banked Human Cord Blood
DUOC-01, a cell product being developed to treat demyelinating conditions, is composed of macrophages that arise from CD14+ monocytes in the mononuclear cell (MNC) population of banked cord blood (CB). The authors demonstrated that expression of multiple gene products that promote remyelination is rapidly up-regulated during manufacturing of DUOC-01 from either MNC or purified CB CD14+ monocytes. [Cytotherapy] Abstract
Taurine Promotes the Cartilaginous Differentiation of Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Vitro
Researchers investigated the effect of taurine on the proliferation and chondrogenesis of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) by analyzing cell proliferation, accumulation of glycosaminoglycans and expression of cartilage specific mRNA. The results showed that taurine did not affect the proliferation of hUC-MSCs. [Neurochem Res] Abstract
