Page 657«..1020..656657658659..670680..»

Last Public Hearing in California for CIRM Performance Evaluation Scheduled for April

By Dr. Matthew Watson


The blue-ribbon Institute of Medicine panel looking into the performance of the $3 billion California stem cell agency will hold its final public hearing within the state on April 10 at UC Irvine.

No details have yet have been posted online about the matters to be discussed or the witnesses to be heard. So far, the panel has not heard publicly from a single independent witness. The panel's final report and recommendations are scheduled to be released this fall, following its only remaining public meeting, scheduled for Washington, D.C.

The IOM has also posted a list of documents provided to the panel during a closed session last month in South San Francisco, its only public hearing in California so far. Virtually all of documents came from the CIRM itself, which is paying the IOM $700,000 for the study.

One exception was the 2009 report by California's good government agency, the Little Hoover Commission.

In its report, the commission concluded,

"CIRM’s governance structure is not adequate to protect taxpayers’ interests or serve its own ambitious goals."

The commission recommended a number of changes to strengthen CIRM's governance structure, improve accountability and reduce conflicts of interest. They included restructuring and reducing the size of the 29-member board and eliminating the controversial dual executive arrangement at CIRM.

CIRM strongly resisted nearly all of the recommendations, some of which would have required legislative or voter approval. As of last week, the IOM panel had not contacted the Little Hoover Commission for testimony.

(Click on the "closed session summary" at this location to find the information about the documents that were provided.)

The IOM also has posted a list of topics discussed by its panel in closed session last month. They included a follow-up on bias and conflicts of interest, committee composition, discussion of the previous day's hearing and discussion of data needs.

The April meeting is being held at the Beckman Center at UC Irvine, which has received $77 million from CIRM. The agency's board of directors includes two top academicians from UC Irvine: Oswald Steward, who serves on the board as a patient advocate and is director of the Reeve-Irvine Research Center for Spinal Cord Injury, and Susan Bryant, associate executive vice chancellor for research at Irvine and who serves on the CIRM board as in her capacity as an executive officer from a UC campus with a medical school.

 

Source:
http://californiastemcellreport.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

To Read More: Last Public Hearing in California for CIRM Performance Evaluation Scheduled for April
categoriaStem Cell Therapy commentoComments Off on Last Public Hearing in California for CIRM Performance Evaluation Scheduled for April | dataFebruary 12th, 2012
Read All

“The Banks Can Do It, Why Can’t Hospitals?”

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Via Scoop.itinPharmatics

In other words, computing in the banking industry is perfected, so why can’t healthcare get its act together? (Irrespective of the sea change of difference between simple financial data and incredibly complex medical data.) …
Via hcrenewal.blogspot.com

Source:
http://microarray.wordpress.com/feed/

To Read More: “The Banks Can Do It, Why Can’t Hospitals?”
categoriaUncategorized commentoComments Off on “The Banks Can Do It, Why Can’t Hospitals?” | dataFebruary 12th, 2012
Read All

One Way to Teach Your Boss About Social Media

By Dr. Matthew Watson

Via Scoop.itinPharmatics

Do you want your boss to realize the full potential of social media? Yesterday on Pixels & Pills we talked about John Mack’s observation that very few senior executives attend digital pharma conferences.
Via http://www.pixelsandpills.com

Source:
http://microarray.wordpress.com/feed/

To Read More: One Way to Teach Your Boss About Social Media
categoriaUncategorized commentoComments Off on One Way to Teach Your Boss About Social Media | dataFebruary 12th, 2012
Read All

Too Much Drinking May Raise Lung Cancer Risk: Study

By Dr. Matthew Watson

(HealthDay News) -- While smoking has long been linked to cancer, its frequent companion, drinking, may be as well, a new study suggests.

Three new studies presented at a medical meeting this week find a link between heavy boozing and a rise in risk for the number one cancer killer.

On the other hand, studies also suggest that heavier people are less likely to develop lung cancer than smaller folk, and black tea might help ward of the disease, as well.

The findings were to be presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians, Oct. 22-26, in Honolulu.

More Americans die from lung cancer than any other form, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2007, the most recent year for which statistics are available, more than 203,000 people in the United States were diagnosed with lung cancer, and nearly 159,000 died. Read more...

Immunice for Immune Support

Source:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/integratedmedicine

To Read More: Too Much Drinking May Raise Lung Cancer Risk: Study
categoriaIntegrative Medicine commentoComments Off on Too Much Drinking May Raise Lung Cancer Risk: Study | dataFebruary 12th, 2012
Read All

Adult Stem Cell Treatments for COPD -Real patient results, USA Stem Cells- Shirlen M. Testimonial – Video

By JoanneRUSSELL25

11-01-2012 23:04 If you would like more information please call us Toll Free at 877-578-7908. Or visit our website at http://www.usastemcells.com Or click here to have a Free Phone Constultation with Dr. Matthew Burks usastemcells.com Real patient testimonials for USA Stem Cells. Adult stem cell therapy for COPD, Emphysema, and Pulmonary fibrosis.

Read the original post:
Adult Stem Cell Treatments for COPD -Real patient results, USA Stem Cells- Shirlen M. Testimonial - Video

To Read More: Adult Stem Cell Treatments for COPD -Real patient results, USA Stem Cells- Shirlen M. Testimonial – Video
categoriaUncategorized commentoComments Off on Adult Stem Cell Treatments for COPD -Real patient results, USA Stem Cells- Shirlen M. Testimonial – Video | dataFebruary 11th, 2012
Read All

Stem Cells Therapy MS3.mp4 – Video

By JoanneRUSSELL25

09-02-2012 23:17 Stem Cell Therapy latest news - Jan 2012, MS options Contact Kevin for help to raise funds for treatment part 3 of 4

Excerpt from:
Stem Cells Therapy MS3.mp4 - Video

To Read More: Stem Cells Therapy MS3.mp4 – Video
categoriaUncategorized commentoComments Off on Stem Cells Therapy MS3.mp4 – Video | dataFebruary 11th, 2012
Read All

Stem Cells Therapy MS1.mp4 – Video

By Sykes24Tracey

09-02-2012 22:12 Stem Cell Therapy latest news - Jan 2012, MS options Contact Kevin for help to raise funds for treatment part 1 of 4

Here is the original post:
Stem Cells Therapy MS1.mp4 - Video

To Read More: Stem Cells Therapy MS1.mp4 – Video
categoriaUncategorized commentoComments Off on Stem Cells Therapy MS1.mp4 – Video | dataFebruary 10th, 2012
Read All

Stem Cells Therapy MS2.mp4 – Video

By NEVAGiles23

09-02-2012 23:02 Stem Cell Therapy latest news - Jan 2012, MS options Contact Kevin for help to raise funds for treatment part 2 of 4

Link:
Stem Cells Therapy MS2.mp4 - Video

To Read More: Stem Cells Therapy MS2.mp4 – Video
categoriaUncategorized commentoComments Off on Stem Cells Therapy MS2.mp4 – Video | dataFebruary 10th, 2012
Read All

Stem cells and heart repair – Video

By LizaAVILA

30-01-2012 06:10 Professor Michael Schneider of Imperial College tells Alan Keys about how stem cell research is leading to treatments for heart disease. Michael describes how the availability of stem cells allows his team to determine the molecules involved in heart cell death and also how to protect those cells from death during a heart attack. Michael foresees a near future where stem cells are combined with other therapies to both repair hearts and enable hearts to self-repair. Alan Keys had his own heart repaired during an operation some years ago and currently chairs a British Heart Foundation patients committee. The British Heart Foundation part-fund the work of Michael's team at Imperial College. This interview was edited down from the original 35 minutes conversation. Read the transcript here: bit.ly Read more about Michael here: bit.ly and here: bit.ly

See the original post:
Stem cells and heart repair - Video

To Read More: Stem cells and heart repair – Video
categoriaCardiac Stem Cells commentoComments Off on Stem cells and heart repair – Video | dataFebruary 10th, 2012
Read All

Drs. Joachim Deeg and Bart Scott discuss bone marrow and stem cell transplantation – Video

By NEVAGiles23

12-01-2012 17:50 Dr. H. Joachim Deeg, MD and Dr. Bart Scott, MD, of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, discuss bone marrow and stem cell transplantation for MDS, MPD and aplastic anemia. This talk is from "Current Management of Myelodysplastic Syndromes, Myeloproliferative Disorders, Aplastic Anemia, and Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria," a conference for patients and their families that took place on June 19, 2010

More here:
Drs. Joachim Deeg and Bart Scott discuss bone marrow and stem cell transplantation - Video

To Read More: Drs. Joachim Deeg and Bart Scott discuss bone marrow and stem cell transplantation – Video
categoriaBone Marrow Stem Cells commentoComments Off on Drs. Joachim Deeg and Bart Scott discuss bone marrow and stem cell transplantation – Video | dataFebruary 9th, 2012
Read All

Meet the Founders of Cord Blood Registry – Video

By daniellenierenberg

01-02-2012 13:37 Meet founders of Cord Blood Registry, Tom and Wendy. Hear why they started CBR -- a family business dedicated to helping people live healthier lives through cord blood stem cell medicine. Today, CBR has grown, but the attention to healthy families is the same. For more than 15 years, Cord Blood Registry has led the umbilical cord banking industry in technical innovations and provided families with peace of mind and hope. CBR's experience and dedication to quality has enabled CBR to help more clients use their cord blood stem cells in treatments than any other family bank. Our research and development efforts are focused on helping leading clinical researchers advance stem cell regenerative medicine that may help families in the future. Ultimate use of cord blood stem cells will be determined by the treating physician who will consider if they are applicable for the condition and should come from the patient or a suitable donor (like an HLA matched sibling). There is no guarantee that treatments being studied in the laboratory or in clinical trials will be available in the future. CBR is the preferred choice of OB/Gyns. © 2011 Cord Blood Registry. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.

See more here:
Meet the Founders of Cord Blood Registry - Video

To Read More: Meet the Founders of Cord Blood Registry – Video
categoriaUncategorized commentoComments Off on Meet the Founders of Cord Blood Registry – Video | dataFebruary 9th, 2012
Read All

Human heart muscle in a dish, beating spontaneously. – Video

By Sykes24Tracey

13-01-2012 08:41 This is human heart muscle in a dish, beating spontaneously. It was made by Dr Lei Ye of the Stem Cell Institute from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC). These were made by our iPSC facility from human skin cells into which 4 specific genes were temporarily introduced. The heart muscle cells were enabled to develop from the iPSC using a special medium and substrate. It is hoped to use cells like this for the treatment of heart disease by replacing heart muscle that has been destroyed.

Read more:
Human heart muscle in a dish, beating spontaneously. - Video

To Read More: Human heart muscle in a dish, beating spontaneously. – Video
categoriaCardiac Stem Cells commentoComments Off on Human heart muscle in a dish, beating spontaneously. – Video | dataFebruary 8th, 2012
Read All

Leukemia Survivor Meets His Bone Marrow Donor – Video

By daniellenierenberg

16-01-2012 16:52 On October 1st, 2009 I was diagnosed with Leukemia. After 9 months of intense chemotherapy treatments, the decision was made that I would need a bone marrow transplant. A suitable donor was not found within my family so I would have to rely on the national Be The Match® marrow registry to locate one for me. A match was found and on August 18th, 2010 I underwent a stem-cell transplant using an unrelated donors stem-cells. Today, I'm cancer free! Her generosity and selflessness has allowed me to call myself a 'survivor'. This video was captured of my donor and I meeting face-to-face for the first time. It was truly an amazing experience! I have made it my life's mission to 'Pay it Forward'. After transplant, I started working for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society where I am able to use my wounds for good on a daily basis. My diagnoses was not in vain! To learn how you can help create a world without cancer, visit http://www.LLS.org and to join the Be The Match® registry, visit join.marrow.org

Here is the original post:
Leukemia Survivor Meets His Bone Marrow Donor - Video

To Read More: Leukemia Survivor Meets His Bone Marrow Donor – Video
categoriaBone Marrow Stem Cells commentoComments Off on Leukemia Survivor Meets His Bone Marrow Donor – Video | dataFebruary 8th, 2012
Read All

Study shows cardiac stem cells outperform bone marrow stem cells in treating heart attacks

By JoanneRUSSELL25

A new study by collaborating researchers at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and L’Institut du Thorax in Nantes, France, indicates that stem cells derived from cardiac tissue are far more effective in repairing damage caused by a heart attack than therapies using stem cells taken from bone marrow. The study, published today in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine, suggests that human fetal cardiac-derived c-kit+ stem cells (CSCs) can be 30 times more potent than bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for treating a heart attack.

Durham, NC (PRWEB) February 07, 2012

A new study by collaborating researchers at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and L’Institut du Thorax in Nantes, France, indicates that stem cells derived from cardiac tissue are far more effective in repairing damage caused by a heart attack than therapies using stem cells taken from bone marrow. The study, published today in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine, suggests that human fetal cardiac-derived c-kit+ stem cells (CSCs) can be 30 times more potent than bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for treating a heart attack.

As both of these cell types are currently in clinical trials, these results are significant because they are the first direct comparison of their therapeutic capability in vivo, the researchers say.

“This research — showing that CSCs can be 30 times more potent than MSCs — is significant because it can impact the design of future clinical trials,” said Dr. Anthony Atala, director of the Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine and editor of STEM CELLS Translational Medicine. “The results from the study, one of a few to compare efficacy, have the potential to make the translation process more efficient, speeding the development of new effective therapies.”

The researchers conducted their study using mice models with induced acute myocardial infarction. The mice then received human fetal CSCs or either an equivalent (low dose) or ~30-fold greater number (high dose) of MSCs. Cells were injected immediately after the attack. A control group received PBS. The researchers performed additional experiments to address whether adult CSCs are as efficient as fetal CSCs. The fetal stem cells outperformed the adult-cultured CSCs, as expected; still, the researchers concluded that the latter were more potent than high-dose MSCs in treating a heart attack.

The animals were then evaluated at various intervals over a period of eight weeks. The results showed that the CSCs improved the left ventricle, which had been enlarged by the heart attack, plus lowered the ejection fraction. While the high doses of the MSCs showed similar results, the low-doses of MSCs had no effect.

“This study was motivated by the huge advances occurring in the translation of stem cell therapeutics for heart disease,” said Dr. Joshua Hare, senior author of the study and director of UM’s Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute. “While many candidate therapies are being considered there are few studies comparing relative efficacy. This study shows that tissue specific cardiac stem cells are highly potent, but that bone marrow stem cells are also efficacious. We hope these results will help guide future clinical trials of cell-based therapy for heart disease.”

In addition, said Dr. Behzad Oskouei of UM’s Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, “All cell therapies studied improved myocardial contractility, but the CSCs preferentially reduced scar size and vascular afterload. Engraftment and trilineage [cardiomyocyte, vascular smooth muscle, endothelial cell] differentiation was also substantially greater with CSCs than with MSCs.”

“It is clear that CSCs are superior in this regard and have potential advantages over MSCs to promote repair following ischemic heart damage. Furthermore, they are effective at a surprisingly low-dose/efficacy ratio,” Dr. Oskouei noted. “These findings offer key new insights into the cellular characteristics underlying successful cell-based cardiac repair.”

About AlphaMed Press: Established in 1983, AlphaMed Press with offices in Durham, NC, San Francisco, CA, and Belfast, Northern Ireland, publishes two other internationally renowned peer-reviewed journals: STEM CELLS® (http://www.StemCells.com), celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2012, is the world's first journal devoted to this fast paced field of research. The Oncologist® (http://www.TheOncologist.com), also a monthly peer-reviewed publication, entering its 17th year, is devoted to community and hospital-based oncologists and physicians entrusted with cancer patient care. All three journals are premier periodicals with globally recognized editorial boards dedicated to advancing knowledge and education in their focused disciplines.

###

Sharon Lee
AlphaMed Press / Stem Cells Translational Medicine
919-680-0011 230
Email Information

Here is the original post:
Study shows cardiac stem cells outperform bone marrow stem cells in treating heart attacks

To Read More: Study shows cardiac stem cells outperform bone marrow stem cells in treating heart attacks
categoriaBone Marrow Stem Cells commentoComments Off on Study shows cardiac stem cells outperform bone marrow stem cells in treating heart attacks | dataFebruary 8th, 2012
Read All

NeoStem Announces Participation in Two February Conferences

By LizaAVILA

NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NeoStem, Inc. (NYSE Amex:NBS) ("NeoStem" or the "Company"), announced today that the Company and Progenitor Cell Therapy ("PCT"), a NeoStem company, will be presenting at two upcoming conferences in February.

Bio CEO & Investor Conference
Date: February 14, 2012, 9:30 AM
Venue: Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York, New York
Presenter: Dr. Robin L. Smith, Chairman and CEO of NeoStem will provide a NeoStem corporate update.

New York Stem Cell Summit 2012
Date: February 21, 2012
Venue: Bridgewaters, New York, New York
Presenters: Dr. Robin L. Smith, Chairman and CEO of NeoStem will present NeoStem's corporate presentation at 1:47 PM and Robert A. Preti, PhD, President of PCT, will present on PCT's contract manufacturing services for the cell therapy industry at 11:41 AM

About NeoStem, Inc.

NeoStem, Inc. ("NeoStem") is a leader in the development and manufacture of cell therapies. NeoStem has a strategic combination of revenues, including that which is derived from the contract manufacturing services performed by Progenitor Cell Therapy, LLC, a NeoStem company. That manufacturing base is one of the few cGMP facilities available for contracting in the burgeoning cell therapy industry, and it is the combination of PCT's core expertise in manufacturing and NeoStem's extensive research capabilities that positions the company as a leader in cell therapy development. Amorcyte, LLC, also a NeoStem company, is developing a cell therapy for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Amorcyte's lead compound, AMR-001, represents NeoStem's most clinically advanced therapeutic and has commenced enrollment in a Phase 2 trial for the preservation of heart function after a heart attack. Amorcyte expects to begin a Phase 1 clinical trial in 2012 for AMR-001 for the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure. Athelos Corporation, also a NeoStem company, is developing a T-cell therapy for a range of autoimmune conditions with its partner Becton-Dickinson. NeoStem's pre-clinical assets include its VSEL(TM) Technology platform for regenerative medicine, which NeoStem believes to be an endogenous, pluripotent, non-embryonic stem cell that has the potential to change the paradigm of cell therapy as we know it today.

For more information on NeoStem, please visit http://www.neostem.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations, as of the date of this press release, and involve certain risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements herein with respect to the successful execution of the Company's business strategy, including with respect to the Company's successful development of cell therapeutics, as well as the future of the cell therapeutics industry. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward- looking statements as a result of various factors. Factors that could cause future results to materially differ from the recent results or those projected in forward-looking statements include the "Risk Factors" described in the Company's prospectus supplement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 30, 2011. The Company's further development is highly dependent on future medical and research developments and market acceptance, which is outside its control.

See original here:
NeoStem Announces Participation in Two February Conferences

To Read More: NeoStem Announces Participation in Two February Conferences
categoriaUncategorized commentoComments Off on NeoStem Announces Participation in Two February Conferences | dataFebruary 8th, 2012
Read All

Utilizing Stem Cell-derived Cardiomyocytes for Early Safety Screening – Webinar Presentation – Video

By LizaAVILA

14-12-2011 20:22 Human tissue cells derived from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells recapitulate many of the characteristics and functionality expected of in vivo cell types. iCell® Cardiomyocytes are derived from human IPS cells and are currently being used in both drug discovery and basic research in Industrial and Academic settings. Dr. Eric Chiao of Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. (Roche) will lead this presentation and provide data showing the characterization and utility of iCell Cardiomyocytes, how they are being used in drug development, and how they are increasing our understanding of basic human cardiomyocyte cellular biology.

More here:
Utilizing Stem Cell-derived Cardiomyocytes for Early Safety Screening - Webinar Presentation - Video

To Read More: Utilizing Stem Cell-derived Cardiomyocytes for Early Safety Screening – Webinar Presentation – Video
categoriaCardiac Stem Cells commentoComments Off on Utilizing Stem Cell-derived Cardiomyocytes for Early Safety Screening – Webinar Presentation – Video | dataFebruary 7th, 2012
Read All

Stem Cells Help Heart Attack Victims – Video

By Sykes24Tracey

29-01-2012 23:26 Fourteen patients were randomized to see if adipose-derived adult stem cells would help limit the damage from an acute heart attack. Infarct size was decreased by 50%, the perfusion defect was 17% smaller, and the left ventriclular ejection fraction was increased about 6% better than the control group. Stem cell vocabulary was reviewed and highlighted that there are embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells and that sources of stem cell are from bone marrow, adipose tissue, blood, umbilical cord blood and from cloned embryonic cell lines. Stem cells can develop into 200 different cell types.

The rest is here:
Stem Cells Help Heart Attack Victims - Video

To Read More: Stem Cells Help Heart Attack Victims – Video
categoriaCardiac Stem Cells commentoComments Off on Stem Cells Help Heart Attack Victims – Video | dataFebruary 7th, 2012
Read All

Rice University, Texas Children’s Hospital researchers makes strides towards fixing infants hearts

By NEVAGiles23

Posted: Monday, February 6, 2012 10:00 am | Updated: 11:50 am, Mon Feb 6, 2012.

Researchers at Rice University and Texas Children's Hospital have turned stem cells from amniotic fluid into cells that form blood vessels.

Their success offers hope that such stem cells may be used to grow tissue patches to repair infant hearts.

"We want to come up with technology to replace defective tissue with beating heart tissue made from stem cells sloughed off by the infant into the amniotic fluid," said Rice bioengineer Jeffrey Jacot, who led the study. "Our findings serve as proof of principle that stem cells from amniotic fluid have the potential to be used for such purposes."

The results were published online by the journal Tissue Engineering Part A. The research was conducted at Texas Children’s Hospital.

According to the American Heart Association, about 32,000 infants a year in the United States are born with congenital heart defects, 10,000 of which either result in death or require some sort of surgical intervention before they're a year old.

Jacot, an assistant professor of bioengineering based at Rice's BioScience Research Collaborative and of the Pediatric Cardiac Bioengineering Laboratory at the Congenital Heart Surgery Service at Texas Children’s Hospital, hopes to grow heart patches from the amniotic stem cells of a fetus diagnosed in the womb with a congenital heart defect. He said, because the cells would be a genetic match, there would be no risk of rejection.

"Between 60 and 80 percent of severe heart defects are caught by ultrasound," he said. "Ultimately, when a heart defect is diagnosed in utero, we will extract amniotic cells. By birth, we will have made tissue for the repair out of the infant's own cells. The timing is critical because the surgery needs to be done within weeks of the infant's birth."

Surgeons currently use such nonbiological materials as Dacron or Teflon, which do not contract or grow with the patient, or native pericardium, the membrane that surrounds the heart. Pericardium generally forms scar tissue and can only be used in the first operation. Both solutions require further operations and raise the risk of cardiac arrest, Jacot said.

Stem cells, the focus of both great hope and great controversy, are the cells in every organism that differentiate into specialized cells in the body. Stem cells drawn from human embryos are known to have great potential for treatment of defects and disease, but research into their use has been limited by political and other concerns, Jacot said.

That isn't the case with cells found in amniotic fluid, he said. Amniotic fluid is the liquid that protects and nourishes a fetus in the womb. Fluid is sometimes taken from pregnant women through amniocentesis, but cells for the Jacot lab's studies were drawn from women undergoing treatment for twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

"This is where two identical twins share a placenta and one is getting more blood than the other. It's not common," he said, noting that Texas Children's is one of the few hospitals that treat the syndrome. "Part of the general treatment is to remove fluid with the goal of saving both lives, and that fluid is usually discarded."

Jacot said other labs have tested amniotic fluid as a source of stem cells with promising results.

"Our work is based on five years of work from other labs in which they've discovered a very small population of amniotic stem cells – maybe one in every 10,000 – that naturally express markers characteristic of embryonic and mesenchymal stem cells."

Jacot and his team created a population of amniotic stem cells through a complex process that involved extracting cells via centrifugation and fluorescence-activated sorting. They sequestered cells with a surface receptor, c-kit, a marker associated with stem cells.

The cells were cultured in endothelial growth media to make them suitable for growing into a network of capillaries, Jacot said. When the cells were placed in a bio-scaffold, a framework used for tissue engineering, they did just that.

"Anything we make will need a blood supply," he said. "That's why the first cell type we looked for is one that can form blood vessels. We need to know we can get a capillary network throughout tissue that we can then connect to the infant's blood supply."

Jacot said the cells they tested grow very fast.

"We've done calculations to show that, with what we get from amniocentesis, we could more than grow an entire heart by birth," he said. "That would be really tough, but it gives us confidence that we will be able to quickly grow patches of tissue outside of the body that can then be sewn inside."

He said construction of a functional patch is some years away, but his lab is making progress. While embryonic cells have the most potential for such a project, amniotic cells already show signs of an ability to turn into heart muscle, he said.

Co-authors are graduate students Omar Benavides and Jennifer Petsche, both of Rice; and Kenneth Moise Jr. and Anthony Johnson, now professors at the Texas Center for Maternal and Fetal Treatment at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston with appointments at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital.

The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship and CAREER programs, the Houston-Rice Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Med into Grad Program and the Virginia and L.E. Simmons Family Foundation.

 

(Submitted by Rice University; Posted by Emiy Moser, emoser@hcnonline.com)

Link:
Rice University, Texas Children’s Hospital researchers makes strides towards fixing infants hearts

To Read More: Rice University, Texas Children’s Hospital researchers makes strides towards fixing infants hearts
categoriaCardiac Stem Cells commentoComments Off on Rice University, Texas Children’s Hospital researchers makes strides towards fixing infants hearts | dataFebruary 7th, 2012
Read All

Hormel Institute study makes key finding in stem cell self-renewal

By raymumme

Public release date: 6-Feb-2012
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Jeff Falk
jfalk@umn.edu
612-626-1720
University of Minnesota

A University of Minnesota-led research team has proposed a mechanism for the control of whether embryonic stem cells continue to proliferate and stay stem cells, or differentiate into adult cells like brain, liver or skin.

The work has implications in two areas. In cancer treatment, it is desirable to inhibit cell proliferation. But to grow adult stem cells for transplantation to victims of injury or disease, it would be desirable to sustain proliferation until a sufficient number of cells have been produced to make a usable organ or tissue.

The study gives researchers a handle on how those two competing processes might be controlled. It was performed at the university's Hormel Institute in Austin, Minn., using mouse stem cells. The researchers, led by Hormel Institute Executive Director Zigang Dong and Associate Director Ann M. Bode, have published a report in the journal Nature Structure and Molecular Biology.

"This is breakthrough research and provides the molecular basis for development of regenerative medicine," said Dong. "This research will aid in the development of the next generation of drugs that make repairs and regeneration within the body possible following damage by such factors as cancer, aging, heart disease, diabetes, or paralysis caused by traumatic injury."

The mechanism centers on a protein called Klf4, which is found in embryonic stem cells and whose activities include keeping those cells dividing and proliferating rather than differentiating. That is, Klf4 maintains the character of the stem cells; this process is called self-renewal. The researchers discovered that two enzymes, called ERK1 and ERK2, inactivate Klf; this allows the cells to begin differentiating into adult cells.

The two enzymes are part of a "bucket brigade" of signals that starts when a chemical messenger arrives from outside the embryonic stem cells. Chemical messages are passed to inside the cells, resulting in, among other things, the two enzymes swinging into action.

The researchers also discovered how the enzymes control Klf4. They attach a small molecule--phosphate, consisting of phosphorus and oxygen--to Klf4. This "tag" marks it for destruction by the cellular machinery that recycles proteins.

Further, they found that suppressing the activity of the two enzymes allows the stem cells to maintain their self-renewal and resist differentiation. Taken together, their findings paint a picture of the ERK1 and ERK2 enzymes as major players in deciding the future of embryonic stem cells--and potentially cancer cells, whose rapid growth mirrors the behavior of the stem cells.

Klf4 is one of several factors used to reprogram certain adult skin cells to become a form of stem cells called iPS (induced pluripotent stem) cells, which behave similarly to embryonic stem cells. Also, many studies have shown that Klf4 can either activate or repress the functioning of genes and, in certain contexts, act as either an oncogene (that promotes cancer) or a tumor suppressor. Given these and their own findings reported here, the Hormel Institute researchers suggest that the self-renewal program of cancer cells might resemble that of embryonic stem cells.

"Although the functions of Klf4 in cancer are controversial, several reports suggest Klf4 is involved in human cancer development," Bode said.

###

Established in 1942, the Hormel Institute is a world-renowned medical research center specializing in research leading to cancer prevention and control. It is a research unit of the University of Minnesota and a collaborative cancer research partner with Mayo Clinic.

[ | E-mail | Share ]

 

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Link:
Hormel Institute study makes key finding in stem cell self-renewal

To Read More: Hormel Institute study makes key finding in stem cell self-renewal
categoriaSkin Stem Cells commentoComments Off on Hormel Institute study makes key finding in stem cell self-renewal | dataFebruary 7th, 2012
Read All

Directing stem cells to boost bone formation, strength

By raymumme

SACRAMENTO — A research team led by UC Davis Health System scientists has developed a novel technique to enhance bone growth by using a molecule which, when injected into the bloodstream, directs the body's stem cells to travel to the surface of bones. Once these cells are guided to the bone surface by this molecule, the stem cells differentiate into bone-forming cells and synthesize proteins to enhance bone growth. The study, which was published online today in Nature Medicine, used a mouse model of osteoporosis to demonstrate a unique treatment approach that increases bone density and prevents bone loss associated with aging and estrogen deficiency.

"There are many stem cells, even in elderly people, but they do not readily migrate to bone," said Wei Yao, the principal investigator and lead author of the study. "Finding a molecule that attaches to stem cells and guides them to the targets we need is a real breakthrough."

Researchers are exploring stem cells as possible treatments for a wide variety of conditions and injuries, ranging from peripheral artery disease and macular degeneration to blood disorders, skin wounds and diseased organs. Directing stem cells to travel and adhere to the surface of bone for bone formation has been among the elusive goals in regenerative medicine.

The researchers made use of a unique hybrid molecule, LLP2A-alendronate, developed by a research team led by Kit Lam, professor and chair of the UC Davis Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine. The researchers' hybrid molecule consists of two parts: the LLP2A part that attaches to mesenchymal stem cells in the bone marrow, and a second part that consists of the bone-homing drug alendronate. After the hybrid molecule was injected into the bloodstream, it picked up mesenchymal stem cells in the bone marrow and directed those cells to the surfaces of bone, where the stem cells carried out their natural bone-formation and repair functions.

"Our study confirms that stem-cell-binding molecules can be exploited to direct stem cells to therapeutic sites inside an animal," said Lam, who also is an author of the article. "It represents a very important step in making this type of stem cell therapy a reality."

Twelve weeks after the hybrid molecule was injected into mice, bone mass in the femur (thigh bone) and vertebrae (in the spine) increased and bone strength improved compared to control mice who did not receive the hybrid molecule. Treated mice that were normally of an age when bone loss would occur also had improved bone formation, as did those that were models for menopause.

Alendronate, also known by the brand name Fosamax, is commonly taken by women with osteoporosis to reduce the risk of fracture. The research team incorporated alendronate into the hybrid molecules because once in the bloodstream, it goes directly to the bone surface, where it slows the rate of bone breakdown. According to Nancy Lane, a co-investigator on the study and director of the UC Davis Musculoskeletal Diseases of Aging Research Group, the dose of alendronate in the hybrid compound was low and unlikely to have inhibited the compound's therapeutic effect.

"For the first time, we may have potentially found a way to direct a person's own stem cells to the bone surface where they can regenerate bone," said Lane, who is an Endowed Professor of Medicine and Rheumatology and an expert on osteoporosis. "This technique could become a revolutionary new therapy for osteoporosis as well as for other conditions that require new bone formation."

Osteoporosis is a major public health problem for 44 million Americans. One in two women will suffer a fracture due to osteoporosis in their lifetime. Although effective medications are available to help prevent fracture risk, including alendronate, their use is limited by potential harmful effects of long-term use.

The major causes for osteoporosis in women include estrogen deficiency, aging and steroid excess from treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Generally, the osteoporosis generated by these metabolic conditions results from change in the bone remodeling cycle that weakens the bone's architecture and increases fracture risk.

Mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow induce new bone remodeling, which thicken and strengthen bone.

The authors noted that the potential use of this stem cell therapy is not limited to treating osteoporosis. They said it may prove invaluable for other disorders and conditions that could benefit from enhanced bone rebuilding, such as bone fractures, bone infections or cancer treatments.

"These results are very promising for translating into human therapy," said Jan Nolta, professor of internal medicine, an author of the study and director of the UC Davis Institute for Regenerative Cures. "We have shown this potential therapy is effective in rodents, and our goal now is to move it into clinical trials."

Funding for the study came from the Endowment on Healthy Aging and the National Institutes of Health. The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has given the team a planning grant to develop a proposal for human clinical trials.

"This research was a collaboration of stem cell biologists, biochemists, translational scientists, a bone biologist and clinicians," said Lane. "It was a truly fruitful team effort with remarkable results."

The Nature Medicine article is titled "Directing mesenchymal stem cells to bone to augment bone formation and increase bone mass." Min Guan, who is affiliated with the UC Davis Department of Internal Medicine, was co-lead author of the paper. Other UC Davis authors were Ruiwu Liu, Junjing Jia, Liping Meng, Ping Zhou and Mohammad Shahnazari, from the departments of Internal Medicine, and Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, as well as the UC Davis Institute for Regenerative Cures. Authors Brian Panganiban and Robert O. Ritchie are with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at UC Berkeley.

UC Davis is playing a leading role in regenerative medicine, with nearly 150 scientists working on a variety of stem cell-related research projects at campus locations in both Davis and Sacramento. The UC Davis Institute for Regenerative Cures, a facility supported by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), opened in 2010 on the Sacramento campus. This $62 million facility is the university's hub for stem cell science. It includes Northern California's largest academic Good Manufacturing Practice laboratory, with state-of-the-art equipment and manufacturing rooms for cellular and gene therapies. UC Davis also has a Translational Human Embryonic Stem Cell Shared Research Facility in Davis and a collaborative partnership with the Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine at Shriners Hospital for Children Northern California. All of the programs and facilities complement the university's Clinical and Translational Science Center, and focus on turning stem cells into cures. For more information, visit http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/stemcellresearch.

Read more:
Directing stem cells to boost bone formation, strength

To Read More: Directing stem cells to boost bone formation, strength
categoriaSkin Stem Cells commentoComments Off on Directing stem cells to boost bone formation, strength | dataFebruary 7th, 2012
Read All

Page 657«..1020..656657658659..670680..»


Copyright :: 2024