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Uncles incredible tribute to niece who died from the good cancer’ – Yahoo News Australia

By daniellenierenberg

An uncles poignant and loving tribute to his niece after she died following a seven-year battle with Hodgkin Lymphoma has led to life-saving stem cell and bone marrow donations.

Dr Melissa Baker, a single mum of two and forensic pathologist from Melbourne, died on January 16 - just two days after her 45th birthday.

In her memory, Melissas beloved uncle Max Tomlinson placed her photo and information about how to become a stem cell donor on his rear window in the hope of carrying on her hard work.

In memory of my beautiful niece Dr Melissa Baker. You can save a life, dont let Melissas be in vain. Order your swab kit now. Ideally men aged 18 to 45 with diverse backgrounds needed urgently. Order your kit now urthecure.com.au, it reads in white marker pen.

Melissas beloved uncle, Max Tomlinson, placed her photo and information about how to become a stem cell donor on his car's rear window. Source: Facebook

Melissas sister, Jenni Baker, recently posted a picture of Mr Tomlinsons car on Facebook while thanking a member of the public who tucked a yellow flower under his windshield wiper.

Melissa, whos kids are 13 and 8, waited for a bone marrow match for years after an initial six-month round of chemotherapy didnt work, Jenni, a Melbourne police officer, told Yahoo News Australia on Friday.

She underwent a bone marrow transplant using her own stem cells but it almost killed her when she developed a lung infection, her sister said.

Doctors told the 45-year-old, who had since developed cancer of the bone marrow as a result of the chemotherapy, she desperately needed a donor and so she began advocating for UR The Cure.

The volunteer-run charity works with the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR) to increase the number of donors especially middle-aged people of diverse backgrounds.

Melissa, whos kids are 13 and 8, waited for a bone marrow match for years after an initial six-month round of chemotherapy didnt work. Source: Facebook

Reluctantly, in November 2019, she underwent a more risky half-match stem cell transplant where I was her donor, Jenni said.

The odds werent great but she had no choice.

Tragically, after 58 days in the hospital, most of which she spent on a ventilator, Melissa died on January 16.

Jennis Facebook post about her uncles tribute has garnered more than 2,500 likes and hundreds of comments, many of which are people who said they had since signed up to be a stem cell donor.

I was a bone marrow donor for my dad. Unfortunately he passed just four months after the donation. I would do it again in a heartbeat for anyone who needed it, one woman wrote.

Beautiful! Tell your uncle I just ordered my kit! another said.

A woman named Amanda also commented, revealing she had been one of Melissas nurses.

I dont know if you remember me. I am one of the nurses who took care of your sister in the ICU. I always admired how much support Melissa had from you and your sister. Her life is definitely not in vain and the love she had from you all was so strong, she wrote.

Melissa Baker underwent a bone marrow transplant using her own stem cells but it almost killed her when she developed a lung infection. Source: Facebook

Story continues

Jenni said Melissa never thought in her wildest dreams this would happen and had at one point thought the cancer would be a battle she would have to fight throughout her life.

The 47-year-old police officer told Yahoo News Australia Melissa became upset when she was often told she had the good cancer because of Hodgkins higher success rate.

She was so mad about it she even made a blog called I Got the Good Cancer documenting her struggles and treatments.

And then everything bad that could have happened, happened, Jenni said.

Jenni (right) and Melissa (left) are pictured together in front of Parliament House. Source: Facebook

The mum-of-two spent last Christmas intubated and sedated in hospital but was able to squeeze her childrens hands when they came to visit.

When the tubes came out on Boxing Day, Melissa mumbled to Jenni, Im scared. This is really scary.

They were the last words Melissa said.

Just two days later Melissa was ventilated again until the tubes were removed on January 14 - her birthday - after deciding it was too cruel.

Fifty-two hours later she passed surrounded by her parents, siblings and children.

Do you have a story tip? Email:newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Stem Cell Therapy Market Size and Growth By Leading Vendors, By Types and Application, By End Users and Forecast to 2027 – Bulletin Line

By daniellenierenberg

New Jersey, United States,- This detailed market research covers the growth potential of the Stem Cell Therapy Market, which can help stakeholders understand the key trends and prospects of the Stem Cell Therapy market and identify growth opportunities and competitive scenarios. The report also focuses on data from other primary and secondary sources and is analyzed using a variety of tools. This will help investors better understand the growth potential of the market and help investors identify scope and opportunities. This analysis also provides details for each segment of the global Stem Cell Therapy market.

The report was touted as the most recent event hitting the market due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This outbreak brought about a dynamic change in the industry and the overall economic scenario. This report covers the analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on market growth and revenue. The report also provides an in-depth analysis of the current and future impacts of the pandemic and post-COVID-19 scenario analysis.

The report covers extensive analysis of the key market players in the market, along with their business overview, expansion plans, and strategies. The key players studied in the report include:

The market is further segmented on the basis of types and end-user applications. The report also provides an estimation of the segment expected to lead the market in the forecast years. Detailed segmentation of the market based on types and applications along with historical data and forecast estimation is offered in the report.

Furthermore, the report provides an extensive analysis of the regional segmentation of the market. The regional analysis covers product development, sales, consumption trends, regional market share, and size in each region. The market analysis segment covers forecast estimation of the market share and size in the key geographical regions.

The report further studies the segmentation of the market based on product types offered in the market and their end-use/applications.

1.Stem Cell Therapy Market, By Cell Source:

Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Cord Blood/Embryonic Stem Cells Other Cell Sources

2.Stem Cell Therapy Market, By Therapeutic Application:

Musculoskeletal Disorders Wounds and Injuries Cardiovascular Diseases Surgeries Gastrointestinal Diseases Other Applications

3.Stem Cell Therapy Market, By Type:

Allogeneic Stem Cell Therapy Market, By Application Musculoskeletal Disorders Wounds and Injuries Surgeries Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease (AGVHD) Other Applications Autologous Stem Cell Therapy Market, By Application Cardiovascular Diseases Wounds and Injuries Gastrointestinal Diseases Other Applications

On the basis of regional segmentation, the market is bifurcated into major regions ofNorth America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.The regional analysis further covers country-wise bifurcation of the market and key players.

The research report offered by Verified Market Research provides an updated insight into the global Stem Cell Therapy market. The report covers an in-depth analysis of the key trends and emerging drivers of the market likely to influence industry growth. Additionally, the report covers market characteristics, competitive landscape, market size and growth, regional breakdown, and strategies for this market.

Highlights of the TOC of the Stem Cell Therapy Report:

Overview of the Global Stem Cell Therapy Market

Market competition by Players and Manufacturers

Competitive landscape

Production, revenue estimation by types and applications

Regional analysis

Industry chain analysis

Global Stem Cell Therapy market forecast estimation

This Stem Cell Therapy report umbrellas vital elements such as market trends, share, size, and aspects that facilitate the growth of the companies operating in the market to help readers implement profitable strategies to boost the growth of their business. This report also analyses the expansion, market size, key segments, market share, application, key drivers, and restraints.

Key Questions Addressed in the Report:

What are the key driving and restraining factors of the global Stem Cell Therapy market?

What is the concentration of the market, and is it fragmented or highly concentrated?

What are the major challenges and risks the companies will have to face in the market?

Which segment and region are expected to dominate the market in the forecast period?

What are the latest and emerging trends of the Stem Cell Therapy market?

What is the expected growth rate of the Stem Cell Therapy market in the forecast period?

What are the strategic business plans and steps were taken by key competitors?

Which product type or application segment is expected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period?

What are the factors restraining the growth of the Stem Cell Therapy market?

Thank you for reading our report. The report is available for customization based on chapters or regions. Please get in touch with us to know more about customization options, and our team will ensure you get the report tailored according to your requirements.

About us:

Verified Market Research is a leading Global Research and Consulting firm servicing over 5000+ customers. Verified Market Research provides advanced analytical research solutions while offering information enriched research studies. We offer insight into strategic and growth analyses, Data necessary to achieve corporate goals, and critical revenue decisions.

Our 250 Analysts and SMEs offer a high level of expertise in data collection and governance use industrial techniques to collect and analyze data on more than 15,000 high impact and niche markets. Our analysts are trained to combine modern data collection techniques, superior research methodology, expertise, and years of collective experience to produce informative and accurate research.

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Hackensack University Medical Center Has the Best Cancer Center in New Jersey John Theurer Cancer Center recognized by U.S. News & World Report -…

By daniellenierenberg

Newswise HACKENSACK, N.J.,AUGUST 17, 2020 U.S. News & World Report has recognized John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center as the best cancer center in New Jersey. The recognition reflects the extraordinary strength of its comprehensive patient care, research and education programs.

In 2019, John Theurer Cancer Center became a member of the National Cancer Institute-approved Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Consortium, making the Cancer Center a member of one of just 16 cancer consortia based at the nation's most prestigious institutions. The NCI endorses such consortia to bring together accomplished institutionswith independently proven records of excellence to join forces in pursuit of the NCI's original mission: improving cancer outcomes through scientific discovery, reducing the impact of cancer on individuals and communities and diminishing cancer disparities, and developing the next generation of cancer scientists, clinicians and educators.

John Theurer Cancer Center is organized into 16 specialized divisions, each led by a recognized expert in the field. With a strong focus on clinical science and innovation, John Theurer Cancer Center investigators were directly involved in the development of more than 40 new anticancer agents approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over the last three yearsparticularly for blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, as well as solid tumors through Phase I first-in-human clinical trials.

"Our multidisciplinary team cares for patients with cancers of every type and stage in a highly subspecialized environment," said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO, Hackensack Meridian Health. "Our commitment to cancer is reflective of our approach to everything we do: to provide the most advanced health care services based on the latest findings of medical research in a compassionate, culturally sensitive setting. It is an honor for us to be recognized as the top cancer center in our state."

"Our exceptional team is proud to be recognized as the top cancer program in New Jersey. The scope and depth of expertise, together with our focus on clinical science and innovation, are what make our Cancer Center a destination program, explained Andre Goy, M.D., M.S., chair and chief physician of John Theurer Cancer Center, Lymphoma Division chief, physician-in-chief of the Hackensack Meridian Health Oncology Care Transformation Service, and a renowned lymphoma expert who led the Cancer Center's participation in the pioneering ZUMA-2 study. "Understandably, every person who receives a diagnosis of cancer seeks the center with the most experience and the best innovation. This is why patients come to John Theurer Cancer Center. We take care of each patient in a compassionate and friendly environment, and that's what makes our patients smile.

A number of metrics support that successful track record:

This recognition as the state's best cancer center reflects the strength of our research, the dedication of our multidisciplinary team, and the expertise of our physicians," said Ihor Sawczuk, MD, FACS, Hackensack Meridian Health regional president, Northern Market and chief research officer. We are grateful to our patients who have trusted us with their care and who continually inspire us to provide the best possible experience.

For more information, please contact Katherine Emmanouilidis, Director, Communications & Public Relations, 551-996-3764.

About Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center

Hackensack Meridian Health Hackensack University Medical Center, a 781-bed nonprofit teaching and research hospital located in Bergen County, NJ, is the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in the state. Founded in 1888 as the countys first hospital, it is now part of the largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care, which is comprised of 35,000 team members and more than 7,000 physicians. Hackensack University Medical Center is ranked #2 in New Jersey and #59 in the country in U.S. News & World Reports 2019-20 Best Hospital rankings and is ranked high-performing in the U.S. in colon cancer surgery,lung cancersurgery,COPD, heart failure, heart bypass surgery, aortic valve surgery,abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, knee replacement and hip replacement. Out of 4,500 hospitals evaluated, Hackensack is one of only 57 that received a top rating in all nine procedures and conditions. Hackensack University Medical Center is one of only five major academic medical centers in the nation to receive Healthgrades Americas 50 Best Hospitals Award for five or more years in a row. Beckers Hospital Review recognized Hackensack University Medical Center as one of the 100 Great Hospitals in America 2018. The medical center is one of the top 25 green hospitals in the country according to Practice Greenhealth, and received 28 Gold Seals of Approval by The Joint Commission more than any other hospital in the country. It was the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet recognized hospital for nursing excellence; receiving its sixth consecutive designation in 2019. Hackensack University Medical Center has created an entire campus of award-winning care, including: John Theurer Cancer Center, a consortium member of the NCI-designated Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center; the Heart & Vascular Hospital; and the Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Womens and Childrens Pavilion, which houses the Joseph M. Sanzari Childrens Hospital and Donna A. Sanzari Womens Hospital, which was designed with The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center and listed on the Green Guides list of Top 10 Green Hospitals in the U.S. Hackensack University Medical Center is the Hometown Hospital of the New York Giants and the New York Red Bulls and is Official Medical Services Provider to THE NORTHERN TRUST PGA Golf Tournament. It remains committed to its community through fundraising and community events especially the Tackle Kids Cancer Campaign providing much needed research at the Childrens Cancer Institute housed at the Joseph M. Sanzari Childrens Hospital. To learn more, visit http://www.HackensackUMC.org.

About John Theurer Cancer Center atHackensack University Medical Center

John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center is New Jerseys largest and most comprehensive center dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, management, research, screenings, and preventive care as well as survivorship of patients with all types of cancers. The 16 specialized divisions covering the complete spectrum of cancer care have developed a close-knit team of medical, research, nursing, and support staff with specialized expertise that translates into more advanced, focused care for all patients. Each year, more people in the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area turn to John Theurer Cancer Center for cancer care than to any other facility in New Jersey.John Theurer Cancer Center is amember of the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Consortium,one of just 16 NCI-approved cancer research consortiabased at the nations most prestigious institutions. Housed within a 775-bed not-for-profit teaching, tertiary care, and research hospital, John Theurer Cancer Center provides state-of-the-art technological advances, compassionate care, research innovations, medical expertise, and a full range of aftercare services that distinguish John Theurer Cancer Center from other facilities.For additional information, please visitwww.jtcancercenter.org

ABOUTHACKENSACKMERIDIAN HEALTH

Hackensack Meridian Health is a leading not-for-profit health care organization that is the largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network in New Jersey, offering a complete range of medical services, innovative research and life-enhancing care.

Hackensack Meridian Health comprises 17 hospitals from Bergen to Ocean counties, which includes three academic medical centers Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, JFK Medical Center in Edison; two childrens hospitals - Joseph M. Sanzari Childrens Hospital in Hackensack, K. Hovnanian Childrens Hospital in Neptune; nine community hospitals Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel, Mountainside Medical Center in Montclair, Ocean Medical Center in Brick, Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen, Pascack Valley Medical Center in Westwood, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge, Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, and Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin; a behavioral health hospital Carrier Clinic in Belle Mead; and two rehabilitation hospitals - JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute in Edison and Shore Rehabilitation Institute in Brick.

Additionally, the network has more than 500 patient care locations throughout the state which include ambulatory care centers, surgery centers, home health services, long-term care and assisted living communities, ambulance services, lifesaving air medical transportation, fitness and wellness centers, rehabilitation centers, urgent care centers and physician practice locations. Hackensack Meridian Health has more than 36,000 team members, and 7,000 physicians and is a distinguished leader in health care philanthropy, committed to the health and well-being of the communities it serves.

The networks notable distinctions include having four of its hospitals are among the top hospitals in New Jersey for 2020-21, according toU.S. News & World Report. Additionally, the health system has more top-ranked hospitals than any system in New Jersey. Childrens Health is again ranked a top provider of pediatric health care in the United States and earned top 50 rankings in the annual U.S. News 2020-21 Best Childrens Hospitals report. Other honors include consistently achieving Magnet recognition for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and being named to Beckers Healthcares 150 Top Places to Work in Healthcare/2019 list.

The Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, the first private medical school in New Jersey in more than 50 years, welcomed its first class of students in 2018 to its On3 campus in Nutley and Clifton. The Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI), housed in a fully renovated state-of-the-art facility, seeks to translate current innovations in science to improve clinical outcomes for patients with cancer, infectious diseases and other life-threatening and disabling conditions.

Additionally, the network partnered with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to find more cures for cancer faster while ensuring that patients have access to the highest quality, most individualized cancer care when and where they need it.

Hackensack Meridian Health is a member of AllSpire Health Partners, an interstate consortium of leading health systems, to focus on the sharing of best practices in clinical care and achieving efficiencies.

To learn more, visit http://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org.

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Scientists See Signs of Lasting Immunity to Covid-19, Even After Mild Infections – The New York Times

By daniellenierenberg

Notably, several of the new studies are finding these powerful responses in people who did not develop severe cases of Covid-19, Dr. Iyer added. Some researchers have worried that infections that take a smaller toll on the body are less memorable to the immune systems studious cells, which may prefer to invest their resources in more serious assaults. In some cases, the body could even jettison the viruses so quickly that it fails to catalog them. This paper suggests this is not true, Dr. Iyer said. You can still get durable immunity without suffering the consequences of infection.

Updated August 17, 2020

What has been observed in people who fought off mild cases of Covid-19 might not hold true for hospitalized patients, whose bodies struggle to marshal a balanced immune response to the virus, or those who were infected but had no symptoms at all. Research groups around the world are continuing to study the entire range of responses. But the vast majority of the cases are these mild infections, said Jason Netland, an immunologist at the University of Washington and an author on the paper under review at Nature. If those people are going to be protected, thats still good.

This new spate of studies could also further assuage fears about how and when the pandemic will end. On Friday, updated guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was misinterpreted by several news reports that suggested immunity against the coronavirus might last only a few months. Experts quickly responded, noting the dangers of propagating such statements and pointing to the wealth of evidence that people who previously had the virus are probably at least partly protected from reinfection for at least three months, if not much longer.

Considered with other recent reports, the new data reinforce the idea that, Yes, you do develop immunity to this virus, and good immunity to this virus, said Dr. Eun-Hyung Lee, an immunologist at Emory University who was not involved in the studies. Thats the message we want to get out there.

Some illnesses, like the flu, can plague populations repeatedly. But that is at least partly attributable to the high mutation rates of influenza viruses, which can quickly make the pathogens unrecognizable to the immune system. Coronaviruses, in contrast, tend to change their appearance less readily from year to year.

Still, much remains unknown. Although these studies hint at the potential for protectiveness, they do not demonstrate protection in action, said Cheong-Hee Chang, an immunologist at the University of Michigan who was not involved in the new studies. Its hard to predict whats going to happen, Dr. Chang said. Humans are so heterogeneous. There are so many factors coming into play.

Research in animals could help fill a few gaps. Small studies have shown that one bout of the coronavirus seems to protect rhesus macaques from contracting it again.

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Wave of New Therapies Improve Outcomes for Patients with Multiple Myeloma – Cancer Health Treatment News

By daniellenierenberg

For many patients with multiple myeloma, a new generation of drugs and drug combinations is producing better outcomes and fewer side effects. In recent months, several novel therapies studied and tested by Dana-Farber scientists have gained approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or taken a step toward approval after posting solid results in clinical trials.

The drugs are the fruit of years of research into improving treatment for multiple myeloma, a cancer of white blood cells known as plasma cells in the bone marrow. Many of the new agents are biologically derived made from substances such as proteins and antibodies found in living things and target biological mechanisms in a very specific, targeted fashion. Dana-Farber researchers have played a key role in these efforts.

These are each powerful examples of how next-generation novel therapies translated here at Dana-Farber from bench to bedside are further improving outcomes for our patients, and at a remarkable pace, says Paul G. Richardson, MD, clinical program leader and director of clinical research at the Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center at Dana-Farber.

Option for relapsed or refractory (non-responsive) myeloma

Following a Dana-Farber-led clinical trial, the FDA recently approved the novel drug isatuximab in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone for adults with relapsed or refractory (non-responsive) myeloma who have received at least two prior therapies, including lenalidomide and drugs known as proteasome inhibitors. The drug went into trials after laboratory work by Dana-Farbers Yu-Tzu Tai, PhD, and Kenneth Anderson, MD, showed it was active against myeloma cells. In the clinical trial, the three-drug combination lowered the risk that the disease would progress by 40%, compared to pomalidome and dexamethasone alone.

A drug that doesnt cause hair loss

Dana-Farber investigators conducted laboratory research and led the first clinical trial of the drug melflufen plus dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma. Melflufen is a peptide conjugate drug made of a stub of protein, or peptide, joined to a chemotherapy agent and delivers a toxic payload directly to myeloma cells in a selective, time-sparing approach.

Results from an early-phase clinical trial published in Lancet Oncology showed the drug is active in patients with myeloma and is safe at recommended doses. Unlike the previously used standard drug melphalan, it doesnt cause mucositis inflammation of membranes within the digestive tract or hair loss. The results prompted investigators to launch two larger trials, some of whose results are being processed and are due to be published soon.

Drug for patients eligible for stem cell transplant

In a major study published in Blood, Dana-Farber researchers and their associates found that in patients newly diagnosed with myeloma who are eligible for a stem cell transplant, adding the drug daratumumab to the standard three-drug regimen produced more responses, and deeper responses, than in patients receiving the three-drug therapy alone.

Targeting myeloma cells and cell division

Dana-Farber researchers were involved in the development and initial testing of the drug belantamab mafodotin, which has shown considerable promise in clinical trials and has been granted priority review for approval by the FDA.

An antibody conjugate drug consisting of an antibody that specifically targets myeloma cells and an agent that disrupts cell division, its use was informed by a preclinical trial at Dana-Farber involving Yu-Tzu Tai, PhD, and Kenneth Anderson, MD. Balantamab mafodotin was tested in studies led by Paul Richardson, MD, in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma whose disease continued to worsen after a stem cell transplant, chemotherapy, or other treatment. In the DREAMM-1 and -2 trials, the drug showed strong anti-myeloma activity with manageable side effects.

This article was originally published on August 4, 2020, by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. It is republished with permission.

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Cell Isolation/Cell Separation Market Research Report by Product, by Cell Type, by Cell Source, by Technique, by Application, by End User – Global…

By daniellenierenberg

New York, Aug. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Cell Isolation/Cell Separation Market Research Report by Product, by Cell Type, by Cell Source, by Technique, by Application, by End User - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913776/?utm_source=GNW

The Global Cell Isolation/Cell Separation Market is expected to grow from USD 6,356.88 Million in 2019 to USD 14,485.68 Million by the end of 2025 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 14.71%.

Market Segmentation & Coverage:This research report categorizes the Cell Isolation/Cell Separation to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:

Based on Product, the Cell Isolation/Cell Separation Market studied across Consumables and Instruments. The Consumables further studied across Beads, Disposables, and Reagents, Kits, Media, and Sera. The Instruments further studied across Centrifuges, Filtration Systems, Flow Cytometers, and Magnetic-Activated Cell Separator Systems.

Based on Cell Type, the Cell Isolation/Cell Separation Market studied across Animal Cells and Human Cells. The Human Cells further studied across Differentiated Cells and Stem Cells.

Based on Cell Source, the Cell Isolation/Cell Separation Market studied across Adipose Tissue, Bone Marrow, and Cord Blood/Embryonic Stem Cells.

Based on Technique, the Cell Isolation/Cell Separation Market studied across Centrifugation-Based Cell Isolation, Filtration-Based Cell Isolation, and Surface Marker-Based Cell Isolation.

Based on Application, the Cell Isolation/Cell Separation Market studied across Biomolecule Isolation, Cancer Research, In Vitro Diagnostics, Stem Cell Research, and Tissue Regeneration & Regenerative Medicine.

Based on End User, the Cell Isolation/Cell Separation Market studied across Biotechnology & Biopharmaceutical Companies, Hospitals & Diagnostic Laboratories, and Research Laboratories & Institutes.

Based on Geography, the Cell Isolation/Cell Separation Market studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region surveyed across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region surveyed across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region surveyed across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.

Company Usability Profiles:The report deeply explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Cell Isolation/Cell Separation Market including Beckman Coulter Inc. (Subsidiary of Danaher Corporation), Becton, Dickinson and Company, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., GE Healthcare, Merck KGaA, Miltenyi Biotec, Pluriselect Life Science Ug (Haftungsbeschrnkt) & Co. Kg, Stemcell Technologies, Inc., Terumo Bct, and Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc..

FPNV Positioning Matrix:The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Cell Isolation/Cell Separation Market on the basis of Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.

Competitive Strategic Window:The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies. The Competitive Strategic Window helps the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. During a forecast period, it defines the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth.

Cumulative Impact of COVID-19:COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, so for and, the long-term effects projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlaying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report is delivering insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecast, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market.

The report provides insights on the following pointers:1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyzes the markets3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and new product developments

The report answers questions such as:1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Cell Isolation/Cell Separation Market?2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Cell Isolation/Cell Separation Market during the forecast period?3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Cell Isolation/Cell Separation Market?4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Cell Isolation/Cell Separation Market?5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Cell Isolation/Cell Separation Market?6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global Cell Isolation/Cell Separation Market?Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05913776/?utm_source=GNW

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Cell Isolation/Cell Separation Market Research Report by Product, by Cell Type, by Cell Source, by Technique, by Application, by End User - Global...

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The Fallacy of Banking Umbilical Cord Blood for Your Baby – The MIT Press Reader

By daniellenierenberg

Companies are exhorting expectant parents to protect their baby from the medical evils that lie ahead. But are claims of benefits overblown?

By: Mikkael A. Sekeres

My patient, a man in his 70s, sat a few feet away from me in a clinic room at our cancer center. His wife was by his side, both literally and emotionally she was his touchstone, his connection to the normal life he led before his leukemia diagnosis. I noticed they tended to wear outfits that even complemented each other, as if their sartorial choices had harmonized and become intertwined along with their affection over the 40 years of their marriage. Their choice for the day: grey sweatshirts declaring their allegiance to the hapless Cleveland Browns.

He had weathered the slings and arrows of the chemotherapy we used to treat his cancer during a five-week hospital stay, and now was in a tenuous remission. We talked about next steps in his treatment, which ranged from giving him a break, to more chemotherapy, to considering the most aggressive intervention we could offer a bone marrow transplant.

The phrase bone marrow transplant was a bit of a misnomer, though. While we could wipe out any residual leukemia in his bone marrow with high-dose chemotherapy and replace his fresh bone marrow from a healthy person, we may not be able to find a good bone marrow match. Another potential option: We could use umbilical cord blood from a newborn, which is rich in the stem cells normally found in the bone marrow, and which recent studies have shown may not need to match as closely as is necessary for a marrow donor. Hearing this, my patients wife interjected.

Our daughter is pregnant, and her due date is next month. She started, glancing at my patient as he nodded his head in agreement. She wanted us to ask if she should save the babys cord blood in case he needs it for a transplant.

I explained to them that the babys cord blood was unlikely to be a close enough match to my patient, as my patients daughter would only be a half-match for him, and her baby less than that. My patient then asked me a question I have been hearing more and more over the years: Should my daughter save the cord blood in case our grandbaby needs it, in case he or she develops cancer?

Brochures for these companies line Plexiglas display cases in obstetrics offices, with pamphlets exhorting nervous, expectant parents to protect their baby from the medical evils that lie ahead.

Indeed, in the U.S., the practice of storing umbilical cord blood is steadily on the rise. Banking cord blood in case a bone marrow transplant is needed in the future is appealing on so many levels. The umbilical cord attaching the developing fetus to its mothers placenta is rich in those juicy bone marrow stem cells that are so effective at making the blood components. Coming from an infant at the time of birth, they should be uncorrupted by cancer (emphasis on the should, as well see in a moment). Cord blood is also easy to collect: At the time of delivery, after the cord is cut, the remaining blood in that cord is milked out into a collection bag. That bag is then kept in a freezer until the time comes, if ever, when it is needed and can be infused as a transplant.

The cost for using commercial cord blood banking companies, however, can be substantial. Upfront charges with whats called an enrollment fee can range from $1,500 to $3,500. On top of that, a yearly storage fee is assessed, with the total amount for 18 to 20 years of storage cresting $5,000 in some cases.

Brochures for these companies line Plexiglas display cases in obstetrics offices, with pamphlets exhorting nervous, expectant parents to protect their baby from the medical evils that lie ahead. What better source for a transplant than a childs own, pure stem cells, harvested at a time years before that child ever developed cancer? But cost aside, is the effort even worth it for the risk that a child may one day develop a cancer and need a future transplant?

To answer this question, we need to take a couple of things into consideration. First, what is the likelihood of a child developing a cancer, and then needing a transplant to treat that cancer? A study conducted by the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research attempted to figure this out. They first identified the cancers for which transplantation could potentially be needed. For people aged 0 to 19 years (the length of time a cord blood would be kept banked) leukemia was the most common, followed by lymphoma, neuroblastoma, brain tumors, and sarcomas. Cancer in children and adolescents are rare all told, the incidence rate in the United States for all of these cancers combined is about 12 per 100,000 children per year. Its horrible if its your child who develops cancer, but pediatric cancer is still an uncommon event.

Its horrible if its your child who develops cancer, but pediatric cancer is still an uncommon event.

The next conclusion is based on the likelihood that these cancers would not be eradicated by chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy and would require an allogeneic transplant that is, one that uses stem cells taken from a genetically matched donor and the assumption that everyone could identify a sibling or brother from another mother transplant and was healthy enough to undergo the procedure. The authors estimated that the incidence rate of transplant for children and adolescents was a little over 2 per 100,000 per year in the United States during their first two decades of life. Analyzed another way, the probability a child will need a transplant by the time he or she reaches age 20 is 0.04 percent.

The lifetime chance of getting struck by lightning is similar, at about 1 in 3,000, or 0.033 percent.

Would you pay thousands of dollars for a medication right now, in the event that sometime in your life you may be struck by lightning, and that medication may help you survive the lightning strike?

Seems excessive to me.

A second way of determining the value of cord blood banking in case a child develops cancer is to consider whether that cord blood is really as pure as we think. The most common childhood cancer through age 19 is leukemia, with an annual incidence rate of 4.7 per 100,000 children in the United States. Could it be possible that the leukemia was present at some small level even at birth, years before the child was diagnosed with leukemia?

One approach to studying this would be to screen every newborn for leukemia. Given the incidence rate of childhood leukemia, this would mean subjecting over 21,000 babies to a blood test for every case of future leukemia identified.

Its difficult to justify that type of monumental screening effort to answer a research question about the origins of leukemia. A more reasonable approach would be to identify children who have leukemia, and try to determine whether they had it when they were born.

But how to go about obtaining a blood sample from a birth that occurred years earlier? A group of clever scientists from the United Kingdom and Germany thought the answer might be found in something called Guthrie cards. Robert Guthrie was a microbiologist working at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York, in the 1950s when his niece was diagnosed with phenylketonuria (PKU), an inherited deficiency in the enzyme necessary to metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine. If caught early enough, an infants diet can be modified so that the effects of the deficiency are minimized. If not, the condition can lead to developmental defects and mental disability.

Guthries niece was not so lucky.

This, and having a child of his own with cognitive delays, motivated Guthrie to devote his career to detecting preventable childhood diseases. He developed a test for PKU that could be performed when a drop of blood from a finger prick or heel stick was applied to filter paper on a card. It was successfully piloted in Newark in 1960, and by 1963, 400,000 infants had been tested in 29 states. Testing spread around the country, and across the pond.

And hospital laboratories kept those Guthrie cards for years after a child was born.

Could it be possible that the leukemia was present at some small level even at birth, years before the child was diagnosed with leukemia?

The scientists found three children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (more common in children than AML, whereas the opposite is true in adults) who had the same chromosome mutation associated with their leukemias a translocation of chromosomes 4 and 11. After obtaining permission from the parents of these children, the scientists then searched laboratory repositories to find the Guthrie cards stored there from when the children were born. They used a PCR-specific lab test for this translocation on the dried blood still remaining on the childrens Guthrie cards, and were able to detect the chromosome abnormality for all three children from a blood drop obtained months or years before the leukemia was diagnosed. In another, similar study, the same group of scientists was able to detect chromosome evidence of leukemia in 9 of the 12 Guthrie cards obtained from children who diagnosed with leukemia between two and five years later.

The leukemia was there all along, even prior to birth in these children, waiting years in some cases to rear its ugly head. And if the leukemia was measurable on a genetic level in their blood, it was almost certainly present in their cord blood. Banking cord blood from these children would have preserved those juicy, healthy stem cells, but also probably cells already corrupted by genetic abnormalities that would lead to leukemia again, if the cells were re-infused into a child as a transplant years later.

Getting back to the question: Is the cost and effort of banking cord blood worth it for the risk that a child may one day develop a cancer and need a future transplant?

I didnt think so when my three children were born.

But I did have their cord blood collected and I donated it to be stored for use through the Be The Match program, in case a complete stranger needs it. So that one day, my children could be the brothers from another mother, or sister from another mister me being the mister!

And so that one day, my patients wont have to forego potentially curative treatments for their leukemias because they cant find an adequate donor.

Mikkael Sekeres is the Director of the Leukemia Program at the Cleveland Clinic and the author of When Blood Breaks Down: Life Lessons from Leukemia, from which this article is adapted.

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World Autologous Cell Therapy Industry 2020-2025 with Vericel, Pharmicell, Holostem Terapie Avanzate, Lineage Cell Therapeutics and Opexa Therapeutics…

By daniellenierenberg

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Global Autologous Cell Therapy Market: Growth, Trends and Forecasts (2020-2025)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Autologous Cell Therapy market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 15.9% during the forecast period.

The major factors attributing to the growth of the autologous cell therapy market are the rising incidence of chronic diseases such as autoimmune diseases, cancer, blood disorder, and others.

A rise in the population suffering from chronic diseases is also propelling the demand for market growth. In 2018, as per the AARDA (American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association) statistics, around 50 million Americans have an autoimmune disease, and this number is expected to rise in the future.

As per the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) estimates Sickel Cell Disease (SCD) affects around 100,000 Americans annually - and there are few more factors which are playing crucial roles in taking the autologous cell therapy market to the next level, among them one is on-going drug developments for new applications which are expected to further propel the growth of the autologous cell therapy market.

Key Market Trends

Bone Marrow Segment Expected to Hold the Largest Market Share

Bone marrow transplant is a technique for replacing damaged and destroyed cells with new stem cells in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the most commonly used for autologous cell therapy as it can benefit individuals with a range of cancer (malignant) and non-cancer (benign) diseases and will drive the market during the forecast period.

As per the statistics from Globocan 2018, worldwide 18,078,957 individuals have cancer. Asia remains the leading contributor in the rising incidence of cancer with a reported share of 48.4% followed by Europe, North and Latin America, Africa, and Oceania with a share of 23.4%, 13.2% and 7.8%, 5.8%, and 1.4% respectively.

North America Dominates the Market and is Expected to do Same Over the Forecast Period

North America is expected to dominate the overall autologous cell therapy market, throughout the forecast period. This is owing to factors such as the rising incidence of chronic diseases such as cancer, blood disorder, autoimmune diseases, and other diseases and the availability of advanced healthcare infrastructure among the major factors.

In North America, the United States holds the largest market share owing to the factors such as increasing number of population suffering from cancer and other chronic diseases, along with the rising geriatric population and developments related to stem cell therapy and rising demand for biotechnological practices in the country, is anticipated to further drive the demand in this region.

Competitive Landscape

The autologous cell therapy market is moderately competitive and consists of several major players. In terms of market share, few of the major players are currently dominating the market. And some prominent players are vigorously making acquisitions and joint ventures with the other companies to consolidate their market positions across the globe.

Some of the companies which are currently dominating the market are Vericel Corporation, Pharmicell Co. Inc., Holostem Terapie Avanzate S.r.l., Lineage Cell Therapeutics Inc., and Opexa Therapeutics.

Key Topics Covered

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Study Deliverables

1.2 Study Assumptions

1.3 Scope of the Study

2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4 MARKET DYNAMICS

4.1 Market Overview

4.2 Market Drivers

4.2.1 Rising Incidence of Chronic Diseases

4.2.2 Emphasis Increasingly on Drug Development for New Applications

4.3 Market Restraints

4.3.1 Systemic Immunological Reactions Possibility

4.3.2 Expensive Practise, Product and High Capital Investment

4.4 Porter's Five Force Analysis

5 MARKET SEGMENTATION

5.1 By Therapy

5.1.1 Autologous Stem Cell Therapy

5.1.2 Autologous Cellular Immunotherapies

5.2 By Application

5.2.1 Oncology

5.2.2 Musculoskeletal Disorder

5.2.3 Blood Disorder

5.2.4 Autoimmune Disease

5.2.5 Others

5.3 By Source

5.3.1 Bone Marrow

5.3.2 Epidermis

5.3.3 Others

5.4 By End User

5.4.1 Hospitals

5.4.2 Research Centers

5.4.3 Others

5.5 Geography

5.5.1 North America

5.5.2 Europe

5.5.3 Asia-Pacific

5.5.4 Middle-East and Africa

5.5.5 South America

6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

6.1 Company Profiles

6.1.1 Vericel Corporation

6.1.2 Pharmicell Co. Inc.

6.1.3 Holostem Terapie Avanzate S.r.l.

6.1.4 Lineage Cell Therapeutics, Inc.

6.1.5 Opexa Therapeutics

6.1.6 BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics

6.1.7 Sangamo Therapeutics

7 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/gydkh

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Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Market is Stunning Worldwide Gaining Revolution in Eyes of Global Exposure – Owned

By daniellenierenberg

Latest released the research study onGlobal Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Market, offers a detailed overview of the factors influencing the global business scope.Hematopoietic Stem Cell TransplantationMarket research report shows the latest market insights, current situation analysis with upcoming trends and breakdown of the products and services. The report provides key statistics on the market status, size, share, growth factors of theHematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Market. The study covers emerging players data, including: competitive landscape, sales, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers.

Top players in Global Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Market are:

Gilead Sciences Inc. (United States)

Thermo Fisher Scientific (United States)

PromoCell (Germany)

CellGenix Technologie Transfer GmbH (Germany)

Cesca Therapeutics Inc.(United States)

R&D Systems (United States)

Genlantis (United States)

Lonza Group Ltd.(Switzerland)

TiGenix N.V.(Belgium)

ScienCell Research Laboratories (United States)

Regen Biopharma Inc. (United States)

China Cord Blood Corp (Hong Kong)

CBR Systems Inc. (United States)

Free Sample Report + All Related Graphs & Charts @: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/sample-report/69543-global-hematopoietic-stem-cell-transplantation-market-1

Brief Overview on Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Despite the increasing availability of smart antineoplastic therapies in recent years, Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remains an optimal treatment modality for many hematologic malignancies. HSCT is one of a range of therapeutic options which is available to patients suffering from various diseases. It is a widely accepted treatment for many life-threatening diseases. The treatment is available to patients who suffer from refractory or relapsing neoplastic disease and non-neoplastic genetic disorders, as well as from chronic bone marrow failure. Hematopoietic stem cells are young or immature blood cells which are found to be living in bone marrow. These blood cells when matures in bone marrow very few enters into bloodstream. These cells that enter bloodstream are called as peripheral blood stems cells. Hematopoietic stem cells transplantation is the replacement of absent, diseased or damaged hematopoietic stem cells due to chemotherapy or radiation, with healthy hematopoietic stem cells.

Recent Development in Global Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Market:

In January 2019, Paul-Ehrlich Institute discovered important surface molecules supporting hematopoietic recovery after transplantation of blood stem cells. The protein C receptor on hematopoietic stem cell improves stem cell transplantation. Transplantation of blood stem cells (HSCTs) is an important treatment for the patients with hematopoietic disorders

Keep yourself up-to-date with latest market trends and changing dynamics due to COVID Impact and Economic Slowdown globally. Maintain a competitive edge by sizing up with available business opportunity in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Market various segments and emerging territory.

Market Drivers

Market Trend

Market Challenges

Market Restraints:

Market Opportunities:

Region Included are: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Oceania, South America, Middle East & Africa

Country Level Break-Up: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Germany, United Kingdom (UK), the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Turkey, Russia, France, Poland, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, India, Australia and New Zealand etc.

Enquire for customization in Report @: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/enquiry-before-buy/69543-global-hematopoietic-stem-cell-transplantation-market-1

Strategic Points Covered in Table of Content of Global Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Market:

Chapter 1: Introduction, market driving force product Objective of Study and Research Scope the Global Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation market

Chapter 2: Exclusive Summary the basic information of the Global Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Market.

Chapter 3: Displaying the Market Dynamics- Drivers, Trends and Challenges of the Global Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Chapter 4: Presenting the Global Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Market Factor Analysis Porters Five Forces, Supply/Value Chain, PESTEL analysis, Market Entropy, Patent/Trademark Analysis.

Chapter 5: Displaying the by Type, End User and Region 2013-2020

Chapter 6: Evaluating the leading manufacturers of the Global Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation market which consists of its Competitive Landscape, Peer Group Analysis, BCG Matrix & Company Profile

Chapter 7: To evaluate the market by segments, by countries and by manufacturers with revenue share and sales by key countries in these various regions.

Chapter 8 & 9: Displaying the Appendix, Methodology and Data Source

Finally, Global Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Market is a valuable source of guidance for individuals and companies.

Data Sources & Methodology

The primary sources involve the industry experts from the Global Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Market including the management organizations, processing organizations, analytics service providers of the industrys value chain. All primary sources were interviewed to gather and authenticate qualitative & quantitative information and determine the future prospects.

In the extensive primary research process undertaken for this study, the primary sources Postal Surveys, telephone, Online & Face-to-Face Survey were considered to obtain and verify both qualitative and quantitative aspects of this research study. When it comes to secondary sources Companys Annual reports, press Releases, Websites, Investor Presentation, Conference Call transcripts, Webinar, Journals, Regulators, National Customs and Industry Associations were given primary weightage.

Get More Information: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/reports/69543-global-hematopoietic-stem-cell-transplantation-market-1

What benefits does AMA research study is going to provide?

Definitively, this report will give you an unmistakable perspective on every single reality of the market without a need to allude to some other research report or an information source. Our report will give all of you the realities about the past, present, and eventual fate of the concerned Market.

Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.

About Author:

Advance Market Analytics is Global leaders of Market Research Industry provides the quantified B2B research to Fortune 500 companies on high growth emerging opportunities which will impact more than 80% of worldwide companies revenues.

Our Analyst is tracking high growth study with detailed statistical and in-depth analysis of market trends & dynamics that provide a complete overview of the industry. We follow an extensive research methodology coupled with critical insights related industry factors and market forces to generate the best value for our clients. We Provides reliable primary and secondary data sources; our analysts and consultants derive informative and usable data suited for our clients business needs. The research study enables clients to meet varied market objectives a from global footprint expansion to supply chain optimization and from competitor profiling to M&As.

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Gene Therapy Cure Claims Are Premature, Advocates Say – POZ

By daniellenierenberg

Journalists received not one but three announcements this week from American Gene Technologies (AGT) touting the most promising potential cure for HIV in the world. But such claims amount to unjustified hype, advocates say. The experimental therapy has not yet been tested in humans andif it worksit could be years before its ready for clinical use.

AGT just received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to start the first Phase I human clinical trial of its genetically modified T-cell product, dubbed AGT103-T, which the company is developing in collaboration with researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease.

From its research, AGT believes a cure is attainable and is now taking the significant step of testing in humans, the company announced in a press release. Added AGT founder and CEOJeff Galvin, I am confidentAGT103-Twill be an important step toward an eventual cure for HIV.

But advocates say such claims are not only premature, they are also harmful in giving people with HIV the false impression that a cure is around the corner.

AGTs public relations strategy preys on the emotions of people living with HIV and has a deleterious effect on the understanding of the cure field overall, Seattle advocate Michael Louella told POZ. They make their outrageous comments, and these are then picked up and believed to be certain truth. Any attempt to promote a more nuanced and better-grounded understanding of gene therapy or the clinical process becomes impossible.

Although HIV can be suppressed indefinitely with combination antiretroviral therapy, it has proved exceedingly difficult to cure because a so-called reservoir of latent virus can remain hidden from the drugs in resting immune cells. Only two people appear to have been cured after bone marrow transplants from donors with HIV-resistant stem cellsa procedure far too dangerous for people who dont have life-threatening blood cancer.

Nonetheless, researchers are exploring numerous cure strategies, ranging from flushing HIV out of resting cells to genetically engineering immune cells to make them resistant to the virus. Most experts expect that a combination approach will likely be needed to maintain durable control of HIV after stopping antiretroviral therapythe definition of a functional cure.

AGTs process involves collecting immune cells from a patient and selecting those cells that target HIV antigens. A harmless lentivirus vector is then used to insert genes into the HIV-specific CD4 T cells that disable CCR5 receptorswhich most strains of HIV use to enter cellsas well as genes involved in HIV replication. The genetically modified CD4 cells are then reinfused back into the same patient in a single dose. The entire process takes 11 days.

The company said it expects the approach will provide durable control of genetically diverse strains of HIV, including those that use a different receptor (known as CXCR4) to enter cells. The experimental therapy should work to remove infected cells from the body and decrease or eliminate the need for lifelong antiretroviral treatment, AGT claims.

Another company, Sangamo BioSciences, previously reported promising results from early studies using a different gene therapy technique (a zinc finger nuclease) to edit out CCR5 receptors from T cells. Although it did not cure HIV, some study participants saw a reduction in the size of their viral reservoir and a long-term increase in CD4 counts. More recently, Chinese researcher He Jiankui used yet another technique (CRISPR-Cas9) to disable the CCR5 gene in human embryos in an effort to protect them from HIV.

AGTs approach not only uses a different gene-editing method to disable CCR5, but it also selects CD4 T cells that target HIV and protects them from destruction by the virus, thereby helping the selected cells survive and avoiding the wasted effort of modifying cells that wont attack HIV.

A recent medical journal report described preclinical studies of the approach, which showed that it is feasible to manufacture the modified HIV-specific CD4 T cells. AGT claims that in laboratory studies, the product demonstrates the ability to clear itself of HIV when challenged with the virus and HIV-infected human cells. The company has not yet reported results from studies of the experimental therapy in animals.

These findings were used to support AGTs investigational new drug application to the FDA to allow the company to proceed with a Phase I study in human volunteers, which will be conducted in Baltimore and Washington, DC. Eligible participants must have been on antiretroviral therapy for one to three years, have an undetectable viral load, have a stable CD4 count above 500 and may not have any AIDS-defining conditions.

AGT expects to enroll the first participant in September, with the first infusion of genetically modified T cells to be administered in December. The company said it expects initial data by the end of the year.

But this will be far too soon to determine whether the altered T cells persist in the body or whether they can maintain long-term viral suppression after antiretroviral therapy is discontinued.

Saying AGT believes there is a high likelihood that participants in the upcoming trial will be cured is beyond outrageous and completely undermines informed consent because its an unethical inducement to participate [in trials], Richard Jefferys of the Treatment Action Group told POZ.

And its not based on a shred of evidence. To my knowledge, theres no humanized mouse data, no macaque dataits all theory, he continued. "I would hope that they pause to reconsider their PR strategy and broaden their consultation with stakeholders, including community-based advocates.

Click here for more news about HIV cure research.

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3D bioprinting spatiotemporally defined patterns of growth factors to tightly control tissue regeneration – Science Advances

By daniellenierenberg

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, a number of growth factors have been tested in clinical trials for a variety of therapeutic applications including bone regeneration and neovascularization of ischemic tissues. Despite early promising results, the results obtained in larger phase 2 trials have often not shown the expected benefit to patients (1, 2), with some having marked adverse effects (35). The Infuse bone graft, which consists of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) soaked onto a collagen sponge at a dosage of 1.5 mg/ml, has received Food and Drug Administration approval for certain spinal, dental, and trauma indications and is in widespread clinical use. However, major complications and adverse effects have increasingly been attributed because of the off-label use of the product (3, 4). Clinically, the current delivery vehicle for BMP-2 is a collagen powder or sponge that has been shown to result in a large initial burst release, which contrasts with the expression profile observed during normal fracture repair where BMP expression increases until day 21, suggesting a need for slower and more sustained growth factor release profile (6, 7). Furthermore, because of the short half-life of the growth factor and the harsh fracture environment (5), supraphysiological dosages of BMP-2 are being delivered to elicit bone regeneration, which has been linked to adverse effects such as heterotopic ossification. Therefore, there is a clear clinical need to develop alternative strategies to deliver single or multiple growth factors to the site of injury with sustainable and physiologically relevant dosages such that repair is induced without these adverse effects.

A number of growth factors have been shown to be expressed at different phases of fracture healing, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and BMPs. The coupled relationship in bone healing, both physical and biochemical, between blood vessels and bone cells has long been recognized (8, 9). During fracture healing, VEGF is released directly after injury and predominately drives the formation of the fracture hematoma (9). Inhibition of VEGF has been shown to disrupt the repair of fractures and large bone defects (1012). Despite this, VEGF delivery alone is often not sufficient to heal critically sized bone defects, which may be due to suboptimal dosing or the timing of VEGF release. Furthermore, VEGF does not appear to drive progenitor cell differentiation toward the chondrogenic or osteogenic lineage; therefore, combination therapies with BMPs have been developed in an attempt to accelerate the regeneration of large bone defects (9, 1318). During normal fracture healing, VEGF expression peaks around day 5/10 (19, 20) and then decreases, whereas BMP-2 expression increases constantly until day 21, suggesting a need for delivery systems that support the early release of VEGF and the sustained release of BMP-2 (6, 7, 19, 20). To this end, composite polymer systems have been used to deliver VEGF and BMP-2 in a sequential fashion (1518). The timed release of VEGF/BMP-2 was found to enhance ectopic bone formation (1618); however, in an orthotopic defect, no significant benefit was observed (17, 18). This may be due to the high dose of VEGF used in these studies (18), which has previously been shown to disrupt osteogenesis as a result of abnormal angiogenesis and vascular structure (8), or due to suboptimal growth factor release profiles from these constructs. This suggests that novel strategies are required for delivering low-dosage VEGF and BMP-2, with tight temporal control, to enhance vascularization and subsequent bone formation in orthotopic defects. Nanoparticles such as hydroxyapatite (HA) and laponite are known to be osteoinductive and have previously been shown to facilitate the adsorption and immobilization of proteins such as VEGF and BMP-2 because of the strong attraction between the nanoparticles and the growth factor (2123). This motivates the integration of these nanoparticles into regenerative implants to enable tight temporal control over the rate at which encapsulated growth factors are released into damaged tissue.

Processes such as angiogenesis are regulated not only by the temporal presentation of growth factors but also by spatial gradients of morphogens that regulate chemotactic cell migration. Using microfluidic devices (24, 25) or three-dimensional (3D) culture models (26, 27), it has been demonstrated that endothelial cell migration is mediated by gradients in VEGF. However, it is unclear whether incorporating gradients of VEGF into tissue-engineered scaffolds will enhance angiogenesis in vivo. Here, we used emerging multiple-tool biofabrication techniques (28) to deliver VEGF and BMP-2 with distinct spatiotemporal release profiles to enhance the regeneration of critically sized bone defects. To tune the temporal release of these morphogens from 3D printed constructs, we functionalized alginate-based bioinks with different nanoparticles known to bind these regulatory factors. Both the spatial position and temporal release of growth factor from the 3D printed implant determined its therapeutic potential. By slowing the release of BMP-2, it was possible to enhance bone formation in vivo within predefined positions of the implant. Furthermore, introducing spatial gradients of VEGF into 3D printed implants enhanced vascularization in vivo compared to controls homogenously loaded with the same total amount of growth factor. We also demonstrate accelerated large bone defect healing, with minimal ectopic bone formation, using 3D printed implants containing a spatial gradient of VEGF and spatially localized BMP-2.

To produce a printable bioink, various weight concentrations of methylcellulose were first added to RGD -irradiated alginate. Print fidelity (as measured by the filament spreading ratio) improved by increasing the methylcellulose content [see fig. S1 (A and B)]; however, the capacity to print multiple layers of material worsens because of the overly adhesive nature of the ink. For these reasons, a weight concentration of 2:1 (w/w) alginate to methylcellulose was chosen for all bioinks, as it substantially increased the print fidelity while allowing multiple layers of material to be accurately deposited.

To tune the temporal release profile of growth factor (here, VEGF), clay nanoparticles (22, 23, 29) or hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHA) (21) were added to the alginate-methylcellulose bioink. Adding methylcellulose to the alginate to produce a printable ink significantly increased the release of VEGF compared to that observed from alginate only [see fig. S1 (C and D)]. The addition of laponite, a clay-based nanoparticle, markedly slowed the release of VEGF (see fig. S1C), while the incorporation of nHA only had a small effect on growth factor release, producing a slightly more gradual release profile (see fig. S1D). This blend (alginate, methylcellulose, and nHA) will hereafter be referred to as the vascular bioink, as it allowed for the near complete release of VEGF over 10 days, mimicking that observed during normal fracture healing (19, 20). No laponite was included in this vascular bioink.

To demonstrate the utility of this vascular bioink, two strategies were compared to print implants containing a spatial gradient of VEGF (see fig. S1E). In the first, VEGF (100 ng/ml) was printed into the central 5-mm core of constructs 8 mm in diameter and 4 mm high, with a VEGF-free bioink used to print the periphery of the construct. In the second, VEGF (80 ng/ml) was printed into the center of the construct, and VEGF (20 ng/ml) was printed around the periphery of the implant. Control constructs containing a homogenous distribution of VEGF were also printed. One hour after printing, clear spatial differences in VEGF localization were observed in both gradient constructs, while roughly the same amount of protein was detected in the core and periphery of the homogenous VEGF control (see fig. S1F). Fourteen days after printing, a spatial gradient still existed in the construct that initially had all VEGF loaded into its central region, with no gradient observed in the other groups (see fig. S1G). This demonstrates that spatial gradients of growth factor can be maintained within constructs for at least 14 days after printing.

We next sought to assess whether depositing spatial gradients of VEGF within 3D printed polycaprolactone (PCL) implants would accelerate vascularization of the constructs in vivo. To this end, Homogenous VEGF, Gradient VEGF, and No VEGF constructs were implanted subcutaneously in the back of mice (see Fig. 1A), where the total amount of growth factor (25 ng) within the two VEGF-containing implants was constant. Two weeks after implantation, histological analysis of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)stained samples revealed the presence of vessels in the Homogenous VEGF and Gradient VEGF groups; however, there were no obvious vessels present in the No VEGF group (see Fig. 1B). These vessels appeared mature, complete with smooth muscle actin (-SMA) and von Willebrand factor (vWF)stained walls and perfused with erythrocytes (see fig. S2A). The Homogenous VEGF constructs had vessels predominantly located in the periphery of the scaffold, with little to none present within the center of the scaffold. On the other hand, vessels were present both in the periphery and in the center of the Gradient VEGF group. Four weeks after implantation, all three experimental groups had mature vessels present (see Fig. 1C and fig. S2B). Similar to the Homogeneous VEGF group, the No VEGF group had vessels predominantly located in the periphery of the constructs, with little to none present within the center of the construct. When quantified, at both 2 and 4 weeks, there were significantly more vessels present in the Gradient VEGF group compared to both the Homogenous VEGF and No VEGF group (see Fig. 1D). There was significantly more vessels present in the periphery of the Gradient VEGF constructs at both 2 and 4 weeks in vivo compared to the other two experimental groups [see Fig. 1 (E and F)]. There was also a trend toward a larger number of vessels present in the center of the Gradient VEGF construct at 4 weeks compared to No VEGF (P = 0.09) and Homogenous VEGF (P = 0.1) groups (see Fig. 1F).

(A) Schematic of the 3D printed scaffold and experimental groups. Construct design (4 mm in diameter, 5 mm in height). H&E-stained sections of the three experimental groups at (B) 2 and (C) 4 weeks in vivo. Images were taken at 20. Arrows denote vessels. (D) Total number of vessels of the experimental groups at 2 and 4 weeks in vivo. Number of vessels present in the center versus the periphery at (E) 2 and (F) 4 weeks in vivo. **P < 0.01. Error bars denote SDs (n = 8 animals; n = 5 slices per animal). FBS, fetal bovine serum; pen/strep, penicillin/streptomycin.

Recognizing that a slower and more sustained release of BMP-2 could be beneficial for promoting osteogenesis (6, 7), we next sought to compare bone formation in vivo within implants with temporally distinct growth factor release profiles. To the base alginate-methylcellulose bioink (here termed the Fast BMP-2 Release bioink), laponite at varying w/w ratios of laponite to alginate were compared to determine the optimum ratio to generate a Slow BMP-2 Release bioink (see fig. S3). As there was little difference in the growth factor release profile from the different groups, a 6:1 alginate:laponite w/w ratio was chosen to minimize the amount of laponite in the bioink. The addition of laponite markedly slowed the in vitro release of BMP-2 from the bioink, resulting in a reasonable constant release of growth factor from day 7 to day 35 (see Fig. 2C). The addition of laponite also had no significant effect on the degradation rate of the bioink (Fig. 2B).

(A) Schematic of the experimental groups. Construct design (4 mm in diameter, 5 mm in height). MEM, alpha minimum essential medium. (B) Degradation of the two bioinks. (C) Cumulative release of BMP-2 of the fast release bioink versus the slow release bioink. (D) 3D reconstructions of the CT data for each group at 8 weeks. (E) CT analysis on total mineral deposition of each of the groups after 8 weeks in vivo. (F) CT analysis on the location of mineral deposition of each of the groups after 8 weeks in vivo. ***P < 0.001; error bars denote SDs (n = 8 animals). (G) Goldners trichromestained sections of both groups after 8 weeks in vivo. Images were taken at 20. White arrows denote developing bone tissue, and black arrows denote blood vessels. (H) Quantification of the amount of new bone formation per total area. Error bars denote SDs; **P < 0.01 (n = 8 animals, n = 6 slices per animal).

To assess whether slow and sustained release of BMP-2 would enhance ectopic bone formation in vivo, Fast BMP-2 Release (laponite) and Slow BMP-2 Release (+laponite) bioinks were mixed with bone marrowderived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), deposited within 3D printed scaffolds, and then implanted subcutaneously in the back of mice (see Fig. 2A). Seeding these bioinks with MSCs was used to test their potential for promoting osteogenesis in an ectopic location. BMP-2 was specifically localized around the periphery of the implant. This pattern of growth factor presentation was chosen to test the capacity of the printed implants to spatially localize bone formation in vivo (note that the geometry of the implant is the same as that which will be used in the segmental defect study below, with the BMP-2 localized to the periphery of the implant such that bone would only form along the cortical shaft of the damaged limb rather than throughout). Eight weeks after implantation, there was significantly more mineral within the Slow BMP-2 Release group compared to the Fast BMP-2 Release group [see Fig. 2 (D and E)]. Microcomputed tomography (CT) reconstructions revealed that the mineral was preferentially deposited around the periphery of the constructs where the BMP-2 was localized [see Fig. 2 (D and F)]. Histological staining further verified this finding, with positive staining for new bone seen predominantly in the periphery of both groups (see Fig. 2G, denoted by white arrows). Quantification revealed that the Slow BMP-2 Release constructs had significantly more new bone formation per total area of construct (see Fig. 2H).

We next sought to assess whether the delayed release of BMP-2 from printed constructs containing spatial gradients in VEGF would enhance angiogenesis and bone formation within critically sized bone defects. To this end, VEGF gradient only, BMP-2 gradient only, and Composite (VEGF+BMP-2 gradient) constructs were printed and implanted in a 5-mm rat femoral defect (see Fig. 3A) and compared to an empty defect.

(A) Schematic of the 3D printed experimental groups including key features of the developed bioinks and the segmental defect procedure. Construct design (4 mm in diameter, 5 mm in height). (B) CT angiography representative images of vessel diameter. Red arrows denote leaky blood vessels denoted by pools of contrast agent. Quantification on (C) total vessel volume, (D) average vessel diameter, and (E) connectivity for all groups after 2 weeks in vivo. *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01; error bars denote SDs (n = 9 animals). (F) Immunohistochemical staining of nuclei (blue), vWF (red), and SMA (green) of the experimental groups at 2 weeks after implantation. Images were taken at 40 and 63. Yellow arrows denote vessels with SMA and vWF dual staining; white arrows denote slightly less mature vessels with only vWF positive staining.

Two weeks after implantation, CT angiography was used to quantify and visualize the early vascular network that had formed within the defect site. 3D reconstructions revealed that vascular networks had formed in all four experimental groups (see Fig. 3B). When quantified, there was a significant increase in vessel volume in the Composite group compared to the VEGF gradient group (see Fig. 3C). There was also a significant increase in average vessel thickness in the BMP-2 gradient and Composite groups compared to the VEGF gradient group (see Fig. 3D). Although there was no significant difference in the connectivity of the vessels, there was a trend (P = 0.1) toward increased connectivity in the Composite group compared to the VEGF gradient group (see Fig. 3E). 3D reconstructions also revealed the presence of primitive immature blood vessels depicted by large globules of contrast agent (denoted by the red arrows in Fig. 3B). There appeared to be fewer primitive blood vessels present in the Composite group than the other three experimental groups. This was further verified by SMA and vWF staining, which revealed a larger number of vessels with only positive vWF-stained walls in the Empty and VEGF gradient groups (see Fig. 3F, denoted by white arrows). On the other hand, there were predominately more mature vessels with SMA and vWF-stained walls in both the BMP-2 gradient and Composite groups (see Fig. 3F, denoted by yellow arrows). Note that the differences in angiogenesis seen between the VEGF gradient and Composite groups (same amount of VEGF in both groups) could at least partially be explained by looking at the VEGF release profile from both groups (see fig. S4). The addition of the osteoinductive ink around the implant periphery significantly reduced the VEGF release rate from construct into the media, with a more linear release of growth factor over time.

Two weeks after surgery, defects within the Empty group were filled with a fibrous tissue (see Fig. 4A). In contrast, positive staining for cartilage and new bone deposition was observed in the BMP-2 gradient and Composite groups, suggesting that new bone was forming at least partially via endochondral ossification. When quantified, there was a trend toward increased cartilage development (red staining in Safranin O images) in both the BMP-2 gradient (P = 0.12) and Composite (P = 0.18) groups compared to the Empty (see Fig. 4B). No significant differences in bone formation was observed between any of the groups at week 2; however, the CT reconstructions showed mineralized calluses beginning to form in the BMP-2 gradient and Composite groups, which was less evident in the Empty and VEGF gradient groups [see Fig. 4 (C and D)].

(A) H&E- and Safranin Ostained sections of all groups after 2 weeks in vivo. Images were taken at 20. DB denotes cartilage undergoing endochondral ossification to become developing bone, and B denotes positive new bone tissue. Quantification of the amount of (B) bone formation and (C) developing bone per total area. Error bars denote SDs (n = 9 animals). (D) CT reconstructed images of the defect site.

Next, CT analysis was used to visualize and quantify bone formation within the defects at 4, 8, 10, and 12 weeks after implantation. Compared to the Empty group, there were significantly higher levels of new bone formation in the Composite group as early as 8 weeks after implantation [see Fig. 5 (A and B)]. A consistent pattern of healing was observed in the Composite group, with bone forming down through the PCL scaffold framework (see Fig. 5A and fig. S5). After 10 weeks of implantation, significantly higher levels of bone formation was observed in the BMP-2 gradient and Composite groups compared to the Empty group. By 12 weeks, all three experimental groups contained significantly higher levels of new bone compared to the Empty group. Twelve weeks after implantation, bone density mapping revealed that the new bone formed in the experimental groups consisted of a dense cortical-like bone present around the periphery of defect, comparable to the adjacent native bone (1200 mg HA/cm3) (see Fig. 5C). Quantitative densitometry analysis revealed no significant difference in the average density (mg HA/cm3) of the new bone that did form between any of the groups over the 12 weeks (see Fig. 5D).

(A) Reconstructed in vivo CT analysis of bone formation in the defects. (B) Quantification of total bone volume (mm3) in the defects at each time point. (C) Representative images of CT bone densities in the defects at 12 weeks halfway through the defect (scale bar, 1 mm throughout). (D) Average bone density (mg HA/cm3) in the defects at each time point. (E) Outline of ROI bone volume analysis including definitions of core, annulus, and heterotopic regions. (F) Total bone volume (mm3) in each region at 12 weeks. **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, and ****P < 0.0001; error bars denote SDs (n = 9 animals).

To assess the levels of heterotopic bone formation, region of interest (ROI) bone volume analysis was performed on the week 12 reconstructions. The total bone volume was quantified in the core, annulus, and heterotopic regions of the defect (see Fig. 5E). In all three experimental groups, bone preferentially formed in the annulus of the defect, with little ectopic bone formation (see Fig. 5F). All three experimental groups had significantly higher total bone volume in the annulus of the defect compared to the Empty annulus, with the highest total bone volume present in the Composite group.

We next sought to assess the nature of new bone tissue being formed using histological staining. Goldners trichrome staining revealed predominantly fibrous tissue formation, similar to what was seen previously at 2 weeks, in the Empty group (see Fig. 6A). There was positive staining for new bone, complete with marrow cavities, in all three experimental groups at 12 weeks after implantation. When quantified, there was significantly more bone found in all three experimental groups compared to the Empty group (see Fig. 6B). There were also significantly higher amounts of bone marrow present in the Composite group compared to the Empty group (see Fig. 6C). As observed in the CT 3D reconstructions, it is clear that the bone is forming down through the PCL scaffold framework, specifically in the Composite group. Safranin O staining revealed the presence of cartilage in all three experimental groups after 12 weeks, demonstrating that bone is continuing to develop via endochondral ossification. When quantified, there was significantly more cartilage present in the Composite group compared to all other groups at this time point (see Fig. 6D).

(A) Goldners trichrome and Safranin Ostained sections of all groups after 12 weeks in vivo. Images were taken at 20. BM denotes bone marrow. PCL denotes areas where the PCL frame was. DB denotes cartilage undergoing endochondral ossification to become new bone, and B denotes positive bone tissue. Quantification of the amount of (B) bone formation, (C) bone marrow, and (D) developing bone per total area. Error bars denote SDs. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, and ****P < 0.0001 (n = 9 animals).

Despite the tremendous potential of growth factor delivery, the results obtained in larger clinical trials have not always shown the expected benefit to patients (2), with some studies reporting marked adverse effects (35). The reasons for this are multifaceted, from the delivery methods to the supraphysiological dosages needed to elicit a therapeutic effect and the costs and adverse effects attached to these high doses. This study presents a novel alternative approach for spatiotemporally controlled delivery of growth factors. We developed a range of nanoparticle-functionalized bioinks to precisely control the temporal release of growth factors from 3D printed implants. Using multiple tool biofabrication techniques, we were able to print constructs containing spatiotemporal gradients of growth factors, which allowed for controlled tissue regeneration without the need for supraphysiological dosages. Specifically, the appropriate patterning of VEGF enhanced angiogenesis in vivo and, when coupled with defined BMP-2 localization and release kinetics, enhanced large bone defect healing with little heterotopic bone formation.

Alginate hydrogels are commonly used for bone tissue engineering, with a number of studies demonstrating the bone regeneration potential of RGD functionalized and -irradiated alginate (3033), making it a promising base bioink for the 3D bioprinting of osteogenic implants. However, one drawback to using RGD -irradiated alginate as a bioink is its low viscosity. It is imperative when printing multilayered structures that the bioink have appropriate rheological properties to prevent collapsing or sagging of the printed structure. The addition of methylcellulose to alginate-based bioinks was found to have a significant effect on both printability and the rate of growth factor release. The addition of methylcellulose has previously been shown to substantially increase the print fidelity of an alginate base bioink (22, 34, 35), although typically using higher concentrations than the one used in this study. Adding methylcellulose also accelerated the rate of growth factor release. This was previously seen with albumin release from alginate-methylcellulose beads (36). Such a polymeric network is at least partially defined by physical entanglements between the alginate or methylcellulose chains. As methylcellulose is characterized by high swellability, when the alginate/methylcellulose bioink is exposed to the medium, it swells rapidly, resulting in accelerated growth factor release from the bioink. The addition of methylcellulose may also have neutralized the charge on the alginate, which would also influence growth factor release kinetics. In contrast, the addition of nanoparticles, and, in particular, laponite, slowed the release of growth factor from the inks. Both nHA and laponite have previously been shown to facilitate with the adsorption and immobilization of VEGF within a hydrogel due to the strong attraction between the nanoparticles and the growth factor (2123). The stronger association between growth factors and laponite can be linked to the physiochemical properties of these particles (22, 29). These disc-shaped particles [typically 25 nm in diameter and 1 nm in thickness (37)] are characterized by a highly negatively charged face and a positively charged rim (22), with a zeta potential of 61 mV (as determined by the manufacturer). This allowed the positively charged growth factors such as VEGF to form strong electrostatic bonds with the negatively charged face of the nanoparticles (22). In contrast, the nHA nanoparticles used in this study, which we have previously shown to have a zeta potential of around 5 mV (38), would form a slightly weaker electrostatic bond with the VEGF. The addition of laponite to bioinks has also previously been shown to influence their mechanical properties (37). While we did not directly assess whether the addition of laponite influenced the stiffness of our ink, we did observe that it had no effect on their degradability, and on the basis of w/w ratio used in this study, we do not believe it had marked effects on mechanical properties such as matrix stiffness. Previous studies have shown that when using high concentrations of alginate (similar to that used in this study), the addition of laponite does not markedly affect the rheological properties of the bioink (37). However, future studies should investigate the overall mechanical properties of a bioink, as this may also influence its osteogenic potential (39). A potential limitation of laponite is that the strong electrostatic bond can limit the amount of growth factor released from a delivery system in the short-medium term (22). In this study, by tuning the ratio of laponite to alginate, it was possible to engineer bioinks that released most of their loaded protein over 35 days. Therefore, using specifically selected nanoparticles, it is possible to develop bioinks that support growth factor release profiles spanning days to weeks.

Using multiple-tool biofabrication, we demonstrated that distinct growth factor gradients can be established and maintained over time and that incorporating these gradients into printed implants can enhance sprouting angiogenesis in vivo. The process of sprouting angiogenesis begins with the selection of a distinct site on the mother vessel where sprout formation is initiated. This distinct site is referred to as the tip cell, and as the new sprout elongates, branches, and connects with other sprouts, the selection process for the tip cell is constantly reiterated (40). Previous studies have shown in the early postnatal retinas that tip cell migration depends on a gradient of VEGF-A and its proliferation is regulated by its concentration (40, 41). Therefore, the increase in vessel infiltration observed in VEGF gradient implants can possibly be attributed to tip cell migration and proliferation toward the areas of high VEGF concentration (40, 41). In contrast, when VEGF was homogenously distributed within the implant, there was less of a chemotactic effect, resulting in lower levels of vessel infiltration into the center of the construct.

When this bioprinting strategy was used to deliver both growth factors within a large bone defect, there was a significant increase in vessel infiltration within implants containing both a VEGF gradient and BMP-2 compared to those containing VEGF alone. Although it has been shown that delivery of BMP-2 alone can enhance new blood vessel formation within bone defects (42, 43), previous studies have not reported a benefit to delivering both growth factors to the defect site (17, 18). The finding that the laponite-functionalized bioink around the periphery of the implant was slowing the release of VEGF from the implant may partially explain the higher levels of vessel infiltration observed within the composite implant, with the slower VEGF release profile being perhaps more conducive to angiogenesis within the orthotopic environment. Somewhat unexpectedly, despite enhancing overall levels of bone formation, VEGF delivery alone did not increase early vessel infiltration into the implant. Note that orthotopic hematomas, generated by the surgical procedure, would have provided all defects with a source of endogenous chemotactic, angiogenic, and mitogenic growth factors (17). This may have mitigated the effect that an implant containing a VEGF gradient alone had on early angiogenesis.

3D printed implants containing spatial gradients of VEGF, coupled with defined BMP-2 localization, enhanced large bone defect healing with little heterotopic bone formation. Critically, this increase in bone healing was achieved using very low concentrations of exogenous growth factors. The concentration of VEGF used in this study was substantially less (80 to 160 times less) than previous studies (17, 18). Achieving therapeutic benefits with these low concentrations of growth factors is important for multiple reasons, not least of which is the observation that high concentrations of VEGF have been previously shown to disrupt osteogenesis as the result of abnormal angiogenesis and vascular structure (8). Furthermore, the concentrations of BMP-2 used here are at least an order of magnitude lower than that used previously to repair similar sized defects in a rat femoral defect model (28, 31). Repair in these studies is typically associated with a substantial amount of heterotopic bone formation (28, 31). Directly comparing to previous work in our lab, which used a clinically relevant BMP-2 dose in the same defect model (28), the results from this study exhibited substantially less heterotrophic bone formation [10% versus 50% (28) of total bone volume]. Although we did not observe full bone bridging after 12 weeks, new bone was still being formed via the process of endochondral ossification at 12 weeks, suggesting that regeneration was still proceeding. Allowing some level of physiological loading earlier in the healing process would likely have further accelerated regeneration (44). Together, the results from this study demonstrate the potential of 3D printing morphogen gradients for controlled tissue regeneration (with minimal heterotopic bone formation) without the need of supraphysiological dosages.

The translation of tissue engineering concepts from bench to bedside is a challenging, expensive, and time-consuming process. Numerous products have not made it past phase 2 trials, as they have not shown the expected benefit in patients (1, 2), while others have been associated with marked adverse effects (35). Here, we describe a previously unidentified approach for spatiotemporally defined growth factor delivery and demonstrate a potential clinical utility in the regeneration of large bone defects or the increased vascularization of any 3D printed construct. Proof-of-concept studies in small animals established the potential of these growth factor loaded bioinks for inducing enhanced angiogenesis and bone regeneration without the need for supraphysiological dosages. The benefit of this precise localization of growth factors in both time and space is that it allows for tightly controlled angiogenesis and new tissue formation, thereby reducing off-target effects. It is envisioned that this platform technology could be applied to the controlled regeneration of numerous different tissue types.

This study was designed to test whether the delayed release of BMP-2 from bioprinted constructs containing spatial gradients in VEGF will first enhance vascularization and sequentially enhance orthotopic bone regeneration. All animal experiments were conducted in accordance with the recommendations and guidelines of The Health Products Regulatory Authority, the competent authority in Ireland responsible for the implementation of Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes in accordance with the requirements of the Statutory Instrument no. 543 of 2012. Subcutaneous mouse experiments were carried out under license (AE 19136/P069), and the rat femoral defect experiments were carried out under license (AE19136/P087) approved by The Health Products Regulatory Authority and in accordance with protocols approved by the Trinity College Dublin Animal Research Ethics Committee. The n for rodent models were based on the predicted variance in the model and was powered to detect 0.05 significance. For the subcutaneous surgeries, constructs were implanted in a balanced manner, such that each group contained an implant placed at each of the subcutaneous locations and samples for both surgical procedures were randomly distributed across the operated animals. For the rat surgeries, three rats from the empty group died from unforeseen complications and so were removed from the n number at the 12-week time point. One rat from the BMP-2 gradient group at 12-week time point was also removed, as it was deemed a statistical outlier using the Grubbs test.

Lowmolecular weight sodium alginate (58,000 g/mol) was prepared by irradiating sodium alginate (196, 000 g/mol; Protanal LF 20/40, Pronova Biopolymers, Oslo, Norway) at a gamma dose of 50,000 gray, as previously described (45). RGD-modified alginate was prepared by coupling the GGGGRGDSP to the alginate using standard carbodiimide chemistry. All bioinks were prepared by dissolving the RGD -irradiated alginate in growth medium, which consisted of alpha minimum essential medium (MEM) (GlutaMAX; Gibco, Biosciences, Ireland), 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) (EU Thermo Fisher Scientific), penicillin (100 U/ml; Sigma-Aldrich), and streptomycin (100 g/ml; Sigma-Aldrich) (pen-strep) to make up a final concentration of 3.5% (w/v).

3D bioplotter from RegenHU (3DDiscovery) was used to evaluate the printability of the generated bioinks. The printability of varying the w/w ratio (2:1, 1:1, and 1:2) of methylcellulose to alginate was evaluated by measuring the spreading ratio as previously described (39)Spreading Ratio=Printed Filament DiameterActual Needle Diameter

To establish whether increasing the viscosity of the bioink influences growth factor release, methylcellulose (Sigma-Aldrich) was also added at ratio of 1:2 (w/w) to a 3.5% alginate solution of RGD -irradiated alginate. To establish whether the addition of clay-based particles to the bioink could further tailor the growth factor release profile of the bioinks, a 3.5% RGD -irradiated alginate solution was made, and either methylcellulose (2:1) (w/w) or a combination of both methylcellulose and laponite (Laponite XLG, BYK Additives & Instruments, UK) (6:3:1) (w/w) was added.

To establish whether the addition of nHA to the alginate would facilitate the adsorption and immobilization of growth factors within the hydrogel due to their strong electrostatic attraction between nHAs, three bioinks were tested (21). nHAs were prepared following a previously described protocol (46). A 3.5% RGD -irradiated alginate solution was made, and either methylcellulose (1:2) (w/w) or a combination of methylcellulose and nHA (2:1:2) (w/w) particles was added.

For all the growth factor release studies, VEGF (100 ng/ml; Gibco Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, MD, USA) was added to the solutions using dual-syringe approach, before precross-linking with 60 mM CaSO4 to make the bioinks as previously described (39). All constructs were cultured in growth medium in normoxic conditions, and media from each sample were changed bi-weekly. For VEGF release study, medium samples were taken (days 0, 3, 5, and 10) and snap-frozen at 80C. Hydrogels were also snap-frozen at 80C on day 0 to quantify the concentration of growth factor present in the constructs directly after printing.

To demonstrate the utility of the vascular bioink, two strategies were compared to print implants containing a spatial gradient of VEGF. The vascular bioink was prepared, cross-linked with 60 mM CaSO4, and printed to generate three experimental groups: (i) Homogenous VEGF. Bioink loaded with VEGF (100 ng/ml) was used to print constructs 8 mm in diameter and 4 mm high. (ii) Gradient 1. Bioink loaded with VEGF (100 ng/ml) was used to print a central 5-mm core with a VEGF-free bioink printed around the periphery of the 8-mm-diameter construct. (iii) Gradient 2. VEGF (80 ng/ml) was printed into the core, and VEGF (20 ng/ml) was printed into the periphery. Postprinting constructs were cross-linked again in a bath of 100 mM CaCl2 for 1 min. Constructs were cultured in growth medium in normoxic conditions for 14 days in vitro. The center and periphery of each construct were separated by coring out the center from the periphery of the scaffold and then snap-frozen at 80C, 1 hour after printing, and after 14 days in vitro.

To investigate whether the addition of laponite can tailor the growth factor release profile over a long culture period, a base bioink (Fast BMP-2 Release) and a laponite bioink (Slow BMP-2 Release) were compared. For both growth factor release profiles, a dual-syringe approach was used to deliver BMP-2 (200 ng/ml; PeproTech, UK) to the solutions before precross-linking with 60 mM CaSO4 to make the bioinks. These were printed into a 100 mM CaCl2 soak agarose mold to generate final constructs of 6 mm by 6 mm high. In addition to comparing the growth factor release profile of the two bioinks, the degradation rate of the bioinks was also investigated. These scaffolds were cultured in normoxic conditions for up to 35 days and media from each sample were changed weekly. For BMP-2 release study, medium samples were taken (days 0, 5, 7, 14, 21, and 35) and snap-frozen at 80C. Printed hydrogels were also snap-frozen at 80C on day 0 to quantify the concentration of growth factor present in the constructs directly after printing. For the degradation study, samples were washed and snap-frozen at 80C and each time point (days 0, 5, 7, 14, and 21). Samples were lyophilized by placing the samples in a freeze dryer (FreeZone Triad, Labconco, Kansas City, USA). Each sample was then weighed using an analytical balance (Mettler Toledo, XS205).

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify the levels of VEGF and BMP-2 (Bio-Techne, MN, USA) released by the alginates. The alginate samples were depolymerized with 1 ml of citrate buffer (150 mM sodium chloride, 55 mM sodium citrate, and 20 mM EDTA in H2O) for 15 min at 37C. The cell culture media and depolymerized alginate samples were analyzed at the specific time points detailed above. Assays were carried out as per the manufacturers protocol and analyzed on a microplate reader at a wavelength of 450 nm.

BMSCs were obtained from the femur of a 4-month-old porcine donor as previously described (47). All expansion was conducted in normoxic conditions, expanded in growth medium where the medium was changed twice weekly. Cells were used at the end of passage 3.

A 3D bioplotter from RegenHU (3DDiscovery) was used to print all of the scaffolds. Using a 30-gauge needle, constructs of 4 mm 5 mm high with both lateral and horizontal porosity and a fiber spacing of 1.2 mm were printed with PCL (Cappa, Perstop). The printing parameters of the PCL were as follows: temperature of thermopolymer tank (69C), temperature of thermopolymer head (72C), pressure (1 bar), screw speed (30 rpm), and feed rate (3 mm/s). Scaffolds were sterilized using ethylene oxide sterilization before hydrogel printing.

For the VEGF gradient study, the vascular bioink was prepared, cross-linked with 60 mM CaSO4, and printed within the PCL framework to generate three experimental groups: (i) No VEGF, bioink not loaded with VEGF; (ii) Homogenous, bioink loaded with VEGF (100 ng/ml) deposited (25 ng per construct) throughout the construct; and (iii) Gradient, bioink loaded with VEGF (500 ng/ml) deposited in the center (25 ng per construct) and VEGF-free bioink deposited on the outside (see Fig. 1A). Postprinting constructs were cross-linked again in a bath of 100 mM CaCl2 for 1 min.

For the BMP-2 release study, both a fast and slow release bioink were prepared and using the dual syringe approach, porcine MSCs were (2 106/ml) mixed to both bioinks to have an overall seeding density of 500 105 porcine MSCs/construct before being cross-linked with 60 mM CaSO4. Both bioinks were printed within the PCL framework to generate two experimental groups: (i) Fast release, fast release bioink loaded with BMP-2 (2 g/ml; 0.5 g per construct) deposited only in the periphery with the fast release bioink not loaded with BMP-2 in the center; and (ii) Slow release, slow release bioink loaded with BMP-2 (2 g/ml; 0.5 g per construct) deposited only in the periphery with the fast release bioink not loaded with BMP-2 in the center (see Fig. 2A). Postprinting constructs were cross-linked again in a bath of 100 mM CaCl2 for 1 min.

For the rat femoral defect, the vascular bioink, the osteoinductive bioink, and a base bioink (3.5% RGD -irradiated alginate and 1.75% methylcellulose) were prepared, cross-linked with 60 mM CaSO4, and printed within the PCL framework to generate three experimental groups: (i) VEGF Gradient, the vascular bioink loaded with VEGF (500 ng/ml) in the center of the implant and base bioink in the periphery; (ii) BMP-2 gradient, the osteoinductive bioink loaded with BMP-2 (10 g/ml) in the implant periphery (2 g per construct), with the base bioink in the center; and (iii) Composite (VEGF+BMP-2), the osteoinductive bioink in the periphery with the vascular bioink in the center (see Fig. 3A). Postprinting constructs were cross-linked again in a bath of 100 mM CaCl2 for 1 min.

Subcutaneous surgeries were performed on 20 8-week-old female BALB/c OlaHsd-Foxn 1nu nude mice (12 mice for the VEGF gradient study and 8 for the BMP-2 gradient study) (Envigo, Oxon, UK) as previously described (47). Scaffolds were 3D printed the morning of surgeries and implanted that day. Constructs were implanted in a balanced manner, such that each group contained an implant placed at each of the two subcutaneous locations and samples were randomly distributed across the operated animals.

For the rat segmental surgery, 72 12-week-old F344 Fischer male rats (Envigo, Oxon, UK) were anesthetized in an induction box using a mix of isoflurane and oxygen, initially at a flow rate of isoflurane of 5 liters/min to induce, followed by ~3 liters/min to maintain anesthesia. Once anesthetized, the animal was transferred to a heating plate that was preheated to 37C and preoperative analgesia was provided by buprenorphine (0.03 mg/ml). Surgical access to the femur was achieved via an anterolateral longitudinal skin incision and separation of the hindlimb muscles, the vastus lateralis, and biceps femoris. The femoral diaphysis was exposed by circumferential elevation of attached muscles, and the periosteum was removed. Before the creation of the defect, a PEEK plate was fixed to the anterolateral femur and was held in position using a clamp. Holes were created in the femur with a surgical drill using the plate as a template. Screws were then inserted into the drill holes in the femur to maintain the fixation plate in position. A 5-mm segmental defect was created using an oscillating surgical saw under constant irrigation with sterile saline solution. In the test groups, a scaffold was placed in the defect after a thorough washout of the surgical site. In the case of the empty defect group, the gap between bone ends was left empty. Soft tissue was accurately readapted with absorbable suture material. Closure of the skin wound was achieved using suture material and tissue glue.

Eight weeks after surgery, the BMP-2 gradient scaffolds were extracted and incubated in paraformaldehyde for 24 hours before being imaged via CT scans on a MicroCT42 (Scanco Medical, Brttisellen, Switzerland) as previously described (47).

Two weeks after surgery, 24 rats underwent a vascular perfusion protocol developed by Daly et al. (28). Briefly, the rat was sacrificed using CO2 asphyxiation, and the thoracic cavity was opened to insert a 20-gauge needle through the left ventricle of the heart. The inferior cava was cut and solutions of heparin (25 U/ml), and then, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was perfused through the vasculature using a peristaltic pump (Masterflex, Cole-Parmer, Vernon Hills, IL, USA) until the vasculature system was completely flushed clear. A solution of 10% formalin was then perfused for 5 min. Animals received a final perfusion of 20- to 25-ml radiopaque contrast agent MICROFIL (Flow Tech, Carver, MA, USA) and were left at 4C overnight. Explants were extracted and incubated in PBS for 24 hours before being imaged via CT scans on a MicroCT42 (Scanco Medical, Brttisellen, Switzerland) at 70 kVp, 113 A, and a 10-m voxel size. The volume of interest (VOI) was determined by positioning a 5-mm circle around the cross section of the femur with an overall length of 6.26 mm. MICROFIL has the same threshold as bone mineral, and therefore, to segment perfused vasculature from mineralized tissue within each construct, two scans were analyzed: calcified construct versus decalcified construct. The calcified constructs were scanned and postprocessed using a threshold value that accurately depicted both the mineral content and the vessel volume by visual inspection of the 2D grayscale tomograms (Scanco Medical MicroCT42). Noise was removed using a low-pass Gaussian filter (sigma = 1.2, support = 2), and a global threshold of 210 was applied. Next, samples were decalcified in EDTA (15 weight %, pH 7.4) for 2 weeks with the decalcification solution replaced daily (decalcified constructs). After 2 weeks, these decalcified constructs were scanned using the same settings and postprocessed at the same threshold as the calcified constructs to determine mineral content. Mineralized tissue content was determined by subtracting the bone volume of the decalcified scans from the calcified scans. Next, the decalcified scans were postprocessed at a threshold of 99 that accurately depicted just the vessel volume upon visual inspection of the 2D grayscale tomograms.

CT scans were performed on the rats using a Scanco Medical vivaCT 80 system (Scanco Medical, Bassersdorf, Switzerland). Rats (n = 9) were scanned at 4, 8, 10, and 12 weeks after surgery to assess defect bridging and bone formation within the defect. First, anesthesia was induced in an induction box using a mix of isoflurane and oxygen, initially at a flow rate of isoflurane of 5 liters/min to induce, followed by ~3 liters/min to maintain anesthesia. Next, the rats were placed inside the vivaCT scanner, and anesthesia was maintained by isoflurane-oxygen throughout the scan. Next, a radiographic scan of the whole animal was used to isolate the rat femur. The animals femur was aligned parallel to the scanning field of view to simplify the bone volume assessments. Scans were performed using a voltage of 70 kVp and a current of 113 A. A Gaussian filter (sigma = 0.8, support = 1) was used to suppress noise, and a global threshold of 210 was applied. A voxel resolution of 35 m was used throughout. 3D evaluation was carried out on the segmented images to determine bone volume and density and to reconstruct a 3D image. Bone volume and bone density in the defects were quantified by measuring the total quantity of mineral in the central 130 slices of the defect. To differentiate regional differences in bone formation, three VOIs were created. Concentric 2 mm, 4 mm, and 10 mm were aligned with the defect and used to encompass bone formation. The VOIs were aligned using untreated native bone along the femur. The core bone volume was quantified from the inner 2-mm VOI. The annular bone volume was quantified by subtracting the 2-mm VOI from the 4-mm VOI. Ectopic bone volume was quantified by subtracting the 4-mm VOI from the 10-mm VOI. The bone volume percentages for each region were then calculated by dividing the corresponding bone volume (i.e., bone volume in the annulus) by the total bone volume in the defect. The bone volume and densities were then quantified using scripts provided by Scanco.

For segmental defect samples, all constructs that were not being processed for vascular-CT imaging, were decalcified in Decalcifying Solution-Lite (Sigma-Aldrich) for 1 week before tissue processing. Once decalcified, all samples were dehydrated and embedded in paraffin using an automatic tissue processor (Leica ASP300, Leica). All samples were sectioned with a thickness of 8 m using a rotary microtome (Leica Microtome RM2235, Leica). Sections were stained with H&E for vessel infiltration, Safranin O to assess sulphated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG) content, and Goldners trichrome for bone formation. Quantitative analysis was performed on multiple H&E-stained slices, whereby vessels (positive staining for endothelium and erythrocytes present within the lumen), were counted on separate sections taken throughout each construct and averaged for each construct. Safranin O sections were evaluated for new developing bone (positive sGAG content). Massons trichromestained sections were evaluated for new bone formation. The percentage of developing bone, new bone, and marrow per total area of construct was measured in separate sections with the Deconvolution ImageJ plugin.

Immunofluorescence analysis was used to detect -SMA and vWF as previously described (47). Briefly, following blocking step, sections were then incubated overnight at +4C with goat polyclonal -SMA (1:250; ab21027, Abcam) in PBS with 3% of donkey serum (w/v) and 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA). After three washing steps with PBS containing 1% w/v BSA, the sections were incubated with Alexa Fluor 488 donkey anti-goat secondary antibody (1:200; ab150129, Abcam) for 1 hour at room temperature in the dark. The samples were washed three times in PBS with 1% w/v BSA, and the slides were then incubated overnight at +4C with rabbit polyclonal vWF antibody (1:200; ab6994, Abcam) in PBS with 3% of donkey serum (w/v) and 1% BSA (all from Sigma-Aldrich). After three washing steps with PBS and 1% w/v BSA, the sections were incubated with Alexa Fluor 647 donkey anti-rabbit secondary antibody (1:200; ab150075, Abcam) for 1 hour at room temperature in the dark. Last, samples were washed three times with PBS and 1% w/v BSA, and the sections were mounted using 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole mounting media (Sigma-Aldrich). Fluorescence emission was detected using a confocal laser scanning microscopy (Olympus FluoView 1000).

Results were expressed as means SD. Statistics was performed using the following variables: (i) When there were two groups and one time point, a standard two-tailed t test was performed. (ii) When there were more than two groups and one time point, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed. (iii) When there were more than two groups and multiple time points, a two-way ANOVA was performed. All analyses were performed using GraphPad (GraphPad Software, La Jolla, CA, USA; http://www.graphpad.com). For all comparisons, the level of significance was P 0.05.

Acknowledgments: We thank the staff at the Bioresources Unit in Trinity College Dublin for veterinary assistance and technical support. Funding: This publication has emanated from research supported by a research grant from the European Research Council (ERC) under grant no. 647004, the Irish Research Council (GOIPD/2016/324), and NIHs NIAMS grant R01AR063194. Author contributions: F.E.F. was responsible for technical design, development of bioinks, performing all animal surgeries, performing vessel perfusion, all CT scans, data interpretation, histological analysis, and drafting the paper. P.P. assisted with the rat surgeries and assisted with the vessel perfusions. L.H.A.v.D. assisted with CT analyses and CT scans. J.N. and D.C.B. assisted with all animal surgeries. J.-Y.S. and E.A. developed the RGD -irradiated alginate. D.J.K. conceived and helped design the experiments, oversaw the collection of results and data interpretation, and finalized the paper. Competing interests: Research undertaken in the laboratory of D.J.K. at Trinity College Dublin is part-funded by Johnson & Johnson. The authors declare no other competing interests. Data and materials availability: All data needed to evaluate the conclusions in the paper are present in the paper and/or the Supplementary Materials. Additional data related to this paper may be requested from the authors.

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3D bioprinting spatiotemporally defined patterns of growth factors to tightly control tissue regeneration - Science Advances

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Chicago mom of 4 donates bone marrow to 7-year-old boy she doesn’t know. ‘You just want to protect them.’ – Herald & Review

By daniellenierenberg

"You start to feel like there's this temptation of fate," she said. "Once your allusion of permanence is shattered, you feel like anything could happen."

But it was exactly this that made her want to go through with it. After planning so many funerals, going to the hospital to give bone marrow that would help a young boy and his family seemed the right thing to do.

Losing time with her own relatives made her adamant about the ability to help give more time to someone else.

In June, she underwent physical tests and surgery to extract the bone marrow. She felt mostly OK like she had fallen on ice and "got out of laundry for a few days." She knows she can't speak for all donors, but for her, it was a fairly swift recovery.

She thought of the child's family. She remembered her four children at age 7.

"I remember how little they were," she said. "You just want to protect them."

She doesn't know anything more about the boy, and DMKS can't release more information because of privacy laws. His family can reach out to her, but Leone says she's not expecting any communication because she is sure they have plenty going on with him undergoing treatment.

But she isn't seeking gratitude. In fact, she feels she has been given a gift. The thought that perhaps she is able to help is a bright spot in a tough year.

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Stem Cell Therapy Market Size by Top Companies, Regions, Types and Application, End Users and Forecast to 2027 – Bulletin Line

By daniellenierenberg

New Jersey, United States,- Verified Market Researchhas recently published an extensive report on the Stem Cell Therapy Market to its ever-expanding research database. The report provides an in-depth analysis of the market size, growth, and share of the Stem Cell Therapy Market and the leading companies associated with it. The report also discusses technologies, product developments, key trends, market drivers and restraints, challenges, and opportunities. It provides an accurate forecast until 2027. The research report is examined and validated by industry professionals and experts.

The report also explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the segments of the Stem Cell Therapy market and its global scenario. The report analyzes the changing dynamics of the market owing to the pandemic and subsequent regulatory policies and social restrictions. The report also analyses the present and future impact of the pandemic and provides an insight into the post-COVID-19 scenario of the market.

Global Stem Cell Therapy Market was valued at USD 117.66 million in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 255.37 million by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 10.97% from 2020 to 2027.

The report further studies potential alliances such as mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, product launches, collaborations, and partnerships of the key players and new entrants. The report also studies any development in products, R&D advancements, manufacturing updates, and product research undertaken by the companies.

Leading Key players of Stem Cell Therapy Market are:

Competitive Landscape of the Stem Cell Therapy Market:

The market for the Stem Cell Therapy industry is extremely competitive, with several major players and small scale industries. Adoption of advanced technology and development in production are expected to play a vital role in the growth of the industry. The report also covers their mergers and acquisitions, collaborations, joint ventures, partnerships, product launches, and agreements undertaken in order to gain a substantial market size and a global position.

1.Stem Cell Therapy Market, By Cell Source:

Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Cord Blood/Embryonic Stem Cells Other Cell Sources

2.Stem Cell Therapy Market, By Therapeutic Application:

Musculoskeletal Disorders Wounds and Injuries Cardiovascular Diseases Surgeries Gastrointestinal Diseases Other Applications

3.Stem Cell Therapy Market, By Type:

Allogeneic Stem Cell Therapy Market, By Application Musculoskeletal Disorders Wounds and Injuries Surgeries Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease (AGVHD) Other Applications Autologous Stem Cell Therapy Market, By Application Cardiovascular Diseases Wounds and Injuries Gastrointestinal Diseases Other Applications

Regional Analysis of Stem Cell Therapy Market:

A brief overview of the regional landscape:

From a geographical perspective, the Stem Cell Therapy Market is partitioned into

North Americao U.S.o Canadao MexicoEuropeo Germanyo UKo Franceo Rest of EuropeAsia Pacifico Chinao Japano Indiao Rest of Asia PacificRest of the World

Key coverage of the report:

Other important inclusions in Stem Cell Therapy Market:

About us:

Verified Market Research is a leading Global Research and Consulting firm servicing over 5000+ customers. Verified Market Research provides advanced analytical research solutions while offering information enriched research studies. We offer insight into strategic and growth analyses, Data necessary to achieve corporate goals, and critical revenue decisions.

Our 250 Analysts and SMEs offer a high level of expertise in data collection and governance use industrial techniques to collect and analyze data on more than 15,000 high impact and niche markets. Our analysts are trained to combine modern data collection techniques, superior research methodology, expertise, and years of collective experience to produce informative and accurate research.

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Stem Cell Therapy Market Size by Top Companies, Regions, Types and Application, End Users and Forecast to 2027 - Bulletin Line

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Novel CAR T-Cell Therapy Shows Promise in Advanced Hodgkin Lymphoma – Curetoday.com

By daniellenierenberg

Unlike other CAR T-cell therapies, clinical success was not associated with significant complications from therapy, said Dr. Jonathan Serody. This means this treatment should be available to patients in a clinic setting and would not require patients to be hospitalized, which is critical in our current environment.

Results from the parallel phase 1 and phase 2 studies also demonstrated that the CAR T-cell therapy was safe and did not produce any serious or severe side effects.

Researchers from the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and Baylor College of Medicine administered anti-CD30 CAR T cells to 41 patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma. All patients underwent lymphodepletion with bendamustine alone, bendamustine and fludarabine, or cyclophosphamide and fludarabine prior to the anti-CD30 CAR T-cell therapy.

Measuring safety was the primary goal of the two parallel studies.

The overall response rate, or the percentage of partial or complete responses to therapy, among 37 evaluable patients was 62%. Thirty-four of the patients received fludarabine-based lymphodepletion 17 of which received it with bendamustine, and the other half received it with cyclophosphamide. Two of these patients were considered to be complete response at infusion and maintained the response, so they were not included in final analysis.

The overall response rate among the remaining patients was 72%, with 59% of patients achieving a complete response. After a median follow-up of 533 days, researchers identified the one-year progression free survival rate to be 36% and the one-year overall survival rate to be 94%.

This is particularly exciting because the majority of these patients had lymphomas that had not responded well to other powerful new therapies, said senior study author Dr. Barbara Savoldo, professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the UNC School of Medicine, in a press release.Patients within the study had received a median of seven previous lines of therapy that included checkpoint inhibitors and autologous or allogeneic stem cell therapies, therapies known to be powerful but also tend to come with a host of side effects.

However, treatment with the anti-CD30 CART cells demonstrated a favorable safety profile. Although 10 patients developed cytokine release syndrome, all cases were considered minor.

Patients who received fludarabine-containing lymphodepletion were the only participants in the study to have a response to the anti-CD30 CAR T-cell therapy.

Although CD30 CAR T (cells) showed modest activity in (Hodgkin lymphoma) when infused without lymphodepletion, robust clinical responses were achieved when these cells were infused in hosts lymphodepleted with fludarabine-containing regimens, the authors wrote.

The activity of this new therapy is quite remarkable and while we need to confirm these findings in a larger study, this treatment potentially offers a new approach for patients who currently have very limited options to treat their cancer, said Dr. Jonathan Serody, director of the bone marrow transplant and cellular therapy program at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, in the release. Additionally, unlike other CAR T-cell therapies, clinical success was not associated with significant complications from therapy. This means this treatment should be available to patients in a clinic setting and would not require patients to be hospitalized, which is critical in our current environment.

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Jakafi May Offer Survival Benefit in Subset of Patients with Myelofibrosis – Curetoday.com

By daniellenierenberg

Jakafi may offer a survival benefit for patients with myelofibrosis and an increased number of circulating blasts, a recent study found.

While the presence of circulation blasts in the blood is considered an important factor in patient prognosis, the impact of bone marrow blasts on survival is not as well defined. To better understand the connection between the amount of blasts found in the blood and bone marrow together, all in regard to patient prognosis, researchers performed a retrospective analysis of 1,316 patients with myelofibrosis, a type of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN).

These patients (median age, 66 years), who all presented to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, from July 1984 and 2018, had to have available circulation blasts in the blood and bone marrow percentages to be included in the analysis. Survival was noted as the time from the date of referral to the date of last follow-up or death, whichever came first. The median follow-up was 27 months.

Among the total, 700 (53%) had 0% circulation blasts in the blood and less than 5% had bone marrow blasts. Of the remaining patients who had 1% or greater circulation blasts in the blood, the range was as follows:

The researchers also found that higher percentages of circulating blasts in the blood had a negative correlation with hemoglobin and platelets, but a positive correlation with white blood cells, age and the presence of symptoms, among other factors.

Out of the total group, 523 patients (44%) received the JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor Jakafi. The authors noted that patients who received this treatment and also had 10% or less blasts, regardless of whether they were in the blood or bone marrow, saw a superior overall survival rate compared to those with similar disease features who did not receive Jakafi.

The studys authors went on to conclude that patients who have circulating blasts in the blood of 4% or more have an unfavorable prognosis; however, Jakafi offers a significant survival benefit to patients with circulating blasts in the blood of 10% or less, making a combination approach to treatment vital in improving the outcomes of patients with myelofibrosis.

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Covid-19 Impact: Patients with aplastic anemia at receiving end – Daily Pioneer

By daniellenierenberg

Poverty, Government apathy and Covid-19 induced-lockdown restricting travel proved fatal for little Kishan, a 11-year-old boy suffering from Aplastic anemia, a life-threatening blood disorder condition in which the bone marrow and stem cells do not produce enough blood cells

Facing severe financial constraints and waiting timely medical aid, first at Safdarjung Hospital and then AIIMS, both Government hospitals in Delhi, Kishans life was cut short in March this year amid Covid-19 pandemic.

However, Kishans is not a lone case. Dr Nita Radhakrishnan, paediatric haemato-oncologist at Super Speciality Paediatric Hospital, Noida, Uttar Pradesh says that as the deadly Coronavirus captured the attention of the nation in the most unprecedented manner, the non-Covid patients particularly those with the Aplastic anemia have suffered the most in the crisis.

She gave instances of her two teenage patients who succumbed to blood disorder in the Covid catastrophe. Manish (name change), a 17-year-old was suffering with on-and-off fever, gum bleeding, and melena for three months, he came to us in December last year just when Coronavirus had started spreading its tentacles from China to other parts of the world.

The boy was diagnosed with severe Aplastic anemia and was recommended requisite treatment like regular hospital visit for red cell transfusion before he could be given bone marrow transplant (BMT), a life saving treatment.

However, while the family was not able to visit our hospital in Noida due to the covid-lockdown, no blood products were available at the hospital near to the patients locality. In want of blood, Manish could not survive more days.

13-year-old Suresh (name change) too faced similar fate. While Government funds could not be sanctioned for his BMT in time the boy could not visit the Noida hospital for further follow-up due to travel restrictions. Two weeks later, Suresh died due to hemorrhage at his native place, lamented the doctor.

These are just two reported cases from the NCR hospital located near the countrys capital. Several have gone unreported. The Government has no policy nor any long-term plan for such patients.

The prognosis of severe aplastic anemia in our country is dismal. The incidence of 46 per million population of childhood aplastic anemia in India and other Asian countries is higher than what is observed in the West, explains Dr Radhakrishnan. The scenario is gloomy for the patients afflicted with the disease as they need blood transfusion almost every 20 days.

A significant proportion of patients of aplastic anemia (around 30 per cent) die before any definitive treatment is initiated. A study by AIIMS based on a recent series of patients follow-up showed that out of 1501 patients diagnosed over last seven years, only 303 ie 20 per cent received the definitive treatment modalities through either BMT or IST with ATG and cyclosporine, says Dr Radhakrishnan in her case report Aplastic anemia: Non-COVID casualties in the Covid-19 era, published in the latest edition of Indian Journal of Palliative Care.

The doctors have sought urgent intervention. Dr Radhakrishnan says that as we await the peak of Covid-19 in our country and possibly secondary and tertiary waves thereafter, patients with aplastic anemia who are the sickest among all hematological illnesses would benefit greatly from urgent intervention from the Government to ensure timely treatment.

Those suffering with Aplastic anemia, there is mostly delay in diagnosis, delay in initiation of treatment due to monetary constraints, non-inclusion of the disease under government schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and NHM and delay in sanction of money from other Government schemes such as Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi, Chief Minister and Prime Ministers relief fund often due to lack of proper documents, she added.

Delay means, risk of contracting fungal infections and increase in drug-resistant bacterial infections increase which further hamper the treatment, point out Dr Ravi Shankar and Dr Savitri Singh in the study.

Though the Union Health Ministry, after few days of lockdown period, issued directions for continuing treatment for essential health services including reproductive and maternal health services, newborn care, severe malnutrition, and NCDs including cancer care, palliative care, dialysis, and care of disabled, unfortunately those with Aplastic anemia got ignored.

This despite of the fact that these patients are at the highest risk of death following a break in the treatment of few weeks, notes Dr Radhakrishnan.

Because of the closure of offices and absence of staff, during the lockdown period, there was delay in sanction of usual grants due to the lockdown of offices and inability in generating documents such as income certificate from the tehsils.

For instance, Suresh and Manish, both our patients received the Government grant after around 34 months of applying for the same. But both had died before they could reach the hospital for treatment, lamented the hematologist.

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Covid-19 Impact: Patients with aplastic anemia at receiving end - Daily Pioneer

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Cellular diversity of the regenerating caudal fin – Science Advances

By daniellenierenberg

INTRODUCTION

The ability to regenerate complex body parts varies considerably in the animal kingdom. While planarian and hydra are able to regenerate their entire bodies, many avian and mammalian species mostly stop at the wound healing stage without a reparative regeneration process (1). This disparity may result from complexity differences among organisms by nature, yet it leaves us the hope that we may learn from highly regenerative species to improve our own regenerative potential.

Zebrafish is known for its ability to regenerate multiple complex body structures (2). Among regenerable tissues, the caudal fin serves as a great model due to its faithful and rapid regeneration, ease of manipulation, and relatively low complexity. A key step in regeneration is the formation of the blastema, a layer of proliferative and undifferentiated cells that accumulates between the wound site and the wound epidermis following initial wound closure. This step occurs in response to appendage loss and is one of the key features that separates regenerative systems from nonregenerative systems. At later stages of regeneration, the blastema further proliferates and differentiates to regenerate the missing complex structures.

However, the molecular signatures of blastemal cell state transitions during regeneration in zebrafish remain elusive. The state of a cell can be represented by its collective gene expression profile, which has only been measured in bulk for all genes or in specific lineages of cells for a subset of genes during caudal fin regeneration. Prior work has shown that both proliferation of progenitors and dedifferentiation of adult lineage cells contribute to the blastema (38). Progenitors respond to injury cue and proliferate as in normal development. Cells derived from mature adult lineages, however, lose their lineage-specific markers while obtaining progenitor-like markers when they proliferate. Neither type of cell gains multipotency, but rather, they proliferate and regenerate with lineage restrictions. The limited resolution and throughput of these approaches have prevented a more systematic understanding of blastema cells. The advent of single-cell transcriptomic technologies promises to reveal signals masked at the bulk tissue level (9), granting us an opportunity to define and monitor cellular state transition in regenerating fin at an unprecedented resolution.

In this study, we generated single-cell transcriptomic maps of regenerating fin tissue. These maps allowed us to separate the contribution from different cell types and track the transcriptomic dynamics in cell state transitions during regeneration. By comparing with the profiles obtained from uninjured fin tissue, we identified cell types involved in regeneration. We demonstrated the activation of cell cyclerelated programs shared across cell types as well as cell typespecific programs. Furthermore, we defined the heterogeneity in both epithelial and blastemal populations and their functional relations to the regeneration process.

To better understand cell type involvement in fin regeneration, we characterized single-cell transcriptional landscapes for both preinjury and regenerating caudal fin tissues using the 10x Genomics platform (see Materials and Methods and table S1) (9). We sampled regenerating fins from 1, 2, and 4 days post-amputation (dpa) time points to interrogate the stages of blastema formation, outgrowth, and maintenance (Fig. 1A). Fin samples were collected from multiple fish to control for individual variation while at the same position along the proximal-distal axis to avoid positional effects. To establish the transcriptional ground states for each cell type in the fin tissue, we first focused on cells collected from the preinjury time point. Via an unsupervised clustering of 4134 cells, we identified epithelial cells (epcam and cdh1), hematopoietic cells (mpeg1.1 and cxcr3.2), and mesenchymal cells (msx1b and twist1a) (fig. S1, A and B) (1014). Epithelial cells are from three transcriptionally distinct subgroups, representing the superficial (krt4), intermediate (tp63), and basal layers (tp63 and krtt1c19e) of the epithelium (fig. S1, A and B) (15, 16).

(A) General experimental design. Zebrafish caudal fin tissues at preinjury and 1/2/4 dpa stages were collected. (B) Clustering assignments for caudal fin cells collected from each stage. Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) axes were calculated from the integrated cells dataset as in (C). (C) Clustering assignments for caudal fin cells collected from both preinjury and regenerating stages. Cells were plotted on UMAP axes. Color coding is the same as in (E). (D) Percentage distribution of the major cell types captured in caudal fin, grouped by their stage of collection. Color coding is the same as in (E). (E) Differential expressions of the key marker genes by the identified major cell types. Color gradient: normalized relative expression level. Dot size: percentage of cells in the cluster that express the specified gene.

To determine whether the same cell types existed in the regenerating stages, we performed analysis using two different approaches: (i) Cells from each stage were clustered independently, and (ii) cells from both uninjured fins and injured fins were integrated through the anchoring approach (see Materials and Methods; Fig. 1, B, C, and E; and table S2) (17). For both approaches, we regressed out cell cycle effects before principal components analysis (PCA). Agreement between cluster assignments was measured using Hubert and Arabies adjusted Rand index (ARI). An average ARI of 0.86 (preinjury, 0.86; 1 dpa, 0.85; 2 dpa, 0.90; and 4 dpa, 0.83) indicated that clustering results generated using the two approaches were highly consistent. Cell types identified in the preinjury cells presented consistently across all regenerating stages, suggesting that regenerating fins contain the same cell types as the preinjury fins.

New regenerates are built up by the proliferation and migration of cells located at a number of fin segments away from the amputation plane (2). In response to injury cues, these cells gained the ability to detach from local tissue, enter cell cycle, and migrate toward the wound site while undergoing transcriptional reprogramming. We computationally separated S phase, G2-M phase, and G1-phase cells based on the expression level of cell cyclerelated genes and performed clustering analysis using only S phase cells (see Materials and Methods and fig. S2A). In this cycling cell population, we identified epithelial, mesenchymal, and hematopoietic cell groups as before (Fig. 2, A to C, and table S3). Our data support a model in which cells likely keep their original identities during proliferation.

(A) Cell type clustering of S phase cells plotted onto UMAP axes calculated by S phase cell only. Cells are colored by the general cell types merged from major cells types in Fig. 1B. (B) Stage distribution of S phase cells. Cells were plotted on the same UMAP axes as in (A) and colored by stage when the cells were collected. (C) Relative expression levels of the top 30 differentially expressed genes from each cluster of only S phase cells. (D) Venn diagrams of numbers of genes shared between the cell cycleactivated genetic programs. Left, included all genes; right, included only cell cyclerelated genes (see Materials and Methods).

Next, we asked whether different regenerating cell types exhibited similar or distinct cell cycle regulations. To this end, we identified genes up-regulated in S phase cells compared to G1 phase cells in each cell type, respectively (logFC, >0.25; minimum percentage, >10%). Of the 1098 differentially expressed genes, 161 were shared across all three groups of comparisons (Fig. 2D and table S4). Of these shared genes, at least 54 genes were related to cell cycle regulation, underscoring a shared program governing cell cycle reentry (criteria described in Materials and Methods). In contrast, hundreds of genes differentially highly expressed in S phase exhibited cell typespecific pattern, of which dozens were related to cell cycle (Fig. 2D). We next evaluated the degree of conservation of these enriched genes by asking what fraction did not have human orthologs that had been curated in the Metascape database (18). Twenty-five percent of genes in the epithelial cellspecific group had no human ortholog, whereas all shared groups had at most 15% genes without a human ortholog, suggesting that enriched genes shared by cell types were more evolutionarily conserved (fig. S2C).

Some cell typespecific S-G1 enriched genes were also expressed in a cell typespecific manner regardless of their cell cycle phases: For example, psmb8a and psmb9a shared similar epithelial-hematopoietic enrichments (fig. S2D). The human homologs of these genes (PSMB8 and PSMB9) encode 5i and 1i subunits of the immunoproteasome (19). Together with 2i and PA28 subunits of the proteasome, they turn the proteasome into immunoproteasome and take part in immune response (20). Immunoproteasome digests peptides more efficiently, promoting antigen presentation by a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule. Although they did not pass the differential expression criteria in the S-G1 comparison, zebrafish psmb10, psme1, and psme2 shared a differential expression signature similar to that of psmb8a and psmb9a, suggesting that zebrafish might use the same group of subunits for the assembly of immunoproteasomes that might help increase immune responses during regeneration, especially in epithelial and hematopoietic cells (fig. S2, D and E). In addition, we found three genes that shared the same expression signature with the immunoproteasome subunits (psmb13a, psmb12, and psma6l) (fig. S2E) without known human or mouse homologs, suggesting that they might form zebrafish-specific proteasomes with functional relevance to regeneration (19).

Consistent with current knowledge, we observed three transcriptionally distinct subgroups in the preinjury epcam+ epithelial cells, representing the superficial, intermediate, and basal layers of the adult zebrafish epithelium (Fig. 3A and fig. S1B) (15, 16). By integrating cells from all stages during regeneration, we found clusters of cells that corresponded to all three layers of the epithelium after injury (Fig. 1, B and C). In addition, we captured a rare agr2+ population (referred to as mucosal-like epithelium herein) that was too small to be clustered by itself in the preinjury stage (Fig. 1E). These cells shared general epithelial features with the other epithelial layers but exhibited higher expression of a unique set of 200 genes. We examined the expression distribution of the orthologs of these genes in human tissues (The Human Protein Atlas, http://proteinatlas.org/) (21). Among the top 30 genes with human orthologs, 11 showed enriched expressions in proximal digestive or gastrointestinal tract and another 11 in bone marrow of blood lineages, suggesting that this population is analogous to cells in the mucosa in mammalian systems (table S2). In zebrafish, agr2 is required for the differentiation of the mucosal-producing goblet cells in the intestinal epithelium (22). To confirm the cell typespecific expression pattern of this gene in the fin tissue, we performed in situ hybridization on agr2 in both uninjured and regenerating fin tissues (see Materials and Methods). agr2 transcripts are scattered within the epithelium regardless of the sample collection stage and reflect a round morphology of the cell expressing it (fig. S3, A, C, E, and G to I). A proportion of agr2+ cells overlap with positive dark blue staining of Alcian blue in serial sections, suggesting that these cells are mucous cells that are known to exist in the caudal fin epithelium (fig. S3, B, D, and F) (23).

(A) Diagram of the stratified adult zebrafish epithelium. (B) Differential expressions of claudin family and keratin family genes in epithelial subgroups shown as a dot plot. Known epithelial markers krt4, fn1b, tp63, and krtt1c19e were included for comparison. Cells were first grouped by major cell types and then separated into preinjury and regenerating stages. Darkness of dot color: relative expression level. Dot size: percentage of cells in the cluster that express the specified gene. (C) In situ hybridization targeting krt1-19d, cldna, cldn1, and krt4 of 4-dpa fin tissues. Brown dots indicate positive RNA signals from target genes, while pale blue blocks represent hematoxylin-stained cell nuclei. Zoomed-in views are presented. Original images can be found in fig. S4. All epithelial layers are above the black dotted lines. (D) Clustering assignment of epithelial cells plotted on UMAP axes calculated with only epithelial cells. Cells are colored by their epithelial layer identity as in (A). (E) The same UMAP visualization as in (D), with cells colored by stage of collection. Arrows connect the groups of comparison, with a direction from preinjury stage to regenerating stages (1, 2, and 4 dpa). Numbers next to the green triangle: number of genes up-regulated in regenerating stage. Numbers next to the red triangle: number of genes down-regulated in regenerating stage. (F) Clustered GO enrichment for genes up-regulated in regenerating basal, intermediate, and superficial epithelial cells comparing to their preinjury counterparts. GTPase, guanosine triphosphatase; ER, endoplasmic reticulum; PKN, protein kinases N; snRNP, small nuclear ribonucleoprotein.

Although the same three-layer classification of epithelial cells could be defined when cells from regenerating stages were integrated with the preinjury cells, the expression of the commonly used layer-specific marker genes changed dramatically during regeneration: Superficial epithelial marker krt4 expanded into basal and intermediate layers of the epithelium, the intermediate layer marker fn1b was also highly expressed in the basal layer, and the basal epithelial marker krtt1c19e was barely detectable in the postinjury cell populations (Fig. 3B) (15, 16). To better understand the molecular features of the epithelial populations, we identified genes significantly more highly expressed in epithelial cells than in hematopoietic and mesenchymal cells and found that cell-cell junction genes ranked high in the list. Among these, genes from the claudin and keratin families were detected at a ratio 20-fold higher than that in randomly selected detectable genes (2 test, P value of <0.0001). We focused on expression patterns of all claudin and keratin genes in zebrafish and found that cldne, cldnf, krt1-19d, and krt17 labeled the superficial cluster; cldnh labeled the mucosal-like cluster; cldna, krt93, and krt94 labeled the intermediate cluster; and cldn1 and cldni labeled the basal cluster (Fig. 3B). Claudin genes are expressed in a tissue-specific manner in zebrafish and are generally considered to be the proteins responsible for regulating the paracellular permeability in the vertebrate epithelium (24). Their differential expression signature in both uninjured and regenerating tissues suggests that they might play important roles in maintaining the permeability in each epithelial population. On the other hand, the expression of keratin genes displayed less restriction across the three layers relative to claudin genes but stronger dependence on regenerating states (Fig. 3B). The differential expression signature suggests that they might perform epithelial subtyperelated function in regeneration. To verify their expression pattern, we performed RNA in situ hybridization targeting the known marker krt4 and new candidates, including krt1-19d, cldna, and cldn1 (Fig. 3C) as well as cldne, krt94, and cldni (fig. S4, A to H). Comparing with the known marker krt4, these genes exhibited more restricted expression patterns in epithelial layers, better representing the molecular signatures of different epithelial populations in the fin tissue regardless of regeneration status (Fig. 3, B and C).

The three epithelial layers were present across the regeneration stages albeit with varying proportions (Fig. 1D). The proportion of basal epithelial cells peaked at 2 dpa, reaching up to 42%, whereas the superficial layer epithelial cells decreased from 27 to 6% at 2 dpa (the coefficient of variations of cell proportions between biological replicates is below 15%). The observed compositional change of the two epithelial populations is consistent with a previous finding that the initial migration of superficial layer cells to the new regenerates is followed by replenishment by basal epithelial cells (25). This basal replenishment was also reflected in the two-dimensional Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) calculation from only epithelial cells, in which preinjury cells were separated by their respective layers, whereas regenerating cells were closer in the projection space (Fig. 3, D and E). Superficial layer cells from before and after injury stages were in juxtaposition to each other, consistent with our knowledge that this layer of epithelial cells directly migrates to and covers the wound site (25). On the other hand, basal layer cells from before and after injury stages were more distantly separated, suggesting more dramatic changes between resting and regenerating basal epithelial cells.

To understand the mechanisms of epithelium regeneration, we compared the transcriptome between preinjury and regenerating cells for the three epithelial layers. Basal layer cells up-regulated 1271 genes and down-regulated 198 genes during regeneration; both were the highest numbers across all comparisons (numbers of differentially expressed genes were from Wilcoxon rank sum test, adjusted P value of < 0.01; Fig. 3E). We performed gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis on genes up-regulated in the regenerating stage by layer and found both common and layer-specific programs associated with regeneration (18). All three layers were enriched for oxidative phosphorylation (dre00190), proteasome (dre03050), and cell redox homeostasis (GO:0045454). While basal and intermediate layer cells could be regulated by Rho guanosine triphosphatasemediated Wnt signaling for extracellular matrix organization and actin filament depolymerization, respectively (R-DRE-195258, R-DRE-5625740, R-DRE-195721, GO:0030198, and GO:0030042), superficial layer cells showed enrichment mainly for general transcriptional and translational regulations (Fig. 3F). When comparing the expression profiles between regenerating superficial epithelial and basal epithelial, we saw enrichment for antigen presentation and apoptosis features in the superficial layer (table S5). In addition, the superficial layer contained the lowest proportion of cells in S phase or G2-M phase, further supporting that superficial layer epithelium was most likely maintained by migration and proliferation from other layers (fig. S2B).

Subcluster identification within regenerating basal epithelial cells revealed two subgroups that represented different functionalities during regeneration, one labeled by distally distributed fgf24, while the other by proximally distributed lef1 (fig. S5, A to C) (26, 27). We compared expression profiles between group I (distal) and group II (proximal) cells and found that their suggested functionalities were consistent with their expected roles in regeneration: The distal subgroup (or distal wound epidermis) up-regulated genes associated with extracellular matrix degradation, and the proximal subgroup (or proximal wound epidermis) up-regulated genes associated with organization of extracellular matrix, skeletal system development, and negative regulation of locomotion (fig. S5, D and E). In addition, the increase of proximal cell proportion was accompanied by the decrease of distal cell proportion, suggesting that basal layer epithelium become gradually active in promoting blastema proliferation and differentiation during the initial regeneration process (fig. S5C). To confirm the distribution of these cells, we performed RNA in situ hybridization targeting two candidate genes, stmn1b and sema3b, one from each cluster. The expression of stmn1b was first observed at the basal layer of the wound epidermis at 1 dpa but diminished as regeneration proceeded (fig. S4, I to K). On the contrary, sema3b showed expression at later stages and was enriched in the relatively proximal portion of the basal layer epithelium (fig. S4, L to N). The expression dynamics of these two genes matched the predicted proportion changes of the two clusters (fig. S5C). While sema3b was more restricted to the basal layer, stmn1b showed low expression levels in the intermediate layer as well, potentially suggesting that this subpopulation could be labeling cells transitioning from the basal layer to the other layers of epithelium.

We next performed subcluster analysis within the hematopoietic cluster and found four subpopulations (Fig. 4, A to C and table S6). The first three populations were enriched for the macrophage marker mpeg1.1, with the cluster H1 being M1-like (lgals2+ and lcp1+) and the cluster H3 M2-like (ctsc+ and lgmn+) (Fig. 4D) (12). We speculated that the cluster H2 represented a transition state between M1-like and M2-like or a state before the macrophages differentiate toward M1-like or M2-like. From 1 to 4 dpa, the proportion of M1-like macrophages remained at a constant level, while that of M2-like macrophages expanded (Fig. 4B), potentially suggesting a shift in the function of macrophages in the new regenerates from pro-inflammatory toward anti-inflammatory as regeneration proceeded. Macrophages are important for proper blastema proliferation (28). The change in the proportions of M1/M2-like macrophage in our data matched with that observed in the larvae fin, suggesting that the adults followed a similar rule for immune cell recruitment after injury.

(A) Subcluster assignments of the hematopoietic cells. Cells were plotted on UMAP axes. The same color code is used for (B) to (D). (B) Proportion of subgroups of hematopoietic cells. (C) Expression enrichment of the top 30 differentially expressed genes in the four subclusters within hematopoietic cluster shown as a heatmap. (D) Expression distribution of genes associated with macrophage activation grouped by subclusters. Expression levels were log normalized by Seurat. y axis: cluster identity. z axis: cell density. (E) Expressions of pigment cell markers gch2 and mlpha in the hematopoietic population.

The cluster H4 enriched for genes including mlpha and gch2, both well-characterized markers for the chromatophore lineages in zebrafish (Fig. 4E) (29). Chromatophores are derived from neural crest lineage, yet here, they clustered with macrophages that were from hematopoietic lineage. One possibility is that this clustering result could be driven by features related to antigen presentation via MHC class II, a feature of pigment cells based on studies using human melanocytes (30). The proportion of this cluster decreased as regeneration started, agreeing with the known pattern of fin stripe recovery after amputation (Fig. 4B) (31).

To understand the component and function of the cells in the mesenchymal cell cluster before and during fin regeneration, we focused on genes enriched in this cluster and found previously identified blastema marker genes that are required for fin regeneration, including the muscle segment homeobox family members msx1b and msx3 and the insulin-like growth factor signaling ligand igf2b (logFC, >0.25; minimum percentage, >25%; and adjusted P value of <1 105, as listed in table S1) (2, 13). The mesenchymal cluster expressed these genes nearly exclusively, confirming their blastema identity in regenerating stages (fig. S6A). In addition, we found key genes involved in zebrafish bone development and regeneration: twist1a, the transcription factor that controls the skeletal development by regulating the expression of runx2 (14); cx43, the gap junction protein required for building the fin ray up to the right length; and hapln1a and serpinh1b, two genes downstream of cx43 (32, 33). By performing conserved marker analysis using Seurat, we found that msx1b and twist1a were also among the markers conserved across all stages, underscoring shared features that existed between regenerating and preinjury mesenchymal cells (maximum P values across stages: 4.72 1010 and 2.84 109 for msx1b and twist1a, respectively). This theme of building and supporting bone tissues in mesenchymal cells was not only reflected by a handful of genes: GO analysis of all the detected up-regulated genes in this cluster revealed significant enrichment of genes associated with GO terms, including fin regeneration (GO:0031101) and skeletal system development (GO:0001501) (fig. S6B). When more stringent criteria for differential expression were used, genes were also significantly enriched for GO terms, including skeletal system morphogenesis (GO:0048705) and extracellular matrix organization (GO:0030198) (fig. S6C).

Previous work has shown that blastema comprises bone cells and non-bone cells but has not defined the cell types and the regeneration process of each type (23, 34, 35). To better understand the regeneration process by cell type, we performed clustering analysis within the mesenchymal cluster and identified nine distinct subgroups (Fig. 5A and fig. S6D). Of the two preinjury subgroups, M-2 represented the mature bone lineage, which was enriched for expressions of bglap, mgp, and sost (fig. S6E) (36, 37). Comparing to M-2, cluster M-1 presented low expression levels of bglap, mgp, and sost and high expression levels of a group of other genes, including fhl1a, fhl2a, and tagln (fig. S6E). Mammalian orthologs of these genes are required for chondrogenesis and osteogenesis, leading us to speculate that cluster M-1 could represent the supporting non-bone cell lineage in the preinjury state (38, 39).

(A) Subclustering assignments of mesenchymal cells shown on UMAP axes. Cells are colored by their cluster assignments and connected by Slingshot-reconstructed trajectories. Lineage 1: 1-2-3-4; lineage 2: 1-2-3-5-6; lineage 3: 1-2-3-5-7-8; lineage 4: 1-2-3-5-9. (B) By-lineage highlighting of mesenchymal cells. Cells with colors other than gray represent the cells included in each corresponding lineage in (A). (C) Expression distribution of genes labeling cell lineages and cell states in mesenchymal cells. Gene feature plots were connected by estimated lineages using the same lineage color code as in (A). (D to G) In situ hybridization targeting the tnfaip6 gene in (D) preinjury, (E) 1-dpa, and [(F) and (G)] 4-dpa fin tissues. Brown dots indicate positive RNA signals from target genes, while pale blue blocks represent hematoxylin-stained cell nuclei. A zoomed-in view for the region inside the focused rectangle is provided within (D). (G) Zoomed-in view for the region highlighted by a rectangle in (F). Dotted lines indicate the amputation plane. All scale bars, 100 m.

The remaining seven populations came from regenerates. Pseudotime analysis via Slingshot (40) suggested that these subgroups formed four trajectories, all initiated from the tnfaip6+ cluster (M-3), which was composed mainly of 1-dpa cells (Fig. 5, B and C, and fig. S6D). tnfaip6 was ranked top by an adjusted P value in the differentially expressed genes labeling the regeneration initiation cluster and was also expressed exclusively in the mesenchymal cluster (Fig. 5C and fig. S6A). The mammalian ortholog of this gene is required for proliferation and proper differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and balances the mineralization via osteogenesis inhibitions (41). The expression of tnfaip6 in the postinjury zebrafish fin suggested that it could also be required in the early stages of regeneration for promoting mesenchymal proliferation. To confirm the expression pattern of tnfaip6, we performed RNA in situ hybridization for uninjured and regenerating fin tissues targeting this gene (Fig. 5, D and E). In the uninjured fin, tnfaip6 was expressed in a segmental pattern, presumably enriching at joints between bone segments. At 1 dpa, tnfaip6 was expressed not only near the bony rays but also in the cavity, showing a general activation in the mesenchymal population. As regeneration proceeded from 1 to 4 dpa, mesenchymal cells divided into cdh11+ (M-4) and tph1b+ (M-5) branches, with the latter further divided into mmp13a+ (M-6), tagln+ (M-7), and vcanb+ (M-9) branches (Fig. 5C and fig. S6D). The mmp13+ (M-6) cluster maintained a high-level tnfaip6 expression, whereas all other branches had a lower but detectable tnfaip6 expression. This was consistent with the observation we made from in situ hybridization at 4 dpa targeting tnfaip6: the broad expression in the mesenchymal population and segmental enrichments similar to that in the uninjured fin (Fig. 5, F and G).

The four trajectories initiated from the tnfaip6+ cluster revealed four putative lineages representing bone and non-bone cells in the blastema. cdh11+ lineage 1 specifically expressed runx2 and osterix/sp7, which are the key transcription factors regulating osteogenesis (fig. S6E) (42). Mammalian ortholog of cdh11 could induce Sp7-dependent bone and cartilage formation in vivo, suggesting that the cdh11+ branch in the blastema represented the regenerating osteoblasts (43). Genes highly expressed at the end of this lineage (M-4) compared to the initiation point (M-3) were associated with bone mineralization and skeletal system development, further supporting their bone cell identity (table S7).

Mesenchymal cells outside the osteoblast branch shared enrichment for tph1b and aldh1a2 expressions at 2 dpa, followed by and1 expression at 4 dpa (Fig. 5C and fig. S6F). These three genes had been suggested to label joint fibroblasts, fibroblast-derived blastema cells, and actinotrichia-forming cells in the blastema, respectively (34, 35, 44). However, their expression signatures implied that instead of labeling separate populations in the blastema, they might be labeling different states of the same non-osteoblastic cells at the early stage of fin regeneration.

Upon 4 dpa, these non-osteoblastic cells diverged into three groups (Fig. 5C and fig. S6D). To understand this separation, we performed differential expression analysis for each branch between cells at the end of the lineage tree (lineage 1, M-4; lineage 2, M-6; lineage 3, M-7 and M-8; and lineage 4, M-9) and cells in the initiation cluster (M-3). Genes highly expressed at the lineage end points were included for GO analysis for functional predictions (logFC, >0.25; minimum percentage of >25%; and adjusted P value of <0.01). These three lineages were also associated with skeletal system development or extracellular matrix organizations as were the bone cell lineage; however, the association was driven by a nearly completely different set of genes (table S7). Unlike the osteoblast lineage, none of these three non-bone cell lineages showed enrichment for bone mineralization, suggesting that these cells might indirectly contribute to bone formation. In lineage 2, top differentially expressed genes mmp13a and ogn both have mammalian orthologs that are associated with bone formation (Fig. 5C and fig. S6F) (45, 46). In addition, this lineage presented up-regulation of DLX family genes, especially dlx5a, suggesting the reactivation of fin outgrowthrelated developmental programs during regeneration (fig. S6F and table S7) (47). Lineages 3 and 4 both enriched for estrogen response and expressed the retinoic acid (RA) synthesis gene aldh1a2. However, only lineage 3 displayed up-regulation of the RA-degrading enzyme cyp26b1 (fig. S6F and table S7). The cyp26b1high-aldh1a2low pattern helped to reduce RA levels in the blastema, promoting redifferentiation of the osteoblasts (44). The differentiation-promoting signature was also reflected in the enrichment of genes, including col6a1 and tagln, whose mammalian orthologs are essential for bone formation (fig. S6F and table S7) (39, 48). These genes were also enriched in the preinjury non-bone cell population, suggesting a connection between this subset of the non-bone cells and their preinjury counterparts (Fig. 5C and fig. S6F). Top up-regulated genes in lineage 4, on the other hand, were main contributors of the extracellular matrix, including and1/2, loxa, and vcanb (35, 49, 50). Enriched expression of these genes suggested that this lineage could be responsible for creating and organizing the fibrous environment. Together, the various non-osteoblastic cells could potentially work collaboratively with the osteoblasts in creating the environment for bone tissue regeneration.

Genes that had been suggested to label progenitors contributing to fin regeneration (mmp9 and cxcl12a) and several orthologs of known mammalian MSC markers (lrrc15, prrx1a/b, and pdgfra) (6, 7, 51, 52) were expressed almost exclusively in the mesenchymal cluster (fig. S6A). Consistent with the observations made in the lineage-tracing study, the mmp9 expression was associated with the regenerating bone cell lineage (lineage 1; Fig. 5B and fig. S6E) (7). However, mmp9 was detected only in a small portion of the mesenchymal cells and was highly expressed in the basal epithelium cells at similar proportions. On the other hand, we observed coenrichment of cxcl12a (previously known as sdf-1) and orthologs of the known mammalian MSC markers in the preinjury population (fig. S6E). cxcl12a-expressing cells in zebrafish were found to carry osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic characteristics in vitro like MSCs would do and contributed to the mesenchyme of the newly developing bony rays during fin regeneration (6, 53). The coenrichment pattern suggested that some of the preinjury cxcl12a-expressing cells could be MSCs in the fin tissue, which contribute to fin regeneration.

Zebrafish caudal fin is a unique regeneration system to model the injury response and regeneration of vertebrate appendages despite being a simple structure without muscular and adipose tissues. Major components of the regenerating caudal fin are epithelial cells covering the wound site and blastemal cells producing the connective tissue and bone matrices. Early studies established that actively proliferating blastema is the key to regeneration. Formed by cell migration and proliferation, this layer of cells continues in outgrowth and differentiation, rebuilding the complex body structure. Despite efforts in understanding its importance, basic questions regarding the formation of blastema remained: (i) Which type of cells contributes to the blastema and (ii) how do they shape the regeneration process?

Using single-cell transcriptomes, we defined cell types in both preinjury and postinjury fin tissues. Although regenerating cells were drastically different from their preinjury counterparts, both stage-specific and integrated clustering analysis revealed the same major cell type compositions in the fin tissues regardless of their time of collection. Common cell types detected include epithelial cells from all three layers, hematopoietic cells, and mesenchymal cells. Our data lay a foundation for lineage-targeted analysis to investigate the role of epithelial layers and subtypes in fin regeneration.

For each cell type to be a consistent component in the regenerated fin, cell cycle entry is required. We found that both common and unique cell cycle programs activated in the regenerating fin, with the shared ones appearing to be more evolutionarily conserved than the unique ones. Among the genes showing cell typespecific S phase enrichment, several immunoproteasome subunits also showed a clear cell typespecific expression. We speculated that the increasing level of immunoproteasome subunits in epithelial and hematopoietic cells specifically might accelerate antigen processing and presentation, which could be important for immune cell recruitment and tumor necrosis factorinduced blastemal proliferation (54).

Epithelial cells were the most abundant cell type in the profiled fins and could be clustered into four different subgroups, including the three layers in the adult fish epithelium and the mucosal-like cells within the intermediate layer. However, markers labeling these layers did not perform well in separating cell groups when only regenerating cells were considered. An unbiased differential expression test suggested that some members of the krt and cldn families were expressed in specific layers more consistently throughout regeneration. RNA in situ hybridization targeting cldne, krt1-19d, cldna, krt94, cldni, and cldn1 confirmed their exclusive layer-specific expression pattern, underscoring their potential to serve as markers for the distinct epithelial layers during regeneration. Our epithelium-specific analysis suggested that basal layer epithelial cells proliferate and could be the main source for replenishing the other two layers of the epithelium, similar to findings in a previous study based on genetic lineage tracing in zebrafish and echoing findings made using the axolotl limb regeneration model (25, 55). We observed higher apoptosis and lower proliferation features in the superficial epithelial layer compared to the other layers. At the same time, we observed transition patterns in gene expression, connecting the basal to the intermediate and the superficial layer during regeneration.

The behavior of mucosal-like cells during regeneration had been rarely reported for zebrafish in literature. We found in this study that this group of cells was an integral part of the regeneration process. Enrichment of foxp1b in this population and enrichment of foxp4 in basal and intermediate epithelial cells supported that zebrafish foxp homologs could be involved in regulating agr2 expression as does the Fox family in mice and, furthermore, the mucin production in the epithelium during regeneration (Fig. 1E) (56). The protein encoded by amphibian homologs of agr2, nAG (from newts) and aAG (from axolotl), are necessary and sufficient for salamander limb regeneration (57, 58). They are expressed in both dermal glands and the nerve sheaththe pattern of which has also been recovered from single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis (55). Regeneration deficiencies caused by denervation before amputation can be rescued by the ectopic expression of nAG. Although we do not have data supporting the nerve sheath expression pattern, as shown for the amphibian models, we hypothesize that agr2 could similarly mediate neuronal signals in zebrafish during regeneration.

Macrophages are critical players in the zebrafish caudal fin regeneration (28, 54). We observed subgroups of the mpeg1.1+ macrophage population in the regenerating fin tissue, resembling M1 and M2 macrophages in mammalian systems. However, we were not able to recover other immune cell population in the hematopoietic cells. This could potentially be due to the systematic bias against certain cell types during tissue dissociation and droplet incorporation in the microfluidic device. The same bias might also explain why we were not able to recover some other known players in the regenerating fin tissue, including neurons and endothelial cells (4). Increasing the number of cells sampled for scRNA-seq or performing scRNA-seq on sorted hematopoietic lineage cells would help to better understand the involvement of these populations in the regeneration process.

The expression profiles of mesenchymal cells captured from the postinjury stages resembled those of blastema in histology studies. We found four connected but distinct lineages representing both bone and non-bone cells in the blastema. All four lineages initiated from one cluster mostly consisted of 1-dpa cells and enriched for the tnfaip6 expression. A similar scenario has been observed in the axolotl limb regeneration model. By using scRNA-seq on a lineage-labeled axolotl model, Gerber et al. (58) found that connective tissue cells funnel into a progenitor state at initiation. Whether the cluster identified in our study represented a shared cell origin for the blastema or a shared state across mesenchymal cell types in the initial blastema-formation stage requires further investigation. High proportion of epithelial population in the fins could also hamper the discovery of relatively rare population with multipotency. Finer dissection before single-cell profiling might help in future study designs in capturing these populations.

While the bone cell lineage has been well studied in the regenerating fin, non-bone cells had been labeled by different markers and given different names and their intercorrelations left to be clarified. We found that tph1b, aldh1a2, and and1/and2 genes were shared among the non-bone cell lineages and could be labeling states instead of types of blastemal cells during regeneration. Meanwhile, differential analysis revealed similar enrichment for bone formation in all lineages yet distinct associations with reactivation of developmental programs, RA signaling, and collagen metabolism, underscoring their collaborative and complementary roles in the regeneration process.

Our scRNA-seq data also provided more details about the fish system we are working with. For all sample collections, we used the transgenic strain Tg(sp7:EGFP)b1212, which specifically labels osteoblast lineage in the fish (59). It was reported that green fluorescence signal could be detected in the fish skin after 72 hours post-fertilization. This ectopic expression, however, does not interfere with confocal imaging of skeletal structures of fish at any stage due to the fact that they lie in different planes of focus. What these cells are and why they expressed the transgene were unclear. In this study, we obtained a holistic view of the transgene expression pattern in the fin region regardless of whether that was associated with the cell type of interest, i.e., osteoblasts in this context. Unsupervised clustering on the expression profiles from single fin cells suggested that green fluorescent protein (GFP) is not only expressed in the mesenchymal but also highly enriched in the superficial layer epithelium (table S2). A closer examination of this classic reporter gene construct revealed that the regulatory region of sp7 used for the construction of the transgene did not exactly represent the endogenous sp7 regulatory region. Tg(sp7:EGFP)b1212 was generated from bacterial artificial chromosome transgenesis using CH73-243G6 as the backbone, which did not contain the first exon of sp7 according to the annotation of the current genome assembly (chr6:58630884-58720045 and GRCz10), leading to the usage of a regulatory sequence different from the endogenous version. Whether this usage difference contributed to the ectopic expression pattern of the transgene requires further study. This finding points to the potential of using single-cellbased approaches in reporter line validation and more thorough analysis of the transgene behavior.

All zebrafish were used in accordance with protocol no. 20190041 approved by the Washington University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Wild-type and Tg(sp7:EGFP) strains are maintained under standard husbandry in the Washington University Fish Facility, with the system water temperature at 28.5C and a day-night cycle controlled as 14-hour light/10-hour dark. For fin amputation, we anesthetized 1-year-old fish with MS-222 (0.16 g/liter) in the system water and then removed the distal half of their caudal fin with sterilized razor blades. The fish were then sent back to circulating water system for recovery. We collected regenerating fin tissue from 39 fish by doing secondary fin amputation at the primary cutting plane with the same anesthesia and recovery procedures.

Collected fin tissues were digested by Accumax (Innovative Cell Technologies), filtered through 40-m cell strainers, and washed with 1 Dulbeccos phosphate-buffered saline (DPBS)0.04% bovine serum albumin to generate single-cell suspensions. Libraries were constructed from these cell suspensions following the instruction of the Chromium Single Cell Gene Expression Solution 3 v2 (10x Genomics) and were subsequently sequenced on HiSeq2500 (Illumina) with read lengths of 26 + 75 (Read1 + Read2). Raw reads were processed by Cell Ranger (10x Genomics) with default parameters for read tagging, alignment to zebrafish reference genome (GRCz10), and feature counting based on Ensembl release 91 (cellranger count). EGFP sequence was added into the reference genome as a separate chromosome for mapping reads from the reporter gene.

We performed unsupervised clustering using Seurat v3.0 following the procedure of normalization (SCTransform), highly variable gene detection, dimensional reduction (principal components analysis), and cells clustering (Louvain clustering at resolutions from 0.1 to 0.6) (17). For integrating the four stages in finding conserved cell types, we used the anchoring approach provided by Seurat v3. Cell clustering was based on the top principal components that account for most of the cell-cell variances. The same set of principal components was used in UMAP calculation for visualization as well.

We found differentially expressed genes in each cluster by comparing the expression profiles of them with those of the rest of the cells using Wilcoxon rank sumbased approach with the criteria of log fold change more than 0.25 and a minimum cell percentage of 0.25. The same criteria were applied to all pairwise comparisons, unless stated otherwise. We made functional connections between the list of differentially expressed genes and the type of cell that they most likely represent by testing for GO term enrichment (18) and manual curation by searching The Zebrafish Information Network database and PubMed. Certain cell clusters were taken as independent samples for secondary clustering following the same unsupervised clustering procedures.

We calculated the by-cell average expression level of a set of S phase or G2-M phase markers suggested by Seurat that are detected in our zebrafish dataset and normalized by subtracting aggregated expression of control genes. Although G1 phase cells are also within cell cycle, they are hardly separable from G0 cells. To avoid false-positive labeling for active cycling cells, we set stringent thresholds and only included cells with |S.score G2M.score| > 0.1 in the S or G2-M group, while cells with both S.score and G2M.score below zero as G1. Other cells were not included in this part of the analysis. Differentially expressed genes were also identified by Wilcoxon rank sumbased approach. These differentially expressed genes were considered to be cell cycle related if they were in the list of genes associated with R-DRE-1640170 Cell Cycle and/or cycling marker genes used for cell cycle phase score calculations.

We collected uninjured and regenerating fin tissues from casper (nacrew2/w2;roya9/a9) fish and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde overnight (60). Fixed tissues were subsequently submerged in 10% sucrose in 1 PBS, 20% sucrose in 1 PBS, and 30% sucrose in 1 PBS for 4 hours each. After sucrose exchange, tissues were embedded in Optimal Cutting Temperature (O.C.T.) compound (Fisher Healthcare Tissue-Plus) and snap frozen on dry ice. The frozen tissue blocks were then processed into 15-m sections on a Leica CM1950 cryostat. We performed RNA in situ hybridization targeting krt4, cldne, krt1-19d, cldna, krt94, cldni, cldn1, agr2, sema3b, stmn1b, and tnfaip6 for mRNA detection using an RNAscope kit (Advanced Cell Diagnostics, Hayward, CA, USA). Alcian blue/periodic acidSchiff (PAS) staining was subsequently performed on the same section or separately on a consecutive serial section following the manufacturers protocol (Newcomer Supply). Microscopic images were taken by ZEISS Axio Observer.

Cell trajectories were constructed using Slingshot v1.3.1 (40). Through initial subclustering and cell type identifications, we found one subcluster with high epcam expression, potentially a doublet cell contamination from the major cell type classifications. We removed this group of cells from all downstream analysis within the mesenchymal cluster. We used UMAP embedding and subclustering assignments as input for the Slingshot calculation.

We performed nonparametric Wilcoxon rank sum test to identify differentially expressed genes across cell groups as implemented in Seurat. P values were adjusted by all features in the dataset using Bonferroni correction.

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Stem Cell Banking Market Applications, Types and Future Outlook Report 2020-2025 – Express Journal

By daniellenierenberg

According to latest research report on Global Stem Cell Banking Market report provides information related to market size, production, CAGR, gross margin, growth rate, emerging trends, price, and other important factors. Focusing on the key momentum and restraining factors in this market, the report also provides a complete study of future trends and developments in the market.

The Stem Cell Banking report contains all the details of the expected market dynamics and new market opportunities due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Stratagem Market Insights tried to cover all the market analysis of annual economic growth in the latest report on the Stem Cell Banking market.

According to analysts, the growth of the Stem Cell Banking market will have a positive impact on the global platform and will witness gradual growth over the next few years. This report study incorporates all the market growth and restraining factors along with the important trends mentioned between 2020 and 2025.

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Market segmentation:

The Stem Cell Banking market has been segmented into a variety of essential industries including applications, types, and regions. In the report, each market segment is studied extensively, taking into account market acceptance, value, demand, and growth prospects. Segmentation analysis allows customers to customize their marketing approach to make better orders for each segment and identify the most potential customers.

Global Stem Cell Banking Market Segmentation by Application:

Global Stem Cell Banking Market Segmentation by Product:

Competitive Landscape

This section of the report identifies various major manufacturers in the market. It helps readers understand the strategies and collaborations players are focusing on fighting competition in the marketplace. The comprehensive report gives a microscopic view of the market. The reader can identify the manufacturers footprint by knowing about the manufacturers global revenue, the manufacturers global price, and the manufacturers production during the forecast period.

The major manufacturers covered in this report:

Regional Insights of Stem Cell Banking Market:

In terms of geography, this research report covers almost all major regions around the world such as North America, Europe, South America, Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. Europe and North America are expected to increase over the next few years. Stem Cell Banking markets in the Asia-Pacific region are expected to experience significant growth during the forecast period. Advanced technology and innovation are the most important characteristics of North America and the main reason why the United States dominates the world market. The Stem Cell Banking market in South America is also expected to expand in the near future.

Years considered for this report:

Important Facts about Stem Cell Banking Market Report:

Questions Answered by the Report:

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Cellect Biotechnology Reports Second Quarter Financial and Operating Results; First Half 2020 Strategic Developments Create Long-Term Revenue…

By daniellenierenberg

TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Cellect Biotechnology Ltd. (NASDAQ: APOP), a developer of innovative technology which enables the functional selection of stem cells, today reported financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020. The Company's six-month progress includes the development of several strategic initiatives, including growth-oriented opportunities in pain management and COVID-19 related therapeutics.

"Despite the COVID-19 pandemic business disruptions and the near-term delays to completing and commencing our clinical programs in Israel and the U.S., respectively, we acted swiftly over the past few months to leverage our sought-after technology to create several long-term business initiatives to enhance our value," commented Dr. Shai Yarkoni, Chief Executive Officer. "In addition to pursuing a potential merger with a global leader in the high growth medical-grade cannabis market, which is being delayed due to COVID-19, we have either initiated or are contemplating other business development activities that will greatly benefit from our innovation, technology and know-how. I believe each of these opportunities represents meaningful catalysts for Cellect in multi-billion-dollar markets, subject to resolution of the COVID-19 pandemic and return to normal course of business."

Notwithstanding the continued delays due to COVID-19, the Company remains focused on the following operational and clinical objectives:

The Company's cash and cash equivalents totaled $7 million as of June 30, 2020, which includes the approximately $1.5 million (gross before expenses)resulting from several investors exercising certain warrants that were issued in February 2019.

SecondQuarter 2020 Financial Results:

*For the convenience of the reader, the amounts above have been translated from NIS into U.S. dollars, at the representative rate of exchange on June 30, 2020 (U.S. $1 = NIS 3.466).

About Cellect Biotechnology Ltd.

Cellect Biotechnology (APOP) has developed a breakthrough technology, for the selection of stem cells from any given tissue, that aims to improve a variety of stem cell-based therapies.

The Company's technology is expected to provide researchers, clinical community and pharma companies with the tools to rapidly isolate stem cells in quantity and quality allowing stem cell-based treatments and procedures in a wide variety of applications in regenerative medicine. The Company's current clinical trial is aimed at bone marrow transplantations in cancer treatment.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements about the Company's expectations, beliefs and intentions. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "believe", "expect", "intend", "plan", "may", "should", "could", "might", "seek", "target", "will", "project", "forecast", "continue" or "anticipate" or their negatives or variations of these words or other comparable words or by the fact that these statements do not relate strictly to historical matters. For example, forward-looking statements are used in this press release when we discuss Cellect's expectations regarding timing of the commencement of its planned U.S. clinical trial and its plan to reduce operating costs. These forward-looking statements and their implications are based on the current expectations of the management of the Company only and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. In addition, historical results or conclusions from scientific research and clinical studies do not guarantee that future results would suggest similar conclusions or that historical results referred to herein would be interpreted similarly in light of additional research or otherwise. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements: the Company's history of losses and needs for additional capital to fund its operations and its inability to obtain additional capital on acceptable terms, or at all; the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; uncertainties of cash flows and inability to meet working capital needs; the Company's ability to obtain regulatory approvals; the Company's ability to obtain favorable pre-clinical and clinical trial results; the Company's technology may not be validated and its methods may not be accepted by the scientific community; difficulties enrolling patients in the Company's clinical trials; the ability to timely source adequate supply of FasL; risks resulting from unforeseen side effects; the Company's ability to establish and maintain strategic partnerships and other corporate collaborations; the scope of protection the Company is able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights and its ability to operate its business without infringing the intellectual property rights of others; competitive companies, technologies and the Company's industry; unforeseen scientific difficulties may develop with the Company's technology; the Company's ability to retain or attract key employees whose knowledge is essential to the development of its products; and the Company's ability to pursue any strategic transaction or that any transaction, if pursued, will be completed. Any forward-looking statement in this press release speaks only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by any applicable securities laws. More detailed information about the risks and uncertainties affecting the Company is contained under the heading "Risk Factors" in Cellect Biotechnology Ltd.'s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, which is available on the SEC's website, http://www.sec.gov, and in the Company's periodic filings with the SEC.

Cellect Biotechnology Ltd.

Consolidated Statement of Operation

Convenience

translation

Six months

ended

Six months ended

Three months ended

June 30,

June 30,

June 30,

2020

2020

2019

2020

2019

Unaudited

Unaudited

U.S. dollars

NIS

(In thousands, except share and per

share data)

Research and development expenses

837

2,901

7,086

1,364

3,564

General and administrative expenses

1,356

4,703

5,064

2,116

2,709

Operating loss

2,193

7,604

12,150

3,480

6,273

Financial expenses (income) due to warrants exercisable into shares

1,098

3,807

(7,111)

4,697

(5,919)

Other financial expenses (income), net

(15)

(55)

880

627

462

Total comprehensive loss

3,276

11,356

5,919

8,804

816

Loss per share:

Basic and diluted loss per share

0.010

0.034

0.029

0.024

0.004

Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to compute basic and diluted loss per share

338,182,275

338,182,275

200,942,871

365,428,101

224,087,799

Cellect Biotechnology Ltd.

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data

Convenience

translation

June 30,

June 30,

December 31,

2020

2020

2019

Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited

U.S. dollars

NIS

(In thousands, except share and per

share data)

CURRENT ASSETS:

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How European Startups Have Advanced Cancer T-Cell Therapy in… – Labiotech.eu

By daniellenierenberg

With the help of a huge 66M Series A round last week, the German startup T-knife is developing cancer T-cell immunotherapies with the help of genetically modified mice. However, this is just one of several cancer T-cell therapy startups making advances this year, with other innovations including off-the-shelf treatments and a potential universal cancer therapy.

The rise of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy was a major step forward in the treatment of cancer. CAR T-cell therapy consists of bioengineering a patients immune T cells to produce proteins called CARs. These proteins recognize targets on the surface of cancer cells, letting the T-cells destroy them. However, CAR T-cell therapy is also limited against solid tumors since many cancer targets lie within the cancer cells, beyond the reach of the CAR proteins.

In the last few months, European startups have been making advances in T-cell receptor (TCR) T-cell immunotherapies, which could be better than CAR T-cells at hunting down solid tumors. This is because the protein that is genetically modified on TCR T cells the TCR can recognize targets hidden inside cancer cells by scanning a protein on the cell surface called human leukocyte antigen (HLA).

Last week, the Berlin-based T-knife brought TCR T-cell therapies into the spotlight with a huge 66M Series A round. With the proceeds, the startup aims to take a radical approach to developing TCR T-cell therapies.

While most TCR T-cell therapy developers tweak existing human TCRs in their cell therapies, T-knife sources its cancer-hunting TCRs from mice. The firm genetically modifies mice to produce fully humanized T-cell receptors and injects them with human tumor antigens. The immune system of the mice then reacts to the cancer antigens and produces a variety of T-cell receptors. After picking the best cancer-seeking T-cell receptors from the mouse immune system, T-knife then expresses them in the patients T cells to produce the cell therapy.

The mouse immune system is not tolerant of human tumor antigens it sees them like a virus or a pathogen. Thus we can generate a strong immune response in the mice when we immunize them with human tumor antigens, Elisa Kieback, CEO and co-founder of T-knife, told me.

According to Kieback, the companys mouse-derived TCRs can latch onto cancer antigens more strongly and specifically than those of established TCR T-cell therapy biotechs such as Immatics and Adaptimmune. We are letting the mice select the best TCR via a very natural in vivo selection mechanism which means they are less likely to have off-target reactivity, she said.

T-knife exited stealth mode with the Series A round, which was led by the investment firms Versant Ventures and RA Capital Management. The company has already initiated the clinical development of a myeloma treatment and plans to sponsor a solid tumor trial in late 2021.

One drawback of cell therapies based on genetically modifying the patients own T cells is that the process is complex, costly, and must be tailored to each patient. To get around this issue, several European startups have been developing TCR T-cell therapies that use donor immune cells in an off-the-shelf fashion, cutting the costs of the therapy.

One such company is the Norwegian startup Zelluna Immunotherapy, which raised 7.5M in equity funding and grants in June. The company aims to develop a TCR T-cell therapy based on cancer-hunting immune cells called natural killer cells. The company sees these cells as well suited for making off-the-shelf therapies since they have a lower risk of attacking the patients healthy tissue than T cells and are faster at killing cancer cells.

Another off-the-shelf TCR T-cell therapy in the works is being developed by the Dutch biotech Gadeta, which appointed a new CEO in April. It is working with the US company Kite Pharma to engineer T cells that produce TCRs from a rare type of T cell called gamma delta T cells. The TCRs from gamma delta T cells are better at recognizing stress signals on cancer cells than those of the more common type of T cells, called alpha beta T cells.

Gadetas platform combines the key features ofalpha beta T cells, such as the high proliferation and memory capacity, with the anti-tumor specificity and activity of selectedgamma delta receptors, Marco Londei, the companys new CEO, told me. This novel T cell platform is perfectly placed for possible allogeneic off-the-shelf use.

Gadeta is currently preparing to enter phase I testing for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

TC Biopharm has also hinted at promising progress with its own off-the-shelf cancer cell immunotherapy. The Scottish startup collects gamma delta T cells from young, healthy donors and makes them produce CAR proteins like a CAR T-cell therapy.

In some patients, the innate ability to hunt and kill cells is compromised either because of the cancer itself, other pathologies or age, Michael Leek, CEO of TC BioPharm, explained.

This is no ordinary CAR T-cell therapy, however. TC BioPharm also uses the gamma delta T cells TCRs as a safety catch to avoid destroying healthy cells that happen to show a cancer target. The CAR protein recognizes a cancer target on the cell surface, but the gamma delta TCR only allows the cell therapy to kill cells that show signs of stress from cancer. This could make it much safer than current CAR T-cell therapies.

TC BioPharm initiated a phase I clinical trial for the treatment of the blood cancer acute myeloid leukemia last year. The trial has progressed well; all qualifying patients saw a marked response to treatment with reduction of their tumor burden, Leek told me. We hope to progress this therapy to market around 2021-22.

In addition to cancer, TC BioPharm has also joined a growing list of immuno-oncology companies testing the potential of its technology for the treatment of Covid-19, launching a phase I trial in July.

Though TCR T-cell therapies can target more types of cancer than CAR T-cell therapies, they still tend to be specific to particular types of cancers, and ineffective against others. One cancer entity is oftentimes much more heterogeneous than initially thought, Kai Pinkernell, CMO of Munich-based Medigene, told me. Could such a therapy target more than one cancer type?

In June, Medigene initiated a phase I clinical trial of a TCR T-cell therapy candidate for a diverse range of blood cancers. The treatment is designed to hit a target that they all have in common called HA-1. The trial is testing the treatment in patients that recently received a bone marrow stem cell transplant, but whose blood cancer has relapsed.

[Our therapy] would improve the current gold-standard approach, being stem cell transplantation. Interestingly, this could work in many different diseases that were the reason for the transplant, Pinkernell explained.

Another TCR T-cell therapy player aims to go even further with widening the range of treatments. In January, the London-based Ervaxx recently rebranded as Enara Bio entered a partnership agreement with the University of Cardiff to overcome a common limitation of TCR therapies: the HLA molecules that TCRs scan vary widely between patients, so TCR T-cell therapies need to be personalized to different patients.

To get around this obstacle, Enara Bio and a research group led by Andrew Sewell, Professor of Immunology at Cardiff University, are developing a type of TCR T-cell therapy that doesnt scan HLA, but rather a protein called MR1, which is the same from patient to patient and is found on a wide range of cancer cells.

We have various T-cell receptors that respond to most cancers without the need for a specific human leukocyte antigen that we are exploring, Sewell told me.

By accessing a wide range of cancers and patients, this cancer immunotherapy could work universally with no need for personalization. The team aims to test the therapy in humans at the end of this year.

While a universal cancer therapy is an intriguing concept, Pinkernell thinks that we should be cautious in our expectations of seeing such a therapy. The timing of the drug in the therapy of a cancer, or best window of application is not easy to find, he said.

T-knifes Kieback echoed the skepticism. For now, rather highly tumor-, target-, and patient-specific therapies will be required and emerge, she said. Londei of Gadeta agreed and pointed out the complexity of cancer disease development. Key challenges are understanding how tumors escape immunotherapies and how to find combination therapies to overcome this problem, for different types of tumors, he added.

Sewell has a slightly more optimistic take. I think it is a bit strong to say that there is potential for universal therapies, but we can definitely build T cells that recognize most cancers from all individuals. I feel that there is a prospect for immunotherapy to be successfully treating most cancers within the next 25 years.

Part of the reason for the unclear potential of TCR T-cell therapy is that it is at an early stage in the clinical pipeline. The most advanced TCR T-cell therapy programs havent yet gone beyond phase II, such as that of Adaptimmunes lead candidate. However, the size of T-knifes recent Series A round demonstrates that investors are interested in the future of the technology, so its going to be worth keeping an eye on the TCR T-cell startup scene in the coming years.

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