Category Archives: Stem Cells

24 Hours of Stem Cells - 2013 Welcome
24 Hour Stem Cells is a virtual event produced by Life Technologies for Stem Cell Researchers all over the world. This video walks through the event and how to navigate through the virtual...

By: Life Technologies

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24 Hours of Stem Cells - 2013 Welcome - Video

A new stem-cell discovery might one day lead to a more streamlined process for obtaining stem cells, which in turn could be used in the development of replacement tissue for failing body parts, according to UC San Francisco scientists who reported the findings in the current edition of Cell.

The work builds on a strategy that involves reprogramming adult cells back to an embryonic state in which they again have the potential to become any type of cell.

The efficiency of this process may soon increase thanks to the scientists' identification of biochemical pathways that can inhibit the necessary reprogramming of gene activity in adult human cells. Removing these barriers increased the efficiency of stem-cell production, the researchers found.

"Our new work has important implications for both regenerative medicine and cancer research," said Miguel Ramalho-Santos, PhD, associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences and a member of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCSF, who led the research, funded in part by a NIH Director's New Innovator Award.

The earlier discovery that it was possible to take specialized adult cells and reverse the developmental clock to strip the mature cells of their distinctive identities and characteristics -- and to make them immortal, reprogrammable cells that theoretically can be used to replace any tissue type -- led to a share of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine being awarded to UCSF, Gladstone Institutes and Kyoto University researcher Shinya Yamanaka, MD, in 2012.

These induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are regarded as an alternative experimental approach to ongoing efforts to develop tissue from stem cells obtained from early-stage human embryos. However despite the promise of iPS cells and the excitement surrounding iPS research, the percentage of adult cells successfully converted to iPS cells is typically low, and the resultant cells often retain traces of their earlier lives as specialized cells.

Researchers generate stem cells by forcing the activation within adult cells of pluripotency-inducing genes -- starting with the so-called "Yamanaka factors" -- a process that turns back the clock on cellular maturation.

Yet, as Ramalho-Santos notes, "From the time of the discovery of iPS cells, it was appreciated that the specialized cells from which they are derived are not a blank slate. They express their own genes that may resist or counter reprogramming."

But the nature of what exactly was getting in the way of reprogramming remained poorly understood. "Now, by genetically removing multiple barriers to reprogramming, we have found that the efficiency of generation of iPS cells can be greatly increased," he said. The discovery will contribute to accelerating the safe and efficient use of iPS cells and other reprogrammed cells, according to Ramalho-Santos.

The researchers found not merely isolated genes acting as barriers, but rather sets of genes acting in concert through different mechanisms to throw up roadblocks to reprogramming. "At practically every level of a cell's functions there are genes that act in an intricately coordinated fashion to antagonize reprogramming," Ramalho-Santos said. These mechanisms are likely to help adult cells maintain their identities and functional roles.

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Stem cell advance may increase efficiency of tissue regeneration

A new stem-cell discovery might one day lead to a more streamlined process for obtaining stem cells, which in turn could be used in the development of replacement tissue for failing body parts, according to UC San Francisco scientists who reported the findings in the current edition of Cell.

The work builds on a strategy that involves reprogramming adult cells back to an embryonic state in which they again have the potential to become any type of cell.

The efficiency of this process may soon increase thanks to the scientists identification of biochemical pathways that can inhibit the necessary reprogramming of gene activity in adult human cells. Removing these barriers increased the efficiency of stem-cell production, the researchers found.

Our new work has important implications for both regenerative medicine and cancer research, said Miguel Ramalho-Santos, Ph.D., associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences and a member of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCSF, who led the research, funded in part by a prestigious NIH Directors New Innovator Award.

The earlier discovery that it was possible to take specialized adult cells and reverse the developmental clock to strip the mature cells of their distinctive identities and characteristics and to make them immortal, reprogrammable cells that theoretically can be used to replace any tissue type led to a share of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine being awarded to UCSF, Gladstone Institutes and Kyoto University researcher Shinya Yamanaka, M.D., in 2012.

These induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are regarded as an alternative experimental approach to ongoing efforts to develop tissue from stem cells obtained from early-stage human embryos. However, despite the promise of iPS cells and the excitement surrounding iPS research, the percentage of adult cells successfully converted to iPS cells is typically low, and the resultant cells often retain traces of their earlier lives as specialized cells.

Researchers generate stem cells by forcing the activation within adult cells of pluripotency-inducing genes starting with the so-called Yamanaka factors a process that turns back the clock on cellular maturation.

Yet, as Ramalho-Santos notes, From the time of the discovery of iPS cells, it was appreciated that the specialized cells from which they are derived are not a blank slate. They express their own genes that may resist or counter reprogramming.

But the nature of what exactly was getting in the way of reprogramming remained poorly understood. Now, by genetically removing multiple barriers to reprogramming, we have found that the efficiency of generation of iPS cells can be greatly increased, he said. The discovery will contribute to accelerating the safe and efficient use of iPS cells and other reprogrammed cells, according to Ramalho-Santos.

Miguel Ramalho-Santos

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Stem cell discovery may make tissue regeneration more efficient

Published at Retail Investor 360: Monday, 28 July 2014 20:02 by Doctor Hung V. Tran, MD, MS

Disclosure: I am long on MNKD.

Due to its capacity to self-renew and give rise to cells of various lineage, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have generated a great amount of enthusiasm over the past decade as a novel therapeutic paradigm for a variety of diseases. The leading, integrated stem cell company Osiris Therapeutics (NASDAQ:OSIR) thus indeed has captured and gained a significant impact in this unique market since infancy with its capabilities in groundbreaking research, development, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of stem cell products to treat unmet medical conditions in orthopedic, sport medicine and specifically wound care markets.

Source: Stem Cell

Giving the diabetes mellitus market is growing at a rapid rate globally; roughly 25 million or 8.3% of the U.S. population suffer from this condition. With its FDA approved super rapid acting insulin, Afrezza, that could mimic the actions of healthy pancreas, Mannkind Corporation (NASDAQ: MNKD) is already positioned it self to become the new leader in this huge insulin market. Diabetic complications such as diabetic foot ulceration, infection, and gangrene are significant complications and the leading causes of hospitalization in patients with diabetes mellitus. We believed that Afrezza's disruptive technology to deliver Technosphere insulin via a small whistle-like device Dreamboat enabling patient's with convenience, ease of use, hence, removing barriers leading to the aforementioned complication. Regardless of Afrezza's superiority or any other potential drugs, a sizeable number of patients, not having access to care due to poverty, transportation, or rural setting would not be able to optimally control their blood sugar, thus, succumb to diabetes complications. These complications often precede lower-extremity amputation. Prompt and aggressive treatments of diabetic foot ulcers are essential to prevent exacerbation of the problem and eliminate the potential for amputation. Osiris, thus, successfully tapped into this market and established a new standard in diabetic wound care, as well as proven the tremendous impact of stem cell can have in medicine.

Key Factors Involved in the Development of Diabetic Foot Problems

Diabetic foot ulcer is among the most common complications of diabetes, accounting for as many as 20% of all hospitalizations in diabetic patients at an annual cost of $200 to $350 million. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), 15% of diabetic patients experience significant foot ulcer during their lifetime.

Approximately 71,000 lower-extremity amputations, often sequelae of uncontrolled infection, are performed each year on diabetic patients; this represents up to 70% of all nontraumatic amputations in the United States. Also, approximately 20% of diabetics will undergo additional surgery or amputation of a second limb within 12 months of the initial amputation.

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Osiris Stem Cells To Compliment Mannkind's Afrezza In Disrupting Diabetes Market

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

28-Jul-2014

Contact: Meng Zhao eic@nrren.org 86-138-049-98773 Neural Regeneration Research

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important regulatory role in the self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells. Dr. Defeng Zou and co-workers from the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, China focuses on the effect of miRNA overexpression on the differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells into neurons. In the study released on the Neural Regeneration Research (Vol. 9, No. 12, 2014), researchers used GeneChip technology to analyze the expression of miRNAs in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, neural stem cells and neurons. They constructed a lentiviral vector overexpressing miR-124 and transfected it into bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Intracellular expression levels of the neuronal early markers -III tubulin and microtubule-associated protein-2 were significantly increased, and apoptosis was reduced in transfected cells. After miR-124-transfected bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were transplanted into the injured rat spinal cord, a large number of cells positive for the neuronal marker neurofilament-200 were observed in the transplanted region. The Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan locomotion scores showed that the motor function of the hind limb of rats with spinal cord injury was substantially improved. These results suggest that miR-124 plays an important role in the differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells into neurons, providing novel strategies for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for spinal cord injury.

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Article: "Overexpression of microRNA-124 promotes the neuronal differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells" by Defeng Zou1, Yi Chen2, Yaxin Han1, Chen Lv1, Guanjun Tu1 (1 Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China; 2 Department of Orthopedics, Jinhua Central Hospital of Zhejiang University, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, China)

Zou DF, Chen Y, Han YX, Lv C, Tu GJ. Overexpression of microRNA-124 promotes the neuronal differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Neural Regen Res. 2014;9(12):1241-1248.

Contact: Meng Zhao eic@nrren.org 86-138-049-98773 Neural Regeneration Research http://www.nrronline.org/

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

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How does microRNA-124 promote the neuronal differentiation of BMSCs?

Authorities are warning of the risks of unproven stem cell treatments available in Australia and overseas after the death of an Australian woman in Russia.

Brisbane mother-of-two Kellie van Meurs travelled to Moscow for treatment for a rare neurological disorder called Stiff Person Syndrome but died from a heart attack while undergoing the controversial treatment on July 19.

Her death - and the continued marketing of stem cell tourism by groups including Adult Stem Cell Foundation - prompted warnings that manyof the therapies on offer are untested and not acceptedby mainstream science.

Stem Cells Australia's head of education, ethics, law and community awareness Megan Munsie said a proliferation of private clinics combined with a growing consumer base was a potentially dangerous mix.

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''This sad case illustrates that some people are prepared to take the risk,'' she said. ''But people should balance their high hopes with the acknowledgement that there is a risk.''

She also cautioned that treatment decisions should be based more on the advice of medical professionals than the experiences outlined in social media, which was flush with success stories and often failed to reflect reality.

In December the country's main medical research funding body, the National Health and Medical Research Council, released a guide for patients and doctors highlighting the risks associated with unproven stem cell treatments in Australia and overseas.

The councils chief executive Warwick Anderson said if patients were willing to participate in unproved procedures, they should sign up for a registered clinical trial.

There are more than 200 registered clinical trials underway around the world investigating the role stem cells may play in the various systems of the human body, including lung and kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, autism, type 1 and 2 diabetes, prostate and liver cancer.

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Stem cell treatment warnings after Australian woman dies in Russia

Authorities are warning of the risks of unproven stem cell treatments available in Australia and overseas after the death of an Australian woman in Russia.

Brisbane mother-of-two Kellie van Meurs travelled to Moscow for treatment for a rare neurological disorder called Stiff Person Syndrome but died from a heart attack while undergoing the controversial treatment on July 19.

Her death - and the continued marketing of stem cell tourism by groups including Adult Stem Cell Foundation - prompted warnings that manyof the therapies on offer are untested and not acceptedby mainstream science.

Stem Cells Australia's head of education, ethics, law and community awareness Megan Munsie said a proliferation of private clinics combined with a growing consumer base was a potentially dangerous mix.

Advertisement

''This sad case illustrates that some people are prepared to take the risk,'' she said. ''But people should balance their high hopes with the acknowledgement that there is a risk.''

She also cautioned that treatment decisions should be based more on the advice of medical professionals than the experiences outlined in social media, which was flush with success stories and often failed to reflect reality.

In December the country's main medical research funding body, the National Health and Medical Research Council, released a guide for patients and doctors highlighting the risks associated with unproven stem cell treatments in Australia and overseas.

The councils chief executive Warwick Anderson said if patients were willing to participate in unproved procedures, they should sign up for a registered clinical trial.

There are more than 200 registered clinical trials underway around the world investigating the role stem cells may play in the various systems of the human body, including lung and kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, autism, type 1 and 2 diabetes, prostate and liver cancer.

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Stem cell treatment warnings

The Hindu Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Mayur Abhaya of LifeCell launch the public stem cell bank. Photo : M.Vedhan

Its a no brainer, said Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, when asked why shed decided to bank her umbilical cord blood after her baby was born. Its a simple but very precious gift we can give to our children. Medical progress is growing and will continue to grow. We already know how helpful stem cells extracted from cord blood can be; so it was very natural and easy for us to make that choice, she said.

Speaking at a press meet to launch a public stem cell banking venture by LifeCell, a stem cell bank, Ms. Bachchan lauded this initiative, saying it would have a large social impact and address the dearth of stem cells in the country.

Under this initiative, said Mayur Abhaya, CEO and managing director of LifeCell, parents will be encouraged to donate their cord blood after their baby is born. The blood will be collected, stem cells extracted and stored by LifeCell. A public cord blood inventory will be created and when needed, patients and their families can find a match in it, and the stem cells can be used, he said.

While the collection and storage will be free, the company plans to sell the stem cells to patients who need it. The sale costs will also help us store more cells, Mr. Abhaya said.

LifeCell plans to partner with at least 100 hospitals across the country and encourage donation. We intend to have an inventory of 10,000 units over the next three to five years. The idea is to have a diverse inventory so as to help more people, he said.

Cord blood is extremely rich in stem cells. These cells can be used be used to treat over 80 medical conditions including thalassemia and leukemia, LifeCell officials said, and research indicates it can be used for cerebral palsy, heart and brain conditions too. Of the 1 lakh units the company has stored, about 30 units have been released for transplants so far.

Globally, one million stem cell transplants have been performed and India too is catching up said Mr. Abhaya.

Last year, the Tamil Nadu government announced a grant of Rs. 9 crore to Jeevan Blood Bank and Research Centre for its public cord blood bank.

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Stem cell banking gets a star nod

Details Published on Saturday, 26 July 2014 21:02

A study found that stem cells injected into mice helped shorten muscle repair time. Picture courtesy of Shutterstock.com NEW YORK: Research conducted on exercising mice at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign could open new doors in the field of muscle repair using stem cells.

Scientists injected stem cells prior to encouraging mice to perform exercises considered the rough equivalent of human lengthening contractions performed as part of resistance training.

They found the time of muscle repair was shortened and they achieved considerable development of the mices muscles.

We have an interest in understanding how muscle responds to exercise, and which cellular components contribute to the increase in repair and growth with exercise, says study author and University of Illinois kinesiology and community health professor Marni Boppart.

Boppart says the research is important in treating atrophy and age-related degradation in both the structure and the function of muscles.

But the primary goal of our lab really is to have some understanding of how we can rejuvenate the aged muscle to prevent the physical disability that occurs with age, and to increase quality of life in general as well, she continued.

The types of stem cells used in the experiment are called mesenchymal (mezz-EN-chem-uhl) stem cells (MSCs) and they occur naturally in the body as part of the tissue that connects organs.

Boppart and her team selected MCSs for use on the mice knowing that MSCs emit growth factors.

Their experiment indicates that MCS cells stimulate muscle progenitor cells, which have the ability to differentiate within skeletal musclewhat Boppart refers to as a very complex organ that is highly innervated and vascularized.

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Stem Cells Could Hold Key To Muscle Repair, Says Study

"Stem Cells Dr. Nathan Newman" - Sean Wroe Jeuness Global Distributor
Stem Cells are the future of health and beauty. Jeunesse Global is at the forefront of this incredible Stem Cell Technology. Sean Wroe is a Jeunesse Global Distributor leading the way. http://www.seanwroe...

By: Sean Wroe

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"Stem Cells Dr. Nathan Newman" - Sean Wroe Jeuness Global Distributor - Video