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Researchers Find Stem Cells That Help Nails Regenerate

Posted: November 25, 2014 at 8:48 am

By Robert Preidt

HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Nov. 24, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers have discovered the stem cells that allow your nails to grow back after you lose them.

Using mouse nail cells, University of Southern California scientists identified stem cells that can perform two roles. In normal conditions, the stem cells assist in the growth of both the nails and nearby skin. However, if a nail is damaged or destroyed, the stem cells focus exclusively on nail repair, according to the study.

"That was a very surprising discovery, since the dual characteristic of these nail stem cells to regenerate both the nail and skin under certain physiological conditions is quite unique and different from other skin stem cells, such as those of the hair follicle or sweat gland," principal investigator Krzysztof Kobielak said in a university news release.

The researchers wonder if it might be possible to get these nail stem cells to produce other types of tissue. If so, it could lead to new ways to help people with everything from nail and finger defects to severe skin injuries and amputations.

Findings from the study were published online recently in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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UC3M, IISFJD and CIEMAT create a Chair for Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Bioengineering

Posted: November 25, 2014 at 8:47 am

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

24-Nov-2014

Contact: Fco. Javier Alonso fjalonso@bib.uc3m.es Carlos III University of Madrid @uc3m

This news release is available in Spanish.

The new Chair springs from the desire to boost biomedical research in pathologies that do not have adequate treatment, above all, in the area of genodermatosis and other skin diseases, in addition to developing innovative therapies that could the subject of clinical trials with patients.

As reflected in the agreement, the Chair's goal is to constitute a research team that is able to generate innovative therapeutic technologies at the national and international level, develop products with a biotechnological base that can benefit patients, foment doctoral theses focusing on this field, and also carry out the dissemination of information at scientific conferences and among the general public. The Chair will be headed by Professor Marcela del Ro Nechaevsky, from the Bioengineering Department at UC3M and the CIEMAT-CIBER Unit of Regenerative Medicine for Rare Diseases.

Among the activities to be carried out under the Chair's support are clinical characterization, physiopathology, cellular and genetic genodermatosis (genetic skin diseases); use of adult stem cells (mesenchymal and epitheial) for cutaneous skin regeneration; and use of 3D matrix carriers of adult stem cells to develop humanized research models and their application in pre-clinical trials

Use of adult stem cells

The Chair, which at the moment also encompasses some twenty researchers, will also carry out work in the area of gene therapy through the use genetically modified stem cells along two lines: its use as bioreactors for factors with biological activity and for pathological phenotype correction in genodermatosis. According to the Chair's Head, Marcela del Ro Nechaevsky, this iniciative will allow "quality research to be carried out and foment its transfer to benefit patients." The aim is to achieve pre-clinical results that in the middle term allow effective transfer to medical practice.

After signing the agreement, the president of the Fundacin Jimnez Daz Health Research Institute (IISFJD), Juan Antonio lvaro de la Parra, reflected that "this Chair will allow us to transfer all the knowledge generated by this research team to society."

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Cell therapy trial offers new hope to liver disease patients

Posted: November 25, 2014 at 8:44 am

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE:

24-Nov-2014

Contact: Jen Middleton jen.middleton@ed.ac.uk 44-131-650-6514 University of Edinburgh @uniofedinburgh

Liver disease patients could be helped by a new cell therapy to treat the condition.

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh have received funding to start testing the therapy in patients within the next year.

It will be the world's first clinical trial of a new type of cell therapy to treat liver cirrhosis, a common disease where scar tissue forms in the organ as a result of long-term damage.

The Edinburgh team has received funding from the Medical Research Council and Innovate UK to investigate the disease, which claims 4000 lives in the UK each year.

The only successful treatment for end-stage liver cirrhosis at present is an organ transplant. The new therapy is based on a type of white blood cell called a macrophage, which is key to normal repair processes in the liver.

Macrophages reduce scar tissue and stimulate the liver's own stem cells to expand and form into healthy new liver cells.

Scientists will take cells from the blood of patients with liver cirrhosis and turn them into macrophages in the lab using chemical signals.

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Stem Cell Transplantations: Cancer Treatment | MD Anderson …

Posted: November 25, 2014 at 8:42 am

MDAnderson's Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Center is one of the largest facilities in the world for stem cell transplants, performing more than 865 procedures for adults and children each year, more than any other center in the nation.

We treat a wide variety of cancers, hematologic diseases and autoimmune disorders, including:

Our center is recognized by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) as a specialized center for matched unrelated donor stem cell transplants, and maintains an advanced cell processing laboratory dedicated to preparing safe and effective tissues for transplantation. The apheresis and stem cell collection unit performs over 1,000 blood stem cell collections annually.

In addition to inpatient and outpatient services, the Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular therapy center has a clinic that helps monitor and manage complications of graft versus host disease.

Patients can be referred to the Stem Cell Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Center for cancer treatment.

Please complete the Patient Self-Referral form. You will be contacted by a Referral Specialist to collect the additional information required for confirming your appointment.

Please complete the Physician Referral form. A Referral Specialist will contact your office for additional information and then contact your patient to confirm the appointment.

Take advantage of our online services, including myMDAnderson, the personalized site that helps you manage your cancer treatment:

Go to myMDAnderson

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Leah Still to undergo stem cell therapy

Posted: November 25, 2014 at 8:42 am

CINCINNATI -- The daughter of a Cincinnati Bengal who has already been through so much has another big day ahead of her.

Leah Still -- Devon Stills daughter -- will undergo a stem cell transplant procedure on Tuesday. The stem cell treatment is an effort to regenerate her bone marrow and stem cells.

Still flew to Philadelphia Monday to be with Leah. They went shopping at a mall.

The smile you have after shutting down the mall, literally. This girl had security and the... http://t.co/HHWtLhf4pf pic.twitter.com/QFRMJsdlCX

Leah was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma in June. She had surgery to remove a tumor from her abdomen in September, followed by chemotherapy to try to remove the cancer from her bone marrow.

She has already been treated with a round of chemotherapy and radiation.

Devon Still said the family hopes that will be her only round of chemo and radiation but that it depends on how her results come back. He said it will take four to six weeks to determine if more treatments are necessary.

Follow Devon Still's updates on Twitter at @Dev_Still71

See a photo gallery from Leah's visit to Cincinnati.

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American Spine Launches Plasma Rich Platelet Therapy and Stem Cell Therapy Treatments

Posted: November 25, 2014 at 8:42 am

Frederick, Maryland (PRWEB) November 25, 2014

American Spine is a practice on the cutting edge, committed to providing the latest, most effective, and innovative treatments for its patients. As part of this philosophy, American Spine joins the excitement surrounding Regenerative Medicine, a modern and progressive field of orthopedics and sports medicine. Regenerative Medicine involves the application of biological therapy treatments that enhance the body's ability to heal itself.

Dr. Sandeep Sherlekar, M.D., an owner and physician at American Spine, comments: "PRP and Stem Cell Treatments are revolutionary regeneration options for now and the future."

The major benefit of PRP and Stem Cell Therapy Treatments is the use of the patient's own whole blood, bone marrow stem cells and adipose stem cells, thus eliminating the risk of rejection or infection from other donors. These treatments are increasing in popularity as an alternative to other more invasive techniques in treating ailments such as: Muscle Tears, Meniscus and ACL Injuries, Tennis and Golf Elbow, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, various types of Tendonitis, Plantar Fasciitis, Spine Disease with either Degenerative Disks or Annular Tearing, Osteoarthritis in the joints and many more. They are used as a way to speed healing after other methods of treatment or to aid in the healing of resistant, long lasting injuries.

The blood and/or stem cells are harvested from the patient and are then prepared using state-of-the-art technologies. The preparation of PRP allows for a platelet sample that is 5 times more concentrated with platelets than normal blood. Similarly, the preparation of the patient's stem cells produces a much higher concentration of stem cells, both of which are essential in the healing process. The PRP and/or stem cells are then injected back into the patient's injured or degenerated tissues under guided imaging. The potential complications of such treatments are similar to those associated with regular joint injections.

American Spine stringently follows the FDA guidelines for the clinical use of blood and stem cells. We do not expand, reproduce or grow anything within a culture.

If you are interested in learning more about these treatments as a method to your own healing process or that of your patients, please visit the following link: http://www.americanspinemd.com/blog/platelet-rich-plasma-prp-and-autologous-stem-cell-treatment or call our offices to request additional information about these revolutionary therapies. We are offering a free consultation for new patients who are considering these treatments. The individual patient's treatment protocol will be formulated and discussed during the consultation.

At American Spine, our multidisciplinary team of physicians treat each patient's individual needs. Using the latest techniques and state-of-the-art equipment to diagnose pain, our practitioners determine a plan to meet each patient's unique diagnosis. We have assembled the very best team of healthcare professionals who can most effectively help our patients with a compassionate and personalized approach. We have 10 Maryland locations and one location in Gettysburg, PA to service your individual needs.

Contact Information: American Spine 1050 Key Parkway, Suite 104, Frederick, MD 21702 ph: 240-629-3939 http://www.americanspinemd.com

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UCLA Researchers Unlock Protein Key to Harnessing Regenerative Power of Blood Stem Cells

Posted: November 25, 2014 at 8:42 am

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Newswise In a study led by Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research member, Dr. John Chute, UCLA scientists have for the first time identified a unique protein that plays a key role in regulating blood stem cell replication in humans.

This discovery lays the groundwork for a better understanding of how this protein controls blood stem cell growth and regeneration, and could lead to the development of more effective therapies for a wide range of blood diseases and cancers.

The study was published online November 21, 2014 ahead of print in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are the blood-forming cells that have the remarkable capacity to both self-renew and give rise to all of the differentiated cells (fully developed cells) of the blood system. HSC transplantation provides curative therapy for thousands of patients annually. However, little is known about the process through which transplanted HSCs replicate following their arrival in human bone marrow. In this study, the authors showed that a cell surface protein called protein tyrosine phosphatase-sigma (PTP-sigma) regulates the critical process called engraftment, meaning how HSCs start to grow and make health blood cells after transplantation.

Mamle Quarmyne, a graduate student the lab of Dr. Chute and first author of the study, demonstrated that PTP-sigma is produced (expressed) on a high percentage of mouse and human HSCs. She showed further that genetic deletion of PTP-sigma in mice markedly increased the ability of HSCs to engraft in transplanted mice.

In a complementary study, she demonstrated that selection of human blood HSCs which did not express PTP-sigma led to a 15-fold increase in HSC engraftment in transplanted immune-deficient mice. Taken together, these studies showed that PTP-sigma suppresses normal HSC engraftment capacity and targeted blockade of PTP-sigma can substantially improve mouse and human HSC engraftment after transplantation.

Chute and colleagues showed further that PTP-sigma regulates HSC function by suppressing a protein, RAC1, which is known to promote HSC engraftment after transplantation.

These findings have tremendous therapeutic potential since we have identified a new receptor on HSCs, PTP-sigma, which can be specifically targeted as a means to potently increase the engraftment of transplanted HSCs in patients, said Chute, senior author of the study and UCLA Professor of Hematology/Oncology and Radiation Oncology. This approach can also potentially accelerate hematologic recovery in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and/or radiation, which also suppress the blood and immune systems.

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Opening minds: the biotech company aiming to change stroke victims lives

Posted: November 24, 2014 at 8:48 am

Dr John Sinden, left, and Olav Helleb of Reneuron. Photograph: Linda Nylind for the Guardian

He wants to bore ahole in your head. But dont panic, Olav Helleb is not a modern-day trepanist and it will be a top-notch surgeon, not the 49-year-old Norwegian businessman, holding the drill.

Drilling holes in the skull sounds drastic. But Helleb says it is worth it; the procedure, coupled with injections of stem cells, from his British biotech company Reneuron, could help heal victims of debilitating strokes, he says.

Its a routine thing but it does sound pretty scary to me, Helleb says of cranial drilling. You only do it if you think it is going to make a significant difference to the patient. You set the bar pretty high, its not an antihistamine pill.

The treatment isnt pills but millions of stem cells undifferentiated cells that can be encouraged to grow into all kinds of human cells. Helleb says the cells injected into patients brains can be encouraged to regenerate neurons lost in a stroke.

The field is regenerative medicine, which in a word tells you it is about regenerating cells which are missing or damaged in some way. So in a way it is a cure, he said. Reneuron is re-growing neurons in the brain. The idea is that we can somehow spur the regrowth of those neurons so we can improve the outcomes of strokes.

The treatment, first developed by John Sinden, in a Kings College London laboratory 15 years ago, has passed phase-one trials and the firm has begun phase-two clinical trials with 41 patients.

Helleb, an experienced biotech executive who previously commuted from his Hampstead home to Oslo while head of the Norwegian firm Clavis Pharma, was brought in by Reneurons directors this autumn to drive the firm and its technology from the lab bench into hospitals.

He believes that if the procedure is successful it could give hundreds of thousands of stroke patients their lives back, and save billions for the NHS and other countries healthcare budgets.

At present, he says, stroke patients typically improve for a few weeks, but then stop progressing. Our plan is to treat the patient after a month, maybe two, and kickstart that healing process again, he said. It can have a huge impact. It can make the difference between having a full-time carer helping you with everything to being able to function by yourself.

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Regeneus in commercialisation discussions reduces costs in review

Posted: November 24, 2014 at 8:48 am

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Regenerative medicine company Regeneus Ltd () will increase its focus on partnering to commercialise its products as well as streamline operations and reduce costs.

The company is in discussions with potential partners about the licensing development and distribution of its allogeneic stem cell products.

In a wide reaching strategic review of operations outlined at the recent AGM the successful measures and cost reductions will see Regeneus on track to meet its reduced quarterly cash burn target of 1.7 million.

Significantly this will provide an expected two year cash runway.

Completion of the early stage research and development phases for a number of products now allows a greater focus on partnering and commercialisation.

New CEO John Martin said: our review identified a number of opportunities for streamlining our management structure and operations without having any significant impact on meeting our business and product development milestones for the next 18 months.

"We have increased our focus on licensing commercialisation partners for the co-development and distribution of products. HiQCell Kvax and our stem cell secretions cream are all at the stage where they can be commercialised and we are currently engaged with a number of parties about the distribution of these products.

"We are also in discussions with potential partners about the licensing development and distribution of our allogeneic stem cell products CryoShot and Progenza (PRG).

Martin said further: We have successfully completed an expensive phase in the development of our products. The Kvax vaccine manufacturing process is complete and has been transferred to Hennessey our manufacturing partner in the US.

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Stem Cell Cure for "Bubble Baby" Disease (SCID), Pioneered by UCLA's Don Kohn – Video

Posted: November 24, 2014 at 8:46 am


Stem Cell Cure for "Bubble Baby" Disease (SCID), Pioneered by UCLA #39;s Don Kohn
On November 18th, 2014, a UCLA research team led by Donald Kohn, M.D., announced a breakthrough gene therapy and stem cell cure for "bubble baby" disease, or severe combined ...

By: California Institute for Regenerative Medicine

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