Stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles ease brain
bleeding in newborn rats (Dec. 15, 2020)
For many premature babies there are extreme risks posed with
being birthed underdeveloped, among these is intraventricular hemorrhage, which
is bleeding in brain cavities containing cerebrospinal fluid. this often leads
to complications resulting in the development of seizures, cerebral palsy,
developmental defects, and a much higher mortality rate. There are currently no
successful treatments for neonatal intraventricular hemorrhages (IVH). However,
a recent study has shown that, in rats, treatment with extracellular vesicles
from mesenchymal stem cells can lessen the damage from IVH and improve
post-incident functionality and outcomes. This is believed to be because MSCs
secrete a protein-coding gene called BDNF that, when introduced to the
ventricular environment, alters the physiology in such a way as to minimize
damage. BDNF is a neurotropic growth factor.
Enhanced Scaffolds and Stem Cells Combine to Promote Bone
Repair (Dec. 14, 2020)
Stem cells, scaffolds, and growth factors, when used in
tandem, have been shown to repair bone damage. The most effective construct to
date is direct injection of an adenovirus vector (rAAV) encoding BMP-2 along
with mesenchymal stem cells. These demonstrate compatibility with
bone-scaffolds and the slow release of newly encoded BNP prolongs the effects
of MSCs in terms of osteogenic activity.
New method to boost supply of life-saving stem cells
(Dec. 18, 2020)
The authors of this study used an algorithm called VIPER to
assess the human genome, looking for proteins capable of reprogramming
blood-stem cells. Their aim was to force cells to acquire characteristics of
hematopoietic stem cells. One protein they uncovered was BAZ2B, which was able
to reprogram blood stem cells by rearranging their chromatin, opening up
regions in the genome that were previously inaccessible, boosting their
population numbers.
CIRM-funded study discovers potential therapy for one of
the leading causes of heart disease (Dec. 16, 2020)
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for most
demographic groups. Of the potential diseases in the heart, the third most
prevalent is calcific aortic disease, which is when calcium starts to accumulate
in the heart valves and vessels. This defect will cause them to harden
dramatically, sometimes even becoming as hard as bone. This has led scientists
to discover the cause most frequently being the NOTCH1 mutation, once corrected
this has the potential to reverse calcification.
https://gladstone.org/news/potential-therapy-one-leading-causes-heart-disease
First patient enrolled in stem cell therapy trial for
traumatic injury (Dec. 21, 2020)
At the University of Texas health science center. To
evaluate the safety and efficacy of MultiStem in the treatment of hemorrhage
following traumatic injury. MultiStem is a clinical product is developed from a
special class of stem cells: Multipotent Adult Progenitor Cells.
https://www.athersys.com/multistem-therapy/overview/default.aspx
Mesenchymal stromal cells in Human Immunodeficiency
Virus‐infected patients with discordant immune response: Early results of a
phase I/II clinical trial
Between 15-30% of HIV patients won’t increase T-cell counts
even with viral suppression. When treated with viral suppressants and MSCs,
these patients did not experience any significant increase in T-cell counts.
For this reason the study was recommended for suspension.
https://stemcellsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/sctm.20-0213
