Monthly Archives: April 2012

There could be a path to a simpler recovery after a heart attack. Duke University Medical Center scientists have discovered a way to turn the scar tissue that forms after cardiac arrest into healthy muscle tissue, which would make a stem cell transplant unnecessary. To achieve this, researchers introduced microRNA to scar tissue cells in a living mouse. These hardened cells, called fibroblasts, develop as a result of a heart attack, and impede the organ's ability to pump blood. The microRNAs, which are molecules that govern the activity of several genes, were able to manipulate the fibroblasts to transform into cells that looked like cardiomyocytes, which comprise heart muscle. The results of their study have been published in the journal Circulation Research. While further exploration is required, the find is promising for the millions of people in the U.S. that suffer from heart disease, the leading cause of death in this country. But it has application beyond that. If it works for the heart, theoretically it would help regenerate tissues in the brain, the kidneys, and other organs. Now that this cell reversal technique has proven successful, researchers plan to test it with larger animals. If it works, they'll try … Continue reading →

Public release date: 25-Apr-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Kim Irwin kirwin@mednet.ucla.edu 310-206-2805 University of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences Can one feel too attached? Does one need to let go to mature? Neural stem cells have this problem, too. As immature cells, neural stem cells must stick together in a protected environment called a niche in order to divide so they can make all of the cells that populate the nervous system. But when it's time to mature, or differentiate, the neural stem cells must stop dividing, detach from their neighbors and migrate to where they are needed to form the circuits necessary for humans to think, feel and interact with the world. Now, stem cell researchers at UCLA have identified new components of the genetic pathway that controls the adhesive properties and proliferation of neural stem cells and the formation of neurons in early development. The finding by scientists at the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA could be important because errors in this pathway can lead to a variety of birth defects that affect the structure of the nervous system, as well as more subtle changes … Continue reading →

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire -04/26/12)- Stem Cell Therapeutics Corp. (SSS.V - News) ("SCT" or the "Company") a life sciences development company of stem cell-related therapeutics, today reported its operational and financial results for the 2011 fiscal year, ended December 31. The second half of 2011 was dedicated to repositioning the Company as the commercialization partner of choice for early-stage stem cell-related technologies in regenerative medicine for Canadian and international research institutions. SCT is actively working towards identifying possible acquisitions of stem cell-related technologies from research institutions or other private companies who are unable to access the public capital markets. In December 2011, the Company announced important organizational changes resulting in a reduction of overhead expenses. The reorganization of the Company's management team positioned SCT as a fully operational life sciences development company. In addition to the CEO function, positions such as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Medical Officer, Vice President of Development, and Director of Intellectual Property have been filled. The cost of maintaining this fully-staffed organization has been minimized by retaining the executives on an as-needed basis. The Company continues to actively manage its existing patent portfolio, underpinning the potential products from the research of Dr. Sam Weiss of the University of … Continue reading →

ScienceDaily (Apr. 26, 2012) A new study, appearing in Cell Stem Cell and led by researchers at the University of Southern California, outlines the specifics of how autoimmune disorders can be controlled by infusions of mesenchymal stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are highly versatile stem cells that originate from the mesoderm, or middle layer of tissue, in a developing embryo. MSC can be isolated from many different kinds of human tissue, including bone marrow and the umbilical cord. Principal investigator Songtao Shi, professor at the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, said that recent studies have shown the benefits of administering MSC to patients with immune-related disorders such as graft versus host disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and more. These studies showed that infusions of MSC appeared to quell the production and function of overactive immune cells, including T- and B-lymphocytes. However, the specific mechanism behind how MSC get the immune cells under control hasn't been fully understood. The new article shines light on how infused MSCs target and defeat overactive immune cells. Examining the effects of MSC infusion in mice with systemic sclerosis (SS)-like immune disorders, Shi and his colleagues discovered that … Continue reading →