Stem Cell Therapy for Parkinson's Proves Safe in Primates

In a step that brings stem cells closer to the clinic, researchers in Japan have found that transplanting reprogrammed stem cells into the brains of primates elicits little rejection by their immune systems.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are created when skin cells, for example, are genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic-like state. This kind of stem cells holds great potential for the treatment of disease, since the cells are genetically identical to the patient they are taken from.

However, studies in rodents have suggested that the immune system may still recognize cells derived from iPSCs as foreign, and mount an attack on them. This has cast doubt on the feasibility of similar cell therapy for humans.

To test this in an animal more closely related to humans, researchers studied macaques. Using cells taken from the monkeys mouths or from their bloodstream, the researchers created iPSCs which they then, in turn, transformed into neurons. These neurons were of a specific kind: dopamine-producing neurons, the type depleted by Parkinsons disease.

Each monkey got six injections of these neurons into its brainsome which had been made from their own cells and others which were from another individual and therefore mismatched. The team could then see what kind of immune response each type produced.

Over subsequent months of observation, the monkeys showed very little immune response to transplants of their own cells. Their immune response was much higher in response to cells from another monkey.

The team also tracked how well the neurons survived after transplantation. They found that even when there was an immune response from the primate, the dopamine-producing neurons survived. The study is published today in Stem Cell Reports.

Trials using iPSCs to treat people with Parkinsons disease could therefore be on the horizon. These findings give a rationale to start autologous transplantationat least of neural cellsin clinical situations, says senior author Jun Takahashi of Kyoto University.

Image by Oliver Sved / Shutterstock

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Study of 'sister' stem cells uncovers new cancer clue

Public release date: 26-Sep-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Graham Shaw graham.shaw@icr.ac.uk 44-020-715-35380 Institute of Cancer Research

Scientists have used a brand new technique for examining individual stem cells to uncover dramatic differences in the gene expression levels which genes are turned 'up' or 'down' between apparently identical 'sister' pairs.

The research, published today (Thursday) in Stem Cell Reports, was conducted and funded by The Institute of Cancer Research, London. It provides the latest evidence that despite having identical DNA, sister stem cells can display considerable differences in their molecular characteristics.

The study showed that DNA methylation, a process that controls which genes are expressed in cells, plays an important role in generating non-genetic (or 'epigenetic') differences between sister cells.

DNA methylation could therefore be one of the reasons for the major molecular variation between different cancer cells in the same tumour and drugs to reduce methylation might help control variation and make cancers easier to treat.

In the new research, scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) developed a novel micro-dissection technique to separate pairs of sister embryonic stem cells for single cell RNA analysis [1].

Using their new high-tech method, researchers separated and isolated mouse stem cells from their sister pairs and measured the behaviour of key genes known to be expressed in those cells. By comparing which of these genes were up or down regulated, they determined the levels of similarity between sister cells at the molecular level for the first time.

They found that under normal conditions, pairs of sister stem cells displayed considerable differences to each other, showing nearly as much diversity as two cells from different sister pairs.

The researchers then looked at cells grown in the presence of a chemical cocktail called 2i, which reverts cells back to their most primitive stem cell state where they can make identical copies of themselves. They found that the cells had reduced levels of two enzymes critical for DNA methylation and they produced more similar sister cells.

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Study of 'sister' stem cells uncovers new cancer clue

Stem Cell Scientists Identify Key Regulator Controlling Formation of Blood-Forming Stem Cells

Newswise (TORONTO, Canada Sept. 26, 2013) Stem cell scientists have moved one step closer to producing blood-forming stem cells in a Petri dish by identifying a key regulator controlling their formation in the early embryo, shows research published online today in Cell.

The work was reported by Dr. Gordon Keller, Director of the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine, and Senior Scientist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, both at University Health Network. Dr. Keller is also Professor in the Department of Medical Biophysics at the University of Toronto and holds a Canada Research Chair in stem cell biology.

Using mouse models to study the process of blood cell development, Dr. Keller and his team demonstrated that the retinoic acid signalling pathway is required for formation of blood-forming stem cells. Retinoic acid is produced from vitamin A and is essential for many areas of human growth and development.

When the researchers genetically disrupted the pathway that produces retinoic acid in mice, no blood-forming stem cells were produced. When they activated the pathway at the precise stage when stem cells develop, they observed a large increase in the number of blood-forming stem cells.

Understanding how different cells and tissues are made in the embryo provides important clues for producing human cell types from pluripotent stem cells in a Petri dish, says Dr. Keller. Pluripotent stem cells are master stem cells that are able to generate many different cell types including heart, blood, pancreas and liver. To make a specific cell type from pluripotent stem cells, one must direct them down the appropriate developmental path in the Petri dish.

Dr. Keller adds: Our findings have identified a critical regulator for directing pluripotent stem cells to make blood-forming stem cells, bringing us one step closer to our goal of developing a new and unlimited source of these stem cells for transplantation for the treatment of different blood cell diseases.

This research was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the U.S.-based National Institutes of Health. Dr. Kellers research is also supported by the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine, The Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation, and The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

About McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine The McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine was founded by Rob and Cheryl McEwen in 2003 and opened its doors in 2006. The McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine, part of Toronto-based University Health Network, is a world leading centre for stem cell research, facilitating collaboration between renowned scientists from 5 major hospitals in Toronto, the University of Toronto and around the world. Supported by philanthropic contributions and research grants, McEwen Centre scientists strive to introduce novel regenerative therapies for debilitating and life threatening illnesses including heart disease, spinal cord injury, diabetes, diseases of the blood, liver and arthritis. http://www.mcewencentre.com

About University Health Network University Health Network includes Toronto General and Toronto Western Hospitals, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. The scope of research and complexity of cases at University Health Network has made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. It has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in cardiology, transplantation, neurosciences, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. University Health Network is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto. http://www.uhn.ca

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Joseph Purita, M.D. and Maritza Novas, R.N., M.S.N of Stem Cell Training, Inc., Keynote Speakers at Anti-Aging and …

Miami (PRWEB) September 25, 2013

Two specialists from Stem Cell Training, Inc., a division of the Global Stem Cells Group, were invited keynote speakers at last months prestigious 7th annual World Meeting of the Australian Academy for Anti-Aging Medicine in Melbourne, Australia.

Joseph Purita, M.D. and Maritza Novas R.N., M.S.N., were in Melbourne August 24th and 25th for the two-day conference, focusing their discussions on stem cell medicine and its anti-aging applications. Purita and Novas joined other leaders from the worlds medical community to share cutting edge research and techniques from multiple medical streams to present groundbreaking advances in evidence-based, best-practice protocols for the early detection, prevention and treatment of obesity, metabolic disorders, related diseases and premature decline.

Purita, a lead trainer for Stem Cell Training, Inc. and a pioneer in the use of stem cells in orthopedics, graduated from Georgetown University Medical School and has been with the Boca Raton Orthopedic Group since 1981. He is a Global Stem Cell Group Advisory Board member and a member of the following organizations:

Purita is Board Certified by the following organizations:

Novas received her Medical Degree from the Medical School of University of Havana, completed her post-doctoral training and residency program in Family Medicine at the University of Phoenix, and is a member in good standing with the American Academy of Anti-aging medicine. She specializes in Functional Medicine, Age Management, Bio-identical Hormone Therapy, Weight Control and Rejuvenation. Novas has been a certified Adistem Specialist for more than four years.

Novas is a lead trainer with Stem Cell Training, Inc., having successfully trained and certified more than 150 physicians globally. She is also a member of Stem Cell Training, Inc.s of research and development team, and has assisted in the development of new proprietary adipose and bone marrow protocols currently being used in the companys comprehensive courses.

For more information, visit the Stem Cell Training, Inc. website, email info(at)stemcelltraining(dot)net, or call 305-224-1858.

About Global Stem Cells Group: Global Stem Cells Group, Inc. is the parent company of six wholly owned operating companies dedicated entirely to stem cell research, training, products and solutions. Founded in 2012, the company combines dedicated researchers, physician and patient educators and solution providers with the shared goal of meeting the growing worldwide need for leading edge stem cell treatments and solutions. With a singular focus on this exciting new area of medical research, Global Stem Cells Group and its subsidiaries are uniquely positioned to become global leaders in cellular medicine.

Global Stem Cells Groups corporate mission is to make the promise of stem cell medicine a reality for patients around the world. With each of GSCGs six operating companies focused on a separate research-based mission, the result is a global network of state-of-the-art stem cell treatments.

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Joseph Purita, M.D. and Maritza Novas, R.N., M.S.N of Stem Cell Training, Inc., Keynote Speakers at Anti-Aging and ...

Cell Medica opens a central European manufacturing facility in Berlin–Buch (Germany)

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Cell Medica, a leading T cell therapeutics company, today announced the opening of its European commercial manufacturing facility at the Max-Delbrck-Center of Molecular Medicine within the biotechnology park of Campus Berlin-Buch (Germany). This state-of-the-art facility for the GMP production of cell and gene therapies includes approximately 350 m2 clean room space.

Initial manufacturing will focus on Cytovir CMV an innovative treatment which uses the immune cells of a healthy donor to restore viral immunity against Cytomegalovirus infections in patients who are immunocompromized following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (bone marrow) transplant. The commercial launch of this product is planned in early 2014 and will confirm Cell Medicas position as one of the leaders in the development and market delivery of T cell therapeutics a new paradigm for the treatment of cancer and infections.

Dr. Rainer Knaus, Managing Director of Cell Medica GmbH and Head of the Companys global manufacturing operations, commented: This facility has been designed and equipped to provide high quality GMP compliant production of patient-specific cell and gene therapies for distribution across Europe. We are also very fortunate to have attracted highly educated and well-trained personnel who are keen to help shape this new era of cell-based therapeutics, says Dr. Knaus. These manufacturing specialists are preparing the facility for the supply of Cytovir CMV in early 2014.

The facility in Berlin-Buch will also be important for Cell Medicas planned CITADEL study for the investigation of Cell Medicas T cell therapy for the treatment of EBV-associated lymphomas. The provision of investigational medicinal products for European study centers will be undertaken following the required regulatory approvals.

The financing of Cell Medicas investment in the Berlin-Buch facility is supported in part by the Investitionsbank Berlin (IBB), the business development and promotional bank of the Federal Land of Berlin.

Notes toEditors

About CellMedica

Cell Medica is a cellular therapeutics company engaged in the development, manufacturing and marketing of T cell immunotherapy approaches for the treatment of infections and cancers related to oncogenic viruses. The Companys lead cell product, CytovirCMV, for the treatment and prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in patients following allogeneic bone marrow transplant, is available in the UK and is under development in other territories. Cytovir ADV is being developed for the treatment of adenovirus infections in pediatric patients following bone marrow transplantation. Cell Medica is also working with the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, to develop a cancer cellular therapeutic for the treatment of malignancies associated with the oncogenic Epstein BarrVirus.

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Cell Medica opens a central European manufacturing facility in Berlin–Buch (Germany)

Canadian stem cell technology expected to offer new options for blood stem cell transplants

Peter Zandstra receives the 2013 Till & McCulloch Award

OTTAWA, Sept. 25, 2013 /CNW/ - A Canadian technology that has the potential to boost the number of stem cells given to patients undergoing transplants of the blood-forming system has been recognized as the most impactful stem cell research paper authored by a Canadian in the past year. Dr. Peter Zandstra has been given the 2013 Till & McCulloch Award in recognition of this contribution to global stem cell research. Dr. Zandstra will accept the award and present a lecture entitled "Engineering pluripotent stem cell derived microtissues" as part of the Till & McCulloch Meetings, Canada's premier stem cell event.

Dr. Michael Rudnicki, Scientific Director of the Stem Cell Network, who launched the Till & McCulloch Award in 2005 and will make the award presentation, says the Zandstra group's publication was chosen due to the impact their technology is expected to have. "This technology will hasten the promise of regenerative medicine and the therapeutic possibilities of umbilical cord blood and hematopoietic stem cells in particular. It is very likely that Fed-Batch technology will improve the outcome of blood system transplants for many patients. We are proud to award the 2013 lecture to Dr. Zandstra for his pioneering work."

First author Elizabeth Csaszar, Zandstra and his team have developed a new culture system that has the ability to dramatically expand the clinical applications of hematopoietic (blood) stem cells (HSCs). Their breakthrough discovery is based on a Fed-Batch bioreactor technology and has the potential to improve the viability and success of cord blood stem cell transplantation by allowing for better-matched donors and increasing the number of stem cells in a transplant unit.

This new system will accelerate the possibilities of using HSC transplantation in clinical settings, especially in the treatment of certain forms of leukemia. The success rate of blood system transplantation is strongly correlated to the number of cells used. Dr. Zandstra's Fed-Batch technology can produce over 11 times more HSCs than originally existed and is designed to be adaptively scaled-up for human transplantations in clinical settings.

The article for which the award was granted, published in the February 2012 issue of Cell Stem Cell, entitled "Rapid Expansion of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells by Automated Control of Inhibitory Feedback Signaling," explains this novel discovery to expand cord blood cells. Dr. Zandstra is a professor at the University of Toronto'sInstitute for Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering, a principal investigator with the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine and the Chief Scientific Officer at the Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine.

Dr. Zandstra, the Canadian Research Chair in Stem Cell Bioengineering, was very pleased to learn he had been chosen for this honour. "When I was told I would be receiving the 2013 lecture award, I was very honoured to be recognized in this way by the scientific community. I am thrilled to be in the same company as the previous winners, who are all exceptional researchers in our field and help to drive advances in health care that will improve the lives of many. This technology, and others being supported and developed through the Stem Cell Network, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and CCRM funding, represents an exciting opportunity for Canadian leadership in the clinically important area of cell transplantation to treat leukemia."

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Canadian stem cell technology expected to offer new options for blood stem cell transplants

International Stem Cell Corporation to Present New Data From Parkinson's Disease Program at the American Neurological …

CARLSBAD, CA--(Marketwired - Sep 25, 2013) - International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCQB: ISCO) (www.internationalstemcell.com), a California-based biotechnology company developing novel stem cell based therapies, announced today that its chief scientific officer, Dr. Ruslan Semechkin, will present the latest results from its Parkinson's disease program at the American Neurological Association's 2013 Annual Meeting October 13 - 15, 2013 in New Orleans, LA.

Conducted in collaboration with the Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute, the presentation will include new data and results from ISCO's first primate study, including an outline of neural stem cells' unique mechanism of action, data on the fate of the cells and a detailed analysis of the primate's immune response to the implantation.The presentation will be at the following session:

Date: Monday, October 14, 2013 Time: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm Title: The Use of Neural Stem Cells for the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease in a Non-Human Primate Model

ISCO's Parkinson's disease program uses human parthenogenetic neural stem cells (hPNSC), a novel therapeutic cellular product derived from the company's proprietary histocompatible human pluripotent stem cells. The hPNSC are self-renewing multipotent cells that are precursors for the major cells of the central nervous system. The ability of hPNSC to (1) differentiate into dopaminergic neurons and (2) express neurotrophic factors such as glial derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to protect the nigrostriatal system, offers a new and revolutionary opportunity for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, especially in cases where current dopamine-replacement approaches fail to adequately control the symptoms.

About International Stem Cell Corporation

International Stem Cell Corporation is focused on the therapeutic applications of human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs) and the development and commercialization of cell-based research and cosmetic products.ISCO's core technology, parthenogenesis, results in the creation of pluripotent human stem cells from unfertilized oocytes (eggs) hence avoiding ethical issues associated with the use or destruction of viable human embryos.ISCO scientists have created the first parthenogenetic, homozygous stem cell line that can be a source of therapeutic cells for hundreds of millions of individuals of differing genders, ages and racial background with minimal immune rejection after transplantation. hpSCs offer the potential to create the first true stem cell bank, UniStemCell. ISCO also produces and markets specialized cells and growth media for therapeutic research worldwide through its subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology (www.lifelinecelltech.com), and stem cell-based skin care products through its subsidiary Lifeline Skin Care (www.lifelineskincare.com). More information is available at http://www.internationalstemcell.com.

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Pets Best Insurance Announces Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Veterinary Medicine by Vet-Stem, Inc. Covered by …

Poway, California (PRWEB) September 24, 2013

Vet-Stem, Inc., the world's leading Regenerative Veterinary Medicine company, is pleased to announce that Pets Best Insurance plans provide coverage for Regenerative Stem Cell Therapy. Pets Best Insurance knows that with pets come vet bills, especially when a pet is suffering from the pain of injury or arthritis. Pets Best Insurance wants the best for pets and their owners and Vet-Stem offers the best in regenerative medicine for them. Pets suffering from pain of osteoarthritis, joint issues, and injuries of the muscle, tendon and ligament can now be given stem cell therapy.

Vet-Stem first offered stem cell therapy for dogs and cats in 2007. One of the success stories and stem cell advocates is part of the Pets Best Insurance family, Jetta, owned by Greg McDonald, CEO of Pets Best Insurance.

Jack L. Stephens, DVM and President/Founder of Pets Best Insurance talks about Gregs experience: "Our CEO had a wonderful experience utilizing Vet-Stem therapy in his twelve year old lab. He loved throwing, and she loved chasing, a ball every evening. But as she aged, she just could not do it due to severe arthritis. Surgery was not a viable alternative and he asked me about stem cell therapy. I told him we had seen claims with the treatment and it was covered with our insurance. He had it done, her condition very much improved and she was able to chase the ball again. Pets Best Insurance provides full coverage for Vet-Stem Regenerative Cell Therapy, in fact we were early adopters of providing coverage and paying for the therapy. Any procedure performed by practicing veterinarians that helps pets, we are in favor of.

"We are proud that so many dog owners and veterinarians have placed their trust in Vet-Stem Cell therapy. We feel a great sense of accomplishment knowing that there are thousands of dogs and dog owners who have experienced the benefit of stem cell technology. This practical and beneficial application of technology puts stem cell therapy into the present day instead of a future theoretical concept. The fact that Pets Best provides coverage for our therapy is an added plus and makes this a viable treatment option for many more pet owners," said Robert Harman, DVM, MPVM, Founder and CEO of Vet-Stem.

For more information about Pets Best Insurance visit http://www.petsbest.com

About Vet-Stem, Inc. Vet-Stem, Inc. was formed in 2002 to bring regenerative medicine to the veterinary profession. The privately held company is working to develop therapies in veterinary medicine that apply regenerative technologies while utilizing the natural healing properties inherent in all animals. As the first company in the United States to provide an adipose-derived stem cell service to veterinarians for their patients, Vet-Stem, Inc. pioneered the use of regenerative stem cells in veterinary medicine. The company holds exclusive licenses to over 50 patents including world-wide veterinary rights for use of adipose derived stem cells. In the last decade over 10,000 animals have been treated using Vet-Stem, Inc.s services, and Vet-Stem is actively investigating stem cell therapy for immune-mediated and inflammatory disease, as well as organ disease and failure. For more on Vet-Stem, Inc. and Veterinary Regenerative Medicine visit http://www.vet-stem.com or call 858-748-2004.

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Pets Best Insurance Announces Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Veterinary Medicine by Vet-Stem, Inc. Covered by ...