Restoring vision to the blind – Science Magazine

Surveys consistently report that people fear total blindness more than any other disability, and currently the major cause of untreatable blindness is retinal disease. The retina, a part of the brain that extends into the eye during development, initiates vision by first detecting light with the rod and cone photoreceptors. Four classes of retinal neurons then begin the analysis of visual images. Defects in the optical media that transmit and focus light rays onto the retina (lens and cornea) can usually be dealt with surgically, although such treatments are not available in some parts of the world, resulting in as many as 20 to 30 million legally blind individuals worldwide. Untreatable retinal disease potentially causes legal or total blindness in more than 11 million people in the United States alone, but progress in treatments raises the possibility of restoring vision in several types of retinal blindness (1).

Retinal neurons comprise bipolar and horizontal cells, which are second-order neurons that receive signals from the photoreceptors in the outer retina. Third-order amacrine and retinal ganglion cells are activated in the inner retina by bipolar cells. Axons from the ganglion cells form the optic nerve and carry the visual message to the rest of the brain (see the figure). The cells most susceptible to blinding retinal disease are the photoreceptors and ganglion cells. Whereas progress has been made in combating blindness caused by photoreceptor degeneration, little can be done currently to address ganglion cell loss, such as occurs in glaucoma.

The approach that has been most successful in restoring photoreceptor loss that results in complete blindness is the use of retinal prosthetic devices, with two now approved for clinical use (2). These devices electrically stimulate either bipolar or ganglion cells. They require goggles that have a camera that converts visual stimuli into electrical stimuli that activate the device, which in turn stimulates the retinal cells. Several hundred of these devices have been implanted in blind or virtually blind individuals, 70 to 80% of whom report improvement in quality of life. For those who are completely blind, the ability to experience again at least some visual function is viewed as a miracle.

There are substantial limitations to the devices, however. The best visual acuity attained so far is poor (20/500) and visual field size is limited, but many improvements, mainly technical, are being developed and tested, including the potential use of electronic low-vision devices to increase visual field size and acuity (3). Retinal prostheses are not useful for patients who are blind because of loss of ganglion cells and/or the optic nerve, but prostheses that bypass the retina and stimulate more central visual structures, including the lateral geniculate nucleus (the intermediary between retina and cortex) and visual cortex, are being developed and tested in humans (4). There remain considerable technical issues, but preliminary data indicate that such devices are feasible.

A second approach to treat photoreceptor degeneration and potential blindness, now in the clinic, is gene therapy (5). This involves injecting a viral construct into the eye that contains a normal gene to replace an abnormal one. Success so far has been limited to the treatment of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) type 2, a rare form of retinitis pigmentosa in which the gene whose product is required to form the correct isomer of vitamin A aldehyde, the chromophore of the visual pigments, is mutated. Little of the correct isomer is made in LCA patients, resulting in substantial loss of photoreceptor light sensitivity. This is reversed when viral constructs encoding the normal gene are injected deep into the eye between the photoreceptors and pigment epithelium.

Two factors make this approach feasible in LCA: The genetic defect is monogenic, and many of the photoreceptors in the patients remain alive, although compromised. Thus, how broadly feasible gene therapy will be for treating the enormous range of inherited retinal diseases now known to exist (300) remains to be seen. But at least a dozen other gene therapy trials on monogenic inherited eye diseases similar to LCA are under way (6). Other methods to manipulate genes are now available, including CRISPR-mediated editing of retinal genes. So far, the experiments have been mainly on isolated cells or retinas, but these powerful techniques are likely to have eventual clinical applications.

A variation on the use of gene therapy techniques is optogenetics, in which light-sensitive molecules are introduced into non-photosensitive retinal cells. This approach holds much promise for restoring vision to totally blind individuals whose photoreceptors have been lost. Using viruses to insert genes encoding light-sensitive molecules into bipolar and ganglion cells, as well as surviving photoreceptor cells that are no longer photosensitive, has been accomplished in animals and shown to restore some vision (7). Again, technical issues remain: The cells made light-sensitive require bright light stimuli, and the light-sensitive cells do not adapt. That is, whereas photoreceptors normally allow vision over as much as 10 log units of light intensity, the cells made light-sensitive respond only to a range of 2 to 3 log units. Various methods to overcome these limitations are now being developed, and at least one clinical trial is under way. Experiments to make cortical neurons sensitive to light or other stimuli that better penetrate the skullmagnetic fields or ultrasound, for exampleare also being developed and tested in animals.

Other promising approaches to restore vision are being explored. In cold-blooded vertebrates, retinal cells (in fish) and even the entire retina (in amphibians) can regenerate endogenously after damage. Regeneration of retinal cells in zebrafish is now quite well understood (8). The regenerated neurons come from the major glial cell in the retina, the Mller cell. After retinal damage, Mller cells reenter the cell cycle and divide asymmetrically to self-renew and produce a progenitor cell that proliferates to produce a pool of cells capable of differentiating into new retinal cells that repair the retina.

A number of transcription factors and other factors identified as being involved in retinal regeneration in zebrafish have been shown to stimulate some Mller cell proliferation and neuronal regeneration in mice. Regenerated bipolar and amacrine cells, as well as rod photoreceptors, have so far been identified in mouse retinas, and these cells are responsive to light stimuli (9, 10). Further, cells postsynaptic to the regenerated neurons are activated by light stimuli, indicating that the regenerated neurons have been incorporated into the retinal neural circuitry. So far, the regenerative capacity of mammalian Mller cells is limited, but directed differentiation of specific types of neurons with a mix of factors appears to be a possibility. Regrowth of ganglion cell axons after the optic nerve is disrupted is also under active investigation, and although the number of axons regrowing is low (10%), those that do regrow establish synaptic connections with their correct targets (11). Therefore, endogenous regeneration is still far from clinical testing, but substantial progress has occurred.

The retina lines the back of the eye and consists of rod and cone photoreceptors, as well as four types of neuron: second-order bipolar and horizontal cells and third-order retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and amacrine cells. Mller glial cells fill the spaces between the neurons. The pigment epithelium, critical for photoreceptor function, underlies the retina. Photoreceptors and RGCs are most susceptible to blinding retinal disease. Progress in combating photoreceptor degeneration has been made, but there are few strategies to address RGC loss.

A long-studied area of research is transplantation of retinal cells, particularly photoreceptors, into diseased retinas. In experiments with mice, transplanted postmitotic rod photoreceptor precursor cells derived from embryonic retinas or from stem cells appeared to integrate into diseased retinas in reasonable numbers and to be functional. A surprising and unexpected complication in the interpretation of these experiments was recently discovered. Rather than integrating into diseased retinas, the donor cells appear to pass material (RNA or protein) into remaining host photoreceptor cells, rejuvenating them, and these appear to be most of the functional cells (12). The current evidence suggests that only a small proportion of the donor cells integrate, but progress in overcoming this setback is being made.

More success has been reported with stem cells induced to become pigment epithelial (PE) cells, which provide essential support for photoreceptors. A number of blinding retinal diseases relate to the degeneration of the PE cells, and replacement using such cellsin a suspension or on a scaffoldis being actively pursued. PE cells do not need to integrate synaptically with retinal cells; they simply need to contact the photoreceptor cells. This is achieved when PE cells are placed between the retina and the back of the eye. Early clinical trials suggest that the transplants are safe, but retinal detachment, a serious complication, can occur and efficacy has yet to be shown (13).

The finding that donor photoreceptor cells can help diseased host retinal cells to recover function suggests that certain substances can provide neuroprotection. Indeed, a substantial number of such neuroprotective molecules have been shown to affect retinal disease progression, especially degeneration of photoreceptor cells. No one factor has been shown to be effective generally, but two have received much attention. One, ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), promotes photoreceptor survival in light-induced photoreceptor degeneration and in several other models of retinal degeneration (14). Some evidence suggests that CNTF acts primarily on Mller cells, but how it works, and on what cells, is still unclear. The other factor, rod-derived cone viability (RDCV) factor, has received less research attention, but with recent industrial support, it is now being advanced to the clinic. Current evidence indicates that RCDV factor protects cones after rod degeneration.

Two of the most common retinal diseases in developed countriesage-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of legal blindness (visual acuity of less than 20/200), and glaucoma, the leading cause of total blindnessare not monogenic diseases, and so genetic treatments for them are not obvious. Attempts to understand the etiology of these diseases are under way, but currently their underlying causes are still unclear. A difficulty presented by AMD is that no animal model is readily available, because it is a disease of the fovea, which mediates high-acuity vision. Except for primates, other mammals do not possess this small critical retinal area. Whereas large primates are not feasible for extensive cellular or molecular studies, small primates such as marmosets that have a fovea are potential models but have not been used much to date.

Other approaches for restoring vision have been suggested and have even yielded some progress. From both normal humans and those with an inherited retinal disease, skin biopsy cells can be induced to form tiny retinal eyecups called organoids (15). Containing all retinal cell types, these structures could be a source of retinal cells for studying retinal disease development and possible therapies, as well as for cell transplantation. A fovea has not been observed in any organoid so far, but this is not beyond the realm of possibility. Another suggested approach is to surgically transplant whole eyes into blind individuals. This appears feasible, but whether there is sufficient optic nerve regrowth remains an open question.

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Restoring vision to the blind - Science Magazine

Ontario Announces First Phase of Research Projects to Fight COVID-19 – Government of Ontario News

Ontario Announces First Phase of Research Projects to Fight COVID-19Ontario-Based Solutions Contribute to the Global Effort against the Outbreak

Ontario is funding the following research on preventing, detecting and treating COVID-19. These projects focus on important areas of research, including vaccine development, diagnostics, drug trials and development, and social sciences.

A Randomized Open-Label Trial of CONvalescent Plasma for Hospitalized Adults with Acute COVID-19 Respiratory Illness (CONCOR-1)Donald Arnold, Principal InvestigatorMcMaster University

CONCOR-1 is a clinical trial that will collect blood plasma from individuals who have recovered from COVID-19, known as COVID-19 convalescent plasma. Convalescent plasma contains COVID-19 antibodies, proteins that help fight the virus. Convalescent plasma will be injected into patients currently fighting the infection, to test whether this is an effective treatment for the virus. This clinical trial will enrol patients 16 years of age and older admitted to hospital with COVID-19 and who require supplemental oxygen for respiratory illness.

Partners include 60 hospitals across Canada and three hospitals in New York City, the Canadian Blood Services and Hma-Qubec and the New York Blood Center.

Research and Deployment of Rapid High-Throughput Diagnostic Testing for COVID-19Marek Smieja, Principal InvestigatorSt Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

This project will increase Ontario's COVID-19 testing capacity by deploying robotic liquid handling technology, specimen pooling, and efficient sample preparation, while reducing biological risk and ensuring reliable results. The Disease Diagnostics & Development group in the Research Institute of St Joe's Hamilton (RSJH) is collaborating with the Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program (HRLMP) and other clinical laboratories across the province to quickly develop, validate, and deliver high-throughput, COVID-19 testing, with the goal of testing up to 6,000 samples per lab daily.

Assay Development for SARS-CoV-2 Sero-SurveillanceJennifer Gommerman, Principal InvestigatorUniversity of Toronto

This study will provide a better understanding of the immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19. This approach aims to measure the level and/or types of antibodies induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection in the blood of acute and convalescent patients. In addition, measuring these antibodies in the saliva of asymptomatic infected subjects identified through contact tracing will provide insights into what the early immune response to the virus looks like, and how this may correlate with clinical outcome. This knowledge, as well as the development of a robust serosurveillance platform, represents a powerful weapon in our fight against COVID-19.

Multivalent Antibody Scaffold to Deliver an Exceptionally Potent and Broad Antiviral Against SARS-CoV-2Jean-Philippe Julien, Principal InvestigatorThe Hospital for Sick Children

This project has the potential to develop a unique antibody-based molecule for protection and treatment against COVID-19. Molecular technology will allow these researchers to decipher the vulnerabilities of the virus with the goal of developing a potent and broad antiviral that neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 and prevents associated COVID-19 symptoms.

Developing Prophylactic Virus-Vectored Vaccines for COVID-19Byram Bridle, Leonardo Susta and Sarah Wootton (Co-Principal Investigators, University of Guelph); Darwyn Kobasa, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada (Collaborator) University of Guelph

This research aims to develop a vaccination strategy for COVID-19. By developing avian avulavirus (AAvV-1) and adenovirus viral-vectored vaccines expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as a target antigen, researchers will test these vaccines in mice to identify a way to induce robust protective mucosal (respiratory, gastrointestinal and urogenital tract) and systemic immunity. Mucosal immunity plays a significant role in preventing pathogens from getting into the body. Systemic immunity clears any pathogens that bypass mucosal barriers. After optimization, these vaccines will be evaluated in a hamster challenge model at the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg.

The RAPID COVID Study - Application of Point-of-Care COVID-19 Testing to Optimize Patient Care, Resource Allocation and Safety for Frontline StaffDerek So, Principal InvestigatorUniversity of Ottawa Heart Institute

This study will determine the role of point-of-care testing (POC) as a tool to improve care of COVID-19 patients and conserve resources. A major obstacle facing hospitals during the COVID-19 outbreak is the inability to quickly diagnose who is infected with the virus. Delayed test results could mean that patients, who ultimately test negative, are treated for days utilising resources that could be better deployed elsewhere. An immediate diagnosis of COVID-19 among carriers could provide more expedient treatment, prevent clinical deterioration and help health care workers avoid unnecessary risk of exposure.

In collaboration with Spartan Biosciences, which has developed a novel point-of-care 45-minute bedside COVID-19 test, and a team of specialists from six centres in Ontario, this research will evaluate the efficacy of POC testing to determine when, how and to who it can be applied.

A Prospective, Observational Research Study on the Diagnosis of COVID-19 Infection from Stool Samples of Children and AdultsNikhil Pai, Jeff Pernica, Marek Smieja (Co-Principal Investigators)McMaster University

Through the development and use of a novel test to diagnose COVID-19 from stool samples, this team will assess up to 4,500 stool samples collected from outpatient clinics, emergency departments and inpatient wards across eight major Hamilton region hospitals and clinics. This work will improve COVID-19 disease detection in children and adults who lack respiratory symptoms, are asymptomatic, or are presumed to have "recovered" from past infection. The researchers hope to expand COVID-19 testing options across Canada and ultimately, better identify patients who carry high risk of community transmission than traditional respiratory testing alone.

Cellular Immuno-Therapy for COVID-19 Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: The CIRCA-19 TrialDuncan Stewart, Principal InvestigatorOttawa Hospital Research Institute

Through a series of trials, this research will rapidly evaluate the safety and efficacy of using mesenchymal stromal/stem cells, or MSCs, to help treat patients with COVID-19 related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Up to 25 percent of all patients admitted to hospital require admission to an intensive care unit, and as many as 40 percent develop severe difficulty breathing due to ARDS.

In total, 27 patients will undergo three sequential trials. The first trial, called the Vanguard study, is designed to quickly determine the optimal dosing strategy of MSCs derived from bone marrow to treat patients experiencing ARDS. The next two trials will use the optimal dose of cells determined by the Vanguard trial, but will administer MSCs derived from the umbilical cord, which is an abundant and readily available source.

Rapid Identification of Immunogenic and T-cell Epitopes to Enable Serologic Testing, Passive Immunotherapy, and Epitope Vaccine for COVID-19Shawn Li, Principal InvestigatorWestern University

To curb the COVID-19 outbreak caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, researchers are looking to solve three critical challenges as quickly as possible - detection, treatment, and vaccination. This project will address these challenges by developing a point-of-care blood test to identify infected individuals, including those without symptoms, devising strategies for the production of virus-neutralizing antibodies to treat the severely ill, and identifying viral epitopes to inform epitope-vaccine development.

The Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Children with Medical Complexity Technology Dependency: A Novel Research Cohort StudyAudrey Lim, Principal InvestigatorMcMaster University

This study addresses how to effectively manage pediatric patients remotely by identifying the barriers and facilitators of virtual clinics. COVID-19 is placing strain on families of children with medical complexity, medical fragility and technology dependency. Many of these children are dependent on life sustaining technology such as tracheostomy, home mechanical ventilation, and/or enteral feeding tubes. Though accounting for less than 1 percent of all children in Ontario, this group is at increased risk of multiple and prolonged hospitalizations and poorer health outcomes. Normally, these children are seen at a hospital to address their multiple complex needs, however due to COVID-19, all in-person clinic appointments have been replaced by virtual clinics. Parental satisfaction with virtual clinic healthcare teams will also be assessed using a quality improvement tool developed for this study. This research has the potential to advance virtual medicine, beyond COVID-19.

Food Retail Environment Surveillance for Health and Economic Resiliency: FRESHER OntarioJason Gilliland, Principal InvestigatorWestern University

The Food Retail Environment Surveillance for Health & Economic Resiliency (FRESHER) project is a rapid response to the widespread closures of, and modified operating conditions for, many retail food outlets. The FRESHER project will examine the economic and social impacts of COVID-19 in Southwestern Ontario by identifying what businesses modified their operations, temporarily closed or permanently closed during the outbreak and how the outbreak has affected businesses and their employees. This study will help inform policies and programs that will maintain Ontario's food security, incentivize economic growth during the recovery period, and improve resiliency among businesses during future pandemics and emergencies.

Protective Immunity in Individuals Infected with COVID-19Ishac Nazy, Principal InvestigatorMcMaster University

The goal of this research is to determine the makeup, concentration, strength and viral properties of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies to provide insights into the immune response of individuals infected with COVID-19. Working with Dr. Arnold (CONCOR-1 study on convalescent plasma therapy), this team will use samples from recovered patients to test whether antibodies exist, and if they are able to bind and neutralize the virus. This research will determine whether immunity is longstanding or if it wanes over time; and will inform researchers how immune-based treatments work to fight off the virus, including convalescent plasma or future vaccines.

Clinical Research on the Therapeutic Benefits of Annexin A5 in Severe COVID-19 PatientsClaudio Martin, Principal InvestigatorLawson Health Research Institute

There are currently no proven therapies to treat COVID-19. In the most severe cases, the disease is complicated by sepsis acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and multiorgan failure. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by the body's response to an infection. While the body normally releases chemicals to fight an infection, sepsis occurs when the body's response to these chemicals is out of balance, triggering systemic inflammation that can damage multiple organs. Many critically ill COVID-19 patients develop sepsis 1-2 days before ARDS, suggesting that sepsis is a major contributor to the development of organ and respiratory failure.

This clinical trial will examine the effects of Annexin A5, in treating critically ill COVID-19 patients who develop sepsis. Annexin A5 is a human protein that has potent anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic (cell death prevention) and moderate anticoagulant (blood clot prevention) properties. The ultimate goal of the trial is to use Annexin A5 to treat sepsis and prevent respiratory and multi-organ failure.

Novel Coronavirus Antiviral Drug Discovery Using High-Throughput ScreeningJean-Simon Diallo, Principal InvestigatorOttawa Hospital Research Institute

Using a novel bio-sensor that detects drugs that disrupt the attachment of coronaviruses to cells, this research will test approximately 1,200 approved drugs to better understand their potential to prevent viral infection in cells and their ability to block the interaction between COVID-19 and its receptor. A second phase of this study will attempt to identify novel antivirals from a small (>220,000) molecule library.

Canada's COVID-19 Pandemic Response and Impact in Low-Income and Homeless or At-Risk for Homelessness Populations in Ottawa (Canada): A Mixed Method StudySmita Pakhale, Principal InvestigatorThe Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Vulnerable populations face numerous social and health inequities that are exacerbated during times of crises. Lessons learned from previous public health crises suggest that inappropriate communication strategies jeopardize risk reduction for vulnerable populations. The objective of this research is to measure the impacts of COVID-19 public health emergency response efforts and communication strategies on Ottawa's low-income, homeless or at-risk for homelessness populations. The findings could help inform public health messaging strategies and pandemic approaches for vulnerable populations.

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Ontario Announces First Phase of Research Projects to Fight COVID-19 - Government of Ontario News

Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Therapy to Be Assessed in Severe COVID-19 – Pulmonology Advisor

Home Topics Lung Infection

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a phase 1/2a study evaluating the use of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of patients with severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The multicenter, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled SUCCESS (Systemic Umbilical Cord Cells to Ease Severe Syndrome) study will assess the efficacy and safety of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells provided by RESTEM, a cell-based therapeutics company, in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 (N=60). RESTEMs cells are grown from umbilical cord tissue through a proprietary process that rapidly replicates millions of doses.

The SUCCESS study will identify COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who would best benefit from the therapy. Patient enrollment is expected to begin this week from Baptist Health South Florida and Sanford Health.

We are excited to launch this study and demonstrate the potential of our patented umbilical cord lining stem cell (ULSC) technology, said Dr. Rafael Gonzalez, senior vice president of research & development for RESTEM. Based on the properties of our cells and targeted treatments, our breakthrough technology has shown promise to help those suffering from COVID-19 complications.

Use of the novel therapy for COVID-19 was based on promising results in patients previously treated at the Miami Cancer Institute under the FDAs Emergency Use Authorization. Treatment with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells was associated with a reduction in both oxygen requirements and circulating inflammatory markers in 3 critically ill COVID-19 patients.

For more information visit sanfordhealth.org or baptisthealth.net.

This article originally appeared on MPR

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Cells for Cells and Austrianova announce publication on novel method to produce stem cell exosomes – BioSpace

21 May 2020 - Austrianova and Cells for Cells have just jointly published a ground breaking, peer reviewed, scientific publication on a novel, cost and time-saving method to generate extra-cellular vesicles (EVs) from encapsulated Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). These EVs are known to mediate many of the therapeutic effects of stem cells. The authors show that Austrianovas proprietary Cell-in-a-Box encapsulation technology can be used to produce and deliver EVs from encapsulated MSCs, as demonstrated using Cells for Cells proprietary MSCs. The publication, which was co-authored with their academic partners, the University of the Andes, Chile and the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria appeared in prestigious international journal Frontiers in Pharmacology (Front. Pharmacol., 21 May 2020 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.00679 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.00679/full)

Currently, EVs have to be purified from cell culture conditioned media using tedious, costly and time-consuming protocols that are difficult to perform under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) conditions. The Cell-in-a-Box encapsulation technology allows efficient enrichment of EVs at high concentration since they are released from the encapsulated cells via the semipermeable pores, which selectively enable the release of small particles but not of the MSCs. Moreover, Cell-in-a-Box provides 3D culture conditions for the MSCs. The technology can be used in cell culture allowing GMP production. Alternatively, the encapsulated cells can be implanted into patients as a retrievable delivery device that shields the cells from clearance, whilst they continuously produce EVs, growth factors, hormones and other small therapeutically relevant molecules. Moreover, the EVs produced after encapsulation can themselves be used as drug-loaded delivery vehicles. This technology will be invaluable for the treatment of regenerative diseases and Inflammatory disease.

Maroun Khoury, CSO of Cells for Cells said this is a multifaceted project bringing together different expertise to support the burgeoning field of EV-based therapies. It will be interesting to test in the near future, the continuous release of EVs in a in vivo context. At a personal level, it was a great way to stay connected with colleagues that I met while living in Singapore .

Brian Salmons, CEO of Austrianova said we are pleased that these results representing the culmination of a long term project with our colleagues at Cells for Cells are finally publicly available. The encapsulation of stem cells as a means to produce exosomes using our Cellin-a-Box is an exciting technological breakthrough that is applicable for all stem cell types.

About Austrianova

Austrianova, part of the SG Austria Group, is a biotech company with a global footprint and headquarters in Singapore. Austrianova utilizes a novel and proprietary technology for the encapsulation of living mammalian (Cell-in-a-Box) and bacterial (Bac-in-a-Box) cells. Cellin-a-Box protects the encapsulated cells from rejection by the immune system, allows cells to be easily transported, stored and implanted at specific sites in patients. The technology, which has been proven safe and efficacious in clinical trials carried out in Europe, allows companies to develop any kind of cells as a one-for-all living pharmaceutical. Bac-in-a-Box is a similar protective device adapted for encapsulation of probiotic bacteria where it has human food and animal feed applications due to its ability to extend storage under lyophilized conditions and to protect encapsulated bacteria against destruction by stomach acid. Austrianova now also offers GMP4Cells that includes competitively priced Master Cell Bank and Working Cell Bank production as well as Fill and Finish services for cell therapy products (such as stem cell therapies, biologics produced from cells e.g. vaccines, antibodies, recombinant proteins etc).

About Cells for Cells

Cells for Cells is a Chilean biotechnological company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative cellular therapies, complying with high standards of scientific, technological and international quality, through manufacturing processes certified under ISO 9001: 2015. Each therapy is produced in our labs with GMP standards, being the first biotech company, with such high-quality standards at Latin American level. Our therapies are applied by duly certified specialists.

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World coronavirus Dispatch: Animal Stem Cell Therapy Market Size, Share, Statistics, Demand and Revenue; Forecast To 2025 – 3rd Watch News

Global Animal Stem Cell Therapy Market Growth Projection

The new report on the global Animal Stem Cell Therapy market is an extensive study on the overall prospects of the Animal Stem Cell Therapy market over the assessment period. Further, the report provides a thorough understanding of the key dynamics of the Animal Stem Cell Therapy market including the current trends, opportunities, drivers, and restraints. The report introspects the micro and macro-economic factors that are expected to nurture the growth of the Animal Stem Cell Therapy market in the upcoming years and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Animal Stem Cell Therapy . In addition, the report offers valuable insights pertaining to the supply chain challenges market players are likely to face in the upcoming months and solutions to tackle the same.

The report suggests that the global Animal Stem Cell Therapy market is projected to reach a value of ~US$XX by the end of 2029 and grow at a CAGR of ~XX% through the forecast period (2019-2029). The key indicators such as the year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth and CAGR growth of the Animal Stem Cell Therapy market are discussed in detail in the presented report. This data is likely to provide readers an understanding of qualitative and quantitative growth prospects of the Animal Stem Cell Therapy market over the considered assessment period.

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Vital Information Enclosed in the Report

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World coronavirus Dispatch: Animal Stem Cell Therapy Market Size, Share, Statistics, Demand and Revenue; Forecast To 2025 - 3rd Watch News

The Economic Impact of Coronavirus on Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market : In-depth study on Industry Size and Analysis on…

Global Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market Growth Projection

The new report on the global Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment market is an extensive study on the overall prospects of the Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment market over the assessment period. Further, the report provides a thorough understanding of the key dynamics of the Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment market including the current trends, opportunities, drivers, and restraints. The report introspects the micro and macro-economic factors that are expected to nurture the growth of the Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment market in the upcoming years and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment . In addition, the report offers valuable insights pertaining to the supply chain challenges market players are likely to face in the upcoming months and solutions to tackle the same.

The report suggests that the global Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment market is projected to reach a value of ~US$XX by the end of 2029 and grow at a CAGR of ~XX% through the forecast period (2019-2029). The key indicators such as the year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth and CAGR growth of the Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment market are discussed in detail in the presented report. This data is likely to provide readers an understanding of qualitative and quantitative growth prospects of the Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment market over the considered assessment period.

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Segmentation of the Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market

Market: Drivers and RestrainsThe research report has incorporated the analysis of different factors that augment the markets growth. It constitutes trends, restraints, and drivers that transform the market in either a positive or negative manner. This section also provides the scope of different segments and applications that can potentially influence the market in the future. The detailed information is based on current trends and historic milestones. This section also provides an analysis of the volume of sales about the global market and also about each type from 2015 to 2026. This section mentions the volume of sales by region from 2015 to 2026. Pricing analysis is included in the report according to each type from the year 2015 to 2026, manufacturer from 2015 to 2020, region from 2015 to 2020, and global price from 2015 to 2026.A thorough evaluation of the restrains included in the report portrays the contrast to drivers and gives room for strategic planning. Factors that overshadow the market growth are pivotal as they can be understood to devise different bends for getting hold of the lucrative opportunities that are present in the ever-growing market. Additionally, insights into market experts opinions have been taken to understand the market better.Global Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market: Segment Analysis The research report includes specific segments such as application and product type. Each type provides information about the sales during the forecast period of 2015 to 2026. The application segment also provides revenue by volume and sales during the forecast period of 2015 to 2026. Understanding the segments helps in identifying the importance of different factors that aid the market growth.Global Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market: Regional AnalysisThe research report includes a detailed study of regions of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa. The report has been curated after observing and studying various factors that determine regional growth such as economic, environmental, social, technological, and political status of the particular region. Analysts have studied the data of revenue, sales, and manufacturers of each region. This section analyses region-wise revenue and volume for the forecast period of 2015 to 2026. These analyses will help the reader to understand the potential worth of investment in a particular region.Global Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market: Competitive LandscapeThis section of the report identifies various key manufacturers of the market. It helps the reader understand the strategies and collaborations that players are focusing on combat competition in the market. The comprehensive report provides a significant microscopic look at the market. The reader can identify the footprints of the manufacturers by knowing about the global revenue of manufacturers, the global price of manufacturers, and sales by manufacturers during the forecast period of 2015 to 2019.Following are the segments covered by the report are:Androgenic AlopeciaCongenital AlopeciaCicatricial Or Scarring AlopeciaBy Application:HospitalDermatology ClinicOtherKey Players:The Key manufacturers that are operating in the global Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment market are:KerastemEclipseRegen Lab SAStemcell TechnologiesRepliCel Life SciencesHistogenGlofinn Oy.Competitive LandscapeThe analysts have provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape of the global Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment market with the company market structure and market share analysis of the top players. The innovative trends and developments, mergers and acquisitions, product portfolio, and new product innovation to provide a dashboard view of the market, ultimately providing the readers accurate measure of the current market developments, business strategies, and key financials.

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The Economic Impact of Coronavirus on Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Alopecia Treatment Market : In-depth study on Industry Size and Analysis on...

World coronavirus Dispatch: Rheumatoid Arthritis Stem Cell Therapy market to witness robust revenue growth between 2018 to 2028 – Cole of Duty

The global Rheumatoid Arthritis Stem Cell Therapy market is experiencing a slowdown in trade practices amidst the growing COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. This is why, companies in the Rheumatoid Arthritis Stem Cell Therapy market are vying opportunities that serve as alternative solutions to positively capitalize on the ongoing lockdown period. This and more strategic implications enclosed in our comprehensive report on the Rheumatoid Arthritis Stem Cell Therapy market that will help you take market lead.

Assessment of the Global Rheumatoid Arthritis Stem Cell Therapy Market

The recently published market study on the global Rheumatoid Arthritis Stem Cell Therapy market by Fact.MR offers an elaborate analysis of the different market parameters that are poised to influence the overall dynamics of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Stem Cell Therapy market. Further, the study reveals that the global Rheumatoid Arthritis Stem Cell Therapy market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of ~XX% through the forecast period (20XX-20XX) and reach a market value of ~US$ by the end of 20XX.

The presented study provides critical insights related to the future prospects of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Stem Cell Therapy market by analyzing the different segments and sub-segments of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Stem Cell Therapy market. Further, the report is divided into different sections to provide readers a clear understanding of the different aspects of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Stem Cell Therapy market.

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World coronavirus Dispatch: Rheumatoid Arthritis Stem Cell Therapy market to witness robust revenue growth between 2018 to 2028 - Cole of Duty

Blocking the deadly cytokine storm is a vital weapon for treating COVID-19 – TheStreet

Courtesy of Alexander (Sasha) Poltorak, Tufts University

The killer is not the virus but the immune response.

The current pandemic is unique not just because it is caused by a new virus that puts everyone at risk, but also because the range of innate immune responses is diverse and unpredictable. In some it is strong enough to kill. In others it is relatively mild.

My research relates to innate immunity. Innate immunity is a persons inborn defense against pathogens that instruct the bodys adaptive immune system to produce antibodies against viruses. Those antibody responses can be later used for developing vaccination approaches. Working in the lab of Nobel laureate Bruce Beutler, I co-authored the paper that explained how the cells that make up the bodys innate immune system recognize pathogens, and how overreacting to them in general could be detrimental to the host. This is especially true in the COVID-19 patients who are overreacting to the virus.

I study inflammatory response and cell death, which are two principal components of the innate response. White blood cells called macrophages use a set of sensors to recognize the pathogen and produce proteins called cytokines, which trigger inflammation and recruit other cells of the innate immune system for help. In addition, macrophages instruct the adaptive immune system to learn about the pathogen and ultimately produce antibodies.

To survive within the host, successful pathogens silence the inflammatory response. They do this by blocking the ability of macrophages to release cytokines and alert the rest of the immune system. To counteract the viruss silencing, infected cells commit suicide, or cell death. Although detrimental at the cellular level, cell death is beneficial at the level of the organism because it stops proliferation of the pathogen.

For example, the pathogen that caused the bubonic plague, which killed half of the human population in Europe between 1347 and 1351, was able to disable, or silence, peoples white blood cells and proliferate in them, ultimately causing the death of the individual. However, in rodents the infection played out differently. Just the infected macrophages of rodents died, thus limiting proliferation of the pathogen in the rodents bodies which enabled them to survive.

The silent response to plague is strikingly different from the violent response to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This suggests that keeping the right balance of innate response is crucial for the survival of COVID-19 patients.

Heres how an overreaction from the immune system can endanger a person fighting off an infection.

Some of the proteins that trigger inflammation, named chemokines, alert other immune cells like neutrophils, which are professional microbe eaters to convene at the site of infections where they can arrive first and digest the pathogen.

Others cytokines such as interleukin 1b, interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor guide neutrophils from the blood vessels to the infected tissue. These cytokines can increase heartbeat, elevate body temperature, trigger blood clots that trap the pathogen and stimulate the neurons in the brain to modulate body temperature, fever, weight loss and other physiological responses that have evolved to kill the virus.

When the production of these same cytokines is uncontrolled, immunologists describe the situation as a cytokine storm. During a cytokine storm, the blood vessels widen further (vasolidation), leading to low blood pressure and widespread blood vessel injury. The storm triggers a flood of white blood cells to enter the lungs, which in turn summon more immune cells that target and kill virus-infected cells. The result of this battle is a stew of fluid and dead cells, and subsequent organ failure.

The cytokine storm is a centerpiece of the COVID-19 pathology with devastating consequences for the host.

When the cells fail to terminate the inflammatory response, production of the cytokines make macrophages hyperactive. The hyperactivated macrophages destroy the stem cells in the bone marrow, which leads to anemia. Heightened interleukin 1b results in fever and organ failure. The excessive tumor necrosis factor causes massive death of the cells lining the blood vessels, which become clotted. At some point, the storm becomes unstoppable and irreversible.

One strategy behind the treatments for COVID is, in part, based in part on breaking the vicious cycle of the cytokine storm. This can be done by using antibodies to block the primary mediators of the storm, like IL6, or its receptor, which is present on all cells of the body.

Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor can be achieved with FDA-approved antibody drugs like Remicade or Humira or with a soluble receptor such as Enbrel (originally developed by Bruce Beutler) which binds to tumor necrosis factor and prevents it from triggering inflammation. The global market for tumor necrosis factor inhibitors is US$22 billion.

Drugs that block various cytokines are now in clinical trials to test whether they are effective for stopping the deadly spiral in COVID-19.

[Get facts about coronavirus and the latest research. Sign up for The Conversations newsletter.]

Alexander (Sasha) Poltorak, Professor of Immunology, Tufts University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Blocking the deadly cytokine storm is a vital weapon for treating COVID-19 - TheStreet

Animal Stem Cell Therapy Market: Overview, Opportunities, Analysis of Features, Benefits, Manufacturing Cost and Forecast To 2025 – Cole of Duty

The Global Animal Stem Cell Therapy Market report provides information by Key Players, Geography, End users, Applications, Competitor analysis, Sales, Revenue, Price, Gross Margin, Market Share, Import-Export, Trends and Forecast.

Initially, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Animal Stem Cell Therapy market analysis is provided for the international markets including development trends, competitive landscape analysis, and key regions development status.

Complete Report on Animal Stem Cell Therapy market spread across 144 pages and Top companies. Get SAMPLE at https://www.insidemarketreports.com/sample-request/10/334201/Animal-Stem-Cell-Therapy

Our industry professionals are working reluctantly to understand, assemble and timely deliver assessment on impact of COVID-19 disaster on many corporations and their clients to help them in taking excellent business decisions. We acknowledge everyone who is doing their part in this financial and healthcare crisis.

Global Animal Stem Cell Therapy market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer.

The Top players are MediVet Biologic, VETSTEM BIOPHARMA, J-ARM, Celavet, Magellan Stem Cells, U.S. Stem Cell, Cells Power Japan, ANIMAL CELL THERAPIES, Animal Care Stem, Cell Therapy Sciences, VetCell Therapeutics, Animacel, Aratana Therapeutics,.

The Report covers following things

The report introduces Animal Stem Cell Therapy basic information including definition, classification, application, industry chain structure, industry overview, policy analysis, and news analysis. Insightful predictions for the Animal Stem Cell Therapy market for the coming few years have also been included in the report.

Development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures are also analyzed. This report also states import/export consumption, supply and demand Figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins.

The report focuses on global major leading Animal Stem Cell Therapy Market players providing information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials and equipment and downstream demand analysis is also carried out.

The Animal Stem Cell Therapy industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. Finally the feasibility of new investment projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered.

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Table of Contents

1 Animal Stem Cell Therapy Market Overview

2 Global Animal Stem Cell Therapy Market Competition by Manufacturers

3 Global Animal Stem Cell Therapy Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region)

4 Global Animal Stem Cell Therapy Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region

5 Global Animal Stem Cell Therapy Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type

6 Global Animal Stem Cell Therapy Market Analysis by Application

7 Global Animal Stem Cell Therapy Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis

8 Animal Stem Cell Therapy Manufacturing Cost Analysis

9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers

10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders

11 Market Effect Factors Analysis

12 Global Animal Stem Cell Therapy Market Forecast

13 Research Findings and Conclusion

14 Appendix

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Animal Stem Cell Therapy Market: Overview, Opportunities, Analysis of Features, Benefits, Manufacturing Cost and Forecast To 2025 - Cole of Duty