Stem cell advance boost prospects for retina treatment

July 23, 2013

Blind mice have been able to see once more in a laboratory exploit that marks a further boost for the fast-moving field of retinal therapy, according to a study published on Sunday.

Scientists in Britain used stem cells -- early-stage, highly versatile cells -- taken from mice embryos, and cultured them in a lab dish so that they differentiated into immature photoreceptors, the light-catching cells in the retina.

Around 200,000 of these cells were then injected into the mice's retinas, some of which integrated smoothly with local cells to restore sight.

The rodents were put through their paces in a water maze and examined by optometry to confirm that they responded to light.

Embryonic stem cells "could in future provide a potentially unlimited supply of health photoreceptors for retinal transplantations to treat blindness in humans," Britain's Medical Research Council (MRC) said in a press release.

Photoreceptor loss lies behind degenerative eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration, also called AMD.

Stem cells have triggered a huge interest and investment on the back of hopes that they can become replacement tissue, grown in a lab dish, for cells damaged by disease or accident.

But the exciting field has to overcome big obstacles.

One is the ability to coax these immature cells into safely becoming the specialised cells that are needed, rather than turn cancerous.

View post:
Stem cell advance boost prospects for retina treatment

Stem Cell Treatment for Eye Disease

Scientists turn embryonic stem cells into photoreceptors that can integrate into a live retina.

Transplanted photoreceptors derived from embryonic stem cells (green) integrate into the damaged retina of an adult mouse and touch the next neuron in the retinal circuit (red).

Scientists in the U.K. have produced rod-like photoreceptors from embryonic stem cells, and successfully transplanted them into the retinas of mice. The work suggests that embryonic stem cells could perhaps one day be used as a treatment for patients who have lost their vision to retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, or other degenerative conditions in which the light-detecting rods and cones of the retina die over time.

Currently, there are few treatment options for these conditions; electronic implanted devices are available for some patients in some countries, but their efficacy is limited (see A Second Artificial Retina Option for the E.U. and What Its Like to See Again with an Artificial Retina).The new work,reported in Nature Biotechnology on Sunday, offers hope for a more effective, comprehensive treatment.

The researchers used a new method for growing embryonic stem cells that enables them to turn into immature eye cells and self-organize into three-dimensional structures similar to those seen in a developing retina (see Growing Eyeballs). Immature light-detecting cells were harvested from this culture and transplanted into the retinas of night-blind mice. There, the cells integrated with the natural cells of the eye and formed synaptic connections. The work did not involve testing how well the mice could see after the cells were implanted.

While this particular technique is probably years away from human trials, embryonic stem cells are already being tested in clinical trials for macular degeneration and Stargardts macular dystrophy. Last week, in fact, Japanese authorities announced that an alternative source of stem cells will soon move into human trials as a treatment for eye disease.The BBC reported that Japan has approved the first clinical trial of induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells. These stem cells are made by reprogramming normal adult cells so that they return to a more embryonic-like state so that they can then be converted into other cell types, such as retinal cells. In the clinical trial, doctors will collect a patients own cells, which will then be used in an experimental treatment for age-related macular degeneration. The trial will start with around six patients.

View post:
Stem Cell Treatment for Eye Disease

Stem Cell Eye Cells Tested in Mice

Scientists turn embryonic stem cells into photoreceptors that can integrate into a live retina.

Transplanted photoreceptors derived from embryonic stem cells (green) integrate into the damaged retina of an adult mouse and touch the next neuron in the retinal circuit (red).

Scientists in the U.K. have produced rod-like photoreceptors from embryonic stem cells, and successfully transplanted them into the retinas of mice. The work suggests that embryonic stem cells could perhaps one day be used as a treatment for patients who have lost their vision to retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, or other degenerative conditions in which the light-detecting rods and cones of the retina die over time.

Currently, there are few treatment options for these conditions; electronic implanted devices are available for some patients in some countries, but their efficacy is limited (see A Second Artificial Retina Option for the E.U. and What Its Like to See Again with an Artificial Retina).The new work,reported in Nature Biotechnology on Sunday, offers hope for a more effective, comprehensive treatment.

The researchers used a new method for growing embryonic stem cells that enables them to turn into immature eye cells and self-organize into three-dimensional structures similar to those seen in a developing retina (see Growing Eyeballs). Immature light-detecting cells were harvested from this culture and transplanted into the retinas of night-blind mice. There, the cells integrated with the natural cells of the eye and formed synaptic connections. The work did not involve testing how well the mice could see after the cells were implanted.

While this particular technique is probably years away from human trials, embryonic stem cells are already being tested in clinical trials for macular degeneration and Stargardts macular dystrophy. Last week, in fact, Japanese authorities announced that an alternative source of stem cells will soon move into human trials as a treatment for eye disease.The BBC reported that Japan has approved the first clinical trial of induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells. These stem cells are made by reprogramming normal adult cells so that they return to a more embryonic-like state so that they can then be converted into other cell types, such as retinal cells. In the clinical trial, doctors will collect a patients own cells, which will then be used in an experimental treatment for age-related macular degeneration. The trial will start with around six patients.

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Stem Cell Eye Cells Tested in Mice

Stem cell advance boosts prospects for retina treatment

Blind mice have been able to see once more in a laboratory exploit that marks a further boost for the fast-moving field of retinal therapy, according to a study published on Sunday.

Scientists in Britain used stem cells -- early-stage, highly versatile cells -- taken from mice embryos, and cultured them in a lab dish so that they differentiated into immature photoreceptors, the light-catching cells in the retina.

Around 200,000 of these cells were then injected into the mice's retinas, some of which integrated smoothly with local cells to restore sight.

The rodents were put through their paces in a water maze and examined by optometry to confirm that they responded to light.

Embryonic stem cells "could in future provide a potentially unlimited supply of health photoreceptors for retinal transplantations to treat blindness in humans," Britain's Medical Research Council (MRC) said in a press release.

Photoreceptor loss lies behind degenerative eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration, also called AMD.

Stem cells have triggered a huge interest and investment on the back of hopes that they can become replacement tissue, grown in a lab dish, for cells damaged by disease or accident.

But the exciting field has to overcome big obstacles.

One is the ability to coax these immature cells into safely becoming the specialised cells that are needed, rather than turn cancerous.

This is where the new work marks a gain, according to lead researcher Robin Ali at the University College London Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital.

Read more:
Stem cell advance boosts prospects for retina treatment

Desperate pet owners turn to stem cell treatments

by Jared Dillingham

azfamily.com

Posted on July 20, 2013 at 10:38 AM

Updated today at 10:41 AM

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- An increasing number of pet owners are turning to stem cells to treat everything from arthritis to allergies.

"It was horrific to watch him unable to walk or wag his tail," Sarah Denning said of her then 6-year-old dog, Gary, who suffered from disc problems in his lower back. He was in constant pain.

Denning was about to have Gary euthanized, when her veterinarian, Dr. Tom Newland, at the Adobe Animal Hospital in Scottsdale, suggested they try a stem cell treatment.

Two weeks later, Gary showed signs of improvement. In another month, he was a new dog.

"He started running and playing with other dogs. That was beyond expectations," she said.

Dr. Newland is one of a handful of Valley veterinarians who uses stem cells to treat his four-legged patients.

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Desperate pet owners turn to stem cell treatments

Japan approves landmark stem cell trials

Japan's government has given its approval to the world's first clinical trials using stem cells harvested from a patient's own body.

Health Minister Norihisa Tamura signed off on Friday on a proposal by two research institutes that will allow them to begin tests aimed at treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a common medical condition that causes blindness in older people, using "induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells".

Stem cell research is a pioneering field that may offer a cure for conditions that are currently incurable, and scientists hope these clinical trials on a treatment for AMD may offer hope to millions of people robbed of their sight.

The tests will be jointly conducted by the Riken Center for Developmental Biology and the Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation (IBRI) Hospital in Japan.

Riken will harvest stem cells, using skin cells taken from patients, a spokesman said.

The trial treatment will attempt to create retinal cells that can be transplanted into the eyes of six patients suffering from AMD, replacing the damaged part of the eye.

The transplant may be conducted as early as the middle of next year at the IBRI Hospital, he said.

AMD, a condition that is incurable at present, affects mostly middle-aged and older people and can lead to blindness. It afflicts around 700,000 people in Japan alone.

Groundbreaking work

Stem cells are infant cells that can develop into any part of the body.

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Japan approves landmark stem cell trials

Japan approves stem cell clinical trials

Japan's government on Friday gave its seal of approval to the world's first clinical trials using stem cells harvested from a patient's own body.

Health Minister Norihisa Tamura signed off on a proposal by two research institutes that will allow them to begin tests aimed at treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a common medical condition that causes blindness in older people, using "induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells".

Stem cell research is a pioneering field that may offer a cure for conditions that are presently incurable, and scientists hope these clinical trials on a treatment for AMD may offer hope to millions of people robbed of their sight.

A government committee last month approved proposals for the tests, which will be jointly conducted by the Riken Center for Developmental Biology and the Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation (IBRI) Hospital in the western city of Kobe.

Riken will harvest stem cells, using skin cells taken from patients, a spokesman said.

The trial treatment will attempt to create retinal cells that can be transplanted into the eyes of six patients suffering from AMD, replacing the damaged part of the eye.

The transplant may be conducted as early as the middle of next year at the IBRI Hospital, he said.

AMD, a condition that is incurable at present, affects mostly middle-aged and older people and can lead to blindness. It afflicts around 700,000 people in Japan alone.

Stem cells are infant cells that can develop into any part of the body.

Until the discovery of iPS cells several years ago, the only way to obtain stem cells was to harvest them from human embryos.

Here is the original post:
Japan approves stem cell clinical trials

Japan govt approves stem cell clinical trials

TOKYO (AFP) Japan's government on Friday gave its seal of approval to the world's first clinical trials using stem cells harvested from a patient's own body.

Health Minister Norihisa Tamura signed off on a proposal by two research institutes that will allow them to begin tests aimed at treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a common medical condition that causes blindness in older people, using "induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells".

Stem cell research is a pioneering field that may offer a cure for conditions that are presently incurable, and scientists hope these clinical trials on a treatment for AMD may offer hope to millions of people robbed of their sight.

A government committee last month approved proposals for the tests, which will be jointly conducted by the Riken Center for Developmental Biology and the Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation (IBRI) Hospital in the western city of Kobe.

Riken will harvest stem cells, using skin cells taken from patients, a spokesman said.

The trial treatment will attempt to create retinal cells that can be transplanted into the eyes of six patients suffering from AMD, replacing the damaged part of the eye.

The transplant may be conducted as early as the middle of next year at the IBRI Hospital, he said.

AMD, a condition that is incurable at present, affects mostly middle-aged and older people and can lead to blindness. It afflicts around 700,000 people in Japan alone.

Stem cells are infant cells that can develop into any part of the body.

Until the discovery of iPS cells several years ago, the only way to obtain stem cells was to harvest them from human embryos.

See the article here:
Japan govt approves stem cell clinical trials

Medistem and Cytori Therapeutics Enter Into Licensing Agreement

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwired - Jul 18, 2013) - Medistem, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: MEDS), today announced that it entered into an agreement granting Cytori Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CYTX) a license and the exclusive rights to use Medistem's U.S. Patent No. 8,241,621, "Stem Cell Mediated Treg Activation" in the United States.

The licensed patent pertains to Cytori's Adipose-Derived Regenerative Cell (ADRC) based platform for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

"We are delighted to have formalized a licensing agreement with an adult stem cell leader like Cytori and look forward to working with them in the future," said Alan J. Lewis, Ph.D., CEO of Medistem.

"We are pleased to have licensed this patent from Medistem because it strengthens our patent portfolio in the area of immune disease," said Marc H. Hedrick, President of Cytori Therapeutics.

About Medistem, Inc.

Medistem, Inc., is focused on the development of the Endometrial Regenerative Cell (ERC), a universal donor adult stem cell product. ERCs possess specialized abilities to stimulate new blood vessel growth and can differentiate into lung, liver, heart, brain, bone, cartilage, fat and pancreatic tissue. These unique properties have applications for treatment of critical limb ischemia (CLI), congestive heart failure (CHF), neurodegenerative diseases, liver failure, kidney failure, and diabetes. ERCs have been cleared by the FDA to begin studies in the United States.In January 2012, we announced the initiation of our RECOVER-ERC (Non-Revascularizable IschEmic Cardiomyopathy treated with Retrograde COronary Sinus Venous DElivery of Cell TheRapy) Phase II clinical trial.This trial is being conducted at the Bakulev Scientific Center for Cardiovascular Surgery, Moscow, Russia.The trial is a 60 patient double blind placebo controlled study evaluating safety and efficacy of ERCs in end stage CHF patients.

Certain statements herein may be forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties.Such forward-looking statements involve assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Medistem, Inc.These can be identified by the use of forwardlooking words, such as "believes", "expects", "may", "intends", "anticipates", "plans", "estimates", or any other analogous or similar expressions intended to identify forwardlooking statements. These forwardlooking statements and estimates as to future performance, estimates, and other statements contained herein regarding matters that are not historical facts, are only predictions and actual events or results may differ materially. We cannot assure or guarantee that any future results described in this presentation will be achieved, and actual results could differ materially as a result of a variety of factors, including the risks associated with the effect of changing economic conditions and other risk factors detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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Medistem and Cytori Therapeutics Enter Into Licensing Agreement

Stem cell research yields Down syndrome breakthrough

Two UMass Medical School researchers used a naturally occurring off switch to shut down the chromosomes that cause Down syndrome during laboratory experiments that used human stem cells, according to a press release from the school.

This discovery could lead to treatment and therapy based on the chromosome that causes the condition, rather than treatment based on its symptoms, the researchers said.

Our hope is that for individuals living with Down syndrome, this proof-of-principal opens up multiple exciting new avenues for studying the disorder now, and brings into the realm of consideration research on the concept of chromosome therapy in the future, said lead researcher Jeanne B. Lawrence, professor of cell and developmental biology.

The news was met with guarded applause by a Bay State advocacy group which praised the research, but warned of ethical concerns for parents of children with Down syndrome.

This appears to be one of the most important scientific advancements in the field since French physician Jerome Lejeune identified Down syndrome as a chromosomal condition in 1959, Maureen Gallagher, executive director of the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress said in a statement. Its important for us to understand that any direct therapeutic implications as a result of this new research is many years away and that although it is an exciting discovery, it will bring with it many ethical and emotional issues for the Down syndrome community.

People without Down syndrome are born with 23 pairs of chromosomes in each cell. Down syndrome occurs when one pair of those chromosomes, No. 21, appears three times rather than in a pair. To stop this from happening in their stem cell samples, the researchers used a gene that silences the X chromosome in females, and moved it to a spot on the chromosome where it repressed the growth of that third No. 21 chromosome.

Dr. Lawrence has harnessed the power of a natural process to target abnormal gene expression in cells that have an aberrant number of chromosomes, said Anthony Carter, of the National Institutes of Health, which partly supported the study. Her work provides a new tool that could yield novel insights into how genes are silenced on a chromosomal scale, and into the pathological processes associated with chromosome disorders such as Down syndrome.

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Stem cell research yields Down syndrome breakthrough