Our aim at the Australian Stem Cell Centre is to keep you
informed about the latest developments across the stem cell field
including recent highlights in research, clinical translation and
relevant policy and regulations.
We value your suggestions and contributions. If you wish to make a
contribution please email us at info@stemcellcentre.edu.au.
STEM
CELL RESEARCH NEWS
PUBLICATIONS
INDUSTRY NEWS
POLICY, REGULATION & ETHICS NEWS
EVENTS
Stem
Cell Research News
LINK FOUND BETWEEN BREAST CANCER AND HORMONES
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers have discovered that exposure to hormones oestrogen and progesterone increases risk of breast cancer. The research, published in international journal Nature, shows that the higher the exposure to oestrogen through number of menstrual cycles, hormone replacement, or even after pregnancy increases the risk of breast cancer. The research was lead by Associate Prof Jane Visvador and oncologist Associate Prof Geoff Lindeman. The research has the ability to pave the way to breast cancer prevention strategies and treatments.
Asselin-Labat et al (2010), Control of mammary stem cell function by steroid hormone signalling, Nature advanced online publication, doi:10.1038/nature09027, and commentary from The Age.
STEM CELLS HELP UNDERSTAND RARE AGING DISEASE
Researchers working with induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have reversed the aging process in a rare genetic disease, dyskeratosis congenita, which causes premature aging and carries a high risk of cancer. In the process of creating iPS cells from patients with the disorder, a team at the Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard Stem Cell Institute discovered that the key symptom of the disease was reversed. In this disease the cells lose an enzyme that helps maintain telomeres, which causes a cell to age, leading to disease and death. A gene called TERC helps restore the telomeres and in making the iPS cells, the researchers discovered the cells had three times as much TERC as the diseased cells they were made from. The team is now seeking funding to study this further.
Agarwal et al (2010)
Telomere elongation in induced pluripotent stem cells from dyskeratosis congenita patients, Nature 464, 292-296, doi:10.1038/nature08792 (subscription required) with commentary from USA Today.
ADULT STEM CELLS MAY BE HELPFUL IN SPINAL CORD INJURY
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center have demonstrated in rats that transplanting genetically modified adult neural stem cells into an injured spinal cord can help restore the electrical pathways associated with movement. The research team discovered that transplanted adult stem cells (oligodendrocyte precursor cells) taken from the spinal cords of over 300 rats could become oligodendrocytes. Oligodendrocytes cells produce the myelin sheath, which wraps around the axons of nerves and helps speed activity and insulate electrical conduction. Without it, the nerves cannot send messages to make muscles move. The new cells transplanted by the researchers helped restore electrical pathways of the spinal cord.
Cao et al (2010), Transplantation of Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor-Expressing Adult Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells Promotes Remyelination and Functional Recovery after SpinalCord Injury, The Journal of Neuroscience, 30:2989-300 (subscription required), also see UT Health's press release.
STEM CELLS RESTORE SIGHT IN MICE WITH RETINAL DISEASE
An international research team led by the Columbia University Medical Center has successfully used mouse embryonic stem cells to replace diseased retinal cells and restore sight in a mouse with retinitis pigmentosa. This strategy could potentially become a new treatment for retinitis pigmentosa, a leading cause of blindness that affects approximately 1.5 million people worldwide. In this study, sight was restored in a quarter of the mice that received the stem cells. However, complications of benign tumors and retinal detachments were seen in some of the mice. The team aims to decrease the incidence of these complications before any testing in humans can begin.
Wang et al (2010), Transplantation of Reprogrammed Embryonic Stem Cells Improves Visual Function in a Mouse Model for Retinitis Pigmentosa, Transplantation, published ahead of Print. doi: 10.1097/TP.0b013e3181d45a61 at (subscription required) with commentary from Science Daily.
STEM CELL THERAPY USED FOR URINARY INCONTINENCE
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center are among three North American study sites to participate in a clinical trial using autologus adult stem cell transplantation to treat stress related urinary incontinence. The study involves harvesting precurser cells from the participant's own thigh muscle, and then refining these cells and isolating stem cells from them. The resultant stem cells are then injected into the bladder to reconstitute its mechanism. This is the first efficacy study done in the United States using autologous adult stem cells to treat urinary incontinence. See commentary at Vanderbilt University's News Network or for information on the study visit the Vanderbilt Clinical Trials website.
JAPANESE RESEARCHERS CREATE INTESTINE FROM STEM CELLS
Japanese researchers have succeeded in producing intestine from iPS cells. Nara Medical University Professor Yoshiyuki Nakajima and other researchers successfully produced the intestinal section in an experiment using mice. It is hoped that researchers will be able to apply the technology in regenerative medicine and organ transplants. The tissue, about 2mm in diameter and 5mm long, exhibited the same peristaltic movement characteristic of intestines, and was observed trying to push out waste matter. The technology may shed light on the mechanisms by which intestines succumb to illness. The body's rejection of small intestine transplants is severe and this technology may enable surgery without complicating illnesses.
Ueda et all (2010). Generation of functional gut-like organ from mouse induced pluripotent stem cells, Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 39:38–42.
SCIENTISTS FIND SOURCE OF SKIN STEM CELLS
In a promising discovery for burns victims, a team of Dutch and Swedish researchers have discovered the ‘master’ stem cell that gives rise to the stem cells for the three self renewing compartments of the mammalian epidermis: the hair follicle, the sebaceous gland, and the interfollicular epidermis. This finding may make it possible to harness these stem cells to help with wound repair or skin transplants for burns victims. Scientists are already able to grow new skin in laboratories using existing skin cells from patients who have been badly burned, but the new skin is often brittle, dry and does not have hair. The advantage offered by this stem cell finding would be that skin could be grown contains all the aspects needed for proper function including moisture from the sebaceous glands and the ability to grow hair.
Snippert et al, (2010). Lgr6 Marks Stem Cells in the Hair Follicle That Generate All Cell Lineages of the Skin, Science 327:1385-1389, with commentary from Reuters.
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For a list of recent publications from ASCC funded researchers please visit our website - here.
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EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS MOVE CLOSER TO CLINICAL TRIALS FOR THE TREATMENT OF A RARE FORM OF BLINDNESS
In what could be a significant step forward for human embryonic stem cell science Massachusetts based Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) has announced that the FDA have granted orphan drug status to MA09-hRPE – a human embryonic stem cell derived treatment for a rare type of blindness known as Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy. Orphan drug status, from the US Orphan Drug Act, is aimed at accelerating therapies for diseases afflicting fewer than 200,000 people in America. The special status will ease the pathway for grant funding for clinical trials for ACT, and also allows up to seven years of market exclusivity.
See ACT's press release and commentary from The Great Beyond, Nature's blog.
MESOBLAST RECEIVES US PATENT FOR BONE TISSUE GENERATION
Australian regenerative medicine company, Mesoblast has been granted a key patent by the US Patent and Trademark Office. The patent provides exclusive commercial protection for its bone tissue generating products through to at least 2019 in the USA. Mesoblast's potential applications for bone tissue generation include products for repair and healing of long bone fractures, spinal bone fusion of the cervical and lumbar intervertebral spaces, treatment of bone defects, and treatment and prevention of osteoporosis related fractures such as to the hip and vertebral bodies. Read more, see Mesoblast's media release.
OSIRIS SHOWS SUCCESS IN TREATING CHILDREN WITH GRAFT vs HOST DISEASE
Osiris Therapeutics has released a new promising study about its mesenchymal stem cell treatment, Prochymal. The study evaluated Prochymal as a rescue therapy in 59 patients with
severe, treatment resistant graft vs host disease. Prochymal achieved an overall response rate of 63% when used as a rescue therapy in children suffering from severe treatment resistant graft vs. host disease. Researchers found that the response to to the treatment significantly improved survival. Patients were evaluated for response to Prochymal at day 28 of therapy and survival through to day 100. Read more, Osiris' press release.
ATHERSYS COMPLETES PHASE 1 RECRUITMENT FOR HEART STEM CELL THERAPY
Athersys Inc, a US based biotechnology company has completed recruitment for a Phase I clinical trial of its adult stem cell based product Multistem, for acute myocardial infarction. Results are expected to be announced in mid 2010. The Phase I clinical trial is an open label, multi-centre dose escalation trial evaluating the safety and maximum tolerated dose of a single administration of the bone marrow derived cells following a heart attack. Preclinical studies have shown an increased volume of blood pumped from the heart, reduced inflammation and increased growth of blood vessels. Read more, Atheysys' press release.
ReNEURON ANNOUNCES POSITIVE PRE-CLINICAL DATA FOR PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE
US based ReNeuron has presented further positive pre-clinical efficacy data with ReN009, a foetal derived stem cell therapy, for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in diabetic patients. PAD is a chronic and debilitating disease that progressively restricts blood flow in the limbs, causing cramping, chronic pain and in extreme cases, amputation. PAD is commonly associated with conditions such as diabetes, obesity and stroke. The results of the ReN009 study in a diabetic mouse model with reduced blood flow capacity was a significant and dose-dependent recovery of blood flow, with significantly increased re-vascularisation of the damaged tissue as measured by increased capillary and arteriole density. Read more, ReNeuron's press release.
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Policy, Regulation & Ethics News
INDIA SET UP NEW BODY TO REGULATE STEM CELL RESEARCH
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has announced it will be setting up the much awaited National Apex Committee for Stem cell Research and Therapy (NAC-SCRT) which will be a mechanism to monitor and review stem cell research, technologies, techniques and clinical practices. Once set up, all the institutions conducting stem cell research will have to compulsorily register with the body, as well as having their own institutional committees on stem cell research and therapies. The NAC-SCRT will also maintain a registry for all clinical trials that are conducted in the country, along with the stem cell therapy clinics, patients and volunteers participating in them.
The ICMR is also looking to update its Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Therapy with a series of public consultations. See commentary from DNA.
IRISH STEM CELL FOUNDATION ESTABLISHED
Irish stem cell researchers have formed the Irish Stem Cell Foundation an independent, non-profit organisation composed of doctors, scientists, patient advocates, business people, policy developers, teachers and students to:
- accelerate stem cell research to cure the major illnesses of our generation
- provide a focus on education in all areas of stem cell research and therapy
- establish a forum to promote, foster and exchange accurate information on the progress of stem cell research to all interested parties.
The foundation also seeks to have appropriate legislation to allow human embryonic stem cell research. A recent Irish Supreme Court ruling that embryos outside the womb are not unborn children within the meaning of the Constitution of Ireland has paved the way for Ireland's first legislation to govern assisted human reproduction to come before the national parliament this year. Read more from Nature News.
STEM CELL COVERAGE ON THE ABC
Television station ABC 1 has recently broadcast three stories on stem cells. On Tuesday 30 March, Foreign Correspondent screened 'Stem Cells and Miracles' a BBC Panorama program which investigated the unregulated world of overseas clinics advertising on the internet, selling revolutionary stem cell treatments and claiming to offer cures and breakthroughs to vulnerable people who have run out of options.
Catalyst screened a two part story on iPS cells and the ethics of iPS and human embryonic stem cells. Both parts can be watched online: Part 1 & Part 2.
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Events
ASCC iPS LECTURE SERIES
AIBN, UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND, May 6-7 & 10-12, 2010
The StemCore iPS cell workshop offers scientist the opportunity to gain practical experience and a theoretical understanding of this fast developing field of iPS cell research. Whilst the practical component has been fully subscribed, there are still places remaining to attend the lecture series. Topics include: underlying biology of iPS cells, differentiation of iPS cells, iPS cells as disease models, ethics regulations and patentability and epigenetics and reprogramming. For more details, download the Lecture Component flyer. For more information on the workshops and to register, click here.
For more stem cell events visit the ASCC’s events list.
CANADIAN STEM CELL NETWORK AND PFIZER JOINT POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW POSITIONS
APPLICATIONS INVITED FROM ACROSS THE WORLD
The Canadian Stem Cell Network (SCN) is happy to announce a competition for six new Post-Doctoral Fellow positions that will be jointly funded by SCN and Pfizer. Successful applicants will spend two years in the lab of a Canadian researcher and one year at Pfizer's labs, either in the UK or the US. The positions will allow the PDFs to develop long-term international collaborations, receive outstanding mentorship from leading academic researchers in Canada and gain unique experience of the research and development in the regenerative medicine industry. The competition is being publicised in Nature, with applications invited from around the World. Applications must be submitted by May 22, 2010.
Final decisions are expected early in the Fall with the positions to start before the end of the year. Full details can be found at www.seethepotential.ca.
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University of Melbourne Stem Cell Interest Group Seminar
The first seminar for 2010 will focus on ‘Prospective Isolation and Characterisation of Regenerative Cells in the Adult Lung’.
ICSCN March 2010 Newsletter
The International Consortium of Stem Cell Networks' latest newsletter is now available.
2010 L'Oreal Australia For Women In Science Fellowships
Three $20,000 Fellowships have been made available to help early-career women scientists to consolidate their careers and rise to leadership positions in science. Applications close 03 May.
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