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Pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons may be a viable Parkinson's disease treatment

Researchers have successfully transplanted human embryonic stem cells into monkeys with Parkinson's disease, demonstrating robust survival and integration of the cells. The study found that the gene expression of dopamine-producing neurons was transient after transplantation, highlighting the need for further research to optimize cell ...

Type 2 diabetes patients transplanted with own bone marrow stem cells reduces insulin use

A study found that autologous bone marrow-derived stem cell transplantation in patients with type 2 diabetes resulted in a significant reduction in insulin requirement. The treatment was associated with improved glycemic control, and the researchers suggest it may be a promising therapeutic option for managing the disease.

Major hurdle cleared to diabetes transplants

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have identified a way to trigger the reproduction of human insulin-producing beta cells in a laboratory setting, potentially removing a significant obstacle to transplanting these cells as a treatment for patients with type 1 diabetes. This new technique uses a cell conditioning s...

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 13, 2013

JCI early table of contents for May 15, 2013

Two studies published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that chemokine stimulation is not required for T cell migration to transplanted organs. Instead, immune-stimulating proteins expressed by the organ direct T cells to migrate. Additionally, researchers identified a protein called TRAIL that causes cell death and can be...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 15, 2013

Researchers form new nerve cells – directly in the brain

New technique allows for direct reprogramming of human cells into nerve cells, opening possibilities for treating Parkinson's disease and other conditions. Researchers at Lund University have made a breakthrough in the field of cell therapy by successfully reprogramming skin cells and support cells into nerve cells.

SourceLund University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 26, 2013

Giving transplanted cells a nanotech checkup

Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have created a way to monitor the survival of transplanted cells using nanoscale pH sensors and MRI machines. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize cell replacement therapies for conditions like liver failure and type 1 diabetes by providing reliable means of detecting dead cells.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Materials·DateFeb 5, 2013

JCI early table of contents for Feb. 1, 2013

Researchers have found that transplanted neural stem cells can migrate to the gut and develop into functional neurons, providing a promising new treatment for gastrointestinal motility disorders. Additionally, a protein called MFGE8 has been identified as an important regulator of inflammation, blocking inflammasome activity and limiti...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 1, 2013

A gut feeling about neural stem cells

Scientists at the University of Melbourne have successfully transplanted neural stem cells into mice, which then migrated to the gut and developed into functional neurons. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for intestinal motility disorders such as Hirschsprung's disease.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 1, 2013

New stem cell research, transplant strategies show promise to improve outcomes, reduce complications

Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in optimizing stem cells and transplant approaches to treat patients with blood disorders. A new study has shown that the addition of vorinostat to standard therapy can safely reduce the incidence and severity of graft-versus-host disease, a life-threatening complication associated with h...

Cell Transplantation reports islet cell advancement increases impact on transplantation

A new process of creating islet cell clusters has been successfully developed to improve pancreatic transplantation. The clusters were engineered to overcome challenges such as hypoxic conditions and immune reactions, resulting in higher viability rates and potential cure for type I diabetes.

Studies in Cell Transplantation investigate oxygen's impact as a factor in transplantation

Researchers at Baylor University discovered that low temperatures can prevent hypoxia-induced damage to islet cells, improving insulin secretion. In a second study, neural cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells showed altered oxygen metabolism associated with schizophrenia, offering potential targets for treatment.

Parkinson's disease protein causes disease spread and neuron death in healthy animals

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found that injecting synthetic, misfolded α-Syn protein into healthy mice recapitulates Parkinson's disease progression, leading to dopamine neuron death and Lewy body formation. The study establishes a mechanistic link between α-Syn transmission and neurodegeneration.

Stimulating brain cells with light

Scientists at Lund University are using optogenetics to investigate the behavior of transplanted brain cells in a model of Parkinson's disease. The study aims to determine whether light can be used to reinforce dopamine production and improve the effectiveness of nerve cell transplantation.

Moffitt researcher says no survival advantage with peripheral blood stem cells versus bone marrow

A two-year clinical trial found no survival difference between patients receiving peripheral blood stem cells and bone marrow stem cells from unrelated donors. However, peripheral blood stem cell transplants were associated with a higher incidence of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).

SourceH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 19, 2012

Therapeutic time window important factor for cord blood cell transplantation after stoke

A study found that transplantation within a 72-hour time window resulted in early functional recovery and reduced brain atrophy. The optimal therapeutic time window was determined to be between 72 hours and 120 hours after stroke onset, with no benefit observed when transplanted at 14 days.

Special issue of Cell Transplantation features research presented at IANR

A special issue of Cell Transplantation features studies on clinical translational medicine for successful neurorestoration in human patients with various neurological conditions. The field of neurorestoratology aims to optimize regimes and develop treatment guidelines through the integration of current methods.

Retina transplantation improved by manipulating recipient retinal microenvironment

Researchers found that insulin-like growth factor (IGF1) enhances migration and integration of photoreceptor cells into the adult mouse retina by manipulating the retinal recipient microenvironment. This study suggests a potential novel strategy for retinal repair using stem cell replacement therapy.

Mature liver cells may be better than stem cells for liver cell transplantation therapy

Researchers found that mature hepatocytes offered better repopulation efficiency than stem/progenitor cells after transplantation into liver-injured rats. The mature hepatocytes continued to survive and proliferate for up to one year, while the stem/progenitor cells died within two months.

Treating pain with transplants

Researchers have successfully transplanted embryonic cells into adult mouse spinal cords to alleviate persistent pain. The study suggests that this approach may not only treat symptoms but also correct underlying disease pathology. This new therapy offers hope for patients with neuropathic pain, a condition with limited treatment options.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateMay 23, 2012

Colitis in test mice responds to treatment with human umbilical cord-derived mensenchymal cells

A study published in Cell Transplantation found that human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal cells effectively reduced clinical and pathological severity of induced colitis in test mice. The treatment inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, indicating its potential for treating inflammatory bowel diseases.

Autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell transplants can reduce diabetic amputations

Researchers found that autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell transplants can significantly induce vascular growth, reducing the number of amputations in patients with diabetes suffering from critical limb ischemia. The study showed a significant increase in neovasculogenesis and a decrease in PAD mortality.

Bone marrow-derived cells differentiate in the brain through mechanisms of plasticity

Researchers have found that bone marrow-derived stem cells can contribute to various neural cell types in different areas of the brain, including the olfactory bulb, through mechanisms of plasticity. This discovery suggests a new potential for using these cells for repairing damaged brain tissue and restoring lost neural function.