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Breaking down pathological protein aggregates

Scientists at ETH Zurich found that a cellular mechanism called SCF detects and targets alpha-synuclein fibrils for breakdown. This mechanism could be used to develop therapies for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's. Gene therapy and stem cell transplantation may also offer new options.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJun 6, 2019

Human iPSC-derived MSCs from aged individuals acquire a rejuvenation signature

Researchers have discovered that human iPSC-derived MSCs (iMSCs) from aged individuals acquire a rejuvenation-associated 50-gene signature, which is also expressed in pluripotent stem cells. This finding highlights the potential of iMSCs to act via paracrine signalling and circumvent drawbacks associated with adult MSCs.

SourceHeinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf·JournalStem Cell Research & Therapy·DateApr 10, 2019

A soft spot for stem cells helps cornea healing

Researchers at Newcastle University develop a potential revolutionary way to treat eye injuries and prevent blindness by using an enzyme to soften the tissue hosting stem cells. This approach has important implications for developing new ways to heal corneal damage, which affects almost 500,000 people worldwide.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 3, 2019

NIH researchers rescue photoreceptors, prevent blindness in animal models of AMD

Researchers at the National Eye Institute have developed a patient-specific stem cell-based therapy that prevents blindness in animal models of geographic atrophy, a leading cause of vision loss among people age 65 and older. The therapy successfully integrates transplanted cells into the retina and restores photoreceptor health.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 16, 2019

Cancer stem cells get energy from protein, and it's proving to be their Achilles' heel

A recent study found that cancer stem cells rely on amino acids for energy, rather than glucose, and this difference makes them susceptible to targeting without harming healthy cells. Researchers have already shown promise with this approach in clinical trials against acute myeloid leukemia, with potential applications to other cancers.

'Cellular dust' provides new hope for regenerative medicine

Extracellular vesicles, or 'cellular dust', have shown therapeutic properties similar to stem cells without their disadvantages. These gel-like vesicles can be produced by a single donor for several patients and have demonstrated potential in repairing heart, liver, and kidney lesions.

SourceCNRS·JournalACS Nano·DateOct 24, 2018

Novel method produces highest-ever signals for human embryonic stem cell detection

Researchers developed a novel method to enhance native stem cell bioelectric signals, achieving ultra-high current levels two-orders of magnitude higher than previous methods. The new method uses 2D-molybdenum disulphide sheets, demonstrating improved commercialization and therapeutic safety for future stem cell-based therapies.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalACS Applied Bio Materials·DateSep 25, 2018

A promising approach to translational research on stem cells for Parkinson's disease

Researchers explore two approaches to stem cell therapy for Parkinson's disease, one using patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells and the other utilizing parthenogenetic-derived neural stem cells. The latter approach offers advantages in terms of reduced immunogenicity and evasion of ethical issues surrounding embryos.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalStem Cells and Development·DateJul 23, 2018

Phase I trial finds experimental drug safe in treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine have found that treatment with cirmtuzumab measurably inhibited the 'stemness' of CLL cells, allowing most patients to forego additional therapy for over eight months. The drug targets ROR1, a molecule exploited by cancer cells to promote tumor growth and spread.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateJun 1, 2018

New cell therapy aids heart recovery -- without implanting cells

A new cell therapy has been developed to aid heart recovery without implanting cells, using extracellular vesicles secreted by cardiomyocytes derived from human pluripotent stem cells. The therapy shows promising results in recovering cardiac function and reducing arrhythmias in rat models of myocardial infarction.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateApr 23, 2018

'Sleeping' stem cells could aid brain repair

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have discovered a new type of 'sleeping' stem cell in the brain that has a high potential for repair following brain injury or disease. The G2 quiescent stem cell can awaken and produce key brain cells, such as neurons and glia, faster than previously identified quiescent stem cells.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalScience·DateApr 5, 2018

CU scientists' discovery could speed clinical translation of stem cell therapies

Researchers at CU Anschutz have discovered a new approach to reprogramming adult skin cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with unprecedented efficiency. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of new corrective stem cell-based therapies for currently incurable diseases like Epidermolysis Bullosa.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 22, 2018

Scientists create successful mass production system for bioengineered livers

Scientists have successfully developed a biologically accurate mass-production platform for bioengineering human liver tissues suitable for therapeutic transplant into people. The new process allows researchers to generate single batches of up to 20,000 genetically matched, three-dimensional and highly functional liver micro-buds.

Subset of stem cells identified as source for all cells in blood and immune systems

A study by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center has identified a specific subset of adult blood stem cells responsible for regenerating the entire blood and immune system. The 5% subset, marked as CD34+CD45RA-CD90+, was found to rebuild all different cells of the blood and immune system within 10 days after being infused in nonhuman primates.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateNov 1, 2017

Test results after stem cell transplant for multiple myeloma can confuse patients and doctors about cancer's status

After stem cell therapy, tests like SPEP/SIFE and SFLCA may yield oligoclonal patterns that resemble the original monoclonal antibody spike. However, this is a normal response to treatment, not recurrence of the disease. The key clarifier lies in tracking the location of the malignant spike before and after treatment.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalJournal of Clinical Medicine Research·DateAug 10, 2017

Towards a safe and scalable cell therapy for type 1 diabetes by simplifying beta cell differentiation

Scientists have identified a molecular handle to purify cells destined to become insulin-producing cells, enabling a streamlined and cost-efficient process for generating glucose-responsive beta cells. The discovery aims to address safety and end product consistency challenges in cell therapy for type 1 diabetes.