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Press Releases from AlphaMed Press

September 10, 2019
Study Shows Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Importance of Tissue Origin in Predicting Function

DURHAM, N.C. SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 - A new study released today in STEM CELLS demonstrates that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) expanded from adipose tissue (ASC) outperform those expanded from bone marrow (BM-MSCs). Importantly, while several previous studies have compared the performance of BM-MSCs versus ASCs, this is the first to pair MSCs from the same donor to show that tissue, rather than donor origin, is the functional predictor.

“Numerous clinical trials are evaluating the therapeutic potential of MSCs in degenerative and inflammatory diseases,” said lead investigator Karin Tarte, Pharm D, Ph.D., of the Université de Rennes. "However, the influence of their tissue of origin on their functional properties, including their immunosuppressive activity, remains unsolved.

September 6, 2019
Study Shows Stem Cells May Be Better Choice Than Tissue Transplantation for Treating LSCD

DURHAM, N.C.  SEPTEMBER 05, 2019 - Results of a phase II clinical trial released today in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine (SCTM) indicate that a limbal stem cell (LSC) transplantation is superior to a tissue graft in treating limbal stem cell deficiency syndrome (LSCD).

The study’s lead investigator, Vincent Borderie, M.D., Ph.D.
August 14, 2019
Human amniotic fluid stem cells show promise in treating severest type of spina bifida


DURHAM, N.C. AUGUST 14, 2019 - A study released today in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine provides compelling evidence of how an injection of human amniotic fluid stem cells can be used to protect the spinal cord of a fetus from myelomeningocele (MMC). The finding could lead to a new strategy for treating this debilitating birth defect that affects about 1 out of every 4,000 children born in the United States each year.

The most severe form of spina bifida, myelomeningocele results when the backbone and spinal canal do not close before birth. It can leave a child with many disabilities, including partial or full paralysis, difficulty with bowel and bladder control, hydrocephalus and developmental delay.

August 6, 2019
Computer modeling predicts best stem cell donors and therapies for kids with heart disease

Durham, NC – A study released today in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine (SCTM) identifies a computational modeling system that could have far-reaching implications for personalized medicine, especially when seeking treatments for children with heart failure. The system, called partial least squares regression (PLSR), is able to predict which stem cell donors and manipulation methods might yield the best therapies for these patients.

June 26, 2019
Stem Cell Line Shows Potential in Helping Recover Motor Function After a Stroke


DURHAM, N.C. (JUNE 26, 2019) - Results of a phase 1 clinical trial released today in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine (SCTM) have identified a specific line of human neural stem cells that shows potential for helping recover motor function in those who suffer a hemiparetic stroke (where one side of the body is left weak or paralyzed).

June 25, 2019
Study Reveals How Protein Norrin Helps Activate Hair Growth


DURHAM, N.C. (JUNE 25, 2019) - A study released today in STEM CELLS identifies a possible new way to regrow hair. The research demonstrates how extracellular vesicles (EVs), isolated from stimulated dermal fibroblasts, promote hair growth via their secretion of the protein norrin — and how norrin is a key player in growing hair.

The discovery could lead to numerous therapeutic treatments for alopecia (hair loss), the researchers say.

June 20, 2019
Study reveals a ‘reconditioning’ process that increases stem cells ability to treat ARDS

DURHAM, N.C. ( JUNE 20, 2019 ) - A study released today in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine (SCTM) demonstrates how preconditioning mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) enhances their ability to treat acute respiratory distress disorder (ARDS). This important information could point to a way to developing more effective MSC treatments for clinical application, according to Ben Antebi, Ph.D., who led the team of investigators from the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research and Stanford University.

June 11, 2019
Incubation with Extracellular Vesicles Boosts Cells’ Grafting Ability

DURHAM, N.C. JUNE 11, 2019 - A study released today in STEM CELLS demonstrates how extracellular vesicles derived from human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-EV) are able to incorporate into human CD34+ cells, modifying their gene expression and increasing their viability and cloning ability. In a test on mice, MSC-EVs also increased the cells’ ability to lodge into bone marrow. This research performed by Prof. Sanchez-Guijo’s Lab at the IBSAL-University of Salamanca (Spain) could potentially overcome serious complications due to graft failure or poor engraftment from allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Author's Lab Photo
June 1, 2019
Plasma-Based Gel Delivery System Might Be the Key to Success in Treating Injured Kidneys

DURHAM, N.C.  (MAY 30, 2019) - A study released today in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine is the first to demonstrate an efficient delivery system for the sustained release of human placental stem cell (HPSC)-derived conditioned medium (CM) to treat acute kidney injuries. The platelet-rich plasma-based gel system was able to deliver CM into the injured kidney, where it helped restore function and regenerate injured tissue.

May 14, 2019
Priming Cardiac Progenitor Cells Accelerates Cardiomyocyte Maturation


DURHAM, N.C.  (MAY 14, 2019) - A study recently published in STEM CELLS shows a new method for accelerating human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes’ (hPSC-CMs) development. If a way can be found to overcome hPSC-CMs’ developmental immaturity, which leaves them functionally and structurally different from mature human cardiomyocytes, they can be powerful tools for disease modeling, drug development, basic research and new therapies. This study shows great promise in resolving this issue.

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