12/6 TE-RegenMed-StemCell feed

TE-RegenMed-StemCell feed         Klein's Maneuvers, CIRM's Reputation and Bernstein's December 5, 2010 at 6:21 PM   A Canadian scientist yesterday pretty much identified a bottom line on the attempt by CIRM Chairman Robert Klein to hand pick his successor at the $3 billion public research agency. In an interview with the Toronto Globe and Mail, Alan Bernstein said the publicity about the machinations "compromises his international reputation and the reputation of the [California] agency." Bernstein knows         CIRM Director Prieto Comments on Transparency December 5, 2010 at 4:56 PM   A Web site devoted to "Californians' rights to find out what's going on" last week quoted a big chunk of a piece from the California Stem Cell Report. The item on CalAware Today by Anne Lowe was headlined, "Transparency Lacking in State's Stem Cell Agency." It cited the our item "Public and Industry Left in the Dark by California Stem Cell Agency." We also received a comment on the situation         The Role of Cardiac Electrophysiology in Myocardial Regenerative Stem Cell Therapy. December 5, 2010 at 8:52 AM   Related Articles The Role of Cardiac Electrophysiology in Myocardial Regenerative Stem Cell Therapy. J Cardiovasc Transl Res. 2010 Dec 3; Authors: Huang G, Pashmforoush M, Chung B, Saxon LA Recent advances in stem cell biology and tissue engineering have put forth new therapeutic paradigms for treatment of myocardial disease. The aim of stem cell therapy for myocardial regeneration has been directed to induce angiogenesis for ischemic heart disease and/or introduction of new cardiomyocytes to improve the mechanical function of the failing heart. Encouraged by positive preliminary results in mouse models of myocardial infarction, clinical trials have utilized autologous skeletal myoblasts and bone-marrow-derived stem cells to treat patients in various clinical settings including acute myocardial injury, chronic angina, and heart failure [1-3]. These studies have collectively shown, at best, modest improvement in cardiac function. This may be due to the fact that there is little evidence to support actual formation and/or integration of transplanted cells into the recipient myocardium. More recent and emerging data supports the finding that electrical stimulation may be an effective catalyst for sustained functional organization, integration, and maturation of transplanted cell populations into the host myocardium. A therapeutic model that utilizes electrical stimulation and/or achieves cardiac resynchronization in conjunction with stem cell transplantation may be an effective means to achieve successful myocardial regenerative therapy. PMID: 21128127 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]         Gene targeting and subsequent site-specific transgenesis at the β-actin (ACTB) locus in common marmoset embryonic stem cells. December 5, 2010 at 8:52 AM   Related Articles Gene targeting and subsequent site-specific transgenesis at the β-actin (ACTB) locus in common marmoset embryonic stem cells. Stem Cells Dev. 2010 Dec 2; Authors: Shiozawa S, Kawai K, Okada Y, Tomioka I, Maeda T, Kanda A, Shinohara H, Suemizu H, Okano HJ, Sotomaru Y, Sasaki E, Okano H Non-human primate embryonic stem (ES) cells have vast promise for preclinical studies. Genetic modification in non-human primate ES cells is an essential technique for maximizing the potential of these cells. The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a non-human primate, is expected to be a useful transgenic model for preclinical studies. However, genetic modification in common marmoset ES (cmES) cells has not yet been adequately developed. To establish efficient and stable genetic modifications in cmES cells, we inserted the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene with heterotypic lox sites into the β-actin (ACTB) locus of the cmES cells using gene targeting. The resulting knock-in ES cells expressed EGFP ubiquitously under the control of the endogenous ACTB promoter. Using inserted heterotypic lox sites, we demonstrated Cre recombinase-mediated cassette exchange (RMCE) and successfully established a monomeric red fluorescent protein (mRFP) knock-in cmES cell line. Furthermore, a herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) knock-in cmES cell line was established using RMCE. The growth of tumor cells originating from the cell line was significantly suppressed by the administration of ganciclovir (GCV). Therefore, the HSV-tk/GCV system is promising as a safeguard for stem cell therapy. The stable and ubiquitous expression of EGFP prior to RMCE enables cell fate to be tracked when the cells are transplanted into an animal. Moreover, the creation of a transgene acceptor locus for site-specific transgenesis will be a powerful tool, similar to the ROSA26 locus in mice. PMID: 21126169 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]             This email was sent to regenmd@gmail.com. Delivered by Feed My Inbox PO Box 682532 Franklin, TN 37068 Account Login Unsubscribe Here