Expression of CD133 and other putative stem cell markers in uveal melanoma.

'Cancer stem cells' (CSCs) are tumor cells with stem cell properties hypothesized to be responsible for tumorigenesis, metastatis, and resistance to treatment, and have been identified in different tumors including cutaneous melanoma, using stem cell markers such as CD133. This study explored expression of CD133 and other putative stem cell markers in uveal melanoma. Eight uveal melanoma cell lines were subjected to flow-cytometric (fluorescence-activated cell sorting) analysis of CD133 and other stem cell markers.

Surgical therapy of end-stage heart failure: understanding cell-mediated mechanisms interacting with myocardial damage.

Worldwide, cardiovascular disease results in an estimated 14.3 million deaths per year, giving rise to an increased demand for alternative and advanced treatment. Current approaches include medical management, cardiac transplantation, device therapy, and, most recently, stem cell therapy.

Evaluating maturation and genetic modification of human dendritic cells in a new polyolefin cell culture bag system.

Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) are applied worldwide in several clinical studies of immune therapy of malignancies, autoimmune diseases, and transplantations. Most legislative bodies are demanding high standards for cultivation and transduction of cells. Closed-cell cultivating systems like cell culture bags would simplify and greatly improve the ability to reach these cultivation standards.

Impact of polysialylated CD56 on natural killer cell cytotoxicity.

Background: Siglec-7, a sialic acid binding inhibitory receptor expressed by NK cells is masked in vivo by a so far unknown ligand. It shows a strong binding prevalence for alpha-2,8-linked disialic acids in vitro.

Results: Here we describe the expression of PSA-NCAM (alpha-2,8-linked polysialic acid modified NCAM) on functional adult peripheral blood natural killer cells and examine its possible role in masking Siglec-7.

Highly efficient neural differentiation of human somatic stem cells, isolated by minimally invasive periodontal surgery.

Neural stem cells (NSCs) are potential sources for cell therapy of neurodegenerative diseases and for drug screening. Despite their potential benefits, ethical and practical considerations limit the application of NSCs derived from human embryonic stem cells (ES) or adult brain tissue. Thus, alternative sources are required to satisfy the criteria of ready accessibility, rapid expansion in chemically defined media and reliable induction to a neuronal fate.

Bcl-2 engineered MSCs inhibited apoptosis and improved heart function.

Engraftment of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from adult bone marrow has been proposed as a potential therapeutic approach for postinfarction left ventricular dysfunction. However, limited cell viability after transplantation into the myocardium has restricted its regenerative capacity. In this study, we genetically modified MSCs with an antiapoptotic Bcl-2 gene and evaluated cell survival, engraftment, revascularization, and functional improvement in a rat left anterior descending ligation model via intracardiac injection.

Intramyocardial delivery of human CD133+ cells in a SCID mouse cryoinjury model: Bone marrow vs. cord blood-derived cells.

Objective: The regenerative potential of endothelial and hematopoietic progenitor cells in the heart may vary according to their origin. This study was designed to compare the functional effects of CD133+ cells from human cord blood and bone marrow in a mouse model of myocardial injury.

Methods: 5 x 10(5) CD133+ cells from bone marrow (BM(CD133)) or cord blood (UCB(CD133)) were injected in the necrosis border zone of NOD/SCID (non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency) mice with left ventricular cryoinjury (CI+).

In vivo echocardiographic imaging of transplanted human adult stem cells in the myocardium labeled with clinically applicable CliniMACS nanoparticles.

Objectives: Intramyocardial transplantation of bone marrow-derived cells is currently under clinical evaluation as a therapy of heart failure. A major limitation of all clinical studies dealing with myocardial cell engraftment is the inability to track the fate of the transplanted cells. We present a clinically applicable technique using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) of CliniMACS nanoparticle labeled transplanted CD133+ cells in ischemic hearts.

Portal application of autologous CD133+ bone marrow cells to the liver: a novel concept to support hepatic regeneration.

The liver has a large capacity for regeneration after resection. However, below a critical level of future liver remnant volume (FLRV), partial hepatectomy is accompanied by a significant increase of postoperative liver failure. There is accumulating evidence for the contribution of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) to participate in liver regeneration.

Isolation and generation of clinical-grade dendritic cells using the CliniMACS system.

Dendritic cells (DC) can either be generated from progenitors such as stem cells or CD14+ monocytes, or isolated directly from the blood. Blood-derived DC are present as at least two distinct populations-myeloid and plasmacytoid DC. Here we describe methods for the clinical-grade isolation of blood DC and DC precursors using the CliniMACS.

Flow cytometric analysis of T cell proliferation in a mixed lymphocyte reaction with dendritic cells.

Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent antigen-presenting cells. They can be generated in vitro from CD14+ cells, and also from CD34+ progenitor cells. Although T cell proliferation using [3H] thymidine incorporation assay has been used widely to check DC function, this technique only provides limited information about the T cell proliferation.