FOXF1 Mediates Endothelial Progenitor Functions and Regulates Vascular Sprouting.

Endothelial colony forming cells (ECFC) or late blood outgrowth endothelial cells (BOEC) have been proposed to contribute to neovascularization in humans. Exploring genes characteristic for the progenitor status of ECFC we have identified the forkhead box transcription factor FOXF1 to be selectively expressed in ECFC compared to mature endothelial cells isolated from the vessel wall. Analyzing the role of FOXF1 by gain- and loss-of-function studies we detected a strong impact of FOXF1 expression on the particularly high sprouting capabilities of endothelial progenitors.

The rationale behind collecting umbilical cord blood.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an increasingly important and rich source of stem cells. These cells can be used for the treatment of many diseases, including cancers and immune and genetic disorders. For patients for whom no suitable related donor is available, this source of hematopoietic stem cells offers substantial advantages, notably the relative ease of procurement, the absence of risk to the donor, the small likelihood of transmitting clinically important infections, the low risk of severe graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and the rapid availability of placental blood for transplantation centers.

Ex-vivo expanded umbilical cord blood stem cells retain capacity for myocardial regeneration.

Background: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a source of human hematopoietic precursor cells (HPCs), a stem cell (SC) type that has been used in several trials for myocardial repair. A certain minimal number of cells is required for measurable regeneration and a major challenge of SC-based regenerative therapy constitutes ex-vivo expansion of the primitive cell compartment. The aim of this study was to investigate the ex-vivo expansion potential of UCB-derived HPCs and the ability of these expanded cells to migrate to the site of damage and improve ventricular function in a rodent model of myocardial infarction (MI).

Lessons from the stem cell proteome.

The proteome of a cell is a molecular fingerprint directly relating to the gene expression snapshot profile at a certain point of time or developmental stage. Monitoring the expansion and the differentiation state of stem cells by proteomic means seems therefore a very attractive method for diagnostic as well as for therapeutic purposes. We have investigated the protein expression patterns of umbilical cord blood-derived CD34+/AC133+ cells in order to obtain a most comprehensive view of the stem cell proteome.

Gene expression profiling of human mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow during expansion and osteoblast differentiation.

Background: Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) with the capacity to differentiate into osteoblasts provide potential for the development of novel treatment strategies, such as improved healing of large bone defects. However, their low frequency in bone marrow necessitate ex vivo expansion for further clinical application. In this study we asked if MSC are developing in an aberrant or unwanted way during ex vivo long-term cultivation and if artificial cultivation conditions exert any influence on their stem cell maintenance.

Proteomic profiling of human stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood.

CD34+ preparations from five different umbilical cord samples were compared with respect to their proteome profile using 2-D gel electrophoresis. Fifty-two protein spots were found to match in all preparations referring to the high heterogeneity of such samples indicating a not fully developed (or instable) proteome of stem cells. All matching spots were subjected to in-gel digestion and nano-LC-MS/MS sequence analysis, from which 22 proteins were unambiguously identified.

Preliminary 2-D chromatographic investigation of the human stem cell proteome.

Stem cells represent a promising tool for the treatment of various hematopoietic diseases. In order to identify stem cell-specific proteins, the proteome of human stem cells from umbilical cord blood was explored for the first time. For this purpose, the crude lysate of 4 x 10(5) CD34+ cells was subjected to in solution trypsin digestion.

De novo HNF-1 beta gene mutation in familial hypoplastic glomerulocystic kidney disease.

Mutations in the gene encoding the transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-1 beta are associated with maturity-onset diabetes of the young (type V), non-diabetic renal disease, and occasionally genital malformations in females. Recently, familial hypoplastic glomerulocystic kidney disease (GCKD) has been added to the clinical spectrum of HNF-1 beta gene mutations. Familial hypoplastic GCKD is a rare, dominantly inherited disorder characterized by small kidneys containing glomerular cysts, abnormal pelvicalyceal anatomy, and chronic renal failure.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in a child with hemoglobinopathy olmsted.

The authors describe the first successful bone marrow transplant for the treatment of hemoglobinopathy Olmsted in a boy who presented with severe transfusion-dependent hemolytic anemia and jaundice at age 4 months. He received bone marrow from an HLA-identical sibling with normal hemoglobin electrophoresis after conditioning with busulfan, cyclophosphamide, and antithymocyte globulin when he was 18 months old. The posttransplant course was uneventful.