Day 2 :
Keynote Forum
David T Harris
University of Arizona, USA
Keynote: Biobanking for regenerative medicine
Time : 09:30-10:15
Biography:
David T Harris is a graduate of Wake Forest University where he obtained BS in Biology, Mathematics and Psychology. He has earned his Doctorate in Microbiology and Immunology in 1982. In 1989, he has joined the Faculty at the University of Arizona in the Department of Immunology. He has established the first cord blood bank in 1992. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the University of Arizona Biorepository, as well as the Director of Quality at the GMP Laboratory. His research interests include stem cells and regenerative medicine
Abstract:
Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering play significant roles in the treatment of currently intractable conditions such as chronic heart failure, stroke, chronic osteoarthritis, and other maladies. Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering generally depend on the utilization of stem cells to treat patients but may also utilize mature cells that would not normally be considered as stem cells (e.g., skin). Stem cells (like mature cells) may be obtained from many sources in the body including bone marrow, cord blood, cord tissue, adipose tissue, etc. Although stem cells are often used in therapy immediately upon isolation, in many circumstances the stem and progenitor cells will be harvested, processed and banked frozen until a later time. Biobanking is a convenient alternative to same-day therapeutic use, in that it allows for patient recovery (e.g., from liposuction), provides time to identify the best treatment options, and may allow for multiple interventions with additional patient inconvenience or risk. This presentation will address the topic of Biobanking and Regenerative Medicine. Topics to be included are organization of the biobank, types of sample collections and processing, precision medicine and big data, data management, and clinical utilization of banked specimens.
Keynote Forum
Nucharin Songsasen
Biology Institute, Front Royal, VA
Keynote: Establishing fertility preservation strategies for conservation of endangered carnivores
Biography:
Nucharin Songsasen is a Research Scientist at Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI). She has joined SCBI in 2002, has led the Global Canid Conservation program and expanded this conservation and research initiative from laboratory setting to field conservation in range countries. She has established partnerships with several national and international organizations and currently holds an adjunct appointment at the University of Maryland, Cornell University and George Mason University. She is a Member of the IUCN’s Canid Specialist Group, the Coordinator of Dhole Working Group and the Maned Wolf Species Survival Plan as well as Reproductive Advisor to the Canid Taxon Advisory Group. She has received a DVM degree from the Kasetsart University, Thailand and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Guelph, Canada.
Abstract:
Statement of the Problem: Within the ovary, there are thousands of immature follicles containing oocytes that are never ovulated or fertilized. The ability to grow these immature follicles to a mature stage containing fertilizable eggs has enormous potential for rescuing and protecting genetic diversity of valuable genotypes and species, including endangered wildlife. This approach would allow ‘genomic rescue’ and be especially valuable for the genetic management of rare species where there is a prevalence of females who are under-represented in the population or die before reaching puberty. Our laboratory has studied the dog and cat models to generate fundamental data on these two important companion animals, and to produce knowledge and approaches applicable to wildlife counterparts. This is important because 5 of 36 extant canids and 25 of 37 felids are listed as threatened by extinction.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: We have studied the factors regulating the survival of ovarian tissue and isolated follicles in vitro. An advantage of simultaneously studying both species is the recognition of remarkable species-specificity in requirements.
Findings: For examples, dog follicles preferred ï¡-MEM, an amino acid rich medium to MEM whereas cat tissues better survived and grew larger in the latter medium than the former.
Conclusion & Significance: In sum, it is clear that the mechanisms driving in vitro follicle growth in cats and dogs are much different from the traditionally studied mouse model and even between these two-carnivore species. This finding itself reinforces the need for more comparative studies between species and the investigation of larger sized models, especially for those keen to adapt this technology to fertility preservation in women and endangered species. Although existing culture systems can promote in vitro growth of cat and dog follicles, actual practical application will require creating microenvironment that allows recovering mature-stage, fertilizable oocytes.
Keynote Forum
A.V. Hambardzumyan
Malayan Ophthalmologic Center, Yerevan
Keynote: Silicagel dried amniotic membrane usage in various corneal pathologies in Armenia
Biography:
ANI HAMBARDZUMYAN is a graduate of Yerevan State Medical University where she obtained Diploma of General Practitioner and Faculty of Internal Medicine . She has earned her PhD on silicagel dried amniotic membrane transplantation in various corneal patologies in 2010. In 1994, he has joined as Ophthalmologists at the Ophthalmologic Center after Malayan, Yerevan, Armenia. Organization and performing of the diagnostics and treatment of patients with various pathologies and diseases of the Eyes. He currently serves as Armenian Eye Bank Director, as well as Member of Armenian Ophthalmological Association.
Abstract:
Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of silica gel dried amniotic membrane recently invested in Armenia, transplanted in various corneal pathologies.
Design & Methods: Amniotic membrane is obtained from prospective donors undergoing Caesarean section, who are negative for communicable diseases including HIV, hepatitis B and C and syphilis. The placenta is cleaned with balanced salt solution containing a cocktail of antibiotics under sterile conditions. The amnion is separated from the chorion by blunt dissection. The separated membranes are cut in different sizes and placed into the plastic can with silica gel granules on the bottom. This study included nine patients with recalcitrant herpetic keratitis, 17 pt with corneal perforation from different causes, two pt with candida keratitis, one pt with ICC, four pt with descemetocele of different causes, one pt with scleral melt after pterygium surgery, one pt with band keratopathy, three pt with persistent epithelial defect caused by chemical burn, one pt with suture abscess, one pt with persistent epithelial defect resulted from CIN removal surgery, two pt with sterile ulcer observed in rheumatoid arthritis patient, one pt with spheroidal degeneration, one pt with acanthamoeba keratitis and four pt with bacterial keratitis. All patients received medical therapeutic treatment for 1, 5-2 month before undergoing amniotic membrane transplantation.
Results: Almost in all eyes quick recovery time was noted, stromal edema resolved in three weeks, epithelial healing was improved, irritation and pain quickly subsided. Three pt with herpetic keratitis required repeated AM transplantation.
Conclusion: Silica gel dried amniotic membrane is very effective for treatment of various corneal pathologies, dramatically improves the healing process and helps to regain functional vision in most cases.
Keynote Forum
Ethel J. Ngen
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA
Keynote: Molecular Imaging Biosensors for Precise Therapeutic Interventions in Regenerative Medicine
Time : 12:15-13:00
Biography:
Dr. Ethel J. Ngen has expertise in targeted drug delivery systems and bioresponsive molecular sensors for applications in regenerative medicine. She is currently a research faculty member at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences. Her research focuses on developing cellular and molecular imaging strategies and drug delivery systems for applications in regenerative medicine and in oncology. A major component of her research focuses on developing molecular imaging biosensors for tracking cell-based therapies. Prior to joining the faculty at Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Ngen received her Ph.D. in organic/medicinal chemistry from the South Dakota State University’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, where her Ph.D. research focused on developing targeted drug delivery systems for applications in oncology. She then pursued post-doctoral training in cellular and molecular imaging, at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, before joining the faculty.
Abstract:
Precision medicine aims to provide personalized treatment plans tailored to the specific needs of individual patients. With the growing need for more personalized therapeutic regimens in regenerative medicine, we will demonstrate the importance of cellular imaging biosensors to noninvasively visualize, characterize, and quantify the effective delivery, biodistribution, survival, and engraftment of transplanted stem cells in vivo. The applicability of a novel dual-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique to noninvasively image transplanted stem cells will be discussed. This dual-contrast MRI technique involves two different classes of MRI contrast agents, possessing different diffusion coefficients: high-molecular-weight superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs; T2/T2* contrast agents, with low diffusion coefficients) and low-molecular-weight gadolinium chelates (T1 contrast agents, with high diffusion coefficients). Human mesenchymal stem cells were dual labeled with SPIONs and a gadolinium-based chelate (GdDTPA). The viability, proliferation rate, and differentiation potential of the labeled stem cells were then evaluated. The feasibility of this MRI technique to distinguish between live and dead stem cells was next evaluated using MRI phantoms. We next evaluated the efficiency of this technique to image transplanted stem cells in vivo in both immune-competent and immune-deficient mice, following the induction of radiation-induced brain injury in the mice. All MRI results were validated with bioluminescence imaging. In Immune-deficient mice where the transplanted stem cells survived, and both contrast agents were in close proximity, the T2/T2* contrast from the SPIONs predominated and the T1 contrast from the gadolinium chelates was quenched. This T2/T2* MRI contrast was used to track stem cell delivery and stem cell migration. In immune-competent mice where the stem cell died following transplantation, a diffused positive (T1) MRI contrast was generated in the vicinity of the dead cells and served as an imaging marker for cell death (Figure 1). Ultimately, this technique could be used to manage and personalize stem cell therapies in regenerative medicine.
- Tissue Regeneration | Stem Cells: Culture, Differentiation and Transplantation |Aesthetic Skin Rejuvenation | Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Location: Desert Palm A, Las Vegas ,USA
Session Introduction
Joel I. Osorio
Westhill University School of Medicine, Mexico
Title: RegenerAge System: Therapeutic effects of combinatorial biologics (mRNA and Allogenic MSCs) with a spinal cord stimulation system on a patient with spinal cord section
Biography:
Dr. Osorio is an innovative businessman with a distinct entrepreneurial mindset concentrated adding value on areas of Biotechnology (mRNA), Reprogramming & Regenerative Medicine for translational use in humans and a variety of clinical applications aimed for both the private and the public health sectors.
Abstract:
As it has been previously demonstrated that co-electroporation of Xenopus laevis frog oocytes with normal cells and cancerous cell lines in-duces the expression of pluripotency markers, and in experimental murine model studies that mRNA extract (Bioquantine® purified from in-tra- and extra-oocyte liquid phases of electropo-rated oocytes) showed potential as a treatment for a wide range of conditions as Squint, Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and Cerebral Palsy among others. The current study observed beneficial changes with Bioquantine administration in a patient with a severe SCI. Pluripotent stem cells have therapeutic and regenerative potential in clinical situations CNS disorders even cancer. One method of reprogramming somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells is to expose them to extracts prepared from Xenopus laevis oocytes We showed previously that coelectroporation of Xenopus laevis frog oocytes; with normal cells and cancerous cells lines, induces expression of markers of pluripotency.We also observed ther-apeutic effects of treatment with a purified ex-tract (Bioquantine) of intra- and extra-oocyte liquid phases derived from electroporated X. laevis oocytes, on experimentally induced pathologies including murine models of melanoma, traumatic brain injury, and experi-mental skin wrinkling induced by squalene-monohydroperoxide (Paylian et al, 2016). The positive human findings for Spinal Cord Injury, and Cerebral Palsy with the results from previ-ous animal studies with experimental models of traumatic brain injury, respectively (Paylian et al, 2016). Because of ethical reasons, legal re-strictions, and a limited numbers of patients, we were able to treat only a very small number of patients. These results indicate that Bioquan-tine® may be safe and well tolerated for use in humans, and deserves further study in a range of degenerative disorders. We propose that the mechanism of action of Bioquantine® in these various diseases derives from its unique phar-macology and combinatorial reprogramming properties. In conclusion, these preliminary find-ings suggest that Bioquantine is safe and well tolerated on patients with Cerebral Palsy and-Spinal Cord Injury, among others. In addition to the regenerative therapy and due to the patient condition, we decided to include the Restore-Sensor SureScan5-6 . Based on the of electrical stimulation for rehabilitation and regeneration after spinal cord injury published by Hamid and MacEwan , we designed an improved deliv-ery method for the in situ application of MSCs and Bioquantine in combination with the RestoreSensor SureScan Conclusions: To the present day the patient who suffered a total sec-tion of spinal cord at T12-L1 shows an im-provement in sensitivity, strength in striated muscle and smooth muscle connection, 11 months after the first therapy of cell regeneration and 3 month after the placement of RestoreSen-sor at the level of the lesion, the patient with a complete medullary section shows an evident improvement on his therapy of physical rehabili-tation on crawling from front to back by himself and standing on his feet for the first time and showing a progressively important functionality on the gluteal and legs sensitivity.
Razi Vago
Ben Gurion University of The Negev, Israel
Title: Bone mimicry models: Cancer metastasis and refuge in bone
Biography:
Abstract:
Bone microenvironment is a complex milieu composed of inorganic and organic components. In addition to its mechanical and chemical role this microenvironment gives rise to heterogonous molecules and cells that in many cases interacting in an orchestrated manner and control signaling pathways that enable bone development and maintenance. Solid cancers originating in the breast, prostate, and lung tend to metastasize to bone. Once deployed in bone these tumor cells harness this microenvironment, shift to a quiescent mode or initiate a vicious cycle that often leads bone destruction and gain an increased tumorigenicity by mechanisms which are not yet fully understood. Here we introduce a new three-dimensional model which closely resembles a living natural bone that can be used to study cellular and molecular cues in bone tumors and metastasis. Using this model we showed that the mineral phase may have an important role on cellular characteristics such as, proliferation rates and tumorigenicity. We also revealed that interactions with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC's) increased migration and invasion capacities along with osteosarcomas (OS) proliferation, moreover we showed that via regulation of pathways such Wnt, cadherins, Notch and their downstream target genes such as c-Myc, these capacities were further enhanced when accommodated with the bone like biolattice and directly interacted with the MSCs. We also suggest that progression in OS aggressiveness can also can be attributed to a transition in Wnt signaling from canonical to noncanonical pathways, which is intensified in presence of MSCs. We suggest these kind of tumor promoting interactions may be found in the natural and tumorigenic bone microenvironment. New insights on the interplay between these signaling cues and their effects tumor progression will be discussed. A better understanding of the molecular signaling mechanisms involved in the tumor development and bone metastasis may contribute to development of new cancer therapies.
Ye-Eun Yoon
Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
Title: Application of a recombinant hybrid mussel adhesive protein as a functional cosmetic ingredient treated hormone concentrations
Biography:
Ye-Eun Yoon received her MS degree in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea. Her Master’s thesis is entitled “Development of adhesive/multi-layered scaffolds for tissue adhesives and gene delivery vehicles”. She has already published several peer-reviewed research papers in reputed journals and won an American Chemical Society (ACS) Editors’ Choice Award in 2016. Currently, she works as a research scientist at Research & Development Center, Cosmocos Corporation, a branch of Korea Tomorrow and Global (KT&G), in Korea
Abstract:
Marine mussels produce and secrete adhesive proteins that allow themselves to attach in rough marine environments. Currently, six mussel adhesive proteins (fp-1 through fp-6) have been identified from the adhesive plaques of mussels. Mussel adhesive proteins have been considered as a desirable source of water-resistant bioadhesives which can also be used as a useful ingredient in cosmetics. This study aimed to construct a recombinant hybrid mussel adhesive protein, fp-13151, in order to get convenient and economical production and enhance the adhesive capability of the mussel proteins, and evaluate its potential as a functional cosmetic ingredient. The hybrid gene was constructed to contain the parts of fp-1/fp-3/fp-1/fp-5/fp-1in a sequential order using recombinant DNA techniques. fp-13151 was purified from the corresponding overexpressed E. coli cells using affinity chromatography. fp-13151 did not exhibit cytotoxicity and irritability to the skin. fp-13151 at 50 μg/ml augmented the synthesis of collagen 1.63-fold over that of the non-treated control in HaCaT cells, implying its anti-wrinkle activity. On the contrary, fp-13151 diminished the levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-1), also known as interstitial collagenase, in a concentration-dependent manner. It could marginally inhibit elastase activity in an in vitro experiment. fp-13151 was able to inhibit both monooxygenase and oxidase activities of mushroom tyrosinase in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting its skin whitening activity. It was also found to contain an antioxidant activity, when an ABTS radical scavenging capacity assay was used. In a pilot-scale clinical trial, the essence containing fp-13151 significantly reduced the wrinkle parameters tested in the participants after both 4- and 8-week treatment, compared to the control group. Taken together, fp-13151 possesses skin beneficial properties, such as antioxidant, whitening and anti-wrinkle activities, in addition to its peculiar adhesive character. These findings suggest that fp-13151 has a potential as an effective ingredient in the manufacture of functional cosmetics.
- Biobanking | Stem Cell Biobanking | Biobank in Genomics | Cryopreservation Methods | Vitrification | Biobank Applications | Regenerative Medicine
Location: Desert Palm A, Las Vegas ,USA
Session Introduction
Andisheh Ghashghaie,
Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Title: Cord Blood Banking for Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine
Biography:
Andisheh Ghashghaie is expert in bioprocessing and cryopreservation of cord blood units. She is also skilled in expansion and culture of mesenchymal stromal cells which are then used for GVHD treatment and regenerative medicine. She has worked in Pasteur institute of Iran as a master student and has more than 10 years experience in HLA typing especially by PCR-SSP method. She has become self-made by years of experience in research, training and supervising in hospital, BMT laboratory and Stem Cell Research Center. Hematology_Oncology & Stem Cell Transplantation institute is been founded 25 years ago and been performing/running SC transplants for both malignant and non-malignant patients from around the country. GVHD as the major life-threatening result of engraftment is the most studied risk factor under several research projects by academic members, master and Ph.D. students and fellowships in this institute. This study has been focusing on quality of Cord blood units and their utilization in SC transplant aftermaths.
Abstract:
Collection and banking of umbilical cord blood (UCBs) can provide unlimited source of ethnically diverse donors. The main limitation factor for use of (UCBs) as a source of hematopoietic progenitors for transplantation is cell dose. The engraftment outcome of UCB transplantation is highly dependent on nucleated cell number of unites. It would be useful to predict CB cell content using information of donor-related variables before cell processing.
Banked unrelated donor UCBs has improved access to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients without a suitably matched donor. In a resource-limited environment, ensuring that the public inventory is enriched with high-quality (CBUs) addressing the needs of a diverse group of patients is a priority. Identification of donor characteristics correlating with higher CBU quality could guide operational strategies to increase the yield of banked high-quality CBUs.
In contrast family-directed CB collection and storage which requires different procedures in order to obtain high-quality products. This approach is clinically indicated and validated in families where the mother is pregnant and has an existing child or has a known risk of having a child affected by a disease which can be cured by allogeneic HSCT. It would be useful to predict CB cell content using information of donor-related variables before processing.
In this study, CBs were obtained from 3297 single-birth term deliveries in 3 hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of medical sciences from January 1998 to June 2016. Up to August 2016, 67 units have been used in transplantation for patients with malignant and non-malignant disorders. The attempt has been made to find factors which have significant effects on quality of CB units, including CB volume, TNCs, and CD34+ cell counts.