The International Stem Cell Conference \/ International Placenta Stem Cell Society Conference took
\nplace in Bern, Switzerland between the 6 and 7 September 2018. More than 27 presentations with
\nspeakers arriving from the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Russia, France, UK, Ukraine, Sweden,
\nAustria, Italy, Spain and from across different universities within Switzerland.<\/p>\n
The topics covered a wide range of the stem cell field discussing current trends in genome editing,
\ntissue engineering developments, translational research, perinatal tissue developed products, with
\nresearchers presenting pioneering studies and clinical trial data. The presentations started with
\nRaphael Guzman (Univ. of Basel, Switzerland) explaining hypoxic and ischemic injuries in the brain
\nand experimental in vivo animal models for stem cell delivery for treatments. At the same time, he
\ndiscussed issues related to where the cells go upon the injection, how long the injected cells live for
\nand how the effect is mediated, highlighting that autologous cells therapy approaches, would be
\npreferable.<\/p>\n
Sveva Bollini (Univ. of Genova, Italy) gave an insight into the amniotic fluid stem cell isolated extracellular
\nvesicles \u2013 small carrier vesicles \u2013 that can carry elements helping the cells to repair upon an
\ninjury or trauma. This could potentially be a new area for future perinatal stem cell related therapies.
\nGrazia Nicoloso (Swiss Transfusion SRC) highlighted the advantages of storing and using cord
\nblood as well as the establishment of a new type of cord blood banks, the hybrid banks that are both
\npublic and private.<\/p>\n
Fabio Marongiu (Univ. of Carliari, Italy) noted that experiments implanting patches of the amniotic
\nmembrane on an animal fibrotic liver model reduced signs of fibrosis. Similarly, transplantation of
\namniotic epithelial cells in immunocompromised mouse model has shown that the cells differentiate
\ninto liver cells, integrate and express key liver proteins closing his presentation characterising the
\nhuman placenta as \u201camazing\u201d for its potential applications in regenerative medicine.<\/p>\n
The amniotic membrane is not only used in liver defects but also in bone defects to replace scaffolds
\ncurrently used as explained by Florelle Gindraux (Univ. Hospital Besancon, France). More insights
\ninto the molecular signalling pathways affected by the factors derived by the amniotic membrane
\nduring wound healing was given by Francisco J. Nicolas (IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain) and a deep
\nexplanation of the role of inflammation, signalling pathways and overall lessons learned from the
\nplacenta was presented by Ornella Parolini (Catholic Univ. of the Sacred Heart Rome, Italy).<\/p>\n
Cesar V. Borlongan (Univ. of South Florida, USA) gave an update on the cell therapy approaches for
\nthe central nervous system where in animal models, stem cell transplantation leads to an improvement
\nof the stroke cells. That was attributed to transported mitochondria acting as carriers of genetic
\nmaterial and cell information for the recovery. Rebecca Lim (Monash University, Clayton VIC, Australia)
\npresented a clinical trial for treating babies with established bronchopulmonary dysplasia
\nwith an allogeneic transplant of human amniotic epithelial cells.<\/p>\n
Gierin Thomi (Univ. of Bern, Switzerland) highlighted the role of exosomes isolated from Wharton
\nJelly\u2019s MSCs, their role in perinatal brain injury and their recent animal experiments that have
\ndemonstrated positive results when the isolated exosomes were used for treatment. The principles
\nof de-cellularisation and recellularisation, and the isolation of human amniotic fluid stem cells for
\nliver and gut modelling were described by Paolo de Coppi (Univ. College London, UK). Human amnion
\nderived MSCs showing signs of wound healing and improvement when used on a carrier to cover
\nmouse wounds were explained by Ingrid Lang (Medical Univ. Graz, Austria).<\/p>\n
A presentation of promising new products using perinatal tissues under development was also in the
\nschedule. Pluristem Therapeutics presented their developing products from cells isolated from the
\nhuman placenta. The PLX-PAD product is developed for peripheral artery disease and demonstrated
\nan increase in the blood flow in the tibia; this is currently in phase 3 clinical trials. The same product
\nhas also been recommended for use on orthopaedic muscle injury and hip fracture. Under development
\nis the Pluristem RLX-R18 product for haematological disorders. NervFix is developing solutions
\nto achieve nerve reconstruction by inverting umbilical cord vessels and showing that they have a
\nhigh conduit and wrapping abilities. They have tested them in vivo in rats upon implantation and the
\nresults are promising.<\/p>\n
Generium Pharmaceuticals presented their recent work on placental derived mesenchymal stromal
\ncells to treat thermal skin burns and help with skin regeneration. Preservation of the human placenta
\nfor 48 hours post isolation without significant compromise in the growth factor content is now
\npossible following technologies developed and presented by Cook Biotech. Overall, the presenters
\nhighlighted advantages for the use of perinatal sources such as the placental, the umbilical cord or
\nthe amniotic fluid stem cells for the development of therapeutic products for use in humans, heralding
\nan exciting new era for regenerative medicine.<\/p>\n
The highlight of the meeting was the launch of the new public\/private platform for cell therapy and
\nregenerative medicine in Switzerland called the \u201cSwiss Translational and Clinical Bio-Manufacturing\u201d
\n(TCBM) Platform. The TCBM platform connects researchers across 5 universities in Switzerland
\nbased at the University of Zurich, University of Fribourg, University of Basel, University of Bern and
\nSCRM Bern. The mission of the TCBM platform is to bundle the existing expertise of regenerative
\nmedicine activities in Switzerland with a focus on the translation from the pre-clinical phase towards
\ntherapeutic biomedical applications. Networking activities facilitated through the TCBM platform will
\nlead to novel research co-operations between academic partners. Key researchers from each institute
\npresented the spectrum of projects they are currently working on highlighting the advantages
\nof collaborations between the TCBM members. The conference ended with the announcement of
\nthe new IPLASS president, Cesav V. Borlongham taking over from Ornella Parolini who was successfully
\nthe president for the last 8 years. The closing remarks and farewell was held by Dr Daniel
\nSurbek.<\/p>\n
Overall the conference offered a great update on the most recent advances in regenerative medicine,
\ntreatments and therapies utilising perinatal stem cells Clinical trials are investigating the role
\nand effect that newly developed products have towards the treatment of diseases or defects that
\ncurrently need addressing. As expected, soon we will be hearing news and the results of those trials,
\nideally leading to the launching of new therapeutic products in the market.<\/p>\n
Bern, Switzerland – September 6-7, 2018 Conference Report: The International Stem Cell Conference \/ International Placenta Stem Cell Society Conference took place in Bern, Switzerland between the 6 and 7 September 2018. More than 27 presentations with speakers arriving from the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Russia, France, UK, Ukraine, Sweden, Austria, Italy, Spain and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9631","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-le-nostre-notizie"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n