Save the Cord Foundation and WellSky are proud to welcome Dr. Alvaro Moreira from the University of Texas Health Science Center, as our featured speaker for our next edition of Share the Science on March 18th, 2020. Join us to hear Dr. Moreira present his research using intranasal delivery of human umbilical cord tissue stem cells to restore lung growth and development in an animal model of neonatal lung disease. Register here.

​Share the Science is a free webinar series focused on the cord blood industry and the latest research in this field.  As always, we invite both health professionals and the general public to join us for this unique online educational series. Learn more about this exciting educational series here.

Cord tissue has long been overlooked as a medical resource; however, it is a vital source of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs). This birth by-product is typically thrown away. Should we be saving it? If so, how and why? Dr. Alvaro Moreira joins us on March 18th, 2020 to discuss his research in this area using cord tissue MSCs to potentially restore lung growth. 

​Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a devastating lung condition that develops in premature newborns exposed to prolonged mechanical ventilation and supplemental oxygen. Significant morbidity and mortality are associated with this costly disease and effective therapies are limited.

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells are multipotent cells that can repair injured tissue by secreting paracrine factors known to restore the function and integrity of injured lung epithelium and endothelium. Most preclinical studies showing therapeutic efficacy of MSCs for BPD are administered either intratracheally or intravenously. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of human cord tissue‐derived MSC administration given via the intranasal route. Human umbilical cord tissue MSCs were isolated, characterized, and given intranasally (500 000 cells per 20 μL) to a hyperoxia‐induced rat model of BPD. Lung alveolarization, vascularization, and pulmonary vascular remodeling were restored in animals receiving MSC treatment. Gene and protein analysis suggest the beneficial effects of MSCs were attributed, in part, to a concerted effort targeting angiogenesis, immunomodulation, wound healing, and cell survival.

These findings are clinically significant, as neonates who develop BPD have altered alveolar development, decreased pulmonary vascularization and chronic inflammation, all resulting in impaired tissue healing. Our study is the first to report the intranasal delivery of umbilical cord Wharton's jelly MSCs in experimental BPD is feasible, noninvasive, and an effective route that may bear clinical applicability.

SHARE THE SCIENCE
with
Alvaro G. Moreira, MD, MSc

Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics,
Division of Neonatology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

"Intranasal delivery of human umbilical cord tissue stem cells
restores lung growth and development in an animal model of neonatal lung disease"

Free webinar.  Open to the public.
​
Wednesday, March 18th - 2pm Eastern Time/11am Pacific Time

​REGISTER NOW

Cord Blood Monocytes: What does the future hold? 

Cord blood monocytes differ from monocytes in adult blood and appear to be uniquely suited for use as source material from which to derive new therapeutics for treatment of brain disorders. DUOC-01, a cellular therapy that promotes myelination, is undergoing testing to augment umbilical cord blood transplants in children with leukodystrophies. We are studying whether infusions of cord blood cells could have efficacy in acquired brain injuries. Clinical studies to date have demonstrated safety and efficacy of intravenous infusions of autologous and sibling cord blood in hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, cerebral palsy, congenital hydrocephalus and autism, and acute ischemic stroke. Further development of these therapies using allogeneic cord blood products can expand access to these therapies for all patients in need. While you're there, be sure to ask our product experts how we can create better outcomes for you.

On October 21st, we invite you to join us for a special session at the AABB 2019 Annual Meeting where we will host Dr. Kurtzberg for a live Share the Science event. At this event, she will speak about her current research and present the latest results from that work. Attendees will also have an opportunity to participate in a live question/answer session with Dr. Kurtzberg. 

About the speaker

Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg is the Director, Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Duke University School of Medicine, Director of the Marcus Center for Cellular Cures, Director of the Carolinas Cord Blood Bank, Co-Director of Stem Cell Laboratory and the President of Cord Blood Association. 

Dr. Kurtzberg is an internationally renowned expert in pediatric hematology/oncology, pediatric blood and marrow transplant, umbilical cord blood banking and transplant, and novel applications of cord blood in the emerging fields of cellular therapies and regenerative medicine. Over the last two decades, Dr. Kurtzberg has established an internationally known pediatric transplant program; one of the largest unrelated donor cord blood banks, the Carolinas Cord Blood Bank, in the world; and the Marcus Center for Cellular Cures (MC3) at Duke.

Dr. Kurtzberg has published more than 300 peer-reviewed papers, multiple chapters, and scientific reviews. She is a member of the American Society of Hematology, the American Association of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, the International Society of Cellular Therapies, the Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Consortium (PBMTC), and other organizations. She has served on the Board of the Foundation of Accreditation of Cellular Therapies, Advisory Council of Blood Stem Cell Transplantation to Health and Human Services. Dr. Kurtzberg was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the PBMTC in 2012. 

What do these three things have in common? 

• Chronic wounds: Over 6.5 million cases in the US
• Type 1 Diabetes:  Over 1.25 million cases in the US
• Parkinson's Disease:  Over 1 million cases in the US

Answer:  Research. Scientists are currently researching the potential use of cord blood to treat chronic wounds, Type 1 diabetes and Parkinson's Disease.  

Cord blood has many uses. In fact, it is currently used on a routine basis to treat over 80 different life-threatening diseases including leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia and thalassemia.  However, cord blood holds great potential in treating so much more!  Cord blood experts agree that we have only just begun to understand the full potential of cord blood stem cells in the field of cell therapies and, in particular, regenerative medicine.