Endometrial regenerative cells for treatment of heart failure: a new stem cell enters the clinic.

Heart failure is one of the key causes of morbidity and mortality world-wide. The recent findings that regeneration is possible in the heart have made stem cell therapeutics the Holy Grail of modern cardiovascular medicine. The success of cardiac regenerative therapies hinges on the combination of an effective allogeneic "off the shelf" cell product with a practical delivery system. In 2007 Medistem discovered the Endometrial Regenerative Cell (ERC), a new mesenchymal-like stem cell. Medistem and subsequently independent groups have demonstrated that ERC are superior to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), the most widely used stem cell source in development. ERC possess robust expansion capability (one donor can generate 20,000 patients doses), key growth factor production and high levels of angiogenic activity. ERC have been published in the peer reviewed literature to be significantly more effect at treating animal models of heart failure (Hida et al. Stem Cells 2008).Current methods of delivering stem cells into the heart suffer several limitations in addition to poor delivery efficiency. Surgical methods are highly invasive, and the classical catheter based techniques are limited by need for sophisticated cardiac mapping systems and risk of myocardial perforation. Medistem together with Dr. Amit Patel Director of Clinical Regenerative Medicine at University of Utah have developed a novel minimally invasive delivery method that has been demonstrated safe and effective for delivery of stem cells (Tuma et al. J Transl Med 2012). Medistem is evaluating the combination of ERC, together with our retrograde delivery procedure in a 60 heart failure patient, double blind, placebo controlled phase II trial. To date 17 patients have been dosed and preliminary analysis by the Data Safety Monitoring Board has allowed for trial continuation.The combined use of a novel "off the shelf" cell together with a minimally invasive 30 minute delivery method provides a potentially paradigm-shifting approach to cardiac regenerative therapy.

An evaluation of electrical stimulation for improving periprosthetic attachment.

Transcutaneous osseointegrated implants (TOI) have been shown to improve functionality for patients with limb loss by allowing direct skeletal attachment between an exoprosthesis and host bone. However, a lengthy rehabilitation period has limited the expansion of TOI and may be accelerated with electrical stimulation. The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of direct current (DC) cathode stimulation to enhance osseointegration of intramedullary implants in skeletally matured rabbits. Bilateral implants were inserted in the hind limbs of 25 adult female rabbits. The left hind limb of each animal was continually stimulated with a potential difference of 0.55 volts based on finite element analysis predictions. After sacrifice, the limbs were divided into two groups: Group I for histology and Group II for biomechanical testing. The bone-implant construct was evaluated in the Group I animals using appositional bone index (ABI), mineral apposition rates (MAR), histological staining, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Group II implants were sectioned and subjected to mechanical push-out tests. Data indicated no statistical differences for ABI, MAR, and porosity between the electrically stimulated implants (ESI) and the unstimulated control implants (UCI) at three weeks and six weeks. Higher mechanical push-out forces were observed in the UCI group at six weeks (p = 0.034). Data indicated that DC cathode stimulation may improve suboptimal implant "fit and fill" as an increase in trabecular bone was noted around the cathode in the ESI group. However, longer time duration animal studies and variations in electrical modalities may be required before electrically induced osseointegration becomes clinically feasible.

Clarifying the structure and bone mineral content of heterotopic ossification.

BACKGROUND: Heterotopic ossification (HO) has been reported as a pathologic process characterized by ectopic bone growth in muscle and/or periarticular regions. Previous reports have speculated that HO manifests as cancellous bone, cortical bone, or woven bone. Confusion regarding HO bone morphology has resulted from radiographic assessments and light microscopy, which lack the resolution required for accurately determining advanced bone architecture. Therefore, a more thorough histologic assessment using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and backscatter electron (BSE) imaging was needed to improve HO characterization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HO samples were collected from five adult trauma patients after surgical resection and examined with radiography, BSE, and histologic stains. RESULTS: BSE data demonstrated that HO was composed of a heterogeneous mixture of cortical and cancellous bone with distinct regions of fibrocartilage. Bone mineralization levels varied on a patient-specific basis, with the highest percentage of hypermineralization occurring in the oldest patient. BSE and histologic stains also indicated HO remodeling continued even after 3 y from injury to resection, as evident by osteoclastic resorption and osteoid deposition. CONCLUSIONS: BSE provided a more accurate understanding of HO bone mineralization and structure which may lead to improved surgical planning and treatment strategies for prevention of HO recurrence after resection.