NIH Data Suggests Medistem’s Stem Cell is Unique from Competitor Stem Cells
<0> Medistem Inc.Thomas IchimPresident and Chief Scientific Officer858-349-3617twitter: @thomasichim </0>
Medistem Inc. (PINKSHEETS: ) announced today a peer-reviewed publication led by NIH scientists demonstrating that the company’s Endometrial Regenerative Cells (ERC) possess a unique genetic signature associated with production of new blood vessels (angiogenesis).
“The demonstration by an independent group that ERC possess a unique gene signature compared to other stem cells, and that the gene signature is associated with production of new blood vessels, is a strong validation for our programs,” said Dr. Thomas Ichim, President and CSO of Medistem. “These data support original publications by our group and others that have demonstrated ERC appear to be nature's regenerative powerhouse for production of new blood vessels.”
According to the publication, the gene encoding aldehyde dehydrogenase, a marker of stem cell potency, was expressed 39.5-fold higher in ERC as compared to bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Additionally, genes associated with production of new blood vessels such as MMP-3, angiopoietin, and PDGF, were expressed 29-fold, 13-fold, and 26-fold higher in ERC as compared to bone marrow MSC, respectively.
“Currently the majority of scientific effort in development of stem cell therapeutics is associated with bone marrow stem cells. While bone marrow stem cells have many excellent properties, the stem cells we are clinically developing are derived from the endometrium. This is the only part of the body that renews itself every month by producing new blood vessels. The findings today that the ERC stem cell appears to have a gene signature that is different than bone marrow, further supports our hypothesis that the ERC is a unique cell that acts as the natural angiogenic 'repair cell' of the body,” said Dr. Amit Patel, Director of Clinical Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering at the University of Utah.
Currently Dr. Patel is the International Investigator for the RECOVER-ERC Phase II clinical trial which involves administration of ERC into patients with heart failure via a novel 30 minute delivery process. Heart failure and critical limb ischemia, which are Medistem’s 2 clinical programs, have both been demonstrated to benefit from stimulation of new blood vessel production. Medistem has received clearance from the FDA to perform clinical trials in critical limb ischemia.
The publication may be found at
Medistem Inc. is a biotechnology company developing technologies related to adult stem cell extraction, manipulation, and use for treating inflammatory and degenerative diseases. The company's lead product, the endometrial regenerative cell (ERC), is a "universal donor" stem cell being developed for critical limb ischemia and congestive heart failure. A publication describing the support for use of ERC for this condition may be found at . ERC can be purchased for scientific use through Medistem's collaborator, General Biotechnology .
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