International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB:ISCO), www.internationalstemcell.com,
in collaboration with leading stem cell scientists, announces findings
that human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSC) and human embryonic stem
cells (hESC) are similar in their undifferentiated state, and are
capable of differentiating into neural lineages such as functional
retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells that have potential to treat
retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration.
ISCO's CEO Andrey Semechkin, Ph.D., said: "These data are extremely
important as they demonstrate that parthenogenetic stem cells have
therapeutic potential like conventional embryonic stem cells; however,
parthenogenetic stem cells have the additional benefit of superior
immune-matching capabilities."
This evidence is presented in a recently published paper entitled:
"Equivalence of conventionally-derived and parthenote-derived human
embryonic stem cells" published in PLoS ONE (Public Library of Science).
Hans Keirstead, Ph.D., Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology and
Neurological Surgery at the University of California, Irvine and the
senior author of the paper, said: "This work is the first wide-ranging
comparison between these two important pluripotent stem cell types and
demonstrates that human parthenogenetic stem cells are capable of
differentiation along retinal lineages."
According to Nikolay Turovets, Ph.D., ISCO's Director of Research and
Therapeutic Development and co-author of the paper, "Derivation of RPE
from hpSC is the next logical step on the way to developing
patient-specific therapies to treat eye degenerative disorders. If
studies using RPE derived from hESC demonstrate utility in treating such
diseases, it may become necessary to address problems associated with
immune rejection. RPE derived from hpSC can be better immune-matched to
the patient, thus reducing the chance of immune rejection."
This work forms part of ISCO's ophthalmology program developed in
collaboration with the team of scientists at the University of
California, Irvine led by Dr. H. Keirstead. One of the principal aims of
the program is to create three-dimensional retinal tissue for
transplantation that may be used to rescue the vision of individuals
with retinitis pigmentosa, a group of inherited disorders characterized
by progressive vision loss.
ISCO has established collaborations with other leading stem cell
researchers to exploit the unique qualities of hpSCs. In addition to the
collaboration with Keirstead, ISCO scientists co-authored a publication
with Jeanne Loring, Ph.D., the Director of the Center for Regenerative
Medicine at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, entitled
"Dynamic changes in the copy number of pluripotency and cell
proliferation genes in human ESCs and iPSCs during reprogramming and
time in culture" published in Cell Stem Cell in January, 2011. Ruslan
Semechkin, Ph.D., Vice President of ISCO and co-author on this paper,
said: "We are excited about being involved in Dr. Loring's work, which
compares molecular characteristics of hundreds of different human
pluripotent cell lines." Dr. Loring added: "hpSCs are intriguing because
they are pluripotent like hESCs, but have differences in imprinting, the
process in embryonic development in which certain genes are inactivated.
This makes hpSCs tremendously valuable for understanding the molecular
basis of the imprinting process in humans."
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CORPORATION (ISCO.OB):
International Stem Cell Corporation is a California-based biotechnology
company focused on the therapeutic applications of human parthenogenetic
stem cells and the development and commercialization of cell-based
research and cosmetic products. ISCO's core technology, parthenogenesis,
results in creation of pluripotent human stem cells from unfertilized
oocytes (eggs). hpSCs avoid ethical issues associated with the use or
destruction of viable human embryos. ISCO scientists have created the
first parthenogenic, homozygous stem cell line that can be a source of
therapeutic cells with minimal immune rejection after transplantation
into hundreds of millions of individuals of differing sexes, ages and
racial groups. This offers the potential to create the first true stem
cell bank, UniStemCell™, while avoiding the ethical issue of using
fertilized eggs. ISCO also produces and markets specialized cells and
growth media for therapeutic research worldwide through its subsidiary
Lifeline Cell Technology and cell-based skin care products through its
subsidiary Lifeline Skin Care. More information is available at ISCO's
website, www.internationalstemcell.com.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements pertaining to anticipated technological developments and
therapeutic applications, and other opportunities for the company and
its subsidiaries, along with other statements about the future
expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by
management constitute forward-looking statements. Any statements that
are not historical fact (including, but not limited to statements that
contain words such as "will," "believes," "plans," "anticipates,"
"expects," "estimates") should also be considered to be forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties,
including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and/or
commercialization of potential products, uncertainty in the results of
clinical trials or regulatory approvals, need and ability to obtain
future capital, application of capital resources among competing uses,
and maintenance of intellectual property rights. Actual results may
differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking
statements and as such should be evaluated together with the many
uncertainties that affect the company's business, particularly those
mentioned in the cautionary statements found in the company's Securities
and Exchange Commission filings. The company disclaims any intent or
obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Key Words: Stem Cells, Biotechnology, Parthenogenesis
International Stem Cell Corporation
Kenneth C. Aldrich, Chairman
760-940-6383
kaldrich@intlstemcell.com
or
Jeffrey
Janus, Senior VP
760-940-6383
jjanus@intlstemcell.com |
