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AIM: The generation and characterization of a human embryonic stem cell (hESC) line stably expressing red fluorescent mCherry protein.backslashnbackslashnMETHODS: Lentiviral transduction of a ubiquitously-expressed human EF-1α promoter driven mCherry transgene was performed in MEL2 hESC. Red fluore-scence was assessed by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Pluripotency of stably transduced hESC was determined by immunofluorescent pluripotency marker expression,flow cytometry,teratoma assays and embryoid body-based differentiation followed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Quantification of cell motility and survival was performed with time lapse microscopy.backslashnbackslashnRESULTS: Constitutively fluorescently-labeled hESCs are useful tools for facile in vitro and in vivo tracking of survival,motility and cell spreading on various surfaces before and after differentiation. Here we describe the generation and characterization of a hESC line (MEL2) stably expressing red fluorescent protein,mCherry. This line was generated by random integration of a fluorescent protein-expressing cassette,driven by the ubiquitously-expressed human EF-1α promoter. Stably transfected MEL2-mCherry hESC were shown to express pluripotency markers in the nucleus (POU5F1/OCT4,NANOG and SOX2) and on the cell surface (SSEA4,TRA1-60 and TG30/CD9) and were shown to maintain a normal karyotype in long-term (for at least 35 passages) culture. MEL2-mCherry hESC further readily differentiated into representative cell types of the three germ layers in embryoid body and teratoma based assays and,importantly,maintained robust mCherry expression throughout differentiation. The cell line was next adapted to single-cell passaging,rendering it compatible with numerous bioengineering applications such as measurement of cell motility and cell spreading on various protein modified surfaces,quantification of cell attachment to nanoparticles and rapid estimation of cell survival.backslashnbackslashnCONCLUSION: The MEL2-mCherry hESC line conforms to the criteria of bona fide pluripotent stem cells and maintains red fluorescence throughout differentiation,making it a useful tool for bioengineering and in vivo tracking experiments. View Publication

BACKGROUND The success and limitations of current immunotherapies have pushed research toward the development of alternative approaches and the possibility to manipulate other cytotoxic immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells. Here,we targeted an intracellular inhibiting protein 'cytokine inducible SH2-containing protein' (CISH) in NK cells to evaluate the impact on their functions and antitumor properties. METHODS To further understand CISH functions in NK cells,we developed a conditional Cish-deficient mouse model in NK cells (Cishfl/flNcr1Ki/+ ). NK cells cytokine expression,signaling and cytotoxicity has been evaluated in vitro. Using intravenous injection of B16F10 melanoma cell line and EO711 triple negative breast cancer cell line,metastasis evaluation was performed. Then,orthotopic implantation of breast tumors was performed and tumor growth was followed using bioluminescence. Infiltration and phenotype of NK cells in the tumor was evaluated. Finally,we targeted CISH in human NK-92 or primary NK cells,using a technology combining the CRISPR(i)-dCas9 tool with a new lentiviral pseudotype. We then tested human NK cells functions. RESULTS In Cishfl/flNcr1Ki/+ mice,we detected no developmental or homeostatic difference in NK cells. Global gene expression of Cishfl/flNcr1Ki/+ NK cells compared with Cish+/+Ncr1Ki/+ NK cells revealed upregulation of pathways and genes associated with NK cell cycling and activation. We show that CISH does not only regulate interleukin-15 (IL-15) signaling pathways but also natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCR) pathways,triggering CISH protein expression. Primed Cishfl/flNcr1Ki/+ NK cells display increased activation upon NCR stimulation. Cishfl/flNcr1Ki/+ NK cells display lower activation thresholds and Cishfl/flNcr1Ki/+ mice are more resistant to tumor metastasis and to primary breast cancer growth. CISH deletion favors NK cell accumulation to the primary tumor,optimizes NK cell killing properties and decreases TIGIT immune checkpoint receptor expression,limiting NK cell exhaustion. Finally,using CRISPRi,we then targeted CISH in human NK-92 or primary NK cells. In human NK cells,CISH deletion also favors NCR signaling and antitumor functions. CONCLUSION This study represents a crucial step in the mechanistic understanding and safety of Cish targeting to unleash NK cell antitumor function in solid tumors. Our results validate CISH as an emerging therapeutic target to enhance NK cell immunotherapy. View Publication

Stimulating erythropoiesis is essential in the treatment of various types of anemia. Sheng Xue Ning (SXN) is commonly used in China as an iron supplement to treat iron deficiency anemia,renal anemia,and anemia in pregnancy. This research reports a novel effect of SXN in enhancing the proliferation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) to promote erythropoiesis in the bone marrow,which is distinct from conventional iron supplements that primarily aid in the maturation of red blood cells. Employing a model of hematopoietic dysfunction induced by X-ray exposure,we evaluated the efficacy of SXN in restoring hematopoietic function. SXN significantly promoted the recovery of peripheral erythroid cells and enhanced the proliferation and differentiation of Lin − /c-KIT + /Sca-1 + HSPC in mice exposed to X-ray irradiation. Our results showed that SXN elevated the expression of stem cell factor (SCF) and activated the SCF/c-KIT/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway,facilitating the proliferation and differentiation of HSPC. In vitro,SXN markedly enhanced the proliferation of bone marrow nucleated cell (BMNC) and the colony-forming capacity of BFU-E,CFU-E,and CFU-GM,while also elevating the expression of proteins involved in the SCF/c-KIT/PI3K/AKT pathway in BMNC. Additionally,SXN enhanced the proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) and increased SCF secretion. In conclusion,SXN demonstrates the capacity to enhance erythropoiesis by upregulating SCF expression,thereby promoting HSPC proliferation and differentiation via the SCF/c-KIT/PI3K/AKT pathway. SXN may offer a new strategy for improving the activity of HSPC and promoting erythropoiesis in the treatment of hematopoiesis disorders. View Publication

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a key role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) chemoresistance and metastasis. In this study,we used two NSCLC cell lines to investigate the regulating effect of hypoxia in the induction and maintenance of CSC traits. Our study demonstrated hypoxia-induced stemness and chemoresistance at levels comparable to those in typical CSC sphere culture. Activation of the NF-κB pathway (by transfection of NF-κB-p65) plays a key role in NSCLC CSCs and chemoresistance. Disulfiram (DS),an anti-alcoholism drug,showed a strong in vitro anti-CSC effect. It blocked cancer cell sphere reformation and clonogenicity,synergistically enhanced the cytotoxicity of four anti-NSCLC drugs (doxorubicin,gemcitabine,oxaliplatin and paclitaxel) and reversed hypoxia-induced resistance. The effect of DS on CSCs is copper-dependent. A very short half-life in the bloodstream is the major limitation for the translation of DS into a cancer treatment. Our team previously developed a poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticle encapsulated DS (DS-PLGA) with a long half-life in the bloodstream. Intra venous injection of DS-PLGA in combination with the oral application of copper gluconate has strong anticancer efficacy in a metastatic NSCLC mouse model. Further study may be able to translate DS-PLGA into cancer applications. View Publication

Natural killer (NK) cell-based therapies represent a promising approach for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) relapse,yet their efficacy is hindered by immunosuppressive factors such as transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) in the tumor microenvironment. This study investigated the effects of TGF-β on NK cell cytotoxicity and migration using 2D and 3D co-culture models that mimic the leukemic microenvironment. TGF-β production was evaluated in AML-derived leukemic cell lines and mesenchymal stromal cells (hTERT-MSCs) using ELISA. Bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed to analyze global gene expression changes in TGF-β-treated primary human NK cells. NK cell cytotoxicity and migration were assessed in 2D monolayer and 3D spheroid co-cultures containing hTERT-MSCs and leukemic cells using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Both leukemic cells and MSCs produced TGF-β,with increased levels observed in MSCs after co-culture with primary AML blasts. RNA sequencing revealed that TGF-β altered key gene pathways associated with NK cell cytotoxicity,adhesion,and migration,supporting its immunosuppressive role. In functional assays,TGF-β exposure significantly reduced NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity in a time-dependent manner and impaired NK cell infiltration into 3D spheroids,particularly in models incorporating MSCs. Additionally,MSCs themselves provided a protective environment for leukemic cells,further reducing NK cell effectiveness in 2D co-cultures. TGF-β suppresses both NK cell cytotoxicity and migration,limiting their ability to eliminate leukemic cells and infiltrate the bone marrow niche (BMN). These findings provide novel insights into TGF-β–mediated immune evasion mechanisms and provide important insights for the future design of NK-based immunotherapies and clinical trials. View Publication

Introduction: Africa,home to 1.4 billion people and the highest genetic diversity globally,harbors unique genetic variants crucial for understanding complex diseases like neurodegenerative disorders. However,African populations remain underrepresented in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) collections,limiting the exploration of population-specific disease mechanisms and therapeutic discoveries. Methods: To address this gap,we established an open-access African Somatic and Stem Cell Bank. Results: In this initial phase,we generated 10 rigorously characterized iPSC lines from fibroblasts representing five Nigerian ethnic groups and both sexes. These lines underwent extensive profiling for pluripotency,genetic stability,differentiation potential,and Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease risk variants. Clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 technology was used to introduce frontotemporal dementia-associated MAPT mutations (P301L and R406W). Discussion: This collection offers a renewable,genetically diverse resource to investigate disease pathogenicity in African populations,facilitating breakthroughs in neurodegenerative research,drug discovery,and regenerative medicine. Highlights: We established an open-access African Somatic and Stem Cell Bank. 10 induced pluripotent stem cell lines from five Nigerian ethnic groups were rigorously characterized. Clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 technology was used to introduce frontotemporal dementia-causing MAPT mutations. The African Somatic and Stem Cell Bank is a renewable,genetically diverse resource for neurodegenerative research. View Publication

HIV infection remains incurable as the virus persists within a latent reservoir of CD4+T cells. Novel approaches to enhance immune responses against HIV are essential for effective control and potential cure of the infection. In this study,we designed a novel tetravalent bispecific antibody (Bi-Ab32/16) to simultaneously target the gp120 viral protein on infected cells,and the CD16a receptor on NK cells. In vitro,Bi-Ab32/16 triggered a potent,specific,and polyfunctional NK-dependent response against HIV-infected cells. Moreover,addition of the Bi-Ab32/16 significantly reduced the latent HIV reservoir after viral reactivation and mediated the clearance of cells harboring intact proviruses in samples from people with HIV (PWH). However,the in vivo preclinical evaluation of Bi-Ab32/16 in humanized mice expressing IL-15 (NSG-Hu-IL-15) revealed a significant decline of NK cells associated with poor virological control after ART interruption. Our study underscores the need to carefully evaluating strategies for sustained NK cell stimulation during ART withdrawal. Bispecific antibody targeting NK cells facilitates clearance of HIV-infected cells in vitro but poses challenges in sustaining NK cell function during ART withdrawal in preclinical models. View Publication

The recent emergence of the novel,pathogenic SARS-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in China and its rapid national and international spread pose a global health emergency. Cell entry of coronaviruses depends on binding of the viral spike (S) proteins to cellular receptors and on S protein priming by host cell proteases. Unravelling which cellular factors are used by SARS-CoV-2 for entry might provide insights into viral transmission and reveal therapeutic targets. Here,we demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 uses the SARS-CoV receptor ACE2 for entry and the serine protease TMPRSS2 for S protein priming. A TMPRSS2 inhibitor approved for clinical use blocked entry and might constitute a treatment option. Finally,we show that the sera from convalescent SARS patients cross-neutralized SARS-2-S-driven entry. Our results reveal important commonalities between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV infection and identify a potential target for antiviral intervention. View Publication

The developmental potential of hematopoietic progenitors is restricted early on to either the erythromyeloid or lymphoid lineages. The broad developmental potential of Pax5(-/-) pro-B cells is in apparent conflict with such a strict separation,although these progenitors realize the myeloid and erythroid potential with lower efficiency compared to the lymphoid cell fates. Here we demonstrate that ectopic expression of the transcription factors C/EBPalpha,GATA1,GATA2 and GATA3 strongly promoted in vitro macrophage differentiation and myeloid colony formation of Pax5(-/-) pro-B cells. GATA2 and GATA3 expression also resulted in efficient engraftment and myeloid development of Pax5(-/-) pro-B cells in vivo. The myeloid transdifferentiation of Pax5(-/-) pro-B cells was accompanied by the rapid activation of myeloid genes and concomitant repression of B-lymphoid genes by C/EBPalpha and GATA factors. These data identify the Pax5(-/-) pro-B cells as lymphoid progenitors with a latent myeloid potential that can be efficiently activated by myeloid transcription factors. The same regulators were unable to induce a myeloid lineage switch in Pax5(+/+) pro-B cells,indicating that Pax5 dominates over myeloid transcription factors in B-lymphocytes. View Publication

We evaluated the impact of donor age on the efficacy of myocardial cellular therapy for ischemic cardiomyopathy. Characteristics of smooth muscle cells (SMC),bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs),and skeletal muscle cells (SKMCs) from young,adult,and old rats were compared in vitro. Three weeks after coronary ligation,3.5 million SMCs (n = 11) or MSCs (n = 9) from old syngenic rats or culture medium (n = 6) were injected into the ischemic region. Five weeks after implantation,cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography and the Langendorff apparatus. In the in vitro study,the numbers and proliferation of MSCs from fresh bone marrow and SKMCs from fresh tissue but not SMCs were markedly diminished in old animals (P textless 0.05 both groups). SKMCs from old animals did not reach confluence. After treatment with 5-azacytidine (azacitidine),the myogenic potential of old MSCs was decreased compared with young MSCs. In the in vivo study,both SMC and MSC transplantation induced significant angiogenesis compared with media injections (P textless 0.05 both groups). Transplantation of SMCs but not MSCs prevented scar thinning (P = 0.03) and improved ejection fraction and fractional shortening (P textless 0.05). Load-independent indices of cardiac function in a Langendorff preparation confirmed improved function in the aged SMC group (P = 0.01) but not in the MSC group compared with the control group. In conclusion,donor age adversely impacts the efficacy of cellular therapy for myocardial regeneration and is cell-type dependent. SMCs from old donors retain their ability to improve cardiac function after implantation into ischemic myocardium. View Publication

OBJECTIVE The p15INK4B tumor suppressor is frequently silenced by promoter hypermethylation in myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Clinically approved DNA methylation inhibitors,such as 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine,can reverse p15INK4B promoter methylation,but widespread clinical use of these inhibitors is limited by their toxicity and instability in aqueous solution. The cytidine analog zebularine is a stable DNA methylation inhibitor that has minimal toxicity in vitro and in vivo. We evaluated zebularine effects on p15INK4B reactivation and cell growth in vitro to investigate a potential role for zebularine in treating myeloid malignancies. METHODS We examined the specific effects of zebularine on reexpression of transcriptionally silenced p15INK4B and its global effects on cell cycle and apoptosis in AML cell lines and primary patient samples. RESULTS Zebularine treatment of AML193,which has a densely methylated p15INK4B promoter,results in a dose-dependent increase in p15INK4B expression that correlates with CpG island promoter demethylation and enrichment of local histone acetylation. We observed enhanced p15INK4B induction following co-treatment with zebularine and the histone deacetylase inhibitor Trichostatin A. Zebularine inhibits cell proliferation,arrests cells at G(2)/M,and induces apoptosis at dosages that effectively demethylate the p15INK4B promoter. Zebularine treatment of KG-1 cells and AML patient blasts with hypermethylated p15INK4B promoters also reactivates p15INK4B reexpression and induces apoptosis. CONCLUSION Zebularine is an effective inhibitor of p15INK4B methylation and cell growth in human AML in vitro. Our results extend the spectrum of zebularine effects to nonepithelial malignancies and provide a strong rationale for evaluating its clinical utility in the treatment of myeloid malignancies. View Publication

Human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) provide an unlimited source of donor cells for potential cardiac regenerative therapies. However,hPSC-CMs are immature. For instance,hPSC-CMs are only 1/10 of the physical size of their adult counterparts; the majority are mono- rather than bi- or multi-nucleated,which is an evolutionary adaptive feature in metabolically active cells such as adult CMs. Here,we attempted to increase the physical size and nucleation status of hPSC-derived ventricular (V) cardiomyocytes (hPSC-VCMs) using chemically-induced cell fusion,and examined the subsequent functional effects. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was employed to fuse a 1:1 mixture of lentiviral vectors LV-MLC2v-GFP- or -tdTomato-labeled hPSC-VCMs,such that hPSC-VCMs fused syncytia (FS) were identified as doubly GFP(+)/tdTomato(+) multi-nucleated cells. These microscopically-identified FS were doubled in size as gauged by their capacitance when compared to the control mononucleated hPSC-VCMs using patch-clamp analysis. Reduced automaticity or action potential (AP) firing rate and moderately prolonged AP duration were observed in FS from day 6 post-fusion induction. However,Ca(2+) handling,mitochondrial biogenesis and the extent of apoptosis were not significantly altered. We conclude that larger,multi-nucleated hPSC-VCMs FS can be created by chemically-induced cell fusion but global maturation requires additional triggering cues. View Publication