搜索结果: 'gmp t cell activator'

PURPOSE A major clinical problem in the treatment of breast cancer is the inherent and acquired resistance to antiestrogen therapy. In this study,we sought to determine whether antiprogestin treatment,used as a monotherapy or in combination with antiestrogen therapy,induced growth arrest and active cell death in antiestrogen-resistant breast cancer cells. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN MCF-7 sublines were established from independent clonal isolations performed in the absence of drug selection and tested for their response to the antiestrogens 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT) and ICI 182,780 (fulvestrant),and the antiprogestin mifepristone (MIF). The cytostatic (growth arrest) effects of the hormones were assessed with proliferation assays,cell counting,flow cytometry,and a determination of the phosphorylation status of the retinoblastoma protein. The cytotoxic (apoptotic) effects were analyzed by assessing increases in caspase activity and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. RESULTS All of the clonally derived MCF-7 sublines expressed estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor but showed a wide range of antiestrogen sensitivity,including resistance to physiological levels of 4-OHT. Importantly,all of the clones were sensitive to the antiprogestin MIF,whether used as a monotherapy or in combination with 4-OHT. MIF induced retinoblastoma activation,G(1) arrest,and apoptosis preceded by caspase activation. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate that: (a) estrogen receptor(+)progesterone receptor(+),4-OHT-resistant clonal variants can be isolated from an MCF-7 cell line in the absence of antiestrogen selection; and (b) MIF and MIF plus 4-OHT combination therapy induces growth arrest and active cell death of the antiestrogen-resistant breast cancer cells. These preclinical findings show potential for a combined hormonal regimen of an antiestrogen and an antiprogestin to combat the emergence of antiestrogen-resistant breast cancer cells and,ultimately,improve the therapeutic index of antiestrogen therapy. View Publication

Previous study demonstrated that the low survival of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) under conventional slow-cooling cryopreservation protocols is predominantly due to apoptosis rather than cellular necrosis. Hence,this study investigated whether a synthetic broad-spectrum irreversible inhibitor of caspase enzymes,Z-VAD-FMK can be used to enhance the post-thaw survival rate of hESC. About 100 mM Z-VAD-FMK was supplemented into either the freezing solution,the post-thaw culture media or both. Intact and adherent hESC colonies were cryopreserved so as to enable subsequent quantitation of the post-thaw cell survival rate through the MTT assay,which can only be performed with adherent cells. Exposure to 100 mM Z-VAD-FMK in the freezing solution alone did not significantly enhance the post-thaw survival rate (10.2{\%} vs. 9.9{\%},p {\textgreater} 0.05). However,when 100 mM Z-VAD-FMK was added to the post-thaw culture media,there was a significant enhancement in the survival rate from 9.9{\%} to 14.4{\%} (p {\textless} 0.05),which was further increased to 18.7{\%} when Z-VAD-FMK was also added to the freezing solution as well (p {\textless} 0.01). Spontaneous differentiation of hESC after cryopreservation was assessed by morphological observations under bright-field microscopy,and by immunocytochemical staining for the pluripotency markers SSEA-3 and TRA-1-81. The results demonstrated that exposure to Z-VAD-FMK did not significantly enhance the spontaneous differentiation of hESC within post-thaw culture. View Publication

The pulmonary system is comprised of two main compartments,airways and alveolar space. Their tissue and cellular complexity ensure lung function and protection from external agents,for example,virus. Two-dimensional (2D) in vitro systems and animal models have been largely employed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying human lung development,physiology,and pathogenesis. However,neither of these models accurately recapitulate the human lung environment and cellular crosstalk. More recently,human-derived three-dimensional (3D) models have been generated allowing for a deeper understanding of cell-to-cell communication. However,the availability and accessibility of primary human cell sources from which generate the 2D and 3D models may be limited. In the past few years,protocols have been developed to successfully employ human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and differentiate them toward pulmonary fate in vitro. In the present review,we discuss the advantages and pitfalls of hPSC-derived lung 2D and 3D models,including the main characteristics and potentials for these models and their current and future applications for modeling development and diseases. Lung organoids currently represent the closest model to the human pulmonary system. We further focus on the applications of lung organoids for the study of human diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis,infectious diseases,and lung cancer. Finally,we discuss the present limitations and potential future applications of 3D lung organoids. This article is categorized under: Adult Stem Cells,Tissue Renewal,and Regeneration {\textgreater} Stem Cells and Disease Adult Stem Cells,Tissue Renewal,and Regeneration {\textgreater} Stem Cell Differentiation and Reversion. View Publication

SARS-CoV-2,a $\beta$-coronavirus,has rapidly spread across the world,highlighting its high transmissibility,but the underlying morphogenesis and pathogenesis remain poorly understood. Here,we characterize the replication dynamics,cell tropism and morphogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 in organotypic human airway epithelial (HAE) cultures. SARS-CoV-2 replicates efficiently and infects both ciliated and secretory cells in HAE cultures. In comparison,HCoV-NL63 replicates to lower titers and is only detected in ciliated cells. SARS-CoV-2 shows a similar morphogenetic process as other coronaviruses but causes plaque-like cytopathic effects in HAE cultures. Cell fusion,apoptosis,destruction of epithelium integrity,cilium shrinking and beaded changes are observed in the plaque regions. Taken together,our results provide important insights into SARS-CoV-2 cell tropism,replication and morphogenesis. View Publication

The efficient generation of hepatocytes from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) requires the induction of a proper endoderm population,broadly characterized by the expression of the cell surface marker CXCR4. Strategies to identify and isolate endoderm subpopulations predisposed to the liver fate do not exist. In this study,we generated mouse monoclonal antibodies against human embryonic stem cell-derived definitive endoderm with the goal of identifying cell surface markers that can be used to track the development of this germ layer and its specification to a hepatic fate. Through this approach,we identified two endoderm-specific antibodies,HDE1 and HDE2,which stain different stages of endoderm development and distinct derivative cell types. HDE1 marks a definitive endoderm population with high hepatic potential,whereas staining of HDE2 tracks with developing hepatocyte progenitors and hepatocytes. When used in combination,the staining patterns of these antibodies enable one to optimize endoderm induction and hepatic specification from any hPSC line. View Publication

The routine application of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and their derivatives in biomedicine and drug discovery will require the constant supply of high-quality cells by defined processes. Culturing hPSCs as cell-only aggregates in (three-dimensional [3D]) suspension has the potential to overcome numerous limitations of conventional surface-adherent (two-dimensional [2D]) cultivation. Utilizing single-use instrumented stirred-tank bioreactors,we showed that perfusion resulted in a more homogeneous culture environment and enabled superior cell densities of 2.85 X 10(6) cells per milliliter and 47% higher cell yields compared with conventional repeated batch cultures. Flow cytometry,quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction,and global gene expression analysis revealed a high similarity across 3D suspension and 2D precultures,underscoring that matrix-free hPSC culture efficiently supports maintenance of pluripotency. Interestingly,physiological data and gene expression assessment indicated distinct changes of the cells' energy metabolism,suggesting a culture-induced switch from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation in the absence of hPSC differentiation. Our data highlight the plasticity of hPSCs' energy metabolism and provide clear physiological and molecular targets for process monitoring and further development. This study paves the way toward more efficient GMP-compliant cell production and underscores the enormous process development potential of hPSCs in suspension culture. SIGNIFICANCE Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are a unique source for the,in principle,unlimited production of functional human cell types in vitro,which are of high value for therapeutic and industrial applications. This study applied single-use,clinically compliant bioreactor technology to develop advanced,matrix-free,and more efficient culture conditions for the mass production of hPSCs in scalable suspension culture. Using extensive analytical tools to compare established conditions with this novel culture strategy,unexpected physiological features of hPSCs were discovered. These data allow a more rational process development,providing significant progress in the field of translational stem cell research and medicine. View Publication

The intestinal epithelial repair after injury is coordinated by intestinal stem cells (ISCs). Fucosylation catalyzed by fucosyltransferase 2 (FUT2) of the intestinal epithelium is beneficial to mucosal healing but poorly defined is the influence on ISCs. The dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) model were used to assess the role of FUT2 on ISCs after injury. The apoptosis,function,and stemness of ISCs were analyzed using intestinal organoids from WT and Fut2?ISC (ISC-specific Fut2 knockout) mice incubated with LPS and fucose. N-glycoproteomics,UEA-1 chromatography,and site-directed mutagenesis were monitored to dissect the regulatory mechanism,identify the target fucosylated protein and the corresponding modification site. Fucose could alleviate intestinal epithelial damage via upregulating FUT2 and ?-1,2-fucosylation of ISCs. Oxidative stress,mitochondrial dysfunction,and cell apoptosis were impeded by fucose. Meanwhile,fucose sustained the growth and proliferation capacity of intestinal organoids treated with LPS. Contrarily,FUT2 depletion in ISCs aggravated the epithelial damage and disrupted the growth and proliferation capacity of ISCs via escalating LPS-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and initiating the IRE1/TRAF2/ASK1/JNK branch of unfolded protein response (UPR). Fucosylation of the chaperone protein HYOU1 at the N-glycosylation site of asparagine (Asn) 862 mediated by FUT2 was identified to facilitate ISCs survival and self-renewal,and improve ISCs resistance to ER stress and inflammatory injury. Our study highlights a fucosylation-dependent protective mechanism of ISCs against inflammation,which may provide a fascinating strategy for treating intestinal injury disorders. View Publication

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have potential as minimally invasive biomarkers. However,the methods most commonly used for EV retrieval rely on ultracentrifugation,are time-consuming,and unrealistic to translate to standard-of-care. We sought a method suitable for EV separation from blood that could be used in patient care. Sera from breast cancer patients and age-matched controls (n = 27 patients; n = 36 controls) were analysed to compare 6 proposed EV separation methods. The EVs were then characterised on 8 parameters. The selected method was subsequently applied to independent cohorts of sera (n = 20 patients; n = 20 controls),as proof-of-principle,investigating EVs' gremlin-1 cargo. Three independent runs with each method were very reproducible,within each given method. All isolates contained EVs,although they varied in quantity and purity. Methods that require ultracentrifugation were not superior for low volumes of sera typically available in routine standard-of-care. A CD63/CD81/CD9-coated immunobead-based method was most suitable based on EV markers' detection and minimal albumin and lipoprotein contamination. Applying this method to independent sera cohorts,EVs and their gremlin-1 cargo were at significantly higher amounts for breast cancer patients compared to controls. In conclusion,CD63/CD81/CD9-coated immunobeads may enable clinical utility of blood-based EVs as biomarkers. View Publication

Liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) are thought to drive the metastasis and recurrence,however,the heterogeneity of molecular markers of LCSCs has hindered the development of effective methods to isolate them. This study introduced an effective approach to isolate and culture LCSCs from human primary liver cancer (HPLC),leveraging mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) as feeder cells in conjunction with using defined medium. Isolated LCSCs were further characterized by multiple approaches. Transcriptome sequencing data analysis was conducted to identify highly expressed genes in LCSCs and classify different subtypes of liver cancers. Total sixteen cell strains were directly isolated from 24 tissues of three types of HPLC without sorting,seven of which could be maintained long-term culture as colony growth on MEFs,which is unique characteristics of stem cells. Even 10 of cloned cells formed the tumors in immunodeficient mice,indicating that those cloned cells were tumorgenic. The histologies and gene expression pattern of human xenografts were very similar to those of HPLC where these cloned cells were isolated. Moreover,putative markers of LCSCs were further verified to all express in cloned cells,confirming that these cells were LCSCs. These cloned LCSCs could be cryopreserved,and still maintained the feature of colony growth on MEFs after the recovery. Compared to suspension culture as conventional approach to culture LCSCs,our approach much better maintained stemness of LCSCs for a long time. To date,these cloned cells could be cultured on MEFs over 12 passages. Moreover,bioinformatics analysis of sequencing data revealed the gene expression profiles in LCSCs,and liver cancers were classified into two subtypes C1 and C2 based on genes associated with the prognosis of LCSCs. Patients of the C2 subtype,which is closely related to the extracellular matrix,were found to be sensitive to treatments such as Cisplatin,Axitinib,JAK1 inhibitors,WNT-c59,Sorafenib,and RO-3306. In summary,this effective approach offers new insights into the molecular landscape of human liver cancers,and the identification of the C2 subtype and its unique response to the treatment pave the way for the creation of more effective,personalized therapeutic strategies. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-024-05870-9. View Publication

Transplantation of engineered hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) showed curative potential in patients affected by neurometabolic diseases treated in early stage. Favoring the engraftment and maturation of the engineered HSPCs in the central nervous system (CNS) could allow enhancing further the therapeutic potential of this approach. Here we unveil that HSPCs haplo-insufficient at the Cx3cr1 (Cx3cr1 −/+ ) locus are favored in central nervous system (CNS) engraftment and generation of microglia-like progeny cells (MLCs) as compared to wild type (Cx3cr1 +/+ ) HSPCs upon transplantation in mice. Based on this evidence,we have developed a CRISPR-based targeted gene addition strategy at the human CX3CR1 locus resulting in an enhanced ability of the edited human HSPCs to generate mature MLCs upon transplantation in immunodeficient mice,and in lineage specific,regulated and robust transgene expression. This approach,which benefits from the modulation of pathways involved in microglia maturation and migration in haplo-insufficient cells,may broaden the application of HSPC gene therapy to a larger spectrum of neurometabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. Subject terms: Targeted gene repair,Haematopoietic stem cells,Microglial cells View Publication

Melanoma brain metastasis is linked to dismal prognosis and low overall survival and is detected in up to 80% of patients at autopsy. Circulating tumor cells (CTC) are the smallest functional units of cancer and precursors of fatal metastasis. We previously used an unbiased multilevel approach to discover a unique ribosomal protein large/small subunit (RPL/RPS) CTC gene signature associated with melanoma brain metastasis. In this study,we hypothesized that CTC-driven melanoma brain metastasis secondary metastasis (“metastasis of metastasis” per clinical scenarios) has targeted organ specificity for the liver. We injected parallel cohorts of immunodeficient and newly developed humanized NBSGW (huNBSGW) mice with cells from CTC-derived melanoma brain metastasis to identify secondary metastatic patterns. We found the presence of a melanoma brain–liver metastasis axis in huNBSGW mice. Furthermore,RNA sequencing analysis of tissues showed a significant upregulation of the RPL/RPS CTC gene signature linked to metastatic spread to the liver. Additional RNA sequencing of CTCs from huNBSGW blood revealed extensive CTC clustering with human B cells in these mice. CTC:B-cell clusters were also upregulated in the blood of patients with primary melanoma and maintained either in CTC-driven melanoma brain metastasis or melanoma brain metastasis CTC–derived cells promoting liver metastasis. CTC-generated tumor tissues were interrogated at single-cell gene and protein expression levels (10x Genomics Xenium and HALO spatial biology platforms,respectively). Collectively,our findings suggest that heterotypic CTC:B-cell interactions can be critical at multiple stages of metastasis. This study provides important insights into the relevance of prometastatic CTC:B-cell clusters in melanoma progression,extends the importance of the CTC RPL/RPS gene signature beyond primary metastasis/melanoma brain metastasis driving targeted organ specificity for liver metastasis (“metastasis of metastasis”),and identifies new targets for clinical melanoma metastasis therapies. View Publication

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cell therapy holds promise for treating myeloid malignancies,but challenges remain in bone marrow (BM) infiltration and targeting BM-resident malignant cells. Current autologous CAR-T therapies also face manufacturing and patient selection issues,underscoring the need for off-the-shelf products. In this study,we characterize primary patient samples and identify a unique therapeutic opportunity for CAR-engineered invariant natural killer T (CAR-NKT) cells. Using stem cell gene engineering and a clinically guided culture method,we generate allogeneic CD33-directed CAR-NKT cells with high yield,purity,and robustness. In preclinical mouse models,CAR-NKT cells exhibit strong BM homing and effectively target BM-resident malignant blast cells,including CD33-low/negative leukemia stem and progenitor cells. Furthermore,CAR-NKT cells synergize with hypomethylating agents,enhancing tumor-killing efficacy. These cells also show minimal off-tumor toxicity,reduced graft-versus-host disease and cytokine release syndrome risks,and resistance to allorejection,highlighting their substantial therapeutic potential for treating myeloid malignancies. Subject terms: Cancer therapy,Immunotherapy,Leukaemia View Publication