搜索结果: 'gmp t cell activator'

Palmitic acid (PA) is the most common dietary saturated fatty acid,and is abundant in palm and cottonseed oil,butter,and cheese,whereas oleic acid (OA) is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid found in olive oil. The differences in the cytotoxic and pro-inflammatory effects of PA and OA across endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from different vascular beds have not been investigated in detail. Here,we incubated primary human aortic valve (HAVEC),saphenous vein (HSaVEC),internal thoracic artery (HITAEC),and microvascular (HMVEC) ECs with albumin-bound PA or OA for 24 h and found that PA induced a considerable cytotoxic response,accompanied by an elevated expression of the genes encoding cell adhesion molecules (VCAM1,ICAM1,SELE,and SELP) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (MIF,PTX3,CSF2,CSF3,IL1A,IL6,CCL2,CCL5,CCL20,CSF2,CSF3,CXCL1,CXCL2,CXCL3,CXCL5,CXCL6,CXCL8,and CXCL10),followed by an increased release of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8. HAVEC and HSaVEC were more susceptible to PA,whereas OA had mild-to-moderate cytotoxic effects on HAVEC and HMVEC but did not induce generalized EC activation. Compared with other EC types,HITAEC was the most resistant to PA and OA treatment. Collectively,these results indicate considerable heterogeneity across the ECs of distinct origin in response to PA. View Publication

Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is reversible at early stages,making early identification critical. We previously demonstrated that patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) carrying MASLD-associated genetic risk variants exhibit greater oleate-induced intracellular lipid accumulation than those without these variants. This study aimed to develop an iPSC-based MASLD risk predictor using functional lipid accumulation assessments. We quantified oleate-induced lipid accumulation in iPSCs from three cohorts: (1) CIRM (22 cases,20 controls),(2) POST (18 cases,16 controls),and (3) UCSF (4 cases,8 controls). Data from the CIRM cohort was used to define an iPSC-based MASLD risk score,which was subsequently validated in the POST and UCSF cohorts. Lipid accumulation was consistently higher in MASLD iPSCs across cohorts. The risk score achieved 44% sensitivity/75% specificity in POST and 75%/100% in UCSF. These findings suggest that oleate-induced lipid accumulation in iPSCs may be a predictor of MASLD risk. Larger studies incorporating additional cellular phenotypes,clinical,and genetic data could enhance predictive accuracy for MASLD surveillance and prevention. View Publication

PURPOSE To assess the potential for CUE-101,a novel therapeutic fusion protein,to selectively activate and expand HPV16 E711-20-specific CD8+ T cells as an off-the shelf therapy for the treatment of HPV16-driven tumors,including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC),cervical,and anal cancers. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN CUE-101 is an Fc fusion protein composed of a human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex,an HPV16 E7 peptide epitope,reduced affinity human IL2 molecules,and an effector attenuated human IgG1 Fc domain. Human E7-specific T cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were tested to demonstrate cellular activity and specificity of CUE-101,whereas in vivo activity of CUE-101 was assessed in HLA-A2 transgenic mice. Antitumor efficacy with a murine surrogate (mCUE-101) was tested in the TC-1 syngeneic tumor model. RESULTS CUE-101 demonstrates selective binding,activation,and expansion of HPV16 E711-20-specific CD8+ T cells from PBMCs relative to nontarget cells. Intravenous administration of CUE-101 induced selective expansion of HPV16 E711-20-specific CD8+ T cells in HLA-A2 (AAD) transgenic mice,and anticancer efficacy and immunologic memory was demonstrated in TC-1 tumor-bearing mice treated with mCUE-101. Combination therapy with anti-PD-1 checkpoint blockade further enhanced the observed efficacy. CONCLUSIONS Consistent with its design,CUE-101 demonstrates selective expansion of an HPV16 E711-20-specific population of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells,a favorable safety profile,and in vitro and in vivo evidence supporting its potential for clinical efficacy in an ongoing phase I trial (NCT03978689). View Publication

CRISPR genome engineering has become a powerful tool to functionally investigate the complex mechanisms of immune system regulation. While decades of work have aimed to genetically reprogram innate immunity,the utility of current approaches is restricted by poor knockout efficiencies or limited specificity for mature cell lineages in vivo. Here,we describe an optimized strategy for non-viral CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (cRNP) genomic editing of mature primary mouse innate lymphocyte cells (ILCs) and myeloid lineage cells that results in an almost complete loss of single or double target gene expression from a single electroporation. Furthermore,we describe in vivo adoptive transfer mouse models that can be utilized to screen for gene function during viral infection using cRNP-edited naive natural killer (NK) cells and bone-marrow-derived conventional dendritic cell precursors (cDCPs). This resource will enhance target gene discovery and offer a specific and simplified approach to gene editing in the mouse innate immune system. View Publication

PURPOSE Glioblastoma (GBM) is a fatal primary malignant brain tumor. GBM stem cells (GSC) contribute to resistance to the DNA-damaging chemotherapy,temozolomide. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) displays genomic alterations enabling DNA repair mechanisms in half of GBMs. We aimed to investigate EGFR/DNA combi-targeting in GBM. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN ZR2002 is a combi-molecule" designed to inflict DNA damage through its chlorethyl moiety and induce irreversible EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibition. We assessed its in vitro efficacy in temozolomide-resistant patient-derived GSCs mesenchymal temozolomide-sensitive and resistant in vivo-derived GSC sublines and U87/EGFR isogenic cell lines stably expressing EGFR/wild-type or variant III (EGFRvIII). We evaluated its antitumor activity in mice harboring orthotopic EGFRvIII or mesenchymal TMZ-resistant GSC tumors. RESULTS ZR2002 induced submicromolar antiproliferative effects and inhibited neurosphere formation of all GSCs with marginal effects on normal human astrocytes. ZR2002 inhibited EGF-induced autophosphorylation of EGFR downstream Erk1/2 phosphorylation increased DNA strand breaks and induced activation of wild-type p53; the latter was required for its cytotoxicity through p53-dependent mechanism. ZR2002 induced similar effects on U87/EGFR cell lines and its oral administration significantly increased survival in an orthotopic EGFRvIII mouse model. ZR2002 improved survival of mice harboring intracranial mesenchymal temozolomide-resistant GSC line decreased EGFR Erk1/2 and AKT phosphorylation and was detected in tumor brain tissue by MALDI imaging mass spectrometry. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide the molecular basis of binary EGFR/DNA targeting and uncover the oral bioavailability blood-brain barrier permeability and antitumor activity of ZR2002 supporting potential evaluation of this first-in-class drug in recurrent GBM." View Publication

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Dental tissue has been acknowledged as an advantaged source for high-quality dental pulp stem cell (DPSC) preparation. However,despite the accomplishment of the separation of DPSCs from permanent teeth and supernumerary teeth,the deficiency of rigorous and systematic clarification on the signatures and efficacy will hinder their prospects in regenerative medicine. In this study,we primitively isolated permanent teeth-derived DPSCs and supernumerary teeth-derived apical papillary stem cells (SCAP-Ss) with parental consent. Immunophenotype of DPSCs and SCAP-Ss was determined by a flow cytometry assay,and the cell viability was verified by multidimensional detections including cell proliferation,cell cycle,apoptosis,and senescence. The migration and clonogenic capacity were examined by a wound healing test and crystal violet staining,respectively. The multilineage differentiation potential was quantitated by utilizing Oil Red O staining and Alizarin Red staining,together with real-time PCR analysis. The efficacy on a mouse hepatic fibrosis model was evaluated by using histologic sections and liver function tests. Herein,we showed that SCAP-Ss exhibited comparable immunophenotype and adipogenic differentiation capacity as DPSCs. However,different from DPSCs,SCAP-Ss exhibited superiority in cell viability and osteogenic differentiation. Simultaneously,injection of DPSCs and SCAP-Ss significantly reduced inflammatory infiltration,enhanced liver-associated gene expression,and finally relieved symptoms of hepatic fibrosis. In conclusion,SCAP-Ss possess preferable characteristics and efficacy on hepatic fibrosis in mice. Our findings suggest that SCAP-Ss are an easily accessible postnatal stem cell source with multifaceted characteristics for regenerative medicine. View Publication

Cytokine-inducible SH2-containing protein (CIS; encoded by the gene CISH) is a key negative regulator of interleukin-15 (IL-15) signaling in natural killer (NK) cells. Here,we develop human CISH-knockout (CISH-/-) NK cells using an induced pluripotent stem cell-derived NK cell (iPSC-NK cell) platform. CISH-/- iPSC-NK cells demonstrate increased IL-15-mediated JAK-STAT signaling activity. Consequently,CISH-/- iPSC-NK cells exhibit improved expansion and increased cytotoxic activity against multiple tumor cell lines when maintained at low cytokine concentrations. CISH-/- iPSC-NK cells display significantly increased in vivo persistence and inhibition of tumor progression in a leukemia xenograft model. Mechanistically,CISH-/- iPSC-NK cells display improved metabolic fitness characterized by increased basal glycolysis,glycolytic capacity,maximal mitochondrial respiration,ATP-linked respiration,and spare respiration capacity mediated by mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling that directly contributes to enhanced NK cell function. Together,these studies demonstrate that CIS plays a key role to regulate human NK cell metabolic activity and thereby modulate anti-tumor activity. View Publication

Although initial treatment of ovarian cancer is successful,tumors typically relapse and become resistant to treatment. Because of poor infiltration of effector T cells,patients are mostly unresponsive to immunotherapy. Plasma gelsolin (pGSN) is transported by exosomes (small extracellular vesicle,sEV) and plays a key role in ovarian cancer chemoresistance,yet little is known about its role in immunosurveillance. Here,we report the immunomodulatory roles of sEV-pGSN in ovarian cancer chemoresistance. In chemosensitive conditions,secretion of sEV-pGSN was low,allowing for optimal CD8+ T-cell function. This resulted in increased T-cell secretion of IFN$\gamma$,which reduced intracellular glutathione (GSH) production and sensitized chemosensitive cells to cis-diaminedichloroplatinum (CDDP)-induced apoptosis. In chemoresistant conditions,increased secretion of sEV-pGSN by ovarian cancer cells induced apoptosis in CD8+ T cells. IFN$\gamma$ secretion was therefore reduced,resulting in high GSH production and resistance to CDDP-induced death in ovarian cancer cells. These findings support our hypothesis that sEV-pGSN attenuates immunosurveillance and regulates GSH biosynthesis,a phenomenon that contributes to chemoresistance in ovarian cancer. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings provide new insight into pGSN-mediated immune cell dysfunction in ovarian cancer chemoresistance and demonstrate how this dysfunction can be exploited to enhance immunotherapy. View Publication

Recent studies suggest that forced activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) could inhibit melanoma cell proliferation. In this report,we evaluated the anti-melanoma cell activity by a novel small-molecular AMPK activator,GSK621. Treatment of GSK621 decreased survival and proliferation of human melanoma cells (A375,WM-115 and SK-Mel-2 lines),which was accompanied by activation of caspase-3/-9 and apoptosis. Reversely,caspase inhibitors attenuated GSK621-induced cytotoxicity against melanoma cells. Significantly,GSK621 was more potent than other AMPK activators (A769662,Compound 13 and AICAR) in inhibiting melanoma cells. Intriguingly,same GSK621 treatment was non-cytotoxic or pro-apoptotic against human melanocytes. Molecularly,we showed that activation of AMPK mediated GSK621's activity against melanoma cells. AMPK$\alpha$1 shRNA knockdown or dominant negative mutation (T172A) dramatically attenuated GSK621-induced melanoma cell lethality. Further studies revealed that MEK-ERK activation might be the primary resistance factor of GSK621. MEK-ERK inhibition,either genetically or pharmacologically,significantly sensitized melanoma cells to GSK-621. Remarkably,intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of GSK621 inhibited A375 tumor growth in SCID mice. Co-administration of MEK-ERK inhibitor MEK162 further sensitized GSK621-induced anti-A375 tumor activity in vivo. Together,the results imply that targeted activation of AMPK by GSK621 inhibits melanoma cell survival and proliferation. MEK-ERK inhibition may further sensitize GSK621's anti-melanoma cell activity in vitro and in vivo. View Publication

Lentiviral-mediated integration of a CFTR transgene cassette into airway basal cells is a strategy being considered for cystic fibrosis (CF) cell-based therapies. However,CFTR expression is highly regulated in differentiated airway cell types and a subset of intermediate basal cells destined to differentiate. Since basal stem cells typically do not express CFTR,suppressing the CFTR expression from the lentiviral vector in airway basal cells may be beneficial for maintaining their proliferative capacity and multipotency. We identified miR-106b as highly expressed in proliferating airway basal cells and extinguished in differentiated columnar cells. Herein,we developed lentiviral vectors with the miR-106b-target sequence (miRT) to both study miR-106b regulation during basal cell differentiation and detarget CFTR expression in basal cells. Given that miR-106b is expressed in the 293T cells used for viral production,obstacles of viral genome integrity and titers were overcome by creating a 293T-B2 cell line that inducibly expresses the RNAi suppressor B2 protein from flock house virus. While miR-106b vectors effectively detargeted reporter gene expression in proliferating basal cells and following differentiation in the air-liquid interface and organoid cultures,the CFTR-miRT vector produced significantly less CFTR-mediated current than the non-miR-targeted CFTR vector following transduction and differentiation of CF basal cells. These findings suggest that miR-106b is expressed in certain airway cell types that contribute to the majority of CFTR anion transport in airway epithelium. View Publication

Airway inflammation is a critical feature of lower respiratory tract infections caused by viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). A growing body of literature has demonstrated the importance of extracellular matrix (ECM) changes such as the accumulation of hyaluronan (HA) and versican in the subepithelial space in promoting airway inflammation; however,whether these factors contribute to airway inflammation during RSV infection remains unknown. To test the hypothesis that RSV infection promotes inflammation via altered HA and versican production,we studied an ex vivo human bronchial epithelial cell (BEC)/human lung fibroblast (HLF) co-culture model. RSV infection of BEC/HLF co-cultures led to decreased hyaluronidase expression by HLFs,increased accumulation of HA,and enhanced adhesion of U937 cells as would be expected with increased HA. HLF production of versican was not altered following RSV infection; however,BEC production of versican was significantly downregulated following RSV infection. In vivo studies with epithelial-specific versican-deficient mice [SPC-Cre(+) Vcan-/-] demonstrated that RSV infection led to increased HA accumulation compared to control mice which also coincided with decreased hyaluronidase expression in the lung. SPC-Cre(+) Vcan-/- mice demonstrated enhanced recruitment of monocytes and neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and increased neutrophils in the lung compared to SPC-Cre(-) RSV-infected littermates. Taken together,these data demonstrate that altered ECM accumulation of HA occurs following RSV infection and may contribute to airway inflammation. Additionally,loss of epithelial expression of versican promotes airway inflammation during RSV infection further demonstrating that versican's role in inflammatory regulation is complex and dependent on the microenvironment. View Publication