搜索结果: 'gmp t cell activator'

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogenous disease characterized by the clonal expansion of myeloid progenitor cells. Despite recent advancements in the treatment of AML,relapse still remains a significant challenge,necessitating the development of innovative therapies to eliminate minimal residual disease. One promising approach to address these unmet clinical needs is natural killer (NK) cell immunotherapy. To implement such treatments effectively,it is vital to comprehend how AML cells escape the NK-cell surveillance. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3),a component of the Janus kinase (JAK)-STAT signaling pathway,is well-known for its role in driving immune evasion in various cancer types. Nevertheless,the specific function of STAT3 in AML cell escape from NK cells has not been deeply investigated. In this study,we unravel a novel role of STAT3 in sensitizing AML cells to NK-cell surveillance. We demonstrate that STAT3-deficient AML cell lines are inefficiently eliminated by NK cells. Mechanistically,AML cells lacking STAT3 fail to form an immune synapse as efficiently as their wild-type counterparts due to significantly reduced surface expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). The impaired killing of STAT3-deficient cells can be rescued by ICAM-1 overexpression proving its central role in the observed phenotype. Importantly,analysis of our AML patient cohort revealed a positive correlation between ICAM1 and STAT3 expression suggesting a predominant role of STAT3 in ICAM-1 regulation in this disease. In line,high ICAM1 expression correlates with better survival of AML patients underscoring the translational relevance of our findings. Taken together,our data unveil a novel role of STAT3 in preventing AML cells from escaping NK-cell surveillance and highlight the STAT3/ICAM-1 axis as a potential biomarker for NK-cell therapies in AML. View Publication

Delivering macromolecules across biological barriers such as the blood–brain barrier limits their application in vivo. Previous work has demonstrated that Toxoplasma gondii,a parasite that naturally travels from the human gut to the central nervous system (CNS),can deliver proteins to host cells. Here we engineered T. gondii ’s endogenous secretion systems,the rhoptries and dense granules,to deliver multiple large (>100 kDa) therapeutic proteins into neurons via translational fusions to toxofilin and GRA16. We demonstrate delivery in cultured cells,brain organoids and in vivo,and probe protein activity using imaging,pull-down assays,scRNA-seq and fluorescent reporters. We demonstrate robust delivery after intraperitoneal administration in mice and characterize 3D distribution throughout the brain. As proof of concept,we demonstrate GRA16-mediated brain delivery of the MeCP2 protein,a putative therapeutic target for Rett syndrome. By characterizing the potential and current limitations of the system,we aim to guide future improvements that will be required for broader application. Subject terms: Parasitology,Biologics,Synthetic biology View Publication

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a global priority respiratory pathogen that kills over a million people annually. The pore-forming cytotoxin,pneumolysin (PLY) is a major virulence factor. Here,we found that recombinant PLY as well as wild-type pneumococcal strains,but not the isogenic PLY mutant,upregulated the shedding of extracellular vesicles (EVs) harboring membrane-bound toxin from human THP-1 monocytes. PLY-EVs induced cytotoxicity and hemolysis dose-dependently upon internalization by recipient monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Proteomics analysis revealed that PLY-EVs are selectively enriched in key inflammatory host proteins such as IFI16,NLRC4,PTX3,and MMP9. EVs shed from PLY-challenged or infected cells induced dendritic cell maturation and primed them to infection. In vivo,zebrafish administered with PLY-EVs showed pericardial edema and mortality. Adoptive transfer of bronchoalveolar-lavage-derived EVs from infected mice to healthy recipients induced lung damage and inflammation in a PLY-dependent manner. Our findings identify that host EVs released during infection mediate pneumococcal pathogenesis. Subject areas: Microbiology,Bacteriology,Cell biology View Publication

Although bone marrow-derived cells with high aldehyde dehydrogenase activity (ALDH br ) have shown therapeutic potential against various diseases in animal studies,clinical trials have failed to show concurrent findings. We aimed to clarify the optimal conditions for the efficacy of ALDH br cells by using a murine bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis model. We intravenously transferred male or female donor C57BL/6 mice-derived ALDH br cells into recipient C57BL/6 mice under various conditions,and used mCherry-expressing mice as a donor to trace the transferred ALDH br cells. Pulmonary fibrosis improved significantly when (1) female-derived,not male-derived,and (2) lineage (Lin)-negative,not lineage-positive,ALDH br cells were transferred during the (3) fibrotic,not inflammatory,phase. Consistent with the RNA-sequencing results,female-derived Lin − /ALDH br cells were more resistant to oxidative stress than male-derived cells in vitro,and transferred female-derived Lin − /ALDH br cells were more viable than male-derived cells in the fibrotic lung. The mechanism underlying the antifibrotic effects of Lin − /ALDH br cells was strongly associated with reduction of oxidative stress. Our results indicated that Lin − /ALDH br cell therapy could ameliorate pulmonary fibrosis by reducing oxidative stress and suggested that their efficacy was mediated by sex-related differences. Thus,sex-awareness strategies may be important for clinical application of bone marrow ALDH br cells as a therapeutic tool. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-024-03933-8. View Publication

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by de novo mutations in the MECP2 gene. Although miRNAs in extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been suggested to play an essential role in several neurological conditions,no prior study has utilized brain organoids to profile EV-derived miRNAs during normal and RTT-affected neuronal development. Here we report the spatiotemporal expression pattern of EV-derived miRNAs in region-specific forebrain organoids generated from female hiPSCs with a MeCP2:R255X mutation and the corresponding isogenic control. EV miRNA and protein expression profiles were characterized at day 0,day 13,day 40,and day 75. Several members of the hsa-miR-302/367 cluster were identified as having a time-dependent expression profile with RTT-specific alterations at the latest developmental stage. Moreover,the miRNA species of the chromosome 14 miRNA cluster (C14MC) exhibited strong upregulation in RTT forebrain organoids irrespective of their spatiotemporal location. Together,our results suggest essential roles of the C14MC and hsa-miR-302/367 clusters in EVs during normal and RTT-associated neurodevelopment,displaying promising prospects as biomarkers for monitoring RTT progression. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00018-024-05409-7. View Publication

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) presents a significant challenge worldwide due to its aggressiveness and high recurrence rates post-treatment,often linked to cancer stem cells (CSCs). Melatonin shows promise as a potent tumor suppressor; however,the effects of melatonin on CSCs remain unclear,and the development of models that closely resemble tumor heterogeneity could help to better understand the effects of this molecule. This study developed a tumor scaffold based on patient fibroblast-derived decellularized extracellular matrix that mimics the HNSCC microenvironment. Our study investigates the antitumoral effects of melatonin within this context. We validated its strong antiproliferative effect on HNSCC CSCs and the reduction of tumor invasion and migration markers,even in a strongly chemoprotective environment,as it is required to increase the minimum doses necessary to impact tumor viability compared to the non-scaffolded tumorspheres culture. Moreover,melatonin exhibited no cytotoxic effects on healthy cells co-cultured in the tumor hydrogel. This scaffold-based platform allows an in vitro study closer to HNSCC tumor reality,including CSCs,stromal component,and a biomimetic matrix,providing a new valuable research tool in precision oncology. View Publication

Radiotherapy is widely regarded as the primary therapeutic modality for nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). Studies have shown that cancer cells with high resistance to radiation,known as radioresistant cancer cells,may cause residual illness,which in turn might contribute to the occurrence of cancer recurrence and metastasis. It has been shown that cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) exhibit resistance to radiation therapy. In the present study,fractionated doses of radiation-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and ALDH+ CSCs phenotype of NPC tumor spheroids. Furthermore,it has been shown that cells with elevated ALDH activity have increased resistance to the effects of fractionated irradiation. Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays a pivotal role in regulating cellular antioxidant systems. A large body of evidence suggests that Nrf2 plays a significant role in the development of radioresistance in cancer. The authors’ research revealed that the application of fractionated irradiation resulted in a decline in Nrf2-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels,thereby mitigating DNA damage in ALDH+ stem-like NPC cells. In addition,immunofluorescence analysis revealed that subsequent to the process of fractionated irradiation of ALDH+ cells,activated Nrf2 was predominantly localized inside the nucleus. Immunofluorescent analysis also revealed that the presence of the nuclear Nrf2+/NQO1+/ALDH1+ axis might potentially serve as an indicator of poor prognosis and resistance to radiotherapy in patients with NPC. Thus,the authors’ findings strongly suggest that the radioresistance of ALDH-positive NPC CSCs to fractionated irradiation is regulated by nuclear Nrf2 accumulation. Nrf2 exerts its effects through the downstream effector NQO1/ALDH1,which depends on ROS attenuation. View Publication

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are promising candidates for cartilage repair therapy due to their self-renewal,chondrogenic,and immunomodulatory capacities. It is widely recognized that a shift from fetal bovine serum (FBS)-containing medium toward a fully chemically defined serum-free (SF) medium would be necessary for clinical applications of MSCs to eliminate issues such as xeno-contamination and batch-to-batch variation. However,there is a notable gap in the literature regarding the evaluation of the chondrogenic ability of SF-expanded MSCs (SF-MSCs). In this study,we compared the in vivo regeneration effect of FBS-MSCs and SF-MSCs in a rat osteochondral defect model and found poor cartilage repair outcomes for SF-MSCs. Consequently,a comparative analysis of FBS-MSCs and SF-MSCs expanded using two SF media,MesenCult™-ACF (ACF),and Custom StemPro™ MSC SFM XenoFree (XF) was conducted in vitro. Our results show that SF-expanded MSCs constitute variations in morphology,surface markers,senescence status,differentiation capacity,and senescence/apoptosis status. Highly proliferative MSCs supported by SF medium do not always correlate to their chondrogenic and cartilage repair ability. Prior determination of the SF medium’s ability to support the chondrogenic ability of expanded MSCs is therefore crucial when choosing an SF medium to manufacture MSCs for clinical application in cartilage repair. View Publication

Wound healing in adults largely depends on the functional state of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Human fetal tissues at the early stages of development are known to heal quickly with a full-quality restoration of the original structure. The differences in the molecular mechanisms that determine the functional activity of mesodermal cells in fetuses and adults remain virtually unknown. Using two independent human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines,we examined the effects of the initial WNT and BMP activation on the differentiation of iPSCs via mesodermal progenitors into MSCs and highlighted the functions of these cells that are altered by the proinflammatory microenvironment. The WNT-induced mesoderm commitment of the iPSCs enhanced the expression of paraxial mesoderm (PM)-specific markers,while the BMP4-primed iPSCs exhibited increased levels of lateral mesoderm (LM)-specific genes. The inflammatory status and migration rate of the isogenic iPSC-derived mesoderm cells were assessed via gene expression analysis and scratch assay under the receptor-dependent activation of the proinflammatory IFN-γ or TNF-α signaling pathway. Reduced IDO1 and ICAM1 expression levels were detected in the WNT- and BMP-induced MSC progenitors compared to the isogenic MSCs in response to stimulation with IFN-γ and TNF-α. The WNT- and BMP-induced MSC progenitors exhibited a higher migration rate than isogenic MSCs upon IFN-γ exposure. The established isogenic cellular model will provide new opportunities to elucidate the mechanisms of regeneration and novel therapeutics for wound healing. View Publication

Although acute myeloid leukemia (AML) affects hematopoietic stem cell (HSC)-supportive microenvironment,it is largely unknown whether leukemia-modified bone marrow (BM) microenvironment can be remodeled to support normal hematopoiesis after complete remission (CR). As a key element of BM microenvironment,endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) provide a feasible way to investigate BM microenvironment remodeling. Here,we find reduced and dysfunctional BM EPCs in AML patients,characterized by impaired angiogenesis and high ROS levels,could be partially remodeled after CR and improved by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). Importantly,HSC-supporting ability of BM EPCs is partially recovered,whereas leukemia-supporting ability is decreased in CR patients. Mechanistically,the transcriptome characteristics of leukemia-modified BM EPCs return to near-normal after CR. In a classic AML mouse and chemotherapy model,BM vasculature and normal hematopoiesis are reversed after CR. In summary,we provide further insights into how leukemia-modified BM microenvironment can be remodeled to support normal hematopoiesis after CR,which can be further improved by NAC. Subject terms: Translational research,Acute myeloid leukaemia View Publication

The only cure of HIV has been achieved in a small number of people who received a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) comprising allogeneic cells carrying a rare,naturally occurring,homozygous deletion in the CCR5 gene. The rarity of the mutation and the significant morbidity and mortality of such allogeneic transplants precludes widespread adoption of this HIV cure. Here,we show the application of CRISPR/Cas9 to achieve >90% CCR5 editing in human,mobilized hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPC),resulting in a transplant that undergoes normal hematopoiesis,produces CCR5 null T cells,and renders xenograft mice refractory to HIV infection. Titration studies transplanting decreasing frequencies of CCR5 edited HSPCs demonstrate that <90% CCR5 editing confers decreasing protective benefit that becomes negligible between 54% and 26%. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of using CRISPR/Cas9/RNP to produce an HSPC transplant with high frequency CCR5 editing that is refractory to HIV replication. These results raise the potential of using CRISPR/Cas9 to produce a curative autologous HSCT and bring us closer to the development of a cure for HIV infection. Subject terms: HIV infections,CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing,Retrovirus,Translational research View Publication

Growing evidence shows that the reprogramming of fatty acid (FA) metabolism plays a key role in HER2-positive (HER2 +) breast cancer (BC) aggressiveness,therapy resistance and cancer stemness. In particular,HER2 + BC has been defined as a "lipogenic disease" due to the functional and bi-directional crosstalk occurring between HER2-mediated oncogenic signaling and FA biosynthesis via FA synthase activity. In this context,the functional role exerted by the reprogramming of CD36-mediated FA uptake in HER2 + BC poor prognosis and therapy resistance remains unclear. In this study,we aimed to elucidate whether enhanced CD36 in mesenchymal HER2 + cancer stem cells (CSCs) is directly involved in anti-HER2 treatment refractoriness in HER2 + BC and to design future metabolism-based approaches targeting both FA reprogramming and the “root” of cancer. Molecular,biological and functional characterization of CD36-mediated FA uptake was investigated in HER2 + BC patients,cell lines,epithelial and mesenchymal CSCs. Cell proliferation was analyzed by SRB assay upon treatment with lapatinib,CD36 inhibitor,or Wnt antagonist/agonist. Engineered cell models were generated via lentivirus infection and transient silencing. CSC-like properties and tumorigenesis of HER2 + BC cells with or without CD36 depletion were examined by mammosphere forming efficiency assay,flow cytometry,cell sorting,ALDH activity assay and xenograft mouse model. FA uptake was examined by flow cytometry with FA BODIPY FL C16. Intratumor expression of CSC subsets was evaluated via multiplex immunostaining and immunolocalization analysis. Molecular data demonstrated that CD36 is significantly upmodulated on treatment in therapy resistant HER2 + BC patients and its expression levels in BC cells is correlated with FA uptake. We provided evidence of a consistent enrichment of CD36 in HER2 + epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-like CSCs from all tested resistant cell models that mechanistically occurs via Wnt signaling pathway activation. Consistently,both in vitro and in vivo dual blockade of CD36 and HER2 increased the anti-CSC efficacy of anti-HER2 drugs favoring the transition of the therapy resistant mesenchymal CSCs into therapy-sensitive mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET)-like epithelial state. In addition,expression of CD36 in intratumor HER2 + mesenchymal CSCs is significantly associated with resistance to trastuzumab in HER2 + BC patients. These results support the metabolo-oncogenic nature of CD36-mediated FA uptake in HER2 + therapy-refractory BC. Our study provides evidence that targeting CD36 might be an effective metabolic therapeutic strategy in the treatment of this malignancy. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-025-03276-z. View Publication