技术资料

BACKGROUND Theoretically human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have the capacity to self-renew and differentiate into all human cell types. Therefore,the greatest promise of hESCs-based therapy is to replace the damaged tissues of patients suffering from traumatic or degenerative diseases by the exact same type of cells derived from hESCs. Allograft immune rejection is one of the obstacles for hESCs-based clinical applications. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) II leads to CD4(+) T cells-mediated allograft rejection. Hence,we focus on optimizing hESCs for clinic application through gene modification. RESULTS Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) were used to target MHC class II transactivator (CIITA) in hESCs efficiently. CIITA (-/-) hESCs did not show any difference in the differentiation potential and self-renewal capacity. Dendritic cells (DCs) derived from CIITA (-/-) hESCs expressed CD83 and CD86 but without the constitutive HLA II. Fibroblasts derived from CIITA (-/-) hESCs were powerless in IFN-$\$ expression of HLA II. CONCLUSION We generated HLA II defected hESCs via deleting CIITA,a master regulator of constitutive and IFN-$\$ expression of HLA II genes. CIITA (-/-) hESCs can differentiate into tissue cells with non-HLA II expression. It's promising that CIITA (-/-) hESCs-derived cells could be used in cell therapy (e.g.,T cells and DCs) and escape the attack of receptors' CD4(+) T cells,which are the main effector cells of cellular immunity in allograft. View Publication

Targeted nucleases,including zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs),transcription activator-like (TAL) effector nucleases (TALENs) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9),have provided researchers with the ability to manipulate nearly any genomic sequence in human cells and model organisms. However,realizing the full potential of these genome-modifying technologies requires their safe and efficient delivery into relevant cell types. Unlike methods that rely on expression from nucleic acids,the direct delivery of nuclease proteins to cells provides rapid action and fast turnover,leading to fewer off-target effects while maintaining high rates of targeted modification. These features make nuclease protein delivery particularly well suited for precision genome engineering. Here we describe procedures for implementing protein-based genome editing in human embryonic stem cells and primary cells. Protocols for the expression,purification and delivery of ZFN proteins,which are intrinsically cell-permeable; TALEN proteins,which can be internalized via conjugation with cell-penetrating peptide moieties; and Cas9 ribonucleoprotein,whose nucleofection into cells facilitates rapid induction of multiplexed modifications,are described,along with procedures for evaluating nuclease protein activity. Once they are constructed,nuclease proteins can be expressed and purified within 6 d,and they can be used to induce genomic modifications in human cells within 2 d. View Publication

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have potential applications in cell replacement therapy and regenerative medicine. However,limited information is available regarding the immunologic features of iPSCs. In this study,expression of MHC and T cell co-stimulatory molecules in hiPSCs,and the effects on activation,proliferation and cytokine production in allogeneic human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were examined. We found that no-integrate hiPSCs had no MHC-II and T cell co-stimulatory molecules expressions but had moderate level of MHC-I and HLA-G expressions. In contrast to human skin fibroblasts (HSFs) which significantly induced allogeneic T cell activation and proliferation,hiPSCs failed to induce allogeneic CD45+ lymphocyte and CD8+ T cell activation and proliferation but could induce a low level of allogeneic CD4+ T cell proliferation. Unlike HSFs which induced allogeneic lymphocytes to produce high levels of IFN-γ,TNF-α and IL-17,hiPSCs only induced allogeneic lymphocytes to produce IL-2 and IL-10,and promote IL-10-secreting regulatory T cell (Treg) generation. Our study suggests that the integration-free hiPSCs had low or negligible immunogenicity,which may result from their induction of IL-10-secreting Treg. View Publication

The acquisition of innate immune response is requisite to having bona fide differentiation of airway epithelium. Procedures developed to differentiate lung airway from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have demonstrated anecdotal evidence for innate immune response,but an in-depth exploration of response levels is lacking. Herein,using an established method of airway epithelial generation from hPSCs,we show that hPSC-derived epithelial cells are able to up-regulate expression of TNF$\$,IL8 and IL1$\$ response to challenge with bacterial endotoxin LPS,but lack response from genes associated with innate immune response in other cell types. Further,stimulation of cells with TNF-$\$ in auto-induction of TNF$\$,as well as cytokine responses of IL8 and IL1$\$ The demonstration of innate immune induction in hPSC-derived airway epithelia gives further strength to the functionality of in vitro protocols aimed at generating differentiated airway cells that can potentially be used in a translational setting. Finally,we propose that innate immune challenge of airway epithelium from human pluripotent stem cell sources be used as a robust validation of functional in vitro differentiation. View Publication