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OBJECTIVE: To compare the suppressive effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC),derived from normal individuals or severe aplastic anemia patients (SAA),on T-cell activation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied bone marrow MSC from 19 healthy donors and 23 SAA patients in different phases of the disease: at diagnosis (n = 3),following immunosuppressive therapy (IS) (n = 16),or after a bone marrow transplant (BMT) (n = 4). MSC were tested for T-cell suppression in the following assays: mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR),phytohemaglutinin (PHA)-primed cultures,activation surface markers,gamma-IFN production,hematopoietic colony formation (CFC),production of cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR). RESULTS: The abnormalities of SAA MSC included: 1) significantly lower suppression of T-cell proliferation induced by alloantigens (p = 0.009) or PHA (p = 0.006); 2) impaired capacity to suppress CD38 expression on PHA-primed T cells (p = 0.001); 3) impaired ability to suppress gamma-IFN production in PHA cultures,resulting in an 11-fold higher gamma-IFN concentration; 4) no preventive effect on T cell-mediated inhibition of CFC; and 5) significantly reduced (p = 0.009) production of cADPR,a universal calcium mobilizer. MSC-mediated suppression of PHA-induced T-cell proliferation was restored to control levels in 3 of 4 patients post-BMT. CONCLUSION: The ability of MSC to downregulate T-cell priming,proliferation,and cytokine release is deficient in patients with SAA,persists indefinitely after immunosuppressive therapy,but seems to be restored after BMT. Whether these abnormalities are relevant to the pathogenesis of aplastic anemia remains to be determined. View Publication

Although significant advances have been made over the last decade with respect to our understanding of stem cell biology,progress has been limited in the development of successful techniques for clinically significant ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. We here describe the effect of Notch ligand density on induction of Notch signaling and subsequent cell fate of human CD34+CD38- cord blood progenitors. Lower densities of Delta1(ext-IgG) enhanced the generation of CD34+ cells as well as CD14+ and CD7+ cells,consistent with early myeloid and lymphoid differentiation,respectively. However,culture with increased amounts of Delta1(ext-IgG) induced apoptosis of CD34+ precursors resulting in decreased cell numbers,without affecting generation of CD7+ cells. RNA interference studies revealed that the promotion of lymphoid differentiation was primarily mediated by Delta1 activation of Notch1. Furthermore,enhanced generation of NOD/SCID repopulating cells was seen following culture with lower but not higher densities of ligand. These studies indicate critical,quantitative aspects of Notch signaling in affecting hematopoietic precursor cell-fate outcomes and suggest that density of Notch ligands in different organ systems may be an important determinant in regulating cell-fate outcomes. Moreover,these findings contribute to the development of methodology for manipulation of hematopoietic precursors for therapeutic purposes. View Publication

Purmorphamine is a novel small molecule with osteogenesis-inducing activity in multipotent mesenchymal progenitor cells,but there has been no evaluation of its effect on human cells to date. The aim of this study was to investigate the induction of osteogenic activity by purmorphamine in human osteoblasts differentiated from bone marrow mesenchymal cells. Cells were cultured in 24-well plates at a density of 2x10(4)/well in medium containing 1,2 or 3 microM purmorphamine,or vehicle. At 7,14 and 21 days,cell proliferation,viability,and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were evaluated. Bone-like nodule formation was evaluated at 21 days. Purmorphamine did not affect cell proliferation or viability,but increased ALP activity and bone-like nodule formation. These results indicate that events related to osteoblast differentiation,including increased ALP activity and bone-like nodule formation,are enhanced by purmorphamine. View Publication

The monocyte population in blood is considered a possible source of endothelial precursors. Because endothelial-specific receptor tyrosine kinases act as regulators of endothelial cell function,we investigated whether expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) on monocytes is important for their endothelial-like functional capacity. Peripheral-blood monocytes expressing vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2),or CD14+/VEGFR-2+,were isolated,and their phenotypic,morphologic,and functional capacities were compared with those of monocytes negative for this marker (CD14+/VEGFR-2-). CD14+/VEGFR-2+ cells constituted approximately 2% +/- 0.5% of the total population of monocytes and 0.08% +/- 0.04% of mononuclear cells in blood. CD14+/VEGFR-2+ cells exhibited the potential to differentiate in vitro into cells with endothelial characteristics. The cells were efficiently transduced by a lentiviral vector driving expression of the green fluorescence protein (GFP). Transplantation of GFP-transduced cells into balloon-injured femoral arteries of nude mice significantly contributed to efficient reendothelialization. CD14+/VEGFR-2- did not exhibit any of these characteristics. These data demonstrate that the expression of VEGFR-2 on peripheral blood monocytes is essential for their endothelial-like functional capacity and support the notion of a common precursor for monocytic and endothelial cell lineage. Our results help clarify which subpopulations may restore damaged endothelium and may participate in the maintenance of vascular homeostasis. View Publication

BACKGROUND/AIMS The Rho-ROCK signaling pathways play an important role in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). We investigated the effects of fasudil hydrochloride hydrate (fasudil),a Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibitor,on cell growth,collagen production,and collagenase activity in HSCs. METHODS Rat HSCs and human HSC-derived TWNT-4 cells were cultured for studies on stress fiber formation and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expression. Proliferation was measured by BrdU incorporation,and apoptosis by TUNEL assay. The phosphorylation states of the MAP kinases (MAPKs),extra cellular signal -regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2),c-jun kinase (JNK),and p38 were evaluated by western blot analysis. Type I collagen,matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) production and gene expression were evaluated by ELISA and real-time PCR,respectively. Collagenase activity (active MMP-1) was also evaluated. RESULTS Fasudil (100 microM) inhibited cell spreading,the formation of stress fibers,and expression of alpha-SMA with concomitant suppression of cell growth,although it did not induce apoptosis. Fasudil inhibited phosphorylation of ERK1/2,JNK,and p38. Treatment with fasudil suppressed the production and transcription of collagen and TIMP,stimulated the production and transcription of MMP-1,and enhanced collagenase activity. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrated that fasudil not only suppresses proliferation and collagen production but also increases collagenase activity. View Publication

A series of 30 N10-substituted phenoxazines were synthesized and screened as potential inhibitors of Akt. In cellular assays at 5 mum,17 compounds inhibited insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I)-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt (Ser-473) by at least 50% but did not inhibit IGF-I-stimulated phosphorylation of Erk-1/2 (Thr-202/Tyr-204). Substitutions at the 2-position (Cl or CF3) did not alter inhibitory activity,whereas N10-substitutions with derivatives having acetyl (20B) or morpholino (12B) side chain lost activity compared with propyl or butyl substituents (7B and 14B). Inhibition of Akt phosphorylation was associated with the inhibition of IGF-I stimulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin phosphorylation (Ser-2448 and Ser-2481),phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase (Thr-389),and ribosomal protein S6 (Ser-235/236) in Rh1,Rh18,and Rh30 cell lines. The two most potent compounds 10-[4'-(N-diethylamino)butyl]-2-chlorophenoxazine (10B) and 10-[4'-[(beta-hydroxyethyl)piperazino]butyl]-2-chlorophenoxazine (15B) (in vitro,IC50 approximately 1-2 microM) were studied further. Inhibition of Akt phosphorylation correlated with inhibition of its kinase activity as determined in vitro after immunoprecipitation. Akt inhibitory phenoxazines did not inhibit the activity of recombinant phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase,PDK1,or SGK1 but potently inhibited the kinase activity of recombinant Akt and Akt deltaPH,a mutant lacking the pleckstrin homology domain. Akt inhibitory phenoxazines blocked IGF-I-stimulated nuclear translocation of Akt in Rh1 cells and suppressed growth of Rh1,Rh18,and Rh30 cells (IC50 2-5 microM),whereas inactive" derivatives were textgreater or = 10-fold less potent inhibitors of cell growth. In contrast to rapamycin analogs� View Publication

The hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gives rise to all mature,terminally differentiated cells of the blood. Here we show that calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaMKIV) is present in c-Kit+ ScaI+ Lin(-/low) hematopoietic progenitor cells (KLS cells) and that its absence results in hematopoietic failure,characterized by a diminished KLS cell population and by an inability of these cells to reconstitute blood cells upon serial transplantation. KLS cell failure in the absence of CaMKIV is correlated with increased apoptosis and proliferation of these cells in vivo and in vitro. In turn,these cell biological defects are correlated with decreases in CREB-serine 133 phosphorylation as well as in CREB-binding protein (CBP) and Bcl-2 levels. Re-expression of CaMKIV in Camk4-/- KLS cells results in the rescue of the proliferation defects in vitro as well as in the restoration of CBP and Bcl-2 to wild type levels. These studies show that CaMKIV is a regulator of HSC homeostasis and suggest that its effects may be in part mediated via regulation of CBP and Bcl-2. View Publication

DNA methylation regulates gene expression in normal and malignant cells. The possibility to reactivate epigenetically silenced genes has generated considerable interest in the development of DNA methyltransferase inhibitors. Here,we provide a detailed characterization of RG108,a novel small molecule that effectively blocked DNA methyltransferases in vitro and did not cause covalent enzyme trapping in human cell lines. Incubation of cells with low micromolar concentrations of the compound resulted in significant demethylation of genomic DNA without any detectable toxicity. Intriguingly,RG108 caused demethylation and reactivation of tumor suppressor genes,but it did not affect the methylation of centromeric satellite sequences. These results establish RG108 as a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor with fundamentally novel characteristics that will be particularly useful for the experimental modulation of epigenetic gene regulation. View Publication

The homeostatic adult bone marrow (BM) is a complex tissue wherein physical and biochemical interactions serve to maintain a balance between the hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic compartments. To focus on soluble factor interactions occurring between mesenchymal and hematopoietic cells,a serum-free adhesion-independent culture system was developed that allows manipulation of the growth of both mesenchymal and hematopoietic human BM-derived progenitors and the balance between these compartments. Factorial experiments demonstrated a role for stem cell factor (SCF) and interleukin 3 (IL-3) in the concomitant growth of hematopoietic (CD45+) and nonhematopoietic (CD45-) cells,as well as their derivatives. Kinetic tracking of IL-3alpha receptor (CD123) and SCF receptor (CD117) expression on a sorted CD45- cell population revealed the emergence of CD45-CD123+ cells capable of osteogenesis. Of the total fibroblast colony-forming units (CFU-Fs) and osteoblast colony-forming units (CFU-O),approximately 24% of CFU-Fs and about 22% of CFU-Os were recovered from this population. Cell-sorting experiments demonstrated that the CD45+ cell population secreted soluble factors that positively affect the survival and proliferation of CFU-Fs and CFU-Os generated from the CD45- cells. Together,our results provide insight into the intercellular cytokine network between hematopoietic and mesenchymal cells and provide a strategy to mutually culture both mesenchymal and hematopoietic cells in a defined scalable bioprocess. View Publication

The dedifferentiation agent reversine" [2-(4-morpholinoanilino)-N(6)-cyclohexyladenine 2] was found to be a moderately potent antagonist for the human A(3) adenosine receptor (AR) with a K(i) value of 0.66 microM. This result prompted an exploration of the structure-activity relationship of related derivatives� View Publication

TLRs are involved in innate cell activation by conserved structures expressed by microorganisms. Human T cells express the mRNA encoding most of TLRs. Therefore,we tested whether some TLR ligands may modulate the function of highly purified human CD4+ T lymphocytes. We report that,in the absence of APCs,flagellin (a TLR5 ligand) and R-848 (a TLR7/8 ligand) synergized with suboptimal concentrations of TCR-dependent (anti-CD3 mAb) or -independent stimuli (anti-CD2 mAbs or IL-2) to up-regulate proliferation and IFN-gamma,IL-8,and IL-10 but not IL-4 production by human CD4+ T cells. No effect of poly(I:C) and LPS,ligands for TLR3 and TLR4,respectively,was detected. We also observed that CD4+CD45RO+ memory T cell responses to TLR ligands were more potent than those observed with CD4+CD45RA+ naive T cells. Moreover,among the memory T cells,CCR7- effector cells were more sensitive to TLR ligands than CCR7+ central memory cells. These data demonstrate for the first time a direct effect of TLR5 and TLR7/8 ligands on human T cells,and highlight an innate arm in T cell functions. They also suggest that some components from invading microorganisms may directly stimulate effector memory T cells located in tissues by up-regulating cytokine and chemokine production. View Publication

Bisphosphonates are now the most widely used drugs for diseases associated with increased bone resorption,such as osteoporosis. Although bisphosphonates act directly on osteoclasts,and interfere with specific biochemical processes such as protein prenylation,their ability to adsorb to bone mineral also contributes to their potency and duration of action. The aim of the present study was to compare the binding affinities for hydroxyapatite (HAP) of 6 bisphosphonates currently used clinically and to determine the effects of these bisphosphonates on other mineral surface properties including zeta potential and interfacial tension. Affinity constants (K(L)) for the adsorption of bisphosphonates were calculated from kinetic studies on HAP crystal growth using a constant composition method at 37 degrees C and at physiological ionic strength (0.15 M). Under conditions likely to simulate bisphosphonate binding onto bone,there were significant differences in K(L) among the bisphosphonates for HAP growth (pH 7.4) with a rank order of zoledronate textgreater alendronate textgreater ibandronate textgreater risedronate textgreater etidronate textgreater clodronate. The measurements of zeta potential show that the crystal surface is modified by the adsorption of bisphosphonates in a manner best explained by molecular charges related to the protonation of their side-chain moieties,with risedronate showing substantial differences from alendronate,ibandronate,and zoledronate. The studies of the solid/liquid interfacial properties show additional differences among the bisphosphonates that may influence their mechanisms for binding and inhibiting crystal growth and dissolution. The observed differences in kinetic binding affinities,HAP zeta potentials,and interfacial tension are likely to contribute to the biological properties of the various bisphosphonates. In particular,these binding properties may contribute to differences in uptake and persistence in bone and the reversibility of effects. These properties,therefore,have potential clinical implications that may be important in understanding differences among potent bisphosphonates,such as the apparently more prolonged duration of action of alendronate and zoledronate compared with the more readily reversible effects of etidronate and risedronate. View Publication