技术资料

Most patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) relapse and die of their disease. Increasing evidence indicates that AML relapse is driven by the inability to eradicate leukemia stem cells (LSC). Thus,it is imperative to identify novel therapies that can ablate LSCs. Using an in silico gene expression-based screen for compounds evoking transcriptional effects similar to the previously described anti-LSC agent parthenolide,we identified AR-42 (OSU-HDAC42),a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor that is structurally similar to phenylbutyrate,but with improved activity at submicromolar concentrations. Here,we report that AR-42 induces NF-κB inhibition,disrupts the ability of Hsp90 to stabilize its oncogenic clients,and causes potent and specific cell death of LSCs but not normal hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Unlike parthenolide,the caspase-dependent apoptosis caused by AR-42 occurs without activation of Nrf-2-driven cytoprotective pathways. As AR-42 is already being tested in early clinical trials,we expect that our results can be extended to the clinic. View Publication

Cardiomyocytes (CMs) derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) offer immense value in studying cardiovascular regenerative medicine. However,intrinsic biases and differential responsiveness of hPSCs towards cardiac differentiation pose significant technical and logistic hurdles that hamper human cardiomyocyte studies. Tandem modulation of canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways may play a crucial role in cardiac development that can efficiently generate cardiomyocytes from pluripotent stem cells. Our Wnt signaling expression profiles revealed that phasic modulation of canonical/non-canonical axis enabled orderly recapitulation of cardiac developmental ontogeny. Moreover,evaluation of 8 hPSC lines showed marked commitment towards cardiac-mesoderm during the early phase of differentiation,with elevated levels of canonical Wnts (Wnt3 and 3a) and Mesp1. Whereas continued activation of canonical Wnts was counterproductive,its discrete inhibition during the later phase of cardiac differentiation was accompanied by significant up-regulation of non-canonical Wnt expression (Wnt5a and 11) and enhanced Nkx2.5(+) (up to 98%) populations. These Nkx2.5(+) populations transited to contracting cardiac troponin T-positive CMs with up to 80% efficiency. Our results suggest that timely modulation of Wnt pathways would transcend intrinsic differentiation biases of hPSCs to consistently generate functional CMs that could facilitate their scalable production for meaningful clinical translation towards personalized regenerative medicine. View Publication

Advancing pluripotent stem cell technologies for modelling haematopoietic stem cell development and blood therapies requires identifying key regulators of haematopoietic commitment from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Here,by screening the effect of 27 candidate factors,we reveal two groups of transcriptional regulators capable of inducing distinct haematopoietic programs from hPSCs: pan-myeloid (ETV2 and GATA2) and erythro-megakaryocytic (GATA2 and TAL1). In both cases,these transcription factors directly convert hPSCs to endothelium,which subsequently transform into blood cells with pan-myeloid or erythro-megakaryocytic potential. These data demonstrate that two distinct genetic programs regulate the haematopoietic development from hPSCs and that both of these programs specify hPSCs directly to haemogenic endothelial cells. In addition,this study provides a novel method for the efficient induction of blood and endothelial cells from hPSCs via the overexpression of modified mRNA for the selected transcription factors. View Publication

The mammalian immune system constitutively senses vast quantities of commensal bacteria and their products through pattern recognition receptors,yet excessive immune reactivity is prevented under homeostasis. The intestinal microbiome can influence host susceptibility to extra-intestinal autoimmune disorders. Here we report that polysaccharide A (PSA),a symbiosis factor for the human intestinal commensal Bacteroides fragilis,protects against central nervous system demyelination and inflammation during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE),an animal model for multiple sclerosis,through Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). TLR2 mediates tissue-specific expansion of a critical regulatory CD39(+) CD4 T-cell subset by PSA. Ablation of CD39 signalling abrogates PSA control of EAE manifestations and inflammatory cytokine responses. Further,CD39 confers immune-regulatory phenotypes to total CD4 T cells and Foxp3(+) CD4 Tregs. Importantly,CD39-deficient CD4 T cells show an enhanced capability to drive EAE progression. Our results demonstrate the therapeutic potential and underlying mechanism by which an intestinal symbiont product modulates CNS-targeted demyelination. View Publication

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can differentiate into notochordal cell (NC)-like cells when cultured in the presence of natural porcine nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue matrix. The method promises massive production of high-quality,functional cells to treat degenerative intervertebral discs (IVDs). Based on our previous work,we further examined the effect of cell-NP matrix contact and culture medium on the differentiation,and further assessed the functional differentiation ability of the generated NC-like. The study showed that direct contact between hiPSCs and NP matrix can promote the differentiation yield,whilst both the contact and non-contact cultures can generate functional NC-like cells. The generated NC-like cells are highly homogenous regarding the expression of notochordal marker genes. A culture medium containing a cocktail of growth factors (FGF,EGF,VEGF and IGF-1) also supported the notochordal differentiation in the presence of NP matrix. The NC-like cells showed excellent functional differentiation ability to generate NP-like tissue which was rich in aggrecan and collagen type II; and particularly,the proteoglycan to collagen content ratio was as high as 12.5-17.5 which represents a phenotype close to NP rather than hyaline cartilage. Collectively,the present study confirmed the effectiveness and flexibility of using natural NP tissue matrix to direct notochordal differentiation of hiPSCs,and the potential of using the generated NC-like cells for treating IVD degeneration. View Publication

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) hold great promise for regenerative medicine and biopharmaceutical applications. Currently,optimal culture and efficient expansion of large amounts of clinical-grade hPSCs are critical issues in hPSC-based therapies. Conventionally,hPSCs are propagated as colonies on both feeder and feeder-free culture systems. However,these methods have several major limitations,including low cell yields and generation of heterogeneously differentiated cells. To improve current hPSC culture methods,we have recently developed a new method,which is based on non-colony type monolayer (NCM) culture of dissociated single cells. Here,we present detailed NCM protocols based on the Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632. We also provide new information regarding NCM culture with different small molecules such as Y-39983 (ROCK I inhibitor),phenylbenzodioxane (ROCK II inhibitor),and thiazovivin (a novel ROCK inhibitor). We further extend our basic protocol to cultivate hPSCs on defined extracellular proteins such as the laminin isoform 521 (LN-521) without the use of ROCK inhibitors. Moreover,based on NCM,we have demonstrated efficient transfection or transduction of plasmid DNAs,lentiviral particles,and oligonucleotide-based microRNAs into hPSCs in order to genetically modify these cells for molecular analyses and drug discovery. The NCM-based methods overcome the major shortcomings of colony-type culture,and thus may be suitable for producing large amounts of homogeneous hPSCs for future clinical therapies,stem cell research,and drug discovery. View Publication

BACKGROUND Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by overwhelming inflammatory responses and lung remodeling. We hypothesized that leukocyte infiltration during the inflammatory response modulates epithelial remodeling through a mechanism of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). METHODS Human lung epithelial cells were treated for 30 min with hydrochloric acid (HCl). Human monocytes were then cocultured with the epithelial cells for up to 48 h,in the presence or absence of blocking peptides against lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1),or tyrphostin A9,a specific inhibitor for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor tyrosine kinase. RESULTS Exposure of lung epithelial cells to HCl resulted in increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and production of interleukin (IL)-8 at 24 h. The expression of the epithelial markers E-cadherin decreased while the mesenchymal markers vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) increased at 24 h and remained high at 48 h. The addition of monocytes augmented the profiles of lower expression of epithelial markers and higher mesenchymal markers accompanied by increased collagen deposition. This EMT profile was associated with an enhanced production of IL-8 and PDGF. Treatment of the lung epithelial cells with the LAF-1 blocking peptides CD11a237-246 or/and CD18112-122 suppressed monocyte adhesion,production of IL-8,PDGF and hydroxyproline as well as EMT markers. Treatment with tyrphostin A9 prevented the EMT profile shift induced by HCl stimulation. CONCLUSIONS The interaction between epithelial cells and monocytes enhanced epithelial remodelling after initial injury through EMT signalling that is associated with the release of soluble mediators,including IL-8 and PDGF. View Publication

Improvement of methods to produce endoderm-derived cells from pluripotent stem cells is important to realize high-efficient induction of endodermal tissues such as pancreas and hepatocyte. Difficulties hampering such efforts include the low efficiency of definitive endoderm cell induction and establishing appropriate defined culture conditions to ensure a safe cell source for human transplantation. Based on previous studies,we revised the experimental condition of definitive endoderm induction in feeder- and serum-free culture. Our results suggested that CHIR99021 is more effective than Wnt3A ligand in feeder- and serum-free conditions. In addition,keeping cell density low during endoderm induction is important for the efficiency. On the other hand,we showed that overtreatment with CHIR99021 converted the cells into BRACHYURY-expressing posterior mesoderm cells rather than endoderm,indicating strict CHIR99021 treatment requirements for endoderm differentiation. Nevertheless,these results should enable better control in the production of definitive endoderm-derived cells. View Publication

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune disease resulting from damage of the hair follicle by T cells. The immune pathways required for autoreactive T cell activation in AA are not defined limiting clinical development of rational targeted therapies. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) implicated ligands for the NKG2D receptor (product of the KLRK1 gene) in disease pathogenesis. Here,we show that cytotoxic CD8(+)NKG2D(+) T cells are both necessary and sufficient for the induction of AA in mouse models of disease. Global transcriptional profiling of mouse and human AA skin revealed gene expression signatures indicative of cytotoxic T cell infiltration,an interferon-γ (IFN-γ) response and upregulation of several γ-chain (γc) cytokines known to promote the activation and survival of IFN-γ-producing CD8(+)NKG2D(+) effector T cells. Therapeutically,antibody-mediated blockade of IFN-γ,interleukin-2 (IL-2) or interleukin-15 receptor β (IL-15Rβ) prevented disease development,reducing the accumulation of CD8(+)NKG2D(+) T cells in the skin and the dermal IFN response in a mouse model of AA. Systemically administered pharmacological inhibitors of Janus kinase (JAK) family protein tyrosine kinases,downstream effectors of the IFN-γ and γc cytokine receptors,eliminated the IFN signature and prevented the development of AA,while topical administration promoted hair regrowth and reversed established disease. Notably,three patients treated with oral ruxolitinib,an inhibitor of JAK1 and JAK2,achieved near-complete hair regrowth within 5 months of treatment,suggesting the potential clinical utility of JAK inhibition in human AA. View Publication

Differentiation of pluripotent cells into endoderm-related cell types initially requires in vitro gastrulation into the definitive endoderm (DE). Most differentiation protocols are initiated from colonies of pluripotent cells complicating their adaption due to insufficiently defined starting conditions. The protocol described here was initiated from a defined cell number of dispersed single cells and tested on three different human embryonic stem cell lines and one human induced pluripotent stem cell line. Combined activation of ActivinA/Nodal signaling and GSK3 inhibition for the first 24 h,followed by ActivinA/Nodal signaling efficiently induced the DE state. Activation of ActivinA/Nodal signaling alone was not effective. Efficient GSK3 inhibition allowed the reduction of the ActivinA concentration during the entire protocol. A feeder-independent cultivation of pluripotent cells was preferred to achieve the high efficiency and robustness since feeder cells hindered the differentiation process. Additionally,inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway was not required,nonetheless yielding high cell numbers efficiently committed toward the DE. Finally,the endoderm generated could be differentiated further into PDX1-positive pan-pancreatic cells and NGN3-positive endocrine progenitors. Thus,this efficient and robust DE differentiation protocol is a step forward toward better reproducibility due to the well-defined conditions based on dispersed single cells from feeder-free-cultivated human pluripotent cells. View Publication

BACKGROUND Whole-lung scaffolds can be created by perfusion decellularization of cadaveric donor lungs. The resulting matrices can then be recellularized to regenerate functional organs. This study evaluated the capacity of acellular lung scaffolds to support recellularization with lung progenitors derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). METHODS Whole rat and human lungs were decellularized by constant-pressure perfusion with 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate solution. Resulting lung scaffolds were cryosectioned into slices or left intact. Human iPSCs were differentiated to definitive endoderm,anteriorized to a foregut fate,and then ventralized to a population expressing NK2 homeobox 1 (Nkx2.1). Cells were seeded onto slices and whole lungs,which were maintained under constant perfusion biomimetic culture. Lineage specification was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescent staining. Regenerated left lungs were transplanted in an orthotopic position. RESULTS Activin-A treatment,followed by transforming growth factor-$\$,induced differentiation of human iPSCs to anterior foregut endoderm as confirmed by forkhead box protein A2 (FOXA2),SRY (Sex Determining Region Y)-Box 17 (SOX17),and SOX2 expression. Cells cultured on decellularized lung slices demonstrated proliferation and lineage commitment after 5 days. Cells expressing Nkx2.1 were identified at 40% to 60% efficiency. Within whole-lung scaffolds and under perfusion culture,cells further upregulated Nkx2.1 expression. After orthotopic transplantation,grafts were perfused and ventilated by host vasculature and airways. CONCLUSIONS Decellularized lung matrix supports the culture and lineage commitment of human iPSC-derived lung progenitor cells. Whole-organ scaffolds and biomimetic culture enable coseeding of iPSC-derived endothelial and epithelial progenitors and enhance early lung fate. Orthotopic transplantation may enable further in vivo graft maturation. View Publication

Despite significant advances in commercially available media and kits and the differentiation approaches for human neural stem cell (NSC) generation,NSC production from the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) is complicated by its time-consuming procedure,complex medium composition,and purification step. In this study,we developed a convenient and simplified NSC production protocol to meet the demand of NSC production. We demonstrated that NSCs can be generated efficiently without requirement of specific small molecules or embryoid body formation stage. Our experimental results suggest that a short suspension culture period may facilitate ectoderm lineage specification rather than endoderm or mesoderm lineage specification from hPSCs. The method developed in this study shortens the turnaround time of NSC production from both human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) differentiation. It provides a straightforward and useful strategy for generating NSCs that can benefit a wide range of research applications for human brain research. View Publication