技术资料

The adaptation of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR associated endonuclease 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) machinery from prokaryotic organisms has resulted in a gene editing system that is highly versatile,easily constructed,and can be leveraged to generate human cells knocked out (KO) for a specific gene. While standard transfection techniques can be used for the introduction of CRISPR-Cas9 expression cassettes to many cell types,delivery by this method is not efficient in many primary cell types,including primary human airway epithelial cells (AECs). More efficient delivery in AECs can be achieved through lentiviral-mediated transduction,allowing the CRISPR-Cas9 system to be integrated into the genome of the cell,resulting in stable expression of the nuclease machinery and increasing editing rates. In parallel,advancements have been made in the culture,expansion,selection,and differentiation of AECs,which allow the robust generation of a bulk edited AEC population from transduced cells. Applying these methods,we detail here our latest protocol to generate mucociliary epithelial cultures knocked out for a specific gene from donor-isolated primary human basal airway epithelial cells. This protocol includes methods to: (1) design and generate lentivirus which targets a specific gene for KO with CRISPR-Cas9 machinery,(2) efficiently transduce AECs,(3) culture and select for a bulk edited AEC population,(4) molecularly screen AECs for Cas9 cutting and specific sequence edits,and (5) further expand and differentiate edited cells to a mucociliary airway epithelial culture. The AEC knockouts generated using this protocol provide an excellent primary cell model system with which to characterize the function of genes involved in airway dysfunction and disease. View Publication

Whipworms are parasitic nematodes that live in the gut of more than 500 million people worldwide. Owing to the difficulty in obtaining parasite material,the mouse whipwormTrichuris murishas been extensively used as a model to study human whipworm infections. These nematodes secrete a multitude of compounds that interact with host tissues where they orchestrate a parasitic existence. Herein we provide the first comprehensive characterization of the excretory/secretory products ofT. muris. We identify 148 proteins secreted byT. murisand show for the first time that the mouse whipworm secretes exosome-like extracellular vesicles (EVs) that can interact with host cells. We use an Optiprep{\textregistered} gradient to purify the EVs,highlighting the suitability of this method for purifying EVs secreted by a parasitic nematode. We also characterize the proteomic and genomic content of the EVs,identifying {\textgreater}350 proteins,56 miRNAs (22 novel) and 475 full-length mRNA transcripts mapping toT. murisgene models. Many of the miRNAs putatively mapped to mouse genes are involved in regulation of inflammation,implying a role in parasite-driven immunomodulation. In addition,for the first time to our knowledge,colonic organoids have been used to demonstrate the internalization of parasite EVs by host cells. Understanding how parasites interact with their host is crucial to develop new control measures. This first characterization of the proteins and EVs secreted byT. murisprovides important information on whipworm-host communication and forms the basis for future studies. View Publication

BACKGROUND Therapies targeting certain CFTR mutants have been approved,yet variations in clinical response highlight the need for in-vitro and genetic tools that predict patient-specific clinical outcomes. Toward this goal,the CF Canada-Sick Kids Program in Individual CF Therapy (CFIT) is generating a first of its kind" View Publication

Recent advances in the differentiation and production of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes (CMs) have stimulated development of strategies to use these cells in human cardiac regenerative therapies. A prerequisite for clinical trials and translational implementation of hPSC-derived CMs is the ability to manufacture safe and potent cells on the scale needed to replace cells lost during heart disease. Current differentiation protocols generate fetal-like CMs that exhibit proarrhythmogenic potential. Sufficient maturation of these hPSC-derived CMs has yet to be achieved to allow these cells to be used as a regenerative medicine therapy. Insights into the native cardiac environment during heart development may enable engineering of strategies that guide hPSC-derived CMs to mature. Specifically,considerations must be made in regard to developing methods to incorporate the native intercellular interactions and biomechanical cues into hPSC-derived CM production that are conducive to scale-up. View Publication

BACKGROUND Detailed molecular analyses of cells from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovium hold promise in identifying cellular phenotypes that drive tissue pathology and joint damage. The Accelerating Medicines Partnership RA/SLE Network aims to deconstruct autoimmune pathology by examining cells within target tissues through multiple high-dimensional assays. Robust standardized protocols need to be developed before cellular phenotypes at a single cell level can be effectively compared across patient samples. METHODS Multiple clinical sites collected cryopreserved synovial tissue fragments from arthroplasty and synovial biopsy in a 10{\%} DMSO solution. Mechanical and enzymatic dissociation parameters were optimized for viable cell extraction and surface protein preservation for cell sorting and mass cytometry,as well as for reproducibility in RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Cryopreserved synovial samples were collectively analyzed at a central processing site by a custom-designed and validated 35-marker mass cytometry panel. In parallel,each sample was flow sorted into fibroblast,T-cell,B-cell,and macrophage suspensions for bulk population RNA-seq and plate-based single-cell CEL-Seq2 RNA-seq. RESULTS Upon dissociation,cryopreserved synovial tissue fragments yielded a high frequency of viable cells,comparable to samples undergoing immediate processing. Optimization of synovial tissue dissociation across six clinical collection sites with {\~{}} 30 arthroplasty and {\~{}} 20 biopsy samples yielded a consensus digestion protocol using 100 mu$g/ml of Liberase™ TL enzyme preparation. This protocol yielded immune and stromal cell lineages with preserved surface markers and minimized variability across replicate RNA-seq transcriptomes. Mass cytometry analysis of cells from cryopreserved synovium distinguished diverse fibroblast phenotypes,distinct populations of memory B cells and antibody-secreting cells,and multiple CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell activation states. Bulk RNA-seq of sorted cell populations demonstrated robust separation of synovial lymphocytes,fibroblasts,and macrophages. Single-cell RNA-seq produced transcriptomes of over 1000 genes/cell,including transcripts encoding characteristic lineage markers identified. CONCLUSIONS We have established a robust protocol to acquire viable cells from cryopreserved synovial tissue with intact transcriptomes and cell surface phenotypes. A centralized pipeline to generate multiple high-dimensional analyses of synovial tissue samples collected across a collaborative network was developed. Integrated analysis of such datasets from large patient cohorts may help define molecular heterogeneity within RA pathology and identify new therapeutic targets and biomarkers. View Publication

The sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic (PNS) branches of the autonomic nervous system have been implicated in the modulation of the renewal of many tissues,including the intestinal epithelium. However,it is not known whether these mechanisms are direct,requiring an interaction between autonomic neurotransmitters and receptors on proliferating epithelial cells. To evaluate the existence of a molecular framework for a direct effect of the SNS or PNS on intestinal epithelial renewal,we measured gene expression for the main autonomic neurotransmitter receptors in this tissue. We separately evaluated intestinal epithelial regions comprised of the stem,progenitor,and mature cells,which allowed us to investigate the distinct contributions of each cell population to this proposed autonomic effect. Notably,we found that the stem cells expressed the receptors for the SNS-associated alpha2A adrenoreceptor and the PNS-associated muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M1 and M3). In a separate experiment,we found that the application of norepinephrine or acetylcholine decreases the expression of cyclin D1,a gene necessary for cell cycle progression,in intestinal epithelial organoids compared with controls (P {\textless} 0.05). Together,these results provide evidence of a direct mechanism for the autonomic nervous system influence on intestinal epithelial stem cell proliferation. View Publication

Objective Dendritic cells (DCs) are key orchestrators of immune function. To date,rheumatoid arthritis (RA) researchers have predominantly focused on a potential pathogenic role for CD1c+ DCs. In contrast,CD141+ DCs and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) have not been systematically examined,at least in early RA. In established RA,the role of pDCs is ambiguous and,since disease duration and treatment both impact RA pathophysiology,we examined pDCs,and CD1c+ and CD141+ conventional DCs (cDCs),in early,drug-na{\{i}}ve RA (eRA) patients. Methods We analyzed the frequency and phenotype of pDCs View Publication

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CAMK2) plays fundamental roles in synaptic plasticity that underlies learning and memory. Here,we describe a new recessive neurodevelopmental syndrome with global developmental delay,seizures and intellectual disability. Using linkage analysis and exome sequencing,we found that this disease maps to chromosome 5q31.1-q34 and is caused by a biallelic germline mutation in CAMK2A. The missense mutation,p.His477Tyr is located in the CAMK2A association domain that is critical for its function and localization. Biochemically,the p.His477Tyr mutant is defective in self-oligomerization and unable to assemble into the multimeric holoenzyme.In vivo,CAMK2AH477Y failed to rescue neuronal defects in C. elegans lacking unc-43,the ortholog of human CAMK2A. In vitro,neurons derived from patient iPSCs displayed profound synaptic defects. Together,our data demonstrate that a recessive germline mutation in CAMK2A leads to neurodevelopmental defects in humans and suggest that dysfunctional CAMK2 paralogs may contribute to other neurological disorders. View Publication

T cell antigen-presenting cell (APC) interactions early during chronic viral infection are crucial for determining viral set point and disease outcome,but how and when different APC subtypes contribute to these outcomes is unclear. The TNF receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) member GITR is important for CD4+ T cell accumulation and control of chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). We found that type I interferon (IFN-I) induced TNFSF ligands GITRL,4-1BBL,OX40L,and CD70 predominantly on monocyte-derived APCs and CD80 and CD86 predominantly on classical dendritic cells (cDCs). Mice with hypofunctional GITRL in Lyz2+ cells had decreased LCMV-specific CD4+ T cell accumulation and increased viral load. GITR signals in CD4+ T cells occurred after priming to upregulate OX40,CD25,and chemokine receptor CX3CR1. Thus IFN-I (signal 3) induced a post-priming checkpoint (signal 4) for CD4+ T cell accumulation,revealing a division of labor between cDCs and monocyte-derived APCs in regulating T cell expansion. View Publication

Tryptamine,a tryptophan-derived monoamine similar to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT),is produced by gut bacteria and is abundant in human and rodent feces. However,the physiologic effect of tryptamine in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract remains unknown. Here,we show that the biological effects of tryptamine are mediated through the 5-HT4 receptor (5-HT4R),a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) uniquely expressed in the colonic epithelium. Tryptamine increases both ionic flux across the colonic epithelium and fluid secretion in colonoids from germ-free (GF) and humanized (ex-GF colonized with human stool) mice,consistent with increased intestinal secretion. The secretory effect of tryptamine is dependent on 5-HT4R activation and is blocked by 5-HT4R antagonist and absent in 5-HT4R-/- mice. GF mice colonized by Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron engineered to produce tryptamine exhibit accelerated GI transit. Our study demonstrates an aspect of host physiology under control of a bacterial metabolite that can be exploited as a therapeutic modality. VIDEO ABSTRACT. View Publication

Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in GRIN2B,a subunit of the NMDA receptor,cause intellectual disability and language impairment. We developed clonal models of GRIN2B deletion and loss-of-function mutations in a region coding for the glutamate binding domain in human cells and generated neurons from a patient harboring a missense mutation in the same domain. Transcriptome analysis revealed extensive increases in genes associated with cell proliferation and decreases in genes associated with neuron differentiation,a result supported by extensive protein analyses. Using electrophysiology and calcium imaging,we demonstrate that NMDA receptors are present on neural progenitor cells and that human mutations in GRIN2B can impair calcium influx and membrane depolarization even in a presumed undifferentiated cell state,highlighting an important role for non-synaptic NMDA receptors. It may be this function,in part,which underlies the neurological disease observed in patients with GRIN2B mutations. View Publication

Asthma is a complex and heterogeneous respiratory disorder characterized by chronic airway inflammation. It has generally been associated with allergic mechanisms related to type 2 airway inflammation. Nevertheless,between 10 and 33{\%} of asthmatic individuals have nonallergic asthma (NA). Several targeted treatments are in clinical development for patients with Th2 immune response,but few biomarkers are been defined for low or non-Th2-mediated inflammation asthma. We have recently defined by gene expression a set of genes as potential biomarkers of NA,mainly associated with disease severity: IL10,MSR1,PHLDA1,SERPINB2,CHI3L1,IL8,and PI3. Here,we analyzed their protein expression and specificity using sera and isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). First,protein quantification was carried out using ELISA (in sera) or Western blot (proteins extracted from PBMCs by Trizol procedure),depending on the biomarker in 30 healthy controls (C) subjects and 30 NA patients. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed by using the R program to study the specificity and sensitivity of the candidate biomarkers at a gene- and protein expression level. Four kinds of comparisons were performed: total NA group vs C group,severe NA patients vs C,moderate-mild NA patients vs C,and severe NA patients vs moderate-mild NA patients. We found that all the single genes showed good sensitivity vs specificity for some phenotypic discrimination,with CHI3L1 and PI3 exhibiting the best results for C vs NA: CHI3L1 area under the curve (AUC) (CI 95{\%}): 0.95 (0.84-1.00) and PI3 AUC: 0.99 (0.98-1.00); C vs severe NA: PI3 AUC: 1 (0.99-1.00); and C vs moderate-mild NA: CHI3L1 AUC: 1 (0.99-1.00) and PI3 AUC: 0.99 (0.96-1.00). However,the results for discriminating asthma disease and severity with protein expression were better when two or three biomarkers were combined. In conclusion,individual genes and combinations of proteins have been evaluated as reliable biomarkers for classifying NA subjects and their severity. These new panels could be good diagnostic tests. View Publication