技术资料

BACKGROUND: Gene delivery can potentially be used as a therapeutic for treating genetic diseases,including neurodegenerative diseases,as well as an enabling technology for regenerative medicine. A central challenge in many gene delivery applications is having a safe and effective delivery method. We evaluated the use of a biodegradable poly(beta-amino ester) nanoparticle-based nonviral protocol and compared this with an electroporation-based approach to deliver episomal plasmids encoding reprogramming factors for generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from human fibroblasts.backslashnbackslashnMETHODS: A polymer library was screened to identify the polymers most promising for gene delivery to human fibroblasts. Feeder-independent culturing protocols were developed for nanoparticle-based and electroporation-based reprogramming. The cells reprogrammed by both polymeric nanoparticle-based and electroporation-based nonviral methods were characterized by analysis of pluripotency markers and karyotypic stability. The hiPSC-like cells were further differentiated toward the neural lineage to test their potential for neurodegenerative retinal disease modeling.backslashnbackslashnRESULTS: 1-(3-aminopropyl)-4-methylpiperazine end-terminated poly(1,4-butanediol diacry-late-co-4-amino-1-butanol) polymer (B4S4E7) self-assembled with plasmid DNA to form nanoparticles that were more effective than leading commercially available reagents,including Lipofectamine® 2000,FuGENE® HD,and 25 kDa branched polyethylenimine,for nonviral gene transfer. B4S4E7 nanoparticles showed effective gene delivery to IMR-90 human primary fibroblasts and to dermal fibroblasts derived from a patient with retinitis pigmentosa,and enabled coexpression of exogenously delivered genes,as is needed for reprogramming. The karyotypically normal hiPSC-like cells generated by conventional electroporation,but not by poly(beta-amino ester) reprogramming,could be differentiated toward the neuronal lineage,specifically pseudostratified optic cups.backslashnbackslashnCONCLUSION: This study shows that certain nonviral reprogramming methods may not necessarily be safer than viral approaches and that maximizing exogenous gene expression of reprogramming factors is not sufficient to ensure successful reprogramming. View Publication

Achievements in tissue engineering using mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) demand a clinically acceptable off-the-shelf" cell therapy product. Efficacy of cryopreservation of human bone marrow-derived MSC in clinically safe animal product-free medium containing 2% 5% and 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was evaluated by measuring cell recovery viability apoptosis proliferation rate expression of a broad panel of MSC markers and osteogenic differentiation. Rate-controlled freezing in CryoStor media was performed in a programmable cell freezer. About 95% of frozen cells were recovered as live cells after freezing in CryoStor solutions with 5% and 10% DMSO followed by storage in liquid nitrogen for 1 month. Cell recovery after 5 months storage was 72% and 80% for 5% and 10% DMSO respectively. Measurements of caspase 3 activity demonstrated that 15.5% and 12.8% of cells after 1 month and 18.3% and 12.9% of cells after 5 months storage in 5% and 10% DMSO respectively were apoptotic. Proliferation of MSC recovered after cryopreservation was measured during 2 weeks post-plating. Proliferation rate was not compromised and was even enhanced. Cryopreservation did not alter expression of MSC markers. Quantitative analysis of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity ALP surface expression and Ca deposition in previously cryopreserved MSC and then differentiated for 3 weeks in osteogenic medium demonstrated the same degree of osteogenic differentiation as in unfrozen parallel cultures. Cell viability and functional parameters were analyzed in MSC after short-term storage at 4°C in HypoThermosol-FRS solution also free of animal products. Hypothermic storage for 2 and 4 days resulted in about 100% and 85% cell recovery respectively less than 10% of apoptotic cells and normal proliferation marker expression and osteogenic potential. Overall our results demonstrate that human MSC could be successfully cryopreserved for banking and clinical applications and delivered to the bedside in clinically safe protective reagents. View Publication

BACKGROUND AIMS: We evaluated hematopoietic stem cells according to CD34 expression and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity in peripheral blood and apheresis product samples from patients after mobilization with granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) alone or G-CSF after high-dose cyclophosphamide (4 g/m²) once daily,intravenously on day 1). We also investigated the relationship between the number of SSC(lo) CD45(dim) CD34(hi) cells,SSC(lo) ALDH(br) cells and engraftment. METHODS: Thirty patients (20 males and 10 females),who were candidates for autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation,were included in the study. Cyclophosphamide + G-CSF was used for 17 and G-CSF alone for 24 mobilizations. Primary diagnoses were multiple myeloma (n = 14),Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 7),non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 2),acute myloid leukemia (n = 2),chronic lymphocytic leukemia (n = 1) and germ cell testis tumor (n = 1). RESULTS: Numbers of SSC(lo) CD45(dim) CD34(hi) cells and SSC(lo) ALDH(br) cells were highly correlated in both peripheral blood and apheresis products (P textless 0.001). We could not find a relationship between the transplanted SSC(lo) CD45(dim) CD34(hi) cell dose or SSC(lo) ALDH(br) cell dose and platelet or neutrophil recovery. The optimal thresholds for SSC(lo) CD45(dim) CD34(hi) cells were 5.40 × 10�?�/kg for neutrophil recovery and 7.22 x 10�?�/kg for platelet recovery. The optimal thresholds for SSC(lo) ALDH(br) cells were 6.53 x 10�?�/kg for neutrophil recovery and 8.72 x 10�?�/kg platelet recovery. CONCLUSIONS: According to our data,numbers of SSC(lo) ALDH(br) cells are in very good agreement with numbers of SSC(lo) CD45(dim) CD34(hi) cells and can be a predictor of stem cell mobilization. View Publication

Reliance on volunteer blood donors can lead to transfusion product shortages,and current liquid storage of red blood cells (RBCs) is associated with biochemical changes over time,known as 'the storage lesion'. Thus,there is a need for alternative sources of transfusable RBCs to supplement conventional blood donations. Extracorporeal production of stem cell-derived RBCs (stemRBCs) is a potential and yet untapped source of fresh,transfusable RBCs. A number of groups have attempted RBC differentiation from CD34+ cells. However,it is still unclear whether these stemRBCs could eventually be effective substitutes for traditional RBCs due to potential differences in oxygen carrying capacity,viability,deformability,and other critical parameters. We have generated ex vivo stemRBCs from primary human cord blood CD34+ cells and compared them to donor-derived RBCs based on a number of in vitro parameters. In vivo,we assessed stemRBC circulation kinetics in an animal model of transfusion and oxygen delivery in a mouse model of exercise performance. Our novel,chronically anemic,SCID mouse model can evaluate the potential of stemRBCs to deliver oxygen to tissues (muscle) under resting and exercise-induced hypoxic conditions. Based on our data,stem cell-derived RBCs have a similar biochemical profile compared to donor-derived RBCs. While certain key differences remain between donor-derived RBCs and stemRBCs,the ability of stemRBCs to deliver oxygen in a living organism provides support for further development as a transfusion product. View Publication

In the present study,the trilineage differentiation capacity of human foreskin-derived precursor cells (hSKP) was evaluated upon exposure to various (non)commercial (i and ii) ectodermal,(iii) mesodermal and (iv) endodermal differentiation media. (i) Upon sequential exposure of the cells to keratinocyte growth (CnT-07® or CnT-057®) and differentiation (CnT-02® or Epilife®) media,keratinocyte-like cells (filaggrin(+)/involucrin(+)) were obtained. The preferred keratinocyte differentiation strategy was exposure to CnT-07®. (ii) When hSKP were subsequently exposed to NeuroCult® media,cells underwent a weak neuro-ectodermal differentiation expressing nestin,myelin binding protein (MBP),vimentin and alpha-foetoprotein (AFP). Sequential exposure to NPMM® and NPDM® generated cells with an inferior neuro-ectodermal phenotype (nestin(+)/vimentin(+)/MBP(-)/AFP(-)). (iii) Upon exposure of hSKP to insulin-transferrin-selenite (ITS) and dexamethasone,small lipid droplets were observed,suggesting their differentiation potential towards adipocyte-like cells. (iv) Finally,after sequential exposure to hepatogenic growth factors and cytokines,an immature hepatic cell population was generated. The presence of pre-albumin suggests that a sequential exposure strategy is here superior to a cocktail approach. In summary,a considerable impact of different (non)commercial media on the lineage-specific differentiation efficiency of hSKP is shown. In addition,we demonstrate here for the first time that,in a suitable keratinocyte stimulating micro-environment,hSKP can generate keratinocyte-like progeny in vitro. View Publication

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are considered as a powerful tool for drug and chemical screening and development of new in vitro testing strategies in the field of toxicology,including neurotoxicity evaluation. These cells are able to expand and efficiently differentiate into different types of neuronal and glial cells as well as peripheral neurons. These human cells-based neuronal models serve as test systems for mechanistic studies on different pathways involved in neurotoxicity. One of the well-known mechanisms that are activated by chemically-induced oxidative stress is the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Therefore,in the current study,we evaluated whether Nrf2 signaling machinery is expressed in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)-derived mixed neuronal/glial culture and if so whether it becomes activated by rotenone-induced oxidative stress mediated by complex I inhibition of mitochondrial respiration. Rotenone was found to induce the activation of Nrf2 signaling particularly at the highest tested concentration (100 nM),as shown by Nrf2 nuclear translocation and the up-regulation of the Nrf2-downstream antioxidant enzymes,NQO1 and SRXN1. Interestingly,exposure to rotenone also increased the number of astroglial cells in which Nrf2 activation may play an important role in neuroprotection. Moreover,rotenone caused cell death of dopaminergic neurons since a decreased percentage of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH(+)) cells was observed. The obtained results suggest that hiPSC-derived mixed neuronal/glial culture could be a valuable in vitro human model for the establishment of neuronal specific assays in order to link Nrf2 pathway activation (biomarker of oxidative stress) with additional neuronal specific readouts that could be applied to in vitro neurotoxicity evaluation. View Publication

Familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is caused by mutations of the transthyretin (TTR) gene,predominantly expressed in the liver. Two compounds that knockdown TTR,comprising a small interfering RNA (siRNA; ALN-TTR-02) and an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO; IONIS-TTRRx),are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. Since primary hepatocytes from FAP patients are rarely available for molecular analysis and commercial tissue culture cells or animal models lack the patient-specific genetic background,this study uses primary cells derived from urine of FAP patients. Urine-derived cells were reprogrammed to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with high efficiency. Hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) showing typical hepatic marker expression were obtained from iPSCs of the FAP patients. TTR mRNA expression of FAP HLCs almost reached levels measured in human hepatocytes. To assess TTR knockdown,siTTR1 and TTR-ASO were introduced to HLCs. A significant downregulation (textgreater80%) of TTR mRNA was induced in the HLCs by both oligonucleotides. TTR protein present in the cell culture supernatant of HLCs was similarly downregulated. Gene expression of other hepatic markers was not affected by the therapeutic oligonucleotides. Our data indicate that urine cells (UCs) after reprogramming and hepatic differentiation represent excellent primary human target cells to assess the efficacy and specificity of novel compounds. View Publication

Ecotropic viral integration site-1 (Evi-1) is a nuclear transcription factor that plays an essential role in the regulation of hematopoietic stem cells. Aberrant expression of Evi-1 has been reported in up to 10% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia and is a diagnostic marker that predicts a poor outcome. Although chromosomal rearrangement involving the Evi-1 gene is one of the major causes of Evi-1 activation,overexpression of Evi-1 is detected in a subgroup of acute myeloid leukemia patients without any chromosomal abnormalities,which indicates the presence of other mechanisms for Evi-1 activation. In this study,we found that Evi-1 is frequently up-regulated in bone marrow cells transformed by the mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) chimeric genes MLL-ENL or MLL-AF9. Analysis of the Evi-1 gene promoter region revealed that MLL-ENL activates transcription of Evi-1. MLL-ENL-mediated up-regulation of Evi-1 occurs exclusively in the undifferentiated hematopoietic population,in which Evi-1 particularly contributes to the propagation of MLL-ENL-immortalized cells. Furthermore,gene-expression analysis of human acute myeloid leukemia cases demonstrated the stem cell-like gene-expression signature of MLL-rearranged leukemia with high levels of Evi-1. Our findings indicate that Evi-1 is one of the targets of MLL oncoproteins and is selectively activated in hematopoietic stem cell-derived MLL leukemic cells. View Publication

Evi1 (ecotropic viral integration site 1) is essential for proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells and implicated in the development of myeloid disorders. Particularly,high Evi1 expression defines one of the largest clusters in acute myeloid leukemia and is significantly associated with extremely poor prognosis. However,mechanistic basis of Evi1-mediated leukemogenesis has not been fully elucidated. Here,we show that Evi1 directly represses phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) transcription in the murine bone marrow,which leads to activation of AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. In a murine bone marrow transplantation model,Evi1 leukemia showed modestly increased sensitivity to an mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. Furthermore,we found that Evi1 binds to several polycomb group proteins and recruits polycomb repressive complexes for PTEN down-regulation,which shows a novel epigenetic mechanism of AKT/mTOR activation in leukemia. Expression analyses and ChIPassays with human samples indicate that our findings in mice models are recapitulated in human leukemic cells. Dependence of Evi1-expressing leukemic cells on AKT/mTOR signaling provides the first example of targeted therapeutic modalities that suppress the leukemogenic activity of Evi1. The PTEN/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and the Evi1-polycomb interaction can be promising therapeutic targets for leukemia with activated Evi1. View Publication

Xenopus in vitro studies have implicated both transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) families in mesoderm induction. Although members of both families are present during mouse mesoderm formation,there is little evidence for their functional role in mesoderm induction. We show that mouse embryonic stem cells,which resemble primitive ectoderm,can differentiate to mesoderm in vitro in a chemically defined medium (CDM) in the absence of fetal bovine serum. In CDM,this differentiation is responsive to TGF-beta family members in a concentration-dependent manner,with activin A mediating the formation of dorsoanterior-like mesoderm and bone morphogenetic protein 4 mediating the formation of ventral mesoderm,including hematopoietic precursors. These effects are not observed in CDM alone or when TGF-beta 1,-beta 2,or -beta 3,acid FGF,or basic FGF is added individually to CDM. In vivo,at day 6.5 of mouse development,activin beta A RNA is detectable in the decidua and bone morphogenetic protein 4 RNA is detectable in the egg cylinder. Together,our data strongly implicate the TGF-beta family in mammalian mesoderm development and hematopoietic cell formation. View Publication

Cockayne syndrome (CS) is a human premature aging disorder associated with neurological and developmental abnormalities,caused by mutations mainly in the CS group B gene (ERCC6). At the molecular level,CS is characterized by a deficiency in the transcription-couple DNA repair pathway. To understand the role of this molecular pathway in a pluripotent cell and the impact of CSB mutation during human cellular development,we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from CSB skin fibroblasts (CSB-iPSC). Here,we showed that the lack of functional CSB does not represent a barrier to genetic reprogramming. However,iPSCs derived from CSB patient's fibroblasts exhibited elevated cell death rate and higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Moreover,these cellular phenotypes were accompanied by an up-regulation of TXNIP and TP53 transcriptional expression. Our findings suggest that CSB modulates cell viability in pluripotent stem cells,regulating the expression of TP53 and TXNIP and ROS production. View Publication