参考文献

Ex vivo retroviral gene transfer into CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) has demonstrated remarkable clinical success in gene therapy for monogenic hematopoietic disorders. However,little attention has been paid to enhancement of culture and transduction conditions to achieve reliable effects across patient and disease contexts and to maximize potential vector usage and reduce treatment cost. We systematically tested three HSPC culture media manufactured to cGMP and eight previously described transduction enhancers (TEs) to develop a state-of-the-art clinically applicable protocol. Six TEs enhanced lentiviral (LV) and five TEs facilitated alpharetroviral (ARV) CD34+ HSPC transduction when used alone. Combinatorial TE application tested with LV vectors yielded more potent effects,with up to a 5.6-fold increase in total expression of a reporter gene and up to a 3.8-fold increase in VCN. Application of one of the most promising combinations,the poloxamer LentiBOOST and protamine sulfate,for GMP-compliant manufacturing of a clinical-grade advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP) increased total VCN by over 6-fold,with no major changes in global gene expression profiles or inadvertent loss of CD34+CD90+ HSPC populations. Application of these defined culture and transduction conditions is likely to significantly improve ex vivo gene therapy manufacturing protocols for HSPCs and downstream clinical efficacy. View Publication

The sodium potassium pump (Na/K-ATPase) ensures the electrochemical gradient of a cell through an energy-dependent process that consumes about one-third of regenerated ATP. We report that the G protein-coupled receptor GPR35 interacted with the $\alpha$ chain of Na/K-ATPase and promotes its ion transport and Src signaling activity in a ligand-independent manner. Deletion of Gpr35 increased baseline Ca2+ to maximal levels and reduced Src activation and overall metabolic activity in macrophages and intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). In contrast,a common T108M polymorphism in GPR35 was hypermorphic and had the opposite effects to Gpr35 deletion on Src activation and metabolic activity. The T108M polymorphism is associated with ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis,inflammatory diseases with a high cancer risk. GPR35 promoted homeostatic IEC turnover,whereas Gpr35 deletion or inhibition by a selective pepducin prevented inflammation-associated and spontaneous intestinal tumorigenesis in mice. Thus,GPR35 acts as a central signaling and metabolic pacesetter,which reveals an unexpected role of Na/K-ATPase in macrophage and IEC biology. View Publication

As the prognosis of invasive aspergillosis remains unacceptably poor in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT),there is a growing interest in the adoptive transfer of antifungal effector cells,such as Natural Killer (NK) cells. Because immunosuppressive agents are required in most HSCT recipients,knowledge of the impact of these compounds on the antifungal activity of NK cells is a prerequisite for clinical trials. We,therefore,assessed the effect of methylprednisolone (mPRED),cyclosporin A (CsA) and mycophenolic acid (MPA) at different concentrations on proliferation,apoptosis/necrosis,and the direct and indirect anti-Aspergillus activity of human NK cells. Methylprednisolone decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis of NK cells in a significant manner. After seven days,a reduction of viable NK cells was seen for all three immunosuppressants,which was significant for MPA only. Cyclosporin A significantly inhibited the direct hyphal damage by NK cells in a dose-dependent manner. None of the immunosuppressive compounds had a major impact on the measured levels of interferon-$\gamma$,granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and RANTES (regulated on activation,normal T cell expressed and secreted; CCL5). Our data demonstrate that commonly used immunosuppressive compounds have distinct effects on proliferation,viability and antifungal activity of human NK cells,which should be considered in designing studies on the use of NK cells for adoptive antifungal immunotherapy. View Publication

Despite advances in therapy,glioblastoma remains an incurable disease with a dismal prognosis. Recent studies have implicated cancer stem cells within glioblastoma (glioma stem cells,GSCs) as mediators of therapeutic resistance and tumor progression. In this study,we investigated the role of the transforming growth factor-$\beta$ (TGF-$\beta$) superfamily,which has been found to play an integral role in the maintenance of stem cell homeostasis within multiple stem cell systems,as a mediator of stem-like cells in glioblastoma. We find that BMP and TGF-$\beta$ signaling define divergent molecular and functional identities in glioblastoma,and mark relatively quiescent and proliferative GSCs,respectively. Treatment of GSCs with BMP inhibits cell proliferation,but does not abrogate their stem-ness,as measured by self-renewal and tumorigencity. Further,BMP pathway activation confers relative resistance to radiation and temozolomide chemotherapy. Our findings define a quiescent cancer stem cell population in glioblastoma that may be a cellular reservoir for tumor recurrence following cytotoxic therapy. View Publication

Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI,PDIA1) is an emerging therapeutic target in oncology. PDI inhibitors have demonstrated a unique propensity to selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cells and overcome resistance to existing therapies,although drug candidates have not yet progressed to the stage of clinical development. We recently reported the discovery of lead indene compound E64FC26 as a potent pan-PDI inhibitor that enhances the cytotoxic effects of proteasome inhibitors in panels of Multiple Myeloma (MM) cells and MM mouse models. An extensive medicinal chemistry program has led to the generation of a diverse library of indene-containing molecules with varying degrees of proteasome inhibitor potentiating activity. These compounds were generated by a novel nucleophilic aromatic ring cyclization and dehydration reaction from the precursor ketones. The results provide detailed structure activity relationships (SAR) around this indene pharmacophore and show a high degree of correlation between potency of PDI inhibition and bortezomib (Btz) potentiation in MM cells. Inhibition of PDI leads to ER and oxidative stress characterized by the accumulation of misfolded poly-ubiquitinated proteins and the induction of UPR biomarkers ATF4,CHOP,and Nrf2. This work characterizes the synthesis and SAR of a new chemical class and further validates PDI as a therapeutic target in MM as a single agent and in combination with proteasome inhibitors. View Publication

Lambda interferons (IFN-$\lambda$s) are a major component of the innate immune defense to viruses,bacteria,and fungi. In human liver,IFN-$\lambda$ not only drives antiviral responses,but also promotes inflammation and fibrosis in viral and non-viral diseases. Here we demonstrate that macrophages are primary responders to IFN-$\lambda$,uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between IFN-$\lambda$ producing cells and lymphocyte populations that are not intrinsically responsive to IFN-$\lambda$. While CD14+ monocytes do not express the IFN-$\lambda$ receptor,IFNLR1,sensitivity is quickly gained upon differentiation to macrophages in vitro. IFN-$\lambda$ stimulates macrophage cytotoxicity and phagocytosis as well as the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and interferon stimulated genes that mediate immune cell chemotaxis and effector functions. In particular,IFN-$\lambda$ induced CCR5 and CXCR3 chemokines,stimulating T and NK cell migration,as well as subsequent NK cell cytotoxicity. Using immunofluorescence and cell sorting techniques,we confirmed that human liver macrophages expressing CD14 and CD68 are highly responsive to IFN-$\lambda$ ex vivo. Together,these data highlight a novel role for macrophages in shaping IFN-$\lambda$ dependent immune responses both directly through pro-inflammatory activity and indirectly by recruiting and activating IFN-$\lambda$ unresponsive lymphocytes. View Publication

Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) is a malignancy that frequently affects young adults. Although,there are effective treatments not every patient responds,necessitating the development of novel therapeutic approaches,especially for relapsed and refractory cases. The two TNF receptor family members CD30 and CD137 are expressed on Hodgkin and Reed Sternberg (HRS) cells,the malignant cells in HL. We found that this co-expression is specific for HRS cells. Based on this discovery we developed a bispecific antibody that binds preferentially to the CD30,CD137-double positive HRS cells. The CD30,CD137 bispecific antibody gets internalized into HRS cells opening up the possibility to use it as a carrier for a toxin. This antibody also induces antibody-dependent,cell-mediated cytotoxicity in CD30,CD137-double positive HRS cells. The enhances specificity of the CD30,CD137 bispecific antibody to HRS cells makes it a promising candidate for development as a novel HL treatment. View Publication

(1) Background: The cannabinoid 2 receptor (CB2R) is a promising anti-inflammatory drug target and development of selective CB2R ligands may be useful for treating sight-threatening ocular inflammation. (2) Methods: This study examined the pharmacology of three novel chemically-diverse selective CB2R ligands: CB2R agonists,RO6871304,and RO6871085,as well as a CB2R inverse agonist,RO6851228. In silico molecular modelling and in vitro cell-based receptor assays were used to verify CB2R interactions,binding,cell signaling ({\ss}-arrestin and cAMP) and early absorption,distribution,metabolism,excretion,and toxicology (ADMET) profiling of these receptor ligands. All ligands were evaluated for their efficacy to modulate leukocyte-neutrophil activity,in comparison to the reported CB2R ligand,HU910,using an in vivo mouse model of endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in wild-type (WT) and CB2R-/- mice. The actions of RO6871304 on neutrophil migration and adhesion were examined in vitro using isolated neutrophils from WT and CB2R-/- mice,and in vivo in WT mice with EIU using adoptive transfer of WT and CB2R-/- neutrophils,respectively. (3) Results: Molecular docking studies indicated that RO6871304 and RO6871085 bind to the orthosteric site of CB2R. Binding studies and cell signaling assays for RO6871304 and RO6871085 confirmed high-affinity binding to CB2R and selectivity for CB2R {\textgreater} CB1R,with both ligands acting as full agonists in cAMP and {\ss}-arrestin assays (EC50s in low nM range). When tested in EIU,topical application of RO6871304 and RO6871085 decreased leukocyte-endothelial adhesion and this effect was antagonized by the inverse agonist,RO6851228. The CB2R agonist,RO6871304,decreased in vitro neutrophil migration of WT neutrophils but not neutrophils from CB2R-/-,and attenuated adhesion of adoptively-transferred leukocytes in EIU. (4) Conclusions: These unique ligands are potent and selective for CB2R and have good immunomodulating actions in the eye. RO6871304 and RO6871085,as well as HU910,decreased leukocyte adhesion in EIU through inhibition of resident ocular immune cells. The data generated with these three structurally-diverse and highly-selective CB2R agonists support selective targeting of CB2R for treating ocular inflammatory diseases. View Publication

The aim of this study was to vascularize brain organoids with a patient's own endothelial cells (ECs). Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) of one UC Davis patient were grown into whole-brain organoids. Simultaneously,iPSCs from the same patient were differentiated into ECs. On day 34,the organoid was re-embedded in Matrigel with 250 000 ECs. Vascularized organoids were grown in vitro for 3-5 weeks or transplanted into immunodeficient mice on day 54,and animals were perfused on day 68. Coating of brain organoids on day 34 with ECs led to robust vascularization of the organoid after 3-5 weeks in vitro and 2 weeks in vivo. Human CD31-positive blood vessels were found inside and in-between rosettes within the center of the organoid after transplantation. Vascularization of brain organoids with a patient's own iPSC-derived ECs is technically feasible. View Publication

AIMS Current treatment for congenital long QT syndrome Type 2 (cLQTS2),an electrical disorder that increases the risk of life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias,is aimed at reducing the incidence of arrhythmia triggers (beta-blockers) or terminating the arrhythmia after onset (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator). An alternative strategy is to target the underlying disease mechanism,which is reduced rapid delayed rectifier current (IKr) passed by Kv11.1 channels. Small molecule activators of Kv11.1 have been identified but the extent to which these can restore normal cardiac signalling in cLQTS2 backgrounds remains unclear. Here,we examined the ability of ICA-105574,an activator of Kv11.1 that impairs transition to the inactivated state,to restore function to heterozygous Kv11.1 channels containing either inactivation enhanced (T618S,N633S) or expression deficient (A422T) mutations. METHODS AND RESULTS ICA-105574 effectively restored Kv11.1 current from heterozygous inactivation enhanced or expression defective mutant channels in heterologous expression systems. In a human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte (hiPSC-CM) model of cLQTS2 containing the expression defective Kv11.1 mutant A422T,cardiac repolarization,estimated from the duration of calcium transients in isolated cells and the rate corrected field potential duration (FPDc) in culture monolayers of cells,was significantly prolonged. The Kv11.1 activator ICA-105574 was able to reverse the prolonged repolarization in a concentration-dependent manner. However,at higher doses,ICA-105574 produced a shortening of the FPDc compared to controls. In vitro and in silico analysis suggests that this overcorrection occurs as a result of a temporal redistribution of the peak IKr to much earlier in the plateau phase of the action potential,which results in early repolarization. CONCLUSION Kv11.1 activators,which target the primary disease mechanism,provide a possible treatment option for cLQTS2,with the caveat that there may be a risk of overcorrection that could itself be pro-arrhythmic. View Publication