scholarly journals Immunological considerations and challenges for regenerative cellular therapies

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Petrus-Reurer ◽  
Marco Romano ◽  
Sarah Howlett ◽  
Joanne Louise Jones ◽  
Giovanna Lombardi ◽  
...  

AbstractThe central goal of regenerative medicine is to replace damaged or diseased tissue with cells that integrate and function optimally. The capacity of pluripotent stem cells to produce unlimited numbers of differentiated cells is of considerable therapeutic interest, with several clinical trials underway. However, the host immune response represents an important barrier to clinical translation. Here we describe the role of the host innate and adaptive immune responses as triggers of allogeneic graft rejection. We discuss how the immune response is determined by the cellular therapy. Additionally, we describe the range of available in vitro and in vivo experimental approaches to examine the immunogenicity of cellular therapies, and finally we review potential strategies to ameliorate immune rejection. In conclusion, we advocate establishment of platforms that bring together the multidisciplinary expertise and infrastructure necessary to comprehensively investigate the immunogenicity of cellular therapies to ensure their clinical safety and efficacy.

Cholesterol ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco R. Marín-Martín ◽  
Cristina Soler-Rivas ◽  
Roberto Martín-Hernández ◽  
Arantxa Rodriguez-Casado

Disease phenotypes and defects in function can be traced to nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs), which are important indicators of action sites and effective potential therapeutic approaches. Identification of deleterious nsSNPs is crucial to characterize the genetic basis of diseases, assess individual susceptibility to disease, determinate molecular and therapeutic targets, and predict clinical phenotypes. In this study using PolyPhen2 and MutPred in silico algorithms, we analyzed the genetic variations that can alter the expression and function of the ABCA1 gene that causes the allelic disorders familial hypoalphalipoproteinemia and Tangier disease. Predictions were validated with published results from in vitro, in vivo, and human studies. Out of a total of 233 nsSNPs, 80 (34.33%) were found deleterious by both methods. Among these 80 deleterious nsSNPs found, 29 (12.44%) rare variants resulted highly deleterious with a probability >0.8. We have observed that mostly variants with verified functional effect in experimental studies are correctly predicted as damage variants by MutPred and PolyPhen2 tools. Still, the controversial results of experimental approaches correspond to nsSNPs predicted as neutral by both methods, or contradictory predictions are obtained for them. A total of seventeen nsSNPs were predicted as deleterious by PolyPhen2, which resulted neutral by MutPred. Otherwise, forty two nsSNPs were predicted as deleterious by MutPred, which resulted neutral by PolyPhen2.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alistair Lock ◽  
Jillian Cornish ◽  
David S. Musson

Grafts are required to restore tissue integrity and function. However, current gold standard autografting techniques yield limited harvest, with high rates of complication. In the search for viable substitutes, the number of biomaterials being developed and studied has increased rapidly. To date, low clinical uptake has accompanied inherently high failure rates, with immune rejection a specific and common end result. The objective of this review article was to evaluate published immune assays evaluating biomaterials, and to stress the value that incorporating immune assessment into evaluations carries. Immunogenicity assays have had three areas of focus: cell viability, maturation and activation, with the latter being the focus in the majority of the literature due to its relevance to functional outcomes. With recent studies suggesting poor correlation between current in vitro and in vivo testing of biomaterials, in vitro immune response assays may be more relevant and enhance ability in predicting acceptance prior to in vivo application. Uptake of in vitro immune response assessment will allow for substantial reductions in experimental time and resources, including unnecessary and unethical animal use, with a simultaneous decrease in inappropriate biomaterials reaching clinic. This improvement in bench to bedside safety is paramount to reduce patient harm.


Development ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 148 (20) ◽  
Author(s):  
Azelle Hawdon ◽  
Asma Aberkane ◽  
Jennifer Zenker

ABSTRACT With the advancement of cutting-edge live imaging technologies, microtubule remodelling has evolved as an integral regulator for the establishment of distinct differentiated cells. However, despite their fundamental role in cell structure and function, microtubules have received less attention when unravelling the regulatory circuitry of pluripotency. Here, we summarise the role of microtubule organisation and microtubule-dependent events required for the formation of pluripotent cells in vivo by deciphering the process of early embryogenesis: from fertilisation to blastocyst. Furthermore, we highlight current advances in elucidating the significance of specific microtubule arrays in in vitro culture systems of pluripotent stem cells and how the microtubule cytoskeleton serves as a highway for the precise intracellular movement of organelles. This Review provides an informed understanding of the intrinsic role of subcellular architecture of pluripotent cells and accentuates their regenerative potential in combination with innovative light-inducible microtubule techniques.


2018 ◽  
Vol 315 (4) ◽  
pp. E650-E661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clarissa Hernandez Stephens ◽  
Kara S. Orr ◽  
Anthony J. Acton ◽  
Sarah A. Tersey ◽  
Raghavendra G. Mirmira ◽  
...  

Widespread use of pancreatic islet transplantation for treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is currently limited by requirements for long-term immunosuppression, limited donor supply, and poor long-term engraftment and function. Upon isolation from their native microenvironment, islets undergo rapid apoptosis, which is further exacerbated by poor oxygen and nutrient supply following infusion into the portal vein. Identifying alternative strategies to restore critical microenvironmental cues, while maximizing islet health and function, is needed to advance this cellular therapy. We hypothesized that biophysical properties provided through type I oligomeric collagen macroencapsulation are important considerations when designing strategies to improve islet survival, phenotype, and function. Mouse islets were encapsulated at various Oligomer concentrations (0.5 –3.0 mg/ml) or suspended in media and cultured for 14 days, after which viability, protein expression, and function were assessed. Oligomer-encapsulated islets showed a density-dependent improvement in in vitro viability, cytoarchitecture, and insulin secretion, with 3 mg/ml yielding values comparable to freshly isolated islets. For transplantation into streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, 500 islets were mixed in Oligomer and injected subcutaneously, where rapid in situ macroencapsulation occurred, or injected with saline. Mice treated with Oligomer-encapsulated islets exhibited rapid (within 24 h) diabetes reversal and maintenance of normoglycemia for 14 (immunocompromised), 90 (syngeneic), and 40 days (allogeneic). Histological analysis showed Oligomer-islet engraftment with maintenance of islet cytoarchitecture, revascularization, and no foreign body response. Oligomer-islet macroencapsulation may provide a useful strategy for prolonging the health and function of cultured islets and has potential as a subcutaneous injectable islet transplantation strategy for treatment of T1D.


2020 ◽  
Vol 318 (1) ◽  
pp. G1-G9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Jacobson ◽  
Kiedo Wienholts ◽  
Ashley J. Williamson ◽  
Sara Gaines ◽  
Sanjiv Hyoju ◽  
...  

Perforations, anastomotic leak, and subsequent intra-abdominal sepsis are among the most common and feared complications of invasive interventions in the colon and remaining intestinal tract. During physiological healing, tissue protease activity is finely orchestrated to maintain the strength and integrity of the submucosa collagen layer in the wound. We (Shogan, BD et al. Sci Trans Med 7: 286ra68, 2015.) have previously demonstrated in both mice and humans that the commensal microbe Enterococcus faecalis selectively colonizes wounded colonic tissues and disrupts the healing process by amplifying collagenolytic matrix-metalloprotease activity toward excessive degradation. Here, we demonstrate for the first time, to our knowledge, a novel collagenolytic virulence mechanism by which E. faecalis is able to bind and locally activate the human fibrinolytic protease plasminogen (PLG), a protein present in high concentrations in healing colonic tissue. E. faecalis-mediated PLG activation leads to supraphysiological collagen degradation; in this study, we demonstrate this concept both in vitro and in vivo. This pathoadaptive response can be mitigated with the PLG inhibitor tranexamic acid (TXA) in a fashion that prevents clinically significant complications in validated murine models of both E. faecalis- and Pseudomonas aeruginosa-mediated colonic perforation. TXA has a proven clinical safety record and is Food and Drug Administration approved for topical application in invasive procedures, albeit for the prevention of bleeding rather than infection. As such, the novel pharmacological effect described in this study may be translatable to clinical trials for the prevention of infectious complications in colonic healing. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This paper presents a novel mechanism for virulence in a commensal gut microbe that exploits the human fibrinolytic system and its principle protease, plasminogen. This mechanism is targetable by safe and effective nonantibiotic small molecules for the prevention of infectious complications in the healing gut.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 868
Author(s):  
Fabiana Albani Zambuzi ◽  
Priscilla Mariane Cardoso-Silva ◽  
Ricardo Cardoso Castro ◽  
Caroline Fontanari ◽  
Flavio da Silva Emery ◽  
...  

Decitabine is an approved hypomethylating agent used for treating hematological malignancies. Although decitabine targets altered cells, epidrugs can trigger immunomodulatory effects, reinforcing the hypothesis of immunoregulation in treated patients. We therefore aimed to evaluate the impact of decitabine treatment on the phenotype and functions of monocytes and macrophages, which are pivotal cells of the innate immunity system. In vitro decitabine administration increased bacterial phagocytosis and IL-8 release, but impaired microbicidal activity of monocytes. In addition, during monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation, treatment promoted the M2-like profile, with increased expression of CD206 and ALOX15. Macrophages also demonstrated reduced infection control when exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro. However, cytokine production remained unchanged, indicating an atypical M2 macrophage. Furthermore, when macrophages were cocultured with lymphocytes, decitabine induced a reduction in the release of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, maintaining IL-10 production, suggesting that decitabine could potentialize M2 polarization and might be considered as a therapeutic against the exacerbated immune response.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Jo Rademacher ◽  
Anahi Cruz ◽  
Mary Faber ◽  
Robyn A. A. Oldham ◽  
Dandan Wang ◽  
...  

AbstractInterleukin-12 (IL-12) is an inflammatory cytokine that has demonstrated efficacy for cancer immunotherapy, but systemic administration has detrimental toxicities. Lentiviral transduction eliciting IL-12-producing human sarcoma for autologous reintroduction provides localized delivery for both innate and adaptive immune response augmentation. Sarcoma cell lines and primary human sarcoma samples were transduced with recombinant lentivirus engineering expression of human IL-12 (hu-IL-12). IL-12 expressing sarcomas were assessed in vitro and in vivo following implantation into humanized NSG and transgenic human IL-15 expressing (NSG.Tg(Hu-IL-15)) murine models. Lentiviral transduction (LV/hu-IL-12) of human osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines, as well as low-passage primary human sarcomas, engendered high-level expression of hu-IL-12. Hu-IL-12 demonstrated functional viability, eliciting specific NK cell-mediated interferon-γ (IFN-γ) release and cytotoxic growth restriction of spheroids in vitro. In orthotopic xenograft murine models, the LV/hu-IL-12 transduced human sarcoma produced detectable IL-12 and elicited an IFN-γ inflammatory immune response specific to mature human NK reconstitution in the NSG.Tg(Hu-IL-15) model while restricting tumor growth. We conclude that LV/hu-IL-12 transduction of sarcoma elicits a specific immune reaction and the humanized NSG.Tg(Hu-IL-15) xenograft, with mature human NK cells, can define in vivo anti-tumor effects and systemic toxicities. IL-12 immunomodulation through autologous tumor transduction and reintroduction merits exploration for sarcoma treatment.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Shelby Shrigley ◽  
Fredrik Nilsson ◽  
Bengt Mattsson ◽  
Alessandro Fiorenzano ◽  
Janitha Mudannayake ◽  
...  

Background: Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have been proposed as an alternative source for cell replacement therapy for Parkinson’s disease (PD) and they provide the option of using the patient’s own cells. A few studies have investigated transplantation of patient-derived dopaminergic (DA) neurons in preclinical models; however, little is known about the long-term integrity and function of grafts derived from patients with PD. Objective: To assess the viability and function of DA neuron grafts derived from a patient hiPSC line with an α-synuclein gene triplication (AST18), using a clinical grade human embryonic stem cell (hESC) line (RC17) as a reference control. Methods: Cells were differentiated into ventral mesencephalic (VM)-patterned DA progenitors using an established GMP protocol. The progenitors were then either terminally differentiated to mature DA neurons in vitro or transplanted into 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned rats and their survival, maturation, function, and propensity to develop α-synuclein related pathology, were assessed in vivo. Results: Both cell lines generated functional neurons with DA properties in vitro. AST18-derived VM progenitor cells survived transplantation and matured into neuron-rich grafts similar to the RC17 cells. After 24 weeks, both cell lines produced DA-rich grafts that mediated full functional recovery; however, pathological changes were only observed in grafts derived from the α-synuclein triplication patient line. Conclusion: This data shows proof-of-principle for survival and functional recovery with familial PD patient-derived cells in the 6-OHDA model of PD. However, signs of slowly developing pathology warrants further investigation before use of autologous grafts in patients.


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