scholarly journals Guided Self-Assembly of ES-Derived Lung Progenitors into Biomimetic Tube Structures That Impact Cell Differentiation

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 209
Author(s):  
John P. Soleas ◽  
Linwen Huang ◽  
Elisa D’Arcangelo ◽  
Maria Cristina Nostro ◽  
Thomas K. Waddell ◽  
...  

Chemically directed differentiation of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) into defined cell types is a potent strategy for creating regenerative tissue models and cell therapies. In vitro observations suggest that physical cues can augment directed differentiation. We recently demonstrated that confining human PSC-derived lung progenitor cells in a tube with a diameter that mimics those observed during lung development results in the alteration of cell differentiation towards SOX2−SOX9+ lung cells. Here we set out to assess the robustness of this geometric confinement effect with respect to different culture parameters in order to explore the corresponding changes in cell morphometry and determine the feasibility of using such an approach to enhance directed differentiation protocols. Culture of progenitor cells in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) tubes reliably induced self-organization into tube structures and was insensitive to a variety of extracellular matrix coatings. Cellular morphology and differentiation status were found to be sensitive to the diameter of tube cells that were cultured within but not to seeding density. These data suggest that geometric cues impose constraints on cells, homogenize cellular morphology, and influence fate status.

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tereza Filipi ◽  
Zuzana Hermanova ◽  
Jana Tureckova ◽  
Ondrej Vanatko ◽  
Miroslava Anderova

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurological disease, which is characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons in the motor cortex and the spinal cord and subsequently by muscle atrophy. To date, numerous gene mutations have been linked to both sporadic and familial ALS, but the effort of many experimental groups to develop a suitable therapy has not, as of yet, proven successful. The original focus was on the degenerating motor neurons, when researchers tried to understand the pathological mechanisms that cause their slow death. However, it was soon discovered that ALS is a complicated and diverse pathology, where not only neurons, but also other cell types, play a crucial role via the so-called non-cell autonomous effect, which strongly deteriorates neuronal conditions. Subsequently, variable glia-based in vitro and in vivo models of ALS were established and used for brand-new experimental and clinical approaches. Such a shift towards glia soon bore its fruit in the form of several clinical studies, which more or less successfully tried to ward the unfavourable prognosis of ALS progression off. In this review, we aimed to summarize current knowledge regarding the involvement of each glial cell type in the progression of ALS, currently available treatments, and to provide an overview of diverse clinical trials covering pharmacological approaches, gene, and cell therapies.


Blood ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 88 (7) ◽  
pp. 2541-2548 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Herbst ◽  
G Kohler ◽  
A Mackensen ◽  
H Veelken ◽  
P Kulmburg ◽  
...  

We have demonstrated recently that Birbeck granule-positive Langerhans cells (LC) can be derived from CD34+ peripheral blood progenitor cells in the presence of a seven-cytokine cocktail (CC7–7). Here, we show that the sequential use of early-acting hematopoietic growth factors, stem cell factor, interleukin (IL)-3, and IL-6, followed on day 8 by differentiation in the two-factor combination IL-4 plus granulocytemacrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) (CC4GM) is more efficient and allows the cells to be arrested in the LC stage for more than 1 week while continuous maturation occurs in CC7–7. Maturation of LC to interdigitating dendritic cells (DC) could specifically be induced within 60 hours by addition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (20 ng/mL) or lipopolysaccharide (100 ng/mL). Using LC that had been enriched to greater than 90% CD1a+ cells by an immunoaffinity column, we were able to define clear-cut differences between LC and DC that corroborate data of the respective cells derived from epithelial borders (LC) or from lymph nodes (LN) and spleen (DC). Thus, molecules and functions involved in antigen (AG) uptake and processing were highly expressed in LC, while those involved in AG presentation were at maximum in DC. LC were CD1a+2 DR+2, CD23+, CD36+, CD80-, CD86-, and CD25-, while DC were CD1a+/- DR+3, CD23-, CD36-, CD80+, CD86+2, and CD25+, CD40 and CD32 were moderately expressed and nearly unchanged on maturation, in contrast to monocyte-derived DC. Macropinocytosis of fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran was dominant in LC, as were multilamellar major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II compartments (MIICs), which were detected by electron microscopy. The functional dichotomy of these cell types was finally supported by testing the AG-presenting cell function for tetanus toxoid to primed autologous T-cell lines, which was optimal when cells were loaded with AG as LC and subsequently induced to become DC.


Blood ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 1048-1054 ◽  
Author(s):  
JT Prchal ◽  
AJ Carroll ◽  
JF Prchal ◽  
WM Crist ◽  
HW Skalka ◽  
...  

Abstract A family in which two male siblings were affected with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) was studied using G-6-PD isoenzymes as an X-linked marker in order to investigate the nature of cellular abnormalities. Isolated peripheral blood cell types from the doubly heterozygous mother of the affected males seemingly failed to express the G-6-PD allele in cis position with the WAS allele while her cultured skin fibroblasts expressed both G-6-PD alleles. Additionally, a histogram analysis of platelet size revealed a single population of abnormally small platelets in the affected propositus, whereas the heterozygous mother had no appreciable small platelet subpopulation. In vitro culture of hemopoietic progenitor cells of the heterozygous mother showed that the majority of progenitor cells did not express the WAS allele. However, a small number of cells expressing the G-6-PD type linked with the WAS allele were detected. The proportion of the latter progenitors was significantly higher among more primitive progenitors (those giving rise to later appearing colonies). This observation suggests that selection against cells expressing the Wiskott-Aldrich defect takes place in the hemopoietic system of the heterozygous female and offers a possible means of carrier detection in some women. Linkage studies in this family revealed one example of probable recombination between the loci for WAS and G-6-PD among three informative subjects, suggesting that these two loci may not be closely linked on the X- chromosome.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Divya S. Varghese ◽  
Shama Parween ◽  
Mustafa T. Ardah ◽  
Bright Starling Emerald ◽  
Suraiya A. Ansari

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are being used extensively in array of studies to understand different mechanisms such as early human embryogenesis, drug toxicity testing, disease modeling, and cell replacement therapy. The protocols for the directed differentiation of hESCs towards specific cell types often require long-term cell cultures. To avoid bacterial contamination, these protocols include addition of antibiotics such as pen-strep and gentamicin. Although aminoglycosides, streptomycin, and gentamicin have been shown to cause cytotoxicity in various animal models, the effect of these antibiotics on hESCs is not clear. In this study, we found that antibiotics, pen-strep, and gentamicin did not affect hESC cell viability or expression of pluripotency markers. However, during directed differentiation towards neural and hepatic fate, significant cell death was noted through the activation of caspase cascade. Also, the expression of neural progenitor markers Pax6, Emx2, Otx2, and Pou3f2 was significantly reduced suggesting that gentamicin may adversely affect early embryonic neurogenesis whereas no effect was seen on the expression of endoderm or hepatic markers during differentiation. Our results suggest that the use of antibiotics in cell culture media for the maintenance and differentiation of hESCs needs thorough investigation before use to avoid erroneous results.


Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 1491-1491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgitta Mitchell ◽  
Maritza Gonzalez ◽  
Jared Manning ◽  
Gerald J Spangrude

Abstract Abstract 1491 Poster Board I-514 Introduction: A complete understanding of lymphocyte development, particularly factors driving T and natural killer (NK) cell differentiation from progenitor cells, remains an elusive goal in medicine. T and NK cells are key regulators in the defense against infections and malignancies and play a direct causative role in autoimmune diseases and graft-versus-host disease. The OP9-DL1 stromal line is an important tool in the in vitro study of lymphocyte development. Lymphocyte progenitors (KLS,Thy1.1-) harvested from adult murine bone marrow and seeded on this stromal line can be followed through stages of maturation by immunophenotyping. We observed that addition of stem cell factor (SCF), contaminated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) through its production in E. coli, was particularly effective at promoting NK cell development in the OP9-DL1 culture system. Toll-like receptors, an important component of anti-microbial defense by the innate immune response, recognize LPS and other microbial products. Toll-like receptor ligands (TLR-L) have been shown to enhance NK cell proliferation, however an effect on NK cell differentiation from progenitor cells has not been established. A separate set of experiments led us to hypothesize that ascorbic acid (vitamin C) promotes T cell differentiation. We therefore designed experiments to evaluate the differential effects of TLR-L and ascorbic acid on NK and T cell development from lymphoid progenitors co-cultured with OP9-DL1 stromal cells. Methods: Lymphocyte progenitor cells (KLS,Thy1.1-) were sorted from adult mouse bone marrow and 1000-2000 progenitor cells were seeded per well in a 24 well plate coated with OP9-DL1 stroma. Cultures were supplemented with IL-7 (5 ng/ml), Flt3 ligand (5 ng/ml), and SCF (100 ng/ml) plus one of 5 different TLR-L (TLR1/2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5, and a crude LPS preparation that likely contains a number of TLR-L), with or without addition of a stabilized form of ascorbic acid. Cells were passaged, counted and re-seeded with fresh media and supplements twice a week over a 30-day period. Immunophenotype and viability were evaluated by flow cytometry. Markers for T cell development included CD44, CD25, CD3, CD4, CD8, T cell receptor beta chain and T cell receptor gamma-delta chains. NK cells were evaluated for the presence of NKp46, NK1.1, and DX5. Results: We observed robust cell expansion, inhibited somewhat by addition of ascorbic acid. The inhibitory effect of ascorbate on expansion was most pronounced in the culture condition lacking TLR-L. T cell differentiation was markedly advanced by the addition of ascorbic acid in the absence of TLR-L, with the majority of cells co-expressing CD4/CD8 and TCRB/CD3. The addition of different TLR-Ls inhibited T cell differentiation, and this inhibition was partially rescued by addition of ascorbic acid. NK cell differentiation, defined as co-expression of NKp46 and NK1.1, was two to three-fold greater with the addition of TLR1/2, TLR4, TLR5, and crude LPS compared to cultures lacking TLR-L addition. In each of these conditions, NK cell differentiation was markedly inhibited by addition of ascorbic acid. Conclusions: Our data supports the hypothesis that both T and NK cell progenitors require Notch signaling for differentiation. In our in vitro model, differentiation of one lineage at the expense of the other can be manipulated with addition of TLR-L or ascorbic acid. Addition of bacterial TLR-L promotes NK cell differentiation at the expense of T cell differentiation; an effect that is partially overcome with the addition of ascorbic acid. The addition of ascorbic acid promotes robust T cell differentiation, and inhibits significant NK cell differentiation in all conditions. The ability of ascorbic acid to promote T cell differentiation appears to dominate over TLR-L promotion of NK lineage differentiation. Further work will include microarray to evaluate these effects at a genetic level. These findings will contribute to our understanding of the immune response under normal and pathologic conditions, and further a model both for study and ex vivo expansion of immune cells for therapeutic use. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


As part of our attempts to understand principles that underly organism development, we have been studying the development of the rat optic nerve. This simple tissue is composed of three glial cell types derived from two distinct cellular lineages. Type-1 astrocytes appear to be derived from a monopotential neuroepithelial precursor, whereas type-2 astrocytes and oligodendrocytes are derived from a common oligodendrocyte-type-2 astrocyte (O-2A) progenitor cell. Type-1 astrocytes modulate division and differentiation of O-2A progenitor cells through secretion of platelet-derived growth factor, and can themselves be stimulated to divide by peptide mitogens and through stimulation of neurotransmitter receptors. In vitro analysis indicates that many dividing O-2A progenitors derived from optic nerves of perinatal rats differentiate symmetrically and clonally to give rise to oligodendrocytes, or can be induced to differentiate into type-2 astrocytes. O-2A perinatal progenitors can also differentiate to form a further O-2A lineage cell, the O-2A adult progenitor, which has properties specialized for the physiological requirements of the adult nervous system. In particular, O-2A adult progenitors have many of the features of stem cells, in that they divide slowly and asymmetrically and appear to have the capacity for extended self-renewal. The apparent derivation of a slowly and asymmetrically dividing cell, with properties appropriate for homeostatic maintenance of existing populations in the mature animal, from a rapidly dividing cell with properties suitable for the rapid population and myelination of central nervous system (CNS) axon tracts during early development, offers novel and unexpected insights into the possible origin of self-renewing stem cells and also into the role that generation of stem cells may play in helping to terminate the explosive growth of embryogenesis. Moreover, the properties of O-2A adult progenitor cells are consistent with, and may explain, the failure of successful myelin repair in conditions such as multiple sclerosis, and thus seem to provide a cellular biological basis for understanding one of the key features of an important human disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (24) ◽  
pp. 11913
Author(s):  
Benjamin Gantenbein

This Special Issue on intervertebral disc (IVD) regeneration focuses on novel advances in understanding the cell sources and culture conditions of various cell types, i.e., progenitor and IVD cells. The issue consists of seven articles that provide a comprehensive overview of recently applied research insights: (1) into how IVD herniation can be provoked in a controlled in vitro biomechanical testing set-up, (2) how cells can be used for IVD repair, (3) the physiological conditions of IVD cells and (4) how hyaluronic acid could be used for IVD repair, and (5) how nucleus pulposus progenitor cells (NPPCs) and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) shall be cultured and expanded towards a possible cell therapy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yonatan R. Lewis-Israeli ◽  
Aaron H. Wasserman ◽  
Mitchell A. Gabalski ◽  
Brett D. Volmert ◽  
Yixuan Ming ◽  
...  

AbstractCongenital heart defects constitute the most common human birth defect, however understanding of how these disorders originate is limited by our ability to model the human heart accurately in vitro. Here we report a method to generate developmentally relevant human heart organoids by self-assembly using human pluripotent stem cells. Our procedure is fully defined, efficient, reproducible, and compatible with high-content approaches. Organoids are generated through a three-step Wnt signaling modulation strategy using chemical inhibitors and growth factors. Heart organoids are comparable to age-matched human fetal cardiac tissues at the transcriptomic, structural, and cellular level. They develop sophisticated internal chambers with well-organized multi-lineage cardiac cell types, recapitulate heart field formation and atrioventricular specification, develop a complex vasculature, and exhibit robust functional activity. We also show that our organoid platform can recreate complex metabolic disorders associated with congenital heart defects, as demonstrated by an in vitro model of pregestational diabetes-induced congenital heart defects.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uwe Marx ◽  
Enrico Accastelli ◽  
Rhiannon David ◽  
Hendrik Erfurth ◽  
Leopold Koenig ◽  
...  

The first concepts for reproducing human systemic organismal biology in vitro were developed over 12 years ago. Such concepts, then called human- or body-on-a-chip, claimed that microphysiological systems would become the relevant technology platform emulating the physiology and morphology of human organisms at the smallest biologically acceptable scale in vitro and, therefore, would enable the selection of personalized therapies for any patient at unprecedented precision. Meanwhile, the first human organoids—stem cell-derived complex three-dimensional organ models that expand and self-organize in vitro—have proven that in vitro self-assembly of minute premature human organ-like structures is feasible, once the respective stimuli of ontogenesis are provided to human stem cells. Such premature organoids can precisely reflect a number of distinct physiological and pathophysiological features of their respective counterparts in the human body. We now develop the human-on-a-chip concepts of the past into an organismoid theory. We describe the current concept and principles to create a series of organismoids—minute, mindless and emotion-free physiological in vitro equivalents of an individual's mature human body—by an artificially short process of morphogenetic self-assembly mimicking an individual's ontogenesis from egg cell to sexually mature organism. Subsequently, we provide the concept and principles to maintain such an individual's set of organismoids at a self-sustained functional healthy homeostasis over very long time frames in vitro. Principles how to perturb a subset of healthy organismoids by means of the natural or artificial induction of diseases are enrolled to emulate an individual's disease process. Finally, we discuss using such series of healthy and perturbed organismoids in predictively selecting, scheduling and dosing an individual patient's personalized therapy or medicine precisely. The potential impact of the organismoid theory on our healthcare system generally and the rapid adoption of disruptive personalized T-cell therapies particularly is highlighted.


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