Project description:Human iPSCs and NSCs were engineered by AAVS1 and/or C13 safe-harbor TALENs which mediated targeted integration of various reporter genes at single or dual safe-harbor loci. Multiple clones of targeted human iPSCs were used to compare with parental untargeted NCRM5 iPSCs. Polyclonal targeted human NSCs were used to compare with their parental untargeted NCRM1NSCs or H9NSCs. Total RNA obtained from targeted human iPSCs or NSCs compared to untargeted control iPSCs or NSCs.
Project description:Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) can be derived in large numbers from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) for producing tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs). However, hiPSC-derived TEVGs are hampered by low mechanical strength and significant radial dilation after implantation. Here, we report generation of hiPSC-derived TEVGs with mechanical strength comparable to native vessels used in arterial bypass grafts by utilizing biodegradable scaffolds, incremental pulsatile stretching, and optimal culture conditions. Following implantation into a rat aortic model, hiPSC-derived TEVGs show excellent patency without luminal dilation and effectively maintain mechanical and contractile function. This study provides a foundation for future production of non-immunogenic, cellularized hiPSC-derived TEVGs composed of allogenic vascular cells, potentially serving needs to a considerable number of patients whose dysfunctional vascular cells preclude TEVG generation via other methods.
Project description:Human iPSCs and NSCs were engineered by AAVS1 and/or C13 safe-harbor TALENs which mediated targeted integration of various reporter genes at single or dual safe-harbor loci. Multiple clones of targeted human iPSCs were used to compare with parental untargeted NCRM5 iPSCs. Polyclonal targeted human NSCs were used to compare with their parental untargeted NCRM1NSCs or H9NSCs.
Project description:Albeit vascular prostheses for the replacement of large arteries (e.g. aorta) are commercially available for decades, small-diameter vascular grafts (e.g., for coronary artery bypass graft surgery) still remain an unmet clinical need. Biostable polymers commonly used for the fabrication of aortic prostheses (e.g., poly(ethylene terephthalate) or expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene)) have insufficient haemocompatibility to withstand thrombosis at low blood flow characteristic of small arteries (e.g., coronary artery). Hence, researchers endeavor to develop a biodegradable, tissue-engineered vascular graft (TEVG) to avoid the use of autologous blood vessels, such as saphenous vein or internal mammary artery, as conduits during the bypass surgery. Although a number of promising prototypes have been designed to date, none of them passed the pre-clinical trials successfully. Implantation into the ovine or porcine arteries is associated with thrombosis, neointimal hyperplasia, and aneurysms within one-year postoperation, precluding further clinical translation of TEVGs. Among the reasons of such impediment is that pathophysiology of TEVG implantation remains unclear and the molecular events occurring in the TEVG upon its implantation have not been properly investigated hitherto. Here, we for the first time performed a proteomic profiling of the TEVGs (n = 12) implanted into the ovine carotid arteries for one year and suffered from thrombosis to identify the signatures of TEVG failure in an unbiased manner. Contralateral intact ovine carotid arteries (n = 12) have been selected as a control group.
Project description:We constructed a clinical-grade haplobank of 27 induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) lines prepared in accordance with good manufacturing practice regulations from seven donors who were homozygous for one of the four most frequent human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-haplotypes in Japan. The haplobank could provide HLA-matched iPSCs lines to ~40% of the Japanese population. Since the first release in 2015, these iPSC lines have been used in more than 12 clinical studies. We performed rigorous quality control (QC) tests, including residual episomal vectors, genetic mutations in cancer-related genes, copy number alterations, karyotype, expression of markers of the undifferentiated state, morphology, identity (HLA typing and short tandem repeat analysis), sterility and endotoxin. Although the significance of most mutations in cancer-related genes is unknown, we excluded iPSC lines with such mutations to maximize the safety. The haplobank we have established here is an important step toward the clinical application of iPSCs in cell therapies.
Project description:To study immune responses in the context of human allogeneic graft rejection, we chose the Hu-PBL-NSG-MHCnull humanized mouse (Brehm et al., 2019). NOD-scid IL-2 receptor subunit γ (IL2rg)null (NSG) immunocompromised mice that lack murine MHC class I and II, were transplanted (under the kidney capsule, n=12) with 5M SC-islets (HLA-A2 positive), followed by human PBMC injection (termed ‘hPi-mice’; 50M/mouse, n=6) from healthy unmatched donors (HLA-A2 negative). The lack of murine MHC allowed us to monitor the graft function for prolonged durations without the risk of xenogeneic graft vs host disease (GVHD). Half of the SC-islet transplanted cohort (n=6 mice) was used as the control, without PBMC injection (Figure 1A). Since graft elimination by PBMCs is incomplete and residual endocrine cells remain in the hPi-mice grafts, we retrieved the SC-islet grafts for single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis. These samples, along with pre-injected PBMCs as controls, were used for 10x Genomics mRNA expression library preparation and Illumina sequencing.
Project description:Because of inherent differences between deceased donor (DD) and living donor (LD) liver grafts, we hypothesize that the molecular signatures will be unique, correlating with specific biologic pathways and clinical patterns. Following reperfusion, 579 genes in DD grafts and 1324 genes in LDs were differentially expressed (p<0.005). Many up-regulated LD genes were related to regeneration, biosynthesis and cell cycle, and a large number of down-regulated genes were linked to hepatic metabolism and energy pathways correlating with post-transplant clinical laboratory findings. There was significant up-regulation of inflammatory/immune genes in both DD and LD, each with a distinct pattern. Gene expression patterns of select genes associated with inflammation and regeneration in LD and DD grafts correlated with protein expression. Unique patterns of early gene expression are seen in LD and DD liver grafts, correlating with protein expression and clinical results, demonstrating distinct inflammatory profiles and significant down-regulation of metabolic pathways in LD grafts. Experiment Overall Design: Microarray profiles of 63 biopsies in 13 DD and 8 LD liver grafts done at serial time points (procurement - No Manipulation, backbench - Cold Preservation, and 1-hour post-reperfusion - Post reperfusion) were compared between groups using class comparisons, network and biological function analyses. Specific genes were validated by quantitative PCR and immunopathology. Clinical findings were also compared.
Project description:Confirmation of the nuclease acivities at the On- and Off-target sites; Hemophilia A (HA) is caused by genetic mutations in the blood coagulation factor VIII (FVIII). Genome editing approaches can be used to target the mutated site itself in patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). However, these approaches can be hampered by difficulty preparing thousands of editing platforms for each corresponding variant found in HA patients. Here, we report a universal approach to correct the various mutations in HA patient iPSCs by the targeted insertion of the FVIII gene into the human H11 site via CRISPR/Cas9. We derived corrected clones from two types of patient iPSCs with frequencies of up to 64% and 66%, respectively, without detectable unwanted off-target mutations. Moreover, we demonstrated that endothelial cells differentiated from the corrected iPSCs successfully secreted functional protein in vitro and functionally rescued the disease phenotype in vivo. This strategy may provide a universal therapeutic method for correcting all genetic variants found in HA patients.
Project description:Because of inherent differences between deceased donor (DD) and living donor (LD) liver grafts, we hypothesize that the molecular signatures will be unique, correlating with specific biologic pathways and clinical patterns. Following reperfusion, 579 genes in DD grafts and 1324 genes in LDs were differentially expressed (p<0.005). Many up-regulated LD genes were related to regeneration, biosynthesis and cell cycle, and a large number of down-regulated genes were linked to hepatic metabolism and energy pathways correlating with post-transplant clinical laboratory findings. There was significant up-regulation of inflammatory/immune genes in both DD and LD, each with a distinct pattern. Gene expression patterns of select genes associated with inflammation and regeneration in LD and DD grafts correlated with protein expression. Unique patterns of early gene expression are seen in LD and DD liver grafts, correlating with protein expression and clinical results, demonstrating distinct inflammatory profiles and significant down-regulation of metabolic pathways in LD grafts. Keywords: liver transplantation, live donor transplantation, liver regeneration, microarrays, mRNA expression, reperfusion injury