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Gorelova M, Rysankova K, Donin G, Kneppo P, Rogalewicz V. Comparison of Elicitation Approaches in Early Stage HTA Applied on Artificial Thymus for Patients with DiGeorge Syndrome. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:3002. [PMID: 37998494 PMCID: PMC10671534 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11223002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper focuses on research in expert elicitation as a part of the early stage health technology assessment (eHTA). The current state of affairs is analysed and two elicitation approaches are compared-the four fixed intervals method and the histogram method-as applied to an example of early assessment of clinical effectiveness of artificial thymus for patients with DiGeorge syndrome. A survey was carried out consisting of four questions concerning the topic, with the aim to apply the elicitation methods. Eight experts answered the questions using both elicitation methods. Based on their answers, the methods were compared visually and by means of statistical tests. In order to compare the perception of the two elicitation methods, the survey also included questions regarding the experts' subjective preferences. The results of the comparison of the two elicitation approaches did not clearly confirm which method was more beneficial and better; however, it was possible to indicate which of the two methods is better suited for different types of experts. Before selecting an elicitation method as a part of eHTA, it is advisable to effectively consider the technology to be assessed and the type of experts to be invited to share their opinion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Gorelova
- Department of Biomedical Technology, Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, 272 01 Kladno, Czech Republic
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2
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Silva CS, Kundu B, Gomes JM, Fernandes EM, Reis RL, Kundu SC, Martins A, Neves NM. Development of bilayered porous silk scaffolds for thymus bioengineering. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2023; 147:213320. [PMID: 36739783 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The thymus coordinates the development and selection of T cells. It is structured into two main compartments: the cortex and the medulla. The replication of such complex 3D environment has been challenged by bioengineering approaches. Nevertheless, the effect of the scaffold microstructure on thymic epithelial cell (TEC) cultures has not been deeply investigated. Here, we developed bilayered porous silk fibroin scaffolds and tested their effect on TEC co-cultures. The small and large pore scaffolds presented a mean pore size of 84.33 ± 21.51 μm and 194.90 ± 61.38 μm, respectively. The highly porous bilayered scaffolds presented a high water absorption and water content (> 94 %), together with mechanical properties in the range of the native tissue. TEC (i.e., medullary (mTEC) and cortical (cTEC) cell lines) proliferation is increased in scaffolds with larger pores. The co-culture of both TEC lines in the bilayered porous silk scaffolds presents enhanced cell proliferation and metabolic activity when compared with mTEC in single culture. Also, when the co-culture occurred with cTEC in the small pores layer and mTEC in the large pores layer, a 9.2- and 18.9-fold increase in Foxn1 and Icam1 gene expression in cTEC is evident. These results suggest that scaffold microstructure and the co-culture influence TEC's behaviour. Bilayered silk scaffolds with adjusted microstructure are a valid alternative for TEC culture, having possible applications in advanced thymus bioengineering strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina S Silva
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Banani Kundu
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Joana M Gomes
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Emanuel M Fernandes
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Rui L Reis
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Subhas C Kundu
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Albino Martins
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Nuno M Neves
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs-Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
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3
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Hino C, Xu Y, Xiao J, Baylink DJ, Reeves ME, Cao H. The potential role of the thymus in immunotherapies for acute myeloid leukemia. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1102517. [PMID: 36814919 PMCID: PMC9940763 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1102517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the factors which shape T-lymphocyte immunity is critical for the development and application of future immunotherapeutic strategies in treating hematological malignancies. The thymus, a specialized central lymphoid organ, plays important roles in generating a diverse T lymphocyte repertoire during the infantile and juvenile stages of humans. However, age-associated thymic involution and diseases or treatment associated injury result in a decline in its continuous role in the maintenance of T cell-mediated anti-tumor/virus immunity. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy that mainly affects older adults, and the disease's progression is known to consist of an impaired immune surveillance including a reduction in naïve T cell output, a restriction in T cell receptor repertoire, and an increase in frequencies of regulatory T cells. As one of the most successful immunotherapies thus far developed for malignancy, T-cell-based adoptive cell therapies could be essential for the development of a durable effective treatment to eliminate residue leukemic cells (blasts) and prevent AML relapse. Thus, a detailed cellular and molecular landscape of how the adult thymus functions within the context of the AML microenvironment will provide new insights into both the immune-related pathogenesis and the regeneration of a functional immune system against leukemia in AML patients. Herein, we review the available evidence supporting the potential correlation between thymic dysfunction and T-lymphocyte impairment with the ontogeny of AML (II-VI). We then discuss how the thymus could impact current and future therapeutic approaches in AML (VII). Finally, we review various strategies to rejuvenate thymic function to improve the precision and efficacy of cancer immunotherapy (VIII).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Hino
- Department of Internal Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Yi Xu
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States.,Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States.,Loma Linda University Cancer Center, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Jeffrey Xiao
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - David J Baylink
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Mark E Reeves
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States.,Loma Linda University Cancer Center, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Huynh Cao
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States.,Loma Linda University Cancer Center, Loma Linda, CA, United States
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4
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Lagou MK, Anastasiadou DP, Karagiannis GS. A Proposed Link Between Acute Thymic Involution and Late Adverse Effects of Chemotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:933547. [PMID: 35844592 PMCID: PMC9283860 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.933547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiologic data suggest that cancer survivors tend to develop a protuberant number of adverse late effects, including second primary malignancies (SPM), as a result of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Besides the genotoxic potential of these drugs that directly inflict mutational burden on genomic DNA, the precise mechanisms contributing to SPM development are poorly understood. Cancer is nowadays perceived as a complex process that goes beyond the concept of genetic disease and includes tumor cell interactions with complex stromal and immune cell microenvironments. The cancer immunoediting theory offers an explanation for the development of nascent neoplastic cells. Briefly, the theory suggests that newly emerging tumor cells are mostly eliminated by an effective tissue immunosurveillance, but certain tumor variants may occasionally escape innate and adaptive mechanisms of immunological destruction, entering an equilibrium phase, where immunologic tumor cell death "equals" new tumor cell birth. Subsequent microenvironmental pressures and accumulation of helpful mutations in certain variants may lead to escape from the equilibrium phase, and eventually cause an overt neoplasm. Cancer immunoediting functions as a dedicated sentinel under the auspice of a highly competent immune system. This perspective offers the fresh insight that chemotherapy-induced thymic involution, which is characterized by the extensive obliteration of the sensitive thymic epithelial cell (TEC) compartment, can cause long-term defects in thymopoiesis and in establishment of diverse T cell receptor repertoires and peripheral T cell pools of cancer survivors. Such delayed recovery of T cell adaptive immunity may result in prolonged hijacking of the cancer immunoediting mechanisms, and lead to development of persistent and mortal infections, inflammatory disorders, organ-specific autoimmunity lesions, and SPMs. Acknowledging that chemotherapy-induced thymic involution is a potential risk factor for the emergence of SPM demarcates new avenues for the rationalized development of pharmacologic interventions to promote thymic regeneration in patients receiving cytoreductive chemotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria K. Lagou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Dimitra P. Anastasiadou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - George S. Karagiannis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Program, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, United States
- Cancer Dormancy and Tumor Microenvironment Institute, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Bronx, NY, United States
- Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
- Integrated Imaging Program, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
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5
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Shichkin VP, Antica M. Key Factors for Thymic Function and Development. Front Immunol 2022; 13:926516. [PMID: 35844535 PMCID: PMC9280625 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.926516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is the organ responsible for T cell development and the formation of the adaptive immunity function. Its multicellular environment consists mainly of the different stromal cells and maturing T lymphocytes. Thymus-specific progenitors of epithelial, mesenchymal, and lymphoid cells with stem cell properties represent only minor populations. The thymic stromal structure predominantly determines the function of the thymus. The stromal components, mostly epithelial and mesenchymal cells, form this specialized area. They support the consistent developmental program of functionally distinct conventional T cell subpopulations. These include the MHC restricted single positive CD4+ CD8- and CD4- CD8+ cells, regulatory T lymphocytes (Foxp3+), innate natural killer T cells (iNKT), and γδT cells. Several physiological causes comprising stress and aging and medical treatments such as thymectomy and chemo/radiotherapy can harm the thymus function. The present review summarizes our knowledge of the development and function of the thymus with a focus on thymic epithelial cells as well as other stromal components and the signaling and transcriptional pathways underlying the thymic cell interaction. These critical thymus components are significant for T cell differentiation and restoring the thymic function after damage to reach the therapeutic benefits.
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6
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Bhalla P, Su DM, van Oers NSC. Thymus Functionality Needs More Than a Few TECs. Front Immunol 2022; 13:864777. [PMID: 35757725 PMCID: PMC9229346 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.864777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus, a primary lymphoid organ, produces the T cells of the immune system. Originating from the 3rd pharyngeal pouch during embryogenesis, this organ functions throughout life. Yet, thymopoiesis can be transiently or permanently damaged contingent on the types of systemic stresses encountered. The thymus also undergoes a functional decline during aging, resulting in a progressive reduction in naïve T cell output. This atrophy is evidenced by a deteriorating thymic microenvironment, including, but not limited, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions, fibrosis and adipogenesis. An exploration of cellular changes in the thymus at various stages of life, including mouse models of in-born errors of immunity and with single cell RNA sequencing, is revealing an expanding number of distinct cell types influencing thymus functions. The thymus microenvironment, established through interactions between immature and mature thymocytes with thymus epithelial cells (TEC), is well known. Less well appreciated are the contributions of neural crest cell-derived mesenchymal cells, endothelial cells, diverse hematopoietic cell populations, adipocytes, and fibroblasts in the thymic microenvironment. In the current review, we will explore the contributions of the many stromal cell types participating in the formation, expansion, and contraction of the thymus under normal and pathophysiological processes. Such information will better inform approaches for restoring thymus functionality, including thymus organoid technologies, beneficial when an individuals’ own tissue is congenitally, clinically, or accidentally rendered non-functional.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratibha Bhalla
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Dong-Ming Su
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Genetics, The University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, Fort Worth, TX, United States
| | - Nicolai S C van Oers
- Department of Immunology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.,Department of Microbiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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7
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Badr El-Din NK, Othman AI, Amer ME, Ghoneum M. Thymax, a gross thymic extract, exerts cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in vivo. Heliyon 2022; 8:e09047. [PMID: 35299600 PMCID: PMC8920936 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymax is a gross thymic extract that has been shown to induce apoptosis in vitro for human breast cancer cells. Here we examine Thymax's ability to induce apoptosis in animals bearing Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). Thymax was administered six days/week orally to mice (5.45 mg/kg body weight) beginning either 14 days prior to EAC inoculation or 9 days post inoculation; treatment continued for 30 days post inoculation. Pretreatment of mice with Thymax markedly delayed tumor growth and reduced tumor incidence by 38.9%, and tumor volumes relative to untreated controls were suppressed by 90.5% and 55.0% for pre- and post-inoculation groups, respectively. Treatment with Thymax inhibited cellular proliferation by decreasing the expression of tumor markers Ki-67, PCNA, and Cyclin D1 in cancer cells and increasing the expression of p21 and p27. This was associated with the ability of Thymax to arrest the cell cycle of EAC cells in the G0/G1 phase and to induce apoptosis, as indicated by a significant increase in the sub-G1 phase's percentage of hypodiploid cells and further affirmed by DNA fragmentation and Annexin V/propidium iodide staining. In addition, Thymax exerted its apoptotic effect in EAC cancer cells through a mitochondrial-dependent pathway, as evidenced by an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, up-regulation of p53 expression, and activation of caspase-3. We conclude that Thymax supplementation enhances tumor cell demise by arresting the cell cycle and inducing apoptosis. These data suggest that Thymax could be a new adjuvant for breast cancer treatment.
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8
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Liu Y, Yan X, Zhang F, Zhang X, Tang F, Han Z, Li Y. TCR-T Immunotherapy: The Challenges and Solutions. Front Oncol 2022; 11:794183. [PMID: 35145905 PMCID: PMC8822241 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.794183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell receptor-engineered T cell (TCR-T) therapy is free from the limit of surface antigen expression of the target cells, which is a potential cellular immunotherapy for cancer treatment. Significant advances in the treatment of hematologic malignancies with cellular immunotherapy have aroused the interest of researchers in the treatment of solid tumors. Nevertheless, the overall efficacy of TCR-T cell immunotherapy in solid tumors was not significantly high when compared with hematological malignancies. In this article, we pay attention to the barriers of TCR-T cell immunotherapy for solid tumors, as well as the strategies affecting the efficacy of TCR-T cell immunotherapy. To provide some reference for researchers to better overcome the impact of TCR-T cell efficiency in solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yating Liu
- Department of Oncology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xin Yan
- Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxia Zhang
- Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Futian Tang
- Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhijian Han
- Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yumin Li
- Key Laboratory of the Digestive System Tumors of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Yumin Li,
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9
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Haunerdinger V, Moccia MD, Opitz L, Vavassori S, Dave H, Hauri-Hohl MM. Novel Combination of Surface Markers for the Reliable and Comprehensive Identification of Human Thymic Epithelial Cells by Flow Cytometry: Quantitation and Transcriptional Characterization of Thymic Stroma in a Pediatric Cohort. Front Immunol 2021; 12:740047. [PMID: 34659232 PMCID: PMC8514761 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.740047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are essential in supporting the development of mature T cells from hematopoietic progenitor cells and facilitate their lineage-commitment, proliferation, T-cell receptor repertoire selection and maturation. While animal model systems have greatly aided in elucidating the contribution of stromal cells to these intricate processes, human tissue has been more difficult to study, partly due to a lack of suitable surface markers comprehensively defining human TECs. Here, we conducted a flow cytometry based surface marker screen to reliably identify and quantify human TECs and delineate medullary from cortical subsets. These findings were validated by transcriptomic and histologic means. The combination of EpCAM, podoplanin (pdpn), CD49f and CD200 comprehensively identified human TECs and not only allowed their reliable distinction in medullary and cortical subsets but also their detailed quantitation. Transcriptomic profiling of each subset in comparison to fibroblasts and endothelial cells confirmed the identity of the different stromal cell subsets sorted according to the proposed strategy. Our dataset not only demonstrated transcriptional similarities between TEC and cells of mesenchymal origin but furthermore revealed a subset-specific distribution of a specific set of extracellular matrix-related genes in TECs. This indicates that TECs significantly contribute to the distinct compartmentalization - and thus function - of the human thymus. We applied the strategy to quantify TEC subsets in 31 immunologically healthy children, which revealed sex-specific differences of TEC composition early in life. As the distribution of mature CD4- or CD8-single-positive thymocytes was correspondingly altered, the composition of the thymic epithelial compartment may directly impact on the CD4-CD8-lineage choice of thymocytes. We prove that the plain, reliable strategy proposed here to comprehensively identify human TEC subpopulations by flow cytometry based on surface marker expression is suitable to determine their frequency and phenotype in health and disease and allows sorting of live cells for downstream analysis. Its use reaches from a reliable diagnostic tool for thymic biopsies to improved phenotypic characterization of thymic grafts intended for therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Haunerdinger
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maria Domenica Moccia
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lennart Opitz
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefano Vavassori
- Division of Immunology and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Pediatric Immunology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hitendu Dave
- Division of Congenital Cardiovascular Surgery, University Children's Hospital and Children's Research Centre, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mathias M Hauri-Hohl
- Division of Stem Cell Transplantation and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
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10
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Silva CS, Reis RL, Martins A, Neves NM. Recapitulation of Thymic Function by Tissue Engineering Strategies. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2100773. [PMID: 34197034 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202100773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The thymus is responsible for the development and selection of T lymphocytes, which in turn also participate in the maturation of thymic epithelial cells. These events occur through the close interactions between hematopoietic stem cells and developing thymocytes with the thymic stromal cells within an intricate 3D network. The complex thymic microenvironment and function, and the current therapies to induce thymic regeneration or to overcome the lack of a functional thymus are herein reviewed. The recapitulation of the thymic function using tissue engineering strategies has been explored as a way to control the body's tolerance to external grafts and to generate ex vivo T cells for transplantation. In this review, the main advances in the thymus tissue engineering field are disclosed, including both scaffold- and cell-based strategies. In light of the current gaps and limitations of the developed systems, the design of novel biomaterials for this purpose with unique features is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina S. Silva
- 3B's Research Group I3Bs – Research Institute on Biomaterials Biodegradables and Biomimetics University of Minho Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory AvePark, Parque da Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra 4805‐017 Barco Guimarães Portugal
| | - Rui L. Reis
- 3B's Research Group I3Bs – Research Institute on Biomaterials Biodegradables and Biomimetics University of Minho Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory AvePark, Parque da Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra 4805‐017 Barco Guimarães Portugal
| | - Albino Martins
- 3B's Research Group I3Bs – Research Institute on Biomaterials Biodegradables and Biomimetics University of Minho Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory AvePark, Parque da Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra 4805‐017 Barco Guimarães Portugal
| | - Nuno M. Neves
- 3B's Research Group I3Bs – Research Institute on Biomaterials Biodegradables and Biomimetics University of Minho Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory AvePark, Parque da Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra 4805‐017 Barco Guimarães Portugal
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11
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Karachi A, Dastmalchi F, Nazarian S, Huang J, Sayour EJ, Jin L, Yang C, Mitchell DA, Rahman M. Optimizing T Cell-Based Therapy for Glioblastoma. Front Immunol 2021; 12:705580. [PMID: 34421912 PMCID: PMC8374079 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.705580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Evading T cell surveillance is a hallmark of cancer. Patients with solid tissue malignancy, such as glioblastoma (GBM), have multiple forms of immune dysfunction, including defective T cell function. T cell dysfunction is exacerbated by standard treatment strategies such as steroids, chemotherapy, and radiation. Reinvigoration of T cell responses can be achieved by utilizing adoptively transferred T cells, including CAR T cells. However, these cells are at risk for depletion and dysfunction as well. This review will discuss adoptive T cell transfer strategies and methods to avoid T cell dysfunction for the treatment of brain cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida Karachi
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida (UF) Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Farhad Dastmalchi
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida (UF) Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Saina Nazarian
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida (UF) Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Jianping Huang
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida (UF) Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Elias J Sayour
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida (UF) Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Linchun Jin
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida (UF) Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Changlin Yang
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida (UF) Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Duane A Mitchell
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida (UF) Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Maryam Rahman
- Lillian S. Wells Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida (UF) Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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12
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Graft-versus-host disease: a disorder of tissue regeneration and repair. Blood 2021; 138:1657-1665. [PMID: 34370823 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2021011867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Regenerative failure at barrier surfaces and maladaptive repair leading to fibrosis are hallmarks of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Although immunosuppressive treatment can control inflammation, impaired tissue homeostasis leads to prolonged organ damage and impaired quality of life. In this Spotlight article, we review recent research that addresses the critical failures in tissue regeneration and repair that underpin treatment-resistant GVHD. We highlight current interventions designed to overcome these defects and provide our assessment of the future therapeutic landscape.
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13
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Sharma H, Moroni L. Recent Advancements in Regenerative Approaches for Thymus Rejuvenation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2100543. [PMID: 34306981 PMCID: PMC8292900 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202100543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The thymus plays a key role in adaptive immunity by generating a diverse population of T cells that defend the body against pathogens. Various factors from disease and toxic insults contribute to the degeneration of the thymus resulting in a fewer output of T cells. Consequently, the body is prone to a wide host of diseases and infections. In this review, first, the relevance of the thymus is discussed, followed by thymic embryological organogenesis and anatomy as well as the development and functionality of T cells. Attempts to regenerate the thymus include in vitro methods, such as forming thymic organoids aided by biofabrication techniques that are transplantable. Ex vivo methods that have shown promise in enhancing thymic regeneration are also discussed. Current regenerative technologies have not yet matched the complexity and functionality of the thymus. Therefore, emerging techniques that have shown promise and the challenges that lie ahead are explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himal Sharma
- MERLN Institute for Technology‐Inspired Regenerative MedicineDepartment of Complex Tissue RegenerationMaastricht UniversityMaastricht6229 ERNetherlands
| | - Lorenzo Moroni
- MERLN Institute for Technology‐Inspired Regenerative MedicineDepartment of Complex Tissue RegenerationMaastricht UniversityMaastricht6229 ERNetherlands
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14
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Xia T, Du W, Chen X, Zhang Y. Organoid models of the tumor microenvironment and their applications. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:5829-5841. [PMID: 34033245 PMCID: PMC8256354 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A small percentage of data obtained from animal/2D culture models can be translated to humans. Therefore, there is a need to using native tumour microenvironment mimicking models to improve preclinical screening and reduce this attrition rate. For this purpose, currently, the utilization of organoids is expanding. Tumour organoids can recapitulate tumour microenvironment that is including cancer cells and non-neoplastic host components. Indeed, tumour organoids, both phenotypically and genetically, resemble the tumour tissue that originated from it. The unique properties of the tumour microenvironment can significantly affect drug response and cancer progression. In this review, we will discuss about various organoid culture strategies for modelling the tumour immune microenvironment, their applications and advantages in cancer research such as testing cancer immunotherapeutics, developing novel approaches for personalized medicine, testing drug toxicity, drug screening, study cancer initiation and progression, and we will also review the limitations of organoid culture systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Xia
- Department of Gastrointestinal‐Pancreatic SurgeryZhejiang Provincial People’s HospitalPeople’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang ProvinceZhejiang Provincial People’s HospitalPeople’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouChina
| | - Wen‐Lin Du
- Department of Gastrointestinal‐Pancreatic SurgeryZhejiang Provincial People’s HospitalPeople’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology of Zhejiang ProvinceZhejiang Provincial People’s HospitalPeople’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouChina
| | - Xiao‐Yi Chen
- Clinical Research InstituteZhejiang Provincial People’s HospitalPeople’s Hospital of Hangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouChina
| | - You‐Ni Zhang
- Department of Laboratory MedicineTiantai People's HospitalTaizhouChina
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15
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Tao C, Wang D. Tissue Engineering for Mimics and Modulations of Immune Functions. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2100146. [PMID: 33871178 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202100146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
In the field of regenerative medicine, advances in tissue engineering have surpassed the reconstruction of individual tissues or organs and begun to work towards engineering systemic factors such as immune objects and functions. The immune system plays a crucial role in protecting and regulating systemic functions in the human body. Engineered immune tissues and organs have shown potential in recovering dysfunctions and aplasia of the immune system and the evasion from immune-mediated inflammatory responses and rejection elicited by engineered implants from allogeneic or xenogeneic sources are also being pursued to facilitate clinical transplantation of tissue engineered grafts. Here, current progress in tissue engineering to mimic or modulate immune functions is reviewed and elaborated from two perspectives: 1) engineering of immune tissues and organs per se and 2) immune evasion of host immunoinflammatory rejection by tissue-engineered implants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Tao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering City University of Hong Kong 83 Tat Chee Avenue Kowloon Hong Kong SAR China
| | - Dong‐An Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering City University of Hong Kong 83 Tat Chee Avenue Kowloon Hong Kong SAR China
- Karolinska Institute Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine HKSTP Sha Tin Hong Kong SAR China
- Shenzhen Research Institute City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen 518057 P. R. China
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16
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Abraham RS, Butte MJ. The New "Wholly Trinity" in the Diagnosis and Management of Inborn Errors of Immunity. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2021; 9:613-625. [PMID: 33551037 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.11.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The field of immunology has a rich and diverse history, and the study of inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) represents both the "cake" and the "icing on top of the cake," as it has enabled significant advances in our understanding of the human immune system. This explosion of knowledge has been facilitated by a unique partnership, a triumvirate formed by the physician who gathers detailed immunological and clinical phenotypic information from, and shares results with, the patient; the laboratory scientist/immunologist who performs diagnostic testing, as well as advanced functional correlative studies; and the genomics scientist/genetic counselor, who conducts and interprets varied genetic analyses, all of which are essential for dissecting constitutional genetic disorders. Although the basic principles of clinical care have not changed in recent years, the practice of clinical immunology has changed to reflect the prodigious advances in diagnostics, genomics, and therapeutics. An "omic/tics"-centric approach to IEI reflects the tremendous strides made in the field in the new millennium with recognition of new disorders, characterization of the molecular underpinnings, and development and implementation of personalized treatment strategies. This review brings renewed attention to bear on the indispensable "trinity" of phenotypic, genomic, and immunological analyses in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of IEIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshini S Abraham
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio.
| | - Manish J Butte
- Division of Immunology, Allergy, and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Calif.
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17
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Asnaghi MA, Barthlott T, Gullotta F, Strusi V, Amovilli A, Hafen K, Srivastava G, Oertle P, Toni R, Wendt D, Holländer GA, Martin I. Thymus Extracellular Matrix-Derived Scaffolds Support Graft-Resident Thymopoiesis and Long-Term In Vitro Culture of Adult Thymic Epithelial Cells. ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS 2021; 31:2010747. [PMID: 34539304 PMCID: PMC8436951 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202010747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The thymus provides the physiological microenvironment critical for the development of T lymphocytes, the cells that orchestrate the adaptive immune system to generate an antigen-specific response. A diverse population of stroma cells provides surface-bound and soluble molecules that orchestrate the intrathymic maturation and selection of developing T cells. Forming an intricate 3D architecture, thymic epithelial cells (TEC) represent the most abundant and important constituent of the thymic stroma. Effective models for in and ex vivo use of adult TEC are still wanting, limiting the engineering of functional thymic organoids and the understanding of the development of a competent immune system. Here a 3D scaffold is developed based on decellularized thymic tissue capable of supporting in vitro and in vivo thymopoiesis by both fetal and adult TEC. For the first time, direct evidences of feasibility for sustained graft-resident T-cell development using adult TEC as input are provided. Moreover, the scaffold supports prolonged in vitro culture of adult TEC, with a retained expression of the master regulator Foxn1. The success of engineering a thymic scaffold that sustains adult TEC function provides unprecedented opportunities to investigate thymus development and physiology and to design and implement novel strategies for thymus replacement therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Adelaide Asnaghi
- Department of BiomedicineUniversity Hospital BaselUniversity of BaselBasel4031Switzerland
| | - Thomas Barthlott
- Department of BiomedicineUniversity Children's Hospital University of BaselBasel4058Switzerland
| | - Fabiana Gullotta
- Department of BiomedicineUniversity Hospital BaselUniversity of BaselBasel4031Switzerland
| | - Valentina Strusi
- Department of BiomedicineUniversity Hospital BaselUniversity of BaselBasel4031Switzerland
| | - Anna Amovilli
- Department of BiomedicineUniversity Hospital BaselUniversity of BaselBasel4031Switzerland
| | - Katrin Hafen
- Department of BiomedicineUniversity Children's Hospital University of BaselBasel4058Switzerland
| | | | - Philipp Oertle
- ARTIDIS AGBasel4057Switzerland
- Biozentrum and the Swiss Nanoscience InstituteUniversity of BaselBasel4056Switzerland
| | - Roberto Toni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery – DIMEC, Unit of BiomedicalBiotechnological and Translational Sciences (S.BI.BI.T.)Laboratory of Regenerative Morphology and Bioartificial Structures (Re.Mo.Bio.S.)University of ParmaParma43121Italy
- Division of Endocrinology Diabetes, and MetabolismTufts Medical Center – Tufts University School of MedicineBostonMA02111USA
| | - David Wendt
- Department of BiomedicineUniversity Hospital BaselUniversity of BaselBasel4031Switzerland
| | - Georg A. Holländer
- Department of BiomedicineUniversity Children's Hospital University of BaselBasel4058Switzerland
- Developmental ImmunologyDepartment of Paediatrics and Weatherall Institute of Molecular MedicineUniversity of OxfordOxfordOX3 9DSUK
| | - Ivan Martin
- Department of BiomedicineUniversity Hospital BaselUniversity of BaselBasel4031Switzerland
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity Hospital BaselUniversity of BaselAllschwil4123Switzerland
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18
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Sayed IM, El-Hafeez AAA, Maity PP, Das S, Ghosh P. Modeling colorectal cancers using multidimensional organoids. Adv Cancer Res 2021; 151:345-383. [PMID: 34148617 PMCID: PMC8221168 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2021.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Organoids have revolutionized cancer research as highly adaptable models that enable an array of experimental techniques to interrogate tissue morphology and function. Because they preserve the genetic, phenotypic, and behavioral traits of their source tissue, organoids have gained traction as the most relevant models for drug discovery, tracking therapeutic response and for personalized medicine. As organoids are indisputably becoming a mainstay of cancer research, this review specifically addresses how colon-derived organoids can be perfected as multidimensional, scalable, reproducible models of healthy, pre-neoplastic and neoplastic conditions of the colon and for use in high-throughput "Phase-0" human clinical trials-in-a-dish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim M Sayed
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Amer Ali Abd El-Hafeez
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Priti P Maity
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Soumita Das
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States; Rebecca and John Moore Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States; HUMANOID Center of Research Excellence (CoRE), University of California, San Diego, CA, United States.
| | - Pradipta Ghosh
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States; Rebecca and John Moore Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States; Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Diego, CA, United States; HUMANOID Center of Research Excellence (CoRE), University of California, San Diego, CA, United States.
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19
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Batalha S, Ferreira S, Brito C. The Peripheral Immune Landscape of Breast Cancer: Clinical Findings and In Vitro Models for Biomarker Discovery. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1305. [PMID: 33804027 PMCID: PMC8001103 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the deadliest female malignancy worldwide and, while much is known about phenotype and function of infiltrating immune cells, the same attention has not been paid to the peripheral immune compartment of breast cancer patients. To obtain faster, cheaper, and more precise monitoring of patients' status, it is crucial to define and analyze circulating immune profiles. This review compiles and summarizes the disperse knowledge on the peripheral immune profile of breast cancer patients, how it departs from healthy individuals and how it changes with disease progression. We propose this data to be used as a starting point for validation of clinically relevant biomarkers of disease progression and therapy response, which warrants more thorough investigation in patient cohorts of specific breast cancer subtypes. Relevant clinical findings may also be explored experimentally using advanced 3D cellular models of human cancer-immune system interactions, which are under intensive development. We review the latest findings and discuss the strengths and limitations of such models, as well as the future perspectives. Together, the scientific advancement of peripheral biomarker discovery and cancer-immune crosstalk in breast cancer will be instrumental to uncover molecular mechanisms and putative biomarkers and drug targets in an all-human setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Batalha
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica (iBET), Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal;
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, University Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Sofia Ferreira
- Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, Rua Prof Lima Basto, 1099-023 Lisboa, Portugal;
| | - Catarina Brito
- Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica (iBET), Apartado 12, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal;
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, University Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
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20
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Pievani A, Savoldelli R, Poelchen J, Mattioli E, Anselmi G, Girardot A, Utikal J, Bourdely P, Serafini M, Guermonprez P. Harnessing Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for the Engineering of Human Hematopoietic Niches. Front Immunol 2021; 12:631279. [PMID: 33790904 PMCID: PMC8006008 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.631279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue engineering opens multiple opportunities in regenerative medicine, drug testing, and modeling of the hematopoiesis in health and disease. Recapitulating the organization of physiological microenvironments supporting leukocyte development is essential to model faithfully the development of immune cells. Hematopoietic organs are shaped by spatially organized niches defined by multiple cellular contributions. A shared feature of immune niches is the presence of mesenchymal stromal cells endowed with unique roles in organizing niche development, maintenance, and function. Here, we review challenges and opportunities in harnessing stromal cells for the engineering of artificial immune niches and hematopoietic organoids recapitulating leukocyte ontogeny both in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Pievani
- Department of Pediatrics, M. Tettamanti Research Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Roberto Savoldelli
- The Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Cancer Research UK King's Health Partner Cancer Centre, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Juliane Poelchen
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Elisa Mattioli
- The Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Cancer Research UK King's Health Partner Cancer Centre, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giorgio Anselmi
- MRC Molecular Hematology Unit, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, Medical Research Council, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alice Girardot
- Centre for Inflammation Research, CNRS ERL8252, INSERM1149, Hopital Bichat, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Pierre Bourdely
- Centre for Inflammation Research, CNRS ERL8252, INSERM1149, Hopital Bichat, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Marta Serafini
- Department of Pediatrics, M. Tettamanti Research Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Pierre Guermonprez
- Centre for Inflammation Research, CNRS ERL8252, INSERM1149, Hopital Bichat, Université de Paris, Paris, France
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21
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Granadier D, Iovino L, Kinsella S, Dudakov JA. Dynamics of thymus function and T cell receptor repertoire breadth in health and disease. Semin Immunopathol 2021; 43:119-134. [PMID: 33608819 PMCID: PMC7894242 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-021-00840-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
T cell recognition of unknown antigens relies on the tremendous diversity of the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire; generation of which can only occur in the thymus. TCR repertoire breadth is thus critical for not only coordinating the adaptive response against pathogens but also for mounting a response against malignancies. However, thymic function is exquisitely sensitive to negative stimuli, which can come in the form of acute insult, such as that caused by stress, infection, or common cancer therapies; or chronic damage such as the progressive decline in thymic function with age. Whether it be prolonged T cell deficiency after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) or constriction in the breadth of the peripheral TCR repertoire with age; these insults result in poor adaptive immune responses. In this review, we will discuss the importance of thymic function for generation of the TCR repertoire and how acute and chronic thymic damage influences immune health. We will also discuss methods that are used to measure thymic function in patients and strategies that have been developed to boost thymic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Granadier
- Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lorenzo Iovino
- Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sinéad Kinsella
- Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jarrod A Dudakov
- Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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22
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Besnard M, Padonou F, Provin N, Giraud M, Guillonneau C. AIRE deficiency, from preclinical models to human APECED disease. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:dmm046359. [PMID: 33729987 PMCID: PMC7875492 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.046359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a rare life-threatening autoimmune disease that attacks multiple organs and has its onset in childhood. It is an inherited condition caused by a variety of mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene that encodes a protein whose function has been uncovered by the generation and study of Aire-KO mice. These provided invaluable insights into the link between AIRE expression in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), and the broad spectrum of self-antigens that these cells express and present to the developing thymocytes. However, these murine models poorly recapitulate all phenotypic aspects of human APECED. Unlike Aire-KO mice, the recently generated Aire-KO rat model presents visual features, organ lymphocytic infiltrations and production of autoantibodies that resemble those observed in APECED patients, making the rat model a main research asset. In addition, ex vivo models of AIRE-dependent self-antigen expression in primary mTECs have been successfully set up. Thymus organoids based on pluripotent stem cell-derived TECs from APECED patients are also emerging, and constitute a promising tool to engineer AIRE-corrected mTECs and restore the generation of regulatory T cells. Eventually, these new models will undoubtedly lead to main advances in the identification and assessment of specific and efficient new therapeutic strategies aiming to restore immunological tolerance in APECED patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Besnard
- Université de Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Francine Padonou
- Université de Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Nathan Provin
- Université de Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Matthieu Giraud
- Université de Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Carole Guillonneau
- Université de Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, F-44000 Nantes, France
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23
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Lim YS, Lee DY, Kim HY, Ok Y, Hwang S, Moon Y, Yoon S. Descriptive and functional characterization of epidermal growth factor‑like domain 8 in mouse cortical thymic epithelial cells by integrated analysis of gene expression signatures and networks. Int J Mol Med 2021; 47:4. [PMID: 33448309 PMCID: PMC7834963 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2020.4837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor-like domain 8 (EGFL8), a newly identified member of the EGFL family, and plays negative regulatory roles in mouse thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and thymocytes. However, the role of EGFL8 in these cells remains poorly understood. In the present study, in order to characterize the function of EGFL8, genome-wide expression profiles in EGFL8-overexpressing or -silenced mouse cortical TECs (cTECs) were analyzed. Microarray analysis revealed that 458 genes exhibited a >2-fold change in expression levels in the EGFL8-overexpressing vs. the EGFL8-silenced cTECs. Several genes involved in a number of cellular processes, such as the cell cycle, proliferation, growth, migration and differentiation, as well as in apoptosis, reactive oxygen species generation, chemotaxis and immune responses, were differentially expressed in the EGFL8-overexpressing or -silenced cTECs. WST-1 analysis revealed that that the overexpression of EGFL8 inhibited cTEC proliferation. To investigate the underlying mechanisms of EGFL8 in the regulation of cTEC function, genes related to essential cellular functions were selected. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that EGFL8 knockdown upregulated the expression of cluster differentiation 74 (CD74), Fas ligand (FasL), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CXCL5), CXCL10, CXCL16, C-C motif chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20), vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), interferon regulatory factor 7 (Irf7), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4), thrombospondin 1 (Thbs1) and nuclear factor κB subunit 2 (NF-κB2) genes, and downregulated the expression of angiopoietin-like 1 (Angptl1), and neuropilin-1 (Nrp1) genes. Additionally, EGFL8 silencing enhanced the expression of anti-apoptotic molecules, such as B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-extra large (Bcl-xL), and that of cell cycle-regulating molecules, such as cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), CDK4, CDK6 and cyclin D1. Moreover, gene network analysis revealed that EGFL8 exerted negative effects on VEGF-A gene expression. Hence, the altered expression of several genes associated with EGFL8 expression in cTECs highlights the important physiological processes in which EGFL8 is involved, and provides insight into its biological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Seon Lim
- Department of Anatomy, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam‑do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Do-Young Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam‑do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Yoon Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam‑do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Yejin Ok
- Department of Anatomy, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam‑do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Seonyeong Hwang
- Department of Anatomy, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam‑do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Yuseok Moon
- Immune Reconstitution Research Center, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam‑do 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Sik Yoon
- Department of Anatomy, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam‑do 50612, Republic of Korea
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24
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Decline in biological resilience as key manifestation of aging: Potential mechanisms and role in health and longevity. Mech Ageing Dev 2020; 194:111418. [PMID: 33340523 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2020.111418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Decline in biological resilience (ability to recover) is a key manifestation of aging that contributes to increase in vulnerability to death with age eventually limiting longevity even in people without major chronic diseases. Understanding the mechanisms of this decline is essential for developing efficient anti-aging and pro-longevity interventions. In this paper we discuss: a) mechanisms of the decline in resilience with age, and aging components that contribute to this decline, including depletion of body reserves, imperfect repair mechanisms, and slowdown of physiological processes and responses with age; b) anti-aging interventions that may improve resilience or attenuate its decline; c) biomarkers of resilience available in human and experimental studies; and d) genetic factors that could influence resilience. There are open questions about optimal anti-aging interventions that would oppose the decline in resilience along with extending longevity limits. However, the area develops quickly, and prospects are exciting.
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25
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The contribution of thymic tolerance to central nervous system autoimmunity. Semin Immunopathol 2020; 43:135-157. [PMID: 33108502 PMCID: PMC7925481 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-020-00822-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) are associated with high levels of morbidity and economic cost. Research efforts have previously focused on the contribution of the peripheral adaptive and innate immune systems to CNS autoimmunity. However, a failure of thymic negative selection is a necessary step in CNS-reactive T cells escaping into the periphery. Even with defective thymic or peripheral tolerance, the development of CNS inflammation is rare. The reasons underlying this are currently poorly understood. In this review, we examine evidence implicating thymic selection in the pathogenesis of CNS autoimmunity. Animal models suggest that thymic negative selection is an important factor in determining susceptibility to and severity of CNS inflammation. There are indirect clinical data that suggest thymic function is also important in human CNS autoimmune diseases. Specifically, the association between thymoma and paraneoplastic encephalitis and changes in T cell receptor excision circles in multiple sclerosis implicate thymic tolerance in these diseases. We identify potential associations between CNS autoimmunity susceptibility factors and thymic tolerance. The therapeutic manipulation of thymopoiesis has the potential to open up new treatment modalities, but a better understanding of thymic tolerance in CNS autoimmunity is required before this can be realised.
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Crépin T, Legendre M, Carron C, Vachey C, Courivaud C, Rebibou JM, Ferrand C, Laheurte C, Vauchy C, Gaiffe E, Saas P, Ducloux D, Bamoulid J. Uraemia-induced immune senescence and clinical outcomes in chronic kidney disease patients. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2020; 35:624-632. [PMID: 30202981 DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfy276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are more prone to develop premature age-related diseases. Data on immune senescence are scarce in CKD populations, except in end-stage renal disease and dialysis. We designed a longitudinal prospective study to evaluate immune senescence at different CKD stages and its influence on CKD patient outcomes. METHODS Clinical and biological data collections were performed on 222 patients at different CKD stages [1-2 (n = 85), 4 (n = 53) and 5 (n = 84)]. Immune senescence biomarkers were measured by cytometry on T cells (CD28, CD57, CD45RA, CD31, γH2A.X) or by quantitative polymerase chain reaction [relative telomere length (RTL)] on peripheral blood mononuclear cells and analysed according to CKD stages and outcomes. RESULTS CKD was associated with an increase in immune senescence and inflammation biomarkers, as follows: low thymic output (197 ± 25 versus 88 ± 13 versus 73 ± 21 CD4+CD45RA+CD31+ T cells/mm3), an increased proportion of terminally differentiated T cells (CD8+CD28-CD57+) (24 ± 18 versus 32 ± 17 versus 35 ± 19%) restricted to cytomegalovirus-positive patients, telomere shortening (1.11 ± 0.36 versus 0.78 ± 0.24 versus 0.97 ± 0.21 telomere:single copy ratio) and an increase in C-reactive protein levels [median 2.9 (range 1.8-4.9) versus 5.1 (27-9.6) versus 6.2 (3.4-10.5) mg/L]. In multivariate analysis, shorter RTL was associated with death {hazard ratio [HR] 4.12 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.44-11.75]}. Low thymic output was associated with infections [HR 1.79 (95% CI (1.34-9.58)] and terminally differentiated CD8+ T-cell expansion with a risk of cardiovascular events [CEs; HR 4.86 (95% CI 1.72-13.72)]. CONCLUSION CKD was associated with premature immune ageing. Each of these alterations increased the risk of specific age-related diseases, such as RTL and death, thymic function and infections and terminally differentiated CD8+ T-cell expansion and CEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Crépin
- INSERM, UMR1098, Federation Hospitalo-Universitaire, INCREASE, Besançon, France.,University of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, LabEx LipSTIC, Besançon and Dijon, France.,CHU Besançon, Department of Nephrology, Dialysis, and Renal Transplantation, Besançon, France
| | - Mathieu Legendre
- INSERM, UMR1098, Federation Hospitalo-Universitaire, INCREASE, Besançon, France.,University of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, LabEx LipSTIC, Besançon and Dijon, France
| | - Clémence Carron
- INSERM, UMR1098, Federation Hospitalo-Universitaire, INCREASE, Besançon, France
| | - Clément Vachey
- CHU Besançon, Department of Nephrology, Dialysis, and Renal Transplantation, Besançon, France.,CHU Besançon, CIC Biothérapie, INSERM CIC-1431, Besançon, France
| | - Cécile Courivaud
- INSERM, UMR1098, Federation Hospitalo-Universitaire, INCREASE, Besançon, France.,University of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, LabEx LipSTIC, Besançon and Dijon, France.,CHU Besançon, Department of Nephrology, Dialysis, and Renal Transplantation, Besançon, France
| | - Jean-Michel Rebibou
- INSERM, UMR1098, Federation Hospitalo-Universitaire, INCREASE, Besançon, France.,University of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, LabEx LipSTIC, Besançon and Dijon, France
| | - Christophe Ferrand
- INSERM, UMR1098, Federation Hospitalo-Universitaire, INCREASE, Besançon, France.,University of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, LabEx LipSTIC, Besançon and Dijon, France.,EFS Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Plateforme de Biomonitoring, INSERM CIC-1431/UMR1098, Besançon, France
| | - Caroline Laheurte
- INSERM, UMR1098, Federation Hospitalo-Universitaire, INCREASE, Besançon, France.,EFS Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Plateforme de Biomonitoring, INSERM CIC-1431/UMR1098, Besançon, France
| | - Charline Vauchy
- CHU Besançon, CIC Biothérapie, INSERM CIC-1431, Besançon, France
| | - Emilie Gaiffe
- CHU Besançon, CIC Biothérapie, INSERM CIC-1431, Besançon, France
| | - Philippe Saas
- INSERM, UMR1098, Federation Hospitalo-Universitaire, INCREASE, Besançon, France.,University of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, LabEx LipSTIC, Besançon and Dijon, France.,CHU Besançon, CIC Biothérapie, INSERM CIC-1431, Besançon, France.,EFS Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Plateforme de Biomonitoring, INSERM CIC-1431/UMR1098, Besançon, France
| | - Didier Ducloux
- INSERM, UMR1098, Federation Hospitalo-Universitaire, INCREASE, Besançon, France.,University of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, LabEx LipSTIC, Besançon and Dijon, France.,CHU Besançon, Department of Nephrology, Dialysis, and Renal Transplantation, Besançon, France.,CHU Besançon, CIC Biothérapie, INSERM CIC-1431, Besançon, France
| | - Jamal Bamoulid
- INSERM, UMR1098, Federation Hospitalo-Universitaire, INCREASE, Besançon, France.,University of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, LabEx LipSTIC, Besançon and Dijon, France.,CHU Besançon, Department of Nephrology, Dialysis, and Renal Transplantation, Besançon, France.,CHU Besançon, CIC Biothérapie, INSERM CIC-1431, Besançon, France
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27
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Kinsella S, Dudakov JA. When the Damage Is Done: Injury and Repair in Thymus Function. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1745. [PMID: 32903477 PMCID: PMC7435010 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Even though the thymus is exquisitely sensitive to acute insults like infection, shock, or common cancer therapies such as cytoreductive chemo- or radiation-therapy, it also has a remarkable capacity for repair. This phenomenon of endogenous thymic regeneration has been known for longer even than its primary function to generate T cells, however, the underlying mechanisms controlling the process have been largely unstudied. Although there is likely continual thymic involution and regeneration in response to stress and infection in otherwise healthy people, acute and profound thymic damage such as that caused by common cancer cytoreductive therapies or the conditioning regimes as part of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), leads to prolonged T cell deficiency; precipitating high morbidity and mortality from opportunistic infections and may even facilitate cancer relapse. Furthermore, this capacity for regeneration declines with age as a function of thymic involution; which even at steady state leads to reduced capacity to respond to new pathogens, vaccines, and immunotherapy. Consequently, there is a real clinical need for strategies that can boost thymic function and enhance T cell immunity. One approach to the development of such therapies is to exploit the processes of endogenous thymic regeneration into novel pharmacologic strategies to boost T cell reconstitution in clinical settings of immune depletion such as HCT. In this review, we will highlight recent work that has revealed the mechanisms by which the thymus is capable of repairing itself and how this knowledge is being used to develop novel therapies to boost immune function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinéad Kinsella
- Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jarrod A. Dudakov
- Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States
- Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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28
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Mendibil U, Ruiz-Hernandez R, Retegi-Carrion S, Garcia-Urquia N, Olalde-Graells B, Abarrategi A. Tissue-Specific Decellularization Methods: Rationale and Strategies to Achieve Regenerative Compounds. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5447. [PMID: 32751654 PMCID: PMC7432490 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex network with multiple functions, including specific functions during tissue regeneration. Precisely, the properties of the ECM have been thoroughly used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine research, aiming to restore the function of damaged or dysfunctional tissues. Tissue decellularization is gaining momentum as a technique to obtain potentially implantable decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) with well-preserved key components. Interestingly, the tissue-specific dECM is becoming a feasible option to carry out regenerative medicine research, with multiple advantages compared to other approaches. This review provides an overview of the most common methods used to obtain the dECM and summarizes the strategies adopted to decellularize specific tissues, aiming to provide a helpful guide for future research development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Unai Mendibil
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20014 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; (U.M.); (R.R.-H.); (S.R.-C.)
- TECNALIA, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20009 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; (N.G.-U.); (B.O.-G.)
| | - Raquel Ruiz-Hernandez
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20014 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; (U.M.); (R.R.-H.); (S.R.-C.)
| | - Sugoi Retegi-Carrion
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20014 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; (U.M.); (R.R.-H.); (S.R.-C.)
| | - Nerea Garcia-Urquia
- TECNALIA, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20009 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; (N.G.-U.); (B.O.-G.)
| | - Beatriz Olalde-Graells
- TECNALIA, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20009 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; (N.G.-U.); (B.O.-G.)
| | - Ander Abarrategi
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 20014 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain; (U.M.); (R.R.-H.); (S.R.-C.)
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
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29
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Bhattacharya S, Calar K, de la Puente P. Mimicking tumor hypoxia and tumor-immune interactions employing three-dimensional in vitro models. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2020; 39:75. [PMID: 32357910 PMCID: PMC7195738 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01583-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The heterogeneous tumor microenvironment (TME) is highly complex and not entirely understood. These complex configurations lead to the generation of oxygen-deprived conditions within the tumor niche, which modulate several intrinsic TME elements to promote immunosuppressive outcomes. Decoding these communications is necessary for designing effective therapeutic strategies that can effectively reduce tumor-associated chemotherapy resistance by employing the inherent potential of the immune system.While classic two-dimensional in vitro research models reveal critical hypoxia-driven biochemical cues, three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models more accurately replicate the TME-immune manifestations. In this study, we review various 3D cell culture models currently being utilized to foster an oxygen-deprived TME, those that assess the dynamics associated with TME-immune cell penetrability within the tumor-like spatial structure, and discuss state of the art 3D systems that attempt recreating hypoxia-driven TME-immune outcomes. We also highlight the importance of integrating various hallmarks, which collectively might influence the functionality of these 3D models.This review strives to supplement perspectives to the quickly-evolving discipline that endeavors to mimic tumor hypoxia and tumor-immune interactions using 3D in vitro models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somshuvra Bhattacharya
- Cancer Biology and Immunotherapies Group, Sanford Research, 2301 E 60th Street N, Sioux Falls, SD, 57104, USA
| | - Kristin Calar
- Cancer Biology and Immunotherapies Group, Sanford Research, 2301 E 60th Street N, Sioux Falls, SD, 57104, USA
| | - Pilar de la Puente
- Cancer Biology and Immunotherapies Group, Sanford Research, 2301 E 60th Street N, Sioux Falls, SD, 57104, USA.
- Department of Surgery, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD, USA.
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA.
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30
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Abstract
Thymus regenerative therapy implementation is severely obstructed by the limited number and expansion capacity in vitro of tissue-specific thymic epithelial stem cells (TESC). Current solutions are mostly based on growth factors that can drive differentiation of pluripotent stem cells toward tissue-specific TESC. Target-specific small chemical compounds represent an alternative solution that could induce and support the clonal expansion of TESC and reversibly block their differentiation into mature cells. These compounds could be used both in the composition of culture media designed for TESC expansion in vitro, and in drugs development for thymic regeneration in vivo. It should allow reaching the ultimate objective - autologous thymic tissue regeneration in paediatric patients who had their thymus removed in the course of cardiac surgery.
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31
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De novo generation of a functional human thymus from induced pluripotent stem cells. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2019; 144:1416-1419.e7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2019.05.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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32
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Huff WX, Kwon JH, Henriquez M, Fetcko K, Dey M. The Evolving Role of CD8 +CD28 - Immunosenescent T Cells in Cancer Immunology. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20112810. [PMID: 31181772 PMCID: PMC6600236 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20112810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional, tumor-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes drive the adaptive immune response to cancer. Thus, induction of their activity is the ultimate aim of all immunotherapies. Success of anti-tumor immunotherapy is precluded by marked immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment (TME) leading to CD8+ effector T cell dysfunction. Among the many facets of CD8+ T cell dysfunction that have been recognized—tolerance, anergy, exhaustion, and senescence—CD8+ T cell senescence is incompletely understood. Naïve CD8+ T cells require three essential signals for activation, differentiation, and survival through T-cell receptor, costimulatory receptors, and cytokine receptors. Downregulation of costimulatory molecule CD28 is a hallmark of senescent T cells and increased CD8+CD28− senescent populations with heterogeneous roles have been observed in multiple solid and hematogenous tumors. T cell senescence can be induced by several factors including aging, telomere damage, tumor-associated stress, and regulatory T (Treg) cells. Tumor-induced T cell senescence is yet another mechanism that enables tumor cell resistance to immunotherapy. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive overview of CD8+CD28− senescent T cell population, their origin, their function in immunology and pathologic conditions, including TME and their implication for immunotherapy. Further characterization and investigation into this subset of CD8+ T cells could improve the efficacy of future anti-tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei X Huff
- Department of Neurosurgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
| | - Jae Hyun Kwon
- Department of Neurosurgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
| | - Mario Henriquez
- Department of Neurosurgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
| | - Kaleigh Fetcko
- Department of Neurology, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
| | - Mahua Dey
- Department of Neurosurgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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33
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Kim S, Shah SB, Graney PL, Singh A. Multiscale engineering of immune cells and lymphoid organs. NATURE REVIEWS. MATERIALS 2019; 4:355-378. [PMID: 31903226 PMCID: PMC6941786 DOI: 10.1038/s41578-019-0100-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Immunoengineering applies quantitative and materials-based approaches for the investigation of the immune system and for the development of therapeutic solutions for various diseases, such as infection, cancer, inflammatory diseases and age-related malfunctions. The design of immunomodulatory and cell therapies requires the precise understanding of immune cell formation and activation in primary, secondary and ectopic tertiary immune organs. However, the study of the immune system has long been limited to in vivo approaches, which often do not allow multidimensional control of intracellular and extracellular processes, and to 2D in vitro models, which lack physiological relevance. 3D models built with synthetic and natural materials enable the structural and functional recreation of immune tissues. These models are being explored for the investigation of immune function and dysfunction at the cell, tissue and organ levels. In this Review, we discuss 2D and 3D approaches for the engineering of primary, secondary and tertiary immune structures at multiple scales. We highlight important insights gained using these models and examine multiscale engineering strategies for the design and development of immunotherapies. Finally, dynamic 4D materials are investigated for their potential to provide stimuli-dependent and context-dependent scaffolds for the generation of immune organ models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungwoong Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- These authors contributed equally: Sungwoong Kim, Shivem B. Shah, Pamela L. Graney
| | - Shivem B. Shah
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- These authors contributed equally: Sungwoong Kim, Shivem B. Shah, Pamela L. Graney
| | - Pamela L. Graney
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- These authors contributed equally: Sungwoong Kim, Shivem B. Shah, Pamela L. Graney
| | - Ankur Singh
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
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34
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El-Kadiry AEH, Rafei M. Restoring thymic function: Then and now. Cytokine 2019; 120:202-209. [PMID: 31108430 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2019.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Thymic vulnerability, a leading cause of defective immunity, was discovered decades ago. To date, several strategies have been investigated to unveil any immunorestorative capacities they might confer. Studies exploiting castration, transplantation, adoptive cell therapies, hormones/growth factors, and cytokines have demonstrated enhanced in vitro and in vivo thymopoiesis, albeit with clinical restrictions. In this review, we will dissect the thymus on a physiological and pathological level and discuss the pros and cons of several strategies esteemed thymotrophic from a pre-clinical perspective. Finally, we will shed light on interleukin (IL)-21, a pharmacologically-promising cytokine with a significant thymotrophic nature, and elaborate on its potential clinical efficacy and safety in immune-deficient subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abed El-Hakim El-Kadiry
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Qc, Canada; Montreal Heart Institute, Montréal, Qc, Canada
| | - Moutih Rafei
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Qc, Canada; Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Qc, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Qc, Canada.
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35
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Yang L, Yang S, Li X, Li B, Li Y, Zhang X, Ma Y, Peng X, Jin H, Fan Q, Wei S, Liu J, Li H. Tumor organoids: From inception to future in cancer research. Cancer Lett 2019; 454:120-133. [PMID: 30981763 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Tumor models have created new avenues for personalized medicine and drug development. A new culture model derived from a three-dimensional system, the tumor organoid, is gradually being used in many fields. An organoid can simulate the physiological structure and function of tissue in situ and maintain the characteristics of tumor cells in vivo, overcoming the disadvantages of traditional experimental tumor models. Organoids can mimic pathological features of tumors and maintain genetic stability, making them suitable for both molecular mechanism studies and pharmacological experiments of clinical transformation. In addition, the application of tumor organoids combined with other technologies, such as liquid biopsy technology, microraft array (MRA), and high-content screening (HCS), for the development of personalized diagnosis and cancer treatment has a promising future. In this review, we introduce the evolution of organoids and discuss their specific application and advantages. We also summarize the characteristics of several tumor organoids culture systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, PR China
| | - Shuo Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, PR China
| | - Xinyu Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, PR China
| | - Bowen Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, PR China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, PR China
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, PR China
| | - Yingbo Ma
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, PR China
| | - Xueqiang Peng
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, PR China
| | - Hongyuan Jin
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, PR China
| | - Qing Fan
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, PR China
| | - Shibo Wei
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, PR China
| | - Jingang Liu
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, PR China
| | - Hangyu Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110000, PR China.
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36
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Liu W, Wong-Noonan S, Pham NB, Pradhan I, Spigelmyer A, Funk R, Nedzesky J, Cohen H, Gawalt ES, Fan Y, Meng WS. A genetically engineered Fc-binding amphiphilic polypeptide for congregating antibodies in vivo. Acta Biomater 2019; 88:211-223. [PMID: 30822553 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2019.02.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
We report herein an affinity-based hydrogel used in creating subcutaneous depots of antibodies in vivo. The biomaterials design centered on pG_EAK, a polypeptide we designed and expressed in E. coli. The sequence consists of a truncated protein G (pG) genetically fused with repeats of the amphiphilic sequence AEAEAKAK ("EAK"). Capture of IgG was demonstrated in vitro in gels prepared from admixing pG_EAK and EAK ("pG_EAK/EAK gel"). The binding affinities and kinetics of pG for IgG were recapitulated in the pG_EAK polypeptide. Injecting IgG antibodies formulated with pG_EAK/EAK gel into subcutaneous space resulted in retention of the antibodies at the site for at least six days, whereas only signal at background levels was detected in grafts injected with IgG formulated in saline or diffusion-driven gel. The local retention of IgG in pG_EAK/EAK gel was correlated with limited distribution of the antibody in liver, spleen and lymph nodes, in contrast to those injected with antibodies formulated in saline or non-Fc binding EAK gel. In addition, antibodies formulated with pG_EAK/EAK gel and injected in mouse footpads were found to retain at the site for 19 days. As a demonstration of potential bioengineering applications, thymic epithelial cells (TECs), the primary population of thymic stromal cells that are critical for the development of T-lymphocytes, were mixed with pG_EAK/EAK gel formulated with TEC-specific anti-EpCAM antibodies and injected subcutaneously into athymic nude mice. The injected TECs congregated into functional thymic units in vivo, supporting the development of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells as well as Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in the mice. In conclusion, pG_EAK/EAK gel can be used to retain IgG locally in vivo, and can be tailored as scaffolds for controlling deposition of molecular and/or cellular therapeutics. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The unique concept of the work centers on the genetic fusion of an Fc-binding domain and a self-assembling domain into a single polypeptide. To our knowledge, such bi-functional peptide has not been reported in the literature. The impact of the work lies in the ability to display IgG antibodies and Fc-fusion proteins of any specificity. The data shown demonstrate the platform can be used to localize IgG in vivo, and can be tailored for controlling deposition of primary thymic epithelial cells (TECs). The results support a biomaterials-based strategy by which TECs can be delivered as functional units to support T-lymphocyte development in vivo. The platform described in the study may serve as an important tool for immune engineering.
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Sun W, Luo Z, Lee J, Kim HJ, Lee K, Tebon P, Feng Y, Dokmeci MR, Sengupta S, Khademhosseini A. Organ-on-a-Chip for Cancer and Immune Organs Modeling. Adv Healthc Mater 2019; 8:e1801363. [PMID: 30605261 PMCID: PMC6424124 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201801363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Bridging the gap between findings in preclinical 2D cell culture models and in vivo tissue cultures has been challenging; the simple microenvironment of 2D monolayer culture systems may not capture the cellular response to drugs accurately. Three-dimensional organotypic models have gained increasing interest due to their ability to recreate precise cellular organizations. These models facilitate investigation of the interactions between different sub-tissue level components through providing physiologically relevant microenvironments for cells in vitro. The incorporation of human-sourced tissues into these models further enables personalized prediction of drug responses. Integration of microfluidic units into the 3D models can be used to control their local environment, dynamic simulation of cell behaviors, and real-time readout of drug testing data. Cancer and immune system related diseases are severe burdens to our health care system and have created an urgent need for high-throughput, and effective drug development plans. This review focuses on recent progress in the development of "cancer-on-a-chip" and "immune organs-on-a-chip" systems designed to study disease progression and predict drug-induced responses. Future challenges and opportunities are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wujin Sun
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA, ; Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), California NanoSystems Institute, University of California-Los Angleles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Zhimin Luo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA, ; Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), California NanoSystems Institute, University of California-Los Angleles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Junmin Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA, ; Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), California NanoSystems Institute, University of California-Los Angleles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Han-Jun Kim
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA, ; Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), California NanoSystems Institute, University of California-Los Angleles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - KangJu Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA, ; Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), California NanoSystems Institute, University of California-Los Angleles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Peyton Tebon
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA, ; Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), California NanoSystems Institute, University of California-Los Angleles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yudi Feng
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA, ; Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), California NanoSystems Institute, University of California-Los Angleles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Mehmet R. Dokmeci
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA, ; Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), California NanoSystems Institute, University of California-Los Angleles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Shiladitya Sengupta
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA, ; Harvard – MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA, ; Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), California NanoSystems Institute, University of California-Los Angleles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California - Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Radiology, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Center of Nanotechnology, Department of Physics, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21569, Saudi Arabia; Department of Bioindustrial Technologies, College of Animal Bioscience and Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Abstract
This review briefly describes the last decades of experimental work on the thymus. Given the histological complexity of this organ, the multiple embryological origins of its cellular components and its role in carefully regulating T lymphocyte maturation and function, methods to dissect and understand this complexity have been developed through the years. The possibility to study ex vivo the thymus organ function has been achieved by developing Fetal Thymus Organ Cultures (FTOC). Subsequently, the combination of organ disaggregation and reaggregation in vitro represented by Reaggregate Thymus Organ cultures (RTOC) allowed mixing cellular components from different genetic backgrounds. Moreover, RTOC allowed dissecting the different stromal and hematological components to study the interactions between Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules and the T-cell receptors during thymocytes selection. In more recent years, prospective isolation of stromal cells and thymocytes at different stages of development made it possible to explore and elucidate the molecular and cellular players in both the developing and adult thymus. Finally, the appearance of novel cell sources such as embryonic stem (ES) cells and more recently induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has opened new scenarios in modelling thymus development and regeneration strategies. Most of the work described was carried out in rodents and the current challenge is to develop equivalent or even more informative assays and tools in entirely human model systems.
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Zhang H, Zhang P, Yu TL. Comparative study of computed tomography of normal and lymphoid follicular hyperplasia thymus in myasthenia gravis patients. Exp Ther Med 2018; 17:512-518. [PMID: 30651830 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2018.6948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the thymuses of non-thymomatous myasthenia gravis (MG) patients by computed tomography (CT) for differentiating lymphoid follicular hyperplasia (LFH) thymus from normal/involuted thymus in order to assist surgeons in determining whether a non-thymomatous MG patient requires an operation. In the present retrospective review over 10 years, 80 patients who received CT scan and thymectomy at the Affiliated General Hospital of Tianjin Medial University (Tianjin, China) were included. According to the pathological records, 54 of the cases initially detected on CT were confirmed as LFH thymus. Thymic measurements, including anteroposterior and transverse dimensions, width (the longest axis of the lobe on a transverse scan) and thickness (the largest dimension perpendicular to the long axis of the lobe) and CT attenuation of the thymus region, adipose tissue and chest wall musculature in each CT slice were included to assess differences between the LFH group and the normal/involuted thymus group. Although a negative association between patient age and the CT attenuation of the thymus region was identified (r=-0.779, P<0.05, Pearson's correlation test), the LFH thymus group featured nodular changes on CT, while no such changes were observed in the normal/involuted thymus group. The mean age of disease onset in the LFH thymus group was significantly lower than that in the normal thymus group (40.2±17.3 vs. 59.2±9.3 years). Furthermore, significant differences in CT attenuation were identified between the LFH group and the normal/involuted thymus group [-41.21±54.42 vs. -108.23±8.72 Hounsfield units (HU) on unenhanced CT; -25.57±58.65 vs.-117.40±6.22 HU on contrast-enhanced CT]. In the LFH group, the difference in mean CT attenuation between the thymus region and adipose tissue was significant, while no significant difference was observed in the normal/involuted thymus group. In conclusion, CT may be used to distinguish LFH thymus from normal/involuted thymus in MG patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- Department of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300051, P.R. China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300051, P.R. China
| | - Tie-Lian Yu
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300051, P.R. China
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Kasakovski D, Xu L, Li Y. T cell senescence and CAR-T cell exhaustion in hematological malignancies. J Hematol Oncol 2018; 11:91. [PMID: 29973238 PMCID: PMC6032767 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-018-0629-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell senescence has been recognized to play an immunosuppressive role in the aging population and cancer patients. Strategies dedicated to preventing or reversing replicative and premature T cell senescence are required to increase the lifespan of human beings and to reduce the morbidity from cancer. In addition, overcoming the T cell terminal differentiation or senescence from lymphoma and leukemia patients is a promising approach to enhance the effectiveness of adoptive cellular immunotherapy (ACT). Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell and T cell receptor-engineered T (TCR-T) cell therapy highly rely on functionally active T cells. However, the mechanisms which drive T cell senescence remain unclear and controversial. In this review, we describe recent progress for restoration of T cell homeostasis from age-related senescence as well as recovery of T cell activation in hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitri Kasakovski
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632 China
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Embryology, Institute of Anatomy, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Ling Xu
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632 China
- Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 West of Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632 China
| | - Yangqiu Li
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Institute of Hematology, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632 China
- Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Jinan University, No. 601 West of Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou, 510632 China
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Abstract
The recent advances in in vitro 3D culture technologies, such as organoids, have opened new avenues for the development of novel, more physiological human cancer models. Such preclinical models are essential for more efficient translation of basic cancer research into novel treatment regimens for patients with cancer. Wild-type organoids can be grown from embryonic and adult stem cells and display self-organizing capacities, phenocopying essential aspects of the organs they are derived from. Genetic modification of organoids allows disease modelling in a setting that approaches the physiological environment. Additionally, organoids can be grown with high efficiency from patient-derived healthy and tumour tissues, potentially enabling patient-specific drug testing and the development of individualized treatment regimens. In this Review, we evaluate tumour organoid protocols and how they can be utilized as an alternative model for cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarno Drost
- Princess Máxima Centre for Paediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands.
| | - Hans Clevers
- Princess Máxima Centre for Paediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and UMC Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Hun M, Barsanti M, Wong K, Ramshaw J, Werkmeister J, Chidgey AP. Native thymic extracellular matrix improves in vivo thymic organoid T cell output, and drives in vitro thymic epithelial cell differentiation. Biomaterials 2016; 118:1-15. [PMID: 27940379 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.11.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Although the thymus is a primary lymphoid organ, its function is compromised by an age-induced loss of resident epithelial cells, which results in reduced naïve T cell output. This has important implications for immune recovery in aged and elderly patients following damage from cytoablative therapies. As thymic architecture plays a crucial role in naïve T cell development, a tissue specific scaffold that provides essential supporting matrix may assist in stem cell-based thymus regeneration to recreate complex organoids. Here we investigate thymus decellularization approaches that preserve major extracellular matrix components and support thymic epithelial cells for the generation of a functional thymic microenvironment with improved T cell output. We also established an in vitro, serum-free culture system that both maintains a progenitor thymic epithelial cell pool and drives their differentiation in the presence of decellularized thymic matrix. This approach enables further dissection of key cellular and niche components involved in thymic epithelial stem cell maintenance and T cell production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hun
- Stem Cells and Immune Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Level 3, 15 Innovation Walk, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Marco Barsanti
- Stem Cells and Immune Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Level 3, 15 Innovation Walk, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Kahlia Wong
- Stem Cells and Immune Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Level 3, 15 Innovation Walk, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - John Ramshaw
- CSIRO Manufacturing, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | | | - Ann P Chidgey
- Stem Cells and Immune Regeneration Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Level 3, 15 Innovation Walk, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
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