Li Pira G, Bottone L, Ivaldi F, Pelizzoli R, Risso M, Tripodi G, Manca F. A sealed and unbreached system for purification, stimulation, and expansion of cytomegalovirus-specific human CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes.
Transfusion 2006;
46:2053-62. [PMID:
17176316 DOI:
10.1111/j.1537-2995.2006.00977.x]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Recent clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of adoptive cellular therapy with virus-specific lymphocytes in patients with defective cellular immune responses. Immunoreconstitution has become a challenge for cellular immunology and for transfusion medicine. In fact, both expertises are required to provide effective and safe cellular products. Because of in vitro manipulation, T-lymphocyte cultures are at risk of contamination even under good manufacturing procedure (GMP) conditions.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
To further improve the quality of these GMP cellular products, a procedure was designed for purification, stimulation, and expansion of antigen-specific CD4 and CD8 T-lymphocytes in a sealed, unbreached system. Leukopacks from the blood bank that fulfill the requirements of a GMP product were the starting material. Gradient separation and washing were performed in bags with sterile connecting devices on the bench-top, as well as addition of ingredients (antigen, interleukin-2) or transfer to larger bags.
RESULTS
The method is described in detail, and it is shown that increase in number of cytomegalovirus-specific CD4 or CD8 T-lymphocytes was similar to procedures based on open culture systems. Cell expansion after 4 weeks ranged from 800- to 2400-fold for CD4 lymphocytes and 300- to 900-fold for CD8 lymphocytes. Antigen specificity and loss of alloreactivity were demonstrated on the expanded cells with proliferation, intracytoplasmic interferon gamma-gamma staining, cytolytic activity, and pentamer binding.
CONCLUSION
This procedure can be applied to improve sterility under GMP conditions when T-cell lines are generated for adoptive immunotherapy and may increase biosafety for the staff when cell lines are generated from subjects infected with dangerous pathogens.
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