Effect of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Technology in Blood Banking

Generation of a human iPSC cell line (MUSIi017-A) from a donor with O negative blood type

The Rh-negative type O blood group (O Rh-) is considered a universal donor for emergency blood transfusions. Due to the constant shortage of this rare blood group, the production of blood cells from iPSCs derived from the O Rh- donor could potentially serve as a limitless blood source for transfusions. In this report, we establish a MUSIi017-A iPSC line from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a healthy donor with the O Rh- blood group. The established iPSC line exhibited a normal karyotype, showed identical STR compared to donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and could differentiate to all three germ layers.

Generation of red blood cells from stem cells: Achievements, opportunities and perspectives for malaria research

Parasites of the genus Plasmodium that cause malaria survive within humans by invasion of, and proliferation within, the most abundant cell type in the body, the red blood cell. As obligate, intracellular parasites, interactions between parasite and host red blood cell components are crucial to multiple aspects of the blood stage malaria parasite lifecycle. The requirement for, and involvement of, an array of red blood cell proteins in parasite invasion and intracellular development is well established. Nevertheless, detailed mechanistic understanding of host cell protein contributions to these processes are hampered by the genetic intractability of the anucleate red blood cell. The advent of stem cell technology and more specifically development of methods that recapitulate in vitro the process of red blood cell development known as erythropoiesis has enabled the generation of erythroid cell stages previously inaccessible in large numbers for malaria studies. What is more, the capacity for genetic manipulation of nucleated erythroid precursors that can be differentiated to generate modified red blood cells has opened new horizons for malaria research. This review summarises current methodologies that harness in vitro erythroid differentiation of stem cells for generation of cells that are susceptible to malaria parasite invasion; discusses existing and emerging approaches to generate novel red blood cell phenotypes and explores the exciting potential of in vitro derived red blood cells for improved understanding the broad role of host red blood cell proteins in malaria pathogenesis.

Erythropoietic properties of human induced pluripotent stem cells-derived red blood cells in immunodeficient mice

Transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) is a life-saving intervention for anemic patients. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) have the capability to expand and differentiate into RBCs (iPSC-RBCs). Here we developed a murine model to investigate the in vivo properties of human iPSC-RBCs. iPSC lines were produced from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells by transient expression of plasmids containing OCT4, SOX2, MYC, KLF4, and BCL-XL genes. Human iPSC-RBCs were generated in culture supplemented with human platelet lysate, and were CD34^- CD235a⁺ CD233⁺ CD49d^low CD71^low ; about 13% of iPSC-RBCs were enucleated before transfusion. Systemic administration of clodronate liposomes (CL) and cobra venom factor (CVF) to NOD scid gamma (NSG) mice markedly promoted the circulatory survival of human iPSC-RBCs following transfusion. While iPSC-RBCs progressively decreased with time, 90% of circulating iPSC-RBCs were enucleated 1 day after transfusion (CD235a⁺ CD233⁺ CD49d^- CD71^- ). Surprisingly, human iPSC-RBCs reappeared in the peripheral circulation at 3 weeks after transfusion at levels more than 8-fold higher than at 1 h after transfusion. Moreover, a substantial portion of the transfused nucleated iPSC-RBCs preferentially homed to the bone marrow, and were detectable at 24 days after transfusion. These results suggest that nucleated human iPSC-derived cells that homed to the bone marrow of NSG mice retained the capability to complete differentiation into enucleated erythrocytes and egress the bone marrow into peripheral blood. The results offer a new model using human peripheral blood-derived iPSC and CL/CVF-treated NSG mice to investigate the development and circulation of human erythroid cells in vivo.

Human induced pluripotent stem cell line banking for the production of rare blood type erythrocytes

Background

The in vitro production of mature human red blood cells (RBCs) from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has been the focus of research to meet the high demand for blood transfusions. However, limitations like high costs and technological requirements restrict the use of RBCs produced by iPSC differentiation to specific circumstances, such as for patients with rare blood types or alloimmunized patients. In this study, we developed a detailed protocol for the generation of iPSC lines derived from peripheral blood of donors with O D-positive blood and rare blood types (D–and Jr(a-)) and subsequent erythroid differentiation.

Methods

Mononuclear cells separated from the peripheral blood of O D-positive and rare blood type donors were cultured to produce and expand erythroid progenitors and reprogrammed into iPSCs. A 31-day serum-free, xeno-free erythroid differentiation protocol was used to generate reticulocytes. The stability of iPSC lines was confirmed with chromosomal analysis and RT-PCR. Morphology and cell counts were determined by microscopy observations and flow cytometry.

Results

Cells from all donors were successfully used to generate iPSC lines, which were differentiated into erythroid precursors without any apparent chromosomal mutations. This differentiation protocol resulted in moderate erythrocyte yield per iPSC.

Conclusions

It has previously only been hypothesized that erythroid differentiation from iPSCs could be used to produce RBCs for transfusion to patients with rare blood types or who have been alloimmunized. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of producing autologous iPSC-differentiated RBCs for clinical transfusions in patients without alternative options.

Genetic manipulation of cell line derived reticulocytes enables dissection of host malaria invasion requirements

Investigating the role that host erythrocyte proteins play in malaria infection is hampered by the genetic intractability of this anucleate cell. Here we report that reticulocytes derived through in vitro differentiation of an enucleation-competent immortalized erythroblast cell line (BEL-A) support both successful invasion and intracellular development of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Using CRISPR-mediated gene knockout and subsequent complementation, we validate an essential role for the erythrocyte receptor basigin in P. falciparum invasion and demonstrate rescue of invasive susceptibility by receptor re-expression. Successful invasion of reticulocytes complemented with a truncated mutant excludes a functional role for the basigin cytoplasmic domain during invasion. Contrastingly, knockout of cyclophilin B, reported to participate in invasion and interact with basigin, did not impact invasive susceptibility of reticulocytes. These data establish the use of reticulocytes derived from immortalized erythroblasts as a powerful model system to explore hypotheses regarding host receptor requirements for P. falciparum invasion.

Acquisition and Reception of Primary Tissues, Cells, or Other Biological Specimens

The use and banking of biological material for research or clinical application is a well-established practice. The material can be of human or non-human origin. The processes involved in this type of activity, from the sourcing to receipt of materials, require adherence to a set of best practice principles that assure the ethical and legal procurement, traceability, and quality of materials.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Red Blood Cells and Platelet Concentrates: From Bench to Bedside

Red blood cells and platelets are anucleate blood components indispensable for oxygen delivery and hemostasis, respectively. Derivation of these blood elements from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has the potential to develop blood donor-independent and genetic manipulation-prone products to complement or replace current transfusion banking, also minimizing the risk of alloimmunization. While the production of erythrocytes from iPS cells has challenges to overcome, such as differentiation into adult-type phenotype that functions properly after transfusion, platelet products are qualitatively and quantitatively approaching a clinically-applicable level owing to advances in expandable megakaryocyte (MK) lines, platelet-producing bioreactors, and novel reagents. Guidelines that assure the quality of iPS cells-derived blood products for clinical application represent a novel challenge for regulatory agencies. Considering the minimal risk of tumorigenicity and the expected significant demand of such products, ex vivo production of iPS-derived blood components can pave the way for iPS translation into the clinic.