Non-clinical assessment of cell therapy products: the perspective from five Asian countries/regions based on regulatory guidelines and the underpinning rationales

BACKGROUND AIMS

Cell-based regenerative medicine is an innovative field that can potentially alter the overall survival and quality of life of patients with devastating diseases. Several cell therapy products (CTPs) have been approved within the last two decades, and more are under development. The establishment of an effective developmental strategy in accordance with the regulatory bodies of each country/region is crucial for fast delivery of each respective CTP. In particular, facilitating investigational new drug (IND) approval is important for accelerating the transition from non-clinical to clinical research/trial phases.

METHODS

Here the authors compared the non-clinical prerequisites for initiating clinical studies in five Asian countries/regions (India, China, Korea, Taiwan and Japan) from an industry viewpoint. The authors first identified the differences and tried to clarify the perspectives/considerations underpinning the different requirements.

RESULTS

The authors' findings revealed that differences in regulations and development experiences, especially with CTPs, have led to clear differences in the non-clinical study package and its corresponding study design.

CONCLUSIONS

By sharing experiences of the research and development of CTPs among Asian countries/regions and including not only industry but also regulatory authorities, we will be able to expedite cross-border IND approval and eventually contribute to the early delivery of innovative CTPs to many Asian patients.

Intracellular Galectin-9 Enhances Proximal TCR Signaling and Potentiates Autoimmune Diseases

Galectin-9 is a risk gene in inflammatory bowel disease. By transcriptomic analyses of ileal biopsies and PBMCs from inflammatory bowel disease patients, we identified a positive correlation between galectin-9 expression and colitis severity. We observed that galectin-9-deficient T cells were less able to induce T cell-mediated colitis. However, several mouse-based studies reported that galectin-9 treatment induces T cell apoptosis and ameliorates autoimmune diseases in an exogenously modulated manner, indicating a complicated regulation of galectin-9 in T cells. We found that galectin-9 is expressed mainly inside T cells, and its secreted form is barely detected under physiological conditions. Endogenous galectin-9 was recruited to immune synapses upon T cell activation. Moreover, proximal TCR signaling was impaired in galectin-9-deficient T cells, and proliferation of these cells was decreased through an intracellularly modulated manner. Th17 cell differentiation was downregulated in galectin-9-deficient T cells, and this impairment can be rescued by strong TCR signaling. Taken together, these findings suggest that intracellular galectin-9 is a positive regulator of T cell activation and modulates the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.

Contrasting the Surface Phonon Dispersion of Pb_{0.7}Sn_{0.3}Se in Its Topologically Trivial and Nontrivial Phases

We report inelastic He atom scattering measurements of the (001) surface phonon dispersion of the topological crystalline insulator Pb_{0.7}Sn_{0.3}Se. This material exhibits a temperature-dependent topological transition, so we measure the surface dispersion curves in both the trivial and nontrivial phases. We identify that, peculiarly, most surface modes are resonances, rather than pure surface states. We find that a shear vertical surface resonance branch around 9.0 meV dramatically changes on going from the trivial to the topological phase. We associate this remarkable change with the emergence of surface Dirac fermions. We use the measured dispersion of this resonance branch to determine the corresponding mode-dependent electron-phonon coupling λ_{ν}(q).

Spin-charge-lattice coupling in YBaCuFeO5: Optical properties and first-principles calculations

We combined spectroscopic ellipsometry, Raman scattering spectroscopy, and first-principles calculations to explore the optical properties of YBaCuFeO5 single crystals. Measuring the optical absorption spectrum of YBaCuFeO5 at room temperature revealed a direct optical band gap at approximately 1.41 eV and five bands near 1.69, 2.47, 3.16, 4.26, and 5.54 eV. Based on first-principles calculations, the observed optical excitations were appropriately assigned. Analysis of the temperature dependence of the band gap indicated anomalies in antiferromagnetic phase transition at 455 and 175 K. Additionally, a hardening in the frequency of the Eg phonon mode was observed at 175 K. The value of the spin-phonon coupling constant was 15.7 mRy/Å2. These results suggest a complex nature of spin-charge-lattice interactions in YBaCuFeO5.

Nematicity and Charge Order in Superoxygenated La_{2-x}Sr_{x}CuO_{4+y}

In this Letter, we report a resonant x-ray scattering measurement of stripelike charge order in the 1/8th doped component of electronically phase-separated, orthorhombic La_{2}CuO_{4+y}. This observation is coupled to the absence of any resonant (001) peak, which at different resonant energies has been identified with the presence of low-temperature-tetragonal-like structural tilt patterns or nematicity in the CuO planes. Thus, we provide evidence that structural pinning is not necessary for the formation of static charge stripes and that the relationship between charge nematicity and stripes may not be simple.

Crystal growth and transport properties of Weyl semimetal TaAs

We report the single crystal growth and transport properties of a Weyl semimetal TaAs. Unsaturated large magnetoresistance of about 22 100% at 2 K and 9 T is observed. From the Hall measurement, carrier concentrations n  =  4.608  ×  10²⁴ m^-3 and p  =  3.099  ×  10²⁴ m^-3, and mobilities µ _p   =  2.502 m² V^-1 s^-1 and µ _n   =  16.785 m² V^-1 s^-1 at 2 K are extracted. The de Haas-van Alphen oscillations at 2 K and 9 T suggest the presence of a Fermi surface, and the quantum electronic parameters such as effective cyclotron mass and Dingle temperature were obtained using Lifshitz-Kosevich fitting. Temperature dependent resistivity measurements at different static magnetic fields suggest the formation of an insulating gap in the Weyl semimetal TaAs. An angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study reveals Fermi arc surface states with different shaped features such as a long elliptical contour around each [Formula: see text] point, a bowtie-shaped contour around each [Formula: see text] point, and a crescent-shaped feature near the midpoint of each [Formula: see text] line.

Differential modulation of IL-12 family cytokines in autoimmune islet graft failure in mice

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The relative contribution of T helper (Th)1 and Th17 cells in graft rejection is inconclusive, on the basis of evidence provided by different T cell-related cytokine-deficient animal models and graft types.

METHODS

We used novel antigen-presenting-cell-specific Il-12p35 (also known as Il12a)-knockout (KO), IL-23p19-knockdown (KD) and IL-27p28-KD strategies to investigate T cell differentiation in islet graft rejection.

RESULTS

In vitro dendritic cell-T cell coculture experiments revealed that dendritic cells from Il-12p35-KO and IL-23p19-KD mice showed reduced ability to stimulate IFN-γ and IL-17 production in T cells, respectively. To further explore the T cell responses in islet graft rejection, we transplanted islets into streptozotocin-induced diabetic NOD/severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) recipient mice with IL-12-, IL-23-, or IL-27-deficient backgrounds and then challenged them with NOD.BDC2.5 T cells. The survival of islet grafts was significantly prolonged in Il-12p35-KO and IL-23p19-KD recipients compared with the control recipients. T cell infiltrations and Th1 cell populations were also decreased in the grafts, correlating with prolonged graft survival.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Our results suggest that IL-12 and IL-23 promote and/or maintain Th1 cell-mediated islet graft rejection. Thus, blockade of IL-12 and IL-23 might act as therapeutic strategies for reducing rejection responses.

Peripheral Autoimmune Regulator Induces Exhaustion of CD4+ and CD8+ Effector T Cells to Attenuate Autoimmune Diabetes in Non-Obese Diabetic Mice

Autoimmune regulator (Aire) is one of the most crucial genes expressed in the thymus, where it orchestrates the promiscuous expression and presentation of tissue-specific antigens during thymocyte selection. The presence of Aire-expressing cells outside the thymus points toward its plausible extrathymic functions; however, the relative contribution of Aire-expressing cells of hematopoietic origin and their role in the modulation of autoimmune diseases are still obscure. Here, we report that non-obese diabetic mice with transgenic Aire expression under the control of the CD11c (integrin alpha X) promoter were significantly protected from autoimmune diabetes compared with their non-transgenic littermates. The protective effect of Aire transgene was mediated primarily by an increase in the “exhausted” populations of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, both demonstrating poor expressions of interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α. Both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ effector T cells in transgenic mice displayed distinctive and differential expression of T-bet and Eomesodermin, respectively, in conjunction with high expression of programmed cell death protein-1 and other exhaustion-associated markers. Importantly, transgenic Aire expression did not result in any detectable changes in the population of Foxp3⁺ regulatory T (Treg) cells. Co-transfer experiments also demonstrated that Aire transgenic dendritic cells, as a “stand-alone” cell population, had the potential to suppress effector T cells in vivo without the support of Treg cells, but eventually failed to prevent the diabetogenesis in recipient mice. In conclusion, our study suggests that apart from its role in clonal deletion of autoreactive T cells or clonal diversion to Treg lineage, Aire can also contribute to tolerance by forcing effector T cells into a state of exhaustion with poor effector functions, thereby effectively containing autoimmune diseases.

Anisotropic superconducting property studies of single crystal PbTaSe2

The anisotropic superconducting properties of PbTaSe₂ single crystal is reported. Superconductivity with T _c  =  3.83  ±  0.02 K has been characterized fully with electrical resistivity ρ(T), magnetic susceptibility χ(T), and specific heat C _p (T) measurements using single crystal samples. The superconductivity is type-II with lower critical field H _c1 and upper critical field H _c2 of 65 and 450 Oe (H⊥  to the ab-plane), 140 and 1500 Oe (H|| to the ab-plane), respectively. These results indicate that the superconductivity of PbTaSe₂ is anisotropic. The superconducting anisotropy, electron-phonon coupling λ _ep, superconducting energy gap Δ₀, and the specific heat jump ΔC/γT _c at T _c confirms that PbTaSe₂ can be categorized as a bulk superconductor.

Large transverse Hall-like signal in topological Dirac semimetal Cd3As2

Cadmium arsenide (Cd₃As₂) is known for its inverted band structure and ultra-high electron mobility. It has been theoretically predicted and also confirmed by ARPES experiments to exhibit a 3D Dirac semimetal phase containing degenerate Weyl nodes. From magneto-transport measurements in high quality single crystals of Cd₃As₂, a small effective mass m^* ≈ 0.05 m_e is determined from the Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillations. In certain field orientations, we find a splitting of the SdH oscillation frequency in the FFT spectrum suggesting a possible lifting of the double degeneracy in accord with the helical spin texture at outer and inner Fermi surfaces with opposite chirality predicted by our ab initio calculations. Strikingly, a large antisymmetric magnetoresistance with respect to the applied magnetic fields is uncovered over a wide temperature range in needle crystal of Cd₃As₂ with its long axis along [112] crystal direction. It reveals a possible contribution of intrinsic anomalous velocity term in the transport equation resulting from a unique 3D Rashba-like spin splitted bands that can be obtained from band calculations with the inclusion of Cd antisite defects.

Spin Liquid State in the 3D Frustrated Antiferromagnet PbCuTe_{2}O_{6}: NMR and Muon Spin Relaxation Studies

PbCuTe_{2}O_{6} is a rare example of a spin liquid candidate featuring a three-dimensional magnetic lattice. Strong geometric frustration arises from the dominant antiferromagnetic interaction that generates a hyperkagome network of Cu^{2+} ions although additional interactions enhance the magnetic lattice connectivity. Through a combination of magnetization measurements and local probe investigations by NMR and muon spin relaxation down to 20 mK, we provide robust evidence for the absence of magnetic freezing in the ground state. The local spin susceptibility probed by the NMR shift hardly deviates from the macroscopic one down to 1 K pointing to a homogeneous magnetic system with a low defect concentration. The saturation of the NMR shift and the sublinear power law temperature (T) evolution of the 1/T_{1} NMR relaxation rate at low T point to a nonsinglet ground state favoring a gapless fermionic description of the magnetic excitations. Below 1 K a pronounced slowing down of the spin dynamics is witnessed, which may signal a reconstruction of spinon Fermi surface. Nonetheless, the compound remains in a fluctuating spin liquid state down to the lowest temperature of the present investigation.

Mn vacancy defects, grain boundaries, and A-phase stability of helimagnet MnSi

Mn vacancy defect and grain size are shown to modify the magnetic phase diagram of MnSi significantly, especially near the critical regime of A-phase (skyrmion lattice) formation and the helimagnetic phase transition. Crystals grown using controlled nonstoichiometric initial precursors creates both grain boundaries and intrinsic Mn vacancy defect of various levels in MnSi. The results of combined transport, specific heat, and AC spin susceptibility measurements are compared for MnSi single crystal samples of various manganese deficiency levels and grain sizes. The finite-size effect and Mn vacancy level dependent helical phase transition temperature T(c) have been identified and verified. The stability of A-phase in H-T phase space has been examined through AC spin susceptibility data analysis.

Successive spin orderings of tungstate-bridged Li2Ni(WO4)2 of spin 1

Magnetic, thermodynamic, and dielectric properties of Li2Ni(WO4)2 of S  =  1 system have been studied using magnetic susceptibility, specific heat, and dielectric constant measurements. The magnetic orderings can be identified in three stages, including a short range magnetic ordering indicated by the rounded χ(T) peak with maximum at  ∼20 K, and signatures of two successful antiferromagnetic long range orderings near T(N1) ~ 18 K and T(N2) ~ 13 K revealed by the d(χ(T)) /d(T) peaks. The successive long range magnetic orderings are related to the quasi triangular symmetry breaking in the ac- and bc-planes and to the change of the dielectric constant, suggesting the presence of spin-phonon coupling. The specific heat and magnetic entropy analysis for Li2Ni(WO4)2 shows the existence of a significant low dimensional magnetic correlations at high temperature and confirms the long range three-dimensional (3D) behavior of magnetic orderings below T(N1) and T(N2).

Observation of S = 1/2 quasi-1D magnetic and magneto-dielectric behavior in a cubic SrCuTe2O6

We investigate the magnetic, thermal, and dielectric properties of SrCuTe2O6, which is isostructural to PbCuTe2O6, a recently found, Cu-based 3D frustrated magnet with a corner-sharing triangular spin network having dominant first and second nearest neighbor (nn) couplings (Koteswararao et al 2014 Phys. Rev. B 90 035141). Although SrCuTe2O6 has a structurally similar spin network, the magnetic data exhibit the characteristic features of a typical quasi-1D magnet, which mainly resulted from the magnetically dominant third nn coupling, uniform chains. The magnetic properties of this system are studied via magnetization (M), heat capacity (C p ), dielectric constant ([Formula: see text]), and measurements along with ab initio band structure calculations. The magnetic susceptibility [Formula: see text] data show a broad maximum at 32 K and the system orders at low temperatures [Formula: see text] K and [Formula: see text] K, respectively. The analysis of the [Formula: see text] data gives an intra-chain coupling, [Formula: see text], to be about  ≈  -  42 K with non-negligible frustrated inter-chain couplings ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]). The hopping parameters obtained from the LDA band structure calculations also suggest the presence of coupled uniform chains. The observation of simultaneous anomalies in [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] suggests the presence of a magneto-dielectric effect in SrCuTe2O6. A magnetic phase diagram is also built based on the M, C p , and [Formula: see text] results.

Measurement of unique magnetic and superconducting phases in oxygen-doped high-temperature superconductors La(2-x)Sr(x)CuO(4+y)

We present a combined magnetic neutron scattering and muon spin rotation study of the nature of the magnetic and superconducting phases in electronically phase separated La(2-x)Sr(x)CuO(4+y), x=0.04, 0.065, 0.09. For all samples, we find long-range modulated magnetic order below T(N) is approximately equal to Tc=39 K. In sharp contrast to oxygen-stoichiometric La(2-x)Sr(x)CuO(4), we find that the magnetic propagation vector as well as the ordered magnetic moment is independent of Sr content and consistent with that of the "striped" cuprates. Our study provides direct proof that superoxygenation in La(2-x)Sr(x)CuO(4+y) allows the spin stripe ordered phase to emerge and phase separate from superconducting regions with the hallmarks of optimally doped oxygen-stoichiometric La(2-x)Sr(x)CuO(4).

Snapshots of Dirac fermions near the Dirac point in topological insulators

The recent focus on topological insulators is due to the scientific interest in the new state of quantum matter as well as the technology potential for a new generation of THz optoelectronics, spintronics and quantum computations. It is important to elucidate the dynamics of the Dirac fermions in the topologically protected surface state. Hence we utilized a novel ultrafast optical pump mid-infrared probe to explore the dynamics of Dirac fermions near the Dirac point. The femtosecond snapshots of the relaxation process were revealed by the ultrafast optics. Specifically, the Dirac fermion-phonon coupling strength in the Dirac cone was found to increase from 0.08 to 0.19 while Dirac fermions were away from the Dirac point into higher energy states. Further, the energy-resolved transient reflectivity spectra disclosed the energy loss rate of Dirac fermions at room temperature was about 1 meV/ps. These results are crucial to the design of Dirac fermion devices.

PbCu3TeO7: an S = 1/2 staircase kagome lattice with significant intra-plane and inter-plane couplings

We have synthesized polycrystalline and single-crystal samples of PbCu3TeO7 and studied its properties via magnetic susceptibility, χ(T), and heat-capacity, Cp(T), measurements and also electronic structure calculations. Whereas the crystal structure is suggestive of the presence of a quasi-2D network of Cu(2+) (S = 1/2) buckled staircase kagome layers, the χ(T) data show magnetic anisotropy and three magnetic anomalies at temperatures TN1 ∼ 36 K, TN2 ∼ 25 K, and TN3 ∼ 17 K. The χ(T) data follow the Curie-Weiss law above 200 K and a Curie-Weiss temperature θCW ∼- 150 K is obtained. The data deviate from the simple Curie-Weiss law below 200 K, which is well above TN1, suggesting the presence of competing magnetic interactions. The magnetic anomaly at TN3 appears to be of first order from magnetization measurements, although our Cp(T) results do not display any anomaly at TN3. The hopping integrals obtained from our electronic structure calculations suggest the presence of significant intra-kagome (next-nearest neighbor and diagonal) and inter-kagome couplings. These couplings take the PbCu3TeO7 system away from a disordered ground state and lead to long-range order, in contrast to what might be expected for an ideal (isotropic) 2D kagome system.

Different modulation of Ptpn22 in effector and regulatory T cells leads to attenuation of autoimmune diabetes in transgenic nonobese diabetic mice

Ptpn22 encodes PEST domain-enriched tyrosine phosphatase (Pep), which negatively regulates TCR proximal signaling and is strongly associated with a variety of autoimmune diseases in humans. The net effect of Pep on the balance of immunity and tolerance is uncertain because of the simultaneous inhibition of TCR-mediated signaling of effector and regulatory T cells (T(regs)). In this study, we generated transgenic NOD mice that overexpressed Pep in T cells. The transgenic mice had a significantly lower incidence of spontaneous autoimmune diabetes, which was accompanied by fewer IFN-γ-producing T cells, and an increased ratio of CD4(+)Foxp3(+) T(regs)to CD4(+)IFN-γ(+) or to CD8(+)IFN-γ(+) T cells, respectively, in pancreatic islets. Transgenic T cells showed markedly decreased TCR-mediated effector cell responses such as proliferation and Th1 differentiation. By contrast, the inhibitory effect of transgenic Pep on TCR signaling did not affect the differentiation of T(regs) or their suppressive activity. Adoptive transfer experiments showed that transgenic splenocytes exhibited attenuated diabetogenic ability. To examine further the pathogenic features of transgenic T cells, we generated Ptpn22/BDC2.5 doubly transgenic mice and found reduced proliferation and Th1 differentiation in CD4(+) T lymphocytes with additional Pep in pancreatic lymph nodes but not in inguinal lymph nodes of NOD/SCID recipients. This finding indicates that transgenic Pep attenuates T cell functions in an islet Ag-driven manner. Taken together, our results demonstrate that Pep overexpression in T cells attenuates autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice by preferentially modulating TCR signaling-mediated functions in diabetogenic T cells but not in T(regs).

Evidence for dimer crystal melting in the frustrated spin-ladder system BiCu2PO6

In the spin ladder compound BiCu(2)PO(6), there exists a decisive dynamics of spin excitations that we classify and characterize using inelastic light scattering. We observe an interladder singlet bound mode at 24  cm(-1) and two intraladder bound states at 62 and 108  cm(-1) in the leg (bb) and the rung (cc) polarization as well as a broad triplon continuum extending from 36  cm(-1) to 700  cm(-1). Though isolated spin ladder physics can roughly account for the observed excitations at high energies, frustration and interladder interactions need to be considered to fully describe the spectral distribution and scattering selection rules at low and intermediate energies. In addition, we attribute the rich spectrum of singlet bound modes to a melting of a dimer crystal. Our study provides evidence for a Z(2) quantum phase transition from a dimer to a resonating valence bond state driven by singlet fluctuations.

Rodent models for investigating the dysregulation of immune responses in type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease mediated by T cells that selectively destroy the insulin-producing β cells. Previous reports based on epidemiological and animal studies have demonstrated that both genetic factors and environmental parameters can either promote or attenuate the progression of autoimmunity. In recent decades, several inbred rodent strains that spontaneously develop diabetes have been applied to the investigation of the pathogenesis of T1D. Because the genetic manipulation of mice is well developed (transgenic, knockout, and conditional knockout/transgenic), most studies are performed using the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model. This paper will focus on the use of genetically manipulated NOD mice to explore the pathogenesis of T1D and to develop potential therapeutic approaches.

Overexpression of galectin-9 in islets prolongs grafts survival via downregulation of Th1 responses

The differential activation of T helper (Th) cells and production of cytokines contribute to graft rejection or tolerance. In general, the Th1-type cytokines and cytotoxic T-cells are detected consistently in a host who is undergoing rejection, whereas Th2 responses are linked to a tolerance condition. Galectin-9 modulates Th1 cell immunity by binding to the T-cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 (Tim-3) molecule expressed on the Th1 cells. We investigate whether overexpression of galectin-9 in islets prolongs grafts survival in diabetic recipients. Islets were transduced with lentiviruses carrying galectin-9 and were then transplanted to streptozotocin-induced diabetic NOD/SCID recipients. The normoglycemic recipients then received splenocytes from diabetic NOD mice. Blood glucose concentration was monitored daily after adoptive transfer. The histology of the islet grafts and flow cytometric analyses were assessed at the end of the study. Overexpression of galectin-9 in islets prolonged graft survival in NOD/SCID mice after challenge with diabetogenic splenocytes (mean graft survival, 38.5 vs. 26.0 days, n=10, respectively; p=0.0096). The galectin-9-overexpressed grafts showed decreased infiltration of IFN-γ-producing CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cells, but not of IL-17-producing CD4(+) T-cells. Strikingly, this islet-specific genetic manipulation did not affect the systemic lymphocyte composition, indicating that galectin-9 may regulate T-cell-mediated inflammation in situ. We demonstrate that galectin-9 protects grafts from Th1 and Tc1 cell-mediated rejections, suggesting that galectin-9 has preventive and/or therapeutic benefit in transplant therapy for autoimmune diabetes and may be applied further to the transplantation of other organs or tissues.

Site occupancy and magnetic properties of pyrochlore-structured AgOs2O6

AgOs(2)O(6) prepared from ion-exchanged superconducting β-pyrochlore KOs(2)O(6) has been shown to be non-superconducting. Synchrotron x-ray structure refinement suggests that AgOs(2)O(6) has the Ag ion mostly occupying the low-symmetry 32e site in the [Formula: see text] space group of proper occupancy, which is different from the original major occupancy at the high-symmetry 8b site for KOs(2)O(6), and similar to non-superconducting Na(1.4)Os(2)O(6)·H(2)O. Magnetic susceptibility measurements found no magnetic ordering down to ~1.7 K. The trace amount of isolated spins suggests that the Ag could be neutral and lead to a pure Os(6+) valence state of zero spin in the newly prepared AgOs(2)O(6).

Electron-phonon coupling on the surface of the topological insulator Bi2Se3 determined from surface-phonon dispersion measurements

In this Letter, we report measurements of the coupling between Dirac fermion quasiparticles (DFQs) and phonons on the (001) surface of the strong topological insulator Bi2Se3. While most contemporary investigations of this coupling have involved examining the temperature dependence of the DFQ self-energy via angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements, we employ inelastic helium-atom scattering to explore, for the first time, this coupling from the phonon perspective. Using a Hilbert transform, we are able to obtain the imaginary part of the phonon self-energy associated with a dispersive surface-phonon branch identified in our previous work [Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 186102 (2011)] as having strong interactions with the DFQs. From this imaginary part of the self-energy we obtain a branch-specific electron-phonon coupling constant of 0.43, which is stronger than the values reported from the angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements.

Genetically engineered islets and alternative sources of insulin-producing cells for treating autoimmune diabetes: quo vadis?

Islet transplantation is a promising therapy for patients with type 1 diabetes that can provide moment-to-moment metabolic control of glucose and allow them to achieve insulin independence. However, two major problems need to be overcome: (1) detrimental immune responses, including inflammation induced by the islet isolation/transplantation procedure, recurrence autoimmunity, and allorejection, can cause graft loss and (2) inadequate numbers of organ donors. Several gene therapy approaches and pharmaceutical treatments have been demonstrated to prolong the survival of pancreatic islet grafts in animal models; however, the clinical applications need to be investigated further. In addition, for an alternative source of pancreatic β-cell replacement therapy, the ex vivo generation of insulin-secreting cells from diverse origins of stem/progenitor cells has become an attractive option in regenerative medicine. This paper focuses on the genetic manipulation of islets during transplantation therapy and summarizes current strategies to obtain functional insulin-secreting cells from stem/progenitor cells.

Interaction of phonons and dirac fermions on the surface of Bi2Se3: a strong Kohn anomaly

We report the first measurements of phonon dispersion curves on the (001) surface of the strong three-dimensional topological insulator Bi2Se3. The surface phonon measurements were carried out with the aid of coherent helium beam surface scattering techniques. The results reveal a prominent signature of the exotic metallic Dirac fermion quasiparticles, including a strong Kohn anomaly. The signature is manifest in a low energy isotropic convex dispersive surface phonon branch with a frequency maximum of 1.8 THz and having a V-shaped minimum at approximately 2kF that defines the Kohn anomaly. Theoretical analysis attributes this dispersive profile to the renormalization of the surface phonon excitations by the surface Dirac fermions. The contribution of the Dirac fermions to this renormalization is derived in terms of a Coulomb-type perturbation model.

Singlet-triplet excitations in the unconventional spin-Peierls TiOBr compound

We have performed time-of-flight neutron scattering measurements on powder samples of the unconventional spin-Peierls compound TiOBr using the fine-resolution Fermi chopper spectrometer (SEQUOIA) at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. These measurements reveal two branches of magnetic excitations within the commensurate and incommensurate spin-Peierls phases, which we associate with n=1 and n=2 triplet excitations out of the singlet ground state. These results represent the first direct measurement of the singlet-triplet energy gap in TiOBr, which has a value of E(g)=21.2±1.0  meV.

Transgenic expression of haem oxygenase-1 in pancreatic beta cells protects non-obese mice used as a model of diabetes from autoimmune destruction and prolongs graft survival following islet transplantation

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Haem oxygenase 1 (HO-1) has strong anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects that help protect cells against various forms of immune attack. We investigated whether transgenic expression of Ho-1 (also known as Hmox1) in pancreatic beta cells would protect NOD mice from autoimmune damage and prolong graft survival following islet transplantation.

METHODS

To evaluate the protective effect of beta cell-specific HO-1 in autoimmune diabetes, we used an insulin promoter-driven murine Ho-1 construct (pIns-mHo-1) to generate a transgenic NOD mouse. Transgene expression, insulitis and the incidence of diabetes in mice were characterised. Lymphocyte composition, the development of T helper (Th)1, Th2 and T regulatory (Treg) cells, T cell proliferation and lymphocyte-mediated disease transfer were analysed. The potential effects of transgenic islets and islet transplantation on apoptosis, inflammation and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Transgenic mice showed less severe insulitis and a lower incidence of diabetes than non-transgenic control littermates. Lymphocyte composition and functions were not affected. Islets from transgenic mice expressed lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines, proapoptotic gene expression and amounts of ROS/RNS, and were more resistant to TNF-α- and IFN-γ-induced apoptosis. Islet grafts from transgenic mice also survived longer in diabetic recipients than control islets.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Transgenic overexpression of Ho-1 in beta cells protected NOD mice from diabetes and delayed the autoimmune destruction of islet grafts, providing valuable insight into the development of better strategies for clinical islet transplantation in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Scanning transmission electron microscopy using selective high-order laue zones: three-dimensional atomic ordering in sodium cobaltate

A new scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) imaging technique using high-order Laue zones (named HOLZ-STEM), a diffraction contrast which has been strenuously avoided or minimized in traditional STEM imaging, can be used to obtain the additional 1D periodic information along the electron propagation axis without sacrificing atomic resolution in the lateral (2D) dimension. HOLZ-STEM has been demonstrated to resolve the 3D long-range Na ordering of Na0.71CoO2. Direct evidence of spiral-like Na-trimer chains twisting along the c axis is unambiguously established in real space.

Attenuation of Th1 response through galectin-9 and T-cell Ig mucin 3 interaction inhibits autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice

Galectin-9 (gal-9), widely expressed in many tissues, regulates Th1 cells and induces their apoptosis through its receptor, T-cell Ig mucin 3, which is mainly expressed on terminally differentiated Th1 cells. Type 1 diabetes is a Th1-dominant autoimmune disease that specifically destroys insulin-producing beta cells. To suppress the Th1 immune response in the development of autoimmune diabetes, we overexpressed gal-9 in NOD mice by injection of a plasmid encoding gal-9. Mice treated with gal-9 plasmid were significantly protected from diabetes and showed less severe insulitis compared with controls. Flow cytometric analyses in NOD-T1/2 double transgenic mice showed that Th1-cell population in spleen, pancreatic lymph node and pancreas was markedly decreased in gal-9 plasmid-treated mice, indicating a negative regulatory role of gal-9 in the development of pathogenic Th1 cells. Splenocytes from gal-9 plasmid-treated mice were less responsive to mitogenic stimulation than splenocytes from the control group. However, adoptive transfer of splenocytes from gal-9-treated or control mice caused diabetes in NOD/SCID recipients with similar kinetics, suggesting that gal-9 treatment does not induce active tolerance in NOD mice. We conclude that gal-9 may downregulate Th1 immune response in NOD mice and could be used as a therapeutic target in autoimmune diabetes.

Overexpression of thioredoxin in islets transduced by a lentiviral vector prolongs graft survival in autoimmune diabetic NOD mice

Abstract

Pancreatic islet transplantation is considered an appropriate treatment to achieve insulin independence in type I diabetic patients. However, islet isolation and transplantation-induced oxidative stress and autoimmune-mediated destruction are still the major obstacles to the long-term survival of graft islets in this potential therapy. To protect islet grafts from inflammatory damage and prolong their survival, we transduced islets with an antioxidative gene thioredoxin (TRX) using a lentiviral vector before transplantation. We hypothesized that the overexpression of TRX in islets would prolong islet graft survival when transplanted into diabetic non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice.

Methods

Islets were isolated from NOD mice and transduced with lentivirus carrying TRX (Lt-TRX) or enhanced green fluorescence protein (Lt-eGFP), respectively. Transduced islets were transplanted under the left kidney capsule of female diabetic NOD mice, and blood glucose concentration was monitored daily after transplantation. The histology of the islet graft was assessed at the end of the study. The protective effect of TRX on islets was investigated.

Results

The lentiviral vector effectively transduced islets without altering the glucose-stimulating insulin-secretory function of islets. Overexpression of TRX in islets reduced hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity in vitro. After transplantation into diabetic NOD mice, euglycemia was maintained for significantly longer in Lt-TRX-transduced islets than in Lt-eGFP-transduced islets; the mean graft survival was 18 vs. 6.5 days (n = 9 and 10, respectively, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

We successfully transduced the TRX gene into islets and demonstrated that these genetically modified grafts are resistant to inflammatory insult and survived longer in diabetic recipients. Our results further support the concept that the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger and antiapoptotic functions of TRX are critical to islet survival after transplantation.

Transgenic expression of single-chain anti-CTLA-4 Fv on beta cells protects nonobese diabetic mice from autoimmune diabetes

T cell-mediated immunodestruction of pancreatic beta cells is the key process responsible for both the development of autoimmune diabetes and the induction of rejection during islet transplantation. In this study, we investigate the hypothesis that transgenic expression of an agonistic, membrane-bound single-chain anti-CTLA-4 Fv (anti-CTLA-4 scFv) on pancreatic beta cells can inhibit autoimmune processes by selectively targeting CTLA-4 on pathogenic T cells. Strikingly, transgenic expression of anti-CTLA-4 scFv on pancreatic beta cells significantly protected NOD mice from spontaneous autoimmune diabetes. Interestingly, local expression of this CTLA-4 agonist did not alter the diabetogenic properties of systemic lymphocytes, because splenocytes from transgenic mice or their nontransgenic littermates equally transferred diabetes in NOD/SCID recipients. By analyzing the T cell development in anti-CTLA-4 scFv/Th1/Th2 triple transgenic mice, we found that beta cell-specific expression of CTLA-4 agonist did not affect the development of Th1/Th2 or CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells. Most strikingly, islets from transgenic mice inhibited T cell response to immobilized anti-CD3 in a T cell-islet coculture system, suggesting a trans-mediated inhibition provided by transgenic islets. Finally, transgenic islets implanted in diabetic recipients survived much longer than did wild-type islets, indicating a therapeutic potential of this genetically modified islet graft in autoimmune diabetes.

Sodium ion ordering and vacancy cluster formation in NaxCoO2 (x=0.71 and 0.84) single crystals by synchrotron X-Ray diffraction

In the rich phase diagram of NaxCoO2, x=0.71 enjoys special stability and is called the Curie-Weiss metal due to its anomalous properties. Similarly, x=0.84 prepared from high temperature melt is a special end point beyond which the system phase separates. Using synchrotron x-ray diffraction on single crystals, we discovered sqrt[12]a and sqrt[13]a superlattice structures which we interpret as the ordering of Na (vacancy) clusters. These results lead to a picture of coexisting local moments and itinerant carriers and form the first step towards understanding the many anomalous properties of cobaltates.

Magnetic ground state and transition of a quantum multiferroic LiCu2O2

Based on resonant soft x-ray magnetic scattering, we report that LiCu2O2 exhibits a large interchain coupling which suppresses quantum fluctuations along spin chains, and a quasi-2D short-range magnetic order prevails at temperatures above the magnetic transition. These observations unravel the fact that the ground state of LiCu2O2 possesses long-range 2D-like incommensurate magnetic order rather than being a gapped spin liquid as expected from the nature of quantum spin-1/2 chains. In addition, the spin coupling along the c axis is found to be essential for inducing electric polarization.

Protective role of programmed death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1)in nonobese diabetic mice: the paradox in transgenic models

OBJECTIVE

Coinhibitory signals mediated via programmed death 1 (PD-1) receptor play a critical role in downregulating immune responses and in maintaining peripheral tolerance. Programmed death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1), the interacting ligand for PD-1, widely expressed in many cell types, acts as a tissue-specific negative regulator of pathogenic T-cell responses. We investigated the protective potential of PD-L1 on autoimmune diabetes by transgenically overexpressing PD-L1 in pancreatic beta-cells in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We established an insulin promoter-driven murine PD-L1 transgenic NOD mouse model to directly evaluate the protective effect of an organ-specific PD-L1 transgene against autoimmune diabetes. Transgene expression, insulitis, and diabetic incidence were characterized in these transgenic NOD mice. Lymphocyte development, Th1 cells, and regulatory T-cells were analyzed in these transgenic mice; and T-cell proliferation, adoptive transfer, and islet transplantation were performed to evaluate the PD-L1 transgene-mediated immune-protective mechanisms.

RESULTS

The severity of insulitis in these transgenic mice is significantly decreased, disease onset is delayed, and the incidence of diabetes is markedly decreased compared with littermate controls. NOD/SCID mice that received lymphocytes from transgenic mice became diabetic at a slower rate than mice receiving control lymphocytes. Moreover, lymphocytes collected from recipients transferred by lymphocytes from transgenic mice revealed less proliferative potential than lymphocytes obtained from control recipients. Transgenic islets transplanted in diabetic recipients survived moderately longer than control islets.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate the protective potential of transgenic PD-L1 in autoimmune diabetes and illustrate its role in downregulating diabetogenic T-cells in NOD mice.

Sodium trimer ordering on a NaxCoO2 surface

Sodium ion ordering on an in situ cleaved NaxCoO2 (x=0.84) surface has been studied by ultrahigh vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy at room temperature. Three main phases, with p(3 x 3), ( radical7 x radical7), and (2 radical3 x 2 radical3) hexagonal unit cells and a surface Na concentration of 1/3, 3/7, 1/2, respectively, were identified. One surprising finding is that Na trimers act as the basic building blocks that order in long range. The stability of Na trimers is attributed to the increased Na coordination with oxygen as indicated by ab initio calculations, and possibly at finite temperature by configuration entropy.

Local moment, itinerancy, and deviation from Fermi-liquid behavior in NaxCoO2 for 0.71< or = x < or =0.84

Here we report the observation of Fermi surface (FS) pockets via the Shubnikov-de Haas effect in NaxCoO2 for x=0.71 and 0.84, respectively. Our observations indicate that the FS expected for each compound intersects their corresponding Brillouin zones, as defined by the previously reported superlattice structures, leading to small reconstructed FS pockets, but only if a precise number of holes per unit cell is localized. For 0.71< or = x < 0.75 the coexistence of itinerant carriers and localized S=1/2 spins on a paramagnetic triangular superlattice leads at low temperatures to the observation of a deviation from standard Fermi-liquid behavior in the electrical transport and heat capacity properties, suggesting the formation of some kind of quantum spin-liquid ground state.

59Co NMR evidence for charge ordering below T_(CO) approximately 51 K in Na0.5CoO2

The CoO2 layers in NaxCoO2 may be viewed as a spin S=1/2 triangular-lattice doped with charge carriers. The underlying physics of the cobaltates is very similar to that of the high T_(c) cuprates. We will present unequivocal 59Co NMR evidence that below T_(CO) approximately 51 K, the insulating ground state of the itinerant antiferromagnet Na0.5CoO2 (T_(N) approximately 86 K) is induced by charge ordering.

Shubnikov-de Haas effect in the metallic state of Na0.3CoO2

Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations for two well-defined frequencies, corresponding, respectively, to areas of 0.8 and 1.36% of the first Brillouin zone, were observed in single crystals of Na(0.3)CoO2. The existence of Na superstructures in Na0.3CoO2, coupled with this observation, suggests the possibility that the periods are due to the reconstruction of the large Fermi surface around the Gamma point. An alternative interpretation in terms of the long sought-after epsilon'(g) pockets is also considered but found to be incompatible with existing specific heat data.

Hopping conductivity in CaCu(2)O(3) single crystals

The resistivity, ρ, of the spin-ladder compound CaCu(2)O(3) is investigated between T∼130-450 K. The ρ(T) data measured for [Formula: see text] (along the Cu-O-Cu leg) and [Formula: see text] (along the Cu-O-Cu rungs), ρ(a)(T)>ρ(b)(T), exhibit an activated dependence, similar in both directions and characterized by a nearest-neighbour hopping followed by a variable-range hopping (VRH) regime when T is decreased. A detailed analysis of ρ(T) demonstrates that conventional d-dimensional models of the hopping conductivity, based on the electron localization in disordered systems, cannot interpret the experimental data at any d = 1, 2 or 3, leading to the mismatch of the characteristic energies and/or unphysical values of the characteristic length scales. The observed VRH conductivity law on the low-temperature interval, lnρ∼T(-3/4), contradicts the models above, too. Instead, it is found that this law can be substantiated and the correct matching of the energy and length scales can be found within a model of Fogler et al (2004 Phys. Rev. B 69 035413) by treating CaCu(2)O(3) as a three-dimensional array of quasi-one-dimensional electron crystals.

Anomalous electronic Raman scattering in NaxCoO2.yH2O

Raman scattering experiments on NaxCoO2.yH2O single crystals show a broad electronic continuum with a pronounced peak around 100 cm(-1) and a cutoff at approximately 560 cm(-1) over a wide range of doping levels. The electronic Raman spectra in superconducting and nonsuperconducting samples are similar at room temperature, but evolve in markedly different ways with decreasing temperature. For superconducting samples, the low-energy spectral weight is depleted upon cooling below T* approximately 150 K, indicating the opening of a pseudogap that is not present in nonsuperconducting materials. Weak additional phonon modes observed below T* suggest that the pseudogap is associated with charge ordering.

Neutron scattering study of novel magnetic order in Na0.5CoO2

We report polarized and unpolarized neutron scattering measurements of the magnetic order in single crystals of Na0.5CoO2. Our data indicate that below TN=88 K the spins form a novel antiferromagnetic pattern within the CoO2 planes, consisting of alternating rows of ordered and nonordered Co ions. The domains of magnetic order appear to be closely coupled to the domains of Na ion order, consistent with such a twofold symmetric spin arrangement. Magnetoresistance and anisotropic susceptibility measurements further support this model for the electronic ground state.

Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations and the magnetic-field-induced suppression of the charge ordered state in Na(0.5)CoO2

We have performed electrical transport measurements at low temperatures and high magnetic fields in Na(0.5)CoO2 single crystals. Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations corresponding to only 1% of the area of the orthorhombic Brillouin zone were clearly observed, indicating that most of the original Fermi surface vanishes at the charge-ordering (CO) transition. In-plane magnetic fields were found to suppress strongly the CO state. For fields rotated within the conducting planes, we observe angular magnetoresistance oscillations whose periodicity changes from twofold to sixfold at the transition.

Orbital symmetry and electron correlation in NaxCoO2

Measurements of polarization-dependent soft x-ray absorption reveal that the electronic states determining the low-energy excitations of NaxCoO2 have predominantly a(1g) symmetry with significant O 2p character. In contrast to the prediction of band theory, doping-dependent O 1s x-ray absorption shows a large transfer of spectral weight, providing spectral evidence for strong electron correlations of the layered cobaltates. We also found that NaxCoO2 exhibits a charge-transfer electronic character rather than a Mott-Hubbard character.

Spin dynamics in the carrier-doped S=1/2 triangular lattice of NaxCoO2.yH2O

We probed the local electronic properties of the mixed-valent Co+4-x triangular lattice in NaxCoO2.yH(2)O by 59Co NMR. We observed two distinct types of Co sites for x > or =1/2, but the valence seems averaged out for x approximately 1/3. Local spin fluctuations exhibit qualitatively the same trend down to approximately 100 K regardless of the carrier concentration x, and hence the nature of the electronic ground state. A canonical Fermi-liquid behavior emerges below approximately 100 K only for x approximately 1/3.

Genetic polymorphisms of the HCR gene and a genomic segment in close proximity to HLA-C are associated with patients with psoriasis in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

Although psoriasis vulgaris (PV) is strongly associated with HLA-Cw*0602, it has been proposed that the association of Cw*0602 is due to linkage disequilibrium and that other nearby genes are involved in PV susceptibility. The alpha-helix coiled-coil rod homologue (HCR) gene, located 110 kb telomeric to the HLA-C locus, is presumed to be one of the PV candidate genes. Recently, a 10-kb genomic segment, centromeric to HLA-C, defined by two new single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) n.7*A and n.9*C, was found to have a stronger association with psoriasis than the HCR gene. Until now, no study of the association of the HCR gene, SNPs n.7, and n.9 has been conducted on Chinese patients with psoriasis.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to determine whether the genetic polymorphisms of the HCR gene, SNPs n.7*A, and n.9*C were associated with an increased risk of psoriasis in Chinese patients.

METHODS

Using direct sequencing of the HCR gene and the genomic region containing SNPs n.7 and n.9, we investigated the HCR gene, SNPs n.7, and n.9 for disease association in 115 Chinese patients with psoriasis and 103 control subjects. The HCR SNPs were confirmed by denaturing high performance liquid chromatography. Genotyping for HLA-Cw*0602 was also carried out using sequence-based typing.

RESULTS

We observed a different allelic distribution between patient and control groups at nucleotide positions 386, 404, 1802 and 2406 of the HCR gene, and SNPs n.7, and n.9. The associations were much stronger in early onset PV patients (for HCR-386*T and HCR-404*T, odds ratio = 5.63, Pc < 0.0001). The HLA-Cw*0602 also displayed a similar association with PV (odds ratio = 5.4, Pc < 0.0001). Moreover, SNP n.7*A, SNP n.9*C, Cw*0602, HCR-386*T, HCR-404*T and HCR-1802*T were in linkage disequilibrium with each other. Haplotype-based association analysis showed SNP n.7*A-SNP n.9*C-Cw*0602-HCR-386*T-HCR-404*T-HCR-1802*T-HCR-2406*G as a major susceptibility haplotype in this Chinese population (for early onset patients, odds ratio = 5.15, Pc < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the HCR gene, SNP n.7*A, and SNP n.9*C as well as Cw*0602 are major susceptibility markers for psoriasis in Chinese patients.

Thermodynamic and transport measurements of superconducting Na0.3CoO2.1.3H2O single crystals prepared by electrochemical deintercalation

Superconducting single crystal samples of Na0.3CoO2.1.3H(2)O have been produced using an electrochemical technique which dispenses with the usual bromine chemical deintercalation method. In fully hydrated crystals, susceptibility and specific heat measurements confirm that bulk superconductivity has been achieved. The extracted normal state density of states indicates Fermi-liquid behavior with strong mass enhancement and a modest Wilson ratio. Measurements of H(c2) for H parallel c and H parallel ab reveal significant anisotropy, and the extracted value for the coherence length is about 100 A, consistent with an extremely narrow bandwidth.

17O NMR study of q = 0 spin excitations in a nearly ideal S = 1 / 2 1D Heisenberg antiferromagnet, Sr2CuO3, up to 800 K

We used 17O NMR to probe the uniform (wave vector q = 0) electron spin excitations up to 800 K in Sr2CuO3 and separate the q = 0 from the q = +/-pi / a staggered components. Our results support the logarithmic decrease of the uniform spin susceptibility below T approximately 0.015J, where J = 2200 K. From measurement of the dynamical spin susceptibility for q = 0 by the spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T(1), we demonstrate that the q = 0 mode of spin transport is ballistic at the T = 0 limit, but has a diffusion-like contribution at finite temperatures even for T<<J.