Identification and removal of unexpected proliferative off-target cells emerging after iPSC-derived pancreatic islet cell implantation

Differentiation of pancreatic endocrine cells from human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) has been thoroughly investigated for application in cell therapy against diabetes. In the context of induced pancreatic endocrine cell implantation, previous studies have reported graft enlargement resulting from off-target pancreatic lineage cells. However, there is currently no documented evidence of proliferative off-target cells beyond the pancreatic lineage in existing studies. Here, we show that the implantation of seven-stage induced PSC-derived pancreatic islet cells (s7-iPICs) leads to the emergence of unexpected off-target cells with proliferative capacity via in vivo maturation. These cells display characteristics of both mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs), termed proliferative MSC- and SMC-like cells (PMSCs). The frequency of PMSC emergence was found to be high when 108 s7-iPICs were used. Given that clinical applications involve the use of a greater number of induced cells than 108, it is challenging to ensure the safety of clinical applications unless PMSCs are adequately addressed. Accordingly, we developed a detection system and removal methods for PMSCs. To detect PMSCs without implantation, we implemented a 4-wk-extended culture system and demonstrated that putative PMSCs could be reduced by compound treatment, particularly with the taxane docetaxel. When docetaxel-treated s7-iPICs were implanted, the PMSCs were no longer observed. This study provides useful insights into the identification and resolution of safety issues, which are particularly important in the field of cell-based medicine using PSCs.

Characterization and reduction of non-endocrine cells accompanying islet-like endocrine cells differentiated from human iPSC

The differentiation of pancreatic endocrine cells from human pluripotent stem cells has been thoroughly investigated for their application in cell therapy against diabetes. Although non-endocrine cells are inevitable contaminating by-products of the differentiation process, a comprehensive profile of such cells is lacking. Therefore, we characterized non-endocrine cells in iPSC-derived pancreatic islet cells (iPIC) using single-cell transcriptomic analysis. We found that non-endocrine cells consist of (1) heterogeneous proliferating cells, and (2) cells with not only pancreatic traits but also liver or intestinal traits marked by FGB or AGR2. Non-endocrine cells specifically expressed FGFR2, PLK1, and LDHB. We demonstrated that inhibition of pathways involving these genes selectively reduced the number of non-endocrine cells in the differentiation process. These findings provide useful insights into cell purification approaches and contribute to the improvement of the mass production of endocrine cells for stem cell-derived cell therapy for diabetes.

Chemically defined conditions for long-term maintenance of pancreatic progenitors derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells

Large numbers of hormone-releasing cells, approximately 10⁹ endocrine cells, are required to treat type I diabetes patients by cell transplantation. The SOX9-positive pancreatic epithelium proliferates extensively during the early stages of pancreatic development. SOX9-positive pancreatic epithelium is thought to be an expandable cell source of β cells for transplantation therapy. In this study, we attempted to expand pancreatic progenitors (PPs: PDX1⁺/SOX9⁺) derived from four human iPSC lines in three-dimensional (3D) culture using a chemically defined medium and examined the potential of the derived PPs to differentiate into β-like cells. PPs from four human iPSC lines were maintained and effectively proliferated in a chemically defined medium containing epidermal growth factor and R-spondin-1, CHIR99021, fibroblast growth factor-7, and SB431542. PPs derived from one iPSC line can be expanded by more than 10⁴-fold in chemically defined medium containing two of the fives, epidermal growth factor and R-spondin-1. The expanded PPs were also stable following cryopreservation. After freezing and thawing, the PPs proliferated without a decrease in the rate. PPs obtained after 50 days of culture successfully differentiated into insulin-positive β-like cells, glucagon-positive α-like cells, and somatostatin-positive δ-like cells. The differentiation efficiency of expanded PPs was similar to that of PPs without expansion culture.

Maturation of human iPS cell-derived dopamine neuron precursors in alginate-Ca(2+) hydrogel

BACKGROUND

Pluripotent stem cells (embryonic stem/induced pluripotent stem cells) have been widely studied as a potential cell source for cell transplantation therapy of Parkinson's disease. However, some difficulties remain to be overcome. These include the need to prepare a large number of dopamine (DA) neurons for clinical use and to culture the cells for a long period to allow their functional maturation and the removal of undifferentiated cells.

METHODS

In this study, aggregates of DA neuron precursors were enclosed in alginate-Ca(2+) microbeads, and the encapsulated aggregates were cultured for 25days to induce cell maturation.

RESULTS

More than 60% of cells in the aggregates differentiated into tyrosine hydroxylase-positive DA neurons. The aggregates could release DA at the same level as aggregates maintained on culture dishes without encapsulation. In addition, by exposure to a citrate solution, the alginate-Ca(2+) gel layer could be easily removed from aggregates without damaging the DA neurons. When the aggregates were transplanted into rat brain, viable cells were found in the graft at one week post-transplantation, with cells extending neurites into the host tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

Cell aggregates encapsulated in alginate-Ca(2+) beads successfully differentiated into mature DA neurons.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

The alginate-Ca(2+) microbead is suitable for maintaining DA precursor aggregates for a long period to allow their functional maturation.

Microencapsulation of dopamine neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells

BACKGROUND

Dopamine neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells have been widely studied for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. However, various difficulties remain to be overcome, such as tumor formation, fragility of dopamine neurons, difficulty in handling large numbers of dopamine neurons, and immune reactions. In this study, human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived precursors of dopamine neurons were encapsulated in agarose microbeads. Dopamine neurons in microbeads could be handled without specific protocols, because the microbeads protected the fragile dopamine neurons from mechanical stress.

METHODS

hiPS cells were seeded on a Matrigel-coated dish and cultured to induce differentiation into a dopamine neuronal linage. On day 18 of culture, cells were collected from the culture dishes and seeded into U-bottom 96-well plates to induce cell aggregate formation. After 5 days, cell aggregates were collected from the plates and microencapsulated in agarose microbeads. The microencapsulated aggregates were cultured for an additional 45 days to induce maturation of dopamine neurons.

RESULTS

Approximately 60% of all cells differentiated into tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in agarose microbeads. The cells released dopamine for more than 40 days. In addition, microbeads containing cells could be cryopreserved.

CONCLUSION

hiPS cells were successfully differentiated into dopamine neurons in agarose microbeads.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

Agarose microencapsulation provides a good supporting environment for the preparation and storage of dopamine neurons.

Molecular cloning and gene expression of chum salmon cystatin

A salmon cystatin cDNA clone was isolated from a chum salmon cDNA library. The clone encoded a full-length extracellular-type cystatin and its signal peptide and included 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions. The deduced amino acid sequence showed a high degree of sequence similarity to mammalian cystatin C, chicken egg cystatin, and chum salmon pituitary cystatin. By Northern blot analysis, the salmon cystatin was found to show apparently non-tissue specific expression. Because platyfish EHS cells transfected with a cystatin expression vector produced a 13 kDa mature cystatin in the culture medium, the salmon cystatin was considered to act as an extracellular type of cystatin in the fish cells. These findings indicate that the salmon cystatin is a homolog of mammalian cystatin C.

A novel cysteine protease inhibitor of the egg of chum salmon, containing a cysteine-rich thyroglobulin-like motif

ECI, one of three isoforms of cysteine protease inhibitor found in chum salmon eggs was purified to homogeneity, and its complete amino acid sequence was determined. The primary structure of ECI did not resemble those of other cysteine protease inhibitors of the cystatin superfamily but did resemble that of a cysteine-rich motif found as a repetitive structural element in thyroglobulin and several other proteins. The function of the cysteine-rich motif is not yet hypothesis. Two cysteine motif proteins, thyroglobulin and entactin, were tested for papain inhibitory activity and found to have none.

Cysteine protease inhibitor in egg of chum salmon

Two different cysteine protease inhibitors (Forms I and II) were isolated from chum salmon egg, and their molecular weights were found to be 16,000 and 11,000, respectively. When the N-terminal amino acid sequences of Forms I and II were compared, 67% of the residues were identical but no apparent homology was found between these inhibitors and cystatins of higher vertebrates. Because the amounts of half-cystine were estimated to be 7-8 residues per molecule, they can be classified into a new group of the cystatin superfamily.

High activities of cathepsins B, D, H, and L in the white muscle of chum salmon in spawning migration

1. Activities of cathepsins, lysosomal hydrolytic enzymes and cysteine protease inhibitor in both the white and red muscles of chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) caught during spawning and feeding migrations were compared. 2. In the white muscle, cathepsins B, D, H and L activities were 3-7 times higher in the fish in spawning migration than those in feeding migration. However, in the red muscle, no such marked differences were observed between them. 3. Cysteine protease inhibitory activity and extractable protein content in the white muscle of the fish in spawning migration were about 40% lower than those in feeding migration. 4. The present study supports the conception that the cathepsins are related to protein catabolism of the fish during spawning migration.

Purification and characterization of cathepsin L from the white muscle of chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta

1. Cathepsin L of the white muscle of chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) in spawning migration was purified to homogeneity by a series of chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex (1st), SP-Sephadex, CM-Sephadex, DEAE-Sephadex (2nd) and Sephadex G-100. 2. The molecular weight of salmon muscle cathepsin L was estimated to be 30,000 and its isoelectric point was 5.2. 3. Cathepsin L had a pH optimum of 5.6, required a thiol-reducing reagent for activation, and was inhibited by cysteine protease inhibitors. 4. The Km and kcat values for Z-Phe-Arg-MCA were determined to be 1.68 microM and 15.8 s-1, respectively. This enzyme hydrolyzed proteins such as insulin B chain, hemoglobin, serum albumin and azocasein easily. 5. The bond specificity to oxidized insulin B chain inferred that the enzyme had a preference for hydrophobic amino acid in P2 and P3 residues.