Good Manufacturing Practice-compliant change of raw material in the manufacturing process of a clinically used advanced therapy medicinal product-a comparability study.

The development of medicinal products often continues throughout the different phases of a clinical study and may require challenging changes in raw and starting materials at later stages. Comparability between the product properties pre- and post-change thus needs to be ensured. Here, we describe and validate the regulatory compliant change of a raw material using the example of a nasal chondrocyte tissue-engineered cartilage (N-TEC) product, initially developed for treatment of confined knee cartilage lesions. Scaling up the size of N-TEC as required for the treatment of larger osteoarthritis defects required the substitution of autologous serum with a clinical-grade human platelet lysate (hPL) to achieve greater cell numbers necessary for the manufacturing of larger size grafts. A risk-based approach was performed to fulfill regulatory requirements and demonstrate comparability of the products manufactured with the standard process (autologous serum) already applied in clinical indications and the modified process (hPL). Critical attributes with regard to quality, purity, efficacy, safety and stability of the product as well as associated test methods and acceptance criteria were defined. Results showed that hPL added during the expansion phase of nasal chondrocytes enhances proliferation rate, population doublings and cell numbers at passage 2 without promoting the overgrowth of potentially contaminant perichondrial cells. N-TEC generated with the modified versus standard process contained similar content of DNA and cartilaginous matrix proteins with even greater expression levels of chondrogenic genes. The increased risk for tumorigenicity potentially associated with the use of hPL was assessed through karyotyping of chondrocytes at passage 4, revealing no chromosomal changes. Moreover, the shelf-life of N-TEC established for the standard process could be confirmed with the modified process. In conclusion, we demonstrated the introduction of hPL in the manufacturing process of a tissue engineered product, already used in a late-stage clinical trial. Based on this study, the national competent authorities in Switzerland and Germany accepted the modified process which is now applied for ongoing clinical tests of N-TEC. The described activities can thus be taken as a paradigm for successful and regulatory compliant demonstration of comparability in advanced therapy medicinal products manufacturing.

A novel, bedside technique to rapidly identify umbilical cord blood units with high total nucleated cell numbers.

BACKGROUND: With increasing demand for umbilical cord blood units (CBUs) with total nucleated cell (TNC) counts of more than 150 × 10(7) , preshipping assessment is mandatory. Umbilical cord blood processing requires aseptic techniques and laboratories with specific air quality and cleanliness. Our aim was to establish a fast and efficient method for determining TNC counts at the obstetric ward without exposing the CBU to the environment. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Data from a total of 151 cord blood donations at a single procurement site were included in this prospective study. We measured TNC counts in cord blood aliquots taken from the umbilical cord (TNCCord ), from placenta (TNCPlac ), and from a tubing segment of the sterile collection system (TNCTS ). TNC counts were compared to reference TNC counts in the CBU which were ascertained at the cord blood bank (TNCCBU ). RESULTS: TNCTS counts (173 ± 33 × 10(7) cells; calculated for 1 unit) correlated fully with the TNCCBU reference counts (166 ± 33 × 10(7) cells, Pearson's r = 0.97, p < 0.0001). In contrast, TNCCord and TNCPlac counts were more disparate from the reference (r = 0.92 and r = 0.87, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A novel method of measuring TNC counts in tubing segments from the sterile cord blood collection system allows rapid and correct identification of CBUs with high cell numbers at the obstetric ward without exposing cells to the environment. This approach may contribute to cost efficacy as only CBUs with satisfactory TNC counts need to be shipped to the cord blood bank.

Increase of endothelial progenitor cells in acute graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukaemia.

INTRODUCTION: Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs; CD31+ CD34(bright)CD133+ CD45(dim) cells) are novel markers of endothelial dysfunction and related to inflammatory processes such as acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 47 patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) who were in complete remission as they underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with myeloablative conditioning with PBSC as stem cell source were enrolled in the study. Blood samples for the quantitative analysis of circulating EPC levels were drawn at different time points in patients with and without aGvHD. CD34+ VEGFR2/KDR+ CD133+ triple-positive cells identified among CD34+ cells by FACS. EPC were quantified and data are presented as cells/ml whole blood. RESULTS: Circulating EPC levels were not significantly different in patients with and without aGvHD prior to conditioning (baseline) and at the time of engraftment. However, at diagnosis of aGvHD≥grade 2, EPC levels increased whereas in patients without aGvHD the EPC levels remained significantly lower (3021±278 versus 2322±195 cells/ml; p<0.001). Patients with steroid-refractory aGvHD had high levels of EPC throughout. EPC levels fell in responding patients. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that the number of circulating EPCs is increased in patients with aGvHD compared to patients without aGvHD.

Cell Growth Dynamics in Embryonic and Adult Mouse Thyroid Revealed by a Novel Approach to Detect Thyroid Gland Subpopulations.

BACKGROUND: The thyroid is composed of endocrine epithelial cells, blood vessels, and mesenchyme. However, no data exist thus far on absolute cell numbers, relative distribution, and proliferation of the different cell populations in the developing and mature thyroid. The aim of this study was therefore to establish a flow cytometry protocol that allows detection and quantification of discrete cell populations in embryonic and adult murine thyroid tissues. METHODS: Cell-type anti-mouse specific antibodies were used for erythroid cells (Ter119), hematopoietic cells (CD45), epithelial cells (EpCam/CD326, E-cadherin/CD324), thyroid follicular cells and C-cells (Nkx2-1), endothelial cells (Pecam/CD31, Icam-1/CD54), and fibroblasts (PDGFRa/CD140a). Proliferating cells were detected after labeling with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU). For flow cytometry analyses, micro-dissected embryonic (E) and adult thyroids were pooled (E13.5, n = 25; E15.5, n = 15; E17.5, n = 15; adult, n = 4) in one sample. RESULTS: The absolute parenchymal cell numbers per mouse thyroid (M ± SD), excluding the large number of CD45(+) and Ter119(+) cells, increased from 7425 ± 1338 at E13.5 to 271,561 ± 22,325 in adult tissues. As expected, Nkx2-1(+) cells represented the largest cell population in adult tissues (61.2 ± 1.1%). Surprisingly, at all three embryonic stages analyzed, thyroid follicular cells and C-cells accounted only for a small percentage of the total thyroid cell mass (between 4.7 ± 0.4% and 9.4 ± 1.6%). In contrast, the largest cell population at all three embryonic stages was identified as PDGFRa/CD140a(+) fibroblasts (61.4 ± 0.4% to 77.3 ± 1.1%). However, these cells represented the smallest population in adult tissues (5.2 ± 0.8%). Pecam/CD31(+) endothelial cells increased from E13.5 to E15.5 from 3.7 ± 0.8% to 8.5 ± 3.0%, then remained stable at E17.5 and adult tissues. Proliferation rates were sizable during the entire organogenesis but differed between cell populations, with distinct proliferative peaks at E13.5 in epithelial cells (32.7 ± 0.6% BrdU(+) cells), and at E15.5 in endothelial cells (22.4 ± 2.4% BrdU(+) cells). Fibroblasts showed a constant proliferation rate in embryonic tissues. In adult tissues, BrdU(+) cells were between 0.1% and 0.4% in all cell types. CONCLUSIONS: Using a novel flow cytometry-based method, a previously unobserved highly dynamic growth pattern of thyroid cell populations during embryogenesis was uncovered. This approach will provide a useful new tool for cell function analyses in murine thyroid disease models.

Impaired thymic expression of tissue-restricted antigens licenses the de novo generation of autoreactive CD4+ T cells in acute GVHD.

During acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in mice, autoreactive T cells can be generated de novo in the host thymus implying an impairment in self-tolerance induction. As a possible mechanism, we have previously reported that mature medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC(high)) expressing the autoimmune regulator are targets of donor T-cell alloimmunity during aGVHD. A decline in mTEC(high) cell pool size, which purges individual tissue-restricted peripheral self-antigens (TRA) from the total thymic ectopic TRA repertoire, weakens the platform for central tolerance induction. Here we provide evidence in a transgenic mouse system using ovalbumin (OVA) as a model surrogate TRA that the de novo production of OVA-specific CD4(+) T cells during acute GVHD is a direct consequence of impaired thymic ectopic OVA expression in mTEC(high) cells. Our data, therefore, indicate that a functional compromise of the medullary mTEC(high) compartment may link alloimmunity to the development of autoimmunity during chronic GVHD.

Epithelial cytoprotection sustains ectopic expression of tissue-restricted antigens in the thymus during murine acute GVHD.

Development of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) predisposes to chronic GVHD with autoimmune manifestations. A characteristic of experimental aGVHD is the de novo generation of autoreactive T cells. Central tolerance is dependent on the intrathymic expression of tissue-restricted peripheral self-antigens (TRA), which is in mature medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC(high)) partly controlled by the autoimmune regulator (Aire). Because TECs are targets of donor T-cell alloimmunity, we tested whether murine aGVHD interfered with the capacity of recipient Aire(+)mTEC(high) to sustain TRA diversity. We report that aGVHD weakens the platform for central tolerance induction because individual TRAs are purged from the total repertoire secondary to a decline in the Aire(+)mTEC(high) cell pool. Peritransplant administration of an epithelial cytoprotective agent, fibroblast growth factor-7, maintained a stable pool of Aire(+)mTEC(high), with an improved TRA transcriptome despite aGVHD. Taken together, our data provide a mechanism for how autoimmunity may develop in the context of antecedent alloimmunity.

Use of human embryonic stem cells and umbilical cord blood stem cells for research and therapy: a prospective survey among health care professionals and patients in Switzerland.

BACKGROUND: Scientific progress in the biology of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) provides opportunities for advances in therapy for different diseases. While stem cell sources such as umbilical cord blood (UCB) are unproblematic, other sources such as human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) raise ethical concerns. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In a prospective survey we established the ethical acceptability of collection, research, and therapy with UCB HSCs versus hESCs among health care professionals, pregnant women, patients undergoing in vitro fertilization therapy, parents, and HSC donors and recipients in Switzerland. RESULTS: There was overall agreement about an ethical justification for the collection of UCB for research and therapy in the majority of participants (82%). In contrast, research and therapy with hESCs was acceptable only by a minority (38% of all responders). The collection of hESCs solely created for HSC collection purposes met overall with the lowest approval rates. Hematologists displayed among the participants the highest acceptance rates for the use of hESCs with 55% for collection, 63% for research, and 73% for therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study assessing the perception of hESCs for research and therapy in comparison with UCB HSCs in different target groups that are exposed directly, indirectly, or not at all to stem cell-based medicine. Our study shows that the debate over the legitimacy of embryo-destructive transplantation medicine is far from over as particularly hESC research continues to present an ethical problem to an overwhelming majority among laypersons and even among health care professionals.

High acceptance rate of hybrid allogeneic-autologous umbilical cord blood banking among actual and potential Swiss donors.

BACKGROUND: Two competitive concepts of umbilical cord blood (UCB) banking are currently available: either allogeneic UCB is donated to a public bank or autologous cells are stored in a private bank. Allogeneic-autologous hybrid banking is a new concept that combines these two approaches. However, acceptance of hybrid UCB banking among potential donors is unknown to date. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In a prospective survey, we aimed to establish the acceptance of the hybrid banking model among actual and potential UCB donors in Switzerland. The study groups consisted of parents and pregnant women with or without children. As control group, women at reproductive ages were investigated. RESULTS: The majority of participants agreed fundamentally with UCB donation, and overall acceptance of private banking was 47%. If a possibility for hybrid banking were to be made available, 49% would opt for such a public-private model and only 13% would choose private banking alone. Among the proponents of hybrid banking, a majority of participants chose donor cell splitting over the sequential banking mode. Fifty-six percent of responders wished prior notification before the release of their donated UCB to a foreign recipient. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study which compared the acceptance of allogeneic, autologous, and hybrid allogeneic-autologous UCB banking in different target groups. We demonstrated that hybrid cord blood banking is the preferred model of banking among actual and potential UCB donors. With increasing demand for UCB in the future, health care providers should therefore consider offering hybrid banking as a viable storage option.

Thymic T-cell development in allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Cytoreductive conditioning regimens used in the context of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) elicit deficits in innate and adaptive immunity, which predispose patients to infections. As such, transplantation outcomes depend vitally on the successful reconstruction of immune competence. Restoration of a normal peripheral T-cell pool after HCT is a slow process that requires the de novo production of naive T cells in a functionally competent thymus. However, there are several challenges to this regenerative process. Most notably, advanced age, the cytotoxic pretransplantation conditioning, and posttransplantation alloreactivity are risk factors for T-cell immune deficiency as they independently interfere with normal thymus function. Here, we discuss preclinical allogeneic HCT models and clinical observations that have contributed to a better understanding of the transplant-related thymic dysfunction. The identification of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that control regular thymopoiesis but are altered in HCT patients is expected to provide the basis for new therapies that improve the regeneration of the adaptive immune system, especially with functionally competent, naive T cells.

The role of the thymus in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is used to treat an increasing number of congenital and acquired disorders of the haematopoietic system. Even though cytoreductive conditioning regimens vary in intensity, all clinically used protocols invariably cause side effects that compromise transiently or long-term the response of the natural and the adaptive immune systems. However, in the context of the reconstruction of immunity, the generation of naïve T cells constitutes a slow process, and requires a functionally competent thymus. Unfortunately, regular thymic function is frequently suppressed by transplant-related toxicities. Most notably, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) causes a state of posttransplantation immune deficiency. Here we discuss preclinical allogeneic HSCT models and clinical observations that have contributed to a detailed understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for the thymic dysfunction caused by acute GVHD. An in-depth knowledge of the mechanisms that control regular thymopoiesis and, conversely, affect thymus function is expected to provide the factual basis for the design of innovative therapies to recover T-cell numbers and function following allogeneic HSCT.

Emerging strategies to boost thymic function.

The thymus constitutes the primary lymphoid organ for the generation of T cells. Its function is particularly susceptible to various negative influences ranging from age-related involution to atrophy as a consequence of malnutrition, infection or harmful iatrogenic influences such as chemotherapy and radiation. The loss of regular thymus function significantly increases the risk for infections and cancer because of a restricted capacity for immune surveillance. In recent years, thymus-stimulatory, thymus-regenerative, and thymus-protective strategies have been developed to enhance and repair thymus function in the elderly and in individuals undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. These strategies include the use of sex steroid ablation, the administration of growth and differentiation factors, the inhibition of p53, and the transfer of T cell progenitors to alleviate the effects of thymus dysfunction and consequent T cell deficiency.

Stabilized beta-catenin in thymic epithelial cells blocks thymus development and function.

Thymic T cell development is dependent on a specialized epithelial microenvironment mainly composed of cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells (TECs). The molecular programs governing the differentiation and maintenance of TECs remain largely unknown. Wnt signaling is central to the development and maintenance of several organ systems but a specific role of this pathway for thymus organogenesis has not yet been ascertained. In this report, we demonstrate that activation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway by a stabilizing mutation of beta-catenin targeted exclusively to TECs changes the initial commitment of endodermal epithelia to a thymic cell fate. Consequently, the formation of a correctly composed and organized thymic microenvironment is prevented, thymic immigration of hematopoietic precursors is restricted, and intrathymic T cell differentiation is arrested at a very early developmental stage causing severe immunodeficiency. These results suggest that a precise regulation of canonical Wnt signaling in thymic epithelia is essential for normal thymus development and function.

The immunopathology of thymic GVHD.

The clinical success of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) depends on the appropriate reconstitution of the host's immune system. While recovery of T-cell immunity may occur in transplant recipients via both thymus-dependent and thymus-independent pathways, the regeneration of a population of phenotypically naive T cells with a broad receptor repertoire relies entirely on the de novo generation of T-cells in the thymus. Preclinical models and clinical studies of allogeneic HSCT have identified the thymus as a target of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), thus limiting T-cell regeneration. The present review focuses on recent insight into how GVHD affects thymic structure and function and how this knowledge may aid in the design of new strategies to improve T-cell reconstitution following allogeneic HSCT.

The thymus in GVHD pathophysiology.

A favorable outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) depends on the complete reconstitution of the host's immune system. While recovery of peripheral T cells occurs in transplant recipients via both thymus-dependent and thymus-independent pathways, the regeneration of a population of phenotypically naive T cells with a broad T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire relies entirely on the de novo generation of T cells in the thymus. However, preclinical models and clinical studies of allogeneic HSCT have identified the thymus as a target of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The present review focuses on recent insight into how GVHD affects thymic function and how this knowledge aides the design of new strategies to improve immune reconstitution following allogeneic HSCT.

A short primer on early molecular and cellular events in thymus organogenesis and replacement.

Haematopoietic precursors have to undergo a complex series of maturational steps in the thymus before they exit into the periphery as functional T lymphocytes. Thymic stroma cells, the majority being of epithelial origin, provide the functional partners for the maturational progression along this differentiation pathway. Here we review some of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that account for thymus organogenesis and discuss a strategy to use thymic epithelial precursor cells for the regeneration of the thymic microenvironment.

Normal erythropoiesis but severe polyposis and bleeding anemia in Smad4-deficient mice.

The tumor suppressor Smad4 mediates signaling by the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) superfamily of ligands. Previous studies showed that several TGF-beta family members exert important functions in hematopoiesis. Here, we studied the role of Smad4 in adult murine hematopoiesis using the inducible Mx-Cre/loxP system. Mice with homozygous Smad4 deletion (Smad4(Delta/Delta)) developed severe anemia 6 to 8 weeks after induction (mean hemoglobin level 70 g/L). The anemia was not transplantable, as wild-type mice reconstituted with Smad4(Delta/Delta) bone marrow cells had normal peripheral blood counts. These mice did not develop an inflammatory disease typical for mice deficient in TGF-beta receptors I and II, suggesting that the suppression of inflammation by TGF-beta is Smad4 independent. The same results were obtained when Smad4 alleles were deleted selectively in hematopoietic cells using the VavCre transgenic mice. In contrast, lethally irradiated Smad4(Delta/Delta) mice that received wild-type bone marrow cells developed anemia similar to Smad4(Delta/Delta) mice that did not receive a transplant. Liver iron stores were decreased and blood was present in stool, indicating that the anemia was due to blood loss. Multiple polyps in stomach and colon represent a likely source of the bleeding. We conclude that Smad4 is not required for adult erythropoiesis and that anemia is solely the consequence of blood loss.

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) enhances postnatal T-cell development via enhancements in proliferation and function of thymic epithelial cells.

The systemic administration of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) enhances T-cell lymphopoiesis in normal mice and mice that received a bone marrow transplant. KGF exerts protection to thymic stromal cells from cytoablative conditioning and graft-versus-host disease-induced injury. However, little is known regarding KGF's molecular and cellular mechanisms of action on thymic stromal cells. Here, we report that KGF induces in vivo a transient expansion of both mature and immature thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and promotes the differentiation of the latter type of cells. The increased TEC numbers return within 2 weeks to normal values and the microenvironment displays a normal architectural organization. Stromal changes initiate an expansion of immature thymocytes and permit regular T-cell development at an increased rate and for an extended period of time. KGF signaling in TECs activates both the p53 and NF-kappaB pathways and results in the transcription of several target genes necessary for TEC function and T-cell development, including bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), BMP4, Wnt5b, and Wnt10b. Signaling via the canonical BMP pathway is critical for the KGF effects. Taken together, these data provide new insights into the mechanism(s) of action of exogenous KGF on TEC function and thymopoiesis.

Donor T-cell alloreactivity against host thymic epithelium limits T-cell development after bone marrow transplantation.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) impairs thymus-dependent T-cell regeneration in recipients of allogeneic bone marrow transplants through yet to be defined mechanisms. Here, we demonstrate in mice that MHC-mismatched donor T cells home into the thymus of unconditioned recipients. There, activated donor T cells secrete IFN-gamma, which in turn stimulates the programmed cell death of thymic epithelial cells (TECs). Because TECs themselves are competent and sufficient to prime naive allospecific T cells and to elicit their effector function, the elimination of host-type professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) does not prevent donor T-cell activation and TEC apoptosis, thus precluding normal thymopoiesis in transplant recipients. Hence, strategies that protect TECs may be necessary to improve immune reconstitution following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

A short primer on early molecular and cellular events in thymus organogenesis and replacement.

Haematopoietic precursors have to undergo a complex series of maturational steps in the thymus before they exit into the periphery as functional T lymphocytes. Thymic stroma cells, the majority being of epithelial origin, provide the functional partners for the maturational progression along this differentiation pathway. Here we review some of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that account for thymus organogenesis and discuss a strategy to use thymic epithelial precursor cells for the regeneration of the thymic microenvironment.