Cell therapy biomanufacturing: integrating biomaterial and flow-based membrane technologies for production of engineered T-cells.

Adoptive T-cell therapies (ATCTs) are increasingly important for the treatment of cancer, where patient immune cells are engineered to target and eradicate diseased cells. The biomanufacturing of ATCTs involves a series of time-intensive, lab-scale steps, including isolation, activation, genetic modification, and expansion of a patient's T-cells prior to achieving a final product. Innovative modular technologies are needed to produce cell therapies at improved scale and enhanced efficacy. In this work, well-defined, bioinspired soft materials were integrated within flow-based membrane devices for improving the activation and transduction of T cells. Hydrogel coated membranes (HCM) functionalized with cell-activating antibodies were produced as a tunable biomaterial for the activation of primary human T-cells. T-cell activation utilizing HCMs led to highly proliferative T-cells that expressed a memory phenotype. Further, transduction efficiency was improved by several fold over static conditions by using a tangential flow filtration (TFF) flow-cell, commonly used in the production of protein therapeutics, to transduce T-cells under flow. The combination of HCMs and TFF technology led to increased cell activation, proliferation, and transduction compared to current industrial biomanufacturing processes. The combined power of biomaterials with scalable flow-through transduction techniques provides future opportunities for improving the biomanufacturing of ATCTs.

The spectrum of DNMT3A variants in Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome overlaps with that in hematologic malignancies.

De novo, germline variants in DNMT3A cause Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome (TBRS). This condition is characterized by overgrowth, distinctive facial appearance, and intellectual disability. Somatic DNMT3A variants frequently occur in hematologic malignances, particularly acute myeloid leukemia. The Arg882 residue is the most common site of somatic DNMT3A variants, and has also been altered in patients with TBRS. Here we present three additional patients with this disorder attributed to DNMT3A germline variants that disrupt the Arg882 codon, suggesting that this codon may be a germline mutation hotspot in this disorder. Furthermore, based on the investigation of previously reported variants in patients with TBRS, we found overlap in the spectrum of DNMT3A variants observed in this disorder and somatic variants in hematological malignancies.

Biallelic Mutations in TBCD, Encoding the Tubulin Folding Cofactor D, Perturb Microtubule Dynamics and Cause Early-Onset Encephalopathy.

Microtubules are dynamic cytoskeletal elements coordinating and supporting a variety of neuronal processes, including cell division, migration, polarity, intracellular trafficking, and signal transduction. Mutations in genes encoding tubulins and microtubule-associated proteins are known to cause neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Growing evidence suggests that altered microtubule dynamics may also underlie or contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegeneration. We report that biallelic mutations in TBCD, encoding one of the five co-chaperones required for assembly and disassembly of the αß-tubulin heterodimer, the structural unit of microtubules, cause a disease with neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative features characterized by early-onset cortical atrophy, secondary hypomyelination, microcephaly, thin corpus callosum, developmental delay, intellectual disability, seizures, optic atrophy, and spastic quadriplegia. Molecular dynamics simulations predicted long-range and/or local structural perturbations associated with the disease-causing mutations. Biochemical analyses documented variably reduced levels of TBCD, indicating relative instability of mutant proteins, and defective ß-tubulin binding in a subset of the tested mutants. Reduced or defective TBCD function resulted in decreased soluble α/ß-tubulin levels and accelerated microtubule polymerization in fibroblasts from affected subjects, demonstrating an overall shift toward a more rapidly growing and stable microtubule population. These cells displayed an aberrant mitotic spindle with disorganized, tangle-shaped microtubules and reduced aster formation, which however did not alter appreciably the rate of cell proliferation. Our findings establish that defective TBCD function underlies a recognizable encephalopathy and drives accelerated microtubule polymerization and enhanced microtubule stability, underscoring an additional cause of altered microtubule dynamics with impact on neuronal function and survival in the developing brain.

A Germline Variant in the PANX1 Gene Has Reduced Channel Function and Is Associated with Multisystem Dysfunction.

Pannexin1 (PANX1) is probably best understood as an ATP release channel involved in paracrine signaling. Given its ubiquitous expression, PANX1 pathogenic variants would be expected to lead to disorders involving multiple organ systems. Using whole exome sequencing, we discovered the first patient with a homozygous PANX1 variant (c.650G→A) resulting in an arginine to histidine substitution at position 217 (p.Arg217His). The 17-year-old female has intellectual disability, sensorineural hearing loss requiring bilateral cochlear implants, skeletal defects, including kyphoscoliosis, and primary ovarian failure. Her consanguineous parents are each heterozygous for this variant but are not affected by the multiorgan syndromes noted in the proband. Expression of the p.Arg217His mutant in HeLa, N2A, HEK293T, and Ad293 cells revealed normal PANX1 glycosylation and cell surface trafficking. Dye uptake, ATP release, and electrophysiological measurements revealed p.Arg217His to be a loss-of-function variant. Co-expression of the mutant with wild-type PANX1 suggested the mutant was not dominant-negative to PANX1 channel function. Collectively, we demonstrate a PANX1 missense change associated with human disease in the first report of a "PANX1-related disorder."

Latent transforming growth factor binding protein 4 regulates transforming growth factor beta receptor stability.

Mutations in the gene for the latent transforming growth factor beta binding protein 4 (LTBP4) cause autosomal recessive cutis laxa type 1C. To understand the molecular disease mechanisms of this disease, we investigated the impact of LTBP4 loss on transforming growth factor beta (TGFß) signaling. Despite elevated extracellular TGFß activity, downstream signaling molecules of the TGFß pathway, including pSMAD2 and pERK, were down-regulated in LTBP4 mutant human dermal fibroblasts. In addition, TGFß receptors 1 and 2 (TGFBR1 and TGFBR2) were reduced at the protein but not at the ribonucleic acid level. Treatment with exogenous TGFß1 led to an initially rapid increase in SMAD2 phosphorylation followed by a sustained depression of phosphorylation and receptor abundance. In mutant cells TGFBR1 was co-localized with lysosomes. Treatment with a TGFBR1 kinase inhibitor, endocytosis inhibitors or a lysosome inhibitor, normalized the levels of TGFBR1 and TGFBR2. Co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated a molecular interaction between LTBP4 and TGFBR2. Knockdown of LTBP4 reduced TGFß receptor abundance and signaling in normal cells and supplementation of recombinant LTBP4 enhanced these measures in mutant cells. In a mouse model of Ltbp4 deficiency, reduced TGFß signaling and receptor levels were normalized upon TGFBR1 kinase inhibitor treatment. Our results show that LTBP4 interacts with TGFBR2 and stabilizes TGFß receptors by preventing their endocytosis and lysosomal degradation in a ligand-dependent and receptor kinase activity-dependent manner. These findings identify LTBP4 as a key molecule required for the stability of the TGFß receptor complex, and a new mechanism by which the extracellular matrix regulates cytokine receptor signaling.

A novel elastin gene mutation in a Vietnamese patient with cutis laxa.

We report a 3-year-old girl from Vietnam with severe congenital cutis laxa; no cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurologic, or visceral involvement; and no family history of cutis laxa. Mutational analysis of the elastin gene identified heterozygosity for a previously unreported de novo c.2184delT mutation in exon 30 not present in either parent.

High-throughput ClonePix FL analysis of mAb-expressing clones using the UCOE expression system.

Therapeutic recombinant monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are commonly produced by high-expressing, clonal, mammalian cells. Creation of these clones for manufacturing remains heavily reliant on stringent selection and gene amplification, which in turn can lead to genetic instability, variable expression, product heterogeneity and prolonged development timelines. Inclusion of cis-acting ubiquitous chromatin opening elements (UCOE™) in mammalian expression vectors has been shown to improve productivity and facilitate high-level gene expression irrespective of the chromosomal integration site without lengthy gene amplification protocols. In this study we have used high-throughput robotic clone selection in combination with UCOE™ containing expression vectors to develop a rapid, streamlined approach for early-stage cell line development and isolation of high-expressing clones for mAb production using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Our results demonstrate that it is possible to go from transfection to stable clones in only 4 weeks, while achieving specific productivities exceeding 20 pg/cell/day. Furthermore, we have used this approach to quickly screen several process-crucial parameters including IgG subtype, enhancer-promoter combination and UCOE™ length. The use of UCOE™-containing vectors in combination with automated robotic selection provides a rapid method for the selection of stable, high-expressing clones.

Sequence determinants of GLUT1 oligomerization: analysis by homology-scanning mutagenesis.

The human blood-brain barrier glucose transport protein (GLUT1) forms homodimers and homotetramers in detergent micelles and in cell membranes, where the GLUT1 oligomeric state determines GLUT1 transport behavior. GLUT1 and the neuronal glucose transporter GLUT3 do not form heterocomplexes in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells as judged by co-immunoprecipitation assays. Using homology-scanning mutagenesis in which GLUT1 domains are substituted with equivalent GLUT3 domains and vice versa, we show that GLUT1 transmembrane helix 9 (TM9) is necessary for optimal association of GLUT1-GLUT3 chimeras with parental GLUT1 in HEK cells. GLUT1 TMs 2, 5, 8, and 11 also contribute to a less abundant heterocomplex. Cell surface GLUT1 and GLUT3 containing GLUT1 TM9 are 4-fold more catalytically active than GLUT3 and GLUT1 containing GLUT3 TM9. GLUT1 and GLUT3 display allosteric transport behavior. Size exclusion chromatography of detergent solubilized, purified GLUT1 resolves GLUT1/lipid/detergent micelles as 6- and 10-nm Stokes radius particles, which correspond to GLUT1 dimers and tetramers, respectively. Studies with GLUTs expressed in and solubilized from HEK cells show that HEK cell GLUT1 resolves as 6- and 10-nm Stokes radius particles, whereas GLUT3 resolves as a 6-nm particle. Substitution of GLUT3 TM9 with GLUT1 TM9 causes chimeric GLUT3 to resolve as 6- and 10-nm Stokes radius particles. Substitution of GLUT1 TM9 with GLUT3 TM9 causes chimeric GLUT1 to resolve as a mixture of 6- and 4-nm particles. We discuss these findings in the context of determinants of GLUT oligomeric structure and transport function.

Structural basis of GLUT1 inhibition by cytoplasmic ATP.

Cytoplasmic ATP inhibits human erythrocyte glucose transport protein (GLUT1)-mediated glucose transport in human red blood cells by reducing net glucose transport but not exchange glucose transport (Cloherty, E.K., D.L. Diamond, K.S. Heard, and A. Carruthers. 1996. Biochemistry. 35:13231-13239). We investigated the mechanism of ATP regulation of GLUT1 by identifying GLUT1 domains that undergo significant conformational change upon GLUT1-ATP interaction. ATP (but not GTP) protects GLUT1 against tryptic digestion. Immunoblot analysis indicates that ATP protection extends across multiple GLUT1 domains. Peptide-directed antibody binding to full-length GLUT1 is reduced by ATP at two specific locations: exofacial loop 7-8 and the cytoplasmic C terminus. C-terminal antibody binding to wild-type GLUT1 expressed in HEK cells is inhibited by ATP but binding of the same antibody to a GLUT1-GLUT4 chimera in which loop 6-7 of GLUT1 is substituted with loop 6-7 of GLUT4 is unaffected. ATP reduces GLUT1 lysine covalent modification by sulfo-NHS-LC-biotin by 40%. AMP is without effect on lysine accessibility but antagonizes ATP inhibition of lysine modification. Tandem electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analysis indicates that ATP reduces covalent modification of lysine residues 245, 255, 256, and 477, whereas labeling at lysine residues 225, 229, and 230 is unchanged. Exogenous, intracellular GLUT1 C-terminal peptide mimics ATP modulation of transport whereas C-terminal peptide-directed IgGs inhibit ATP modulation of glucose transport. These findings suggest that transport regulation involves ATP-dependent conformational changes in (or interactions between) the GLUT1 C terminus and the C-terminal half of GLUT1 cytoplasmic loop 6-7.

Atypical GLUT1 deficiency with prominent movement disorder responsive to ketogenic diet.

Glucose transport protein deficiency due to mutation in the GLUT1 gene is characterized by infantile onset and chronic seizure disorder, microcephaly, global developmental delays, and hypoglycorrhachia. We describe a 10-year-old normocephalic male with prominent ataxia, dystonia, choreoathetosis, and GLUT1 deficiency whose motor abnormalities improved with a ketogenic diet. We illustrate the motor abnormalities, at baseline and after ketogenic diet, that characterize this unusual case. This case broadens the phenotype of GLUT1 deficiency and illustrates the importance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) evaluation in detecting potentially treatable conditions in children with undiagnosed movement disorders.

Properties of the human erythrocyte glucose transport protein are determined by cellular context.

Human erythrocyte hexose transfer is mediated by the glucose transport protein GLUT1 and is characterized by a complexity that is unexplained by available hypotheses for carrier-mediated sugar transport [Cloherty, E. K., Heard, K. S., and Carruthers, A. (1996) Biochemistry 35, 10411-10421]. The study presented here examines the possibility that the operational properties of GLUT1 are determined by host cell environment. A glucose transport-null strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (RE700A) was transfected with the p426 GPD yeast expression vector containing DNA encoding the wild-type human glucose transport protein (GLUT1), mutant GLUT1 (GLUT1(338)(-)(A3)), or carboxy-terminal hemagglutinin-polyHis-tagged GLUT1 (GLUT1-HA-H6). GLUT1 and GLUT1-HA-H6 are expressed at the yeast cell membrane and restore 2-deoxy-d-glucose, 3-O-methylglucose, and d-glucose transport capacity to RE700A. GLUT1-HA-H6 confers GLUT1-specific sugar transport characteristics to transfected RE700A, including inhibition by cytochalasin B and high-affinity transport of the nonmetabolized sugar 3-O-methylglucose. GLUT1(338)(-)(A3), a catalytically inactive GLUT1 mutant, is expressed but fails to restore RE700A sugar uptake capacity or growth on glucose. In contrast to transport in human red cells, K(m(app)) for 2-deoxy-d-glucose uptake equals K(i(app)) for 2-deoxy-d-glucose inhibition of 3-O-methylglucose uptake. Unlike transport in human red cells or transport in human embryonic kidney cells transfected with GLUT1-HA-H6, unidirectional sugar uptake in RE700A-GLUT1-HA-H6 is not inhibited by reductant and is not stimulated by intracellular sugar. Net uptake of subsaturating 3-O-methylglucose by RE700A-GLUT1-HA-H6 is a simple, first-order process. These findings support the hypothesis that red cell sugar transport complexity is host cell-specific.

Molecular determinants of sugar transport regulation by ATP.

Intracellular ATP inhibits human erythrocyte net sugar transport by binding cooperatively to the glucose transport protein (GluT1). ATP binding produces altered transporter affinity for substrate and promotes substrate occlusion within a post-translocation vestibule formed by GluT1 cytosolic domains. The accompanying paper (Cloherty, E. K., Levine, K. B., Graybill, C., and Carruthers, A. (2002) Biochemistry 41, 12639-12651) demonstrates that reduced intracellular pH promotes high-affinity ATP binding to GluT1 but inhibits ATP-modulation of GluT1-mediated sugar transport. The present study explores the role of GluT1 residues 326-343 (a proposed GluT1 ATP-binding site subdomain) in GluT1 ATP binding by using alanine scanning mutagenesis. Cos-7 and HEK cells were transfected with a cDNA encoding full-length human GluT1 terminating in a carboxyl-terminal hemagglutinin (HA)-His6 epitope. The transporter (GluT1.HA.H6) is expressed at the surface of both cell-types and is catalytically active. In HEK cells, both parental GluT1- and GluT1.HA.H6-mediated sugar transport are acutely sensitive to cellular metabolic inhibition. Isolated, detergent-solubilized GluT1.HA.H6 is photolabeled by [gamma-32P]-azidoATP in an ATP-protectable manner. Alanine substitution of E329 or G332/R333/R334 enhances GluT1.HA.H6 [gamma-32P]azidoATP photoincorporation but blocks acute modulation of net sugar transport by cellular metabolic inhibition. These actions resemble those of reduced pH on ATP binding to and modulation of red cell GluT1. It is proposed that cooperative nucleotide binding to GluT1 and nucleotide modulation of GluT1-mediated sugar transport are regulated by a proton-sensitive saltbridge (Glu329-Arg333/334).

Cooperative nucleotide binding to the human erythrocyte sugar transporter.

The human erythrocyte glucose transport protein (GluT1) is an adenine nucleotide binding protein. When complexed with cytosolic ATP, GluT1 exhibits increased affinity for the sugar export site ligand cytochalasin B, prolonged substrate occlusion, reduced net sugar import capacity, and diminished reactivity with carboxyl terminal peptide-directed antibodies. The present study examines the kinetics of nucleotide interaction with GluT1. When incorporated into resealed human red blood cell ghosts, (2,3)-trinitrophenyl-adenosine-triphosphate (TNP-ATP) mimics the ability of cytosolic ATP to promote high-affinity 3-O-methylglucose uptake. TNP-ATP fluorescence increases upon interaction with purified human red cell GluT1. TNP-ATP binding to GluT1 is rapid (t(1/2) approximately 0.5 s at 50 microM TNP-ATP), cooperative, and pH-sensitive and is stimulated by ATP and by the exit site ligand cytochalasin B. Dithiothreitol inhibits TNP-ATP binding to GluT1. GluT1 preirradiation with saturating, unlabeled azidoATP enhances subsequent GluT1 photoincorporation of [gamma-32P]azidoATP. Reduced pH enhances azidoATP photoincorporation into isolated red cell GluT1 but inhibits ATP modulation of sugar transport in resealed red cell ghosts and in GluT1 proteoliposomes. We propose that cooperative nucleotide binding to reductant-sensitive, oligomeric GluT1 is modulated by a proton-sensitive saltbridge. The effects of ATP on GluT1-mediated sugar transport may be determined by the number of ATP molecules complexed with the transporter.