Multi-laboratory assay for harmonization of enumeration of viable CD34+ and CD45+ cells in frozen cord blood units.

BACKGROUND AIMS: In 2016, specifications for both pre-cryopreserved and post-thawed cord blood were defined in the sixth edition of NetCord Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) Standards for Cord Blood Banks. However, for several experts, harmonization regarding flow cytometry analysis performed on post-thawed samples is still a concern. A multicenter study led by Héma-Québec aimed to provide scientific data to support the cord blood accreditation bodies such as NetCord FACT in the revision of standards. METHODS: Twelve cord blood units were processed for plasma and red cell reduction following standard operating procedures. Cord blood unit aliquots were shipped to eight participating centers under cryogenic conditions for analysis before and after standardization of protocol. Repeatability of stem cell count, measured pre- and post-intervention with the centers, was estimated using multilevel linear regression models with a heterogeneous compound symmetry correlation structure among repeated measures. RESULTS: Excellent inter-center repeatability was reported by each participant regarding the viable CD34+ cells concentration, and a successful improvement effect of protocol standardization was also observed. However, we observed that better control over the critical parameters of the protocol did not have a significant effect on improving homogeneity in the enumeration of CD45+ cells. CONCLUSIONS: The current practice in cord blood selection should now also consider relying on post-thaw CD34+ concentration, providing that all cord blood banks or outsourcing laboratories in charge of the analysis of post-thaw CB samples take into account the consensual recommendations provided in this work and adhere to a good-quality management system.

Individual and synergistic cytokine effects controlling the expansion of cord blood CD34(+) cells and megakaryocyte progenitors in culture.

BACKGROUND AIMS: Expansion of hematopoietic progenitors ex vivo is currently investigated as a means of reducing cytopenia following stem cell transplantation. The principal objective of this study was to develop a new cytokine cocktail that would maximize the expansion of megakaryocyte (Mk) progenitors that could be used to reduce periods of thrombocytopenia. METHODS: We measured the individual and synergistic effects of six cytokines [stem cell factor (SCF), FLT-3 ligand (FL), interleukin (IL)-3, IL-6, IL-9 and IL-11] commonly used to expand cord blood (CB) CD34(+) cells on the expansion of CB Mk progenitors and major myeloid populations by factorial design. RESULTS: These results revealed an elaborate array of cytokine individual effects complemented by a large number of synergistic and antagonistic interaction effects. Notably, strong interactions with SCF were observed with most cytokines and its concentration level was the most influential factor for the expansion and differentiation kinetics of CB CD34(+) cells. A response surface methodology was then applied to optimize the concentrations of the selected cytokines. The newly developed cocktail composed of SCF, thrombopoietin (TPO) and FL increased the expansion of Mk progenitors and maintained efficient expansion of clonogenic progenitors and CD34(+) cells. CB cells expanded with the new cocktail were shown to provide good short- and long-term human platelet recovery and lymphomyeloid reconstitution in NOD/SCID mice. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these results define a complex cytokine network that regulates the growth and differentiation of immature and committed hematopoietic cells in culture, and confirm that cytokine interactions have major influences on the fate of hematopoietic cells.

Photodepletion differentially affects CD4+ Tregs versus CD4+ effector T cells from patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Even the most potent immunosuppressive drugs often fail to control graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), the most frequent and deleterious posttransplantation complication. We previously reported that photodepletion using dibromorhodamine (TH9402) eliminates T cells from healthy donors activated against major histocompatibility complex-incompatible cells and spares resting T cells. In the present study, we identified photodepletion conditions selectively eradicating endogenous proliferating T cells from chronic GVHD patients, with the concomittant sparing and expansion of CD4(+)CD25(+) forkhead box protein 3-positive T cells. The regulatory T-cell (Treg) nature and function of these photodepletion-resistant cells was demonstrated in coculture and depletion/repletion experiments. The mechanism by which Tregs escape photodepletion involves active P-glycoprotein-mediated drug efflux. This Treg-inhibitory activity is attributable to interleukin-10 secretion, requires cell-cell contact, and implies binding with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4). Preventing CTLA-4 ligation abrogated the in vitro generation of Tregs, thus identifying CTLA-4-mediated cell-cell contact as a crucial priming event for Treg function. Moreover, the frequency of circulating Tregs increased in chronic GVHD patients treated with TH9402 photodepleted cells. In conclusion, these results identify a novel approach to both preserve and expand Tregs while selectively eliminating CD4(+) effector T cells. They also uncover effector pathways that could be used advantageously for the treatment of patients with refractory GVHD.

An automated system for delivery of an unstable transcription factor to hematopoietic stem cell cultures.

An automated delivery system for cell culture applications would permit studying more complex culture strategies and simplify measures taken to expose cells to unstable molecules. We are interested in understanding how intracellular TAT-HOXB4 protein concentration affects hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) fate; however, current manual dosing strategies of this unstable protein are labor intensive and produce wide concentration ranges which may not promote optimal growth. In this study we describe a programmable automated delivery system that was designed to integrate into a clinically relevant, single-use, closed-system bioprocess and facilitate transcription factor delivery studies. The development of a reporter cell assay allowed for kinetic studies to determine the intracellular (1.4 +/- 0.2 h) and extracellular (3.7 +/- 1.8 h and 78 +/- 27 h at 37 degrees C and 4 degrees C, respectively) half-lives of TAT-HOXB4 activity. These kinetic parameters were incorporated into a mathematical model, which was used to predict the dynamic intracellular concentration of TAT-HOXB4 and optimize the delivery of the protein. The automated system was validated for primary cell culture using human peripheral blood patient samples. Significant expansion of human primitive progenitor cells was obtained upon addition of TAT-HOXB4 without user intervention. The delivery system is thus capable of being used as a clinically relevant tool for the exploration and optimization of temporally sensitive stem cell culture systems.

Systematic analysis of the protein interaction network for the human transcription machinery reveals the identity of the 7SK capping enzyme.

We have performed a survey of soluble human protein complexes containing components of the transcription and RNA processing machineries using protein affinity purification coupled to mass spectrometry. Thirty-two tagged polypeptides yielded a network of 805 high-confidence interactions. Remarkably, the network is significantly enriched in proteins that regulate the formation of protein complexes, including a number of previously uncharacterized proteins for which we have inferred functions. The RNA polymerase II (RNAP II)-associated proteins (RPAPs) are physically and functionally associated with RNAP II, forming an interface between the enzyme and chaperone/scaffolding proteins. BCDIN3 is the 7SK snRNA methylphosphate capping enzyme (MePCE) present in an snRNP complex containing both RNA processing and transcription factors, including the elongation factor P-TEFb. Our results define a high-density protein interaction network for the mammalian transcription machinery and uncover multiple regulatory factors that target the transcription machinery.

Photo-cross-linking of a purified preinitiation complex reveals central roles for the RNA polymerase II mobile clamp and TFIIE in initiation mechanisms.

The topological organization of a TATA binding protein-TFIIB-TFIIF-RNA polymerase II (RNAP II)-TFIIE-promoter complex was analyzed using site-specific protein-DNA photo-cross-linking of gel-purified complexes. The cross-linking results for the subunits of RNAP II were used to determine the path of promoter DNA against the structure of the enzyme. The results indicate that promoter DNA wraps around the mobile clamp of RNAP II. Cross-linking of TFIIF and TFIIE both upstream of the TATA element and downstream of the transcription start site suggests that both factors associate with the RNAP II mobile clamp. TFIIE alpha closely approaches promoter DNA at nucleotide -10, a position immediately upstream of the transcription bubble in the open complex. Increased stimulation of transcription initiation by TFIIE alpha is obtained when the DNA template is artificially premelted in the -11/-1 region, suggesting that TFIIE alpha facilitates open complex formation, possibly through its interaction with the upstream end of the partially opened transcription bubble. These results support the central roles of the mobile clamp of RNAP II and TFIIE in transcription initiation.