Occludin as a functional marker of vascular endothelial cells on tube-forming activity.

Cell therapy using endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) is a promising strategy for the treatment of ischemic diseases. Two types of EPCs have been identified: early EPCs and late EPCs. Late EPCs are able to form tube structure by themselves, and have a high proliferative ability. The functional marker(s) of late EPCs, which relate to their therapeutic potential, have not been fully elucidated. Here we compared the gene expression profiles of several human cord blood derived late EPC lines which exhibit different tube formation activity, and we observed that the expression of occludin (OCLN) in these lines correlated with the tube formation ability, suggesting that OCLN is a candidate functional marker of late EPCs. When OCLN was knocked down by transfecting siRNA, the tube formation on Matrigel, the S phase + G2 /M phase in the cell cycle, and the spheroid-based sprouting of late EPCs were markedly reduced, suggesting the critical role of OCLN in tube formation, sprouting, and proliferation. These results indicated that OCLN plays a novel role in neovascularization and angiogenesis.

Cell-Surface MMP-9 Protein Is a Novel Functional Marker to Identify and Separate Proangiogenic Cells from Early Endothelial Progenitor Cells Derived from CD133(+) Cells.

To develop cell therapies for ischemic diseases, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been expected to play a pivotal role in vascular regeneration. It is desirable to use a molecular marker that is related to the function of the cells. Here, a quantitative polymerase chain reaction array revealed that early EPCs derived from CD133(+) cells exhibited significant expression of MMP-9. Some populations of early EPCs expressed MMP-9 on the cell surface and others did not. We also attempted to separate the proangiogenic fraction from early EPCs derived from CD133(+) cells using a functional cell surface marker, and we then analyzed the MMP-9(+) and MMP-9(-) cell fractions. The MMP-9(+) cells not only revealed higher invasion ability but also produced a high amount of IL-8. Moreover, the stimulative effect of MMP-9(+) cells on angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo was prohibited by anti-IL-8 antibody. These data indicate that MMP-9 is one of the useful cell surface markers for the separation of angiogenic cells. Our treatment of early EPCs with hyaluronidase caused not only a downregulation of cell-surface MMP-9 but also a decrease in invasion ability, indicating that membrane-bound MMP-9, which is one of the useful markers for early EPCs, plays an important role in angiogenesis. Stem Cells 2016;34:1251-1262.

Angiogenic Role of MMP-2/9 Expressed on the Cell Surface of Early Endothelial Progenitor Cells/Myeloid Angiogenic Cells.

Since the introduction of angiogenic cell therapy using early endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), myeloid angiogenic cells (MACs) have been expected to be useful in treating ischemic diseases. In order to elucidate the angiogenic properties of MACs/EPCs, we clarified the characteristics of MACs as compared to M2 macrophages (Mϕs). Comparison of the gene expression profiles of MACs and late EPCs revealed that MACs expressed greater amounts of metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. It should be noted that the profile of MMP-2/9 expression on the cell surface of MACs was similar to that of M2 Mϕs, and that cell surface MMP-2/9 might be an active form based on molecular size. In addition, the invasion of MACs was prohibited not only by MMP-2/9 inhibitor, but also by the hyaluronidase treatment that caused the down-regulation of MMP-9 on the cell surface of MACs and inhibited their invasion activity. These results indicate that cell surface MMP-2/9 plays an important role in the high invasion ability of MACs. The conditioned medium of both MACs and M2 Mϕs stimulated tube formation of endothelial cells in vitro. MACs caused an increase in vessel formation in in vivo models through the production of IL-8. We propose that the role of MACs with cell surfaces expressing MMP-2/9 is rapidly invading ischemic tissue.

Angiogenic cell therapy for severe ischemic diseases.

Cell therapies for severe ischemic diseases such as limb ischemia, acute myocardial infarction, and cerebral ischemia have been developed through in vitro and in vivo animal and clinical studies. Active cells for angiogenic cell therapy are believed endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). EPCs have been extensively investigated to clarify their origin and biology. Many sources of EPCs have been proposed, including mononuclear cells (MNCs) fraction containing CD34(+) or CD133(+) (AC133(+)), isolated CD34(+) and AC133(+) cells, and induction and differentiation of EPCs from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). However, in vivo mechanisms by which EPCs contribute to neovascularization should be clarified. Many in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies have been performed using these cells; angiogenic cell therapy will become an important regimen for severe ischemic diseases.

Development of defective and persistent Sendai virus vector: a unique gene delivery/expression system ideal for cell reprogramming.

The ectopic expression of transcription factors can reprogram differentiated tissue cells into induced pluripotent stem cells. However, this is a slow and inefficient process, depending on the simultaneous delivery of multiple genes encoding essential reprogramming factors and on their sustained expression in target cells. Moreover, once cell reprogramming is accomplished, these exogenous reprogramming factors should be replaced with their endogenous counterparts for establishing autoregulated pluripotency. Complete and designed removal of the exogenous genes from the reprogrammed cells would be an ideal option for satisfying this latter requisite as well as for minimizing the risk of malignant cell transformation. However, no single gene delivery/expression system has ever been equipped with these contradictory characteristics. Here we report the development of a novel replication-defective and persistent Sendai virus (SeVdp) vector based on a noncytopathic variant virus, which fulfills all of these requirements for cell reprogramming. The SeVdp vector could accommodate up to four exogenous genes, deliver them efficiently into various mammalian cells (including primary tissue cells and human hematopoietic stem cells) and express them stably in the cytoplasm at a prefixed balance. Furthermore, interfering with viral transcription/replication using siRNA could erase the genomic RNA of SeVdp vector from the target cells quickly and thoroughly. A SeVdp vector installed with Oct4/Sox2/Klf4/c-Myc could reprogram mouse primary fibroblasts quite efficiently; ∼1% of the cells were reprogrammed to Nanog-positive induced pluripotent stem cells without chromosomal gene integration. Thus, this SeVdp vector has potential as a tool for advanced cell reprogramming and for stem cell research.

Importance of neonatal FcR in regulating the serum half-life of therapeutic proteins containing the Fc domain of human IgG1: a comparative study of the affinity of monoclonal antibodies and Fc-fusion proteins to human neonatal FcR.

The neonatal FcR (FcRn) binds to the Fc domain of IgG at acidic pH in the endosome and protects IgG from degradation, thereby contributing to the long serum half-life of IgG. To date, more than 20 mAb products and 5 Fc-fusion protein products have received marketing authorization approval in the United States, the European Union, or Japan. Many of these therapeutic proteins have the Fc domain of human IgG1; however, the serum half-lives differ in each protein. To elucidate the role of FcRn in the pharmacokinetics of Fc domain-containing therapeutic proteins, we evaluated the affinity of the clinically used human, humanized, chimeric, or mouse mAbs and Fc-fusion proteins to recombinant human FcRn by surface plasmon resonance analysis. The affinities of these therapeutic proteins to FcRn were found to be closely correlated with the serum half-lives reported from clinical studies, suggesting the important role of FcRn in regulating their serum half-lives. The relatively short serum half-life of Fc-fusion proteins was thought to arise from the low affinity to FcRn. The existence of some mAbs having high affinity to FcRn and a short serum half-life, however, suggested the involvement of other critical factor(s) in determining the serum half-life of such Abs. We further investigated the reason for the relatively low affinity of Fc-fusion proteins to FcRn and suggested the possibility that the receptor domain of Fc-fusion protein influences the structural environment of the FcRn binding region but not of the FcgammaRI binding region of the Fc domain.

A comparison of the tube forming potentials of early and late endothelial progenitor cells.

The identification of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) has revolutionized approaches to cell-based therapy for injured and ischemic tissues. However, the mechanisms by which EPCs promote the formation of new vessels remain unclear. In this study, we obtained early EPCs from human peripheral blood and late EPCs from umbilical cord blood. Human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) were also used. Cells were evaluated for their tube-forming potential using our novel in vitro assay system. Cells were seeded linearly along a 60 mum wide path generated by photolithographic methods. After cells had established a linear pattern on the substrate, they were transferred onto Matrigel. Late EPCs formed tubular structures similar to those of HUVECs, whereas early EPCs randomly migrated and failed to form tubular structures. Moreover, late EPCs participate in tubule formation with HUVECs. Interestingly, late EPCs in Matrigel migrated toward pre-existing tubular structures constructed by HUVECs, after which they were incorporated into the tubules. In contrast, early EPCs promote sprouting of HUVECs from tubular structures. The phenomena were also observed in the in vivo model. These observations suggest that early EPCs cause the disorganization of pre-existing vessels, whereas late EPCs constitute and orchestrate vascular tube formation.

A new role of thrombopoietin enhancing ex vivo expansion of endothelial precursor cells derived from AC133-positive cells.

We previously reported that CD31(bright) cells, which were sorted from cultured AC133(+) cells of adult peripheral blood cells, differentiated more efficiently into endothelial cells than CD31(+) cells or CD31(-) cells, suggesting that CD31(bright) cells may be endothelial precursor cells. In this study, we found that CD31(bright) cells have a strong ability to release cytokines. The mixture of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), thrombopoietin (TPO), and stem cell factor stimulated ex vivo expansion of the total cell number from cultured AC133(+) cells of adult peripheral blood cells and cord blood cells, resulting in incrementation of the adhesion cells, in which endothelial nitric oxide synthase and kinase insert domain-containing receptor were positive. Moreover, the mixture of VEGF and TPO increased the CD31(bright) cell population when compared with VEGF alone or the mixture of VEGF and stem cell factor. These data suggest that TPO is an important growth factor that can promote endothelial precursor cells expansion ex vivo.

Influences of the recombinant artificial cell adhesive proteins on the behavior of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in serum-free culture.

To improve the safety of cellular therapy products, it is necessary to establish a serum-free cell culture method that can exclude animal-derived materials in order to avoid contamination with transmissible agents. It would be optimal if the proteins necessary to a serum-free culture could be provided as recombinant proteins. In this study, the influences of recombinant artificial cell adhesive proteins on the behavior of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in serum-free culture were examined in comparison with the influence of plasma fibronectin (FN). The recombinant proteins used were Pronectin F (PF), Pronectin F PLUS (PFP), Pronectin L (PL), Retronectin (RN), and Attachin (AN). HUVECs adhered more efficiently on PF or PFP than on FN. No cells adhered on PL. Regarding the VEGF or bFGF-induced cell growth, the cells on PF and PFP proliferated at a similar rate to the cells on FN. RN and AN were less effective in supporting cell growth. Since cell adhesion on PF and PFP induced phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase, they are thought to activate integrin-mediated intracellular signaling. The cells cultured on PF or PFP were able to produce prostaglandin I(2) or tissue-plasminogen activator in response to thrombin. However, thrombin caused detachment of the cells from PF but not from PFP or FN, meaning that the cells were able to adhere more tightly on PFP or FN than on PF. These data indicate that PFP could be applicable as a substitute for plasma FN.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor promotes the translocation of protein kinase Ciota in neutrophilic differentiation cells.

Previously, we suggested that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-p70 S6 kinase (p70 S6K) pathway plays an important role in granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-dependent enhancement of the neutrophilic differentiation and proliferation of HL-60 cells. While atypical protein kinase C (PKC) has been reported to be a regulator of p70 S6K, abundant expression of PKCiota was observed in myeloid and lymphoid cells. Therefore, we analyzed the participation of PKCiota in G-CSF-dependent proliferation. The maximum stimulation of PKCiota was observed from 15 to 30 min after the addition of G-CSF. From 5 to 15 min into this lag time, PKCiota was found to translocate from the nucleus to the membrane. At 30 min it re-translocated to the cytosol. This dynamic translocation of PKCiota was also observed in G-CSF-stimulated myeloperoxidase-positive cells differentiated from cord blood cells. Small interfering RNA for PKCiota inhibited G-CSF-induced proliferation and the promotion of neutrophilic differentiation of HL-60 cells. These data indicate that the G-CSF-induced dynamic translocation and activation processes of PKCiota are important to neutrophilic proliferation.

HX531, a retinoid X receptor antagonist, inhibited the 9-cis retinoic acid-induced binding with steroid receptor coactivator-1 as detected by surface plasmon resonance.

HX531 is a retinoid X receptor (RXR) antagonist that inhibits 9-cis retinoic acid-induced neutrophilic differentiation of HL-60 cells. In order to elucidate the inhibitory mechanism of HX531, we have developed a novel ligand sensor assay for RXR in which the receptor-coactivator interaction is directly monitored using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor technology. A 20-mer peptide from steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1), containing nuclear receptor interaction motif LXXLL was immobilized on the surface of a BIAcore sensor chip. Injection of human recombinant RXR with or without 9-cis retinoic acid resulted in ligand-dependent interaction with the SRC-1 peptide. Kinetic analysis revealed dissociation constants (KD) of 9-cis RA-preincubated RXR to SRC-1 was 5.92 x 10(-8)M. Using this technique, we found that 1 microM HX531 reduced the ka value of liganded-RXR with SRC-1, suggesting that HX531 reduced the affinity of RXR to SRC-1. This SPR assay system was applied to obtain quantitative kinetic data of RXR ligand binding to the SRC-1 peptide and the alteration of these data by antagonists.

In vitro farnesoid X receptor ligand sensor assay using surface plasmon resonance and based on ligand-induced coactivator association.

Ligand binding to nuclear receptors leads to a conformational change that increases the affinity of the receptors to coactivator proteins. We have developed a ligand sensor assay for farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in which the receptor-coactivator interaction can be directly monitored using surface plasmon resonance biosensor technology. A 25-mer peptide from coactivator SRC1 containing the LXXLL nuclear receptor interaction motif was immobilized on the surface of a BIAcore sensor chip. Injection of the FXR ligand binding domain (FXRLBD) with or without the most potent natural ligand, chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), over the surface of the chip resulted in a ligand- and LXXLL motif-dependent interaction. Kinetic analysis revealed that CDCA and its conjugates decreased the equilibrium dissociation constant (K(d)) by 8-11-fold, indicating an increased affinity. Using this technique, we found that a synthetic bile acid sulfonate, 3alpha,7alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-cholane-24-sulfonate, which was inactive in a FXR response element-driven luciferase assay using CV-1 cells, caused the most potent interaction, comparable to the reaction produced by CDCA. This method provides a rapid and reliable in vitro ligand assay for FXR. This kinetic analysis-featured technique may be applicable to mechanistic studies.

The role of c-Myc on granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-dependent neutrophilic proliferation and differentiation of HL-60 cells.

We have previously suggested that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/p70 S6 kinase (p70 S6K) plays an important role in the regulation of neutrophilic differentiation of HL-60 cells on the basis of analysis of transferrin receptor (Trf-R)-positive (Trf-R(+)) and -negative (Trf-R(-)) cells that appear after treatment with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). In the present study, we analyzed the downstream events of p70 S6K in differentiation and proliferation of both cell types, with a particular focus on c-Myc. Similar to p70 S6K, we found that the expression of c-Myc in Trf-R(+) cells is also higher than that in Trf-R(-) cells. Wortmannin, a specific inhibitor of PI3K, partially inhibited G-CSF-induced p70 S6K activity, c-Myc expression, and G-CSF-dependent proliferation, whereas rapamycin, an inhibitor of p70 S6K, completely inhibited p70 S6K activity, c-Myc expression, and G-CSF-dependent proliferation, indicating that the extent of c-Myc inhibition by these inhibitors correlates with a reduction in proliferation, and that c-Myc is downstream from PI3K/p70 S6K. We also determined phosphorylation of the 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), which is regulated downstream of the mammalian target of rapamycin. The addition of G-CSF failed to enhance the phosphorylation state of 4E-BP1 of HL-60 cells 2 days after DMSO differentiation. An antisense oligonucleotide for c-myc inhibited both G-CSF-dependent enhancement of c-Myc expression and proliferation in Trf-R(+) cells, but did not enhance the differentiation in terms of O(2)(-)-generating ability or fMLP-R expression. In contrast, antisense oligonucleotide for c-myc promoted fMLP-R on non-treated HL-60 cells. We therefore conclude that the PI3K/p70 S6K/c-Myc cascade plays an important role in neutrophilic proliferation in HL-60 cells. Unlike that of rapamycin, however, the antisense oligonucleotide for c-myc could not promote differentiation of Trf-R(+) cells cultured with G-CSF, indicating that another target downstream of p70 S6K may control the differentiation of HL-60 cells in terms of the signal transduction of G-CSF.

CD31 (PECAM-1)-bright cells derived from AC133-positive cells in human peripheral blood as endothelial-precursor cells.

To clarify the process of endothelial differentiation, we isolated AC133(+) cells and induced the in vitro differentiation of these cells into endothelial cells. AC133(+) cells efficiently differentiated into endothelial cells when the cells were cultured on fibronectin-coated dishes in the presence of vascular endothelial growth factor. Time-course analysis of the alteration of endothelial markers on cultured AC133(+) cells revealed that the expression of CD31 (PECAM-1) on AC133(+) cells was the earliest marker among all of the tested markers. Based on the hypothesis that CD31 is an early indicator during the endothelial differentiation, we examined the relationship between CD31 expression and the ability to differentiate into endothelial cells in cells derived from AC133(+) cells. CD31-bright cells, which were sorted from cultured AC133(+) cells, differentiated more efficiently into endothelial cells than had CD31-positive or CD31-negative cells, suggesting that CD31-bright cells may be precursor cells for endothelial cells. In the present study, we identified CD31(+) cells derived from cultured AC133(+) cells that are able to differentiate to endothelial cells as precursor cells.

Role of the p70 S6 kinase cascade in neutrophilic differentiation and proliferation of HL-60 cells-a study of transferrin receptor-positive and -negative cells obtained from dimethyl sulfoxide- or retinoic acid-treated HL-60 cells.

Previously, we suggested that p70 S6 kinase (p70 S6K) plays an important role in the regulation of neutrophilic differentiation of HL-60 cells; this conclusion was based on our analysis of transferrin receptor (Trf-R) positive (Trf-R(+)) and negative (Trf-R(-)) cells that appeared after treatment with dimethyl sulfoxide (Me(2)SO). In this study, we analyzed the upstream of p70 S6K in relation to the differentiation and proliferation of both cell types. The granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-induced enhancement of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activity in Trf-R(+) cells was markedly higher than that in Trf-R(-) cells. Wortmannin, a specific inhibitor of PI3K, partially inhibited G-CSF-induced p70 S6K activity and G-CSF-dependent proliferation, whereas rapamycin, an inhibitor of p70 S6K, completely inhibited these activities. The wortmannin-dependent enhancement of neutrophilic differentiation was similar to that induced by rapamycin. From these results, we conclude that the PI3K/p70 S6K cascade may play an important role in negative regulation of neutrophilic differentiation in HL-60 cells. For the G-CSF-dependent proliferation, however, p70 S6K appears to be a highly important pathway through not only a PI3K-dependent but also possibly an independent cascade.