A highly standardized and characterized human platelet lysate for efficient and reproducible expansion of human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells

BackgroundHuman platelet lysate (hPL) represents a powerful alternative to fetal bovine serum (FBS) for human mesenchymal stromal cell (hMSC) expansion. However, the large variability in hPL sources and production protocols gives rise to discrepancies in product quality, characterization and poor batch-to-batch standardization.MethodshPL prepared with more than 200 donors (200+DhPL) or with five donors (5DhPL) were compared in terms of growth factor (GF) contents and biochemical analysis. A multiple protein assay and proteomic analysis were performed to further characterize 200+DhPL batches. We also compared the phenotypic and functional characteristics of bone marrow (BM)-hMSCs grown in 200+DhPL versus FBS+basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).ResultsBy contrast to 5DhPL, industrial 200+DhPL displayed a strong standardization of GF contents and biochemical characteristics. We identified specific plasmatic components and platelet-released factors as the most relevant markers for the evaluation of the standardization of hPL batches. We used a multiplex assay and proteomic analysis of 200+DhPL to establish a proteomic signature and demonstrated the robust standardization of batches. 200+DhPL was shown to improve and standardize BM-hMSC expansion compared with FBS+bFGF. The levels of expression of BM-hMSC membrane markers were found to be much more homogeneous between batches when cells were cultured in 200+DhPL. BM-hMSCs cultured in parallel under both conditions displayed similar adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential and immunosuppressive properties.ConclusionsWe report a standardization of hPL and the importance of such standardization for the efficient amplification of more homogeneous and reproducible cell therapy products.     

Newly Identified HNP‐F from Human Neutrophil Peptide‐1 Promotes Hemostasis

Active hemostatic agents can play a crucial role in saving patients’ lives during surgery. Active hemostats have several advantages including utilization of natural blood coagulation and biocompatibility. Among them, although human neutrophil peptide‐1 (HNP‐1) has been previously reported with the hemostatic mechanism, which part of HNP‐1 facilitates the hemostatic activity is not known. Here, a partial peptide (HNP‐F) promoting hemostasis, originating from HNP‐1, has been newly identified by the blood coagulation ability test. HNP‐F shows the best hemostatic effect between the anterior half and posterior half of peptides. Moreover, microscopic images show platelet aggregation and an increase in the concentration of platelet factor 4, and the scanning electron microscope image of platelets support platelet activation by HNP‐F. Thromboelastography indicates decreased clotting time and increased physical properties of blood clotting. Mouse liver experiments demonstrate improved hemostatic effect by treatment of peptide solution. Cell viability and hemolysis assays confirm the HNP‐F's biosafety. It is hypothesized that the surface charge and structure of HNP‐F could be favorable to interact with fibrinogen or thrombospondin‐1. Collectively, because HNP‐F as an active peptide hemostat has many advantages, it could be expected to become a potent hemostatic biomaterial, additive or pharmaceutical candidate for various hemostatic applications.     

Preparation and application of freeze-dried platelets

Clinical platelet infusion is primarily used to prevent or stop bleeding, but can also have a role in treating infections or promoting wound healing. The demand for platelets has increased in recent years. However, as platelets can only be stored for short periods, there is a substantial loss due to the products reaching their expiry date. Platelet lyophilization is a particularly valuable and important research field. The purpose of studying the freeze-drying preservation of platelets is to realize the long-term preservation of platelets at room temperature. It is very possible to prepare qualified freeze-dried platelets. However, there are still problems that have not been solved in the process of platelet lyophilization. This review mainly summarizes research progress in the preparation and application of freeze-dried platelets.     

Enhanced expression of the Epithelial Sodium Channel in neutrophils from hypertensive patients

Hypertension (HTN), i.e. abnormally high blood pressure, is a major risk factor for heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. The Epithelial Sodium Channel (ENaC), one of the main transporters regulates blood pressure by tightly controlling the sodium reabsorption along the nephron. Recently, we have shown an α-ENaC overexpression in platelets from hypertensive patients compared to platelets from normotensive subjects, suggesting it makes a contribution to the activation state of platelets and the physiopathology of hypertension. However, the involvement of the α-ENaC localized in neutrophils to this disease remains unknown. Neutrophils are the first leukocytes to be recruited to an inflammatory site and are equipped with a strong ability to eliminate intra- or extracellular pathogens using reactive oxygen species or antibacterial proteins contained in their granules.Using the Western blotting (Wb), flow cytometry, and qRT-PCR approaches; we determined α-ENaC neutrophil overexpression at the protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels. By confocal and cytometry analysis, we determined the α-ENaC distribution and the heterogeneity of HTN neutrophils population, respectively. Immunoprecipitation and Wb assays demonstrated the presence of both α-ENaC and caveolin-1 phosphorylated forms, compared with neutrophils from healthy individuals. Although neutrophils from hypertensive subjects circulating in an activated state were exhibiting important oxidative stress and modifications registered by confocal, atomic force, and scanning electron microscope, they conserved their defense capabilities. The features described above for neutrophils from hypertensive patients could be attributed to α-ENaC overexpression, as its drug inhibition diminished their activation state modulating the actin cytoskeleton reorganization triggered during the activation process.     

活性污泥微生物组：去除污浊，只留清淡

活性污泥法诞生一百多年来,在污水处理特别是城市污水处理中发挥了不可替代的作用。活性污泥微生物是去除污染物包括新型有机和无机污染物的关键角色,活性污泥微生物组为微生物分离培养、功能鉴定和生态互作等方面的研究带来新的活力。     

含氟有机废水处理过程活性污泥微生物群落研究进展

随着有机氟化物在各领域的广泛应用,含氟有机废水处理面临巨大挑战。活性污泥作为有机废水处理的核心技术之一,微生物在其中发挥着极其重要的作用。本综述首先聚焦在活性污泥微生物群落多样性、组成、结构和功能及其与含氟废水类型、处理工艺和处理效率之间的关系,进而讨论了功能微生物降解/转化有机氟化物的途径和作用机制,最后展望了结合分离培养降解有机氟化物的关键微生物,以及微生物组学技术解析活性污泥微生物群落构建、互作、代谢等核心问题,以提高对含氟有机废水微生物降解机理的认识,优化含氟有机废水处理工艺。     

活性污泥微生物胞外多聚物生物合成途径与菌胶团形成的调控机制

活性污泥法是借助活性污泥微生物菌胶团形成来实现泥水重力分离和部分污泥回用,辅以曝气供氧,在曝气池中高密度的微生物细胞可将溶解性有机污染物迅速降解、转化后为己所用,外排的剩余污泥带走大量有机质和氮磷,水质得以净化。活性污泥微生物所合成的胶质状胞外多聚物(Extracellular polymeric substances,EPS)是污泥菌胶团形成必不可少的"黏合剂",吸水性极高,这也造成剩余污泥难以处置和利用。我们初步总结了活性污泥微生物宏基因组研究概况,利用分子遗传学和基因组学手段,对活性污泥优势种动胶菌(Zoogloea)和其他菌胶团形成菌的EPS生物合成途径和菌胶团形成与调控机制加以研究,鉴定出一个约40 kb的胞外多糖生物合成大型基因簇和一个由7个基因组成的小型基因簇,该基因簇中除胞外多糖合成相关基因外,还编码组氨酸激酶Prs K和反应调节蛋白Prs R双组分系统,可激活RpoNσ因子共同调控一类称之为PEP-CTERM的新型胞外蛋白质的表达,参与菌胶团的形成。PEP-CTERM富含天冬酰胺(缩写为Asn或者N)残基,可能与胞外多糖通过N-连锁的糖基化形成复合物,包裹微生物细胞群体来介导菌胶团的形成。类似的PEP-CTERM基因和胞外多糖合成基因簇在许多重要的活性污泥细菌如聚磷菌和全程氨氧化菌中存在,说明这些细菌也是菌胶团形成菌,可通过污泥沉淀和回用在活性污泥中得以富集。这些研究结果可供活性污泥膨胀控制、污泥减量和剩余污泥资源和能源回收利用参考。     

Potential roles and targeted therapy of the CXCLs/CXCR2 axis in cancer and inflammatory diseases

The chemokine receptor CXCR2 and its ligands are implicated in the progression of tumours and various inflammatory diseases. Activation of the CXCLs/CXCR2 axis activates multiple signalling pathways, including the PI3K, p38/ERK, and JAK pathways, and regulates cell survival and migration. The CXCLs/CXCR2 axis plays a vital role in the tumour microenvironment and in recruiting neutrophils to inflammatory sites. Extensive infiltration of neutrophils during chronic inflammation is one of the most important pathogenic factors in various inflammatory diseases. Chronic inflammation is considered to be closely correlated with initiation of cancer. In addition, immunosuppressive effects of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) against T cells attenuate the anti-tumour effects of T cells and promote tumour invasion and metastasis. Over the last several decades, many therapeutic strategies targeting CXCR2 have shown promising results and entered clinical trials. In this review, we focus on the features and functions of the CXCLs/CXCR2 axis and highlight its role in cancer and inflammatory diseases. We also discuss its potential use in targeted therapies.     

Analysis of the roles of 14-3-3 in the platelet glycoprotein Ib-IX-mediated activation of integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3) using a reconstituted mammalian cell expression model

We have reconstituted the platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX-mediated activation of the integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3) in a recombinant DNA expression model, and show that 14-3-3 is important in GPIb-IX signaling. CHO cells expressing alpha(IIb)beta(3) adhere poorly to vWF. Cells expressing GPIb-IX adhere to vWF in the presence of botrocetin but spread poorly. Cells coexpressing integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3) and GPIb-IX adhere and spread on vWF, which is inhibited by RGDS peptides and antibodies against alpha(IIb)beta(3). vWF binding to GPIb-IX also activates soluble fibrinogen binding to alpha(IIb)beta(3) indicating that GPIb-IX mediates a cellular signal leading to alpha(IIb)beta(3) activation. Deletion of the 14-3-3-binding site in GPIbalpha inhibited GPIb-IX-mediated fibrinogen binding to alpha(IIb)beta(3) and cell spreading on vWF. Thus, 14-3-3 binding to GPIb-IX is important in GPIb-IX signaling. Expression of a dominant negative 14-3-3 mutant inhibited cell spreading on vWF, suggesting an important role for 14-3-3. Deleting both the 14-3-3 and filamin-binding sites of GPIbalpha induced an endogenous integrin-dependent cell spreading on vWF without requiring alpha(IIb)beta(3), but inhibited vWF-induced fibrinogen binding to alpha(IIb)beta(3). Thus, while different activation mechanisms may be responsible for vWF interaction with different integrins, GPIb-IX-mediated activation of alpha(IIb)beta(3) requires 14-3-3 interaction with GPIbalpha.