Elevation of Survivin Levels by Hematopoietic Growth Factors Occurs in Quiescent CD34+ Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells Before Cell Cycle Entry

Survivin is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family that is over-expressed during G2/M phase in most cancer cells. In contrast, we previously reported that Survivin is expressed throughout the cell cycle in normal CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells stimulated by the combination of Thrombopoietin (Tpo), Stem Cell Factor (SCF) and Flt3 ligand (FL). In order to address whether Survivin expression is specifically up-regulated by hematopoietic growth factors before cell cycle entry, we isolated quiescent CD34+ cells and investigated Survivin expression in response to growth factor stimulation. Survivin is up-regulated in CD34+ cells with 2N DNA content following growth factor addition, suggesting it becomes elevated during G0/G1. Survivin is barely detectable in freshly isolated umbilical cord blood (UCB) Ki-67negative and Cyclin Dnegative CD34+ cells, however incubation with Tpo, SCF and FL for 20 hrs results in up-regulation without entry of cells into cell cycle. Culture of G0 CD34+ cells isolated based on Hoechst 33342/PyroninY staining with Tpo, SCF and FL for 48 hrs, results in significantly elevated Survivin mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, labeling of fresh G0 CD34+ cells with 5-(and 6-) carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) before culture with growth factors for up to 72 hrs, revealed that Survivin expression was elevated in CFSEbright G0 CD34+ cells, indicating that up-regulation occurred before entry into G1. These results suggest that up-regulation of Survivin expression in CD34+ cells is an early event in cell cycle entry that is regulated by hematopoietic growth factors and does not simply reflect cell cycle progression and cell division.

Key Words:

Survivin, Cord blood, CD34+ cells, Cell cycle     

Wnt3a 转基因基质细胞的建立及其对脐血CD34+ 造血干/祖细胞扩增作用的研究

Wnt 信号通路在造血干/祖细胞自我更新的过程中发挥至关重要的作用 . 纯化的 Wnt3a 蛋白可以实现造血干/祖细胞的扩增 . 通过病毒转染原代小鼠骨髓基质细胞,建立转基因滋养层细胞 . 通过共培养对转基因滋养层细胞扩增 CD34+ 造血干/祖细胞的作用进行了研究 . 实验结果显示 , 与普通滋养层加细胞因子组相比,经转基因滋养层加细胞因子组培养的 CD34+造血干/祖细胞集落形成能力 (CFC) 是其 (1.55±0.06) 倍;混合集落形成能力是其 (1.95±0.26) 倍;高增殖潜能集落形成能力 (HPP-CFC) 是其 (1.45±0.40) 倍; LTC-IC 活性是其 (3.83±0.86) 倍 . 结果表明,转基因滋养层细胞通过分泌具有天然活性的 Wnt3a 蛋白能在体外有效地扩增造血干/祖细胞的数量 .     

Differential Gene Expression of Human CD34+ Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells Before and After Culture

Ex vivo expanded CD34⁺ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) have compromised homing and engraftment capacities. To investigate underlying mechanisms for functional changes of expanded HSPCs, we compared gene expression profiling of cultured and fresh CD34⁺ cells derived from cord blood using SMART-PCR and cDNA array: 20 genes were up-regulated while 25 genes were down-regulated in cultured CD34⁺ HSPCs. These differentially expressed genes are involved primarily in proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and homing. Revisions requested 27 September 2005; Revisions received 14 December 2005     

Human Haemato-Endothelial Precursors: Cord Blood CD34+ Cells Produce Haemogenic Endothelium

Embryologic and genetic evidence suggest a common origin of haematopoietic and endothelial lineages. In the murine embryo, recent studies indicate the presence of haemogenic endothelium and of a common haemato-endothelial precursor, the haemangioblast. Conversely, so far, little evidence supports the presence of haemogenic endothelium and haemangioblasts in later stages of development. Our studies indicate that human cord blood haematopoietic progenitors (CD34+45+144−), triggered by murine hepatocyte conditioned medium, differentiate into adherent proliferating endothelial precursors (CD144+CD105+CD146+CD31+CD45−) capable of functioning as haemogenic endothelium. These cells, proven to give rise to functional vasculature in vivo, if further instructed by haematopoietic growth factors, first switch to transitional CD144+45+ cells and then to haematopoietic cells. These results highlight the plasticity of haemato-endhothelial precursors in human post-natal life. Furthermore, these studies may provide highly enriched populations of human post-fetal haemogenic endothelium, paving the way for innovative projects at a basic and possibly clinical level.     

Cross Talk with Hematopoietic Cells Regulates the Endothelial Progenitor Cell Differentiation of CD34 Positive Cells

Introduction

Despite the crucial role of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in vascular regeneration, the specific interactions between EPCs and hematopoietic cells remain unclear.

Methods

In EPC colony forming assays, we first demonstrated that the formation of EPC colonies was drastically increased in the coculture of CD34⁺ and CD34⁻ cells, and determined the optimal concentrations of CD34⁺ cells and CD34⁻ cells for spindle-shaped EPC differentiation.

Results

Functionally, the coculture of CD34⁺ and CD34⁻ cells resulted in a significant enhancement of adhesion, tube formation, and migration capacity compared with culture of CD34⁺ cells alone. Furthermore, blood flow recovery and capillary formation were remarkably increased by the coculture of CD34⁺ and CD34⁻ cells in a murine hind-limb ischemia model. To elucidate further the role of hematopoietic cells in EPC differentiation, we isolated different populations of hematopoietic cells. T lymphocytes (CD3⁺) markedly accelerated the early EPC status of CD34⁺ cells, while macrophages (CD11b⁺) or megakaryocytes (CD41⁺) specifically promoted large EPC colonies.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that specific populations of hematopoietic cells play a role in the EPC differentiation of CD34⁺ cells, a finding that may aid in the development of a novel cell therapy strategy to overcome the quantitative and qualitative limitations of EPC therapy.     

Towards a Clinically Relevant Lentiviral Transduction Protocol for Primary Human CD34+ Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells

Background

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), in particular mobilized peripheral blood stem cells, represent an attractive target for cell and gene therapy. Efficient gene delivery into these target cells without compromising self-renewal and multi-potency is crucial for the success of gene therapy. We investigated factors involved in the ex vivo transduction of CD34⁺ HSCs in order to develop a clinically relevant transduction protocol for gene delivery. Specifically sought was a protocol that allows for efficient transduction with minimal ex vivo manipulation without serum or other reagents of animal origin.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Using commercially available G-CSF mobilized peripheral blood (PB) CD34⁺ cells as the most clinically relevant target, we systematically examined factors including the use of serum, cytokine combinations, pre-stimulation time, multiplicity of infection (MOI), transduction duration and the use of spinoculation and/or retronectin. A self-inactivating lentiviral vector (SIN-LV) carrying enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP) was used as the gene delivery vehicle. HSCs were monitored for transduction efficiency, surface marker expression and cellular function. We were able to demonstrate that efficient gene transduction can be achieved with minimal ex vivo manipulation while maintaining the cellular function of transduced HSCs without serum or other reagents of animal origin.

Conclusions/Significance

This study helps to better define factors relevant towards developing a standard clinical protocol for the delivery of SIN-LV into CD34⁺ cells.     

人CD34^＋和CD34^-细胞在NOD／SCID小鼠体内的造血重建

利用非肥胖糖尿病型重症联合免疫缺陷型(NOD/SCID)小鼠模型,比较了新鲜及培养后的CD34 和CD34-细胞在体内植入及重建造血能力.从新鲜脐血及培养后的单个核细胞(MNC)中分离出CD34 和CD34-细胞,经尾静脉输注入经亚致死剂量照射的NOD/SCID小鼠体内,6周后处死存活的小鼠,取其骨髓、脾脏和外周血细胞,分别进行细胞表型分析、造血集落形成单位和人特异性基因的检测.经检测,输注CD34' 细胞和混合细胞的小鼠,其体内CD45 细胞及人源各系血细胞的含量相近,两者均远远高于输注CD34-细胞的小鼠.输注培养后CD34-细胞的小鼠饲养6周后全部死亡,输注培养后CD34 细胞的小鼠存活率约为66.7%,而输注培养后混合细胞的小鼠全部存活,且在两组存活的小鼠体内均能检测到CD45 细胞及人源各系血细胞.结果表明:无论是新鲜还是培养后的CD34 细胞均具有在NOD/SCID小鼠体内植入和重建造血能力,而CD34-细胞不具有该能力,但CD34-细胞与CD34 细胞同时输注有助于提高小鼠的存活率,说明其对CD34 细胞在小鼠体内发挥植入和造血重建能力有一定的辅助作用.     

CD34+和CD34-细胞在NOD/SCID小鼠体内的造血重建

利用非肥胖糖尿病型重症联合免疫缺陷型(NOD/SCID)小鼠模型, 比较了新鲜及培养后的CD34+和CD34-细胞在体内植入及重建造血能力。从新鲜脐血及培养后的单个核细胞(MNC)中分离出CD34+和CD34-细胞, 经尾静脉输注入经亚致死剂量照射的NOD/SCID小鼠体内, 6周后处死存活的小鼠, 取其骨髓、脾脏和外周血细胞, 分别进行细胞表型分析、造血集落形成单位和人特异性基因的检测。经检测, 输注CD34+细胞和混合细胞的小鼠, 其体内CD45+细胞及人源各系血细胞的含量相近, 两者均远远高于输注CD34-细胞的小鼠。输注培养后CD34-细胞的小鼠饲养6周后全部死亡,输注培养后CD34+细胞的小鼠存活率约为66.7%, 而输注培养后混合细胞的小鼠全部存活, 且在两组存活的小鼠体内均能检测到CD45+细胞及人源各系血细胞。结果表明: 无论是新鲜还是培养后的CD34+细胞均具有在NOD/SCID小鼠体内植入和重建造血能力, 而CD34-细胞不具有该能力, 但CD34-细胞与CD34+细胞同时输注有助于提高小鼠的存活率, 说明其对CD34+细胞在小鼠体内发挥植入和造血重建能力有一定的辅助作用。     

Human Cytomegalovirus miRNAs Regulate TGF-β to Mediate Myelosuppression while Maintaining Viral Latency in CD34+ Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells

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体外培养脐血单个核细胞与CD34+富集细胞

对比MNC和CD34 +富集细胞在SCF +IL 3+IL 6 +FL +Tpo细胞因子组合下的体外扩增特性 ,发现 :CD34 +富集细胞具有很高的扩增潜力 ,在本实验条件下其总细胞持续扩增了 8周 ,扩增倍数达 312 70 9± 86 40 5倍 ;而MNC在培养至第 4周扩增就已呈现下降趋势 ,最大仅扩增了 5 3 3± 6 2倍。对比集落和CD34 +细胞的扩增发现 ,MNC的集落密度和CD34 +细胞含量由第 0天至第 7天有一个上升的过程 ,而CD34 +富集细胞在培养过程中 ,集落密度和CD34 +细胞含量却始终呈下降趋势。在体外培养过程中 ,CD34 +富集细胞的CFU GM和CD34 +细胞最大分别扩增了 185 7± 14 1和 191 7± 188 8倍 ,明显高于MNC的 12 4± 3 2和 5 0 6± 33 2倍 ;而CD34 +富集细胞和MNC的BFU E则只实现了少量扩增 ,分别为 7 2± 5 2和 10 1± 3 4倍。结果显示 ,从CD34 +富集细胞出发扩增造血干 祖细胞 ,可以得到更多的CD34 +细胞和CFU GM集落形成细胞     

脐血造血细胞的体外扩增：1.生长规律的研究

考察了在添加细胞因子和未添加细胞因子培养条件下的造血细胞群体的生长和代谢,研究了长期培养条件下造血祖细胞生长规律。在静态培养条件下,脐血造血细胞群体的比生长速率为0.34d^-1,倍增时间为2d。培养后期,造血细胞消耗了大部分葡萄糖,乳酸浓度可达40 mmol/L。在造血细胞长期培养条件下,CFU-GM产出最高峰在培养第2周与第3周之间。BFU-E产出最高峰在培养第1周。每天换50%培养液,造血细胞总数扩增了14倍,CFU-GM扩增了13倍,BFU-E扩增了5倍。     

Asymmetric Cell Divisions of Human Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells Meet Endosomes

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are undifferentiated cells, which self-renew over a long period of time and give rise to committed hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) containing the capability to replenish the whole blood system. Since both uncontrolled expansion as well as loss of HSC would be fatal, the decision of self-renewal versus differentiation needs to be tightly controlled. There is good evidence that both HSC niches as well as asymmetric cell divisions are involved in controlling whether HSC self-renew or become committed to differentiate. In this context, we recently identified four proteins which frequently segregate asymmetrically in dividing HSC/HPC. Remarkably, three of these proteins, the tetraspanins CD53 and CD63, and the transferrin receptor are endosome-associated proteins. Here, we highlight these observations in conjunction with recent findings in model organisms which show that components of the endosomal machinery are involved in cell-fate specification processes.     

Generation of Dendritic Cells from Fresh and Frozen Cord Blood CD34Cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells that are required for the initiation of the immune response. DCs have been shown to be generated from CD34⁺pluripotent hematopoietic progenitor cells in the bone marrow and cord blood (CB), but relatively little is known about the effect of cryopreservation on functional maturation of DCs from hematopoietic stem cells. In this work we report the generation of DCs from cryopreserved CB CD34⁺cells. CB CD34⁺cells were cryopreserved at −80°C for 2 days. Cryopreserved CB CD34⁺cells as well as freshly isolated CB CD34⁺cells cultured with granulocyte—macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)/stem cell factor (SCF)/tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) for 14 days gave rise to CD1a⁺/CD4⁺/CD11c⁺/CD14⁻/CD40⁺/CD80⁺/CD83⁺/CD86⁺/HLA-DR⁺cells with dendritic morphology. DCs derived from cryopreserved CB CD34⁺cells showed a similar endocytic capacity for fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran and lucifer yellow when compared with DCs derived from freshly isolated CB CD34⁺cells. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that two CC chemokine receptors (CCRs), CCR-1 and CCR-3, were expressed on the cell surface of DCs derived from both cryopreserved and freshly isolated CB CD34⁺cells, and these DCs exhibited similar chemotactic migratory capacities in response to regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted. DCs derived from cryopreserved as well as freshly isolated CB CD34⁺cells were more efficient than peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the primary allogeneic T-cell response. These results indicate that frozen CB CD34⁺cells cultured with GM-CSF/TNF-α/SCF gave rise to dendritic cells which were morphologically, phenotypically and functionally similar to DCs derived from fresh CB CD34⁺cells.     

用差异显示法分析不同生长环境中的造血干细胞/祖细胞基因表达的初步研究

对比分析不同生长环境中的脐血CD34+造血干/祖细胞基因表达变化。方法: 采用静态和动态培养系统培养脐血单个核细胞,1周后收获CD34+造血干/祖细胞, 提取总RNA, 用差异显示法对比分析在不同生长环境中造血干/祖细胞基因表达的差异。 结果: 在所使用的差异显示条件下,得到30个差异表达基因片段,其中一个差异表达片段为RAN基因,该基因属于RAS癌基因家族,可能与造血细胞增殖有关。结论: 不同生长环境影响CD34+造血干/祖细胞的基因表达,这些差异表达的基因可为优化体外培养环境,扩增造血细胞提供分子基础。     

Myeloblastic Cell Lines Mimic Some but Not All Aspects of Human Cytomegalovirus Experimental Latency Defined in Primary CD34+ Cell Populations

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a significant human pathogen that achieves lifelong persistence by establishing latent infections in undifferentiated cells of the myeloid lineage, such as CD34⁺ hematopoietic progenitor cells. When latency is established, viral lytic gene expression is silenced in part by a cellular intrinsic defense consisting of Daxx and histone deacetylases (HDACs) because pp71, the tegument transactivator that travels to the nucleus and inactivates this defense at the start of a lytic infection in differentiated cells, remains in the cytoplasm. Because the current in vitro and ex vivo latency models have physiological and practical limitations, we evaluated two CD34⁺ myeloblastic cell lines, KG-1 and Kasumi-3, for their ability to establish, maintain, and reactivate HCMV experimental latent infections. Tegument protein pp71 was cytoplasmic, and immediate-early (IE) genes were silenced as in primary CD34⁺ cells. However, in contrast to what occurs in primary CD34⁺ cells ex vivo or in NT2 and THP-1 in vitro model systems, viral IE gene expression from the laboratory-adapted AD169 genome was not induced in the presence of HDAC inhibitors in either KG-1 or Kasumi-3 cells. Furthermore, while the clinical strain FIX was able to reactivate from Kasumi-3 cells, AD169 was not, and neither strain reactivated from KG-1 cells. Thus, KG-1 and Kasumi-3 experimental latent infections differ in important parameters from those in primary CD34⁺ cell populations. Aspects of latency illuminated through the use of these myeloblastoid cell lines should not be considered independently but integrated with results obtained in primary cell systems when paradigms for HCMV latency are proposed.     

Expansion of Cord Blood CD34+ Cells in Presence of zVADfmk and zLLYfmk Improved Their In Vitro Functionality and In Vivo Engraftment in NOD/SCID Mouse

Background

Cord blood (CB) is a promising source for hematopoietic stem cell transplantations. The limitation of cell dose associated with this source has prompted the ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). However, the expansion procedure is known to exhaust the stem cell pool causing cellular defects that promote apoptosis and disrupt homing to the bone marrow. The role of apoptotic machinery in the regulation of stem cell compartment has been speculated in mouse hematopoietic and embryonic systems. We have consistently observed an increase in apoptosis in the cord blood derived CD34⁺ cells cultured with cytokines compared to their freshly isolated counterpart. The present study was undertaken to assess whether pharmacological inhibition of apoptosis could improve the outcome of expansion.

Methodology/Principal Findings

CB CD34⁺ cells were expanded with cytokines in the presence or absence of cell permeable inhibitors of caspases and calpains; zVADfmk and zLLYfmk respectively. A novel role of apoptotic protease inhibitors was observed in increasing the CD34⁺ cell content of the graft during ex vivo expansion. This was further reflected in improved in vitro functional aspects of the HSPCs; a higher clonogenicity and long term culture initiating potential. These cells sustained superior long term engraftment and an efficient regeneration of major lympho-myeloid lineages in the bone marrow of NOD/SCID mouse compared to the cells expanded with growth factors alone.

Conclusion/Significance

Our data show that, use of either zVADfmk or zLLYfmk in the culture medium improves expansion of CD34⁺ cells. The strategy protects stem cell pool and committed progenitors, and improves their in vitro functionality and in vivo engraftment. This observation may complement the existing protocols used in the manipulation of hematopoietic cells for therapeutic purposes. These findings may have an impact in the CB transplant procedures involving a combined infusion of unmanipulated and expanded grafts.