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Nuschke A, Sobey-Skelton C, Dawod B, Kelly B, Tremblay ML, Davis C, Rioux JA, Brewer K. Use of Magnetotactic Bacteria as an MRI Contrast Agent for In Vivo Tracking of Adoptively Transferred Immune Cells. Mol Imaging Biol 2023; 25:844-856. [PMID: 37715090 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-023-01849-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE In vivo immune cell tracking using MRI can be a valuable tool for studying the mechanisms underlying successful cancer therapies. Current cell labeling methods using superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) lack the persistence to track the fate and location of transplanted cells long-term. Magnetospirillum magneticum is a commercially available, iron-producing bacterium that can be taken up by and live harmoniously within mammalian cells as magneto-endosymbionts (MEs). MEs have shown promise as labeling agents for in vivo stem and cancer cell tracking but have yet to be evaluated in immune cells. This pilot study examined ME labeling in myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and dendritic cells (DCs) and its effects on cell purity, function, and MRI contrast. PROCEDURES MDSCs, CTLs, and DCs were incubated with MEs at various ME labeling ratios (MLR), and various biological metrics and iron uptake were assessed. For in vivo imaging, MDSCs were labeled overnight with either MEs or SPIO (Molday ION Rhodamine B) and injected into C3 tumor-bearing mice via tail vein injection 24 days post-implant and scanned daily with MRI for 1 week to assess cellular quantification. RESULTS Following incubations, MDSCs contained > 0.6 pg Fe/cell. CTLs achieved Fe loading of < 0.5 pg/cell, and DCs achieved Fe loading of ~ 1.4 pg/cell. The suppressive functionality of MDSCs at 1000 MLR was not affected by ME labeling but was affected at 2000 MLR. Markers of CTL dysfunction were not markedly affected by ME labeling nor were DC markers. In vivo data demonstrated that the MDSCs labeled with MEs generated sufficient contrast to be detectable using TurboSPI, similar to SPIO-labeled cells. CONCLUSIONS Cells can be labeled with sufficient numbers of MEs to be detectable with MRI without compromising cell viability. Care must be taken at higher concentrations of MEs, which may affect some cell types' functional activity and/or morphology. Immune cells with minimal phagocytic behavior have much lower iron content per cell after incubation with MEs vs SPIO; however, MEs can successfully be used as a contrast agent for phagocytic immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Nuschke
- Biomedical MRI Research Laboratory, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Caitrin Sobey-Skelton
- Biomedical MRI Research Laboratory, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Bassel Dawod
- Biomedical MRI Research Laboratory, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Brianna Kelly
- Biomedical MRI Research Laboratory, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Marie-Laurence Tremblay
- Biomedical MRI Research Laboratory, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Christa Davis
- Biomedical MRI Research Laboratory, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - James A Rioux
- Biomedical MRI Research Laboratory, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Physics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
- Biomedical Translational Imaging Centre (BIOTIC), Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Kimberly Brewer
- Biomedical MRI Research Laboratory, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada.
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
- Department of Physics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
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McGinley LM, Chen KS, Mason SN, Rigan DM, Kwentus JF, Hayes JM, Glass ED, Reynolds EL, Murphy GG, Feldman EL. Monoclonal antibody-mediated immunosuppression enables long-term survival of transplanted human neural stem cells in mouse brain. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e1046. [PMID: 36101963 PMCID: PMC9471059 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the field of stem cell therapy advances, it is important to develop reliable methods to overcome host immune responses in animal models. This ensures survival of transplanted human stem cell grafts and enables predictive efficacy testing. Immunosuppressive drugs derived from clinical protocols are frequently used but are often inconsistent and associated with toxic side effects. Here, using a molecular imaging approach, we show that immunosuppression targeting costimulatory molecules CD4 and CD40L enables robust survival of human xenografts in mouse brain, as compared to conventional tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. METHODS Human neural stem cells were modified to express green fluorescent protein and firefly luciferase. Cells were implanted in the fimbria fornix of the hippocampus and viability assessed by non-invasive bioluminescent imaging. Cell survival was assessed using traditional pharmacologic immunosuppression as compared to monoclonal antibodies directed against CD4 and CD40L. This paradigm was also implemented in a transgenic Alzheimer's disease mouse model. RESULTS Graft rejection occurs within 7 days in non-immunosuppressed mice and within 14 days in mice on a traditional regimen. The addition of dual monoclonal antibody immunosuppression extends graft survival past 7 weeks (p < .001) on initial studies. We confirm dual monoclonal antibody treatment is superior to either antibody alone (p < .001). Finally, we demonstrate robust xenograft survival at multiple cell doses up to 6 months in both C57BL/6J mice and a transgenic Alzheimer's disease model (p < .001). The dual monoclonal antibody protocol demonstrated no significant adverse effects, as determined by complete blood counts and toxicity screen. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates an effective immunosuppression protocol for preclinical testing of stem cell therapies. A transition towards antibody-based strategies may be advantageous by enabling stem cell survival in preclinical studies that could inform future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M. McGinley
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Kevin S. Chen
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
- Department of NeurosurgeryUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Shayna N. Mason
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Diana M. Rigan
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | | | - John M. Hayes
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Emily D. Glass
- Department of Molecular and Integrative PhysiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
- Michigan Neuroscience InstituteUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Evan L. Reynolds
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Geoffrey G. Murphy
- Department of Molecular and Integrative PhysiologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
- Michigan Neuroscience InstituteUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
| | - Eva L. Feldman
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMichiganUSA
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Tracking Neural Stem Cells in vivo: Achievements and Limitations. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2022; 18:1774-1788. [PMID: 35122628 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-022-10333-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neural stem cell (NSC) therapies are developing rapidly and have been proposed as a treatment option for various neurological diseases, such as stroke, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. However, monitoring transplanted NSCs, exploring their location and migration, and evaluating their efficacy and safety have all become serious and important issues. Two main problems in tracking NSCs have been noted: labeling them for visibility and imaging them. Direct labeling and reporter gene labeling are the two main methods for labeling stem cells. Magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear imaging, including positron emission tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography, and optical imaging, are the most commonly used imaging techniques. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. Thus, multimodal imaging, which combines two or more imaging methods to complement the advantages and disadvantages of each, has garnered increased attention. Advances in image fusion and nanotechnology, as well as the exploration of new tracers and new imaging modalities have substantially facilitated the development of NSC tracking technology. However, the safety issues related to tracking and long-term tracking of cell viability are still challenges. In this review, we discuss the merits and defects of different labeling and imaging methods, as well as recent advances, challenges and prospects in NSC tracking.
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Lin W, Liu H, Tang Y, Wei Y, Wei W, Zhang L, Chen J. The development and controversy of competitive endogenous RNA hypothesis in non-coding genes. Mol Cell Biochem 2020; 476:109-123. [PMID: 32975695 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-020-03889-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
As a momentous post-transcriptional regulator, microRNAs (miRNAs) are attracting more and more attention. The classical miRNAs regulated mechanism shows it binds to the targets' 3'UTR thus play the role in post-transcription. Meanwhile, single miRNA can target multiple genes, so those should compete to bind that miRNA. Vice versa, single gene can sponge mass of miRNAs as well. Thus the competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) hypothesis was put forward in 2011. The ceRNA hypothesis has made huge achievements, in particular in non-coding genes, which including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), circle RNAs (circRNAs) and pseudogenes, even viral transcripts. It also contributed greatly to epigenetics development. However, an increasing number of controversies have occurred with applause. Based on this situation, this review introduces something in detail about the ceRNAs hypothesis achieved in lncRNAs, circRNAs, pseudogenes and viral transcripts, respectively. Meanwhile, it also covers controversy of the ceRNAs hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Lin
- Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | | | | | - Yuchen Wei
- Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lifan Zhang
- Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
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McGinley LM, Willsey MS, Kashlan ON, Chen KS, Hayes JM, Bergin IL, Mason SN, Stebbins AW, Kwentus JF, Pacut C, Kollmer J, Sakowski SA, Bell CB, Chestek CA, Murphy GG, Patil PG, Feldman EL. Magnetic resonance imaging of human neural stem cells in rodent and primate brain. Stem Cells Transl Med 2020; 10:83-97. [PMID: 32841522 PMCID: PMC7780819 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.20-0126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell transplantation therapies are currently under investigation for central nervous system disorders. Although preclinical models show benefit, clinical translation is somewhat limited by the absence of reliable noninvasive methods to confirm targeting and monitor transplanted cells in vivo. Here, we assess a novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent derived from magnetotactic bacteria, magneto‐endosymbionts (MEs), as a translatable methodology for in vivo tracking of stem cells after intracranial transplantation. We show that ME labeling provides robust MRI contrast without impairment of cell viability or other important therapeutic features. Labeled cells were visualized immediately post‐transplantation and over time by serial MRI in nonhuman primate and mouse brain. Postmortem tissue analysis confirmed on‐target grft location, and linear correlations were observed between MRI signal, cell engraftment, and tissue ME levels, suggesting that MEs may be useful for determining graft survival or rejection. Overall, these findings indicate that MEs are an effective tool for in vivo tracking and monitoring of cell transplantation therapies with potential relevance to many cellular therapy applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M McGinley
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Matthew S Willsey
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Osama N Kashlan
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Kevin S Chen
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - John M Hayes
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Ingrid L Bergin
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Shayna N Mason
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Aaron W Stebbins
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Crystal Pacut
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jennifer Kollmer
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stacey A Sakowski
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Caleb B Bell
- Bell Biosystems, San Francisco, California, USA.,G4S Capital & Ikigai Accelerator, Santa Clara, California, USA
| | - Cynthia A Chestek
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Neuroscience and Robotics Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Geoffrey G Murphy
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Parag G Patil
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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