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Frederiksen HR, Glantz A, Vøls KK, Skov S, Tveden-Nyborg P, Freude K, Doehn U. CRISPR-Cas9 immune-evasive hESCs are rejected following transplantation into immunocompetent mice. Front Genome Ed 2024; 6:1403395. [PMID: 38863835 PMCID: PMC11165197 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2024.1403395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Although current stem cell therapies exhibit promising potential, the extended process of employing autologous cells and the necessity for donor-host matching to avert the rejection of transplanted cells significantly limit the widespread applicability of these treatments. It would be highly advantageous to generate a pluripotent universal donor stem cell line that is immune-evasive and, therefore, not restricted by the individual's immune system, enabling unlimited application within cell replacement therapies. Before such immune-evasive stem cells can be moved forward to clinical trials, in vivo testing via transplantation experiments in immune-competent animals would be a favorable approach preceding preclinical testing. By using human stem cells in immune competent animals, results will be more translatable to a clinical setting, as no parts of the immune system have been altered, although in a xenogeneic setting. In this way, immune evasiveness, cell survival, and unwanted proliferative effects can be assessed before clinical trials in humans. The current study presents the generation and characterization of three human embryonic stem cell lines (hESCs) for xenogeneic transplantation in immune-competent mice. The major histocompatibility complexes I- and II-encoding genes, B2M and CIITA, have been deleted from the hESCs using CRISPR-Cas9-targeted gene replacement strategies and knockout. B2M was knocked out by the insertion of murine CD47. Human-secreted embryonic alkaline phosphatase (hSEAP) was inserted in a safe harbor site to track cells in vivo. The edited hESCs maintained their pluripotency, karyotypic normality, and stable expression of murine CD47 and hSEAP in vitro. In vivo transplantation of hESCs into immune-competent BALB/c mice was successfully monitored by measuring hSEAP in blood samples. Nevertheless, transplantation of immune-evasive hESCs resulted in complete rejection within 11 days, with clear immune infiltration of T-cells on day 8. Our results reveal that knockout of B2M and CIITA together with species-specific expression of CD47 are insufficient to prevent rejection in an immune-competent and xenogeneic context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henriette Reventlow Frederiksen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Søren Skov
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pernille Tveden-Nyborg
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristine Freude
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulrik Doehn
- Cell Therapy Research, Novo Nordisk A/S, Maaloev, Denmark
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Menasché P. Human PSC-derived cardiac cells and their products: therapies for cardiac repair. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2023; 183:14-21. [PMID: 37595498 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2023.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Despite the dramatic improvements in the management of patients with chronic heart failure which have occurred over the last decades, some of them still exhaust conventional drug-based therapies without being eligible for more aggressive options like heart transplantation or implantation of a left ventricular assist device. Cell therapy has thus emerged as a possible means of filling this niche. Multiple cell types have now been tested both in the laboratory but also in the clinics and it is fair to acknowledge that none of the clinical trials have yet conclusively proven the efficacy of cell-based approaches. These clinical studies, however, have entailed the use of cells from various sources but of non-cardiac lineage origins. Although this might not be the main reason for their failures, the discovery of pluripotent stem cells capable of generating cardiomyocytes now raises the hope that such cardiac-committed cells could be therapeutically more effective. In this review, we will first describe where we currently are with regard to the clinical trials using PSC-differentiated cells and discuss the main issues which remain to be addressed. In parallel, because the capacity of cells to stably engraft in the recipient heart has increasingly been questioned, it has been hypothesized that a major mechanism of action could be the cell-triggered release of biomolecules that foster host-associated reparative pathways. Thus, in the second part of this review, we will discuss the rationale, clinically relevant advantages and pitfalls associated with the use of these PSC "products".
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Menasché
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Université Paris Cité, Inserm, PARCC, F-75015 Paris, France.
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Wu K, Wang Y, Yang H, Chen Y, Lu K, Wu Y, Liu C, Zhang H, Meng H, Yu Q, Zhang Y, Shen Z. Injectable Decellularized Extracellular Matrix Hydrogel Containing Stromal Cell-Derived Factor 1 Promotes Transplanted Cardiomyocyte Engraftment and Functional Regeneration after Myocardial Infarction. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:2578-2589. [PMID: 36598791 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c16682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Transplantation of exogenous cardiomyocytes (CMs) is a hopeful method to treat myocardial infarction (MI). However, its clinical application still remains challenging due to low retention and survival rates of the transplanted cells. Herein, a stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1)-loaded injectable hydrogel based on a decellularized porcine extracellular matrix (dECM) is developed to encapsulate and deliver CMs locally to the infarct area of the heart. The soluble porcine cardiac dECM is composed of similar components such as the human cardiac ECM, which could be self-assembled into a nanofibrous hydrogel at physiological temperature to improve the retention of transplanted CMs. Furthermore, the chemokine SDF-1 could recruit endogenous cells to promote angiogenesis, mitigating the ischemic microenvironment and improving the survival of CMs. The results in vitro show that this composite hydrogel exhibits good biocompatibility, anti-apoptosis property, and chemotactic effects for mesenchymal stromal cells and endothelial cells through SDF-1-CXCR4 axis. Moreover, intramyocardial injection of this composite hydrogel to the infarcted area leads to the promotion of angiogenesis and inhibition of fibrosis, reducing the infarction size and improving the cardiac function. The combination of natural biomaterials, exogenous cells, and bioactive factors shows potential for MI treatment in the clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kui Wu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital and Institute for Cardiovascular Science, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, P. R. China
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550004, P. R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital and Institute for Cardiovascular Science, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, P. R. China
| | - Hong Yang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital and Institute for Cardiovascular Science, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, P. R. China
| | - Yihuan Chen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital and Institute for Cardiovascular Science, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, P. R. China
| | - Kunyan Lu
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China
| | - Yong Wu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital and Institute for Cardiovascular Science, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, P. R. China
| | - Chunxia Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital and Institute for Cardiovascular Science, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, P. R. China
| | - Haixin Zhang
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China
| | - Hanyu Meng
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital and Institute for Cardiovascular Science, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, P. R. China
| | - Qian Yu
- State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Novel Functional Polymeric Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China
| | - Yanxia Zhang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital and Institute for Cardiovascular Science, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, P. R. China
| | - Zhenya Shen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital and Institute for Cardiovascular Science, Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, P. R. China
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Amesz JH, Zhang L, Everts BR, De Groot NMS, Taverne YJHJ. Living myocardial slices: Advancing arrhythmia research. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1076261. [PMID: 36711023 PMCID: PMC9880234 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1076261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Living myocardial slices (LMS) are ultrathin (150-400 µm) sections of intact myocardium that can be used as a comprehensive model for cardiac arrhythmia research. The recent introduction of biomimetic electromechanical cultivation chambers enables long-term cultivation and easy control of living myocardial slices culture conditions. The aim of this review is to present the potential of this biomimetic interface using living myocardial slices in electrophysiological studies outlining advantages, disadvantages and future perspectives of the model. Furthermore, different electrophysiological techniques and their application on living myocardial slices will be discussed. The developments of living myocardial slices in electrophysiology research will hopefully lead to future breakthroughs in the understanding of cardiac arrhythmia mechanisms and the development of novel therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorik H. Amesz
- Translational Cardiothoracic Surgery Research Lab, Lowlands Institute for Bioelectric Medicine, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands,Translational Electrophysiology, Lowlands Institute for Bioelectric Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Lu Zhang
- Translational Electrophysiology, Lowlands Institute for Bioelectric Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Bian R. Everts
- Translational Cardiothoracic Surgery Research Lab, Lowlands Institute for Bioelectric Medicine, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Natasja M. S. De Groot
- Translational Electrophysiology, Lowlands Institute for Bioelectric Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Yannick J. H. J. Taverne
- Translational Cardiothoracic Surgery Research Lab, Lowlands Institute for Bioelectric Medicine, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands,*Correspondence: Yannick J. H. J. Taverne,
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Wang J, An M, Haubner BJ, Penninger JM. Cardiac regeneration: Options for repairing the injured heart. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 9:981982. [PMID: 36712238 PMCID: PMC9877631 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.981982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac regeneration is one of the grand challenges in repairing injured human hearts. Numerous studies of signaling pathways and metabolism on cardiac development and disease pave the way for endogenous cardiomyocyte regeneration. New drug delivery approaches, high-throughput screening, as well as novel therapeutic compounds combined with gene editing will facilitate the development of potential cell-free therapeutics. In parallel, progress has been made in the field of cell-based therapies. Transplantation of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) can partially rescue the myocardial defects caused by cardiomyocyte loss in large animals. In this review, we summarize current cell-based and cell-free regenerative therapies, discuss the importance of cardiomyocyte maturation in cardiac regenerative medicine, and envision new ways of regeneration for the injured heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Meilin An
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Bernhard Johannes Haubner
- Department of Internal Medicine III (Cardiology and Angiology), Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria,Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Josef M. Penninger
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada,Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, VBC – Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria,*Correspondence: Josef M. Penninger,
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From genome editing to blastocyst complementation: a new horizon in heart transplantation? JTCVS Tech 2022; 12:177-184. [PMID: 35403039 PMCID: PMC8987386 DOI: 10.1016/j.xjtc.2022.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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