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Savvopoulos N, Stampolitis K, Alexandropoulos G, Kefala D, Lysandrou M, Zacharioudaki V, Tsolakos N, Spyridonidis A. A GMP-Compliant Procedure for the Generation of Gene-Modified T cells. J Vis Exp 2023. [PMID: 37870303 DOI: 10.3791/65097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The field of Adoptive Cell Therapy (ACT) has been revolutionized by the development of genetically modified cells, specifically Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T cells. These modified cells have shown remarkable clinical responses in patients with hematologic malignancies. However, the high cost of producing these therapies and conducting extensive quality control assessments has limited their accessibility to a broader range of patients. To address this issue, many academic institutions are exploring the feasibility of in-house manufacturing of genetically modified cells, while adhering to guidelines set by national and international regulatory agencies. Manufacturing genetically modified T cell products on a large scale presents several challenges, particularly in terms of the institution's production capabilities and the need to meet infusion quantity requirements. One major challenge involves producing large-scale viral vectors under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines, which is often outsourced to external companies. Additionally, simplifying the T cell transduction process can help minimize variability between production batches, reduce costs, and facilitate personnel training. In this study, we outline a streamlined process for lentiviral transduction of primary human T cells with a fluorescent marker as the gene of interest. The entire process adheres to GMP-compliant standards and is implemented within our academic institution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Savvopoulos
- Institute of Cell Therapy, Bone Marrow Transplantation Lab, Department of Medicine, University of Patras
| | - Klearchos Stampolitis
- Institute of Cell Therapy, Bone Marrow Transplantation Lab, Department of Medicine, University of Patras
| | - Georgios Alexandropoulos
- Institute of Cell Therapy, Bone Marrow Transplantation Lab, Department of Medicine, University of Patras
| | - Dionysia Kefala
- Institute of Cell Therapy, Bone Marrow Transplantation Lab, Department of Medicine, University of Patras
| | - Memnon Lysandrou
- Institute of Cell Therapy, Bone Marrow Transplantation Lab, Department of Medicine, University of Patras
| | - Vassiliki Zacharioudaki
- Institute of Cell Therapy, Bone Marrow Transplantation Lab, Department of Medicine, University of Patras
| | | | - Alexandros Spyridonidis
- Institute of Cell Therapy, Bone Marrow Transplantation Lab, Department of Medicine, University of Patras;
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Lysandrou M, Stamou P, Kefala D, Pierides C, Kyriakou M, Savvopoulos N, Christofi P, Papadopoulou A, Yannaki E, Costeas P, Spyridonidis A. Hypomethylation-induced regulatory programs in T cells unveiled by transcriptomic analyses. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1235661. [PMID: 37828996 PMCID: PMC10565652 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1235661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential mediators of tolerance mitigating aberrant immune responses. While naturally occurring Treg (nTreg) development and function are directed by epigenetic events, induced Treg (iTreg) identity and mechanisms of action remain elusive. Mirroring the epigenetic circuits of nTregs, we and others have used hypomethylation agents (HAs) to ex vivo convert T cells into iTregs (HA-iTregs) and further showed that the suppressive properties of the HA-iTregs are predominantly confined in an emergent population, which de novo expresses the immunomodulatory molecule HLA-G, consequently providing a surface marker for isolation of the suppressive HA-iTreg compartment (G+ cells). We isolated the HA-induced G+ cells and their G- counterparts and employed high-throughput RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses to uncover the G+-specific transcriptomic changes guiding T cells toward a regulatory trajectory upon their exposure to HA. We found a distinct transcriptional upregulation of G+ cells accompanied by enrichment of immune-response-related pathways. Although single-cell RNA-seq profiling revealed regulatory G+ cells to have molecular features akin to nTregs, when assessed in conjunction with the comparative transcriptomic analysis and profiling of secreted cytokines against the non-suppressive G- cells, FOXP3 and other T-helper signatures appear to play a minor role in their suppressive phenotype. We found an ectopic expression of IDO-1 and CCL17/22 in G+ cells, denoting that in vitro exposure of T cells to HA may well unlock myeloid suppressor genes. This report provides transcriptional data shaping the molecular identity of a highly purified and potent HA-iTreg population and hints toward ectopic myeloid-specific molecular mechanisms mediating HA-iTreg function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Memnon Lysandrou
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit and Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, Rio, Greece
| | - Panagiota Stamou
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit and Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, Rio, Greece
| | - Dionysia Kefala
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit and Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, Rio, Greece
| | - Chryso Pierides
- The Center for the Study of Haematological and other Malignancies and Karaiskakio Foundation, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Maria Kyriakou
- The Center for the Study of Haematological and other Malignancies and Karaiskakio Foundation, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Nikolaos Savvopoulos
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit and Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, Rio, Greece
| | - Panayiota Christofi
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit and Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, Rio, Greece
| | - Anastasia Papadopoulou
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, Hematology Department, “George Papanikolaou” Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelia Yannaki
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, Hematology Department, “George Papanikolaou” Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Paul Costeas
- The Center for the Study of Haematological and other Malignancies and Karaiskakio Foundation, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Alexandros Spyridonidis
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit and Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, Rio, Greece
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Lysandrou M, Kefala D, Christofi P, Savvopoulos N, Papayanni PG, Theodorellou R, Sagiadinou E, Zacharioudaki V, Moukouli M, Tsokanas D, Karavalakis G, Liga M, Stavrinos K, Papadopoulou A, Yannaki E, Spyridonidis A. Study protocol: Phase I/II trial of induced HLA-G + regulatory T cells in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation from an HLA-matched sibling donor. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1166871. [PMID: 37275377 PMCID: PMC10237041 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1166871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T-cell (Treg) immunotherapy has emerged as a promising and highly effective strategy to combat graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). Both naturally occurring Treg and induced Treg populations have been successfully evaluated in trials illustrating the feasibility, safety, and efficacy required for clinical translation. Using a non-mobilized leukapheresis, we have developed a good manufacturing practice (GMP)-compatible induced Treg product, termed iG-Tregs, that is enriched in cells expressing the potent immunosuppressive human leucocyte antigen-G molecule (HLA-G+). To assess the safety and the maximum tolerable dose (MTD) of iG-Tregs, we conduct a phase I-II, two-center, interventional, dose escalation (3 + 3 design), open-label study in adult patients undergoing allo-HCT from an HLA-matched sibling donor, which serves also as the donor for iG-Treg manufacturing. Herein, we present the clinical protocol with a detailed description of the study rationale and design as well as thoroughly explain every step from patient screening, product manufacturing, infusion, and participant follow-up to data collection, management, and analysis (registered EUDRACT-2021-006367-26).
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Affiliation(s)
- Memnon Lysandrou
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit and Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, Rio, Greece
| | - Dionysia Kefala
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit and Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, Rio, Greece
| | - Panayiota Christofi
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit and Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, Rio, Greece
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, Hematology Department, “George Papanikolaou” Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Savvopoulos
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit and Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, Rio, Greece
| | - Penelope Georgia Papayanni
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, Hematology Department, “George Papanikolaou” Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Eleftheria Sagiadinou
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit and Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, Rio, Greece
| | - Vassiliki Zacharioudaki
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit and Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, Rio, Greece
| | | | - Dimitrios Tsokanas
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit and Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, Rio, Greece
| | - Georgios Karavalakis
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, Hematology Department, “George Papanikolaou” Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Liga
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit and Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, Rio, Greece
| | | | - Anastasia Papadopoulou
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, Hematology Department, “George Papanikolaou” Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelia Yannaki
- Gene and Cell Therapy Center, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, Hematology Department, “George Papanikolaou” Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alexandros Spyridonidis
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit and Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, Rio, Greece
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Alvanou M, Lysandrou M, Christophi P, Psatha N, Spyridonidis A, Papadopoulou A, Yannaki E. Empowering the Potential of CAR-T Cell Immunotherapies by Epigenetic Reprogramming. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15071935. [PMID: 37046597 PMCID: PMC10093039 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15071935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell-based, personalized immunotherapy can nowadays be considered the mainstream treatment for certain blood cancers, with a high potential for expanding indications. Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-Ts), an ex vivo genetically modified T-cell therapy product redirected to target an antigen of interest, have achieved unforeseen successes in patients with B-cell hematologic malignancies. Frequently, however, CAR-T cell therapies fail to provide durable responses while they have met with only limited success in treating solid cancers because unique, unaddressed challenges, including poor persistence, impaired trafficking to the tumor, and site penetration through a hostile microenvironment, impede their efficacy. Increasing evidence suggests that CAR-Ts' in vivo performance is associated with T-cell intrinsic features that may be epigenetically altered or dysregulated. In this review, we focus on the impact of epigenetic regulation on T-cell differentiation, exhaustion, and tumor infiltration and discuss how epigenetic reprogramming may enhance CAR-Ts' memory phenotype, trafficking, and fitness, contributing to the development of a new generation of potent CAR-T immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Alvanou
- Hematology Department-Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, Gene and Cell Therapy Center, George Papanikolaou Hospital, 570 10 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, 265 04 Rio, Greece
| | - Memnon Lysandrou
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, 265 04 Rio, Greece
| | - Panayota Christophi
- Hematology Department-Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, Gene and Cell Therapy Center, George Papanikolaou Hospital, 570 10 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, 265 04 Rio, Greece
| | - Nikoleta Psatha
- Department of Genetics, Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 570 10 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Alexandros Spyridonidis
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, Institute of Cell Therapy, University of Patras, 265 04 Rio, Greece
| | - Anastasia Papadopoulou
- Hematology Department-Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, Gene and Cell Therapy Center, George Papanikolaou Hospital, 570 10 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelia Yannaki
- Hematology Department-Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, Gene and Cell Therapy Center, George Papanikolaou Hospital, 570 10 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-2100, USA
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Kefala D, Lysandrou M, Christofi P, Pieridou C, Papayanni P, Savvopoulos N, Kyriakou M, Chatzidaniil A, Stamou P, Anagnostopoulos A, Papadopoulou A, Costeas P, Yannaki E, Spyridonidis A. Immunotherapy: PRE-CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT OF A DECITABINE-INDUCED REGULATORY HLAG+CD4+-T CELL-ENRICHED CELL PRODUCT (IG-TREG) AGAINST GRAFT-VS-HOST-DISEASE. Cytotherapy 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/s1465-3249(22)00322-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Lysandrou M, Temerak S, Sayed A. THE USE OF DIFFERENT INSECT CONTROL REGIMES USING THREE GREEN CHEMICALS TO COMBAT BATRACHEDRA AMYDRAULA MEYRICK AND CADRA SPP. ON DATE PALM FRUIT IN EGYPT. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.17660/actahortic.2010.882.55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Lysandrou M, Pashalidis I. Uranium chemistry in stack solutions and leachates of phosphogypsum disposed at a coastal area in Cyprus. J Environ Radioact 2008; 99:359-66. [PMID: 17892903 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2007.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2007] [Revised: 08/01/2007] [Accepted: 08/14/2007] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The effect of the matrix composition (main constituents) on the concentration and chemical behavior of uranium in phosphogypsum stack solutions and leachates has been investigated. Solid and aqueous samples were taken from three different sub-areas of a phosphogypsum stack at a coastal area in Vasilikos (Cyprus). The sub-areas are characterized whether by their acidity (e.g. "aged" and "non-aged" phosphogypsum) or by their salt content, originating from pulping water during wet stacking or (after deposition) from the adjacent sea. Measurements in stack solutions and leachates showed that phosphogypsum characteristics affect both, the concentration and the chemical behavior of uranium in solution. Uranium concentration in solutions of increased salinity is up to three orders of magnitude higher than in solutions of low salinity and this is attributed to the effect of ionic strength on the solubility of phosphogypsum. Modelling showed that uranium in stack solutions is predominantly present in the form of uranium(VI) phosphate complexes (e.g. UO(2)(H(2)PO(4))(2), UO(2)HPO(4)), whereas in leachates uranium(VI) fluoro complexes (e.g. UO(2)F(2), UO(2)F(3)(-)) are predominant in solution. The latter indicates that elution of uranium from phosphogypsum takes places most probably in the form of fluoro complexes. Both, effective elution by saline water and direct migration of uranium to the sea, where it forms very stable uranium(VI) carbonato complexes, indicate that the adjacent sea will be the final receptor of uranium released from Vasilikos phosphogypsum.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Lysandrou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, 1678 Lefkosia, Cyprus
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Miles M, Lysandrou M. Evidence for negative cross resistance to insecticides in field collected Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) from Lebanon in laboratory bioassays. Meded Rijksuniv Gent Fak Landbouwkd Toegep Biol Wet 2003; 67:665-9. [PMID: 12696435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
A sample of Spodoptera littoralis pupae were field collected from in Lebanon in November 1999. Approximately 50 healthy pupae were used to initiate a laboratory colony (stain code LEB). As a benchmark for sensitivity to insecticides the susceptible laboratory strain (LET) was used for comparison. The LET stain has been held in laboratory culture for over 10 years and originated from Israel. Three test chemicals were investigated; Spinosad (Tracer, 480 g/L SC), chlorpyrifos (Dursban 480 g/L EC) and cypermethrin (Ambush C 100 g/L EC) representing a range of different modes of actions. To estimate the sensitivity of the LEB strain relative to the LET stain laboratory bioassays, conducted on second instar larvae exposed treated tomato leaves for two days. The method used was based on IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee) insecticide susceptibly test number 7. Larvae from the LEB strain were tested in both the F1 and F2 laboratory generations. LC50 values were calculated using a Log-Probit model allowing the susceptibly of each strain to each test item to be compared. The LEB (field) strain were approximately twice as sensitive to spinosad compared with the LET (laboratory) strain. The LEB strain was 6-10 times less sensitive to chlorpyrifos which was within the range expected. However the LEB stain was 250-360 times less sensitive to cypermethrin compared with the LET strain, indicating a high level of resistance to pyrethroids in the field population. This kind of relationship gave a strong indication for negative cross resistance between spinosad and cypermethrin. It was concluded that spinosad had potential as a resistance management tool due to its novel mode of action and negative cross resistance with pyrethroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Miles
- Dow AgroSciences, Wantage, OX12 9JT, U.K
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