Generating a comprehensive set of standard operating procedures for a biorepository network-The CTRNet experience

Despite the integral role of biorepositories in fueling translational research and the advancement of medicine, there are significant gaps in harmonization of biobanking practices, resulting in variable biospecimen collection, storage, and processing. This significantly impacts accurate downstream analysis and, in particular, creates a problem for biorepository networks or consortia. The Canadian Tumour Repository Network (CTRNet; www.ctrnet.ca ) is a consortium of Canadian tumor biorepositories that aims to enhance biobanking capacity and quality through standardization. To minimize the issue of variable biobanking practices throughout its network, CTRNet has developed and maintained a comprehensive set of 45 standard operating procedures (SOPs). There were four key elements to the CTRNet SOP development process: 1) an SOP development team was formed from members across CTRNet to co-produce each SOP; 2) a principal author was appointed with responsibility for overall coordination of the SOP development process; 3) the CTRNet Management Committee (composed of principal investigators for each member biorepository) reviewed/revised each SOP completed by the development team; and 4) external expert reviewers provided feedback and recommendations on each SOP. Once final Management Committee approval was obtained, the ratified SOP was published on the CTRNet website for public access. Since the SOPs were first published on the CTRNet website (June 2008), there have been approximately 15,000 downloads of one or more CTRNet SOPs/Policies by users from over 60 countries. In accordance with biobanking best practices, CTRNet performs an exhaustive review of its SOPs at set intervals, to coincide with each granting cycle. The last revision was completed in May 2012.

IgE-dependent mast cell activation potentiates airway responses in murine asthma models

We have studied murine models of asthma using FcepsilonRIalpha-chain-deficient (FcepsilonRIalpha(-/-)) mice to investigate the role of IgE-dependent mast cell activation in these models. When mice were either 1) immunized once with OVA in alum i.p. and then challenged with OVA intranasally, or 2) repeatedly immunized with OVA in the absence of adjuvant and subsequently challenged with nebulized OVA, FcepsilonRalpha(-/-) mice had significantly fewer eosinophils and lower IL-4 levels in their bronchoalveolar lavage fluid compared with wild-type mice. When mice were given anti-IL-5 antibody before OVA challenge in protocol 1, eosinophilic infiltration into the airways was significantly suppressed in both genotypes, but only FcepsilonRIalpha(-/-) mice showed significantly reduced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). In addition, when mice immunized and challenged with OVA also received a late OVA provocation at a higher concentration and were then exposed to methacholine, only wild-type mice developed a substantial increase in AHR. Since FcepsilonRI is expressed mainly on mast cells in mouse airways, we conclude that IgE-dependent activation of this cell type plays an important role in the development of allergic airway inflammation and AHR in mice. The models used may be of value for testing inhibitors of IgE or mast cells for development of therapeutic agents for human asthma.

Systemic and neurologic abnormalities distinguish the lysosomal disorders sialidosis and galactosialidosis in mice

Neuraminidase initiates the hydrolysis of sialo-glycoconjugates by removing their terminal sialic acid residues. In humans, primary or secondary deficiency of this enzyme leads to two clinically similar neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorders: sialidosis and galactosialidosis (GS). Mice nullizygous at the Neu1 locus develop clinical abnormalities reminiscent of early-onset sialidosis in children, including severe nephropathy, progressive edema, splenomegaly, kyphosis and urinary excretion of sialylated oligosaccharides. Although the sialidosis mouse model shares clinical and histopathological features with GS mice and GS patients, we have identified phenotypic abnormalities that seem specific for sialidosis mice. These include progressive deformity of the spine, high incidence of premature death, age-related extramedullary hematopoiesis, and lack of early degeneration of cerebellar Purkinje cells. The differences and similarities identified in these sialidosis and GS mice may help to better understand the pathophysiology of these diseases in children and to identify more targeted therapies for each of these diseases.