Morphological landscapes from high content imaging reveal cytokine priming strategies that enhance mesenchymal stromal cell immunosuppression

Successful clinical translation of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) products has not been achieved in the United States and may be in large part due to MSC functional heterogeneity. Efforts have been made to identify "priming" conditions that produce MSCs with consistent immunomodulatory function; however, challenges remain with predicting and understanding how priming impacts MSC behavior. The purpose of this study was to develop a high throughput, image-based approach to assess MSC morphology in response to combinatorial priming treatments and establish morphological profiling as an effective approach to screen the effect of manufacturing changes (i.e., priming) on MSC immunomodulation. We characterized the morphological response of multiple MSC lines/passages to an array of Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-⍺ (TNF-⍺) priming conditions, as well as the effects of priming on MSC modulation of activated T cells and MSC secretome. Although considerable functional heterogeneity, in terms of T-cell suppression, was observed between different MSC lines and at different passages, this heterogeneity was significantly reduced with combined IFN-γ/TNF-⍺ priming. The magnitude of this change correlated strongly with multiple morphological features and was also reflected by MSC secretion of immunomodulatory factors, for example, PGE2, ICAM-1, and CXCL16. Overall, this study further demonstrates the ability of priming to enhance MSC function, as well as the ability of morphology to better understand MSC heterogeneity and predict changes in function due to manufacturing.

Metabolomics and cytokine profiling of mesenchymal stromal cells identify markers predictive of T-cell suppression

BACKGROUND AIMS

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have shown great promise in the field of regenerative medicine, as many studies have shown that MSCs possess immunomodulatory function. Despite this promise, no MSC therapies have been licensed by the Food and Drug Administration. This lack of successful clinical translation is due in part to MSC heterogeneity and a lack of critical quality attributes. Although MSC indoleamine 2,3-dioxygnease (IDO) activity has been shown to correlate with MSC function, multiple predictive markers may be needed to better predict MSC function.

METHODS

Three MSC lines (two bone marrow-derived, one induced pluripotent stem cell-derived) were expanded to three passages. At the time of harvest for each passage, cell pellets were collected for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (MS), and media were collected for cytokine profiling. Harvested cells were also cryopreserved for assessing function using T-cell proliferation and IDO activity assays. Linear regression was performed on functional data against NMR, MS and cytokines to reduce the number of important features, and partial least squares regression (PLSR) was used to obtain predictive markers of T-cell suppression based on variable importance in projection scores.

RESULTS

Significant functional heterogeneity (in terms of T-cell suppression and IDO activity) was observed between the three MSC lines, as were donor-dependent differences based on passage. Omics characterization revealed distinct differences between cell lines using principal component analysis. Cell lines separated along principal component one based on tissue source (bone marrow-derived versus induced pluripotent stem cell-derived) for NMR, MS and cytokine profiles. PLSR modeling of important features predicted MSC functional capacity with NMR (R² = 0.86), MS (R² = 0.83), cytokines (R² = 0.70) and a combination of all features (R² = 0.88).

CONCLUSIONS

The work described here provides a platform for identifying markers for predicting MSC functional capacity using PLSR modeling that could be used as release criteria and guide future manufacturing strategies for MSCs and other cell therapies.

Biomechanical consequences of adding plantar fascia release to metatarsal osteotomies: Changes in forefoot plantar pressures

Destruction of the normal metatarsal arch by a long metatarsal is often a cause for metatarsalgia. When surgery is warranted, distal oblique, or proximal dorsiflexion osteotomies of the long metatarsal bones are commonly used. The plantar fascia has anatomical connection to all metatarsal heads. There is controversial scientific evidence on the effect of plantar fascia release on forefoot biomechanics. In this cadaveric biomechanical study, we hypothesized that plantar fascia release would augment the plantar metatarsal pressure decreasing effects of two common second metatarsal osteotomy techniques. Six matched pairs of foot and ankle specimens were mounted on a pressure mat loading platform. Two randomly assigned surgery groups, which had received either distal oblique, or proximal dorsiflexion osteotomy of the second metatarsal, were evaluated before and after plantar fasciectomy. Specimens were loaded up to a ground reaction force of 400 N at varying Achilles tendon forces. Average pressures, peak pressures, and contact areas were analyzed. Supporting our hypothesis, average pressures under the second metatarsal during 600 N Achilles load were decreased by plantar fascia release following proximal osteotomy (p < 0.05). However contrary to our hypothesis, peak pressures under the second metatarsal were significantly increased by plantar fascia release following modified distal osteotomy, under multiple Achilles loading conditions (p < 0.05). Plantar fasciotomy should not be added to distal metatarsal osteotomy in the treatment of metatarsalgia. If proximal dorsiflexion osteotomy would be preferred, plantar fasciotomy should be approached cautiously not to disturb the forefoot biomechanics. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:800-804, 2017.

Biomechanical benefits of anterior offsetting of humeral head component in posteriorly unstable total shoulder arthroplasty: A cadaveric study

Restoration of joint stability during total shoulder arthroplasty can be challenging in the face of severe glenoid retroversion. A novel technique of humeral head component anterior-offsetting has been proposed to address posterior instability. We evaluated the biomechanical benefits of this technique in cadaveric specimens. Total shoulder arthroplasty was performed in 14 cadaveric shoulders from 7 donors. Complementary shoulders were assigned to either 10° or 20° glenoid retroversion, with retroversion created by eccentric reaming. Two humeral head component offset positions were tested in each specimen: The anatomic (posterior) and anterior (reverse). With loads applied to the rotator cuff and deltoid, joint contact pressures and the force and energy required for posterior humeral head translation were measured. The force and energy required to displace the humeral head posteriorly increased significantly with the anterior offset position compared to the anatomic offset position. The joint contact pressures were significantly shifted anteriorly, and the joint contact area significantly increased with the anterior offset position. Anterior offsetting of the humeral head component increased the resistance to posterior humeral head translation, shifted joint contact pressures anteriorly, and increased joint contact area, thus, potentially increasing the joint stability in total shoulder arthroplasty with simulated glenoid retroversion.

Comparison of Proximal and Distal Oblique Second Metatarsal Osteotomies with Varying Achilles Tendon Tension: Biomechanical Study in a Cadaver Model

BACKGROUND

The optimal surgery for reducing pressure under the second metatarsal head to treat metatarsalgia is unknown. We tested our hypothesis that a proximal oblique dorsiflexion osteotomy of the second metatarsal would decrease second-metatarsal plantar pressures in a cadaver model with varying Achilles tendon tension. We also tested the plantar pressure effects of two popular techniques of distal oblique osteotomy.

METHODS

Twelve fresh-frozen feet from six cadavers were randomly assigned to either the distal osteotomy group (a classic distal oblique osteotomy followed by a modified distal oblique osteotomy) or proximal metatarsal osteotomy group. Each specimen was tested intact and then after the osteotomy or osteotomies. The feet were loaded with 0, 300, and 600 N of Achilles tendon tension and a 400-N ground reaction force. Plantar pressures were measured by a pressure sensitive mat and analyzed in sections located under each metatarsal.

RESULTS

The proximal metatarsal osteotomy significantly reduced average pressures beneath the second metatarsal head during both 300 and 600 N of Achilles tendon loading by an average of 19.4 and 29.7 kPa, respectively (p < 0.05). The modified distal oblique osteotomy significantly decreased these pressures during 600 N of Achilles tendon loading, by a mean of 20.2 kPa, which was to a lesser extent than the proximal metatarsal osteotomy. Interestingly, the classic distal oblique osteotomy was not found to have significant effects on pressures beneath the second metatarsal head.

CONCLUSIONS

The proximal oblique dorsiflexion metatarsal osteotomy may be the most effective procedure for decreasing plantar pressures under the second metatarsal. The modified distal oblique osteotomy may be the second most effective.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The findings of this biomechanical study help shed light on which of the common second metatarsal osteotomies are best for decreasing plantar pressures.

Conformation of the gamma subunit at the gamma-epsilon-c interface in the complete Escherichia coli F(1)-ATPase complex by site-directed spin labeling

Structure-function relationships of the gamma-epsilon-c subunit interface of F(O)F(1) ATP synthase, a region of subunit interactions important in coupling between catalysis and transport, were investigated by site-directed spin labeling and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The EPR line widths and collision accessibilities of 18 spin-labeled, unique cysteine F(1) mutants from gammaLeu198 to gammaLeu215 indicate an alternating pattern in the mobility and accessibility parameters for positions gamma201-209, which is reminiscent of a beta-strand. Labels at positions gamma204 and gamma210 show tertiary contact upon F(1) binding to F(O) and gammaD210C has reduced coupling efficiency. gammaE208C could not be spin labeled, but the uncoupling effects of gammaE208K are suppressed by second-site mutations in the polar loop of subunit c [Ketchum, C. J. and Nakamoto, R. K. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 22292-22297]. The restricted mobility and accessibility of spin labels in the odd-numbered positions between gamma201 and gamma207 plus the 2-4-fold higher values in k(cat) for ATP hydrolysis of these same mutant F(1) indicate that the interactions of these residues with the epsilon subunit mediate its inhibitory activity. Disrupted interactions with epsilon subunit also cause reduced coupling efficiency. We propose a model for the gamma-epsilon-c interface of Escherichia coli F(O)F(1) ATP synthase in which side chains from the odd-numbered residues of the gammaLys201-gammaTyr207 beta-strand directly and functionally interact with the epsilon subunit, while the even-numbered, acidic residues gammaAsp204, gammaGlu208, and gammaAsp210 interact with the F(O) sector, probably with subunit c. gamma Subunit interactions with both subunits in this region are important for coupling efficiency.

Estimating the electrostatic potential at the acetylcholine receptor agonist site using power saturation EPR

Continuous wave EPR power saturation was used to measure electrostatic potentials at spin-labeled sites. Membrane surface potentials were estimated by power saturating the EPR spectrum of a membrane bound 14N spin-labeled amphiphile in the presence of a neutral or positively charged 15N labeled aqueous spin probe. The potentials that are measured are in good agreement with other probe measurements and with the predictions of the Gouy-Chapman-Stern theory, indicating that this is a valid approach to determine electrostatic potentials. A spin-labeled affinity probe based on maleimidobenzyltrimethylammonium was synthesized and could be derivatized to a sulfhydryl near either agonist site on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. The amplitudes of motion of the spin-probe on the ns time scale are significantly different when the two labeled sites are compared, and the probe is more restricted in its motion when attached to the more easily labeled site. When attached to this agonist site, power saturation EPR yields an electrostatic potential of -15 mV. Two other sulfhydryl-specific probes were used to label this site in reconstituted receptor containing membranes. These probes show less contact with the receptor and reduced electrostatic potentials, indicating that there is a strong spatial dependence to the potential at the agonist site. This work demonstrates that power saturation EPR provides a general method that can be used to estimate electrostatic potentials at any specifically spin-labeled macromolecular site.