Nos gustaría dar las gracias a Alvin Pang Larry Welch y por su asistencia técnica. Este trabajo fue financiado en parte por los Institutos Nacionales de Salud (NIH) de adjudicación P50 CA086306, el Instituto de Medicina Regenerativa de California (CIRM) subvenciones RC1-00149-1 y RS1-00203-1; CIRM Premio Facultad Nueva RN2-00902-1 , el Caltech-UCLA Conjunto Centro de Medicina Traslacional, UCLA Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) NIH / NIAID AI028697, la UCLA AIDS Institute, las Herramientas CIRM y el Premio de Tecnología RT1-01126, y el Programa multicampus UC Investigación e Iniciativas de la California Centro para el Descubrimiento de Medicamentos Antivirales (número MRPI-143226).

<ol>
	<li>McCune, J. M., Namikawa, R., Kaneshima, H., Shultz, L. D., Lieberman, M., Weissman, I. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+SCID-hu+mouse:+murine+model+for+the+analysis+of+human+hematolymphoid+differentiation+and+function.">The SCID-hu mouse: murine model for the analysis of human hematolymphoid differentiation and function.</a> Science. 241 (4873), 1632-1639 (1988).</li><li>Bristol, G. C., Gao, L. Y., Zack, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preparation+and+maintenance+of+SCID-hu+mice+for+HIV+research.">Preparation and maintenance of SCID-hu mice for HIV research.</a> Methods. 12 (4), 343-347 (1997).</li><li>Mosier, D. E., Gulizia, R. J., Baird, S. M., Wilson, D. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transfer+of+a+functional+human+immune+system+to+mice+with+severe+combined+immunodeficiency.">Transfer of a functional human immune system to mice with severe combined immunodeficiency.</a> Nature. 335 (6187), 256-259 (1988).</li><li>Melkus, M. W., Estes, J. D., Padgett-Thomas, A., Gatlin, J., Denton, P. W., Othieno, F. A., Wege, A. K., Haase, A. T., Garcia, J. V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Humanized+mice+mount+specific+adaptive+and+innate+immune+responses+to+EBV+and+TSST-1.">Humanized mice mount specific adaptive and innate immune responses to EBV and TSST-1.</a> Nat. Med. 12 (11), 1316-1322 (2006).</li><li>Denton, P. W., Estes, J. D., Sun, Z., Othieno, F. A., Wei, B. L., Wege, A. K., Powell, D. A., Payne, D., Haase, A. T., Garcia, J. V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Antiretroviral+pre-exposure+prophylaxis+prevents+vaginal+transmission+of+HIV-1+in+humanized+BLT+mice.">Antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis prevents vaginal transmission of HIV-1 in humanized BLT mice.</a> PLoS Med. 5 (1), e16 (2008).</li><li>Sun, Z., Denton, P. W., Estes, J. D., Othieno, F. A., Wei, B. L., Wege, A. K., Melkus, M. W., Padgett-Thomas, M. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intrarectal+transmission,+systemic+infection,+and+CD4++T+cell+depletion+in+humanized+mice+infected+with+HIV-1.">Intrarectal transmission, systemic infection, and CD4+ T cell depletion in humanized mice infected with HIV-1.</a> J. Exp. Med. 204 (4), 705-714 (2007).</li><li>Shimizu, S., Hong, P., Arumugam, B., Pokomo, L., Boyer, J., Koizumi, N., Kittipongdaja, P., Chen, A., Bristol, G., Galic, Z., Zack, J. A., Yang, O., Chen, I. S., Lee, B., An, D. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+highly+efficient+short+hairpin+RNA+potently+down-regulates+CCR5+expression+in+systemic+lymphoid+organs+in+the+hu-BLT+mouse+model.">A highly efficient short hairpin RNA potently down-regulates CCR5 expression in systemic lymphoid organs in the hu-BLT mouse model.</a> Blood. 115 (8), 1534-1544 (2010).</li><li>V, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Generation+of+HIV+Latency+in+Humanized+BLT+Mice.">Generation of HIV Latency in Humanized BLT Mice.</a> J. Virol. 86 (1), 630-634 (2012).</li><li>Vatakis, D. N., Koya, R. C., Nixon, C. C., Wei, L., Kim, S. G., Avancena, P., Bristol, G., Baltimore, D., Kohn, D. B., Ribas, A., Radu, C. G., Galic, Z., Zack, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Antitumor+activity+from+antigen-specific+CD8+T+cells+generated+in+vivo+from+genetically+engineered+human+hematopoietic+stem+cells.">Antitumor activity from antigen-specific CD8 T cells generated in vivo from genetically engineered human hematopoietic stem cells.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 108 (51), 1408-1416 (2011).</li></ol>

No hay conflictos de interés declarado.

El modelo de ratón humanizado modificado BLT junto con in vivo PET son herramientas poderosas para estudiar enfermedades humanas crónicas. Este sistema toma el modelo de ratón BLT y lo hace avanzar más allá de las limitadas posibilidades de investigación del VIH. Además, es un gran sistema en el que puede examinar diversos protocolos de terapia génica, así como técnicas de diagnóstico antes de que puedan alcanzar el entorno clínico. Esto último, junto con el bajo coste de la utilización de ratones...

<table border="1"><tbody><tr><td> Nombre del reactivo </td><td> Empresa </td><td> Número de catálogo </td><td> Comentarios (opcional) </td></tr><tr><td> PBS </td><td> Invitrogen </td><td> 10010049 </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> RPMI 1640 </td><td></td><td> A1049101 </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> Iscove </td><td></td><td> 12440061 </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> Suero de ternero fetal </td><td></td><td> 16000085 </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> La colagenasa tipo IV </td><td> Sigma Aldrich </td><td> C5138 </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> Hialuronidasa </td><td></td><td> H3506 </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> DNAsa I </td><td> Roche Diagnostics </td><td> 10104159001 &lt;/ Td&gt; <td></td></tr><tr><td> Piptazo (Zosyn) </td><td> Pfizer </td><td></td><td> <a href="http://labeling.pfizer.com/showlabeling.aspx?id=416" target="_blank">Piperacilina / tazobactam combinación</a> </td></tr><tr><td> Ficoll (Ficoll-Paque Plus) </td><td> Ge Healthcare Life Sciences </td><td> 17-1440-02 </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> MACS Buffer </td><td> Miltenyi Biotech </td><td> Véanse los comentarios </td><td> MACS tampón: PBS suplementado con suero fetal bovino al 0,5% y 2 mM de citrato de dextrosa fórmula-A </td></tr><tr><td> CD34 microperla Kit </td><td></td><td> 130-046-702 </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> Columnas LS </td><td></td><td> 130-042-401 </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> Retronectin </td><td> Takara </td><td> T100A </td><td></td></tr><tr><td&gt; Matrigel </td><td> BD Biosciences </td><td> 354263 </td><td></td></tr><tr><td> Isofluorano </td><td> Baxter </td><td></td><td> <a href="http://www.baxter.com/healthcare_professionals/products/forane.html" target="_blank">http://www.baxter.com/healthcare_professionals/products/forane.html</a> </td></tr><tr><td> Carprofeno (Rimadyl) </td><td> Pfizer Animal Health </td><td></td><td> <a href="https://www.rimadyl.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">https://www.rimadyl.com/default.aspx</a> </td></tr></tbody></table>

using the blt humanized mouse as a stem cell based gene therapy tumor model

Modelos de animales pequeños tales como ratones se han utilizado ampliamente para estudiar las enfermedades humanas y para desarrollar nuevas intervenciones terapéuticas. A pesar de la riqueza de la información obtenida de estos estudios, las características únicas de la inmunidad ratón, así como la especificidad de especie de las enfermedades virales tales como el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) condujo al desarrollo de modelos de ratones humanizados. Los modelos anteriores implicaban el uso de C. B 17 scid / scid ratones y el trasplante de timo fetal humano y el hígado fetal denominadas tu / liv (SCID-hu) 1, 2 o la transferencia adoptiva de leucocitos de sangre periférica humanos (SCID-huPBL ) 3. Ambos modelos se utilizaron principalmente para el estudio de la infección por VIH. Una de las principales limitaciones de estos dos modelos es la falta de reconstitución estable de las células inmunes humanas en la periferia para que sean un modelo fisiológicamente más relevantes para estudiar la enfermedad del VIH. Con este fin, el zumbido BLTmodelo de ratón anized fue desarrollado. BLT es sinónimo de médula ósea / hígado / timo. En este modelo, de 6 a 8 semanas de edad NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Wjl / SZJ (NSG) ratones inmunocomprometidos recibir el implante tu / liv como en el modelo de ratón SCID-hu sólo para ser seguido por un segundo humana trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas 4. La ventaja de este sistema es la reconstitución completa del sistema inmunológico humano en la periferia. Este modelo ha sido utilizado para estudiar la infección por VIH y la latencia de 5-8. Hemos generado una versión modificada de este modelo en el que usamos modificado genéticamente las células madre hematopoyéticas (HHSC) para construir el implante de tu / liv seguida de la inyección de transducidas autólogas HHSC 7, 9. Este enfoque resulta en la generación de linajes genéticamente modificados. Más importante aún, este sistema adaptado para examinar el potencial de generar células funcionales T citotóxicos (CTL) que expresan un receptor específico de melanoma de células T. Utilizando este modelo hemos sido capaces de evaluar la funcionalidad de nuestro CTL transgénico utilizando emisión en directo positrones (PET) para determinar la regresión del tumor (9). El objetivo de este protocolo es para describir el proceso de la generación de estos ratones transgénicos y evaluación de la eficacia in vivo usando imágenes de PET en vivo. Como nota, ya que utilizamos los tejidos humanos y vectores lentiviral, nuestras instalaciones se ajustan a las directrices del CDC NIH para el Nivel de Bioseguridad 2 (BSL2) con precauciones especiales (BSL2 +). Además, los ratones sin garantía soberana están severamente inmunocomprometidos por lo tanto, su vivienda y mantenimiento deben cumplir con los más altos estándares de salud ( <a href="http://jaxmice.jax.org/research/immunology/005557-housing.html" target="_blank">http://jaxmice.jax.org/research/immunology/005557-housing.html</a> ).

Un diagrama de flujo del proceso de trasplante se muestra en la Figura 1A. Una imagen del implante tu / liv se muestra en la Figura 1B. El tejido del timo se desarrolla normalmente y tiene una distribución fisiológica de CD4 humano y las células T CD8. Tras la reconstitución, los animales llevan un sistema inmunitario humano con distribución normal de CD4, CD8 células T y otros linajes celulares inmunes. La discrepancia entre el tamaño del tumor y el ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Using the BLT Humanized Mouse as a Stem Cell based Gene Therapy Tumor Model at JoVE.com

Using the BLT Humanized Mouse as a Stem Cell based Gene Therapy Tumor Model

La generación y caracterización de células T específicas de tumor en ratones humanizados se describe aquí. Tejido del timo humano y genéticamente modificados células madre hematopoyéticas son trasplantados en ratones inmunodeficientes. Esto da como resultado la reconstitución de una ingeniería del sistema inmune humano permitiendo examen in vivo de anti-tumor de la respuesta inmune.

Uso del ratón humanizado BLT como un modelo de células madre del tumor Terapia génica basada en

Small animal models such as mice have been extensively used to study human  disease and to develop new therapeutic interventions. Despite the wealth of  ...

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Research

JoVE Journal

Immunology and Infection

18.6K vistas.  David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. La generación y caracterización de células T específicas de tumor en ratones humanizados se describe aquí. Tejido del timo humano y genéticamente modificados células madre hematopoyéticas son trasplantados en ratones inmunodeficientes. Esto da como resultado la reconstitución de una ingeniería del sistema inmune humano permitiendo examen in vivo de anti-tumor de la respuesta inmune.

Video: Using the BLT Humanized Mouse as a Stem Cell based Gene Therapy Tumor Model

Generation of Multivirus-specific T Cells to Prevent/treat Viral Infections after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

Viral infections cause morbidity and mortality in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. We and others have successfully generated and infused T-cells specific for Epstein Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Adenovirus (Adv) using monocytes and EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell (EBV-LCL) gene-modified with an adenovirus vector as antigen presenting cells (APCs). As few as 2x105/kg trivirus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) proliferated by several logs after infusion and appeared to prevent and treat even severe viral disease resistant to other available therapies. The broader implementation of this encouraging approach is limited by high production costs, complexity of manufacture and the prolonged time (4-6 weeks for EBV-LCL generation, and 4-8 weeks for CTL manufacture &#x2013; total 10-14 weeks) for preparation. To overcome these limitations we have developed a new, GMP-compliant CTL production protocol. First, in place of adenovectors to stimulate T-cells we use dendritic cells (DCs) nucleofected with DNA plasmids encoding LMP2, EBNA1 and BZLF1 (EBV), Hexon and Penton (Adv), and pp65 and IE1 (CMV) as antigen-presenting cells. These APCs reactivate T cells specific for all the stimulating antigens. Second, culture of activated T-cells in the presence of IL-4 (1,000U/ml) and IL-7 (10ng/ml) increases and sustains the repertoire and frequency of specific T cells in our lines. Third, we have used a new, gas permeable culture device (G-Rex) that promotes the expansion and survival of large cell numbers after a single stimulation, thus removing the requirement for EBV-LCLs and reducing technician intervention. By implementing these changes we can now produce multispecific CTL targeting EBV, CMV, and Adv at a cost per 106 cells that is reduced by &gt;90%, and in just 10 days rather than 10 weeks using an approach that may be extended to additional protective viral antigens. Our FDA-approved approach should be of value for prophylactic and treatment applications for high risk allogeneic HSCT recipients.

A rapid, simple and cost-effective protocol for the generation of donor-derived multivirus-specific CTLs (rCTL) for infusion to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients at risk of developing CMV, Adv or EBV infections. This manufacturing process is GMP-compliant and should ensure the broader implementation of T-cell immunotherapy beyond specialized centers.

Generación de células T Multivirus específicos para prevenir / tratar las infecciones virales después de trasplante alogénico de células madre hematopoyéticas

Viral infections cause morbidity and mortality in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. We and others have successfully ...

Investigación

Inmunología e Infección

Introducing Shear Stress in the Study of Bacterial Adhesion

During bacterial infections a sequence of interactions occur between the pathogen and its host. Bacterial adhesion to the host cell surface is often the initial and determining step of the pathogenesis. Although experimentally adhesion is mostly studied in static conditions adhesion actually takes place in the presence of flowing liquid. First encounters between bacteria and their host often occur at the mucosal level, mouth, lung, gut, eye, etc. where mucus flows along the surface of epithelial cells. Later in infection, pathogens occasionally access the blood circulation causing life-threatening illnesses such as septicemia, sepsis and meningitis. A defining feature of these infections is the ability of these pathogens to interact with endothelial cells in presence of circulating blood. The presence of flowing liquid, mucus or blood for instance, determines adhesion because it generates a mechanical force on the pathogen. To characterize the effect of flowing liquid one usually refers to the notion of shear stress, which is the tangential force exerted per unit area by a fluid moving near a stationary wall, expressed in dynes/cm2. Intensities of shear stress vary widely according to the different vessels type, size, organ, location etc. (0-100 dynes/cm2). Circulation in capillaries can reach very low shear stress values and even temporarily stop during periods ranging between a few seconds to several minutes 1. On the other end of the spectrum shear stress in arterioles can reach 100 dynes/cm2 2. The impact of shear stress on different biological processes has been clearly demonstrated as for instance during the interaction of leukocytes with the endothelium 3. To take into account this mechanical parameter in the process of bacterial adhesion we took advantage of an experimental procedure based on the use of a disposable flow chamber 4. Host cells are grown in the flow chamber and fluorescent bacteria are introduced in the flow controlled by a syringe pump. We initially focused our investigations on the bacterial pathogen Neisseria meningitidis, a Gram-negative bacterium responsible for septicemia and meningitis. The procedure described here allowed us to study the impact of shear stress on the ability of the bacteria to: adhere to cells 1, to proliferate on the cell surface 5and to detach to colonize new sites 6 (Figure 1). Complementary technical information can be found in reference 7. Shear stress values presented here were chosen based on our previous experience1 and to represent values found in the literature. The protocol should be applicable to a wide range of pathogens with specific adjustments depending on the objectives of the study.

During the infection process, a key step is the adhesion of pathogens with host cells. In most instances this adhesion step occurs in the presence of mechanical stress generated by flowing liquid. We describe a technique that introduces shear stress as an important parameter in the study of bacterial adhesion.

La introducción de la tensión de cizallamiento en el Estudio de la adhesión bacteriana

During bacterial infections a sequence of interactions occur between the pathogen and its host. Bacterial adhesion to the host cell surface is often the ...

Expanding Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes from Umbilical Cord Blood that Target Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr Virus, and Adenovirus

Virus infections after stem cell transplantation are among the most common causes of death, especially after cord blood (CB) transplantation (CBT) where the CB does not contain appreciable numbers of virus-experienced T cells which can protect the recipient from infection.1-4 We and others have shown that virus-specific CTL generated from seropositive donors and infused to the recipient are safe and protective.5-8 However, until recently, virus-specific T cells could not be generated from cord blood, likely due to the absence of virus-specific memory T cells. 
In an effort to better mimic the in vivo priming conditions of na&iuml;ve T cells, we established a method that used CB-derived dendritic cells (DC) transduced with an adenoviral vector (Ad5f35pp65) containing the immunodominant CMV antigen pp65, hence driving T cell specificity towards CMV and adenovirus.9 At initiation, we use these matured DCs as well as CB-derived T cells in the presence of the cytokines IL-7, IL-12, and IL-15.10 At the second stimulation we used EBV-transformed B cells, or EBV-LCL, which express both latent and lytic EBV antigens. Ad5f35pp65-transduced EBV-LCL are used to stimulate the T cells in the presence of IL-15 at the second stimulation. Subsequent stimulations use Ad5f35pp65-transduced EBV-LCL and IL-2. 
From 50x106 CB mononuclear cells we are able to generate upwards of 150 x 106 virus-specific T cells that lyse antigen-pulsed targets and release cytokines in response to antigenic stimulation.11 These cells were manufactured in a GMP-compliant manner using only the 20% fraction of a fractionated cord blood unit and have been translated for clinical use.

Here we describe the first good manufacturing practice (GMP)-compliant method of producing virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) from umbilical cord blood, a source of predominantly na&#238;ve T cells.

La expansión de los linfocitos T citotóxicos sangre del cordón umbilical que Citomegalovirus Target, Virus de Epstein-Barr, adenovirus y

Virus infections after stem cell transplantation are among the most common causes of death, especially after cord blood (CB) transplantation (CBT) where ...

PRP as a New Approach to Prevent Infection: Preparation and In vitro Antimicrobial Properties of PRP

Implant-associated infection is becoming more and more challenging to the healthcare industry worldwide due to increasing antibiotic resistance, transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria between animals and humans, and the high cost of treating infections.
In this study, we disclose a new strategy that may be effective in preventing implant-associated infection based on the potential antimicrobial properties of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Due to its well-studied properties for promoting healing, PRP (a biological product) has been increasingly used for clinical applications including orthopaedic surgeries, periodontal and oral surgeries, maxillofacial surgeries, plastic surgeries, sports medicine, etc.
PRP could be an advanced alternative to conventional antibiotic treatments in preventing implant-associated infections. The use of PRP may be advantageous compared to conventional antibiotic treatments since PRP is less likely to induce antibiotic resistance and PRP's antimicrobial and healing-promoting properties may have a synergistic effect on infection prevention. It is well known that pathogens and human cells are racing for implant surfaces, and PRP's properties of promoting healing could improve human cell attachment thereby reducing the odds for infection. In addition, PRP is inherently biocompatible, and safe and free from the risk of transmissible diseases.
For our study, we have selected several clinical bacterial strains that are commonly found in orthopaedic infections and examined whether PRP has in vitro antimicrobial properties against these bacteria. We have prepared PRP using a twice centrifugation approach which allows the same platelet concentration to be obtained for all samples. We have achieved consistent antimicrobial findings and found that PRP has strong in vitro antimicrobial properties against bacteria like methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Group A Streptococcus, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Therefore, the use of PRP may have the potential to prevent infection and to reduce the need for costly post-operative treatment of implant-associated infections.

PRP as a New Approach to Prevent Infection: Preparation and In vitro Antimicrobial Properties of PRP

Implant-associated infection is a significant clinical complication. This study describes an approach using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to prevent implant-associated infections, presents the protocol for preparing PRP with constant platelet concentration, and reports the newly identified antimicrobial properties of PRP and related protocols for examining such antimicrobial properties in vitro.

PRP como un nuevo enfoque para prevenir la infección: Preparación y<em&gt; In vitro</em&gt; Propiedades antimicrobianas de PRP

Implant-associated infection is becoming more and more challenging to the healthcare industry worldwide due to increasing antibiotic resistance, ...

Cell-based Flow Cytometry Assay to Measure Cytotoxic Activity

Cytolytic activity of CD8+ T cells is rarely evaluated. We describe here a new cell-based assay to measure the capacity of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells to kill CD4+ T cells loaded with their cognate peptide. Target CD4+ T cells are divided into two populations, labeled with two different concentrations of CFSE. One population is pulsed with the peptide of interest (CFSE-low) while the other remains un-pulsed (CFSE-high). Pulsed and un-pulsed CD4+ T cells are mixed at an equal ratio and incubated with an increasing number of purified CD8+ T cells. The specific killing of autologous target CD4+ T cells is analyzed by flow cytometry after coculture with CD8+ T cells containing the antigen-specific effector CD8+ T cells detected by peptide/MHCI tetramer staining. The specific lysis of target CD4+ T cells measured at different effector versus target ratios, allows for the calculation of lytic units, LU30/106 cells. This simple and straightforward assay allows for the accurate measurement of the intrinsic capacity of CD8+ T cells to kill target CD4+ T cells.

This protocol describes a sensitive, cell-based cytotoxicity assay. By enumerating the decrease in frequency of live target CD4+ T cells in the presence of an increasing number of effector CD8+ T cells, this assay allows for the direct assessment of cytolytic activity of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells.

Cytolytic activity of CD8+ T cells is rarely evaluated. We describe here a new cell-based assay to measure the capacity of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells ...

Humanized Mouse Model to Study Bacterial Infections Targeting the Microvasculature

Neisseria meningitidis causes a severe, frequently fatal sepsis when it enters the human blood stream. Infection leads to extensive damage of the blood vessels resulting in vascular leak, the development of purpuric rashes and eventual tissue necrosis. Studying the pathogenesis of this infection was previously limited by the human specificity of the bacteria, which makes in vivo models difficult. In this protocol, we describe a humanized model for this infection in which human skin, containing dermal microvessels, is grafted onto immunocompromised mice. These vessels anastomose with the mouse circulation while maintaining their human characteristics. Once introduced into this model, N. meningitidis adhere exclusively to the human vessels, resulting in extensive vascular damage, inflammation and in some cases the development of purpuric rash. This protocol describes the grafting, infection and evaluation steps of this model in the context of N. meningitidis infection. The technique may be applied to numerous human specific pathogens that infect the blood stream.

Neisseria meningitidis is a human specific pathogen that infects blood vessels. In this protocol human microvessels are introduced into a mouse by grafting human skin onto immunocompromised mice. Bacteria adhere extensively to the human vessels, leading to vascular damage and development of the purpuric rash typically observed in human cases.

Humanizado modelo de ratón para el Estudio de Infecciones Bacterianas Targeting la microvasculatura

Neisseria meningitidis causes a severe, frequently fatal sepsis when it enters the human blood stream. Infection leads to extensive damage of the blood ...

Automated Cell Enrichment of Cytomegalovirus-specific T cells for Clinical Applications using the Cytokine-capture System

The adoptive transfer of pathogen-specific T cells can be used to prevent and treat opportunistic infections such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection occurring after allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. Viral-specific T cells from allogeneic donors, including third party donors, can be propagated ex vivo in compliance with current good manufacturing practice (cGMP), employing repeated rounds of antigen-driven stimulation to selectively propagate desired T cells. The identification and isolation of antigen-specific T cells can also be undertaken based upon the cytokine capture system of T cells that have been activated to secrete gamma-interferon (IFN-&#947;). However, widespread human application of the cytokine capture system (CCS) to help restore immunity has been limited as the production process is time-consuming and requires a skilled operator. The development of a second-generation cell enrichment device such as CliniMACS Prodigy now enables investigators to generate viral-specific T cells using an automated, less labor-intensive system. This device separates magnetically labeled cells from unlabeled cells using magnetic activated cell sorting technology to generate clinical-grade products, is engineered as a closed system and can be accessed and operated on the benchtop. We demonstrate the operation of this new automated cell enrichment device to manufacture CMV pp65-specific T cells obtained from a steady-state apheresis product obtained from a CMV seropositive donor. These isolated T cells can then be directly infused into a patient under institutional and federal regulatory supervision. All the bio-processing steps including removal of red blood cells, stimulation of T cells, separation of antigen-specific T cells, purification, and washing are fully automated. Devices such as this raise the possibility that T cells for human application can be manufactured outside of dedicated good manufacturing practice (GMP) facilities and instead be produced in blood banking facilities where staff can supervise automated protocols to produce multiple products.

The goal of this protocol is to manufacture pathogen-specific clinical-grade T cells using a bench-top, automated, second generation cell enrichment device that incorporates a closed cytokine capture system and does not require dedicated staff or use of a GMP facility. The cytomegalovirus pp65-specific-T cells generated can be directly administered to patients.

Enriquecimiento de la célula automatizada de citomegalovirus células T específicas para aplicaciones clínicas utilizando el Sistema de citoquinas de captura

The adoptive transfer of pathogen-specific T cells can be used to prevent and treat opportunistic infections such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection ...

Organoids as Model for Infectious Diseases: Culture of Human and Murine Stomach Organoids and Microinjection of Helicobacter Pylori

Recently infection biologists have employed stem cell derived cultures to answer the need for new and better models to study host-pathogen interactions. Three cellular sources have been used: Embryonic stem cells (ESC), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) or adult stem cells. Here, culture of mouse and human gastric organoids derived from adult stem cells is described and used for infection with the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori. Human gastric glands are isolated from resection material, seeded in a basement matrix and embedded in medium containing growth factors epidermal growth factor (EGF), R-spondin, Noggin, Wnt, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 10, gastrin and transforming growth factor (TGF) beta inhibitor. In these conditions, gastric glands grow into 3-dimensional organoids containing 4 lineages of the stomach. The organoids expand indefinitely and can be frozen and thawed similarly as cell lines. For infection studies, bacteria are microinjected into the lumen of the organoids. Infected organoids are processed for imaging. The described methods can be adapted to other organoids and infections with other bacteria, viruses or parasites. This allows the study of infection-induced changes in primary cells.

Stem cell derived cultures harbor tremendous potential to model infectious diseases. Here, the culture of mouse and human gastric organoids derived from adult stem cells is described. The organoids are microinjected with the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori.

Organoides como Modelo para Enfermedades Infecciosas: Cultura de Derechos Humanos y organoides estomacales murinos y microinyección de Helicobacter Pylori

Recently infection biologists have employed stem cell derived cultures to answer the need for new and better models to study host-pathogen interactions. ...

Flow Cytometry-based Assay for the Monitoring of NK Cell Functions

Natural killer (NK) cells are an important part of the human tumor immune surveillance system. NK cells are able to distinguish between healthy and virus-infected or malignantly transformed cells due to a set of germline encoded inhibitory and activating receptors. Upon virus or tumor cell recognition a variety of different NK cell functions are initiated including cytotoxicity against the target cell as well as cytokine and chemokine production leading to the activation of other immune cells. It has been demonstrated that accurate NK cell functions are crucial for the treatment outcome of different virus infections and malignant diseases. Here a simple and reliable method is described to analyze different NK cell functions using a flow cytometry-based assay. NK cell functions can be evaluated not only for the whole NK cell population, but also for different NK cell subsets. This technique enables scientists to easily study NK cell functions in healthy donors or patients in order to reveal their impact on different malignancies and to further discover new therapeutic strategies.

A simple and reliable method is described here to analyze a set of NK cell functions such as degranulation, cytokine and chemokine production within different NK cell subsets.

Ensayo de citometría de flujo de base para la supervisión de funciones de las células NK

Natural killer (NK) cells are an important part of the human tumor immune surveillance system. NK cells are able to distinguish between healthy and ...

A CFSE-based Assay to Study the Migration of Murine Skin Dendritic Cells into Draining Lymph Nodes During Infection with Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette-Gu&#233;rin

Dendritic cells (DCs) are important for initiating immune responses, in part through their ability to acquire and shuttle antigen to the draining lymph node (DLN). The mobilization of DCs to the DLN is complex and remains to be fully elucidated during infection. Herein described is the use of an innovative, simple assay that relies on the fluorochrome 5- and 6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) to track the migration of DCs during footpad infection with Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette-Gu&#233;rin (BCG) in C57BL/6 mice. This assay enables the characterization of skin DC sub-populations that actively relocate to the draining, popliteal LN in response to BCG. This protocol originates from a BCG model where migratory skin DCs were identified by flow cytometry. The assay is amiable to the study and identification of DCs or other cells that home to the popliteal LN after inoculation of microbes, their metabolites or other inflammatory stimuli in the footpad, and consequently to study factors that regulate the migration of these cells.

A CFSE-based Assay to Study the Migration of Murine Skin Dendritic Cells into Draining Lymph Nodes During Infection with &lt;em&gt;Mycobacterium bovis&lt;/em&gt; Bacille Calmette-Gu&amp;#233;rin

An assay in mice to track cell migration from skin to draining lymph node is described which enables the characterization of skin Dendritic cells mobilized to the lymph node after footpad infection with Bacille Calmette-Gu&#233;rin.

Un ensayo basado en CFSE para estudiar la migración de la piel murina de células dendríticas en los nodos linfáticos de drenaje durante la infección con<em&gt; Mycobacterium bovis</em&gt; Bacilo de Calmette-Guérin

Dendritic cells (DCs) are important for initiating immune responses, in part through their ability to acquire and shuttle antigen to the draining lymph ...