This study was supported by NIH grants 5R01AI096966-06S1 (PS, EC, and EB), 1UM1AI26617 (PS, EC and EB), P51OD011106/P51RR000167 (ER), MN REACH grant 5U01HL127479-03 (PS), 1R01A143380-01 (PS and EB), 1UM14126617 (PS and EC) as well as funds provided by the NIAID Division of Intramural Research and the NIH Intramural AIDS Targeted Antiviral Program. Anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 used in these studies was provided by the NIH Nonhuman Primate Reagent Resource (R24 OD010976, U24 AI126683). IL-2 used in these studies was provided by The NCI Preclinical Repository. We thank our collaborators in this CD4-MBL CAR/CXCR5 project, Dr. Elizabeth Connick at the University of Arizona, Dr. Edward A Berger at NIAID, NIH, Dr. Eva G Rakasz at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center and Dr. Geoff Hart and Ms. Preethi Haran at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Leslie Kean at Harvard Medical School and Dr. Catherine Bollard at the Children&#39;s Research Institute. We also thank Dr. Scott McIvor at the University of Minnesota, Dr. Christopher Peterson at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Dr. Matthew Trivett at the NIH, Dr. Agne Taraseviciute at Seattle Children&#39;s Hospital, and Dr. Conrad Russell Cruz at The Children&#39;s Research Institute for their very helpful assistance in optimizing this protocol. We also gratefully acknowledge Ms. Chi Phan and Ms. Jhomary Alegria-Berrocal at the University of Minnesota for gammaretroviral production, and Ms. Kim Weisgrau at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for isolation of rhesus macaque PBMC.

NOTE: This rhesus PBMC transduction protocol requires the use of a gammaretroviral vector. Note that gammaretrovirus can either be produced in the lab or outsourced to a viral production company. In lab production can be carried out with the protocol outlined in step 1 and the virus can be titered as outlined in step 2. Whether the virus is produced on site or by a production company, an MOI (ratio of infectious virions to cells in culture) should be determined, as outlined in step 3, for each newly produced viral preparation and the cells of interest.
CAUTION: Work with gammaretroviral vectors or other retroviral vectors requires proper safety precautions such as use of lab coats and double layers of gloves. All handling of the virus must occur in the biosafety hood. All pipets should be decontaminated in a solution of 10% bleach for 30 min. All liquid infectious waste should be decontaminated with a final concentration of 10% bleach. Secondary containment, with a seal that prevents release of microbiological aerosols, is required for centrifugation
1. Producing the Gammaretroviral Stock
<ol>
	<li>Plate 293T cells for transfection. A full virus preparation requires 12 T75 flasks at 4.5 x 106 cells/flask in Dulbecco&#39;s modified Eagle medium (DMEM) + 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) without antibiotics.</li>
	<li>Allow the cells to grow overnight at 37 &#176;C before transfection.</li>
	<li>Dilute 60 &#956;L of transfection reagent in 1.5 mL reduced serum media. Prepare one tube for each flask. Incubate for 5 minutes at RT.</li>
	<li>For each flask, prepare a tube containing 1.5 mL of reduced serum media and the following plasmids: 9.0 &#956;g of a transfer plasmid containing the gene(s) of interest, 3 &#956;g of RD114 and 1.2 &#956;g of VSV-G (envelope plasmids), and 3 &#181;g of gag/pol. 
	NOTE: The envelope and gag/pol genes are needed for retroviral packaging. For our retroviral production, we add both the RD114 envelope and, for added stability, a small amount of VSV-G envelope.</li>
	<li>Add diluted plasmids (step 1.4) to diluted transfection reagent (step 1.3). Mix gently. Incubate for 20 min at room temperature.</li>
	<li>Feed cells 5 mL of fresh complete media and add 3 mL of transfection reagent/plasmid mixture dropwise per flask and incubate for 5&#8211;6 h at 37 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Add an additional 5 mL of fresh medium to the flasks and incubate for 42&#8211;43 h at 37 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>After a total transfection time of 48 h, collect media and centrifuge at 1282 x g for 3 min at 4 &#176;C to remove cell debris.</li>
	<li>Aliquot into appropriate volumes for future use, flash freeze the virus in an ethanol/dry ice bath and store at -80 &#176;C.</li>
</ol>
2. Titering the Gammaretrovirus
NOTE: Several dilutions of virus may be needed to obtain a valid titer.
<ol>
	<li>Plate 293T cells at 600,000 cells/well in a 6-well plate and incubate the plates for 24 h at 37 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Remove the medium from the cells and add desired amount of DMEM + 10% FBS to the 293T (2 mL total volume of virus).</li>
	<li>Add the virus to the corresponding well and swirl gently to mix. For example, add 200 &#181;L, 100 &#181;L, 50 &#181;L and 25 &#181;L respectively to 4 wells. Include a well without virus for flow cytometry (mock sample).</li>
	<li>Incubate for 48 h at 37 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Trypsinize the 293T cells by adding 0.5 mL of Trypsin-EDTA and incubating for 4 min at 37 &#176;C. Stop the trypsin by adding 1.5 mL of DMEM + 10% FBS. Count the cells and determine viability with an automated cell counter or a hemocytometer.
	<ol>
		<li>To use the cell counter, add 10 &#181;L of cells to 10 &#181;L of trypan blue, mix, load the chamber slide, and insert into the counter. Push the &#34;capture&#34; button to count the cells.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Collect 0.5&#8211;1 x 106 cells and evaluate levels of CAR and CXCR5 by flow cytometry (see step 9.5). Expression of CD4 or MBL along with CXCR5 will identify transduced 293T cells co-expressing the CAR and CXCR5. See reactive antibodies in step 9.5.1.</li>
	<li>Calculate viral titer. 
	NOTE: Choose the sample with a transduction level of 20% or less for calculation of titer.
	<ol>
		<li>Use the following formula to calculate titer: 
		transduction units/mL = (number of cells in culture)(% of cells transduced)/volume of virus added to the culture</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
3. Determining the Optimal MOI for a Newly Produced Viral Preparation and the Cells of Interest
<ol>
	<li>Follow the transduction protocol (sections 4&#8211;9) with primary PBMCs and twofold dilutions of the gammaretroviral preparation.</li>
	<li>Assess the level of expression of the genes of interest by flow cytometry (step 9.5).</li>
	<li>Choose a concentration of virus that allows maximal transduction without loss of cell viability.</li>
</ol>
4. Preparing Plates for T Cell Activation by Coating Wells with Anti-CD3 Antibodies
<ol>
	<li>Prepare anti-macaque CD3 antibody (FN18) by diluting the stock to 10 &#181;g/mL in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS).</li>
	<li>Dispense 2 mL/well in 6-well plates. Incubate at 37 &#176;C for 2 h. Alternatively, the plates can be incubated overnight at 4 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Aspirate the PBS and unbound antibodies. Rinse wells twice with 2 mL of PBS and use immediately to plate PBMCs.</li>
</ol>
5. Stimulating Rhesus PBMCs with Plate-bound Anti-CD3 and Soluble Anti-CD28
<ol>
	<li>Thaw primary rhesus PBMCs in a 37 &#176;C waterbath, with gentle agitation, until just a small amount of ice remains.</li>
	<li>In the hood, gently pipette cells into a conical tube. Rinse the vial with 1 mL of basic medium and add it slowly to the cells. Next, slowly add an additional 9 mL of warm basic medium to the cells. 
	NOTE: This step can be scaled up but never thaw more than 4 vials at one time.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge at 600 x g for 5 min at 22 &#176;C to pellet the cells. Aspirate the supernatant and then resuspend the pellet in a small amount of growth medium. Choose a volume such that the concentration of cells will exceed 2 x 106 cells/mL at this point since the final concentration should be 2 x 106 cells/mL.</li>
	<li>Stain cells with trypan blue and count the cells to determine the number of viable cells. 
	NOTE: This can be done with a standard hemocytometer or an automated cell counter. We use an automated cell counter which displays the viability and number of live cells.
	<ol>
		<li>To use the counter, add 10 &#181;L of cells to 10 &#181;L trypan blue, mix, load the chamber slide and insert into the counter. Push the &#34;capture&#34; button to count the cells.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Calculate the total number of cells by multiplying cell concentration by volume and then dilute the cells to 2 x 106 cells/mL in growth medium. Prior to plating, add anti-CD28 to a final concentration of 5 &#181;g/mL in order to provide a necessary co-stimulatory signal for T cell activation.</li>
	<li>Pipette cells into anti-CD3 coated plates. Add 3&#8211;6 x 106 cells per well (a good target is 4 x 106 cells in 2 mL media per well) and incubate for 2 days at 37 &#176;C in 5% CO2.</li>
</ol>
6. Preparing Fibronectin-coated Plates
NOTE: PBMC and T cells express integrin receptors VLA-4 or VLA-5 and are good targets for fibronectin-mediated transduction.
<ol>
	<li>Prior to coating the plates, first prepare fibronectin reagent by diluting it 1:100 in sterile PBS.</li>
	<li>Pipette 2 mL of the sterile fibronectin solution into each well of a 6-well plate. Gently rock plates for 2 h at room temperature. 
	NOTE: Non-treated, cell culture-grade tissue culture plates or dishes should be used in this step.</li>
	<li>Remove the fibronectin solution by aspiration and then block with 1 mL of sterile 2% bovine serum albumin (BSA, Fraction V) in PBS. Rock the plates at room temperature for 30 min.</li>
	<li>Aspirate the BSA solution and wash the plate with 2 mL of PBS. After aspiration of the PBS, the fibronectin-coated plates can be sealed with seal wrap and stored at 4 &#176;C for up to a week. 
	NOTE: We usually prepare the plates one day before transduction.</li>
</ol>
7. Transduction of activated rhesus PBMCs
CAUTION: Work with viral vectors or with rhesus macaque PBMCs requires utilization of proper safety precautions such as use of lab coats and double layers of gloves. All handling of the virus and the cells must occur in the biosafety hood. All pipets should be decontaminated in a solution of 10% bleach for 30 min. All liquid infectious waste should be decontaminated with a final concentration of 10% bleach. Secondary containment with a seal that prevents release of microbiological aerosols, is required for centrifugation.
<ol>
	<li>Attach the gammaretroviral transducing vector to the fibronectin-coated well.
	<ol>
		<li>Warm a centrifuge to 32 &#176;C by running at 2000 x g for about 30 min.</li>
		<li>Warm both serum free and growth media in a 37 &#176;C waterbath.</li>
		<li>Thaw the virus on ice or by gently swirling the vial in a 37 &#176;C waterbath until only small amount of ice remains. To avoid degradation of the viral preparation, do not allow the contents to warm up.</li>
		<li>Dilute the retrovirus to a predetermined optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) in serum-free medium. 
		NOTE: With our gammaretrovirus and rhesus PBMC, we have found that an MOI of 0.5 is optimal.
		<ol>
			<li>Example dilution: To coat 4 wells with virus and add 1.5 x 106 cells, (4)(1.5 x 106)(0.5) = 3 x 106 TU are needed. If the viral titer is 1.1 TU/mL, then use 2.7 mL virus in 5.3 mL media for a total volume of 8 mL.</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>Add 2 mL diluted retrovirus to each well of the fibronectin-coated plate.</li>
		<li>For negative control mock-transduced cells, add media alone to the fibronectin-coated wells.</li>
		<li>Place the plates in the pre-warmed 32 &#176;C centrifuge in microplate carriers with biosafe covers and centrifuge at 2000 x g for 2 h. 
		NOTE: Virus coated plates can be used immediately or stored, with virus, at 4 &#176;C overnight.</li>
		<li>For immediate use, aspirate the virus preparation from the wells and add 2 mL of growth medium. Keep the virus-coated wells from drying.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Plate the stimulated PBMCs.
	<ol>
		<li>Check the cells using an inverted microscope. The cells should look healthy, meaning that they are round, bright and refract light. They should also show a clumped appearance indicating stimulation.</li>
		<li>Collect the target cells and transfer them to a 50 mL conical tube. Rinse the well once with 1 mL growth media and add to the conical tube. Count the number of living cells with the automated cell counter as in step 5.4. 
		NOTE: Stimulated cells will be clumped and this clumping may lead to difficulties in accurately counting the cells.</li>
		<li>Pellet the cells in the tubes by centrifuging at 600 x g for 5 min at 32 &#176;C. Aspirate the media from the cell pellet and resuspend the cells in growth medium at a concentration of 1.5 x 106 cells/mL.</li>
		<li>To each virus-coated well (prepared in the step 7.1) add 1 mL of cell suspension for a total of 1.5 x 106 cells/3 mL. Note that each well already contains 2 mL growth medium. Perform the same steps for mock-transduced cells but plate them onto fibronectin-coated wells which received no virus.</li>
		<li>Centrifuge the plates at 1000 x g for 10 min at 32 &#176;C.</li>
		<li>Incubate the plates for 48 h at 37 &#176;C under 5% CO2.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
8. Expansion of the transduced cells
<ol>
	<li>Draw the contents of the wells up and down with a 5 mL pipet in order to resuspend the cells and then transfer to a 50 mL conical tube.</li>
	<li>Add 1 mL of growth media to each well and draw up and down with a sterile transfer pipet to remove adherent cells.</li>
	<li>Count cells to determine the total cell number and viability using an automated cell counter as in step 5.4.</li>
	<li>If desired, remove 1 x 106 cells for flow cytometry to assess gene expression and phenotype. See step 9.5.1 and the Table of Materials for recommended antibodies and gating strategy.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge the cells at 600 x g for 10 min at 25 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Aspirate the media and resuspend the cells in expansion media to a concentration of 1 x 106 cells/mL. Seed each gas-permeable well of a 6-well plate with 5 mL of cells. Carefully layer an additional 25 mL of expansion media per well. 
	NOTE: We add the cells in a small volume and then layer remaining media so that the cells remain on the bottom of the well.</li>
	<li>Incubate the cells undisturbed at 37 &#176;C in 5% CO2 incubator for 4 days.</li>
</ol>
9. Collection of expanded cells and evaluating the phenotype of the transduced cell population
<ol>
	<li>Collect cells from gas permeable wells by removing and discarding 20 mL media. Caution should be taken to avoid disturbing the cells. 
	NOTE: We expand the cells for only 4 days and collect the cells at this point. However, if additional days of culture are desired, remove 20 mL of media without disturbing the cells and replace it with 20 mL of fresh expansion media.</li>
	<li>Pipet the remaining media up and down to dislodge the cells. The media should be very cloudy if cells have grown well.</li>
	<li>Using a sterile transfer pipet, rinse each well with 3 mL media to collect any residual cells.</li>
	<li>Count the cells with the automated counter or a hemocytometer to check for viability and cell number.</li>
	<li>Perform flow cytometry to determine transduced gene expression and cell phenotype.
	<ol>
		<li>In this example, determine rhesus macaque PBMC phenotype using antibodies directed against CD4 (M-T477), a clone that is reactive with both endogenous rhCD4 and the rhCD4-MBL CAR; against CD3 (SP34-2) and CD8 (RPA-T8) which stain total T cells and CD8 T cells respectively; against the death receptor CD95 (DX2) and the co-stimulatory molecule CD28 (CD28.2) which are used to determine the memory phenotype of the cells; and against CXCR5 (MU5UBEE) and MBL (3E7) to detect the CXCR5 and CD4-MBL CAR on the transduced cells.</li>
		<li>Assess viability was assessed with a fixable viability dye.</li>
		<li>Prepare cells for flow cytometry.
		<ol>
			<li>Make up an antibody master mix for the total number of tubes. Bring up to total volume using PBS.</li>
			<li>Add the cells to flow tubes. Place 0.5&#8211;1 x 106 cells per tube. Include negative controls such as unstained cells as well as stained mock transduced cells.</li>
			<li>Add 2 mL of PBS to the cells, centrifuge at 400 x g for 5 min at room temperature (RT) and decant.</li>
			<li>Add 100 &#181;L of antibody mix to the tubes and incubate for 30 min at RT.</li>
			<li>Add 2 mL of PBS, centrifuge at 400 x g for 5 min at RT and decant.</li>
			<li>Add 300 &#181;L of 1% paraformaldehyde and incubate for 15 min.</li>
			<li>Centrifuge at 400 x g for 5 min at RT and decant. Add 300 &#181;L of PBS and mix.</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>On a flow cytometer, acquire 150,000 events for each sample.</li>
		<li>Analyze the data with flow analysis software. 
		NOTE: The gating strategy was previously published20.
		<ol>
			<li>For identification of transduced cells, gate cells on lymphocytes, singlets, live, CD3+, and MBL+CXCR5+.</li>
			<li>For identification of the central memory population, gate cells on lymphocytes, singlets, live CD3+, CD8+, CD28+ CD95+.</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Use cells as needed. Cells can be used for in vitro assays of function, such as a transwell migration assay9 or in vitro cell killing assays5,9. Cells can be used for infusion into animals. Alternatively, freeze any remaining cells in 90% FBS with 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for later use or analysis 
	NOTE: While a target dose for infusion of adoptively transferred cells into a rhesus macaque is not yet established, published adoptive transfer studies in non-human primates have used 0.6 to 1.2 x 107 cells/kg21, 1 to 5 x 108 cells/kg22 and 1.4 to 8 x 108 cells/kg10. With this range as a guideline, enough cells for infusion can be produced with this 9-day protocol.</li>
</ol>

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P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rapid+transduction+and+expansion+of+transduced+T+cells+with+maintenance+of+central+memory+populations.">Rapid transduction and expansion of transduced T cells with maintenance of central memory populations.</a> Molecular Therapy - Methods and Clinical Development. 16, 1-10 (2019).</li><li>Taraseviciute, A., Tkachev, V., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chimeric+antigen+receptor+T+cell-mediated+neurotoxicity+in+nonhuman+primates.">Chimeric antigen receptor T cell-mediated neurotoxicity in nonhuman primates.</a> Cancer Discovery. 8 (6), 750-763 (2018).</li><li>Berger, C., Sommermeyer, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Safety+of+targeting+ROR1+in+primates+with+chimeric+antigen+receptor-modified+T+cells.">Safety of targeting ROR1 in primates with chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells.</a> Cancer Immunology Research. 3 (2), 206-216 (2015).</li></ol>

Dr. Pamela Skinner is the co-founder and chief scientific officer of MarPam Pharma.

This protocol outlines a T cell immunotherapy production strategy which utilizes a gammaretroviral vector to transduce rhesus macaque PBMC leading to T cell population that expresses an antiviral CAR as well as the follicular homing receptor, CXCR5. With a total of 8 days of ex vivo culture time, viable, functional CAR T cells are produced in a quantity that is within the published range10,21,22 used for infusion into non-human primates for preclinical efficacy testing.
The success of the transduction protocol relies on both healthy, stimulated PBMCs and on quality preparations of gammaretrovirus. In order to achieve successful stimulation and transduction, it is essential that proper care is taken in freezing and transport of the PBMCs after collection. Ideally, if the cells are collected off site, they are shipped in liquid nitrogen and quickly placed in long term liquid nitrogen storage. PBMCs must be mitotically active in order to be successfully transduced by a gammaretrovirus. One should monitor visually for clustering of the cells after stimulation with anti-CD3/anti-CD28. A failure to activate properly will cause low efficiency of transduction. It is also important to monitor the viability in the stimulated cells. Poor viability after the stimulation step usually leads to a less successful transduction. Whether virus preparations are produced in the lab or outsourced, they should be stored at -80 &#176;C in single use aliquots to avoid freeze thaw cycles that can damage the virus and impair transduction efficiency. The virus must be titered so that consistent amounts of virus can be used in each experiment. When using the virus for transduction, thaw the virus quickly and store on ice until needed. The choice of promoter, enhancer and envelope proteins may all impact transduction efficiency and expression of transgene in target cells. Thus, a MOI must be empirically determined. In addition, the use of a media designed to support T cells and plates with gas permeable wells for expansion have led to excellent expansion of the transduced cells. However, there is animal to animal variability in the cell expansion rate. We recommend a trial study to determine the ability of a particular cell preparation to be transduced and expanded. Expansion levels are consistent in both small-and large-scale transductions.
With the use of this protocol, we have produced up to 2.5 x 109 cells for infusion into test animals. Although we have found it unnecessary to scale-up the protocol at this time, the use of 6 well plates is a limitation to large-scale cell preparation and the protocol would require modification to produce greater numbers of cells. Examples of potential modifications include carrying out the transduction in a fibronectin-coated culture bag to increase the number of cells transduced and to utilize a larger gas permeable culture vessel for the expansion step. Although we have not yet made these alterations, they utilize commercially available products and are feasible modifications to the current protocol.
Using this method, we have produced transduced cells from PBMC isolated from uninfected animals, SIV-infected animals and from SIV-infected animals treated with antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, we have noted a reduction in transduction efficiency in the ART treated cells20. This reduction is presumably due to the inhibition of reverse transcriptase and/or integrase by the drugs. Transductions of cells from ART-treated animals will require modifications to this protocol such as reducing the intracellular levels of the ART drugs by stopping ART for several days prior to collecting the PBMC or through the use of an alternative vector which is not impacted by the ART drugs commonly in use.
It is important that cells produced for immunotherapy be of a minimally differentiated phenotype so that they will persist post-infusion12. Although many protocols for adoptive transfer of cells require long culture times, a reduced ex vivo culture time has been correlated with both a reduction in differentiation and an improvement in CAR T cell function13. The relatively rapid timeframe of this transduction and expansion protocol allows maintenance of the desired central memory phenotype while still producing sufficient cells for testing of their immunotherapeutic potential20.
The goal of the production strategy for this T cell immunotherapy product is to manufacture T cells that will recognize SIV-infected cells, will traffic to the site of viral replication in the B cell follicle and will persist in the animal resulting in a long-term functional cure without need for anti-retroviral drugs. For translation to a human immunotherapy product, this protocol can be modified to transduce human T cells through the use of human-specific antibodies and cytokines and the implementation of GMP standards with the ultimate goal of a producing a functional cure for HIV.

Cellular immunotherapies are emerging as a new means to treat diseases including cancers and infectious diseases. These immunotherapy methods often involve genetically manipulating therapeutic cells to express specific molecules. For example, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are engineered to express a CAR molecule that has an extracellular domain that specifically binds molecules on diseased cells and a signaling domain that triggers the immune cells to kill the diseased cell. CAR T cells are being used successfully in cancer immunotherapies, and have been particularly effective in treating B cell leukemias1,2,3. CAR-T cells are also being developed to treat viral infections such as HIV. HIV-specific CARs target the envelope proteins on the surface of virally infected cells4. Immunotherapeutic cells can also be engineered to express homing molecules to target therapeutic cells to specific tissue locations. We have developed vectors that transduce both a virus-specific CAR as well as the lymphoid follicle homing molecule CXCR55.
Viral replication of some viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), is concentrated within B cell follicles in secondary lymphoid tissues6. B cell follicles are somewhat immune privileged sites in which low levels of virus-specific CTL permit ongoing viral replication7,8. For these reasons, targeting HIV/SIV-specific T cells into the follicle through expression of CXCR5 is a strategy for elimination of the follicular reservoir of virally infected cells9,10. Specifically, we are targeting SIV-specific CAR T cells to B cell follicles via CXCR5 co-expression.
In this protocol we describe a method to transduce CAR/CXCR5 and expand PBMCs to produce CAR/CXCR5 T cells of sufficient quantities for therapeutic infusion. Cells transduced with these methods maintain a central memory phenotype. Studies have shown that cells with a less differentiated phenotype, such as central memory T cells and T memory stem cells better persist than more differentiated cells11,12. In addition, many protocols designed to produce adoptively transferred cells have relatively long culture times that result in cells that have a more differentiated phenotype and reduced persistence13. Furthermore, adoptively transferred cells with long culture times accumulated within the lungs instead of target lymphoid tissues in rhesus macaque14,15. In the methods we describe and demonstrate here, we rapidly transduce and expand rhesus macaque PBMCs to produce transduced T cells that maintain a central memory phenotype.
Both CD4 and CD8 T cells are included in our immunotherapy approach. This mixed cell population was chosen because, in clinical trials, the absence of CD4+ T cells in the CD8+ T cell product was correlated with a failure of infused CD8 T cells to persist 16. The methods described here begin by activating PBMCs with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies which potently stimulate the T cell receptor and provide a co-stimulatory signal to avoid clonal anergy17,18.
After activation, cells are transduced with a gammaretroviral vector encoding a virus-specific CAR and the lymphoid homing molecule CXCR5. Transduced cells are then expanded using plates designed for non-adherent cell propagation which have a gas permeable membrane at the base. This membrane permits gas exchange at the bottom of the well leading to enhanced cell survival and nutrient availability19. Using these methods, sufficient functional cells can be produced in a 9-day timeframe for in vivo infusion studies. While this protocol is designed for transducing and expanding rhesus macaque T cells, with slight modification of the species-specific activating antibodies, it can be used with cells from other species. These methods are based on our previously published studies9,20.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Gammaretrovirus preparation</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>0.025% Trypsin, 0.01% EDTA</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>R-001-100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>293T cells</td>
			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td>CRL-3216</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>6 well plates, treated</td>
			<td>CytoOne</td>
			<td>CC7682-7506</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>10569-010</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Heat-inactivated FBS</td>
			<td>Hyclone</td>
			<td>Sh30088.03</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lipofectamine</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>11668019</td>
			<td>transfection reagent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Opti-Mem</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>31985070</td>
			<td>reduced serum media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>pBS-CMV-gagpol</td>
			<td>Addgene</td>
			<td>35614</td>
			<td>A gift from Dr. Patrick Salmon</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>pMSGV1 containing CAR P2A CXCR5</td>
			<td>custom order from GenScript</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RD114</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>A gift from Dr. Ed Berger</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>T75 flasks</td>
			<td>CytoOne</td>
			<td>CC7682-4875</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>VSV-G</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>pMD.G</td>
			<td>A gift from Dr. Scott McIvor</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>T cell stimulation</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>6 well plates, untreated</td>
			<td>CytoOne</td>
			<td>CC7672-7506</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-CD28</td>
			<td>NHP Reagent Resource</td>
			<td>Clone: CD28.2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-macaque CD3</td>
			<td>NHP Reagent Resource</td>
			<td>Clone: FN18</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phosphate buffered saline</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>14190-144</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rhesus macaque PBMC or CD8 T cells</td>
			<td>WNPRC</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Primary cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>For Fibronectin coating</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>6 well plates, untreated</td>
			<td>CytoOne</td>
			<td>CC7672-7506</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BSA (Fraction V)</td>
			<td>HyClone</td>
			<td>SH 30574.02</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RetroNectin (1 mg/ml)</td>
			<td>TaKaRa</td>
			<td>T100A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>For T cell Expansion</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>G-Rex 6 Well Plate</td>
			<td>Wilson Wolf</td>
			<td>P/N 80240M</td>
			<td>Plates with gas permeable wells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Media Components</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>b mercaptoethanol</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>21985-023</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Heat-inactivated FBS</td>
			<td>Hyclone</td>
			<td>Sh30088.03</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>IL-2</td>
			<td>NCI Preclinical Repository</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin/Streptomycin/Glutamine</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>10378-016</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>X-Vivo-15 medium</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>04-418Q</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Variations of Media used</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Basic medium:</td>
			<td>X-Vivo 15 medium, 10% heat-inactivated FBS, 1 x Penicillin/Streptomycin/L-Glutamine</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Expansion medium:</td>
			<td>Growth medium + 50 mM b mercaptoethanol</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Growth medium:</td>
			<td>Basic medium + 50 IU/ml IL-2</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Completion of media by addition of anti-CD28, IL-2 or b-mercaptoethanol should occur on the day of use.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell counting</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Countess cell counting chambers</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>AMQAF1000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Countess II FL Automated Cell Counter</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>T10282</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypan blue, 0.4% solution</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>T10282</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Flow Cytometry</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alexa Fluor 647 Antibody Labeling Kit</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>A20186</td>
			<td>for conjugation of MBL antibody</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>anti-CD28-BV605</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>562976</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>anti-CD3-AF700</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>557917</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>anti-CD4-FITC</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>556615</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>anti-CD8-BV788</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>563824</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>anti-CD95-PerCP Cy5.5</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>561655</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>anti-CXCR5-PE</td>
			<td>eBioscience</td>
			<td>12-1985-42</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>anti-MBL</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>MA1-40145-S6</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Flow Analysis software</td>
			<td>FlowJo, LLC</td>
			<td>FlowJo v10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Flow Cytometer</td>
			<td>Beckman</td>
			<td>CytoFlex</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Live/Dead Near IR</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>L10119</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Other equipment</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Aerosolve canisters to contain aerosol leakage</td>
			<td>Beckman</td>
			<td>SX4750</td>
			<td>Safety equipment</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Beckman Allegra Centrifuge</td>
			<td>Beckman</td>
			<td>Sterilgard e3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell culture incubator</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher</td>
			<td>Everlast 247</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Class II Laminar flow hood</td>
			<td>Baker</td>
			<td>Heracell Vios 160i</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Extra-Safe Disposable lab coat</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>359232</td>
			<td>Personal protective equipment</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microplate carriers with biocertified covers</td>
			<td>Beckman</td>
			<td>SX4750A</td>
			<td>Safety equipment</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rocking platform</td>
			<td>Benchmark</td>
			<td>C10228</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Swinging bucket rotor</td>
			<td>Beckman</td>
			<td>X13-R</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>X-Gen Nitrile gloves</td>
			<td>Genesee</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Personal protective equipment</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

transduction and expansion of primary t cells in nine days with maintenance of central memory phenotype

Emerging immunotherapies to treat infectious diseases and cancers often involve transduction of cellular populations with genes encoding disease-targeting proteins. For example, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells to treat cancers and viral infections involve the transduction of T cells with synthetic genes encoding CAR molecules. The CAR molecules make the T cells specifically recognize and kill cancer or virally infected cells. Cells can also be co-transduced with other genes of interest. For example, cells can be co-transduced with genes encoding proteins that target cells to specific locations. Here, we present a protocol to transduce primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with genes encoding a virus-specific CAR and the B cell follicle homing molecule chemokine receptor type 5 (CXCR5). This procedure takes nine days and results in transduced T cell populations that maintain a central memory phenotype. Maintenance of a central memory or less differentiated phenotype has been shown to associate with persistence of cells post-infusion. Furthermore, cells produced with this method show high levels of viability, high levels of co-expression of the two transduced genes, and large enough quantities of cells for immunotherapeutic infusion. This nine-day protocol may be broadly used for CAR-T cell and other T cell immunotherapy approaches. The methods described here are based on studies presented in our previous publications.

Cell production 
Results presented in this publication are similar to those in our previously published work9,20. Utilizing the protocol presented here, we expect at least an 8-fold expansion of cells between days 5 and 9 (median 11.1 fold, range 8.7&#8211;13 fold). Gas permeable wells were seeded at a starting density of 5 x 106 cells and after 4 days of growth, we achieved a median density of 55.6 x 106 cells per well (range 43.5&#8211;64.8 x 106) (Figure 1A). Cell counting with Trypan Blue exclusion shows that the cells maintain high viability throughout the protocol (day 9 median 85.8%, range 83&#8211;95%) (Figure 1B). We find animal to animal variability in the ability of the cells to expand; however, with a starting population of 50&#8211;100 x 106 cells on day 1, we have used this protocol to produce enough cells for rhesus macaque infusion of 1&#8211;2 x 108 cells/kg.
Co-expression of the transduced genes was monitored with flow cytometry (Figure 2A). Expression of the CAR and CXCR5 on the surface of the transduced cells was relatively stable between days 5 and 9 of this expansion protocol. On day 5, a median of 42.8% (range 36.5&#8211;46.9%) of the cells were transduced with both CD4-MBL CAR and CXCR5 while on day 9, median expression was 47.6% (range 44.5&#8211;64.5%) with a single round of transduction (Figure 2B). Although some protocols call for a second round of transduction, we have not seen a benefit in terms of total transduced cells at the conclusion of the protocol (data not shown).
Cell phenotype 
Transduced cells were analyzed by flow cytometry to monitor their memory phenotype. Prior to transduction and expansion, naive, central memory and effector memory populations are identified (data not shown) but the na&#239;ve population is lost with culturing and the cells are primarily central memory cells by day 5 (Figure 3A) and day 9 (Figure 3B) as identified by CD95+ CD28+ expression. The use of this rapid transduction and expansion protocol has produced cells which are primarily central memory cells and thus will be more likely to proliferate and persist when infused into a test animal.
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/60400/60400fig01.jpg" /> 
Figure 1: The transduction and expansion protocol produces abundant transduced cells which are highly viable. (A) Expansion of the transduced cells from 6 different animals from days 5 to 9 in the gas permeable vessels and (B) viability of the transduced PBMC from the same 6 animals. Trypan blue exclusion using an automated cell counter was used to monitor cell number and viability. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/60400/60400fig01large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 2" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/60400/60400fig02.jpg" /> 
Figure 2: The transduction protocol produces cells which maintain co-expression of the two transduced genes. (A) A representative flow plot of rhesus PBMC on day 9 of the transduction and expansion protocol demonstrating expression of both the CD4-MBL CAR and CXCR5. (B) Expression of the CD4-MBL CAR and CXCR5 on transduced rhesus PBMC from 6 different animals on days 5 and 9 in culture as measured by flow cytometry. Gates were set on live, CD3+ cells. Transduced cells are identified as MBL+ CXCR5+. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/60400/60400fig02large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 3" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/60400/60400fig03.jpg" /> 
Figure 3: The majority of the cells produced in the 9-day protocol have a central memory phenotype. Representative flow cytometry plots of (A) day 5 and (B) day 9 CAR/CXCR5-transduced rhesus PBMC. Gates were set on live, CD3+, CD8+ cells. Central memory was defined as CD28+ CD95+. Effector memory was defined as CD28-, CD95+. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/60400/60400fig03large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Transduction and Expansion of Primary T Cells in Nine Days with Maintenance of Central Memory Phenotype at JoVE.com

Transduction and Expansion of Primary T Cells in Nine Days with Maintenance of Central Memory Phenotype

We outline a 9-day protocol for the transduction and expansion of rhesus macaque peripheral blood mononuclear cells which yields cells with excellent co-expression of the genes of interest in sufficient number for infusion studies of cell efficacy.

Emerging immunotherapies to treat infectious diseases and cancers often involve transduction of cellular populations with genes encoding disease-targeting ...

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JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

10.9K Views.  University of Minnesota. We outline a 9-day protocol for the transduction and expansion of rhesus macaque peripheral blood mononuclear cells which yields cells with excellent co-expression of the genes of interest in sufficient number for infusion studies of cell efficacy.

Video: Transduction and Expansion of Primary T Cells in Nine Days with Maintenance of Central Memory Phenotype

Shape Memory Polymers for Active Cell Culture

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are a class of "smart" materials that have the ability to change from a fixed, temporary shape to a pre-determined permanent shape upon the application of a stimulus such as heat1-5. In a typical shape memory cycle, the SMP is first deformed at an elevated temperature that is higher than its transition temperature, Ttrans [either the melting temperature (Tm) or the glass transition temperature (Tg)]. The deformation is elastic in nature and mainly leads to a reduction in conformational entropy of the constituent network chains (following the rubber elasticity theory). The deformed SMP is then cooled to a temperature below its Ttrans while maintaining the external strain or stress constant. During cooling, the material transitions to a more rigid state (semi-crystalline or glassy), which kinetically traps or "freezes" the material in this low-entropy state leading to macroscopic shape fixing. Shape recovery is triggered by continuously heating the material through Ttrans under a stress-free (unconstrained) condition. By allowing the network chains (with regained mobility) to relax to their thermodynamically favored, maximal-entropy state, the material changes from the temporary shape to the permanent shape.
Cells are capable of surveying the mechanical properties of their surrounding environment6. The mechanisms through which mechanical interactions between cells and their physical environment control cell behavior are areas of active research. Substrates of defined topography have emerged as powerful tools in the investigation of these mechanisms. Mesoscale, microscale, and nanoscale patterns of substrate topography have been shown to direct cell alignment, cell adhesion, and cell traction forces7-14. These findings have underscored the potential for substrate topography to control and assay the mechanical interactions between cells and their physical environment during cell culture, but the substrates used to date have generally been passive and could not be programmed to change significantly during culture. This physical stasis has limited the potential of topographic substrates to control cells in culture.
Here, active cell culture (ACC) SMP substrates are introduced that employ surface shape memory to provide programmed control of substrate topography and deformation. These substrates demonstrate the ability to transition from a temporary grooved topography to a second, nearly flat memorized topography. This change in topography can be used to control cell behavior under standard cell culture conditions.

A method for developing cell culture substrates with the ability to change topography during culture is described. The method makes use of smart materials known as shape memory polymers that have the ability to memorize a permanent shape. This concept is adaptable to a wide range of materials and applications.

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are a class of "smart" materials that have the ability to change from a fixed, temporary shape to a pre-determined permanent ...

Development, Expansion, and In vivo Monitoring of Human NK Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESCs) and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)

We present a method for deriving natural killer (NK) cells from undifferentiated hESCs and iPSCs using a feeder-free approach. This method gives rise to high levels of NK cells after 4 weeks culture and can undergo further 2-log expansion with artificial antigen presenting cells. hESC- and iPSC-derived NK cells developed in this system have a mature phenotype and function. The production of large numbers of genetically modifiable NK cells is applicable for both basic mechanistic as well as anti-tumor studies. Expression of firefly luciferase in hESC-derived NK cells allows a non-invasive approach to follow NK cell engraftment, distribution, and function. We also describe a dual-imaging scheme that allows separate monitoring of two different cell populations to more distinctly characterize their interactions in vivo. This method of derivation, expansion, and dual in vivo imaging provides a reliable approach for producing NK cells and their evaluation which is necessary to improve current NK cell adoptive therapies.

Development, Expansion, and In vivo Monitoring of Human NK Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cells hESCs and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells iPSCs

This protocol describes the development, expansion, and in vivo imaging of NK cells derived from hESCs and iPSCs.

We present a method for deriving natural killer (NK) cells from undifferentiated hESCs and iPSCs using a feeder-free approach. This method gives rise to ...

Transplantation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Mesoangioblast-like Myogenic Progenitors in Mouse Models of Muscle Regeneration

Patient-derived iPSCs could be an invaluable source of cells for future autologous cell therapy protocols. iPSC-derived myogenic stem/progenitor cells similar to pericyte-derived mesoangioblasts (iPSC-derived mesoangioblast-like stem/progenitor cells: IDEMs) can be established from iPSCs generated from patients affected by different forms of muscular dystrophy. Patient-specific IDEMs can be genetically corrected with different strategies (e.g. lentiviral vectors, human artificial chromosomes) and enhanced in their myogenic differentiation potential upon overexpression of the myogenesis regulator MyoD. This myogenic potential is then assessed in vitro with specific differentiation assays and analyzed by immunofluorescence. The regenerative potential of IDEMs is further evaluated in vivo, upon intramuscular and intra-arterial transplantation in two representative mouse models displaying acute and chronic muscle regeneration. The contribution of IDEMs to the host skeletal muscle is then confirmed by different functional tests in transplanted mice. In particular, the amelioration of the motor capacity of the animals is studied with treadmill tests. Cell engraftment and differentiation are then assessed by a number of histological and immunofluorescence assays on transplanted muscles. Overall, this paper describes the assays and tools currently utilized to evaluate the differentiation capacity of IDEMs, focusing on the transplantation methods and subsequent outcome measures to analyze the efficacy of cell transplantation.

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived myogenic progenitors are promising candidates for cell therapy strategies to treat muscular dystrophies. This protocol describes transplantation and functional measurements required to evaluate the engraftment and differentiation of iPSC-derived mesoangioblasts (a type of muscle progenitors) in mouse models of acute and chronic muscle regeneration.

Patient-derived iPSCs could be an invaluable source of cells for future autologous cell therapy protocols. iPSC-derived myogenic stem/progenitor cells ...

Surgical Retrieval, Isolation and In vitro Expansion of Human Anterior Cruciate Ligament-derived Cells for Tissue Engineering Applications

Injury to the ACL is a commonly encountered problem in active individuals. Even partial tears of this intra-articular knee ligament lead to biomechanical deficiencies that impair function and stability. Current options for the treatment of partial ACL tears range from nonoperative, conservative management to multiple surgical options, such as: thermal modification, single-bundle repair, complete reconstruction, and reconstruction of the damaged portion of the native ligament. Few studies, if any, have demonstrated any single method for management to be consistently superior, and in many cases patients continue to demonstrate persistent instability and other comorbidities.
The goal of this study is to identify a potential cell source for utilization in the development of a tissue engineered patch that could be implemented in the repair of a partially torn ACL. A novel protocol was developed for the expansion of cells derived from patients undergoing ACL reconstruction. To isolate the cells, minced hACL tissue obtained during ACL reconstruction was digested in a Collagenase solution. Expansion was performed using DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% penicillin/streptomycin (P/S). The cells were then stored at -80 &#186;C or in liquid nitrogen in a freezing medium consisting of DMSO, FBS and the expansion medium. After thawing, the hACL derived cells were then seeded onto a tissue engineered scaffold, PLAGA (Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid) and control Tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS). After 7 days, SEM was performed to compare cellular adhesion to the PLAGA versus the control TCPS. Cellular morphology was evaluated using immunofluorescence staining. SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) micrographs demonstrated that cells grew and adhered on both PLAGA and TCPS surfaces and were confluent over the entire surfaces by day 7. Immunofluorescence staining showed normal, non-stressed morphological patterns on both surfaces. This technique is promising for applications in ACL regeneration and reconstruction.

Surgical Retrieval, Isolation and In vitro Expansion of Human Anterior Cruciate Ligament-derived Cells for Tissue Engineering Applications

For future applications as a patch to repair partial tears of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), human ACL derived cells were isolated from tissue obtained during reconstructive procedures, expanded in vitro and grown on tissue engineered scaffolds. Cellular adhesion and morphology was then performed to confirm biocompatibility on scaffold surface.

Injury to the ACL is a commonly encountered problem in active individuals. Even partial tears of this intra-articular knee ligament lead to biomechanical ...

Nutrient Regulation by Continuous Feeding for Large-scale Expansion of Mammalian Cells in Spheroids

In this demonstration, spheroids formed from the &#946;-TC6 insulinoma cell line were cultured as a model of manufacturing a mammalian islet cell product to demonstrate how regulating nutrient levels can improve cell yields. In previous studies, bioreactors facilitated increased culture volumes over static cultures, but no increase in cell yields were observed. Limitations in key nutrients such as glucose, which were consumed between batch feedings, can lead to limitations in cell expansion. Large fluctuations in glucose levels were observed, despite the increase in glucose concentrations in the media. The use of continuous feeding systems eliminated fluctuations in glucose levels, and improved cell growth rates when compared with batch fed static and SSB culture methods. Additional increases in growth rates were observed by adjusting the feed rate based on calculated nutrient consumption, which allowed the maintenance of physiological glucose over three weeks in culture. This method can also be adapted for other cell types.

Nutrient regulation using continuous growth adjusted feeding improves growth rates of mammalian cell spheroids compared to intermittent batch feeding for cultures in stirred suspension bioreactors. This study demonstrates the methods required for establishing simple adjusted rate fed cultures.

In this demonstration, spheroids formed from the &#946;-TC6 insulinoma cell line were cultured as a model of manufacturing a mammalian islet cell product ...

Microfluidic Flow Chambers Using Reconstituted Blood to Model Hemostasis and Platelet Transfusion In Vitro

Blood platelets prepared for transfusion gradually lose hemostatic function during storage. Platelet function can be investigated using a variety of (indirect) in vitro experiments, but none of these is as comprehensive as microfluidic flow chambers. In this protocol, the reconstitution of thrombocytopenic fresh blood with stored blood bank platelets is used to simulate platelet transfusion. Next, the reconstituted sample is perfused in microfluidic flow chambers which mimic hemostasis on exposed subendothelial matrix proteins. Effects of blood donation, transport, component separation, storage and pathogen inactivation can be measured in paired experimental designs. This allows reliable comparison of the impact every manipulation in blood component preparation has on hemostasis. Our results demonstrate the impact of temperature cycling, shear rates, platelet concentration and storage duration on platelet function. In conclusion, this protocol analyzes the function of blood bank platelets and this ultimately aids in optimization of the processing chain including phlebotomy, transport, component preparation, storage and transfusion.

Microfluidic Flow Chambers Using Reconstituted Blood to Model Hemostasis and Platelet Transfusion In Vitro

Platelet transfusion and hemostasis was modeled using blood reconstitution and microfluidic flow chambers to investigate the function of blood banking platelets. The data demonstrate the consequences of platelet storage lesion on hemostasis, in vitro.

Blood platelets prepared for transfusion gradually lose hemostatic function during storage. Platelet function can be investigated using a variety of ...

Melt Electrospinning Writing of Three-dimensional Poly(&#949;-caprolactone) Scaffolds with Controllable Morphologies for Tissue Engineering Applications

This tutorial reflects on the fundamental principles and guidelines for electrospinning writing with polymer melts, an additive manufacturing technology with great potential for biomedical applications. The technique facilitates the direct deposition of biocompatible polymer fibers to fabricate well-ordered scaffolds in the sub-micron to micro scale range. The establishment of a stable, viscoelastic, polymer jet between a spinneret and a collector is achieved using an applied voltage and can be direct-written. A significant benefit of a typical porous scaffold is a high surface-to-volume ratio which provides increased effective adhesion sites for cell attachment and growth. Controlling the printing process by fine-tuning the system parameters enables high reproducibility in the quality of the printed scaffolds. It also provides a flexible manufacturing platform for users to tailor the morphological structures of the scaffolds to their specific requirements. For this purpose, we present a protocol to obtain different fiber diameters using melt electrospinning writing (MEW) with a guided amendment of the parameters, including flow rate, voltage and collection speed. Furthermore, we demonstrate how to optimize the jet, discuss often experienced technical challenges, explain troubleshooting techniques and showcase a wide range of printable scaffold architectures.

This protocol serves as a comprehensive guideline to fabricate scaffolds via electrospinning with polymer melts in a direct writing mode. We systematically outline the process and define the appropriate parameter settings for achieving targeted scaffold architectures.

This tutorial reflects on the fundamental principles and guidelines for electrospinning writing with polymer melts, an additive manufacturing technology ...

Improved 3D Hydrogel Cultures of Primary Glial Cells for In Vitro Modelling of Neuroinflammation

In the central nervous system, numerous acute injuries and neurodegenerative disorders, as well as implanted devices or biomaterials engineered to enhance function result in the same outcome: excess inflammation leads to gliosis, cytotoxicity, and/or formation of a glial scar that collectively exacerbate injury or prevent healthy recovery. With the intent of creating a system to model glial scar formation and study inflammatory processes, we have generated a 3D cell scaffold capable of housing primary cultured glial cells: microglia that regulate the foreign body response and initiate the inflammatory event, astrocytes that respond to form a fibrous scar, and oligodendrocytes that are typically vulnerable to inflammatory injury. The present work provides a detailed step-by-step method for the fabrication, culture, and microscopic characterization of a hyaluronic acid-based 3D hydrogel scaffold with encapsulated rat brain-derived glial cells. Further, protocols for characterization of cell encapsulation and the hydrogel scaffold by confocal immunofluorescence and scanning electron microscopy are demonstrated, as well as the capacity to modify the scaffold with bioactive substrates, with incorporation of a commercial basal lamina mixture to improved cell integration.

Improved 3D Hydrogel Cultures of Primary Glial Cells for In Vitro Modelling of Neuroinflammation

Herein, we present a protocol for the 3D culture of rat brain-derived glia cells, including astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes. We demonstrate primary cell culture, methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA) hydrogel synthesis, HAMAphoto-polymerization and cell encapsulation, and sample processing for confocal and scanning electron microscopic imaging.

In the central nervous system, numerous acute injuries and neurodegenerative disorders, as well as implanted devices or biomaterials engineered to enhance ...

Design of a Biocompatible Drug-Eluting Tracheal Stent in Mice with Laryngotracheal Stenosis

Laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) is a pathologic narrowing of the subglottis and trachea leading to extrathoracic obstruction and significant shortness of breath. LTS results from mucosal injury from a foreign body in the trachea, leading to tissue damage and a local inflammatory response that goes awry, leading to the deposition of pathologic scar tissue. Treatment for LTS is surgical due to the lack of effective medical therapies. The purpose of this method is to construct a biocompatible stent that can be miniaturized to place into mice with LTS. We demonstrated that a PLLA-PCL (70% poly-L-lactide and 30% polycaprolactone) construct had optimal biomechanical strength, was biocompatible, practicable for an in vivo placement stent, and capable of eluting drug. This method provides a drug delivery system for testing various immunomodulatory agents to locally inhibit inflammation and reduce airway fibrosis. Manufacturing the stents takes 28&#8722;30 h and can be reproduced easily, allowing for experiments with large cohorts. Here we incorporated the drug rapamycin within the stent to test its effectiveness in reducing fibrosis and collagen deposition. Results revealed that PLLA-PCL tents showed reliable rapamycin release, were mechanically stable in physiological conditions, and were biocompatible, inducing little inflammatory response in the trachea. Further, the rapamycin-eluting PLLA-PCL stents reduced scar formation in the trachea in vivo.

Laryngotracheal stenosis results from pathologic scar deposition that critically narrows the tracheal airway and lacks effective medical therapies. Using a PLLA-PCL (70% poly-L-lactide and 30% polycaprolactone) stent as a local drug delivery system, potential therapies aimed at decreasing scar proliferation in the trachea can be studied.

Laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) is a pathologic narrowing of the subglottis and trachea leading to extrathoracic obstruction and significant shortness of ...

Isolation and Culture of Primary Human Gingival Epithelial Cells using Y-27632

The gingival tissue is the first structure that protects periodontal tissues and plays meaningful roles in many oral functions. The gingival epithelium is an important structure of gingival tissue, especially in the repair and regeneration of periodontal tissue. Studying the functions of gingival epithelial cells has crucial scientific value, such as repairing oral defects and detecting the compatibility of biomaterials. As human gingival epithelial cells are highly differentiated keratinized cells, their lifespan is short, and they are difficult to passage. So far, there are only two ways to isolate and culture gingival epithelial cells, a direct explant method and an enzymatic method. However, the time required to obtain epithelial cells using the direct explant method is longer, and the cell survival rate of the enzymatic method is lower. Clinically, the acquisition of gingival tissue is limited, so a stable, efficient, and simple in vitro isolation and culture system is needed. We improved the traditional enzymatic method by adding Y-27632, a Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, which can selectively promote the growth of epithelial cells. Our modified enzymatic method simplifies the steps of the traditional enzymatic method and increases the efficiency of culturing epithelial cells, which has significant advantages over the direct explant method and the enzymatic method.

Here we present a modified method for the isolation and culture of human gingival epithelial cells by adding the Rock inhibitor, Y-27632, to the traditional method. This method is easier, less time-consuming, enhances stem cell properties, and produces larger numbers of high-potential epithelial cells both for the laboratory and for clinical applications.

The gingival tissue is the first structure that protects periodontal tissues and plays meaningful roles in many oral functions. The gingival epithelium is ...

Transduction and Expansion of Primary T Cells in Nine Days with Maintenance of Central Memory Phenotype

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Shape Memory Polymers for Active Cell Culture

Development, Expansion, and In vivo Monitoring of Human NK Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESCs) and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)

Transplantation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Mesoangioblast-like Myogenic Progenitors in Mouse Models of Muscle Regeneration

Surgical Retrieval, Isolation and In vitro Expansion of Human Anterior Cruciate Ligament-derived Cells for Tissue Engineering Applications

Nutrient Regulation by Continuous Feeding for Large-scale Expansion of Mammalian Cells in Spheroids

Microfluidic Flow Chambers Using Reconstituted Blood to Model Hemostasis and Platelet Transfusion In Vitro

Melt Electrospinning Writing of Three-dimensional Poly(ε-caprolactone) Scaffolds with Controllable Morphologies for Tissue Engineering Applications

Improved 3D Hydrogel Cultures of Primary Glial Cells for In Vitro Modelling of Neuroinflammation

Design of a Biocompatible Drug-Eluting Tracheal Stent in Mice with Laryngotracheal Stenosis

Isolation and Culture of Primary Human Gingival Epithelial Cells using Y-27632