Name: gm-free generation of blood-derived neuronal cells
Uploaded: 2021-02-13T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about GM-Free Generation of Blood-Derived Neuronal Cells at JoVE.com

Dedicated to the memory of Dr. Rainer Saffrich.
The authors are especially grateful to Jos&#233; Manuel Garc&#237;a-Verdugo and Vicente Herranz-P&#233;rez for performing EM experiments and analysis at the Laboratory of Comparative Neurobiology, Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, CIBERNED, Valencia, Spain, which was supported by research funding from the Prometeo Grant for Excellence Research Groups PROMETEO/2019/075. The rest of this work was supported by ACA CELL Biotech GmbH Heidelberg, Germany. 
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Ethic approvals were obtained when performing the experiments.
1. Isolation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs)
<ol>
	<li>Ensure that all donors signed informed consent before blood withdrawing in compliance with institutional guidelines.</li>
	<li>Take 30 mL of blood from healthy donors by trained medical personnel according to the standard protocol.</li>
	<li>Isolate PBMNCs by density gradient media. Use 10 mL of media with 25 mL of 1:1 blood diluted with phosphate buffer ...

<ol>
	<li>Peng, J., Zeng, X. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Role+of+Induced+Pluripotent+Stem+Cells+in+Regenerative+Medicine:+Neurodegenerative+Diseases.">The Role of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine: Neurodegenerative Diseases.</a> Stem Cell Research and Therapy. 2 (4), 32 (2011).</li><li>Sorells, S. F., 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=Human+hippocampal+neurogenesis+drops+sharply+in+children+to+undetectable+levels+in+adults.">Human hippocampal neurogenesis drops sharply in children to undetectable levels in adults.</a> Nature. 555 (7696), 377-381 (2018).</li><li>Thomson, J. A., 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=Embryonic+Stem+Cell+Lines+Derived+from+Human+Blastocysts.">Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Derived from Human Blastocysts.</a> Science. 282 (5391), 1145-1147 (1998).</li><li>Takahashi, K., 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=Induction+of+Pluripotent+Stem+Cells+From+Adult+Human+Fibroblast+by+Defined+Factors.">Induction of Pluripotent Stem Cells From Adult Human Fibroblast by Defined Factors.</a> Cell. 131 (5), 861-872 (2007).</li><li>Liu, G. -. H., Yi, F., Suzuki, K., Qu, J., Izpisua Belmonte, J. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Induced+neural+stem+cells:+a+new+tool+for+studying+neural+development+and+neurological+disorders.">Induced neural stem cells: a new tool for studying neural development and neurological disorders.</a> Cell Research. 22 (7), 1087-1091 (2012).</li><li>Becker-Koji&#263;, Z. A., 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=Activation+by+ACA+Induces+Pluripotency+in+Human+Blood+Progenitor+Cells.">Activation by ACA Induces Pluripotency in Human Blood Progenitor Cells.</a> Cell Technologies in Biology and Medicine. 2, 85-101 (2013).</li><li>Marchenko, S., Flanagan, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Immunocytochemistry:+Human+Neural+Stem+Cells.">Immunocytochemistry: Human Neural Stem Cells.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. , e267 (2007).</li><li>Becker-Koji&#263;, Z. A., 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=A+novel+glycoprotein+ACA+is+upstream+regulator+of+human+heamtopoiesis.">A novel glycoprotein ACA is upstream regulator of human heamtopoiesis.</a> Cell Technologies in Biology and Medicine. 2, 69-84 (2013).</li><li>Li, 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=Neurochemical+Regulation+of+the+Expression+and+Function+of+Glial+Fibrillary+Acidic+Protein+in+Astrocytes.">Neurochemical Regulation of the Expression and Function of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein in Astrocytes.</a> Glial. 68 (5), 878-897 (2020).</li><li>Melkov&#225;, K., 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=Structure+and+Functions+of+Microtubule+Associated+Proteins+Tau+and+MAP2c:+Similarities+and+Differences.">Structure and Functions of Microtubule Associated Proteins Tau and MAP2c: Similarities and Differences.</a> Biomolecules. 9 (3), 105 (2019).</li><li>Menezes, J. R., Luskin, M. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Expression+of+neuron-specific+tubulin+defines+a+novel+population+in+the+proliferative+layers+of+the+developing+telencephalon.">Expression of neuron-specific tubulin defines a novel population in the proliferative layers of the developing telencephalon.</a> Journal of Neuroscience. 14 (9), 5399-5416 (1994).</li><li>Bernal, A., Arranz, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nestin-expressing+progenitor+cells:+function,+identity+and+therapeutic+implications.">Nestin-expressing progenitor cells: function, identity and therapeutic implications.</a> Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. 75 (12), 2177-2195 (2018).</li></ol>

The non-GM method of reprogramming human cells described in this work is based on membrane to nucleus activation of signaling(s) machinery behind the GPI-linked human membrane glycoprotein that initiates the process of dedifferentiation leading to the ex vivo generation and expansion of self-renewing PSCs obtained from non-manipulated human peripheral blood. These cells when cultured in appropriate media are capable of re-differentiation into cells belonging to different germ layers6....

Development of basic and pre-clinical stem cell research methods encourages the clinical application of stem cell-based therapies for neurological diseases. Such potential therapy critically depends on the method for generation of human neural cells leading to functional recovery1.
Neural stem cells (NSCs) self-renew and differentiate into new neurons throughout life in a process called adult neurogenesis. Only very restricted brain areas harbor NSCs competent to generate newborn neurons in adulthood. Such NSCs can give rise to mature neurons, which are involved in learning and memory, thus replacing lost or damaged neurons. Unfortunately, these NSCs are present in restricted amounts and this limited neurogenesis decreases rapidly during juvenile development2. Therefore, other sources of neural cells must be considered in a cell therapy objective.
Degenerative neurological diseases are difficult to cure using standard pharmacological approaches. New therapeutic strategies for embracing many immedicable neurological disorders are based on cell replacement therapies of diseased and injured tissue. NSC transplantation could replace damaged cells and provide beneficial effects. Other sources for neural cell replacement include human embryonic stem cells (ESC), which are derived from the inner cell mass of mammalian blastocysts3, as well as iPSCs4, which have extensive self-renewal capacity like ESCs and are capable to differentiate into various cell lineages. NSCs can also be generated by direct reprogramming from human fibroblasts avoiding pluripotent state5.
Cell replacement therapy is still a challenging issue. Though ESC, fetal, or iPS can be a source for generation of neuronal cells for treating many incurable neurological diseases, autologous adult SCs cell replacement of damaged tissues is a better alternative that circumvents immunological, ethical and safety concerns.
Activation of human GPI-linked protein by antibody-crosslinking via phosphorylation of PLC&#947;/PI3K/Akt/mTor/PTEN initiates a dedifferentiation of blood progenitor cells and generation of blood-derived pluripotent stem cells (BD-PSCs)6. These cells differentiate in vitro toward neuronal cells as confirmed by means of brightfield, immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis.
In this work we describe the GM-free generation of BD-PSCs and their successful re-differentiation into cells with neuronal phenotype.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Albumin Fraction V</td>
			<td>Roth</td>
			<td>T8444.4</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-GFAP Cy3 conjugate</td>
			<td>Merck Millipore</td>
			<td>MAB3402C3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-MAP2 Alexa Fluor 555</td>
			<td>Merck Millipore</td>
			<td>MAB3418A5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-Nestin Alexa Fluor 488</td>
			<td>Merck Millipore</td>
			<td>MAB5326A4</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-Tuj1 Alexa Fluor 488</td>
			<td>BD Pharmingen</td>
			<td>560381</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>AO/PI Cell Viability kit</td>
			<td>Biozym</td>
			<td>872045</td>
			<td>Biozym discontinued. The product produced by Logos Biosystems.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ascorbic acid 2-phosphate sequimagnes</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>A8960-5G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>B27 Serum free 50x</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific (Gibco)</td>
			<td>11530536</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Basic FGF solution</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific (Gibco)</td>
			<td>10647225</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Biocoll</td>
			<td>Merck Millipore</td>
			<td>L6115-BC</td>
			<td>density gradient media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BSA Frac V 7.5%</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>15260037</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CD45 MicroBeads</td>
			<td>Miltenyi</td>
			<td>130-045-801</td>
			<td>nano-sized magnetic beads</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell counting slides Luna</td>
			<td>Biozym</td>
			<td>872010</td>
			<td>Biozym discontinued. The product produced by Logos Biosystems.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Chamber Slides Lab-Tek</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>10234121</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>D-MEM/F12</td>
			<td>Merck Millipore</td>
			<td>FG4815-BC</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Durcupan</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>44610</td>
			<td>epoxy resin</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FBS</td>
			<td>Merck Millipore</td>
			<td>S0115/1030B</td>
			<td>Discontinued. Available under: TMS-013-B</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GDNF recombinant human</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific (Gibco)</td>
			<td>10679963</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GlutaMax 100x</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>35050038</td>
			<td>L-glutamine</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glutaraldehyde grade</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>G5882-50ML</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Heparin sodium cell</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>H3149-50KU</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Human BDNF</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific (Gibco)</td>
			<td>11588836</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Iscove (IMDM)</td>
			<td>Biochrom</td>
			<td>FG0465</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Laminin mouse</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific (Gibco)</td>
			<td>10267092</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lead citrate</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>15326-25G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Luna FL Automated Cell Counter</td>
			<td>Biozym</td>
			<td>872040</td>
			<td>Biozym discontinued. The product produced by Logos Biosystems.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MACS Buffer</td>
			<td>Miltenyi</td>
			<td>130-091-221</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MEM NEAA 100x</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>11140035</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MiniMACS Trenns&#228;ulen</td>
			<td>Miltenyi</td>
			<td>130-042-201</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Morada digital camera</td>
			<td>Olympus</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Multiplatte Nunclon 4 wells</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>10507591</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>N2 Supplement 100x</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific (Gibco)</td>
			<td>11520536</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Neurobasal Medium</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>10888022</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PBS sterile</td>
			<td>Roth</td>
			<td>9143.2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Poly-L-ornithine</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P4957-50ML</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Super Glue-3 Loctite</td>
			<td>Henkel</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TEM FEI Technai G2 Spirit</td>
			<td>FEI Europe</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ultracut UC-6</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Uranyl acetate C</td>
			<td>EMS</td>
			<td>22400</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

gm-free generation of blood-derived neuronal cells

Many human&#160;neurological disorders are caused by degeneration of neurons and glial cells in the brain. Due to limitations in pharmacological and other therapeutic strategies, there is currently no cure available for the injured or diseased brain. Cell replacement appears as a promising therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative conditions. To this day, neural stem cells (NSCs) have been successfully generated from fetal tissues, human embryonic cells (ES) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). A process of dedifferentiation was initiated by activation of the novel human GPI-linked glycoprotein, which leads to generation of pluripotent stem cells. These blood-derived pluripotent stem cells (BD-PSCs) differentiate in vitro into cells with a neural phenotype as shown by brightfield and immunofluorescence microscopy. Ultrastructural analysis of these cells by means of electron microscopy confirms their primitive structure as well as neuronal-like morphology and subcellular characteristics.

The results provide evidence that this novel GM-free method is capable of reverting blood progenitor cells to their most primitive state without directly acting on the human genome.
We have previously shown that GPI-linked protein specific antibody crosslinking initiates via PLC&#947;/IP3K/Akt/mTOR/PTEN upregulation of highly conserved developmentally relevant genes such as WNT, NOTCH and C-Kit, thus initiating a process of dedifferentiation that leads to the first step to generation ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about GM-Free Generation of Blood-Derived Neuronal Cells at JoVE.com

GM-Free Generation of Blood-Derived Neuronal Cells

We present a genetically modified-free (GM-free) method to obtain cells with a neuronal phenotype from reprogrammed peripheral blood cells. Activation of a signaling pathway linked to novel human GPI-linked protein reveals an efficient GM-free method for obtaining human pluripotent stem cells.

Many human&#160;neurological disorders are caused by degeneration of neurons and glial cells in the brain. Due to limitations in pharmacological and other ...

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