Single-Cell RNA-Seq Reveals LRRC75A-Expressing Cell Population Involved in VEGF Secretion of Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells Under Ischemia.

Human multipotent mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) have been utilized in cell therapy for various diseases and their clinical applications are expected to increase in the future. However, the variation in MSC-based product quality due to the MSC heterogeneity has resulted in significant constraints in the clinical utility of MSCs. Therefore, we hypothesized that it might be important to identify and ensure/enrich suitable cell subpopulations for therapies using MSC-based products. In this study, we aimed to identify functional cell subpopulations to predict the efficacy of angiogenic therapy using bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs). To assess its angiogenic potency, we observed various levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion among 11 donor-derived BM-MSC lines under in vitro ischemic culture conditions. Next, by clarifying the heterogeneity of BM-MSCs using single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis, we identified a functional cell subpopulation that contributed to the overall VEGF production in BM-MSC lines under ischemic conditions. We also found that leucine-rich repeat-containing 75A (LRRC75A) was more highly expressed in this cell subpopulation than in the others. Importantly, knockdown of LRRC75A using small interfering RNA resulted in significant inhibition of VEGF secretion in ischemic BM-MSCs, indicating that LRRC75A regulates VEGF secretion under ischemic conditions. Therefore, LRRC75A may be a useful biomarker to identify cell subpopulations that contribute to the angiogenic effects of BM-MSCs. Our work provides evidence that a strategy based on single-cell transcriptome profiles is effective for identifying functional cell subpopulations in heterogeneous MSC-based products.

SEM Observation of the Filter after Administration of Blinatumomab: A Possibility of Leakage during Home Administration Using a Portable Infusion Pump.

Blinatumomab (Blincyto® injection solution) is classified as a bispecific T-cell engaging (BiTE) antibody and is intended for the treatment of relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It requires continuous infusion to maintain therapeutic levels. Therefore, it is often administered at home. Monoclonal antibodies, which are administered intravenously, have the potential to leak depending on the nature of the administration devices. Therefore, we investigated device-associated causes of blinatumomab leakage. We observed no apparent changes to the filter and its materials after exposure to the injection solution and surfactant. From scanning electron microscopic images, precipitate on the surface of the filters was observed after physical stimulation of the injection solution. Therefore, physical stimulations should be avoided during the prolonged administration of blinatumomab. In conclusion, the findings of this study assist in the safe administration of antibodies using portable infusion pumps, taking into consideration the composition of drug excipients and the choice of filter type and structure.

Structural characterization reveals the keratinolytic activity of an arthrobacter nicotinovorans protease.

Elevated cadmium (Cd) concentrations in fishery byproducts are an environmental concern, that might be reduced by enzymatic removal and adsorption of the contaminants during recycling the byproducts as animal food. We cloned the gene for Arthrobacter nicotinovorans serine protease (ANISEP), which was isolated from the hepatopancreas of the Japanese scallop (Patiopecten yessoensis) and has been found to be an effective enzyme for Cd(II) removal. The gene is 993 bp in length and encodes 330 amino acids, including the pre (1-30) and pro (31-111) sequences. The catalytic triad consists of His, Asp, and Ser. Sequence similarities indicate that ANISEP is a extracellular serine protease. X-ray crystallography revealed structural similarities between ANISEP and the trypsin-like serine protease NAALP from Nesterenkonia sp. Site-directed mutagenesis identified Ser171 as catalytic residue. The keratinolytic activity of ANISEP was 10-fold greater than that of trypsin. ANISEP digested Cd(II)-bound recombinant metallothionein MT-10a from Laternula elliptica, but did not release Cd. These results further suggest ANISEP is a trypsin-like serine protease that can release Cd from the Japanese scallop hepatopancreas because of its strong keratinolytic activity.