Considerations for the development of iPSC-derived cell therapies: a review of key challenges by the JSRM-ISCT iPSC Committee.

Since their first production in 2007, human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have provided a novel platform for the development of various cell therapies targeting a spectrum of diseases, ranging from rare genetic eye disorders to cancer treatment. However, several challenges must be tackled for iPSC-based cell therapy to enter the market and achieve broader global adoption. This white paper, authored by the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine (JSRM) - International Society for Cell Therapy (ISCT) iPSC Committee delves into the hurdles encountered in the pursuit of safe and economically viable iPSC-based therapies, particularly from the standpoint of the cell therapy industry. It discusses differences in global guidelines and regulatory frameworks, outlines a series of quality control tests required to ensure the safety of the cell therapy, and provides details and important considerations around cost of goods (COGs), including the impact of automated advanced manufacturing.

Characterization of CRISPR/Cas9-edited human placental allogenic stromal cells with low tissue factor expression and reduced thrombotic effects.

The tissue factor (TF/CD142) expressed by mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) has been regarded as a safety concern in clinical applications as it may trigger thrombosis when MSCs administered intravenously. Human placental allogenic stromal cells (ASCs) are culture-expanded, undifferentiated MSC-like cells derived from full-term postpartum placenta and possess immunomodulatory and pro-angiogenic activities, however, express TF. Here we performed CRISPR/Cas9-mediated TF gene knock out (TFKO) in ASCs, leading to significantly lower TF expression, activity and thrombotic effects. ASCs' characteristics including expansion, expression of phenotypic markers and secretory profile remained unchanged in edited cells, and their immunomodulatory activities, which are functionally relevant to therapeutic applications, were not affected upon TFKO. Taken together, this study provides a feasible strategy which could improve the clinical safety features of MSC-based cell therapy by CRISRP/Cas9-mediated TF gene knock out.

Significant genes in response to low temperature in Fenneropenaeus chinensis screened through multiple transcriptome group comparisons.

Fenneropenaeus chinensis is a migratory marine species with a suitable growth at 18-30°C. To prolong breeding season and reduce mortality in winter, breeding new shrimp varieties with cold tolerance is essential. Genes upregulated and highly expressed at low temperature are reasonable candidate genetic markers for the breeding of cold tolerant strain variants. This study screened genes with these features by comparing multiple low-vs. normal-temperature transcriptome groups. The results showed that nine genes were upregulated and highly expressed at low temperature in more than seven of the nine comparison groups. Six of them were identified as genes encoding transcription factor ATF2, RNA recognition motif domain-containing protein, cytochrome b5-like protein, troponin C, tubulin alpha-1, and 18S/5.8S/28S rRNA, respectively. Cold-inducible upregulations of ATF2, cytochrome b5, and rRNAs were novel findings in this study. The other three novel genes were predicted to encode a membrane-bound extracellular protein and two lncRNAs. Four of the screened genes were verified by real time RT-PCR, and their expression levels were consistent with the sequencing results, demonstrating the accuracy of the transcriptome sequencing data. Function analysis showed that ATF2 might be the master transcription factor regulating the expressions of proteins involved in cellular responses to cold. The other genes played a role in events such as enhancing translation, increasing energy, inhibiting apoptosis, and preserving cell integrity. The expression features of these nine genes suggested that they were of great significance to the cold tolerance of shrimp.

Sediminihaliea albiluteola gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Halieaceae, isolated from marine sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and facultatively aerobic bacterial strain, designated F7430T, was isolated from coastal sediment collected at Jingzi Wharf in Weihai, PR China. Cells of strain F7430T were 0.3-0.4 µm wide, 2.0-2.6 µm long, non-flagellated, non-motile and formed pale-beige colonies. Growth was observed at 4-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.5-8.0) and at NaCl concentrations of 1.0-10.0 % (w/v; optimum, 1.0 %). The sole respiratory quinone of strain F7430T was ubiquinone 8 and the predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c / C18 : 1 ω6c; 60.7 %), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1 ω6c; 30.2 %) and C15 : 0 iso (13.9 %). The polar lipids of strain F7430T consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, one unidentified phospholipid and three unidentified lipids. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequences analyses indicated that this strain belonged to the family Halieaceae and had high sequence similarities to Parahaliea aestuarii JCM 51547T (95.3 %) and Halioglobus pacificus DSM 27932T (95.2 %) followed by 92.9-95.0 % sequence similarities to other type species within the aforementioned family. The rpoB gene sequences analyses indicated that the novel strain had the highest sequence similarities to Parahaliea aestuarii JCM 51547T (82.2 %) and Parahaliea mediterranea DSM 21924T (82.2 %) followed by 75.2-80.5 % sequence similarities to other type species within this family. Phylogenetic analyses showed that strain F7430T constituted a monophyletic branch clearly separated from the other genera of family Halieaceae. Whole-genome sequencing of strain F7430T revealed a 3.3 Mbp genome size with a DNA G+C content of 52.6 mol%. The genome encoded diverse metabolic pathways including the Entner-Doudoroff pathway, assimilatory sulphate reduction and biosynthesis of dTDP-l-rhamnose. Based on results from the current polyphasic study, strain F7430T is proposed to represent a novel species of a new genus within the family Halieaceae, for which the name Sediminihaliea albiluteola gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is F7430T (=KCTC 72873T=MCCC 1H00420T).

Phase 2a randomized controlled study investigating the safety and efficacy of PDA-002 in diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Neuropathy is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in individuals with diabetes, with no effective therapy to alter the inevitable progression of nerve damage. We hypothesized that mesenchymal stroma cell-like populations, that are characterized as immune modulators also have the potential of inducing angiogenesis and neurite outgrowth, might be useful in treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). The aims of this study were to investigate the efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cell-like product (PDA-002) in treating DPN. A phase-2 randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 26 patients with DPN. Treatment consisted of three rounds of intramuscular injections in one lower limb using one of the three randomized treatment arms PDA-002 (low-dose 3 × 106 cells), PDA-002 (high-dose 30 × 106 cells), or placebo. Three treatments per patient occurred on days 1, 29, and 57. Study endpoints included efficacy and safety of PDA-002 in treating DPN in both lower extremities following unilateral local injection. Outcome measures included intra-epidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) up to 1 year from the day of treatment with 6-month as the primary outcome measurement. In this phase 2 study of DPN, PDA-002 was well tolerated in both doses. No significant changes were noted in IENFD in both the treated and untreated leg in the NIS-LL, NTSS-6, or UENS. Mesenchymal stem cells represent a novel mechanism for treating diabetic neuropathy and are well tolerated. Preliminary results highlight the need of further investigation of PDA-001 as a disease modifying agent for treatment of DPN.

Stappia albiluteola sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment.

A Gram-stain negative, rod-shaped, facultatively aerobic, pale-beige-coloured bacterial strain, designated F7233T, was isolated from coastal sediment sampled at Jingzi Bay, Weihai, PR China. Cells of strain F7233T were 0.3-0.4 µm wide, 1.2-1.4 µm wide long, non-spore-forming and motile with one flagellum. Optimum growth occurred at 30 °C, with 1.0 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 6.5-7.0. Positive for nitrate reduction, hydrolysis of Tweens and oxidase activity. The sole respiratory quinone of strain F7233T was ubiquinone-10 and the predominant cellular fatty acid was summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c/C18 : 1 ω6c). The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and one unidentified aminophospholipid. The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was 63.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the newly isolate belonged to the genus Stappia, with 96.8 % sequence similarity to Stappia indica MCCC 1A01226T, 96.1 % similarity to Stappia stellulata JCM 20692T and 95.5% similarity to Stappia taiwanensis CC-SPIO-10-1T. On the basis of phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, it is considered that strain F7233T should represent a novel species within the genus Stappia, for which the name Stappia albiluteola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is F7233T (=MCCC 1H00419T=KCTC 72859T).

CBLB ablation with CRISPR/Cas9 enhances cytotoxicity of human placental stem cell-derived NK cells for cancer immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Tumors often develop resistance to surveillance by endogenous immune cells, which include natural killer (NK) cells. Ex vivo activated and/or expanded NK cells demonstrate cytotoxicity against various tumor cells and are promising therapeutics for adoptive cancer immunotherapy. Genetic modification can further enhance NK effector cell activity or activation sensitization. Here, we evaluated the effect of the genetic deletion of ubiquitin ligase Casitas B-lineage lymphoma pro-oncogene-b (CBLB), a negative regulator of lymphocyte activity, on placental CD34+ cell-derived NK (PNK) cell cytotoxicity against tumor cells. METHODS: Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, CBLB was knocked out in placenta-derived CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells, followed by differentiation into PNK cells. Cell expansion, phenotype and cytotoxicity against tumor cells were characterized in vitro. The antitumor efficacy of CBLB knockout (KO) PNK cells was tested in an acute myeloid leukemia (HL-60) tumor model in NOD-scid IL2R gammanull (NSG) mice. PNK cell persistence, biodistribution, proliferation, phenotype and antitumor activity were evaluated. RESULTS: 94% of CBLB KO efficacy was achieved using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology. CBLB KO placental CD34+ cells differentiated into PNK cells with high cell yield and >90% purity determined by CD56+ CD3- cell identity. Ablation of CBLB did not impact cell proliferation, NK cell differentiation or phenotypical characteristics of PNK cells. When compared with the unmodified PNK control, CBLB KO PNK cells exhibited higher cytotoxicity against a range of liquid and solid tumor cell lines in vitro. On infusion into busulfan-conditioned NSG mice, CBLB KO PNK cells showed in vivo proliferation and maturation as evidenced by increased expression of CD16, killer Ig-like receptors and NKG2A over 3 weeks. Additionally, CBLB KO PNK cells showed greater antitumor activity in a disseminated HL60-luciferase mouse model compared with unmodified PNK cells. CONCLUSION: CBLB ablation increased PNK cell effector function and proliferative capacity compared with non-modified PNK cells. These data suggest that targeting CBLB may offer therapeutic advantages via enhancing antitumor activities of NK cell therapies.

Longitudinal Measurements of Glucocerebrosidase activity in Parkinson's patients.

OBJECTIVE: Reduction in glucocerebrosidase (GCase; encoded by GBA) enzymatic activity has been linked to Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we correlated GCase activity and PD phenotype in the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) cohort. METHODS: We measured GCase activity in dried blood spots from 1559 samples of participants in the inception PPMI cohort, collected in four annual visits (from baseline visit to Year-3). Participants (PD, n = 392; controls, n = 175) were fully sequenced for GBA variants by means of genome-wide genotyping arrays, whole-exome sequencing, whole-genome sequencing, Sanger sequencing, and RNA-sequencing. RESULTS: Fifty-two PD participants (13.4%) and 13 (7.4%) controls carried a GBA variant. GBA status was strongly associated with GCase activity. Among noncarriers, GCase activity was similar between PD and controls. Among GBA p.E326K carriers (PD, n = 20; controls, n = 5), activity was significantly lower in PD carriers than control carriers (9.53 µmol/L/h vs. 11.68 µmol/L/h, P = 0.035). Glucocerebrosidase activity was moderately (r = 0.45) associated with white blood cell (WBC) count. Next, we divided the noncarriers with PD to tertiles based on WBC count-corrected enzymatic activity. Members of the lower tertile had higher MDS-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor score in the "off" medication examination at year-III exam. Longitudinal analyses demonstrated slight reduction of activity in samples collected earlier on in the study, likely because of longer storage time. INTERPRETATION: GCase activity is associated with GBA genotype, WBC count, and among p.E326K variant carriers, with PD status. Reduced activity may also be associated with worse phenotype but longer follow up is required to confirm this observation.

Genetic, Structural, and Functional Evidence Link TMEM175 to Synucleinopathies.

OBJECTIVE: The TMEM175/GAK/DGKQ locus is the 3rd strongest risk locus in genome-wide association studies of Parkinson disease (PD). We aimed to identify the specific disease-associated variants in this locus, and their potential implications. METHODS: Full sequencing of TMEM175/GAK/DGKQ followed by genotyping of specific associated variants was performed in PD (n = 1,575) and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) patients (n = 533) and in controls (n = 1,583). Adjusted regression models and a meta-analysis were performed. Association between variants and glucocerebrosidase (GCase) activity was analyzed in 715 individuals with available data. Homology modeling, molecular dynamics simulations, and lysosomal localization experiments were performed on TMEM175 variants to determine their potential effects on structure and function. RESULTS: Two coding variants, TMEM175 p.M393T (odds ratio [OR] = 1.37, p = 0.0003) and p.Q65P (OR = 0.72, p = 0.005), were associated with PD, and p.M393T was also associated with RBD (OR = 1.59, p = 0.001). TMEM175 p.M393T was associated with reduced GCase activity. Homology modeling and normal mode analysis demonstrated that TMEM175 p.M393T creates a polar side-chain in the hydrophobic core of the transmembrane, which could destabilize the domain and thus impair either its assembly, maturation, or trafficking. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated that the p.Q65P variant may increase stability and ion conductance of the transmembrane protein, and lysosomal localization was not affected by these variants. INTERPRETATION: Coding variants in TMEM175 are likely to be responsible for the association in the TMEM175/GAK/DGKQ locus, which could be mediated by affecting GCase activity. ANN NEUROL 2020;87:139-153.

Aquiflexum aquatile sp. nov., isolated from lake water.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultative anaerobic, red-coloured, rod-shaped, non-flagellated, non-motile and non-gliding bacterium, designated strain Z0201T, was isolated from lake water in Yunnan, China (26° 16' N, 99° 94' E). Cells of strain Z0201T were 0.2-0.4 µm wide and 1.4-2.5 µm long, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. Strain Z0201T was found to grow at 4-37 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and pH 6.5-8.5 (pH 7.5) in the presence of 0-2.0 % (w/v) NaCl (0-0.5 %). The sole respiratory quinone of strain Z0201T was MK-7 and the DNA G+C content was 41.2 mol%. The major fatty acid was iso-C15 : 0 (49.4 %). The polar lipid profile of strain Z0201T consisted of aminophospholipid, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids and five unidentified lipids. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain Z0201T was a member of the genus Aquiflexum, appearing to be closely related to Aquiflexum balticum (95.4 %). On the basis of phenotypic distinctiveness and phylogenetic divergence, strain Z0201T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Aquiflexum, for which the name Aquiflexumaquatile sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Z0201T (=KCTC 62450T=MCCC 1H00328T).

SMPD1 mutations, activity, and α-synuclein accumulation in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: SMPD1 (acid-sphingomyelinase) variants have been associated with Parkinson's disease in recent studies. The objective of this study was to further investigate the role of SMPD1 mutations in PD. METHODS: SMPD1 was sequenced in 3 cohorts (Israel Ashkenazi Jewish cohort, Montreal/Montpellier, and New York), including 1592 PD patients and 975 controls. Additional data were available for 10,709 Ashkenazi Jewish controls. Acid-sphingomyelinase activity was measured by a mass spectrometry-based assay in the New York cohort. α-Synuclein levels were measured in vitro following CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout and siRNA knockdown of SMPD1 in HeLa and BE(2)-M17 cells. Lysosomal localization of acid-sphingomyelinase with different mutations was studied, and in silico analysis of their effect on acid-sphingomyelinase structure was performed. RESULTS: SMPD1 mutations were associated with PD in the Ashkenazi Jewish cohort, as 1.4% of PD patients carried the p.L302P or p.fsP330 mutation, compared with 0.37% in 10,709 Ashkenazi Jewish controls (OR, 3.7; 95%CI, 1.6-8.2; P = 0.0025). In the Montreal/Montpellier cohort, the p.A487V variant was nominally associated with PD (1.5% versus 0.14%; P = 0.0065, not significant after correction for multiple comparisons). Among PD patients, reduced acid-sphingomyelinase activity was associated with a 3.5- to 5.8-year earlier onset of PD in the lowest quartile versus the highest quartile of acid-sphingomyelinase activity (P = 0.01-0.001). We further demonstrated that SMPD1 knockout and knockdown resulted in increased α-synuclein levels in HeLa and BE(2)-M17 dopaminergic cells and that the p.L302P and p.fsP330 mutations impair the traffic of acid-sphingomyelinase to the lysosome. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support an association between SMPD1 variants, acid-sphingomyelinase activity, and PD. Furthermore, they suggest that reduced acid-sphingomyelinase activity may lead to α-synuclein accumulation. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Aliidiomarina celeris sp. nov., isolated from coastal sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, heterotrophic, facultative anaerobic, gliding and motile bacterium, approximately 0.6-0.9 µm wide and 1.5-2.6 µm long, designated F3105T, was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected along the coast of Rongcheng, China . The growth of strain F3105T occurred on media with 1.0-8.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.0-3.0 %) and a pH of 6.5-9.5 (optimum, pH 7.5) at 4-45 °C (optimum, 37 °C). The phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and chemotaxonomic data revealed that the isolate belonged to the genus Aliidiomarina, and is closely related to Aliidiomarina shirensis (95.9 % sequence similarity). The sole isoprenoid quinone was Q-8. The major cellular fatty acids of the isolate were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 1ω9c and iso-C17 : 0, and its polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, aminolipid, two unidentified lipids and two unidentified aminophospholipids. The DNA G+C content of strain F3105T was 49.5 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic distinctiveness and phylogenetic divergence, strain F3105T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Aliidiomarina, for which the name Aliidiomarinaceleris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is F3105T (=MCCC 1H00223T=KCTC 52891T).

Efficacy of Human Placental-Derived Stem Cells in Collagen VII Knockout (Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa) Animal Model.

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a devastating inherited skin blistering disease caused by mutations in the COL7A1 gene that encodes type VII collagen (C7), a major structural component of anchoring fibrils at the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ). We recently demonstrated that human cord blood-derived unrestricted somatic stem cells promote wound healing and ameliorate the blistering phenotype in a RDEB (col7a1-/- ) mouse model. Here, we demonstrate significant therapeutic effect of a further novel stem cell product in RDEB, that is, human placental-derived stem cells (HPDSCs), currently being used as human leukocyte antigen-independent donor cells with allogeneic umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation in patients with malignant and nonmalignant diseases. HPDSCs are isolated from full-term placentas following saline perfusion, red blood cell depletion, and volume reduction. HPDSCs contain significantly higher level of both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic stem and progenitor cells than cord blood and are low in T cell content. A single intrahepatic administration of HPDSCs significantly elongated the median life span of the col7a1-/- mice from 2 to 7 days and an additional intrahepatic administration significantly extended the median life span to 18 days. We further demonstrated that after intrahepatic administration, HPDSCs engrafted short-term in the organs affected by RDEB, that is, skin and gastrointestinal tract of col7a1-/- mice, increased adhesion at the DEJ and deposited C7 even at 4 months after administration of HPDSCs, without inducing anti-C7 antibodies. This study warrants future clinical investigation to determine the safety and efficacy of HPDSCs in patients with severe RDEB. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2018;7:530-542.

Validating glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma B (gpNMB, osteoactivin), a new biomarker of Gaucher disease.

In the spleens of Gaucher disease mice and patients, there is a striking elevation of expression of glycoprotein non-Metastatic Melanoma B (gpNMB). We conducted a study in a large cohort of patients with Gaucher disease to assess the utility of serum levels of soluble fragment of gpNMB as a biomarker of disease activity. There was >15-fold elevation of gpNMB in sera of untreated patients with Gaucher disease. gpNMB levels correlated with overall disease severity as well as the severity of individual organ compartments: liver, spleen, bone and hematological disease. Imiglucerase enzyme replacement therapy resulted in significant reduction of gpNMB. Serum levels of gpNMB were highly correlated with accumulation of bioactive lipid substrate of Gaucher disease, glucosylsphingosine as well as established biomarkers, chitotriosidase and chemokine, CCL18. Our results suggest utility of gpNMB as a biomarker of Gaucher disease to monitor individual patients and cohorts of patients for disease progression or response to therapy. Investigation of gpNMB in Gaucher disease pathophysiology is likely to illuminate our understanding disease mechanisms.

Glucosylsphingosine Promotes α-Synuclein Pathology in Mutant GBA-Associated Parkinson's Disease.

Glucocerebrosidase 1 (GBA) mutations responsible for Gaucher disease (GD) are the most common genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). Although the genetic link between GD and PD is well established, the underlying molecular mechanism(s) are not well understood. We propose that glucosylsphingosine, a sphingolipid accumulating in GD, mediates PD pathology in GBA-associated PD. We show that, whereas GD-related sphingolipids (glucosylceramide, glucosylsphingosine, sphingosine, sphingosine-1-phosphate) promote α-synuclein aggregation in vitro, glucosylsphingosine triggers the formation of oligomeric α-synuclein species capable of templating in human cells and neurons. Using newly generated GD/PD mouse lines of either sex [Gba mutant (N370S, L444P, KO) crossed to α-synuclein transgenics], we show that Gba mutations predispose to PD through a loss-of-function mechanism. We further demonstrate that glucosylsphingosine specifically accumulates in young GD/PD mouse brain. With age, brains exhibit glucosylceramide accumulations colocalized with α-synuclein pathology. These findings indicate that glucosylsphingosine promotes pathological aggregation of α-synuclein, increasing PD risk in GD patients and carriers.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder in the aging population. Glucocerebrosidase 1 mutations, which cause Gaucher disease, are the most common genetic risk factor for PD, underscoring the importance of delineating the mechanisms underlying mutant GBA-associated PD. We show that lipids accumulating in Gaucher disease, especially glucosylsphingosine, play a key role in PD pathology in the brain. These data indicate that ASAH1 (acid ceramidase 1) and GBA2 (glucocerebrosidase 2) enzymes that mediate glucosylsphingosine production and metabolism are attractive therapeutic targets for treating mutant GBA-associated PD.

Development of a bile acid-based newborn screen for Niemann-Pick disease type C.

Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is a fatal, neurodegenerative, cholesterol storage disorder. With new therapeutics in clinical trials, it is imperative to improve diagnostics and facilitate early intervention. We used metabolomic profiling to identify potential markers and discovered three unknown bile acids that were increased in plasma from NPC but not control subjects. The bile acids most elevated in the NPC subjects were identified as 3ß,5α,6ß-trihydroxycholanic acid and its glycine conjugate, which were shown to be metabolites of cholestane-3ß,5α,6ß-triol, an oxysterol elevated in NPC. A high-throughput mass spectrometry-based method was developed and validated to measure the glycine-conjugated bile acid in dried blood spots. Analysis of dried blood spots from 4992 controls, 134 NPC carriers, and 44 NPC subjects provided 100% sensitivity and specificity in the study samples. Quantification of the bile acid in dried blood spots, therefore, provides the basis for a newborn screen for NPC that is ready for piloting in newborn screening programs.

SCARB2 variants and glucocerebrosidase activity in Parkinson's disease.

Mutations in glucocerebrosidase (GBA) are a common risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). The scavenger receptor class B member 2 (SCARB2) gene encodes a receptor responsible for the transport of glucocerebrosidase (GCase) to the lysosome. Two common SNPs in linkage disequilibrium with SCARB2, rs6812193 and rs6825004, have been associated with PD and Lewy Body Disease in genome wide association studies. Whether these SNPs are associated with altered glucocerebrosidase enzymatic activity is unknown. Our objective was to determine whether SCARB2 SNPs are associated with PD and with reduced GCase activity. The GBA gene was fully sequenced, and the LRRK2 G2019S and SCARB2 rs6812193 and rs6825004 SNPs were genotyped in 548 PD patients and 272 controls. GCase activity in dried blood spots was measured by tandem mass spectrometry. We tested the association between SCARB2 genotypes and PD risk in regression models adjusted for gender, age, and LRRK2 G2019S and GBA mutation status. We compared GCase activity between participants with different genotypes at rs6812193 and rs6825004. Genotype at rs6812193 was associated with PD status. PD cases were less likely to carry the T allele than the C allele (OR=0.71; p=0.004), but GCase enzymatic activity was similar across rs6812193 genotypes (C/C: 11.88 µmol/l/h; C/T: 11.80 µmol/l/h; T/T: 12.02 µmol/l/h; p=0.867). Genotype at rs6825004 was not associated with either PD status or GCase activity. In conclusion, our results support an association between SCARB2 genotype at rs6812193 and PD, but suggest that the increased risk is not mediated by GCase activity.

Glucocerebrosidase activity in Parkinson's disease with and without GBA mutations.

Glucocerebrosidase (GBA) mutations have been associated with Parkinson's disease in numerous studies. However, it is unknown whether the increased risk of Parkinson's disease in GBA carriers is due to a loss of glucocerebrosidase enzymatic activity. We measured glucocerebrosidase enzymatic activity in dried blood spots in patients with Parkinson's disease (n = 517) and controls (n = 252) with and without GBA mutations. Participants were recruited from Columbia University, New York, and fully sequenced for GBA mutations and genotyped for the LRRK2 G2019S mutation, the most common autosomal dominant mutation in the Ashkenazi Jewish population. Glucocerebrosidase enzymatic activity in dried blood spots was measured by a mass spectrometry-based assay and compared among participants categorized by GBA mutation status and Parkinson's disease diagnosis. Parkinson's disease patients were more likely than controls to carry the LRRK2 G2019S mutation (n = 39, 7.5% versus n = 2, 0.8%, P < 0.001) and GBA mutations or variants (seven homozygotes and compound heterozygotes and 81 heterozygotes, 17.0% versus 17 heterozygotes, 6.7%, P < 0.001). GBA homozygotes/compound heterozygotes had lower enzymatic activity than GBA heterozygotes (0.85 µmol/l/h versus 7.88 µmol/l/h, P < 0.001), and GBA heterozygotes had lower enzymatic activity than GBA and LRRK2 non-carriers (7.88 µmol/l/h versus 11.93 µmol/l/h, P < 0.001). Glucocerebrosidase activity was reduced in heterozygotes compared to non-carriers when each mutation was compared independently (N370S, P < 0.001; L444P, P < 0.001; 84GG, P = 0.003; R496H, P = 0.018) and also reduced in GBA variants associated with Parkinson's risk but not with Gaucher disease (E326K, P = 0.009; T369M, P < 0.001). When all patients with Parkinson's disease were considered, they had lower mean glucocerebrosidase enzymatic activity than controls (11.14 µmol/l/h versus 11.85 µmol/l/h, P = 0.011). Difference compared to controls persisted in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (after exclusion of all GBA and LRRK2 carriers; 11.53 µmol/l/h, versus 12.11 µmol/l/h, P = 0.036) and after adjustment for age and gender (P = 0.012). Interestingly, LRRK2 G2019S carriers (n = 36), most of whom had Parkinson's disease, had higher enzymatic activity than non-carriers (13.69 µmol/l/h versus 11.93 µmol/l/h, P = 0.002). In patients with idiopathic Parkinson's, higher glucocerebrosidase enzymatic activity was associated with longer disease duration (P = 0.002) in adjusted models, suggesting a milder disease course. We conclude that lower glucocerebrosidase enzymatic activity is strongly associated with GBA mutations, and modestly with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. The association of lower glucocerebrosidase activity in both GBA mutation carriers and Parkinson's patients without GBA mutations suggests that loss of glucocerebrosidase function contributes to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. High glucocerebrosidase enzymatic activity in LRRK2 G2019S carriers may reflect a distinct pathogenic mechanism. Taken together, these data suggest that glucocerebrosidase enzymatic activity could be a modifiable therapeutic target.

Characterization and ex vivo Expansion of Human Placenta-Derived Natural Killer Cells for Cancer Immunotherapy.

Recent clinical studies suggest that adoptive transfer of donor-derived natural killer (NK) cells may improve clinical outcome in hematological malignancies and some solid tumors by direct anti-tumor effects as well as by reduction of graft versus host disease (GVHD). NK cells have also been shown to enhance transplant engraftment during allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for hematological malignancies. The limited ex vivo expansion potential of NK cells from peripheral blood (PB) or umbilical cord blood (UCB) has however restricted their therapeutic potential. Here we define methods to efficiently generate NK cells from donor-matched, full-term human placenta perfusate (termed Human Placenta-Derived Stem Cell, HPDSC) and UCB. Following isolation from cryopreserved donor-matched HPDSC and UCB units, CD56+CD3- placenta-derived NK cells, termed pNK cells, were expanded in culture for up to 3 weeks to yield an average of 1.2 billion cells per donor that were >80% CD56+CD3-, comparable to doses previously utilized in clinical applications. Ex vivo-expanded pNK cells exhibited a marked increase in anti-tumor cytolytic activity coinciding with the significantly increased expression of NKG2D, NKp46, and NKp44 (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.05, respectively). Strong cytolytic activity was observed against a wide range of tumor cell lines in vitro. pNK cells display a distinct microRNA (miRNA) expression profile, immunophenotype, and greater anti-tumor capacity in vitro compared to PB NK cells used in recent clinical trials. With further development, pNK may represent a novel and effective cellular immunotherapy for patients with high clinical needs and few other therapeutic options.

Plant-produced human recombinant erythropoietic growth factors support erythroid differentiation in vitro.

Clinically available red blood cells (RBCs) for transfusions are at high demand, but in vitro generation of RBCs from hematopoietic stem cells requires significant quantities of growth factors. Here, we describe the production of four human growth factors: erythropoietin (EPO), stem cell factor (SCF), interleukin 3 (IL-3), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), either as non-fused proteins or as fusions with a carrier molecule (lichenase), in plants, using a Tobacco mosaic virus vector-based transient expression system. All growth factors were purified and their identity was confirmed by western blotting and peptide mapping. The potency of these plant-produced cytokines was assessed using TF1 cell (responsive to EPO, IL-3 and SCF) or MCF-7 cell (responsive to IGF-1) proliferation assays. The biological activity estimated here for the cytokines produced in plants was slightly lower or within the range cited in commercial sources and published literature. By comparing EC50 values of plant-produced cytokines with standards, we have demonstrated that all four plant-produced growth factors stimulated the expansion of umbilical cord blood-derived CD34+ cells and their differentiation toward erythropoietic precursors with the same potency as commercially available growth factors. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the generation of all key bioactive cytokines required for the erythroid development in a cost-effective manner using a plant-based expression system.