Dagur, P. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2024

cMPL-Based Purification and Depletion of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells: Implications for Pre-Transplant Conditioning

The transplantation of gene-modified autologous hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) offers a promising therapeutic approach for hematological and immunological disorders. However, this strategy is often limited by the toxicities associated with traditional conditioning regimens. Antibody-based conditioning strategies targeting cKIT and CD45 antigens have shown potential in mitigating these toxicities, but their long-term safety and efficacy in clinical settings require further validation. In this study, we investigate the thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor, cMPL, as a novel target for conditioning protocols. We demonstrate that high surface expression of cMPL is a hallmark feature of long-term repopulating hematopoietic stem cells (LT-HSCs) within the adult human CD34+ HSPC subset. Targeting the cMPL receptor facilitates the separation of human LT-HSCs from mature progenitors, a delineation not achievable with cKIT. Leveraging this finding, we developed a cMPL-targeting immunotoxin, demonstrating its ability to selectively deplete host cMPLhigh LT-HSCs with a favorable safety profile and rapid clearance within 24 hours post-infusion in rhesus macaques. These findings present significant potential to advance our understanding of human hematopoiesis and enhance the therapeutic outcomes of ex vivo autologous HSPC gene therapies. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=154 SRC="FIGDIR/small/581887v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (48K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@10b265aorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@102ec94org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@fa269dorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@fd2583_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG O_FLOATNOGraphical abstractC_FLOATNO C_FIG

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Post-Transplant Administration of G-CSF Impedes Engraftment of Gene Edited Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells by Exacerbating the p53-Mediated DNA Damage Response

Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is commonly used as adjunct treatment to hasten recovery from neutropenia following chemotherapy and autologous transplantation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) for malignant disorders. However, the utility of G-CSF administration after ex vivo gene therapy procedures targeting human HSPCs has not been thoroughly evaluated. Here, we provide evidence that post-transplant administration of G-CSF impedes engraftment of CRISPR-Cas9 gene edited human HSPCs in xenograft models. G-CSF acts by exacerbating the p53-mediated DNA damage response triggered by Cas9- mediated DNA double-stranded breaks. Transient p53 inhibition in culture attenuates the negative impact of G-CSF on gene edited HSPC function. In contrast, post-transplant administration of G-CSF does not impair the repopulating properties of unmanipulated human HSPCs or HSPCs genetically engineered by transduction with lentiviral vectors. The potential for post-transplant G-CSF administration to aggravate HSPC toxicity associated with CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing should be considered in the design of ex vivo autologous HSPC gene editing clinical trials. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=121 SRC="FIGDIR/small/547089v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (38K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1dae519org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1f6ddacorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@535cbaorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@ecbeaf_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

cell biology↗