Sachewsky, N. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2023

Cell therapy with IL-10-producing group 2 innate lymphoid cells suppresses Graft-versus-Host disease

IL-10 producing group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC210) have immunoregulatory functions, and limit harmful immune responses across various tissues. Despite their crucial roles in maintaining immune homeostasis, the cell therapy potential of human ILC210 has not been demonstrated, due to both limited numbers in human peripheral blood and lack of definitive markers for identification. Here, we isolate and expand circulating human ILC210, and assess their cell therapy potential in a humanized model of Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD). Cell therapy with human ILC210 decreased GVHD severity and prolonged survival of NOD-scid IL2R{gamma}null (NSG) mice. Adoptive transfer of ILC210 inhibited pathogenic T cell proliferation and intestinal infiltration, and suppressed CD4+ Th1 and CD8+ Tc1 cells in an IL-4 and IL-10 dependent manner. Critically, increased proportions of ILC2s did not correlate with higher rates of cancer relapse in HSCT recipients, and adoptive transfer of ILC210 did not compromise graft-versus-leukemic (GVL) effects in a humanized model. Finally, we identify CD49d and CD86 as novel markers that discriminate ILC210 from conventional ILC2s. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the potential of harnessing ILC210 in cell therapies for GVHD and other immune-driven pathologies.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2020

Direct reprogramming of astrocytes to neurons leads to functional recovery after stroke

Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability with few treatment options for stroke survivors. Astrocyte reprogramming to neurons enables the targeted in vivo generation of new cells at the site of injury and represents a novel approach for brain repair. A number of studies have demonstrated successful conversion of astrocytes to neurons in various models of brain injury and disease; however, the impact of this strategy on tissue and functional outcome following stroke is not well established. Using AAV delivery of the transcription factor NeuroD1, we reprogrammed astrocytes 7 days after endothelin-1 induced cortical stroke, and studied the long-term cellular and functional outcomes. We found that by 63 days post-stroke, 20% of neurons in the perilesional cortex were reprogrammed. Furthermore, reprogrammed neurons had matured into regionally appropriate neuronal subtypes. Importantly, this treatment was associated with improved functional outcome using the foot fault test and gait analysis. Together, our findings indicate that in vivo reprogramming is a promising regenerative approach for stroke repair.

neuroscience↗