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Biology subjects

Vadakekolathu, J.

Publications and source records attributed to Vadakekolathu, J..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

A rapid method for generating transplantable and biologically responsive colonic tissue from human induced pluripotent stem cells.

BackgroundThe colonic mucosa consists of cell populations derived from multiple lineages. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are capable of generating large numbers of differentiated cells from any lineage. Thus, iPSCs are highly versatile for derivation of intestinal cells for generation of colonic mucosal tissue for clinical and biological applications. ObjectiveWe set out to create a human iPSC (hiPSC) multi-lineage co-differentiation platform capable of generating colonic mucosal tissue in vitro. DesignWe used hiPSCs and designed a differentiation protocol consisting of small molecules and recombinant growth factors to generate multiple cell lineages. Cells were seeded onto collagen hydrogels (forming colonic patches - CoPs) and modulated with multiple growth factors important in intestinal biology. CoPs were transplanted into immunosuppressed mice. Generated cells and tissues were profiled with transcriptomic analysis. ResultshiPSC co-differentiation led to multiple intestinal epithelial, mesenchymal and endothelial cell populations. Seeded onto collagen scaffolds these cells created CoPs, which were transplanted into mouse subcutis. Engrafted CoPs developed into normal-looking colonic mucosa containing epithelial crypts (with enterocytes, goblet cells and neuroendocrine cells), multiple lamina propria-resident stromal populations and muscularis mucosae smooth muscle. They anastomosed to murine vasculature and maintained in-vitro for several weeks. We demonstrated that CoPs respond to known signalling pathways important in colonic mucosal biology and fibrogenesis, showing potential to provide a complex model of colonic pathobiology. ConclusionThis platform could offer an accurate model of intestinal pathobiology, supply cells for regenerative cell therapies to treat intestinal disease, and provide therapeutic autologous grafts to repair damaged colon.

cell biology↗

Spatial proteomics reveals heterogeneity in neural markers underpinning high-fat diet-induced myopathy in male mice.

Metabolic dysfunction in skeletal muscle disturbs its contractile response as well as its innervation and vascular networks. The molecular drivers responsible for affecting decline in function remain poorly defined. To provide insight and locate these, we mapped changes in the spatial proteome occurring as a result of impaired metabolic health. We exposed male mice (C57/BL6J) to diet induced obesity to investigate the impairment of muscle metabolic function and myopathy. We conducted digital spatial profiling using the NanoString GeoMx(R) platform on recovered skeletal muscle (tibialis anterior) comparing it to standard fed controls. Digital spatial profiling revealed areas with shifts in the contractile protein desmin and CD31 expression, a marker of tissue stress and cellular maladaptation. We find increased expression of proinflammatory markers were identified in areas of elevated Desmin in obese samples compared to controls. Our data suggest a dietary-driven relationship between the spatial abundance of the sarcomere protein desmin and the influx of neural and inflammatory mediators to muscle. This supports the concept of pro-inflammatory events underpinning the muscle metabolic dysfunction associated with chronic non-communicative diseases such as type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.

physiology↗

Hyperactive chemotaxis contributes to anti-TNFα treatment resistance in inflammatory bowel disease

Background & AimsAnti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF) agents have been used for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), however, it has up to 30% non-response rate. Identifying molecular pathways and finding reliable diagnostic biomarkers for patient response to anti-TNF treatment are clearly needed. MethodsPublicly available transcriptomic data from IBD patients receiving anti-TNF therapy was systemically collected and integrated. In silico flow cytometry approaches and MetaScape were applied to evaluate immune cell populations and to perform gene enrichment analysis, respectively. Genes identified within enrichment pathways validated in neutrophils were tracked in an anti-TNF-treated animal model (with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to all genes to identify the best prediction biomarkers. ResultsA total of 449 samples were retrieved from control, baseline and after primary anti-TNF therapy or placebo. No statistically significant differences were observed between anti-TNF treatment responders and non-responders at baseline in immune microenvironment scores. Neutrophils, endothelial and B cell populations were higher in baseline non-responders and chemotaxis pathways may contribute to the treatment resistance. Genes related to chemotaxis pathways were significantly up-regulated in LPS-induced neutrophils but no statistically significant changes were observed in neutrophils treated with anti-TNF. Interleukin 13 receptor subunit alpha 2 (IL13RA2) is the best predictor (ROC: 80.7%, 95% CI: 73.8% - 87.5%) with a sensitivity of 68.13% and specificity of 84.93%, and significantly higher in non-responders compared to responders (p < 0.0001). ConclusionsHyperactive chemotaxis influences responses to anti-TNF treatment and IL13RA2 is a potential biomarker to predict anti-TNF treatment response.

molecular biology↗

TP53 abnormalities correlate with immune infiltration and are associated with response to flotetuzumab, an investigational immunotherapy, in acute myeloid leukemia

PurposeSomatic TP53 mutations and 17p deletions with genomic loss of TP53 occur in 37-46% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases with adverse risk cytogenetics and are associated with primary induction failure (PIF), high risk of relapse and dismal prognosis. Herein, we aimed to characterize the immune landscape of TP53 mutated AML and to determine whether TP53 abnormalities identify a patient subgroup that may benefit from T-cell targeting immunotherapy approaches. Experimental DesignThe NanoString Pan-Cancer IO 360 assay was used for the immune transcriptomic analysis of 64 diagnostic bone marrow (BM) samples from adults with TP53 mutated AML (n=42) or TP53 wild type AML (n=22), and 35 BM samples from heavily pretreated patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) AML (11 cases with TP53 mutations and/or 17p deletion with genomic loss of TP53) who received immunotherapy with flotetuzumab, an investigational CD123xCD3 bispecific DART(R) molecule (NCT02152956). In silico data series included The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort and a Dutch-Belgian Cooperative Trial Group for Hematology-Oncology (HOVON) cohort. ResultsAll TCGA cases with TP53 mutations (n=13) expressed higher levels of negative immune checkpoints, inflammatory chemokines, interferon (IFN)-{gamma}-inducible molecules, and had a higher tumor inflammation signature (TIS) score, compared with TCGA cases with other risk-defining molecular lesions. The comparison between TP53 mutated and TP53 wild type primary BM samples showed higher expression of IFNG, FoxP3, immune checkpoints and markers of exhaustion and senescence in the former cohort and allowed the computation of a 34-gene immune classifier prognostic for overall survival. In vitro modeling experiments with AML cell lines showed heightened expression of IFN-{gamma} and inflammation pathway genes in KG-1 cells (loss-of-function mutation of TP53) compared with Kasumi-1 cells (gain-of-function mutation of TP53). Finally, 5 out of 11 (45.5%) patients with R/R AML and TP53 abnormalities showed evidence of anti-leukemic activity of flotetuzumab immunotherapy and had higher TIS, FoxP3, CD8 T-cell abundance, inflammatory chemokine and PD1 gene expression scores at baseline compared with non-responders. ConclusionsThis study provides evidence for a correlation between IFN-{gamma}-dominant immune subtypes and TP53 abnormalities. The anti-leukemic activity with flotetuzumab encourages further study of this immunotherapeutic approach in this patient subgroup.

immunology↗

Immune Landscapes Predict Chemotherapy Resistance And Immunotherapy Response In Acute Myeloid Leukemia

This study dissected the complexity of the immune architecture of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at high resolution and assessed its influence on therapeutic response. Using 387 primary bone marrow samples from three discovery cohorts of children and adults with AML, we defined immune-infiltrated and immune-depleted disease subtypes and unraveled critical differences in immune gene expression across age groups and disease stages. Importantly, interferon (IFN)-{gamma}-related mRNA profiles were predictive for both chemotherapy resistance and response of primary refractory/relapsed AML to flotetuzumab immunotherapy. Our compendium of microenvironmental gene and protein profiles sheds novel insights into the immuno-biology of AML and will inform the delivery of personalized immunotherapies to IFN-{gamma}-dominant AML subtypes.

immunology↗