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Nanoparticles can acquire a plasma protein corona defining their biological identity. Corona functions were previously considered for cell‐derived extracellular vesicles (EVs). Here we demonstrate that nano‐sized EVs from therapy‐grade human placental‐expanded (PLX) stromal cells are surrounded by an imageable and functional protein corona when enriched with permissive technology. Scalable EV separation from cell‐secreted soluble factors via tangential flow‐filtration (TFF) and subtractive tandem mass‐tag (TMT) proteomics revealed significant enrichment of predominantly immunomodulatory and proangiogenic proteins. Western blot, calcein‐based flow cytometry, super‐resolution and electron microscopy verified EV identity. PLX‐EVs partly protected corona proteins from protease digestion. EVs significantly ameliorated human skin regeneration and angiogenesis in vivo, induced differential signalling in immune cells, and dose‐dependently inhibited T cell proliferation in vitro. Corona removal by size‐exclusion or ultracentrifugation abrogated angiogenesis. Re‐establishing an artificial corona by cloaking EVs with fluorescent albumin as a model protein or defined proangiogenic factors was depicted by super‐resolution microscopy, electron microscopy and zeta‐potential shift, and served as a proof‐of‐concept. Understanding EV corona formation will improve rational EV‐inspired nano‐therapy design.

Immunogenicity of allogeneic human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived transplants limits their applicability in regenerative medicine. Selecting human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-homozygous hiPSC lines could be a mitigation strategy and haplo-matching would profoundly expand the number of potential recipients. Here we show deep immune-phenotyping of hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (iPS-CM) differentiated from four independent iPSC lines in three centers under chemically defined conditions. Broad immunophenotyping with 354 antibodies revealed differential expression of 101 immune-related molecules between iPS-CM and the parental hiPSC lines. We selected 54 key immune markers for deep immune-phenotyping by spectral flow cytometry at the single-cell level. We found that HLA-homozygous iPSCMs exhibit an overall stable immune-phenotype across HLA-homozygous and heterozygous hiPSC lines indicating a robust differentiation process. HLA-homozygous iPS-CM displayed significantly reduced HLA-ABC levels compared to heterozygous counterparts with an otherwise conserved immune-phenotype. Upon interferon gamma challenge as a surrogate of immune stress responsiveness, iPS-CM significantly upregulated HLA-ABC, -E, -F, PD-L1, PD-L2 and the 'don't eat me' signal CD47. As a proof-of-concept we used this panel to benchmark iPS-CM differentiation across three production sites in this study. The data indicate generally stable immune-phenotype of iPS-CM produced at three different sites and support feasibility of monitoring iPS-CM identity by spectral flow cytometry.

Platelet-rich plasma is a promising regenerative therapeutic with controversial efficacy. We and others have previously demonstrated regenerative functions of human platelet lysate (HPL) as an alternative platelet-derived product. Here we separated extracellular vesicles (EVs) from soluble factors of HPL to understand the mode of action during skin-organoid formation and immune modulation as model systems for tissue regeneration. HPL-EVs were isolated by tangential-flow filtration (TFF) and further purified by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) separating EVs from (lipo)protein-enriched soluble fractions. We characterized samples by tunable resistive pulse sensing, western blot, tandem mass-tag proteomics and super-resolution microscopy. We evaluated EV function during angiogenesis, wound healing, organoid formation and immune modulation. We characterized EV enrichment by TFF and SEC according to MISEV2018 guidelines. Proteomics showed three major clusters of protein composition separating TSEC-EVs from HPL clustering with TFF soluble fractions and TFF-EVs clustering with TSEC soluble fractions, respectively. HPL-derived TFF-EVs promoted skin-organoid formation and inhibited T-cell proliferation more efficiently than TSEC-EVs or TSEC-soluble fractions. Recombining TSEC-EVs with TSEC soluble fractions re-capitulated TFF-EV effects. Zeta potential and super-resolution imaging further evidenced protein corona formation on TFF-EVs. Corona depletion on SEC-EVs could be artificially reconstituted by TSEC late fraction add-back. In contrast to synthetic nanoparticles, which commonly experience reduced function after corona formation, the corona-bearing EVs displayed improved functionality. We conclude that permissive isolation technology, such as TFF, and better understanding of the mechanism of EV corona function are required to realize the complete potential of platelet-based regenerative therapies.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a toxic gas that has important regulatory functions. In the colon, H2S can be produced and detoxified endogenously. Both too little and too much H2S exposure are associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a chronic intestinal disease mainly classified as Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). As the pathogenesis of IBD remains elusive, this study’s aim was to investigate potential differences in the expression of H2S-metabolizing enzymes in normal aging and IBD. Intestinal mucosal biopsies of 25 adults and 22 children with IBD along with those of 26 healthy controls were stained immunohistochemically for cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), 3-mercapto-sulfurtransferase (3-MST), ethylmalonic encephalopathy 1 protein (ETHE1), sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase (SQOR) and thiosulfate sulfurtransferase (TST). Expression levels were calculated by multiplication of the staining intensity and percentage of positively stained cells. Healthy adults showed an overall trend towards lower expression of H2S-metabolizing enzymes than healthy children. Adults with IBD also tended to have lower expression compared to controls. A similar trend was seen in the enzyme expression of children with IBD compared to controls. These results indicate an age-related decrease in the expression of H2S-metabolizing enzymes and a dysfunctional H2S metabolism in IBD, which was less pronounced in children.

Fibroblast growth factors (Fgf) are secreted signaling molecules that have mitogenic, patterning, neurotrophic and angiogenic properties. Their importance during embryonic development in patterning and morphogenesis of the vertebrate eye is well known, but less is known about the role of Fgfs in the adult vertebrate retina. To address Fgf function in adult retina, we determined the spatial distribution of components of the Fgf signaling pathway in the adult zebrafish retina. We detected differential expression of Fgf receptors, ligands and downstream Fgf targets within specific retinal layers. Furthermore, we blocked Fgf signaling in the retina, by expressing a dominant negative variant of Fgf receptor 1 conditionally in transgenic animals. After blocking Fgf signaling we observe a fast and progressive photoreceptor degeneration and disorganization of retinal tissue, coupled with cell death in the outer nuclear layer. Following the degeneration of photoreceptors, a profound regeneration response is triggered that starts with proliferation in the inner nuclear layer. Ultimately, rod and cone photoreceptors are regenerated completely. Our study reveals the requirement of Fgf signaling to maintain photoreceptors and for proliferation during regeneration in the adult zebrafish retina.

Donor variation is a prominent critical issue limiting the applicability of cell-based therapies. We hypothesized that batch effects during propagation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in human platelet lysate (hPL), replacing fetal bovine serum (FBS), can affect phenotypic and functional variability. We therefore investigated the impact of donor variation, hPL- vs. FBS-driven propagation and exhaustive proliferation, on BMSC epigenome, transcriptome, phenotype, coagulation risk and osteochondral regenerative function. Notably, propagation in hPL significantly increased BMSC proliferation, created significantly different gene expression trajectories and distinct surface marker signatures, already after just one passage. We confirmed significantly declining proliferative potential in FBS-expanded BMSC after proliferative challenge. Flow cytometry verified the canonical fibroblastic phenotype in culture-expanded BMSCs. We observed limited effects on DNA methylation, preferentially in FBS-driven cultures, irrespective of culture duration. The clotting risk increased over culture time. Moreover, expansion in xenogenic serum resulted in significant loss of function during 3D cartilage disk formation and significantly increased clotting risk. Superior chondrogenic function under hPL-conditions was maintained over culture. The platelet blood group and isoagglutinins had minor impact on BMSC function. These data demonstrate pronounced batch effects on BMSC transcriptome, phenotype and function due to serum factors, partly outcompeting donor variation after just one culture passage.

Background: Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) is characterised by poor outcomes. Early diagnosis is essential for patient survival. The peptide galanin (GAL) and its receptors GAL1–3 are expressed in various tumours. Detailed characterisation of the GAL system in pCCA is lacking. Our study sought to characterise GAL and GAL1–3 receptor (GAL1–3–R) expression in the healthy human bile duct, in cholestasis and pCCA. Methods: Immunohistochemical staining was performed in healthy controls (n = 5) and in the peritumoural tissues (with and without cholestasis) (n = 20) and tumour tissues of pCCA patients (n = 33) using validated antibodies. The score values of GAL and GAL1–3–R expression were calculated and statistically evaluated. Results: GAL and GAL1–R were expressed in various bile duct cell types. GAL2–R was only slightly but still expressed in almost all the examined tissues, and GAL3–R specifically in cholangiocytes and capillaries. In a small pCCA patient cohort (n = 18), high GAL expression correlated with good survival, whereas high GAL3–R correlated with poor survival. Conclusions: Our in-depth characterisation of the GAL system in the healthy human biliary duct and pCCA in a small patient cohort revealed that GAL and GAL3–R expression in tumour cells of pCCA patients could potentially represent suitable biomarkers for survival.

Light-induced lesions are a powerful tool to study the amazing ability of photoreceptors to regenerate in the adult zebrafish retina. However, the specificity of the lesion towards photoreceptors or regional differences within the retina are still incompletely understood. We therefore characterized the process of degeneration and regeneration in an established paradigm, using intense white light from a fluorescence lamp on swimming fish (diffuse light lesion). We also designed a new light lesion paradigm where light is focused through a microscope onto the retina of an immobilized fish (focused light lesion). Focused light lesion has the advantage of creating a locally restricted area of damage, with the additional benefit of an untreated control eye in the same animal. In both paradigms, cell death is observed as an immediate early response, and proliferation is initiated around 2 days post lesion (dpl), peaking at 3 dpl. We furthermore find that two photoreceptor subtypes (UV and blue sensitive cones) are more susceptible towards intense white light than red/green double cones and rods. We also observed specific differences within light lesioned areas with respect to the process of photoreceptor degeneration: UV cone debris is removed later than any other type of photoreceptor in light lesions. Unspecific damage to retinal neurons occurs at the center of a focused light lesion territory, but not in the diffuse light lesion areas. We simulated the fish eye optical properties using software simulation, and show that the optical properties may explain the light lesion patterns that we observe. Furthermore, as a new tool to study retinal degeneration and regeneration in individual fish in vivo, we use spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Collectively, the light lesion and imaging assays described here represent powerful tools for studying degeneration and regeneration processes in the adult zebrafish retina.

Self-assembly of solid organs from single cells would greatly expand applicability of regenerative medicine. Stem/progenitor cells can self-organize into micro-sized organ units, termed organoids, partially modelling tissue function and regeneration. Here we demonstrated 3D self-assembly of adult and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived fibroblasts, keratinocytes and endothelial progenitors into both, planar human skin in vivo and a novel type of spheroid-shaped skin organoids in vitro, under the aegis of human platelet lysate. Primary endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs), skin fibroblasts (FBs) and keratinocytes (KCs) were isolated from human tissues and polyclonally propagated under 2D xeno-free conditions. Human tissue-derived iPSCs were differentiated into endothelial cells (hiPSC-ECs), fibroblasts (hiPSC-FBs) and keratinocytes (hiPSC-KCs) according to efficiency-optimized protocols. Cell identity and purity were confirmed by flow cytometry and clonogenicity indicated their stem/progenitor potential. Triple cell type floating spheroids formation was promoted by human platelet-derived growth factors containing culture conditions, using nanoparticle cell labelling for monitoring the organization process. Planar human skin regeneration was assessed in full-thickness wounds of immune-deficient mice upon transplantation of hiPSC-derived single cell suspensions. Organoids displayed a distinct architecture with surface-anchored keratinocytes surrounding a stromal core, and specific signaling patterns in response to inflammatory stimuli. FGF-7 mRNA transfection was required to accelerate keratinocyte long-term fitness. Stratified human skin also self-assembled within two weeks after either adult- or iPSC-derived skin cell-suspension liquid-transplantation, healing deep wounds of mice. Transplant vascularization significantly accelerated in the presence of co-transplanted endothelial progenitors. Mechanistically, extracellular vesicles mediated the multifactorial platelet-derived trophic effects. No tumorigenesis occurred upon xenografting. This illustrates the superordinate progenitor self-organization principle and permits novel rapid 3D skin-related pharmaceutical high-content testing opportunities with floating spheroid skin organoids. Multi-cell transplant self-organization facilitates development of iPSC-based organ regeneration strategies using cell suspension transplantation supported by human platelet factors.

Several protocols exist for generating megakaryocytes (MKs) and platelets from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) with limited efficiency. We observed previously that mesoderm induction improved endothelial and stromal differentiation. We, therefore, hypothesized that a protocol modification prior to hemogenic endothelial cell (HEC) differentiation will improve MK progenitor (MKP) production and increase platelet output. We further asked if basic media composition affects MK maturation. In an iterative process, we first compared two HEC induction protocols. We found significantly more HECs using the modified protocol including activin A and CHIR99021, resulting in significantly increased MKs. MKs released comparable platelet amounts irrespective of media conditions. In a final validation phase, we obtained five-fold more platelets per hiPSC with the modified protocol (235 ± 84) compared to standard conditions (51 ± 15; p < 0.0001). The regenerative potency of hiPSC-derived platelets was compared to adult donor-derived platelets by profiling angiogenesis-related protein expression. Nineteen of 24 angiogenesis-related proteins were expressed equally, lower or higher in hiPSC-derived compared to adult platelets. The hiPSC-platelet’s coagulation hyporeactivity compared to adult platelets was confirmed by thromboelastometry. Further stepwise improvement of hiPSC-platelet production will, thus, permit better identification of platelet-mediated regenerative mechanisms and facilitate manufacture of sufficient amounts of functional platelets for clinical application.