Dexter-type Long-term Cultures Research Articles

Role of stromal‐derived factor‐1 in the hematopoietic‐supporting activity of human mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have the ability to support and maintain hematopoiesis in vitro. However, mechanisms implicated in this support are not fully characterized. In the present study, the role of stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/CXCR4 axis in the interactions between MSC and hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC) was studied. Human bone marrow MSC were plated as feeder layers in Dexter-type long-term cultures (LTC) with human cord blood CD34(+) HSPC. Cultures were supplemented weekly with neutralizing antibodies against CXCR4 or SDF-1 for 5 wk. LTC-initiating cell (IC) activity was strongly dependent on the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis, as both antibodies significantly decreased secondary colony-forming cell production. To assess the effect of SDF-1/CXCR4 axis on progenitor cell proliferation, LTC-IC killing assays were carried out: in LTC of CD34(+) cells in contact with MSC, treatment with anti-CXCR4 antibody significantly reduced the number of cycling progenitors. These results indicate that the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis promotes HSPC proliferation in contact with MSC. Interestingly, when HSPC were separated from MSC by a semipermeable membrane, LTC-IC activity became CXCR4 independent. Multiplex analysis of MSC-conditioned medium revealed that in addition to SDF-1, MSC produced stimulatory and inhibitory factors, such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-11, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor as well as monocyte-chemoattractant protein-1. Altogether, human MSC support hematopoiesis in Dexter-type cultures through the activation of the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis. Our data further suggest that SDF-1 stimulates retention of HSPC in MSC niches which expose them to stimulatory and inhibitory factors in a paracrine manner.

The Tetraspanin CD82 Defines Erythroid Committment, Regulates Stem- and Progenitor Cell Survival and Mediates Adhesion.

CD82 belongs to the tetraspanin superfamily, members of which regulate multiple aspects of cell biology such as T-cell activation, proliferation, differentiation, and adhesion.We have previously shown expression of CD82 on hematopoietic progenitor cells. Here we were seeking to shed light on the functional role of CD82 in hematopoiesis. First, we found that CD82 expression is strongly associated with an erythroid committment as exclusively the CD82bright fraction but not the CD82medium or CD82dim fraction of CD34+ cells gave rise to erythroid colony forming units (CFU). In order to manipulate CD82 activity, we used as surrogate ligand, a previously described, CD82-activating monoclonal antibody (moAb), clone 50F11, to activate CD82 on hematopoietic precursors. We found that 50F11, but not another CD82 specific antibody clone, BL-2, specifically induced tyrosine phosphorylation of CD34+ cells. In Dexter-type long-term cultures (D-LTC) 50F11, and not IgG1 isotype control moAbs significantly inhibited myelopoiesis and the number of CD34+ clonogenic progenitors. Moreover, in long term culture initiating cell (LTC-IC) assays, 50F11as compared to isotype control antibodies substantially inhibited, but not entirely abolished, the number of 5 week-LTC-IC′s, indicating that CD82 activation inhibits progenitor - and stem cell proliferation or self renewal. Finally, plastic immobilized 50F11-antibodies caused a time-, and concentration dependent induction of adhesion of CD34+ cells, which was associated with the formation of F-actin and development of multipolar extensions. Finally, CD82 ligation by 50F11 caused a statistically significant down-regulation of the integrin CD49d (p=0,036) and CD62L (p=0,010).Together, it is shown that CD34+/CD82high cells characterize an erythroid committment implying a role for this tetraspanin in erythroid hematopoiesis. Activation of CD82 induces adhesion and negatively regulates proliferation of adult stem- and progenitor cells. This implicates a so far unknown role for CD82 in the regulation of early hematopoiesis.

Preferential expression of the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptor VPAC1 in human cord blood-derived CD34+CD38- cells: possible role of VIP as a growth-promoting factor for hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells.

Primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells such as severe combined immunodeficiency- repopulating cells and long-term culture-initiating cells are enriched in CD34+CD38- cells derived from various stem cell sources. In this study, to elucidate the features of such primitive cells at the molecular level, we tried to isolate genes that were preferentially expressed in umbilical cord blood (CB)-derived CD34+CD38- cells by subtractive hybridization. The gene for VPAC1 receptor, a receptor for the neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), was thereby isolated and it was shown that this gene was expressed in both CD34+CD38- and CD34+CD38+ CB cells and that the expression levels were higher in CD34+CD38- CB cells. Next, we assessed the effects of VIP on the proliferation of CD34+ CB cells using in vitro culture systems. In serum-free single-cell suspension culture, VIP enhanced clonal growth of CD34+ CB cells in synergy with FLT3 ligand (FL), stem cell factor (SCF), and thrombopoietin (TPO). In serum-free clonogenic assays, VIP promoted myeloid (colony-forming unit-granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM)) and mixed (CFU-Mix) colony formations. Furthermore, in Dexter-type long-term cultures, VIP increased colony-forming cells at week 5 of culture. These results suggest that VIP functions as a growth-promoting factor of CB-derived hematopoetic progenitor cells.

Hematopoiesis

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a hematological neoplasia that results from the transformation of a hematopoietic stem cell. It is characterized by the expansion of the myeloid lineage, which results in the accumulation of mature and immature granulocytes in peripheral blood and bone marrow. However, when CML marrow cells are cultured in Dexter-type long-term cultures (LTMC) hematopoiesis is defective and can be sustained for only a few weeks. One possible explanation for the deficient growth of hematopoietic cells in CML LTMC is that some factors that act as key regulators of hematopoiesis are absent in this experimental system. Thus, we tested this hypothesis by adding recombinant cytokines to these cultures. As a first approach, we added recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF), rhGranulocyte-CSF (rhG-CSF) and rhErythropoietin (rhEPO); each factor was added individually once a week. Addition of rhGM-CSF and rhG-CSF resulted in a significant increase in the levels of nucleated cells and myeloid progenitors; the highest effects were seen in the presence of rhGM-CSF. Interestingly, such a cytokine also induced a significant decrease in the levels of erythroid progenitors. Recombinant hEPO had no significant effects on nucleated cells or myeloid progenitors, however, it induced a significant, although transient, increase in the levels of erythroid cells. The above results indicate that the hematopoietic regulators used here (rhGM-CSF, rhG-CSF and rhEPO) are capable of stimulating the growth of hematopoietic cells in LTMC from CML patients. Thus, this study demonstrates that it is, indeed, possible to manipulate CML LTMC by the addition of recombinant cytokines; this observation may be of particular relevance, since this in vitro experimental system has already been used as a method for purging of leukemic cells in autologous transplant settings. By using specific recombinant hematopoietic modulators it might be possible to make LTMC a more efficient system for such a clinical purpose.

Characterization of the adherent cells developed in Dexter-type long-term cultures from human umbilical cord blood.

We have previously shown that when human umbilical cord blood (UCB) cells are cultured in standard Dexter-type long-term cultures (D-LTC), adherent cells develop forming a discrete net on the bottom of the culture flask. The identity of such cells, however, has not been defined. Accordingly, the major goal of the present study was to characterize the adherent cells developed in standard UCB D-LTC. Cultures were established from 14 UCB samples and from nine bone marrow (BM) samples, as controls. Both UCB and BM cultures were initiated with the same number of mononuclear cells (MNC) (2.5 x 10(6) MNC/ml). After three weeks in culture, adherent cell numbers in UCB D-LTC were 24%-30% of the numbers found in BM cultures. More than 90% of the adherent cells in UCB D-LTC expressed the acid phosphatase enzyme, whereas no alkaline phosphatase-positive cells were observed. This was in contrast to BM D-LTC, in which alkaline and acid phosphatase were expressed by 60%-75% and 20%-45% of the adherent cells, respectively. Immunochemical analysis showed that CD61 (osteoclast marker) and Factor VIII (endothelial cell marker) were not expressed by the adherent cells developed in UCB cultures. Interestingly, the majority of such cells expressed CD1a (dendritic cell marker), CD14, CD68 and CD115 (antigens mainly expressed by macrophagic cells). When the cultures were supplemented with the recombinant cytokines epidermal growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), only GM-CSF had a significant positive effect on adherent cell number. In order to test for some functional properties of the adherent cells developed in culture, production of stem cell factor (SCF), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was assessed. IL-6 and TNF-alpha showed elevated levels in UCB D-LTC, whereas SCF levels were always below detection. Finally, analysis of fibroblast progenitors (fibroblast colony-forming units [CFU-F]) showed that these cells were present in BM samples (6 CFU-F/10(5) MNC) and were totally absent in UCB samples. Taken together, the results of the present study indicate that the vast majority of the adherent cells developed in standard UCB D-LTC belong to the macrophage lineage and that fibroblasts seem to be absent. Interestingly, the high proportion of CD1a+ cells suggests that dendritic cells are also present in these cultures.

Enforced expression of HOXB7 promotes hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and myeloid-restricted progenitor differentiation.

Hematopoietic progenitor/stem cells (HPCs/HSCs) purified from human adult peripheral blood (PB) were triggered into cycling, retrovirally transduced with HOXB7 and then functionally assayed in vitro. HPCs were assayed in multi- and unilineage differentiation cultures in either liquid phase or semisolid medium, primitive HPCs in the high proliferative potential colony-forming cell (HPP-CFC) evaluation system and putative HSCs in Dexter type long-term culture (LTC) as LTC initiating cells (LTC-ICs). Control experiments ensured that the exogenous HOXB7 gene was constantly expressed, while the endogenous one was barely or not transcribed. Enforced expression of the gene markedly modulated the proliferation/differentiation program of the entire HSC/HPC population. Enforced HOXB7 expression exerted a potent stimulatory effect on the proliferation of the primitive HPC and putative HSC subsets, assayed as HPP-CFCs and LTC-ICs respectively. While not modifying the total number of HPCs, exogenous HOXB7 induced an increase of the number of granulo-monocytic (GM) HPCs [colony-forming unit GM (CFU-GM) CFU-GM, CFU-G and CFU-M, as evaluated by clonogenic assays] and markedly amplified the progeny of both CFU-G and CFU-M, which showed a sustained proliferation through at least 1-2 months (as evaluated in liquid suspension culture). The prolonged proliferative stimulus induced by HOXB7 transfer into LTC, primitive and GM oriented HPC culture was characterized by persistent proliferation of a discrete population of blast cells and a large pool of differentiated myeloid precursors. Altogether, these results suggest the hypothesis that the proliferative stimulus exerted by exogenous HOXB7 in primitive and GM-oriented HPCs may represent a preleukemic immortalization step. Consistent with the functional role of HOXB7 in the initial ontogenetic phase, these studies indicate that ectopic HOXB7 expression in early HPCs and HSCs from adult PB stimulates their self renewal, sustained proliferation and myeloid differentiation.

Kinetics of hematopoiesis in Dexter-type long-term cultures established from human umbilical cord blood cells.

In the present study, we have established Dexter-type long-term cultures (D-LTC) from human umbilical cord blood (UCB) and followed the kinetics of different hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs)--including multipotent (colony forming unit [CFU]-Mixture), erythroid (CFU-erythroid, BFU-E), and myeloid (CFU-granulocyte, CFU-macrophage, CFU-granulocyte/marcophage) progenitors as well as of morphologically recognizable erythroid, myeloid and lymphoid cells--during a nine-week culture period. D-LTC were also established from adult bone marrow (BM) as controls. On day 0, both UCB and BM showed similar total numbers of HPCs (about 310/10(5) cells), however, UCB showed a higher proportion of primitive HPCs (i.e., CFU-Mixture, CFU-granulocyte/macrophage and BFU-E). A poor adherent cell layer, consisting almost exclusively of macrophages, was developed in UCB D-LTC and this correlated with a continuous decline in HPC numbers throughout the culture period. In contrast, adherent cell numbers in BM D-LTC, including fibroblasts and macrophages, were two- to fourfold higher than in UCB cultures, and the numbers of HPCs were also significantly higher, reaching plateau levels between weeks 6 and 9. In both types of cultures, erythroid and multipotent progenitors declined relatively fast, reaching undetectable levels after five weeks of culture. Myeloid progenitors, on the other hand, were sustained longer (always at higher levels in BM cultures) and were still detected by week 9. Among myeloid progenitors, a shift towards the predominance of macrophage HPCs was observed, both in UCB and BM D-LTC, and this correlated with an increase in the proportion of mature monocytes and macrophages. Taken together, our results indicate that myeloid progenitor cell growth is deficient in UCB D-LTC and suggest that this is due to the impaired development of an adherent cell layer, unable to provide the factors and conditions required for their growth. Interestingly, throughout the culture period the total numbers of multipotent and erythroid progenitors were similar both in UCB and BM cultures regardless of the number and types of adherent cells present; this suggests that the stroma developed in D-LTC is not sufficient for the proliferation of these progenitor cells.

Dual Action of Retinoic Acid on Human Embryonic/Fetal Hematopoiesis: Blockade of Primitive Progenitor Proliferation and Shift From Multipotent/Erythroid/Monocytic to Granulocytic Differentiation Program

In preliminary studies, we have analyzed the hematopoietic growth factor (HGF) requirement of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) purified from embryonic-fetal liver (FL) and grown in fetal calf serum-supplemented (FCS+) clonogenic culture. The key role of erythropoietin (Epo) for colony formation by early erythroid progenitors (burst-forming units-erythroid [BFU-E]) has been confirmed. Furthermore, in the absence of exogenous HGFs, FL monocytic progenitors (colony-forming unit monocyte [CFU-M]) generate large colonies exclusively composed of monocytes-macrophages; these colonies are absent in FCS- clonogenic culture. On this basis, we have investigated the role of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and its isomer 9-cis RA in FL hematopoiesis. Both compounds modulate the growth of purified FL HPCs, which show a dose-dependent shift from mixed/erythroid/ monocytic to granulocytic colony formation. Studies on unicellular and paired daughter cell culture unequivocally indicate that the shift is mediated by modulation of the HPC differentiation program to the granulopoietic pathway (rather than RA-induced down-modulation of multipotent/ erythroid/monocytic HPC growth coupled with recruitment of granulocytic HPCs). ATRA and 9-cis RA also exert their effect on the proliferation of primitive HPCs (high-proliferative potential colony-forming cells [HPP-CFCs]) and putative hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs; assayed in Dexter-type long-term culture). High concentrations of either compound (1) drastically reduced the number of primary HPP-CFC colonies and totally abolished their recloning capacity and (2) inhibited HSC proliferation. It is crucial that these results mirror recent observations indicating that murine adult HPCs transduced with dominant negative ATRA receptor (RAR) gene are immortalized and show a selective blockade of granulocytic differentiation. Altogether, these results suggest that ATRA/9-cis RA may play a key role in FL hematopoiesis via a dual effect hypothetically mediated by interaction with the RAR/RXR heterodimer, ie, inhibition of HSC/ primitive HPC proliferation and induction of CFU-GEMM/ BFU-E/CFU-M shift from the multipotent/erythroid/monocytic to the granulocytic-neutrophilic differentiation program.

Effect of Recombinant Erythropoietin in Interaction With Stromal Factors on Cord Blood Hematopoiesis

To investigate the effect of recombinant erythropoietin (Epo) on primitive human hematopoietic progenitor cells, we cultured cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMNC) and CB CD34+ cells in a Dexter-type long-term culture system (LTC), to which various concentrations of Epo were added at day 0 or 7, with or without direct contact with irradiated allogeneic human marrow stromal layers. In regular stroma-contact cultures, when CBMNC were inoculated, the addition of Epo at 1 to 10 U/mL induced a significant increase in LTC-initiating cells (LTC-IC), particularly in the myeloid component, compared with the control without Epo. Significantly more LTC-IC were generated by the delayed addition of Epo on day 7 than on day 0. On the other hand, when CD34+ cells were inoculated, physiologic concentrations of Epo (0.1 U/mL) induced a more than twofold increase in LTC-IC, which was attributed equally to both the myeloid and erythroid lineages, only when added on day 0. In stroma-noncontact cultures, which were created using a Transwell 0.4-micron microporous membrane filter, dose-dependent suppression of the myeloid component of LTC-IC was observed with a higher concentration of Epo (1 to 100 U/mL) when CBMNC was inoculated. On the other hand, without Epo, fourfold more LTC-IC was generated from CD34+ cells in stroma-noncontact than in stroma-contact cultures, which was then significantly augmented by the addition of Epo (0.1 or 10 U/mL) on day 0. This increase was due to both the myeloid and erythroid lineages. A higher concentration of Epo (100 U/mL) resulted in a decrease in LTC-IC, mainly in myeloid progeny, in all of the culture conditions. Hence, Epo may play an important physiologic role in the maintenance and proliferation of immature stem/progenitor cells, in close interaction with factors from marrow stromal cells.

Similarities in long‐term cultures of blood and bone marrow from patients with acute myelogenous leukemia

Dexter-type long-term cultures (LTC) were initiated with peripheral blood (PB) and/or bone marrow cells from 11 patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and 2 with myelodysplastic syndrome in blastic transformation. Marrow and PB cells from normal subjects served as controls. Assessment of nucleated cells and clonogenic progenitors in the adherent and nonadherent fractions of LTC revealed active hemopoiesis for greater than 5 wks in 4 of 8 cultures of AML blood, and 4 of 7 of AML marrow. The morphology and kinetics of nucleated cells and progenitors with putative normal (granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units or CFU-gm), and abnormal (blast) phenotype in LTC from AML blood were similar to those from AML marrow, and adherent cells positive for collagen I and III and vimentin were found in both types of LTC. Growth of CFU-gm colonies ceased by wk 5-8 in AML cultures, significantly earlier than in LTC of normal marrow cells (survival of greater than 10 wks), which may indicate derivation of the CFU-gm from a transformed clone or deficiency of stromal function in the leukemic state. In most AML blood and AML marrow LTCs, growth of abnormal (blast) colonies continued until wk 4-6. This study demonstrates certain similarities of morphology and function between LTC of AML blood and AML marrow cells. LTC may provide a useful model for further analysis of circulating primitive hemopoietic progenitor cells in leukemic states.

Hematopoiesis on cellulose ester membranes (CEM). IX. Enrichment of membranes with adherent layers from long-term marrow culture from normal or drug-treated mice (hematopoietic microenvironment study II).

Cellulose ester membranes (Millipore) or polytetrafluoroethylene (Mitex) membranes were coated with adherent layers taken from Dexter-type long-term cultures, 4-5, 8 or 12 weeks after initiation of culture. The cultures were established with marrow taken from untreated mice or, in some cases, from mice treated with a single lethal dose (LD10) of carmustine (BCNU) or cyclophosphamide. In the studies using untreated mice, the cultures went for 8 or 12 weeks and in the drug studies, for 4-5 weeks. The 8 and 12 week cultures were reseeded at 4 weeks. The membranes were implanted into the peritoneal cavities of mice for 3-12 months after which they were removed, fixed, sectioned and stained for histologic study. After 6 months of implantation, about 40% of the membranes coated with cells from non-drug-treated mice and 60% of the membranes coated with cells from drug-treated mice contained hematopoietic elements; often there were foci of trilineal hematopoiesis. Hematopoiesis never occurred without bone formation, but the reverse was not true. Membranes coated with adherent layers established from marrow of mice treated with cyclophosphamide or BCNU showed two main characteristics: 1) they supported hematopoiesis normally, and 2) the regeneration of stroma and hematopoiesis occurred earlier than in membranes coated with stroma derived from normal mice, perhaps because the cells from the drug-treated mice spent a shorter time in culture. In vitro culture may damage cells required to condition the membrane for hematopoiesis.