Embryonic Stem Cell-derived Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Research Articles

Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells: Preclinical Efficacy and Safety in Cervical Spinal Cord Injury.

Cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) remains an important research focus for regenerative medicine given the potential for severe functional deficits and the current lack of treatment options to augment neurological recovery. We recently reported the preclinical safety data of a human embryonic cell‐derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) therapy that supported initiation of a phase I clinical trial for patients with sensorimotor complete thoracic SCI. To support the clinical use of this OPC therapy for cervical injuries, we conducted preclinical efficacy and safety testing of the OPCs in a nude rat model of cervical SCI. Using the automated TreadScan system to track motor behavioral recovery, we found that OPCs significantly improved locomotor performance when administered directly into the cervical spinal cord 1 week after injury, and that this functional improvement was associated with reduced parenchymal cavitation and increased sparing of myelinated axons within the injury site. Based on large scale biodistribution and toxicology studies, we show that OPC migration is limited to the spinal cord and brainstem and did not cause any adverse clinical observations, toxicities, allodynia, or tumors. In combination with previously published efficacy and safety data, the results presented here supported initiation of a phase I/IIa clinical trial in the U.S. for patients with sensorimotor complete cervical SCI. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2017;6:1917–1929

Purinergic Receptor Expression and Potential Association with Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cell Development.

Due to recent progress in production of human embryonic stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (hESC-OPCs) for ameliorating myelin disease such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and the role of purinergic signaling in OPCs development, we avaluated the profile of purinergic receptors expression during development of OPCs from hESC. In this experimental study, we used reverse transcription and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to obtain more information about potential roles of purinergic receptors during in vitro production of hESC-OPCs. We first determined the expression level of different subtypes of purinergic receptors in hESCs, embryoid bodies (EBs), and hESC-OPCs. The effects of A1 adenosine receptor (A1AR) activation on hESC-OPCs development were subsequently examined. hESCs and OPCs had different mRNA expression levels of the AR subtypes. ARs mRNA were expressed in the EB stage, except for A2AAR. We observed expressions of several P2X (P2X1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7) and P2Y (P2Y1, 2, 4, 6, 11-14) genes in hESCs. hESC-OPCs expressed different subtypes of P2X (P2X1, 2, 3,4,5,7) and P2Y (P2Y1, 2, 4, 6, 11-14). Except for P2X1 and P2X6, all other P2X and P2Y purinergic receptor subtypes expressed in EBs. We also indicate that A1AR might be involved in modulating gene expression levels of cell cycle regulators in an agonist and/or dose-dependent manner. Elucidation of the expression pattern of purinergic receptors and the effects of different subtypes of these receptors in hESC-OPCs may have a promising role in future cell-based therapy or drug design for demyelinating disease.

Preclinical safety of human embryonic stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte progenitors supporting clinical trials in spinal cord injury.

To characterize the preclinical safety profile of a human embryonic stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cell therapy product (AST-OPC1) in support of its use as a treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI). The phenotype and functional capacity of AST-OPC1 was characterized in vitro and in vivo. Safety and toxicology of AST-OPC1 administration was assessed in rodent models of thoracic SCI. These results identify AST-OPC1 as an early-stage oligodendrocyte progenitor population capable of promoting neurite outgrowth in vitro and myelination in vivo. AST-OPC1 administration did not cause any adverse clinical observations, toxicities, allodynia or tumors. These results supported initiation of a Phase I clinical trial in patients with sensorimotor complete thoracic SCI.

Oligodendrocyte precursors to the rescue

Transplantation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells ameliorates detrimental cognitive effects of brain radiation.

Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Oligodendrocyte Progenitors Remyelinate the Brain and Rescue Behavioral Deficits following Radiation

Radiation therapy to the brain is a powerful tool in the management of many cancers, but it is associated with significant and irreversible long-term side effects, including cognitive decline and impairment ofmotor coordination. Depletion of oligodendrocyte progenitors and demyelination are major pathological features that are particularly pronounced in younger individuals and severely limit therapeutic options. Here we tested whether human ESC-derived oligodendrocytes can functionally remyelinate the irradiated brain using a rat model. We demonstrate the efficient derivation and prospective isolation of human oligodendrocyte progenitors, which, upon transplantation, migrate throughout the major white matter tracts resulting in both structural and functional repair. Behavioral testing showed complete recovery of cognitive function while additional recovery from motor deficits required concomitant transplantation into the cerebellum. The ability to repair radiation-induced damage to the brain could dramatically improve the outlook for cancer survivors and enable more effective use of radiation therapies, especially in children.

Role of Neuregulin-1/ErbB Signaling in Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury-Induced Chronic Neuropathic Pain

Chronic neuropathic pain is a common and debilitating consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI). In a rat contusion injury model, we observed that chronic neuropathic pain is present on day 7 after SCI and persists for the entire 56-day observation period. However, currently available pain therapies are inadequate for SCI-induced neuropathic pain. In this study, we show that spinal transplantation of mouse embryonic stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) enhances remyelination in the injured spinal cord and reduces SCI-induced chronic neuropathic pain. Moreover, we found that SCI reduces the protein level of neuregulin-1 and ErbB4 in the injured spinal cord and that OPC transplantation enhances the spinal expression of both proteins after SCI. Finally, intrathecal injection of neuregulin-1 small interfering RNA, but not the control nontarget RNA, diminishes OPC transplantation-produced remyelination and reverses the antinociceptive effect of OPC transplantation. Our findings suggest that the transplantation of embryonic stem cell-derived OPCs is an appropriate therapeutic intervention for treatment of SCI-induced chronic neuropathic pain, and that neuregulin-1/ErbB signaling plays an important role in central remyelination under pathological conditions and contributes to the alleviation of such pain.

Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Oligodendrocyte Progenitors Aid in Functional Recovery of Sensory Pathways following Contusive Spinal Cord Injury

BackgroundTransplantations of human stem cell derivatives have been widely investigated in rodent models for the potential restoration of function of neural pathways after spinal cord injury (SCI). Studies have already demonstrated cells survival following transplantation in SCI. We sought to evaluate survival and potential therapeutic effects of transplanted human embryonic stem (hES) cell-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) in a contusive injury in rats. Bioluminescence imaging was utilized to verify survivability of cells up to 4 weeks, and somatosensory evoked potential (SSEPs) were recorded at the cortex to monitor function of sensory pathways throughout the 6-week recovery period.Principal FindingshES cells were transduced with the firefly luciferase gene and differentiated into OPCs. OPCs were transplanted into the lesion epicenter of rat spinal cords 2 hours after inducing a moderate contusive SCI. The hES-treatment group showed improved SSEPs, including increased amplitude and decreased latencies, compared to the control group. The bioluminescence of transplanted OPCs decreased by 97% in the injured spinal cord compared to only 80% when injected into an uninjured spinal cord. Bioluminescence increased in both experimental groups such that by week 3, no statistical difference was detected, signifying that the cells survived and proliferated independent of injury. Post-mortem histology of the spinal cords showed integration of human cells expressing mature oligodendrocyte markers and myelin basic protein without the expression of markers for astrocytes (GFAP) or pluripotent cells (OCT4).ConclusionshES-derived OPCs transplanted 2 hours after contusive SCI survive and differentiate into OLs that produce MBP. Treated rats demonstrated functional improvements in SSEP amplitudes and latencies compared to controls as early as 1 week post-injury. Finally, the hostile injury microenvironment at 2 hours post-injury initially caused increased cell death but did not affect the long-term cell proliferation or survival, indicating that cells can be transplanted sooner than conventionally accepted.

A Novel Regulatory Factor Recruits the Nucleosome Remodeling Complex to Wingless Integrated (Wnt) Signaling Gene Promoters in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

The nucleosome remodeling and deacetylation (NuRD) complex is required for modulating the transcription of essential pluripotency genes in ESC self-renewal. MBD3 is considered a key player in the formation of a functional NuRD complex. The recruitment of MBD3 to methylated promoters may require other prerequisite factors. We show that cyclin-dependent kinase 2-associated protein 1 (CDK2AP1), an essential gene for early embryonic development, plays a role in pluripotency of ESC by engaging MBD3 to the promoter region of Wnt signaling genes. The occupancy of MBD3 on several promoters of Wnt genes was significantly lost in the absence of CDK2AP1, resulting in hyperactivation of Wnt. We propose that the transcriptional modulation of the Wnt pathway mediated by NuRD requires the presence of essential auxiliary components such as CDK2AP1, which may aid the association of the complex with specific focal regions of the target promoters.

283. Therapeutic Potential of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells for Canavan Disease

283. Therapeutic Potential of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells for Canavan Disease

Research Highlights

Research Highlights

Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cell Transplants Improve Recovery after Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

Evidence that cell transplants can improve recovery outcomes in spinal cord injury (SCI) models substantiates treatment strategies involving cell replacement for humans with SCI. Most pre-clinical studies of cell replacement in SCI examine thoracic injury models. However, as most human injuries occur at the cervical level, it is critical to assess potential treatments in cervical injury models and examine their effectiveness using at-level histological and functional measures. To directly address cervical SCI, we used a C5 midline contusion injury model and assessed the efficacy of a candidate therapeutic for thoracic SCI in this cervical model. The contusion generates reproducible, bilateral movement and histological deficits, although a number of injury parameters such as acute severity of injury, affected gray-to-white matter ratio, extent of endogenous remyelination, and at-level locomotion deficits do not correspond with these parameters in thoracic SCI. On the basis of reported benefits in thoracic SCI, we transplanted human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) into this cervical model. hESC-derived OPC transplants attenuated lesion pathogenesis and improved recovery of forelimb function. Histological effects of transplantation included robust white and gray matter sparing at the injury epicenter and, in particular, preservation of motor neurons that correlated with movement recovery. These findings further our understanding of the histopathology and functional outcomes of cervical SCI, define potential therapeutic targets, and support the use of these cells as a treatment for cervical SCI.

Endogenous remyelination is induced by transplant rejection in a viral model of multiple sclerosis

Human embryonic stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte progenitors (OPCs) were transplanted into mice persistently infected with the neurotropic JHM strain of mouse hepatitis virus with established demyelination. Engrafted cells did not survive past 2 weeks following transplantation despite treatment with high dose cyclosporine A. While T cell infiltration into the CNS was dampened, elevated numbers of macrophage/microglia and endogenous OPCs were evident surrounding the implantation site and this was associated with increased remyelination. These data suggest that remyelination was initiated by the local response to xenograft transplantation. These findings illustrate the complexities of OPC transplantation into areas of robust immune-mediated pathology.

Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells Express the Serotonin Receptor and Are Susceptible to JC Virus Infection

We studied the susceptibility of human embryonic stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells to infection with JC virus, the causative agent of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). A human embryonic stem cell line, H7, was used to derive an enriched population of cells expressing the oligodendrocyte progenitor cell-specific marker NG2. These cells expressed the 5HT2a receptor (5HT2aR) for JC virus and were highly susceptible to infection. Infection was reduced by treatment with anti-5HT2aR antibodies and by the 5HT2aR antagonists ritanserin and ketanserin. This is the first demonstration that human embryonic stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells are susceptible to JC virus infection and indicates that cells poised to replenish mature oligodendrocytes in PML lesions may also be a target of viral infection.

Immunological properties of human embryonic stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells

A major concern in the use of allotransplantation of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-based therapies is the possibility of allogeneic rejection by the host's immune system. In this report, we determined the immunological properties of hESC-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPC) that have the potential for clinical application for the treatment of patients with spinal cord injury. In vitro immunological studies suggest that hESC-derived OPCs are poor targets for both the innate and the adaptive human immune effector cells as well as resistant to lysis by anti-Neu5Gc antibodies. These results indicate that hESC-derived OPCs retain some of the unique immunological properties of the parental cell line from which they were differentiated.

Immunological Properties of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells

Immunological Properties of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells

Transplantation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Oligodendrocyte Progenitors into Rat Spinal Cord Injuries Does not Cause Harm

Demyelination contributes to loss of function following spinal cord injury. We have shown previously that transplantation of human embryonic stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte progenitors into adult rat 200 kD contusive spinal cord injury sites enhances remyelination and promotes recovery of motor function. Previous studies using oligodendrocyte lineage cells have noted a correlation between the presence of demyelinating pathology and the survival and migration rate of the transplanted cells. The present study compared the survival and migration of human embryonic stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte progenitors injected 7 days after a 200 or 50 kD contusive spinal cord injury, as well as the locomotor outcome of transplantation. Our findings indicate that a 200 kD spinal cord injury induces extensive demyelination, whereas a 50 kD spinal cord injury induces no detectable demyelination. Cells transplanted into the 200 kD injury group survived, migrated, and resulted in robust remyelination, replicating our previous studies. In contrast, cells transplanted into the 50 kD injury group survived, exhibited limited migration, and failed to induce remyelination as demyelination in this injury group was absent. Animals that received a 50 kD injury displayed only a transient decline in locomotor function as a result of the injury. Importantly, human embryonic stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor transplants into the 50 kD injury group did not cause a further decline in locomotion. Our studies highlight the importance of a demyelinating pathology as a prerequisite for the function of transplanted myelinogenic cells. In addition, our results indicate that transplantation of human embryonic stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells into the injured spinal cord is not associated with a decline in locomotor function.

Human embryonic stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte progenitors for the treatment of spinal cord injury

Stem cells are self-renewing, pluripotent cells that can be manipulated in vitro to differentiate into virtually any cell type. Stem cells are highly proliferative and have the potential to expand into very large numbers of a desired cell lineage. As such, they represent an excellent source of cells for cellular replacement strategies in disease states that are typified by a loss of a particular cell population. Recent studies have indicated that spinal cord injury is accompanied by chronic progressive demyelination, and have thus identified oligodendrocytes as a desirable transplant population for remyelination strategies. To address this need, we developed a method to differentiate hESCs into high purity human oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). Transplantation into spinal cord injury sites in adult rats resulted in remyelination and functional repair. Here, we summarize these findings and present new data concerning the effects of hESC-derived OPC transplantation on the host environment.

Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cell Transplants Remyelinate and Restore Locomotion after Spinal Cord Injury

Demyelination contributes to loss of function after spinal cord injury, and thus a potential therapeutic strategy involves replacing myelin-forming cells. Here, we show that transplantation of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) into adult rat spinal cord injuries enhances remyelination and promotes improvement of motor function. OPCs were injected 7 d or 10 months after injury. In both cases, transplanted cells survived, redistributed over short distances, and differentiated into oligodendrocytes. Animals that received OPCs 7 d after injury exhibited enhanced remyelination and substantially improved locomotor ability. In contrast, when OPCs were transplanted 10 months after injury, there was no enhanced remyelination or locomotor recovery. These studies document the feasibility of predifferentiating hESCs into functional OPCs and demonstrate their therapeutic potential at early time points after spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury models: neurophysiology.

Spinal cord injury models: neurophysiology.