The Relevance of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products in the Field of Transplantation and the Need for Academic Research Access:Overcoming Bottlenecks and Claiming a New Time

The field of transplantation has witnessed the emergence of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) as highly promising solutions to address the challenges associated with organ and tissue transplantation. ATMPs encompass gene therapy, cell therapy, and tissue-engineered products, hold immense potential for breakthroughs in overcoming the obstacles of rejection and the limited availability of donor organs. However, the development and academic research access to ATMPs face significant bottlenecks that hinder progress. This opinion paper emphasizes the importance of addressing bottlenecks in the development and academic research access to ATMPs by implementing several key strategies. These include the establishment of streamlined regulatory processes, securing increased funding for ATMP research, fostering collaborations and partnerships, setting up centralized ATMP facilities, and actively engaging with patient groups. Advocacy at the policy level is essential to provide support for the development and accessibility of ATMPs, thereby driving advancements in transplantation and enhancing patient outcomes. By adopting these strategies, the field of transplantation can pave the way for the introduction of innovative and efficacious ATMP therapies, while simultaneously fostering a nurturing environment for academic research.</p

Natural Killer Cells Exhibit a Peculiar Phenotypic Profile in Systemic Sclerosis and Are Potent Inducers of Endothelial Microparticles Release

The pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis (SSc) involves early endothelial and immune activation, both preceding the onset of fibrosis. We previously identified soluble fractalkine and circulating endothelial microparticles (EMPs) as biomarkers of endothelial inflammatory activation in SSc. Fractalkine plays a dual role as a membrane-bound adhesion molecule expressed in inflamed endothelial cells (ECs) and as a chemokine involved in the recruitment, transmigration, and cytotoxic activation of immune cells that express CX3CR1, the receptor of fractalkine, namely CD8 and γδ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. We aimed to quantify circulating cytotoxic immune cells and their expression of CX3CR1. We further investigated the expression profile of NK cells chemokine receptors and activation markers and the potential of NK cells to induce EC activation in SSc. We performed a monocentric study (NCT 02636127) enrolling 15 SSc patients [15 females, median age of 55 years (39–63), 11 limited cutaneous form and 4 diffuse] and 15 healthy controls. Serum fractalkine levels were significantly increased in SSc patients. Circulating CD8 T cells numbers were decreased in SSc patients with no difference in their CX3CR1 expression. Circulating γδ T cells and NK cells numbers were preserved. CX3CR1 expression in CD8 and γδ T cells did not differ between SSc patients and controls. The percentage and level of CX3CR1 expression in NK cells were significantly lowered in SSc patients. Percentages of CXCR4, NKG2D, CD69-expressing NK cells, and their expression levels were decreased in NK cells. Conversely, CD16 level expression and percentages of CD16+ NK cells were preserved. The exposure of human microvascular dermic EC line (HMVEC-d) to peripheral blood mononuclear cells resulted in similar NK cells degranulation activity in SSc patients and controls. We further showed that NK cells purified from the blood of SSc patients induced enhanced release of EMPs than NK cells from controls. This study evidenced a peculiar NK cells phenotype in SSc characterized by decreased chemokine and activation receptors expression, that might reflect NK cells involvement in the pathogenic process. It also highlighted the role of NK cells as a potent mechanism inducing endothelial activation through enhanced EMPs release

Development of an advanced therapy medicinal product using stromal vascular fraction of autologous adipose tissue in systemic scleroderma : from biological characterization to identification of potential biomarkers of efficacy

L’objectif de ce travail est de caractériser les effets antifibrotiques et angiogéniques de la FVS et d’évaluer l’impact du contexte sclérodermique sur ces propriétés angiogéniques. D’autre part, d’identifier une stratégie de monitoring biologique de cette thérapie applicable au contexte sclérodermique.Le premier volet a été de déterminer si la FVS injectée localement peut limiter les processus de fibrose in vivo. L’injection de FVS réalisée précocement ou tardivement s'accompagne d'une réduction significative de la surface de fibrose au profit des surfaces musculaires dans un modèle porcin d’incontinence urinaire. Le deuxième volet a été de rechercher si le contexte autologue de la sclérodermie systémique affecte les propriétés angiogéniques de la FVS. Cette étude a montré une légère altération de la capacité angiogénique sur des tests de Matrigel Plug in vivo associé à une signature transcriptomique de la FVS de patients sclérodermiques. Le troisième volet a été d’identifier une stratégie de monitoring biologique utile pour évaluer objectivement l’impact de nouvelles thérapies sur la vasculopathie associée à la sclérodermie systémique. L’élévation des PECs et de la Fractalkine prédisent de manière indépendante le score de sévérité de la maladie et la gravité de la fibrose pulmonaire. Ce travail a ainsi permis de progresser dans le développement d’une thérapie cellulaire innovante pour limiter la vasculopathie ischemique et la fibrose à l’origine du handicap des mains chez les patients sclérodermique et de monitorer son efficacité dans le futur.The aim of this work is to characterize the antifibrotic and angiogenic effects of FVS and to evaluate the impact of the scleroderma context on these angiogenic properties. On the other hand, to identify a strategy of biological monitoring of this therapy applicable to the sclerodermic context.The first step was to determine whether locally injected FVS can limit fibrosis in vivo. The injection of SVF performed early or late is accompanied by a significant reduction in the area of fibrosis in favor of muscle surfaces in a porcine model of urinary incontinence. The second component was to investigate whether the autologous context of systemic scleroderma affects the angiogenic properties of SVF. This study showed a slight alteration of angiogenic capacity on in vivo Matrigel Plug assays associated with a transcriptomic signature of SVF of scleroderma patients. The third component was to identify a biological monitoring strategy that could be used to objectively evaluate the impact of new therapies on vasculopathy associated with systemic sclerosis. The elevation of EPCs and Fractalkine independently predict the severity score of the disease and the severity of pulmonary fibrosis.This work has made it possible to progress in the development of an innovative cell therapy to limit the ischemic vasculopathy and the fibrosis causing hand handicap in scleroderma patients and to monitor its effectiveness in the future

Les plasmas riches en plaquettes, revue de la littéature, comparaison de cinq préparations

AIX-MARSEILLE2-BU Pharmacie (130552105) / SudocSudocFranceF

Adipose Stem Cells Isolated from Excised Burned Tissue: Is There Potential for Clinical Use?

International audienc

Adipose Stem Cells Isolated from Excised Burned Tissue: Is There Potential for Clinical Use?

International audienc

Changing the Paradigm in PRP Characterization: Letter to the Editor.

Place: United State

Long-term follow-up after autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction injection into fingers in systemic sclerosis patients

International audienceIntroduction: Hand involvement confers a substantial handicap in work and daily activities in patients with Systemic sclerosis (SSc). Autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction is as an easily accessible source of cells with regenerative effects. We previously performed a phase I open-label clinical trial (NTC01813279) assessing the safety of subcutaneous injection of autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction. Six and 12-month data have been reported. As patients were followed in our medical centre, we report their longer-term outcome beyond the end of the trial.Patients and method: Twelve females, mean age 54.5 ± 10.3 years, initially enrolled in the clinical trial were assessed during a scheduled medical care, which took place between 22 and 30 months after treatment.Results: Multiple patient-reported outcomes showed sustained improvement, in comparison with the assessment performed just before surgery: 62.5% in the Cochin Hand Function Scale, 51.1% in the Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire, 33.1% in hand pain, and 88.3% in the Raynaud Condition Score. A decrease in the number of digital ulcers number was noted. Mobility, strength and fibrosis of the hand also showed improvement. None of the 8 patients who had previously received iloprost infusion required new infusion.Conclusion: Despite the limits of an open label study, the data are in favour of the long-term safety of the adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction injection. Two randomized double blind, placebo-controlled trials of this therapeutic agent are ongoing in the USA (NCT02396238) and in France (NCT02558543) and will help determine the place of this innovative therapy for SSc patients

Response to: ‘Adipose stromal vascular fraction and regenerative therapy in SSc: response to the article by Magalon et al ’ by De Benedetto et al

International audienc

First clinical case report of local microinjection of autologous fat and adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction for perianal fistula in Crohn’s disease

Abstract Mesenchymal stem cell therapy is a promising treatment for perianal Crohn’s fistulas refractory to conventional therapy, which are an extremely morbid complication and a true therapeutic challenge. Autologous adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (ADSVF) is an easily accessible source of cells with angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and regenerative properties. Here, we describe a case involving a patient with severe perianal Crohn’s fistulas refractory to the best medical and surgical practices who received local treatment with ADSVF and microfat. This patient was first examined under anesthesia with drainage via seton placement; 1 week later, on a single day, he underwent adipose tissue extraction, ADSVF and microfat preparation, and the local injection of 14 ml of microfat and approximately 20 million viable ADSVF cells into the soft tissue around the fistulas. No serious adverse events were observed. At the first endpoint at 12 weeks, the fistula had clinically healed with complete re-epithelialization of all external openings; no fistula tract was detected on magnetic resonance imaging, confirming this finding. This good clinical outcome was sustained at 48 weeks and was associated with a reduction in the severity of perianal disease and an improvement in quality of life. The current case highlights the therapeutic potential of a new cellular treatment for Crohn’s patients with refractory perianal fistulas based on the innovative hypothesis that the combined action of ADSVF in association with the trophic characteristics of a microfat graft could be beneficial for this condition. Trial registration: EudraCT number 201325, NCT02520843 . Registered on 5 August 201