Ex Vivo Expansion of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells by Garcinol, a Potent Inhibitor of Histone Acetyltransferase

BACKGROUND: Human cord blood (hCB) is the main source of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSCs/PCs) for transplantation. Efforts to overcome relative shortages of HSCs/PCs have led to technologies to expand HSCs/PCs ex vivo. However, methods suitable for clinical practice have yet to be fully established. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this study, we screened biologically active natural products for activity to promote expansion of hCB HSCs/PCs ex vivo, and identified Garcinol, a plant-derived histone acetyltransferase (HAT) inhibitor, as a novel stimulator of hCB HSC/PC expansion. During a 7-day culture of CD34(+)CD38(-) HSCs supplemented with stem cell factor and thrombopoietin, Garcinol increased numbers of CD34(+)CD38(-) HSCs/PCs more than 4.5-fold and Isogarcinol, a derivative of Garcinol, 7.4-fold. Furthermore, during a 7-day culture of CD34(+) HSCs/PCs, Garcinol expanded the number of SCID-repopulating cells (SRCs) 2.5-fold. We also demonstrated that the capacity of Garcinol and its derivatives to expand HSCs/PCs was closely correlated with their inhibitory effect on HAT. The Garcinol derivatives which expanded HSCs/PCs inhibited the HAT activity and acetylation of histones, while inactive derivatives did not. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings identify Garcinol as the first natural product acting on HSCs/PCs and suggest the inhibition of HAT to be an alternative approach for manipulating HSCs/PCs

Novel 3D Liquid Cell Culture Method for Anchorage-independent Cell Growth, Cell Imaging and Automated Drug Screening

Abstract Cells grown in three-dimensional (3D) cultures are more likely to have native cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions than in 2D cultures that impose mechanical constraints to cells. However, most 3D cultures utilise gel matrix which, while serving as a scaffold, limits application due to its solid and opaque nature and inconsistency in cell exposure to exogenous signals. In 3D culture without gel matrix, cells tend to adhere to each other and form clumps with necrotic zone at the centre, making them unsuitable for analyses. Here we report that addition of low-molecular-weight agar named LA717 to culture media allows cells to grow as dispersed clonal spheroids in 3D. LA717 maintains cells dispersed and settled to the bottom of the medium while keeping the medium clear with little additional viscosity, making it suitable for microscopic observation. Importantly, cancer spheroids formed in LA717-containing medium show higher sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs such as Trametinib and MK-2206 that are not as effective in 2D. Because of the small and consistent size of spheroids, cell viability and drug toxicity are readily detectable in automated imaging analysis. These results demonstrate that LA717 offers a novel 3D culture system with great in vivo reflection and practicality

A 3D Sphere Culture System Containing Functional Polymers for Large-Scale Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Production

ヒト多能性幹細胞(ES/iPS細胞)の新たな三次元培養法 -大量培養・大規模生産を可能に-. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2014-04-25.Utilizing human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in cell-based therapy and drug discovery requires large-scale cell production. However, scaling up conventional adherent cultures presents challenges of maintaining a uniform high quality at low cost. In this regard, suspension cultures are a viable alternative, because they are scalable and do not require adhesion surfaces. 3D culture systems such as bioreactors can be exploited for large-scale production. However, the limitations of current suspension culture methods include spontaneous fusion between cell aggregates and suboptimal passaging methods by dissociation and reaggregation. 3D culture systems that dynamically stir carrier beads or cell aggregates should be refined to reduce shearing forces that damage hPSCs. Here, we report a simple 3D sphere culture system that incorporates mechanical passaging and functional polymers. This setup resolves major problems associated with suspension culture methods and dynamic stirring systems and may be optimal for applications involving large-scale hPSC production

Novel TPO receptor agonist TA-316 contributes to platelet biogenesis from human iPS cells

Signaling by thrombopoietin (TPO) in complex with its receptor, c-MPL, is critical for hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) homeostasis and platelet generation. Here we show that TA-316, a novel chemically synthesized c-MPL agonist (CMA), is useful for ex vivo platelet generation from human-induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell–derived immortalized megakaryocyte progenitor cell lines (imMKCLs). Moreover, the generation is clinically applicable, because self-renewal expansion and platelet release is tightly controllable. TA-316 but not eltrombopag, another CMA, promoted both the self-renewal and maturation of imMKCLs, leading to more than a twofold higher platelet production than that achieved with recombinant human TPO (rhTPO). Interestingly, TA-316 seemed to favor MK-biased differentiation from bone marrow CD34+ HSC/progenitors and imMKCLs through the upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor A and fibroblast growth factor 2. This result suggests TA-316 could facilitate the development of an efficient and useful system to expand platelets from imMKCLs