Mirna Koscec

Variability of anti‐αGal antibodies in human serum and their relation to serum cytotoxicity against pig cells

Abstract: One of the major obstacles in pig‐to‐human xenografting is hyperacute rejection (HAR) of pig cells caused by preformed anti‐pig antibodies and complement. In 1991 we suggested that anti‐αGal antibodies play a major role in the HAR of pig cells. Anti‐αGal antibodies recognize terminal α‐galactose‐containing epitopes on glycoproteins and glycolipids. They are present in humans, apes, and Old World monkeys, but not in lower mammals such as pigs. However, pigs, unlike humans, express terminal α‐galactose epitopes on vascular endothelium which represent targets for human anti‐αGal antibodies. Despite increasing recognition that anti‐αGal antibodies are an important factor, many questions related to their precise role in HAR remain to be answered.

Binding and specificity of major immunoglobulin classes of preformed human anti-pig heart antibodies.

Preformed human anti-pig antibodies isolated from perfused pig hearts were used to analyze the binding of various immunoglobulin classes to cultured pig kidney cells. All anti-pig immunoglobulins (i.e., IgG, IgA, and IgM) were localized on the cell surface by the use of an indirect immunofluorescence technique. Anti-pig immunoglobulins also competed for the pig cell surface epitopes with Griffonia simplicifolia lectin (GS-I-B4), which is specific for α-galactosyl residues. This study provides further evidence that preformed human antibodies recognizing α-glactosyl-containing epitopes (anti-gal antibodies) could be an important factor in hyperacute rejection of pig organs.

A reliable, rapid and inexpensive two-color fluorescence assay to monitor serum cytotoxicity in xenotransplantation.

Removal and/or neutralization of preformed anti-pig antibodies in non-human primate blood have been shown to prevent the hyperacute rejection of transplanted pig organs. The purpose of this study was to establish a suitable in vitro method that would allow for screening and comparison of various agents and methods potentially useful in the prevention of hyperacute rejection. The pig kidney cell line (PK15), pig aortic endothelial cell line (AG08472), and a primary culture of endothelial cells explanted from a pig aorta were incubated with either human or baboon sera. Complement-dependent cytotoxic activity of human and baboon sera was determined on all three types of pig cells using a two-color fluorescence assay and compared with the conventional 51Chromium (51Cr)-release assay. The assay was also performed on PK15 cells as a 2-chambered slide assay and compared with a microcytotoxicity assay performed in Terasaki trays. Using the microcytotoxicity assay, a 1-step assay utilizing endogenous complement was compared with a 2-step assay where rabbit complement was added. Of the three types of cells studied, PK15 cells were the most sensitive to cytotoxic injury, followed by AG cells and the primary endothelial culture. Good correlation between the 51Cr-release and the two-color fluorescence method was documented. There was good agreement between the results obtained using the 2-chambered slide method and the microcytotoxicity assay, as there was between the 1- and the 2-step assays. The 1- and 2-step assays provided information on the level and efficacy of endogenous complement. We conclude that the two-color fluorescence assay is suitable for the rapid and inexpensive screening of therapeutic interventions that might be useful in the prevention of hyperacute xenograft rejection, and that PK15 cells are suitable for use in this assay.

Effects of everolimus on macrophage-derived foam cell behavior ☆ ☆☆

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of everolimus on foam cell (FC) viability, mRNA levels, and inflammatory cytokine production to better understand its potential inhibitory effects on atheroma progression. METHODS AND MATERIALS Human THP1 macrophage-derived FC were formed using acetylated LDL (acLDL, 100 μg/mL) for 72 hours, followed by everolimus treatment (10(-5)-10(-11) M) for 24 hours. FC viability was quantified using fluorescent calcein AM/DAPI staining. FC lysates and media supernatants were analyzed for apoptosis and necrosis using a Cell Death ELISA(PLUS) assay. FC lysates and media supernatants were also analyzed for inflammatory cytokine (IL1β, IL8, MCP1, TNFα) mRNA levels and protein expression using quantitative reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) and a Procarta® immunoassay, respectively. mRNA levels of autophagy (MAP1LC3), apoptosis (survivin, clusterin), and matrix degradation (MMP1, MMP9) markers were evaluated by Quantigene® Plex assay and verified with QPCR. Additionally, hypercholesterolemic rabbits received everolimus-eluting stents (EES) for 28 or 60 days. RAM-11 immunohistochemical staining was performed to compare %RAM-11 positive area between stented sections and unstented proximal sections. Statistical significance was calculated using one-way ANOVA (p≤0.05). RESULTS Calcein AM/DAPI staining showed that FC exposed to everolimus (10(-5) M) had significantly decreased viability compared to control. FC apoptosis was significantly increased at a high dose of everolimus (10(-5)M), with no necrotic effects at any dose tested. Everolimus did not affect endothelial (HUVEC) and smooth muscle (HCASMC) cell apoptosis or necrosis. Everolimus (10(-5)M) significantly increased MAP1LC3, caused an increased trend in clusterin (p=0.10), and significantly decreased survivin and MMP1 mRNA levels in FC. MCP1 cytokine mRNA levels and secreted protein expression was significantly decreased by everolimus (10(-5) M) in FC. Percentage of RAM-11 positive area exhibited a reduction trend within sections stented with EES compared to unstented proximal sections at 60 days (p=0.09). CONCLUSION Everolimus, a potent anti-proliferative agent used in drug-eluting stents and bioresorbable vascular scaffolds, may inhibit atheroma progression and/or promote atheroma stabilization through diminished viability of FC, decreased matrix degradation, and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY We explored the effects of everolimus on the behavior of human THP1 macrophage-derived foam cells in culture, including cell viability, mRNA levels, and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. We conclude that everolimus, a potent anti-proliferative agent used in drug-eluting stents/bioresorbable vascular scaffolds, may potentially inhibit atheroma progression and/or promote atheroma stabilization through diminished viability of foam cells, decreased matrix degradation, and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion.

CRT-124 Comparative In Vitro Effects Of Paclitaxel, Everolimus, And Tacrolimus On Macrophage-derived Foam Cells, Smooth Muscle Cells, And Endothelial Cells

Macrophage-derived foam cells (FC) play a key role in atherosclerotic lesion progression. Effects of different drugs used in drug-eluting stents (DES) on FC behavior have not been well characterized. We used an in vitro model to compare effects of paclitaxel, everolimus, and tacrolimus on FC, human

Degradation of cholesterol crystals in phospholipids

Based on previous studies from this laboratory that demonstrated degradation of cholesterol crystals ingested by macrophages in a cell culture system and indicated that intracellular phospholipids could play an important role in mobilization of crystalline cholesterol, the role of each of the three major intracellular phospholipid species in degradation of crystals is further explored. Fluorescently labeled cholesterol crystals are incubated with phospholipids over a period of 5 d. Morphological changes in crystals are monitored using digital imaging fluorescence microscopy, fluorescence redistribution after photobleaching, confocal microscopy, and epifluorescent and phase contrast microscopy. Results clearly demonstrate that all three phospholipids are able to mobilize crystalline cholesterol. However, the mechanisms by which they exert mobilization are different. Sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine are found to cause gradual and uniform dissolution of crystals, more or less preserving their original shape. Phosphatidylethanolamine appear to penetrate into the crystal, causing its fragmentation and solubilization. In the mixture of all three phospholipids representing the composition found in macrophages, both of the described mechanisms are working simultaneously.

Degradation of cholesterol crystals in macrophages: the role of phospholipids

Previous studies from this laboratory demonstrated degradation of cholesterol crystals ingested by macrophages in a cell culture system. Those studies also indicated that intracellular phospholipids could play an important role in mobilization of crystalline cholesterol. The purpose of this study was to further explore the role of each of the three major intracellular phospholipid species in degradation of crystals. Fluorescently labeled cholesterol crystals were incubated with phospholipids over a period of 5 days. Morphological changes in crystals were monitored by the use of digital imaging fluorescence microscopy, fluorescence redistribution after photobleaching, confocal microscopy, as well as epifluorescent and phase contrast microscopy. Results clearly demonstrated that all three phospholipids were able to mobilize crystalline cholesterol; however, mechanisms by which they exerted mobilization were different. Sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine were found to cause gradual and uniform dissolution of crystals, more or less preserving their original shape. Phosphatidylethanolamine appeared to penetrate into the crystal, causing its fragmentation and solubilization. In the mixture of all three phospholipids representing the composition found in macrophages, both of the described mechanisms were working simultaneously.