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Post-thaw application of ROCK-inhibitors increases cryopreserved T-cell yield.

ABSTRACT: Emerging cell-based therapies such as CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T) cells require cryopreservation to store and deliver intact and viable cells. Conventional cryopreservation formulations use DMSO to mitigate cold-induced damage, but do not address all the biochemical damage mechanisms induced by cold stress, such as programmed cell death (apoptosis). Rho-associated protein kinases (ROCK) are a key component of apoptosis, and their activation contributes to apoptotic blebbing. Here we demonstrate that the ROCK inhibitor fasudil hydrochloride, when supplemented into the thawing medium of T-cells increases the overall yield of healthy cells. Cell yield was highest using 5 or 10% DMSO cryopreservation solutions, with lower DMSO concentrations (2.5%) leading to significant physical damage to the cells. After optimisation, the post-thaw yield of T-cells increased by approximately 20% using this inhibitor, a significant increase in the context of a therapy. Flow cytometry analysis did not show a significant reduction in the relative percentage of cell populations undergoing apoptosis, but there was a small reduction in the 8 hours following thawing. Fasudil also led to a reduction in reactive oxygen species. Addition of fasudil into the cryopreservation solution, followed by dilution (rather than washing) upon thaw also gave a 20% increase in cell yield, demonstrating how this could be deployed in a cell-therapy context, without needing to change clinical thawing routines. Overall, this shows that modulation of post-thaw biochemical pathways which lead to apoptosis (or other degradative pathways) can be effectively targeted as a strategy to increase T-cell yield and function post-thaw.

SUBMITTER: Gonzalez-Martinez N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10583820 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Post-thaw application of ROCK-inhibitors increases cryopreserved T-cell yield.

Gonzalez-Martinez Natalia N Gibson Matthew I MI

RSC medicinal chemistry 20230905 10

Emerging cell-based therapies such as CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T) cells require cryopreservation to store and deliver intact and viable cells. Conventional cryopreservation formulations use DMSO to mitigate cold-induced damage, but do not address all the biochemical damage mechanisms induced by cold stress, such as programmed cell death (apoptosis). Rho-associated protein kinases (ROCK) are a key component of apoptosis, and their activation contributes to apoptotic blebbing. Here we demo ...[more]

PMID: 37859712

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Project description:Isolated human hepatocytes are used in all facets of liver research, from the clinical management of liver failure to in vitro studies of drug disposition. Cryopreservation provides a reliable source of hepatocytes, but the associated cellular stress causes a highly variable and heterogeneous loss of a differentiated phenotype, manifested by a decreased ability to form cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions. We reasoned that this problem could be mitigated at the post-thawing stage, which would increase the availability of well-functioning human hepatocytes. We applied quantitative global proteomics to analyze the differences between attached and non-attached fractions of cryopreserved human hepatocyte batches. Hepatocytes that were unable to attach to a collagen matrix showed many signs of cellular stress, including a glycolytic phenotype and activation of the heat shock response, with increased apoptosis activation as the ultimate consequence. Further analysis of the activated stress pathways revealed an increase in early apoptosis immediately after thawing, hinting at the possibility of stress reversal. Therefore, we transiently treated the cells with compounds aimed at decreasing cellular stress via different mechanisms. We found that brief exposure to the pan-caspase apoptosis inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK restored the ability to attach to collagen, and promoted a differentiated morphology with increased metabolic function. Further, Z-VAD-FMK treatment did not alter hepatocyte protein expression, suggesting that these ‘rescued’ cells would be suitable for applications where hepatocytes of high quality are required. Conclusion: Cryopreserved human hepatocytes are affected by considerable amounts of cellular stress, often resulting in loss of differentiation with a decreased ability to form cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions. This can be alleviated by brief apoptosis inhibition post-thawing, substantially improving key morphological and functional properties of these cells.

Dataset Information

Post-thaw application of ROCK-inhibitors increases cryopreserved T-cell yield.

Publications

Post-thaw application of ROCK-inhibitors increases cryopreserved T-cell yield.

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