Choosing the culture system and culture medium used to produce cells are key steps toward a safe, scalable, and cost-effective expansion bioprocess for cell therapy purposes. The use of AB human serum (AB HS) as an alternative xeno-free supplement for mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) cultivation has increasingly gained relevance due to safety and efficiency aspects. Here we have evaluated different scalable culture systems to produce a meaningful number of umbilical cord matrix-derived MSC (UCM MSC) using AB HS for culture medium supplementation during expansion and cryopreservation to enable a xeno-free bioprocess. UCM MSC were cultured in a scalable planar (compact 10-layer flasks and roller bottles) and 3-D microcarrier-based culture systems (spinner flasks and stirred tank bioreactor). Ten layer flasks and roller bottles enabled the production of 2.6 ± 0.6 × 10 and 1.4 ± 0.3 × 10 cells/cm . UCM MSC-based microcarrier expansion in the stirred conditions has enabled the production of higher cell densities (5.5-23.0 × 10 cells/cm ) when compared to planar systems. Nevertheless, due to the moderate harvesting efficiency attained, (80% for spinner flasks and 46.6% for bioreactor) the total cell number recovered was lower than expected. Cells maintained the functional properties after expansion in all the culture systems evaluated. The cryopreservation of cells (using AB HS) was also successfully carried out. Establishing scalable xeno-free expansion processes represents an important step toward a GMP compliant large-scale production platform for MSC-based clinical applications. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:1358-1367, 2017.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and its receptor IGF1R regulate normal cell growth and contribute to cell transformation through activation of downstream signaling pathways. In fibroblast cells, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1), through IGF1 signaling, was found to be the key protein for nuclear translocation of β-catenin and MYC transcription activation. We herein investigated the IRS1/β-catenin axis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells. Samples were obtained from 45 patients with ALL and 13 healthy donors. ALL cell lines were used. Gene expression was measured by quantitative PCR. Protein expression, associations, and cellular localization were evaluated by immunoprecipitation, subcellular fractionation, and confocal microscopy. Cells were submitted to IGF1 stimulation and/or IGF1R pharmacological inhibition (OSI-906). IRS1, β-catenin, and MYC mRNA expression were significantly elevated in ALL patients, compared to normal controls. MYC mRNA expression positively correlated with β-catenin and IRS1. Increased age and MYC expression negatively affected overall survival by univariate analysis. Total and phospho-IGF1R and IRS1, MYC and β-catenin protein expression were higher in ALL cells, compared to normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). IRS1 and β-catenin were found to be colocalized in the nuclei and the cytoplasm of ALL cell lines, whereas both proteins were only slightly detected in the cytoplasm of normal PBMC. In Jurkat cells, a constitutive IRS1 and β-catenin protein interaction were observed; OSI-906 treatment decreased IGF1R tyrosine phosphorylation, IRS1 expression and phosphorylation, nuclear translocation of β-catenin, IRS1 and β-catenin association, and MYC protein expression. In conclusion, the IRS1/β-catenin axis is activated in ALL cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1774-1781, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Background: So far, using human blood-derived components appears to be the most efficient and safest approach available for mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) expansion. In this paper, we report on the characterization of human AB serum (AB HS) produced by using different plasma sources, and its use as an alternative supplement to MSC expansion. Methods: Two plasma sources were used for AB HS production: plasma removed from whole blood after 24 h of collection (PC > 24 h) and plasma, cryoprecipitate reduced (PCryoR). The biochemical profile and quality of the produced AB HS batches were analyzed and their ability to support MSC cell growth after different storage times (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months) was evaluated. Results: The two plasma sources used showed similar characteristics regarding biochemical constituents and quality parameters and were effective in promoting MSC growth. MSCs cultured in medium supplemented with 10% AB HS presented similar doubling times and cumulative population doublings when compared to the 10% fetal bovine serum(FBS)-supplemented culture while maintaining immunophenotype, functional features, and cytogenetic profile. Conclusion: Overall, the results indicate that AB HS is an efficient FBS substitute and can be used for at least 12 months after production without impairing cell proliferation and quality.

SNP-A may complement metaphase cytogenetics to improve the detection of chromosomal abnormalities in myeloid neoplasms.

No abstract

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a hematological malignancy characterized by abnormal proliferation and accumulation of lymphoblasts in the hematopoietic system. Stathmin 1 is a proliferation marker for normal lymphocytes, which has been described as highly expressed in ALL patients and functionally important for leukemia phenotype. In the present study, we expand our previous observations and aim to investigate Stathmin 1 expression and its impact on laboratory features and clinical outcomes in an independent cohort of ALL patients, and to verify the effects of paclitaxel treatment on Stathmin 1 phosphorylation and cell viability in ALL cell lines. In ALL patients, Stathmin 1 expression was significantly increased, associated with lower age onset and positively correlated with white blood cell counts, but did not impact on clinical outcomes. Functional assays revealed that paclitaxel induces Stathmin 1 phosphorylation at serine 16 (an inhibitory site), microtubule stability and apoptosis in Jurkat and Namalwa cell lines. Paclitaxel treatment did not modulate cell viability of normal peripheral blood leukocytes. In conclusion, our data confirm increased levels of Stathmin 1 in ALL patients and that therapeutic doses of paclitaxel inhibits Stathmin 1 function and promote microtubule stability and apoptosis in ALL cells.

We compared the levels of AURKA and AURKB in 24 (mantle cell lymphoma) MCL patients harboring 8q abnormalities and its relationship with MYCC gene status. Two distinct subgroups were observed, in terms of MYCC expression. Except for the patients with Burkitt's-like translocation, none of the patients harboring 8q abnormalities, including balanced translocations or duplications of MYCC band, identified both by G-banding and SKY, showed differential expression levels of MYCC. These previous findings also reflected in the differential expression of AURKA and AURKB genes. We found that AURKA and AURKB mRNA were expressed at significantly higher levels in MCL patients harboring Burkitt's-like translocation, when compared to patients with 8q rearrangements. The high expression of aurora kinase genes is reported to be associated with some parameters of clinical oncologic aggressiveness, such as high histological grade, invasion and increased rates of metastasis in several types of cancers. It is possible that in MCL patients expressing abnormal levels of MYCC together with a high expression of AURKA might offer some resistant to the conventional therapy purposes. Thus, aurora kinase inhibitors may also be considered for this specific subgroup on MCL, whose aggressive clinical course resembles high-grade lymphoma.

Resumo: Os desafios profissionais das mulheres fazem parte do seu cotidiano. O estudo contempla a gestão e liderança feminina, estabelecendo relação com os cargos das mulheres nas empresas. Os objetivos consistem em verificar o perfil das respondentes, identificar a amplitude administrativa das gestoras, verificar se a empresa possui um plano de cargos e salários, averiguar quais as maiores dificuldades enfrentadas no desempenho de suas funções e identificar de que modo às gestoras têm buscado sanar essas dificuldades. Por meio de uma pesquisa qualitativa e exploratória, foram entrevistadas dez mulheres que atuam em cargos de liderança. Quanto ao perfil das respondentes, todas estão estudando ou já tem formação, e continuam buscando conhecimento de suas áreas. O grupo 1 possui tempo médio de mandato de 10 anos e o grupo 2 de 3 anos e 2 meses. A quantidade de liderados varia de 2 a 165 pessoas, tendo predominância de mulheres. Quanto a plano de cargos e salários, quatro empresas possuem e seis não. Os desafios são: dificuldade de encontrar profissionais qualificados no mercado, as novidades que surgem no dia a dia, atualizações, receio da nova área, mudança de cargo, gestão e motivação das pessoas. Constatou-se que as gestoras têm buscado sanar essas dificuldades com boa vontade, dedicação, equilíbrio, entre outros aspectos que auxiliam na liderança nas empresas. Palavras-chave:Desafios profissionais das mulheres. Liderança feminina. Mulheres nas organizações. INTRODUÇÃONo século XIX, o papel da mulher na sociedade era o de servir, cuidar da casa e da família, e o único provedor das necessidades do lar era o homem. Assim a mulher só tinha que ser mãe, esposa e dona do lar; a ela não pertencia o direito de exercer uma atividade fora de casa, principalmente se fosse remunerada.