Publications by authors named "H Sheppard"
Background: One of the key functions of human skin is to provide a barrier, protecting the body from the surrounding environment and maintaining homeostasis of the internal environment. A mature, stratified epidermis is critical to achieve skin barrier function and is particularly important when producing skin grafts in vitro for wound treatment. For decades epidermal stratification has been achieved in vitro by culturing keratinocytes at an air-liquid interface, triggering proliferating basal keratinocytes to differentiate and form all epidermal layers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Oncofetal splice variants of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins present a unique group of target antigens for the immunotherapy of pediatric cancers. However, limited data is available if these splice variants can be targeted with T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs).
Methods: To determine the expression of the oncofetal version of tenascin C (TNC) encoding the C domain (C.
Article Synopsis
- c-MYC is a crucial factor in the development of high-risk neuroblastoma, and the lack of mouse models has limited research on its mechanisms and therapy development.
- Inducing c-MYC through different promoters showed varied tumor types: using a tyrosine hydroxylase promoter led to pancreatic tumors, while a dopamine β-hydroxylase promoter resulted in neuroblastoma.
- The neuroblastoma tumors in mice exhibited similar characteristics to human neuroblastoma and responded to existing treatments, highlighting the importance of these models for testing new therapies.
Immune synapse (IS) formation determines T cell antitumor activity. Here, we present a protocol for characterizing the IS formation between chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells and tumor cells by measuring the IS size and calcium flux by live-cell imaging. We describe steps for CAR T cell manufacturing, sample preparation, image acquisition, and data analysis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The text discusses the importance of certain proteins in regulating CXCR4, which is crucial for B-cell movement and function in the germinal center.
- It highlights that the absence of specific genes can lead to abnormal B-cell development, increased mutation rates, and a high risk of developing aggressive B-cell cancers in mice.
- Additionally, the study suggests that these gene deficiencies create a model that mimics human aggressive B-cell lymphomas, offering insights into the mechanisms behind these blood cancers.