Dendritic/antigen presenting cell mediated provision of T-cell receptor gamma delta (TCRγδ) expressing cells contributes to improving antileukemic reactions ex vivo.

T-cell receptor gamma delta (TCRγδ) expressing T-cells are known to mediate an MHC-independent immune response and could therefore qualify for immune therapies. We examined the influence of dendritic cells(DC)/antigen presenting cell (APC) generated from blast-containing whole blood (WB) samples from AML and MDS patients on the provision of (leukemia-specific) TCRγδ expressing T-cells after mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC). Kit-M (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) + prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)) or Kit-I (GM-CSF + Picibanil) were used to generate leukemia derived APC/DC (DC)from WB, which were subsequently used to stimulate T-cell enriched MLC.

Clinical and molecular characterization of a re-established line of sheep exhibiting hemophilia A.

Background: Large animal models that accurately mimic human hemophilia A (HA) are in great demand for developing and testing novel therapies to treat HA.

Objectives: To re-establish a line of sheep exhibiting a spontaneous bleeding disorder closely mimicking severe human HA, fully characterize their clinical presentation, and define the molecular basis for disease.

Patients/methods: Sequential reproductive manipulations were performed with cryopreserved semen from a deceased affected ram.

Experimental evaluation of a cell module for hybrid liver support.

Aim of the study was to evaluate a hybrid liver support system in a porcine model of acute liver failure, after hepatectomy. Pigs with a body weight of 70+/-18 kg underwent total hepatectomy and porto-cavo-caval shunting as well as ligation of the bile duct and the hepatic artery. Control animals were connected to the system (including capillary membrane plasma separation) containing a four compartment bioreactor with integral oxygenation and decentralized mass exchange but without liver cells.