Transcriptomics uncovers substantial variability associated with alterations in manufacturing processes of macrophage cell therapy products

Sci Rep. 2020 Aug 20;10(1):14049. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-70967-2.

Abstract

Gene expression plasticity is central for macrophages' timely responses to cues from the microenvironment permitting phenotypic adaptation from pro-inflammatory (M1) to wound healing and tissue-regenerative (M2, with several subclasses). Regulatory macrophages are a distinct macrophage type, possessing immunoregulatory, anti-inflammatory, and angiogenic properties. Due to these features, regulatory macrophages are considered as a potential cell therapy product to treat clinical conditions, e.g., non-healing diabetic foot ulcers. In this study we characterized two differently manufactured clinically relevant regulatory macrophages, programmable cells of monocytic origin and comparator macrophages (M1, M2a and M0) using flow-cytometry, RT-qPCR, phagocytosis and secretome measurements, and RNA-Seq. We demonstrate that conventional phenotyping had a limited potential to discriminate different types of macrophages which was ameliorated when global transcriptome characterization by RNA-Seq was employed. Using this approach we confirmed that macrophage manufacturing processes can result in a highly reproducible cell phenotype. At the same time, minor changes introduced in manufacturing resulted in phenotypically and functionally distinct regulatory macrophage types. Additionally, we have identified a novel constellation of process specific biomarkers, which will support further clinical product development.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy*
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Phagocytosis
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Transcriptome*
  • Wound Healing / physiology

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Cytokines