Periodic Reporting for period 3 - INTENS (INtestinal Tissue ENgineering Solution)
Reporting period: 2019-01-01 to 2020-06-30
1) Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) is a condition that occurs when part or the entire small intestine is missing or has been removed during surgery. This condition renders the bowel incapable of fulfilling its nutritional function (intestinal failure).
2) SBS is a chronically debilitating disorder without a cure. Intravenous feeding offers a survival rate of 70% at 5 years in newborn infants. However, in the most severe cases, when only 10% of expected intestinal length is present, 5-year survival is reduced to around 20%. In particular we will focus on developing an INtestinal Tissue ENgineering Solution (INTENS) for children with SBS.
3) The objective of this programme is to deliver a functional bowel reconstruction to patients with SBS through an autologous tissue engineering strategy, overcoming the shortage of organs, and avoiding the need for immunosuppression. The work is designed to lead directly to a clinical trial for the application of the optimal protocol for tissue-engineered intestine.
2) SBS is a chronically debilitating disorder without a cure. Intravenous feeding offers a survival rate of 70% at 5 years in newborn infants. However, in the most severe cases, when only 10% of expected intestinal length is present, 5-year survival is reduced to around 20%. In particular we will focus on developing an INtestinal Tissue ENgineering Solution (INTENS) for children with SBS.
3) The objective of this programme is to deliver a functional bowel reconstruction to patients with SBS through an autologous tissue engineering strategy, overcoming the shortage of organs, and avoiding the need for immunosuppression. The work is designed to lead directly to a clinical trial for the application of the optimal protocol for tissue-engineered intestine.
WP 1
We have developed guidelines for quality assessment of intestinal cell lineages utilised for transplantation (D1.3) which were also published in the lead stem cell journal in the world (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2019.04.018) We have established protocols for quality assurance of intestinal epithelial cells (D1.4). This now means that WP1 is successfully completed.
WP 2
We designed a chemically-defined low-defect thiol-Michael addition (LDTM) hydrogels that can be formed at low polymer content without loss of mechanical integrity. These hydrogels promote the development of patterned mouse and human intestinal organoids, the latter in the absence of any animal-derived components, and thus provide a substitute for ill-defined Matrigel for successful translation of organoid technology from the lab to the clinic.
WP 3
To optimise the repopulation of the decellularised scaffolds in vitro, we first tested seeding conditions of intestinal epithelial cells (organoids) on scaffolds under static culture using RAFT system as a surrogate step to identify the optimal seeding density. We have now managed to successfully repopulate both RAFT, human and porcine decellularised scaffolds with epithelial cells, fibroblasts and endothelial cells under both static and dynamic culture. The repopulated epithelial cells were able to form polarised monolayer with sucrose digestive enzyme expression, suggesting the presence of enterocyte differentiation. More importantly, we have optimised a protocol to turn epithelial layer to form crypt-villus structures. We will continue to explore the optimal conditions for co-culturing all cell types, both static and in bioreactor, and to test the functions of the recellularised intestinal graft.
WP 4
The possibility to generate human intestinal organoids, mini-organs in a dish, has opened tremendous opportunities for regenerative medicine. However, the growth of these organoids relies on the use of animal-derived (growth) factors and poorly defined 3D Matrices, excluding clinical application.
In WP4, we developed and tested the ideal culturing conditions allowing optimal, safe and good manufacturing practice (cGMP)-level expansion of human intestinal organoids.
WP5
By gross histology, TESI develops on a scaffold with a luminal facing epithelium and surrounding mesenchyme. The vascular supply is dually contributed by de novo vascularization from donor endothelial progenitor cells and neovascularization from the host, and although capillary formation remains attenuated and rudimentary, the lymphatic network continues to grow. The epithelial surface can range in architecture from a flat epithelium to alternating villus and crypt-like structures similar to mature native small intestine. Immunofluorescent staining of mature markers of epithelial and mesenchymal cell types demonstrate the ability of OU to restore ISCs, secretory and absorptive epithelial cell types, and numerous mesenchymal support cells. In both a mouse and a swine model we can transplant intestinal stem cells.
WP 6
-Dynamic public-facing website developed, updated and integrated with eurostemcell.org.
-Development and dissemination of digital engagement tools.
-Built capacity within the INTENS consortia for public engagement through establishing a network of communicators, the production of tools to communicate digitally and through face-to-face engagement.
-Online Q&A with patient family support group.
-INTENS researchers received training at Hydra Summer School on Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine.
WP 7 and WP8
WP7 activities covered all aspects of project monitoring, reporting, financial and contractual administration in accordance with the Commission’s rules, ensuring proper communication within the consortium and implementing the project governance’s decisions.
Copies of ethics approvals and renewals were collected and checked by an Ethics External Expert (Prof. Ana Carvalho), and the related deliverable (D6.9) was submitted.
We have developed guidelines for quality assessment of intestinal cell lineages utilised for transplantation (D1.3) which were also published in the lead stem cell journal in the world (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2019.04.018) We have established protocols for quality assurance of intestinal epithelial cells (D1.4). This now means that WP1 is successfully completed.
WP 2
We designed a chemically-defined low-defect thiol-Michael addition (LDTM) hydrogels that can be formed at low polymer content without loss of mechanical integrity. These hydrogels promote the development of patterned mouse and human intestinal organoids, the latter in the absence of any animal-derived components, and thus provide a substitute for ill-defined Matrigel for successful translation of organoid technology from the lab to the clinic.
WP 3
To optimise the repopulation of the decellularised scaffolds in vitro, we first tested seeding conditions of intestinal epithelial cells (organoids) on scaffolds under static culture using RAFT system as a surrogate step to identify the optimal seeding density. We have now managed to successfully repopulate both RAFT, human and porcine decellularised scaffolds with epithelial cells, fibroblasts and endothelial cells under both static and dynamic culture. The repopulated epithelial cells were able to form polarised monolayer with sucrose digestive enzyme expression, suggesting the presence of enterocyte differentiation. More importantly, we have optimised a protocol to turn epithelial layer to form crypt-villus structures. We will continue to explore the optimal conditions for co-culturing all cell types, both static and in bioreactor, and to test the functions of the recellularised intestinal graft.
WP 4
The possibility to generate human intestinal organoids, mini-organs in a dish, has opened tremendous opportunities for regenerative medicine. However, the growth of these organoids relies on the use of animal-derived (growth) factors and poorly defined 3D Matrices, excluding clinical application.
In WP4, we developed and tested the ideal culturing conditions allowing optimal, safe and good manufacturing practice (cGMP)-level expansion of human intestinal organoids.
WP5
By gross histology, TESI develops on a scaffold with a luminal facing epithelium and surrounding mesenchyme. The vascular supply is dually contributed by de novo vascularization from donor endothelial progenitor cells and neovascularization from the host, and although capillary formation remains attenuated and rudimentary, the lymphatic network continues to grow. The epithelial surface can range in architecture from a flat epithelium to alternating villus and crypt-like structures similar to mature native small intestine. Immunofluorescent staining of mature markers of epithelial and mesenchymal cell types demonstrate the ability of OU to restore ISCs, secretory and absorptive epithelial cell types, and numerous mesenchymal support cells. In both a mouse and a swine model we can transplant intestinal stem cells.
WP 6
-Dynamic public-facing website developed, updated and integrated with eurostemcell.org.
-Development and dissemination of digital engagement tools.
-Built capacity within the INTENS consortia for public engagement through establishing a network of communicators, the production of tools to communicate digitally and through face-to-face engagement.
-Online Q&A with patient family support group.
-INTENS researchers received training at Hydra Summer School on Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine.
WP 7 and WP8
WP7 activities covered all aspects of project monitoring, reporting, financial and contractual administration in accordance with the Commission’s rules, ensuring proper communication within the consortium and implementing the project governance’s decisions.
Copies of ethics approvals and renewals were collected and checked by an Ethics External Expert (Prof. Ana Carvalho), and the related deliverable (D6.9) was submitted.
To summarise the most recent findings reported in the 2 published articles (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2724-8 and https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-1024-z):
A) We construct autologous jejunal mucosal grafts using biomaterials from paediatric patients affected by SBS and show that patient-derived organoids can be expanded efficiently in vitro. In parallel, we generate decellularized human intestinal matrix maintain the intact structure and composition of the biological scaffolds. We could reveal that profiles of human small intestine and colon scaffolds are very similar, indicating that they can be used interchangeably as platforms for intestinal engineering. This open up the possibility of using the residual colon as scaffolding in children who have lost the entire small bowel. Indeed, seeding of jejunal organoids onto either type of scaffold reliably reconstructs grafts that exhibit several aspects of physiological jejunal function. We were also able to transplant them in vivo and demonstrate they can survive to form luminal functional structures for a short time. These findings provide proof-of-concept data for engineering patient-specific jejunal grafts for children with intestinal failure, ultimately aiding in the restoration of nutritional autonomy.
B) Using tissue engineering and the intrinsic self-organization properties of cells, we induce intestinal stem cells to form tube-shaped epithelia with an accessible lumen and a similar spatial arrangement of crypt- and villus-like domains to that in vivo. When connected to an external pumping system, the mini-gut tubes are perfusable; this allows the continuous removal of dead cells to prolong tissue lifespan by several weeks, and also enables the tubes to be colonized with microorganisms for modelling host–microorganism interactions. The mini-intestines include rare, specialized cell types that are seldom found in conventional organoids. They retain key physiological hallmarks of the intestine and have a notable capacity to regenerate. Our concept for extrinsically guiding the self-organization of stem cells into functional organoids-on-a-chip is broadly applicable and will enable the attainment of more physiologically relevant organoid shapes, sizes and functions.
A) We construct autologous jejunal mucosal grafts using biomaterials from paediatric patients affected by SBS and show that patient-derived organoids can be expanded efficiently in vitro. In parallel, we generate decellularized human intestinal matrix maintain the intact structure and composition of the biological scaffolds. We could reveal that profiles of human small intestine and colon scaffolds are very similar, indicating that they can be used interchangeably as platforms for intestinal engineering. This open up the possibility of using the residual colon as scaffolding in children who have lost the entire small bowel. Indeed, seeding of jejunal organoids onto either type of scaffold reliably reconstructs grafts that exhibit several aspects of physiological jejunal function. We were also able to transplant them in vivo and demonstrate they can survive to form luminal functional structures for a short time. These findings provide proof-of-concept data for engineering patient-specific jejunal grafts for children with intestinal failure, ultimately aiding in the restoration of nutritional autonomy.
B) Using tissue engineering and the intrinsic self-organization properties of cells, we induce intestinal stem cells to form tube-shaped epithelia with an accessible lumen and a similar spatial arrangement of crypt- and villus-like domains to that in vivo. When connected to an external pumping system, the mini-gut tubes are perfusable; this allows the continuous removal of dead cells to prolong tissue lifespan by several weeks, and also enables the tubes to be colonized with microorganisms for modelling host–microorganism interactions. The mini-intestines include rare, specialized cell types that are seldom found in conventional organoids. They retain key physiological hallmarks of the intestine and have a notable capacity to regenerate. Our concept for extrinsically guiding the self-organization of stem cells into functional organoids-on-a-chip is broadly applicable and will enable the attainment of more physiologically relevant organoid shapes, sizes and functions.