Mrinmoy Sanyal

All Publications

• Design of universal Ebola virus vaccine candidates via immunofocusing. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Xu, D., Powell, A. E., Utz, A., Sanyal, M., Do, J., Patten, J. J., Moliva, J. I., Sullivan, N. J., Davey, R. A., Kim, P. S. 2024; 121 (7): e2316960121

  Abstract

  The Ebola virus causes hemorrhagic fever in humans and poses a significant threat to global public health. Although two viral vector vaccines have been approved to prevent Ebola virus disease, they are distributed in the limited ring vaccination setting and only indicated for prevention of infection from orthoebolavirus zairense (EBOV)-one of three orthoebolavirus species that have caused previous outbreaks. Ebola virus glycoprotein GP mediates viral infection and serves as the primary target of neutralizing antibodies. Here, we describe a universal Ebola virus vaccine approach using a structure-guided design of candidates with hyperglycosylation that aims to direct antibody responses away from variable regions and toward conserved epitopes of GP. We first determined the hyperglycosylation landscape on Ebola virus GP and used that to generate hyperglycosylated GP variants with two to four additional glycosylation sites to mask the highly variable glycan cap region. We then created vaccine candidates by displaying wild-type or hyperglycosylated GP variants on ferritin nanoparticles (Fer). Immunization with these antigens elicited potent neutralizing antisera against EBOV in mice. Importantly, we observed consistent cross-neutralizing activity against Bundibugyo virus and Sudan virus from hyperglycosylated GP-Fer with two or three additional glycans. In comparison, elicitation of cross-neutralizing antisera was rare in mice immunized with wild-type GP-Fer. These results demonstrate a potential strategy to develop universal Ebola virus vaccines that confer cross-protective immunity against existing and emerging filovirus species.

  View details for DOI 10.1073/pnas.2316960121

  View details for PubMedID 38319964

• Vaccine design via antigen reorientation. Nature chemical biology Xu, D., Carter, J. J., Li, C., Utz, A., Weidenbacher, P. A., Tang, S., Sanyal, M., Pulendran, B., Barnes, C. O., Kim, P. S. 2024

  Abstract

  A major challenge in creating universal influenza vaccines is to focus immune responses away from the immunodominant, variable head region of hemagglutinin (HA-head) and toward the evolutionarily conserved stem region (HA-stem). Here we introduce an approach to control antigen orientation via site-specific insertion of aspartate residues that facilitates antigen binding to alum. We demonstrate the generalizability of this approach with antigens from Ebola, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza viruses and observe enhanced neutralizing antibody responses in all cases. We then reorient an H2 HA in an 'upside-down' configuration to increase the exposure and immunogenicity of HA-stem. The reoriented H2 HA (reoH2HA) on alum induced stem-directed antibodies that cross-react with both group 1 and group 2 influenza A subtypes. Electron microscopy polyclonal epitope mapping (EMPEM) revealed that reoH2HA (group 1) elicits cross-reactive antibodies targeting group 2 HA-stems. Our results highlight antigen reorientation as a generalizable approach for designing epitope-focused vaccines.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41589-023-01529-6

  View details for PubMedID 38225471

  View details for PubMedCentralID 9345323

• A ferritin-based COVID-19 nanoparticle vaccine that elicits robust, durable, broad-spectrum neutralizing antisera in non-human primates. Nature communications Weidenbacher, P. A., Sanyal, M., Friedland, N., Tang, S., Arunachalam, P. S., Hu, M., Kumru, O. S., Morris, M. K., Fontenot, J., Shirreff, L., Do, J., Cheng, Y. C., Vasudevan, G., Feinberg, M. B., Villinger, F. J., Hanson, C., Joshi, S. B., Volkin, D. B., Pulendran, B., Kim, P. S. 2023; 14 (1): 2149

  Abstract

  While the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has been a scientific triumph, the need remains for a globally available vaccine that provides longer-lasting immunity against present and future SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs). Here, we describe DCFHP, a ferritin-based, protein-nanoparticle vaccine candidate that, when formulated with aluminum hydroxide as the sole adjuvant (DCFHP-alum), elicits potent and durable neutralizing antisera in non-human primates against known VOCs, including Omicron BQ.1, as well as against SARS-CoV-1. Following a booster ~one year after the initial immunization, DCFHP-alum elicits a robust anamnestic response. To enable global accessibility, we generated a cell line that can enable production of thousands of vaccine doses per liter of cell culture and show that DCFHP-alum maintains potency for at least 14 days at temperatures exceeding standard room temperature. DCFHP-alum has potential as a once-yearly (or less frequent) booster vaccine, and as a primary vaccine for pediatric use including in infants.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41467-023-37417-9

  View details for PubMedID 37069151

  View details for PubMedCentralID 9225255

• A ferritin-based COVID-19 nanoparticle vaccine that elicits robust, durable, broad-spectrum neutralizing antisera in non-human primates. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology Weidenbacher, P. A., Sanyal, M., Friedland, N., Tang, S., Arunachalam, P. S., Hu, M., Kumru, O. S., Morris, M. K., Fontenot, J., Shirreff, L., Do, J., Cheng, Y. C., Vasudevan, G., Feinberg, M. B., Villinger, F. J., Hanson, C., Joshi, S. B., Volkin, D. B., Pulendran, B., Kim, P. S. 2022

  Abstract

  While the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has been a scientific triumph, the need remains for a globally available vaccine that provides longer-lasting immunity against present and future SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs). Here, we describe DCFHP, a ferritin-based, protein-nanoparticle vaccine candidate that, when formulated with aluminum hydroxide as the sole adjuvant (DCFHP-alum), elicits potent and durable neutralizing antisera in non-human primates against known VOCs, including Omicron BQ.1, as well as against SARS-CoV-1. Following a booster ∼one year after the initial immunization, DCFHP-alum elicits a robust anamnestic response. To enable global accessibility, we generated a cell line that can enable production of thousands of vaccine doses per liter of cell culture and show that DCFHP-alum maintains potency for at least 14 days at temperatures exceeding standard room temperature. DCFHP-alum has potential as a once-yearly booster vaccine, and as a primary vaccine for pediatric use including in infants.

  View details for DOI 10.1101/2022.12.25.521784

  View details for PubMedID 36597527

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC9810210

• Designing epitope-focused vaccines via antigen reorientation. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology Xu, D., Li, C., Utz, A., Weidenbacher, P. A., Tang, S., Sanyal, M., Pulendran, B., Kim, P. S. 2022

  Abstract

  A major challenge in vaccine development, especially against rapidly evolving viruses, is the ability to focus the immune response toward evolutionarily conserved antigenic regions to confer broad protection. For example, while many broadly neutralizing antibodies against influenza have been found to target the highly conserved stem region of hemagglutinin (HA-stem), the immune response to seasonal influenza vaccines is predominantly directed to the immunodominant but variable head region (HA-head), leading to narrow-spectrum efficacy. Here, we first introduce an approach to controlling antigen orientation based on the site-specific insertion of short stretches of aspartate residues (oligoD) that facilitates antigen-binding to alum adjuvants. We demonstrate the generalizability of this approach to antigens from the Ebola virus, SARS-CoV-2, and influenza and observe enhanced antibody responses following immunization in all cases. Next, we use this approach to reorient HA in an "upside down" configuration, which we envision increases HA-stem exposure, therefore also improving its immunogenicity compared to HA-head. When applied to HA of H2N2 A/Japan/305/1957, the reoriented H2 HA (reoH2HA) on alum induced a stem-directed antibody response that cross-reacted with both group 1 and 2 influenza A HAs. Our results demonstrate the possibility and benefits of antigen reorientation via oligoD insertion, which represents a generalizable immunofocusing approach readily applicable for designing epitope-focused vaccine candidates.GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: Seasonal influenza vaccines induce a biased antibody response against the variable head of hemagglutinin, whereas conserved epitopes on the stem are a target for universal vaccines. Here we show that reorienting HA in an "upside-down" configuration sterically occludes the head and redirects the antibody response to the more exposed stem, thereby inducing broad cross-reactivity against hemagglutinins from diverse influenza strains.

  View details for DOI 10.1101/2022.12.20.521291

  View details for PubMedID 36597536

• Human sperm TMEM95 binds eggs and facilitates membrane fusion. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Tang, S., Lu, Y., Skinner, W. M., Sanyal, M., Lishko, P. V., Ikawa, M., Kim, P. S. 2022; 119 (40): e2207805119

  Abstract

  Tmem95 encodes a sperm acrosomal membrane protein, whose knockout has a male-specific sterility phenotype in mice. Tmem95 knockout murine sperm can bind to, but do not fuse with, eggs. How TMEM95 plays a role in membrane fusion of sperm and eggs has remained elusive. Here, we utilize a sperm penetration assay as a model system to investigate the function of human TMEM95. We show that human TMEM95 binds to hamster egg membranes, providing evidence for a TMEM95 receptor on eggs. Using X-ray crystallography, we reveal an evolutionarily conserved, positively charged region of TMEM95 as a putative receptor-binding surface. Amino acid substitutions within this region of TMEM95 ablate egg-binding activity. We identify monoclonal antibodies against TMEM95 that reduce the number of human sperm fused with hamster eggs in sperm penetration assays. Strikingly, these antibodies do not block binding of sperm to eggs. Taken together, these results provide strong evidence for a specific, receptor-mediated interaction of sperm TMEM95 with eggs and suggest that this interaction may have a role in facilitating membrane fusion during fertilization.

  View details for DOI 10.1073/pnas.2207805119

  View details for PubMedID 36161911

• Simplified Purification of Glycoprotein-Modified Ferritin Nanoparticles for Vaccine Development. Biochemistry Weidenbacher, P., Musunuri, S., Powell, A. E., Tang, S., Do, J., Sanyal, M., Kim, P. S. 2022

  Abstract

  Ferritin-based, self-assembling protein nanoparticle vaccines are being developed against a range of viral pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, HIV-1, and Epstein-Barr virus. However, purification of these nanoparticles is often laborious and requires customization for each potential nanoparticle vaccine. We propose that the simple insertion of a polyhistidine tag into exposed flexible loops on the ferritin surface (His-Fer) can mitigate the need for complex purifications and enable facile metal-chelate-based purification, thereby allowing for optimization of early stage vaccine candidates. Using sequence homology and computational modeling, we identify four sites that can accommodate insertion of a polyhistidine tag and demonstrate purification of both hemagglutinin-modified and SARS-CoV-2 spike-modified ferritins, highlighting the generality of the approach. A site at the 4-fold axis of symmetry enables optimal purification of both protein nanoparticles. We demonstrate improved purification through modulating the polyhistidine length and optimizing both the metal cation and the resin type. Finally, we show that purified His-Fer proteins remain multimeric and elicit robust immune responses similar to those of their wild-type counterparts. Collectively, this work provides a simplified purification scheme for ferritin-based vaccines.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00241

  View details for PubMedID 35960597

• Chemically Modified Bacterial Sacculi as a Vaccine Microparticle Scaffold. ACS chemical biology Weidenbacher, P. A., Rodriguez-Rivera, F. P., Sanyal, M., Visser, J. A., Do, J., Bertozzi, C. R., Kim, P. S. 2022

  Abstract

  Vaccine scaffolds and carrier proteins increase the immunogenicity of subunit vaccines. Here, we developed, characterized, and demonstrated the efficacy of a novel microparticle vaccine scaffold comprised of bacterial peptidoglycan (PGN), isolated as an entire sacculi. The PGN microparticles contain bio-orthogonal chemical handles allowing for site-specific attachment of immunogens. We first evaluated the purification, integrity, and immunogenicity of PGN microparticles derived from a variety of bacterial species. We then optimized PGN microparticle modification conditions; Staphylococcus aureus PGN microparticles containing azido-d-alanine yielded robust conjugation to immunogens. We then demonstrated that this vaccine scaffold elicits comparable immunostimulation to the conventional carrier protein, keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). We further modified the S. aureus PGN microparticle to contain the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD)─this conjugate vaccine elicited neutralizing antibody titers comparable to those elicited by the KLH-conjugated RBD. Collectively, these findings suggest that chemically modified bacterial PGN microparticles are a conjugatable and biodegradable microparticle scaffold capable of eliciting a robust immune response toward an antigen of interest.

  View details for DOI 10.1021/acschembio.2c00140

  View details for PubMedID 35412807

• Mechanisms of innate and adaptive immunity to the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 vaccine. Nature immunology Li, C., Lee, A., Grigoryan, L., Arunachalam, P. S., Scott, M. K., Trisal, M., Wimmers, F., Sanyal, M., Weidenbacher, P. A., Feng, Y., Adamska, J. Z., Valore, E., Wang, Y., Verma, R., Reis, N., Dunham, D., O'Hara, R., Park, H., Luo, W., Gitlin, A. D., Kim, P., Khatri, P., Nadeau, K. C., Pulendran, B. 2022

  Abstract

  Despite the success of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine, the immunological mechanisms that underlie its efficacy are poorly understood. Here we analyzed the innate and adaptive responses to BNT162b2 in mice, and show that immunization stimulated potent antibody and antigen-specific T cell responses, as well as strikingly enhanced innate responses after secondary immunization, which was concurrent with enhanced serum interferon (IFN)-gamma levels 1d following secondary immunization. Notably, we found that natural killer cells and CD8+ T cells in the draining lymph nodes are the major producers of this circulating IFN-gamma. Analysis of knockout mice revealed that induction of antibody and T cell responses to BNT162b2 was not dependent on signaling via Toll-like receptors 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 nor inflammasome activation, nor the necroptosis or pyroptosis cell death pathways. Rather, the CD8+ T cell response induced by BNT162b2 was dependent on type I interferon-dependent MDA5 signaling. These results provide insights into the molecular mechanisms by which the BNT162b2 vaccine stimulates immune responses.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41590-022-01163-9

  View details for PubMedID 35288714

• Adaption of a conventional ELISA to a 96-well ELISA-Array for measuring the antibody responses to influenza virus proteins and vaccines. Journal of immunological methods Waltari, E., Carabajal, E., Sanyal, M., Friedland, N., McCutcheon, K. M. 2020: 112789

  Abstract

  We describe an adaptation of conventional ELISA methods to an ELISA-Array format using non-contact Piezo printing of up to 30 spots of purified recombinant viral fusion proteins and vaccine on 96 well high-protein binding plates. Antigens were printed in 1 nanoliter volumes of protein stabilizing buffer using as little as 0.25 nanograms of protein, 2000-fold less than conventional ELISA. The performance of the ELISA-Array was demonstrated by serially diluting n = 9 human post-flu vaccination plasma samples starting at a 1/1000 dilution and measuring binding to the array of Influenza antigens. Plasma polyclonal antibody levels were detected using a cocktail of biotinylated anti-human kappa and lambda light chain antibodies, followed by a Streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase conjugate and the dose-dependent signal was developed with a precipitable TMB substrate. Intra- and inter-assay precision of absorbance units among the eight donor samples showed mean CVs of 4.8% and 10.8%, respectively. The plasma could be differentiated by donor and antigen with titer sensitivities ranging from 1 × 103 to 4 × 106, IC50 values from 1 × 104 to 9 × 106, and monoclonal antibody sensitivities in the ng/mL range. Equivalent sensitivities of ELISA versus ELISA-Array, compared using plasma and an H1N1 HA trimer, were achieved on the ELISA-Array printed at 0.25 ng per 200um spot and 1000 ng per ELISA 96-well. Vacuum-sealed array plates were shown to be stable when stored for at least 2 days at ambient temperature and up to 1 month at 4-8 °C. By the use of any set of printed antigens and analyte matrices the methods of this multiplexed ELISA-Array format can be broadly applied in translational research.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jim.2020.112789

  View details for PubMedID 32380014

• A single immunization with spike-functionalized ferritin vaccines elicits neutralizing antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 in mice. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology Powell, A. E., Zhang, K. n., Sanyal, M. n., Tang, S. n., Weidenbacher, P. A., Li, S. n., Pham, T. D., Pak, J. E., Chiu, W. n., Kim, P. S. 2020

  Abstract

  Development of a safe and effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is a public health priority. We designed subunit vaccine candidates using self-assembling ferritin nanoparticles displaying one of two multimerized SARS-CoV-2 spikes: full-length ectodomain (S-Fer) or a C-terminal 70 amino-acid deletion (SΔC-Fer). Ferritin is an attractive nanoparticle platform for production of vaccines and ferritin-based vaccines have been investigated in humans in two separate clinical trials. We confirmed proper folding and antigenicity of spike on the surface of ferritin by cryo-EM and binding to conformation-specific monoclonal antibodies. After a single immunization of mice with either of the two spike ferritin particles, a lentiviral SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus assay revealed mean neutralizing antibody titers at least 2-fold greater than those in convalescent plasma from COVID-19 patients. Additionally, a single dose of SΔC-Fer elicited significantly higher neutralizing responses as compared to immunization with the spike receptor binding domain (RBD) monomer or spike ectodomain trimer alone. After a second dose, mice immunized with SΔC-Fer exhibited higher neutralizing titers than all other groups. Taken together, these results demonstrate that multivalent presentation of SARS-CoV-2 spike on ferritin can notably enhance elicitation of neutralizing antibodies, thus constituting a viable strategy for single-dose vaccination against COVID-19.

  View details for DOI 10.1101/2020.08.28.272518

  View details for PubMedID 32869030

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC7457616

• Human VP8* mAbs neutralize rotavirus selectively in human intestinal epithelial cells. The Journal of clinical investigation Feng, N., Hu, L., Ding, S., Sanyal, M., Zhao, B., Sankaran, B., Ramani, S., McNeal, M., Yasukawa, L. L., Song, Y., Prasad, B. V., Greenberg, H. B. 2019; 130

  Abstract

  We previously generated 32 rotavirus-specific (RV-specific) recombinant monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) derived from B cells isolated from human intestinal resections. Twenty-four of these mAbs were specific for the VP8* fragment of RV VP4, and most (20 of 24) were non-neutralizing when tested in the conventional MA104 cell-based assay. We reexamined the ability of these mAbs to neutralize RVs in human intestinal epithelial cells including ileal enteroids and HT-29 cells. Most (18 of 20) of the "non-neutralizing" VP8* mAbs efficiently neutralized human RV in HT-29 cells or enteroids. Serum RV neutralization titers in adults and infants were significantly higher in HT-29 than MA104 cells and adsorption of these sera with recombinant VP8* lowered the neutralization titers in HT-29 but not MA104 cells. VP8* mAbs also protected suckling mice from diarrhea in an in vivo challenge model. X-ray crystallographic analysis of one VP8* mAb (mAb9) in complex with human RV VP8* revealed that the mAb interaction site was distinct from the human histo-blood group antigen binding site. Since MA104 cells are the most commonly used cell line to detect anti-RV neutralization activity, these findings suggest that prior vaccine and other studies of human RV neutralization responses may have underestimated the contribution of VP8* antibodies to the overall neutralization titer.

  View details for DOI 10.1172/JCI128382

  View details for PubMedID 31403468

• Diminished B-cell response after repeat influenza vaccination. The Journal of infectious diseases Sanyal, M., Holmes, T. H., Maecker, H., Albrecht, R. A., Dekker, C. L., He, X., Greenberg, H. B. 2018

  Abstract

  Annual vaccination with influenza vaccines is recommended for protection against influenza in the United States. Past clinical studies and meta-analysis, however, have reported conflicting results on the benefits of annual vaccination. B-cell responses elicited following repeat influenza vaccinations over multiple seasons have not been examined in detail. We analyzed the B-cell and antibody responses in volunteers vaccinated yearly with seasonal trivalent inactivated influenza vaccines (TIV) from 2010 or 2011 to 2014. Statistical analyses were designed to help correct for possible bias due to reduced sample size in the later years of the study. We show that after the second annual vaccination the frequency of vaccine-specific plasmablasts and the binding reactivity of plasmablast-derived polyclonal antibodies (PPAb) are reduced and do not increase in subsequent years. Similar trends are observed with the serum hemagglutination inhibition antibody response after each annual vaccination, as well as the binding reactivity of PPAb for the hemagglutinin of influenza A vaccine components, even with changes in the seasonal vaccine components during the study. Our findings indicate a diminished B-cell response to annually repeated TIV vaccination. These results emphasize the need of developing improved strategies to enhance the immunogenicity and efficacy of annual influenza vaccination.

  View details for PubMedID 30496437

• A Dominant Role for Regulatory T Cells in Protecting Females Against Pulmonary Hypertension. Circulation research Tamosiuniene, R. n., Manouvakhova, O. n., Mesange, P. n., Saito, T. n., Qian, J. n., Sanyal, M. n., Lin, Y. C., Nguyen, L. P., Luria, A. n., Tu, A. B., Sante, J. M., Rabinovitch, M. n., Fitzgerald, D. J., Graham, B. B., Habtezion, A. n., Voelkel, N. F., Aurelian, L. n., Nicolls, M. R. 2018

  Abstract

  Rationale: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PH) is a life-threatening condition associated with immune dysregulation and abnormal regulatory T cell (Treg) activity, but it is currently unknown whether and how abnormal Treg function differentially affects males and females. Objective: To evaluate whether and how Treg-deficiency differentially affects male and female rats in experimental PH. Methods and Results: Male and female athymicrnu/rnurats, lacking Tregs, were treated with the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) inhibitor SU5416 or chronic hypoxia and evaluated for PH; some animals underwent Treg immune reconstitution (IR) before SU5416 administration. Plasma prostacyclin (PGI2) levels were measured. Lung and right ventricles (RVs) were assessed for the expression of the vasoprotective proteins cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostacyclin synthase (PTGIS), programmed death ligand-1 (PDL-1), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Inhibitors of these pathways were administered to athymic rats undergoing Treg IR. Finally, human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells co-cultured with Tregs were evaluated for COX-2, PDL-1, HO-1, and estrogen receptor (ER) expression, and culture supernatants were assayed for PGI2 and IL-10. SU5416-treatment and chronic hypoxia produced more severe PH in female than male athymic rats. Females were distinguished by greater pulmonary inflammation, augmented RV fibrosis, lower plasma PGI2 levels, decreased lung COX-2, PTGIS, HO-1 and PDL-1 expression and reduced RV PDL-1 levels. In both sexes, Treg IR protected against PH development and raised levels of plasma PGI2 and cardiopulmonary COX-2, PTGIS, PDL-1, and HO-1. Inhibiting COX-2, HO-1, and programmed death-1 (PD1)/PDL1 pathways abrogated Treg protection. In vitro, human Tregs directly upregulated endothelial COX-2, PDL1, HO-1, ERs and increased supernatant levels of PGI2 and IL-10. Conclusions: In two animal models of PH based on Treg deficiency, females developed more severe PH than males. The data suggest that females are especially reliant on normal Treg function to counteract the effects of pulmonary vascular injury leading to PH.

  View details for PubMedID 29545367

• VP4-and VP7-specific antibodies mediate heterotypic immunity to rotavirus in humans SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE Nair, N., Feng, N., Blum, L. K., Sanyal, M., Ding, S., Jiang, B., Sen, A., Morton, J. M., He, X., Robinson, W. H., Greenberg, H. B. 2017; 9 (395)

  Abstract

  Human rotaviruses (RVs) are the leading cause of severe diarrhea in young children worldwide. The molecular mechanisms underlying the rapid induction of heterotypic protective immunity to RV, which provides the basis for the efficacy of licensed monovalent RV vaccines, have remained unknown for more than 30 years. We used RV-specific single cell-sorted intestinal B cells from human adults, barcode-based deep sequencing of antibody repertoires, monoclonal antibody expression, and serologic and functional characterization to demonstrate that infection-induced heterotypic immunoglobulins (Igs) primarily directed to VP5*, the stalk region of the RV attachment protein, VP4, are able to mediate heterotypic protective immunity. Heterotypic protective Igs against VP7, the capsid glycoprotein, and VP8*, the cell-binding region of VP4, are also generated after infection; however, our data suggest that homotypic anti-VP7 and non-neutralizing VP8* responses occur more commonly in people. These results indicate that humans can circumvent the extensive serotypic diversity of circulating RV strains by generating frequent heterotypic neutralizing antibody responses to VP7, VP8*, and most often, to VP5* after natural infection. These findings further suggest that recombinant VP5* may represent a useful target for the development of an improved, third-generation, broadly effective RV vaccine and warrants more direct examination.

  View details for PubMedID 28637924

• Selective expansion of human regulatory T cells in nasal polyps, and not adjacent tissue microenvironments, in individual patients exposed to steroids. Clinical immunology Edward, J. A., Sanyal, M., Le, W., Soudry, E., Ramakrishnan, V. R., Bravo, D. T., Nguyen, A. L., Zarabanda, D., Kingdom, T. T., Hwang, P. H., Garrison Fathman, C., Nayak, J. V. 2017; 179: 66-76

  Abstract

  Severe forms of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), a common upper airway inflammatory disorder, are associated with nasal polyps (NPs). NP disease is ameliorated by glucocorticoid (GC) treatment, whose cellular effects are poorly understood. We therefore assessed the influence of GC therapy on NPs in CRS patients, focusing on regulatory T (Treg) cells. Treg cell populations were analyzed by flow cytometry in NPs and control tissues from GC-treated CRS patients and controls. After GC exposure, selective expansion of Treg cells was seen within NPs, and not blood or adjacent ethmoid tissues. To confirm direct GC effects, NPs from the same patients were biopsied prior to, and following, 1week of oral GC exposure. Direct expansion of Tregs into the same NP bed was detected in 4/4 CRS patients following GC exposure. Treg cell spikes into NPs were secondary to cellular recruitment given limited Ki67 expression within these regulatory cells. Chemokine gene expression profiling identified several chemokines, notably CCL4, induced within NPs upon GC treatment. Neutralization of chemokine receptor/ligand interactions using CCR4 small molecule antagonists reduced Treg migration towards GC-treated NPs in an ex vivo migration assay. Our findings suggest that the common use of GCs in the treatment of NP disease leads to recruitment of Treg cells from peripheral sites into NP tissues, which may be critical to the anti-inflammatory effect of GCs. Mechanistically Treg expansion appears to be conferred, in part, by chemokine receptor/ligand interactions induced following corticosteroid therapy.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.clim.2017.02.002

  View details for PubMedID 28279811

• Lack of IL7Ra expression in T cells is a hallmark of T-cell immunodeficiency in Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia (SIOD). Clinical immunology Sanyal, M., Morimoto, M., Baradaran-Heravi, A., Choi, K., Kambham, N., Jensen, K., Dutt, S., Dionis-Petersen, K. Y., Liu, L. X., Felix, K., Mayfield, C., Dekel, B., Bokenkamp, A., Fryssira, H., Guillen-Navarro, E., Lama, G., Brugnara, M., Lücke, T., Olney, A. H., Hunley, T. E., Polat, A. I., Yis, U., Bogdanovic, R., Mitrovic, K., Berry, S., Najera, L., Najafian, B., Gentile, M., Nur Semerci, C., Tsimaratos, M., Lewis, D. B., Boerkoel, C. F. 2015; 161 (2): 355-365

  Abstract

  Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia (SIOD) is an autosomal recessive, fatal childhood disorder associated with skeletal dysplasia, renal dysfunction, and T-cell immunodeficiency. This disease is linked to biallelic loss-of-function mutations of the SMARCAL1 gene. Although recurrent infection, due to T-cell deficiency, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, the etiology of the T-cell immunodeficiency is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the T cells of SIOD patients have undetectable levels of protein and mRNA for the IL-7 receptor alpha chain (IL7Rα) and are unresponsive to stimulation with IL-7, indicating a loss of functional receptor. No pathogenic mutations were detected in the exons of IL7R in these patients; however, CpG sites in the IL7R promoter were hypermethylated in SIOD T cells. We propose therefore that the lack of IL7Rα expression, associated with hypermethylation of the IL7R promoter, in T cells and possibly their earlier progenitors, restricts T-cell development in SIOD patients.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.clim.2015.10.005

  View details for PubMedID 26499378

• Distinct patterns of B-cell activation and priming by natural influenza virus infection versus inactivated influenza vaccination. journal of infectious diseases He, X., Holmes, T. H., Sanyal, M., Albrecht, R. A., García-Sastre, A., Dekker, C. L., Davis, M. M., Greenberg, H. B. 2015; 211 (7): 1051-1059

  Abstract

  The human B-cell response to natural influenza virus infection has not been extensively investigated at the polyclonal level.The overall B-cell response of patients acutely infected with the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus (A[H1N1]pdm09) was analyzed by determining the reactivity of plasmablast-derived polyclonal antibodies (PPAbs) to influenza proteins. Recipients of inactivated influenza vaccine containing the same A(H1N1)pdm09 strain were studied for comparison.During acute infection, robust plasmablast responses to the infecting virus were detected, characterized by a greater PPAb reactivity to the conserved influenza virus nuclear protein and to heterovariant and heterosubtypic hemagglutinins, in comparison to responses to the inactivated A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine. In A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccinees, the presence of baseline serum neutralizing antibodies against A(H1N1)pdm09, suggesting previous exposure to natural A(H1N1)pdm09 infection, did not affect the plasmablast response to vaccination, whereas repeated immunization with inactivated A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine resulted in significantly reduced vaccine-specific and cross-reactive PPAb responses.Natural A(H1N1)pdm09 infection and inactivated A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccination result in very distinct patterns of B-cell activation and priming. These differences are likely to be associated with differences in protective immunity, especially cross-protection against heterovariant and heterosubtypic influenza virus strains.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/infdis/jiu580

  View details for PubMedID 25336731

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4366605

• Peripheral blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells: candidate cells responsible for healing critical-sized calvarial bone defects. Stem cells translational medicine Li, S., Huang, K., Wu, J., Hu, M. S., Sanyal, M., Hu, M., Longaker, M. T., Lorenz, H. P. 2015; 4 (4): 359-368

  Abstract

  Postnatal tissue-specific stem/progenitor cells hold great promise to enhance repair of damaged tissues. Many of these cells are retrieved from bone marrow or adipose tissue via invasive procedures. Peripheral blood is an ideal alternative source for the stem/progenitor cells because of its ease of retrieval. We present a coculture system that routinely produces a group of cells from adult peripheral blood. Treatment with these cells enhanced healing of critical-size bone defects in the mouse calvarium, a proof of principle that peripheral blood-derived cells can be used to heal bone defects. From these cells, we isolated a subset of CD45(-) cells with a fibroblastic morphology. The CD45(-) cells were responsible for most of the differentiation-induced calcification activity and were most likely responsible for the enhanced healing process. These CD45(-) fibroblastic cells are plastic-adherent and exhibit a surface marker profile negative for CD34, CD19, CD11b, lineage, and c-kit and positive for stem cell antigen 1, CD73, CD44, CD90.1, CD29, CD105, CD106, and CD140α. Furthermore, these cells exhibited osteogenesis, chondrogenesis, and adipogenesis capabilities. The CD45(-) fibroblastic cells are the first peripheral blood-derived cells that fulfill the criteria of mesenchymal stem cells as defined by the International Society for Cellular Therapy. We have named these cells "blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells."

  View details for DOI 10.5966/sctm.2014-0150

  View details for PubMedID 25742693

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4367504

• Systemic prednisone administration selectively alters granulocyte subsets in nasal polyps from aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease and chronic rhinosinusitis patients. International forum of allergy & rhinology Edward, J. A., Sanyal, M., Ramakrishnan, V. R., Le, W., Nguyen, A. L., Kingdom, T. T., Hwang, P. H., Nayak, J. V. 2013; 3 (11): 866-876

  Abstract

  Nasal polyps (NPs) are hallmark inflammatory lesions of sinusitis. Despite the spectrum of NP conditions, cellular differences between NPs from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with NPs (CRSwNP) and aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) are poorly understood. NPs are associated with abundant eosinophils; the contributions of neutrophil and basophil granulocytes are less defined. We therefore sought to assess granulocyte subpopulations, and differential effects following prednisone pretreatment, within NPs of CRSwNP and AERD patients.NPs, adjacent ethmoid sinus tissue, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery. Samples from 5 cohorts: CRSwNP ± prednisone (n = 6 each), AERD ± prednisone (n = 6 each), and controls (n = 9), were analyzed by high-dimensional flow cytometry to gate granulocyte populations. Specimens were also assessed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining.Systemic prednisone administration was associated with a lower frequency of eosinophils (p < 0.0001, n = 6) in NPs in both CRSwNP and AERD patients, whereas a decrease in neutrophils (p = 0.0070, n = 6) in NPs was only observed in CRSwNP patients after prednisone treatment. In contrast, steroids do not alter basophil proportions (p = 0.48, n = 6) within NPs from either group. No significant shift in granulocyte subsets after steroid treatment was identified in the adjacent ethmoid mucosa or PBMCs from the same patients. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining supported these findings.Granulocyte subpopulations are focally affected within NPs by systemic steroid exposure, without notable granulocyte alterations in the surrounding regional tissues. These data provide direct insights into the cellular effects of routine prednisone exposure in CRS patients, and highlight a unique microenvironment present within NP lesions.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/alr.21221

  View details for PubMedID 24106221

• Characterization of human upper airway epithelial progenitors. International forum of allergy & rhinology Bravo, D. T., Soudry, E., Edward, J. A., Le, W., Nguyen, A. L., Hwang, P. H., Sanyal, M., Nayak, J. V. 2013; 3 (10): 841-847

  Abstract

  New epithelial cells are generated through the proliferation and differentiation of resident progenitor cells in the nasal cavity. In several upper airway diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and chronic rhinosinusitis, self-renewing progenitor cells may be functionally defective, or compromised in their ability, to regenerate cells that maintain normal mucociliary clearance. Herein, we describe our early work to define and characterize a rare population of human nasal epithelial putative progenitors.Single-cell suspensions of human ethmoid sinus tissues were prepared following endoscopic sinus surgery. Cell surface antibodies were analyzed as candidate markers for detecting progenitor cells. A panel of antibodies, including epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM, epithelial cells), CD45 (hematopoietic cells), nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR/CD271), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1/CD54), and integrin-α6 (ITGA6/CD49f) were used to resolve epithelial progenitor candidates by high-dimensional flow cytometry and the gating technique of fluorescence minus one (FMO) controls.A rare population of approximately 0.06% of total ethmoid cells was discriminated as EpCAM(-) CD45(-) NGFR(+) ICAM1(+) by surface markers. Use of ITGA6 was excluded based on FMO control analysis. This lineage-negative population was purified to 99% homogeneity by cell sorting and analyzed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Sorted cells were subsequently confirmed to uniformly express the transcription factor p63. Upon in vitro culture, lineage-negative clonal cells were confirmed to spontaneously differentiate into epithelial lineage-positive cells.Using the NGFR and ICAM1 cellular coordinates, we have identified a promising population of native human nasal epithelial progenitor cells that require more formal investigation for their role in upper airway regeneration.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/alr.21205

  View details for PubMedID 23901007

• Penetrance of biallelic SMARCAL1 mutations is associated with environmental and genetic disturbances of gene expression HUMAN MOLECULAR GENETICS Baradaran-Heravi, A., Cho, K. S., Tolhuis, B., Sanyal, M., Morozova, O., Morimoto, M., Elizondo, L. I., Bridgewater, D., Lubieniecka, J., Beirnes, K., Myung, C., Leung, D., Fam, H. K., Choi, K., Huang, Y., Dionis, K. Y., Zonana, J., Keller, K., Stenzel, P., Mayfield, C., Luecke, T., Bokenkamp, A., Marra, M. A., van Lohuizen, M., Lewis, D. B., Shaw, C., Boerkoel, C. F. 2012; 21 (11): 2572-2586

  Abstract

  Biallelic mutations of the DNA annealing helicase SMARCAL1 (SWI/SNF-related, matrix-associated, actin-dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily a-like 1) cause Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia (SIOD, MIM 242900), an incompletely penetrant autosomal recessive disorder. Using human, Drosophila and mouse models, we show that the proteins encoded by SMARCAL1 orthologs localize to transcriptionally active chromatin and modulate gene expression. We also show that, as found in SIOD patients, deficiency of the SMARCAL1 orthologs alone is insufficient to cause disease in fruit flies and mice, although such deficiency causes modest diffuse alterations in gene expression. Rather, disease manifests when SMARCAL1 deficiency interacts with genetic and environmental factors that further alter gene expression. We conclude that the SMARCAL1 annealing helicase buffers fluctuations in gene expression and that alterations in gene expression contribute to the penetrance of SIOD.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/hmg/dds083

  View details for Web of Science ID 000304053100017

  View details for PubMedID 22378147

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3349428

• PBX1: A Novel Stage-Specific Regulator of Adipocyte Development STEM CELLS Monteiro, M. C., Sanyal, M., Cleary, M. L., Sengenes, C., Bouloume, A., Dani, C., Billon, N. 2011; 29 (11): 1837-1848

  Abstract

  Although adipocyte terminal differentiation has been extensively studied, the early steps of adipocyte development and the embryonic origin of this lineage remain largely unknown. Here we describe a novel role for the pre-B-cell leukemia transcription factor one (PBX1) in adipocyte development using both mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and human multipotent adipose-derived stem (hMADS) cells. We show that Pbx1(-/-) mESCs are unable to generate adipocytes, despite normal expression of neuroectoderm and neural crest (NC) markers. Early adipocyte lineage markers are not induced in Pbx1(-/-) mESCs, suggesting that Pbx1 controls the generation and/or the maintenance of adipocyte progenitors (APs) from the NC. We further characterize the function of PBX1 in postnatal adipogenesis and show that silencing of PBX1 expression in hMADS cells reduces their proliferation by preventing their entry in the S phase of the cell cycle. Furthermore, it promotes differentiation of hMADS cells into adipocytes and partially substitutes for glucocorticoids and rosiglitazone, two key proadipogenic agents. These effects involve direct modulation of PPARγ activity, most likely through regulation of the biosynthesis of PPARγ natural endogenous ligand(s). Together, our data suggest that PBX1 regulates adipocyte development at multiple levels, promoting the generation of NC-derived APs during embryogenesis, while favoring APs proliferation and preventing their commitment to the adipocyte lineage in postnatal life.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/stem.737

  View details for Web of Science ID 000296565500020

  View details for PubMedID 21922607

• CD8(+)CD44(hi) but not CD4(+)CD44(hi) memory T cells mediate potent graft antilymphoma activity without GVHD BLOOD Dutt, S., Baker, J., Kohrt, H. E., Kambham, N., Sanyal, M., Negrin, R. S., Strober, S. 2011; 117 (11): 3230-3239

  Abstract

  Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation can be curative in patients with leukemia and lymphoma. However, progressive growth of malignant cells, relapse after transplantation, and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remain important problems. The goal of the current murine study was to select a freshly isolated donor T-cell subset for infusion that separates antilymphoma activity from GVHD, and to determine whether the selected subset could effectively prevent or treat progressive growth of a naturally occurring B-cell lymphoma (BCL(1)) without GVHD after recipients were given T cell-depleted bone marrow transplantations from major histocompatibility complex-mismatched donors. Lethal GVHD was observed when total T cells, naive CD4(+) T cells, or naive CD8(+) T cells were used. Memory CD4(+)CD44(hi) and CD8(+)CD44(hi) T cells containing both central and effector memory cells did not induce lethal GVHD, but only memory CD8(+) T cells had potent antilymphoma activity and promoted complete chimerism. Infusion of CD8(+) memory T cells after transplantation was able to eradicate the BCL(1) lymphoma even after progressive growth without inducing severe GVHD. In conclusion, the memory CD8(+) T-cell subset separated graft antilymphoma activity from GVHD more effectively than naive T cells, memory CD4(+) T cells, or memory total T cells.

  View details for DOI 10.1182/blood-2010-10-312751

  View details for PubMedID 21239702

• CD81 protein is expressed at high levels in normal germinal center B cells and in subtypes of human lymphomas HUMAN PATHOLOGY Luo, R. F., Zhao, S., Tibshirani, R., Myklebust, J. H., Sanyal, M., Fernandez, R., Gratzinger, D., Marinelli, R. J., Lu, Z. S., Wong, A., Levy, R., Levy, S., Natkunam, Y. 2010; 41 (2): 271-280

  Abstract

  CD81 is a tetraspanin cell surface protein that regulates CD19 expression in B lymphocytes and enables hepatitis C virus infection of human cells. Immunohistologic analysis in normal hematopoietic tissue showed strong staining for CD81 in normal germinal center B cells, a cell type in which its increased expression has not been previously recognized. High-dimensional flow cytometry analysis of normal hematopoietic tissue confirmed that among B- and T-cell subsets, germinal center B cells showed the highest level of CD81 expression. In more than 800 neoplastic tissue samples, its expression was also found in most non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Staining for CD81 was rarely seen in multiple myeloma, Hodgkin lymphoma, or myeloid leukemia. In hierarchical cluster analysis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, staining for CD81 was most similar to other germinal center B cell-associated markers, particularly LMO2. By flow cytometry, CD81 was expressed in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cells independent of the presence or absence of CD10, another germinal center B-cell marker. The detection of CD81 in routine biopsy samples and its differential expression in lymphoma subtypes, particularly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, warrant further study to assess CD81 expression and its role in the risk stratification of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.humpath.2009.07.022

  View details for Web of Science ID 000276493600015

  View details for PubMedID 20004001

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2813949

• Enhanced B cell activation in the absence of CD81 INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOLOGY Sanyal, M., Fernandez, R., Levy, S. 2009; 21 (11): 1225-1237

  Abstract

  CD81 is a component of the CD19/CD21 co-receptor complex in B cells. However, the role of CD81 in B cell activation has not been clearly elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that Cd81(-/-) B cells stimulated via their B cell receptor fluxed higher intracellular-free calcium ion along with increased phosphorylation of spleen tyrosine kinase and phospholipase gamma 2. Additionally, Cd81(-/-) B cells responded to toll like receptor 4 stimulation with increased nuclear factor-kappa B activation, cell proliferation and antibody secretion compared with wild-type B cells. Cd81(-/-) mice also mounted a significantly higher immune response to T-independent antigens than their wild-type counterparts. Finally, analysis of Cd81(-/-) B cells that were generated by bone marrow transplantation into Rag1(-/-) mice confirmed that the hyperactive phenotype is not dependent on the CD81-deficient environment. Taken together, these results indicate that CD81 plays a negative role in B cell activation in vitro and in vivo.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/intimm/dxp090

  View details for Web of Science ID 000271382200004

  View details for PubMedID 19737782

• Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein is an effector of Kit signaling BLOOD Mani, M., Venkatasubrahmanyam, S., Sanyal, M., Levy, S., Butte, A., Weinberg, K., Jahn, T. 2009; 114 (14): 2900-2908

  Abstract

  The pleiotropic receptor tyrosine kinase Kit can provide cytoskeletal signals that define cell shape, positioning, and migration, but the underlying mechanisms are less well understood. In this study, we provide evidence that Kit signals through Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP), the central hematopoietic actin nucleation-promoting factor and regulator of the cytoskeleton. Kit ligand (KL) stimulation resulted in transient tyrosine phosphorylation of WASP, as well as interacting proteins WASP-interacting protein and Arp2/3. KL-induced filopodia in bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) were significantly decreased in number and size in the absence of WASP. KL-dependent regulation of intracellular Ca(2+) levels was aberrant in WASP-deficient BMMCs. When BMMCs were derived from WASP-heterozygous female mice using KL as a growth factor, the cultures eventually developed from a mixture of WASP-positive and -negative populations into a homogenous WASP-positive culture derived from the WASP-positive progenitors. Thus, WASP expression conferred a selective advantage to the development of Kit-dependent hematopoiesis consistent with the selective advantage of WASP-positive hematopoietic cells observed in WAS-heterozygous female humans. Finally, KL-mediated gene expression in wild-type and WASP-deficient BMMCs was compared and revealed that approximately 30% of all Kit-induced changes were WASP dependent. The results indicate that Kit signaling through WASP is necessary for normal Kit-mediated filopodia formation, cell survival, and gene expression, and provide new insight into the mechanism in which WASP exerts a strong selective pressure in hematopoiesis.

  View details for DOI 10.1182/blood-2009-01-200733

  View details for Web of Science ID 000270387100013

  View details for PubMedID 19643989

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2756200

• Pbx/Meis deficiencies demonstrate multigenetic origins of congenital heart disease CIRCULATION RESEARCH Stankunas, K., Shang, C., Twu, K. Y., Kao, S., Jenkins, N. A., Copeland, N. G., Sanyal, M., Selleri, L., Cleary, M. L., Chang, C. 2008; 103 (7): 702-709

  Abstract

  Congenital heart diseases are traditionally considered to be multifactorial in pathogenesis resulting from environmental and genetic interactions that determine penetrance and expressivity within a genetically predisposed family. Recent evidence suggests that genetic contributions have been significantly underestimated. However, single gene defects occur only in a minority of cases, and multigenetic causes of congenital heart diseases have not been fully demonstrated. Here, we show that interactions between alleles of 3 Pbx genes, which encode homeodomain transcription factors, are sufficient to determine the phenotypic presentation of congenital heart diseases in mice. A major role is served by Pbx1, whose inactivation results in persistent truncus arteriosus. Reduction or absence of Pbx2 or Pbx3 leads to Pbx1 haploinsufficiency and specific malformations that resemble tetralogy of Fallot, overriding aorta with ventricular septal defect, and bicuspid aortic valves. Disruption of Meis1, which encodes a Pbx DNA-binding partner, results in cardiac anomalies that resemble those caused by Pbx mutations. Each of the observed cardiac defects represents developmental abnormalities affecting distinct stages of cardiac outflow tract development and corresponds to specific types of human congenital heart disease. Thus, varied deficiencies in the Pbx gene family produce a full spectrum of cardiac defects involving the outflow tract, providing a framework for determining multigenetic causes of congenital heart anomalies.

  View details for DOI 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.108.175489

  View details for Web of Science ID 000259528800006

  View details for PubMedID 18723445

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2633052

• B-cell development fails in the absence of the Pbx1 proto-oncogene BLOOD Sanyal, M., Tung, J. W., Karsunky, H., Zeng, H., Selleri, L., Weissman, I. L., Herzenberg, L. A., Cleary, M. L. 2007; 109 (10): 4191-4199

  Abstract

  Pbx1, a homeodomain transcription factor that was originally identified as the product of a proto-oncogene in acute pre-B-cell leukemia, is a global regulator of embryonic development. However, embryonic lethality in its absence has prevented an assessment of its role in B-cell development. Here, using Rag1-deficient blastocyst complementation assays, we demonstrate that Pbx1 null embryonic stem (ES) cells fail to generate common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs) resulting in a complete lack of B and NK cells, and a partial impairment of T-cell development in chimeric mice. A critical role for Pbx1 was confirmed by rescue of B-cell development from CLPs following restoration of its expression in Pbx1-deficient ES cells. In adoptive transfer experiments, B-cell development from Pbx1-deficient fetal liver cells was also severely compromised, but not erased, since transient B lymphopoiesis was detected in Rag-deficient recipients. Conditional inactivation of Pbx1 in pro-B (CD19(+)) cells and thereafter revealed that Pbx1 is not necessary for B-cell development to proceed from the pro-B-cell stage. Thus, Pbx1 critically functions at a stage between hematopoietic stem cell development and B-cell commitment and, therefore, is one of the earliest-acting transcription factors that regulate de novo B-lineage lymphopoiesis.

  View details for DOI 10.1182/blood-2006-10-054213

  View details for Web of Science ID 000246609100023

  View details for PubMedID 17244677

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC1885499

• Leukemia proto-oncoprotein MLL forms a SET1-like histone methyltransferase complex with menin to regulate Hox gene expression MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY Yokoyama, A., Wang, Z., Wysocka, J., Sanyal, M., Aufiero, D. J., Kitabayashi, I., Herr, W., Cleary, M. L. 2004; 24 (13): 5639-5649

  Abstract

  MLL (for mixed-lineage leukemia) is a proto-oncogene that is mutated in a variety of human leukemias. Its product, a homolog of Drosophila melanogaster trithorax, displays intrinsic histone methyltransferase activity and functions genetically to maintain embryonic Hox gene expression. Here we report the biochemical purification of MLL and demonstrate that it associates with a cohort of proteins shared with the yeast and human SET1 histone methyltransferase complexes, including a homolog of Ash2, another Trx-G group protein. Two other members of the novel MLL complex identified here are host cell factor 1 (HCF-1), a transcriptional coregulator, and the related HCF-2, both of which specifically interact with a conserved binding motif in the MLL(N) (p300) subunit of MLL and provide a potential mechanism for regulating its antagonistic transcriptional properties. Menin, a product of the MEN1 tumor suppressor gene, is also a component of the 1-MDa MLL complex. Abrogation of menin expression phenocopies loss of MLL and reveals a critical role for menin in the maintenance of Hox gene expression. Oncogenic mutant forms of MLL retain an ability to interact with menin but not other identified complex components. These studies link the menin tumor suppressor protein with the MLL histone methyltransferase machinery, with implications for Hox gene expression in development and leukemia pathogenesis.

  View details for DOI 10.1128/MCB.24.13.5639-5649.2004

  View details for Web of Science ID 000222149200001

  View details for PubMedID 15199122

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC480881

• The TALE homeodomain protein pbx2 is not essential for development and long-term survival MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY Selleri, L., DiMartino, J., van Deursen, J., Brendolan, A., Sanyal, M., Boon, E., Capellini, T., Smith, K. S., Rhee, J., Popperl, H., GROSVELD, G., Cleary, M. L. 2004; 24 (12): 5324-5331

  Abstract

  Pbx2 is one of four mammalian genes that encode closely related TALE homeodomain proteins, which serve as DNA binding partners for a subset of Hox transcription factors. The expression and contributions of Pbx2 to mammalian development remain undefined, in contrast to the essential roles recently established for family members Pbx1 and Pbx3. Here we report that Pbx2 is widely expressed during embryonic development, particularly in neural and epithelial tissues during late gestation. Despite wide Pbx2 expression, mice homozygous mutant for Pbx2 are born at the expected Mendelian frequencies and exhibit no detectable abnormalities in development and organogenesis or reduction of long-term survival. The lack of an apparent phenotype in Pbx2(-)/(-) mice likely reflects functional redundancy, since the Pbx2 protein is present at considerably lower levels than comparable isoforms of Pbx1 and/or Pbx3 in embryonic tissues. In postnatal bone marrow and thymus, however, Pbx2 is the predominant high-molecular-weight (MW)-isoform Pbx protein detectable by immunoblotting. Nevertheless, the absence of Pbx2 has no measurable effect on steady-state hematopoiesis or immune function in adult mice, suggesting possible compensation by low-MW-isoform Pbx proteins present in these tissues. We conclude that the roles of Pbx2 in murine embryonic development, organogenesis, hematopoiesis, immune responses, and long-term survival are not essential.

  View details for DOI 10.1128/MCB.24.12.5324-5331.2004

  View details for Web of Science ID 000221864200021

  View details for PubMedID 15169896

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC419882

• K252a, a high-affinity nerve growth factor receptor blocker, improves psoriasis: An in vivo study using the severe combined Immunodeficient mouse-human skin model JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY Raychaudhuri, S. R., Sanyal, M., Weltman, H., Kundu-Raychaudhuri, S. 2004; 122 (3): 812-819

  Abstract

  The peripheral nervous system, in addition to its sensory and motor functions, can induce a local inflammatory response known as neurogenic inflammation. This phenomenon plays a critical role in several inflammatory diseases, e.g., asthma, atopy, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and ulcerative colitis. Neurogenic inflammation and the role of nerve growth factor (NGF) have been extensively studied in psoriasis. There are increased levels of NGF in the keratinocytes and upregulation of NGF receptor (NGF-R) in the cutaneous nerves of psoriatic plaques. NGF can influence all the salient pathologic events noticed in psoriasis such as proliferation of keratinocytes, angiogenesis, T cell activation, expression of adhesion molecules, proliferation of cutaneous nerves, and upregulation of neuropeptides. In this double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, we addressed the role of NGF/NGF-R in psoriasis in an in vivo system using the severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mouse-human skin model of psoriasis. The transplanted psoriatic plaques on the SCID mice (n=12) were treated with K252a, a high-affinity NGF receptor blocker. Psoriasis significantly improved following 2 wk of therapy. The length of the rete pegs changed from 308.57+/-98.72 to 164.64+/-46.78 microm (p<0.01, Student's t test). A similar improvement of psoriasis was observed by directly inhibiting NGF with NGF-neutralizing antibody. NGF-neutralizing antibody in normal saline at 10 ng (n=4) and 20 ng (n=4) per kilogram of body weight doses were used. Both doses of NGF-neutralizing antibody reduced rete peg lengths significantly, e.g., from 298.5+/-42.69 to 150.52+/-32.93 microm (p<0.05, Student's t test). This study provides evidence for the role of NGF and its high-affinity receptor in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and insights to develop novel therapeutic modalities.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000220660500039

  View details for PubMedID 15086569

• Severe combined immunodeficiency mouse-human skin chimeras: a unique animal model for the study of psoriasis and cutaneous inflammation BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY Raychaudhuri, S. P., Sanyal, M., Raychaudhuri, S. K., Dutt, S., Farber, E. M. 2001; 144 (5): 931-939

  Abstract

  Elucidation of the molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for the pathogenesis of psoriasis had been significantly handicapped due to lack of an ideal animal model. To overcome this hurdle several investigators have developed a number of animal models for psoriasis. Recent establishment of the SCID-human skin chimeras with transplanted psoriasis plaques has opened new vistas to study the molecular complexities involved in psoriasis. This model also offers a unique opportunity to investigate various key biological events such as cell proliferation, angiogenesis, homing in of T cells in target tissues, neurogenic inflammation and cytokine/chemokine cascades involved in an inflammatory reaction. The SCID mouse model will be of immense help to target the cellular and molecular events associated with these pathogenic processes and develop novel drugs for psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases. In this article we have reviewed the prospects and the limitations of the SCID mouse model of psoriasis.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000169131600002

  View details for PubMedID 11359377

• Localization of nitric oxide synthase in human trophoblast cells: Role of nitric oxide in trophoblast proliferation and differentiation AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY Sanyal, M., Nag, T. C., Das, C. 2000; 43 (2): 70-77

  Abstract

  There are conflicting reports about the isoform of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) present in trophoblast cells. In this study, we have examined the presence of different NOS isoforms in trophoblast cells. In addition, the role of nitric oxide (NO) in trophoblast function has also been studied by investigating the possible role of nitric oxide in trophoblast proliferation and differentiation.NOS isoforms in primary-term trophoblast and JEG-3 cells were identified by immunocytochemistry. The intracellular localization of this enzyme was determined by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Trophoblast proliferation was studied by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrasolium bromide (MTT) conversion assay and cellular differentiation was monitored by human chorionic gonodotropin (hCG) and progesterone secretion, measured by radioimmunoassay.The immunoreactive NOS was present in human trophoblast cells of normal term placenta and JEG-3 cells (a choriocarcinoma cell line) maintained in culture. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent diaphorase activity overlapped with the immunostaining of NOS. Specific antibodies against the different isoforms of NOS detected the presence of neuronal-type NOS (nNOS) only. The other two isoforms, i.e., eNOS (endothelial) and iNOS (macrophage specific) were completely absent. The nNOS was localized in cell cytoplasm. In culture, JEG-3 cells normally undergo proliferation and cytotrophoblast cells in primary culture differentiate to form hormone-secreting syncytial cells. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide donor, when added to the culture, significantly increased proliferation of JEG-3 cells and inhibited the differentiation of cytotrophoblast cells. The arrest by SNP in the formation of syncytial cells was further evidenced by the low secretion profile of hCG and progesterone.Our findings suggest for the first time the presence of nNOS in the human trophoblast cells and a previously unrecognized role of NO in trophoblast proliferation and differentiation.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000085399300002

  View details for PubMedID 10735597

• Immunomodulators in Human Trophoblast-Uterus Cross Talk: Cytokines, Growth Factors and nitric oxide. Reproductive Immunology Sanyal, M. edited by Gupta, S. K. Narosa Publishing House. 1999; 1 st: 99–109
• Expression of Inducible and Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase in 20-Methyl Cholanthrene (20-MCA) Induced Fibrosarcoma. Indian Journal Pharmacology Sengupta, S., Sanyal, M., Kochupillai, V., Gupta, S. K. 1999; 31: 315-318.
• Collagenase-IV in human trophoblast invasion and differentiation 4th International Symposium on Biochemical Role of Eukaryotic Cell Surface Macromolecules Sanyal, M., Das, C. NATL INST SCIENCE COMMUNICATION-NISCAIR. 1997: 220–25

  Abstract

  Trophoblast cells are unique with respect to their functions and responsibilities. These cells demonstrate three sequential phenotypes, proliferation and invasion into the endometrium, differentiation to form syncytia and endocrine secretions. Equipped with these properties placental trophoblasts are endowed with a variety of functions, like implantation of the blastocyst to the endometrium, providing nutrition to the developing embryo and also transmitting extraordinary array of signals for the embryonic development. Experimental evidences and logical extrapolation suggest that these functions are precisely controlled by growth factors, cytokines and hormones produced either by the trophoblast themselves or by the utero-placental unit. Any error in this control mechanism has extremely adverse consequences. The cells also synthesize a large number of enzymes, amongst which collagenase type IV secretion is involved in digestion of underlying basement membrane necessary for the process of invasion. Our results implicate the enzyme in the functional differentiation of the trophoblast as well. Inhibitors to this enzyme inhibit trophoblast differentiation as monitored by secretion of hCG and progesterone, the two markers of trophoblastic differentiation. In contrast, BeWo cells, a choriocarcinoma cell line which does not differentiate spontaneously, undergo increased proliferation when challenged with EGF. The results indicate the possibility of invasive and differentiative phenotypes to be coupled. Exact molecular involvements in this coupling process are looked into.

  View details for Web of Science ID A1997XH90600037

  View details for PubMedID 9343955