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Synthetic T Cells the Next Big Thing in Immunotherapy ...(AND COVID)
JUN 28, 2018 11:07 AM PDT
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Synthetic T Cells the Next Big Thing in Immunotherapy[AND COVID]
The highly complex structure and function of human T cells made the creation of synthetic versions of the immune cells difficult, but scientists from the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA) have finally done it. In their new study, researchers discuss the journey of developing nearly perfect copies of human T cells.
T cells, or T lymphocytes, are white blood cells that develop from stem cells in the bone marrow and mature in the thymus. They are activated as part of the adaptive immune response when the body is under attack from some sort of bacterial or viral infection. T cells also work with B cells to fight cancer and produce antibodies specific to incoming pathogens.
T cell receptors allow T cells to recognize foreign particles (antigens). Two main types of T cells, cytotoxic and helper T cells, perform all of the different functions required by the adaptive immune system to respond to a variety of different attacks on the body. Uniquely, T cells can shrink to as much as 25 percent of their normal size to fit between small gaps and pores or grow to three times their normal size to fight pathogenic foes.
"The complex structure of T cells and their multifunctional nature have made it difficult for scientists to replicate them in the lab," explained study leader Dr. Alireza Moshaverinia. "With this breakthrough, we can use synthetic T cells to engineer more efficient drug carriers and understand the behavior of immune cells."
UCLA researchers had to first deal with several obstacles before they could successfully create a true synthetic T cell. T cells are delicate, surviving for only a few days after extraction from humans or animals. T cells also have complex shape, size, and flexibility qualities. Matching these qualities exactly is vital for T cells to function on a basic level during infection.
After overcoming these obstacles, researchers moved on to a series of technologies to produce their synthetic T cells. First, they used a microfluidic system to combine two different fluid solutions that created microparticles of alginate. These microparticles can then be used to duplicate the form and structure of natural human T cells.
To attain the right level of flexibility, researchers made adjustments via changing concentrations of calcium ions in a “calcium ion bath.” They covered T cells with phospholipids to mirror the image of human cellular membranes. Lastly, they used a “bioconjugation” process to link synthetic T cells with their own surface receptors that are required for activation during the adaptive immune response.
"We were able to create a novel class of artificial T cells that are capable of boosting a host's immune system by actively interacting with immune cells through direct contact, activation or releasing inflammatory or regulatory signals," explained UCLA’s Mohammad Mahdi Hasani-Sadrabadi. "We see this study's findings as another tool to attack cancer cells and other carcinogens."
A great part of this process is that researchers predict that it can also be used to create all kinds of artificial immune cells. With synthetic T cells, researchers can develop new drugs to treat cancer, autoimmune disease, and immune deficiency. Plus, scientists can have a unique new way to study the biology of the human immune system.
The present study was published in the journal Advanced Materials.
Sources: PubMed Health, British Society for Immunology, University of California – Los Angeles
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I am a scientific journalist and enthusiast, especially in the realm of biomedicine. I am passionate about conveying the truth in scientific phenomena and subsequently improving health and public awareness. Sometimes scientific research needs a translator to effectively communicate the scientific jargon present in significant findings. I plan to be that translating communicator, and I hope to decrease the spread of misrepresented scientific phenomena! Check out my science blog: ScienceKara.com.
"MUMBAI MODEL" OF OXYGEN MANAGEMENT A SUCCESS
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How Mumbai got breather: Year before 2nd wave, BMC set up oxygen team
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Oxygen cylinders at the Covid unit at the erstwhile Mulund octroi naka
By: P Velrasu
Much interest has been generated on the ‘Mumbai Model’ of oxygen management after recent observations by the Supreme Court. I wonder what could make a management method unique and get its own name when the ingredients at hand seem to be common among cities. The success of the Mumbai Model can be attributed to centralization of certain aspects and decentralization of the services aspect.
Understanding the requirements for Mumbai and micro-planning was essential for successful oxygen management in this mega city. Efficiently doing so in a pandemic involves many aspects, including resource and inventory mapping, generating storage capacities, and proper supply chain management.
The BMC started with resource mapping and inventory accounting in May 2020 following oxygen difficulties in one of our hospitals within three months of the Covid outbreak in Mumbai. Our ‘Oxygen Team’ was asked to visit every hospital and compile data on storage capacity, supply method, suppliers’ names and supply periodicity. We accounted for much increased oxygen demand during the pandemic and expected the number of ICU and oxygenated beds to go up.
The next step was to increase storage capacities by installing additional cryogenic tankers in civic hospitals. The work was completed within 40 days. Underutilized during the first Covid wave, the tanks took the load during the second Covid wave very effectively.
Adequate supply of liquid medical oxygen is of paramount importance. I think this is where Delhi has faced problems. The basic supply quantity has to be sufficient even if everything else is in place. On three consecutive days Mumbai too witnessed lots of SOS calls. We shifted many patients to bigger hospitals without any casualty. Excellent teamwork was put forth by the BMC.
Fortunately for Mumbai, there is an oxygen team at work round the clock in Mantralaya too. There are at least five IAS officers who work round the clock to secure increased supplies of liquid medical oxygen from new sources. Once our supply inadequacy was flagged at that level, Mumbai was allotted 30 metric tonnes from a steel plant in Raigad. Also, later supplies were augmented with tankers from Jamnagar. Had these additional supplies not been ensured in time, Mumbai too would have had problems. No amount of good management can compensate for supply inadequacies — simple and straight.
Again, proper supply chain management is critical to avoid any supply disruptions. Because new difficulties can emerge any time: oxygen filling stations at manufacturing plants are lined with tankers and waiting times have become longer because now the plants are supplying real-time.
When in an emergency, contacting a plant and requesting for an out-of-turn filling also helps, an option we have exercised sometimes! A point to remember is that optimising the turnover time is crucial since the number of cryotankers is limited.
Currently, the oxygen team is working on future-proofing Mumbai from the shocks and exigencies of oxygen supply. We will be installing self-generating oxygen plants in all BMC hospitals as augmentation measures. The new plants will be able to cater to 100% of patients in normal times and during extreme situations too. This supply system will work well without stress even during disruptions.
(The author is additional municipal commissioner — projects — BMC. As told to Chaitanya Marpakwar)
Much interest has been generated on the ‘Mumbai Model’ of oxygen management after recent observations by the Supreme Court. I wonder what could make a management method unique and get its own name when the ingredients at hand seem to be common among cities. The success of the Mumbai Model can be attributed to centralization of certain aspects and decentralization of the services aspect.
Understanding the requirements for Mumbai and micro-planning was essential for successful oxygen management in this mega city. Efficiently doing so in a pandemic involves many aspects, including resource and inventory mapping, generating storage capacities, and proper supply chain management.
The BMC started with resource mapping and inventory accounting in May 2020 following oxygen difficulties in one of our hospitals within three months of the Covid outbreak in Mumbai. Our ‘Oxygen Team’ was asked to visit every hospital and compile data on storage capacity, supply method, suppliers’ names and supply periodicity. We accounted for much increased oxygen demand during the pandemic and expected the number of ICU and oxygenated beds to go up.
The next step was to increase storage capacities by installing additional cryogenic tankers in civic hospitals. The work was completed within 40 days. Underutilized during the first Covid wave, the tanks took the load during the second Covid wave very effectively.
Adequate supply of liquid medical oxygen is of paramount importance. I think this is where Delhi has faced problems. The basic supply quantity has to be sufficient even if everything else is in place. On three consecutive days Mumbai too witnessed lots of SOS calls. We shifted many patients to bigger hospitals without any casualty. Excellent teamwork was put forth by the BMC.
Fortunately for Mumbai, there is an oxygen team at work round the clock in Mantralaya too. There are at least five IAS officers who work round the clock to secure increased supplies of liquid medical oxygen from new sources. Once our supply inadequacy was flagged at that level, Mumbai was allotted 30 metric tonnes from a steel plant in Raigad. Also, later supplies were augmented with tankers from Jamnagar. Had these additional supplies not been ensured in time, Mumbai too would have had problems. No amount of good management can compensate for supply inadequacies — simple and straight.
Again, proper supply chain management is critical to avoid any supply disruptions. Because new difficulties can emerge any time: oxygen filling stations at manufacturing plants are lined with tankers and waiting times have become longer because now the plants are supplying real-time.
When in an emergency, contacting a plant and requesting for an out-of-turn filling also helps, an option we have exercised sometimes! A point to remember is that optimising the turnover time is crucial since the number of cryotankers is limited.
Currently, the oxygen team is working on future-proofing Mumbai from the shocks and exigencies of oxygen supply. We will be installing self-generating oxygen plants in all BMC hospitals as augmentation measures. The new plants will be able to cater to 100% of patients in normal times and during extreme situations too. This supply system will work well without stress even during disruptions.
(The author is additional municipal commissioner — projects — BMC. As told to Chaitanya Marpakwar)
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