Yoram Amsalem

Bio: Yoram Amsalem is an academic researcher from Sheba Medical Center. The author has contributed to research in topics: Mesenchymal stem cell & Stem cell. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 7 publications receiving 1141 citations. Previous affiliations of Yoram Amsalem include Tel Aviv University.

Iron-oxide labeling and outcome of transplanted mesenchymal stem cells in the infarcted myocardium.

Abstract: Background— Cell labeling with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles enables noninvasive MRI and tracking of transplanted stem cells. We sought to determine whether mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) outcome is affected by SPIO labeling in a rat model of myocardial infarction. Methods and Results— Rat MSCs were labeled with SPIO (ferumoxides; Endorem; Guerbet, Villepinte, France). By trypan-blue exclusion assay, almost 100% of the cells remained viable after labeling. Seven days after MI, rats were randomized to injections of 2×106 SPIO-labeled MSCs, 2×106 unlabeled MSCs, or saline. Labeled cells were visualized in the infarcted myocardium as large black spots by serial MRI studies throughout the 4-week follow-up. The presence of labeled cells was confirmed by iron staining and real-time polymerase chain reaction on postmortem specimens. At 4 weeks after transplantation, the site of cell injection was infiltrated by inflammatory cells. Costaining for iron and ED1 (resident macrophage marker) showed that the iron-positive cells were cardiac macrophages. By real-time polymerase chain reaction, the Y-chromosome-specific SRY DNA of MSCs from male donors was not detected in infarcted hearts of female recipients. Serial echocardiography studies at baseline and 4 weeks after cell transplantation showed that both unlabeled and labeled MSCs attenuated progressive left ventricular dilatation and dysfunction compared with controls. Conclusions— At 4 weeks after transplantation of SPIO-labeled MSCs, the transplanted cells are not present in the scar and the enhanced MRI signals arise from cardiac macrophages that engulfed the SPIO nanoparticles. However, both labeled and unlabeled cells attenuate left ventricular dilatation and dysfunction after myocardial infarction.

Modulation of cardiac macrophages by phosphatidylserine-presenting liposomes improves infarct repair

Abstract: Herein we investigated a new strategy for the modulation of cardiac macrophages to a reparative state, at a predetermined time after myocardial infarction (MI), in aim to promote resolution of inflammation and elicit infarct repair. The strategy employed intravenous injections of phosphatidylserine (PS)-presenting liposomes, mimicking the anti-inflammatory effects of apoptotic cells. Following PS-liposome uptake by macrophages in vitro and in vivo, the cells secreted high levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines [transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and interleukin 10 (IL-10)] and upregulated the expression of the mannose receptor—CD206, concomitant with downregulation of proinflammatory markers, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and the surface marker CD86. In a rat model of acute MI, targeting of PS-presenting liposomes to infarct macrophages after injection via the femoral vein was demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The treatment promoted angiogenesis, the preservation of small scars, and prevented ventricular dilatation and remodeling. This strategy represents a unique and accessible approach for myocardial infarct repair.

Ex vivo activated human macrophages improve healing, remodeling, and function of the infarcted heart.

Abstract: Background-Activated macrophages have a significant role in wound healing and damaged tissue repair. We sought to explore the ability of ex vivo activated macrophages to promote healing and repair of the infarcted myocardium. Methods and Results-Human activated macrophage suspension (AMS) was prepared from a whole blood unit obtained from young donors in a closed sterile system and was activated by a novel method of hypo-osmotic shock. The AMS (≈4×10 5 cells) included up to 43% CD14-positive cells and was injected into the ischemic myocardium of rats (n=8) immediately after coronary artery ligation. The control group (n=9) was treated with saline injection. The human cells existed in the infarcted heart 4 to 7 days after injection, as indicated by histology, human growth hormone-specific polymerase chain reaction, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tracking of iron oxide-nanoparticle-labeled cells. After 5 weeks, scar vessel density (±SE) (25±4 versus 10±1 per mm 2 ; P<0.05), myofibroblast accumulation, and recruitment of resident monocytes and macrophages were greater in AMS-treated hearts compared with controls. Serial echocardiography studies, before and 5 weeks after injection, showed that AMS improved scar thickening (0.15±0.01 versus 0.11±0.01 cm; P<0.05), reduced left ventricular (LV) diastolic dilatation (0.87±0.02 versus 0.99±0.04 cm; P<0.05), and improved LV fractional shortening (31±2 versus 20±4%; P<0.05), compared with controls. Conclusions-Early after myocardial infarction, injection of AMS accelerates vascularization, tissue repair, and improves cardiac remodeling and function. Our work suggests a novel clinically relevant option to promote the repair of ischemic tissue.

Prevalence and significance of unrecognized renal insufficiency in patients with heart failure.

Abstract: Aims Renal insufficiency (RI) is a strong predictor of adverse outcome in patients with heart failure (HF). We aimed to determine the prevalence of RI being unrecognized and its significance in patients hospitalized with HF. Methods and results We analysed data from a prospective survey of 4102 hospitalized patients with HF. RI [defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2] was present in 2145 (57%) patients but, based on medical records, was unrecognized in 872 [41%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 39–43%] of them. Patients with unrecognized RI were more likely to be women, elderly, and with better functional class, compared with patients with recognized RI. In-hospital and 1 year mortality was significantly higher among patients with recognized and unrecognized RI compared with patients without RI: 6.5 and 7.1 vs. 2.1%, and 38.8 and 30.9 vs. 18.8% ( P < 0.001), respectively. After adjustment, recognized and unrecognized RI comparably predicted increased in-hospital mortality: odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI of 2.34 (1.43–3.87), P < 0.001, and 2.30 (1.45–3.72), P < 0.001. After 1 year, recognized RI remained an independent predictor for mortality: OR 1.79 (1.45–2.20), P < 0.001, whereas there was a trend for increased mortality predicted by unrecognized RI: OR 1.22 (0.97–1.53), P = 0.08. Conclusion A high proportion of RI remains unrecognized among hospitalized patients with HF. As co-morbid RI has important prognostic and therapeutic implications, patients with HF may benefit from routine assessment of GFR.

The healing myocardium sequentially mobilizes two monocyte subsets with divergent and complementary functions

Abstract: Healing of myocardial infarction (MI) requires monocytes/macrophages These mononuclear phagocytes likely degrade released macromolecules and aid in scavenging of dead cardiomyocytes, while mediating aspects of granulation tissue formation and remodeling The mechanisms that orchestrate such divergent functions remain unknown In view of the heightened appreciation of the heterogeneity of circulating monocytes, we investigated whether distinct monocyte subsets contribute in specific ways to myocardial ischemic injury in mouse MI We identify two distinct phases of monocyte participation after MI and propose a model that reconciles the divergent properties of these cells in healing Infarcted hearts modulate their chemokine expression profile over time, and they sequentially and actively recruit Ly-6Chi and -6Clo monocytes via CCR2 and CX3CR1, respectively Ly-6Chi monocytes dominate early (phase I) and exhibit phagocytic, proteolytic, and inflammatory functions Ly-6Clo monocytes dominate later (phase II), have attenuated inflammatory properties, and express vascular–endothelial growth factor Consequently, Ly-6Chi monocytes digest damaged tissue, whereas Ly-6Clo monocytes promote healing via myofibroblast accumulation, angiogenesis, and deposition of collagen MI in atherosclerotic mice with chronic Ly-6Chi monocytosis results in impaired healing, underscoring the need for a balanced and coordinated response These observations provide novel mechanistic insights into the cellular and molecular events that regulate the response to ischemic injury and identify new therapeutic targets that can influence healing and ventricular remodeling after MI

Magnetic nanoparticles: design and characterization, toxicity and biocompatibility, pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.

Abstract: Biocompatibility, Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Applications L. Harivardhan Reddy,†,‡ Jose ́ L. Arias, Julien Nicolas,† and Patrick Couvreur*,† †Laboratoire de Physico-Chimie, Pharmacotechnie et Biopharmacie, Universite ́ Paris-Sud XI, UMR CNRS 8612, Faculte ́ de Pharmacie, IFR 141, 5 rue Jean-Baptiste Cleḿent, F-92296 Chat̂enay-Malabry, France Departamento de Farmacia y Tecnología Farmaceútica, Facultad de Farmacia, Campus Universitario de Cartuja s/n, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain ‡Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, Sanofi, 13 Quai Jules Guesdes, F-94403 Vitry-sur-Seine, France

Apoptotic cell clearance: basic biology and therapeutic potential

Abstract: Prompt removal of apoptotic cells by phagocytes is important for maintaining tissue homeostasis. The molecular and cellular events that underpin apoptotic cell recognition and uptake, and the subsequent biological responses are increasingly better defined. The detection and disposal of apoptotic cells generally promote an anti-inflammatory response at the tissue level, as well as immunological tolerance. Consequently, defects in apoptotic cell clearance have been linked with a variety of inflammatory diseases and autoimmunity. Conversely, under certain conditions such as killing tumour cells by specific cell death inducers, the recognition of apoptotic tumour cells can promote an immunogenic response and anti-tumour immunity. Here, we review the current understanding of the complex process of apoptotic cell clearance in physiology and pathology, and discuss how this knowledge could be harnessed for new therapeutic strategies.

Differential Ly-6C expression identifies the recruited macrophage phenotype, which orchestrates the regression of murine liver fibrosis

Abstract: Although macrophages are widely recognized to have a profibrotic role in inflammation, we have used a highly tractable CCl4-induced model of reversible hepatic fibrosis to identify and characterize the macrophage phenotype responsible for tissue remodeling: the hitherto elusive restorative macrophage. This CD11Bhi F4/80int Ly-6Clo macrophage subset was most abundant in livers during maximal fibrosis resolution and represented the principle matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -expressing subset. Depletion of this population in CD11B promoter–diphtheria toxin receptor (CD11B-DTR) transgenic mice caused a failure of scar remodeling. Adoptive transfer and in situ labeling experiments showed that these restorative macrophages derive from recruited Ly-6Chi monocytes, a common origin with profibrotic Ly-6Chi macrophages, indicative of a phenotypic switch in vivo conferring proresolution properties. Microarray profiling of the Ly-6Clo subset, compared with Ly-6Chi macrophages, showed a phenotype outside the M1/M2 classification, with increased expression of MMPs, growth factors, and phagocytosis-related genes, including Mmp9, Mmp12, insulin-like growth factor 1 (Igf1), and Glycoprotein (transmembrane) nmb (Gpnmb). Confocal microscopy confirmed the postphagocytic nature of restorative macrophages. Furthermore, the restorative macrophage phenotype was recapitulated in vitro by the phagocytosis of cellular debris with associated activation of the ERK signaling cascade. Critically, induced phagocytic behavior in vivo, through administration of liposomes, increased restorative macrophage number and accelerated fibrosis resolution, offering a therapeutic strategy to this orphan pathological process.