Pipeline
Preclinical - targeted therapy
hiNK
Natural Killer (NK) cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer a potentially practical solution to the formidable task of obtaining an adequate supply of NK cells for therapeutic purposes, as NK cells are relatively rare in the blood and can be difficult to purify.
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Such iPSC-derived NK cells could be generated from a patient's own cells, a measure that could mitigate the risk of rejection by the immune system, and NK cells display a high potential as an effective tool for combating diseases such as cancer and viral infections.
iPSCs derived CD56high+ / CD16+ NK cells of a lineage-specific nature could be generated from human iPSCs in vitro by exposing them to cytokines that simulate the natural developmental pathway of NK cells. The resultant cells exhibit surface markers such as CD56 and CD16, with a minority exhibiting NKp80, all expressing KIR2DL2/DL3 and KIR3DL1, important receptors associated with the recognition of healthy and diseased cells. This discovery holds great promise in regenerative medicine, as it has the potential to produce a massive quantity of KIR-expressing NK cells of clinical quality, providing a novel opportunity in the management of cancer, viral infections, and other immune system disorders.
adMLCs
Adipose-derived mesenchymal lineage stromal cells (adMLCs) are a type of mesenchymal stem cells that originate from the adipose tissue. They are easily accessible through a minimally invasive procedure, such as liposuction, which makes them a more practical and accessible source of primary cells than other types of stem cells that require invasive procedures. After undergoing lineage specificity selection, adMLCs have shown to be effective in promoting tissue repair with their ability to secrete growth factors and other signalling molecules, stimulating angiogenesis and extracellular matrix remodelling, as well as modulating the immune system.
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i. Anti-inflammation
Adipose-derived mesenchymal lineage stromal cells also produce several anti-inflammatory molecules, including TSG-6, IL-10, TGF-beta, and IDO, all of which play crucial roles in the modulation of inflammation and immune responses. TSG-6 is a glycoprotein that modulates inflammation and tissue repair, while IL-10 is a cytokine that regulates immune responses. TGF-beta is a cytokine that regulates cell growth, differentiation, and immune responses, and IDO is an enzyme involved in tryptophan metabolism that has immunomodulatory effects and inhibits lymphocyte recruitment.
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ii. ECM remodelling
For one, adipose mesenchymal lineage stromal cells are known for their high capacity for self-renewal and proliferation, allowing them to produce large amounts of extracellular matrix components, such as collagen, elastin, and other glycosaminoglycans. Moreover, these cells have higher expression levels of ECM-producing genes and produce components similar to those in native tissues, indicating that they can effectively regenerate and repair tissue.
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Adipose-derived mesenchymal lineage stromal cells have significant therapeutic potential in treating different conditions.