1
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Zhang Z, Sun G, Wang Y, Wang N, Lu Y, Chen Y, Xia F. Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis Revealed Immune Checkpoint Genes Relevant to Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2024; 17:2385-2401. [PMID: 38881696 PMCID: PMC11179640 DOI: 10.2147/dmso.s458030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Chronic low-grade inflammation of the pancreatic islets is the characteristic of type 2 diabetes (T2D), and some of the immune checkpoints may play important roles in the pancreatic islet inflammation. Thus, we aim to explore the immune checkpoint genes (ICGs) associated with T2D, thereby revealing the role of ICGs in the pathogenesis of T2D based on bioinformatic analyses. Methods Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and immune checkpoint genes (ICGs) of islets between T2D and control group were screened from datasets of the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). A risk model was built based on the coefficients of ICGs calculated by ridge regression. Functional enrichment analysis and immune cell infiltration estimation were conducted. Correlations between ICGs and hub genes, T2D-related disease genes, insulin secretion genes, and beta cell function-related genes were analyzed. Finally, we conducted RT-PCR to verify the expression of these ICGs. Results In total, pancreatic islets from 19 cases of T2D and 84 healthy subjects were included. We identified 458 DEGs. Six significantly upregulated ICGs (CD44, CD47, HAVCR2, SIRPA, TNFSF9, and VTCN1) in T2D were screened out. These ICGs were significantly correlated with several hub genes and T2D-related genes; furthermore, they were correlated with insulin secretion and β cell function-related genes. The analysis of immune infiltration showed that the concentrations of eosinophils, T cells CD4 naive, and T cells regulatory (Tregs) were significantly higher, but CD4 memory resting T cells and monocytes were lower in islets of T2D patients. The infiltrated immune cells in T2D pancreatic islet were associated with these six ICGs. Finally, the expression levels of four ICGs were confirmed by RT-PCR, and three ICGs were validated in another independent dataset. Conclusion In conclusion, the identified ICGs may play an important role in T2D. Identification of these differential genes may provide new clues for the diagnosis and treatment of T2D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziteng Zhang
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Guoting Sun
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuying Wang
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ningjian Wang
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingli Lu
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Chen
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Fangzhen Xia
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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2
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Xu C, Zhou X, Webb L, Yalavarthi S, Zheng W, Saha S, Schweickhardt R, Soloviev M, Jenkins MH, Brandstetter S, Belousova N, Alimzhanov M, Rabinovich B, Deshpande AM, Brewis N, Helming L. M9657 Is a Bispecific Tumor-Targeted Anti-CD137 Agonist That Induces MSLN-Dependent Antitumor Immunity without Liver Inflammation. Cancer Immunol Res 2024; 12:195-213. [PMID: 38091375 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-23-0243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
The costimulatory receptor CD137 (also known as TNFRSF9 or 4-1BB) sustains effective cytotoxic T-cell responses. Agonistic anti-CD137 cancer immunotherapies are being investigated in clinical trials. Development of the first-generation CD137-agonist monotherapies utomilumab and urelumab was unsuccessful due to low antitumor efficacy mediated by the epitope recognized on CD137 or hepatotoxicity mediated by Fcγ receptors (FcγR) ligand-dependent CD137 activation, respectively. M9657 was engineered as a tetravalent bispecific antibody (mAb2) in a human IgG1 backbone with LALA mutations to reduce binding to FCγRs. Here, we report that M9657 selectively binds to mesothelin (MSLN) and CD137 with similar affinity in humans and cynomolgus monkeys. In a cellular functional assay, M9657 enhanced CD8+ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity and cytokine release in the presence of tumor cells, which was dependent on both MSLN expression and T-cell receptor/CD3 activation. Both FS122m, a murine surrogate with the same protein structure as M9657, and chimeric M9657, a modified M9657 antibody with the Fab portion replaced with an anti-murine MSLN motif, demonstrated in vivo antitumor efficacy against various tumors in wild-type and human CD137 knock-in mice, and this was accompanied by activated CD8+ T-cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment. The antitumor immunity of M9657 and FS122m depended on MSLN expression density and the mAb2 structure. Compared with 3H3, a murine surrogate of urelumab, FS122m and chimeric M9657 displayed significantly lower on-target/off-tumor toxicity. Taken together, M9657 exhibits a promising profile for development as a tumor-targeting immune agonist with potent anticancer activity without systemic immune activation and associated hepatotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiao Xu
- Research Unit Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | - Xueyuan Zhou
- Research Unit Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | - Lindsay Webb
- Research Unit Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | | | - Wenxin Zheng
- Research Unit Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | - Somdutta Saha
- Research Unit Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | - Rene Schweickhardt
- Discovery and Development Technologies, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | - Maria Soloviev
- Discovery and Development Technologies, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | - Molly H Jenkins
- Research Unit Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Neil Brewis
- F-star Therapeutics, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Helming
- Research Unit Oncology, EMD Serono, Billerica, Massachusetts
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3
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Singh R, Kim YH, Lee SJ, Eom HS, Choi BK. 4-1BB immunotherapy: advances and hurdles. Exp Mol Med 2024; 56:32-39. [PMID: 38172595 PMCID: PMC10834507 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01136-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Since its initial description 35 years ago as an inducible molecule expressed in cytotoxic and helper T cells, 4-1BB has emerged as a crucial receptor in T-cell-mediated immune functions. Numerous studies have demonstrated the involvement of 4-1BB in infection and tumor immunity. However, the clinical development of 4-1BB agonist antibodies has been impeded by the occurrence of strong adverse events, notably hepatotoxicity, even though these antibodies have exhibited tremendous promise in in vivo tumor models. Efforts are currently underway to develop a new generation of agonist antibodies and recombinant proteins with modified effector functions that can harness the potent T-cell modulation properties of 4-1BB while mitigating adverse effects. In this review, we briefly examine the role of 4-1BB in T-cell biology, explore its clinical applications, and discuss future prospects in the field of 4-1BB agonist immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Singh
- Immuno-oncology Branch, Division of Rare and Refractory Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Ho Kim
- Diagnostics and Therapeutics Technology Branch, Division of Technology Convergence, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sang-Jin Lee
- Immuno-oncology Branch, Division of Rare and Refractory Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon-Seok Eom
- Hematological Malignancy Center, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea
| | - Beom K Choi
- Immuno-oncology Branch, Division of Rare and Refractory Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, 10408, Republic of Korea.
- Innobationbio, Co., Ltd., Mapo-gu, Seoul, 03929, Republic of Korea.
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4
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Sawada K, Chung H, Softic S, Moreno-Fernandez ME, Divanovic S. The bidirectional immune crosstalk in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Cell Metab 2023; 35:1852-1871. [PMID: 37939656 PMCID: PMC10680147 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is an unabated risk factor for end-stage liver diseases with no available therapies. Dysregulated immune responses are critical culprits of MASLD pathogenesis. Independent contributions from either the innate or adaptive arms of the immune system or their unidirectional interplay are commonly studied in MASLD. However, the bidirectional communication between innate and adaptive immune systems and its impact on MASLD remain insufficiently understood. Given that both innate and adaptive immune cells are indispensable for the development and progression of inflammation in MASLD, elucidating pathogenic contributions stemming from the bidirectional interplay between these two arms holds potential for development of novel therapeutics for MASLD. Here, we review the immune cell types and bidirectional pathways that influence the pathogenesis of MASLD and highlight potential pharmacologic approaches to combat MASLD based on current knowledge of this bidirectional crosstalk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Sawada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Immunology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA
| | - Hak Chung
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Samir Softic
- Department of Pediatrics and Gastroenterology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Maria E Moreno-Fernandez
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
| | - Senad Divanovic
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Immunology Graduate Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA; Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
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5
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Battin C, De Sousa Linhares A, Leitner J, Grossmann A, Lupinek D, Izadi S, Castilho A, Waidhofer-Söllner P, Grabmeier-Pfistershammer K, Stritzker J, Steinberger P. Engineered soluble, trimerized 4-1BBL variants as potent immunomodulatory agents. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:3029-3043. [PMID: 37310433 PMCID: PMC10412504 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03474-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Targeting co-stimulatory receptors promotes the activation and effector functions of anti-tumor lymphocytes. 4-1BB (CD137/TNFSF9), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFR-SF), is a potent co-stimulatory receptor that plays a prominent role in augmenting effector functions of CD8+ T cells, but also CD4+ T cells and NK cells. Agonistic antibodies against 4-1BB have entered clinical trials and shown signs of therapeutic efficacy. Here, we have used a T cell reporter system to evaluate various formats of 4-1BBL regarding their capacity to functionally engage its receptor. We found that a secreted 4-1BBL ectodomain harboring a trimerization domain derived from human collagen (s4-1BBL-TriXVIII) is a strong inducer of 4-1BB co-stimulation. Similar to the 4-1BB agonistic antibody urelumab, s4-1BBL-TriXVIII is very potent in inducing CD8+ and CD4+ T cell proliferation. We provide first evidence that s4-1BBL-TriXVIII can be used as an effective immunomodulatory payload in therapeutic viral vectors. Oncolytic measles viruses encoding s4-1BBL-TriXVIII significantly reduced tumor burden in a CD34+ humanized mouse model, whereas measles viruses lacking s4-1BBL-TriXVIII were not effective. Natural soluble 4-1BB ligand harboring a trimerization domain might have utility in tumor therapy especially when delivered to tumor tissue as systemic administration might induce liver toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Battin
- Themis Bioscience GmbH, Vienna, Austria; a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA
- Loop Lab Bio GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Annika De Sousa Linhares
- Themis Bioscience GmbH, Vienna, Austria; a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA
- Loop Lab Bio GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Leitner
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Grossmann
- Themis Bioscience GmbH, Vienna, Austria; a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA
- Loop Lab Bio GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Lupinek
- Themis Bioscience GmbH, Vienna, Austria; a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA
- Loop Lab Bio GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Shiva Izadi
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute for Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandra Castilho
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute for Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Waidhofer-Söllner
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Jochen Stritzker
- Themis Bioscience GmbH, Vienna, Austria; a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.
- Loop Lab Bio GmbH, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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6
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Tserunyan V, Finley SD. A systems and computational biology perspective on advancing CAR therapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 94:34-49. [PMID: 37263529 PMCID: PMC10529846 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In the recent decades, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapy signaled a new revolutionary approach to cancer treatment. This method seeks to engineer immune cells expressing an artificially designed receptor, which would endue those cells with the ability to recognize and eliminate tumor cells. While some CAR therapies received FDA approval and others are subject to clinical trials, many aspects of their workings remain elusive. Techniques of systems and computational biology have been frequently employed to explain the operating principles of CAR therapy and suggest further design improvements. In this review, we sought to provide a comprehensive account of those efforts. Specifically, we discuss various computational models of CAR therapy ranging in scale from organismal to molecular. Then, we describe the molecular and functional properties of costimulatory domains frequently incorporated in CAR structure. Finally, we describe the signaling cascades by which those costimulatory domains elicit cellular response against the target. We hope that this comprehensive summary of computational and experimental studies will further motivate the use of systems approaches in advancing CAR therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vardges Tserunyan
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Stacey D Finley
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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7
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Nagai H, Azuma M, Sato A, Shibui N, Ogawara S, Tsutsui Y, Suzuki A, Wakaizumi T, Ito A, Matsuyama S, Morita M, Hikosaka Kuniishi M, Ishii N, So T. Fundamental Characterization of Antibody Fusion-Single-Chain TNF Recombinant Proteins Directed against Costimulatory TNF Receptors Expressed by T-Lymphocytes. Cells 2023; 12:1596. [PMID: 37371066 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The costimulatory signal regulated by the members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily expressed by T cells plays essential roles for T cell responses and has emerged as a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. However, it is unclear how the difference in TNFR costimulation contributes to T cell responses. In this study, to clarify the functional significance of four different TNFRs, OX40, 4-1BB, CD27 and GITR, we prepared corresponding single-chain TNF ligand proteins (scTNFLs) connected to IgG Fc domain with beneficial characteristics, i.e., Fc-scOX40L, Fc-sc4-1BBL, Fc-scCD27L (CD70) and Fc-scGITRL. Without intentional cross-linking, these soluble Fc-scTNFL proteins bound to corresponding TNFRs induced NF-kB signaling and promoted proliferative and cytokine responses in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with different dose-dependencies in vitro. Mice injected with one of the Fc-scTNFL proteins displayed significantly augmented delayed-type hypersensitivity responses, showing in vivo activity. The results demonstrate that each individual Fc-scTNFL protein provides a critical costimulatory signal and exhibits quantitatively distinct activity toward T cells. Our findings provide important insights into the TNFR costimulation that would be valuable for investigators conducting basic research in cancer immunology and also have implications for T cell-mediated immune regulation by designer TNFL proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hodaka Nagai
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Mitsuki Azuma
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Ayaka Sato
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Nagito Shibui
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Sayaka Ogawara
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Yuta Tsutsui
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Ayano Suzuki
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Tomomi Wakaizumi
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Aya Ito
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Shimpei Matsuyama
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Masashi Morita
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Mari Hikosaka Kuniishi
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Naoto Ishii
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Takanori So
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
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8
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Liu G, Luo P. Targeting CD137 (4-1BB) towards improved safety and efficacy for cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1208788. [PMID: 37334375 PMCID: PMC10272836 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1208788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells play a critical role in antitumor immunity, where T cell activation is regulated by both inhibitory and costimulatory receptor signaling that fine-tune T cell activity during different stages of T cell immune responses. Currently, cancer immunotherapy by targeting inhibitory receptors such as CTLA-4 and PD-1/L1, and their combination by antagonist antibodies, has been well established. However, developing agonist antibodies that target costimulatory receptors such as CD28 and CD137/4-1BB has faced considerable challenges, including highly publicized adverse events. Intracellular costimulatory domains of CD28 and/or CD137/4-1BB are essential for the clinical benefits of FDA-approved chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapies. The major challenge is how to decouple efficacy from toxicity by systemic immune activation. This review focuses on anti-CD137 agonist monoclonal antibodies with different IgG isotypes in clinical development. It discusses CD137 biology in the context of anti-CD137 agonist drug discovery, including the binding epitope selected for anti-CD137 agonist antibody in competition or not with CD137 ligand (CD137L), the IgG isotype of antibodies selected with an impact on crosslinking by Fc gamma receptors, and the conditional activation of anti-CD137 antibodies for safe and potent engagement with CD137 in the tumor microenvironment (TME). We discuss and compare the potential mechanisms/effects of different CD137 targeting strategies and agents under development and how rational combinations could enhance antitumor activities without amplifying the toxicity of these agonist antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guizhong Liu
- Adagene Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
- Adagene (Suzhou) Limited., Suzhou, China
| | - Peter Luo
- Adagene Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
- Adagene (Suzhou) Limited., Suzhou, China
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9
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Altosole T, Rotta G, Uras CRM, Bornheimer SJ, Fenoglio D. An optimized flow cytometry protocol for simultaneous detection of T cell activation induced markers and intracellular cytokines: Application to SARS-CoV-2 immune individuals. J Immunol Methods 2023; 515:113443. [PMID: 36842524 PMCID: PMC9957341 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2023.113443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
Antigen (ag)-specific T cell analysis is an important step for investigation of cellular immunity in many settings, such as infectious diseases, cancer and vaccines. Multiparameter flow cytometry has advantages in studying both the rarity and heterogeneity of these cells. In the cellular immunologist's toolbox, the expression of activation-induced markers (AIM) following antigen exposure has made possible the study and sorting of ag-specific T cells without using human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-multimers. In parallel, assessing the cytokine profile of responding T cells would support a more comprehensive description of the ongoing immune response by providing information related to cell function, such as polarization and effector activity. Here, a method and flow cytometry panel were optimized to combine the detection of activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in a TCR-dependent manner with the evaluation of cytokine production by intracellular staining, without affecting the positivity of activation markers. In particular, the expression of CD134 (OX40) and CD69 have been tested in conjunction with intracellular (ic) CD137 (4-1BB) to detect SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein-specific activated T cells. In our setting, CD134 provided minimal contribution to detect the pool of AIM+ T cells, whereas a key role was described for ic-CD69 which was co-expressed with ic-CD137 in both CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes. Moreover, the analysis of TCR-triggered cytokine-producing T cells (IFNγ, TNFα and IL-2 were assessed) further confirmed the capacity of ic-CD69 to identify functionally responsive antigen-specific T cells which were often largely negative or weakly positive for CD134 expression. In parallel, the use of CD45RA, CCR7 and CXCR5 allowed us to describe the T cell matuarion curve and detect T follicular helper (Tfh) CD4+ cells, including the antigen specific activated subsets. In conclusion, we optimized a method and flow cytometry panel combining assessment of activation induced markers and intracellular cytokines that will be useful for measuring TCR stimulation-dependent activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chiara R M Uras
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Research, University of Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Daniela Fenoglio
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Italy; Biotherapy Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
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10
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Peng X, Gong C, Zhang W, Zhou A. Advanced development of biomarkers for immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1091088. [PMID: 36727075 PMCID: PMC9885011 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1091088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver cancer and one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the world. Mono-immunotherapy and combination therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) or anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) inhibitors have become new standard therapies in advanced HCC (aHCC). However, the clinical benefit of these treatments is still limited. Thus, proper biomarkers which can predict treatment response to immunotherapy to maximize clinical benefit while sparing unnecessary toxicity are urgently needed. Contrary to other malignancies, up until now, no acknowledged biomarkers are available to predict resistance or response to immunotherapy for HCC patients. Furthermore, biomarkers, which are established in other cancer types, such as programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and tumor mutational burden (TMB), have no stable predictive effect in HCC. Thus, plenty of research focusing on biomarkers for HCC is under exploration. In this review, we summarize the predictive and prognostic biomarkers as well as the potential predictive mechanism in order to guide future research direction for biomarker exploration and clinical treatment options in HCC.
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11
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Gao Y, Yang T, Liu H, Song N, Dai C, Ding Y. Development and characterization of a novel human CD137 agonistic antibody with anti-tumor activity and a good safety profile in non-human primates. FEBS Open Bio 2022; 12:2166-2178. [PMID: 36176235 PMCID: PMC9714380 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
CD137 (4-1BB, TNFRSF9), an inducible T-cell costimulatory receptor, is expressed on activated T cells, activated NK cells, Treg cells, and several innate immune cells, including DCs, monocytes, neutrophils, mast cells, and eosinophils. In animal models and clinical trials, anti-CD137 agonistic monoclonal antibodies have shown anti-tumor potential, but balancing the efficacy and toxicity of anti-CD137 agonistic monoclonal antibodies is a considerable hindrance for clinical applications. Here, we describe a novel fully human CD137 agonistic antibody (PE0116) generated from immunized harbor H2L2 human transgenic mice. PE0116 is a ligand blocker, which is also the case for Utomilumab (one of the leading CD137 agonistic drugs); PE0116 partially overlaps with Urelumab's recognized epitope. In vitro, PE0116 activates NF-κB signaling, significantly promotes T-cell proliferation, and increases cytokine secretion in the presence of cross-linking. Importantly, PE0116 possesses robust anti-tumor activity in the MC38 tumor model. In vivo, PE0116 exhibits a good safety profile and has typical pharmacokinetic characteristics of an IgG antibody in preclinical studies of non-human primates. In summary, PE0116 is a promising anti-CD137 antibody with a good safety profile in preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life SciencesFudan UniversityShanghaiChina,Biologics DiscoveryShanghai ChemPartner Co., Ltd.China
| | - Teddy Yang
- Biologics DiscoveryShanghai ChemPartner Co., Ltd.China
| | - Hu Liu
- Biologics DiscoveryShanghai ChemPartner Co., Ltd.China
| | - Ningning Song
- Biologics DiscoveryShanghai ChemPartner Co., Ltd.China
| | - Chaohui Dai
- Biologics DiscoveryShanghai Hyamab Biotechnology Co., Ltd.China
| | - Yu Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life SciencesFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
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12
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Rastogi I, Jeon D, Moseman JE, Muralidhar A, Potluri HK, McNeel DG. Role of B cells as antigen presenting cells. Front Immunol 2022; 13:954936. [PMID: 36159874 PMCID: PMC9493130 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.954936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
B cells have been long studied for their role and function in the humoral immune system. Apart from generating antibodies and an antibody-mediated memory response against pathogens, B cells are also capable of generating cell-mediated immunity. It has been demonstrated by several groups that B cells can activate antigen-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells, and can have regulatory and cytotoxic effects. The function of B cells as professional antigen presenting cells (APCs) to activate T cells has been largely understudied. This, however, requires attention as several recent reports have demonstrated the importance of B cells within the tumor microenvironment, and B cells are increasingly being evaluated as cellular therapies. Antigen presentation through B cells can be through antigen-specific (B cell receptor (BCR) dependent) or antigen non-specific (BCR independent) mechanisms and can be modulated by a variety of intrinsic and external factors. This review will discuss the pathways and mechanisms by which B cells present antigens, and how B cells differ from other professional APCs.
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13
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Zhang W, Gong C, Peng X, Bi X, Sun Y, Zhou J, Wu F, Zeng H, Wang Y, Zhou H, Zhao H, Cai J, Zhou A. Serum Concentration of CD137 and Tumor Infiltration by M1 Macrophages Predict the Response to Sintilimab plus Bevacizumab Biosimilar in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:3499-3508. [PMID: 35275208 PMCID: PMC9662860 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-3972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the biomarkers of sintilimab (anti-PD-1) plus IBI305 (a bevacizumab biosimilar) in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as their safety and efficacy. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 50 patients with advanced HCC received sintilimab (200 mg) plus IBI305 (7.5 or 15 mg/kg), treated every 3 weeks in a phase Ib clinical study. We performed baseline serum cytokine analysis using bead-based multiplex immunoassay and multiplex immunofluorescence on tissue specimens to discover novel biomarkers of response to VEGF/PD-1 combination therapy in HCC. RESULTS The overall response rate was 34.0% (17/50). The median progression-free survival (PFS) and the median overall survival were 10.5 and 20.2 months, respectively. The incidence of grade 3 to 5 adverse events was lower in the 7.5 mg/kg (13.8%) than in the 15 mg/kg (28.6%) dose groups. Biomarker analysis showed that the serum CD137 concentration was significantly higher in patients with clinical benefit (CB) than in those without CB (median, 32.8 pg/mL vs. 19.8 pg/mL, P = 0.034). A markedly longer PFS was observed in patients with high CD137 concentrations compared with those with low concentrations (median, 14.2 months vs. 4.1 months, P = 0.001). The higher density of M1 macrophages (CD68+CD163-) in the stroma was also associated with higher efficacy (P = 0.033) and a longer PFS (P = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS Sintilimab plus IBI305 was well tolerated and was effective therapy for advanced HCC. Both serum concentrations of CD137 and tumor infiltration of M1 macrophages may serve as potential predictive biomarkers. See related commentary by Cappuyns and Llovet, p. 3405.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Caifeng Gong
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xuenan Peng
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyu Bi
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yongkun Sun
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jianguo Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Huiying Zeng
- Department of Interventional Therapy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Innovent Biologics, Suzhou, China
| | - Hui Zhou
- Innovent Biologics, Suzhou, China
| | - Hong Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Corresponding Authors: Aiping Zhou, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center / National Clinical Research Center for Cancer / Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China. E-mail: ; Jianqiang Cai, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. E-mail: ; and Hong Zhao, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. E-mail:
| | - Jianqiang Cai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Corresponding Authors: Aiping Zhou, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center / National Clinical Research Center for Cancer / Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China. E-mail: ; Jianqiang Cai, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. E-mail: ; and Hong Zhao, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. E-mail:
| | - Aiping Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Corresponding Authors: Aiping Zhou, Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center / National Clinical Research Center for Cancer / Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China. E-mail: ; Jianqiang Cai, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. E-mail: ; and Hong Zhao, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. E-mail:
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14
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Ju SA, Park SM, Joe Y, Chung HT, An WG, Kim BS. Anti-4-1BB antibody-based combination therapy augments antitumor immunity by enhancing CD11c +CD8 + T cells in renal cell carcinoma. Oncol Lett 2022; 23:43. [PMID: 34976155 PMCID: PMC8674882 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.13161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
To improve the potential treatment strategies of incurable renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which is highly resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the present study established a combination therapy with immunostimulatory factor (ISTF) and anti-4-1BB monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to augment the antitumor response in a murine RCC model. ISTF isolated from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans stimulates macrophages, dendritic cells and B cells to produce IL-6, TNF-α, nitric oxide and major histocompatibility complex class II expression. 4-1BB (CD137) is expressed in activated immune cells, including activated T cells, and is a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. The administration of anti-4-1BB mAbs promoted antitumor immunity via enhancing CD11c+CD8+ T cells. The CD11c+CD8+ T cells were characterized by high killing activity and IFN-γ-producing ability, representing a phenotype of active effector cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The present study showed that combination therapy with ISTF and anti-4-1BB mAbs promoted partial tumor regression with established RCC, but monotherapy with ISTF or anti-4-1BB mAbs did not. These effects were speculated to be caused by the increase in CD11c+CD8+ T cells in the spleen and tumor, and IFN-γ production. These insights into the effector mechanisms of the combination of ISTF and anti-4-1BB mAbs may be useful for targeting incurable RCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-A Ju
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Ulsan, Ulsan 44610, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Yeonsoo Joe
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Ulsan, Ulsan 44610, Republic of Korea
| | - Hun Taeg Chung
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Ulsan, Ulsan 44610, Republic of Korea
| | - Won G An
- Division of Pharmacology, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam 50612, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Sam Kim
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Ulsan, Ulsan 44610, Republic of Korea
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15
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Sun R, Kim AMJ, Murray AA, Lim SO. N-Glycosylation Facilitates 4-1BB Membrane Localization by Avoiding Its Multimerization. Cells 2022; 11:cells11010162. [PMID: 35011724 PMCID: PMC8750214 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Leveraging the T cell immunity against tumors represents a revolutionary type of cancer therapy. 4-1BB is a well-characterized costimulatory immune receptor existing on activated T cells and mediating their proliferation and cytotoxicity under infectious diseases and cancers. Despite the accumulating interest in implementing 4-1BB as a therapeutic target for immune-related disorders, less is known about the pattern of its intracellular behaviors and regulations. It has been previously demonstrated that 4-1BB is heavily modified by N-glycosylation; however, the biological importance of this modification lacks detailed elucidation. Through biochemical, biophysical, and cell-biological approaches, we systematically evaluated the impact of N-glycosylation on the ligand interaction, stability, and localization of 4-1BB. We hereby highlighted that N-glycan functions by preventing the oligomerization of 4-1BB, thus permitting its membrane transportation and fast turn-over. Without N-glycosylation, 4-1BB could be aberrantly accumulated intracellularly and fail to be sufficiently inserted in the membrane. The N-glycosylation-guided intracellular processing of 4-1BB serves as the potential mechanism explicitly modulating the “on” and “off” of 4-1BB through the control of protein abundance. Our study will further solidify the understanding of the biological properties of 4-1BB and facilitate the clinical practice against this promising therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoxuan Sun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (R.S.); (A.M.J.K.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Alyssa Min Jung Kim
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (R.S.); (A.M.J.K.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Allison A. Murray
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (R.S.); (A.M.J.K.); (A.A.M.)
| | - Seung-Oe Lim
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (R.S.); (A.M.J.K.); (A.A.M.)
- Purdue Institute of Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Correspondence:
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16
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Otano I, Azpilikueta A, Glez-Vaz J, Alvarez M, Medina-Echeverz J, Cortés-Domínguez I, Ortiz-de-Solorzano C, Ellmark P, Fritzell S, Hernandez-Hoyos G, Nelson MH, Ochoa MC, Bolaños E, Cuculescu D, Jaúregui P, Sanchez-Gregorio S, Etxeberria I, Rodriguez-Ruiz ME, Sanmamed MF, Teijeira Á, Berraondo P, Melero I. CD137 (4-1BB) costimulation of CD8 + T cells is more potent when provided in cis than in trans with respect to CD3-TCR stimulation. Nat Commun 2021; 12:7296. [PMID: 34911975 PMCID: PMC8674279 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27613-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
CD137 (4-1BB; TNFSR9) is an activation-induced surface receptor that through costimulation effects provide antigen-primed T cells with augmented survival, proliferation and effector functions as well as metabolic advantages. These immunobiological mechanisms are being utilised for cancer immunotherapy with agonist CD137-binding and crosslinking-inducing agents that elicit CD137 intracellular signaling. In this study, side-by-side comparisons show that provision of CD137 costimulation in-cis with regard to the TCR-CD3-ligating cell is superior to that provided in-trans in terms of T cell activation, proliferation, survival, cytokine secretion and mitochondrial fitness in mouse and human. Cis ligation of CD137 relative to the TCR-CD3 complex results in more intense canonical and non-canonical NF-κB signaling and provides a more robust induction of cell cycle and DNA damage repair gene expression programs. Here we report that the superiority of cis versus trans CD137-costimulation is readily observed in vivo and is relevant for understanding the immunotherapeutic effects of CAR T cells and CD137 agonistic therapies currently undergoing clinical trials, which may provide costimulation either in cis or in trans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itziar Otano
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
- H12O-CNIO Lung Cancer Clinical Research Unit, Health Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre/ Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Arantza Azpilikueta
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Javier Glez-Vaz
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maite Alvarez
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Ivan Cortés-Domínguez
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Program of Solid Tumours, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carlos Ortiz-de-Solorzano
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Program of Solid Tumours, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Peter Ellmark
- Alligator Bioscience, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - María Carmen Ochoa
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Elixabet Bolaños
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Doina Cuculescu
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Patricia Jaúregui
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Sandra Sanchez-Gregorio
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Iñaki Etxeberria
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - María E Rodriguez-Ruiz
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Miguel F Sanmamed
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Álvaro Teijeira
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Pedro Berraondo
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Melero
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
- H12O-CNIO Lung Cancer Clinical Research Unit, Health Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre/ Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.
- Spanish Center for Biomedical Research Network in Oncology (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain.
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
- Department of Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
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17
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Lee-Chang C, Miska J, Hou D, Rashidi A, Zhang P, Burga RA, Jusué-Torres I, Xiao T, Arrieta VA, Zhang DY, Lopez-Rosas A, Han Y, Sonabend AM, Horbinski CM, Stupp R, Balyasnikova IV, Lesniak MS. Activation of 4-1BBL+ B cells with CD40 agonism and IFNγ elicits potent immunity against glioblastoma. J Exp Med 2021; 218:152130. [PMID: 32991668 PMCID: PMC7527974 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20200913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of many tumors. However, most glioblastoma (GBM) patients have not, so far, benefited from such successes. With the goal of exploring ways to boost anti-GBM immunity, we developed a B cell-based vaccine (BVax) that consists of 4-1BBL+ B cells activated with CD40 agonism and IFNγ stimulation. BVax migrates to key secondary lymphoid organs and is proficient at antigen cross-presentation, which promotes both the survival and the functionality of CD8+ T cells. A combination of radiation, BVax, and PD-L1 blockade conferred tumor eradication in 80% of treated tumor-bearing animals. This treatment elicited immunological memory that prevented the growth of new tumors upon subsequent reinjection in cured mice. GBM patient-derived BVax was successful in activating autologous CD8+ T cells; these T cells showed a strong ability to kill autologous glioma cells. Our study provides an efficient alternative to current immunotherapeutic approaches that can be readily translated to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catalina Lee-Chang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Jason Miska
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - David Hou
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Aida Rashidi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Rachel A Burga
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Ignacio Jusué-Torres
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Ting Xiao
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Victor A Arrieta
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.,Plan de Estudios Combinados en Medicina, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Daniel Y Zhang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Aurora Lopez-Rosas
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Yu Han
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Adam M Sonabend
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Craig M Horbinski
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.,Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Roger Stupp
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Irina V Balyasnikova
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Maciej S Lesniak
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
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18
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Lin C, Ekblad-Nordberg Å, Michaëlsson J, Götherström C, Hsu CC, Ye H, Johansson J, Rising A, Sundström E, Åkesson E. In Vitro Study of Human Immune Responses to Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels, Recombinant Spidroins and Human Neural Progenitor Cells of Relevance to Spinal Cord Injury Repair. Cells 2021; 10:1713. [PMID: 34359882 PMCID: PMC8303367 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Scaffolds of recombinant spider silk protein (spidroin) and hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel hold promise in combination with cell therapy for spinal cord injury. However, little is known concerning the human immune response to these biomaterials and grafted human neural stem/progenitor cells (hNPCs). Here, we analyzed short- and long-term in vitro activation of immune cells in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs) cultured with/without recombinant spidroins, HA hydrogels, and/or allogeneic hNPCs to assess potential host-donor interactions. Viability, proliferation and phenotype of hPBMCs were analyzed using NucleoCounter and flow cytometry. hPBMC viability was confirmed after exposure to the different biomaterials. Short-term (15 h) co-cultures of hPBMCs with spidroins, but not with HA hydrogel, resulted in a significant increase in the proportion of activated CD69+ CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells and NK cells, which likely was caused by residual endotoxins from the Escherichia coli expression system. The observed spidroin-induced hPBMC activation was not altered by hNPCs. It is resource-effective to evaluate human compatibility of novel biomaterials early in development of the production process to, when necessary, make alterations to minimize rejection risk. Here, we present a method to evaluate biomaterials and hPBMC compatibility in conjunction with allogeneic human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenhong Lin
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 64 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Åsa Ekblad-Nordberg
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 52 Stockholm, Sweden; (Å.E.-N.); (C.G.)
| | - Jakob Michaëlsson
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Cecilia Götherström
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 52 Stockholm, Sweden; (Å.E.-N.); (C.G.)
| | - Chia-Chen Hsu
- Department of Engineering Science, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK; (C.-C.H.); (H.Y.)
| | - Hua Ye
- Department of Engineering Science, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK; (C.-C.H.); (H.Y.)
| | - Jan Johansson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 83 Stockholm, Sweden; (J.J.); (A.R.)
| | - Anna Rising
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 83 Stockholm, Sweden; (J.J.); (A.R.)
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Erik Sundström
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 64 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Elisabet Åkesson
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 64 Stockholm, Sweden;
- The R&D Unit, Stockholms Sjukhem, SE-112 19 Stockholm, Sweden
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19
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Claeys E, Pauwels E, Humblet-Baron S, Provinciael B, Schols D, Waer M, Sprangers B, Vermeire K. Small Molecule Cyclotriazadisulfonamide Abrogates the Upregulation of the Human Receptors CD4 and 4-1BB and Suppresses In Vitro Activation and Proliferation of T Lymphocytes. Front Immunol 2021; 12:650731. [PMID: 33968048 PMCID: PMC8097030 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.650731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The small molecule cyclotriazadisulfonamide (CADA) down-modulates the human CD4 receptor, an important factor in T cell activation. Here, we addressed the immunosuppressive potential of CADA using different activation models. CADA inhibited lymphocyte proliferation with low cellular toxicity in a mixed lymphocyte reaction, and when human PBMCs were stimulated with CD3/CD28 beads, phytohemagglutinin or anti-CD3 antibodies. The immunosuppressive effect of CADA involved both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells but was, surprisingly, most prominent in the CD8+ T cell subpopulation where it inhibited cell-mediated lympholysis. Immunosuppression by CADA was characterized by suppressed secretion of various cytokines, and reduced CD25, phosphoSTAT5 and CTPS-1 levels. We discovered a direct down-modulatory effect of CADA on 4-1BB (CD137) expression, a survival factor for activated CD8+ T cells. More specifically, CADA blocked 4‑1BB protein biosynthesis by inhibition of its co-translational translocation into the ER in a signal peptide-dependent way. Taken together, this study demonstrates that CADA, as potent down-modulator of human CD4 and 4‑1BB receptor, has promising immunomodulatory characteristics. This would open up new avenues toward chemotherapeutics that act as selective protein down-modulators to treat various human immunological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Claeys
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Eva Pauwels
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephanie Humblet-Baron
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Adaptive Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Becky Provinciael
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dominique Schols
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mark Waer
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Tracheal Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ben Sprangers
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kurt Vermeire
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute, Leuven, Belgium
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20
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Lam JH, Hong M, Koo SL, Chua CWL, Lim KL, Wee F, Wan WK, Leow WQ, Yeo JG, Tan IBH, Yeong J, Lim TKH, Lim TS. CD30 +OX40 + Treg is associated with improved overall survival in colorectal cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 70:2353-2365. [PMID: 33527196 PMCID: PMC8289785 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-02859-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are often enriched in tumors, where their immunosuppressive function has a key role in tumor persistence and progression. In colorectal cancer (CRC), however, Tregs are frequently associated with an improved clinical outcome. Tumor-infiltrating Tregs have been shown to exhibit a distinct signature comprising the co-stimulatory molecules (OX40, 4-1BB), cytokine receptors (IL1R2, IL21R, CCR8, CD30), and co-inhibitory molecules (PD-L1, TIGIT). Here, we showed by flow cytometry that circulating CD45RO+ Tregs from patients with CRC (n = 25) have elevated CD30 and OX40 expression compared to healthy subjects (n = 14). We identified co-expression of CD30 and OX40 on circulating CD45RO+ Tregs using single-cell images captured by the DEPArray™ system. The frequency of CD30+OX40+CD45RO+ Tregs was significantly higher in CRC patients than in healthy subjects (P < 0.001). Importantly, receiver operating characteristic analysis confirmed that this CD30+OX40+ Treg subset could strongly discriminate between CRC patients and healthy subjects with the highest accuracy of 92.3%, an AUC of 0.92, a sensitivity of 88%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100%, a negative predictive value of 82.35%, and a trade-off value of 3.44%, compared to other Treg subsets. Consistently, multiplex-IHC/IF of tumor-infiltrating Tregs revealed a significant association between high densities of CD30+OX40+ Tregs and improved overall survival; no such association was found for other subsets. These data suggest a potential role for CD30+OX40+ Tregs as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Hang Lam
- A. Menarini Biomarkers Singapore Pte Ltd, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Michelle Hong
- A. Menarini Biomarkers Singapore Pte Ltd, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Si-Lin Koo
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Kah Ling Lim
- Division of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Felicia Wee
- Division of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wei Keat Wan
- Division of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wei Qiang Leow
- Division of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joo Guan Yeo
- Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Iain Bee Huat Tan
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joe Yeong
- Division of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore. .,Institute of Molecular Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Tony Kiat Hon Lim
- Division of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Tong Seng Lim
- A. Menarini Biomarkers Singapore Pte Ltd, Singapore, Singapore.
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21
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CD137 + T-Cells: Protagonists of the Immunotherapy Revolution. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030456. [PMID: 33530328 PMCID: PMC7866028 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The CD137 receptor is expressed by activated antigen-specific T-cells. CD137+ T-cells were identified inside TILs and PBMCs of different tumor types and have proven to be the naturally occurring antitumor effector cells, capable of expressing a wide variability in terms of TCR specificity against both shared and neoantigenic tumor-derived peptides. The aim of this review is thus summarizing and highlighting their role as drivers of patients’ immune responses in anticancer therapies as well as their potential role in future and current strategies of immunotherapy. Abstract The CD137 receptor (4-1BB, TNF RSF9) is an activation induced molecule expressed by antigen-specific T-cells. The engagement with its ligand, CD137L, is capable of increasing T-cell survival, proliferation, and cytokine production. This allowed to identify the CD137+ T-cells as the real tumor-specific activated T-cell population. In fact, these cells express various TCRs that are specific for a wide range of tumor-derived peptides, both shared and neoantigenic ones. Moreover, their prevalence in sites close to the tumor and their unicity in killing cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, raised particular interest in studying their potential role in different strategies of immunotherapy. They indeed showed to be a reliable marker able to predict patient’s outcome to immune-based therapies as well as monitor their response. In addition, the possibility of isolating and expanding this population, turned promising in order to generate effector antitumor T-cells in the context of adoptive T-cell therapies. CD137-targeting monoclonal antibodies have already shown their antitumor efficacy in cancer patients and a number of clinical trials are thus ongoing to test their possible introduction in different combination approaches of immunotherapy. Finally, the intracellular domain of the CD137 receptor was introduced in the anti-CD19 CAR-T cells that were approved by FDA for the treatment of pediatric B-cell leukemia and refractory B-cell lymphoma.
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22
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The Landscape of Immunotherapy in Advanced NSCLC: Driving Beyond PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors (CTLA-4, LAG3, IDO, OX40, TIGIT, Vaccines). Curr Oncol Rep 2021; 23:126. [PMID: 34453261 PMCID: PMC8397682 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-021-01124-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW In this review, we analyzed the current landscape of non-PD-(L)1 targeting immunotherapy. RECENT FINDINGS The advent of immunotherapy has completely changed the standard approach toward advanced NSCLC. Inhibitors of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis have quickly taken place as first-line treatment for NSCLC patients without targetable "driver" mutations. However, a non-negligible portion of patients derive modest benefit from immune-checkpoint inhibitors, and valid second-line alternatives are lacking, pushing researchers to analyze other molecules and pathways as potentially viable targets in the struggle against NSCLC. Starting from the better characterized CTLA-4 inhibitors, we then critically collected the actual knowledge on NSCLC vaccines as well as on other emerging molecules, many of them in their early phase of testing, to provide to the reader a comprehensive overview of the state of the art of immunotherapy in NSCLC beyond PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.
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23
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Choi BK, Lee HW. The Murine CD137/CD137 Ligand Signalosome: A Signal Platform Generating Signal Complexity. Front Immunol 2020; 11:553715. [PMID: 33362756 PMCID: PMC7758191 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.553715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
CD137, a member of the TNFR family, is a costimulatory receptor, and CD137L, a member of the TNF family, is its ligand. Studies using CD137- and CD137L-deficient mice and antibodies against CD137 and CD137L have revealed the diverse and paradoxical effects of these two proteins in various cancers, autoimmunity, infections, and inflammation. Both their cellular diversity and their spatiotemporal expression patterns indicate that they mediate complex immune responses. This intricacy is further enhanced by the bidirectional signal transduction events that occur when these two proteins interact in various types of immune cells. Here, we review the biology of murine CD137/CD137L, particularly, the complexity of their proximal signaling pathways, and speculate on their roles in immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beom K Choi
- Biomedicine Production Branch, Program for Immunotherapy Research, National Cancer Center, Goyang, South Korea
| | - Hyeon-Woo Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Dentistry, Graduate School, Institute of Oral Biology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
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24
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Li Q, Ding ZY. The Ways of Isolating Neoantigen-Specific T Cells. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1347. [PMID: 32850430 PMCID: PMC7431921 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized the standard of care for a range of malignancies. Accumulating evidence suggests that the success of immunotherapy is likely attributable to neoantigen-specific T cells. Thus, adoptive cell therapy with these neoantigen-specific T cells is highly promising. This strategy has proven to successfully elicit tumor regression or even complete remission in metastatic cancer patients. However, a fundamental challenge is to effectively identify and isolate neoantigen-specific T cells or their T cell receptors (TCRs), from either tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) or peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs), and many methods have been developed to this end. In this review, we focus on the current proposed strategies for identifying and isolating neoantigen-specific T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Li
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhen-Yu Ding
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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25
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Chauhan SKS, Koehl U, Kloess S. Harnessing NK Cell Checkpoint-Modulating Immunotherapies. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1807. [PMID: 32640575 PMCID: PMC7408278 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12071807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
During the host immune response, the precise balance of the immune system, regulated by immune checkpoint, is required to avoid infection and cancer. These immune checkpoints are the mainstream regulator of the immune response and are crucial for self-tolerance. During the last decade, various new immune checkpoint molecules have been studied, providing an attractive path to evaluate their potential role as targets for effective therapeutic interventions. Checkpoint inhibitors have mainly been explored in T cells until now, but natural killer (NK) cells are a newly emerging target for the determination of checkpoint molecules. Simultaneously, an increasing number of therapeutic dimensions have been explored, including modulatory and inhibitory checkpoint molecules, either causing dysfunction or promoting effector functions. Furthermore, the combination of the immune checkpoint with other NK cell-based therapeutic strategies could also strengthen its efficacy as an antitumor therapy. In this review, we have undertaken a comprehensive review of the literature to date regarding underlying mechanisms of modulatory and inhibitory checkpoint molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ulrike Koehl
- Institute of cellular therapeutics, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (U.K.); (S.K.)
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stephan Kloess
- Institute of cellular therapeutics, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; (U.K.); (S.K.)
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26
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Bagheri S, Safaie Qamsari E, Yousefi M, Riazi-Rad F, Sharifzadeh Z. Targeting the 4-1BB costimulatory molecule through single chain antibodies promotes the human T-cell response. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2020; 25:28. [PMID: 32336974 PMCID: PMC7178758 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-020-00219-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adoptive T-cell therapy (ACT) using autologous tumor-reactive T lymphocytes has considerable potential for cancer immunotherapy. In ACT, T cells are isolated from cancer patients and then stimulated and expanded in vitro by cytokines and costimulatory molecules. 4-1BB is an important costimulatory protein belonging to the TNF receptor superfamily. It is involved in T-cell survival, proliferation and activation. Agonistic anti-4-1BB monoclonal antibodies have been introduced as appropriate tools for ACT. Methods Here, various single-chain fragment variable (scFv) antibodies were used to activate T cells isolated from peripheral blood via immune magnetic isolation. The T cells were stimulated with IL-2 and anti-CD-3 mAb and then treated with agonistic anti-4-1BB scFvs. The results showed the remarkable effects of anti-41BB scFvs on the functional properties of T cells, including their activation, proliferation and cytokine production. The flow cytometry analysis revealed a considerable increase in the expression of the T-cell activation marker CD69. Moreover, T-cell proliferation was evidenced in treated cells by CFSE labeling compared to the control groups. Result Anti-4-1BB scFvs significantly increased IFN-γ and IL-2 mRNA and protein expression in T cells, but exhibited no stimulatory effect on IL-4 expression. These findings show that anti-4-1BB scFvs could evoke a Type I immune response. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that targeting the 4-1BB molecule using agonistic scFvs could be an effective strategy for T-cell stimulation as part of an ACT approach to cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salman Bagheri
- 1Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,2Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,3Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Elmira Safaie Qamsari
- 1Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,2Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,3Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Yousefi
- 2Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Farhad Riazi-Rad
- 1Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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27
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Jeong S, Park SH. Co-Stimulatory Receptors in Cancers and Their Implications for Cancer Immunotherapy. Immune Netw 2020; 20:e3. [PMID: 32158591 PMCID: PMC7049585 DOI: 10.4110/in.2020.20.e3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), including anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 therapeutic agents, are now approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of various types of cancer. However, the therapeutic efficacy of ICIs varies among patients and cancer types. Moreover, most patients do not develop durable antitumor responses after ICI therapy due to an ephemeral reversal of T-cell dysfunction. As co-stimulatory receptors play key roles in regulating the effector functions of T cells, activating co-stimulatory pathways may improve checkpoint inhibition efficacy, and lead to durable antitumor responses. Here, we review recent advances in our understating of co-stimulatory receptors in cancers, providing the necessary groundwork for the rational design of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seongju Jeong
- Biomedical Science and Engineering Interdisciplinary Program, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Su-Hyung Park
- Biomedical Science and Engineering Interdisciplinary Program, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea.,Laboratory of Translational Immunology and Vaccinology, Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
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28
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Comprehensive analysis of tumor necrosis factor receptor TNFRSF9 (4-1BB) DNA methylation with regard to molecular and clinicopathological features, immune infiltrates, and response prediction to immunotherapy in melanoma. EBioMedicine 2020; 52:102647. [PMID: 32028068 PMCID: PMC6997575 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.102647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunotherapy, including checkpoint inhibition, has remarkably improved prognosis in advanced melanoma. Despite this success, acquired resistance is still a major challenge. The T cell costimulatory receptor TNFRSF9 (also known as 4-1BB and CD137) is a promising new target for immunotherapy and two agonistic antibodies are currently tested in clinical trials. However, little is known about epigenetic regulation of the encoding gene. In this study we investigate a possible correlation of TNFRSF9 DNA methylation with gene expression, clinicopathological parameters, molecular and immune correlates, and response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy to assess the validity of TNFRSF9 methylation to serve as a biomarker. METHODS We performed a correlation analyses of methylation at twelve CpG sites within TNFRSF9 with regard to transcriptional activity, immune cell infiltration, mutation status, and survival in a cohort of N = 470 melanoma patients obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Furthermore, we used quantitative methylation-specific PCR to confirm correlations in a cohort of N = 115 melanoma patients' samples (UHB validation cohort). Finally, we tested the ability of TNFRSF9 methylation and expression to predict progression-free survival (PFS) and response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in a cohort comprised of N = 121 patients (mRNA transcription), (mRNA ICB cohort) and a case-control study including N = 48 patients (DNA methylation, UHB ICB cohort). FINDINGS We found a significant inverse correlation between TNFRSF9 DNA methylation and mRNA expression levels at six of twelve analyzed CpG sites (P ≤ 0.005), predominately located in the promoter flank region. Consistent with its role as costimulatory receptor in immune cells, TNFRSF9 mRNA expression and hypomethylation positively correlated with immune cell infiltrates and an interferon-γ signature. Furthermore, elevated TNFRSF9 mRNA expression and TNFRSF9 hypomethylation correlated with superior overall survival. In patients receiving anti-PD-1 immunotherapy (mRNA ICB cohort), we found that TNFRSF9 hypermethylation and reduced mRNA expression correlated with poor PFS and response. INTERPRETATION Our study suggests that TNFRSF9 mRNA expression is regulated via DNA methylation. The observed correlations between TNFRSF9 DNA methylation or mRNA expression with known features of response to immune checkpoint blockage suggest TNFRSF9 methylation could serve as a biomarker in the context of immunotherapies. Concordantly, we identified a correlation between TNFRSF9 DNA methylation and mRNA expression with disease progression in patients under immunotherapy. Our study provides rationale for further investigating TNFRSF9 DNA methylation as a predictive biomarker for response to immunotherapy. FUNDING AF was partly funded by the Mildred Scheel Foundation. SF received funding from the University Hospital Bonn BONFOR program (O-105.0069). DN was funded in part by DFG Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation (EXC 1023). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, interpretation, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript; or any aspect pertinent to the study.
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29
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Lei X, Lei Y, Li JK, Du WX, Li RG, Yang J, Li J, Li F, Tan HB. Immune cells within the tumor microenvironment: Biological functions and roles in cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Lett 2019; 470:126-133. [PMID: 31730903 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 687] [Impact Index Per Article: 137.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The immune cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) play important roles in tumorigenesis. It has been known that these tumor associated immune cells may possess tumor-antagonizing or tumor-promoting functions. Although the tumor-antagonizing immune cells within TME tend to target and kill the cancer cells in the early stage of tumorigenesis, the cancer cells seems to eventually escape from immune surveillance and even inhibit the cytotoxic function of tumor-antagonizing immune cells through a variety of mechanisms. The immune evasion capability, as a new hallmark of cancer, accidently provides opportunities for new strategies of cancer therapy, namely harnessing the immune cells to battle the cancer cells. Recently, the administrations of immune checkpoint modulators (represented by anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD antibodies) and adoptive immune cells (represented by CAR-T) have exhibited unexpected antitumor effect in multiple types of cancer, bringing a new era for cancer therapy. Here, we review the biological functions of immune cells within TME and their roles in cancer immunotherapy, and discuss the perspectives of the basic studies for improving the effectiveness of the clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Lei
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Lab of Liver Disease, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China
| | - Yu Lei
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Lab of Liver Disease, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, People's Hospital of Fang County, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China
| | - Jin-Ke Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Lab of Liver Disease, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China
| | - Wei-Xing Du
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Lab of Liver Disease, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China
| | - Ru-Gui Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Lab of Liver Disease, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Lab of Liver Disease, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Lab of Liver Disease, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Lab of Liver Disease, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China.
| | - Hua-Bing Tan
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Lab of Liver Disease, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, 442000, China.
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30
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Wang H, Yan Z, Hao J, Yang B, Wang J, Yi L, Wang X, Li S, Zhang H, Zhang S. CD137 ligand feedback upregulates PD-L1 expression on lung cancer via T cell production of IFN-γ. Thorac Cancer 2019; 10:2225-2235. [PMID: 31625289 PMCID: PMC6885434 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.13207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The expression of PD-L1 and its regulation in tumors remains unclear. The importance of IFN-γ in upregulating the PD-L1 expression in various tumors, and the effects of other essential cytokines in the tumor microenvironment (TME), need to be further elucidated. METHODS Constitutive expression of PD-L1 and CD137L in all 13 lung cancer cell lines were tested by flow cytometry. CD137L mRNA of lung cancer cell lines was detected by RT-PCR. PD-L1 expression rates following stimulation with these cytokines (IFN-γ, TNFα and IL2) were measured. After coculture of cells expressing CD137L (lung cancer cells or 293FT cells transfected with CD137L plasmid) with T cells, the PDL1 expression of lung cancer cells and IFN-γ in supernatant was detected. RESULTS Our data revealed that adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma cells had the highest positive expression rate. IFN-γ was the core-inducing factor for enhancing the PD-L1 expression. CD137L was also widely expressed in the lung cancer cell lines at the mRNA level, whereas its expression was generally low at the protein level. However, the low expression of CD137L protein was still enough to induce T cells to produce IFN-γ, which subsequently increased the PD-L1 expression by lung cancer cells. The CD137 signal induces IFN-γ secretion by T cells, which stimulates high-level of PD-L1 expression in cancer cells; this negative immune regulation may represent a mechanism of immune escape regulation. CONCLUSIONS CD137L mRNA was widely expressed in lung cancer cell lines whereas levels of protein expression were generally low. The low level of CD137L protein was still enough to induce T cells to produce IFN-γ that subsequently increased PD-L1 expression. The CD137L-induced negative immune regulation may represent a mechanism of immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helin Wang
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuohong Yan
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jianqing Hao
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jinghui Wang
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Yi
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojue Wang
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Shuping Li
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Hongtao Zhang
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Shucai Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, China
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Parallel Comparison of 4-1BB or CD28 Co-stimulated CD19-Targeted CAR-T Cells for B Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS 2019; 15:60-68. [PMID: 31650026 PMCID: PMC6804784 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cells with CD28 or 4-1BB (28z CAR-T and BBz CAR-T) have shown great promise to treat relapsed or refractory (r/r) B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL). However, comparison of their clinical outcomes has never been reported. This study investigated their efficacy and adverse events in B-NHL therapy. Six patients with r/r B-NHL were initially enrolled and infused with 28z or BBz CAR-T cells at a dose of 0.75-5 × 105/kg. These CAR-T cells showed similar antitumor efficacies, with a complete response (CR) rate of 67% within 3 months. BBz CAR-T was well tolerated. However, severe cytokine release syndrome and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome occurred in the 28z CAR-T cohort, resulting in the termination of further evaluation of 28z CAR-T. Three more patients were enrolled to investigate BBz CAR-T cells in-depth at an escalated dose (1 × 106/kg). All cases achieved CR within 3 months, and only grade 1/2 adverse events occurred. This study suggests that 4-1BB is more beneficial for the clinical performance of CAR-T cells than CD28 in CD19-targeted B-NHL therapy, at least under our manufacturing process.
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Kusters PJH, Lutgens E, Seijkens TTP. Exploring immune checkpoints as potential therapeutic targets in atherosclerosis. Cardiovasc Res 2019; 114:368-377. [PMID: 29309533 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvx248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past decades, the inflammatory nature of atherosclerosis has been well-recognized and despite the development of therapeutic strategies targeted at its classical risk factors such as dyslipidemia and hypertension, atherosclerosis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Additional strategies targeting the chronic inflammatory pathways underlying the development of atherosclerosis are therefore required. Interactions between different immune cells result in the secretion of inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines and chemokines, and fuel atherogenesis. Immune checkpoint proteins have a critical role in facilitating immune cell interactions and play an essential role in the development of atherosclerosis. Although the therapeutic potential of these molecules is well-recognized in clinical oncology, the use of immune checkpoint modulators in atherosclerosis is still limited to experimental models. Here, we review recent insights on the role of immune checkpoint proteins in atherosclerosis. Additionally, we explore the therapeutic potential and challenges of immune checkpoint modulating strategies in cardiovascular medicine and we discuss novel therapeutic approaches to target these proteins in atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal J H Kusters
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Experimental Vascular Biology, Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 CZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Esther Lutgens
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Experimental Vascular Biology, Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 CZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig Maximilian's University (LMU), Pettenkoferstraße 8a, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Tom T P Seijkens
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Experimental Vascular Biology, Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 CZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig Maximilian's University (LMU), Pettenkoferstraße 8a, 80336 Munich, Germany
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Abstract
Cancer remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Traditional treatments such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy have had limited efficacy, especially with late stage cancers. Cancer immunotherapy and targeted therapy have revolutionized how cancer is treated, especially in patients with late stage disease. In 2013 cancer immunotherapy was named the breakthrough of the year, partially due to the established efficacy of blockade of CTLA-4 and PD-1, both T cell co-inhibitory molecules involved in tumor-induced immunosuppression. Though early trials promised success, toxicity and tolerance to immunotherapy have hindered long-term successes. Optimizing the use of co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory pathways has the potential to increase the effectiveness of T cell-mediated antitumor immune response, leading to increased efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. This review will address major T cell co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory pathways and the role they play in regulating immune responses during cancer development and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E O'Neill
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Xuefang Cao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States.
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Fan L, Li Y, Chen JY, Zheng YF, Xu XM. Immune checkpoint modulators in cancer immunotherapy: Recent advances and combination rationales. Cancer Lett 2019; 456:23-28. [PMID: 30959079 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.03.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
As a new hallmark of cancer, immune surveillance evading plays a critical role in carcinogenesis. Through modulating the immune checkpoints, immune cells in tumor microenvironment can be harnessed to battle cancer cells. In recent years, the administration of anti-CTLA or/and anti-PD-1/L1 antibody has exhibited unexpected antitumor effect in multiple types of cancer, motivating the researchers to find more potential immune checkpoints as clinical targets. A wealth of clinical trials have been done to evaluate the safety and efficacy of monotherapy or combination therapy with immune checkpoint modulators. However, there still exist problems such as low response rate and adverse events in the clinical, which in turn leads us to the basic study. The better understanding of the crosstalk between the immune cells and the cancer cells within the microenvironment may inspire us new ideas for cancer treatment. In this review, we mainly summarize the recent advances in application of immune checkpoint modulators and the combination rationales, and discuss the problems existing in the precision therapy with immune checkpoint modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Fan
- Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yue Li
- Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jia-Yu Chen
- Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yong-Fa Zheng
- Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xi-Ming Xu
- Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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A DNA Vaccine Encoding SA-4-1BBL Fused to HPV-16 E7 Antigen Has Prophylactic and Therapeutic Efficacy in a Cervical Cancer Mouse Model. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11010096. [PMID: 30650588 PMCID: PMC6356763 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11010096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The SA-4-1BBL, an oligomeric novel form of the natural ligand for the 4-1BB co-stimulatory receptor of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily, as a recombinant protein has potent pleiotropic effects on cells of innate, adaptive, and regulatory immunity with demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in several tumor models. However, the production of soluble form of SA-4-1BBL protein and quality control is time and resource intensive and face various issues pertinent to clinical development of biologics. The present study sought to take advantage of the simplicity and translatability of DNA-based vaccines for the production and delivery of SA-4-1BBL for cancer immune prevention and therapy. A chimeric HPV-16 E7 DNA vaccine (SP-SA-E7-4-1BBL) was constructed that contains the signal peptide (SP) of calreticulin (CRT), streptavidin (SA) domain of SA-4-1BBL, HPV-16 E7 double mutant gene, and the extracellular domain of mouse 4-1BBL. Immunization by gene gun with SP-SA-E7-4-1BBL induced greater prophylactic as well as therapeutic effects in C57BL/6 mice against TC-1 tumor model compared with immunization with E7wt, SP-SA-4-1BBL or reference-positive control CRT-E7wt. The therapeutic efficacy of the DNA vaccine was associated with increased frequency of E7-specific T cells producing interferon (IFN)-γ. Overall, our data suggest that this DNA-based vaccine strategy might represent a translational approach because it provides a simpler and versatile alternative to a subunit vaccine based on SA-4-1BBL and E7 proteins.
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Bitra A, Doukov T, Destito G, Croft M, Zajonc DM. Crystal structure of the m4-1BB/4-1BBL complex reveals an unusual dimeric ligand that undergoes structural changes upon 4-1BB receptor binding. J Biol Chem 2018; 294:1831-1845. [PMID: 30545939 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.006297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction between the receptor 4-1BB and its ligand 4-1BBL provides co-stimulatory signals for T-cell activation and proliferation. However, differences in the mouse and human molecules might result in differential engagement of this pathway. Here, we report the crystal structure of mouse 4-1BBL and of the mouse 4-1BB/4-1BBL complex, which together provided insights into the molecular mechanism by which m4-1BBL and its cognate receptor recognize each other. Unlike all human or mouse tumor necrosis factor ligands that form noncovalent and mostly trimeric assemblies, the m4-1BBL structure formed a disulfide-linked dimeric assembly. The structure disclosed that certain differences in the amino acid composition along the intramolecular interface, together with two specific residues (Cys-246 and Ser-256) present exclusively in m4-1BBL, are responsible for this unique dimerization. Unexpectedly, upon m4-1BB binding, m4-1BBL undergoes structural changes within each protomer; moreover, the individual m4-1BBL protomers rotate relative to each other, yielding a dimerization interface with more inter-subunit interactions. We also observed that in the m4-1BB/4-1BBL complex, each receptor monomer binds exclusively to a single ligand subunit with contributions of cysteine-rich domain 1 (CRD1), CRD2, and CRD3. Furthermore, structure-guided mutagenesis of the binding interface revealed that novel binding interactions with the GH loop, rather than the DE loop, are energetically critical and define the m4-1BB receptor selectivity for m4-1BBL. A comparison with the human 4-1BB/4-1BBL complex highlighted several differences between the ligand- and receptor-binding interfaces, providing an explanation for the absence of inter-species cross-reactivity between human and mouse 4-1BB and 4-1BBL molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aruna Bitra
- From the Division of Immune Regulation, La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI), La Jolla, California 92037
| | - Tzanko Doukov
- the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC, Menlo Park, California 94025
| | - Giuseppe Destito
- Kirin Kyowa Hakko Pharmaceutical Research, La Jolla, California 92037
| | - Michael Croft
- From the Division of Immune Regulation, La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI), La Jolla, California 92037.,the Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92037, and
| | - Dirk M Zajonc
- From the Division of Immune Regulation, La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI), La Jolla, California 92037, .,the Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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37
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Wang Q, Wu H. T Cells in Adipose Tissue: Critical Players in Immunometabolism. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2509. [PMID: 30459770 PMCID: PMC6232870 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Adipose tissue performs immunoregulatory functions in addition to fat storage. Various T cells in different fat depots either help maintain metabolic homeostasis under healthy conditions or contribute to metabolic disorders in pathological conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or even cancer. These T cells play critical roles in immunometabolism, which refers to the intersection of immunity and metabolism. Numerous studies have examined the presence and changes of different T cell subsets, including helper T cells, regulatory T cells, cytotoxic T cells, and natural killer T cells, in adipose depots in health and diseases. In this review, we will discuss the adipose tissue niches that influence the patterns and functions of T cell subsets and in turn the impact of these T cells on cell- or body-based immunometabolism accounting for health and obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity of Shandong Province, Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Huaizhu Wu
- Department of Medicine and Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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38
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The expression and clinical correlations of 4-1BB on peripheral CD4+ T cell subsets in patients with coronary artery disease. A cross-sectional pilot study. Clin Chim Acta 2018; 487:341-348. [PMID: 30359586 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2018.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The expression of 4-1BB on peripheral regulatory T cells (Tregs) and conventional T cells (Tconvs) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients is unknown. We aimed to investigate the expression and clinical correlations of 4-1BB on peripheral Tregs and Tconvs in CAD patients. METHODS Flow cytometry analysis was used to analyze 4-1BB expression on peripheral Tregs and Tconvs. We compared the percentages of 4-1BB on Tregs and Tconvs in the control (ctrl) group, the stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD) group, and the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) group. The correlations of 4-1BB expression on Tregs and Tconvs with the Gensini score and CRP were examined in the ACS group. The value of 4-1BB percentage on Tregs for predicting CAD in this cardiovascular risk population was also analyzed. RESULTS A total of 71 participants were enrolled in this study. In all the groups, the percentages of 4-1BB on Tregs were significantly higher than on Tconvs (all P < .05). After adjusting for sex, age, SBP, HbA1c and LDL, 4-1BB percentages on Tregs and Tconvs were significantly higher in the SIHD and ACS groups compared with the ctrl group (all P < .05). The ratio of 4-1BB percentage on Tregs to 4-1BB percentage on Tconvs was higher in the ACS group compared with the ctrl group (P = .010). In the ACS group, CRP was negatively correlated with the Tregs percentage (in CD4+ T cells) and the Tregs percentage to Tconvs percentage ratio. The Gensini score was positively correlated with the 4-1BB percentage on Tregs in the ACS group. Linear regression analysis showed 4-1BB percentage on Tregs independently predicted the Gensini score. Binary logistic regression showed CRP, HbA1c and 4-1BB percentage on Tregs independently predicted the development of CAD (SIHD+ACS) in the whole population. CONCLUSION 4-1BB expression on peripheral Tregs and Tconvs was increased in SIHD and ACS patients. 4-1BB percentage on Tregs positively correlated with the severity of coronary artery stenosis in ACS patients. 4-1BB percentage on Tregs independently predicted the severity of coronary artery stenosis in an ACS population and development of CAD in a cardiovascular risk population.
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Bitra A, Doukov T, Croft M, Zajonc DM. Crystal structures of the human 4-1BB receptor bound to its ligand 4-1BBL reveal covalent receptor dimerization as a potential signaling amplifier. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:9958-9969. [PMID: 29720398 PMCID: PMC6028974 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.003176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Human (h)4-1BB (TNFRSF9 or CD137) is an inducible tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily member that interacts with its cognate ligand h4-1BBL to promote T lymphocyte activation and proliferation. h4-1BB is currently being targeted with agonists in cancer immunotherapy. Here, we determined the crystal structures of unbound h4-1BBL and both WT h4-1BB and a dimerization-deficient h4-1BB mutant (C121S) in complex with h4-1BBL at resolutions between 2.7 and 3.2 Å. We observed that the structural arrangement of 4-1BBL, both unbound and in the complex, represents the canonical bell shape as seen in other similar TNF proteins and differs from the previously reported three-bladed propeller structure of 4-1BBL. We also found that the binding site for the receptor is at the crevice formed between two protomers of h4-1BBL, but that h4-1BB interacts predominantly with only one ligand protomer. Moreover, h4-1BBL lacked the conserved tyrosine residue in the DE loop that forms canonical interactions between other TNFR family molecules and their ligands, suggesting h4-1BBL engages h4-1BB through a distinct mechanism. Of note, we discovered that h4-1BB forms a disulfide-linked dimer because of the presence of an additional cysteine residue found in its cysteine-rich domain 4 (CRD4). As a result, h4-1BB dimerization, in addition to trimerization via h4-1BBL binding, could result in cross-linking of individual ligand-receptor complexes to form a 2D network that stimulates strong h4-1BB signaling. This work provides critical insights into the structural and functional properties of both h4-1BB and h4-1BBL and reveals that covalent receptor dimerization amplifies h4-1BB signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aruna Bitra
- From the Division of Immune Regulation, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology (LJI), La Jolla, California 92037
| | - Tzanko Doukov
- the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Light Source, SLAC, Menlo Park, California 94025
| | - Michael Croft
- From the Division of Immune Regulation, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology (LJI), La Jolla, California 92037
- the Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92037, and
| | - Dirk M Zajonc
- From the Division of Immune Regulation, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology (LJI), La Jolla, California 92037,
- the Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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40
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Subramaniam S, Overend C, Yugo DM, Heffron CL, Matzinger SR, Rogers AJ, Tian D, Cao QM, Kenney SP, Meng XJ. Isolation of Peripheral Blood CD8 T Cells Specific to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Utilizing Porcine CD137 Activation Marker. Viral Immunol 2018; 31:333-337. [PMID: 29489438 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2017.0189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CD137 is a costimulatory molecule transiently expressed on activated T cells after mitogen or antigen stimulation that can be exploited for isolating antigen-specific T cells as reported in mouse models. By utilizing an antiporcine CD137 monoclonal antibody (mAb, clone 3B9) developed in our laboratory, we isolated virus-specific CD8β T cells from peripheral blood of pigs experimentally infected with different porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) strains. Similar to mouse, porcine CD8β T cells also express CD137 transiently upon Concavalin A stimulation while the unstimulated cells did not. Most frequently, virus-specific CD8β T cells were isolated at low levels from peripheral blood of pigs experimentally infected with PRRSV strains VR2385, NADC20, and MN184B at 49 and 63 days postinfection. The results suggest that porcine CD137-specific mAb is a useful tool for isolating virus-specific CD8 T cells from peripheral blood and tissues of pigs after in vitro stimulation with viral antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakthivel Subramaniam
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Christopher Overend
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Danielle M Yugo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - C Lynn Heffron
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Shannon R Matzinger
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Adam J Rogers
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Debin Tian
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Qian M Cao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Scott P Kenney
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Xiang-Jin Meng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , Blacksburg, Virginia
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Zhong JX, Chen J, Rao X, Duan L. Dichotomous roles of co-stimulatory molecules in diabetes mellitus. Oncotarget 2018; 9:2902-2911. [PMID: 29416823 PMCID: PMC5788691 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have established the importance of immune dysfunction in the development of diabetes mellitus, including typ1 and typ2 diabetes, and it is worth noting that T cell activation acts a key role in the pathogenesis of loss of β cell mass, adipose inflammation and insulin resistance. Regarding as an important checkpoint in the process of T cell activation, co-stimulatory molecules interaction between antigen present cells and T cells have been identified the critical role in the development of diabetes mellitus. Thus, blockage of co-stimulatory dyads interaction between antigen present cells and T cells was supposed to a potential of therapeutic strategies. However, studies also showed that inhibition or deletion of some co-stimulatory molecules do not always reduce the development of diabetes, and even exacerbate the disease activity. Here, in this context, we highlight the dichotomous role of co-stimulatory molecules interaction in the pathogenesis of diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Xin Zhong
- Department of Endocrinology, Central Hospital of Wuhan, Wuhan, Hubei, China 430061
| | - Jie Chen
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA 44106
- Basic Medical Department of Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China 361102
| | - Xiaoquan Rao
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA 44106
| | - Lihua Duan
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China 361003
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Gerdes N, Zirlik A. Co-stimulatory molecules in and beyond co-stimulation – tipping the balance in atherosclerosis? Thromb Haemost 2017; 106:804-13. [DOI: 10.1160/th11-09-0605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2011] [Accepted: 09/28/2011] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
SummaryA plethora of basic laboratory and clinical studies has uncovered the chronic inflammatory nature of atherosclerosis. The adaptive immune system with its front-runner, the T cell, drives the atherogenic process at all stages. T cell function is dependent on and controlled by a variety of either co-stimulatory or co-inhibitory signals. In addition, many of these proteins enfold T cell-independent pro-atherogenic functions on a variety of cell types. Accordingly they represent potential targets for immune- modulatory and/or anti-inflammatory therapy of atherosclerosis. This review focuses on the diverse role of co-stimulatory molecules of the B7 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-superfamily and their downstream signalling effectors in atherosclerosis. In particular, the contribution of CD28/CD80/CD86/CTLA4, ICOS/ICOSL, PD-1/PDL-1/2, TRAF, CD40/CD154, OX40/OX40L, CD137/CD137L, CD70/CD27, GITR/GITRL, and LIGHT to arterial disease is reviewed. Finally, the potential for a therapeutic exploitation of these molecules in the treatment of atherosclerosis is discussed.
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Solinas C, Gombos A, Latifyan S, Piccart-Gebhart M, Kok M, Buisseret L. Targeting immune checkpoints in breast cancer: an update of early results. ESMO Open 2017; 2:e000255. [PMID: 29177095 PMCID: PMC5687552 DOI: 10.1136/esmoopen-2017-000255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune tumour microenvironment has been shown to play a crucial role in the development and progression of cancer. Expression of gene signatures, reflecting immune activation, and the presence of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes were associated with favourable outcomes in HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer. Recently, immunotherapy with immune checkpoint blockade induced long-lasting responses and improved survival in hard-to-treat malignancies (ie, melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer) and are changing treatment paradigms in a variety of neoplastic diseases. Immune checkpoint blockade has been evaluated in breast cancer, particularly in the triple-negative subtype, with promising results observed in monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy in the metastatic and neoadjuvant settings. However, identification of patients who are most likely to benefit from immune checkpoint blockade remains challenging, with many patients not responding to treatments and a significant financial cost. The combination of immune checkpoint blockade with conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies or with other immunotherapies is a promising strategy to potentiate its efficacy in breast cancer although further research is required to effectively identify who will respond to these immunotherapies. In this review we report the most recent results that emerged from trials testing immune checkpoint blockade and potential predictive biomarkers and emphasise the new strategies that are under clinical development in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Solinas
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Andrea Gombos
- Department of Medicine, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sofiya Latifyan
- Department of Medicine, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Martine Piccart-Gebhart
- Department of Medicine, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marleen Kok
- Department of Medical Oncology and Immunology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Laurence Buisseret
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Medicine, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.,Breast Cancer Translational Research Laboratory, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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44
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Immunotherapy targeting 4-1BB: mechanistic rationale, clinical results, and future strategies. Blood 2017; 131:49-57. [PMID: 29118009 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2017-06-741041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 298] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
4-1BB (CD137, tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily 9) is an inducible costimulatory receptor expressed on activated T and natural killer (NK) cells. 4-1BB ligation on T cells triggers a signaling cascade that results in upregulation of antiapoptotic molecules, cytokine secretion, and enhanced effector function. In dysfunctional T cells that have a decreased cytotoxic capacity, 4-1BB ligation demonstrates a potent ability to restore effector functions. On NK cells, 4-1BB signaling can increase antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Agonistic monoclonal antibodies targeting 4-1BB have been developed to harness 4-1BB signaling for cancer immunotherapy. Preclinical results in a variety of induced and spontaneous tumor models suggest that targeting 4-1BB with agonist antibodies can lead to tumor clearance and durable antitumor immunity. Clinical trials of 2 agonist antibodies, urelumab and utomilumab, are ongoing. Despite initial signs of efficacy, clinical development of urelumab has been hampered by inflammatory liver toxicity at doses >1 mg/kg. Utomilumab has a superior safety profile, but is a less potent 4-1BB agonist relative to urelumab. Both antibodies have demonstrated promising results in patients with lymphoma and are being tested in combination therapy trials with other immunomodulatory agents. In an effort to optimally leverage 4-1BB-mediated immune activation, the next generation of 4-1BB targeting strategies attempts to decouple the observed antitumor efficacy from the on-target liver toxicity. Multiple therapeutics that attempt to restrict 4-1BB agonism to the tumor microenvironment and minimize systemic exposure have emerged. 4-1BB is a compelling target for cancer immunotherapy and future agents show great promise for achieving potent immune activation while avoiding limiting immune-related adverse events.
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45
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Glycolipid-peptide conjugate vaccines enhance CD8 + T cell responses against human viral proteins. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14273. [PMID: 29079845 PMCID: PMC5660197 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14690-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
An important goal of vaccination against viruses and virus-driven cancers is to elicit cytotoxic CD8+ T cells specific for virus-derived peptides. CD8+ T cell responses can be enhanced by engaging help from natural killer T (NKT) cells. We have produced synthetic vaccines that induce strong peptide-specific CD8+ T cell responses in vivo by incorporating an NKT cell-activating glycolipid. Here we examine the effect of a glycolipid-peptide conjugate vaccine incorporating an NKT cell-activating glycolipid linked to an MHC class I-restricted peptide from a viral antigen in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The vaccine induces CD1d-dependent activation of human NKT cells following enzymatic cleavage, activates human dendritic cells in an NKT-cell dependent manner, and generates a pool of activated antigen-specific CD8+ T cells with cytotoxic potential. Compared to unconjugated peptide, the vaccine upregulates expression of genes encoding interferon-γ, CD137 and granzyme B. A similar vaccine incorporating a peptide from the clinically-relevant human papilloma virus (HPV) 16 E7 oncoprotein induces cytotoxicity against peptide-expressing targets in vivo, and elicits a better antitumor response in a model of E7-expressing lung cancer than its unconjugated components. Glycolipid-peptide conjugate vaccines may prove useful for the prevention or treatment of viral infections and tumors that express viral antigens.
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46
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Kim EJ, Lee JG, Kim JY, Song SH, Joo DJ, Huh KH, Kim MS, Kim BS, Kim YS. Enhanced immune-modulatory effects of thalidomide and dexamethasone co-treatment on T cell subsets. Immunology 2017; 152:628-637. [PMID: 28758197 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Thalidomide (TM) has been reported to have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, and dexamethasone (DX) is known to reduce inflammation and inhibit production of inflammatory cytokines. Many studies have reported that combinatorial therapy with TM and DX is clinically used to treat multiple myeloma and lupus nephritis, but the mechanism responsible for its effects has not been elucidated. In this study, we determined that TM and DX co-treatment had an enhanced immune-modulatory effect on T cells through regulating the expression of co-stimulatory molecules. Splenic naive T cells from C57BL/6 mice were sort-purified and cultured for CD4+ T cell proliferation and regulatory T (Treg) cell conversion in the presence of TM and/or DX. Following incubation with the drugs, cells were collected and OX40, 4-1BB, and glucocorticoid-induced tumour necrosis factor receptor-related protein (GITR) expression was quantified by flow cytometry. TM (1 or 10 μm) decreased CD4+ T cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, whereas TM/DX (0·1 or 1 nm) co-treatment further decreased proliferation. Treg cell populations were preserved following drug treatment. Furthermore, expression of co-stimulatory molecules decreased upon TM/DX co-treatment in effector T (Teff) cells and was preserved in Treg cells. Splenic CD4+ T cells isolated from TM- and DX-treated mice exhibited the same patterns of Teff and Treg cell populations as observed in vitro. Considering the selective effect of TM on different T cell subsets, we suggest that TM may play an immunomodulatory role and that TM/DX combinatorial treatment could further enhance these immunomodulatory effects by regulating GITR, OX40, and 4-1BB expression in CD4+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Jee Kim
- The Research Institute for Transplantation, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Geun Lee
- Department of Transplantation Surgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joon Ye Kim
- The Research Institute for Transplantation, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung Hwan Song
- The Research Institute for Transplantation, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Ewha Women's University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong Jin Joo
- The Research Institute for Transplantation, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Transplantation Surgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyu Ha Huh
- The Research Institute for Transplantation, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Transplantation Surgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea
| | - Myoung Soo Kim
- The Research Institute for Transplantation, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Transplantation Surgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea
| | - Beom Seok Kim
- The Research Institute for Transplantation, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology), Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yu Seun Kim
- The Research Institute for Transplantation, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Transplantation Surgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea
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Abstract
The recent demonstration of the antitumor efficacy of checkpoint protein inhibition has resulted in the approval of blocking antibodies against the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway in multiple different histologic findings. Therapeutic successes with PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies in melanoma and lung cancer have been followed by approvals in bladder, renal, and head and neck cancers and Hodgkin lymphoma, with others undoubtedly to come. However, PD-1 is only one of many checkpoints and agonistic regulatory molecules expressed on T cells by which maintenance of the balance between costimulatory and coinhibitory signaling pathways is perturbed in cancer. The manipulation of many of these molecules in cancer patients might be associated with clinical benefit. The majority of the T-cell cosignaling receptors belong to either the immunoglobulin superfamily or the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily. A total of 29 immunoglobulin superfamily and 26 tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily cosignaling receptors have been identified that are expressed on T cells, providing fertile ground for development of inhibitory or agonistic antibodies and small molecules as cancer therapeutics. In the current work, we focus on some of the most promising new checkpoints and agonistic or cosignaling molecules that are in early clinical development as single agents or in combinations with PD-1/PD-L1, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 blockade, or chemotherapy with an emphasis on those that have reached the clinic and on important targets that are in late preclinical development.
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48
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Le NH, Kim CS, Tu TH, Kim BS, Park T, Park JHY, Goto T, Kawada T, Ha TY, Yu R. Absence of 4-1BB reduces obesity-induced atrophic response in skeletal muscle. JOURNAL OF INFLAMMATION-LONDON 2017; 14:9. [PMID: 28503098 PMCID: PMC5425966 DOI: 10.1186/s12950-017-0156-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
Abstract
Obesity-induced inflammation causes skeletal muscle atrophy accompanied by disruption of oxidative metabolism and is implicated in metabolic complications such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. We previously reported that 4-1BB, a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, participated in obesity-induced skeletal muscle inflammation. Here, we show that the absence of 4-1BB in obese mice fed a high-fat diet led to a decrease in expression of atrophic factors (MuRF1 and Atrogin-1) with suppression of NF-κB activity, and that this was accompanied by increases in mitochondrial oxidative metabolic genes/proteins (e.g., PGC-1α, CPT1β, etc.) expression and oxidative muscle fibers marker genes/proteins in the skeletal muscle. These findings suggest that 4-1BB-mediated inflammatory signaling could be a potential target for combating obesity-related muscle atrophy and metabolic derangement in skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc Hoan Le
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, 44610 South Korea
| | - Chu-Sook Kim
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, 44610 South Korea
| | - Thai Hien Tu
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, 44610 South Korea
| | - Byung-Sam Kim
- Department of Biological Science, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, 44610 South Korea
| | - Taesun Park
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722 South Korea
| | - Jung Han Yoon Park
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition and Research Institute for Bioscience & Biotechnology, Hallym University, Chuncheon, 24252 South Korea
| | - Tsuyoshi Goto
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011 Japan
| | - Teruo Kawada
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011 Japan
| | - Tae Youl Ha
- Research Group of Nutrition and Metabolic System, Korea Food Research Institute, Seongnam, 13539 South Korea
| | - Rina Yu
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, 44610 South Korea
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49
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Foks AC, Kuiper J. Immune checkpoint proteins: exploring their therapeutic potential to regulate atherosclerosis. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 174:3940-3955. [PMID: 28369782 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune system provides a large variety of immune checkpoint proteins, which involve both costimulatory and inhibitory proteins. Costimulatory proteins can promote cell survival, cell cycle progression and differentiation to effector and memory cells, whereas inhibitory proteins terminate these processes to halt ongoing inflammation. Immune checkpoint proteins play a pivotal role in atherosclerosis by regulating the activation and proliferation of various immune and non-immune cells, such as T-cells, macrophages and platelets. Upon activation within the atherosclerotic lesions or in secondary lymphoid organs, these cells produce large amounts of pro-atherogenic cytokines that contribute to the growth and destabilization of lesions, which can result in rupture of the lesion causing acute coronary syndromes, such as a myocardial infarction. Given the presence and regulatory capacity of immune checkpoint proteins in the circulation and atherosclerotic lesions of cardiovascular patients, modulation of these proteins by, for example, the use of monoclonal antibodies, offers unique opportunities to regulate pro-inflammatory immune responses in atherosclerosis. In this review, we highlight the latest advances on the role of immune checkpoint proteins, such as OX40-OX40L, CTLA-4 and TIM proteins, in atherosclerosis and discuss their therapeutic potential as promising immunotherapies to treat or prevent cardiovascular disease. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Targeting Inflammation to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.22/issuetoc and http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bcp.v82.4/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Foks
- Division of Biopharmaceutics, LACDR, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J Kuiper
- Division of Biopharmaceutics, LACDR, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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50
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Bagheri S, Yousefi M, Safaie Qamsari E, Riazi-Rad F, Abolhassani M, Younesi V, Dorostkar R, Movassaghpour AA, Sharifzadeh Z. Selection of single chain antibody fragments binding to the extracellular domain of 4-1BB receptor by phage display technology. Tumour Biol 2017; 39:1010428317695924. [PMID: 28347235 DOI: 10.1177/1010428317695924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The 4-1BB is a surface glycoprotein that pertains to the tumor necrosis factor-receptor family. There is compelling evidence suggesting important roles for 4-1BB in the immune response, including cell activation and proliferation and also cytokine induction. Because of encouraging results of different agonistic monoclonal antibodies against 4-1BB in the treatment of cancer, infectious, and autoimmune diseases, 4-1BB has been suggested as an attractive target for immunotherapy. In this study, single chain variable fragment phage display libraries, Tomlinson I+J, were screened against specific synthetic oligopeptides (peptides I and II) designed from 4-1BB extracellular domain. Five rounds of panning led to selection of four 4-1BB specific single chain variable fragments (PI.12, PI.42, PII.16, and PII.29) which showed specific reaction to relevant peptides in phage enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The selected clones were successfully expressed in Escherichia coli Rosetta-gami 2, and their expression was confirmed by western blot analysis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay experiments indicated that these antibodies were able to specifically recognize 4-1BB without any cross-reactivity with other antigens. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated an acceptable specific binding of the single chain variable fragments to 4-1BB expressed on CCRF-CEM cells, while no binding was observed with an irrelevant antibody. Anti-4-1BB single chain variable fragments enhanced surface CD69 expression and interleukin-2 production in stimulated CCRF-CEM cells which confirmed the agonistic effect of the selected single chain variable fragments. The data from this study have provided a rationale for further experiments involving the biological functions of anti-4-1BB single chain variable fragments in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salman Bagheri
- 1 Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,2 Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,3 Hybridoma Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Yousefi
- 1 Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,2 Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Elmira Safaie Qamsari
- 1 Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,2 Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,3 Hybridoma Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farhad Riazi-Rad
- 4 Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Abolhassani
- 3 Hybridoma Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Ruhollah Dorostkar
- 6 Applied Virology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Movassaghpour
- 2 Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Zahra Sharifzadeh
- 3 Hybridoma Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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