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Balasko AL, Kowatsch MM, Graydon C, Lajoie J, Fowke KR. The effect of blocking immune checkpoints LAG-3 and PD-1 on human invariant Natural Killer T cell function. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10082. [PMID: 37344517 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36468-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells undergo immune exhaustion during chronic activation caused by cancer and viral infections, such as HIV. Exhaustion is marked by cell dysfunction and increased expression of immune checkpoint proteins programmed cell-death-1 (PD-1) and lymphocyte-activation-gene-3 (LAG-3). We hypothesize that blockade of PD-1 and/or LAG-3 will enhance iNKT cell function. Utilizing peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors, LAG-3 and PD-1 expression on iNKT cells was assessed using flow cytometry following in vitro stimulation with iNKT-specific stimulant α-galactosylceramide (n = 4). Efficacy of anti-LAG-3 and/or anti-PD-1 antibody blockades in enhancing iNKT cell function was assessed by determining proliferative capacity and IFN-γ production (n = 9). LAG-3 and PD-1 expression on iNKT cells peaked at Day 4 (98.8%; p ≤ 0.0001 and 98.8%; p = 0.005, respectively), followed by steep decrease by Day 10, coinciding with peak iNKT cell proliferation. In a 10-day blocking assay, both the anti-PD-1 alone and dual anti-PD-1 and anti-LAG-3 significantly increased iNKT proliferation (6 and 6.29 log2 fold-change respectively) compared to the no blockade control (ANOVA-p = 0.0005) with the dual blockade system being more effective (t-test-p = 0.013). This provides proof-of-concept for LAG-3 and PD-1 as immunotherapeutic targets to enhance human iNKT cell function, with the long-term goal of addressing immune exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison L Balasko
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Monika M Kowatsch
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Colin Graydon
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Julie Lajoie
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Keith R Fowke
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
- Partners for Health and Development in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.
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2
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Fan F, Dong G, Han C, Ding W, Li X, Dong X, Wang Z, Liang P, Yu J. Peripheral immune factors aiding clinical parameter for better early recurrence prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma after thermal ablation. Int J Hyperthermia 2023; 40:2172219. [PMID: 36775652 DOI: 10.1080/02656736.2023.2172219] [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: 02/14/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Current predictors are largely unsatisfied for early recurrence (ER) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after thermal ablation. We aimed to explore the prognostic value of peripheral immune factors (PIFs) for better ER prediction of HCC after thermal ablation. METHODS Patients who received peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) tests before thermal ablation were included. Clinical parameters and 18 PIFs were selected to construct ModelClin, ModelPIFs and the hybrid ModelPIFs-Clin. Model performances were evaluated using area under the curve (AUC), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank tests. RESULTS 244 patients were included and were randomly divided in 3:1 ratio to discovery and validation cohorts. Clinical parameters including tumor size and AFP, and PIFs including neutrophils, platelets, CD3+CD16+CD56+ NKT and CD8+CD28- T lymphocytes were selected. The ModelPIFs-Clin showed increase in predictive performance compared with ModelClin, with the AUC improved from 0.664 (95%CI:0.588-0.740) to 0.801 (95%CI:0.734-0.867) in discovery cohort (p < 0.0001), and from 0.645 (95%CI:0.510-0.781) to 0.737(95%CI:0.608-0.865) in validation cohort (p = 0.1006). ModelPIFs-Clin enabled ER risk stratification of patients. Patients predicted in ModelPIFs-Clin high-risk subgroup had a poor RFS compared with those predicted as ModelPIFs-Clin low-risk subgroup, with the median RFS was 18.00 month versus 100.78 month in discovery cohort (p < 0.0001); and 24.00 month versus 60.35 month in validation cohort (p = 0.288). Patients in different risk subgroups exhibited distinct peripheral immune contexture. CONCLUSIONS Peripheral immune cells aiding clinical parameters boosted the prediction ability for ER of HCC after thermal ablation, which be helpful for pre-ablation ER risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangying Fan
- Fifth Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.,Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing, China
| | - Guoping Dong
- Fifth Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chuanhui Han
- Peking University International Cancer Institute, Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing, China.,Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Wenzhen Ding
- Fifth Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Li
- Fifth Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xuejuan Dong
- Fifth Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Fifth Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Liang
- Fifth Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.,Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Yu
- Fifth Medical Center of Chinese, PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.,Chinese PLA Medical School, Beijing, China
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3
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PD-1 expression, among other immune checkpoints, on tumor-infiltrating NK and NKT cells is associated with longer disease-free survival in treatment-naïve CRC patients. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 72:1933-1939. [DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03337-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AbstractA variety of variables, such as microsatellite instability or inflammatory mediators, are critical players in the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Natural killer (NK) and natural killer T (NKT) cells are involved in the prognoses of CRC. Immunological components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) impact cancer progression and therapeutic responses. We report that CRC patients with higher frequencies of tumor-infiltrating PD-1+ NK and NKT cells had significantly longer disease-free survival (DFS) than patients with lower frequencies. In agreement with that, patients with higher frequencies of tumor-infiltrating PD-1− NK and NKT cells showed shorter DFS. There were no significant associations between tumor-infiltrating PD-1+TIM-3+, PD-1+TIGIT+, PD-1+ICOS+, PD-1+LAG-3+ NK cells, and PD-1+TIM-3+, PD-1+TIGIT+, and PD-1+LAG-3+ NKT cells with DFS. This study highlights the significance of PD-1 expression on tumor-infiltrating NK and NKT cells and its association with disease prognoses in CRC patients.
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4
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Nelson A, Gebremeskel S, Lichty BD, Johnston B. Natural killer T cell immunotherapy combined with IL-15-expressing oncolytic virotherapy and PD-1 blockade mediates pancreatic tumor regression. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:e003923. [PMID: 35246474 PMCID: PMC8900046 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-003923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death, with a 5-year -year survival rate of less than 10%. This results from late detection, high rates of metastasis, and resistance to standard chemotherapies. Furthermore, chemotherapy and radiation are associated with significant morbidity, underscoring the need for novel therapies. Recent clinical studies have shown that immunotherapies can provide durable outcomes in cancer patients, but successes in pancreatic cancer have been limited. It is likely that novel and combined therapies will be needed to achieve clinical benefits. METHODS Using experimental mouse models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, we examined natural killer T (NKT) cell activation therapy in combination with a recombinant oncolytic vesicular stomatitis virus (VSVΔM51) engineered to express the cytokine IL-15 (VSV-IL-15). Panc02 pancreatic ductal carcinoma cells were implanted subcutaneously or orthotopically into syngeneic C57BL/6 mice. Mice were then treated with VSV expressing green fluorescent protein (VSV-GFP) or VSV-IL-15 and/or NKT cell activation therapy via delivery of α-GalCer-loaded DCs. We further assessed whether the addition of PD-1 blockade could increase the therapeutic benefit of our combination treatment. Three days after NKT cell activation, some groups of mice were treated with anti-PD-1 antibodies weekly for 3 weeks. RESULTS VSV-GFP and VSV-IL-15 mediated equal killing of human and mouse pancreatic cancer lines in vitro. In vivo, VSV-IL-15 combined with NKT cell activation therapy to enhance tumor regression and increase survival time over individual treatments, and was also superior to NKT cell therapy combined with VSV-GFP. Enhanced tumor control was associated with increased immune cell infiltration and anti-tumor effector functions (cytotoxicity and cytokine production). While ineffective as a monotherapy, the addition of blocking PD-1 antibodies to the combined protocol sustained immune cell activation and effector functions, resulting in prolonged tumor regression and complete tumor clearance in 20% of mice. Mice who cleared the initial tumor challenge exhibited reduced tumor growth uponon rechallenge, consistent with the formation of immune memory. CONCLUSION TThese results demonstrate that NKT cell immunotherapy combined with oncolytic VSV-IL-15 virotherapy and PD-1 blockade enhances tumor control and presents a promising treatment strategy for targeting pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Nelson
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Simon Gebremeskel
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Brian D Lichty
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brent Johnston
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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5
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Catafal-Tardos E, Baglioni MV, Bekiaris V. Inhibiting the Unconventionals: Importance of Immune Checkpoint Receptors in γδ T, MAIT, and NKT Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13184647. [PMID: 34572874 PMCID: PMC8467786 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184647] [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: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary All conventional major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted T cells transiently express immune checkpoint/inhibitory receptors (ICRs) following activation as a means to counter-regulate overactivation. However, tumors promote chronic ICR expression rendering T cells chronically unresponsive or “exhausted”. Checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) therapy targets and blocks ICRs, restoring T cell activation and anti-tumor immunity. However, CPI therapy often fails, partly because of the tumor’s many abilities to inhibit MHC-driven T cell responses. In this regard, our immune system contains an arsenal of unconventional non-MHC-restricted T cells, whose importance in anti-tumor immunity is rapidly gaining momentum. There is currently little knowledge as to whether unconventional T cells can get exhausted and how CPI therapy affects them. In this article we review the current understanding of the role of ICRs in unconventional T cell biology and discuss the importance of targeting these unique immune cell populations for CPI therapy. Abstract In recent years, checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) therapy has shown promising clinical responses across a broad range of cancers. However, many patients remain unresponsive and there is need for improvement. CPI therapy relies on antibody-mediated neutralization of immune inhibitory or checkpoint receptors (ICRs) that constitutively suppress leukocytes. In this regard, the clinical outcome of CPI therapy has primarily been attributed to modulating classical MHC-restricted αβ T cell responses, yet, it will inevitably target most lymphoid (and many myeloid) populations. As such, unconventional non-MHC-restricted gamma delta (γδ) T, mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) and natural killer T (NKT) cells express ICRs at steady-state and after activation and may thus be affected by CPI therapies. To which extent, however, remains unclear. These unconventional T cells are polyfunctional innate-like lymphocytes that play a key role in tumor immune surveillance and have a plethora of protective and pathogenic immune responses. The robust anti-tumor potential of γδ T, MAIT, and NKT cells has been established in a variety of preclinical cancer models and in clinical reports. In contrast, recent studies have documented a pro-tumor effect of innate-like T cell subsets that secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines. Consequently, understanding the mechanisms that regulate such T cells and their response to CPI is critical in designing effective cancer immunotherapies that favor anti-tumor immunity. In this Review, we will discuss the current understanding regarding the role of immune checkpoint regulation in γδ T, MAIT, and NKT cells and its importance in anti-cancer immunity.
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6
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Messeha SS, Zarmouh NO, Soliman KFA. Polyphenols Modulating Effects of PD-L1/PD-1 Checkpoint and EMT-Mediated PD-L1 Overexpression in Breast Cancer. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13051718. [PMID: 34069461 PMCID: PMC8159140 DOI: 10.3390/nu13051718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigating dietary polyphenolic compounds as antitumor agents are rising due to the growing evidence of the close association between immunity and cancer. Cancer cells elude immune surveillance for enhancing their progression and metastasis utilizing various mechanisms. These mechanisms include the upregulation of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) cell phenotype activation. In addition to its role in stimulating normal embryonic development, EMT has been identified as a critical driver in various aspects of cancer pathology, including carcinogenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance. Furthermore, EMT conversion to another phenotype, Mesenchymal-to-Epithelial Transition (MET), is crucial in developing cancer metastasis. A central mechanism in the upregulation of PD-L1 expression in various cancer types is EMT signaling activation. In breast cancer (BC) cells, the upregulated level of PD-L1 has become a critical target in cancer therapy. Various signal transduction pathways are involved in EMT-mediated PD-L1 checkpoint overexpression. Three main groups are considered potential targets in EMT development; the effectors (E-cadherin and Vimentin), the regulators (Zeb, Twist, and Snail), and the inducers that include members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). Meanwhile, the correlation between consuming flavonoid-rich food and the lower risk of cancers has been demonstrated. In BC, polyphenols were found to downregulate PD-L1 expression. This review highlights the effects of polyphenols on the EMT process by inhibiting mesenchymal proteins and upregulating the epithelial phenotype. This multifunctional mechanism could hold promises in the prevention and treating breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samia S. Messeha
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA;
| | - Najla O. Zarmouh
- Faculty of Medical Technology-Misrata, Libyan National Board for Technical & Vocational Education, Misrata LY72, Libya;
| | - Karam F. A. Soliman
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-850-599-3306; Fax: +1-850-599-3667
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7
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Translating Unconventional T Cells and Their Roles in Leukemia Antitumor Immunity. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:6633824. [PMID: 33506055 PMCID: PMC7808823 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6633824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, cell-mediated immune response in malignant neoplasms has become the focus in immunotherapy against cancer. However, in leukemia, most studies on the cytotoxic potential of T cells have concentrated only on T cells that recognize peptide antigens (Ag) presented by polymorphic molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). This ignores the great potential of unconventional T cell populations, which include gamma-delta T cells (γδ), natural killer T cells (NKT), and mucosal-associated invariant T cells (MAIT). Collectively, these T cell populations can recognize lipid antigens, specially modified peptides and small molecule metabolites, in addition to having several other advantages, which can provide more effective applications in cancer immunotherapy. In recent years, these cell populations have been associated with a repertoire of anti- or protumor responses and play important roles in the dynamics of solid tumors and hematological malignancies, thus, encouraging the development of new investigations in the area. This review focuses on the current knowledge regarding the role of unconventional T cell populations in the antitumor immune response in leukemia and discusses why further studies on the immunotherapeutic potential of these cells are needed.
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8
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Wang Y, Bhave MS, Yagita H, Cardell SL. Natural Killer T-Cell Agonist α-Galactosylceramide and PD-1 Blockade Synergize to Reduce Tumor Development in a Preclinical Model of Colon Cancer. Front Immunol 2020; 11:581301. [PMID: 33193386 PMCID: PMC7606378 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.581301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Murine and human invariant natural killer T (iNKT) lymphocytes are activated by α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) presented on CD1d. α-GalCer was first described as a lipid that had strong anti-metastatic effects in a mouse melanoma model, and it has subsequently been shown to induce efficient iNKT cell dependent tumor immunity in several tumor models. We have shown that α-GalCer treatment leads to a weak reduction of polyp burden in the autochthonous ApcMin/+ mouse model for human colon cancer, however this treatment resulted in upregulation of the inhibitory receptor PD-1 on iNKT cells. While anti-PD-1 treatment can prevent immune-suppression in other cancer types, human colon cancer is generally resistant to this treatment. Here we have used the ApcMin/+ model to investigate whether a combined treatment with α-GalCer and PD-1 blockade results in improved effects on polyp development. We find that PD-1 expression was high on T cells in polyps and lamina propria (LP) of ApcMin/+ mice compared to polyp free Apc+/+ littermates. Anti-PD-1 treatment alone promoted Tbet expression in iNKT cells and CD4 T cells, but did not significantly reduce polyp numbers. However, the combined treatment with anti-PD-1 and α-GalCer had synergistic effects, resulting in highly significant reduction of polyp numbers in the small and large intestine. Addition of PD-1 blockade to α-GalCer treatment prevented loss of iNKT cells that were skewed towards a TH1-like iNKT1 phenotype specifically in polyps. It also resulted in TH1 skewing and increased granzyme B expression of CD4 T cells. Taken together this demonstrates that a combination of immune stimulation targeting iNKT cells and checkpoint blockade may be a promising approach to develop for improved tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Madhura S Bhave
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hideo Yagita
- Department of Immunology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Japan
| | - Susanna L Cardell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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9
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La Manna MP, Orlando V, Tamburini B, Badami GD, Dieli F, Caccamo N. Harnessing Unconventional T Cells for Immunotherapy of Tuberculosis. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2107. [PMID: 33013888 PMCID: PMC7497315 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Even if the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) has been decreasing over the last years, the number of patients with TB is increasing worldwide. The emergence of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant TB is making control of TB more difficult. Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccine fails to prevent pulmonary TB in adults, and there is an urgent need for a vaccine that is also effective in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection. Therefore, TB control may benefit on novel therapeutic options beyond antimicrobial treatment. Host-directed immunotherapies could offer therapeutic strategies for patients with drug-resistant TB or with HIV and TB coinfection. In the last years, the use of donor lymphocytes after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has emerged as a new strategy in the cure of hematologic malignancies in order to induce graft-versus leukemia and graft-versus-infection effects. Moreover, adoptive therapy has proven to be effective in controlling cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus reactivation in immunocompromised patients with ex vivo expanded viral antigen-specific T cells. Unconventional T cells are a heterogeneous group of T lymphocytes with limited diversity. One of their characteristics is that antigen recognition is not restricted by the classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC). They include CD1 (cluster of differentiation 1)–restricted T cells, MHC-related protein-1–restricted mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, MHC class Ib–reactive T cells, and γδ T cells. Because these T cells are genotype-independent, they are also termed “donor unrestricted” T cells. The combined features of low donor diversity and the lack of genetic restriction make these cells suitable candidates for T cell–based immunotherapy of TB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco P La Manna
- Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research, Palermo, Italy.,Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Valentina Orlando
- Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research, Palermo, Italy.,Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Bartolo Tamburini
- Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research, Palermo, Italy.,Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giusto D Badami
- Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research, Palermo, Italy.,Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Dieli
- Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research, Palermo, Italy.,Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Nadia Caccamo
- Central Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Biomedical Research, Palermo, Italy.,Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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10
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McNerney KO, Karageorgos SA, Hogarty MD, Bassiri H. Enhancing Neuroblastoma Immunotherapies by Engaging iNKT and NK Cells. Front Immunol 2020; 11:873. [PMID: 32457760 PMCID: PMC7225357 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children and, in the high-risk group, has a 5-year mortality rate of ~50%. The high mortality rate and significant treatment-related morbidities associated with current standard of care therapies belie the critical need for more tolerable and effective treatments for this disease. While the monoclonal antibody dinutuximab has demonstrated the potential for immunotherapy to improve overall NB outcomes, the 5-year overall survival of high-risk patients has not yet substantially changed. The frequency and type of invariant natural killer T cells (iNKTs) and natural killer cells (NKs) has been associated with improved outcomes in several solid and liquid malignancies, including NB. Indeed, iNKTs and NKs inhibit tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), kill cancer stem cells (CSCs) and neuroblasts, and robustly secrete cytokines to recruit additional immune effectors. These capabilities, and promising pre-clinical and early clinical data suggest that iNKT- and NK-based therapies may hold promise as both stand-alone and combination treatments for NB. In this review we will summarize the biologic features of iNKTs and NKs that confer advantages for NB immunotherapy, discuss the barriers imposed by the NB tumor microenvironment, and examine the current state of such therapies in pre-clinical models and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin O McNerney
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Spyridon A Karageorgos
- School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michael D Hogarty
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Hamid Bassiri
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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11
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Zhu Y, Smith DJ, Zhou Y, Li YR, Yu J, Lee D, Wang YC, Di Biase S, Wang X, Hardoy C, Ku J, Tsao T, Lin LJ, Pham AT, Moon H, McLaughlin J, Cheng D, Hollis RP, Campo-Fernandez B, Urbinati F, Wei L, Pang L, Rezek V, Berent-Maoz B, Macabali MH, Gjertson D, Wang X, Galic Z, Kitchen SG, An DS, Hu-Lieskovan S, Kaplan-Lefko PJ, De Oliveira SN, Seet CS, Larson SM, Forman SJ, Heath JR, Zack JA, Crooks GM, Radu CG, Ribas A, Kohn DB, Witte ON, Yang L. Development of Hematopoietic Stem Cell-Engineered Invariant Natural Killer T Cell Therapy for Cancer. Cell Stem Cell 2019; 25:542-557.e9. [PMID: 31495780 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2019.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are potent immune cells for targeting cancer; however, their clinical application has been hindered by their low numbers in cancer patients. Here, we developed a proof-of-concept for hematopoietic stem cell-engineered iNKT (HSC-iNKT) cell therapy with the potential to provide therapeutic levels of iNKT cells for a patient's lifetime. Using a human HSC engrafted mouse model and a human iNKT TCR gene engineering approach, we demonstrated the efficient and long-term generation of HSC-iNKT cells in vivo. These HSC-iNKT cells closely resembled endogenous human iNKT cells, could deploy multiple mechanisms to attack tumor cells, and effectively suppressed tumor growth in vivo in multiple human tumor xenograft mouse models. Preclinical safety studies showed no toxicity or tumorigenicity of the HSC-iNKT cell therapy. Collectively, these results demonstrated the feasibility, safety, and cancer therapy potential of the proposed HSC-iNKT cell therapy and laid a foundation for future clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanni Zhu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Drake J Smith
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yang Zhou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yan-Ruide Li
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jiaji Yu
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Derek Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yu-Chen Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Stefano Di Biase
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Christian Hardoy
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Josh Ku
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Tasha Tsao
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Levina J Lin
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Alexander T Pham
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Heesung Moon
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jami McLaughlin
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Donghui Cheng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Roger P Hollis
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Beatriz Campo-Fernandez
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Fabrizia Urbinati
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Liu Wei
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Larry Pang
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Valerie Rezek
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Beata Berent-Maoz
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Mignonette H Macabali
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - David Gjertson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Biostatistics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Zoran Galic
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Scott G Kitchen
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Dong Sung An
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; School of Nursing, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; AIDS Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Siwen Hu-Lieskovan
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Paula J Kaplan-Lefko
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Satiro N De Oliveira
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Christopher S Seet
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sarah M Larson
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Stephen J Forman
- Hematological Malignancies and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - James R Heath
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Jerome A Zack
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Gay M Crooks
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Caius G Radu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Ahmanson Translational Imaging Division, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Antoni Ribas
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Donald B Kohn
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Owen N Witte
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Lili Yang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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12
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Verbeke R, Lentacker I, Breckpot K, Janssens J, Van Calenbergh S, De Smedt SC, Dewitte H. Broadening the Message: A Nanovaccine Co-loaded with Messenger RNA and α-GalCer Induces Antitumor Immunity through Conventional and Natural Killer T Cells. ACS NANO 2019; 13:1655-1669. [PMID: 30742405 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.8b07660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Messenger RNA encoding tumor antigens has the potential to evoke effective antitumor immunity. This study reports on a nanoparticle platform, named mRNA Galsomes, that successfully co-delivers nucleoside-modified antigen-encoding mRNA and the glycolipid antigen and immunopotentiator α-galactosylceramide (α-GC) to antigen-presenting cells after intravenous administration. By co-formulating low doses of α-GC, mRNA Galsomes induce a pluripotent innate and adaptive tumor-specific immune response in mice, with invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT) as a driving force. In comparison, mRNA Galsomes exhibit advantages over the state-of-the-art cancer vaccines using unmodified ovalbumin (OVA)-encoding mRNA, as we observed up to seven times more tumor-infiltrating antigen-specific cytotoxic T cells, combined with a strong iNKT cell and NK cell activation. In addition, the presence of suppressive myeloid cells (myeloid-derived suppressor cells and tumor-associated macrophages) in the tumor microenvironment was significantly lowered. Owing to these antitumor effects, OVA mRNA Galsomes significantly reduced tumor growth in established E.G7-OVA lymphoma, with a complete tumor rejection in 40% of the animals. Moreover, therapeutic vaccination with mRNA Galsomes enhanced the responsiveness to treatment with a PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor in B16-OVA melanoma, as evidenced by a synergistic reduction of tumor outgrowth and a significantly prolonged median survival. Taken together, these data show that intravenously administered mRNA Galsomes can provide controllable, multifaceted, and effective antitumor immunity, especially when combined with checkpoint inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rein Verbeke
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Faculty of Pharmacy , Ghent University , Ghent 9000 , Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University Hospital , Ghent University , Ghent 9000 , Belgium
| | - Ine Lentacker
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Faculty of Pharmacy , Ghent University , Ghent 9000 , Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University Hospital , Ghent University , Ghent 9000 , Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences , Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) , Jette 1090 , Belgium
| | - Jonas Janssens
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy , Ghent University , Ghent 9000 , Belgium
| | - Serge Van Calenbergh
- Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy , Ghent University , Ghent 9000 , Belgium
| | - Stefaan C De Smedt
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Faculty of Pharmacy , Ghent University , Ghent 9000 , Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University Hospital , Ghent University , Ghent 9000 , Belgium
| | - Heleen Dewitte
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Faculty of Pharmacy , Ghent University , Ghent 9000 , Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University Hospital , Ghent University , Ghent 9000 , Belgium
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences , Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) , Jette 1090 , Belgium
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13
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Godfrey DI, Le Nours J, Andrews DM, Uldrich AP, Rossjohn J. Unconventional T Cell Targets for Cancer Immunotherapy. Immunity 2018; 48:453-473. [PMID: 29562195 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2018.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 205] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Most studies on the immunotherapeutic potential of T cells have focused on CD8 and CD4 T cells that recognize peptide antigens (Ag) presented by polymorphic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and MHC class II molecules, respectively. However, unconventional T cells, which interact with MHC class Ib and MHC-I like molecules, are also implicated in tumor immunity, although their role therein is unclear. These include unconventional T cells targeting MHC class Ib molecules such as HLA-E and its murine ortholog Qa-1b, natural killer T (NKT) cells, mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, and γδ T cells. Here, we review the current understanding of the roles of these unconventional T cells in tumor immunity and discuss why further studies into the immunotherapeutic potential of these cells is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale I Godfrey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Jérôme Le Nours
- Infection and Immunity Program and The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Daniel M Andrews
- Department of Immunology and Pathology, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Adam P Uldrich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Jamie Rossjohn
- Infection and Immunity Program and The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; Institute of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University, School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK.
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14
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Bae EA, Seo H, Kim BS, Choi J, Jeon I, Shin KS, Koh CH, Song B, Kim IK, Min BS, Han YD, Shin SJ, Kang CY. Activation of NKT Cells in an Anti-PD-1-Resistant Tumor Model Enhances Antitumor Immunity by Reinvigorating Exhausted CD8 T Cells. Cancer Res 2018; 78:5315-5326. [PMID: 30012672 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-0734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PD-1-based cancer immunotherapy is a successful example of immune checkpoint blockade that provides long-term durable therapeutic effects in patients with cancer across a wide spectrum of cancer types. Accumulating evidence suggests that anti-PD-1 therapy enhances antitumor immunity by reversing the function of exhausted T cells in the tumor environment. However, the responsiveness rate of patients with cancer to anti-PD-1 therapy remains low, providing an urgent need for optimization and improvement. In this study, we designed an anti-PD-1-resistant mouse tumor model and showed that unresponsiveness to anti-PD-1 is associated with a gradual increase in CD8 T-cell exhaustion. We also found that invariant natural killer T cell stimulation by the synthetic ligand α-galactosylceramide (αGC) can enhance the antitumor effect in anti-PD-1-resistant tumors by restoring the effector function of tumor antigen-specific exhausted CD8 T cells. IL2 and IL12 were among the cytokines produced by αGC stimulation critical for reinvigorating exhausted CD8 T cells in tumor-bearing mice and patients with cancer. Furthermore, we observed a synergistic increase in the antitumor effect between αGC-loaded antigen-presenting cells and PD-1 blockade in a therapeutic murine tumor model. Our study suggests NKT cell stimulation as a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of patients with anti-PD-1-resistant cancer.Significance: These findings provide mechanistic insights into the application of NKT cell stimulation as a potent adjuvant for immunotherapy against advanced cancer. Cancer Res; 78(18); 5315-26. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Ah Bae
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, and College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyungseok Seo
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, and College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Laboratory of Immunology, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Seok Kim
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongwon Choi
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, and College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Insu Jeon
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, and College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang-Soo Shin
- Laboratory of Immunology, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Choong-Hyun Koh
- Laboratory of Immunology, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Boyeong Song
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, and College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Il-Kyu Kim
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, and College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Laboratory of Immunology, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Soh Min
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Dae Han
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Joon Shin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Yuil Kang
- Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, and College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Laboratory of Immunology, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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15
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Singh D, Ghate M, Godbole S, Kulkarni S, Thakar M. Functional Invariant Natural Killer T Cells Secreting Cytokines Are Associated With Non-Progressive Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Infection but Not With Suppressive Anti-Retroviral Treatment. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1152. [PMID: 29881390 PMCID: PMC5976739 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background CD1d restricted invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are important in the activation and regulation of immune responses. Limited information is available regarding the functional role of iNKT cells in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease progression. Methodology α-GalCer stimulated iNKT cells were characterized for their functionality in terms of cytokine production (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-21) and CD107a expression in HIV-1 infected [23 long-term non progressors (LTNPs), 28 progressors, 18 patients before and after suppressive anti-retroviral treatment (ART)] along with 25 HIV-1 negative subjects using multicolor flow cytometry. Results The functional profile of α-GalCer stimulated iNKT cells was similar in LTNPs and healthy controls. The number of LTNPs showing functional response in terms of secretion of cytokines (IFN-γ/IL2/TNF-α) and CD107a expression was significantly higher than seen in the progressors. The cytokine secretion by the stimulated iNKT cells was predominantly Th1 type. The frequencies of iNKT cells showing secretion of IFN-γ or IL2 or TNF-α or expression of CD107a were higher in LTNPs (p < 0.05 for all) and also significantly associated with lower plasma viral load (p value ranged from 0.04 to 0.003) and higher CD4 count (p value ranged from 0.02 to <0.0001). The functional profile of the iNKT cells before and after ART did not differ significantly indicating absence of restoration of iNKT cells functionality after suppressive ART. The IL-4 and IL-21 secreting iNKT cells were rare in all study populations. Conclusion The presence of functional iNKT cells secreting number of cytokines in non-progressive HIV infection could be one of the multiple factors required to achieve HIV control and hence have relevance in understanding the immunity in HIV infection. The failure of restoration of the iNKT functionality after ART should be potential area of future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dharmendra Singh
- Department of Immunology, National AIDS Research Institute, Pune, India
| | - Manisha Ghate
- Department of Clinical Sciences, National AIDS Research Institute, Pune, India
| | - Sheela Godbole
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, National AIDS Research Institute, Pune, India
| | - Smita Kulkarni
- Department of Virology, National AIDS Research Institute, Pune, India
| | - Madhuri Thakar
- Department of Immunology, National AIDS Research Institute, Pune, India
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16
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Van Kaer L, Wu L. Therapeutic Potential of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells in Autoimmunity. Front Immunol 2018; 9:519. [PMID: 29593743 PMCID: PMC5859017 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tolerance against self-antigens is regulated by a variety of cell types with immunoregulatory properties, such as CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells. In many experimental models of autoimmunity, iNKT cells promote self-tolerance and protect against autoimmunity. These findings are supported by studies with patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. Based on these studies, the therapeutic potential of iNKT cells in autoimmunity has been explored. Many of these studies have been performed with the potent iNKT cell agonist KRN7000 or its structural variants. These findings have generated promising results in several autoimmune diseases, although mechanisms by which iNKT cells modulate autoimmunity remain incompletely understood. Here, we will review these preclinical studies and discuss the prospects for translating their findings to patients suffering from autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Van Kaer
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Lan Wu
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, United States
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17
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Versteven M, Van den Bergh JMJ, Marcq E, Smits ELJ, Van Tendeloo VFI, Hobo W, Lion E. Dendritic Cells and Programmed Death-1 Blockade: A Joint Venture to Combat Cancer. Front Immunol 2018; 9:394. [PMID: 29599770 PMCID: PMC5863527 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Two decades of clinical cancer research with dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccination have proved that this type of personalized medicine is safe and has the capacity to improve survival, but monotherapy is unlikely to cure the cancer. Designed to empower the patient’s antitumor immunity, huge research efforts are set to improve the efficacy of next-generation DC vaccines and to find synergistic combinations with existing cancer therapies. Immune checkpoint approaches, aiming to breach immune suppression and evasion to reinforce antitumor immunity, have been a revelation in the immunotherapy field. Early success of therapeutic antibodies blocking the programmed death-1 (PD-1) pathway has sparked the development of novel inhibitors and combination therapies. Hence, merging immunoregulatory tumor-specific DC strategies with PD-1-targeted approaches is a promising path to explore. In this review, we focus on the role of PD-1-signaling in DC-mediated antitumor immunity. In the quest of exploiting the full potential of DC therapy, different strategies to leverage DC immunopotency by impeding PD-1-mediated immune regulation are discussed, including the most advanced research on targeted therapeutic antibodies, lessons learned from chemotherapy-induced immune activation, and more recent developments with soluble molecules and gene-silencing techniques. An overview of DC/PD-1 immunotherapy combinations that are currently under preclinical and clinical investigation substantiates the clinical potential of such combination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten Versteven
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Johan M J Van den Bergh
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Elly Marcq
- Center for Oncological Research Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Evelien L J Smits
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Center for Oncological Research Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Viggo F I Van Tendeloo
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Willemijn Hobo
- Laboratory of Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Eva Lion
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
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18
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Bedard M, Salio M, Cerundolo V. Harnessing the Power of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells in Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1829. [PMID: 29326711 PMCID: PMC5741693 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a distinct subset of innate-like lymphocytes bearing an invariant T-cell receptor, through which they recognize lipid antigens presented by monomorphic CD1d molecules. Upon activation, iNKT cells are capable of not only having a direct effector function but also transactivating NK cells, maturing dendritic cells, and activating B cells, through secretion of several cytokines and cognate TCR-CD1d interaction. Endowed with the ability to orchestrate an all-encompassing immune response, iNKT cells are critical in shaping immune responses against pathogens and cancer cells. In this review, we examine the critical role of iNKT cells in antitumor responses from two perspectives: (i) how iNKT cells potentiate antitumor immunity and (ii) how CD1d+ tumor cells may modulate their own expression of CD1d molecules. We further explore hypotheses to explain iNKT cell activation in the context of cancer and how the antitumor effects of iNKT cells can be exploited in different forms of cancer immunotherapy, including their role in the development of cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Bedard
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Mariolina Salio
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Vincenzo Cerundolo
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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19
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Shissler SC, Lee MS, Webb TJ. Mixed Signals: Co-Stimulation in Invariant Natural Killer T Cell-Mediated Cancer Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1447. [PMID: 29163518 PMCID: PMC5671952 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are an integral component of the immune system and play an important role in antitumor immunity. Upon activation, iNKT cells can directly kill malignant cells as well as rapidly produce cytokines that stimulate other immune cells, making them a front line defense against tumorigenesis. Unfortunately, iNKT cell number and activity are reduced in multiple cancer types. This anergy is often associated with upregulation of co-inhibitory markers such as programmed death-1. Similar to conventional T cells, iNKT cells are influenced by the conditions of their activation. Conventional T cells receive signals through the following three types of receptors: (1) T cell receptor (TCR), (2) co-stimulation molecules, and (3) cytokine receptors. Unlike conventional T cells, which recognize peptide antigen presented by MHC class I or II, the TCRs of iNKT cells recognize lipid antigen in the context of the antigen presentation molecule CD1d (Signal 1). Co-stimulatory molecules can positively and negatively influence iNKT cell activation and function and skew the immune response (Signal 2). This study will review the background of iNKT cells and their co-stimulatory requirements for general function and in antitumor immunity. We will explore the impact of monoclonal antibody administration for both blocking inhibitory pathways and engaging stimulatory pathways on iNKT cell-mediated antitumor immunity. This review will highlight the incorporation of co-stimulatory molecules in antitumor dendritic cell vaccine strategies. The use of co-stimulatory intracellular signaling domains in chimeric antigen receptor-iNKT therapy will be assessed. Finally, we will explore the influence of innate-like receptors and modification of immunosuppressive cytokines (Signal 3) on cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susannah C Shissler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Michael S Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Tonya J Webb
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Abstract
The therapy of different advanced-stage malignancies with monoclonal antibodies blocking programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) signaling has had an impressive long-lasting effect in a portion of patients, but in most cases, this therapy was not successful, or a secondary resistance developed. To enhance its efficacy in treated patients, predictive biomarkers are searched for and various combination treatments are intensively investigated. As the downregulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules is one of the most frequent mechanisms of tumor escape from the host’s immunity, it should be considered in PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibition. The potential for the use of a PD-1/PD-L1 blockade in the treatment of tumors with aberrant MHC class I expression is discussed, and some strategies of combination therapy are suggested.
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Kamata T, Suzuki A, Mise N, Ihara F, Takami M, Makita Y, Horinaka A, Harada K, Kunii N, Yoshida S, Yoshino I, Nakayama T, Motohashi S. Blockade of programmed death-1/programmed death ligand pathway enhances the antitumor immunity of human invariant natural killer T cells. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2016; 65:1477-1489. [PMID: 27631416 PMCID: PMC5099366 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-016-1901-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The role of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells in antitumor immunity has been studied extensively, and clinical trials in patients with advanced cancer have revealed a prolonged survival in some cases. In recent years, humanized blocking antibodies against co-stimulatory molecules such as PD-1 have been developed. The enhancement of T cell function is reported to improve antitumor immunity, leading to positive clinical effects. However, there are limited data on the role of PD-1/programmed death ligand (PDL) molecules in human iNKT cells. In this study, we investigated the interaction between PD-1 on iNKT cells and PDL on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in the context of iNKT cell stimulation. The blockade of PDL1 at the time of stimulation resulted in increased release of helper T cell (Th) 1 cytokines from iNKT cells, leading to the activation of NK cells. The direct antitumor function of iNKT cells was also enhanced after stimulation with anti-PDL1 antibody-treated APCs. According to these results, we conclude that the co-administration of anti-PDL1 antibody and alpha-galactosylceramide (αGalCer)-pulsed APCs enhances iNKT cell-mediated antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiko Kamata
- Department of Medical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.,Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Akane Suzuki
- Department of Medical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Naoko Mise
- Department of Medical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Fumie Ihara
- Department of Medical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Mariko Takami
- Department of Medical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Yuji Makita
- Department of Medical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Atsushi Horinaka
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Harada
- Department of Medical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Naoki Kunii
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Shigetoshi Yoshida
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Ichiro Yoshino
- Department of General Thoracic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Toshinori Nakayama
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Motohashi
- Department of Medical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
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Ahmad SM, Borch TH, Hansen M, Andersen MH. PD-L1-specific T cells. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2016; 65:797-804. [PMID: 26724936 PMCID: PMC11028888 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-015-1783-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Recently, there has been an increased focus on the immune checkpoint protein PD-1 and its ligand PD-L1 due to the discovery that blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway with monoclonal antibodies elicits striking clinical results in many different malignancies. We have described naturally occurring PD-L1-specific T cells that recognize both PD-L1-expressing immune cells and malignant cells. Thus, PD-L1-specific T cells have the ability to modulate adaptive immune reactions by reacting to regulatory cells. Thus, utilization of PD-L1-derived T cell epitopes may represent an attractive vaccination strategy for targeting the tumor microenvironment and for boosting the clinical effects of additional anticancer immunotherapy. This review summarizes present information about PD-L1 as a T cell antigen, depicts the initial findings about the function of PD-L1-specific T cells in the adjustment of immune responses, and discusses future opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamaila Munir Ahmad
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Herlev Ringvej 75, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Troels Holz Borch
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Herlev Ringvej 75, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Morten Hansen
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Herlev Ringvej 75, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mads Hald Andersen
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Herlev Ringvej 75, 2730, Herlev, Denmark.
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Van Kaer L, Parekh VV, Wu L. The Response of CD1d-Restricted Invariant NKT Cells to Microbial Pathogens and Their Products. Front Immunol 2015; 6:226. [PMID: 26029211 PMCID: PMC4429631 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells become activated during a wide variety of infections. This includes organisms lacking cognate CD1d-binding glycolipid antigens recognized by the semi-invariant T cell receptor of iNKT cells. Additional studies have shown that iNKT cells also become activated in vivo in response to microbial products such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide, a potent inducer of cytokine production in antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Other studies have shown that iNKT cells are highly responsive to stimulation by cytokines such as interleukin-12. These findings have led to the concept that microbial pathogens can activate iNKT cells either directly via glycolipids or indirectly by inducing cytokine production in APCs. iNKT cells activated in this manner produce multiple cytokines that can influence the outcome of infection, usually in favor of the host, although potent iNKT cell activation may contribute to an uncontrolled cytokine storm and sepsis. One aspect of the response of iNKT cells to microbial pathogens is that it is short-lived and followed by an extended time period of unresponsiveness to reactivation. This refractory period may represent a means to avoid chronic activation and cytokine production by iNKT cells, thus protecting the host against some of the negative effects of iNKT cell activation, but potentially putting the host at risk for secondary infections. These effects of microbial pathogens and their products on iNKT cells are not only important for understanding the role of these cells in immune responses against infections but also for the development of iNKT cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Van Kaer
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine , Nashville, TN , USA
| | - Vrajesh V Parekh
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine , Nashville, TN , USA
| | - Lan Wu
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine , Nashville, TN , USA
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Ni C, Wu P, Wu X, Zhang T, Liu Y, Wang Z, Zhang S, Qiu F, Huang J. Thymosin alpha1 enhanced cytotoxicity of iNKT cells against colon cancer via upregulating CD1d expression. Cancer Lett 2015; 356:579-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2014.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2014] [Revised: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Zhou L, Lu L, Wicha MS, Chang AE, Xia JC, Ren X, Li Q. Promise of cancer stem cell vaccine. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2015; 11:2796-9. [PMID: 26337078 PMCID: PMC5054775 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1083661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Revised: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 08/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines designed to target cancer stem cells (CSC) can induce significant antitumor responses via conferring host anti-CSC immunity. Our recent studies have demonstrated that CSC-DC vaccine could inhibit metastasis of primary tumors and induce humoral immune responses against cancer stem cells. This approach highlights the promise of cancer stem cell vaccine in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhou
- Comprehensive Cancer Center; University of Michigan; Ann Arbor, MI USA
- Department of Biotherapy; Tianjin University Cancer Institute and Hospital; National Clinical Research Center of Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy; Tianjin, China
| | - Lin Lu
- Comprehensive Cancer Center; University of Michigan; Ann Arbor, MI USA
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China and Department of Experimental Research; Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; Guangzhou, China
- Present affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology; Guangzhou First People’s Hospital; Guangzhou Medical University; Guangzhou, China
| | - Max S Wicha
- Comprehensive Cancer Center; University of Michigan; Ann Arbor, MI USA
| | - Alfred E Chang
- Comprehensive Cancer Center; University of Michigan; Ann Arbor, MI USA
| | - Jian-chuan Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in Southern China and Department of Experimental Research; Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiubao Ren
- Department of Biotherapy; Tianjin University Cancer Institute and Hospital; National Clinical Research Center of Cancer; Key Laboratory of Cancer Immunology and Biotherapy; Tianjin, China
| | - Qiao Li
- Comprehensive Cancer Center; University of Michigan; Ann Arbor, MI USA
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Bazhin AV, von Ahn K, Maier C, Soltek S, Serba S, Diehl L, Werner J, Karakhanova S. Immunological in vivo effects of B7-H1 deficiency. Immunol Lett 2014; 162:273-86. [PMID: 25173046 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2014.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2014] [Revised: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
B7-H1 regulatory protein, a member of the B7-H family, plays a crucial role in the modulation of immune response in healthy steady-state conditions as well as in different pathologies. B7-H1 knockout mice represent an important model to elucidate further molecular and cellular mechanisms involved, among others, in autoimmunity development and cancer progression. However, a deep immunologic characterization of this model is not complete yet. This study examined the role of B7-H1 in vivo further by direct comparison of specifically phenotyped spleen immune-cell subpopulations and their activation and naïve/memory state as well as cytokine profile in wild-type and B7-H1 knockout mice. Our results demonstrated that B7-H1 deficiency in vivo modulates several immunological parameters, including the amount and composition of Gr1(+)CD11b(+) myeloid population, the composition and activation state of the DC compartment, the frequency and status of NK and NKT cells, B-cells, naïve/memory state of CD8 T-cells and production of IL-2 and IL-10 cytokines. Moreover, we observed an increase in the PD-1 expression in the immune cells in B7-H1 knockout mice compared to the wild-type animals. Valuing the importance of B7-H1 knockout mice for their use in disease models, these data underline the role of B7-H1 in vivo also in healthy state and should be taken into account in future studies on this immunosuppressive molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandr V Bazhin
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Katharina von Ahn
- Department of General Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Caroline Maier
- Department of General Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabine Soltek
- Department of General Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Susanne Serba
- Department of General Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Linda Diehl
- Institutes of Molecular Medicine, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Institute of Experimental Immunology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jens Werner
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
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Singh AK, Gaur P, Das SN. Natural killer T cell anergy, co-stimulatory molecules and immunotherapeutic interventions. Hum Immunol 2013; 75:250-60. [PMID: 24373798 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2013.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2013] [Revised: 10/28/2013] [Accepted: 12/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Natural killer T (NKT) cells are a unique subset of glycolipid-reactive T lymphocytes that share properties with natural killer (NK) cells. These lymphocytes can produce array of cytokines and chemokines that modulate the immune response, and play a pivotal role in cancer, autoimmunity, infection and inflammation. Owing to these properties, NKT cells have gained attentions for its potential use in antitumor immunotherapies. To date several NKT cell-based clinical trials have been performed in patients with cancer using its potent ligand α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer). However, inconsistent therapeutic benefit, and inevitable health risks associated with drug dose and NKT cell activation have been observed. α-GalCer-activated NKT cells become anergic and produce both Th1 and Th2 cytokines that may function antagonistically, limiting the desired effector functions. Besides, various co-stimulatory and signaling molecules such as programmed death-1 (PD-1; CD279), casitas B-cell lymphoma-b (Cbl-b) and CARMA1 have been shown to be implicated in the induction of NKT cell anergy. In this review, we discuss the role of such key regulators and their functional mechanisms that may facilitate the development of improved approaches to overcome NKT cell anergy. In addition, we describe the evidences indicating that tailored-ligands can optimally activate NKT cells to obtain desired immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avadhesh Kumar Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110 029, India.
| | - Poonam Gaur
- Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110 029, India.
| | - Satya N Das
- Department of Biotechnology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110 029, India.
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Wang XF, Lei Y, Chen M, Chen CB, Ren H, Shi TD. PD-1/PDL1 and CD28/CD80 pathways modulate natural killer T cell function to inhibit hepatitis B virus replication. J Viral Hepat 2013; 20 Suppl 1:27-39. [PMID: 23458522 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2012] [Accepted: 12/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
α-Galactosylceramide (α-GalCer)-activated natural killer T (NKT) cells have antiviral properties against hepatitis B virus (HBV). However, α-GalCer activation of NKT cells can induce anergy. We hypothesized that this effect may be overcome by a treatment strategy that includes manipulation of CD28/CD80 costimulatory and PD-1/PDL1 coinhibitory signals of NKT cells, thereby enhancing the anti-HBV effect of α-GalCer. We established a transgenic mouse model of chronic HBV infection and investigated hepatic NKT cell frequencies, functions and expression of immunomodulatory factors. Our results showed that compared with uninfected control mice, hepatic NKT cells from HBV transgenic mice displayed lower frequencies (7.91% vs 16.74%, P < 0.05), impaired capabilities to produce interferon (IFN)-γ (5.6% vs 1.4%, P < 0.05) and interleukin (IL)-4 (6.8% vs 0.3%, P < 0.05), higher expression of PD-1 (9.64% vs 6.36%, P < 0.05) and lower expression of CD28 (5.05% vs 28.88%, P < 0.05). However, when hepatic mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from HBV transgenic mice, α-GalCer exposure in culture remarkably upregulated both PD-1(+) NKT cells (P < 0.05) and CD28(+) NKT cells (P < 0.05). Furthermore, when HBV transgenic mice were treated with combination therapies consisting of α-GalCer and anti-PDL1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and/or anti-CD80/anti-CD28 mAbs, IFN-γ(+) NKT cell frequency was selectively increased (P < 0.05) and HBV replication was suppressed; these effects were accompanied by varying degrees and types of liver damage. Surprisingly, activating CD28/CD80 signal in HBV transgenic mice was more effective but caused less liver injury than blocking PD-1/PDL1 signal in modulating αGalCer-activated NKT cell function to inhibit HBV infection. Our findings also show that combined therapy with blocking PD-1/PDL1 and activating CD28/CD80 signal in the presence of aGalCer cannot superimpose the effect of antivirus. α-GalCer combination therapy that modulates the CD28/CD80 pathways of NKT cells may represent a promising approach to inhibit HBV replication in chronically infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- X F Wang
- Institute of Viral Hepatitis, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing, China
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Basso D, Fogar P, Falconi M, Fadi E, Sperti C, Frasson C, Greco E, Tamburrino D, Teolato S, Moz S, Bozzato D, Pelloso M, Padoan A, De Franchis G, Gnatta E, Facco M, Zambon CF, Navaglia F, Pasquali C, Basso G, Semenzato G, Pedrazzoli S, Pederzoli P, Plebani M. Pancreatic tumors and immature immunosuppressive myeloid cells in blood and spleen: role of inhibitory co-stimulatory molecules PDL1 and CTLA4. An in vivo and in vitro study. PLoS One 2013; 8:e54824. [PMID: 23359812 PMCID: PMC3554636 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2012] [Accepted: 12/17/2012] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blood and spleen expansion of immature myeloid cells (IMCs) might compromise the immune response to cancer. We studied in vivo circulating and splenic T lymphocyte and IMC subsets in patients with benign and malignant pancreatic diseases. We ascertained in vitro whether pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC)-associated IMC subsets are induced by tumor-derived soluble factors and whether they are immunosuppressive focusing on the inhibitory co-stimulatory molecules PDL1 and CTLA4. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS 103 pancreatic and/or splenic surgical patients were enrolled including 52 PDAC, 10 borderline and 10 neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Lymphocytes and IMCs were analysed by flow cytometry in blood, in spleen and in three PDAC cell conditioned (CM) or non conditioned PBMC. PDL1 and CTLA4 were studied in 30 splenic samples, in control and conditioned PBMC. IMCs were FACS sorted and co-coltured with allogenic T lymphocytes. In PDAC a reduction was found in circulating CD8(+) lymphocytes (p = 0.004) and dendritic cells (p = 0.01), which were reduced in vitro by one PDAC CM (Capan1; p = 0.03). Blood myeloid derived suppressive cells (MDSCs) CD33(+)CD14(-)HLA-DR(-) were increased in PDAC (p = 0.022) and were induced in vitro by BxPC3 CM. Splenic dendritic cells had a higher PDL1 expression (p = 0.007), while CD33(+)CD14(+)HLA-DR(-) IMCs had a lower CTLA4 expression (p = 0.029) in PDAC patients. In vitro S100A8/A9 complex, one of the possible inflammatory mediators of immune suppression in PDAC, induced PDL1 (p = 0.018) and reduced CTLA4 expression (p = 0.028) among IMCs. IMCs not expressing CTLA4 were demonstrated to be immune suppressive. CONCLUSION In PDAC circulating dendritic and cytotoxic T cells are reduced, while MDSCs are increased and this might favour tumoral growth and progression. The reduced CTLA4 expression found among splenic IMCs of PDAC patients was demonstrated to characterize an immune suppressive phenotype and to be consequent to the direct exposure of myeloid cells to pancreatic cancer derived products, S100A8/A9 complex in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Basso
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
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Pilones KA, Aryankalayil J, Demaria S. Invariant NKT cells as novel targets for immunotherapy in solid tumors. Clin Dev Immunol 2012; 2012:720803. [PMID: 23118781 PMCID: PMC3483734 DOI: 10.1155/2012/720803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2012] [Revised: 09/02/2012] [Accepted: 09/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer T (NKT) cells are a small population of lymphocytes that possess characteristics of both innate and adaptive immune cells. They are uniquely poised to respond rapidly to infection and inflammation and produce cytokines that critically shape the ensuing adaptive cellular response. Therefore, they represent promising therapeutic targets. In cancer, NKT cells are attributed a role in immunosurveillance. NKT cells also act as potent activators of antitumor immunity when stimulated with a synthetic agonist in experimental models. However, in some settings, NKT cells seem to act as suppressors and regulators of antitumor immunity. Here we briefly review current data supporting these paradoxical roles of NKT cells and their regulation. Increased understanding of the signals that determine the function of NKT cells in cancer will be essential to improve current strategies for NKT-cell-based immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karsten A. Pilones
- Department of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, MSB-521, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Joseph Aryankalayil
- Department of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, MSB-521, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Sandra Demaria
- Department of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, 550 First Avenue, MSB-521, New York, NY 10016, USA
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Novel anti-melanoma immunotherapies: disarming tumor escape mechanisms. Clin Dev Immunol 2012; 2012:818214. [PMID: 22778766 PMCID: PMC3386565 DOI: 10.1155/2012/818214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2012] [Accepted: 04/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The immune system fights cancer and sometimes temporarily eliminates it or reaches an equilibrium stage of tumor growth. However, continuous immunological pressure also selects poorly immunogenic tumor variants that eventually escape the immune control system. Here, we focus on metastatic melanoma, a highly immunogenic tumor, and on anti-melanoma immunotherapies, which recently, especially following the FDA approval of Ipilimumab, gained interest from drug development companies. We describe new immunomodulatory approaches currently in the development pipeline, focus on the novel CEACAM1 immune checkpoint, and compare its potential to the extensively described targets, CTLA4 and PD1. This paper combines multi-disciplinary approaches and describes anti-melanoma immunotherapies from molecular, medical, and business angles.
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Targeting costimulatory molecules to improve antitumor immunity. J Biomed Biotechnol 2012; 2012:926321. [PMID: 22500111 PMCID: PMC3303883 DOI: 10.1155/2012/926321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2011] [Revised: 10/12/2011] [Accepted: 11/16/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The full activation of T cells necessitates the concomitant activation of two signals, the engagement of T-cell receptor by peptide/major histocompatibility complex II and an additional signal delivered by costimulatory molecules. The best characterized costimulatory molecules belong to B7/CD28 and TNF/TNFR families and play crucial roles in the modulation of immune response and improvement of antitumor immunity. Unfortunately, tumors often generate an immunosuppressive microenvironment, where T-cell response is attenuated by the lack of costimulatory molecules on the surface of cancer cells. Thus, targeting costimulatory pathways represent an attractive therapeutic strategy to enhance the antitumor immunity in several human cancers. Here, latest therapeutic approaches targeting costimulatory molecules will be described.
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Issazadeh-Navikas S. NKT cell self-reactivity: evolutionary master key of immune homeostasis? J Mol Cell Biol 2011; 4:70-8. [PMID: 22167750 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjr035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Complex immune responses have evolved to protect multicellular organisms against the invasion of pathogens. This has exerted strong developmental pressure for specialized functions that can also limit damage to self-tissue. Two arms of immunity, the innate and adaptive immune systems, have evolved for quick, non-specific immune responses to pathogens and more efficient, long-lasting ones upon specific recognition of recurrent pathogens. Specialized cells have arisen as the sentinels of these functions, including macrophages, natural killer (NK), and T and B-lymphocytes. Interestingly, a population of immune cells that can exert both of these complex functions, NKT cells, not only share common functions but also exhibit shared cell surface markers of cells of both arms of the immune system. These features, in combination with sophisticated maintenance of immune homeostasis, will be discussed. The recent finding of self-peptide reactivity of NKT cells in the context of CD1d, with capacity to regulate multiple autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, motivates the current proposal that self-reactive NKT cells might be the ancestral link between present NK and T cells. Their parallel selection through evolution by higher vertebrates could be related to their central function as master regulators of immune homeostasis that in part is shared with regulatory T cells. Hypothetical views on how self-reactive NKT cells secure such a central role will also be proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shohreh Issazadeh-Navikas
- Neuroinflammation Unit, Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Biocentre, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.
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