1
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Gulen AE, Rudraboina R, Tarique M, Ulker V, Shirwan H, Yolcu ES. A novel agonist of 4-1BB costimulatory receptor shows therapeutic efficacy against a tobacco carcinogen-induced lung cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:3567-3579. [PMID: 37605009 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03507-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy utilizing checkpoint inhibitors has shown remarkable success in the treatment of cancers. In addition to immune checkpoint inhibitors, immune co-stimulation has the potential to enhance immune activation and destabilize the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. CD137, also known as 4-1BB, is one of the potent immune costimulatory receptors that could be targeted for effective immune co-stimulation. The interaction of the 4-1BB receptor with its natural ligand (4-1BBL) generates a strong costimulatory signal for T cell proliferation and survival. 4-1BBL lacks costimulatory activity in soluble form. To obtain co-stimulatory activity in soluble form, a recombinant 4-1BBL protein was generated by fusing the extracellular domains of murine 4-1BBL to a modified version of streptavidin (SA-4-1BBL). Treatment with SA-4-1BBL inhibited the development of lung tumors in A/J mice induced by weekly injections of the tobacco carcinogen NNK for eight weeks. The inhibition was dependent on the presence of T cells and NK cells; depletion of these cells diminished the SA-4-1BBL antitumor protective effect. The number of lung tumor nodules was significantly reduced by the administration of SA-4-1BBL to mice during ongoing exposure to NNK. The data presented in this paper suggest that utilizing an immune checkpoint stimulator as a single agent generate a protective immune response against lung cancer in the presence of a carcinogen. More broadly, this study suggests that immune checkpoint stimulation can be extended to a number of other cancer types, including breast and prostate cancers, for which improved diagnostics can detect disease at the preneoplastic stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Ece Gulen
- Department of Child Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- NextGen Precision Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Rakesh Rudraboina
- Department of Child Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- NextGen Precision Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Mohammad Tarique
- Department of Child Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- NextGen Precision Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Vahap Ulker
- Department of Child Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- NextGen Precision Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Haval Shirwan
- Department of Child Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
- NextGen Precision Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
| | - Esma S Yolcu
- Department of Child Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
- NextGen Precision Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
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2
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Turan A, Zhang L, Tarique M, Ulker V, Arguc FN, Badal D, Yolcu ES, Shirwan H. Engineering pancreatic islets with a novel form of thrombomodulin protein to overcome early graft loss triggered by instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction. Am J Transplant 2023; 23:619-628. [PMID: 36863480 PMCID: PMC10318623 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajt.2023.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
The instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction (IBMIR) is initiated by innate immune responses that cause substantial islet loss after intraportal transplantation. Thrombomodulin (TM) is a multifaceted innate immune modulator. In this study, we report the generation of a chimeric form of thrombomodulin with streptavidin (SA-TM) for transient display on the surface of islets modified with biotin to mitigate IBMIR. SA-TM protein expressed in insect cells showed the expected structural and functional features. SA-TM converted protein C into activated protein C, blocked phagocytosis of xenogeneic cells by mouse macrophages and inhibited neutrophil activation. SA-TM was effectively displayed on the surface of biotinylated islets without a negative effect on their viability or function. Islets engineered with SA-TM showed improved engraftment and established euglycemia in 83% of diabetic recipients when compared with 29% of recipients transplanted with SA-engineered islets as control in a syngeneic minimal mass intraportal transplantation model. Enhanced engraftment and function of SA-TM-engineered islets were associated with the inhibition of intragraft proinflammatory innate cellular and soluble mediators of IBMIR, such as macrophages, neutrophils, high-mobility group box 1, tissue factor, macrophage chemoattractant protein-1, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ. Transient display of SA-TM protein on the islet surface to modulate innate immune responses causing islet graft destruction has clinical potential for autologous and allogeneic islet transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Turan
- Department of Child Health,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA; NextGen Precision Health,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Child Health,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA; NextGen Precision Health,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA
| | - Mohammad Tarique
- Department of Child Health,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA; NextGen Precision Health,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA
| | - Vahap Ulker
- Department of Child Health,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA; NextGen Precision Health,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA
| | - Feyza Nur Arguc
- Department of Child Health,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA; NextGen Precision Health,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA
| | - Darshan Badal
- Department of Child Health,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA; NextGen Precision Health,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA
| | - Esma S Yolcu
- Department of Child Health,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA; NextGen Precision Health,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA.
| | - Haval Shirwan
- Department of Child Health,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA; NextGen Precision Health,University of Missouri,Columbia,Missouri,USA.
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3
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Shrestha P, Batra L, Tariq Malik M, Tan M, Yolcu ES, Shirwan H. Immune checkpoint CD47 molecule engineered islets mitigate instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction and show improved engraftment following intraportal transplantation. Am J Transplant 2020; 20:2703-2714. [PMID: 32342638 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.15958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction (IBMIR) causes significant destruction of islets transplanted intraportally. Myeloid cells are a major culprit of IBMIR. Given the critical role of CD47 as a negative checkpoint for myeloid cells, we hypothesized that the presence of CD47 on islets will minimize graft loss by mitigating IBMIR. We herein report the generation of a chimeric construct, SA-CD47, encompassing the extracellular domain of CD47 modified to include core streptavidin (SA). SA-CD47 protein was expressed in insect cells and efficiently displayed on biotin-modified mouse islet surface without a negative impact on their viability and function. Rat cells engineered with SA-CD47 were refractory to phagocytosis by mouse macrophages. SA-CD47-engineered islets showed intact structure and minimal infiltration by CD11b+ granulocytes/macrophages as compared with SA-engineered controls in an in vitro loop assay mitigating IBMIR. In a syngeneic marginal mass model of intraportal transplantation, SA-CD47-engineered islets showed better engraftment and function as compared with the SA-control group (87.5% vs 14.3%). Engraftment was associated with low levels of intrahepatic inflammatory cells and mediators of islet destruction, including high-mobility group box-1, tissue factor, and IL-1β. These findings support the use of CD47 as an innate immune checkpoint to mitigate IBMIR for enhanced islet engraftment with translational potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradeep Shrestha
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Lalit Batra
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Mohammad Tariq Malik
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Min Tan
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Esma S Yolcu
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Child Health, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Haval Shirwan
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Department of Child Health, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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4
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Youness RA, Gad AZ, Sanber K, Ahn YJ, Lee GJ, Khallaf E, Hafez HM, Motaal AA, Ahmed N, Gad MZ. Targeting hydrogen sulphide signaling in breast cancer. J Adv Res 2020; 27:177-190. [PMID: 33318876 PMCID: PMC7728592 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2020.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) has been established as a key member of the gasotransmitters family that recently showed a pivotal role in various pathological conditions including cancer. Objectives This study investigated the role of H2S in breast cancer (BC) pathogenesis, on BC immune recognition capacity and the consequence of targeting H2S using non-coding RNAs. Methods Eighty BC patients have been recruited for the study. BC cell lines were cultured and transfected using validated oligonucleotide delivery system. Gene and protein expression analysis was performed using qRT-PCR, western blot and flow-cytometry. In-vitro analysis for BC hallmarks was performed using MTT, BrdU, Modified Boyden chamber, migration and colony forming assays. H2S and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured spectrophotometrically. Primary natural killer cells (NK cells) and T cell isolation and chimeric antigen receptor transduction (CAR T cells) were performed using appropriate kits. NK and T cells cytotoxicity was measured. Finally, computational target prediction analysis and binding confirmation analyses were performed using different software and dual luciferase assay kit, respectively. Results The H2S synthesizing enzymes, cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), exhibited elevated levels in the clinical samples that correlated with tumor proliferation index. Knock-down of CBS and CSE in the HER2+ BC and triple negative BC (TNBC) cells resulted in significant attenuation of BC malignancy. In addition to increased susceptibility of HER2+ BC and TNBC to the cytotoxic activity of HER2 targeting CAR T cells and NK cells, respectively. Transcriptomic and phosphoprotein analysis revealed that H2S signaling is mediated through Akt in MCF7, STAT3 in MDA-MB-231 and miR-155/ NOS2/NO signaling in both cell lines. Lastly, miR-4317 was found to function as an upstream regulator of CBS and CSE synergistically abrogates the malignancy of BC cells. Conclusion These findings demonstrate the potential role of H2S signaling in BC pathogenesis and the potential of its targeting for disease mitigation.
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Key Words
- 41BBL, 41BB Ligand
- 51Cr-release, Chromium release assay
- BC, Breast Cancer
- Breast cancer
- CAR T cells
- CAR, Chimeric antigen receptor
- CBS, Cystathionine β-synthase
- CD80, Cluster of differentiation 80
- CD86, Cluster of differentiation 86
- CSE, Cystathionine γ-lyase
- CTL, Cytotoxic T lymphocyte
- H2S, Hydrogen sulphide
- HCC, Hepatocellular carcinoma
- HLA-DR, Human Leukocytic antigen DR
- Hydrogen sulphide
- IFN-γ, Interferon gamma
- KD, Knock down
- LDH, Lactate dehydrogenase Assay
- MICA/B, MHC class I polypeptide-related sequence A/B
- NK, Natural killer
- NKG2D, Natural Killer Group 2D
- NO, Nitric oxide
- NOS2, Inducible nitric oxide synthase-2
- NOS3, Endothelial nitric oxide synthase-3
- Natural killer cells
- Nitric oxide
- PD-L1, Programmed death-ligand 1
- PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
- Scr-miRNAs, Scrambled microRNAs
- Scr-siRNAs, Scrambled siRNAs
- TNBC, Triple negative breast cancer
- TNF-α, Tumor necrosis factor-α
- ULBP2/5/6, UL16 binding protein 2/5/6
- miR-155/NOS2/NO signaling pathway
- miR-4317
- miRNA, MicroRNA
- ncRNAs, Non-coding RNAs
- siRNAs, Small interfering RNAs
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Ahmed Youness
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Zakaria Gad
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Khaled Sanber
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yong Jin Ahn
- Department of Medical Engineering, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Gi-Ja Lee
- Department of Medical Engineering, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Emad Khallaf
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, 12613 Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hafez Mohamed Hafez
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, 12613 Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amira Abdel Motaal
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Nabil Ahmed
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mohamed Zakaria Gad
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, German University in Cairo, Egypt
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5
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Woodward KB, Zhao H, Shrestha P, Batra L, Tan M, Grimany-Nuno O, Bandura-Morgan L, Askenasy N, Shirwan H, Yolcu ES. Pancreatic islets engineered with a FasL protein induce systemic tolerance at the induction phase that evolves into long-term graft-localized immune privilege. Am J Transplant 2020; 20:1285-1295. [PMID: 31850658 PMCID: PMC7299172 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.15747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
We have previously shown that pancreatic islets engineered to transiently display a modified form of FasL protein (SA-FasL) on their surface survive indefinitely in allogeneic recipients without a need for chronic immunosuppression. Mechanisms that confer long-term protection to allograft are yet to be elucidated. We herein demonstrated that immune protection evolves in two distinct phases; induction and maintenance. SA-FasL-engineered allogeneic islets survived indefinitely and conferred protection to a second set of donor-matched, but not third-party, unmanipulated islet grafts simultaneously transplanted under the contralateral kidney capsule. Protection at the induction phase involved a reduction in the frequency of proliferating alloreactive T cells in the graft-draining lymph nodes, and required phagocytes and TGF-β. At the maintenance phase, immune protection evolved into graft site-restricted immune privilege as the destruction of long-surviving SA-FasL-islet grafts by streptozotocin followed by the transplantation of a second set of unmanipulated islet grafts into the same site from the donor, but not third party, resulted in indefinite survival. The induced immune privilege required both CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ Treg cells and persistent presence of donor antigens. Engineering cell and tissue surfaces with SA-FasL protein provides a practical, efficient, and safe means of localized immunomodulation with important implications for autoimmunity and transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Blake Woodward
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Kentucky,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Hong Zhao
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Pradeep Shrestha
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Lalit Batra
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Min Tan
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Orlando Grimany-Nuno
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Laura Bandura-Morgan
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Kentucky,National Science Center, Krakow 30-312, Poland
| | - Nadir Askenasy
- Frankel Laboratory of Experimental Bone Marrow Transplantation, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - Haval Shirwan
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Esma S. Yolcu
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Kentucky
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6
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Batra L, Shrestha P, Zhao H, Woodward KB, Togay A, Tan M, Grimany-Nuno O, Malik MT, Coronel MM, García AJ, Shirwan H, Yolcu ES. Localized Immunomodulation with PD-L1 Results in Sustained Survival and Function of Allogeneic Islets without Chronic Immunosuppression. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 204:2840-2851. [PMID: 32253240 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Allogeneic islet transplantation is limited by adverse effects of chronic immunosuppression used to control rejection. The programmed cell death 1 pathway as an important immune checkpoint has the potential to obviate the need for chronic immunosuppression. We generated an oligomeric form of programmed cell death 1 ligand chimeric with core streptavidin (SA-PDL1) that inhibited the T effector cell response to alloantigens and converted T conventional cells into CD4+Foxp3+ T regulatory cells. The SA-PDL1 protein was effectively displayed on the surface of biotinylated mouse islets without a negative impact islet viability and insulin secretion. Transplantation of SA-PDL1-engineered islet grafts with a short course of rapamycin regimen resulted in sustained graft survival and function in >90% of allogeneic recipients over a 100-d observation period. Long-term survival was associated with increased levels of intragraft transcripts for innate and adaptive immune regulatory factors, including IDO-1, arginase-1, Foxp3, TGF-β, IL-10, and decreased levels of proinflammatory T-bet, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ as assessed on day 3 posttransplantation. T cells of long-term graft recipients generated a proliferative response to donor Ags at a similar magnitude to T cells of naive animals, suggestive of the localized nature of tolerance. Immunohistochemical analyses showed intense peri-islet infiltration of T regulatory cells in long-term grafts and systemic depletion of this cell population resulted in prompt rejection. The transient display of SA-PDL1 protein on the surface of islets serves as a practical means of localized immunomodulation that accomplishes sustained graft survival in the absence of chronic immunosuppression with potential clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lalit Batra
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202
| | - Pradeep Shrestha
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202
| | - Hong Zhao
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202
| | - Kyle B Woodward
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202
| | - Alper Togay
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202
| | - Min Tan
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202
| | - Orlando Grimany-Nuno
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202
| | - Mohammad Tariq Malik
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202
| | - María M Coronel
- Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
| | - Andrés J García
- Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332.,Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332; and
| | - Haval Shirwan
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202; .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202.,Department of Child Health, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
| | - Esma S Yolcu
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202; .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202.,Department of Child Health, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
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7
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Barsoumian HB, Batra L, Shrestha P, Bowen WS, Zhao H, Egilmez NK, Gomez-Gutierrez JG, Yolcu ES, Shirwan H. A Novel Form of 4-1BBL Prevents Cancer Development via Nonspecific Activation of CD4 + T and Natural Killer Cells. Cancer Res 2019; 79:783-794. [PMID: 30770367 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-2401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Costimulation through 4-1BB (CD137) receptor generates robust CD8+ T-effector and memory responses. The only known ligand, 4-1BBL, is a trimeric transmembrane protein that has no costimulatory activity as a soluble molecule. Thus, agonistic antibodies to the receptor have been used for cancer immunotherapy in preclinical models and are currently being evaluated in the clinic. Here, we report that treatment with an oligomeric form of the ligand, SA-4-1BBL, as a single agent is able to protect mice against subsequent tumor challenge irrespective of the tumor type. Protection was long-lasting (>8 weeks) and a bona fide property of SA-4-1BBL, as treatment with an agonistic antibody to the 4-1BB receptor was ineffective in generating immune protection against tumor challenge. Mechanistically, SA-4-1BBL significantly expanded IFNγ-expressing, preexisting memory-like CD44+CD4+ T cells and NK cells in naïve mice as compared with the agonistic antibody. In vivo blockade of IFNγ or depletion of CD4+ T or NK cells, but not CD8+ T or B cells, abrogated the immunopreventive effects of SA-4-1BBL against cancer. SA-4-1BBL as a single agent also exhibited robust efficacy in controlling postsurgical recurrences. This work highlights unexpected features of SA-4-1BBL as a novel immunomodulator with implications for cancer immunoprevention and therapy. SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrates the unique and unexpected immunomodulatory features of SA-4-1BBL that bridge innate and adaptive immune responses with both preventive and therapeutic efficacy against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hampartsoum B Barsoumian
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Lalit Batra
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Pradeep Shrestha
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | | | - Hong Zhao
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Nejat K Egilmez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | | | - Esma S Yolcu
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky. .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.,FasCure Therapeutics, LLC, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Haval Shirwan
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky. .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
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8
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Ravindranathan S, Nguyen KG, Kurtz SL, Frazier HN, Smith SG, Koppolu BP, Rajaram N, Zaharoff DA. Tumor-derived granulocyte colony-stimulating factor diminishes efficacy of breast tumor cell vaccines. Breast Cancer Res 2018; 20:126. [PMID: 30348199 PMCID: PMC6198508 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-018-1054-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although metastasis is ultimately responsible for about 90% of breast cancer mortality, the vast majority of breast-cancer-related deaths are due to progressive recurrences from non-metastatic disease. Current adjuvant therapies are unable to prevent progressive recurrences for a significant fraction of patients with breast cancer. Autologous tumor cell vaccines (ATCVs) are a safe and potentially useful strategy to prevent breast cancer recurrence, in a personalized and patient-specific manner, following standard-of-care tumor resection. Given the high intra-patient and inter-patient heterogeneity in breast cancer, it is important to understand which factors influence the immunogenicity of breast tumor cells in order to maximize ATCV effectiveness. METHODS The relative immunogenicity of two murine breast carcinomas, 4T1 and EMT6, were compared in a prophylactic vaccination-tumor challenge model. Differences in cell surface expression of antigen-presentation-related and costimulatory molecules were compared along with immunosuppressive cytokine production. CRISPR/Cas9 technology was used to modulate tumor-derived cytokine secretion. The impacts of cytokine deletion on splenomegaly, myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) accumulation and ATCV immunogenicity were assessed. RESULTS Mice vaccinated with an EMT6 vaccine exhibited significantly greater protective immunity than mice vaccinated with a 4T1 vaccine. Hybrid vaccination studies revealed that the 4T1 vaccination induced both local and systemic immune impairments. Although there were significant differences between EMT6 and 4T1 in the expression of costimulatory molecules, major disparities in the secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines likely accounts for differences in immunogenicity between the cell lines. Ablation of one cytokine in particular, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), reversed MDSC accumulation and splenomegaly in the 4T1 model. Furthermore, G-CSF inhibition enhanced the immunogenicity of a 4T1-based vaccine to the extent that all vaccinated mice developed complete protective immunity. CONCLUSIONS Breast cancer cells that express high levels of G-CSF have the potential to diminish or abrogate the efficacy of breast cancer ATCVs. Fortunately, this study demonstrates that genetic ablation of immunosuppressive cytokines, such as G-CSF, can enhance the immunogenicity of breast cancer cell-based vaccines. Strategies that combine inhibition of immunosuppressive factors with immune stimulatory co-formulations already under development may help ATCVs reach their full potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Khue G Nguyen
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Samantha L Kurtz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Haven N Frazier
- Honors College, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - Sean G Smith
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.,Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Bhanu Prasanth Koppolu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.,Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Narasimhan Rajaram
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
| | - David A Zaharoff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA. .,Cell and Molecular Biology Program, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA. .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. .,Honors College, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA. .,Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
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9
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Woodward KB, Wang F, Zhao H, Yolcu ES, Shirwan H. Novel technologies to engineer graft for tolerance induction. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2016; 21:74-80. [PMID: 26626421 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000000270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Conquering allograft rejection remains an elusive goal in spite of recent breakthroughs in the field of immunosuppression. Much of the problem lies in the toxicity and side-effects of long-term use of systemic immunosuppressant drugs, which are sometimes ineffective in controlling rejection, but also hinder establishment of transplant tolerance. In this review, we discuss novel technologies that use grafts engineered with immunomodulatory molecules as a means of inducing tolerance. RECENT FINDINGS Several recent studies have demonstrated the feasibility of engineering cells, tissues, or solid organ grafts with immunoregulatory biologics to achieve long termgraft survival without the use of chronic immunosuppression. This approach was shown to primarily change the ratio of T effector versus CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T regulatory cells within the graft microenvironment in favor of attaining localized tolerance induction and maintenance. SUMMARY Localized immunomodulation using biologic-engineered allografts represent a new paradigm for achieving long-term graft survival in the absence of chronic use of immunosuppression. The manipulation of the graft, rather than the recipient, not only ensures short- and long-term safety by minimizing the adverse effects of immunosuppression, but also allows retention of immune competency critical for the ability of the recipient to fight infections and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle B Woodward
- aDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA bOrgan Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhongshan, Guangzhou, China *Kyle B. Woodward and Feng Wang equally contributed to the writing of this article
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10
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Barsoumian HB, Yolcu ES, Shirwan H. 4-1BB Signaling in Conventional T Cells Drives IL-2 Production That Overcomes CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T Regulatory Cell Suppression. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0153088. [PMID: 27049955 PMCID: PMC4822835 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Costimulation with the recombinant SA-4-1BBL agonist of 4-1BB receptor on conventional CD4+ T cells (Tconvs) overcomes the suppression mediated by naturally occurring CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs). The mechanistic basis of this observation has remained largely unknown. Herein we show that Tconvs, but not Tregs, are the direct target of SA-4-1BBL-mediated evasion of Treg suppression. IL-2 produced by Tconvs in response to 4-1BB signaling is both necessary and sufficient for overcoming Treg suppression. Supernatant from Tconvs stimulated with SA-4-1BBL contains high levels of IL-2 and overcomes Treg suppression in ex vivo Tconv:Treg cocultures. Removal of IL-2 from such supernatant restores Treg suppression and repletion of Tconv:Treg cocultures with exogenous recombinant IL-2 overcomes suppression. This study establishes 4-1BB signaling as a key circuit that regulates physical and functional equilibrium between Tregs and Tconvs with important implications for immunotherapy for indications where a fine balance between Tregs and Teffs plays a decisive role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hampartsoum B. Barsoumian
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, 40202, United States of America
| | - Esma S. Yolcu
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, 40202, United States of America
- * E-mail: (HS); (EY)
| | - Haval Shirwan
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, 40202, United States of America
- * E-mail: (HS); (EY)
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11
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Sharma RK, Yolcu ES, Shirwan H. SA-4-1BBL as a novel adjuvant for the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines. Expert Rev Vaccines 2014; 13:387-98. [PMID: 24521311 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2014.880340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Tumor associated antigen (TAA)-based therapeutic vaccines have great potential as a safe, practical, and cost-efficient alternative to standard treatments for cancer. Clinical efficacy of TAA-based vaccines, however, has yet to be realized and will require adjuvants with pleiotropic functions on immune cells. Such adjuvants need not only to generate/boost T cell responses, but also reverse intrinsic/extrinsic tumor immune evasion mechanisms for therapeutic efficacy. This review focuses on a novel agonistic ligand, SA-4-1BBL, for 4-1BB costimulatory receptor as an adjuvant of choice because of its ability to: i) serve as a vehicle to deliver TAAs to dendritic cells (DCs) for antigen uptake and cross-presentation to CD8(+) T cells; ii) augment adaptive Th1 and innate immune responses; and iii) overcome various immune evasion mechanisms, cumulatively translating into therapeutic efficacy in preclinical tumor models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh K Sharma
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
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12
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CD4 T-cells transduced with CD80 and 4-1BBL mRNA induce long-term CD8 T-cell responses resulting in potent antitumor effects. Vaccine 2014; 32:6919-6926. [PMID: 25444817 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.10.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2014] [Revised: 09/16/2014] [Accepted: 10/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic cancer vaccines are an attractive alternative to conventional therapies to treat malignant tumors, and more importantly, to prevent recurrence after primary therapy. However, the availability of professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) has been restricted by difficulties encountered in obtaining sufficient professional APCs for clinical use. We have prepared an alternative cellular vaccine with CD4 T-cells that can be expanded easily to yield a pure and homogeneous population in vitro. To enhance their potency as a therapeutic vaccine, in vitro expanded CD4 T-cells were transfected with RNAs encoding the costimulatory ligands CD80, 4-1BBL, or both (CD80-T, 4-1BBL-T, and CD80/4-1BBL-T-cells, respectively). We observed augmented cell vitality in CD80/4-1BBL-T-cells in vitro and in vivo. Significant CD8 T-cell responses eliciting in vivo proliferation and cytotoxicity were obtained with CD80/4-1BBL-T-cell vaccination compared to CD80-T and 4-1BBL-T-cell vaccinations. In contrast, β2m-deficient CD80/4-1BBL-T-cells were not as effective as wile-type CD80/4-1BBL-T-cells in priming CD8 T-cells. Furthermore, CD80/4-1BBL-T-cell immunization resulted in curing established EG7 tumors, resulting in the generation of memory CD8 T-cell responses, and elicited therapeutic antitumor responses against B16 melanoma. These results suggest that CD4 T-cells endowed with costimulatory ligands allow the design of effective vaccination strategies against cancer.
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Srivastava AK, Dinc G, Sharma RK, Yolcu ES, Zhao H, Shirwan H. SA-4-1BBL and monophosphoryl lipid A constitute an efficacious combination adjuvant for cancer vaccines. Cancer Res 2014; 74:6441-51. [PMID: 25252915 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-1768-a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Vaccines based on tumor-associated antigens (TAA) have limited therapeutic efficacy due to their weak immunogenic nature and the various immune evasion mechanisms active in advanced tumors. In an effort to overcome these limitations, we evaluated a combination of the T-cell costimulatory molecule SA-4-1BBL with the TLR4 agonist monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) as a novel vaccine adjuvant system. In the TC-1 mouse allograft model of human papilloma virus (HPV)-induced cancer, a single administration of this combination adjuvant with HPV E7 protein caused tumor rejection in all tumor-bearing mice. On its own, SA-4-1BBL outperformed MPL in this setting. Against established tumors, two vaccinations were sufficient to elicit rejection in the majority of mice. In the metastatic model of Lewis lung carcinoma, vaccination of the TAA survivin with SA-4-1BBL/MPL yielded superior efficacy against pulmonary metastases. Therapeutic efficacy of SA-4-1BBL/MPL was achieved in the absence of detectable toxicity, correlating with enhanced dendritic cell activation, CD8(+) T-cell function, and an increased intratumoral ratio of CD8(+) T effector cells to CD4(+)FoxP3(+) T regulatory cells. Unexpectedly, use of MPL on its own was associated with unfavorable intratumoral ratios of these T-cell populations, resulting in suboptimal efficacy. The efficacy of MPL monotherapy was restored by depletion of T regulatory cells, whereas eliminating CD8(+) T cells abolished the efficacy of its combination with SA-4-1BBL. Mechanistic investigations showed that IFNγ played a critical role in supporting the therapeutic effect of SA-4-1BBL/MPL. Taken together, our results offer a preclinical proof of concept for the use of a powerful new adjuvant system for TAA-based cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek K Srivastava
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Gunes Dinc
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Rajesh K Sharma
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Esma S Yolcu
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Hong Zhao
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Haval Shirwan
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.
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Sharma RK, Yolcu ES, Srivastava AK, Shirwan H. CD4+ T cells play a critical role in the generation of primary and memory antitumor immune responses elicited by SA-4-1BBL and TAA-based vaccines in mouse tumor models. PLoS One 2013; 8:e73145. [PMID: 24066030 PMCID: PMC3774737 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2013] [Accepted: 07/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of CD4+ T cells in the generation of therapeutic primary and memory immune responses in cancer diverse immunotherapy settings remains ambiguous. We herein investigated this issue using two vaccine formulations containing a novel costimulatory molecule, SA-4-1BBL, as adjuvant and HPV E7 or survivin (SVN) as tumor associated antigens (TAAs) in two mouse transplantable tumor models; the TC-1 cervical cancer expressing xenogeneic HPV E7 and 3LL lung carcinoma overexpressing autologous SVN. Single vaccination with optimized SA-4-1BBL/TAA formulations resulted in the eradication of 6-day established TC-1 and 3LL tumors in >70% of mice in both models. The in vivo depletion of CD4+ T cells one day before tumor challenge resulted in compromised vaccine efficacy in both TC-1 (25%) and 3LL (12.5%) tumor models. In marked contrast, depletion of CD4+ T cells 5 days post-tumor challenge and one day prior to vaccination did not significantly alter the therapeutic efficacy of these vaccines. However, long-term immunological memory was compromised in the 3LL, but not in TC-1 model as a significant number (85.7%) of tumor free-mice succumbed to tumor growth when rechallenged with 3LL cells 60 days after the initial tumor inoculation. Collectively, these results demonstrate the indispensable role CD4+ T cells play in the generation of therapeutic primary immune responses elicited by SA-4-1BBL/TAA-based vaccines irrespective of the nature of TAAs and establish the importance of CD4+ T cells for long-term immune memory against 3LL tumor expressing self-antigen SVN, but not TC-1 expressing xenogeneic viral antigen E7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh K. Sharma
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, Department of Microbiology and Immunology and James Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Esma S. Yolcu
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, Department of Microbiology and Immunology and James Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Abhishek K. Srivastava
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, Department of Microbiology and Immunology and James Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Haval Shirwan
- Institute for Cellular Therapeutics, Department of Microbiology and Immunology and James Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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A fusion protein between streptavidin and the endogenous TLR4 ligand EDA targets biotinylated antigens to dendritic cells and induces T cell responses in vivo. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:864720. [PMID: 24093105 PMCID: PMC3777173 DOI: 10.1155/2013/864720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2013] [Accepted: 08/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The development of tools for efficient targeting of antigens to antigen presenting cells is of great importance for vaccine development. We have previously shown that fusion proteins containing antigens fused to the extra domain A from fibronectin (EDA), an endogenous TLR4 ligand, which targets antigens to TLR4-expressing dendritic cells (DC), are highly immunogenic. To facilitate the procedure of joining EDA to any antigen of choice, we have prepared the fusion protein EDAvidin by linking EDA to the N terminus of streptavidin, allowing its conjugation with biotinylated antigens. We found that EDAvidin, as streptavidin, forms tetramers and binds biotin or biotinylated proteins with a Kd ~ 2.6 × 10(-14) mol/L. EDAvidin favours the uptake of biotinylated green fluorescent protein by DC. Moreover, EDAvidin retains the proinflammatory properties of EDA, inducing NF- κβ by TLR4-expressing cells, as well as the production of TNF- α by the human monocyte cell line THP1 and IL-12 by DC. More importantly, immunization of mice with EDAvidin conjugated with the biotinylated nonstructural NS3 protein from hepatitis C virus induces a strong anti-NS3 T cell immune response. These results open a new way to use the EDA-based delivery tool to target any antigen of choice to DC for vaccination against infectious diseases and cancer.
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Targeting of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily for cancer immunotherapy. ISRN ONCOLOGY 2013; 2013:371854. [PMID: 23840967 PMCID: PMC3693168 DOI: 10.1155/2013/371854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2013] [Accepted: 05/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) ligand and cognate TNF receptor superfamilies constitute an important regulatory axis that is pivotal for immune homeostasis and correct execution of immune responses. TNF ligands and receptors are involved in diverse biological processes ranging from the selective induction of cell death in potentially dangerous and superfluous cells to providing costimulatory signals that help mount an effective immune response. This diverse and important regulatory role in immunity has sparked great interest in the development of TNFL/TNFR-targeted cancer immunotherapeutics. In this review, I will discuss the biology of the most prominent proapoptotic and co-stimulatory TNF ligands and review their current status in cancer immunotherapy.
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Kanagavelu SK, Snarsky V, Termini JM, Gupta S, Barzee S, Wright JA, Khan WN, Kornbluth RS, Stone GW. Soluble multi-trimeric TNF superfamily ligand adjuvants enhance immune responses to a HIV-1 Gag DNA vaccine. Vaccine 2012; 30:691-702. [PMID: 22146759 PMCID: PMC3253891 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.11.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2011] [Revised: 11/21/2011] [Accepted: 11/22/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND DNA vaccines remain an important component of HIV vaccination strategies, typically as part of a prime/boost vaccination strategy with viral vector or protein boost. A number of DNA prime/viral vector boost vaccines are currently being evaluated for both preclinical studies and in Phase I and Phase II clinical trials. These vaccines would benefit from molecular adjuvants that increase correlates of immunity during the DNA prime. While HIV vaccine immune correlates are still not well defined, there are a number of immune assays that have been shown to correlate with protection from viral challenge including CD8+ T cell avidity, antigen-specific proliferation, and polyfunctional cytokine secretion. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Recombinant DNA vaccine adjuvants composed of a fusion between Surfactant Protein D (SP-D) and either CD40 Ligand (CD40L) or GITR Ligand (GITRL) were previously shown to enhance HIV-1 Gag DNA vaccines. Here we show that similar fusion constructs composed of the TNF superfamily ligands (TNFSFL) 4-1BBL, OX40L, RANKL, LIGHT, CD70, and BAFF can also enhanced immune responses to a HIV-1 Gag DNA vaccine. BALB/c mice were vaccinated intramuscularly with plasmids expressing secreted Gag and SP-D-TNFSFL fusions. Initially, mice were analyzed 2 weeks or 7 weeks following vaccination to evaluate the relative efficacy of each SP-D-TNFSFL construct. All SP-D-TNFSFL constructs enhanced at least one Gag-specific immune response compared to the parent vaccine. Importantly, the constructs SP-D-4-1BBL, SP-D-OX40L, and SP-D-LIGHT enhanced CD8+ T cell avidity and CD8+/CD4+ T cell proliferation 7 weeks post vaccination. These avidity and proliferation data suggest that 4-1BBL, OX40L, and LIGHT fusion constructs may be particularly effective as vaccine adjuvants. Constructs SP-D-OX40L, SP-D-LIGHT, and SP-D-BAFF enhanced Gag-specific IL-2 secretion in memory T cells, suggesting these adjuvants can increase the number of self-renewing Gag-specific CD8+ and/or CD4+ T cells. Finally adjuvants SP-D-OX40L and SP-D-CD70 increased T(H)1 (IgG2a) but not T(H)2 (IgG1) antibody responses in the vaccinated animals. Surprisingly, the B cell-activating protein BAFF did not enhance anti-Gag antibody responses when given as an SP-D fusion adjuvant, but nonetheless enhanced CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses. CONCLUSIONS We present evidence that various SP-D-TNFSFL fusion constructs can enhance immune responses following DNA vaccination with HIV-1 Gag expression plasmid. These data support the continued evaluation of SP-D-TNFSFL fusion proteins as molecular adjuvants for DNA and/or viral vector vaccines. Constructs of particular interest included SP-D-OX40L, SP-D-4-1BBL, SP-D-LIGHT, and SP-D-CD70. SP-D-BAFF was surprisingly effective at enhancing T cell responses, despite its inability to enhance anti-Gag antibody secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saravana K. Kanagavelu
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - Victoria Snarsky
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA; VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA
| | - James M. Termini
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - Sachin Gupta
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - Suzanne Barzee
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA; VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA
| | - Jacqueline A. Wright
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - Wasif N. Khan
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - Richard S. Kornbluth
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA; VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA
| | - Geoffrey W. Stone
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
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