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Skeltved N, Nordmaj MA, Berendtsen NT, Dagil R, Stormer EMR, Al-Nakouzi N, Jiang K, Aicher A, Heeschen C, Gustavsson T, Choudhary S, Gögenur I, Christensen JP, Theander TG, Daugaard M, Salanti A, Nielsen MA. Bispecific T cell-engager targeting oncofetal chondroitin sulfate induces complete tumor regression and protective immune memory in mice. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:106. [PMID: 37118819 PMCID: PMC10142489 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02655-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The malaria protein VAR2CSA binds oncofetal chondroitin sulfate (ofCS), a unique chondroitin sulfate, expressed on almost all mammalian cancer cells. Previously, we produced a bispecific construct targeting ofCS and human T cells based on VAR2CSA and anti-CD3 (V-aCD3Hu). V-aCD3Hu showed efficacy against xenografted tumors in immunocompromised mice injected with human immune cells at the tumor site. However, the complex effects potentially exerted by the immune system as a result of the treatment cannot occur in mice without an immune system. Here we investigate the efficacy of V-aCD3Mu as a monotherapy and combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors in mice with a fully functional immune system. METHODS We produced a bispecific construct consisting of a recombinant version of VAR2CSA coupled to an anti-murine CD3 single-chain variable fragment. Flow cytometry and ELISA were used to check cell binding capabilities and the therapeutic effect was evaluated in vitro in a killing assay. The in vivo efficacy of V-aCD3Mu was then investigated in mice with a functional immune system and established or primary syngeneic tumors in the immunologically "cold" 4T1 mammary carcinoma, B16-F10 malignant melanoma, the pancreatic KPC mouse model, and in the immunologically "hot" CT26 colon carcinoma model. RESULTS V-aCD3Mu had efficacy as a monotherapy, and the combined treatment of V-aCD3Mu and an immune checkpoint inhibitor showed enhanced effects resulting in the complete elimination of solid tumors in the 4T1, B16-F10, and CT26 models. This anti-tumor effect was abscopal and accompanied by a systemic increase in memory and activated cytotoxic and helper T cells. The combined treatment also led to a higher percentage of memory T cells in the tumor without an increase in regulatory T cells. In addition, we observed partial protection against re-challenge in a melanoma model and full protection in a breast cancer model. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that V-aCD3Mu combined with an immune checkpoint inhibitor renders immunologically "cold" tumors "hot" and results in tumor elimination. Taken together, these data provide proof of concept for the further clinical development of V-aCD3 as a broad cancer therapy in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanna Skeltved
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Copenhagen and, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mie A Nordmaj
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Copenhagen and, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nicolai T Berendtsen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Copenhagen and, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Robert Dagil
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Copenhagen and, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Emilie M R Stormer
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Copenhagen and, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nader Al-Nakouzi
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ke Jiang
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Alexandra Aicher
- Precision Immunotherapy, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Christopher Heeschen
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Heterogeneity, Candiolo Cancer Institute - FPO - IRCCS, Candiolo (Torino), Italy
| | - Tobias Gustavsson
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Copenhagen and, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Var2 Pharmaceuticals ApS, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Swati Choudhary
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Copenhagen and, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Var2 Pharmaceuticals ApS, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ismail Gögenur
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen and Center for Surgical Science, Zealand University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jan P Christensen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thor G Theander
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Copenhagen and, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mads Daugaard
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Var2 Pharmaceuticals ApS, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ali Salanti
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Copenhagen and, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Morten A Nielsen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Copenhagen and, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Moghimianavval H, Patel C, Mohapatra S, Hwang SW, Kayikcioglu T, Bashirzadeh Y, Liu AP, Ha T. Engineering Functional Membrane-Membrane Interfaces by InterSpy. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2202104. [PMID: 35618485 PMCID: PMC9789529 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202202104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Engineering synthetic interfaces between membranes has potential applications in designing non-native cellular communication pathways and creating synthetic tissues. Here, InterSpy is introduced as a synthetic biology tool consisting of a heterodimeric protein engineered to form and maintain membrane-membrane interfaces between apposing synthetic as well as cell membranes through the SpyTag/SpyCatcher interaction. The inclusion of split fluorescent protein fragments in InterSpy allows tracking of the formation of a membrane-membrane interface and reconstitution of functional fluorescent protein in the space between apposing membranes. First, InterSpy is demonstrated by testing split protein designs using a mammalian cell-free expression (CFE) system. By utilizing co-translational helix insertion, cell-free synthesized InterSpy fragments are incorporated into the membrane of liposomes and supported lipid bilayers with the desired topology. Functional reconstitution of split fluorescent protein between the membranes is strictly dependent on SpyTag/SpyCatcher. Finally, InterSpy is demonstrated in mammalian cells by detecting fluorescence reconstitution of split protein at the membrane-membrane interface between two cells each expressing a component of InterSpy. InterSpy demonstrates the power of CFE systems in the functional reconstitution of synthetic membrane interfaces via proximity-inducing proteins. This technology may also prove useful where cell-cell contacts and communication are recreated in a controlled manner using minimal components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Moghimianavval
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA
| | - Chintan Patel
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sonisilpa Mohapatra
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sung-Won Hwang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA
| | - Tunc Kayikcioglu
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Yashar Bashirzadeh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA
| | - Allen P. Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA
- Department of Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, USA
| | - Taekjip Ha
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Taylor RJ, Geeson MB, Journeaux T, Bernardes GJL. Chemical and Enzymatic Methods for Post-Translational Protein-Protein Conjugation. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:14404-14419. [PMID: 35912579 PMCID: PMC9389620 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c00129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Fusion proteins play an essential role in the biosciences but suffer from several key limitations, including the requirement for N-to-C terminal ligation, incompatibility of constituent domains, incorrect folding, and loss of biological activity. This perspective focuses on chemical and enzymatic approaches for the post-translational generation of well-defined protein-protein conjugates, which overcome some of the limitations faced by traditional fusion techniques. Methods discussed range from chemical modification of nucleophilic canonical amino acid residues to incorporation of unnatural amino acid residues and a range of enzymatic methods, including sortase-mediated ligation. Through summarizing the progress in this rapidly growing field, the key successes and challenges associated with using chemical and enzymatic approaches are highlighted and areas requiring further development are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross J Taylor
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, U.K
| | - Michael B Geeson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, U.K
| | - Toby Journeaux
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, U.K
| | - Gonçalo J L Bernardes
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, U.K.,Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisboa, Portugal
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