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Hu Y, Zhang Y, Shi F, Yang R, Yan J, Han T, Guan L. Reversal of T-cell exhaustion: Mechanisms and synergistic approaches. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 138:112571. [PMID: 38941674 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
T cells suffer from long-term antigen stimulation and insufficient energy supply, leading to a decline in their effector functions, memory capabilities, and proliferative capacity, ultimately resulting in T cell exhaustion and an inability to perform normal immune functions in the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, exploring how to restore these exhausted T cells to a state with effector functions is of great significance. Exhausted T cells exhibit a spectrum of molecular alterations, such as heightened expression of inhibitory receptors, shifts in transcription factor profiles, and modifications across epigenetic, metabolic, and transcriptional landscapes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of various strategies to reverse T cell exhaustion, including immune checkpoint blockade, and explores the potential synergistic effects of combining multiple approaches to reverse T cell exhaustion. It offers new insights and methods for achieving more durable and effective reversal of T cell exhaustion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Hu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Yaqi Zhang
- Institutes of Health Central Plains, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China
| | - Fenfen Shi
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Ruihan Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Jiayu Yan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Tao Han
- Institutes of Health Central Plains, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China.
| | - Liping Guan
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China.
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2
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Schnell A. Stem-like T cells in cancer and autoimmunity. Immunol Rev 2024. [PMID: 38804499 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13356] [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: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Stem-like T cells are characterized by their ability to self-renew, survive long-term, and give rise to a heterogeneous pool of effector and memory T cells. Recent advances in single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) and lineage tracing technologies revealed an important role for stem-like T cells in both autoimmunity and cancer. In cancer, stem-like T cells constitute an important arm of the anti-tumor immune response by giving rise to effector T cells that mediate tumor control. In contrast, in autoimmunity stem-like T cells perform an unfavorable role by forming a reservoir of long-lived autoreactive cells that replenish the pathogenic, effector T-cell pool and thereby driving disease pathology. This review provides background on the discovery of stem-like T cells and their function in cancer and autoimmunity. Moreover, the influence of the microbiota and metabolism on the stem-like T-cell pool is summarized. Lastly, the implications of our knowledge about stem-like T cells for clinical treatment strategies for cancer and autoimmunity will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Schnell
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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3
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Doan AE, Mueller KP, Chen AY, Rouin GT, Chen Y, Daniel B, Lattin J, Markovska M, Mozarsky B, Arias-Umana J, Hapke R, Jung IY, Wang A, Xu P, Klysz D, Zuern G, Bashti M, Quinn PJ, Miao Z, Sandor K, Zhang W, Chen GM, Ryu F, Logun M, Hall J, Tan K, Grupp SA, McClory SE, Lareau CA, Fraietta JA, Sotillo E, Satpathy AT, Mackall CL, Weber EW. FOXO1 is a master regulator of memory programming in CAR T cells. Nature 2024; 629:211-218. [PMID: 38600391 PMCID: PMC11062920 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07300-8] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
A major limitation of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies is the poor persistence of these cells in vivo1. The expression of memory-associated genes in CAR T cells is linked to their long-term persistence in patients and clinical efficacy2-6, suggesting that memory programs may underpin durable CAR T cell function. Here we show that the transcription factor FOXO1 is responsible for promoting memory and restraining exhaustion in human CAR T cells. Pharmacological inhibition or gene editing of endogenous FOXO1 diminished the expression of memory-associated genes, promoted an exhaustion-like phenotype and impaired the antitumour activity of CAR T cells. Overexpression of FOXO1 induced a gene-expression program consistent with T cell memory and increased chromatin accessibility at FOXO1-binding motifs. CAR T cells that overexpressed FOXO1 retained their function, memory potential and metabolic fitness in settings of chronic stimulation, and exhibited enhanced persistence and tumour control in vivo. By contrast, overexpression of TCF1 (encoded by TCF7) did not enforce canonical memory programs or enhance the potency of CAR T cells. Notably, FOXO1 activity correlated with positive clinical outcomes of patients treated with CAR T cells or tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, underscoring the clinical relevance of FOXO1 in cancer immunotherapy. Our results show that overexpressing FOXO1 can increase the antitumour activity of human CAR T cells, and highlight memory reprogramming as a broadly applicable approach for optimizing therapeutic T cell states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander E Doan
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Katherine P Mueller
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andy Y Chen
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Geoffrey T Rouin
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yingshi Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Bence Daniel
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John Lattin
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Martina Markovska
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brett Mozarsky
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jose Arias-Umana
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Robert Hapke
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - In-Young Jung
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alice Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Peng Xu
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Dorota Klysz
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Gabrielle Zuern
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Malek Bashti
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Patrick J Quinn
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Zhuang Miao
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Katalin Sandor
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Wenxi Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Gregory M Chen
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Faith Ryu
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Meghan Logun
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Junior Hall
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kai Tan
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stephan A Grupp
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Susan E McClory
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Caleb A Lareau
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Joseph A Fraietta
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elena Sotillo
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ansuman T Satpathy
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Crystal L Mackall
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Evan W Weber
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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4
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Wang Y, Ma L, Chen Y, Yun W, Yu J, Meng X. Prognostic effect of TCF1+ CD8+ T cell and TOX+ CD8+ T cell infiltration in lung adenocarcinoma. Cancer Sci 2024. [PMID: 38590234 DOI: 10.1111/cas.16177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have highlighted the pivotal roles of T cell transcription factors TCF-1 and TOX in modulating the immune response in cancer, with TCF-1 maintaining CD8+ T cell stemness and TOX promoting T cell exhaustion. The prognostic significance of these factors in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains a critical area of investigation. The retrospective study included 191 patients with LUAD who underwent surgery, of whom 83% were in stages II and III. These patients were divided into exploratory (n = 135) and validation (n = 56) groups based on the time of diagnosis. Multiplex fluorescence immunohistochemistry was used to examine the infiltration levels of CD8+ T cells, TCF1+ CD8+ T cells, and TOX+ CD8+ T cells. The percentage of CD8+ T cells in tumor was markedly lower than that in stroma (p < 0.05). In tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) invaded by tumor, the proportion of stem-like TCF1+ CD8+ T cells was significantly decreased (p < 0.01). Importantly, higher infiltration levels of CD8+ T cells and TCF1+ CD8+ T cells were associated with improved disease-free survival (DFS) (p = 0.009 and p = 0.006, respectively) and overall survival (OS) (p = 0.018 and p = 0.010, respectively). This study underscores the potential of TCF1+ CD8+ T cells as prognostic biomarkers in LUAD, providing insights into the tumor immune microenvironment and guiding future therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wenhua Yun
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Jinming Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Xiangjiao Meng
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
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5
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Yang Y, Wang Y, Wang Z, Yan H, Gong Y, Hu Y, Jiang Y, Wen S, Xu F, Wang B, Humphries F, Chen Y, Wang X, Yang S. ECSIT facilitates memory CD8 + T cell development by mediating fumarate synthesis during viral infection and tumorigenesis. Nat Cell Biol 2024; 26:450-463. [PMID: 38326554 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-024-01351-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Memory CD8+ T cells play a crucial role in infection and cancer and mount rapid responses to repeat antigen exposure. Although memory cell transcriptional programmes have been previously identified, the regulatory mechanisms that control the formation of CD8+ T cells have not been resolved. Here we report ECSIT as an essential mediator of memory CD8+ T cell differentiation. Ablation of ECSIT in T cells resulted in loss of fumarate synthesis and abrogated TCF-1 expression via demethylation of the TCF-1 promoter by the histone demethylase KDM5, thereby impairing memory CD8+ T cell development in a cell-intrinsic manner. In addition, ECSIT expression correlated positively with stem-like memory progenitor exhausted CD8+ T cells and the survival of patients with cancer. Our study demonstrates that ECSIT-mediated fumarate synthesis stimulates TCF-1 activity and memory CD8+ T cell development during viral infection and tumorigenesis and highlights the utility of therapeutic fumarate analogues and PD-L1 inhibition for tumour immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongbing Yang
- Department of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Gusu School, the Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, National Vaccine Innovation Platform, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Affiliated Children's Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yanan Wang
- Department of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Gusu School, the Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, National Vaccine Innovation Platform, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhongcheng Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huanyu Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi Gong
- Department of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Gusu School, the Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, National Vaccine Innovation Platform, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yingchao Hu
- Department of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Gusu School, the Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, National Vaccine Innovation Platform, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuying Jiang
- Department of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Gusu School, the Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, National Vaccine Innovation Platform, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuang Wen
- Department of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Gusu School, the Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, National Vaccine Innovation Platform, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Feifei Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bingwei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Fiachra Humphries
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | - Yun Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Xi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Shuo Yang
- Department of Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Gusu School, the Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi Medical Center, National Vaccine Innovation Platform, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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6
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Li Y, Han M, Wei H, Huang W, Chen Z, Zhang T, Qian M, Jing L, Nan G, Sun X, Dai S, Wang K, Jiang J, Zhu P, Chen L. Id2 epigenetically controls CD8 + T-cell exhaustion by disrupting the assembly of the Tcf3-LSD1 complex. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:292-308. [PMID: 38287103 PMCID: PMC10902300 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-023-01118-6] [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: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
CD8+ T-cell exhaustion is a state of dysfunction that promotes tumor progression and is marked by the generation of Slamf6+ progenitor exhausted (Texprog) and Tim-3+ terminally exhausted (Texterm) subpopulations. Inhibitor of DNA binding protein 2 (Id2) has been shown to play important roles in T-cell development and CD8+ T-cell immunity. However, the role of Id2 in CD8+ T-cell exhaustion is unclear. Here, we found that Id2 transcriptionally and epigenetically regulates the generation of Texprog cells and their conversion to Texterm cells. Genetic deletion of Id2 dampens CD8+ T-cell-mediated immune responses and the maintenance of stem-like CD8+ T-cell subpopulations, suppresses PD-1 blockade and increases tumor susceptibility. Mechanistically, through its HLH domain, Id2 binds and disrupts the assembly of the Tcf3-Tal1 transcriptional regulatory complex, and thus modulates chromatin accessibility at the Slamf6 promoter by preventing the interaction of Tcf3 with the histone lysine demethylase LSD1. Therefore, Id2 increases the abundance of the permissive H3K4me2 mark on the Tcf3-occupied E-boxes in the Slamf6 promoter, modulates chromatin accessibility at the Slamf6 promoter and epigenetically regulates the generation of Slamf6+ Texprog cells. An LSD1 inhibitor GSK2879552 can rescue the Id2 knockout phenotype in tumor-bearing mice. Inhibition of LSD1 increases the abundance of Slamf6+Tim-3- Texprog cells in tumors and the expression level of Tcf1 in Id2-deleted CD8+ T cells. This study demonstrates that Id2-mediated transcriptional and epigenetic modification drives hierarchical CD8+ T-cell exhaustion, and the mechanistic insights gained may have implications for therapeutic intervention with tumor immune evasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Li
- Department of Cell Biology of National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology of Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Targets Discovery and Drug Development for Major Diseases, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Mingwei Han
- Department of Cell Biology of National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology of Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Targets Discovery and Drug Development for Major Diseases, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Haolin Wei
- Department of Cell Biology of National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology of Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Targets Discovery and Drug Development for Major Diseases, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Wan Huang
- Department of Cell Biology of National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology of Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Targets Discovery and Drug Development for Major Diseases, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Zhinan Chen
- Department of Cell Biology of National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology of Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Targets Discovery and Drug Development for Major Diseases, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Tianjiao Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology of National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology of Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Targets Discovery and Drug Development for Major Diseases, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Meirui Qian
- Department of Cell Biology of National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology of Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Targets Discovery and Drug Development for Major Diseases, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Lin Jing
- Department of Cell Biology of National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology of Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Targets Discovery and Drug Development for Major Diseases, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Gang Nan
- Department of Cell Biology of National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology of Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Targets Discovery and Drug Development for Major Diseases, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Xiuxuan Sun
- Department of Cell Biology of National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology of Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Targets Discovery and Drug Development for Major Diseases, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Shuhui Dai
- Department of Cell Biology of National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology of Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Targets Discovery and Drug Development for Major Diseases, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Cell Biology of National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology of Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Targets Discovery and Drug Development for Major Diseases, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
| | - Jianli Jiang
- Department of Cell Biology of National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology of Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China.
- State Key Laboratory of New Targets Discovery and Drug Development for Major Diseases, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China.
| | - Ping Zhu
- Department of Cell Biology of National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Clinical Immunology of Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China.
- State Key Laboratory of New Targets Discovery and Drug Development for Major Diseases, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China.
| | - Liang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of New Targets Discovery and Drug Development for Major Diseases, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China.
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
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7
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Zhao X, Hu W, Park SR, Zhu S, Hu SS, Zang C, Peng W, Shan Q, Xue HH. The transcriptional cofactor Tle3 reciprocally controls effector and central memory CD8 + T cell fates. Nat Immunol 2024; 25:294-306. [PMID: 38238608 PMCID: PMC10916363 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01720-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Antigen-experienced CD8+ T cells form effector and central memory T cells (TEM and TCM cells, respectively); however, the mechanism(s) controlling their lineage plasticity remains incompletely understood. Here we show that the transcription cofactor Tle3 critically regulates TEM and TCM cell fates and lineage stability through dynamic redistribution in antigen-responding CD8+ T cell genome. Genetic ablation of Tle3 promoted CD8+ TCM cell formation at the expense of CD8+ TEM cells. Lineage tracing showed that Tle3-deficient CD8+ TEM cells underwent accelerated conversion into CD8+ TCM cells while retaining robust recall capacity. Tle3 acted as a coactivator for Tbet to increase chromatin opening at CD8+ TEM cell-characteristic sites and to activate CD8+ TEM cell signature gene transcription, while engaging Runx3 and Tcf1 to limit CD8+ TCM cell-characteristic molecular features. Thus, Tle3 integrated functions of multiple transcription factors to guard lineage fidelity of CD8+ TEM cells, and manipulation of Tle3 activity could favor CD8+ TCM cell production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhao
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack University Medical Center, Nutley, NJ, USA
| | - Wei Hu
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack University Medical Center, Nutley, NJ, USA
| | - Sung Rye Park
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack University Medical Center, Nutley, NJ, USA
| | - Shaoqi Zhu
- Department of Physics, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Shengen Shawn Hu
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Chongzhi Zang
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Weiqun Peng
- Department of Physics, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Qiang Shan
- National Key Laboratory of Immunity and Inflammation, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Suzhou, China.
| | - Hai-Hui Xue
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack University Medical Center, Nutley, NJ, USA.
- New Jersey Veterans Affairs Health Care System, East Orange, NJ, USA.
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8
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Sun L, Ma Z, Zhao X, Tan X, Tu Y, Wang J, Chen L, Chen Z, Chen G, Lan P. LRP11 promotes stem-like T cells via MAPK13-mediated TCF1 phosphorylation, enhancing anti-PD1 immunotherapy. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008367. [PMID: 38272565 PMCID: PMC10824019 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008367] [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] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor-infiltrating T cells enter an exhausted or dysfunctional state, which limits antitumor immunity. Among exhausted T cells, a subset of cells with features of progenitor or stem-like cells has been identified as TCF1+ CD8+ T cells that respond to immunotherapy. In contrast to the finding that TCF1 controls epigenetic and transcriptional reprogramming in tumor-infiltrating stem-like T cells, little is known about the regulation of TCF1. Emerging data show that elevated body mass index is associated with outcomes of immunotherapy. However, the mechanism has not been clarified. METHODS We investigated the proliferation of splenic lymphocytes or CD8+ T cells induced by CD3/CD28 stimulation in vitro. We evaluated the effects of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and LRP11 inhibitors, as well as MAPK13 inhibitors. Additionally, we used shRNA technology to validate the roles of LRP11 and MAPK13. In an in vivo setting, we employed male C57BL/6J injected with B16 cells or MC38 cells to build a tumor model to assess the effects of LDL and LRP11 inhibitors, LRP11 activators, MAPK13 inhibitors on tumor growth. Flow cytometry was used to measure cell proportions and activation status. Molecular interactions and TCF1 status were examined using Western blotting. Moreover, we employed RNA sequencing to investigate the effects of LDL stimulation and MAPK13 inhibition in CD8+ T cells. RESULTS By using a tumor-bearing mouse model, we found that LDL-induced tumor-infiltrating TCF1+PD1+CD8+ T cells. Using a cell-based chimeric receptor screening system, we showed that LRP11 interacted with LDL and activated TCF1. LRP11 activation enhanced TCF1+PD1+CD8+ T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity, consistent with LRP11 blocking impaired T-cell function. Mechanistically, LRP11 activation induces MAPK13 activation. Then, MAPK13 phosphorylates TCF1, leading to increase of stem-like T cells. CONCLUSIONS LRP11-MAPK13-TCF1 enhanced antitumor immunity and induced tumor-infiltrating stem-like T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingjuan Sun
- Institute of Organ Transplantation,Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhibo Ma
- Institute of Organ Transplantation,Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiangli Zhao
- Institute of Organ Transplantation,Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaosheng Tan
- Institute of Organ Transplantation,Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuhao Tu
- Institute of Organ Transplantation,Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingzeng Wang
- Institute of Organ Transplantation,Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Chen
- Institute of Organ Transplantation,Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhishui Chen
- Institute of Organ Transplantation,Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Institute of Organ Transplantation,Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Peixiang Lan
- Institute of Organ Transplantation,Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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9
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Beltra JC, Abdel-Hakeem MS, Manne S, Zhang Z, Huang H, Kurachi M, Su L, Picton L, Ngiow SF, Muroyama Y, Casella V, Huang YJ, Giles JR, Mathew D, Belman J, Klapholz M, Decaluwe H, Huang AC, Berger SL, Garcia KC, Wherry EJ. Stat5 opposes the transcription factor Tox and rewires exhausted CD8 + T cells toward durable effector-like states during chronic antigen exposure. Immunity 2023; 56:2699-2718.e11. [PMID: 38091951 PMCID: PMC10752292 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.11.005] [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: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Rewiring exhausted CD8+ T (Tex) cells toward functional states remains a therapeutic challenge. Tex cells are epigenetically programmed by the transcription factor Tox. However, epigenetic remodeling occurs as Tex cells transition from progenitor (Texprog) to intermediate (Texint) and terminal (Texterm) subsets, suggesting development flexibility. We examined epigenetic transitions between Tex cell subsets and revealed a reciprocally antagonistic circuit between Stat5a and Tox. Stat5 directed Texint cell formation and re-instigated partial effector biology during this Texprog-to-Texint cell transition. Constitutive Stat5a activity antagonized Tox and rewired CD8+ T cells from exhaustion to a durable effector and/or natural killer (NK)-like state with superior anti-tumor potential. Temporal induction of Stat5 activity in Tex cells using an orthogonal IL-2:IL2Rβ-pair fostered Texint cell accumulation, particularly upon PD-L1 blockade. Re-engaging Stat5 also partially reprogrammed the epigenetic landscape of exhaustion and restored polyfunctionality. These data highlight therapeutic opportunities of manipulating the IL-2-Stat5 axis to rewire Tex cells toward more durably protective states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Christophe Beltra
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mohamed S Abdel-Hakeem
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr El-Aini, Cairo 11562, Egypt
| | - Sasikanth Manne
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hua Huang
- Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Makoto Kurachi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan
| | - Leon Su
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lora Picton
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Shin Foong Ngiow
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yuki Muroyama
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Valentina Casella
- Infection Biology Laboratory, Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yinghui J Huang
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Josephine R Giles
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Divij Mathew
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jonathan Belman
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Max Klapholz
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hélène Decaluwe
- Cytokines and Adaptive Immunity Laboratory, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Immunology and Rheumatology Division, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alexander C Huang
- Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shelley L Berger
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - K Christopher Garcia
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, 1 Letterman Drive, Suite D3500, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - E John Wherry
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Immunology and Immune Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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10
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Doan A, Mueller KP, Chen A, Rouin GT, Daniel B, Lattin J, Chen Y, Mozarsky B, Markovska M, Arias-Umana J, Hapke R, Jung I, Xu P, Klysz D, Bashti M, Quinn PJ, Sandor K, Zhang W, Hall J, Lareau C, Grupp SA, Fraietta JA, Sotillo E, Satpathy AT, Mackall CL, Weber EW. FOXO1 is a master regulator of CAR T memory programming. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2802998. [PMID: 37986944 PMCID: PMC10659532 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2802998/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Poor CAR T persistence limits CAR T cell therapies for B cell malignancies and solid tumors1,2. The expression of memory-associated genes such as TCF7 (protein name TCF1) is linked to response and long-term persistence in patients3-7, thereby implicating memory programs in therapeutic efficacy. Here, we demonstrate that the pioneer transcription factor, FOXO1, is responsible for promoting memory programs and restraining exhaustion in human CAR T cells. Pharmacologic inhibition or gene editing of endogenous FOXO1 in human CAR T cells diminished the expression of memory-associated genes, promoted an exhaustion-like phenotype, and impaired antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo. FOXO1 overexpression induced a gene expression program consistent with T cell memory and increased chromatin accessibility at FOXO1 binding motifs. FOXO1-overexpressing cells retained function, memory potential, and metabolic fitness during settings of chronic stimulation and exhibited enhanced persistence and antitumor activity in vivo. In contrast, TCF1 overexpression failed to enforce canonical memory programs or enhance CAR T cell potency. Importantly, endogenous FOXO1 activity correlated with CAR T and TIL responses in patients, underscoring its clinical relevance in cancer immunotherapy. Our results demonstrate that memory reprogramming through FOXO1 can enhance the persistence and potency of human CAR T cells and highlights the utility of pioneer factors, which bind condensed chromatin and induce local epigenetic remodeling, for optimizing therapeutic T cell states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Doan
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Katherine P Mueller
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Andy Chen
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Geoffrey T Rouin
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Bence Daniel
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - John Lattin
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Yingshi Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Brett Mozarsky
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Martina Markovska
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jose Arias-Umana
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Robert Hapke
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Inyoung Jung
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Peng Xu
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Dorota Klysz
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Malek Bashti
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Patrick J Quinn
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Katalin Sandor
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Wenxi Zhang
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Junior Hall
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Caleb Lareau
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA 94129 USA
| | - Stephan A Grupp
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Joseph A Fraietta
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Elena Sotillo
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ansuman T Satpathy
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute of Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA 94129 USA
| | - Crystal L Mackall
- Center for Cancer Cell Therapy, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA 94129 USA
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cell Therapy, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Evan W Weber
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
- Center for Childhood Cancer Research, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA 94129 USA
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11
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Sun Q, Cai D, Liu D, Zhao X, Li R, Xu W, Xie B, Gou M, Wei K, Li Y, Huang J, Chi X, Wei P, Hao J, Guo X, Pan B, Fu Y, Ni L, Dong C. BCL6 promotes a stem-like CD8 + T cell program in cancer via antagonizing BLIMP1. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eadh1306. [PMID: 37862431 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adh1306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Overcoming CD8+ T cell exhaustion is critical in cancer immunotherapy. Recently, an intratumor stem/progenitor-like CD8+ T cell (Tprog cell) population that mediates the persistence of antitumor responses has been defined, which can further develop into a terminally differentiated CD8+ T cell (Tterm cell) subpopulation with potent cytotoxic functions. Tprog cells are the main responders to immune checkpoint blockade therapies, yet how extrinsic signals via transcription factors control Tprog cell generation and persistence in tumors is unclear. Here, we found that BCL6 inhibits tumor-specific Tterm cell generation from Tprog cell downstream of TCF1. We show that Bcl6 deficiency reduced the persistence of Tprog cells, without affecting their generation, thus abrogating long-term tumor control. High-level BCL6 expression was observed in tumor-specific T cells in draining lymph nodes (LNs) and was associated with T cell exhaustion. This was observed in TOX+TCF1+ Tprog cells in both LNs and tumors. BCL6 expression in CD8+ T cells was up-regulated by TGF-β-SMAD2 signaling but down-regulated by the IL-2-STAT5 pathway. Mechanistically, BCL6 transcriptionally repressed the expression of Tterm cell-associated genes and induced those of Tprog cell-related genes, in a manner antagonistic to BLIMP1. Prdm1 deficiency also promoted the Tprog cell program and greatly improved the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy. Thus, we identified the TGF-β-BCL6 and IL-2-BLIMP1 antagonistic pathways in regulation of antitumor CD8+ T cells, which may benefit the development of long-lasting and effective cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinli Sun
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Dongli Cai
- Shanghai Immune Therapy Institute, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine-Affiliated Renji Hospital, Shanghai 200127, China
- Department of Gynaecology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 201204, China
| | - Dingfeng Liu
- Shanghai Immune Therapy Institute, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine-Affiliated Renji Hospital, Shanghai 200127, China
- Department of Gynaecology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 201204, China
| | - Xiaohong Zhao
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Ruifeng Li
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Bowen Xie
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Mengting Gou
- Shanghai Immune Therapy Institute, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine-Affiliated Renji Hospital, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Kun Wei
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yuling Li
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- College of Life Science and Peking University-Tsinghua University-National Institute of Biological Sciences Joint Graduate Program, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jinling Huang
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xinxin Chi
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Peng Wei
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jing Hao
- Shanghai Immune Therapy Institute, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine-Affiliated Renji Hospital, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Xinyi Guo
- Shanghai Immune Therapy Institute, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine-Affiliated Renji Hospital, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Birui Pan
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yujie Fu
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Shanghai Immune Therapy Institute, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine-Affiliated Renji Hospital, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Ling Ni
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Chen Dong
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Shanghai Immune Therapy Institute, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine-Affiliated Renji Hospital, Shanghai 200127, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Research Unit of Immune Regulation and Immune Diseases of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine-Affiliated Renji Hospital, Shanghai 200127, China
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12
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Bulliard Y, Andersson BS, Baysal MA, Damiano J, Tsimberidou AM. Reprogramming T cell differentiation and exhaustion in CAR-T cell therapy. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:108. [PMID: 37880715 PMCID: PMC10601191 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01504-7] [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: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
T cell differentiation is a highly regulated, multi-step process necessary for the progressive establishment of effector functions, immunological memory, and long-term control of pathogens. In response to strong stimulation, as seen in severe or chronic infections or cancer, T cells acquire a state of hypo-responsiveness known as exhaustion, limiting their effector function. Recent advances in autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies have revolutionized the treatment of hematologic malignancies by taking advantage of the basic principles of T cell biology to engineer products that promote long-lasting T cell response. However, many patients' malignancies remain unresponsive to treatment or are prone to recur. Discoveries in T cell biology, including the identification of key regulators of differentiation and exhaustion, offer novel opportunities to have a durable impact on the fate of CAR-T cells after infusion. Such next-generation CAR-T cell therapies and their clinical implementation may result in the next leap forward in cancer treatment for selected patients. In this context, this review summarizes the foundational principles of T cell differentiation and exhaustion and describes how they can be utilized and targeted to further improve the design and efficacy of CAR-T cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Borje S Andersson
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Mehmet A Baysal
- Unit 455, Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jason Damiano
- Appia Bio, 6160 Bristol Pkwy, Culver City, CA, 90230, USA
| | - Apostolia M Tsimberidou
- Unit 455, Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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13
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Im SJ, Obeng RC, Nasti TH, McManus D, Kamphorst AO, Gunisetty S, Prokhnevska N, Carlisle JW, Yu K, Sica GL, Cardozo LE, Gonçalves ANA, Kissick HT, Nakaya HI, Ramalingam SS, Ahmed R. Characteristics and anatomic location of PD-1 +TCF1 + stem-like CD8 T cells in chronic viral infection and cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2221985120. [PMID: 37782797 PMCID: PMC10576122 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2221985120] [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: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
CD8 T cells play an essential role in antitumor immunity and chronic viral infections. Recent findings have delineated the differentiation pathway of CD8 T cells in accordance with the progenitor-progeny relationship of TCF1+ stem-like and Tim-3+TCF1- more differentiated T cells. Here, we investigated the characteristics of stem-like and differentiated CD8 T cells isolated from several murine tumor models and human lung cancer samples in terms of phenotypic and transcriptional features as well as their location compared to virus-specific CD8 T cells in the chronically lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)-infected mice. We found that CD8 tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in both murine and human tumors exhibited overall similar phenotypic and transcriptional characteristics compared to corresponding subsets in the spleen of chronically infected mice. Moreover, stem-like CD8 TILs exclusively responded and produced effector-like progeny CD8 T cells in vivo after antigenic restimulation, confirming their lineage relationship and the proliferative potential of stem-like CD8 TILs. Most importantly, similar to the preferential localization of PD-1+ stem-like CD8 T cells in T cell zones of the spleen during chronic LCMV infection, we found that the PD-1+ stem-like CD8 TILs in lung cancer samples are preferentially located not in the tumor parenchyma but in tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs). The stem-like CD8 T cells are present in TLSs located within and at the periphery of the tumor, as well as in TLSs closely adjacent to the tumor parenchyma. These findings suggest that TLSs provide a protective niche to support the quiescence and maintenance of stem-like CD8 T cells in the tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se Jin Im
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
- Department of Immunology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Rebecca C. Obeng
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH44106
| | - Tahseen H. Nasti
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
| | - Daniel McManus
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
| | - Alice O. Kamphorst
- Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY10029
| | - Sivaram Gunisetty
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
| | - Nataliya Prokhnevska
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
| | - Jennifer W. Carlisle
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
| | - Ke Yu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
| | - Gabriel L. Sica
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA15213
| | | | | | - Haydn T. Kissick
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
| | | | - Suresh S. Ramalingam
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
| | - Rafi Ahmed
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA30322
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14
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Lan X, Zebley CC, Youngblood B. Cellular and molecular waypoints along the path of T cell exhaustion. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eadg3868. [PMID: 37656775 PMCID: PMC10618911 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adg3868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Thirty years of foundational research investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms promoting T cell exhaustion are now enabling rational design of T cell-based therapies for the treatment of chronic infections and cancer. Once described as a static cell fate, it is now well appreciated that the developmental path toward exhaustion is composed of a heterogeneous pool of cells with varying degrees of effector potential that ultimately converge on a terminally differentiated state. Recent description of the developmental stages along the differentiation trajectory of T cell exhaustion has provided insight into past immunotherapeutic success and future opportunities. Here, we discuss the hallmarks of distinct developmental stages occurring along the path to T cell dysfunction and the impact of these discrete CD8+ T cell fates on cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Lan
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
- College of Graduate Health Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Caitlin C. Zebley
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Ben Youngblood
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
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15
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Kharel A, Shen J, Brown R, Chen Y, Nguyen C, Alson D, Bluemn T, Fan J, Gai K, Zhang B, Kudek M, Zhu N, Cui W. Loss of PBAF promotes expansion and effector differentiation of CD8 + T cells during chronic viral infection and cancer. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112649. [PMID: 37330910 PMCID: PMC10592487 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
During chronic viral infection and cancer, it has been established that a subset of progenitor CD8+ T cells continuously gives rise to terminally exhausted cells and cytotoxic effector cells. Although multiple transcriptional programs governing the bifurcated differentiation trajectories have been previously studied, little is known about the chromatin structure changes regulating CD8+ T cell-fate decision. In this study, we demonstrate that the chromatin remodeling complex PBAF restrains expansion and promotes exhaustion of CD8+ T cells during chronic viral infection and cancer. Mechanistically, transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses reveal the role of PBAF in maintaining chromatin accessibility of multiple genetic pathways and transcriptional programs to restrain proliferation and promote T cell exhaustion. Harnessing this knowledge, we demonstrate that perturbation of PBAF complex constrained exhaustion and promoted expansion of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells resulting in antitumor immunity in a preclinical melanoma model, implicating PBAF as an attractive target for cancer immunotherapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun Kharel
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jian Shen
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ryan Brown
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Yao Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Christine Nguyen
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Donia Alson
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Theresa Bluemn
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Jie Fan
- Department of Medicine/Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kexin Gai
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Medicine/Hematology and Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Matthew Kudek
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Nan Zhu
- Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Weiguo Cui
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; Blood Research Institute, Versiti, Milwaukee, WI, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
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16
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Sun L, Su Y, Jiao A, Wang X, Zhang B. T cells in health and disease. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:235. [PMID: 37332039 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01471-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells are crucial for immune functions to maintain health and prevent disease. T cell development occurs in a stepwise process in the thymus and mainly generates CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. Upon antigen stimulation, naïve T cells differentiate into CD4+ helper and CD8+ cytotoxic effector and memory cells, mediating direct killing, diverse immune regulatory function, and long-term protection. In response to acute and chronic infections and tumors, T cells adopt distinct differentiation trajectories and develop into a range of heterogeneous populations with various phenotype, differentiation potential, and functionality under precise and elaborate regulations of transcriptional and epigenetic programs. Abnormal T-cell immunity can initiate and promote the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of T cell development, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell classification, and differentiation in physiological settings. We further elaborate the heterogeneity, differentiation, functionality, and regulation network of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in infectious disease, chronic infection and tumor, and autoimmune disease, highlighting the exhausted CD8+ T cell differentiation trajectory, CD4+ T cell helper function, T cell contributions to immunotherapy and autoimmune pathogenesis. We also discuss the development and function of γδ T cells in tissue surveillance, infection, and tumor immunity. Finally, we summarized current T-cell-based immunotherapies in both cancer and autoimmune diseases, with an emphasis on their clinical applications. A better understanding of T cell immunity provides insight into developing novel prophylactic and therapeutic strategies in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Sun
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China
| | - Yanhong Su
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China
| | - Anjun Jiao
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China
| | - Baojun Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China.
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17
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Tian W, Qin G, Jia M, Li W, Cai W, Wang H, Zhao Y, Bao X, Wei W, Zhang Y, Shao Q. Hierarchical transcriptional network governing heterogeneous T cell exhaustion and its implications for immune checkpoint blockade. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1198551. [PMID: 37398674 PMCID: PMC10311999 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1198551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The fundamental principle of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is to protect tumor-infiltrating T cells from being exhausted. Despite the remarkable success achieved by ICB treatment, only a small group of patients benefit from it. Characterized by a hypofunctional state with the expression of multiple inhibitory receptors, exhausted T (Tex) cells are a major obstacle in improving ICB. T cell exhaustion is a progressive process which adapts to persistent antigen stimulation in chronic infections and cancers. In this review, we elucidate the heterogeneity of Tex cells and offer new insights into the hierarchical transcriptional regulation of T cell exhaustion. Factors and signaling pathways that induce and promote exhaustion are also summarized. Moreover, we review the epigenetic and metabolic alterations of Tex cells and discuss how PD-1 signaling affects the balance between T cell activation and exhaustion, aiming to provide more therapeutic targets for applications of combinational immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weihong Tian
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- Life Science Institute, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Gaofeng Qin
- Life Science Institute, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Miaomiao Jia
- Jiaxing Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiaxing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wuhao Li
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Weili Cai
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Reproductive Immunity, School of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Jiangsu College of Nursing, Huai’an, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yangjing Zhao
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xuanwen Bao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University & Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wangzhi Wei
- Life Science Institute, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Life Science Institute, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Qixiang Shao
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Reproductive Immunity, School of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Jiangsu College of Nursing, Huai’an, Jiangsu, China
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18
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Guan Q, Han M, Guo Q, Yan F, Wang M, Ning Q, Xi D. Strategies to reinvigorate exhausted CD8 + T cells in tumor microenvironment. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1204363. [PMID: 37398660 PMCID: PMC10311918 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1204363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
CD8+ T cell exhaustion is a stable dysfunctional state driven by chronic antigen stimulation in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Differentiation of exhausted CD8+ T cells (CD8+ TEXs) is accompanied by extensive transcriptional, epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming. CD8+ TEXs are mainly characterized by impaired proliferative and cytotoxic capacity as well as the increased expression of multiple co-inhibitory receptors. Preclinical tumor studies and clinical cohorts have demonstrated that T cell exhaustion is firmly associated with poor clinical outcomes in a variety of cancers. More importantly, CD8+ TEXs are regarded as the main responder to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). However, to date, a large number of cancer patients have failed to achieve durable responses after ICB. Therefore, improving CD8+ TEXs may be a breakthrough point to reverse the current dilemma of cancer immunotherapy and eliminate cancers. Strategies to reinvigorate CD8+ TEXs in TME mainly include ICB, transcription factor-based therapy, epigenetic therapy, metabolism-based therapy and cytokine therapy, which target on different aspects of exhaustion progression. Each of them has its advantages and application scope. In this review, we mainly focus on the major advances of current strategies to reinvigorate CD8+ TEXs in TME. We summarize their efficacy and mechanisms, identify the promising monotherapy and combined therapy and propose suggestions to enhance the treatment efficacy to significantly boost anti-tumor immunity and achieve better clinical outcomes.
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19
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Liu J, Zhu S, Hu W, Zhao X, Shan Q, Peng W, Xue HH. CTCF mediates CD8+ effector differentiation through dynamic redistribution and genomic reorganization. J Exp Med 2023; 220:e20221288. [PMID: 36752796 PMCID: PMC9948760 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20221288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Differentiation of effector CD8+ T cells is instructed by stably and dynamically expressed transcription regulators. Here we show that naive-to-effector differentiation was accompanied by dynamic CTCF redistribution and extensive chromatin architectural changes. Upon CD8+ T cell activation, CTCF acquired de novo binding sites and anchored novel chromatin interactions, and these changes were associated with increased chromatin accessibility and elevated expression of cytotoxic program genes including Tbx21, Ifng, and Klrg1. CTCF was also evicted from its ex-binding sites in naive state, with concomitantly reduced chromatin interactions in effector cells, as observed at memory precursor-associated genes including Il7r, Sell, and Tcf7. Genetic ablation of CTCF indeed diminished cytotoxic gene expression, but paradoxically elevated expression of memory precursor genes. Comparative Hi-C analysis revealed that key memory precursor genes were harbored within insulated neighborhoods demarcated by constitutive CTCF binding, and their induction was likely due to disrupted CTCF-dependent insulation. CTCF thus promotes cytotoxic effector differentiation by integrating local chromatin accessibility control and higher-order genomic reorganization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Liu
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack University Medical Center, Nutley, NJ, USA
| | - Shaoqi Zhu
- Department of Physics, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Wei Hu
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack University Medical Center, Nutley, NJ, USA
| | - Xin Zhao
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack University Medical Center, Nutley, NJ, USA
| | - Qiang Shan
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack University Medical Center, Nutley, NJ, USA
| | - Weiqun Peng
- Department of Physics, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Hai-Hui Xue
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack University Medical Center, Nutley, NJ, USA
- New Jersey Veterans Affairs Health Care System, East Orange, NJ, USA
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20
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Marx AF, Kallert SM, Brunner TM, Villegas JA, Geier F, Fixemer J, Abreu-Mota T, Reuther P, Bonilla WV, Fadejeva J, Kreutzfeldt M, Wagner I, Aparicio-Domingo P, Scarpellino L, Charmoy M, Utzschneider DT, Hagedorn C, Lu M, Cornille K, Stauffer K, Kreppel F, Merkler D, Zehn D, Held W, Luther SA, Löhning M, Pinschewer DD. The alarmin interleukin-33 promotes the expansion and preserves the stemness of Tcf-1 + CD8 + T cells in chronic viral infection. Immunity 2023; 56:813-828.e10. [PMID: 36809763 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
T cell factor 1 (Tcf-1) expressing CD8+ T cells exhibit stem-like self-renewing capacity, rendering them key for immune defense against chronic viral infection and cancer. Yet, the signals that promote the formation and maintenance of these stem-like CD8+ T cells (CD8+SL) remain poorly defined. Studying CD8+ T cell differentiation in mice with chronic viral infection, we identified the alarmin interleukin-33 (IL-33) as pivotal for the expansion and stem-like functioning of CD8+SL as well as for virus control. IL-33 receptor (ST2)-deficient CD8+ T cells exhibited biased end differentiation and premature loss of Tcf-1. ST2-deficient CD8+SL responses were restored by blockade of type I interferon signaling, suggesting that IL-33 balances IFN-I effects to control CD8+SL formation in chronic infection. IL-33 signals broadly augmented chromatin accessibility in CD8+SL and determined these cells' re-expansion potential. Our study identifies the IL-33-ST2 axis as an important CD8+SL-promoting pathway in the context of chronic viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Friederike Marx
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Sandra M Kallert
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tobias M Brunner
- Experimental Immunology and Osteoarthritis Research, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Pitzer Laboratory of Osteoarthritis Research, German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), a Leibniz Institute, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - José A Villegas
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Florian Geier
- Department of Biomedicine, Bioinformatics Core Facility, University Hospital Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jonas Fixemer
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tiago Abreu-Mota
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter Reuther
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Weldy V Bonilla
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jelizaveta Fadejeva
- Experimental Immunology and Osteoarthritis Research, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Pitzer Laboratory of Osteoarthritis Research, German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), a Leibniz Institute, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mario Kreutzfeldt
- Department of Pathology and Immunology University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Clinical Pathology, Geneva University Hospital, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ingrid Wagner
- Department of Pathology and Immunology University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Clinical Pathology, Geneva University Hospital, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Leo Scarpellino
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Mélanie Charmoy
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Daniel T Utzschneider
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Claudia Hagedorn
- Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H), Faculty of Health/School of Medicine, Stockumer Str. 10, 58453 Witten, Germany
| | - Min Lu
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Karen Cornille
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Karsten Stauffer
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Florian Kreppel
- Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H), Faculty of Health/School of Medicine, Stockumer Str. 10, 58453 Witten, Germany
| | - Doron Merkler
- Department of Pathology and Immunology University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Division of Clinical Pathology, Geneva University Hospital, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Dietmar Zehn
- Division of Animal Physiology and Immunology, School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Werner Held
- Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Sanjiv A Luther
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Max Löhning
- Experimental Immunology and Osteoarthritis Research, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Pitzer Laboratory of Osteoarthritis Research, German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), a Leibniz Institute, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Daniel D Pinschewer
- Department of Biomedicine, Division of Experimental Virology, University of Basel, 4055 Basel, Switzerland.
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21
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Hsiung S, Egawa T. Population dynamics and gene regulation of T cells in response to chronic antigen stimulation. Int Immunol 2023; 35:67-77. [PMID: 36334059 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxac050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells are activated by antigen and co-stimulatory receptor signaling and undergo robust proliferation and differentiation into effector cells with protective function. Such quantitatively and qualitatively amplified T cell responses are effective in controlling acute infection and are followed by contraction of the effector population and the formation of resting memory T cells for enhanced protection against previously experienced antigens. However, in the face of persistent antigen during chronic viral infection, in autoimmunity, or in the tumor microenvironment, T cells exhibit distinct responses relative to those in acute insult in several aspects, including reduced clonal expansion and impaired effector function associated with inhibitory receptor expression, a state known as exhaustion. Nevertheless, their responses to chronic infection and tumors are sustained through the establishment of hierarchical heterogeneity, which preserves the duration of the response by generating newly differentiated effector cells. In this review, we highlight recent findings on distinct dynamics of T cell responses under "exhausting" conditions and the roles of the transcription factors that support attenuated yet long-lasting T cell responses as well as the establishment of dysfunctional states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunnie Hsiung
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Takeshi Egawa
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
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22
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Ngai H, Barragan GA, Tian G, Balzeau JC, Zhang C, Courtney AN, Guo L, Xu X, Wood MS, Drabek JM, Demberg T, Sands CM, Chauvin-Fleurence CN, Di Pierro EJ, Rosen JM, Metelitsa LS. LEF1 Drives a Central Memory Program and Supports Antitumor Activity of Natural Killer T Cells. Cancer Immunol Res 2023; 11:171-183. [PMID: 36484736 PMCID: PMC9898189 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-22-0333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Vα24-invariant natural killer T cells (NKT) possess innate antitumor properties that can be exploited for cancer immunotherapy. We have shown previously that the CD62L+ central memory-like subset of these cells drives the in vivo antitumor activity of NKTs, but molecular mediators of NKT central memory differentiation remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that relative to CD62L- cells, CD62L+ NKTs express a higher level of the gene encoding the Wnt/β-catenin transcription factor lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 (LEF1) and maintain active Wnt/β-catenin signaling. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated LEF1 knockout reduced CD62L+ frequency after antigenic stimulation, whereas Wnt/β-catenin activator Wnt3a ligand increased CD62L+ frequency. LEF1 overexpression promoted NKT expansion and limited exhaustion following serial tumor challenge and was sufficient to induce a central memory-like transcriptional program in NKTs. In mice, NKTs expressing a GD2-specific chimeric-antigen receptor (CAR) with LEF1 demonstrated superior control of neuroblastoma xenograft tumors compared with control CAR-NKTs. These results identify LEF1 as a transcriptional activator of the NKT central memory program and advance development of NKT cell-based immunotherapy. See related Spotlight by Van Kaer, p. 144.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho Ngai
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Advanced Innate Cell Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Gabriel A Barragan
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Advanced Innate Cell Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Gengwen Tian
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Advanced Innate Cell Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Julien C Balzeau
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Advanced Innate Cell Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Chunchao Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Advanced Innate Cell Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Amy N Courtney
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Advanced Innate Cell Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Linjie Guo
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Advanced Innate Cell Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Xin Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Advanced Innate Cell Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Michael S Wood
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Advanced Innate Cell Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Janice M Drabek
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Advanced Innate Cell Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Thorsten Demberg
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Advanced Innate Cell Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Caroline M Sands
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Advanced Innate Cell Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Cynthia N Chauvin-Fleurence
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Advanced Innate Cell Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Erica J Di Pierro
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Advanced Innate Cell Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Jeffrey M Rosen
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Leonid S Metelitsa
- Department of Pediatrics, Center for Advanced Innate Cell Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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23
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Mei Z, Gao X, Pan C, Wu Q, Wang S, Qian J, Xu Z, Xu K, Zhou L, Zhen S. Lenvatinib enhances antitumor immunity by promoting the infiltration of TCF1 + CD8 + T cells in HCC via blocking VEGFR2. Cancer Sci 2023; 114:1284-1296. [PMID: 36609997 PMCID: PMC10067412 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Lenvatinib is the favorable treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and it is currently undergoing phase III clinical trials. However, the specific effects of lenvatinib on PD1+ CD8+ T cells in HCC microenvironment have not been systematically studied. Here, we established an orthotopic hepa1-6 mouse model treated with lenvatinib to investigate CD8+ T cells' role in the tumor and spleen. We found an increasing proportion of TCF-1+ in PD1+ CD8+ T cells and proliferation of PD1+ CD8+ T cells after lenvatinib treatment. Meanwhile, lenvatinib treatment upregulated the expression of granzyme B on PD1+ CD8+ T cells both in vitro and in vivo. Lenvatinib activated the endogenous mTOR pathway of exhausted CD8+ T cells, and mTOR pathway blockade eliminated the antitumor effect of lenvatinib and function of PD1+ CD8+ T cells. The effects of the mTOR pathway on PD1+ CD8+ T cells after lenvatinib treatment were mediated by VEGFR2 inhibition. Overall, our work provides insight into the mechanism of lenvatinib's antitumor efficacy through exhausted CD8+ T cells in HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhibin Mei
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xingxing Gao
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Caixu Pan
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qinchuan Wu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junjie Qian
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhentian Xu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kangdi Xu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shushen Zhen
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of the Diagnosis and Treatment of Organ Transplantation, Research Unit of Collaborative Diagnosis and Treatment For Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU019), Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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24
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Balta E, Janzen N, Kirchgessner H, Toufaki V, Orlik C, Liang J, Lairikyengbam D, Abken H, Niesler B, Müller-Decker K, Ruppert T, Samstag Y. Expression of TRX1 optimizes the antitumor functions of human CAR T cells and confers resistance to a pro-oxidative tumor microenvironment. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1063313. [PMID: 36591284 PMCID: PMC9794734 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1063313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells to treat B cell lymphoma and leukemia has been remarkably successful. Unfortunately, the therapeutic efficacy of CAR T cells against solid tumors is very limited, with immunosuppression by the pro-oxidative tumor microenvironment (TME) a major contributing factor. High levels of reactive oxygen species are well-tolerated by tumor cells due to their elevated expression of antioxidant proteins; however, this is not the case for T cells, which consequently become hypo-responsive. The aim of this study was to improve CAR T cell efficacy in solid tumors by empowering the antioxidant capacity of CAR T cells against the pro-oxidative TME. To this end, HER2-specific human CAR T cells stably expressing two antioxidant systems: thioredoxin-1 (TRX1), and glutaredoxin-1 (GRX1) were generated and characterized. Thereafter, antitumor functions of CAR T cells were evaluated under control or pro-oxidative conditions. To provide insights into the role of antioxidant systems, gene expression profiles as well as global protein oxidation were analyzed. Our results highlight that TRX1 is pivotal for T cell redox homeostasis. TRX1 expression allows CAR T cells to retain their cytolytic immune synapse formation, cytokine release, proliferation, and tumor cell-killing properties under pro-oxidative conditions. Evaluation of differentially expressed genes and the first comprehensive redoxosome analysis of T cells by mass spectrometry further clarified the underlying mechanisms. Taken together, enhancement of the key antioxidant TRX1 in human T cells opens possibilities to increase the efficacy of CAR T cell treatment against solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Balta
- Section of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany,*Correspondence: Emre Balta, ; Yvonne Samstag,
| | - Nina Janzen
- Section of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Henning Kirchgessner
- Section of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Vasiliki Toufaki
- Section of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Orlik
- Section of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jie Liang
- Section of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Divya Lairikyengbam
- Section of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hinrich Abken
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Division of Genetic Immunotherapy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Beate Niesler
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany,Counter Core Facility, Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Karin Müller-Decker
- Core Facility Tumor Models, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Ruppert
- Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Center for Molecular Biology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yvonne Samstag
- Section of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany,*Correspondence: Emre Balta, ; Yvonne Samstag,
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25
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Zangari B, Tsuji T, Matsuzaki J, Mohammadpour H, Eppolito C, Battaglia S, Ito F, Chodon T, Koya R, Robert McGray AJ, Odunsi K. Tcf-1 protects anti-tumor TCR-engineered CD8 + T-cells from GzmB mediated self-destruction. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 71:2881-2898. [PMID: 35460379 PMCID: PMC9588092 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03197-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND T-cell longevity is undermined by antigen-driven differentiation programs that render cells prone to attrition through several mechanisms. CD8 + T cells that express the Tcf-1 transcription factor have undergone limited differentiation and exhibit stem-cell-like replenishment functions that facilitate persistence. We engineered human CD8 + T cells to constitutively express Tcf-1 and a TCR specific for the NY-ESO-1 cancer-associated antigen. Co-engineered cells were assessed for their potential for adoptive cellular immunotherapy. METHODS Tcf-1 mRNA encoding TCF-1B and TCF-1E isoforms, along with GzmB expression were assessed in CD62L + CD57 -, CD62L - CD57 -, and CD62L - CD57 + CD8 + T cells derived from normal donor lymphocytes. The impact of stable Tcf-1B expression on CD8 + T-cell phenotype, anti-tumor activity, and cell-cycle activity was assessed in vitro and in an in vivo tumor xenograft model. RESULTS TCF-1B and TCF-1E were dynamically regulated during self-renewal, with progeny of recently activated naïve T cells more enriched for TCF-1B mRNA. Constitutive TCF-1B expression improved the survival of TCR-engineered CD8 + T cells upon engagement with tumor cells. Tcf-1B prohibited the acquisition of a GzmB High state, and protected T cells from apoptosis associated with elicitation of effector function, and promoted stem cell-like characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Tcf-1 protects TCR-engineered CD8 + T cells from activation induced cell death by restricting GzmB expression. Our study presents constitutive Tcf-1B expression as a potential means to impart therapeutic T cells with attributes of persistence for durable anti-tumor activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Zangari
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Takemasa Tsuji
- University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, 5841 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Junko Matsuzaki
- University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, 5841 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Hemn Mohammadpour
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Cheryl Eppolito
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Sebastiano Battaglia
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Fumito Ito
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Thinle Chodon
- University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, 5841 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Richard Koya
- University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, 5841 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - A J Robert McGray
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kunle Odunsi
- University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, 5841 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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26
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Zhang L, Zhang B, Li L, Ye Y, Wu Y, Yuan Q, Xu W, Wen X, Guo X, Nian S. Novel targets for immunotherapy associated with exhausted CD8 + T cells in cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2022; 149:2243-2258. [PMID: 36107246 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04326-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In response to prolonged stimulation by tumour antigens, T cells gradually become exhausted. There is growing evidence that exhausted T cells not only lose their potent effector functions but also express multiple inhibitory receptors. Checkpoint blockade (CPB) therapy can improve cancer by reactivating exhausted effector cell function, leading to durable clinical responses, but further improvements are needed given the limited number of patients who benefit from treatment, even with autoimmune complications. Here, we suggest, based on recent advances that tumour antigens are the primary culprits of exhaustion, followed by some immune cells and cytokines that also play an accomplice role in the exhaustion process, and we also propose that chronic stress-induced hypoxia and hormones also play an important role in promoting T-cell exhaustion. Understanding the classification of exhausted CD8+ T-cell subpopulations and their functions is important for the effectiveness of immune checkpoint blockade therapies. We mapped the differentiation of T-cell exhausted subpopulations by changes in transcription factors, indicating that T-cell exhaustion is a dynamic developmental process. Finally, we summarized the novel immune checkpoints associated with depletion in recent years and combined them with bioinformatics to construct a web of exhaustion-related immune checkpoints with the aim of finding novel therapeutic targets associated with T-cell exhaustion in malignant tumours, aiming to revive the killing ability of exhausted T cells and restore anti-tumour immunity through combined targeted immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Zhang
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, No 1, Xianglin road, Luzhou City, 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, No 1, Xianglin road, Luzhou City, 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Lin Li
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, No 1, Xianglin road, Luzhou City, 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yingchun Ye
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, No 1, Xianglin road, Luzhou City, 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yuchuan Wu
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, No 1, Xianglin road, Luzhou City, 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Qing Yuan
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, No 1, Xianglin road, Luzhou City, 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Wenfeng Xu
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, No 1, Xianglin road, Luzhou City, 646000, Sichuan Province, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Sichuan, 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Wen
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, No 1, Xianglin road, Luzhou City, 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xiyuan Guo
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, No 1, Xianglin road, Luzhou City, 646000, Sichuan Province, China.
- Division of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
| | - Siji Nian
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, No 1, Xianglin road, Luzhou City, 646000, Sichuan Province, China.
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27
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Liu H, Wang X, Ding R, Jiao A, Zheng H, Zhang C, Feng Z, Su Y, Yang X, Lei L, Sun L, Zhang L, Sun C, Zhang B. The Transcription Factor Zfp335 Promotes Differentiation and Persistence of Memory CD8 +T Cells by Regulating TCF-1. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 209:886-895. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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28
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Shan Q, Zhu S, Chen X, Liu J, Yuan S, Li X, Peng W, Xue HH. Tcf1-CTCF cooperativity shapes genomic architecture to promote CD8 + T cell homeostasis. Nat Immunol 2022; 23:1222-1235. [PMID: 35882936 PMCID: PMC9579964 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-022-01263-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
CD8+ T cell homeostasis is maintained by the cytokines IL-7 and IL-15. Here we show that transcription factors Tcf1 and Lef1 were intrinsically required for homeostatic proliferation of CD8+ T cells. Multiomics analyses showed that Tcf1 recruited the genome organizer CTCF and that homeostatic cytokines induced Tcf1-dependent CTCF redistribution in the CD8+ T cell genome. Hi-C coupled with network analyses indicated that Tcf1 and CTCF acted cooperatively to promote chromatin interactions and form highly connected, dynamic interaction hubs in CD8+ T cells before and after cytokine stimulation. Ablating CTCF phenocopied the proliferative defects caused by Tcf1 and Lef1 deficiency. Tcf1 and CTCF controlled a similar set of genes that regulated cell cycle progression and promoted CD8+ T cell homeostatic proliferation in vivo. These findings identified CTCF as a Tcf1 cofactor and uncovered an intricate interplay between Tcf1 and CTCF that modulates the genomic architecture of CD8+ T cells to preserve homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Shan
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack University Medical Center, Nutley, NJ 07110,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Shaoqi Zhu
- Department of Physics, The George Washington University, Washington DC, 20052,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Xia Chen
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack University Medical Center, Nutley, NJ 07110
| | - Jia Liu
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack University Medical Center, Nutley, NJ 07110
| | - Shuang Yuan
- Department of Physics, The George Washington University, Washington DC, 20052
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Physics, The George Washington University, Washington DC, 20052
| | - Weiqun Peng
- Department of Physics, The George Washington University, Washington DC, 20052,Corresponding authors: Hai-Hui Xue, 111 Ideation Way, Bldg. 102, Rm. A417, Nutley, NJ 07110, Tel: 201-880-3550; ; Weiqun Peng, Science & Engineering Hall 4790, 800 22nd St NW, Washington, DC 20052, Tel: 202-994-0129;
| | - Hai-Hui Xue
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack University Medical Center, Nutley, NJ 07110,New Jersey Veterans Affairs Health Care System, East Orange, NJ 07018,Corresponding authors: Hai-Hui Xue, 111 Ideation Way, Bldg. 102, Rm. A417, Nutley, NJ 07110, Tel: 201-880-3550; ; Weiqun Peng, Science & Engineering Hall 4790, 800 22nd St NW, Washington, DC 20052, Tel: 202-994-0129;
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Cai HJ, Shi J, Yin LB, Zheng JF, Fu YJ, Jiang YJ, Shang H, Zhang ZN. Downregulation of TCF1 in HIV Infection Impairs T-cell Proliferative Capacity by Disrupting Mitochondrial Function. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:880873. [PMID: 35875558 PMCID: PMC9298517 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.880873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundDespite the benefits of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for people with HIV, T-cell dysfunction cannot be fully restored. Metabolic dysregulation is associated with dysfunction of HIV-1-specific T-cells. Exploration of the factors regulating metabolic fitness can help reverse T-cell dysfunction and provide new insights into the underlying mechanism.MethodsIn this study, HIV-infected individuals and HIV-negative control individuals (NCs) were enrolled. T-cell factor (TCF)1 expression in cells was determined by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry. Relevant microarray data from the GEO database were analyzed to explore the underlying mechanism. The effects of TCF1 on T-cell function and metabolic function were assessed in vitro.ResultsTCF7 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was downregulated in rapid progressors compared with long-term non-progressors individuals and NCs. TCF1 expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells was downregulated in treatment-naïve HIV-infected individuals compared with NCs. Interleukin (IL)2 production and proliferative capacity were impaired in TCF1 knockdown T-cells. Moreover, glycolytic capacity and mitochondrial respiratory function were decreased in TCF1 knockdown T-cells, and depolarized mitochondria were increased in TCF1 knockdown T-cells.ConclusionDownregulation of TCF1 in HIV infection impairs T-cell proliferative capacity by disrupting mitochondrial function. These findings highlight the metabolic regulation as a pivotal mechanism of TCF1 in the regulation of T-cell dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Jiao Cai
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Department of Central Laboratory, Dalian Municipal Central Hospital, Dalian, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Jue Shi
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhuhai Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Zhuhai, China
| | - Lin-Bo Yin
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Jie-Fu Zheng
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Ya-Jing Fu
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Yong-Jun Jiang
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
| | - Hong Shang
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Hong Shang,
| | - Zi-Ning Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenyang, China
- Zi-Ning Zhang,
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30
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Shin DS, Park K, Garon E, Dubinett S. Targeting EZH2 to overcome the resistance to immunotherapy in lung cancer. Semin Oncol 2022; 49:S0093-7754(22)00045-8. [PMID: 35851153 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2022.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Unleashing the immune system to fight cancer has been a major breakthrough in cancer therapeutics since 2014 when anti-PD-1 antibodies (pembrolizumab and nivolumab) were approved for patients with metastatic melanoma. Therapeutic indications have rapidly expanded for many types of advanced cancer, including lung cancer. A variety of antibodies targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint are contributing to this paradigm shift. The field now confronts two salient challenges: first, to improve the therapeutic outcome given the low response rate across the histologies; second, to identify biomarkers for improved patient selection. Pre-clinical and clinical studies are underway to evaluate combinatorial treatments to improve the therapeutic outcome paired with correlative studies to identify the factors associated with response and resistance. One of the emerging strategies is to combine epigenetic modifiers with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) based on the evidence that targeting epigenetic elements can enhance anti-tumor immunity by reshaping the tumor microenvironment (TME). We will briefly review pleotropic biological functions of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), the enzymatic subunit of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), clinical developments of oral EZH2 inhibitors, and potentially promising approaches to combine EZH2 inhibitors and PD-1 blockade for patients with advanced solid tumors, focusing on lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sanghoon Shin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Division of Hematology/Oncology, CA, USA; Member of Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, CA, USA; Member of Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, CA, USA.
| | - Kevin Park
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Edward Garon
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Member of Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, CA, USA
| | - Steven Dubinett
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Departments of Pathology, Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA; VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Division of Hematology/Oncology, CA, USA; Member of Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, CA, USA; Member of Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, CA, USA
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31
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Perdomo-Celis F, Passaes C, Monceaux V, Volant S, Boufassa F, de Truchis P, Marcou M, Bourdic K, Weiss L, Jung C, Bourgeois C, Goujard C, Meyer L, Müller-Trutwin M, Lambotte O, Sáez-Cirión A. Reprogramming dysfunctional CD8+ T cells to promote properties associated with natural HIV control. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:e157549. [PMID: 35380989 PMCID: PMC9151687 DOI: 10.1172/jci157549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Virus-specific CD8+ T cells play a central role in HIV-1 natural controllers to maintain suppressed viremia in the absence of antiretroviral therapy. These cells display a memory program that confers them stemness properties, high survival, polyfunctionality, proliferative capacity, metabolic plasticity, and antiviral potential. The development and maintenance of such qualities by memory CD8+ T cells appear crucial to achieving natural HIV-1 control. Here, we show that targeting the signaling pathways Wnt/transcription factor T cell factor 1 (Wnt/TCF-1) and mTORC through GSK3 inhibition to reprogram HIV-specific CD8+ T cells from noncontrollers promoted functional capacities associated with natural control of infection. Features of such reprogrammed cells included enrichment in TCF-1+ less-differentiated subsets, a superior response to antigen, enhanced survival, polyfunctionality, metabolic plasticity, less mTORC1 dependency, an improved response to γ-chain cytokines, and a stronger HIV-suppressive capacity. Thus, such CD8+ T cell reprogramming, combined with other available immunomodulators, might represent a promising strategy for adoptive cell therapy in the search for an HIV-1 cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Perdomo-Celis
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unité HIV Inflammation et Persistance, Paris, France
| | - Caroline Passaes
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unité HIV Inflammation et Persistance, Paris, France
| | - Valérie Monceaux
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unité HIV Inflammation et Persistance, Paris, France
| | - Stevenn Volant
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Hub Bioinformatique et Biostatistique, Paris, France
| | - Faroudy Boufassa
- Université Paris Saclay, INSERM Centre de Recherche en Épidémiologie et Santé des Populations (CESP) U1018, Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Department of Public Health, Bicêtre Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Pierre de Truchis
- Université Paris-Saclay, AP-HP Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, Garches, France
| | - Morgane Marcou
- Université Paris-Saclay, AP-HP Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, Garches, France
| | - Katia Bourdic
- Université Paris-Saclay, AP-HP, Bicêtre Hospital, UMR1184 INSERM Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA), Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Laurence Weiss
- Université de Paris Cité, AP-HP, Paris Centre, Hôtel Dieu, Paris, France
| | - Corinne Jung
- Université de Paris Cité, AP-HP, Paris Centre, Hôtel Dieu, Paris, France
| | - Christine Bourgeois
- Université Paris-Saclay, AP-HP, Bicêtre Hospital, UMR1184 INSERM Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA), Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Cécile Goujard
- Université Paris-Saclay, AP-HP, Hôpital Bicêtre, Départements Médico-Universitaires (DMU) 7, INSERM U1018, CESP, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Laurence Meyer
- Université Paris Saclay, INSERM Centre de Recherche en Épidémiologie et Santé des Populations (CESP) U1018, Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Department of Public Health, Bicêtre Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Michaela Müller-Trutwin
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unité HIV Inflammation et Persistance, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Lambotte
- Université Paris-Saclay, AP-HP, Bicêtre Hospital, UMR1184 INSERM Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA), Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Asier Sáez-Cirión
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Unité HIV Inflammation et Persistance, Paris, France
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32
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Yu L, Guan Y, Li L, Lu N, Zhang C. The transcription factor Eomes promotes expression of inhibitory receptors on hepatic CD8
+
T cells during HBV persistence. FEBS J 2022; 289:3241-3261. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.16342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Linyan Yu
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Cheeloo College of Medicine Shandong University Jinan China
| | - Yun Guan
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Cheeloo College of Medicine Shandong University Jinan China
- Jining NO. 1 People’s Hospital China
| | - Lei Li
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Cheeloo College of Medicine Shandong University Jinan China
| | - Nan Lu
- Institute of Diagnostics School of Medicine Cheeloo College of Medicine Shandong University Jinan China
| | - Cai Zhang
- Institute of Immunopharmaceutical Sciences School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Cheeloo College of Medicine Shandong University Jinan China
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33
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Takata H, Trautmann L. Transforming dysfunctional CD8+ T cells into natural controller-like CD8+ T cells: can TCF-1 be the magic wand? J Clin Invest 2022; 132:e160474. [PMID: 35642630 PMCID: PMC9151690 DOI: 10.1172/jci160474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV infection results in defective CD8+ T cell functions that are incompletely resolved by antiretroviral therapy (ART) except in natural controllers, who have functional CD8+ T cells associated with viral control. In this issue of the JCI, Perdomo-Celis et al. demonstrated that targeting the Wnt/transcription factor T cell factor 1 (Wnt/TCF-1) pathway in dysfunctional CD8+ T cells led to gains in stemness phenotype, metabolic quiescence, survival potential, response to homeostatic γ-chain cytokines, and antiviral capacities, similar to profiles of functional CD8+ T cells in natural controllers. Although reprogramming might not sufficiently reverse the imprinted dysfunction of CD8+ T cells in HIV infection, these findings outline the Wnt/TCF-1 pathway as a potential target to reprogram dysfunctional CD8+ T cells in efforts to achieve HIV remission.
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34
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Wu B, Zhang X, Chiang HC, Pan H, Yuan B, Mitra P, Qi L, Simonyan H, Young CN, Yvon E, Hu Y, Zhang N, Li R. RNA polymerase II pausing factor NELF in CD8 + T cells promotes antitumor immunity. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2155. [PMID: 35444206 PMCID: PMC9021285 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29869-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell factor 1 (TCF1) is required for memory and stem-like CD8+ T cell functions. How TCF1 partners with other transcription factors to regulate transcription remains unclear. Here we show that negative elongation factor (NELF), an RNA polymerase II (Pol II) pausing factor, cooperates with TCF1 in T cell responses to cancer. Deletion of mouse Nelfb, which encodes the NELFB subunit, in mature T lymphocytes impairs immune responses to both primary tumor challenge and tumor antigen-mediated vaccination. Nelfb deletion causes more exhausted and reduced memory T cell populations, whereas its ectopic expression boosts antitumor immunity and efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell immunotherapy. Mechanistically, NELF is associated with TCF1 and recruited preferentially to the enhancers and promoters of TCF1 target genes. Nelfb ablation reduces Pol II pausing and chromatin accessibility at these TCF1-associated loci. Our findings thus suggest an important and rate-limiting function of NELF in anti-tumor immunity. Negative elongation factor B (NELFB) is one of the four subunits of the NELF complex that controls RNA polymerase II pausing. Here the authors show that, by associating with the key T cell transcription factor TCF1, NELFB is required for eliciting CD8 + T cell memory and anti-tumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogang Wu
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Xiaowen Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Huai-Chin Chiang
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Haihui Pan
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Bin Yuan
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Payal Mitra
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Leilei Qi
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Hayk Simonyan
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Colin N Young
- Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Eric Yvon
- Department of Medicine, The George Washington University Cancer Center School of Medicine & Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Yanfen Hu
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20037, USA
| | - Nu Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Rong Li
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20037, USA.
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35
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Abstract
TCF1 and its homologue LEF1 are historically known as effector transcription factors downstream of the WNT signalling pathway and are essential for early T cell development. Recent advances bring TCF1 into the spotlight for its versatile, context-dependent functions in regulating mature T cell responses. In the cytotoxic T cell lineages, TCF1 is required for the self-renewal of stem-like CD8+ T cells generated in response to viral or tumour antigens, and for preserving heightened responses to checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. In the helper T cell lineages, TCF1 is indispensable for the differentiation of T follicular helper and T follicular regulatory cells, and crucially regulates immunosuppressive functions of regulatory T cells. Mechanistic investigations have also identified TCF1 as the first transcription factor that directly modifies histone acetylation, with the capacity to bridge transcriptional and epigenetic regulation. TCF1 also has the potential to become an important clinical biomarker for assessing the prognosis of tumour immunotherapy and the success of viral control in treating HIV and hepatitis C virus infection. Here, we summarize the key findings on TCF1 across the fields of T cell immunity and reflect on the possibility of exploring TCF1 and its downstream transcriptional programmes as therapeutic targets for improving antiviral and antitumour immunity.
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36
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Tcf1 preprograms the mobilization of glycolysis in central memory CD8 + T cells during recall responses. Nat Immunol 2022; 23:386-398. [PMID: 35190717 PMCID: PMC8904300 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-022-01131-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying the heightened protection mediated by central memory CD8+ T (TCM) cells remain unclear. Here we show that the transcription factor Tcf1 was required in resting TCM cells to generate secondary effector CD8+ T cells and to clear pathogens during recall responses. Recall stimulation of CD8+ TCM cells caused extensive reprogramming of the transcriptome and chromatin accessibility, leading to rapid induction of glycolytic enzymes, cell cycle regulators and transcriptional regulators, including Id3. This cluster of genes did not require Tcf1 in resting CD8+ TCM cells, but depended on Tcf1 for optimal induction and chromatin opening in recall-stimulated CD8+ TCM cells. Tcf1 bound extensively to these recall-induced gene loci in resting CD8+ TCM cells and mediated chromatin interactions that positioned these genes in architectural proximity with poised enhancers. Thus, Tcf1 preprogramed a transcriptional program that supported the bioenergetic and proliferative needs of CD8+ TCM cells in case of a secondary challenge.
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37
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Huang C, Bi J. Expression Regulation and Function of T-Bet in NK Cells. Front Immunol 2021; 12:761920. [PMID: 34675939 PMCID: PMC8524037 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.761920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic innate lymphocytes that play an important role in immune surveillance. The development, maturation and effector functions of NK cells are orchestrated by the T-box transcription factor T-bet, whose expression is induced by cytokines such as IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-15 and IL-21 through the respective cytokine receptors and downstream JAK/STATs or PI3K-AKT-mTORC1 signaling pathways. In this review, we aim to discuss the expression and regulation of T-bet in NK cells, the role of T-bet in mouse NK cell development, maturation, and function, as well as the role of T-bet in acute, chronic infection, inflammation, autoimmune diseases and tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Huang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiacheng Bi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
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38
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Jensen IJ, Li X, McGonagill PW, Shan Q, Fosdick MG, Tremblay MM, Houtman JCD, Xue HH, Griffith TS, Peng W, Badovinac VP. Sepsis leads to lasting changes in phenotype and function of memory CD8 T cells. eLife 2021; 10:e70989. [PMID: 34652273 PMCID: PMC8589447 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The global health burden due to sepsis and the associated cytokine storm is substantial. While early intervention has improved survival during the cytokine storm, those that survive can enter a state of chronic immunoparalysis defined by transient lymphopenia and functional deficits of surviving cells. Memory CD8 T cells provide rapid cytolysis and cytokine production following re-encounter with their cognate antigen to promote long-term immunity, and CD8 T cell impairment due to sepsis can pre-dispose individuals to re-infection. While the acute influence of sepsis on memory CD8 T cells has been characterized, if and to what extent pre-existing memory CD8 T cells recover remains unknown. Here, we observed that central memory CD8 T cells (TCM) from septic patients proliferate more than those from healthy individuals. Utilizing LCMV immune mice and a CLP model to induce sepsis, we demonstrated that TCM proliferation is associated with numerical recovery of pathogen-specific memory CD8 T cells following sepsis-induced lymphopenia. This increased proliferation leads to changes in composition of memory CD8 T cell compartment and altered tissue localization. Further, memory CD8 T cells from sepsis survivors have an altered transcriptional profile and chromatin accessibility indicating long-lasting T cell intrinsic changes. The sepsis-induced changes in the composition of the memory CD8 T cell pool and transcriptional landscape culminated in altered T cell function and reduced capacity to control L. monocytogenes infection. Thus, sepsis leads to long-term alterations in memory CD8 T cell phenotype, protective function and localization potentially changing host capacity to respond to re-infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac J Jensen
- Department of Pathology, University of IowaIowa CityUnited States
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Physics, The George Washington UniversityWashingtonUnited States
| | | | - Qiang Shan
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack University Medical CenterNutleyUnited States
| | - Micaela G Fosdick
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, University of IowaIowa CityUnited States
| | - Mikaela M Tremblay
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, University of IowaIowa CityUnited States
| | - Jon CD Houtman
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, University of IowaIowa CityUnited States
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, University of IowaIowa CityUnited States
| | - Hai-Hui Xue
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack University Medical CenterNutleyUnited States
| | - Thomas S Griffith
- Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology PhD Program, University of MinnesotaMinneapolisUnited States
- Department of Urology, University of MinnesotaMinneapolisUnited States
- Center for Immunology, University of MinnesotaMinneapolisUnited States
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of MinnesotaMinneapolisUnited States
- Minneapolis VA Health Care SystemMinneapolisUnited States
| | - Weiqun Peng
- Department of Physics, The George Washington UniversityWashingtonUnited States
| | - Vladimir P Badovinac
- Department of Pathology, University of IowaIowa CityUnited States
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Molecular Medicine, University of IowaIowa CityUnited States
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Escobar G, Mangani D, Anderson AC. T cell factor 1: A master regulator of the T cell response in disease. Sci Immunol 2021; 5:5/53/eabb9726. [PMID: 33158974 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abb9726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances have redefined a role for T cell factor 1 (TCF1) that goes beyond T cell development and T memory formation and encompasses new functions in the regulation of T cell biology. Here, we discuss the multifaceted and context-dependent role of TCF1 in peripheral T cells, particularly during disease-induced inflammatory states such as autoimmunity, cancer, and chronic infections. Understanding how TCF1 fine-tunes peripheral T cell biology holds the potential to tailor improved immune-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Escobar
- Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital Mass General Brigham, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Davide Mangani
- Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital Mass General Brigham, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ana C Anderson
- Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases and Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital Mass General Brigham, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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40
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Zhang J, Lyu T, Cao Y, Feng H. Role of TCF-1 in differentiation, exhaustion, and memory of CD8 + T cells: A review. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21549. [PMID: 33913198 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202002566r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
T cell factor-1 (TCF-1) (encoded by the TCF7 gene) is a transcription factor that plays important role during the T cell development and differentiation for T cell to exercise its functions including producing memory T cells. Not only TCF-1 can modulate the T cell development but also exerts various effects on the differentiation and function of mature CD8+ T cells. In addition, it drives the production and maintenance of the immune response of CD8+ T cells after PD-1 checkpoint blockade therapy. TCF-1 can serve as a potential target of immunotherapy and may provide promising novel treatment strategies for patients with cancer and infections. Moreover, TCF-1 is a potential biomarker of CD8+ T cell functionality to predict the efficacy of immunotherapy in fighting against cancer and infections. Herein, we summarize the role of TCF-1 in T cell development and its applications in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxue Zhang
- The First Clinical Medicine Faculty, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Tong Lyu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Yaming Cao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Hui Feng
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
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41
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Dolina JS, Van Braeckel-Budimir N, Thomas GD, Salek-Ardakani S. CD8 + T Cell Exhaustion in Cancer. Front Immunol 2021; 12:715234. [PMID: 34354714 PMCID: PMC8330547 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.715234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A paradigm shift in the understanding of the exhausted CD8+ T cell (Tex) lineage is underway. Originally thought to be a uniform population that progressively loses effector function in response to persistent antigen, single-cell analysis has now revealed that CD8+ Tex is composed of multiple interconnected subpopulations. The heterogeneity within the CD8+ Tex lineage is comprised of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) permissive and refractory subsets termed stem-like and terminally differentiated cells, respectively. These populations occupy distinct peripheral and intratumoral niches and are characterized by transcriptional processes that govern transitions between cell states. This review presents key findings in the field to construct an updated view of the spatial, transcriptional, and functional heterogeneity of anti-tumoral CD8+ Tex. These emerging insights broadly call for (re-)focusing cancer immunotherapies to center on the driver mechanism(s) underlying the CD8+ Tex developmental continuum aimed at stabilizing functional subsets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph S Dolina
- Cancer Immunology Discovery, Pfizer, San Diego, CA, United States
| | | | - Graham D Thomas
- Cancer Immunology Discovery, Pfizer, San Diego, CA, United States
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42
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Brauneck F, Haag F, Woost R, Wildner N, Tolosa E, Rissiek A, Vohwinkel G, Wellbrock J, Bokemeyer C, Schulze Zur Wiesch J, Ackermann C, Fiedler W. Increased frequency of TIGIT +CD73-CD8 + T cells with a TOX + TCF-1low profile in patients with newly diagnosed and relapsed AML. Oncoimmunology 2021; 10:1930391. [PMID: 34211801 PMCID: PMC8218695 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2021.1930391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The inhibitory receptor TIGIT, as well as theectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 constitute potential exhaustion markers for T cells. Detailed analysis of these markers can shed light into dysregulation of the T-cell response in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and will help to identify potential therapeutic targets. The phenotype and expression of transcription factors was assessed on different T-cell populations derived from peripheral blood (PB, n = 38) and bone marrow (BM, n = 43). PB and BM from patients with AML diagnosis, in remission and at relapse were compared with PB from healthy volunteers (HD) (n = 12) using multiparameter flow cytometry. An increased frequency of terminally differentiated (CD45R-CCR7-)CD8+ T cells was detected in PB and BM regardless of the disease state. Moreover, we detected an increased frequency of two distinct T-cell populations characterized by the co-expression of PD-1 or CD39 on TIGIT+CD73-CD8+ T cells in newly diagnosed and relapsed AML in comparison to HDs. In contrast to the PD-1+TIGIT+CD73-CD8+ T-cell population, the frequency of CD39+TIGIT+CD73-CD8+ T cells was normalized in remission. PD-1+- and CD39+TIGIT+CD73-CD8+ T cells exhibited additional features of exhaustion by decreased expression of CD127 and TCF-1 and increased intracellular expression of the transcription factor TOX. CD8+ T cells in AML exhibit a key signature of two subpopulations, PD-1+TOX+TIGIT+CD73-CD8+- and CD39+TOX+TIGIT+CD73-CD8+ T cells that were increased at different stages of the disease. These results provide a rationale to analyze TIGIT blockade in combination with inhibition of the purinergic signaling and depletion of TOX to improve T-cell mediated cytotoxicity in AML. Abbreviations: AML: Acute myeloid leukemia; pAML: newly diagnosed AML; rAML: relapse AML; lrAML: AML in remission; HD: healthy donor; PB: peripheral blood; BM: bone marrow; TIGIT: T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains; PD-1: Programmed cell death protein 1; CD73: ecto-5'-nucleotidase; CD39: ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 1; ATP: adenosine triphosphate; ADO: adenosine; CD127: interleukin-7 receptor; CAR-T cell: chimeric antigen receptor T cell; TCF-1: transcription factor T-cell factor 1; TOX: Thymocyte selection-associated high mobility group box protein; NFAT: nuclear factor of activated T cells; NA: Naïve; CM: Central Memory; EM Effector Memory; EMRA: Terminal Effector Memory cells; FMO: Fluorescence minus one; PVR: poliovirus receptor; PVRL2: poliovirus receptor-related 2; IFN-γ: Interferon-γ; IL-2: interleukin-2; MCF: multiparametric flow cytometry; TNFα: Tumornekrosefaktor α; RT: room temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Brauneck
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - F Haag
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - R Woost
- Infectious Diseases Unit, I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - N Wildner
- Infectious Diseases Unit, I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - E Tolosa
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - A Rissiek
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - G Vohwinkel
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - J Wellbrock
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - C Bokemeyer
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - J Schulze Zur Wiesch
- Infectious Diseases Unit, I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - C Ackermann
- Infectious Diseases Unit, I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - W Fiedler
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Section Pneumology, Hubertus Wald University Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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43
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T FH cells depend on Tcf1-intrinsic HDAC activity to suppress CTLA4 and guard B-cell help function. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2014562118. [PMID: 33372138 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2014562118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Precise regulation of coinhibitory receptors is essential for maintaining immune tolerance without interfering with protective immunity, yet the mechanism underlying such a balanced act remains poorly understood. In response to protein immunization, T follicular helper (TFH) cells lacking Tcf1 and Lef1 transcription factors were phenotypically normal but failed to promote germinal center formation and antibody production. Transcriptomic profiling revealed that Tcf1/Lef1-deficient TFH cells aberrantly up-regulated CTLA4 and LAG3 expression, and treatment with anti-CTLA4 alone or combined with anti-LAG3 substantially rectified B-cell help defects by Tcf1/Lef1-deficient TFH cells. Mechanistically, Tcf1 and Lef1 restrain chromatin accessibility at the Ctla4 and Lag3 loci. Groucho/Tle corepressors, which are known to cooperate with Tcf/Lef factors, were essential for TFH cell expansion but dispensable for repressing coinhibitory receptors. In contrast, mutating key amino acids in histone deacetylase (HDAC) domain in Tcf1 resulted in CTLA4 derepression in TFH cells. These findings demonstrate that Tcf1-instrinsic HDAC activity is necessary for preventing excessive CTLA4 induction in protein immunization-elicited TFH cells and hence guarding their B-cell help function.
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44
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Cellular networks controlling T cell persistence in adoptive cell therapy. Nat Rev Immunol 2021; 21:769-784. [PMID: 33879873 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-021-00539-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The antitumour activity of endogenous or adoptively transferred tumour-specific T cells is highly dependent on their differentiation status. It is now apparent that less differentiated T cells compared with fully differentiated effector T cells have better antitumour therapeutic effects owing to their enhanced capacity to expand and their long-term persistence. In patients with cancer, the presence of endogenous or adoptively transferred T cells with stem-like memory or precursor phenotype correlates with improved therapeutic outcomes. Advances in our understanding of T cell differentiation states at the epigenetic and transcriptional levels have led to the development of novel methods to generate tumour-specific T cells - namely, chimeric antigen receptor T cells - that are more persistent and resistant to the development of dysfunction. These include the use of novel culture methods before infusion, modulation of transcriptional, metabolic and/or epigenetic programming, and strategies that fine-tune antigen receptor signalling. This Review discusses existing barriers and strategies to overcome them for successful T cell expansion and persistence in the context of adoptive T cell immunotherapy for solid cancers.
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45
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Li ZY, Morman RE, Hegermiller E, Sun M, Bartom ET, Maienschein-Cline M, Sigvardsson M, Kee BL. The transcriptional repressor ID2 supports natural killer cell maturation by controlling TCF1 amplitude. J Exp Med 2021; 218:211997. [PMID: 33857289 PMCID: PMC8056751 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20202032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gaining a mechanistic understanding of the expansion and maturation program of natural killer (NK) cells will provide opportunities for harnessing their inflammation-inducing and oncolytic capacity for therapeutic purposes. Here, we demonstrated that ID2, a transcriptional regulatory protein constitutively expressed in NK cells, supports NK cell effector maturation by controlling the amplitude and temporal dynamics of the transcription factor TCF1. TCF1 promotes immature NK cell expansion and restrains differentiation. The increased TCF1 expression in ID2-deficient NK cells arrests their maturation and alters cell surface receptor expression. Moreover, TCF1 limits NK cell functions, such as cytokine-induced IFN-γ production and the ability to clear metastatic melanoma in ID2-deficient NK cells. Our data demonstrate that ID2 sets a threshold for TCF1 during NK cell development, thus controlling the balance of immature and terminally differentiated cells that support future NK cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Yin Li
- Department of Pathology, Committees on Immunology and Cancer Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Rosemary E Morman
- Department of Pathology, Committees on Immunology and Cancer Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Emma Hegermiller
- Department of Pathology, Committees on Immunology and Cancer Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Mengxi Sun
- Department of Pathology, Committees on Immunology and Cancer Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Elizabeth T Bartom
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Mark Maienschein-Cline
- Core for Research Informatics, Research Resources Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Mikael Sigvardsson
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty for Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Division of Molecular Hematology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Barbara L Kee
- Department of Pathology, Committees on Immunology and Cancer Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.,University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
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46
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Zhao S, Peralta RM, Avina-Ochoa N, Delgoffe GM, Kaech SM. Metabolic regulation of T cells in the tumor microenvironment by nutrient availability and diet. Semin Immunol 2021; 52:101485. [PMID: 34462190 PMCID: PMC8545851 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2021.101485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) for the treatment of cancer have generated excitement over their ability to yield durable, and potentially curative, responses in a multitude of cancers. These findings have established that the immune system is capable of eliminating tumors and led us to a better, albeit still incomplete, understanding of the mechanisms by which tumors interact with and evade destruction by the immune system. Given the central role of T cells in immunotherapy, elucidating the cell intrinsic and extrinsic factors that govern T cell function in tumors will facilitate the development of immunotherapies that establish durable responses in a greater number of patients. One such factor is metabolism, a set of fundamental cellular processes that not only sustains cell survival and proliferation, but also serves as a means for cells to interpret their local environment. Nutrient sensing is critical for T cells that must infiltrate into a metabolically challenging tumor microenvironment and expand under these harsh conditions to eliminate cancerous cells. Here we introduce T cell exhaustion with respect to cellular metabolism, followed by a discussion of nutrient availability at the tumor and organismal level in relation to T cell metabolism and function to provide rationale for the study and targeting of metabolism in anti-tumor immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Zhao
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ronal M Peralta
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, Department of Immunology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Natalia Avina-Ochoa
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Greg M Delgoffe
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, Department of Immunology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Susan M Kaech
- NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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47
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León-Letelier RA, Castro-Medina DI, Badillo-Godinez O, Tepale-Segura A, Huanosta-Murillo E, Aguilar-Flores C, De León-Rodríguez SG, Mantilla A, Fuentes-Pananá EM, López-Macías C, Bonifaz LC. Induction of Progenitor Exhausted Tissue-Resident Memory CD8 + T Cells Upon Salmonella Typhi Porins Adjuvant Immunization Correlates With Melanoma Control and Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy Cooperation. Front Immunol 2020; 11:583382. [PMID: 33240271 PMCID: PMC7682137 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.583382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has improved the clinical response in melanoma patients, although a relevant percentage of patients still cannot be salvaged. The search for the immune populations that provide the best tumor control and that can be coaxed by immunotherapy strategies is a hot topic in cancer research nowadays. Tumor-infiltrating TCF-1+ progenitor exhausted CD8+ T cells seem to grant the best melanoma prognosis and also efficiently respond to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, giving rise to a TIM-3+ terminally exhausted population with heightened effector activity. We tested Porins from Salmonella Typhi as a pathogen associated molecular pattern adjuvant of natural or model antigen in prophylactic and therapeutic immunization approaches against murine melanoma. Porins induced protection against melanomas, even upon re-challenging of tumor-free mice. Porins efficiently expanded IFN-γ-producing CD8+ T cells and induced central and effector memory in lymph nodes and tissue-resident (Trm) T cells in the skin and tumors. Porins induced TCF-1+ PD-1+ CD8+ Trm T cells in the tumor stroma and the presence of this population correlated with melanoma growth protection in mice. Porins immunization also cooperated with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy to hamper melanoma growth. Importantly, the potentially protective Trm populations induced by Porins in the murine model were also observed in melanoma patients in which their presence also correlated with disease control. Our data support the use of cancer vaccination to sculpt the tumor stroma with efficient and lasting Trm T cells with effector activities, highlighting the use of Porins as an adjuvant. Furthermore, our data place CD8+ Trm T cells with a progenitor exhausted phenotype as an important population for melanoma control, either independently or in cooperation with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo A León-Letelier
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunoquímica, UMAE Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico.,Posgrado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Daniel I Castro-Medina
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunoquímica, UMAE Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Oscar Badillo-Godinez
- Centro de Investigación Sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Araceli Tepale-Segura
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunoquímica, UMAE Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Enrique Huanosta-Murillo
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunoquímica, UMAE Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Cristina Aguilar-Flores
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunoquímica, UMAE Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Saraí G De León-Rodríguez
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunoquímica, UMAE Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico.,Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Mantilla
- Servicio de Patología, Hospital de Oncología, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ezequiel M Fuentes-Pananá
- Unidad de Investigación en Virología y Cáncer, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Constantino López-Macías
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunoquímica, UMAE Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Laura C Bonifaz
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunoquímica, UMAE Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
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48
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Stairiker CJ, Thomas GD, Salek-Ardakani S. EZH2 as a Regulator of CD8+ T Cell Fate and Function. Front Immunol 2020; 11:593203. [PMID: 33117406 PMCID: PMC7574680 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.593203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste 2 (EZH2) is the catalytic subunit of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) that mediates di- and trimethylation of histone 3 lysine 27 effectively precluding successful gene transcription at these loci. This class of epigenetic modifications facilitates the maintenance of tissue-specific cellular transcriptional programs as cells undergoing successive rounds of proliferation. CD8+ T cells are effective mediators of adaptive immunity and function to eliminate virus- and bacteria-infected cells as well as tumor cells. Upon recognition of cognate antigen, T cells undergo activation/proliferation to clear the target cells. The heterogeneous population of responding T cells formed during these proliferative events thus rely on epigenetic modifications to ensure identity and confer functional capabilities. In this review, we will focus on the role of the dynamic expression EZH2 in shaping the epigenetic landscape of CD8+ T cell fate and function, with a particular emphasis on infection and cancer. We also explore competing hypotheses pertaining to EZH2 function and the prospects of clinical EZH2 inhibitors in fine-tuning T cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Stairiker
- Cancer Immunology Discovery, Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Graham D Thomas
- Cancer Immunology Discovery, Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Shahram Salek-Ardakani
- Cancer Immunology Discovery, Worldwide Research, Development and Medical, Pfizer Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
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49
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Busselaar J, Tian S, van Eenennaam H, Borst J. Helpless Priming Sends CD8 + T Cells on the Road to Exhaustion. Front Immunol 2020; 11:592569. [PMID: 33123174 PMCID: PMC7573232 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.592569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistent antigen exposure in chronic infection and cancer has been proposed to lead to cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) “exhaustion”, i.e., loss of effector function and disease control. Recent work identifies a population of poorly differentiated TCF-1+PD-1+ CD8+ T cells as precursors of the terminally exhausted CTL pool. These “predysfunctional” CTLs are suggested to respond to PD-1 targeted therapy by giving rise to a pool of functional CTLs. Supported by gene expression analyses, we present a model in which lack of CD4+ T cell help during CD8+ T cell priming results in the formation of predysfunctional CTLs. Our model implies that predysfunctional CTLs are formed during priming and that the remedy for CTL dysfunction is to provide “help” signals for generation of optimal CTL effectors. We substantiate that this may be achieved by engaging CD4+ T cells in new CD8+ T cell priming, or by combined PD-1 blocking and CD27 agonism with available immunotherapeutic antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Busselaar
- Department of Immunology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Sun Tian
- Aduro Biotech Europe BV, Oss, Netherlands
| | | | - Jannie Borst
- Department of Immunology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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50
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Gavriil A, Barisa M, Halliwell E, Anderson J. Engineering Solutions for Mitigation of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Dysfunction. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2326. [PMID: 32824734 PMCID: PMC7463974 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical successes of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T-cell therapy targeting cell surface antigens in B cell leukaemias and lymphomas has demonstrated the proof of concept that appropriately engineered T-cells have the capacity to destroy advanced cancer with long term remissions ensuing. Nevertheless, it has been significantly more problematic to effect long term clinical benefit in a solid tumour context. A major contributing factor to the clinical failure of CAR-T-cells in solid tumours has been named, almost interchangeably, as T-cell "dysfunction" or "exhaustion". While unhelpful ambiguity surrounds the term "dysfunction", "exhaustion" is canonically regarded as a pejorative term for T-cells. Recent understanding of T-cell developmental biology now identifies exhausted cells as vital for effective immune responses in the context of ongoing antigenic challenge. The purpose of this review is to explore the critical stages in the CAR-T-cell life-cycle and their various contributions to T-cell exhaustion. Through an appreciation of the predominant mechanisms of CAR-T-cell exhaustion and resultant dysfunction, we describe a range of engineering approaches to improve CAR-T-cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - John Anderson
- UCL Great Ormond Street, Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, UK; (A.G.); (M.B.); (E.H.)
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