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Carr A, Mateyka LM, Scheu SJC, Bici A, Paijmans J, Reijmers RM, Dieminger N, Dildebekova S, Hamed N, Wagner K, Busch DH, D'Ippolito E. Advances in preclinical TCR characterization: leveraging cell avidity to identify functional TCRs. Biol Chem 2024; 405:517-529. [PMID: 38666334 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2023-0341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
T-cell therapy has emerged as an effective approach for treating viral infections and cancers. However, a significant challenge is the selection of T-cell receptors (TCRs) that exhibit the desired functionality. Conventionally in vitro techniques, such as peptide sensitivity measurements and cytotoxicity assays, provide valuable insights into TCR potency but are labor-intensive. In contrast, measuring ligand binding properties (z-Movi technology) could provide an accelerated processing while showing robust correlations with T-cell functions. In this study, we assessed whether cell avidity can predict functionality also in the context of TCR-engineered T cells. To this end, we developed a flexible system for TCR re-expression by generating a Jurkat-derived T cell clone lacking TCR and CD3 expression through CRISPR-Cas9-mediated TRBC knockout. The knockin of a transgenic TCR into the TRAC locus restored TCR/CD3 expression, allowing for CD3-based purification of TCR-engineered T cells. Subsequently, we characterized these engineered cell lines by functional readouts, and assessment of binding properties through the z-Movi technology. Our findings revealed a strong correlation between the cell avidities and functional sensitivities of Jurkat TCR-T cells. Altogether, by integrating cell avidity measurements with our versatile T cell engineering platform, we established an accelerated system for enhancing the in vitro selection of clinically relevant TCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Carr
- 9184 Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich , Munich, Germany
| | - Laura M Mateyka
- 9184 Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich , Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian J C Scheu
- 9184 Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich , Munich, Germany
| | - Ana Bici
- 9184 Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich , Munich, Germany
| | - Joris Paijmans
- LUMICKS, Paalbergweg 3, NL-1105 AG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Nina Dieminger
- 9184 Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich , Munich, Germany
| | - Shirin Dildebekova
- 9184 Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich , Munich, Germany
| | - Noomen Hamed
- 9184 Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich , Munich, Germany
| | - Karolin Wagner
- 9184 Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich , Munich, Germany
- CellPoint, a Galapagos Company, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk H Busch
- 9184 Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich , Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Elvira D'Ippolito
- 9184 Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich , Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
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2
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Coënon L, Rigal E, Courot H, Multrier C, Zemiti S, Lambour J, Pugnière M, de Toledo M, Bossis G, Cartron G, Robert B, Martineau P, Fauvel B, Presumey J, Villalba M. Generation of non-genetically modified, CAR-like, NK cells. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e009070. [PMID: 39029925 PMCID: PMC11261687 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2024-009070] [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: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural killer (NK) cell therapy is considered an attractive and safe strategy for anticancer therapy. Nevertheless, when autologous or allogenic NK cells are used alone, the clinical benefit has been disappointing. This is partially due to the lack of target specificity. Recently, CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cells have proven to be safe and potent in patients with B-cell tumors. However, the generation of CAR-NK cells is a complicated manufacturing process. We aim at developing a targeted NK cell therapy without the need for cellular genetic modifications. We took advantage of the natural expression of the IgG Fc receptor CD16a (FcγRIIIa) to induce strong antigen-specific effector functions through antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). We have generated the new technology "Pin", which enables the arming of modified monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) onto the CD16a of ex vivo expanded NK (eNK) cells. Methods Ex vivo eNK were prepared from umbilical cord blood cells and expanded using interleukin (IL)-2/IL-15 and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B-lymphoblastoid feeder cells. mAbs were engineered with four substitutions called Pin mutations to increase their affinity to CD16a. eNK were incubated with anti-CD20 or anti-CD19 Pin-mAbs to generate "armed" eNK and were used to assess effector functions in vitro on cancer cell lines, lymphoma patient cells and in vivo. RESULTS CD16a/Pin-mAb interaction is stable for several days and Pin-mAb eNK inherit the mAb specificity and exclusively induce ADCC against targets expressing the cognate antigen. Hence, Pin-mAbs confer long-term selectivity to eNK, which allows specific elimination of the target cells in several in vivo mouse models. Finally, we showed that it is possible to arm eNK with at least two Pin-mAbs simultaneously, to increase efficacy against heterogenous cancer cell populations. CONCLUSIONS The Pin technology provides an off-the-shelf NK cell therapy platform to generate CAR-like NK cells, without genetic modifications, that easily target multiple tumor antigens.
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MESH Headings
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism
- Humans
- Animals
- Mice
- Receptors, IgG/metabolism
- Receptors, IgG/immunology
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Antigens, CD19/immunology
- Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- Loïs Coënon
- IRMB, INSERM U1183, University of Montpellier, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Caroline Multrier
- IRMB, INSERM U1183, University of Montpellier, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Sara Zemiti
- IRMB, INSERM U1183, University of Montpellier, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jennifer Lambour
- IRMB, INSERM U1183, University of Montpellier, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Martine Pugnière
- IRCM, INSERM U1194, University of Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Guillaume Cartron
- Department of Clinical Hematology, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Bruno Robert
- IRCM, INSERM U1194, University of Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France
| | - Pierre Martineau
- IRCM, INSERM U1194, University of Montpellier, ICM, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Martin Villalba
- IRMB, INSERM U1183, University of Montpellier, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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3
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Song HW, Prochazkova M, Shao L, Traynor R, Underwood S, Black M, Fellowes V, Shi R, Pouzolles M, Chou HC, Cheuk AT, Taylor N, Jin P, Somerville RP, Stroncek DF, Khan J, Highfill SL. CAR-T cell expansion platforms yield distinct T cell differentiation states. Cytotherapy 2024; 26:757-768. [PMID: 38625071 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2024.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
With investigators looking to expand engineered T cell therapies such as CAR-T to new tumor targets and patient populations, a variety of cell manufacturing platforms have been developed to scale manufacturing capacity using closed and/or automated systems. Such platforms are particularly useful for solid tumor targets, which typically require higher CAR-T cell doses. Although T cell phenotype and function are key attributes that often correlate with therapeutic efficacy, how manufacturing platforms influence the final CAR-T cell product is currently unknown. We compared 4 commonly used T cell manufacturing platforms (CliniMACS Prodigy, Xuri W25 rocking platform, G-Rex gas-permeable bioreactor, static bag culture) using identical media, stimulation, culture length, and donor starting material. Selected CD4+CD8+ cells were transduced with lentiviral vector incorporating a CAR targeting FGFR4, a promising target for pediatric sarcoma. We observed significant differences in overall expansion over the 14-day culture; bag cultures had the highest capacity for expansion while the Prodigy had the lowest (481-fold versus 84-fold, respectively). Strikingly, we also observed considerable differences in the phenotype of the final product, with the Prodigy significantly enriched for CCR7+CD45RA+ naïve/stem central memory (Tn/scm)-like cells at 46% compared to bag and G-Rex with 16% and 13%, respectively. Gene expression analysis also showed that Prodigy CAR-Ts are more naïve, less cytotoxic and less exhausted than bag, G-Rex, and Xuri CAR-Ts, and pointed to differences in cell metabolism that were confirmed via metabolic assays. We hypothesized that dissolved oxygen level, which decreased substantially during the final 3 days of the Prodigy culture, may contribute to the observed differences in T cell phenotype. By culturing bag and G-Rex cultures in 1% O2 from day 5 onward, we could generate >60% Tn/scm-like cells, with longer time in hypoxia correlating with a higher percentage of Tn/scm-like cells. Intriguingly, our results suggest that oxygenation is responsible, at least in part, for observed differences in T cell phenotype among bioreactors and suggest hypoxic culture as a potential strategy prevent T cell differentiation during expansion. Ultimately, our study demonstrates that selection of bioreactor system may have profound effects not only on the capacity for expansion, but also on the differentiation state of the resulting CAR-T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah W Song
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Center for Cellular Engineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michaela Prochazkova
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Center for Cellular Engineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lipei Shao
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Center for Cellular Engineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Roshini Traynor
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Center for Cellular Engineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sarah Underwood
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Center for Cellular Engineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mary Black
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Center for Cellular Engineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Vicki Fellowes
- Center for Immuno-Oncology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rongye Shi
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Center for Cellular Engineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marie Pouzolles
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hsien-Chao Chou
- Genomics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Adam T Cheuk
- Genomics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Naomi Taylor
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ping Jin
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Center for Cellular Engineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Robert P Somerville
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Center for Cellular Engineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - David F Stroncek
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Center for Cellular Engineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Javed Khan
- Genomics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Steven L Highfill
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, Center for Cellular Engineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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4
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Moles MW, Erdlei H, Menzel L, Massaro M, Fiori A, Bunse M, Schrimpf M, Gerlach K, Gudipati V, Reiser J, Mathavan K, Goodrich JP, Huppa JB, Krönke J, Valamehr B, Höpken UE, Rehm A. CXCR4 has a dual role in improving the efficacy of BCMA-redirected CAR-NK cells in multiple myeloma. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1383136. [PMID: 38979422 PMCID: PMC11228140 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1383136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell disease with a preferential bone marrow (BM) tropism. Enforced expression of tissue-specific chemokine receptors has been shown to successfully guide adoptively-transferred CAR NK cells towards the malignant milieu in solid cancers, but also to BM-resident AML and MM. For redirection towards BM-associated chemokine CXCL12, we armored BCMA CAR-NK-92 as well as primary NK cells with ectopic expression of either wildtype CXCR4 or a gain-of-function mutant CXCR4R334X. Our data showed that BCMA CAR-NK-92 and -primary NK cells equipped with CXCR4 gained an improved ability to migrate towards CXCL12 in vitro. Beyond its classical role coordinating chemotaxis, CXCR4 has been shown to participate in T cell co-stimulation, which prompted us to examine the functionality of CXCR4-cotransduced BCMA-CAR NK cells. Ectopic CXCR4 expression enhanced the cytotoxic capacity of BCMA CAR-NK cells, as evidenced by the ability to eliminate BCMA-expressing target cell lines and primary MM cells in vitro and through accelerated cytolytic granule release. We show that CXCR4 co-modification prolonged BCMA CAR surface deposition, augmented ZAP-70 recruitment following CAR-engagement, and accelerated distal signal transduction kinetics. BCMA CAR sensitivity towards antigen was enhanced by virtue of an enhanced ZAP-70 recruitment to the immunological synapse, revealing an increased propensity of CARs to become triggered upon CXCR4 overexpression. Unexpectedly, co-stimulation via CXCR4 occurred in the absence of CXCL12 ligand-stimulation. Collectively, our findings imply that co-modification of CAR-NK cells with tissue-relevant chemokine receptors affect adoptive NK cell therapy beyond improved trafficking and retention within tumor sites.
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MESH Headings
- Multiple Myeloma/immunology
- Multiple Myeloma/therapy
- Humans
- Receptors, CXCR4/metabolism
- Receptors, CXCR4/genetics
- B-Cell Maturation Antigen/immunology
- B-Cell Maturation Antigen/metabolism
- B-Cell Maturation Antigen/genetics
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Chemokine CXCL12/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Moles
- Translational Tumorimmunology, Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Henry Erdlei
- Translational Tumorimmunology, Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lutz Menzel
- Translational Tumorimmunology, Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marialucia Massaro
- Microenvironmental Regulation in Autoimmunity and Cancer, Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Agnese Fiori
- Translational Tumorimmunology, Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mario Bunse
- Microenvironmental Regulation in Autoimmunity and Cancer, Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Moritz Schrimpf
- Translational Tumorimmunology, Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kerstin Gerlach
- Translational Tumorimmunology, Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Venugopal Gudipati
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - John Reiser
- Fate Therapeutics, San Diego, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Johannes B Huppa
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jan Krönke
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumorimmunology, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Uta E Höpken
- Microenvironmental Regulation in Autoimmunity and Cancer, Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - Armin Rehm
- Translational Tumorimmunology, Max Delbrück Center, Berlin, Germany
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5
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Wang Y, Huang B, Liang T, Jiang L, Wu M, Liu X, Zhu M, Song X, Zhao N, Wei H, Zheng C, Ni F. Venetoclax acts as an immunometabolic modulator to potentiate adoptive NK cell immunotherapy against leukemia. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101580. [PMID: 38776913 PMCID: PMC11228450 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy holds promise for cancer treatment; however, its efficacy remains limited, necessitating the development of alternative strategies. Here, we report that venetoclax, an FDA-approved BCL-2 inhibitor, directly activates NK cells, enhancing their cytotoxicity against acute myeloid leukemia (AML) both in vitro and in vivo, likely independent of BCL-2 inhibition. Through comprehensive approaches, including bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing, avidity measurement, and functional assays, we demonstrate that venetoclax increases the avidity of NK cells to AML cells and promotes lytic granule polarization during immunological synapse (IS) formation. Notably, we identify a distinct CD161lowCD218b+ NK cell subpopulation that exhibits remarkable sensitivity to venetoclax treatment. Furthermore, venetoclax promotes mitochondrial respiration and ATP synthesis via the NF-κB pathway, thereby facilitating IS formation in NK cells. Collectively, our findings establish venetoclax as a multifaceted immunometabolic modulator of NK cell function and provide a promising strategy for augmenting NK cell-based cancer immunotherapy.
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MESH Headings
- Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/pharmacology
- Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/therapeutic use
- Killer Cells, Natural/immunology
- Killer Cells, Natural/drug effects
- Humans
- Sulfonamides/pharmacology
- Animals
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/immunology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Mice
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Cell Line, Tumor
- NF-kappa B/metabolism
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
- Mice, Inbred NOD
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China; Institute of Immunology, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Beibei Huang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Tingting Liang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China; Institute of Immunology, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Lai Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Mingming Wu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China; Institute of Immunology, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xinru Liu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China; Institute of Immunology, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Mingming Zhu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China; Institute of Immunology, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xian Song
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China; Institute of Immunology, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Na Zhao
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Haiming Wei
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China; Institute of Immunology, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| | - Changcheng Zheng
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| | - Fang Ni
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Key Laboratory of Immune Response and Immunotherapy, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China; Institute of Immunology, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
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6
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Karlsson F, Kallas T, Thiagarajan D, Karlsson M, Schweitzer M, Navarro JF, Leijonancker L, Geny S, Pettersson E, Rhomberg-Kauert J, Larsson L, van Ooijen H, Petkov S, González-Granillo M, Bunz J, Dahlberg J, Simonetti M, Sathe P, Brodin P, Barrio AM, Fredriksson S. Molecular pixelation: spatial proteomics of single cells by sequencing. Nat Methods 2024; 21:1044-1052. [PMID: 38720062 PMCID: PMC11166577 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-024-02268-9] [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: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
The spatial distribution of cell surface proteins governs vital processes of the immune system such as intercellular communication and mobility. However, fluorescence microscopy has limited scalability in the multiplexing and throughput needed to drive spatial proteomics discoveries at subcellular level. We present Molecular Pixelation (MPX), an optics-free, DNA sequence-based method for spatial proteomics of single cells using antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) and DNA-based, nanometer-sized molecular pixels. The relative locations of AOCs are inferred by sequentially associating them into local neighborhoods using the sequence-unique DNA pixels, forming >1,000 spatially connected zones per cell in 3D. For each single cell, DNA-sequencing reads are computationally arranged into spatial proteomics networks for 76 proteins. By studying immune cell dynamics using spatial statistics on graph representations of the data, we identify known and new patterns of spatial organization of proteins on chemokine-stimulated T cells, highlighting the potential of MPX in defining cell states by the spatial arrangement of proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Petter Brodin
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Medical Research Council London Institute of Medical Sciences (LMS), Imperial College Hammersmith Campus, London, UK
| | | | - Simon Fredriksson
- Pixelgen Technologies AB, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Protein Science, Stockholm, Sweden.
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7
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Epperly R, Gottschalk S, DeRenzo C. CAR T cells redirected to B7-H3 for pediatric solid tumors: Current status and future perspectives. EJC PAEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY 2024; 3:100160. [PMID: 38957786 PMCID: PMC11218663 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcped.2024.100160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Despite intensive therapies, pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory solid tumors have poor outcomes and need novel treatments. Immune therapies offer an alternative to conventional treatment options but require the identification of differentially expressed antigens to direct antitumor activity to sites of disease. B7-H3 (CD276) is an immune regulatory protein that is expressed in a range of malignancies and has limited expression in normal tissues. B7-H3 is highly expressed in pediatric solid tumors including osteosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, Wilms tumor, neuroblastoma, and many rare tumors. In this article we review B7-H3-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (B7-H3-CAR) T cell therapies for pediatric solid tumors, reporting preclinical development strategies and outlining the landscape of active pediatric clinical trials. We identify challenges to the success of CAR T cell therapy for solid tumors including localizing to and penetrating solid tumor sites, evading the hostile tumor microenvironment, supporting T cell expansion and persistence, and avoiding intrinsic tumor resistance. We highlight strategies to overcome these challenges and enhance the effect of B7-H3-CAR T cells, including advanced CAR T cell design and incorporation of combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Epperly
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Stephen Gottschalk
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Christopher DeRenzo
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
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8
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Naik S, Velasquez MP, Gottschalk S. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy in childhood acute myeloid leukemia: how far are we from a clinical application? Haematologica 2024; 109:1656-1667. [PMID: 38832421 PMCID: PMC11141645 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2023.283817] [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: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Recurrent and/or refractory (R/R) pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a recalcitrant disease with poor outcomes. Cell therapy with genetically modified immune effector cells holds the promise to improve outcomes for R/R AML since it relies on cytotoxic mechanisms that are distinct from chemotherapeutic agents. While T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CAR T cells) showed significant anti-AML activity in preclinical models, early phase clinical studies have demonstrated limited activity, irrespective of the targeted AML antigen. Lack of efficacy is most likely multifactorial, including: (i) a limited array of AML-specific targets and target antigen heterogeneity; (ii) the aggressive nature of R/R AML and heavy pretreatment of patients; (iii) T-cell product manufacturing, and (iv) limited expansion and persistence of the CAR T cells, which is in part driven by the immunosuppressive AML microenvironment. Here we review the results of early phase clinical studies with AML-specific CAR T cells, and avenues investigators are exploring to improve their effector function.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Child
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Treatment Outcome
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
- Animals
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stephen Gottschalk
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
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9
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Martín-Antonio B, Blanco B, González-Murillo Á, Hidalgo L, Minguillón J, Pérez-Chacón G. Newer generations of multi-target CAR and STAb-T immunotherapeutics: NEXT CART Consortium as a cooperative effort to overcome current limitations. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1386856. [PMID: 38779672 PMCID: PMC11109416 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1386856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Adoptive T cellular immunotherapies have emerged as relevant approaches for treating cancer patients who have relapsed or become refractory (R/R) to traditional cancer treatments. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has improved survival in various hematological malignancies. However, significant limitations still impede the widespread adoption of these therapies in most cancers. To advance in this field, six research groups have created the "NEXT Generation CART MAD Consortium" (NEXT CART) in Madrid's Community, which aims to develop novel cell-based immunotherapies for R/R and poor prognosis cancers. At NEXT CART, various basic and translational research groups and hospitals in Madrid concur to share and synergize their basic expertise in immunotherapy, gene therapy, and immunological synapse, and clinical expertise in pediatric and adult oncology. NEXT CART goal is to develop new cell engineering approaches and treatments for R/R adult and pediatric neoplasms to evaluate in multicenter clinical trials. Here, we discuss the current limitations of T cell-based therapies and introduce our perspective on future developments. Advancement opportunities include developing allogeneic products, optimizing CAR signaling domains, combining cellular immunotherapies, multi-targeting strategies, and improving tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs)/T cell receptor (TCR) therapy. Furthermore, basic studies aim to identify novel tumor targets, tumor molecules in the tumor microenvironment that impact CAR efficacy, and strategies to enhance the efficiency of the immunological synapse between immune and tumor cells. Our perspective of current cellular immunotherapy underscores the potential of these treatments while acknowledging the existing hurdles that demand innovative solutions to develop their potential for cancer treatment fully.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Martín-Antonio
- Department of Experimental Hematology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Fundación Jiménez Diaz (IIS-FJD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén Blanco
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - África González-Murillo
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Advanced Therapies Unit, Fundación Investigación Biomédica Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Hidalgo
- Cellular Biotechnology Unit, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Minguillón
- La Paz Hospital Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), Hospital Universitario La Paz. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Gema Pérez-Chacón
- Immunity, Immunopathology and Emergent Therapies Group. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomedicas Sols-Morreale. CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain
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10
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Qiu Y, Xiao Q, Wang Y, Cao Y, Wang J, Wan Z, Chen X, Liu W, Ma L, Xu C. Mechanical force determines chimeric antigen receptor microclustering and signaling. Mol Ther 2024; 32:1016-1032. [PMID: 38327049 PMCID: PMC11163199 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are activated to trigger the lytic machinery after antigen engagement, and this has been successfully applied clinically as therapy. The mechanism by which antigen binding leads to the initiation of CAR signaling remains poorly understood. Here, we used a set of short double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) tethers with mechanical forces ranging from ∼12 to ∼51 pN to manipulate the mechanical force of antigen tether and decouple the microclustering and signaling events. Our results revealed that antigen-binding-induced CAR microclustering and signaling are mechanical force dependent. Additionally, the mechanical force delivered to the antigen tether by the CAR for microclustering is generated by autonomous cell contractility. Mechanistically, the mechanical-force-induced strong adhesion and CAR diffusion confinement led to CAR microclustering. Moreover, cytotoxicity may have a lower mechanical force threshold than cytokine generation. Collectively, these results support a model of mechanical-force-induced CAR microclustering for signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Qiu
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Qingyue Xiao
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yucai Wang
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yichen Cao
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Zhengpeng Wan
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Xiangjun Chen
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, School of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China; School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Wanli Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Li Ma
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Chenguang Xu
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Department of Biotechnology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
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11
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Mittelheisser V, Gensbittel V, Bonati L, Li W, Tang L, Goetz JG. Evidence and therapeutic implications of biomechanically regulated immunosurveillance in cancer and other diseases. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 19:281-297. [PMID: 38286876 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01535-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Disease progression is usually accompanied by changes in the biochemical composition of cells and tissues and their biophysical properties. For instance, hallmarks of cancer include the stiffening of tissues caused by extracellular matrix remodelling and the softening of individual cancer cells. In this context, accumulating evidence has shown that immune cells sense and respond to mechanical signals from the environment. However, the mechanisms regulating these mechanical aspects of immune surveillance remain partially understood. The growing appreciation for the 'mechano-immunology' field has urged researchers to investigate how immune cells sense and respond to mechanical cues in various disease settings, paving the way for the development of novel engineering strategies that aim at mechanically modulating and potentiating immune cells for enhanced immunotherapies. Recent pioneer developments in this direction have laid the foundations for leveraging 'mechanical immunoengineering' strategies to treat various diseases. This Review first outlines the mechanical changes occurring during pathological progression in several diseases, including cancer, fibrosis and infection. We next highlight the mechanosensitive nature of immune cells and how mechanical forces govern the immune responses in different diseases. Finally, we discuss how targeting the biomechanical features of the disease milieu and immune cells is a promising strategy for manipulating therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Mittelheisser
- Tumor Biomechanics, INSERM UMR_S1109, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg, France
- Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Strasbourg, France
| | - Valentin Gensbittel
- Tumor Biomechanics, INSERM UMR_S1109, Strasbourg, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg, France
- Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Strasbourg, France
| | - Lucia Bonati
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Weilin Li
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Li Tang
- Institute of Bioengineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Jacky G Goetz
- Tumor Biomechanics, INSERM UMR_S1109, Strasbourg, France.
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg, France.
- Equipe Labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, Strasbourg, France.
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12
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Kuzmyn AR, Ypma TG, Zuilhof H. Tunable Cell-Adhesive Surfaces by Surface-Initiated Photoinduced Electron-Transfer-Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain-Transfer Polymerization. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024. [PMID: 38330268 PMCID: PMC10883044 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c02604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Cell adhesion involves many interactions between various molecules on the cell membrane (receptors, coreceptors, integrins, etc.) and surfaces or other cells. Cell adhesion plays a crucial role in the analysis of immune response, cancer treatment, tissue engineering, etc. Cell-cell adhesion can be quantified by measuring cell avidity, which defines the total interaction strength of the live cell binding. Typically, those investigations use tailor-made, reusable chips or surfaces onto which cells are cultured to form a monolayer to which other cells can bind. Cell avidity can then be measured by applying a force and quantifying cell-cell bond ruptures. The subsequent cleaning and reactivation of such biochip and biointeractive surfaces often require repeated etching, leading to device damage. Furthermore, it is often of great interest to harvest the cells that remain bound at the end of an avidity experiment for further analysis or use. It is, therefore, advantageous to pursue coating methods that allow tunable cell adhesion. This work presents temperature-switchable poly(di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) brush-based cell-interactive coatings produced by surface-initiated photoinduced electron-transfer reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization. The temperature switch of these brushes was explored by using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring, chemical composition, and physicochemical properties by atom force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, single-molecule force spectroscopy, and ellipsometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andriy R Kuzmyn
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tanja G Ypma
- Lumicks BV, Paalbergweg 3, 1105 AG Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Han Zuilhof
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, 300072 Tianjin, China
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13
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Teng F, Cui T, Zhou L, Gao Q, Zhou Q, Li W. Programmable synthetic receptors: the next-generation of cell and gene therapies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:7. [PMID: 38167329 PMCID: PMC10761793 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01680-5] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cell and gene therapies hold tremendous promise for treating a range of difficult-to-treat diseases. However, concerns over the safety and efficacy require to be further addressed in order to realize their full potential. Synthetic receptors, a synthetic biology tool that can precisely control the function of therapeutic cells and genetic modules, have been rapidly developed and applied as a powerful solution. Delicately designed and engineered, they can be applied to finetune the therapeutic activities, i.e., to regulate production of dosed, bioactive payloads by sensing and processing user-defined signals or biomarkers. This review provides an overview of diverse synthetic receptor systems being used to reprogram therapeutic cells and their wide applications in biomedical research. With a special focus on four synthetic receptor systems at the forefront, including chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and synthetic Notch (synNotch) receptors, we address the generalized strategies to design, construct and improve synthetic receptors. Meanwhile, we also highlight the expanding landscape of therapeutic applications of the synthetic receptor systems as well as current challenges in their clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Teng
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
| | - Tongtong Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Li Zhou
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qingqin Gao
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Wei Li
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, 100101, China.
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14
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Garcia JM, Burnett CE, Roybal KT. Toward the clinical development of synthetic immunity to cancer. Immunol Rev 2023; 320:83-99. [PMID: 37491719 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13245] [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: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic biology (synbio) tools, such as chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), have been designed to target, activate, and improve immune cell responses to tumors. These therapies have demonstrated an ability to cure patients with blood cancers. However, there are significant challenges to designing, testing, and efficiently translating these complex cell therapies for patients who do not respond or have immune refractory solid tumors. The rapid progress of synbio tools for cell therapy, particularly for cancer immunotherapy, is encouraging but our development process should be tailored to increase translational success. Particularly, next-generation cell therapies should be rooted in basic immunology, tested in more predictive preclinical models, engineered for potency with the right balance of safety, educated by clinical findings, and multi-faceted to combat a range of suppressive mechanisms. Here, we lay out five principles for engineering future cell therapies to increase the probability of clinical impact, and in the context of these principles, we provide an overview of the current state of synbio cell therapy design for cancer. Although these principles are anchored in engineering immune cells for cancer therapy, we posit that they can help guide translational synbio research for broad impact in other disease indications with high unmet need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie M Garcia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, California, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Anesthesia, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute for Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, California, USA
- UCSF Cell Design Institute, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Cassandra E Burnett
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, California, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Anesthesia, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute for Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, California, USA
- UCSF Cell Design Institute, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kole T Roybal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, California, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Anesthesia, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Gladstone-UCSF Institute for Genomic Immunology, San Francisco, California, USA
- UCSF Cell Design Institute, San Francisco, California, USA
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15
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Hammer Q, Perica K, van Ooijen H, Mbofung R, Momayyezi P, Varady E, Martin KE, Pan Y, Jelcic M, Groff B, Abujarour R, Krokeide S, Lee T, Williams A, Goodridge JP, Valamehr B, Önfelt B, Sadelain M, Malmberg KJ. Genetic ablation of adhesion ligands averts rejection of allogeneic immune cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.09.557143. [PMID: 37873468 PMCID: PMC10592662 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.09.557143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Allogeneic cell therapies hold promise for broad clinical implementation, but face limitations due to potential rejection by the recipient immune system. Silencing of beta-2-microglobulin ( B2M ) expression is commonly employed to evade T cell-mediated rejection, although absence of B2M triggers missing-self responses by recipient natural killer (NK) cells. Here, we demonstrate that deletion of the adhesion ligands CD54 and CD58 on targets cells robustly dampens NK cell reactivity across all sub-populations. Genetic deletion of CD54 and CD58 in B2M -deficient allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T and multi-edited induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived NK cells reduces their susceptibility to rejection by NK cells in vitro and in vivo without affecting their anti-tumor effector potential. Thus, these data suggest that genetic ablation of adhesion ligands effectively alleviates rejection of allogeneic immune cells for immunotherapy.
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16
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Ockfen E, Filali L, Pereira Fernandes D, Hoffmann C, Thomas C. Actin cytoskeleton remodeling at the cancer cell side of the immunological synapse: good, bad, or both? Front Immunol 2023; 14:1276602. [PMID: 37869010 PMCID: PMC10585106 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1276602] [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: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxic lymphocytes (CLs), specifically cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells, are indispensable guardians of the immune system and orchestrate the recognition and elimination of cancer cells. Upon encountering a cancer cell, CLs establish a specialized cellular junction, known as the immunological synapse that stands as a pivotal determinant for effective cell killing. Extensive research has focused on the presynaptic side of the immunological synapse and elucidated the multiple functions of the CL actin cytoskeleton in synapse formation, organization, regulatory signaling, and lytic activity. In contrast, the postsynaptic (cancer cell) counterpart has remained relatively unexplored. Nevertheless, both indirect and direct evidence has begun to illuminate the significant and profound consequences of cytoskeletal changes within cancer cells on the outcome of the lytic immunological synapse. Here, we explore the understudied role of the cancer cell actin cytoskeleton in modulating the immune response within the immunological synapse. We shed light on the intricate interplay between actin dynamics and the evasion mechanisms employed by cancer cells, thus providing potential routes for future research and envisioning therapeutic interventions targeting the postsynaptic side of the immunological synapse in the realm of cancer immunotherapy. This review article highlights the importance of actin dynamics within the immunological synapse between cytotoxic lymphocytes and cancer cells focusing on the less-explored postsynaptic side of the synapse. It presents emerging evidence that actin dynamics in cancer cells can critically influence the outcome of cytotoxic lymphocyte interactions with cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Ockfen
- Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
- Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Liza Filali
- Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Diogo Pereira Fernandes
- Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
- Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Céline Hoffmann
- Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Clément Thomas
- Cytoskeleton and Cancer Progression, Department of Cancer Research, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
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17
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Xiong Y, Libby KA, Su X. The physical landscape of CAR-T synapse. Biophys J 2023:S0006-3495(23)00581-7. [PMID: 37715447 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells form dynamic immunological synapses with their cancer cell targets. After a CAR-antigen engagement, the CAR-T synapse forms, matures, and finally disassembles, accompanied by substantial remodeling of cell surface proteins, lipids, and glycans. In this review, we provide perspectives for understanding protein distribution, membrane topology, and force transmission across the CAR-T synapse. We highlight the features of CAR-T synapses that differ from T cell receptor synapses, including the disorganized protein pattern, adjustable synapse width, diverse mechano-responding properties, and resulting signaling consequences. Through a range of examples, we illustrate how revealing the biophysical nature of the CAR-T synapse could guide the design of CAR-Ts with improved anti-tumor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwei Xiong
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Kendra A Libby
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Xiaolei Su
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.
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18
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells characterized by their ability to attack aberrant and cancerous cells. In contrast to the activation of T-cells, NK cell activation is controlled by the interaction of NK cell receptors and their target cells in a manner independent of antigen organization. Due to NK cells' broad array of activation cues, they have gained great attention as a potential therapeutic agent in cancer immunotherapy. RECENT FINDINGS Ex vivo activation, expansion, and genetic modifications, such as the addition of a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), will allow the next generation of NK cells to enhance cytotoxicity, promote survival, and create "off-the-shelf" products. In addition to these that are poised to greatly enhance their clinical activity, the inherent lack of potential for causing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and cytokine release syndrome (CRS) suggest that CAR NK cells have the potential to be complementary to CAR-T cells as a component of therapeutic strategies for cancer. SUMMARY In this review, we will provide a general understanding of NK cell biology, CAR-NK cell advantages over CAR-T cell therapy, barriers to making NK cell immunotherapy viable, and current NK cell clinical trials for hematological malignancies and solid tumors. The next generation of NK cells has potential to change the circumstances guiding present cancer immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Sayegh
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, 91010, USA
- Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA
| | - Shoubao Ma
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, 91010, USA
- Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA
| | - Jianhua Yu
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, 91010, USA
- Hematologic Malignancies Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 91010, USA
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope, Los Angeles, California, 91010, USA
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Los Angeles, California, 91010, USA
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