1
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Lima AJF, Hajdu KL, Abdo L, Batista-Silva LR, de Oliveira Andrade C, Correia EM, Aragão EAA, Bonamino MH, Lourenzoni MR. In silico and in vivo analysis reveal impact of c-Myc tag in FMC63 scFv-CD19 protein interface and CAR-T cell efficacy. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2024; 23:2375-2387. [PMID: 38873646 PMCID: PMC11170440 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2024.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Anti-CD19 CAR-T cell therapy represents a breakthrough in the treatment of B-cell malignancies, and it is expected that this therapy modality will soon cover a range of solid tumors as well. Therefore, a universal cheap and sensitive method to detect CAR expression is of foremost importance. One possibility is the use of epitope tags such as c-Myc, HA or FLAG tags attached to the CAR extracellular domain, however, it is important to determine whether these tags can influence binding of the CAR with its target molecule. Here, we conducted in-silico structural modelling of an FMC63-based anti-CD19 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) with and without a c-Myc peptide tag added to the N-terminus portion and performed molecular dynamics simulation of the scFv with the CD19 target. We show that the c-Myc tag presence in the N-terminus portion does not affect the scFv's structural equilibrium and grants more stability to the scFv. However, intermolecular interaction potential (IIP) analysis reveals that the tag can approximate the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) present in the scFv and cause steric impediment, potentially disturbing interaction with the CD19 protein. We then tested this possibility with CAR-T cells generated from human donors in a Nalm-6 leukemia model, showing that CAR-T cells with the c-Myc tag have overall worse antitumor activity, which was also observed when the tag was added to the C-terminus position. Ultimately, our results suggest that tag addition is an important aspect of CAR design and can influence CAR-T cell function, therefore its use should be carefully considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Julia Ferreira Lima
- Research Group on Protein Engineering and Health Solutions (GEPeSS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Ceará (Fiocruz-CE), São José, Precabura, 61773-270 Eusébio, Ceará, Brazil
- Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Pici campus (Building 873), 60440-970 Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | - Karina Lobo Hajdu
- Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Research coordination - Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luiza Abdo
- Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Research coordination - Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Clara de Oliveira Andrade
- Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Research coordination - Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Mannarino Correia
- Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Research coordination - Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Martín Hernán Bonamino
- Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Research coordination - Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Vice - Presidency of Research and Biological Collections (VPPCB), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcos Roberto Lourenzoni
- Research Group on Protein Engineering and Health Solutions (GEPeSS), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Ceará (Fiocruz-CE), São José, Precabura, 61773-270 Eusébio, Ceará, Brazil
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2
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Mu-Mosley H, Ostermann L, Muftuoglu M, Vaidya A, Bonifant CL, Velasquez MP, Gottschalk S, Andreeff M. Transgenic Expression of IL15 Retains CD123-Redirected T Cells in a Less Differentiated State Resulting in Improved Anti-AML Activity in Autologous AML PDX Models. Front Immunol 2022; 13:880108. [PMID: 35615350 PMCID: PMC9124830 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.880108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy with T-cells expressing bispecific T-cell engagers (ENG T-cells) is a promising approach to improve the outcomes for patients with recurrent/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, similar to T-cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), their antitumor activity is limited in the setting of chronic antigen stimulation. We therefore set out to explore whether transgenic expression of IL15 improves the effector function of ENG T-cells targeting CD123-positive AML. T-cells expressing CD123-specific ENG (CD123-ENG) ± IL15 were generated by retroviral transduction from peripheral blood T cells from healthy donors or patients with AML. In this study, we characterized in detail the phenotype and effector functions of ENG T-cell populations in vitro and in vivo. IL15-expressing CD123-ENG (CD123-ENG.IL15) T-cells retained their antigen-specificity and effector function in the setting of chronic antigen exposure for more 30 days of coculture with AML blasts in contrast to CD123-ENG T-cells, whose effector function rapidly eroded. Furthermore, CD123-ENG.IL15 T-cells remained in a less differentiated state as judged by a high frequency of naïve/memory stem T-cell-like cells (CD45RA+CCR7+/CD45RO−CD62L+ cells) without evidence of T-cell exhaustion. Single cell cytokine profiling using IsoPlexis revealed enhanced T-cell polyfunctionality of CD123-ENG.IL15 T-cells as judged by effector cytokine production, including, granzyme B, IFN-γ, MIP-1α, perforin, TNF-α, and TNF-β. In vivo, CD123-ENG.IL15 T-cells exhibited superior antigen-specific anti-AML activity and T-cell persistence in both peripheral blood and tissues (BM, spleens, and livers), resulting in a significant survival advantage in one AML xenograft model and two autologous AML PDX models. In conclusion, we demonstrate here that the expansion, persistence, and anti-AML activity of CD123-ENG T-cells can be significantly improved by transgenic expression of IL15, which promotes a naïve/TSCM-like phenotype. However, we also highlight that targeting a single tumor antigen (CD123) can lead to immune escape, reinforcing the need to develop approaches to target multiple antigens. Likewise, our study demonstrates that it is feasible to evaluate autologous T cells in AML PDX models, which will be critical for future preclinical evaluations of next generation AML-redirected T-cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Mu-Mosley
- Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, Department of Leukemia, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Lauren Ostermann
- Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, Department of Leukemia, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Muharrem Muftuoglu
- Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, Department of Leukemia, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Abishek Vaidya
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Challice L. Bonifant
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Mireya Paulina Velasquez
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Stephen Gottschalk
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
- *Correspondence: Michael Andreeff, ; Stephen Gottschalk,
| | - Michael Andreeff
- Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, Department of Leukemia, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
- *Correspondence: Michael Andreeff, ; Stephen Gottschalk,
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3
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Shen Y, Luchetti A, Fernandes G, Do Heo W, Silva AJ. The emergence of molecular systems neuroscience. Mol Brain 2022; 15:7. [PMID: 34983613 PMCID: PMC8728933 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-021-00885-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Systems neuroscience is focused on how ensemble properties in the brain, such as the activity of neuronal circuits, gives rise to internal brain states and behavior. Many of the studies in this field have traditionally involved electrophysiological recordings and computational approaches that attempt to decode how the brain transforms inputs into functional outputs. More recently, systems neuroscience has received an infusion of approaches and techniques that allow the manipulation (e.g., optogenetics, chemogenetics) and imaging (e.g., two-photon imaging, head mounted fluorescent microscopes) of neurons, neurocircuits, their inputs and outputs. Here, we will review novel approaches that allow the manipulation and imaging of specific molecular mechanisms in specific cells (not just neurons), cell ensembles and brain regions. These molecular approaches, with the specificity and temporal resolution appropriate for systems studies, promise to infuse the field with novel ideas, emphases and directions, and are motivating the emergence of a molecularly oriented systems neuroscience, a new discipline that studies how the spatial and temporal patterns of molecular systems modulate circuits and brain networks, and consequently shape the properties of brain states and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Shen
- Departments of Neurobiology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, and Psychology, Integrative Center for Learning and Memory, and Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alessandro Luchetti
- Departments of Neurobiology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, and Psychology, Integrative Center for Learning and Memory, and Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Giselle Fernandes
- Departments of Neurobiology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, and Psychology, Integrative Center for Learning and Memory, and Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Won Do Heo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Alcino J Silva
- Departments of Neurobiology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, and Psychology, Integrative Center for Learning and Memory, and Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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4
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Zou Y, Liu B, Li L, Yin Q, Tang J, Jing Z, Huang X, Zhu X, Chi T. IKZF3 deficiency potentiates chimeric antigen receptor T cells targeting solid tumors. Cancer Lett 2022; 524:121-130. [PMID: 34687790 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has been successful in treating hematological malignancy, but solid tumors remain refractory. Here, we demonstrated that knocking out transcription factor IKZF3 in HER2-specific CAR T cells targeting breast cancer cells did not affect CAR expression or CAR T cell differentiation, but markedly enhanced killing of the cancer cells in vitro and in a xenograft model, which was associated with increased T cell activation and proliferation. Furthermore, IKZF3 KO had similar effects on the CD133-specific CAR T cells targeting glioblastoma cells. AlphaLISA and RNA-seq analyses indicate that IKZF3 KO increased the expression of genes involved in cytokine signaling, chemotaxis and cytotoxicity. Our results suggest a general strategy for enhancing CAR T efficacy on solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zou
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Bo Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China; Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Long Li
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Qinan Yin
- College of Medical Technology and Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, 471000, China
| | - Jiaxing Tang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Zhengyu Jing
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China; Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Xingxu Huang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Xuekai Zhu
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
| | - Tian Chi
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China; Department of Immunobiology, Yale University Medical School, New Haven, CT, USA.
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5
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Wen H, Huang Y, Hou T, Wang J, Huo Y. Determination of the biodistribution of chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells against CD19 in NSG mice. Methods Cell Biol 2022; 167:15-37. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2021.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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6
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Choi S, Matta H, Gopalakrishnan R, Natarajan V, Gong S, Jeronimo A, Kuo WY, Bravo B, Chaudhary PM. A novel thermostable beetle luciferase based cytotoxicity assay. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10002. [PMID: 33976304 PMCID: PMC8113442 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89404-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytotoxicity assays are essential for the testing and development of novel immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer. We recently described a novel cytotoxicity assay, termed the Matador assay, which was based on marine luciferases and their engineered derivatives. In this study, we describe the development of a new cytotoxicity assay termed 'Matador-Glo assay' which takes advantage of a thermostable variant of Click Beetle Luciferase (Luc146-1H2). Matador-Glo assay utilizes Luc146-1H2 and D-luciferin as the luciferase-substrate pair for luminescence detection. The assay involves ectopic over-expression of Luc146-1H2 in the cytosol of target cells of interest. Upon damage to the membrane integrity, the Luc146-1H2 is either released from the dead and dying cells or its activity is preferentially measured in dead and dying cells. We demonstrate that this assay is simple, fast, specific, sensitive, cost-efficient, and not labor-intensive. We further demonstrate that the Matador-Glo assay can be combined with the marine luciferase-based Matador assay to develop a dual luciferase assay for cell death detection. Finally, we demonstrate that the Luc146-1H2 expressing target cells can also be used for in vivo bioluminescence imaging applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunju Choi
- Jane Anne Nohl Division of Hematology and Center for the Study of Blood Diseases, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hittu Matta
- Jane Anne Nohl Division of Hematology and Center for the Study of Blood Diseases, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ramakrishnan Gopalakrishnan
- Jane Anne Nohl Division of Hematology and Center for the Study of Blood Diseases, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Venkatesh Natarajan
- Jane Anne Nohl Division of Hematology and Center for the Study of Blood Diseases, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Songjie Gong
- Jane Anne Nohl Division of Hematology and Center for the Study of Blood Diseases, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alberto Jeronimo
- Jane Anne Nohl Division of Hematology and Center for the Study of Blood Diseases, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Wei-Ying Kuo
- Jane Anne Nohl Division of Hematology and Center for the Study of Blood Diseases, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Bryant Bravo
- Jane Anne Nohl Division of Hematology and Center for the Study of Blood Diseases, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Preet M Chaudhary
- Jane Anne Nohl Division of Hematology and Center for the Study of Blood Diseases, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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7
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Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cell therapy is a promising frontier of immunoengineering and cancer immunotherapy. Methods that detect, quantify, track, and visualize the CAR, have catalyzed the rapid advancement of CAR-T cell therapy from preclinical models to clinical adoption. For instance, CAR-staining/labeling agents have enabled flow cytometry analysis, imaging applications, cell sorting, and high-dimensional clinical profiling. Molecular assays, such as quantitative polymerase chain reaction, integration site analysis, and RNA-sequencing, have characterized CAR transduction, expression, and in vivo CAR-T cell expansion kinetics. In vitro visualization methods, including confocal and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, have captured the molecular details underlying CAR immunological synapse formation, signaling, and cytotoxicity. In vivo tracking methods, including two-photon microscopy, bioluminescence imaging, and positron emission tomography scanning, have monitored CAR-T cell biodistribution across blood, tissue, and tumor. Here, we review the plethora of CAR detection methods, which can operate at the genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and organismal levels. For each method, we discuss: (1) what it measures; (2) how it works; (3) its scientific and clinical importance; (4) relevant examples of its use; (5) specific protocols for CAR detection; and (6) its strengths and weaknesses. Finally, we consider current scientific and clinical needs in order to provide future perspectives for improved CAR detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Hu
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jun Huang
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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8
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Su Y, Walker JR, Park Y, Smith TP, Liu LX, Hall MP, Labanieh L, Hurst R, Wang DC, Encell LP, Kim N, Zhang F, Kay MA, Casey KM, Majzner RG, Cochran JR, Mackall CL, Kirkland TA, Lin MZ. Novel NanoLuc substrates enable bright two-population bioluminescence imaging in animals. Nat Methods 2020; 17:852-860. [PMID: 32661427 PMCID: PMC10907227 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-020-0889-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Sensitive detection of two biological events in vivo has long been a goal in bioluminescence imaging. Antares, a fusion of the luciferase NanoLuc to the orange fluorescent protein CyOFP, has emerged as a bright bioluminescent reporter with orthogonal substrate specificity to firefly luciferase (FLuc) and its derivatives such as AkaLuc. However, the brightness of Antares in mice is limited by the poor solubility and bioavailability of the NanoLuc substrate furimazine. Here, we report a new substrate, hydrofurimazine, whose enhanced aqueous solubility allows delivery of higher doses to mice. In the liver, Antares with hydrofurimazine exhibited similar brightness to AkaLuc with its substrate AkaLumine. Further chemical exploration generated a second substrate, fluorofurimazine, with even higher brightness in vivo. We used Antares with fluorofurimazine to track tumor size and AkaLuc with AkaLumine to visualize CAR-T cells within the same mice, demonstrating the ability to perform two-population imaging with these two luciferase systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichi Su
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Yunhee Park
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Lan Xiang Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Louai Labanieh
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - David C Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Namdoo Kim
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Kongju National University, Gongju, South Korea
| | - Feijie Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mark A Kay
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kerriann M Casey
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Robbie G Majzner
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Crystal L Mackall
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Michael Z Lin
- Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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9
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Larionova MD, Markova SV, Tikunova NV, Vysotski ES. The Smallest Isoform of Metridia longa Luciferase as a Fusion Partner for Hybrid Proteins. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4971. [PMID: 32674504 PMCID: PMC7403996 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21144971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioluminescent proteins are widely used as reporter molecules in various in vitro and in vivo assays. The smallest isoform of Metridia luciferase (MLuc7) is a highly active, naturally secreted enzyme which, along with other luciferase isoforms, is responsible for the bright bioluminescence of marine copepod Metridia longa. In this study, we report the construction of two variants of a hybrid protein consisting of MLuc7 and 14D5a single-chain antibody to the surface glycoprotein E of tick-borne encephalitis virus as a model fusion partner. We demonstrate that, whereas fusion of a single-chain antibody to either N- or C-terminus of MLuc7 does not affect its bioluminescence properties, the binding site on the single-chain antibody influences its binding capacity. The affinity of 14D5a-MLuc7 hybrid protein (KD = 36.2 nM) where the C-terminus of the single-chain antibody was fused to the N-terminus of MLuc7, appeared to be 2.5-fold higher than that of the reverse, MLuc7-14D5a (KD = 87.6 nM). The detection limit of 14D5a-MLuc7 hybrid protein was estimated to be 45 pg of the recombinant glycoprotein E. Although the smallest isoform of M. longa luciferase was tested as a fusion partner only with a single-chain antibody, it is reasonable to suppose that MLuc7 can also be successfully used as a partner for genetic fusion with other proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina D. Larionova
- Photobiology Laboratory, Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, Federal Research Center “Krasnoyarsk Science Center SB RAS”, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia; (M.D.L.); (S.V.M.)
| | - Svetlana V. Markova
- Photobiology Laboratory, Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, Federal Research Center “Krasnoyarsk Science Center SB RAS”, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia; (M.D.L.); (S.V.M.)
- School of Fundamental Biology and Biotechnology, Siberian Federal University, 660041 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - Nina V. Tikunova
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
| | - Eugene S. Vysotski
- Photobiology Laboratory, Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, Federal Research Center “Krasnoyarsk Science Center SB RAS”, 660036 Krasnoyarsk, Russia; (M.D.L.); (S.V.M.)
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10
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Darowski D, Jost C, Stubenrauch K, Wessels U, Benz J, Ehler A, Freimoser-Grundschober A, Brünker P, Mössner E, Umaña P, Kobold S, Klein C. P329G-CAR-J: a novel Jurkat-NFAT-based CAR-T reporter system recognizing the P329G Fc mutation. Protein Eng Des Sel 2020; 32:207-218. [PMID: 31504896 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzz027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics are an integral part of treatment of different human diseases, and the selection of suitable antibody candidates during the discovery phase is essential. Here, we describe a novel, cellular screening approach for the identification and characterization of therapeutic antibodies suitable for conversion into T cell bispecific antibodies using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) transduced Jurkat-NFAT-luciferase reporter cells (CAR-J). For that purpose, we equipped a Jurkat-NFAT reporter cell line with a universal CAR, based on a monoclonal antibody recognizing the P329G mutation in the Fc-part of effector-silenced human IgG1-antibodies. In addition to scFv-based second generation CARs, Fab-based CARs employing the P329G-binder were generated. Using these anti-P329G-CAR-J cells together with the respective P329G-mutated IgG1-antibodies, we established a system, which facilitates the rapid testing of therapeutic antibody candidates in a flexible, high throughput setting during early stage discovery. We show that both, scFv- and Fab-based anti-P329G-CAR-J cells elicit a robust and dose-dependent luciferase signal if the respective antibody acts as an adaptor between tumor target and P329G-CAR-J cells. Importantly, we could demonstrate that functional characteristics of the antibody candidates, derived from the anti-P329G-CAR-J screening assay, are predictive for the functionality of these antibodies in the T cell bispecific antibody format.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Darowski
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Wagistrasse 10 CH-8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Christian Jost
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Wagistrasse 10 CH-8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Kay Stubenrauch
- Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Nonnenwald 2 DE-82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Uwe Wessels
- Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Nonnenwald 2 DE-82377 Penzberg, Germany
| | - Jörg Benz
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Grenzacherstrasse 124 CH-4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Ehler
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Grenzacherstrasse 124 CH-4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anne Freimoser-Grundschober
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Wagistrasse 10 CH-8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Peter Brünker
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Wagistrasse 10 CH-8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Ekkehard Mössner
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Wagistrasse 10 CH-8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Pablo Umaña
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Wagistrasse 10 CH-8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Kobold
- Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM) and Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, Klinikum der Universität München, Lindwurmstraße 2a, 80337 Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Klein
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Wagistrasse 10 CH-8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
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11
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Maryamchik E, Gallagher KME, Preffer FI, Kadauke S, Maus MV. New directions in chimeric antigen receptor T cell [CAR-T] therapy and related flow cytometry. CYTOMETRY PART B-CLINICAL CYTOMETRY 2020; 98:299-327. [PMID: 32352629 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.b.21880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells provide a promising approach to the treatment of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Flow cytometry is a powerful analytical modality, which plays an expanding role in all stages of CAR T therapy, from lymphocyte collection, to CAR T cell manufacturing, to in vivo monitoring of the infused cells and evaluation of their function in the tumor environment. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the new directions is important for designing and implementing CAR T-related flow cytometry assays in the clinical and investigational settings. However, the speed of new discoveries and the multitude of clinical and preclinical trials make it challenging to keep up to date in this complex field. In this review, we summarize the current state of CAR T therapy, highlight the areas of emergent research, discuss applications of flow cytometry in modern cell therapy, and touch upon several considerations particular to CAR detection and assessing the effectiveness of CAR T therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Maryamchik
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Frederic I Preffer
- Clinical Cytometry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Stephan Kadauke
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cell and Gene Therapy Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Marcela V Maus
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Cellular Immunotherapy Program, Department of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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12
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A Fast and Sensitive Luciferase-based Assay for Antibody Engineering and Design of Chimeric Antigen Receptors. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2318. [PMID: 32047180 PMCID: PMC7012821 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59099-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Success of immunotherapeutic approaches using genetically engineered antibodies and T cells modified with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) depends, among other things, on the selection of antigen binding domains with desirable expression and binding characteristics. We developed a luciferase-based assay, termed Malibu-Glo Assay, which streamlines the process of optimization of an antigen binding domain with desirable properties and allows the sensitive detection of tumor antigens. The assay involves a recombinant immunoconjugate, termed Malibu-Glo reagent, comprising an immunoglobulin or a non-immunoglobulin based antigen binding domain genetically linked to a marine luciferase. Malibu-Glo reagent can be conveniently produced in mammalian cells as a secreted protein that retains the functional activity of both the antigen binding domain and the luciferase. Moreover, crude supernatant containing the secreted Malibu-Glo reagent can directly be used for detection of cell surface antigens obviating the laborious steps of protein purification and labeling. We further demonstrate the utility of Malibu-Glo assay for the selection of optimal single chain fragment variables (scFvs) with desired affinity characteristics for incorporation into CARs. In summary, Malibu-Glo assay is a fast, simple, sensitive, specific and economical assay for antigen detection with multiple applications in the fields of antibody engineering, antibody humanization and CAR-T cell therapy.
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Jost C, Darowski D, Challier J, Pulko V, Hanisch LJ, Xu W, Mössner E, Bujotzek A, Klostermann S, Umana P, Kontermann RE, Klein C. CAR-J cells for antibody discovery and lead optimization of TCR-like immunoglobulins. MAbs 2020; 12:1840709. [PMID: 33136521 PMCID: PMC7646475 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2020.1840709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell bispecific antibodies (TCBs) are a novel class of engineered immunoglobulins that unite monovalent binding to the T-cell receptor (TCR) CD3e chain and bivalent binding to tumor-associated antigens in order to recruit and activate T-cells for tumor cell killing. In vivo, T-cell activation is usually initiated via the interaction of the TCR with the peptide-HLA complex formed by the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and peptides derived from intracellular proteins. TCR-like antibodies (TCRLs) that recognize pHLA-epitopes extend the target space of TCBs to peptides derived from intracellular proteins, such as those overexpressed during oncogenesis or created via mutations found in cancer. One challenge during lead identification of TCRL-TCBs is to identify TCRLs that specifically, and ideally exclusively, recognize the desired pHLA, but not unrelated pHLAs. In order to identify TCRLs suitable for TCRL-TCBs, large numbers of TCRLs have to be tested in the TCB format. Here, we propose a novel approach using chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to facilitate the identification of highly selective TCRLs. In this new so-called TCRL-CAR-J approach, TCRL-candidates are transduced as CARs into Jurkat reporter-cells, and subsequently assessed for their specificity profile. This work demonstrates that the CAR-J reporter-cell assay can be applied to predict the profile of TCRL-TCBs without the need to produce each candidate in the final TCB format. It is therefore useful in streamlining the identification of TCRL-TCBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Jost
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Schlieren, Switzerland
- Athebio AG, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Diana Darowski
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - John Challier
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Vesna Pulko
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Lydia J Hanisch
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Wei Xu
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Ekkehard Mössner
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Bujotzek
- Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Klostermann
- Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Pablo Umana
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | | | - Christian Klein
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Schlieren, Switzerland
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