1
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Zhao X, Shao S, Hu L. The recent advancement of TCR-T cell therapies for cancer treatment. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2024; 56:663-674. [PMID: 38557898 PMCID: PMC11187488 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024034] [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: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapies involve infusing engineered immune cells into cancer patients to recognize and eliminate tumor cells. Adoptive cell therapy, as a form of living drug, has undergone explosive growth over the past decade. The recognition of tumor antigens by the T-cell receptor (TCR) is one of the natural mechanisms that the immune system used to eliminate tumor cells. TCR-T cell therapy, which involves introducing exogenous TCRs into patients' T cells, is a novel cell therapy strategy. TCR-T cell therapy can target the entire proteome of cancer cells. Engineering T cells with exogenous TCRs to help patients combat cancer has achieved success in clinical trials, particularly in treating solid tumors. In this review, we examine the progress of TCR-T cell therapy over the past five years. This includes the discovery of new tumor antigens, protein engineering techniques for TCR, reprogramming strategies for TCR-T cell therapy, clinical studies on TCR-T cell therapy, and the advancement of TCR-T cell therapy in China. We also propose several potential directions for the future development of TCR-T cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhao
- />Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell SystemsShanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyCenter for Excellence in Molecular Cell ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
| | - Shuai Shao
- />Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell SystemsShanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyCenter for Excellence in Molecular Cell ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
| | - Lanxin Hu
- />Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell SystemsShanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyCenter for Excellence in Molecular Cell ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
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2
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Rogers J, Bajur AT, Salaita K, Spillane KM. Mechanical control of antigen detection and discrimination by T and B cell receptors. Biophys J 2024:S0006-3495(24)00347-3. [PMID: 38794795 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The adaptive immune response is orchestrated by just two cell types, T cells and B cells. Both cells possess the remarkable ability to recognize virtually any antigen through their respective antigen receptors-the T cell receptor (TCR) and B cell receptor (BCR). Despite extensive investigations into the biochemical signaling events triggered by antigen recognition in these cells, our ability to predict or control the outcome of T and B cell activation remains elusive. This challenge is compounded by the sensitivity of T and B cells to the biophysical properties of antigens and the cells presenting them-a phenomenon we are just beginning to understand. Recent insights underscore the central role of mechanical forces in this process, governing the conformation, signaling activity, and spatial organization of TCRs and BCRs within the cell membrane, ultimately eliciting distinct cellular responses. Traditionally, T cells and B cells have been studied independently, with researchers working in parallel to decipher the mechanisms of activation. While these investigations have unveiled many overlaps in how these cell types sense and respond to antigens, notable differences exist. To fully grasp their biology and harness it for therapeutic purposes, these distinctions must be considered. This review compares and contrasts the TCR and BCR, placing emphasis on the role of mechanical force in regulating the activity of both receptors to shape cellular and humoral adaptive immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhordan Rogers
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Anna T Bajur
- Department of Physics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Khalid Salaita
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia; Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
| | - Katelyn M Spillane
- Department of Physics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
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3
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Rogers J, Ma R, Foote A, Hu Y, Salaita K. Force-Induced Site-Specific Enzymatic Cleavage Probes Reveal That Serial Mechanical Engagement Boosts T Cell Activation. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:7233-7242. [PMID: 38451498 PMCID: PMC10958510 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c08137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
The T cell membrane is studded with >104 T cell receptors (TCRs) that are used to scan target cells to identify short peptide fragments associated with viral infection or cancerous mutation. These peptides are presented as peptide-major-histocompatibility complexes (pMHCs) on the surface of virtually all nucleated cells. The TCR-pMHC complex forms at cell-cell junctions, is highly transient, and experiences mechanical forces. An important question in this area pertains to the role of the force duration in immune activation. Herein, we report the development of force probes that autonomously terminate tension within a time window following mechanical triggering. Force-induced site-specific enzymatic cleavage (FUSE) probes tune the tension duration by controlling the rate of a force-triggered endonuclease hydrolysis reaction. This new capability provides a method to study how the accumulated force duration contributes to T cell activation. We screened DNA sequences and identified FUSE probes that disrupt mechanical interactions with F > 7.1 piconewtons (pN) between TCRs and pMHCs. This rate of disruption, or force lifetime (τF), is tunable from tens of minutes down to 1.9 min. T cells challenged with FUSE probes with F > 7.1 pN presenting cognate antigens showed up to a 23% decrease in markers of early activation. FUSE probes with F > 17.0 pN showed weaker influence on T cell triggering further showing that TCR-pMHC with F > 17.0 pN are less frequent compared to F > 7.1 pN. Taken together, FUSE probes allow a new strategy to investigate the role of force dynamics in mechanotransduction broadly and specifically suggest a model of serial mechanical engagement boosting TCR activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhordan Rogers
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Rong Ma
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Alexander Foote
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Yuesong Hu
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Khalid Salaita
- Department
of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
- Wallace
H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
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4
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Jeffreys N, Brockman JM, Zhai Y, Ingber DE, Mooney DJ. Mechanical forces amplify TCR mechanotransduction in T cell activation and function. APPLIED PHYSICS REVIEWS 2024; 11:011304. [PMID: 38434676 PMCID: PMC10848667 DOI: 10.1063/5.0166848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Adoptive T cell immunotherapies, including engineered T cell receptor (eTCR) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapies, have shown efficacy in treating a subset of hematologic malignancies, exhibit promise in solid tumors, and have many other potential applications, such as in fibrosis, autoimmunity, and regenerative medicine. While immunoengineering has focused on designing biomaterials to present biochemical cues to manipulate T cells ex vivo and in vivo, mechanical cues that regulate their biology have been largely underappreciated. This review highlights the contributions of mechanical force to several receptor-ligand interactions critical to T cell function, with central focus on the TCR-peptide-loaded major histocompatibility complex (pMHC). We then emphasize the role of mechanical forces in (i) allosteric strengthening of the TCR-pMHC interaction in amplifying ligand discrimination during T cell antigen recognition prior to activation and (ii) T cell interactions with the extracellular matrix. We then describe approaches to design eTCRs, CARs, and biomaterials to exploit TCR mechanosensitivity in order to potentiate T cell manufacturing and function in adoptive T cell immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yunhao Zhai
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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5
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Lee HN, Lee SE, Inn KS, Seong J. Optical sensing and control of T cell signaling pathways. Front Physiol 2024; 14:1321996. [PMID: 38269062 PMCID: PMC10806162 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1321996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
T cells regulate adaptive immune responses through complex signaling pathways mediated by T cell receptor (TCR). The functional domains of the TCR are combined with specific antibodies for the development of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy. In this review, we first overview current understanding on the T cell signaling pathways as well as traditional methods that have been widely used for the T cell study. These methods, however, are still limited to investigating dynamic molecular events with spatiotemporal resolutions. Therefore, genetically encoded biosensors and optogenetic tools have been developed to study dynamic T cell signaling pathways in live cells. We review these cutting-edge technologies that revealed dynamic and complex molecular mechanisms at each stage of T cell signaling pathways. They have been primarily applied to the study of dynamic molecular events in TCR signaling, and they will further aid in understanding the mechanisms of CAR activation and function. Therefore, genetically encoded biosensors and optogenetic tools offer powerful tools for enhancing our understanding of signaling mechanisms in T cells and CAR-T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hae Nim Lee
- Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technoloy, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Converging Science and Technology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Eun Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Soo Inn
- Department of Converging Science and Technology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihye Seong
- Department of Pharmacology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Wide River Institute of Immunology, Seoul National University, Hongcheon, Republic of Korea
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6
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Chang-Gonzalez AC, Mallis RJ, Lang MJ, Reinherz EL, Hwang W. Asymmetric framework motion of TCRαβ controls load-dependent peptide discrimination. eLife 2024; 13:e91881. [PMID: 38167271 PMCID: PMC10869138 DOI: 10.7554/elife.91881] [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: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Mechanical force is critical for the interaction between an αβ T cell receptor (TCR) and a peptide-bound major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) molecule to initiate productive T-cell activation. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We use all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to examine the A6 TCR bound to HLA-A*02:01 presenting agonist or antagonist peptides under different extensions to simulate the effects of applied load on the complex, elucidating their divergent biological responses. We found that TCR α and β chains move asymmetrically, which impacts the interface with pMHC, in particular the peptide-sensing CDR3 loops. For the wild-type agonist, the complex stabilizes in a load-dependent manner while antagonists destabilize it. Simulations of the Cβ FG-loop deletion, which reduces the catch bond response, and simulations with in silico mutant peptides further support the observed behaviors. The present results highlight the combined role of interdomain motion, fluctuating forces, and interfacial contacts in determining the mechanical response and fine peptide discrimination by a TCR, thereby resolving the conundrum of nearly identical crystal structures of TCRαβ-pMHC agonist and antagonist complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C Chang-Gonzalez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M UniversityCollege StationUnited States
| | - Robert J Mallis
- Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Dana-Farber Cancer InstituteBostonUnited States
- Department of Medicine, Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer InstituteBostonUnited States
| | - Matthew J Lang
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt UniversityNashvilleUnited States
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt UniversityNashvilleUnited States
| | - Ellis L Reinherz
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Dana-Farber Cancer InstituteBostonUnited States
- Department of Medicine, Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer InstituteBostonUnited States
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Wonmuk Hwang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Texas A&M UniversityCollege StationUnited States
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Texas A&M UniversityCollege StationUnited States
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, Texas A&M UniversityCollege StationUnited States
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7
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Mierke CT. Extracellular Matrix Cues Regulate Mechanosensing and Mechanotransduction of Cancer Cells. Cells 2024; 13:96. [PMID: 38201302 PMCID: PMC10777970 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010096] [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: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular biophysical properties have particular implications for a wide spectrum of cellular behaviors and functions, including growth, motility, differentiation, apoptosis, gene expression, cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion, and signal transduction including mechanotransduction. Cells not only react to unambiguously mechanical cues from the extracellular matrix (ECM), but can occasionally manipulate the mechanical features of the matrix in parallel with biological characteristics, thus interfering with downstream matrix-based cues in both physiological and pathological processes. Bidirectional interactions between cells and (bio)materials in vitro can alter cell phenotype and mechanotransduction, as well as ECM structure, intentionally or unintentionally. Interactions between cell and matrix mechanics in vivo are of particular importance in a variety of diseases, including primarily cancer. Stiffness values between normal and cancerous tissue can range between 500 Pa (soft) and 48 kPa (stiff), respectively. Even the shear flow can increase from 0.1-1 dyn/cm2 (normal tissue) to 1-10 dyn/cm2 (cancerous tissue). There are currently many new areas of activity in tumor research on various biological length scales, which are highlighted in this review. Moreover, the complexity of interactions between ECM and cancer cells is reduced to common features of different tumors and the characteristics are highlighted to identify the main pathways of interaction. This all contributes to the standardization of mechanotransduction models and approaches, which, ultimately, increases the understanding of the complex interaction. Finally, both the in vitro and in vivo effects of this mechanics-biology pairing have key insights and implications for clinical practice in tumor treatment and, consequently, clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tanja Mierke
- Biological Physics Division, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Faculty of Physics and Earth Science, Leipzig University, Linnéstraße 5, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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8
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Schrangl L, Göhring J, Kellner F, Huppa JB, Schütz GJ. Measurement of Forces Acting on Single T-Cell Receptors. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2800:147-165. [PMID: 38709483 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3834-7_11] [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] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Molecular forces are increasingly recognized as an important parameter to understand cellular signaling processes. In the recent years, evidence accumulated that also T-cells exert tensile forces via their T-cell receptor during the antigen recognition process. To measure such intercellular pulling forces, one can make use of the elastic properties of spider silk peptides, which act similar to Hookean springs: increased strain corresponds to increased stress applied to the peptide. Combined with Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to read out the strain, such peptides represent powerful and versatile nanoscopic force sensing tools. In this paper, we provide a detailed protocol how to synthesize a molecular force sensor for application in T-cell antigen recognition and hands-on guidelines on experiments and analysis of obtained single molecule FRET data.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Janett Göhring
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Florian Kellner
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Johannes B Huppa
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
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9
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Akitsu A, Kobayashi E, Feng Y, Stephens HM, Brazin KN, Masi DJ, Kirpatrick EH, Mallis RJ, Duke-Cohan JS, Booker MA, Cinella V, Feng WW, Holliday EL, Lee JJ, Zienkiewicz KJ, Tolstorukov MY, Hwang W, Lang MJ, Reinherz EL. Parsing digital or analogue TCR performance through piconewton forces. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.29.568292. [PMID: 38076892 PMCID: PMC10705438 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.29.568292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
αβ T-cell receptors (TCRs) recognize aberrant peptides bound to major histocompatibility complex molecules (pMHCs) on unhealthy cells, amplifying specificity and sensitivity through physical load placed on the TCR-pMHC bond during immunosurveillance. To understand this mechanobiology, TCRs stimulated by abundantly and sparsely arrayed epitopes (NP 366-374 /D b and PA 224-233 /D b , respectively) following in vivo influenza A virus infection were studied with optical tweezers. While certain NP repertoire CD8 T lymphocytes require many ligands for activation, others are digital, needing just few. Conversely, all PA TCRs perform digitally, exhibiting pronounced bond lifetime increases through sustained, energizing volleys of structural transitioning. Optimal digital performance is superior in vivo, correlating with ERK phosphorylation, CD3 loss, and activation marker upregulation in vitro . Given neoantigen array paucity, digital TCRs are likely critical for immunotherapies. One Sentence Summary Quality of ligand recognition in a T-cell repertoire is revealed through application of physical load on clonal T-cell receptor (TCR)-pMHC bonds.
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10
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Platzer R, Hellmeier J, Göhring J, Perez ID, Schatzlmaier P, Bodner C, Focke‐Tejkl M, Schütz GJ, Sevcsik E, Stockinger H, Brameshuber M, Huppa JB. Monomeric agonist peptide/MHCII complexes activate T-cells in an autonomous fashion. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e57842. [PMID: 37768718 PMCID: PMC10626418 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202357842] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular crowding of agonist peptide/MHC class II complexes (pMHCIIs) with structurally similar, yet per se non-stimulatory endogenous pMHCIIs is postulated to sensitize T-cells for the recognition of single antigens on the surface of dendritic cells and B-cells. When testing this premise with the use of advanced live cell microscopy, we observe pMHCIIs as monomeric, randomly distributed entities diffusing rapidly after entering the APC surface. Synaptic TCR engagement of highly abundant endogenous pMHCIIs is low or non-existent and affects neither TCR engagement of rare agonist pMHCII in early and advanced synapses nor agonist-induced TCR-proximal signaling. Our findings highlight the capacity of single freely diffusing agonist pMHCIIs to elicit the full T-cell response in an autonomous and peptide-specific fashion with consequences for adaptive immunity and immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- René Platzer
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied ImmunologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Joschka Hellmeier
- TU Wien, Institute of Applied PhysicsViennaAustria
- Present address:
Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Imaging and BionanotechnologyMartinsriedGermany
| | - Janett Göhring
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied ImmunologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Iago Doel Perez
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied ImmunologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
- Present address:
Takeda Manufacturing Austria AGViennaAustria
| | - Philipp Schatzlmaier
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied ImmunologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Clara Bodner
- TU Wien, Institute of Applied PhysicsViennaAustria
| | - Margarete Focke‐Tejkl
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, Immunology, Institute for Pathophysiology and Allergy ResearchMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | | | - Eva Sevcsik
- TU Wien, Institute of Applied PhysicsViennaAustria
| | - Hannes Stockinger
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied ImmunologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | | | - Johannes B Huppa
- Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied ImmunologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
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11
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Mandal S, Melo M, Gordiichuk P, Acharya S, Poh YC, Li N, Aung A, Dane EL, Irvine DJ, Kumari S. WASP facilitates tumor mechanosensitivity in T lymphocytes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.02.560434. [PMID: 37873483 PMCID: PMC10592916 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.02.560434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) carry out immunosurveillance by scanning target cells of diverse physical properties for the presence of antigens. While the recognition of cognate antigen by the T cell receptor is the primary signal for CTL activation, it has become increasingly clear that the mechanical stiffness of target cells plays an important role in antigen-triggered T cell responses. However, the molecular machinery within CTLs that transduces the mechanical information of tumor cells remains unclear. We find that CTL's mechanosensitive ability requires the activity of the actin-organizing protein Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein (WASP). WASP activation is modulated by the mechanical properties of antigen-presenting contexts across a wide range of target cell stiffnesses and activated WASP then mediates mechanosensitive activation of early TCR signaling markers in the CTL. Our results provide a molecular link between antigen mechanosensing and CTL immune response and suggest that CTL-intrinsic cytoskeletal organizing principles enable the processing of mechanical information from diverse target cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mariane Melo
- Koch Institute of Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, USA
| | | | | | - Yeh-Chuin Poh
- Koch Institute of Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, USA
| | - Na Li
- Koch Institute of Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, USA
| | - Aereas Aung
- Koch Institute of Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, USA
| | - Eric L. Dane
- Koch Institute of Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, USA
| | - Darrell J. Irvine
- Koch Institute of Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, Virginia, USA
| | - Sudha Kumari
- Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India
- Koch Institute of Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, USA
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12
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Rogers J, Ma R, Hu Y, Salaita K. Force-induced site-specific enzymatic cleavage probes reveal that serial mechanical engagement boosts T cell activation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.07.552310. [PMID: 37609308 PMCID: PMC10441320 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.07.552310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
The surface of T cells is studded with T cell receptors (TCRs) that are used to scan target cells to identify peptide-major histocompatibility complexes (pMHCs) signatures of viral infection or cancerous mutation. It is now established that the TCR-pMHC complex is highly transient and experiences mechanical forces that augment the fidelity of T cell activation. An important question in this area pertains to the role of force duration in immune activation. Herein, we report the development of force probes that autonomously terminate tension within a time window following mechanical triggering. Force-induced site-specific enzymatic cleavage (FUSE) probes tune tension duration by controlling the rate of a force-triggered endonuclease hydrolysis reaction. This new capability provides a method to study how accumulated force duration contributes to T cell activation. We screened DNA sequences and identified FUSE probes that disrupt mechanical interactions with F >7.1 piconewtons (pN) between TCRs and pMHCs. Force lifetimes (τF) are tunable from tens of min down to 1.9 min. T cells challenged with FUSE probes presenting cognate antigens with τF of 1.9 min demonstrated dampened markers of early activation, thus demonstrating that repeated mechanical sampling boosts TCR activation. Repeated mechanical sampling F >7.1 pN was found to be particularly critical at lower pMHC antigen densities, wherein the T cell activation declined by 23% with τF of 1.9 min. FUSE probes with F >17.0 pN response showed weaker influence on T cell triggering further showing that TCR-pMHC with F >17.0 pN are less frequent compared to F >7.1 pN. Taken together, FUSE probes allow a new strategy to investigate the role of force dynamics in mechanotransduction broadly and specifically suggest a model of serial mechanical engagement in antigen recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhordan Rogers
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, USA
| | - Rong Ma
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, USA
| | - Yuesong Hu
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, USA
| | - Khalid Salaita
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, 30332, USA
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13
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Ayres CM, Corcelli SA, Baker BM. The Energetic Landscape of Catch Bonds in TCR Interfaces. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:325-332. [PMID: 37459192 PMCID: PMC10361606 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Recognition of peptide/MHC complexes by αβ TCRs has traditionally been viewed through the lens of conventional receptor-ligand theory. Recent work, however, has shown that TCR recognition and T cell signaling can be profoundly influenced and tuned by mechanical forces. One outcome of applied force is the catch bond, where TCR dissociation rates decrease (half-lives increase) when limited force is applied. Although catch bond behavior is believed to be widespread in biology, its counterintuitive nature coupled with the difficulties of describing mechanisms at the structural level have resulted in considerable mystique. In this review, we demonstrate that viewing catch bonds through the lens of energy landscapes, barriers, and the ensuing reaction rates can help demystify catch bonding and provide a foundation on which atomic-level TCR catch bond mechanisms can be built.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory M Ayres
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
- The Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
| | - Steve A Corcelli
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
| | - Brian M Baker
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
- The Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
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14
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Faust MA, Rasé VJ, Lamb TJ, Evavold BD. What's the Catch? The Significance of Catch Bonds in T Cell Activation. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 211:333-342. [PMID: 37459191 PMCID: PMC10732538 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
One of the main goals in T cell biology has been to investigate how TCR recognition of peptide:MHC (pMHC) determines T cell phenotype and fate. Ag recognition is required to facilitate survival, expansion, and effector function of T cells. Historically, TCR affinity for pMHC has been used as a predictor for T cell fate and responsiveness, but there have now been several examples of nonfunctional high-affinity clones and low-affinity highly functional clones. Recently, more attention has been paid to the TCR being a mechanoreceptor where the key biophysical determinant is TCR bond lifetime under force. As outlined in this review, the fundamental parameters between the TCR and pMHC that control Ag recognition and T cell triggering are affinity, bond lifetime, and the amount of force at which the peak lifetime occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Faust
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Viva J Rasé
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Tracey J Lamb
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Brian D Evavold
- Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
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15
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Yang S, Rufo J, Zhong R, Rich J, Wang Z, Lee LP, Huang TJ. Acoustic tweezers for high-throughput single-cell analysis. Nat Protoc 2023; 18:2441-2458. [PMID: 37468650 PMCID: PMC11052649 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-023-00844-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Acoustic tweezers provide an effective means for manipulating single cells and particles in a high-throughput, precise, selective and contact-free manner. The adoption of acoustic tweezers in next-generation cellular assays may advance our understanding of biological systems. Here we present a comprehensive set of instructions that guide users through device fabrication, instrumentation setup and data acquisition to study single cells with an experimental throughput that surpasses traditional methods, such as atomic force microscopy and micropipette aspiration, by several orders of magnitude. With acoustic tweezers, users can conduct versatile experiments that require the trapping, patterning, pairing and separation of single cells in a myriad of applications ranging across the biological and biomedical sciences. This procedure is widely generalizable and adaptable for investigations in materials and physical sciences, such as the spinning motion of colloids or the development of acoustic-based quantum simulations. Overall, the device fabrication requires ~12 h, the experimental setup of the acoustic tweezers requires 1-2 h and the cell manipulation experiment requires ~30 min to complete. Our protocol is suitable for use by interdisciplinary researchers in biology, medicine, engineering and physics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujie Yang
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Joseph Rufo
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ruoyu Zhong
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Joseph Rich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Zeyu Wang
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Luke P Lee
- Renal Division and Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Department of Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea.
| | - Tony Jun Huang
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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16
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Choi HK, Travaglino S, Münchhalfen M, Görg R, Zhong Z, Lyu J, Reyes-Aguilar DM, Wienands J, Singh A, Zhu C. Mechanotransduction governs CD40 function and underlies X-linked Hyper IgM syndrome. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.23.550231. [PMID: 37546834 PMCID: PMC10401940 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.23.550231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
B cell maturation in germinal centers (GCs) depends on cognate interactions between the T and B cells. Upon interaction with CD40 ligand (CD40L) on T cells, CD40 delivers co-stimulatory signals alongside B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling to regulate affinity maturation and antibody class-switch during GC reaction. Mutations in CD40L disrupt interactions with CD40, which lead to abnormal antibody responses in immune deficiencies known as X-linked Hyper IgM syndrome (X-HIgM). Assuming that physical interactions between highly mobile T and B cells generate mechanical forces on CD40-CD40L bonds, we set out to study the B cell mechanobiology mediated by CD40-CD40L interaction. Using a suite of biophysical assays we find that CD40 forms catch bond with CD40L where the bond lasts longer at larger forces, B cells exert tension on CD40-CD40L bonds, and force enhances CD40 signaling and antibody class-switch. Significantly, X-HIgM CD40L mutations impair catch bond formation, suppress endogenous tension, and reduce force-enhanced CD40 signaling, leading to deficiencies in antibody class switch. Our findings highlight the critical role of mechanotransduction in CD40 function and provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying X-HIgM syndrome.
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17
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Volkov DV, Stepanova VM, Rubtsov YP, Stepanov AV, Gabibov AG. Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase CD45 As an Immunity Regulator and a Potential Effector of CAR-T therapy. Acta Naturae 2023; 15:17-26. [PMID: 37908772 PMCID: PMC10615191 DOI: 10.32607/actanaturae.25438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The leukocyte common antigen CD45 is a receptor tyrosine phosphatase and one of the most prevalent antigens found on the surface of blood cells. CD45 plays a crucial role in the initial stages of signal transmission from receptors of various immune cell types. Immunodeficiency, autoimmune disorders, and oncological diseases are frequently caused by gene expression disorders and imbalances in CD45 isoforms. Despite extensive research into the structure and functions of CD45, the molecular mechanisms behind its role in transmitting signals from T-cell receptors and chimeric antigen receptors remain not fully understood. It is of utmost importance to comprehend the structural features of CD45 and its function in regulating immune system cell activation to study oncological diseases and the impact of CD45 on lymphocytes and T cells modified by chimeric antigen receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. V. Volkov
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997 Russian Federation
| | - V. M. Stepanova
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997 Russian Federation
| | - Y. P. Rubtsov
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997 Russian Federation
| | - A. V. Stepanov
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997 Russian Federation
| | - A. G. Gabibov
- M.M. Shemyakin and Yu.A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997 Russian Federation
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18
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Choi HK, Cong P, Ge C, Natarajan A, Liu B, Zhang Y, Li K, Rushdi MN, Chen W, Lou J, Krogsgaard M, Zhu C. Catch bond models may explain how force amplifies TCR signaling and antigen discrimination. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2616. [PMID: 37147290 PMCID: PMC10163261 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38267-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The TCR integrates forces in its triggering process upon interaction with pMHC. Force elicits TCR catch-slip bonds with strong pMHCs but slip-only bonds with weak pMHCs. We develop two models and apply them to analyze 55 datasets, demonstrating the models' ability to quantitatively integrate and classify a broad range of bond behaviors and biological activities. Comparing to a generic two-state model, our models can distinguish class I from class II MHCs and correlate their structural parameters with the TCR/pMHC's potency to trigger T cell activation. The models are tested by mutagenesis using an MHC and a TCR mutated to alter conformation changes. The extensive comparisons between theory and experiment provide model validation and testable hypothesis regarding specific conformational changes that control bond profiles, thereby suggesting structural mechanisms for the inner workings of the TCR mechanosensing machinery and plausible explanations of why and how force may amplify TCR signaling and antigen discrimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Kyu Choi
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Peiwen Cong
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Chenghao Ge
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Amgen Inc., One Amgen Center Dr., Thousand Oaks, CA, 91320, USA
| | - Aswin Natarajan
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Baoyu Liu
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Yong Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Kaitao Li
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Muaz Nik Rushdi
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Medtronic CO., Minneapolis, MN, 55432, USA
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Cell Biology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Jizhong Lou
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Michelle Krogsgaard
- Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Cheng Zhu
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
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19
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Pettmann J, Awada L, Różycki B, Huhn A, Faour S, Kutuzov M, Limozin L, Weikl TR, van der Merwe PA, Robert P, Dushek O. Mechanical forces impair antigen discrimination by reducing differences in T-cell receptor/peptide-MHC off-rates. EMBO J 2023; 42:e111841. [PMID: 36484367 PMCID: PMC10068313 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022111841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells use their T-cell receptors (TCRs) to discriminate between lower-affinity self and higher-affinity foreign peptide major-histocompatibility-complexes (pMHCs) based on the TCR/pMHC off-rate. It is now appreciated that T cells generate mechanical forces during this process but how force impacts the TCR/pMHC off-rate remains debated. Here, we measured the effect of mechanical force on the off-rate of multiple TCR/pMHC interactions. Unexpectedly, we found that lower-affinity TCR/pMHCs with faster solution off-rates were more resistant to mechanical force (weak slip or catch bonds) than higher-affinity interactions (strong slip bonds). This was confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations. Consistent with these findings, we show that the best-characterized catch bond, involving the OT-I TCR, has a low affinity and an exceptionally fast solution off-rate. Our findings imply that reducing forces on the TCR/pMHC interaction improves antigen discrimination, and we suggest a role for the adhesion receptors CD2 and LFA-1 in force-shielding the TCR/pMHC interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lama Awada
- Laboratoire Adhesion et InflammationAix Marseille University UM 61, INSERM UMRS 1067, CNRS UMR 7333MarseilleFrance
| | | | - Anna Huhn
- Sir William Dunn School of PathologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Sara Faour
- Laboratoire Adhesion et InflammationAix Marseille University UM 61, INSERM UMRS 1067, CNRS UMR 7333MarseilleFrance
| | - Mikhail Kutuzov
- Sir William Dunn School of PathologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Laurent Limozin
- Laboratoire Adhesion et InflammationAix Marseille University UM 61, INSERM UMRS 1067, CNRS UMR 7333MarseilleFrance
| | - Thomas R Weikl
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and InterfacesPotsdamGermany
| | | | - Philippe Robert
- Laboratoire Adhesion et InflammationAix Marseille University UM 61, INSERM UMRS 1067, CNRS UMR 7333MarseilleFrance
- Assistance Publique‐Hôpitaux de MarseilleMarseilleFrance
| | - Omer Dushek
- Sir William Dunn School of PathologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
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20
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Huppa JB, Schütz GJ. T-cell antigen recognition: catch-as-catch-can or catch-22? EMBO J 2023; 42:e113507. [PMID: 36808636 PMCID: PMC10068317 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2023113507] [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: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell antigen recognition is invariably affected by tensile forces as they are exerted on T-cell antigen receptors (TCRs) transiently binding antigenic peptide/MHC complexes. In this issue of The EMBO Journal, Pettmann and colleagues promote the concept that forces reduce the lifetime of more stable stimulatory TCR-pMHC interactions to a larger extent than that of less stable non-stimulatory TCR-pMHC interactions. The authors argue that forces impede rather than boost T-cell antigen discrimination, which is promoted by force-shielding within the immunological synapse through cell adhesion via CD2/CD58 and LFA-1/ICAM-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes B Huppa
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, ImmunologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
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21
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Hyun J, Kim SJ, Cho SD, Kim HW. Mechano-modulation of T cells for cancer immunotherapy. Biomaterials 2023; 297:122101. [PMID: 37023528 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Immunotherapy, despite its promise for future anti-cancer approach, faces significant challenges, such as off-tumor side effects, innate or acquired resistance, and limited infiltration of immune cells into stiffened extracellular matrix (ECM). Recent studies have highlighted the importance of mechano-modulation/-activation of immune cells (mainly T cells) for effective caner immunotherapy. Immune cells are highly sensitive to the applied physical forces and matrix mechanics, and reciprocally shape the tumor microenvironment. Engineering T cells with tuned properties of materials (e.g., chemistry, topography, and stiffness) can improve their expansion and activation ex vivo, and their ability to mechano-sensing the tumor specific ECM in vivo where they perform cytotoxic effects. T cells can also be exploited to secrete enzymes that soften ECM, thus increasing tumor infiltration and cellular therapies. Furthermore, T cells, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells, genomic engineered to be spatiotemporally controllable by physical stimuli (e.g., ultrasound, heat, or light), can mitigate adverse off-tumor effects. In this review, we communicate these recent cutting-edge endeavors devoted to mechano-modulating/-activating T cells for effective cancer immunotherapy, and discuss future prospects and challenges in this field.
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22
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Teppert K, Wang X, Anders K, Evaristo C, Lock D, Künkele A. Joining Forces for Cancer Treatment: From "TCR versus CAR" to "TCR and CAR". Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314563. [PMID: 36498890 PMCID: PMC9739809 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell-based immunotherapy has demonstrated great therapeutic potential in recent decades, on the one hand, by using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and, on the other hand, by engineering T cells to obtain anti-tumor specificities through the introduction of either engineered T cell receptors (TCRs) or chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). Given the distinct design of both receptors and the type of antigen that is encountered, the requirements for proper antigen engagement and downstream signal transduction by TCRs and CARs differ. Synapse formation and signal transduction of CAR T cells, despite further refinement of CAR T cell designs, still do not fully recapitulate that of TCR T cells and might limit CAR T cell persistence and functionality. Thus, deep knowledge about the molecular differences in CAR and TCR T cell signaling would greatly advance the further optimization of CAR designs and elucidate under which circumstances a combination of both receptors would improve the functionality of T cells for cancer treatment. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review about similarities and differences by directly comparing the architecture, synapse formation and signaling of TCRs and CARs, highlighting the knowns and unknowns. In the second part of the review, we discuss the current status of combining CAR and TCR technologies, encouraging a change in perspective from "TCR versus CAR" to "TCR and CAR".
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Teppert
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Xueting Wang
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Kathleen Anders
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 10117 Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - César Evaristo
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Dominik Lock
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Annette Künkele
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 10117 Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence:
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23
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Yoon CW, Pan Y, Wang Y. The application of mechanobiotechnology for immuno-engineering and cancer immunotherapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1064484. [PMID: 36483679 PMCID: PMC9725026 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1064484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune-engineering is a rapidly emerging field in the past few years, as immunotherapy evolved from a paradigm-shifting therapeutic approach for cancer treatment to promising immuno-oncology models in clinical trials and commercial products. Linking the field of biomedical engineering with immunology, immuno-engineering applies engineering principles and utilizes synthetic biology tools to study and control the immune system for diseases treatments and interventions. Over the past decades, there has been a deeper understanding that mechanical forces play crucial roles in regulating immune cells at different stages from antigen recognition to actual killing, which suggests potential opportunities to design and tailor mechanobiology tools to novel immunotherapy. In this review, we first provide a brief introduction to recent technological and scientific advances in mechanobiology for immune cells. Different strategies for immuno-engineering are then discussed and evaluated. Furthermore, we describe the opportunities and challenges of applying mechanobiology and related technologies to study and engineer immune cells and ultimately modulate their function for immunotherapy. In summary, the synergetic integration of cutting-edge mechanical biology techniques into immune-engineering strategies can provide a powerful platform and allow new directions for the field of immunotherapy.
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24
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Tetraspanin-5-mediated MHC class I clustering is required for optimal CD8 T cell activation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2122188119. [PMID: 36215490 PMCID: PMC9586303 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2122188119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
MHC molecules are not randomly distributed on the plasma membrane but instead are present in discrete nanoclusters. The mechanisms that control formation of MHC I nanoclusters and the importance of such structures are incompletely understood. Here, we report a molecular association between tetraspanin-5 (Tspan5) and MHC I molecules that started in the endoplasmic reticulum and was maintained on the plasma membrane. This association was observed both in mouse dendritic cells and in human cancer cell lines. Loss of Tspan5 reduced the size of MHC I clusters without affecting MHC I peptide loading, delivery of complexes to the plasma membrane, or overall surface MHC I levels. Functionally, CD8 T cell responses to antigen presented by Tspan5-deficient dendritic cells were impaired but were restored by antibody-induced reclustering of MHC I molecules. In contrast, Tspan5 did not associate with two other plasma membrane proteins, Flotillin1 and CD55, with or the endoplasmic reticulum proteins Tapasin and TAP. Thus, our findings identify a mechanism underlying the clustering of MHC I molecules that is important for optimal T cell responses.
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25
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A bead-based method for high-throughput mapping of the sequence- and force-dependence of T cell activation. Nat Methods 2022; 19:1295-1305. [PMID: 36064771 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-022-01592-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Adaptive immunity relies on T lymphocytes that use αβ T cell receptors (TCRs) to discriminate among peptides presented by major histocompatibility complex molecules (pMHCs). Identifying pMHCs capable of inducing robust T cell responses will not only enable a deeper understanding of the mechanisms governing immune responses but could also have broad applications in diagnosis and treatment. T cell recognition of sparse antigenic pMHCs in vivo relies on biomechanical forces. However, in vitro screening methods test potential pMHCs without force and often at high (nonphysiological) pMHC densities and thus fail to predict potent agonists in vivo. Here, we present a technology termed BATTLES (biomechanically assisted T cell triggering for large-scale exogenous-pMHC screening) that uses biomechanical force to initiate T cell triggering for peptides and cells in parallel. BATTLES displays candidate pMHCs on spectrally encoded beads composed of a thermo-responsive polymer capable of applying shear loads to T cells, facilitating exploration of the force- and sequence-dependent landscape of T cell responses. BATTLES can be used to explore basic T cell mechanobiology and T cell-based immunotherapies.
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26
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An C, Wang X, Song F, Hu J, Li L. Insights into intercellular receptor-ligand binding kinetics in cell communication. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:953353. [PMID: 35837553 PMCID: PMC9273785 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.953353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-cell communication is crucial for cells to sense, respond and adapt to environmental cues and stimuli. The intercellular communication process, which involves multiple length scales, is mediated by the specific binding of membrane-anchored receptors and ligands. Gaining insight into two-dimensional receptor-ligand binding kinetics is of great significance for understanding numerous physiological and pathological processes, and stimulating new strategies in drug design and discovery. To this end, extensive studies have been performed to illuminate the underlying mechanisms that control intercellular receptor-ligand binding kinetics via experiment, theoretical analysis and numerical simulation. It has been well established that the cellular microenvironment where the receptor-ligand interaction occurs plays a vital role. In this review, we focus on the advances regarding the regulatory effects of three factors including 1) protein-membrane interaction, 2) biomechanical force, and 3) bioelectric microenvironment to summarize the relevant experimental observations, underlying mechanisms, as well as their biomedical significances and applications. Meanwhile, we introduce modeling methods together with experiment technologies developed for dealing with issues at different scales. We also outline future directions to advance the field and highlight that building up systematic understandings for the coupling effects of these regulatory factors can greatly help pharmaceutical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyi An
- School of Biology and Engineering, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaohuan Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Song
- State Key Laboratory of Nonlinear Mechanics and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Engineering Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jinglei Hu
- Kuang Yaming Honors School and Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Jinglei Hu, ; Long Li,
| | - Long Li
- State Key Laboratory of Nonlinear Mechanics and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Jinglei Hu, ; Long Li,
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27
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Watson VE, Faniel ML, Kamili NA, Krueger LD, Zhu C. Immune-mediated alopecias and their mechanobiological aspects. Cells Dev 2022; 170:203793. [PMID: 35649504 PMCID: PMC10681075 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdev.2022.203793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Alopecia is a non-specific term for hair loss clinically diagnosed by the hair loss pattern and histological analysis of patient scalp biopsies. The immune-mediated alopecia subtypes, including alopecia areata, lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia, and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, are common, significant forms of alopecia subtypes. For example, alopecia areata is the most common autoimmune disease with a lifetime incidence of approximately 2% of the world's population. In this perspective, we discuss major results from studies of immune-mediated alopecia subtypes. These studies suggest the key event in disease onset as the collapse in immune privilege, which alters the hair follicle microenvironment, e.g., upregulation of major histocompatibility complex molecules and increase of cytokine production, and results in immune cell infiltration, inflammatory responses, and damage of hair follicles. We note that previous studies have established that the hair follicle has a complex mechanical microenvironment, which may regulate the function of not only tissue cells but also immune cell infiltrates. This suggests a potential for mechanobiology to contribute to alopecia research by adding new methods, new approaches, and new ways of thinking, which is missing in the existing literature. To fill this a gap in the alopecia research space, we develop a mechanobiological hypothesis that alterations in the hair follicle microenvironment, specifically in the mechanically responsive tissues and cells, partially due to loss of immune privilege, may be contributors to disease pathology. We further focus our discussion on the potential for applying mechanoimmunology to the study of T cell infiltrates in the hair follicle, as they are considered primary contributors to alopecia pathology. To establish the connection between the mechanoimmunological hypothesis and immune-mediated alopecia subtypes, we discuss what is known about the role of T cells in immune-mediated alopecia subtypes, using the most extensively studied AA as our model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valencia E Watson
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, USA; Bioengineering PhD Program, USA; Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Makala L Faniel
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, USA; Bioengineering PhD Program, USA; Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Loren D Krueger
- Department of Dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Cheng Zhu
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, USA; Bioengineering PhD Program, USA; Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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28
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Göhring J, Schrangl L, Schütz GJ, Huppa JB. Mechanosurveillance: Tiptoeing T Cells. Front Immunol 2022; 13:886328. [PMID: 35693808 PMCID: PMC9178122 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.886328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Efficient scanning of tissue that T cells encounter during their migratory life is pivotal to protective adaptive immunity. In fact, T cells can detect even a single antigenic peptide/MHC complex (pMHC) among thousands of structurally similar yet non-stimulatory endogenous pMHCs on the surface of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) or target cells. Of note, the glycocalyx of target cells, being composed of proteoglycans and bulky proteins, is bound to affect and even modulate antigen recognition by posing as a physical barrier. T cell-resident microvilli are actin-rich membrane protrusions that puncture through such barriers and thereby actively place the considerably smaller T-cell antigen receptors (TCRs) in close enough proximity to APC-presented pMHCs so that productive interactions may occur efficiently yet under force. We here review our current understanding of how the plasticity of T-cell microvilli and physicochemical properties of the glycocalyx may affect early events in T-cell activation. We assess insights gained from studies on T-cell plasma membrane ultrastructure and provide an update on current efforts to integrate biophysical aspects such as the amplitude and directionality of TCR-imposed mechanical forces and the distribution and lateral mobility of plasma membrane-resident signaling molecules into a more comprehensive view on sensitized T-cell antigen recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janett Göhring
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Applied Physics, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
- *Correspondence: Janett Göhring,
| | | | | | - Johannes B. Huppa
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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29
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Yang S, Tian Z, Wang Z, Rufo J, Li P, Mai J, Xia J, Bachman H, Huang PH, Wu M, Chen C, Lee LP, Huang TJ. Harmonic acoustics for dynamic and selective particle manipulation. NATURE MATERIALS 2022; 21:540-546. [PMID: 35332292 PMCID: PMC9200603 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-022-01210-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Precise and selective manipulation of colloids and biological cells has long been motivated by applications in materials science, physics and the life sciences. Here we introduce our harmonic acoustics for a non-contact, dynamic, selective (HANDS) particle manipulation platform, which enables the reversible assembly of colloidal crystals or cells via the modulation of acoustic trapping positions with subwavelength resolution. We compose Fourier-synthesized harmonic waves to create soft acoustic lattices and colloidal crystals without using surface treatment or modifying their material properties. We have achieved active control of the lattice constant to dynamically modulate the interparticle distance in a high-throughput (>100 pairs), precise, selective and reversible manner. Furthermore, we apply this HANDS platform to quantify the intercellular adhesion forces among various cancer cell lines. Our biocompatible HANDS platform provides a highly versatile particle manipulation method that can handle soft matter and measure the interaction forces between living cells with high sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujie Yang
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Zhenhua Tian
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Zeyu Wang
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Joseph Rufo
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Peng Li
- C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - John Mai
- Alfred E. Mann Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jianping Xia
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Hunter Bachman
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Po-Hsun Huang
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Mengxi Wu
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Chuyi Chen
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Luke P Lee
- Renal Division and Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.
- Institute of Quantum Biophysics, Department of Biophysics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea.
| | - Tony Jun Huang
- Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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30
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Mercado-Perez A, Beyder A. Gut feelings: mechanosensing in the gastrointestinal tract. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 19:283-296. [PMID: 35022607 PMCID: PMC9059832 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-021-00561-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The primary function of the gut is to procure nutrients. Synchronized mechanical activities underlie nearly all its endeavours. Coordination of mechanical activities depends on sensing of the mechanical forces, in a process called mechanosensation. The gut has a range of mechanosensory cells. They function either as specialized mechanoreceptors, which convert mechanical stimuli into coordinated physiological responses at the organ level, or as non-specialized mechanosensory cells that adjust their function based on the mechanical state of their environment. All major cell types in the gastrointestinal tract contain subpopulations that act as specialized mechanoreceptors: epithelia, smooth muscle, neurons, immune cells, and others. These cells are tuned to the physical properties of the surrounding tissue, so they can discriminate mechanical stimuli from the baseline mechanical state. The importance of gastrointestinal mechanosensation has long been recognized, but the latest discoveries of molecular identities of mechanosensors and technical advances that resolve the relevant circuitry have poised the field to make important intellectual leaps. This Review describes the mechanical factors relevant for normal function, as well as the molecules, cells and circuits involved in gastrointestinal mechanosensing. It concludes by outlining important unanswered questions in gastrointestinal mechanosensing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaldo Mercado-Perez
- Enteric NeuroScience Program (ENSP), Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Arthur Beyder
- Enteric NeuroScience Program (ENSP), Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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31
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Sengupta S, Board NL, Wu F, Moskovljevic M, Douglass J, Zhang J, Reinhold BR, Duke-Cohan J, Yu J, Reed MC, Tabdili Y, Azurmendi A, Fray EJ, Zhang H, Hsiue EHC, Jenike K, Ho YC, Gabelli SB, Kinzler KW, Vogelstein B, Zhou S, Siliciano JD, Sadegh-Nasseri S, Reinherz EL, Siliciano RF. TCR-mimic bispecific antibodies to target the HIV-1 reservoir. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2123406119. [PMID: 35394875 PMCID: PMC9169739 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2123406119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 infection is incurable due to the persistence of the virus in a latent reservoir of resting memory CD4+ T cells. “Shock-and-kill” approaches that seek to induce HIV-1 gene expression, protein production, and subsequent targeting by the host immune system have been unsuccessful due to a lack of effective latency-reversing agents (LRAs) and kill strategies. In an effort to develop reagents that could be used to promote killing of infected cells, we constructed T cell receptor (TCR)-mimic antibodies to HIV-1 peptide-major histocompatibility complexes (pMHC). Using phage display, we panned for phages expressing antibody-like variable sequences that bound HIV-1 pMHC generated using the common HLA-A*02:01 allele. We targeted three epitopes in Gag and reverse transcriptase identified and quantified via Poisson detection mass spectrometry from cells infected in vitro with a pseudotyped HIV-1 reporter virus (NL4.3 dEnv). Sequences isolated from phages that bound these pMHC were cloned into a single-chain diabody backbone (scDb) sequence, such that one fragment is specific for an HIV-1 pMHC and the other fragment binds to CD3ε, an essential signal transduction subunit of the TCR. Thus, these antibodies utilize the sensitivity of T cell signaling as readouts for antigen processing and as agents to promote killing of infected cells. Notably, these scDbs are exquisitely sensitive and specific for the peptide portion of the pMHC. Most importantly, one scDb caused killing of infected cells presenting a naturally processed target pMHC. This work lays the foundation for a novel therapeutic killing strategy toward elimination of the HIV-1 reservoir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srona Sengupta
- Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Nathan L. Board
- Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Fengting Wu
- Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Milica Moskovljevic
- Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Jacqueline Douglass
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | - Josephine Zhang
- Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Bruce R. Reinhold
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Jonathan Duke-Cohan
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Jeanna Yu
- Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Madison C. Reed
- Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Yasmine Tabdili
- Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Aitana Azurmendi
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | - Emily J. Fray
- Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Emily Han-Chung Hsiue
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | - Katharine Jenike
- Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Ya-Chi Ho
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519
| | - Sandra B. Gabelli
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | - Kenneth W. Kinzler
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | - Bert Vogelstein
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287
- HHMI, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Shibin Zhou
- Ludwig Center, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
- Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287
- Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21287
| | - Janet D. Siliciano
- Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | | | - Ellis L. Reinherz
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Robert F. Siliciano
- Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
- HHMI, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
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32
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Zhao X, Kolawole EM, Chan W, Feng Y, Yang X, Gee MH, Jude KM, Sibener LV, Fordyce PM, Germain RN, Evavold BD, Garcia KC. Tuning T cell receptor sensitivity through catch bond engineering. Science 2022; 376:eabl5282. [PMID: 35389803 PMCID: PMC9513562 DOI: 10.1126/science.abl5282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy using engineered T cell receptors (TCRs) is a promising approach for targeting cancer antigens, but tumor-reactive TCRs are often weakly responsive to their target ligands, peptide-major histocompatibility complexes (pMHCs). Affinity-matured TCRs can enhance the efficacy of TCR-T cell therapy but can also cross-react with off-target antigens, resulting in organ immunopathology. We developed an alternative strategy to isolate TCR mutants that exhibited high activation signals coupled with low-affinity pMHC binding through the acquisition of catch bonds. Engineered analogs of a tumor antigen MAGE-A3-specific TCR maintained physiological affinities while exhibiting enhanced target killing potency and undetectable cross-reactivity, compared with a high-affinity clinically tested TCR that exhibited lethal cross-reactivity with a cardiac antigen. Catch bond engineering is a biophysically based strategy to tune high-sensitivity TCRs for T cell therapy with reduced potential for adverse cross-reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhao
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Kolawole
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Waipan Chan
- Lymphocyte Biology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yinnian Feng
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Xinbo Yang
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Marvin H Gee
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.,Program in Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kevin M Jude
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Leah V Sibener
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.,Program in Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Polly M Fordyce
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.,ChEM-H Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.,Chan Zuckerberg BioHub, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Ronald N Germain
- Lymphocyte Biology Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Brian D Evavold
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - K Christopher Garcia
- Departments of Molecular and Cellular Physiology and Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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33
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Gangopadhyay K, Roy S, Sen Gupta S, Chandradasan A, Chowdhury S, Das R. Regulating the discriminatory response to antigen by T-cell receptor. Biosci Rep 2022; 42:BSR20212012. [PMID: 35260878 PMCID: PMC8965820 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20212012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell-mediated immune response constitutes a robust host defense mechanism to eliminate pathogens and oncogenic cells. T cells play a central role in such a defense mechanism and creating memories to prevent any potential infection. T cell recognizes foreign antigen by its surface receptors when presented through antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and calibrates its cellular response by a network of intracellular signaling events. Activation of T-cell receptor (TCR) leads to changes in gene expression and metabolic networks regulating cell development, proliferation, and migration. TCR does not possess any catalytic activity, and the signaling initiates with the colocalization of several enzymes and scaffold proteins. Deregulation of T cell signaling is often linked to autoimmune disorders like severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. The TCR remarkably distinguishes the minor difference between self and non-self antigen through a kinetic proofreading mechanism. The output of TCR signaling is determined by the half-life of the receptor antigen complex and the time taken to recruit and activate the downstream enzymes. A longer half-life of a non-self antigen receptor complex could initiate downstream signaling by activating associated enzymes. Whereas, the short-lived, self-peptide receptor complex disassembles before the downstream enzymes are activated. Activation of TCR rewires the cellular metabolic response to aerobic glycolysis from oxidative phosphorylation. How does the early event in the TCR signaling cross-talk with the cellular metabolism is an open question. In this review, we have discussed the recent developments in understanding the regulation of TCR signaling, and then we reviewed the emerging role of metabolism in regulating T cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaustav Gangopadhyay
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur campus, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Swarnendu Roy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur campus, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Soumee Sen Gupta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur campus, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Athira C. Chandradasan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur campus, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Subhankar Chowdhury
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur campus, Mohanpur 741246, India
| | - Rahul Das
- Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur campus, Mohanpur 741246, India
- Centre for Advanced Functional Materials, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur campus, Mohanpur 741246, India
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34
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Understanding immune signaling using advanced imaging techniques. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:853-866. [PMID: 35343569 PMCID: PMC9162467 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Advanced imaging is key for visualizing the spatiotemporal regulation of immune signaling which is a complex process involving multiple players tightly regulated in space and time. Imaging techniques vary in their spatial resolution, spanning from nanometers to micrometers, and in their temporal resolution, ranging from microseconds to hours. In this review, we summarize state-of-the-art imaging methodologies and provide recent examples on how they helped to unravel the mysteries of immune signaling. Finally, we discuss the limitations of current technologies and share our insights on how to overcome these limitations to visualize immune signaling with unprecedented fidelity.
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35
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Egan JR, Abu-Shah E, Dushek O, Elliott T, MacArthur BD. Fluctuations in T cell receptor and pMHC interactions regulate T cell activation. J R Soc Interface 2022; 19:20210589. [PMID: 35135295 PMCID: PMC8833104 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0589] [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] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptive immune responses depend on interactions between T cell receptors (TCRs) and peptide major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) ligands located on the surface of T cells and antigen presenting cells (APCs), respectively. As TCRs and pMHCs are often only present at low copy numbers their interactions are inherently stochastic, yet the role of stochastic fluctuations on T cell function is unclear. Here, we introduce a minimal stochastic model of T cell activation that accounts for serial TCR-pMHC engagement, reversible TCR conformational change and TCR aggregation. Analysis of this model indicates that it is not the strength of binding between the T cell and the APC cell per se that elicits an immune response, but rather the information imparted to the T cell from the encounter, as assessed by the entropy rate of the TCR-pMHC binding dynamics. This view provides an information-theoretic interpretation of T cell activation that explains a range of experimental observations. Based on this analysis, we propose that effective T cell therapeutics may be enhanced by optimizing the inherent stochasticity of TCR-pMHC binding dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R Egan
- Mathematical Sciences, Stem Cells and Regeneration, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.,Institute for Life Sciences, Stem Cells and Regeneration, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.,Centre for Cancer Immunology, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.,Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Enas Abu-Shah
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK.,Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FY, UK
| | - Omer Dushek
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Tim Elliott
- Institute for Life Sciences, Stem Cells and Regeneration, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.,Centre for Cancer Immunology, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK.,Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Ben D MacArthur
- Mathematical Sciences, Stem Cells and Regeneration, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.,Institute for Life Sciences, Stem Cells and Regeneration, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.,Centre for Human Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.,Alan Turing Institute, London NW1 2DB, UK
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36
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The interplay between membrane topology and mechanical forces in regulating T cell receptor activity. Commun Biol 2022; 5:40. [PMID: 35017678 PMCID: PMC8752658 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02995-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells are critically important for host defense against infections. T cell activation is specific because signal initiation requires T cell receptor (TCR) recognition of foreign antigen peptides presented by major histocompatibility complexes (pMHC) on antigen presenting cells (APCs). Recent advances reveal that the TCR acts as a mechanoreceptor, but it remains unclear how pMHC/TCR engagement generates mechanical forces that are converted to intracellular signals. Here we propose a TCR Bending Mechanosignal (TBM) model, in which local bending of the T cell membrane on the nanometer scale allows sustained contact of relatively small pMHC/TCR complexes interspersed among large surface receptors and adhesion molecules on the opposing surfaces of T cells and APCs. Localized T cell membrane bending is suggested to increase accessibility of TCR signaling domains to phosphorylation, facilitate selective recognition of agonists that form catch bonds, and reduce noise signals associated with slip bonds. Al-Aghbar et al propose a TCR bending mechanosignal model that demonstrates how local mechanical membrane bending may influence T cell receptor binding events and thus T-cell activation.
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37
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Stephens HM, Brazin KN, Mallis RJ, Feng Y, Banik D, Reinherz EL, Lang MJ. Measuring αβ T-Cell Receptor-Mediated Mechanosensing Using Optical Tweezers Combined with Fluorescence Imaging. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2478:727-753. [PMID: 36063340 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2229-2_26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
T-cell antigen receptors (TCRs) are mechanosensors, which initiate a signaling cascade upon ligand recognition resulting in T-cell differentiation, homeostasis, effector and regulatory functions. An optical trap combined with fluorescence permits direct monitoring of T-cell triggering in response to force application at various concentrations of peptide-bound major histocompatibility complex molecules (pMHC). The technique mimics physiological shear forces applied as cells crawl across antigen-presenting surfaces during immune surveillance. True single molecule studies performed on single cells profile force-bond lifetime, typically seen as a catch bond, and conformational change at the TCR-pMHC bond on the surface of the cell upon force loading. Together, activation and single molecule single cell studies provide chemical and physical triggering thresholds as well as insight into catch bond formation and quaternary structural changes of single TCRs. The present methods detail assay design, preparation, and execution, as well as data analysis. These methods may be applied to a wide range of pMHC-TCR interactions and have potential for adaptation to other receptor-ligand systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M Stephens
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kristine N Brazin
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert J Mallis
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yinnian Feng
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Debasis Banik
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ellis L Reinherz
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthew J Lang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
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38
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Hamza A, Amit J, Elizabeth L E, Medha M P, Michael D C, Wendy F L. Ion channel mediated mechanotransduction in immune cells. CURRENT OPINION IN SOLID STATE & MATERIALS SCIENCE 2021; 25. [PMID: 35645593 PMCID: PMC9131931 DOI: 10.1016/j.cossms.2021.100951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The immune system performs critical functions to defend against invading pathogens and maintain tissue homeostasis. Immune cells reside within or are recruited to a host of mechanically active tissues throughout the body and, as a result, are exposed to varying types and degrees of mechanical stimuli. Despite their abundance in such tissues, the role of mechanical stimuli in influencing immune cell function and the molecular mechanisms responsible for mechanics-mediated changes are still poorly understood. The recent emergence of mechanically-gated ion channels, particularly Piezo1, has provided an exciting avenue of research within the fields of mechanobiology and immunology. Numerous studies have identified roles for mechanically-gated ion channels in mechanotransduction within various different cell types, with a few recent studies in immune cells. These initial studies provide strong evidence that mechanically-gated ion channels play pivotal roles in regulating the immune system. In this review, we discuss characteristics of ion channel mediated force transduction, review the current techniques used to quantify and visualize ion channel activity in response to mechanical stimuli, and finally we provide an overview of recent studies examining the role of mechanically-gated ion channels in modulating immune cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atcha Hamza
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, USA
- The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, USA
| | - Jairaman Amit
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, USA
| | - Evans Elizabeth L
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, USA
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California Irvine, Irvine, USA
| | - Pathak Medha M
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, USA
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California Irvine, Irvine, USA
| | - Cahalan Michael D
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, USA
| | - Liu Wendy F
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, USA
- The Edwards Lifesciences Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Technology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, USA
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39
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Wilhelm KB, Morita S, McAffee DB, Kim S, O'Dair MK, Groves JT. Height, but not binding epitope, affects the potency of synthetic TCR agonists. Biophys J 2021; 120:3869-3880. [PMID: 34453921 PMCID: PMC8511163 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Under physiological conditions, peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) molecules can trigger T cell receptors (TCRs) as monovalent ligands that are sparsely distributed on the plasma membrane of an antigen-presenting cell. TCRs can also be triggered by artificial clustering, such as with pMHC tetramers or antibodies; however, these strategies circumvent many of the natural ligand discrimination mechanisms of the T cell and can elicit nonphysiological signaling activity. We have recently introduced a synthetic TCR agonist composed of an anti-TCRβ Fab′ antibody fragment covalently bound to a DNA oligonucleotide, which serves as a membrane anchor. This Fab′-DNA ligand efficiently triggers TCR as a monomer when membrane associated and exhibits a potency and activation profile resembling agonist pMHC. In this report, we explore the geometric requirements for efficient TCR triggering and cellular activation by Fab′-DNA ligands. We find that T cells are insensitive to the ligand binding epitope on the TCR complex but that length of the DNA tether is important. Increasing, the intermembrane distance spanned by Fab′-DNA:TCR complexes decreases TCR triggering efficiency and T cell activation potency, consistent with the kinetic-segregation model of TCR triggering. These results establish design parameters for constructing synthetic TCR agonists that are able to activate polyclonal T cell populations, such as T cells from a human patient, in a similar manner as the native pMHC ligand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiera B Wilhelm
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California
| | - Shumpei Morita
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California
| | - Darren B McAffee
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California
| | - Sungi Kim
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California
| | - Mark K O'Dair
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California
| | - Jay T Groves
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California.
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40
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Pandey PR, Różycki B, Lipowsky R, Weikl TR. Structural variability and concerted motions of the T cell receptor - CD3 complex. eLife 2021; 10:67195. [PMID: 34490842 PMCID: PMC8504971 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigate the structural and orientational variability of the membrane-embedded T cell receptor (TCR) – CD3 complex in extensive atomistic molecular dynamics simulations based on the recent cryo-EM structure determined by Dong et al., 2019. We find that the TCR extracellular (EC) domain is highly variable in its orientation by attaining tilt angles relative to the membrane normal that range from 15° to 55°. The tilt angle of the TCR EC domain is both coupled to a rotation of the domain and to characteristic changes throughout the TCR – CD3 complex, in particular in the EC interactions of the Cβ FG loop of the TCR, as well as in the orientation of transmembrane helices. The concerted motions of the membrane-embedded TCR – CD3 complex revealed in our simulations provide atomistic insights on conformational changes of the complex in response to tilt-inducing forces on antigen-bound TCRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prithvi R Pandey
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Theory and Bio-Systems, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Bartosz Różycki
- Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Reinhard Lipowsky
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Theory and Bio-Systems, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Thomas R Weikl
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Theory and Bio-Systems, Potsdam, Germany
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41
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Salter AI, Rajan A, Kennedy JJ, Ivey RG, Shelby SA, Leung I, Templeton ML, Muhunthan V, Voillet V, Sommermeyer D, Whiteaker JR, Gottardo R, Veatch SL, Paulovich AG, Riddell SR. Comparative analysis of TCR and CAR signaling informs CAR designs with superior antigen sensitivity and in vivo function. Sci Signal 2021; 14:14/697/eabe2606. [PMID: 34429382 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abe2606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cell therapy is effective in treating lymphomas, leukemias, and multiple myeloma in which the tumor cells express high amounts of target antigen. However, achieving durable remission for these hematological malignancies and extending CAR T cell therapy to patients with solid tumors will require receptors that can recognize and eliminate tumor cells with a low density of target antigen. Although CARs were designed to mimic T cell receptor (TCR) signaling, TCRs are at least 100-fold more sensitive to antigen. To design a CAR with improved antigen sensitivity, we directly compared TCR and CAR signaling in primary human T cells. Global phosphoproteomic analysis revealed that key T cell signaling proteins-such as CD3δ, CD3ε, and CD3γ, which comprise a portion of the T cell co-receptor, as well as the TCR adaptor protein LAT-were either not phosphorylated or were only weakly phosphorylated by CAR stimulation. Modifying a commonplace 4-1BB/CD3ζ CAR sequence to better engage CD3ε and LAT using embedded CD3ε or GRB2 domains resulted in enhanced T cell activation in vitro in settings of a low density of antigen, and improved efficacy in in vivo models of lymphoma, leukemia, and breast cancer. These CARs represent examples of alterations in receptor design that were guided by in-depth interrogation of T cell signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander I Salter
- Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. .,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Anusha Rajan
- Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Jacob J Kennedy
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Richard G Ivey
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Sarah A Shelby
- Department of Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Isabel Leung
- Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Megan L Templeton
- Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Vishaka Muhunthan
- Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Valentin Voillet
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Cape Town HVTN Immunology Laboratory, Hutchinson Centre Research Institute of South Africa, NPC (HCRISA), Cape Town 8001, South Africa
| | - Daniel Sommermeyer
- Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Whiteaker
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Raphael Gottardo
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Sarah L Veatch
- Department of Biophysics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Amanda G Paulovich
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Stanley R Riddell
- Program in Immunology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. .,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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42
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Banik D, Hamidinia M, Brzostek J, Wu L, Stephens HM, MacAry PA, Reinherz EL, Gascoigne NRJ, Lang MJ. Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy Reveals Distinctions in Key Biophysical Parameters of αβ T-Cell Receptors Compared with Chimeric Antigen Receptors Directed at the Same Ligand. J Phys Chem Lett 2021; 12:7566-7573. [PMID: 34347491 PMCID: PMC9082930 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c02240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies exploit facile antibody-mediated targeting to elicit useful immune responses in patients. This work directly compares binding profiles of CAR and αβ T-cell receptors (TCR) with single cell and single molecule optical trap measurements against a shared ligand. DNA-tethered measurements of peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) ligand interaction in both CAR and TCR exhibit catch bonds with specific peptide agonist peaking at 25 and 14 pN, respectively. While a conformational transition is regularly seen in TCR-pMHC systems, that of CAR-pMHC systems is dissimilar, being infrequent, of lower magnitude, and irreversible. Slip bonds are observed with CD19-specific CAR T-cells and with a monoclonal antibody mapping to the MHC α2 helix but indifferent to the bound peptide. Collectively, these findings suggest that the CAR-pMHC interface underpins the CAR catch bond response to pMHC ligands in contradistinction to slip bonds for CARs targeting canonical ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debasis Banik
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, United States
| | - Maryam Hamidinia
- Translational
Immunology Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
- Translational
Cancer Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
- Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Joanna Brzostek
- Translational
Immunology Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
- Translational
Cancer Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
- Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Ling Wu
- Translational
Immunology Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
- Translational
Cancer Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
- Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Hannah M. Stephens
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, United States
| | - Paul A. MacAry
- Translational
Immunology Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
- Translational
Cancer Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
- Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Ellis L. Reinherz
- Laboratory
of Immunobiology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Department
of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of
Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Nicholas R. J. Gascoigne
- Translational
Immunology Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
- Translational
Cancer Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
- Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Matthew J. Lang
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, United States
- Department
of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, United States
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43
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Record J, Saeed MB, Venit T, Percipalle P, Westerberg LS. Journey to the Center of the Cell: Cytoplasmic and Nuclear Actin in Immune Cell Functions. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:682294. [PMID: 34422807 PMCID: PMC8375500 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.682294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Actin cytoskeletal dynamics drive cellular shape changes, linking numerous cell functions to physiological and pathological cues. Mutations in actin regulators that are differentially expressed or enriched in immune cells cause severe human diseases known as primary immunodeficiencies underscoring the importance of efficienct actin remodeling in immune cell homeostasis. Here we discuss recent findings on how immune cells sense the mechanical properties of their environement. Moreover, while the organization and biochemical regulation of cytoplasmic actin have been extensively studied, nuclear actin reorganization is a rapidly emerging field that has only begun to be explored in immune cells. Based on the critical and multifaceted contributions of cytoplasmic actin in immune cell functionality, nuclear actin regulation is anticipated to have a large impact on our understanding of immune cell development and functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Record
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mezida B. Saeed
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tomas Venit
- Science Division, Biology Program, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Piergiorgio Percipalle
- Science Division, Biology Program, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lisa S. Westerberg
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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44
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Jung P, Zhou X, Iden S, Bischoff M, Qu B. T cell stiffness is enhanced upon formation of immunological synapse. eLife 2021; 10:66643. [PMID: 34313220 PMCID: PMC8360652 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells are activated by target cells via an intimate contact, termed immunological synapse (IS). Cellular mechanical properties, especially stiffness, are essential to regulate cell functions. However, T cell stiffness at a subcellular level at the IS still remains largely elusive. In this work, we established an atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based elasticity mapping method on whole T cells to obtain an overview of the stiffness with a resolution of ~60 nm. Using primary human CD4+ T cells, we show that when T cells form IS with stimulating antibody-coated surfaces, the lamellipodia are stiffer than the cell body. Upon IS formation, T cell stiffness is enhanced both at the lamellipodia and on the cell body. Chelation of intracellular Ca2+ abolishes IS-induced stiffening at the lamellipodia but has no influence on cell-body-stiffening, suggesting different regulatory mechanisms of IS-induced stiffening at the lamellipodia and the cell body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Jung
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Xiangda Zhou
- Department of Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Sandra Iden
- Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, Center of Human and Molecular Biology (ZHMB), Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Markus Bischoff
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Bin Qu
- Department of Biophysics, Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine (CIPMM), School of Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany.,Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Saarbrücken, Germany
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45
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Zhovmer AS, Chandler M, Manning A, Afonin KA, Tabdanov ED. Programmable DNA-augmented hydrogels for controlled activation of human lymphocytes. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2021; 37:102442. [PMID: 34284132 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2021.102442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Contractile forces within the planar interface between T cell and antigen-presenting surface mechanically stimulate T cell receptors (TCR) in the mature immune synapses. However, the origin of mechanical stimulation during the initial, i.e., presynaptic, microvilli-based TCR activation in the course of immune surveillance remains unknown and new tools to help address this problem are needed. In this work, we develop nucleic acid nanoassembly (NAN)-based technology for functionalization of hydrogels using isothermal toehold-mediated reassociation of RNA/DNA heteroduplexes. Resulting platform allows for regulation with NAN linkers of 3D force momentum along the TCR mechanical axis, whereas hydrogels contribute to modulation of 2D shear modulus. By utilizing different lengths of NAN linkers conjugated to polyacrylamide gels of different shear moduli, we demonstrate an efficient capture of human T lymphocytes and tunable activation of TCR, as confirmed by T-cell spreading and pY foci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander S Zhovmer
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA.
| | - Morgan Chandler
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | - Alexis Manning
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Kirill A Afonin
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA.
| | - Erdem D Tabdanov
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA.
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46
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Santoni G, Amantini C, Santoni M, Maggi F, Morelli MB, Santoni A. Mechanosensation and Mechanotransduction in Natural Killer Cells. Front Immunol 2021; 12:688918. [PMID: 34335592 PMCID: PMC8320435 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.688918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are a main subset of innate lymphocytes that contribute to host immune protection against viruses and tumors by mediating target cell killing and secreting a wide array of cytokines. Their functions are finely regulated by a balance between activating and inhibitory receptors and involve also adhesive interactions. Mechanotransduction is the process in which physical forces sensed by mechanosensors are translated into chemical signaling. Herein, we report findings on the involvement of this mechanism that is mainly mediated by actin cytoskeleton, in the regulation of NK cell adhesion, migration, tissue infiltration and functions. Actin represents the structural basis for NK cell immunological synapse (NKIS) and polarization of secretory apparatus. NK-target cell interaction involves the formation of both uropods and membrane nanotubes that allow target cell interaction over long distances. Actin retrograde flow (ARF) regulates NK cell signaling and controls the equilibrium between activation versus inhibition. Activating NKIS is associated with rapid lamellipodial ARF, whereas lower centripetal actin flow is present during inhibitory NKIS where β actin can associate with the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1. Overall, a better knowledge of mechanotransduction might represent a future challenge: Realization of nanomaterials tailored for NK cells, would be important to translate in vitro studies in in vivo new immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Santoni
- School of Pharmacy, Section of Experimental Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Consuelo Amantini
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | | | - Federica Maggi
- School of Pharmacy, Section of Experimental Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Beatrice Morelli
- School of Pharmacy, Section of Experimental Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Angela Santoni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
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47
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Yamaguchi S, Hamana H, Shitaoka K, Sukegawa K, Nagata T, Hayee A, Kobayashi E, Ozawa T, Fujii T, Muraguchi A, Tobe K, Kishi H. TCR function analysis using a novel system reveals the multiple unconventional tumor-reactive T cells in human breast cancer-infiltrating lymphocytes. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:2306-2316. [PMID: 34171120 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202049070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are a potent source for obtaining tumor-reactive T cell receptors (TCRs). Although comprehensive methods to analyze the TCR repertoire in TILs have been reported, the evaluation system for TCR-reactivity to endogenously expressed antigen in tumor cells remains laborious and time consuming. Consequently, very limited numbers of TCRs in TILs have been analyzed for their reactivity to tumor cells. In this study, we developed an efficient evaluation system for TCR function designated c-FIT (comprehensive functional investigation of TCRs) to analyze TCR reactivity. The c-FIT system enabled us to analyze up to 90 TCRs for their reactivity to tumor cells by a single assay within a month. Using c-FIT, we analyzed 70 TCRs of CD8+ TILs derived from two breast cancer patients and obtained 23 TCRs that reacted to tumor cells. Surprisingly, although two TCRs were HLA class I-restricted, the remaining 21 TCRs were non-HLA-restricted. Thus, c-FIT can be applied for monitoring multiple conventional and unconventional antigen-specific killer T cells in TILs, leading to the development of new designs for more effective T-cell-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Yamaguchi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.,Department of First Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Hamana
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Kiyomi Shitaoka
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.,Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kenta Sukegawa
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.,Department of Surgery and Science, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.,Niigata Medical-Care-Cooperative Kido-Hospital, Niigata, Japan
| | - Takuya Nagata
- Department of Surgery and Science, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.,Toho University Ohashi Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Abdul Hayee
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Eiji Kobayashi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiko Ozawa
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Fujii
- Department of Surgery and Science, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Atsushi Muraguchi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Tobe
- Department of First Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kishi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Academic Assembly, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
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Abstract
T cell activation is a critical event in the adaptive immune response, indispensable for cell-mediated and humoral immunity as well as for immune regulation. Recent years have witnessed an emerging trend emphasizing the essential role that physical force and mechanical properties play at the T cell interface. In this review, we integrate current knowledge of T cell antigen recognition and the different models of T cell activation from the perspective of mechanobiology, focusing on the interaction between the T cell receptor (TCR) and the peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) antigen. We address the shortcomings of TCR affinity alone in explaining T cell functional outcomes and the rising status of force-regulated TCR bond lifetimes, most notably the TCR catch bond. Ultimately, T cell activation and the ensuing physiological responses result from mechanical interaction between TCRs and the pMHC. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology, Volume 37 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyu Liu
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA; , ,
| | - Elizabeth M Kolawole
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA; , ,
| | - Brian D Evavold
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA; , ,
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Jairaman A, Othy S, Dynes JL, Yeromin AV, Zavala A, Greenberg ML, Nourse JL, Holt JR, Cahalan SM, Marangoni F, Parker I, Pathak MM, Cahalan MD. Piezo1 channels restrain regulatory T cells but are dispensable for effector CD4 + T cell responses. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/28/eabg5859. [PMID: 34233878 PMCID: PMC8262815 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abg5859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
T lymphocytes encounter complex mechanical cues during an immune response. The mechanosensitive ion channel, Piezo1, drives inflammatory responses to bacterial infections, wound healing, and cancer; however, its role in helper T cell function remains unclear. In an animal model for multiple sclerosis, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), we found that mice with genetic deletion of Piezo1 in T cells showed diminished disease severity. Unexpectedly, Piezo1 was not essential for lymph node homing, interstitial motility, Ca2+ signaling, T cell proliferation, or differentiation into proinflammatory T helper 1 (TH1) and TH17 subsets. However, Piezo1 deletion in T cells resulted in enhanced transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling and an expanded pool of regulatory T (Treg) cells. Moreover, mice with deletion of Piezo1 specifically in Treg cells showed significant attenuation of EAE. Our results indicate that Piezo1 selectively restrains Treg cells, without influencing activation events or effector T cell functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit Jairaman
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4561, USA
| | - Shivashankar Othy
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4561, USA
| | - Joseph L Dynes
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4561, USA
| | - Andriy V Yeromin
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4561, USA
| | - Angel Zavala
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4561, USA
| | - Milton L Greenberg
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4561, USA
| | - Jamison L Nourse
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4561, USA
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Jesse R Holt
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4561, USA
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Stuart M Cahalan
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals, 3215 Merryfield Row, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Francesco Marangoni
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4561, USA
| | - Ian Parker
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4561, USA
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Medha M Pathak
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4561, USA
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Center for Complex Systems Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Michael D Cahalan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4561, USA.
- Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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50
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Decoding mechanical cues by molecular mechanotransduction. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2021; 72:72-80. [PMID: 34218181 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2021.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Cells are exposed to a variety of mechanical cues, including forces from their local environment and physical properties of the tissue. These mechanical cues regulate a vast number of cellular processes, relying on a repertoire of mechanosensors that transduce forces into biochemical pathways through mechanotransduction. Forces can act on different parts of the cell, carry information regarding magnitude and direction, and have distinct temporal profiles. Thus, the specific cellular response to mechanical forces is dependent on the ability of cells to sense and transduce these physical parameters. In this review, we will highlight recent findings that provide insights into the mechanisms by which different mechanosensors decode mechanical cues and how their coordinated response determines the cellular outcomes.
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