1
|
Wittling MC, Cole AC, Brammer B, Diatikar KG, Schmitt NC, Paulos CM. Strategies for Improving CAR T Cell Persistence in Solid Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2858. [PMID: 39199630 PMCID: PMC11352972 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16162858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
CAR T cells require optimization to be effective in patients with solid tumors. There are many barriers affecting their ability to succeed. One barrier is persistence, as to achieve an optimal antitumor response, infused CAR T cells must engraft and persist. This singular variable is impacted by a multitude of factors-the CAR T cell design, lymphodepletion regimen used, expansion method to generate the T cell product, and more. Additionally, external agents can be utilized to augment CAR T cells, such as the addition of novel cytokines, pharmaceutical drugs that bolster memory formation, or other agents during either the ex vivo expansion process or after CAR T cell infusion to support them in the oppressive tumor microenvironment. This review highlights many strategies being used to optimize T cell persistence as well as future directions for improving the persistence of infused cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megen C. Wittling
- Department of Surgery/Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Anna C. Cole
- Department of Surgery/Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Brianna Brammer
- School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Kailey G. Diatikar
- Department of Surgery/Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Nicole C. Schmitt
- Department of Otolaryngology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Chrystal M. Paulos
- Department of Surgery/Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Russell J, Chen L, Liu A, Wang J, Ghosh S, Zhong X, Shi H, Beutler B, Nair-Gill E. Lrp10 suppresses IL7R limiting CD8 T cell homeostatic expansion and anti-tumor immunity. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:3601-3626. [PMID: 38956225 PMCID: PMC11315911 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00191-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Signals emanating from the T-cell receptor (TCR), co-stimulatory receptors, and cytokine receptors each influence CD8 T-cell fate. Understanding how these signals respond to homeostatic and microenvironmental cues can reveal new ways to therapeutically direct T-cell function. Through forward genetic screening in mice, we discover that loss-of-function mutations in LDL receptor-related protein 10 (Lrp10) cause naive and central memory CD8 T cells to accumulate in peripheral lymphoid organs. Lrp10 encodes a conserved cell surface protein of unknown immunological function. T-cell activation induces Lrp10 expression, which post-translationally suppresses IL7 receptor (IL7R) levels. Accordingly, Lrp10 deletion enhances T-cell homeostatic expansion through IL7R signaling. Lrp10-deficient mice are also intrinsically resistant to syngeneic tumors. This phenotype depends on dense tumor infiltration of CD8 T cells, which display increased memory cell characteristics, reduced terminal exhaustion, and augmented responses to immune checkpoint inhibition. Here, we present Lrp10 as a new negative regulator of CD8 T-cell homeostasis and a host factor that controls tumor resistance with implications for immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Russell
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
| | - Luming Chen
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
| | - Aijie Liu
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
| | - Jianhui Wang
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
| | - Subarna Ghosh
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
| | - Xue Zhong
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
| | - Hexin Shi
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
| | - Bruce Beutler
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA
| | - Evan Nair-Gill
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatic Diseases, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-8505, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhao J, Zhang Y, Wang JY, Wei B, Liu YG. Expression pattern of serum interleukin-7 in elderly septic patients and its prognostic value for predicting short-term mortality. Cytokine 2024; 180:156664. [PMID: 38795605 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2024.156664] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The identification of novel prognostic biomarkers in elderly septic patients are essential for the improvement of mortality in sepsis in the context of precision medicine. The purpose of this study was to explore the expression pattern and prognostic value of serum interleukin-7 (IL-7) in predicting 28-day mortality in elderly patients with sepsis. METHODS Patients were retrospectively enrolled according to the sepsis-3.0 diagnostic criteria and divided into the survival group and non-survival group based on the clinical outcome at the 28-day interval. The baseline characteristic data, samples for the laboratory tests, and the SOFA, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II), as well as Glasgow coma scale (GCS) scores, were recorded within 24 h after admission to the emergency department. Serum levels of IL-7 and TNF-α of the patients were quantified by the Luminex assay. Spearman correlation analysis, logistic regressive analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis were performed, respectively. RESULTS Totally, 220 elderly patients with sepsis were enrolled, 151 of whom died in a 28-day period. Albumin (ALB), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), systolic pressure (SBP), and platelet (PLT) were found to be significantly higher in the survival group (p < 0.05). IL-7 was shown to be correlated with TNF-α in the non-survival group (p = 0.030) but not in the survival group (p = 0.194). No correlation was shown between IL-7 and other factors (p > 0.05). IL-7 and TNF-α were found to be independent risk factors associated with the 28-day mortality (OR = 1.215, 1.420). Combination of IL-7, SOFA and ALB can make an AUROC of 0.874 with the specificity of 90.77 %. Combination of IL-7 and TNF-α can make an AUROC of 0.901 with the sensitivity of 90.41 % while the combination of IL-7, TNF-α, and ALB can make an AUROC of 0.898 with the sensitivity of 94.52 %. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the importance of monitoring the serum level of IL-7 and TNF-α in elderly septic patients as well as evaluating the combinations with other routine risk factors which can be potentially used for the identification of elderly septic patients with higher risk of mortality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Zhao
- Department of Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, China
| | - Ye Zhang
- Emergency Medicine Clinical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation, Clinical Center for Medicine in Acute Infection, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, China
| | - Jun-Yu Wang
- Emergency Medicine Clinical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation, Clinical Center for Medicine in Acute Infection, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, China
| | - Bing Wei
- Emergency Medicine Clinical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation, Clinical Center for Medicine in Acute Infection, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, China.
| | - Yu-Geng Liu
- Department of Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, China; Emergency Medicine Clinical Research Center, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation, Clinical Center for Medicine in Acute Infection, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yu J, Gadwa J, Ross RB, Knitz M, Darragh LB, Abdelazeem KNM, Beynor J, Neupert B, Nguyen A, Nguyen D, Olimpo N, Corbo S, Van Court B, D'Alessandro A, Saviola A, Karam SD. IL7 in combination with radiotherapy stimulates a memory T-cell response to improve outcomes in HNSCC models. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2024; 73:90. [PMID: 38554147 PMCID: PMC10981637 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-024-03664-y] [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: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024]
Abstract
Clinically approved head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) immunotherapies manipulate the immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) axis but have had limited success outside of recurrent/metastatic disease. Interleukin-7 (IL7) has been shown to be essential for effector T-cell survival, activation, and proliferation. Here, we show that IL7 in combination with radiotherapy (RT) is effective in activating CD8 + T-cells for reducing tumor growth. Our studies were conducted using both human papillomavirus related and unrelated orthotopic HNSCC murine models. Immune populations from the tumor, draining lymph nodes, and blood were compared between treatment groups and controls using flow cytometry, proteomics, immunofluorescence staining, and RNA sequencing. Treatment with RT and IL7 (RT + IL7) resulted in significant tumor growth reduction, high CD8 T-cell tumor infiltration, and increased proliferation of T-cell progenitors in the bone marrow. IL7 also expanded a memory-like subpopulation of CD8 T-cells. These results indicate that IL7 in combination with RT can serve as an effective immunotherapy strategy outside of the conventional ICB axis to drive the antitumor activity of CD8 T-cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin Yu
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Jacob Gadwa
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Richard B Ross
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Michael Knitz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Laurel B Darragh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Khalid N M Abdelazeem
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Radiation Biology Research Department, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Jessica Beynor
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Brooke Neupert
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Alexander Nguyen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Diemmy Nguyen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Nicholas Olimpo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Sophia Corbo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Benjamin Van Court
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Angelo D'Alessandro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Anthony Saviola
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Sana D Karam
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tilsed CM, Sadiq BA, Papp TE, Areesawangkit P, Kimura K, Noguera-Ortega E, Scholler J, Cerda N, Aghajanian H, Bot A, Mui B, Tam Y, Weissman D, June CH, Albelda SM, Parhiz H. IL7 increases targeted lipid nanoparticle-mediated mRNA expression in T cells in vitro and in vivo by enhancing T cell protein translation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2319856121. [PMID: 38513098 PMCID: PMC10990120 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2319856121] [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: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of lipid nanoparticles (LNP) to encapsulate and deliver mRNA has become an important therapeutic advance. In addition to vaccines, LNP-mRNA can be used in many other applications. For example, targeting the LNP with anti-CD5 antibodies (CD5/tLNP) can allow for efficient delivery of mRNA payloads to T cells to express protein. As the percentage of protein expressing T cells induced by an intravenous injection of CD5/tLNP is relatively low (4-20%), our goal was to find ways to increase mRNA-induced translation efficiency. We showed that T cell activation using an anti-CD3 antibody improved protein expression after CD5/tLNP transfection in vitro but not in vivo. T cell health and activation can be increased with cytokines, therefore, using mCherry mRNA as a reporter, we found that culturing either mouse or human T cells with the cytokine IL7 significantly improved protein expression of delivered mRNA in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in vitro. By pre-treating mice with systemic IL7 followed by tLNP administration, we observed significantly increased mCherry protein expression by T cells in vivo. Transcriptomic analysis of mouse T cells treated with IL7 in vitro revealed enhanced genomic pathways associated with protein translation. Improved translational ability was demonstrated by showing increased levels of protein expression after electroporation with mCherry mRNA in T cells cultured in the presence of IL7, but not with IL2 or IL15. These data show that IL7 selectively increases protein translation in T cells, and this property can be used to improve expression of tLNP-delivered mRNA in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin M. Tilsed
- Center for Cellular Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | | | - Tyler E. Papp
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Phurin Areesawangkit
- Center for Cellular Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy (SiCORE-CIT), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok10700, Thailand
| | - Kenji Kimura
- Center for Cellular Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Estela Noguera-Ortega
- Center for Cellular Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - John Scholler
- Center for Cellular Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Nicholas Cerda
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | - Adrian Bot
- Capstan Therapeutics, San Diego, CA92121
| | - Barbara Mui
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BCV6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Ying Tam
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BCV6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Drew Weissman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Carl H. June
- Center for Cellular Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Steven M. Albelda
- Center for Cellular Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA19104
| | - Hamideh Parhiz
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chadda KR, Puthucheary Z. Persistent inflammation, immunosuppression, and catabolism syndrome (PICS): a review of definitions, potential therapies, and research priorities. Br J Anaesth 2024; 132:507-518. [PMID: 38177003 PMCID: PMC10870139 DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2023.11.052] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Persistent Inflammation, Immunosuppression, and Catabolism Syndrome (PICS) is a clinical endotype of chronic critical illness. PICS consists of a self-perpetuating cycle of ongoing organ dysfunction, inflammation, and catabolism resulting in sarcopenia, immunosuppression leading to recurrent infections, metabolic derangements, and changes in bone marrow function. There is heterogeneity regarding the definition of PICS. Currently, there are no licensed treatments specifically for PICS. However, findings can be extrapolated from studies in other conditions with similar features to repurpose drugs, and in animal models. Drugs that can restore immune homeostasis by stimulating lymphocyte production could have potential efficacy. Another treatment could be modifying myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) activation after day 14 when they are immunosuppressive. Drugs such as interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 receptor antagonists might reduce persistent inflammation, although they need to be given at specific time points to avoid adverse effects. Antioxidants could treat the oxidative stress caused by mitochondrial dysfunction in PICS. Possible anti-catabolic agents include testosterone, oxandrolone, IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1), bortezomib, and MURF1 (muscle RING-finger protein-1) inhibitors. Nutritional support strategies that could slow PICS progression include ketogenic feeding and probiotics. The field would benefit from a consensus definition of PICS using biologically based cut-off values. Future research should focus on expanding knowledge on underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of PICS to identify and validate other potential endotypes of chronic critical illness and subsequent treatable traits. There is unlikely to be a universal treatment for PICS, and a multimodal, timely, and personalised therapeutic strategy will be needed to improve outcomes for this growing cohort of patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karan R Chadda
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK; Homerton College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Birmingham Acute Care Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
| | - Zudin Puthucheary
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK; Adult Critical Care Unit, Royal London Hospital, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li X, Wu M, Lu J, Yu J, Chen D. Interleukin-21 as an adjuvant in cancer immunotherapy: Current advances and future directions. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189084. [PMID: 38354828 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189084] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment. However, it's well-recognized that a considerable proportion of patients fail to benefit from immunotherapy, and to improve immunotherapy response is clinically urgent. Insufficient immune infiltration and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments (TME) are main contributors to immunotherapy resistance. Thus sustaining functional self-renewal capacity for immune cells and subverting immune-suppressive signals are potential strategies for boosting the efficacy of immunotherapy. Interleukin-21 (IL-21), a crucial cytokine, which could enhance cytotoxic function of immune cells and reduces immunosuppressive cells enrichment in TME, shows promising orientations as an immunoadjuvant in tumor immunotherapy. This review focuses on IL-21 in cancer treatment, including function and mechanisms of IL-21, preclinical and clinical studies, and future directions for IL-21-assisted therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinyang Li
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China; Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Meng Wu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jie Lu
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jinming Yu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China; Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - Dawei Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Dinges SS, Amini K, Notarangelo LD, Delmonte OM. Primary and secondary defects of the thymus. Immunol Rev 2024; 322:178-211. [PMID: 38228406 PMCID: PMC10950553 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13306] [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] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
The thymus is the primary site of T-cell development, enabling generation, and selection of a diverse repertoire of T cells that recognize non-self, whilst remaining tolerant to self- antigens. Severe congenital disorders of thymic development (athymia) can be fatal if left untreated due to infections, and thymic tissue implantation is the only cure. While newborn screening for severe combined immune deficiency has allowed improved detection at birth of congenital athymia, thymic disorders acquired later in life are still underrecognized and assessing the quality of thymic function in such conditions remains a challenge. The thymus is sensitive to injury elicited from a variety of endogenous and exogenous factors, and its self-renewal capacity decreases with age. Secondary and age-related forms of thymic dysfunction may lead to an increased risk of infections, malignancy, and autoimmunity. Promising results have been obtained in preclinical models and clinical trials upon administration of soluble factors promoting thymic regeneration, but to date no therapy is approved for clinical use. In this review we provide a background on thymus development, function, and age-related involution. We discuss disease mechanisms, diagnostic, and therapeutic approaches for primary and secondary thymic defects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S. Dinges
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kayla Amini
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Luigi D. Notarangelo
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ottavia M. Delmonte
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Park JH, Lee SW, Choi D, Lee C, Sung YC. Harnessing the Power of IL-7 to Boost T Cell Immunity in Experimental and Clinical Immunotherapies. Immune Netw 2024; 24:e9. [PMID: 38455462 PMCID: PMC10917577 DOI: 10.4110/in.2024.24.e9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The cytokine IL-7 plays critical and nonredundant roles in T cell immunity so that the abundance and availability of IL-7 act as key regulatory mechanisms in T cell immunity. Importantly, IL-7 is not produced by T cells themselves but primarily by non-lymphoid lineage stromal cells and epithelial cells that are limited in their numbers. Thus, T cells depend on cell extrinsic IL-7, and the amount of in vivo IL-7 is considered a major factor in maximizing and maintaining the number of T cells in peripheral tissues. Moreover, IL-7 provides metabolic cues and promotes the survival of both naïve and memory T cells. Thus, IL-7 is also essential for the functional fitness of T cells. In this regard, there has been an extensive effort trying to increase the protein abundance of IL-7 in vivo, with the aim to augment T cell immunity and harness T cell functions in anti-tumor responses. Such approaches started under experimental animal models, but they recently culminated into clinical studies, with striking effects in re-establishing T cell immunity in immunocompromised patients, as well as boosting anti-tumor effects. Depending on the design, glycosylation, and the structure of recombinantly engineered IL-7 proteins and their mimetics, recombinant IL-7 molecules have shown dramatic differences in their stability, efficacy, cellular effects, and overall immune functions. The current review is aimed to summarize the past and present efforts in the field that led to clinical trials, and to highlight the therapeutical significance of IL-7 biology as a master regulator of T cell immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Hyun Park
- Experimental Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Seung-Woo Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Korea
| | - Donghoon Choi
- Research Institute of NeoImmune Tech., Co, Ltd., Bio Open Innovation Center, Pohang 37666, Korea
| | - Changhyung Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Korea
| | - Young Chul Sung
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Russell J, Chen L, Liu A, Wang J, Ghosh S, Zhong X, Shi H, Beutler B, Nair-Gill E. Lrp10 suppresses IL7R limiting CD8 T cell homeostatic expansion and anti-tumor immunity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.08.570738. [PMID: 38106103 PMCID: PMC10723380 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.08.570738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Signals emanating from the T cell receptor (TCR), co-stimulatory receptors, and cytokine receptors each influence CD8 T cell fate. Understanding how these signals respond to homeostatic and microenvironmental cues can reveal new ways to therapeutically direct T cell function. Through forward genetic screening in mice, we discovered that loss-of-function mutations in LDL receptor related protein 10 ( Lrp10 ) caused naïve and central memory CD8 T cells to accumulate in peripheral lymphoid organs. Lrp10 encodes a conserved cell surface protein of unknown immunological function. Lrp10 was induced with T cell activation and its expression post-translationally suppressed IL7 receptor (IL7R) levels. Accordingly, Lrp10 deletion enhanced T cell homeostatic expansion through IL7R signaling. Lrp10 -deficient mice were also intrinsically resistant to syngeneic tumors. This phenotype depended on dense tumor infiltration of CD8 T cells that displayed increased memory cell characteristics, reduced terminal exhaustion, and augmented responses to immune checkpoint inhibition. Here, we present Lrp10 as a new negative regulator of CD8 T cell homeostasis and a host factor that controls tumor resistance with implications for immunotherapy.
Collapse
|
11
|
Min H, Valente LA, Xu L, O'Neil SM, Begg LR, Kurtzberg J, Filiano AJ. Improving thymus implantation for congenital athymia with interleukin-7. Clin Transl Immunology 2023; 12:e1475. [PMID: 38020730 PMCID: PMC10665642 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Thymus implantation is a recently FDA-approved therapy for congenital athymia. Patients receiving thymus implantation develop a functional but incomplete T cell compartment. Our objective was to develop a mouse model to study clinical thymus implantation in congenital athymia and to optimise implantation procedures to maximise T cell education and expansion of naïve T cells. Methods Using Foxn1 nu athymic mice as recipients, we tested MHC-matched and -mismatched donor thymi that were implanted as fresh tissue or cultured to remove donor T cells. We first implanted thymus under the kidney capsule and then optimised intramuscular implantation. Using competitive adoptive transfer assays, we investigated whether the failure of newly developed T cells to expand into a complete T cell compartment was because of intrinsic deficits or whether there were deficits in engaging MHC molecules in the periphery. Finally, we tested whether recombinant IL-7 would promote the expansion of host naïve T cells educated by the implanted thymus. Results We determined that thymus implants in Foxn1 nu athymic mice mimic many aspects of clinical thymus implants in patients with congenital athymia. When we implanted cultured, MHC-mismatched donor thymus into Foxn1 nu athymic mice, mice developed a limited T cell compartment with notably underdeveloped naïve populations and overrepresented memory-like T cells. Newly generated T cells were predominantly educated by MHC molecules expressed by the donor thymus, thus potentially undergoing another round of selection once in the peripheral circulation. Using competitive adoptive transfer assays, we compared expansion rates of T cells educated on donor thymus versus T cells educated during typical thymopoiesis in MHC-matched and -mismatched environments. Once in the circulation, regardless of the MHC haplotypes, T cells educated on a donor thymus underwent abnormal expansion with initially more robust proliferation coupled with greater cell death, resembling IL-7 independent spontaneous expansion. Treating implanted mice with recombinant interleukin (IL-7) promoted homeostatic expansion that improved T cell development, expanded the T cell receptor repertoire, and normalised the naïve T cell compartment. Conclusion We conclude that implanting cultured thymus into the muscle of Foxn1 nu athymic mice is an appropriate system to study thymus implantation for congenital athymia and immunodeficiencies. T cells are educated by the donor thymus, yet naïve T cells have deficits in expansion. IL-7 greatly improves T cell development after thymus implantation and may offer a novel strategy to improve outcomes of clinical thymus implantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyunjung Min
- Marcus Center for Cellular CuresDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | - Laura A Valente
- Marcus Center for Cellular CuresDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
- Department of PathologyDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | - Li Xu
- Marcus Center for Cellular CuresDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | - Shane M O'Neil
- Marcus Center for Cellular CuresDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | - Lauren R Begg
- Marcus Center for Cellular CuresDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | - Joanne Kurtzberg
- Marcus Center for Cellular CuresDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
- Department of PediatricsDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| | - Anthony J Filiano
- Marcus Center for Cellular CuresDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
- Department of PathologyDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
- Department of NeurosurgeryDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
- Department of ImmunologyDuke UniversityDurhamNCUSA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Gusev A. Germline mechanisms of immunotherapy toxicities in the era of genome-wide association studies. Immunol Rev 2023; 318:138-156. [PMID: 37515388 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13253] [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: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment of advanced cancers and is quickly becoming an option for early-stage disease. By reactivating the host immune system, immunotherapy harnesses patients' innate defenses to eradicate the tumor. By putatively similar mechanisms, immunotherapy can also substantially increase the risk of toxicities or immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Severe irAEs can lead to hospitalization, treatment discontinuation, lifelong immune complications, or even death. Many irAEs present with similar symptoms to heritable autoimmune diseases, suggesting that germline genetics may contribute to their onset. Recently, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of irAEs have identified common germline associations and putative mechanisms, lending support to this hypothesis. A wide range of well-established GWAS methods can potentially be harnessed to understand the etiology of irAEs specifically and immunotherapy outcomes broadly. This review summarizes current findings regarding germline effects on immunotherapy outcomes and discusses opportunities and challenges for leveraging germline genetics to understand, predict, and treat irAEs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Gusev
- Division of Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Genetics, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- The Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Hesari M, Attar Z, Soltani-Shirazi S, Keshavarzian O, Taheri R, Tabrizi R, Fouladseresht H. The Therapeutic Values of IL-7/IL-7R and the Recombinant Derivatives in Glioma: A Narrative Review. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2023; 43:319-334. [PMID: 37566474 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2023.0050] [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: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is essential for maintaining the immune system's defense functions by regulating the development and homeostasis of lymphocytes. Findings have shown the high efficacy of IL-7/IL-7 receptor (IL-7R)-based immunotherapy on various malignancies, with confirmation in both animal models and humans. In recent years, the progression-free survival and overall survival of patients suffering from gliomas significantly increased by introducing C7R-expressing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells and long-acting IL-7 agonists such as NT-I7 (rhIL-7-hyFc, Efineptakin alfa). However, the effect of IL-7-based immunotherapies on the resistance of tumor cells to chemotherapy (when used simultaneously with chemotherapy agents) is still ambiguous and requires further studies. This article first reviews the pathophysiological roles of IL-7/IL-7R in tumors, focusing on gliomas. Subsequently, it discusses the therapeutic values of IL-7/IL-7R and the recombinant derivatives in gliomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Zeinab Attar
- Recombinant Proteins Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Shakiba Soltani-Shirazi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | | | - Reza Taheri
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Reza Tabrizi
- Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
| | - Hamed Fouladseresht
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Ying H, Li ZQ, Li MP, Liu WC. Metabolism and senescence in the immune microenvironment of osteosarcoma: focus on new therapeutic strategies. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1217669. [PMID: 37497349 PMCID: PMC10366376 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1217669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma is a highly aggressive and metastatic malignant tumor. It has the highest incidence of all malignant bone tumors and is one of the most common solid tumors in children and adolescents. Osteosarcoma tissues are often richly infiltrated with inflammatory cells, including tumor-associated macrophages, lymphocytes, and dendritic cells, forming a complex immune microenvironment. The expression of immune checkpoint molecules is also high in osteosarcoma tissues, which may be involved in the mechanism of anti-tumor immune escape. Metabolism and senescence are closely related to the immune microenvironment, and disturbances in metabolism and senescence may have important effects on the immune microenvironment, thereby affecting immune cell function and immune responses. Metabolic modulation and anti-senescence therapy are gaining the attention of researchers as emerging immunotherapeutic strategies for tumors. Through an in-depth study of the interconnection of metabolism and anti- senescence in the tumor immune microenvironment and its regulatory mechanism on immune cell function and immune response, more precise therapeutic strategies can be developed. Combined with the screening and application of biomarkers, personalized treatment can be achieved to improve therapeutic efficacy and provide a scientific basis for clinical decision-making. Metabolic modulation and anti- senescence therapy can also be combined with other immunotherapy approaches, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and tumor vaccines, to form a multi-level and multi-dimensional immunotherapy strategy, thus further enhancing the effect of immunotherapy. Multidisciplinary cooperation and integrated treatment can optimize the treatment plan and maximize the survival rate and quality of life of patients. Future research and clinical practice will further advance this field, promising more effective treatment options for patients with osteosarcoma. In this review, we reviewed metabolic and senescence characteristics in the immune microenvironment of osteosarcoma and related immunotherapies, and provide a reference for development of more personalized and effective therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ying
- Department of Emergency Trauma Surgery, Ganzhou People’s Hospital, Ganzhou, China
- Department of Spine Surgery, Ganzhou People’s Hospital, Ganzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Li
- Department of Emergency Trauma Surgery, Ganzhou People’s Hospital, Ganzhou, China
- Department of Spine Surgery, Ganzhou People’s Hospital, Ganzhou, China
| | - Meng-Pan Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wen-Cai Liu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Daix T, Mathonnet A, Brakenridge S, Dequin PF, Mira JP, Berbille F, Morre M, Jeannet R, Blood T, Unsinger J, Blood J, Walton A, Moldawer LL, Hotchkiss R, François B. Intravenously administered interleukin-7 to reverse lymphopenia in patients with septic shock: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Ann Intensive Care 2023; 13:17. [PMID: 36906875 PMCID: PMC10008152 DOI: 10.1186/s13613-023-01109-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Profound lymphopenia is an independent predictor of adverse clinical outcomes in sepsis. Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is essential for lymphocyte proliferation and survival. A previous phase II study showed that CYT107, a glycosylated recombinant human IL-7, administered intramuscularly reversed sepsis-induced lymphopenia and improved lymphocyte function. Thepresent study evaluated intravenous administration of CYT107. This prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was designed to enroll 40 sepsis patients, randomized 3:1 to CYT107 (10 µg/kg) or placebo, for up to 90 days. RESULTS Twenty-one patients were enrolled (fifteen CYT107 group, six placebo group) at eight French and two US sites. The study was halted early because three of fifteen patients receiving intravenous CYT107 developed fever and respiratory distress approximately 5-8 h after drug administration. Intravenous administration of CYT107 resulted in a two-threefold increase in absolute lymphocyte counts (including in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells (all p < 0.05)) compared to placebo. This increase was similar to that seen with intramuscular administration of CYT107, was maintained throughout follow-up, reversed severe lymphopenia and was associated with increase in organ support free days (OSFD). However, intravenous CYT107 produced an approximately 100-fold increase in CYT107 blood concentration compared with intramuscular CYT107. No cytokine storm and no formation of antibodies to CYT107 were observed. CONCLUSION Intravenous CYT107 reversed sepsis-induced lymphopenia. However, compared to intramuscular CYT107 administration, it was associated with transient respiratory distress without long-term sequelae. Because of equivalent positive laboratory and clinical responses, more favorable pharmacokinetics, and better patient tolerability, intramuscular administration of CYT107 is preferable. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03821038. Registered 29 January 2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03821038?term=NCT03821038&draw=2&rank=1 .
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Daix
- Réanimation Polyvalente, INSERM CIC 1435 and UMR 1092, CHU Limoges, Limoges, France
| | | | - Scott Brakenridge
- Department of Surgery, Sepsis and Critical Illness Research Center, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Department of Surgery, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Pierre-François Dequin
- Médecine Intensive Réanimation, INSERM U1100 Centre d'Étude des Pathologies Respiratoires and INSERM CIC 1415, CHRU Tours and Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Jean-Paul Mira
- Réanimation Médicale, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, Groupe Hospitalier Universitaire de Paris Centre, Hôpital Cochin, and Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Robin Jeannet
- INSERM CIC 1435 and UMR CNRS 7276, INSERM 1262, CHU Limoges and Faculté de Médecine, Université de Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Teresa Blood
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jacqueline Unsinger
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jane Blood
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Andrew Walton
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Lyle L Moldawer
- Department of Surgery, Sepsis and Critical Illness Research Center, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Richard Hotchkiss
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Bruno François
- Réanimation Polyvalente, INSERM CIC 1435 and UMR 1092, CHU Limoges, Limoges, France.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Deckers J, Anbergen T, Hokke AM, de Dreu A, Schrijver DP, de Bruin K, Toner YC, Beldman TJ, Spangler JB, de Greef TFA, Grisoni F, van der Meel R, Joosten LAB, Merkx M, Netea MG, Mulder WJM. Engineering cytokine therapeutics. NATURE REVIEWS BIOENGINEERING 2023; 1:286-303. [PMID: 37064653 PMCID: PMC9933837 DOI: 10.1038/s44222-023-00030-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines have pivotal roles in immunity, making them attractive as therapeutics for a variety of immune-related disorders. However, the widespread clinical use of cytokines has been limited by their short blood half-lives and severe side effects caused by low specificity and unfavourable biodistribution. Innovations in bioengineering have aided in advancing our knowledge of cytokine biology and yielded new technologies for cytokine engineering. In this Review, we discuss how the development of bioanalytical methods, such as sequencing and high-resolution imaging combined with genetic techniques, have facilitated a better understanding of cytokine biology. We then present an overview of therapeutics arising from cytokine re-engineering, targeting and delivery, mRNA therapeutics and cell therapy. We also highlight the application of these strategies to adjust the immunological imbalance in different immune-mediated disorders, including cancer, infection and autoimmune diseases. Finally, we look ahead to the hurdles that must be overcome before cytokine therapeutics can live up to their full potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen Deckers
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious diseases (RCI), Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Tom Anbergen
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious diseases (RCI), Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Ayla M. Hokke
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Anne de Dreu
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - David P. Schrijver
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Koen de Bruin
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Yohana C. Toner
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious diseases (RCI), Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Thijs J. Beldman
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious diseases (RCI), Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Jamie B. Spangler
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
- Translational Tissue Engineering Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Tom F. A. de Greef
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Centre for Living Technologies, Alliance Eindhoven University of Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Utrecht University and University Medical Center Utrecht (EWUU), Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Francesca Grisoni
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Centre for Living Technologies, Alliance Eindhoven University of Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Utrecht University and University Medical Center Utrecht (EWUU), Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Roy van der Meel
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Present Address: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Leo A. B. Joosten
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious diseases (RCI), Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Department of Medical Genetics, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Maarten Merkx
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Present Address: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Mihai G. Netea
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious diseases (RCI), Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Department for Genomics and Immunoregulation, Life and Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Willem J. M. Mulder
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious diseases (RCI), Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Present Address: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Swan SL, Mehta N, Ilich E, Shen SH, Wilkinson DS, Anderson AR, Segura T, Sanchez-Perez L, Sampson JH, Bellamkonda RV. IL7 and IL7 Flt3L co-expressing CAR T cells improve therapeutic efficacy in mouse EGFRvIII heterogeneous glioblastoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1085547. [PMID: 36817432 PMCID: PMC9936235 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1085547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy in glioblastoma faces many challenges including insufficient CAR T cell abundance and antigen-negative tumor cells evading targeting. Unfortunately, preclinical studies evaluating CAR T cells in glioblastoma focus on tumor models that express a single antigen, use immunocompromised animals, and/or pre-treat with lymphodepleting agents. While lymphodepletion enhances CAR T cell efficacy, it diminishes the endogenous immune system that has the potential for tumor eradication. Here, we engineered CAR T cells to express IL7 and/or Flt3L in 50% EGFRvIII-positive and -negative orthotopic tumors pre-conditioned with non-lymphodepleting irradiation. IL7 and IL7 Flt3L CAR T cells increased intratumoral CAR T cell abundance seven days after treatment. IL7 co-expression with Flt3L modestly increased conventional dendritic cells as well as the CD103+XCR1+ population known to have migratory and antigen cross-presenting capabilities. Treatment with IL7 or IL7 Flt3L CAR T cells improved overall survival to 67% and 50%, respectively, compared to 9% survival with conventional or Flt3L CAR T cells. We concluded that CAR T cells modified to express IL7 enhanced CAR T cell abundance and improved overall survival in EGFRvIII heterogeneous tumors pre-conditioned with non-lymphodepleting irradiation. Potentially IL7 or IL7 Flt3L CAR T cells can provide new opportunities to combine CAR T cells with other immunotherapies for the treatment of glioblastoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sheridan L Swan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Nalini Mehta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Ekaterina Ilich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Steven H Shen
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States.,The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States.,Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Daniel S Wilkinson
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Alexa R Anderson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Tatiana Segura
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.,Clinical Science Departments of Neurology and Dermatology, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Luis Sanchez-Perez
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States.,The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States.,Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - John H Sampson
- Duke Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program, Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States.,The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States.,Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States.,Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Ravi V Bellamkonda
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Hino C, Xu Y, Xiao J, Baylink DJ, Reeves ME, Cao H. The potential role of the thymus in immunotherapies for acute myeloid leukemia. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1102517. [PMID: 36814919 PMCID: PMC9940763 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1102517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the factors which shape T-lymphocyte immunity is critical for the development and application of future immunotherapeutic strategies in treating hematological malignancies. The thymus, a specialized central lymphoid organ, plays important roles in generating a diverse T lymphocyte repertoire during the infantile and juvenile stages of humans. However, age-associated thymic involution and diseases or treatment associated injury result in a decline in its continuous role in the maintenance of T cell-mediated anti-tumor/virus immunity. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy that mainly affects older adults, and the disease's progression is known to consist of an impaired immune surveillance including a reduction in naïve T cell output, a restriction in T cell receptor repertoire, and an increase in frequencies of regulatory T cells. As one of the most successful immunotherapies thus far developed for malignancy, T-cell-based adoptive cell therapies could be essential for the development of a durable effective treatment to eliminate residue leukemic cells (blasts) and prevent AML relapse. Thus, a detailed cellular and molecular landscape of how the adult thymus functions within the context of the AML microenvironment will provide new insights into both the immune-related pathogenesis and the regeneration of a functional immune system against leukemia in AML patients. Herein, we review the available evidence supporting the potential correlation between thymic dysfunction and T-lymphocyte impairment with the ontogeny of AML (II-VI). We then discuss how the thymus could impact current and future therapeutic approaches in AML (VII). Finally, we review various strategies to rejuvenate thymic function to improve the precision and efficacy of cancer immunotherapy (VIII).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Hino
- Department of Internal Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Yi Xu
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States.,Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States.,Loma Linda University Cancer Center, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Jeffrey Xiao
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - David J Baylink
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Mark E Reeves
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States.,Loma Linda University Cancer Center, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Huynh Cao
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States.,Loma Linda University Cancer Center, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Dhawan M, Rabaan AA, Fawarah MMA, Almuthree SA, Alsubki RA, Alfaraj AH, Mashraqi MM, Alshamrani SA, Abduljabbar WA, Alwashmi ASS, Ibrahim FA, Alsaleh AA, Khamis F, Alsalman J, Sharma M, Emran TB. Updated Insights into the T Cell-Mediated Immune Response against SARS-CoV-2: A Step towards Efficient and Reliable Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:101. [PMID: 36679947 PMCID: PMC9861463 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11010101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of novel variants of SARS-CoV-2 and their abilities to evade the immune response elicited through presently available vaccination makes it essential to recognize the mechanisms through which SARS-CoV-2 interacts with the human immune response. It is essential not only to comprehend the infection mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 but also for the generation of effective and reliable vaccines against COVID-19. The effectiveness of the vaccine is supported by the adaptive immune response, which mainly consists of B and T cells, which play a critical role in deciding the prognosis of the COVID-19 disease. T cells are essential for reducing the viral load and containing the infection. A plethora of viral proteins can be recognized by T cells and provide a broad range of protection, especially amid the emergence of novel variants of SARS-CoV-2. However, the hyperactivation of the effector T cells and reduced number of lymphocytes have been found to be the key characteristics of the severe disease. Notably, excessive T cell activation may cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) by producing unwarranted and excessive amounts of cytokines and chemokines. Nevertheless, it is still unknown how T-cell-mediated immune responses function in determining the prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, it is unknown how the functional perturbations in the T cells lead to the severe form of the disease and to reduced protection not only against SARS-CoV-2 but many other viral infections. Hence, an updated review has been developed to understand the involvement of T cells in the infection mechanism, which in turn determines the prognosis of the disease. Importantly, we have also focused on the T cells' exhaustion under certain conditions and how these functional perturbations can be modulated for an effective immune response against SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, a range of therapeutic strategies has been discussed that can elevate the T cell-mediated immune response either directly or indirectly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manish Dhawan
- Department of Microbiology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 141004, Punjab, India
- Trafford College, Altrincham, Manchester WA14 5PQ, UK
| | - Ali A. Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22610, Pakistan
| | - Mahmoud M. Al Fawarah
- Microbiology Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia
| | - Souad A. Almuthree
- Department of Infectious Disease, King Abdullah Medical City, Makkah 43442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Roua A. Alsubki
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11362, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal H. Alfaraj
- Pediatric Department, Abqaiq General Hospital, First Eastern Health Cluster, Abqaiq 33261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mutaib M. Mashraqi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh A. Alshamrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wesam A. Abduljabbar
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Fakeeh College for Medical Science, Jeddah 21134, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ameen S. S. Alwashmi
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatimah Al Ibrahim
- Infectious Disease Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Dammam Medical Complex, Dammam 32245, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmonem A. Alsaleh
- Clinical Laboratory Science Department, Mohammed Al-Mana College for Medical Sciences, Dammam 34222, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faryal Khamis
- Infection Diseases Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Royal Hospital, Muscat 1331, Oman
| | - Jameela Alsalman
- Infection Disease Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Bahrain, Manama 435, Bahrain
| | - Manish Sharma
- University Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, Punjab, India
| | - Talha Bin Emran
- Department of Pharmacy, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chittagong 4381, Bangladesh
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Kudling TV, Clubb JH, Quixabeira DC, Santos JM, Havunen R, Kononov A, Heiniö C, Cervera-Carrascon V, Pakola S, Basnet S, Grönberg-Vähä-Koskela S, Arias V, Gladwyn-Ng I, Aro K, Bäck L, Räsänen J, Ilonen I, Borenius K, Räsänen M, Hemminki O, Rannikko A, Kanerva A, Tapper J, Hemminki A. Local delivery of interleukin 7 with an oncolytic adenovirus activates tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and causes tumor regression. Oncoimmunology 2022; 11:2096572. [PMID: 35845722 PMCID: PMC9278414 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2022.2096572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytokines have proven to be effective for cancer therapy, however whilst low-dose monotherapy with cytokines provides limited therapeutic benefit, high-dose treatment can lead to a number of adverse events. Interleukin 7 has shown promising results in clinical trials, but anti-cancer effect was limited, in part due to a low concentration of the cytokine within the tumor. We hypothesized that arming an oncolytic adenovirus with Interleukin 7, enabling high expression localized to the tumor microenvironment, would overcome systemic delivery issues and improve therapeutic efficacy. We evaluated the effects of Ad5/3-E2F-d24-hIL7 (TILT-517) on tumor growth, immune cell activation and cytokine profiles in the tumor microenvironment using three clinically relevant animal models and ex vivo tumor cultures. Our data showed that local treatment of tumor bearing animals with Ad5/3- E2F-d24-hIL7 significantly decreased cancer growth and increased frequency of tumor-infiltrating cells. Ad5/3-E2F-d24-hIL7 promoted notable upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and concomitant activation and migration of CD4+ and CD8 + T cells. Interleukin 7 expression within the tumor was positively correlated with increased number of cytotoxic CD4+ cells and IFNg-producing CD4+ and CD8+ cells. These findings offer an approach to overcome the current limitations of conventional IL7 therapy and could therefore be translated to the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana V. Kudling
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - James H.A. Clubb
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dafne C.A. Quixabeira
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Joao M. Santos
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Riikka Havunen
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Alexander Kononov
- Systems Oncology Group, Cancer research UK, Manchester University, Manchester, UK
| | - Camilla Heiniö
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Victor Cervera-Carrascon
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Santeri Pakola
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Saru Basnet
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Susanna Grönberg-Vähä-Koskela
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Victor Arias
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Katri Aro
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki Head and Neck Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Leif Bäck
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki Head and Neck Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jari Räsänen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Heart and Lung Center, Helsinki University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilkka Ilonen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Heart and Lung Center, Helsinki University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kristian Borenius
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Heart and Lung Center, Helsinki University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikko Räsänen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Heart and Lung Center, Helsinki University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Otto Hemminki
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Urology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Antti Rannikko
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Urology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anna Kanerva
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Johanna Tapper
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Akseli Hemminki
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- TILT Biotherapeutics Ltd, Helsinki, Finland
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
IL-7: Comprehensive review. Cytokine 2022; 160:156049. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2022.156049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
|
22
|
Coupet CA, Dubois C, Evlachev A, Kehrer N, Baldazza M, Hofman S, Vierboom M, Martin P, Inchauspe G. Intravenous injection of a novel viral immunotherapy encoding human interleukin-7 in nonhuman primates is safe and increases absolute lymphocyte count. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2133914. [PMID: 36315906 PMCID: PMC9746448 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2133914] [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] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistence of an immunosuppression, affecting both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system, plays a role in sepsis patients' morbidity and late mortality pointing to the need for broad and effective immune interventions. MVA-hIL-7-Fc is a non-replicative recombinant Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara encoding the human interleukin-7 fused to human IgG2 Fc fragment. We have shown in murine sepsis models the capacity of this new virotherapy to stimulate both arms of the immune system and increase survival. Herein, an exploratory study in nonhuman primates was performed following a single intravenous injection of the MVA-hIL-7-Fc used at the clinical dose to assess its safety and biological activities. Four cynomolgus macaques were followed for 3 weeks post-injection (p.i), without observed acute adverse reactions. Circulating hIL-7-Fc was detected during the first 3-5 days p.i with a detection peaking at 12 h p.i. IL-7 receptor engagement and downstream signal transduction were detected in T cells demonstrating functionality of the expressed IL-7. Expansion of blood lymphocytes, mainly CD4 and CD8 naïve and central memory T cells, was observed on day 7 p.i. together with a transient increase of Ki67 expression on T lymphocytes. In addition, we observed an increase in circulating B and NK cells as well as monocytes were albeit with different kinetics and levels. This study indicates that a vectorized IL-7-Fc, injected by intravenous route at a relevant clinical dose in a large animal model, is active without adverse reactions supporting the clinical development of this novel virotherapy for treatment of sepsis patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nadine Kehrer
- Infectious Diseases Department, Transgene SA, Lyon, France
| | - Marie Baldazza
- Infectious Diseases Department, Transgene SA, Lyon, France
| | - Sam Hofman
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Michel Vierboom
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Perrine Martin
- Infectious Diseases Department, Transgene SA, Lyon, France
| | - Geneviève Inchauspe
- Infectious Diseases Department, Transgene SA, Lyon, France,CONTACT Geneviève Inchauspe Infectious Diseases department, Transgene SA, 317 Avenue Jean Jaures, Lyon69007, France
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Zhao Y, Wei K, Chi H, Xia Z, Li X. IL-7: A promising adjuvant ensuring effective T cell responses and memory in combination with cancer vaccines? Front Immunol 2022; 13:1022808. [PMID: 36389666 PMCID: PMC9650235 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1022808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer vaccines exhibit specificity, effectiveness, and safety as an alternative immunotherapeutic strategy to struggle against malignant diseases, especially with the rapid development of mRNA cancer vaccines in recent years. However, how to maintain long-term immune memory after vaccination, especially T cells memory, to fulfill lasting surveillance against cancers, is still a challenging issue for researchers all over the world. IL-7 is critical for the development, maintenance, and proliferation of T lymphocytes, highlighting its potential role as an adjuvant in the development of cancer vaccines. Here, we summarized the IL-7/IL-7 receptor signaling in the development of T lymphocytes, the biological function of IL-7 in the maintenance and survival of T lymphocytes, the performance of IL-7 in pre-clinical and clinical trials of cancer vaccines, and the rationale to apply IL-7 as an adjuvant in cancer vaccine-based therapeutic strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhao
- Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Kongyuan Wei
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hao Chi
- Clinical Medical Collage, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhijia Xia
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
- *Correspondence: Zhijia Xia, ; Xiaosong Li,
| | - Xiaosong Li
- Clinical Molecular Medicine Testing Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Zhijia Xia, ; Xiaosong Li,
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
A single administration of hIL-7-hyFc induces long-lasting T-cell expansion with maintained effector functions. Blood Adv 2022; 6:6093-6107. [PMID: 36206199 PMCID: PMC9772483 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021006591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is an essential cytokine for T-cell homeostatic proliferation and maintenance. Clinical studies have shown the potential benefits of IL-7 therapy in various diseases associated with lymphopenia. However, the kinetics of the T-cell response to a single administration of IL-7 in humans have not been fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the effects of Fc-fused long-acting recombinant human IL-7 (hIL-7-hyFc, efineptakin alfa) on lymphocytes in healthy adults after a single subcutaneous or intramuscular administration. Administration of hIL-7-hyFc increased the CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell numbers up to 2.5-fold, with corresponding upregulation of Ki-67 and Bcl-2 expression, peaking at day 3 or 7. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) did not expand. Among CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, all T-cell subsets (TN, TEM, TCM, TEMRA, and TSCM) increased for 56 days. The T-cell receptor repertoire diversity of naive CD8+ and CD4+ T cells was increased by hIL-7-hyFc, whereas the memory T-cell subsets did not differ between day 56 and day 0. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that hIL-7-hyFc induced robust T-cell expansion without changes in gene expression profiles associated with T-cell functions or genes related to T-cell exhaustion, senescence, and anergy. The effector functions of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells were preserved after hIL-7-hyFc administration. Our results suggest that hIL-7-hyFc administration induced a sustained increase in the numbers of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, but not Tregs, without qualitative changes. These results support the potential of hIL-7-hyFc as a treatment for patients with compromised T-cell immunity or as a vaccine adjuvant.
Collapse
|
25
|
Wang C, Kong L, Kim S, Lee S, Oh S, Jo S, Jang I, Kim TD. The Role of IL-7 and IL-7R in Cancer Pathophysiology and Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810412. [PMID: 36142322 PMCID: PMC9499417 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a multipotent cytokine that maintains the homeostasis of the immune system. IL-7 plays a vital role in T-cell development, proliferation, and differentiation, as well as in B cell maturation through the activation of the IL-7 receptor (IL-7R). IL-7 is closely associated with tumor development and has been used in cancer clinical research and therapy. In this review, we first summarize the roles of IL-7 and IL-7Rα and their downstream signaling pathways in immunity and cancer. Furthermore, we summarize and discuss the recent advances in the use of IL-7 and IL-7Rα as cancer immunotherapy tools and highlight their potential for therapeutic applications. This review will help in the development of cancer immunotherapy regimens based on IL-7 and IL-7Rα, and will also advance their exploitation as more effective and safe immunotherapy tools.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunli Wang
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Lingzu Kong
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
| | - Seokmin Kim
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
| | - Sunyoung Lee
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Sechan Oh
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
| | - Seona Jo
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
| | - Inhwan Jang
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
| | - Tae-Don Kim
- Immunotherapy Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Functional Genomics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Sun Y, Dong Y, Sun R, Liu Y, Wang Y, Luo H, Shi B, Jiang H, Li Z. Chimeric anti-GPC3 sFv-CD3ε receptor-modified T cells with IL7 co-expression for the treatment of solid tumors. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2022; 25:160-173. [PMID: 35572194 PMCID: PMC9065615 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting glypican-3 (GPC3) demonstrated early signs of therapeutic efficacy to hepatocellular carcinoma patients with a risk of cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Several adoptive cell therapies (ACTs) with T cells using the natural T cell receptor (TCR) signaling induced more efficient antitumor function and reduced cytokine production relative to CARs in solid tumors. To improve the efficacy and safety of GPC3-targeted ACTs, T cells were modified with anti-GPC3 single-chain fragment variable(sFv) linked to CD3ε, which could be incorporated into the entire TCR/CD3 complex to form chimeric sFv-CD3ε receptor (sFv-ε). sFv-ε T cells showed competitive antitumor activity and lower cytokine release compared to 28ζ or BBζ CAR T cells, which may be ascribed to moderately less activated Ca2+-calcineurin-NFAT signaling pathway. We further generated murine sFv-ε T cells with interleukin-7 co-expression (7sFv-ε) to promote T cell survival and to mobilize the endogenous immune system. In immunocompetent mouse models, 7sFv-ε T cells showed superior persistence, antitumor efficacy, and immunological memory while preserving the low production of cytokines associated with CRS compared to conventional sFv-ε T cells. These results indicate that GPC3-specific 7sFv-ε T cells could serve as a promising therapeutic strategy for solid tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yansha Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yiwei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ruixin Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yifan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yi Wang
- CARsgen Therapeutics, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hong Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Bizhi Shi
- CARsgen Therapeutics, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Hua Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China.,CARsgen Therapeutics, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Zonghai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China.,CARsgen Therapeutics, Shanghai 200032, China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Kim MY, Jayasinghe R, Devenport JM, Ritchey JK, Rettig MP, O'Neal J, Staser KW, Kennerly KM, Carter AJ, Gao F, Lee BH, Cooper ML, DiPersio JF. A long-acting interleukin-7, rhIL-7-hyFc, enhances CAR T cell expansion, persistence, and anti-tumor activity. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3296. [PMID: 35697686 PMCID: PMC9192727 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30860-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is routinely used to treat patients with refractory hematologic malignancies. However, a significant proportion of patients experience suboptimal CAR T cell cytotoxicity and persistence that can permit tumor cell escape and disease relapse. Here we show that a prototype pro-lymphoid growth factor is able to enhance CAR T cell efficacy. We demonstrate that a long-acting form of recombinant human interleukin-7 (IL-7) fused with hybrid Fc (rhIL-7-hyFc) promotes proliferation, persistence and cytotoxicity of human CAR T cells in xenogeneic mouse models, and murine CAR T cells in syngeneic mouse models, resulting in long-term tumor-free survival. Thus, rhIL-7-hyFc represents a tunable clinic-ready adjuvant for improving suboptimal CAR T cell activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Y Kim
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Reyka Jayasinghe
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jessica M Devenport
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Julie K Ritchey
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michael P Rettig
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Julie O'Neal
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Karl W Staser
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Krista M Kennerly
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Alun J Carter
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Feng Gao
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Matthew L Cooper
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - John F DiPersio
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Differences in Expression of Selected Interleukins in HIV-Infected Subjects Undergoing Antiretroviral Therapy. Viruses 2022; 14:v14050997. [PMID: 35632739 PMCID: PMC9144358 DOI: 10.3390/v14050997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) inhibits the replication of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and thus may affect the functioning of the immune system, e.g., induce changes in the expression of certain cytokines. The aim was to examine the effect of cART on the expression of selected cytokines: interleukin -4, -7 and -15 in HIV-infected subjects. The test material was the plasma of HIV-infected men and healthy men (C, control group). The levels of interleukin were measured by immunoenzymatic method before cART and one year after treatment in relation to the C group. HIV-infected men were analyzed in subgroups depending on the HIV-RNA viral load, CD4+ and CD8+T-cell counts, and the type of therapeutic regimen. A significantly higher level of IL-4 was demonstrated in HIV-infected men before cART compared to those after treatment and in the control group. The use of cART resulted in a significant decrease in the level of IL-7 in HIV-infected men; however, high levels of IL-7 were associated with a low number of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells. An increase in the level of IL-15 in HIV-infected men was noted after the use of cART. There was no difference in the expression of interleukins depending on the treatment regimen used. The study showed the effect of cART on the expression of interleukins, especially IL-4 and IL-7. Further research in this direction seems promising, confirming the role of these interleukins in the course of the disease.
Collapse
|
29
|
Emery A, Moore S, Turner JE, Campbell JP. Reframing How Physical Activity Reduces The Incidence of Clinically-Diagnosed Cancers: Appraising Exercise-Induced Immuno-Modulation As An Integral Mechanism. Front Oncol 2022; 12:788113. [PMID: 35359426 PMCID: PMC8964011 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.788113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Undertaking a high volume of physical activity is associated with reduced risk of a broad range of clinically diagnosed cancers. These findings, which imply that physical activity induces physiological changes that avert or suppress neoplastic activity, are supported by preclinical intervention studies in rodents demonstrating that structured regular exercise commonly represses tumour growth. In Part 1 of this review, we summarise epidemiology and preclinical evidence linking physical activity or regular structured exercise with reduced cancer risk or tumour growth. Despite abundant evidence that physical activity commonly exerts anti-cancer effects, the mechanism(s)-of-action responsible for these beneficial outcomes is undefined and remains subject to ongoing speculation. In Part 2, we outline why altered immune regulation from physical activity - specifically to T cells - is likely an integral mechanism. We do this by first explaining how physical activity appears to modulate the cancer immunoediting process. In doing so, we highlight that augmented elimination of immunogenic cancer cells predominantly leads to the containment of cancers in a 'precancerous' or 'covert' equilibrium state, thus reducing the incidence of clinically diagnosed cancers among physically active individuals. In seeking to understand how physical activity might augment T cell function to avert cancer outgrowth, in Part 3 we appraise how physical activity affects the determinants of a successful T cell response against immunogenic cancer cells. Using the cancer immunogram as a basis for this evaluation, we assess the effects of physical activity on: (i) general T cell status in blood, (ii) T cell infiltration to tissues, (iii) presence of immune checkpoints associated with T cell exhaustion and anergy, (iv) presence of inflammatory inhibitors of T cells and (v) presence of metabolic inhibitors of T cells. The extent to which physical activity alters these determinants to reduce the risk of clinically diagnosed cancers - and whether physical activity changes these determinants in an interconnected or unrelated manner - is unresolved. Accordingly, we analyse how physical activity might alter each determinant, and we show how these changes may interconnect to explain how physical activity alters T cell regulation to prevent cancer outgrowth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annabelle Emery
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Sally Moore
- Department of Haematology, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - James E Turner
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - John P Campbell
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
GM-CSF secreting leukemia cell vaccination for MDS/AML after allogeneic HSCT: a randomized, double-blinded, phase 2 trial. Blood Adv 2022; 6:2183-2194. [PMID: 34807983 PMCID: PMC9006263 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021006255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccination using irradiated, adenovirus transduced autologous myeloblasts to secrete granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GVAX) early after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can induce potent immune responses. We conducted a randomized phase 2 trial of GVAX after HSCT for myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts or relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia. Myeloblasts were harvested before HSCT to generate the vaccine. Randomization to GVAX vs placebo (1:1) was stratified according to disease, transplant center, and conditioning. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis included tacrolimus and methotrexate. GVAX or placebo vaccination was started between day 30 and 45 if there was engraftment and no GVHD. Vaccines were administered subcutaneously/intradermally weekly × 3, then every 2 weeks × 3. Tacrolimus taper began after vaccine completion. A total of 123 patients were enrolled, 92 proceeded to HSCT, and 57 (GVAX, n = 30; placebo, n = 27) received at least 1 vaccination. No Common Toxicity Criteria grade 3 or worse vaccine-related adverse events were reported, but injection site reactions were more common after GVAX (10 vs 1; P = .006). With a median follow-up of 39 months (range, 9-89 months), 18-month progression-free survival, overall survival, and relapse incidence were 53% vs 55% (P = .79), 63% vs 59% (P = .86), and 30% vs 37% (P = .51) for GVAX and placebo, respectively. Nonrelapse mortality at 18 months was 17% vs 7.7% (P = .18), grade II to IV acute GVHD at 12 months was 34% vs 12% (P = .13), and chronic GVHD at 3 years was 49% vs 57% for GVAX and placebo (P = .26). Reconstitution of T, B, and natural killer cells was not decreased or enhanced by GVAX. There were no differences in serum major histocompatibility chain-related protein A/B or other immune biomarkers between GVAX and placebo. GVAX does not improve survival after HSCT for myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01773395.
Collapse
|
31
|
Bertaina A, Abraham A, Bonfim C, Cohen S, Purtill D, Ruggeri A, Weiss D, Wynn R, Boelens JJ, Prockop S. An ISCT Stem Cell Engineering Committee Position Statement on Immune Reconstitution: the importance of predictable and modifiable milestones of immune reconstitution to transplant outcomes. Cytotherapy 2022; 24:385-392. [PMID: 35331394 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2021.09.011] [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: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is a potentially curative therapy for some malignant and non-malignant disease. There have been substantial advances since the approaches first introduced in the 1970s, and the development of approaches to transplant with HLA incompatible or alternative donors has improved access to transplant for those without a fully matched donor. However, success is still limited by morbidity and mortality from toxicity and imperfect disease control. Here we review our emerging understanding of how reconstitution of effective immunity after allogeneic transplant can protect from these events and improve outcomes. We provide perspective on milestones of immune reconstitution that are easily measured and modifiable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alice Bertaina
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, CETI, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Allistair Abraham
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Carmem Bonfim
- Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation Division, Hospital Pequeno Principe, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Sandra Cohen
- Université de Montréal and Maisonneuve Rosemont Hospital, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Duncan Purtill
- Department of Haematology, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | | | | | - Robert Wynn
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Jaap Jan Boelens
- Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Susan Prockop
- Stem Cell Transplant Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Mkhikian H, Hayama KL, Khachikyan K, Li C, Zhou RW, Pawling J, Klaus S, Tran PQN, Ly KM, Gong AD, Saryan H, Hai JL, Grigoryan D, Lee PL, Newton BL, Raffatellu M, Dennis JW, Demetriou M. Age-associated impairment of T cell immunity is linked to sex-dimorphic elevation of N-glycan branching. NATURE AGING 2022; 2:231-242. [PMID: 35528547 PMCID: PMC9075523 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-022-00187-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Impaired T cell immunity with aging increases mortality from infectious disease. The branching of Asparagine-linked glycans is a critical negative regulator of T cell immunity. Here we show that branching increases with age in females more than males, in naïve more than memory T cells, and in CD4+ more than CD8+ T cells. Female sex hormones and thymic output of naïve T cells (TN) decrease with age, however neither thymectomy nor ovariectomy altered branching. Interleukin-7 (IL-7) signaling was increased in old female more than male mouse TN cells, and triggered increased branching. N-acetylglucosamine, a rate-limiting metabolite for branching, increased with age in humans and synergized with IL-7 to raise branching. Reversing elevated branching rejuvenated T cell function and reduced severity of Salmonella infection in old female mice. These data suggest sex-dimorphic antagonistic pleiotropy, where IL-7 initially benefits immunity through TN maintenance but inhibits TN function by raising branching synergistically with age-dependent increases in N-acetylglucosamine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haik Mkhikian
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Ken L Hayama
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Khachik Khachikyan
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Carey Li
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Raymond W Zhou
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Judy Pawling
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Suzi Klaus
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Phuong Q N Tran
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Kim M Ly
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Andrew D Gong
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Hayk Saryan
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jasper L Hai
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - David Grigoryan
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Philip L Lee
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Barbara L Newton
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Manuela Raffatellu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems and Therapeutics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Center for Mucosal Immunology, Allergy, and Vaccines, Chiba University-UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - James W Dennis
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Demetriou
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Holder PG, Lim SA, Huang CS, Sharma P, Dagdas YS, Bulutoglu B, Sockolosky JT. Engineering interferons and interleukins for cancer immunotherapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 182:114112. [PMID: 35085624 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines are a class of potent immunoregulatory proteins that are secreted in response to various stimuli and act locally to regulate many aspects of human physiology and disease. Cytokines play important roles in cancer initiation, progression, and elimination, and thus, there is a long clinical history associated with the use of recombinant cytokines to treat cancer. However, the use of cytokines as therapeutics has been limited by cytokine pleiotropy, complex biology, poor drug-like properties, and severe dose-limiting toxicities. Nevertheless, cytokines are crucial mediators of innate and adaptive antitumor immunity and have the potential to enhance immunotherapeutic approaches to treat cancer. Development of immune checkpoint inhibitors and combination immunotherapies has reinvigorated interest in cytokines as therapeutics, and a variety of engineering approaches are emerging to improve the safety and effectiveness of cytokine immunotherapy. In this review we highlight recent advances in cytokine biology and engineering for cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
|
34
|
Outcome of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy treated by Interleukin‐ 7. Ann Neurol 2022; 91:496-505. [DOI: 10.1002/ana.26307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
|
35
|
Huang J, Long Z, Jia R, Wang M, Zhu D, Liu M, Chen S, Zhao X, Yang Q, Wu Y, Zhang S, Tian B, Mao S, Ou X, Sun D, Gao Q, Cheng A. The Broad Immunomodulatory Effects of IL-7 and Its Application In Vaccines. Front Immunol 2021; 12:680442. [PMID: 34956167 PMCID: PMC8702497 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.680442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is produced by stromal cells, keratinocytes, and epithelial cells in host tissues or tumors and exerts a wide range of immune effects mediated by the IL-7 receptor (IL-7R). IL-7 is primarily involved in regulating the development of B cells, T cells, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells via the JAK-STAT, PI3K-Akt, and MAPK pathways. This cytokine participates in the early generation of lymphocyte subsets and maintain the survival of all lymphocyte subsets; in particular, IL-7 is essential for orchestrating the rearrangement of immunoglobulin genes and T-cell receptor genes in precursor B and T cells, respectively. In addition, IL-7 can aid the activation of immune cells in anti-virus and anti-tumor immunity and plays important roles in the restoration of immune function. These biological functions of IL-7 make it an important molecular adjuvant to improve vaccine efficacy as it can promote and extend systemic immune responses against pathogens by prolonging lymphocyte survival, enhancing effector cell activity, and increasing antigen-specific memory cell production. This review focuses on the biological function and mechanism of IL-7 and summarizes its contribution towards improved vaccine efficacy. We hope to provide a thorough overview of this cytokine and provide strategies for the development of the future vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Huang
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhiyao Long
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Renyong Jia
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingshu Wang
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dekang Zhu
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mafeng Liu
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shun Chen
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinxin Zhao
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiao Yang
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Wu
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shaqiu Zhang
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bin Tian
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Sai Mao
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xumin Ou
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Di Sun
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qun Gao
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Anchun Cheng
- Research Center of Avian Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Chen D, Tang TX, Deng H, Yang XP, Tang ZH. Interleukin-7 Biology and Its Effects on Immune Cells: Mediator of Generation, Differentiation, Survival, and Homeostasis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:747324. [PMID: 34925323 PMCID: PMC8674869 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.747324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-7 (IL-7), a molecule known for its growth-promoting effects on progenitors of B cells, remains one of the most extensively studied cytokines. It plays a vital role in health maintenance and disease prevention, and the congenital deficiency of IL-7 signaling leads to profound immunodeficiency. IL-7 contributes to host defense by regulating the development and homeostasis of immune cells, including T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells. Clinical trials of recombinant IL-7 have demonstrated safety and potent immune reconstitution effects. In this article, we discuss IL-7 and its functions in immune cell development, drawing on a substantial body of knowledge regarding the biology of IL-7. We aim to answer some remaining questions about IL-7, providing insights essential for designing new strategies of immune intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deng Chen
- Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ting-Xuan Tang
- Class 1901, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hai Deng
- Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiang-Ping Yang
- Department of Immunology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhao-Hui Tang
- Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Cardinale A, De Luca CD, Locatelli F, Velardi E. Thymic Function and T-Cell Receptor Repertoire Diversity: Implications for Patient Response to Checkpoint Blockade Immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:752042. [PMID: 34899700 PMCID: PMC8652142 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.752042] [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: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The capacity of T cells to recognize and mount an immune response against tumor antigens depends on the large diversity of the T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire generated in the thymus during the process of T-cell development. However, this process is dramatically impaired by immunological insults, such as that caused by cytoreductive cancer therapies and infections, and by the physiological decline of thymic function with age. Defective thymic function and a skewed TCR repertoire can have significant clinical consequences. The presence of an adequate pool of T cells capable of recognizing specific tumor antigens is a prerequisite for the success of cancer immunotherapy using checkpoint blockade therapy. However, while this approach has improved the chances of survival of patients with different types of cancer, a large proportion of them do not respond. The limited response rate to checkpoint blockade therapy may be linked to a suboptimal TCR repertoire in cancer patients prior to therapy. Here, we focus on the role of the thymus in shaping the T-cell pool in health and disease, discuss how the TCR repertoire influences patients’ response to checkpoint blockade therapy and highlight approaches able to manipulate thymic function to enhance anti-tumor immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Cardinale
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | | | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.,Department of Maternal and Child Health, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Velardi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Visram A, Kourelis TV. Aging-associated immune system changes in multiple myeloma: The dark side of the moon. Cancer Treat Res Commun 2021; 29:100494. [PMID: 34837796 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2021.100494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a disease of the elderly. Changes that occur in the immune system with aging, also known as immunosenescence, have been associated with decreased tumor immunosurveillance and are thought to contribute to the development of MM and other cancers in the elderly. Once MM establishes itself in the bone marrow, immunosenescence related changes have been observed in the immune tumor microenvironment (iTME) and are driven by the malignant cells. The efficacy of novel immunotherapies used to treat MM has been blunted by detrimental iTME changes that occur at later disease stages and are, to some extent, driven by prior therapies. In this review, we discuss general changes that occur in the immune system with aging as well as our current knowledge of immunosenescence in MM. We discuss the differences and overlap between T cell senescence and exhaustion as well as potential methods to prevent or reverse immunosenescence. We focus predominantly on T cell immunosenescence which has been better evaluated in this disease and is more pertinent to novel MM immunotherapies. Our lack of understanding of the drivers of immunosenescence at each stage of the disease, from precursor stages to heavily pretreated MM, represents a major barrier to improving the efficacy of novel and existing therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alissa Visram
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN United States; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ontario, Canada
| | - Taxiarchis V Kourelis
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN United States.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Smith PL, Piadel K, Dalgleish AG. Directing T-Cell Immune Responses for Cancer Vaccination and Immunotherapy. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:1392. [PMID: 34960140 PMCID: PMC8708201 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9121392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer vaccination and immunotherapy revolutionised the treatment of cancer, a result of decades of research into the immune system in health and disease. However, despite recent breakthroughs in treating otherwise terminal cancer, only a minority of patients respond to cancer immunotherapy and some cancers are largely refractive to immunotherapy treatment. This is due to numerous issues intrinsic to the tumour, its microenvironment, or the immune system. CD4+ and CD8+ αβ T-cells emerged as the primary effector cells of the anti-tumour immune response but their function in cancer patients is often compromised. This review details the mechanisms by which T-cell responses are hindered in the setting of cancer and refractive to immunotherapy, and details many of the approaches under investigation to direct T-cell function and improve the efficacy of cancer vaccination and immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Lawrence Smith
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, St. Georges University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK; (K.P.); (A.G.D.)
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Xu J, Nie N, Wu B, Li Y, Gong L, Yao X, Zou X, Ouyang H. The personalized application of biomaterials based on age and sexuality specific immune responses. Biomaterials 2021; 278:121177. [PMID: 34653933 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.121177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Although biomaterials are widely utilized in clinics, it still follows the "one-fits-all" strategy. Biological variables such as age and sexuality have an impact on the host immune response and are not fully considered in the practice guidelines of the biomaterial implantation. In this study, we investigated the immuno-material interactions of six commonly used biomaterials (agarose, alginate, chitosan, CMC, GelMA and collagen type I) and constructed a population (with different ages and sexes) based transcriptome atlas. Protein and polysaccharide-based biomaterials elicited distinctive immune responses that protein-based materials preferred the NKT pathway to activate innate and adaptive immune response, whereas polysaccharide-based materials activated the cDCs to present antigen. The atlas further revealed the sex/age-related variabilities on the immune response followed by the polysaccharide treatment. As for sex bias, alginate and agarose stimulation significantly increased the proportion of naive CD4+ T cells in the female group, accompanied by the Th1 differentiation tendency, compared to the male group. Age-biased transcript showed alginate and chitosan would impair the extracellular matrix remodeling and up-regulate the apoptosis process in the elderly groups, compared to the young group. More attentions on the ingredient, age and sexuality effect of biomaterial implants should be paid during the clinical practice, especially for the polysaccharide-based materials. This experimental result is of great significance for the selection of biomaterials, particularly the blood contact materials, such as vessel or cardiac device, drug vehicles and hemostatic materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Xu
- Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nanfang Nie
- Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bingbing Wu
- Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, China
| | - Yu Li
- Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lin Gong
- Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xudong Yao
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, China
| | - Xiaohui Zou
- Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Hongwei Ouyang
- Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Department of Sports Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; China Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine Group (CORMed), Hangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Pietrobon V, Todd LA, Goswami A, Stefanson O, Yang Z, Marincola F. Improving CAR T-Cell Persistence. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910828. [PMID: 34639168 PMCID: PMC8509430 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade remarkable progress has been made in enhancing the efficacy of CAR T therapies. However, the clinical benefits are still limited, especially in solid tumors. Even in hematological settings, patients that respond to CAR T therapies remain at risk of relapsing due to several factors including poor T-cell expansion and lack of long-term persistence after adoptive transfer. This issue is even more evident in solid tumors, as the tumor microenvironment negatively influences the survival, infiltration, and activity of T-cells. Limited persistence remains a significant hindrance to the development of effective CAR T therapies due to several determinants, which are encountered from the cell manufacturing step and onwards. CAR design and ex vivo manipulation, including culture conditions, may play a pivotal role. Moreover, previous chemotherapy and lymphodepleting treatments may play a relevant role. In this review, the main causes for decreased persistence of CAR T-cells in patients will be discussed, focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying T-cell exhaustion. The approaches taken so far to overcome these limitations and to create exhaustion-resistant T-cells will be described. We will also examine the knowledge gained from several key clinical trials and highlight the molecular mechanisms determining T-cell stemness, as promoting stemness may represent an attractive approach to improve T-cell therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Violena Pietrobon
- Refuge Biotechnologies, Inc., Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA; (A.G.); (O.S.); (Z.Y.)
- Correspondence: (V.P.); (F.M.)
| | - Lauren Anne Todd
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada;
| | - Anghsumala Goswami
- Refuge Biotechnologies, Inc., Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA; (A.G.); (O.S.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Ofir Stefanson
- Refuge Biotechnologies, Inc., Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA; (A.G.); (O.S.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Zhifen Yang
- Refuge Biotechnologies, Inc., Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA; (A.G.); (O.S.); (Z.Y.)
| | - Francesco Marincola
- Kite Pharma, Inc., Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA
- Correspondence: (V.P.); (F.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Bekele Y, Sui Y, Berzofsky JA. IL-7 in SARS-CoV-2 Infection and as a Potential Vaccine Adjuvant. Front Immunol 2021; 12:737406. [PMID: 34603318 PMCID: PMC8484798 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.737406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
IL-7/IL-7R signaling is critical for development, maturation, maintenance and survival of many lymphocytes in the thymus and periphery. IL-7 has been used as immunotherapy in pre-clinical and clinical studies to treat cancer, HIV infection and sepsis. Here, we discuss the critical function of IL-7 in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of COVID-19 patients. We also summarize a promising role of IL-7 as a vaccine adjuvant. It could potentially enhance the immune responses to vaccines especially against SARS-CoV-2 or other new vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yonas Bekele
- Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Yongjun Sui
- Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jay A Berzofsky
- Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Duah M, Li L, Shen J, Lan Q, Pan B, Xu K. Thymus Degeneration and Regeneration. Front Immunol 2021; 12:706244. [PMID: 34539637 PMCID: PMC8442952 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.706244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune system’s ability to resist the invasion of foreign pathogens and the tolerance to self-antigens are primarily centered on the efficient functions of the various subsets of T lymphocytes. As the primary organ of thymopoiesis, the thymus performs a crucial role in generating a self-tolerant but diverse repertoire of T cell receptors and peripheral T cell pool, with the capacity to recognize a wide variety of antigens and for the surveillance of malignancies. However, cells in the thymus are fragile and sensitive to changes in the external environment and acute insults such as infections, chemo- and radiation-therapy, resulting in thymic injury and degeneration. Though the thymus has the capacity to self-regenerate, it is often insufficient to reconstitute an intact thymic function. Thymic dysfunction leads to an increased risk of opportunistic infections, tumor relapse, autoimmunity, and adverse clinical outcome. Thus, exploiting the mechanism of thymic regeneration would provide new therapeutic options for these settings. This review summarizes the thymus’s development, factors causing thymic injury, and the strategies for improving thymus regeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell Duah
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Lingling Li
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jingyi Shen
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Qiu Lan
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Bin Pan
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Kailin Xu
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Ducloux D, Legendre M, Bamoulid J, Saas P, Courivaud C, Crepin T. End-Stage Renal Disease-Related Accelerated Immune Senescence: Is Rejuvenation of the Immune System a Therapeutic Goal? Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:720402. [PMID: 34540869 PMCID: PMC8446427 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.720402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients exhibit clinical features of premature ageing, including frailty, cardiovascular disease, and muscle wasting. Accelerated ageing also concerns the immune system. Patients with ESRD have both immune senescence and chronic inflammation that are resumed in the so-called inflammaging syndrome. Immune senescence is particularly characterised by premature loss of thymic function that is associated with hyporesponsiveness to vaccines, susceptibility to infections, and death. ESRD-related chronic inflammation has multiple causes and participates to accelerated cardiovascular disease. Although, both characterisation of immune senescence and its consequences are relatively well-known, mechanisms are more uncertain. However, prevention of immune senescence/inflammation or/and rejuvenation of the immune system are major goal to ameliorate clinical outcomes of ESRD patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Didier Ducloux
- Inserm, UMR1098, Federation Hospitalo-Universitaire INCREASE, Besançon, France.,University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, LabEx LipSTIC, Besançon, France.,Structure Fédérative de Recherche, SFR FED4234, Besançon, France.,CHU Besançon, Department of Nephrology, Dialysis, and Renal Transplantation, Besançon, France
| | - Mathieu Legendre
- Inserm, UMR1098, Federation Hospitalo-Universitaire INCREASE, Besançon, France.,University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, LabEx LipSTIC, Besançon, France
| | - Jamal Bamoulid
- Inserm, UMR1098, Federation Hospitalo-Universitaire INCREASE, Besançon, France.,University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, LabEx LipSTIC, Besançon, France.,Structure Fédérative de Recherche, SFR FED4234, Besançon, France.,CHU Besançon, Department of Nephrology, Dialysis, and Renal Transplantation, Besançon, France
| | - Philippe Saas
- Inserm, UMR1098, Federation Hospitalo-Universitaire INCREASE, Besançon, France.,University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, LabEx LipSTIC, Besançon, France.,Structure Fédérative de Recherche, SFR FED4234, Besançon, France.,EFS Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Plateforme de Biomonitoring, CIC 1431/UMR1098, Besançon, France
| | - Cécile Courivaud
- Inserm, UMR1098, Federation Hospitalo-Universitaire INCREASE, Besançon, France.,University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, LabEx LipSTIC, Besançon, France.,Structure Fédérative de Recherche, SFR FED4234, Besançon, France.,CHU Besançon, Department of Nephrology, Dialysis, and Renal Transplantation, Besançon, France
| | - Thomas Crepin
- Inserm, UMR1098, Federation Hospitalo-Universitaire INCREASE, Besançon, France.,CHU Besançon, Department of Nephrology, Dialysis, and Renal Transplantation, Besançon, France
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Aloufi NA, Ali AK, Burke Schinkel SC, Molyer B, Barros PO, McBane JE, Lee SH, Angel JB. Soluble CD127 potentiates IL-7 activity in vivo in healthy mice. IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE 2021; 9:1798-1808. [PMID: 34525268 PMCID: PMC8589376 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Soluble forms of cytokine receptors can be involved in the endogenous regulation of cytokine activity. Soluble interleukin 7 receptor α (sCD127) naturally binds IL‐7, therefore there is interest in its potential application as an immunotherapeutic agent to regulate IL‐7. With the hypothesis that sCD127 enhances IL‐7 activity, thus promoting T‐cell proliferation in vivo, we sought to assess the effect of sCD127, IL‐7 or IL‐7 + sCD127 treatment on CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cells in the blood and spleen of mice. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells and splenocytes were prepared, and analyzed for T‐cell number, phenotype and proliferation (Ki67+) by flow cytometry. Results IL‐7 treatment induced T‐cell proliferation, increased T‐cell number, and triggered T‐cell differentiation each of which was enhanced with the addition of sCD127. IL‐7 + sCD127 treatment significantly increased spleen weight over that seen with IL‐7 treatment alone. More pronounced proliferation and a greater increase in cell number was observed in CD8+ T‐cells relative to the effect on CD4+ T‐cells. Conclusions These findings suggest that the addition of sCD127 enhances IL‐7‐mediated T‐cell proliferation and suggests a potential therapeutic use for sCD127.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nawaf A Aloufi
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Chronic Diseases Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alaa K Ali
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Bengisu Molyer
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Chronic Diseases Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Priscila O Barros
- Chronic Diseases Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joanne E McBane
- Chronic Diseases Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Seung-Hwan Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathan B Angel
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Chronic Diseases Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Vandooren J, Pereira RVS, Ugarte-Berzal E, Rybakin V, Noppen S, Stas MR, Bernaerts E, Ganseman E, Metzemaekers M, Schols D, Proost P, Opdenakker G. Internal Disulfide Bonding and Glycosylation of Interleukin-7 Protect Against Proteolytic Inactivation by Neutrophil Metalloproteinases and Serine Proteases. Front Immunol 2021; 12:701739. [PMID: 34276694 PMCID: PMC8278288 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.701739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin 7 (IL-7) is a cell growth factor with a central role in normal T cell development, survival and differentiation. The lack of IL-7–IL-7 receptor(R)-mediated signaling compromises lymphoid development, whereas increased signaling activity contributes to the development of chronic inflammation, cancer and autoimmunity. Gain-of-function alterations of the IL-7R and the signaling through Janus kinases (JAKs) and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) are enriched in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and autocrine production of IL-7 by T-ALL cells is involved in the phenotypes of leukemic initiation and oncogenic spreading. Several IL-7-associated pathologies are also characterized by increased presence of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), due to neutrophil degranulation and its regulated production by other cell types. Since proteases secreted by neutrophils are known to modulate the activity of many cytokines, we investigated the interactions between IL-7, MMP-9 and several other neutrophil-derived proteases. We demonstrated that MMP-9 efficiently cleaved human IL-7 in the exposed loop between the α-helices C and D and that this process is delayed by IL-7 N-linked glycosylation. Functionally, the proteolytic cleavage of IL-7 did not influence IL-7Rα binding and internalization nor the direct pro-proliferative effects of IL-7 on a T-ALL cell line (HPB-ALL) or in primary CD8+ human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. A comparable effect was observed for the neutrophil serine proteases neutrophil elastase, proteinase 3 and combinations of neutrophil proteases. Hence, glycosylation and disulfide bonding as two posttranslational modifications influence IL-7 bioavailability in the human species: glycosylation protects against proteolysis, whereas internal cysteine bridging under physiological redox state keeps the IL-7 conformations as active proteoforms. Finally, we showed that mouse IL-7 does not contain the protease-sensitive loop and, consequently, was not cleaved by MMP-9. With the latter finding we discovered differences in IL-7 biology between the human and mouse species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Vandooren
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Rega Institute for Medical Research/KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rafaela Vaz Sousa Pereira
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Rega Institute for Medical Research/KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Estefania Ugarte-Berzal
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Rega Institute for Medical Research/KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Vasily Rybakin
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Rega Institute for Medical Research/KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sam Noppen
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research/KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Melissa R Stas
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Rega Institute for Medical Research/KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Eline Bernaerts
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Rega Institute for Medical Research/KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Eva Ganseman
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research/KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mieke Metzemaekers
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research/KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dominique Schols
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Rega Institute for Medical Research/KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paul Proost
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research/KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ghislain Opdenakker
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Rega Institute for Medical Research/KU Leuven, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Bell M, Gottschalk S. Engineered Cytokine Signaling to Improve CAR T Cell Effector Function. Front Immunol 2021; 12:684642. [PMID: 34177932 PMCID: PMC8220823 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.684642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy with T cells genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) is a promising approach to improve outcomes for cancer patients. While CAR T cell therapy is effective for hematological malignancies, there is a need to improve the efficacy of this therapeutic approach for patients with solid tumors and brain tumors. At present, several approaches are being pursued to improve the antitumor activity of CAR T cells including i) targeting multiple antigens, ii) improving T cell expansion/persistence, iii) enhancing homing to tumor sites, and iv) rendering CAR T cells resistant to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Augmenting signal 3 of T cell activation by transgenic expression of cytokines or engineered cytokine receptors has emerged as a promising strategy since it not only improves CAR T cell expansion/persistence but also their ability to function in the immunosuppressive TME. In this review, we will provide an overview of cytokine biology and highlight genetic approaches that are actively being pursued to augment cytokine signaling in CAR T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Bell
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Stephen Gottschalk
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Mittelbrunn M, Kroemer G. Hallmarks of T cell aging. Nat Immunol 2021; 22:687-698. [PMID: 33986548 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-021-00927-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The aged adaptive immune system is characterized by progressive dysfunction as well as increased autoimmunity. This decline is responsible for elevated susceptibility to infection and cancer, as well as decreased vaccination efficacy. Recent evidence indicates that CD4+ T cell-intrinsic alteratins contribute to chronic inflammation and are sufficient to accelerate an organism-wide aging phenotype, supporting the idea that T cell aging plays a major role in body-wide deterioration. In this Review, we propose ten molecular hallmarks to represent common denominators of T cell aging. These hallmarks are grouped into four primary hallmarks (thymic involution, mitochondrial dysfunction, genetic and epigenetic alterations, and loss of proteostasis) and four secondary hallmarks (reduction of the TCR repertoire, naive-memory imbalance, T cell senescence, and lack of effector plasticity), and together they explain the manifestation of the two integrative hallmarks (immunodeficiency and inflammaging). A major challenge now is weighing the relative impact of these hallmarks on T cell aging and understanding their interconnections, with the final goal of defining molecular targets for interventions in the aging process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mittelbrunn
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain. .,Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBMSO), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Equipe labellisée par la Ligue contre le cancer, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, Inserm U1138, Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France. .,Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France. .,Pôle de Biologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France. .,Suzhou Institute for Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Suzhou, China. .,Karolinska Institute, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
IL-7 coupled with IL-12 increases intratumoral T cell clonality, leading to complete regression of non-immunogenic tumors. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 70:3557-3571. [PMID: 33909103 PMCID: PMC8571137 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-02947-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors against PD-1, PD-L1 and CTLA-4 have altered the treatment paradigm for various types of cancers in the past decade. However, they offer clinical benefits to only a subset of patients. Evaluation and identification of an appropriate therapeutic approach to improve intratumoral immune status are needed for better treatment outcomes. We previously demonstrated that intratumoral expression of IL-7 and IL-12 increased tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in poorly immunogenic tumors, resulting in a higher tumor regression rate than IL-12 alone. However, the mechanism underlying the difference in efficacy with and without IL-7 remains unclear. Here, we identified a previously unknown effect of IL-7 on the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire of intratumoral CD8+ T cells, which is induced in the presence of IL-12. While IL-7 alone increased the diversity of intratumoral CD8+ T cells, IL-7 with IL-12 increased a limited number of high-frequency clones, conversely augmenting IL-12 function to increase the clonality. The proportion of mice with multiple high-frequency clones in tumors correlated with that achieving complete tumor regression in efficacy studies. These findings provide a scientific rationale for combining IL-7 and IL-12 in anticancer immunotherapy and unveil a novel IL-7 function on intratumoral TCR repertoire.
Collapse
|
50
|
Darden DB, Kelly LS, Fenner BP, Moldawer LL, Mohr AM, Efron PA. Dysregulated Immunity and Immunotherapy after Sepsis. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10081742. [PMID: 33920518 PMCID: PMC8073536 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10081742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Implementation of protocolized surveillance, diagnosis, and management of septic patients, and of surgical sepsis patients in particular, is shown to result in significantly increased numbers of patients surviving their initial hospitalization. Currently, most surgical sepsis patients will rapidly recover from sepsis; however, many patients will not rapidly recover, but instead will go on to develop chronic critical illness (CCI) and experience dismal long-term outcomes. The elderly and comorbid patient is highly susceptible to death or CCI after sepsis. Here, we review aspects of the Persistent Inflammation, Immunosuppression, and Catabolism Syndrome (PICS) endotype to explain the underlying pathobiology of a dysregulated immune system in sepsis survivors who develop CCI; then, we explore targets for immunomodulatory therapy.
Collapse
|