Evaristo C, Spranger S, Barnes SE, Miller ML, Molinero LL, Locke FL, Gajewski TF, Alegre ML. Cutting Edge: Engineering Active IKKβ in T Cells Drives Tumor Rejection.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2016;
196:2933-8. [PMID:
26903482 PMCID:
PMC4799771 DOI:
10.4049/jimmunol.1501144]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Acquired dysfunction of tumor-reactive T cells is one mechanism by which tumors can evade the immune system. Identifying and correcting pathways that contribute to such dysfunction should enable novel anticancer therapy design. During cancer growth, T cells show reduced NF-κB activity, which is required for tumor rejection. Impaired T cell-intrinsic NF-κB may create a vicious cycle conducive to tumor progression and further T cell dysfunction. We hypothesized that forcing T cell-intrinsic NF-κB activation might break this cycle and induce tumor elimination. NF-κB was activated in T cells by inducing the expression of a constitutively active form of the upstream activator IκB kinase β (IKKβ). T cell-restricted constitutively active IKKβ augmented the frequency of functional tumor-specific CD8(+) T cells and improved tumor control. Transfer of constitutively active IKKβ-transduced T cells also boosted endogenous T cell responses that controlled pre-established tumors. Our results demonstrate that driving T cell-intrinsic NF-κB can result in tumor control, thus identifying a pathway with potential clinical applicability.
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