1
|
Wu Y, Liang X, Sun Y, Ning J, Dai Y, Jin S, Xu Y, Chen S, Pan L. A general pHLA-CD80 scaffold fusion protein to promote efficient antigen-specific T cell-based immunotherapy. MOLECULAR THERAPY. ONCOLOGY 2024; 32:200827. [PMID: 39027379 PMCID: PMC11255371 DOI: 10.1016/j.omton.2024.200827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Inadequate antigen-specific T cells activation hampers immunotherapy due to complex antigen presentation. In addition, therapeutic in vivo T cell expansion is constrained by slow expansion rates and limited functionality. Herein, we introduce a model fusion protein termed antigen-presenting cell-mimic fusion protein (APC-mimic), designed to greatly mimicking the natural antigen presentation pattern of antigen-presenting cells and directly expand T cells both in vitro and in vivo. The APC-mimic comprises the cognate peptide-human leukocyte antigen (pHLA) complex and the co-stimulatory marker CD80, which are natural ligands on APCs. Following a single stimulation, APC-mimic leads to an approximately 400-fold increase in the polyclonal expansion of antigen-specific T cells compared with the untreated group in vitro without the requirement for specialized antigen-presenting cells. Through the combination of single-cell TCR sequencing (scTCR-seq) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we identify an approximately 600-fold monoclonal expansion clonotype among these polyclonal clonotypes. It also exhibits suitability for in vivo applications confirmed in the OT-1 mouse model. Furthermore, T cells expanded by APC-mimic effectively inhibits tumor growth in adoptive cell transfer (ACT) murine models. These findings pave the way for the versatile APC-mimic platform for personalized therapeutics, enabling direct expansion of polyfunctional antigen-specific T cell subsets in vitro and in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiao Liang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yanping Sun
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jiangtao Ning
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yukun Dai
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shijie Jin
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yingchun Xu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shuqing Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Department of Precision Medicine on Tumor Therapeutics, ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Hangzhou 311200, China
| | - Liqiang Pan
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Klein C, Brinkmann U, Reichert JM, Kontermann RE. The present and future of bispecific antibodies for cancer therapy. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024; 23:301-319. [PMID: 38448606 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-024-00896-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) enable novel mechanisms of action and/or therapeutic applications that cannot be achieved using conventional IgG-based antibodies. Consequently, development of these molecules has garnered substantial interest in the past decade and, as of the end of 2023, 14 bsAbs have been approved: 11 for the treatment of cancer and 3 for non-oncology indications. bsAbs are available in different formats, address different targets and mediate anticancer function via different molecular mechanisms. Here, we provide an overview of recent developments in the field of bsAbs for cancer therapy. We focus on bsAbs that are approved or in clinical development, including bsAb-mediated dual modulators of signalling pathways, tumour-targeted receptor agonists, bsAb-drug conjugates, bispecific T cell, natural killer cell and innate immune cell engagers, and bispecific checkpoint inhibitors and co-stimulators. Finally, we provide an outlook into next-generation bsAbs in earlier stages of development, including trispecifics, bsAb prodrugs, bsAbs that induce degradation of tumour targets and bsAbs acting as cytokine mimetics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Klein
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland.
| | - Ulrich Brinkmann
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich, Penzberg, Germany
| | | | - Roland E Kontermann
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Britsch I, van Wijngaarden AP, Helfrich W. Applications of Anti-Cytomegalovirus T Cells for Cancer (Immuno)Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3767. [PMID: 37568582 PMCID: PMC10416821 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153767] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) is highly prevalent in the general population and largely controlled by CD8pos T cells. Intriguingly, anti-CMV T cells accumulate over time to extraordinarily high numbers, are frequently present as tumor-resident 'bystander' T cells, and remain functional in cancer patients. Consequently, various strategies for redirecting anti-CMV CD8pos T cells to eliminate cancer cells are currently being developed. Here, we provide an overview of these strategies including immunogenic CMV peptide-loading onto endogenous HLA complexes on cancer cells and the use of tumor-directed fusion proteins containing a preassembled CMV peptide/HLA-I complex. Additionally, we discuss conveying the advantageous characteristics of anti-CMV T cells in adoptive cell therapy. Utilization of anti-CMV CD8pos T cells to generate CAR T cells promotes their in vivo persistence and expansion due to appropriate co-stimulation through the endogenous (CMV-)TCR signaling complex. Designing TCR-engineered T cells is more challenging, as the artificial and endogenous TCR compete for expression. Moreover, the use of expanded/reactivated anti-CMV T cells to target CMV peptide-expressing glioblastomas is discussed. This review highlights the most important findings and compares the benefits, disadvantages, and challenges of each strategy. Finally, we discuss how anti-CMV T cell therapies can be further improved to enhance treatment efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wijnand Helfrich
- Department of Surgery, Translational Surgical Oncology, University of Groningen, UMC Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands; (I.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Britsch I, van Wijngaarden AP, Ke X, Hendriks MA, Samplonius DF, Ploeg EM, Helfrich W. Novel Fab-peptide-HLA-I fusion proteins for redirecting pre-existing anti-CMV T cell immunity to selective eliminate carcinoma cells. Oncoimmunology 2023; 12:2207868. [PMID: 37180637 PMCID: PMC10173793 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2023.2207868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Typically, anticancer CD8pos T cells occur at low frequencies and become increasingly impaired in the tumor micro environment. In contrast, antiviral CD8pos T cells display a much higher polyclonality, frequency, and functionality. In particular, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection induces high numbers of 'inflationary' CD8pos T cells that remain lifelong abundantly present in CMV-seropositive subjects. Importantly, these so-called inflationary anti-CMV T cells increase with age, maintain a ready-to-go state, populate tumors, and do not become exhausted or senescent. Given these favorable attributes, we devised a novel series of recombinant Fab-peptide-HLA-I fusion proteins and coined them 'ReTARGs'. A ReTARG fusion protein consists of a high-affinity Fab antibody fragment directed to carcinoma-associated cell surface antigen EpCAM (or EGFR), fused in tandem with soluble HLA-I molecule/β2-microglobulin, genetically equipped with an immunodominant peptide derived from CMV proteins pp65 (or IE-1). Decoration with EpCAM-ReTARGpp65 rendered EpCAM-expressing primary patient-derived carcinoma cells highly sensitive to selective elimination by cognate anti-CMV CD8pos T cells. Importantly, this treatment did not induce excessive levels of proinflammatory T cell-secreted IFNγ. In contrast, analogous treatment with equimolar amounts of EpCAM/CD3-directed bispecific T-cell engager solitomab resulted in a massive release of IFNγ, a feature commonly associated with adverse cytokine-release syndrome. Combinatorial treatment with EpCAM-ReTARGpp65 and EGFR-ReTARGIE-1 strongly potentiated selective cancer cell elimination owing to the concerted action of the corresponding cognate anti-CMV CD8pos T cell clones. In conclusion, ReTARG fusion proteins may be useful as an alternative or complementary form of targeted cancer immunotherapy for 'cold' solid cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Britsch
- Department of Surgery, Laboratory for Translational Surgical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Anne P. van Wijngaarden
- Department of Surgery, Laboratory for Translational Surgical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Xiurong Ke
- Department of Surgery, Laboratory for Translational Surgical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mark. A.J.M. Hendriks
- Department of Surgery, Laboratory for Translational Surgical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Douwe F. Samplonius
- Department of Surgery, Laboratory for Translational Surgical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Emily M. Ploeg
- Department of Surgery, Laboratory for Translational Surgical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Wijnand Helfrich
- Department of Surgery, Laboratory for Translational Surgical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chen J, Huang C, Zhao W, Ren J, Ji F, Jia L. SnoopLigase Enables Highly Efficient Generation of C-C-Linked Bispecific Nanobodies Targeting TNF-α and IL-17A. Bioconjug Chem 2022; 33:1446-1455. [PMID: 35938675 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.2c00143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Bispecific antibodies (bis-Nbs) have been extensively developed since the concept was devised over the decades. Taking advantage of the superior characteristics of nanobodies, bis-Nbs exhibit an emerging tendency to become the new generation of research and diagnostic tools. Traditional strategies to connect the homo- or heterogeneous monomers are commonly applied, but there are still technical issues to generate the bispecific molecules as efficiently as designed. Here, we utilize SnoopLigase to directly tether the C terminus (C-C) of the tagged nanobodies against tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-17A (IL-17A). Under optimal conditions, the yield of C-C-linked bis-Nbs can reach as high as 70% due to the existence of SnoopLigase. The prepared bis-Nbs possessed similar or even higher affinity as the monomers and significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS) induced by TNF-α and IL-17A. This study provides an innovative route for using SnoopLigase to realize a highly efficient generation of C-C-linked bis-Nbs. The approach can be applied to different and multicomponent systems for their potential applications in disease diagnosis and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiewen Chen
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Imaging, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
| | - Chundong Huang
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Imaging, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Imaging, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
| | - Jun Ren
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Imaging, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
| | - Fangling Ji
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Imaging, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
| | - Lingyun Jia
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Imaging, School of Bioengineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Saikia A, Springer S. Peptide-MHC I complex stability measured by nanoscale differential scanning fluorimetry reveals molecular mechanism of thermal denaturation. Mol Immunol 2021; 136:73-81. [PMID: 34091103 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2021.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant major histocompatibility complex class I molecules are used in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in cancer immunotherapy, with many studies exploring their binding to antigenic peptides. Current techniques for kinetic peptide binding studies are hampered by high sample consumption, low throughput, interference with protein stability, and/or high background signal. Here, we validate nanoscale differential scanning fluorimetry (nanoDSF), a method using the tryptophan fluorescence of class I molecules, for class I/peptide binding, and we use it to determine the molecular mechanism of the thermal denaturation of HLA-A*02:01.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ankur Saikia
- Department of Life Science and Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Springer
- Department of Life Science and Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lee SY, Ko DH, Son MJ, Kim JA, Jung K, Kim YS. Affinity Maturation of a T-Cell Receptor-Like Antibody Specific for a Cytomegalovirus pp65-Derived Peptide Presented by HLA-A*02:01. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052349. [PMID: 33652936 PMCID: PMC7956451 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is widespread among adults (60–90%) and is usually undetected in healthy individuals without symptoms but can cause severe diseases in immunocompromised hosts. T-cell receptor (TCR)-like antibodies (Abs), which recognize complex antigens (peptide–MHC complex, pMHC) composed of MHC molecules with embedded short peptides derived from intracellular proteins, including pathogenic viral proteins, can serve as diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents. In this study, we aimed to engineer a TCR-like Ab specific for pMHC comprising a CMV pp65 protein-derived peptide (495NLVPMVATV503; hereafter, CMVpp65495-503) in complex with MHC-I molecule human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*02:01 (CMVpp65495-503/HLA-A*02:01) to increase affinity by sequential mutagenesis of complementarity-determining regions using yeast surface display technology. Compared with the parental Ab, the final generated Ab (C1-17) showed ~67-fold enhanced binding affinity (KD ≈ 5.2 nM) for the soluble pMHC, thereby detecting the cell surface-displayed CMVpp65495-503/HLA-A*02:01 complex with high sensitivity and exquisite specificity. Thus, the new high-affinity TCR-like Ab may be used for the detection and treatment of CMV infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Se-Young Lee
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Korea; (S.-Y.L.); (D.-H.K.); (M.-J.S.); (J.-A.K.)
| | - Deok-Han Ko
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Korea; (S.-Y.L.); (D.-H.K.); (M.-J.S.); (J.-A.K.)
| | - Min-Jeong Son
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Korea; (S.-Y.L.); (D.-H.K.); (M.-J.S.); (J.-A.K.)
| | - Jeong-Ah Kim
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Korea; (S.-Y.L.); (D.-H.K.); (M.-J.S.); (J.-A.K.)
| | - Keunok Jung
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea;
| | - Yong-Sung Kim
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Korea; (S.-Y.L.); (D.-H.K.); (M.-J.S.); (J.-A.K.)
- Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 16499, Korea;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-31-219-2662; Fax: +82-31-219-1610
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Fischer C, Munks MW, Hill AB, Kroczek RA, Bissinger S, Brand V, Schmittnaegel M, Imhof-Jung S, Hoffmann E, Herting F, Klein C, Knoetgen H. Vaccine-induced CD8 T cells are redirected with peptide-MHC class I-IgG antibody fusion proteins to eliminate tumor cells in vivo. MAbs 2020; 12:1834818. [PMID: 33151105 PMCID: PMC7668529 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2020.1834818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Simulating a viral infection in tumor cells is an attractive concept to eliminate tumor cells. We previously reported the molecular design and the in vitro potency of recombinant monoclonal antibodies fused to a virus-derived peptide MHC class I complex that bypass the peptide processing and MHC loading pathway and directly displays a viral peptide in an MHC class I complex on the tumor cell surface. Here, we show that a vaccination-induced single peptide-specific CD8 T cell response was sufficient to eliminate B16 melanoma tumor cells in vivo in a fully immunocompetent, syngeneic mouse tumor model when mice were treated with mouse pMHCI-IgGs fusion proteins targeting the mouse fibroblast activation protein. Tumor growth of small, established B16 lung metastases could be controlled. The pMHCI-IgG had similar potency as an analogous pan-CD3 T-cell bispecific antibody. In contrast to growth control of small tumors, none of the compounds controlled larger solid tumors of MC38 cancer cells, despite penetration of pMHCI-IgGs into the tumor tissue and clear attraction and activation of antigen-specific CD8 T cells inside the tumor. pMHCI-IgG can have a similar potency as classical pan-T-cell recruiting molecules. The results also highlight the need to better understand immune suppression in advanced solid tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Fischer
- Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich , Penzberg, Germany
| | - Michael W Munks
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University , Portland, OR, USA
| | - Ann B Hill
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University , Portland, OR, USA
| | | | - Stefan Bissinger
- Discovery Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Munich , Penzberg, Germany
| | - Verena Brand
- Discovery Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Munich , Penzberg, Germany
| | | | - Sabine Imhof-Jung
- Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich , Penzberg, Germany
| | - Eike Hoffmann
- Large Molecule Research, Roche Innovation Center Munich , Penzberg, Germany
| | - Frank Herting
- Discovery Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Munich , Penzberg, Germany
| | - Christian Klein
- Discovery Oncology, Roche Innovation Center Zurich , Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hendrik Knoetgen
- Therapeutic Modalities, Roche Innovation Center Basel , Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Jost C, Darowski D, Challier J, Pulko V, Hanisch LJ, Xu W, Mössner E, Bujotzek A, Klostermann S, Umana P, Kontermann RE, Klein C. CAR-J cells for antibody discovery and lead optimization of TCR-like immunoglobulins. MAbs 2020; 12:1840709. [PMID: 33136521 PMCID: PMC7646475 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2020.1840709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell bispecific antibodies (TCBs) are a novel class of engineered immunoglobulins that unite monovalent binding to the T-cell receptor (TCR) CD3e chain and bivalent binding to tumor-associated antigens in order to recruit and activate T-cells for tumor cell killing. In vivo, T-cell activation is usually initiated via the interaction of the TCR with the peptide-HLA complex formed by the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and peptides derived from intracellular proteins. TCR-like antibodies (TCRLs) that recognize pHLA-epitopes extend the target space of TCBs to peptides derived from intracellular proteins, such as those overexpressed during oncogenesis or created via mutations found in cancer. One challenge during lead identification of TCRL-TCBs is to identify TCRLs that specifically, and ideally exclusively, recognize the desired pHLA, but not unrelated pHLAs. In order to identify TCRLs suitable for TCRL-TCBs, large numbers of TCRLs have to be tested in the TCB format. Here, we propose a novel approach using chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to facilitate the identification of highly selective TCRLs. In this new so-called TCRL-CAR-J approach, TCRL-candidates are transduced as CARs into Jurkat reporter-cells, and subsequently assessed for their specificity profile. This work demonstrates that the CAR-J reporter-cell assay can be applied to predict the profile of TCRL-TCBs without the need to produce each candidate in the final TCB format. It is therefore useful in streamlining the identification of TCRL-TCBs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Jost
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development , Schlieren, Switzerland.,Athebio AG , Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Diana Darowski
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development , Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - John Challier
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development , Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Vesna Pulko
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development , Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Lydia J Hanisch
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development , Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Wei Xu
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development , Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Ekkehard Mössner
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development , Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Bujotzek
- Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development , Penzberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Klostermann
- Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development , Penzberg, Germany
| | - Pablo Umana
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development , Schlieren, Switzerland
| | | | - Christian Klein
- Roche Innovation Center Zurich, Roche Pharma Research & Early Development , Schlieren, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rosen BC, Pedreño-Lopez N, Ricciardi MJ, Reed JS, Sacha JB, Rakasz EG, Watkins DI. Rhesus Cytomegalovirus-Specific CD8 + Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Do Not Become Functionally Exhausted in Chronic SIVmac239 Infection. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1960. [PMID: 32922404 PMCID: PMC7457070 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) exert potent antiviral activity after HIV/SIV infection. However, efforts to harness the antiviral efficacy of CTLs for HIV/SIV prophylaxis and therapy have been severely hindered by two major problems: viral escape and exhaustion. By contrast, CTLs directed against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a ubiquitous chronic herpesvirus, seldom select for escape mutations and remain functional and refractory to exhaustion during chronic HCMV and HIV infection. Recently, attempts have been made to retarget HCMV-specific CTLs for cancer immunotherapy. We speculate that such a strategy may also be beneficial in the context of HIV/SIV infection, facilitating CTL-mediated control of HIV/SIV replication. As a preliminary assessment of the validity of this approach, we investigated the phenotypes and functionality of rhesus CMV (RhCMV)-specific CTLs in SIVmac239-infected Indian rhesus macaques (RMs), a crucial HIV animal model system. We recently identified two immunodominant, Mamu-A∗02-restricted CTL epitopes derived from RhCMV proteins and sought to evaluate the phenotypic and functional characteristics of these CTL populations in chronic SIVmac239 infection. We analyzed and directly compared RhCMV- and SIVmac239-specific CTLs during SIVmac239 infection in a cohort of Mamu-A∗01 + and Mamu-A∗02 + RMs. CTL populations specific for at least one of the RhCMV-derived CTL epitopes were detected in ten of eleven Mamu-A∗02 + animals tested, and both populations were detected in five of these animals. Neither RhCMV-specific CTL population exhibited significant changes in frequency, memory phenotype, granzyme B expression, exhaustion marker (PD-1 and CTLA-4) expression, or polyfunctionality between pre- and chronic SIVmac239 infection timepoints. In chronic SIVmac239 infection, RhCMV-specific CTLs exhibited higher levels of granzyme B expression and polyfunctionality, and lower levels of exhaustion marker expression, than SIVmac239-specific CTLs. Additionally, compared to SIVmac239-specific CTLs, greater proportions of RhCMV-specific CTLs were of the terminally differentiated effector memory phenotype (CD28- CCR7-) during chronic SIVmac239 infection. These results suggest that, in contrast to SIVmac239-specific CTLs, RhCMV-specific CTLs maintain their phenotypes and cytolytic effector functions during chronic SIVmac239 infection, and that retargeting RhCMV-specific CTLs might be a promising SIV immunotherapeutic strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brandon C Rosen
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States.,Department of Pathology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Nuria Pedreño-Lopez
- Department of Pathology, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Michael J Ricciardi
- Department of Pathology, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Jason S Reed
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, United States.,Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - Jonah B Sacha
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, United States.,Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - Eva G Rakasz
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - David I Watkins
- Department of Pathology, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
O’Rourke SM, Morozov GI, Roberts JT, Barb AW, Sgourakis NG. Production of soluble pMHC-I molecules in mammalian cells using the molecular chaperone TAPBPR. Protein Eng Des Sel 2019; 32:525-532. [PMID: 32725167 PMCID: PMC7451022 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzaa015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Current approaches for generating major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class-I proteins with desired bound peptides (pMHC-I) for research, diagnostic and therapeutic applications are limited by the inherent instability of empty MHC-I molecules. Using the properties of the chaperone TAP-binding protein related (TAPBPR), we have developed a robust method to produce soluble, peptide-receptive MHC-I molecules in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells at high yield, completely bypassing the requirement for laborious refolding from inclusion bodies expressed in E.coli. Purified MHC-I/TAPBPR complexes can be prepared for multiple human allotypes, and exhibit complex glycan modifications at the conserved Asn 86 residue. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate both HLA allele-specific peptide binding and MHC-restricted antigen recognition by T cells for two relevant tumor-associated antigens. Our system provides a facile, high-throughput approach for generating pMHC-I antigens to probe and expand TCR specificities present in polyclonal T cell repertoires.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara M O’Rourke
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Giora I Morozov
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Jacob T Roberts
- Roy J Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Adam W Barb
- Roy J Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complex Carbohydrate Research Center University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Nikolaos G Sgourakis
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Stengl A, Gerlach M, Kasper MA, Hackenberger CPR, Leonhardt H, Schumacher D, Helma J. TuPPL: Tub-tag mediated C-terminal protein-protein-ligation using complementary click-chemistry handles. Org Biomol Chem 2019; 17:4964-4969. [PMID: 30932115 DOI: 10.1039/c9ob00508k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
We introduce a chemoenzymatic strategy for straightforward in vitro generation of C-terminally linked fusion proteins. Tubulin tyrosine ligase is used for the incorporation of complementary click chemistry handles facilitating subsequent formation of functional bispecific antibody-fragments. This simple strategy may serve as central conjugation hub for a modular protein ligation platform.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Stengl
- Department of Biology II and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 82152 Planegg, Martinsried, Germany.
| | - Marcus Gerlach
- Department of Biology II and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 82152 Planegg, Martinsried, Germany.
| | - Marc-André Kasper
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Chemical Biology Department, Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Department of Chemistry, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian P R Hackenberger
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Chemical Biology Department, Robert-Rössle-Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Department of Chemistry, Brook-Taylor-Str. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Heinrich Leonhardt
- Department of Biology II and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 82152 Planegg, Martinsried, Germany.
| | - Dominik Schumacher
- Department of Biology II and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 82152 Planegg, Martinsried, Germany.
| | - Jonas Helma
- Department of Biology II and Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPSM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 82152 Planegg, Martinsried, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
A novel and simple method to produce large amounts of recombinant soluble peptide/major histocompatibility complex monomers for analysis of antigen-specific human T cell receptors. N Biotechnol 2018; 49:169-177. [PMID: 30465909 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2018.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Soluble peptide/major histocompatibility complex (p/MHC) tetramers that directly bind to T cell receptors (TCRs) allow the direct quantification, phenotypic characterization and isolation of antigen-specific T cells. Conventionally, soluble p/MHC tetramers have been produced using Escherichia coli, but this method requires refolding of the recombinant proteins. Here, a novel and technically simple method that does not require protein refolding in vitro has been developed for the high-throughput generation of soluble and functional p/MHC-single chain trimer (SCT) monomers and tetramers in a mammalian cell system. The p/MHC-SCT tetramers generated by this method bound to the corresponding antigen-specific TCRs. Moreover, the immobilized p/MHC-SCT monomers effectively activated antigen-specific T cell lines as well as primary T cells in an antigen-specific manner. This technique provides a robust improvement in the technology, such that recombinant soluble p/MHC monomers and tetramers can be produced more readily and which enables their use in analysis of antigen-specific T cells in basic and clinical studies.
Collapse
|
14
|
Immunotherapies: Exploiting the Immune System for Cancer Treatment. J Immunol Res 2018; 2018:9585614. [PMID: 29725606 PMCID: PMC5872614 DOI: 10.1155/2018/9585614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a condition that has plagued humanity for thousands of years, with the first depictions dating back to ancient Egyptian times. However, not until recent decades have biological therapeutics been developed and refined enough to safely and effectively combat cancer. Three unique immunotherapies have gained traction in recent decades: adoptive T cell transfer, checkpoint inhibitors, and bivalent antibodies. Each has led to clinically approved therapies, as well as to therapies in preclinical and ongoing clinical trials. In this review, we outline the method by which these 3 immunotherapies function as well as any major immunotherapeutic drugs developed for treating a variety of cancers.
Collapse
|
15
|
Polysome profiling of mAb producing CHO cell lines links translational control of cell proliferation and recombinant mRNA loading onto ribosomes with global and recombinant protein synthesis. Biotechnol J 2017; 12. [DOI: 10.1002/biot.201700177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2017] [Revised: 05/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|