1
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Alvarez Calderon F, Kang BH, Kyrysyuk O, Zheng S, Wang H, Mathewson ND, Luoma AM, Ning X, Pyrdol J, Cao X, Suvà ML, Yuan GC, Wittrup KD, Wucherpfennig KW. Targeting of the CD161 inhibitory receptor enhances T-cell-mediated immunity against hematological malignancies. Blood 2024; 143:1124-1138. [PMID: 38153903 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023022882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT The CD161 inhibitory receptor is highly upregulated by tumor-infiltrating T cells in multiple human solid tumor types, and its ligand, CLEC2D, is expressed by both tumor cells and infiltrating myeloid cells. Here, we assessed the role of the CD161 receptor in hematological malignancies. Systematic analysis of CLEC2D expression using the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia revealed that CLEC2D messenger RNA was most abundant in hematological malignancies, including B-cell and T-cell lymphomas as well as lymphocytic and myelogenous leukemias. CLEC2D protein was detected by flow cytometry on a panel of cell lines representing a diverse set of hematological malignancies. We, therefore, used yeast display to generate a panel of high-affinity, fully human CD161 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that blocked CLEC2D binding. These mAbs were specific for CD161 and had a similar affinity for human and nonhuman primate CD161, a property relevant for clinical translation. A high-affinity CD161 mAb enhanced key aspects of T-cell function, including cytotoxicity, cytokine production, and proliferation, against B-cell lines originating from patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and Burkitt lymphoma. In humanized mouse models, this CD161 mAb enhanced T-cell-mediated immunity, resulting in a significant survival benefit. Single cell RNA-seq data demonstrated that CD161 mAb treatment enhanced expression of cytotoxicity genes by CD4 T cells as well as a tissue-residency program by CD4 and CD8 T cells that is associated with favorable survival outcomes in multiple human cancer types. These fully human mAbs, thus, represent potential immunotherapy agents for hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Alvarez Calderon
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Byong H Kang
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
| | - Oleksandr Kyrysyuk
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Shiwei Zheng
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Nathan D Mathewson
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Adrienne M Luoma
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Xiaohan Ning
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Jason Pyrdol
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Xuan Cao
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Mario L Suvà
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
| | - Guo-Cheng Yuan
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - K Dane Wittrup
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
| | - Kai W Wucherpfennig
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
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2
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Bai L, Zhou L, Han W, Chen J, Gu X, Hu Z, Yang Y, Li W, Zhang X, Niu C, Chen Y, Li H, Cui J. BAX as the mediator of C-MYC sensitizes acute lymphoblastic leukemia to TLR9 agonists. J Transl Med 2023; 21:108. [PMID: 36765389 PMCID: PMC9921080 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-03969-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prognosis of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) has improved significantly with current first-line therapy, although the recurrence of B-ALL is still a problem. Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonists have shown good safety and efficiency as immune adjuvants. Apart from their immune regulatory effect, the direct effect of TLR9 agonists on cancer cells with TLR9 expression cannot be ignored. However, the direct effect of TLR9 agonists on B-ALL remains unknown. METHODS We discussed the relationship between TLR9 expression and the clinical characteristics of B-ALL and explored whether CpG 685 exerts direct apoptotic effect on B-ALL without inhibiting normal B-cell function. By using western blot, co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence co-localization, and chromatin immunoprecipitation, we explored the mechanism of the apoptosis-inducing effect of CpG 685 in treating B-ALL cells. By exploring the mechanism of CpG 685 on B-ALL, the predictive biomarkers of the efficacy of CpG 685 in treating B-ALL were explored. These efficiencies were also confirmed in mouse model as well as clinical samples. RESULTS High expression of TLR9 in B-ALL patients showed good prognosis. C-MYC-induced BAX activation was the key to the effect of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides against B-ALL. C-MYC overexpression promoted P53 stabilization, enhanced Bcl-2 associated X-protein (BAX) activation, and mediated transcription of the BAX gene. Moreover, combination therapy using CpG 685 and imatinib, a BCR-ABL kinase inhibitor, could reverse resistance to CpG 685 or imatinib alone by promoting BAX activation and overcoming BCR-ABL1-independent PI3K/AKT activation. CONCLUSION TLR9 is not only a prognostic biomarker but also a potential target for B-ALL therapy. CpG 685 monotherapy might be applicable to Ph- B-ALL patients with C-MYC overexpression and without BAX deletion. CpG 685 may also serve as an effective combinational therapy against Ph+ B-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Bai
- grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021 China
| | - Lei Zhou
- grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021 China
| | - Wei Han
- grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021 China
| | - Jingtao Chen
- grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 China
| | - Xiaoyi Gu
- grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021 China ,grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 China ,grid.64924.3d0000 0004 1760 5735International Center of Future Science, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 China
| | - Zheng Hu
- grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 China ,grid.64924.3d0000 0004 1760 5735International Center of Future Science, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 China
| | - Yongguang Yang
- grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Institute of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 China ,grid.64924.3d0000 0004 1760 5735International Center of Future Science, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 China
| | - Wei Li
- grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021 China
| | - Xiaoying Zhang
- grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021 China
| | - Chao Niu
- grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021 China
| | - Yongchong Chen
- grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021 China
| | - Hui Li
- grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021 China
| | - Jiuwei Cui
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun, 130021, China.
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3
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Insights into Modern Therapeutic Approaches in Pediatric Acute Leukemias. Cells 2022; 11:cells11010139. [PMID: 35011701 PMCID: PMC8749975 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric cancers predominantly constitute lymphomas and leukemias. Recently, our knowledge and awareness about genetic diversities, and their consequences in these diseases, have greatly expanded. Modern solutions are focused on mobilizing and impacting a patient’s immune system. Strategies to stimulate the immune system, to prime an antitumor response, are of intense interest. Amid those types of therapies are chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells, bispecific antibodies, and antibody–drug conjugates (ADC), which have already been approved in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)/acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In addition, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), i.e., NOD-like receptors (NLRs), Toll-like receptors (TLRs), and several kinds of therapy antibodies are well on their way to showing significant benefits for patients with these diseases. This review summarizes the current knowledge of modern methods used in selected pediatric malignancies and presents therapies that may hold promise for the future.
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Rozmus J, Bhatt ST, Buxbaum NP, Cuvelier GDE, Li AM, Kitko CL, Schultz KR. Is It Possible to Separate the Graft-Versus-Leukemia (GVL) Effect Against B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia From Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD) After Hematopoietic Cell Transplant? Front Pediatr 2022; 10:796994. [PMID: 35402356 PMCID: PMC8987503 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.796994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematopoietic cell transplant is a curative therapy for many pediatric patients with high risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Its therapeutic mechanism is primarily based on the generation of an alloreactive graft-versus-leukemia effect that can eliminate residual leukemia cells thus preventing relapse. However its efficacy is diminished by the concurrent emergence of harmful graft-versus-host disease disease which affects healthly tissue leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this review is to describe the interventions that have been trialed in order to augment the beneficial graft-versus leukemia effect post-hematopoietic cell transplant while limiting the harmful consequences of graft-versus-host disease. This includes many emerging and promising strategies such as ex vivo and in vivo graft manipulation, targeted cell therapies, T-cell engagers and multiple pharmacologic interventions that stimulate specific donor effector cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Rozmus
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sima T Bhatt
- Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, United States
| | | | - Geoffrey D E Cuvelier
- Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Cancer Care Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Amanda M Li
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Carrie L Kitko
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Division, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Kirk R Schultz
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, British Columbia Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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5
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Allen CE. Building a better blast-trap. Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2020; 37:1-4. [PMID: 31900078 DOI: 10.1080/08880018.2019.1687627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carl E Allen
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
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6
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Differential Depletion of Bone Marrow Resident B-ALL after Systemic Administration of Endosomal TLR Agonists. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12010169. [PMID: 32015298 PMCID: PMC7016792 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12010169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric malignancy. While frontline chemotherapy regimens are generally very effective, the prognosis for patients whose leukemia returns remains poor. The presence of measurable residual disease (MRD) in bone marrow at the completion of induction therapy is the strongest predictor of relapse, suggesting that strategies to eliminate the residual leukemic blasts from this niche could reduce the incidence of recurrence. We have previously reported that toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists achieve durable T cell-mediated protection in transplantable cell line-based models of B cell precursor leukemia (B-ALL). However, the successful application of TLR agonist therapy in an MRD setting would require the induction of anti-leukemic immune activity specifically in the bone marrow, a site of the chemotherapy-resistant leukemic blasts. In this study, we compare the organ-specific depletion of human and mouse primary B-ALL cells after systemic administration of endosomal TLR agonists. Despite comparable splenic responses, only the TLR9 agonist induced strong innate immune responses in the bone marrow and achieved a near-complete elimination of B-ALL cells. This pattern of response was associated with the most significantly prolonged disease-free survival. Overall, our findings identify innate immune activity in the bone marrow that is associated with durable TLR-induced protection against B-ALL outgrowth.
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7
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Ronsley R, Kariminia A, Ng B, Mostafavi S, Reid G, Subrt P, Hijiya N, Schultz KR. The TLR9 agonist (GNKG168) induces a unique immune activation pattern in vivo in children with minimal residual disease positive acute leukemia: Results of the TACL T2009-008 phase I study. Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2019; 36:468-481. [PMID: 31530240 DOI: 10.1080/08880018.2019.1667461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background: Preclinical studies show that TLR9 agonists can eradicate leukemia by induction of immune responses in vivo against AML and ALL. These studies demonstrated that TLR9 agonists induce an immediate NK response followed by adaptive T and B cells responses resulting in long term anti-leukemia immunity. Methods: The Therapeutic Advances in Childhood Leukemia and Lymphoma Phase I consortium performed a pilot study on 3 patients with MRD positive acute leukemia after an initial remission on conventional chemotherapy (TACL T2009-008) with the TLR 9 agonist (GNKG168). To guide future trial development, we evaluated the impact of GNKG168 by Nanostring on the expression 608 genes before and 8 days after initiation of GNKG168 therapy. Results: Twenty-three out of 578 markers on the nanostring panel showed significant difference (p ≤ 0.05). We focused on 8 markers that had the greatest differences with p < 0.01. Two genes were increased, promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) and H-RAS, and 6 were decreased, Single Ig and TIR Domain containing (SIGIRR, IL1R8), interleukin 1 receptor 1 (IL1RL1, ST2), C-C Motif chemokine receptor 8 (CCR8), interleukin 7 R (IL7R), cluster of differentiation 8B (CD8B), and cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3D). Tumor inhibitory pathways were downregulated including the SIGIRR (IL1R8), important in IL-37 signaling and NK cell inhibition. TLR9 can induce IL-33, which is known to downregulate ST2 (IL1RL1) a receptor for IL-33. Conclusion: GNKG168 therapy is associated with immunologic changes in pediatric leukemia patients. Further work with a larger sample size is required to assess the impact of these changes on disease treatment and persistence of leukemia remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Ronsley
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology & BMT, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, USA
| | - Amina Kariminia
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology & BMT, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, USA.,Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Bernard Ng
- Department of Statistics and Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Sara Mostafavi
- Department of Statistics and Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Gregor Reid
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology & BMT, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, USA.,Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Peter Subrt
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology & BMT, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, USA.,Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Nobuko Hijiya
- Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IIllinois, USA
| | - Kirk R Schultz
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology & BMT, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, USA.,Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
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8
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Murine pre-B-cell ALL induces T-cell dysfunction not fully reversed by introduction of a chimeric antigen receptor. Blood 2018; 132:1899-1910. [PMID: 30209120 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2017-12-815548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of patient-derived T cells modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARTs) has demonstrated dramatic success in relapsed/refractory pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but response and durability of remission requires exponential CART expansion and persistence. Tumors are known to affect T-cell function, but this has not been well studied in ALL and in the context of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) expression. Using TCF3/PBX1 and MLL-AF4-driven murine ALL models, we assessed the impact of progressive ALL on T-cell function in vivo. Vaccines protect against TCF3/PBX1.3 but were ineffective when administered after leukemia injection, suggesting immunosuppression induced early during ALL progression. T cells from leukemia-bearing mice exhibited increased expression of inhibitory receptors, including PD1, Tim3, and LAG3, and were dysfunctional following adoptive transfer in a model of T-cell receptor (TCR)-dependent leukemia clearance. Although expression of inhibitory receptors has been linked to TCR signaling, pre-B-cell ALL induced inhibitory receptor expression, at least in part, in a TCR-independent manner. Finally, introduction of a CAR into T cells generated from leukemia-bearing mice failed to fully reverse poor in vivo function.
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9
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Cooke KR, Luznik L, Sarantopoulos S, Hakim FT, Jagasia M, Fowler DH, van den Brink MRM, Hansen JA, Parkman R, Miklos DB, Martin PJ, Paczesny S, Vogelsang G, Pavletic S, Ritz J, Schultz KR, Blazar BR. The Biology of Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease: A Task Force Report from the National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Project on Criteria for Clinical Trials in Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2017; 23:211-234. [PMID: 27713092 PMCID: PMC6020045 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2016.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 273] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is the leading cause of late, nonrelapse mortality and disability in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation recipients and a major obstacle to improving outcomes. The biology of chronic GVHD remains enigmatic, but understanding the underpinnings of the immunologic mechanisms responsible for the initiation and progression of disease is fundamental to developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. The goals of this task force review are as follows: This document is intended as a review of our understanding of chronic GVHD biology and therapies resulting from preclinical studies, and as a platform for developing innovative clinical strategies to prevent and treat chronic GVHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth R Cooke
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Leo Luznik
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Stefanie Sarantopoulos
- Division of Hematological Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Immunology and Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Frances T Hakim
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Madan Jagasia
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Daniel H Fowler
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Marcel R M van den Brink
- Departments of Immunology and Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - John A Hansen
- Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Robertson Parkman
- Division of Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
| | - David B Miklos
- Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
| | - Paul J Martin
- Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Sophie Paczesny
- Departments of Pediatrics and Immunology, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Georgia Vogelsang
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Steven Pavletic
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jerome Ritz
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kirk R Schultz
- Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Bruce R Blazar
- Masonic Cancer Center and Department of Pediatrics, Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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10
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Regulation of B cell functions by Toll-like receptors and complement. Immunol Lett 2016; 178:37-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2016.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Revised: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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11
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Batool M, Anwar MA, Choi S. Toll-like receptors targeting technology for the treatment of lymphoma. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2016; 11:1047-1059. [PMID: 27602749 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2016.1233964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The crucial role of Toll-like Receptors (TLRs) in innate and adaptive immune systems is well discussed in the literature. In cancer, TLRs act as a double-edged sword that can promote or suppress tumor growth. Areas covered: In this article, the authors uncover the potential role of TLRs in lymphomas, which are cancers related to the lymphatic system and blood cells. TLRs are de facto inflammation-inducing receptors that can either worsen disease or ameliorate lymphoma treatment. From this perspective, the usage of TLRs to modulate the immune system toward lymphoma regression is desirable. Various strategies have been used so far, and novel ways are being sought out to cure lymphoma. Expert opinion: TLR ligands have successfully been used to improve patient health; however, these receptors must be finely tuned to further optimize therapy. For a better outcome, novel specific ligands, improved pharmacodynamics, and unique targets should be discerned. Ligands with conjugated molecules, nanoparticles, and targeted drug delivery can highly optimize the therapy for lymphoma with various etiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Batool
- a Department of Molecular Science and Technology , Ajou University , Suwon , Korea
| | - Muhammad Ayaz Anwar
- a Department of Molecular Science and Technology , Ajou University , Suwon , Korea
| | - Sangdun Choi
- a Department of Molecular Science and Technology , Ajou University , Suwon , Korea
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12
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Sánchez-Cuaxospa M, Contreras-Ramos A, Pérez-Figueroa E, Medina-Sansón A, Jiménez-Hernández E, Torres-Nava JR, Rojas-Castillo E, Maldonado-Bernal C. Low expression of Toll-like receptors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Int J Oncol 2016; 49:675-81. [PMID: 27277333 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the second most common cause of death among children aged 1-14 years. Leukemia accounts for one-third of all childhood cancers, 78% of which is acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The development of cancer has been associated with malignant cells that express low levels of immunogenic molecules, which facilitates their escape from the antineoplastic immune response. It is thought that it may be possible to rescue the antineoplastic immune response through the activation of recognition receptors, such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which activate the innate immune system. TLRs are type I membrane glycoproteins expressed mainly in immune system cells such as monocytes, neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells, T, B and natural killer cells. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of TLR1, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7 and TLR9 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with ALL and prior to any treatment. PBMCs were obtained from 50 pediatric patients diagnosed with ALL and from 20 children attending the ophthalmology and orthopedics services. The mean fluorescence intensity was obtained by analysis of immunofluorescence. We found lower expression levels of TLR1, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7 and TLR9 in PBMCs from patients with ALL compared with those from control patients. We also observed that the PBMCs from patients with Pre-B and B ALL had lower TLR4 expression than controls and patients with Pro-B, Pre-B, B and T ALL had lower TLR7 expression than controls. The present study is the first to demonstrate reduced expression of TLRs in PBMCs from pediatric patients with ALL. This finding is of great relevance and may partly explain the reduction in the antineoplastic immune response in patients with ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Sánchez-Cuaxospa
- Immunology and Proteomic Research Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Mexico Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Contreras-Ramos
- Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Children's Hospital of Mexico Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Erandi Pérez-Figueroa
- Immunology and Proteomic Research Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Mexico Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Aurora Medina-Sansón
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Mexico Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Emilio Rojas-Castillo
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Carmen Maldonado-Bernal
- Immunology and Proteomic Research Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Mexico Federico Gómez, Mexico City, Mexico
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13
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Koldehoff M, Lindemann M, Opalka B, Bauer S, Ross RS, Elmaagacli AH. Cytomegalovirus induces apoptosis in acute leukemia cells as a virus-versus-leukemia function. Leuk Lymphoma 2015; 56:3189-97. [PMID: 25818505 DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2015.1032968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) reactivation occurs frequently after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and is associated with an increased treatment-related mortality. Induction of apoptosis by HCMV is unusual because HCMV utilizes various strategies to prevent apoptosis in infected cells in order to delay cell death and maintain viral replication. Here we show that HCMV can infect the acute leukemia cell lines Kasumi-1 (AML) and SD-1 (BCR-ABL-positive ALL), which inhibited their proliferation and induced apoptosis in almost all cells after 14 days. Although HCMV induced a significant up-regulation of the anti-apoptotic gene cFLIP and the anti-stress gene Gadd45a, and simultaneously down-regulated the pro-apoptotic genes p53, Gadd45gamma in Kasumi-1 and SD-1 cells, we found that these anti-apoptotic mechanisms failed in HCMV-infected acute leukemia cells and apoptosis occurred via a caspase-dependent pathway. We conclude that HCMV can provide anti-leukemic effects in vitro. To determine if this phenomenon may be clinically relevant further investigations will be required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Koldehoff
- a Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation , West German Cancer Center , Essen , Germany
| | | | - Bertram Opalka
- c Department of Hematology , West German Cancer Center , Essen , Germany
| | - Sebastian Bauer
- d Department of Medical Oncology , West German Cancer Center , Essen , Germany
| | | | - Ahmet H Elmaagacli
- a Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation , West German Cancer Center , Essen , Germany.,f Department of Oncology and Hematology , HELIOS Schwerin , Schwerin , Germany
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14
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Rolf N, Kariminia A, Ivison S, Reid GS, Schultz KR. Heterodimer-specific TLR2 stimulation results in divergent functional outcomes in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Eur J Immunol 2015; 45:1980-90. [PMID: 25867213 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201444874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2014] [Revised: 03/08/2015] [Accepted: 03/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Reports of spontaneous acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remissions following severe bacterial infections suggest that bacterial components may trigger elimination of ALL. To date, TLR2, which recognizes a broad range of bacterial pathogens through TLR1 or TLR6 heterodimerization, has not been fully evaluated for direct effects on ALL. Studies investigating TLR2 signaling in other tumor cell types utilizing single ligands have yielded contradictory results, and comparative, heterodimer-specific analyses of TLR2 stimulation are lacking. In this study, we report that two well-characterized heterodimer-specific TLR2 ligands, Pam3 CSK4 (TLR2/1), and Pam2 CSK4 (TLR2/6), induce ALL cell lines and primary ALL samples to upregulate CD40 expression. However, only Pam3 CSK4 triggers Caspase-8-mediated apoptosis and sensitizes cells to vincristine-mediated cytotoxicity. Consistent with this result, stimulation of ALL cells through TLR2/1 or TLR2/6 activates Mal, p38 and the NF-κB and PI3K signaling pathways with divergent kinetics that may underlie their distinct downstream effects. Our results reveal a novel branching in downstream responses to heterodimer-specific TLR2 stimulation in ALL cells and emphasize the need for comparative studies to determine differential biological effects observed in specific tumor cells. Based on our results, TLR2/1 ligand Pam3 CSK4 possesses potential for generating anti-ALL activity through its direct effects on leukemic blasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Rolf
- The Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, Child and Family Research Institute and Division of Pediatric Hem/Onc/BMT, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Amina Kariminia
- The Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, Child and Family Research Institute and Division of Pediatric Hem/Onc/BMT, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sabine Ivison
- The Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, Child and Family Research Institute and Division of Pediatric Hem/Onc/BMT, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Gregor S Reid
- The Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, Child and Family Research Institute and Division of Pediatric Hem/Onc/BMT, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kirk R Schultz
- The Michael Cuccione Childhood Cancer Research Program, Child and Family Research Institute and Division of Pediatric Hem/Onc/BMT, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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15
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Rybka J, Butrym A, Wróbel T, Jaźwiec B, Stefanko E, Dobrzyńska O, Poręba R, Kuliczkowski K. The expression of Toll-like receptors in patients with acute myeloid leukemia treated with induction chemotherapy. Leuk Res 2015; 39:318-22. [PMID: 25624047 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2015.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2014] [Revised: 12/30/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors play an important role in the host defense against microorganisms. TLRs are mainly expressed in human immune-related cells, such as monocytes, neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells, T cells, B cells and NK cells. The expression or up-regulation of TLRs has been demonstrated in some tumors and tumor cell lines but the role of TLRs in pathogenesis and development of acute leukemias remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 and their significance as prognostic factors in patients with acute leukemias treated with induction chemotherapy. 103 patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were evaluated (47 females and 56 males). The median age of patients was 51 years. Using quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR, the mRNA expression of genes TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 was measured. The mRNA expression of TLR2 and TLR4 was significantly higher in patients with NR than in patients with CR and CRi. We especially observed that mRNA expression of TLR2 and TLR4 was significantly higher in patients with myelomonocytic and monoblastic acute leukemia than in patients with other types of AML. The mRNA expression of TLR2 and TLR4 was higher in AML patients than in healthy individuals, although there was no statistically significant difference. Patients with higher mRNA expression of TLR2 and TLR4 had significantly shorter OS than patients with lower mRNA expression of TLR2 and TLR4. Multivariate analysis showed that mRNA expression of TLR2 and the age of patients were independent factors associated with treatment response. Our results suggest that TLRs could be an independent prognostic factor for response rate after induction therapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Rybka
- Department of Hematology, Blood Neoplasms and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Aleksandra Butrym
- Department of Hematology, Blood Neoplasms and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Wróbel
- Department of Hematology, Blood Neoplasms and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Bożena Jaźwiec
- Department of Hematology, Blood Neoplasms and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Stefanko
- Department of Hematology, Blood Neoplasms and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Olga Dobrzyńska
- Department of Hematology, Blood Neoplasms and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Rafał Poręba
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Kazimierz Kuliczkowski
- Department of Hematology, Blood Neoplasms and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
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16
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Charrier E, Cordeiro P, Brito RM, Harnois M, Mezziani S, Herblot S, Le Deist F, Duval M. Impaired interferon-alpha production by plasmacytoid dendritic cells after cord blood transplantation in children: implication for post-transplantation toll-like receptor ligand-based immunotherapy. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2014; 20:1501-7. [PMID: 25128615 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2014.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 06/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) initiate both innate and adaptive immune responses, making them attractive targets for post-transplantation immunotherapy, particularly after cord blood transplantation (CBT). Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists are currently studied for pDC stimulation in various clinical settings. Their efficacy depends on pDC number and functionality, which are unknown after CBT. We performed a longitudinal study of pDC reconstitution in children who underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and single-unit CBT. Both CBT and unrelated BMT patients received antithymocyte globulin as part of their graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis regimen. pDC blood counts were higher in CBT patients than in healthy volunteers from 2 to 9 months after transplantation, whereas they remained lower in BMT patients. We showed that cord blood progenitors gave rise in vitro to a 500-fold increase in functional pDCs over bone marrow counterparts. Upon stimulation with a TLR agonist, pDCs from both CBT and BMT recipients upregulated T cell costimulatory molecules, whereas interferon-alpha (IFN-α) production was impaired for 9 months after CBT. TLR agonist treatment is thus not expected to induce IFN-α production by pDCs after CBT, limiting its immunotherapeutic potential. Fortunately, in vitro production of large amounts of functional pDCs from cord blood progenitors paves the way for the post-transplantation adoptive transfer of pDCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Charrier
- Groupe de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie du Sang de Cordon (GRETISC), Centre de Cancérologie Charles Bruneau, Centre de Recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Département de Sciences Biomédicales, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Paulo Cordeiro
- Groupe de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie du Sang de Cordon (GRETISC), Centre de Cancérologie Charles Bruneau, Centre de Recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Rose-Marie Brito
- Groupe de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie du Sang de Cordon (GRETISC), Centre de Cancérologie Charles Bruneau, Centre de Recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Michaël Harnois
- Groupe de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie du Sang de Cordon (GRETISC), Centre de Cancérologie Charles Bruneau, Centre de Recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Département de Microbiologie et d'Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Samira Mezziani
- Groupe de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie du Sang de Cordon (GRETISC), Centre de Cancérologie Charles Bruneau, Centre de Recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Sabine Herblot
- Groupe de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie du Sang de Cordon (GRETISC), Centre de Cancérologie Charles Bruneau, Centre de Recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Françoise Le Deist
- Groupe de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie du Sang de Cordon (GRETISC), Centre de Cancérologie Charles Bruneau, Centre de Recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Département de Microbiologie et d'Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Département de Pédiatrie, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Michel Duval
- Groupe de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie du Sang de Cordon (GRETISC), Centre de Cancérologie Charles Bruneau, Centre de Recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Département de Sciences Biomédicales, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Département de Microbiologie et d'Immunologie, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada; Département de Pédiatrie, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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17
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Isaza-Correa JM, Liang Z, van den Berg A, Diepstra A, Visser L. Toll-like receptors in the pathogenesis of human B cell malignancies. J Hematol Oncol 2014; 7:57. [PMID: 25112836 PMCID: PMC4237867 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-014-0057-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are important players in B-cell activation, maturation and memory and may be involved in the pathogenesis of B-cell lymphomas. Accumulating studies show differential expression in this heterogeneous group of cancers. Stimulation with TLR specific ligands, or agonists of their ligands, leads to aberrant responses in the malignant B-cells. According to current data, TLRs can be implicated in malignant transformation, tumor progression and immune evasion processes. Most of the studies focused on multiple myeloma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, but in the last decade the putative role of TLRs in other types of B-cell lymphomas has gained much interest. The aim of this review is to discuss recent findings on the role of TLRs in normal B cell functioning and their role in the pathogenesis of B-cell malignancies.
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18
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Toll-like receptors in lymphoid malignancies: Double-edged sword. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2014; 89:262-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2013.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2013] [Revised: 08/04/2013] [Accepted: 08/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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19
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Shi M, Cipollini MJ, Crowley-Bish PA, Higgins AW, Yu H, Miron PM. Improved detection rate of cytogenetic abnormalities in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and other mature B-cell neoplasms with use of CpG-oligonucleotide DSP30 and interleukin 2 stimulation. Am J Clin Pathol 2013; 139:662-9. [PMID: 23596118 DOI: 10.1309/ajcp7g4vmyzjqvfi] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Detection of cytogenetic abnormalities requires successful culture of the clonal population to obtain metaphase chromosomes for study, and as such, has been hampered by low mitotic indices of mature B cells in culture. Our study presents data on the improved abnormality detection rate with the use of a CpG-oligonucleotide/interleukin 2 (OL/IL-2) culture protocol for mature B-cell neoplasms, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and non-CLL specimens. The increased detection rate of abnormalities, compared with unstimulated culture and traditional pokeweed mitogen culture, was statistically significant for both CLL and non-CLL neoplasms. For CLL specimens, our data also showed that for cytogenetically visible aberrations, OL/IL-2 was as, if not more, sensitive than detection with interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (iFISH). Use of OL/IL-2 allowed a number of abnormalities to be detected, which were not covered by specific iFISH panels, especially balanced translocations. Therefore, OL/IL-2 stimulation improves diagnostic sensitivity and increases discovery rate of novel prognostic findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Shi
- Departments of Pathology, UMASS Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA
| | | | | | - Anne W. Higgins
- Departments of Pathology, UMASS Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA
- Hospital Laboratories, UMASS Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA
| | - Hongbo Yu
- Departments of Pathology, UMASS Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA
| | - Patricia M. Miron
- Departments of Pathology, UMASS Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA
- Hospital Laboratories, UMASS Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA
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20
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Abdi J, Engels F, Garssen J, Redegeld F. The role of Toll-like receptor mediated signalling in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2011; 80:225-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2010.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2010] [Revised: 10/05/2010] [Accepted: 12/08/2010] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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21
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Buchanan RM, Popowych Y, Arsic N, Townsend HGG, Mutwiri GK, Potter AA, Babiuk LA, Griebel PJ, Wilson HL. B-cell activating factor (BAFF) promotes CpG ODN-induced B cell activation and proliferation. Cell Immunol 2011; 271:16-28. [PMID: 21724179 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2011.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2011] [Revised: 05/18/2011] [Accepted: 05/27/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
It is controversial whether naïve B cells are directly activated in response to TLR9 ligand, CpG ODN. Although bovine blood-derived CD21(+) B cells express TLR9 and proliferate in response to CpG in mixed-cell populations, purified bovine B cells do not proliferate significantly in response to CpG ODN, even when the B cell receptor is engaged. When co-cultured with CD14(+) myeloid cells and/or B-cell activating factor (BAFF), a cytokine produced by activated myeloid cells, there was a significant increase in CpG-specific B cell proliferation, and the number of large B cells in general or positive for CD25, all of which are markers for B cell activation. These data suggest that activated myeloid cells and BAFF prime B cells for significant CpG-specific activation. Understanding the signals required to mediate efficient CpG-induced, antigen-independent and T-cell independent activation of B cells has implications for polyclonal B cell activation and the development of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachelle M Buchanan
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Canada
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22
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Aberrant expression of functional BAFF-system receptors by malignant B-cell precursors impacts leukemia cell survival. PLoS One 2011; 6:e20787. [PMID: 21687682 PMCID: PMC3110793 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2011] [Accepted: 05/09/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite exhibiting oncogenic events, patient's leukemia cells are responsive and dependent on signals from their malignant bone marrow (BM) microenvironment, which modulate their survival, cell cycle progression, trafficking and resistance to chemotherapy. Identification of the signaling pathways mediating this leukemia/microenvironment interplay is critical for the development of novel molecular targeted therapies. We observed that primary leukemia B-cell precursors aberrantly express receptors of the BAFF-system, BAFF-R, BCMA, and TACI. These receptors are functional as their ligation triggers activation of NF-κB, MAPK/JNK, and Akt signaling. Leukemia cells express surface BAFF and APRIL ligands, and soluble BAFF is significantly higher in leukemia patients in comparison to age-matched controls. Interestingly, leukemia cells also express surface APRIL, which seems to be encoded by APRIL-δ, a novel isoform that lacks the furin convertase domain. Importantly, we observed BM microenvironmental cells express the ligands BAFF and APRIL, including surface and secreted BAFF by BM endothelial cells. Functional studies showed that signals through BAFF-system receptors impact the survival and basal proliferation of leukemia B-cell precursors, and support the involvement of both homotypic and heterotypic mechanisms. This study shows an unforeseen role for the BAFF-system in the biology of precursor B-cell leukemia, and suggests that the target disruption of BAFF signals may constitute a valid strategy for the treatment of this cancer.
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23
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Fabricius D, Breckerbohm L, Vollmer A, Queudeville M, Eckhoff SM, Fulda S, Strauss G, Debatin KM, Jahrsdörfer B, Meyer LH. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells treated with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides, IL-4 and CD40 ligand facilitate enhanced anti-leukemic CTL responses. Leukemia 2011; 25:1111-21. [PMID: 21527935 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2011.87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric malignancy. Although the majority of patients initially respond to upfront chemotherapy, relapses with poor prognosis occur in approximately 20% of cases. Thus, novel therapeutic strategies are required to improve long-term survival. B-cell precursor (BCP)-ALL cells express low levels of immunogenic molecules and, therefore, are poorly recognized by the immune system. In the present study, we investigated the effect of various combinations of potent B-cell stimulators including CpG, Interleukin (IL)-2 family cytokines and CD40 ligand (CD40L) on the immunogenicity of primary BCP-ALL cells and a series of BCP-ALL cell lines. The combination of CpG, IL-4 and CD40L was identified as most effective to enhance expression of immunogenic molecules on BCP-ALL cells, resulting in an increased capacity to induce both allogeneic and autologous cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Importantly, such CTL exhibited significant anti-leukemic cytotoxicity not only towards treated, but also towards untreated BCP-ALL cells. Our results demonstrate that the combination of CpG with other B-cell stimulators is more efficient than CpG alone in generating immunogenic BCP-ALL cells and anti-leukemic CTL. Our results may stimulate the development of novel adoptive T cell transfer approaches for the management of BCP-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Fabricius
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
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24
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Varghese B, Widman A, Do J, Taidi B, Czerwinski DK, Timmerman J, Levy S, Levy R. Generation of CD8+ T cell-mediated immunity against idiotype-negative lymphoma escapees. Blood 2009; 114:4477-85. [PMID: 19762487 PMCID: PMC2777127 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2009-05-223263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2009] [Accepted: 08/13/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the ability of CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide to generate an anti-tumor CD8+ T-cell immune response and to synergize with passive antibody therapy. For these studies, we generated an antibody against the idiotype on the A20 B-cell lymphoma line. This antibody caused the regression of established tumors, but ultimately the tumors relapsed. The escaping surface IgG-negative tumor cells were resistant to both antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and signaling-induced cell death. Addition of intratumoral CpG to antibody therapy cured large established tumors and prevented the occurrence of tumor escapees. The failure of the combination therapy in mice deficient for CD8+ T cells demonstrates the critical role of CD8+ T cells in tumor eradication. When mice were inoculated with 2 tumors and treated systemically with antibody followed by intratumoral CpG in just one tumor, both tumors regressed, indicating that a systemic immune response was generated. Although antibody therapy can eliminate tumor cells bearing the target antigen, it frequently selects for antigen loss variants. However, when a poly-specific T-cell response was generated against the tumor by intratumoral CpG, even large established tumors were cured. Such an immune response can prevent the emergence of antibody selected tumor escapees and provide long-lasting tumor protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bindu Varghese
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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25
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Long-term protection from syngeneic acute lymphoblastic leukemia by CpG ODN-mediated stimulation of innate and adaptive immune responses. Blood 2009; 114:2459-66. [PMID: 19636062 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2009-02-203984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer and remains a major cause of mortality in children with recurrent disease and in adults. Despite observed graft-versus-leukemia effects after stem cell transplantation, successful immune therapies for ALL have proven elusive. We previously reported immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG motifs (CpG ODN) enhance allogeneic T(h)1 responses and reduce leukemic burden of primary human ALL xenografts. To further the development of CpG ODN as a novel ALL therapy, we investigated the antileukemia activity induced by CpG ODN in a transplantable syngeneic pre-B ALL model. CpG ODN induced early killing of leukemia by innate immune effectors both in vitro and in vivo. Mice were treated with CpG ODN starting 7 days after injection with leukemia to mimic a minimal residual disease state and achieved T cell-dependent remissions of more than 6 months. In addition, mice in remission after CpG ODN treatment were protected from leukemia rechallenge, and adoptive transfer of T cells from mice in remission conferred protection against leukemia growth. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that CpG ODN induce a durable remission and ongoing immune-mediated protection in ALL, suggesting this treatment may have clinical utility in patients with minimal residual disease.
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26
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Highlights of the First International "Immunotherapy in Pediatric Oncology: Progress and Challenges" Meeting. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2009; 31:227-44. [PMID: 19346873 PMCID: PMC2714285 DOI: 10.1097/mph.0b013e31819a5d8d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The first annual conference on immunotherapy in pediatric oncology was held in Bethesda, MD, from September 9 to 10, 2008 to discuss the state-of-the-art of immunotherapeutic strategies currently being explored in pediatric oncology. Major topics included targeting cell surface receptors, understanding and improving T-cell-based therapies, augmenting innate immune strategies, and enhancing graft-versus-leukemia for pediatric malignancies. As can be seen in the summaries of the individual presentations, significant progress has been made in developing preclinical models of pediatric tumors and a variety of novel immunobiologic therapies are approaching, or already in, the clinic. Although there is much excitement about the potential utility of these agents, a great deal of challenges lie ahead in improving the efficacy of each of these modalities and getting them to patients in a timely fashion. The resulting discussions will hopefully lead to new collaborations and insight for further translational and clinical studies.
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27
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Brown VI, Seif AE, Reid GSD, Teachey DT, Grupp SA. Novel molecular and cellular therapeutic targets in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoproliferative disease. Immunol Res 2009; 42:84-105. [PMID: 18716718 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-008-8038-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
While the outcome for pediatric patients with lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD) or lymphoid malignancies, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), has improved dramatically, patients often suffer from therapeutic sequelae. Additionally, despite intensified treatment, the prognosis remains dismal for patients with refractory or relapsed disease. Thus, novel biologically targeted treatment approaches are needed. These targets can be identified by understanding how a loss of lymphocyte homeostasis can result in LPD or ALL. Herein, we review potential molecular and cellular therapeutic strategies that (i) target key signaling networks (e.g., PI3K/AKT/mTOR, JAK/STAT, Notch1, and SRC kinase family-containing pathways) which regulate lymphocyte growth, survival, and function; (ii) block the interaction of ALL cells with stromal cells or lymphoid growth factors secreted by the bone marrow microenvironment; or (iii) stimulate innate and adaptive immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie I Brown
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, ARC 902, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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28
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Abstract
The humoral immune system senses microbes via recognition of specific microbial molecular motifs by Toll-like receptors (TLRs). These encounters promote plasma cell differentiation and antibody production. Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of the TLR system in enhancing antibody-mediated defense against infections and maintaining memory B cells. These results have led the way to the design of vaccines that target B cells by engaging TLRs. In hematologic malignancies, cells often retain B cell-specific receptors and associated functions. Among these, TLRs are currently exploited to target different subclasses of B-cell leukemia, and TLR agonists are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. However, accumulating evidence suggests that endogenous TLR ligands or chronic infections promote tumor growth, thus providing a need for further investigations to decipher the exact function of TLRs in the B-cell lineage and in neoplastic B cells. The aim of this review is to present and discuss the latest advances with regard to the expression and function of TLRs in both healthy and malignant B cells. Special attention will be focused on the growth-promoting effects of TLR ligands on leukemic B cells and their potential clinical impact.
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Ferrara JLM, Anasetti C, Stadtmauer E, Antin J, Wingard J, Lee S, Levine J, Schultz K, Appelbaum F, Negrin R, Giralt S, Bredeson C, Heslop H, Horowitz M. Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network State of the Science Symposium 2007. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2007; 13:1268-85. [PMID: 17950914 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2007.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2007] [Accepted: 08/20/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Outcomes of hematopoietic cell transplantation are steadily improving. New techniques have reduced transplant toxicities, and there are new sources of hematopoietic stem cells from unrelated donors. In June 2007 the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network convened a State of the Science Symposium of more than 200 participants in Ann Arbor to identify the most compelling clinical research opportunities in the field. This report summarizes the symposium's discussions and identifies eleven high priority clinical trials that the network plans to pursue over the course of the next several years.
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Fujii H, Trudeau JD, Teachey DT, Fish JD, Grupp SA, Schultz KR, Reid GSD. In vivo control of acute lymphoblastic leukemia by immunostimulatory CpG oligonucleotides. Blood 2006; 109:2008-13. [PMID: 17068155 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2006-02-002055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Despite considerable success in treating newly diagnosed childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), relapsed disease remains a significant clinical challenge. Using a NOD/SCID mouse xenograft model, we report that immunostimulatory DNA oligonucleotides containing CpG motifs (CpG ODNs) stimulate significant immune activity against primary human ALL cells in vivo. The administration of CpG ODNs induced a significant reduction in systemic leukemia burden, mediated continued disease control, and significantly improved survival of mice with established human ALL. The death of leukemia cells in vivo was independent of the ability of ALL cells to respond directly to CpG ODNs and correlated with the production of IL-12p70, IFN-α, and IFN-γ by the host. In addition, depletion of natural killer cells by anti–asialo-GM1 treatment significantly reduced the in vivo antileukemic activity of CpG ODN. This antileukemia effect was not limited to the xenograft model because natural killer cell–dependent killing of ALL by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was also increased by CpG ODN stimulation. These results suggest that CpG ODNs have potential as therapeutic agents for the treatment of ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisaki Fujii
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of British Columbia and British Columbia's Children's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
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31
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Ng N, Lam D, Paulus P, Batzer G, Horner AA. House dust extracts have both TH2 adjuvant and tolerogenic activities. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2006; 117:1074-81. [PMID: 16675335 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2006.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2006] [Revised: 03/22/2006] [Accepted: 03/23/2006] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although mechanisms remain a subject of controversy, there is general agreement that living environments influence allergic risk during the first years of life. We reasoned that sterile house dust extracts (HDEs) would have immunologic activities reflective of their environments of origin and therefore would be useful surrogates for investigations of how ambient exposures influence immune homeostasis. OBJECTIVE These experiments determined how airway HDE exposures influence adaptive responses to a coadministered antigen and subsequent airway hypersensitivity responses to antigen challenge. METHODS Mice received intranasal ovalbumin (OVA) vaccinations on a weekly basis. Select groups of mice also received intranasal HDE weekly with OVA; daily at one seventh the weekly dose, beginning 7 days before the first OVA sensitization; or both. RESULTS Weekly intranasal vaccinations with OVA and HDE primed mice for the development of T(H)2-biased immune and airway hypersensitivity responses. In contrast, daily low-dose intranasal HDE exposures protected against the immunologic and pathologic outcomes associated with weekly intranasal OVA/HDE vaccinations. The T(H)2 adjuvant activities of HDEs were found to be dependant on MyD88, a molecule critical for signaling through a majority of Toll-like receptors. Moreover, the tolerogenic activity associated with daily intranasal HDE exposures could be replicated with LPS. CONCLUSION These investigations demonstrate that in addition to allergens, living environments contain immunomodulatory materials with both T(H)2 adjuvant and tolerogenic activities. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS As the contents of HDEs are ubiquitous, these experiments might recapitulate and help explain clinically relevant immunologic events involved in the maintenance of aeroallergen tolerance and the dysregulated responses that lead to allergic respiratory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Ng
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0663, USA
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Corthals SL, Wynne K, She K, Shimizu H, Curman D, Garbutt K, Reid GSD. Differential immune effects mediated by Toll-like receptors stimulation in precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Br J Haematol 2006; 132:452-8. [PMID: 16412017 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2005.05893.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is the most common paediatric malignancy and, although current therapy is widely effective, relapse remains a significant clinical problem for which new treatment strategies are required. The ligation of Toll-like receptors (TLR) on antigen-presenting cells stimulates the generation of strong T-cell helper type 1 (Th1) adaptive immune responses. Although TLR9 ligation has been shown to enhance immunogenicity of a number of leukaemia cell types, there have been few reports of the effects mediated through other TLR. In this study we analysed both the expression of TLR by B-cell precursor ALL cell lines and the effects of individual TLR ligation on the ability of ALL cells to stimulate allogeneic T cells. While ligation of TLR2, TLR 7 and TLR9 led to detectable changes in ALL costimulatory molecule expression, only TLR2 and TLR9 stimulation influenced T-cell responses. The TLR2 ligand Pam3CysSerLys4 provoked the most significant changes in T-cell response, dramatically augmenting interferon-gamma production. These results suggest that TLR ligands, in addition to TLR9 agonists, may provide a strategy to enhance the generation of anti-ALL immune activity by skewing responding T cells towards a Th1 response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie L Corthals
- Division of Haematology, Oncology, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia and British Columbia's Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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