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Gordon MJ, Dubois S, Bryant B, Ng S, Conlon K, Miljkovic MD, Waldmann T, Roschewski M. A phase 1 study of interleukin-15 in combination with avelumab in relapsed or refractory T-cell lymphoma. Leuk Lymphoma 2024; 65:1008-1011. [PMID: 38459780 DOI: 10.1080/10428194.2024.2326847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Max J Gordon
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sigrid Dubois
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Bonita Bryant
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Samuel Ng
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kevin Conlon
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Milos D Miljkovic
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Cartesian therapeutics, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Thomas Waldmann
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark Roschewski
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Yadav R, Schubbert S, Holder PG, Chiang EY, Kiabi N, Bogaert L, Leung I, Rashid R, Avery KN, Bonzon C, Desjarlais JR, Sanjabi S, Sharma A, Lepherd M, Shelton A, Chan P, Liu Y, Joslyn L, Hosseini I, Stefanich EG, Kamath AV, Bernett MJ, Shivva V. Translational PK/PD and the first-in-human dose selection of a PD1/IL15: an engineered recombinant targeted cytokine for cancer immunotherapy. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1380000. [PMID: 38887559 PMCID: PMC11181026 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1380000] [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: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Interleukin 15 (IL-15) is a potential anticancer agent and numerous engineered IL-15 agonists are currently under clinical investigation. Selective targeting of IL-15 to specific lymphocytes may enhance therapeutic effects while helping to minimize toxicities. Methods We designed and built a heterodimeric targeted cytokine (TaCk) that consists of an anti-programmed cell death 1 receptor antibody (anti-PD-1) and an engineered IL-15. This "PD1/IL15" selectively delivers IL-15 signaling to lymphocytes expressing PD-1. We then investigated the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) effects of PD1/IL15 TaCk on immune cell subsets in cynomolgus monkeys after single and repeat intravenous dose administrations. We used these results to determine the first-in-human (FIH) dose and dosing frequency for early clinical trials. Results The PD1/IL15 TaCk exhibited a nonlinear multiphasic PK profile, while the untargeted isotype control TaCk, containing an anti-respiratory syncytial virus antibody (RSV/IL15), showed linear and dose proportional PK. The PD1/IL15 TaCk also displayed a considerably prolonged PK (half-life range ∼1.0-4.1 days) compared to wild-type IL-15 (half-life ∼1.1 h), which led to an enhanced cell expansion PD response. The PD was dose-dependent, durable, and selective for PD-1+ lymphocytes. Notably, the dose- and time-dependent PK was attributed to dynamic TMDD resulting from test article-induced lymphocyte expansion upon repeat administration. The recommended first-in-human (FIH) dose of PD1/IL15 TaCk is 0.003 mg/kg, determined based on a minimum anticipated biological effect level (MABEL) approach utilizing a combination of in vitro and preclinical in vivo data. Conclusion This work provides insight into the complex PK/PD relationship of PD1/IL15 TaCk in monkeys and informs the recommended starting dose and dosing frequency selection to support clinical evaluation of this novel targeted cytokine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Amy Sharma
- Genentech, Inc., South SanFrancisco, CA, United States
| | | | - Amy Shelton
- Genentech, Inc., South SanFrancisco, CA, United States
| | - Pam Chan
- Genentech, Inc., South SanFrancisco, CA, United States
| | - Yanqiu Liu
- Genentech, Inc., South SanFrancisco, CA, United States
| | - Louis Joslyn
- Genentech, Inc., South SanFrancisco, CA, United States
| | - Iraj Hosseini
- Genentech, Inc., South SanFrancisco, CA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Vittal Shivva
- Genentech, Inc., South SanFrancisco, CA, United States
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Luo M, Gong W, Zhang Y, Li H, Ma D, Wu K, Gao Q, Fang Y. New insights into the stemness of adoptively transferred T cells by γc family cytokines. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:347. [PMID: 38049832 PMCID: PMC10694921 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01354-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
T cell-based adoptive cell therapy (ACT) has exhibited excellent antitumoral efficacy exemplified by the clinical breakthrough of chimeric antigen receptor therapy (CAR-T) in hematologic malignancies. It relies on the pool of functional T cells to retain the developmental potential to serially kill targeted cells. However, failure in the continuous supply and persistence of functional T cells has been recognized as a critical barrier to sustainable responses. Conferring stemness on infused T cells, yielding stem cell-like memory T cells (TSCM) characterized by constant self-renewal and multilineage differentiation similar to pluripotent stem cells, is indeed necessary and promising for enhancing T cell function and sustaining antitumor immunity. Therefore, it is crucial to identify TSCM cell induction regulators and acquire more TSCM cells as resource cells during production and after infusion to improve antitumoral efficacy. Recently, four common cytokine receptor γ chain (γc) family cytokines, encompassing interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21, have been widely used in the development of long-lived adoptively transferred TSCM in vitro. However, challenges, including their non-specific toxicities and off-target effects, have led to substantial efforts for the development of engineered versions to unleash their full potential in the induction and maintenance of T cell stemness in ACT. In this review, we summarize the roles of the four γc family cytokines in the orchestration of adoptively transferred T cell stemness, introduce their engineered versions that modulate TSCM cell formation and demonstrate the potential of their various combinations. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengshi Luo
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenjian Gong
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuewen Zhang
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Huayi Li
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ding Ma
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kongming Wu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qinglei Gao
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Yong Fang
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cancer Biology Research Center (Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education), Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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4
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Lindgren H, Eneslätt K, Golovliov I, Gelhaus C, Sjöstedt A. Analyses of human immune responses to Francisella tularensis identify correlates of protection. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1238391. [PMID: 37781364 PMCID: PMC10540638 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1238391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Francisella tularensis is the etiological agent of the potentially severe infection tularemia. An existing F: tularensis vaccine, the live vaccine strain (LVS), has been used to protect at-risk personnel, but it is not licensed in any country and it has limited efficacy. Therefore, there is a need of a new, efficacious vaccine. The aim of the study was to perform a detailed analysis of the characteristics of the human immune response to F. tularensis, since this will generate crucial knowledge required to develop new vaccine candidates. Nine individuals were administered the LVS vaccine and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected before and at four time points up to one year after vaccination. The properties of the PBMC were characterized by flow cytometry analysis of surface markers and intracellular cytokine staining. In addition, the cytokine content of supernatants from F. tularensis-infected PBMC cultures was determined and the protective properties of the supernatants investigated by adding them to cultures with infected monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). Unlike before vaccination, PBMC collected at all four time points after vaccination demonstrated F. tularensis-specific cell proliferation, cytokine secretion and cytokine-expressing memory cells. A majority of 17 cytokines were secreted at higher levels by PBMC collected at all time points after vaccination than before vaccination. A discriminative analysis based on IFN-γ and IL-13 secretion correctly classified samples obtained before and after vaccination. Increased expression of IFN-γ, IL-2, and MIP-1β were observed at all time points after vaccination vs. before vaccination and the most significant changes occurred among the CD4 transient memory, CD8 effector memory, and CD8 transient memory T-cell populations. Growth restriction of the highly virulent F. tularensis strain SCHU S4 in MDM was conferred by supernatants and protection correlated to levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF, and IL-17. The findings demonstrate that F. tularensis vaccination induces long-term T-cell reactivity, including TEM and TTM cell populations. Individual cytokine levels correlated with the degree of protection conferred by the supernatants. Identification of such memory T cells and effector mechanisms provide an improved understanding of the protective mechanisms against F. tularensis. mechanisms against F. tularensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Lindgren
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Kjell Eneslätt
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Igor Golovliov
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Anders Sjöstedt
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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5
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Gunst JD, Goonetilleke N, Rasmussen TA, Søgaard OS. Immunomodulation with IL-7 and IL-15 in HIV-1 infection. J Virus Erad 2023; 9:100347. [PMID: 37767312 PMCID: PMC10520363 DOI: 10.1016/j.jve.2023.100347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunomodulating agents are substances that modify the host immune responses in diseases such as infections, autoimmune conditions and cancers. Immunomodulators can be divided into two main groups: 1) immunostimulators that activate the immune system such as cytokines, toll-like receptor agonists and immune checkpoint blockers; and 2) immunosuppressors that dampen an overactive immune system such as corticosteroids and cytokine-blocking antibodies. In this review, we have focussed on the two primarily T and natural killer (NK) cell homeostatic cytokines: interleukin-7 (IL-7) and -15 (IL-15). These cytokines are immunostimulators which act on immune cells independently of the presence or absence of antigen. In vivo studies have shown that IL-7 administration enhances proliferation of circulating T cells whereas IL-15 agonists enhance the proliferation and function of NK and CD8+ T cells. Both IL-7 and IL-15 therapies have been tested as single interventions in HIV-1 cure-related clinical trials. In this review, we explore whether IL-7 and IL-15 could be part of the therapeutic approaches towards HIV-1 remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesper D. Gunst
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Nilu Goonetilleke
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Thomas A. Rasmussen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ole S. Søgaard
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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6
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Yan L, Xu K, Xiao Q, Tuo L, Luo T, Wang S, Yang R, Zhang F, Yang X. Cellular and molecular insights into incomplete immune recovery in HIV/AIDS patients. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1152951. [PMID: 37205108 PMCID: PMC10185893 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1152951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Highly active antiretroviral therapy (ART) can effectively inhibit virus replication and restore immune function in most people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, an important proportion of patients fail to achieve a satisfactory increase in CD4+ T cell counts. This state is called incomplete immune reconstitution or immunological nonresponse (INR). Patients with INR have an increased risk of clinical progression and higher rates of mortality. Despite widespread attention to INR, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. In this review, we will discuss the alterations in the quantity and quality of CD4+ T as well as multiple immunocytes, changes in soluble molecules and cytokines, and their relationship with INR, aimed to provide cellular and molecular insights into incomplete immune reconstitution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liting Yan
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Xingxiang Yang, ; Fujie Zhang, ; Liting Yan,
| | - Kaiju Xu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Qing Xiao
- Clinical and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Tuo
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Tingting Luo
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuqiang Wang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Renguo Yang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Fujie Zhang
- Clinical and Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Xingxiang Yang, ; Fujie Zhang, ; Liting Yan,
| | - Xingxiang Yang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Xingxiang Yang, ; Fujie Zhang, ; Liting Yan,
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7
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Abstract
Mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are innate T cells that recognize bacterial metabolites and secrete cytokines and cytolytic enzymes to destroy infected target cells. This makes MAIT cells promising targets for immunotherapy to combat bacterial infections. Here, we analyzed the effects of an immunotherapeutic agent, the IL-15 superagonist N-803, on MAIT cell activation, trafficking, and cytolytic function in macaques. We found that N-803 could activate MAIT cells in vitro and increase their ability to produce IFN-γ in response to bacterial stimulation. To expand upon this, we examined the phenotypes and functions of MAIT cells present in samples collected from PBMC, airways (bronchoalveolar lavage [BAL] fluid), and lymph nodes (LN) from rhesus macaques that were treated in vivo with N-803. N-803 treatment led to a transient 6 to 7-fold decrease in the total number of MAIT cells in the peripheral blood, relative to pre N-803 time points. Concurrent with the decrease in cells in the peripheral blood, we observed a rapid decline in the frequency of CXCR3+CCR6+ MAITs. This corresponded with an increase in the frequency of CCR6+ MAITs in the BAL fluid, and higher frequencies of ki-67+ and granzyme B+ MAITs in the blood, LN, and BAL fluid. Finally, N-803 improved the ability of MAIT cells collected from PBMC and airways to produce IFN-γ in response to bacterial stimulation. Overall, N-803 shows the potential to transiently alter the phenotypes and functions of MAIT cells, which could be combined with other strategies to combat bacterial infections.
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8
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Kim D, Park JH, Kim TY, Kim DG, Byun JH, Kim HS. Enhanced half-life and antitumor activity of Interleukin-15 through genetic fusion of a serum albumin-specific protein binder. Int J Pharm 2022; 625:122059. [PMID: 35905933 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Human interleukin-15 (hIL-15) has attracted a considerable attention as a promising cancer immunotherapeutic due to its function to directly stimulate the proliferation and cytotoxic activity of NK and T cells. Nevertheless, a relatively short half-life of hIL-15 requires repeated administration and higher doses, causing serious side effects. Here, we demonstrate an enhanced blood half-life and biological activity of hIL-15 through genetic fusion of a human serum albumin-specific protein binder (rHSA). The fusion construct (rHSA-IL15) was observed to maintain respective binding activities for both hIL-15 receptor α and human serum albumin. The rHSA-IL15 led to a significant increase in the secretion of Granzyme B and INF-γ by immune cells compare to free hIL-15, expanding the population of activated T cell subset such as CD4 + T and CD8+ T cells. The terminal half-life of the rHSA-IL15 was prolonged by around a 40-fold in transgenic mice expressing human serum albumin, compared to free hIL-15. The rHSA-IL15 resulted in distinct anti-tumor activities in xenograft SCC (squamous cell carcinoma) mouse and allograft melanoma mouse models through activation of NK and CD8+ T cells. The rHSA-IL15 is expected to be used in cancer immunotherapy, assisting in the development of other cytokines as immunotherapeutic agents with greater efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dasom Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Jin-Ho Park
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine and Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju 52727, Korea; Department of Convergence Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea
| | - Tae-Yoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea; Present address: Beckmann Research Institute, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Dong-Gun Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - June-Ho Byun
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine and Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju 52727, Korea; Department of Convergence Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52727, Korea.
| | - Hak-Sung Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea.
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Interleukin 15 in Cell-Based Cancer Immunotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137311. [PMID: 35806311 PMCID: PMC9266896 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-based cancer immunotherapy, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) engineered T and natural killer (NK) cell therapies, has become a revolutionary new pillar in cancer treatment. Interleukin 15 (IL-15), a potent immunostimulatory cytokine that potentiates T and NK cell immune responses, has demonstrated the reliability and potency to potentially improve the therapeutic efficacy of current cell therapy. Structurally similar to interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-15 supports the persistence of CD8+ memory T cells while inhibiting IL-2-induced T cell death that better maintains long-term anti-tumor immunity. In this review, we describe the biology of IL-15, studies on administrating IL-15 and/or its derivatives as immunotherapeutic agents, and IL-15-armored immune cells in adoptive cell therapy. We also discuss the advantages and challenges of incorporating IL-15 in cell-based immunotherapy and provide directions for future investigation.
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10
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Activated-memory T cells influence naïve T cell fate: a noncytotoxic function of human CD8 T cells. Commun Biol 2022; 5:634. [PMID: 35768564 PMCID: PMC9243096 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03596-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells are endowed with the capacity to sense their environment including other T cells around them. They do so to set their numbers and activation thresholds. This form of regulation has been well-studied within a given T cell population - i.e., within the naïve or memory pool; however, less is known about the cross-talk between T cell subsets. Here, we tested whether memory T cells interact with and influence surrounding naïve T cells. We report that human naïve CD8 T cells (TN) undergo phenotypic and transcriptional changes in the presence of autologous activated-memory CD8 T cells (TMem). Following in vitro co-culture with activated central memory cells (TCM), ~3% of the TN acquired activation/memory canonical markers (CD45RO and CD95) in an MHC-I dependent-fashion. Using scRNA-seq, we also observed that ~3% of the TN acquired an activated/memory signature, while ~84% developed a unique activated transcriptional profile hybrid between naïve and activated memory. Pseudotime trajectory analysis provided further evidence that TN with an activated/memory or hybrid phenotype were derived from TN. Our data reveal a non-cytotoxic function of TMem with potential to activate autologous TN into the activated/memory pool. These findings may have implications for host-protection and autoimmunity that arises after vaccination, infection or transplantation.
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Interleukin-15 augments NK cell-mediated ADCC of alemtuzumab in patients with CD52+ T-cell malignancies. Blood Adv 2022; 7:384-394. [PMID: 35475910 PMCID: PMC9898617 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021006440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-15 (IL-15) monotherapy substantially increases the number and activity of natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T cells but has not produced clinical responses. In a xenograft mouse model, IL-15 enhanced the NK cell-mediated antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) of the anti-CD52 antibody alemtuzumab and led to significantly more durable responses than alemtuzumab alone. To evaluate whether IL-15 potentiates ADCC in humans, we conducted a phase 1 single-center study of recombinant human IL-15 and alemtuzumab in patients with CD52-positive mature T-cell malignances. We gave IL-15 subcutaneously 5 days per week for 2 weeks in a 3 + 3 dose escalation scheme (at 0.5, 1, and 2 μg/kg), followed by standard 3 times weekly alemtuzumab IV for 4 weeks. There were no dose-limiting toxicities or severe adverse events attributable to IL-15 in the 11 patients treated. The most common adverse events were lymphopenia (100%), alemtuzumab-related infusion reactions (90%), anemia (90%), and neutropenia (72%). There were 3 partial and 2 complete responses, with an overall response rate of 45% and median duration of response 6 months. Immediately after 10 days of IL-15, there was a median 7.2-fold increase in NK cells and 2.5-fold increase in circulating CD8+ T cells, whereas the number of circulating leukemic cells decreased by a median 38% across all dose levels. Treatment with IL-15 was associated with increased expression of NKp46 and NKG2D, markers of NK-cell activation, and increased ex vivo ADCC activity of NK cells, whereas inhibitory receptors PD1 and Tim3 were decreased. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02689453.
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Holder PG, Lim SA, Huang CS, Sharma P, Dagdas YS, Bulutoglu B, Sockolosky JT. Engineering interferons and interleukins for cancer immunotherapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 182:114112. [PMID: 35085624 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines are a class of potent immunoregulatory proteins that are secreted in response to various stimuli and act locally to regulate many aspects of human physiology and disease. Cytokines play important roles in cancer initiation, progression, and elimination, and thus, there is a long clinical history associated with the use of recombinant cytokines to treat cancer. However, the use of cytokines as therapeutics has been limited by cytokine pleiotropy, complex biology, poor drug-like properties, and severe dose-limiting toxicities. Nevertheless, cytokines are crucial mediators of innate and adaptive antitumor immunity and have the potential to enhance immunotherapeutic approaches to treat cancer. Development of immune checkpoint inhibitors and combination immunotherapies has reinvigorated interest in cytokines as therapeutics, and a variety of engineering approaches are emerging to improve the safety and effectiveness of cytokine immunotherapy. In this review we highlight recent advances in cytokine biology and engineering for cancer immunotherapy.
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13
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Mohammed T, Mailankody S. “Off-the-shelf” immunotherapies for multiple myeloma. Semin Oncol 2022; 49:60-68. [DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2022.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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14
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Ratter-Rieck JM, Maalmi H, Trenkamp S, Zaharia OP, Rathmann W, Schloot NC, Straßburger K, Szendroedi J, Herder C, Roden M. Leukocyte Counts and T-Cell Frequencies Differ Between Novel Subgroups of Diabetes and Are Associated With Metabolic Parameters and Biomarkers of Inflammation. Diabetes 2021; 70:2652-2662. [PMID: 34462259 DOI: 10.2337/db21-0364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Frequencies of circulating immune cells are altered in those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes compared with healthy individuals and are associated with insulin sensitivity, glycemic control, and lipid levels. This study aimed to determine whether specific immune cell types are associated with novel diabetes subgroups. We analyzed automated white blood cell counts (n = 669) and flow cytometric data (n = 201) of participants in the German Diabetes Study with recent-onset (<1 year) diabetes, who were allocated to five subgroups based on data-driven analysis of clinical variables. Leukocyte numbers were highest in severe insulin-resistant diabetes (SIRD) and mild obesity-related diabetes (MOD) and lowest in severe autoimmune diabetes (SAID). CD4+ T-cell frequencies were higher in SIRD versus SAID, MOD, and mild age-related diabetes (MARD), and frequencies of CCR4+ regulatory T cells were higher in SIRD versus SAID and MOD and in MARD versus SAID. Pairwise differences between subgroups were partially explained by differences in clustering variables. Frequencies of CD4+ T cells were positively associated with age, BMI, HOMA2 estimate of β-cell function (HOMA2-B), and HOMA2 estimate of insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR), and frequencies of CCR4+ regulatory T cells with age, HOMA2-B, and HOMA2-IR. In conclusion, different leukocyte profiles exist between novel diabetes subgroups and suggest distinct inflammatory processes in these diabetes subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline M Ratter-Rieck
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Partner Düsseldorf, München-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Haifa Maalmi
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Partner Düsseldorf, München-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Sandra Trenkamp
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Partner Düsseldorf, München-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Oana-Patricia Zaharia
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Partner Düsseldorf, München-Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Rathmann
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Partner Düsseldorf, München-Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Biometrics and Epidemiology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Nanette C Schloot
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Klaus Straßburger
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Partner Düsseldorf, München-Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Biometrics and Epidemiology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Julia Szendroedi
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Partner Düsseldorf, München-Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christian Herder
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research, Partner Düsseldorf, München-Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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15
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Abstract
Future HIV-1 curative therapies require a thorough understanding of the distribution of genetically-intact HIV-1 within T-cell subsets during antiretroviral therapy (ART) and the cellular mechanisms that maintain this reservoir. Therefore, we sequenced near-full-length HIV-1 genomes and identified genetically-intact and genetically-defective genomes from resting naive, stem-cell memory, central memory, transitional memory, effector memory, and terminally-differentiated CD4+ T-cells with known cellular half-lives from 11 participants on ART. We find that a higher infection frequency with any HIV-1 genome was significantly associated with a shorter cellular half-life, such as transitional and effector memory cells. A similar enrichment of genetically-intact provirus was observed in these cells with relatively shorter half-lives. We found that effector memory and terminally-differentiated cells also had significantly higher levels of expansions of genetically-identical sequences, while only transitional and effector memory cells contained genetically-intact proviruses that were part of a cluster of identical sequences. Expansions of identical sequences were used to infer cellular proliferation from clonal expansion. Altogether, this indicates that specific cellular mechanisms such as short half-life and proliferative potential contribute to the persistence of genetically-intact HIV-1. IMPORTANCE The design of future HIV-1 curative therapies requires a more thorough understanding of the distribution of genetically-intact HIV-1 within T-cell subsets as well as the cellular mechanisms that maintain this reservoir. These genetically-intact and presumably replication-competent proviruses make up the latent HIV-1 reservoir. Our investigations into the possible cellular mechanisms maintaining the HIV-1 reservoir in different T-cell subsets have revealed a link between the half-lives of T-cells and the level of proviruses they contain. Taken together, we believe our study shows that more differentiated and proliferative cells, such as transitional and effector memory T-cells, contain the highest levels of genetically-intact proviruses, and the rapid turnover rate of these cells contributes to the expansion of genetically-intact proviruses within them. Therefore, our study delivers an in-depth assessment of the cellular mechanisms, such as cellular proliferation and half-life, that contribute to and maintain the latent HIV-1 reservoir.
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16
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Abstract
Immunological memory and exhaustion are fundamental features of adaptive immunity. Recent advances reveal increasing heterogeneity and diversity among CD8 T-cell subsets, resulting in new subsets to annotate and understand. Here, we review our current knowledge of differentiation and maintenance of memory and exhausted CD8 T cells, including phenotypic classification, developmental paths, transcriptional and epigenetic features, and cell intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Additionally, we use this outline to discuss the nomenclature of effector, memory, and exhausted CD8 T cells. Finally, we discuss how new findings about these cell types may impact the therapeutic efficacy and development of immunotherapies targeting effector, memory, and/or exhausted CD8 T cells in chronic infections and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Muroyama
- Institute for Immunology
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics
| | - E John Wherry
- Institute for Immunology
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics
- Abramson Cancer Center
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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17
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Harwood O, O’Connor S. Therapeutic Potential of IL-15 and N-803 in HIV/SIV Infection. Viruses 2021; 13:1750. [PMID: 34578331 PMCID: PMC8473246 DOI: 10.3390/v13091750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
IL-15, a proinflammatory cytokine critical for the generation, maintenance, and homeostasis of T cell responses, is produced naturally in response to HIV/SIV infection, but has also demonstrated therapeutic potential. IL-15 can boost CD4+ and CD8+ T cell and NK cell proliferation, activation, and function. However, IL-15 treatment may cause aberrant immune activation and accelerated disease progression in certain circumstances. Moreover, the relationship between the timing of IL-15 administration and disease progression remains unclear. The IL-15 superagonist N-803 was developed to expand the therapeutic potential of IL-15 by maximizing its tissue distribution and half-life. N-803 has garnered enthusiasm recently as a way to enhance the innate and cellular immune responses to HIV/SIV by improving CD8+ T cell recognition and killing of virus-infected cells and directing immune cells to mucosal sites and lymph nodes, the primary sites of virus replication. N-803 has also been evaluated in "shock and kill" strategies due to its potential to reverse latency (shock) and enhance antiviral immunity (kill). This review examines the current literature about the effects of IL-15 and N-803 on innate and cellular immunity, viral burden, and latency reversal in the context of HIV/SIV, and their therapeutic potential both alone and combined with additional interventions such as antiretroviral therapy (ART) and vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shelby O’Connor
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53711, USA;
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18
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Shah N, Perales MA, Turtle CJ, Cairo MS, Cowan AJ, Saeed H, Budde LE, Tan A, Lee Z, Kai K, Marcondes MQ, Zalevsky J, Tagliaferri MA, Patel KK. Phase I study protocol: NKTR-255 as monotherapy or combined with daratumumab or rituximab in hematologic malignancies. Future Oncol 2021; 17:3549-3560. [PMID: 34154392 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2021-0576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
NKTR-255 is an investigational polyethylene glycol-modified recombinant human IL-15 (rhIL-15) receptor agonist, designed to improve the immunotherapeutic and anti-cancer benefit observed with rhIL-15 while circumventing the toxicities associated with this therapy. In preclinical studies, NKTR-255 has demonstrated enhanced proliferation and function of CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells, as well as enhanced anti-tumor activity and survival both as monotherapy and in combination with monoclonal antibodies in multiple cancer models. Here, we describe the rationale and design of the first-in-human Phase I, dose-escalation and dose-expansion study of NKTR-255 alone and in combination with daratumumab or rituximab in adults with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that will determine the maximum tolerated dose and recommended Phase II dose for NKTR-255.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Shah
- Department of Medicine University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Miguel-Angel Perales
- Department of Medical Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Cameron J Turtle
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Mitchell S Cairo
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
| | - Andrew J Cowan
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.,Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Hayder Saeed
- Department of Malignant Hematology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Lihua E Budde
- Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Alan Tan
- Division of Hematology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Zachary Lee
- Clinical Development, Nektar Therapeutics, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Kazuharu Kai
- Clinical Development, Nektar Therapeutics, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Mario Q Marcondes
- Clinical Development, Nektar Therapeutics, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Jonathan Zalevsky
- Research & Development, Nektar Therapeutics, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | | | - Krina K Patel
- Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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19
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Khan MWA, Otaibi AA, Sherwani S, Alshammari EM, Al-Zahrani SA, Khan WA, Alsukaibi AKD, Alouffi S, Khan SN. Optimization of methods for peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolation and expansion of human gamma delta T cells. Bioinformation 2021; 17:460-469. [PMID: 34092966 PMCID: PMC8131572 DOI: 10.6026/97320630017460] [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: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Human Vg9/Vδ2 T cells (γδ T cells) are immune surveillance cells both in innate and adaptive immunity and are a possible target for anticancer therapies, which can induce immune responses in a variety of cancers. Small non-peptide antigens such as zoledronate can do activation and expansion of T cells in vitro. It is evident that for adoptive cancer therapies, large numbers of functional cells are needed into cancer patients. Hence, optimization of methods needs to be carried out for the efficient expansion of these T cells. Standardization of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolation was devised. Cytokines (interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interleukin 15 (IL-15)) and zoledronate were also standardized for different concentrations. It was found that an increased number of PBMCs were recovered when washing was done at 1100 revolution per minute (rpm). Significantly high expansion fold was (2524 ± 787 expansion fold) achieved when stimulation of PBMCs was done with 1 µM of zoledronate and both cytokines IL-2 and IL-15 supported the expansion and survival of cells at the concentrations of 100 IU/ml and 10 ng/ml respectively. 14-day cultures showed highly pure (91.6 ± 5.1%) and live (96.5 ± 2.5%) expanded γδ T cells. This study aimed to standardize an easy to manipulate technique for the expansion of γδ T cells, giving a higher yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Wajid Ali Khan
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, University of Ha'il, Ha'il-2440, Saudi Arabia
- Molecular Diagnostic and Personalised Therapeutics Unit, University of Ha'il, Ha'il-2440, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Al Otaibi
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, University of Ha'il, Ha'il-2440, Saudi Arabia
| | - Subuhi Sherwani
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, University of Ha'il, Ha'il-2440, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Salma Ahmed Al-Zahrani
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, University of Ha'il, Ha'il-2440, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wahid Ali Khan
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry,College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha-62529, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Sultan Alouffi
- Molecular Diagnostic and Personalised Therapeutics Unit, University of Ha'il, Ha'il-2440, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha'il, Ha'il-2440, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shahper Nazeer Khan
- Interdisciplinary Nanotechnology Centre, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002, U.P,India
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20
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Heterodimeric IL-15 in Cancer Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040837. [PMID: 33671252 PMCID: PMC7922495 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The rapidly expanding field of cancer immunotherapy uses diverse technologies, including cytokines, T cells, and antibody administration, with the aim to induce effective immune responses leading to tumor control. Interleukin-15 (IL-15), a cytokine discovered in 1994, supports the homeostasis of cytotoxic immune cells and shows promise as an anti-tumor agent. Many studies have elucidated IL-15 synthesis, regulation and biological function and explored its therapeutic efficacy in preclinical cancer models. Escherichia coli-derived single-chain IL-15 was tested in the first in-human trial in cancer patients. Its effects were limited by the biology of IL-15, which in vivo comprises a complex of the IL-15 chain with the IL-15 receptor alpha (IL-15Rα) chain, together forming the IL-15 heterodimer (hetIL-15). Currently, single-chain IL-15 and several heterodimeric IL-15:IL-15Rα variants (hetIL-15, N-803 and RLI) are being tested in clinical trials. This review presents a summary of contemporary preclinical and clinical research on IL-15. Abstract Immunotherapy has emerged as a valuable strategy for the treatment of many cancer types. Interleukin-15 (IL-15) promotes the growth and function of cytotoxic CD8+ T and natural killer (NK) cells. It also enhances leukocyte trafficking and stimulates tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes expansion and activity. Bioactive IL-15 is produced in the body as a heterodimeric cytokine, comprising the IL-15 and the so-called IL-15 receptor alpha chain that are together termed “heterodimeric IL-15” (hetIL-15). hetIL-15, closely resembling the natural form of the cytokine produced in vivo, and IL-15:IL-15Rα complex variants, such as hetIL-15Fc, N-803 and RLI, are the currently available IL-15 agents. These molecules have showed favorable pharmacokinetics and biological function in vivo in comparison to single-chain recombinant IL-15. Preclinical animal studies have supported their anti-tumor activity, suggesting IL-15 as a general method to convert “cold” tumors into “hot”, by promoting tumor lymphocyte infiltration. In clinical trials, IL-15-based therapies are overall well-tolerated and result in the expansion and activation of NK and memory CD8+ T cells. Combinations with other immunotherapies are being investigated to improve the anti-tumor efficacy of IL-15 agents in the clinic.
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21
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Zhang S, Zhao J, Bai X, Handley M, Shan F. Biological effects of IL-15 on immune cells and its potential for the treatment of cancer. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 91:107318. [PMID: 33383444 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.107318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-15 (IL-15) has recently emerged as a novel immunomodulatory cytokine in cancer immunotherapy. IL-15 has the potential to reject and destroy cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment by expanding and activating natural killer (NK), natural killer T (NKT), and memory (m) CD8+T cells. Due to the feasible outcomes obtained from preclinical studies and phase 1/2 clinical trials, IL-15-based therapy, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell or CAR NK cell infusion following in vitro expansion in the presence of IL-15, used in combination with checkpoint inhibitors and other therapy may extend to clinical practice in the future. It is also important to understand the biological characteristics of IL-15 to ensure the maximal benefit of therapeutic strategies. Here, we summarize the current development of IL-15 in the following areas: anti-tumor mechanisms in the tumor microenvironment, advances in IL-15-based therapy itself or in combination with other methods, including biological agents, monoclonal antibodies, and adoptive immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuling Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Jianzhu Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Xueli Bai
- Department of Gynecology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Mike Handley
- Cytocm lnc, 3001 Aloma Ave, Winter Park, FL 32792, USA
| | - Fengping Shan
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China.
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22
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Esgalhado AJ, Reste-Ferreira D, Albino SE, Sousa A, Amaral AP, Martinho A, Oliveira IT, Verde I, Lourenço O, Fonseca AM, Cardoso EM, Arosa FA. CD45RA, CD8β, and IFNγ Are Potential Immune Biomarkers of Human Cognitive Function. Front Immunol 2020; 11:592656. [PMID: 33324408 PMCID: PMC7723833 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.592656] [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: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that in humans the adaptive immunological system can influence cognitive functions of the brain. We have undertaken a comprehensive immunological analysis of lymphocyte and monocyte populations as well as of HLA molecules expression in a cohort of elderly volunteers (age range, 64–101) differing in their cognitive status. Hereby, we report on the identification of a novel signature in cognitively impaired elderly characterized by: (1) elevated percentages of CD8+ T effector-memory cells expressing high levels of the CD45RA phosphate receptor (Temrahi); (2) high percentages of CD8+ T cells expressing high levels of the CD8β chain (CD8βhi); (3) augmented production of IFNγ by in vitro activated CD4+ T cells. Noteworthy, CD3+CD8+ Temrahi and CD3+CD8βhi cells were associated with impaired cognition. Cytomegalovirus seroprevalence showed that all volunteers studied but one were CMV positive. Finally, we show that some of these phenotypic and functional features are associated with an increased frequency of the HLA-B8 serotype, which belongs to the ancestral haplotype HLA-A1, Cw7, B8, DR3, DQ2, among cognitively impaired volunteers. To our knowledge, this is the first proof in humans linking the amount of cell surface CD45RA and CD8β chain expressed by CD8+ Temra cells, and the amount of IFNγ produced by in vitro activated CD4+ T cells, with impaired cognitive function in the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- André J Esgalhado
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Débora Reste-Ferreira
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Stephanie E Albino
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Adriana Sousa
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Ana Paula Amaral
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - António Martinho
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Coimbra Blood and Transplantation Center, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Isabel T Oliveira
- C4-UBI, Cloud Computing Competence Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Ignacio Verde
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Olga Lourenço
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Ana M Fonseca
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Elsa M Cardoso
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.,IPG, Guarda Polytechnic Institute, Guarda, Portugal
| | - Fernando A Arosa
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.,Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
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23
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Fusion Cytokines IL-7-Linker-IL-15 Promote Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Subunit Vaccine to Induce Central Memory like T Cell-Mediated Immunity. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8040715. [PMID: 33271822 PMCID: PMC7712479 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040715] [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: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis), is among the most serious infectious diseases worldwide. Adjuvanted protein subunit vaccines have been demonstrated as a kind of promising novel vaccine. This study proposed to investigate whether cytokines interliukine-7 (IL-7) and interliukine-15 (IL-15) help TB subunit vaccines induce long-term cell-mediated immune responses, which are required for vaccination against TB. In this study, mice were immunized with the M. tuberculosis protein subunit vaccines combined with adnovirus-mediated cytokines IL-7, IL-15, IL-7-IL-15, and IL-7-Linker-IL-15 at 0, 2, and 4 weeks, respectively. Twenty weeks after the last immunization, the long-term immune responses, especially the central memory-like T cells (TCM like cell)-mediated immune responses, were determined with the methods of cultured IFN-γ-ELISPOT, expanded secondary immune responses, cell proliferation, and protective efficacy against Mycobacterium bovis Bacilli Calmette-Guerin (BCG) challenge, etc. The results showed that the group of vaccine + rAd-IL-7-Linker-IL-15 induced a stronger long-term antigen-specific TCM like cells-mediated immune responses and had higher protective efficacy against BCG challenge than the vaccine + rAd-vector control group, the vaccine + rAd-IL-7 and the vaccine + rAd-IL-15 groups. This study indicated that rAd-IL-7-Linker-IL-15 improved the TB subunit vaccine’s efficacy by augmenting TCM like cells and provided long-term protective efficacy against Mycobacteria.
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24
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Goshu BA, Chen H, Moussa M, Cheng J, Catalfamo M. Combination rhIL-15 and Anti-PD-L1 (Avelumab) Enhances HIVGag-Specific CD8 T-Cell Function. J Infect Dis 2020; 222:1540-1549. [PMID: 32433762 PMCID: PMC7529035 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In chronic HIV infection, virus-specific cytotoxic CD8 T cells showed expression of checkpoint receptors and impaired function. Therefore, restoration of CD8 T-cell function is critical in cure strategies. Here, we show that in vitro blockade of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) by an anti-PD-L1 antibody (avelumab) in combination with recombinant human interleukin-15 (rhIL-15) synergistically enhanced cytokine secretion by proliferating HIVGag-specific CD8 T cells. In addition, these CD8 T cells have a CXCR3+PD1-/low phenotype, suggesting a potential to traffic into peripheral tissues. In vitro, proliferating CD8 T cells express PD-L1 suggesting that anti-PD-L1 treatment also targets virus-specific CD8 T cells. Together, these data indicate that rhIL-15/avelumab combination therapy could be a useful strategy to enhance CD8 T-cell function in cure strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruktawit A Goshu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Maha Moussa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Jie Cheng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Marta Catalfamo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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25
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Chen P, Chen H, Moussa M, Cheng J, Li T, Qin J, Lifson JD, Sneller MC, Krymskaya L, Godin S, Lane HC, Catalfamo M. Recombinant Human Interleukin-15 and Anti-PD-L1 Combination Therapy Expands a CXCR3+PD1-/low CD8 T-Cell Subset in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Rhesus Macaques. J Infect Dis 2020; 221:523-533. [PMID: 31562760 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The PD1/PD-L1 pathway contributes to the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection, and blockade of this pathway may have potential to restore immune function and promote viral control or elimination. In this study, we combined a checkpoint inhibitor anti-PD-L1 (Avelumab) and recombinant human interleukin-15 (rhIL-15) in SIV-infected rhesus macaques (RM). METHODS The rhIL-15 was administered as continuous infusion in 2 cycles of 10 days in the context of weekly administration of anti-PD-L1 (Avelumab) in SIV-infected RM receiving combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Safety, immunological parameters, and viral loads were monitored during the study. RESULTS Administration of rhIL-15/anti-PD-L1 was safe and well tolerated. Treatment resulted in transient increases in proliferating (Ki67+) natural killer and CD8 T cells. In addition, treatment expanded a CXCR3+PD1-/low CD8 T-cell subset with the ability to secrete cytokines. Despite these effects, no changes in plasma viremia were observed after cART interruption. CONCLUSIONS Expansion of the CXCR3+PD1-/low CD8 T-cell subset with functional capacity and potential to traffic to sites of viral reservoirs in SIV-infected rhesus macaques had no demonstrable effect on plasma viremia after cART interruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington District of Columbia, USA
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington District of Columbia, USA.,CMRS/Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Maha Moussa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington District of Columbia, USA
| | - Jie Cheng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington District of Columbia, USA
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington District of Columbia, USA
| | - Jing Qin
- Biostatistics Research Branch, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Lifson
- AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael C Sneller
- CMRS/Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ludmila Krymskaya
- Clinical Support Laboratory, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Steven Godin
- Smithers Avanza Toxicology Services, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - H Clifford Lane
- CMRS/Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Marta Catalfamo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington District of Columbia, USA
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Allard-Chamard H, Mishra HK, Nandi M, Mayhue M, Menendez A, Ilangumaran S, Ramanathan S. Interleukin-15 in autoimmunity. Cytokine 2020; 136:155258. [PMID: 32919253 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2020.155258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a member of the IL-2 family of cytokines, which use receptor complexes containing the common gamma (γc) chain for signaling. IL-15 plays important roles in innate and adaptative immune responses and is implicated in the pathogenesis of several immune diseases. The IL-15 receptor consists of 3 subunits namely, the ligand-binding IL-15Rα chain, the β chain (also used by IL-2) and the γc chain. IL-15 uses a unique signaling pathway whereby IL-15 associates with IL-15Rα during biosynthesis, and this complex is 'trans-presented' to responder cells that expresses the IL-2/15Rβγc receptor complex. IL-15 is subject to post-transcriptional and post-translational regulation, and evidence also suggests that IL-15 cis-signaling can occur under certain conditions. IL-15 has been implicated in the pathology of various autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease and psoriasis. Studies with pre-clinical models have shown the beneficial effects of targeting IL-15 signaling in autoimmunity. Unlike therapies targeting other cytokines, anti-IL-15 therapies have not yet been successful in humans. We discuss the complexities of IL-15 signaling in autoimmunity and explore potential immunotherapeutic approaches to target the IL-15 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugues Allard-Chamard
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada; Centre de Recherche Clinique, Centre Hospitalier d'Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
| | - Hemant K Mishra
- Vet & Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Madhuparna Nandi
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Marian Mayhue
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Alfredo Menendez
- Centre de Recherche Clinique, Centre Hospitalier d'Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Subburaj Ilangumaran
- Centre de Recherche Clinique, Centre Hospitalier d'Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada; Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Sheela Ramanathan
- Centre de Recherche Clinique, Centre Hospitalier d'Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada; Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
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27
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Knudson KM, Hicks KC, Ozawa Y, Schlom J, Gameiro SR. Functional and mechanistic advantage of the use of a bifunctional anti-PD-L1/IL-15 superagonist. J Immunother Cancer 2020; 8:e000493. [PMID: 32303618 PMCID: PMC7204804 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2019-000493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti(α)-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) monotherapy fails to provide durable clinical benefit for most patients with carcinoma. Recent studies suggested that strategies to reduce immunosuppressive cells, promote systemic T-cell responses and lymphocyte trafficking to the tumor microenvironment (TME) may improve efficacy. N-809 is a first-in-class bifunctional agent comprising the interleukin (IL)-15 superagonist N-803 fused to two αPD-L1 domains. Thus, N-809 can potentially stimulate effector immune cells through IL-15 and block immunosuppressive PD-L1. Here, we examined the antitumor efficacy and immunomodulatory effects of N-809 versus N-803+αPD-L1 combination. METHODS The ability of N-809 to block PD-L1 and induce IL-15-dependent immune effects was examined in vitro and in vivo. Antitumor efficacy of N-809 or N-803+αPD-L1 was evaluated in two murine carcinoma models and an extensive analysis of immune correlates was performed in the tumor and tumor-draining lymph node (dLN). RESULTS We demonstrate that N-809 blocks PD-L1 and induces IL-15-dependent immune effects. N-809 was well-tolerated and reduced 4T1 lung metastasis, decreased MC38 tumor burden and increased survival versus N-803+αPD-L1. Compared with N-803+αPD-L1, N-809 enhanced natural killer (NK) and CD8+ T-cell activation and function in the dLN and TME, relating to increased gene expression associated with interferon and cytokine signaling, lymphoid compartment, costimulation and cytotoxicity. The higher number of TME CD8+ T cells was attributed to enhanced infiltration, not in situ expansion. Increased TME NK and CD8+ T-cell numbers correlated with augmented chemokine ligands and receptors. Moreover, in contrast to N-803+αPD-L1, N-809 reduced immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Treg), monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSC) and M2-like macrophages in the TME. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that N-809 functions by a novel immune mechanism to promote antitumor efficacy. Foremost, N-809 enhances intratumoral lymphocyte numbers by increasing trafficking via altered chemokine levels in the TME and chemokine receptor expression on CD8+ T cells and NK cells. In addition, N-809 reduces immunosuppressive and pro-tumorigenic immune cells in the TME, including Treg, M2-like macrophages and M-MDSC. Overall, these novel effects of N-809 promote an inflamed TME, leading to lower tumor burden and increased survival. These results provide mechanistic insight and rationale supporting the potential clinical study of N-809 in patients with carcinoma.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bispecific/pharmacology
- Antibodies, Bispecific/therapeutic use
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/therapeutic use
- B7-H1 Antigen/antagonists & inhibitors
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Cell Line, Tumor/transplantation
- Cell Movement/drug effects
- Cell Movement/immunology
- Female
- Humans
- Interleukin-15/agonists
- Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects
- Lymphocyte Count
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/drug effects
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/immunology
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Mice
- Natural Killer T-Cells/drug effects
- Natural Killer T-Cells/immunology
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/pharmacology
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/therapeutic use
- Single-Chain Antibodies/pharmacology
- Single-Chain Antibodies/therapeutic use
- Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin M Knudson
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Kristin C Hicks
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Yohei Ozawa
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeffrey Schlom
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sofia R Gameiro
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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28
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You Have Got a Fast CAR: Chimeric Antigen Receptor NK Cells in Cancer Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12030706. [PMID: 32192067 PMCID: PMC7140022 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12030706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical success stories of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy against B-cell malignancies have contributed to immunotherapy being at the forefront of cancer therapy today. Their success has fueled interest in improving CAR constructs, identifying additional antigens to target, and clinically evaluating them across a wide range of malignancies. However, along with the exciting potential of CAR-T therapy comes the real possibility of serious side effects. While the FDA has approved commercialized CAR-T cell therapy, challenges associated with manufacturing, costs, and related toxicities have resulted in increased attention being paid to implementing CAR technology in innate cytotoxic natural killer (NK) cells. Here, we review the current landscape of the CAR-NK field, from successful clinical implementation to outstanding challenges which remain to be addressed to deliver the full potential of this therapy to more patients.
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29
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Webb GM, Molden J, Busman-Sahay K, Abdulhaqq S, Wu HL, Weber WC, Bateman KB, Reed JS, Northrup M, Maier N, Tanaka S, Gao L, Davey B, Carpenter BL, Axthelm MK, Stanton JJ, Smedley J, Greene JM, Safrit JT, Estes JD, Skinner PJ, Sacha JB. The human IL-15 superagonist N-803 promotes migration of virus-specific CD8+ T and NK cells to B cell follicles but does not reverse latency in ART-suppressed, SHIV-infected macaques. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008339. [PMID: 32163523 PMCID: PMC7093032 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the success of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to halt viral replication and slow disease progression, this treatment is not curative and there remains an urgent need to develop approaches to clear the latent HIV reservoir. The human IL-15 superagonist N-803 (formerly ALT-803) is a promising anti-cancer biologic with potent immunostimulatory properties that has been extended into the field of HIV as a potential "shock and kill" therapeutic for HIV cure. However, the ability of N-803 to reactivate latent virus and modulate anti-viral immunity in vivo under the cover of ART remains undefined. Here, we show that in ART-suppressed, simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)SF162P3-infected rhesus macaques, subcutaneous administration of N-803 activates and mobilizes both NK cells and SHIV-specific CD8+ T cells from the peripheral blood to lymph node B cell follicles, a sanctuary site for latent virus that normally excludes such effector cells. We observed minimal activation of memory CD4+ T cells and no increase in viral RNA content in lymph node resident CD4+ T cells post N-803 administration. Accordingly, we found no difference in the number or magnitude of plasma viremia timepoints between treated and untreated animals during the N-803 administration period, and no difference in the size of the viral DNA cell-associated reservoir post N-803 treatment. These results substantiate N-803 as a potent immunotherapeutic candidate capable of activating and directing effector CD8+ T and NK cells to the B cell follicle during full ART suppression, and suggest N-803 must be paired with a bona fide latency reversing agent in vivo to facilitate immune-mediated modulation of the latent viral reservoir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela M. Webb
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Jhomary Molden
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Kathleen Busman-Sahay
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Shaheed Abdulhaqq
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Helen L. Wu
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Whitney C. Weber
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Katherine B. Bateman
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Jason S. Reed
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Mina Northrup
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Nicholas Maier
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Shiho Tanaka
- ImmunityBio, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Lina Gao
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Brianna Davey
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Benjamin L. Carpenter
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Michael K. Axthelm
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey J. Stanton
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Jeremy Smedley
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Justin M. Greene
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | | | - Jacob D. Estes
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Pamela J. Skinner
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Jonah B. Sacha
- Vaccine & Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
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30
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Singha AK, Sarkar C, Majumder D, Debnath R, Saha M, Maiti D. IL-15 and GM-CSF stimulated macrophages enhances phagocytic activity in ENU induced leukemic mice. Immunobiology 2019; 225:151894. [PMID: 31839395 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2019.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Murine splenic macrophage plays a decisive role in host immunity through phagocytosis against pathogens. It was reported that, macrophages also involves in phagocytosis of some tumour cells upon its activation initiated by certain cytokines produced by other immune cell or by indigenously treated. In this study, we have investigated the killing of leukemic blast cells by macrophages upon stimulated with IL-15 and GM-CSF alone or in combination in ENU challenged leukemic murine model. Along with, the release of TNF-α, IL-12 and IFN-γ by macrophages were assayed by ELISA. NO production by macrophages was also investigated. The molecular expressions like GM-CSF and TLRs were investigated for better understand of macrophage-leukemic cell interaction. Result shows that in disease condition macrophages have poor phagocytic activities which may be due to less release of TNF-α, IL-12 and IFN-γ by macrophages. This impaired phagocytic activity in leukemic mice was increase upon stimulation with IL-15 and GM-CSF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Kumar Singha
- Immunology and Microbiology Lab, Dept. of Human Physiology, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar-799022, Tripura, India.
| | - Chaitali Sarkar
- Immunology and Microbiology Lab, Dept. of Human Physiology, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar-799022, Tripura, India.
| | - Debabrata Majumder
- Immunology and Microbiology Lab, Dept. of Human Physiology, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar-799022, Tripura, India.
| | - Rahul Debnath
- Immunology and Microbiology Lab, Dept. of Human Physiology, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar-799022, Tripura, India.
| | - Manasi Saha
- Dept. of Pathology, Agartala Govt. Medical College, Agartala-799001, Tripura, India.
| | - Debasish Maiti
- Immunology and Microbiology Lab, Dept. of Human Physiology, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar-799022, Tripura, India.
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31
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Okoye AA, DeGottardi MQ, Fukazawa Y, Vaidya M, Abana CO, Konfe AL, Fachko DN, Duell DM, Li H, Lum R, Gao L, Park BS, Skalsky RL, Lewis AD, Axthelm MK, Lifson JD, Wong SW, Picker LJ. Role of IL-15 Signaling in the Pathogenesis of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Rhesus Macaques. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2019; 203:2928-2943. [PMID: 31653683 PMCID: PMC6864325 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1900792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Although IL-15 has been implicated in the pathogenic hyperimmune activation that drives progressive HIV and SIV infection, as well as in the generation of HIV/SIV target cells, it also supports NK and T cell homeostasis and effector activity, potentially benefiting the host. To understand the role of IL-15 in SIV infection and pathogenesis, we treated two cohorts of SIVmac239-infected rhesus macaques (RM; Macaca mulatta), one with chronic infection, the other with primary infection, with a rhesusized, IL-15-neutralizing mAb (versus an IgG isotype control) for up to 10 wk (n = 7-9 RM per group). In both cohorts, anti-IL-15 was highly efficient at blocking IL-15 signaling in vivo, causing 1) profound depletion of NK cells in blood and tissues throughout the treatment period; 2) substantial, albeit transient, depletion of CD8+ effector memory T cells (TEM) (but not the naive and central memory subsets); and 3) CD4+ and CD8+ TEM hyperproliferation. In primary infection, reduced frequencies of SIV-specific effector T cells in an extralymphoid tissue site were also observed. Despite these effects, the kinetics and extent of SIV replication, CD4+ T cell depletion, and the onset of AIDS were comparable between anti-IL-15- and control-treated groups in both cohorts. However, RM treated with anti-IL-15 during primary infection manifested accelerated reactivation of RM rhadinovirus. Thus, IL-15 support of NK cell and TEM homeostasis does not play a demonstrable, nonredundant role in SIV replication or CD4+ T cell deletion dynamics but may contribute to immune control of oncogenic γ-herpesviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afam A Okoye
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Maren Q DeGottardi
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Yoshinori Fukazawa
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Mukta Vaidya
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Chike O Abana
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Audrie L Konfe
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Devin N Fachko
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Derick M Duell
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - He Li
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Richard Lum
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Lina Gao
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239; and
| | - Byung S Park
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239; and
| | - Rebecca L Skalsky
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Anne D Lewis
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Michael K Axthelm
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Jeffrey D Lifson
- AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Scott W Wong
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Louis J Picker
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006;
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
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32
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Differentiation into an Effector Memory Phenotype Potentiates HIV-1 Latency Reversal in CD4 + T Cells. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.00969-19. [PMID: 31578289 PMCID: PMC6880164 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00969-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
By performing phenotypic analysis of latency reversal in CD4+ T cells from virally suppressed individuals, we identify the TEM subset as the largest contributor to the inducible HIV reservoir. Differential responses of memory CD4+ T cell subsets to latency-reversing agents (LRAs) demonstrate that HIV gene expression is associated with heightened expression of transcriptional pathways associated with differentiation, acquisition of effector function, and cell cycle entry. In vitro modeling of the latent HIV reservoir in memory CD4+ T cell subsets identify LRAs that reverse latency with ranges of efficiency and specificity. We found that therapeutic induction of latency reversal is associated with upregulation of identical sets of TEM-associated genes and cell surface markers shown to be associated with latency reversal in our ex vivo and in vitro models. Together, these data support the idea that the effector memory phenotype supports HIV latency reversal in CD4+ T cells. During antiretroviral therapy (ART), human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) persists as a latent reservoir in CD4+ T cell subsets in central memory (TCM), transitional memory (TTM), and effector memory (TEM) CD4+ T cells. We have identified differences in mechanisms underlying latency and responses to latency-reversing agents (LRAs) in ex vivo CD4+ memory T cells from virally suppressed HIV-infected individuals and in an in vitro primary cell model of HIV-1 latency. Our ex vivo and in vitro results demonstrate the association of transcriptional pathways of T cell differentiation, acquisition of effector function, and cell cycle entry in response to LRAs. Analyses of memory cell subsets showed that effector memory pathways and cell surface markers of activation and proliferation in the TEM subset are predictive of higher frequencies of cells carrying an inducible reservoir. Transcriptional profiling also demonstrated that the epigenetic machinery (known to control latency and reactivation) in the TEM subset is associated with frequencies of cells with HIV-integrated DNA and inducible HIV multispliced RNA. TCM cells were triggered to differentiate into TEM cells when they were exposed to LRAs, and this increase of TEM subset frequencies upon LRA stimulation was positively associated with higher numbers of p24+ cells. Together, these data highlight differences in underlying biological latency control in different memory CD4+ T cell subsets which harbor latent HIV in vivo and support a role for differentiation into a TEM phenotype in facilitating latency reversal. IMPORTANCE By performing phenotypic analysis of latency reversal in CD4+ T cells from virally suppressed individuals, we identify the TEM subset as the largest contributor to the inducible HIV reservoir. Differential responses of memory CD4+ T cell subsets to latency-reversing agents (LRAs) demonstrate that HIV gene expression is associated with heightened expression of transcriptional pathways associated with differentiation, acquisition of effector function, and cell cycle entry. In vitro modeling of the latent HIV reservoir in memory CD4+ T cell subsets identify LRAs that reverse latency with ranges of efficiency and specificity. We found that therapeutic induction of latency reversal is associated with upregulation of identical sets of TEM-associated genes and cell surface markers shown to be associated with latency reversal in our ex vivo and in vitro models. Together, these data support the idea that the effector memory phenotype supports HIV latency reversal in CD4+ T cells.
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Xu J, Sai H, Li Y, Jordan AC, McGettigan SE, Chen JH, Bedoya F, Fraietta JA, Gladney WL, Melenhorst JJ, Beatty GL. Peripheral Blood T-Cell Fitness Is Diminished in Patients With Pancreatic Carcinoma but Can Be Improved With Homeostatic Cytokines. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 8:656-658.e6. [PMID: 31398492 PMCID: PMC6889367 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2019.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J Xu
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - H Sai
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Y Li
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - A C Jordan
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - S E McGettigan
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - J-H Chen
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - F Bedoya
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - J A Fraietta
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - W L Gladney
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - J Joseph Melenhorst
- Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - G L Beatty
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Kulinski JM, Eisch R, Young ML, Rampertaap S, Stoddard J, Monsale J, Romito K, Lyons JJ, Rosenzweig SD, Metcalfe DD, Komarow HD. Skewed Lymphocyte Subpopulations and Associated Phenotypes in Patients with Mastocytosis. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2019; 8:292-301.e2. [PMID: 31319217 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2019.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mastocytosis is a clonal mast cell disorder associated with elevated mast cell mediators, which themselves have been reported to affect lymphocyte function. However, the impact of an expanded mast cell compartment on lymphocyte subpopulations, and their correlation with clinical phenotypes in patients with indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM), has not been explored. OBJECTIVE To examine the immunophenotype of circulating lymphocytes in patients with ISM compared with healthy adult controls and examine relationships with aspects of clinical disease. METHODS We examined lymphocyte subsets in 20 adult patients with ISM and 40 healthy adult volunteers by multiparameter flow cytometry. Results were correlated with clinical characteristics. RESULTS Patients with ISM exhibited a significantly lower median frequency and absolute cell count of both circulating CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells accompanying a significantly increased ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T cells when compared with healthy volunteers. Stratification of our ISM patient cohort according to clinical manifestations revealed that CD19+CD21lowCD38low B cells were significantly higher in patients with a history of autoimmune disease and counts of terminally differentiated CD4+ T cells were significantly higher in patients with osteoporosis or osteopenia. CONCLUSIONS Several circulating lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with ISM were significantly different when compared with healthy controls; in specific lymphocyte subsets, this lymphocyte skewing correlated with clinical observations including osteoporosis and autoimmune disease. These data suggest the need for further studies on abnormalities in lymphocyte subsets and the attendant clinical consequences in both mast cell proliferative and activation disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Kulinski
- Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Robin Eisch
- Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Michael L Young
- Clinical Research Directorate, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Md
| | - Shakuntala Rampertaap
- Immunology Service, Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Jennifer Stoddard
- Immunology Service, Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Joseph Monsale
- Immunology Service, Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Kimberly Romito
- Immunology Service, Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Jonathan J Lyons
- Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Sergio D Rosenzweig
- Immunology Service, Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Dean D Metcalfe
- Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md
| | - Hirsh D Komarow
- Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.
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Conlon KC, Potter EL, Pittaluga S, Lee CCR, Miljkovic MD, Fleisher TA, Dubois S, Bryant BR, Petrus M, Perera LP, Hsu J, Figg WD, Peer CJ, Shih JH, Yovandich JL, Creekmore SP, Roederer M, Waldmann TA. IL15 by Continuous Intravenous Infusion to Adult Patients with Solid Tumors in a Phase I Trial Induced Dramatic NK-Cell Subset Expansion. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:4945-4954. [PMID: 31142503 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-3468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The first-in-human clinical trial with human bolus intravenous infusion IL15 (rhIL15) was limited by treatment-associated toxicity. Here, we report toxicity, immunomodulation, and clinical activity of rhIL15 administered as a 10-day continuous intravenous infusion (CIV) to patients with cancers in a phase I trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients received treatment for 10 days with CIV rhIL15 in doses of 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, or 4 μg/kg/day. Correlative laboratory tests included IL15 pharmacokinetic (PK) analyses, and assessment of changes in lymphocyte subset numbers. RESULTS Twenty-seven patients were treated with rhIL15; 2 μg/kg/day was identified as the MTD. There were eight serious adverse events including two bleeding events, papilledema, uveitis, pneumonitis, duodenal erosions, and two deaths (one due to likely drug-related gastrointestinal ischemia). Evidence of antitumor effects was observed in several patients, but stable disease was the best response noted. Patients in the 2 μg/kg/day group had a 5.8-fold increase in number of circulating CD8+ T cells, 38-fold increase in total NK cells, and 358-fold increase in CD56bright NK cells. Serum IL15 concentrations were markedly lower during the last 3 days of infusion. CONCLUSIONS This phase I trial identified the MTD for CIV rhIL15 and defined a treatment regimen that produced significant expansions of CD8+ T and NK effector cells in circulation and tumor deposits. This regimen has identified several biological features, including dramatic increases in numbers of NK cells, supporting trials of IL15 with anticancer mAbs to increase antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and anticancer efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Conlon
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - E Lake Potter
- ImmunoTechnology Section Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Stefania Pittaluga
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | - Milos D Miljkovic
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Thomas A Fleisher
- NIH Clinical Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Sigrid Dubois
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Bonita R Bryant
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Michael Petrus
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Liyanage P Perera
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jennifer Hsu
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - William D Figg
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Cody J Peer
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Joanna H Shih
- Biometric Research Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jason L Yovandich
- Biological Resources Branch, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, Developmental Therapeutics Program, NCI, NIH, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Stephen P Creekmore
- Biological Resources Branch, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, Developmental Therapeutics Program, NCI, NIH, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Mario Roederer
- ImmunoTechnology Section Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Thomas A Waldmann
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland.
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Kuznetsova M, Lopatnikova J, Shevchenko J, Silkov A, Maksyutov A, Sennikov S. Cytotoxic Activity and Memory T Cell Subset Distribution of in vitro-Stimulated CD8 + T Cells Specific for HER2/neu Epitopes. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1017. [PMID: 31143180 PMCID: PMC6520647 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Minimal residual disease remaining after resection of primary tumors can lead to tumor recurrence and metastasis, increasing mortality and morbidity rates among cancer patients. Thus, there is a need for new technologies for recognition and elimination of single cancer cells remaining in a patient's body after radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or surgical resection. Effector CD8+ T cells, also commonly known as cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), play a key role in antitumor cellular immunity and, when properly activated, are able to effectively destroy tumor cells. The aims of this study were to obtain CD8+ CTLs specific for the HER2/neu epitopes E75 and E88 and to assess the cytotoxic activity and composition of these cells in terms of the distribution of memory T-cell subsets. We obtained HER2-specific CD8+ T cells and assessed T cell subset distribution among them including naive T cells (TN), central memory T cells (TCM), effector memory T cells (TEM), stem cell-like memory T cells (TSCM) and terminally-differentiated T cells (TEMRA) via eight-color flow cytometry. HER2-specific CTLs were largely (~40–50%) represented by TSCM cells, a population capable of mounting pronounced antitumor immune responses due to a combination of effector function and self-maintenance. In comparison with activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and bulk CD8+ T cells, HER2-specific CTLs exhibited greater cytotoxicity against the HER2-expressing human breast adenocarcinoma cell line MCF-7 and produced higher levels of IFN-γ in response to tumor cells. We also showed the presence of HER2-specific CTLs in healthy individuals and increase in them in HER2-positive breast cancer patients. Collectively, our results suggest that HER2-specific CD8+ T cells isolated using this approach could be used for adoptive T-cell transfer to eliminate tumor cells and prevent metastasis and relapse in patients with HER2-overexpressing cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Kuznetsova
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, State Budgetary Scientific Institution Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Julia Lopatnikova
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, State Budgetary Scientific Institution Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Julia Shevchenko
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, State Budgetary Scientific Institution Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Alexander Silkov
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, State Budgetary Scientific Institution Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Amir Maksyutov
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, State Budgetary Scientific Institution Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, Novosibirsk, Russia.,State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology VECTOR, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Sergey Sennikov
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, State Budgetary Scientific Institution Research Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, Novosibirsk, Russia.,Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
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Hudspeth K, Wang S, Wang J, Rahman S, Smith MA, Casey KA, Manna Z, Sanjuan M, Kolbeck R, Hasni S, Ettinger R, Siegel RM. Natural killer cell expression of Ki67 is associated with elevated serum IL-15, disease activity and nephritis in systemic lupus erythematosus. Clin Exp Immunol 2019; 196:226-236. [PMID: 30693467 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disorder whose pathology involves multiple immune cell types, including B and T lymphocytes as well as myeloid cells. While it is clear that autoantibody-producing B cells, as well as CD4+ T cell help, are key contributors to disease, little is known regarding the role of innate lymphoid cells such as natural killer (NK) cells in the pathogenesis of SLE. We have characterized the phenotype of NK cells by multi-color flow cytometry in a large cohort of SLE patients. While the overall percentage of NK cells was similar or slightly decreased compared to healthy controls, a subset of patients displayed a high frequency of NK cells expressing the proliferation marker, Ki67, which was not found in healthy donors. Although expression of Ki67 on NK cells correlated with Ki67 on other immune cell subsets, the frequency of Ki67 on NK cells was considerably higher. Increased frequencies of Ki67+ NK cells correlated strongly with clinical severity and active nephritis and was also related to low NK cell numbers, but not overall leukopenia. Proteomic and functional data indicate that the cytokine interleukin-15 promotes the induction of Ki67 on NK cells. These results suggest a role for NK cells in regulating the immune-mediated pathology of SLE as well as reveal a possible target for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Hudspeth
- Immunoregulation Section, Autoimmunity Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - S Wang
- Respiratory, Inflammation, and Autoimmunity Group, MedImmune LLC, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - J Wang
- Respiratory, Inflammation, and Autoimmunity Group, MedImmune LLC, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - S Rahman
- Respiratory, Inflammation, and Autoimmunity Group, MedImmune LLC, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - M A Smith
- Respiratory, Inflammation, and Autoimmunity Group, MedImmune LLC, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - K A Casey
- Respiratory, Inflammation, and Autoimmunity Group, MedImmune LLC, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
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- Respiratory, Inflammation, and Autoimmunity Group, MedImmune LLC, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Z Manna
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - M Sanjuan
- Respiratory, Inflammation, and Autoimmunity Group, MedImmune LLC, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - R Kolbeck
- Respiratory, Inflammation, and Autoimmunity Group, MedImmune LLC, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - S Hasni
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - R Ettinger
- Respiratory, Inflammation, and Autoimmunity Group, MedImmune LLC, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - R M Siegel
- Immunoregulation Section, Autoimmunity Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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The human IL-15 superagonist ALT-803 directs SIV-specific CD8 + T cells into B-cell follicles. Blood Adv 2019; 2:76-84. [PMID: 29365313 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2017012971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Sequestering of latent HIV in follicular helper T cells within B-cell follicles that largely exclude cytotoxic T cells is a major barrier to cellular immune-based approaches to eradicate HIV. Here, we show that the clinical-grade human interleukin-15 (IL-15) superagonist ALT-803 activates and redirects simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-specific CD8+ T cells from the peripheral blood into B-cell follicles. In agreement with the increased trafficking of SIV-specific cytotoxic T cells to sites of cryptic viral replication, lymph nodes of elite controlling macaques contained fewer cells expressing SIV RNA or harboring SIV DNA post-ALT-803 treatment. These data establish ALT-803 as an immunotherapeutic for HIV and other chronic viral pathogens that evade host immunity by persisting in B-cell follicles.
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Guan L, Li X, Wei J, Liang Z, Yang J, Weng X, Wu X. Antigen-specific CD8+ memory stem T cells generated from human peripheral blood effectively eradicate allogeneic targets in mice. Stem Cell Res Ther 2018; 9:337. [PMID: 30526661 PMCID: PMC6286512 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-018-1080-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the implantation and long-term existence of tumor-specific T cells in host are the prerequisite for adoptive immunotherapy, memory stem T cells (TSCM) with self-renewal and differentiation capacity show the greatest potential to implant and long-term exhibit function in vivo, compared with other T cells of differentiation stages. Hence, tumor-specific TSCM have become potential candidate for adoptive T cell therapy of cancer. Here, we reported a protocol to generate allogeneic antigen-specific CD8+ TSCM cells from human PBLs. METHODS To prepare allogeneic antigen-specific CD8+ TSCM, we used an LCL named E007 of defined HLA allotyping as simulator, a co-culture of E007 and allogeneic PBLs was carried out in the presence of differentiation inhibitor TWS119 for 7 days. Sorting of proliferation cells ensured the E007-specificity of the prepared TSCM cells. The sorted lymphocytes underwent further expansion by cytokines IL-7 and IL-15 for further 7 days, making the E007-specific CD8 + TSCM expanded in number. The stem cell and T memory cell properties of the prepared CD8+ TSCM were observed in NOD-SCID mice. RESULTS Our protocol began with 1 × 107 PBLs and resulted in 2 × 107 E007-specific CD8+ TSCM cells in 2 weeks of preparation. The prepared TSCM cells exhibited a proliferative history and rapid differentiation into effector cells upon the E007 re-stimulation. Importantly, the prepared TSCM cells were able to exist long and reconstitute other T cell subsets in vivo, eradicating the E007 cells effectively after transferred into the LCL burden mice. CONCLUSIONS This protocol was able to prepare allogeneic antigen-specific CD8+ TSCM cells from human PBLs. The prepared TSCM showed the properties of stem cells and T memory cells. This study provided a reference method for generation of antigen-specific TSCM for T cell adoptive immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Guan
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xiaoyi Li
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jiali Wei
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Zhihui Liang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xiufang Weng
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan, 430030, China.
| | - Xiongwen Wu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13 Hangkong Rd, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Abstract
Cytokines that control the immune response were shown to have efficacy in preclinical murine cancer models. Interferon (IFN)-α is approved for treatment of hairy cell leukemia, and interleukin (IL)-2 for the treatment of advanced melanoma and metastatic renal cancer. In addition, IL-12, IL-15, IL-21, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) have been evaluated in clinical trials. However, the cytokines as monotherapy have not fulfilled their early promise because cytokines administered parenterally do not achieve sufficient concentrations in the tumor, are often associated with severe toxicities, and induce humoral or cellular checkpoints. To circumvent these impediments, cytokines are being investigated clinically in combination therapy with checkpoint inhibitors, anticancer monoclonal antibodies to increase the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) of these antibodies, antibody cytokine fusion proteins, and anti-CD40 to facilitate tumor-specific immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Waldmann
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1374
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41
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IL-15 enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity mediated by NK cells and macrophages. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E10915-E10924. [PMID: 30373815 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1811615115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The goal of cancer immunotherapy is to stimulate the host immune system to attack malignant cells. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) is a pivotal mechanism of antitumor action of clinically employed antitumor antibodies. IL-15 administered to patients with metastatic malignancy by continuous i.v. infusion at 2 μg/kg/d for 10 days was associated with a 38-fold increase in the number and activation status of circulating natural killer (NK) cells and activation of macrophages which together are ADCC effectors. We investigated combination therapy of IL-15 with rituximab in a syngeneic mouse model of lymphoma transfected with human CD20 and with alemtuzumab (Campath-1H) in a xenograft model of human adult T cell leukemia (ATL). IL-15 greatly enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of both rituximab and alemtuzumab in tumor models. The additivity/synergy was shown to be associated with augmented ADCC. Both NK cells and macrophages were critical elements in the chain of interacting effectors involved in optimal therapeutic responses mediated by rituximab with IL-15. We provide evidence supporting the hypothesis that NK cells interact with macrophages to augment the NK-cell activation and expression of FcγRIV and the capacity of these cells to become effectors of ADCC. The present study supports clinical trials of IL-15 combined with tumor-directed monoclonal antibodies.
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Abstract
Cytokines are major regulators of innate and adaptive immunity that enable cells of the immune system to communicate over short distances. Cytokine therapy to activate the immune system of cancer patients has been an important treatment modality and continues to be a key contributor to current clinical cancer research. Interferon alpha (IFNα) is approved for adjuvant treatment of completely resected high-risk melanoma patients and several refractory malignancies. High-dose interleukin-2 (HDIL-2) is approved for treatment of metastatic renal cell cancer and melanoma, but both agents are currently less commonly used with the development of newer agents. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IFN gamma (IFNγ), IL-7, IL-12, and IL-21 were evaluated in clinical trials and remain part of certain investigational trials. The initial single-agent clinical trials with the long-awaited IL-15 have been completed and combination trials with antitumor antibodies or checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) have been initiated. However, cytokines in monotherapy have not fulfilled the promise of efficacy seen in preclinical experiments. They are often associated with severe dose-limiting toxicities that are manageable with appropriate dosing and are now better understood to induce immune-suppressive humoral factors, suppressive cells, and cellular checkpoints, without consistently inducing a tumor-specific response. To circumvent these impediments, cytokines are being investigated clinically with new engineered cytokine mutants (superkines), chimeric antibody-cytokine fusion proteins (immunokines), anticancer vaccines, CPIs, and cancer-directed monoclonal antibodies to increase their antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity or sustain cellular responses and anticancer efficacy. In this review, we summarize current knowledge and clinical application of cytokines either as monotherapy or in combination with other biological agents. We emphasize a discussion of future directions for research on these cytokines, to bring them to fruition as major contributors for the treatment of metastatic malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Conlon
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Milos D Miljkovic
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Thomas A Waldmann
- Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland
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Bergamaschi C, Watson DC, Valentin A, Bear J, Peer CJ, Figg WD, Felber BK, Pavlakis GN. Optimized administration of hetIL-15 expands lymphocytes and minimizes toxicity in rhesus macaques. Cytokine 2018; 108:213-224. [PMID: 29402721 PMCID: PMC6657354 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2018.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The common γ-chain cytokine interleukin-15 (IL-15) plays a significant role in regulating innate and adaptive lymphocyte homeostasis and can stimulate anti-tumor activity of leukocytes. We have previously shown that the circulating IL-15 in the plasma is the heterodimeric form (hetIL-15), produced upon co-expression of IL-15 and IL-15 Receptor alpha (IL-15Rα) polypeptides in the same cell, heterodimerization of the two chains and secretion. We investigated the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile and toxicity of purified human hetIL-15 cytokine upon injection in rhesus macaques. We compared the effects of repeated hetIL-15 administration during a two-week dosing cycle, using different subcutaneous dosing schemata, i.e. fixed doses of 0.5, 5 and 50 μg/kg or a doubling step-dose scheme ranging from 2 to 64 μg/kg. Following a fixed-dose regimen, dose-dependent peak plasma IL-15 levels decreased significantly between the first and last injection. The trough plasma IL-15 levels measured at 48 h after injections were significantly higher after the first dose, compared to subsequent doses. In contrast, following the step-dose regimen, the systemic exposure increased by more than 1 log between the first injection given at 2 μg/kg and the last injection given at 64 μg/kg, and the trough levels were comparable after each injection. Blood lymphocyte cell count, proliferation, and plasma IL-18 levels peaked at day 8 when hetIL-15 was provided at fixed doses, and at the end of the cycle following a step-dose regimen, suggesting that sustained expansion of target cells requires increasing doses of cytokine. Macaques treated with a 50 μg/kg dose showed moderate and transient toxicity, including fever, signs of capillary leak syndrome and renal dysfunction. In contrast, these effects were mild or absent using the step-dose regimen. The results provide a new method of optimal administration of this homeostatic cytokine and may have applications for the delivery of other cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Bergamaschi
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Dionysios C Watson
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Antonio Valentin
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Jenifer Bear
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Cody J Peer
- Clinical Pharmacology Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - William D Figg
- Clinical Pharmacology Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Barbara K Felber
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - George N Pavlakis
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, USA.
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Al-Attar A, Presnell SR, Clasey JL, Long DE, Walton RG, Sexton M, Starr ME, Kern PA, Peterson CA, Lutz CT. Human Body Composition and Immunity: Visceral Adipose Tissue Produces IL-15 and Muscle Strength Inversely Correlates with NK Cell Function in Elderly Humans. Front Immunol 2018; 9:440. [PMID: 29559978 PMCID: PMC5845694 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion control infections and cancers, but these crucial activities decline with age. NK cell development, homeostasis, and function require IL-15 and its chaperone, IL-15 receptor alpha (IL-15Rα). Macrophages and dendritic cells (DC) are major sources of these proteins. We had previously postulated that additional IL-15 and IL-15Rα is made by skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. These sources may be important in aging, when IL-15-producing immune cells decline. NK cells circulate through adipose tissue, where they may be exposed to local IL-15. The objectives of this work were to determine (1) if human muscle, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) are sources of IL-15 and IL-15 Rα, and (2) whether any of these tissues correlate with NK cell activity in elderly humans. We first investigated IL-15 and IL-15Rα RNA expression in paired muscle and SAT biopsies from healthy human subjects. Both tissues expressed these transcripts, but IL-15Rα RNA levels were higher in SAT than in skeletal muscle. We also investigated tissue obtained from surgeries and found that SAT and VAT expressed equivalent amounts of IL-15 and IL-15Rα RNA, respectively. Furthermore, stromal vascular fraction cells expressed more IL-15 RNA than did adipocytes. To test if these findings related to circulating IL-15 protein and NK cell function, we tested 50 healthy adults aged > 70 years old. Plasma IL-15 levels significantly correlated with abdominal VAT mass in the entire cohort and in non-obese subjects. However, plasma IL-15 levels did not correlate with skeletal muscle cross-sectional area and correlated inversely with muscle strength. Plasma IL-15 did correlate with NK cell cytotoxic granule exocytosis and with CCL4 (MIP-1β) production in response to NKp46-crosslinking. Additionally, NK cell responses to K562 leukemia cells correlated inversely with muscle strength. With aging, immune function declines while infections, cancers, and deaths increase. We propose that VAT-derived IL-15 and IL-15Rα is a compensatory NK cell support mechanism in elderly humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Al-Attar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Steven R Presnell
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Jody L Clasey
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, College of Education, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Douglas E Long
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - R Grace Walton
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Morgan Sexton
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Marlene E Starr
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Philip A Kern
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Charlotte A Peterson
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Charles T Lutz
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
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Watson DC, Moysi E, Valentin A, Bergamaschi C, Devasundaram S, Fortis SP, Bear J, Chertova E, Bess J, Sowder R, Venzon DJ, Deleage C, Estes JD, Lifson JD, Petrovas C, Felber BK, Pavlakis GN. Treatment with native heterodimeric IL-15 increases cytotoxic lymphocytes and reduces SHIV RNA in lymph nodes. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1006902. [PMID: 29474450 PMCID: PMC5825155 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
B cell follicles in secondary lymphoid tissues represent an immune privileged sanctuary for AIDS viruses, in part because cytotoxic CD8+ T cells are mostly excluded from entering the follicles that harbor infected T follicular helper (TFH) cells. We studied the effects of native heterodimeric IL-15 (hetIL-15) treatment on uninfected rhesus macaques and on macaques that had spontaneously controlled SHIV infection to low levels of chronic viremia. hetIL-15 increased effector CD8+ T lymphocytes with high granzyme B content in blood, mucosal sites and lymph nodes, including virus-specific MHC-peptide tetramer+ CD8+ cells in LN. Following hetIL-15 treatment, multiplexed quantitative image analysis (histo-cytometry) of LN revealed increased numbers of granzyme B+ T cells in B cell follicles and SHIV RNA was decreased in plasma and in LN. Based on these properties, hetIL-15 shows promise as a potential component in combination immunotherapy regimens to target AIDS virus sanctuaries and reduce long-term viral reservoirs in HIV-1 infected individuals. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02452268.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dionysios C. Watson
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Eirini Moysi
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Antonio Valentin
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Cristina Bergamaschi
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section; Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Santhi Devasundaram
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section; Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sotirios P. Fortis
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jenifer Bear
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section; Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Elena Chertova
- AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Julian Bess
- AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ray Sowder
- AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - David J. Venzon
- Biostatistics and Data Management Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Claire Deleage
- AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jacob D. Estes
- AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey D. Lifson
- AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Constantinos Petrovas
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Barbara K. Felber
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section; Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - George N. Pavlakis
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
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ALT-803 Transiently Reduces Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Replication in the Absence of Antiretroviral Treatment. J Virol 2018; 92:JVI.01748-17. [PMID: 29118125 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01748-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Developing biological interventions to control human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication in the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART) could contribute to the development of a functional cure. As a potential alternative to ART, the interleukin-15 (IL-15) superagonist ALT-803 has been shown to boost the number and function of HIV-specific CD8+ T and NK cell populations in vitro Four simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-positive rhesus macaques, three of whom possessed major histocompatibility complex alleles associated with control of SIV and all of whom had received SIV vaccine vectors that had the potential to elicit CD8+ T cell responses, were given ALT-803 in three treatment cycles. The first and second cycles of treatment were separated by 2 weeks, while the third cycle was administered after a 29-week break. ALT-803 transiently elevated the total CD8+ effector and central memory T cell and NK cell populations in peripheral blood, while viral loads transiently decreased by ∼2 logs in all animals. Virus suppression was not sustained as T cells became less responsive to ALT-803 and waned in numbers. No effect on viral loads was observed in the second cycle of ALT-803, concurrent with downregulation of the IL-2/15 common γC and β chain receptors on both CD8+ T cells and NK cells. Furthermore, populations of immunosuppressive T cells increased during the second cycle of ALT-803 treatment. During the third treatment cycle, responsiveness to ALT-803 was restored. CD8+ T cells and NK cells increased again 3- to 5-fold, and viral loads transiently decreased again by 1 to 2 logs.IMPORTANCE Overall, our data show that ALT-803 has the potential to be used as an immunomodulatory agent to elicit effective immune control of HIV/SIV replication. We identify mechanisms to explain why virus control is transient, so that this model can be used to define a clinically appropriate treatment regimen.
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47
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The potential and promise of IL-15 in immuno-oncogenic therapies. Immunol Lett 2017; 190:159-168. [PMID: 28823521 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2017.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
This review provides an in-depth description of the preclinical and clinical studies demonstrating the effectiveness and limitations of IL-15 and IL-15 analogs given as an exogenous immuno-oncology agent. IL-15 is a cytokine that primarily stimulates the proliferation and cytotoxic functions of CD8T cells and NK cells leading to enhanced anti-tumor responses. While initially showing promise as a cancer therapeutic, the efficacy of IL-15 was limited by its short in vivo half-life. More recently, various approaches have been developed to improve the in vivo half-life and efficacy of IL-15, largely by generating IL-15/IL-15Rα conjugates. These new IL-15 based agents renew the prospect of IL-15 as a cancer immunotherapeutic agent. While having some efficacy in inducing tumor regression as a monotherapy, IL-15 agents also show great potential in being used in combination with other immuno-oncological therapies. Indeed, IL-15 used in combination therapy yields even better anti-tumor responses and prolongs survival than IL-15 treatment alone in numerous murine cancer models. The promising results from these preclinical studies have led to the implementation of several clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of IL-15-based agents as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with other therapies to treat both advanced solid tumors and hematological malignancies.
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48
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DeGottardi MQ, Okoye AA, Vaidya M, Talla A, Konfe AL, Reyes MD, Clock JA, Duell DM, Legasse AW, Sabnis A, Park BS, Axthelm MK, Estes JD, Reiman KA, Sekaly RP, Picker LJ. Effect of Anti-IL-15 Administration on T Cell and NK Cell Homeostasis in Rhesus Macaques. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2016; 197:1183-98. [PMID: 27430715 PMCID: PMC4976006 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1600065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
IL-15 has been implicated as a key regulator of T and NK cell homeostasis in multiple systems; however, its specific role in maintaining peripheral T and NK cell populations relative to other γ-chain (γc) cytokines has not been fully defined in primates. In this article, we address this question by determining the effect of IL-15 inhibition with a rhesusized anti-IL-15 mAb on T and NK cell dynamics in rhesus macaques. Strikingly, anti-IL-15 treatment resulted in rapid depletion of NK cells and both CD4(+) and CD8(+) effector memory T cells (TEM) in blood and tissues, with little to no effect on naive or central memory T cells. Importantly, whereas depletion of NK cells was nearly complete and maintained as long as anti-IL-15 treatment was given, TEM depletion was countered by the onset of massive TEM proliferation, which almost completely restored circulating TEM numbers. Tissue TEM, however, remained significantly reduced, and most TEM maintained very high turnover throughout anti-IL-15 treatment. In the presence of IL-15 inhibition, TEM became increasingly more sensitive to IL-7 stimulation in vivo, and transcriptional analysis of TEM in IL-15-inhibited monkeys revealed engagement of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, suggesting alternative γc cytokine signaling may support TEM homeostasis in the absence of IL-15. Thus, IL-15 plays a major role in peripheral maintenance of NK cells and TEM However, whereas most NK cell populations collapse in the absence of IL-15, TEM can be maintained in the face of IL-15 inhibition by the activity of other homeostatic regulators, most likely IL-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maren Q DeGottardi
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006; Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Afam A Okoye
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006; Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Mukta Vaidya
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006; Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Aarthi Talla
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
| | - Audrie L Konfe
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006; Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Matthew D Reyes
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006; Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Joseph A Clock
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006; Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Derick M Duell
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006; Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Alfred W Legasse
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006; Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Amit Sabnis
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
| | - Byung S Park
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239
| | - Michael K Axthelm
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006; Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006
| | - Jacob D Estes
- AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD 21702; and
| | - Keith A Reiman
- MassBiologics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Boston, MA 02126
| | | | - Louis J Picker
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006; Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006;
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Thaysen-Andersen M, Chertova E, Bergamaschi C, Moh ESX, Chertov O, Roser J, Sowder R, Bear J, Lifson J, Packer NH, Felber BK, Pavlakis GN. Recombinant human heterodimeric IL-15 complex displays extensive and reproducible N- and O-linked glycosylation. Glycoconj J 2016; 33:417-33. [PMID: 26563299 PMCID: PMC7537637 DOI: 10.1007/s10719-015-9627-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2015] [Revised: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Human interleukin 15 (IL-15) circulates in blood as a stable molecular complex with the soluble IL-15 receptor alpha (sIL-15Rα). This heterodimeric IL-15:sIL-15Rα complex (hetIL-15) shows therapeutic potential by promoting the growth, mobilization and activation of lymphocytes and is currently evaluated in clinical trials. Favorable pharmacokinetic properties are associated with the heterodimeric formation and the glycosylation of hetIL-15, which, however, remains largely uncharacterized. We report the site-specific N- and O-glycosylation of two clinically relevant large-scale preparations of HEK293-derived recombinant human hetIL-15. Intact IL-15 and sIL-15Rα and derived glycans and glycopeptides were separately profiled using multiple LC-MS/MS strategies. IL-15 Asn79 and sIL-15Rα Asn107 carried the same repertoire of biosynthetically-related N-glycans covering mostly α1-6-core-fucosylated and β-GlcNAc-terminating complex-type structures. The two potential IL-15 N-glycosylation sites (Asn71 and Asn112) located at the IL-2 receptor interface were unoccupied. Mass analysis of intact IL-15 confirmed its N-glycosylation and suggested that Asn79-glycosylation partially prevents Asn77-deamidation. IL-15 contained no O-glycans, whereas sIL-15Rα was heavily O-glycosylated with partially sialylated core 1 and 2-type mono- to hexasaccharides on Thr2, Thr81, Thr86, Thr156, Ser158, and Ser160. The sialoglycans displayed α2-3- and α2-6-NeuAc-type sialylation. Non-human, potentially immunogenic glycoepitopes (e.g. N-glycolylneuraminic acid and α-galactosylation) were not displayed by hetIL-15. Highly reproducible glycosylation of IL-15 and sIL-15Rα of two batches of hetIL-15 demonstrated consistent manufacturing and purification. In conclusion, we document the heterogeneous and reproducible N- and O-glycosylation of large-scale preparations of the therapeutic candidate hetIL-15. Site-specific mapping of these molecular features is important to evaluate the consistent large-scale production and clinical efficacy of hetIL-15.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Thaysen-Andersen
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
| | - E Chertova
- AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - C Bergamaschi
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - E S X Moh
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - O Chertov
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Leidos Biomedical, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - J Roser
- AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - R Sowder
- AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - J Bear
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - J Lifson
- AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - N H Packer
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - B K Felber
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - G N Pavlakis
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
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50
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Generation of clinical-grade CD19-specific CAR-modified CD8+ memory stem cells for the treatment of human B-cell malignancies. Blood 2016; 128:519-28. [PMID: 27226436 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2015-11-683847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 266] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-lived, self-renewing, multipotent T memory stem cells (TSCM) can trigger profound and sustained tumor regression but their rareness poses a major hurdle to their clinical application. Presently, clinically compliant procedures to generate relevant numbers of this T-cell population are undefined. Here, we provide a strategy for deriving large numbers of clinical-grade tumor-redirected TSCM starting from naive precursors. CD8(+)CD62L(+)CD45RA(+) naive T cells enriched by streptamer-based serial-positive selection were activated by CD3/CD28 engagement in the presence of interleukin-7 (IL-7), IL-21, and the glycogen synthase-3β inhibitor TWS119, and genetically engineered to express a CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CD19-CAR). These conditions enabled the generation of CD19-CAR-modified CD8(+) TSCM that were phenotypically, functionally, and transcriptomically equivalent to their naturally occurring counterpart. Compared with CD8(+) T cells generated with clinical protocols currently under investigation, CD19-CAR-modified CD8(+) TSCM exhibited enhanced metabolic fitness and mediated robust, long-lasting antitumor responses against systemic acute lymphoblastic leukemia xenografts. This clinical-grade platform provides the basis for a phase 1 trial evaluating the activity of CD19-CAR-modified CD8(+) TSCM in patients with B-cell malignancies refractory to prior allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
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