1
|
Zhao X, Shao S, Hu L. The recent advancement of TCR-T cell therapies for cancer treatment. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2024; 56:663-674. [PMID: 38557898 PMCID: PMC11187488 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapies involve infusing engineered immune cells into cancer patients to recognize and eliminate tumor cells. Adoptive cell therapy, as a form of living drug, has undergone explosive growth over the past decade. The recognition of tumor antigens by the T-cell receptor (TCR) is one of the natural mechanisms that the immune system used to eliminate tumor cells. TCR-T cell therapy, which involves introducing exogenous TCRs into patients' T cells, is a novel cell therapy strategy. TCR-T cell therapy can target the entire proteome of cancer cells. Engineering T cells with exogenous TCRs to help patients combat cancer has achieved success in clinical trials, particularly in treating solid tumors. In this review, we examine the progress of TCR-T cell therapy over the past five years. This includes the discovery of new tumor antigens, protein engineering techniques for TCR, reprogramming strategies for TCR-T cell therapy, clinical studies on TCR-T cell therapy, and the advancement of TCR-T cell therapy in China. We also propose several potential directions for the future development of TCR-T cell therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhao
- />Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell SystemsShanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyCenter for Excellence in Molecular Cell ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
| | - Shuai Shao
- />Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell SystemsShanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyCenter for Excellence in Molecular Cell ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
| | - Lanxin Hu
- />Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell SystemsShanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell BiologyCenter for Excellence in Molecular Cell ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesShanghai200031China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lo Presti V, Meringa A, Dunnebach E, van Velzen A, Moreira AV, Stam RW, Kotecha RS, Krippner-Heidenreich A, Heidenreich OT, Plantinga M, Cornel A, Sebestyen Z, Kuball J, van Til NP, Nierkens S. Combining CRISPR-Cas9 and TCR exchange to generate a safe and efficient cord blood-derived T cell product for pediatric relapsed AML. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008174. [PMID: 38580329 PMCID: PMC11002379 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is an effective treatment for pediatric patients with high-risk, refractory, or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, a large proportion of transplanted patients eventually die due to relapse. To improve overall survival, we propose a combined strategy based on cord blood (CB)-HCT with the application of AML-specific T cell receptor (TCR)-engineered T cell therapy derived from the same CB graft. METHODS We produced CB-CD8+ T cells expressing a recombinant TCR (rTCR) against Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) while lacking endogenous TCR (eTCR) expression to avoid mispairing and competition. CRISPR-Cas9 multiplexing was used to target the constant region of the endogenous TCRα (TRAC) and TCRβ (TRBC) chains. Next, an optimized method for lentiviral transduction was used to introduce recombinant WT1-TCR. The cytotoxic and migration capacity of the product was evaluated in coculture assays for both cell lines and primary pediatric AML blasts. RESULTS The gene editing and transduction procedures achieved high efficiency, with up to 95% of cells lacking eTCR and over 70% of T cells expressing rWT1-TCR. WT1-TCR-engineered T cells lacking the expression of their eTCR (eTCR-/- WT1-TCR) showed increased cell surface expression of the rTCR and production of cytotoxic cytokines, such as granzyme A and B, perforin, interferon-γ (IFNγ), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), on antigen recognition when compared with WT1-TCR-engineered T cells still expressing their eTCR (eTCR+/+ WT1-TCR). CRISPR-Cas9 editing did not affect immunophenotypic characteristics or T cell activation and did not induce increased expression of inhibitory molecules. eTCR-/- WT1-TCR CD8+ CB-T cells showed effective migratory and killing capacity in cocultures with neoplastic cell lines and primary AML blasts, but did not show toxicity toward healthy cells. CONCLUSIONS In summary, we show the feasibility of developing a potent CB-derived CD8+ T cell product targeting WT1, providing an option for post-transplant allogeneic immune cell therapy or as an off-the-shelf product, to prevent relapse and improve the clinical outcome of children with AML.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vania Lo Presti
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Angelo Meringa
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ester Dunnebach
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Alice van Velzen
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ronald W Stam
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rishi S Kotecha
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | | | | | - Maud Plantinga
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Annelisa Cornel
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Zsolt Sebestyen
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jurgen Kuball
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Niek P van Til
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Child Neurology, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Cellular & Molecular Mechanisms, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - S Nierkens
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Klebanoff CA, Chandran SS, Baker BM, Quezada SA, Ribas A. T cell receptor therapeutics: immunological targeting of the intracellular cancer proteome. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2023; 22:996-1017. [PMID: 37891435 PMCID: PMC10947610 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00809-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
The T cell receptor (TCR) complex is a naturally occurring antigen sensor that detects, amplifies and coordinates cellular immune responses to epitopes derived from cell surface and intracellular proteins. Thus, TCRs enable the targeting of proteins selectively expressed by cancer cells, including neoantigens, cancer germline antigens and viral oncoproteins. As such, TCRs have provided the basis for an emerging class of oncology therapeutics. Herein, we review the current cancer treatment landscape using TCRs and TCR-like molecules. This includes adoptive cell transfer of T cells expressing endogenous or engineered TCRs, TCR bispecific engagers and antibodies specific for human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-bound peptides (TCR mimics). We discuss the unique complexities associated with the clinical development of these therapeutics, such as HLA restriction, TCR retrieval, potency assessment and the potential for cross-reactivity. In addition, we highlight emerging clinical data that establish the antitumour potential of TCR-based therapies, including tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, for the treatment of diverse human malignancies. Finally, we explore the future of TCR therapeutics, including emerging genome editing methods to safely enhance potency and strategies to streamline patient identification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Klebanoff
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Smita S Chandran
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, New York, NY, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brian M Baker
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, ID, USA
- The Harper Cancer Research Institute, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, ID, USA
| | - Sergio A Quezada
- Cancer Immunology Unit, Research Department of Haematology, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK
- Achilles Therapeutics, London, UK
| | - Antoni Ribas
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chen C, Wang Z, Qin Y. CRISPR/Cas9 system: recent applications in immuno-oncology and cancer immunotherapy. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:95. [PMID: 37964355 PMCID: PMC10647168 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-023-00457-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) is essentially an adaptive immunity weapon in prokaryotes against foreign DNA. This system inspires the development of genome-editing technology in eukaryotes. In biomedicine research, CRISPR has offered a powerful platform to establish tumor-bearing models and screen potential targets in the immuno-oncology field, broadening our insights into cancer genomics. In translational medicine, the versatile CRISPR/Cas9 system exhibits immense potential to break the current limitations of cancer immunotherapy, thereby expanding the feasibility of adoptive cell therapy (ACT) in treating solid tumors. Herein, we first explain the principles of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology and introduce CRISPR as a tool in tumor modeling. We next focus on the CRISPR screening for target discovery that reveals tumorigenesis, immune evasion, and drug resistance mechanisms. Moreover, we discuss the recent breakthroughs of genetically modified ACT using CRISPR/Cas9. Finally, we present potential challenges and perspectives in basic research and clinical translation of CRISPR/Cas9. This review provides a comprehensive overview of CRISPR/Cas9 applications that advance our insights into tumor-immune interaction and lay the foundation to optimize cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Chen
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zehua Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanru Qin
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Grailer J, Cheng ZJ, Hartnett J, Slater M, Fan F, Cong M. A Novel Cell-based Luciferase Reporter Platform for the Development and Characterization of T-Cell Redirecting Therapies and Vaccine Development. J Immunother 2023; 46:96-106. [PMID: 36809225 PMCID: PMC9988225 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
T-cell immunotherapies are promising strategies to generate T-cell responses towards tumor-derived or pathogen-derived antigens. Adoptive transfer of T cells genetically modified to express antigen receptor transgenes has shown promise for the treatment of cancer. However, the development of T-cell redirecting therapies relies on the use of primary immune cells and is hampered by the lack of easy-to-use model systems and sensitive readouts to facilitate candidate screening and development. Particularly, testing T-cell receptor (TCR)-specific responses in primary T cells and immortalized T cells is confounded by the presence of endogenous TCR expression which results in mixed alpha/beta TCR pairings and compresses assay readouts. Herein, we describe the development of a novel cell-based TCR knockout (TCR-KO) reporter assay platform for the development and characterization of T-cell redirecting therapies. CRISPR/Cas9 was used to knockout the endogenous TCR chains in Jurkat cells stably expressing a human interleukin-2 promoter-driven luciferase reporter gene to measure TCR signaling. Reintroduction of a transgenic TCR into the TCR-KO reporter cells results in robust antigen-specific reporter activation compared with parental reporter cells. The further development of CD4/CD8 double-positive and double-negative versions enabled low-avidity and high-avidity TCR screening with or without major histocompatibility complex bias. Furthermore, stable TCR-expressing reporter cells generated from TCR-KO reporter cells exhibit sufficient sensitivity to probe in vitro T-cell immunogenicity of protein and nucleic acid-based vaccines. Therefore, our data demonstrated that TCR-KO reporter cells can be a useful tool for the discovery, characterization, and deployment of T-cell immunotherapy.
Collapse
|
6
|
Fujiki F, Morimoto S, Nishida Y, Tanii S, Aoyama N, Inatome M, Inoue K, Katsuhara A, Nakajima H, Nakata J, Nishida S, Tsuboi A, Oka Y, Oji Y, Sogo S, Sugiyama H. Establishment of a novel NFAT-GFP reporter platform useful for the functional avidity maturation of HLA class II-restricted TCRs. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023:10.1007/s00262-023-03420-8. [PMID: 36939853 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03420-8] [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: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
CD4+ T cells that recognize antigenic peptides presented on HLA class II are essential for inducing an optimal anti-tumor immune response, and adoptive transfer of tumor antigen-specific TCR-transduced CD4+ T cells with high responsiveness against tumor is a promising strategy for cancer treatment. Whereas a precise evaluation method of functional avidity, an indicator of T cell responsiveness against tumors, has been established for HLA class I-restricted TCRs, it remains unestablished for HLA class II-restricted TCRs. In this study, we generated a novel platform cell line, CD4-2D3, in which GFP reporter was expressed by NFAT activation via TCR signaling, for correctly evaluating functional avidity of HLA class II-restricted TCRs. Furthermore, using this platform cell line, we succeeded in maturating functional avidity of an HLA class II-restricted TCR specific for a WT1-derived helper peptide by substituting amino acids in complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) of the TCR. Importantly, we demonstrated that transduction of an avidity-maturated TCR conferred strong cytotoxicity against WT1-expressing leukemia cells on CD4+ T cells, compared to that of its original TCR. Thus, CD4-2D3 cell line should be useful not only to evaluate TCR functional avidity in HLA class II-restricted TCRs but also to screen appropriate TCRs for clinical applications such as cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fumihiro Fujiki
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan. .,Department of Cancer Immunotherapy, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Soyoko Morimoto
- Department of Cancer Stem Cell Biology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Yuya Nishida
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Satoe Tanii
- Department of Functional Diagnostic Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Nao Aoyama
- Department of Functional Diagnostic Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Miki Inatome
- Department of Functional Diagnostic Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Kento Inoue
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Akiko Katsuhara
- Department of Functional Diagnostic Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Hiroko Nakajima
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Jun Nakata
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Sumiyuki Nishida
- Strategic Global Partnership & X (Cross)-Innovation Initiative, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University & Osaka University Hospital, Suita, Japan.,Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Akihiro Tsuboi
- Department of Cancer Immunotherapy, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Oka
- Department of Cancer Stem Cell Biology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan.,Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Yusuke Oji
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Shinji Sogo
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.,Department of Research Management, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Tokushima, Japan.,Joint Research Chair of Immune Therapeutic Drug Discovery IFReC, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
| | - Haruo Sugiyama
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Liu Z, Shi M, Ren Y, Xu H, Weng S, Ning W, Ge X, Liu L, Guo C, Duo M, Li L, Li J, Han X. Recent advances and applications of CRISPR-Cas9 in cancer immunotherapy. Mol Cancer 2023; 22:35. [PMID: 36797756 PMCID: PMC9933290 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01738-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence and mortality of cancer are the major health issue worldwide. Apart from the treatments developed to date, the unsatisfactory therapeutic effects of cancers have not been addressed by broadening the toolbox. The advent of immunotherapy has ushered in a new era in the treatments of solid tumors, but remains limited and requires breaking adverse effects. Meanwhile, the development of advanced technologies can be further boosted by gene analysis and manipulation at the molecular level. The advent of cutting-edge genome editing technology, especially clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR-Cas9), has demonstrated its potential to break the limits of immunotherapy in cancers. In this review, the mechanism of CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing and a powerful CRISPR toolbox are introduced. Furthermore, we focus on reviewing the impact of CRISPR-induced double-strand breaks (DSBs) on cancer immunotherapy (knockout or knockin). Finally, we discuss the CRISPR-Cas9-based genome-wide screening for target identification, emphasis the potential of spatial CRISPR genomics, and present the comprehensive application and challenges in basic research, translational medicine and clinics of CRISPR-Cas9.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zaoqu Liu
- grid.412633.10000 0004 1799 0733Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan China ,grid.207374.50000 0001 2189 3846Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan China ,grid.412633.10000 0004 1799 0733Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan China
| | - Meixin Shi
- grid.412633.10000 0004 1799 0733Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan China
| | - Yuqing Ren
- grid.412633.10000 0004 1799 0733Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan China
| | - Hui Xu
- grid.412633.10000 0004 1799 0733Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan China
| | - Siyuan Weng
- grid.412633.10000 0004 1799 0733Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan China
| | - Wenjing Ning
- grid.207374.50000 0001 2189 3846Department of Emergency Center, Zhengzhou University People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450003 Henan China
| | - Xiaoyong Ge
- grid.412633.10000 0004 1799 0733Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan China
| | - Long Liu
- grid.412633.10000 0004 1799 0733Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan China
| | - Chunguang Guo
- grid.412633.10000 0004 1799 0733Department of Endovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan China
| | - Mengjie Duo
- grid.412633.10000 0004 1799 0733Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan China
| | - Lifeng Li
- grid.412633.10000 0004 1799 0733Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052 Henan China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
| | - Xinwei Han
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China. .,Interventional Institute of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China. .,Interventional Treatment and Clinical Research Center of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rollins MR, Raynor JF, Miller EA, Butler JZ, Spartz EJ, Lahr WS, You Y, Burrack AL, Moriarity BS, Webber BR, Stromnes IM. Germline T cell receptor exchange results in physiological T cell development and function. Nat Commun 2023; 14:528. [PMID: 36726009 PMCID: PMC9892040 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36180-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice represent an invaluable tool to study antigen-specific immune responses. In the pre-existing models, a monoclonal TCR is driven by a non-physiologic promoter and randomly integrated into the genome. Here, we create a highly efficient methodology to develop T cell receptor exchange (TRex) mice, in which TCRs, specific to the self/tumor antigen mesothelin (Msln), are integrated into the Trac locus, with concomitant Msln disruption to circumvent T cell tolerance. We show that high affinity TRex thymocytes undergo all sequential stages of maturation, express the exogenous TCR at DN4, require MHC class I for positive selection and undergo negative selection only when both Msln alleles are present. By comparison of TCRs with the same specificity but varying affinity, we show that Trac targeting improves functional sensitivity of a lower affinity TCR and confers resistance to T cell functional loss. By generating P14 TRex mice with the same specificity as the widely used LCMV-P14 TCR transgenic mouse, we demonstrate increased avidity of Trac-targeted TCRs over transgenic TCRs, while preserving physiologic T cell development. Together, our results support that the TRex methodology is an advanced tool to study physiological antigen-specific T cell behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meagan R Rollins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Jackson F Raynor
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ebony A Miller
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Jonah Z Butler
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ellen J Spartz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Medicine, UCLA Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Walker S Lahr
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Yun You
- Mouse Genetics Laboratory, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Adam L Burrack
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Branden S Moriarity
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Beau R Webber
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ingunn M Stromnes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
- Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Liang W, Yi R, Wang W, Shi Y, Zhang J, Xu X, Wang Q, Liu M, Wang F. Enhancing the Antitumor Immunity of T Cells by Engineering the Lipid-Regulatory Site of the TCR/CD3 Complex. Cancer Immunol Res 2023; 11:93-108. [PMID: 36265009 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-21-1118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The engagement of the T-cell receptor (TCR) by a specific peptide-MHC ligand initiates transmembrane signaling to induce T-cell activation, a key step in most adaptive immune responses. Previous studies have indicated that TCR signaling is tightly regulated by cholesterol and its sulfate metabolite, cholesterol sulfate (CS), on the membrane. Here, we report a novel mechanism by which CS modulates TCR signaling through a conformational change of CD3 subunits. We found that the negatively charged CS interacted with the positively charged cytoplasmic domain of CD3ε (CD3εCD) to enhance its binding to the cell membrane and induce a stable secondary structure. This secondary structure suppressed the release of CD3εCD from the membrane in the presence of Ca2+, which in turn inhibited TCR phosphorylation and signaling. When a point mutation (I/A) was introduced to the intracellular immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motifs (YxxI-x6-8-YxxL) of CD3ε subunit, it reduced the stability of the secondary structure and regained sensitivity to Ca2+, which abolished CS-mediated inhibition and enhanced the signaling of the TCR complex. Notably, the I/A mutation could be applied to both murine and human TCR-T cell therapy to improve the antitumor efficacy. Our study reveals insights into the regulatory mechanism of TCR signaling and provides a strategy to functionally engineer the TCR/CD3 complex for T cell-based cancer immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenhua Liang
- Center for Immune-Related Diseases at Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruirong Yi
- Center for Immune-Related Diseases at Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weifang Wang
- Center for Immune-Related Diseases at Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiwei Shi
- Center for Immune-Related Diseases at Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiqin Zhang
- BRL Medicine, Inc., Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang Xu
- BRL Medicine, Inc., Shanghai, China
| | | | - Mingyao Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Center for Immune-Related Diseases at Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Teppert K, Wang X, Anders K, Evaristo C, Lock D, Künkele A. Joining Forces for Cancer Treatment: From "TCR versus CAR" to "TCR and CAR". Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314563. [PMID: 36498890 PMCID: PMC9739809 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell-based immunotherapy has demonstrated great therapeutic potential in recent decades, on the one hand, by using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and, on the other hand, by engineering T cells to obtain anti-tumor specificities through the introduction of either engineered T cell receptors (TCRs) or chimeric antigen receptors (CARs). Given the distinct design of both receptors and the type of antigen that is encountered, the requirements for proper antigen engagement and downstream signal transduction by TCRs and CARs differ. Synapse formation and signal transduction of CAR T cells, despite further refinement of CAR T cell designs, still do not fully recapitulate that of TCR T cells and might limit CAR T cell persistence and functionality. Thus, deep knowledge about the molecular differences in CAR and TCR T cell signaling would greatly advance the further optimization of CAR designs and elucidate under which circumstances a combination of both receptors would improve the functionality of T cells for cancer treatment. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review about similarities and differences by directly comparing the architecture, synapse formation and signaling of TCRs and CARs, highlighting the knowns and unknowns. In the second part of the review, we discuss the current status of combining CAR and TCR technologies, encouraging a change in perspective from "TCR versus CAR" to "TCR and CAR".
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karin Teppert
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Xueting Wang
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Kathleen Anders
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 10117 Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - César Evaristo
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Dominik Lock
- Miltenyi Biotec B.V. & Co. KG, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
| | - Annette Künkele
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 10117 Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Delfanti G, Cortesi F, Perini A, Antonini G, Azzimonti L, de Lalla C, Garavaglia C, Squadrito ML, Fedeli M, Consonni M, Sesana S, Re F, Shen H, Dellabona P, Casorati G. TCR-engineered iNKT cells induce robust antitumor response by dual targeting cancer and suppressive myeloid cells. Sci Immunol 2022; 7:eabn6563. [PMID: 35984893 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abn6563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive immunotherapy with T cells engineered with tumor-specific T cell receptors (TCRs) holds promise for cancer treatment. However, suppressive cues generated in the tumor microenvironment (TME) can hinder the efficacy of these therapies, prompting the search for strategies to overcome these detrimental conditions and improve cellular therapeutic approaches. CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells actively participate in tumor immunosurveillance by restricting suppressive myeloid populations in the TME. Here, we showed that harnessing iNKT cells with a second TCR specific for a tumor-associated peptide generated bispecific effectors for CD1d- and major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted antigens in vitro. Upon in vivo transfer, TCR-engineered iNKT (TCR-iNKT) cells showed the highest efficacy in restraining the progression of multiple tumors that expressed the cognate antigen compared with nontransduced iNKT cells or CD8+ T cells engineered with the same TCR. TCR-iNKT cells achieved robust cancer control by simultaneously modulating intratumoral suppressive myeloid populations and killing malignant cells. This dual antitumor function was further enhanced when the iNKT cell agonist α-galactosyl ceramide (α-GalCer) was administered as a therapeutic booster through a platform that ensured controlled delivery at the tumor site, named multistage vector (MSV). These preclinical results support the combination of tumor-redirected TCR-iNKT cells and local α-GalCer boosting as a potential therapy for patients with cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Delfanti
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Filippo Cortesi
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Alessandra Perini
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Gaia Antonini
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | | | - Claudia de Lalla
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Claudio Garavaglia
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Mario L Squadrito
- Targeted Cancer Gene Therapy Unit, San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Maya Fedeli
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Michela Consonni
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Silvia Sesana
- BioNanoMedicine Center NANOMIB, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20854 Monza, Italy
| | - Francesca Re
- BioNanoMedicine Center NANOMIB, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20854 Monza, Italy
| | - Haifa Shen
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Paolo Dellabona
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Giulia Casorati
- Experimental Immunology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan 20132, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Birtel M, Voss RH, Reinhard K, Rengstl B, Ouchan Y, Michel K, Hayduk N, Tillmann B, Becker R, Suchan M, Theobald M, Oehm P, Türeci Ö, Sahin U. A TCR-like CAR Promotes Sensitive Antigen Recognition and Controlled T-cell Expansion Upon mRNA Vaccination. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 2:827-841. [PMID: 36923303 PMCID: PMC10010320 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-21-0154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are efficacious in patients with B-cell malignancies, while their activity is limited in patients with solid tumors. We developed a novel heterodimeric TCR-like CAR (TCAR) designed to achieve optimal chain pairing and integration into the T-cell CD3 signaling complex. The TCAR mediated high antigen sensitivity and potent antigen-specific T-cell effector functions in short-term in vitro assays. Both persistence and functionality of TCAR T cells were augmented by provision of costimulatory signals, which improved proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Combination with a nanoparticulate RNA vaccine, developed for in vivo expansion of CAR T cells, promoted tightly controlled expansion, survival, and antitumor efficacy of TCAR T cells in vivo. Significance A novel TCAR is tightly controlled by RNA vaccine-mediated costimulation and may provide an alternative to second-generation CARs for the treatment of solid tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Birtel
- TRON – Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University gGmbH (non-profit), Mainz, Germany
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) Corporation, BioNTech Cell & Gene Therapies GmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ralf-Holger Voss
- TRON – Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University gGmbH (non-profit), Mainz, Germany
- Department of Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center (UMC) of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Katharina Reinhard
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) Corporation, BioNTech Cell & Gene Therapies GmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Benjamin Rengstl
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) Corporation, BioNTech Cell & Gene Therapies GmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Yasmina Ouchan
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) Corporation, BioNTech Cell & Gene Therapies GmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Kristina Michel
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) Corporation, BioNTech Cell & Gene Therapies GmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Nina Hayduk
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) Corporation, BioNTech Cell & Gene Therapies GmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Bodo Tillmann
- TRON – Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University gGmbH (non-profit), Mainz, Germany
| | - René Becker
- TRON – Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University gGmbH (non-profit), Mainz, Germany
| | - Martin Suchan
- TRON – Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University gGmbH (non-profit), Mainz, Germany
| | - Matthias Theobald
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Pneumology, University Cancer Center (UCT), University Medical Center (UMC) of Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Petra Oehm
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) Corporation, BioNTech Cell & Gene Therapies GmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Özlem Türeci
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) Corporation, BioNTech Cell & Gene Therapies GmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ugur Sahin
- TRON – Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University gGmbH (non-profit), Mainz, Germany
- Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech) Corporation, BioNTech Cell & Gene Therapies GmbH, Mainz, Germany
- Department of Research Center for Immunotherapy (FZI), University Medical Center (UMC) of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Wei F, Cheng XX, Xue JZ, Xue SA. Emerging Strategies in TCR-Engineered T Cells. Front Immunol 2022; 13:850358. [PMID: 35432319 PMCID: PMC9006933 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.850358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy of cancer has made tremendous progress in recent years, as demonstrated by the remarkable clinical responses obtained from adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of patient-derived tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells (CAR-T) and T cell receptor (TCR)-engineered T cells (TCR-T). TCR-T uses specific TCRS optimized for tumor engagement and can recognize epitopes derived from both cell-surface and intracellular targets, including tumor-associated antigens, cancer germline antigens, viral oncoproteins, and tumor-specific neoantigens (neoAgs) that are largely sequestered in the cytoplasm and nucleus of tumor cells. Moreover, as TCRS are naturally developed for sensitive antigen detection, they are able to recognize epitopes at far lower concentrations than required for CAR-T activation. Therefore, TCR-T holds great promise for the treatment of human cancers. In this focused review, we summarize basic, translational, and clinical insights into the challenges and opportunities of TCR-T. We review emerging strategies used in current ACT, point out limitations, and propose possible solutions. We highlight the importance of targeting tumor-specific neoAgs and outline a strategy of combining neoAg vaccines, checkpoint blockade therapy, and adoptive transfer of neoAg-specific TCR-T to produce a truly tumor-specific therapy, which is able to penetrate into solid tumors and resist the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. We believe such a combination approach should lead to a significant improvement in cancer immunotherapies, especially for solid tumors, and may provide a general strategy for the eradication of multiple cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wei
- Genetic Engineering Laboratory, School of Biological & Environmental Engineering, Xi'An University, Xi'An, China
| | - Xiao-Xia Cheng
- Genetic Engineering Laboratory, School of Biological & Environmental Engineering, Xi'An University, Xi'An, China
| | - John Zhao Xue
- Genetic Engineering Laboratory, School of Biological & Environmental Engineering, Xi'An University, Xi'An, China
| | - Shao-An Xue
- Genetic Engineering Laboratory, School of Biological & Environmental Engineering, Xi'An University, Xi'An, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wang SW, Gao C, Zheng YM, Yi L, Lu JC, Huang XY, Cai JB, Zhang PF, Cui YH, Ke AW. Current applications and future perspective of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in cancer. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:57. [PMID: 35189910 PMCID: PMC8862238 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01518-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system provides adaptive immunity against plasmids and phages in prokaryotes. This system inspires the development of a powerful genome engineering tool, the CRISPR/CRISPR-associated nuclease 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) genome editing system. Due to its high efficiency and precision, the CRISPR/Cas9 technique has been employed to explore the functions of cancer-related genes, establish tumor-bearing animal models and probe drug targets, vastly increasing our understanding of cancer genomics. Here, we review current status of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology in oncological research. We first explain the basic principles of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and introduce several new CRISPR-based gene editing modes. We next detail the rapid progress of CRISPR screening in revealing tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance mechanisms. In addition, we introduce CRISPR/Cas9 system delivery vectors and finally demonstrate the potential of CRISPR/Cas9 engineering to enhance the effect of adoptive T cell therapy (ACT) and reduce adverse reactions.
Collapse
|
15
|
Elucidation of CRISPR-Cas9 application in novel cellular immunotherapy. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:7069-7077. [DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07147-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
|
16
|
Simon S, Bugos G, Salter AI, Riddell SR. Synthetic receptors for logic gated T cell recognition and function. Curr Opin Immunol 2022; 74:9-17. [PMID: 34571290 PMCID: PMC8901444 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy with T cells engineered with customized receptors that redirect antigen specificity to cancer cells has emerged as an effective therapeutic approach for many malignancies. Toxicity due to on target or off target effects, antigen heterogeneity on cancer cells, and acquired T cell dysfunction have been identified as barriers that can hinder successful therapy. This review will discuss recent advances in T cell engineering that have enabled the application of logic gates in T cells that can mimic the integration of natural signaling pathways and act in a cell intrinsic or extrinsic fashion to precisely target tumor cells and regulate effector functions, potentially overcoming these barriers to effective therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Simon
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington
| | - Grace Bugos
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington,Department of Immunology, University of Washington
| | - Alex I. Salter
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington,Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle WA
| | - Stanley R. Riddell
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington,Department of Immunology, University of Washington,Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle WA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Stief TA, Kaeuferle T, Müller TR, Döring M, Jablonowski LM, Schober K, Feucht J, Dennehy KM, Willier S, Blaeschke F, Handgretinger R, Lang P, Busch DH, Feuchtinger T. Protective T cell receptor identification for orthotopic reprogramming of immunity in refractory virus infections. Mol Ther 2022; 30:198-208. [PMID: 34058386 PMCID: PMC8753271 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral infections cause life-threatening disease in immunocompromised patients and especially following transplantation. T cell receptor (TCR) engineering redirects specificity and can bring significant progress to emerging adoptive T cell transfer (ACT) approaches. T cell epitopes are well described, although knowledge is limited on which TCRs mediate protective immunity. In this study, refractory adenovirus (AdV) infection after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) was treated with ACT of highly purified Hexon5-specific T cells using peptide major histocompatibility complex (pMHC)-Streptamers against the immunodominant human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A∗0101-restricted peptide LTDLGQNLLY. AdV was successfully controlled through this oligoclonal ACT. Novel protective TCRs were isolated ex vivo and preclinically engineered into the TCR locus of allogeneic third-party primary T cells by CRISPR-Cas9-mediated orthotopic TCR replacement. Both TCR knockout and targeted integration of the new TCR in one single engineering step led to physiological expression of the transgenic TCR. Reprogrammed TCR-edited T cells showed strong virus-specific functionality such as cytokine release, effector marker upregulation, and proliferation capacity, as well as cytotoxicity against LTDLGQNLLY-presenting and AdV-infected targets. In conclusion, ex vivo isolated TCRs with clinical proven protection through ACT could be redirected into T cells from naive third-party donors. This approach ensures that transgenic TCRs are protective with potential off-the-shelf use and widened applicability of ACT to various refractory emerging viral infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tanja A. Stief
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich Germany,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Theresa Kaeuferle
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich Germany,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas R. Müller
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München (TUM), Munich, Germany,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Michaela Döring
- Department I – General Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Tubingen, Children’s Hospital, Tubingen, Germany
| | - Lena M. Jablonowski
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich Germany
| | - Kilian Schober
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München (TUM), Munich, Germany,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Judith Feucht
- Department I – General Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Tubingen, Children’s Hospital, Tubingen, Germany,Center for Cell Engineering, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kevin M. Dennehy
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany,Institute for Laboratory Medicine and Microbiology, University Hospital Augsburg, Germany
| | - Semjon Willier
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich Germany
| | - Franziska Blaeschke
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich Germany,Department I – General Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Tubingen, Children’s Hospital, Tubingen, Germany
| | - Rupert Handgretinger
- Department I – General Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Tubingen, Children’s Hospital, Tubingen, Germany
| | - Peter Lang
- Department I – General Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Tubingen, Children’s Hospital, Tubingen, Germany
| | - Dirk H. Busch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München (TUM), Munich, Germany,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Feuchtinger
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich Germany,Department I – General Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Tubingen, Children’s Hospital, Tubingen, Germany,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany,Corresponding author: Tobias Feuchtinger, MD, Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, LMU Munich, Lindwurmstrasse 4, 80337 Munich, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Müller TR, Jarosch S, Hammel M, Leube J, Grassmann S, Bernard B, Effenberger M, Andrä I, Chaudhry MZ, Käuferle T, Malo A, Cicin-Sain L, Steinberger P, Feuchtinger T, Protzer U, Schumann K, Neuenhahn M, Schober K, Busch DH. Targeted T cell receptor gene editing provides predictable T cell product function for immunotherapy. Cell Rep Med 2021; 2:100374. [PMID: 34467251 PMCID: PMC8385324 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2021.100374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of T cells expressing a transgenic T cell receptor (TCR) has the potential to revolutionize immunotherapy of infectious diseases and cancer. However, the generation of defined TCR-transgenic T cell medicinal products with predictable in vivo function still poses a major challenge and limits broader and more successful application of this "living drug." Here, by studying 51 different TCRs, we show that conventional genetic engineering by viral transduction leads to variable TCR expression and functionality as a result of variable transgene copy numbers and untargeted transgene integration. In contrast, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated TCR replacement enables defined, targeted TCR transgene insertion into the TCR gene locus. Thereby, T cell products display more homogeneous TCR expression similar to physiological T cells. Importantly, increased T cell product homogeneity after targeted TCR gene editing correlates with predictable in vivo T cell responses, which represents a crucial aspect for clinical application in adoptive T cell immunotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R. Müller
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Jarosch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Monika Hammel
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Justin Leube
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Simon Grassmann
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA
| | - Bettina Bernard
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Manuel Effenberger
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Immanuel Andrä
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - M. Zeeshan Chaudhry
- Department of Viral Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Theresa Käuferle
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Antje Malo
- Institute of Virology, TUM, Munich, Germany
| | - Luka Cicin-Sain
- Department of Viral Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tobias Feuchtinger
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Virology, TUM, Munich, Germany
| | - Kathrin Schumann
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
- Institute for Advanced Study, TUM, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Neuenhahn
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Kilian Schober
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
| | - Dirk H. Busch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute for Advanced Study, TUM, Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Watanabe K, Nishikawa H. Engineering strategies for broad application of TCR-T and CAR-T cell therapies. Int Immunol 2021; 33:551-562. [PMID: 34374779 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxab052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy, including the transfer of tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes after in vitro expansion or T cells redirected to tumor antigens using antigen-specific transgenic T cell receptor T cells (TCR-T cells) or chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T cells), has shown a significant clinical impact. Particularly, several types of CAR-T cell therapies have been approved for the treatment of hematological malignancies. The striking success of CAR-T cell therapies in hematological malignancies motivates their further expansion to a wide range of solid tumors, yet multiple obstacles, including the lack of proper target antigens exhibiting a tumor-specific expression pattern and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) impairing the effector functions of adoptively transferred T cells, have prevented clinical application. Gene engineering technologies such as the CRISPR/Cas9 system have enabled flexible reprograming of TCR/CAR-T cell signaling or loading genes that are targets of the tumor immunosuppression as a payload to overcome the difficulties. Here, we discuss recent advances in TCR/CAR-T cell engineering: various promising approaches to enhance the antitumor activity of adoptively transferred T cells in the TME for maximizing the efficacy and the safety of adoptive cell therapy are now being tested in the clinic, especially targeting solid tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Watanabe
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Nishikawa
- Division of Cancer Immunology, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan.,Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Lu F, Ma XJN, Jin WL, Luo Y, Li X. Neoantigen Specific T Cells Derived From T Cell-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Potential and Challenges. Front Immunol 2021; 12:690565. [PMID: 34054880 PMCID: PMC8155510 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.690565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has become an indispensable part of the comprehensive treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Immunotherapy has proven effective in patients with early HCC, advanced HCC, or HCC recurrence after liver transplantation. Clinically, the most commonly used immunotherapy is immune checkpoint inhibition using monoclonal antibodies, such as CTLA-4 and PD-1. However, it cannot fundamentally solve the problems of a weakened immune system and inactivation of immune cells involved in killing tumor cells. T cells can express tumor antigen-recognizing T cell receptors (TCRs) or chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) on the cell surface through gene editing to improve the specificity and responsiveness of immune cells. According to previous studies, TCR-T cell therapy is significantly better than CAR-T cell therapy in the treatment of solid tumors and is one of the most promising immune cell therapies for solid tumors so far. However, its application in the treatment of HCC is still being researched. Technological advancements in induction and redifferentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) allow us to use T cells to induce T cell-derived iPSCs (T-iPSCs) and then differentiate them into TCR-T cells. This has allowed a convenient strategy to study HCC models and explore optimal treatment strategies. This review gives an overview of the major advances in the development of protocols to generate neoantigen-specific TCR-T cells from T-iPSCs. We will also discuss their potential and challenges in the treatment of HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fei Lu
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine of Gansu Province, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Jing-Nan Ma
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine of Gansu Province, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wei-Lin Jin
- Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine of Gansu Province, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Institute of Cancer Neuroscience, Medical Frontier Innovation Research Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yang Luo
- Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine of Gansu Province, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xun Li
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Regenerative Medicine of Gansu Province, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Institute of Gansu Province, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Health Science Center, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Medical Frontier Innovation Research Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Ding R, Liu S, Wang S, Chen H, Wang F, Xu Q, Zhu L, Dong X, Gu Y, Zhang X, Chao CC, Gao Q. Single-cell transcriptome analysis of the heterogeneous effects of differential expression of tumor PD-L1 on responding TCR-T cells. Theranostics 2021; 11:4957-4974. [PMID: 33754038 PMCID: PMC7978322 DOI: 10.7150/thno.55075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: TCR-T cell therapy plays a critical role in the treatment of malignant cancers. However, it is unclear how TCR-T cells are affected by PD-L1 molecule in the tumor environment. We performed an in-depth evaluation on how differential expressions of tumor PD-L1 can affect the functionality of T cells. Methods: We used MART-1-specific TCR-T cells (TCR-TMART-1), stimulated with MART-127-35 peptide-loaded MEL-526 tumor cells, expressing different proportions of PD-L1, to perform cellular assays and high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing. Results: Different clusters of activated or cytotoxic TCR-TMART-1 responded divergently when stimulated with tumor cells expressing different percentages of PD-L1 expression. Compared to control T cells, TCR-TMART-1 were more sensitive to exhaustion, and secreted not only pro-inflammatory cytokines but also anti-inflammatory cytokines with increasing proportions of PD-L1+ tumor cells. The gene profiles of chemokines were modified by increased expression of tumor PD-L1, which concurrently downregulated pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory transcription factors. Furthermore, increased expression of tumor PD-L1 showed distinct effects on different inhibitory checkpoint molecules (ICMs). In addition, there was a limited correlation between the enrichment of cell death signaling in tumor cells and T cells and increased tumor PD-L1 expression. Conclusion: Overall, though the effector functionality of TCR-T cells was suppressed by increased expression percentages of tumor PD-L1 in vitro, scRNA-seq profiles revealed that both the anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory responses were triggered by a higher expression of tumor PD-L1. This suggests that the sole blockade of tumor PD-L1 might inhibit not only the anti-inflammatory response but also the pro-inflammatory response in the complicated tumor microenvironment. Thus, the outcome of PD-L1 intervention may depend on the final balance among the highly dynamic and heterogeneous immune regulatory circuits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renpeng Ding
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Shang Liu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | | | - Fei Wang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Qumiao Xu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Human Disease Genomics, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Genomics
| | - Linnan Zhu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China
| | - Xuan Dong
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Human Disease Genomics, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Genomics
| | - Ying Gu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Genome Read and Write, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Xiuqing Zhang
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Human Disease Genomics, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Genomics
| | | | - Qianqian Gao
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Human Disease Genomics, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Genomics
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Fix SM, Jazaeri AA, Hwu P. Applications of CRISPR Genome Editing to Advance the Next Generation of Adoptive Cell Therapies for Cancer. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:560-574. [PMID: 33563662 PMCID: PMC8193798 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-1083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) for cancer shows tremendous potential; however, several challenges preclude its widespread use. These include poor T-cell function in hostile tumor microenvironments, a lack of tumor-specific target antigens, and the high cost and poor scalability of cell therapy manufacturing. Creative genome-editing strategies are beginning to emerge to address each of these limitations, which has initiated the next generation of cell therapy products now entering clinical trials. CRISPR is at the forefront of this revolution, offering a simple and versatile platform for genetic engineering. This review provides a comprehensive overview of CRISPR applications that have advanced ACT. SIGNIFICANCE: The clinical impact of ACT for cancer can be expanded by implementing specific genetic modifications that enhance the potency, safety, and scalability of cellular products. Here we provide a detailed description of such genetic modifications, highlighting avenues to enhance the therapeutic efficacy and accessibility of ACT for cancer. Furthermore, we review high-throughput CRISPR genetic screens that have unveiled novel targets for cell therapy enhancement.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens, Neoplasm/genetics
- Antigens, Neoplasm/metabolism
- CRISPR-Cas Systems
- Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy/adverse effects
- Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy/methods
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Combined Modality Therapy
- Disease Management
- Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
- Gene Editing/methods
- Genetic Engineering
- Genetic Therapy
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/adverse effects
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Neoplasms/therapy
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Treatment Outcome
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha M Fix
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Amir A Jazaeri
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Patrick Hwu
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Abstract
Genetically engineered T cell immunotherapies have provided remarkable clinical success to treat B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia by harnessing a patient's own T cells to kill cancer, and these approaches have the potential to provide therapeutic benefit for numerous other cancers, infectious diseases and autoimmunity. By introduction of either a transgenic T cell receptor or a chimeric antigen receptor, T cells can be programmed to target cancer cells. However, initial studies have made it clear that the field will need to implement more complex levels of genetic regulation of engineered T cells to ensure both safety and efficacy. Here, we review the principles by which our knowledge of genetics and genome engineering will drive the next generation of adoptive T cell therapies.
Collapse
|
24
|
T-Cell Dysfunction as a Limitation of Adoptive Immunotherapy: Current Concepts and Mitigation Strategies. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040598. [PMID: 33546277 PMCID: PMC7913380 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary T cells are immune cells that can be used to target infections or cancers. Adoptive T-cell immunotherapy leverages these properties and/or confers new features to T cells through ex vivo manipulations prior to their use in patients. However, as a “living drug,” the function of these cells can be hampered by several built-in physiological constraints and external factors that limit their efficacy. Manipulating T cells ex vivo can impart dysfunctional features to T cells through repeated stimulations and expansion, but it also offers many opportunities to improve the therapeutic potential of these cells, including emerging interventions to prevent or reverse T-cell dysfunction developing ex vivo or after transfer in patients. This review outlines the various forms of T-cell dysfunction, emphasizes how it affects various types of T-cell immunotherapy approaches, and describes current and anticipated strategies to limit T-cell dysfunction. Abstract Over the last decades, cellular immunotherapy has revealed its curative potential. However, inherent physiological characteristics of immune cells can limit the potency of this approach. Best defined in T cells, dysfunction associated with terminal differentiation, exhaustion, senescence, and activation-induced cell death, undermine adoptive cell therapies. In this review, we concentrate on how the multiple mechanisms that articulate the various forms of immune dysfunction impact cellular therapies primarily involving conventional T cells, but also other lymphoid subtypes. The repercussions of immune cell dysfunction across the full life cycle of cell therapy, from the source material, during manufacturing, and after adoptive transfer, are discussed, with an emphasis on strategies used during ex vivo manipulations to limit T-cell dysfunction. Applicable to cellular products prepared from native and unmodified immune cells, as well as genetically engineered therapeutics, the understanding and potential modulation of dysfunctional features are key to the development of improved cellular immunotherapies.
Collapse
|
25
|
Shang HS, Chen CJ, Shih YL, Peng SF, Chen YL, Liu KC, Huang HC, Hsueh SC, Chen KW, Lu HF, Lee MH, Lee MZ, Lu KW. Mangiferin induces immune responses and evaluates the survival rate in WEHI-3 cell generated mouse leukemia in vivo. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2021; 36:77-85. [PMID: 32889744 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mangiferin is a naturally occurring polyphenol, widely distributed in Thymeraceae families, and presents pharmacological activity, including anti-cancer activities in many human cancer cell lines. Mangiferin has also been reported to affect immune responses; however, no available information concerning the effects of mangiferin on immune reactions in leukemia mice in vivo. In the present study, we investigated the effects of mangiferin on leukemia WEHI-3 cell generated leukemia BLAB/c mice. Overall, the experiments were divided into two parts, one part was immune responses experiment and the other was the survival rate experiment. The immune responses and survival rate study, 40 mice for each part, were randomly separated into five groups (N = 8): Group I was normal animals and groups II-V WEHI-3 cell generated leukemia mice. Group II mice were fed normal diet as a positive control; group III, IV, and V mice received mangiferin at 40, 80, and 120 mg/kg, respectively, by intraperitoneal injection every 2 days for 20 days. Leukocytes cell population, macrophage phagocytosis, and NK cell activities were analyzed by flow cytometry. Isolated splenocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and concanavalin A (Con A) were used to determine the proliferation of B and T cells, respectively, and subsequently were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results indicated that mangiferin significantly increased body weight, decreased the liver and spleen weights of leukemia mice. Mangiferin also increased CD3 T-cell and CD19 B cell population but decreased Mac-3 macrophage and CD11b monocyte. Furthermore, mangiferin decreased phagocytosis of macrophages from PBMC and peritoneal cavity at 40, 80, and 120 mg/kg treatment. However, it also increased NK cell activity at 40 and 120 mg/kg treatment. There were no effects on T and B cell proliferation at three examined doses. In survival rate studies, mangiferin significantly elevated survival rate at 40 and 120 mg/kg treatment of leukemia mice in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Sheng Shang
- Graduate Institute of Clinical of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Clinical Pathology, Department of Pathology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Ju Chen
- Department of Medical Technology, Jen-Teh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Miaoli, Taiwan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Luen Shih
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Fen Peng
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Liang Chen
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Yuanpei University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Ching Liu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsieh-Chou Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Ching Hsueh
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Wei Chen
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsu-Feng Lu
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional Management, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Hui Lee
- Department of Genetic Counseling Center, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Zhe Lee
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kung-Wen Lu
- College of Chinese Medicine, School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Preece R, Pavesi A, Gkazi SA, Stegmann KA, Georgiadis C, Tan ZM, Aw JYJ, Maini MK, Bertoletti A, Qasim W. CRISPR-Mediated Base Conversion Allows Discriminatory Depletion of Endogenous T Cell Receptors for Enhanced Synthetic Immunity. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2020; 19:149-161. [PMID: 33102612 PMCID: PMC7549055 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Emerging base editing technology exploits CRISPR RNA-guided DNA modification effects for highly specific C > T conversion, which has been used to efficiently disrupt gene expression. These tools can enhance synthetic T cell immunity by restricting specificity, addressing histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA) barriers, and promoting persistence. We report lentiviral delivery of a hepatitis B-virus (HBV)-specific recombinant T cell receptor (rTCR) and a linked CRISPR single-guide RNA for simultaneous disruption of endogenous TCRs (eTCRs) when combined with transient cytosine deamination. Discriminatory depletion of eTCR and coupled expression of rTCR resulted in enrichment of HBV-specific populations from 55% (SEM, ±2.4%) to 95% (SEM, ±0.5%). Intensity of rTCR expression increased 1.8- to 2.9-fold compared to that in cells retaining their competing eTCR, and increased cytokine production and killing of HBV antigen-expressing hepatoma cells in a 3D microfluidic model were exhibited. Molecular signatures confirmed that seamless conversion of C > T (G > A) had created a premature stop codon in TCR beta constant 1/2 loci, with no notable activity at predicted off-target sites. Thus, targeted disruption of eTCR by cytosine deamination and discriminatory enrichment of antigen-specific T cells offers the prospect of enhanced, more specific T cell therapies against HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as well as other viral and tumor antigens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roland Preece
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology Unit, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Andrea Pavesi
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR) 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Soragia Athina Gkazi
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology Unit, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Kerstin A. Stegmann
- UCL Division of Infection and Immunity, The Rayne Building, 5 University Street, London WC1E 6EJ, UK
| | - Christos Georgiadis
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology Unit, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Zhi Ming Tan
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR) 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Jia Ying Joey Aw
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR) 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Mala K. Maini
- UCL Division of Infection and Immunity, The Rayne Building, 5 University Street, London WC1E 6EJ, UK
| | - Antonio Bertoletti
- Program Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore Immunology Network (SigN), Agency of Science Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Waseem Qasim
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology Unit, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Müller TR, Schuler C, Hammel M, Köhler A, Jutz S, Leitner J, Schober K, Busch DH, Steinberger P. A T-cell reporter platform for high-throughput and reliable investigation of TCR function and biology. Clin Transl Immunology 2020; 9:e1216. [PMID: 33251011 PMCID: PMC7681835 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Transgenic re‐expression enables unbiased investigation of T‐cell receptor (TCR)‐intrinsic characteristics detached from its original cellular context. Recent advancements in TCR repertoire sequencing and development of protocols for direct cloning of full TCRαβ constructs now facilitate large‐scale transgenic TCR re‐expression. Together, this offers unprecedented opportunities for the screening of TCRs for basic research as well as clinical use. However, the functional characterisation of re‐expressed TCRs is still a complicated and laborious matter. Here, we propose a Jurkat‐based triple parameter TCR signalling reporter endogenous TCR knockout cellular platform (TPRKO) that offers an unbiased, easy read‐out of TCR functionality and facilitates high‐throughput screening approaches. Methods As a proof‐of‐concept, we transgenically re‐expressed 59 human cytomegalovirus‐specific TCRs and systematically investigated and compared TCR function in TPRKO cells versus primary human T cells. Results We demonstrate that the TPRKO cell line facilitates antigen‐HLA specificity screening via sensitive peptide‐MHC‐multimer staining, which was highly comparable to primary T cells. Also, TCR functional avidity in TPRKO cells was strongly correlating to primary T cells, especially in the absence of CD8αβ co‐receptor. Conclusion Overall, our data show that the TPRKO cell lines can serve as a surrogate of primary human T cells for standardised and high‐throughput investigation of TCR biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R Müller
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene Technical University of Munich (TUM) Munich Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) Munich Germany
| | - Corinna Schuler
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene Technical University of Munich (TUM) Munich Germany
| | - Monika Hammel
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene Technical University of Munich (TUM) Munich Germany
| | - Amelie Köhler
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene Technical University of Munich (TUM) Munich Germany
| | - Sabrina Jutz
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, and Immunology Institute of Immunology Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Judith Leitner
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, and Immunology Institute of Immunology Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Kilian Schober
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene Technical University of Munich (TUM) Munich Germany
| | - Dirk H Busch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene Technical University of Munich (TUM) Munich Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) Munich Germany.,Focus Group 'Clinical Cell Processing and Purification' Institute for Advanced Study TUM Munich Germany
| | - Peter Steinberger
- Division of Immune Receptors and T Cell Activation Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, and Immunology Institute of Immunology Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Jin Y, Dong Y, Zhang J, Sun J, Liu Y, Chen Y. The toxicity of cell therapy: Mechanism, manifestations, and challenges. J Appl Toxicol 2020; 41:659-667. [DOI: 10.1002/jat.4100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yongjia Jin
- Shanghai Electric Power Hospital Shanghai China
| | - Yan Dong
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center Shanghai China
- Department of Oncology Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University Shanghai China
| | | | | | | | - Yong Chen
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center Shanghai China
- Department of Oncology Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University Shanghai China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
D’Ippolito E, Wagner KI, Busch DH. Needle in a Haystack: The Naïve Repertoire as a Source of T Cell Receptors for Adoptive Therapy with Engineered T Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8324. [PMID: 33171940 PMCID: PMC7664211 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell engineering with antigen-specific T cell receptors (TCRs) has allowed the generation of increasingly specific, reliable, and versatile T cell products with near-physiological features. However, a broad applicability of TCR-based therapies in cancer is still limited by the restricted number of TCRs, often also of suboptimal potency, available for clinical use. In addition, targeting of tumor neoantigens with TCR-engineered T cell therapy moves the field towards a highly personalized treatment, as tumor neoantigens derive from somatic mutations and are extremely patient-specific. Therefore, relevant TCRs have to be de novo identified for each patient and within a narrow time window. The naïve repertoire of healthy donors would represent a reliable source due to its huge diverse TCR repertoire, which theoretically entails T cells for any antigen specificity, including tumor neoantigens. As a challenge, antigen-specific naïve T cells are of extremely low frequency and mostly of low functionality, making the identification of highly functional TCRs finding a "needle in a haystack." In this review, we present the technological advancements achieved in high-throughput mapping of patient-specific neoantigens and corresponding cognate TCRs and how these platforms can be used to interrogate the naïve repertoire for a fast and efficient identification of rare but therapeutically valuable TCRs for personalized adoptive T cell therapy.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Antigens, Neoplasm/genetics
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/trends
- Neoplasms/genetics
- Precision Medicine/methods
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/physiology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elvira D’Ippolito
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (E.D.); (K.I.W.)
| | - Karolin I. Wagner
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (E.D.); (K.I.W.)
| | - Dirk H Busch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany; (E.D.); (K.I.W.)
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
- Focus Group ‘‘Clinical Cell Processing and Purification”, Institute for Advanced Study, Technische Universität München (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Mehravar M, Roshandel E, Salimi M, Chegeni R, Gholizadeh M, Mohammadi MH, Hajifathali A. Utilization of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in cellular therapies for lymphoid malignancies. Immunol Lett 2020; 226:71-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2020.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
31
|
The Quest for the Best: How TCR Affinity, Avidity, and Functional Avidity Affect TCR-Engineered T-Cell Antitumor Responses. Cells 2020; 9:cells9071720. [PMID: 32708366 PMCID: PMC7408146 DOI: 10.3390/cells9071720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decades, adoptive transfer of T cells has revolutionized cancer immunotherapy. In particular, T-cell receptor (TCR) engineering of T cells has marked important milestones in developing more precise and personalized cancer immunotherapies. However, to get the most benefit out of this approach, understanding the role that TCR affinity, avidity, and functional avidity play on how TCRs and T cells function in the context of tumor-associated antigen (TAA) recognition is vital to keep generating improved adoptive T-cell therapies. Aside from TCR-related parameters, other critical factors that govern T-cell activation are the effect of TCR co-receptors on TCR–peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) stabilization and TCR signaling, tumor epitope density, and TCR expression levels in TCR-engineered T cells. In this review, we describe the key aspects governing TCR specificity, T-cell activation, and how these concepts can be applied to cancer-specific TCR redirection of T cells.
Collapse
|
32
|
Rath JA, Bajwa G, Carreres B, Hoyer E, Gruber I, Martínez-Paniagua MA, Yu YR, Nouraee N, Sadeghi F, Wu M, Wang T, Hebeisen M, Rufer N, Varadarajan N, Ho PC, Brenner MK, Gfeller D, Arber C. Single-cell transcriptomics identifies multiple pathways underlying antitumor function of TCR- and CD8αβ-engineered human CD4 + T cells. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaz7809. [PMID: 32923584 PMCID: PMC7455496 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz7809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Transgenic coexpression of a class I-restricted tumor antigen-specific T cell receptor (TCR) and CD8αβ (TCR8) redirects antigen specificity of CD4+ T cells. Reinforcement of biophysical properties and early TCR signaling explain how redirected CD4+ T cells recognize target cells, but the transcriptional basis for their acquired antitumor function remains elusive. We, therefore, interrogated redirected human CD4+ and CD8+ T cells by single-cell RNA sequencing and characterized them experimentally in bulk and single-cell assays and a mouse xenograft model. TCR8 expression enhanced CD8+ T cell function and preserved less differentiated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells after tumor challenge. TCR8+CD4+ T cells were most potent by activating multiple transcriptional programs associated with enhanced antitumor function. We found sustained activation of cytotoxicity, costimulation, oxidative phosphorylation- and proliferation-related genes, and simultaneously reduced differentiation and exhaustion. Our study identifies molecular features of TCR8 expression that can guide the development of enhanced immunotherapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan A. Rath
- Department of Oncology UNIL-CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Gagan Bajwa
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Benoit Carreres
- Department of Oncology UNIL-CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Elisabeth Hoyer
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Isabelle Gruber
- Department of Oncology UNIL-CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Yi-Ru Yu
- Department of Oncology UNIL-CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nazila Nouraee
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Fatemeh Sadeghi
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mengfen Wu
- Biostatistics Shared Resource, Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Tao Wang
- Biostatistics Shared Resource, Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael Hebeisen
- Department of Oncology UNIL-CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Rufer
- Department of Oncology UNIL-CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Navin Varadarajan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ping-Chih Ho
- Department of Oncology UNIL-CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Malcolm K. Brenner
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David Gfeller
- Department of Oncology UNIL-CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Arber
- Department of Oncology UNIL-CHUV, Lausanne University Hospital, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Crowther MD, Svane IM, Met Ö. T-Cell Gene Therapy in Cancer Immunotherapy: Why It Is No Longer Just CARs on The Road. Cells 2020; 9:cells9071588. [PMID: 32630096 PMCID: PMC7407663 DOI: 10.3390/cells9071588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cells have a natural ability to fight cancer cells in the tumour microenvironment. Due to thymic selection and tissue-driven immunomodulation, these cancer-fighting T-cells are generally low in number and exhausted. One way to overcome these issues is to genetically alter T-cells to improve their effectiveness. This process can involve introducing a receptor that has high affinity for a tumour antigen, with two promising candidates known as chimeric-antigen receptors (CARs), or T-cell receptors (TCRs) with high tumour specificity. This review focuses on the editing of immune cells to introduce such novel receptors to improve immune responses to cancer. These new receptors redirect T-cells innate killing abilities to the appropriate target on cancer cells. CARs are modified receptors that recognise whole proteins on the surface of cancer cells. They have been shown to be very effective in haematological malignancies but have limited documented efficacy in solid cancers. TCRs recognise internal antigens and therefore enable targeting of a much wider range of antigens. TCRs require major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction but novel TCRs may have broader antigen recognition. Moreover, there are multiple cell types which can be used as targets to improve the “off-the-shelf” capabilities of these genetic engineering methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael D. Crowther
- Department of Oncology, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark;
- Correspondence: (M.D.C.); (Ö.M.)
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- Department of Oncology, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark;
| | - Özcan Met
- Department of Oncology, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, 2730 Herlev, Denmark;
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: (M.D.C.); (Ö.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Rath JA, Arber C. Engineering Strategies to Enhance TCR-Based Adoptive T Cell Therapy. Cells 2020; 9:E1485. [PMID: 32570906 PMCID: PMC7349724 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell receptor (TCR)-based adoptive T cell therapies (ACT) hold great promise for the treatment of cancer, as TCRs can cover a broad range of target antigens. Here we summarize basic, translational and clinical results that provide insight into the challenges and opportunities of TCR-based ACT. We review the characteristics of target antigens and conventional αβ-TCRs, and provide a summary of published clinical trials with TCR-transgenic T cell therapies. We discuss how synthetic biology and innovative engineering strategies are poised to provide solutions for overcoming current limitations, that include functional avidity, MHC restriction, and most importantly, the tumor microenvironment. We also highlight the impact of precision genome editing on the next iteration of TCR-transgenic T cell therapies, and the discovery of novel immune engineering targets. We are convinced that some of these innovations will enable the field to move TCR gene therapy to the next level.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cell Engineering
- Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy/adverse effects
- Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy/methods
- Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy/trends
- Gene Editing
- Genetic Therapy
- Humans
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/adverse effects
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/trends
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Molecular Targeted Therapy
- Neoplasms/genetics
- Neoplasms/immunology
- Neoplasms/therapy
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/immunology
- Safety
- Synthetic Biology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/transplantation
- Translational Research, Biomedical
- Tumor Microenvironment/genetics
- Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Caroline Arber
- Department of oncology UNIL CHUV, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Lausanne, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Schober K, Müller TR, Busch DH. Orthotopic T-Cell Receptor Replacement-An "Enabler" for TCR-Based Therapies. Cells 2020; 9:E1367. [PMID: 32492858 PMCID: PMC7348731 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural adaptive immunity co-evolved with pathogens over millions of years, and adoptive transfer of non-engineered T cells to fight infections or cancer so far exhibits an exceptionally safe and functional therapeutic profile in clinical trials. However, the personalized nature of therapies using virus-specific T cells, donor lymphocyte infusion, or tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes makes implementation in routine clinical care difficult. In principle, genetic engineering can be used to make T-cell therapies more broadly applicable, but so far it significantly alters the physiology of cells. We recently demonstrated that orthotopic T-cell receptor (TCR) replacement (OTR) by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/ CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) can be used to generate engineered T cells with preservation of near-physiological function. In this review, we present the current status of OTR technology development and discuss its potential for TCR-based therapies. By providing the means to combine the therapeutic efficacy and safety profile of physiological T cells with the versatility of cell engineering, OTR can serve as an "enabler" for TCR-based therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kilian Schober
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany;
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas R. Müller
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany;
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Dirk H. Busch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technische Universität München (TUM), 81675 Munich, Germany;
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Chen M, Xu J, Zhou Y, Zhang S, Zhu D. CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing for cancer immunotherapy: opportunities and challenges. Brief Funct Genomics 2020; 19:183-190. [PMID: 31788683 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elz027] [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] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy, consisting of antibodies, adoptive T-cell transfer, vaccines and cytokines, is a novel strategy for fighting cancer by artificially stimulating the immune system. It has developed rapidly in recent years, and its efficacy in hematological malignancies and solid tumors has been remarkable. It is regarded as one of the most promising methods for cancer therapy. The current trend in immunotherapy research seeks to improve its efficacy and to ensure the safety of cancer immunotherapy through the use of gene editing technologies. As it is an efficient and simple technology, the CRISPR-Cas9 system is highly anticipated to dramatically strengthen cancer immunotherapy. Intensive research on the CRISPR-Cas9 system has provided increasing confidence to clinicians that this system can be put into clinical use in the near future. This paper reviews the application and challenges of CRISPR-Cas9 in this field, based on various strategies including adaptive cell therapy and antibody therapy, and also highlights the function of CRISPR/Cas9 in the screening of new cancer targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, China, 225400.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Taixing Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Taizhou, Jiangsu, China, 225400
| | - Jiang Xu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Huai'an Second People's Hospital, The Affiliated Huai'an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Huai'an, China, 223001
| | - Yang Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, Minhang Hospital and School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China 201203
| | - Silin Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China, 430060
| | - Di Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, Minhang Hospital and School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China 201203.,Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China, 201203
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Gómez J, Tsagozis P. Multidisciplinary treatment of soft tissue sarcomas: An update. World J Clin Oncol 2020; 11:180-189. [PMID: 32355640 PMCID: PMC7186235 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v11.i4.180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Standard treatment for soft tissue sarcoma, based on complete surgical resection with or without adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy, has not substantially changed during the last several decades. Nevertheless, recent advances have contributed to considerable improvement in the management of these patients; for example, new magnetic resonance imaging sequences such as diffusion-weighted imaging and magnetic resonance imaging radiomics can better assess tumor extension and even estimate its grade. Detection of circulating genetic material (liquid biopsy) and next-generation sequencing are powerful techniques for genetic analysis, which will increase our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms and may reveal potential therapeutic targets. The role of chemotherapy in non-metastatic disease is still controversial, and there is a need to identify patients who really benefit from this treatment. Novel chemotherapeutic regimens have entered clinical praxis and can change the outcome of patients with metastatic disease. Advances in radiotherapy have helped decrease local adverse effects and sustain good local control of the disease. The following report provides an updated view of the diagnosis, treatment, and future perspectives on the management of patients with soft tissue sarcomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Gómez
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, University of Navarra, Pamplona 31008, Spain
| | - Panagiotis Tsagozis
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm 17176, Sweden
- Muskuloskeletal Tumour Service, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 17176, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Chandran SS, Klebanoff CA. T cell receptor-based cancer immunotherapy: Emerging efficacy and pathways of resistance. Immunol Rev 2020; 290:127-147. [PMID: 31355495 PMCID: PMC7027847 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive cell transfer (ACT) using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T cells can induce durable remissions in patients with refractory B-lymphoid cancers. By contrast, results applying CAR-modified T cells to solid malignancies have been comparatively modest. Alternative strategies to redirect T cell specificity and cytolytic function are therefore necessary if ACT is to serve a greater role in human cancer treatments. T cell receptors (TCRs) are antigen recognition structures physiologically expressed by all T cells that have complementary, and in some cases superior, properties to CARs. Unlike CARs, TCRs confer recognition to epitopes derived from proteins residing within any subcellular compartment, including the membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus. This enables TCRs to detect a broad universe of targets, such as neoantigens, cancer germline antigens, and viral oncoproteins. Moreover, because TCRs have evolved to efficiently detect and amplify antigenic signals, these receptors respond to epitope densities many fold smaller than required for CAR-signaling. Herein, we summarize recent clinical data demonstrating that TCR-based immunotherapies can mediate regression of solid malignancies, including immune-checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancers. These trials simultaneously highlight emerging mechanisms of TCR resistance. We conclude by discussing how TCR-based immunotherapies can achieve broader dissemination through innovations in cell manufacturing and non-viral genome integration techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Smita S Chandran
- Center for Cell Engineering and Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.,Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, New York, NY
| | - Christopher A Klebanoff
- Center for Cell Engineering and Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.,Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, New York, NY.,Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Abstract
Components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) are known to play an essential role during malignant progression, but often in a context-dependent manner. In bone and soft tissue sarcomas, disease-regulatory activities in the TME remain largely uncharacterized. This chapter introduces the cellular, structural, and chemical composition of the sarcoma TME from a pathobiological and therapeutic perspective.Sarcomas are malignant tumors with diverse features when it comes to primary tumor appearance, metastatic potential, and response to treatment. Many of the classic subtypes are mainly composed of malignant cells and are therefore assumed to be committed to autocrine signaling. Some of the tumors are infiltrated by immune cells and contain necrotic areas or excessive amounts of extracellular matrix (ECM) that regulates tissue stiffness and interstitial fluid pressure. Vascular invasion and blood vessel characteristics can in some instances be considered in the prognostic setting.Further insights into the disease-regulatory activities of the sarcoma TME will provide essential knowledge on how to develop successful combination treatments targeting not only malignant cells, but also their routes of nutrition and ability to shield themselves toward existing therapy.
Collapse
|
40
|
Abstract
Advances in academic and clinical studies during the last several years have resulted in practical outcomes in adoptive immune therapy of cancer. Immune cells can be programmed with molecular modules that increase their therapeutic potency and specificity. It has become obvious that successful immunotherapy must take into account the full complexity of the immune system and, when possible, include the use of multifactor cell reprogramming that allows fast adjustment during the treatment. Today, practically all immune cells can be stably or transiently reprogrammed against cancer. Here, we review works related to T cell reprogramming, as the most developed field in immunotherapy. We discuss factors that determine the specific roles of αβ and γδ T cells in the immune system and the structure and function of T cell receptors in relation to other structures involved in T cell target recognition and immune response. We also discuss the aspects of T cell engineering, specifically the construction of synthetic T cell receptors (synTCRs) and chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) and the use of engineered T cells in integrative multifactor therapy of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel G Katz
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Kortleve D, Hammerl D, Debets R. Orthotopic editing of T-cell receptors. Nat Biomed Eng 2019; 3:949-950. [PMID: 31811268 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-019-0490-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dian Kortleve
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC-Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dora Hammerl
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC-Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Reno Debets
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology, Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC-Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Landoni E, Smith CC, Fucá G, Chen Y, Sun C, Vincent BG, Metelitsa LS, Dotti G, Savoldo B. A High-Avidity T-cell Receptor Redirects Natural Killer T-cell Specificity and Outcompetes the Endogenous Invariant T-cell Receptor. Cancer Immunol Res 2019; 8:57-69. [PMID: 31719055 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-19-0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
T-cell receptor (TCR) gene transfer redirects T cells to target intracellular antigens. However, the potential autoreactivity generated by TCR mispairing and occurrence of graft-versus-host disease in the allogenic setting due to the retention of native TCRs remain major concerns. Natural killer T cells (NKT) have shown promise as a platform for adoptive T-cell therapy in cancer patients. Here, we showed their utility for TCR gene transfer. We successfully engineered and expanded NKTs expressing a functional TCR (TCR NKTs), showing HLA-restricted antitumor activity in xenogeneic mouse models in the absence of graft-versus-mouse reactions. We found that TCR NKTs downregulated the invariant TCR (iTCR), leading to iTCR+TCR+ and iTCR-TCR+ populations. In-depth analyses of these subsets revealed that in iTCR-TCR+ NKTs, the iTCR, although expressed at the mRNA and protein levels, was retained in the cytoplasm. This effect resulted from a competition for binding to CD3 molecules for cell-surface expression by the transgenic TCR. Overall, our results highlight the feasibility and advantages of using NKTs for TCR expression for adoptive cell immunotherapies. NKT-low intrinsic alloreactivity that associated with the observed iTCR displacement by the engineered TCR represents ideal characteristics for "off-the-shelf" products without further TCR gene editing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Landoni
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Christof C Smith
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Giovanni Fucá
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Yuhui Chen
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Chuang Sun
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Benjamin G Vincent
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Curriculum in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | | | - Gianpietro Dotti
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Barbara Savoldo
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. .,Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Comoli P, Chabannon C, Koehl U, Lanza F, Urbano-Ispizua A, Hudecek M, Ruggeri A, Secondino S, Bonini C, Pedrazzoli P. Development of adaptive immune effector therapies in solid tumors. Ann Oncol 2019; 30:1740-1750. [PMID: 31435646 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdz285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
State-of-the-art treatment strategies have drastically ameliorated the outcome of patients affected by cancer. However, resistant and recurrent solid tumors are generally nonresponsive to conventional therapies. A central factor in the sequence of events that lead to cancer is an alteration in antitumor immune surveillance, which results in failure to recognize and eliminate the transformed tumor cell. A greater understanding of the dysregulation and evasion of the immune system in the evolution and progression of cancer provides the basis for improved therapies. Targeted strategies, such as T-cell therapy, not only generally spare normal tissues, but also use alternative antineoplastic mechanisms that synergize with other therapeutics. Despite encouraging success in hematologic malignancies, adaptive cellular therapies for solid tumors face unique challenges because of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and the hurdle of T-cell trafficking within scarcely accessible tumor sites. This review provides a brief overview of current cellular therapeutic strategies for solid tumors, research carried out to increase efficacy and safety, and results from ongoing clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Comoli
- Cell Factory and Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - C Chabannon
- Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Aix-Marseille University, INSERM CBT 1409, Centre for Clinical Investigation in Biotherapy, Marseille, France
| | - U Koehl
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, University of Leipzig and Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig; Institute of Cellular Therapeutics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - F Lanza
- Hematology and Stem Cell Transplant, Romagna Transplant Network, Ravenna, Italy
| | - A Urbano-Ispizua
- Department of Hematology, IDIBAPS, Institute of Research Josep Carreras, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Hudecek
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - A Ruggeri
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome
| | - S Secondino
- Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapy, University of Pavia, Pavia
| | - C Bonini
- Experimental Hematology Unit, Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele and Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - P Pedrazzoli
- Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapy, University of Pavia, Pavia.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Simultaneous Deletion of Endogenous TCRαβ for TCR Gene Therapy Creates an Improved and Safe Cellular Therapeutic. Mol Ther 2019; 28:64-74. [PMID: 31636040 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2019.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Generation of an optimal T cell therapeutic expressing high frequencies of transgenic T cell receptor (tgTCR) is essential for improving TCR gene therapy. Upon TCR gene transfer, presence of endogenous TCRαβ reduces expression of tgTCR due to TCR mixed-dimer formation and competition for binding CD3. Knockout (KO) of endogenous TCRαβ was recently achieved using CRISPR/Cas9 editing of the TRAC or TRBC loci, resulting in increased expression and function of tgTCR. Here, we adopt this approach into current protocols for generating T cell populations expressing tgTCR to validate this strategy in the context of four clinically relevant TCRs. First, simultaneous editing of TRAC and TRBC loci was reproducible and resulted in high double KO efficiencies in bulk CD8 T cells. Next, tgTCR expression was significantly higher in double TRAC/BC KO conditions for all TCRs tested, including those that contained structural modifications to encourage preferential pairing. Finally, increased expression of tgTCR in edited T cell populations allowed for increased recognition of antigen expressing tumor targets and prolonged control of tumor outgrowth in a preclinical model of multiple myeloma. In conclusion, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated KO of both endogenous TCRαβ chains can be incorporated in current T cell production protocols and is preferential to ensure an improved and safe clinical therapeutic.
Collapse
|
45
|
Wang R, Pscheid R, Ghumra A, Kan LYL, Cochrane S, Fairclough L, Alcocer MJC. Towards a surrogate system to express human lipid binding TCRs. Biotechnol Lett 2019; 41:1095-1104. [PMID: 31346817 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-019-02713-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previously we reported that natural nut lipids were necessary for sensitization and that natural killer T cells (NKTs) must play a critical role in the development of food allergic responses. A major bottleneck in further understanding the interaction of nut lipids with the cells of the human immune system is the lack of well-characterized lipid responsive human cell lines. OBJECTIVE In the present study, we engineered human T cell receptor (TCR) sequences TRAV10 and TRBV25 responsive to α-GalCer into a stable murine iNKT hybridoma and surrogate human T cell lines. RESULTS The murine hybridoma system has shown to be problematic. To overcome this limitation, the expression of human TCR α/β sequences has been achieved driven by a bidirectional promoter on a plasmids or a lentivirus system, employing stable DC cell lines as lipid presenting cells, and a stable T cell line as a surrogate system. Further, a commercial human Jurkat T cell line containing an inducible secreted luciferase reporter construct was shown to be functional and can be used for a transient expression of human TCRs in a lipid screening program. The transfection efficiencies were improved using the lentivirus polycistronic constructs containing the P2A sequence in a TCR αβ/γδ null cell line (Jurkat 76). CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that the mis-pairing of the endogenous α/β TCR during ER folding in the presence of the new human TCR sequences could be impairing the functionality of the TCR lipid receptors. The surrogate systems presented here are important first steps in the establishment of human cell-specific lipid responsive libraries for the study of natural lipid substances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Wang
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Ronja Pscheid
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Ashfaq Ghumra
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Ling Yu Lea Kan
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Stella Cochrane
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC), Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Lucy Fairclough
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Marcos J C Alcocer
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Albers JJ, Ammon T, Gosmann D, Audehm S, Thoene S, Winter C, Secci R, Wolf A, Stelzl A, Steiger K, Ruland J, Bassermann F, Kupatt C, Anton M, Krackhardt AM. Gene editing enables T-cell engineering to redirect antigen specificity for potent tumor rejection. Life Sci Alliance 2019; 2:2/2/e201900367. [PMID: 30877233 PMCID: PMC6421629 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.201900367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted integration of a tumor-reactive T-cell receptor into the TRAC locus using CRISPR-Cas9 and AAV6 redirects primary human T cells against tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. Adoptive transfer of TCR transgenic T cells holds great promise for treating various cancers. So far, mainly semi-randomly integrating vectors have been used to genetically modify T cells. These carry the risk of insertional mutagenesis, and the sole addition of an exogenous TCR potentially results in the mispairing of TCR chains with endogenous ones. Established approaches using nonviral vectors, such as transposons, already reduce the risk of insertional mutagenesis but have not accomplished site-specific integration. Here, we used CRISPR-Cas9 RNPs and adeno-associated virus 6 for gene targeting to deliver an engineered TCR gene specifically to the TCR alpha constant locus, thus placing it under endogenous transcriptional control. Our data demonstrate that this approach replaces the endogenous TCR, functionally redirects the edited T cells’ specificity in vitro, and facilitates potent tumor rejection in an in vivo xenograft model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julian J Albers
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin III, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Tim Ammon
- Experimental Hematology Group, Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin III, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Dario Gosmann
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin III, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Audehm
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin III, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Silvia Thoene
- Institut für Klinische Chemie und Pathobiochemie, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner-site Munich and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christof Winter
- Institut für Klinische Chemie und Pathobiochemie, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner-site Munich and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ramona Secci
- Institut für Klinische Chemie und Pathobiochemie, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Anja Wolf
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin I, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Anja Stelzl
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin III, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Katja Steiger
- Institut für Allgemeine Pathologie und Pathologische Anatomie, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner-site Munich and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Ruland
- Institut für Klinische Chemie und Pathobiochemie, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner-site Munich and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Bassermann
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin III, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner-site Munich and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Kupatt
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin I, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner-Site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Martina Anton
- Institut für Molekulare Immunologie und Experimentelle Onkologie und Therapieforschung, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Angela M Krackhardt
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin III, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany .,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner-site Munich and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
An Ig Transmembrane Domain Motif Improves the Function of TCRs Transduced in Human T Cells: Implications for Immunotherapy. J Immunother 2019; 42:97-109. [PMID: 30865026 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0000000000000259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of T lymphocytes (ACT) engineered with T-cell receptors (TCRs) of known antitumor specificity is an effective therapeutic strategy. However, a major constraint of ACT is the unpredictable interference of the endogenous TCR α and β chains in pairing of the transduced TCR. This effect reduces the efficacy of the genetically modified primary T cells and carries the risk of generating novel TCR reactivities with unintended functional consequences. Here, we show a powerful approach to overcome these limitations. We engineered TCR α and β chains with mutations encompassing a conserved motif (FXXXFXXS) required to stabilize the pairing of immunoglobulin heavy chain transmembrane domains. Molecular modeling supported the preferential pairing of mutated TCR and impaired pairing between mutated and wild-type TCRs. Expression of the mutated TCR was similar to wild type and conferred the expected specificity. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis in mouse splenocytes transduced with mutated or wild-type TCRs showed a higher proximity of the former over the latter. Importantly, we show that mutated TCRs effectively outcompete endogenous TCRs and improve in vitro antitumor cytotoxicity when expressed in ex vivo isolated human T cells. This approach should contribute to improving current protocols of anticancer immunetherapy protocols.
Collapse
|
48
|
Tendeiro Rego R, Morris EC, Lowdell MW. T-cell receptor gene-modified cells: past promises, present methodologies and future challenges. Cytotherapy 2019; 21:341-357. [PMID: 30655164 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy constitutes an exciting and rapidly evolving field, and the demonstration that genetically modified T-cell receptors (TCRs) can be used to produce T-lymphocyte populations of desired specificity offers new opportunities for antigen-specific T-cell therapy. Overall, TCR-modified T cells have the ability to target a wide variety of self and non-self targets through the normal biology of a T cell. Although major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted and dependent on co-receptors, genetically engineered TCRs still present a number of characteristics that ensure they are an important alternative strategy to chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), and high-affinity TCRs can now be successfully engineered with the potential to enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse events. This review will focus on the main characteristics of TCR gene-modified cells, their potential clinical application and promise to the field of adoptive cell transfer (ACT), basic manufacturing procedures and characterization protocols and overall challenges that need to be overcome so that redirection of TCR specificity may be successfully translated into clinical practice, beyond early-phase clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Tendeiro Rego
- UCL Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, London, UK; Centre for Cell, Gene & Tissue Therapeutics, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Emma C Morris
- UCL Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, London, UK
| | - Mark W Lowdell
- UCL Cancer Institute, Department of Haematology, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Eisenberg V, Hoogi S, Shamul A, Barliya T, Cohen CJ. T-cells "à la CAR-T(e)" - Genetically engineering T-cell response against cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2019; 141:23-40. [PMID: 30653988 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2019.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 01/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The last decade will be remembered as the dawn of the immunotherapy era during which we have witnessed the approval by regulatory agencies of genetically engineered CAR T-cells and of checkpoint inhibitors for cancer treatment. Understandably, T-lymphocytes represent the essential player in these approaches. These cells can mediate impressive tumor regression in terminally-ill cancer patients. Moreover, they are amenable to genetic engineering to improve their function and specificity. In the present review, we will give an overview of the most recent developments in the field of T-cell genetic engineering including TCR-gene transfer and CAR T-cells strategies. We will also elaborate on the development of other types of genetic modifications to enhance their anti-tumor immune response such as the use of co-stimulatory chimeric receptors (CCRs) and unconventional CARs built on non-antibody molecules. Finally, we will discuss recent advances in genome editing and synthetic biology applied to T-cell engineering and comment on the next challenges ahead.
Collapse
|
50
|
Campillo-Davo D, Fujiki F, Van den Bergh JMJ, De Reu H, Smits ELJM, Goossens H, Sugiyama H, Lion E, Berneman ZN, Van Tendeloo V. Efficient and Non-genotoxic RNA-Based Engineering of Human T Cells Using Tumor-Specific T Cell Receptors With Minimal TCR Mispairing. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2503. [PMID: 30464762 PMCID: PMC6234959 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic engineering of T cells with tumor specific T-cell receptors (TCR) is a promising strategy to redirect their specificity against cancer cells in adoptive T cell therapy protocols. Most studies are exploiting integrating retro- or lentiviral vectors to permanently introduce the therapeutic TCR, which can pose serious safety issues when treatment-related toxicities would occur. Therefore, we developed a versatile, non-genotoxic transfection method for human unstimulated CD8+ T cells. We describe an optimized double sequential electroporation platform whereby Dicer-substrate small interfering RNAs (DsiRNA) are first introduced to suppress endogenous TCR α and β expression, followed by electroporation with DsiRNA-resistant tumor-specific TCR mRNA. We demonstrate that double sequential electroporation of human primary unstimulated T cells with DsiRNA and TCR mRNA leads to unprecedented levels of transgene TCR expression due to a strongly reduced degree of TCR mispairing. Importantly, superior transgenic TCR expression boosts epitope-specific CD8+ T cell activation and killing activity. Altogether, DsiRNA and TCR mRNA double sequential electroporation is a rapid, non-integrating and highly efficient approach with an enhanced biosafety profile to engineer T cells with antigen-specific TCRs for use in early phase clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana Campillo-Davo
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Fumihiro Fujiki
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Johan M J Van den Bergh
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Hans De Reu
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Evelien L J M Smits
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Center for Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Center for Oncological Research (CORE), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Herman Goossens
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Division of Clinical Biology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Haruo Sugiyama
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Eva Lion
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Center for Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Zwi N Berneman
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Center for Cell Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium.,Division of Hematology, Antwerp University Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Viggo Van Tendeloo
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute (VAXINFECTIO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|