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Gubser C, Pascoe RD, Chang J, Chiu C, Solomon A, Cao R, Rasmussen TA, Lewin SR. GITR activation ex vivo impairs CD8 T cell function in people with HIV on antiretroviral therapy. iScience 2023; 26:108165. [PMID: 38026168 PMCID: PMC10660494 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor related protein (GITR) is a co-stimulatory immune checkpoint molecule constitutively expressed on regulatory T cells (Tregs) and on activated T conventional cells (Tconv). In blood collected from PWH on suppressive ART, GITR expression was reduced in multiple activated CD4 and CD8 T cell subsets but was increased in Tregs. HIV specific CD8 T cells expressed higher levels of GITR and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) compared to total CD8 T cells. Following stimulation with HIV peptides and GITR-ligand (L), we demonstrated a significant decrease in killing by HIV specific CD8 T cells and an increased exhausted profile. T cell receptor co-stimulation with GITR-L abrogated Treg suppression and induced expansion of CD4 Tconv. We conclude that GITR activation is an additional factor contributing to an impaired HIV immune response in PWH on ART and that GITR agonist antibodies should not be pursued for HIV cure strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Gubser
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rachel D. Pascoe
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Judy Chang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Chris Chiu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ajantha Solomon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Rosalyn Cao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Thomas A. Rasmussen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sharon R. Lewin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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2
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Lee KW, Yam JWP, Mao X. Dendritic Cell Vaccines: A Shift from Conventional Approach to New Generations. Cells 2023; 12:2147. [PMID: 37681880 PMCID: PMC10486560 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In the emerging era of cancer immunotherapy, immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs) and adoptive cell transfer therapies (ACTs) have gained significant attention. However, their therapeutic efficacies are limited due to the presence of cold type tumors, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and immune-related side effects. On the other hand, dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines have been suggested as a new cancer immunotherapy regimen that can address the limitations encountered by ICBs and ACTs. Despite the success of the first generation of DC-based vaccines, represented by the first FDA-approved DC-based therapeutic cancer vaccine Provenge, several challenges remain unsolved. Therefore, new DC vaccine strategies have been actively investigated. This review addresses the limitations of the currently most adopted classical DC vaccine and evaluates new generations of DC vaccines in detail, including biomaterial-based, immunogenic cell death-inducing, mRNA-pulsed, DC small extracellular vesicle (sEV)-based, and tumor sEV-based DC vaccines. These innovative DC vaccines are envisioned to provide a significant breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy landscape and are expected to be supported by further preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyu-Won Lee
- Department of Pathology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; (K.-W.L.); (J.W.P.Y.)
| | - Judy Wai Ping Yam
- Department of Pathology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; (K.-W.L.); (J.W.P.Y.)
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Xiaowen Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao
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3
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Gilboa E, Boczkowski D, Nair SK. The Quest for mRNA Vaccines. Nucleic Acid Ther 2022; 32:449-456. [PMID: 36346283 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2021.0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The success of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 is nothing short of a medical revolution. Given its chemical lability the use of mRNA as a therapeutic has been counterintuitive and met with skepticism. The development of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines was the culmination of long and painstaking efforts by many investigators spanning over 30 years and culminating with the seminal studies of Kariko and Weissman. This review will describe one chapter in this saga, studies that have shown that mRNA can function as a therapeutic. It started with our seminal observation that dendritic cells (DCs) transfected with mRNA in vitro administered to mice inhibits tumor growth, and led to first-in-human clinical trials with mRNA vaccines in cancer patients. The clinical development of this patient-specific DCs-mRNA approach and use on a larger scale was hindered by the challenges associated with personalized cell therapies. Confirmed and extended by many investigators, these studies did serve as impetus and motivation that led scientists to persevere, eventually leading to the development of simple, broadly applicable, and highly effective protocols of directly injecting mRNA into patients, culminating in the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eli Gilboa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - David Boczkowski
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Smita K Nair
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, and Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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4
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Qin S, Tang X, Chen Y, Chen K, Fan N, Xiao W, Zheng Q, Li G, Teng Y, Wu M, Song X. mRNA-based therapeutics: powerful and versatile tools to combat diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:166. [PMID: 35597779 PMCID: PMC9123296 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01007-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 80.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic use of messenger RNA (mRNA) has fueled great hope to combat a wide range of incurable diseases. Recent rapid advances in biotechnology and molecular medicine have enabled the production of almost any functional protein/peptide in the human body by introducing mRNA as a vaccine or therapeutic agent. This represents a rising precision medicine field with great promise for preventing and treating many intractable or genetic diseases. In addition, in vitro transcribed mRNA has achieved programmed production, which is more effective, faster in design and production, as well as more flexible and cost-effective than conventional approaches that may offer. Based on these extraordinary advantages, mRNA vaccines have the characteristics of the swiftest response to large-scale outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as the currently devastating pandemic COVID-19. It has always been the scientists’ desire to improve the stability, immunogenicity, translation efficiency, and delivery system to achieve efficient and safe delivery of mRNA. Excitingly, these scientific dreams have gradually been realized with the rapid, amazing achievements of molecular biology, RNA technology, vaccinology, and nanotechnology. In this review, we comprehensively describe mRNA-based therapeutics, including their principles, manufacture, application, effects, and shortcomings. We also highlight the importance of mRNA optimization and delivery systems in successful mRNA therapeutics and discuss the key challenges and opportunities in developing these tools into powerful and versatile tools to combat many genetic, infectious, cancer, and other refractory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shugang Qin
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoshan Tang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuting Chen
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kepan Chen
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Na Fan
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wen Xiao
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qian Zheng
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Guohong Li
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuqing Teng
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Min Wu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, 58203, USA
| | - Xiangrong Song
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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5
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Lu SC, Hansen M, Hemsath J, Parrett B, Zell B, Barry MA. Modulating Oncolytic Adenovirus Immunotherapy by Driving Two Axes of the Immune System by Expressing 4-1BBL and CD40L. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 33:250-261. [PMID: 34731019 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2021.197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses can have utility for direct killing of cancer cells but may also serve to activate the immune system against cancer cells. While viruses alone can serve as immune stimulators, there is great interest in arming oncolytic viruses with the genes for immune stimulatory proteins to amplify their effects. In this work, we have tested the efficacy of a conditionally-replicating adenoviruses (CRAds) with and without selected immunostimulatory payloads in an immune competent mouse model of melanoma. Empty CRAd657 was compared to the same vector expressing mouse CD40L or mouse 4-1BBL. When CRAd657-m4-1BBL and CRAd657-mCD40L were injected into B16-hCAR murine melanoma tumors, both single vectors delayed tumor growth and prolong survival when compared to empty CRAd657. However, combined injection of both CRAd-4-1BBL and CRAd-CD40L mediated significantly better control of tumor growth. All of the payloads increased immune cell infiltration into tumors and notably reduced expression of PD-1 exhaustion marker on T cells. However, recruitment of CD8+ T cells was higher with 4-1BBL alone while CD40L expression induced more CD4+ T cell infiltration. Notably, the combination of CRAd657-4-1BBL and CRAd657-CD40L induced higher anti-TRP-2 tumor-associated antigen T cell responses than empty or single gene vectors. This combination also caused depigmentation in areas adjacent to the tumor sites in more animals. These data indicate that driving two axes of the immune system with combined immune stimulatory payloads can lead to improved anti-cancer immune responses and better tumor control in an immune competent model of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Chia Lu
- Mayo Clinic, 6915, Virology and Gene Therapy Graduate Program, First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota, United States, 55905-0002;
| | - Michael Hansen
- Mayo Clinic, Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, United States;
| | - Jack Hemsath
- Mayo Clinic, Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, United States;
| | - Brian Parrett
- Mayo Clinic, Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, United States;
| | - Brady Zell
- Mayo Clinic, Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, United States;
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6
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Heine A, Juranek S, Brossart P. Clinical and immunological effects of mRNA vaccines in malignant diseases. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:52. [PMID: 33722265 PMCID: PMC7957288 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01339-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro-transcribed messenger RNA-based therapeutics represent a relatively novel and highly efficient class of drugs. Several recently published studies emphasize the potential efficacy of mRNA vaccines in treating different types of malignant and infectious diseases where conventional vaccine strategies and platforms fail to elicit protective immune responses. mRNA vaccines have lately raised high interest as potent vaccines against SARS-CoV2. Direct application of mRNA or its electroporation into dendritic cells was shown to induce polyclonal CD4+ and CD8+ mediated antigen-specific T cell responses as well as the production of protective antibodies with the ability to eliminate transformed or infected cells. More importantly, the vaccine composition may include two or more mRNAs coding for different proteins or long peptides. This enables the induction of polyclonal immune responses against a broad variety of epitopes within the encoded antigens that are presented on various MHC complexes, thus avoiding the restriction to a certain HLA molecule or possible immune escape due to antigen-loss. The development and design of mRNA therapies was recently boosted by several critical innovations including the development of technologies for the production and delivery of high quality and stable mRNA. Several technical obstacles such as stability, delivery and immunogenicity were addressed in the past and gradually solved in the recent years.This review will summarize the most recent technological developments and application of mRNA vaccines in clinical trials and discusses the results, challenges and future directions with a special focus on the induced innate and adaptive immune responses.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens, Neoplasm/genetics
- Antigens, Neoplasm/immunology
- Cancer Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Cancer Vaccines/genetics
- Cancer Vaccines/immunology
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Gene Transfer Techniques
- Humans
- Immunity
- Immunotherapy
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/metabolism
- Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/pathology
- Neoplasms/etiology
- Neoplasms/pathology
- Neoplasms/therapy
- RNA Stability
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/immunology
- Vaccines, Synthetic/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Synthetic/genetics
- Vaccines, Synthetic/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Annkristin Heine
- Medical Clinic III for Oncology, Hematology, Immune-Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Stefan Juranek
- Medical Clinic III for Oncology, Hematology, Immune-Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Brossart
- Medical Clinic III for Oncology, Hematology, Immune-Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
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7
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Wang Y, Zhang Z, Luo J, Han X, Wei Y, Wei X. mRNA vaccine: a potential therapeutic strategy. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:33. [PMID: 33593376 PMCID: PMC7884263 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01311-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
mRNA vaccines have tremendous potential to fight against cancer and viral diseases due to superiorities in safety, efficacy and industrial production. In recent decades, we have witnessed the development of different kinds of mRNAs by sequence optimization to overcome the disadvantage of excessive mRNA immunogenicity, instability and inefficiency. Based on the immunological study, mRNA vaccines are coupled with immunologic adjuvant and various delivery strategies. Except for sequence optimization, the assistance of mRNA-delivering strategies is another method to stabilize mRNAs and improve their efficacy. The understanding of increasing the antigen reactiveness gains insight into mRNA-induced innate immunity and adaptive immunity without antibody-dependent enhancement activity. Therefore, to address the problem, scientists further exploited carrier-based mRNA vaccines (lipid-based delivery, polymer-based delivery, peptide-based delivery, virus-like replicon particle and cationic nanoemulsion), naked mRNA vaccines and dendritic cells-based mRNA vaccines. The article will discuss the molecular biology of mRNA vaccines and underlying anti-virus and anti-tumor mechanisms, with an introduction of their immunological phenomena, delivery strategies, their importance on Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and related clinical trials against cancer and viral diseases. Finally, we will discuss the challenge of mRNA vaccines against bacterial and parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 PR China
| | - Ziqi Zhang
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 PR China
| | - Jingwen Luo
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 PR China
| | - Xuejiao Han
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 PR China
| | - Yuquan Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 PR China
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041 PR China
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Abstract
The first proof-of-concept studies about the feasibility of genetic vaccines were published over three decades ago, opening the way for future development. The idea of nonviral antigen delivery had multiple advantages over the traditional live or inactivated pathogen-based vaccines, but a great deal of effort had to be invested to turn the idea of genetic vaccination into reality. Although early proof-of-concept studies were groundbreaking, they also showed that numerous aspects of genetic vaccines needed to be improved. Until the early 2000s, the vast majority of effort was invested into the development of DNA vaccines due to the potential issues of instability and low in vivo translatability of messenger RNA (mRNA). In recent years, numerous studies have demonstrated the outstanding abilities of mRNA to elicit potent immune responses against infectious pathogens and different types of cancer, making it a viable platform for vaccine development. Multiple mRNA vaccine platforms have been developed and evaluated in small and large animals and humans and the results seem to be promising. RNA-based vaccines have important advantages over other vaccine approaches including outstanding efficacy, safety, and the potential for rapid, inexpensive, and scalable production. There is a substantial investment by new mRNA companies into the development of mRNA therapeutics, particularly vaccines, increasing the number of basic and translational research publications and human clinical trials underway. This review gives a broad overview about genetic vaccines and mainly focuses on the past and present of mRNA vaccines along with the future directions to bring this potent vaccine platform closer to therapeutic use.
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Ahmed R, Crespo I, Tuyaerts S, Bekkar A, Graciotti M, Xenarios I, Kandalaft LE. Predicting combinations of immunomodulators to enhance dendritic cell-based vaccination based on a hybrid experimental and computational platform. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:2217-2227. [PMID: 32952936 PMCID: PMC7475195 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccines have been largely used in the adjuvant setting for the treatment of cancer, however, despite their proven safety, clinical outcomes still remain modest. In order to improve their efficacy, DC-based vaccines are often combined with one or multiple immunomodulatory agents. However, the selection of the most promising combinations is hampered by the plethora of agents available and the unknown interplay between these different agents. To address this point, we developed a hybrid experimental and computational platform to predict the effects and immunogenicity of dual combinations of stimuli once combined with DC vaccination, based on the experimental data of a variety of assays to monitor different aspects of the immune response after a single stimulus. To assess the stimuli behavior when used as single agents, we first developed an in vitro co-culture system of T cell priming using monocyte-derived DCs loaded with whole tumor lysate to prime autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the presence of the chosen stimuli, as single adjuvants, and characterized the elicited response assessing 18 different phenotypic and functional traits important for an efficient anti-cancer response. We then developed and applied a prediction algorithm, generating a ranking for all possible dual combinations of the different single stimuli considered here. The ranking generated by the prediction tool was then validated with experimental data showing a strong correlation with the predicted scores, confirming that the top ranked conditions globally significantly outperformed the worst conditions. Thus, the method developed here constitutes an innovative tool for the selection of the best immunomodulatory agents to implement in future DC-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Ahmed
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Isaac Crespo
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Vital-IT group, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sandra Tuyaerts
- Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Amel Bekkar
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michele Graciotti
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ioannis Xenarios
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lana E. Kandalaft
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
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10
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Ahmed R, Sayegh N, Graciotti M, Kandalaft LE. Electroporation as a method of choice to generate genetically modified dendritic cell cancer vaccines. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2020; 65:142-155. [PMID: 32240923 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2020.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In the last few decades, immunotherapy has emerged as an alternative therapeutic approach to treat cancer. Immunotherapy offers a plethora of different treatment possibilities. Among these, dendritic cell (DC)-based cancer vaccines constitute one of the most promising and valuable therapeutic options. DC-vaccines have been introduced into the clinics more than 15 years ago, and preclinical studies showed their general safety and low toxic effects on patients. However, their treatment efficacy is still rather limited, demanding for novel avenues to improve vaccine efficacy. One way to potentially achieve this is to focus on improving the DC-T cell interaction to further increase T cell priming and downstream activity. A successful DC-T cell interaction requires three different signals (Figure 1): (1) Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) and antigen complex interaction with T cell receptor (TCR) (2) interaction between co-stimulatory molecules and their cognate ligands at the cell surface and (3) secretion of cytokines to polarize the immune response toward a Type 1 helper (Th1) phenotype. In recent years, many studies attempted to improve the DC-T cell interaction and overall cancer vaccine therapeutic outcomes by increasing the expression of mediators of signal 1, 2 and/or 3, through genetic modifications of DCs. Transfection of genes of interest can be achieved through many different methods such as passive pulsing, lipofection, viral transfection, or electroporation (EP). However, EP is currently emerging as the method of choice thanks to its safety, versatility, and relatively easy clinical translation. In this review we will highlight the potential benefits of EP over other transfection methods as well as giving an overview of the available studies employing EP to gene-modify DCs in cancer vaccines. Crucial aspects such as safety, feasibility, and gene(s) of choice will be also discussed, together with future perspectives and opportunities for DC genetic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Ahmed
- Ludwig Center for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1011, Switzerland
| | - Naya Sayegh
- Ludwig Center for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1011, Switzerland
| | - Michele Graciotti
- Ludwig Center for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1011, Switzerland
| | - Lana E Kandalaft
- Ludwig Center for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1011, Switzerland.
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11
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Ribonucleic Acid Engineering of Dendritic Cells for Therapeutic Vaccination: Ready 'N Able to Improve Clinical Outcome? Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12020299. [PMID: 32012714 PMCID: PMC7072269 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12020299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting and exploiting the immune system has become a valid alternative to conventional options for treating cancer and infectious disease. Dendritic cells (DCs) take a central place given their role as key orchestrators of immunity. Therapeutic vaccination with autologous DCs aims to stimulate the patient's own immune system to specifically target his/her disease and has proven to be an effective form of immunotherapy with very little toxicity. A great amount of research in this field has concentrated on engineering these DCs through ribonucleic acid (RNA) to improve vaccine efficacy and thereby the historically low response rates. We reviewed in depth the 52 clinical trials that have been published on RNA-engineered DC vaccination, spanning from 2001 to date and reporting on 696 different vaccinated patients. While ambiguity prevents reliable quantification of effects, these trials do provide evidence that RNA-modified DC vaccination can induce objective clinical responses and survival benefit in cancer patients through stimulation of anti-cancer immunity, without significant toxicity. Succinct background knowledge of RNA engineering strategies and concise conclusions from available clinical and recent preclinical evidence will help guide future research in the larger domain of DC immunotherapy.
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12
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Zhao Z, Zheng L, Chen W, Weng W, Song J, Ji J. Delivery strategies of cancer immunotherapy: recent advances and future perspectives. J Hematol Oncol 2019; 12:126. [PMID: 31779642 PMCID: PMC6883629 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-019-0817-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has become an emerging strategy for the treatment of cancer. Immunotherapeutic drugs have been increasing for clinical treatment. Despite significant advances in immunotherapy, the clinical application of immunotherapy for cancer patients has some challenges associated with safety and efficacy, including autoimmune reactions, cytokine release syndrome, and vascular leak syndrome. Novel strategies, particularly improved delivery strategies, including nanoparticles, scaffolds, and hydrogels, are able to effectively target tumors and/or immune cells of interest, increase the accumulation of immunotherapies within the lesion, and reduce off-target effects. Here, we briefly describe five major types of cancer immunotherapy, including their clinical status, strengths, and weaknesses. Then, we introduce novel delivery strategies, such as nanoparticle-based delivery of immunotherapy, implantable scaffolds, injectable biomaterials for immunotherapy, and matrix-binding molecular conjugates, which can improve the efficacy and safety of immunotherapies. Also, the limitations of novel delivery strategies and challenges of clinical translation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongwei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Imaging Diagnosis and Minimally Invasive Intervention Research, Affiliated Lishui Hospital of Zhejiang University/the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University /The Central Hospital of Zhejiang Lishui, Lishui, 323000, China.,Department of Radiology, Affiliated Lishui Hospital of Zhejiang University/the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University/The Central Hospital of Zhejiang Lishui, Lishui, 323000, China
| | - Liyun Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Imaging Diagnosis and Minimally Invasive Intervention Research, Affiliated Lishui Hospital of Zhejiang University/the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University /The Central Hospital of Zhejiang Lishui, Lishui, 323000, China.,Department of Radiology, Affiliated Lishui Hospital of Zhejiang University/the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University/The Central Hospital of Zhejiang Lishui, Lishui, 323000, China
| | - Weiqian Chen
- Key Laboratory of Imaging Diagnosis and Minimally Invasive Intervention Research, Affiliated Lishui Hospital of Zhejiang University/the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University /The Central Hospital of Zhejiang Lishui, Lishui, 323000, China.,Department of Radiology, Affiliated Lishui Hospital of Zhejiang University/the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University/The Central Hospital of Zhejiang Lishui, Lishui, 323000, China
| | - Wei Weng
- Key Laboratory of Imaging Diagnosis and Minimally Invasive Intervention Research, Affiliated Lishui Hospital of Zhejiang University/the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University /The Central Hospital of Zhejiang Lishui, Lishui, 323000, China
| | - Jingjing Song
- Key Laboratory of Imaging Diagnosis and Minimally Invasive Intervention Research, Affiliated Lishui Hospital of Zhejiang University/the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University /The Central Hospital of Zhejiang Lishui, Lishui, 323000, China.,Department of Radiology, Affiliated Lishui Hospital of Zhejiang University/the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University/The Central Hospital of Zhejiang Lishui, Lishui, 323000, China
| | - Jiansong Ji
- Key Laboratory of Imaging Diagnosis and Minimally Invasive Intervention Research, Affiliated Lishui Hospital of Zhejiang University/the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University /The Central Hospital of Zhejiang Lishui, Lishui, 323000, China. .,Department of Radiology, Affiliated Lishui Hospital of Zhejiang University/the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University/The Central Hospital of Zhejiang Lishui, Lishui, 323000, China. .,Department of Interventional Radiology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Affiliated Lishui Hospital of Zhejiang University, The Central Hospital of Zhejiang Lishui, Lishui, 323000, China.
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13
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Cornel AM, van Til NP, Boelens JJ, Nierkens S. Strategies to Genetically Modulate Dendritic Cells to Potentiate Anti-Tumor Responses in Hematologic Malignancies. Front Immunol 2018; 9:982. [PMID: 29867960 PMCID: PMC5968097 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cell (DC) vaccination has been investigated as a potential strategy to target hematologic malignancies, while generating sustained immunological responses to control potential future relapse. Nonetheless, few clinical trials have shown robust long-term efficacy. It has been suggested that a combination of surmountable shortcomings, such as selection of utilized DC subsets, DC loading and maturation strategies, as well as tumor-induced immunosuppression may be targeted to maximize anti-tumor responses of DC vaccines. Generation of DC from CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) may provide potential in patients undergoing allogeneic HSPC transplantations for hematologic malignancies. CD34+ HSPC from the graft can be genetically modified to optimize antigen presentation and to provide sufficient T cell stimulatory signals. We here describe beneficial (gene)-modifications that can be implemented in various processes in T cell activation by DC, among which major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and MHC class II presentation, DC maturation and migration, cross-presentation, co-stimulation, and immunosuppression to improve anti-tumor responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelisa M Cornel
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Niek P van Til
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jaap Jan Boelens
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Stefan Nierkens
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
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14
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Pardi N, Hogan MJ, Porter FW, Weissman D. mRNA vaccines - a new era in vaccinology. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2018; 17:261-279. [PMID: 29326426 DOI: 10.1038/nrd.2017.243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2269] [Impact Index Per Article: 378.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
mRNA vaccines represent a promising alternative to conventional vaccine approaches because of their high potency, capacity for rapid development and potential for low-cost manufacture and safe administration. However, their application has until recently been restricted by the instability and inefficient in vivo delivery of mRNA. Recent technological advances have now largely overcome these issues, and multiple mRNA vaccine platforms against infectious diseases and several types of cancer have demonstrated encouraging results in both animal models and humans. This Review provides a detailed overview of mRNA vaccines and considers future directions and challenges in advancing this promising vaccine platform to widespread therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert Pardi
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Michael J Hogan
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Frederick W Porter
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
| | - Drew Weissman
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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15
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Shin CA, Cho HW, Shin AR, Sohn HJ, Cho HI, Kim TG. Co-expression of CD40L with CD70 or OX40L increases B-cell viability and antitumor efficacy. Oncotarget 2018; 7:46173-46186. [PMID: 27323820 PMCID: PMC5216789 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Activated B-cells are a promising alternative source of antigen-presenting cells. They can generally be obtained in sufficient numbers for clinical use, but in most instances produce weak immune responses and therapeutic effects that are suboptimal for use in therapeutic cancer vaccines. To improve the immunogenic potency and therapeutic efficacy of B-cell-based vaccines, ex vivo-activated B-cells were transduced with recombinant lentiviruses in order to express additional costimulatory ligands—CD40L, CD70, OX40L, or 4-1BBL—either individually or in pairs (CD70/CD40L, OX40L/CD40L, or 4-1BBL/CD40L). We observed that the expression of CD40L molecules on B-cells was crucial for T-cell priming and activation. Administration of B-cells co-expressing CD40L with the other costimulatory ligands provided substantial antigen-specific CD8 T-cell responses capable of provoking in vivo proliferation and potent cytolytic activities. Notably, expression of CD40L augmented B-cell viability by inhibiting apoptosis through upregulated expression of the anti-apoptotic molecules BCL2, Bcl-xL and Bax. B-cells co-expressing CD40L with CD70, OX40L, or 4-1BBL induced potent therapeutic antitumor effects in a B16 melanoma model. Moreover, the combination of genetically-modified B-cell vaccines with programmed cell death-1 blockade potentiated the therapeutic efficacy. These results suggest that B-cells endowed with additional costimulatory ligands enable the design of effective vaccination strategies against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Ae Shin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, South Korea
| | - Hyun-Woo Cho
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, South Korea
| | - A-Ri Shin
- Catholic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, South Korea.,Catholic Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, South Korea
| | - Hyun-Jung Sohn
- Catholic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, South Korea
| | - Hyun-Il Cho
- Catholic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, South Korea.,Catholic Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, South Korea
| | - Tai-Gyu Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, South Korea.,Catholic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, South Korea.,Catholic Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, South Korea
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16
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Rahman MM, Badruzzaman ATM, Altaf Hossain FM, Husna A, Bari AM, Eo SK. The promise of 4-1BB (CD137) mediated immunomodulation and immunotherapy for viral diseases. Future Virol 2017. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2016-0100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The T-cell surface receptor, 4-1BB (CD137), has been of increasing interest to immunologists as a co-stimulatory immune checkpoint molecule over the last two decades. Ligation of 4-1BB can activate signals in CD8+ T cells and NK cells, resulting in increased proinflammatory cytokine secretion, cytolytic function and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Targeting 4-1BB, using a 4-1BB ligand (4-1BBL) or agonistic monoclonal antibodies, has delivered a new strategy to fight against cancer, autoimmune diseases and viral infections. In this review, different aspects of 4-1BB mediated antiviral responses, the mechanistic basis of such responses and future directions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Masudur Rahman
- Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - ATM Badruzzaman
- Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Ferdaus Mohd Altaf Hossain
- Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Bio-Safety Research Institute, Chonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Republic of Korea
| | - Asmaul Husna
- Faculty of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Abusaleh Mahfuzul Bari
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Seong Kug Eo
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Bio-Safety Research Institute, Chonbuk National University, Iksan 54596, Republic of Korea
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17
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Hahn AW, Gill DM, Pal SK, Agarwal N. The future of immune checkpoint cancer therapy after PD-1 and CTLA-4. Immunotherapy 2017; 9:681-692. [DOI: 10.2217/imt-2017-0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew W Hahn
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112 USA
| | - David M Gill
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112 USA
| | - Sumanta K Pal
- Department of Oncology, City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, 91010 USA
| | - Neeraj Agarwal
- Department of Oncology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112 USA
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18
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Preclinical evaluation of an mRNA HIV vaccine combining rationally selected antigenic sequences and adjuvant signals (HTI-TriMix). AIDS 2017; 31:321-332. [PMID: 27677160 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000001276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of a prophylactic vaccine against HIV-1 has so far not been successful. Therefore, attention has shifted more and more toward the development of novel therapeutic vaccines. Here, we evaluated a new mRNA-based therapeutic vaccine against HIV-1-encoding activation signals (TriMix: CD40L + CD70 + caTLR4) combined with rationally selected antigenic sequences [HIVACAT T-cell immunogen (HTI)] sequence: comprises 16 joined fragments from Gag, Pol, Vif, and Nef). METHODS For this purpose, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HIV-1-infected individuals on cART, lymph node explants from noninfected humans, and splenocytes from immunized mice were collected and several immune functions were measured. RESULTS Electroporation of immature monocyte-derived dendritic cells from HIV-infected patients with mRNA encoding HTI + TriMix potently activated dendritic cells which resulted in upregulation of maturation markers and cytokine production and T-cell stimulation, as evidenced by enhanced proliferation and cytokine secretion (IFN-γ). Responses were HIV specific and were predominantly targeted against the sequences included in HTI. These findings were confirmed in human lymph node explants exposed to HTI + TriMix mRNA. Intranodal immunizations with HTI mRNA in a mouse model increased antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses. The addition of TriMix further enhanced cytotoxic responses. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that uptake of mRNA, encoding strong activation signals and a potent HIV antigen, confers a T-cell stimulatory capacity to dendritic cells and enhances their ability to stimulate antigen-specific immunity. These findings may pave the way for therapeutic HIV vaccine strategies based on antigen-encoding RNA to specifically target antigen-presenting cells.
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19
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Bialkowski L, Van der Jeught K, Renmans D, van Weijnen A, Heirman C, Keyaerts M, Breckpot K, Thielemans K. Adjuvant-Enhanced mRNA Vaccines. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1499:179-191. [PMID: 27987150 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6481-9_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in molecular biology have led to dramatic enhancement of the stability of in vitro transcribed (IVT) messenger RNA (mRNA) and improvement in its translational efficacy. Nowadays, mRNA-based vaccines represent a promising approach in the field of anticancer immunotherapy, gaining attention over the earlier-established bacteria-, virus-, or cell-based vaccination approaches. Here, we present the experimental procedures employed in our laboratory to induce anticancer immune responses in different murine tumor models using IVT mRNA encoding for immune activation signals and antigens of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukasz Bialkowski
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kevin Van der Jeught
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dries Renmans
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alexia van Weijnen
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Carlo Heirman
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marleen Keyaerts
- In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103K, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kris Thielemans
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103E, Brussels, Belgium.
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20
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Scott-Algara D, Warszawski J, Chenadec JL, Didier C, Montange T, Viard JP, Dollfus C, Avettand-Fenoel V, Rouzioux C, Blanche S, Buseyne F. Gag-Specific CD4 T Cell Proliferation, Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells, and Ethnicity in Perinatally HIV-1-Infected Youths: The ANRS-EP38-IMMIP Study. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2017; 33:21-28. [PMID: 27627837 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2016.0177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In perinatally HIV-1-infected youths living in France, we previously reported that Gag-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell proliferation is more frequently detected in patients of black ethnicity than in those of other ethnicities. We observed that black patients had higher levels of dendritic cells (DCs) than other patients. We aimed at studying the association of DC levels with Gag-specific T cell proliferation. The ANRS-EP38-IMMIP study is an observational study of youths aged between 15 and 24 years who were perinatally infected with HIV. A single blood sample was drawn for virological and immunological assays. Data from cART-treated 53 youths with undetectable plasma HIV RNA were analyzed. Gag-specific T cell proliferation was assessed by using a CFSE-based test. Peripheral blood myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) were phenotyped by flow cytometry. Plasma markers were quantified by ELISA or multiplex assays. Logistic regression was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Patients with Gag-specific CD4 T cell proliferative responses had significantly higher percentages and absolute counts of mDCs and pDCs in the peripheral blood than nonresponding patients. Gag-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell proliferation was associated with lower plasma sCD14 levels. Plasma levels of IFN-α, TRAIL, and chemokines involved in T cell migration to secondary lymphoid organs were not associated with T cell proliferation. Multivariate analysis confirmed the association between Gag-specific CD4 T cell proliferation and pDC levels. In conclusion, DC levels are a robust correlate of the presence of Gag-specific T cell proliferation in successfully treated youths.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Josiane Warszawski
- INSERM U1018, CESP, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Université Paris-Sud, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | | | - Céline Didier
- Groupe Mécanismes de l'Hérédité Epigénétique, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Thomas Montange
- Unité d'Epidémiologie et Physiopathologie des Virus Oncogènes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- UMR 3569, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Paul Viard
- EA7327, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- AP-HP, Centre de Diagnostic et de Thérapeutique, Hôpital de l'Hôtel-Dieu, Paris, France
| | - Catherine Dollfus
- AP-HP, Service d'Hématologie et d'Oncologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Trousseau, Paris, France
| | - Véronique Avettand-Fenoel
- EA7327, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- AP-HP, Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Christine Rouzioux
- EA7327, Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
- AP-HP, Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Stéphane Blanche
- AP-HP, Unité Immunologie et Hématologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - Florence Buseyne
- Unité d'Epidémiologie et Physiopathologie des Virus Oncogènes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- UMR 3569, CNRS, Paris, France
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Bartkowiak T, Curran MA. 4-1BB Agonists: Multi-Potent Potentiators of Tumor Immunity. Front Oncol 2015; 5:117. [PMID: 26106583 PMCID: PMC4459101 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy is a rapidly expanding field of oncology aimed at targeting, not the tumor itself, but the immune system combating the cancerous lesion. Of the many approaches currently under study to boost anti-tumor immune responses; modulation of immune co-receptors on lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment has thus far proven to be the most effective. Antibody blockade of the T cell co-inhibitory receptor cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) has become the first FDA approved immune checkpoint blockade; however, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes express a diverse array of additional stimulatory and inhibitory co-receptors, which can be targeted to boost tumor immunity. Among these, the co-stimulatory receptor 4-1BB (CD137/TNFSF9) possesses an unequaled capacity for both activation and pro-inflammatory polarization of anti-tumor lymphocytes. While functional studies of 4-1BB have focused on its prominent role in augmenting cytotoxic CD8 T cells, 4-1BB can also modulate the activity of CD4 T cells, B cells, natural killer cells, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. 4-1BB’s expression on both T cells and antigen presenting cells, coupled with its capacity to promote survival, expansion, and enhanced effector function of activated T cells, has made it an alluring target for tumor immunotherapy. In contrast to immune checkpoint blocking antibodies, 4-1BB agonists can both potentiate anti-tumor and anti-viral immunity, while at the same time ameliorating autoimmune disease. Despite this, 4-1BB agonists can trigger high grade liver inflammation which has slowed their clinical development. In this review, we discuss how the underlying immunobiology of 4-1BB activation suggests the potential for therapeutically synergistic combination strategies in which immune adverse events can be minimized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd Bartkowiak
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston, TX , USA ; The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston , Houston, TX , USA
| | - Michael A Curran
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center , Houston, TX , USA ; The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston , Houston, TX , USA
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22
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de Goede AL, Vulto AG, Osterhaus ADME, Gruters RA. Understanding HIV infection for the design of a therapeutic vaccine. Part II: Vaccination strategies for HIV. ANNALES PHARMACEUTIQUES FRANÇAISES 2014; 73:169-79. [PMID: 25528627 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharma.2014.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/07/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
HIV infection leads to a gradual loss CD4(+) T lymphocytes comprising immune competence and progression to AIDS. Effective treatment with combined antiretroviral drugs (cART) decreases viral load below detectable levels but is not able to eliminate the virus from the body. The success of cART is frustrated by the requirement of expensive lifelong adherence, accumulating drug toxicities and chronic immune activation resulting in increased risk of several non-AIDS disorders, even when viral replication is suppressed. Therefore, there is a strong need for therapeutic strategies as an alternative to cART. Immunotherapy, or therapeutic vaccination, aims to increase existing immune responses against HIV or induce de novo immune responses. These immune responses should provide a functional cure by controlling viral replication and preventing disease progression in the absence of cART. The key difficulty in the development of an HIV vaccine is our ignorance of the immune responses that control of viral replication, and thus how these responses can be elicited and how they can be monitored. Part one of this review provides an extensive overview of the (patho-) physiology of HIV infection. It describes the structure and replication cycle of HIV, the epidemiology and pathogenesis of HIV infection and the innate and adaptive immune responses against HIV. Part two of this review discusses therapeutic options for HIV. Prevention modalities and antiretroviral therapy are briefly touched upon, after which an extensive overview on vaccination strategies for HIV is provided, including the choice of immunogens and delivery strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L de Goede
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, 's-Gravendijkwal 230, PO box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus MC, 's-Gravendijkwal 230, PO box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - A G Vulto
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Erasmus MC, 's-Gravendijkwal 230, PO box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A D M E Osterhaus
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, 's-Gravendijkwal 230, PO box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - R A Gruters
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, 's-Gravendijkwal 230, PO box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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23
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De Keersmaecker B, Fostier K, Corthals J, Wilgenhof S, Heirman C, Aerts JL, Thielemans K, Schots R. Immunomodulatory drugs improve the immune environment for dendritic cell-based immunotherapy in multiple myeloma patients after autologous stem cell transplantation. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2014; 63:1023-36. [PMID: 24947180 PMCID: PMC11028612 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-014-1571-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2013] [Accepted: 06/06/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by a malignant proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow with associated organ damage. Although the prognosis of MM has improved recently, the disease remains incurable for the large majority of patients. The eradication of residual disease in the bone marrow is a main target on the road toward cure. Immune cells play a role in the control of cancer and can be tools to attack residual MM cells. However, the myeloma-associated immune deficiency is a major hurdle to immunotherapy. We evaluated ex vivo the effects of low doses of the immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) lenalidomide and pomalidomide on several immune cell types from MM patients after autologous stem cell transplantation and with low tumor burden. We observed that these drugs increased CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell proliferation and cytokine production, enhanced the lytic capacity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and reduced the suppressive effects of regulatory T cells on CD8(+) T-cell responses. In addition, we found that functional dendritic cells (DCs) can be generated from mononuclear cells from MM patients. The presence of IMiDs improved the quality of antigen-specific T cells induced or expanded by these DCs as evidenced by a higher degree of T-cell polyfunctionality. Our results provide a rationale for the design of early phase clinical studies to assess the efficacy of DC-based immunotherapy in combination with posttransplant maintenance treatment with IMiDs in MM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda De Keersmaecker
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium,
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Wang R, Freywald A, Chen Y, Xu J, Tan X, Xiang J. Transgenic 4-1BBL-engineered vaccine stimulates potent Gag-specific therapeutic and long-term immunity via increased priming of CD44(+)CD62L(high) IL-7R(+) CTLs with up- and downregulation of anti- and pro-apoptosis genes. Cell Mol Immunol 2014; 12:456-65. [PMID: 25195511 DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2014.72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Revised: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1)-specific dendritic cell (DC) vaccines have been used in clinical trials. However, they have been found to only induce some degree of immune responses in these studies. We previously demonstrated that the HIV-1 Gag-specific Gag-Texo vaccine stimulated Gag-specific effector CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses, leading to completely protective, but very limited, therapeutic immunity. In this study, we constructed a recombinant adenoviral vector, adenovirus (AdV)4-1BBL, which expressed mouse 4-1BB ligand (4-1BBL), and generated transgenic 4-1BBL-engineered OVA-Texo/4-1BBL and Gag-Texo/4-1BBL vaccines by transfecting ovalbumin (OVA)-Texo and Gag-Texo cells with AdV4-1BBL, respectively. We demonstrate that the OVA-specific OVA-Texo/4-1BBL vaccine stimulates more efficient OVA-specific CTL responses (3.26%) compared to OVA-Texo-activated responses (1.98%) in wild-type C57BL/6 mice and the control OVA-Texo/Null vaccine without transgenic 4-1BBL expression, leading to enhanced therapeutic immunity against 6-day established OVA-expressing B16 melanoma BL6-10OVA cells. OVA-Texo/4-1BBL-stimulated CTLs, which have a CD44(+)CD62L(high) IL-7R(+) phenotype, are likely memory CTL precursors, demonstrating prolonged survival and enhanced differentiation into memory CTLs with functional recall responses and long-term immunity against BL6-10OVA melanoma. In addition, we demonstrate that OVA-Texo/4-1BBL-stimulated CTLs up- and downregulate the expression of anti-apoptosis (Bcl2l10, Naip1, Nol3, Pak7 and Tnfrsf11b) and pro-apoptosis (Casp12, Trp63 and Trp73) genes, respectively, by RT(2) Profiler PCR array analysis. Importantly, the Gag-specific Gag-Texo/4-1BBL vaccine also stimulates more efficient Gag-specific therapeutic and long-term immunity against HLA-A2/Gag-expressing B16 melanoma BL6-10Gag/A2 cells than the control Gag-Texo/Null vaccine in transgenic HLA-A2 mice. Taken together, our novel Gag-Texo/4-1BBL vaccine, which is capable of stimulating potent Gag-specific therapeutic and long-term immunity, may represent a new immunotherapeutic vaccine for controlling HIV-1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Wang
- 1] Cancer Research Unit, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada [2] Department of Oncology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Andrew Freywald
- Department of Pathology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Yue Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Ottawa, Canada
| | - Jianqing Xu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Tan
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jim Xiang
- 1] Cancer Research Unit, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada [2] Department of Oncology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Benteyn D, Heirman C, Bonehill A, Thielemans K, Breckpot K. mRNA-based dendritic cell vaccines. Expert Rev Vaccines 2014; 14:161-76. [PMID: 25196947 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2014.957684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has been proposed as a powerful treatment modality. Active immunotherapy aspires to stimulate the patient's immune system, particularly T cells. These cells can recognize and kill cancer cells and can form an immunological memory. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the professional antigen-presenting cells of our immune system. They take up and process antigens to present them to T cells. Consequently, DCs have been investigated as a means to stimulate cancer-specific T-cell responses. An efficient strategy to program DCs is the use of mRNA, a well-defined and safe molecule that can be easily generated at high purity. Importantly, vaccines consisting of mRNA-modified DCs showed promising results in clinical trials. Therefore, we will introduce cancer immunotherapy and DCs and give a detailed overview on the application of mRNA to generate cancer-fighting DC vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphné Benteyn
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103/E, 1090 Jette, Belgium
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Cruz LJ, Rueda F, Tacken P, Albericio F, Torensma R, Figdor CG. Enhancing immunogenicity and cross-reactivity of HIV-1 antigens by in vivo targeting to dendritic cells. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2013; 7:1591-610. [PMID: 23148541 DOI: 10.2217/nnm.12.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Current retroviral treatments have reduced AIDS to a chronic disease for most patients. However, given drug-related side effects, the emergence of drug-resistant strains and the persistence of viral replication, the development of alternative treatments is a pressing need. This review focuses on recent developments in HIV immunotherapy treatments, with particular emphasis on current vaccination strategies for optimizing the induction of an effective immune response by the recruitment of dendritic cells. In addition to cell-based therapies, targeted strategies aiming to deliver synthetic HIV peptides to dendritic cell-specific receptors in vivo will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis J Cruz
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Modulation of tumor immunity by soluble and membrane-bound molecules at the immunological synapse. Clin Dev Immunol 2013; 2013:450291. [PMID: 23533456 PMCID: PMC3606757 DOI: 10.1155/2013/450291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2012] [Accepted: 01/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
To circumvent pathology caused by infectious microbes and tumor growth, the host immune system must constantly clear harmful microorganisms and potentially malignant transformed cells. This task is accomplished in part by T-cells, which can directly kill infected or tumorigenic cells. A crucial event determining the recognition and elimination of detrimental cells is antigen recognition by the T cell receptor (TCR) expressed on the surface of T cells. Upon binding of the TCR to cognate peptide-MHC complexes presented on the surface of antigen presenting cells (APCs), a specialized supramolecular structure known as the immunological synapse (IS) assembles at the T cell-APC interface. Such a structure involves massive redistribution of membrane proteins, including TCR/pMHC complexes, modulatory receptor pairs, and adhesion molecules. Furthermore, assembly of the immunological synapse leads to intracellular events that modulate and define the magnitude and characteristics of the T cell response. Here, we discuss recent literature on the regulation and assembly of IS and the mechanisms evolved by tumors to modulate its function to escape T cell cytotoxicity, as well as novel strategies targeting the IS for therapy.
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De Haes W, Rejman J, Pollard C, Merlin C, Vekemans M, Florence E, De Smedt SC, Grooten J, Vanham G, De Koker S, Van Gulck E. Lipoplexes carrying mRNA encoding Gag protein modulate dendritic cells to stimulate HIV-specific immune responses. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2012; 8:77-87. [PMID: 22891862 DOI: 10.2217/nnm.12.97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Cationic lipids (Lipofectamine™ [Invitrogen, Merelbeke, Belgium] and 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane/1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine) and polymers (jetPEI™ and in vivo-jetPEI™ [Polyplus-transfection, Illkirch, France]) were evaluated for their potential to deliver mRNA to monocyte-derived dendritic cells. MATERIALS & METHODS Lipoplexes and polyplexes, containing mRNA encoding GFP or Gag protein, were incubated with human monocyte-derived dendritic cells and transfection efficiencies were assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS Lipofectamine was by far the most efficient in mRNA delivery, therefore it was used in further experiments. Incubation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells isolated from HIV-1-positive donors with mRNA encoding Gag protein complexed to Lipofectamine resulted in 50% transfection. Importantly, coculture of these Gag-transfected dendritic cells with autologous T cells induced an over tenfold expansion of IFN-γ- and IL-2-secreting CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. CONCLUSION Cationic lipid-mediated mRNA delivery may be a useful tool for therapeutic vaccination against HIV-1. This approach can be applied to develop vaccination strategies for other infectious diseases and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winni De Haes
- Institute of Tropical Medicine of Antwerp, Nationalestraat 155, Antwerp 2000, Belgium.
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Expansion of polyfunctional HIV-specific T cells upon stimulation with mRNA electroporated dendritic cells in the presence of immunomodulatory drugs. J Virol 2012; 86:9351-60. [PMID: 22718823 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00472-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, it has been demonstrated that disease progression during HIV infection is not determined merely by the number of HIV-specific T cells but also by their quality (J. R. Almeida, et al., J. Exp. Med. 204:2473-2485, 2007; C. T. Berger, et al., J. Virol. 85:9334-9345, 2011; M. R. Betts, et al., Blood 107:4781-4789, 2006; V. V. Ganusov, et al., J. Virol. 85:10518-10528, 2011; P. Kiepiela, et al., Nat. Med. 13:46-53, 2007; and F. Pereyra, et al., J. Infect. Dis. 197:563-571, 2008). Therefore, strategies to specifically enhance or induce high-quality, HIV-specific T-cell responses are necessary to develop effective immune therapies. Thalidomide, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide have a strong capacity to boost immune responses and are therefore referred to as immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs). We evaluated the effects of lenalidomide and pomalidomide on HIV-specific T cells. We found that the presence of IMiDs during in vitro T-cell stimulation with dendritic cells electroporated with Gag- or Nef-encoding mRNA resulted in higher numbers of cytokine-secreting HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells, particularly inducing polyfunctional HIV-specific CD8(+) T cells with an enhanced lytic capacity. Furthermore, CD8(+) T-cell responses were detected upon stimulation with lower antigenic peptide concentrations, and a higher number of Gag epitopes was recognized upon addition of IMiDs. Finally, IMiDs reduced the proliferation of the HIV-specific CD4(+) T cells while increasing the number of polyfunctional CD4(+) T cells. These results provide new information about the effects of IMiDs on antigen-specific T cells and suggest that these drugs increase the efficacy of immune therapies for infectious diseases and cancer.
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Abstract
Some of the most successful pathogens of human, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), HIV, and Leishmania donovani not only establish chronic infections but also remain a grave global threat. These pathogens have developed innovative strategies to evade immune responses such as antigenic shift and drift, interference with antigen processing/presentation, subversion of phagocytosis, induction of immune regulatory pathways, and manipulation of the costimulatory molecules. Costimulatory molecules expressed on the surface of various cells play a decisive role in the initiation and sustenance of immunity. Exploitation of the “code of conduct” of costimulation pathways provides evolutionary incentive to the pathogens and thereby abates the functioning of the immune system. Here we review how Mtb, HIV, Leishmania sp., and other pathogens manipulate costimulatory molecules to establish chronic infection. Impairment by pathogens in the signaling events delivered by costimulatory molecules may be responsible for defective T-cell responses; consequently organisms grow unhindered in the host cells. This review summarizes the convergent devices that pathogens employ to tune and tame the immune system using costimulatory molecules. Studying host-pathogen interaction in context with costimulatory signals may unveil the molecular mechanism that will help in understanding the survival/death of the pathogens. We emphasize that the very same pathways can potentially be exploited to develop immunotherapeutic strategies to eliminate intracellular pathogens.
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Abstract
Members of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily have been implicated in a wide range of biological functions, and their expression by cells of the immune system makes them appealing targets for immunomodulation. One common theme for TNF superfamily members is their coordinated expression at the interface between antigen-specific T cells and antigen-presenting dendritic cells and, by virtue of this expression pattern, TNF superfamily members can shape T cell immune responses. Understanding how to manipulate such functions of the TNF superfamily may allow us to tip the balance between immunity and tolerance in the context of human disease.
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A phase I/IIa immunotherapy trial of HIV-1-infected patients with Tat, Rev and Nef expressing dendritic cells followed by treatment interruption. Clin Immunol 2012; 142:252-68. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2011.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2011] [Revised: 10/28/2011] [Accepted: 10/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Kanagavelu SK, Snarsky V, Termini JM, Gupta S, Barzee S, Wright JA, Khan WN, Kornbluth RS, Stone GW. Soluble multi-trimeric TNF superfamily ligand adjuvants enhance immune responses to a HIV-1 Gag DNA vaccine. Vaccine 2012; 30:691-702. [PMID: 22146759 PMCID: PMC3253891 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.11.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2011] [Revised: 11/21/2011] [Accepted: 11/22/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND DNA vaccines remain an important component of HIV vaccination strategies, typically as part of a prime/boost vaccination strategy with viral vector or protein boost. A number of DNA prime/viral vector boost vaccines are currently being evaluated for both preclinical studies and in Phase I and Phase II clinical trials. These vaccines would benefit from molecular adjuvants that increase correlates of immunity during the DNA prime. While HIV vaccine immune correlates are still not well defined, there are a number of immune assays that have been shown to correlate with protection from viral challenge including CD8+ T cell avidity, antigen-specific proliferation, and polyfunctional cytokine secretion. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Recombinant DNA vaccine adjuvants composed of a fusion between Surfactant Protein D (SP-D) and either CD40 Ligand (CD40L) or GITR Ligand (GITRL) were previously shown to enhance HIV-1 Gag DNA vaccines. Here we show that similar fusion constructs composed of the TNF superfamily ligands (TNFSFL) 4-1BBL, OX40L, RANKL, LIGHT, CD70, and BAFF can also enhanced immune responses to a HIV-1 Gag DNA vaccine. BALB/c mice were vaccinated intramuscularly with plasmids expressing secreted Gag and SP-D-TNFSFL fusions. Initially, mice were analyzed 2 weeks or 7 weeks following vaccination to evaluate the relative efficacy of each SP-D-TNFSFL construct. All SP-D-TNFSFL constructs enhanced at least one Gag-specific immune response compared to the parent vaccine. Importantly, the constructs SP-D-4-1BBL, SP-D-OX40L, and SP-D-LIGHT enhanced CD8+ T cell avidity and CD8+/CD4+ T cell proliferation 7 weeks post vaccination. These avidity and proliferation data suggest that 4-1BBL, OX40L, and LIGHT fusion constructs may be particularly effective as vaccine adjuvants. Constructs SP-D-OX40L, SP-D-LIGHT, and SP-D-BAFF enhanced Gag-specific IL-2 secretion in memory T cells, suggesting these adjuvants can increase the number of self-renewing Gag-specific CD8+ and/or CD4+ T cells. Finally adjuvants SP-D-OX40L and SP-D-CD70 increased T(H)1 (IgG2a) but not T(H)2 (IgG1) antibody responses in the vaccinated animals. Surprisingly, the B cell-activating protein BAFF did not enhance anti-Gag antibody responses when given as an SP-D fusion adjuvant, but nonetheless enhanced CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses. CONCLUSIONS We present evidence that various SP-D-TNFSFL fusion constructs can enhance immune responses following DNA vaccination with HIV-1 Gag expression plasmid. These data support the continued evaluation of SP-D-TNFSFL fusion proteins as molecular adjuvants for DNA and/or viral vector vaccines. Constructs of particular interest included SP-D-OX40L, SP-D-4-1BBL, SP-D-LIGHT, and SP-D-CD70. SP-D-BAFF was surprisingly effective at enhancing T cell responses, despite its inability to enhance anti-Gag antibody secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saravana K. Kanagavelu
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - Victoria Snarsky
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA; VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA
| | - James M. Termini
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - Sachin Gupta
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - Suzanne Barzee
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA; VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA
| | - Jacqueline A. Wright
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - Wasif N. Khan
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
| | - Richard S. Kornbluth
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA; VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA
| | - Geoffrey W. Stone
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL
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